A great gem for delicious and unique tacos! This is a great place to try a variety of tacos- fish, steak, chicken, shrimp, and more! They offer fresh agua de orchata and other beverages. I recommend this place and I will be returning. read more

Fast service great food and taco of the week. Great place especially if you want a quick meal. Highly recommend

We had a spur of the moment dinner at Taco Vida last night and it was delicious. My husband had the special- prime sirloin steak taco with grilled onions, potatoes and banana pepper salsa- so good! I had the shrimp tacos and Al Pastor tacos and both were excellent but the most outstanding was the creamy asparagus soup! Our waiter nicely offered to let us have a taste after we asked about the soup- one sip and we took home a quart! Don't miss this soup when it's on the menu! Friendly, efficient service. read more

If you're looking for good tacos that are a bit of a splurge, this is your spot. This place has a pretty good range of menu items but probably at a higher price point than other taco joints. I will say though, if I'm craving tacos and want to guarantee I DO NOT risk having tummy problems later, this is where go. I feel like I can trust the quality of the food and cleanliness here. I don't know why, I just do. The workers are always friendly and the place is always looking clean so what can go wrong? I think the only thing I wish I could change is how much salsa they give with takeout orders. They're kind of stingy. Considering how much I'm spending, you can give me more than 4 tiny half oz containers of salsa for 10 tacos, like come on dude. I also wish they had the like typical salsa that is more tomato-y but that's definitely just a personal wish since that's what I grew up on. I still give 5 stars since it's a great place. Please just stop being so cheap on the salsa.... read more

They used to do a booming business when it was all curbside I ordered just tacos and I don't like their sauce. But the tacos were hit and a nice portion size. I just wouldn't go back read more

So consistently good, every time. Tacos are bomb. But the guacamole... best guacamole in the suburbs by far. Tip: get the guacamole with the elotes and eat them together with the chips. Magic. read more

Taco Vida - Mexican Near Me - Deerfield, Illinois

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First time trying this place for lunch. Taco Tuesday was calling me and when my regular local place was closed this one is where I went for a curb side pickup. I trie Ltd 3 different tacos. The Tinga de Pollo, the Turkey Taco & the Crispy Camerones. All were delish! For my side I also had the guacamole which you can get either made mild or spicy along with the homemade chips. So good! Overall I thoroughly enjoyed as did my husband. We will definitely be back! read more

Great tacos and agua fresca. Will definitely eat here again. The people were very nice and my food came out much quicker than anticipated.

Very mediocre tacos, and not very authentic, also extremely overpriced for what you get. The area has so many Mexican restaurants that are great why bother with such a mediocre one. read more

I just moved into the area and the ratings for this place encouraged me to check it out. I stopped by for dinner around 6:30 pm and the place was packed. You go up to the register to order and pay, then seat yourself. Because it was busy, we didn't have many seating options and ended up sitting at a table that wasn't cleared up. The service was commendable, however, and the employees checked up on us often throughout our meal. Our food came in less than ten minutes after we ordered. I got two Sea of Cortez tacos w/ blackened fish, one Veggie taco, Elotes, and Tres Leches Cake (I hadn't eaten all day). It was clear everything was fresh. Unlike most corn tortillas, the ones used in the tacos didn't break so easily despite the fact that the tacos were loaded with ingredients. The Sea of Cortez contained plenty of fish, the chipotle mayo and pico gave the taco just the right amount of flavor boost without overpowering the fish, and the slaw added crunch and texture to the taco. The Veggie taco was also surprisingly very different (and much better tasting) from any vegetarian taco I have had. The veggies seemed to be lightly sautéed which went great with the salty taste of the cotija cheese and the frites practically added a new dimension to what is normally considered a boring taco. The Elotes were just as good as I'd enjoyed in any decent Mexican restaurant. The grilled corn was not too charred and contained a bountiful amount of creamy, cheesy goodness. The Tres Leches was solid but overpriced for such a small serving (five bucks!). It didn't really taste very different from what I would get at my local grocery store so I was a bit disappointed. Overall, I would definitely recommend if you want a quick bite to eat and are craving Mexican! read more

