El Faro Restaurant
3936 W 31st St, Chicago, IL, 60623
El Faro Restaurant Menu
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Healthy Soups
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Ricos Tacos
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Delicious Tortas
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Burritos
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Casa Vegetariana
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From Our Kitchen
Healthy Meal suggestions for El Faro Restaurant
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Healthy Soups
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Ricos Tacos
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Delicious Tortas
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Burritos
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Casa Vegetariana
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From Our Kitchen
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Address :
3936 W 31st St
Chicago, IL, 60623 - Phone (773) 277-1155
- Website https://www.elfaro31.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Richard C.
The only place where I embrace vegetarian cuisine. Everything is super delicious and fresh. Juice, vegetables and sandwiches are above and beyond most places. Definitely worth traveling to and if you're in little village it's a no brainer.
(5)Frankie K.
Had late breakfast at FAROs the place is jammed packed on a rainy Saturday. Line was short. The server were pleasant but forgot multiple items on my order like the flour tortillas and the ice water. FOOD had a simple chorizo and scrambled eggs with rice and black beans. Black beans were fresh and tasty. The chorizo was hardly TASTABLE. Had a great fresh squeezed orange juice which cost as much as the eggs. Price was on point and if you are into watching your diet they have many soy options. Parking is silly in the Area so be prepared to search for legal parking. Had a delicious piece of Choco flan which was moist. The place is a bit loud and the locals kids will test your patience but overall a ok place.
(3)Michael C.
Started work in the Little Village area so naturally I had to check out el Faro. 12:30 on a weekday and this place is packed already with families and teens in the area. I came with a pretty big group so we had to all split up to sit down at once. I tried out the Bistec a la plancha (thin steak with avaocado) which was mighty tasty. The steak was seasoned well and tender and all the flavors on the plate worked well together. Nothing too unique about the experience but it's definitely a solid meal for under $10. While scrolling through yelp, I noticed a lot of people raving about the black beans so I had them. Definitely some of the best I've had (though I wondered to myself how good can black beans get?) although they are in great need of salt. Service here was friendly and our server came to check up on us a bunch. My friend really enjoyed the horchata so maybe that's something to try next time. Solid place for some grub!
(4)Claudia D.
I love the black beans, flavorful and perfect texture, wonderful side to any of the numerous vegetarian offerings. They are my favorite black beans in all of Chicago and available by the bowlful at El Faro. The Nopalitos Guisados are delicious, but swimming in oil, so only a sometimes treat! The soy chicken taco with a slice of nopale and jalapeño salsa is lovely with a bowl of black beans! The husband always enjoys his Huevos Mexicanos (scrambled eggs with tomatoes, jalapeños and onion) or Huevos Americanos (scrambled eggs with tomatoes, onion and cheese) which come with rice and refried beans. Free street parking is available at midday along 31st street. Clean bathrooms. Lots of families.
(4)E. N.
Love the food those vegetarian burgers are the best and what about the desayuno faro mmmm delicious but be prepare to not order extras because they will not add them to your order but they will still charge you for it and if you are thinking to speak to the manager or someone at they register they will treat you like you are trying to get away with out paying for your meal and will tell you that you are lying . In Bussiness the client is always right, but I guess not at this place. I can't complain about the servers they are the best kind, efficient and polite.
(2)Matt N.
Wow, very reasonable prices and a great selection of options for vegetarians. Wait staff was very friendly and helpful as well. Had a very pleasant lunch and would definitely go back. Highly recommended!
(5)Saúl F.
From what I hear, Vegetarians love this place. I'm not vegetarian, But i like it too. If you haven't had a home cooked meal in weeks, or months, this place will hit the spot. The Chile de Arbol sauce is really good. I could eat just the sauce with some rice, beans and tortillas. If I haven't had much too eat that day and I'm starving I always order the same thing, the Especial Dinner. It's only $8.50, but the platter is huge. BTW, they do have a small parking lot on Harding Ave, it's a few houses down from El Faro.
(5)Bianca C.
Great vegan food, it's one of my.favorite places to eat. I would recommend it to anyone who is vegan or not vegan. They have alot of great health lunches
(5)Erin F.
As a vegetarian of 10 years, this place has been a regular staple. The pan they use for the tortas is ridiculously good, the soy products have a great texture, the vegetables are fresh, and the desserts are super tasty.
(5)Alisha M.
A little wary to come here because I live right by the El Faro on Archer in Summit and it's not that great. This one was a whole different world, though. Different menu, different interior, different environment. The menu seems very vegetarian friendly which is nice. They also have a wide selection of fresh fruit drinks and smoothies - my boyfriend got the pineapple drink and it was very natural and refreshing. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals - large portions and great seasoning. According to him it's a 5 star restaurant, I took away a star because of the service. The waitress didn't come back very often and didn't refill waters. Otherwise very friendly and overall great place!
(4)Dimples B.
Me, my boyfriend and mother have been here many years but this experience was the worse. The carrots were old, the waitress did not smile once and very rude, they charge extra for avocado, they don't serve no chips, the torta was dry they put barely enough sour cream or beans you needed to soak it in salsa which had no flavor!
(1)Britt C.
Excellent selection of Mexican, with an unusual focus on healthy, vegetarian options. Their quesadillas come on huge handmade corn/chia tortillas, and are stuffed with whatever veggie or meat filling you choose--mushroom, or nopales, or soy chorizo looked great. Sad that I didn't try one. Also sad it wasn't a weekday, when they have soup specials that included elote (corn), lenteja (lentil), and lots of other vegetarian options. Everything looked good!!! I stuck with my classics; a taco (rajas y queso) and a gordita (frijoles y queso). I was thankful that the gordita was not a giant, greasy belly buster. The taco was stuffed to the gills with roasted poblano strips and cheese, and I wish I had room for more. The table salsa was deliciously spicy and perfectly complemented the food. The selection of fresh squeezed veggie juices was impressive; their offerings included celery, alfalfa, beet, and carrot. The place was clean, decor was 80s diner, with a long counter and veneer/vinyl covered booths, and it all reminded me of a typical restaurante you would find in Mexico. Great find for authentic Mexican in this far-north from the border city.
(5)Maricela D.
I have been here twice so far and I can say this is in my top five favorite restaurants I've gone to yet! The service is great, all the waitresses are very pleasant. The food comes out with good timing. Ive ordered the veggie burger and wow, it is amazing. It is to me, better than regular meaty burgers. I have also tried the empanadas and they are very good as well. They do charge for chips but give out the salsa, that I might say is a little confusing. Overall this is a place I will definitely keep coming to!
(5)Andres S.
El faro hits the spot. I ordered their steak soup and tacos for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Fast prompt service along with great tasting food. Kuddos!
(5)Diana G.
I've had this place bookmarked since '08. I remember trying to come here once before, but went elsewhere when we couldn't find parking. So, we decided to give it a try in the afternoon and got lucky with parking right across the street. Pineapple Drink - This was okay, but think I'll try the milkshake next time. Guacamole - I thought it was pretty bland and chips just came out of the bag. Tacos - I got a steak and al pastor taco and while they don't skimp on the meat, it was just okay to me. Didn't have much flavor to me. Chile Rellenos - My guy got this and seemed to enjoy it. I guess my expectations were high from all the reviews. Maybe it's really a better option for a vegetarian, but I'm a meat eater. I would like to come back to give it another try. Maybe a milkshake and dessert next time.
(3)Lupe G.
I used to frequent this place when I was a kid; still decent; still the after bar hangout
(3)Marty S.
Weekly stop for me and my family. Awesome menu, prices, and a consistent product. Love el faro
(5)Estefany G.
Been coming here since I was a baby! I always get their tacos de pico de gallo, meat sauteed with jalapeños and tomatoes on a maiz tortilla with melting cheese, its delicious. Their milanesa torta and chicken broth soup is good too. They also have the most authentic tasting trees leches cake I've ever tried!!!!
(4)Luis B.
