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Casa Tulum
Master Critic Reviews (7 Lists)
Casa Tulum
8.4
Casa Tulum brings a Tulum-inspired, seafood-leaning Mexican menu to the South Loop with beachy decor, cocktails, and a more polished dining-room feel. It’s used for date nights and small groups looking for quesabirrias, ceviches, and composed plates rather than basic combo platters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirrias, Torta Ahogada, Shrimp Ceviche
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Design-forward Mexican seafood spot where quesabirrias, ceviches, and cocktails are served in a Tulum-inspired room.
Who should go: Dinors wanting a polished, cocktail-driven Mexican night out.
When to visit: Prime weekend dinner hours for full room energy and bar scene.
What to order: Quesabirrias, Shrimp Ceviche, Torta Ahogada.
Insider tip: Reserve around sunset to catch the room’s lighting shift and settle in for a slower-paced meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the South Loop can be limited during peak dinner hours; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option. Valet availability is inconsistent and should not be assumed.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — elevated outfits fit the room’s design-forward vibe, but nice jeans and a polished top are acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversational at smaller tables earlier in the evening, louder during peak weekend service near the bar.
Weekend wait: Often 30–60 minutes without a reservation during prime hours; walk-ins are more feasible earlier in the evening.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or short waits when lunch service is offered.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options, particularly in appetizers and sides; mains skew seafood- and meat-forward.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can sometimes be modified, but the menu is not vegan-focused.
Gluten-free options: Several items are naturally gluten-leaning (ceviches, some seafood plates); confirm preparation details with the server as cross-contact controls are not formally advertised.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the design-forward space, cocktails, and composed plates make it a strong choice for a slightly dressy first date, especially if you prefer a scene with some energy rather than a quiet room.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — early or late seatings are more likely for walk-ins, but prime weekend windows usually require a reservation to avoid long waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited to adults and older teens — the vibe is cocktail-driven and dinner-focused, with limited kid-specific menu items or accommodations.
Best For
Better for: Polished, seafood-leaning Mexican plates, cocktails, and a visually styled dining room that feels more like a night-out destination than a casual cantina.
Skip if: You’re looking for large, family-style combo platters, very quiet dining rooms, or budget-focused casual Mexican — other South Loop spots may better fit those priorities.
Casa Tulum
8.3
Casa Tulum is a modern South Loop Mexican restaurant leaning seafood-heavy, with birria and fish tacos built on house-pressed corn tortillas and a strong tequila and cocktail list. The tropical, Tulum-inspired room and patio make it a flexible choice for date nights, happy hours, and more polished taco-focused dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria Quesabirria Tacos, Fish Tacos, Taco Gobernador
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Seafood-leaning modern Mexican where birria and fish tacos share the stage with cocktails in a Tulum-inspired room.
Who should go: South Loop diners seeking polished tacos and tequila in a lively room.
When to visit: Evenings 6–9 p.m., especially for golden-hour cocktails and tacos.
What to order: Birria quesabirria tacos, Fish Tacos, Taco Gobernador with a margarita.
Insider tip: Ask about nightly specials and consider sharing ceviche plus a taco plate instead of individual entrees.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Wabash and nearby cross streets; garage parking available within a short walk — valet offered on select busy evenings but not guaranteed.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but many guests lean dressy for date nights and cocktails.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is possible at two-tops, but peak weekend hours can feel energetic near the bar.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours; bar seats may open sooner.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; early evening happy hour can see brief spikes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian tacos, sides, and starters depending on seasonal menu rotations.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of items can be made vegan on request; confirm with your server.
Gluten-free options: Good support — many tacos use corn tortillas and several dishes can be prepared gluten-free with modifications.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the tropical design, polished cocktails, and shareable tacos create an upbeat but comfortable setting where you can talk without it feeling stuffy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often — walk-ins are typically seated early evening or at the bar, but expect a wait on weekends; reservations are recommended for prime dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — families are fine earlier in the evening, but the vibe leans adult and cocktail-forward after 7–8 p.m.; no dedicated kids menu.
Best For
Better for: Polished, seafood-leaning tacos with a destination-style room, stronger cocktail program, and a more elevated date-night feel than casual taquerías.
Skip if: You want quick, budget tacos, a very quiet dining room, or a strictly traditional taquería experience without cocktails or ambiance focus.
Casa Tulum
8.1
Casa Tulum brings a more polished, coastal-Mexican feel to the South Loop, with ceviches, whole fish, and the namesake Tulum Special served in a vacation-like dining room. While it doesn’t run as late as the most casual spots, its later weekend hours, serious cocktails, and upscale plates make it a natural choice for lingering evening dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tulum Special mixed grill, Whole red snapper, Cochinita pibil tacos
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: An upscale South Loop Mexican spot with a Tulum-inspired dining room, serious cocktails, and a menu that leans into seafood and shareable mixed grills.