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Super quick update: last night we pulled up at 7:55, not knowing their hours, and sauntered up to the door. Noticing that they close at 8 we were prepared to head back to the car. However, an employee saw us, kindly took our order, and delivered our food to our car soon after. We each enjoyed a tilapia taco and a tuna taco and we shared an order of elotes. Each of our items were off the hook amazing. The tacos are so filled with yummy flavorful ingredients that they can be messy to eat (especially in a car). Ha, just noticed my first review said they are NOT messy...I guess it was the eating in the car thing. As always, so grateful for the variety of non-meat options. read more

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Delicious tacos. They're all unique and have so much flavor. We also tried the queso with pico and it was so good. They also have flour tortillas as an option if you prefer them over corn for your tacos. read more

Great tacos!! Fresh and hot. Good salsa options. I like the shrimp taco. I also like the steak and Al pastor read more

Fantastic tacos! We just moved into the area and looking for some good local spots and we hit the jackpot without expecting it. They had a fantastic system set-up for picking up even though we definitely waited well over the 30 minutes given at the time of ordering Food was excellent and staff was friendly! Thank you for the awesome food... can't wait to eat there again. read more

I lived in Texas for a bit and have had my share of great tacos. These measure up!! I really really enjoyed my three tacos- chorizo, veggie, and battered fish. Truly delicious, I will be back read more

Delicious tacos, currently no indoor seating, take out only but you can also sit on the patio outdoors.

THESE ARE THE BEST TACOS IN THE SUBURBS BAR NONE! Honestly, this is my holy grail of taco spots and chef Freddy and the staff are always so kind. Be it their tacos or their fried plantains, everything I have tried has been top notch. They make everything in house, including their corn tortillas (huge bonus points). For $3-$4 a taco, you get what you pay for-a deliciously fresh fiesta in your mouth. The Sea of Cortez taco is my number juan favorite-beer battered tilapia topped with cabbage slaw and morita mayo wrapped up in a warm homemade tortilla. RUN, DONT WALK read more

Freddy, Susan and staff care about the food and their clientele and it shows. Consistently good, high quality food and many creative options. read more

Not your traditional taco place, taco vida offers all kinds of assortments of taco meats and options at a pretty high price point. Taco Vida opened very recently and I decided to give them a go. Walking in, first thing you'll notice is the place is pretty small, loud, and tables are very close together to allow as much seating space as possible. If you're looking for a quiet place this is not for you. The set up is a little weird, the menu is on the wall to the left, this is so that you can look at the menu as you wait in line, however the place is so small that in order to look at the menu you'll have to back up into a seat so I find it a little awkward. The next thing I noticed are the prices, $4 for a carne asada taco seems a little high to me.The menu is varied with many different kinds of tacos, there's something for everyone. I ordered a chicken, carne asada, and a gringo ( ground beef). The food was pretty good, fresh ingredients, the carne asada was definitely the best out of the three. The chicken was good but not marinated enough, you could tase it was a nicely charred good quality chicken breast but I was hoping for some other flavors there. I will most likely come back to try some of the fish options but this isn't a place that I would visit frequently due to the price. This place reminds me of El Patron (similar taco joint in the city) but with higher prices. Let's say you get 2 carne asada tacos, some guac and chips and a drink. You're looking at 17$+ for a meal and if 2 tacos is not enough and you add a third that's $21 for one person. Although the tacos are good, they are not that good. read more

Most authentic Mexican food in North shore! Owner Fabulous! Safe & mask wearing kitchen read more

The guacamole was among the best I have ever had! The salsa sauces added incredible flavour to the guacamole and were superb eating on a chip! The brisket soup was delectable, just the right amount of spice and it was very filling, more like a stew than a soup. Overall I am really glad I came here for dinner tonight! read more

By far the BEST tacos on the North Shore. Reasonably priced, good-sized, and beyond delicious. Lots of options to choose from. Employees are really nice and always appreciative of our business. It's our go-to taco place! And I love their soups and sides. They offer so many choices sometimes I have a hard time deciding. Keep up the good work and we'll keep coming back! read more

