La Vaca Margarita Bar

Have not been here in some years but decided to patronize the business with my friend because we remembered they had good vegan tacos and confirmed via their online menu. The online menu does not reflect the menu in the restaurant. My order was wrong and the waitress (Maria D) seemed more concerned with lolligagging behind the bar as if they were crowded. I asked for an extra shell and never got it even after being asked twice if I still wanted it. My friend asked for a passion fruit margarita because it was margarita Monday according to the menu and were told they were out of something prohibited them from making her drink. Looks like it’ll be a few more years again before I come back.

Really enjoyed this place, plenty of parking and the service was nice! Although i didn't try the food, i can definitely say it smelled and looked great! Others seemed to love it!

The tacos are delicious! The passion fruit margarita is yummy. A bit pricey, but good food makes up for it. (They will not allow groups to split the check and will only run 2 credit cards at max. Since we didn’t know that until we were already there it made it a little more difficult at checkout, but not a deal breaker.). They do allow parking out front in the winter, so that’s nice. And it’s right around the corner from the place we did a pottery class, so it was a fun evening!

The down side- I do not like the QR menu thing. Brunch on saturday? We couldnt order from the regular menu. ?? No refills on the soda?? Positve- the food is delicious unique menu on old school dishes. The chunky guacamole was perfect. The drinks are super. The wife luved the margaritas. The shrimp tacos were super delicious.

The customer service here is an experience. Unfortunately, not the good kind. The food is fine, solidly “okay,” but not nearly good enough to distract you from the weird energy. First visit: I sat on the patio, a bug dive bombed into my margarita, and when I asked for a replacement, the waiter sighed like I had just asked him to juice the limes himself. He told me this “normally isn’t allowed” since I chose to sit outside, and maybe I should “drink faster” next time. Apparently that is their pest control policy. My suggestion? Cover the patio or figure out a way to keep bugs out of drinks instead of blaming customers for their sip speed. Second visit: Fine. Unremarkable and perfectly neutral. Third visit: We were turned away because my friend had a baby. The staff explained that babies aren’t allowed because it is “technically a bar.” Mind you, this was midday, not a late night tequila fueled hour, and they were serving full plates of tacos and enchiladas, not just bar snacks. Also, they let dogs sit on the patio. So, dogs are fine, but a human baby isn’t? Make it make sense. Bottom line: the food is okay, the service is bizarre, and the policies are not customer forward. If the goal is to make customers feel unwelcome, mission accomplished.

Decided to stop by to kill some time before a wedding reception and it did not disappoint. They had the world cup game playing, that was a plus. We ordered a mango Margarita, strawberry mojito, tacos, Mexican corn and chilaquiles. Everything was delicious! Service could have been better, but seemed like they were low staffed. Such a great time, we cannot wait to stop by again when we're in town.

Beautiful atmosphere but the no kids allowed i didn't like. Delicious food and the music was great. I'm allergic to peanuts so ask if the salsa can be made without peanut oil or any tree nuts. Will visit again for the steak❤

I’m A local , I came into this restaurant and ask if I could sit down inside the waiter let me when I sat down, I was greeted only by the bartender I was just ignored. Some strangers came to say hi to me and sit next to me and offer me shots. I guess they were just in a good mood, But then the waitress came in she kick all of us out. I have been sitting here for an hour, and I still haven’t got any chips, entrées or noone has came by to get my order I don’t know if just because they feel intimidate by me , but I feel very, very isolated. It has been one of the worst experience I ever had.

Celebrated cinco de mayo here with margs, tacos, and good vibes! We got there around 1pm - the dining area was packed but the outside was pretty empty. The wait for a table was 2 hours.... As time went by, the entire patio was filled with people. My only complaint was that there was only like 2-3 tables out on the patio so we had to use chairs to put our pitchers on. Bar service was a little slow. They were selling margs pitchers on the rocks for like $30 each so we were drinking those all day. All that sugar gave me a headache at the end of the day. When we finally got a table, we were starving! Food came out in a timely manner surprisingly. I shared nachos and tacos with my bf. The nachos were good but not what I was expecting. It was basically cut up flour tortillas baked or fried with toppings and there were only like 10 pieces. The tacos were decent. The food is like your typical bar quality food so I wasn't expecting much.

