La Cocina Menu

  • Drinks
  • Breakfast
  • Breakfast Tortas
  • Breakfast Burritos
  • Taco Salad
  • Burritos
  • Enchiladas
  • Flautas
  • Tacos
  • Gorditas
  • Quesadillas
  • Tostadas
  • Sopes
  • Tortas
  • Tamales
  • Entrees
  • Extras
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for La Cocina

  • Drinks
  • Breakfast
  • Breakfast Tortas
  • Breakfast Burritos
  • Taco Salad
  • Burritos
  • Enchiladas
  • Flautas
  • Tacos
  • Gorditas
  • Quesadillas
  • Tostadas
  • Sopes
  • Tortas
  • Tamales
  • Entrees
  • Extras
  • Desserts

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  • Jennifer W.

    This place is everything I want in a restaurant. The food is delicious, and you know hard good Mexican restaurants are hard to come by. The service was incredibly fast (they were hustlin'). If you dine in, they give you free chips!! And they give you TWO kinds of salsa (a red and a green one) that are slightly spicy and delicious. And finally, the price is right - a total steal in my opinion. They crushed it. I ordered the pork tacos which came with rice and beans. The tacos had really nice flavor, 2 tortillas per taco, lots of toppings (pico de gallo, onions, cilantro), and the beans had some cheese on top. I want to try everything on this menu, especially the breakfast burritos!

    (5)
  • Amanda P.

    If you're looking for fast, delicious and inexpensive Mexican food then this is your place! I've never been disappointed here! The food is always excellent! The owner is super friendly to all the customers. They can get busy during the lunch hour but it's definitely worth it!

    (5)
  • Damir A.

    Like: -Great tacos -Quick service -Outdoor seating -Doesn't get as crowded at lunch time as some of the other places in the area. Dislike: -Get some cups or something for your salsas so that people can dip their chips instead of having to pour salsa over them like savages

    (5)
  • Justin B.

    Dropped by for tacos with a few co-workers in-between meetings near my office. Not memorable...got the fish taco platter with the rice and beans, and came away happy enough to get through the work day even if this meal was unspectacular. You don't get a ton for $10, but for lunch that's OK...I will give the register guy credit, he plowed through orders for 20 people in line faster than maybe anyone I have ever seen, all with a smile on his face. Dude could whip through payments fast as hell, which during the lunch rush is a star all by itself!

    (3)
  • Winnie Y.

    Satisfying lunch - fresh toppings and flavorful meats. And even their side salads, they add avocados!

    (5)
  • Shamoon K.

    Alejandro, one of the owners, really treated us well when my wife and I came here. We ordered 2 tacos each. Mine were steak and my wife's were chicken. When our tacos came out, they were accompanied with rice and beans for free! Alejandro said that the dinner portion was on him and that we should enjoy! My wife also dropped her fork, and Alejandro came out right away with a new one. The service was stellar. Free chips and salsa? Check. Good food? Check. Alejandro? Check.

    (5)
  • Michelle R.

    It was ok. Nothing really to give a rave review about. I got the cheese quesadilla dinner and it was a bit over priced but I guess it's the overhead you pay for. I paid almost $10 and now that I'm writing this review, I'm kicking myself. I really had a craving for tamales so I don't know why I got the quesadillas. Oh, don't stare too hard at the electronic menu board...it flashes as you are looking at it.

    (2)
  • Paresh M.

    Unbelievably flavored food and amazing service and accommodation. I got the veg tacos and cheese enchiladas, both of them were delicious. I asked for jalapeños and the gentleman in the front went above and beyond and said I got something special for you. He grilled an entire jalapeño pepper and topped it off with lime, so good.

    (5)
  • Alec H.

    Great little Mexican place in the loop! La Cocina is a great little Mexican place in the loop that I just got turned onto. It has a nice menu that has an all day breakfast menu. The prices are reasonable and the value is very good. The first thing I noticed was the number of people coming into the place, always the sign of good food. Regardless of the crowd the staff was very nice and welcoming. The food was brought out quickly and this is key for any good place in the loop. I highly recommend La Cocina if your in the loop and have a taste for Mexican food!

    (5)
  • Tiffany G.

    I've walked past this place a few times but never stepped in. That was a mistake. The service was super quick and the food is amazing, authentic, cheap, and the portions are huge! I got the steak fajita dinner and it is so good. The guy behind the counter is also very nice and gave me a free horchata :) will definitely be coming by more often!

    (5)
  • Hahety J.

    I'm literally writing my review while I'm in line to order. Stumbled upon this place because I'm a mexican food addict & was craving tacos a few months ago. For the location, you can't beat the price - not to mention it actually tastes good! It gets pretty crowded, especially during the lunch hours (duh), but they move quickly. I was behind just about 8 people when I started typing and now I have to put my phone down to order - stand by - okay, to put it plainly, tasty mexican food at a very reasonable price and the staff is nice. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Mexican food. AND bonus - I left my hand sanitizer behind, they brought wet wipes and sanitizer to our seats outside. Whoop!

    (4)
  • Dave M.

    Best mexican in the LOOP, Get there before Noon and you wont have to wait out the door... GET the 3 Taco Dinner with Chorizo, Chicken and Steak! I can see how this place is so popular Kitchen = Cocina = DAA BOMB

    (5)
  • Hollina U.

    Came here for lunch with my coworker today---- was craving something besides Mediterranean, which I feel is what most of the fast lunch places in the Loop are--- there or Indian. There was a line stretching out the door, which I feel is usually the cases with the more popular places in the Loop during lunch, but the line moved fairly fast. I got the enchiladas suizo dinner--- maybe I haven't had enchiladas before, because I really didn't like it--- too salty. My coworker got the steak tacos and I tried a bite of his--- too bland. But my coworker really liked it, and thought it was super good. I was really wishing I had ordered the fish tacos instead of the enchiladas, because I only ate 1 1/2 of the 2 given. I liked that they give you free chips though--- we just ordered a side of guac to go with it.

    (2)
  • Ryan N.

    I eat here about 3-5 times a month. Awesome Mexican food. Great breakfast. I highly recommend.

    (5)
  • Adrianna S.

    Really delicious everything I had hoped & was craving. Some good Mexican. Steak taco cheese quesadilla so good ate it on before I got home, I recommend any of the cheese enchiladas *chicken is super yum! Bean & rice on point for sure! Definitely a damn good eating experience. Horchata yum too. Only thing is I wish they had a menu online. I'll be back again.

    (5)
  • Sara P.

    I had a really delicious steak burrito for lunch--very fresh tasting. All the flavors were just right. Chipotle is its own thing, but when I want real Mexican food when I'm in the Loop, I am coming here. It is also pretty affordable.

    (5)
  • H R.

    Wow. This place has gone downhill. I haven't been here for about a year and a half. The new girl at the register was rude and charged me (without warning me before hand) when I asked for extra green salsa. I also had to wait an additional 10 minutes (after calling my order ahead and waiting 20 minutes before arriving) for my order to come up. The staff was slow. There was a whole line of people waiting just to get water. Apparently they needed to wash some cups, but nobody on staff really wanted to do it. On top of everything else, they've apparently jacked up the prices. Two tacos cost me over $8.00. I used to love coming to this place, but never again.

    (2)
  • Giselle G.

    So good, so cheap and authentic. Great place for lunch or very casual dinner. The rice and beans are delicious aswell as the flautas. Is busy during the day since it's in the loop and workers come here. Great authentic mexican for a great price!

    (5)
  • Jonathan A.

    This place is awesome for good, inexpensive Mexican food in the loop. And the guy who runs the counter during the lunch rush is my personal hero. He is friendly, fast, multitasking like nobodies business. He's taking your order while at them same time, greeting people as they come in the door, getting tables cleared, bringing out peoples orders. Pretty incredible. The food is good. The tacos are pretty traditional, small but excellent. I also love the gorditas. If you only know of Taco Bell gorditas, these are not the same. Chips and salsa complimentary at your table is right on. It should be the standard in restaurants if you dine in. Like bread. This place is friendly, fast, cheap and good. It does get pretty busy right at lunch rush, but I've never had a problem getting a seat. They keep things moving.

