Carmela's Taqueria

Good vibes and tasty, quick food. Got the special - the two taco plate w rice and beans for $12. If you are in the area, can’t go wrong with Carmela’s!

Spent a few days in Uptown and came here for the Tacos having seen the wheel in photos. Got the Al Pastor, lengua, and steak tacos which were amazing. Great hot sauces too. Will definitely be returning

This place is great. Went during lunchtime & sat at the counter. There’s not too much seating & I can imagine that it gets packed quickly, but we seemed to beat any rush. We both ordered two tacos & their guacamole and everything was tasty, fresh, and quick. We were shocked at how big the guac was! Will definitely be back.

This hole in the wall is incredible. Firstly the food is delicious for a good price. Burritos were filling and costed me 7.50. The pork pastor meat is great. They don't fill the burrito up with rice as filler. Instead they fill it with quality meat and cheese and tomatoes etc. The hot is really spicy, so be warned. The eating space is fairly clean. Next time I want to come and try the full chicken. Next time you're sick of chipotle come here for a good burrito, quesdidilla, or taco.

Came here to try since we always see so many people come in. The 2 taco with rice and bean special is definitely a deal if you order Lengua (tongue) since a single lengua taco is $5.25. But the rice and beans were HORRIBLE. Rice was dry and basically "crispy" due to being so old. The beans has a sour taste to it so it was also probably spoiled from being out too long (warming in the container). The carne asada taco was decent but a little too salty for my liking. The lengua taco was pretty good. The steamed beef taco was also a bit too salty. The al pastor was decent, it is marinated well and has bits of pineapple in it. We also ordered the Horchata, definitely not the best tasting one, it was very bland and has a bad after taste. Overall, If you are craving tacos, I would recommend Lindo Guadalajara or Taqueria Uptown down the street.

Tacos were great. Small restaurant with very limited seating, but the food and service was great. Definitely a hole in the wall spot. The Al Pastor is excellent and very flavorful. The carne asada was also great. Prices are fair; a little pricier compared to other taco spots I've been to. Parking is limited. Street parking is available. I would recommend this spot for a quick bite to eat.

Oh my goodness. Stop your searching and get tacos here right now!!! We had tacos Al pastor and carne asada and they were lovely. Juicy meat full of flavor, tortillas soft and fresh. Absolutely amazing. We had fresh guacamole too, you can tell they literally just made it, and it was pure avocado goodness. Cannot wait to come back!!

The Al pastor tacos are delicious as well as the steak tacos even though they got a little pricey I would recommend this place for al pastor tacos

Carmela's Taqueria has flavorful Mexican food at an affordable price. The restaurant is pretty small with only a few tables and a counter to sit, but the food comes quickly and the staff is polite. I ordered the Al Pastor Burrito and an Horchata. The pork was very flavorful and goes well with the green salsa, but the burrito is on the smaller side. The lettuce and tomatoes within tasted very fresh. The red salsa wasn't bad either, a little spicier than the green. I definitely recommend this place if you like Mexican food. Although do note that they charge a credit card fee at 3.5%, which is a bit much.

No frills and quick service, but the beans in our burritos were unbelievably bland which was a complete letdown because the meats were so rich and tender. I appreciated the salsas provided with our food and the taco was decent as well.

Best tacos!! We were walking by and saw this hole in the wall spot... best tacos and super friendly staff. The Gauc was so dang fresh and flavorful. We got extra tacos to go to have for lunch the next day. If you want an authentic taco, this is the spot!

We came here for a bite before heading to a music venue nearby and we were very pleasantly surprised! The place is tiny, and was completely full, but several people were waiting for to go orders so we actually got a seat right as we ordered. The kitchen is right in front of you, and as a microbiologist, I love that. And the big rotating al pastor is awesome. The service was excellent. With only two people working they had orders out in less than 5 minutes. Impressive. And super nice! Prices are similarly good. I had three tacos - Al pastor (it looked too good to pass up), pollo and carne molinado. All excellent, but the al pastor was the best. They needed a little more punch of flavor without adding hot sauce. But the tacos were good, fresh and generously filled. We also had the carne asada burrito and that was excellent. I love their chips too (no queso). If you're in the mood for a quick, cheap and tasty bite, this is the best place around!

