El Alebrije Mexican Restaurant & Bar

El Alebrije stands as a beacon of authentic Mexican culinary artistry in Chicago, a distinction that, regrettably, seems lost on a majority of the city's diners. The tragedy isn't just in the lack of patronage for this gem but in the overwhelming preference for establishments that, frankly, pale in comparison on every conceivable level of authenticity and quality. It's bewildering to observe Chicagoans flock to venues like Old Pueblo Cantina, Taquito Street, Lonesome Rose, Uncle Julio's, Big Star, and Broken English. With all due respect, these places masquerade as purveyors of Mexican cuisine while offering nothing but a diluted, insipid version of one of the world's most vibrant and complex culinary traditions. These establishments thrive not on the quality of their offerings but on a façade of authenticity, drawing in crowds with the allure of being trendy spots for social media snapshots rather than genuine culinary experiences. By sidestepping El Alebrije, you're not just missing out on the finest mole dishes to grace Chicago--crafted with a dedication that respects the dish's rich tapestry of ingredients and history--you're also complicit in a larger trend of culinary ignorance. Mole, a storied Mexican delicacy, embodies the heart and soul of traditional cooking, demanding upwards of 100 ingredients and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship. Yet, places like El Alebrije, and to a similar extent Mis Moles on Elston Ave., receive only a fraction of the attention they deserve. The preference for these so-called "fine dining" establishments over genuine articles like El Alebrije is a stark reflection of a city swayed by superficial trends over substance. You are being robbed--not just of your money, but of the opportunity to engage with and appreciate true Mexican cuisine. These other restaurants are not just failing to provide an authentic experience; they're actively distorting the perception of Mexican food for the sake of profit. It's high time Chicagoans reevaluate their dining choices. Support establishments that honor the complexity, variety, and richness of Mexican cuisine. Reject the imposters that prioritize style over substance, trendiness over authenticity. Your taste buds--and your cultural conscience--deserve better.

Super amazing almost gourmet Mexican food. Service is fine. Drinks are weak though. Great son & hot mom (chef)! I recommend although the margaritas are weak.

Amazing mole, and we liked the way you could choose a mole, protein, and side to make your own meal. Lots of other things on the menu we'd like to come back to try. Service was attentive and pleasant, and the space is great--lots of art and warm, bright colors. Very glad to have found this place!

Delicious brunch, cute outdoor patio in the back, friendly staff. Definitely going back soon! My family went out to brunch and we all loved our food. We got the Papas y chorizo, Chilaquiles de mole rojo, Chilaquiles verde, and my toddler had pancakes.

Yes!! Go here!! Get all of their drinks!! The watermelon paloma and margaritas are amazing! We shared the Surtido Rico, phenomenal! I got the Sope appetizer as my entree!! Can't wait to be back!!

Wow! What an amazing hidden gem! Delicious quality authentic food, great service, family owned and just lovely all around. We went here with a group of 10 tonight for a birthday. Everyone loved their dishes - the red mole enchiladas were amazing! The staff was so friendly and thoughtful and even brought out a carefully curated chocolate tamale! You could tell how much love and care the family takes with the food they prepare and the beautiful drinks they make! We even got a beautiful a capella concert! I'd highly highly recommend this place. We will be back!

Went with a group of people for my sister's birthday. We were the only people there when we got there around 5pm on Sunday. The service was great, I asked the waiter for his recommendation. He said the mole dishes were their specialty. So I got the enchiladas de pollo en mole negro. The first thing I noticed was the pretty presentation. Also noticed no steam coming out, they were unacceptably cold. The tortillas are supposed to be soft and pliable, they were so cold that it was hard to cut and tortillas were stiff, chicken was dry, not enough mole which made them even drier, rice was undercooked. Ordered coconut pie and that was good for a few bites, cause it was on the sweeter side. Prices are too high to get served cold food. I hope they take this into consideration and not make those mistakes again. I think this restaurant has potential and wish them the best!

There's nothing imaginary about the great taste at El Alebrije! The food is top notch, and the service is friendly. The steak fajitas sizzle as they arrive, and the enchiladas are prepared perfectly. We ordered a small habanero/piña salsa and it was a fruity fire! The Margarita looked great, so I'll have to come back for 2-3.

