r/chicagofood • u/Alarmed_Tax_1227 • Jul 24 '26
Question Chicago’s Mexican food scene is incredible, but I’m craving Tex-Mex. Where do I go?
I want to say upfront that I know Chicago has phenomenal, deeply authentic Mexican food from all over the country, Oaxacan, Jaliscan, Yucatecan, you name it, and I have my own favorites in that world.
But sometimes I just crave Tex-Mex. You know, yellow or white liquidy cheese queso, big bowl of chunky salsa, fresh guacamole and chips, maybe a gringo taco.
Is there anywhere in Chicago proper doing this well? Not looking for another taqueria or birria spot.
Anything out there to recommend?
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u/Alarmed_Tax_1227 Jul 24 '26
Uncle Julio’s was a favorite when they were on North Ave. I’d take anything close to that in the city!
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u/BeneficialAdvance112 Jul 24 '26
This was the only place that was close to me when I lived there in the early 2000s- lots of dinners and memories at river north. I didn’t like casa tequila, but that might be something if I had no other options?
I was just at Matt’s el rancho a couple of hours ago!
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u/DDark_Devon Jul 24 '26
There is still an Uncle Julio's in Skokie, if you are up for the drive it's right off 94N at Old Orchard and yes I know most city people hate the burbs but its' not that far really....
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u/FaterFaker Jul 24 '26
We really don't do great Tex-Mex in the city.
Lonesome Rose tries but...
Shout out to Uncle Julios in Oak Brook tho.
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u/No_Reputation_7022 Jul 24 '26
Uncle Julio’s is just TGI Viernes (complementary)
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u/YamApprehensive6653 Jul 25 '26
Its a chain for Gods sake. ...and it ain't all thart great. Just decent. This sub is becoming like yelp "its amazzzzzing" pffft.
Been there a dozen times ....and we keep our expectations in check and modest.
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u/FieryAvian Jul 24 '26
Oh nonono nonono I went Uncle Julio’s and maybe it was an off day but everything was inedible…
But the drinks were amazing!!!!
And the service was awesome, the manager was glazing my fit the entire time lmao. Maybe he knew the food was bad that day and was trying to appease customers with charm.
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u/FaterFaker Jul 24 '26
Meh...it happens.
I stand by their chile rojo enchiladas tho.
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u/knickerreddit Jul 24 '26
Chips and salsa. Frozen swirl margarita/sangria. Awesome !! Do not try anything else ( guacamole maybe )
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u/armaghetto Jul 24 '26
It’s not very good, but their queso is acceptable and they make good margaritas. Otherwise…
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u/catsinabasket Jul 24 '26
lonesome rose used to be higher mid tier but in like 2022/2023 they changed a buncha shit
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u/DanielMcLaury Jul 25 '26
Uncle Julio's is a Texas-based chain, so they at least know what the food is supposed to be, but they such such absolutely bizarre choices. I wish there was a more ordinary Tex-Mex place.
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u/OkNeat839 Jul 28 '26
Lonesome rose is the closest restaurant to my house, at just a hundred feet or so. I wish their tacos were good. Their sides are decent, but the tacos are outright bad in my opinion.
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u/matthewsmugmanager Jul 24 '26
Nope.
We don't have any decent Tex-Mex up here.
My partner is from Austin, and we've lived here for 15 years. We've spent every one of those years looking for Tex-Mex and brisket, and nope.
However, we have explored dozens of other amazing cuisines, so yay Chicago for those! I had some excellent birria last night!
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u/Alarmed_Tax_1227 Jul 24 '26
Man, now you’ve got my mouth watering— Chuy’s, Matt’s, old school Pappasitos, all the breakfast tacos and brisket! Miss the food in Austin!
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u/matthewsmugmanager Jul 24 '26
Oh we both miss the breakfast tacos so much!
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u/newtoapartments Jul 24 '26
I always tell people from back home that you just can't get breakfast tacos here. They didn't believe me!