My friend and I were going to go the Birria spot next door because we heard good things, but they were closed so we went to Carmela's instead. I really like this taco spot that is super casual and a little bit tucked away! I got 2 Al Pastors and 1 Lengua Taco as well as a Diet Coke for under $15. The tacos were filled to the brim and both the pastor and the lengua were so good. I will definitely stop by again!

I'm not sure if people just have low standards for burritos or what, but I decided to finally try this place out given that it's one of the closest restaurants to where I live and kind of regret it. I know I've been wanting to try it out since moving here a while back so I'm glad I did try it finally, but my al pastor burrito really fell short. I was surprised to find sour cream and a wet lettuce inside. The consistency was like a slimy Al pastor burrito all around and it just didn't taste at all what I was hoping for. As an LA transplant, I know this would have lower reviews if this place was in LA, but I still know there are better options in Chicago. I'll have to try Primo Chukis down the street next time.

This place was a great spot for a quick dinner before a show at the Riviera. The guys were quick, the place was clean and the carne asada torta was delicious. Hard to ask for much more. A little hidden on Lawrence but definitely worth a stop in!

Carmela's is your classic hole-in-the-wall kind of taqueria. Built into the south side of the old Uptown theater complex, it literally looks like someone carved a box out of the monolithic stone wall and shoved a restaurant inside. These are easily some of the best tacos in the area, rivaled only by primo chukis a few blocks down the street. Carmela's doesn't serve tripas, which is genuinely a bummer, but their al pastor and carne asada are wildly good. I also can't imagine a better location, as they are right around the corner from the Aragon Ballroom, the Riviera, the Green Mill (you need to check these places out if you're in the area) and First Ascent. So whether you are climbing, enjoying a cocktail and some jazz, or rocking out to your favorite indie band, you can easily stop in here for a quick bite to eat. The servers are always fast and friendly, the space is clean, and even though it's small, it does have a public restroom. It also has massive windows so you can people-watch whatever sort of unique individuals are waiting in line to get into the Riviera concert that night

I'm an immigrant. But how the hell can you get mad at a customer for not understanding a foreign language and you can't speak English? This asshole got so mad at me for not being fluent in his language, I thought he was going to attack me. He was so pissed off that I couldn't understand him. F.... this place!

Love this place! The food delicious, kind of just wish their Al pastor had pineapples in it ! The sauces the red and green salsa very delicious not too salty ! Just right

This is a hole in the wall gem! The place is compact but tables turn over quickly. I love that it's a simple menu because you know the quality of each platter is going to great, which it didn't disappoint. The flavors were incredible and fresh! Most Mexican food bloats me after but I felt great! What a wonderful place, totally recommend!

The tortas are amazing. The service is amazing as well and the atmosphere is great even though is small space. The food is great quality meat.

Wanted to find a new spot away from my house with good reviews and this place did not disappoint! The staff was great and the food was even better. I can't wait to come back.

Went to Carmela's Taqueria with a relative who swore up and down that many years ago when they lived in the neighborhood, Carmel as had the best al pastor tacos ever. I had high expectations, but, the tacos did not live up to them. The tacos were good, but nothing spectacular. Even my relative who used to go here, was disappointed. The restaurant is very small with only three tables and limited seating at the counter. With close proximity to the Aragon theater, I am told that after concerts, the line for food can stretch all the way around the block.

They have one of the best pastor tacos out there. Juicy, fresh, and made to order. I always come here for the pastor tacos because they have never disappointed. Everything is cooked fresh right in front of you. The place is small, but perfect for 2-3 people at a table. You must try it if you're in the area!

The reviews of this place are so all over the place! There were so many good ones that I gave it a try anyway, and 4 stars for sure. The carne asada was just okay, a little dry, but the al pastor was great. It has just the right amount of pineapple to add a little sweetness without it being super sweet.

This is a great local taqueria that you might be missing out on! It's a great locally owned business and their tacos are to die for. The service was great as the tacos came out quick without sacrificing their quality. Highly recommend!

I have popped into Carmela's several times for a quick taco when in the area. It's fine but I don't find it amazing. It's quick and moderately priced at about $2.50~3 per taco. Sometimes the place smells so icky I can't stand eating inside (like yesterday). They do give huge portions of meat on their tacos! Sooo much it all falls off and out of the tacos. Kind of funny but when I go in, they automatically give me lettuce & tomatoes instead of cilantro & cebolla. I'm a gringa. I get it. In a pinch when in the 'hood, Carmela's gets the job done but it's not a destination spot by any means.

