5 More Tacos...

-Eating like a Mayan King in the Windy City

Chicago is well known for our Pizza, Hot Dogs, Italian Beefs and a few other treats native to the city. No tacos arent indigenous to Chicago but they can be found on pretty much each and every block in all sorts of styles. Chicago is one of the best places in the world (outside of Mexico) to eat Mexican cuisine. It would be impossible to make a special trip to each and every taqueria in town but I try as many as I can, especially ones that for one reason or another stand out. So here are five more tacos spots from Chicagoland to which I have been.
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Big Star Taco Lounge


Chicago's most trendiest taqueria located in Bucktown

Despite the fact you have never seen a post on Big Star here on the site, that doesn't mean I don't like. First off I'm still waiting on time to get up some of my favorite food spots in Chi, so just because they haven't been featured doesn't mean I don't get there. While I'm the first to admit I'm not Bucktown's biggest fan, I'll also be the first to admit Big Star does it right. The popular stop for whiskey and tacos has been a hit with residents since they first opened two years ago. The menu is small and that allows them to do it well. On top of tacos they offer Sonoran Hot Dogs, a chicken tostada, salad and chips and guac too. The tacos are my go-to but the tostada is great too. Consistency has varied over time but it's usually better than good.

Big Star Chicken Tostada

The taco menu at Big Star has a little bit of it all with the exception of a beef/steak stuffed one. I think the fish taco is just ok and I'm not a Veg-Head so I never get the offerings with no meat. For me I tend to get the same two each and every time. While the al pastor is not cut from a spit the authentic and much preferred way, it's still very good. In fact it's the best pastor I have had that wasn't freshly cut. Perfectly crisped and well seasoned I enjoy the pineapple on top and eat these monthly. Then theres the tacos de panza, pork belly tacos, how can these not be good? They're great when they're on when super crispy and one of my favorite tacos in the city.


Taco Al Pastor (L) Taco De Panza (R)
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Carniceria La Villa #2


On Grand ave in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood

Of the 1000's of taquerias in Chicagoland, many of them double as butcher shops/grocers. It's hard to go a block in the heavier Mexican populated parts of town without passing one of these neighborhood groceries. It makes sense when everything they need to make a meal is stocked in store and many Mexicans and folks from all races for that matter who are from the working class enjoy a few tacos for lunch. I tried the skirt steak tacos from La Villa #2 this past summer and got a real nice bang for my buck. The steak wasn't char grilled fresh but it did have a nice char taste and some juiciness left. At under $5 for two these were something I'd eat often if I lived near there.


Dos tacos de carne asada y queso, onions, cilantro
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Super Tacos


At Manheim Road and Lake Street in Stone Park, IL

I passed by Super Tacos and noticed it for the cool looking old school building it sits in. Then I saw the 'tacos al pastor' sign seen on the window in the pic above and I pulled in to try them. You can see the fresh spit of meat they advertise and it was a pleasant surprise to also see the spit in motion as I entered.

Spit Roasted Pork Meat

Unfortunately that's about where the good signs stopped. Despite the roast being in place the men behind the counter never shaved the meat for my taco off of it. The place wasn't busy and it really should of been done the real way because then it might of been a good taco. Instead it was most likely cut off hours or maybe a day or two before my arrival and then reheated on the flattop and served dry with little goodness. The best places for al pastor are the ones that do it right which takes time, there are no shortcuts with it.


Tacos al pastor from Super Tacos
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Lauro's Tacos


On 26th Street in the Little Village neighborhood

When you take a drive down 26th street (South Lawndale) you can be taken to Mexico after just a couple blocks of riding. The Little Village or La Villita neighborhood is actually one of the cities largest communities with 1,000's of business that make their home there. Nowadays its predominantly Mexican and is also known as "Mexico of the Midwest". I couldn't tell you how many taquerias there are in La Villita but I can promise theres almost too many to try solo. I was attracted into Lauro's when I saw they do handmade tortillas.