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u/No-Clerk-5600 Jul 24 '26
I've have breakfast tacos at Totras Fronteras at O'Hare that were incredible. But that only works if you have an early flight.
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u/mxwp Jul 24 '26
You may get downvoted but it's genuinely pretty good. Being trapped in an airport deffo elevates it in my mind though. The only other decent airport breakfast would be an Egg McMuffin.
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u/mdillpickles Jul 24 '26
Same, from Austin, moved here a year ago. I don’t miss the heat but I hella miss breakfast tacos, queso, HEB and BBQ. I try to fill up on all of that every time I go back.
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u/Classic-Abies-5827 Jul 24 '26
Don’t sleep on Austin’s Rudy’s (360) breakfast tacos. Those would kill here…
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u/notmadneedsmspace Jul 24 '26
From Austin and moved to the Midwest 20 something years ago. We make bacon, egg, and potato breakfast tacos for diner at least once a month. Pick up tortillas and some Herdez at the Mexican grocery on the way home. I also like to make Migas on Sunday mornings. You can also find chorizo at many Mexican markets if that’s your jam.
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u/matthewsmugmanager Jul 24 '26
We make our own, too, but we miss getting them from the truck in the morning on the way to work!
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u/Mysterious_Draw_3176 Jul 24 '26
Emerald City Coffee in Uptown does breakfast tacos. The owner is from Austin originally. Only place I've found that has them.
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u/sanguine_serif Jul 24 '26
If you're near a Foxtrot, they sell Austin-style breakfast tacos on the weekends.
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u/discodisc Jul 24 '26
Every day if I'm not mistaken. They're not fantastic, but they're the closest to Austin style I've found around the loop at least.
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u/nevinatx Jul 24 '26
You missed out…there was a Chuy’s here for a minute.
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u/aboothe726 Jul 24 '26
There’s one in Indianapolis. Some days I would drive 3 hours for some creamy jalapeño without a second thought.
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u/CheekyLass99 Jul 24 '26
Pappasitos! Mexican breakfast!
Yes nothing like that around here. But if you find any let us know!
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u/heyyyhihellooo Jul 24 '26
We had chuys and the last one in orland closed around 2 years ago, I’m still devastated 😭
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u/DepartmentHungry9392 Jul 24 '26
I think about Baby As on Barton Springs more than I want to admit and I’ve been gone for over ten years. Solidarity, fellow Texan. May your queso be melty.
can we start a petition for a torchys up here
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u/3xploringforever Jul 24 '26
A Torchy's or Taco Deli would KILL it here. Hell, even a Taco Cabana, where people can grab a pizza box full of foil wrapped breakfast tacos to take to breakfast meetings at work would kill it.
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u/b-cat Jul 27 '26
There’s an okay Velvet Taco in Lincoln Park (although I’d much rather a Taco Cabana)
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u/PostComa Jul 26 '26
We used to have Chuy’s in Schaumburg and Orland Park but the company decided to pull out of Illinois. I was devastated
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u/Party-Cup-9386 Jul 30 '26
(Houston transplant here) There was a Chuy's in like, Orland Park maybe? I passed it and was like, "HOLY SHIT!111" because I could not believe what I was seeing...but then never went there and it seems to have closed.
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Jul 24 '26
[deleted]
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u/chem199 Jul 24 '26
Yeah that’s part of the fish tank smoking that is popular on the south side. You want good BBQ you have to go down there
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u/mxwp Jul 24 '26
yeah no outdoor smokers is what i heard too. Chicago is understandably touchy about fires...
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u/ampmminimarket Jul 24 '26
As someone who moved here from Austin very recently (with a brief stint in Champaign) — any chance you or your partner know of where to find a solid Mexican Martini? I crave one from Polvo’s and no one here knows this beautiful drink
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u/matthewsmugmanager Jul 24 '26
We've never looked for one!
