-Grubbing in Chicago
New Aged Mom & Pop Mexican in Irving Park
It's been a hot minute since Chicago had a mom and pop type Mexican restaurant to get excited about but that time has passed with the recent opening of Taquizas Valdez on Irving in Irving Park.
Recently Opened in Irving Park
The menu at Taquizas Valdez is a reflection of its owner / chef. Diners can choose between the restaurants signature tacos and tortas as well as mouth watering wings or baskets of French fries loaded up with skirt steak, banana pepper fondue and beans. Ivan Valdez was born in Chicago and grew up in Logan Square where his parents ended up after emigrating to the U.S. from Mexico. Upon entry into his restaurant customers are greeted by a beautiful hand painted mural showcasing his families journey. It takes up an entire wall and includes the flags of both Mexico and the United States as well as nods to his service in the U.S. Marines Corp and fatherhood. Valdez first gained a love for cooking through his mother who he often accompanied in the kitchen as a kid before going on to work professionally in kitchens across the city including the now defunct Quiote in Logan Square.
Taco El Americano
The taco portion of a Mexican restaurants menu is pretty much the first thing I peep when looking over the menu of a new to me spot. You can get a good idea of what type of cooking they're doing based off the taco options. Too many spots serve up the same uninspired menu with the usual taco suspects - steak, chicken, and "al pastor" which I put in quotes because it's rarely the real thing. But not here where the tacos are unique and creative with options like the El Americano made with skirt steak, muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato, and lime crema on a toasted flour tortilla. Chicago wing enthusiasts should take note of the Taquiza Wings which come in four flavors - spicy red salsa , spicy green salsa, Mexican lemon pepper, or tossed in Valdez’s moms mole sauce made with three different chilies (árbol, mulato, ancho), sesame seeds, and bananas among other things. Each order comes with a refreshing made on site ranch sauce plus pickled vegetables known as ecabeche.
Mexican Lemon Pepper Wings at Taquizas Valdez
All the tortas at Taquizas Valdez start with fresh baked and heart shaped bread and the Pambazo Valdez might be my favorite Mexican sandwich in town right now. The soft but sturdy bread is dipped into a guajillo chile sauce and toasted before being loaded with a medley of sautéed mushrooms, black beans, crispy fries, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, lime crema, queso fresco, salsa macha. It’s an absolute beast of a sandwich despite containing zero meat. A recently added menu item - Mexican corn ribs with guajillo butter and lime cotija mayo - is on my to try list next time because after visiting twice it's safe to say Taquizas Valdez is the best Mexican restaurant to open in a hot minute.
Pambazo de Hongos at Taquizas Valdez
Taquizas Valdez
3038 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 681-0227
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