0 Followers
Xoco
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Xoco
8.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family Friendly Favorites
Xoco is Rick Bayless’s counter-service spot for tortas, caldos, and churros, pulling steady lines of River North office workers and tourists. The food leans comforting and bold—smoky pork, crispy chicken, deep broths—served fast enough for lunch but satisfying enough for a casual dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja Chicken Torta, Ahogada Torta, Churro Sundae
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: High-flavor tortas, soups, and churros from a counter-service Bayless spot.
Who should go: Hungry downtown diners needing a fast but serious Mexican meal.
When to visit: Late lunch or early dinner to dodge the peak line.
What to order: Baja Chicken or Ahogada torta, chips and guac, churro sundae.
Insider tip: Order online for pickup to skip crowded peak-hour ordering lines.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare, especially during weekday lunch and weekend evenings.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, office wear, and comfortable attire are all appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate — busy counter-service energy at peak times, but still fine for conversation once seated.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes during peak hours, especially around early evening.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minute line at peak lunch rush; shorter waits mid-afternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options, including vegetable tortas, salads, and soups depending on the seasonal menu.
Vegan options: Limited — some items can be customized, but most signatures include dairy or meat.
Gluten-free options: Selective options (mainly soups and salads) — tortas are bread-based and not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meet-ups than a traditional first date — it’s counter-service and fairly busy, but great if you want something quick, tasty, and low-pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in only. Expect a short line during rush hours; tables generally turn quickly once you order.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual seating, quick service, and approachable dishes make it suitable for families, though space can feel tight during peak periods.
Best For
Better for: Fast, high-flavor Mexican meals with standout tortas and soups at an approachable price point in downtown Chicago.
Skip if: You’re looking for a quiet, linger-friendly meal, full table service, or an extended sit-down dinner experience.
Xoco
8.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family Friendly Favorites
XOCO is Bayless’s fast-casual street-food spin-off, running long hours for tortas, caldos, churros, and tacos in a tight, high-turnover space. Locals fold it into their taco rotation when they want wood-grilled flavors, house-ground chocolate, and a quick counter-service experience just off Clark.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-grilled Mexican tortas (e.g., Choriqueso Torta), Churro sundae, House-ground Mexican hot chocolate
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Fast-casual Bayless spot doing Mexico City–style street food, tacos, and churros with serious technique.
Who should go: Time-strapped diners wanting street-style tacos and tortas.
When to visit: Off-peak afternoons to avoid the heaviest lines.
What to order: One taco order, a wood-grilled torta, churros with hot chocolate.
Insider tip: Split a torta and taco set, then share a churro sundae instead of individual desserts.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking can be limited during peak hours; closest reliability is paid garages in the River North corridor within a 1–3 block walk.
Dress code: Casual — counter-service setup where jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate and bustling during rush periods; conversation is comfortable once seated but lines and ordering area can feel busy.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes in line at peak hours; faster turnover once you order since seating is self-serve.
Weekday lunch: Typically 5–15 minutes during the lunch rush; little to no wait mid-afternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian tortas, soups, and taco variations appear seasonally; ask at the counter for current builds.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of items can be made vegan with modifications, but options vary by day and preparation.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some caldos and bowls avoid bread/tortas, but there is not a dedicated GF prep area and cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-key meet-up than a formal first date — it’s counter-service, compact, and fairly busy at peak hours.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in only with self-service seating; expect to hover briefly for a table during the busiest times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — quick service, straightforward menus, and churros make it approachable for families, though space is tight for strollers during rush periods.
Best For
Better for: Quick, high-quality Mexican street-food flavors with wood-grilled tortas and churros at a lower price point than sit-down Bayless spots.
Skip if: You want full table service, cocktails, long conversations, or a quieter, linger-friendly dinner environment.
Xoco
8.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Trendy Table Hotspots
XOCO is Rick Bayless’s fast-casual Mexican spot in River North, known for torpedo-like tortas, bowls of pozole, and churros served from breakfast through late lunch. Massive review volume and steady lines back up its role as the neighborhood’s go-to for affordable, chef-backed Mexican street food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Woodland Mushroom Torta, Pork Carnitas Torta, Pistachio Glazed Churros
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Chef-driven Mexican street food with high volume and everyday pricing.
Who should go: Torta and churro fans wanting casual chef-backed Mexican.
When to visit: Midday or early dinner to dodge the heaviest lines.
What to order: Pork carnitas torta, pozole, pistachio churros.
Insider tip: Use the counter seats for faster turnover and easy solo meals.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option during peak hours.
Dress code: Casual — come as you are; counter-service setting with no formal expectations.
Noise level: Moderate — busy during rushes but solo diners can still eat comfortably.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes during peak early-evening hours; shorter after 7:30pm.
Weekday lunch: 15–30 minutes at peak; short or no wait before noon or after 2pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several tortas, bowls, and sides can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of veg-forward options; confirm components at the counter.
Gluten-free options: Partial — certain bowls and soups avoid bread, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meet-ups than formal dates — it’s counter-service, buzzy, and line-based with limited lingering.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — reservations aren’t taken; order at the counter and grab an open seat once your food is ready.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual seating, quick service, and shareable items work well for kids, though space is tight during rushes.
Best For
Better for: Affordable, chef-backed Mexican street-food classics with strong consistency and fast casual convenience.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, long table-side meals, or a quiet, linger-friendly atmosphere.
Hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday11am - 9pm
Wednesday11am - 9pm
Thursday11am - 9pm
Friday11am - 9pm
Saturday10:30am - 9pm
SundayClosed