0 Followers
La Calle Tacos y Tequila
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
La Calle Tacos y Tequila
7.6
Steps from McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena, La Calle Tacos and Tequila focuses on street-style tacos, simple platters, and tequila drinks for pre- and post-event crowds. It’s a newer, casual option where speed and location matter as much as depth of the menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Tacos, Grilled Chicken Tacos, Pastor Tacos
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 6.2
Consistency: 7.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Arena-adjacent taco and tequila spot geared to fast-prep plates and drinks before or after events.
Who should go: Convention and game-goers needing quick tacos and drinks nearby.
When to visit: Ninety minutes before tipoff or showtime to beat rush crowds.
What to order: Carne Asada Tacos, Pastor Tacos, a simple tequila-and-lime cocktail.
Insider tip: On busy event nights, order at the bar and keep the menu tight to get food faster.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Best bet is nearby paid garages around McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena; limited metered street parking fills quickly on event nights.
Dress code: Casual and event-friendly — jerseys, jeans, and casual tops are common.
Noise level: Loud during pre- and post-event rush; conversation is easier outside peak windows.
Weekend wait: 20–45 minutes on event nights; little to no wait when there’s no game or show.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, except during large convention breaks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options — veggie tacos and sides depending on rotation.
Vegan options: Limited — may require customizing tacos and skipping crema/cheese.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas typically available, but cross-contact is possible — confirm with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual hangouts than first dates — it’s fast, lively, and event-driven rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served; arrive early on event nights to avoid standing lines.
Is it kid-friendly? Acceptable for families during non-event hours; space gets crowded and loud when arenas empty out, so younger kids may be more comfortable earlier in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Speed, convenience near arenas, and quick tacos and drinks before or after games and shows.
Skip if: You’re seeking destination Mexican dining, slower plated meals, or a quiet sit-down experience.
La Calle Tacos y Tequila
7.6
La Calle Tacos and Tequila is a newer South Loop/McCormick Square spot centered on street-style tacos, nachos, and burrito bowls with a tequila-focused bar. Early reviews highlight the skirt steak and campechano tacos plus elote, served in a colorful space steps from McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Taco, Campechano Taco, Elote Cup
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 6.2
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: A colorful tacos-and-tequila bar near McCormick Place focused on street-style tacos and elote with a cocktail backdrop.
Who should go: Event-goers and South Loop locals wanting tacos near arenas.
When to visit: Before or after conventions and games, especially evenings 5–9 p.m.
What to order: Carne Asada Taco, Campechano Taco, Elote cup to share.
Insider tip: Plan around convention and game schedules; it is easiest to walk in on non-event weeknights.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited near McCormick Place; expect paid garage and surface-lot options in the surrounding event district, with higher demand during conventions and game nights.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jerseys and jeans are common on event days, but you won’t feel out of place dressed a bit nicer for evening cocktails.
Noise level: Moderate to loud — conversation is comfortable on non-event nights, but expect a lively, bar-forward room when conventions or games let out.
Weekend wait: Varies by event calendar — typically 20–40 minutes, but can exceed 60 minutes when McCormick Place or Wintrust Arena is busy.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal to no wait outside of major convention weeks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — expect a few vegetarian taco or bowl options plus sides like elote and chips; selection is modest but workable.
Vegan options: Limited — customization is often required (hold cheese/crema); confirm preparation with staff.
Gluten-free options: Some items can be made gluten-friendly using corn tortillas and bowls, but there is no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual or activity-adjacent date than an intimate one — the colorful room and tequila bar are fun, but the vibe can skew lively and noisy on event nights.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially on non-event evenings — during convention or game windows, arrive early or be prepared to wait or sit at the bar.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably kid-friendly at earlier hours with tacos and bowl options; the space feels more bar-centric and adult-leaning later in the evening and on busy event nights.
Best For
Better for: Convenient pre- and post-event tacos and cocktails near McCormick Place, with quick bites and a lively atmosphere steps from arenas.
Skip if: You want a quiet, destination-style taco experience, extensive vegan or gluten-free menus, or easy parking during peak convention periods.
La Calle Tacos y Tequila
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Steps from McCormick Place, La Calle Tacos y Tequila replaces a rib joint with a bright, Selena-mural-lined room serving tacos, burritos, and elotes geared to pre- and post-event traffic. Early feedback points to flavorful carne asada, strong salsas, and very friendly service, with some recipes and portioning still being refined as the kitchen settles in.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada tacos, Elote in a cup, Asada burrito
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 6
What makes it special: New arena-adjacent taco shop with colorful decor, friendly staff, and affordable tacos, burritos, and elotes for pre- or post-event meals.
Who should go: Convention and concert crowds wanting quick, inexpensive Mexican near McCormick Place.
When to visit: Before games or shows for fastest service and easiest seating.
What to order: Carne asada tacos, elote cup, asada burrito with extra salsa.
Insider tip: If you care about portions, consider adding extra meat to burritos—regulars note it makes the pricing feel much stronger.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking can be limited during events; nearby McCormick Place and hotel garages are the most reliable paid options.
