Best Mexican Restaurants in Uptown & Andersonville (60640)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Cariño
A Michelin-starred, masa-forward tasting menu with bold Mexican technique.
Notable Picks
#1
Cariño
8.9
An Uptown chef’s-counter tasting menu that treats Mexican and Latin flavors like fine-dining material—masa work, smoke, and acid all dialed in. The room stays intimate but high-energy, with courses that land playful without losing precision.
Must-Try Dishes:
Huitlacoche ravioli, Michelada oyster, Taco omakase
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred, masa-forward tasting menu with bold Mexican technique.
8.7
A polished Uptown dining room for Oaxaca-leaning cooking where moles, tamales, and handmade tortillas carry the meal. It’s strongest when you order like a table—one mole-driven entrée, one masa staple, and a mezcal cocktail to match.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tlayuda, Tamales oaxaqueños, Mole entrée (seasonal)
What makes it special: Oaxacan specialties with serious mole depth and refined execution.
8.4
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A focused birria specialist that keeps the menu tight and the flavor deep—goat birria, rich consommé, and tortillas that matter. Treat it as a deliberate taco stop: order the birria first, then add one extra round once you’ve got your salsa dialed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Goat birria tacos, Birria plate with consommé, Handmade tortillas
What makes it special: Jalisco-style goat birria with a cult-following level consommé.
8.3
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
A high-traffic neighborhood taqueria where the al pastor is the move—seasoned, juicy, and built for repeat orders. Keep it simple: a taco trio, one salsa-forward side, and you’ll leave happy without over-ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Carne asada tacos, Lengua taco
What makes it special: Al pastor that delivers big flavor at true taqueria prices.
#5
Tiztal Cafe
8.1
A Mexican breakfast-and-lunch café that wins on comfort, consistency, and a menu built for regulars. The move is chilaquiles plus one of their signature shakes—treat it as a cozy daytime anchor, not a rush job.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilaquiles, Oatmeal shake, Chorizo scramble
What makes it special: Mexican daytime cooking with cult-favorite chilaquiles and shakes.
Worthy Picks
#6
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
What makes it special: A big, reliable margarita-and-entrée spot for groups.
7.5
A 24-hour neighborhood option for straightforward Mexican plates when you need something warm and filling at odd hours. Go for the classics—tacos or a burrito plus a soup—rather than overcomplicating the order.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pozole, Menudo, Al pastor tacos
What makes it special: A rare 24-hour Mexican stop for tacos and soups.
7.5
A small, newer counter-style option near the Lawrence/Clark corridor for straightforward tacos, burritos, and quick takeout. Treat it like a practical neighborhood add-on—order one main, one salsa-forward side, and keep it moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos (house style), Burrito (house style), Chips and salsa
What makes it special: A no-frills Uptown counter for fast tacos and burritos.