Taquerias: Lawrence & Montrose Aves [Project LTH]

LTH,

Recently I was asked to recommend a Taqueria somewhere East of Pulaski, Lawrence to Montrose, sounds easy, right? Oddly, I came up dry, Middle Eastern, sure, Korean, no problem, but a tried and true Taqueria? So I decided to make a list of taquerias, starting with Lawrence Ave East of Pulaski, and, with the help of fellow LTHers, try them out and post some basic info.

I've jotted down a list, surely incomplete, of Lawrence Ave places, Montrose/Kedzie could use lists as well, and tried my first taqueria in the form of Taqueria San Juanito. I posted, with pictures about Taqueria San Juanito, short answer, tasty al pastor on well tended commercial tortillas, very good chorizo and eggs, clean, bright space, with a well rounded menu.

Enjoy,
Gary

Lawrence Ave Taquerias
(Starting List)
==

Taqueria Morelia
3943 W Lawrence

Taqueria San Juanito
3808 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
773-583-0304

La Piramide
3645 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL
773-478-8522

Taqueria y Cafeteria Siglo XX
3626 W Lawrence
Chicago, IL 60625
773-267-7129

Chuy's Chicken
3652 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL
(grilled chicken, not a taqueria)

La Fogata
3433 W Lawrence Ave
773-478-6589
Appears somewhat 'fancy'

Paco Taco
3300 block of Lawrence Ave
(North side of street)
Appears very small from outside

Lindo Michoacan
3100 Block of Lawrence Ave
(North side of street)
Affiliated with grocery just East

Taquerias Uptown
3100 Block of Lawrence Ave
(South side of street)
For sale sign in window

Taqueria Santa Rita
2700 Block of W Lawrence Ave
(North side of street)

The King of Burritos
2700 Block of W Lawrence Ave
(South Side of Street)

Interesting project...there's been some posts on a few of these places. A fair bit, in fact, on Taqueria Santa Rita (now expanded to a full restaurant, I believe), originally from Kenny from Rogers Park, and I believe zim has commented on Lindo Michoacan and Taqueria Uptown (though maybe a different one.

Does the project just encompass taquerias, or full-service restaurants like Cardona's or Modelo Club House? Also Huaraches, east of Kedzie has gotten some comment, and while it has a very large back room, strikes me as within the taqueria genre.

And what about places on Montrose proper? My initial responses to the original request would have been Taqueria El Gallo at about Montrose and Drake (a number of posts here and on Chowhound from way back); Taqueria El Asadero (very good carne asada); and Taqueria Santa Rita.

A few other offerings, if we stretch to Montrose: Rocky Taco's (known for a huge menu of tortas named after futbol teams, which unfortunately aren't too special), Taqueria Real Aguilar (?), Mi Lindo Pueblo, Angelo's (Italian/Mexican), and the taqueria inside Cermak Produce.

None of these have especially impressed (haven't tried tacos at Cermak), but I haven't sampled the menus that broadly. Which is another point. My taqueria visits don't usually include the LTH crack team of G Wiv, stevez, Mike G, and our in-the-interest-of-chow-science appetites. Ought we suggest a basic point of comparison to let solo diners in on the fun?

I might suggest a chicken taco.

Cheers,

Aaron

Aaron Deacon wrote:And what about places on Montrose proper?

Aaron,

Montrose proper, absolutely. In fact, I'm hoping someone else will take the lead for Montrose and compile a list. Taquerias and full-service restaurants are fair game, and, if we are looking for a 'yardstick' I suggest tacos al Pastor and chorizo. Al pastor as it seems to be an LTHForm favorite and chorizo as it was a request for a taqueria to get chorizo and eggs that started the Taqueria project. Though info on any dish, or specialty of the house, is, of course, welcome.

I should also make it clear, I have no intention of making a top-ten taqueria list, simply want to list available choices, with a little info on each, and maybe find a hidden in plain sight gem or two.

Enjoy,
Gary

Gary, you are an inspiration. I believe a similar project could be done for routes 25 & 31, plus environs in Aurora. One of these days I think I may just take that on.

Sounds like a great way to while away a few days.

dicksond wrote:Gary, you are an inspiration. I believe a similar project could be done for routes 25 & 31, plus environs in Aurora. One of these days I think I may just take that on.

Sounds like a great way to while away a few days.

Dickson,

I'll be a lemming and follow along with you on this one!!

Flip

HI,

Waukegan has quite a number of taqueria's, while Highland Park really has one by city standards plus three Mexican restaurants.

I could draw up the list for Waukegan, then over time various people can test them out.

Regards,

Here's a few comments on some of the places brought up so far.

