El Taco Azteca - Pilsen

The vegan food here is ridiculously delicious! The tortillas are obviously homemade and the al pastor tofu was incredible! The food presentation was excellent and the meszcal margarita was amazing! Great $5 margarita special on Sunday when we went. Service was great. It was freezing cold inside lol which was my only complaint but the drinks and food warmed me up! I also tried the vegan elote which was yummy. Can’t wait to go back and try the whole vegan menu! My non vegan friends loved their food too. Definitely recommend this spot!

Disappointed and Done We’ve always enjoyed the food here, but the service has consistently been lacking. Still, we kept coming back—until tonight. As we were finishing our meal, a large rat ran through the dining area. I immediately informed the staff, but they didn’t seem too concerned. A waitress later told us they had called the manager and that it would "be taken care of in a few days." Meanwhile, the kitchen continued operating as if nothing had happened. Just as we were gathering our things to leave, the rat made another appearance—this time running from the kitchen back into the dining area. Startled, we all reacted loudly, but instead of addressing the situation, the waitress came out and casually asked if we wanted dessert. To top it off, they handed us the full bill ($150) as if nothing had happened. After asking for a discount, they took off $17—apparently the going rate for a rat sighting? Unfortunately, this was our last visit. The food isn’t worth overlooking a rodent running through the restaurant.

First time here yesterday 7/3/24 to my surprised this spot was very good. Order a few items off the menu all were excellent in presentation and in quality. The mole tacos were amazing in taste. The only thing I like my food pipping hot it was a bit table warm don't know why but will request my food to be super hot next time.

I can only say "meh." 🫤 The place is okay, the food is okay, but nothing wow. The price is a bit higher than others taco place. They should focus more on the quality and quantity of the food rather than the presentation. It was fine, but I wouldn’t come back.

Was surprised by quality of food. Cozy place with cold beer and variety of margaritas and drinks.

Decent food and prices. Visited during the middle of the day for a late lunch and they were out of pastor. Ordered the Coca Cola burrito instead. It had decent flavor but I wasn’t very impressed. The presentation looks nice. The service was ok but the food took forever to arrive. Also the bathrooms were dirty. The guacamole was good but also not super flavorful.

We are a group of vegan-vegetarian🙃... Meat-eaters....so restaurants that meet both needs is rare. This was so tasty.....and fresh. Anna was wonderful and the atmosphere was dynamic. I really enjoyed it and please have a cucumber margarita😜.

I recently stumbled upon this hidden gem, and let me tell you, it’s a total find! The moment I walked in, I was struck by how beautifully everything was presented. You know how some places make food look like a work of art? This was definitely one of those spots. Each dish was like a little masterpiece, and it made me almost hesitant to dig in—almost! But once I took a bite, wow! The flavors were out of this world. It tasted like heaven on a plate. Every bite was a delightful experience, and I couldn’t help but savor it all. If you’re looking for a place that combines stunning presentation with mouthwatering flavors, you’ve got to check this place out.

Food was great. Awesome vegan options and cocktails! There is an indoor/outdoor setup which is nice, and a DJ came later in the night.

We walked over to taco azteca after we saw our usual place was closed. We got a seat right away as it was empty (on a Sunday during brunch time). I ordered pozole verde de pollo and my bf got the sopes (1 Barbacoa, 1 cochinita pibil, and 1 chicken). We got chips and salsa at the table. The salsa was so good but the chips were stale. The food is made to order so it took about 25 minutes for our food. The food presentation is very nice. The masa for the sopes has such a great taste and they were so cute because they were pink. The cochinita pibil was the best out of the three. I didn't really like the chicken or barbacoa. The pozole broth was good but had too much oregano for my liking. I also didn't like that the chicken was grilled separately then placed into the pozole. This may be my preference but i think chicken should be cooked in the pozole to make it authentic. I wouldn't come back to this location but i would try the one in Bridgeport.

Disappointed and Done We've always enjoyed the food here, but the service has consistently been lacking. Still, we kept coming back--until tonight. As we were finishing our meal, a large rat ran through the dining area. I immediately informed the staff, but they didn't seem too concerned. A waitress later told us they had called the manager and that it would "be taken care of in a few days." Meanwhile, the kitchen continued operating as if nothing had happened. Just as we were gathering our things to leave, the rat made another appearance--this time running from the kitchen back into the dining area. Startled, we all reacted loudly, but instead of addressing the situation, the waitress came out and casually asked if we wanted dessert. To top it off, they handed us the full bill ($150) as if nothing had happened. After asking for a discount, they took off $17--apparently the going rate for a rat sighting? Unfortunately, this was our last visit. The food isn't worth overlooking a rodent running through the restaurant.

