0 Followers
Los Arcos
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Los Arcos
7.7
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Happy Hour Hotspots
A longtime North Side Mexican dining room built for margaritas, big plates, and groups that want something familiar and filling. It’s best as a classic combo-plate night: pick one sizzling entrée, add one shared appetizer, and let the room do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada, Fajitas, Enchiladas
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: A big, reliable margarita-and-entrée spot for groups.
Who should go: Families and friends who want classic sit-down Mexican.
When to visit: Weekend dinners for full energy and big-table vibes.
What to order: Carne asada, fajitas, enchiladas.
Insider tip: Order one shared appetizer first—then commit to mains, not extra sides.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots along Clark Street can be tight after 6pm, but side-street parking is usually manageable with a short walk.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—jeans and sneakers are common, but groups celebrating often dress it up slightly.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours—easy to talk at your table, but not a quiet conversation spot.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short waits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetarian-friendly enchiladas, tacos, and combo plates.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with modifications (beans, rice, vegetable-based plates), but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free options like fajitas and grilled meats; confirm tortillas and sauces with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual or low-pressure dates than intimate first dates—the room is lively and social rather than quiet or romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially for small parties on weeknights, but reservations are recommended for weekends or groups of six or more.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—welcoming to kids with familiar flavors, large booths, and a family-friendly atmosphere, especially earlier in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Big groups, celebrations, and margarita-driven nights where familiarity and portion size matter more than culinary edge.
Skip if: You’re looking for modern Mexican, regional specialties, or a quieter, more food-forward dining experience.
Los Arcos
7.9
A lively Andersonville sit-down Mexican restaurant where burritos and combo plates work best as a full dinner, not a grab-and-go stop. It’s strongest when you order one hearty main and a side to share—comfort-forward, generous, and designed for lingering with a margarita.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak burrito, Burrito dinner (combo plate), Chips, salsa, and guacamole
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: A sit-down Andersonville Mexican room with burrito-combo comfort and cocktails.
Who should go: Groups who want burritos plus margaritas
When to visit: Early dinner to avoid peak noise
What to order: Steak burrito, burrito dinner, chips and guac
Insider tip: Keep it to one main each—share apps instead of ordering two combos.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Clark Street and nearby side streets; can be tight during dinner hours, easier earlier in the evening.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—jeans are fine; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak dinner—conversation is possible but expect a lively room.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait typically
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese-based burritos, veggie fillings, and classic sides are available.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with bean-and-veg combinations if you skip cheese and sour cream.
Gluten-free options: Limited—corn tortillas and rice-based plates work, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, no-pressure date than something intimate—the room is lively and portions are big, which keeps things relaxed but not romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes on most weekdays and earlier evenings; weekends after 6:30pm usually mean a short wait for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families are common, portions are shareable, and the menu is approachable for kids.
Best For
Better for: Sit-down Mexican comfort food with cocktails and big portions—more of a full dinner experience than quick burrito spots.
Skip if: You want a fast, inexpensive burrito or a quieter, more refined Mexican meal.
Los Arcos
7.8
A Clark Street full-service room that can stretch later on weekends, making it a practical late-night tacos-and-margaritas play. Treat it like a structured meal—one taco order per person plus one table dish—so it stays paced and not chaotic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria-style tacos, Carnitas tacos, Margarita
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: A sit-down, later-hours option when you want tacos plus drinks.
Who should go: Friends who want tacos and margaritas
When to visit: Friday or Saturday late night
What to order: Birria-style tacos, carnitas tacos, margarita
Insider tip: Go taco-heavy and skip too many mixed entrees—kitchen lands best there.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clark Street and nearby side streets; can be difficult late weekend nights, allow extra time.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; jeans are common, no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to loud late at night; conversation is possible but expect energy from the bar crowd.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes late Friday or Saturday without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – vegetable tacos and meat-free plates available.
Vegan options: Limited – possible with vegetable tacos and modifications; ask the server.
Gluten-free options: Yes – corn tortillas for tacos; cross-contact possible in a full-service kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something casual and lively; better for relaxed conversation over margaritas than a quiet, intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, but late weekend nights can mean a short wait; arriving earlier or later than peak helps.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the evening it can work for families, but late-night hours skew adult and bar-focused.
Best For
Better for: Sit-down tacos with margaritas and a social, late-night dining room rather than a quick counter stop.
Skip if: You want ultra-fast tacos, a quiet atmosphere, or a strictly food-first taqueria without a bar scene.
Los Arcos
8.1
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Happy Hour Hotspots
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A sit-down Mexican option on Clark where the kitchen lands best when you order with structure: one taco dinner or one featured plate, plus a single snackable side. It’s a solid choice when you want a fuller meal without drifting into pricey territory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria Taco Dinner + Consomme, Mole, Quesabirria Tacos
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A reliable sit-down spot for taco dinners and richer plates like mole.
Who should go: Friends who want a casual sit-down meal
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for steadier pacing
What to order: Birria taco dinner, mole, quesabirria tacos
Insider tip: One dinner plate for the table + one side keeps spend controlled.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Clark Street; can be competitive after 6pm, easier on side streets if you’re willing to walk a block or two.
Dress code: Casual — jeans and sneakers are common; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate — lively but still workable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several veggie tacos, enchiladas, and sides can make a full meal.
Vegan options: Limited — some vegetable-based tacos and sides work, but choices are narrow.
Gluten-free options: Mostly — corn tortillas and rice-based dishes are available, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something relaxed and low-pressure — it’s casual, affordable, and not so loud that you can’t talk.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes on weeknights and off-peak hours; weekends can mean a short wait but walk-ins are common.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the menu is approachable, portions are shareable, and the casual vibe works for school-age kids.
Best For
Better for: Sit-down Mexican meals where you want a full plate and margaritas without stepping into higher-priced territory.
Skip if: You’re looking for ultra-fast counter service or highly specialized tacos — simpler taquerias will be quicker and cheaper.