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Barrio
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Barrio
8.3
Vibes:
Girls Night Out Approved
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
Barrio is a sprawling, rustic-industrial space for creative tacos, big-format platters, and a deep tequila list. It leans social and loud, functioning as a go-to for birthdays, office outings, and game-day groups that want shareable plates and approachable flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada, Carnitas Fried Rice, Taco Tower
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Large-format Mexican spot with build-your-own tacos and strong tequila service.
Who should go: Groups wanting festive tacos, cocktails, and a big-room atmosphere.
When to visit: Weekends or game days for maximum energy and crowd buzz.
What to order: Taco Tower, Carne Asada, Carnitas Fried Rice for the table.
Insider tip: Book a larger table and center the order on towers and shared plates rather than individual entrees.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot — expect paid garages and limited metered street parking nearby; valet is sometimes offered during peak evenings (availability may vary).
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy for nights and events.
Noise level: Loud and high-energy during peak hours — conversation can require raised voices with large groups.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours; reservations strongly recommended for groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or short wait outside convention or event surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several tacos, starters, and sides can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — some items can be modified, but selection is relatively small; confirm with your server.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many tacos and plates can be prepared gluten-free with corn tortillas and substitutions, but there is no fully separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for social or celebratory outings than an intimate first date — the room is lively and loud, which suits groups more than quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for smaller parties at off-peak times, but weekend dinners and larger groups typically require a reservation to avoid long waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids and family groups earlier in the evening; later hours skew louder and bar-forward, so it’s less ideal for young children.
Best For
Better for: Big-group celebrations, birthday dinners, and tequila-centric outings where shareable plates and a high-energy room are the priority.
Skip if: You want quiet conversation, chef-driven regional Mexican cooking, or a more intimate date-night environment.
Barrio
8.3
Barrio is a rustic-industrial Mexican spot known for shareable tacos, big-format platters, and a deep tequila list right in the thick of River North. Its sizable dog-friendly patio and occasional puppy patio menu make it one of the more extroverted options for bringing a pup along to tacos and margaritas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco Tower with mix-and-match tacos, Carnitas Fried Rice with crispy pork and fried egg, Carne Asada NY strip with roasted vegetables
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A high-energy Mexican restaurant where the dog-friendly patio, tequila, and big-format taco platters all pull equal weight.
Who should go: Groups chasing margaritas, tacos, and a social patio scene.
When to visit: Sunny happy hours or weekend evenings when the patio fills up.
What to order: Taco Tower, Carnitas Fried Rice, Carne Asada with a tequila cocktail.
Insider tip: Call ahead in peak season to confirm patio waits and mention you’re bringing a dog so they can seat you outside quickly.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; nearby garages are the most reliable option and can be pricey during peak hours.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished for evenings and group outings.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours — conversation is possible but expect a high-energy patio and interior.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer on warm patio-weather nights.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal to no wait, except during convention or event weeks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several tacos, sides, and shareable plates can be made vegetarian upon request.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of items can be adapted, but menus skew toward meat and cheese.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortilla options and marked GF-friendly plates, but cross-contact is possible in a busy kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for fun, social dates than quiet conversation — the patio and margaritas work well for a casual, extroverted first date, but noise can be high.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — walk-ins are common, especially on the patio, but expect a wait during prime evenings; add your name early or arrive before the rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during daytime and early evenings — casual vibe, shareable plates, and outdoor seating work well for families, though late nights skew adult and lively.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, dog-friendly patio hangs, tequila-forward happy hours, and shareable taco platters in a social setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, highly specialized regional Mexican cooking, or strictly vegan/gluten-controlled menus.
Barrio
8.3
Barrio is a sprawling, industrial-chic Mexican restaurant and bar where taco towers, carne asada, and margarita pitchers carry groups from dinner into a late-night scene. With strong bar energy and weekend hours that push past typical dining times, it doubles as a Mexican-leaning pregame or last stop in River North. Expect loud music, big-format plates, and a drinks-first crowd.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco Tower, Carne Asada, Carnitas Fried Rice
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Large-format Mexican cocktails-and-tacos spot that bridges dinner into a true late-night party.
Who should go: Groups planning festive, cocktail-heavy Mexican nights.
When to visit: Weekend evenings into late night for full party energy.
What to order: Taco Tower, carne asada, Carnitas Fried Rice for sharing.
Insider tip: Book a big table and build the order around towers and shared platters to keep costs predictable.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North at night; most guests use nearby paid garages. Valet is sometimes offered on busy weekends, but availability can vary.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine, but most groups arrive in going-out attire.
Noise level: Loud during peak and late-night hours — conversation can be difficult without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: Expect a wait of 45–60+ minutes without a reservation after 8pm, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait when open earlier in the day; traffic is far lighter than weekends.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several tacos, sides, and bowls can be ordered vegetarian or customized on request.
Vegan options: Limited — 2–3 customizable options; ask staff to confirm ingredients and substitutions.
Gluten-free options: Partial coverage — corn tortillas and some plates are gluten-free friendly, but shared prep means no dedicated GF kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Best for a fun, high-energy night rather than quiet conversation — great if you want a party-vibe date, not ideal for intimate talk.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — but expect waits on weekends. Walk-ins tend to be seated faster at the bar or high-tops; large groups should book ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Early evening can work for older kids, but the vibe turns adult-focused and very loud late at night — not recommended for young children.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, cocktail-heavy celebrations, and late-night Mexican with a true party atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a quiet dinner, fine-dining pacing, or food-first tasting menus without loud music or crowds.
Barrio
8.3
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Barrio runs as a big, industrial-chic Mexican restaurant where happy hour focuses on margaritas, tequila cocktails and shareable snacks. With 1,400+ Yelp reviews and frequent inclusion on River North happy hour lists, it’s popular for office crews and friend groups starting a night downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco tower platter, Queso fundido, Carne asada plate
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Large-format Mexican dining room with strong cocktail-focused happy hour energy.
Who should go: Coworkers and friends planning drinks-first Mexican nights.
When to visit: Weekday happy hour before it turns nightclub-loud.
What to order: Queso fundido, taco tower, a house margarita or paloma.
Insider tip: Sit on the patio in warmer months to escape peak interior noise.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare, especially during evening happy hour and weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most groups lean slightly dressy for after-work and night-out plans.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours and late evenings; conversation is easier earlier in happy hour or on the patio.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, except during event or convention weeks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian tacos, apps, and sides with easy shareable options.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified, but menus lean more vegetarian than fully vegan.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many tacos and mains can be prepared gluten-free; ask staff to flag cross-contact concerns.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a lively, social date than an intimate one — it works early in happy hour, but peak evenings are loud and group-oriented.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes during weekday happy hour or early evening; on weekends, expect a wait and consider bar or patio seating if you walk in.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonable earlier in the day or early evening, but not ideal during late-night or party-heavy hours; no dedicated kids menu.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, celebratory happy hour meetups, and cocktail-focused nights with shareable plates.
Skip if: You want a quiet conversation, an intimate date setting, or a more traditional/regional Mexican dining experience.
Hours
Monday4:30pm - 11:30pm
Tuesday4:30pm - 11:30pm
Wednesday4:30pm - 11:30pm
Thursday12pm - 11:30pm
Friday12pm - 2am
Saturday10:30am - 2am
Sunday10:30am - 11:30pm