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Tamales Lo Mejor de Guerrero
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
7024 N Clark St(between Lunt Ave & Greenleaf Ave)
Chicago, IL 60626
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
(773) 338-6450
- Nearest Transit:
-
Morse (Red Line)
Jarvis (Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 8 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
38 reviews for Tamales Lo Mejor de Guerrero
Review Highlights
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"Also had the pozole which is available on weekends." In 7 reviews -
"6) Queso con Rajas (Jalapeno and cheese." In 3 reviews -
"...and bean, cheese and jalapeno, strawberry and pineapple." In 3 reviews
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38 reviews in English
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Review from Alejandra S.
Center Valley, PA
11/19/2010
Amazing tamales!!! Good price, good variety (of tamales). My favorites are the green and red chicken. Their strawberry ones are also a nice breakfast option.
This is a great option for informal dinner parties (take out and you can reheat in the microwave)!
The only downside is that they close kind of early. -
Review from Nancy H.
1/9/2012
Tamales and enchiladas are what they're known for, but they also serve menudo and pozole on the weekends.
We tried the tamales (pork with red salsa is the best, in our opinion) and the pozoles (red and green), and we loved the pozoles! But it was our first experience with pozole. It is a relatively healthy tasting soup with a thin broth (red, green, and white offer different flavors), some shreds of pork, hominy (similar in taste to white rice and soft, but as large as popcorn), and cabbage. They give you the following fixin's for your own customization: dried oregano, raw onions, limes, red pepper flakes, tostadas, fresh avocados, and chicharrones! I've never thrown avocado or chicharrones into soup, but they are damn good in a pozole! Their tamales were large and actually pretty good, but I've tasted better (just wish I knew the name of that place!).
Pozoles are $6/bowl, and tamales are $1.50/each or 6 for $7. A good sized meal is probably 1 tamale and 1 pozole, which will be $10 after tax and tip. A small horchata is only $1.50, and it's heavy on the cinnamon - yum!
Street parking is easy, and service was great. We had a really friendly, young waiter (in his 20s, perhaps a son or relative of the owner) who was cracking jokes with us. We'll definitely be back!
(Something kind of funky to note: they charge tip on top of tax!) -
Review from Patricia R.
Chicago, IL
4/28/2012
I am a gringa tamale lover searching for a place to get some great tamales. Thanks to Yelp, I found this little gem. Very, very yummy tamales. Definately at 'to go' type place, though there is some seating available. Love the green chili chicken, pollo rojo, frijoles...OH, and they even have the Xohochan (don't spell well lin Spanish). Definately try it and you will become a regular. And it is cheap, cheap, cheap!
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Review from Andrea S.
11/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in for the first time today. We tried the pork in salsa roja, queso con rajas, a oaxaqueño and both sweet tamales. Overall our favorites were the pork and cheese (too bad they ran out of bean and cheese, those are always my favorite!).
They are a good value for the price, at just over a buck each, but aren't some of the best I've had around the city. The cornmeal was moist, they were generous with the well seasoned sauce and were spread with a moderate amount of tender, shredded pork. The others could've used more cheese and the sweet were a little dry but would go down nicely with a cup of champurrado. -
Review from Joe K.
Chicago, IL
10/28/2011
Sometimes for breakfast the thought of another McMuffin is just too much too bear. Thankfully in Chiago we have options. Tamels Lo Mejo de Guerrero has a fair variety of tamales for a good price.
For breakfast for example, I myself prefer the pineapple or strawberry varieities they have. My friends however are more hard core and go straight away for the green pork or green chicken. Those with a bit more delicate stomaches go for the red.
Work has even brought in the other varieites, the bean and cheese for example, and they've all gone quick with no complaints. This seems to be one of the things tamales, like pizza, are great for. A good amount of food for a decent price with some variety to it.
Prices are fair and is a more you buy the more you save.
The food, in my experience, which has always been take out mind you, is quickly prepared, and if you call ahead, even quicker, handed off to you as soon as you walk in.