Chili Rellano Taco

It is somewhat surprising that considering how many Mexican restaurants Chicago has that only so few do tortillas in house. But the (legit) reason for this is Chicago also has something like 6 or 7 tortilla factories all of which play a huge role in the local economy. Most taquerias and carnicerias get them delivered daily and their still warm when they use or sell them. But I still like a thicker handmade tortilla and Lauro's had those. They were very good and I liked the chili rellano taco very much. However the other fillings (steak and Tripa) were just ok. This is the biggest problem with the countless places the city has to offer, many of them are just average. But this is no different than anywhere else. The reason the alright places are just average is because there's so many places for great ones. What I'm trying to say is the average taco joint in Chicago would be one of the better ones in many other spots.


Carne Asada (L) and Tripas (R) Tacos
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Taqueria Ochoa


On 47th Street in Back of the Yards

Another one of the cities more ethnic and interesting streets to chow is 47th street. Stretching from Hyde Park all the way west you'll come across all sorts of different cuisine from all sorts of varying backgrounds. There's a couple stretches along 47th that are full of Mexican flare and I tried Taqueria Ochoa along one of them last spring. What got me in was their specialty of al pastor but I was saddened when I went in and there was no spit. I still opted to try one and instead also got one of their other forte's a taco de cabeza or 'head taco' too. The al pastor was ok. It wasn't a Sat. or Sun. so I would hope maybe they do a real spit on weekends and this meat was leftover and previously shaved off.

Taco al Pastor

The cabeza was actually pretty good, once you get past the fact it's the cows head your eating. It's steamed and rich in flavor making it perfect for a taco. Throw it in a tortilla and add on some onions and cilantro and a squirt of salsa and you got a meal. What really intrigued me though was the fact they serve carne en su jugo (on WKDS only) and traditionally the broth for this Jaliscan soup is made with the head of the cow and the meat is shredded and used in the soup. Now that cold weather is back it's my plan to get back and try that. Do stay tuned.


Taco de Cabeza from Taqueria Al Ochoa
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Big Star
1531 N. Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 235-4039

Carnicería La Villa #2
5800 W. Grand ave
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 622-5453

Super Taco
1500 N. Manheim Road
Stone Park, IL 60165
(708) 223-2245

Lauro's Tacos
3443 W. 26th Street
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 823-1554

Taqueria Ochoa
4151 W. 47th Street
Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 273-5144

Mexican Danger Dogs

-Eating like a Mayan King in the Windy City

I said it was going to be one hell of ride all the way thru summer over here and I'm very excited for our next stop. Is there anything more summer than baseball and hot dogs? You can expect a few dog joints to be popping up here and there as baseball season and then summer near. But for today stop we have a place that serves a dog that's so different from the rest. In fact Delicias Mexicanas Restaurant, as it is called, was just a hot dog cart not too long ago. What started out as a lady known as the hotdoguera who had a cart at 26th & St Louis serving Mexican Hot Dogs turned into her dream when she moved into a storefront on 26th street in Little Village. Its amazing that Daley and his buddies wont allow food trucks and carts in this city, it would work wonders for all. But they're too dumb to see how. Well the tamale lady from Clark and Pratt featured here and the hot dog lady were about to check out are fine examples of why it would work along with so many other ones. That however is for another time.


In Little village right across the street from another S'C'&C fav, Troha's

So what exactly is this Mexican hot dog you ask? well its also known as the "Danger Dog" or the "Tijuana Bacon Dog" and it is popular on carts in Mexico and in parts of southern California. Its made up of a child's hot dog aka a cheap one and then wrapped in bacon and cooked on a griddle and topped with grilled onions, mustard, ketchup, lime mayo, and jalapenos. Even as a born and raised Chicagoan who lives in the land of the Champion when it comes to hot dogs, I'm willing to call this thing a beautiful monster because that's just what it is. Might sound like alot and I thought the same but I love them now and sometimes even crave them.


Called the Hot Dog con tocino at Delicias Mexicanas

I read from a friend in the hot dog game that these dogs became illegal in Southern California because "health department there said that all street dogs had to be steamed or boiled, not griddled or grilled" and so that was the end of the Mexican danger dog but a still few remain lurking around ready to serve the fiends that cant get enough Danger Dog in them. I cant explain why but for some reason all these ingredients added onto a bun make for a mighty fine hot dog. One of the main ingredients are the onions fried in bacon grease which comes from the dogs which are wrapped in bacon and cooked right next to the onions.


