As a result of the booming Mexican population here in Chicago, there is a wide variety of Mexican food options. It seems like everywhere you look in the city and near suburbs, there is a Mexican food establishment. That said, what do you consider to be the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago?

My personal favorites are:

<b>Lalo's </b> on Armitage and Clybourn. This is probably the best of the whole chain of Lalo's restaurants, in both environment and food. You can't beat the margaritas here! Haven't been to the one downtown yet (where Michael Jordan's used to be) but I've been told its subpar.

<b> Abril </b> located in Logan Square on Diversy and Kedzie, this restaurant serves up good, authentic food for a decent price. It also has outdoor dining options during the summer/fall months.

Altough kind of a dive, you can't beat the tacos at <b> Jalape�o Rock </b> on the Southside on Cicero and Marquette (across from the Midway Hotel Center). I discovered this place when I worked at MDW. Superb tacos and burritos at a fair price.

Sorry to rehash old postings, but.....

I now really like Maria�s. Terrific Carne Asada, Mole is great as well as the Chiles Relleanos: http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...ML/000017.html

I�m working near Howard so I venture into Rogers Park for the tacquerias located there, don�t think I have a favorite yet, but there are even some supermarkets on Clark that have very good (and super cheap) tacquerias tucked into them.

For �high-end� Mexican, Salpicon is tough to beat in my book: http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...ML/000062.html

For those who may be tired or not really like the taco/burrito aspect of Mexican cooking, try a restaurant that specializes in �Mariscos� or seafood, I think you�ll find it very refreshing and not as �heavy� as the taco/burrito cooking you may have had.
I wrote up one place here, but they are all over Chicagoland (& other metropolitan areas): http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...ML/000031.html

Used to really like El Jardin (the restaurant) on Clark, but the quality has slipped big time IMO.

Wow, that brings me back! I grew up exactly next door to El Jardin, at 3339 clark. I had my first beer there! I actually watched the first moon landing in the back courtyard, during a mexican wedding celebration, complete with pinatas and pistolas! You are correct about the quality though, it has changed twice over the years, not for the better.

[This message has been edited by HigherFlyer (edited 08-03-2003).]