Lazo's vs. Arturo's

I noticed that Lazo's (Western and Armitage) seems to be a bit of a joke on this board. Why is that? We like the 24-hour convenience of it and, while we haven't sampled its wares widely (mostly running in to get a few tacos or a torta in the middle of the night), I haven't noticed anything *bad* about it... We started going there when we moved to logan Square. Moving in, hungry at 2am, Arturo's looked like we might have to wait longer (and we were exhausted and just wanted to eat and go to our new home!), so we ended up at Lazo's. Is Arturo's markedly better?

On a (not really) related note: I really love reading this board. My boyfriend and I cannot afford to go out to eat too often, but when we do, I usually see what y'all have to say about a place first. Sometimes I feel pretty unsophisticated next to your collective strong opinions of food, but am happy you let me lurk here nonetheless. (And thankful that you're always kind on the few occaisions when I have posted.)

Peace,
Katharine

bluroses wrote:I noticed that Lazo's (Western and Armitage) seems to be a bit of a joke on this board. Why is that?

Katharine,

Having little recollection of any significant discussion of Lazo's on this board, I ran a couple searches and was able to find only two people who had a negative opinion of Lazo's and one other person who listed their chilaquiles verde among their 10 best meals of 2004. Unless there's a thread that I'm missing, I'd hardly consider discussion of Lazo's to be a joke. It's simply a place that no one has spoken up about (until now, of course )

I, for one, cannot dispute the convenience factor of a 24-hour taqueria near Bucktown/WP. In my opinion, this is, by far, the most redeeming quality of both Lazo's and Arturo's. During my few years as a Bucktown denizen, I sampled both places quitea few times both during the day and late at night after a few drinks. I preferred Arturo's by a pretty good margin. I'm a taco-guy---rarely, if ever going for a torta or a burrito, and I always preferred the taste of Arturo's tacos. So, in my estimation, Arturo's is markedly better than Lazo's.

(Although, if the hour is right and I'm in the area looking for Mexican flavors, I'll skip them both and head up the street to Birrieria Estilo Jalisco)

Like you said, I don't find Lazo's to be "bad" and it is convenient. But "not bad" and "convenient" don't really add up to something that I'm going to necessarily endorse.

So, please try Arturo's and let us know what you think.

Best,
Michael

No, I didn't mean to imply that there were hungry hordes disparaging, just that the only mentions I found were largely negative, and or one implied (though I am pretty sure as a joke) that one should be embarassed to eat at Lazo's. (Or at least to admit it! )

I am going to break from our habit and go to Arturo's next time we need middle-of-the-night food. That may be a little while, but I'll letcha know what I think after I do. (I don't think we've ever eaten there otherwise; hmm... what does *that* say?)

I doubt I'll convince Science Boy to try goat, but Birrieria Estilo Jalisco sounds good to me. And walking distance from home. I will definitely try it some time! Thanks!

Peace,
Katharine

bluroses wrote:I doubt I'll convince Science Boy to try goat, but Birrieria Estilo Jalisco sounds good to me....

Just distract him from the sign on the way in and tell him that "chivo" means "tasty" in English. A cold, rainy day like today is tailor-made for a hot bowl of birria.

Best,
Michael

hungry hordes disparaging

Is this from "The 12 days of LTH Forum?"

...6 Hungry Hordes Disparaging,

Five Gold Onion Rings!
Four rotisserie birds,
Three cornish hens,
Two roast ducks,

And some happiness at Litt-le Three!

No one should "dis" Lazo's without trying the barbacoa taco. Amazingly tender-rumor is cheek meat.

I don't think the joke you referred to was really meant to disparage Lazo's.

Our decision as new members of the neighborhood to visit Arturo's versus Lazo's was a flip of a coin. In the spirit of goodwill and lunch, we embarked to Lazo's and then Las Asadas (the two taco shops we have neglected in this stretch of Western) on our walk to pick up groceries this afternoon.

The Barbacoa taco at Lazo's was indeed quite good. Cheeks are a good guess, or perhaps even other more interesting parts. Very moist and flavorful. The tacos are 1.40 which is about 25 cents less than at Arturos. The burritos here are 3.65 whereas Arturo's are now closer to 5.

I was also intrigued by the mamey shake listed on the overhead menu (but not on the take out menu --really hope they still have it!). They seemed to be doing great business (there is a side with plastic booth/lunch tables and another side that looks more like a dining room).

