Mezcalina

This place has really good food. I wonder why it is so empty on Saturday afternoon. I had guacamole with pineapple on it, and 3 different kinds of tacos. Guacamole was amazing, with colorful chips that were just cooked. I had 3 tacos each with shrimp, fish, and sausage & potatoes. Shrimp and fish tacos were very nice, but the one with sausage too salty. My husband had a one with stake and cilantro, which he liked a lot. Definitely coming back! The price is reasonable, atmosphere is awesome, and people here are friendly. I really enjoyed exotic interior of the restaurant, too. So happy to find a new spot with awesome food and not crowded at all!!!

We we there with a group of 10 last night and OH! What incredibly good food and excellent service! This place is a little gem. I ordered the chicken with the almond mole which was the very best dish I have ever tasted. The ambience was lovely and everyone at our table had an awesome time. To be sure, I will be going back.

For what you get it is pricey. They need to hire another or waiter or two. Everytime I have been here seems like it takes too long for everything — always waiting too long for the check, for our drinks, etc Food is a solid 3/​5, but can’t stand the sitting around and how loud the place gets.

My favorite place for Mexican food and drinks in the city. Very friendly staff and very cool art make the whole experience great.

Update. So we came back to this restaurant again while staying in the city. This time, I was not as impressed. While the food was still very tasty, the service was pretty awful. It took forever for the server to visit our table, refill water, bring food and drinks etc. Also when we gave them leftovers to box up, they never brought them back to us. After like 30 minutes we felt that if they didn’t bring it back by now, they likely threw it away. Disappointing to pay for a meal, plan to bring half home and they don’t bring it back to you. Lame. I should have taken half the price of that meal they threw away out of their tip.

Everything is really good here! this is my favorite neighborhood spot and has become my favorite (and the minghin) for the last 2 years. im so glad you guys moved into the neighborhood!

The tacos here are so good!!! Must try the cecina, Rib eye, and carnitas. You won’t be disappointed.
Their guacamole and salsa is super flavorful too! I can’t speak for the entrees as we have never tried any of them. They seem a bit overpriced to me. I pretty much go here for the tacos.
Oh and, their cocktails are delicious, well poured and not pricey.
They take reservations but they do not validate parking. The nearest lot is the one attached to Mariano’s or there is metered parking somewhat close by.

Terrible service. So so food. There is nice artwork and atmosphere but I think there are better Mexican places. Tacos are a reasonable price but overall felt like the food was lacking in flavor.

So happy to have been introduced to this hidden gem, tucked away behind Millennium Park!, Mezcalina is a tiny, artsy, classy establishment with beautiful décor that is very colorful and upbeat, with Mexican influences.
A couple friends and I came just for drinks, so my 5 star review is based solely on their excellent service, their unique décor, and their amazing cocktails. I tried three different cocktails, and all three of them were well crafted and even a little on the strong side (always a plus!).
I had the Margarita Mezcalina, their Piñata, and lastly, and by far my favorite; Fuego Manzana. I did also taste my girlfriends drink, Chamoyada, and that was also very good. You won’t be dissapointed with either of those. The bartender was very knowledgeable and talented.
They have a full stocked bar, with over 140 tequilas and over 70 mezcales
I should probably add that the bartender overheard our conversation about their artwork, which certain pieces contain dragonflies and grasshoppers in them, and how in certain parts of Mexico, they eat grasshoppers. Well, surely enough, he offered us some. He said they weren’t on the menu, but they did have a large barrel of them in the back, cooked. We weren’t sure to believe him, much less, TRY them! They ended up not being quite bad, actually. Surprisingly enough. We tried them with with chips and guac, and they weren’t bad! Feeling adventurous? Ask for a plate! They didn’t charge us for ‘em either.
All in all, great time. I’ll be back for the drinks, and will update my review about their food.
**They also have a little coffee bar which is great for after dinner or in the mornings.**