Been here multiple times! & the food continues to be the only reason we return. The enchiladas de mole are authentic and delicious. The tacos are great, big & enough varieties. Guacamole is also very good. The ambience is loud, very busy & no reservations are allowed. When it's very busy the other half of the restaurant by the bar will have people behind you standing as you dine. Once again, it is a bar so keep that in mind. Making your way to the bathroom is also another hassle. Only 2 stalls available. The bartenders for the most part won't service you unless you wave at them or hound them down. Went in on a Saturday, they did "last call" more than 40 minutes prior to closing. Then one bartender decided to say no more serving. While the bar continued to be packed. Very unprofessional and rude. Once again, customer service here lacks and is subpar but we come for the food only.

We went on a Sunday at 4 pm. We were able to walk in and get seated in the patio area. It was a really nice day outside, so it was great to get a patio seat on a bustling Sunday. So I didn't realize this was like an actual "bar." I just assumed that was the name. I figured it out after we were carded. But security was cool. We just didn't know. We were seated promptly, and we ordered quickly (waitress seemed rushed, tho). The food came out FAST! I'm talking lightening speed fast! We just ordered steak tacos and margaritas. Both were good. I would go back here for the ambiance and vibe.

Really enjoyed la vaca! Stopped by here before a show at Thalia hall, and based on the look of the place we didn't have super high expectations for the food but we were pleasantly surprised! The guacamole was good, and the 2 salsas they brought out were also great. The orangey salsa was delicious, kind of a chipotle flavor, I keep thinking about it, lol. The tacos were great, and margarita was typical

La Vaca is a fun spot to start your night out in Pilsen with friends. Went for Taco Tuesday and wasn't too crowded and the service was great. The margaritas are alright, but the Big Boss taco is what keeps me coming back. We started with one and ended up ordering 6 each. They are just that good!

We were in the Pilsen neighborhood for the first and we needed to find a restaurant to eat at before our comedy show. We started off at Rubi's only to find out they close at 6 pm (??? ). After that we stopped in La Luna where they told us the wait would be an hour. So we went down the block to the next restaurant, La Vaca. The vibes were exactly what we were looking for. The enclosed patio was perfect for the rainy weather and the music was popping. We started off with the chips and salsa, a classic, however it turned out to be a bit too spicy for my partner and I. The chips were nice and thick but I would have appreciated it if they were warm and had salt on them. We ordered a pepino (cucumber) margarita and a mojito. Both were 10/10. Then we ordered the a la cart street tacos family style. We got the Pilsen, La Vaca, Pollo and Green tacos. The pollo and El green tacos were very juicy, flavorful, and had the perfect consistency. The Pilsen was a classic but the meat was slightly tough. The La Vaca was also delicious and had a flavorful sauce on it. Our server was super friendly and both our drinks and the food came out super quickly.

I've been to the bar across from La Vaca several times and I would always see this place bumpin with business. So, I got invited out last night for tacos with friends, I was excited. Yeah NAWL. It wasn't what I expected. First the positive: the margaritas were delicious. We got two pitchers. For $30 each it was worth it. Also the DJ player house music. I was with it. Service: the hostess was great. Was about the only friendly person we encountered besides the lady in the bathroom that offers guests towels. Our waiter was dry, expedient and very slow! Never checked on our table. Not even when the food first arrived. When asked what the ceviche consisted of he didn't even answer me. So I said shrimp? Fish? What? He said "yeah it's either or". Like dude are you there? Hello? The food- my carne asade tacos were tough and lacked flavor. The veggie taco was good. The beans and rice were not good. I would probably come back to try something else if asked to join friends but I'm not coming back on my own choice.

The tacos were fairly priced and very tasty. I had a fish taco on a flour tortilla and the al pastor on a corn tortilla. I like that the toppings and tortilla choice seemed to be thought out -- they tasted very well balance. I feel like on a good day I could've crushed 6+ tacos. I also got a tamarind margarita which was very tart and sweet - super concentrated. They let you choose between salt and sugar for the rim. Not my favorite tamarindo margarita in Pilsen, but solid. I thought $13 was a decent price. The restaurant was spacious, with plenty of patio seating. Very easy to order and eat here. The service and food was fast enough for my friend and I to sit down and eat when we were in a semi-rush. Overall I had a positive experience. I think I would sooner try some different spots in Pilsen before I came back here, but I would be open to returning.

