Whatever your favorite Taco, we can unanimously agree that Tacos are everyone’s favorite. Taco might be your happy, comfortable, or hangover food, but there ain’t nothing that gives you the contentment a Taco does.
Trust me, and we understand that feeling! We have curated a list to cover your Taco Tuesdays and Mexican-only weekends.
Chicago has as many taquerias as you would expect to find pizzerias. From traditional tacos al pastor to contemporary hard-shell crispy tacos, from fine-dining Mexican restaurants to truck-side taquerias, we have blanketed all the tacos in one tortilla.
Tacos For Every Taco Tuesday
1. Cash-only
1.1 L’Patron
Contacts:
- Dine at Logan Square, 3749 W. Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647.
- Dial at: +1 773-799-8066
- Timings: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Wednesday – Monday.
- Look at: lpatrontacos.com
L’Patron is one restaurant where you can find arguably the best taco, all thanks to Momma Gonzalez’s recipes. The original place on Diversey & California, where the restaurant was opened in 2012, was shut down in 2016 after establishing the current place in Logan Square.
L’Patron in Logan Square has an outdoor patio dining with a menu stacked with all kinds of antojitos. All the tacos are worth a try, but if you’d have to narrow it down to a few must-try – carne asada, al pastor, and the house special Gringa taco (al pastor with melting chihuahua cheese stuffed in thick handmade tortillas) should be in your list.
Their super-stuffed tacos are priced from around $3 to $4. They have covered everything, from Fish tacos, Shrimp tacos, Lengua tacos, and Ribeye tacos to Poblano Rajas with caramelized onions and Veggie tacos.
The only downside is that you can’t rely on them for your Taco Tuesdays because they are closed for the day. In addition to delivery services, they also offer catering services for any time of the year when a 48-hour prior order is placed. So keep them in mind for your next taco party.
1.2 Taqueria El Asadero
Contacts:
- Dine at: 2213 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618.
- Dial at: +1 773-583-5563
- Timings: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. All days: Lunch, Dinner.
- Look at Trip Advisor
If you are a sucker for Carne asada tacos, then go nowhere else but to Taqueria El Asadero. First opened in 1993, this family-owned joint continues to serve authentic Mexican food in Chicago.
This cozy, cash-only taqueria on the North Side is usually bustling with the crowd. Still, people choose to dine in. Wonder why? You’ll be blessed with the best homemade chips and salsa while you wait for your tacos or burritos.
Their fully-packed, freshly-topped, flavorful tacos are as Mexican as you’d wish. Priced at around $3 per Taco, they provide a range of tacos from Lengua (beef tongue) to Vegetariona (rice, beans, lettuce, and tomato) wrapped in corn tortillas. But remember, you can always request flour tortillas.
1.3 Taqueria 5 De Mayo
Contacts:
- Dine at 2415 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618.
- Dial at: +1 872-208-5949
- Timings: Saturday to Sunday; 9 am to 5 pm
- Look at: Taqueria 5 De Mayo
This is a tiny taqueria down the street from Taqueria El Asadero, and the same people own it. Thus, like El Asadero, Taqueria 5 De Mayo also has various tacos, burritos, nachos, and drinks like Jarritos and Sangria.
Hence, this taqueria is a perfect alternative to El Asadero.
2. Tucked to Stores
2.1 La Chaparitta
Contacts:
- Dine at 2500 S Whipple St, Chicago, IL 60623.
- Dial at: 773-254-0975
- Timings: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday to Saturday
- Look at: Tripadvisor.com
This taco spot in front of a grocery store in Whipple St, Chicago, is where you can try as many tacos as you wish.
But their distinctive Tripa Taco with chitlins (as in cow’s intestines) and handmade tortillas are extra-crispy and flavor-filled. Their al pastor tacos are best-sellers.
La Chaparitta is over 30 and owned by three generations of ‘little women.’ “Chaparitta means a ‘little woman,'” the owner says. At this family-owned dining, you must not miss their homemade tepache, a fermented pineapple beverage.
2.2 Paco’s Tacos/La Internacional
Contacts:
- Dine at 4556 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60609.
- Dial at: (773) 523-9745
- Timings: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, Sunday: 9 am to 8 pm
- Look at: Tripadvisor.com
South Side is known for the Mexican surplus options it has in store. This branch of Paco’s Tacos is hidden behind a supermarket, but its fame has spread far and beyond.