Lawrence

Santa Rita: Decent place, pastor is marinated with onion on top, no pineapple, al pastor not so much to my taste, I prefer the lomo tacos here, don't think they do chorizo, do serve a grilled jalapeno alongside tacos

Huaraches: No spit, IIRC, the al pastor came out of a saucepan on the stove - really not very good meat. However, the huarache itself was made on the spot, you can watch the woman incorporate the black beans into the masa etc., and the huarache base itself was very good. I would stick with a non-meat offering here - have only had huarache not the tacos

Uptown - Have neer been to this location, only the rogers park, which I liked pretty well, but its been a long time, and I have found a number of other taquerias in the area which I prefer to it

what about the spots just north and south of lawrence, like mogotes de michoacan (North of lawrence on kedzie) and the place that used to be a mogotes but is now something like "viva zapata" across from the brown line on kimball south of lawrence?

Montrose
I think that there are three el gallos on montrose (not neccesarily related), I like the one on drake from back on CH, Annieb wrote about it a few times there, specifically the potato gorditas (though the gordita itself is more like two tortillas, than a true split gordita)

zim wrote:Santa Rita: Decent place, pastor is marinated with onion on top, no pineapple, al pastor not so much to my taste, I prefer the lomo tacos here, don't think they do chorizo, do serve a grilled jalapeno alongside tacos

Santa Rita is inconsistent. Sometimes their pastor knocks my socks off--crisp edges, good flavor, appetizing orange-red color. Other times, it's just so-so.

They do serve chorizo. Last time I was there, the chorizo had changed and not for the better. Don't know if they switched the actual sausage or if the cook had an off night.

Santa Rita used to be my favorite taqueria in the neighborhood, but has been easily surpassed by Taqueria El Asadero, IMHO.

zim wrote:Here's a few comments on some of the places brought up so far.



what about the spots just north and south of lawrence, like mogotes de michoacan (North of lawrence on kedzie) and the place that used to be a mogotes but is now something like "viva zapata" across from the brown line on kimball south of lawrence?

Thanks for reminding me to check out mogotes de michoacan. That spot underwent a remodeling recently (from the outside it appears to be quite an improvement) and I've noticed a fairly steady stream of customer traffic.

El Taco Loco
1726 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 784-1881

This is large enough to, maybe, be called a restaurant. Been there a few times. Didn't leave singing mariachi, but certainly a decent meal.

Some more Lawrence Ave. taquerias to consider for the list:

Taqueria Peralvillo/Erick's the Original Mexican Burritos and Tacos
1969 W Lawrence Ave

Has its own thread on lth here:
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2499&highlight=peralvillo

Note: Peralvillo will soon move into a much bigger space one door east of their current location. They've been working steadily on the new digs and last I heard were hoping to move in about a month. The new space looks pretty good so far and seems about 5 times bigger than the current one, which apparently they've been in for 20 years. Like several of the other posters in the link above, I really like their al pastor.

Carmela's Taqueria
1206 W Lawrence Ave

Mentioned (as Camelia's) in a larger al-pastor themed post here:
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1590&start=0

Taqueria El Ranchito
4651 N Clark St
*Not on Lawrence, I know, but it's closer to Lawrence than Montrose.

Taquerias Uptown (another one)
1708 W Lawrence Ave

El Quijote
24 hour place at the corner of Clark and Lawrence. I don't think they do al pastor though. And it seems to be more of a restaurant (a la the also 24 hour El Taco Loco nearby, which does do al pastor but sans spit) so I don't know if it should count.

* edited to give correct name of Carmela's (previously said it was Carmella's). And to give name of the 24 hour place on Clark and Lawrence, El Quijote.

Interesting. Whenever someone says "Lawrence Ave." here, I assume they mean west of Western, or maybe west of the river. But that leaves out Uptown and Lincoln Square, which have their fair share. It's just that Lawrence does not define those 'hoods the way it does further west.

Note that Don Quijote has a very ancient sign that features carne en su jugo, which they do not presently have and have not had in the seveal years that I have been infrequently stopping by. BTW, a couple of DF style taco places on Lawrence that I want to like but cannot, the related Huaraches and Cardonas.

Adding to this project, as requested, taquerias/Mexican restaurants on Montrose from Elston on the West to California on the east. (There is more, east of California. Aaron has mentioned El Asadero for one, perhaps someone can fill in the stretch of Montrose closer to Lincoln Square.

