Que Rico is our family's home away from home.  This is the best Mexican restaurant I've ever eaten at.  It has the "holy quadfecta," as my husband and I call it - Margaritas, Salsa, Food, Ambiance.  This is a combination we have always sought out and only found here.  Let's talk about all four: 1. Margaritas.  This is what initially brought us here.  We had been living in the neighborhood for a couple of years without visiting, until one of our neighbors told us how amazing the margaritas are.  Sold.  We came, we saw, we conquered.  And we've been back a million times since. 2. Salsa.  Fresh.  Delicious.  Warm, sturdy tortilla chips.  Always timely, always yummy. 3. Food.  Stop it!  Soooo good.  Patty, the owner, takes great pride in quality ingredients and also has interesting spins on other types of dishes. Note, the Mexican meatloaf that's always on the menu and the Mexican lasagna that returns occasionally.  She's known for her mushroom soup.  And let me tell you, as a person who hated mushrooms her whole life but decided to try Patty's mushroom soup, I am a convert for life now.  She also has a spinach and goat cheese quesadilla, camarones al ajo, and poblanos que rico that are to die for.  Look for the little que rico logo next to certain extra delicious items on the menu.  That little logo does not lie. 4. Ambiance.  OMG.  This is the cutest place ever.  And Patty and her staff decorate for all the holidays to the nines.  It is the coziest place, with two main level dining rooms  and an upstairs dining room.   Let's talk about a few honorable mentions that didn't make the quadfecta and should have.  Service, family & community, and patio.   5. Service.  The best.  Patty, Isabella, Leah, Caesar, Jose, Pedro, and everyone else who works there are just incredibly welcoming and caring people.  They always make sure you are well taken care of and have what you need.  Plus they will make great recommendations based on what you're in the mood for! 6. Family & Community.  This staff makes you feel like family, some of them are family, and many of the patrons that frequent Que Rico are families and have become family.  I've ended up with good friends just by dining near them at this restaurant.  Oftentimes, when my family dines here, we see other regulars and catch up.  It's a wonderful sense of community. 7. Patio.  Maybe this shouldn't have been left for last, considering it's winter now and not my top point overall compared to family & community, but Que Rico has a lovely front patio when the weather is appropriate.  It's also decorated outside, which makes it a fun place to dine. All in all, this review is far overdue.  This place is my family's second home.  We will come here forever, even if we eventually move out of the neighborhood.  We joke (but are totally serious) that our baby Diana will eventually work here in 15 years.  We love it here and hope you do too! read more

The margaritas must have everclear in them - they knock us down every time we come! The food is solid, large portions. I really enjoy the goat cheese quesadillas. It's a large enough space that they can usually accommodate walk ins or larger parties without too much trouble too. read more

We stopped here for dinner before a show at the Athenaeum right up the street. Our Friends, who made the rsvps, had been here before but it was our first time. It was a little strange that what I expected to be the entrance, wasn't, and what looked like an employee entrance towards the back on the right side, was the customer entrance. Started out snacking on a really nice salsa & chips. The menu was innovative and I had trouble deciding; however, I decided to try the Mexican meatloaf which is one of their most popular dishes. It was a huge plate of food with a big slab of meatloaf & veggies over mashed potatoes. It really was good, but I would have liked a smaller portion size. My hubby ordered a Chipotle Chicken that was also a huge plate of food. Would recommend read more

Que Rico - Chipotle Chicken - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you want to experience pure happiness please go to Que Rico and sit in Pablo's section. Best waiter me and my roommate have ever had and the food was amazing read more

Was driving home and thought about getting fast food but drove by Que Rico and after years of passing and never going in, decided to pull over and dine in solo. I arrived early before the dinner crowd around 5:30 and sat down in a lovely dining room that made you feel like you weren't in Chicago. Complementary chips and salsa was fantastic to munch on while looking at the menu. Speaking of the menu, SO MUCH to choose from. I was about to order a traditional meal but then looked at the chalkboard that said "Mexican Meatloaf: Most Popular Dish!" and decided why not. As you can see in the photo, WOW! Tasted very similar to a traditional meatloaf and mashed potatoes but it definitely had a Mexican flavored kick to it. Highly recommend coming back. Good spot for a date night! read more

