I've been to Mercadito Kitchen twice and had great food and service both times. They are helping to fill the void of good mid-priced restaurants in the Gold Coast for those of us who live there and just want to pop out to a casual dinner on a random Tuesday. Both times I was with a large group as we were combining a volunteer committee meeting with dinner. They were very attentive and the appetizers we shared were all very good. I had the Calamari and chips which had a spicy sweet sauce and was a nice variation on what I generally think when it comes to fried calamari. The margarita was very strong which kept me to just one for the evening, but the guac was only so so- Tried the sampler liked the original, but only the original. Likely that's just me- not a fan of some of the ingredients in the other two. The tacos on my second visit were what blew me away Espada- they were Amazing. I keep thinking about them.
(5)
David H.
Second time (and last time) eating here. Very consistent experience. Service good, food bad. Nacho chips hard as a rock, margarita taste like from a mix and is extremely sweet, chicken tacos taste completely processed (chicken is interestingly all cut in perfectly shaped cubes) and was floating in grease. Even the sour cream was disgusting (not sure how you mess up sour cream). Only reason I give 2 vs 1 stars is the servers - fast, friendly and very helpful. A shame ... Nice location but needs a new chef / better ingredients.
(2)
CL C.
We stopped in for a drink and were blown away by the food and amazing cocktails. The tacos were amazing and we really enjoyed the live music during Sunday brunch.
(5)
Dennis H.
Tried the 4 carne taco plate....super yummy! I'll try again during my stay in Chicago.
(4)
Rielly M.
Really great hAppy hour deals! Half off guacamole and cocktails. The only issue I had with it was the waiter didn't check on us for an extended amount of time, and let us know the deals were done by the time he came over to our table (aka the second round was full priced). The staff wasn't all that great, they were very focused on taking away plates regardless of the food still on them. The guacamole trio was amazing though and so was the shrimp cerviche.
(3)
Lauren S.
My dad was in town visiting and we were downtown for the afternoon, looking for food, and came across Mercadito Kitchen. It was a gorgeous Sunday so we opted to sit on the patio. Our waiter was great and when we told him that we were trying to decide between sharing a salsa or a guacamole, he suggested the mango guacamole. I'm so glad he did, as it was excellent, and I'm a guacamole purist, so trust me, it's good. We shared the Mixto ceviche--also good, but I wish I'd tried a different one, as I was looking for more savory flavors. I will definitely go back to try the tacos, we just couldn't eat another bite!
(4)
Steve M.
The food is delicious always a great meal
(5)
Sofiya C.
Brunch impressions- totally empty restaurant on a Saturday 11am... The food- aside from some breakfast basics, there was not much seafood on the menu, and pretty much very similar items (guac, salsa, ceviche) that are served at mercadito (the original). Had the salmon Benedict which wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best I've had. They no longer have lobster rolls on the menu. The Bloody Mary was good but again not amazing. I don't think I will be coming back. Overall impression is not that great. Service was decent. Parking is valet next door by the hotel for 4 hours $15...
(3)
Lori O.
This place is unbelievable!! Came here for a special friends bday and they spoiled us. Amazing service and food. Their shrimp ceviche is out of this world and their guacamole. Service amazing! Jessica took care of us. Richard the GM made sure we were paid attention to! Highly recommend if you are in Chicago! Wish I could come here more often. Will visit next time I'm in town!!
(5)
Caroline L.
Beautiful venue and the food is amazing. I had the fried calamari and chips - highly recommend! To top it all off the staff was attentive, helpful, and accommodating of our large group. So glad I live in the neighborhood!
(5)
Stephanie S.
