El Nuevo Leon temporary substitute?

Where are we all going to get our ENL fix until it reopens? Our family always celebrates New Year morning at ENL but alas it is now not an option. It was perfect as it served non breakfast items. Any recs/suggestions of a place where we can get similar offerings- open early for New Years Day? Otherwise we may end up in a totally different direction-Omega or Kappy's.

Elfin wrote:Where are we all going to get our ENL fix until it reopens? Our family always celebrates New Year morning at ENL but alas it is now not an option. It was perfect as it served non breakfast items. Any recs/suggestions of a place where we can get similar offerings- open early for New Years Day? Otherwise we may end up in a totally different direction-Omega or Kappy's.

my favorite place to eat refried beans and tamales is just around the corner from nuevo leone: taqueria casa del pueblo. it's cafeteria service- not attractive like NL, so it might not be a festive new year's day choice- but it might be some place you'd want to try, if not then, another time... they also have a terrific grocery store next door- they share a parking lot- with selections to suit the hispanic neighborhood and additional items at good prices, like bob's red mill flours.
taqueria casa del pueblo
1834 s. blue island
312-421-4664

Taqueria San Jose
http://www.taqueriasanjosechicago.com/
3253 S Halsted St Chicago IL 60608

Call about holiday hours. This rec for dine-in only, YMMV on delivery. Cazuelas, steaks, licuados, breakfast plates, and I actually think the dining room is kind of cute like NL, but it's certainly a different Bridgeport vibe.

Elfin wrote:Where are we all going to get our ENL fix until it reopens? Our family always celebrates New Year morning at ENL but alas it is now not an option. It was perfect as it served non breakfast items. Any recs/suggestions of a place where we can get similar offerings- open early for New Years Day? Otherwise we may end up in a totally different direction-Omega or Kappy's.

It doesn't look like Canton Regio, that odd little building across from Nuevo Leon, will be transformed in time for New Year's Day. For now, maybe the closest replacement for Nuevo Leon might be Nuevo Leon. I mean the one on 26th. I'm pretty sure they had common ownership at one time, but I'm not so sure that's still the case. It's been ages since I visited.

For norteño chow, somewhat similar to what's served at Nuevo Leon, including great breakfasts (with freshly-made tortillas) as well as lots of non-breakfasty Duranguense specialties (including great gorditas), my choice is almost always La Placita de Durango. Have a look at their menu. They open at 8 every day, but you'll need to check about New Year's Day. Here are a few plates I had there in the morning—can't quite remember what the first plate was; the second is machacado and eggs; the third is a new creation involving machacado, nopales and "seed sauce." I like La Placita a lot.







La Placita de Durango
2423 W 51st St
Chicago
773-434-3711
http://laplacitadedurango.com/

I would definitely 2nd La Placita de Durango for tops Norteño grub.

If you are looking for something closer in/ Pilsen range, you likely won't be bowled over, but Perez is an old standby of ours. The Randolph flagship is our go-to for easy West Loop post art opening margaritas and chips and salsa. The Pilsen outpost has a few advantages though: open Sundays, handmade tortillas, and hotter salsa. Most dishes are serviceable: tortas, enchiladas, and steak plates all scratch that middle-of-the-road Ameri-Mex itch. A few things shine: their salsa negra (even better than the rendition at the departed sit down Pasadita), micheladas, the shrimp soup can be on, and breakfasts, in particular the chilaquiles and my favorite plate of huevos in Chicago, huevos machacado (though the beef is not as jerky-like as LPdD as seen above).

I might call ahead about hours tomorrow.

Perez
1163 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 421-3631

We tried Taqueria Casa del Pueblo yesterday. The place was hopping but the line moved fast. We had never seen a mexican cafeteria before but it was ideal as we have two picky kids to feed. The staff were extremely patient and friendly and willing to explain the dishes to us and to special order entrees to satisfy the kids. Although it is a cafeteria, you are served food with salsas and chips and then you pay afterwards. Now that we know the system we won't be so overwhelmed. The refried beans were good (I am not usually a fan) and the enchiladas were meaty. Could have had a bit more sauce but that can be fixed on the next visit. The various pork and beef stews looked amazing and will be sampled on the next visit. Of note, we went to the grocery store just north of the place-interesting. It was a combo of latin groceries with hipster organics of all types. The freezer case had a large selection of frozen Indian entrees and the herbal soaps, medicines and candies was surprising. I bought an artisinal cheese from Utah. Probably it caters to the local artists that live nearby as well as the mexican community.

elfin: i'm glad your family enjoyed the taqueria. i buy the refried beans by the quarto to take home along with the tamales. try the barbacoa sometime.... i love this place, and there are always great sale prices at their store.