Las Pinatas
1552 N. Wells Street
(between Burton Pl & North Ave)
Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 664-8277
- Nearest Transit:
Sedgwick (Purple Express, Brown)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: Full Bar
111 reviews
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
"Oh, how I love the Mayan Palace. I've treked halfway across the city in a snowstorm for this place. Where to start? Well the food: I'm…" read more »
47 Reviews for Las Pinatas
When going out for Mexican food to a place that looks like a dive, there are a few expectations. 1) The food will be cheap and 2) the food will be awesome. My old roommate swore by this place so the bar was set pretty high. Unfortunately this place has not met either one of the expectations. In fact, my boyfriend and I deemed it one of the worst places for Mexican food, ever. If I'm going to pay this much for Mexican, I'd rather go to Blue Agave and get something that actually tastes good. I've eaten here twice and that is twice too many!
I'm a huge fan of Mexican food, and my good friend swears by Las Pinatas. I love her, but the girl don't know what she's talkin about! We were so excited to try it, and were really let down.
It was super hot in there- I think the A/C was broken or something. No worries, right? We can just drink more margaritas to cool down... Ummm no. They weren't good.
I'm no decor snob, but our arms were sticking to the stiff plastic tablecloth.
Both of our entrees were not tasty, and pretty overpriced. The carne asada was tough, and the salsa was blannnnd.
So lets see... I was sweaty, dizzy from the 8 million pinatas and streamers, parched, and hungry. Really too bad because the waiter was as authentic and friendly as it gets. Two stars it is.
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Not a destination in itself, but as a local place, or as part of an evening out, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Las Pinatas, but understand (as if the decor isn't clear enough) what you are walking into.
Las Pinatas certainly fills a specific niche. It looks like a dive, smells like a dive, and tastes like a dive, but it's on Wells at North. Given it's location, expect to pay twice as much as you would at a dive-y Mexicanish restaurant. Still, in the hood it's a veritable bargain-- 12 bucks will get you a plate that only a teenage boy could finish. Vegetarian options are sound and appreciated. We usually get the guacamole taco plate, with three soft tacos, rice and beans. Would love to get a veggie (broccolli?) in there but let's not get too demanding... the margaritas are well priced (particular if by the pitcher) and strong, a few beers, and for the clueless-at-drink-pairing diners, there are a few random wines.
The decor lives up to the name-- they make the most out of the dropped acoustic tile ceilinged room by filling it with color. This sets the stage for a place that is more 'fun' and 'easy going' than many local joints.
One legitimate complaint--from the moment you walk in the door, service is lacking. I am very easy to please,but Las Pinatas confounds me. No clear seating system, mishmoshed server sections, erratic food delivery, and, in at least one instance, no check delivered so we did some math and left cash and the restaurant 10 minutes after asking for a bill.
We first went to Las Pinatas during a late night stroll in Old Town. They were about to close, but they graciously let us come in and eat. The free chips and salsa are THE reason to come here. I think they make the chips and salsa in-house because they are not your typical chips and salsa. The chips were baked/friend with spices and the salsa had cheese, spices, jalapenos, and a mixture of some other goodness. It was great! I ordered the burrito platter, which wasn't anything special. My boyfriend, however, had the taco platter, which tasted much better. You get three tacos in the platter, along with beans and rice. After the chips, salsa and our two platters, we were filled to our gills!
Unfortunately we returned the following week and had THE worst restaurant experience I've ever had. They were really busy on a Friday night so they seated us in the front of the restaurant. Unfortunately they didn't show any care for us at all. There weren't any waiters assigned to the front of the restaurant. Since most of the other patrons sitting near us were wrapping up their meals, waiters rarely came by. I had to go up to a waiter on the other side of the restaurant and ask for one of them to take our order. The chips and salsa that I was craving didn't come until 30 minutes after we sat down, and of course, it came with our entrée. No waiters came to check on us, and we even had to go up to three different waiters before we could get a check. The owner didn't even give us a real bill. Instead he threw out a random total. I knew how much our food cost so I asked about it. Then he threw out a lower number. I was fed up so I just paid. What made it worse was their need to hover over us while we paid - almost as if they were looking to see how much we would tip them.
