I was looking for a taco joint in the evening before running some errands. I read the reviews and was shocked to find that this little hole in the wall was a gourmet restaurant. It proved to be not only lovely, great service, but very unusual and excellent Mexican delights. Since I didn't have much time, I ordered mango margarita, their tortilla soup which is redolent of some kind of deep red pepper and of course the chicken and the strings of fried tortillas. Astonishing! Also ordered an appetizer of four different flavors on mini sopes. So filling I only ate two. This would be a great place to bring friends to share different dishes. What a culinary adventure in the middle of Cicero Avenue! Pricing is reasonable for the quality in imagination that goes into these dishes. read more

Sol de Mexico is another superb entry in Chicago's mole community. Elegant dining in a casual atmosphere. The mole negro with rack of lamb is, in particular, superb. A model of the form. The rojo negro with chicken is subtly complex with a gentle punch of heat. The guacamole is made fresh and an excellent way to start the meal. Margaritas are good, but they only have one bottle or wine - a bottom shelf Zin - and it is not. I am told that you can bring in a bottle of your own, however. Gorgeous indigenous art on the walls, colorful space, very casual vibes, friendly waitstaff. Stop by sooner rather than later, one never knows how long these places last. read more

The food is amazing, the drinks are perfect, and the service and welcome are warm and attentive. Every few months we come from downtown for a terrific meal. Wish we could enjoy Sol de Mexico more often and wish we were younger so we could eat the bargain set meal. read more

Sol de Mexico absolutely blew us away. We originally ordered three 5-course meals, and the chef surprised us by transforming it into a 15-course tasting experience. Every dish was phenomenal--beautifully presented, elevated in flavor, and crafted with true artistry. The sauces alone were a journey, ranging from perfectly sweet to deliciously spicy. The drinks were just as impressive. Their margaritas are top-tier, and you have to try the Tamarindo Mezcal margarita--smoky, sweet, spicy, and easily one of the best cocktails we've ever had. The ambience is incredible. From the moment you walk in, the décor makes you feel like you've stepped right into Mexico--vibrant colors, cultural touches, and a warm atmosphere that sets the tone for an authentic, elevated culinary experience. Service was exceptional all around. Our server was attentive and friendly, the busser was fast and on point, and the chef personally coming out to greet us made the night truly memorable. If you're looking for world-class flavors, stunning cocktails, and an environment that transports you straight to Mexico, Sol de Mexico is a must-visit. We can't wait to return! read more

See all

Unassuming outside and just a couple of tables on the in, the food here is fantastic. Complex moles and fresh hand made tortillas, I suggest getting five or six things across the small menu and sharing. The shrimp in red sauce was a stand out. Great with a dark cerveza. read more

Food and drink were both absolutely delicious! The guac is made to order so it was perfectly fresh and creamy. Highly recommend anything that has the mole sauce. Service was a little slow, as they only had a single server and there was a large party that came in after us, but otherwise it was a perfect dining experience and I'd highly recommend! read more

See all

I highly recommend Sol de Mexico for its relaxed, festive atmosphere, friendly service, and beautifully prepared, delicious food. The other night, a friend and I shared the guacamole and chips, ceviche, and shrimp dishes, and every bite was outstanding. Their margarita selection is especially fun--I always start with the cilantro margarita, which never disappoints. It's the perfect place to catch up with friends or family over great food and drinks. Because of its location on Cicero, it doesn't get a lot of walk-in traffic, so it still feels like a hidden gem. I'm already looking forward to my next visit! read more

Sol de Mexico - The cilantro margarita is so refreshing! But you have many creative margaritas to choose from if you are not a cilantro fan. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My husband and I came across Sol de Mexico through the Michelin Guide and it was absolutely worth it. The margaritas were fantastic, perfectly balanced and refreshing. We ordered the enchiladas mole, ceviche, and pollo en salsa almendrada. Every dish was full of flavor, generous in portion, and beautifully plated. But what truly made the experience special was the service. 100/10. The staff was incredibly warm and welcoming, and we instantly felt at home. We've officially found our new date night spot close to home. Please don't walk, run and try this place! read more

Sol de Mexico - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

My family and I had gone to this restaurant in the past and had enjoyed it. The last time we went we were terribly disappointed in the service. We saw other people, who came later than us, get served. When we asked about our food, the hostess snapped at us and told us our food was on our way. She seemed to realize her mistake and tried to smooth things over by being polite; however, it was too late, and she didn't actually apologize. Our food was cold when it finally got to our table. The same thing happened with our drink order. We wanted to contribute to a local business, but I don't see us coming back anytime soon. read more

