El Tezcal Authentic Restaurant

We ended up coming here based on Google Map’s recommendation that this was a good fit for us. And it ended up being a great experience. You can tell the family who owns it also works here and they take pride in what they do. They try their best to serve and please their customers. We felt welcome and cared for here. The food was authentic and great tasting. Prices were reasonable, if not cheap for Chicago standards. The salsa was too spicy for our tastebuds and the tacos were OK. From the outside you’d not even realize this restaurant is here. They have diaper changing stations in their bathrooms.

El Tezcal just added another notch to my bandolier of go-to Mexican restaurants. Based on Google reviews, I'd bookmarked ETM and was excited when an errand took me to the Albany Park neighborhood. I was warmly greeted, told to sit anywhere--I chose a table by the window--and was promptly served with tortilla chips accompanied by red and green salsas. My server recommended the chicken enchiladas with a rich mole negro. When she said that owner/chef Reyna had just finished cooking a batch--mole is time intensive--I leapt. Served with rice and beans and a small salad, the dish was muy delicioso! An on-the-house bowl of chicken noodle soup was equally good. The tab--very, very reasonable! El Tezcal is BYOB so I'll definitely be back with my wife and cervezas. Muchas gracias, reviewers, for your suggestion!

Family owned shop that has AMAZING food! Although a small staff everything came out quickly. All the portions are pretty big and worth the price. This was the most guac ive ever gotten from a resturant too! I saw another review saying they drive 45 min and while only 20 minutes away for me, this place is worth the drive and outbeats a lot of others closer to home. The best Mexican food I've had so far in Chicago!

I was really hopeful that El Tezcal would deliver on some amazing Mexican food based on the reviews. Had to get carry-out since we had our dog with us. Service was friendly and fast. I was torn between a 3 star and 4 star. The good aspects was the friendly service and the bistec a la mexicana had a nice flavour. But beyond that the misses for us were: the tacos were bland and lacked flavour. Also, it really ruins a meal when you get home and they mess up the order. Instead of Al Pastor taco they made them chicken tacos. I also asked for no beans and just rice. Since I ordered at the counter and they repeated my order, it wasn’t communication issues. It would have been ok if the taco was good but the chicken was dry.

Authentic Mexican food! Guacamole is a large portion, 2 cups. 2 tacos are the perfect amount. Pollo is stewed and full of flavor, pastor is rich with intense flavors.

We were visiting El Tezcal and this was nice experience. Place: The place is so colorful, we enjoy the decoration. Food: was so tasty and delicious,a little hot our plate but so delicious. Customer service: our server was so kind. The best things of this place was the prices, so if you wanna eat good at reasonable price this is the place for you. They're BYOB. Español. Nuestra visita fue agradable, nos encanto la decoración del lugar, la comida y los preciosos. El restaurante permite que lleves tus propias bebidas alcohólicas, por ello no las venden alli.

This place is so good. Food is delicious. Service was quick and courteous. Really cute space. We will definitely be back!

So I was excited to see how high the reviews were for this place and since it’s a 10 minute drive from home, I wanted to give it a try! If you decide to come here, deep dive on the 5 star reviews from members who have anywhere between 10-20 reviews over 3-4 years. Let’s rewind to a week ago, where I had Saturday lunch plans with some friends. I told them to meet me here around Noon since I read online, that’s what time they open. It was 12:05p and it still wasn’t open. Whatever, we down the street for another Taqueria. Fast forward a week later, we decided to come here for Dinner on a Thursday night. Our 18 month old tagged along as well and we ordered right away for him. He enjoyed the Pollo Taco but the Picadillo Taco, he wanted no part. I tried it and it was really greasy. I did the Tapiquena and it was ok. The Enchilada was really good but the “Carne Asada” was a cheap cut of meat that was not cooked Medium Rare. The rice and beans were ok. The salsas were very tasty. The decor is a weird hodge hodge of Xmas lights, outdoor lights, a fishing net, etc. Parking is available but be prepared to drive around a little bit to find it. We’re not in a rush to go back and too bad both experiences were not favorable.

