Taqueria 5 De Mayo (sister restaurant to Asadero)

I saw some work being done and then a grand opening sign for a new Mexican restaurant on Montrose, where Tina's Best Beef used to be, very near to where I live. (Tina's had terrible beef, by the way.) I was excited for a new place, especially new Mexican. After stopping by to check it out, I'm both excited but a bit let down. Let down because I will not be getting a "new" restaurant at all. It is a "sister" restaurant to Asadero, just a stone's throw down Montrose, owned and run by the same people. As of now the menu is identical to Asadero, as is the food.

Asadero is one of my favorite taco spots in the city, so I'm not going to complain that a sequel opened up closer to home, but it is kind of strange that they didn't bother to switch up the menu a bit considering how close they are to each other. It would have been nice to see what else they do well.

I ate a steak taco. It was grilled up on the same type of grill they use at Asadero. It tasted identical. It was very very good. Again, no complaints other than the fact that it was never a problem for me to walk 10 minutes down the road to Asadero proper. The owner was there working the grill and I chatted with him about why there are so many Mexican places around the area, but none of them have that great of food. He put it succinctly, stating that they don't make up the food fresh. He is right, and in the 100 visits I have made to Asadero, all 100 off my Asada orders went directly from flame to cutting board to tortilla. No holding. 5 De Mayo was no exception to their standard. Even though the place was empty, the grill and griddle were both already hot and ready to be put to work. He quickly threw the skirt steak over the flames and heated up my tortillas on the griddle. As I had been with Asadero, I will likely be at 5 De Mayo multiple times a month.

Taqueria 5 De Mayo
2415 W. Montrose Ave,
Chicago, IL 60618

Did you ask him if he has plans to expand the menu into anything new, now that he had both spots?

boudreaulicious wrote:Did you ask him if he has plans to expand the menu into anything new, now that he had both spots?

I did ask if he intended to add anything to the menu or change things up from Asadero, and he gave me the expected "yeah, maybe" kind of response. In other words, probably not. In response to the same question, he also expressed regret that he wasn't able to find a larger space. This new space is roughly the same size as Asadero.

I stopped back in today with Gwiv. The place was half full at moments, with a few table turnovers while we ate, which isn't so bad for lunch considering how new it is. Having passed this space daily when it was Tina's, it is still odd for me to see anyone in there at all. My asada taco again was spot on, but I especially enjoyed the freshly fried chips with fresh guac, the most enjoyable I have had in a long time. There is something mysterious about a Guacamole that can taste better than others. It's mashed up avocado, how hard could it be? Their guac is very chunky, lots of cilantro, onions, and little else. It is very light on both the salt and lime.

I think the two biggest variables that determine guacamole texture(apart from how chunky it is-I'm talking more about how it can start to have a slimy feel in the mouth) and flavor are the ripeness of the avocado used, and also how long the guacamole sits after it is made.

laikom wrote:enjoyed the freshly fried chips with fresh guac,

Enjoyable lunch at Taqueria 5 De Mayo, very good guac, crisp fresh chips, freshly made chile relleno, tasty lengua, friendly efficient owner and reasonable prices, especially given Laikom paid for lunch.

I was never a fan of Asadero, only for the fact the fixed cafeteria style tables are uncomfortable for my oversize body, Taqueria 5 De Mayo has regular tables and chairs, is open daily 10am - 10pm and will go in my taco rotation.

Taqueria 5 De Mayo, count me a fan.

G Wiv wrote:I was never a fan of Asadero, only for the fact the fixed cafeteria style tables are uncomfortable for my oversize body....

Thanks for mentioning this, I've got some XXL friends coming over from Europe & had forgot about the seating arrangement at Asadero, so we'll switch to Tacqueria 5 de Mayo.

Is Taqueria 5 De Mayo a BYOB restaurant?

Sweet Willie wrote:Is Taqueria 5 De Mayo a BYOB restaurant?

While I have not seen anyone drink alcohol there I would guess yes, though it never hurts to call.

I am pretty sure I've seen a byob sign on the door or window.

laikom wrote:I am pretty sure I've seen a byob sign on the door or window.

thanks

I also verified, they are indeed BYOB like Asadero