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Top picks in Belmont Cragin

Taco and salsa spots

A taco that relies on the depth of its salsa rather than masking the meat with excess toppings.

Based on 690 Opinions
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Updated April 2026
01
El México de Chicago image 1
El México de Chicago image 2
El México de Chicago image 3
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Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with warm, colorful décor and a small stage for music creates an authentic, family-friendly atmosphere. The vibe is cozy yet lively, suitable for casual meals or special gatherings. The place feels like a local eatery with a friendly, welcoming energy.

Shrimp and birria tacos stand out with authentic Mexican flavors. Options include tacos al pastor, tripe tacos, and chile relleno tacos, all prepared with care.

Three different salsas offer a variety of flavors that stand out. The salsa pairs well with arroz, frijoles, and tacos prepared in Jalisco and Mexico de Chicago styles.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and truly authentic."

"I tried three of their salsas and they were amazing."

"These tacos, especially the birria and tripe, were delicious."

Good to know

1

Karaoke is available on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

2

The restaurant allows customers to bring their own alcohol.

3

Expect a lively atmosphere with karaoke and DJ events.

02
TAQUERIA LOS MOLCAJETES image 1

Small rectangular restaurant with a bright, colorful facade and a patio for outdoor dining. Atmosphere feels family-oriented and casual, with cash-only payment and allowance for bringing your own beverages. Tacos, especially al pastor, stand out for their authentic flavor and quality.

Tacos al pastor stand out with juicy, tender meat and excellent flavor. Tripe and chicken tacos offer authentic Mexican taste, paired well with great salsa and fresh, fat-free steak.

Salsas come in a few varieties, with a spicy red one in a squeeze bottle standing out. The overall salsa is delicious and pairs well with tacos.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and full of flavor."

"I found the al pastor tacos to be the best I've ever eaten."

"I found the salsa to be delicious and pretty good."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is cash only, so bring cash for your meal.

2

Expect a wait of over an hour for tortas during peak hours.

3

The restaurant allows customers to bring their own beverages.

03
Taqueria La Paz image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican restaurant with bright, colorful decor and high ceilings creates a lively, informal atmosphere. Noise level is high, especially when crowded during peak hours. Handmade tortillas and authentic tacos stand out as distinctive food features.

Tacos come with handmade fresh tortillas that are larger than expected. Options include mushroom, veggie, Chile Relleno, and Al pastor with huge portions and tasty salsa.

Red salsa stands out with its spicy but flavorful kick. Green salsa offers a super yum taste that pairs well with tacos.

People are saying

"I found the authentic Mexican food here to be delicious."

"The handmade tortillas make these tacos amazing."

"The salsa roja was spicy and flavorful."

Good to know

1

The last seating is at 9:30 PM sharp.

2

The parking lot is across the street, making parking convenient.

3

They only accept cash payments.

04
Los Andanes image 1
Restaurant

Mexican art and hand-painted murals create a beautiful authentic setting with a cozy family-friendly atmosphere. Music adds to the cheerful vibe while fresh tortilla chips and BYOB policy enhance the experience. The space feels comfortable and clean, accommodating groups well.

Tacos here stand out for their birria with consome, tacos al pastor, and carne asada that are juicy and flavorful. Options include asada, pollo, lengua, and chorizo, served with chunky guacamole and fresh chips.

Free Mexican chips come with red and green salsas. The red salsa is spicy, while the green salsa is mild with a unique flavor showing Jalisco influence.

People are saying

"The carne asada fries here are an amazing appetizer."

"The chips and salsa here are delicious and fresh."

"The tacos al pastor here are flavorful and juicy."

Good to know

1

BYOB is allowed, making it a budget-friendly option for drinks.

2

The restaurant offers generous portion sizes, ideal for sharing.

3

There are plenty of vegetarian options available on the menu.

05
El Azteca Mexican Restaurant image 1

Quaint and small space with cute interior and large square plates creates a cozy dining setting. Music plays at a great volume, adding to the peak vibes and lively atmosphere. Free tortilla chips and salsa accompany meals, enhancing the authentic Mexican food experience.

Tacos come with flavorful fillings like chicken, lengua, pastor, and quesabirria. Taco Tuesday offers dollar tacos, making it a popular choice for tasty and affordable options. The taco truck service adds a fun touch for events like weddings and parties.

Spicy salsa stands out with both mild and hot options available. Free tortilla chips come with tasty salsa, making the spicy versions a solid choice.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be excellent and delicious."

"I thought the Mexican food here was really good."

"I thought the tacos were really delicious and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers tacos for a dollar each.

2

Bring cash to avoid credit card surcharges.

3

The restaurant has metered street parking available.