    (5)
  • Azzadi C.

    I must say I absolutely love there steak tacos with light onions and add cheese!!! #TheBest

    (5)
  • Rafe Q.

    Good food. Get there before 12 so you dont stand out the door waiting in line. They are quick and food is delicious. Not super cheap but hey, what do you expect for lunch in the loop. Owner is a really cool guy and treats everyone nice. I had the 3 tacos w. rice and beans for lunch. It was filling and good, i judge a mexican joint by its rice and beans and these were legit.

    (4)
  • Melissah L.

    My friend and I explore this intersection every week for our regular lunch date (it's halfway between our work buildings). La Cocina is pretty good! I've gotten tacos and enchiladas here-- both are decent and good for a hot lunch in the Loop. Prices are great- I always spend less than $7 here.

    (3)
  • Angela M.

    I've been in Canada for so long that I almost died when I took a bite of my taco. I got a Carnitas, Carne Asada and Chorizo taco while my husband got 3 fish tacos. These are by no means the best taco I have ever had, but they are really good and deserves all 5 stars for being here for me. Taco deprivation is the worst

    (5)
  • Paulina L.

    Amazing authentic Mexican food at a great price! The service and staff is always wonderful and friendly! Such a better option than Chipotle! Highly recommend!

    (5)
  • Andrew C.

    Not the best Mexican food in the world, but a great burrito if you're looking for one.

    (4)
  • Moorish L.

    Great place! A place that actually makes tacos as they should be. No ridiculous lettuce just cilantro and onion. If only they added the pineapple on the pastor. A little joint with great flavour and a cool staff. Authentic place. GO!

    (5)
  • Jen K.

    this has to be the best place in the loop for mexican cuisine, ordered the chicken burrito, was not only delish but huge! the staff are very friendly, there is outdoor seating also...will definitely return

    (5)
  • Padme A.

    The Good: Food= good. Server woman= Sweetheart. Prices = OK for the loop. The Bad: The now do not give chips at the table when you eat in AND no chips when you order a the guacamole! What's wrong with you! No room to sit. Door and people in line right down the middle of the place making it hard to get comfortable.

    (3)
  • NAmrata K.

    Great food, quick and efficient service, the manager is super nice and very accommodating.

    (5)
  • Brandt J.

    I went there today for lunch. The atmosphere is exactly what you would expect of a single-stop Mexican joint. Virbrant walls although a poorly lit location. That being said, I'll be back to this location in the near future. The food was delicious! I got a burrito with seasoned ground beef. It was tastier than what you'd expect from a little joint downtown. In my opinion, the only places that could even try to compete are in the Bensenville area. In the loop, La Cocina is hands down the way to go.

    (5)
  • Mike L.

    Taste and quality of food is good, definitely authentic. Portions are really small and the food tends to be on the greasy side, relative to other places that serve the same food.

    (2)
  • Kristen W.

    I expected more from this place after reading the reviews. The service was awesome and you get free chips and salsa if you dine in, but other than that I though the food was pretty eh. Everything lacked flavor and kind of tasted the same (I had the pork, chorizo, and steak tacos). I would rather go to Flacos Taco's for more authentic and flavorful tacos in the city.

    (3)
  • Brad B.

    Do not go to this place. Do not enjoy the super friendly service. Do not enjoy the tasty Mexican food (the tacos and the carne asada for example). Definitely do not enjoy the perfect red and green hot sauces* Do not appreciate the quick service or the reasonable prices, nor the pleasant decor. *they should bottle this and sell it, I'd be a regular customer for sure.

    (5)
  • Natalie L.

    There is a reason why this place is crowded at lunch. I used to go here all the time. Then I adopted a very sad lunch diet of dried fruit and almonds. I was reminded how much I love this place. I really like the tacos and flautas. I think the salsas really add something. The service is always good and the prices are reasonable. I miss you La Cocina...

    (4)
  • David N.

    Had the steak and chicken tacos. Nothing special/Not bad. Fairly priced for the size. Horchata was meh. The red and green sauces though were fantastic.

    (3)
  • Michael H.

    Good Place for quick Mexican Fix in The Loop. I liked the "Semi" Table Service where they actually bring you chips/salsa and they bring your food out to you! First off, it's pretty damn cheap for being in Loop/ Secondly, they get the food out FAST!! I don't even think I had my coat off before my tacos arrived. Tacos were great with the Al Pastor being the standout/ Also liked the Green Salsa. Owner is cool and at register and the place gets super busy at lunch hour! GTFJD

    (4)
  • Jie S.

    This was my first attempt on finding a nice taco fix for me in the city. I'm just so lucky to find my favorite tacos on the first try. Thank you, all yelpers who review this place. A solid 5 star for me. It is an "order at the counter" place. Someone asks you if you want to eat in or carry out. Once you confirm you will eat in, they set up a table for you so you have a table to sit to enjoy chips and then someone brings the food to you. I like it as you don't need to leave you stuff at the table to get food. The cashier was super friendly. He made sure I ordered exactly I wanted to order. It was pleasant comparing to other order at the counter place where you have to know exactly what you want or you are rushed. I ordered three different tacos: Fish, Chili Rellno, and Al Pastor. I also ordered the Horchata. The al pastor was flavorful and moist. Meat was tender with nice bit sweetness. Just a little bit salty for me but totally went well with my Horchata. Chili Rellno was a neat rectangle with the light breading outside and hot cheesy chili inside. Hot cheese and delicious. Not messy sauce all over which was a big plus for me. Then my favorite fish taco. Let me tell you this. It is NOT easy to find a place which has fish taco on the menu. It is even harder to find a place which do the fish taco without breading or frying up the whole filet. La Cocina's fish taco is exactly what I like the most: none-breading diced fish grilled to perfection with veggies. I loved fresh fish and fresh veggies which are very simple and tasted awesome. I don't care if I need to walk extra 4 or 5 more blocks. La Cocina got me on their Tacos.

    (5)
  • John B.

    This is as good as it gets for downtown tacos. It's not 100% authentic (can be a little Tex-Mex-y) but sometimes that's good. I go to Mexican places for the al pastor, and everything else is a minor detail. This place has great, moist, succulent pastor, oozing out that pineapple/chili barbecue flavor. It's not the best I've ever had, but it's significantly above average. They have their salsas on the table, so you can add as much as you want. The red salsa is above average, with some smokiness and adequate spicyniess. The green is rather mundane. They also have well above average chorizo. The service is fast, and the guy behind the counter is really friendly. They seemingly always get my order right, even though I can be picky about how I want my tacos. The only drawback is that they lack some of the more interesting meats like lengua, cachete, etc., but I'm guessing these might not be popular choices for your average downtown worker. I will be a regular here as long as I continue to work downtown.

    (4)
  • Brett E.

    Such a friendly place! Great service and the food is amazing. Eat in and get a free bowl of chips and salsa with your meal. Their dinner/lunch plates are so tasty (giant toasty burrito -drool-). And their home made horchata is killer!

    (5)
  • Tommy P.

    I haven't been to La Cocina for a year or so, and I decided to drop in for lunch today. The gentleman who took my order was as friendly as the first day I met him and the food is just as good. If you looking for a quality, affordable lunch downtown in the loop the tacos at La Cocina are fantastic!

    (4)
  • Jennifer C.

    Eeh. I went her about 2 months ago and I wasn't impressed. I had the cheese enchiladas and for me they weren't great. Also, I didn't like either of the salsas at all. To me they were more like hot sauce then salsa. So much so that I asked them if they had salsa and they said that what was on the table was salsa. Overall, I will not be back.

