Tacos
Al pastor, carnitas, birria and more, from Pilsen and Little Village taquerias to citywide favorites.
Momento Cantina
A big, pink, high-energy cantina pressing its own blue corn tortillas. Some of the best Mexican food in the Loop and an easy pre-theater pick.
Taqueria El Asadero
A no-frills North Side taqueria with charred, well-seasoned steak. Neighbors have lined up for decades.
Carnitas Don Pedro
Pork fried in huge vats right in front of you. Cheap, fast and very Pilsen.
Tacotlán
Helped start the city's birria craze, and still one of the best.
Big Star
A honky-tonk taco bar with a huge patio. The easy, fun pick for visitors.
La Chaparrita
A corner grocery with a legendary griddle in back. Famous for crispy tripe.
Birrieria Zaragoza (Uptown)
The family that made goat birria famous in Chicago. There's no better birria in town.
Taqueria Chingón
Mexico City-style tacos on griddled tortillas. Some of the best al pastor in the city.
Carnitas Uruapan
Michoacán-style carnitas since 1975. A Pilsen institution.
Chicago's taco scene
Chicago has one of the largest Mexican communities in the country, and the tacos show it. Pilsen and Little Village on the Southwest Side are the heart of it, but great taquerias are all over the city.
What to try:
- Carnitas: pork slow-cooked in its own fat, sold by the pound in Michoacán style
- Birria: goat or beef stewed with chiles, served with a cup of consomé for dipping
- Al pastor: marinated pork carved from a vertical spit
- Suadero and tripa: for the adventurous. Order the tripa extra crispy.
Good to know: many of the best taquerias are casual, counter-service spots. Order at the counter, grab salsa from the bar, and don't skip the grilled onions.
Explore more on the Southwest Side with our Little Italy, Pilsen & Near West Side guide.