Irie Jerk Bar & Grill

-Grubbing in Chicago

Legit Jamaican before (and after) Chicago Cubs Baseball

Chicago's food scene lost a knowledgeable person and all around good guy recently. Some of my readers will know who I'm talking about but others will not. He goes by @Kennethaz on twitter and he was in my opinion one of the must follows on twitter should you be immersed in the Chicago food scene. Not only well informed on the restaurant scene here in the city and wherever else he was traveling but also a straight shooter who often made me chuckle. Anyways I knew Kenny from a few times hanging out at Toons and he will be missed. While I've made it seem like he's gone forever he's not as his family just moved to Massachusetts. Anyways it was a tip from Kenny that led me to Irie.

Newly Opened in Wrigleyville 

Irie Jerk Bar is the product of an Owner/Chef who learned to cook growing up in his homeland of Jamaica. He also spent time at different restaurants in the Caribbean before coming to Chicago and opening this bar. There's a cool article in the old DNAInfo (now Block Club Chicago). Well when Kenny mentioned there's legit Jamaican in Wrigleyville of all places I knew I was headed there at some point which would probably be my next Cubs game. I went to a game a few weeks ago and Irie was our pre-meal stop. I got some jerk chicken and drank Red Stripe while sitting at the bar and listening to dope Jamaican dancehall. I loved it. Both the food and the atmosphere. The jerk was just grilled (not baked) and thus not dry at all. Sometimes it can be as it's rarely made to order. The house jerk sauce wasn't as hot as I like but I loved the fact they had bottles on tables. No begging for extra. On top of all this they stay open late so it's also a great post-game meal. Go check them out.

Jerk Chicken Dinner at Irie Jerk Bar & Grill

Irie Jerk Bar & Grill

3404 N Clark St

Chicago, IL 60657

(872) 802-4999

Rice N Bread

-Grubbing in Chicago  
Korean Diner Food in Wrigleyville

Baseball is back! My Cubs are once again looking like contenders (I dont care about the slow start). What's looking a bit different these days is Wrigleyville. Lots of new buildings and with them new businesses. If you watched any type of local news this past week I'm sure you saw all the change. It's not the end of the world for me as money is what you need to win and the Ricketts family seems to be stacking cash these days. As long as they stay winning then who the hell cares if people from Iowa like to make a vacation of a weekend at Wrigley. The change started happening long before the Ricketts arrived anyways. Long gone is Yum Yum Donuts and Hamburger King is only a shell of it's former self. But at least in the case of HK you can still get a little piece of it at Rice N Bread.

Locals Favorite in Wrigleyville 

For those unaware Hamburger King was the name of the business where Rice N Bread now exists. The owners of Rice N Bread bought the business from Hamburger King's owner Sonia a couple years ago. Part of the deal was that Sonia would stay on for about six months and help the family ease into their new venture. With that they kept a few of the classics that made HK a legend in the area. I still go here mainly for those items. Stuff like Akutagawa as well as rice and gravy. But when the family took over they added an almost entirely new menu with a bunch of Korean favorites. To learn more about the dishes from Hamburger King that they kept on the menu click HERE. Today's post features a few of the new dishes that I've enjoyed since they took over. Items like Dolsat Bi Bim Bop below.

Dolsot Bi Bim Bop at Rice N Bread 

To get a gauge on any Korean restaurants food start with the bi bim bop. Extra points for places cooking it in a Dolsot aka stone bowl. This allows the rice on the bottom to get nice and crispy and that to me is the deal breaker between a good and great bi bim bop. Other items I've liked include the spicy don galbi which are marinated pork ribs with a similar eating style to Italian neckbone gravy.

 Spoicy DonGalbi (pork ribs) at Rice N Bread 

On Thursday they have a bacon kimchi fried rice special. It's the inspiration for one of my signature dishes that I've kind of created over the last couple years. The first time I tried this dish at Rice N Bread it was about as good as any fried rice I'd ever tried. Unfortunately a second visit for it wasn't nearly as good. From my own experiences in coming up with the perfect recipe it tasted like they cooked the kimchi too long on the second try. Hopefully that was just a one off. In the end this is one of the only places I would recommend going for food before or after the game as most of the bars and newer spots push nothing but inflated prices on average goods. If you want a taste of Old Wrigley stop at Rice n Bread for Akutagawa and then go sip Old Style at Nisei Lounge a few doors down.

