Chicago - Pilsen - Restaurants

1134 W. 18th St., Chicago 60608
312-432-9090

Ciao Amore

Known for his house-made pastas, customer greetings and BYOB policy, Chef-owner Cesar Pineda (Ravenswood's Caro Mio) has opened up Ciao Amore in the heart of Pilsen, dishing ricotta-stuffed gnocchi... read more

2119 S. Halsted St., Chicago 60608
312-526-3385

Nightwood

Chicagoans, you can officially chill the fuck out: Nightwood has opened. Jason Hammel and Amalea Tshilds, owners of the famed Lula Cafe in Logan Square, have given Pilsen, somehow, even more street... read more

1723 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago 60608
312-492-8443

La Cebollita

Semi fast-food counter service joint serving good food with friendly service. Their gorditas (fried pockets of meat and/or veggies) and sopes (little cornmeal "bowls" with beans, sauce and cheese) ... read more

1640 W. 18th St., Chicago 60608
312-491-9908

Mundial Cocina Mestiza

Opened by three veterans of Chicago's fine-dining scene, this cozy restaurant is anything but white tablecloths and snooty servers. The tortillas are made fresh to order, the tamales are homemade a... read more

1146 W. Cermak St., Chicago 60608
312-421-4442

May Street Café

Tucked away on a desolate stretch of Cermak Avenue, May Street Cafe entices diners for its Nuevo Latin flavors. The menu changes weekly with an array of fish and meat entrees joining ongoing deligh... read more

1626 S. Halsted St., Chicago 60608
773-328-8800

Picante Grill

Picante Grill is an upscale addition to the neighborhood with a well-executed menu that's full of your basic Mexican fare. Try snagging a table on the second level: a bright and airy vaulted space,... read more

1923 S. Blue Island Ave., Chicago 60608
312-433-7620

Taqueria El Milagro

Located on the ground floor of El Milagro Tortilla Factory, this brightly colored gem is a great place to get a quick and cheap homestyle meal, which is certain to include the usual tacos, enchilad... read more

1160 W. 18th St., Chicago 60608
312-829-1147

Cuernavaca Restaurant

Cuernavaca's been a neighborhood institution for over 35 years. Why? It's huge. It's got a full bar decorated with animal skulls. Its walls are plastered with crazy dancing beans. Not enough for yo... read more

1808 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago 60608
312-666-5180

Sabas Vega Carnitas Restaurant

This is the best carnitas (roasted meat) restaurant on the western edge of Pilsen. Like most in the area, it's busiest weekend mornings with lines out the door full of people picking up pounds of c... read more

1113 W. 18th St., Chicago 60608
312-829-4757

Carnitas Don Pedro

Carnitas Don Pedro is one of the best in the city. Proof alone is the insane line that forms from the post-church crowd Sunday mornings. Eat in, or grab a pound or two of roasted meat to go. They u... read more

1725 W. 18th St., Chicago 60608
312-226-2654

Carnitas Uruapan

It's all about the pig here. You'll notice that the minute you walk in the door and are greeted with an amazing array of pig collectibles staring at you. You may be tempted to order a brain taquito... read more

1733 S. Halsted St., Chicago 60608
312-829-4150

Kristoffer's Café and Bakery

Set in the heart of Pilsen's art district, this cute sandwich shop has something for everyone. Wake up with a cup of Chicago's own Intelligentsia Coffee, satisfy a sweet tooth with tres leches cake... read more

1836 S. Blue Island Ave., Chicago
312-733-0219

Aztecas Tacos

There's a typical Mexican joint like this down the street from just about everyone in Pilsen. Actually, there are Mexican joints like this one down the street from this Mexican joint. Why choose Az... read more

1515 W. 18th St., Chicago 60608
312-421-1517

Nuevo Leon

This Pilsen institution is hard to miss as its brightly colored exterior is a work of art. Inside, the menu is full of basic and cheap traditional Mexican fare. Scarf down hot tortilla chips with p... read more