Who should go: Guests wanting polished Mexican with cocktails and atmosphere.
When to visit: Friday and Saturday evenings for later seating and full bar energy.
What to order: Tulum Special mixed grill, whole red snapper, cochinita pibil tacos.
Insider tip: Ask for a table near the bar area if you want more of the lively, cocktail-focused vibe rather than a quiet corner dinner.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the South Loop can be limited during evening hours; nearby paid garages and metered spots are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean dressy for evening cocktails and date nights.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is possible at smaller tables, but the bar area can feel energetic during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Often busy — expect a wait without a reservation, especially during prime evening seatings.
Weekday lunch: Lunch service is limited or not the primary focus — typically no wait when open.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate — salads, vegetable dishes, and some seafood-free plates are available, but the menu leans toward mixed grills and seafood.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of dishes may be adaptable; ask staff about modifications.
Gluten-free options: Several seafood and grilled items are naturally gluten-leaning; confirm preparation details with the server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the polished dining room, cocktail program, and coastal-Mexican menu work well for a slightly upscale, linger-friendly first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins are occasionally seated earlier in the evening or at the bar, but weekend nights book up quickly, so reservations are recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally — families are welcome, but the vibe and pricing skew adult-oriented; better suited to older kids or special-occasion dinners.
Best For
Better for: Upscale cocktails, seafood-leaning Mexican dishes, and a polished, Tulum-inspired atmosphere that feels more like a night-out destination than a casual cantina.
Skip if: You want late-night counter service, large portions at budget pricing, or a loud, fast-casual Mexican spot focused on speed over atmosphere.
Casa Tulum
8.1
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Birthday & Celebration Central
Casa Tulum brings a coastal Mexican feel to the South Loop, pairing ceviches and whole fish with a long list of tacos like cochinita pibil, birria, and Baja fish. Dinner runs to 10 p.m. on weekends, making it a stylish option when you want taco-focused plates with stronger cocktails and a design-forward room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja Fish Tacos, Cochinita Pibil Tacos, Shrimp Ceviche
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 6.8
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Modern South Loop spot where ceviche and a wide range of tacos come in a beach-inspired dining room.
Who should go: Taco lovers wanting cocktails and a more polished late dinner.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for a later-seating taco dinner in a lively room.
What to order: Baja fish tacos, cochinita pibil tacos, shrimp ceviche to share.
Insider tip: Use it as a pre- or post-event stop and focus your order on the taco section rather than heavier entrées.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on nearby South Loop blocks; availability tight during events. Several paid garages within a short walk; no consistent valet service reported.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy for evenings and dates.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is possible at smaller tables, but peak weekend hours can feel buzzy.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak times; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Typically not a lunch-focused restaurant; when open midday, waits are uncommon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few taco and appetizer options can be made vegetarian; ask staff for guidance.
Vegan options: Limited — 1–2 items may be modifiable, but this is not a vegan-forward menu.
Gluten-free options: Partial coverage — many tacos use corn tortillas, but cross-contact is possible; confirm with the kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the design-forward room, cocktails, and shareable tacos make it a strong first-date setting if you’re okay with a lively atmosphere rather than a quiet one.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — small parties may be seated at the bar or during early/late windows, but peak weekend evenings usually require a reservation to avoid a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally — children are fine earlier in the evening, but the vibe skews adult and cocktail-driven later; there are no kid-specific menus or amenities.
Best For
Better for: Design-driven taco dinners with cocktails, a polished room, and a later seating window than most neighborhood Mexican spots.
Skip if: You want casual, budget tacos, very quiet conversation, or a menu with deep vegan or gluten-free coverage.
Casa Tulum
8.1
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Birthday & Celebration Central
Casa Tulum brings a coastal-leaning Mexican menu to the southern end of the South Loop, pairing ceviches and whole fish with taco plates and agave-heavy cocktails in a design-forward room. While it’s a step up in polish and pricing from the bare-bones taquerias nearby, diners still find value in sharing tacos and a few seafood-focused dishes rather than splurging on a full-scale night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja-style fish tacos, Cochinita pibil tacos, Ceviche of the day
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Design-driven South Loop Mexican spot where ceviches and taco plates meet stronger cocktails at prices that can be kept reasonable if you order selectively.
Who should go: Couples or small groups wanting polished Mexican without full fine-dining prices.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for a livelier bar scene or earlier weeknights for a quieter meal.
What to order: Baja fish tacos, cochinita pibil tacos, one ceviche to share.
Insider tip: Build dinner around shared tacos and ceviche at the bar—it's the most cost-effective way to enjoy the room and cocktails.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated valet; most guests use nearby South Loop garages or metered street parking — street parking can be limited after 6pm, especially on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but many diners lean slightly dressy in the evenings.
Noise level: Moderate — conversation is comfortable at a two-top, but the bar and peak weekends run livelier.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours; bar seats may turn faster.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or short wait, depending on event traffic in the area.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options — some tacos and starters can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of items can be adapted, but menus skew seafood- and meat-forward.