Taco Vida food amazing. This was our first visit. Carne Assad's , Pork al Pastor, Crispy Camarones Just a few of our favorite. Guacamole with home made chips so fresh and favorable. One of the best I have had. Fried Churros with warm chocolate dipping sauce great dessert. We will definitely be back. Great food from start to finish. read more

There seems to be a trend in taco spots opening up all over the Chicago area, each promising a fresh take on a small segment of Mexican cuisine. Thankfully, Taco Vida dishes up gourmet tacos, not a surprise given Chef/owner Freddy Sanchez's years of prior experience working in several well known restaurants (his last executive chef stint was at the Happ Inn for the past several years). Taco Vida is in the former Cookers space in the west side of the Deerbrook Mall (the side with the Secretary of State Drivers License Bureau), and as such is a small, very clean storefront with limited seating. I didn't know about it until it was profiled in an article about Mexican food in the North Shore published in a local paper. We went to one place mentioned in the article in Northbrook, but left immediately as there was a smell of moldy sponges (even though the space looked clean). We drove to Taco Vida and we were very pleasantly surprised. One walks in to look at the menu on the left wall, including the night's specials. You then walk to the counter and give your order, pay, get a number card, and sit at your table. Your order is cooked and brought to your table. Beer, soft drinks and Margaritas are also available. We ordered the guacamole (medium spicy, which I thought was only mild) with two different salsas, a very mild tomatillo and a moderately spicy red salsa, and it was served with warm fresh chips and was excellent. J*** had the chicken and the vegetarian tacos, and liked them. I had Dorado a la Veracruzana--Mahi-mahi with capers, radishes, cilantro, which was wonderful, plus a spicy fried shrimp taco with aioli. Yum! The prices varied from $3.50 to $5.00 for the Dorado, the guacamole was $8.00 but a decent sized portion. I am only sorry that I did not try Taco Vida sooner (it has been open for a year and a half), and we will return soon. I highly recommend it. read more

Oh wow! So so good!!!!! These tacos are BIG! Not the puny little ones you get for twice the price. Fresh, delicious to a one, the owner and staff are lovely. It's a tiny place with a whopping product. Highly recommend. read more

Once you find it, you'll go all the time. You have to wind to the back of the strip mall, past the Secretary of State's office, but you'll be pleasantly surprised by how cheerful and fun Taco Vida is! (A vast departure from the mood at the DMV) Everything they make is phenomenal. The guacamole is truly the best. You'll be mesmerized by them making it with a giant molcajete! My favorite taco is the Sea of Cortez with blackened tilapia, but EVERY taco is good. How many places can you say that about? Don't forget the horchata! read more

Taco Vida - Guacamole & chips. I already ate a big chunk of it, but I couldn't wait!! - Mexican Near Me - Deerfield, Illinois

Legit one of the best tacos spaces in Illinois. The quality the food and the customer service are all excellent! My favorite tacos are the chicken tinga tacos with a side of serano cream! read more

This place has exceptionally delicious tacos and I LOVE their fresh chips! I'm really big on sauces and I really like that they have bigs bottles of their roja and verde salsas that you can keep with you at your table while you eat. This place gets SUPER busy during lunch so account for a little extra time in line and plan on carrying out if you're a party of more than 2. read more

I just moved here from a city that has great tacos and haven't found a place in the NW burbs that's really great, until tonight. Taco Vida is the real deal. Excellent ingredients, friendly staff, and a laid back environment. It's not fancy but you'll get great food and great margaritas. Amazing selection of tacos, flavorful rice and beans. And esquites, which is hard to find. Cannot wait to work my way through their entire menu! read more

I'm quite certain that I've already reviewed Taco Vida, but apparently that review disappeared, so here I go again. 5 stars for the food. It is delicious. The tacos are super tasty. I love the shrimp, the chicken tinga and the al pastor. Their guac is really fresh and really tasty. 3 stars for the dining-in experience. They only have 2 high chairs in the restaurant, so if they're both occupied, have fun sitting with a squirmy toddler on your lap. Frankly, there just isn't enough seating. And I don't have a solution for that, but it's something to be aware of. Depending on the rush, you might wait a really long time for your food. And the line to order is basically standing on top of some of the diners. Again - I don't have a solution, but it's worth knowing. IMO, the best way to experience Taco Vida is to order ahead for carry out. But then you miss out on the margaritas. Life is cruel. EDIT: Someone replied to my review to tell me that they have 4 high chairs now. So that's an improvement. But when we were there, it was only 2 and they were not even apologetic about the fact that there weren't any left, so the rest of my review stands. read more