I'm pretty sure the new name is Mercadito Kitchen. I was a little confused by the actual name and concept since I first thought it was Mercadito Fish and then saw few seafood dishes on the menu. They might want to try to push this new name a little harder to avoid confusion. I went with a group of girls, one who knows the manager. He was very gracious, stopping by to say hello and bringing a number of appetizers on the house for us to sample (guac and chips, flautas and then something I didn't quite get the name of but looked like empanadas). They were all OK. None blew me away, but I would get the chips and guacamole again. I had the chile relleno, which was quite good. It was not breaded and fried like most chile rellenos are, but it had lots of delicious cheese and shrimp inside. The rice and beans that came with it were quite flavorful, which was a nice surprise since these are often throwaway side dishes. At $22.50 I thought the price was a little steep, but it was filling. I also had the traditional margarita, which was very strong. Yay for bang for your buck, but a miss on the flavor profile. Overall, I give this a 3.5 star review. Good service and easy street parking. It's a little pricey for what it is, and there are many good upscale Mexican restaurants in Chicago, so the field is already crowded. They might need to try something that sets them apart from places like Cantina Laredo and Frontera Grill.
(4)
Lisa P.
Used to come here all the time. Friendly and consistent service and good food. They've changed their theme a few times and the food continues to be very good. My only gripe is that they eliminated the biscuits and gravy from their brunch/breakfast menu. Please bring them back!
(5)
Frank O.
Went last Saturday in the afternoon, and it was busy. The entire room inside was full, and all of the outdoor seating was also occupied. Because of this the kitchen was running a bit behind, and food was coming out slowly. The decor was nice, and helped divert my attention from the slow food. The place is a few months old, but still has that new and shiny feel to it, and all the servers smiled and were courteous. Prices are great for Gold Coast, a nice plus. I do wonder if the owner is affiliated with Mercadito on Kinzie since the menus look extremely similar. Drinks are strong, useful to help alleviate any hangovers. The margarita tradicional is pretty standard, I recommend getting the Little Market instead since it tastes somewhat similar and has a bit more flavor kick to it. Flavored mimosas however didn't have much flavor, I couldn't taste any peach, mango, or guava. Food overall was plated well, but taste was average. French toast looked nice, pancakes looked nice, chilaquiles looked nice, but only the enchiladas were good enough for me to want to order them again. So a decent place for weekend brunch with a hangover, but the food did not stand out enough to warrant going any other time.
(3)
A L.
Been here a couple times now ! Drinks are good and food is very good. Pretty much the same menu as mercadito in river north but bc it's in a hotel they have some non Mexican specialties on there like burgers and salads and appetizers. Been there last for Taco Tuesday where 2 tacos are $6.50 and I had the carne taco with lettuce wrap instead of tortilla and it was amazing. The carne was so tender and juicy. My friend had the lunch basket which was 3 tacos, guac and chips and a cookie and it was very delicious. She ordered the chicken tacos and loves the spicy sauce they put on them. Good service, nice patio and can bring your dog on the patio. Nice outdoor ambiance.
Come here for brunch and sit out on the patio! The French toast was next level deliciousness and the chicken tinga was cooked to perfection.
(4)
Mattie J.
This place was perfect! The food was good for a light lunch. Staff was accommodating, polite and pleasant. Their recommendations and knowledge of the menu was great. As a first time visitor of Chicago I loved this place. So glad I came and would definitely recommend to a friend
(5)
Liz M.
Tried a variety of items with my fiance while at Mercadito Kitchen. Let me first say, the ambiance and decor is really nice. There is a sizable area outside where many folks sat eating brunch, but we sat in the large indoor dining room. It was comfortable, clean, and nicely decorated. Drinks were great (strong!). The mango and peach mimosas are a tasty treat! My fiance had their margarita which he enjoyed. Those drinks were the highlight! We tried three dishes: the french toast with berries, enchiladas, and breakfast tacos. French Toast- A solid B. Nothing extraordinary, but very tasty. A little too sweet for breakfast to me! Enchiladas- C/C+. They were fine, and cooked well. The tortillas tasted totally homemade, and the chicken was great. But the sauce realllllllllly left something to be desired. It tasted generic and really lacked anything special. I would have appreciated a little kick of heat in that sauce! Breakfast Tacos- A. These were yummy! Again, the homemade tortilla really improved the situation. Overall the food was nicely presented, with a good use of garnishes and a mix of fresh berries, fresh avocado, and onion to add texture and flavor to warm dishes. I'd come here again to give it another go, but mostly for the drinks!