Trying to find parking around this neighborhood is a pain in the booty, but when you do, El Faro is a goldmine of a find. Cheap food, cheap drinks and everything was sooo delicious! My favorite is the burrito de carne asada. Whatever they do to season their steak is heavenly! They have great fresh squeezed drinks. I tried the pineapple fruit drink and it was creamy and tasty. My little girl ate great too. A torta de frijoles (beans) and a drink was only a couple of bucks. Everyone working here was friendly and I enjoyed the service. Everyday has a unique special so you can come here 7 days in a row and be able to try something different. You like menudo, green pozole, enchiladas? Come on down! Whenever cheap and tasty are words to describe a restaurant, I'm sold. El Faro is CHEAP and TASTY. On your way out, buy a few of their empanadas. They offer different flavors and taste like a fruit filled butter cookies. ::drool::
(5)Emily C.
This place is terrible, I thought their food was good until I found hair in the rice, not once but TWICE! The waitress didn't do anything but not charge us for our drinks and didn't apologize, didn't get management involved or check if the batch of rice was ruined. This meant this has happens often and it's so unacceptable!! It was the most disgusting thing to pull a long piece of hair from within the rice. Never having food here again, please check before you bite in
(1)Joe R.
Maybe we had that pissed off chef and the bad batches that evening, but nothing we ordered tasted like it should. I gave 2 stars because some of our dishes were replaced due to being too salty, good job staff. That night left a sour taste of this place.
(2)Munkel A.
Let me start with the pros: Authentic Mexican food. Can't say it tastes like mi mami's food because there's a lot of vegetarian/"healthy" stuff on here. The platillos are nice. Pancakes are bland, but I should feel ashamed for ordering pancakes at a restaurant like this. The drinks are really good. Carrot juice, tomato juice, orange-carrot smoothies! And everything is really cheap. I'm sort of worried hipsters from WP will catch wind. Silent prayers. Cons: Slow ass service. Last time I waited that long for my food was when I went to Denny's at 3 AM!!!!! My friends and I were about to walk out, but we were weak from starvation so decided to stick it out.
(3)Mary M.
We go here for quality, inexpensive, vegetarian Mexican food. - seat yourself - there is an entire page of vegetarian options, and they are ALL good - my favorite is an assortment of the fake meat soft tacos - horchata tastes homemade - tres leches cake and el faro cake are both good; the tres leches cake does have a lot of whipped cream, though - breakfast on the weekend is crowded, but you will get a table quickly - there are daily specials for meat eaters and vegetarians Yum.
(4)Claudia M.
I've tried to love this place but a few bad experiences have kept me away for life. I'm always looking for a vegetarian restaurant where I can get a good salad for work and I worked really close to this place for years. I had gorditas de frijol con queso y aguacate. They were pretty good and I really did like coming here and having a sit down meal with friends. And they have these pastry empanadas at the register filled with apricot and cajeta aka caramel. These empanadas are pastries that should be eaten with milk, they aren't the meat filled emapanadas. They're sweet and go with coffee or milk. Anyway, I started ordering salads over the phone, would pick them up and take them to work. Well, I noticed once that there was an eyelash in my salad. I figured it was mine, Went back the next week and another eyelash (after I called my order in) in my tofu salad. I thought, it must be me, falling eyelashes. Nope, went back a third and fourth time, more eyelashes. It can't be me. I was so grossed out. You know that Spanish saying" lo que buscas, encuentras" in other words " Seek and you shall find". Well, no more El Faro for me. I was so grossed out and can never go back. Had to put it out there.
(1)Mario C.
my wife and i are addicted to coming here. their menu has a great variety of healthy food. theu have juices named after super heroes that really fit them. we always enjoy ourselves when we dine in. their parking is a couple houses down, since parking is not great. unless you want to get a ticket on residential streets.
(5)Nancy A.
The BEST Veggie Sandwich Ever! and i'm not even vegetarian! Everything in this place is AMAZING. Trust me. I come here so often, I most likely have tried everything on the Menu. Their Juicy Orange Salsa is just pure deliciousness. Their Choco Flan Cake is pure heaven! You must go. I live in the North side and drive a good 20-30 minutes to eat here. This place never disappoints. :)
(5)Javier P.
The food used to be Good, I'll decide to give it another chance but the food is still bad and the service even worse. This lady seems like she hates the job, everything I had asked for was a NO - I will never be back. They don't even know how to treat a customer appropriately.
(1)Zoran O.
Holy smokes ! ! ! It's everything all the 5 stars said it was. From the prices to the veggie options galore... I never thought I would have Mexican like that from a veggie menu - EVER. THIS is my new favorite Mexican restaurant in Chicago.
(5)Mara A.
Vegetarian options! And tons of them. You don't see that a lot in Mexican restaurants. You can order things without meat but they actually have a section for us veggie eaters. Their burritos are fab. Tacos are lacking substance but if you ask to add sour cream cheese and beans with rice (for an extra fee) they are fantastic. Their horchata never seems to disappoint.
(5)Analicia E.
My husband and I have gone here for YEARS first time I write a review. Milanesa tortas are the best. I have a vegetarian friend at work that always places an order with another co worker that lives across the street the options are incredible, high quality you see your food being prepared with care when you walk in.
(5)Candice G.
Still the best on Earth. My Dad took me here on Sunday after we rocked our Amazing Race season six tryouts (can I name drop this anymore?). We got 2 each of the soy carne asada, soy pollo, soy pastor, and soy chorizo (all vegan), and a Torta Veggie Cubana... it was fan.f*cking.tabulous. This visit was my first time trying one of their famous fruit/veggie drinks. My Dad and I decided to split the Super Frutas drink which has like 13 different crazy fruits in it... I took one little sip and then one really long one, passed the drink to my Dad, and ordered a second one all for myself. It was the best beverage I had ever put into my body. It was sooo cold with floating pulp bits in it and oh so tasty. It's going to be hard to not stop here on my way home from work each night.
(5)David N.
Veggie Burger (comes with fruit and fried potatoes) and a Soy Chicken Taco with nopales.... Marveloso!
(5)Cesar M.
El Faro is one of my favorite restaurant in Chicago. I have been coming here for a few years. Every time I come here I order some thing different and I have never got something I don't like. I have ordered from their regular menu as well from their veg. menu and everything is just really good. A few of my favorite dishes here include: chile relleno, chile relleno and costillas combo., veggie sandwich and burger are really good as well. I recently had soy meat with Mexican zucchini in chile de arbol sauce. spicy and really good. Their fruit and veggie drinks are awsome. And for those dessert lovers like me, order el Faro cake. It is a chocolate cake with dulce de leche custard on top. Really good stuff. The prices are really reasonable too. You will find good service, delicious food and good prices.
(5)scott s.
Good, hearty Caldo de Res for a cold day. Freshly made tortillas accompany generous portions. Large vegetarian selection. Many daily specials and homemade agua frescas. Prices are quite reasonable.
(4)Jessica R.
possibly the best vegetarian restaurant in the city. a true hidden gem. I simply go and order everything in the menu. They have a separate kitchen for vegetarians (unlike most of the restaurants that serve both meat and veggie dishes) and everything in the menu is amazing (maybe minus the cactus tacos but maybe that's only my taste). Yes, it's a little far and YES they need to open a location in Logan Square or Wicker Park. If it was closer (neighborhood is kind of shady as well) I would be here every single day.
(5)Seni J.
I forgot this place was still around. My parents brought me here when I was younger, and the food has always been phenomenal! My personal favorite is the carne asada. Tacos, tortas, everything!!! The portions are fairly large, especially for the price! The location has expanded since the mid 90's. On weekends there is a bit of a wait, but totally worth it! The staff is bilingual, so don't be shy to stop by if you don't speak Spanish.
(5)Kedar D.
