There is a myriad of cuisines when it comes to Chicago food—from Italian and Indian to Michelin-star experiences. however, almost every Chicagoan will tell you the Mexican food in Chicago stands out. Of course, the restaurant scene is expansive and, sometimes, even overwhelming. While biting into a crisp, flavorful taco is gratifying, you want to engulf the city’s best when you eat out. Whether you’re looking for street food to an upscale tasting menu, here are the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago you need to try right now.
1. 5 Rabanitos
First on our list is the delicious and well-decorated 5 Rabanitos. Before you open the door, you’re greeted with a blue-splashed brick wall painted with a glowing mural that brightens the mood when you have a rumbling stomach.
The menu extends off the vibrant atmosphere—from Calabacita Gratinada (one of Oaxaca’s delicacies) to Taquitos Ahogados; with every dish you’ll be salivating, we guarantee it. With all the things you have to do in Chicago, coming to 5 Rabanitos is a must.
📍Address: 1758 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
🍽️ Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery
📲Reservation: Secure a spot at 5 Rabanitos here
2. Don Pedro Carnitas
If you live in the Pilsen neighborhood, there’s a 99% chance you’ve heard of Don Pedro Carnitas. A beloved staple in the area that provides a flavorsome menu and service that extends as a community when you sit down for a meal. As the restaurant name suggests, the carnitas are a must here.
However, they have other delicious options like their Chicharron and Frijoles if you’re not feeling a Carnitas that day. If you love eating at Mexican restaurants in Chicago, you’ll be salivating at everything on their menu.
📍Address: 1113 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
🍽️Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery
📲Reservation: Secure a spot at Don Pedro Carnitas here
3. Taqueria Chingón
If you love a Mexico City street-style taqueria, Taqueria Chingón is for you and one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago. Located in a bustling spot located in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood, the restaurant focuses on one of Mexico’s favorite street foods, the Al Pastor.
While their menu boasts taco classics, they’ve also ventured into new renditions with their Duck Carnitas, Morcilla, and Summer Squash tacos. Forget paying the price of a plane ticket to Mexico City, because it’s coming to you with Taqueria Chingón.
📍Address: 1758 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
🍽️Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery
📲Reservation: Secure a spot at Taqueria Chingón here
4. Topolobampo
Coming from the renowned talents of Rick Bayless, Topolobampo is an innovative, refined Mexican-style restaurant that is lavishly decorated and echoes elegance. While the menu offers patrons a glimpse into the uniqueness of Mexican life, it’s truly the taste of the food that blows you away.
With the menu changing every eight weeks, it’s why it’s raved as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago. It’s a place that usually warrants a special occasion because the prices run higher than most of this list.
📍Address: 445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
🍽️Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery
📲Reservation: Secure a spot at Topolobampo here
5. Carnitas Uruapan
Since 1975, this Mexican restaurant in Chicago has been a legendary destination for those who crave Carnitas from Michoacan, Mexico. The authenticity of the menu can’t be overstated—the pork Carnitas is filled with slow-cooked pork that is golden and crisp on the outside while still moist and tender when you take a bite. With the Chicharrones, you’ll hear the crackling of crispy pork skin—making it luscious.
📍Address: 1725 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
🍽️Service options: Curbside pickup · Delivery · No dine-in
6. La Birrieria Restaurant
Next on our list is La Birrieria, serving exquisite Mexican recipes that follow an ancestry tradition from Jalisco, Mexico. We must highlight the Birra, which is slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in a tender and flavorful meat that will appease the pickiest eaters. You can savor their mouthwatering Quesbirrias and tacos under the sky on their outdoor patio.
📍Address: 4743 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
🍽️Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery
📲Reservation: Secure a spot at La Birrieria here
7. Mi Tocaya Antojeria
Conceptualized by Chef Diana Davila, Mi Tocaya (“my namesake” in Spanish) is commonly used as an endearment when someone has the same name as oneself. This idea translates into Mi Tocaya Antojeria’s menu, which cherishes Chef Davila’s summers and travels throughout Mexico with her family. It features small, medium, and large plates, with selections such as Romanesco en Sikil Pak, Acelgas y Broccolini al Carbon, and Setas con Mole Rojo.
📍Address: 2800 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
🍽️Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery
📲Reservation: Secure a spot at Mi Tocaya Antojeria here
8. La Luna
La Luna emulates a hip, low-lit art-filled scene with rustic touches and a modern-inspired Mexican restaurant. This place radiates congenial with a colorful setting and a beautiful mural decorated in the restaurant’s center. From appetizers such as a Salsa Flight, Elote, and Aguatchile Negro to main entrees such as La Parillada, Langostinos, and Birria en Consomé.
📍Address: 1726 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
🍽️Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery
📲Reservation: Secure a spot at La Luna here
9. Tzuco
One of our favorite spots in Gold Coast, this upscale, regional Mexican cuisine was conceptualized by Chef Carlos Gaytán—Tzuco tells his life through a myriad of culinary creations in a beautiful space. We love the interior of Tzuco but don’t sleep on the patio because, between the suspended lights and surrounding greenery, it’s intoxicatingly inviting. The menu is just as delicious and scintillating, with the Barbacoa, Mushroom Cazuela, and Broccolini being our favorites.
📍Address: 720 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
🍽️Service options: Dine-in · No takeout · No delivery
📲Reservation: Secure a spot at Tzuco here
10. Tacolatán
Last on our list has recently generated much attention—for good reason. While the headliners caused the most news at this year’s Lollapalooza, you might have heard of people waiting in a 40-minute line for delicious birrias. All of that is true, and the stand was called Tacolatán. While the tent was bustling, they have a larger restaurant year-round in Hermosa. Tacolatan is certainly one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago, with its Mexican staples, including tacos, burritos, and Birria.
📍Address: 4312 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
🍽️Service options: Dine-in · No takeout · No delivery
📲Reservation: Secure a spot at Tacolatan here
Whether it’s a casual Taco Tuesday or planning a nice outing with friends, you’ll want to try one of these best Mexican restaurants in Chicago.