ZipPicks Awards
Best Mexican in Chatham
Master Critic Review
TACO 312
7.9
A South Side fast-casual spot that leans into build-your-own street-food structure—tacos, bowls, and nachos designed for quick ordering and repeatable combos. The best move is to keep it simple: one signature build, one crunchy side, and a drink, then adjust heat and toppings on the next visit.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burrito Bomb, 312 Rice Bowl, 312 Loaded Nachos
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Build-your-own Mexican street-food formats with a South Side neighborhood focus.
Who should go: Lunch regulars who want fast, customizable Mexican.
When to visit: Midday for the smoothest order-and-go flow.
What to order: Burrito Bomb, 312 Rice Bowl, 312 Loaded Nachos.
Insider tip: Pick one “base” (bowl or burrito) and add nachos only if sharing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking in the immediate area; generally manageable for quick in-and-out orders, but plan an extra few minutes during peak dinner windows.
Dress code: Casual (hoodies, jeans, sneakers all fit). Come as you are—this is a fast-casual neighborhood stop.
Noise level: Low to moderate - easy to hold a conversation, especially outside the busiest rush times.
Weekend wait: 15-30 min during peak rush; faster if you order ahead or keep the build simple.
Weekday lunch: 0-10 min typically; short bursts of a line are possible, but it moves quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - easy to build vegetarian tacos, bowls, or nachos by choosing beans/rice/veg-forward toppings and skipping meat.
Vegan options: Limited but doable - build a bowl or tacos with beans, rice, and veggie toppings; confirm sauces/cheese/sour cream and avoid dairy-based add-ons.
Gluten-free options: Possible with a bowl - bowls are the safest path; tortillas/chips may share prep areas, so treat it as cross-contact likely rather than strict GF.
Best For
Better for: Fast, repeatable build-your-own Mexican (tacos/bowls/nachos) where you can lock in a personal combo and keep upgrading it over multiple visits.
Consider Alternatives If: Skip it if you want a full-service sit-down Mexican meal with table service, chips-and-salsa pacing, and a longer dine-in hang—choose a more traditional restaurant-style spot instead.