    (2)
  • John K.

    We've all heard and have tasted multiple times Mexican dishes like Enchiladas. I ordered an enchilada and it JUST TASTED GOOD! It was genuinely delicious! Again I have to express my wonder whenever I come across food items with names are almost common day speech that turn out to be as delicious as my enchilada at La Cocina. Its good that I know that I don't always need something that will blow my mind, something out of the extraordinary. I think all of us from time to time fall into the trap of ever wanting more and something new. But it doesn't have to be that way, does it...La Cocina?

    (4)
  • Eduardo M.

    This place is crazy fast, even when the line goes out the door. I haven't had any bad experiences here, and the food is always consistently tasty. Now, I can't tell you if this place is "authentic" Mexican, mostly cuz my authenticity detector is a full continent south, but I do wish they had lengua on the menu. Makes for a tasty lunchtime taco. The guys there tell me not enough people asked for it. Seriously? The Chicago Loop-ians don't ask for tasty stuff?!? Let's all try and be a bit more adventurous, shall we? Anyway, great service, nice people, and great food.

    (4)
  • Ivy T.

    I've only had their sopes and fish tacos but they were enough to get me coming back. Cheap and delicious. What else do you want for a work lunch? I've always seen the same guy working the register so he may be the owner. He gave me a free horchata once, which I wish I liked. I appreciate the drink but it just wasn't for me. They are efficient. Bags are unrolled and set ready for to go items. The line goes by quickly. Food is served in 5 minutes. Quality is good. Perfect for downtown workaholics.

    (4)
  • Bryan B.

    Go there once a week. Usually to get a burrito, but their tacos and enchiladas are great also. Staff is great & recently added outdoor searing in the summer. Def recommend for someone craving some good Mexican food in the loop

    (4)
  • Christopher J.

    I've been grabbing lunch here once month for maybe 2 years. I always get cheese quesadillas ($8.03 w/ tax) with green sauce and it's been as solidly yummy and consistent as the first time I've ordered. It can be somewhat difficult to get a table around noon, but if you do, look forward to 'free' chips and salsa and light table service. Also, they import Coca-Cola in glass bottles from Mexico with real sugar -- a yummy treat.

    (4)
  • Shaune D.

    Not from Chicago but found La Cocina on Yelp. Great place for lunch. Very quick to throw the food down and good service. They are well priced and you get way more food than one can eat.

    (5)
  • Maciej G.

    Get limes with your tacos. For the love of food, get limes. They unlock the mystical mighty morphin' power flavor contained therein. You simply will not find a tastier, cheaper taco in The Loop. I would even go so far as to dare anyone from Pilsen to throw down the gauntlet and pit their favorite taco place against La Cocina. This place has a nice contemporary look to it. It seems to be a cross somewhere between artsy and urban/hip. The interior design fit its location well. I seemed to have been there at an off-hour as there was no line, so I can't comment on what it's like when they're busy, but the service seemed prompt enough, and I didn't have to wait long for my food to arrive. YMMV. I ordered three different tacos and a chicken enchilada suizo. The al pastor here amazed me the first time I had it and every time since. There's just something about the rush of flavors from this al pastor which I haven't tasted anywhere else. It's meaty and tangy and sweet, but the lime juice matches every sweet note with a much needed foil of sour just as salt brings out the subtle cocoa of chocolate. The other two were pretty good, too. The steak immediately made me think of grilled meat instead of something heated over on a hot plate. I also enjoyed the flavor of the chorizo and papas which presented me with a mostly potato flavor. When I have that one again, I'll make it a bit spicier As for the enchilada, it surprised me with its subtleness. It came apart easily and was very soft almost like a crepe. I detected a very subtle, enjoyable sweetness along with a slight mole taste. Overall, I enjoyed it. Just a final note: tacos for $1.75. You. Cannot. Beat. That.

    (5)
  • Liz G.

    A reasonably priced authentic Mexican place in the Loop for lunch? Sign me up! It is crowded, you will wait in line to order, but the food quality, taste & price point are unbeatable. They have it down to a science, so you get your food faster, which is a definite plus for lunchtime. The food is traditional, but the portion sizes are reasonable and tasty. I'm a big fan of the chorizo tacos, salsa verde, and the tamales.

    (4)
  • Jim T.

    Stopped for lunch and had a chicken suizo burrito. The burrito was large and pretty good. I'm not a big fan of lettuce on a burreet, but I still thought it was very good. Will be back for lunch

    (4)
  • Juli A.

    I'm a Huge fan - go for lunch a couple times a month. They know my order when I walk in. Tacos are always yummy, as are the enchiladas. Their ground beef is so savory - like nowhere else I've had it. Their pastor and steak are also worthy options. Everything I have ordered there is fresh and flavorful. Walk past the craptastic Chipotle on the corner and come taste something real - promise you'll forget all about those uniform chewy pieces of meat and chicken.

    (4)
  • Erik W.

    I've become addicted to this place's steak burrito with their red hot sauce, and I have gone in enough that the owner recognizes me now (I go at least once a week). It gets really busy between 11:45 and 12:30, but even when the line is out to the sidewalk you're in and out in less than 10 minutes. It's almost worth it to see the owner (I think he's the owner) behind the counter and his blinding multitasking speed. I still think he's a robot the way he flies through orders. Also, they have horchata, and it's very good! Oh yeah, they also just put up a little fenced in seating area out front that looks really nice.

    (4)
  • Shannon S.

    I'm feeling completely indifferent to La Cocina. Although it wasn't terrible it also just wasn't up to par with what I expect from a place like this. I was originally going to Taza next door but several of my work friends rave about La Cocina so frequently that I decided to switch it up and give it a try (even though I had tacos for dinner last night too, oy!). I got three tacos for lunch: Chille Relleno - I don't even know. To me it was just blah. I eat chille rellenos tacos way more than I would like to admit. I love them. They are muy delicioso. This one, however, was really boring and probably my least favorite chille relleno taco I've ever had. There wasn't enough cheese inside the pepper, the breading to pepper ratio was off (too breaded) and the other toppings on the taco were sparse and didn't add much to the flavor. Steak Taco - This taco was ok but also pretty boring. I really think it's something about the tortillas on all of the tacos, they were really moist, mealy, and falling apart. Not good. The steak was decent but nothing special and lacking a bit in the flavor department. Fish Taco - Again, this was probably my least favorite fish taco I've ever had. For one thing the only thing that comes on the taco is fish (which is not fried) and pico de gallo. It was also lacking in flavor and texture. With the fish not being fried and the questionable texture of the tortilla this taco was pretty much a pile of mush. Overall my experience was lacking in ... well I guess just lacking in everything that keeps you going back to restaurants. I went during the noon lunch rush and had to wait about 10-15 minutes for three tacos while being crammed into a small corner between the cash register and a table of people dining in. It didn't help that I had way too many layers of clothes on and was sweating like a beast (or like myself inside of a Catholic church). It was awkward to say the least. The only way I would ever go back here is if my coworkers were having lunch and I wanted to break with them. Even then, I wouldn't want to come hungry.

    (2)
  • Patrick G.

    A very solid taqueria in the loop. The food that I have had here (tacos, burritos, etc.) are very tasty and reasonably priced. They have quick service for the lunch crowd. The staff is also very nice and helpful. The tacos here are way better than the average taqueria as well. If you have a mexican craving and are in the loop, try this place out.

    (4)
  • Vivian E.

    This place makes some of the best tasting steak tacos downtown. The meat was cooked perfectly every time. I never had a bad experience at this particular location.

    (4)
  • Joe S.

    In the Loop, there aren't very many choices for "authentic" Mexican food. La Cocina is one of the few. The food here is always excellent, and the owner is such a nice guy! Always friendly, and very courteous. The taco dinner or enchiladas are my go-to dishes.