Gluten-free options: Multiple naturally gluten-leaning dishes (ceviches, some tacos); confirm tortilla and sauce details with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the design-forward room, balanced noise level, and shareable plates work well for a relaxed first or second date without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — walk-ins are usually seated at the bar or during off-peak windows, but expect a wait on weekend evenings without a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally — older kids and teens are fine earlier in the evening, but the vibe is more adult-leaning and cocktail-focused later at night.
Best For
Better for: Design, cocktails, and a polished coastal-Mexican feel at a price point that can stay reasonable if you share tacos and a few seafood dishes.
Skip if: You want the lowest-cost, ultra-casual taqueria experience or very broad vegan/vegetarian choices.
Casa Tulum
8.0
Casa Tulum brings a Tulum-inspired dining room to the South Loop with ceviches, cochinita pibil tacos, and coastal seafood plates. A dedicated weekday happy hour layers discounted cocktails and bar bites onto a design-forward room that leans more toward date night than quick tacos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cochinita Pibil Tacos, Nayarit-Style Shrimp, Tulum Special Mixed Grill
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Stylish, Tulum-inspired South Loop spot where weekday happy hour meets modern Mexican plates.
Who should go: Couples and coworkers wanting cocktails in a design-forward space.
When to visit: Mon–Thu from 3–6pm to pair drink deals with lighter snacks.
What to order: Cochinita pibil tacos, shrimp ceviche, Tulum Special mixed grill.
Insider tip: Sit near the bar during happy hour for faster drink refills and a livelier feel.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot — metered street parking nearby plus several paid garages in the South Loop; valet is occasionally offered during peak evenings (call ahead to confirm).
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy; jeans are fine if paired with a polished top or jacket.
Noise level: Moderate — music-forward but you can hold a conversation at most two-tops.
Weekend wait: Often 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; bar area is the easiest place to walk in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several plates and sides can be made vegetarian, plus a few naturally meat-free items.
Vegan options: Limited — 2–3 options depending on preparation; ask staff about swaps for ceviche and taco fillings.
Gluten-free options: Multiple items are gluten-free or can be adapted; tortillas and ceviches are common safe picks, but confirm with your server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the candle-lit, coastal-inspired room and balanced noise level make it a strong first-date setting, especially at the bar during happy hour.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays or early evening, but weekend dinner walk-ins may face a wait; the bar is the most reliable fallback for small parties.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally — families are fine earlier in the evening, but the vibe leans adult and cocktail-centric, with limited amenities for young children.
Best For
Better for: Design-forward ambiance, cocktails at happy hour, and a date-night feel compared with more casual taco spots.
Skip if: You want fast, inexpensive tacos, very large group seating, or an especially kid-focused environment.
Casa Tulum
8.0
A 2025 arrival in the South Loop, Casa Tulum brings coastal Mexican flavors—ceviches, quesabirrias, and Baja-style tacos on house-pressed corn tortillas—to a tropical-chic room built for cocktails as much as dinner. Happy hour margaritas and tacos skew more polished than cheap, making it a stylish option when you want tacos to feel like a night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja Fish Tacos, Birria Tacos, Quesabirrias
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: New-school South Loop spot where Baja fish tacos, quesabirrias, and ceviches share space with Tulum-inspired cocktails in a design-forward room.
Who should go: Date-night diners chasing coastal tacos, cocktails, and ambiance.
When to visit: Late-afternoon happy hour into weekend dinner service.
What to order: Baja Fish Tacos, Birria Tacos, Trio Ceviche.
Insider tip: Sit near the front windows or bar for the best mix of natural light, people-watching, and proximity to the bartender during happy hour.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Wabash and surrounding side streets; metered spots can be tight during peak dinner hours, with nearby paid garages around McCormick Place for backup.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished due to the design-forward, cocktail-focused vibe.
Noise level: Moderate — lively bar energy during happy hour, but conversation at a two-top is still manageable.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially during prime cocktail and dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; early evening happy hour can see brief spikes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few taco and ceviche-adjacent plates can be customized; ask about sauces and garnishes.
Vegan options: Limited — some items may be modified, but most tacos include dairy or seafood by default.
Gluten-free options: Several options on corn tortillas; staff can flag gluten-sensitive choices but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the tropical-chic design, cocktails, and polished tacos create a stylish, conversational setting that feels special without being overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes for small parties — arrive early in happy hour or closer to late dinner; bar seats are the most flexible fallback.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally appropriate for older kids during earlier seatings, but the room skews adult-oriented and cocktail-driven in the evenings.
Best For
Better for: Polished tacos, presentation, and cocktails in a stylish room where happy hour still feels like a night out.
Skip if: You’re looking for fast-casual pricing, large portions, or a loud, party-style taco bar — this leans refined over rowdy.