(3)
Neema P.
We came here as the second night to "girls night." We ordered the house margaritas to the start night, let's just say they didn't taste too good.... Our table that we had made reservations for was not there when we arrived 10 minutes early and instead sat 30 minutes later. I get it busy Saturday night... Not sure. Our server when we sat down immediately recognized that our drinks were not touched and offered to get a different round of drinks on house... Now we're getting started. My friends ordered taco and I got veggie quesadillas. Nothing really felt "amazing." I'm sure I've had better drinks at a different bar. However, the 3 stars is for the service for really trying to make up the evening. Who knows maybe we will return.
(3)
Daniel P.
Um organic tequila mixed with hot sauce and other fruity pleasures made this hot spot my new "hot spot". Guacamole was to die for and the carne tacos brought me back to life. This place is a hidden gem.
(5)
Morgan Z.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Patio seating is always available and they have happy hour EVERY DAY from 5-7pm- $5.50 margs and half off apps, come on! Highly recommend Sergio Q, he was fantastic! :)
(5)
Todd M.
Acoustic Sunday Brunch....great place for Sunday. Breeze blowing, sitting under a huge shade tree on the sidewalk, great food, & wonderful service. Highly recommended. Upscale Mexican.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Katherine G.
I've been to Mercadito Kitchen twice and had great food and service both times. They are helping to fill the void of good mid-priced restaurants in the Gold Coast for those of us who live there and just want to pop out to a casual dinner on a random Tuesday. Both times I was with a large group as we were combining a volunteer committee meeting with dinner. They were very attentive and the appetizers we shared were all very good. I had the Calamari and chips which had a spicy sweet sauce and was a nice variation on what I generally think when it comes to fried calamari. The margarita was very strong which kept me to just one for the evening, but the guac was only so so- Tried the sampler liked the original, but only the original. Likely that's just me- not a fan of some of the ingredients in the other two. The tacos on my second visit were what blew me away Espada- they were Amazing. I keep thinking about them.
(5)David H.
Second time (and last time) eating here. Very consistent experience. Service good, food bad. Nacho chips hard as a rock, margarita taste like from a mix and is extremely sweet, chicken tacos taste completely processed (chicken is interestingly all cut in perfectly shaped cubes) and was floating in grease. Even the sour cream was disgusting (not sure how you mess up sour cream). Only reason I give 2 vs 1 stars is the servers - fast, friendly and very helpful. A shame ... Nice location but needs a new chef / better ingredients.
(2)CL C.
We stopped in for a drink and were blown away by the food and amazing cocktails. The tacos were amazing and we really enjoyed the live music during Sunday brunch.
(5)Dennis H.
Tried the 4 carne taco plate....super yummy! I'll try again during my stay in Chicago.
(4)Rielly M.
Really great hAppy hour deals! Half off guacamole and cocktails. The only issue I had with it was the waiter didn't check on us for an extended amount of time, and let us know the deals were done by the time he came over to our table (aka the second round was full priced). The staff wasn't all that great, they were very focused on taking away plates regardless of the food still on them. The guacamole trio was amazing though and so was the shrimp cerviche.
(3)Lauren S.
My dad was in town visiting and we were downtown for the afternoon, looking for food, and came across Mercadito Kitchen. It was a gorgeous Sunday so we opted to sit on the patio. Our waiter was great and when we told him that we were trying to decide between sharing a salsa or a guacamole, he suggested the mango guacamole. I'm so glad he did, as it was excellent, and I'm a guacamole purist, so trust me, it's good. We shared the Mixto ceviche--also good, but I wish I'd tried a different one, as I was looking for more savory flavors. I will definitely go back to try the tacos, we just couldn't eat another bite!