Hot Dog con tocino aka Mexican Danger Dog from Delicias

Coincidentally enough the hotdoguera worked her cart at 26th and St. Louis "illegally" too just like the vendors in Southern Cali that serve these today do. Believe it or not she was actually taken to Cook County jail and locked up for doing so. A complete joke but she was. But after years of pushing a cart she now has her own spot and at $2 a dog these are a must try for any hot dog aficionado. I cant speak for the rest of the menu and to be honest it looks rather plain. However I was told from those that tipped me on this lady a few years ago that they have excellent pozole and soups on weekends. If you needed any other excuse to visit well its open til 5am on the weekends. The exact origin of this popular south of the border hot dog is unknown but what is known is that they are a special treat deserved by all after you've had a few of the cocktails and shots beforehand. One quick tip its said the night team makes up a much better dog than the daytime crew.


Close up of the inside: Bacon Wrapped Danger Dog

Delicias Mexicanas Restaurant
4148 West 26th Street
Chicago, IL 60623-4312
(773) 522-5009

Christmas Tamales

-Eating like a Mayan King in the Windy City
Chicago's Bounty of Tamales

Its the holiday season and 'tis the time for tamales. They are a big part of the Christmas time tradition in Mexican families. Its during the holiday season that an entire family will gather in the kitchen and make 100's of the families tamale recipe to be shared with friends and family during the celebration. Its a tradition that comes from Mexico and is very popular in Northern Mexico and all around the USA today. Tamales, which can take an army and a days time to make are made by generations and recipes and tips are passed down every Christmas season. Its not just the hunks of heaven in a husk but also the time spent with loved ones making food with love that is loved by all that makes it an important family tradition. Over time it has become accustom to bring large batches of tamales to Christmas parties and to share them with co-workers, employees etc...


Christmas time is Tamale time

There is certainly no shortage of tamale vendors in Chicago. It should be no problem getting your batch of x-mas tamales ready to go this holiday season should you not have the time, patience or skills necessary to make them yourself. Just be sure to place your order at least a week in advance because the places that make them, go through them like lotto tickets on a record jackpot week during the days leading up to Christmas. I'm someone who's been eating tamales since I was 6-7 years old and they have always been one of my favorite foods. I've traveled North, South, East and West around Chicagoland going on 12 years now and I have tried 100's and 100's of tamales. Here are a few that I can personally and highly recommend this tamale season. Let me just say that you cant go wrong with any of these five spots. They are Chicago's all 1st team tamale mavens. So with that, here are Chicago's best tamales.

La Casa Del Pueblo Taqueria

In Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood

As far as store bought or restaurant made tamales go-La Casa Del Pueblo is the current 5+ year reigning champ in my search. Granted its been on again and off again they are the most consistent and closest to me of all the places on this list. My definition of a perfect tamale is a heavily spiced light fluffy dough that basically melts on your tongue when eating them. I also like a nice meat to masa ratio and La Casa Del Pueblo is the most consistent with having the best dough. Since they're smaller they only fit so much meat inside but still these tamals are always excellent. I still remember when I first found this cafeteria style dining spot that is the restaurant part to the supermarket next door. Its a steam plate cafeteria that has a menu a mile long. Every cook in the kitchen is an old Mexican lady and the meals are homestyle goodness to say the least. But its the tamales that really stand out here. I always order red pork when it comes to choosing a type, its my favorite by far. They go quick and and can run out but usually have them because they make so many. I go here all the time when I need to pick up a bunch of tamales. Although on the smaller side they pack the most punch flavor wise. You can grab them by the half dozen and whole dozen to go.

Tamale Greatness at La Casa Del Pueblo
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Tamales Lo Mejor De Guerrero


In Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood

Tamales Lo Mejor De Guerrero is a one stop shop. Aside from the Pozole Menudo and tamal Oaxaca's available on weekends, its tamales only (available everyday) at this shop on North Clark in Rogers Park. The place is owned and run by Senora Bustamante, who used to sell her tamales on Sunday mornings in front of the McDonald's at Clark and Pratt. About three years ago she made the move to a storefront where her fabulous product is now available six days a week. Senora's tamales are of the Guerrerense style and are some of the best out there. Its become one very popular spot for breakfast and lunch since its opening. All of her loyal customers from her days on the corner selling them out of a cooler, file in regularly for their favorite tamales. If a place can survive with slanging nothing but masa rolls filled with meat or veggies and sometimes fruit...you know its good.


