Takos Koreanos

I'd like to see a restaurant last longer than 2 years in this location on Foster Ave. (Takos Koreanos is the third iteration of 3 Mexican themed restaurants in this space over the past 6 years).

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", however if any of you are familiar with Roy Choi's Kogi BBQ Truck(s) in the Los Angeles area, and are expecting something similar, you will be as disappointed as I was with Takos Koreanos.

The Beef Barba Korea fries w/ braised short ribs ( pretty catchy name for an appetizer) and garnishes are nothing more than the frozen supermarket shoestring potatoes topped with a bland version of kalbi. KoKo's Guacamole with their version of the ubiquitous Korean "kimchi", was unremarkable as well.

Other taco fillings to add to the "lack-luster list "would be the chicken Barba Korea and the eggplant ( the eggplant was especially tasteless and wasn't even warm ) . There are two "kalbi" selections on the taco menu. Go with the "marinated" as opposed to "braised if you get tacos. The taco fillings with the most flavor were the spicy pork and/or chicken. The fried tilapia came hot out of the frying pan, so, the panko crust was crispy.

I ordered the combo taco plate so I could sample the fried rice and potato salad. Once again, not like the flavorful "banchan" style potato salad you might get at a Korean restaurant. The fried rice was acceptable, and may have been the only "fusion"dish on the menu that had elements both of Asian and Mexican fried rice dishes.

Overall, if dining on a budget is at the top of your list, Takos Koreanos is very inexpensive. It's terrific that its a BYOB, and the staff is courteous and friendly, Conceptually, I think the fusion of Korean & Mexican food can be terrific. The Kogi empire of food establishments in L.A. prove that. Unfortunately, Takos Koreanos offering look awesome on paper, but are only mediocre, at best.

Takos Koreanos
1706 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

I agree- doing Fusion-right-
ain't so easy!

Add this disappointed Korean Taco joint to the ever-growing list-
including the one on Kimball across from The Brown Line.

Thanks for saving me a "bad meal"- and for takin' one-for-the-team.!

I actually really enjoyed the tacos here. I've never been to any of the Kogi places, so maybe it's just that I don't have anything to compare it to, but I thought all the tacos I tried were very tasty. In fact, my only complaint about the place is that it is cash only, so I don't go as often as I'd like because I never have cash.

Takos Koreanos, a Korean-Mexican fusion restaurant that opened in August 2014 at 1706 W. Foster Ave., plans to shutter within days.

http://chicago.eater.com/2017/3/1/14777 ... more-intel