Anyone who knows me knows that Mexican food is my weakness. Naturally, this means Cinco de Mayo is a great excuse to indulge in overstuffed enchiladas, savory sopes, and the obligatory chips & guac.
From Lincoln Park to River North, check out my favorite go-to spots for Mexican dishes (and drinks!) around Chicago.
Best Chips & Guac: Talk about variety. Mercadito in River North puts a twist on your traditional Chips & Guac appetizer with 6 different versions to choose from. From the “piña” to “toreado”, there’s a flavor for everyone. My go-to is the tocino – a mix of bacon, corn, habanero, crispy hominy and pico de gallo. If you can handle a little spice, try the “nopal” guacamole – a blend of grilled cactus, Serrano, jalapeño, oregano, parsley and queso fresco.
Best Enchiladas: As a Lincoln Park native, I can’t resist my favorite neighborhood Mexican spot – Fiesta Mexicana! Located right on the corner of Fullerton and Lincoln, Fiesta Mexicana’s three rolled corn tortillas are stuffed with your choice of filling or cheese baked Chihuhua cheese and topped with ranchero, tomatillo or mole sauce. If enchiladas aren’t your thing, Fiesta has a variety of taco options, burrito specials and vegetarian soups to choose from.
Best Mexican brunch spot: If you’re out and about in Old Town on a Sunday morning, you won’t want to miss the brunch at Adobo Grill on Wells Street. The Eggs Benedictine features refried black beans, chorizo, poblano salsa and abuelita potatoes on top of homemade sopes. Bloody Mary fan? Try the Sangrita Bloody Mary – a perfect blend of Tequila Blanco, tomato juice and Negra Modelo floater.
Best Margaritas: Blue Agave in the Gold Coast is known for its delicious and unique margaritas with top shelf tequila and real organic agave juice. The Mexican hot spot also offers their specialty “skinny margarita” for those watching their calories.
Of course, these are just a few of my favorites around town. What are your go-to Mexican restaurants in Chicago? Favorite dishes?
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
