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Division (Blue)
Mon-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
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Amazing! Always a line out the door!!
Steak Tacos:
Steak: a bit fatty, lower in quality, but it still tastes DAMN GOOD!
Salsa Verde: SPICY AS HELL! Delicious! Most of my memories form eatig here are of me sweating my ass off and begging for more water. I like the pain! :P
Extra money for everything beyond the meat, cilantro, onions and salsa? Are you kidding La Pasadita? Two bucks more a burrito than Picante but without any of the other stuff? You have to be kidding. 50 cents for cheese? Please. When I go for a burrito and horchata I want to spend 7 bucks MAX.
Sure, I'll be back when I'm drunk and not as fiscally responsible but I'm disappointed in you.
La Pasadita brings the folks from near and far to delight in their food. It's so refreshing (pun intended) to have such fresh food....pico de gallo to die for, made every day on site. I had the Super Quesadilla (the "super" comes in because the thing is freaking huge) and can I just say how awesome it tasted....mainly because all the ingredients were extremely fresh?
This meal was so cheap...I almost felt bad for only paying $13 for lunch for two. Didn't know that was legal in Chicago. I'll be returning to La Pasadita soon!
Their steak tacos were sooooo DELICIOUS! They were perfectly marinated and showered with fresh onions and cilantro....leave the lettuce and tomato out, please. The green salsa was delightfully spicy and contributed to a wonderful explosion of flavors as I chewed away into bliss. Mexican husband agreed, and he definitely knows good Mexican food. He had the steak burrito and my mom had the milanesa torta (breaded steak)....thumbs up from the both of them. The horchata was delicious too....thick, creamy, and sweet, just how I like it! Service was friendly and I will definitely return!
WHAT? THERE ARE NOW LAS PASADITAS THAT ARE NOT LOCATED ON THE 1100 BLOCK OF NORTH ASHLAND?
It's true. There are two more now, much further out on the Northwest Side, one more west and one more north.
But this isn't one of them. For those of you just encountering the La Pas concept, this Chicago institution used to be the only chain restaurant in the world with all of its locations on the SAME BLOCK. The three originals are still right here on Ashland, and this is one of them.
On to the food:
Pico de Gallo - FRESH. With crisp chips.
Veggie burrito: Yummy in my tummy.
Question: What's up with the front door that opens up on to the back of a booth seat? If the seat's empty and you're not looking down, the slapstick results could be hilarious/lead to a lawsuit.
I am so, so confused.
I have no idea which location I am reviewing. Trying to look at a map but that don't even help me.
Does it even matter?
I have no idea what kind of taco I ordered. All I know is that it came with nothing. My taco came WITH NOTHING. What did I miss? I went up to the counter to ask for sour cream. Damn, this ain't no Taco Bell, that's for effin sure. Ugh.
Maybe it was because I was a vampire that nite, so I didn't get the same respect as others. But what am I missing here!!??
My friends and I were whooping up Wicker Park and, Joe, who lives around there, insisted that we stop in for a 1am taco.
Now, if you know me, and you probably don't, you know that I am generally averse to trashy late night food, especially late night mexican food. I don't know if its the grease, or the shady characters, or the pain on the following day, but late night isn't usually my thing.
That said, la Pasadita put my fears to rest as soon as I took a bite of the most delicious steak taco I have ever tasted. There's nothing trashy about this late night food. The quality of the steak is a lot higher than a lot of other Mexican joints of this size, and the salsa they give you on the side is perfect: just spicy enough.
Next time your in WP, definitely stop by Pasadita.
OK I'm 95% sure I got the right La Pasadita for this review, which seems to be a constant source of confusion in these reviews. According to my detailed analysis, 37% of La Pasadita reviews are posted on the wrong location. Don't take that statistic too seriously though; also according to my analysis, Tina Fey and I are BFFs.
Anyway, this is the biggest of the three Las Pasaditas (LPs from here on out) on the west side of the street, slightly to the south of the other one. You can get table service here if you decide to eat in. I got carry-out. The menu here is the most expansive of the three LPs. You can get tacos, tostadas, tortas, burritos, fajitas and probably some other stuff I'm forgetting. This may also be the best location for us gringos. I haven't been to the one just north of here, but the one across the street can be a bit intimidating at times for someone as lily-white as me (even though I do speak a little Spanish).
