Best Cheap Mexican Restaurants in Lincoln Square (60625)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: July 2026
Our Top Pick
El Xangarrito
Mole-centric, scratch-cooking in an intimate BYOB setting.
Notable Picks
8.4
A tiny, BYOB neighborhood room that leans into scratch-made Mexican cooking where mole and saucy plates are the draw, not just tacos. The best move is to come hungry, pick one mole-forward entrée, and add a taco order for balance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak enchiladas in mole, Salmon en mole, Sweet plantains with crema
What Makes it Special: Mole-centric, scratch-cooking in an intimate BYOB setting.
8.3
A North Park counter-style Mexican spot that wins on rich, beefy birria and a taco lineup that stays focused and satisfying. Order for momentum: start with quesabirria, add one carne asada or carnitas taco, and finish with horchata.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirria, Birria, Carne asada taco
What Makes it Special: Birria-first menu with strong execution and tight focus.
8.3
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
A long-running Albany Park taqueria where burritos are built around properly seasoned meats and a steady, no-drama kitchen rhythm. The move is classic: pick one protein you trust, add a simple salsa pairing, and let the tortillas-and-grill fundamentals carry the meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada burrito, Al pastor burrito, Burrito suizo (wet burrito)
What Makes it Special: High-volume taqueria reliability with burritos that stay consistent.
8.3
A Lawrence Ave taqueria built around volume-friendly taco trays and reliably seasoned meats, with al pastor and steak leading the room. It’s at its best late when you order like a local: tacos in a tight mix, rice and beans on the side, and one “bigger” item (torta or burrito) to anchor the meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Steak tacos, Steak torta
What Makes it Special: A taco-tray specialist with legit late-night hours and strong al pastor.
Worthy Picks
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A straightforward Albany Park taqueria that hits hardest in the carnitas lane—crisp edges, juicy centers, and the kind of salsa setup that rewards simple ordering. Keep it classic: carnitas tacos, one barbacoa for contrast, and rice and beans only if you’re truly starving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas tacos, Barbacoa taco, Carnitas dinner plate
What Makes it Special: Carnitas-forward cooking with strong value and salsa payoff.
7.7
A late-night Albany Park standby where the best version of the meal is simple tacos and a drink, not a huge mixed order. Go for steak or pastor, add horchata, and treat everything else as optional.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak tacos, Al pastor tacos, Horchata
What Makes it Special: Late-night taqueria rhythm with reliable taco basics.
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
A compact Lawrence Ave spot built for practical, filling Mexican comfort—tacos, burritos, and breakfast-leaning plates without a lot of fuss. It’s at its best when you order one signature burrito, add a taco or two, and skip over-ordering sides.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast burrito, Steak tacos, Classic burrito
What Makes it Special: No-fuss, filling Mexican staples with strong everyday value.
7.5
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A small-footprint Lawrence Ave spot with a menu that’s strongest in hearty, mixed builds rather than trying to sample everything at once. The move is to pick one “bowl” or loaded combo as the anchor, then add a simpler taco order next time once you’ve calibrated the salsas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oaxaca bowl, Alambre-style build, Horchata
What Makes it Special: Hearty bowl-and-combo ordering that’s built for quick, filling meals.