I don't think I'll ever return to this restaurant again. The chips and salsa were great, but it doesn't matter if you're getting cruddy service.
I was initially intrigued when the Margaritas we're compared to 'jet fuel'. This was confirmed as a half-pitcher almost put me out.
Its not a fancy place, but the food is good, and the chips are stellar.
This is so down and dirty that no one will ever mistake it for a chain, thats for sure. Plastic tablecloths, check. Dusty pinatas, check. Old chairs like a banquet hall, check, funky smell of oil and frioles when you walk in, check. Random sombreros, check.
But enough about the atmosphere, lets get to the important stuff:
Great margaritas and icy cold Mexican cerveza (not just corona!), great authentic Mexican food at reasonable prices, and warm and accomodating service. I've always had a decent meal here and always super friendly service. Food comes up realtively quickly and they don't push the booze on you (damn them!-minus one star for that!) so its great before a movie at Piper's Alley, you can eat and get out so to speak.
Predictably I usually have queso fundido or quesadillas, the carne asada and a boatload of the fresh Guac and salsa with the super salty and crunchy chips and I am always satisfied. Again, looks aren't everything so if you get past the sad and tired room you're in for a decent meal and a fair price with great service.
Bueno!
I'm picky about lots of things. My Mexican food is one of them. Blame it on the fact that I lived in Southern California for a sickly long time, but I know what I like.
Las Pinatas is one of the few places my other So-Cal transplant friends and I like. So the decor can give you a headache if you've had too many tequila shots - have more tequila. Everything I've had there is pretty good - including my strong margarita. The prices are reasonable, and you don't have to worry about any pretentious "fanciness". All in all, there's nothing to dislike.
I persuaded a friend of mine to go here with me, and she was somewhat reluctant as she thought she had gotten sick from going there in the past.
When we got inside the place was completely empty except for one other table.
We each got tostadas, which were fine, but not really that tasty. The meat really didn't seem like it was much higher quality than Taco Bell.
And this was really what ruined the place for me.. please read no further if you don't want to read something somewhat crude....
We happened to be sitting in front of the restroom which turned out to be an unpleasant location. Throughout the night, it seemed the staff took turns going to the bathroom so that it was always occupied. Really an ambiance killer.
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I remember one of my sisters and brother in laws telling me about this place. "Don't drive to this place. The margaritas will knock you on your butt etc etc etc...." I came here for lunch with two friends. Not for the drinks, but because we were starving. They had the frozen margaritas and they were laughing and feeling very buzzed by the time they finished their drinks. I had a beer and wasn't so drunk. I wish I was. The place, festive, but not impressive. The food, sadly over priced, good, but not worth what you pay for. There are many other places with good food and good drinks and you still don't pay what you pay here, that is where you will find me.
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the kind of mexican food where you leave holding your tummy and fear to use the merciful bathroom.
yes margaritas are strong but everything else is blandly average. and you will awake the next morning with too much gas for sunday mass.
This place is the best!!
We just moved here from California (so we truly appreciate authentic mexican food as you can imagine) and we found it here. I go at least once a week and sometimes more (I am embarrassed to admit!). The absolute best margaritas w/real lime juice, fantastic chips, the best atmosphere and a great staff. If you feel like relaxing and having a great time, come here!
I think that a place like this needs to be in the stuffy, yuppified, town that is Old Town. Tired of seeing mahogany glossed wood framed bars and restaurants and overpriced boutiques around here. I think a friendly Mexican dive is just what the doctor ordered. The place is loud with colors and pinatas all over the ceiling which are actually for sale!
Plus I don't think its sooo loud, I mean have you been to Sushi Samba Rio? blegggh, what a pretentious ding hole. With Las Pinatas, you get Mexican uncles and grandfathers serving you and trying to get you drunk with the Margaritas. I happen to like the authenticity and kind of battered decor that makes you think of someones home, however that may be just me.