Would love to have tried the food but after placing an order online (during hours their website said they were open) we went to pick up our food and the restaurant was closed. No one was around, doors locked and we could not get anyone on the phone, yet our order had been placed and card had been charged. It took weeks to get the charge refunded to my card, I called and I wrote to them and never heard back.

I attended a holiday party here. It was great but I loved the food. The service was also well and very attentive for our large party of over 15+. I didn't leave hungry and the presentation of the food was lovely. The blind of favors was awesome in each dish. I would go here again for a date night or a girl's night to share good for sure.

Their food is delicious! They also have great margaritas. Not your everyday Mexican restaurant. More like a special occasion place. I would highly recommend it.

This is a great place. Family owned, so very attentive to details and service. Some friends had recommended it and when we walked on they were there. Drinks are amazing and decor is cheerful. We sat in the garden which was new and nicely set up. My husband had the skirt steak and I had the shrimp. Every bite was delicious and my shrimp were perfectly seasoned and cooked (not over cooked, as shrimp is so often). Desserts were amazing as well. Original and made by the restaurant. It seems that so many Chicago restaurants, I swear, order their desserts from the same place. Our plates arrived beautifully decorated and arranged with fresh fruit.

If you think Mexican cuisine is ground beef tacos filled with lettuce and tomato, this is not for you. But if you crave flavor-filled deliciousness in creative Mexican dishes, check out El Alebrije. Besides the traditional fare like sizzling fajitas and enchiladas with mole, they have their amazing take on pork chops, lamb, and shrimp alfredo. Wonderful menu, great Margaritas, and an outdoor patio to enjoy on a warm summer night. Attentive service, tasty food, and affordable prices. Definitely going back.

Food is overall very good. We really enjoyed the moles. Service was friendly. Restaurant is simple but has some decor so I would say ambience is ok.

If I'd been lucky enough to have a Mexican grandmother, I hope that she might cook like this. Her husband, my imaginary Mexican grandfather, would be equally adept at concocting margaritas and palomas. Together, they would run a small restaurant called "El Alebrije" serving wonderful food and great cocktails in a cozy cottage on Chicago's northwest side. Oops, almost forgot: my Mexican uncle would be a crazy talented, fiddle playing mariachi!

Food here was amazing. The place just opened up and is a family business. They have the flavors of Mexico down. Decor is great and they have a large bar selection. Give them a try.

Bottomless mimosas!! Come check this place out for fantastic service, delicious food, and, of course, the bottomless mimosas. We stopped by on Sunday for brunch. Most of us enjoyed the chilaquiles and were thorough satisfied. The service was homey and friendly. The space is adorable. Can't wait to come back and try some different dishes for dinner!! Please support this restaurant if you can. It is worthy of your business!

Nice ambiance. The Beer is cheap. Service was fine. Considering the price and their strong effort with presentation the food was so so. I got a mixed drink that was LOADED with ice and no taste of alcohol. Our bill was the highest we've paid in a LONG time. We probably won't go back.

Went with a big group of friends on vacation. Everyone got different dishes and every single one was amazing. The mole was some of the best I've had. Next time I'm in Chicago I'll definitely be back and recommending this to other friends!

Wonderful brunch menu. The scrambled eggs, omelette, and burrito all were first class. The staff is great. Friendly and attentive. Definitely will be back.

food is good and service is good. spicy margaritas were the bomb! also dog friendly, would definitely recommend

Came here with my sisters! Great place! Made us feel very welcomed and did not feel rushed!! everything we tried was very tasty!! Drinks are good as well! definitely recommend giving this place a try! You won't regret it!

Wow, to call this place a hidden gem doesn't begin to capture how great this restaurant is. Familiar Mexican flavors are taken to another level. The presentations are beautiful, but the food is the star. The chile rellenos de verduars is one of the best dishes in the city. The ceviche had green olives, which was kind of a revelation. Tlacoyitos and sopes were so tasty that I wanted to order more, but the menu demanded that I try other dishes. The mole negro was amazingly complex, but also balanced. I can't wait to go back because I trust that everything the chef makes will be excellent.

This is the best margarita I have ever had. They also have chocolate tamales that are similar to lava cakes with vanilla ice cream that are incredible. We also got the choriqueso and skirt steak - both to die for!