Wow. El Faro has to be one of only 15 or so Mexican restaurants nation-wide that serves mockmeats and also unusual vegan dishes. We're not talking about a tofu burrito; the food here is far more sophisticated, and authentic, than that. You wouldn't guess it from the outside. El Faro is in the middle of nowhere, far from the city center; it's a predominantly Hispanic area with auto repair shops, warehouses and then, suddenly, one Mexican grocery store, bakery, and El Faro itself. El Faro is a diner (think Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks"), so there's a ton of counter space and friendly service. The clientele was almost entirely Hispanic, and mostly families with young children. The first two pages of the menu are entirely vegetarian and vegan with helpful descriptions of each dish. They even have tofu scramble with soy chorizo! I had one "carne asada" taco ($1.75), one "pollo con nopales" ($2.25), and one nopales platter ($7) which comes with rice, black beans and tortillas. "Nopales" are dried cactus leaves, which is something I have never encountered at any other Mexican restaurant in the US. El Faro is extremely smart and clever to market nopales as a vegan item; they have crunch and the texture of bell peppers, with a slightly tart taste. The tacos were both wonderful and cheap. The carne asada was served exactly the way you'd find it at a street vendor in Mexico: open-faced, with just the soy beef, cilantro and onions. No cheese, no cream, no beans. They give you some green salsa on the side. This was an extremely rare treat for me; there is no other Mexican restaurant in Chicago where you can get something like this. The soy beef was high-grade and had great texture and flavor. The pollo taco was also excellent and the soy chicken looked and tasted completely different from the soy beef (which is nice, as at many restaurants, they blend together). The nopales added a nice tart crunch to the tender soy chicken. The nopales platter was good on a whole, but I got bored of making taco after taco with the tortillas they provide. I got extra avocado with it ($0.95) which added a fatty, mild element to counteract the acidity of the nopales. El Faro is a gem. It's also an in-the-know place which can make you feel like a smart local. While it's a long trek from the center of Chicago or the hip North Side of the city, it's worth the trip, and you'll be hard-pressed to find anything else like it in the US.
(4)Tobias C.
There is always homeless people standing around here. Anyways the food is ok but is overrated. I've gone there and asked for things they have everywhere else i.e. horchata only to learn they don't serve such things (and their hot chocolate is only made with water!). The food is quite bland and they have a vegetarian menu to appeal to gringos. For better more authentic Mexican food I recommend the place across the street, El Molino, The atmosphere isn't near as nice but I care more about the food itself. Don't try to park on the street there is meter maids always giving tickets to people who don't have a permit. They have parking but it is really small. EVERYONE always comes out backwards and they have to get out before you can go in. I'm not sure even a Mini could get out of the lot without going in reverse.
(3)Amy Y.
I couldn't believe it when I first walk into the place - a real authentic family Mexican places, with chubby babies, construction workers, Mothers ordering for their kids - with a vegetarian menu! I found this place on Yelp and was thinking that it was a hipster-ish place, but no, it was the real deal. My favorites things are the cactus with the rice and beans dish (Nopalitos Guisados - MY FAVORITE), and the Pico de Gallo soya. The torta was ok but not as outstanding. I loooove their pickles here - my dad at like 3 cups of these! (warning - they are really spicy!) Price is good and portions are big. I have taken a bunch of people from out of town here and they all love it. Only downside is that it's too far from my work and apartment, otherwise I'll be here more often.
(4)Ana F.
I really love this place from their fruit salads to their tacos and soups. Delicious!! Try their Pico de Gallo dinner, it is so good, seasoned carne asada , with jalepenos, tomato, onion and two slice of thinly slice queso caribe/panel melted on top. Yummy. They even have Pico de Gallo dinner plate made of Soy for my vegetarian friends! The only thing I would change would be Coffee, I always just bring my own but ohhhh if they could serve a delicious cup of Intelligentsia coffee....this place would be perfect. Parking is always difficult there is both street (if you are lucky) and they have a parking lot ( also if you are lucky). They are forever packed but the food is truly worth the wait. They accept both Cash and Credit Cards. Reasonably priced. Try it!
(4)Nessie V.
What a great place. It a weird neighborhood, and we were the only gringos there, but i didn't feel out of place (any more than I do any other day). Even ordering off the veg menu seemed very normal. Service was efficient and friendly, like a good diner. There was a guy playing guitar and singing for tips when we were there, which was nice too. Not all the vegetarian items are vegan. You can ask for without sour cream and so on no problem. There is a big selection of veg stuff, of different kinds: soft tacos, tortas, even a ceviche. They also have separate veg specials, different one each weekday. I got three tacos. They were cheap and filling. I got the pastor, pollo de soya con nopal, and another one All three were really good. I want more now. I think my favorite was the soy chicken and cactus. The soy meat is not of a kind I've seen other places, but was tasty. Definitely worth the trip.
(5)Barton C.
I'd heard about El Faro on the Vegan grapevine and then a fellow co-worker said that he lived around the corner and recommended the place. So, since I get my hair cut near 26th & Pulaski, a bike ride to 31st & Harding isn't too far! I pretty much worked my way thru the Vegan options over the past year and look forward to my biweekly run to El Faro! I've always gotten great service and a friendly smile (I order in English, Spanish and Spanglish!)--I also love their juice menu and I think the portions are most amply and filling! The best part about Mexican vegan food is that it's never bland as you can add all the salsa you want! YUM!
(4)Tina B.
Brimming with life, noise, and smells - women making tortillas by hand (and not just as some wack voyeur tourism, but just so that people can eat tortillas), juice being juiced from whole fruits and veggies, aged diner booth seats - Almost everything right with the world can be had here: Hate meat? Wearing hemp shoes? Get the Cubana torta with a full on Noah's Ark of fake meats and a side of beans and brown rice! (And no extra side of upcharging or snooty vegan restaurant vibes - just good food) Love meat? Love cheese? Love to step on hemp shoes? It's all good for you too! (And don't get all violent, caveman...) They have great carnitas and real porky chorizo and you can cover it with cheese, maybe even lard upon request. It's more complicated than all that? A real omnivore's dilemna? Like some of this and a poco of that? Get a chicken burrito with soyrizo or pork with brown rice, whatever - hook it up. The juices taste real - if you don't like beet juice, don't order it and expect it to taste like Kool-aid - it's still beet juice! Oh, and try the green soup. Constructive criticsm: dirty bathrooms
(5)Scott J.
Clean sitting area. HUGE variety of vegetarian choices!! Inexpensive for the size of the food. Taste is great. The Super Frutas smoothie was wonderful. Best of all my wife and kids were happy they didn't have to settle for a baked potato or veggie pasta. It is hard to find parking. I would take my family back. Four stars.
(4)tages t.
Tasty vegetarian/vegan tacos. Initially we thought the entire menu was vegan from another reviewer, but there is a section of the menu that is meat free and tacos are made with faux meats. Cheap dinner!
(3)Janet E.
I'd give this place a 3.5. I honestly didnt think this restaurant was all that great, given the fact I drove almost 40 minutes to get here! Where are all these 5 star reviews coming from? First, they didnt give you any free chips and salsa like most restaurants do. I guess for me thats a good thing since the stuff is pretty fattening to beginning with. But still, a Mexican restaurant without complimentary chips and salsa? Thats like a Chinese restaurant without rice. Its just WRONG! Second, I didnt find the flavors to be so outstanding to the point of being obsessive. Maybe the vegetarians have not had meat for so long that the soy substitute served at this restaurant tastes so close to meat that its heaven? I can tell you that as a meat eater, and a soy lover, I did a taste test of the actual chorizo taco, and the soy chorizo taco. Surprisingly, I didnt notice a difference. But I didnt think the taste of either tasted better than other chorizo tacos I've had. Third, whats up with the high reviews on the Super Frutas? My friend and I had read the reviews raving about this drink. We order it, we taste it, and gave each other the "Are you serious? This is the super frutas? But it tastes like crap?!" look. We even had to ask the waitress if the drink she gave us was the Super Frutas just to make sure this crappy drink was the correct crappy drink. We were pretty bummed that the drink cost more than our meal and we hated it. The Service here was great though. We definitely couldnt complain about that. Nor the price of the food. The food is cheap but the price of drinks is high. They serve a complimentary spicy pickled carrots, onions and jalapeno pepper dish thats addictive but spicy! I dont think I'll be back here anytime soon. I'd rather visit Pilsen or Ukrainian Village for something better.
(3)Renee E.
I haven't had Mexican in quite a while since I converted from vegetarian to vegan, but when I read the reviews of El Faro, I decided I needed to check it out sometime. Husband and I were in the area after an urban adventure and decided this was probably the only time we'd venture this way, so we stopped in. There were so many vegetarian and vegan choices on the menu, I sort of went into a fugue state, but eventually I settled on the tofu a la Mexicana, a take on my former fave huevos a la Mexicana. Husband got the torta veggie Cubana sandwich. We also got a taco de soya carne asada. To top it off, I got the Superman freshly juiced blend of carrot, apple and beet. Hubs devoured the Cubana and proclaimed it delicious (I snuck a bite around the egg part and it was good!) My tofu, unfortunately, was a little underseasoned, as were the black beans, but the addition of that super tasty salsa perked things up. The taco, however, was a shining beacon of veggie meat delight. Next time, I'm sticking with tacos! I ended up devouring the taco and boxing up the tofu. All in all, it was thrilling to have a multitude of vegan options and fresh juice drinks and the prices were really low for the amount of food we got. I wish there was one in Logan Square!
