The Best Tacos in Chicago

Theory

★★★★☆ 4.1 (951) • $$

"First time here as my coworker suggested this bar after the Bears game to continue having a few more drinks and watch other Sunday football games. The place was packed, and we were told they were in a transition between people closing out once the Bears game was over and other people coming *from* the game. Everyone we encountered from the host and hostesses to our server were actually really friendly and took great care of us. They have a million TVs in here so you'll never an issue watching any game here. The only reason I took a star off is because our food was very meh! The chips and queso dip didn't do much for me, and the wings themselves were not that great. They weren't awful, and did the job... but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back and eat them again. Maybe other food is actually good here though! Would definitely come back to try other food while drinking here!"

Broken English Taco Pub - Old Town

★★★★☆ 4 (558) • $$

"Amazing tacos especially the brisket one. Amazing churros too and the best ice cream I've ever had it's pomegranate that comes with the churros!"

Riobamba

★★★★★ 4.5 (334) • $$

"We tried this place based on Yelp reviews, and I was a bit disappointed. Located in a strip mall and there was ample parking. You order at the counter and service was ok, not over friendly. Your food is brought to your table, but we had to get napkins and utensils. My husband tried the carne asada street tacos and I had a al pastor bowl. The portions were fine. I would have liked chips and salsa to be included One small container of salsa is included, but a second comes with a charge. Food was pricey considering what you received."

Hopsmith Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.9 (405) • $$

"-great chicken sliders and sandwiches. -minus one star, they didn't give us any onion straws with our carry out order. Happened to get a gal on her first night and we were her very first order, so some mercy here. I would have claimed an order later but there wasn't a next time before we left town. --short walk from Claridge House, good place...."

Antique Taco

★★★★☆ 3.8 (351) • $$

"The tortilla soup was amazing and they need to put it back on the menu! Probs the best I had in my life and I liked that it had giant corn kernels in it (Inka brand?). Lively environment and giant heated covered patio outside"

Tio Luis Tacos

★★★★☆ 3.7 (322) • $$

"DELICIOUS!!! I had their Carne en su jugo and it was deliciously Good and add some fresh tortillas. I was satisfied with my meal and service. I recommend Tio Luis"

The Happ Inn Bar & Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (360) • $$

"We went here for our last meal in Glenview before we flew home. Incidentally I grew up in this town which was awesome to see how much things have changedover the years. Joes Mom moved into this incredible place that is definitely "country club" living, I'll get to that review next. This place is over in Northbrook very close to where we were staying, it was incredible. The decor, the food, the staff was all top notch! Joe ordered the clam chowder and it was delicious. I always love the club so I got the BLT. It was excellent, the bacon was cooked perfectly and theFrench fries were cooked all the way through! Love that! A undercooked fry is just not worth it to me, I'll pass or send it back. Joe ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich and he just loved it. Joes Mom got the hamburger with Swiss and sweet potato fries, I'm pleased to say both types of French fries were excellent! We arrived there at 11 when they opened and it was very crowded. Myra our server was just excellent and very attentive. The busboy was always near to clear away the dishes, get rid of the evidence I always say :) I will definitely return to this amazing place! Loved it!"

Tacos & Burrito Express 3

★★★★☆ 4.4 (194) • $$

"Great spot for tacos and burritos in wicker park area. The owners are super nice and prep awesome food. Free street parking is available in front of the building if you lucky of course ‍‍TRY OUR FAVORITES:Steak TacosAl Pastor Tacos Check out Insta reel @table_4_2_chicago"

EATACO

★★★★☆ 4.3 (196) • $$

"We came, and we ate Tacos! Eataco located in downtown Northbrook is the perfect place for lunch or dinner with some friends! Whether you're in the mood for some quick apps, or a few tacos, maybe even a marg, the choices are endless. I came by for a midday lunch with my husband and we got guac and chips to start along with 3 tacos while he got a burrito. The chips and guac were SO good that we couldn't stop eating, so much so that we couldn't even make through our entrees! I ended up getting 3 tacos, the EATACO asada which was chef's kisses, the fish taco which was super flavorful and the avocado taco which had a nice kick to it. When you walk in you're greeted by folks behind the counter, and sometimes you'll catch the owners too! The food is delicious and I can't wait to come back and try some of the other tacos on the menu!"

