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Allende Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
2408 N Lincoln Ave(between Fullerton Ave & Halsted St)
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, DePaul
(773) 477-7114
- Nearest Transit:
-
Fullerton (Brown Line, Purple Line, Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 9 am - 3 am
Fri-Sat 9 am - 5 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Whether you dine in at Dos Diablos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, or you settle some late night cravings with our tasty appetizers and margaritas, you're… read more »
142 reviews for Allende Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"Al pastor spit is what puts this place over the top." In 13 reviews -
"The service is great and chips and salsa are awesome." In 22 reviews -
"...but the food has been consistently delicious late night." In 26 reviews
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142 reviews in English
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Review from Danny W.
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm sure this place has great Mexican food, but to be completely honest after about a hundred visits I wouldn't even really know. Every time I've ever been the salsa completely takes over. It's so good I end up drowning my meal worse than the 3rd class passengers of the Titanic.
Seriously, the stuff is so good I'd even consider eating Taco Bell if it was topped with it. They sell it to go too so you can literally put it on some of your old sneakers and have a 5 star experience. I think you'll like a taco or burrito much better though. -
Review from Jass V.
5/2/2012
To be honest I was expecting a slightly larger burrito for the price and type of establishment, but I can't complain. (5 years later and I still miss a decent California burrito).
After a concert at Lincoln Hall and one too many beers at said concert, I felt the need for something to sober me up before bed. The carne asada burrito was fairly delicious and the hot sauce met with approval (although I wish they gave more than one with each. But then again I can never have enough spice in my life). -
Review from Michael O.
Chicago, IL
2/4/2012
I'll admit the first time I tried Allende I was intoxicated. I remembered the food being irresistibly, mouth-wateringly delicious so I went back when sober. It's a clean, yet sparsely-decorated tinfoil Mexican place with charming and friendly staff. But the food-- oh, the food! From steak tacos to beef tongue burritos to quesadillas al pastor, you can't go wrong with any of their incredible selections!
The homemade salsa is in my personal top 3 best salsas anywhere. I love pouring it on tacos, dipping burritos into it, or just saving it for my own home-cooked meals the following week. The prices are more than reasonable and there is no such thing as a bad selection at Allende. Pay them a visit! ...and then go back again and again! -
Review from Jenn C.
5/9/2012
Came here for dinner while we were at the hospital and wanted a bite to eat. It's a small clean hole in the wall mexican joint, with a decent size menu of your choice of several different type of mexican entrees to simple tacos. Clean and quick. It's a keeper!
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Review from Jon K.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2012
Good Mexican food for low prices. I tried al pastor based on the other recommendations, but prefer the chicken burrito. Quick service is always a plus during lunch!
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Review from David K.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2012
Good, solid Mexican fast-food. The portions are generous enough. I usually order the veggie burrito and enjoy having it with their hot sauce. Chips and salsa are also pretty good. Great place to go for a quick Mexican meal. The food is fine, but nothing spectacular.
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Review from Jelena Z.
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
You can safely bet on snow coming down in a Chicago winter. You can also count on nailing a few of her subsequent potholes. But what's even more certain? Finding me in a taqueria after a night out... because, it's just like what Sir Mix-A-Lot said: I like burritos and I cannot lie. Or, something like that!
Most recently, I loved on some late-nights tacos at Allende. My first time with a new taqueria is a huge deal - will the calories prove worth it? If they have al pastor, will it make me regret my decision or will I bask in pastor pleasure? And do they take plastic? All very important considerations for a taco you're about to hunker down with, indeed.
It was a tough decision, but after consulting with someone who looked like a regular customer (his comfortable sprawl indicated this) I decided on ordering a pastor taco and a carne asada one. This way, I minimize risk and if the al pastor ends up bringing the bombdiggitiness, I'll focus exclusively on it next time.
