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Moe’s Cantina – River North
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Moe’s Cantina – River North
7.7
Moe’s Cantina River North is a sprawling bar-restaurant geared toward game days, Taco Thursdays, and big-group nights out. Expect solid tacos, fajitas, and shared appetizers rather than chef-y experimentation, backed by loud music, TVs, and plenty of tequila.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fajitas Con Arrachera, Carne Asada Tacos, Elotes
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: High-capacity cantina mixing tacos, fajitas, and tequila with sports-bar energy.
Who should go: Friends groups prioritizing drinks, music, and a social atmosphere.
When to visit: Taco Thursday or weekend nights for full party-mode energy.
What to order: Fajitas Con Arrachera, carne asada tacos, elotes and chips.
Insider tip: Anchor your visit around weekday taco specials to keep the check in line with the bar-first vibe.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive at night; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy on weekends.
Noise level: Loud — music and TVs dominate during peak hours; expect shouting over conversation in the main room.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer during big game nights.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; quicker seating outside peak happy hour times.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — salads, veggie tacos, and sides can work with some substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified, but options are not a core focus.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-leaning dishes (tacos, proteins); ask staff for modifications and ingredient details.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited for social nights out than intimate conversation — the loud, high-energy atmosphere works for casual hangouts but not quiet get-to-know-you dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially earlier in the evening or on weekdays — but expect waits during Taco Thursday, big sports events, and late-night weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Acceptable during daytime and early evenings, but the vibe shifts adult-centric and bar-forward later at night.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, game-day gatherings, and casual nights centered on drinks, music, and shareable plates.
Skip if: You want quiet conversation, chef-driven Mexican cooking, or a more intimate, sit-down dining experience.
Moe’s Cantina – River North
8.2
Moe’s Cantina River North is a multi-level cantina where fajitas, tacos, and giant shareable drinks play backup to a nightclub-adjacent late-night scene. Food runs solid but secondary to the high-volume bar and DJ energy, making it a go-to when you need Mexican plates well past standard kitchen hours. It’s less about nuance and more about fuel for large, rowdy groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tacos, Steak Fajitas, Loaded Nachos
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A massive, party-forward cantina where Mexican plates stretch deep into the night alongside DJs and big drinks.
Who should go: Late-night groups prioritizing atmosphere and drinks over finesse.
When to visit: Late weekend nights when the room is loud and packed.
What to order: Chicken tacos, steak fajitas, one large order of loaded nachos.
Insider tip: Treat it like a bar with food—eat a focused order early, then shift to drinks as the night ramps up.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive at night; most guests use nearby River North garages or rideshare. Valet appears intermittently on busy weekends but shouldn’t be relied on.
Dress code: Trendy casual to dressy-casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean nightlife-ready on weekends.
Noise level: Very loud during late-night hours — conversation is difficult once DJs and crowds ramp up.
Weekend wait: Expect a wait of 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer after 10pm when the party crowd arrives.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait — daytime traffic is light compared to nights and weekends.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several tacos, quesadillas, and shareables can be ordered vegetarian, but selections are limited.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified, but this is not a vegan-focused menu.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-leaning options (like certain tacos and proteins), but preparation is shared and cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Generally no — the energy is loud and party-forward, which makes conversation tough. It’s better for group nights out than intimate one-on-one dinners.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially earlier in the evening — but waits grow quickly on weekends. Arrive before peak club hours or be prepared to wait and stand near the bar.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal — while daytime and early evening are calmer, the venue shifts to a nightlife environment later. Best suited for adults and late-night groups.
Best For
Better for: Large, rowdy groups who want Mexican plates alongside a true nightlife atmosphere with DJs and bottle-service energy.
Skip if: You’re prioritizing food quality, quiet conversation, or a seated dinner experience — a more restaurant-first Mexican spot will be a better fit.
Moe’s Cantina – River North
7.7
Moe’s Cantina runs a two-story cantina with DJs, large-format cocktails, and a taco-heavy menu that stretches deep into the night on weekends. It’s more about crowd energy and drinks than nuanced cooking, but Taco Thursday deals and late kitchen hours make it a practical stop for tacos during a night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesobirria Tacos, Taco de Camaron, Carne Asada Taco
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 6.5
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A big, party-forward cantina where tacos share space with margarita towers and DJ nights.
