Inexpensive Mexican

I have recently moved to Wicker Park from Brooklyn, NY. I have tried several of the reputable local Mexican spots to date such as Xni Pec and Cemitas Pueblan with the latter being the most enjoyable to day. I was hoping to discover some hidden gems that I might well overlook. I will emphasize that I am on a budget, ($15 at most ideally)

I like Fonda del Mar, which is just a few miles west. However, it's a little more expensive than your target price, with entrees in the upper teens. But it's really good (and a GNR!).

A bit closer to Wicker Park is Real Tenochtitlan. It's slightly more expensive than Fonda at dinnertime, but it is open for lunch with lower prices than the dinner menu.

Since you enjoyed Cemitas Puebla, why not try some similar spots that focus on a single specialty? Birrieria Zaragoza (4852 S Pulaski) is one that comes to mind. How about carne en su jugo at Los Gallos (4252 S Archer)? There's another Los Gallos at 4211 W 26th, almost across the street from Birrieria La Barca. You could hit both places for their specialties and barely spend $15 total. There's plenty of information here; indeed you could probably spend an entire day searching and reading.

You also have one of the board's (and my) favorites in your backyard in Carniceria Leon / Tierra Caliente.

There's a good number of inexpensive Mexican restaurants on the stretch of Clark St. between Devon and Howard - they've been a primary focus of LTH's North Clark-a-Thon I and North Clark-a-thon II.

But clearly your best option for inexpensive Mexican food is the stalls at the Maxwell Street Market (which, of course, isn't on Maxwell Street, but starts at Roosevelt & Des Plaines) on Sunday mornings.

It really depends what you are looking for in your Mexican food, but I stand by La Pasadita. I like either the lomo or carne asada super burrito from the bigger one on the west side of Ashland(the restaurant one with the bigger menu). I used to live in San Francisco, and this is the closest I've found to a Mission district style burrito in Chicago. I love their black salsa with the carne and haven't found anything comparable in Pilsen. I don't like lettuce and tomato in my burritos, but I do like beans, rice and cheese along with guac and sometimes maybe sour cream, and most other places here don't seem to be set up for that style (including Pasadita East). Pasadita West is not totally LTH approved and your mileage may vary, but it is super convenient to Wicker Park and well within your budget (two can eat well for close to $15), definitely worth a try.

I think GNR winner Nuevo Leon should be right up your alley. It's BYOB and keeping the tab under $15 is no problem.

1515 W 18th St
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 421-1517

www.nuevoleonrestaurant.com

"I think GNR winner Nuevo Leon should be right up your alley. It's BYOB and keeping the tab under $15 is no problem.

1515 W 18th St
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 421-1517"

I was just coming here to post about Nuevo Leon!

Also, Check out Maiz

Maiz
1041 N California
(773) 276-3149

They do a great job with street food. Amazing tamales, enchiladas & other sorts. Different than any taqueria in Chicago. Amazing drinks too. (Try the cucumber bebida)

all of these have been discussed at some point on the board and are in your neighborhood, La Condessa, El Paisanos, El Barco is a good value, tons of food for the $, Arturo's, El Taco Veloz. There are a ton of Mexican places probably still undiscovered on Ashland and Chicago Ave, let us know if you find something especially valuable.

Welcome to the board.

La Oaxaquena