(4)Steve M.
The food is delicious always a great meal
(5)Sofiya C.
Brunch impressions- totally empty restaurant on a Saturday 11am... The food- aside from some breakfast basics, there was not much seafood on the menu, and pretty much very similar items (guac, salsa, ceviche) that are served at mercadito (the original). Had the salmon Benedict which wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best I've had. They no longer have lobster rolls on the menu. The Bloody Mary was good but again not amazing. I don't think I will be coming back. Overall impression is not that great. Service was decent. Parking is valet next door by the hotel for 4 hours $15...
(3)Lori O.
This place is unbelievable!! Came here for a special friends bday and they spoiled us. Amazing service and food. Their shrimp ceviche is out of this world and their guacamole. Service amazing! Jessica took care of us. Richard the GM made sure we were paid attention to! Highly recommend if you are in Chicago! Wish I could come here more often. Will visit next time I'm in town!!
(5)Caroline L.
Beautiful venue and the food is amazing. I had the fried calamari and chips - highly recommend! To top it all off the staff was attentive, helpful, and accommodating of our large group. So glad I live in the neighborhood!
(5)Stephanie S.
I'm pretty sure the new name is Mercadito Kitchen. I was a little confused by the actual name and concept since I first thought it was Mercadito Fish and then saw few seafood dishes on the menu. They might want to try to push this new name a little harder to avoid confusion. I went with a group of girls, one who knows the manager. He was very gracious, stopping by to say hello and bringing a number of appetizers on the house for us to sample (guac and chips, flautas and then something I didn't quite get the name of but looked like empanadas). They were all OK. None blew me away, but I would get the chips and guacamole again. I had the chile relleno, which was quite good. It was not breaded and fried like most chile rellenos are, but it had lots of delicious cheese and shrimp inside. The rice and beans that came with it were quite flavorful, which was a nice surprise since these are often throwaway side dishes. At $22.50 I thought the price was a little steep, but it was filling. I also had the traditional margarita, which was very strong. Yay for bang for your buck, but a miss on the flavor profile. Overall, I give this a 3.5 star review. Good service and easy street parking. It's a little pricey for what it is, and there are many good upscale Mexican restaurants in Chicago, so the field is already crowded. They might need to try something that sets them apart from places like Cantina Laredo and Frontera Grill.
(4)Lisa P.
Used to come here all the time. Friendly and consistent service and good food. They've changed their theme a few times and the food continues to be very good. My only gripe is that they eliminated the biscuits and gravy from their brunch/breakfast menu. Please bring them back!
(5)Frank O.
Went last Saturday in the afternoon, and it was busy. The entire room inside was full, and all of the outdoor seating was also occupied. Because of this the kitchen was running a bit behind, and food was coming out slowly. The decor was nice, and helped divert my attention from the slow food. The place is a few months old, but still has that new and shiny feel to it, and all the servers smiled and were courteous. Prices are great for Gold Coast, a nice plus. I do wonder if the owner is affiliated with Mercadito on Kinzie since the menus look extremely similar. Drinks are strong, useful to help alleviate any hangovers. The margarita tradicional is pretty standard, I recommend getting the Little Market instead since it tastes somewhat similar and has a bit more flavor kick to it. Flavored mimosas however didn't have much flavor, I couldn't taste any peach, mango, or guava. Food overall was plated well, but taste was average. French toast looked nice, pancakes looked nice, chilaquiles looked nice, but only the enchiladas were good enough for me to want to order them again. So a decent place for weekend brunch with a hangover, but the food did not stand out enough to warrant going any other time.
(3)A L.
