Best Mexican Near Michigan/Lake?

Real mexican--or something that closely resembles it--seems hard to find in downtown chicago. All I really want is a good steak taco... is that so hard to find?

I'm just curious if any one has found any places than I have... I know there are a lot of places that aren't Mexican, but might serve some tacos ...anything like that any good?

A few I've been to in the area (mostly chains) are Baja Fresh, Chipotle (not really that Mexican), Taco Fresco (not all that close), etc. There must be a little shop somewhere that I'm just missing... ?? Baja Fresh is actually one of my favs, but its a little on the overcrowded side, and I never walk out spending less than $9 or $10..

There is a more restarauntish looking place on Lake just west of Michgan, but I've never had the inclination to go in...

I have heard the Taqueria on Jackson just west of State is OK, but haven't been there (plus that'd be a 15 min walk)... I've been to a Mexican place on Wells just south of Washington, it seemed "ok" too..but again a little far.

Anything else?

dddane wrote:Real mexican--or something that closely resembles it--seems hard to find in downtown chicago. All I really want is a good steak taco... is that so hard to find? ...

Anything else?

La Cocina, on the west side of Clark just below Van Buren, is a decent spot and certainly better than the majority of other Mexican(-oid) options in or immediately around the Loop.

There have been previous discussions of this place on LTH, I believe (though it might have been on Planet Leff). If it turns up in a search, I think you'll find a similar view of the place expressed by JeffB and perhaps some others. Not great, not bad, relatively good then in its Loopish context.

Antonius

La Cocina is the best bet. Sopas y sopes are, coincidentally, your best bets because both are from scratch.

for what it's worth, I third La Cocina

the place i've been to on wells is called La Cocina... (45 N Wells..) ... is that the same owner I assume?

the one on van buren is toooo far away from me... especially now that it'swinter. i guess i'll remember when it gets warm though!

There is also a La Cocina Mexican Grill listing at 11 W. Jackson. Think its across from DePaul. I've never been there, sounds like a chain though

Still probably a little far though.

Actually, Salvador's, the place you referenced on Lake just west of Michigan, is not all that bad. I've eaten there quite a few times, usually for lunch.
While it doesn't look like much from the outside, inside it's a huge, orange, high-ceilinged, loud room with wood tables that look puny next to their massively heavy (and uncomfortable) chairs, laminated menus, your basic salsa & chips appetizer, and giant margaritas.

I'm not going to say it's the best, most authentic place around. It's a fun restaurant and certainly adequate for your basic rice-and-beans-and-tortillas Mexican. Since all you're looking for is a steak taco, it's probably worth a try.

Salvador's Barro
73 E. Lake St.
Chicago, IL
312-346-8457

The La Cocina on Van Buren is scads different than the chain of other Las Cocinas around the Loop. It is a sit-down, homey place run by a family with a broad menu and decent service, beer, etc. The other spots are typical Loop fast food, though some say they are good. They could be related, but I tend to doubt it. The uniform, relatively slick graphics and the "trade dress" is non-existent at the South Loop Cocina, which occupies a former Skid Row Chinese palace, Pago Pago, I believe. The pagoda-shaped sign remains as at so many Mexican places around town.

So, no, I don't think they are the same experience or even related. Salvador's is fine, too, IMO.

JeffB wrote:... the South Loop Cocina, which occupies a former Skid Row Chinese palace, Pago Pago, I believe. The pagoda-shaped sign remains as at so many Mexican places around town.

I think it may have been Shanghai? with some Filipino items too. Pago Pago was on Wabash, I believe.

And, for the original poster, La Cocina on South Clark wouldn't be hard to get to via the el from Michigan and Lake, right? Just a $2 surcharge for your lunch -- still cheaper than Frontera Fresco in the Fields food court, I bet.

Amata

its very interesting that there are only a handful of tacquerias in downtown chicago, and many of them seem to have the same name 'la cocina' ...

the place by depaul is the place I thought I had heard it was good...though I went to depaul for 4 years at that location, and never heard of someone eating there when it was only a block away...so maybe that says something....? maybe its the la cocina on van buren that i heard was good (which seems to be only about another block away), and I just assumed they were talking about this place...

And if you do make it to the Van Buren La Cocina for lunch, try sitting downstairs for better ambiance instead of on the noisy big-city-restaurant-like ground level: when you enter, walk to the opposite end of the room and go downstairs to be seated at one of a small number of tables in a dimmer, much quieter, more pleasant cantina-like atmosphere, temporarily away from the tumult of downtown Chicago. (...Or don't--I just wanted to write something with the word tumult in it. )

--Matt

mhl wrote:And if you do make it to the Van Buren La Cocina for lunch, try sitting downstairs for better ambiance instead of on the noisy big-city-restaurant-like ground level...

Matt:

I bet downstairs one's clothes don't pick up as much the smell of deep-fried foods. That's one thing about La Cocina I didn't like, but hopefully it is less of a problem downstairs and a little further away from the kitchen.

Antonius

I have an office across the street for Salvator's Barro and second (or third) its recommendation (for the neighborhood). I've had especially good fortune ordering off the specials board.

-ramon

its very interesting that there are only a handful of tacquerias in downtown chicago, and many of them seem to have the same name 'la cocina'

Not so hard to understand. Independently-owned and mom/pop operations are typically undercapitalized in the high-rent market Downtown. About the chains . . . I've been surprised by the large number of Mexicans buying food at the Taco Bell and Burrito Beach franchises in the food court of the building where I work. Be careful when you search for the "real" food. When you find it you may not like it.

Suerte!