Reader Submissions Illinois Taqueria: Comments: Jalapeno Rock 66th and Cicero Chicago, IL Jalapeno Rock it's between 66th and 67th and Cicero in Chicago next to a Dunkin Donuts. I have had El Famous in Summit and it does not compare to Jalapeno Rock! You gotta try 'em. - Unsigned Las Asadas Rand and River Road Des Plaines, IL OK people, I've found a new joint in the Chicagoland area. It's an outpost of La Pasadita (same owners) but it's in Des Plaines. I drove by this place every day on my way to work for about two years and always thought to myself,"How good can a taqueria shack be here in Des Plaines?" I've been jaded by countless trips to a new burrito joint because of suggestions by people who have no clue what good food is. GET INTO THIS JOINT IF YOU ARE EVER IN THE AREA! This place is consistently better than La Pasadita. Char grilled steak and marinated chicken breast. The steak will melt in your mouth -- no chewy crap here! I've been there at least twice a week for the past two years now. The regular burrito consists of beans, cheese, salsa, fresh onion, cilantro, sour cream and meat. No lettuce or tomato but it's available. Don't expect friendly service, and please know some Spanish. This is a no-frills-you-WILL-be-back taqueria. The salsa is handmade, so sometimes it's not so hot, and other times it will burn you for the rest of the day. When the salsa is hot, this is by FAR the best burrito that I know of throughout chicagoland. It's like eating an awesome steak right off the grill! If you visit this place, let me know if you know of somewhere better. [Ed's note: Submit a suggestion and we'll post it.] Yes, I still go to La Pasadita, and the Palenque place I wrote of before, but I'm still searching for great burritos all the time! I just haven't found many. Las Asadas is PURE GOLD! There is also a Las Asadas on Western just south of Fullerton, and another one somewhere on 47th. I have converted about 9 people so far who used to think La Pasadita was the best in the city. GET THERE AS SOON AS YOU CAN. I do NOT B.S. when it comes to burritos! HAPPY WRAPPIN'! - Chris Benton El Famous Summit Chicago, IL Great book guys! Really enjoyed reading it and was glad you mentioned my favorite burrito place, El famous in Summit. It was the place where my burrito obsession started. Since I no longer live in Chicago, where burritos and tacos are plentiful and now live in Florida where they still put chedar cheese on mexican food, I have had to learn to make my own and have been quite sucessful. Your book helped quite a bit. - Alan [Ed's note: I'm affraid you'll need a lot more than our book to survive Florida. Nevertheless, thanks for the kind words. And good luck!] Las Palapitas Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL Think the only good burros are in the Southwest? Think again, my friend. Not much to look at on the outside (the best burrito shacks never are), but once you walk in the door and smell the carne asada on the grill, you know you're in the right place! These monster sized bundles of love are served steaming hot with onions, cilantro and homemade green sauce. Truly a joy to behold. Knock it back with an icy horchata and you're in business! - Debbie Rogozinski La Pasedita Ashland Avenue Chicago, IL Boys, boys, boys... I would be terribly surprised if you haven't heard of La Pasedita here in Chicago. Located just south of Division Street on Ashland Avenue, La Pasedita is actually three restaraunts all on the same block, literally across the street from each other. It isn't unusual to see an employee of one resto step across the street and carry a side of flank steak over his shoulder to the resto he works at. In a poll of some of Chicago's top four-star chefs, many declared La Pasedita #2 their favorite place to eat, and you know how bitchy those four star chefs can be. I recommend the tongue burrito, or if you are feeling daring, the Tripe burrito. something tells me you guys aren't afraid of anything!!! I strongly urge you to research them if you haven't stopped in yet. Great people. Burritos as big as your arm! - Ben Otis Allende Restuarant Corner of Lincoln Ave, Halstead and Fullerton Chicago, IL In general, the best burritos are found in Chicago. Pick any number of restaurants on the north side of Chicago -- around Lincoln Park -- and you're bound to find a good burrito. My favorite is a carne asada burrito from Allende Restuarant. The beef is excellent (like most beef found in the midwest) and the rest of the ingredients make for the perfect burrito. One big difference between burritos from the Chicago and California is that typically rice is not added to Chicago burritos. The ingredients are typically as follows: meat, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese (sour cream and guacuamole optional). I don't find the rice to be necessary (in fact it's a nuisance...). Anyway, if you're ever in Chicago, give Allende a try -- it's located at the corner of Lincoln Ave, Halstead and Fullerton. Cheers, - Bill Peterson Tony's Place 2141 W Jefferson St. Joliet, IL 60431 815-744-4636 These burritos are as big as your head. Loaded with steak, chicken or beef. All perfectly seasoned. But the best part is the price $3.00!!! Luis, the owner is very friendly. - Rita Taco Burrito Palace 2 1/2 block North of Fullerton and Lincoln Ave on Halstead Chicago, IL 60090 The line out the door on a late Friday or Saturday evening tells it all. Beggars stop selling their StreetWise newspaper after 10pm to pan handle burritos from this fine establishment. Whether you like marinated chicken, chorizo, steak, or vegan, you can not go wrong. Two fist size burritos, pouring out their goodness for an experience you will never forget. Add the hot sauce and your next day burnin' hoop will relate the memory again. ***** five star rating. Great fajitas and tacos as well. - Cliff el Famous Burrito #1/10: 236 Mc Henry Rd. Wheeling, IL 60090 847-808-8012 #2/10: 7047 N. Clark Chicago, IL 773-465-0377 Fantastic football size burritos, delicious tacos,tortas,sopes, and tostadas. - Scott Bolon Las Palmas Restaurant 86 W. Dundee Rd. Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 847-520-8222 Excellent Burritos,Enchiladas, great pollo en mole, tasty, quesadillas, and fajitas. - Scott Bolon BurritoVille "one near Wrigley Field" Chicago, IL A couple, one near Wrigley Field. Great burrito for the 3AM drunk craving. - Quique Garcia One Good Burrito and Taco Place On Clark St. "about a block south of Wrigley Field" Chicago, IL On Clark St, about a block south of Wrigley Field. - Quique Garcia The Big Horse Chicago, IL No comments submitted. - Jason Ream Taqueria el Palenque Kimball and Palmer Chicago, IL First of all, I must apologize for the postings of these burrito "virgins" in Illinois. With the exception of the posting by Ben Otis who mentioned La Pasadita, all posts about joints in Chicago, and Summit were way off. El Famous is absolutely disgusting. Their "steak" is just bug chunks of hamburger. It is now a big name chain throughout the Chicagoland area catering to fools who think taco bell is Mexican food. I must admit however, that the joints in Summit started my obsession with the burrito back when I was in high school. Too bad that I was fooled into thinking that crap was good. Taco Burrito palace? Horrendous. Las Palapitas? Yuck! Burritoville? 6 bucks for the worst burrito you'll ever have? Drunk yuppies. They're all poseurs. Anyone in Chicago - if you have a clue, Asada (skirt steak) needs to be char-grilled before you can even consider saying a place is decent. This method is referred to as "al carbon' in spanish. I regret to say that the best burrito joint in Chicago has been closed and re-opened by middle - eastern people. It was just west of Belmont and Southport. Taqueria Las Americas. This place would pull out a marinated steak and grill it over coals as you ordered it. And the salsa was not that stupid thin red or green film that you suburbanites think is such an exotic tasty treat. It was real pico de gallo. Onions, Tons of cilantro, jalapenos, tomatillos, and lime juice still chunky - not blended to a green pulp. Extra nose sweat hot, but far too deliciously tangy to stop eating. But, since it is now defunct, having withered away to but a memory that still invokes Pavlovian drooling to those of us who knew, I'll let you in on a little secret. If any of you out there really want a burro worth talking about, visit Taqueria el Palenque on Kimball and Palmer at 3400 west and about 2200 north get the steak or the Carnitas (pulled pork). For chicken, go to Ino's Tacos just east of Harlem Ave. on Roosevelt Road. Don't get anything but the chicken. The other meats are disgusting. I'd love to hear about any other places. I try to visit any new place I hear about. It's hard though, because most people have no clue -- i.e. El Famous, Taco Burrito Palace, both absolutely vile. My perfect burrito: Char-grilled steak (that's been marinated in lime juice, cumin, and olive oil) lettuce, tomato, cilantro, avocado, fresh onion. No Beans, no cheese, no sour cream. Wrapped up, and then grilled so the tortilla gets crispy served with a few lime wedges, and real salsa. Maybe you folks who also laughed at the Illinois posts could share one of your secret spots with me at amoaniels@prodigy.net? - C.B. Back to the Readers' Submissions Main Page. Back to the Top Taquerias Page. All material ©1998-2004 Gibbs Smith, Publisher