Aurora: Taco Time! Excellent!

Hey y'all double post from da old blog here. I see there were talks of an Aurora Taco Trot way back when. Well I did my own recently and came away impressed. In honor of Mexican Independence Day I take y'll on a little taco tour thru Illinois' Second City, Aurora. Chicago has long been a hot spot for amazing Mexican eats but as the years go on and many families flock to the suburbs for peace of mind, they bring their restaurants and recipes with them. Aurora is an area that continues to expand on its close to 40% Hispanic population. I have work out there now and then and am always keeping an eye and ear out for some good taco options. I don't know why it happened, Mexican food has always been my favorite, but of late I've been a taco binge like none other. So here it is! A half year in the making. Ten Taco Spots worth a trot out to the town that gave us Wayne's World.
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Taqueria Durango


Downtown

Important to note that much like the big city, there are what seem to be a countless number of taquerias in town. Just like her4e they come and go so fast you might not even of known one was around before it's gone. So how does one establish what spots to try? First place I check is here but not much of late. So maybe I'll go I go to Yelp and see what people say. This place tends to get good biz when I've been by so I was intrigued to see what was up on Yelp. A common mention of al pastor put it on the map.


Al Pastor Spit

Durango has had their spit up and running on both visits I've made. One a weekday and the other over the weekend. As we continue on here you're going to see that there's a few types pf tacos the fine taqueros of Aurora do well and al pastor is a popular one. Don't quote me on it but I think that like Chicago, many of the Hispanic families who came here, did so from the Jalisco region and Mexico City. Hence the love for heavily spiced roasted pork on a spit. Tacos al Pastor can be a real hit or miss but these were at least a triple. Properly spiced pieces came out crispy on the outside while still retaining some juice inside. Not to dry, not too wet, just about perfect. Another popular taco in this area is the Dorado version. I liked Durango's chicken offering but have had better elsewhere.


Chicken Taco Dorado and a Taco al Pastor
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Taqueria Arandense


Downtown

Not far from Durango is Arandense. Another welcoming place where they have the whole family pitching in to make sure the place runs well. Housed in what was at some point a diner they have a full menu here and I heard its popular for breakfast. I'd driven by and noticed a little crowd inside and said what they hey and went on in and took a seat at the counter.


The View at the Counter

Just like the last stop it was the spit in motion that made me stop into Arandense. It only got better when next to said spit was a charola for deep frying tripas in. They had just sold out of tacos de suadero but I was more so intrigued by the other two anyway. Both were very solid. The al pastor was again spiced right, sometimes places under season theirs but not the case here. Extra props for the slice of charred pineapple they put on top. The tripas tacos were fried to a perfect crispiness and brought me back to the streets of Aguascaliente, Mexico where I enjoyed this style morning, noon and night. As I was mentioned most places in town serve tacos dorados but they aren't deep fried as a whole. The spots have this little gadget that lets you fry tortillas fresh and then stuff them with stewed meats. Every single place offers two fillings of choice for their dorados, deshebrada and stewed chicken. Some fry the shells fresh, others do before hand.




Tacos Dorados
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Jalisco Tacos


Up on the hill

My favorite place to grab a taco dorado in Aurora is Jalisco tacos which has a few locations. Sadly this place named after the great Mexican state that gave us Carne en Su jugo does not offer it on their menu. They do however have some pretty damn good goat consomme on weekends. They claim the al pastor is their specialty but there's better to be had around town. What I like are their taco dorados with deshebrada aka heavily spiced and shredded beef. The combination of crunchy shell (freshly fried) mixed with the juicy beef makes for a messy taco that you have to eat right away but are rewarded with some great flavors when you do.