Bacon Kimchi Fried Rice at Rice N Bread

Rice N Bread
3435 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 281-4452
Website

Mizrahi on Clark

-Grubbing in Chicago

New to Lakeview

Mizrahi is a spot that's long been on my radar. However due to it's location in Highland Park, and weird hours, I'd never made it over there. Mizrahi is popular amongst Northshore residents for their famous falafel that even city folk say is great. A successful decade in Highland Park recently made way for a second location in Lakeview. Which was all I needed to finally give it a try.

From Highland Park to Lakeview

If you've been to any of the popular falafel and shawarma shops across the city than you know the drill with Mizrahi. They offer sandwiches and plates and in the case of the food from here everything is Kosher. The shawarma is a mix of lamb and turkey but they pre-slice it which is a no-go for me. That said it's their falafel I wanted to try so I went ahead and got a plate. Not cheap but you do get 8 balls of freshly fried falafel with your choice of rice or potato and sides such as Israeli salad and hummus. This place isn't cheap but you do get a bunch of bang for your buck. I have no idea if these are the best falafel in the city though they are really good. The thick cut fries were a nice surprise and the colorful salads were fresh and delicious. They should fit in nicely in Lakeview amongst their former Northshore neighbors.

Falafel Plate with Fries 

Mizrahi on Clark
3037 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657

(773) 525-8777

Website

Empanada Triangle

-Grubbing in Chicago
Empanadas Everywhere

The Cubs are on fire and Wrigleyville, and in larger part Lakeview, is buzzing. There's an entire new culture of baseball being paved and it couldn't be more exciting. Even the food options in and around the stadium have gotten better. Today I present a little empanada eating triangle that will take you thru Lakeview. The snacks which are popular in many South American countries are becoming a favorite quick bite for the residents of the neighborhood. On top of these three there's also the wonderful baked empanadas most always available in the case in front at El Mercado Meat Market.
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5411 Empanadas

We'll start off with the odds on favorite for most well known of the trio. 5411 Empanadas got its start as a food truck and they now have two brick & mortar locations including the first to open on Clark street just next door to the Century Mall. 5411 sells Argentinian style baked empanadas. The menu boasts a couple handfuls worth of flavors and each of comes wrapped its own way so the customer can tell which is which. I'm partial to the beef with malbec sauce. Others I've found to be too sweet or lacking flavor. The chimichurri dipping sauce does pair perfectly with the Malbec beef filling. For whatever reason I've found the offerings at Clark street to be better than North avenue.

Empanadas at 5411 Empanadas

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Empanadas, Burgers & More

A couple miles North on Clark you'll find this somewhat new spot with a pretty generic name. I wasn't sure what to think of it but the menu, the empanada side anyway, did tempt me to stop in. Boy am I glad I did. This place is making Colombian style empanadas which means they're fried.

Empanadas at Empanadas, Burgers, & More

The menu boasts about ten different selections though I haven't been able to order anything other than the traditional Colombian chicken which comes packed with shredded chicken, rice, hard boiled egg, and lots of onion and garlic mixed in. The other one I love is the Mexican nacho offering. It comes with seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese, refried beans, sauteed onions, and peppers. Its a big ass fiesta in your mouth. They also offer two different dipping sauces. One being a traditional Colombian style Aji dipping sauce made with tomato, cilantro, green onions and vinegar. The other is called a a Salsa Rosada and it's a blend of ketchup, mayo and a secret ingredient. I was surprised by this place.

The inside of a Macho Nacho

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Cafe Tola

Our final spot is on Southport just North of Addison. It's a cute little building that I always thought would make a great hot dog spot. For a while it was a exterminator company's office but a couple years ago this vibrant little coffee shop opened up shop. It needs to be more well known. While I don't drink coffee they make their own empanadas in house and if they have the shredded goat option available you will be in for one of the best things you've eaten lately. They must pack it in cold because somehow the baked treat packs plenty of juice when you bite into it. Go see for yourself.

