ZipPicks Awards
Best Cheap Mexican Food in Loop
Master Critic Review
Tacos 606
7.5
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Daley Plaza taco-truck option that fits the ‘cheap Mexican’ brief when you want a fast, street-style lunch in the middle of the Loop. Best approached as a quick-hit taco stop—order tight, eat immediately, and keep expectations aligned with food-truck pacing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada taco, Al pastor taco, Horchata
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7
Consistency: 6.8
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 6.4
What makes it special: Food-truck tacos downtown when you want fast and inexpensive.
Who should go: Office workers craving a quick street-style lunch
When to visit: Midday during Daley Plaza lunch window
What to order: Carne asada taco; al pastor taco; horchata
Insider tip: Order two tacos first—add more only if the line stays short.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Daley Plaza area—street parking is limited and meter spots fill fast; best move is paid garages nearby or public transit if you're already downtown.
Dress code: Casual—office clothes, jeans, and sneakers all work. This is a quick food-truck stop, not a sit-down restaurant.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud during the lunch rush—lots of foot traffic and city noise, more ‘grab-and-go’ than linger-and-talk.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—primarily a weekday lunch-window stop; if it’s operating on a weekend, expect inconsistent hours and variable lines.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes typical during peak Daley Plaza lunch; closer to 0–5 minutes if you hit it early or after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Possible but limited—ask for bean/cheese or veggie-style tacos if offered that day; don’t expect a dedicated vegetarian menu.
Vegan options: Limited—sometimes doable if there are bean/veg fillings and you skip cheese/crema, but it’s not reliably vegan-focused.
Gluten-free options: Potentially yes with corn tortillas, but cross-contact risk is real in a compact truck setup—avoid if you need strict gluten-free handling.
Best For
Better for: Fast, cheap street-style tacos right in the Loop when you want minimal time investment and maximum convenience during a workday.
Consider Alternatives If: You want guaranteed seating, consistent hours, or a polished meal—choose a nearby sit-down Mexican spot instead when comfort and reliability matter more than speed.