4. Restaurants

Xoco

449 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60654
  • (312) 661-1434
  • Store is closed

Xoco Menu

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  • Z H.

    amazing!!!!!

    (5)

  • Joanne L.

    After Rick Bayless schooled them on Top Chef Masters, I was alllll over trying his new chocolate lover's corner appurtenance to his flagship (Frontera). Overall, though, I was left somewhat unimpressed. While the location makes sense (to the restaurant), like Frontera, it's not in the most convenient location--particularly if all you want is to pick up a beverage and a churro or ten. That being said, if you're from downtown, this shouldn't pose much of an issue. I found the food to be so-so. I actually woke up at some ungodly hour so that I could have breakfast there, and while my chilaquiles was really cool looking, it was sort of bland and VERY small. Also, the authentic hot chocolate was sort of way too authentic for my apparently unrefined palate. It was super bitter and as thick as maple syrup and somewhat chalky. BUT, the churros my GOD the churros. They are piping hot, crunchy and lightly dusted with just the right amount of sweetness, and totally worth a long long line around the corner of Clark St. I'm not joking. You can order your coffee there or across the street at Starbucks, but I honestly can't think of a better breakfast pastry than the ones they make at Xoco.

    (3)

  • Jesse T.

    Food is amazing. The Mexican flavors in every menu item are to die for. The setup of the restaurant/the way that service is set up was a little confusing initially, but the food is worth the confusion.

    (4)

  • Kate H.

    Went there for breakfast. Usually I don't care about service but only one person I felt was rude. The food was good and everyone else was fine. You go in and put your order in and pay for your food. I did this and sat at my table waiting for the food. I didn't realize that churros didn't come with chocolate. I asked about the chocolate and was given it. I was told usually I should pay first and then they will give me the chocolate, but just pay afterwards. Another woman came and gave me the receipt and wouldn't leave until I pay right then. This chocolate was for less than $2. In my head I was thinking I should not have given a 20% tip. I took people out to breakfast and I thought this was very awkward. I would go back again, but just follow the rules so you don't embarrass yourself.

    (3)

  • Kim R.

    Hands down, the Ahogada Torta ($10), is the best sandwich I have ever eaten. In fact, it is in the top five best things I've ever eaten period. The sandwich features pork carnitas, black beans and pickled onions with spicy arbol chile sauce and is served in a shallow bowl of tomato broth. The broth is sublime. The sandwich comes mild, medium or hot (I chose medium) and is served on a wonderfully crunchy-chewy bread that holds up well to its tomato bath. The Chicharrones were sinfully delicious and proved once again that indeed, "pork fat rules". They are served hot and covered in hot sauce, onions and queso fresco. The ordering process can be a bit awkward and the lines can be long but when you bite in to that sandwich both will have been well worth it.

    (5)

  • Masumi Y.

    Food was delicious!!!! I had the pork belly sandwich- lots of spices, not HOT spicy. Maybe it was a little too spicy and a little complicated (a hint of bitterness which I'm not a big fan of) for my taste, but the colors, texture, presentation was lovely. The other thing that was surprised me was that they have no phone number, so when I wanted to call to see how long the wait was, I couldn't know for sure. The number that I called was their formal restaurant next door.

    (4)

  • Stevie F.

    So good! I had the Carnitas Caldos and the only problem was I got so full I could finish it. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Megan W.

    It's so delicious that it makes you sad because you realize how mediocre the food you usually eat is. The guacamole alone is incredible- btw get it with bacon and cheese on top. The ahogada is tender and spicy and perfect. You have to go here!!!

    (5)

  • Jackie M.

    Loove loove the fresh made churros with the chocolate dip. It probably takes about 10min for the order. I've had a pork sandwich and it was very tasteful (actually, way too seasoned), but it was enjoyable.

    (4)

  • Felisa R.

    God help me, I was sure this place would be a hot mess. But I was so wrong. This place is delicious. The ambiance is super lively and all of the servers/workers are incredibly pleasant. Xoco Margarita: Delicious. Well balanced yet potent. Two thumbs up Chicharrones: OMG so good. Covered in red sauce and some chopped onions and some queso fresco (I think that's what the cheese was). Thank you my pig friend, you were excellent. Goat Barbacoa Torta: I would have given my food a 5 star review, but I didn't love the bread of the Torta. Sorry. But I got a fork and scooped all of the deliciousness into my pie-hole. Goat, goooooood. Churros: texture was perfection. It was a little heavy on clove (maybe?) but nevertheless, so good. Why shaped like that? No clue. Also they have cajeta sauce if you ask for it. I will come back, again and again :)

    (4)

  • Cory G.

    OMG, the hot chocolate! Slightly bitter (so's you knows it's REAL chocolate), and extremely thick; you could almost stand a spoon in it. By the end, it was like a thick, frothy melted chocolate that you had to turn the entire cup upside down so it would slowly ooze to your tastebuds. Finish it with a spoon. And at least 5 different kinds of hot chocolate, including a spicy one! I mean, you go for the sandwiches (which are great), but stay for the perks, like hot chocolate or bacon caramel corn.

    (5)

  • Heather J.

    I loveeee mexican food, and since everyone raves about Rick Bayless and his restaurants, it was time to give at least one of them a try! To start, XOCO was a little confusing. It went like this: -You stand in line looking at the menu getting ready to order -While you're waiting to order, the host finds a table for you and assigns you a number -You tell the cashier your number after you order -You sit down at the table and wait for your food to be served to you It really doesn't flow as easily as it sounds! We got here not long after they opened for the morning, and nearly every seat was taken already. The hostess told us she'd find us a table, yet by the time we got to the cashier to tell her what our table number was, the hostess never came back to tell us a number! It was like we were in fast food limbo. Finally, the hostess came back and told us where to sit, also telling the cashier our table number. Within minutes, we had our food! For an appetizer, we ordered the Fully Dressed Guacamole. It came with a bunch of different toppings, including bacon and cheese, and was easily the best guac I've ever had. For an entree, I ordered the Woodland Mushroom Torta - everything about this sandwich was great! The combination of all of the ingredients made this sandwich melt-in-your-mouth-amazing. The goat cheese truly added so much flavor, as did the salsa. Even the bread itself was phenomenal! For a beverage, I ordered the Agua de Limonada, and was absolutely pleased. I highly recommend XOCO and plan to go back in the future!

    (4)

  • Susana F.

    The BEST Mexican torta I've ever had hands down. Flavors were on point and it was so toasty oozing with cheese. Also you HAVE to try their signature margarita. Not too strong but perfectly balanced. One of my favorite spots in Chicago for Mexican cuisine!

    (5)

  • Dan B.

    Came to Xoco during a business trip in ChiTown and grabbed a late lunch early dinner type of meal (around 5pm.. dinner was at 10p). The concept is cool.. kind of fast foodish but not. I started with a XOCO margarita that had a perfect balance of tequila, lemon/lime and cucumber.. it was super refreshing. For starters I got the almost naked guacamole from the guac bar with queso fresco and onion as the toppings. For the entree I split the pepito torta. It was all delicious but next time I am going for the Baja chicken.

    (4)

  • Peter C.

    I've been lucky to have eaten at some of the best restaurants all over the world. I would rank Xoco in the top 1% of food I've ever eaten. It's that good. Rick Baylis, the genius behind this place, is a once in a generation chef. Guy really knows what he's doing. Every time I'm there, I feel very fortunate. I'd recommend an Xoco margarita, (Ahogada) pork carnitas, black beans, tomato-arbol chile broth, pickled onions, and for desert a chocolate shot mixed with water, almond milk, milk, or whatever you like, and a freshly fried churro. Of course, order anything here and you will be amazed!

    (5)

  • Austin Y.

    I visit Frontera as often as I can, so I was a little underwhelmed by Xoco. On my first visit I tried the goat barbacoa which was quite dry and really could have used some of the soup from my friend's Ahogada. The second time I tried the cochinita pibil and loved the seasoning of the pork and picked onions, but the suckling pig was also unexpectedly dry and they slightly over-toasted my bread. Churros with cajeta were warm, cinnamony, and to die for. I would come back just for those.

    (3)

  • Nicole B.

    So good! I had guacamole with roasted peppers and queso fresco, the mushroom sandwich, and chocolate and hazelnut churros. Everything was really fantastic. Our guac was on the small side, especially considering the price, but all of the food was absolutely excellent. Best meal we had in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Kathie H.

    Service was weird but the food certainly made up for it. Go on Wednesday for the tacos al pastor! Phenomenal and not crazy overpriced!

    (5)

  • Will Y.

    Ordered online. Churros tasted good, but the Carnitas caldo was too salty, and the portion was small.

    (3)

  • Noel S.

    you have to have to order food TO GO, which you can do online. ordered food for saturday lunch, walked in past the line that went out the door, straight the the counter picked up my food. no waiting. Unless you have some affinity for waiting for an hour to be seated and eat the same food. I come here strictly for the tortas ahogadas. Ever since I spent a summer in Guadalajara, I got hooked on these sandwiches and have not found them ANYWHERE in the US other than here. The dipping sauce is pretty much spot on authentic. spicy sauce, savory pork, crunchy bread, creamy avocado, perfection. highly recommend. and then of course you have to get some type of churro, recommend trying the hazelnut I think it's the best of the frosted churros if your getting TOGO. If you are staying at the restaurant then you have to do the churros and chocolate dipping sauce.

    (5)

  • Hasina D.

    I heard many good reviews on XOCO. My fiance and I took a special trip out to the city to try it. The line to order was very slow and took a while to get to the counter. The sandwiches were fantastic. They also offered many specialty drinks. Wished I had tried the desserts but the serving was so filling. Can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Noreen H.

    The food was good, but when taking into consideration the wait, the price and the "ambiance" not worth the money.

    (3)

  • Carlos D.

    Good atmosphere, friendly staff, but I wasn't impressed with the menu options. Keeping an open mind I tried a baja sandwich and was slightly disappointed. The bread was rock solid and burnt and the chicken was full of fattened.

    (2)

  • Rafia J.

    Delicious churros!! Tried pistachio (divine) and original with chocolate shot (to die for). I constantly have the cravings for their churros! Food, in my opinion, was good but wasn't much impressed.

    (3)

  • David B.

    I'd had Rick Bayless' sandwiches before at the Tortas Frontera spot at O'Hare, but had never made it to any of the proper restaurants in Chicago. But when this Xoco opened up in my (now-former) neighborhood, I was excited to try it and wasn't disappointed. Flashback to last August. It's a warm, sunny, gorgeous summer day in Chicago and my buddy and I are sitting outside on the sidewalk. I went with the ahogada torta, which you can see from my photo is served standing straight up in a bowl of spicy tomato broth. The pork carnitas were delicious and melded well with the broth and all the other ingredients. It was one of the best sandwiches ever. We capped the meal with the amazing churros. The churros themselves were great solo, but even better when dipped into the creamy and rich cajeta (goat's milk caramel) sauce. I ended up changing plans with a friend a few days later and made her return to Xoco with me!

    (4)

  • Skye W.

    Totally didn't know this was Rick Bayless' restaurant until I walked out. I wasn't too hungry and grabbed the Xoco salad. It was fresh and the dressing was perfect. Reminded me of California. Love that for dine it, they grab seats for you. Clutch.

    (4)

  • Sunny K.

    After cooking all week, we needed a break and decided to drop in at Xoco for some ahogadas and margaritas ! Pros: - Ahogadas so yummy. The tomato-based spicy soup is GGREAT by itself (I actually prefer the soup to the sandwich, which is all right). For me it seemed dipping the sandy in the soup made it taste saltier than it actually was. - Interesting margaritas ! I got it with a salt rim, which you can forgo. They were yummy without being sweet or sour, and less icy than what I'm used to, which worked out. They complemented our food nicely. - Service was nice. Cashier was pleasant, server was kind. I wanted half my ahogada to go and he quickly packaged it in Bayless' classic brown paper carton with extra spicy soup in a separate plastic bowl. - They bring the food to your "table." Now, about these tables.. Cons: - Tiny elbow room: they have limited seating, especially if you want a table. An employee told us to go to "table 10" which ended up being a stool-and-bar area where my boyfriend and I had to sit side by side and attempt to face each other by spinning our stools around. The table space was tiny, and he kept knocking over the guacamole as a result. Our faces were probably a little over a foot away from the hanging artwork (as a result we kept analyzing it, discussing it, tryna see if we'd hang it differently). All in all, it was just a little crammed.

    (4)

  • Patty ..

    One of many Rick Bayless's restaurants when I saw the place had to pop in and get the Aztec Hot Chocolate, $2.75 Was perfect the right amount of Fresh-ground chocolate + water + chile + allspice reminded me of my days living in Cabo. Maybe there'll be an XOCO in Santa Monica near the relocated Red O once the open

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    I've been going here pretty much since they opened and I still can't figure out how they can make a sandwich burst with so much flavor. This review is pertaining to my last visit. I got there about 11:30 AM on a weekday. There were only three other customers in the whole place. I ordered the Cubano sandwich, sat down, and waited... and waited. After over 20 minutes of waiting I went up to the counter to see where my sandwich was. They told me it would be right out. It took 26 minutes for them to make my sandwich. I told the waitress rather sarcastically that, "Does it really take 30 minutes to make a sandwich?" The waitress told me that she would send out the manager. The manager came out, profusely apologized and explained the situation. Apparently a large phone in order was ahead of me and that the cook staff didn't prioritize my in-house sandwich. She then told me that she would refund my entire meal. Now this is what I call GREAT customer service. I understand issues/mistakes can happen. But mistakes can also be fixed or at the least alleviated. A note to all businesses: this is how you turn a potential 2 star rating into a 5 star rating. The time to address the issue is immediately, don't wait until a bad Yelp review. If you wait for a bad review, then you've waited too long. GREAT job fixing my problem XOCO manager. My only beef with the place is the seating arrangements but I can live with those since the food is so delicious. I will keep going to XOCO because the food is excellent, a great value for the flavor, and the customer service is top notch.