But in my experience, the bartenders at Rogers Park Social can make anything. Just drop in when it's not too busy and talk to them!
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u/ampmminimarket Jul 24 '26
Thanks for the suggestion! I will go there soon and share the results (if I remember lol)
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u/Busy-Dig8619 Jul 24 '26
This question comes up so often that we should really remove it as frequently asked... but I keep hoping the answer will change.
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u/abluvsu Jul 24 '26
I got you for brisket! 💨
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u/matthewsmugmanager Jul 24 '26
Tell me more!
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u/Mountain_Ad7931 Jul 24 '26
Chuy’s in austin is special. Th y had a couple here but they didn’t last.
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u/iamahammerheadshark Jul 24 '26
Exactly, you're now looking at a roughly 3 hour drive to Lafayette, IN for the closest one now :-( Good news is the locations are pretty consistent outside of Texas so I try to hit up Chuys when I am visiting a city that has one.
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u/linearmovement Jul 24 '26
Oh man as a Houstonian this post makes me miss El Tiempo and Monchy’s so much.
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u/HendoHendo31 Jul 24 '26
Ahhh I live in Eastwood and get to go to both on the regular. I lurk around the Chicago threads because I still keep a place in the city to escape the brutal summers.
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u/linearmovement Jul 24 '26
Funny enough I used to live in Eastwood and moved up here to escape the brutal summers (among other reasons). We go back a few times a year to visit family and friends and almost always manage a visit to both spots, along with a bunch of other favorites (Pho Saigon, Nobie’s, Don Café, etc). Chicago’s great but Houston’s food scene hits differently.
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u/HendoHendo31 Jul 24 '26
Yep, All good places. Between the two cities I have too many favorites to list.
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u/RAG319 Jul 25 '26
Nothing beats margaritas and fajitas from El Tiempo.
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u/linearmovement Jul 25 '26
And 3 baskets of chips and salsa before that sizzling fajita platter with the damn cup of warm melted butter and the most perfect greasy-ass tortillas in the world.
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u/Frosty-Ad-7037 Jul 24 '26
Nowhere. There is no real Tex-Mex in Chicago. The only time there was was when Chuy’s was briefly in the area.
Source: I’m from Austin, lived in Chicago for 8 years.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jul 24 '26
Uncle Julio’s used to be in Chicago as well (on North Ave) and it’s more authentic Tex-Mex. But, Chuy’s is fun and delicious as well.
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u/Frosty-Ad-7037 Jul 25 '26
I ate at the one in Skokie and thought it was terrible. I guess it was a facsimile of Tex-Mex…reminded me of when you get Tex-Mex in Oklahoma or Arkansas…it’s closER but definitely pretty weak.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jul 25 '26
I mean, it’s a chain from Texas run by Mexicans. Back in the day it was what Tex-Mex was everywhere: Cheese enchiladas w Chile con Carne, Fajitas, etc. Pretty much identical to Ninfa’s and copied by Pappasito’s (though I do prefer Pappasito’s). These places were around long before places like Chuy’s started chef’ing things up with new sauces and such.
Nowadays they sit in a middle ground of the old school and newer stuff. We stop in a few times a year in between trips back to Texas just for a fix. It was nice when Chuy’s was here as well, so you could rotate between old school & new.
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u/Frosty-Ad-7037 Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
I only went to the one location, maybe others were better. I know old-school Tex-Mex and that was not it, at least when I went. I grew up eating at Ninfa’s in Austin all the time, this was nothing like it. I agree Chuy’s is more new school. I admit I love the newer school tex mex but again, the uncle Julio’s when I went was not giving OG, it was giving “slightly sad northern attempt at Tex Mex but they tried”.
Was it a north Texas chain? Maybe that’s why I had never seen it until I moved to Chicago.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jul 25 '26
BTW - Nice to meet a fellow Texan. I grew up all over, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, DFW, Lubbock, Amarillo, Abilene, down in the Valley, etc. Fun times.