Empanada at Cafe Tola

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5411 Empanadas
2850 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 755-5411

Empanadas, Burgers & More
3307 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 857-0189

Cafe Tola
3612 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 687-8428

Fish Taco Tour

-Eating like a Mayan King in the Windy City

Chicago's Mexican food scene is strong. Strong as in one of the best places outside of Mexico to eat that countries cuisine. But there's still a few things we'd like to see a little more of. This list includes one of my dear loves, fish tacos. I almost chose San Diego recently as a vacation destination because I wanted to go there and eat as many fish tacos as I could find. That's going to have to wait for another time but in the meantime I have five fish tacos in Chicago which I enjoy when the craving for one hits. Mexican Fiesta month rolls on at S'C'&C. We hope you;re enjoying it.
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L'Patron

This is the first of a few posts this place will be featured in. Taco Shops open weekly in Chicago and for the most part take some time to catch on, if they ever do. But for whatever reason L'Patron was a big hit in the  as soon as they opened. Now lines out the door during primetime are known to happen. They do alot of good stuff here with the fish tacos being in my regular order rotation. I always get at least one. Ask for them with their homemade tortillas and you got one of the best fish taco options in Chicago.

Top Notch Fish Taco's found at L'Patron

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Azteca De Oro

BYOB in Wrigleyville across from the Metro

If you just walk into Azteca de Oro you might decide to walk out. It has the looks and feel of one of these popular Mexican-American "healthy" eateries that are popular in California and now found abound due to the folks over at Chipotle. Don't walk out. While I haven't tried much of anything else here it all looks pretty good when I see it being served. I stopped in for the authentic Baja Style fish tacos served on flour tortillas and have been back a few times since. An order ($9.99) gets you three well sized tacos with two pieces of crispy perfectly fried tilapia fish inside with rice and beans on the side. Some of the best fish tacos in Chicago and the best deal for what you get.

Baja Style Fish Tacos

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Big Star 

Not much more I can say about a place everyone else gives nothing but praise. When Big Star isn't frying pieces of fish and letting them sit until they're needed the fish tacos there arent half bad. Sometimes they're a little skimpy on the fish but I like the crispy cabbage toppings and chipotle mayo they use on them. These on a nice summer day sitting on their patio with a paloma are a good way to eat and drink.

Taco de Pescado at Big Star

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Takito Kitchen

"Upper Class" tacos became big when Big Star burst onto the scene. It wasnt long after that other places followed. One of the more recent ones is Takito in Wicker Park where they feature Mexican inspired cuisine with the help of an executive chef. I've only been once but cant wait to get back. I'm usually quick to stay away from these places because many times the hype doesn't match the product but as far as their crispy redfish tacos go, they sure do in this instance. Served on a hibiscus tortilla and topped with jalapeno slaw and a coconut custard with basil I think these are the best "fancy" tacos in the city. I love them.

Crispy Redfish Tacos at Takito

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Taco Joint

Away from the concentration of "hipsteriffic" taco spots in Bucktown is Taco Joint in Lincoln Park. It's similar to both the last two stops on our tour. It had been a year+ between visits for me when I stopped in for some food and drink on a nice Chicago afternoon recently. They have a bigger taco selection than the other places do including both a beer battered fish taco and also a ceviche option. The Victoria beer battered ones are pretty good and come on house made tortillas but I prefer their ceviche taco. Served in a crispy freshly fried shell with some cabbage on the side at $2.50 these are also a pretty damn good deal. They just opened a 2nd location in River North.

Beer Battered & Ceviche Taco at Taco Joint

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L'Patron

2815 W. Diversey 

Chicago, IL 60647

(773) 252-6335

Azteca de Oro
3731 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 857-6565

Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave 
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 235-4039

Takito Kitchen

2013 W Division St 
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 687-9620

Taco Joint

1969 N Halsted St 
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 951-2457

Five More Item's in Chi

-Grubbing Like a King
Where chibbqking eats

Today were heading back to five spots previously featured on chibbqking. All located within city limits they share a similar trait adding some international flavor to today's menu. The previous stories on these spots and their address's can all be found by clicking their names enlarged in bold to begin the visit back to them today.


