Chicago Best Tacos
On September 8, 2022, Secret Chicago published an article titled “The 20 Best Places To Get Tacos In Chicago” and it includes a list of the “best of the bunch” taco joints.
The culmination of Chicago's world famous food scene and a large Mexican population blesses Chicago with some fantastically great taquerias.
Let's take a look at the top twelve (12) in the list which comprise the most reliable, affordable, and unique locations for the best tacos around Chicago. The list includes small corner venues to upscale locations.
In looking at the Chicago neighborhoods where these taco places are located - Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lower West Side, and Midway Airport area are all fortunate to have 3 of the top 12 taco places each.
Top 12 taco places by Neighborhood:
- Wicker Park (3): Antique Taco, BIG & Little’s, Big Star
- Lakeview (3): Rojo Gusano, BIG & Little’s, Big Star
- Lower West Side (3): 5 Rabanitos, Carnitas Don Pedro, Rubi’s
- Midway Airport area (3): Carnitas Uruapan, BIG & Little’s, Birrieria Zaragoza
- Logan Square (1): L’ Patron
- Lincoln Square (1): Taqueria El Asadero
- Lincoln Park (1): Del Seoul
Taco, Taco, Taco - Top 12 Taco places in Chicago
1.) Antique Taco
- About: Farmers market style tacos & margaritas, made from scratch with the best local and seasonal ingredients served up counter service style
- Top menu pick: Garlic Shrimp Taco
- Two (2) Locations:
- Wicker Park Neighborhood
- Address: 1360 N Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622
- Phone: 773.687.8697
- Bridgeport Neighborhood
- Address: 1000 W 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609
- Phone: 773.823.9410
2.) Taqueria El Asadero
- About: Tacos, burritos & homemade chips with salsa draw crowds to this no-frills, cash-only Mexican staple. Serves only choice beef, the best guacamole, and uses locally grown ingredients
- Top menu pick: Carne Asada Taco (Grilled skirt steak)
- Chicago Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
- Address: 2213 W Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618
- Phone: (773) 583-5563
3.) Carnitas Uruapan
- About: Legendary destination for those whose palates crave authentic carnitas from Michoacan, Mexico.
- Top menu pick: Tacos De Carnitas
- Chicago Neighborhood: Gage Park (near Midway Airport)
- Address: 2813 W. 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60608
- Phone: (773) 424-7617
4.) Rojo Gusano
- About: Creative tacos & other modern Mexican eats served with mezcal in relaxed, beach-inspired surroundings
- Top menu pick: Mixed Mushroom Taco (Taco de Hongos)
- Chicago Neighborhood: Lakeview
- Address: 4217 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
- Phone: 773-360-1628
5.) L’ Patron
- About: Laid-back Mexican restaurant featuring tacos & other street food in an industrial setting with a patio. Always Fresh, Amazing, & Made to Order.
- Top menu pick: Carne Asada Taco
- Chicago Neighborhood: Logan Square
- Address: 3749 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
- Phone: (773) 799-8066
6.) Del Seoul
- About: No-frills counter-service eatery with Asian fusion eats like Korean BBQ tacos & banh mi sandwiches. Keeping things fresh and unique. Del Seoul believes in popular, not trendy and customer-focused and food-focused is the only way to go.
- Top menu pick: Sesame Chili Shrimp Taco
- Chicago Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
- Address: 2568 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
- Phone: (773) 248-4227
7.) BIG & Little’s
- About: Casual counter-serve eatery featuring seafood & meat tacos, along with po’ boys, burgers & fries.
- Top menu pick: The BIG & LITTLE’S Taco
- Three (3) Locations:
- Lakeview Neighborhood
- Address: 1034 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
- Phone: (773) 857-6677
- Wicker Park Neighborhood
- Address: 1310 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
- Phone: (773) 698-7777
- Midway Airport Location
- Address: 5700 S Cicero Ave Concourse B, Gate 15, Chicago, IL 60638
8.) Big Star
- About: Mexican street food, plus margaritas, bourbon and beer-focused, taco-slinging, lively scene at this funky hangout
- Top menu pick: Papas Con Rajas Taco
- Two (2) Locations:
- Wicker Park Neighborhood
- Address: 1531 N Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622
- Phone: 773-235-4039
- Lakeview Neighborhood (Wrigleyville area)
- Address: 3640 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60613
- Phone: 773-857-7120
9.) 5 Rabanitos
- About: Mexican cuisine by Chef Alfonso Sotelo. One block from the National Museum of Mexican Art, and one block from the 18th Street station on the CTA Pink Line. Mexican classics served in a simple, brightly colored setting.
- Top menu pick: Grilled Chicken Adobo Taco
- Chicago Neighborhood: Lower West Side
- Address: 1758 W 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60608
- Phone: (312) 285-2710
10.) Carnitas Don Pedro
- About: Traditional Mexican cuisine served in bustling, bare-bones quarters. Prides itself on providing delicious food, great service and a sense of family to each and every customer.
- Top menu pick: Taco De Carnitas
- Chicago Neighborhood: Lower West Side
- Address: 1113 W 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60608
- Phone: (312) 829-4757
11.) Rubi’s Tacos
- About: Authentic Mexican food at this no frills taco joint.
- Top menu pick: El Taco Azteca (Al Pastor con huevo)
- Two (2) Locations:
- Near West Side at the New Maxwell Street Market
- Address: 800 S Desplaines St, Chicago, IL 60607
- Lower West Side Neighborhood
- Address: 1316 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
- Phone: (773) 318-9526
12.) Birrieria Zaragoza
- About: This Mexican institution specializes in a single item—birria—tender stewed goat accompanied by diced onions, cilantro, and house-made salsa.
- Top menu pick: Birria Taco
- Chicago Neighborhood: Archer Heights (Near Midway Airport)
- Address: 4852 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60632
- Phone: (773) 523-3700