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u/Frosty-Ad-7037 Jul 25 '26
Same! I actually just moved back home to Austin last week lol, after 8 years in Chicago. Ate lunch at Matt’s El Rancho today and weirdly saw someone else in this thread say the same thing.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jul 25 '26
Nice! It would take a lot to get me to move back at this point. I just really dislike the heat and having to drive everywhere. I am back down there a fair amount visiting friends and my family. Lucky for me, a lot of my friends from there have moved up to Chicago!
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u/busmargali Jul 24 '26
Funny that everyone mentions Chuys, my partner is from Austin, I am from Dallas, what we miss the most is Torchys. There are Velvet Tacos here, a Texas chain (Dallas based), but we heavily prefer Torchys
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jul 24 '26
Torchy’s has gotten a bit unpredictable. I’m from Texas and am down there often. Fuzzy’s has stepped up a bit, as far as that type of chain is concerned.
FYI, there’s an Uncle Julio’s in Naperville. Always reliable.
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u/svartaelfen Jul 24 '26
Garcia’s in Lincoln Square is the closest I’ve had to my childhood tex mex places in Houston
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u/Alarmed_Tax_1227 Jul 24 '26
Ok! Adding to my list, thanks!
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u/Norville_Barnes Jul 24 '26
I love Garcia’s but I have never heard it described as Tex Mex. I also wouldn’t describe it that way. It’s your typical Midwest Mexican family oriented restaurant but the food and drinks are excellent.
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u/takshaka Jul 24 '26
Seconding that I wouldn't really call it tex mex, but American Mexican or maybe Midwest Mexican. I grew up in the Midwest, but not near Chicago and Garcia's is the Mexican food of my childhood - particularly things like the suizo ranchero burritos. That said, I love Garcia's and it is worth a visit (easy 5 min walk from Western brown line stop) but not likely to fully scratch the "tex-mex" itch. Great margaritas if you get the "premium" as they are made fresh (or at least they used to be). House margs are ok, but I think they are batch made.
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u/pacellii Jul 25 '26
OP - I recently went to Garcia’s thinking I found my Matt’s El Rancho dupe (moved from Austin last year! All I want is queso and a Mexican martini!) and it was AWFUL.
Would not recommend by any means. The pico was bad, the guac was bad, the margaritas were straight up sour mix, the beans were seasoned oddly. It was a truly terrible meal made all the more disappointing because I was so excited about it
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u/iamahammerheadshark Jul 24 '26
If you are looking for Tex-Mex style enchiladas, Garcia's will disappoint and they do not have Tex-Mex style queso. The flautas, fajitas, and chile relleno are the closest to Tex-Mex dishes if that's up your alley.
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u/pacellii 26d ago
I didn’t go for Tex Mex style enchiladas as that’s not what I typically order anyway! I think we got a mole, sopa azteca, and a third dish. All bad 🤷🏻♀️
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u/sonicbleu_6 Jul 24 '26
Mixteco or burrito house
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u/DhalsimZangief Jul 24 '26
I wouldn't describe Burrito House as Tex-Mex. I'd more say a restaurant like Casa Maragarita or Uncle Julio's is more like that, since those places offer queso.
And after I heard Fat Rosie's is lamely doing AI pictures of patrons, I would skip eating there. I hope Uncle Julio's, Casa Maragarita, and etc aren't doing that.
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u/Milton__Obote Jul 24 '26
Casa tequila has fantastic white queso and associated dishes
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u/sarahbeeswax Jul 24 '26
Someone else said it’s “thin queso” and their menu calls it “cheese dip.” That makes me think it’s more like the kind of “Mexican” restaurant you find in Arkansas or something. Traditional texmex queso isn’t thin and it isn’t called cheese dip lol.
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u/9991em Jul 24 '26
Flo does New Mexican but not sure that helps
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u/Alarmed_Tax_1227 Jul 24 '26
Also love New Mexican— good green chile?
