Barrio
Rustic-industrial Barrio Mexican Restaurant is a Chicago dining destination with creative Mexican fare. The menu is complemented by an extensive tequila menu and a variety of cocktails. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, and the service is impeccable. It is a great spot to go with friends or on a date.
The food at Barrio is a unique and creative take on traditional Mexican cuisine, incorporating American and pan-Latin influences. The Barrio website offers more information. During the week, the restaurant is open until 2 a.m. On weekends, the restaurant is open until 3 a.m.
The Mexican food at Barrio is somewhat overpriced and inconsistent. The charred eggplant may be delicious one night and bitter the next, while the housemade corn tortillas may be rubbery or gummy. However, the nachos are always tasty. The service is friendly, and the servers seem excited about the food.
If you are in Chicago, Barrio is one of the best Mexican restaurants in the city. It is located near the Westin Chicago River North Hotel. The restaurant features a chic industrial design, dim lighting, and a circular bar. The staff is knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile to please their customers. They serve a wide selection of Mexican cuisine, including starters and salads.
Mercadito
Mercadito Mexican Restaurant in the River North neighborhood of Chicago is a must-try for those who love authentic Mexican food and enjoy a good drink. This restaurant combines the tradition of southern Mexico with contemporary flair. Its interior is decorated with vibrant art and a comfortable, relaxed vibe. The restaurant features eleven different types of tacos and more than seventy tequilas. The menu also includes six different kinds of guacamole and six different salsas. There’s also a large outdoor patio.
You’ll love the fresh-tasting tacos and flavored margaritas at Mercadito. It is far from your run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant, with a lively vibe and prompt service. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the food is reasonably priced. Its Google review score is 4.3.
Mercadito is an excellent choice for special occasions. The restaurant’s private rooms are perfect for holding parties and events. It also offers gift cards for any occasion.
Evelina’s
Evelina’s Mexican Restaurant is located near the Arts District in Chicago. It serves Mexican and vegetarian dishes. The restaurant is known for its friendly service and reasonable prices. The staff is highly trained, and the food is delicious. It also serves a variety of beverages and juices.
Evelina’s Tamales are among the most famous dishes at this Chicago restaurant. They are vegan and vegetarian-friendly and feature a unique vegetable filling. Their tamales come wrapped in banana leaves and are served with homemade salsa. The tamales are also available in a variety of flavors.
The Logan Square restaurant offers traditional Mexican fare with a modern spin. While many guests flock to Yvolina’s for its tacos, the chef’s best creations shine in the antojitos section. Some items include bay scallops, snails, garlicky salsa, and savoy cabbage tamales wrapped in banana leaves.
La Casa de Samuel
La Casa de Samuel is the casual spot for you if you’re craving a Mexican meal. This casual restaurant specializes in exotic meats and other Mexican favorites. Its menu is filled with various options, from burgers to tacos. Guests can expect a relaxed atmosphere and a delicious meal.
The restaurant has been serving authentic Mexican food for over 25 years. It’s renowned for its spicy grilled meats and freshly made tortillas. It also features unique cinnamon-infused coffee. The restaurant’s rustic decor resembles traditional Mexican architecture. Diners can order appetizers such as frog legs, ancas de Rana (breaded calamari), and unique entrees such as grilled meats.
In addition to serving traditional Mexican dishes, La Casa de Samuel also offers ice cream and margaritas. The decor at this Chicago Mexican restaurant is beautiful, and the staff is friendly and energetic. Prices are generally reasonable, and the food tastes great. The restaurant also accepts orders for takeout and delivery.
XOCO
The XOCO Mexican Restaurant in Chicago is the perfect place to celebrate your next special occasion. Chef Rick Bayless serves up authentic Mexican street food and tap beers. The atmosphere is fun and casual. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The food is delicious, and the prices are reasonable. The restaurant is open seven days a week.
Xoco serves brunch on Saturdays. The restaurant’s name is pronounced “Sho-ko” and is an Aztec word meaning “little sister.” Its quick-service cafe specializes in Mexican street food, hot chocolate, and meal-in-a-bowl caldos.
Xoco has won several awards and accolades. In 2010, it was voted “Best New Restaurant” by Time Out Chicago. It has also received three-star certification from the Green Restaurant Association. The restaurant is the brainchild of Rick Bayless, who won the Bravo television series Top Chef Master. He has also developed several cookbooks and started the Frontera Farmer Foundation.
The atmosphere is cozy, and the service is excellent. The menu is diverse, and you can try a wide variety of food. The menu includes wood-roasted suckling pig, carne asada, and chicken soup.
La Catedral
La Catedral Mexican Restaurant in Chicago offers European-inspired Mexican dishes and an easygoing atmosphere. They have a brunch menu and an inviting, cozy dining room. The Easygoing Eatery also offers brunch. Their brunch menu features brunch favorites like eggs and pancakes. They also provide a full bar.
Chef Gonzalez grew up in Mexico, selling street food. He faced many challenges establishing his new restaurant in Chicago, including a complex business environment. But he persevered and bonded with the local community, making La Catedral a popular Chicago dining option. The restaurant has since won multiple awards and accolades.
The restaurant’s name is a nod to the cathedral of Guadalajara, the Mexican city that inspired the restaurant. The decor in the restaurant is reminiscent of the cathedral and features religious imagery. Chef Ambrocio “Bocho” Gonzalez is a Jalisco native, and the menu reflects his background. The menu includes a wide variety of breakfast items and chilaquiles, including traditional chilaquiles and spicy a la diablo chilaquiles.
The La Catedral Cafe is a great place to eat a quick breakfast. Their menu includes various Mexican breakfast and brunch items, including pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries. They also offer an extensive drinks menu. A specialty of Chef Ambrocio is authentic Mexican Cinnamon Coffee served with caramel. Other beverages that are offered include fresh fruit drinks and rice water.
Topolobampo
The Rick Bayless-owned Topolobampo Mexican Restaurant in Chicago offers refined and innovative Mexican cuisine in an artful, elegant setting. Its menu changes seasonally, and the wine list is as varied as its cuisine. The restaurant is a must-visit for lovers of Mexican cuisine.
Topolobampo has won numerous awards for its food, including the James Beard Foundation’s Best Restaurant Award. Although the restaurant opened over thirty years ago, the menu continues to evolve and push the limits of modern Mexican. Unlike the upscale Frontera Grill, Topolobampo is not afraid to explore new flavors and approaches to classic dishes.
The interior is decorated with Mexican art, but the decor needs to be more relaxed and cohesive. The restaurant should make an effort to bring more authentic treasures from Mexico to the table. In addition to a nice, comfortable dining room, it should retrain its service staff and narrow its menu to make it more appealing.
The Mexican community in Chicago is large and vibrant, reflected in its cuisine. Countless Mexican restaurants serve both traditional and modern dishes. Whether you’re looking for a casual dining experience or Michelin-starred fine dining, you’ll find a Mexican restaurant in the city that fits your style and budget.