(3)Angela D.
Stopped in for a lunch, and got serenaded by a live band as a bonus! :) Food was good, fresh, high quality and made to order. The place itself is setup like a diner, and it is quite large so you should never have to wait too long for a seat. Prices are very reasonable, selection is very good, including salads, fresh made juices, tacos, burritos, soups, and more. Loved the fresh made guacamole!! Portions are generous too. Best part is that my vegan and vegetarian friends have a lot of menu items to choose from to. Definitely stop by the bakery across the street afterwards for some fresh breads, cookies, and desserts!
(4)Osiris V.
Hmmm...this restaurant was very ineresting! (Yes I spelled that wrong). Got there around 11 in the AM and had to wait for about 15 minutes, standing in a line, towards the tables. It was very crowded. I didn't get anything vegitarian, I got a torta and a gordita de carne asada. Both were dry. Hmm....maybe next time I'll try something vegetarian. Maybe. The salsa sucked. And the parent hitting his kid behind us pretty much ruined my meal. If it wasn't for my sister sitting besides me blocking me in I'd have showed him how it feels to get hit. A HOLE!
(3)Steve L.
Tied for Number 1 on my list of favorite Mexican places in the city. This is where I head when I am in need of awesome tacos. I'm a huge fan of the Al Pastor and the Rajas con Queso tacos. Chile Relleno and Carne Asada are good as well. Also, my wife is vegan, so this place, with it's massive vegetarian menu, is an awesome option for authentic tasting tacos for you vegans/vegetarians out there.
(5)Swati B.
I didnt realize that there could ever be a vegan/veg friendly Mexican place...woo hoo!! This place is amazing for vegetarians..they have soy carne asada and soy chorizo...soy chicken and soy other stuff, its a whole page of just soy and vegetarian options..and for cheap, each taco is like 1.70! Their fresh juices are really good. Service is fast and quick and friendly. The ambiance is just like a diner/fast food place. The place is clean, and sometimes they have some live music in the background. I love this place! Def going back! Tell your veg and vegan friends!
(5)Samantha K.
When we checked El Faro, it had such positive reviews and we were both intrigued about the vegetarian/vegan menu just because neither of us had ever seen something like that before. We were both really confused when we entered because we weren't sure if we were supposed to sit down or order at the counter. We decided to take a chance and just sit down. Before we even got our menus, our waiter placed down some Mexican pickles in front of us. Mexican pickles are delicious and addicting, we ended up eating the whole container before we got our food even though they were super spicy. The menu is enormous and neither of us knew where to begin. I have a tendency to look around at what other people had ordered, but everyone seemed to have something different so I assumed it was safe to just order what looked good. I decided to be bold and order things I wouldn't normal have like Jamaica, a flower drink made with hibiscus. It wasn't for me, but I only paid $1.05 for it so I'm not too distraught over it. I usually avoid all things vegetarian, but since it had a reputation for being vegetarian friendly I figured I would give it a try. I ordered a Taco de Soya Carne Asada for $1.60 which had textured soy, seasoned with natural ingredients and olive oil, topped with onions and cilantro. It was delicious, and it seriously tasted like steak, I was very surprised. I also ordered an Al Pastor torta because I have never had one before and it delicious, but way too much food for one person. However it heats up great the next day. Our service was slow and when we wanted to pay, our waiter was eating his own lunch at the counter. I didn't go in there expecting extraordinary service and for the price you can't go wrong. If you're a vegetarian and on a tight budget or just a lover for authentic Mexican fare, you have to try El Faro.
(5)Tia S.
My absolute favourite Chicago secret. I just wish this place wasn't so out of the way. Basically the food is amazing. Since I went vegetarian in May, this is one restaurant I can really appreciate. They have amazing seitan dishes! I'm not a huge fan of soyrizo or chorizo, but my friends always get it here and love it. They also recommend the torta veggie cubana. Seriously, I know a guy who bikes six miles just for that sandwich. I love the breaded seitan (chicken style), the torta with the soy chicken (that looks kind of like lunch meat) and fake queso, and the vegetarian burrito. And I remember coming here once prior to going veggie and getting a phenomenal steak dinner with loads of avocado for something like 7 bucks. Yeah, did I mention this place is dirt cheap? I mean DIRT cheap. Most tortas are around $3-$4, and they're really filling, and the dinners are $5-$7. The chocolate malt is pretty good too, though it was really liquidy when I got it. But delish nonetheless. Anyways, this place looks like a diner, but really has some of the best vegetarian food I've ever had. Sure the decor is a little lacking but who cares when the food is so good?!? Do yourself a favor and head to El Fero RIGHT NOW. You won't regret it.
(5)Elisa R.
One of the best wallet-friendly Mexican AND vegetarian restaurants in the city! The pozole verde on Saturday is a must, especially after too many drinks on a Friday night!! Try the black beans instead of the traditional refried - not only are they healthy, but they're delicious too!! For desert, I highly recommend the "Faro cake."
(5)Evelyn L.
lucky for me, i live very close to el faro. i love, love, love this place! when i first made the decision to stop eating meat in high school, i was a bit disconcerted by the fact that i would have to give up a vast majority of my mum's mexican dishes. however, the reasons why i chose vegetarianism were stronger than the nostalgia of said foods. it's been nearly a decade since i last ate meat, and i'm still firm in that belief. over the years, i have discovered myriad of meat substitutes and hidden vegetarian/vegan gems throughout chicago. el faro is without a doubt, one of them. i can still enjoy tacos de al pastor and not have to sell my soul! i love everything on the vegetarian menu, especially the cuban torta! seriously, you HAVE to try this. the first time i ate it, i almost had to ask the waitress to double-check my order because i thought it was real meat. lastly, a delicious meal must end with an equally tasty dessert. their choco-flan is chocolaty-custard heaven! however, if you are looking for something on the lighter side, you can always order one of their many freshly-made juices. these guys are packed with lots of good-for-you veggies and fruits. you can't go wrong. i love the 'hercules' and 'silueta' (don't get this one if you don't like bitter & tart. i do. hence why i like it.) so stop reading this and go try their stuff! i'm pretty sure you'll like it.
(5)Jessie R.
This is one of my favorite spots for breakfast. It's inexpensive and pretty good if you ask me. If your looking for the typical Mexican restaurant, this is not for you. They don't sell the typical fatty dishes that you'll find in a regular mexican restaurant. The tacos here aren't dipped in oil and the meat isn't greasy. Also, you won't get chips and a variety of salsas before your meal. They only have one signature salsa. Not sure why :/ The seasoning in the food is pretty simple. The menu varies depending on the day. I love the tortas de milanesa. I ask for avocado to be added to it. The vegetarian menu is very good as well. I'm not a vegetarian, so I really don't have much to compare it to. I've had the soy chorizo tacos, the veggie Cuban torta, veggie burger, veggie sandwich, and the queso panela. All delicious! They also sell some empanadas that are filled with "cajeta" or pineapple. Arroz con leche is good as well. The prices are pretty cheap here. I say it's worth a stop if you happen to be in the neighborhood. Would I drive out here from a burb or the other side of town? No.
(5)Evi L.
i am so happy to live a few blocks away from this place! it really is amazing. i was vegetarian for 10 years, and having been raised in a mexican household, i grew accustomed to mexican food. unfortunately, a vast majority of mexican dishes contain meat and i had to give up some of my favorite foods. when i found out el faro offers a lot of my favorite foods with meat alternatives, i was stoked! i recently starte eating meat again, but i continue to come here for the veggie tortas and tacos! whether you're vegetarian or not, you will find something amazing here. (ps--for dessert, you gotta try the el faro choco-flan--it's chocolate cake with flan and it's very delicious!)
(5)Liz J.
