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Xoco
Mexican Restaurant$$$$
Near North Side, Chicago
Has a stamp of approval from Bon Appetit Magazine and Eater
"We love you, Rick Bayless."(21 Tips)
"Pepito w/pickled jalepeños on the side was delicious!!!"(14 Tips)"Love the tortas, churros, margaritas... pretty much everything here."(88 Tips)"Outstanding sandwiches (tortas), soup, churros and hot chocolate!"(78 Tips)
340 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- tortas
- churros
- rick bayless
- Mexican food
- hot chocolate
- (15 more)
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Brian ParkJune 16, 2017Rick Bayless' restaurant offers better to-go food than every fast food chain combined. Action Bronson-approved; The Sopa de Carnitas is reminiscent of Phó, and the Cochinita Pibil is to die for
VinnieApril 13, 2018The Ahogada is an excellent choice, esp for your first visit. It’s full of flavors and extremely tasty! The pepito is also delicious! Great service & friendly staff makes this a great place to eat at!
Avneesh KohliAugust 2, 2018Not your typical Mexican restaurant, in the best way possible. Be prepared to try tortas (Mexican sandwiches). I looooved the Baja Chicken.
Lucero De La TierraAugust 30, 2014If you are looking for something gluten free try the carnitas caldo (meal-in-a-bowl). My daughters shared a bowl. Plenty of tender pork, peppery greens, lime and corn masa dumplings.
Madeline GullettDecember 20, 2014The cherry margarita is so yummy!! Also loved the chips and salsa. There were vegetarian options too. Not many vegan options but I got the woodland mushroom without cheese and it was still great!
Chicago TribuneDecember 22, 2014This Mexican themed street food restaurant has a lovely rustic feel to it. Make sure to try the choriqueso, woodland mushroom torta, and Mexican hot chocolate if you pop by. Read more
- Lucero De La TierraAugust 30, 2014The cocinita pibil torta is my fave with succulent, spicy pork. Easy with the habanero sauce though. The Saturday roast goat special torta is so yum - yum - yummy, too.
JillianSeptember 26, 2011Rick Bayless never disappoints! Can't go wrong with Cochinita Pibil, Chicken Tinga, or Cubana torta. The caldos totally hit the spot too. Don't forget to order a churro or a hot chocolate - delicious!
Mike WinstonOctober 21, 2016Celebrity chef Rick Bayless really knows his way around authentic Mexican ingredients. The tortas are incredible – especially the goat-based Barbacoa one, if they're offering it. WinstonWanders.com
Obadiah PoundageJune 13, 2012Get the Aztec bean-to-cup chocolate, with fresh-ground chocolate, water, chile, and allspice in a perfect drink. Pair it with the best huevos rancheros you've had outside Mexico.
Mark SmithJune 28, 2014The best torta is the Milanesa. It is hands down a scrumptious succulent sandwich passed down from a foodie paradise for your taste buds enjoyment!
Consta KJuly 14, 2017Little gem. High end food in chipotle environment. Rojo something special is way to go. Chicken soup special is also totally worth it
Joanna FlammNovember 30, 2015So good, and counter service is the best! Margarita, chips and guacamole, choriqueso torta, churro with a chocolate shot, perfect dinner.
CarolAugust 31, 2015EVERYTHING is amazing. Love the Pepito & the Abogahda Torta. Do yourself a favor and get the glazed churro. Pistachio & Hazelnut are phenomenal
Dana JensenMarch 15, 2015The hazelnut churros (and the churros in general) are delicious. Same for the hot chocolate. Honestly everything I've ever had here has been good, so just order whatever strikes your fancy.
JTJanuary 27, 2018The food here was perfect! You can’t go wrong with anything. Got the Milanesa and it was the perfect balance with salt, acid, fried chicken, and a little heat. Sooo good- Chicago TribuneAugust 1, 2014Open-face breakfast torta: A slice of bolillo from Labriola is wood-fired until its crust develops black ends. This is slathered in roasted tomato and a bit of black bean, then topped with poached egg Read more
On gorgeous days and during normal times you got to get here early. Opens at 11:00 and the line will start right away. The tortas and the best. Solid seasonal specials as well.
April GISeptember 18, 2020The chorizo tlayuda!!! It’s amazing. We were in Oaxaca not too long ago, and while those were great, somehow this was better! Never thought I’d say that. Get the tlayuda!
Ben HandyMarch 11, 2015Seasonal specials are always innovative and super fresh. This place is relaxed and fun. Friendly, professional staff help make the experience memorable. Very affordable.