Spectacular does not do justice to this experience. A complete hidden find or should I say maybe not exactly since it is a bib gourmand in the Michelin guide. This meal rivals the things I had in Mexico City at places like Pujol and Quintonil. I am serious. The best tamales I've ever had. Exceptional lamb chops and dare I say the most incredible mole I have ever had. The shrimp dish. Pure heaven and complex. This is a amazing restaurant. I will come back and back and back. Had no idea they even do takeout but I think I'm going to try everything on the menu. read more

Valentines Day was a busy day to go and staff was working hard and doing their best to get to everyone in a full restaurant. We had ceviche, appetizer variety and two moles, one with duck and one with lamb. All the food was top notch, authentic and delicious, Would go back in a heart beat. read more

Upscale dining in this small storefront. Creative, dishes, artful presentation, attentive service, and lively, colorful decorations. The squash soup was heavenly, pollo en salsa almendrada was delicious. Menu changes every 3 months. Will be back! read more

Food and service were horrible. We brought our family from out of town for a nice treat and we were treated terribly. We were sat at a table where we couldn't talk to each other because of how spread out we were. I asked for a table where we could talk to each other and they claimed a reservation was going to take up all the tables even though the restaurant was empty (one other party) and no one else showed up through the duration of our dinner. The waitress was passive aggressive, slamming plates on our table and constantly hovering to clear the table without us finishing drinks or food. Then going to the bar and staring at us while we ate, which made everyone feel so uncomfortable. At one point she set the enchiladas on our table, walked away, and then came back, took it off our table and gave it to the other party. This is completely unsanitary and unprofessional. She didn't even check that we hadn't taken a bite of the food yet. I ordered the cod and it was overcooked, completely chewy and flavorless. This is not the food or service I expect from a Michelin-star restaurant. It was a very disappointing and uncomfortable experience. read more

Sol de Mexico - Cod dish - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had a wonderful meal here. The food and drinks are absolutely delicious. The staff was friendly and even brought extra chips for one of the appetizers. It is nicely decorated and great for a high quality meal at fair prices. Worth visiting the neighborhood for. read more

Sol de Mexico - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

The service was extremely slow and poorly organized. The server seemed unfamiliar with the wine selection. The steak was undercooked to the point of being nearly raw, forcing me to take it home and cook it myself. While the food itself is undoubtedly delicious, the restaurant needs significant improvement in efficiency and coordination. Each dish took an hour to be prepared. read more

See all

The food is pretty great, the menu could be a little bit more diverse I guess, but the hostess/server needs some training in how to talk to people. It's a nicely decorated yet small place, and I want to return again, but I don't want to see that woman again, so I don't think I will. read more

"A Road Trip to Regret" We drove all the way from Chicago because--get this--the chef/owner was once Rick Bayless' kid's nanny. A fun fact that, in hindsight, was not worth the gas money. From the start, things went south. Our server had the enthusiasm of a sleepy sloth and the menu knowledge of someone who had just learned what food was. Recommendations? Nada. Descriptions? Blank stare. We ordered the gordita appetizer, which took a solid 30 minutes to arrive--probably because the masa was still trying to cook on our plate. Meanwhile, our server disappeared into the kitchen for what felt like hours, leading us to believe he might've been back there actually cooking the food himself. When I asked for a dry white wine, the server vanished into the abyss for another 15 minutes, only to return with a Sauvignon Blanc like he had just discovered a lost treasure. For entrées, we got steak and lamb chops. The steak, ordered medium-rare, arrived still mooing. The queso fresco on the plantain had a funk to it--like it had been aged... unintentionally. The beans tasted like they had lived through multiple presidential administrations. The only redeeming factor? The mole on the lamb chops. But let's be honest, mole alone can't save a meal. Total time spent: 2 hours for 3 dishes. Total other tables in the restaurant: 2. Total patience left by the end: 0. We were late to a party because of this disaster, which is ironic since this meal ruined any party mood we had. Final verdict: Go to Cinco Rabanitos instead. Better food, better service, still a small business, and--most importantly--you won't need a time machine to get your meal. read more

Everything! Was phenomenal from the appetizers to the mains. The presentation is amazing and service is exquisite. The decoration is very native and beautiful. It's a very authentic place that sells a whole different experience. read more

See all

I ate here for my boyfriends birthday a few years back and would not recommend. Food is pricey and not worth the price to me. Service was slow. read more

This restaurant is a little hidden gem on Cicero Ave. I have visited Sol de Mexico with friends and family. No one has left disappointed. Rather, it was given rave reviews! Hats off to the chef. delicious menu! Great ambiance! read more

