Chicken Pastor Tacos -- La Parrillita in River Forest

This place is very promising. It is very high quality fast food Mexican.. mostly tacos, tortas, and tamales.. Everything and I mean everything is made from scratch.. Even the Horchata, one of the best I have ever tasted, and the tamarindo and hibiscus drinks.

The chicken pastor is really good.. with cilantro, onions and pineapple.. Usually pastor is made with pork but here it is made with chicken.

This used to be a greasy spoon diner . There is only counter space, no tables.. next to tire shop across from Cameo tower

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fhttp://www.examiner.com/article/the-po ... ver-forest

7225 W North Ave
River Forest, Illinois

Stopped in this afternoon for a snack based on jf's recommendation and it was nice.
Carne Asada taco was tasty, 2.50 each. I tried it without any salsa at first just to see how it was on it's own and it wasn't bad, would have benefitted from a hotter grill to get some char; the arbol salsa added a nice kick for the last bite.
I tried all three drinks and it's true, they're really good.

I was impressed with the variety and tastiness of salsas here, even if none of them are really scorching. The chicken pastor was fairly bland, but at least not stringy white meat. The asada was pretty decent. The spicy chicken tamale was average and not spicy. I found the menu overall tame (they have grilled corn for the salads, but not as a side), but very well-executed.

I then happened to get my car repaired the next week across the street from Pete's Fresh Market on Lake, and the tacos at Pete's were arguably the best I've ever had in Oak Park-Forest Park, including Maya and Axcan. Pastor off the trompo with pineapple, steak on a searing hot grill with a rich smoky flavor. They were out of carnitas. Huge tacos on super-fresh griddled tortillas. I was disappointed they didn't have salsas (at least at my visit), but then the tacos didn't actually need any with the cilantro / onion / limes. YMMV if you arrive earlier than the spits are crisp or later than lunchtime when they're holding and reheating things, but it was a home run last week.

http://www.petesfresh.com/stores/pfm-12-oak-park

When this place first opened, it seemed promising... I visited a second time and honestly... I don't know what the fuss is all about... Maybe I just like El Pollo Vagabundo better. The people who work here are nice... and they are entertaining with the different bottles of hot sauces... but other than that.... it was just mediocre on my second visit. The horchata and hibiscus are good but the other things are just average. I was impressed the first time, but not second time as far as the food goes.

Stopped in last night on way home from airport. Not bad at all. Horchata was very good, supposedly home made. Tacos were fine, not great, but not bad either. I tried six of their salsas. I couple were very good, especially one called "grenade." Wasn't really that hot, but just right. I would go back just for that salsa. And they have a parking lot in the back! A real plus in this area.

teatpuller wrote:I tried six of their salsas. I couple were very good, especially one called "grenade." Wasn't really that hot, but just right. I would go back just for that salsa.

... and there are a few more.

Panther in the Den wrote:

teatpuller wrote:I tried six of their salsas. I couple were very good, especially one called "grenade." Wasn't really that hot, but just right. I would go back just for that salsa.

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... and there are a few more.

When I get a dozen tamales to go (spicy chicken), I always ask for containers of Grenade and Mango Basil, as well, which I like to use in combination: the Mango Basil provides a cooling/fragrant fruity balance to the Grenade's accent of heat.

Tamales


Another great snack/meal available widely in Chicago. No not the cornroll type at hotdog stands but an authentic Mexican style.

La Parrillita Mexican Grill
7225 W North Ave, River Forest

I had stopped here before not long after they opened and tried their tacos. Meh. But what impressed me was their wide range of salsa’s.

Lately their new sign in the window has been beckoning to me...

“Fresh Tamales Made Daily”

Today driving by I stopped in for a sample. Limited selection, Spicy Chicken and Spicy Cheese.


Went with the chicken and it was pretty good! Not just a hot sauce added inside but simmered in a spicy sauce. A touch of this, that hot sauce made for a nice snack.

Fresh as “Made Daily” might imply, tender, soft masa and juicy, plentiful filling.

Worthy of a stop.

Interesting thing , out back there is a pierogi food truck? Same address as the taco stand.


Asking the staff inside thinking it might be a shared kitchen? Nope! They are both by the same owner.

Checked online and there hasn’t been any activity for a year.

I wonder if pierogi might be available in the restaurant. Doubt it but that would be cool.