The food tastes good, but is a little oily but when you put that much cheese on anything you aren't going to be counting calories. I treat this place like a reward for something good I did during the month. The queso fundido, the carne asada, chimichangas are fantastic. The Guacamole and salsa are on point as they taste fresh and liven the senses.
Forget fireplace inn and the numerous other restaurants that adorn the extended Lincoln park on Wells and try Las Pinatas and just relax, because this place is perfect for doing just that.
What the heck? Did I cross over the border and end up in Tijuana? What is this place doing in Old Town?
We opened the door and were immediately assaulted by the bright blue walls and the large Mexican paintings on the walls. There are also piatas of every size hanging from the ceiling that build in frequency as you walk toward the back of the restaurant. I get that the name is Las Pinatas but please- a few piatas go a long way!
We slid into a booth to join our friends and ordered a couple of margaritas. Oddly enough- when they came- one was REALLY strong and the other was weak. Thank heaven I had the strong one as I needed it to sustain me through the time I was in this place.
The food looked okay, the chips and salsa tasty but I have an issue eating at a place that has cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and dirt on a wall air conditioner unit. If the part of the restaurant that the customer sees looks like that- I can only imagine what the "back of the house" looks like!
The restrooms are right in the center of the place which also seems odd. And I hate that there is so much bathroom deodorizer going on that it actually feels like you are wearing "eau de bathroom" when you leave the restroom!
Most Mexican restaurants are cheap- lots of food for a little bit of money. That does not appear to be the case at this place where we ended up paying almost $18 for a couple of margaritas!
As for me- I think I'll stay on the other side of the border when I am in Old Town. Lots of great places to eat- this just isn't one of them.
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I have been going to Las Pinatas since the day they opened...I've lived in Old Town my entire life. Every Mexican restaurant I go to, I have to try the Carne Asada. But none compare to the Las Pinatas Special.......and their Margaritas? Well, if you have more than one, do not plan on driving home!! They are wonderful. But the one thing that keeps me from going as much as I use to is the prices.....they are no longer a quick weekday dinner place. I can only afford to go on special occasions.........but it's well worth the wait. Only family members work there and they recognize you when you walk thru the door after your first visit.
If this restaurant were in another area of the city it would be nice, however it seems as if the rent for this location really drives the prices up which is unfortunate since the food is good and plentiful but it's not worth the expense. The decor kind of reminds me of a kid's birthday party. There are pinatas everywhere there could be a pinata and primary colors predominated.
The food really was pretty tasty: standard sit-down mexican restaurant fare. I've had better and I've had worse.
The chips and salsa are actually quite good. I like the way they season the chips and the salsa is pleasantly spicy. I don't like that they charge for additional chips though.
Go here if you're in the neighborhood and want some Mexican food but otherwise check out some better places.
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I went here last night with a friend and the margaritas were tasty and strong! The food is pretty good too, I got the chicken enchiladas mole which were very tasty, the mole sauce was a little sweeter then I'm used to but still good. My dining partner had the fajitas which I've had before too and those are excellent.
I only draw back for this place is the price. Its much more expensive then most Mexican restaurants that I have been too. One tip if you are planning on having more then one margarita order a pitcher because its a much better deal.
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I was not expecting much when I entered Las Pinatas. The dining room could use a makeover (bright blue walls, overly large paintings, old furniture) but the food is great as it is. My friend and I ordered a 1/2 pitcher of margaritas which was just enough for the 2 of us. I tried Combo 3 (bean taco, guac tostada, and cheese burrito). Everything was absolutely delicious.
Service was good. Our waiter liked us so much, he brought an extra round of drinks for us, including a beer for himself while we chatted about mexican food.
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The guacamole was really awesome - very fresh and tasty. But also expensive (small was $8). Rest of the food was good but nothing special. Portions were typical for a Mexican place, with enough left over for dinner (since we gobbled up all the chips with the guacamole - did I mention the guac was really good??).