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We are back for the second time, first time we got the queso and the brisket tacos and the tacos brought us back again. This time we tried the tortilla soup and the empanadas, absolutely amazing. The soup was BY FAR the best tortilla soup I've ever had, same with the empanadas. This will now be our GO TO place! 10/10 staff is always amazing, ambiance is fantastic, drinks are perfect, great price, and strong. Que Rico will NOT disappoint. THANK YOU THANK YOU read more

Que Rico - Tortilla Soup Empanadas de Pollo - A white table features a bowl of tortilla soup topped with cheese and herbs, and a plate with three fried empanadas served with a small bowl of dipping sauce. The setting suggests a casual dining environment, with additional tableware visible in the background. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious, authentic and flavorful food! Incredibly friendly staff/ owner. This is a must for good food, generous portion sizes and a fun environment. read more

5** highly recommend. Patty is so personal and a total Rockstar. This should cover my 85 character minimum. read more

Que Rico - Margarita - A margarita cocktail with ice cubes is served in a tall wine glass with a straw. The drink appears chilled and slightly cloudy. The glass is placed on a white tablecloth, with a knife, a glass of water, and a menu or paper nearby. The background shows a window with a grid pattern, revealing an outdoor scene with trees and buildings, indicating an indoor dining setting. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Nice outdoor patio and friendly staff. Strong Margaritas! I ordered the tacos and they had a great portion size for the cost.

Great food, ambiance and service! Chips and salsa (complementary): 5 Guac- 5 Rice and beans with cheese- 5 Shrimp cooked in red sauce: 5+ Combo que rico: 5+ Mexican crepes (with pulled chicken and cheese): 5 Churros (with ice cream): 5+ Service and atmosphere: 5+ Will return! read more

The food is amazing! Don't sleep on the soups! The arroz con pollo, empanadas, pollo Monterey, and fish tacos are all delicious! The margaritas are top notch!!!! We come here regularly and are never disappointed. read more

Classic Marg 10/10 Mole Enchiladas 8/10 Empanadas 9/10 Goat Cheese and Spinach Quesadilla 7/10 read more

We have ordered pickup here before. This time, we had made a reservation. We were a party of 4 adults and a baby. We had a stroller and a person with a walker. My husband and I had arrived first with our baby in a stroller. The hostess repeated that we had a stroller multiple times while rolling her eyes. We waited for awhile for a table. Our whole party had arrived by the time she had a table for us. She lectured my husband about a stroller as she took us to the back room. My husband said to her to not talk to him in this tone. Then, she put her hand on my husband's arm and says what did you say as she looked right at him. I stepped in and said we feel very unwelcomed here and she walked away. She seemed to be the head person of some sort. Very disappointed of our experienced. It's walkable for us and we liked the food. It is rule and hostile and not accessible to all customers. She failed to treat us with basic manners, let alone customer service. read more

Stopped in for the first time after having walked past this place for years. I am glad I finally did. The service was great, the food very good and the margarita was tasty and frankly a little stronger than I had anticipated. Good portions and my Chicken was delicious. Coming back for more!! read more