The entire menu at Tamales Lo Mejor De Guerrero

What your going to get here are some plump, juicy and an air-like fluffiness. The tamales are handmade daily in the back by some lovely Mexican grandmas who have perfected the art of making them. Its very obvious these aren't machine made because some are hotter than others and contain more sauce while others have more meat etc...My favorites are...you guessed it, the pork in roja and they contain a decent amount of heat. Its these tamales that remind me most of the ones I used to enjoy as a kid. This particular style is unlike any other around town and I must say that when I make it up there, they're always my favorite. One last tip-don't bother getting just one or two, you'll be pissed you didn't get a dozen and have some for later.

Tamales fit for a King at Tamales Lo Mejor De Guerrero

The inside of a roja pork from Tamales Lo Mejor De Guerrero
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Manolo's Tamales

In Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood

Manolo's puts their tamales in their restaurants name so they should be good. When I drove by this little place on Kedzie one day a year or so back, I had to stop in and try them. Having never seen it before or heard of the place, it had me wondering what I might be missing. The family run joint is your typical looking taqueria with your typical menu with some tamales that are not so typical. I guess they're the namesake for a reason. When you walk in and walk up to the counter to order you will see a large pot with the days tamales steaming away. They keep it simple and offer both meat (pork and chicken) in either red or green sauce along with fruit filled tamales. Its all about the pork in roja for me.


Tamale perfection from Manolo's

Manolo's tamales are well sized and bigger than most. They also taste better than most and are one of my favorites. I would say they also have more lard than most because these are very juicy and have a great texture and can sometimes slip out of your hands. Manolo's isn't shy about adding extra anything and these are nicely sized due to the generous amount of pork inside. I will rarely order less than a half dozen if not a whole when ordering tamales from anywhere. There's no reason not to when they will rarely cost you more than $10 for a dozen and they reheat so well. I visit the Manolos in Gage Park but they also have a location at 4706 West 63rd Street near Midway.


Juicy Meaty Goodness from Manolo's
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Taqueria El Milagro


In Chicago's Little Village neighborhood

We've already featured the wonderful tamales at El Milagro right HERE. As mentioned in that article, I have long loved the product from here and they never disappoint. I would say that the best part of Milagro's homemade tamales is the pork inside but also the masa is full of flavor too. Each tamale has more meat than any other tamales I have had. Its also different with the meat inside. You'll get well spiced cubed pieces of pork rather than the typical shredded pork you'll find in most others. Just like the rest of the spots on here, Milagro does a big tamale business and between the 8+ flavors they have, they can run out on busy days. Learn more about the 26th street favorite for great Mexican eats by clicking HERE.


Tremendous Tamales at El Milagro
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Mr. Tamales


Can be found around the bars of Chicago's Bucktown & Wicker Park 'hoods

If you run around from bar to bar in Bucktown/Wicker Park then you know this man. If the trendy hipster neighborhoods that they are, have anything going for it, its this guy. Now this is one hip dude. Mr. Tamales has been around since I was using a fake ID around town back in the early 2000's. I already gave him his dues in an article that can be seen HERE. Over the years he and his wife's godly good tamales have developed a cult following and hes gone onto rock star status. Whats not to love about a dude who pops out of nowhere when your having drinks yelling "hot tamales"? On top of the delivery service to the bar which is good enough, they're also a top notch tamale and one of Chicago's best late nite eats. Common bars he can be found at are Nicks Beer Garden, Map Room and Bar Deville. Which are all great drinking establishments. Click HERE for more on the man and his goods.