The only negative thing I can say is that they need to print up new menus. When I was last there they only had an old one on the table with new prices incicating some changes. Most small, but some, like a side of avacado which used to cost $1 went up to $3.
North side inhabitants looking for some tamales freshly made could do far worse then seek out Tamales Lo Mejor de Guerrero. -
Review from Sandra G.
Chicago, IL
I cannot believe that we have monthly visits to this gem of a Guerrerense Mexican restaurant and I haven't Yelped it!!!
Let's just say the name is not only a name, it is the principle and the guiding light for this little locale, hidden behind an obnoxious orange awning, and among a plethora of other Mexican joints, panaderias, and dollar stores.
Now, you may think I am a little partial, especially since my friend's aunt, from the state of Guerrero, is one of the owners, but I believe in diplomacy.
I know you're probably thinking that my favorite is the obvious, tamales, and although, they are exceptional and prepared to the precision of Central Mexico's regional, portable delight. My favorite is the POZOLE---ordered blanco (white), with chicken, and everything added on top: diced avocado, diced white onion, fresh-squeezed lime juice, some dried spices, completed by a side array of chicharrones and crispy tortillas.
If you opt for the pozole while in the restaurant order up a 6 pack or 12 pack of tamales to go, and for those of you with the slight of sweet tooth cravings, might I recommend trying the pineapple and strawberry tamales---son riquisimos. -
Review from Fionn M.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2009
So before heading out of town for the weekend, late last year, i was given a mission. I was told in exchange for having a place to crash I must bring the finest tamales I could find for my hosts. Said hosts had been going through a particular rough case of tamale withdrawal, living in North Central Indiana apparently doesn't help one find quality Mexican food.
With a little bit of research under my belt, I ventured on to the El. After a short and very pleasant walk from the El stop, I found it!
There wasn't anyone dining in and the menu was deceptively simple. After a moments study, I stepped up to the counter and asked for two spicy pork tacos.
Yeah, the menu has six types of tamales with a few variations and this quarter Mexican asks for tacos and becomes a Mexican't , Mom would be so proud.
I sat down with two spicy pork tamales and a side of shame. What I noticed while I sat there was the brisk carryout business. In the ten minutes it took me to enjoy my tamales and ponder my next meal, six people came in and walked out with at least a dozen tamales. Having fed my own appetite momentarily, I returned to the counter, order three dozen tamales for my friends. Not wanting to leave just quite yet, I decided I better sample two other tamales. These two were just as good as the first pair (even without the side of shame). The masa was a good back drop to the filling. The filling, whether it was pork or chicken, was just right, in amount and seasoning.
My third and final trip to the counter was in the name of science. I choose the two sweet tamales, and once again, I enjoyed every bite.
If you or your friends need a tamale fix, head to Tamales Lo Mejor de Guerrero. My hosts had nothing but good things to report back about the tamales I took them. I felt bad about the scent of 3 dozen, still warm tamales lofting through the air on the El ride home. -
Review from Dave K.
San Francisco, CA
1/28/2007 1 photo
I've been searching for awhile now for a restaurant on this Rogers Park stretch of Clark that I could really RAVE about. I think I've finally found it.
Tamales Lo Mejor de Guerrero is a simple, order-at-the-counter kind of place. Their excellent tamales are listed on handwritten neon-colored posters below the counter, in both English and Spanish. They've got the standard, red, green, chicken (hot or mild), pork, sweet (with STRAWBERRY or PINEAPPLE), cheese and frijoles, and other varieties. Each is only $1, plus tax.
I ordered one mild chicken, and one cheese/frijoles. The woman at the counter went into a back area, and quickly returned with my piping hot tamales, wrapped in traditional corn husks. There are a decent number of tables in the front, as well as other items on the menu, but these "best of guerrero" tamales are what will bring be back.Listed in: Get out of EV!
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Review from Davi d.