When living in Los Angeles for over a decade, my wife & I had our favorite Mexican restaurants that just felt like home to us & we would frequent regularly. After moving to Chicago in the summer of 2020 and living here for almost 3 years we thought we would not find something of similar feel...until we were introduced to Que Rico, our now frequented neighborhood gem (I just wish we had found it sooner!). Oscar was the very first server we had. He was the definition of perfect inviting hospitality/friendliness and that initial experience he provided us with certainly paved the way for us to come back however many "I lost count" times since. Que Rico is not just one of the best Mexican restaurants it is one of the best overall restaurant experiences of any variety with the most warm & lovely staff that just feels like family. The owner & chef, Patty, is a lovely person & one heck of a culinary queen. Whether you are coming for some classic Mexican restaurant staples (tacos, fajitas, burritos, etc.) or the mind blowingly delicious Mexican Meatloaf & cream of wild mushroom soup (both of these items are a life changing experience) or their pasta night Wednesdays which we just experienced for the first time (and it truly rivaled some of the best local Italian restaurants in the neighborhood), everything is world class and absolutely delicious...you will not go wrong. I can't recall the last time my wife & I had such a serious craving NEED to come back on a weekly basis or more. Honestly, it feels like an addiction that I need to purposely not think about because once I do I have to have it....like right now our plan was to make dinner at home tonight and I'm tempted to break that plan to go there just from typing this. The atmosphere of the restaurant itself is intimate & open/spacious at the same time with plenty of seating. It also has an all around nurturing comfort to it that soothes the soul and is much better understood by experiencing than putting into words. The small patio out front is also great to dine at during a beautiful day or night (and very dog friendly). And if that is not enough to speak of, the margaritas are some of THE BEST that I have had in the city and beyond (the premium margarita is our go to and worth the price of admission). Another highly advised recommend...If you like spice perfectly complimented with amazing flavor, order a side of the habanero salsa or if you are more spice faint of heart grab a side of their signature chipotle sauce to compliment your dish. Bottom line, do not sleep on this establishment and waste more of your life not having this place in your life. Save that sleep for after experiencing a delicious meal and a margarita or two here. Patty, Isabella, Oscar, Pedro, Caesar, Lea and the rest of the team here continue to add joy to our lives on pretty much a weekly basis & create one of the best dining experiences in Chicago or anywhere (I hope I did not misspell any names). read more

Popped in last night not realizing it was Cynco de Mayo, and the place was hopping. Despite this, the staff was most accommodating and friendly, made us feel like the only table! The food was fresh, delish, and large portions! A funky, fun atmosphere to enjoy a great meal at reasonable prices. read more

Que Rico - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The ambiance here is great. Whether outside or seated in the back it's quite pleasant. The food was pretty good, we especially enjoyed the queso fundido. I would not recommend this place if you are on a schedule or looking for a quick bite. We ended up spending quite a bit of time without our drinks or our appetizer. The wait was so long we were told our drinks were on the house but when the bill came that was not the case. Wouldn't return but can't complain about the meal we were served. read more

I have been wanting to try this place ever since they were featured as part of the barstool sports fund. Finally got a chance to enjoy and was pleasantly surprised by the service and portions!! Went with the steak burrito based off the servers recommendation. Not very authentic from a flavor standpoint but this thing was full of meat and no fillers!! If you're looking for a great local Mexican spot with great service and a friendly atmosphere... This is your spot! If you're looking for something more authentic and spicy there are other options. Will definitely come back next time I'm in the area. read more

Que Rico - The steak burrito is all meat!! Hope you're hungry - Close-up of cheese-covered enchiladas filled with beef, topped with melted cheese and sauce. The dish is served with side items such as refried beans and a small salad with greens. The food is presented on a foam takeout container, indicating a casual dining or takeout setting. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food is pretty good! The service is okay but it seems like the servers aren't attentive at all. I was waiting 15 minutes for a server to come and take my order as she sat at another table and had a glass of wine. She was very nice but I was a bit confused as to who my server was and who worked at the restaurant. I ordered the tacos which were good but they were a bit bland, with no sauce and cold toppings. The ambiance was nice, with a huge TV that had March Madness on the whole night! read more

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Wanted Mexican cuisine and didn't want to travel too far and we ended up finding this place. It's super cute, on the inside it looks small and cozy we thought that was it but, when we spoke to our waitress she told us there was more space in the back and when it's not snowing there's it's open and sometimes there's live music. Our waitress was super friendly and great I'm really bad with names and all I can remember is V. She was very informative. To drink we went for the premium margarita, we over heard a lot of people order the strawberry drink, but the margarita was good. There is chips & salsa good salsas a little sweet but balanced out with house made chips. It's not spicy at all so we asked if the had a spicy salsa. They have a habanero sala and I will say it is delicious! It packs heat but it's so good. To start we had the: pollo empanadas- The empanadas we're one of my fav. Apps I will say. The empanada shell was crispy and the filling had all the right ingredients, it went so well with the habanero salsa. I ordered the Combo que rico - it come with chile relleno(stuffed pepper), mole enchilada(pork), carne asada in chimichurri. This dish does NOT disappoint. Out of the 3 my favorite was the chile relleno. I don't remember what kind of chile it was but, it wasn't spicy, it's stuffed with a lot of cheese and the salsa for it was absolutely yummy. The mole enchilada was very good and carne asada had chimichurri under it, wish it came with as side of the chimichurri instead of it being all under one part of the carne asada. In all a very great dish. My partner had the Beef steak tacos- the meat was good but he said that he felt like the tacos were lacking something. He did try it with the habanero salsa and said it was slightly better. There was no lime that came with the tacos so maybe that was it, but they were still good. Didn't have enough room for dessert. I definitely recommend this place all the staff is friendly and the food we have was great I would definitely eat here again. read more

