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El Nuevo Mexicano
ZipPicks Awards
Best Cheap Mexican Food in Lakeview & Wrigleyville
Best Cheap Tacos in Lakeview & Wrigleyville
Master Critic Review
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.
Hours
Monday4pm - 9pm
Tuesday4pm - 9pm
Wednesday4pm - 9pm
Thursday4pm - 9pm
Friday12pm - 10pm
Saturday12pm - 10pm
Sunday12pm - 9pm