I was intrigued to hear that there was a veg- and vegan-friendly restaurant in my neck of the woods. I'm not veggie myself, but I'm a fan. And I happen to kiss one vegetarian a lot and like to keep her happy with yummy things to eat. We walked in to an area with busy people behind counters and were a little confused, as there were no signs or waitstaff to tell us to seat ourselves. We quickly got over our flummox and sat ourselves at a booth in the back. It was a Saturday afternoon and they were bustling. Service was friendly and quick. Even though I love me some tacos al pastor, and I decided to order off the vegetarian menu. I had the tacos de nopales (cactus salad, crisp and vinegary), which were very tasty and came with refried beans, rice and a couple of pieces of panela cheese. My dining companion had an entree that consisted entirely of melted panela cheese. This was even more amazing than it sounds. It came with black beans, rice and a salad. I'm excited to go back to explore beyond the vegetarian menu, as well as try some of their not-meats.
(4)Angelique R.
We had a "try a new place" lunch today, and my husband found El Faro by searching for vegetarian friendly restaurants. It's hard enough to get some places to just put a damn avocado in a taco, let alone actually get some protein. Yay for El Faro! I did wish chips and salsa were involved, but whatever sauce they provide is KICK ASS. I am bummed I didn't try one of their drinks as other Yelpers seem to have really liked them. The rice was yum! My husband liked the Bistec Chili Pasilla (pardon any mispelling), and we left with a $15 bill. Woo hoo! Oh the guy in the "I'm with Buttface" shirt - awesome. And the band was a nice touch.
(4)Marissa P.
I lived a block down from El Faro for many many years. My grandmother was a huge fan of their nopalis and my aunt would have many drunken nights in their dining room. I had recently seen that they have neat vegetarian options to promote healthier living so I decided to stop in. - Loved the super frutas drinks and horchata! - Had Chile Rellenos dinner, nomnomnom - Bf had veggie torta and was mighty pleased Also thanks to RMF for the neighborhood comment. If you are weirded out by the 'hood then take your gringo ass back to "insert other mexican restaurant".
(4)Marty K.
I wonder what the cop thought the fourth time I drove by his parked cruiser. It was night, it wasn't the best of neighborhoods, and I couldn't for the life of me find the restaurant, Jerusalem's Finest, that I started out looking for. It was a toss up between that one and El Faro and my reasoning was that El Faro was closer to the airport and I might need that as a fallback when I had less time on a quick stopover. Before I forget let me share this incredible colorful sunset from the next night's flight down to Wilmington NC. The world on a clear night from 38,000 feet. The rainbow of the sunset was magnificent. So I double back to look for El Faro and I feel like I'm driving in another land. I have no objection to people using their native tongue and think it's kind of neat actually, to find myself in an ethnic neighborhood, but it's just that I can either write this blog or spend time with Rosetta Stone. So I have to really read the signs and on my second pass saw not "El Faro" but something like "vegetariano" with a parking space in front of the door. I hate when I use up my life's luck on a parking space and always think I should have played the lottery instead. I'm looking at what is essentially a diner type restaurant. It very bright with formica tables and the strange thing is it's so quiet. There's no music. Conversations seem to be very easily heard. Interesting. So I get the menu and say in my broken, grammatically incorrect Spanish that I'm a vegetarian and don't eat meat, fish, chicken, broth or dairy products. For all I know I might have just said I enjoy walking in the rain with a lace parasol. I really try and stick with the Spanish. I keep thinking this is vegetarian and not vegan. I wish my guys who spoke fluent Spanish, uh, cause they are from Chile and Cuba, were with me. I think both would have really liked this place. I order 2 appetizers and a sandwich. I can't find smoothies on the menu so settle for a diet coke. ugh. My waitress brings my soda and a few condiments. I love the pickled carrots and jalapenos and cauliflower and onions. I'm eating the hot carrots like chips. The salsa is nice with a heat just north of medium. Chomp, chomp, chomp. Is this like a Mexican version of pickles on the table? I start with a Gordita. Homemade thick corn tortillas with beans, lettuce and tomato. I got the Nopalitas, a dried cactus seasoned with onions and dried pasilla peppers. Soy chorizo taco on the left and Gordita on the right. and a "Taco de Soya Chorizo" a Soya texturada, adobado con especies naturales y aceite de uva, preparado con cebolla y cilantro. I'd never had Nopalitas before and these had a consistency of sauteed peppers and a wonderful flavor. The soy tasted like soyrizo with fresh cilantro. Mmmm good. Wish they had some daiya cheese. My eyes are sort of glazing over the menu. I want a Cuban sandwich. I remember one I had in Key West to this day. It was early in the morning and a cup of Cuban coffee. So I order what I thought was the "Torta Veggie Cubana" Chorizo, Pollo y Tocino estrilo soya en telera con mayonesa, frijoles, huevo organico, queso amarillo de soya, cebolla, tomate y chile chipotle. My waitress was very careful to verify no mayonesa et no queso, (they do NOT have soy cheese apparently), but got the sandwich wrong. Well, I'm sure she got it right but I forged valiantly ahead in Spanish and got the "Sandwich Vegetariano" Soy chicken style served on a toasty wheat bread with mayonnaise, romain lettuce, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, mozarella style tofu, onions and tomatoes, served wtih diced potatoes and fruit. Nicely laid out plate, the potatoes were perfect instead of overcooked/raw french fries. The cucumber was perhaps a bit misplaced. You can see the slices of soy chicken ... they were round like they came off a loaf. It was a good sandwich, a little overpowered by the sprouts and a good medium for the salsa. The potatoes were the bomb, man, and not one was left on the plate. The fruit was all good and fresh and the grapes burst with flavor as I popped one with each bite of sandwich. Not what I had in mind when I ordered but good non the less. I asked the waitress for a Cuban Sandwich to go. When it came I opened it and saw ... another Vegetarian Sandwich. Ground Hog Day?
(3)Amy C.
El Faro is an amazing discovery & hands down the best Mexican food in the city. It is authentic, yet they have a wide array of amazingly tasty faux meats. The Veggie Torta Cubana and the Taco de Soya Pollo are two of my favorites. The rice is amazingly tender, with tiny soft lil carrots all in it. Apparently the real meat is awesome too, because every time I take someone to eat here they get seriously hooked! I straight up love this place. The chocolate flan cake & horchata are also incredible! I love El Faro. Everything about it. The service is fine, it's quick, and they typically get everything right. The location sucks just because it's sooo far for a lot of Northsiders to get to, but trust me, it's worth the trip. Thankfully it's right off the expressway. Would be five stars if not for that!
(4)Christina M.
OK, so while El Faro is a little far from the city, I found this place to be good, but nothing to go out of my way for. When my friend and I walked in, we got the family diner feeling, which is nice. We sat down and checked out what was on the menu only to find a plethora of vegetarian items and healthy smoothies/juices. The only problem, as I am a Vegan, is that they didn't really have many fully Vegan options. I was able to get various items without cheese, egg, or mayonnaise [thereby making it Vegan], but it would have been nice if they did have substitutes. My friend (not veggie or Vegan) said this was the best tasting Mexican meal with fake meat in it that he'd ever had. He also got a strawberry smoothie [apparently Vegan] that looked quite tasty. On top of everything this place was VERY CHEAP!!! We ordered a ton of stuff including that smoothie [a mere $1.75] and our bill was $15! Wow! Overall the food was good and everyone was very nice! [Oh and be careful, one of their menu items says it contains soy cheese; I asked about it and was told they don't have soy cheese.]
(3)Nikki G.
All the staples, yummy food, and great prices for about $25.00 tax and tip included Bothmy friend and I came out 10 pounds heavier and all cravings satisfied, for all the things to difficult to execute at home. The caldo de res and rice tastes just like my grandmothers and that makes it good to me. Not nuts about the salsa viscosity, but it doesnt taste bad. Don't do the pastel de tres leches here though. Order a "licuado" or an "horchata". I don't eat flan, or mole from restaurants, so can't really give recommendation for that.
(4)Edgar D.
What else can you say about one of the best Mexican restaurants in La Villita. I've been coming here since before they took over the Lawn Drugs section and every time I come back I know why. TDM or Torta De Milanesa. Riquisimo! Just add a bit of their signature chile and I'm set. I know everyone comments on the fact that they cater to vegetarian, pescetarian, vegan etc. tastes and that's great, but if you don't try their tortas then you won't know how they were able to take that risk in the first place.
(4)Diego M.
