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Mercadito
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Mercadito
8.5
Mercadito runs a loud, cocktail-heavy room built around shareable tacos, guacamoles, and ceviches. It’s a staple for pre-club dinners and group outings where guests want modern plates, pitchers of margaritas, and a party-forward River North feel.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tradicional Guacamole, Pastor Tacos, Ceviche de Camaron
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: High-energy tacos-and-tequila hub with multiple guacamoles and strong drinks.
Who should go: Groups prioritizing cocktails, tacos, and a buzzy River North scene.
When to visit: Happy hour or weekend evenings before heading out afterward.
What to order: Tradicional guac, Pastor or Carne tacos, churros or concha dessert.
Insider tip: Stick to shared guac, tacos, and ceviche for the strongest value and experience.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site parking; nearby River North garages and paid street parking, but spaces are scarce on weekends and during peak evening hours.
Dress code: Smart casual with a dressy lean — jeans are fine but most guests opt for going-out attire.
Noise level: Loud and lively — conversation is possible at smaller tables but expect raised voices during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak times; bar seating may open sooner.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, except during larger group outings or convention weeks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several guacamoles, veggie tacos, and sides can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of items can be adapted, but menu leans more toward vegetarian than fully vegan.
Gluten-free options: Several tacos and ceviches can be prepared gluten-free on request, but there is not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited to social or high-energy dates than intimate ones — the vibe is lively, cocktail-forward, and more party-centric than quiet or romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for small groups if you’re flexible with timing; expect waits on weekends and consider arriving early or sitting at the bar.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally during earlier hours, but it skews adult and nightlife-oriented — best for teens and older rather than young children.
Best For
Better for: Larger groups, celebratory pre-night-out dinners, and cocktail-driven taco spreads with shareable guacamole and ceviche.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, traditional regional Mexican cooking, or a more formal dining atmosphere.
Mercadito
8.7
Mercadito is a high-volume River North Mexican staple where guacamole, tacos al pastor, and a serious tequila program fuel loud, late-running dinners. Locals use it for post-work to late-night rounds of margaritas and shareable plates that feel more polished than a basic taco stop. Expect a packed room, strong drinks, and a menu that rewards sticking to tacos, salsas, and snacky sides.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos al Pastor, Camarón Shrimp Tacos, Traditional Guacamole with Salsas
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: High-energy tacos-and-tequila hub with massive review volume and a true late-night crowd.
Who should go: Groups who want buzzy tacos, guac, and margaritas.
When to visit: Prime evenings through late night, especially weekends.
What to order: Traditional guacamole, tacos al pastor, camarón shrimp tacos.
Insider tip: Anchor the table around tacos and guac, then share one richer entrée instead of over-ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, and valet is occasionally available during peak evenings.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy for nights out.
Noise level: Loud during peak and late-night hours — conversations require raised voices at larger tables.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak and late-night windows.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though pacing is faster and the room is quieter than evenings.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — multiple vegetarian tacos, guacamole, and sides available.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified, but options are narrower than vegetarian.
Gluten-free options: Many tacos and plates can be prepared gluten-free on request; confirm with your server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for fun, high-energy dates than intimate conversation — expect a buzzy, social room with strong drinks and late-night volume.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially at off-peak times — but expect a wait on weekends and late nights; the bar is a practical fallback for smaller groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Early evenings and daytime are workable for older kids, but the space shifts to a louder, nightlife-leaning crowd later at night.
Best For
Better for: Lively group dinners, tacos-and-tequila nights, and late-running social outings with consistent energy.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, intimate conversation, or a chef-driven tasting experience — look elsewhere for subdued or fine-dining settings.
Mercadito
8.7
Mercadito is a long-running River North Mexican spot where happy hour means discounted tacos, guacamole and tequila-heavy cocktails in a lively, tightly packed room. With 2,600+ Yelp reviews and a dedicated weekday happy hour, it’s the go-to for groups who want modern tacos and margaritas before a night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, House guacamole with pineapple, Shrimp ceviche
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: High-volume modern Mexican where weekday happy hour fuels tacos and tequila.
Who should go: Groups craving tacos, guac, and strong margaritas.
When to visit: Weekday happy hour 3–5:30pm before peak dinner.
What to order: House guac, al pastor tacos, a tequila or mezcal margarita.
Insider tip: Target bar or lounge seating during happy hour for fastest drink refills.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site valet; most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare. Street parking is limited and competitive after 5pm.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many guests lean a bit dressy for evening groups.
Noise level: Loud during happy hour and peak dinner — conversation is possible, but expect raised voices in the main room.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours; bar seating may open faster.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, except during busy convention or office lunch weeks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several tacos, guacamole variations, and sides can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be adapted, but most tacos include dairy or animal protein.
Gluten-free options: Many tacos can be made gluten-free on corn tortillas; confirm with staff about sauces and fryers.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, social date than an intimate one — the energy is lively and drinks-focused, which works well if you want a casual, high-vibe setting rather than quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes during happy hour or early evening, but waits can build quickly. Arrive right at the start of happy hour or ask for bar or lounge seating for the best chance of getting in.
Is it kid-friendly? Kids are welcome at earlier hours, but the space skews adult and social — better for teens or older kids than young children, especially during busy happy hour periods.
Best For
Better for: Pre-night-out happy hour, groups sharing tacos and guacamole, and margaritas in a lively, high-energy setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, a romantic dinner, or an experience with extensive vegan or allergy-specific accommodations.