We had a funeral down the street and needed a quick dinner first so we stopped in here. We were the only people in the place at 6:30 on a Friday and I am baffled as to why. It was absolutely delicious! I ordered the pasilla chili soup and my friend had an avocado soup and we shared the appetizer plate. The pasilla chicken soup broth was so flavorful and not a trace of the bitterness I always find when I try to make a similar dish. I think they make the tortillas from scratch--they were full of corn flavor and had a great texture. The tomatillo salsa was outta site too! If we lived in Chicago this would definitely be a regular spot. The service was fantastic and the music was '80s Mexican pop I've never heard and I loved it. Very clean and elegant, also. read more

See all

We LOVE this little restaurant...everything about it. Have been there several times and it never disappoints. It's like being in someone's home. The appetizers were lovely. We had the ceviche and the "cornbread boats" with different types of fillings, guacamole, to shredded meat and queso fresco, to some kind of plaintain stuffing....and one more red dishes which I can't remember. All equally delicious!! For our main course, we had three dishes for four people, because the portions are so large. We had one of the grilled steak dishes, the rack of lamb in black mole, the chicken breast in a green mole. All we're perfectly made...nothing dry or overcooked...just perfect! We decided to throw caution to the wind and get one dessert for the four of us to share. We got the coconut pie with strawberry ice cream. It was delicious!!! We practically licked the plate! All in all a wonderful meal and experience. The chef always comes out and says hi and checks ion how the meal is, as does his wife. They seem to really care!!! We always love introducing . friends to Sol decMexico as it is way less well known than it should be. All are astounded at how good it is and return. Finally, I must add that we come from Hyde park, (on the south side), and never hesitate a minute to make the 45 minute drive to this special restaurant. It really feels like a little bit of Mexico! We,too are fans of Cinco Rabanitos, where we've been going for years for fun casual dinners. It's wonderful! But we find that if you want a slightly more formal, elegant experience, without breaking the bank, Sol de Mexico fits the bill!! read more

One of my favorite restaurants anywhere - not just in Chicago. The food here is so amazing just perfectly cooked and unbelievable flavor. The atmosphere is also very nice and the service fantastic. The pork loin is one to try although they are known for their moles. read more

Come for the margaritas, but don't necessarily stay for the food. Based on this restaurant's place on the Bib Gourmand list for 2022, I thought I should check this out. Average food, OK space, service is a little slow but service is slow everywhere right now so I won't hammer Sol de Mexico too hard on that one. I thought the queso fundido was good, and those tortillas were maybe the highlight of the meal. Things didn't snowball from there, but it is fair to say that the remaining two dishes (the enchiladas gratinadas, and the lomo de res carne asada) didn't knock my socks off. Well prepared, and a beautiful presentation for each dish, but the flavors were somewhat bland. We did get a lot of food--too much food, maybe?--for these price points, and for two margaritas, the queso fundido, and the two entrees, we dropped $120 (all in, including tax and tip). Those tortillas and the margaritas are why I might come back. As is, though, I'm saddened to say that Sol de Mexico was only OK. read more

My family and I just had dinner here after finding it on the Michelin Guide website. WOW. Best Mexican we've ever had. You could tell the ingredients were quality, and the chef created amazing dishes with wonderful flavors. The green mole was a top favorite for me. The margaritas were amazing. The service was amazing. We will definitely be back next time we are in Chicago. read more

See all

Sol de Mexico is a ray of sunshine along a stretch of smog and traffic along busy Cicero Ave. This tiny place is actually 2 rooms of deliciousness Their cocktail menu is creative and delicious. We loved the guacamole, and the mole. The only hiccup in this gem is the lack of staff. Our wait time for food was pretty long. We may have to go mid week when it isn't as crowded. read more

Sol de Mexico - Entrance - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing Food & Service ! Quick stop in after church .. safe to say I've found a new "regular spot" !! read more

Sol de Mexico - MOLCAJETE SURTIDO - Amazing Food & Service ! Quick stop in after church .. safe to say I've found a new "regular spot" !! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Warm environment excited to share authentic Mexican food. Came here on a slushy Saturday for lunch and were the only diners. But we had a great experience greeted by the waiter, who may have been the owner based on level of passion for the business. I asked about the difference between the mole sauces and they were so excited to talk about the authenticity of the food. Carne Asada - 4/5. High quality meat with a delicious combination of fresh guac, black beans, and cheese covered plantains served in a fresh corn tortilla. Just as a note, rib-eye is on the fattier side. Most people will like the beef best but the plantains were my favorite part, perfectly ripe and sweet. Enchiladas de mole rojo - 4/5. Rich and complex mole sauce. The tortilla, chicken, and rice mostly serve as canvases for the great sauce. Between a mild and medium spice. read more

