For taco lovers, the craving for a juicy taco packed full of savory toppings is enough to make your mouth water. Fortunately, authentic taco places are common in Illinois, making the process of choosing just 7 very challenging. The best taco joints in Illinois serve fresh, made-to-order tacos bursting with flavors that leave you contemplating whether to head back up to the counter to order another set.
For consistently delicious Mexican food with a hint of Indian influence, look no further than Taco Madre in Niles. The tacos are fresh, perfectly portioned, and exude flavor with each bite. Taco favorites include the Mahi Mahi, shrimp, and especially the steak. They also offer tasty vegan options like the paneer and veggie tacos.
Cilantro Taco Grill is a small joint with big flavors. Aside from their to-die-for creamy salsas, they also serve up delicious chicken and steak tacos bursting with flavor. Customers also appreciate the friendly customer service, but wish the place had more seating. The prices are also reasonable, making Cilantro Taco Grill worth the visit.
Bien Trucha serves some of the best tacos ever in a fun, cozy environment. They are especially loved for their Bien Trucha and pescado tacos along with their hand-made cocktails. Customers rave about the fresh ingredients and unique flavors.
This no-frills Mexican restaurant is a local favorite in Chicago because of the generous portions and cheap prices. The grilled steak tacos are tender and packed full of meat, making them a big hit here.
For innovative taco flavors, look no further than Velvet Taco. This hip taco joint features a generous selection of flavorful tacos, with customers raving about the pork belly, spicy chicken tikka, rotisserie chicken, and picnic tacos. Their beers and margaritas are also very popular.
L’ Patron is another cash-only joint that offers some of the best tacos in the city. Aside from their amazing horchata, L’ Patron serves delicious fish tacos (some customers claim they are the best in Chicago), steak, and ribeye with caramelized onion tacos. Although their seating is limited, this little joint is worth checking out.
Mama Maria’s is known for their fresh, premium tacos and margaritas. Choose from an admirable variety of tacos such as the Carne asada, picadillo, and pollo al carbon. This place tends to get overcrowded, especially on weekends, so some planning is required to ensure a pleasant experience.