    (4)
  • Sergio V.

    Nice burrito!

    (4)
  • Pari P.

    My favorite taco of all time is al pastor. It's marinated pork that is usually sweet from the pineapple juice that is used. Sometimes, there are chunks of pineapple that are added as well. There are other smoky and spicy variations that also stand out. Ever since I had my first al pastor taco, I have been on a hunt to find the best in Chicago. La Cocina ranks as one of the best in my book out of over the twenty and some Mexican restaurants that I have tried all over Chicago. I came across La Cocina on accident because I was walking from the train to work downtown and it caught my attention. Since I work around the Merchandise Mart, I was surprised to find a small Mexican restaurant where the prices were reasonable out of the sea of overpriced restaurants. I decided to go there for lunch that same day. When I arrived, the line was to the door. It was a good sign and my anticipation started to build, I knew that I was in for something good. I ordered an al pastor taco Mexican style with only onions, cilantro, and lime and a single order of enchilada suizo with carne asada. My first bite of the taco almost made me jump because the flavors were spot on. This was the al pastor taco that I have been looking for. The al pastor was marinated in a sauce that was bold, sweet, and spicy. I'm not sure if they use ancho chile powder but there was definitely some spices that were used. The enchilada suizo was also excellent. Their suizo sauce was deep and had a taste of mole` to it that I wasn't expecting but it was really good. If you are in the area, I would definitely recommend La Cocina for excellent Mexican food at reasonable prices in the downtown area. This is a great place that stands out in comparison to the many overpriced restaurants for lunch. Try to get their earlier to beat the rush or take a later lunch.

    (5)
  • Albert K.

    Delicious mom&pop-style Mexican food for a great price - a fantastic option in the Loop. Love the tacos and burritos, with chicken and al pastor. And I can never pass up a delicious horchata or jarritos orange soda! The place is small but they move people quickly through the line and the cashier is super friendly. A bit awkward if you're dining in and have people hovering over you, waiting for their takeout. But they're great about seating you quickly if you're dining in.

    (4)
  • Drew B.

    Came here for lunch and tried the pollo torta and I have to say it was one of the best tortas I've ever had. They even got my picky requests right! I'll be back.

    (4)
  • Mike W.

    This place has great authentic Mexican food and its really cheap. People are alway packed in there for lunch so go early. We had tortas burritos tacos and enchiladas, everyone was very happy; even my Mexican colleagues want to go back. GO!!

    (5)
  • Anne S.

    Damn my lunch was good! I had the steak taco dinner, and it was fabulous. The steak was absolutely delicious. The rice and beans were some of the best I've ever had. (Which really surprised and impressed me). It was a lot of food for $6.20 plus tax. The chips and salsa for the table were really outstanding as well! Everyone was friendly, and the food came out really quickly! I was completely blown away by how good everything I ate was. I will absolutely be back!

    (5)
  • Heaher D.

    I guess this place is mediocre. It's better than Taco Bell, but nothing compared to what you would find in the Pilsen /Southside areas. The food is priced well. Not too outrageous. They are super fast with getting you your food, which was the best part about my whole experience. My biggest complaint was that they did not take a gift certificate I tried to redeem. The $10 off of a purchase of $15 from Restaurant.com was the main thing that brought me into this place. The owner or manager was going to take it, but then said no. I think he was a little skeptic because the purchase date was from a few months ago, BUT the gift certificates aren't supposed to expire. I guess La Cocina ended their affiliations with Restaurant.com , but upon calling the customer service line for the gift cert, I was told that they should have taken it. They didn't offer to compensate me for my troubles, which is just plain bad customer service to me.

    (1)
  • GabyandRoofy M.

    I was beyond disappointed at the quality of food I received. My boyfriend and I are both Mexican so.. we have had numerous types of Mexican cuisine. This place was by far the worst. I ordered a veggie enchilada and a chorizo enchilada. The chorizo tasted terrible, it was burned and greasy. The tortillas in general were greasy. The rice was flavorless, the beans were dry. The prices were terribly high for the quality we received. The man that took our orders seemed irritated and rude. The grill is positioned next to piles of trash. The only impressive thing was the artwork.

    (1)
  • Stef M.

    Impressed. Very fast service on the busiest of days. Counter service & they bring the food to you. Small busy location and suprisingly affordable loop diner. Food came in 5 minutes with a full restaurant and long line to order. Worth the brief wait. Tacos are $1.50. Authentic with onion and cilantro topping. Choice of fillings are chicken, ground beef, chorizo, chorizo and potato, vegetarian. Free chips/salsa when you dine in. What's not to like?

    (4)
  • Wesley T.

    I don't get some of these haters - this place is pretty damn good - maybe not as good as chipotle, but also not overloaded with salt either so it's definitely a better option health-wise the fish tacos are fantastic - as one reviewer mentioned: it's just fish and pico de gallo and a tortilla - what's weird is that reviewer made that seem like a bad thing when in fact, it's actually pretty much the text book definition of a taco as another reviewer mentioned, you'll probably get too much food for one reasonable person to eat - I get the tacos and skip the beans and rice - 3 tacos is more than enough for one person

    (4)
  • K M.

    Great lunch in the loop! It was pretty empty around 2pm, and I got some delicious tacos. The employees were so friendly and I loved the pork tacos. (I tried pork and chicken and the pork were definitely the winners). Free chips and salsa if you sit there and eat! The hot sauce is actually hot! I'll be back.

    (5)
  • Magen M.

    Tacos were really good. beans and rice were good. nothing is outstanding, but solid.

    (3)
  • Vonda B.

    I have been to the restaurant on Wells however, not to this location. The reason why I went to this one is because I received a Restaurant.com $10 gift certificate from a vendor i do business with. Today it is very cold and snowy in Chicago but I decided to walk to this establishment anyway ( a half mile from where my office is). The terms of the gift certificate was a minimum purchase of $15 (which I was okay with). I was standing in line and noticed that the guy at the cash register (which based on his demeanor, was the owner/manager) was going from the register to ring people up...touching their hands exchanging cash, and the kitchen to prepare ordered meals without gloves nor washing his hands. This alone made me want to run for the door. You can see from the customer side of the register straight into the kitchen as it is open-faced. As I was still contemplating, before I could even get one word out to order (if I was to order), he spotted the gift certificate in my hands and said with one of the nastiest tones that I've ever heard, "I don't take those.....I don't know why restaurant.com doesn't just take me off it's site." Excuse me, but wouldn't you as the owner/manger have to call and request that they discontinue offering gift certificates to your establishment? Cash has been paid for these certificates. No, he didn't ask if I would like to order anyway, he just proceeded on to the next customer. Needless to say I was very put off and disgusted by his attitude. How did I know he did not take these gift certificates that are still being offered by restaurant.com as I speak. I accepted it from Restaurant.com in good faith (just purchase a week ago) so I am an innocent third party. I will also be contacting Restaurant.com about the issue. Anyway, I look at it that maybe this guy did me a big favor...saved me from food poisoning or something of that nature...I can only imagine all the germs that he is passing from customers' hands to their food. The Board of Health should definitely have him on their list for a visit.

    (1)
  • Michael B.

    Been looking for a Mex place downtown. This is authentic and always consistent. Awesome management. They really work people through the busy lunch hour - nicely and efficiently. These guys work their tails off.

    (4)
  • Snowdrops C.

    Decent taco and very good value! Great lunch visit.

    (4)
  • Fernando G.

    Absolutely the best place to have real Tacos for lunch in the downtown Chicago area. I usually order the Taco Dinner which comes with refried beans and rice. There's usually a long line to order between 12p and 1:30p, but it tends to move pretty fast. I've never had to wait more than about 10 minutes to grab a table to dine-in. They also carry the best tasting bottled Coca Cola which is imported from Mexico. It does not taste like American Coke, trust me.

    (5)
  • Kristina C.

