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Rojo Gusano
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Rojo Gusano
8.2
A mezcal-forward, modern Mexican room where tacos are the anchor and the vibe does a lot of the work, especially on social nights. It’s strongest when you commit to a tight taco set and one shared starter, then let the bar program carry the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork belly taco, Al pastor taco, Guacamole and chips
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Tacos paired with a mezcal-heavy cocktail focus in a polished room.
Who should go: Cocktail-first taco night pairs
When to visit: Weeknights for steadier pacing
What to order: Pork belly taco, al pastor taco, one mezcal cocktail
Insider tip: Pick 2–3 tacos per person and stop—don’t over-order mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on surrounding Ravenswood streets; availability is decent on weeknights but tight on weekends after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy; jeans are fine, but polished tops or date-night attire fit the room best.
Noise level: Moderate to lively; conversation is easy early, gets louder as the night goes on.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: No wait typically
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several vegetable-forward tacos and shareable starters.
Vegan options: Limited – a couple of tacos can be modified, but not a deep bench.
Gluten-free options: Yes – corn tortillas and naturally gluten-free taco options; confirm sauces with the server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The lighting, cocktails, and upbeat energy create easy momentum without feeling stiff or overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or early evenings; weekends are tighter, so expect a short wait or aim for bar seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially. It skews adult, cocktail-focused, and social; better for teens than younger kids, but not built around families.
Best For
Better for: Cocktail-driven taco nights with a polished, social vibe where mezcal and ambiance matter as much as the food.
Skip if: You want a quiet, traditional Mexican meal or large-format family-style dining—there are calmer, food-first options nearby.
Rojo Gusano
8.0
A lively sit-down room where tacos pair with mezcal cocktails and frequent live-music energy. The best version of the meal is a focused taco order plus one shared side, leaning into their seafood and brunch-leaning staples rather than trying to sample everything.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja fish tacos, Shrimp tacos, Churros
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Tacos and cocktails in a live-music-driven dining room.
Who should go: Groups who want tacos with a night-out feel
When to visit: Weekend evenings for peak energy
What to order: Baja fish tacos, shrimp tacos, churros
Insider tip: Order a tight taco set and one shared side, then stop.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Damen and side streets; availability drops significantly during live music nights and weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans are fine, but the room skews more polished at night.
Noise level: Lively to loud during live music; conversation is possible but expect raised voices once music starts.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially during live music nights.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait on most weekdays.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian taco and brunch-friendly options are available.
Vegan options: Limited—some tacos can be modified, but not a deep vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Partial—corn tortillas and some dishes work, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want energy and atmosphere—great cocktails and music create momentum, but it’s better for confident conversation than intimate quiet.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes—weekday nights and early evenings are doable, but reservations are strongly recommended on live music nights.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day, yes; evenings skew adult-focused with cocktails and live music.
Best For
Better for: A night-out taco experience with cocktails, live music, and sit-down pacing rather than quick taco runs.
Skip if: You want a quiet, food-first taco meal or a fast, casual taqueria experience.
Rojo Gusano
8.2
A mezcal-and-tacos room that rewards a slightly more deliberate happy hour: choose two taco styles and add one small starter, then coast on the drinks program. The strongest move is staying in the handmade-tortilla lane instead of stacking extra sides.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Belly taco, Baja Fish taco, Guacamole with spicy pumpkin seeds
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Mezcal depth paired with tacos on handmade tortillas.
Who should go: Mezcal fans and taco-focused diners
When to visit: Weekday happy hour for easier seats
What to order: Pork belly taco; Baja fish taco; guacamole
Insider tip: Order two taco styles for the table and repeat them.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Damen and side streets; availability drops after 6pm. No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning trendy—jeans are fine, but polished tops or date-night attire fit the room better.
Noise level: Moderate—lively bar energy, but still easy to hold a conversation at the table.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable-based tacos, beans, rice, and sides can make a complete meal.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with tortilla-based tacos and vegetable fillings, but not a dedicated menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn tortillas are standard; confirm fillings and cross-contact with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—dim lighting, strong mezcal cocktails, and shareable tacos make it engaging without feeling rushed or loud.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays or early evenings; weekends are tougher, but the bar is a solid fallback for drinks and tacos.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially—better suited for adults; kids are allowed, but the menu and vibe skew date night rather than family dining.
Best For
Better for: Mezcal-driven cocktails and handmade-tortilla tacos in a more polished, date-ready setting than most neighborhood Mexican spots.
Skip if: You want fast, cheap tacos or a loud, casual taqueria—this shines when you slow down and lean into drinks.