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First, the place is just great. Sure, it has some issues that any other place will have, but the food is what you come fore and I can promise you that it's some of the best around. Now I'll address the 1-star reviews I've seen here. Some of you people are just too wound up. I've learned that almost all negative reviews are from people who are too demanding and just can't cut someone a break when they don't get the attention they feel they deserve. Clearly, this is why everyone should work in the service industry for at least 6 months. Then maybe they'll get it. Anyway, Que Rico is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Best Mexican restaurant in Chicago. Everything on the menu is delicious and the portions will not leave you disappointed. The chicken burrito is as delicious as it is huge. They have a "trio" dinner where you can get a chicken enchilada, skirt steak and stuffed poblano pepper which is usually my go-to. More recently we have enjoyed their tortilla soup... so good. They make a wide range of Margaritas: I usually get the mango for my wife, but I prefer the pepper margarita and suggest it if you're up for it. The read more

I think Que Rico ended up kinda as I expected. But I would try it again and probably go for some of the specials. It seemed very much your typical neighborhood Mexican restaurant - selling the atmosphere, great chips and salsa, but with just average/ok food. Chips and salsa were great, plenty of good salsa with a good kick to it. Clearly fresh and homemade too. Great start. My wife and I got mole enchiladas and carne a la cazuela. The mole sauce was the most disappointing, not dark enough, not rich enough, not thick enough, far more of a nutty flavor than a chocolatey flavor. The quasi-pulled chicken on the inside was a bit better at least. The carne a la cazuela sounded good as kinda a fajita but without the hot tray and easier for eating at home during covid. But it was overwhelmingly onions with not enough peppers or tomatoes. The cheese was good but the whole flavor profile was just a bit bland. Added a couple hot sauces at home and just about saved the dish. For the price you'd expect something more. I'll try it again as they had some really good-looking specials that aren't on the online menu. But for the price, can't become a regular place. read more

Second night in Chicago we tried this place. Drinks were great! As I write this review I actually do not even remember what I ordered... We were a group of 7 and ordered different things. Ok. I remember now. I ordered the arroz marinero and someone else ordered arroz con pollo. They both looked and tasted very similar except for the meat. They were good They just needed more citrus to brighten up and add more dynamics and depth Overall everything was ok but not great except for the drinks. The staff was friendly and fun though. So I would go back! read more

Very nice Lakeview spot. Cozy and bright inside with a small outdoor patio. Our server (Bonnie, I believe: apologies if I got your name wrong) was absolutely delightful. One warning, in a good way: the appetizers are HUGE! Our party of three shared the spinach empanadas and queso fundido. Both were very good, but I was full before my entree arrived. I ordered enchiladas verdes, which were very good, but had to pack up most of it for leftovers. We also enjoyed the sangria which is very unique and truly outstanding. Overall it was a great value for what we had. I look forward to returning. read more

Delicious food and fun ambiance - plus outdoor seating! The house salsa is my favorite and highly recommend the classic steak tacos and all of the enchiladas! read more

Always fresh and tasty, our favorite margaritas and best chips and salsa in town. Arroz Con Pollo is great read more

Fantastic, authentic Mexican food! Margaritas are large and fresh! Highly recommend! The staff was friendly and attentive! We had the Enchiladas and beef tacos and both were very good! Would love to try the guacamole and quest fundito next time. Will definitely be back! read more

Que Rico - Verde 3 Piece Enchiladas - A plate of Mexican food contains a serving of seasoned rice, cheese-covered enchiladas with melted cheese on top, refried beans, and a side salad with chopped greens and purple cabbage. The dish is served on an oval plate, with a basket of tortilla chips partially visible in the background. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food here is so good. I would say it's comfort food for sure. The soups are especially good. I ordered the Jalapeno cream soup and absolutely loved it. Unlike other Mexican restaurants the chief here goes out of her way to give you unique dishes that you won't find in other Mexican restaurants. This place makes you feel like home. The staff is attentive and friendly. I will be back for sure. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

