Velvet Taco

Chic upscale “hipster” tacos. Many delicious options, be adventurous! The elotes is also delicious. Communal dining and there’s also seating upstairs if you need more room, they usually open the windows in nicer weather to overlook Mariano Park. Have been here many times, highly recommended!

BEST TACOS OF MY LIFE!!!!! Spicy Tikka and Korean Fried Rice are the ones I got and these are really something special. So much flavor and look at how filled they are. Places was crowded but the wait time wasn’t long at all. You can eat there or take it to go which was my plan but after the first bite they never made it out the door lol. Run don’t walk!

This is a pretty nice and cosy eatery close to the infamous Viagra triangle! The staff was quite courteous and friendly. They realised I was there for the first time so guided me well to place my order. The Red Velvet cake was quite big so the lady next to the cashier suggested I eat half and take home the rest, which was a pretty good idea. She even offered me a bag to keep it. I wanted to eat vegetarian food, so they had a nice selection of veg Tacos. I had the fried paneer taco and it was delicious. The Red velvet cake was my favourite. Really creamy and flavourful. I liked it so much I came here again the next day just to pick up a red velvet cake 🤭 Price is not on the lower side, but it's not expensive either. Would have liked if there were some nice deals for 2-3 tacos bought together.

Three phenomenal tacos!!! Chimichurri steak, Tikka Chicken, but by far my favorite was the Chicken & Waffle. The flavors on all of them were delicious, sufficient meat on all of them, and I walked away full and satisfied. Quick ordering and counter service. The downstairs was full, but we got a table; there's an upstairs that we didn't see, but it seemed like a busy spot

The tacos are amazing and this place does a fantastic job of fusing different cuisines into quick bites. I would highly recommend the paneer taco, it’s creamy crispy and savory. The chicken tikka is also delicious. So many different options, I wish I could come back and try the rest!

Foods really good! Place is usually packed though and very loud. I like everything about this place though. Sometimes dirty but it is what it is, place is really good and has awesome menu choices and a really good location.

Nice dine in or take out taco shop. Serves margaritas and sangria as well. Tried the salmon, fish n chips and shrimp. All very tasty and delicious.

Second time I've been here and is identical to the 1st experience 4 years ago. Absolutely the best taco place in the world! I visit from several states away and fir me, it's a MUST STOP. Had the brisket, and my wife the pork quest birria duo. Stunning.

Amazing concoctions Maybe not "Authentic" Mexican Tacos, but they are delicious Many chicago locations and this one is busy but worth the wait at busy times Be patient and enjoy the velvety flavors as they slide down your beautiful throat and settle into your stomach. More like heaven than just a meal. #loveyourtaco

Delicious fusion tacos! No frills, fast service, and reasonably priced. The only regret was not saving enough room to eat more. Next time I'm also adding the egg on top of my tots!

Wow! It's yumm yumm Velvet Tacos in Chicago is a must-visit for taco lovers. The tacos are soft and packed with flavor, making every bite satisfying. The Cheese Taco stands out with its creamy, rich taste that melts in your mouth. The Fish Taco is light and fresh, with a delightful crunch that pairs perfectly with their house-made sauces. The Chicken Taco is another winner, offering tender, juicy meat seasoned to perfection. The sauces at Velvet Tacos are exceptional, adding just the right amount of kick to each taco. Overall, Velvet Tacos delivers a super satisfying taco experience with a variety of delicious options that are sure to please any palate. I loved and enjoyed. I recommend whosoever goes down town Chicago must taste it

Great tacos with a city vibe. Stopped in first thing when we arrived to the Chi and was just what we expected. Many choices on the menu that were reasonable on the wallet. If you love tacos, you'll love this spot. Highly recommend!!

Excellent Concept! I love the variety of different tacos. I ordered the Spicy Tikka Chicken which came with crisp tenders, spicy tikka sauce, buttered cilantro basmati rice, raita crema, Thai basil, on a flour tortilla. The grilled steak, portobello mushrooms, queso blanco, crispy red onion, Mexican oregano on a corn tortilla. The Queso Blanco that comes with a Chimichurri, Velvet Taco heat sauce and cilantro! Drinks are overly sweet yet strong. Tasty and nicely priced guacamole (considering how everyone overcharges). The Red Velvet cake is popppingggg! So moist and delicious. The cream cheese frosting is the perfect complement. The cake slice comes with a caramel sauce that it delicious. I do think that the tacos overall are wayyyyy too salty for me. I don't know if it's just this location over salting the food or what!! Please slow down on the salt!!!