Must've went on a bad night. The asada was grey and unseasoned and was mostly fat. The queso fundido de tofu was not as described. It said "tofu al pastor" but the tofu was just raw, plain tofu. The onions included in that should have been carmelized or something but everything was lightly cooked and unseasoned? Service was fine though! I will say they know how to present their food, looked very yummy. But unfortunately was not, and was overpriced considering that. I really appreciate a Mexican spot with a big vegetarian/vegan menu so thank you, that part is great.

My family and I found this restaurant on yelp. Given its good reviews, we decided to check it out. It's a small, open space with a good amount of seating and with a little bar near the entrance. Service was great, the waitress was efficient and friendly. To start they gave us chips and salsa, very tasty! We tried the chorizo queso fundido, great appetizer. The aguachiles were ok, wasn't a big fan of warm dish, I was expecting them cold. Now, to the main course dishes...those were amazing! I tried the 3 mole chicken enchiladas in different flavors and I was in love! The flavors of each one are equally delicious and better than I expected. My husband and kids tried the torta, quesabirria tacos, red enchiladas suizas and quesadillas. Everything was exceptional. I'm very picky about Mexican food, and I have to say, this is a 10 out of 10 for me! This chef outdid himself, a hidden gem for sure! I'm in town visiting and will definitely mark this one as a favorite! This place would be a hit in Downtown Chicago. Tourists and locals need to experience true Mexican flavors like these.

We came in late on a Wednesday night just looking for a place still open. The place is super cute and the service is prompt. No worries if you don't speak Spanish or aren't great with figuring out menus the staff will help and make recommendations. The cook is making everything fresh to order and the prices are reasonable. I would consider this place trendy as they have a full bar, tvs, and music. It was a Wednesday night so I don't really know but I have a feeling it's awesome on the weekend. The tacos are delicious with the appropriate amount of spice. They don't give you salsa unless you ask but all tacos have a little on them already. I would like to try the dinners and have a drink when I stop in another time.

The beans and rice were the best thing on the menu, next to the lemonade. My steak tacos had no seasoning at all. The chips and salsa didn't taste well either. Presentation was nice, but I much rather have had better food.

El taco azteca is a Mexican restaurant with vegan options located in Pilsen. There's plenty of street parking available. And, on Tuesday's they have $3 tacos and happy hour everyday. I had a medley of food from a vegetable empanada, al pastor taco, papa criolla taco and elote. I tried the tamarindo and jamaica agua fresca and both were delicious. My fave taco had to be the papas criollas. They have other food items available that I didn't try so I will definitely be coming back.

I wish I could give them 10 stars! I'm a picky eater, and this was amazing. Wehad 4 moms and 4 daughters and we all loved everything we had. You absolutely cannot go wrong here. The strawberry mojito was about the best thing I've ever tried. The service was a little slow, but the waiter was also the bartender and he was the only guy working. The atmosphere is adorable, nothing like what it looks like from the outside!

Food and drinks were fantastic! Try the Coca Cola pork belly tacos! Our drinks Margaritas were delicious!

I rarely make the effort to rate restaurants on yelp, but the food here was so good i had to. seriously incredible flavors and visually appealing plating. the complimentary plantain chips and mole salsa were so good i would have paid to order them. i got the empanadas con camaron and the enchiladas tres moles, and they were both amazing. the service was kind and the prices were affordable too!

One of the best spots for tacos, especially on taco Tuesday! $3.50 tacos and $5 happy hour, Tuesday-Sunday. Their al pastor tacos are some of the most tasty around town! Helpful and quick service.

So extremely disappointed. Been getting food from here for years. Ordered an Azteca salad and this is what I got. Not only was this little salad $14, but it wasn't fabulous either. It was missing black beans and had some new additions like onions that I didn't care for.

Great food! And great prices! The carnitas tacos on their fresh made tortillas are amazing! They have a great salsa that isn't spicy but has so much flavor!

Stopped by for early takeout lunch, they came highly recommended from friends that live in the area. I ordered shrimp, Arabe, fried avocado, and mushroom mole. Unfortunately, when I arrived, they said they didn't have mushrooms and asked if I wanted a different vegetable offering. I took them up on it, ans they turned out beautifully in the foreground picture. They appeared to be hand-making their own tortillas in their open kitchen, and they have an interior style that is cohesive and fun. There are cross-cut tree tables and interesting carved artwork for decor, lending to a warm vibe in the dining room and bar. I'll have to check out their dine-in experience another time. Their tacos are some of the most beautiful and tasty I've tried! They aren't just a filling with onions and cilantro, each taco has different ingredients and sauces that support the main element in terms of flavor and consistency. The grilled shrimp had crunchy cabbage and creamy avocado, the arabe had a nice pico and flavorful sauce. The vegetables were crisp, fresh, and sported diverse textures for a lively arrangement. Definitely want to return to try their other options!