Five more food items in Chicago
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La Palapita

I've been eating (and then fiendin' for more) on the steak at Palapita since I worked near there in high school and it was a frequent lunch stop. Back then I always ordered a super burrito which is pretty much everything including their cooked to order charred and then chopped skirt steak. Over time I developed a love for tacos and always eat those over burritos. But then one day last year, I tried a burrito my way from here and I've been ordering ever since. I like it with steak, onions, cilantro, cheese, guacamole and rice inside. It is now my go to spot for a burrito and one of my most frequent stops for food of anyplace out there. Extra sides of salsa too please.


chibbqking steak burrito from La Palapita
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Orange Garden

Alright so it's not exactly authentic Chinese food and American-Chinese is a much better description than even Chinese-American is. Well this is true as this Chinese is more like the style your parents ate (unless they're Chinese) in their youth. It's Americanized and the popular dishes here are the common ones found on Chinese restaurants in America's menus in the 1950's. Well then you go with what they're known for. I like the lo mein here and it's pretty much all I get nowadays along with their egg rolls when ordering takeout. The beef can be just ok so sometimes I get shrimp. But what makes it for me are the noodles and extra amounts of celery. I imagine they've been making it this way since they first put up their awesome old school neon sign back in the day. It's one of my guilty pleasures.


Lo Mein from Orange Garden on Irving Park Road
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Central Gyros

It's been so long since we've been on the gyro-tron but that's not because I don't like them anymore. I just haven't got around to posting on any others but will soon now that I realize this. Central Gyros on Central ave not far off Belmont remains one of the best as far as good old fashioned Chicago style which comes from a locally produced gyro cone company. If you want to venture out and still want gyros, try a combo platter which can be seen below and comes with souvlaki and greek sausage along with their popular gyros meat.


Combo Platter from Central Gyros
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Ghareeb Nawaz

it's also been a while since we've been to anywhere on Devon but that soon will change as well. in the meantime GN remains one of the best places in the city for bang for your buck meals. Already featured in the 'lunch under $6' series they also put out a mean chili chicken. A huge portion along with a few samosas and a drink for under $10 is going to make you full and happy while giving tons of flavor too. It's popular with the cabbies for a reason.


Chili Chicken from Ghareeb Nawaz
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Hamburger King

Another one of my all time favorites. The Cubs suck but Wrigleyville's still got HK. It's been featured in multiple stories here on S'C'&C and that will only continue to happen since I get there often. I love the breakfasts here with the Asian flare. I guess theres alot of spots like this in LA and Hawaii and I'm thrilled we've had Hamburger King especially when you consider how long they've been around. Its one of the last places to remain from when Wrigley wasn't nearly as popular or commercial as it is these days, despite the Cubs continuing to lose. For a good old fashioned south seas breakfast try the bacon and eggs with rice and gravy. Great for hangovers.


Rice and Gravy with bacon from Hamburger King
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See ya next time @chibbqking. So many more places we gotta go.

Five More Burgers

-Got beef?
The Burgers of Chi

We have an announcement to make here at chibbqking. During the month of May, which is also national hamburger month, we will have all posts from it in 2011 dedicated to some great burgers around the country that I have consumed over the last year. In fact I've had so many burgers over the last 12 months that I would bet cash money with anyone who thinks they have had more than me. Seriously, I highly doubt it. So by all means, please stay tuned. The "five more..." series is an ongoing one here at S'C'&C and we will continue with that today as we chow down five more burgers from around Chicagoland. Eat up and enjoy!
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Illinois Bar & Grill


a locals favorite on 47th street out by Midway

Illinois Bar & Grill has long been a favorite of mine. I've been going here for a couple decades now. It was featured back in May of '09 on this site and I've been back there a few times since it's original post which can be found HERE. I found myself at IB&G a few months back late into the night one evening as I stopped in for a beer and burger with a friend. The place still has the same great vibe but has also updated their furniture and bar area. The smell of fresh cut wood is in the air now as they have redone the whole bar and seating area with new furniture managing to keep that old school vibe alive that so many love. On my last visit I had one of their classic and massive cheeseburgers taken up another notch with bacon added on. This bad boy can hang out with the greats. Check it out.