The service was OK. Not super friendly, but not mean...just a bit cool. It took awhile to get my food after I ordered, but not quite long enough to be too long. My order was completely accurate. I really enjoyed my chicken torta. It was messy and tough to eat, but there was a generous amount of flavorful chicken on it and they didn't skimp on the other toppings. My steak taco (with only onions and cilantro, the default taco toppings at all LPs) was also good. Finally, my horchata was delicious.
I think the prices here are quite fair for what you get. The torta was 3-something, and it was very big. I got a torta, a taco and a regular horchata for under $8 and it was plenty to fill me up. If you're dining in, the place is nothing special. The seating is typical of what you'd see at a carryout-oriented taco joint. I'm not sure if you get free chips & salsa, as I haven't tried it. One little FYI, they take credit cards but there's a sign saying they require a $10 minimum purchase.
Overall, I'd say this place is muy buena! Me gusta La Pasadita y creo que voy a volver pronto!
Worst Customer Service.
I've been here twice, and they have f*d up my orders three times, including the second time after they f'd up and I returned to get my order corrected, they wouldn't give me what I actually ordered and made me order again, which they STILL F*D UP!
I had been walking by this restaurant for six months to and from work by the time I decided to stop in and pick up a quick dinner on the way home. I was excited to try this cheep Mexican restaurant so close to home and work.
The first messed up order I chalked up to my mis-reading or not giving enough directions. I ordered beef tacos, no special directions. The menu, that I was ordering from at the counter in front of the cashier listed tacos with lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, sour cream, and your choice of meat. I returned home to discover my beef tacos only held ground beef, onions and cilantro...but it was delicious, so I returned next week to give a more detailed order.
The second time I ordered I asked if tomato, lettuce, cheese and sour cream came with tacos and burritos. She told me lettuce and tomato did, but you have to ask for cheese, sour cream, avocado etc... So now, believing that cheese, sour cream, avocado etc., were optional add ons, and they just forgot the lettuce and tomato by mistake last time, I ordered "three ground beef tacos with cheese and sour cream, and one veggie burrito (with nothing added)".
I got home to discover my veggie burrito had both cheese and sour cream...so this time I returned with the the veggie burrito in tow. I placed the bagged, wrapped, untouched burrito on the counter and explained this was not what I ordered. They actually argued with me, and refused to exchange the item. So I ordered again, "One veggie burrito, no cheese, no sour cream". I walked home, hungry and annoyed to discover sour cream on my burrito. Then opened my tacos and discovered they had avocado on them.
By now it was an hour and a half after I ordered the first time and I still didn't have what I ordered. If they had been apologetic, or even were indifferent by exchanged my order, I would have been fine. But they wouldn't admit a mistake that cost me additional time and money.
Sorry La Pasadita, but I won't be wasting any more money or time at any of your establishments.
This place always hits the spot when I am craving some well-made, yet greasy tacos from a taqueria. I always order their carne asada tacos and barbacoa tacos. I ordered their carne asada burrito, which was huge. . . but for that size I would prefer to have more veggies fix-ins.
Decent, large burritos. Very small menu; great for those that have a hard time deciding. They didn't even offer chicken or pork, just carne asada and barbacoa, along with a few vegetarian options and a chile relleno. The barbacoa is superior to the tougher carne asada.
The burritos were a great size, but had way too many onions. I love onions as much (or more) than the next guy, but mounds of uncooked onions can really wreak havoc on your stomach and your breath. Be warned if you plan on going here for a low-key date!
I was also sort of disappointed with the lack of preparation. We came on a weeknight around 8, and the cook just got up from his dinner, rolled up a brunch of pre-made stuff, and we were out in about 60 seconds. Would have liked that the meat was made-to-order.
I'd rather explore some of the other mexican restaurants on this strip than go back.
Ok, so I tried really hard and I think this is la pasadita I go to (the most North on Ashland). Yes, there are three.... the one below this one is good for drunk groups/Americanized mexican food. This location, just north, has a few items, no table service, and is always awesome. As far as I can tell, the one across the street microwaves the food from this one.. I don't know, but that's what they tell me--I've never actually been to that one.
