Top 10 Taco Spots in Chicago
Tacos.
Perfect little morsels delivered via warm tortillas.
Deep fried, hard shell, soft shell, rolled.
Beef, Chicken, Fish, Veg.
There is so much you can DO with tacos that the possibilities are endless. The only question remains, which are the best? Over the course of 2016, fellow taco connoisseur and ride-or-die babe, Sara Seibt, and I decided to celebrate Taco Tuesday every single Tuesday. We tried 52 different places exactly and have compiled for you what we thought were the very best the city has to offer.
10. Del Seoul
Lincoln Park
Sesame-chili shrimp, Korean pork, & sambal fish tacos
2568 N. Clark Street
What’s better on a rainy day than tacos and steamed dumplings? This unlikely combination at this Korean/Mexican fusion joint really makes you wonder why you haven’t thought of combining the two before. Skip the land-based tacos for now and focus on what comes from the sea. The sambal fish tacos are delightful, lightly breaded and not overpowered by the toppings - but the star of the show is the sesame-chili shrimp tacos. Bursting with flavor and, oh, so satisfying - these tacos are their most popular pick for a reason. Casual, small, and counter-service - Del Seoul will not disappoint.
9. Loncar’s Liquors
South Chicago
Deep fried tacos
3201 E 92nd Street
Hard shell tacos are King at Loncar’s Liquors. On Wednesdays, this South Chicago dive bar slings out deep fried beef tacos for $1.50 a pop. Wash them down with a bucket of bud light, throw some tunes on the jukebox and you’ve got yourself one hell of a night. Don’t forget smother your tacos with the mysterious (and delicious) orange sauce that South Chicago is known for - if you ask nicely, they may give you some to take home as well.
8. El Taco Veloz
West Town
Steak tacos
1745 W Chicago Ave
El Taco Veloz is a charming sit-down restaurant in West Town whose vibe ranges from classic family restaurant during the daylight hours to raucous karaoke bar late night on the weekends. Their tacos are authentic, cheap, and just plain good. Rumor has it they have a $1 taco special on Tuesdays as well.
7. Los Gamas Tortilleria
Logan Square
Choriqueso & steak tacos
3333 W Armitage Avenue
Steve Jobs once said, “Do not try to do everything. Do one thing well.” At Los Gamas, that one thing is their fluffy tortillas. A small counter-order shop, their fresh corn tortillas are made in house and it makes all of the difference. Try the choriqueso (chorizo & queso) or steak tacos and you will not be disappointed.
6. La Pasadita
Wicker Park
Steak tacos
1140 N Ashland Avenue
If anyone has perfected the art of fast food tacos - it is La Pasadita. Great to grab on your way home - or on your way to anywhere, for that mjatter - La Pasadita’s tacos are authentic, delicious, and fast. Conveniently located off the Division blue line stop, make sure to swing by and pick up a taco or ten.
5. Tacos Tequilas
Logan Square
Steak & crispy potato tacos
2919 N Milwaukee Avenue
Tacos Tequilas is a small, festive restaurant in Logan Square slinging out affordable food and great margaritas. While they do all of their tacos very well (they make a mean steak taco), the star of the show is their crispy potato taco (papa y epazote): Mashed potatoes rolled in a tortilla, then deep friend, and topped with sour cream, salsa verde, & cheese. You are welcome.
4. La Chaparrita
Little Village
Steak & crispy tripas tacos
2500 S Whipple Street #4138
Located in a small but colorful grocery store, La Chaparrita is an absolute gem of a restaurant. All of the ingredients used are incredibly fresh and if there is one taco you should not leave without trying it is the crispy tripas taco. What are tripas? Tripas are small animal intestines that have been cleaned, boiled, and grilled (and, at La Chaparrita, deep fried). If you are skeptical - don’t be. You HAVE to try these tacos.
3. La Vaca
Pilsen
1160 W 18th Street
If you need a night out with some tacos and margaritas, it is hard to top La Vaca. Trendy and fun, La Vaca churns out taco classics like carne asada with onions and cilantro along with more trendy standouts like beer battered fish with avocado. Check it out on a Tuesday when they have $2 tacos.
2. Taqueria Tayahua
Pilsen
Steak & enCarbonado tacos
2411 S Western Avenue
The tacos at Taqueria Tayahua are some of the best in the city, and they have their own unique twist: the cheese is melted on the tacos. The result is a sort of taco/quesadilla experience that is so tasty, you’ll wonder why more restaurants do not mimic this presentation. The steak tacos are great, but don’t miss out on the enCarbonado tacos (spicy short rib). Taqueria Tayahua also offers a full bar, so it’s a great place for a night out.
1. La Internacional Supermercado
Back of the Yards
Steak tacos
4556 S. Ashland Avenue
It was a tough race but the Paco’s Tacos stand at the back of this small supermarket in Back of the Yards takes the cake for the best tacos in the city. There are no parlor tricks or fancy schticks with these tacos. Just good old fashioned carne asada with onions and cilantro. These tacos really prove that sometimes keeping it simple is best. When you use fresh ingredients and prioritize efficiency - it is hard to go wrong.
What do YOU think?
Would you rank something higher? Should another place be included? Should we go try more tacos RIGHT NOW? Leave your thoughts in the comments. This post will be updated LIVE so you will always be able to refer back.
Though this post concludes #tacotour2016 - it does not mean our taco adventures are over! Tell us about your experiences through social media. Make sure you tag us @perkandprovision on Instagram and Twitter and throw up the hashtag #pnptacotour.