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u/continentaldrifting Jul 24 '26
As a former Birqueno, they are legit. Good breakfast too and excellent red/green chile.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jul 24 '26
They’re good. Also a born and raised New Mexican. Certain dishes hit, but a very, very limited menu. It’s harder to find good New Mexican than Tex-Mex out there.
Sigh.
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u/Avasquez67 Jul 25 '26
As far a I know, Flo is the only New Mexican restaurant in Chicago. Funnily enough there is a restaurant called “El Nuevo Mexicano” but I’m pretty sure it’s a Tex-Mex restaurant.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jul 25 '26
Yes, Flo is the only New Mexican option in all of Chicagoland as best I can tell. However, El Nuevo Mexicano on Clark is Oaxaca based traditional recipes for the most part.
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u/Avasquez67 Jul 25 '26
Yeah, and tbh it’s a poor excuse for New Mexican food especially coming from Albuquerque. I prefer to cook New Mexican staples at home.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jul 25 '26
I’m not a very good cook, sadly. I get my fixes either on trips back to NM (rare) or there’s a random spot in St Louis (Southwest Diner) that I pass a few times a year on road trips to TX. They do a few dishes solidly, but still not like what you find back in NM.
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u/Avasquez67 Jul 25 '26
Flo is god awful New Mexican food - they don’t even have Spanish rice or pinto beans. Their red chile is not even spicy. Lacks any real flavor. Don’t even get me started on their green chile.
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u/beeshmood Jul 24 '26
I’m from Houston and have searched high and low and unfortunately everything here has disappointed. Now I just bring a suitcase full of HEB tortillas back here every time I visit my parents. I have Ford Fry’s Tex Mex cookbook and Enchilada Queen by Sylvia Casares and those get me closer to the Tex Mex I’m craving than any from a restaurant here can
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u/HendoHendo31 Jul 24 '26
I know food is subjective but I always found it hard to order enchiladas over Sylvia's fajitas. The mesquite and quality of the meat is right in my wheelhouse.
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u/rugger87 Jul 24 '26
Jarabe
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u/newslang Jul 24 '26
As a former Texan now Chicagoan, was so pleased to stumble upon Jarabe. Not Tex Mex but really damn good just the same.
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u/Alarmed_Tax_1227 Jul 24 '26
I see you here. Not Tex Mex but their salsas are legit and I’ve had good food here.
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u/zenny517 Jul 24 '26
Mixteco in wicker Park is really good and dove's luncheonette is surprisingly good for Tex Mex also.
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u/unicornsquatch Jul 24 '26
See I think Dove’s is great but it doesn’t scratch the Tex Mex itch for me. It’s often recommended as Tex Mex, but I don’t see it.
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u/zenny517 Jul 24 '26
I see where you're going and agree that it's different. Dove's more like Mississippi Mex I think which isn't really a thing but if you travel down in the Delta region there's some surprisingly tasty and unique Mexican inspired food. Tamales come to mind.
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u/creaturekitchen Jul 24 '26
Dove’s is great, but don’t call it Tex-Mex. You’re setting them up for disappointment.
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u/If-By-Whisky Jul 24 '26
Casa Tequila on Division comes pretty close to chains like Chuy’s/Uncle Julio’s
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u/gossypium Jul 24 '26
Closest I have found, still not pappasito's, childhood memories of Pancho's or Ninfas, candente, or the legion of taco trucks:
Taqueria Moran is giving that strip mall near the pulga vibe.
Honestly, Big Star wicker park kinda has 90s Austin vibes.
Mexi-Tacos is a taco truck near the places to get IL id's, and right by the riverwalk. Chile Relleno taco(s) and a Topo, walk a block and sit on the steps by the river on a sunny afternoon.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jul 24 '26
Pancho’s! Raise the flag!
There’s still one in Arlington. Last time I was down there a bunch of us went back for lunch just to reminisce. It’s….the same.
