The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Good EatsOther Recent Articles
Home›Good Eats›Good eats at Taco Joint: Upscale, authentic Mexican food and drink in River North and Lincoln Park

Good eats at Taco Joint: Upscale, authentic Mexican food and drink in River North and Lincoln Park

By TheRealChicagoOnline
April 15, 2013
526
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Seriously authentic (and affordable) Mexican grub in a trendy, modernly rustic atmosphere

By Margot Thomas and Trent Modglin

Where it’s at: 154 W. Ontario in River North and 1969 N. Halsted in Lincoln Park. www.TacoJoint.com

The scene: When you and your friends want a flavorful meal, a menu full of margaritas and an authentic yet hip ambiance, all while being part of the River North or Lincoln Park scene without the high-end restaurant expense, this is a solid choice.

Designed with a modernly rustic appeal, Taco Joint creates a scene that is both comfortable and trendy. At the Lincoln Park location, you may find a group of girls straight from yoga class or a couple on a date, while the new River North spot attracts a steady after-work crowd and groups making a night of it afterward.

Food and drink: Everyone loves a taco, especially with a little sophistication, and the options here are mouth-watering. The classics are done right, like the al pastor with grilled chicken and pineapple pico, the carne with caramelized onions and the beer-battered tilapia topped with a creamy cabbage slaw. In the mood for a torta? Try the pollo al carbon, which is brushed with a cilantro pesto, or the panela with red jalapeno aioli. Both are standouts here. The tinga sope looks like a little black bean pot pie and comes loaded with marinated shredded chicken.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

As for cocktails, go for the passion mango or the prickly pear margarita. In a city full of snazzy drinks, nothing beats the refreshing taste of a margarita rimmed with sea salt. The original goes down like Gatorade, and the flavored margaritas are so good you may want to ask for a flight so you can try them all.

What caught our eye: The modern hanging-bulb and classic lantern light fixtures, along with a ton of dark wood paneling, old-fashioned water jars and a long bar area with enough stools to satisfy any crowd waiting for a table or ready to eat now.  … A fair amount of orders were placed to go on the snowy night we visited the Halsted location.

We’ll be back because: The selection of price-friendly, tasty tacos and delicious margaritas. This is the ideal place — either in River North or Lincoln Park — for an authentic, upscale Mexican meal and a cocktail or two with friends before heading out for the night.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsLincoln Park restaurantsmargaritas ChicagoMargot ThomasMexican food ChicagoRiver North restaurantsTaco Jointtacos ChicagoTrent ModglinZocalo
Previous Article

First Look review: “Animal Inside Out” at ...

Next Article

Good Eats at Pitchfork: Some of the ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    You can always have Paris: Breaking down Chicago’s French restaurant revolution

    April 12, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Good Eats

    Good Eats at Pork Chop: Southern specialties and much more at this hip West Loop gem

    April 30, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Around TownMy Chicago

    My Chicago: If you can only eat out once this spring, where are you going and what are you ordering?

    April 20, 2010
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Ready or not Crossfit, here I come

    December 26, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Signature Dishes

    Signature dishes: Surf and turf lobster rolls and kettle chip lobster poutine at Da Lobsta

    May 31, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Signature Dishes

    Signature Dishes: Stuffed strawberry cheesecake French toast at Wildberry and lamb tacos at Nacional 27

    December 20, 2011
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Southport shopping spree: Plenty of unique stores on this quaint street

  • Around TownHidden GemsOther Recent Articles

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Down-home Chicago: The search for the city’s best comfort food

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.