Honestly these have to be the worst tacos I've ever had. They were super dry, the meat was tough, and it just overall looked unappetizing. It was a very unsatisfying experience. The person taking care of us was super nice and the different flavor of margaritas looked interesting, but the food was a no.

Came on Taco Tuesday for the special and had a very positive experience. Living in Pilsen you have no shortage of taco options available to you and each is known for their speciality. I appreciated the variety of options available on the menu and the drink specials that accompany the meal. We saw a lot of people enjoying Margarita pitches and a number of tacos each. Our order was fresh and the portions were generous for the price we paid. There were a number left on the menu I'd definitely still want to try so hoping to make it back in the near future

WOW. went in here for a quick bite expecting nothing but holy moly it was unreal. I got 2 tacos to go and had to eat it in my car- right then and there bc the smell...!!! I couldn't wait lol. I had the Coca Cola infused taco and a steak. Both so so soooooo delicious. Definitely a hidden gem here! They have a full bar and their menu looks delicious. Can't wait to go back!

Coca-Cola tacos? Yes.. super delicious, and the flavor is fantastic. I love the concept of gourmet tacos-- especially for a taco lover like me. I also love that they have great veggie/vegan options! The food is excellent here, especially if you're looking for something different. Try their homemade drinks as well. My friend wasn't drinking but likes a good Bloody Mary with her brunch items, and they were able to make one virgin and still taste amazing. I've tried other food here, too (no pics, sorry), but I'd recommend their ceviche and Asada and Al Pastor tacos--- all items come with the perfect amount of sauce (and I love me some spicy salsa).

Food is great at great prices. Only feedback is to dim the lights and give a better vibe. It's too bright in there.

Probably the best burritos I have had in years. We tried three different kinds, pork, chicken and mushrooms. I can't tell you which was the best, I really liked all three. We also had the guacamole, which was exceptional. Our server was friendly and helped in us in deciding what to order. The restaurant is upbeat with interesting wood tables. The glass doors are open in front and the atmosphere is casual with music playing in the background. Parking is right outside the door, and, prices are reasonable.

The service wasn't the best and it was empty. Then on top of that they have $5 margaritas advertised outside.... we were charged $10 each and once I asked why they said only classic margaritas are $5. That should of been advertised to begin with instead of just saying "$5 margaritas everday" SMH

I wanted to share my recent experience at El Taco Azteca and I must say that it was quite disappointing. My party and I visited this past Friday for what we hoped would be a pleasant lunch. Unfortunately, it turned out to be quite the opposite. We waited patiently for the server to take our drink and food order. After waiting about 40 minutes for our food, I finally asked how much longer it would take and she spoke no English but was able to tell me that the kitchen wasn't on. More like you forgot because her and the cook were just looking at each other. 1) Why didn't you tell me that you were having an issue with the kitchen when we ordered. 2) When were you planning on telling me? I can see why she forgot to place my food order, the waitress had her young son roaming around in the restaurant. Others in the restaurant also looked frustrated waiting on their food. After wasting 40 minutes of my time, i just asked her to charge me for my drink. Which at that point she should have written it off... I've heard great things about this place, I should have read the most recent reviews before going there.

I was excited at first, El Taco Azteca. You can't get a more authentic name than that. Their tacos looked promising, but the flavor was just not there. Customer service was great. Our server was very kind and very professional, despite a little bit of a disagreement prior to ordering. She was very polite from beginning to end. They start you off with chips and salsa with a twist. My biggest complaint is the way they have their menu. They only allow you to order tacos in groups of two. So if you want to order one of each, you can't. I was stuck order lengua and al pastor for a total of four. My wife ordered their carne Asada tacos. Tequila lime grilled ribeye and came with green molcajete sauce. I can assure you that there wasn't any presence of tequila nor molcajete sauce. Just a green salsa. My lengua tacos were by far the worst lengua tacos I have ever tried. They serve you a slice of lengua and was supposed to be topped off with frisée salad and green salsa. This was the same green salsa that was on the carne Asada tacos that was supposed to have molcajete sauce. Back to the lengua tacos. They also added cactus to taco which made it much worse. This is where the two of the same taco per order part sucks. I usually order one of each for a total of three tacos (Asada, pastor and lengua) those meats are my go to whenever I order tacos. Had I been able to do that, I would have just tried one lengua, not liked it and moved the f on. But no, I had to eat this god awful taco again, because it was required. I also ordered their al pastor. This was supposed to be served with salsa de chile de Arbol, and pineapple pico de Gallo. This taco was was very tasty, but where the hell was the pico de Gallo with pineapple? I will give them one thing other than the nice lady that was taking care of us. Their presentation was spot on. The tacos themselves looked beautiful. But they use to large of plates for the tacos. So when served at the table; They looked del ious but sad. And when I ordered 4 tacos I received two large plates. Just wished they would serve the food with items that are on the menu. They make it sound so delicious, but they weren't. Sorry. Never again.