A small place, but the tacos are amazing after a night out or a concert at the Riviera. Even though you order at the front, they still come up to your table and give you your food which was awesome.

I used to live off Lawrence ave and come here weekly. I always got their carne asada tacos with rice and beans. These were the best tacos I could find near and I miss them all the time now that I moved away. The staff was always good to me! Definitely a spot I try to go to when I'm visiting the north side.

Most average tacos I have ever had.... Don't waste your time or money. It Lacked flavor and value

Price wise and taste wise there are far greater options. Tacos were not good and had a bad taste.

I'm working a double shift near this area. I ordered 2 steak tacos with rice & beans to go. The yelp app allows you to order beforehand which allows me to spend my 30 mins lunch not waiting on food. Nothing fancy, just good eats. Grill is close to the cashier so you can watch how the food is cooked. It defintely smells when you go inside the place, good smell for me of course! Menu is not posted up on any wall, only laminated menus. Right near the Lawrence bus stop. Forgot to take picture because i was really hungry.

Inexpensive, tasty and filling! We wandered over here for a mid-afternoon fuel up before some evening shenanigans. We had walked by earlier and Yelp told me they had 4 stars. And I am always down for some tacos. It is not fancy. It is a hole in the wall. And the customer area inside is about that big. So we gladly got ours to go. The fillings were generous and I was very satisfied!

Ordered chicken taco dinner, half my tacos were mixed with steak. I called to resolve and it seemed like they didn't care. Never again I'd rather go to Taco Bell

Best tacos! Great flavor and always mouth watering! Always a pleasure and go to! Al Pastor Tacos, Carne Asada Tacos, Chicken Taco Dinner!

This is a hole-in-a-wall gem! I love authentic (or as authentic as it can be in America) Mexican food. I've also been binge watching the Tacos series on Netflix. Anyways, it is affordable, quality, big serving taco like the way it should be. It doesn't have a the fancy other ingredients. They just have shells, meat, cilantro, and your choice of salsa. Tacos should just be simple like that. I had the lengua, al pastor, and carne asada. The meat were moist and juicy. They packed it with so much meat, three tacos was perfect serving to keep me full for lunch. The restaurant is a typical hole-in-a-wall aesthetic. I don't think you should be expecting it to be nice and fancy, as long as it is clean

I was highly disappointed with the quality of the food I received from Carmela's. My boyfriend raved about their tacos so I thought the rest of the food would be okay. But the burrito was absolutely disgusting. I'm a huge burrito lover so naturally I ordered the steak burrito because it's hard to mess that up. So... I thought. The food didn't take too long to be delivered which was a plus but that was the only thing good about the experience. I bit into the burrito and was instantly hit by a lukewarm chewy steak burrito. The meat was either undercooked or overcooked because it was ridiculously chewy and it tasted old. The burrito was also very small compared to other places that I've gone to with similar prices.

Keep driving West about half a mile until you hit Primo Chuki's. Carmela's just isn't good anymore. The steak tacos were never particularly good, but now even the highly touted al pastor is flavorless. Quality has gone downhill. Primo's is a far better option.

Quite possibly your best option for a quick and delicious bite to eat before seeing a show at The Riviera. Standard taco filling options, meat cooked well with lil crispy edges, and good tortillas. Staff is fast. There is a customer restroom. What more could you want from a pre-show taqueria? Strongly considered post-show tacos second dinner, but they were closed by the time we got out. You might also get to see your headliner walk by to their tour bus!

The last reviewer must be a pack-a-day smoker - you should check your tastebuds, buddy, they may be all burned up. Carmela's is hands down the best taco joint south of Devon and west of Ashland. Their al-pastor and carne asada are on pair with the best of them out there. Guacamole is always made to order. The house salsas are great. The horchata is above average. Service is fast. If you want anything fancier than that, you should go to an actual restaurant.