At last! My search for a great, authentic Mexican restaurant in downtown Chicago is complete. Mezcalina is the real deal.
It’s located off the bucolic but hard to find Lake Shore East Park (go down a four story spiral staircase at the end of N Park Dr south of Wacker). The space (and even the dishes) are shared by the Black Coffee Company. Beautiful large murals grace the walls, and a decorative bar runs along one side.
Of course there is a full bar with a wide range of tequilas and mescals, but I tried a bottled sangria soda, a non-​alcoholic concoction that tasted a lot like sangria.
Complementary tortilla strips are served with two excellent salsas, a red and a green.
I started with the ceviche tasting, which featured shrimp, octopus, and the day’s special, corvina. All were good, but the octopus was outstanding, tender and bursting with fresh flavors, the best octopus ceviche I’ve had.
Nearly all of the menu is authentic Mexican (with the exception of nachos) so of course I tried the tacos. A bargain at only $ 3 each, they are served on traditional corn tortillas (single ply, though, not double as in Mexico). Each was served with handfuls of fresh cilantro, a wedge of lime, and raw or pickled onions, according to type.
The carne aside was a bit chewy, but the pollo mole was wonderful – tender, moist and suffused with the rich, dark, slightly bitter sauce. But the pork pibil was the most remarkable, with layers of complex flavors from the marinade, and huge hunks of tender shredded pork. Definitely the best pibil I’ve had anywhere.
I sat at the bar, and the bartender was friendly and helpful.
This is definitely a place I’ll be returning to often. Yay! Real Mexican food in Chicago!

Food was good, great flavors. The location is bit of a challenge to get to but I would come back

This place was very difficult for us to find (granted we are not directionally exceptional), but a neighborly individual on the street directed us along with her compliments of the place :)
Once we did find it, so worth it. Waiter was courteous and knowledgeable. Place was beautiful in it’s artwork, décor, and lighting.
Ordered the fried fish on his suggestion, not something I would frequently order, but by far the BEST dish of this kind I have ever had, and I frequent Mexican restaurants more than any other place. Definitely more upscale as well– chips & salsa still came free of charge :)
Would highly recommend.

$ 3 asada tacos were spot on and generous on the asada! Guacamole was fresh and delicious — although could have used a bit more lime. Cheapest meal I’ve had since I moved to Chicago, and worth more than the price. The décor could use a little work, though. Like the painting with the headless guy??? I don’t get it. But try the food anyway!

We stayed for the food, but will never return because of the service.
Mezcalina delivered on its guacamole and hip ambiance, but after 40 minutes of empty water glasses and missing tacos, I began to wonder if we would find our server on the back of a milk carton. I tried strong eye contact, inquiring looks, even raising my hand when an employee was near, all to no avail. I felt like Frodo wearing the ring, but the growls of Sauron were our stomachs and we were being hunted by the wraiths of dehydration.
Eventually, we chased someone down who could update us on our taco status and learned our order had been misplaced. They rushed out replacements without an apology nor a drink refill.
The tacos that arrived were decent, but not what we ordered.
Paying our check was similarly painful, as we were in the forgotten zone. Again, we passively waited like chumps and tried the same gentle waiter calls that failed before. After 20 min of empty plates, dry cups, and tongues that would make a cat’s tongue seem soft, we left the table to find someone to take our money so we could finally escape Mezcalina.
Overall, I’d give the experience a C-.

I stopped by this Loop Upscale Mexican place with a co-​worker after a long week. The food was very good and the classic margarita was spot on excellent. We ordered and split the following items: ESPINACAS Y QUESO 9 and the following three soft taco’s: MILANESE, CARNITAS and TINGA. The pork was by far the best. Very tasty. Prices are on scale for that area. Would definitely stop by again for an after work drink or snack with friends.
Worth mentioning: location is great for East Loop people. Friendly staff. Outdoor seating. Fabulous people watching.

