Free Museum days for Illinois residents to Chicago museums is a great perk. Chicago has some world renown museums and visiting the museums on free days is helpful on the wallet.
The 2023 free museum dates have been announced by most museums and here is the list for Adler Planetarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago History Museum, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and others.
Offers free admission days for Illinois residents during particular days of the year.
Free museum days in 2023 for Illinois residents at the Art Institute of Chicago are:
Weekdays (Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays) from Jan. 9 – March 24, 2023
Free admission tickets for Illinois residents must be reserved online in advance.
Note: The Art Institute is always free for Chicago teens under the age of 18, all children under age 14, Link and WIC cardholders, active-duty military, and Illinois educators.
Free admission on select holidays and dates throughout the year are available to Illinois residents.
The announced dates for Illinois residents to receive free admission are on the following days in 2023:
January: 16 – 20, 24 – 27, 31
February: 1 – 3, 7 – 10, 14 – 17, 20 – 24, 28
Holidays:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 16)
Presidents’ Day (Feb. 20)
Fourth of July (July 4)
Note: Always free for active duty military and veterans, active duty Chicago police and firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois residents under age 18, and all children under 12.
Offers free basic admission, plus discounted passes to explore a ticketed exhibition or enjoy a 3D movie, for Illinois residents on select dates throughout the year.
Free museum days at the Field Museum in 2023:
January: 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
February: 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 20
March: 7, 14
Tickets for free days are only available onsite. Free tickets include all general admission exhibitions, such as Evolving Planet, The Ancient Americas, and Inside Ancient Egypt.
Offers free admission for Illinois residents on select dates throughout the year.
Here are the free admission days announced for the Museum of Science and Industry for 2023:
January 9–11, 16–18, 23–25, 30–31
February1–2, 6–9, 13–14, 16, 21
March1, 6, 14
April18, 22
May4, 9, 17–18
June1, 6–7
August22, 28–29
September5–6, 11–12, 15, 18–20, 26
October4–5, 9, 16–17
November1, 8
Note: The Museum is always free for United States military active-duty personnel and veterans, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters, Chicago police officers and Illinois teachers (Pre-K through 12th grade).
Offering suggested donation admission on the following days in 2023 where Illinois Residents can enjoy free admission during these Suggested Donation Days,:
January: 5, 12, 19, 26
Note: Always free for active-duty service members with ID and their families, Illinois teachers, and children under three.
Illinois residents receive free access to all permanent exhibits, including special exhibits Underwater Beauty and seasonal Stingray Touch, on select dates throughout the year.
Free museum days for Illinois residents at the Shedd Aquarium in 2023:
January: 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16
February: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, and 28
Note: Advance reservations are required; no tickets will be available onsite. All adults must provide proof of residency in-person when redeeming tickets at the discounted rate.
Chicago is known for its world famous food scene and past posts have provided insight on some Chicago Best Restaurants and best taco places in the area. Now we take a look at some of the best brunch places in Chicago.
We take a look at eight (8) frequently recommended brunch places among Facebook users in the Chicago area.
About: This restaurant offers one of the best rooftop dining and brunch experiences Chicago has to offer. Frequently recommended by folks on Facebook. Cindy’s is atop the Chicago Athletic Association north of the Art Institute and across the street from Millennium Park.
About: Local, family-owned restaurant in the Rogers Park neighborhood offering a full service menu of breakfast and lunch items. Frequently mentioned on Facebook as a great Chicago Brunch spot.
Breakfast Menu includes: Biscuits and Gravy, Huevos Rancheros, Skillets, Vegan Tofu Scrambler, Omelets, Crepes, French Toast, and lots more
About: Neighborhood coffeehouse, restaurant and meeting place in Chicago’s River North, Streeterville, Fulton Market, Oak Brook and Loop neighborhoods. Brunch Served Saturday & Sunday until 3:00pm
About: Landmark in Lincoln Park for over eighty (80) years – serving diners breakfast, lunch, and brunch (before it was even a thing). Serving daily 9 AM – 3 PM.
Breakfast Menu includes: French Toast, Omelets, Pancakes, Waffles, Homemade Sausage patties, Skillets, and more.
About: Mediterranean restaurant with a funky-ornate setting with riverfront seats offers a favorite Weekend Brunch experience. Hear world beats by DJs in a riverfront terrace (heated and enclosed with clear panels during cooler months), and sip on tropical drinks while enjoying brunch.