    Holy tamale! Our offices just moved to this area and my colleague and I decided to check it out. Well, so did a good number of folks from my office... I was overwhelmed by the menu - you can either order an individual item (ex. taco) or the platter (3 tacos and rice and beans). After further debate, I went with the Tamale platter. The food came out super speedy and I was in and back at my desk in 45 minutes. My platter and a diet coke ran me $8.25. Considering the flavor and volume of food - a good deal. I'm really looking forward to going back and trying a taco or flauta or some other delicious Mexican dish. A major win for my new office location!

    (5)
  • #NAME?

    I give this 5 stars for 3 main reasons: 1) the guy behind the counter with the sparrow tattoo on his arm...he is nice, recognizes me and is speedy-I work in a new company so I only come here 1-2x a month now but he still remembers what I order 2) Imported Mexican Coke, it's like crack in a bottle for me...so good- 3) Chips and salsa on the table, these are great when you are starving and you need something stat- I order the Flautas everytime, I don't know why but that is what I tried the first time and I just keep ordering them- This location is small and in the winter time it's pretty darn cold in there-I used to wear my coat there b/c when the door opens you are screwed-They get you seated really fast and make you feel good by actually treating you nice-I just went to the one on Clark and I didn't care for that one b/c I missed the people from the other one-And the one on Franklin has cool art and music playing-

    (5)
  • Madison B.

    THE BEST Mexican food in the downtown area. Go there for a deeelicious lunch. I love the super taco. It's this delicious concoction that has your choice of meat, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, avocado and sour cream. YUUUUUMMY! Oh, the other menu items are good too. I just love the super tacos. They also sell the old school Coca Cola Classic in bottles. I wish this place was open later.

    (4)
  • Andre W.

    I am officially an addict now! I have been here two consecutive days. I went yesterday because I lost a bet to someone and this is what he requested, so I thought I would kill two birds with one stone and get myself something as well. I got the chicken burrito again and justlike the last time, the ass of the burrito fell apart and I had a mess on my hands and my desk. It was delicious though. This place has the old glass coke bottles when you were a kid. Come on 80's babies, you know what I'm talking about. Pretty nice pics on the wall to the left gives you something to look at while you're waiting in line. Today I skated over at 11:55 to try to beat the rush and walked into a long line. They guy at the register again had the line moving swiftly. I decided to order the taco dinner which comes with three tacos (your choice of meat(chicken for me), lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro and cheese), rice and beans. I not a big bean fan so I got the double rice. That was some of the best lunch I had in a long time. At press time (right now), I can still taste the savory chicken in my mouth and am now depressed because my meal has been devoured. I plan on trying the enchiladas next time

    (5)
  • Natalie H.

    Is it bad that I've had lunch from this place 3 days in a row? The prices are just too reasonable to pass up trying everything on the menu. Favorites are the pork tamales and the steak taco salad. God I could eat 10 of them and die happy in a food coma. Kudos to them for not gauging customers for an extra buck or two for steak. The horchata is also deliciously spiced and very sweet. They have mexican tropical sodas in exotic flavors made without that high fructose crap. Service is quick, efficient, and warm. Tip: get there before noon to beat the rush.

    (5)
  • Mike W.

    Lately, I've been on a Mexican tear. I've told my friends that I may or may not eat more Mexican-inspired dishes than 80% of the city's Mexican population* (data being researched to verify validity). Regardless of my location, I want fast, friendly, cheap. If you can meet these specifications you will go far with me. I inserted La Cocina into the regular rotation a few weeks ago. I determined in my first visit they meet the requirements. This place is always packed with a few people waiting around for takeout and every seat crammed. Unless you're some super trendy bar/restaurant, the only way you're getting patrons on this level is if you're worth the wait in my eyes. I've had a few dishes here so far. They aren't revolutionizing the industry with their menu but the main dishes I've had are a great value. I tend to roll with pork taco dinner and appreciate the more authentic taco approach. Not sure how the other locations fare but I've become a fan of this one.

    (4)
  • Polyana W.

    love this place!

    (5)
  • Wo w.

    This place blows Chipotle, next door, out of the water. Shop and eat local.

    (4)
  • Robert O.

    Best Mexican food in the Loop by far. And at a decent price. Everything is great, but try the chorizo and potato tacos if you're into that shiz.

    (5)
  • Niki C.

    Very fast, very friendly, very inexpensive. Usually, in a place like this, I'd order the torta, but I was with co-workers & didn't want to have that messy, awkward face I get when I try to eat a torta politely (reason: there's no such thing as eating a torta politely). So I ordered the taco salad. Yum. I don't know what it is about that taco salad, but I can't leave the restaurant without annihilating it, shell & all. & the imported Coke in a bottle (a glass bottle! yay!) is fab. I will go & have gone back.

    (4)
  • Steven V.

    I work within 300 feet of La Cocina. It's the only taqueria in the Loop I know about - Chipotle sells Mexican food but is not like a taqueria. It's the only place one can get a *real* Mexican burrito. La Cocina also has a full menu - tortas, sopes, enchiladas, tostadas, quesadillas, flautas, gorditas, tacos, etc... I am only reviewing the steak burrito from La Cocina, but the tortas and tostadas I've had were excellent. Cleanliness and Sanitation - La Cocina rates highly on this front. Although you cannot see the entire grill from the cash register, what you can see seems in line with what I know from working in food service. Grilling - La Cocina doesn't grill the tortilla, but this category doesn't decrease the points in a review. Meat vs. Vegetables - A good ratio. More tomatoes would be good. La Cocina uses bagged, crispy lettuce that's flavorless - it might as well not be in here. I prefer fresh lettuce. La Cocina does an excellent job seasoning the meat. Sometimes really salty, but ALWAYS tasty. Price - Under $7 with tax. I wish restaurants in the Loop didn't have that added 1 percentage point to support the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (it subsidizes the cost of operating Navy Pier and McCormick Place). See the State of Illinois, Department of Revenue's website for more information.

    (4)
  • El P.

    Man this place is DEL-LI-CIOUS! I had the steak Torta, and the steak was so tender, I came back the next day to see if it was a fluke... NOPE! Me and my co-workers enjoyed every bite!

    (5)
  • Jessica M.

    How refreshing to have such friendly service - they are always smiling and appreciative of their customers. I love some crunch in my Mexican dishes and they deliver with super-tasty tostados. I recommend adding avocado or just get a side of chips and guacamole with whatever you order. My least favorite so far is the bean and veggie burrito, to much rice and the veggies are more raw than grilled. However it is still pretty tasty and comes with avocado already on it :) They are pretty fast too, for not technically being fast food like Chipotle around the corner - which you end up waiting in line longer for anyway! Plus, why not support a smaller local business (although I think a small chain)? Give this location a try for lunch while in the Loop.

    (4)
  • Jessica F.

    The worst Mexican food I've ever tasted, the tortillas taste to plastic, seriously it's horrible.

    (1)
  • Yelp F.

    For $1.75 a taco this is pretty good.I had 3 tacos and thought the chorizo taco was the best.Will go back again..

    (4)
  • Ben P.

    I'm a big fan of the al pastor tacos, but think the enchiladas leave much to be desired. A solid option for lunch since I work a couple blocks away. My biggest beef with this place is the terrible techno music they insist on blasting. On several occasions I've walked in, heard the crazy loud music and walked right back out.

    (3)
  • Marlyn L.