This one--assuming it is the most nothernly one... is the best. They don't have as many options as the one next door, but the workers don't seem as jaded, it doesn't take as long, and they had a few arcade games in back. I once got the chile rellno nightly (cheese-stuffed pepper, deep fried, in a tortilla) but they were killing me... so much grease.. so good. They are super nice... and I think that is my favorite part.
I just decided to check the website, and read the "about us" section, where they explain why there are 3 restaurants on the same block...
Not very exciting, but still nice to know... Apparently the one I frequent is "La Nueva", the newest of the 3.
The food is fine, not spectacular, but definitely hits the spot for a cheap lunch, which I take advantage often on accounta I work a block away...
Service is fine too, the cashier ladies up front have warmed up to me a lot after several visits (and tips); they weren't unpleasant before, just working. Since I don't expect to be fawned over for lunch, this has always been perfectly acceptable for me.
I often get the veggie taco with everything (super sloppy and "American" but yummy!), the barbacoa taco (onions, cilantro and cheese!) and the chips and salsa negra. I love that damned salsa, and the chips are good too.
I got a steak torta once, and it tasted good to me!
Fact: I used to Love this place
Fact: I don't love this place as much as I used to; tear
After being away from Chicago for two years I was pretty excited to get my late night burrito fix at a place I used to frequent, La Pasadita. Ahhh the memories, stumbling in at 2am for a veggie burrito, yum. I came in yearning for a veggie burrito but ordered chicken instead; it was just good, not great like I remembered. I went back a month or so later and ordered the veggie burrito, can't go wrong with that, right? It too was just ok. The burrito lacked the flavor and depth I remembered. One more time, this time I ordered the steak burrito, hmmm...now this is something I would be interested in (i.e. Bob Ryan from Entourage). The steak was cooked perfectly and seasoned to perfection.
I will continue to return to La Pasadita, late night and otherwise. I give this place three stars simply because it seems to be hit or miss, it is not a "on point" as it was once. Still pretty good burritos though
.
Not bad, but certainly NOT the best. Their veggie burrito is downright awful but their meaty super burritos will surely please super white gluttons that enjoy gentrified Mexican food. On a few occasions I had some steak tacos with cilantro and onion and they were average. All the locations seem to serve the same quality of food, too, which is disappointing as I thought one of the less "white" ones would be more promising. That being said, if you need a quick, cheap bite in this area, I'd trust it over some anonymous hole-in-the-wall. If you're looking for extraordinary Mexican food, however, this is not the place. Don't believe the hype - 90% of it is generated by people that never leave the freakin' Wicker Park area!
The experience here can be quite mixed, but the food is always excellent for a VERY minimal price. For $3.60, I can dine in and get a steak tostada, rice and beans, and chips and salsa - a feat not even possible at taco bell. And I can never finish it all, even when I am ravenous. This is my new go-to place for a cheap lunch or dinner for one, and it's is also a place I am happy to bring friends when we want a cheap dinner date.
Here are my random thoughts/advice on the place:
I highly recommend the tostada over a taco - even though the tostada is more difficult to eat, it contains many more additional (and essential) toppings to the taco. The steak tostada contains generous amounts of steak.
The service is hit or miss. I've done carry out and had my food within 2 minutes, I've dined in and had excellent service, and I've dined in and was basically ignored (and had to just leave my money on the table because it was impossible to get my bill). But for under $5, that inconsistency is tolorable.
I'm not exactly a fan of the interior, and it's smell turns me off a bit. A few open windows would help air out the place. But when you eat in, you get free chips and salsa. When you carry out, you don't. So I am often willing to put up with the dining room just to get my free chips and pico de gallo.
This is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago. End of story! Their Carne Asada is simply delicious, and so is their chicken. Great salsa, but beware: it's pretty spicy!! Remember to ask for some pico de gallo if they don't bring it right away...it's incredible! The food is prepared quickly, and it is very affordable. Been going to this place for years, and it never ceases to amaze me. It's also open very late! I can't recommend La Pasadita highly enough.
So I was hanging out with my friend in Chicago all afternoon into the late night. We hit up some Chinese place that was excellent, had sundaes at Margie's Candies, and then he forced me to come here to have a taco even though I was stuffed. I wasn't impressed with the overall semi-lack of cleanliness but it sure was crowded.