    (5)

  • Jessie H.

    We came here to get a quick bite while waiting for the people at the purple pig to call us for our table. We got the guacamole..SUPER FRESH!! I would say one bowl is enough to share with 3-4 people. They put bacon and some other toppings on the guac, the flavor goes super well. They have beer here too. There was like a short wait to get a table - 15 min. It's kind of a small in here..intimate. They have other desserts, I think they are known for their churros.

    (4)

  • Jodi K.

    If you're a chocolate lover and looking for a quick place for dessert then you will enjoy this place. Opt for take out if it's pretty crowded and you only want desserts (only waited 7 min for our order). The worker let us sample a few of the hot chocolates so if you're not sure ask to sample. He explained that there's a couple seasonal ones so I recommend getting at least one of those. We ordered the Mexico City Thick (seasonal drink made with champurrado) and the Classic. Note that these drinks are thicker and richer than your average Nestle Tollhouse Cocoa mix so if that's not your cup of hot chocolate, then don't get it. Desserts: If you do get the hot chocolates, I advise getting the plain churros with ice cream or the cherry chocolate bread pudding (it has real cherry pieces in them. Nice and light and was my favorite). Both desserts were a nice balance to our very sweet chocolatey drinks. The glazed churros would have been too sweet with the drinks so we decided against them. Overall this place was good for desserts and reasonably priced for what you get.

    (4)

  • Natalie M.

    This is for the pistachio glazed churro. The menu here seems very diverse and they had a great selection of food. It's more chill than Frontera (definitely more of a 'fast food' type of place). They had tortas and I have tried the pepito before at Tortas Frontera and that's delicious. If it's as delicious here, then I'll be sure to get it! The churro...yum, a nice pistachio glaze and some crushed pistachios. For about $2.25, you can get yourself a nice sweet fix. Everything was delicious about it! I want to try their churros and hot chocolate sometime. Great place to chill and talk with a friend over some dessert or lunch.

    (4)

  • Patricia M.

    The tortas are pretty good, unique Mexican flavors mixed with Bayless' own twist. Their salsas are on point-authentic. Service was friendly, however, there is always a long wait. Churros are delicious, made on site, warm with dipping chocolate...just like in Spain! One note to Rick though-- the music is way off! This is supposed to be a Mexican restaurant, what's up with the Puerto Rican/Caribbean music? I know most customers don't realize this unless they are of Hispanic descent. Change the music to Mexican, and you'll make the 'experience' more real.

    (4)

  • ashley m.

    good sandwiches. BUT, I just left there after picking up 2 sandwiches that I ordered online for me and my boss, (which were $28 total by the way). And the lady at the counter held my $28 sandwiches for ransom because I did not give her a tip on the credit card. She actually acted like she couldn't find the sandwiches and after about 5 minutes of waiting and her acting like she didn't have my order; She asked if she could see my order on my phone I showed her and I asked her what the problem was and she said that I had not tipped her. Well, then she "found" my sandwiches behind the counter, at that point she actually asked me for a tip, in trade for my sandwiches. It was the principal, of course, I'm not going to give you a tip for bad service and cold sandwiches. I grabbed my sandwiches and ran, well not ran but walked out in disbelief. Wow. disappointing to say the least.

    (1)

  • Wassim E.

    Xoco was a very nice surprise. Great food, good prices and great ambiance. I tried he short ribs sandwich, the chicken Pozole soup and the guacamole. They were all very tasty (especially the sandwich). This looks like the kind of place that everything no the menu will be good. Highly recommand. Just a heads up, this place is more suited for lunch place or a very casual dinner.

    (4)

  • Andy J.

    My wife and I loved it. Great service and sandwiches (tortas), though not much different than Frontera Fresca (say, at O'hare or Macy's). Wish it had a few more options from the Topolobampo menu. Still, ridiculously good food.

    (5)

  • Meredith R.

    It's all about the churros. I'll say it again- it's all about the churros. Don't skip that part of you Xoco experience.

    (4)

  • Andy C.

    The wait tested our patience, and we showed up with only 10 people in line! It's a madhouse inside with waiters, cooks, hostesses, customers, to-go orders and everything you can imagine in a mish-mash that makes you want to get the heck out of there. But stand fast, enjoy the orchestra that is Xoco, then savor the fruits of your waiting: true Mexican food that you will only find if you've lived in the culinary center of small towns south of the border... or here! We had the Pepito and Ahogada Tortas. They were honestly unbelievable! The layers of flavor in my Pepito were amazing considering most everyone has had this mixture of ingredients. My wife's Ahogada was exceptional because it had, again, fairly "normal" ingredients, but her broth was to die for! Obviously the tortas are considerably more than the sum of their ingredients. But the wave of flavors that accompanied the ingredients, combined with pickled jalapeños in mine, and pickled onions in hers, made for a seemingly simple lunch that was packed with incredible satisfaction! Again, the inside is like the NY Stock Exchange, but you have to put that aside and endure if you're a true foodie!! Six would be my real rating, with one deduction for the madness, therefore a solid five! (And that's foodie math...)

    (5)

  • Aaron D.

    I have only tried Xoco a few times, but have liked my experience each time. It is a nice place grab a snack, lunch or full meal. For the area, the chill atmosphere and concept is quite an oasis among a lot of less casual restaurants.

    (4)

  • Sandra D.

    The service is hit or miss. In the winter the hot chocolate and churros are divine. I love the sparkling water fountain. The tortas and caldos are really good. Ask the staff for the special of the day!

    (4)

  • Tony A.

    "Burritos and tacos? Psssssh Tortas is where its at ^_^" Many would associate burritos and/taco when it comes to Mexican food, but Mr. Bayless used tortas as the medium for us to experience the Mexican cuisine. Tortas are basicaly flat-round sandwiches. The ingredients that makes up a torta are similar to what you would find in a taco (guac, salsa, braised pork, etc). Xoco also grill their tortas so it will also have a pannini feel to it. Honestly, there are so many pre-design tortas that I don't really look at what food they offer (like soup/salad). Given the assigned seating and long lines even on off peak hours like 3pm. You will often see me at the O'Hare location..yes...sad...but true.

    (4)

  • Lauren D.

    I swear I talked to Rick Bayless when I called here looking for the Ventra card that I think I lost while eating. Which is why this place, and all of his restaurants, are so great: he cares and is present in every iota of their operations. If Frontera Grill is his Aston Martin, then Xoco is a Land Rover. Lower in price and not as flashy and involved but just as high quality. You know a place is legit when you order a Diet Coke and they don't have it. Only Mexican soft drinks and juices and water. You can't go wrong with anything on the Xoco menu. Definitely order the guacamole fully dressed. You won't be able to stop. I ordered the fried chicken salad. There could have been more chicken but I'm only saying that because it was so so good. My husband chose the goat torta and regretted only ordering one... Be prepared for long lines on the weekend!

    (4)

  • Randy F.

    I was excited to try one of Rick Bayless' famous trio on this visit to Chicago. I had heard that Topolobampo was the priciest and fanciest one, that Frontera Grill was the middle and still sit-down one, and that XOCO was the most casual with ordering at the front and many to-go options and casual seating. All the locations are closed Sundays and Mondays, so we made our way here on an early Tuesday. I had a vague idea of what to order and I know XOCO has numerous fans, but everything I ordered just didn't quite hit the spot for me. I may just not like these flavors as much as everyone else. Aztec Hot Chocolate - a very rich and thick hot chocolate with a hint of chile and allspice. It's good, albeit a bit too sweet and thick for me. I made the mistake of ordering this as my old drink, but it's a good counterpoint to the spicier dishes. Glazed Churro - Chocolate-Peanut. I should have ordered the freshly made churros served with dipping chocolate instead of this. The glazed churro was cold and hard and while the chocolate-peanut was good, I wanted something soft and warm. My mistake. Ahogada Torta - one of their famous sandwiches and filled with pork carnitas, pickled onions, and then sliced in half and placed in a bowl with tomato chili broth. The carnitas were good, albeit a tad salty, but I really didn't like the pickled onions. Way too sour. Combine that with the sour tomato broth and it was too strong a flavor profile for me. Finally, add on that the sandwich bread was soggy from sitting in the broth and no one liked this. Should have ordered the strictly savory carne asada torta. Pork Belly Vermicelli - this meal in a bowl was the probably the best item we ordered. I loved the pork belly and mushrooms as well as the spicy and savory broth. This was a Mexican fusion dish that worked brilliantly. The weak points were the very thin noodles and the excess of potato that isn't even listed as an ingredient on the menu. Overall, I'm super glad to have been able to stop by XOCO and finally try some of Rick Bayless' food. Although a few of the very popular items I ordered were definitely disappointing, I think I may do better trying alternate selections from the extensive menu. The Pork Belly vermicelli gave a glance at the potential for flavors, so I'll have to give it another try at one of his West Coast branches. XOCO accepts credit cards, including American Express.

    (3)

  • Carrie A.

    Are you kidding me?!?!? A rib sandwich that doesn't have *Mc* in front of it?!? Simply fabulous! My darling Pepito, I love you so much! Delicious rib meat, crunchy bread, and great dipping sauce. We came in here totally overwhelmed, since we didn't know what we were in for with the line. Major points to the staff for helping us get seated, since it was limited, and we were a little nervous that we would have to drag our food back to the car. But they found a spot for us that was handicapped friendly, and we had a moment to devour our delicious tortas. My dad has a one track mind, (which is eating) and for some reason lately he just wants to eat goat meat. I don't ask why, since I know his explanation might take an hour or two. After all, it's his birthday, so it's the one time of the year we don't completely boss him around. So goat meat it is! Definitely a place I will go back to, since I didn't get a chance to try the churros.

    (5)

  • Kenny O.

    Apparently I started writing this review over two years ago, so I'll finally finish it. This place has its fall-backs (namely, long wait times during the lunch rush in River North, somewhat expensive sandwiches for their size, bread being almost too hard/crusty), but it does some things extremely well. If there's one thing you come here for, it's the churro. Get it plain and make sure to order it from the take-out line (it's usually under 3 minutes long compared to the 30 minute wait for the order-in line). If you're pressed to get a sandwich, order the Ahogado. Just do it. Thank me later.

    (4)

  • Andy S.

    Lots of good review and there were good things about the place. I feel as though We may just have not gotten the right things and some recommendations on really good items here would kick this up. I will say that the host (slightly interesting/happily surprised that even though this is essentially fast casual there is a host) was really nice and accommodating. Got the guacamole bar with everything on the guacamole which we felt in retrospect was a mistake. Too many toppings and would be better off to save a dollar and get just a couple toppings. Guacamole was good though. The sandwich my wife got was pretty good - the milanesa. I had a special of pork belly which I didn't much care for. Not enough substance on the sandwich for me. Overall I would come back to try more but not putting it right at the top of my list.

    (3)

  • Eddie V.

    Rick Bayless can do no wrong!

    (5)

  • Santeri P.

    Every time I come to Chicago I want to eat at Xoco. Recently I stopped in for my third time and this was the best yet. In the past I have tried the churros and the drinking chocolate both of which are really good, a mollete which was delicious and very filling for a breakfast meal, and a couple different tortas which I enjoyed as well. This time my wife and I split a Goat Barbacoa Torta and Wood-Roasted Chicken Pozole. The sandwich was good, not spectacular, but a very good sandwich. The meat was tender and tasty and anytime a sandwich has avocado on it I am happy. But the highlight this time was the pozole. The flavor of the soup was amazing with a strong flavor of oregano (I think) and other spices. It was a good balance of flavors so the soup didn't seem overpowering but had tons of flavor. This is the third pozole I have eaten at three different restaurants and is probably my favorite (though they were all very different versions). The pozole corn (hominy) was a perfect texture of chewy without being too hard or too soft. I am not the biggest fan of white meat chicken and that seemed to be what was in the soup which is the only disappointment. I would have much rather had it filled with dark meat or else something totally different like pork, but the broth tasted so good I didn't mind and could have eaten another bowl. I also drank a Michelada which is kind of like a bloody mary made with beer, which I enjoyed and have drank before and would drink again. The restaurant itself can be very busy during it's busiest hours with a line out the door and down the sidewalk. This time we went on a Saturday around 2:00 and that's how it was. But the line didn't take too long and provided time for deciding what to eat and watching the food being made. The ordering system is cafeteria style with a line, then an ordering station, and then your food comes out on the other end. If you are dining in the hostess will verify this with you and then show you to your seat after you order. Otherwise you just wait near the end to pick up your food. What seems like a small crowded place while you are waiting in line actually has the space well managed and there is lots of seating inside. I have also been here on a weekday when there was no line or wait and not busy at all. So if you live in the area and want to try it then maybe that is your best option.

    (5)

  • Bill M.

    My boss and I dropped in on Xoco after a work meeting, and fortunately we came here around 11:30 AM just before the considerable lunch crowd line was really started to form. Neither of us had been to this Rick Bayless joint, so we had to go with the flow to see how to dine in here. We placed our order at the register, and were verbally given a number where our seating would be located. On this day our Setenta y Uno (71) tag was stationed along a blue wall adorned with a couple of small paintings, with chairs and a small counter ledge (I suppose you have to get here really early for one of the prime tables). These counter seats are not designed for lingering, so we were quite happy when our sandwiches finally appeared after a not-too-long of a wait. My cochinita pibil torta was jammed with shredded wood-roasted suckling pig along with achiote, black beans and pickled onion. The server warned about the spiciness of the habanero dip, and I was grateful for that since I had only a few droplets and it was far too pungent for my wimpy taste buds. However the torta was quite flavorful as is and was not too messy to eat either as the ingredients were well supported by the chewy crusty roll. My boss enjoyed his carne asada torta much more than his serving of iced tea. One of these days I will come back to Xoco for the churros, and probably to try all of the other tortas.

