Challenge! [drinkin' dinner for 14]

Where can I have a dinner for 14 at $50/head including tax/tip and room for drunkery?

Perez and Tecatitlan cam up quick - never been to Perez but leaning there since Tecatitlan has the most horrible most recent yelp reviews. (Say what you will about yelp...)

Any others? Some ambiance would be great as its a celebratory work team outing.

Thanks!

It would help if you could post the day of the week and area of the city you are looking for. Also, any particular types of food (or types of food that you would not want)? Off the top of my head I would think a BYOB place might be ideal for your price range, but if you can answer the other questions it will be easier to be more specific.

Thanks for being most helpful within a 2 mile radius of chicago/halsted - preferably 1 -1.5 mile radius.

Must have bar and we must be able to drink and eat for about $40 -$50 - tax/tip included.

Mexican seems most logical but open.

Actually sushi is not a generally speaking crowd pleaser so lets keep it to an overall crowd pleasing cuisine.

Thanks!

How much can you drink?

Let's be straight about priorities for this night -

1 tequila, 2 tequila...
Food is secondary.

This is a night for camaraderie and debauchery but I dont want to sit in the Pasadita on Ashland at 4 different pizzeria-ish tables.

1 table, meant for dining in with drinks!

Doesn't have to be mexican-ish.

But not sushi or indian.

Thanks,

Even with grossly inflated entree prices, Las Pinatas (Old Town) knows how to handle a large group of marg-happy patrons, and the table salsa, carne asada, and enchiladas (particularly mole) are excellent. Atmosphere is like sombody's bungalow front porch or basement, festive and rustic but charming.

Las Pinatas
http://www.laspinatas.com/
1552 N Wells St
(between Burton Pl & North Ave)

Uncle Julio's is another nearby thought:

http://www.unclejulios.com/
855 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
312.266.4222

a chain, but the service and (expansive, loud) environment are great for parties. Tortilla-making machine on premises and some love for other dishes like the tamales here on the board.

[moderator edit: thread title]

How about Cafe Iberico? Tapas and Sangria always makes for a festive evening (there is enough variety that everybody can find something they like), and they have very reasonable party packages available.


Cafe Iberico
(312) 573-1510
739 N La Salle Dr
Chicago, IL 60610

edit: I just looked at their site and saw the party packages start at 20 persons. They can still probably work something out.

Piece Pizzeria and Brewery is 2 miles away at 1927 W. North Ave.
Really good pizza and beer.
They take reservations for groups of 10 or more.

Depending on how much drinking you want to do, Owen & Engine might be an option. You could certainly do a burger + 2-3 drinks for about $50, but it's also possible to push the per-person cost up if people order more extravagantly. They have a semi-private room upstairs that seats at least a dozen people, and perhaps 14. I recently planned a dinner at O&E for 8 of us (I was the only repeat diner) and everyone loved it.

Otherwise perhaps Piece? Not sure if they have a private room, but I think they easily accommodate large groups.

I personally think Perez is brilliant for this. Not bad food, goat tacos and birria on weekends, lots of strong drink and places to walk after. Closer to your ground zero include Club Lago, a very atmospheric and welcoming place to get drunk with a long history of work-related revelry. Board favorite Paramount Room. Board favorite Matchbox/Silver Palm (where I'd probably go). Cheap pub food/cheap pub Emmitt's (which is right by Richard's Bar and La Scarola). Really, you have a ton of solid options for this right by your intersection, so sorry if this is all old hat (assuming you know what's in the neighborhood).

What about The Aberdeen Tap? They've got a back room for private events as well as a nice outdoor space if the weather's nice. [0.8 miles away]

You might be able to "take over" the back area of Five Star Bar -- the huge table with the stripper pole seats several. [0.8 miles]

Might be too expensive, but Carnivale is usually flexible in pricing for private rooms. They're at least worth calling, especially if you have a per-head price in mind.

The Matchbox is definitely too small, and the Silver Palm is likely too small, for a group of 14.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions - I have places for future reference now!

We decided on Ba Ba Reeba and I am looking forward - have you guys seen their semi recent changes/additions to their menu?

$20 pitchers of Sangria!

Que Rico on Southport has some seriously potent margaritas and decent enough food..... if you're still considering Mexican. Cafe El Tapatio is another solid option.... a tad weaker drinks, yet still strong, but better food IMO.