Delicious homemade food! Warm, cozy, colorful atmosphere. Good for groups, date nights of family gatherings. Make sure you check out their weekend brunch!

Had dinner with friends last night. Great outdoor patio. Fantastic food. Loved the dark mole. And really nice and good servers.

El Alebreje was top notch! This place could easily be my new Masa Azul since they are now closed down. The staff was super friendly and helpful guiding us through the menu and answering all our questions. The recipes are authentic and you can tell they use high quality ingredients. Everything was beautifully plated. We also tried their traditional margarita and the smoked pineapple margarita which were SO delicious and not too sweet. All their cocktails use fresh juices. I'll be coming back soon to try the mango mojito.

A VERY welcome addition to the neighborhood. I've written before about the lack of sit-down Mexican restaurants with a full bar. Not only does El Alebrije check this box, but its food is absolutely stupendous - from its list of appetizers (Potosi enchiladas and garnachitas are must-haves, but get the sampler) to its filling and delicious mains (I personally enjoy the enchiladas en mole) and the large dessert list. Go. Here. Now. (Oh, and did I mention they make/use blue corn tortillas? Heck yeah.)

Absolutely delicious food and super nice staff. Skirt steak was awesome. Margaritas were amazing. Churros were A+. Their back patio is super relaxing as well. They made an effort with how subtlety inviting it is and it shows. It fills a void in the neighborhood and everyone support this place.

Excellent dining experience! From the friendly, attentive staff to the violin birthday serenade, everything was great! We tried the appetizer platter and then shared the steak and chicken enchilada dinner. The meat was buttery tender, black beans were among the tastiest I've had and the mole sauce was perfect. Can't say enough about the wonderful house margaritas and we sampled a delicious after dinner flavored tequila. One of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time!

We went here on a Friday night and have to say the place is great. You can tell that they are really working hard to please their customers. The food was excellent and the atmosphere what great. I love that it is a family business. They are definitely figuring things out as it seems to be a newer restaurant but every dish we got was great and fresh. We will definitely be back.

We had a great experience at brunch here today. The food was delicious, fresh, and affordable. The vibes, both inside and outside, were lovely and clean. The service was friendly and helpful. We'll be back!

This restaurant has a nice ambiance, (really appreciated the lack of TV's) and decent music. Also $4 draft beers and great presentation of dishes. The food itself lacked in flavor. I never give reviews, and I take no pleasure in giving a negative one, but the nail in the coffin was my Pozole Rojo soup was served with the top to a Tupperware container plastered to the bottom. I believe the server noticed the error but played it off. Not the $120 meal (after tip) we were hoping for. With all the positive reviews, hopefully it was just an off night. Seems like they have good potential/ the right concept.

Everything about El Alebrije is delightful. The decor is colorful and very fun, the staff is really friendly, the drink menu is extensive with a lot of really unique combinations, and are also reasonably priced. The food is elevated Mexican food and is delicious. You can tell everything is homemade, including the tortillas, and they have a garden/patio in the back where they grow fresh herbs, peppers, even pineapples! Definitely will be coming back it just has great vibes and fantastic food, it feels like being in Mexico City. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a fun and laid back night out with great food and drinks.

I wish this restaurant were in my neighborhood! I went for brunch with friends today, and the food was excellent-- one of the best brunches we've had, and we've tried all of the best known spots. The steak was well seasoned and perfectly cooked, and the huevos motuleños were delicious. We had the tres leches pancakes for dessert, and those were also phenomenal. Everything was exquisitely prepared. Even the iced oat milk latte-- the first they had ever made!-- was great, and I'm a coffee snob! The service was a bit slow but incredibly friendly and helpful, and the quality of food definitely justified the slow preparation. They also have a nice back patio for al fresco dining. If this restaurant were in Lincoln Square, it would be swamped with an hour wait time. Go now, and help this family-owned business thrive-- you won't be disappointed!

Finally!!! This place is amazing~ I highly recommend anything with steak--their flavor is so perfect!

Tucked between households it's easy to miss this authentic Mexican restaurant with cute ambiance and excellent food and drinks. They've expanded their menu since opening and everything I've ever had here exceeds my expectations. Everything is fresh, right down to the homemade blue corn tortillas and their cocktails are unique and delicious. And to top it off they have a very accommodating and friendly staff. This hidden gem is a true asset in my neighborhood.