Unbelievable experience - had the owner help guide us through the menu and talk about their business. The quesadilla with Chorizo is highly recommended. Will definitely be back!

I've lived in Chicago my whole life and I have to say that this is one of the very best Mexican restaurants I have ever eaten at. Authentic Mexican cuisine at its finest. Service was fantastic. The ambiance was cool and laid back. I had the steak burrito dinner and the person I was with got the steak taco dinner. Simple yet excellent. I cannot wait to eat here again. I can't recommend it enough.

We got this place delivered, and first of all, the app said it was still being cooked - and luckily I randomly looked outside and the food was sitting on the porch - now cold. The food had very little flavor overall. One of my husband's tacos - Picadillo - he had to literally spit out because it had bones in it. My rice was even still shaped like the bottom of the container it sat in, very clearly not fresh. Would not recommend. Which is a bummer because it had what seemed to be good reviews so we were excited to try a new place.

So I was excited to see how high the reviews were for this place and since it's a 10 minute drive from home, I wanted to give it a try! If you decide to come here, deep dive on the 5 star reviews from members who have anywhere between 10-20 reviews over 3-4 years. Let's rewind to a week ago, where I had Saturday lunch plans with some friends. I told them to meet me here around Noon since I read online, that's what time they open. It was 12:05p and it still wasn't open. Whatever, we down the street for another Taqueria. Fast forward a week later, we decided to come here for Dinner on a Thursday night. Our 18 month old tagged along as well and we ordered right away for him. He enjoyed the Pollo Taco but the Picadillo Taco, he wanted no part. I tried it and it was really greasy. I did the Tapiquena and it was ok. The Enchilada was really good but the "Carne Asada" was a cheap cut of meat that was not cooked Medium Rare. The rice and beans were ok. The salsas were very tasty. The decor is a weird hodge hodge of Xmas lights, outdoor lights, a fishing net, etc. Parking is available but be prepared to drive around a little bit to find it. We're not in a rush to go back and too bad both experiences were not favorable.

RATING: 10/10 My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place on our way to Avondale after we got too hungry and boy am I happy we did!! We were given chips and two salsas to start which were crisp and delicious. We both got the 3 taco meal and a horchata to share and everything blew us away. After trying three different flavors of tacos, both of our favorite was the steak taco. The tacos meal comes with beans and rice with everything flavored to perfection. The horchata was the best I've ever tasted with a certain creaminess I've never had before! The service was absolutely amazing too! While we were eating, the owner of the restaurant's son came to talk to us. He told us that his 70 year old mother retired and decided to open this restaurant as the chef! It's so amazing to hear this inspiring story as it is never too late to follow your dreams. Please please visit this restaurant--the food is to die for!! The prices are also so incredibly reasonable!!

Amazing food, ambiance, and service! Ordered the asada torta, taco dinner with chicken, carnitas, & pastor and the steak milanesa and it was TO DIE FOR. Definitely will be returning!

Mexican is my favorite but I don't have it nearly as often as other take-out options. I love sopes and that is what I have been craving for a while. I might like to try them in-shop, because they didn't travel fantastically well. The masa base was a little thin so I ate it with a knife and fork rather than try to hold it. But it was good for sure, and I got the sope dinner so I had rice and beans to go along with it. It was a really good price, too, which made me happy! We also got chicken fajitas and the mole enchilada I think it was. I don't like mole but it got two thumbs up from the mole fan in the house. We had the fajitas the next day for dinner and they were great. I may not put enough stuff in mine because we had a bit left over when we had finished up the tortillas, but it was of course just as good eating with a fork sans tortilla. I'd happily order from here again. There's lots of space inside, and it was totally empty though that may have been because I was here on the early side around 5 (though there were others there picking up!) Parking is street only; I got lucky that there was an easy space on the side street. It's only about 10 minutes away but because getting places feels like it can take forever in Chicago it may not be often just because of the ~distance.