06
Minna's Restaurant image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small, narrow space with counter service and booths offers an intimate, home-cooked Mexican atmosphere. Handmade tortillas and fresh cooking visible from the front create an authentic vibe. Seating is tight but clean, emphasizing a diner-like feel with genuine Mexican flavors.

Handmade tortillas and tacos de cecina stand out with fresh cooked onions, peppers, and avocado. The tacos come together with care, offering a taste that feels like homemade, traditional cooking.

Salsas come in a variety of heat levels, from mild to very spicy. The green salsa balances flavor and spiciness well, even for those sensitive to heat. Red salsa on picaditas delivers a spicy kick while staying delicious.

People are saying

"You have to try the handmade tortillas here; they're wonderful."

"I found the Mexican food here to be truly authentic."

"You have to try their tacos; the tortillas are handmade."

Good to know

1

Minna's Restaurant charges a fee to use a credit card.

2

Chips and salsa are an additional cost.

3

Expect to pay around $90 for five items.

07
TACOS EL JEFE image 1
Restaurant

Cozy restaurant with a comfortable seating area and clean, organized decor creates a welcoming atmosphere. It offers fresh ingredients and a great selection of salsas, with flavorful tacos and carnitas standing out. Large parking lot and weekend specials add convenience and variety.

Tacos come well seasoned and full of flavor, with options like carnitas and tacos de asada standing out for their balanced taste. Guacamole and chips accompany dine-in orders, adding to the experience beyond typical offerings.

Salsas here stand out with a great selection including a peanut salsa that many find exceptional. The orange salsa also offers a unique flavor, complementing dishes like birria well.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here, especially the carnitas and barbacoa, is so good."

"I found the tacos here to be tasty and full of flavor."

"I thought the carnitas were really good."

Good to know

1

The restaurant has a huge parking lot, so parking is easy.

2

TACOS EL JEFE offers weekend and weekday specials.

3

Takeout orders do not include cilantro, onions, or limes.

08
El Mercadito image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers calm atmosphere with strong margaritas and large, flavorful tacos. Space feels larger than it looks and remains quiet even when not busy. Portions are generous and prices reasonable, making it a solid choice for casual dining.

Tacos come in a good size and taste delicious. Tuesdays feature $1 tacos with options like carne asada and quesabirria, making Taco Tuesday a popular choice.

Salsas here stand out with spicy chips salsa and fresh table salsas. They serve generous portions including a cup of pickled jalapeños alongside salsa verde and rice and beans.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be really good."

"The tacos here are delicious and a must-try."

"I loved the $1 tacos on Taco Tuesday."

Good to know

1

Tacos are $1.00 each during Taco Tuesday.

2

Taco Tuesday happens every Tuesday with $1 tacos.

3

Parking is available nearby, but avoid Just Tires to prevent towing.

09
MESON DEL TACO -NARRAGANSETT AVE- image 1

Mexican restaurant offers authentic, flavorful tacos with standout steak and al pastor options. Atmosphere feels friendly and lively with a small, cozy interior. Food quality remains consistent despite some concerns about pricing.

Steak tacos come charred just right while staying tender and juicy, with generous meat portions and well-seasoned carne asada. Lengua tacos bring a fire flavor, and the table salsa adds a nice kick to the meal.

Salsa comes freshly made and very fresh here. It pairs well with chips and has a delicious and amazing flavor that stands out.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here has amazing, flavorful tacos with generous meat."

"I dreamed about the salsa; it was saving my life."

"I found the tacos to be amazing with great flavor."

Good to know

1

Tuesdays are double points days for rewards members.

2

Delivery incurs an extra $10 charge, which is new.

3

The meal costs about $13 with tip included.

10
Baha Restaurant image 1
Seafood restaurant

Huge patio with live Mexican music creates a family-friendly atmosphere that feels cozy and relaxed. Open windows connect indoor and outdoor spaces, offering a sense of escape from the city. Fresh seafood dishes and tasty cocktails complement the vibrant, casual setting.

Fish and shrimp tacos stand out as popular choices priced at $10 each. Tacos come in a combo with rice and beans for $21, which is an unusual pairing for tacos here.

A trilogy of complimentary salsas arrives with tostada chips, each offering a special touch. The chips and salsa come after the main dishes, with a notably slow service pace throughout.

People are saying

"The seafood here is so fresh, especially the oysters and shrimp."

"The salsas served with chips were flavorful and interesting."

"I experienced the best seafood tacos in town."

Good to know

1

There are two parking lots near the restaurant.

2

Parking space can be limited depending on how busy it gets.

3

The fish and shrimp tacos cost $10 each.

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Belmont Cragin, Chicago

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