Late Nite Tamale craving goodness from Mr. Tamales
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La Casa Del Pueblo
1810 South Blue Island Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608-3098
(312) 421-4640



Tamales Lo Mejor De Guerrero
7024 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60626-2406
(773) 338-6450



Manolo's Tamales
5341 S. Kedzie ave
Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 436-7029

Taqueria El Milagro
3050 W 26th St
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 847-9407‎

Mr. Tamales
Found Wed.-Sat. & other busy nights in the
Bucktown/Wicker Park Neighborhood bars
MySpace Page
Twitter Locater

Top Notch Taco's & Tamale's

-Eating like a Mayan King in the Windy City

You would be pretty damn hard pressed to find a white boy out there that has eaten as many tacos and tamales as I have. Growing up in Lincoln Park before it became a yuppie zone there were many Mexican Corner Cafes that ran out of old houses and had a restaurant on the bottom and living space on top. These spots were true family restaurants. Within a 6 mile radius one had the choice of Lindo Mexico (RIP) El Sol (RIP) Las Fuentes, El Presidente, Mi Casa Su Casa (RIP) Taco Burrito Palace #2, Fiesta Mexicana, Allende and the list goes on and on and I've been and went to them all. This is just in early 90's Lincoln Park mind you. So imagine my joy the first time I ever made it to 26th st. for some Mexican eats.


Chicago's La Villita neighborhood

If I knocked you out with a mini white Sox bat and blindfolded your head until you woke up a few hours later and dropped you off on 26th st. you would think you were in Mexico and wouldn't have a clue your still in the USA. Mexicans from all over the Midwest visit Little Village’s vibrant 26th street retail district for the kinds of goods they could only find back home. It is also home to many restaurants that serve authentic Mexican food in a festive setting, La Villita is also a tourist destination for non-Latinos as well. Particularly people who love them some of the best Mexican food anywhere. It also happens to be the home to one of my favorite lunch destinations in the city.


another gem on 26th street

Taqueria El Milagro is the restaurant/cafeteria portion (one of 3 locations) to the El Milagro empire. El Milagro also happens to be one of the countries main tortilla suppliers and one of the 5+ tortilleria factories located in Chicago. Right next door to the 26th st. cafeteria they have a store where you can purchase masa preparada or simply ground along with pre-made tortillas and tortilla chips. The cafeteria and the store always have a steady flow of people and during lunchtime Taqueria El Milagro is thee spot of choice for the officers/employees of Cook County Jail. I'm sure its also the first stop for just released inmates and former residents of it who coudlnt wait to get themsleves something other than a bologna sandwich. The food is that good and because of it the clientele is as varied as the selection of homemade tamales they offer.


I buy them by the dozen baby

I have actually known about and been eating at Taqueria El Milagro since my HS days when they had a location in Lakeview on Belmont. It closed for remodeling about six years ago if not longer and the sign still says the same thing but nothing has changed-I don't think shes coming back. So there was a time in high school when me and my friends would eat at Milagro when sober-well not drunk anyway-during the day and shit faced a later in the night over at TBP#2. I forget how we came across Milagro but we knew the first time we tried it that it was the real deal. The steak tacos were the best in the area and the tamales were the best I have ever had and still are some of the best I've had to this day. It took the closing down of the Belmont spot for me to search the internet about five years ago and find an even better cafeteria style Milagro 26th street with the same great tamales and even better food.


The grill is always flaming during the lunch hours


El Milagro has a no doubt top-5 tamale in the city

When you first walk into the place you go to your right where your greeted by the tamale menu shown above and the grill loaded with with skirt steak and you place your order with one of ladies behind the counter. You can order cafeteria style from the hot case or anything else on the menu that's made to order. The menu is splendid and valuable both up and down and considering they make the tortillas (even if its at their factory) I'm pretty sure the only thing on the menu that isn't homemade is the pop selection. I enjoy both the red and green chilaquiles and guisado selections and always have to get at least three roja tamales. You shouldn't expect there too be many tamals left after 3p though so get there early if your plan is to pick up a few dozen. Its great to have them in your fridge or buy a bunch for a party.