    (4)

  • Jacelyn C.

    Love this place. Ordered the almost naked tortilla chips and fideos. Totally yummy! The agua de jamaica is one of the best I have had. A good go to place for a quick bite here in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Ali C.

    What can I say about Rick Bayless other than that he is smart, fabulous and his restaurants are simply spectacular. Sandwiches were out of this world.

    (5)

  • Aaron C.

    Not anything special. I don't know what the hype is with this place. Churros were mediocre and small for $2.25. I've had better Aztec hot chocolate elsewhere. The choriqueso torta had a whole side completely charred. The food took about an hour to get to our table after ordering. This is not including the long line for lunch. When our orders were missed the manager said there were plenty of orders being taken. How unprofessional! And the runners to the table need to speak clearly, can't understand them. Overall a poor experience.

    (1)

  • Autumn V.

    I wish they had better seating arrangements, was better organized (it is set up really weird and can be confusing), and had more space but I'll deal as I am in love with the tres leches cake. And the churros. OMG the churros.... Incredibly infatuated! I still dream about these and whenever I am back in Chicago, I somehow find an excuse to be in the area. I've never had the food here but the desserts...... oh, man. Run while you still can. Haha.

    (4)

  • Emily L.

    Apparently the food here is so fantastic that they could probably ask customers to stand against the wall, place the menu on their head, hop on one foot while rubbing their belly and there would probably still be a line out the door for this restaurant. When we first entered the restaurant, we saw that there was a line against the wall and a counter that takes to-go orders. The sitting area is quite small and probably holds about 50 customers at a time. At times, I wasn't sure if this was supposed to be a quick grab-n-go lunch place or a sit-down and enjoy some amazing Mexican cuisine place. From my experience, if you want a table, you should do the following: 1) Flag down the hostess and give her the number of people in your party 2) Wait against the wall - even if part of the group got there earlier, the rest of the party should just cut the line and wait with the group. 3) Wait for the hostess to give you a table number - until you have a table number, you should not order. 4) Order and pay for the food at the cashier furthest from the door. 5) Water is self-serve so if you need to quench your thirst, pour yourself a glass of water before heading to your table. 6) Go to your assigned table. 7) Wait for your food to be delivered to your table I thought the food was good - all the ingredients were really fresh. I had ordered the Seafood Caldos and it came with tons of seafood. The reason why I gave this place three stars is because I thought that the process of getting a table can be better executed and the place is a bit cramped when it's busy. If you want to avoid the lunch crowd, I would recommend coming around 2:30 or 3:00.

    (3)

  • Michael W.

    Food good!! Not sure what the communication is at the door so we walked in and ordered. Then told we needed a place to sit. Didn't know the place had a host. Got the food and enjoyed like crazy. We were in a bad spot that was around a curved wall and we had to move for staff the entire time. bad spot for seating or for staff. Once again the food is done very well from a very humble and awesome chef. Good job Chef Rick.

    (3)

  • Sarah L.

    so tasty! I especially like that you can skip the line and go get a beer for while you wait (back in line, of course) and that they will hold your dessert order until you're ready for it (which of course you will be, because, hello, churros and hot chocolate. I always want to try something different, but never can, because the baja chicken torta just calls to me. drool.

    (5)

  • Jackie H.

    Glad we followed the advise of other yelpers and stopped by for a bite! I wanted breakfast and my husband wanted lunch so I ordered then waiting 15 minutes until my husband was able to order their lunch items. I got a chocolate cafe con leche, pistachio churro, and an empanada. Everything was sooooo good! My husband's sandwich was very tasty but I'm a sweet person so I like my items better ;)

    (5)

  • Sam L.

    The food is good, but overrated. Portions are tiny and the wait is ridiculously long. I took my friend Nick here for lunch one weekday and ended up waiting almost an hour. Keep in mind people tend to rate more highly things they've had to suffer for, so Xoco's food is probably rated more highly than it deserves. See: Kuma's Corner and Kuma's Too. Same food, same surly service, but the former requires you to wait much longer. Somehow Kuma's Too gets lower reviews. Do try the churros. If you're hungry and impatient, they'll serve you the churros while you're waiting in line.

    (3)

  • addy t.

    If you want to spend $50 on 2 sandwiches and 1 bowel of ultra salty soup, come to xoxo. We came here of course because of all the hype and wonder osu yelp food pics. The pictures present the food so nicely, but the subject itself was both bland and Lifeless. Nothing about the food wows you. Sandwiches were both hard and tasteless. Their pork soup has a weird aftertaste which I paid an additional $6 worth if hot chocolate (house brew) to get rid of. The chocolate also had a weird unpleasant bitter taste of something not properly made. Don't get me wrong I love well balanced bitter anything. This was not. We Have not been back since nor do we plan in returning or taking any of our friends here in the future. I'm beginning to really doubt yelps 4 star reviews this place was def 2 stars at most. As a matter of fact, a place like this wouldn't last 2 months in LA.

    (1)

  • John K.

    Food is excellent! And the host who greets you at the door that's usually there is always very nice too. Would recommend trying this place if you have never been.

    (4)

  • Thu D.

    Came here a couple of times and have had the ahogada, Xoco salad, guacamole, soft-serve ice cream, and churros. I thought that the ahogada was really tasty, but the soup that it came in was very SALTY. Like, dip a corner of your sandwich in it and push the rest away kind of salty. All the rest of the items that I tried were very forgettable, except for the churros. I'm not a huge dessert person, but those things are DELICIOUS! Perfectly fried and coated with cinnamon sugar. I would probably come back to try another torta and get some churros if I'm in a mood to wait in that long line and my sandwich does not come with soup (I'm getting thirsty now just thinking about it).

    (3)

  • Henny W.

    dinner here is fun! bayless occasionally stops by. staff is very friendly. no complaints! food is amazos.

    (5)

  • Alex A.

    This place takes Mexican food to another level....highly recommend ordering a sandwich and a soup! Good Work Bayless!

    (4)

  • Kat K.

    This place definitely gets packed for lunch, so expect to wait in line. Also, the hostess tells you were to sit so you can't really reserve seats ahead of time. As a vegetarian with one option, I wasn't too excited so we started off with some guacamole. It was definitely fresh enough, but I felt that the topping bar was a bit gimmicky. They restrict you to two toppings, and the don't give you much of either. Still, it was fresh and filling and made it difficult to finish an entire sandwich. As for the sandwiches (we ordered the breaded chicken and forest mushroom) they weren't very special, good but not great. The highlight of the meal was definitely the iced mint chocolate, it was incredibly refreshing on a hot humid day. I'm glad we tried this place, but trying it once is enough for me.

    (3)

  • Lil D.

    Review is only for churros and hot chocolate... After all the raves, I was quite disappointed. Churros at best were better than the pre-made version at stalls. They were crispy and coated with just the right amount of sugar and cinnamon, but they were on the dry side and a bit too hard when you bite into it. Even dipping into the chocolate sauce that came with it didn't help. I suppose since we've had ones that were so much better in Barcelona and Paris, these just couldn't hold a candle to those. The hot chocolate with steamed milk was another huge disappointment. I expected a frothy Mexican hot chocolate like the ones I had in Mexico, but what I got was a variation on the European version--thick and syrupy. Sorry, just not my cup of hot chocolate.

    (3)

  • Andrew W.

    Not cheap, but quite tasty! I've eaten at Xoco a few times now. The food is high-quality and flavorful. My favorite thus far is the Ahogada. The bread really makes this sandwich: it is just the right amount of chewy, and holds up great in the broth. Otherwise, all dishes I've had were a great blend of textures and spices. Negatives: The meals aren't huge. Chips & salsa cost extra ($3): It's a nice, if small, 3-salsa setup, with very good chips. Super bonus points: They have (free) sparkling water on tap. How festive! Tip: Don't google image search "ahogada" while you're eating (or perhaps anytime). The word also appears to mean drowned (female) victim.

    (4)

  • Leelee M.

    Try the ahogado.. I think thats how it's spelled.

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    Yum-o, Xoco. Expertly (no joke, Rick Bayless is a mexican food godsend) crafted tortas with a super fun vibe. Yes, the line is very long. And even though I normally knock down a point or two for long waits, Xoco gets extra points for how well the staff accommodates the lines. You're usually greeted immediately, handed a menu, and offered answers to any questions you may have. How awesome! The tortas are outstanding, as is just about everything else. Awesome salsas, fresh flavors (even local ingredients - and by local I mean actually growing on the roof next door!), and a winning drink menu to boot. All around, Xoco is truly a unique spot in a city of unique restaurants - well done, Rick!

    (5)

  • Kevin C.

    To be honest, I wasn't all that impressed. Got the pepito and some soup (forgot). They were okay. The soup was way salty, though. The fully dressed chips were pretty good, though. The hot chocolate was also just okay. One thing which was great was the churro. Probably the best churro I've ever had. Unfortunately, the rest of the food wasn't as good to me in my opinion.

    (3)

  • Tom O.

    I had high expectations. Since Rick Bayless has a great reputation and Lonely Planet listed Xoco as a best place to eat on the North Side, I felt comfortable dragging my friend there for a late lunch. Mistake. On the upside, the layout is neat, the staff friendly, the beer ice cold and the wait reasonable. On the downside, my cochinita pibil torta was tough... crazy tough. The torta settled in my gut like a rock ... so much so that I didn't need dinner that night. I appreciate that the staff warned me multiple times that the accompanying salsa was very hot. Fact is, it was insanely hot. My friend was unimpressed with his pepito torta. The two salsas served with the chips were so mild as to be bland. All in all, Xoco was a disappointment.

    (2)

  • Heidi G.

    Ate here several days ago and can't stop thinking about how good it was so I decided I needed to share! The Ahogada was amazing:). Did I say amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every visit to Chicago from now on will require a stop here. Only uncomfortable moment was having to share a table with complete strangers. We were a party of 4 so since table held 6 they make use of every seat considering how busy they are. I'm a messy eater:).

    (5)

  • Ryan R.

    Great food, but I don't like the seating/table arrangements in the restaurants (you share tables with strangers)

    (3)

  • Cody H.

    My girlfriend and I got there late on a Friday night and there was a pretty long line. These people were accommodating, however, and we ended up with a nice table (one of the very few in the joint). Food was delicious and the hot chocolate with allspice was phenomenal. Although I think the menu is slightly overpriced, I still highly recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Erica S.

    YUM!!! I just moved to Chicago and tried Xoco for the first time today. I got their Pozole, and it is flavorful and delicious! I did their order to go through Yelp, and I was able to pick my food up in record time! I will definitely continue to go here! :)

    (5)

  • James O.

    Have been to XOCO dozens of times and just love their chicken milanesa torta. It's perfect every time. The wait times for a table can take a while but, it's well worth the wait. I only wish they had more regular seating instead of bar stools that face the interior perimeter of the restaurant. Besides seating XOCO is absolutely a must try.

    (5)

  • Selena C.

    Awesome place for a quick meal for a snack in the afternoon. Ordered guacamole and chips, 3 glazed chirps along with hot chocolate (authentic and classic). Food came really quick and it was tasty. Tip: hot chocolate: this is a drinking hot chocolate that's really rich and awesome. Classic is more rich and sweet since its mixed with milk. Authentic is still pretty good. Chips and guacamole- the sauces are good and toppings are fun. Churro a are freshly made and not too big. Very interesting and worth trying. My favorite is the peanut butter flavored one.

    (4)

  • Oluwatope F.

    Had more of their food at the Chicago Tasting Table-Open Table and it was great! Some kind of pepita spread with chips and their ridiculous Hot Chocolate!!! If you like hot chocolate then you will slap your momma when you drink this real chocolate hot chocolate. It's like sex in a cup lol! Sorry Dad, don't read this review!

    (5)

  • David W.

    Amazing! Very rare experience when the food explodes with flavor. The sauces, the textures, the smells... The guacamole was a delight. The churro a and chocolate delightful. It's crowded and cramped in the dining area but focus on the food and you will enjoy!

    (5)

  • Shams B.

    I'm from Dallas, TX and I've had a ton of Mexican and Tex-Mex food having lived here all my life. Wow....... With a place like this you're lucky up in the North. I had the goat barbacoa special and it was beyond succulent and flavorful. I want one of these in my town.

    (5)

  • Liz T.

    XOCO probably does not require a detailed explanation. It's a Rick Bayless restaurant... and yes, actually lives up to the reputation. Get the churro with the mild hot hot chocolate. I could have that for dinner every night of the week. :) But if you're hungry, the Mexican Sandwiches here are also super super yummy. The meat is marinated overnight in these large green leaves and submerged (??). My cousin and I were watching them prepare it the other night. It is LOADS of prep but the result is some of the most divinely zestful pork in the world. The chips and guacamole are also super fresh--I actually really like the light corn chips here. The guacamole has a nice lemon zing without overdoing it on the onion. My only complaint is that the seating system is really confusing. First of all, it's a really small space, so I get why they don't do open seating. But then the host is actually standing at the order counter rather than at the front, so my friends and I were standing at the front for a good 10 minutes before we realized we were supposed to go up to the counter. They also won't take your order until you get a seat, so if you have a large party at the counter waiting for a table, it totally holds up the order line and congests the whole space. I'm not sure what would work better with how narrow the entrance is, but perhaps open seating might actually work better? Or maybe having people order first and then bringing a table number placard to the host to be seated? At any rate, the inconvenience is worth it--just don't go with a big party. And get ready to eat.