Taqueria Chingon

★★★★☆ 4.2 (200) • $$

"We came here on the recommendation of a friend before heading out to see a comedy show at the Lincoln Lodge. Tacqueria Chingon is located right on Western and has a heated patio (dog-friendly too!), perfect for a group of three to grab a quick bite.The set-up is fast casual; you enter and order at the counter. Specials will be listed in a chalkboard by the register, and their standard menu was mounted on a huge display on the back wall.This spot was opened by the same folks at Le Bouchon and Obelix, so I came in knowing every flavor and detail would not be overlooked, down to the house made sauces on each table, the texture of their guacamole, and how the taste of a single taco will change with the addition of a freshly squeezed lime.As anticipated, the tacos were gourmet, delicious. I ordered 3 for dinner:1) pescado2) asada (cooked at a default medium rare)3) duck carnitas My friend ordered chips and guacamole for the table. My meal rang up to be a little over $20 (3 tacos). If you want horchata, topo chico or another canned beverage plus guac, your tab will inch closer to $30+. The asada was a little more rare than your typical medium rare, so if that is gonna be an issue, I'd suggest getting your asada taco cooked medium or medium-well.I really enjoyed my meal here. It's perfect for a casual date, dinner before a show, or really, any occasion you'd like really solid tacos. They don't have booze here and they don't take reservations, but their food items are flavorful, uncomplicated, and you can order an horchata or Mexican Coke. A solid menu by chefs Marcos Ascensio and Oliver Poilevey!"

Tallboy Taco

★★★★☆ 3.5 (272) • $$

"Stopped in after coming from a museum as we in the mood for some tacos. We were seated pretty quickly upon walking in and the server explained how to order food. Im not a fan of QR style ordering but our food came out super quick and was still hot. I got the Taco Bundle with the crispy fish and shrimp tacos with a side of rice and beans. Also I ordered a mango margarita to drink. Everything was really good and I really enjoyed my meal! This restaurant has all the right vibes and seems like a good spot for a big group. Would love to come back!"

Big Star

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (333) • $$

"I enjoyed my time here! We went to Wrigley Field right next door and were hungry afterwards and we got tons of tacos. Everything was good! Service was also super attentive and friendly. This place is huge since after games it must get super crowded. Great for groups and decent amount of stuff on the menu. My favourite tacos in the bunch were the braised beef tacos and the pork belly tacos (these were so juicy and flavourful!). I didn't get to try the fritos tacos but they did look super interesting (they come in the fritos bag)."

Taco Maya

★★★★☆ 4.3 (161) • $$

"Taco Maya is getting a rare five-star review. The tacos were excellent and the chips and salsa far exceeded expectations. Service was fast and friendly, but the ordering process was a bit more confusing than necessary.Those dining in order on a smartphone app, but ordering at the counter would be faster and easier.I do like that you pay on the smartphone app, but I'm not impressed with having to tip before I receive my food or service. In a sense this could be considered tipping extortion, because if you don't tip, what are they going to do to your food?"

Evette’s

★★★★☆ 4.3 (139) • $$

"3.5 Solid but not transcendent Lebanese and Mexican mashup. Get your falafel taco on, I guess. Not sure I remember anything beyond that. Really."

El Tragón Taqueria

★★★★★ 4.8 (102)

"I never thought a taco spot inside of a gas station plaza would slap this hard. I definitely will come back! I loved the decor and vibe inside even though it's a small space. You can tell this place is family oriented.My food came out super fast - like less than 5 min! For the chips n salsa, you get your own personal tray and individual mini bottles of sauces which I liked because you don't have to share with anyone. I also got an horchata that was refreshing. My asada burrito was delicious and I have no complaints about it. You can really observe & taste the quality of their food! Can't wait to come back!"

The Old Plank

★★★★☆ 3.8 (159) • $$

"I came to the old plank and They delivered this time The waitress, the lady that help her,were super professional.The food and drinks were very good.I didn't informed the managers or owners.I don't like to get free stuffBecause, in my eyes,that make the reviews not so honest. I live in the neighborhood And I'm always eating in the restaurants around here. I believe if you spend $100-1000You should get good food and a service!That's what we get this time!"

