Need a taqueria rec. near Congress Theatre.

We'll be in town for the Cafe Tacvba concert on June 26, and we're hoping that you folks can recommend a place or two for great tacos within walking distance of the Congress.

Photos, or links to posts with photos would be especially appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff

Congress Theater
2135 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

There are a few taquerias near there, but for my money the best tacos in that neighborhood can be found at Las Asadas. It's only about a block or two from the theater. I don't think there's a dedicated thread on this location on LTH, but if you Google around you can find some good info.

Las Asadas
2072 N Western Ave, Chicago
(773) 235-5538

tapler wrote:There are a few taquerias near there, but for my money the best tacos in that neighborhood can be found at Las Asadas. It's only about a block or two from the theater. I don't think there's a dedicated thread on this location on LTH, but if you Google around you can find some good info.

Las Asadas
2072 N Western Ave, Chicago
(773) 235-5538

Las Asadas is very good, but they have just had a short move. The new building is much brighter and, I suppose, appealing to those driving by.
Las Asadas
2045 N. Western
773.235.5538

There is also a very, very good GNR/Cuban place quite close by, Cafe Mariano.
Cafe Mariano
2246 N. Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60647
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=4096

Thanks for the clarification on the Las Asadas address. Since I moved north and east to Edgewater a couple years ago, I can't bypass Taqueria El Asadero when I go that direction for tacos.

I know this one: Taqueria Moran. It's maybe four blocks from the Congress, right under the California el stop, and it's great---definitely in my top 5 Mexican places in the city. The decor, service, and cleanliness are decidedly a couple of notches above the mean, and the food is really excellent and a great bargain. Their al pastor tacos are very good (not on the menu, but I've never received any hesitation when I've ordered them).

Their tortilla soup is my favorite version, ever. Under $4 for a big bowl.

Great house-made chips and salsa and the pickled carrot-cauliflower-jalapeno relish when you sit down.

Taqueria Moran
2226 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 235-2663

Also recommend Taqueria Moran. Cheap too.

I always thought it was funny to have a Mexican place with an Irish name. Didn't there used to be a chain called Carlos Murphy's?

I'm a big fan of Moran too, I'm in there almost weekly. Very inexpensive, friendly staff, solid food. While they do pretty much everything well, I've never been a fan of their chicken tacos, finding them oddly bland when compared to their barbacoa and pastor.

*edited to correct a typo

AngrySarah wrote:Also recommend Taqueria Moran. Cheap too.

I always thought it was funny to have a Mexican place with an Irish name. Didn't there used to be a chain called Carlos Murphy's?

Carlos O'Kelly's.

Much appreciation for all of the recs so far, folks. I'll be checking in periodically between now and the show, and I'm sure that with your help we'll be eating very well.
Thanks a lot,
Jeff

they did just open a yuppie margarita bar a block south of the congress (fuego), but if you're just looking for a regular taqueria, i'd hit up Moran. Right at the California blue line - best tortilla soup you'll find.

I second Moran right across the street from the California blue line stop.

In my book, there are no authentic Taquerias in the loop, or even downtown for that matter!

BUT that being said, the La Bamba with "burritos as big as your head" on Madison is about as close as you'll get to the real thing. Decent food, cheap prices & fast service, especially for a fast growing Taqueria chain. If most chains stayed this close to their roots, I'd hate less of them...

In my book, there are no authentic Taquerias in the loop, or even downtown for that matter!

BUT that being said, the La Bamba with "burritos as big as your head" on Madison is about as close as you'll get to the real thing. Decent food, cheap prices & fast service, especially for a fast growing Taqueria chain. If most chains stayed this close to their roots, I'd hate less of them...

Then, it's a good thing the OP is asking for recommendations in Logan Square.

abf005 wrote:In my book, there are no authentic Taquerias in the loop, or even downtown for that matter!

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand what downtown/Loop taquerias have to do with the Congress Theater.

Congress Theater
2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. (2135W)
Chicago

Arturo's which is just around the corner from the Congress on Western Ave, makes a pretty good Taco al Pastor cut from a spit.

Arturo's Tacos Mexican Food
(773) 772-4944
2001 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

nr706 wrote:

abf005 wrote:In my book, there are no authentic Taquerias in the loop, or even downtown for that matter!

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand what downtown/Loop taquerias have to do with the Congress Theater.

Congress Theater
2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. (2135W)
Chicago

Hmm, I think I was thinking of the Auditorium theater on Congress Keep the rec in case your ever in the loop looking for a Taqueria!

Anyway, since we are talking 2100 Milwaukee, then without a doubt, Las Asadas on Western is the best option!