Who should go: Large groups prioritizing drinks, music, and late-night tacos.
When to visit: Thursday through Saturday late nights when the DJ and taco specials run.
What to order: Quesobirria Tacos, Taco de Camaron, Steak or Carne Asada Taco.
Insider tip: Target Taco Thursday for cheaper tacos and tequila, and book a table upstairs if you want more space away from the main bar.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in River North, especially after 6pm — most guests use nearby paid garages within 1–2 blocks. Valet is not consistently offered; confirm day-of if you’re planning to drive.
Dress code: Night-out smart casual — jeans are fine, but most groups lean dressy for the DJ / lounge atmosphere.
Noise level: Loud — music and crowd energy make conversation difficult during peak nights.
Weekend wait: Expect 45–90 minutes without a reservation after 9pm, especially on Thursdays–Saturdays when DJs and specials draw larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, but this is not a lunch-focused venue and hours may vary — check schedule before planning a daytime visit.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options (e.g., veggie tacos, sides), but the menu is not strongly vegetarian-focused — expect limited variety.
Vegan options: Very limited — most items include cheese or crema; modifications may be possible but are not guaranteed late-night.
Gluten-free options: Select tacos and proteins can be made gluten-aware on corn tortillas, but there is no fully separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Generally no — the room is loud, crowded, and DJ-driven. It works better for a group night out or a social second stop than a conversation-forward date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but expect a wait on peak nights. Arrive earlier in the evening or later after the main rush, and be prepared for standing room near the bar while you wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really — the space leans adult, nightlife-oriented, and loud, especially late. Earlier hours may be calmer, but it’s best suited to adults and group outings.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, birthday outings, DJ-driven nights, and late-hour tacos when the priority is energy, drinks, and social atmosphere over culinary nuance.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, chef-driven tacos, serious service, or conversation-friendly seating — choose a dedicated taqueria or sit-down Mexican restaurant instead.
Moe’s Cantina – River North
7.9
Moe’s Cantina is a multi-level Northern Mexican restaurant and bar where happy hour means discounted margaritas, beers and nachos in a space packed with TVs and clubby lighting. Thousands of Google and Yelp reviews back its role as a rowdy pregame spot, even if the food leans more straightforward than chef-driven.
Must-Try Dishes:
Happy hour nachos, Carne asada or al pastor tacos, House margarita or paloma
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.5
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: High-capacity Northern Mexican cantina where happy hour doubles as a sports bar pregame.
Who should go: Large groups prioritizing drinks, music, and TVs over food nuance.
When to visit: Thu–Sun happy hour before the full club vibe kicks in.
What to order: Classic margarita, nachos, and a round of tacos to share.
Insider tip: Ask for patio or mezzanine seating if you want energy without being crushed by the dance floor crowd.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in River North; expect to use nearby paid garages or rideshare, especially on weekends.
Dress code: Casual-to-dressy nightlife attire — jeans and sneakers are fine, but most guests lean party-casual.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours with music and crowd energy; conversation is easier during early happy hour.
Weekend wait: Often 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer for large groups during peak nightlife hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short wait when open; venue activity is much lighter earlier in the day.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few approachable options like veggie tacos, nachos, and sides, though not a dedicated menu section.
Vegan options: Limited — some items can be modified, but offerings are minimal and sauce/cheese components are common.
Gluten-free options: Partial — certain tacos and proteins can be made gluten-free on request, but cross-contact is likely in a busy kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want a high-energy, bar-forward vibe — the loud music, TVs, and party crowd make it better for social hangs than intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially during early happy hour or weekdays, but weekends can mean a line — small groups fare better, and bar or high-top seating is often first-come.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal — the space skews nightlife-oriented. Early daytime/afternoon visits may be fine for older teens, but evenings are adult-focused.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, pregame gatherings, sports-bar energy, and discounted drinks during happy hour.
Skip if: You want quiet conversation, chef-driven Mexican food, or a refined dining experience with focused service and pacing.