The Best Mexican Restaurants In Chicago Right Now

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The Best Mexican Restaurants In Chicago Right Now

tacos, birrias, and nachos on colorful green, blue, red, and white plates from Tacolatan Photo: Tacolatán/Facebook

There is a myriad of cuisines when it comes to Chicago food—from Italian and Indian to Michelin-star experiences. however, almost every Chicagoan will tell you the Mexican food in Chicago stands out. Of course, the restaurant scene is expansive and, sometimes, even overwhelming. While biting into a crisp, flavorful taco is gratifying, you want to engulf the city’s best when you eat out. Whether you’re looking for street food to an upscale tasting menu, here are the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago you need to try right now.

1. 5 Rabanitos

Tierra y Mar Fajitas tacos, papas ala plaza, and Chihuahua Cheese all on a plate with sauce on the side Tierra y Mar Fajitas tacos, papas ala plaza, and Chihuahua Cheese all on a plate with sauce on the side Photo: 5 Rabanitos/Facebook

First on our list is the delicious and well-decorated 5 Rabanitos. Before you open the door, you’re greeted with a blue-splashed brick wall painted with a glowing mural that brightens the mood when you have a rumbling stomach.

The menu extends off the vibrant atmosphere—from Calabacita Gratinada (one of Oaxaca’s delicacies) to Taquitos Ahogados; with every dish you’ll be salivating, we guarantee it. With all the things you have to do in Chicago, coming to 5 Rabanitos is a must.

Address: 1758 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery

Reservation: Secure a spot at 5 Rabanitos here

2. Don Pedro Carnitas

assortment of rice, garnish, tamales, and other mexican food at Don Pedro carnitas in Chicagoassortment of rice, garnish, tamales, and other mexican food at Don Pedro carnitas in ChicagoPhoto: Don Pedro Carnitas/Facebook

If you live in the Pilsen neighborhood, there’s a 99% chance you’ve heard of Don Pedro Carnitas. A beloved staple in the area that provides a flavorsome menu and service that extends as a community when you sit down for a meal. As the restaurant name suggests, the carnitas are a must here.

However, they have other delicious options like their Chicharron and Frijoles if you’re not feeling a Carnitas that day. If you love eating at Mexican restaurants in Chicago, you’ll be salivating at everything on their menu.

Address: 1113 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery

Reservation: Secure a spot at Don Pedro Carnitas here

3. Taqueria Chingón

pork tacos and rice on Taqueria Chingon napkins at one of the mexican restaurants in Chicagopork tacos and rice on Taqueria Chingon napkins at one of the mexican restaurants in ChicagoPhoto: Taqueria Chingón/Facebook

If you love a Mexico City street-style taqueria, this is one of the most unrivaled mexican restaurants Chicago has. Taqueria Chingón is for you and one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago. Located in a bustling spot located in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood, the restaurant focuses on one of Mexico’s favorite street foods, the Al Pastor.

While their menu boasts taco classics, they’ve also ventured into new renditions with their Duck Carnitas, Morcilla, and Summer Squash tacos. Forget paying the price of a plane ticket to Mexico City, because it’s coming to you with Taqueria Chingón.

Address: 1758 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery

Reservation: Secure a spot at Taqueria Chingón here

4. Topolobampo

fine-dining tostadas with sauce on a blue plate from Topolobampo in Chicagofine-dining tostadas with sauce on a blue plate from Topolobampo in ChicagoPhoto: Topolobampo/Facebook

Coming from the renowned talents of Rick Bayless, Topolobampo is an innovative, refined Mexican-style restaurant that is lavishly decorated and echoes elegance. While the menu offers patrons a glimpse into the uniqueness of Mexican life, it’s truly the taste of the food that blows you away.

With the menu changing every eight weeks, it’s why it’s raved as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago. It’s a place that usually warrants a special occasion because the prices run higher than most of this list.

Address: 445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery

Reservation: Secure a spot at Topolobampo here

5. Carnitas Uruapan

three tacos with lime garnish and chips and salsa on the side from Carnitas Uruapanthree tacos with lime garnish and chips and salsa on the side from Carnitas UruapanPhoto: Carnitas Uruapan/Facebook

Since 1975, this Mexican restaurant in Chicago has been a legendary destination for those who crave Carnitas from Michoacan, Mexico. The authenticity of the menu can’t be overstated—the pork Carnitas is filled with slow-cooked pork that is golden and crisp on the outside while still moist and tender when you take a bite. With the Chicharrones, you’ll hear the crackling of crispy pork skin—making it luscious.

