Marco wrote:But as a chain it has LOTS more in common with Subway than any given indie taco stand. The mistake is to view a certain regional Mexican type of taco as the ONLY valid riff on the food. Which you are not going to find within 2 blocks of your office downtown. Chipolte is competing with Panera and Noodles and Co. and on the lower end, Subway. In that category, I think it is healthier and faster.

I don't disagree, I just meant that if you're going to set the bar that low, sneaking over it isn't exactly a compliment

seebee wrote:Sounds like you really need to investigate some other places.
Maybe:
Taco Grill and/or Taco Express in Westmont?
Why PAY FOR and eat bad food when you don't have to?
I have never been to either place above, but both have gotten some form of love on lth.

I should stress that at El Famous, I now only order the chili relleno taco, which is still fine. And sometimes, picking a place that is five blocks from my house instead of five miles away is a good thing.

I have been to Taco Grill several times and have been pleased. Same with El Pulpo on 63rd, although I'm not a big seafood eater so I stick to the simple stuff. Taco Express is not particularly convenient for some reason, I've been meaning to try it and I keep on not doing so. Los Arcos #4 is near me, and it's ok, but not enough to pull me back frequently. El Burrito Loco has two locations each within two miles, and I'd rather go to Taco Bell.

Tuesday night, I surveyed the traffic on the expressways, and decided that a stop at Taqueria Aguascalientes on Cicero was in order to wait it out.