Your Tasting Guide to Pilsen's Best Taco Spots

5 Rabanitos

5 Rabanitos is just down the street from the National Museum of Mexican Art. Chef Alfonso Sotelo puts together an extensive menu that covers appetizers, main courses, salads, tortas, desserts, and, of course, tacos.

Choose from delicious taco fillings including pork al pastor, carne asada, barbacoa, pibil, chorizo, carnitas, and roasted vegetables. Order just a couple of tacos, but if you came prepared with an appetite you can get the taco dinner: three tacos, rice, beans, and guacamole. 

5 Rabanitos even has a vegetarian menu, available anytime, and a mouthwatering brunch menu served Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Atotonilco

The family-owned Atotonilco can be found at 1637 Blue Island Ave. While the restaurant has opened additional locations in Joliet and Stone Park, you can still dine at the original Pilsen spot. 

Al pastor tacos are the house specialty, but you have a ton of other options. You can order tacos with carne asada, barbacoa, lengua, chorizo, pollo, or pescado. The Antonilco taco comes with carne asada, tomato, and sour cream.

The Atotonilco menu has other favorites like burritos, tortas, and menudo – a traditional Mexican soup.

La Vaca

La Vaca is billed as a margarita bar. Sip on a single margarita or order a whole pitcher. The restaurant offers flavors like traditional lime and strawberry, plus more adventurous twists like spicy mango and hibiscus.

While the margaritas are fantastic, you won’t want to miss out on your chance to order tacos. The La Vaca taco comes with chipotle-flavored carne asada, black beans, pickled onion, and a dash of cilantro. If you’re in a seafood mood, you can get beer-battered fish tacos or the Big Boss taco that comes with breaded shrimp, bacon, chipotle mayo, avocado, and coleslaw.

La Vaca also does brunch. Try the breakfast burrito, a hearty dish that comes bursting with scrambled eggs, cheese, guacamole, chorizo, sour scream, pico de gallo, and more.

Raymond's #2

Raymond’s #2 does tacos and burgers, and both are worth ordering. The taco menu offers asada and onion, chicken, ribeye, al pastor, and beef tongue options.

Raymond’s #2 also has plenty of sandwiches, including burgers, chicken sandwiches, fish sandwiches, and tortas. For the truly hungry, you can order a big burrito. The restaurant also offers up delicious and oh-so-greasy French fries and onion rings.

If you are in the mood for Raymond’s #2, remember to bring cash. This restaurant does not accept credit cards.

Sabor y Sazon

Start off with a few appetizers before diving into your taco order. Sabor y Sazon has avocado dip, quesadillas, nachos, and guacamole.

This Pilsen staple has plenty of taco options with original flavors. Pick from asada, al pastor, pollo, chorizo, cecina, vegetarian, and pescado. The house taco comes with your pick of meat, beans, cheese, and a generous dollop of pico de gallo. Make it a meal with three tacos, beans, rice, and a salad. Add sour cream, cheese, or guacamole to any taco for a little extra.

Don’t plan on satiating your taco fix on a Sunday, however. Sabor y Sazon is only open six days a week.

Taqueria Los Alamos

Taqueria Los Alamos is a regular stop for anyone who frequents the Damen/Cermak Pink Line station, but if this Pilsen stop takes you out of your way, rest assured it’s worth your time. The unassuming brick building belies its delicious dishes. The taqueria offers all of the classic taco options with the bonus of mouthwatering meat and unforgettable salsa.

Taqueria Los Comales

Taqueria Los Comales is a local eatery at its best. Soft corn tortillas pair perfectly with options like flank steak, barbacoa, chorizo, al pastor, pollo, battered fish, and lengua.

Be sure to save room for dessert when you come to Los Comales. This Chicago favorite has fresh churros, flan, and Mexican candies.

The Pilsen location is on 18th Street, but you can also find Taqueria Los Comales in Chicago’s Little Village, as well as Cicero and Niles.