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Federales Tacos & Tequila - Logan Square
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Federales Tacos & Tequila - Logan Square
8.6
Federales’ Logan Square outpost is a sprawling tequila-and-taco bar built for rowdy happy hours, with ice-shot bell ringing, a retractable-roof space, and a big patio. Tacos, nachos, and margaritas move fast enough to serve crowds that treat it as a group meet-up spot before longer nights out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grande Nachos, Al Pastor Tacos, Chicken Fajitas
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: High-capacity tequila and taco bar with retractable roof and late-night energy.
Who should go: Groups prioritizing margaritas, tacos, and loud, party-forward crowds.
When to visit: Weeknight happy hour or early weekend evenings before peak rush.
What to order: Grande Nachos, al pastor tacos, a frozen or spicy margarita.
Insider tip: Reserve for larger groups and request patio-side seating in season.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered and residential spots can be competitive during evenings and weekends — plan extra time or consider rideshare.
Dress code: Casual to nightlife-casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy for group nights out.
Noise level: Loud — music and crowd energy make conversation difficult during peak hours, especially inside and near the bar.
Weekend wait: 45–90 minutes without a reservation during peak evening and late-night windows.
Weekday lunch: Typically no lunch service; on earlier weekday openings, waits are uncommon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few taco and appetizer options can be made vegetarian, but selection is limited and varies by season.
Vegan options: Limited — 1–2 items may be adaptable; confirm ingredients and modifications with staff.
Gluten-free options: Partial — corn tortillas are available, but shared prep areas mean possible cross-contact; ask staff if strict gluten avoidance is required.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for fun, high-energy dates than intimate conversation — the vibe is lively, social, and often loud.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but expect a wait during peak happy hour and weekends; arriving early or with a smaller group improves your chances.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal — the crowd, volume, and bar-forward atmosphere skew adult; better suited for groups and nightlife outings.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, rowdy happy hours, frozen margaritas, and party-energy patios with fast-moving tacos and drinks.
Skip if: You want quiet conversation, chef-driven food, or a seated dining experience with slower pacing and service focus.
Federales Tacos & Tequila - Logan Square
8.3
Federales Logan Square is a tequila-and-taco bar built for big-group happy hours, with a massive patio, retractable roof, and the signature ice-shot bell ritual. The menu leans into shareable Tex-Mex snacks and tacos that keep pace with pitchers and frozen margaritas well into the night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Quesabirria, Grande Nachos, Chilaquiles
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: High-capacity tequila bar where happy hour, patio hangs, and late-night tacos collide.
Who should go: Groups prioritizing drinks, energy, and a rowdy patio.
When to visit: Afternoon into early evening for happy hour and daylight patio time.
What to order: Lamb quesabirria, Grande Nachos, a round of frozen margaritas.
Insider tip: Aim for earlier time slots on weekends—lines spike fast when the weather is good.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking in the surrounding blocks; metered spots on Milwaukee Ave fill quickly and can be difficult after 6pm — rideshare is the easiest option on busy nights.
Dress code: Casual to dressy-casual — jeans are fine, but most groups lean party-night polished on weekends.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours — inside is high-energy and conversation can be difficult; the patio is moderately easier for groups to talk.
Weekend wait: Expect 45–90 minutes for walk-ins during prime patio and nightlife hours; larger groups should plan for longer waits.
Weekday lunch: Typically no lunch service — on weekday afternoons/evenings, walk-ins are usually manageable before the after-work rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few taco and appetizer options can be made vegetarian, plus sides and chips-and-dip plates.
Vegan options: Limited — 2–3 items may be customizable, but most dishes rely on dairy or meat; confirm details with staff.
Gluten-free options: Partial — corn tortillas are available and some tacos can be adapted, but cross-contact is possible in a shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for fun, high-energy hangouts than intimate first dates — the volume and party vibe suit social or activity-style dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are common, but arrive early for patio seating on warm weekends; late arrivals should expect a line.
Is it kid-friendly? Early hours can work for families with teens, but the scene shifts party-centric at night — not ideal for young children during peak hours.
Best For
Better for: Large, social happy hours, celebratory group outings, and outdoor patio energy with drinks-first pacing.
Skip if: You want quiet conversation, chef-driven Mexican cooking, or a seated dinner experience with slower, more formal service.
Federales Tacos & Tequila - Logan Square
8.5
Federales’ Logan Square outpost is an open-air tequila and taco bar where ice-shot bell ringing, a massive patio, and a retractable roof create one of the neighborhood’s loudest late-night scenes. Tacos, nachos, and chilaquiles keep pace with pitchers and frozen margaritas well past midnight, especially on weekends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Quesabirria Tacos, Grande Nachos, Chilaquiles with Sunny-Side Egg
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: High-capacity taco-and-tequila bar with a retractable-roof patio and 2 a.m.+ hours.
Who should go: Groups prioritizing cocktails, patio energy, and loud music.
When to visit: Late weekend nights when the patio and bell are busiest.
What to order: Lamb quesabirria tacos, Grande Nachos, chilaquiles with egg.
Insider tip: Book outdoor tables on warm nights—patio seating goes first.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available but competitive on weekends; expect to circle or use nearby paid lots — rideshare is common after 9pm
Dress code: Casual-party attire; jeans and sneakers fine, most guests lean dressy-casual on weekends
Noise level: Very loud — music and crowd noise make conversation difficult indoors during peak hours
Weekend wait: 60–90 min without a reservation; fastest access for smaller groups and bar seating
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait or not a primary lunch service period
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several taco and nacho builds can be made meat-free on request
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of items can be customized, but sauces and tortillas may include dairy
Gluten-free options: Partial — some tacos and bowls can be made gluten-friendly; cross-contact possible in a high-volume kitchen
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a high-energy, party-style night — the noise and crowd make conversation tough for quieter first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but expect a wait on weekend nights; arrive early, be flexible with patio vs. indoor seating, or start at the bar.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal late at night — it skews adult, loud, and bar-forward; earlier hours on mild evenings are the most workable for families.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, celebratory nights, and cocktail-first outings with patio energy and late-night hours
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, serious regional Mexican cooking, or dietary-restricted menus with tightly controlled prep