    (4)

  • Ghost C.

    friendly staff and good cocktails, but thats easy. The music was a bit too loud for conversation, and the pozole was really disappointing, flavorless chicken broth filled with cabbage. I could have had a much better bowl at pretty much any chicago taqueria. my brothers torta was really good, but it just pisses me off to have a bad pozole. And if you search the reviews, you will see that virtually every diner who has had it says its garbage. Apparently chef is not tasting, and not paying attention

    (3)

  • Adam S.

    I guess I should start my review by saying I don't really know Rick Bayless from Skip Bayless...I don't watch his show and I didn't even realize this was his restaurant until after I ate there. So from that perspective, I have to say that I thought the food here was generally good, the prices were fairly reasonable, and the place was much more accommodating to small kids than I was expecting. I had the choriqueso sandwich which was nice and flavorful without being overly greasy (which is no simple feat with the ingredients involved). Kind of sucks you can't order a soda here. Seems a little odd to me. Anyway, would come back probably...

    (4)

  • Emily C.

    Long lines but moves quick. Totally worth the wait! We ordered the Pepito and a seasonal special pork sandwich. The Pepito was delicious and the carmelized onions were so amazingly good. It comes with a salsa on the side that just told it off perfectly. Definitely get the Pepito! The pork sandwich was good too, but I prefer the Pepito. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the sandwiches though since the breads are good and all come with a side of salsa. For dessert, we ordered the churros with a shot of chocolate and a pistachio glazed churro. The churros are freshly made so they are hot and crispy but soft on the inside, just how they should be! They were made well, but they are on the sweeter side. There was something about the chocolate that didn't complement well with the churro but I can't point out what. I wouldn't recommend the chocolate. The pistachio glaze was really good, too. Again, it's on the sweeter side but I enjoyed it and the glaze itself is yummy.

    (5)

  • Tiffany F.

    This place is a hidden gem in Chicago. The greeter was very nice and the entire staff were so helpful. All the food was made fresh to order and the guac was really good. Sandwiches were light and were packed with flavor. It only took about 15 min to get the sandwiches of course the fresh guacamole came with house made chips. Dessert was amazing the pistachio churro was amazing the hazel nut churro was decent as well. I didn't really care for the chocolate flavor because it was more like dark chocolate and a little bitter. All in all this is a place you definitely should check out and don't underestimate the menu.

    (5)

  • Maureen U.

    Stopped in after dining at Rick Bayless's flagship restaurant Fronterra, and sampled the delicious different kinds of hot chocolate. Have to honestly say it is the best hot chocolate I've ever had-ground chocolate, hot water, allspice, and cinnamon. Yum!! Cannot wait to try their full service menu on my next trip down!

    (5)

  • Ali T.

    Still craving this sandwich! Get the Ahogada sandwich. The pork was so tasty then the dip makes it twice as good. Must have.

    (5)

  • Marilynn P.

    "Rick Bayless? More like Rick Limitless!!!" That was literally a line from our conversation at Xoco. Lol. The food is absolutely delicious! We ordered four sandwiches and some churros and every bite was consumed with such pleasure. My absolute favorite was the Cubano. day-YUM! I took a bite and I was in love. I ordered the Ahogada for myself-highly recommend it for a cold Chicago day! The choriqueso was also good but you have to really love chorizo. And the Pepito was probably my least favorite but it was still pretty delicious. I didn't love the overall set up of the restaurant (e.g. getting in line to place an order, getting a table number, then being seated). I would have much rather sit down, order and eat. (I know, I know. What a lazy american thing to say.) I hope when xoco grows and moves to a larger space they change their approach to dining. Overall, everyone must try xoco. Its amazing

    (5)

  • Jody D.

    A friend insisted that I try Xoco. The long line upon entering made me doubt the choice to come here - if it is that trendy/hip it can't be good, right? Wrong! The line moved quickly. Mexican sandwiches may not sound exciting but holy moly these are good. After seeing the movie Chef we made a beeline for Xoco to get some sandwiches. Caution: you will become addicted!

    (5)

  • Liza Faye T.

    Guacamole & Chips. Chicarrones. Pork Belly Vermicelli. Pepito Torta. Side Salad. Hazelnut/Pistachio/Chocolate Peanut Churros. Bacon Caramel Popcorn. Everything was pretty good, but OMG... I daydream about that popcorn!

    (3)

  • Katherine C.

    the pistachio glazed churro is AMAZING!!! i didn't get to try the other glazed ones but i would definitely recommend everyone to give the churro of their choice a try! the pork belly vermicelli noodles was nice on a cold and rainy night but flavor wise, i thought it lacked some depth also tried the suckling pig sandwich that was just okay... the meat was a little too dry for me and the habanero sauce was way too spicy to use a lot of but without it, the sandwich didn't have much flavor. if i were to ever come back, it would most likely be just to get some more churros.

    (3)

  • Lily F.

    Wowza definitely not you're average sandwich. I got the pepito and the best part of the sandwich is the rib meat that is just perfectly braised and truly melts in your mouth. The perfectly toasted bread, gooey cheese, pickled jalapeños and caramelized onions make it a total knockout. I'm sitting here in XOCO now in pure sandwich bliss. I dipped the sandwich in the salsa verde to add some spiciness and freshness, BUT the sandwich is still very very heavy. So be prepared!! The only way to make this sandwich better is too maybe add some fresh ingredients such as raw cabbage or guac, but other than that, this place is a home run!

    (4)

  • Rick L.

    I was in town and staying down the street at The Palomar and decided to try Xoco after reading all the great reviews from fellow Yelpers and I'm glad I did! It was a very cold and windy day in Chicago so hot and spicy food was in order. We started with the chips and salsa (both a red and green salsa) and it was delicious. The salsa isn't chunky style and that is great by me. They both had the appropriate level of heat too. My girlfriend got the Pepito Sandwich at it was wonderful. I thought the bread was especially outstanding. To tell you the truth all of the sandwiches looked great and I will try 1 or 2 next time around. I got the Short Rib Red Chile Soup and I thought it was amazing. Just the right amount of heat and perfect on a cold day. I washed it down with a Xoco Margarita....Yum! The seating is a little strange, but other than that everything else is superb. I will be back!

    (4)

  • George S.

    An incredible jewel in the heart of Chicago's downtown. Try any of the chocolate items- this is a rare opportunity to have chocolate like you probably never have before.

    (4)

  • Julia K.

    Everything is amazing and worth the wait. We keep coming back and love it every time.

    (5)

  • D H.

    This is the best place to eat a breakfast. Had the huevos rancheros. So tasty. Ate here three times each time a joy for the sense all of them.

    (5)

  • Arti N.

    Came here to grab breakfast in mid-Sept while in town on a foodie-crawl weekend with a friend. Xoco was near our hotel and we wanted to pick up something we could eat in the line while waiting for lunch at Hot Doug's. My friend and I got an order of 3 churros (w/ the chocolate dipping sauce) and a smoky bacon mollete. The way the menu was listed on the hanging chalkboards, we misunderstood and thought the mollete was an empanada so it was quite a surprise to open up the box 1/2 hour later and realize that it was like an open faced sandwich. Once we got over our surprise and tucked into it, it was amazingly delicious-- full of the namesake smoky bacon, two types of cheese- one anejo, chipotle, mushrooms and grilled red onions!! The churros & chocolate were also quite tasty. And my friend ordered a chocolate cafe con leche, which she said was very good. I would definitely come back on a return visit, this time making sure to eat in-house so I could take advantage of the fresh, local, tasty items that Xoco has to offer!! Oh, and service (for our brief time in the to-go line) was exceptionally friendly!

    (4)

  • Zuhair A.

    Good

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    The food is great just small proportions... 3 people $43, for breakfast (guess is what you pay for convenience/downtown). Other than that a good place to enjoy. Will come & try lunch/dinner.

    (3)

  • Daniella B.

    Other reviewers are right about this place being confusing. I came in at 2 so there was no crowd and I still had a difficult time figuring how order and find seating. I found the menu absolutely delightful! I could hear Rick Bayless narrating the descriptions as I read the menu items. I ordered the pork belly caldo. It was surprisingly spicy and full of a huge variety of ingredients - the only soup that requires a fork. The hot chocolate is VERY rich. The bitter dark chocolate is a prominent flavor. Just to make it clear, you order and pay at the front. There are two locations for ordering: dine in or take out. Then they will give you a number card to place at your table and you choose your own seating. Its not difficult but the flow in there doesn't indicate that. The employees need to either be more proactive in explaining the process or this place needs better signage.

    (4)

  • Aparna T.

    Quick Tips: XOCO makes me LOCO! Rick Bayless, thank you! Be prepared for long lines out the door that go by quickly. Have a beer or soft drink while you are waiting. The Choriqueso and Milanesa are good picks and end with a plate of churros. You can have made to order glazed churros, but I like the more traditional style. Food: We got the Choriqueso torta (homemade chorizo sausage, roasted poblanos, artisan Jack cheese, tomatillo salsa) and the Milanesa torta (Choriqueso homemade chorizo sausage, roasted poblanos, artisan Jack cheese, tomatillo salsa). Both were delicious!!! I was actually a little disappointed in the churro (it was a bit overcooked), but I would try it again. Service: Great service considering it is PACKED. You may have to sit at a community table with other patrons. This would have been fine if we weren't sitting next to the loudest 6 women in Chicago. I had to yell to talk to my husband, but it didn't matter since we were so engrossed in our food. Ambiance: Cute, casual, order at the counter restaurant. They have a nice seating outdoors in case you want to take in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Jane N.

    Love, love, LOVE this place. Had the shrimp torta which was simply perfect. Topped it off with their churro + chocolate sauce which was just heavenly. We joked that it was better than the churros we would get from the SJ flea market... seriously, that homemade goodness is hard to beat! Wish I lived in Chi-town so I could eat here everyday :(

    (5)

  • Sean K.

    So, so good. Can't believe it took me so long to get here.

    (5)

  • Irene H.

    Get the shortrib torta (thursday night special) and the baja chicken. The warm gooey churros are amazing. I recently went to a tour of Rick Bayless' garden where we learned about growing, garden maintenance and sustainability. Eating at his restaurant after that, I paid more attention to the ingredients. Everything is so fresh and flavorful. Each of the salsas were delicious and even the greens on my torta were tasty. Only complaint is that its a "fast casual" restaurant, except its not fast because its always packed and you wait forever in line. Also took long to get the food.

    (4)

  • Barg R.

    Very tasty food. Quite fond of this place, although it can get crowded. Do not leave without getting a churro with chocolate sauce.

    (5)

  • Ken G.

    I had a great meal here - I had a Moleta, which was a perfect entrée for brunch - it was flavorful and warm and tasted very fresh. I also had a churro, which was also very good since it had such a fresh flavor to it. The hot chocolate was rich and decadent and perfect for any chocolate lover. I definitely recommend this place for anyone.

    (4)

  • Kim S.

    My favorite Mexican place in the city so far. Great lunch place! I love the combination of flavors in the tortas. I definitely recommend xoco if you like spicy food. Make sure you try the limeade, guacamole, and homemade churros - a variety of flavors that all compliment each other.

    (5)

  • Nathan L.

    Have been to Xoco three times - one was solid, the other two were bananas good. There are two menu items I can officially vouch for the hardest First, the Ahogada torta. It is a super simple carnitas sandwich, cut in half, served facing into a tomato and arbol chile broth. Without mincing words, it's one of the best-tasting things I have ever had. I credit the broth as my entry point into snobby foodie world - I never realized food could be some complex and taste so good. The other true winner is the Mexican hot chocolate. Unfortunately it is summer now, so it won't seem as appealing to many (insert winter coming up in Chicago joke), but wow. The fresh-ground chocolate taste is unlike anything else, and really captures something that people who love pure, dark chocolate will especially love.

    (5)

  • Peter M.

    came here after we were told that the wait for Frontera Grill was 1 hr 15 mins. Please note that Frontera Grill and Topolobampo are just around the corner from Xoco, The menu here is very simple: there are two types of mains for dinner: caldos, which are soup bowls, and tortas, which are wood-fired subs. To eat in, you have to tell the host that you want to be seated. You can only order after you have been given a table, but you pay for what you order first at the register. There is a separate take out line. I enjoyed the short rib red chile soup which had fresh vegetables and arugula. It's not spicy at all, but just the right touch of heat. if you eat in, you can help yourself to regular or sparkling water. The host and waitstaff are very nice and have great energy. I liked the positive vibes. I also enjoyed the freshly made churros covered in chocolate sauce and crushed peanuts. Overall, great food and great service. It can get busy, but I would say it's worth waiting at least half an hour.

    (4)

  • Greg G.

    Awesome corn tortilla tacos! **Note** As of 6/10/2014 they no longer serve tacos at XOCO =( They also have amazing fresh homemade guac. Their tortas are very good, especially the spicy ones. In the morning they have churros with chocolate sauce you can dip them in which are amazing. I really like the fresh limenade juice they have their as well. There is something for everyone here and it's not a gross mexican join like you might be picturing. It's very clean and modern looking and just an overall great atmosphere. They have a great blood orange margarita which I highly recommend! Good outdoor seating too.

    (5)

  • Chad T.

    Awesome food ! Rick Bayless knows how to make good food. The churros are homemade hot chocolate are a nice touch.

    (5)

  • Rachel F.

