Cafe El Tapatio

I know it's just a quaint little mexican spot and, too often, the majority of the clientele seem determined to get (or keep) their drink on with diesel powered margaritas, but the food is really pretty solid and deserves some love (or at least some published love since it seems that there are actually quite a few fans on this board).

Just back from dinner with 2 friends and we all agreed that Tapatio definitely fills a niche--it covers the basic "ameri-mex" (probably another reason that it can be overrun with the unruly) but the menu includes a lot of what strikes me as carefully prepared homestyle dishes--as if you were living with your mexican granny.

Tonite's meal--shared guac with fresh chips and a nicely kicked up salsa; guisado de res (short ribs in salsa verde with potatoes, good corn tortillas, a little salad and my favorite rice and beans anywhere); carne asada (skirt steak with grilled onions, a cheese enchilada and rice/beans); and Revoltijo Ajijic (open face plantain topped with steak, onions, poblano peppers, mushrooms, and chihuahua cheese, served with rice, steamed vegetables, and pico de gallo). They also do a mean Michelada. Not your typical burrito house fare but not the frou frou of some spots either.

I haven't been to Los Nopales--we were going to check it out tonite until I saw the note on the website that they're closed for the week--so I don't know how they compare but it would seem that, perhaps, they might have some common ground. I'm just happy to have Tapatio in the neighborhood. For anyone in need, they also deliver.

Cafe El Tapatio
3400 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: (773) 327-5475
http://www.cafeeltapatio.com/

Tapatio has long been one of my favorite casual Mexican restaurants. While there are several solid taquerias around the city, I think we're a bit short on solid, sit down and be served Mexican restaurants at least on the North side. Los Nopales is excellent - a step of above Tapatio IMO in it's food - but BYOB. I'm a big fan of knocking down a couple of margaritas along with my perpetual chip basket.

I am a sucker for the chicken pechuga el tapatio. Onions, mushrooms in a brothy sauce top the sauteed chicken, then smothered in cheese. Always plan to bring some home, but end up finishing the entire dish every darn time.

Count me a fan as well. The Revoltijo Ajijic is wonderful. They also do some awesome fish specials for Lenten Fridays that I wish they would put on the menu year round.

We were here for the first time on Sunday despite driving past this place one a week or so for seven years.

The salsa that they serve with the complimentary tortilla chips is great - very bright with just the right amount of bite.

My wife enjoyed her "La Fabulosa Combo": Carne asada, a chile relleno and a chicken flauta accompanied by the obligatory refried beans and Spanish rice. I had "Las Flautas De La Casa": Two delicately cruncy fried corn tortillas wrapped around picadillo topped with guacamole and crema along with the refried beans and Spanish rice. These dishes were nothing fancy or particularly "exotic" but were great stick-to-the-ribs Tex-Mex food - perfect for a dreary weekend afternoon.

The refried beans were especially good - creamy and flavorful. Each platter was also accompanied by a small salad with red-tip lettuce and a vinaigrette dressing - a nice touch.

Also the decor is very cheery and inviting - avocado green walls trimmed with bright reds and blues and Mexican tiles.

We will definitely return.

They just remodeled--added a small bar and got rid of the pass through window that always looked kinda crappy--it's actually pretty nice inside now.

We eat at Tapatio frequently and it's always solidly good, no matter what we order. Happy to hear that others are enjoying it as well.

I love this place.

Cafe El Tapatio Expanding In Lakeview To Ease 41-Year Growing Pains

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20151120 ... wing-pains

This has been in the works for a while but I was there last week and still saw no sign of how they're going to connect the two storefronts. Definitely looking forward to them expanding though--they're so crowded all the time that we hardly ever eat there--and their take out, while fine, is not as good.