Phil WatsonMay 4, 2019Good food (particularly tortas and chicharrones), quick, relatively inexpensive, and a very solid happy hour make this a go-to spot in river North.- John ShrimpMarch 17, 2018The signature Mexican tortas are loaded with meats like Baja chicken, ahogada (pork carnitas), and pepito, while meal-in-a-bowl caldos and crispy churros are also noteworthy.
Time Out ChicagoJune 4, 2012Breakfast at Rick Bayless’s most casual spot yet is quiet perfection: a cup of masterfully concocted hot chocolate, a flaky egg empanada, one hell of a sugar-and-cocoa-coated churro.
Andreas KleinerMarch 10, 2015Best lunch in Chicago. Try the Ahogada, it's amazing. The side salad is works great if you want something fresh to the hot sauce.
- Time Out ChicagoMay 28, 2012Breakfast at Rick Bayless’s most casual spot yet is quiet perfection: a cup of masterfully concocted hot chocolate, a flaky egg empanada, one hell of a sugar-and-cocoa-coated churro.-BC Read more
AngelaSeptember 28, 2014The best torta sandwiches here. Flavor explosions galore. Do not skip getting a churro, the chocolate sauce is to die for & they come out fresh and warm. Margarita was just ok here.
Martial BénardAugust 16, 2019Busy, noisy place. Efficient service. I had a red pozole soup : it was well served, tasty and spicy. Unfortunately the chicken in the soup was cut in dices and not soft and shredded as it should.
A must visit for lunch whenever I’m visiting Chicago. Can’t go wrong with the special torts of the day or one of their soups
The Quest For ZestJune 14, 2012One of our most favorite breakfast places when we're in Chicago. Churos are an absolute must. Skip the Intelligentsia coffee and get a Mexican hot chocolate for the full experience. Read more- Leilei TongApril 21, 2017The sandwiches are great! Had the ahogada which was great! Medium spicy, just the right level :)
The Mexican breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options are all very good. My favorites are the churros and the bean-to-cup hot chocolate.
Consistently delicious Tortas & Churros! Happy place to eat in River North Chicago!
flavvio13 🇧🇷🍴🇧🇷March 1, 2013The Pepito torta had braised tallgrass shortribs, caramelized onion, artisan Jack cheese, black beans and pickled jalapenos (soomeenshee )
Caitlin SalzbergSeptember 16, 2015Really great food! Fast and delicious. The Albondigas and peach empanadas were amazing.
Serious EatsOctober 8, 2013Nowhere else can you get a torta as expertly constructed or a cup of hot chocolate made from cocoa beans roasted in house.
Rachel WhinneryJuly 30, 2015Quick and casual with amazing Mexican fare. Don't miss their "bean-to-cup" chocolate. I did, and I regret it. 😁- Damon SununtnasukMarch 12, 2017The sulking pig torta and soup were incredible. Great fresh chips and salsa
Roland TolliverSeptember 5, 2015Favorite place for Mexican food in the city, along with Frontera Grill and Topolobombo. Bayless.
- Lukas CarvajalApril 10, 2017Possibly my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Love the tortas, churros, margaritas... pretty much everything here.
Caryn ZavalaAugust 22, 2014Torta Ahogada is one of the best Mexican dishes I've had in the US. Awesome flavor, a must while in Chicago.
Mohammed Hassan-AliDecember 13, 2014I like the atmosphere and the sauces are great. Weird service structure but the host was great!
Time Out Chicago KidsJanuary 11, 2012Though some of Rick Bayless’s complex hot cocoas are more adult-oriented, the Classic (with two-percent milk) and Ultra (with whole milk) are like delicious chocolate soups. Read more- Lin LinNovember 1, 2011Try the Pork Belly And Vermicelli Noodles - This dish was an exquisite blend of perfectly fried pork belly, veggies and noodles in spicy broth. Make sure you try this!
Churros 4.75/5. Aztec chocolate 5/5. Authentic chocolate 4.75/5. Tortas generally 4.25/5. Chicharonnes 5/5. Xoco will be immortalized for Churros and chocolate, not Tortas
- Time Out ChicagoMarch 28, 2012Lines extend out the door for tortas filled with fatty, crispy pork carnitas. Caldos like braised-short-rib soup and chicken stew with toothsome posole are the ideal prelude to a churro. Read more
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The allure of Mexican street food is it’s rustic immediacy—seasonal agua frescas; made-to-order guacamole topped with locally sourced ingredients; tortas from the wood-burning oven; steaming caldos; hot-from-the-fryer churros and homemade hot chocolate.
Closed until 8:00 AM Tuesday (Show more)
- Tue–Thu
- 8:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 8:00 AM–10:00 PM
(312) 661-1434
Features
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No
Credit Cards
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
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Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
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