Let's Talk Tacos
- Olivia Murphy & Courtney Theo
- Jun 17, 2017
- 8 min read
Every day I scroll through my insta feed and every day I see posts of graphic tees with sayings like, “Give me tacos or give me death,” “~Tacos & Tequila~,” "Taco Tuesday Every Day," or some other rather annoying and fad-related lingo. But even I can’t deny it, tacos are “in” (even if I don't own a shirt telling you so).
Maybe it’s because its concept is a blank culinary canvas, where you can put literally anything you want into a toasty tortilla. Or maybe it's the fact that they’re usually $3 each, meaning you can mix 'n match your whole dinner for less than 10 bucks. Either way, they're delectable, creamy&meaty&carby&fresh, and tailored to even the pickiest of palettes.
Summertime calls for these refreshing and savory bad boys, on-the-go or in the middle of the West Loop on lunch break. So as you're L-hopping trying to find the most perfect al pastor, take a peek at our definitive Chicago Chubbie-approved taco joint list:
1. Taco Joint
Left: Chicken Tinga taco (pulled chicken, chipotle-tomato sauce, avocado salsa, cabbage - $3.50), Right: Al Pastor taco (adobo marinated grilled chicken, tangy tomatillo salsa, onion, cilantro, grilled pineapple with a bite taken out of it, sorry! - $3.50), Top: Strawberry-hibiscus margarita ($9.50)
The name of this place really sums it up. They serve tacos, and lots of them. For about $2-4 each, you can mix and match chicken, steak, fish, and 'shrooms, all as delicious as the last.
All the tortillas are hand-pressed, so you get that rough-edged, authentic shell that was intended for bites such as these. The margs are literally sinful, and I could make an entire dinner off all the versions of guacamole. In general, this place is just a 10/10 for Chicago Chubbies.
Taco Joint makes life easier in so many scenarios. For example, if you want a quick sit-down taco... TJ! If you want to plan a GNO...TJ! If you're a local gal looking for a local guy... TJ! I even go here with my mom at 2 p.m. on a Thursday. Never disappoints.
Dimmed lighting. Fun music. Savory Tacos... Okay, suddenly I should be working for the TJ's marketing team.
Pro Tip: There are two locations of TJ in Chicago: one in Lincoln Park and the other in River North. The LP one, in our opinion, is better, but they don't take reservations like RV does. Get there early, grab a Strawberry-Hibiscus or Spicy Grapefruit margarita, and take in the beauty that is North Halsted.
Location: Lincoln Park - 1969 N. Halsted St.
River North - 158 W. Ontario St.
2. Velvet Taco
Left: Two orders of rotisserie chicken tacos (white queso, roast corn pico, cilantro, smoked poblano salsa, corn tortilla), Right: Spicy tikka taco (crisp tenders, spicy pepper sauce, buttered cilantro basmati rice, raita crema, thai basil, flour tortilla), Top Right: side order of 'Elote' corn (queso fresco, asadero cheese, Valentina, crema, lime).
Boasting the tagline “tacos without borders,” this place nails on originality. They believe that tacos don't have to be just Tex-Mex style, and that they can include all of the fine-dining goodies into a taco shell. Here, anything goes. We'll gladly take it. On a corner in River North, this shop is easy to pass by if you're not looking. Inside is cramped with tables and people anxiously waiting for their from-scratch bites. Upstairs however, is a gold mine. Open and breezy, the upstairs has open windows and ~views~ of the Hancock building and that dang fine skyline. Although Velvet Taco kills the taco game, they also have banging sides. Street corn is a fan fave, but the crispy tots and local egg can break hearts (herbed goat cheese, smoked cheddar, avocado crema, chili butter, bacon.... I mean come on.) All in all, nothing here is short of velvety.
Pro Tip: These tacos are bigger than normal street tacos. We recommend getting two tacos and a side of street corn (trust us, you'll want every last drop of
that heavenly stuff).
Location: River North - 1110 N. State St.
3. Mercadito
Yes, you read that right. A chart-topper on a previous post, Mercadito strikes again. This time, we’re talking tacos.
For a more classy and “downtown” vibe, Merca is the place to be. With absolutely drool-worthy taco concoctions (in tortillas or bibb lettuce), or my favorite create-your-own taco tray, this place is sure to please your fancier passions.
A taco from most of the places on this list would attend a ball game. A taco from Mercadito would attend a fashion in show in Milan. Mercadito is where style meets Mexico-level authenticity. Like the tacos, the waiters are sexy and fun. It's like a club in Miami with loud music, purple lights, and Gossip Girl-esque attendees. Put on a pair of heels because Mercadito is the perfect start to a night out. Located right in River North, Merca is walking distance from Joy District, Hubbard Inn, and Rockit.
Oh, hunnies did you think we forgot the margs? Never. What a sin. They have a lengthy list of the classic flavors but you have to always ask for the seasonal flavors and even if it sounds questionable ORDER IT. (Yes, even the cucumber margarita—we swear it's good.) The seasonal flavors are always the best.
Pro Tip: You can't mix and match tacos! Most tacos come in groups of 4 or 5. A good idea is to go in a big group so everyone can split and get a bite of each.
Locations: River North - 108 W Kinzie St.
4. BIG & little's
First pic: Sneak peek into how much Courtney and I order when we're out lol. Second: Samurai taco (fried whitefish, pickled jalapeños, lettuce, special sauce, samurai sauce, lime juice, sesame seeds - $4.75), Third: Raw Ahi Tuna taco (sashimi grade ahi tuna, hard shell corn tortilla, ginger, chili paste, sesame seed oil, special sauce, samurai sauce, sesame seeds - $7.50), Fourth: Mexican Beef Short Rib taco (seared shredded beef short rib, onions, cilantro, queso fresco, tomatillo sauce - $4)
Repping its breakfast, lunch and dinner options in three separate locations (Wicker Park, River North and Lakeview), this place is hard to miss. Especially when it's been raved about by America's favorite FoodNetwork host, Guy Fieri, on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives not once, but twice.
