make it known: taquerias / regional mexican food

I've just moved away from lakeview / lincoln square area where I had many of great local mexican joints . I've migrated south west to wicker park / ukranian and there is a host of restaurants but if anyone could make suggestions for non-commercialized regional haunts that would be amazing!

I'm a fan of

La Condesa
1003 N. Ashland

(order the jalapeno steak, I think it 's called filete arriero, also the shrimp ceviche, and the queso fundidio with chorizo, margaritas)

Paisano's
2429 W. Division
for steak tacos and el Pastor, burrito's, also fond of the chicken tostada, and wings. (this is a small byob place, mostly delivery and take out)

I highlighted some of my faves citywide in this recent thread.
So, to sort through those in the general WP neighborhood, there would be the Ashland "carne asada row", which includes three outposts of La Pasadita for carne asada and barbacoa tacos and burritos (this board seems to favor the eastern- certainly for its authentic workman's lunch counter atmosphere, but I personally have not found too much product differentiation), Carniceria Leon for the best tacos al pastor and asadas (now named Tierra something or other), De Pasada for carne asada tacos and burritos (I prefer this place to Pasadita as well, they always grill the steak to order and they seem to use a better trimmed cut of beef. They are also really sweet and friendly there). Further down on Chicago you've got El Taco Veloz, which for me is a destination only for carne en su jugo and some pretty good tortas de milanesa and cesina. Heading further west on North a must try, as in- some of the best Mexican food in Chicago period- is Cemitas de Puebla for Pueblan delicacies including the much lauded cemita de milanesa. Actual Wicker Park is devoid of anything too authentic, generally in all categories. Heading north towards Logan Square there is the all night burrito corner at Western and Armitage, but these offerings tend to be most passable in late night hours of inebriation. I have had an excellent plate or two of bistec en chile de arbol at Arturo's, though. There's also a decent birria place north of there on Western called Birrieria Estilo Jalisco.

La Pasadita
1132 n Ashland
1141 n Ashland
1140 n Ashland

Carniceria Leon
1402 n Ashland

De Pasada
1108 n Ashland

El Taco Veloz
1745 w Chicago

Cemitas de Puebla
3625 w North

Arturo's
2001 n Western

Birrieria Estilo Jalisco
2045 n Western

thank you already for the many recommendations , I am familiar with a few of the names which are dropped with regularity on lth posts : cemitas de puebla and la pasadita. i was in enthralled with the charm and the quality product of cemitas but am continually let down by the ubiquitously loved la pasadita, finding there meat rendered by tenderizers to be nearly of steamed quality leaving something to be desired. although, the lengua tacos there are quite good. i appreciate the al pastor recs as i've been hot on the search.

let the list continue on!

Huesb wrote: continually let down by the ubiquitously loved la pasadita, finding there meat rendered by tenderizers to be nearly of steamed quality leaving something to be desired

I agree! L P has always seemed over-rated to me. Once in awhile I get a hankering for their minimalist, yet indulgent carne asada burrito with just cheese, meat, onions, and cilantro, yet it always occurs to me that I could order the same way at De Pasada and probably receive a better product. I am a fan of the standard filling order at De Pasada, which in a way is a San Francisco style (sans rice) of meat, beans, onions, cilantro, and salsa.

One more rec. on "carne asada row" and my little 'hood secret- Carniceria y Taqueria Laura, east side of Ashland, at Thomas, serves up mighty good huaraches. Their meats are standard- tenderized, griddled, though recognizable as skirt steak. The key is the handformed masa huarache base. This is smeared with nice lardy beans, then the meat, and the cheese melts really nicely ontop. It is topped off spartanly with onions and cilantro and the salsas are bright and fiery. Washed down with Coke in a bottle, Que Rico!

Las Asadas:
2072 N Western Ave
It's a shack. It is owned by the same family as La Pasadita, but I'd go to Las Asadas before La P. They usually give the steak a rougher rustic chop, and do not offer as many items as La P. Tacos, sopes, burritos, tostadas, and a few standard platillos: carne asada, pollo, barbacoa, but no enchiladas, or sopas, kinda bare bones. I think it was Binko who said the Las Asadas on 47th was not up to snuff. I have never been to that one. My experiences are at the one in Des PLaines, and the one on Western. Juicy, tender, char grilled skirt steak. Barbacoa is ok, chicken is ok. But for me, the steak is the show here. If you go at peak times, you will ensure getting fresh off the grill steak. If not, you're on your own. I just had lunch at the one in Des Plaines today. It's the stuff that makes you crave more no matter how full you are. I had a burrito and two tacos. If I had two more tacos, they would be gone by now. I would compare it most to El Asadero on Lincoln if you ever went to that one when you were in Lincoln Square.

Las Asadas does not stay open late at ALL.

seebee wrote:Las Asadas:
I just had lunch at the one in Des Plaines today. It's the stuff that makes you crave more no matter how full you are. I had a burrito and two tacos. If I had two more tacos, they would be gone by now.

No longer will I hesitate over whether to order just two or my usual three tacos. Of course lunch is my lighter meal.

T Comp wrote:

seebee wrote:Las Asadas:
I just had lunch at the one in Des Plaines today. It's the stuff that makes you crave more no matter how full you are. I had a burrito and two tacos. If I had two more tacos, they would be gone by now.

No longer will I hesitate over whether to order just two or my usual three tacos. Of course lunch is my lighter meal.

tiny secret -
The tostadas are a better value than the tacos. If you dig tostadas, they are usually 1.5 the size of their tacos, and only cost a few cents more. Of course, they are messier though, and size of both depends on who is making them that day.

Tecalitlan
1814 W Chicago Ave

Tecalitlan has fairly standard mexican fare, no frills but everything i've had there was good... i like their chicken enchiladas with mole..