Address: 1725 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Service options: Curbside pickup · Delivery · No dine-in

6. La Birrieria Restaurant

pork sliding off the bone with sauce underneath and parsley on top with tortillas on the side at La Birrieria Restaurant in Chicagopork sliding off the bone with sauce underneath and parsley on top with tortillas on the side at La Birrieria Restaurant in ChicagoPhoto: La Birrieria Restaurant/Facebook

Next on our list is La Birrieria, serving exquisite Mexican recipes that follow an ancestry tradition from Jalisco, Mexico. We must highlight the Birra, which is slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in a tender and flavorful meat that will appease the pickiest eaters. You can savor their mouthwatering Quesbirrias and tacos under the sky on their outdoor patio.

Address: 4743 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60639

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery

Reservation: Secure a spot at La Birrieria here

7. Mi Tocaya Antojeria

assortment of colorful fruit and vegetables on a white plate from Mi Tocaya Antojeria mexican restaurant in Chicagoassortment of colorful fruit and vegetables on a white plate from Mi Tocaya Antojeria mexican restaurant in ChicagoPhoto: Mi Tocaya Antojeria/Facebook

Conceptualized by Chef Diana Davila, Mi Tocaya (“my namesake” in Spanish) is commonly used as an endearment when someone has the same name as oneself. This idea translates into Mi Tocaya Antojeria’s menu, which cherishes Chef Davila’s summers and travels throughout Mexico with her family. It features small, medium, and large plates, with selections such as Romanesco en Sikil Pak, Acelgas y Broccolini al Carbon, and Setas con Mole Rojo.

Address: 2800 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery

Reservation: Secure a spot at Mi Tocaya Antojeria here

8. La Luna

assortment of pork and other meats, spicy pepper, tortillas, limes, and pickled onion from La Luna in Chicagoassortment of pork and other meats, spicy pepper, tortillas, limes, and pickled onion from La Luna in ChicagoPhoto: La Luna

La Luna emulates a hip, low-lit art-filled scene with rustic touches and a modern-inspired Mexican restaurant. This place radiates congenial with a colorful setting and a beautiful mural decorated in the restaurant’s center. From appetizers such as a Salsa Flight, Elote, and Aguatchile Negro to main entrees such as La Parillada, Langostinos, and Birria en Consomé.

Address: 1726 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery

Reservation: Secure a spot at La Luna here

9. Tzuco

Chilaquiles with Corn tortilla chips, flank steak, fried eggs, salsa verde, sour cream from Tzuco in ChicagoChilaquiles with Corn tortilla chips, flank steak, fried eggs, salsa verde, sour cream from Tzuco in ChicagoPhoto: Tzuco/Facebook

One of our favorite spots in Gold Coast, this upscale, regional Mexican cuisine was conceptualized by Chef Carlos Gaytán—Tzuco tells his life through a myriad of culinary creations in a beautiful space. We love the interior of Tzuco but don’t sleep on the patio because, between the suspended lights and surrounding greenery, it’s intoxicatingly inviting. The menu is just as delicious and scintillating, with the Barbacoa, Mushroom Cazuela, and Broccolini being our favorites.

Address: 720 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Service options: Dine-in · No takeout · No delivery

Reservation: Secure a spot at Tzuco here

10. Tacolatán

tacos, birrias, and nachos on colorful green, blue, red, and white plates from TacolatanPhoto: Tacolatán/Facebook

Second to last on our list has recently generated much attention—for good reason. While the headliners caused the most news at this year’s Lollapalooza, you might have heard of people waiting in a 40-minute line for delicious birrias. All of that is true, and the stand was called Tacolatán. While the tent was bustling, they have a larger restaurant year-round in Hermosa. Tacolatan is certainly one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago, with its Mexican staples, including tacos, burritos, and Birria.

Address: 4312 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639

Service options: Dine-in · No takeout · No delivery

Reservation: Secure a spot at Tacolatan here

11. Xocome Antojeria

flat taco from Xocome Antojeria with greens, cheese, sauce, and moreflat taco from Xocome Antojeria with greens, cheese, sauce, and morePhoto: Xocome Antojeria/Facebook

One of the most discussed Mexican restaurants in Chicago—Xocome Antojeria is a familial and hospitable local spot near Archer Heights, Chicago. Offering a wide varitey of fresh and appetizing ingredients. You can order everything from tacos and tortas to tlacoyos, burritos, and enchiladas.

Address: 5200 S Archer Ave Suite 8, Chicago, IL 60632

Service options: Dine-in

Reservation: Doesn’t accept reservations


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