Sol de Mexico - ENCHILADAS DE MOLE ROJO CARNE ASADA A LA PARRILLA - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came here for my wife's birthday dinne on a very slow Wednesday night. We were the only one at the restaurant and more guest starting arriving as the night went on. Which is obviously always a good sign. We were greeted like royalty, everyone had smiles and it felt like they were inviting us into their home. Our waitress was very professional through out the night and kept us updated through the entire night. We started off with some drinks. I ordered their Guava Rita, and tasted great. Perfect amount of tequila, just felt like it could of had a little bit more of a guava flavor to it. Nonetheless, a nicely made margarita. We ordered their "Sopesito Surtidos -Xilonen" and were phenomenal. Four little sopes topped chicken with mole, sweet plantains with sour cream, black beans with chorizo and guacamole. All were very delicious. My wife ordered their "Sopa Azteca-Morfeo." A delicious chile Padilla broth, with chicken, avocado, tortilla strips, sour cream and cheese. Very beautifully plated and flavorful. My wife ordered their "Carne Asada a la Parilla." A rib eye marinated in a red Chile. The steak was was very tender & juicy and was served with fried plantains, covered with sour cream & cheese, black beans and guacamole. I however, took advantage of their special that wasn't on their menu. I ordered their Tampiquena. This entree was definitely the highlight of the night. It came with a skirt steak grilled to perfection (medium well is the way to go with this cut). It also came with a chicken mole enchilada, and the same beans and guacamole that came with the carne asada entree. I will be coming back here without a doubt whenever I want a downtown type of meal, without being in downtown. They did inform me that they change their menu about every 3-4 months and that they will be changing this current one shortly. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for that new menu! read more

See all

Really great Mexican food and excellent service ! The Mole sauce was amazing Deserves a wider audience! read more

Authentic, beautiful, Michelin rated restaurant with friendly professional staff. The chef prepares delicious plates everytime. He never disappoints. Mole sauce has the perfect taste with blended spices. I will recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking authentic Mexican dishes. I will be back, Thank you! read more

Sol de Mexico - Mexican Sangría - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Sol de Mexico is a restaurant that had not grabbed my attention until a friend recommended and booked it for a small group dinner. My wife and I went in not knowing what to expect and left surprised this place had not blown up; it was impressive! When we first walked in, a bright assortment of blues, oranges, reds, greens, and yellows met us at the door. Charming and intricate paper-lantern-like stars hung and illuminated the tables and splashed more color throughout the space. I could not stop looking up in admiration throughout dinner. Our kind waitress brought us water, explained the menu, and took our drink and food order. I ordered a Jamaica Margarita and Tamarindo Margarita for my wife. We got the ceviche and sopesitos with a side of salsa habanera as appetizers. For entrees, we did a family-style meal where we each ordered a different plate for the table to share. The three entrees we chose were the borrego en mole negro (mole being a house specialty), the birria, and cerdo en mole manchamanteles. As for desserts, we ordered another trio consisting of a tamal de chocolate, pay de coco, and flan de cafe. Vivid colors continued as a theme with our drinks and food, with light greens, dark reds and blacks, pinks, whites, and everything in between appearing in the plating or ingredients themselves. The first of these was our ceviche and margaritas. My Jamaica Margarita was slightly sour and refreshing, and the Tamarindo Margarita was much sweeter but as refreshing. Due to my soft spot for sweet drinks in my old age, I enjoyed the Tamarindo more. A tangy salsa verde accompanied the ceviche and accentuated the freshness of the fish, tomatoes, and cilantro. The crispy, curved tostadita the ceviche laid on broke the monotony of chewiness with a crunchy bite. It was a very well-balanced and good opening to the meal. The four sopesitos came varied, with each one individualized by the filling. Though all four were unique and flavorful, my personal favorite of the four was the black bean and chorizo. This sopesito packed the most punch despite its miniaturized stature. After scarfing down the apps, the entrees came, each with a basket of hand-made, fresh tortillas; a true mark of an authentic Mexican meal. Instinctively, I grabbed a warm tortilla, ripped a piece off, and scooped it into the beautiful, dark brown pool of mole goodness my borrego sat in. The bold, rich, sweet, spicy, and earthy flavors tap-danced in my mouth. Simply put, it was excellent. The borrego itself did not quite reach that height, as it was tough, but that could have been my fault as I asked it for medium. Medium rare would have been the perfect cook, and I may try it again at that temperature next time. I took a bite of the cerdo, and it was good too. The cerdo was soft and moist, the chorizo on top gave it an extra salty kick, and the mole enhanced and added more flavor. Finally, I tried the birria, and of the three entrees, this stole the show. It was tender and succulent, and I could imagine it falling off the bone when it was cooked and plated. Also, unlike other birria I have tried where the gamey nature of the meat takes center stage, this one did not taste gamey. The bath of consome was hearty and tasted like home, in the best way. For me, the birria was the dish of the night and worthy of a return trip. For the finale, our desserts came with an air of swankiness you would find at a restaurant in River North. With my first bite, I went with the tamal de chocolate. As soon as my spoon hit the tamal, it glided into it with its own weight. It was eye-opening, with the tamal having the consistency of a warm chocolate brownie and a pronounced dark chocolate flavor. The vanilla ice cream served with it was a match made in heaven. While the flan de cafe was good, the texture was gelatin-like instead of custard-like. Last, the pay de coco. I am not a fan of artificial coco and had low expectations for this dessert, but it made me a fan! It took the silver medal, with the tamal taking home the gold and flan the bronze. Sol de Mexico gave us a great dinner. They are the lone upscale Mexican restaurant in a sea of taquerias on the Northwest side of Chicago. It fills a gap in the food scene desperately needed in the neighborhood and does so very well! Stop by, order the birria with a Tamarindo Margarita, and indulge in this microcosm of Mexico. I recommend it. read more

