Best Tacos Restaurants in River North (60654)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Frontera Grill
Long-running flagship for seasonal, regional Mexican with serious agave cocktails.
Notable Picks
8.9
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
Family Friendly Favorites
Since 1987, Rick Bayless’s flagship has treated River North to regionally focused Mexican plates, with tacos, moles, and carne asada sharing space with one of the city’s best agave programs. Michelin Bib Gourmand status and decades of press make it a go-to when you want tacos in a full-service setting with serious cooking behind them.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada, Ceviche Trio, Queso Fundido
What makes it special: Long-running flagship for seasonal, regional Mexican with serious agave cocktails.
#2
Xoco
8.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family Friendly Favorites
Xoco is Rick Bayless’s counter-service spot for tortas, caldos, and churros, pulling steady lines of River North office workers and tourists. The food leans comforting and bold—smoky pork, crispy chicken, deep broths—served fast enough for lunch but satisfying enough for a casual dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja Chicken Torta, Ahogada Torta, Churro Sundae
What makes it special: High-flavor tortas, soups, and churros from a counter-service Bayless spot.
8.5
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Opened in 2017 by River North Hospitality, Big Wig is the neighborhood’s high-volume, late-night taco counter built around grilled skirt steak and customizable vessels. With thousands of app ratings and steady bar-traffic demand, it’s the reliable move for fast tacos, burritos, and nachos before or after a night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Premium Skirt Steak Taco, Classic Everyday Tacos (onion and cilantro), Loaded nachos with queso and choice of protein
What makes it special: High-volume counter spot focused on skirt steak tacos, big portions, and late hours.
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Taco Maya’s River North outpost brings the brand’s global-fusion Mexican playbook—think paneer, samosa, and Nashville hot chicken tacos—to a compact fast-casual space. It’s popular with workers and nearby residents who want bold, mix-and-match taco plates and quesadillas at friendly prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paneer taco, Shrimp tacos, Nashville hot chicken taco
What makes it special: Fusion-focused taco shop where classic al pastor sits alongside paneer and samosa tacos.
Worthy Picks
Vibes:
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Happy Hour Hotspots
Trendy Table Hotspots
The Miami-born Bodega brand’s River North location pairs a casual front taqueria with a tequila-heavy bar and late-night energy. Tacos de birria, al pastor, and quesabirria headline a menu built for pregame bites, cocktails, and DJ-fueled nights in a space that leans more party than quiet sit-down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco de Birria, Quesabirria, Al pastor tacos
What makes it special: Nightlife-focused taqueria-tequila hybrid where birria and cocktails anchor the experience.
#6
Zombie Taco
7.6
Operating out of the Moxy Chicago Downtown, Zombie Taco is a nearly all-day, late-night counter for tacos, burritos, and breakfast items. It’s more about convenience and fun flavors than purist tacos, but long hours make it a reliable option after bars or before early flights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jalapeño Bacon Taco, Braised Brisket Taco, Zombie Burrito
What makes it special: Hotel-side taco counter slinging breakfast and late-night tacos every day.