The best dollar you'll spend this year and next and last and ever

The other item I love at Milagro oh so much is the unorthodox steak taco. Unlike any other taco I have eaten in the city it comes with a piece of steak-yep just one piece. No there not being stingy with it-they take a hunk of skirt steak and char grill it to juicy perfection and throw the piece of cooked meat onto a tortilla spread with rice and beans and top it with a cabbage slaw. It's different and definitely my favorite taco that's not made in the traditional tacos de carne asada fashion-this is why it doesn't get ranked in the Got Beef? steak tacos ranking system. When topped with some slaw it becomes one of the best tacos anywhere and this is some of the best homestyle Mexican cooking your going to find in Chicago or Mexico-so anywhere for that matter.


disassembled steak taco


more filling than your average taco

Taqueria El Milagro
3050 W 26th St
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 847-9407‎

Chicago's First Family of Shrimp: The Troha's

-The Shrimp Shacks of Chi

Everyone knows about Chicago's legendary hot dog stands, pizza shacks, Italian Beef's, basketball god's and football coaches but not too many know about the fried shrimp shacks. Although the amount of shacks serving up fried shrimp and other fried seafood and chicken has gone down over the years there are a number that remain. There are two things that all the shrimp shacks around town have in common. They are almost always family owned and the ones that remain in business have been around for a while. Its a trend that was started by the Troha's when they opened up shop at the current location back in 1920 over on 26th st. The sign on the exterior read "A stein of beer and a bowl of chili for 5 cents" So how did they go from a chili parlor that served beer to fried shrimp shack?


a familiar sign in Chicago's Little Village

It was during the great depression when chili meat became scarce that Troha's had to resort to selling fresh and smoked fish instead. It was 15 years after first opening its doors in 1920 that Mr. Troha took a trip to New Orleans. It was on this trip that he and the family fell in love with fried shrimp and decided to scratch chili and beer from the menu and become Chicago's first fried shrimp shack. It started a trend that became big and soon after many others started popping up around town. Then during the 40's and 50's these smoked and fried seafood shacks thrived and continued to do so leading up to the 80's. However just like any other city experiencing growth and real estate boom many of the neighborhood shacks are no more and its becasue of this that the ones that remain all have a lengthy history. But none as old as Troha's.


So you know its good


Troha's is strictly carry-out so its best to order ahead

You don't stay in business for 89 years and not perfect the art of golden deep frying. The menu at Troha's is pretty much a "if its good fried then we got it" type thing. Along with various forms of seafood that include shrimp, scallops, catfish, perch, whitefish, smelt you got stuff like fried chicken, frog legs and pork tenderloin. Just in case you need something that didn't come from a deep fryer they also have various salads such as crab, potato and macaroni along with cole-slaw available in different sizes. As the years passed by Troha's remained, and still does, the same. A few changed were made here and there like adding fried chicken to the menu circa 1959. The chicken is still fried to the exact same recipe as the original and the secret ingredient remains a mystery to this day. Some of the best fried chicken in Chicago can be found at Troha's.


The Seal of Approval


a perfectly fried wing...


...which the same can be said for the leg


chix-dinner gets you a breast, thigh, leg, wing with fries, slaw and a pickle for under $10

Like everyplace else that becomes legendary over time you need a signature dish to gain popularity and help you stay afloat and that item is the shrimp. I don't know what the people of New Orleans told the founding father of Troha's about perfecting the art of fried shrimp but the told him everything he needed to know. The shrimp comes out perfectly fried to a golden exterior with just the right amount breading (very light) mixed with secret spices. The size is right and the price is too. With a dinner order you get about 8-10 scrimp with fries and slaw and its also available by the 1/4, 1/2 lb etc... They offer two dipping sauces for your fried seafood along with tarter sauce and I prefer the hot which is a mixture of cocktail sauce and hot sauce. This my friends is the best fried shrimp in Chicago.


Hot Sauce for some dippin'


Smelt in season are always good for me


fried shrimp perfection

Despite a massive change to the neighborhood, nothing else has changed at Troha's. Unlike so many other family businesses it has been able to survive past the 2nd generation with no ruffles over ownership and is now run by 3rd and 4th generation family members. The neighborhood of Little Village has evolved into the largest community of Mexican people outside of Mexico and is a food destination in its own right. So when your sitting around bored one day this summer with nothing to do-take a ride down 26th St. You get to check out out one of Chicago's premiere food strips with a heavy emphasis on Mexican street eats and then get some Chicago style fried shrimp at one of the city's most historic food stops. Its a great 1-2 punch.

Troha's Shrimp & Fish House
4151 W 26th St
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 521-7847
Menu