    Excellent. I want to eat here every day of my life. It can get crowded but it's manageable. They also have online ordering so it's good for a to-go lunch or dinner. Everything is good. So, you'll need to go at least once a week to really narrow down your favorites. Always get the churros. Always.

    (5)

  • Hannah A.

    fantastic mexican food. i love sitting outdoors in the spring/summer.

    (4)

  • Jennie C.

    I'm starting to wonder if there's something wrong with my palate as I'm probably one of the few if not the only one leaving a 1 star review for Xoco. After watching chef Bayless on Top Chef Masters, I had high hopes for this place. Things didn't start off very well. I was told to stand in line to order. But when I got to the cashier, she asked for my table number and told me I can't order if I don't have one. Somehow the "table order" person never approached us while we stood in line. Potbelly has a much more efficient system, maybe Xoco should take a page from their book... Anyhow, after ordering & sitting down, a waiter brought out chips & guacamole...which we didn't order. Turns out it was for the people next to us at the bar seats, who were give THE SAME TABLE NUMBER. huh?! Eventually they were able to figure out who ordered what and our food came out quickly. Friend & I got the pork belly and carnitas caldos. Which were so salty my mouth turned bitter after the first sip. Friend couldn't get past that first sip while I tried to pick out my carnitas from the super-salty broth. When we were ordering, we were told our hot chocolate & churros will be held until we're done with our dinner. Well they were not. Which I guess was ok coz we weren't going to finish our dinner anyways. The churros were freshly fried, which was nice. The Aztec hot chocolate was interesting but was kind of watery because it was made with water, not milk. This is by far one of my most disappointing dining experiences in Chicago. Yes, it's a cafeteria-style place so service is probably not at the top of their list, but they could certainly be friendlier about it, especially since they have a rather unconventional ordering procedure. And the food...well, maybe it's just not to my taste, but I seriously think flavor should come from the ingredients and not just salt.

    (1)

  • Matthew F.

    I am not usually one for hype (read: waiting in a long line), but Xoco was definitely worth it. Had the cubano torta, with a cold Goose Island beer. Really delicious, and reasonably priced. Servers were friendly, and take advantage of the wait time to better inform you of the menu, and offer samples. Will gladly wait in the line again.

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    Worth the wait in line. Fast, unique, and so good.

    (5)

  • Braden D.

    5 stars for the Ahogada. OH. MY. 'GADA! 1-2 stars for just about everything else though. Regardless of when you go you can pretty much expect a long wait in line, followed by an inefficient system for placing an order, then a long wait for your food to come, followed by a crappy seating arrangement and also some seriously overpriced drinks. Really ... $10 for a thimbleful of house margarita? Bayless Please! That sandwich gives me the chills though. I will return again, and again, and again ... and again for the Ahogada, but will be passing on everything else on the menu, all the while doing my best not to be annoyed with the way this place is "organized."

    (3)

  • K D.

    Fantastic food, fresh ingredients just what you'd expect from a Rick Bayless restaurant. Actually prefer Xoco to Frontera. And of course: churros, churros, churros. I know this place does not necessarily need it's 5 billionth review, but I wanted to comment on just how efficient this place is run. We've been in during slower times, we've been when there's literally been a line out the door. But the wait is always reasonable and once seated--we've never felt truly rushed to get to out to open the seat. Don't be intimidated by the long lines!

    (5)

  • Bob W.

    I love me some Xoco and is probably my favorite Bayless place (way better than Toplo at least). The salsa negra torta on Wednesdays is absolutely divine. By the way, salsa negra is Mexican for delicious and Bayless lays out a top notch recipe for it in one of his books. The best regular menu item, even better than the above torta is the ahogada which is drowning in a tasty tomato broth. Everything other is OK, though I find the soups a but lacking especially when compared to the broth in the ahogada, I do wish the torta were on the soft buns typical of the sandwich rather than the crusty bread used at Xoco. I think that is part of why I like the ahogada so much, the broth renders the bread less than cutting. Of course, no trip to Xoco is complete without dessert. The churros are amazing and even better when dipped in chocolate.

    (4)

  • Laleh A.

    My boyfriend and I split the ahogada and a churro. The ahogada was really good. The meat on the sandwich was nice and tender. The bread was holy moly amazing. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The only problem was, was the the soup was rather salty. And then we had a churro, which ah so good. I think this was my first time having one and oh my it was good. My boyfriend is Mexican and we're both from Texas and he said that this was the best churro he's ever had. EVER. But yes it was that amazing And the service is great. When we ordered I didn't realize that I ordered a soup rather than a sandwich like an idiot, but they were more than gracious to cancel the order and give us our money back aaaaaand we got the churro for free!

    (4)

  • Meghan H.

    Xoco! I do not know how to pronounce you! I've heard it all X-O-Co, So-Co...and then there are those who simply avoid saying the name and say - Oh hey! Let's go to Rick Bayless's place! - which is unavoidably followed up by the question: which one?? He's got Frontera Grill and all its "Fresco" locations in the Chicagoland and North Shore area, Topolobampo, and of course the utterly-hard-to-pronounce XOCO. Regardless of the name confusion, this place serves up some great food. Though, the menu presents quite the conundrum because everything sounds delicious. From their many varieties of tortas, caldos, and salads to all of the offerings of their guacamole bar to then all of the decadent dessert options, it is definitely difficult to decide on what to order! On the topic of dessert, the selection here is insane and definitely something I'll have to revisit in my next trip here. The bean-to-cup chocolate REally tempted me despite the fact that I'd just been walking for miles and miles in 85 degree weather before I dined here. And of course their churros have to be amazing, especially considering the variety of flavors they come in. You can stick with the original or upgrade to a glazed churro that comes in variety of flavors: hazelnut, chocolate/peanut, or pistachio...add in a chocolate shot for dipping and hOLY yummm. The soft-serve ice cream also tempted me because it can be coupled with dulce de leche or chocolate sauce...oh my. Basically, everything on the pastry menu was irresistible: flan, empanadas, tres leches cake...wow, just wow. With that sweet excellence established, I'll back up to how this shop operates. So you walk in and are greeted by the hostess, who will ask you dine-in or carry-out. If dining-in, she'll tell you your table number. Remember it. She'll also hand you menus and direct you to the counter, where you'll order, pay, and tell them your table number. Once that's settled, the hostess will somewhat let you know where your table is, and you'll take a seat there and wait for them to bring your food over. Simple as that. Now for the food that we actually tried...everything was tasty. Fresh, bold flavors all around. The XOCO Salad was not only visually delicious, but rocked it flavor-wise as well. I had long before decided to order the famed-Ahogada sandwich and was not disappointed. For just $11, the sandwich was a good size and tasted great. This menu item is INCredibly messy, but undoubtedly delicious. As mentioned, I'll definitely be back to dabble into some more of their menu. I was eyeing the woodland mushroom and pepito tortas, so I'll have to check those out in my next visit here. And unlike my most recent Xoco experience, I'm not thinkin I'll be able to resist all of Rick's sugary concoctions next time I drop in :-/

    (4)

  • Marc B.

    Disclaimer- I am a huge fan of Rick Bayless so this is probably a tad biased, but completely true. Xoco is the 'self-service' express location as compared with his other two nearby locations that are traditional sit down, and tough to get into, restaurants. Busy, bustling and loud which give it a street food feel. I ordered the Ahogada Torta which is essentially a pork carnita sub in a mexican au jus. Killer tender meat in a chewy, sourdough-like roll served planted in a bowl of delicious mexican red sauce. Bread meat and sauce all work together so well I never wanted this sandwich to end. My gf ordered the seafood caldo (soup) and it was brimming with seafood and delicious, especially the catfish! We shared a handmade guacamole with all the fixings. And finished with churros served with the most decadent rich Mexican chocolate sauce I have ever had anywhere outside of Mexico. If you are a fan of real Old Mexico food, not tex mex or southwest, you will love this place.

    (5)

  • Chris D.

    I'm a big churro and Rick Bayless fan and have been wanting to try them forever. Today was the day I finally lept. I jogged 1.73 miles this morning to Xoco (thanks Mapquest) and arrived at Xoco in the morning ready to be amazed. The good news is that there wasn't a line when I arrived. The bad news is that it took 20 minutes to get 3 churros and they didn't have soft serve. The churros are small and while they are good, they are nothing to write home about. I'm sorry to those that wait in line to try these. I must be missing something. Churros are mostly flour with a little water, oil, and sugar. In other words you can make your own for about 10 cents. I have used Rick's recipe before to make them on my own. You can find the recipe here: oprah.com/food/Churros . The only difference is that at Xoco, they add a little Mexican chocolate to the churro. At least I got some cardio done and ran 3.5 miles for some churros.

    (2)

  • Jezabel E.

    Mmmm, I certainly do love Rick Bayless's cuisine! He makes amazing hot chocolate, churros. Plus, you must opt for the soups too. The spicy beef is amazing. Not only that, he often is there making the soups fresh to order! I'm sold.

    (4)

  • Cindy S.

    Got 3 churros and a small homemade strawberry ice cream to go. Also got a classic hot chocolate. All of these items cost about $11 with tax. The churro was good but the ice cream portion was small (to go at least). Hot chocolate was a bit bitter- not sweet enough for my taste. Not really sure what the fuss is about, I probably wouldn't return to this restaurant.

    (3)

  • Dan C.

    We wanted a place to sit outside and gran some food and a drink after work. Picked Xoco cause we've heard good things and it fit our criteria. The ordering process was a little whacky and confusing. For a place that looks like it has waiter service (there's a host at the front), it doesn't. The food seemed a tad overpriced, and the portions a bit small, but everything tasted great.

    (3)

  • Kristen S.

    How can the food be so good and the service and atmosphere be so bad?!?! A co-worker and I went here for lunch. At 11:45 there was already a line out the door. A good sign; the food here must be top-notch. We navigated through the line for about15 minutes and were then corralled to the one cash register that was open. We each ordered a baja chicken torta and a churro. The cashier asked for our table number. We didn't have one. We asked the line "corraller." She was confused. So here we are without food at lunch rush trying to navigate the whacked out table system at a lunch place. So much work. We finally got our number and decided to cut back in line to order again. Sorry, but we were not going to wait another 15 minutes for food because staff didn't give us the necessary info to order. We finally ordered and our food came in just a few minutes. It. Was. Delicious. All the flavors fit together perfectly in the torta and it was easy to eat. I finished on about 5 minutes flat. Our churros hadn't come yet, however, so we asked an employee about it. Apparently the cashier forgot to mention that we would have to go back and let her know we were ready for dessert. Ugh. Seriously? By now it's really crowded and we had already wasted 10 minutes waiting for the churros that never came. Whatever. We order them. Wait another 10 minutes. Aaaaand they only bring us one. Luckily it was only a minute or two for the other churro, and luckily they were delicious. This place is really good if you know how it works and are willing to deal with a little chaos.

    (3)

  • Michelle V.

    Disclaimer: This review is only for the churros! I couldn't help but go try the churros here after seeing all the great reviews. Came here after brunch for some dessert. I bought 3 of them for $4! They were a tad bit small though, but it was still a good deal! They tasted crisp, airy and sweet with a hint of cocoa flavoring. I could taste that they were deep-fried similar to any other churro, but I felt that this churro had somewhat of a stronger hint than most. It definitely didn't take away from the taste though. Overall verdict = pretty delicious! I'd say this portion is enough for 2 if you have a little room for dessert. The atmosphere of the place was mellow since it was still early, and I enjoyed the decor.

    (4)

  • Jennifer K.

    Wow. Rick Bayless wins for this restaurant. Came here cause I was reading an article about places to visit in Chicago. Boy...was this place spot on! Went to the to-go line cause it was shorter than the regular line to eat in on a Saturday afternoon lunch. Pepito Torta - Delicious and full of flavor! Absolutely, loved the bread. Has braised shortribs, caramelized onion, artisan jack, black beans, pickled jalapenos. *Special of the Day* Shrimp Torta- It was ok... Rather get the Pepito Torto (that had more flavor). This had seared shrimp, chipotle-garlic mojo, black beans, caramelized onions, goat cheese, arugula. Guac & chips - Good. Loved the chips! Crispy and fresh! Were they corn chips? Def. not your typical chips though.. Great side order to compliment your meal with. Ceviche - This was also very flavorful and delicious! Shrimp was not dry at all, juicy. Would def. come here again when I'm back in Chicago :)

    (4)

  • Audrey L.

    Friday morning, breakfast with the family at 9 - no line, seating indoors had only one other diner. We tried as much of the menu as we could - chilaquiles, both varieties of tortas available that morning, huevos rancheros; fresh orange juice, espresso, coffee with chocolate, and the aztec chocolate. And the churros - but I will return to those in a little bit. Everything was really tasty. Everyone thought the chips (alone and in the chilaquiles) were some of the best we've had. I was impressed by the bread and flavors of the tortas. The chocolate drinks were super chocolatey, without being too rich or cloying (loved the subtle kick of the spice in the azteca version). The staff were all friendly and especially kind to our toddler and baby. And the churros - we took them to go, but couldn't help but tear into them on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. After one insanely delicious bite, I somehow managed to drop my churro onto the Chicago public sidewalk. 5 second rule, right? Can't let a good churro go to waste. I have no shame whatsoever. You would have done the same.

    (5)

  • Sean C.

    Oh my! The Tortas were super amazing! I had to wait a long tim to sit, but it was very very very worth it!

    (5)

  • Tony G.

    Long wait but well worth it! Recommend the tortas! The cubana and milanesa was very tasty! Would order these again in a heartbeat! The guacamole is very small for the price you pay and did not blow my socks off.

