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El Taco Cart
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
El Taco Cart
8.3
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
El Taco Cart is a compact Northalsted counter spot built for late-night taco runs, with al pastor and asada tacos, burritos, and churros served until 3am on weekends. A small indoor space and quick counter service make it a natural stop after the bars for fast, satisfying Mexican street food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Asada steak taco, Al pastor taco, Pizza tamale
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 7
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A late-night Northalsted taco counter serving street-style tacos until 3am on weekends.
Who should go: Night owls needing quick tacos after Halsted bar hopping.
When to visit: Thursday–Saturday after 11pm for peak late-night energy.
What to order: Asada steak tacos, al pastor tacos, pizza tamale.
Insider tip: Pair tacos with horchata and expect a short wait during bar let-out.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only — metered and neighborhood spots can be scarce late at night near the Halsted bar strip.
Dress code: Casual — bar clothes, streetwear, and late-night attire are all common.
Noise level: Loud during bar let-out with limited seating; best treated as a grab-and-go stop rather than a conversation spot.
Weekend wait: Short queue likely after midnight (5–15 minutes) during peak late-night rush.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait when open, though this is primarily a late-night operation.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — menu is mostly meat tacos; occasional veggie/custom builds may be possible — confirm at the counter.
Vegan options: Very limited — not a vegan-focused menu and cross-contact is likely.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are commonly used but not prepared in a dedicated gluten-free environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if the plan is casual, fast, and late-night — it’s more of a post-bar taco stop than a sit-down date setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations and seating is limited; most guests order at the counter and eat quickly or take food to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal — hours skew late, space is small, and crowds are nightlife-oriented; better suited for adults.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable late-night tacos within steps of Northalsted bars when you want something quick and satisfying.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, quiet conversation, broad dietary accommodations, or a sit-down family meal.
El Taco Cart
7.9
El Taco Cart is a small Halsted storefront focused on tacos, burritos, wings, and late-night snacks geared toward the Northalsted bar crowd. Prices run slightly higher per taco than some competitors, but fast counter service, solid al pastor, and crowd-pleasing sides like mole wings and pizza tamales make it a useful cheap-ish option after midnight.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Burrito, Mole Wings, Pizza Tamale
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.1
What makes it special: A tiny, late-night Halsted stop where burritos, tacos, and wings keep the neighborhood fed after the bars.
Who should go: Bar hoppers craving fast tacos and burritos near Halsted.
When to visit: After 11pm Thursday–Saturday for peak post-club traffic.
What to order: Chicken burrito, mole wings, pizza tamale with horchata.
Insider tip: Expect a short wait at peak hours; order an extra taco to make up for smaller sizes.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Halsted and side streets; spots are scarce after 9pm and especially late-night. No valet — closest paid garages are a few blocks away along Broadway/Belmont.
Dress code: Casual — bar crowd attire, hoodies and jeans are common.
Noise level: Loud late at night from nearby bars and sidewalk traffic; conversation is easier earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: Usually no wait before 10pm; short 5–15 minute lines after midnight.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; quick counter turnaround.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — bean/cheese items and some sides may work, but most fillings are meat-focused.
Vegan options: Very limited — you may be able to customize a bean/veggie taco; confirm ingredients at the counter.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are available, but there is likely cross-contact on shared equipment — not celiac-safe.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want a quick, casual post-bar food stop — it’s counter service with tight seating and late-night energy rather than a conversational sit-down setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-up counter service with limited seating; expect to stand or take food to-go during late-night rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier hours are fine for quick takeout, but it’s not ideal late at night due to the bar-heavy crowd and limited seating; no kids’ menu or high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Faster late-night tacos near Halsted, convenient to clubs and bars, with solid al pastor and fun specialty sides.
Skip if: You want large portions, quieter dining, full table service, or broader vegetarian/vegan options — a sit-down taqueria will be a better fit.
El Taco Cart
8.0
El Taco Cart is a late-night Northalsted counter turning out made-to-order tacos, burritos, and snacks steps from the Halsted bar strip. Marinated steak, al pastor, and shrimp tacos come fast and affordable, making it a reliable stop after shows and nightlife.
Must-Try Dishes:
Asada Steak Taco, Al Pastor Pork Taco, Camaron Shrimp Taco
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A focused late-night taco counter serving freshly griddled fillings until 3am.
Who should go: Night owls needing solid tacos after Halsted bar crawls.
When to visit: Thursday–Saturday after 11pm for peak late-night energy.
What to order: Asada Steak Taco, Al Pastor Pork Taco, Camaron Shrimp Taco.
Insider tip: Build a mix of tacos and share fries to stretch the budget.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only — metered spots and neighborhood street parking along Halsted and nearby side streets; availability varies and can be tight late at night.
Dress code: Casual — bar-crowd friendly; anything from jeans and hoodies to going-out attire is normal.
Noise level: Loud during late-night rush — conversation is possible but expect music, street noise, and bar traffic nearby.
Weekend wait: Usually a short line; 5–15 minutes during peak late-night hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a brief queue if delivery orders are busy.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable — veggie tacos and sides may be available depending on daily offerings.
Vegan options: Very limited — options are minimal and may require customization (ask to hold cheese/sauces).
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are typically gluten-friendly, but cross-contact risk is likely due to shared griddles.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, spontaneous late-night stop than a formal first date — it’s counter-service with limited seating and a lively street-side vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — reservations are not used here. It’s a walk-up counter with limited standing/seating; expect to eat on the go or at small counter spots.
Is it kid-friendly? Early evening can work for quick takeout with older kids, but the late-night crowd and hours make it less suited for younger families.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable tacos after nightlife with quick turnaround and reliable late-night hours.
Skip if: You want sit-down dining, cocktails, large-group seating, or stricter dietary accommodations.