Chicago Mexican

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
1

Chicago has the second largest Mexican population in the USA, and after 13 years in Los Angeles and a Mexicanless food sojourn in New York, I have returned to lovely and tasty Mexican food by moving to Chicago.

We should compile a list of our favourite Chicago places.

I’ll start with a terrific little place where we had lunch today: Centerstage Chicago : Chicago music, theatre, bars, film, dancing, lodging, hotels, food, restaurants, clubs, listings, events, art galleries, travel and tourism, chicago nightlife, nightclubs, bars, theatre, theaters, chiacgo, live music, festivals, even" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The burrito was absolutely to die for–the roast pork inside was 4 stars in the informal food category.

This isn’t a “regular” full menu type place such as Nuevo Leon (very reminiscent of LA style Mexican) but a little place with a small and informal menu but just perfect for lunch.

I’m going back there soon.

2

Birreria Reyes de Ocotlan on 18th Street off of Blue Island. Great birria and excellent tacos

Tacos pastor at Carniceria Leon (1402 N Ashland) can be terrific (and sometimes aren’t)

3

On the North Shore of Chicago, the best taste and value are to be found at La Casa de Isaac.

http://lacasadeisaac.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=13209&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=casa+de+isaac" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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And no discussion of Mexican food in Chicago would be complete without mentioning Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. Topolo is the best Mexican food I’ve ever had, period. And I eat a lot of it. All over Texas. Nothing quite reaches that level. And I was a Rick Bayless fan before Top Chef. Ha!

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I am partial to Salpicon! myself, but definitely all fine suggestions so far!

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Topolo is great. The last couple of times I was at Frontera, the food was out-of-its-mind terrific. I know a lot of people on this board disagree, but they would be wrong [wink.gif]

Bayless is opening a new casual “street food” spot, Xoco, next to Topolobampo (tortas, caldos and home roasted and made chocolate and hot chocolate) next week. Should be great if you can get near it

7

OK, not Chicago but rather in LA–just for comparison purposes. Roberto sent Brad England and I to this place (or maybe Leve did and Roberto simply gave us directions, I think that was it). This was mindblowing. Never had anything like it. http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-serenata-de-garibaldi-los-angeles-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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more thread drift - a group of us from work used to make an almost annual lunch-time pilgrimage to Serenata di Garibaldi (from Redondo Beach). It was outstanding.

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Wow, Dick and Eric with the same recommendation within MINUTES!

I drive right past that area whenever I head to the Music Center, so I’m DEFINITELY going to give it a try! Thanks!

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http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=byob+mexican&find_loc=Chicago%2C+IL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Here’s a list of Mexican BYOB.

I can speak to Sol de Mexico,Mixteco, and Los Nopales as all being excellent. Sol de and Mixteco are owned and run by folks from the Bayless family tree. (Great Mole at cheaper prices). Great neighborhood food for sure!

11

Todd-

I haven’t been there for close to ten years. But I doubt if it’s changed much. Eric’s is a much more up to date recommendation.

12

On the drift topic of La Seranata di Gerabaldi in LA, yes it is fantastic. I used to go there all the time when I lived in LA.

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See, now it’s not drift. I introduced it in hope that you could provide perspective/comparison. I know nothing of true Mexican. What I know about my meal at La Seranata di Gerabaldi was: (1) I really wished that I didn’t have to go to a dinner later that night with 10 course and 40 bottles of CDP, as I was in heaven with that food; (2) the food was incredible, very unfamiliar to me in relation to other food I have had in the past which purported to be Mexican, and (3) I presumed that it was fairly ‘true’’ and ‘traditional’ and I have just been missing out my whole life…

14

I think Serenata’s dishes come from further South in Mexico. They are definitely not the Sonoran and Chihuauan based dishes that are usually served in California, Arizona, and Texas.

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You want thread drift how about this. Was the picture for your avatar taken at Geronimo by chance?

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No, it was taken at our dining table, a little less than a week ago. You can see part of our our living room and the fireplace. We don’t patronize Geronimo, haven’t been there for many years.

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Next time you’re in LA, try Mariscos Chente, incredible!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/mariscos-chente-los-angeles#hrid:D4P5mMR1qnF4s1pMp5pnMQ/src:search/query:marisco%20chente" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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This is true. I try to go to Topolobampo every time I am in Chicago. I just don’t visit often enough. It is great. And I haven’t been to Chicago in a few years. With Top Chef, I guess I had better reserve my table further in advance next time.

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Chicago Menus - Chicago, IL Restaurants Guide - MenuPages" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

go here to see the menu for Mixteco

20

They are doing Rick’s Top Chef Final menu as an option at Topolobampo through October 10