Costera Cocina Tulum
Mexican restaurant · West Town
850 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Highlights
"If the pounding bass-heavy music bleeding onto the Fulton Market sidewalk indicates anything, it’s that Costera likes to party. The liberal use of straw, palm trees, and basket lights leans into its Tulum theme, while the dim lighting and loud DJ sets prove that it’s taken Clubstaurant 101. You’re not really here for the food—it ranges from just fine tacos to tableside flamebéed al pastor that fizzles out into a jammy disappointment. Stick to the drinks and those tacos or a quesadilla (they’re the least offensive). And if you’re here past 11pm on the weekends, it gets even livelier as bottle service starts and airplane-shaped trays full of shots and sparklers fly around." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
"The owners of The Hampton Social and Nisos bring a taste of Yucatan tourist hotspot Tulum to Fulton Market with a playfully decorated restaurant serving up club vibes along with pancakes topped with berries and passionfruit butter and breakfast burritos stuffed with chorizo, scrambled eggs and salsa verde. Turn any beer into a michelada or wake up with El Secreto, a blend of tequila, cold brew and housemade coffee liqueur. Make a reservation through OpenTable." - Samantha Nelson, Eater Staff
"What To Expect: Costera likes to party: you can tell by the pounding bass bleeding onto the Fulton Market sidewalk and the liberal use of straw, palm trees, and basket lights inside. After 11pm on the weekends, this Tulum-themed clubstaurant gets even livelier when airplane-shaped trays full of shots and sparklers fly around. What’s Up With The Food: Al pastor is flambéed tableside and then fizzles into a jammy disappointment. You could do considerably worse at some other places on this guide, but stick to the just-fine tacos, a quesadilla, or one of the pastas. Verdict: The real draws here are the tasty fruit-forward cocktails and flame-topped margaritas." - veda kilaru, adrian kane
"Currently Open The Nisos team has been busy, because besides Nisos 2.0, they’re in the process of opening Costera Cocina. But instead of channeling the Mediterranean, Costera plans to channel Tulum and coastal Mexico. Expect dishes like ceviche, tacos and tostadas, whole-roasted fish, and probably a giant hanging basket light or two." - veda kilaru
"The owners of the Hampton Social are replacing a Mexican restaurant in Fulton Market with their own take on the country’s cuisine. Costera Cocina Tulum takes inspiration from Tulum, the popular tourist destination on the coast of the Yucátan. Owner Brad Parker wants the 243-seat space to feel like “entering a beach club in the jungle.” There’s also an 88-seat patio and a bar. The light fixtures feature a playful monkey holding a tube-shaped bulb instead of a banana. There are different textures with rattan, woven seagrass, and stone walkways. The ropework comes from the Mexican state of Querétaro. Veteran Chicago chef Rick Tramonto is overseeing the menu which is executed by executive chef Aldo Ayala, a Pueblo, Mexico native who comes over from Mercadito Hospitality. The mini trompo al pastor is a spectacle with stacks of pork coming between a charred pineapple that sits upright with leaves intact. The pork shank pibil comes with the bone left in the meat. Tacos are accompanied by queso fundido, ceviche, and a burger with a mini lobster roll on the menu." - Ashok Selvam