Brooklyn, NY
5/11/2007
Wow, I will be back to get a tamal on my way north to work. A buck a tamal/$10 for a dozen is a bargain. Nice and plump - choose from an assortment - all are served steaming hot from the cooker:
1) Pollo Rojo (Chicken in Red Salsa)
2) Pollo Verde (Chicken in Green Salsa)
3) Puerco Rojo (Pork in Red Salsa)
4) Puerco Verde (Pork in Green Salsa)
5) Picadillo (Ground beef)
6) Queso con Rajas (Jalapeno and cheese)
7) Frijoles con Queso (Beans w cheese)
8) Fresa (Strawberry)
9) Pinya (Pineapple)
i def wanna try them all!Listed in: OooChi GooCheese
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Review from Pam D.
11/28/2010
I totally agree with Alex R's review. The tamales were ok for the price, but a tad dry and lacking in filling. The bean and cheese had no cheese and 8 (counted them) beans inside.
The pozole was very good and the portion was generous. Lots of chicken and hominy. Yummy.
The service was nothing to write home about. We were the only seated customers and got very little attention once the food was delivered to the table.
I would come back for the pozole and the tamales as long as I got take out so I could put some sauce on it. Based on the foot traffic in and out of the place, it seems popular. -
Review from Jesster A.
Evanston, IL
7/5/2008
I kind of hate to write this review, in part because it was probably an off day or time and also because the lady (owner?) was so delightful and dear - especially after I told her about all the rave reviews on Yelp...
However, on this particular day (at 4pm on a weekday afternoon - the place empty) I came home with 12 really really awful tamales (we actually did throw them out - and I never do that! I always try to "doctor" things that need a little help...)
We tried 3 different kinds: Chicken, Pork, and Cheese with Beans - all were soggy tasteless disasters. The heavy, flavorless mesa dough only made the barely detectable, flavorless fillings even worse...
Also NO sauces etc were included in the bag (we have them at home so that would have been OK) - if there was anything worth salvaging. Plain and simple: they were simply awful and basically inedible.
I can't believe that my fellow Yelpers could be so wrong nor that this sweet lady could be selling such a lousy product - so we will be giving them a second chance. But I just hope this isn't a case where the price might be right - but the food is an egregious failure. -
Review from Lisa A.
8/30/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Being a Chicago transplant from Northern Cali, one of the things I missed is the Tamale guys (the tamales, not the guys - just to be clear). Until I found this Tamales kingdom in Rogers Park.
I ordered pork tamales with tomatillo sauce (green). Very authentic and as good as tamales can be. No further explanation needed.
Between myself and the bf we had 6 tamales and a flan to share for dessert- all came to about $10 and change.Listed in: Eat, Pay, Leave
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Review from Yanyao N.
5/5/2009 1 Check-in Here
I discovered tamales while rooming with Mr. N one summer. The tamale guy (are there more than one?) would come by the bars in Roscoe Village and I would be pretty hungry. They were skinny little things that needed lots of salsa. I wasn't too eager to buy them unless absolutely starving. The second time I came across tamales was at the Abbey Pub stand at Intonation Festival. Theirs was a delicious tamale filled with veggies with a side of spicy salsa to boot. This was when I fell in love.
Since then, I pretty much order tamales whenever I see them, which sadly isn't very often. So clearly, when I walked by this place on my way to El Famous Burrito, I made a mental note to come back and try it. A store that ONLY sells tamales? How could I not? Despite consuming too many tacos, we stopped in to get some carry out tamales. They were really cheap (6 tamales for 6 dollars plus tax) and you get them really quickly. There are several varieties (pork - mild or hot, chicken - mild or hot, cheese and bean, cheese and jalapeno, strawberry and pineapple). Ended up picking up all of the savory tamales and ate them a few hours later.