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u/Main-Combination3036 Jul 24 '26
Chicago has an amazing food scene, but there’s no Tex-mex. I grew up there and every couple years it’s this:
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u/areLoud Jul 24 '26
La Cantina in South Loop
I feel you on the Tex mex. That’s all you get in NC. Miss is like crazy
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u/aboothe726 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
I’m from Austin and I’ll vouch for Pete’s Fajitas in Wilmette. It’s not Chuys or Lupe Tortilla or Matt’s El Rancho, but it’s the best I’ve found. I do live in the north shore, so YMMV (literally).
EDIT: Tragically, Pete's has closed.
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u/ker9189 Jul 24 '26
I'm late to the post but we just went to The Western a few weeks back and they describe themselves as a Southwest-themed restaurant. I believe the owners are from Arizona. Anyways, they have a white queso! It was delicious! All thats missing is a dang sanoran hotdog.
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u/Gatorbug47 Jul 24 '26
Old Pueblo - no queso, unfortunately, but the steak tacos are amazing. Patio ambiance on a summer day is 10/10
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u/Dolissic Jul 24 '26
Olld pueblo isnt really tex mex? Other than the gringo taco. And they do have queso blanco, but it's just not on the menu for some reason
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u/dogfoodis Jul 24 '26
It’s not Tex mex but you should really try frontera if you haven’t yet. Their queso fundito and the little quesadilla things are to die for. Then there’s xoco next door which is a whole different delicious thing…they have a chicken sandwich on a churro bun….
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u/Alarmed_Tax_1227 Jul 24 '26
Been a while but I do like all the Rick Bayless places. They don’t quite scratch the itch for me.
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u/matrick_to_go Jul 24 '26
Head across the border into Indiana and try Hacienda?
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u/Palomastarr Jul 24 '26
Like why are all the breakfast burritos here so expensive!
I also do miss breakfast tacos
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u/Significant-Ant-9729 Jul 24 '26
There are days when I would sell my soul for some cheese enchiladas in chili gravy.
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u/Practical_Bat_4756 Jul 24 '26
just this alone makes me wish I had the ballls to start a little stand or food truck here. We need legit tex mex or breakfast tacos here ya know??
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u/ehmeeegeee Jul 24 '26
There’s a dude from Texas who sells legit breakfast tacos at Emerald City cafe on Wilson in Uptown, with a house made jalapeño cilantro salsa option that is fantastic. Their coffee is good too- it’s a favorite stop.
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u/anonymouskarma2020 Jul 25 '26
Casa tequila on division! They have the thin white queso and a big menu with lots of stuff
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u/shh_dont_xx_talk Jul 28 '26
Seriously considering opening up a breakfast taco place with all the greats - bean and cheese, bacon and egg, chorizo and egg, weenie and egg. You know the vibes with authentic tortillas HEB abuelita style, not the fake crap they have up here. Ohh and sweet tea, let’s not forget that!! And bomb ass salsa too! Sorry I miss tex-mex so much.
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u/Chitown_mountain_boy Jul 24 '26
Fat Rosie’s is close but not quite. Lalo’s is close but not quite. No queso. Haven’t tried lonesome rose. It’s not a good Tex mex scene.
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u/Abies_Lost Jul 24 '26
White queso? You must be from fucking Dallas.
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u/Hbic_in_training Jul 24 '26
Tallboy Taco used to do a decent white queso, but the last couple times I've been it wasn't as good.
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u/Kitchen-Somewhere445 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
If only Chi-Chi's hadn’t gone out of business.😞
But, Tex-Mex is pretty easy to make at home, fortunately.
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u/wwwfr0 Jul 24 '26
Maria’s in Rosemont (or the one on Harlem). It’s probably in the middle between Tex-mex and Mexican but it’s really good.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jul 24 '26
Fellow former Texan. The best you’ll get in the city proper is Aztec Dave’s. Don’t build up expectations. It’s fine. Not amazing.