I usually don't mind buying from this overpriced place but PLEASE pay attention when your food is being prepared! I walked in Tuesday 11/29 and ordered the 2 taco with rice dinner. The cashier rung me up and asked about my toppings. As I'm sitting there, the cook takes his BARE hands to the toppings and proceeds to place them on my tacos. I was in disbelief and asked him if he had gloves on. He uttered, "I washed my hands today." I politely asked for a manager or supervisor but got the young cashier, calmly explained that per health code that's not acceptable. He looked at the cook who told him he washed his hands. Long story short, I walked out with a refund after the two refused to prepare my food with gloves. I wish I could give NO stars.

Never disappoints! Be warned, they put a lot of meat in their tacos! And make sure to get both the green and the red salsa because they are both amazing

Best tacos I've had in the city so far looking forward to trying more! The $10 taco dinner is a great value as well.

I don't like to give a review unless it's positive, but I thought I'd put this out there so that maybe the owners of Carmela's can make some improvements. I'll be happy to modify this rating if they do, so just let me know. I ordered an al pastor burrito with a side of rice and beans, to go. Beyond the service being somewhat robotic and impersonal (i.e. nary a smile to be seen), I just can't forget how flavorless my meal was. Almost $12, too. I'd been working all day and hadn't eaten in 8 hours, so I was starved. I would've scarfed a microwaved McRib if I had to. So, I get home and the beans have absolutely no flavor. We're talking aggressively tasteless. I add some salt, but meh. The rice is only marginally better as the lime helped some. The burrito, however, was the tragedy: I dumped it after 3 or 4 bites. Just no flavor whatsoever. Nothing to scintillate the taste buds. Not even the hot sauces could rescue this poorly seasoned wreck. We're all doing the best we can in these difficult times, but given Carmela's proximity to my residence, perhaps I'm just more put off that my local spot is a disappointment. As a point of comparison, try the Bistek a la Mexican at Buena Vista in Lakeview. Every bite sings, and you often find yourself dreaming about it. Good luck to Carmela's; if I get word they've revamped their recipe, I'll give them another visit and add more stars.

Omg the best place to eat for tacos tortas and burritos. The flan is amazing. The decor may not be much but the food is great. My new favorite place after work.

Best tacos on the north side of Chicago hands down. I'm from little village 26st we are known for our tacos but these are really good ,steak is always marinated and cooked just right green salsa is mild with a little bit of spice and red salsa is nice and hot. 10/10 on the tacos. Restaurant is small only a few tables but staff is friendly place is clean and tacos are GREAT keep up the good work fellas.

It's very typical chicago Mexican restaurant. I think the overall rating 4 star is a little too much. No offense to avid customers. Food: 3 stars Ambiance: 3 stars Price: 3 stars Cleanliness: 3 stars Not suitable to customers with kids. A good restaurant for food to go. Suggestion to owner: if possible a change of interior design? If budget permits.

Whenever I see a heap of meat rotating on a spit, 99.8% of the time I'm in for a real treat. The AL PASTOR was no exception here. Had I not had a face-rocking date at the Riviera right after, I would've really gone for it and had a dozen tacos. Blast you, music gods. See what I did there? Also, maybe someone could order some custom AL PASTOR NACHOS and report back to me with photos and review? That would be an all-time order! You're welcome. Pro tip: always taste the salsa before you spray. My friend learned the hard way. HOT, HOT, HOT (apparently).

If I could put 0 stars I would. The food is regular. Nothing special. The service is awful, rude person. I had a small complain and he just answered that he didn't give explanations to customers. First time going there and left with a horrible experience.

Small little hole in the wall with no clearly visible sign if it's night time. It's a dark green awning that's hard to see at night, but there is light beaming out. There's a counter and just a handful of tables. You walk up to the register and just order there. There's a small menu right next to the register. The price is decent, not overly expensive. The service is good. If you eat there, they'll bring you the food as it's ready. It more resembles a small little diner than it does a restaurant. It's more for those looking for a quick meal. The food: lengua taco - yes, this is the way to go pollo taco - pretty good al pastor - also delicious, should try at least one queso - cheese quesadilla (baby quesadilla, served cut in half - so much delicious cheese on corn tortillas guac and chips - delicious...served on a plate...guac with chips on top (strange, but both were delicious - good chips) TLDR: great spot for a quick meal, fast service, good food

Delicious al pastor burritos! Good prices and delivery available. A local favorite that we frequent regularly.

