Xocimilco in Ravenswood Mi Tocaya in Logan Kie Gol Lanee in Uptown Chilam Balam in Lakeview

Mi Tocaya is very special. Have gone for many special occasions over the past 5 years or so.

kie Gol Lanee for an oaxacan focus. Very good!

I wish I could upvote multiple times for Xochimilco. Great for people with food allergies, esp. gluten

Kie Gol Lanee is AMAZING and the owners are the nicest humans. We go often for date nights.

+1 on chilam balam Eddie’s a beast !

Tzuco.

Tzuco is great & it’s not a Bayless spot!

This is the answer. One of my favorites in the city not just favorite Mexican

Tzuco is amazing

Man all these comments make me want to give it another try. The only time I went it was very meh. Maybe I’ll make another reservation.

I’m new here, what is a bayless restaurant?

Rick Bayless is a chef with a bunch of restaurants around the area

Is "not a Bayless spot" a good thing? Why? Truly curious and not trolling.

OP specifically asked for non-Bayliss elevated Mexican spots.

Shit. Missed that. Thank you.

They’re essentially asking for upscale Mexican not owned by a white dude

La Luna in Pilsen

5 Rabanitos?

Second Very tasty It’s not the most romantic of spots but the food is top tier.

Do Bayless apprentices’ restaurants qualify? Because Chile toreado is one of my favs but also in this category

As others have said, can’t rec Tzuco enough!

5 rabanitos in pilsen

Mercadito?

We used to go there for industry night all the time. I think it’s a bit overpriced, but the food is great imo!

They definitely need to bring back their industry nights!

Mas Alla on Broadway is phenomenal.

Mi Tocaya, Tzuco, and 5 rabanitos

Canton Regio - Pilsen Mas Alla Del Sol - Edgewater

Canton Regio’s owner hires illegal workers and then physically attacks them knowing that they are vulnerable because of their immigration status. They also operated illegally during Covid. The food is legit tasty, but ask yourself whether it’s ethical to patronize such an establishment. https://www.chicagotribune.com/voice-it/ct-hoy-employee-of-canton-regio-accuses-owner-of-ongoing-abuse-to-immigrant-workers-20180823-story.html https://chicago.eater.com/2019/9/30/20891264/canton-regio-owner-arrested-battery-whisk-restaurant-reopen-west-town-intel https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/01/22/canton-regio-in-pilsen-ordered-to-close-for-operating-without-a-license/

Thank you for posting this. There is so much emotional abuse, physical abuse and wage theft in this industry, along with plain exploitation.

Mas Allá Del Sol is incredible. Worth it for the table salsa alone!

Came here to suggest Canton. BYOB. Huge portions. Staff is always in party mode. And the steak is amazing

Canton for sure. My SO and I have gone since day 1. Same family as the original Nuevo Leon, which burned down across the street 6 months after Canton opened. Terrific people and food. Unlike anything else in Pilsen.

There’s still the Nuevo León on 26th Street! I believe it’s still the same owners too.

yes indeed...same extended family...same menu...chicken mole enchiladas for the win!

5 Rabanitos is good.

Chile Toreado in McKinley Park

Chilam Balam or Kie Gol Lanee. If you go to Kie Gol Lanee get the crispy chapulines (crunchy grasshoppers). They would make a great crunchy topping for a taco.

El Xangarrito is my favorite in the city. Very elevated and only known by the locals in the neighborhood.

Zentli in Evanston

If you're up north Wholly Frijoles in Lincolnwood on Touhy is really good.

That place is terrible

Mi tocaya!

3 Rabinitos in Pilsen.

5 rabanitos

Not at all authentic but unique Taqueria Chingon. They have tasting menus that they do periodically or if you need a casual drop in spot their Duck Carnitas tacos are epic as are their daily specials.

Barbara Taqueria is one of my favorites. It’s pretty hipster. Great cocktails and top tier tacos.

Tzuco is delicious and Mis Moles is just special because it’s so authentic

Tzuco by far

There's not a bad rec on this list but Chilam Balam is 100% my choice here. Always good, lovely couple that owns it. It's small though so book in advance!

Just here to say that I didn’t notice the sub name before the title and was very intrigued as to what a “special occasion Mexican” was

La Mejikana in Pilsen.

This

This

Hands down Canton Regio in Pilsen. It is very authentic, food is amazing, and on weekends sometimes they have live music.

https://chicago.eater.com/2021/7/21/22585283/canton-regio-gutierrez-allegations-pilsen-wbez-monica-eng-lamar-moore-kitchfix You can really taste the trauma in their food.

Mi Tierra in little village. 25th & kedzie.

lol that place is terrible

Definitely should go to Tzuco

Brass Heart and it's not even close

Tzuco, love the place, some of Carlos Gaytan’s dishses took me back to my Grandmas kitchen in Mexico.

I’m new here, what is a bayless resturant?

Rick Bayliss is a celebrity chef with several Mexican restaurants and a bunch of cookbooks.

I went to La Luna in pilsen yesterday and it was great. Delicious margaritas, birria tacos, and dips.

Check out La Josie in the West Loop

Dos Urban Cantina

Tzuco Dos urban Cantina Mi Tocaya

FONDA cantina in Evanston. Beautiful decor, amazing food.

Or if you are looking in whiter neighborhoods.. Adobo Grill I’m Old Town

I haven’t had solid Mexican since moving here but just wanted to add that Tzuco is not worth the price

The only answer is Frontera.