This is the best kept secret as far as Mexican food in Chicago. My girlfriend and I come here quite often and we love the intimate atmosphere, service and most importantly, the food. The employees are so friendly and attentive. I have never had a bad dish here and they may have one of the best tacos in the city!

This place is awesome love the mama she's a sweetheart love there food .omg writting this I want to be there now.uuuggg thank you keep up the work

It's very welcoming place.. still inexpensive and the torta I had today was very good and fresh made all the vegetables look so fresh ..and the meat was not chewy.. definitely will come back again...

The service was friendly, food was blah. They do not use skirt steak for their tacos it's that cheap meat. The smell of the restaurant alone made me lose my appetite but I didn't want to complain because my is not ridiculous

I review infrequently but with heart and soul. The sopas are SO GOOD. Also love the enchiladas with mole.

I was excited by other positive reviews but I was disappointed by my order. I ordered six tacos--two chicken, two pastor, and two asada. The tortillas were stale and stiff. The chicken tacos were served with lettuce, tomato and cheese, while the others were served with onion and cilantro as expected. Not sure why the tacos were prepared differently. It's very unlikely that I'll return here.

My new go-to neighborhood Mexican restaurant! The inside is clean, staff is courteous and friendly, and the food is great! Having gone with both carnivorous and vegetarian types, I can vouch for both! Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and the flautas de papa are all highly recommended!

We've been coming here for about a year, happily replacing a previous neighborhood spot as our go to Mexican food. The owners are a mother and daughter who are lovely hosts. The interior is cheerful, with lots of plants along the front. The menu is fairly typical, but their take on certain dishes keeps us coming back. Excellent verde sauce for enchiladas and chips. The sopes are remarkable, the dough is fresh and not too thick. I love the vegetable enchiladas with ranchero sauce, and the beans and rice are noteworthy. Recently the daughter gave us a surprise taste of Birria they were preparing for a catering job and it also was fine, especially the broth. The food is cooked in small quantities to order. We have only eaten on site, so we have no idea how well the food travels for delivered orders. We are grateful for this wonderful and personable neighborhood spot. And it's BYOB!

Best Mexican food I've had in the 14 years of living in chicago. Potato flautas are incredible, best tacos I've had in chicago. Support them, you won't be disappointed. Also the older lady is the nicest. She always greeted me with a smile and a request I always made with the order. What a wonder group of people who work/ own this family business. Sadly I moved out of the neighborhood and into the burbs but I can't wait to go back!

Everything we ordered was delicious - bistec a la mexicana was the perfect amount of spicy, steak flautas were perfect, steak tacos, chips and Guac were all yummy.

"5 stars...hmm, maybe I'll try it someday just to see." Just go. It's delicious. You won't be disappointed. Best Mexican food I've had in a while. Excellent customer service. Super friendly. Great prices. I walked in and was greeted by Miguel (owner's son) like I was a family friend. I mentioned it was my first time visiting. He welcomed me and I ordered an Asada burrito. He went in back, told Mom my order and brought out a small cup sample of their soup. Great flavor throughout. Very welcoming. I even got to meet "Mom" when she came out of the kitchen. The food was prepared in a short time and it gave me time to look around the place and talk with Miguel. If you are looking for catering, he does that too. The burrito was huge & filling. Great homemade flavor. Mom knows what she's doing. She's been at it for 43 years. I'll be back and I think this is going to be my go-to restaurant from now on. Thanks for the hospitality and delicious meal!