Oh boy, was I glad I came though. I only got one carne asada (steak) taco y arroz con frijoles (rice and beans) but it was AMAZING. I haven't had such a good taco since I don't know when. It came on two little tortillas and I put some pico de gallo on it. It was stuffed so full that I couldn't get a handle on that greasy little sucker. But once I took that perfect first bite, I couldn't put it down. All memories of binging previously that day were gone and I went to town. The rice and beans weren't as impressive but what could be next to that taco???
I am traveling back next week to Chicago and am insisting we come here for a late night snack...or huge meal. 4.5 stars!
La Pasidita, located on Ashland, just south of Division, has by far, the best mid-day, two person snack ever invented. This little dish called "chachos". Basically its nachos with meat. To be more specific, it's nacho chips, with beans, melted cheese, avocado, sour cream and topped with grilled carne asada. Nothing beats it. NOTHING. And the best part is that it's only like $6.95. The carne asada is excellent and they use a flat top grill that completely sets off their meat marinade. Sooo gooood.
Now if you go here, know that this could get confusing. There are two La Pasaditas right next to each other, and one across the street, and a De Pasada a little south from there on Ashland. I know that the two LP's next to each other and the one across the street are all owned by the same guy. I guess the story goes that people have tried to open up restaurants to compete with the original LP, but the LP owner always ends up buying out the competitors to hold down his part of the neighborhood. Smart man in my book, because he's serving the best product. The De Pasada, south on Ashland, has no affiliation (I don't think) but don't quote me.
If you are going to drop by LP, we also advise trying the burritos($5.00) or tacos ($1.85/each). Real, and authentic. Only meat cilantro and onions. But we'll discuss those at a later time.
Not too much is known on my part about DP but to quote @offtheeatenpath Twitter follower @elaineinspired, "There's a little yellow place just south of there called De Pasada. Best Chicken Burritos Ever!!!!!!!!!" As much as I would hate to side step LP and try DP, I will. Just to see what all this talk is about. Thanks @elaineinspired
If you are going down to La Pasadita, you have three to choose from, all with dining rooms varying in size, and take out counters, but the menus differs at all three. We usually stick with the yellow building with the black sign. They have never let us down. Oh, and it's BYOB, which makes any place better. Enjoy
I had been here once a few years ago but nothing about the experience stuck out in my mind, so when I moved to Noble Square recently, I intended on going back.
Last night the opportunity presented itself as it was the only place in the area open at 3am. Or at least it looked open. Upon walking in, there was chaos at the counter...people everywhere with no sense of a line or anything. When we finally got to order, I was told that they were no longer serving anything but tacos and burritos. How they could stop serving quesadillas is beyond me (no tortillas with cheese after midnight?).
So I settled for a veggie burrito, which came out pretty quickly. Then I sat down at one of the open tables and was literally yelled at by one of the waitresses: "TO GO ONLY!" After a brief period of disbelief, I just asked if I could stay seated until my friend's tacos came out and we'd happily leave.
So I waited and waited, they cleaned the table with what looked like urine from an Ice Mountain bottle, and my friend's tacos never came, but before we could ask about it at the counter, a large and douchey man came out from the back and said "You have to sit outside." I glanced over and saw that the lights were off and the outside seating was clearly closed. "I'm waiting for my friend's tacos," I replied. The man then proceeded to (one again, literally) yell at me "LEAVE! I WAS ASKING, AND NOW I'M TELLING. GET OUT!"
I decided I didn't want to deal with this tool anymore so I refrained from pointing out that about 20 other customers were still happily sitting and eating or that the place was still open, my friend was waiting for his tacos, and he had no right to make me leave, but such was the case.
So now I have to start a petition or something to get another Polish Triangle business to stay open late, because La Pasadita might as well not exist in my mind after that horrible experience.
Ribeye tacos are the best ones, chicken was bland, steak was #2 on ranking.
Chips with pico on the house- excellent.
Cheap
I just moved from Los Angeles, so Chicago burritos have a lot to live up to.
That said, I only recently started ordering burritos, so I'm no expert...Their size intimidates me, so I usually just stick with tacos. But today I really wanted something filling...meat, rice, beans, hot sauce, all in a brown paper bag. YUM.