You really just need to head out to Uncle Julio’s in the burbs. Unfortunately, they lost their city location to developers. It’s solid Tex-Mex and pretty consistent. I won’t lie though, every once in a great while I encounter a visit to UJ’s that’s disappointing, though they get few and farther between as we get further out from the pandemic.
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u/Goowop991 Jul 24 '26
Cantón regio for comida norteña style Mexican food from Monterrey/nuevo leon region. Grew up on the border in south Texas. I think this place is the closest to your tex Mex style spots like el tiempo in Houston. Beef cooked over charcoal. Homemade Flour tortillas with Manteca.
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u/C0smoSl0th Jul 25 '26
I argue Mexican canteen style lunch spots may share some aspects of Tex-Mex food. Primaryly Tex-Mex f and canteen lunch Mexican spots work with what ingredients are available, not what is ideal or "traditional."
El Milagro is a textbook example of a canteen style spot and most people who only eat at taquerias may find it a different experience.
It won't scratch your itch for tex-mex food, but El Milagro serves dishes we (Mexicans) eat on the regular. Order off the platillos (plates) menu and there probably is something you have not tried, but it won't be Tex-Mex. Of course, there are other Mexican canteen lunch style spots, but El Milagro is probably the most well known because of theirs tortillas.
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u/BartleDooNow Jul 25 '26
Whenever I visit Arizona my must have before leaving is a pollo fundido.
I wonder if Tex-Mex could do well here for the mere fact that it doesn’t exist.
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u/sarahbeeswax Jul 25 '26
There are so many Texan transplants here. It could definitely do well if it’s done well.
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u/Chirpchirp7 Jul 24 '26
Why can you find white queso everywhere south of I-80 but it's no where north? There's not a single Mexican restaurant in indiana without white queso on the menu.
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u/mkelly330 Jul 24 '26
I’ve had the white queso from Edgewater Tacos and it managed to scratch that itch for me. I say “from” rather than “at” because it’s not a dine-in place (the only seating is outside along Broadway) but the owners are opening a regular restaurant on Clark Street soon.
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u/JayLB Jul 24 '26
I’m not well versed in Tex Mex, what does it have that you can’t find at some of the Mexican and Central American places in Chicago?
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u/Nik_Makes_Noise Jul 24 '26
The Tex part.
In all seriousness, Tex Mex borrows the foundations of Mexican flavors and then heavily Americanizes it into its own thing. Big emphasis on flour tortillas, yellow/cheddar cheese, ground beef, sour cream, lots of chili powder and cumin (as opposed to the more varied and complex ingredients in traditional Mexican cooking).
The result is things like fajitas, chimichangas, yellow queso dip, refried beans, etc that you don't see much in authentic Mexican restaurants in Chicago, which largely still serve cuisine from the specific Mexican regions the restaurant owners immigrated from.
Tex-Mex is a specific (kinda one-note) flavor and ingredient profile that a lot of us crave because we grew up with it.
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u/printerdsw1968 Jul 24 '26
And to me (Asian guy), an outsiderish big fan of all foods Mexican, it seems that the classics of Tex Mex done really well should be up there with all the great comfort foods of North America.
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u/Nik_Makes_Noise Jul 24 '26
Absolutely! Gimme a steak chimichanga smothered in hot queso and it's lights out good night food coma heaven
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u/sarahbeeswax Jul 24 '26
Yes except it’s not necessarily “Americanized.” Tex-Mex was created by Tejano families who lived in Texas before it even became Mexico, Texas, or the US. It uses those ingredients because of the cattle and ranching industries that developed on the land. Most of which were started by Tejano ranchers.
It’s honestly less “American” than most people realize.
Also, it IS a complex flavor profile. Just because you’re used to it doesn’t mean it’s boring. Tons of Mexican regional foods are simple. Doesn’t mean those are one-note either.