These were so good if you're craving a lot of flavor but not a lot of food. Honestly I think that the prices are fair just because of how unique these are. We got 4 and it was a perfect amount for sharing and quick bite for 26~

I've been to this place 4 or 5 times now.On my trip to chicago. There are menu items That are my staple must go order. The Tikka Chicken, not too spicy just the right amount of warm heat and the Kobe Beef tacos . The Combos are a good value!

Hit or miss! (Mostly a hit)!!!! This is a great place to eat at, on a weekend night out since it's open until 4 AM on Friday, Saturday and until 12 AM on rest of the days. I've been here many times pre covid especially on weekends where people used to queue up (beware of the long queue on the weekends) to order. It is mostly self service. After you place the order, you get the buzzer and when your food is ready, it buzzes so you can go pick up your order at the counter. The ambiance is very basic, causal and minimalistic. It also has a seating upstairs. This time, I ordered Picnic Chicken Taco ($7.50) and Rotisserie Chicken Taco ($6.85) through door dash app. The tacos are a bit highly priced but the filling justifies the price. Each taco is quite unique in taste. Their sauces enhance the overall taste. The tacos are different with very well thought out ingredients and will definitely amaze you! It's only a miss, when the tacos are served soggy; since it's fully sauced up, the faster you get served and you eat; better it is. I recommend this place!

Cool spot, friendly staff and quick service. Taco varieties are interesting. Got the spicy chicken tikka and a chicken pho taco. Medium portioned, 2 tacos are filling. Lots of flavor and thought go into the tacos to make them authentic. Pho tacos had pulled chicken, a side of broth and all the fixings you'd see in pho. Chicken tikka had basmati rice and pretty good sauce! I didn't like the tortilla though, it was kinda bland and boring. Maybe if they let it sit on a grill for a bit, it would be warm and catch some flavor like at a real taqueria. Tacos average about $5.50-6.50 each so they are pricey. Overall cool vibe, might check it out again.

I was excited to try velvet taco's chicken tikka taco, but it fell short of my expectations. I found the raita sour, and was disappointed to find that the basmati rice was just plain cooked rice with no additional flavor added. We went for a pre dinner snack, and there was plenty of seating and very quick service. I haven't tried the other tacos, but I really wouldn't recommend the chicken tikka, it was also quite messy to eat because of the curry

We used to come here a long time ago for tacos and we're hoping for the same experience this time around. Surprisingly there's less vegetarian options than you would think. And I wish they would allow for modifications. The food, however, tastes really good, and it's great for a quick bite.

Favorite late night spot ever. Sooooo many taco options & they are all so good!!!!! My new favorite is the chicken and waffles. It sounds weird, but don't knock it till you try it - 10/10. They do sometimes get the orders wrong, so make sure you double check your bag before you leave. Last time I ended up with a shrimp taco instead of the cauliflower one, which would have bad if I was an actual vegetarian. Still love this place though !!!!!

We were shopping and wanted to stop for a quick bite, and decided to go to Velvet Taco. I ordered the birria consome duo, which was surprisingly filling enough and quite cheap ($5). I was slightly disappointed since I thought it would actually come with consome on the side, but it was just drizzled on the taco. It was still relatively good, with perhaps too much cheese. My partner got a fish taco, the korean fried rice taco, and a grilled beef taco. The fish taco was good, perfectly crispy, and had a yummy curry sauce on top. The korean fried rice one was good, but tasted vaguely more asian more than korean. The beef taco had tender beef, though there was a white sauce that was a bit odd and didn't seem to fit well with the taco.

Velvet Taco serves up some seriously delicious tacos that are especially good late at night. It's incredible how late they open which I love. I love the variety of flavor options offered at Velvet Taco and you can't get tired of eating at Velvet Taco. The price is on the higher end per taco but they definitely fill you up. Inside, they are quick to serve and it doesn't feel too overly crowded. For a straightforward late night eat, I'd definitely come back to check out all the different flavors they have to offer!

Nice, simple fusion taco place. If you want something traditional, this probably isn't the place. But they have good tikka and tofu tacos and similar extravaganza options without much fuss. They also have a small beer selection. Service was great and the space is clean and inviting.