We stopped in for a quick bite. Started off with the shrimp queso fundido and it didn't disappoint. I tried a pollo torta but it was a bit too spicy for me, the chicken was sliced so thinly that it was almost non existent. On the other hand, my partner ordered a salmon torta and the amount of salmon was very generous. Both tortas were spicy. The atmosphere was lively, friendly and helpful staff. Overall I think it was good but a bit pricey. I would like to return to try the Coca-Cola infused carnita tacos.

Super cute place, the bartender took my takeout order and was very nice. But the food! It's amazing, I got potato tacos, mushroom burrito, and tofu al pastor tacos, they were all fantastic. I wish I lived next door.

¡Elotes con sabor picante y cremoso, vale $5! ¡Y top 2 de los tacos al pastor en Chicago! ¡Felicidades a Chef Carlos García!

Sat for 1 hour was never able to get someone to take out order. Had to go to the bar just to get drinks. understaffed and unfortunately would never try going again.

Seriously don't waste your time or money. I drove out of my way because their Instagram pics are very deceiving. Never had queso fundido served like a cheese sauce it was not authentic or tasty whatsoever. I picked the shrimp out of it and ate that since the cheese seemed to be a mixture that included American cheese. Fish tacos were not good at all they are basically all fried batter and bland. Michelada was also not good lacked the appropriate ratio of mix. So I asked for a drink recommendation and was suggested passion fruit margarita which was so bitter and off tasting. One star because hubby stated his steak tacos were ok and presentation was good. If the food tasted as good as it was presented I would give them another shot but this is a never again for me.

I ordered the vegetarian tacos. They were nothing like they describe in the description on the website. No guacamole no crispy onions. Me being a vegetarian the veggies were not seasoned. The taco basically had no flavor.

Interesting to experience that my second time coming back was not the same as the first. In fact, very inconsistent meal. I tried ordering the same three taco's and was told this time, I am not able to break order only one taco and have to be in the same flavor taco. I also wanted to try the tiger shrimp taco's without the jalapeno sauce and was told I can't modify the ingredients. All tacos O ordered this round were extremely salted compared to my first outing in that same week. I do enjoy the uniqueness of the menu and plan to come back.

Hands down, one of the best tortas I ever had! I love the fresh spin they took on something that could be considered basic. Rather than fries, they had fried wedged potatoes which I thoroughly enjoyed. The chips and salsa were great too. Not your typical chips as they had sweet potatoes and a few other vegetables... Service was also incredible. Overall, great experience! I came at 10:30pm on a random Sunday night so it wasn't busy at all.

El taco azteca's staff seems to NOT care about their local customers at all, ignoring order details including food sensitivity/dietary needs/allergies that are even embedded into their ordering app to select. This puts customers health at risk and takes our money without respect or honoring customer needs that have been indicated. I'm a bit heart broken writing this review because their food had been excellent in the past.... but I've now ordered and picked up food multiple times from here and have been explicit both by voice on the phone and via their online app about order details and options they provide as simple as "no sauce" and/or "sauce on the side" for allergen/food sensitivity/dietary needs and still the past three times and still the order is incorrect making me unable to eat the food without getting sick. I've even asked the employees when I pick up if the requests have been honored and followed and they say yes, but behold nothing was done...It makes me so sad to have to throw away the food but I cannot afford nor will I pay to get sick because of the disregard for making sure orders are correct. Avoid this place if you have allergies/dietary needs/food sensitivity -- even as simple as the option to omit items they've embedded and designed in their ordering app platform, your requests or needs will not be honored. Sad to have to stop going here. Photos I've uploaded on this page are from past visits in 2018 pre-pandemic dining in. They do not reflect my unfortunate experience with El taco Aztecas to-go orders

Mushroom taco and watermelon margarita 10/10 will definitely be back! Service was good.