Los Arcos

★★★★☆ 3.7 (165) • $

"Our first time eating here. Service was great and very attentive. Very cool vibe. My wife and I both got the Quesabirria tacos. Really solid tacos. Not quite up to my gold standard, Taclotan, but the best in this area hands down. Will definitely be back"

ATX Bodega

★★★★☆ 4 (134) • $$

"Wow, this place is incredible. Seriously, the tacos are amazing! I ordered takeout on a Saturday afternoon- 2x 3 Birria taco with cheese platters, elotes, and queso with chips. This all came out to about $50. Somewhat steep for takeout but we were really craving food tacos. The taco platters are $17 and come with the consume dipping broth- a generous portion! I've ordered birria tacos before and gotten a measly 2 oz of consume but not the case here- the 12ish oz was more than enough for me. They also gave me two salsas and limes for each taco set. These tacos are LOADED. There's probably 5 oz of meat at least in each taco. I could only eat two before I was stuffed. The double corn tortillas have cheese stuffed between them and the whole thing is fried and delicious. I really thoroughly enjoyed these tacos and I will be ordering from here frequently. These really hit the spot! The meat was tender, the consume was flavorful, and the tortillas were perfectly fried. I really like that they packaged each taco individually in each paper then foil, so they stayed crispy and warm. The consume was in sturdy sealed containers that didn't leak and stayed hot on my drive home. I know it sounds silly to talk about the packaging but it's an attention to detail I appreciate! Things with this kind of taco could go really wrong with crappy packaging. Anyways. Tacos- incredible. Amazing. Definitely get them. The elotes were skippable. The corn was mushy and tasted unevenly cooked. Just not great. The queso, on the other hand, was excellent. Very classic Texan queso that is delicious and creamy! Their chips were really good too, crispy and salty. In conclusion, I'll definitely be back here and soon! Get the tacos. By the way, I just reheated my last taco from yesterday in the microwave and it was ALMOST as good as yesterday."

Texan Taco Bar

★★★★☆ 3.5 (174) • $$

"Super fun spot! Some friends and I stopped in here for a drink and I'm so glad we did. The weather was a rare 50+ degree February day, and with all the windows open it really felt like a summer day in Chicago. The space is a super cute rooftop bar that looks like it was plucked straight from Austin. The bartender was very sweet and took our orders right away. I went with a spicy margarita. It was tasty and had just the right amount of spice. Only suggestion I would make it putting it in a cup with a salted rim, since that's my favorite part!We didn't eat, but I want to come back and try the dessert menu because WOAH -- it sounds epic!"

Zombie Taco

★★★★☆ 3.8 (139) • $$

"We went to Zombie Taco for a late night snack and were not disappointed. We tried the street corn, which was excellent. We also tried a chips and dips sampler that featured a very strong guacamole, a nice salsa, and an average queso. It hit the spot. I'd happily try other items on a return visit. Fast and friendly service as well."

Quesabirria Jalisco

★★★★★ 4.8 (86) • $$

"Wow! Such amazing quesabirria tacos definitely one of the best in the city. They are absolutely STUFFED with so much meat and cheese honestly 2 tacos would've been enough for one portion I wish they would sell them in smaller quantities. The people there are so nice and they run a tiktok where they give you a chance to win free tacos. Not sure if they still have that but it's a cute idea for engagement."

Gordo's Tiny Taco Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (130)

"Getting here was kind of difficult to find depending on where you're coming from. We came from the upper level and could not figure out the location at all. Google kept telling us we arrived but we couldn't find it until you look on the wall of the downstairs plaza and you see this giant menu on the side of the building. Then you follow the directions to other restaurant and use the escalators to head downstairs.The service was great. Everyone was friendly and helpful when we were there. The food was delicious as well. The jamaica drink tasted very much like hibiscus and not powdery. The tacos were a good size and very flavorful. I wish they had another dessert but they ran out. Overall, if you're in the area, even as a tourist, give it a try"

Taco Boom

★★★★★ 4.5 (95)

"There's something about the quesabirria that keeps us coming back. It's best when you have it there. Behold the golden quesabirria sits before me... the server ask to split it and fold it as it's the suggested way to eat.. Yup, makes more sense. Thank you, now let me have my moment of goodness... People, It's cheesy, crunchy, chewy, yummy, so flavorful, dipped in the consome... aaahhhh my heart is filled. I can drink the consome as is, so so good.More please!"

Cherubs

★★★★☆ 4.4 (93)

"I wish I had visited Cherubs sooner. Such a cute spot with Cherubs statues and full size couches and chairs for seating.I've only darkened their doorway twice, and each time I ordered 2 veggie and 1 steak taco. It only takes a few minutes, and they come out on a nice plate each with their own slice of lime. If you're like me and enjoy lime, it's best if each taco has their own.Two cups of salsa verse are served on the side. Very tasty and just spicy enough.The lady behind the counter is very sweet. I may trash her name since it's been a few weeks since I've been there, but I believe her name is Elvie.Please visit this sweet little cafe so that I can visit once again."