Most notorious for its funky flare on American and Mexican classics, Big & Little's isn't for the faint of heart, and I mean that literally. With top picks like deep fried grilled cheese, truffle fries, and shrimp bahn mi po'boys, this place can do some damage. But that didn't stop us from ordering half the menu (it's for research, after all).
As much as I love my chicken tacos, I had to order the Mexican Beef Short Rib, a B&l's special ($4). What can I say, they had me at "seared shredded short rib" and ya girl's a sucker for short rib.
However, there is an item on the menu that tops all: the ahi tuna taco. Please pause for moment of silence.
And we're back. It's marinated in sugar and spice and everything nice. It's one of those foods that I get depressed after I've finished eating it. To ease my depression, I have to get more. Now it's time to introduce the Samurai taco. "I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!" But actually this taco is too sexy. Spicy yet sweet, crispy yet soft. This is definitely a must-try-before-you-die.
Pro Tip: They don't take credit cards! Cash only.
Location: Lakeview - 1034 W Belmont Ave.
River North - 860 N Orleans St.
Wicker Park - 1310 N Milwaukee Ave.
5. Broken English Taco Pub
Top: Calabazas (roasted squash, guajillo, queso cotija, *spicy* - $7)
Bottom: Camarones (shrimp marinates in salsa de arbol topped with pickled onion and epazote mayo - $8)
Broken English was an amazing addition to Wells Street in Old Town. In one word: colorful. The outside wall of the building is covered with bears. The inside is Aztecy, or Day of the Dead themed. Which is just fun 'n fab for Snapchat, and perhaps Instagram if you're ~feelin yourself~ (we won't judge you).
Now on to the food. I like this place because they bring more to the table than just tacos. They have amazing street corn hush puppies in a chipotle sauce as well as loaded Mexican salads. However, this article is on tacos so let's get down to business (to defeat the huns).
They'll have any kind of taco you want, without a doubt. Chicken, pork, veg, fish, steak, you name it. But which are the best? Well I tried the camarones (shrimp) but they also feature carne asada, fried chicken, and chorizo con huevos! Each order of tacos come in a pair, but after an appetizer or salad and margs, you'll fill up.
PS. Okay my favorite part about this place was the music they played (think ODESZA and Paperwhite).
Pro Tip: $2 Taco Tuesday til 7 p.m.! (K thanks 'cause we're broke.)
Location: Old Town - 1400 N Wells St.
Michigan Ave - 75 E Lake St.
Lincoln Park - 2576 N Lincoln Ave
6. Hello Tacos! de Cero
Hello Tacos is definitely a hidden gem, but not at all if you know the area. There are a few things I truly love in this world: my family, my bed, a good pedicure, and my beloved Fulton Market. Home of the top restaurants in the city, Fulton is a real estate gold mine (I work at a commercial real estate firm... I would know) but also the hottest market in the city. Have you ever seen Stefan's skits on SNL? "New York's hottest club is Slash" that's what I think of when I think of Fulton.
Anywayyyysssss once you've explored all that Fulton has to offer, try Hello Tacos! The inside inhabits wooden furniture and a lengthy menu. This is definitely the biggest menu of all the taco places listed. I like it because they categorize the tacos under titles like "white fish," "chicken," and "vegetarian." Easy. My all time favorite taco on the menu is the battered white fish topped with romaine, chipotle sauce, and pico. Another amazing place for margs. They do something really fun with their margs where they make them really spicy, sometimes adding real jalapenos.
Pro Tip: Amazing for large parties and even better with reservations and accommodations.
Location: Fulton Market - 814 West Randolph St.
7. Antique Taco
Antique Taco is a special one. It's what I would categorize as "new fusion." Wicker Park is hipster city and Antique Taco follows suit with inventive Mexican cuisine. This isn't your typical chicken tinga with pico and cheese. Let me give you a little taste of what we're talking about.
Are you ready for this?: Mushroom, adobo red chile, kale, crema, pink onions, queso ($8).
Are you sure you're ready?: Pork, bbq, spinach, queso, avocado, bacon, onion ($8).
But here's the thing. Antique Taco isn't just tacos, and that needs to be discussed. I mean, to be honest, the tacos aren't even the highlight of this place. My absolute favorite thing to order here is the Horchata Milkshake. This elixir of life is made up of vanilla ice cream, horchata, banana, whipped cream, and cinnamon sugar.
Another non-taco item that I love on this menu is the Antique Taco salad. I mean we're in Wicker Park, so obviously the base is going to be kale, you know what I mean? But on top of that there's spicy peanuts, queso, cranberries, onions, and a pomegranate vinaigrette. This salad makes me want to write books and train for marathons. It's one of those.
If I walked into Antique Taco with a friend my order could go two ways:
Option #1:
Guac
Horchata Milkshake
Crispy Fish taco
Grilled Steak taco
Option #2:
Chili Cheese Curds
Antique Taco Salad
Carnitas Pork taco
Market Mushroom Taco
Pro Tip: It's tough to find parking on Milwaukee Avenue so here's one of my best pro-tips yet. There's an alley behind Antique that isn't technically a parking lot but if you park close enough to the fence it works every time. You're truly welcome for this one.
Location: Wicker Park - 1360 N. Milwaukee
Tacos are in, and it doesn't look like they're going anywhere. Time to take a bite.
What are your favorite taco joints?
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