Definitely will be back again next time I'm in Chicago My friend have been telling me about this place the tacos were good.. I could try a different flavor every time.. the cucumber pitcher wasn't as strong as I would have liked but that's OK it tasted good. There are plenty of tequilla options to chose from

La Vaca Margarita Bar in Chicago offers an unforgettable experience for taco lovers. The tacos are absolutely amazing, bursting with flavor and perfectly crafted. Our server, Jimmy, provided exceptional service, being both attentive and friendly throughout our meal. The vibrant atmosphere combined with delicious food and outstanding service make La Vaca Margarita Bar a must-visit destination for anyone craving authentic Mexican cuisine in the heart of Pilsen in Chicago.

Contrary to expectations, La Vaca Margarita Bar offered margaritas that were just okay, and the food failed to leave a lasting impression. Geared more towards a younger crowd prioritizing the party atmosphere over culinary delights, the establishment falls short of being a go-to spot for a memorable dining experience. It might be the place for a night out, but not necessarily for a remarkable meal.

We've been twice now - once just for drinks, and once for drinks and apps. The drinks are fantastic - very refreshing and a bit different than your typical margarita bar offerings. The food is just okay; it does the job, but that's not why you'd come here. Instead, I'd recommend going to one of the incredible other restaurants in the area for dinner before/after you stop here for some drinks. This really is a margarita bar, first and foremost. The atmosphere is a little loud and a whole lot of fun.

Wow!!!! My friends and I had plans to go to another restaurant further down the street but when we walked up to it, it was just blah. So we walked back and stumbled across La Vaca Margarita Bar. The food was freaking amazing, the drinks was on point and hit the spot after a long day of work and the amazing bartender was everything. Our bartender made sure to provide some the best service ever. She kept us entertained and was sweet enough to explain the different drinks. That Strawberry Jalapeño margarita had me on another level. The ambiance was great. It felt like you were hanging out with a bunch of friends. Everyone was super nice, the food came out fresh and hot. Those tacos with the homemade tortillas were the BEST TACOS I HAVE EVER HAD! I'll surely come back again and bring more people. Because this place deserves to be talked about.

The tacos are great here can't go wrong with what ever you choose, drinks ehhh other than that a good place to go on a Friday night

The first time I had a bad experience with them I decided to let it be...everyone can make mistakes especially when they are busy. But this is the second time and I'll never order from them again for sure. The first time they "just" forgot 2 items from my order (in the amount of about $15-$20)...this time I ordered through Uber eats for pick up..I wait 25 mins. Uber eats lets me know that my order is ready. I go in and they tell me to wait 5 more mins. Ok...as I'm there waiting I get a call. They tell me that the things I ordered they don't have....after waiting over 25 mins. As I question the person on the phone she hangs up on me. So unprofessional..dining in is fine but I wouldn't recommend ordering from them.

Extensive menu, friendly staff, outdoor seating was an option! It was a cute restaurant, and accommodating for a group of 8 on a Saturday afternoon. We got a plethora of tacos which were yum! Their salsas are pretty delicious. Horchata was definitely watered down, even after asking for light/no ice. Keep in mind there's a 3.5% service charge for using a credit card to pay, 20% gratuity added with parties 6+, and other similar items to keep in mind. Along with potential substitutions, these things are scattered in writing across the menu so be sure to take a good look. Overall, restaurant is in a great area! We would love to go back for their brunch.

La Vaca is a Taco Bar that has multiple locations in the city. We tried the one in Pilsen which was spacious with cool bar seating. They have live music after 9 PM on Tuesdays and street parking is available; however, on Tuesdays, it could be limited due to Taco Tuesday's popularity in Pilsen. The restaurant would be great for happy hour hangouts, date nights, and casual family dinners. There is enough space to not need reservations. However, they do card for 21 years and above so bring your IDs. One of the biggest draws is Taco Tuesday deal with $3.25/taco and these tacos are very filling. Being a vegetarian, I have tried all vegan/vegetarian taco options (Veggie, Vegan, El Green) and all of them are extremely filling and tasty (10/10). However, my favorite is the Vegan Taco which is made of chickpeas and sesame seed toppings that work perfectly. The tacos come with red and green salsa that pairs well if you want to add some spiciness to your tacos. For the appetizer, we got the Queso Fundido with Mushrooms for $9 that comes with tortillas. The queso was not anything special and although it was good, I would not get that again. The service is great and the food comes out quickly. The waiters are knowledgeable about their menu and provide good recommendations. Due to the reasonable prices and filling tacos, this place is a stable hangout spot on Tuesday for my friend group and we come back pretty often!