For the Paco’s Tacos, taco-lovers from the North Side don’t mind the time and travel. They say the tasty tacos here are worth it!
This tiny taqueria, which is comparatively cheaper ($2.60 except for Lengua [$4.00] and Chile Relleno [$4.50]) than the others in the city, nonetheless has fantastic tacos. The best is their carne asada taco, followed by carnitas tacos.
Check out their other branches at Pulaski Rd. and Archer Ave, Chicago, IL.
2.3 Carniceria Guanajuato
Contacts:
- Dine at: 1436 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622.
- Dial at: (773) 772-5266
- Timings: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All days.
- Look at: Carniceria Guanajuato
If you’re in the mood for traditional tacos, this is the go-to taqueria in the neighborhood, but it offers tacos to-go only. Tucked behind a grocery store in Wicker Park, this place has left many customers wondering how they cook such delicious meat! No dine-in.
Of course, the classic carne asada is delicious, but if you want to try something new, you must try their cecina tacos.
Also, do not forget to try their Horchata. Like the other store-attached taqueria, this one is cheaper, too- tacos for $2.43, tortas for 4.59, and burritos for $5.0.
3. Cuisine Fusion
3.1 Del Seoul
Contacts:
- Dine at 2568 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614.
- Dial at: +1 773-248-4227
- Timings: 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, Friday to Saturday: 12 pm to 9 pm; Sunday: 12 pm to 8.30 pm
- Look at: delseoul.com
Del Seoul is a Korean Restaurant that has ventured into the Mexican land of tacos. Their menu offers a list of Korean BBQ Tacos priced around $3.50, but the best is undoubtedly the Sesame-Chili Shrimp Taco.
This shrimp taco is panko-coated and fried, then topped with onions, cilantro, slaw, and sesame-chili aioli.
3.2 BIG & little’s
Contacts:
- Dine at 1034 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
- Dial at: (773) 857-6677
- Timings: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
- Look at: bigandlittleschicago.com
Suppose you are craving seafood tacos. Head straight to BIG & little’s. BIG & little’s is a BYOB taco restaurant that offers a delicious blend of Mexican, Thai, Japanese, and Hawaiian cuisines.
Samurai tacos are stuffed with fried crispy fish, lettuce, and jalapeno and topped with special samurai sauce, which is the best seller.
For all the Hawaiian poke fanatics out there, they offer delicious raw fish options to relish. Apart from their tacos, their soft shell crab sandwich is note-worthy.
4. Most-popular
4.1 Antique Taco
Contacts
- Dine at 1360 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622.
- Dial at: +1 773-687-8697
- Timings: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday-Sunday.
- Look at: antiquetaco.com/wickerpark
Antique Taco in Wicker Park, run by women of a family since 2012, with indoor and outdoor dining, is undoubtedly one of the best taco spots in Chicago. Other than Wicker Park, you can find Antique Taco at Bridgeport and Revival Food Hall.
These people sure put on their creative caps when making fillings for their handmade tortillas. If there is one place where you can find all the best tacos, like crispy fish tacos with smoked cabbage, garlic shrimp tacos, al pastor tacos with fresh pineapple, skirt steak tacos, and more, it is Antique Taco.
Their special ‘Taco 10 pack’ priced at $43 allows you to mix and match your favorites. Hey, they also provide catering services! Most days, they are packed, but their curbside pickups are always there to quench your taco cravings.
4.2 Carnitas Uruapan
Contacts:
- Dine at: 1725 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608.
- Dial at: +1 312-226-2654
- Timings: Mon to Th: 10 am to 4 pm, Friday: 9 am to 4 pm, Sat to Sun: 7 am to 5 pm
- Look at: carnitasuruapanchi.com
Established in 1971, this taco restaurant aims to bring Uruapan, Mexico, to Chicago. After the overwhelming success of the first establishment in Pilsen, they opened another branch at the Gage Park location a few years back.
Carnitas Uruapan offers condiments that enhance the carnival experience. A bite of golden-crisp Pork Carnitas surprises us with the tenderness of the two-hour slow-cooked pork. Pork is sold by Taco and by the pound as well.
Carnitas Uruapan uses every bit of the pork, from skin (Chicharrones) to pork brain (Tacos Dorados de Sesos). ‘Carnitas Especial’ is a special combo offer available only on weekdays. So try them out on your next office day lunch.
