Tzuco

I first visited Tzuco a couple of years ago with my coworker and was blown away by Chef Carlos Gaytán's innovative Mexican-French fusion. The experience was so memorable that I knew I had to return on my latest trip to Chicago, this time with my husband.I'm thrilled to report that Tzuco not only met but exceeded our high expectations. The flavors were just as bold and exciting as I remembered, showcasing Chef's masterful blend of Mexican and French cuisines.Our server, Lauren, truly elevated our dining experience. When I was indecisive about dessert, she went above and beyond, offering honest and detailed feedback on the menu. Her recommendations were spot-on, leading us to 3 sweet finale that perfectly capped our meal.The attention to detail in both food and service at Tzuco is remarkable. From the first bite to the last, each dish tells a story of cultural fusion and culinary expertise.Tzuco has solidified its place as one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. It's more than just a meal; it's a journey through flavors that made my trip unforgettable. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Tzuco is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a truly exceptional dining experience.​​​​​​​​​

Setting is good for date night, family night; our waiter was good (Most of the waiters were men, just an observation.. my few times in Mexico most of the servers are typically men).. back to the reviewThe Octopus was delicious! The salad was amazingThe entree menu needs more options!4 of us ended up getting the same thing for entree and none of cared for it... the meat was too fatty, tasted like tomato juice, the brussel sprouts was raw.. it was just not it..The dessert was decent, if you take a bite of everything on the plate together. Individually somethings will throw you off.I'd come back for the octopus and salad, only reason I'm rating our experience this high

I recently dined at Tzuco, and my experience was a mix of highs and lows. Let's break it down:Appetizers: Above Average. The appetizers were a pleasant surprise. The flavors were well-balanced, and the presentation was appealing. I particularly enjoyed the pulpo and guacamole. Desserts: Spectacular. The desserts stole the show! From the decadent "corn" dessert, to the fruity and tart peach, each bite was heavenly. The pastry chef deserves applause.Service: Horrible. Unfortunately, the service left much to be desired. The staff seemed disorganized, and communication was lacking. One of our four main entree orders was delayed, and frustration grew as we waited for attention.Main Courses: Underwhelming. Despite high hopes, the main courses fell short. The steak, though perfectly cooked, lacked seasoning. Other dishes lacked creativity and failed to impress.In summary, Tzuco has potential with a beautiful ambiance, but improvements in service and main courses are crucial. I'd (maybe) return for desserts, but with tempered expectations. Update: I also realized we never reviewed one of the side dishes we ordered and got charged for. Unfortunately, we didn't realize this until several days after. We were blinded by the bad service! I can always get great dessert elsewhere, so definitely won't be returning.

Overall a great meal and experience. Tuna ceviche and Cochinita Pibil were both great, but the two items that stood out: 1) Tetela was fantastic! Great combination of flavors. You'll want another one after finishing it2) Maiz dessert - the corn ice cream presentation was unique and delicious! Great sweet and a little savory mix.

I'm Mexican (as in, born and raised there and still a citizen) and, admittedly, can be picky/snooty about my Mexican food.This place is everything it's hyped up to be. Everything from the cocktails to the food to the ambiance and even the service was fantastic.I could write paragraphs on each item I tasted, but I'll focus on just one: the cochinita pibil was EASILY the best I've tasted in the United States and possibly the best I've ever had. Just so rich, delicious, and falling apart on my fork, the way it should. Yum. Everyone in my party enjoyed their entrees, but everyone kept asking for bites of my cochinita. Can't blame them. All of the desserts were great, too, and super creative.So glad to have tried this place before it wins a Michelin star. Can't wait to visit again.

Cute spot in river north, would be a fun date night or small group gathering. Music is not too loud. Service is attentive but not rushed. The food was excellent and we sat near enough to the kitchen that there were even more things I wanted to try! Next time. Had the burger, so unique and probably ties for my favorite burger in Chicago. Perfectly cooked and the toppings really made it shine. Tuna ceviche was fine but not standout. Also had the caramel cake for dessert and it was lovely. Sort of reminiscent of a tres leches style cake. Would totally come back to try the rest of the menu!

High end Mexican cuisine in downtown Chicago night scene. Mostly conference and corporate patrons and some young adults on dates. Everything we ordered exceeded my expectations - flavorful and with just enough spices to bring out the authentic taste of Mexican food. The ribs were enormous and enough for two.The dessert was a delightful ending to our meal.

Wow!! Met a friend here for dinner and he and I both ordered the same. COSTILLAS DE RES and it was incredible!! Our server introduced himself and first question was are there food allergies. Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As an allergy sufferer (epipen carrier), I am always so impressed. He is allergic to fish and I tree nuts, sesame & beans. He pointed out what to avoid or can easily be modified. Our dinners were served on beans, mine was not. The tortillas were hot and fresh!! I had 3!! Served with minced onion and cilantro and a green sauce. The meat was so good! I usually don't take doggie bag, but let me tell you... the portion was huge and I was not wasting any part of it! I loved every juicy and flavorful bite! No appetizers or desserts.The place is not something you'd walk by outside and be wowed, but the interior is so awesome and architecturally appealing. It's a little loud, but not too dark inside. And as an older generation gal, I value lights, lol.I'll definitely return with friends.TIP: Make reservations and try to do it as soon as you have a time. The place was PACKED!! Not a seat in the place. The only thing that was insane was there is literally only 1 toilet for women. As the ladies stood there in a line, we could not believe it. Literally stupid and not expected for such a large establishment. So, beware. A confusing head-slapper.

My 19 year old made reservations for my bday and we were running more than 10 mins late . We showed up 20 mins later only to be informed our table was given away. We were so disappointed and had my mom and aunt in tow .... My 75 year old aunt got so upset and asked if they could accommodate us and finally the manager came out and got us a high top table with 2 additional seats for 6 people. We squeezed In and ordered a whole bunch of food including the red snapper on the menu. The service was good , the menu lacks chicken dishes and the drinks were meh. I have had better old fashioned. . Lauren the manager came up and checked on us a few times which was good. I hope chef Carlos will increase the poultry options and also improve the drinks . The guava pavlova was superb!! I will be back with my girlfriends

Went here this evening to celebrate my anniversary! This was an unforgettable meal. The service was fantastic and the food was even better. Tuna Ceviche - a flavor explosion. The charred tomatillos make a powerful backdrop for the fresh tuna and vibrant veggies. Tlacoyo - an absolute must get. The masa was savory and had the perfect texture. The toppings complement eachother so well and created one of my favorite bites of the night.Heirloom Tomatoes - the tomatoes were singing. If you're a fan of a caprese salad, this is like caprese's funkier, sexier big sister. Barbacoa - fall off the bone tender. Comes with delicious homemade corn tortillas and a personal jar of pickled veggies. Such a unique take on a classic. Maíz - FUN. If you're fun and cool, you'll wanna get this as your dessert. Durazno - elegant look, simple flavor. Peach lovers unite! Definitely my new favorite restaurant in Chicago!