See all

Sol de Mexico has such a good food! If you like Mexican food, then you need to try this place. I have been following chef Bahena since he had Ixcapuzalco restaurant. His food still very very good. The presentation of the Chiles en Nogada didn't impress me much, but then I taste it mhhh Was really delicious. For sure one of the best places in Chicago for delicious taMexican food read more

See all

Wonderful ambience and friendly staff. Very cozy. Rotating, seasonal menus. Extensive margarita and dessert menu. The vegetarian entree I had was good, but I hope they add a few more options. read more

This restaurant is a treasure! It somehow manages to be both high cuisine and remind us of home cooking and friends passed. We cannot recommend highly enough. read more

My family loves this restaurant. I love mole and this place has lots of different mole used in different ways. They change the menu every three months, so you'll get different options depending on when you go. All of it is great. Because Sol de Mexico is a little out of the way it does not get as much publicity as it should. This is a family restaurant with great food. Make the trip and go and order mole. read more

My taste buds are still rejoicing! The flavors I experienced from this restaurant were phenomenal. A close friend and I were starving after church and good 'ol Yelp pointed up right in this direction. Street parking was easy to find on Sunday afternoon and also free of charge on Sunday. The restaurant is split into two, yet both sides serve the same menu and have the same chef. The decor inside the restaurant is very festive and bright, yet still has a snippet of high end dining. We were seated immediately. There was a slight delay for our food so the waitress brought out complimentary guacamole and ceviche for the inconvenience. Both were DELICIOUS! I selected the Lomita de Res Asado con salsa de tres chiles for my meal. It was done perfectly and the plantains were an excellent pair to the chile sauce. We both made sure to stop eating in order to save room for desert.. which was an excellent choice because the CREPES WERE AWESSOMEEEE. They melted in my mouth and the I was literally scooping up every drop of caramel that I could. I'd love to keep this gem to myself, yet the flavors experienced were too good not to share. read more

Sol de Mexico - Lomito De Res Asado - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

When I was going down the list of Michelin Bib restaurants to visit I found this place. Not in Logan Square, or Wicker Park, or Downtown but off near Cicero and Belmont? Say wha? But let me tell you....what a hidden gem!!! We've been to Rick Bayless' restaurants and we've enjoyed them, but this place is now our favorite place for Mexican! The space is clean and decorated really nicely, the staff was SUPER friendly, the drinks good and the food was amazing! Very deserving of that Michelin Bib! Everything we had was very very good...their carne asada dish being our favorite of the night. read more

Sol de Mexico - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Amazing real Mexican cuisine experience!!!!!!!!!! After visiting MX's various cities - this place is legit. Love love love it. Amazing service and quality food!! read more

My wife and I went to Sol de Mexico for Valentine's Day and it was great! The service staff was very attentive and the owner, Carlos, came out to check on several tables. The food was delicious and who doesn't love hand made tortillas! My wife ordered the carne asada and said it was like butter and I ordered the lomo al pastor and it was seasoned perfectly. Definitely recommend for a date night, the ambiance was intimate enough. read more