Taco Dorado w/ Shredded Beef and a Taco al Pastor
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Tacos Maria


Also on the Hill

Tacos Maria has been discussed here as being the "Home of the Dagwood Mega Tortas" I have yet to try one but love their taco alambres. This is the other popular taco found around town. Alambre translates to "wire". Every region has their own story on how these tacos came to be named. I think that much like al pastor, these types came from Arabic immigrants. Alambre tacos are always served removed from the skewer, if the place is even using one to begin with. Some say the name derives from stir fry. Typically these tacos consist of steak, bacon, chopped green peppers, onion which is all melded together with melted cheese. Just like a shish kebab, the flavors work well. Maria's has an excellent offering.


Maria's Taco Alambre
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Taqueria Muniz


Lake Street

One of my favorite taco stops in town is this wonderful family run place. I swear they have three or four generations of family inside and they've all remembered me since my first visit when they were extra curious why I was taking pictures. One of the pretty younger members of the family asked if they could use my pictures on their FB page and I was more than happy so please note, these tacos were free, my third trip around anyway. They wouldn't let me pay. Here they make their alambre with poblano peppers which creates for a nice little kick. But my favorite offering is their cochinita pibil. This is a specialty of the family from back in their original home of the Yucatan Peninsula where the dish is very popular. Traditionally pibil is cooked in a pit inside banana leaves and served with pickled red onion. The pork is marinated in a healthy combo of juices and spices before cooking long enough to shred easily. For just a buck and change I can eat quite a few of these little treats each trip.


Cochinita Pibil (L) Taco Alambre (R)
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Taco Movil


From Taco Truck to Brick and Mortar Business

Another one I really like here. Taco Movil has both a truck and somewhat new restaurant where you can find their signature offerings. Not to sound too repetitive but you know the drill, its all in the family and really welcoming inside. The taqueria is attached to a grocery store and its a popular place for folks just getting off work. I stopped in here with jimswside and another guy so we got try a little of them all, since they all looked good. First up their specialty of the house is tacos al pastor and they do those well. Small crispy bits are loaded into the tortilla and served with their amazing array of housemade salsas. I'm partial to grandmas avocado salsa which is a smooth creamy mix that worked great on their weekend special lamb barbacoa tacos. Movil also makes a mean alambre. Only taco I wasn't that impressed with was their carnitas which was good just not great, I think we got the gringo pieces.


Taco al Pastor


Lamb Barbacoa Taco


Taco Alambre


Carnita's Taco

But we noticed something you don't see too often on the menu here. Those of us in Chicago who have been lucky enough to indulge in Cemitas Puebla's Taco Arabes know whats up. "Arab Style Tacos" took Chicago by storm before and then definitely after Guy Fieri's appearance there. I haven't seen them anywhere else but noticed a painting inside the place showing their mobile taco truck in a square in Mexico with a "taco arabes" sign on it. The fun little painting made me further explore the menu which led me to seeing Tacos Arabes aka "Arab Style Tacos" listed on it. So of course one had to be ordered.


Taco Arabe

When they brought this out I thought it was a burrito. I'm used to the fact that this style is rolled in a puffy flour tortilla but this offering looked more like a Norteno burrito than the taco arabes I'm used to. Opening it up to peek what was inside revealed an entire different look too. Here they use marinated and chopped pork with grilled onions and spinach and of course lots of cheese. I loved it. It was almost like a Philly Roast Pork sandwich in a tortilla. Best $2 I've spent on a taco in a while, at least as far as taste and size go. Different from Cemitas Puebla my heart is big enough for both.


The insides
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Rico's Tacos


A stand on the Hill

I'd read about Rico's when it turned up in a search for best tacos in Aurora. It's a little trailer that permanently sits in a lot next to a grocery store and across the street from a car repair shop. I believe all three are owned by the same people. I see "Rico's Tacos" offered alot around the city. I've always wondered what exactly they are and think I might of found out, or at least I have my own theory. All they do here are tacos and they're each $1. The steak and al pastor came praised so I tried one of each and was presented with some cute little tacos that could be taken down in one bite. Which is where my idea of the name comes from. The grocery store in the city I tried "Rico's Tacos" at served them the same way. I think it's just slang for mini tacos. These were really good. No spit but the steak and pastor were both finely chopped and well crisped up on the griddle, a style I'm not opposed to at all when done properly like they do here.


