Best "Chicago" twist on Mexican / Latin American Cooking

Hiya! Still trying to arrange with my buddy next weekend. He's looking for the above, preferably in a corresponding neighborhood so he can really get a taste for Chicago.

Ideas? I so far mentioned Nuevo Leon.

Mi Tocoya, Mexique, Dos Urban Cantina, Lena Brava

El Asadero at 2213 W. Montrose, just off Lincoln. Best open flame steak tacos in the city. Bring cash, no credit/debit cards (but they may still have an ATM on the property?)

Did Nuevo Leon in Pilsen ever reopen after the fire in 2015?

If you really want a Chicago spin, take your friend for a Jibarito. I'm not a huge fan of this sandwich but it was supposedly invented in Chicago. There's a decent version served at GNR Papa's Cache Sabroso in Humboldt Park.

=R=

Papa's Cache Sabroso
2517 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 862-8313

ronnie_suburban wrote:Did Nuevo Leon in Pilsen ever reopen after the fire in 2015?

No. So that's out. (Besides, the food, while good, was conventional Mexican, without any real "Chicago twist".)

Perhaps the most Chicago-specific Mexican cuisine would be anything by Rick Bayless, including the previously-mentioned Lena Brava; his Topolobampo is arguably our only fine dining Mexican restaurant, and Frontera Grill has been very influential. For something unique, I love the French-inflected Mexican cuisine from Carlos Gaytan at Mexique. Looking beyond Mexican at other Latin American cuisines, the South American food at John Manion's sister restaurants, El Che Bar and La Sirena Clandestina, is always a good choice. The Peruvian food at Tanta is excellent, although the room is VERY LOUD. And for Latin fusion, there's always Carnivale and Nacional 27. My top pick? Mexique.

Oaxacan at Kie-Gol-Lanee, 5004 N Sheridan.

http://kiegol.com/