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Su Casa Mexican Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Su Casa Mexican Restaurant
7.6
Su Casa is a longtime River North cantina in a converted carriage house where sizzling fajitas, enchiladas, and strong margaritas anchor pre- and post-Magnificent Mile dinners. Decades of service and a busy patio make it more about familiar Tex-Mex comfort than cutting-edge cooking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fajitas, Nachos Su Casa, Enchiladas Rojas
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 6.5
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Downtown Chicago’s old-school Mexican cantina in a cozy carriage house setting.
Who should go: Visitors craving classic Tex-Mex near the Magnificent Mile.
When to visit: Early evenings and weekends for lively patio and bar energy.
What to order: Start with Nachos Su Casa, then fajitas and enchiladas.
Insider tip: Ask for the back-room or patio seating for a quieter, more atmospheric meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in River North is scarce; most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare. Expect higher garage rates and heavier traffic on weekends and event nights.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and comfortable outfits are fine, but many diners lean slightly dressy for downtown evenings.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours — conversation is doable at smaller tables, quieter in the back rooms or patio when available.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak times, shorter if you arrive early evening.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, except during convention or tourist surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several meat-free enchiladas, salads, and combo plates can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be customized (beans, rice, veggie sides), but sauces and tortillas may contain dairy.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-leaning options (fajitas, salads), but cross-contact is possible — confirm with staff before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, low-pressure dates than intimate fine dining — the cozy carriage house vibe works if you want relaxed conversation without formality.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially on weekdays or early evenings — on busy weekends, expect a wait and ask about patio or back-room seating for quicker placement.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — family-friendly atmosphere with familiar Tex-Mex dishes and roomy tables; evenings can be lively, so earlier hours are best for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Groups and visitors seeking classic, comforting Tex-Mex near the Magnificent Mile with generous portions and margaritas in a nostalgic setting.
Skip if: You’re looking for cutting-edge regional Mexican cooking, ultra-quiet dining, or strict dietary accommodation with dedicated gluten-free or vegan prep.
Su Casa Mexican Restaurant
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Comfort Food Classics
Happy Hour Hotspots
Operating out of a 19th-century carriage house since the early 1960s, Su Casa is a Tex-Mex stalwart steps from the Mag Mile where strong margaritas, sizzling fajitas, and old-school tacos anchor long dinners. The menu and service can be uneven, but its longevity, patio seating, and taco-heavy offerings make it the most historically significant sit-down Mexican option in 60611.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tacos, Portobello Tacos, Queso Fundido
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A 1960s-era carriage-house Tex-Mex dining room where tacos share billing with fajitas, queso, and strong margaritas near the Mag Mile.
Who should go: Groups wanting classic Tex-Mex, margaritas, and roomy seating.
When to visit: Evenings 6–9pm for full dining room energy and patio buzz.
What to order: Chicken tacos, Portobello tacos, queso fundido with warm tortillas.
Insider tip: Ask for a table in the carriage-house interior rather than near the entrance for better atmosphere and less foot traffic.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot — metered street parking is limited and competitive in the evenings; most guests use nearby paid garages off Michigan Ave.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and relaxed outfits are common, but many diners lean slightly dressy on weekends.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively — conversation is possible at most tables, but larger groups and margarita-hour buzz can raise volume.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours, especially in warm-weather patio season.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, except during convention or office-lunch surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several workable options (portobello tacos, veggie enchiladas, salads, sides), though not a fully dedicated section.
Vegan options: Limited — some items can be modified, but most plates rely on cheese or sour cream; confirm with server before ordering.
Gluten-free options: Select tacos and fajitas can be accommodated with corn tortillas and modifications, but there is no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, conversation-friendly dates than intimate ones — the historic setting and margaritas make it fun, but the room can get lively.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially earlier in the evening or on weekdays — expect waits during prime weekend dinner hours and patio weather.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — booths, familiar Tex-Mex dishes, and relaxed service make it workable for families; evenings can be loud for very young kids.
Best For
Better for: Groups, celebrations, and long margarita-and-fajita dinners in a historic carriage-house setting near the Mag Mile.
Skip if: You want cutting-edge Mexican cooking, ultra-quiet dining, or strict dietary controls with fully documented ingredient handling.
Su Casa Mexican Restaurant
7.7
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Comfort Food Classics
Operating since the early 1960s in a converted carriage house just off the Magnificent Mile, Su Casa is a long-running Tex-Mex cantina where burritos share space with fajitas, enchiladas, and strong margaritas. Crowds lean on it for sit-down burrito platters and combo plates before nights out in River North.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burritos Grandes, Queso Fundido, Chicken Enchiladas
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 6.4
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A decades-old carriage-house cantina near the Mag Mile where burritos, fajitas, and margaritas have anchored pre- and post-event meals for generations.
Who should go: Groups and families wanting sit-down Tex-Mex near Michigan Avenue.
When to visit: Evenings before shows or weekend nights for full dining-room energy.
What to order: Burritos Grandes platter, Queso Fundido, a round of margaritas.