Handmade tortilla is absolutely worth the wait (which is about 40 mins for an order). Seriously the best tacos in town. Lots of vegetarian options that are delicious. Tried every flavor and everything was top-notch. Highly recommended.

Great family run place in Pilsen! The food is great and reasonably priced! Tortas and tacos are both great options if you are in the area or want to try a new place. Really good options for vegetarians as well :)

Everything we ate was delicious but the Coca Cola taco was one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life. I will be back again and again.

The food is outstanding, with bold flavors and generous portions. The drinks are also delicious, and I loved the Jamaica Margarita. Overall, is a great place to have dinner and have a drink or two.

The tacos were okay. The service was not. We waited at a dirty table for about 20 minutes before it was cleaned and we got menus. We both requested things be left off our food ( onions, pico) and the waitress said they didn't come with them, but they were definitely there. Hate to be a Karen, but the food took a while, and we were the only ones in there. I had to find the waitress to get the check and she looked irritated that we were ready to go. Lime margaritas were AMAZING however and only $5 !

Great food and service, recommended after a visit to the National Museum of Mexican Art!

Great value for a great meal. We had the chicken empanadas, elote, asada taco, chicken mole taco, and fish taco which were all delicious. The tortillas were a little on the thin/soft side for me. The homemade chips and salsa which come with the table were excellent. We loved the passionfruit mojito. The only reason I gave a 4 star is because the water glass had a lip stain on it. I plan to go back again for happy hour or taco Tuesday.

Staff was incredibly nice and accommodating. Food was incredible. Al Pastor tacos were my favorite !!

Best tacos we've had in Chicago! Flavorful, perfectly spiced & beautifully presented! We also had guacamole, which had just the rest gut amount of radish, onion & tomato - so the tasty avocado really shined through. The chips & salsa are very unique. The chips were crispy, thin & freshly prepared freshly prepared & the salsa was thick, smoky & piquant. We ate at the restaurant on a Saturday afternoon. The space is clean, the service is attentive & the atmosphere was friendly. There were not too many people eating inside, but there was a steady trek of folks picking up carry out. We'll be back! Again & again!

Great family owned restaurant Full bar also dining in availability super cute and chill. Service was really friendly and fast considering I had a big order.

Horrible service , almost didn't give me one of my take out orders and once I brought it up had an attitude. The food smelled spoiled. Never again for these prices.

Amazing food 100 % recommended tacos de camarón so good,empanadas guacamole and the salsas

Had a pretty good experience here on my visit.Am new to the area.Although Im a lifelong Chicagoan and am VERY FAMILIAR with Pilsen.Have been doing my rounds in the neighborhood to see what else I could find.Glad I found this spot.After reading the reviews I learned that I could only order the tacos in 2's.So if I wanted the carne asada I needed to order 2.And if I wanted shrimp I also needed to order 2.Because they come in pairs.I will say that these are not your everyday average tacos.They are actually very well flavored and the presentation is well executed.Which Im thinking is the reason the only sell them in pairs.Well,not sure WHY but I suppose.Anyway,I ended up with a total of FOUR TACOS.Had 2 carne asada and 2 shrimp.When they arrived to my table I was like,"WHHHAAAAAT THE HEEEEEELL??!!" These tacos were BIG!!!! I though no way I was going to be able to eat these four BIG ASS TACOS!!! Well,I somehow managed.Pheeeeew.And they were delicious.About my only complaint was when they brought me salsa they brought me VERY LITTLE.Im talking I could've used it all on just one taco.But least now I know.Next time I'll just ask for EXTRA EXTRA SALSA.Other than that I had a good experience and will definitely return.

I ordered off of Grubhub and I made it a point to make sure I come here and let you know do not order from this place. I ordered birria tacos with cheese. I got no cossome at all. I also ordered chorizo tacos. Now both orders of tacos literally looked like they were just thrown in the box. It was not packaged well at all. They literally threw all the ingredients in the styro foam container and that was it. When it got to me, the entire filling of the tacos were outside of the taco, so I had to pretty much make the taco myself. I took a few bites and threw it all in the garbage. I was highly disgusted. I was really looking forward to trying this restaurant. The pictures are a whole lie. I wish I had pictures to show everyone.

The place is beautiful walking in off the street. The Queso with vegetables was really good but lacking enough tortillas for the dish. The chips were perfect but served with ancho chili paste. The Coca Cola Tacos were like a Mexican version of hospital food. The meat was cooked perfect but lacked any complementary flavors. The pickled onions and vegetables had no bit. The salsa just gave the meat a pretty look. Overall vapid.