If Xocome Antojeria were a movie, then the protagonist would definitely be the unbelievable masa, the base for the restaurant’s incredible tacos, tlacoyos, picaditas, enchiladas, and giant quesadillas (which are really more like machetes). And the fillings aren’t just supporting characters - they’re stars in their own right. Xocome uses tender filet mignon for their asada, and everything from the rich red mole to the flavorful huitlacoche ongos is perfectly seasoned.

This very casual spot in Wicker Park feels like it’s one folding chair away from being a takeout joint. But Alegrias is a sit-down restaurant with incredible seafood, and the atmosphere feels like a constant party. What you’re going to want to order here is the shellfish - specifically the prawns (which come in a delicious, spicy broth that you should soak up with fries) and lobster (which has a seafood stuffing). It’s BYOB, great for groups, and perfect for having a good time.

5 Rabanitos is a casual restaurant in Pilsen, and the food here is so good that you’ll find yourself thinking about it when you should be doing other things - like dialing into a conference call, or handing over the rings during your friend’s wedding. The menu has about 3,589 delicious things for you to choose from, with a great selection of tacos, a ton of vegetarian options, fantastic carne asada, and an ahogada torta with carnitas that happens to be one of the best sandwiches in Chicago.

The specialty at Huaraches Dona Chio, a tiny spot on a side street in Edgewater, is (unsurprisingly) huaraches. But anything here that involves their housemade masa is delicious - you also want the tacos, sopes, and mole enchiladas. You get to pick your toppings (with options like pastor, steak, or calabaza), plus your salsa (red or green), and there’s really no wrong decision. There are only six tables here, but in the summer they also have a cute side patio which is right next to a park.

This is an excellent restaurant that works for any occasion - whether it’s date night, catching up with a few friends, or dining solo when you need to cure a really bad mood. The menu primarily focuses on small plates, like a refreshing burrata and cactus salad, rich peanut butter lengua, and some great tacos. There’s a high likelihood the chef will come out and ask you how everything is - and you’ll be too busy stuffing your face to answer, “Great!”

Don Pedro has been in Pilsen for over 30 years, and clearly they’ve spent every day of those three decades perfecting their carnitas. This spot is small and very casual, and on the weekends you can expect a line out the door. Once you claim your table, order the carnitas platter, with pork that’s perfectly crispy from being fried in its own fat. It comes with tortillas and chicharrones, so keep making tacos until someone stops you and/or you can no longer move.

We think about El Sabor Poblano a lot—mostly in the context of wishing we had a Camelbak full of their mole. Both the sweet and smoky poblano and the herbaceous verde varieties are incredible. But every trip to this casual Rogers Park spot should also include something with masa, from puffy, fried quesadillas to a breakfast of picaditas and sweet champurrado. And since their cute blue-themed dining room is open 9am-9pm, seven days a week—you can come here for every meal if you want to.

This casual spot in Humboldt Park has birria that we can only describe as transcendent. While we ate it, time stopped and the restaurant dissolved around us like pixels in The Matrix and nothing existed besides the truth of braised meat and flavorful red consomé. Birria is (obviously) the specialty, but the menu also includes incredibly pliable handmade tortillas, delicious quesabirria, fajitas, chilaquiles, and a short beer list.

In case the name didn’t give it away, this upbeat Mexican spot in North Center specializes in mole. As soon as you sit down you’ll be presented with chips and a complimentary flight of their three incredible sauces: rojo, pipian, and verde. From enchiladas baked in the aforementioned moles to tacos made with pliable handmade tortillas to camerones in a spicy diablo sauce, we haven’t eaten anything from Mis Moles we didn’t enjoy.

​​La Luna in Pilsen serves delicious enchiladas, flautas, carne asada, and quesabirra full of shredded beef, lined with wonderfully caramelized cheese, and weighing about five pounds each. And thanks to the colorful murals, fantastic hip hop soundtrack, and occasional live music, this place feels like a party. It also doesn’t hurt that they have great cocktails and Happy Hour from Tuesday-Thursday with $10 margaritas and $3 tacos.