Bacon Cheeseburger from Illinois Bar & Grill
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Budacki's


a locals favorite along Damen ave in Lincoln Square

Budacki's is another spot that has been featured here on the site. Back in November of '08 it was introduced as was the "KingT's Wing Fling" series which also featured the hot dogs from here. Well as it turns out they make a very good burger as well. The menu here is pretty solid as far as everything being good as long as that's what your in the mood for. So about a week back I found myself near Budacki's and in the mood for a burger. So I stopped in and gave one a try. I'm glad I did. A 1/2 pound double cheese with fries and a can of pop is just a little over $6 and worth every penny. They take two fresh patty's of beef and throw them on the grill and smash them down while cooking. They go onto a toasted sesame seed bun with the toppings of your choice. McDonald's, Burger King etc...wish they were like this.


Double Cheeseburger from Budacki's
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My Creamery/Iron Horse Express


a small chain in the southern suburbs of Chicago

Last year around this very time I was out and about in the south suburbs and while out there I drove by one of these spots. The Creamery has seven locations around the Southern suburbs of Chicago and as I drove by one of them one day, the "Rainbow Cone Served Here" sign in the window caught my eye. Rainbow Cone is a Chicago southside tradition that will get it's day here on the site sometime this summer. Meanwhile these Creamery's that can be found serve Rainbow cones as well as their other homemade flavors, they also have a grill serving burgers etc...So I decided to give one a try that day and it was a-ok. Nothing too special but a very good eat for the less than $5 it costs. I didn't get to try any of their ice cream but I will if I ever pass one by in the summertime.


Cheeseburger from Iron Horse Express
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Good Burger


Located on Burnham ave in Calumet City

I was cruising thru Cal City when this place Good Burger caught my eye. The promise of hand packed patty's and specialty burgers was too much to pass up so I did a U-turn and headed in for a bite. The menu features a few specialty burgers as well as the regulars like chicken sandwiches, wings etc...It's located inside an old Bakers Square or something to that extent but I went in anyway. I ended up going with the cheeseburger with the works minus the ketchup which came with fresh cut fries. It wasn't anything to write home about. You can see the picture below.


Cheeseburger from Good Burger
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Hamburger King


an old locals favorite in Wrigleyville

It's almost springtime which means baseball isn't far away. With that comes trips to Wrigley and Comiskey to watch some major league baseball. Hamburger King aka Chester's which is about a 10 minute walk from Wrigley Field has been featured on here before. It is one of my favorite breakfast stops in the city and you should really check out it's complete report HERE. It's so good and in my regular chowing rotation enough that it's actually been featured twice so check HERE too. It was Sunday morning and I was in need of something other than liquid in my stomach and Hamburger King came to mind. My thought was maybe it was time to try the massive heart fighting burger I had planned too for a while now so that's what I did.


KingT's special at the Hamburger King

From the bottom up: Double cheeseburger with some aromatic grilled onions topped with two slices of American cheese which is then topped with a fried egg followed by two cooked 'til perfectly crispy pieces of bacon, and then all that is topped with some rice and gravy that is thrown onto the upper part of the hamburgers bun. Put together and enjoy! This is one of the baddest hamburgers in the city, don't mess with it unless you have been in battles with burgers like it before.


Who want what?
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Illinois Bar & Grill on 47th*
4135 W 47th St
Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 847-2525
Website
*Also a location at Midway Airport

Budacki's Drive In
4739 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 561-1322

My Creamery/Iron Horse Express
Click HERE for locations

Good Burger
634 Burnham Ave
Calumet City, IL 60409
(708) 801-9980

Hamburger King
3435 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 281-4452
Note: Open for breakfast/lunch only
Menu

Drunken Mexican Eats

-Oh Yeah, I've been there too
Where the cities wasted eat...