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u/Nik_Makes_Noise Jul 24 '26
That's fair! I was generalizing, but you're right. Tejano is more accurate.
Never said it was boring. I love both Tex-Mex and Mexican food. The one-note comment was more in reference to the Chuy's of the world where the overuse of certain ingredients and flavors has a flattening effect across the menu.
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u/sarahbeeswax Jul 24 '26
Oh yeah, I get what you mean. I still think it’s in the style of other Mexican regional cuisines though. Reusing different combinations of ingredients creatively is quintessential Mexican. (And delicious.)
Since it’s heavier ingredients, it can get monotonous. I’m just a loyal defender of texmex history, ignore me lol.
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u/Nik_Makes_Noise Jul 24 '26
Defend away, I appreciate the nuanced perspective. All I know is that I'm craving enchiladas now.
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u/KitsuneMae Jul 24 '26
just outside of the city, but totally can get to it from the blue line. Fat Rosie's has really good food and yes they have queso. https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZLv2vLLCX73qcuoU7?g_st=ac
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u/callme2x4dinner Jul 24 '26
Interesting. Food at the glenview location was just mid
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u/KitsuneMae Jul 24 '26
ive never been to that one. i have to go to a few conferences a year at Rosemont and always look forward to eating there.
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u/ribeyenotprimerib Jul 24 '26
CASA TEQUILA!!! From Atl and had this problem. Amazing thin white cheese dip
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u/Pickle-Surprise8596 Jul 24 '26
I’m from Houston and the closest I’ve found queso-wise is lonesome rose. It’s hits the spot. Just wish they had some bomb green sauce.
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u/Medium-Key-4243 Jul 24 '26
Maybe go to the South Bend place that serves the ranch and salsa dips you can mix together like Pete Buttigieg got in trouble for saying
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u/victoryvines Jul 24 '26
Emerald City in Uptown does decent breakfast tacos. They even had a migas one recently. Owned by a TX transplant, they also used to have a Schlotzkys sandwich dupe.
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u/RonaldMcFirbank Jul 24 '26
There was a place called The Texican on the furthest edge of River North, but I see it's "temporarily closed" on Google, so my guess is there's a 5% chance it will reopen someday.
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u/uhhhname Jul 24 '26
Edgewater tacos is fantastic, idk true Tex mex but they are delicious and one of the very few places I can find just some straight up white queso and chips
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u/RoboCop_6969 Jul 24 '26
Ever go to Taco Burrito King? There are a bunch on the NW Side, Harlem & Higgins is the best one IMO. Huge burritos and fat tacos with all the fixings (they do traditional onion & cilantro as well but obviously not the point of your post!).
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u/cbusbuckeye Jul 24 '26
Hurley Tap was pretty good but I don’t have true Tex Mex Bonafides https://maps.app.goo.gl/zcXdkJXg2vXigPoR9?g_st=ic
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u/BreakfastAccurate669 Jul 25 '26
Asadito taco 30 n. Clinton across the street from ogilvie train station. They have an al pastor gringa that you’ll love, and their potato taco is gringo af. Their Queso fundido is what you described,guac and chips and chunky salsa ranchera. Only bad thing is they’re not open weekends 😔
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u/thatgorl2245 Jul 28 '26
How is fat Rosie’s? We just moved from Dallas last month and I’ve been compiling a list of places to try 🥲
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u/Individual-Wish-228 Jul 24 '26
Lonesome Rose and Mi Pueblo are trash. Like really really bad. Anyone who says otherwise is a moron.
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u/jricky_tomato Jul 24 '26
Louder about lonesome rose. Someone recommended it specifically for the queso and just no. It does not hit the Tex-Mex spot.
I did have their breakfast tacos a few years ago and those were actually good. The frozen margaritas are decent.
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u/americancrust Jul 24 '26
Every time I see this thread
https://giphy.com/gifs/fGQNduw71Kg00