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Lonesome Rose
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Lonesome Rose
8.6
Lonesome Rose is an all-day Tex-Mex–leaning bar and restaurant where margaritas, quesaritos, and breakfast tacos share space with a daily weekday happy hour. The bright, plant-filled room and upstairs/downstairs layout make it a flexible choice for early-evening drinks, small plates, and casual meetups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesarito, Baja Burrito, Chorizo Breakfast Taco
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Tex-Mex–inspired bar with a strong margarita program and weekday happy hour on tacos and drinks.
Who should go: Duos or small groups wanting casual tacos and cocktails.
When to visit: Mon–Fri 4–6 pm to catch the structured happy hour deals.
What to order: Quesarito, Baja burrito, rounds of house margaritas or ranch water.
Insider tip: If it’s busy downstairs, check upstairs for bar seats—service is often quicker and just as comfortable.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby residential blocks and Milwaukee Ave; metered spaces in front, can be limited during peak evening hours; no valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans and sneakers are common, but many guests lean slightly polished for evening drinks.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively during happy hour and evenings; conversational at smaller tables but can get louder near the bar.
Weekend wait: Often 25–45 minutes during peak hours, especially downstairs; upstairs bar seating is usually easier.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; mid-afternoon is the calmest window.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several tacos, bowls, and sides can be made or ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a small handful of taco and bowl builds can be customized; confirm ingredients with staff.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-leaning items (tacos, bowls); flour tortillas used on select items — ask for modifications when needed.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, low-pressure dates — bright space, approachable plates, and good margaritas; it’s better for relaxed conversation than formal occasions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes — walk-ins are common. If downstairs is full, check the upstairs bar or arrive closer to the start of happy hour for easier seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes earlier in the day; counter-service pacing and casual food work for families, but evenings skew more bar-forward and can feel crowded.
Best For
Better for: Bright, design-forward space with approachable Tex-Mex plates and a reliable weekday happy hour that works well for casual meetups and quick bites.
Skip if: You want quiet, white-tablecloth dining, late-night kitchen hours, or a deeply traditional regional Mexican menu.
Lonesome Rose
8.0
Lonesome Rose is a bright Tex-Mex restaurant and bar where tacos, giant burritos, bowls, and a strong margarita program anchor one of Logan Square’s most popular patios. Corn-forward tortillas, bowls, and clearly marked options give gluten-avoiding diners substantial choices beyond a token salad.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesorito burrito, Garbanzo bowl, Vegan street nachos
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 6.3
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Lively Tex-Mex spot with a strong gluten-free-friendly lineup of bowls, tacos, and nachos plus one of the area’s better margarita programs.
Who should go: Gluten-aware groups wanting Tex-Mex, margaritas, and a buzzy patio.
When to visit: Happy hour or early weekend evenings before peak waits build.
What to order: Quesorito burrito, garbanzo bowl, vegan street nachos with extra salsa.
Insider tip: Ask which tortillas and fried items are safest for gluten concerns—staff can steer you toward bowls and non–shared-fryer items when needed.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Milwaukee and side streets; metered spots nearby, but expect competition after 6pm — no valet.
Dress code: Casual and patio-friendly; jeans and sneakers are common, light layers for outdoor seating.
Noise level: Lively, especially on weekends — conversation is possible indoors but easier on the patio during earlier hours.
Weekend wait: 35–60 min without a reservation during peak patio season; faster for small groups or bar seating.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait; walk-ins are common.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple tacos, bowls, and sides can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Yes — a few bowls and nachos can be ordered vegan with clear menu notes.
Gluten-free options: Strong options — many bowls and tacos are corn-based and clearly labeled, but confirm fryer/shared-surface items with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, upbeat dates — the patio and margaritas set an easygoing vibe, but it can get loud during peak hours.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes — walk-ins are common, especially earlier in the evening; join the waitlist and consider patio or bar seating for faster placement.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for early evenings and daytime visits — casual seating, flexible bowls and tacos, but noise and crowds increase later at night.
Best For
Better for: Gluten-aware diners and mixed-diet groups who want clear labeling, corn-forward options, and a lively patio with strong margaritas.
Skip if: You want a quiet, white-tablecloth dinner or fully dedicated gluten-free prep with zero shared-surface risk.
Lonesome Rose
8.1
Lonesome Rose is an all-day Tex-Mex bar and restaurant where breakfast tacos, giant burritos, and a quesorito share the menu with one of the stronger margarita lists in Logan Square. The bright, plant-filled space leans more scene-y than taqueria, but its taco lineup and sauces keep regulars coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast tacos, Quesorito burrito, Fried chicken taco bowl
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Tex-Mex spot where breakfast tacos and strong margaritas drive the crowd.
Who should go: Guests wanting tacos with cocktails in a lively dining room.
When to visit: Brunch for breakfast tacos; golden-hour for drinks and snacks.
What to order: Breakfast tacos, quesorito burrito, fried chicken taco bowl.
Insider tip: Time a visit with happy hour and pair tacos with frozen margaritas upstairs.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only — mostly metered on Milwaukee Ave and residential side streets; can be tight during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy for evening drinks.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is possible at smaller tables, but peak nights can get loud near the bar.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer during prime brunch and evening cocktail hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, especially earlier in the day.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple tacos, bowls, and sides can be made vegetarian or come that way by default.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a few items can be customized; ask about sauces and tortillas.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-leaning options (corn tortillas, bowls), but cross-contact is possible — confirm with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the bright, upbeat dining room and strong cocktail program make it a fun, low-pressure first-date pick, especially for casual drinks and tacos.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes — expect a wait during weekend brunch and evening rush; bar seating or the upstairs lounge can be easier to snag without a booking.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — daytime and brunch are more family-friendly with spacious booths and approachable menu items; evenings skew louder and more bar-focused.
Best For
Better for: Brunch tacos, margarita variety, and a lively, design-forward space that works for social meals and casual dates.
Skip if: You want traditional taqueria pricing and authenticity, very quiet conversation, or a menu built around extensive vegan or gluten-free options.