Yelp reviews In spite of the gloomy rainy day a few days ago we decided to try El Tezcal I looked at the reviews on Yelp and liked what I saw. We both ordered the steak burrito dinner and it was great, it wasn't that tough chewy steak you get sometimes when you order a taco or burrito it was tender and flavorful but it didn't have the cheese on top like the photo on Yelp. The owner Miguel came over and asked us if this was our first time here and asked me if everything was OK and I said yes but the burrito didn't have the cheese on top like in the photo he said let me do it now for you I told him don't bother I'll get it next time but he insisted on putting the cheese on it now so I said that sounds good and in just a few minutes he came out of the kitchen with the cheese nice and brown with just a little bit of tomato sauce under the cheese you could tell it was homemade. You have to ask for the cheese when you order it doesn't come with it automatically. Another standout was the Horchata that had just the right amount of rice flavor almost like a milkshake consistency. It's like rice milk, if you haven't tried it do so next time you go there. Only one minor criticism was the guacamole I wish it had a little more kick to it other than that we will definitely be going back soon. It's BYOB so don't forget your vino or cerveza.

Would miss it driving by but the food and service was amazing! Plenty of food and the chef, Miguel, was great! We are visiting the city from Texas and it's some of the best Mexican food I've had! Would recommend to anyone looking for good local Mexican food!

Finally stopped by this new restaurant and I'm SO glad we did. My son walked out saying "I think we found our new spot!" You can tell they put a lot of care into their restaurant. Nice decoration and details! Great service, great food AND walking distance from my house.... Score! I ordered the bistec a la tampiqueña and my son thought he'd finish a milanesa torta and two tacos but it was too much food for an 18yr old. Everything delicious!

Best carnitas I've ever had! Service was amazing, our waitress was so kind and helpful! Will definitely be back here again.

I've ordered from here three times during the pandemic - the nachos were awesome, the pastor taco was my favorite and my husband loved the steak burrito.

Whether you want to gorge yourself on dollar tacos on Tuesdays, catch up with friends over chilaquiles on Saturdays, or carry out a burrito large enough for two meals on don't-feel-like-cooking-days, this is the place for you. The service is friendly, there's rarely any wait, and the food is delicious. The owner/chef is also constantly experimenting in the kitchen. If you're lucky, you just might receive one of her off-menu creations. My vegetarian friends salivated over the swiss chard and potato tacos, and I liked the beef liver tacos so much I insisted on paying for more of them. The restaurant is a lovely addition to the neighborhood, and I will continue to be a regular.

The food here is incredible. I had a large party and we all ordered a variety of Mexican delights - fajitas, tacos, quesadillas, pico de gallo, guacamole, among the like. Everything we ate was not only clearly homemade, but it was delicious. I could not recommend El Tezcal more highly in regard to their food and very appropriate and fair pricing. It is the service, however, that sets this place apart from the rest. The family owned restaurant has some of the nicest employees I've encountered. Maria, our waitress, was very on top of things and super accommodating; Miguel was so friendly and made sure our party was always taken care of cooling our drinks and checking in on how we were doing. If you're looking for a delicious, authentic Mexican restaurant, El Tezcal is the place!

Great family owned restaurant!!! Food was amazing and service were amazing. We will definitely come back! FYI BYOB.

Great family owned place. Amazing food and friendly staff. Proud to support them. My kids love the huaraches and tacos. The mole is delicious. This is our "go-to" spot for a great mexican dinner.

Not good. Ordered a steak burrito. Steak was rubbery and no sear or flavor. I didn't enjoy the beans or rice either. Don't think I'll go back.

My wife and I brought our three young kids here tonight and it was incredible! We do not live close by and had never been before, but we're already planning to make a trip back. Miguel was super welcoming and told us El Tezcal was his family's business. It really felt like home. His mother Reyna prepared our meal - gracias Queen!