Brunch Menu includes: Tomato & Avocado Toast, Cubano Breakfast Sandwich, Vegan Chilaquiles, bakery items, and more
About: Trendy destination with extensive, locally sourced international brunch menu. A unique brunch with American, Asian, and Latin flavors paired with fun cocktails. Note: Reservations Are Required For a Table
Google Stars: 4.1 – 4.4 **Depending on the location
Price Range: $$
Final Thought
Chicago is home to a wide variety of great food and these venues offer a flavorful and unique experience. So if you are in Chicago and are looking for great brunch or breakfast places try one of these Facebook user favorites. Leave a comment on any additional brunch places you recommend and we will research it. Enjoy!!
The Christmas Holiday season in Chicago is magical with great excitement and seasonal celebrations. Christmas in Chicago is truly special as the city comes to life. The Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park are decorated and vibrant during this magical time of year with folks ice skating in Millennium Park or viewing the majestic Chicago Christmas Tree.
Chicago celebrates Christmas like no other with special exhibits, pub crawls, dazzling Holiday light displays, live theatre productions, magical holiday transportation, and many shops and Christmas markets during the Christmas Holiday season in Chicago. Christmas in Chicago is so magical that we have put this ultimate Christmas Guide to Christmas in Chicago for your convenience.
Included is a special Christmas Gift - see video of Christmas in Chicago below.
Museum Holiday Magic - A few of the famous Chicago museums take part in the holiday fun.
Live Holiday Theatre Productions - Christmas in Chicago means live Holiday productions of some of the Christmas classics - "A Christmas Carol", "Nutcracker", and more
Ice Skating - Christmas in Chicago is not complete without a list of ice skating locations around Chicago.
Christmas in Chicago Video - Our special video gift of a walk in Chicago at Christmas time put to Christmas music
** Additional Chicago area events are found on the Festivals and Events page. **
Order by December 15, 2022 for delivery before Christmas
Dazzling Holiday Lights
ZooLights at Lincoln Park zoo- The Lincoln Park zoo is decked out and lit up by more than 2.5 million colorful lights. Includes moving displays set to music, wonderful ice sculptures, and much more. Lincoln Park zoo also usually offers special events like an adult night out and pop-up bar.
Dates: November 19, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Brew Lights (Adult Only): Thursday December 1st – Catch Zoo lights while sipping and savoring specialty brews under millions of beautiful holiday lights.
Brookfield Zoo hosts a Holiday Magic Display - Christmas in Chicago means Brookfield Zoo is decked out with Christmas decorations and more than 1 million twinkling LED lights. It includes a 600 foot long Tunnel of Lights with thousands of colored lights synchronized to music.
Dates: Nov. 25 - Dec. 31, 2022 (Select Dates)
Tickets must be purchased in advance: $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors, and $17.95 for children aged between 3 and 11.
Brookfield Zoo - Holiday Magic
Chicago Botanic Garden Lightscape- This illuminated and immersive experience has visitors explore the botanic garden after dark. The glow of twinkling lights is mesmerizing with different installations around every corner of the walking path.
Dates: November 11, 2022 - January 8, 2023
Chicago Botanic Lightscape
Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle - This is a dazzling illuminated outdoor experience set to music. The mile long path winds through the arboretum and offers magical and captivating lighting displays. Along the trek cozy up by the fires, grab some hot chocolate, or make some s’mores.
Dates: November 19, 2022 - January 7, 2023
Shine Light Show - Schaumburg, Illinois - Schaumburg’s Largest Drive-Thru World Of Lights At Wintrust Field – Home Of the Schaumburg Boomers is back for Christmas in Chicago for a 2nd year.
Dates: November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Sparkle Light Festival at Impact Field in Rosemont - Includes five illuminated villages with millions of sparkling lights, custom 3D holiday features, ice tube slide, holiday train adventure, mouth-watering food and drink and more.
Dates: November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
See the Chicago Christmas Tree - The massive tree lights up the heart of iconic Millennium Park. It is adorned in twinkling lights and makes the perfect holiday photo opp. The tree shines brightly near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street.
Dates: November 18, 2022 - January 8, 2023
Chicago Christmas Tree
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade - A thrilling holiday celebration: A day-through-night, mile-long extravaganza drawing more than one million celebrants.
Date: November 19, 2022
Magical Christmas Drive Thru at Santa's Village Dundee - Enjoy over 3 million lights synchronized to holiday music, dazzling displays, and Santa himself. At the end of the route you are able to park and enjoy the new 300 foot tube slide and entertainment.