Insider tip: Request a table in the back rooms or patio when available for a quieter experience than the bar area.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site valet; nearby paid garages along Ontario/Ohio and limited metered street parking on side streets
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and comfortable attire are common
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak hours — conversation is possible but can require raised voices near the bar
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait or seated immediately
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several meat-free burritos, enchiladas, and combination plates
Vegan options: Limited — possible to modify some plates by removing cheese/sour cream
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-leaning dishes available (corn tortillas, fajitas), but no dedicated gluten-free prep area
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for relaxed, conversational outings than intimate romance — it’s lively, casual, and works well for low-pressure meetups or activity-adjacent plans.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are common, especially earlier in the evening or on weekdays, but expect a wait during peak pre-show and weekend dinner windows.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — family-friendly atmosphere with large booths, combo plates, and approachable Tex-Mex dishes; best suited for school-age kids and up.
Best For
Better for: Group dinners, nostalgic Tex-Mex comfort, generous platter portions, and pre-event meals near Michigan Avenue
Skip if: You’re seeking cutting-edge Mexican regional cooking, quiet fine-dining vibes, or strict dietary-restriction accommodations
Su Casa Mexican Restaurant
8.1
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Operating just off Michigan Avenue since the 1960s, Su Casa is an old-school cantina where combo plates, fajitas, and strong margaritas run through dinner and into the late evening. It’s used as much for pre- and post-event meetups near the Mag Mile as for sit-down Tex-Mex dinners in a decorated, brick-walled dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Queso Fundido, Chicken Enchiladas, Steak Fajitas
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 6.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A decades-old Mag Mile-adjacent cantina serving classic Tex-Mex and margaritas late.
Who should go: Groups wanting casual, nostalgic Mexican near downtown theaters.
When to visit: Friday and Saturday 8–10 p.m. for peak cantina energy.
What to order: Queso Fundido starter, Chicken Enchiladas, Steak Fajitas to share.
Insider tip: Sit near the bar for faster drink refills and a livelier late-night atmosphere.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site valet; nearby paid garages along Ohio/Ontario are the most reliable. Street parking is scarce and competitive at night.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sweaters are common; groups often lean slightly dressy on weekends.
Noise level: Lively and loud during peak hours — conversations are doable with raised voices near the bar, calmer earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 20–45 minutes without a reservation during 7–10 p.m., faster for smaller groups or earlier arrivals.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; walk-ins are typically seated right away.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several meatless enchilada, fajita, appetizer, and combo options can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be adapted (beans, veggie fajitas, chips/salsa), but many mains include cheese or dairy.
Gluten-free options: Partial accommodation — corn tortillas and select plates can be modified; cross-contact is possible, so ask staff to confirm.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, nostalgic nights than quiet romance — the vibe is energetic and social, with louder late-night pacing.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes — walk-ins are common, especially for smaller parties. Arrive before prime hours or be prepared for a short wait on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families earlier in the evening — high-top and booth seating, approachable Tex-Mex plates, and a relaxed dining room. It skews more adult and bar-forward later at night.
Best For
Better for: Group dinners, birthday meetups, and nostalgic Tex-Mex classics with strong margaritas in a long-running, downtown-adjacent setting.
Skip if: You want modern regional Mexican, a quiet date-night atmosphere, or strict dietary customization with dedicated allergen controls.
Su Casa Mexican Restaurant
7.9
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
A long-running River North cantina just off the Magnificent Mile, Su Casa pairs classic Tex-Mex plates with strong margaritas and a busy bar. Happy hour draws office groups and travelers for discounted drinks and snacks before the dinner rush.
Must-Try Dishes:
Queso Fundido, Chicken Fajitas, Shrimp Enchiladas
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 6.8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Decades-old Mag Mile-adjacent cantina known for potent margaritas and classic combo plates.
Who should go: Groups wanting lively Mexican and easy happy hour margaritas.
When to visit: Weekday late afternoons and early evenings for best happy hour.
What to order: Queso fundido starter, chicken fajitas, and a house margarita.
Insider tip: Sit near the bar during happy hour for the fastest refills and best drink specials.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garage parking available in nearby River North decks; limited metered street parking, especially after 5pm. No regular valet service.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and casual tops are common; groups sometimes lean slightly dressy during evenings.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during happy hour and dinner — conversation is possible at tables but the bar area can be lively.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak hours without a reservation, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, except during convention or tourist surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian options such as cheese enchiladas, quesadillas, salads, and customizable plates.
Vegan options: Limited — some items can be modified (beans, veggie fajitas), but confirm ingredients with staff.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-leaning items (fajitas, salads) are available — request guidance as cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, low-pressure dates than romantic ones — the lively bar vibe and happy hour energy make it more social than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are common, especially at the bar and smaller tables, but expect waits during peak happy hour and weekend dinner windows.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — family-friendly earlier in the evening with booth seating and familiar Tex-Mex dishes; later hours skew louder and more bar-oriented.
Best For
Better for: Casual group meetups, affordable margaritas, and classic Tex-Mex plates with a lively happy-hour atmosphere near the Mag Mile.
Skip if: You want modern Mexican, chef-driven menus, quiet ambiance, or a special-occasion dining experience.