I'd been told that this place was good and whne I accidentally drove by it, I decided that it was fate. I ordered an asada burrito, added tomato, and had them hold the cilantro and onions (ew). My order came up quickly and I was out the door!
When I took my first bite back at the office, I was like "Oh! There's a lot of meat at this end!" I chewed and chewed and chewed. Took another bite..."Wow...Still so much meat crammed into this end of the burrito!" Chew, chew chew...Another bite..."WHERE THE HELL ARE THE BEANS AND RICE?"
Seriously, I've never had a burrito that doesn't come with beans and rice it in...WTF? Who wants a flour sock fulla beef? The hot sauce was good, they actually remembered to hold the onion/cilantro (yay!), but I got through about 1/4 of that beast before I had to call it quits. YIKES.
I'd go back, but I'd definitely add rice and beans. Which is weird, but apparently how Chicagoans like their burritos.
Carne asada, carne asada, carne asada. Salsa verde.
This place is the burrito love of my life. When I lived in Indiana, in college, we used to drive up 35 miles just to eat here. Back in the early nineties when this neighborhood was plenty scary.
When I moved to Chicago, I did stray a bit. There are other decent burrito places to love but there's nothing like your first. And REALLY, there's nothing like it. Some places come close but these burritos, delicious in their simplicity, are the best.
I try to explain to my Florida friends why the refried bean, cheese, crap and ground or re-hashed steak or ground beef burritos are gross but they just don't get it and unless they come eat here, they never will. I feel bad for them. Can't wait for my next trip back to Chicago.
0
6
After you eat here you will wonder why is there three separate locations all within spitting distance of each other. Not great but probably good after a keg of beer has been ingested
The only reason I would ever eat here is a combination of early-morning hours (because nothing else is open in the area), a drunken stupor (because that's how I roll) and peer pressure.
The food definitely hits you the next day, and hits you HARD. Makes you question life and God and if the sanitation department actually did its job.
But I guess at 4 am, it does the trick. You'll just have to wait half an hour for your food.
3.5 Stars. Ok, I have been to La Pasadita many times and always forget which one I have gone to. But I believe this one (the sit down restaurant one) is the best. I do not think I have been to the one across the street. We all still wonder, " Why are there 3 La Pasaditas in a 1 block radius?"
I usually only get the tacos here. Steak and Barbacoa. The Barbacoa was so tender and like a soft pot roast... yummy! I ordered the tacos with cheese since that is an extra...but then they gave me ones with only cheese. (It should have had cilantro and onion, too.) So make sure to clarify your order as sometimes there may be miscommunications. The tacos were filled with meat, so much so that I thought that one would be enough for my lunch!
If you haven't tried the tacos here, it is worth going to and tasting a true taqueria style taco.
Thought to self -- why have I been reviewing so many late-night drunk joints recently?
Oh well.
Up next is La Pasadita.
If you've gone to any club/bar/lounge/sat on the curb around Milwaukee and Damen, you've probably heard of, or gone to, La Pasadita.
If you drive a two-door BMW and your car was damaged while parked in the La Pasadita lot around 2 am last summer, that was my boy Kevin who hit you. I don't think it was alcohol induced though. Just another frantic person pulling up like a bat out of hell to grab a few La Pasadita tacos. PS - Contact me for his insurance info.
La Pasadita is good. But its not so good you need to go 30 mph through their parking lot to place your order.
Once inside, expect enough seating to accomodate about 10 people (at the counter), and everyone else stands and waits for their order.
I usually get steak tacos, and the guy who makes them does so with the speed of Usain Bolt. He then, literally, throws them in the microwave to warm them, and off you go.
While I like the tacos because they are well seasoned and the salsa is good, I'm not really a fan of my food being heated in the microwave, as opposed to being warmed the traditional way (grill, etc).
The menu is limited. The tacos are a safe bet of the options, but I think you can definitely get much better in Chicago. Saying they have the best tacos in town is drunken rememberance at work. But late night, La Pasadita is toward the top of the list of mexican food options.
Good talk.
Best tacos I have had so far in Chicago! I have smelled that meat cooking when I drive by so I finally stopped in to get a taste! The meat was just as good as it smelled!