An Al Pastor and Steak Taco
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Taqueria Los 4 Leones


Parked in a church at the corner of 5th Street and Farnsworth

I spied this little taco truck while cruising around town hoping to find something worthy of a try. Obviously this was it so I pulled up and hopped out. There was a little bit of a wait since one guy order 10+ tacos so I got to talk with Luis Leon the owner while I waited. They're open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun from 3p-9p and serve a variety of tacos. You got the usual suspects plus fillings like cabeza, chicharron, lengua and tripas. I asked what his two most popular tacos were and got a couple awesome off the menu offerings. When you see a Taco Campachano on the menu somewhere it usually means "many meats" and that's what Luis says is most popular. "It's a little bit of everything" and it was awesome. As was his other popular taco which mixes steak and chorizo. I was with a work associate for a few of these stops and this was his favorite. He's since brought his wife who's from Mexico and she loves it too.


Taco Campachano and a Steak/Chorizo Mixture
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El Buey Pando


Located in a lot along East New Street

Another place I just so happened to find out of luck. As me and the aforementioned associate were riding I spied this place and made a U turn to go check them out. I've been back and past it a couple times since and they always seem to have a nice crowd of locals fresh off of work and hungry for tacos. It seems like both a place to eat and engage with fellow neighbors. If I spy a Especialidad de la Casa on the menu of a place I'm at that's what I'm getting (Special post coming). I saw one for both a huarache and "taco bravo" which was describds as steak marinated in a very spicy salsa byt the nice lady taking orders. I got one refgular steak and one bravo. Both were great, particularly the Bravo which while tongue tingling, was also really flavorful from the green chile salsa it was cooked in.


Steak (L) and a Taco Bravo (R)
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A Toda Madre

Last but certainly not least is a favorite of mine. Ok so it's technically not in Aurora city limits but its a quick 10 minute drive up the river to Geneva. A Toda Madre is the sister restaurant to Bien Trucha which we stopped at when going on a tour of Mexican eats in the area last May. Bien Trucha is one of my favorites for "fancy Mexican" and part of that is because they don't get too fancy. They just do really good food. The town is cool for a few fours too. They opened a 2nd place next door and like it's urban dictionary translation, it's totally awesome. I think A Toda Madre switched up their menu because the first time around I wasn't all that tempted by it but then I was when I saw it a half year later. More on them in another post but man are their Shrimp Doradito tacos sensational. If you're a taco aficionado like I am you probably have tried or have had the deep fried shrimp taco at Mariscos Jalisco in Los Angeles on your radar. One day I'll try them but until then, these mini ones from toda madre will definitely do. Hope you enjoyed the ride. Joliet is next.


Shrimp Doradito from A Toda Madre in Geneva
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Taqueria Durango
101 S Lasalle St
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 859-2947

Taqueria Arandense
1 N. Broadway Ave
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 770-5623

Jalisco Tacos
560 High St
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 801-1261

Taco's Maria
733 Aurora Ave
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 844-9050

Taqueria Muniz
518 S Lake St
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 896-8727

Taco Movil
470 Hinman Street
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 800-1502

Rico's Taco Stand
On Hill street near 5th
Aurora, IL 60505

Taqueria Los 4 Leones
Corner of 5th St. and Farnsworth ave
Aurora, IL 60505
(331) 454-0521

Tacos El Buey Pando
Located on New York Street
https://www.facebook.com/tacoselbueypando

A Toda Madre
416 W State St
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 845-3015

Putting in the work.. nice finds, .

Taqueria Durango's trompo caught my eye as I entered, as good as it looks:



also dug Muniz:

had to get an enchilada as they are one of my craves right now as well as a pibil taco:



Also grabbed some really good Puerto Rican lechon to take home from a spot located in a gas station on New York Street

La Isla BoriMex
1116 E. New York St.
Aurora, IL.

