Chicago has a vibrant Mexican community, with outposts throughout the city (Pilsen, Logan Square) and suburbs (Cicero, Aurora). One of the great food things about Chicago is the explosion of taquerias. Some of these are chains (El Famous Burrito) some are places with multiple outposts (Aguascalientes) and some are just small storefronts.

My goal this summer is to build a companion thread in the vein of the Chicago BBQ thread. Of course, if anybody wants to help me, they're more than welcome to do so!!

And so, we begin.

Taqueria Aguascalientes has a few locations scattered around the West side. I've visited the Cicero location (Cicero Ave. just north of Cermak, just north of the CTA tracks) twice now for carry-out. Their speciality is gorditas - a tortilla thicker than a taco/burrito tortilla, stuff with all sorts of goodness.

I've tried the following so far, all for takeout:
- Queso con Rajas (cheese & peppers): Excellent, very spicy, with a generous portion of strips of poblano pepper mixed in with a melted whie cheese.
- Lomo de Puerco (pork): Very good. One of the three kinds of pork gorditas they carry. The pork itself was just ok, but the sauce was excellent.
- Guisado de Res (beef): Good value, but don't try to eat it in your car. There had to be 10 oz. of shredded beef roast in this thing. But it was dry - no sauce at all. I ended up taking it home and drenching it with the green sauce.

Most types of gorditas are $2.50, a few are $3.50. Orders come with pickled veggies (the typical carrots and jalepenos, but also califlower) and both a red and a green sauce.

Dining in you get waited on at your table. Carry-outs walk to the back register and can wait at four of the back tables. The atmosphere is a bit industrial/sparse (for those of you that have been to Manny's, it's like the room away from the serving line). Full liquor license, a dedicated refrigerator for chilling beer steins for bottled beer. Hours are 8am-midnight, 8am-3am on Fri/Sat.

Above Taqueria El Chorrito is an old brown neon sign (that no longer works) but it says hamburgers and chili on it. I like both, especially from small independent places so I was drawn to the sign. The hamburger and chili joint is no longer there but it is now a 24 hour tacqueria.

I decided to try it. As I walked in it was obvious that it did used to be a small diner. The 6 stool dining counter is still present.

I ordered a Lengua and a Conchinita Pibil taco.

With your order you receive the seemingly obligatory chips and salsas, no nonsense here, just a basket and two types of salsa, both forgettable, but that is not why to come to this place.

I did order a drink called Tepache which is a fermented pineapple juice. Quite an acquired taste, but I had not tried it in awhile so I tried it again.

The Lengua or tongue taco was full of flavor, good choice.

The conchinita pibil or Yucatan-style barbecue pork taco was topped w/sour cream and cheese and was very good.

I spoke w/the chef in his broken English and my horrible Spanish. He said I should try the pig�s feet tostadas next time in. I think I will.

Taqueria El Chorrito
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
6404 N. Clark St (corner Clark & Devon)
Chicago
Phone: 773.381.0902

The Chicago Trib/At Play want to know where to get a great taco. NOT BURRITOS, QUESADILLAS, OR ENCHILADAS BUT TACOS !!

Send your nominations the [email protected] put TACO in the subject line

Deadline is March 31, 2006

They did not say when the results would be published.

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Without a doubt the Nuevo Leon restaurant in Pilsen is probably the best Mexican food in the city. You'll leave not needing to eat for a week at a total cost of perhaps $12 a head if everyone gets something expensive. It's BYOB.

For sure a great restaurant, we've even had a Do or two there, for an existing thread on Nuevo Leon see: http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...highlight=Leon

BUT Nuevo Leon is NOT a tacqueria per say, it is a full blown Mexican restaurant FYI. I believe the OP is looking for more of the small Tacqueria type joints that are prevalent in Chicagoland.

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Oh ok - Burrito Shacks as I call them. The Green structure south of Addison at Addison, Ravenswood, & Lincoln on Lincoln (I think its called "Burrito House") is good, I walk by there going to/from the L all the time so I definetely frequent it and haven't had any issues (conversely the hotdog stand across the street on the northeast corner of Addison and Ravenswood is not good at all).

There is a great place in Westmont right downtown across from the train tracks. I can't remember the name of the place but there were many late nights coming home I would get off the the train and make a run right to the taqerias. only one in downtown westmont, worth it!

I know which one you mean, I forget the name but it's got a yellow sign and it's on Qunicy near the city hall. I used to pass it on the train when I used to take the train.

I completely forgot that I started this thread!

Unfortunately, the taquerias near me have all declined in quality over the last year. I'm not sure why. But now I have a taste for a gordita con rajas...

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thanks to fellow FTer balima for pointing out that they liked the al pastor at Mexico Restaurant in Des Plaines, seeing as I love al pastor, I went today for lunch.

To start was served so-so chips & two so-so salsas (one hot). So I'm thinking to myself, not a great start.

Then came my tacos each individually wrapped and served on my plate w/rice & refried beans. I had never seen this type of presentation before, the server also didn't offer either salsa verde or salsa rojo (usually in squirt bottles at most tacquerias), so now I'm really confused. But I unwrap one of the tacos & put a squirt of lime juice on it, I can see they have put chopped onions & cilantro on it (that's good) and I think I detect a salsa verde, so I bite in. Easily some of the best al pastor tacos I've had (even while in Mexico). :-:

I did confirm later with the server that they do indeed put on some salsa verde before wrapping.

Mexico also serves breakfast as well, specifically my interest was that they serve chilaquiles, so will have to check that out.

Mexico Restaurant
694 Lee St
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 296-1611
There is free 90 minute parking on Lee St in front of the restaurant but spaces are limited & frequently full, so I suggest you park in the free rear parking lot where there is always a lot of spaces open. FYI, Mexico Restaurant is a short 1/2 block walk from the Des Plaines Metra station.

I'm so glad you liked the Al Pastor. Often I find it scary to suggest a restaurant to someone (especially someone well versed in trying different restaurants). You just hope that the person will like it. The Al Pastor also comes in their tortas and burritos on request. Also, you can order up a container of the Al Pastor as a catering type of take out. You need to give them one days notice. I have also ordered their tamales as catering for out Day of the Dead celebrations. They even opened early just so that I could pick them up early. Family owned with sisters running the front of the house and Dad supervising the cooking.

I used to eat there regularly but stopped going about 5 or 6 years ago.

I'll try it again. It would be good to have a good Mexican place close to home.

Another Mexican place that I swear by is a bit further out:

La Hacienda de Roselle
35 W. Irving Park Road (on Irving just west of Roselle Rd)
Roselle, IL 60172
630-893-9009

http://lahaciendaderoselle.net/index.htm

It is a family run place. The decor is a little dated. Live music on weekends.

Tacos are good, the skirt steak is to die for. They have huge top shelf margaritas that will kill you.

I will need to check this one out soon.

The DW is always mad at me because I try to give her the keys to the car when we go in.

If you try it, let us know if you agree with my opinion of the place.