One star down because they were over $2 each, but to give them the credit, they do STUFF them.
I don't really understand what the difference is between the 3 different doors though...
Although Idk what is the deal with having 3 "la pasadita" restaurants in the same block, gotta say the food was pretty good after a night of heavy drinking.
Ok it sure is good for lunch too.
I was always afraid of going into this place cause it looks very shady. One time after some drinking I went in and tried the "tongue" burrito. Yes tongue as in "cow's tongue". That was delicious!
I went again on a wednesday for lunch, just to make sure it wasn't just good cause I was drunk. And had the "barbacoa" burrito. Oh man that was really good too. I couldn't believe I haven't been there before.
By the way, this place is like a fast food place, so i'ts not fancy whatsoever. Inside it looks like a wendys. Also the burritos don't have any vegetables, rice or beans like "you know where".
Burrito=Meat+tortilla+more meat+cilantro+meat+onion
I haven't been at any of other 2 "la pasaditas", so I don't know what is it that they have there.
If you like tasty burritos full of meat, this is the place. Taco bell sux!
i havent been here in quite some time but man after this review, i just might head over there this weekend. my fave here are the tacos de carne asada and lengua. MMMMMmmmmmmm....
throw some salt, lime, and salsa in there and im good to go.
open pretty late so that a plus if youre on your way home from a night out.
i cant really say much that hasnt been already said about this place. its just friggin' great! go there and give it a shot. there are 3 different locations all on the same block, sort of. i like to frequent the one closest to the southwest corner of division. its not as small as the one across the street next to the car lot. and the 3rd one is the biggest one where they serve more than tacos. that one is more like a serious dine-in joint. they have dinner plates and all that. id rather just get my tacos, scarf em, and keep on truckin'.
I may have met my meat match.
I approximate that about 1.35 cows go into every La Pasadita carne asada burrito. That's a lot of cow for one burrito. I'm a girl who can certainly hold her own in any eating competition, but I found that one order of a carne asada burrito lasted for 3 meals. I might have moo'ed after that last bite.
Stuffed with nothing but beef, onions, and cilantro, the burrito is a meaty sight to behold. And at $6.50 it's quite the bargain. This is definitely the place to go if you're looking for a cheap, filling meal, especially since one order can easily be split among two (hungry) people. Enjoy, and don't be surprised if you feel a "moo" escape your own lips after conquering this behemoth of a burrito.
Now, this isn't fair. I'm not sure which La Pasadita I went to, but it was on the west side of Ashland for sure. I stopped in for some drunken tacos with a friend, and got a little bit of a culture shock. Being new in the neighborhood, I didn't realize how authentic this place would be. As I fumbled through ordering after finding out they have no tostadas, we wait next to the counter for our food. The cooks throw us doggies a bone: a delicious bone of what I now know as barbacoa. Oh my meaty goodness. I felt like I was ravaging the sample they gave us, it was so good.
This is definitely the place for drunken tacos, sober tacos, sad tacos, hungry tacos, well, you get it. If you have a taco craving, run, do not walk to La Pasadita.
Now, if only I knew whether the other locations have tostadas.
Disclaimer: I am a big gringa. My spanish isn't too bad, but I basically have only had their burritos and horchata. I promise to go to yelper Mandi G's recommended spot soon (Traspasada- a few blocks south of here), but in the meantime, here's my opinion....
There are three of these places, all called La Pasadita. This is one of the two on the west side of Ashland, the one that is more south. 1132 N. Ashland. My husband says the one that is more north on the west side does not have guac at all, which of course would be a deal breaker for us.
We like the steak burritos. Get the "super burrito" for $7.50 and have left overs because it comes with nice extras like beans, guac, rice, tomatoe etc. inside. The regular burrito for me is gross because it's a huge portion of only meat and cilantro. For some that would be heaven, but I need a variety of flavors. We found the asada/steak to be a nice quality and tasty.
We get to go, though they do have seating. We do not expect great ambiance. It's busy/popular, so you have to wait a few minutes for your food. We will be back, and I'll also try Mandi G's suggestion. I love yelp!
Coming here since 1988 - way too may years...
BY FAR the greatest taco on earth - well Definitely the States - as I have had some amazing ones on the streets of Mexico.
