I'm coming through Chicago and should be able to spend at least a day eating. It's been a while since I've explored Mexican food in the city. For those who don't know me since I haven't been active here in years, I am an experienced traveler in Mexico and have owned multiple Mexican restaurants. I've also consulted on several others, focusing on regional and midscale Mexican food. I've been helped on my path greatly by folks on LTH in the past, including RST for Mexican food (is he still around?). While my heart is with the food of the abuelitas, I have limited time so I'd like to catch up on what Chicago can offer that many places can't: fancy Mexican food. I say that with some tongue in cheek because a taqueria or mom and pop fonda doing something novel or world class would be great as well. I did a little searching here, but didn't find anything recent. I really haven't done upscale Mexican in Chicago for over a decade.
I did read through some recommendations online, including:
* Thrillist:
https://www.thrillist.com/eat/chicago/b ... od-chicago* Eater:
https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-mex ... hicago-map* Timeout:
https://www.timeout.com/chicago/restaur ... s-and-more* Gayot:
https://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best- ... s_5ch.htmlBased on that, these places seemed like a good starting list that obviously will need to be whittled down, though I can do maybe 5 meals in a day if places have lunch. But please, any that should be on this list that aren't, or any that are, but shouldn't be, let me know:
* Barrio
* Chilam Balam
* Mi Tocaya Antojería
* Topolobampo (which I have been to, twice, I think, prior to 2010)
* Mis Moles (I did go to Bahena's other restaurants back in the day)
* Leña Brava
* Sol de Mexico
* Estrella Negra
* Tzuco
* Dos Urbana
* Mesa Urbana
(btw, I don't know how "open" Chicago is yet. My home town of Portland is still in transition mode despite high vaccination rates. Many of the top restaurants still don't have indoor dining there. However, I've been in Florida and Texas for the last two and a half months and restaurants are pretty much fully open. So some guidance there would be appreciated.)
Unintentionally retired early by the pandemic, but without the golden parachute.
Formerly Mi Mero Mole
Formerly Zapapizza
Formerly Kenny & Zuke's Delicatessen
Artisan Jewish Deli at Home Cookbook