Fast, affordable and delicious! Since finding this gem 2 weeks ago, I've already been back twice! Definitely my new go to Mexican joint. Can't go wrong with friendly service and great food! Would absolutely recommend and will most definitely be back for more yummy food!

At one point, the tacos del pastor were delish from here but then the quality started slowly scaling back. I attribute this to the gentrified nature of the neighborhood. Many times when the neighborhood begins changing, so does the Mexican restaurants around it to cater to the new clientele. The tacos del pastor had dried up pineapple in it.... (its supposed to be fresh so that the pineapple juice meshes with the pastor meat to give it a sweet taste and counteract the taste of the meat)..not very helpful when the pineapple is dry as a cardboard) the meat itself was flavorless and the only thing that helped was the salsa. Also..they were beyond greasy..although generally Al Pastor tends to be greasy, these were just laden with grease.

I give them a 3star for the service and friendliness but the tacos lacked flavour and the sauces were not good. I expected lime with my order as well. But that's my fault for not checking. The quesadillas are maybe the only thing I'd order in the future.

I decided to try a this place because I was in the mood for tacos and the place is very close to my place. I had the roasted pork tacos, which were good. But, there was a so much cilantro and onions pilled on the tacos. The cook was very fast in making my food and the price was descent. However, tonight there was barely any room to move around since the place is small and there was only one table open.

Crummy tacos and service which straddles the line between indifference and rudeness. I can't comprehend how they carry a four-star average here. When I came in, the place was empty except for two guys chatting with the two employees. One worker went behind the counter to take my order. I asked for four tacos, one each of four different meats. When I got done enumerating the four choices, the guy rolled his eyes and made a face. That really turned me off. Oh, I'm sorry to put you to so much trouble to make a few tacos, dickhead. When the food was ready, the other dude rang me up. He kept participating in the house conversation the entire time, nearly ignoring me--no greeting, no statement of the total, no "thank you." I really, really hate that. Forget about warmth, how about some basic courtesy? Just pretend that you appreciate my business? At that point, I vowed never to return, even if they had been the best tacos on earth. But they were far from it. I could only identify the pollo by process of elimination. (Next time I'll know to look for grey, rubbery bits of meatish substance, except that, of course, there won't be a next time.) The carne asada was chewy and flavorless. The chorizo was bitter rather than salty or spicy. And of course they gave me all three of those gringo style. Despite me sitting eight feet away from the prep area, they didn't ask how I wanted my tacos dressed. The al pastor came with onions and cilantro and also happened to be the only one worth eating. Way too little, too late. There are so much better options further west along the Lawrence Avenue Taco Corridor. Don't give these jerks your business.

I ordered thru Yelp and it said it would take 45 mins but when I got there my food was starting to get cold. Next time I'll just order in person. The guacamole is delicious. I also had the pastor taco and steak taco. I wish they would put beans and rice on the sides menu because I wasn't aware I could get that until I saw other reviews

Guess what? it is NOT "BETTER OUT WEST"---IT IS NOT "BETTER IN LA". I have tremendous love and respect for California, and yeah, it is truly the birthplace of many many great things...I mean, Inn & Out Burger! But come on, quit coming to Chicago and talking shit about our Mexican food. It pees on your Mexican food. Rick Bayless will kick some Cali ass, and 1. He's not even Mexican, and 2. He's our lightweight! Ok, now that that is out of the way Carmela's is the all out Al Pastor CHAMPION, and let's not throw Big Star, and the whole Korean fusion thing into the same category...I am talking REAL. Upgrading the stars. If you've dropped "Tacos Al Pastor" into the search bar, and you aren't in the DF, well then this is where you should definitely bring your ass. I've had these everywhere, before, and since, trust a dude with a gut. I just got back from lunch at this place, and I sat at the bar smashing these little tacos into my face...whilst doing this a long ass line formed. Who's in line? Police officers, chubby dudes, locals, and construction workers...What did EVERYONE order? Al "m-effing" Pastor! You think these hard working people would risk being ticketed and come to this relatively inconveniently located spot to have some mediocre tacos? Hell no. It is perfectly cooked, seasoned, and served hot as hell on two tiny and mildly crispy fresh tortillas with some juicy limes and the standard cebolla & cilantro. This here is the benchmark for what it is supposed to taste like.