THIS PLACE IS NOT KID FRIENDLY BUT THE FOOD IS GOOD! This is a great place, music was uptempo and very live. Indoor and outdoor seating. Food was reasonably priced and the food came out very quickly. The bartenders were great. But I had to get to go, 21 and older for this place, I had to leave my daughter in the car with my aunt while my cousin and I enjoyed drinks while waiting for our food. Parking was a nightmare but the place across the street has a $18 valet that's accessible. The steak tacos and ground beef were great.

It's important to note that La Vaca provides more of a bar scene than a dining experience and you'll be carded before stepping onto the property. Overall, a fun spot if you're looking to grab drinks and are in search of an extensive Mexican food menu. However, the price point is a bit steep given the quality. The portions are large and shareable. Although I initially really enjoyed this spot, the service is pretty terrible after stopping by a handful of times. I wanted to believe that these were one off encounters, but having a majority of poor encounters with rude security and staff and also even being ignored for over an hour at the bar confirmed that I never want to go here again.

I don't care for the interior but like the big TV's. The patio was more inviting than the inside. Great music. Tasty HH margarita and delicious chicken tacos. The fresh soft corn tortilla was darn good. All in all, it was an expensive meal. Best to go on taco Tuesday.

The best fries that I have ever had! The service is nice. However, the music is too loud and you have to yell to have a conversation. It's always crowed. Get there early because there's usually a long wait! The drinks are good too!

This place is decent. Love how they check IDs when you walk up. The food is ok. Nothing to really rave about but it smells amazing. The elote is fire asf though. The drinks are Deeelicious. Service is great!

let me start off by saying. Food is mediocre. and drinks are way overly priced. We we're charged 86$ for 2 buckets? Someone should report this place for price gouging people. Secondly the music is lit and that's about it.

What consistently brings me back to this restaurant? Carne asada fries and the margarita pitchers. Literally so good and I always leave stumbling for cheap. Servers are always chill and it's a great time. Only thing is, if you plan to come and sit and have convo -- not the place! Eat, drink; then move on to the next. Music is always super loud.

Love. Atmosphere is very hip. Cheese enchiladas were the best I've had. The margarita was delicious. We ate outside on a nice October evening and the patio is like no other. Definitely try this place if you're in the area.

If you like tacos and margaritas this is the place to go! A good variety in drinks and tacos to try. I tried the cerveza fish tacos, elotes, guacamole and passion fruit margarita...all good! Perfect place to meet up and chill. Our server was very attentive. Make sure you bring an ID, they card everyone regardless of how old you are! I would give 5 starts but the bathroom was a mess with vomit all over the floor, staff was told several times about the mess and finally they opened a second bathroom.

This place is....odd. Every person we encountered who worked there was very nice, but it was strange that they were checking IDs on the sidewalk and making people wait for a server before even stepping onto the property to get a table, when they weren't even that busy. This could have been because the Chicago Marathon was going on right in front of the establishment of the time, but it still seemed a bit excessive. There's nothing spectacular about the interior; it's a decent place to grab a couple of drinks. I enjoyed (several) pepino margaritas and shared the flan dessert with a friend, which was good but nothing to write home about. There's also a pretty basic but spacious patio out front. I wouldn't seek this place out again but it was good for what we needed at the time: margaritas and a sugar fix.

Went here on a Saturday and we got sat immediately. The patio is super cute but they vibes inside are immaculate. Food was so delicious. The pastor taco was so flavorful and their salsas were the perfect amount of spicy. The shrimp taco was missing something but I just can't put my finger on it but regardless was delicious. Would go again!

Great place to watch sports and delicious carne asada fries & margaritas. I would recommend it if you like to have a drink or meal watching sports.