And it begins. Carne asada passed the test! These tacos are double-stacked corn tortillas filled with meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream (read: not authentic-style). But are they good? Affirmative, Ghost Rider! I saved the pastor for last because it's so difficult to find tasty pastor on the northside... and... wait for it...
BOMB.
Sigh of pleasure. 'Cause, now I don't have to drive down to Ukie Village or Pilsen to find solid pastor. If a little nondescript taqueria is slammed on a Tuesday night, you know they're doing something right!
See you soon, buddy. -
Review from Lisa T.
12/4/2011
Sweet lord the salsa here is off the charts delicious.... and I seriously don't even like salsa that much.
Allende is one of those *extremely* elusive places that the food is equally awesome sober food as it is drunk food. It's definitely good enough to crave it for dinner on a random Wednesday night; however, it will also make you the happiest person ever at 2am.
This bears repeating - the salsa is SO GOOD. The al pastor is super tasty and the chicken is AMAZING and my favorite. The steak is my bf's favorite.
If you're on this block of Lincoln Ave, it is 100% necessary that you try Allende. And make sure to have a seat inside so they bring you chips and salsa! -
Review from A W.
Chicago, IL
Sometimes I'm just really easy to please. They gave me limes with my tacos. I was so pleased.
There is nothing spectacular about Allende. The interior is bleak and dated. The woman at the register is doing the bare-minimum with no smile. No one speaks to you when you come or says thank you after paying. So, why the hell am I giving them 4 stars? I really don't completely understand why myself. But, I feel it in my bones this is the correct rating. Much like Shakira's hips... my bones don't lie, yo!
I know what you're thinking now (I'm psychic. Whaaa, you ain't know?) and no, I was not under the influence of happy juice when eating here. It was about 7pm and I was hungry. It took me walking past almost three times before I finally just decided to go on ahead and eat here. Upon walking in, I thought I had gone back in time to the 80's. It felt like Michael Jackson's spirit would come from the back, hit the counter, and tell me to 'beat it' at any given moment. Still, something told me to press on and trust my gut, and obey it as well since it was punching me on the inside.
I got two al pastor tacos and one chorizo taco. I saw they came gringo style and was a little worried as to what I got myself into. With a horchata to drink, the total came up to about $7. Hey! Not bad. Even if I had made a mistake, I wouldn't feel bamboozled later. I sit down and the tacos were brought to me. Ooops. Is this actually a sit down place? Cant' be. It had a big sign that said 'Order Here' over the register. And then there's the long counter. I was worried even more now about the whole 'beat it' scenario as I thought I had missed something. Ohsie wells, time to eat.
The tacos were not the gringo style I expected. They had a little lettuce, a couple wedges of tomato, but shredded white cheese instead of cheddar. They also each came with a lime wedge. Uh, I just love limes for just about any Mexican food I'm eating. This really made a difference. All three of the tacos were great. They weren't earth-shattering, but certainly greater than the caliber I was expecting from such a place. My horchata was wonderful. Someone else said there's was watery, and I actually read that before I ordered. I'm happy I still got it. It's one of the best I've had in a while. Nice balance of sweetness and cinnamon, and wasn't water, yet still was thin like it should be. It was so refreshing.
This one of those perfect places to get a quick bite from before going on to do other things for the rest of the night. You aren't sacrificing taste for the cost either. I recommend trying it out when in the neighborhood and craving Mexican food.Listed in: The Latin or Latin-ish Food…, Winning. ROTD Roster
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Review from christin d.
Columbus, OH
12/21/2011
What else is there to say? I love chorizo, and tortas, and cheap, freshly made authentic Mexican street food, so I loved this place. After reading other reviews I wish I had ordered an al pastor taco with my torta just to try it.
As many others mentioned, the salsa is exceptionally good too. The service leaves a little to be desired, but that really doesn't matter to me. I will probably come back here when I visit Chicago again. -
Review from Sibi J.
Wicker Park, Chicago, IL
1/10/2012
A pretty decent place in LP for tacos.