The actual masa part of the tamale is great. They're wrapped in corn husks and aren't dry. Yay! As for the fillings, the spicy chicken was delicious - moist dark meat with a fiery red sauce. Both pork tamales were exceptionally salty. I'm not sure if this was a one-time thing, but I'll probably try these again. I don't give up on foods with pork that easily. Both the cheese tamales were good too, but I just really prefer food with heat (i.e. spicy chicken).
I will be back. In fact, I'm thinking of going this week. I was kicking myself for not getting the sweet tamales and then read that they taste like Twinkies? I must go back to there. But seriously, I absolutely love places like this. The lady at the counter just looked like she knew what to do in the kitchen and I'm sure there are multiple versions of her making these delectable creations back in the kitchen. That thought makes me happy. Food crafted with care, passion, and know-how = love. And in this case, I love TLMDG!Listed in: South of the Border
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Review from Alex R.
Evanston, IL
9/9/2010
I am Mexican, and therefore, I know what a tamal (or as Americans call it, tamale) is supposed to taste like. I ventured in here with my sister on a Wednesday evening. The place was pretty empty during dinner time. We were welcomed by a lady at the counter, and another one was in the back making tamales. This is pretty much a basic mom and pop store. It is a hole in the wall with the menu on the wall and just a very basic layout.
Alas, I was excited about the fact that the main product in this place was tamales. However, they do offer sides such as rice, beans, enchiladas, and things such as pozole on the weekends. I proceeded to order a bean and cheese tamal, a chicken with red sauce tamal, and a pork in red sauce tamal (can you tell I enjoy red sauce? :P...)
Alas, the tamales were ok. Nothing bad, nothing good either. It was just alright. First of all, I was dissapointed at the fact that the masa part of the tamale was not a little more moist. Also, places in Mexico with great tamales wrap them in a banana leaf to give them more flavor and moisture. This place warps them in a corn husk. Also, the fillings weren't too generous (though this is understandable, as the average tamal price is $1.25 or 6 for $6.00). The bean and cheese tamal had virtually no cheese in it.
Also, if you plan to eat here, you probably wont get the best service. Our tameles were served on a super tiny plate, and we didn't even get a cup of ice with our soda. Also, they didn't give us sauce when we ate them there. Your best bet (and cheapest one) is to grab an order of 6 to go.
Overall, this is a pretty "meh" place if you're Mexican. Though for a dollar a tamale, it's not bad. -
Review from Jack P.
9/16/2008
Ya' know, this north-of-Devon stretch of Clark Street ought to be named as the Latin equivalent of Greek Town. There are so many places, Mexican, Peruvian, specific spots specializing in tamales, like this place, Quesadillas, Burritos, seafood, Cuban sandwiches at La Unica (OK, so its not on Clark St.). But last weekend, the only time it's served, I came for the Green Pozole, and copped a couple of tamales, too.
I had a chicken tamal with red sauce, a pork tamal with green sauce, and the Green Pozole, which had hominy and shredded pork, and was accompanied by onions, large slices of avocado, and pork rinds. Both the tamales and the soup were seasoned for heat as if someone had done a market survey on me personally for flavor and spice. It was just so good, I know that this pozole will be one of my favorite "destination dishes." Especially after the big cold door closes on Chicago in November. I would also love to try and make it, but for $10.00 for a bowl and two tamales, fuggedaboutit! I'm driving up here.
I should say, too, the service was very sweet and gracious. It's one of those places where you can take your high school Spanish for a test drive and they will be both appreciative and amused.
Oops...almost forgot: get the Orchata ,too! -
Review from Ana T.
Chicago, IL
12/1/2008
I don't eat lard, but my momma does so this is a review based on her experience there:
Both my mom and her bf love the tamales at this shindig. My mom and her boyfriend have both had their fair share of amazing tamales, since they're both actual Mexicans. My mother is actually from the state of Guerrero. They find the tamales are somewhat comparable to traditional, Mexican tamales.
They like to go here and pick up a dozen! My father loves it too.
p.s. I wouldn't go there for ambiance. -
Review from Riki L.