    I overheard someone saying her husband goes here almost every day for lunch. I had my doubts, but thought it would be worth a shot. It's not bad at all. I ordered 2 steak tacos, 1 pork tamal and an horchata. It came to about $6.50. That's about how much Chipotle is without a drink. Best: Horchata. It was very flavorful and sweet. If you like dense, sugary and cinnamony horchata, then this is your drink of choice. Good: The green sauce. It gave the tamal some good kick. It's probably from a can, but it's pretty decent. Not bad. Tamal. The good thing about the tamal was that it was a good size. I've seen some pretty flimsy tamales. This was a regular size and actually had some meat in it. Not a ton, but not a cheap amount. For $1.60, how can I complain? So-so. Steak tacos. These weren't bad at all but there was just a little bit of meat. I knew they'd be small because they were just a buck and a half each, so I ordered two of them . The meat was better quality than I was expecting. They tasted good with the sauce. Maybe a tad bit oversalted, but I prefer that than tasting nasty unseasoned meat. I went in before noon and ordered right away for takeout. There are a few tables and the place looks clean and bright enough to eat in without getting creeped out. I'd probably go here again to try other stuff. Hopefully it's not as fattening as Chipotle lol.

    (3)
  • Mark F.

    Most authentic Mexican food on that side of the Chicago River. The food is just good AND AUTHENTIC, the service is quick, and the prices are outstanding. I will admit in full disclosure that I am responsible for the art work in the place, but since i started working closer to the joint, i try to make it there at least once a week for my Mexican fix.

    (5)
  • Adam K.

    Best for lunch. Above average tacos of the 'corn tortilla and chopped cilantro/lettuce/onions' type. Get the steak taco dinner, red sauce (hot-er), mexican coke. $8 or so. You will be good to go. I've had other stuff on the menu that was decent, but always fall back to the above items. The burritos here aren't my favorite, but the enchiladas are decent. Seating can be tough during the lunch hour. The horchata here tastes too much like cinnamon candy here...maybe it is just me. 4 stars because it is better than any other mexican place in this part of the loop, is consistent, tasty and carries the imported coca cola from Mexico (with real sugar!). Also serves breakfast all day.

    (4)
  • Jon S.

    As a fast, convenient lunch spot downtown, it serves its purpose perfectly. The beef taco dinner is about the best 8 dollar lunch you can get in the loop.

    (4)
  • Amanda Z.

    Every day, around 12:20, one of my coworkers will walk around and ask the others "Wanna eat?" Well, she was out sick today, so our grumbling stomachs (and a day entirely in the office) finally told us we had to get out and get something. Cuz we wanted to eat. We've been wanting to try this place for awhile, but it's usually packed. For good reason, I discovered. The food is freakin' fantastic. Fresh, fast and hot. Sopes? Oh. My. Word. Fantastically seasoned meat, plentiful toppings of cheese, sour cream, lettuce and tomato all atop of that cornmeal base. So good. Burritos? Huge and yummy. Get the dinner platter and you won't need dinner. Seriously, I was still when I got home tonight and I am NEVER that full from lunch. Free chips and salsa? Yes please! We'll be back for sure. Next time she asks us, "Wanna eat?" we'll have to say, "Only if we can go to La Cocina...and you will wait and like it." Service is very friendly, too. Mmmmm...sopes! I will see you soon!

    (4)
  • Colleen C.

    This is a nice trendy little place that was kind of tucked away and unknown to me all the years I had class down in that area. I'm glad I found it eventually (or rather, that my boyfriend did.) The tacos are nice and fresh...well, everything tastes fresh. The refried beans are as good as I'd expect them to be, and the rice is usually good, but sometimes a little flavorless. I must say, so far my favorite thing is the chicken torta. Amazing flavors. Just good comfort food.

    (4)
  • Andrew B.

    Fresh and tasty Mexican food at a reasonable price. About $8.50 for 3 enchiladas with cheese and sour cream and a side of rice and beans. They also have huge burritos, tacos, gorditas etc. I would say its about average for Mexican food. Slightly better than Taco Fresco(a different Mexican chain in the loop), however Taco Fresco is a buck cheaper. The place is pretty tiny so don't expect to sit down if you go during high lunch times. They give you free chips and salsa if you sit down and the food comes out quick.

    (4)
  • Andrew T.

    Fresh and light mexican food, with all the flavor... Yes, I said light and mexican food in the same sentence. They pack in the fresh lettuce that makes the burritos taste garden fresh, but it's not at the expense of other ingredients, you still get all the tomato, sour cream, beans, meat etc. I also like the breakfast torta... mmm, fluffy bread.

    (4)
  • Edward B.

    That address is approximate, by the way, as I don't remember seeing a number on the door.... But for the important bits now :) A co-worker and I would get take-out every once in a while at La Cocina on Wells. It was a bit of a hike, so we didn't do it too often. Much to our wondrous delight, we discovered one day that a La Cocina was going to open up about a block from our office! It's open now, and it's very good. At the Wells location, I only ever got tacos, and the tacos at the Franklin location are essentially identical and of the same quality - very good. The killer thing to order, here, in my opinion is the chilaquiles. Three eggs mixed with crunchy corn tortilla chips, a very, very liberal amount of their green or red sauce (my fav is the red), a dab of sour cream, rice and beans and some chihauhau cheese over it all...outstanding!! It's truly enough food for two meals - and even though it's a classic Mexican breakfast dish, they serve it all day. Even better, I can have chilaquiles for LUNCH!! Woo hoo!! You have to be disciplined to make it last for two meals, though, because it's difficult to stop eating it once you've started...but force yourself to save some as leftovers. It's even better as leftovers.

    (4)
  • David K.

    My co-workers and I were having a discussion about Al Pastor tacos and did some research, finding La Cocina. We made a trek and all had Al Pastor - and we all agreed that they were delicious. You do have to ask for them, as I could not see them on the menu/ They also sell imported Coca-cola in bottles from Mexico, which made my friends very happy.

    (4)
  • Julia L.

    I am in the loop all the time for work and school and I always have cravings for Mexican food. La Cocina definitely helps fulfill that craving. It gets really busy around lunchtime. The line is always out the door, so it's best to go during off times, like around 3ish to closing. I've pretty much liked everything that I have ever ordered from there. No complaints from me. For a good price, around five to six bucks, you can get a variety of food. They have thick and creamy horchata, non of that watery stuff, which I love. Really delicious and flavor-packed pork tacos, those are my favorite, though the steak isn't too bad either, and yummy tamales. If you manage to get a seat, they also serve you tortilla chips, but the downfall is they don't give you salsa for them. They give you two hot sauces, so I usually order a meal with rice and beans and use those to dip my tortilla chips with. I definitely recommend this place if you're in the mood for Mexican, which I think is definitely a better alternative than Chipotle.

    (4)
  • Mescha G.

    Oh La Cocina and your delicious chicken enchiladas and horchata. Never fails. Much tastier than Chipotle across the street. Super good lunch spot...especially if you can get a seat. Now if i can just get through the day without falling asleep...

    (4)
  • NS P.

    Customer service is a big deal for me, and I wasn't impressed with La Cocina in this area. They put meat in my meal, (i'm a strict veggie) and I wasn't impressed with how they handled it. I won't be going back here and that's saying a lot since I 1. work in bldg on top and 2. normally LOVE mexican food. They need to get their attitude fixed.

    (2)
  • Jenni Q.

    I used to go all the way to the other location on Wells so I was super excited when they finally opened a location less than a block away from my work. It starts getting super crowded (with lines out the door) a little before noon but the line moves pretty quickly. Might be kind of hard to find a table but may be worth the effort because they give you free chips and salsa when you dine in. The prices are fairly decent: about 1.50 a taco; $7 for a 3 taco dinner that comes with rice and beans). BUT the food is sometimes really hit or miss. Some days the carne asada is so juicy and tender that i wonder why i only got two tacos instead of three; other days I question what the hard pieces of unchewable meat in the taco could be. The size of the taco is unbelievably small....some of my tacos have had literally 5-7 pieces of meat. The chorizo is okay but not really as flavorful as I would have liked. The sopes and tamales are pretty good so I would definitely recommend getting those. Overall a decent place to go if you happen to get sick of Chipotle. Dont expect outstanding authentic mexican food but its good for a cheap, quick meal.