I can see the drunk food attraction spot here.. Waiitt.. you thought I went there when I was drunk.. no wayyy.. I am a good kid like that.. lol
Got ground beef, al pastor and carne asada tacos to go with. I would definitely recommend the Al pastor there. The carne asada here is definitely differently comparatively to say La Pasadita. Chopped up and spicier.. I like..
Stay away from the shakes, at least the strawberry shake was not worth the money. Spend it on a taco :) Cheap and worth a visit if nothing is open around. -
Review from Matt K.
Chicago, IL
11/18/2011
I regularly, and happily, eat here sober -- which is probably the highest compliment you can pay a taco joint.
Al pastor spit is what puts this place over the top. Yes, please! -
Review from Selin D.
Lakeview, Chicago, IL
12/27/2011
Cheap, delicious and fast!!! I love this place with all my heart and when I introduced it to my friends they fell in love too.
Order BBQ pork anything!!!! -
Review from KuangYou C.
Chicago, IL
11/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good critic score on Yelp.
However, I like Angela's Burrito better.
I had Pollo Burrito. The size was huge. Lots of veggies inside, but the chicken meat was a little dry. I am not sure it is normal or not.
My friend had a steak plate. It looked so good. Maybe I ordered the wrong one. -
Review from Katie C.
Chicago, IL
9/14/2011
My death row last meal request= Allende!
Dine in, just seat yourself. You'll get served chips and the best salsa ever.
Order 2 (or 3!) steak tacos..just onion, cilantro, and cheese..and a side of rice and beans. It's heaven!
This is not a meal you must eat drunk - this is a meal you can eat ANY TIME. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Post-2AM. Allende does not disappoint. -
Review from Edward E.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 12/4/2011
I have been going here for a couple of years now. Every time was good solid mexican food. Heck they even know me and my son by name. I came in a little over a week ago, got my staple, Heuvos Con Chorizo and a steak burrito.
The Eggs and chorizo were spot on as always, they steak burritto was GROSS. The steak had so many pieces of inebible gristle and many chunks of bone. They should be EMBARRASSED to serve garbage carne asada like that.
That burritto lost me as a customer. Now I must rely on Chipotle for my Mexican fix until I can find a replacement go to place.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/4/2009
Great, inexpensive authentic mexican food. Always fast, fresh and hot. This is hands down the best… Read more »
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Review from Kathy P.
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
After a very disappointing meal at a previous location where I barely touched my food (and that is rare), we stopped in here to get some late night good eats. I got the 3 taco dinner and was very pleased, especially with the al pastor and carne asada. I love that they use chihuahua cheese and their hot sauce is delicious. Plus the service was friendly and quick. I'll be back for sure (and probably very soon)!
Listed in: Late Night Food Spots
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Review from Dana O.
Chicago, IL
8/14/2011
3 words- I AM OBSESSED. I have gotten daily cravings for this place ever since my roommate introduced me to it a year ago.
Cheap. Fast. & DELICIOUS! I honestly am not fond of Mexican food, but I will gladly eat tacos and refried beans from here 7 days a week! They are also open very late every night (3am weekdays, 5am weekends), so I can satisfy my Allende craving whenever I need to!
When I first started frequenting their place they gave out free chips and salsa if you sat down and ate. For some reason they stopped doing this, and did not inform me, so for a while I would go and wonder why my bill was $2.00 more than it usually is. (I always get the same thing every time so it always costs the same; I walk in and they pretty much start cooking it right away haha) This is the only reason they didn't get 5 starts from me!
Whatever, I will pay the extra $2.00, because my meal is still less than ten bucks every time! I am moving to the MagMile in a matter of weeks, but you better believe I will be making the trek out to Allende before I go home after class at least 3 days a week! -
Review from David G.
