The 18 Best Mexican Restaurants In Chicago - Chicago - The Infatuation

"The towering chicharron from Cariño’s 11-course tasting menu makes you gaze in wonder, like you’re reenacting the first scene of 2001: A Space Odyssey—or Barbie. It comes with a side of smoky esquites, and tells you everything you need to know about this Uptown spot: you’re in for a playful, fun-to-eat meal. Other courses follow suit, like huitlacoche ravioli that builds a world of corn on a plate or Tajin-topped oysters with a Modelo foam that channels the spicy, refreshing flavors of a michelada. And despite only having a few seats and its not-inexpensive $210 price, Cariño isn’t stuffy or overly formal—you could totally wear a hoodie and jeans to eat a tetela with a tiny hoja santa hat. Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru