bartaco

Taco restaurant · Bucktown

bartaco

Taco restaurant · Bucktown

2

1635 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

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Highlights

Upscale tacos with diverse Latin, Asian, Mediterranean flavors.  

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1635 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 Get directions

bartaco.com
@bartacolife

$20–30 · Menu

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1635 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 Get directions

+1 708 740 8226
bartaco.com
@bartacolife
𝕏
@bartacolife

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 14, 2025

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@eater

The Latest Chicago Restaurant Openings, Summer 2023 - Eater Chicago

"The first Chicago location of Bartaco, a 13-year-old national bar and taco chain, is open at 1635 N. Damen Avenue in the former Northside Bar and Grill. A menu of tacos, salads, and rice bowls that integrate a variety of Latin, Asian, and Mediterranean flavors." - Naomi Waxman

https://chicago.eater.com/2023/4/7/23674238/chicago-restaurant-openings-reopenings-spring-2023
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@eater

Upcoming Chicago Bars & Restaurants to Know - Eater Chicago

"Bartaco, a national bar and taco chain, will open its first Chicago location at 1635 N. Damen Avenue, in the former Northside Bar and Grill space." - aimee.levitt

https://chicago.eater.com/2022/1/11/22865078/new-chicago-restaurants-bars-winter-2022-coming-attractions
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Monica M.

Google
One of our favorite Restaurants. Unfortunately there aren’t any in the state we are from anymore so we look for them anytime we travel. This location was great! First time visiting this location and it did not disappoint. We were there during their Happy Gour Special and tried a variety of items. We did wait quiet a while since it was their happy hour and they only had one person at the bar (you can inky take advantage of their happy hour specials at the Bar) As always their Margaritas are the best 🍹 definitely recommend!

Ivan Perez

Google
Been wanting to try bartaco for a while and glad i did. Lauren was the best and she recommended great drinks!! The mediterranean rice bowl was a good portion and very delicious!! Everything looks like family style portions and bite sized tacos!! Fish taco was yummy! I definately will return and bring more people!!

Angel Serna

Google
Just wrapped up my first visit to Bartaco in Wicker Park, and I have to say, it was a refreshingly elevated taco experience that hit all the right notes. From the moment I walked in, I was warmly greeted by Matty, who set the tone with great energy and professionalism. I chose to sit at the bar, where I had the pleasure of being taken care of by Grace, a kind and attentive bartender with a talent for crafting balanced and creative drinks. Grace introduced me to two of their house-made agua frescas/mocktails, which were absolute standouts. First up, the Honeydew, a beautifully blended combination of fresh honeydew, coconut water, rosemary, and lime. The drink was subtly sweet, herbaceous, and cooling, perfectly refreshing for a midday break. She followed that with the Grapefruit Ginger, made with fresh grapefruit juice, muddled ginger, and lime. It had a vibrant zing and just enough citrus bite to awaken the palate without overpowering it. Both drinks were not only refreshing but showed restraint and complexity in their flavors, hallmarks of a well-developed mocktail program. Now onto the food, I started with the Retro Pork Pastor taco, a delicious nod to traditional al pastor, but with a slight modern twist. The pork was marinated just right, tender, juicy, and packed with warm, smoky spice. It tasted fresh off the plancha and was layered with flavor. Next came the Chile-Lime Shrimp taco, which brought some welcomed heat and tang. The shrimp had a good sear and snap to them, and the chile-lime seasoning added a bold punch that paired effortlessly with my citrus-forward mocktail. Then came the showstopper for me, the Ahi Tuna Tatako, served on a bibb lettuce wrap. Light, clean, and beautifully composed, the tuna was perfectly seared with a delicate crust, and the overall flavor profile was bright and umami-rich. I loved it so much I ordered a second one on the spot, no regrets. Lastly, I tried the Mushroom taco, and honestly, I didn’t expect it to be such a strong contender. The earthy mushrooms were elevated by a luxurious poblano sauce, creamy, slightly smoky, and aromatic. It was comforting and flavorful without being heavy. If I hadn’t been so full, I absolutely would’ve ordered another. Between the vibrant flavors, excellent service, and stylish, coastal atmosphere, Bartaco is a welcome addition to the Chicago taco scene. I’m definitely planning to return, and next time, I’m bringing friends.

Shae K

Google
My friends had never been to a bartaco before so when visiting the city, I decided to take them for an early dinner. Waited a bit for a table (no one up front) but once we were seated, our server was amazing (Lauren...?) and helped with anything we needed! She was very sweet! Food was quick and delicious, we just kept ordering! Drinks took a bit but they were still good so didn't matter to us! Great location, great atmosphere, great food!

Marcus Allen

Google
So we were just walking by and we saw two people eating and asked how Is the food here specially the tacos ask her from one to 10 she said an eight so we sat down, placed an order and was met with a survey by the name of Chris. answered all the questions ask for recommendations we ordered the taco the lobster taco, the pork belly, my favorite the mushroom, which was my wife’s favorite and the Baja fish. I cannot say how much we enjoyed every single one of them I would highly recommend this place great atmosphere great service great food.

Michael Damato

Google
Upscale tacos with a rustic decor. Service reminds me a bit of sushi restaurants, you fill out a little ticket and put it on a clamp on your table. If you want a server for something there's another card you can put up. Really like this style and it keeps this moving. Everything is small plate a la carte, you can get as much or as little as you like. Tacos were very flavorful and there's a good selection of hot sauces. Tequila menu is extensive, there's a rotating margarita menu and all of the juice is fresh squeezed. Overall good place to go with a small group, the bill can add up quickly though.

Warawood Mirattanaprai

Google
Amazing atmosphere. Modern, cozy, chill. Food was also amazing. Small cute bite taco. My favorite goes to crispy oyster taco. For drinks I love a fresh squeeze lemonade. It is real fresh! And finally service was great! Server, Bartender, runner, manager are attentive and friendly.

Stuart McDonald

Google
Tacos were good but the service left something to be desired. Our server was attentive and kind, but there were a lot of mixups. We had to flag down the waiter offering our ceviche to the wrong table, my companion who doesn’t drink was served alcohol instead of her mocktail, and my vegetarian tacos came mixed with my friend’s meat tacos on one plate. They were also unable to separate checks and could only split it down the middle.
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Clarissa C.

Yelp
From the host to the server, every person was SO nice here. The decor is so cute, feels like sunshine meets nature meets California. I absolutely loved the variety and the fact that you can order individual tacos. Is this authentic? No! Did I still enjoy it, yes! Mushroom taco - loved the creaminess and blend of mushrooms, poblano sauce adds a nice tanginess. Baja fish taco - so crispy, liked the slaw it came with. Short rib taco - rich beef flavor, kimchi cuts through the flavor Pork belly taco - pickled onions didn't help cut through the richness. Meat was so tender though. Tuna tatako - absolutely blew me away!! So fresh, soft, flavorful. Fried oyster taco - SO good. Crispy, creamy, and a nice tangy crunchy slaw. Large guac and chips serving looks small, but plenty for 2 people. Loved the chunkiness of the guac, but chips slightly oversalted on some. Overall, a nice quick service place but also works if you want to sit and chat with friends for hours!
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Scott N.

Yelp
We had a wonderful evening at Bartaco. The restaurant has a very cool vibe. Speaking of cool, it was on the cool side, but we opted to eat outside. There was a fire nearby, which kept us toasty. We enjoyed a few drinks from the bar. The Bartaco "Green" Margarita was delicious. We started off with Guac + Verde + Roja. There were three of us so we ordered the large portion. Everything was fresh and delicious. We ordered Esquites - street corn off the cob. It was a nice size portion and was so tasty. I ordered three tacos - Cauliflower, Glazed Pork Belly and Baja Fish. They were all very good, but the pork belly was definitely the star of the plate. Service was outstanding. We also had dessert - Key Lime Pie in a Jar and Tres Leches (also in a jar). Oh my, such a wonderfully delightful end to our meal!
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Olivia A.

Yelp
I loved my experience here! I'd have to say this was one of the most aesthetically pleasing places with a very efficient online ordering system. They have physical paper menus but it's so much easier to order food via your phone and servers were so quick to bring us our food. There were no order mishaps and every one in my party was so satisfied they actually ordered a few times more! The tacos here were street size which is pretty small but allows for you to order quite a few depending on how hungry you are. They also have so much more than just tacos on their menu! I loved everything I ate! Would highly recommend this place and go back next chance I get!
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Joneice B.

Yelp
Ventured here on a Friday evening for tacos. Previously came here for a Yelp event. On this occasion we tried the Elotes, tacos and guacamole/salsa appetizer. We were serviced by Halle who was a gem. For drinks, we started out with the spicy "Green" bartaco margarita and also the whiskey base cocktail. We enjoyed both of those and I would definitely get the green margarita again. I really enjoyed the tequila that they use and all their margarita base drinks. The tequila is for purchase Libelula. Onto the food. We got several different tacos to share stand out was definitely the fish taco. My husband also enjoyed the duck taco. The steak taco was good, but nothing was special about it. I was impressed with the chorizo taco because it was easier to eat in your traditional chorizo type dish and was not greasy. All in all, it was a nice evening out. The venue is super quiet and cozy. I like the fireplace setting. We noticed that this was a family friendly restaurant on a Friday evening, and there were several well-behaved kids in the establishment. I decided to give four stars versus five stars because of the price point even with ordering eight tacos total I'm not sure that we got full. Next time we will definitely add more side dishes in addition to the street tacos, which were muy pequeno (small).
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Paige D.

Yelp
I dream of bartacos green margarita, it is so so so good. Great service and ambiance as always and at great location in the heart of Wicker Park. Love the guac here too, but my goodness those green margs, YUM!! Also, really enjoyed their chicken bowl. The tacos are a bit small so would recommend getting a few to satisfy your cravings if you're hungry. Bowl was a good size though and a nice add to their menu!
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Emily W.

Yelp
We came here because it was close to a doctors appointment and we rarely eat on this side of town. As the reviews suggested it's both gluten-free friendly and kid friendly so it was a good fit for our family. Everything was good, and they gave us coloring books and crayons for our daughter which helped entertain her!
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Marissa P.

Yelp
Fish taco was really good the service was good and the place itself was very beautiful and aesthetic. We went in summer so the rooftop was open and we brought our dog.
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Kate M.

Yelp
I'm late, but WELCOME to Chicago Bartaco!! My husband used to rave about Bartaco when he lived on the east coast. They opened their Chicago location about a year ago and we finally paid them a long overdue visit on father's day. The space is stunning with it's beachy/summer-y vibe. Very bright, welcoming, and laid back. We were seated quickly by the welcoming hostess, and then a staff member came over to explain how to order via QR code. It simple enough, and the website provides photos and descriptions for every menu item. We started with the chips are gauc. The guac was bursting with flavor -- a must order! I also got three tacos, two baja and one pork belly. Super, super yummy! The baja taco was probably the best I've ever had. To drink, I ordered a spicy margarita which was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Everything came out extremely quick. We were probably there for about 45 minutes total. For anyone with young children (or just anyone looking for a quick meal) Bartaco is a no brainer! We were able to get in and out in record speed. Can't wait to come back and explore more of the menu!
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Amy D.

Yelp
SO impressed! Our server gave great recommendations and explained the ordering system perfectly. As soon as we were ready to order (or needed anything) they responded immediately. My personal favorite: the pork belly taco! As for drinks, I highly recommend the green margarita. The barista herself said it was "the reason she works here." To top it all off, their juice is freshly pressed on the spot. Very great place and aesthetic interior. Take a friend, a significant other, or take the whole family!
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Paige K.

Yelp
Overall we were super impressed!! They allow pups on the patio so we chose to do that. You can call or be added to the waitlist online before you get there, so that's nice too. They have a phone ordering service so you can order drinks and food as you go without waiting for a waiter which we loved!! The drinks we tried: - Spicy margarita (9/10) very good but needs a tajin rim - Green Machine margarita (8/10) very refreshing - Paloma - 10/10 ok it was my first Paloma but I don't like grapefruit much yet I loved this! - Ranch water 7/10 - great calorie drink and refreshing but could use japaleno or something Apps: - cucumber salad 7/10 it was alright but not worth the cost - birria 10/10 we loved this! Great little portion and delicious consommé Tacos: - fish 9/10 very solid! Small but you can tell it's breaded in house but needed the table salsas (which were very good) - shrimp 9/10 also great flavor! Would get again. Warning, it's pretty spicy! - chorizo 10/10 prob my fav chorizo taco! Larger meat pieces and not greasy like chorizo usually is! - steak 6.5/10 - the texture of the steak was good but it was an Asian style and I don't know what taco places keep doing this. If I get a steak taco, I want Mexican not Asian. Wouldn't get again for that reason. Not bad, just not what we were looking for Overall, food and service was great. Def will be back!
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Dorothy S.

Yelp
Finally got to stop in on a lovely Sunday afternoon. The decor is so cute and inviting, I'd call it beach-core. Our server was super helpful and attentive. The food and drinks were awesome, I loved all the chips and dips and the ahi tuna app. The tacos were also real tasty. There really wasn't much to complain about. Service was great, food was great, decor was bright and lovely. We will definitely be back, this spot is a fantastic addition to the area. Parking is a hit or miss on damen, I'd suggest planning ahead if you're going to drive there.
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Lisa S.

Yelp
I chose this spot because I had plans to catch a show at Subterranean, just a quick 3-minute walk away (shout out to Fly By Midnight). We opted for the covered patio, which had a wonderfully airy and spacious ambiance. Whether you prefer mobile ordering or traditional paper menus, the staff here are accommodating and friendly, ensuring you feel right at home. We indulged in bartaco margaritas, which were absolutely delightful, along with a selection of tacos. These tacos are on the smaller side, so I'd suggest ordering 3-4 depending on your appetite. My picks were the glazed pork belly, pistachio cauliflower, and sesame ribeye. Additionally, we couldn't resist trying the esquites--sweet corn kernels topped with cotija cheese, creamy and tangy sauce, and a hint of cayenne pepper--which definitely lived up to expectations. Service was quick, making it an ideal spot to catch up with friends or enjoy a charming date night.
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Lan T.

Yelp
Came here right after getting off the plane, such a beautiful place with outdoor seating. We've got the pork belly, mushrooms, ribeye, tuna, and chicken karaage taco. I like that we order 1 taco at a time so we can tried varieties. Food came pretty quickly and Everything was so Delicious!!! I wish they can open one in NJ.
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Gabrielle B.

Yelp
Ok, so I had the choice of going to Big Star or coming here, and I picked Bartaco because I'd never been. Firstly, the ambiance is great! The atrium is beautiful and really adds to the vibe in a way that most businesses in the area can't (because the physical architecture doesn't exist). I'd describe Bartaco as Summer House Santa Monica's surfer/taco-inspired little brother. The decor is airy and beachy but with a more masculine edge (lots of wood features and a bar in the central dining space). Portions are pretty small, and they warn you about that. The tacos are smaller than most (similar) places. There is a wide variety of offerings, such as poke bowls, gazpacho, and craft mocktails (all of which I tried and really liked). The chips situation is new and different- large fried circular tortillas that you break up on your own to use with the dip. We had to request more. The "large" dip bowl is $14 and includes a lot of guac- def recommended for 4 or more people. I'll be back. I liked it. But I hated the reservation/check in process. It's vague and mysterious in a frustrating way, whereas, having no reservation process would be preferred. You can't gauge a wait time or how far along the waiting process you are. It's just a system for putting your name on the list and then showing up, to continue to potentially wait longer.
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Amber F.

Yelp
Update- Reached out directly to the business on 4/13 never heard a response. Seems pointless to leave a comment to reach out and then not respond. Will not return.
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Sandy R.

Yelp
I loved everything about Bartaco. Our relationship started when I stopped by a couple weeks ago to just get one taco to try and they didn't charge me. How nice is that. Today my sister and I had lunch there. I had the oyster, fish, steak and pork belly. Delicious and they are nice tacos. It's hard to find tacos that don't have too much stuff on them. Bartaco's tacos are a simple but delicious. Everyone who works there is nice and they look happy to be there. Ana's service was flawless. To wrap it up - whoever designed this space (franchise) was very clever. To order you indicate what you want on a paper menu, if you need the server there's a card you place at the top of the holder. The holder has a variety of sauces. There is a container on the table with napkins and chopsticks along with a pitcher of water. They have thought about everything I might need so I enjoy my visit. I will definitely be going there again. I hope you'll try it.
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Edward B.

Yelp
Visited Bartaco for a late dinner and drinks with my spouse this week. We liked the ambiance and the airy feel of the place. This spot also allows for a mobile order at the table experience which is 'waiterless.' There are pros and cons to this option. Pros- you get to order on demand and spend more time with your dinner guests- less interruptions. Ordering on the app felt seamless and it all came out swiftly. Twas a Wednesday night, so less of a crowd. Cons- Food comes out based on kitchen and restaurant crowd, so I can imagine longer wait times when they are busy. Was harder to understand pacing and ordering for courses. We ordered apps and tacos and it all appeared at once. Walla! Drinks were great. Apps were above average- Guac and kale salad stole the show. Tacos were average & pricey. This is a solid spot for larger groups were you'd like to linger & drink, or fist dates where you'd like to talk more. But don't expect to be blown away by food.

Tony S.

Yelp
Don't bother this place is gross and the service was condescending towards us while the local hipsters and Karen's got better service
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Anastasiya K.

Yelp
The atmosphere is very fun and beachy! I enjoyed my cocktails here, specifically the green margarita and the cucumber rum drink. Prices were very reasonable for cocktails. Would definitely come back to sit on their patio with friends!
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Salena C.

Yelp
We LOVED bartaco! The ambience is amazing. So bright and airy, and makes for a perfect friend date or family night out! (Plenty of children the night we went, so don't be afraid to bring your kiddos!) Cocktails were top notch. The elderflower one might be one of new faves in the city. The tacos and sides had Asian flairs (like the steak taco topped with kimchi), and they surprisingly did it perfectly. We were impressed. We sat at the bar because it was CROWDED on a Tuesday evening, but Tommy was attentive and funny. He easily explained how to order and made our first experience there a positive one. We would happily go back!
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Ben J.

Yelp
The ambiance to this restaurant is quite nice. It's separated into a few rooms, each with their own feel. The place usually doesn't get crowded for dinner; I was told that lunch is more popular. The food is served as small plate style. You'll probably need 4-6 plates per person. All tacos were pretty good and the guacamole was fresh. Service, however, was very slow. We waited 20 minutes for someone to take our order, and no one did, so I had to flag the waitress. Then we waited another 25 minutes for the food (the amount of food ordered was average), no one checked up on us during the meal or offered more water, and we had to ask for the check. It would have been 4 stars otherwise, but the service was definitely lacking.
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Tracy L.

Yelp
Great addition to the neighborhood. It took over the vacant, dark and dingy Northside, and now the space gives a summery, rustic chic vibe. It was quite busy for a late Tuesday night, but the food came out rather quickly. To our surprise, the food was better than we were all expecting- Ceviche was fresh, the Duck Birria and broth was very flavorful, and tacos were good, but I thought the Glazed Pork Belly was too sweet. The cocktails were made with fresh-squeezed juice. The Paloma Fresca and Orange Crush were refreshing but sweet. The self-ordering was convenient in that there's no need for separate checks or wait for the entire party to be ready. However, it was annoying to maneuver and bit of a hassle. Even with the self-service and few interaction except to bring out food/drinks and occasional check-in, it seemed overstaffed. We liked the new spot overall.
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Taquanda H.

Yelp
This restaurant has an open air feeling to it with modern fireplaces. The staff is attentive and friendly. I ordered the crispy oyster, mushroom and Baja fish tacos along with the duck birria. Although the portions are smaller than what you might be used to they are flavorful. The crispy oyster had a nice crunch to it and a fresh taste. The sauce they put on it was a bit overwhelming and could be minimized. The mushroom tacos were meaty in taste and cooked well. The Baja fish tacos were crisp and flakey and the duck birria was meaty and full of flavor, they are good with or without the dipping sauce.
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Kara K.

Yelp
Was searching for a Celiac friendly restaurant for delivery since one of my good friends is living with this disease and we got super hungry without a prior plan. Bartaco came through!!! Every item on the menu asks for allergy information. I had the pork belly rice bowl which was delicious, followed by the cutest little key lime pie in a mason jar. It was one of the best desserts I've had in a while. So happy I could feed myself and my friend without any drop of worry of aggravating their illness. Keep it up!! We will be ordering again and again!
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Jodi K.

Yelp
I usually LOVE this neighborhood spot, but my visit today is a MISS. This is the second time I have had "Yaya" as a server, and it's not good. NOT good. Also today the food is serving super small portions in the tacos, and they weren't hot or fresh. It's not crowded in here either and there are plenty of servers so ... something mgmt should take a peek at. Typically things my spot, but not sure as of late ...
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Michelle J.

Yelp
You order on an app, your food shows up, pay on an app and you're done. Glorified chipotle in a sense. Dined early on a Saturday evening, food came out quickly it was good not great. The fish taco was the best, however didn't have any salsa or crema for the extra flavor it needed.
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Julie C.