Common ritual:
+One Barbacoa Taco everything (means cilantro, onion and hot sauce) plus cheese
+ One Carne Asada Taco with everything (means cilantro, onion and hot sauce) plus cheese
And then you are very happy sitting at the east side location (yes - 3 locations right across the street from one another - confusing, but who cares when its THAT good) - its my fav - but sometimes hard to get a stool at the tiny tiny counter - second choice location would be north on the west side.
Enjoy!
I have no idea if I'm rating the correct one of the 3 La Pasadita's on the street, and didn't bother going into the one with an explanation on why.
We had three kinds of tacos (carne asada, barbacoa and lingua) and I found the carne asada amazing, whereas the barbacoa was somewhat bland and I didn't actually try the lingua. There may have been another flavor, but I'm pretty sure we would've ordered it. The horchata was somewhat bland, but maybe I'm just confused as to what it's supposed to taste like. The bathroom what you might expect at a place like this.
I can't imagine making the trip just for the place, but it's simple, authentic tacos done well. I bet they're better after drinking...
I've been coming to this Mex place for some time now. I enjoy coming here when ever I get the chance. I service is pretty quick. Seating area well it depends on which one you go too. I always get either the veggie torta or the carne asada tacos....yummy!
Fresh food.
Good service.
The Good: The spices they use in their meats are phenomenal. I have no idea what they use but whatever it is, it's good. I've been too busy eating and enjoying my tacos and burritos to even wondering what it is. I even had their $25 meat plate which is a steal for how much meat and sides you get. It can probably feed 6-8 people or just 5 bigass people. The burritos are layered nicely and even so that all flavors are tasted with each bite. This place is straight up ridiculous and a must go to if you love mexican food.
The BAD: The La Pasadita right next to the largest one. I went to that 1 to try it out since a friend said it was better than the more southern 1 I normally go to. The burritos are smaller and for some reason less tasty. Also the place doesn't look as good or as clean.
The UGLY: Parking. It can suck if you go at bad time. They do have parking on the side of the crappier one though but that's usually infiltrated by bums. I had a bum pretty much yell at me in some Euro language the last time I went there while his bum friend was being the Yes man for him co-signing everything he said even though none of us knew what he was saying.
Best steak tacos I have ever had!!! Thank you Shake for introducing me to the best steak tacos in the city.
My favorite thing about La Pasadita is that they confuse the hell out of you by having a few locations right next to/across the street from one another. It always makes me laugh. I usually go to the location farthest North on the West side of Ashland. I love this place. They do things the way it was intended to be done. I ordered 2 steak tacos and they come with onions and cilantro. Simple and delicious. I'm a big tomato fan and had them throw some tomatoes on since I was feeling frisky this afternoon.
The reason I recommend this place is that I never get those big fatty chunks of meat in my steak. There's nothing worse than digging a fat chunk out of your mouth mid-chew and leaving it on your plate for others to stare at while finishing your dinner. Besides that, the steak is incredibly tasty. Not sure what cut/marinade they use but I really love the flavor. They also have big squirt bottles of green salsa sitting out on the counter for you to grab as you sit down for a little extra kick.
La Pasadita can't be beat. It's not just cheap food, it's authentic, great tasting Mexican food that you must try. Stop in anytime and give it a chance. You won't be disappointed.
After hearing about this place for years, I finally got around to trying La Pasadita. With so many options for Mexican food in the Wicker Park area alone, I assumed La Pasadita had to be the best after hearing about it all the time. I was definitely way disappointed.
I had the chicken tacos and a side of rice. The chicken was cut into large chunks (instead of shredded, which is my preference) which made it difficult to eat. It was also slightly dry and didn't have much flavor. The tortillas were good, the veggies were fresh, and it was not at all greasy, but these things didn't make up for the meat. Maybe the steak taco is better? The rice was good, but nothing special.
La Pasadita's saving grace is that it's cheap and it's open late. It's not bad, just not worthy of the rave reviews it seems to constantly get. Try it if you're in the hood, but it's not worth a special trip.
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Neighborhood: North Park
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Neighborhood: Pilsen
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village
Category: Mexican
Chicago, IL
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village
Category: Mexican
Chicago, IL
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Pilsen
Category: Mexican
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