Ypsilanti, MI
10/14/2009
Yum!! My friend and I were staying in Rogers Park for a weekend, in town just for the Fever Ray show at the Metro. Saturday morning we walked up from our sessy Super 8 in the mood for some tamales! I'm so glad I found out about this restaurant from Yelp, because these were the best tamales I've ever had.
We got the basket of 6 tamales and shared: two chicken with red sauce, two pork with green sauce and two frijoles y queso which turned out to be our favorite from the bunch. The tamale is infused with the amazing jalapeno flavor and the cheese taste was wonderful, too. They were a little spicy but I love hotter food so I can't be very objective.
I thought it was interesting that there wasn't any sauce offered on the tables for the tamales, but then I realized that I had just mowed through three of them without needing a drop of sauce. I hate to say it, but usually the tamales I eat in my hometown (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti) are so dry and tasteless that swimming in sauce is pretty much the only way they'll get down the gullet.
Ok, and the flan? AMAZING. Thick as cheesecake and flavored through with the delicious caramel, burnt-sugar taste that all flan should be endowed with... It wasn't eggy or "refrigerator tasting" at all, if you know what I mean. I get a little protective when it comes to flan, because, well, I've had a lot, and this was honestly the best flan we've ever had.
Mmmm, Tamales lo Mejor de Guerrero, how I wish I were closer. -
Review from Liz G.
Chicago, IL
11/3/2010
My review isn't so much for the physical restaurant because I've never actually eaten there, but for my birthday my wife ordered a ton of tamales for my party and they were AWESOME.
There were chicken tamales, and pork tamales, and jalapeno and cheese tamales and I went to town. They were all delicious.
Sadly, the leftovers (which froze quite well) have now been consumed.
Big fan. Big, big fan! -
Review from Art P.
Chicago, IL
12/3/2009 4 photos
For me, and my family, these were the most authentic "streets of Mexico" tamales that we've had in Chicago. It absolutely reminded me of waking up early in Mexico City on Saturdays or Sundays and heading out to the market to pick a few dozen tamales up for breakfast.
Inexpensive? You bet... phenomenal pricing. And if you're there on the weekend, make sure to order the Pozole (Mexican soup/stew).
Muy, muy bueno. -
Review from Eric T.
Rogers Park, Chicago, IL
1/6/2009
I love this place. They open around 5am - perfect for the morning Metra commute as the RogersPark station is around the corner.
The two standouts for me are the spicy pork, and the jalapeno cheese tamales, but even if you're ordering the chicken or beef ones, I would only recommend the spicy/hot instead of the mild--it's just a better combination of spice that you completely miss out on with the mild. I've found that they're variable in spiciness day to day - some batches will make your eyes water better than others, but overall they're consistently good.
I even brought in a couple dozen to a work "pot-luck" for something different -they heated up nice in a microwave and everyone loved them. -
Review from Tom O.
Evanston, IL
5/6/2009
Great Tamales - would be cool if it was a more full service restaurant, but you can't beat the tamales. I dare you to try to eat $10 worth!
For a unique and special treat try the Tamale Oaxacena - chicken/mole tamale wrapped in a banana leaf. Really, really good.
(I lived in Guadalajara for 7 years, so I know Tamales!)
TO'B -
Review from Karen P.
Chicago, IL
9/29/2009
I go here frequently for my tamales, mainly because they're nearby and I can count on them to be reliably tasty. My favorites are the frijoles y queso and the pollo verdes. The Jalapeno/queso left me gasping for water and was ultimately inedible to me. Only for those with Iron tongues. Their tamales oaxaquenos are good, but you have to like mole a great deal to enjoy them.
Order early as they start early in the morning (before 6:00 am) and only have so many on hand per day to sell.
BEWARE: One sweet tamale I once got had a long black hair in it, which turned me off to the place. However I should have complained and I didn't, so I can't say how they would have responded. But I have eaten others (nonsweet) since then and haven't had a repeat occurrence. -
Review from Desiree G.