One of the best kept secrets of veg cuisine in Chicago, despite all my incessant yapping about it. The soy chorizo taco is incredible followed by the soy chicken. Try the tofu scramble or any of their daily specials (more food than you expect plus a natural juice drink for 7 bucks). Hey, they have a meat-eater's menu which is scrumptious as well. Whoa, there is an attached bakery with great empanadas de cajeta? There's always a guy selling peanuts and Mexican candies from his conversion van outside? What are you waiting for? Definitely worth the trek down to 31st, only complaint is they don't give you free chips. "There's an app for that"
(5)Charmed Life S.
This restaurant it absoloutley wonderful!!!! The food is great and so is the service!! The price is also right. In addition to the great vegetarian menu they also have freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices that are delicious. Sometimes you go to vegetarian places that have food that taste a little "off" i.e not very filling and not very good, however THAT IS NOT THE CASE with Faro, the food tastes great and it is very filling. And the fact that it is a mexican vegetarian resturant, how cool!!! What an excellent concept, gives vegans more to choose from than just alfalfa sprouts. LOL! There are also non-vegan items on the menu for your meat ending pals. ps I agree 100000% with RMF, there is nothing at all wrong with the neighborhood.
(5)Emily C.
They have a large selection of vegetarian and vegan food, its all pretty good, the atmosphere is that of a diner - servers are nice and the meals are cheap.
(3)Dylan E.
Without question, this is the best vegetarian restaurant in the city of Chicago. Sure, you can get your typical tofu fare farther north, but the huge selection, bold flavors, and family-friendly environment keep me coming back for more!
(5)Jessica G.
OK vegan/veg mexican options and super service. We had a variety of tacos. -taco de soya pastor -taco de soya carne asada -taco de soya pollo All good, but fake meat overload. Next time I think I will just stick with the vegetariano burrito and an agua fresca.
(3)Ali M.
Do not know what all the hype is about this place...it is not the best food and I was not impressed by the service. Last time I ate there I did get very sick but I am not certain if it was from there. Not sure I want to go back.
(1)Paul B.
This is not the most convenient Mexican restaurant for me geographically - but will surely be one of the ones I make a point to visit when I can. Deceiving in its simplicity, El Faro provides two things that will bring me back time and time again to spend my cash. The first is - of course - the food. In a city over-run by Mexican restaurants - El Faro delivers delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere at a reasonable price. The quality of the food - and the obviously careful preparation pays off even when it is something simple like tacos de lengua. My buddy had a burrito and he said - and this guy loves his burritos - that it may have been the best he ever had. The other component that I rely on is the service. The women who run El Faro are quick and friendly. (Did I mention they were all very pretty?) Their straight-forward no-nonsense approach to service and customer satisfaction makes it worth the visit. An added element is the vegetarian menu. I love bacon (and pork chops and steaks and hamburgers and cheeseburgers and lengua) too much to ever be a vegetarian, but it is good to know that there are choices for the vegetarians who want to seek new places to grab a bite. El Faro is a find...
(4)Isabel R.
Very cheap, very delicious and sometimes healthy Mexican food. I'm partial as my favorite waiter in the world works there, so he always treats us extra well. Their fruit salads with yummy granola and honey are to die for and their "Special Dinner" with the quesadillas and green salsa is orgasmic. The place may be a drive, but it's always well worth it to me. Also, Saturday mornings they have the most delicious green chicken pozole, but you have to get there early, they usually run out by the afternoon.
(4)Ana A.
after being a client to this place as a Mexican I always brag about it, today I decided to take my parent's in law since they are visiting Chicago from Spain, my mother in law ordered a carne asada which was so dry an old, we asked the waitress to change it and if it was possible to exchange for another dish, she communicated us that the manager said no, I thought this is not possible I went to talk to the manager and told we wanted to change the plate for a different one and he said it was nothing wrong with the meat, i said the meat was dry and hard and he said "if you want I'll give you another meat but i can't give you another plate" we ended up leaving the restaurant after everybody eat but my mother in law and the manager charge us for the plate we did not even touch! I feel sad and disappointing because they did that to us. I'll never go back again.
(1)Jennifer Q.
Oh, El Faro, come te extrane (oh, how I've missed you)! I had not been to El Faro in a really long time even though I work not too far away. When a coworker and I wanted to eat out but keep it kinda healthy, I suggested El Faro. They have a lot of vegetarian options that are pretty unusual, even unheard of, for a Mexican place. Such examples are tofu "carne asada" tacos, "chicken" fajitas, etc. I went out on a limb and tried the fake "carne asada" tacos and they were really good. Just like a "real" taco -simply made with onion, cilantro and a soy beef on corn tortillas. Two was plenty to fill me up and I didn't feel to guilty about our lunch out! They also have really great natural juices -not the fake sugary stuff you get in stores. El Faro's juices are just fruit or veggie and water. MMM, delicious. My fave? The carrot-orange combo. This time I tried the Vitamina blend and that was also excellent. Thanks, El Faro, for providing such cool, unique options and simultaneously fulfilling my veggie and Mexican food requirements!
(5)Antonio M.
Worth the drive. Delicious and healthy mexican food -- and be sure to save room for a piece of the chocoflan cake!
(4)Jeanie P.
Ah for the carnivore~ 3.5 stars, for the vegetarian, 5 stars.. went here for our vegetarian friend's bday, and he loved it! There is a huge selection for the non-meat eater! I had the al pastor burrito which was tasty, however the deli cheese they have in the burrito really throws me off... some commented it was like a philly cheese steak taste... yeah, so not the traditional mexican fare i love. Yes I am a mexican food snob.. But our waiter was awesome and brought us samples of horchata, jamaica (hibiscus), and tamarindo drinks. Not sure if I like that condensed milk taste in the horchata..but our waiter was super nice even though we had a huge group.
(3)Suni S.
This was my first time here. I decided to come here because of the other reviews. I ordered the steak taco plate and I loved it. I have tried many Mexican restaurants in the Chicago area and this one stands out. Great food great fast service
(5)Beth M.
I'm not always a fan of faux meat dishes because they aren't given much effort (ehem, Chicago Diner...). However, my co-worker has brought in El Faro a couple times and I was very impressed. I most recently had three tacos: de chorizo soya, de carne asada soya and de pollo soya con nopales. I wondered if they might all taste the same since they were all soy, but they certainly didn't. They were delicious! All three tacos were vegan, but I'm sure even the other vegetarian menu items could be made without crema or cheese. You can't beat the prices. The three tacos were $5 total and filled me up. I'd like to go there in person sometime; I hope the experience there is just as good.
(5)Maria G.
This is my dad's favorite restaurant. We have been eating here since I was 11 years old, and I'm happy to say that even though this restaurant has expanded, their service and food has not changed. Perfect place for vegetarians- but even better for meat lovers :) I recommend the Torta de Chile relleno and the Pico de gallo dish. p.s. if menudo is your thing, my dad raves about the one made here.
(5)Jess W.
VEGANS: I finally got a straight answer on the horchata and it CONTAINS MILK. No wonder I'd been so farty. Switch to the jamaica, it's delicious and full of healthy antioxidants. Also it's delicious, did I mention that? They have a brand new Vegetariano menu, with some new dishes and all the old ones in one convenient place. I had the Torta Cubano last time and it was super tasty if a little blindingly hot. The best new item is, for sure, the taco de pollo soya con nopales. Brilliant! There is now a vegetarian special of the day, which is a special plate of food and a matched juice for like, eight bucks. El Faro, you blow my tiny little mind.
(5)Kara D.
Delicious Veggie Mex food with low grease and good service. Imagine that.This vegan is super happy. The prices are great! Can't wait to get back here and try a weekday special.
(5)Kimme O.
Vegan carne asada is unbelievably numyummy. Fixing great vegetarian food that's not greasy and full of sodium can be difficult. El Faro mastered the art of making vegetarian dishes with the right amount of everything. Best part was the guy with the gutair singing, I was almost serenaded. Parking in the neighborhood is quick and easy, always a plus since I'm a driver...I drive everywhere....I'm not proud.
(5)Jose T.
Great authentic Mexican food, with an awesome 'meatless' menu. If you are a vegetarian who misses the taste of a great steak taco - you MUST check this place out! Inexpensive & delicious - I will be back for more very soon.
(4)Emma R.