Aurora is bonified.

Great Post. I've been compiling a list to do an Aurora Taco Crawl when I my buddy is up here in December. I did not have a few of these spots on the list so they have now been added. I also had a few on the list that you did not write up. Just wondering if you made it to them and they weren't good enough to write about.

La Flama De Oro
746 South Lincoln Avenue
Aurora, IL 60505

Taqueria El Tio
81 South River Street
Aurora, IL 60506

La Mina
50 North Lincoln Avenue
Aurora, IL 60505

Taqueria La Cierra
1431 East New York Street
Aurora, IL 60505

Also, for the following two spots, it should be 5th Ave and not 5th St. There is a 5th St. in Aurora as well, but it goes North/South like Hill Ave and Farnsworth Ave. 5th Ave goes East/West.

Rico's Taco Stand
On Hill street near 5th
Aurora, IL 60505

Taqueria Los 4 Leones
Corner of 5th St. and Farnsworth ave
Aurora, IL 60505

the wimperoo wrote:Great Post. I've been compiling a list to do an Aurora Taco Crawl when I my buddy is up here in December. I did not have a few of these spots on the list so they have now been added. I also had a few on the list that you did not write up. Just wondering if you made it to them and they weren't good enough to write about.

La Flama De Oro
746 South Lincoln Avenue
Aurora, IL 60505

Taqueria El Tio
81 South River Street
Aurora, IL 60506

La Mina
50 North Lincoln Avenue
Aurora, IL 60505

Taqueria La Cierra
1431 East New York Street
Aurora, IL 60505

Thanks man. I haven't tried any of those you have listed, that I can remember anyway. I wanna say I saw a few of them but just don't know for sure. With the 40% and growing Hispanic population there's a ton of options (did you see this bowl of Carne en su Jugo?) and alot come and go. Let us know, I'll do the same next time I'm around. I know there's good ones I missed, I just decided to stop at ten for round one. There will be updates.

Thread title deserves some love.

Da Beef wrote:

the wimperoo wrote:Great Post. I've been compiling a list to do an Aurora Taco Crawl when I my buddy is up here in December. I did not have a few of these spots on the list so they have now been added. I also had a few on the list that you did not write up. Just wondering if you made it to them and they weren't good enough to write about.

La Flama De Oro
746 South Lincoln Avenue
Aurora, IL 60505

Taqueria El Tio
81 South River Street
Aurora, IL 60506

La Mina
50 North Lincoln Avenue
Aurora, IL 60505

Taqueria La Cierra
1431 East New York Street
Aurora, IL 60505

Thanks man. I haven't tried any of those you have listed, that I can remember anyway. I wanna say I saw a few of them but just don't know for sure. With the 40% and growing Hispanic population there's a ton of options (did you see this bowl of Carne en su Jugo?) and alot come and go. Let us know, I'll do the same next time I'm around. I know there's good ones I missed, I just decided to stop at ten for round one. There will be updates.

Absolutely on the places coming and going. The stopped at Tacos Maria back in January, as my list at that time had it as a different place. I only had a pastor and steak taco, and they weren't anything special. I'll have to give the Alambres a shot. I grew up in Aurora and that Jalisco's on High Street was where we would eat at the most. Another was Pancho's Tacos on Union, but I don't think that one is around any longer. Nowadays when I'm in Aurora, Taqueria Muniz and El Pollo Giro are the places I normally eat at.

Nice work Titus. My family had a store there when I was a kid. Haven't been back since. Will remedy that as soon as I get my passport.