Yelp
This is a long overdue review of Bartaco takeout. I've done online order for pickup here at least half a dozen times and have to give big props for unique (and delicious) flavors and really great service. First, my food has almost always been ready at the time I ordered. Be prepared for a standard 20-30 minute pick up lead time, which I think is pretty reasonable. I wish their website let you set a specific pickup time instead of just ASAP, but it hasn't deterred me since the food is so good. The folks running pickup have always been friendly, too. The one time my order was a little late (by maybe 5 minutes), they offered me a glass of water and a seat while I waited. I really appreciated such consideration! I've tried their mushroom taco, duck taco, fall special Brussels sprout taco, and the duck birria, all of which have been great. I'd recommend grabbing a Brussels sprout taco while it's available - the carrot purée and toasted pumpkin seeds really make it special. If you like duck, you can't go wrong with either the taco or the birria, with tender (maybe confit?) shredded duck meat paired well with simple accompaniments. The mushroom taco is also very good, just beware that the salsa has a little bit of a spicy kick. My only nitpick is that they sometimes forget the little piece of lime in the takeout container, which is a shame because a squeeze of lime adds a nice extra pop to all of these items. I've never dined in, but not for lack of ambiance. They have a nice patio, with a fireplace going now that it's fall, as well as an interior that looks fun and welcoming. This is a great addition to the neighborhood!
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Debbie L.

Yelp
Absolutely love Bartaco! We frequent the Tampa and Chicago locations and both never disappoint. Our latest visit was to the Chicago location. They have an order and pay through your phone system which i feel is great when you're just going for a causal lunch or dinner or a night out to catch up. However, you still get a staff member that can help with anything you need. Tyrell was our guy, he was attentive and friendly. We had spicy margs, Baja, cauliflower, pork belly, shrimp and chicken tacos. As well as chicken tortilla soup and the cucumber salad. We topped all that delicious food off with an order of plantains. Sounds like a ton of food but the portions are so manageable and made with rest ingredients that you don't feel over full when you leave. We always get an extra order of plantains to go for my sister. Bartaco is alway consistent.and delicious. My always something is, I DIDN'T TAKE ANY PICS of our delicious food. We'll definitely be back, pics to follow.

Sarah K.

Yelp
AMAZING SERVICE! Staff gave us 4 free tokens and we're so so kind! Highly recommend!!!!!
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Annie G.

Yelp
Great service, love the vibe, delicious food. We've had the fried fish tacos (my favorite, pork belly tacos, mushroom tacos, and a speciality grilled fish taco. The tri-salsa chips and dip are so good. Our favorite dish was the ceviche. The first time we went we almost ordered a second plate it was soo good. The second time, the shrimp pieces were a bit too large so it was difficult to eat so that was a bit of a bummer. Margaritas are awesome. One of my new favorite places.
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Laura T.

Yelp
sheesh. they were close to hitting the mark so many times but kept falling short. the small trio (guac and two salsas) was where we started and the guac had a good flavor, just got an unexpected little chunk of avocado skin in a couple bites. the roasted salsa was definitely not fresh, had a weird aftertaste akin to an older salsa. the green raw salsa was really good and definitely made up for the strange roasted one. the esquites is where it started to go downhill. again the flavors were not bad, but the corn was undercooked. unlike what we were expecting, the corn had a crunch to it, and had a grainy consistency like it just needed a couple more minutes boiling to finish cooking. i tried the three vegetarian tacos that they offered. the falafel one was again, good on flavor but extremely dry. the white sauce could not compensate for the dryness of the falafel and tortilla combined. definitely chased by a couple chugs of water every bite. the mushroom taco was delicious, the consistency was very meaty and juicy, so it helped balance out some of the tortillas dryness, but ultimately needed salsa to keep it moist. as for the cauliflower pistachio, it was the most moist of them all, but lacked flavor other than the occasional burst of sweetness from the pomegranate seeds. the tortillas really brought down the quality of the tacos, and were extremely dry and stale tasting, kinda hard to chew! the service was extremely good! our two servers were kind and helpful, and overall wonderful company. unfortunately the food was just not worth another visit.
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Carly S.

Yelp
Bar Taco is one of my favorite local spots by far. The food is fresh, the drinks are tasty and refreshing, and the vibe is always great! Being a vegetarian, I usually go with my tried and true Falafel Taco and I cannot recommend it enough. To drink, I always get the Green Margarita - one of my favorite alcoholic beverages of all time. To my understanding it is made with fresh squeezed juice and you can tell by the taste as it is so refreshing and tasty. I am usually full by the time I finish my tacos but have gotten the ice cream cones in the past and highly recommend them as well for a sweet treat to top off your meal. In addition, the ambience is amazing and the staff is always so kind and helpful. I really enjoy that you can order from your table and re-order food at any point during your meal. I highly recommend Bar Taco for a date night or a meal out with friends!
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Keisha H.