Found on Yelp even though I've driven past it dozens of times and should have stopped in sooner. Went for dinner with our two young kids and was immediately welcomed by multiple people. Everyone was friendly and service was prompt. Ordered standard Mexican fare (enchiladas, chiles rellenos, tacos) and was wowed by the flavor and quality. Our kids loved their tacos and quesadillas, and the noodle soup appetizer was a great start. Chips and salsa we prompt and fresh. As a bonus we met Miguel, who is the son of the owner and chef who worked for decades at Cafe El Tapatio, a restaurant I loved and used to visit often when I lived in Roscoe Village. Very reasonably priced and a great experience all around. We'll be back!!

*I'm almost forgot to write a review * I'm going to be honest this was not my first choice to come to eat .... my first choice was a small Mexican joint by my neighborhood but it was close for the day so want Do i do best is I take my phone out and I Yelp to find a Mexican restaurant near me and the fist Mexican restaurant that pops up its El Tezcal Mexican Restaurant with five star My first reaction was we need to check this five stars restaurant... first impression is WOW We were greeted by a Guy behind the bar ...it felt very home (mi casa se tu casa type of feeling ) the guy behind the bar come to greet us he knew we where first timers which he welcome us .... the whole experience trying this places (meanwhile in my head me prying to god que no me vaya ser daño la comida ) overall...hands down ONE OF THE BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT out there ... the food and the service was was awesome.... thank you Miguel and hands down to your madrecita the Chef ‍ she's pours lots LOVE when it comes to cooking gracias I definitely will be back .... *support your small local businesses it makes a difference *

This place is AMAZING - come here if you want to feel at home and eat some great Mexican comfort food. The owner Miguel is friendly and accommodating. His mom opened the restaurant with her own cooking, and you can definitely taste the home-made motherly love in every bite. It's the kind of food where when you take the first bite, you have to stop to close your eyes and savor. We had the sopa azteca, enchiladas de mole, enchiladas de verde, and tacos de asada. The sopa was so nourishing - the broth rich in flavor. The mole was especially good - I wanted to take a pot home to just put on everything. It's also BYOB - so be sure to stop at the liquor store down the street! We'll definitely be back - we want "regulars" status here :)

Nothing special. Can't believe this place has 5 stars. I would say 3.5 for decent flavors but not what you would expect for the area. I wanted to impress my family with my Yelp skills and today I failed. Great complimentary soup and salsa. Decent carne asada, but it tasted more steamed or boiled than off the grill crispy. Rice and beans were the downfall. Nothing about them said freshly homemade. Won't be back and hope the service everyone's talking about is true. Having you kids help out with service is cute but be consistently charming.

El Tezcal has some of the best Anjo Shrimp I've ever had in Chicago! Not to mention that their prices are fair and their quality is superb. BYOB is a plus and Miguel had a true passion for the ensuring we were happy and full! Definitely coming back!

Family oriented, DELICIOUS food and great customer service. Go here! The guacamole was perfect and the steak was so tender. Definitely our go to for Mexican from now on.

My mom recently came to visit from Wisconsin and wanted to try out a new restaurant on a Friday night so we decided on El Tezcal and boy, were we glad we did. Though I believe we arrived a bit close to closing time, from the moment we walked in we were welcomed in such a friendly way. Our waiter was incredibly friendly and attentive, explaining with love and pride that this is a family operation and that his mom, who was in the kitchen, makes all her beloved family recipes. When we asked about the decor (which is amazing with pottery and artifacts from different regions of Mexico), he enthusiastically explained the origins of the different items and that their meaning was. Aside from the artifacts, the decor is bright, warm, and welcoming. On to the food--it was amazing. I had the chicken mole and it was delicious and large portion. This is a dish I never make at home because of the number of ingredients it takes to make mole sauce and our waiter confirmed (I believe he said they use something like 50 ingredients for their mole). It was the perfect meal for a blustery night and, the leftovers have been just as good. Plus, I have to say the prices are very reasonable for such lovingly cooked food. From the great service, great decor, and amazing food, this is definitely a place I not only recommend, but will absolutely return to.

Enjoyed the home cooking by Miguel's mom in the kitchen. Mole was the best . It's BYOB also a plus !