4.3. 5 Rabanitos
Contacts:
- Dine at: 1758 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608.
- Dial at: +1 312-285-2710
- Timings: Mon to Th: 11 am to 9 pm, Friday: 11 am to 10 pm,
- Look at: 5rabanitos.com
5 Rabanitos is a mom-and-pop restaurant and taqueria in the heart of Pilsen, a block from the National Museum of Mexican Art. So you can grab a taco and feed your eyes and tummy in the genuine Mexican style.
They present an ocean of Mexican choices with four different menus – Lunch/Dinner Menu, Vegetarian and Dessert Menu, Weekend Brunch Menu, and Drink Menu. They also provide a subset of delicious Mexican food for kids to explore.
Their tacos are simply the best in Pilsen, but if you could have only one, they should be the Pibil Tacos. Remember, the curbside pickup is there for the rescue during rush hours.
4.4 Don Pedro Carnitas
Contacts:
- Dine at: 1113 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608.
- Dial at: +1 312-829-4757
- Timings: Tuesday: 6 am to 5 pm
- Look at: carnitasdonpedro.com
Pedro Duarte opened Don Pedro Carnitas way back in 1981. This meat shop cum taco place in Pilsen has one of the best tacos. It is not just a place that serves traditional Mexican dishes but a validation of the Latino community.
As you can guess from the name, carnitas are the show-stoppers. Over the years, they have mastered the art of deep-frying pork to fill this special Taco. You can also order meat by pound and make your tacos.
They receive a fresh supply of meat and chicken every day, so you don’t have to worry about meat quality.
4.5 Birrieria Zaragoza
- Dine at: 4852 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60632.
- Dial at: +1 773-523-3700
- Timings: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Wednesdays & Sundays.
- Look at: birrieriazaragoza.com
This goat-only, counter-serve Mexican restaurant is the best goat-tacos in Chicago hands down. John Zaragoza traveled to his hometown, La Barca, Jalisco, to learn the art of making birria. Then, in 2007, he sold his house to start this restaurant in Archer Heights.
A large plate of birria bone-in comes with five handmade tortillas and consommé, the rich broth for $16.25. At the same time, you get three tortillas with a small plate.
Taco de Birria with cilantro, onion, hot sauce, and arbol chiles wrapped in handmade tortillas has tender meat and just the right amount of seasoning.
4.6 Rubi’s at the New Maxwell Street Market
Contacts:
- Dine at 1316 W 18th St., Chicago, IL, United States, Illinois.
- Dial at: (773) 318-9526
- Look at: facebook.com/RubisMaxwellSt
Since 1997, this Sunday-only taco spot in Maxwell Street Market has been serving one of the best tacos in change, with authentic Mexican flavor; they follow their family recipes!
Their corn tortillas are handmade before you and stuffed with flavorful meat, beef tongue, corn mushrooms, and more. Their al pastor tacos are killer!
4.7 Big Star
Contacts:
- Dine at 1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622.
- Dial at: +1 773-235-4039
- Timings: 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mon to Th, Fri to Sat: 11 am to 10 pm, Sun: 11 am to 10 pm
- Look at: bigstarchicago.com
‘Big star’ is a big star in Chicago. This place offers the best tacos for vegetarians. This restaurant with outdoor seating in Wicker Park offers good tacos and some meatless.
They serve tacos al pastor (marinated pork shoulder topped with grilled pineapple, grilled onions, and cilantro) for $5, but what steals the show is their Taco de Papas con Rajas, handmade tortillas loaded with potatoes, rajas chipotle, lots of queso cotija cheese, and the usual, onion and cilantro.
Their famous ‘walking taco‘ made of corn chips, pinto bean dip, and Cholula salsa, is Chicagoans’ favorite to-go taco.
4.8 Taqueria Los Barrilitos
Taqueria Los Barrilitos in Little Village offers fantastic tacos for $1.70! They make one of the perfect al pastors in Chicago, focusing solely on tacos and Mexican sodas. You can also try their carne asada and Cabeza; they won’t disappoint you.
Contacts:
- Dine at: 3518 W 25th St, Chicago, IL 60623.
- Dial at: +1 773-648-3530
- Timings: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; All days
- Look at: Tripadvisor.com
Closing Thoughts
If you have not checked them out, add these taco spots to your bucket list for the upcoming Taco Tuesdays. Fun exploring tacos!