Lazos Barbacoa Taco


Just up the block at 2072 N Western is Las Asadas, this roadside shack was packed with customers and billowing smoke. We got their carne asadas taco (1.60) and a chile rellenos taco (1.90). The tacos came with a generous cup of green salsa. The relleno had a nice bite and lots of tasty white cheese. The batter was fairly thick and the whole presentation was a bit more reminiscent of a corn dog (maybe dipped in batter and then in the fryer by the stem?) These were not light, crispy or freshly done, but what do you expect for a taco stand?

The asadas were quite tasty but we still give La Pasadita (east, near the corner of Ashland and Division) the nod, for grilling their steaks with a sear on the outside, and then slicing into medium rare chunks. Las Asadas griddles, then chops, but the steaks were a bit thinner so perhaps there was less opportunity for the charred outside, pink inside contrast to emerge. The meat was still quite moist, and had great flavor.

Las Asadas

Rellenos outside and inside





Las Asadas Carne Asada Taco



Lazo's Baracoa was our favorite of this bunch!

I was hoping to swing by Birrieria Estilo Jalisco this weekend (I even convinced Science Boy that maybe he could at least *taste* it ), but it appeared closed both last night and this afternoon. I didn't see any hours listed. Anyone know when they're open?

Peace,
Katharine

You did go to the new location, right?
That being about a block north of Danny's market on the West side of the street (as opposed to the old locale south of Danny's on the East side).

I'm not sure of the hours, but I think they always close around 7pm (or a little before), and maybe earlier on Sat.

So, science boy is a BBQ fan, but a little afraid of Goat?
BTW: We apparently live in the same neighborhood.

For me at least, the "joke" of eating at Lazo's late night had nothing to do with the food but rather walking in at 2-4am on a weekend in the middle of Mexiacan Cowboy Dance Fest VIII. Still it was good to have in walking distance late night. Durring the day I like Las Asadas much more.

So we have now tried both Lazo's and Arturo's. Each time I had 2 tacos (1 Barbacoa and 1 Pastor) and rice and beans. I liked Arturo's Pastor better (seemed crispier) and the fact that it came with slices of lime. DH liked Lazo's better, because the food came with an abundance of cilantro, and it's got a slightly better atmosphere. He didn't keep track of what he had each time, he had a sampler at Lazo's with 3 different things.

We'll try both again, I'm sure!

Hi folks,

The Griffin love for La Pasadita was hidden in this post (and also in Rainy Day Birrias). I just wanted to bump it up again since I seem to have completely missed the whole GNR process this year (sorry!). In the competition between Arturos and Lazos, we voted hands down and greasy for LA PASADITA in the CARNE ASADA category (little yellow shack on the East side of Ashland).

As a testament to our love, in many years of frequenting, I cannot find a single picture of the perfectly charred outside, and the rosy, moist inside of the steak chunks in the Pasadita taco.

This must be a consequence of the lack of self-control from smelling the tantalizing aroma of cooking steak for several minutes while you wait for them to assemble your tacos freshly grilled.

The beauty, just to articulate what has probably been said before, is that they grill the steak BEFORE they chop. The mystery, aside from the question of why there are three locations, is why all PASADITAS don't do it the same way. Its the same meat -- we've seen them walk over a tray from the kitchen across the street. Its just prepared to perfection and in front of you on the East side of the street.

Reliable any time of day. A quick lunch on the way to Stanley's, or late at night. A much loved neighborhood fixture, that I am sure someday soon will be eclipsed by drab soulless condos on all sides.

I just hope they stand their ground! I am sure the previous posts have been helpful to others as they were to us in aiding newcomers to which Pasadita. They are one of our personal GNRs.

Our other two cents are hearty endorsements for Old Fashioned Donuts. The apple fritter is sublime, and the cream filled donuts have real cream and sugar in the filling. We visited on our way to Flossmoor/Three Floyds/Liquor Stop, and hit Calumet Fisheries on the way back. A slight variation on the southside foodie loop.

We also have great love for Khan BBQ, loved it in the old location, love it perhaps even more (if that's possible) in the new form.

Kuma's is great as a concept -- but as others have noted, in our experience the burgers were overdone and dry (asked for Med Rare, got grey). And whatever you do, do not order the caeser salad (iceberg with croutons from a box, thick icky dressing and frozen parmesan shreds -- get the mixed greens if you can't have the fries).

cheers and happy voting!
gw

i think i prefer Arturo's over La Pasadita and definitely preferred over Lazo's.

I seem to be the only person. Arturo's offers many many choices of meat and all are excellent. Their tongue/lengua is really a treat, much better than la pasadita.

my favorite item is probably the gorditas! i'll be honest, i never knew this was a real Mexican food item. I used to assume that it was invented by Taco Bell. for only $2.50 one is a small lunch on its own.