    (3)
  • Nancy F.

    My review can only be on the taco dinner (which i order EVERY SINGLE TIME), which is 3 tacos (steak please) with everything and a side of rice and beans. i've tried a few other items in the past (i've been going to this place for a few years from working in downtown) like tortas.. tequitos... but i always go back to the taco dinner and now i simply just stick with it. the taco dinner is fantastic! fresh authentic steak tacos with flavor (no cheese or sour cream here, just the meat, onions and cilantro), although by habit i still add in my own touch of salt, which goes so well the green salsa. i'm not a big fan of beans at all but i will eat them with my rice at la cocina. the taco dinner is perfect (truthfully a bit much to consume it all for lunch but we'll ignore that fact). an added plus is that they serve horchatas and coke in a glass bottle! i simply just rotate between these 2 beverages everytime i go. this place gets packed at the lunch hour but the line goes quick. if you dine in, you get free chips and salsa while you wait for your food...delicious and all for under $10!

    (4)
  • Ed R.

    Let me start off by saying that I do not frequent Mexican eateries or eat Mexican food that is not home cooked. Why? I am Mexican-American and like most Mexican-Americans, I think my mom is the best cook in the world. If I ever need some good home cooking, I will go to my moms. However, my buddy Raj suggested this place for lunch. Let me tell you the food was pretty good. The chicken quesadillas were delicious. I recommend this place if you have a craving for good Mexican food. Also, if you are in the mood for house music, stop by during lunch. For some reason the music is always bumping at this place and since I enjoy House music, it makes the experience all the better.

    (4)
  • Diana C.

    Had lunch here today for the second time. First time was just okay; I ordered a super taco and a tamale. Tamale was really dry, super taco was super bland. Today's experience, while more crowded, was better. I ordered the torta milanesa (breaded steak) and it was very good, with a nice balance of steak and toppings and airy Mexican bread. All over it.

    (3)
  • Emily K.

    This place rules. After eating at all 3 Loop locations this comes second to the Jackson location. The food is all essentially the same at all three locations, but the guy at the register here is super nice, friendly, and keeps the line moving fast. He even yells at the d-bags who grab empty seats before their party has ordered when the restaurant is packed. What the hell, there are 10 people who are in front of you in line who will get their food first but don't have someone to "save" a spot. What a dick move. I like their salsas for the complimentary chips they give you but please- do something about the crappy pour spouts. Spills all over the side of the bottle and onto the table and makes me feel "special."

    (4)
  • Salvador L.

    This is a great location to have authentic mexican food. The prices are incredible and the food is delicious. The staff is friendly and courteous. They have bottled beverages I haven't had since my child hood. I go at least once a week.

    (5)
  • Danny H.

    Their tortas are very, very delicious. It's surprisingly light and you get a good quantity for the price you pay. I had the ham and egg and it was delicious... the Gorditas are less so, so but I would go back just for the tortas. if you're craving Mexican, this is a much better choice than Chipotle or Qdoba.

    (4)
  • Ben B.

    La Cocina is delicious, maybe a bit heavy, but delicious. The girls who work as cashiers there are always friendly and seem always to be in a good mood. I've had several of the "dinners" for lunch, which come with refried beans and rice, and I think the sopes are the best. They're like two small pastries - a cornmeal base with your choice of meat, lettuce, and sour cream. Don't go at noon - this place fills up, and for good reason.

    (4)
  • Brooke C.

    Best authentic and cheap Mexican you can find in the loop ($6 for a taco salad bowl, less than $2 for the horchata). Lunch crowd isn't too bad and moves quickly. I had the taco salad and horchata. Best horchata I've found in the city.

    (5)
  • Bob B.

    Super fast very authentic food. Plenty of seating and well worth the cost for the amount of food you get. Service was great and atmosphere was a little fast-foody but very clean. Definitely going back.

    (4)
  • Nate W.

    Better than average Mexican food - not the best, but not bad. I just really don't like the fact that if you come with a group of three, they will basically force you to share a table for two. I understand they want to maximize their seating area for customers, but when it's before noon and the restaurant is at 25% of capacity... don't approach me and shout "Sir--SIR!! please you need to sit three to a table. No this table is set up for four; you can't sit there!" Also, the water cups had kind of a weird cleaning product smell.

    (2)
  • Chas V.

    This is a good joint for lunch in the loop when you want taco-stand style Mexican, but don't want the McDonald's Mexican (Chipotle) across the street. Nice Taco deal at about 7 bucks. Incidentally, I believe the correct address is 178 N. Franklin, and it's between Lake & Randolph

    (4)
  • Andrew H.

    Good food. Friendly owner. Loud music, strangely enough. Luchadores paintings on the wall rounds out this little eccentric place in the loop. Oh, and the food is pretty good. Go there for the tacos, and don't forget to order a large refreshing horchata. Also, they have imported Coca-cola. Why does this matter? Well, mexican Coke is made with sugar cane sugar, while most in the US use corn syrup. Some swear there's a difference, so you decide. I haven't tried their breakfast options, but if they are nearly as good as lunch items, they are also a must-have.

    (4)
  • Jackie W.

    My favorite Mexican place EVER! All these years I worked down the street and never thought to give this place a try, now I can't get enough of it! You get a good amount of food for your money, so don't let the prices deter you. Their quesadillas are so delicious...if they were open on the weekends I'd drive down for lunch lol

    (5)
  • Catherine C.

    Authentic Mexican food. The food is delicious. Maybe I am wrong, but I consider this as a fast food place, but boy, during lunch time, you really have wait for your food. I guess they have too many customizable items on their menu. They are quite generous with their portion. You get chips and salsa too when you dine in.

    (3)
  • Jen W.

    I love this place. The people are awesome and the food is always good and really reasonably priced. If you're looking for gourmet, go to one of Bayliss' spots, if you're looking for a chain, chipolte is across the street. But I'd rather support the family run business and the guy that always remembers me when I come in. Good food, fast service, good prices and friendly atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Robert W.

    Solid mexican food for lunch, but closes ridiculously early.

    (3)
  • Luke P.

    La Cocina was an extremely welcome surprise here in the loop. I am very excited to know it's here and feel like giving it five stars out of extreme happiness. I had a large horchata and 3 tacos al pastor ("pork tacos" on the menu). Moved from South Texas years ago but have been unable to shake my addiction to Mexican food, I was very excited to move to Chicago (supposedly a Mexican paradise inside a yankee haven) for its culinary treats. Unfortunately, I moved to the Loop and haven't been able to get out to neighborhoods known for their Mexican food as often as I'd hoped. Yea, along comes salvation in the form of La Cocina. I wasn't really planning on losing weight this summer anyway. Oh yeah, and that (substantial!) meal was a little over $5, which I paid with my credit card. Rock on La Cocina. Please open something closer to the lake, however. And please put tripas on the menu. Chilaquiles are terrific and all (no Migas?) but Tripas would make y'all kings of the loop's cooking. That and late-night delivery. Yum!

    (4)
  • Kurt S.

    This La Cocina is my primary lunch source, as it is nearest to my office, but we've frequented the locations on Wells and Jackson as well. I rate these restaurants for what they are: fast, cheap Mexican food in the Loop. Five stars because the owner knows what I like to order. Like the other locations: a step above ordinary Mexican fast food because their sauces and seasonings kick ass. Clean, fast, techno, consistent, family-owned, local, fresh, friendly... the positive adjectives go on.

    (5)
  • Not J B.

    I wish it were open later but maybe closing earlier keeps it from turning into bad late night food. It's a decent Mexican place that you must eat fast from if you get it to go so it does not leak through the brown bag. That could annoy but putting off eating this food shouldn't be something that's done. To the person who said it's not greasy...what type of Mexican food are you eating?

    (4)
  • Alex R.