Some of these have been mentioned before, particularly in the excellent thread "Albany Park Mexican recommendations...", but in the interest of total coverage, I'm adding them to this list. I will also be adding a separate post about a Saturday lunch at one of these:

Taxco
4029 W Montrose
773-283-2559

7 Mares
4012 W Montrose
773-427-4480

Mar Abierto
3826 W Montrose
773-509-0919

Nene's Tacos
3634 W Montrose
773-866-2609

Taqueria El Gallo #1
3532 W Montrose
773-267-1834

Taqueria El Gallo Bravo
3418 W Montrose
773-539-9925

La Casa De Roy Moy
4410 N Kedzie

Taqueria El Aguila Real
3152 W Montrose
773-583-4117

Rocky's Tacos
3111 W Montrose
773-604-5067

Mi Lindo Pueblo
3040 W Montrose
773-509-9920

Best,
Michael

Cafe Gogo's seems to have been revived with a grand opening this past weekend. Given the poor record of earlier iterations, it is not high on my list of places to try. This version has tacos, burritos, tortas and grilled meats featured on their menu, so maybe it should be on the list of taquerias and Mexican restaurants on Lawrence.

Cafe Gogo's
2601 W. Lawrence Ave.

edited once to fix my sloppy typing

Just to prove the fact that this project is a never-ending quest, another Mexican restaurant / taqueria has opened on this stretch of Montrose:

La Autoridad de la Sierra
NW Corner of Montrose & St. Louis
773-478-0796

In the former location of the shuttered "Foodbusters".

Best,
Michael

eatchicago wrote:Just to prove the fact that this project is a never-ending quest, another Mexican restaurant / taqueria has opened on this stretch of Montrose:
La Autoridad de la Sierra

What an interesting name. La Autoridad de la Sierra is a popular Mexican band based in Chicago (actually from that very neighborhood). They play a style of music associated with Durango. The restaurant must be named after the band. I wonder if there is some association.

http://www.laautoridaddelasierra.com

d4v3 wrote:

eatchicago wrote:Just to prove the fact that this project is a never-ending quest, another Mexican restaurant / taqueria has opened on this stretch of Montrose:
La Autoridad de la Sierra

What an interesting name. La Autoridad de la Sierra is a popular Mexican band based in Chicago (actually from that very neighborhood). They play a style of music associated with Durango. The restaurant must be named after the band. I wonder if there is some association.

http://www.laautoridaddelasierra.com

Based on that link, there's definitely a connection. The signage/logo for the restaurant is exactly the same as the band's on their website. Interesting.

eatchicago wrote:Just to prove the fact that this project is a never-ending quest, another Mexican restaurant / taqueria has opened on this stretch of Montrose:

La Autoridad de la Sierra
NW Corner of Montrose & St. Louis
773-478-0796

In the former location of the shuttered "Foodbusters".

Best,
Michael

Less than 3 months later, this space is back to it's previous state: boarded up. I never got around to trying it, and apparently a lot of other people didn't either.

Best,
Michael

ekreider wrote:Cafe Gogo's seems to have been revived with a grand opening this past weekend. Given the poor record of earlier iterations, it is not high on my list of places to try. This version has tacos, burritos, tortas and grilled meats featured on their menu, so maybe it should be on the list of taquerias and Mexican restaurants on Lawrence.

Cafe Gogo's
2601 W. Lawrence Ave.

edited once to fix my sloppy typing

Yep, GoGo's was never much good, but I'm somewhat interested in the new version, because I saw a sign for pupusas - given that the nearby pupusa place (King of Burritos) seems to be out of business, I wonder if the cook has moved to GoGo's? Anyone know?

The last iteration of Gogos seems to have lasted about one weekend although the hand lettered signs are still there.

JeffB wrote:Interesting. Whenever someone says "Lawrence Ave." here, I assume they mean west of Western, or maybe west of the river. But that leaves out Uptown and Lincoln Square, which have their fair share. It's just that Lawrence does not define those 'hoods the way it does further west.

Indeed. If you're willing to include the eastern side of Western Ave. just off Lawrence, then Garcia's -- with entrances on both Western and Lincoln Ave. -- might fit the bill. I was never too impressed by their burritos, but other people swear by them and their vegetarian varieties. Tortas, tacos, and enchiladas have been had to various effects, but I think I liked their horchata more than any of their food. Just something to throw in the ring.

Garcia's Restaurant
4760 N. Lincoln Ave. and 4749 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 769-5600

Open 10-1 a.m., Monday through Thursday; 10-3 a.m. Friday; 10-4 a.m., Saturday; 10-12 a.m., Sunday

Requisite metromix links:
Cheap Eats: Garcia's
Garcia's Restaurant in Chicago

--Dan

fastfoodsnob wrote:Indeed. If you're willing to include the eastern side of Western Ave. just off Lawrence, then Garcia's -- with entrances on both Western and Lincoln Ave. -- might fit the bill. I was never too impressed by their burritos, but other people swear by them and their vegetarian varieties. Tortas, tacos, and enchiladas have been had to various effects, but I think I liked their horchata more than any of their food. Just something to throw in the ring.

