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Tortazo - Willis Tower
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Tortazo - Willis Tower
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Tortazo is Rick Bayless’s fast-casual Mexican spot inside Willis Tower, focusing on Mexico City-style tortas, chilaquiles, and salads with a full bar in a colorful, design-forward room. Office workers and visitors use it for higher-upgrade tortas, salads, and margaritas that still move quickly at lunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Chicken Milanesa Torta, Chipotle Roasted Chicken Chilaquiles, El Tortazo salad
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Chef-driven Mexico City tortas and chilaquiles served in a lively Willis Tower fast-casual space.
Who should go: Downtown diners wanting upgraded tortas, salads, and margaritas.
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early evenings before commuter rush peaks.
What to order: Crispy Chicken Milanesa Torta, Chipotle Roasted Chicken Chilaquiles, El Tortazo salad.
Insider tip: Sit near the bar side for faster drink service and a better view of the open line.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated valet; most guests use nearby Loop parking garages or paid street parking when available — expect garage rates typical for downtown business district.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — office attire, jeans, and sneakers are all common.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush with steady counter traffic; easier conversation outside peak hours.
Weekend wait: Usually little to no wait — weekend traffic is lighter than weekday office hours.
Weekday lunch: Can build to 10–20 minutes during peak corporate lunch windows; mobile ordering helps reduce wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several items can be ordered vegetarian, including salads, chilaquiles, and some tortas with veg substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with careful customization (hold cheese/crema, choose veg fillings), but options are not fully dedicated.
Gluten-free options: Partial accommodation — bowls, salads, and some chilaquiles can be made gluten-conscious, but cross-contact is likely in a fast-casual line.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual meetup than a romantic first date — it’s counter-service, lively, and set up for quick meals rather than long, lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in and counter-service; seating is first-come, first-served, and turnover is fairly quick even during busy lunch hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids and families passing through downtown — open seating and quick service work well, though there are no dedicated kids’ menus or play amenities.
Best For
Better for: Faster, higher-quality tortas and chilaquiles than typical downtown lunch spots, plus cocktails and a design-forward setting that still works for business casual meals.
Skip if: You want a slow, sit-down Mexican dinner, table service, or a quiet atmosphere — a full-service restaurant will be a better fit.
Tortazo - Willis Tower
7.6
A quick-service torta counter that’s built for big flavor and fast assembly in the Willis Tower lunch rush. Order like a regular—one signature torta and a side—so it stays satisfying instead of messy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cochinita pibil torta, Carnitas torta, Churros (when available)
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 6.6
What makes it special: Fast, focused tortas with real punchy fillings.
Who should go: Lunch-break diners who want bold flavors
When to visit: Weekdays before noon
What to order: Cochinita torta, carnitas torta, churros
Insider tip: Skip peak noon—lines move, but waits spike fast.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garage parking available in and around Willis Tower; street parking is very limited during weekdays.
Dress code: Casual—office wear, jeans, and sneakers all fit the room.
Noise level: Loud during peak lunch rush—conversation is possible but not private.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—primarily a weekday lunch operation.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during peak noon rush; shorter before 11:45am.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—one or two vegetable-forward tortas depending on the menu.
Vegan options: Very limited—best to ask staff about current fillings and sauces.
Gluten-free options: No—tortas are bread-based with no clear gluten-free substitute.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s fast, loud, and utilitarian, better suited for quick lunches than lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—this is counter service with open seating, but seats fill quickly during peak lunch.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids who like bold flavors, but limited seating and no kid-specific menu.
Best For
Better for: Faster service and bolder, more filling sandwiches than most Loop lunch counters.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal, quiet conversation, or strong vegetarian or gluten-free options.
Tortazo - Willis Tower
7.7
A Willis Tower food-hall Mexican counter built around bold, Mexico City–leaning flavors with a polished, high-traffic rhythm. Tacos land best when you keep the order focused—one protein-forward set, chips if you need the extra, and don’t expect bargain pricing in this location.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Tacos, Chorizo Egg Taco, Quesadilla (Steak Rajas)
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Mexico City–inspired tacos in a high-volume Willis Tower setting.
Who should go: Office lunchers and Skydeck visitors craving tacos
When to visit: Weekdays mid-morning or mid-afternoon to skip lines
What to order: Carne asada tacos, chorizo egg taco, a quesadilla
Insider tip: Treat it like a two-item order—tacos plus one side—so it stays quick.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garage parking in and around Willis Tower; street parking is extremely limited during weekdays.
Dress code: Business casual to casual — office attire, jeans, and sneakers all fit comfortably.