Neighborhood: Different Northside 'hoods with lot's of bars
Cuisine: Mexican - The drunken gringo type
Price Range: $4-$10
Would I go again? Well I still drink so sometimes I do to some and might make it back to others.

We have many different series' here at S'C'&C. One of those is "Oh yeah, I've been there to". These are quick run downs of places that I also happen to have been too along the way on the great Chicago eating trail. These posts just point out that if your wondering if I've been somewhere, I most likely have. Today we head to Twelve (10 newly featured) late night Mexican shacks, which happen to be abundant in Chicagoland. I cant verify this but I would bet that aside from Mexico City and maybe one other large city in Mexico that there is no other city out there with more Mexican restaurants than Chicago (LA included). Whether its a spot run by an award winning chef like Rick Bayless' Frontera Grill or a hole in the wall joint like these places that are frequented by the city's heavy drinkers, we got all phases of them here in Chicago. It's no coincidence that all these spots featured today are in neighborhoods with lots of bars and with that many drunks. These places are a part of Chicago and anyone who grew up in the city and did it up out on the town in their heyday has their favorite late nite burrito shack, always visited with blurry vision and after 2am.

Index (abc order)

Allende
El Burrito Mexicano
el gallo bravo
Fiesta Mexicana
Jaimito's Burrito's
La Bamba
Picante
Taco Burrito Express
Taco Burrito King
Taco Burrito Los Panchos
Taco Burrito Palace
Tradicion

I thought that with NYE 2010 approaching that now was a good time to post this. I imagine that these joints take in more money on New Years eve than any other night. These places have always been gold mines for those that open them. Since the 80's spots like them have been popping up near areas with lots of bars and clubs and near train stations throughout the city and its suburbs. They all have the same goal and that's to serve cheap, greasy not too authentic Mexican food up until the wee hours of the morning. Unless the tradition that is drinking starts to disappear, these places will be around forever and we as a society haven't stopped drinking since we found out about liquor and what it does. So here are 11 late nite spots that will soak up the liquor and the items you should order should you choose to dine at any of them. I am not responsible for how you feel the morning after. Cheers!
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Allende


Located on Lincoln just off Fullerton in Lincoln Park

It's fitting that Allende is first in ABC order because out of all these spots featured its also the best in my book. Located just off Fullerton on Lincoln, a block away from the red line stop it's been around for as long as I have in the neighborhood and at this point I'm one of the originals. They actually have two locations with another down south on Lincoln near the Children's Memorial Hospital and both are open late and serve to a working class lunchtime crowd and to wasted customers thru the early morning hours as well. I like Allende especially well when they have the al pastor spit going which is usually on the weekend.


The areas only al pastor spit, that I'm aware of anyway

Despite an abundance of Mexican restaurants in the city we still only have a few handful's of places that do up al pastor straight off the spit and not just on the griddle. In Lincoln Park you wont find them anywhere else and believe it or not Allende's are very good when they are on their A-game. Spicy marinated pork meat is sliced like gyros off the cone and then topped with cilantro, onion and comes with plenty of limes and salsa. A wonderful late nite snack.


Taco's al Pastor from Allende are the best tacos in LP...when they are on

The rest of the menu at this little sit down/take out joint is actually pretty good too and if something sounds good to you it most likely is going to be from here. I like the breakfast options and at under $5 the ham, eggs and cheese with beans and rice and tortillas is great bang for the buck. If a place isn't doing up real deal tacos de carne asada, I tend to stay away from the steak tacos, but as far as steak tacos made on the griddle go, Allende might be best. Good quality food at really cheap prices and a really good homemade red salsa make Allende part of my neighborhood rotation. I eat here when sober, so that's saying something aint it?


Ham, egg and cheese breakfast plate, dirt cheap and filling


Steak taco from Allende
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El Burrito Mexicano


Located on Addison, steps from Wrigley Field under the red line stop

If there's a large drinking area in Chicago there's another thing that's for sure going to be near it and that's a drunken Mexican restaurant, open late and serving the shit faced. It just so happens that El Burrito Mexicano is a block down from the biggest outdoor bar in the world, Wrigley Field. So you know this place has seen it all and has some stories to tell. It's been around a while and it's nothing pretty inside, just a grill, a few tables and a menu to soak up the alcohol. Pretty much every place on here today is like the other. I used to go here back in HS now and then.