Velvet taco is always a win. I get it almost every time I visit chicago. We tried this location for the first time and I also tried the buffalo chicken taco which I loved! I usually always get the chicken tikka which has been my go to but the buffalo chicken had more flavor! It's my new go to.

This is good tacos! Depends on what you ordered. I liked the brisket the most, didn't like the fish but the Cuban was pretty good as well.

It's a hit or miss with this place some days the food can be really good and some days the food can be cold and just not fresh

I've finally visited velvet taco and I am absolutely hooked. This location is small but has plenty of seating and the service is great and speedy. As a person that is not very adventurous with food I did try the chicken and waffle taco and I'm convinced this taco alone should be, the face of the establishment! Everything was very good for a fast food taco experience

There are authentic taco spots and then there are unique ones that take flavors and combinations to the next level. This is apart of the later category and done well to boot. Don't recall all of the flavors that I had but they all were done well and thought out nicely. Flavors change so this is def a place to visit multiple times. Also, bring friends. That way you can try more tacos and share :) prices for tacos are creeping higher but again, these are unique and these tacos are also filled to the brim. Def not skimpy here. Service was pretty quick. Interior isn't much to look at but at least you can get a counter seat and look out the window onto the street. Overall, I'd come back and try different flavors. This place def mixes it up in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

This isn't where I go for authentic tacos. This is where I go for FUN tacos. I really like the chicken and waffles taco. It's so unique and the flavors of the base waffle, savory chicken, acidic slaw, and a little maple syrup play so well together. My friends like the variety, especially that they offer queso (a surprisingly difficult thing to find in the city). These are bigger tacos, so two is probably a good number for lunch unless you're super hungry.

This by far one of the best taco places I have ever been to when traveling. There are so many options to choose from and the serving size is generous while you're able to get a nice adult beverage to enjoy your tacos with. The birria tacos are to die for and you get two per serving!

Amazing selection of tacos. Everything we tried was flavorful. Special mention to their paneer taco and special chicken taco.

Velvet Taco is good. It's not a destination, but it's good. Especially for a fast'ish food place. The menu is pretty large too. Could satisfy anybody. Some vegetarian options that I want to order from. I ordered the grilled salmon tacos and a frozen margarita and loved them. The margarita was pretty "kick ass" like they describe it on the menu. The tacos were very generous. Heavy on the salmon. They don't skimp at all. My friend ordered the brisket nachos and I loved those too. She says she doesn't drink, but kept swiping my margarita. She really loved it despite her declaration for not liking alcohol. He ordered chicken and waffle tacos and just endlessly waxed poetic about them, but they were both higher than a kite, so take that into some consideration. Lol

Food was ok. It was not worth the wait or the price. Just needed something to eat in the area.

Trendy Mexican spot with creative twists on a taco! Stopped in for a quick bite. It was crowded and the wait was long which made us want to try it more. Tacos are decently priced and there are many options in veggie, pork, beef, fish and there were two specials too. Plenty of sides to choose from also. If I'm in the area again, I would definitely checks them out. Instagram: @datenightcraves

These are not your typical tacos. They were more like burritos with creative toppings. I thought the prices were expensive but once I got them I realized they were a lot larger and more filled. The #12 brisket taco was my favorite with the cheese encrusted tortilla. So good!

I love this place. I love this place. I never get tired of eating it. They got so many options. You would never want to go anywhere else. Honestly, I'll probably eat this every day they earn a tip ! Polite in order is always right !!! when I say always I mean always

There was a little bit of a line but worth the wait. I can understand the popularity with the menu options I had a hard time choosing. I ended up going with the spicy tikka chicken and the Mexi-cali shrimp. Both were very flavorful and delicious.

I had a great time here with my friends it wasn't expensive the food was good the service was great I will definitely come back here soon! if you haven't tried them yet definitely check them out sometime!

I don't think I've ever tasted a greater taco!! Came in randomly one night, and was shocked how good these tacos were. I ordered the Chicken N Waffles and the Pork & Shrimp Egg Roll. The Pork & Shrimp were my favorite! Each taco was made to perfection and the variety of tacos they offered was phenomenal! I love their unique menu, the vibe, and customer service! I'm from Milwaukee and I will definitely come again to try more on their menu! Thanks for being so unique and offering such flavorful food! P.S. Love that you offer margartitas too! Pairing that with my tacos was chefs kiss!