Garcia's Restaurant
4760 N. Lincoln Ave. and 4749 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 769-5600

Open 10-1 a.m., Monday through Thursday; 10-3 a.m. Friday; 10-4 a.m., Saturday; 10-12 a.m., Sunday

Requisite metromix links:
Cheap Eats: Garcia's
Garcia's Restaurant in Chicago

--Dan

When I lived in that neighborhood, Garcia's was dead last on our go to list for Mexican, although I never tried the horchata. Just about any other taqueria in the general area is a better choice IMO.

stevez wrote:When I lived in that neighborhood, Garcia's was dead last on our go to list for Mexican, although I never tried the horchata. Just about any other taqueria in the general area is a better choice IMO.

Yeah, I can imagine how that might be true: Garcia's is never a place I volunteer when someone asks me where to get food, yet some folks I know love to order from there. Just wanted to comment on a restaurant that might qualify for this list, quality not being the primary consideration.

Thanks for chiming in,
Dan

I live a stone's throw from Garcia's on Lawrence near Ravenswood and have found their chicken burritos hit the spot. I've not been impressed with their tacos or enchiladas.

LTHforum:

I've eaten several times at Lindo Michoacan, and have been quite pleased each time.

Carnitas were good. Each time i've gotten a random mix of parts - some rib, some skin, some other unidentifiable bits. They're served with pickled jalapenos and a mix of lightly pickled vegetables - peppers, carrots, nopales and onions. (and of course rice beans and tortillas). I haven't had carnitas at that many places - but i thought these were pretty damn good.

The carne asada was surprisingly delicious - very flavorful and nice and charred on the outside, but still a little pink in the middle. If i remember right, it wasn't served with the pickled salad, but rather the typical shredded lettuce and tomato salad.

I've also been for chilaquiles for breakfast. Tasty - and the eggs were perfectly cooked (for me - a little crispy on the edges and nice runny yolks).

Service is friendly and relatively bilingual. The room is a little tattered, but i found it comfortable. Mexican futbol or telenovelas are usually on the tee-vee. There's parking next to the market and in back (up against the side of the Dunkin' Donuts in that super diverse strip mall on Kedzie).

OK - so not such a critical review. But i've always left there full, happy, and satisfied.

-jim

Lindo Michoacan
3100 Block of Lawrence Ave (Lawrence at Kedzie)
(North side of street)
Affiliated with grocery just East

Jim wrote:LTHforum:

I've eaten several times at Lindo Michoacan, and have been quite pleased each time.


OK - so not such a critical review. But i've always left there full, happy, and satisfied.

-jim

Lindo Michoacan
3100 Block of Lawrence Ave (Lawrence at Kedzie)
(North side of street)
Affiliated with grocery just East

I gotta say that for me, Lindo Michoacan seems like they are going downhill. It used to be worth the up-charge for the difference between their burritos and enchilades over, say, the more typical price and quality you'd get across the street at Tac Uptown. No more though. Enchilades went up to $7.50, and even though it has gotten even more dark and dingy in there, and the service more apathetic, the food seems like it has slipped, almost like it is getting microwaved. I used to always see the albany park cops in there but no more. In fact last 2 times it was pretty empty. A lot would improve if they just invested in changing some light bulbs.

It's not exactly a taqueria, but Los Faroles should take its place at the top of the neighborhood's Mexican eateries. Hand made huaraches, sopes and other masa products, ridiculously good liver and onions (higado encebollado), tender as can be lengua in salsa verde, and free chips with bean dip that's rich and more pleasantly potent with epazote than other versions I've had.


Lengua en salsa verde:



Los Faroles:



Los Faroles
3149 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 509-9890
NB: little to no English spoken, at least when I was there

Kennyz wrote:It's not exactly a taqueria, but Los Faroles ...

NB: little to no English spoken, at least when I was there

I don't dissent. I've had good food at los Faroles (recently enough to remain relevant, but too long ago to properly review). But I was underwhelmed by my carne en su jugo last night - few beans, loads of salt, just not as hearty as I've had elsewhere, so I'm chiming in steer people towards different menu items. On the other hand, the woman who served me did speak English.

EDIT - Hmm. Realizing KennyZ was resurrecting a rather old thread, I feel churlish making a negative reply to the only comment in the last couple years. I'll try to repost with some new reviews of some of the other spots when I return from out of town in a couple weeks.

ryanwc,
I didn't find your comment churlish at all. It was balanced and helpful. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on other spots in the area.
Kennyz

I'm so glad for this thread! Just moved to Albany Park, and am feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options.