Purely in the interest of science I had dinner at Las Asadas on Western last night. Very good carne asada and lengua tacos. The only downside? No pork products

There is also the Birria Jalisco on Western by Las Asadas on western if you feel like something a bit more exotic.
Other than that, Moran is the place to be.

The almighty Irazu isnt far either.

jesteinf wrote:The only downside? No pork products

how come... swine flu?!

tropics wrote:

jesteinf wrote:The only downside? No pork products

how come... swine flu?!

I don't think so, just no pork-based items on the menu.

Interestingly I have had both the best Al Pastor tacos (outside of Mexico) and the worst Al Pastor tacos at Moran. The first time I had them about a year and a half ago I found them to be inedible, mainly tasting of spoiled gristle. Given the proximity to my apartment and good recommendations here and elsewhere I tried them again about a year ago and they were fabulous. I have brought several out of town guests there for a snack as an example of a good, cheep Chicago taqueria and they have been spot on. Not sure what happened that first time but I'm glad I didn't write them off.

Ursiform wrote: There is also a very, very good GNR/Cuban place quite close by, Cafe Mariano.
Cafe Mariano
2246 N. Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60647
viewtopic.php?t=4096

I'd love to hear more about your experiences at Mariano, ursiform!

Marianao is a great place, but most likely will be closed by the time you get there (I'm not sure of exact hours but they are open for breakfast and lunch only). It is a really great place to go if you are in the area around lunch time.

Of all the places mentioned so far Las Asadas is my favorite. Moran, Arturo's, Lazo's, and Birria Jalisco are are good bets.

Another place to consider is Tamalli on Armitage, it's not exactly a taqueria, but they have excellent Mexican food at decent prices.

Tamalli
2459 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60686

Good God, not Arturo's. I live around the corner from the Congress, and I guarantee that Las Asadas is by far the best. Even when I go to Arturo's pretty drunk, I'm always amazed by how bad the food is. Sure, they're open 24 hours. Unfortunately that just extends the number of hours I don't want to be there.

Ideal Machine wrote:Good God, not Arturo's.

I've been to Arturo's twice in the last 6-months, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me comes to mind. If I go a third time it will simply mean I'm stupid.

I really like the Al Pastor at Arturo's. I'll gladly eat one while sober, and have been known to eat two if it's really late.

Since the original post Tamalli has been replaced by Chilapan, which is an improvement over Tamalli. Also, Ninety Miles To Cuba opened a block West of Chilapan, so there is a later Cuban option in the area.

Folks,
Thanks again for all of your input.
We ended up going to Arturo's after both last summer's and this past winter's Cafe Tacuba concerts. It was just a lot easier, and it was where all of the fans from the show were going as well.
We had some pretty good tacos there, but the dinner plates weren't the best. Still, a real fun time with Cafe Tacuba music blaring in the background and the place jam packed with fans fresh out of a wonderful show.
We made it to Las Asadas only on the most recent trip, and boy what a great place. We have been there 3 or 4 times so far, and haven't felt the need to stray from the asada tacos, as they're among the best that I've had. A (very minor) quibble is that the salsa leaves a bit to be desired, but the quality of the steak is so high that it is not a game-breaker. All I'm saying is, man would those tacos be even more incredible with a proper salsa roja slatheed on top.
Thanks again, and as usual your recommendations are the best and most accurate that I've been able to find. Keep up the good work LTHF!
Jeff

Jeff from Michigan wrote:We made it to Las Asadas only on the most recent trip, and boy what a great place. We have been there 3 or 4 times so far, and haven't felt the need to stray from the asada tacos, as they're among the best that I've had. A (very minor) quibble is that the salsa leaves a bit to be desired, but the quality of the steak is so high that it is not a game-breaker. All I'm saying is, man would those tacos be even more incredible with a proper salsa roja slatheed on top.

JfM -

Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you gotta do is call...
You've made a friend.
I feel the exact same way.

Molly wrote:

In my book, there are no authentic Taquerias in the loop, or even downtown for that matter!

BUT that being said, the La Bamba with "burritos as big as your head" on Madison is about as close as you'll get to the real thing. Decent food, cheap prices & fast service, especially for a fast growing Taqueria chain. If most chains stayed this close to their roots, I'd hate less of them...

Then, it's a good thing the OP is asking for recommendations in Logan Square.

There is a La Bamba at 2557 N Halsted, which would be a lot closer than the Loop.

There is also a La Bamba on most Big Ten campuses near the bars. I spent many drunken nights on Green St downstate, and had my fair share of La Bamba combos with extra hot sauce, and LOVED 'em. But I don't think I'd send any of my friends there for "good" eats these days. I tried the Halsted loc a few three four years back, and it was about the same as I remembered. I don't ever need to go back.