Dates: November 25 - December 30, 2022 (Select Dates)
Free Holiday Walking Tour
Chicago Holiday Tour - The tour takes you through parts of downtown Chicago and get to visit some of Chicago's favorite holiday spots, visit the traditional Chicago Christmas tree, scope out good places for ice skating, and discover places to grab an indulgent dessert. This free tour walking tour is guided by Free Tours by Foot, and you get to decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it's done. Reservations are required ahead of time at Chicago Holiday Tour.
Dates: November 20, 26-27 and December 2 - 4, 9 - 11, 16 - 18
Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours. Total walking a bit over one mile (1.6km)
Start Location: The Chicago Cultural Center: 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602 by the cow statue
Winter Wonderlands
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier - A massive indoor holiday experience includes an authentic beer garden, a gift market, activities for kids, and a light garden made of large-scale sculptures. Also the indoor Alpine ice rink means skating thrills without any of the chills.
Dates: November 25, 2022 - January 7, 2023
Winterland at Gallagher Way – This includes family-friendly activities, new interactive experiences, along with returning favorites, including Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville and the Gallagher Ice Rink, with the rink now located inside the iconic ballpark.
Dates: Friday, November 18, 2022, through Sunday, January 8, 2023
Magical Holiday Transportation
CTA Holiday Train– This is a beloved Chicago tradition. A CTA holiday train makes its way through the city usually in December. The six-car train is decorated with holiday scenes and thousands of sparkling lights. Hop on board to meet the elves handing out candy. Don’t forget to wave to Santa, whose sled replaces the head car.
Dates: November 25th through December 19th select dates and CTA Lines
CTA Holiday Bus – The CTA Holiday bus will traverse the city streets.
Dates: November 29th through December 23rd select dates and routes
Metra Holiday Train - New in 2022 - Experience holiday magic on the Metra Electric Line 3 Saturdays in December. The special holiday train with Santa and Mrs. Claus brings you to the North Pole winter wonderland at Millennium Station.
Dates: December 3, 10 and 17 ** tickets go on sale November 21st
Polar Express Train Ride from Union Station – Sorry not available in 2022. Expect back in Christmas 2023
Christmas Restaurant Traditions
Walnut Room - inside Macy’s on State Street. The historic restaurant is an essential holiday destination. The Walnut Room is adorned with elegant décor and sparkling chandeliers, with the towering Great Tree in the center of it all.
Dates: Begins November 5, 2022 – Reservations all full, sorry
Chicago is a great place for Holiday shopping as it offers many shopping districts and options.
Christmas in Chicago
Here is a run down of some of the shopping options:
The Magnificent Mile– this is one of the world’s most iconic retail destinations including Water Tower Place. Many famous department stores and favorite chains exist along the Magnificent Mile, as well, as tons of twinkling lights to dazzle shoppers throughout the Christmas season
State Street – just a few blocks from the Magnificent Mile is another wonderful shopping option where the iconic Macy’s on State Street is located. Macy’s offers their annual Holiday Windows and the Great Tree inside the historic Walnut Room.
Christkindlmarket - Authentic German Christmas market This is a free-admission event featuring local vendors. On sale are traditional German crafts and treats, hot mulled wine, hand-knit gloves, beautiful glass ornaments, wooden cuckoo clocks, and other special holiday items and treats.
Woodfield Mall – Schaumburg, IL - One of the most iconic retail destinations in the suburbs of Chicago is Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL. Lots of good department stores and favorite chains are available at Woodfield mall for your Holiday shopping needs.
Address: 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Randolph Street Market - Find the unusual and stylishly crafted mix of vintage and modern decorative objects, housewares, fashion for men/women/children, art, hostess gifts and more from 125 vendors! Enjoy the market bar for a bloody mary, beer, wine or champagne and local eateries while browsing vendors on three floors in the Plumbers Hall building!
A few Chicago museums love to take part in the holiday fun as well:
Museum of Science and Industry - hosts the annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Lights, with 50 elaborately decorated trees that represent holiday traditions from across the globe. In Holiday of Lights, the museum honors the traditions of Chinese New Year, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Visakha Puja Day, and St. Lucia Day.
Dates: Nov. 16, 2022 - Jan. 8, 2023
Art Institute of Chicago- The museum’s beloved lions will welcome you wearing holiday wreaths, while inside, a world of treasures await — the soaring new Tiffany Window, the ever-popular 18th-century Neapolitan crèche, a thought-provoking and expansive exhibition by Barbara Kruger, and visitor favorites from Rembrandt and Van Gogh to O’Keeffe and Warhol.