    (4)

  • Aimee M.

    The stars aligned for me and the wonderful Ericka A as we ventured for lunch. Arriving at about 1130 on a Friday, there was only a 20 min wait in line to order. (For someone that has waited for Kumas and for Hot Doug's, this wait was next to nothing) The lady who is in charge of seating (who probably majored in Tetris in college because she fit every party perfectly and in a timely manner) led us to patio (sidewalk) seating on a glorious summer day. And every bite of food from beginning to end was just marvelous. Stars aligned? Perhaps. But I think it really has to do with the great service and delicious food that is becoming synonymous with Rick Bayless restaurants. Guacamole bar: we added bacon and Queso Fresco Drinks: Me the Uncle John's Cider (Yay for day-drinking and for the Metra!); she the Mint Chocolate drink. Mains: We shared the Pepito Torta--Braised Tallgrass shortribs, caramelized onion, artisan Jack, black beans, pickled jalapenos. And the Special Torta of the Day--Garlic Shrimp--Seared shrimp, chipotle-garlic mojo, black beans, caramelized onions, goat cheese, arugula. Dessert: Churros with Chocolate dipping sauce. Everything was just delicious. The chips fresh and crispy, the guacamole freshly made (you can watch while you wait in line!). The Tortas were different from what I've had in taco joints and I really liked these better. The bread is fresh and much more crispy and substantial than the floppy soft bread of a traditional torta. The flavors were amazing and everything so well-made. I'd have to say the shrimp was my favorite. But I think I was in a shrimpy mood that day. The Pepito was as delicious as it sounds and I loved the bit of heat the jalapenos gave it. Churros? oh churros. You cant go wrong with freshly made crispy soft churros. Go with someone that you know would appreciate the food. The wait in line was worth it as we both found something to ooh and aah about every 5 seconds. The menu is large, there is a nice beer/wine/drinks list. And watching the folks prepare the meals was a nice diversion. Now I wanna go back!

    (5)

  • Cindy F.

    Gave Xoco a try for on-the-go breakfast. Bacon Mollete, Chorizo Empanada, Fresh scones and Bean-to-Cup Chocolate. Have to say, everything was ok, but not crazy fantastic. And it was definitely a bit to spicy for my tiny person. She said the outside of the empanada was very tasty, but the fillings were just too spicy for her. What I really wished for was the Saturday Chilaquiles, but alas they are only served dine-in. I did like the empanada more than the mollete, but that's just me. Bean to Cup chocolate was crazy chocolaty. So if you need that choco fix, that would do it.

    (3)

  • Ella P.

    REAL mexican food that is fresh and tasty, and accessible to nearly everyone. No waiting 3 months for a reservation at Topolo or Frontera Grill necessary (though of course the wait is worth it!). Best Churros EVER, btw, and the huevos rancheros (add avocado) are fantastic if you can get there before 10am for breakfast.

    (5)

  • Patrick S.

    Hey guys, Pat S. here. XOCO is dope. It's a new semi-casual restaurant by master chef / fake Mexican Richard "Rick" Bayless. It's right next to his other two restaurants but it's much cheaper and just as good. So if you can't get into those spots, then just come here. The tortas here are real good. They cut open the top of your mouth, so get ready for that. There's one torta sandwich that is served face down in a pool of hot soup. I never get that one. The guacamole is fresh as well as green. It's nice to sit outside in the summer and watch people walk around and pretend they're busy. There is this one pork torta and (i'm sorry Rick) I don't know what it's called but it's so good. It's got pork and pickled onions. I had a dream about that torta last night. They got tortas, they got chips, they got waters, they got churros, they got really spicy habanero sauce, the got guac, they got soup-tortas. And it's all dope!!! Peace.

    (5)

  • Abby T.

    Xoco was pretty good although not super authentic. We ordered for carry out. Love that they were playing spanish rock in there. The pork belly torta was very good. The bread was super fresh. A bit pricey, but it isn't your run-of-the-mill taqueria. The pozole was not very good at all. It was completely unauthentic and was not even leftover worthy. The guacamole was yummy but again, on the pricey side. I would try Xoco again just to try their other menu items.

    (3)

  • Nyameche Q.

    After seeing a spoken word show with a couple of friends we wanted to grab dinner, and one of my friends suggested XOCO. I had never been to a Rick Bayless restaurant before, but I had heard good things so I was game to try it. I'm so glad that we did. My torta was amazing! It had chicken and goat cheese and chipotle mayo, and the flavors blended together so perfectly. My friends ordered hot chocolate while we waited in line, and it smelled amazing. I'm a bit lactose intolerant so I skipped on that, but next time I go I will ask if they have soy options, because all the varieties sound delicious. I also loved my churro. I had the one with the pistachio glaze. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. It's also nice that the restaurant is very affordable. I was able to get a torta and a churro and spend only $20 (including tipping the staff). The only improvement I can suggest is that XOCO move to a bigger space. When we were there I could tell that it's wildly popular and they could barely fit all the customers inside. Also, because the space is so small the protocol for ordering and being seated was a bit confusing to us when we walked in. However, the host was patient and friendly, and explained that people who were ordering take-out and people who wanted to dine in both wait in the same line, and people dining in just order and then wait for a table in line. Anyway, definitely give XOCO a try.

    (4)

  • J. Spencer M.

    Expensive for the size of the portions, but no doubt they put effort and care into making authentic hispanic food. The Tortas are on point.

    (4)

  • Julia G.

    First impression - bright colors, great smells, friendly waitstaff! Came in for breakfast and hot chocolate based on previous yelp reviews. I will definitely be back to try this place again for lunch/dinner! We had breakfast tortas, the chorizo and the zuchinni. Great! Absolutely nothing negative to say, both had great flavor. The roasted vegetables were still a bit crisp, and the cilantro sauce was so yummy. I had the Mexico City Chocolate, never had anything like it, so rich and chocolatey! With cinnamon that leaves a wonderfully satisfying and cozy warm feeling in your throat. I would love to sit down with a hot mug of this on any cold day. Can't wait for my next visit. This place lives up to the hype! :)

    (5)

  • Rebecca H.

    Love this place! Affordable delicious what else could you want. Cochonita pibil is excellent as well as their guacamole, which is the most simple guac but by far the best.

    (5)

  • Angela R.

    MAJANI Catering Is simply AMAZING!!!!!!!! I have had the pleasure of catering from Majani on more than one occasion. My events have been an absolute HIT! Chef Tsadakeeyah's professionalism is beyond words, and his menu is healthy, fresh and delicious! My guest could not believe vegetarian/vegan fare could possibly be soooo delicious. The plantain dish he made blow us out of the water! WOW! OUTSTANDING! We could not stop eating them. LOL. Try it you will love it and keep coming back for more! - Angela, IMAN

    (5)

  • Justine W.

    Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Churros !!! Simple dessert, but you feel the different here. Fresh, made to order, it was fantastic. Lightly dusted with sugar, perfectly crispy and non-greasy, very soft and hot insides. You won't bee disappointed on every bites. Amazing !! Rick bayLess is the chef of this restaurant, who was one of the TOP CHEF MASTERS. I will be back for Pistacho Churros !!

    (4)

  • Araceli R.

    Xocoooo I like it Fast servise Dinin in or to go Autentic mexican food nooooo im mexican & i know my flavors But good try chef All in the menu is good The churros con chocolate the best " the music I love it

    (4)

  • Nelson B.

    Just beacuse you see tripe or tounge in the menu does not mean that its going to be well executed mexican food. After I had the most horrible torta ahogada (a diss to guadalajara by calling it this) I went to 26th st Siuth Chicago and yhe best torta ahogada outside Guadalajara for ine third the price. Dont beleive the hype.

    (2)

  • Jose S.

    No explanation needed.

    (5)

  • Tim M.

    Porkbelly caldo is where it's at. This is a solid spot, plus they've taken steps to make it a little more "user-friendly" in the past year, including more signage, descriptions of food, and the opportunity yo order drinks should you find yourself waiting in line.

    (4)

  • Olivia M.

    The ordering process itself is a little weird - you order at the counter (can take a very long time) and they assign you a table (most seating is bar-like, at a window) but the food is really delicious. I had the baja chicken torta and split guacamole with friends and we ended with the churros. Definitely worth trying!

    (4)

  • Eric B.

    It's good. I went off-peak hours and didn't have to wait. I got some sandwich that you dip in a soup. It was a great recommendation. Very friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Ashley M.

    Great place to grab a bite to eat for lunch or dinner. The curros are amazing. I wish I could grow a second stomach for the sole purpose of housing those delicious little angel sticks.

    (5)

  • Gerardo M.

    I'm sorry Rick, but I was NOT impressed. What you offer are 'cueritos' and not chicharrones. The Jamaica water tasted like simple syrup; and the torta ahogada served in a broth and not a salsa? I respect and appreciate all you do for Mexican cuisine, but a good street vendor in a plaza in a small town in Jalisco has much tastier options.

    (2)

  • Jannie L.

    Consistently delicious and flavorful. The Cochinita Pibil and Ahogada are my favorites. The hot chocolate is definitely a must. The cookies are also delicious. I liked the churros in theory, but am not a fan of the excessive granulated sugar coating.

    (4)

  • Summer M.

    I knew I wanted to go to Xoco as soon as I started planing my trip to Chicago. I had heard so many great things, and I was not disappointed! I hang out with lots of Mexicanos, so I've had my fair share of posole and tortas. I ordered the chicken posole and torta ahogada to share with a friend. The posole was not that great, at all. We barely finished half of it. But maybe we are posole snobs. The torta on the other hand was amazing! So, so good. My agua de fresa y limon tasted like a daiquiri, it was great. And the churros with chocolate sauce we had to finish were finger licking good.

    (4)

  • Jenna K.

    This is an amazing spot. From the chips and salsa/guac to the sandwiches to the bowls. I have not been disappointed. The veggie bowl was outstanding. It was deceptively filling and surprisingly flavorful. It's a great place to grab lunch. If you get there early enough their is very little wait.

    (5)

  • Juan L.

    Amazing Mexican authentic food. Great drink and atmosphere! Everyone should try this place out!

    (5)

  • Daniel C.

    I love this place. It is absolutely one of the best overall values in downtown. Sure, it can be a disaster at certain times of the day, but that is to be expected. They turn out a great, incredibly consistent product for one of the lowest prices I've found in River North (for the quality). But it is the little things that really make the difference. Everyone is super friendly and eager to help, from the person running the line, to the cashiers, to the people who run out food. It is really obvious that everyone is making a major effort to make things work as well as possible for a fast/casual place. Plus they always wait until you're done with your meal to bring out your warm churro...now that's hospitality!

    (5)

  • Beth P.

    Great lunch spot! I indulged in the pepito - the short rib torta. So good! I only ate half though (and saved the other half) so that I wouldn't have to take a nap under my desk for the rest of the afternoon. We also ordered guacamole fully dressed for the table - which comes with poblanos, chicharron, bacon, pepitas, queso fresco, sundried tomatoes, onion, and fennel. Delicious! We only had four people but still had to share a table with another group, this worked out fine, but I wouldn't recommend bringing a larger group in for lunch, unless you're planning on take -out.

    (4)

  • Nicole W.

    It's casual Mexican with a twist from what you're used to, but its hard to find anything that's not amazing!

    (5)

  • Ryan R.

    Great sandwiches and soups, but the pre-made guacamole is bland and can't be made more spicy. They have a lot of toppings available for the guac, though.

    (4)

  • Annabelle H.

    Chicharones Carne Asada Carnitas (Tuesday Special?) Guacamole with chips Pistachio churro All of it was amazing!!! Hands down!

    (4)

  • Brian R.

    The tortas, especially the ahogada, are wonderful. The peanuts and hot chocolate are worth trying, too. The service (counter ordering, table numbers) is usually fine, but has been lacking a couple of times for me.

    (4)

  • Grant P.

    In my opinion, celebrity chef restaurants have become the high end McDonald's of the food industry. Once a chef achieves a certain level of notoriety, everyone apparently wants to eat at their place, and that means its important to get customers in and out. Food then has a very pre-packaged feel to it. Overall, these places tend to piss me off. My experience at Xoco was no different. And despite the fact that the food is assembled in front of you, it still feels very McDonalds-like in its methodic style. We made the mistake of coming here on a Saturday night at dinner time, when there's a line almost out the door. And for a place that looks and feels a lot like Chipotle, I wasn't in the mood to wait in that long of a line for a snack. My wife placed our order, and thankfully we were taking it to go because we got to avoid the long sit-down line and were taken care of slightly faster. They might as well have put that extra cash register out side and made room for one more table. I got to watch sandwiches being constructed using a fired oven and also saw the guacamole put together. We only ordered hot chocolate and loaded guacamole, but I think I got the full Xoco experience even in just that. Both items taste just like the stuff you can buy at a grocery store. I'm sorry, but they do. There's nothing wrong with the offerings here, and they're quite tasty. But the celebrity name tag and price tag that get slapped on them seem a bit ridiculous to me. Oh, sorry, I took too long. It's probably time for the next reviewer to step up. In and out as fast as possible, don't you know.

    (3)

  • Olivia P.

    Came here to try the hot chocolate since I noticed how many people raved about it but i found it a let down. I got the Classic Hot Chocolate (decided to get it after trying a little bit of the Mexican Hot Chocolate which was not really to my liking). The Classic Hot Chocolate was very thick and fairly rich. However, given the thick texture, I would have rather it been even richer, more like Eataly's. Xoco's seemed like Eataly's plus some water and corn starch. So yeah, if I'm looking for a luxurious, gourmet and sinful cup of hot chocolate, I'd rather go to Eataly's Lavazza's cafe a 5 min walk away.