Dress code: Casual — eventwear, jeans, and sneakers are all common.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during pre- and post-event rush; quieter outside peak times.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes during heavy event traffic; often faster outside show/game windows.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal or no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options (cheese quesadilla, veggie tacos, sides); customization is common.
Vegan options: Limited — ask for veggie tacos without cheese/crema and confirm ingredients on salsas and beans.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are available, but the kitchen is not a dedicated gluten-free environment and cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, quick bite before a show than a long, intimate date — the room is bright, lively, and geared toward event traffic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it functions primarily as walk-in, counter-order dining. Arrive a little before event surges for the best shot at open tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual seating, quick service, and shareable tacos work well for families, though amenities like high chairs and stroller space may be limited during busy periods.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable tacos and burritos steps from McCormick Place, with friendly service and colorful, photo-friendly decor.
Skip if: You want a quieter, full-service Mexican dinner, larger portions without add-ons, or a bar-forward experience with cocktails and lingering table service.
La Calle Tacos y Tequila
7.8
Steps from McCormick Place, La Calle Tacos y Tequila focuses on street-style tacos, burritos, and tequila-forward drinks in a compact dining room. Online ordering and a bar-focused setup make it a convenient happy hour stop for convention guests and nearby hotel crowds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Taco, Campechano Taco, Super Cheese Taco
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 6.3
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.1
What makes it special: Convention-adjacent taco bar pouring tequila cocktails with a tight menu of street-style tacos.
Who should go: Convention attendees craving tacos and drinks within a short walk.
When to visit: Pre-event evenings for a quick round of tacos and margaritas.
What to order: Carne asada and campechano tacos plus a Super Cheese Taco.
Insider tip: Order at the bar and grab a seat facing the street to keep an eye on event crowds and game-day traffic.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily paid garage parking at McCormick Place and nearby hotels; street parking is scarce and tighter during conventions and game days.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy during event nights.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during convention rush and happy hour; quieter and conversational outside peak event windows.
Weekend wait: Often minimal outside major events, but during convention peaks expect short waits or limited seating.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, especially for quick-service taco orders.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options — veggie tacos and customizable burritos depending on fillings.
Vegan options: Limited — may require modification (ask about beans, tortillas, and toppings).
Gluten-free options: Select items can be made gluten-conscious (corn tortillas, protein-focused tacos), but cross-contact is likely in a compact kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-key meetup than a formal first date — the space is compact and bar-forward, with more of a quick-taco-and-drinks vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come and moves quickly, but during convention surges tables fill fast, so be prepared to order at the bar or pivot to takeout.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally adult-leaning and bar-centric; fine for older kids during daytime hours, but evenings skew toward drinks and event traffic.
Best For
Better for: Quick taco runs, pre-event margaritas, and fast bar-service dining within a short walk of McCormick Place.
Skip if: You want a long sit-down meal, expansive menus, or quieter, full-service Mexican dining — choose a larger restaurant instead.
La Calle Tacos y Tequila
7.7
La Calle is a newer taco-and-tequila bar just off Cermak that turns out steak burritos, taco dinners, and elotes in a black-and-white space with a Selena mural and a compact bar. Early Taco Tuesday and happy hour specials keep it affordable for locals looking for tacos and margaritas a short walk from McCormick Place.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco Dinner with Elotes, Ground Beef Nachos, Steak Burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 6.4
What makes it special: Compact South Loop taco-and-tequila bar where $1-style taco specials, elote, and margaritas make it a casual Cermak happy hour stop.
Who should go: Solo sippers or neighbors craving tacos, elote, and tequila.
When to visit: Early evening for quieter tacos before Cermak crowds.
What to order: Taco Dinner with Elotes, Ground Beef Nachos, Steak Burrito.
Insider tip: Grab a bar seat facing the accent wall; it’s the easiest way to order another round and still keep an eye on the TVs and street traffic.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; metered street parking on Cermak and side streets, but it can be scarce during McCormick Place events and evening rush.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, sneakers, and game-day wear are common; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate — generally conversational at early evening, louder during event nights and Taco Tuesday.
Weekend wait: 10–25 mins on event or concert nights; often no wait on quieter weekends.
Weekday lunch: No wait or very short wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options (elote, chips and salsa, vegetarian-style tacos or burritos if requested).
Vegan options: Limited — menu skews meat-heavy, but you may be able to build a simple veggie taco without cheese or crema.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are typically available, but there is no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meetups than a formal first date — the space is compact and relaxed, making it comfortable for low-key drinks and tacos but not a long, slow dinner.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s usually walk-in friendly, though seats fill faster before and after McCormick Place events and on Taco Tuesday.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally fine for older kids and families earlier in the evening, but it feels more like a casual bar-leaning taco spot later at night.
Best For
Better for: Quick, affordable tacos and margaritas near McCormick Place, especially for solo diners or small groups looking for a low-pressure happy hour stop.
Skip if: You want upscale Mexican, large-group seating, or a quieter, linger-longer dinner environment.