Has anyone tried Frontera Fresco?

Has anyone tried out Frontera Fresco yet? I've been meaning to stop by but haven't had the chance.

Thanks!

There are some posts on Chowhound: http://www.chowhound.com/midwest/boards/chicago/messages/64796.html

Has anyone tried that Frontera Fresco in Marshall Fields? Is it worth a quick visit? Thinking about dropping in there on the way to the wine festival.

Despite working in the Loop, I've only been once (and that wasn't even on a work day). Still, I enjoyed the tamal and soup very much. They usual have some kind of tamal special along with the regulars (pork, chicken, and black bean, I believe) as well as quesadillas, soups, and salads (the menu was small, but I'm sure I'm leaving out a lot of items).

Also, when I was there, Rick Bayless was in the kitchen making notes, which bodes well for the quality.

I have only been there once -- a couple of weeks ago during the heart of the noon time lunch crush. I was quite disappointed by the chicken huarache that I ordered. The flat bread and black beans tasted like fast food quality preparation rather than something you would expect from Bayless or get from a good taqueria. I am a huge fan of Topolobampo (not so much of Frontera) so I will try another dish at Fresco before writting it off completely. I have heard others talk of enjoying the lunch at Fresco.

I've been there at least 15 times. It's a solid place. I usually get (lately) a tamale with either a salad (with queso fresco) or a bowl of tortilla soup (garnished generously with cheese and avocado). Other times, I've had the huarachas or tortas. I'm always especially happy with the tamale. The fillings in the huarachas and tortas are the same, usually a chipotle chicken, steak or mushroom and cheese. For "food court" food, it is, in my opinion, heads and shoulders above the norm, and you can have a nice lunch.

My office is two blocks away, so I have been going regularly. The tortilla soup is nothing short of awesome. The tamale with corn is extremely yummy as well. They also have a dessert "brownie" (I use that term loosely as it was much more than your regular brownie) that is to die for.

It's a little expensive for a food court lunch (as is everything in that food court), but I'd still recommend it highly.

I've eaten at the Fresco about four times. The first time, I was in hog heaven. The delicious salad with lime/cilantro vinaigrette and shrimp quesadilla really hit the spot. I was there early, so there was no wait at all.

Another time, the tortilla soup was really disappointing. I had a bowl of the elixir of the gods at Frontera Grill and there was NO comparison. I did have a really good sandwich w/puerco, beans, queso on toasted bread another time...sorry, I cannot remember the "real" name.

I think it beats any of the other greasepits in M.Field's/Macy's

Thanks!! We'll give it a shot - no time to hit Frontera proper and Field's is on the way to the wine fest...will report back with pix if possible.

It is not uncommon that I find myself daydreaming of the sweet corn, goat cheese, green chile tamales... Flavors and texture are extremely pleasing! The mango limeade is nice also. Other offerings, on the other hand, have been somewhat disappointing. Bottom line: don't go without trying a tamale.

I've found the huaraches to be very good but not quite great. Which is to say that they are an option vastly superior to most of what's in the Loop.

The last time I was there, they passed out samples of a creamy poblano and corn soup. It was fantastic. They said it's not yet on the mounted menu board, but would be available every day going forward.

-Dan

Dan, thanks for the mention of the poblano soup! I'll have to ask for that next time I go.

Ciao (or should I say Chow?)