Service was efficient and friendly. Decor just needs to be a bit more understated and perhaps better organized. For example, they had a coat rack smack in the middle of the restaurant (next to the restrooms). While I appreciate the thought given its winter it just made the place feel a little too casual, if you know what I mean.
Price was expensive but since we got dinner out of it, too, I'm thinking of it that way.
I wouldn't go out of my way to go back.
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Like Simon Cowell might say, it was "not that good."
Though the actual restaurant was pleasant, I was turned off right away by the prices. Seriously? I had hopes that the meal I ordered would live up to $12 expectations, and unfortunately it did not. Worse yet, while the first chips and salsa are complimentary, the next order is at $3.50. You really don't get that many to begin with.
But on a good note, the salsa here is great, as far as spicyness.
After paying the $65 bill (for 3), I decided it would be the last time I swiped my credit card at Las Pinatas.
Looks like I'll be sticking with Mi Tierra up by my place.
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My all time favorite dive Mexican restaurant. I used to live in Old Town and I was a regular. You can always count on a great margarita at Las Piatas! My favorite dish is Enchiladas Verde with steak. My wifey likes the taco salad. The only problem with this restaurant is we always leave feeling too full.
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Yes, I am biased because my first date with my wife was here. Regardless, it's a fun place for good food. Staff lets you do whatever you want. Drinks put you on your ass. A little expensive for the decor, but another example of a cheaper, higher quality alternative to gentrified places like las palmas.
pass on the guac, but hit those steaks!
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I tried this place last night for the first time, and I must say, I am very impressed. I used to go up to La Fiesta Mexicana for my Mexican fix, but I've found a new favorite Mexican restaurant!!!!
The atmosphere is great. Lots of fun pinatas hang from the ceiling. The service, though a little bit on the slow side, was great, always keeping us in fresh chips, drinks, and delivered our food very quickly.
The chips they bring you up front are delicious. They're different than any other place I've been before. They're almost like little miniature tortillas. They have a great texture and are thick.
The meal I had was the chicken enchaladas suizas. Mmmm!!! I highly recommend that one. It was even reasonably priced. There were two of us, we both had meals, she had a margarita and I had a beer, and the total was $45 after tip. Not bad at all.
Check it out! it's great!
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The margaritas were good, and the decor was funny....that's about all I can say. Cheap mexican food, but not so cheap. Question mark? Yes, I know, welcome to Old Town.
Everything I ate was extremely salty, and I am a salt-lover. Too much!
Haven't been there in about a year, so maybe things have changed.
I have never been a fan of Mexican but like most men, my ex-boyfriend loved it. Since he lived in Old Town we found ourselves there often. The restaurant itself could use a good rehab- it's the definition of hole-in-the-wall. Almost to the point where you question if you're going to get sick.
Needless to say I've never been sick, but stuffed silly with good food. The price is relatively reasonable for the area. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there, but if you're on Wells and craving some decent enchiladas, it won't kill you to stop.
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I miss this place just thinking about it. This place is crap hole looking, and you'd be right to assume it is. But the margaritas are killer, and are strong. Skip everything and order the Las Pinatas special steak. It's steak topped with different kinds of chesses and they give you tortillas to cut the steak up with and make a little taco surprise for yourself.
Try this too. The mexican workers there have awesome mustaches, some of which I am not sure are even real. So, if you're pretty lady, try and get away with snagging on one of them and let me know if they're real. Is that what you call a Dirty Sanchez?
I've walked by Las Pinatas many times and underestimated how good it is because it is such a hole in the wall. My friend loves it and begged me to go there with her a few months ago and now I can't get enough. The margaritas are the best in Chicago and boy are they strong! The food is pretty good as well. The guacamole can't compare to Adobo Grill down the street, but it's not bad either.
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Couldn't have asked for better food and service! Walking towards the place I was a little worried since it didn't look that great from far. OOO what a surprise! Really friendly and prompt staff... very accommodating!