Steak taco platter is my go to from Mexicano


Nacho platter with cheese, beans, SC and avocado is great too...
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El Gallo Bravo

El Gallo Bravo has a number of locations around Chicagoland. Many of them are 24 hour joints including the one I like to hit up from time to time located over on Montrose and Clark. You can read all about my favorite burrito in the city right HERE as it's been featured before. I also really love their hard shell steak tacos which at under $1.40/each are cheap and complete.


Hard Shell steak tacos from el gallo bravo


My own constructed Cali burrito
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Fiesta Mexicana


On Halsted in Lincoln Park

You'll notice that half of these spots are within a mile radius of each other and that includes Fiesta Mexicana which is across the street from Allende and around the corner from TBP #2 and so on. This place is actually a sit down spot popular with Biograph theater goers as well as people starting they're night out with food and drink. It burned down a few years ago and then reopened and I went back once since. I thought it was better before for food but the drinks at the new one were great. One of the better margarita's in the neighborhood and nice price with patron or something decent added in. My combo meal wasn't what I remembered it to be from my youth, maybe my taste buds just moved on? None of this food featured is too authentic.


Combo Platter with one of each
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Jaimito's Burrito's


Located on Clybourn just off Sheffield

Here we have another spot that I have been going to for a while, meaning I am still a customer here from time to time. Mexican food has always been my favorite and I've been going out and about since before I was supposed too so there isn't many places in the neighborhood and it's vicinity that I haven't been to. Jaimito's has always been a favorite of mine for a quick bite when at home or headed there. I think the whole menu is pretty legit with the tacos being my go to menu items. The best chicken tacos in the city reside at Jaimito's. They take moist meat and flavor it up in a red sauce and in this case I enjoy the lettuce, tomato gringo style toppings.


Tamale with their top notch sauce

I pretty much always go with the chicken tacos but don't sleep on the chile rellanos as well as other items like the tamales and enchiladas. Another thing I must always get is an order of rice or two. I think they put out the 2nd best Mexican rice in the city and love their red salsa that comes with it as well as the tacos, burritos etc...I just wish some of these places would use larger containers for them and or stop being so stingy with handing them out. The tacos need the salsa.


Jaimito's chicken tacos are my "best in city"
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La Bamba


Locations throughout the Midwest

Oh boy, this next stop is not something I like to remember. When I was at college in Madison we had nowhere near the selection of good greasy Mexican we have in Chicago and I never slowed down from hitting up the bars and rocking out til the wee hours. This created for some desperate times which were going to La Bamba for a burrito when I was fiending for Mexican food. This is a franchise started by a family who had the idea to bring "burritos as big as your head" to areas with lots of college kids. Yes I love Mexican so much sometimes I had to eat at this not so great place. I'm not a burrito guy either but if drunk enough I could make theirs good. We got a few in Chicago and they're locations throughout the Midwest. Ignore the "authentic Mexican food" sign.


Steak burrito from La Bamba...a favorite among college kids
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Picante


Located on Division in Bucktown

Back in the 90's when Lincoln Park was the king of bar's and weekends in Chicago many places like Picante popped up. Then when Wicker Park and Bucktown got trendy and bars and clubs came with it, more taco joints would come too. I've only been to Picante once and it's located on Division not too far off of Damen. It's there to serve the hipsters tacos and such after midnight. They need them too right? It's a really small space and the food and its flavors arent too large either. The most popular menu item is the white boy tacos which are just hard shell ground beef tacos with lettuce, tomato and cheese. Since they arent fried fresh they are just ok as is everything else on the menu. The fish and chicken tacos sucked. Sorry but they did kid.


Hard shell taco filled with ground beef aka a White Boy's taco


Chicken taco from Picante


Picante's fish taco
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Taco Burrito Palace


Located on Halsted in Lincoln Park

Oh yes the place where I spent more drunken nights than most...TBP. Back when it was in it's old location this was a place of legends. The crowds it got and stories the old building could tell. Those days are over, they moved and so did most people that made this thee place to eat during the late 90's and early 2000's. You can read all about it HERE.


