Chicago Magazine Names Best Mexican Restaurants In Chicago (PHOTOS)

There is no shortage of tasty Mexican food in Chicago. With a taquería on nearly every corner and a great margarita spot in every neighborhood, lovers of Latin food have hundreds of options.

But with so many options--what does one choose?

Thankfully, Chicago magazine staffers have been scouring the city for the best of the best. From fine dining to a casual Little Village gem--they have got you covered.

We rounded up a few of their picks here. But be sure to check out the full list (and mouth-watering reviews) here.

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Nuevo Leon Restaurant

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Chicago magazine is in love with this Pilsen BYO. They say if you don't love it too, "your heart is cold and black." Nuevo Léon 1515 W. 18th St. Chicago

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Chicago magazine is in love with this Pilsen BYO. They say if you don't love it too, "your heart is cold and black."

Nuevo Léon
1515 W. 18th St.
Chicago

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Comments

[Jonit]

01:03 AM on 10/26/2010

I saw these recommendations last week and I just started working in Pilsen, so I picked up lunch today at Nuevo Leon for me and a co-worker and took it back to the office. I got enchiladas verdes with ground beef (picadillo). On my second bite I discovered, to my horror, a cockroach inside the enchilada. It wasn't small, about 3/4 of an inch long, and completely in tact save for an antennae that I fear I might have eaten in the first bite. We called the restaurant and told them what happened. They said we could bring the food back and get a refund. They did not apologize on the phone; nor did they offer an apology after we drove back to the restaurant. We walked in and the manager was at the register waiting for us. I said "we called." Without a word he took the food and walked away. The cashier gave us our money back and that was it.

[Marzenna]

11:45 AM on 10/22/2010

Nuevo Leon is OK at best, I don't get why everyone raves about it, the steak is pretty grisly. Las Asadas is the best closely followed by La Pasadita. Of course neither is hip enough to be mention in a Chicago Magazine article.

[moutonnoir]

11:07 PM on 10/20/2010

nuevo leon is indeed awesome for low-cost traditional. nearby milagro is also great for cafateria style - but closes early.. on cermak in pilsen, may st. is certainly worth a visit if you are in the area... someone below mentioned el passadita.. i think el passadita is highly overrated.

[Dana119]

05:28 PM on 10/20/2010

El Nuevo Mexicano
2914 N. Clark St.
http://www.elnuevomexicano.net/

This is my favorite. The mole' is wondeful. Nice outdoor patio too. Try it, you'll see!

[tomorrowsparty]

10:59 AM on 10/20/2010

Maiz Anojitos Y Bebidas on California is my pick. Their Molé sauce is incredible.

[blurredmolly]

07:23 AM on 10/20/2010

Taqueria El Milagro. It's as authentic as it gets. The chicken tacos are out of this world.

[CALAVA]

01:28 AM on 10/20/2010

Casa Del Pueblo

[tissa]

10:41 PM on 10/19/2010

Frontera is overrated, I think food is just o.k.

[Cyke101]

10:28 PM on 10/19/2010

No La Pasadita? Get outta heah.

[chicagoprogressive]

03:19 AM on 10/20/2010

Any place with THREE locations on the same block melds a tip of the hat!

[LuvLoogie]

10:07 PM on 10/19/2010

For the real deal...

El Faro at 3936 W. 31st Street
Los Candiles at 2624 S. Central Park Avenue

For steak and/or chicken fajitas go to Uncle Julios Hacienda at 855 W. North Avenue...seriously

[firelord5000]

09:06 PM on 10/19/2010

I've been to Frontera, and can easily say TASTE wise it is hands down the best Mexican food I've ever had, and I've spent a week in Mexico City back in 2004. To be fair, I haven't had food from other places listed on this list, so can't say they are worse than Frontera.

As for Frontera, price in high, portions feel small, but obviously you can tell the taste is AMAZING.

[phishphan]

08:47 PM on 10/19/2010

There could be 100 places on this list.

[Motodelta]

08:13 PM on 10/19/2010

They're all good, I love this Town

[blurredmolly]

07:24 AM on 10/20/2010

right on

[KMan1]

07:27 PM on 10/19/2010

Apparently I and everyone else at my table selected the wrong things off the Frontera Grill's menu because there was nothing remotely impressive about the food. It was an overpriced disappointment.

[Meggie]

07:45 PM on 10/19/2010

Wow! We go every chance we can get.
We think it's most like what we've had in Mexico.
It's not ordinary American/Mexican, that's for sure.

[bawoz56]

08:56 PM on 10/19/2010

Loved their food when we visited Chicago. Ate in the bar and made friends with the person next to me and shared their desert!

[tonewheel]

09:03 PM on 10/19/2010

I agree. It's the only one of the seven listed that I wouldn't recommend.

[Morgan Squiers]

06:57 PM on 10/19/2010

Abeulo's across the street from the damen pink line stop is one they definitely missed. Their parsley water is out of this world.