I don’t know about others’ poor experiences but mine couldn’t have been better. This review is a bit late; my visit was on May 9^th and came after my better half and I arrived in Chicago after driving all day from New York. Miguel was our server and he was absolutely fantastic. We each got a mole dish — he got the almond one and I got the pistachio. The flavor was excellent! Perfectly nutty, sweet, and smoky. The chicken was fresh and juicy. Our guacamole was delicious as well, with pieces of pineapple and mango which really turned the flavor up.
Miguel made us a specialty drink on the house with agave nectar, muddled blueberries, tequila, and I think triple sec? What ever the chemistry, it was the perfect end to our meal.
Definitely give this place a shot!

This place is awesome. None of their things come from a can. All is fresh! My husband and I have been eating here for 2 years, never had a bad meal. Outstanding service, and they really care about their food even to the last single detail. Great for cocktails too. We just had brunch there today and it was all delicious. For us, it’s the best place to have brunch in Lakeshore East.

Lovely artwork and ambiance. Drinks were good! Tacos were great! Ordered a variety of food like the Botana Oaxaquena which gives you a taste of things like Steak tasajo asado, chicken flautas, imported oaxaca cheese, guacamole, avocado-​leaf seasoned refried black beans, chileajo.
One star off because the person with me enjoyed the drinks but the food was lacking something that she couldn’t put her finger on. This was her second time visiting as she had tried it during the opening. Would love to go back and try more.

On the two occassions that I have ventured here I was nearly carted out on a stretcher for being unable to stop eating the delicious food. I’m a Midwestern girl who loves to eat and I know authentic from wanna be Mexican. Folks, this is authentic with a side of fancy! I have sampled the ceviche platter (tuna, shrimp, octopus), the guacamole and chips, steak fajitas, Carne asada tacos, pulled pork tacos, tortilla soup, an array of delicious (and very pretty drinks) as well as enjoyed their bar for a round of shots (or 6…) I must say, the food is like an explosion of deliciousness on each of your taste buds! I can’t get enough!
The staff is attentive and very friendly. The place is very upbeat with their Spanish music, they play classical salsa/​bachata and new age to include reggaeton. The bar hs a wonderful selection of tequilas (this is a Mexican place, afterall) and the décor is beautiful! If there is a game you want to watch, there are plenty of seats that face the multiple TV’S and the staff will accommodate your request. The location is hard to find if you don’t know the area and there is no parking nearby. I recommend entering from the Radisson Blu Hotel.
The prices are quite affordable and the food comes out in a reasonable time frame. They take cash/​credit and have a coffee bar near the entry way. Even if you sit near the windows you won’t feel the cold as they have a set of two doors prior to entry into the restaurant. Genius idea if you ask me!
People, quit reading this review and come to enjoy the fanciest and most delectable Mexican food this area of downtown has to offer!

Super trendy Mexican restaurant that is located just north of Millenium Park, we came by for lunch since my sister lives in the area and it was close by. I had my daughter with me and asked if we needed a high chair (I said yes) and they showed us to the table. A few minutes go by and we see the host/​manager walk by a couple of times without the high chair, so we went over and grabbed one ourselves… no biggie, but not exactly shining with CS so far.
During our meal, a guy and his buddy tried to sit down at the bar area for lunch. one guy sits down and the wooden bar chair completely collapses… I mean he was a bigger guy and all, but not obscenely over weight… the manager was at our table clearing our dishes and I was just appalled that he didn’t immediately go over there to see if he was ok. Instead he chuckled a little bit and proceeds to tell us that it’d be better if he just ignores it… ummm, no dude, you should go over there and see if he’s ok… the guy seemed ok, but no one from their staff went over there to see if he was ok. wow, just wow… these guys noticed it and ended up just leaving. I don’t blame them for that, and this restaurant should feel lucky if they don’t get sued.
as for the food, it was ok. The guacamole was pretty good, we ordered a bunch of tacos and they were ok. Nothing too special. I ordered the pork shoulder one and the pork was really dry, but the chorizo and rib eye taco were pretty decent. it was $ 3 per taco, so you’d figure it would taste amazing, but unfortunately, you’re just paying for location.
coupled with bad customer service and mediocre food, I’d say to stay away from this place.