Mr. Taco's/Mario's Tacos

On Sunday I was running some early errands and need a quick bite to eat for breakfast. Had always seen Mr. Taco's on my bus home and seeing as I love chilaquiles I decided to swing by to see if they served breakfast. It was about 10:15am and the place was relatively packed. Figured this was a good sign so I ventured in. The place has 3-4 small tables inside where the counter/kitchen is, fairly standard taco stand but they also have a large covered outdoor seating area that seemed quite nice. I ordered Chilaquiles rojo to go. While waiting I noticed the other plates of food being served. Seemed most people went with gorditas, which were griddled till cooked through, then split opened and stuffed with fillings (standard fillings plus papas y queso, rajas, etc) then heated through on griddle again so they browned and crisped up a bit on the outside. They looked fantastic, as did pretty much everything I saw being served (especially the carne asada platter served with a fresh jalapeno which had been grilled for a bit). Anyways, got home to my Chilaquiles and it was a fairly good version. Small chunks of onion, chips, egg, cheese. Normally this would be something I would order again but based on the other food I saw, I think my next few orders are already set


Last night a few of us needed to grab a quick bite before heading home to watch the Cubs game. Had noticed Mario's Tacos had opened a bit ago and have wanted to give it a try. First off, this is the nicest looking taco stand I have ever seen. In addition to the nice decor, they also sell cigars and have a fairly large sized humidor in the corner, as well as huge jars of flavored/dipped cigars. I went with the taco platter, 2 carne asada tacos with rice/beans and a bottle of RC (which was imported from Quebec, not the typical RC we get here). The tacos were quite good, one differentiating part was that the steak was in large chunks. The beans needed a bit of salt but had a nice spread of queso fresco on top, and the rice was good, but the standard yellowish taco stand variety (which I enjoy). Also make sure to get a side of their homemade pickled jalapenos, which were quite tasty (think I ate 5 of them). Overall a good meal for $4.99 and worth going back.

Mr. Taco's Restaurant
810 N. Marshfield Ave.
312-942-0459

Mario's Tacos
24XX W Western (?)
(On south side of North Ave, just west of Western.

Is this the Mario's Tacos in Blue Island? Looking at the partial address, I'm guessing that it was. I went there today hoping to get a few steak tacos. That shouldn't be a problem, right? Not at a place that names itself "Mario's Tacos," right? WRONG. No steak tacos. They have carne asada on the menu but you can't just order a steak taco. Well, they do call themselves "Mario's Tacos" so maybe an al pastor taco; or a chorizo taco, right? WRONG. They only had 2 options for tacos: chicken and ground beef. They also had other items which contained chorizo. No taco though. Seriously? TACO BELL EVEN HAS MORE OPTIONS FOR TACOS!

How about a little salsa verde? Un salsa mas picante? NOPE. The only salsa they have is their standard red boring salsa. From the taste of it, I'm thinking it was Pace Picante Sauce (Mild).

What about the other stuff on the menu? I don't know and, frankly, could care less. I can't get past the taco/salsa thing.

Mario's is on OLD Western in Blue Island. I haven't been there in a few years, but I've gotten steak burritos there. For some good steak tacos try Harry's Long Bar just down the street from there.