    (2)

  • Braeden S.

    The only downside is that you may have to wait and the seating isn't ideal. That being said, do yourself a favor and taste some of Balis's food for 1/4 of what it should cost. The soups and sandwiches I've had (most of them) have always been amazing.

    (4)

  • Niko F.

    Phenomenal place for takeout or a quick bite. I've had six or seven things off the menu and haven't been disappointed once. Pros: Excellent food, seasoning, and preparation of everything on the menu Very reasonable prices for high end ingredients. Can call ahead to skip the line and takeout your food Great desserts Cons: Long wait time Highly recommended that you try this place. You won't be disappointed one bit.

    (5)

  • Shawn O.

    D.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.! After wandering into Frontera the evening before, I was sold on getting myself a R.B. fix. Knowing that I'd have to fight a line for lunch or dinner (and not wanting to order take-out and risk my food getting soggy), I settled on grabbing a bite around 2:30pm on a Saturday... good choice as there was barely a line! I decided to take advantage of the Chicago Craft Beer Week special torta... smoked short rib. The perfect combination of meat, toppings and an addictive side dipping sauce smothered between an awesomely crisp on the outside, soft on the inside baguette. Not to miss out, I also ordered an Aztec hot chocolate with a churro on the side. While the hot chocolate was a little too rich to finish the whole thing, it definitely was the best I ever had. The churro was great, but I think I messed up by not getting the chocolate dipping sauce. The only really negative part of Xoco is the ordering/seating system. I'm not sure if it's more efficient or not, but it's annoying to have to wait at the register to order until a seat is available (even if you're allowed to drink in line).

    (5)

  • Giovanni O.

    I wish this place came with better instructions for new comers. Overall the food was good, definitely not fast though. The churros and the guacamole with sundried tomatoes and sautéed onions definitely outshined the tortas which I believe were supposed to be the main event. The ice tea was warm with one sad piece of ice quickly melting away. I would come back for the guacamole or churros way before the sandwiches but maybe I would give a different sandwich another shot to impress me.

    (3)

  • Christina M.

    The churros are vegan and FANTASTIC! Since I live so close, it's a place I regularly stop by to get churros to go.

    (5)

  • s k.

    Yum... Got there just before the lunch crowd on a Saturday afternoon. As we entered the hostess asked if we wanted to share a table or eat at a bar table. She gave us a table number then we waited a short while in line to order our food. We ordered a Goat barbacoa, chicharrones and hibiscus agua fresca. The chicharrones came immediately so we nibbled on those while waiting for the goat. Loved the goat - flavorful and tender... nicely spiced. I'd return to try other menu items - maybe a variety of appetizer foods.

    (4)

  • Ann K.

    I know this place serves quality food when I see all the signs showing off Rick's mantra on foods. I am a skeptic by birth, so I came into this casual dining with a little notion that Rick may try to expand his food offerings to regular people. He does but he does it well. The empanadas is so light and flaky unlike the tough pastry in Miami Beach Florida or Cuban town in Miami. If that is not enough to show off his skills, the hazelnut glaze churros just rocks my world dipping in the Mexicana thick hot chocolate. The only thing missing here is the dried chili powder on top. Oh!!! I also need more space to devour it all in. I grab the bacon bit popcorn $3 comparing to the Garrett popcorn. I have to give the Garrett the win. Still Vorges chocolate should take a note from the flavor profile of bacon bits and chile.

    (4)

  • James G.

    Amazing! Worth waiting in line from the best authentic Mexican food in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Alex N.

    Unique soups that have great balances of flavor. Only downside is that the soups can be a little heavy-handed with the oils.

    (4)

  • Dustin H.

    In regards to the reviews complaining about wait and seating... XOCO is glorified street food. It's not fine dining though it sure is fiiiiiiiiiiine. The long line for ordering and the cramped counters add to the experience in my opinion but I get why it's not for everyone. XOCO is full of choices that provide a unique opportunity to experience food you thought you knew & loved in an entirely different light and on an entirely different level. Our two tortas offered intense & glorious flavors with perfect textures. The Cuban with bacon and Avocado? While not traditional ingredients for a Cuban, they all worked to enhance what was already a perfect sandwich line up. My Cochinita Pibil with suckling pig was really nice. The bread was super chewy and complimented the soft and beautifully cooked meat. As my food was being delivered to my seat, the server said under her breath "watch out the sauce is hot!" and HOLY HELL she wasn't kidding! Ouch! The super hot habanero sauce is thankfully offered as a side. If it was served ON the sandwich, it would have ruined it. There was a moment after I took a bite of our Chicharrones covered in Tamazula hot sauce, and then dipped my sandwich in the sauce when I realized I had gone too far. The heat sweats set in, and I was filled with a tinge of regret. Thankfully a couple of chips dipped in our "fully dressed" quac eased the pain. And in regards to the quac... covered in chicharron, bacon, pumpkin seeds, and hell I don't know what else but it was really good. Definitely get some quac as a side. It's worth the eight bucks. All in all a fantastic experience in a quirkily little space. I will return!

    (4)

  • Jason T.

    Absolutely fabulous food! But Rick Bayless knows what he's doing. The tortas (especially the carnitas) are so flavorful, with great crunchy bread served in a bowl of spicy tomato broth. Very fresh. Perfect size for lunch. Love the interior. A little pricey but not unreasonable being downtown. Very very good food!

    (5)

  • Anne A.

    The churros here are to die for and the chocolate sauce is out of this world! The soup is also really tasty as well as all of their tortas. Their margarita is pretty top notch too.

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    If you don't want to eat an entire meal, drop in, get a Mexican hot chocolate (we like the Aztec version with some spices) and a churro. It's so worth it. If you do want an entire meal. Go for it! The place is great.

    (4)

  • Colin K.

    This place is famous for being Rick Bayless's torta place. Overall, I left feeling that the place was overpriced and underwhelming. $12 for a torta isn't bad for a sandwich in downtown Chicago but I had to eat an entire ($8) order of guacamole and chips to fill up after eating that baby Mexiwich. My torta was the Pepito, a braised-shortrib-and-onion torta. The pork was very tender but the marinade was nothing special and the bread was solid but nothing revelatory. The chips were delicious and salty but the fully loaded guacamole was a bit too noisy. If I could go back and do it again I would have avoided the fennel and chicharron and ordered the Almost Naked guacamole with pepitas, sundried tomato, and onions. Overall, not a bad Mexican option for downtown, but my $22 meal did not compare to many $8 Mexican meals that I've had.

    (3)

  • Joana M.

    Rick Bayless can do no wrong in my book. The food at Xoco is fresh, tasty and delcious. The only complaint is that their fresh waters are too sweet for my taste. When I think of fresh waters(Mexican natural flavored waters) I think fresh and simple. Aside from that. Service is always great. I recommend the torta ahogada, all the salsas, the delicious churros and the hot chocolate. :)

    (5)

  • Steven H.

    2 Double IPAS 1 Special Friday Short Rib Torta 1 Ahogado Torta 1 Fully loaded guac The only drawback was the Ahogado was really salty, like, wayyy salty. But the experience, was on point. Some dude in line gave us a sample of guac, then some other guy gave us a sample of pumpkin seed dip. We got to wait in line while drinking our beers, and the people were really nice overral, the Short rib torta was excellent, on the same level as Sunda's short rib down the street. Will be going to back to show friends and visitors!

    (5)

  • Ross R.

    Meal in a bowl. Churros, Hot Chocolate. All delicious. Go at odd hours to avoid a line/wait.

    (5)

  • Richard C.

    We watch rick on PBS all the time. Since we were in Chicago for the weekend we had to check out one of his restaurants. The wait was to long for a eat in table which was a sign that the food was good. We chose to get our tortas to go and stand up in the crowded loud small dining area against the window. Not being from Chicago we are not used to as many people so this is why I rate the over all experience 3 stars. I would have rated 2 stars in my home city. The food was average. I have been to Mexico and have eaten a real Mexican torta. The conchinita pabil was small. It didn't come with a side or a drink. The cost compared to quantity and quality of service in my opinion is average at best. We would have tried breakfast but it was closed Sunday.

    (3)

  • Laura A.

    So unbelievably good. I love everything rick bayliss cooks. The carne asana torta is delicious and the guac is a must have. Something you might not expect is that his chocolate cake is really good and he actually makes the cake spicy - really unique and delicious.

    (4)

  • Kevin R.

    Great quality mexican cuisine

    (4)

  • Evan M.

    Three stars. It pains me to give a place with such potential for delicious wondrousness only three stars, but they have had two misfires on the four items I've tried. The setup is this: You walk in and veer to the right to line up to place your order, and then you're seated. If you want takeout, you order at the near register and wait. Pandemonium ensues. Workers are whizzing by left and right grabbing orders, delivering orders, carrying bottles, etc. Try to suck in so you're out of the way. 1st visit: Nothin but churros. Light, delicious awesomeness with the right balance of crunchiness and chewiness. Thumbs up. Our order was screwed up, so we got free sides of ice cream. 2nd visit: I was craving posole like OUT OF MY MIND, was guided here by Yelp, and was so excited. Fifteen minutes after calling in my order I arrived and let them know I was there to pick up. And waited. And waited. Finally, 35 minutes after my initial order, I was like DAMN, is it ready or what? Yes, it was. Someone had prepped the bag and promptly stuck it under the counter, having never called out my name. Mind you, I never budged. I did get a free juice out of that, but I was STARRRRVING. 2nd order screw-up. So, the posole flavor can best be described as middling. Wasn't because it wasn't piping hot. It just lacked the flavor punch that traditional posole is known to pack. If I'd had all day and the right chiles, I could've way outdone this myself. Third visit: On a mission to get takeout tortas, which is really what this place is known for. The Baja Chicken torta sounded a bit bland, but it was wonderfully flavorful. Don't be put off by the California-ized-sounding ingredients and name. The Cochinita Pibil torta? Suckling pig on flaky bread? What's not to like?? Well, let's just say that if you enjoy torture, this is for you. Now, I'm not some wuss that doesn't enjoy spice. I've been known to delve into the Indian and Thai food adventures. But this torta was so hot, I had to grab a Greek yogurt out of the fridge to soak my tongue between bites. A cold beer only made my taste buds scream in agony. This torta starts off amazingly tasty with just a kick. But that kick builds. It builds with every bite into something insurmountable by any means known to Whitepeopledom. I'm usually down with a bit of habanero. But this? The amount of habanero heat in the Cochinita Pibil torta nearly did me in. Easily one of the top three hottest things I've eaten in my life, right up there with a murderous Shrimp Creole and the Beef Vindaloo by Satan. I can't help but think the torta would be 10x better--one of the best things I'd ever eat--if the heat were toned down considerably. I could tell that it was delicious underneath my screaming taste buds. UPDATE: So, duh, the habanero is actually in the sauce they give you. WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME THAT?! I poured the whole shebang all over my first torta without knowing it was like booking a date with death. NOW they warn you when you order. Much more tolerable now that I know it's all about how much sauce you use. CHURROS: A POSOLE: D BAJA CHICKEN TORTA: A COCHINITA PIBIL TORTA: A if you're OK with foods that burn like THE FIRES OF HELL. D if you're not. Such delicious, excruciating pain. CONSISTENCY OF SERVICE: D

    (3)

  • Melissa S.

    The Pork Belly Vermicelli (Fideos) Caldo is one of the best soups I have ever had. The sublime combination of arugula with spicy broth and chunks of pork belly keep me going back for more! The churros and hot chocolate are also fantastic treat. The only downside? The wait. BUT, it's worth every minute you wait in line.

    (5)

  • J S.

    Yelps telling me my next review awaits XOXO or Kumas or Hot Dougs? Lets go with XOCO. It's Mexican. Food is good. Maybe a little overpriced. Avoid during peak hours when there's usually a line. One of these days if I ever make it into the city for breakfast I'll try the hot chocolate which is made from scratch from cacao beans.

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    One of my favorite places to eat in Chicago. Would actually rather eat at Xoco than Frontera Grill. Torta's are not your ordinary tortas because they have quality ingredients and the bread is more like a toasted baguette-but perfectly crispy on the outside and yet doughy/chewy as you bite into it. If you are a newb- I'd suggest the Ahogoda. It's a shredded pork torta that comes dipped in a spicy soup. One of my favorites is the pepito because the beef is so tender and the cheese infused and melted within sandwich with the aoli cream sauce makes it soooo delicious!!! The shrimp and chicken torta's are all good too. Each has a unique flavor or sauce that it's paired with and the ingredients just all play well together. MUST MUST MUST is the homemade churros with the chocolate dipping sauce. Even my non-sweet tooth friends have expressed how much they love the churros. I heard the soups are also amazing here- I honestly want to try everything on the menu!

    (5)

  • Anthony C.

    Food quality was amazing. Price was solid. I'm sure the counter-service seating process is necessary, but it made for a weird dining experience. It wasn't crowded when I came, so it seemed a little too much. Definitely worth a visit.

    (4)

  • Lon S.

    Outstanding food. The short rib sandwich is to die for. The service wasn't great last time we went (although generally it is great), but the manager was apologetic. Would definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Nicole F.

    BEST sandwich I have ever had, soups are amazing as well. If your looking for an authentic Mexican resteraunt this is a must.

    (5)

  • Sam S.

    Way overpriced and over hyped. I got the short rib torta. Several little chunks of rib meat and fat. Really underwhelming. Will not return. That said the michalada was good.

    (1)

  • Fernando B.