Chicago, IL
1/1/2012
Gets the job done...way better than Angela's Burrito's, which i was a big fan of before coming here. Chips/Salsa were solid but the winner was the Carne Asada Burrito. It was really out of bounds, you guys. Such bold flavors, especially with the hot sauce.
Will return even sober. will have to try the al pastor tacos as they seem to be a favorite -
Review from Todd W.
Chicago, IL
11/15/2011
Its OK. I work in Pilsen so I've tried a lot of Mexican food within Chicago and must say no place continues to blow me away with something. If someone has a place in mind please send me a message. I will say this about Allende, the Torta's are fairly decent and I have never had one before arriving in Chicago.
My favorite Torta experience was definitely in Pilsen. A little shack located on 18th and Halsted. Walk towards a Food mart and you'll notice a kitchen in the back, there you will find a hidden gem in the Torta Chicago.
Again though, nothing spectacular but decent food at a decent price. -
Review from Zach F.
Chicago, IL
2/18/2012
I work nearby and even though there are a ton of restaurant options in this area Allende is definitely my favorite. The waitress/cashier is always friendly and super-efficient, the chips and salsa are excellent and you can't beat the prices. I pretty much always get one of the burritos, which are pretty large (comparable to Chipotle) and very tasty. I've had the chicken, pork, steak and vegetarian burritos and they're all great. The horchatas are also really good and a nice balance to the spiciness of the salsa. I can't recommend this place enough!
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Review from Tad D.
Chicago, IL
9/20/2011
Why is this little hole-in-the-wall five stars? Because it perfectly accomplishes the mission it sets out to accomplish.
Allende is an inexpensive Mexican restaurant. You can tell from a mile away. And they make very good Mexican food, especially considering it's on a budget. The service is great - you can tell these people really care about their food and their customers. I was introduced to the place after having way too much to drink, but it's also darn good food if you're dead sober.
After moving out of the neighborhood, I realized I haven't eaten here in six months. I went back, and they were genuinely happy to see me, asking where I had been. Now that's a great place. I realized they deserve a great Yelp rating because the restaurant perfectly accomplishes inexpensive Mexican food. -
Review from Brandon V.
Chicago, IL
6/20/2011
After reading the reviews for this place, I suggested it to a friend when we were trying to find a place to meet for a long-overdue lunch date.
The food was pretty good, and the lady taking our order was very friendly and speedy.
However, perhaps my bad for choosing to come on one of the hottest days of the year so far... but this place doesn't have air conditioning. And it was HOT in there. Say what you want about me (it's probably true), but I just can't enjoy eating spicy Mexican food while sweating my brains out.
I might come again sometime when it's cooler outside, but probably wouldn't go out of my way. -
Review from Jeff N.
Chicago, IL
8/22/2011
I've been to this place one too-many times after 2AM and the food hits the spot after a long night out. The food is plentiful and cheap. I must say the food does taste better after midnight there though.
Due to the food being cheap and the food tastes pretty good, I give it four stars. -
Review from Max T.
Chicago, IL
6/29/2011
Taco joints should be:
a) delicious
b) cheap
c) dingy
(a): check! (b): check! (c): check! -
Review from Samra M.
5/9/2011
The first thing you think when you walk in is this is definitely a 4am drunk spot, but my first encounter here was not when I was intoxicated but when I was completely sober and craving a taco because I didn't get a taco on cinco de mayo...
Anyways, my friend and I went here to try it out and it was pretty cool. They're Horchata is pretty good and they're tacos are legit. The tacos come with your choice of meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream. I got one chicken and one steak taco and they were really good. I would go here again, maybe next time when i'm drunk. Of course it's by depaul so only a bus ride away. -
Review from Jeremy S.
Chicago, IL
1/5/2011
Para los mexicanos: Allende es el mejor burrito lugar en Chicago
For the Americans: Allende is the best burrito place in Chicago
God I love this place. The people working are very sweet and they have excellent service despite having to deal with a very rowdy crowd.