Papacito's Mexican Grille

★★★★☆ 3.6 (135) • $$

"Excelente! It's Small Business Saturday, and I was craving a burrito. Perfect timing to try Papacito's. The ordering process via their website was really seamless. It's through Square, so I don't think they have the crazy surcharges like through Grubhub, etc. They currently have a deal on free delivery so now is the perfect time to give it a shot. I ordered the chicken burrito dinner and a chicken soup. The food came in 40 minutes straight to my door, perfectly packaged. They even gave a bag of homemade chips and salsa, on the house, which was a really nice touch. They were generous with the salsa, which I always appreciate. If you douse salsa on everything like me, you'll appreciate the amount of salsa they give. The portions were large, and most importantly, everything was delicious. The food was fresh, made with finesse, and not overly greasy or heavy. It was perfect. The flavors were on point. It definitely tasted authentic, but not crazy heavy. The chicken in the burrito wasn't too dry or anything. It was just right. The chicken dinner was big enough to eat half and save the rest for another meal. I would definitely recommend this place. I will be ordering again and can't wait to try other dishes."

Velvet Taco

★★★★☆ 4 (105) • $$

"I was craving Velvet Taco and hence decided to order it for lunch. I usually order Nashville Hot Tofu as that is the only vegan option available (although it's not completely vegan as it has sour cream over it) i love the crispy tofu combination with tacos, and the sauces are very flavorful. I have tried their paneer tikka tacos, falafel tacos, beer battered cauliflower tacos and even spicy chicken tikka taco in the past. All their tacos are good, I liked the spicy chicken tikka taco the most where they combined chicken with basmati rice and basil. Hoping they bring a similar combination in one of their vegan options as I've quit meat! Hoping they have more Vegan options in the future! Velvet Taco is in major metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Nashville. Dallas is the birthplace of Velvet Taco. Velvet Taco was my first meal in the USA when I moved in 2016 and it will indeed always be special!P.S. If you like spicy food, make sure to ask for their hot sauces as they definitely elevate the taste of this Indo-Mexican fusion tacos. They usually mess up sending these sauces for their take out orders."

Seven On State

★★★★☆ 4 (101) • $$

"I love finding food courts around The Loop. They have Friday deals. Basically each is buy two pre-selected items and get a free drink. It's got Marc Samuelsson's burger place and a salad/sandwich place and some Mexican food. It's all really good quality because obviously it's on the 7th floor of Macy's. Expect worth the taste = worth the price. During the lunch rush, it is so busy! I went after 1pm and it was empty. I walked right up to order with no problem! Definitely worth going to!"

Taquizo

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (145)

"One of the best brunch experiences in Wicker Park and Logan Square. Live dj playing videos with music to match in the front room also has a bar with tvs showing live sports. Staff was friendly and in point. My server was Carlo and he made great recommendations so I tried the steak skillet. The meat was tender and diced into cubes with potatoes, onions and 2 eggs over easy on top. The bottomless mimosa is $17 and was topped off as soon as it was empty. All staff jumped in and made sure your glass was full. Food was delicious and great vibes/ambiance with good service!!!"

Birrieria Zaragoza

★★★★★ 4.7 (71) • $$

"Birrieria Zaragoza is getting five stars simply because they have me feening for those goat off the bone tacos and that soup! First the location use to be a chicken place. It is a very small place. There is seating but maybe 20 people tops. But so what, my food is going home with me so I can eat in peace.All I can say is that for me, the goat meat is like a drug. There are days I literally crave it either as a taco or a soup. The consume with that goat meat is to die for. I usually get that, throw in the onions and cilantro and lime juice, and then add udon noodles and shredded Mexican cheese. So so good. The tacos are very good too. I love when I go in there and place an order, I get a free taco while waiting. I can't quite describe the tortillas, but they are corn and on the chewy side, but that is not a bad thing, The texture somehow works with the meat.The meat itself is so tender and flavorful, just amazing. I always want to eat more cause my eyes are bigger than my stomach, but two will be enough unless you have not eaten all day. Usually what I end up doing is getting rice/beans and guacamole from Lindo Guadalajara to make a meal. The quesadilla is very good with goat meat in it and that goat head meat is on a whole different level. This is a no frills place that only does a few items, but they do the soooo well! And the place is clean...happen to be driving past there early one Saturday morning and saw two young ladies scrubbing down the big pots and the grill. The staff is amazing and very friendly as well. They always greet me coming and going and are so sweet. The only drag about this place is the parking since it is on Broadway. Craving this stuff on concert nights is hard cause there is a crush of people in that little spot. But if you happen to be around, there, it is worth the wait."