The former late nite inebriated eats champion of the Northside
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Taco Burrito Express


Located on Halsted in Lincoln Park

I wasn't kidding when I said we got alot of spots. Our next stop is to Taco Burrito Express aka TBE. It's located on Halsted right down from La Bamba in between that and Taco Burrito Palace. Back in high school you either went to one or the other but most definitely not both. Since I was always a big fan of TBP I only came here a handful of times but had many friends who liked it far better to TBP. The nice thing about it today is that it's still the same place it was in the 90's.


Corny murals are a must at drunken Mexican joints

I have found that the food here today is still pretty good like it was back when. I really enjoy the veggie tacos from here and think they are superior to TBP's version. I like veggie tacos from these places nowadays and have found TBE's to be what TBP's used to be so when I want some of them I will just go here instead. The item that people loved TBE for back in the day was the chicken quesadilla and I'm afraid that has changed. It's nowhere near as greasy and filling as it used to be but is still a good option if that's what your feeling like. I like.


Veggie taco from TBE


Chicken quesadilla from taco Burrito Express
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Taco Burrito Los Panchos


Located on Diversey in Lincoln Park

Hey, hey whatdaya say, another place just up the road. This Taco Burrito is located on Diversey just off Lincoln. From what I can remember a few of the guys that work TBP Los Panchos used to work at TBP. I cant verify this but I am almost positive since I've been in the neighborhood eating at these spots my whole life. I like this place for it's tamale plate. They are just like TBP's but these are always a little more moist and fresh than the other spots. It must be a family thing and these guys must have branched out because many other things are very similar but I don't really order anything else but my beloved tamale plate from here. Best lunch for under $5 within reach from me. Although for me it's usually just a snack.


Los Panchos tamale platter, great deal at about $5
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Taco Burrito King


Locations throughout Chicago

I used to eat at a TBK located in a strip mall on Ashland just off Belmont back when my friends had a place around there. Taco Burrito King has quite a few locations throughout the city but I haven't been to any of them in years. I took this picture of my go to item, the steak taco platter, when I went to the Greektown location, about two years back. I have not been back to any of them since. Not much different than any of the others seen on here, they just have locations in lots of different neighborhoods. It's ok at best.


Steak taco platter from TBK
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Tradicion


Located on Belmont just off the Red line stop

Our final stop on the drunken Mexican restaurant late nite crawl is one stop before Addison on the red line over at Belmont. I usually stay away from these parts and it has nothing to do with crime or shady people, just weirdos and freaks which actually scare me more than any ghetto corner could. But I stopped in here one night when I got a parking spot a few feet away and ordered a chips and salsa along with a couple steak tacos to go. I got this big Styrofoam cup of house made red sauce and a big bag of fresh fried chips for about $2 and it was everything I wanted. I went back a few times and kept on enjoying the steak tacos and loving the chips and salsa until I had a bad experience there with the tacos one time. They were nothing like what they used to be and straight gross and I have not been back since. They can bee seen below. Just like Allende was first in abc order and also in food quality, Tradicion is last.


Tradicion has really good red salsa...


...but the steak tacos are very forgettable

Oh and in case you were wondering, my current late nite go to taco joint that I almost always go to when I want Mexican late is La Pasadita. See ya next year on S'C'&C with the King.
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Allende Restaurante
2408 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 477-7114

El Burrito Mexicano
936 West Addison Street
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 327-6991

El Gallo Bravo #5

1429 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

(773) 404-5358

Fiesta Mexicana
2421 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 348-4144

Jaimito's Burritos
1781 North Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 397-9009

La Bamba
2557 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 477-7491

Picante Taqueria
2016 1/2 W Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 328-8800

Taco Burrito Palace
2459 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-0740

Taco Burrito Express
2540 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 929-8867

Taco Burrito Los Panchos
1155 West Diversey Parkway
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 935-3198

Taco Burrito King
Multiple Locations
List of them

Tradicion
958 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 388-1574