Noise level: High — food hall energy with constant foot traffic and ambient noise.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes when Skydeck traffic is heavy; shorter outside peak tourist hours.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during the noon rush; minimal wait mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable-based tacos and quesadillas available.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with veggie tacos if you skip dairy; not clearly labeled.
Gluten-free options: Limited — corn tortillas are standard, but cross-contact is possible in the food hall setup.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional first date — the food is solid, but the food hall setting is loud, rushed, and lacks privacy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served throughout the food hall, but you may need to scout for an open table during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes in a practical sense — kids are welcome, but there are no kid-specific menu items and the environment is busy and adult-paced.
Best For
Better for: Bold, Mexico City–style flavors in a polished, high-traffic downtown setting with efficient ordering.
Skip if: You want cheap tacos, a relaxed sit-down meal, or a quieter lunch experience — neighborhood taquerias or casual Mexican restaurants will deliver better value and atmosphere.
Tortazo - Willis Tower
8.2
A Rick Bayless fast-casual counter inside Willis Tower that’s best used as a structured after-work reset: a torta, a snackable side, and a quick round before you head out. The flavors skew Mexico City–inspired and bold, but the food-hall setting means noise and speed over ambiance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mexico City–style torta (telera sandwich), Tortilla soup, Churros
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Mexico City–leaning Tortazo flavors in a fast, office-tower rhythm.
Who should go: Willis Tower workers and visitors needing a quick round
When to visit: Weekdays 4–7pm for the happy-hour window
What to order: A torta, tortilla soup, churros
Insider tip: Grab a seat early—food-court tables fill fast after 5.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid parking garages throughout the Loop and Willis Tower complex; street parking is very limited and unreliable after work hours. CTA access is far easier than driving.
Dress code: Business casual to casual—office attire, jeans, and sneakers all fit naturally in the food-hall setting.
Noise level: Loud – food-hall buzz makes extended conversation difficult during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—primarily a weekday, office-driven operation with limited evening traffic.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak lunch; shorter waits off-peak and during early happy hour.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – vegetarian tortas and sides available, though not a large dedicated section.
Vegan options: Limited – a few customizable options if you skip dairy and sauces.
Gluten-free options: Limited – some fillings and sides are gluten-free, but tortas rely heavily on bread and shared prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it's loud, fast-paced, and transactional. Better as a casual after-work bite than a conversation-focused meet-up.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating is first-come, shared food-hall seating. Grab a spot before ordering if you’re arriving after 5pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Neutral—kids are fine earlier in the day, but the after-work crowd, noise, and pace make it less comfortable for families in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Quick, flavor-forward Mexican bites and efficient happy-hour stops inside Willis Tower.
Skip if: You want a sit-down experience, quieter ambiance, or a lingering margarita-focused happy hour.
Tortazo - Willis Tower
8.2
A Rick Bayless fast-casual counter inside Willis Tower that’s built for an after-work reset: bold Mexico City–leaning flavors, quick pacing, and a happy-hour window that rewards a tight order. It lands best when you go tacos + one snackable special, then keep the drinks simple and move on before the food-hall rush peaks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada tacos, Chorizo + avocado tlayuda, El Súper Clásico margarita
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Rick Bayless–driven Mexico City flavors with a real weekday happy-hour window.
Who should go: Willis Tower workers and quick after-work crews
When to visit: Weekdays 4–7pm for happy hour
What to order: Carne asada tacos, tlayuda, margarita
Insider tip: Order one taco set + one happy-hour snack—skip over-ordering in the food hall.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid parking garages in and around Willis Tower; street parking is very limited and unreliable after work hours.
Dress code: Business casual to smart casual—office attire fits right in, jeans are fine.
Noise level: Loud – food hall environment with constant foot traffic; conversation is possible but not private.
Weekend wait: Not applicable – primarily a weekday, office-driven location with limited evening hours.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak noon rush; quicker before noon or after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – vegetarian tacos and sides are available.
Vegan options: Limited – possible with modifications, but not a dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes – corn tortillas are available, but there is shared prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date—it's fast-paced, loud, and food-hall casual, better suited for coworkers or low-pressure meetups.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations; seating is communal and first-come, so timing matters more than planning.
Is it kid-friendly? Neutral—kids are allowed, but the environment is geared toward office workers rather than families.
Best For
Better for: Quick, flavorful tacos with real chef-driven credibility during a defined happy-hour window.
Skip if: You want a relaxed sit-down meal, quieter conversation, or a destination taco experience.