Aztec Dave's Cantina

★★★★☆ 4.4 (75)

"Overall, pleased. The burrito was really good and full of shrimp. I got "pineapple devil" sauce and . The guacamole was all right, but a little pricey, especially for tortilla chips obviously from a bag and neither "homemade" nor "fresh fried." Food arrived hot and within the delivery window."

Asadito

★★★★☆ 3.7 (106)

"Got take out via Uber eats, ordered the steak burrito and chips and green salsa. I would say this meal definitely held well in transit from the restaurant to my apartment! This meal easily became 2 meals for me which was a great deal for the price. I've heard great things about dining in and hope to do that sometime in the future. To top it off for take out, it was delivered in less than 30 minutes on a weekday after work so I greatly appreciate that!"

MiMi's Tacos and French Fries

★★★★★ 4.6 (64) • $$

"Coming from someone who really doesn't put tacos at the top half of her go-to cuisines list: I'm a fan! Picked up a couple combo orders of the birria along with some fries because I was in the area and my husband is a big tacos fan. I have to say- I'm converted. Crispy, yet chewy outer shell, perfectly seasoned, so oily (in a this-is-probably-not-healthy-but-I-dont-care way), it was perfection. And the fries were A+ of course! Would love to try out other proteins next time, and get my hands on more of those tots."

Barcocina West Town

★★★★☆ 3.9 (89)

"A few girl friends and I came to for dinner Barcocina during our recent trip. We had an absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. We booked an outdoor igloo for $75 per person (+tax & tip) which included huge portions of food & unlimited drinks for two hours. This was an incredible price in my opinion. First off the igloo was super cute, kept us very warm and the highlight was the speaker inside for us to connect and play our own music. This would be so perfect for a birthday, bachelorette party or any special occasion.The food was so so good! My favorites were the steak quesadilla and shrimp tacos. Those were must orders for sure! The cheeseburger was probably my least favorite but I loved the unique option. The spicy marg is a must if you like spicy. It had the perfect amount of heat. To top off this experience our server, Abby, was the best. She consistently made sure to check in on us and ensure the heat, food & drinks were all great. She also helped us take the best group photos. We also met the GM, Cisco. He made sure we were well taken care of too. Super awesome all around!"

Ravinia Brewing Company

★★★★☆ 3.8 (79) • $$

"Fresh craft beer on tap is always a welcome sight when coming from a bar that only has canned products. Ravinia Brewing is located right where it should be. Although it's a bit of a hike from the nearest train station. Just hope you can snag a Lime scoot if you're not driving, which you shouldn't be anyways. I only tried two of the brews and they were both well made. The prices were premium and they didn't even serve full pints for most of their brews. Steep Ravine was a standard IPA that delivered a good hop hit. The haze craze is over as far as I'm concerned but they have a solid hit on their hands with the way they produce hazy beers. Isle of Lost Hops was legit. The coolest part about the taproom is the swingset chairs, the kind you might find on a porch or patio. I'm sure these are difficult to snag but consider yourself lucky if you do. Such a unique feature that I haven't seen at any other brewery before."

Café Tola

★★★★☆ 4.2 (54)

"If I could give 20 stars I would! I very rarely go somewhere and eat something, and from first bite, feel as if I can no longer live without said food item... but here, I don't know what I will do without these empanadas! I was just in town visiting my sister for the weekend, so now anytime I go visit her, I know where my first stop will be! ***FOOD***Let's start with the food because 100/10. I have just never tasted something so delicious in my life. The sweet lady at the register recommended the poblano pepper potato empanada (idk the exact name of it) but she said it was a popular vegetarian one, so I said sure! I love peppers. This was sooo incredible, it was like jalapeño cheese popper meets pierogi meets hot pocket (but ofc way better than a hot pocket) it was just so good! It says best empanadas in Chicago but I think they're the best in the world. ***STAFF***So kind and helpful! :) ***INSIDE***A small bar against the wall for seating and a little table out front so you can sit to enjoy your food but it's really mainly for to-go. ***CONCLUSION***I will be counting down the days until I visit my sister again so I can come try more flavors!"