Los Angeles, CA
11/1/2008
I've been on a quest for Champurrado in Rogers Park, which seems like it shouldn't be that hard, but it has probably because of the odd hours I want it. Anyways I found the winner. Not only can I get a LARGE cup of Champurrado, but also some decent red tamales. I love sweet tamales and I was a bit disappointed with the one I tried. It was not sweet and half of it was uncooked. That is not going to stop me from giving it another chance. The red chicken tamales were good though!. I'd definitely come back to try others. FYI-they are not open on Mondays.
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Review from Larisa O.
Chicago, IL
6/15/2007
These tamales are the bomb and now they take Visa!!! Finally a tamale restaurant on the North side. They have bean and cheese tamales, which is unusual and perfect for children. They also have a very good Posole (hominy soup) on weekends. There is no ambience but the tamales are great. You can place your orders for parties here.
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Review from Laura C.
4/26/2008
The BEST tamales and such a great price. It is always crowded with all kinds of people, and I love to stop by after getting off the Metra or dropping off the I-Go car to grab several for dinner. Delicious!
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Review from Cory W.
Fishers, IN
6/19/2007
Great place if you're just looking for tamales. Larger in size, and very authentic. And you really can't beat the price - my wife and i picked up a 12 sack for just $10. They also threw in sides (read: small styrofoam drinking cups full) of red and green sauce, as well as sour cream for no charge.
Only problem I had was that I found a hair (from a head, definitely not mine) in one of the tamales, but what are you gonna do? -
Review from Christina K.
Chicago, IL
12/4/2007
While the prices have gone up a tick or two, it's still a tasty spot to stop by and grab a sack for subsequent snacking or Mexi-mealing. The earlier you arrive, the better, as the variety apparently declines as the day proceeds and your fellow tamale junkies clear them out. I'm very fond of the spicy meaty ones, but have nothing but nice things to say about the cheese-, bean-, and pepper-driven alternatives.
Listed in: La Vie en Rogers Park, Idiosyncratic Dining Faves
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Review from Akiba B.
Chicago, IL
6/16/2008
These tamales stay hot for years! I'm a vegitarian and had the beans & cheese and the jalepeno & cheese. Delicious! And even better the next day with some scrambled eggs. The price wsan't bad at all for such good quality tamales. In fact, these were my first in 5 years. My former habit, at first halted at the lack of good tamales, is back!
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Review from Benjamin A.
Chicago, IL
5/19/2008
I have tried many a tamale in my life and these are the best I have ever had. I was so excited to know that I could get them at a different time besides 5am by the McDonald's. I'm not sure if they even do that in the mornings anymore.
Anyway try them if you haven't! They rock! -
Review from Neeraj D.
10/5/2007
A good place to for tamales. The price has gone up a bit since the previous reviews to $1.25 a tamale or 10 for $12... it is quite a bargain. I found the spicy sauce indeed rather spicy and the mild sauce rather flavorful. When I went all they had was chicken and pork and were sold out of the others types but I am looking forward to going back. I suggest take-out as the seating area is rather sparse and sterile. I had some communication difficulties when I went there and hope my next visit will be easier. A good place to go for a quick and easy tamale fix.
Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from ann s.
Evanston, IL
1/30/2010
We first started liking these tamales when they were being sold off a cart next to the McDonald's parking lot. Unlike McDonald's, they're homemade and thus not always exactly the same day to day, so maybe the couple of people who hated them caught them on a bad day, or got old ones or something. Some days the fillings are spicier, or smokier, or more generous than others. I'm really glad they started offering the Oaxacan tamales. I'll also put in a plug for their pozole. I think it's only served on weekend mornings and probably best ordered to eat there, because they serve it with so many side goodies.
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Review from Rebecca C.