My boyfriend and I went here for his birthday and we both loved it so much that I went back with my mom the next week and ordered some to bring home to bf. Everything we ordered was excellent (every kind of taco soya and the nopales dinner with black beans) both times. I loved that I could get veggie pastor tacos! The only reason I am not giving El Faro five stars: I ordered six soy tacos to go after dining in, and one of them was ACTUALLY carne asada... like, made of cow. And my boyfriend couldn't tell the difference ... so he ate half of one before I noticed and stopped him (he is a vegetarian, and gullible). OOOOPS. So, just be careful. My boyfriend has lost faith and won't go back, but I'll definitely still be back. I can't wait to try the torta everyone's raving about.
(4)Michelle R.
Love it not greasie mexican food! the only bad part is that its too small and you have to fight for parking!
(4)Laura V.
A vegan-friendly Mexican restaurant? Too rare, too potentially wonderful to pass up. The atmosphere reminded me of a lively diner and they even had live music. There were a lot of families there that weekend and everyone seemed in good spirits. The waitress was very friendly and attentive. The food was good - but not at all what I wanted (probably my fault). Even though I've been to Mexico and have had plenty of Mexican food - I don't consider myself very knowledgeable about the cuisine and what would make it "authentic". However, I have a feeling that El Faro is very authentic. Probably not so authentic is their supply of various soy meats - which is so rare and so appreciated by me. I thought I would want tacos so I tried three of them (well priced around $1.50 each). When I think taco I usually think about all the delicious fixins - lettuce, tomatoes, onions, guacamole, beans, etc. These were all sadly absent from my tacos. What I got was a soft shell and a mound of soy meat. They were ok but again, not what I wanted or expected. Next time, and there will be a next time - I'm going to get one of the sandwiches which do have all my fixins as well as the soy meat and I think I will be quite pleased. Truly, I can't wait to give El Faro another try because I know I'm going to find some dishes that I absolutely love.
(3)titi b.
This restaurant is a very inexpensive with awesome food. If your a vegetarian you must visit this place. The torta cuban is my favorite along with the carrot juice ( done fresh ). There is dessert called Faro Cake. Its so delicious. I was hooked on this desert for months. If you are in the south side you have to stop by this truely fabulous place.
(5)Anton F.
I'm hesitant to write a review of this joint because it's still a pretty well kept secret, but I think they deserve the business, and it's one of the cheapest vegetarian places in the city. Probably the oldest place in the city to get vegetarian fare besides chicago diner. I get tofu ala mexicana which is basically rice, beans, scrambled tofu, tortillas and some lettuce. It's $3.50, which is going to be cheaper than taking the bus soon. Hell, I don't think you can even eat at mcdonalds for that cheap. Very well priced juice drinks, and a full vegetarian menu w/ faux meat products. I have tried a few, but the value of the tofu breakfast dish keeps calling my name. I can hear it now... "Asshole.... asshole..."
(5)Jennifer R.
Correction: the soya pollo tacos are the best. Sorry soya carne asada, but your "pollo" contender knocked you out! I can't rave about El Faro enough. Hands down, best Mexican vegetarian food in the city.
(5)Cyn F.
Where i pick up my vegetarian lunch. It's good. Very good.
(4)Lori M.
this is my place. mine. all mine. ssshhhh!
(5)Sarah H.
The food was delicious and very cheap, and I would highly recommend the desserts (especially the milk cake and faro cake). The atmosphere, however, isn't great -- sort of cheap-diner-ish and a little unclean. The waitresses also seemed very overworked, and our service was slow as a result.
(3)Michelle U.
The vegetarian menu is ample and the "regular" menu is even bigger. I had the vegetarian Cuban torta, which was insanely good and cost like $3. The food is really authentic and they bring you pickled veggies and jalapenos and fresh salsa for the meal. Two of us ate for under $10 and the food was delicious. I will be back ASAP.
(5)Christine H.
I tried grilled cactus for the first time at this place, and love it! When you're Vegan, you become open to all sorts of vegetable dishes. I never would have tried that when I ate meat. Add the "chicken" soy tacos with grilled cactus (nopal) to your "to try" list from El Faro.
(4)Mimi C.
After attempting to get chilaquiles at El Milagro and being foiled (boo, Diana!), I had to regroup because my tummy was rumbling. Since I was in Pilsen, I checked my Yelp bookmarks and saw El Faro. Somewhat close (Little Village) but not quite walking distance. After hellishly long waits for buses, lots of walking, etc., I finally arrived. Cute, bright place and quite crowded on a Sunday afternoon. They only offer chilaquiles on Friday mornings (boo!), so I had the huevos a la mexicana, an order of guac (bland but chunky) and a horchata. All super delish and VERY filling. The cost: $9.15 including tax. Pity this spot is so far off the beaten path for a non-driving city dweller. However, there are two good reasons to return: their Friday chilaquiles and getting a crack at the vast veggie menu that Candice mentioned. (The great prices are a given to bring you back........)
(4)Grace L.
Usually Mexican restaurants are pretty vegetarian-friendly with their bean-centric food, but this is the first time that I've ever been to a seemingly authentic place that had a menu full of soy 'meat'. I think I overdid it by ordering the Torta Cubano...faux chicken, chorizo, bacon AND cheese, all in one sandwich. Soy overload - had to forgo the bacon. Also a bit confused about all the condiments that they lay out across your table...a dish of limes, a ramekin of salsa, a bowl of pickled peppers and veggies...but no chips to use with it. But I do like this place a lot in concept. The menu is mostly Mexican with a bit of dinerish food, and the place was completely packed at 4:30 pm. They have horchata and other aguas for little over a dollar a cup and plenty of cactus on the menu. It's a bit far away from my domain, but enough to draw me back.
(4)J. N.
This restaurant is excellent. It is very close to my work, so I frequently stop in for lunch... birthdays, new starts, meetings, you know the drill. They have a done a good job promoting healthy eating. Many vegetarian options, low fat cheeses, they avoid putting chips on the table unless you request them, etc... They have an awesome fruit plate with granola. The chicken tacos are great, as are the gorditas and tortas. Overall, this is an outstanding Mexican restaurant in a land where Mexican restaurants are a dine a dozen.
(3)Kristen M.
The food was absolutely delicious. The service was good, but not great. I had nopales with black beans, lettuce, rice, tomatoes, and corn tortillas, and my partner had a soy pollo dish. I highly recommend this place for their food. It was packed with locals, so you know it has to be good, and one taste proved it. The waitress assumed we spoke Spanish, and started the conversation in Spanish. We never spoke a word of English to her all evening. I'm not sure if she speaks English or not, but it might be intimidating for someone who does not speak Spanish. My Spanish is pretty rudimentary, though I was able to converse and speak in complete sentences. There were quite a few families with small kids. It was pleasant and not too noisy. I will definitely return to this restaurant.
(4)Derrick P.
Being the only Vegetarian on my job, I was in charge of buying Mexican food, i.e. Tacos Burritos etc, for my co-workers, they laughed at me for being a Vegetarian and said they would NEVER EEEEEEVER like anything I ate. So i TRICKED THEM! I went to EL FARO in our neighborhood and I ordered the CHORIZO, and the CHICKEN Tacos with ALL the 'fixins!!!! man oh man! they all LOVED IT! Yes i'm talking about big burly, beer belly, butt-crack showing electricians, security, contractors and laborers!!! El Farro does a great job of making sure that their food is grilled to perfection, They have two sides to the restaurant for MEAT eaters too so that their food services aren't co-mingled together for the vegetarian purists out there! They also have FRESH everything including salads, HEALTHY fresh fruit juices and fruit salads too! Being a sort of chef myself, i'm always sampling new vegetarian restaurants to steal their ideas to eventually open up the best of the best in vegetarian/vegan restaurants. So far when it comes to REAL FLAVOR and great GRILL flavor and taste in AUTHENTIC Mexican food, You will love El Farro and MOST OF ALL you can actually feed your FAMILY on a LOW LOW PRICE unlike other Vegetarian restaurants in Chicago! You're gonna love it! its one block EAST of PULASKI on 31st street, 7 blocks away from HOME RUN INN PIZZA! Enjoy!
(4)Mork M.
Tofu scram for nothing? Don't mind if I do. Top it off by raiding the hot pickled vegetable dish on the table for a blazing hot meal. Coffee and a meal for near four bucks flat.
(5)Suzanne D.
