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El Nuevo Mexicano
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
El Nuevo Mexicano
8.7
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
El Nuevo Mexicano is a longtime Lakeview restaurant (at this Clark Street address since 1983) pairing margaritas and a broad menu with an unexpectedly deep back dining room and all-weather patio. With well over 1,000 combined reviews and many mentions in local guides, it balances classic enchiladas and fajitas with vegan and gluten-free options while staying reasonable for sit-down Mexican.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Enchiladas, Carnitas Chipotle, Queso Fundido
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A 40-plus-year Clark Street fixture with a big patio and flexible menu, from mole enchiladas to vegan chiles rellenos.
Who should go: Groups and families wanting sit-down Mexican without fine-dining prices.
When to visit: Prime weekend evenings for patio energy; earlier weekdays for deals.
What to order: Chicken enchiladas, carnitas chipotle, queso fundido with margaritas.
Insider tip: Watch for restaurant week and brunch deals that trim entrée pricing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clark and nearby side streets; meters and residential zones — expect difficulty during peak dinner hours, especially weekends. No dedicated valet or private lot reported.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and nice tops are common; groups celebrating often lean slightly dressy.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is comfortable indoors on weeknights; weekends and patio service can trend loud during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer on warm patio-weather evenings.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; same-day walk-ins are common.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple entrée options and substitutions are available.
Vegan options: Yes — several clearly marked vegan dishes, including mains and appetizers.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many dishes can be prepared gluten-free on request, but not in a dedicated prep environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it works best for casual or second-date vibes, especially on the patio. The energy is lively rather than intimate, so expect a social, upbeat atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes — walk-ins are common, particularly on weekdays. For weekend prime hours or larger groups, reservations are strongly recommended to avoid long waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — accommodating for families, with roomy seating and approachable dishes; earlier evening hours are most comfortable for kids.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, celebrations, and mixed-diet parties thanks to its broad menu, strong margaritas, and flexible vegan/vegetarian options.
Skip if: You’re seeking quiet, fine-dining Mexican or a hushed date-night environment — the space leans lively and social.
El Nuevo Mexicano
8.1
El Nuevo Mexicano is a Lakeview East fixture dating back to 1983, pairing shrimp, mahi mahi, and jackfruit tacos with strong margaritas and a heated patio. The broad menu and vegan-friendly taco options make it a flexible sit-down choice when you want affordable tacos with a full-service experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp Tacos, Mahi Mahi Tacos, Jackfruit Tacos
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Family-owned since 1983, offering classic and vegan tacos with a heated patio.
Who should go: Groups and dates wanting tacos plus margaritas and patio seating.
When to visit: Evenings 6–9pm when the dining room and patio feel lively.
What to order: Shrimp Tacos, Mahi Mahi Tacos, Jackfruit Tacos.
Insider tip: Book the patio on mild nights for a more relaxed, comfortable visit.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily metered street parking on Clark and nearby residential side streets; spots tighten after 6pm and during patio season. No valet — a few paid garages within a short walk near Clark & Diversey.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sweaters are common, but many guests lean slightly dressy for dates and evenings.
Noise level: Moderate-lively indoors with music and conversation; the patio is generally calmer and better for conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours, especially in warm-weather patio months.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short waits when open midday.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several taco and entrée options can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Yes — jackfruit and other plant-based tacos are available; staff can help adjust toppings and sauces.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are available and many tacos can be prepared gluten-friendly, but cross-contamination is possible in a shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the warm, neighborhood feel, solid margaritas, and patio seating create an easygoing but slightly special environment that works well for casual first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for smaller parties, especially on weekdays — but expect a wait on weekends or during prime patio hours; reserving ahead is recommended for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably kid-friendly for early dinners and patio visits; the vibe skews more adult in later evening hours when cocktails and groups dominate.
Best For
Better for: A sit-down taco meal with margaritas, vegan-friendly options, and a heated patio — more atmosphere and flexibility than most strictly budget taquerias.
Skip if: You want the lowest-cost counter-service tacos, ultra-quiet dining, or highly traditional street-style menus without broader entrée selections.
Hours
Monday4pm - 9pm
Tuesday4pm - 9pm
Wednesday4pm - 9pm
Thursday4pm - 9pm
Friday12pm - 10pm
Saturday12pm - 10pm
Sunday12pm - 9pm