My friend, Erika and I decided to go to La Vaca since she's super into alcohol and I don't drink. Service wasn't the worse for me. They give out free chips and salsa to start off when you sit down. Nice red and green salsa. I found a bug in the water so I just spilled all the water on the floor since we were eating outside anyways. It's interesting how they have so much security outside and we came here to get brunch but that was it. It took them a bit to come get our order, bur food came out in a timely matter and it was decent. My friend ordered the Margarita & burrito, and the rest of the food was mine. I got steak fries(2/10) fries were ROCK HARD, how sad but the meat was good. I got the empanada, more or less give it a 7/10, it was juicy and decent, but I've heard way better empanadas for what it's worth. I got a steak taco first & there wasn't a ton of meat, but the flavor of it was DELICIOUS. Their tacos here are really good or at least the one that I bought. My friend gave a 8/10 for her burrito and a 9/10 for her margarita. I had the server come over to get the fries and I reordered a new steak taco bc the fries were so hard. You couldn't even squish the fry with your finger. Biting it was worse than biting stale chips. Super sadly and unfortunate. We had decent service, but I wish the food was better. When you order fries, but the fries are hard af, found a bug in my water ( hence I was outside ) and prices are eh. I'd definitely be able to get better food at the price range for what it's worth. Tacos : 9/10 love the flavors + amount of meat on my second taco. Fries : 2/10( hard as a ROCK) Empanada: 7/10, could be pretty juicy. Burrito : 8/10 Margarita : 9/10 For what it's worth, you can come and try the food and drinks, but I think if my fries were better, I would've given it a higher star rating. I'll give it a 3.3/5 more or less. Server was nice.

La Vaca is a great place in Pilsen for your margarita and taco wants! I came here on a Wednesday evening and was able to get seated without a wait or prior reservation which was nice. We were served by Fantasia and she was very attentive to our table and encouraged the pitcher which I was happy that we ordered. The pitcher is affordable, and you can mix flavors which is great. If anything I will be back for these margs because they were great. For appetizer I ordered the elote which, was okay. Wasn't the best elote I have had but was still tasty before getting tacos. The tacos are served family style meaning all the tacos ordered for your table come served one platter. I did like this concept and allowed me to feel connected to my table and share/swap tacos if we wanted. We ordered an array of tacos from steak, chicken, shrimp and fish. All tacos good, bold in flavor, tender with meat, and just overall tasty. We loved the service, and food and will absolutely be back for more especially for the margs!

Atmosphere is amazing. Food is the best I've had in Chicago. Get the green cheese enchiladas. You won't be disappointed. I will be back the next time I have business in Chicago.

The food is a bit ordinary and the drinks were served in plastic cups. I have no idea why I was charged more than 10$ if the drinks were gonna served in plastic cups.

La Vaca is a Chicago staple for late night tacos and tasty margaritas. I would say the menu is pretty local and delicious though I wouldn't say the very best in Chicago for authentic Mexican food. Our last experience was not good - our group of 10 came by after a concert nearby for taco Tuesday. and our order was missing three tacos and an order of beans and rice. They came to our table at least five times to confirm we were indeed missing food... For some reason the waiter didn't believe us until he printed out the itemized receipt and looked over our table multiple times which was honestly rude. In the end we received our food... but at what cost? All 20 tacos were on two platters with no labels. It's fine to mess up an order but they didn't try to accommodate us at all as we waited over 20 minutes for the rest of our orders to come to the table. At the end before we left we received an apology but that was not enough. Three stars because the food was good.

This is a fun and up beat spot but is turning a little divy/club in evenings. Tacos are pretty good and margaritas are great. But our tables taco only order did take over an hour which seemed a little egregious especially on a Tuesday what wasn't super crowded. Outside eating was nice but inside was club level music the whole time which is great if it's your vibe but important to know.

super cute place! the fish taco was TO DIE FOR and i don't even like fish. it had great vibes and i definitely want to go back

Good my music, great drinks. I spots by just to try the drinks and turns out it's actually turns into a little club vibe on Friday nights.

Decided to give this place another try after all the roach rumors. Our drinks came out and we were sipping them, that's when we found a roach in our drink.! At that moment our food was coming out. The waitress pretty much saw the roach and walked away with our food. Management and a busboy came immediately to clean it and apologize. They offered to replace our stuff which obviously we didn't want. They said not to worry about the tab, which of course we were not going to pay for either way.!