Chances are you will most likely come here late night, so let's discuss the benefits of this choice. You get free chips and salsa. The perfect starter for your main course... EL BURRITO...
After sitting for only a few minutes, the nice lady at the register drops down a massive burrito with steak, beans, sour cream, you know... the works...
It tastes as great as it looks, and it will only set you back about $5. I call that a deal. They are open pretty late on the Lincoln Park strip, which is very important when making your late night food choice.
Allende is definitely a place you should check out.Listed in: My Fast Food Joints
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Review from Andrew H.
Chicago, IL
12/11/2011
Good for late night Mexican. Last time I was here for take out it smelled so good I ate it on my walk home. The salsa is delicious and the meats are pretty tender. Prices are also very reasonable. Ambiance is non-existent, but then again, it's a taco joint and it'd be weird if the place was super nice inside. Will be back for sure.
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Review from Brian L.
3/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you go to Depaul, you eat at Allende. If you live in Lincoln Park, you eat at Allende. If you party in Lincoln Park, you eat at Allende. Basically, if you're drunk and hungry after 2 am, you eat at Allende.
I love the loaded carne asada nachos, the burritos, the tacos, and the free chips and salsa they hook you up with if you're dining in. But then again, I don't think I've ever eaten here while completely sober, so maybe don't trust this poor drunk bastard's review. -
Review from Joey M.
Chicago, IL
2/16/2011
Don't judge a book by it's cover... or a divey Mexican place by it's lack of aesthetic appeal. There's a reason this place has been able to secure prime real estate at Halsted and Lincoln for a number of years, and it's not drunk college kids.
Okay, well it's not only drunk college kids.
Everything served here is fresh, made to order and brought to your table. No stale meat sitting in metal containers for hours on end. All the standards are represented, as expected, and if you're feeling adventurous you can even order cow tongue. Yum.
The standout for me was their take on a recent guilty pleasure of mine: breakfast burritos. Not long ago I found breakfast burritos repulsive, offended by their seemingly brash defiance of the natural culinary order. A mutant offspring of eggs, salsa and sour cream blatantly invading the breakfast space. But since finally trying one they've joined my collection of beloved vices, joining the ranks of Oreo Pie and The J. Geils Band.
The breakfast burrito here is delicious and enormous (denormous?), filled beyond capacity with chorizo, egg and cheese. I immediately knew there was no way I could finish this monstrosity. Except then I did. The familiar feeling of gluttonous shame washed over me as I choked down the last tasty bite. But instead of lingering with me for the rest of the day, the shame subsided in mere minutes. Minutes!
That's one magic burrito. -
Review from Megan S.
Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL
10/11/2011
This place is great drunk and great sober. The salsa is perfection. Use that hot sauce they bring to the table, it gives great heat to all of their delicious food. The burritos have just the right amount of grease when that's what you crave. The steak tortas, the tacos, and the nachos are all so wonderful and the service is always speedy and friendly.
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Review from Taylor D.
Chicago, IL
12/4/2011
Great for a late night snack. Reasonably priced and the salsa is excellent!! The tacos were VERY filled with meat, which I loved! The place really gets hopping in the late night/early morning hours.
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Review from David C.
Chicago, IL
12/26/2010
OK so Allende doesn't top their tacos with a cilantro and onion relish, nor do they serve them with a few wedges of lime, nor do they have delicious authentic Mexican options like tongue, tripe, or squash blossom. They even take it so far as to put shredded lettuce and cheese on top of their tacos. I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though this place is run by Mexicans, the food is slightly more Tex-mex than Mexican compared with a lot of the taquerias off Pilsen. Whatever.
I go to Allende for one of the best taco's I've ever had - the AL PASTOR. Doesn't that name just sound bad-ass? Al pastor is a spit-cooked pork that's similar in style to gyro meat or doner kebab meat. It's usually available in any respectable taqueria. I don't know why the ones at Allende are so freaking delicious - it could even be the shredded lettuce and cheese. Just GET AT LEAST TWO. I usually go with two al pastor and one chorizo. Paired with their free chips and salsa (which by the way is also quite good), it's one of the best Mexican meals you'll have in Chicago. -
Review from Mark J.