Chicago, IL
5/9/2009
I had been on a quest for good tamales in Chicago. I'd eaten at various restaurants in Pilsen, and wasn't all that pleased. Then, while in a Mexican Culture class at UNAM, I had some delicious tamales. Turns out they were from Tamales lo Mejor de Guerrero. They're so good! I've had the Oaxacenos (which are my favorite) the red tamales, green tamales, and the sweet tamales. All were great. I don't know that I'd order the sweet ones again, but I have and will be back for the others! They freeze really well too!
The restaurant atmosphere is nothing special, but I always get mine to go and take them home for dinner. -
Review from Beatriz P.
Chicago, IL
3/27/2010
Im mexican. So im always a bit critical of the mexican food that I buy. These Tamales are awesum . They are big and tasty for a great price.. I also get the chapmurrado there which is always great. Since I live close to the place .. My family and I go there often and I am never dissapointed. I feel like Im in mexico. The women there are also very polite. So Im am definately a faithful customer
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Review from Jason N.
5/3/2010
Get here early or they will run out! All the Tamales, pork, chicken, green sauce, red sauce, it doesn't matter they are all great. Also had the pozole which is available on weekends. They have 3 kinds, didn't know that pozole was that versatile. I had the red and it comes with tostadas, chicharrones, and the options of oregano, lime, pepper flakes, and onions as a garnish. Can't wait to try the enchiladas next time as everything seems very authentic. The only downfall being that they run out of food fairly quickly on the weekends, and the tostadas were stale. They have a small menu, but i'd be willing to be 95% of the items are really good.
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Review from Jarrad M.
Chicago, IL
8/18/2009
Really good, really cheap tamales can be had here. They have good, strong flavors. I get them by the dozen for take-out. Be warned: they will run out of tamales! Do not take them for granted.
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Review from Nolan S.
Chicago, IL
11/11/2009
Wow!
This place is amazing!
This place is nestled among a lot of other restaurants on Clark but stands above the rest. The Tamales are amazing including the desert tamales. All are also dirt cheap! -
Review from kelly l.
Chicago, IL
8/16/2008
Tamales lo mejor de guerrero
7024 n clark
This was our 10th outing on our exploration of clark between devon and howard. As the name suggests, they sell tamales. Just tamales.
The prominent signs, upon entering, advertise 6 types of tamales: pork, chicken, cheese and beans, cheese and jalapeno, strawberry and pineapple.
The night that we went they had neither cheese and beans, strawberry or pineapple. (very disappointed!)
The meats come in mild or spicy.
mild means that the meat is mixed with a green salsa.
Spicy means that the meat is mixed with a red salsa.
We ordered a spicy pork, a mild pork, a spicy chicken, cheese and jalapeno.
As they prepared our tamales in the back we noticed another sign, set back a bit, for a few types of tamales we didn't recognize.
Tamales de elote (sweet corn)
Corundas (the masa is mixed with the veggies/meat, instead of stuffed, and cooked in a corn husk purse)
Tamales oaxaquenos (pork in a negro mole, wrapped in banana leaf instead of corn husk)
And tamales negros con mole verde (the masa is not stuffed, somehow ash is used in the preparation, and it's also wrapped in banana leaves).
The tamales negros were a full $10 plate, so we did not order those. And they had no corundas. So we added a tamale de elote and a tamale oaxaqueno to our order.
Upon review, the regularly listed tamales were, well, respectable.
Good. Not amazing. But fine. Pretty big.
The jalapeno tamale was too spicy for my taste, but I'm a little delicate.
The real standouts were on the alternate menu.
The tamale de elote was sweet and lovely.
The tamale oaxaqueno was smoky and interesting.
There was a little bit of a communication barrier, but the server was friendly and wanted to help.
I'd recommend you try something off of the special menu.
I still want to go back for those dessert tamales.
p.s. the tamales freeze beautifully. And at 6 for $6, I'm thinking of buying a sack and keeping them in the freezer for a quickie lunch. -
Review from Kathryn G.
Chicago, IL
1/9/2010
only tried the tamales here but they were not good. much better places in the city. i've had better from some of the little street venders. i'd skip it.
