You can never have too many tacos in your life, and Chicago offers some ridiculously good options. You have your choice of everything from authentic hole in the wall Mexican spots to those of the fusion Korean BBQ variety. We’ve even got you covered on sushi grade fish tacos for good measure.
These fifteen restaurants serve a wide array of purposes, but they all have one thing in common – excellent tacos. Get to work
The Spots
No frills, cash only, delicious tacos. Traspasada is authentic Mexican, and you need to pop in for a chorizo or al pastor taco.
Antique Taco is run by a husband and wife duo that combines his Mexican heritage and love of cooking with her love of antiques. The result is the best damn looking taco restaurant you’ve seen. The tacos are large, so two should do the trick and three are more than enough.
Two words. Goat. Tacos. Whatever preconceived notion you might have about eating goat, lose it, or know that you’ll forever miss out on the deliciousness at Birrieria Zaragoza. Your loss, not ours.
La Chaparrita isn’t the kind of place you’ll accidentally stumble upon. It’s in Little Village, but instead of being on 26th St. where most of the action is, you have to walk a block over to Whipple and 25th. If you take your tacos seriously then we advise a trip, because the tacos in this part grocery/part restaurant are that good.
Big & Little's
We imagine the tacos at Big & little’s are a little bit what heaven tastes like. And if we can’t get Big & little’s tacos in heaven, then count us out. Everything from the carnitas to the raw sushi grade seafood tacos are excellent.
Rubi's At Maxwell Street Market
Two things to note here. 1. You should check out the Maxwell Street Market, which only takes place on Sundays. 2. You need walking tacos while you do so, and that’s where Rubi’s comes into play. Note that the market now takes place at Desplaines and Polk, but that’s a story for another day.
Allende Restaurante
Shout out to all the broke and drunk DePaul students out there, which should tell you most of what you need to know about Allende. Sober trips are allowed too.
Bar Takito is like a tuxedo T-Shirt – it wants to be formal, but it’s here to party. Go for the tacos, stay for margaritas and more.
Taqueria Atotonilco
Atotonilco is no Big Star, Antique Taco, or Big & Little’s. It’s an authentic, family filled spot in Little Village that people in the neighborhood eat at on the reg. Many claim it’s the best al pastor taco in town, and we have to say it’s definitely up there.
Taco remix, with Korean BBQ fusion on the beat. This Korean/Californian-inspired street food comes in many forms, sweet and spicy tacos included. Make sure to get some kimchi fries while you’re at it.
If carnitas is what you want, Don Pedro’s is the spot. You might not even know you want carnitas, but we can assure you that you do. Don’t hold back on the giant fried pork rinds being chopped up in front.
Cemitas Puebla
New location, same great tacos. Cemitas Puebla is always a strong move.