    This is a pretty great place for lunch in the loop. Their prices are reasonable, and their food is yummy. Definitely better and more variety than Chipotle for a comparable price. Salsa and chips are served when you dine in, and the portions are good. I always get their tostadas here and they are delicious. The line can get pretty long during lunch time, but they move quickly. Finding a table can be a bit of a hassle, so I would recommend taking it to go, or coming here during an off time (say 11:30 vs. 12:00?). I would also suggest pairing your lunch with one of their imported glass bottled Mexican drinks - yum!

    (4)
  • Adam L.

    Today I picked up lunch from here for the first time and as a very picky eater I decided to play it safe and sampled a chicken taco, ground beef taco, and pork tamale. All three of them were awesome. I was especially intrigued by the tamale. The outer corn covering is almost like a fluffy cornbread molded around the shredded pork. Very tasty, indeed. I'll be giving my Burrito Beach frequent diner card to a coworker, as I won't be needing it anymore. UPDATE 4/14/2010: Sorry to say that there seems to be new people running this place. My old favorite super-fast order taker has moved on to the Wells location. Today it took 15 minutes to get through the line and get my food when it used to take 5-6 minutes, tops. I can't spend all that time in line for lunch. Head over to the Wells location!

    (3)
  • Aziza J.

    Went to the Franklin location today, really nice atmosphere. I loved that they were playing house music also! The gordita that I had was excellent. I now wish that I had gotten the dinner instead of just one cause it's was small. Next time, I'll order that. I will definitely be back to try other things here. I like this location over the others in the Loop especially the one on Wells. It's more laid back!

    (4)
  • Amy S.

    This is good, authentic and not terribly greasy Mexican food. Everything that I have tried here I have been satisfied. I used to go to the location on Wells under the tracks, but have found that it is busy no matter what time you go. This location seems to be a little roomier and not as crazy during lunch time. You get a lot of food for a very reasonable price, and then when you're done eating you want to take a nap for the rest of the day---this is a good thing!

    (4)
  • Jennifer N.

    I stumbled upon this place when I was debating whether or not I wanted another meal at Chipotle's across the street. They have gorditas, sopes, tamales, and horchata!!! I've never been to the other locations, but their steak gordita with copious amounts of red and green sauce is so very tasty. The horchata was very yummy too (at $1.35 for large), cold, and no ice (whenever I get it anywhere else its 75% ice). Next time I think I will get a torta with jarritos.

    (4)
  • Jonathan D.

    3 words. Spec. Tac. Ular. This place has great authentic Mexican food downtown - I always have the veggie tacos and they are awesome and come with some great refried beans and spanish rice. They also have free chips and 2 kinds of salsa at every table. Best Mexican food in the Loop.

    (5)
  • Thane W.

    Seriously the best Mexican food restaurant in the Loop. This one and the other branch on Jackson are the locations I've been to, and they're identical in menu and preparation. Almost identical in choice of blasted music as well: salsa-esque dance music. Anyway, I go here for lunch at least once a week. Enchiladas, tacos, tamales and taco salads are what I choose. Chicken is pretty good, but the best meat here to get is either the ground beef or the seasoned pork. The pork is a little different than some other Mexican restaurants I've had the same type of pork, but spiced somehow inexplicably different... sweeter maybe? The steak is OK, but if you're looking for a taco or enchilada, heed my advice and just go for ground beef or pork. Now I'm not an expert on tamales, but I think this place has some damn good tamales. The flavor of of the corn husk really translates into the flavor of the filling. Almost smoky tasting, but not sickening. I could eat 20 of them. Highly recommend this place. It's a 15 minute walk on my lunch break and I still do it because it's so good. HUGE BONUS POINTS: They have imported Mexican Coke!! I get one every time no matter what. Delicious.

    (5)
  • Juliet H.

    This place is great. The food comes out quick, for those of you in rush to get back to the office. The price is perfect. The food is delicious! Great place to go for your Mexican fix during lunch! Don't be intimidated by the line..it moves quick.

    (4)
  • Brandi W.

    Love this place! You feel like you walked into the local Mexican taqueria. The dishes are the perfect size for any appetite. Whether you are a vegetarian or a carnivore like myself, you will have an absolutely wonderful breakfast or lunch. The place can be packed, but people rotate in and out so much. If you love fresh cooked Mexican food on the fly, grab it to go. From the steak taco dinner to the tamales dinner you will have plenty of choices for what you might be craving. If you love the tomatillo salsa then you will love theirs! I have yet to have a bad meal here. Everything I have tried so far has been outstanding.

    (4)
  • Lenna O.

    Probably one of the best Mexican food places i've been to. Each time i've been there, i've had something different and was not disappointed with anything i've had. The guy that works there at the register and takes orders is really friendly. He tries to be quick to take orders and get food to everyone since it gets busy during the lunch hour but also manages to do a quick small talk and see how your day is going. Good stuff, you should go there!

    (5)
  • Rachel L.

    This is a great choice for a quick and affordable lunch in the loop. The menu has lots of options and everything I have tried here is always well seasoned and flavorful. Service is friendly and effecient, and the food is fresh and tasty.

    (4)
  • Jessica N.

    I was looking for a good option for some enchiladas for lunch and stumbled upon La Cocina. Luckily i take my lunch very early so I did not have to wait in line, but by the time my food was ready to go there was a line of suits out the door. It was pretty wild to watch that chaos unfold honestly, and I could have sat there all day watching people come in and try to pronounce things on the menu, ending up with funny Spanglish interpretations. The food was pretty good. It was made fresh to order- nice. The guacamole was some of the best i have had in a while, I did not love the mole sauce, but it was my own fault for picking that sauce instead of green sauce. Stupid, stupid me. The food was really quick and the portions were big. I was surprised to see that they are open at 7am- that is kind of wild. I ought to head over there for some breffix munchies. A little pricey for me to eat there more then once or twice a month, but when your tummy says enchilada you better recognize!

    (4)
  • Haley L.

    My boyfriend and I actually went down to N. Franklin to get lunch to Taza, but they do not take credit cards, so we stood outside for a few minutes, then decided to try La cocina without knowing anything about this place - and let me tell you, I don't know how Taza could have been any better then this quaint Mexican restaurant! I ordered a pork burrito without the beans and it was absolutely wonderful! the pork was so moist and flavorful and the tomatoes and lettuce was very fresh. I loved it, and i am not the biggest mexican food fan. Me boyfriend ordered the tacos (its 3 soft tacos) with refried beans and rice on the side (which was hands down the best spanish rice I have ever had, next time I will order a side just for myself.) The tacos we very good, a lot of fresh cilantro, not as flavorful as my burrito, but still so good. We also bought chips and salsa, but they were nothing to rave about. oh yeah, we got this guava drink that was so great also! The man working the cashier was so friendly and knew most of the customers and what their usual order was. We 100% recommend this place to anyone. It was well priced, especially for the quality of food you receive!

    (4)
  • Rachelle G.

    Good taqueria in the loop. Definitely adding it to my list of regular options, there are only so many sandwiches, soups and salads one can eat. Friendly staff. Prices are pretty comparable to other options in the area.

    (4)
  • John M.

    good vibe. they do need revolving doors since people waiting in line keep the door open and it's freezing if you're sitting down. Very good steak burrito. Chorizo burrito a bit bland. Overall best downtown mexican lunch place Love the mexican coke bottles!!!!

    (4)
  • K. J.

    For some reason I really hesitated to try this place, but after reading the Yelp reviews decided to give it a try. I think that this is definitely above-average for Loop food and I would stop by here if the location were near where I live and I wanted a bite to eat. I got the chicken quesadilla dinner plate and it was very filling. The ingredients were of good quality and it appears that they make to order (the chicken is probably pre-cooked), but the service is quick.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 5:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    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
    Waiter Service : No
    Drive-Thru : No
    Caters : Yes

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.

La Cocina

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