Yelp
Perfection! So much fun, everyone was welcoming and informative and helpful with the ordering since we had two lil's and an elder with us. You can order from the app but we opted for paper menus. Service was perfect and the menu had everything the table could want. The ambience is bright and airy and you can eat inside or out. Beware of the dogs that may come visit and eat on the patio! We started with the guacamole served with whole tortilla as chips was DELISH! We also had the cucumber salad that hit the spot. The mocktials and the adult beverages were yummy def top notch! Taco options were plenty and the churros came out hot and perfect! Cant wait to go back for an adult taco day!
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Christina B.

Yelp
Went here for lunch on a Sunday. Not crowded, server greeted us fairly quickly. You can order your food and drinks all through your phone (QR code). Took some getting used to. We tried the triple dip with chips--two salsas and one guacamole. Salas were fresh and guacamole was solid. For the tacos, we ordered seven total for two people. Favorites were chicken verde and duck.
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Emily J.

Yelp
This might be one of my new favorite restaurants if not for the drinks and ambiance alone! It's bright and airy and definitely transports you to a place outside of the heart of Wicker Park. Everything is ordered via your phone which is incredibly convenient, especially for splitting with groups. Each person at our table ordered for themselves on their own phone and paid their own bill. When we were ready to leave we checked out and left all without having to wait for a waiter. My only reason for not giving 5 stars is the food is pretty standard. It's good but not blow your socks off good. Also, the women's restroom has only 2 stalls so there was a decent line the majority of the time I was there.
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Juan J.

Yelp
Bartaco: a missed opportunity Pros: Friendly Staff: The bartaco team greeted us with warm smiles, enhancing the overall dining experience. Cool Atmosphere: The coastal-inspired decor creates a laid-back vibe, perfect for unwinding with friends. Cons: Payment System: The cashless ordering and payment system needs improvement. Better yet, get rid of it especially at the price being charged Taco Quality: The tacos were average tasting, small in size, and arrived cold. Salsas are too acidic- kinda tabasco like. Price: $100 for five tiny average tacos, two apps, 2 drinks and 4 cocktails isn't exactly somewhere i will run back to In summary, bartaco has potential, but major tweaks are needed
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Meg B.

Yelp
Came for drinks and was not disappointed! Definitely recommend the old thymer and passion fruit marg! Our waiter Liam even grabbed us crunchy ice! So nice 10/10

Dominique K.

Yelp
My favorite spot in the area! Perfect for a date night, quick solo lunch, or large groups. Service is quick, people are friendly. I try to find excuses to come here as much as I can. LOVE the street corn, kimchi, chile-lime shrimp tacos (super spicy but tasty!!!!), baja fish tacos, sesame ribeye tacos, and all the vegetarian options.
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renba7en8

Yelp
Food was good enough. The apps and drinks are incredible. But the tacos are a bit bland and, unfortunately, you can't use the sauces on the table because they (and the table, for what it's worth) are caked in grime and scum. The service is fine if you don't mind ordering on your phone. Ambiance was passable. I'd come back in a pinch.
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S G.

Yelp
Bartaco was awesome! I was driving past earlier in the week and the place caught my eye so I decided to stop in for dinner with a friend and my dog in their dog-friendly outdoor seating area. I added my name to the waitlist before leaving the house and we only had to wait a couple minutes for a table when we arrived. The space is open, bright, and perfect for a summer night meal. Our server was super friendly, gave us some solid recommendations and brought my pup a water bowl. I had the guac and chips, duck birria, three tacos (fish, beef, pork), churros, and the "Nojito" (non-alcoholic mojito) - everything was SO delicious. Portions are on the smaller side, but the prices are very reasonable too. Loved the mobile ordering/payment system. This might be my new favorite Wicker Park spot. Highly recommend!

A M.

Yelp
Cute place and good service. We had never been to a Bartaco before so we didn't know it was a chain. The food was ok If you're into chain Mexican restaurants. But if you want authentic Mexican food, there are plenty of Mexican restaurants in the city with great food. Bartaco is not that place.
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Katherine S.