Chicago is a pretty famous movie city especially with its great architecture and sky line. The film industry and Hollywood has a long history of filming movies in Chicago as the back drop for blockbuster movies and television shows throughout the years. Thanks to the Chicago Film Office, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, big time movie productions are attracted to the city and its sites for filming movies.
The Chicago Film Office has had great success in attracting feature film production, television series, and other film productions including commercials and documentaries to film in the city of Chicago. More than 1,100 television productions and feature films have been filmed in Chicago since 1980. Movie titles include The Untouchables, The Dark Knight, The Blues Brothers, Risky Business, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Home Alone and many more.
Several recent television programs are either partially or entirely filmed in Chicago including Empire, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD.
The Chicago Film Office reports the first film shot in Chicago is The Tramp and the Dog in 1896 and thousands of movies have been filmed in Chicago ever since.
We developed this guide of film locations for Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, and the Chicago Med TV shows and 5 of the best movies filmed in Chicago (The Dark Knight, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Home Alone, The Untouchables and Blue Brothers).
Chicago PD Film Locations
The Pilsen neighborhood around 18th Street is often used in the filming of Chicago PD. Restaurants and Pubs used in the filming of Chicago PD include:
Boni Vino Pizza: 111 W. Van Buren St.
Lou Mitchell’s: 565 W. Jackson Blvd.
Original Ferrara Bakery: 2210 W. Taylor St.
Bridgeport Restaurant: 3500 S. Halsted St.
White Palace Grill: 1159 S. Canal St.
Lottie’s Pub: 1924 W. Cortland St.
Maria’s Packaged Goods And Community Bar: 960 W. 31st St.
The Village Inn: 4035 S. Wallace St.
District 21 Police Station: The UIC Police Headquarters at 943 W. Maxwell St. is used as Chicago PD’s District 21. This is a real working police station so don’t be surprised if you can’t get a tour inside.
Chicago Fire Film Locations
Firehouse 51: All of the exterior shots of the Chicago Firehouse 51 in Chicago Fire are shot on location at the working Chicago Fire Department Engine 18 firehouse located at: 1360 S. Blue Island Avenue. A must see for fans of the television show and it is quite possible you will catch the stars of the show in action
Chicago Fire Academy: Located at 558 W. De Koven Street. This modern building makes many appearances in the television show. And is nearby the location of where the Great Chicago Fire began in 1871.
Molly’s Pub: Scenes for Molly’s pub were originally shot inside Lottie’s Pub at 1924 W. Cortland St. Going into Lottie’s Pub feels like walking on set and the pub has the Chicago Fire burger on the menu.
Chicago Med Film Locations
Graceland Cemetery: 4001 N. Clark St. The Chicago Med characters found themselves in Graceland Cemetery for a graveside ceremony. This cemetery is the final resting place for many famous historical people - public figures, architects, famous inventors, and baseball and boxing greats so it is worth the trip to see.
Gaffney Medical Center: The hospital that stands in for the Gaffney Medical Center in the show is located at 1653 W. Congress Parkway and is part of the Rush University Medical Center. This is the home base for the show.
The Dark Knight (2008) Movie Locations
Dark Knight starring Heath Ledger as the Joker, Christian Bale as Batman, Michael Caine as Alfred, and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes was filmed partly in Chicago. These are the main film locations.
Wayne Enterprise and Bruce Wayne film locations:
Wayne Enterprise Headquarters: Richard J Daley Center, Daley Plaza, Washington Street
Wayne Enterprise Boardroom: IBM Building, 330 North Wabash Avenue
Wayne Enterprises Applied Science Division: West Building, McCormick Place, 2301 South Indiana Avenue
Bruce Wayne's penthouse: Wyndham Grand, 71 East Wacker Drive
Harvey Dent Scenes:
Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes at the opera: Chicago Theatre, 175 North State Street
Harvey Dent fundraiser: Illinois Center Buildings, 111 East Wacker Drive
Dent turns up as bartender: Twin Anchors, 1665 North Sedgwick Street, Old Town
Gotham General Hospital and Evacuation of Gotham City
Location of Gotham General Hospital: 401 North Cicero Avenue
Evacuation of Gotham City: Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue
Other Movie Scenes:
Opening Robbery film location: Chicago Post Office, 404 West Harrison Street
Scarecrow Arrested: Parking Garage, 200 West Randolph Street
Maroni arrested: The Berghoff, 17 West Adams Street
Dark Knight looks down on the city: Willis Tower, 233 South Wacker Drive
Emergence of the Batpod: Millennium Park Metra Station
Truck flipped over: South La Salle Street
Lamborghini chase: Lake Street, between Upper Wacker Drive and State Street
Final face-off with Joker: Trump Tower, 401 North Wabash Avenue
Home Alone (1990) Movie Locations:
Home Alone starring Macaulay Culkin was filmed in Winnetka a north suburb of Chicago. Here are the main film locations for the movie.