Looks like it's been almost one year since this thread first hit the forum. I've got another five spots worthy of a shout-out and hope to add in some more as time goes by. Has anyone been to the outdoor Mexican driven flea market? I'm told there's some really good tacos and other food to be had there but I cant seem to find info online. I've driven by when it wasnt in session but cant seem to remember where it was located.
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Taqueria El Tio


Downtown

I rolled by this new-to-me at the time spot and checked some online reviews before deciding to stop in. Upon checking their menu inside I saw they have the popular in Aurora 'taco alambre' on the menu and I do love them so that's what I tried. As described before, alambres is a popular dish in DF. It's usually made with a main meat as well as bacon and cooked with sliced or diced bell peppers, onions and melted cheese mixed in. However the prep for them varies by location. Many spots offer different types of alambre plates and serve them with a pile of tortillas on the side while other spots serve them in taco form. El Tio has one of the better executed taco versions I've come across. They make a textbook example using steak with ham instead of bacon. As good as it looks.


Taco Alambre
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Taco Grill & Salsa Bar


Downtown

This place is a 2nd location of a spot on Ogden avenue in Westmont. They cook their steak and chicken over charcoal but I couldn't verify that on my stop in though I did smell it in the air which was weird. Their most popular taco is the al pastor and they have a spit in motion upon entry. I've tried those and the steak. While waiting you can head over to check out their first rate salsa bar which usually features over 10 options including a bunch of pickled condiments for your pleasure. The steak was just ok, it tasted like it might of had some charcoal to it but it also tasted like it was cooked the day before, I wouldn't get one again based off what I got. The al pastor was much better. Thin well crisped slices were appealing and I loved it with some of the pickled jalapenos and cabbage added on. That's one I'd stop in for again.


Carne Asada + Al Pastor Tacos
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La Chiquita Taqueria


Inside the La Chiquita Supermarket on Ashland

There's no shortage of tacos dorados options out in the FRV. Most places have them on their menu however the preparation for them can vary. La Chiquita is a local supermercado chain that has the standard taqueria attached. I stopped into there after grabbing my Cheetos 'Hecho en Mexico' which I sometimes stop by for when out this way. Their dorado is a fresh fried shell that's then stuffed with meat. Chicken came rec'd and it was pretty good considering it's just chicken. Shredded breast meat with bits of chopped jalapenos and onions was quite juicy. It'll hit the spots needed when a quick snack is in-store.


Chicken Taco Dorado
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La Tapatia


Up on the Hill

In my ongoing quest to find the best taco dorado in Aurora we may have a new leader, though the best ones are in other towns along the river. La Tapatia is a typical looking middle of the road mexican restaurant that makes a mean version. They have a fantastic spicy blend of shredded chicken which is fried in the shell while holding it in place for 30-45 seconds before taking it out and topping it with lettuce, cheese and tomato. Served with an excellent roja salsa I can see myself stopping back in for more of these. I'd also like to try some of their homemade ice cream next time around.


Chicken Taco Dorado
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Juquilita Tacos


North Aurora

There doesn't seem to be as many taco options in neighboring North Aurora but when I have a little more free time following my next meeting out there I plan on further exploring. I did stop into this place one day when riding by. I peeked the menu and the desebrada caught my eye. Shredded beef isnt as common in the city so I decided to try one here. Not knowing it came fully loaded (lettuce, tomato and cheese) I was happy it didn't because odds are I would of asked for just cilantro and onion. The addition of the LTC worked well with the cumin spiced beef.


Desebrada Taco
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Taqueria El Tio
81 S River St
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 844-6603

Taco Grill & Salsa Bar
31 N Broadway
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 332-8205

La Tapatia Restaurante Y Neveria
5 N Root St
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 701-6391

La Chiquita Taqueria
651 Ashland Ave
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 898-1501

Juquilita Tacos
18 W State St
North Aurora, IL 60542
(630) 264-3220

Da Beef wrote:Has anyone been to the outdoor Mexican driven flea market? I'm told there's some really good tacos and other food to be had there but I cant seem to find info online. I've driven by when it wasnt in session but cant seem to remember where it was located.

This one? http://foxvalleyfleamarket.net/

Da Beef wrote:

Taco Grill & Salsa Bar. Most of the salsas are hot. That's all you need to know.