This place is current available for curbside pick up only. There are many different options for tasty tacos, both typical ones and creative ones. Fried jalapeños were good too. read more

Taco Vida - Mexican Near Me - Deerfield, Illinois

Okay don't get me wrong the food was great but never in my life have I ever paid so much for tacos ? I mean the prices are super high here and I eat tacos all the time I spent 30 dollars on a taco dinner which is 3 tacos with rice and beans and a drink which is what I always get I usually pay like 15 bucks max and here it was double read more

A really tasty place to stop for tacos. They're only doing curbside pickup now so call 10 minutes in advance and then roll up and get your tacos. We tried the carne asada. Each taco was bigger than expected and really filling. In the future, one would probably suffice. read more

Taco Vida - Carne asada - Mexican Near Me - Deerfield, Illinois

Loved this place! Stopped in here starving after a day of shopping and it hit the spot. My mom and I each ordered two tacos, a side of beans, and we split the spicy guac. I tried a margarita and she got a corona. You order at the counter and then take your number to a table where your food is brought out to you. I loved the carne asada taco. Was a little less crazy about the chorizo taco but it was still good. My mom also had one she loved (turkey) and one she was less crazy about (pollo). The guac is fresh made and customized to spice level it was great and the portions are huge. The refried black beans are also awesome topped with pico and crumbled cheese. The margarita was really the star of the show. Super fresh and well balanced with lime. I also loved the chili salt rim. It gets a little pricey to order since everything is a la carte but the flavor and the exceptional service more than made up for it! read more

Favorite taco place in Northbrook area. Tacos may appear small on outside but they're actually stuffed with good amount of food. Three will fill me up plenty. Quac is really good too. Only negative, and it's not really a negative per se, is it can get quite busy at times because of popularity and might have to wait a bit for your order. But I won't knock a business rating because they make really good tacos and are very popular. It's a regular come-back spot for us when we want tacos. read more

Really good quality tacos... Guac is made in house. But prices are a bit steep... Or maybe I just need to eat a lot to get full..

Interesting selection of tacos... had shrimp, blackened tilapia and tuna... plus fried plantains All were good Came around 12:30 on Friday afternoon and it was packed.. waited in a line 6 deep to order... but was still lucky enough to snag a table after ordering. ordering is required first! A little pricey for tacos... read more

The best tacos I've ever had in my adult life. Wow, I regret not getting to Taco Vida sooner! After seeing all the positive Yelp reviews, my hubby and I finally made it in tonight. I'm thrilled to see this place doing so well in such an off-the-beaten-path location. Of course I'm not surprised, because Freddy Sanchez is the man behind the recipes. I came in hungry, and I was convinced I'd leave hungry. So many times a gourmet taco is tiny and not filling at all. Let me tell you, my gut felt like it was going to burst after two tacos and a bit of chips and green salsa. Freddy's team doesn't skimp on the ingredients. Our taco orders for the night ($3.50 each and worth every penny)... - Gringo taco with a flour tortilla (wish it would have come on the corn tortilla), but it was loaded with delicious ground black angus beef, sour cream (sweet in flavor), cheese and pico de gallo. It had a bit of a kick to it, but not too much for my wimpy palate. It was outstanding. - Chorizo taco. OMG, the homemade corn tortilla shell was so good I wanted to order up a plate of tortillas (still thinking about it). The housemade chorizo was flavorful and not greasy, and the combination of ingredients was a real party in my mouth. - Grilled chicken breast strips mixed with peppers, grilled onions, and salsa and queso fresca. My husband only shared a red pepper with me. He was super selfish and wouldn't share. He's a really picky eater, and I loved seeing him so happy - LOL! - Turkey picadillo, ground turkey with onion, garlic and tomato salsa. He agreed to share a bite of the turkey. I liked that the garlic wasn't over powering and everything was equally blended. Excellent and friendly customer service, and the entire crew worked as a team. The restaurant was crowded, but not loud. Clean, fun and bright decor! Pink chairs for the win :-) read more