Family owned restaurant - authentic and delicious food. Good menu with several options and portions are large so you can share. Real friendly people both the server and the chef who made sure we had a good time.

So good. The fajitas are amazing and so is the guacamole. Everything is so fresh. The service is fast and authentic. Love this place!

$1 Taco Tuesday's! (Select tacos are $1/ea) The food and service here was great. The food tastes like your Mexican mom's cooking, specifically Miguel's mom Reyna. I always judge a Mexican restaurant on their salsa and chips. Both green and red salsas were great but I preferred the red, you can tell the tomatoes are fresh and not from the can. The other staple, rice and beans, were also on point. We had ground beef, asada, and chicken tacos. Also the sopa Azteca and the potato flautas. We finished everything. The service we received was also exceptional. You can tell that this family run business take pride in their food and want to make sure you have an enjoyable experience. From the beginning Miguel was accommodating and made sure we always had everything we wanted. This was our first visit. We'll definitely be returning. Excited to try the rest of the items on the menu. Bonus: this place is BYOB

This is a family run restaurant with homemade Mexican food. Everything on the menu is good the owner and her son's and daughter are very friendly and the service is awesome. Note that each order is cook fresh from scratch so it may take longer than usual for your food to be ready.

Stopped off on a whim since it was on my route home. The interior is very spacious and really well decorated. I ordered 2 steak tacos and a chorizo sope to go and was greeted by the owners son. He couldn't have been a nicer guy and took the time to explain how his mom (the cook) has been in a kitchen for the last 43 years and boy does it show. The sope I had was phenomenal and a clear cut from the competition. Generous toppings and the masa provided a great foundation and had a really unique taste. The tacos were pretty good you can tell they don't source their beef from the same place as some of the surrounding restaurants which is nice change of pace. Overall, If you're in the area you should check this place out. I only wish I had had the time to sit down and enjoy the ambience and some of the other options on the menu I'm sure I wouldn't regret it.

This is great freshly made food. Service is awesome as well. Took my mom here and she is a hard sell but enjoyed it as well.

***** El Tezcal makes the best Caldo De Res in Chicago. Beef stew with vegetables and all the ingredients is one of my favorites dishes.

Amazing food, I was there with my family and my 2 years old and 7 mention "best tacos ever" and I have to agree with them. The food is very tasty the service was good. And for most places in the area with this food taste , prices are every reasonable. We will be coming back from skokie every time we want Real authentic Mexican food.

Second time here in a week, this place is amazing. From the agua horchata to the service all five stars. First time here we had asada and al pastor tacos that were amazing. Our second visit we came for dinner, we got the shrimp ceviche which is filled with lots of flavor. I got potato with cheese flautas that come with a side of rice and beans. My fiancé got "el tezcal" and they added asada to it. They have something for everyone. You have to come try the food!

I will be so coming back to this restaurant. I had the Huarache de carne Asada and an order of beans. They were both very good! I am Mexican and I am always searching for good refried beans. It's rare when I find good ones :). The service was excellent and the vibe was very friendly. Another great thing is that our waitress' grandma is the cook and she made fideo soup which was complimentary. It reminded me of when my Mom would serve us fideo as a kid, always prior to our dinner.

THE FOOD HERE IS DELICIOUS! The service was amazing! Our server Miguel was so welcoming and friendly. The restaurant has A LOT of cute authentic decorations, straight from Mexico. You HAVE to stop by and try this place, the food is so fresh!

My hubby and I decided to stop by and try out their place. Awesome and nice staff. ^.^ They were very welcoming. We ordered a burrito and a ceviche to go and while waiting, the waitress gave us soup. We just finish our order, and it was delicious. I love the ceviche de Cameron! We will definitely will be coming back now to dine in soon! Definitely recommend.

Very welcoming and the food was delicious. We are picky with our Mexican food and we all liked it. Carne asada tacos and salsas were fantastic.