Went here for an early birthday dinner with some friends. There was plenty of outdoor seating, the waitress was nice enough to scoot an umbrella over to our table to keep us in the shade. We ordered a pitcher of the frozen mango margaritas. They were ok. Sugar lined rims are personally not my thing. We also order a bunch of tacos which were good! I love the variety that they have to offer and they were pretty cheap. I thought it was funny that they check your id at the front. Just and FYI :)

Margaritas are delicious, but a little pricey compared to other places in the area. Love all the flavor options! Cute patio in the summer.

This place is THE worst. Overpriced everything. The tacos are just mediocre, the chips and salsa are typical. The worst part about it is their overpriced drinks. They're all ice and all juice. A pitcher of margarita only has 2 shots. When I asked the bartender about it, she indicated they could only pour 2 ounces of alcohol per pitcher. Therefore for the $28 price point, this is a complete waste. The only good thing I will say is the bartender was very friendly and attentive.

Great vibes. Great food. Great drinks!!!!! The food was authentic. The guacamole was my favorite! Had a few margarita flavors - all of them were good. And don't sleep on the frozen margs either, they are still super strong!

The food is good, but the service is awful, The last two times that I was there they gave me different dishes that they said I was ordered I don't recommend this place at all.

Paid $15 for a very average Margarita. Tacos were nothing special- and for some reason we were told they could not melt the cheese on tacos. Nothing like putting cold shredded cheese on hot food. Never again!

Came here for brunch to find out their brunch menu was not available. :( Love the food here so ordered from the regular food/drink menu. Too bad our waitress forgot to put my food in to be made. Everyone else was half way through their meal when our waitress realized I had no plate in front of me. She came over and apologized. Michi was good. Queso fundido good. Steak fries good. Tacos... won't know until I get home. *sigh*. My sister in law's steak was raw when she asked for it well done. Had to send it back. I would still come back because I love the atmosphere, maybe not for brunch if the service is like this. But can't beat the flavor of the food.

A cool, modern spot in the Hispanic Pilsen area n I created a learning lesson as La Vaca means cow no wonder b/c I was like 2 thee self.. wat does the cow have 2 do w/ Margarita? so coming in, it felt like we were in a different country type of feel like we're on vacay b/c it was really warm inside n the pitcher of Margarita we ordered wasn't 2 sweet nor sour like the nasty 1s made in Seattle but wasn't as good as the 1s in Mexico either but it tasted better than most n was made fast A whole wide dancefloor so that means ur legs get 2 dance all nite if u decide 2 stay or come here @ nite The food: I love the Asada Taco more than the Pork Belly b/c there was a stick of cheese 2 help it out texture wise; but, outside of that, both needed more seasoning help service was good, as bartender was nice this is definitely the spot if looking 2 have a little of everything n chill type of place

Tacos with homemade tortillas... a win!! Cocktails, not a fan of the pitcher. The ice really waters it down and has a lot of juice.

Love the service and the vibe! The food was 2/10 and my sister makes better tacos at home with only salt. The drinks were good and at the market price for drinks in Chicago

I'm really not sure what all the negative comments about this place are, but I will say that every time I've eaten here, I've really enjoyed the food, service, and ambience of this location. Every time I've dined here, it has been packed and full of good looking people. Service-The girls attending the tables have always been good, and have had a positive attitude. They've engaged in conversation and given good recommendations. Decor-I will say the interior decour is pretty bland and plain. Outdoor patio area is really cool, it allows you to people watch as they walk by and take in the sun. Food-Food here is very good, not my favorite Mexican food in Chicago but very good. I really like the fact that they give you several salsas to eat with your chips. They usually have pretty specials. Quezo fundido is a very good and I highly recommend it. I'll be back here for sure next time I'm in the Windy City.

Came on a Friday night with my best friend and waited 50 minutes for a table. We ordered a pitcher and food while we waited and the bartender was oblivious. He could not tend to the bar , it was too much for him to handle. Waited 15 minutes to finally het his attention . Starting with the food- avoid the corn, it's bland and tasteless. The empanadas under the menu states "spinach and chicken"- they said it's either/ OR , so correct the menu! Lastly, the margaritas are sweet and watered down, avoid wasting your money and go elsewhere!