I was just wondering around downtown Chicago when I turned around the corner and saw Velvet Taco!!!! I was so excited, I had been to a Houston location and didn't realize they were a chain. I ordered the chicken tiki tacos and had attempted to order a margarita but I left my ID at the hotel and that's no one's fault but my own. Tacos were DELICIOUS!!!!!

I've been seeing these all over the country, and I was finally able to come and visit. Thank god they are open super late at night in talking 4 am! The tacos were GOOD, and the cheese dip had a little kick I didn't expect. I'm glad that I got to try it. I'm going back again.

The chips & guac are on point. The beer-battered cauliflower taco was confusing. It was mostly queso? I wasn't even sure what it was supposed to be for the first 5 bites, then found the cauliflower at the end. The fried paneer was pretty good. The food was ready very fast and the people there are friendly.

The food was prepared fast. The tacos were made fresh and tasted great. The nachos were good. However, the meat was cold, and it would be better a little warm. The margarota was great. Staff friendly and music helped uplift the vibe on a cold, rainy day.

You looking for tacos, look no further ! Velvet tacos has you covered. Delicious variety of tacos served here. Love the menu options and glad that it's open late. My fave place for late night taco cravings. I tried the Buffalo Chicken Taco, Spicy Tikka Chicken Taco Nashville Hot Tofu Taco, Grilled Flank Steak Taco and Mexi -Cali Shrimp Taco. The tacos were delicious, my favorites were the Buffalo chicken, spicy tikka and mexi cali shrimp. Can't wait to go back to try other tacos on the menu . I also got the Elote & Chips and that was super tasty, I could keep munching on those chips. No frill establishment serving delicious tacos at a reasonable price, check them out.

This place was amazing amazing taco shop in Chicago and has been highly recommended by many people. It has fantastic vegetarian options which is very unique! The tacos were pretty well flavored but the additional sauce given is definitely needed to add some spice. A star was lost just because the tacos were slightly bland and I did not like the queso at all (no options for salsa). Overall, this was a great place to visit late night and I would try it again!

I stopped here in between sight-seeing / museum hopping because I needed a quick bite. I thought the tacos were good, and the service was quick. Indoors, there are minimal places to sit - but this location is designed to be a stop & go. I ordered the Rotisserie Chicken, and Fried Rice taco. I didn't realized until after leaving that one of my tacos were wrong. While it was good, this isn't a spot I'll be anticipating coming back to...there are just way too many options in the area.

Okay, after going to a location in Texas, I can say that the quality control is there for Velvet Taco. On my first trip to Chicago, I started craving tacos. To my surprise there was a Velvet Taco a few blocks from the hotel. I told my friend we have to go and that the elote and cheese were to die for. I ordered a few tacos while they ordered a few of the vegetarian options. Honestly the tacos were okay, I think overestimated how much I would eat because the elote and cheese made me so full. The rotisserie chicken is always a safe option. The spicy chicken tikka was spicy - coming from someone who likes spicy foods, I was surprised by the heat. Fish + chips taco, was...okay. Not my favorite but worth a try. I was really happy to see that the locations in different states is consistent and that quality is not compromised. I crave that elote and cheese and chips combination everyday. Maybe one day we'll have a location in California close enough to me.

!!! Meat Misers !!! First of all rice... RICE... in a taco is a clown move to start. Charging 10 bucks for a taco is a double clown move. Then give the guest a cold taco with 1 ounce or so of meat!!! That is just taking advantage of your customer. Don't bring your Abuela or she will give you a piñata like beat-down. AVOID AVOID AVOID

Still reasonable prices in the heart of bougie land Chicago that's with inflation taken into account. As before go to the second floor facing the plaza and people watch. I had the Mexicali shrimp and the chicken tika, both are excellent but the chicken tika has a spicy kick. The elotes here is my new favorite - it's lighter in flavor which is better and the blue chips adds a touch of sweetness that pairs perfectly. This place changes menus so I have to come back every so often. I do miss the green chili pork though!

How it works: order online or walk up to the counter to order; name will be called when order is ready (It tools a little bit to find the menu but it's posted on the wall by the ramp AND online) Margs - sweet and still strong; the alcohol kinda hits you at the end unexpectedly; also the drinks were ready right when ordering so that was nice! Tacos - 60% amazing and 30% creative to the point of not always being appetizing Picnic Chicken Taco - amazing, complex flavor Rotisserie Chicken Taco - good Cuban Pork Taco - creative idea but execution is not cohesive, would've preferred a corn tortilla over a flour tortilla Buffalo Chicken Taco - companion said "reminds me of dominos Buffalo chicken wings with ranch" Green Pork Chile Taco - companion said "good, it was a taco, could've used more sauce" Grilled Flank Steak Taco - companion said "also good, could've used more sauce, messy" We also got the red velvet cake slices to-go. We ate them the next day; they were fresh and soft. Price is reasonable.

yes! must visit! best food of the weekend! great service and outstanding fresh and delicious food!