Went here with some close friends for dinner on my birthday just to relax and get a few margaritas. The decor just made me feel like partying! That along with the really really really good margaritas ($24 for a pitcher!) really helped the cause. Not enough can be said about the food!!!! Man the enchilada mix was absolutely perfect... got to try all 3 kinds of sauces!
Great service... delicious food... amazing margaritas... with a price that wont break the bank. Def going back!
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Really good 'no-frills' Mexican food and a (relatively) reasonable price - especially for that neighborhood. They have all of the dishes that I would expect your standard Mexican restaurant to have - and their Mole is really good. The service has always been really good. Note that they sometimes charge for the chips and salsa after your first basket is gone. The biggest downside is that the entire restaurant smells like a cross between your grandma's musty basement and urinal mints. Ask to sit near the back or at the very front - away from the restrooms - and you should be fine. Not much for atmosphere, other than the couple dozen pinatas hanging from the ceiling. Overall, definitely worth a visit before a show at Zanies or Second City, but not worth a trip just for the food.
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The perfect margarita. Strong but not to strong.
The staff is friendly, the service was great, and the food was solid. No new culinary ground is being broken here, but this is the type of Mexican joint that you keep coming back to week after week.
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Memories, misty water colored, Memories.
Ok, mostly because every single time I've gone to this restaurant, I've over indulged in their Margaritas.
Oh they are good.
We call Las Pinatas the Blue Mexican Restaurant and Mi Terra the Pink one.
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It's a total dive so don't expect much, but I think they have some of the best margaritas in Chicago. I've eaten there a few times and felt a little sick each time so now I just go for the drinks and fun atmosphere.
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Been a few times. The food is a little on the spicy side and they probably don't use grade A ingredients, but it's OK and the Margaritas are great
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What a great Mexican Dive! Conveniently located in Old Town off of North Avenue and Wells, this is the perfect start to an evening on the town. The Margaritas are Killer and by Killer I mean tasty and super strong! It's not just the tequila that is tasty folks -- the food rocks! I love the Enchiladas with Mole (I think we had a combo plate and made sure to get Mole included). The chips are nice and warm but be careful to save room for your meal. (We basically gobbled down the whole chips basket while sipping our margaritas).
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Dined at one of my favorite Mexican dives last night- Las Pinatas. This hole in the wall has surprisingly good food and very strong margaritas. I had the Las Pinatas special (steak with cheese on top) as always. I can't seem to try anything else since this entree is so good. Service was pretty good as they kept the chips and salsa (warning- it's pretty hot!) coming throughout the night. Margaritas were very good as well.
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So you thought that Old Town was just filled with drunk former frat boys and their Trixie girlfriends... well you're right.. the good news is that you can find a place among the irritating crowd and escape into a friendly, warm atmosphere where you are remembered and treated like a guest-- Las Pinatas. No, as a former Logan Square and Pilsen resident I can't honestly say that the food is as good as it gets for all of Chicago. However, I can say that the price is great for the area (about 8-9 per entree including rice and bean and free chips and salsa) and the food is consistently good. This is a place where friends meet and actual long-time residents have been coming for years. Staff is exceptional. Spend the $.
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When I went I ordered burritos that were about $11. When they came it they were nothing more then chicken wrapped in a flour tortilla. There was NOTHING inside of them, but chicken. I tried a bit of my girlfriends tacos and it tasted like it had some sort of chemicals in it. I would not recommend this place. Plus it's not that cheap.
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It's not the best Mexican food in the city, but there is something about this place that keeps bringing me back to this unpretentious Mexican restaurant. I do have to admit the margaritas are pretty darn good!
This is a great Mexican place in old town. Its a little bit of a dive, but so much fun and the food is great. If you like margaritas, definitely try these, but beware, they are definitely strong! The price is right and the food is great. Definitely worth going to if you like mexican food.
Las Pinatas is a total hole in the wall, but I love it! Their margaritas are so good, but I must warn you they are very strong. I recently discovered the las pinatas special and now I can't seem to order anything else. It is so good!
It really is surprising that such a little hole in the wall can have such amazing margaritas. These are by far the best margaritas I've found in Chicago and boy are they strong!
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