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Asada Mexican Grill
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Asada Mexican Grill
7.8
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Asada Mexican Grill is a halal-friendly Mexican counter spot just off Wacker that builds burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads to order. Downtown diners lean on it for customizable Asada Steak Burritos, barbacoa, and veggie options that are hearty enough for lunch but efficient for grab-and-go.
Must-Try Dishes:
Asada Steak Burrito, Barbacoa Burrito, Breakfast Burritos
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Halal-friendly Mexican burritos, bowls, and tacos built to order in a streamlined downtown space.
Who should go: Halal diners and office workers wanting hearty customizable burritos.
When to visit: Beat the noon surge by arriving just before or after peak lunch.
What to order: Asada Steak Burrito, Barbacoa Burrito, a breakfast burrito if you’re in early.
Insider tip: Ask for extra salsa or pico on the side so bowls and burritos stay balanced rather than soggy on a walk back to the office.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking — paid garages and limited street parking nearby; most office-tower visitors walk from surrounding buildings.
Dress code: Casual and office-friendly — work attire, jeans, and sneakers are all appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate during the lunch rush with brief ordering chatter; quiet to low outside peak periods.
Weekend wait: Often minimal or no wait when open; hours may be limited on weekends, so check ahead.
Weekday lunch: Short line at peak noon windows; typically 5–10 minutes from order to pickup.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — bowls, burritos, and salads can be built vegetarian with beans, rice, and veggie toppings.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — customize bowls or salads without cheese/sour cream and add veggies and beans.
Gluten-free options: Partially — bowls and salads avoid tortillas, but prep is shared and cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited for a casual, functional meal than a date — it’s a counter-service setup focused on quick lunches rather than ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served and turnover is fast; many guests take food to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for simple, quick meals — counter ordering, flexible portions, and straightforward burritos/bowls work well for older kids; limited space for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Faster customizable burritos and bowls near Wacker, halal-friendly protein options, and efficiency for office-hour lunches.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, evening atmosphere, or extensive vegan/gluten-free specialization — another sit-down Mexican restaurant may be a better fit.
Asada Mexican Grill
8.1
A Loop counter built for fast, filling burrito runs with a halal-friendly angle and big portions that hold up for takeout. Best move is to keep it classic—one burrito or bowl, one add-on (guac or extra meat), then get out before the lunch wave tightens the room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak burrito, Barbacoa burrito, Breakfast burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: A fast Loop burrito counter with a halal-friendly menu and big portions.
Who should go: Office workers who want fast, filling Mexican.
When to visit: Weekday mid-morning or early lunch.
What to order: Steak burrito, barbacoa burrito, breakfast burrito.
Insider tip: Order ahead for pickup—lines spike at noon.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking. Metered street parking is very limited in the Loop; nearby garages are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual. Workwear, jeans, and commuter attire all fit the room.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush, quieter mid-morning; fine for solo dining but not built for long conversations.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — primarily a weekday lunch counter.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak noon rush; minimal to no wait before 11:30am.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable-based burritos and bowls with beans, rice, and toppings.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — veggie burrito or bowl without dairy-based add-ons.
Gluten-free options: Yes — burrito bowls can be ordered without tortillas.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? No — it’s a fast, counter-service lunch spot designed for efficiency, not lingering or atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there’s no reservation system. Seating is first-come, first-served and limited, so most people opt for takeout.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for older kids who eat burritos or bowls comfortably; there are no kids’ amenities or special menu items.
Best For
Better for: Fast, filling burritos with halal-friendly meat options and strong value for Loop lunch runs.
Skip if: You want sit-down Mexican, table service, or a relaxed group meal — this is built for speed, not staying.
Asada Mexican Grill
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Loop lunch-counter workhorse for fast, filling tacos when you want real flavor without a long wait. The barbacoa builds bring the cleanest payoff—onion, cilantro, lime—while the operation stays optimized for weekday throughput.
Must-Try Dishes:
Barbacoa Beef Tacos, Acapulco Bay Tacos, Asada Chicken Tacos
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Quick, no-drama Loop tacos with strong value and speed.
Who should go: Loop workers who want fast, filling tacos
When to visit: Weekday late morning before the lunch rush
What to order: Barbacoa tacos, Acapulco Bay tacos, asada chicken tacos
Insider tip: Order barbacoa for the cleanest, most reliable taco build.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited; paid garages nearby are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual workday attire—jeans, sneakers, and office wear are all standard.
Noise level: Moderate—lively counter-service energy but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—primarily a weekday lunch operation with limited or no dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait before noon; 5–10 minutes during peak lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—vegetable and bean-based taco builds are available but not extensive.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with custom orders (beans, rice, veggies) but not explicitly labeled.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn tortillas are standard; cross-contact is possible in a fast-paced kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional date—it's fast, functional, and counter-driven rather than relaxed or intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—ordering is counter service, and seating turns quickly; just grab an open table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle simple tacos; there are no kid-specific amenities or menus.
Best For
Better for: Speed, value, and reliable weekday tacos when time matters more than atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a sit-down Mexican meal, evening dining, or a more social, linger-friendly setting.