Taqueria Chingon

"Every taco at this counter-service taqueria is impressive, and our “favorite” is whichever one we’re in the middle of eating. All of them are made with handmade corn tortillas and packed with fantastic fillings like zesty morcilla topped with brown butter salsa macha, juicy duck carnitas, and tender al pastor. There are no tables inside, but Taqueria Chingón’s busy covered sidewalk patio feels like a neighbor's backyard party. And for a fun alternative to some of the city’s stuffier tasting menus, check out their occasional “tacomakase,” a multi-course meal with special tacos and dishes like hamachi tostadas and truffle churros." - john ringor, adrian kane, nick allen

"A now-closed taqueria in Bucktown, with its sibling spot offering taco omakase in Pilsen." - Ashok Selvam

"Famous for its foie gras tacos and raclette quesadilla, a beloved spot for taco enthusiasts." - Ashok Selvam

"Taqueria Chingón, a small taco shop in Bucktown will shutter on Tuesday, November 26. Co-owner Oliver Poilevey says he chef Marcos Ascencio discussed three options — to continue with the status quo and try to make things work, to reconcept, or to sell the building. They opted for No. 3. “Life’s too short to deal with this, and we’re just not making enough money, and it seems like the odds are stacked against us for, at least, this current iteration,” Poilevey says. Owned by the family behind the iconic French restaurant Le Bouchon, Chingón opened in December 2020 as carryout-only at 2234 N. Western Avenue. Even during prime COVID, the restaurant rose in the ranks as one of the top spots for tacos in the city due to attention to detail and quality ingredients. The taqueria provided a launching pad for Poilevey and Ascencio to open two acclaimed restaurants, Obelix in River North and Mariscos San Pedro in Pilsen. Chingón provided Ascencio, a Chicago native, with a larger stage. The food was reminiscent of the backyard barbecues the chef would throw at home." - Ashok Selvam

"We often treat Taqueria Chingón’s online menu like a taco Zillow, a place to scroll and fantasize about theoretical future orders. All the tacos at this counter-service Logan Square spot are impressive. They’re all made with chewy handmade corn tortillas, with your choice of a variety of flavorful fillings—like the morcilla, tender al pastor, and duck carnitas where the duck is paired with a date puree, topped with pieces of orange, chicharrones, and habanero salsa." - adrian kane, john ringor