Mexican in South Loop

Hi--

I recently moved to the South Loop, and it seems like there are absolutely no Mexican restaurants.

Please tell me I'm wrong. I don't have a car, so I am somewhat limited in how I get around.

Are there any essential spots in the South Loop area? My roommate raves about the Firehouse, though it seems like it's almost always packed so we end up eating decent bar food at Grace O'Malleys across the street. Other than that, I've been to Oy/Sy (sp?) sushi on Michigan Avenue.

Any help is appreciated.

white_tea wrote:Hi--

I recently moved to the South Loop, and it seems like there are absolutely no Mexican restaurants.

Please tell me I'm wrong. I don't have a car, so I am somewhat limited in how I get around.

Are there any essential spots in the South Loop area? My roommate raves about the Firehouse, though it seems like it's almost always packed so we end up eating decent bar food at Grace O'Malleys across the street. Other than that, I've been to Oy/Sy (sp?) sushi on Michigan Avenue.

Any help is appreciated.

Isn't Zapatista still around?

Not that I'm interested in going back, mind you.

E.M.

I think the problem is, you're a high rent district right next to a lower-rent district full of good Mexican restaurants (Pilsen). So not much inducement for them to move closer to you, but lots of inducement for you to go over and try them!

Opera and Gioco are in your neck of the woods-its been a while since I've been to either-but I would imagine they're still worth checking out due to proximity. Of course-once you've done this you may well want to explore the real deal in Chinatown, and (to a much lesser extent) Little Italy.

Hey thanks for the responses. I've walked by Opera a bunch of times -- maybe I'll stop in for a bite.

Taking the short trip to Chinatown and Pilsen is totally reasonable. I imagine I could maybe find a few places that would deliver to my neck of the woods.

There is also La Cantina Grill near 19th and Michigan. I can't say anything about the food as I've never been. Cuatro is not far either and the food is good but pricey. I highly recommend taking a trip to Pilsen, especially to the places written about here on the forum. Not to be missed.


La Cantina Grill
1911 S. Michigan Ave
312-842-1911
www.lacantinagrill.com

Cuatro
2030 S. Wabash
312-842-8856
www.cuatro-chicago.com

Zapatista is still around, and churning out sometimes good/sometimes just ok food. It's not in the 'hood so much, but Pancho Pistolas in Bridgeport is good and they will deliver to the South Loop.

Pancho Pistolas
700 West 31st
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-8808

I will eventually get around to posting a separate thread about this place because I love it so much, but another great place you must check out is Pannozzo's Italian Market on South Michigan (1 door south of 13th Street.) They have great carry out italian sandwiches and pasta, as well as lots of specialty italian items.

The South Loop is definitely flush with breakfast and lunch places, including the Bongo Room (Wabash and Roosevelt), Yolk (South Michigan just north of Roosevelt), Grace O'Malley's, Orange (Harrison in Printers Row), and even Gioco and Zapatista.

SMT wrote: Pancho Pistolas in Bridgeport is good and they will deliver to the South Loop.

Pancho Pistolas
700 West 31st
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-8808

I will eventually get around to posting a separate thread about this place because I love it so much

I had a pretty good carne asada there. Would be interested to hear what you had.

Opera on tuesdays has a 25 dollar 3 course deal, (ANY app, main, dessert) which imo is one of the best deals in the city.

Deal on Cuatro - never been:
http://www.wlup.com/halfprice/index.aspx

check out Tio Louis in Pilsen...the best!

3856 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632-1014
Tel: (773) 843-0098

Not to nitpick-but that ain't Pilsen-sounds like McKinley Park or Brighton Park.

Anybody a little more search savy than me find a thread on Tio Louis?
I'm going to be around there tomorrow. Might make a stop to try the Trib's "Best Taco." I'm a Las Asada's / La Pasadita devotee when it comes to "the best taco," but always looking for better.

Not a whole thread, but try the Google/LTH search for "tio louis" OR "tio luis"

A few hits come up.