Started going here when they first opened and stopped going after I moved away. Went back for the first time in 10 years and was blown away how tasty the food was. The service was also on point. Will definitely be heading back more often. Only downside if you want to call it that is the big plants in the front windows. I'd move them to let customers see out and passerby see in. read more

I ordered takeout in a Friday evening after work. My food was ready early which is always exciting, especially on a Friday after a long week at work. I ordered the chicken empanadas which were so very tasty. Next time I want to try the guacamole and/or queso! Also I can't wait until the weather improves because the outdoor space looks quite cozy. read more

Worst expierence possible, food came out cold, and took an hour and a half, also was extremely underwhelming. Along with that they forgot/ messed up the meals. Top 5 worst service ive been to in the city. Manager is also not kind and made excuses 0/5 stars will never go back read more

The food alone is reason enough to come to Que Rico. The lovely owner is the reason you'll keep coming back over and over. Devour some delicious traditional Mexican dishes while enjoying the ambiance of an atmosphere that makes you feel like you've transported to a small town in Mexico. Put Que Rico at the top of your list of must-visits. read more

Great food! Awesome drinks! Super hustling staff! The food here is some of the best Mexican food we have found in Chicago. It is fresh, quality ingredients and healthy portions. The sauces and salsas are freshly made and taste exceptional. Best dishes are Chipotle Chicken and the shrimp fajitas - and the guacamole and jalapeño cheese apps are delicious too. Margaritas are simply wonderful with good selection of beers and other cocktails. The staff works so diligently and are eager to make things happen for the customers there. Has a good neighborhood feel inside this place. Large seating upstairs, main floor and even on the front patio during the nice weather periods. Good place to hit up. read more

Quality Mexican food in Lakeview! Generous portion of guac and tasty fish tacos. A really great bang for your buck...and the margs aren't watered down either! read more

Que Rico - Guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We've lived in the neighborhood for almost 6 years now but only recently started coming here on a regular basis (like once a week). My family absolutely loves Patty and her staff. It feels like home and everyone is welcoming and warm. It's so wonderful to be able to support this local restaurant in our neighborhood and have a sense of community. Highlights on food: Queso fondito with chorizo is a hor for apps. Our kids can't handle spicy at all, but really love this dish. Brisket Tacos are excellent. I really like the subtle sweetness of the sauce. Que Rico combo is great if you want a taste of everything. It has skirt steak with chimichurri, enchilada with mole sauce, and stuffed poblano pepper. Secret kids menu ask: you can ask for French fries as a side instead of the typical rice and beans. Last, but definitely not least, the margaritas are Ah-mazing. It's a perfect way to end a hump-day work night or start a Friday night chill evening. read more

Lots of great food options. Great chips/salsa and guac and margaritas. Great service. Nice cozy restaurant. They have a private room for corporate meetings or small gatherings which is nice. read more

Great food. My experience was a bit uncomfortable because they didn't use paper menus. I do think it's essential to use single use menus as a precaution for covid-19. read more

Que Rico - Tilapia tacos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I officially have missed out on the BEST Mexican food of all of Chicago for the last 5 years of living in Lakeview/LP. Food: award winning brisket tacos, great tomatillo enchiladas, Guac and margs. Atmosphere: super decorated and perfect for the holiday season. I've never met staff so loyal and dedicated to their jobs. never going anywhere else again, this place totally rocks. read more

Such a great neighborhood gem! Has a fun atmosphere with all the colors and Halloween decor. The food is great as well as not badly priced. I got enchiladas with the ranchero sauce. Definitely the stamp of approval! Authentic taste, nice sized portion with plenty of sides (beans, rice, lettuce, guacamole, etc). I also tried the Queso Fundido SO GOOD. That might have been my favorite dish. So much cheese, complimentary tortillas. I literally do not have words for the Queso Fundido. They also provide you endless chips and salsa, which is something I never complain about! And lastly, their margaritas. The size is huge and boy do they make them STRONG. My boyfriend was feeling buzzed after a few sips! I thoroughly enjoyed this neighborhood find and plan on coming back much more. read more