I haven't heard much in recent years about the old board favorite "Taqueria Oaxaquena" on Milwaukee. It serves a fine representation of southern Mexican. I'm a big fan of it's grilled nopales as well as it's excellent mole with hints of chocolate.

Taqueria Oaxaquena
3382 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
773-545-8585

YourPalWill wrote:I haven't heard much in recent years about the old board favorite "Taqueria Oaxaquena" on Milwaukee.

It remains as good as ever and I go there regularly for octopus, tamales, chicken in mole, and rabbit in adobo.

A fantastic stalwart.

Best,
Michael

A second here for Taco Veloz, particularly the tortas.

Dear Huesb,
In answer to your query-

If anyone could make suggestions for non-commercialized regional haunts that would be amazing!

I am loathe to release this secret- but it the interest of Food Lovers WorldWIDE, I cannot keep this to myself.....

On Western Ave, just at Shakespeare is a Grocery store called <b>Danny's</b>.
A pale comparison to it's former self (formerly it was part of the Supermercado Jimenez chain)- Danny's still maintains a VERY good little taqueria inside- that serves up some very tasty Carne Asada tacos.
Now, it's NOT just the grilled skirt steak that they serve up- but any of the various meats in the steam trays- from a non-Rotisseried <i>Al Pastor</i>, to a very fine<i> Puerco en salsa de Chile de Arbol</i> (nice and spicy!!)and- on Thursdays always has a Chicken Mole special- a "plato" filled with Beans & Rice and Salad...+ a stack of tortillas will set ya back about $5bucks-

I've been going here since about 1990-91...... I've hired chefs/cooks outta there, taken 1st dates there (kinda a personal Litmus Test, for "High Maintenance Detection", and eaten plenty of times when I had but 6 bucks in my pocket-
and left feeling VERY sated.

Like a said - a secret lil' spot of mine,
helps if ya speak a little Spanish-
OH-
& don't let me go in there seein' the tables filled w/ Yuppie Gringos- OK?

Keep it quiet!!?

OK?

Danny's Taqueria,with a Grocery Store
2140 N. Western
Chicago,IL

don't let me go in there seein' the tables filled w/ Yuppie Gringos- OK?

No yuppie gringos, sure, but no old, highly educated, agnostic white males, I can't promise you.

Santander wrote:

don't let me go in there seein' the tables filled w/ Yuppie Gringos- OK?

No yuppie gringos, sure, but no old, highly educated, agnostic white males, I can't promise you.

Hey! I resent, er, no, resemble that remark.

I work right by Las Pasaditas and spend quite a bit of time there . A new favorite of mine is Chavas tacos! Their steak quesadilla is great and only $1.99.

Chavas Tacos
2351 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
(312) 226-1129

I haven't heard much in recent years about the old board favorite "Taqueria Oaxaquena" on Milwaukee.

Has anyone noted that, after closing the Diversey location some time back, they have now expanded the Milwaukee location? A whole second room has been added on, increasing the capacity by more than double. It also means you can go into that room to escape the TV, though it's loud enough that we could still recognize the closing credits of Babe in Spanish.

Anyway, good as ever and friendly as any restaurant in town. Everyone should visit it at least once or twice a year.

While Irazu on Milwaukee is not Mexican (it is Costa Rican) they have definitely adopted/adapted some dishes to draw in the Gringo/Latino customer base and they are such lovely, welcoming folks. They've been in the neighborhood for at least 15 years. My favorite "screaming deal" dish is their version of a steak tostada which always seems to come with an entire half of an avocado on it, with non-gristly, nicely charred meat being the main player and two salsas--green and red--to play off heat and pucker in the whole scheme of things. They also do a Tico Sandwich which is a grilled steak/crispy bread offering that my husband loves. I've heard they make a delicious oatmeal shake and maybe one day that will sound desirous to me but not so much these days. But then again, I don't like horchata (a milky rice drink) either. They serve black beans two ways, soupy or refried (both are good but I prefer the soupy) and they serve hyper-garlicky fried Yuca which is a starchy root vegetable that just like the potato, when fried in oil, is crispy outside and fluffy inside. I don't recall if they offer Yuca boiled or steamed but I think they might. It's BYOB and they do a bustling takeout business but there a few table in the newer back room.


bjt

Any taqueria suggestions / recommendations for Oak Park / Forest Park / Berwyn area? Gracias.

dak125 wrote:I work right by Las Pasaditas and spend quite a bit of time there . A new favorite of mine is Chavas tacos! Their steak quesadilla is great and only $1.99.

Chavas Tacos
2351 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
(312) 226-1129

I'll second Chavas, especially for their breakfast platters. Man, there is just something fantastic about a huge plate of carne asada, eggs, beans, rice, etc for breakfast and they do it quite well.

dddane wrote:Tecalitlan
1814 W Chicago Ave

Tecalitlan has fairly standard mexican fare, no frills but everything i've had there was good... i like their chicken enchiladas with mole..

Now this I am going to have to disagree with. We have been here quite a few times as my sister likes it and it is an easy place to grab lunch with her and her kids. I think everything I have had is bland, bland, bland... No flavors seem to pop, there isn't any spice or heat. I really do want to like it and everything looks like it should taste much better than it does. Of course I have not had all of the items but have had enough to draw my own conclusion. Service is very friendly though.


I have been happily surprised by Arturo's lately though. I used to live 1/2 block from there and think the first week I lived there I hit Lazo's and Arturo's a few times and somehow though Lazo's was better. It wasn't long after I realized Lazo's sucked so I just stuck to Las Asadas. I did recently go back to Arturo's and had a fantastic pastor burrito, so it is back on my list. They have a great green salsa.

Jamie