I believe Velvet Taco Gold Coast is a great place for 2AM dinner. I've taken friends here and most recently stopped by around 3AM after a late night workout and was quite surprised by how wonderful the taco takeout experience was. The three tacos I received were all generously filled with fresh hot ingredients and a combination of textures (crispy chicken tenders, crunchy vegetables, plump mushrooms). My usual go-to tacos are the chicken tikka and the burger. Most of the fish options are deliciously designed too. And the brisket nachos since they changed the portion size from "good size" to "gigantic" are an excellent way to experience fantastic texture and tastes at a great value. However what really surprises me is that 80% of the time I've been here, whoever is the cashier provides the most friendly customer service with a gracious attitude and they seem so happy to accommodate any special requests. Whereas this individual could easily have an arrogant attitude for working at a hipster taco joint, or they could be grumpy because I just arrived near the end of their shift, or they could simply be apathetic because that's how lots of people act at their jobs these days, the Velvet Taco Gold Coast management has either an incredible training program or is the luckiest at hiring super courteous and happy people who take customer orders. Also on this particular Friday night (Saturday morning), I actually felt they elevated the atmosphere with the two "security" staff. I paid the same amount I always do, but received the extra value and safety of gentlemen to maintain a respectful environment in which to receive yummy late night tacos. If I could improve on the Velvet Taco experience, I would ask that either tacos on corn tortillas come with 2 tortillas, or else the corn tortilla itself is thicker because they tend to be a little delicate and tear on me especially because they are usually stuffed with so many tasty ingredients.

I've been here multiple times and always have a good visit. There are plenty of vegetarian taco options on the menu: paneer, nashville hot tofu, beer battered cauliflower, and falafel. Personally my favorites are the paneer and nashville hot tofu! The falafel taco now comes in a lettuce wrap, but you can always ask to swap for a tortilla instead. The queso and tater tots (can be made vegetarian w/ no bacon) and both are delicious shareable apps as well! If you go during peak hours (lunch/dinner rush, late night) be prepared to wait in a line. Usually it moves pretty quickly but always takes about 15-20 min for the order to be ready. I often use the app or website to order ahead and avoid the lines. Their is a good amount of seating (all of it is first come first serve). The downstairs area is usually always full but upstairs it's more open and always has spots. As a bonus, the staff is ALWAYS super friendly and patient! I've brought tons of out of town family and friends here and all of them always loved the food! Highly recommend!

Amazing food. Great variety. Queso is to did for, and loved the spicy tikka masala taco!

Popped in for a casual weekday lunch and really enjoyed my experience! Being from SoCal I'm more used to the traditional street style tacos, but I appreciated the innovative menu here. Ordered the #8 Korean fried rice taco and the #11 grilled flank steak. Super filling- flavor wise I really enjoyed the flank steak/portobello/queso blanco combo (reminded me of the shroom burger at Shake Shack!) but was just okay with the Korean fried rice taco - a bit messy to eat. Loved the open seating area on the second floor! Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 (so fast! got my tacos within 2-3 minutes of ordering) Ambience: 5/5 Price: 4/5

Came to pick up tacos for a late lunch due to proximity to the hotel I was staying at and the good reviews. What an awesome taco joint! Ordered one each of beef, chicken, and pork variety taco. Really impressed with the tender cooked meats and creative mashing of sauces and garnishes. If I had another meal slot I would have gone back. Order ahead as the restaurant is always busy, especially late night! One downside is the lack of friendliness of the staff. This was 3PM in the afternoon, and no one smiled, in fact, barely wanted to look up and address that I needed to pick up an order.

Excellent!!!!! Not your typical taco shop, but definitely worth checking out. Casual ambiance, friendly service and really good food. We ordered 3 tacos to share. 1 Buffalo chicken, 1 Spicy Tikka chicken, and Cuban pig. All of which were delicious . If I lived in Chicago, I'd make this place a regular spot. Only here for a few days but will try to return before heading back home