Been here a couple times now ! Drinks are good and food is very good. Pretty much the same menu as mercadito in river north but bc it's in a hotel they have some non Mexican specialties on there like burgers and salads and appetizers. Been there last for Taco Tuesday where 2 tacos are $6.50 and I had the carne taco with lettuce wrap instead of tortilla and it was amazing. The carne was so tender and juicy. My friend had the lunch basket which was 3 tacos, guac and chips and a cookie and it was very delicious. She ordered the chicken tacos and loves the spicy sauce they put on them. Good service, nice patio and can bring your dog on the patio. Nice outdoor ambiance.
(4)Michael S.
Went here for a weekend lunch and sat on the beautiful patio. We started with the chips and mango guacamole; both were tasty. If you are a guacamole fan, there are three different flavors to choose from. For the entrée, we had the chicken and pork tacos; both were delicious. Also worth noting is that our server was super helpful with the menu and very patient and nice. So why 3 stars? I feel ripped off after ordering 4 cocktails between my date and I. The cocktails were $12 each and had maybe 4 ounces of liquid in each one. I literally sucked on the straw maybe 3 times and they were finished. Usually after 2 cocktails you are quite tipsy and yet both my female companion and I didn't feel a thing. Go for the great food and beautiful patio, but SKIP THE COCKTAILS.
(3)Nikki L.
Come here for brunch and sit out on the patio! The French toast was next level deliciousness and the chicken tinga was cooked to perfection.
(4)Mattie J.
This place was perfect! The food was good for a light lunch. Staff was accommodating, polite and pleasant. Their recommendations and knowledge of the menu was great. As a first time visitor of Chicago I loved this place. So glad I came and would definitely recommend to a friend
(5)Liz M.
Tried a variety of items with my fiance while at Mercadito Kitchen. Let me first say, the ambiance and decor is really nice. There is a sizable area outside where many folks sat eating brunch, but we sat in the large indoor dining room. It was comfortable, clean, and nicely decorated. Drinks were great (strong!). The mango and peach mimosas are a tasty treat! My fiance had their margarita which he enjoyed. Those drinks were the highlight! We tried three dishes: the french toast with berries, enchiladas, and breakfast tacos. French Toast- A solid B. Nothing extraordinary, but very tasty. A little too sweet for breakfast to me! Enchiladas- C/C+. They were fine, and cooked well. The tortillas tasted totally homemade, and the chicken was great. But the sauce realllllllllly left something to be desired. It tasted generic and really lacked anything special. I would have appreciated a little kick of heat in that sauce! Breakfast Tacos- A. These were yummy! Again, the homemade tortilla really improved the situation. Overall the food was nicely presented, with a good use of garnishes and a mix of fresh berries, fresh avocado, and onion to add texture and flavor to warm dishes. I'd come here again to give it another go, but mostly for the drinks!
(3)Neema P.
We came here as the second night to "girls night." We ordered the house margaritas to the start night, let's just say they didn't taste too good.... Our table that we had made reservations for was not there when we arrived 10 minutes early and instead sat 30 minutes later. I get it busy Saturday night... Not sure. Our server when we sat down immediately recognized that our drinks were not touched and offered to get a different round of drinks on house... Now we're getting started. My friends ordered taco and I got veggie quesadillas. Nothing really felt "amazing." I'm sure I've had better drinks at a different bar. However, the 3 stars is for the service for really trying to make up the evening. Who knows maybe we will return.
(3)Daniel P.
Um organic tequila mixed with hot sauce and other fruity pleasures made this hot spot my new "hot spot". Guacamole was to die for and the carne tacos brought me back to life. This place is a hidden gem.
(5)Morgan Z.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Patio seating is always available and they have happy hour EVERY DAY from 5-7pm- $5.50 margs and half off apps, come on! Highly recommend Sergio Q, he was fantastic! :)
(5)Todd M.
Acoustic Sunday Brunch....great place for Sunday. Breeze blowing, sitting under a huge shade tree on the sidewalk, great food, & wonderful service. Highly recommended. Upscale Mexican.
(5)