McCallister Home: 671 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka, Illinois, USA
Mitch Murphy's home: 656 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka, Illinois, USA
Exterior church scene: Trinity United Methodist Church - 1024 W. Lake Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, USA
Railroad track bridge scene: Hubbard Woods Metra Station - 1065 Gage Street, Winnetka, Illinois, USA
Interior church scene: Grace Episcopal Church - 924 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, USA
Airport Scene: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Pharmacy scene: Panera Bread Company--formerly Hubbard Woods Pharmacy - 940 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, Illinois, USA
The Untouchables (1987) Movie Locations
Ballroom where Capone kills guy with baseball bat: Blackstone Hotel - 636 S. Michigan Avenue, Downtown, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Front entrance and main lobby used as Lexington Hotel, where Al Capone lives: Roosevelt University - 430 S. Michigan Avenue, Downtown, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Chase between Ness and Nitt: Chicago Cultural Center - 78 E. Washington Street, Downtown, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Interior of Lexington Hotel, where Al Capone lives: Chicago Theatre - 175 North State Street, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Ness's house: 2030 W 22nd Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Chicago Board of Trade: 141 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604
Ness meets Malone: Michigan Avenue Bridge, Chicago, IL
Ness meets Malone: Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica National Shrine - 3121 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Police headquarters: 209 S LaSalle St, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Malone's house: 4600 S Calumet Ave, Chicago, Illinois, USA
USPS office: 208 S LaSalle St, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Union Station: Canal St. & Jackson Blvd., Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Street scenes: South LaSalle St
The raid: 917 W 19th Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Location of the Untouchables’ office: Rookery Building - 209 S La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60604
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) Movie Locations
Cameron's house and Ferrari garage: 370 Beach Street, Highland Park, Illinois, USA
Katie Bueller's real estate office: 583 Chestnut Street, Winnetka, Illinois, USA
Running home scenes: Butternut Lane, Northbrook, Illinois, USA
Chez Quis Restaurant exteriors: 22 West Schiller Street, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Baseball game: Wrigley Field - 1060 West Addison Street, Lake View, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Scene in cab next to dad: 300 block S. Financial Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Ferrari jump scene: 1549 S Clark St. Chicago, Illinois, USA
School exteriors: Glenbrook North High School - 2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook, Illinois, USA
Woods Theater is seen in background in shots during the parade sequence: 54 West Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Blue Brothers (1980) Movie Locations
Elwood’s apartment: Unfortunately, Elwood’s apartment didn’t stand the test of time. It is a small park, today, that sits in front of 327 S. Plymouth Court.
Soul Food Café: 807 W. Maxwell St.
Police car pileup: Lake St. and LaSalle St., Lower Wacker – around 190 N. LaSalle Street
Chez Paul Restaurant: 660 N. Rush St
James Brown church scene: Pilgrim Baptist on the South Side of Chicago - 9114 S. Burley Ave.
The nazis take a swim: Bridge is located at Jackson Park in Chicago - 6401 S Stony Is Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
The finale: Richard J. Daley Plaza and City Hall at 121 N. LaSalle St.
Other Notable movies filmed in Chicago:
Risky Business (1982)
Sixteen Candles (1983)
The Color of Money (1986)
A League of Their Own (1991)
The Fugitive (1993)
High Fidelity (2000)
Public Enemies (2008)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2009)
Final Thoughts
Chicago is a great city for movie production. The Chicago Film Office website has a complete list of movies filmed at least in part in Chicago. The Chicago Film Office website is available here. Plan in some of these locations on your next trip to Chicago.
On September 8, 2022, Secret Chicago publishedan 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.
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
Final Thought
Chicago is home to great Mexican food. These twelve (12) taco places are some of the best venues for flavorful and affordable taco-fare. So if you are in the Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lower west side, or Midway Airport area you have plenty of the best taco places to choose from. Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Lincoln Square, and even Bridgeport have at least one of the best taco places in Chicago. Enjoy!!
I am James Bamberger, an experienced long term investor, MBA, PMP, and Certified Scrum Master who enjoys traveling, the outdoors, family, and spending time with my four kids.
You will find Information on leadership, journaling, investing, travel, and the outdoors here.
Post a comment if you don't find the information you are looking for. We (my oldest daughter and I) are adding new material often.