I was thrilled to find a Mexican restaurant other than Taco Bell in Chicago where a vegetarian/vegan can eat! Clean, nice clientele and staff, convenient hours, great selection of juices, and a vegetarian section on the menu.
(5)Perla T.
If you are a vegetarian or vegan and you LOVE mexican food, but don't always feel there is lots to chose from at other places, then this is the place for you. eveything is great here. they have daily specials, in addition to their menu items. the flan is out of this world, as are their licuados. this is very popular for the neighborhood residents, especially on the weekends, but it is nice to take in the atmosphere. highly recommended!
(5)Gerardo A.
El Faro is one of the BEST Mexican restaurants in Little Village. It is inexpensive; The food is delicious; and the wait staff is very pleasant and friendly. Me encanta El Faro.
(5)Leigh K.
I went here tonight for a friend's birthday. GOLDMINE for vegetarians and vegans! I really can't believe that I hadn't really heard anything about El Faro before Miss Alison (yes, missalison.com ) gushed about it. Fantastic veggie burrito for like $4 after I added sour cream to it. I tried the cactus thing Alison got. Awesome. Tried another fake meat platter. Seriously, this place was great. Pretty busy on a Sunday night around 5pm. The guacamole was so very good and it comes with big 3 fried tortillas that you break apart to make your own chips. This is the cheapest you will find guac anywhere and you won't find a better deal. I think it was $2.75 for a serving good for two people. I will definitely head back here again with Alison. Go El Faro!
(5)J M.
David and I ate here after I read this place has vegetarian Mexican food. Mexican food is usually the no-woman's-land of food for me. Typically I end up in a conversation with the waitress or waiter about how what I would really like are a bunch of vegetables for a fajita rather than some kind of meat. Then I end up feeling like I'm being a pain in the ass, which I guess I am. But not at El Faro. I had some sort of soy-meat with beans and rice and a really good salad with all sorts of veggies--not just iceburg and carrot. David had Bistec a la Plancha. We both liked our food, but the best part was sitting at the counter--I love a place with a counter--and kind of taking the place in. El Faro draws families, and the service is really friendly. This is a lovely place with a terrific atmosphere. Check it out.
(5)Andrew P.
Vegetarians: This is your Mexican restaurant. They make a great soy ceviche and tofu scramble, and their nopalitos and brown rice are awesome as well (this is not a misprint; they have fake meat on their menu as well). Best vegetarian burrito in the city ($2.50) and best guacamole ($2). They also make the cheapest and best smoothies I've ever had...great for a hangover! Bring your Spanish, because many of the waitresses don't speak much English. This is the best taqueria for vegetarians in the city, a well worth the journey southwest.
(4)Taishi T.
The Best Big Hangover Burrito in Chi town" After a night of drinking and modern day debauchery, then El Faro burritos is what your body needs. These things are mammoth and filled with so much stuff, I can't even explain what is inside. All I know is that it is good.
(2)Jackie S.
while yelping up some hot vegetarian places to take boyfriend out for his birthday, i came across reviews for el faro that looked most intriguing. 'vegetarian mexican food that's not just a messy bean and cheese explosion?', i exclaimed with glee silently at my desk, 'and on the cheap? copy, paste, public transit directions via google maps, please.' it came down between this place and soul vegetarian, but the latter was sort of a bitch to get to and will be saved for another day in the future. this place was sort of a bitch to get to from downtown as well, but easier to get home from. my sister made a most excellent joke about it being "el far-o" away when i called to double check the address with her... god, she's funny. we hopped on the pink line and took a ride out to pulaski, where we transferred to the pulaski bus after some temporary confusion and pointing. at 31st street, we hopped off the bus to seek our fortune in el faro (turn left on 31st and walk about half a block down). not sure exactly how to proceed, we walked over to find a table and secure his purple star happy birthday balloon to the napkin dispenser. our menus listed different "soup of the day"s, one which was lentil soup with fake bacon and fake sausage which sounded delicious, and the other which was cream of corn. the correct one was of course the corn, but what the hell, we ate it anyway. it tasted like corn. case closed. we also ordered 3 tacos: soya chorizo, soya carne asada, and some other one that i don't remember because we didn't actually receive it. we ordered the day's special which sounded awesome, but were told it was 86ed and sorry. instead we got a (fried?) cheese and tomato sauce platter with black beans, avocado and rice, which was huge and amazing and half of which came home with us. i've never had actual chorizo, but according to my significant other, their soya chorizo was way better than the real thing. he ate two of them, so i'm inclined to believe him. after we were totally full of soya vegetarian goodness, they brought out a huge slice of tres leches - with a candle no less! - and sang a 3-waitstaff happy birthday (in english? lame.) to him while i scurried for my camera. it was a special moment. we stuffed ourselves into a food coma for a grand total of twelve dollars and forty six cents (the cake was gratis, gracias). i will be patronizing this establishment again. perhaps for breakfast if can get my ass out of bed and across town before noon. final summation: el faro (or, "the lighthouse") is still awesome even if they were out of two things we ordered (bad luck?). ask them to bring you some chips if you so desire, watch out for those carrot slices they put on your table (whatever they soak them in could burn a hole through sheet metal), and don't go anywhere for your birthday that doesn't bring you free cake.
(5)b c.
a restaurant worth going out of your way for. (just north of I55 & pulaski exit) haven't had a dish there i didn't like. when i go there i just order the special dish for the day making sure the food is extra fresh. check out their freshly made natural fruit drinks & juices...very tasty! go here if you want to see their menu: elfarorestaurant.com/sit… took a star off because of the occasional neglect from the waitresses chatting with with each other. (boss probably not there at the time). my favorite dessert is "flan" which is basically something between a custard & a pudding... hell, i'll be right back...mmm..good stuff!... ok then. go there early. parking is a nightmare & it gets packed. you might have to park 1-2 blocks away. during the day it's pretty safe but as it gets dark the neighborhood gets a little dicey. just be careful & DON"T give the local bums $. they'll just want more & might get aggresive about it. stay on the busy streets. if you want the food to go you might want to order ahead & check your order for mistakes. their hrs: m-f 5am-11pm st. 5am- 1am sn. 6am-12pm enjoy
(4)Rosie p.
This is a really good resturant, very good service and delicious food.
(5)Risa T.
soy chorizo!
(4)Mina G.
I remember eating here with my parents as a child, back then El Faro was a crusty little place with only a few tables but the tacos were good. And as the years passed I grew and so did Faro's. Faro's got bigger and brighter and nicer. The owners clearly kept investing into their business. In the early 90's while in high school my friend and I made it a Sunday morning ritual to eat here and the vegetarian burritos were what we ordered (it was a burrito with all the fillings except the meat) because at that time ordering from the vegetarian menu (tofu and soy dishes) was impossible (we were always told the vegetarian chef was not in) and it always scored us an annoyed look from their staff. But the burritos were decent so we kept going back well into our college years. I see reviews of their vegetarian fare and I have to be honest I gave up trying to order any of that years ago to save me continued disappointment. In recent years I've gone back occasionally and it would be more often except that the quality of their food and service is inconsistent. The carne asada pico de gallo burrito is what I usually get and its great when they get it right. They get a little stingy with the meat sometimes and load up way too much on the lettuce. We tried one of their natural juices last time and the fruit that had been used for it was clearly old and unmistakeably stale. For a Mexican place it would have been nice if their hot chocolate was made with chocolate abuelita or ibarra and with milk but no luck--I would be willing to dish out the price difference. The place is clean and bright and my experience here could be better if they improved on the details. Their staff is presentable but not always the most attentive or helpful. They might want to consider revisiting with the cooks to make sure food is consistent. And can someone please pull the plug on the jukebox? I imagine that will not happen since its a source of revenue for the business but at least consider lowering the volume so I can hold a conversation. Definitely two thumbs up for accepting credit cards although I can't recall if there is a minimum. Its usually a place of last resort (the credit card detail is usually the deciding factor.) and last time we were there (a couple of weeks back) the food was so bad we were reconsidering this. I'm not sure we will be back any time soon.
(2)tony r.
nice place on the south border of Little Village. it's dishes lean to the traditional mid-level taco joint, but hidden in the menu are some strange selections, like tofu tortas and grilled seitan tacos. not a bad place, be prepared for a wait on the weekends, as it's packed with locals.
(3)