Chicago, IL
12/5/2011
Soon, I'll be hitting my fifth anniversary in Chicago, and so I figured it was time I write this review. I've searched high and low, through Uptown, Ravenswood, Logan Square, Lakeview, and even Little Village--still, I'm no less convinced than when I started out that Allende is the best: in terms of value, service, ambient, variety, and most of all, taste, it reigns supremo, the finest Mexican food in town.
It all started with the chicken burrito. This is what brought me back again and again, but then, when I was couple dollars short one afternoon, I went lower down the price chain to the tortas, and what a pleasant surprise: even the vegetarian option, the avocado torta, is mouthwatering, and it has much to do with what many have already said: the fantastic, fresh-ground salsa. It also deserves mentioning that across the board, the vegetarian options are just as good as the meals with chicken, beef, and steak.
It's a great late-night option, but judging by the other reviews, I've noticed a crucial oversight: breakfast. For only $4, you can get the huevos mexicanos, one of the best breakfast options in the city. A whopping serving of eggs with tortillas, rice, beans, avocados, and grilled peppers. Throw in one of the fresh fruit smoothies, and you have the best hangover elixir for under $7 in the Midwest.
Allende is affordable, the staff are affable (especially the evening crew), it's clean, and amid the many options, new discoveries always await you. -
Review from Doug S.
Chicago, IL
2/25/2011
You could be forgiven for thinking most of of these Mexican taco joints kinda just blend together, but Allende's distinguishes itself in two key ways:
a) The salsa, which is fresh and delicious, and served free with any dine in order with a bowl of chips.
b) The matronly saint of an owner who without fail serves with a smile and keeps the often drunk and potentially obnoxious crowd in line.
Although I tend to visit late night, beer taste buds aren't clogging my judgement, Allende's is just as good at lunch. -
Review from Jed R.
Chicago, IL
10/18/2011 1 photo
Can't go wrong with this place. Everything on the menu is cheap and more important great. I usually stick to the tacos, which are small, but only $1.75. If your in the DePaul area late and you need to eat, hit this place up. I suggest the chorizo taco.
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Review from pate t.
Chicago, IL
4/10/2012
minimal meat on tacos tortas, fries were mushy BOTH allende's are inconsistant with their food quality/quantity
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Review from Beth P.
Chicago, IL
6/7/2008
If you are drunk on Lincoln in the depual-y area- GO TO ALLENDE FOR NACHOS.
I prefer them from the other location a bit farther south on Lincoln near Webster, but oh well. If you're sober and try to eat here, you'll wish you had picked a burger joint next door.
But if you stumble in... I guarantee that the friendly staff of Allende will give you the yummiest nachos of your life. These amazing nachos are so good, they almost ended one of my friendships. Yeah, I had to re-prioritze, haha,
But seriously, keep your hands off my nachos. Also, avoid the "burrito" for fear of digestion problems. -
Review from Huzefa H.
Chicago, IL
1/20/2010
I gotta admit that I come here pretty often. Its a great lunch time spot.
My usual is the steak Torta and a drink.
Great tortas made with awesome bread and delicious avacodo.
Meal comes out to $5 and some change before tip.
I love the feel of this place. Its super authentic and pretty simple. Meaning they do their food right. The hot sauce they have is also very flavorful, not so much spicey but definitely flavorful. Tacos are decent to but not the best I've had in the city.
Everyone is really friendly and its always a good late night option.
Oh and they take credit cards for orders above 5 bucks. -
Review from jessica c.
Chicago, IL
11/13/2007
YES, I WAS very drunk and very hungry when I ate here.
YES, I did enjoy it very much.
YES, I would venture another visit by my sober self.