This is my favorite Mexican restaurant on Chicago's north side. I'm from New Mexico and like to think that makes me discerning. I echo all the other reviews that say the food is excellent. It's well prepared and well presented. The cook knows what she's doing. I recommend the mole rojo (red sauce). My husband likes the mole negro. We had a casual and pleasant dinner on the back patio this evening. The dining room offers a nice "sit down" restaurant experience and can accommodate large groups. The drink menu is expansive and the drinks are delicious. Tasty desserts--not to be missed. Family owned. The only thing lacking is lots of customers filling the place up and enjoying the offerings. This place hasn't been fully discovered yet. Give El Alebrije a chance. You won't be sorry.

THIS PLACE HAS THE BEST FOOD EVER. Run, don't walk here. Best Mole sauce and the Surtido Rico appetizers were all amazing. Family owned and so delicious.

Me and my partner had several dishes like enchiladas con mole , chiles rellenos filled with veggies, a seafood quesadilla appetizer so crispy and delicious " yum" . We did not drink so I can't tell you about that but the agua frescas where on point . Desserts where good execution not so much . The dough on the churros where not as crispy as I like and a bit doughy. The pineapple tamal was a bit hard . Flavors on dessert where good , just in need of some adjustments and you have a great place to dine in this neighborhood.

So glad this place is in my neighborhood! Everything was absolutely delicious and the service was super attentive. Their lamb chops in mole special was amazing!

Love that this place is in the neighborhood. Great people. My new favorite Al Pastor tacos in the city.

The service and the food was absolutely divine. Everything we ordered from appetizers to dessert unquestionably great quality. My family and I highly recommend and we will be heading back 100%. This location is an amazing hidden gem. Come and eat here before the lines get long!

I don't understand all these 5 star reviews. My girlfriend and I went for the first time. We ordered a margarita and a cocktail. They brought out two sugar bomb drinks that were so sickly sweet we didn't finish. My steak entree was $29 and the smallest, saddest piece of beef in the history of cattle. It was a thoroughly disappointing experience. Check came to $92 with tip. I don't mind paying well for a nice Don but this was anything but.

Went here to celebrate a birthday after hearing some good things. Was really impressed to see the fully-stocked bar and huge cocktail menu. Had the enchiladas en mole, which had blue corn tortillas. I don't think I have ever had that in many, many years of eating Mexican food. The service was outstanding and the homemade churros were so good we had to order another plate of them. Will definitely come back here when we have the chance.

Phenomenal! Such a hidden gem with great vibes, food and service. The brunch option is also amazing.

First time at this place today and it blew us away. The service was excellent and the food was very tasty. The whole aesthetic of the restaurant is charming and very relaxing. They also have great margaritas! Churros and Corn Bread dessert was nothing short of dreamy. This is a new place in our neighborhood and I will definitely continue supporting.

went for pick up, food was good, well prepared and fresh. Not sure why the music was so loud, and the lighting was so bright when I walked in. Didn't seem like a welcoming place to have a sit down dinner.

Food was absolutely amazing. The food is well presented. The family running puts some love in every dish. Super fresh dishes and great takes on moles. Folks, give it a try. Bayless has nothing on these guys.

If you like elevated Mexican food, give this place a try. Not a pinto bean in sight. It is family owned. The mom is the cook. The son is the bartender. They daughter sang some songs in Spanish to us. An unexpected treat! Five of us ordered many drinks(regular and frozen margaritas as well as the coconut margarita). All were delicious. Appetizers ordered were the sopas de tortilla, taquitos with chicken, guacamole, and chips and salsa. They were beautifully presented and tasty. Pescado(salmon) a la Mexicans,carne(skirt steak) a la oaxaquena, pollo(chicken) de Padilla, camarones(shrimp) en salsa pasilla, and tri tacos were our entrees. They were all extraordinary. We ended the evening with desserts. They jiricala(flan), alebrije pay de chocolate(chocolate pie with strawberry ice cream) and tamal de chocolate(chocolate lava cake in a straw tamale wrapper. with ice cream). Everyone raved about their choices. The decor is very cute and the restaurant is very clean. I highly recommend this neighborhood place with excellent and unexpected cuisine.