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NOT GLUTEN FREE. EDIT: few days later (final): I tried to be fair, and now i have to knock off another star.. this is from nasty private message, then she blocks me so I cannot reply.. Rest assured if you have "any" problem with this business, they will blame you & gaslight you. I was afraid to eat the food. You guys screwed me by making me drive there when I was hungry, so stop playing the victim. I assume you did not read what I wrote; heating food on a grill does not make gluten go away. And if I did not ask the corn tortillas would have been cooked on the same surface as the flour ones. ** This is not GF. And I would have gotten sick. It's no mystery why I'm pissed.. They keep telling me they are experienced chefs trained on allergies.. But cooking the corn with the flour and thinking a 500F grill burns off the gluten are obvious failures (maybe only if 500F charmed it to ash in a test tube, but you can't cook gluten out of food otherwise). Next day EDIT: Changed to 4-stars (to approximate the average review) because it's not the restaurants fault YELP put them on a GF list. This edit in response to the owners comment below.. Dropped a star because I drove there thru traffic and was hungry, then I was left afraid to eat. On the phone they said they could fry tortillas in a frying pan, but after I drove there wanted to swap to lettuce saying they didn't have a frying pan (I "love" home made corn tortillas, -one of the reasons I drove there). At the restaurant I got the impression they would normally cook the corn tortillas on the same surface as the flour, and the big thing that made me afraid to eat there is: I HAD TO ASK QUESTIONS TO LEARN THIS. Also the comment below the owner (supposedly allergen certified chef) claims the 500F grill burns off gluten. THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FALSE as an easy google will confirm.. So with this track record (even if I swapped out the lettuce for tortillas) how could I then trust the meat, rice and beans are GF? I got the strong feeling (body language, etc) RE: gluten was like "I don't think there is gluten in that." Versus someone allergen certified looking over the ingredients to make sure it's gluten free. Too many obvious mistakes (described above) for anyone sensitive to gluten to feel safe eating the food. I've been there done that, then spend $20, then spend a day or two with heartburn & indigestion. Much much more important to the person getting sick apparently. I agree that most people wanting gluten free food will not get sick from trace amounts, but that's no excuse to poison (with gluten) those of is who really need GF food. And I guarantee most of the time we get sick we say noting, and never go back to a restaurant when this happens. So this is feedback the owner needs. This complication (review) never would have happened if the owner was honest that he doesn't know if the food is GF or not. It's simple, don't tell people it's GF when it isn't. I suggest since you are close to having GF food, make sure certain things are GF and put it on the menu. The restaurant looked fantastic otherwise, wish I could try it. Original: I don't know how restaurants end up on GF lists.. but I'm 2/2 getting sick at different restaurants claiming GF (when I cook home GF I don't have a problem). This restaurant didn't seem to know it was a problem to cook the corn tortillas on the same surface as the flour.. With such weak knowledge of what GF means, I'm not willing to pay $20 then spend a 3rd day in a row with heartburn & indigestion. Pissed because I called ahead and drove there thru traffic, before the full story unfolded. How can a restaurant have such poor understanding of what is GF? read more

Today was my first time ordering from Taco Vida. I was looking for a good taco place because there aren't too many around where I live. After a long day at work, I was ready to just get home and eat and I'm so glad Taco Vida came up when I looked up for something close. According to my husband "these tacos were flame!" This was even after his tacos were sitting out for a little bit since he finishing putting our daughter to bed. I completely agree with him- these are some of the best tacos I've had in a long time! The tortillas were fresh and not too thick. We ordered tacos de asada, tinga de pollo, al pastor and crispy camarones. All the meat was well seasoned and had lots of flavor. The staff was also exceptionally friendly and even though I didn't sit in, the environment seemed fun and lively. Will definitely keep coming back for more food! read more