Yelp
I had been to the bartaco in Nashville a couple times so I was really excited to hear it was coming to my neighborhood however, I found the experience here isn't quite the same. First of all, I'm not a big fan of the order at the table on your phone and then food just comes out from a runner whenever it's ready. I understand it's probably the most efficient for staffing purposes but really takes away from the experience if you asked me. The worst part being food can be brought out in any order at any time so you may have food show up while others with you don't. I used to go to the previous bar that was in this space and I must say that Bartaco did a phenomenal job with the ambiance and interior. Great bar area as well! As far as the food goes, it is just as delicious as I remembered but portions are tiny. I would definitely recommend the duck birria and elote. Whatever you do, don't skip out on their churros for dessert! It's a must get...I'll be back just for those.
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Stephanie K.

Yelp
Great option for an affordable and fun night out. The tacos were tasty and the margaritas were fantastic! I would definitely visit again. Desserts are a must. Also, a cool feature they have is ordering via an online order then it is delivered right to your table.
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Alexa S.

Yelp
Stopped by to try this new spot. I ordered the pineapple express drink and it wasn't giving much pineapple flavor but it was good. I ordered the shrimp tacos which I felt was too spicy. The tortilla were very thin and little firm. My friend liked the pork belly taco. I also ordered the fish tacos which were nicely fried, perfect crisp and well cooked inside. However the piece itself was very small the filling to tortilla ratio wasn't balanced. And I felt it could have used a salsa or sauce. We also tried the guac and red salsa. The guac was good and very simple. The salsa was yummy and had like a tropical taste. I really liked that at this place everyone can order there own food on their phone and check out individually. Very convenient for big parties! The service was also very welcoming! There's a cute little patio for nice summer nights.
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Charissa F.

Yelp
I really enjoyed the ambiance of this location. It's definitely a great date night spot with good food. The portions are tiny so don't go hungry unless you want to buy a lot. The service was ok. It's mobile ordering which doesn't make sense for this size of restaurant but I know a lot of folks are going that route.
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Dipali P.

Yelp
Food - sooooo good! Great variety. Service - 10/10! Ambiance - beautiful / cute inside and outside.
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Jessica D.

Yelp
We came here on a Friday early evening with our toddler and it was extremely family friendly! You order on your phone and they bring to the table which is relatively easy (and lets you order at your own pace). The manager brought our son a coloring book which was very helpful! The tacos are small, but priced fairly and taste amazing. Their aqua frescos are also great!
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Shirley P.

Yelp
It's my friend and I's first time at the Bartaco in Chicago. It's only fitting that her and I came back here since we had a positive experience at the one in Nashville. My only con about this location is the waitlist online didn't work for me for some reason. We had to get ourselves added when we arrived with the host, whereas in Nashville I was able to do so on my way there. Other than that, the concept is very similar, you scan the QR Code at the table and order your food. Your server comes by to make sure you're good, and there's a way for you to flag them over to your table. I love that everything is freshly made to order. I ordered a spicy margarita with salt on the rim, an order of chips and salsa verde, tuna tatako taco (comes in lettuce and it was the highlight of my meal), spiced chicken verde taco, Chile lime shrimp taco, and their secret special lobster taco. The food overall was delicious, and I'd personally skip the lobster taco next time because I've had better, while the meat is generous, it wasn't what I was expecting. I've never had a taco on lettuce before, so the tuna tatako really knocked me out of the ballpark in a great way. I love how everything is so flavorful, and I think they can continue to improve this dish if the lettuce wrap was slightly bigger to prevent food dropping into your plate as you bite. I'd recommend this place to anyone in the area looking for Mexican style cuisine, freshly prepared meals made to order, accuracy, great service and efficiency.
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Melanie V.

Yelp
Super cute taco spot that is very accommodating for children. Nice outside space, good food, and quick service. We tried the guac and salsas which were good. I loved the whole tortillas as chips. Made it fun to break your own for your own size. The red was smoky and the green cilantroy. Drinks were great and very refreshing! Highly recommend the orange fizz and the refresher (maybe that isn't the name? It has gin). Kids meal is quite large and $6 which was awesome. My husband liked the carne asada taco and I liked the fish however I have the cilantro soap gene so I asked the waiter if it came with the herb, he said yes, I then asked for no cilantro, then it came with cilantro. He saw I wasn't eating, apologized, took the tacos (both of ours) back to fix. Then they can back out with more cilantro on the fish and none on the carne so then we were both annoyed. Anyway, I scraped off all the sauce and remnants to the best of my ability and managed to eat. Anyway we plan to come back because of the atmosphere ...great work!