    Just when you thought tortas were getting at any other Mexican restaurant, these guys bring life back to the sandwich. I ordered and ahogado torta, and it was amazing. Ahogado means drowned in Spanish, so the pork torta was served in a bowl of the most flavorful soup. I loved it. My girlfriend got a chicken torta. Pretty plain, but the flavor was there. Churros with chocolate sauce was good. We had a small table, and it was near where the waiters were picking up orders. The place is a bit small but sufficient.

    (4)

  • Andrea C.

    Xoco is pretty good - sometimes there is a long wait especially at lunch time but overall great chips and guac.

    (4)

  • Andrea D.

    Loved Xoco, churros and chocolate are my fave, but it is on the pricey side for Mexican street food, which is why I did not give it a 5.

    (4)

  • Rachel S.

    I recommend this place to everyone - locals and visitors alike. I love the low-key dining experience where you share tables and don't need reservations, but best of all are the hot chocolate and churros. The dinner menu is yummy too - tacos al pastor on Wednesdays - yumm. You can also order a margarita and loosen up after work. Try this place. You won't be sorry.

    (5)

  • Aaron G.

    I heard great things about XoCo and decided to order online. I got there on time and had to wait 10-12 minutes as they were really busy (Saturday 4-5 pm). The goat barbacoa was awesome. Definitely worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Kevin L.

    The "Xoco salad" DOES NOT contain sliced avocado like the pictures. I guess they must have changed that at some point. It was a fairly mediocre salad. There's not much more I can say, other than I won't be ordering it again. I'm sure this place has some good dishes on their menu, although everything seems overpriced. I left feeling like I didn't get my money's worth.

    (2)

  • Cynthia L.

    If you like sickening amounts of SALT in your soup and food that is overpriced and lacking ingredients, eat here. The food we ordered was a mess and I cannot understand how this place exists. That is how gross our food was. If you like sitting in an uncomfortable stool, facing a wall and nearly touching it with your forehead with each bite, then by all means, dine away. I will never be back. This place gets 1 star for very nice staff.

    (1)

  • Janice W.

    We came early for lunch and there was no wait. We took ours to go and they gave us actual silverware. They said it cost the same and it was less wasteful (assuming you keep it and we did). very cool. It is a little pricey by some standards - $26 for 2 items (a sandwich and a soup) - but worth the splurge.

    (5)

  • Anne P.

    Great place to get a quick (if there's not a long line) breakfast or lunch and a fantastic cup of coffee or chocolate. The churros are always hot, the ingredients are always fresh, the food is always tasty.

    (5)

  • Michelle M.

    I was a little uncertain about trying Xoco because (gasp!) I hadn't yet looked at any of its yelp reviews and I didn't know how veggie-friendly they would be. I was pleasantly surprised! There was a short wait when we got in but it mostly served as an opportunity for the very helpful host to go over the menu with me, pointing out all the vegan and vegetarian options and which could be veganized! I ended up choosing the specialty caldo as it was a limited time offering with crispy mushroom "chicarrones," noodles, grean beans and some other veggies in a porcini-serrano broth. It was delicious! We also got an order of sikil pak, which is like a pumpkin seed hummus served with jicama, cucumber and tortilla chips, and to drink I had a delicious tamarind apple cider. It was a really yummy meal, not too expensive, with something for everybody! And it's right around the corner from Three Dots and a Dash so I will almost certainly be back.

    (4)

  • Monica B.

    Rick Bayless is a foodie god and knows Mexican street food. There's so much I still need to try because I stick with my favorites: Chips and Guac: some of the best in the city (close second to mine) Ahogada: My fave! Pork isn't my favorite meat, but this is just amazeballs. The tomato arbol chile broth is unreal. Pepito: Delicious! The meat is so tender and marries well with the caramelized onions and beans. Baja Chicken: minus the mayo, the perfect chicken sandwich is my book. Don't miss out on the chocolate and churros. Best churros in the city -- so addicting!! I've never enjoyed the Caldos, so I just stick with the tortas. And don't be afraid to ask for extra sauce with your Tortas. The staff is super friendly.

    (5)

  • Sonni W.

    Don't care for the place, its "vibe" or its offerings. Too bad they had to cram the guest seating into such a tiny space. And eating on a sidewalk, with the traffic, noise, and smokers out there? -- No thanks. I don't like the crusty, toasted bread they do sandwiches on, so stiff it can cut my gums. And the soups, I've tried three (though I don't know which they were), were super oily and salty. Ack! Just another place where everything on the menu is an experiment. Some are good, and some are not so good. Going as someone's guest, it's an okay experience; but not a place I would pick to eat for my money -- ever.

    (2)

  • Joey F.

    Been to Xoco many times and love this place! The Baja Chicken Sandwich may be the best sandwich I have had in Chicago. Everything that I have had here has been tasty. The only complaints is that this place is to small and it can be confusing where to go for first timers.

    (5)

  • Kapil G.

    Fantastic food, can get pretty crowded during lunch and gets a bit slow. Pro tip: get churros, some of the best I've ever had

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    Bayless' most affordable outpost is a great spot for hearty sandwiches and soul-satisfying soups. We stopped in for lunch on a Saturday and started off with the guacamole (topped with chiles and pumpkin seeds) and chips. OK, but I've actually had better guac elsewhere. The many topping choices provide novelty, but the guac itself is fairly simple, tasting mostly of mashed avocados. I prefer a guacamole with discernible cilantro / onion / tomato etc., and found this one a bit one-dimensional. Much better were the tortas. We tried the Saturday-only special (goat barbacoa), which was good, and the ahogada, which was sensational. The tomato-chile dipping sauce that accompanied the sandwich was so, so good, I wanted to sop up every last bit of it. Lots of other tasty-sounding tortas on the menu, and I'd love to come back and sample them. We finished with churros (made fresh to order and served hot, 3 for $4) and a side of dark, complex chocolate dipping sauce ($1.50). Unless you absolutely hate chocolate, that extra $1.50 is well spent, and provides a nice end to the meal. We did wait a bit (about 15 minutes) to be seated, and at $20 / person it was pricey for an everyday lunch. Service is pretty casual, and two of us ended up sharing our 4-top with two random strangers (kind of weird), but I guess they do that to keep the line moving. On a return visit, I'd skip the guac and maybe call ahead to get my tortas to go.

    (4)

  • Eric Y.

    I've been to Xoco numerous times as it is on my route home. I love the Chicken Milanese Torta...it's amazing and I get it everytime. I don't give it 5 stars because the waits can be excessively long.

    (4)

  • Ritika K.

    Just came back from xoco and I am so disappointed for the following reasons: 1. I ordered wood fired chicken pozole. It tasted so bad. It was basically very salty broth with lettuce, corn, very few pieces of chicken and some spices. $12 for clear soup totally not worth it. 2. We were seated facing a wall. Most of the seating arrangements here face a wall. When I go out with friends I like to sit facing them and not a wall. 3. They don't take reservation and you have to wait in line until your table becomes available. I have no problem with waiting if the food is good. 4. Service is pretty bad. My friends food came after we were almost done with our food. 5. I tasted the Saturday special goat torta that my husband ordered. It was alright but nothing exceptional that I would wait 30 minutes in line for it. I don't know how this place has so many good reviews. It may be pretty good during weekdays when it is not so crowded but weekends here are a big mess. I so wanted to love this place but unfortunately xoco did not meet my expectations. I am giving it 2 stars and not one because I loved their hot sauces and the food especially guacamole was very fresh.

    (2)

  • Fletcher M.

    Dang good eats, I recommend .. well ... anything. All the food here is delicious, the drinks are great, enjoy a Margarita or Sangria with your lunch! I haven't been around for dessert, but from the pictures these look amazing. WARNING: Be prepared to wait, they manage the heavy foot traffic well, but don't expect to get out quickly, plan for 1 hour+ for lunch!

    (4)

  • Hui B.

    absolutely amazing mexican sandwiches! the pork has been setting for hours and hours making it soft and literally melt in your mouth. The ingredients that are used are perfectly placed like a piece of art. Not only are the sandwiches great but the churros with the hot chocolate which are all freshly made there. When i say fresh i mean from cocoa bean to the chocolate beverage itself. When going to chicago you must try this place out. Seating is limited and the lines are unusually long so be aware of that!

    (5)

  • Brady A.

    Possibly my favorite place in all of Chicago to eat. The food is phenomenal and the pricing is very affordable.

    (5)

  • Shelby S.

    I highly recommend the chips and "fully-dressed" guacamole, super tasty. I also really enjoyed the Carnitas Caldo. You get assigned a number, and they stay on the same table, an interesting reversal from the norm, which just makes sense. The staff is friendly and prompt. There is a farm-to-table vibe that shows through in the ingredients and dishes

    (4)

  • J P.

    One of the best places to be served at. They have hands down the best customer service and are so accommodating. And now to the food.. It is AMAZING!! The fully loaded guacamole is so delicious and different. My favorite are the churros (pistachio) , coconut flan, and the mushroom soup. Arthur, the host is so friendly and he knows customer service Unfortunately I was not very happy with the cookie. I thought it was a little too hard!! But overall, an amazing place. I will definitely be stopping by on my next trip.

    (5)

  • Scott W.

    Just brilliant. One of my favorite lunch spots. Been to Xoco a bunch and have loved everything I've had here. From the "they'll warn you multiple times" nuclear habanero pepper sauce for the Cochinita Pibil, to the incredibly rich and crust torta bread to the sublimely refreshing aguas, the food is perfecto. And its priced fairly for the quality of ingredients and the care that goes into the food. The only downside is that seating can be a challenge. If you get there a scosh before noon, you may get right in. But get there at 12:05 and you may have a 30 min (or more) wait. It is so so worth it though.

    (5)

  • Laurie N.

    Never lets me down when I am craving Mexican tortas like I used to eat when I lived in Guadalajara! Food is always consistent and delicious, tastes fresh. My go-to torta has to be the Milanesa, I can never get enough and the guacamole. I can honestly say every time I come here the food taste exactly the same as the last time if not maybe better.

    (5)

  • Sandy T.

    Went here with my boo for lunch recently on a weekday and there was no wait which made me happy since we paid for parking. I ordered the ahogada and he ordered the cubana. I have had the ahogada before but this particular day it was really sour. I didn't remember it being that before. Either way, it didn't bother me too much. But the cubano was delicious and my boyfriend was very happy he ordered that. Of course we then shared 3 churros with chocolate and that hit the spot for me. I would definitely like to go back..not sure what I will try next. I'll probably just ask the cashier what he/she recommends :)

    (4)

  • Christine L.

    Great food! but can get very busy but I think it is totally worth it!

    (4)

  • Jason H.

    Pretty darn good but I don't know if I'd return. Huge line, as others have noted. Ended up getting the choriqueso torta. Absolutely loved the bread - chorizo was a bit greasy but that's not a complaint. Loved the food, wholly recommend it on that basis...but dang, that line.

    (3)

  • Melissa H.

    Grabbed lunch with a friend at Xoco on a Sunday afternoon. The place was ridiculously packed, and we knew that it'd be a while before we'd be able to pick up our food. After queuing up, I ordered the "Woodland Mushroom" torta (mushrooms, goat cheese, black beans, arugula and salsa) since I wasn't particularly in the mood for meats. There wasn't any place for seating, so we decided to take it to go. I found the torta to be very light in flavor (which disappointed me because I think mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that should be delicious), heavy on the bread, and well, hard to grip and eat (hint: super messy). Overall, the food was reasonably priced and lent a new perspective and reimagined twist to the traditional torta but for the hype, was underwhelming. However, I hope to be back soon to try other Xoco offerings.

    (3)

  • Annie R.

    How this place doesn't have five stars is a mystery to me. Everything I've ever had here is phenomenal - so fresh and delicious. Every time I bring people here it blows their minds. I would name my baby Xoco. Or maybe my next dog.

    (5)

  • Teresa C.

    Their churros are to die for. Eat them right away (while they're still warm). Love love the gooey chocolate... perfect for a cold windy day in Chicago. It can get pretty messy though, so probably not the best idea to take them on the road. Speaking from experience, walking and eating these churros at the same time can be pretty difficult. Your alternative is to find a table, but it's almost impossible at Xoco. This is also the reason that I have yet to try any of their real food. So the 4 stars is really for their churros only. How off can they be if they've already perfected churros?

    (4)

  • Thor T.

    Xoco - by Rick Bayless. His name, of course, should be a guarantee that the food served is carefully conceived and executed. Xoxo is adjacent to the Bayless empire that includes Frontera Grill and Topolobambo and was right across my hotel, so, being a Rick Bayless fan, I gave it a try for breakfast. Underwhelmed is the most accurate term for my breakfsast at Xoxo. The huevos rancheros with serrano sauce, a smidgeon of black beans and corn tortilla were good but not standing out from Philly taquerias, the pork belly chilaquiles (when will I ever learn how to resist the call of the belly?!), with a similar serrano sauce and "crunchy" toritillas, looked tired in the small hot casserole, the pork belly crusted over, the soggy tortillas covered in a bland cheese (I could not find the "tatume squash). The dish tasted fine but I nodded vigorously when the attentive waiter wanted to remove the half-eaten dish. The churros were also fine, crunchy outside, sugar coated, with a soft center, a good accompaniment to the equally good coffee. My companion and I were seated at a very thin counter facing a wall, not too comfortable but ok. A one and done breakfast experience.

    (3)

  • Cece G.

    Love this place along with sisters, (Topolobambo and Frontera) Rick Bayless rocking !!! Excellent food quality and service .

    (5)

  • Sofia C.

    Two stars for the baguette. That was the best part. My baja chicken torta was bland and full of fatty, rubbery chicken. The chips were stale and my husband makes much better guacamole. We came because a friend highly recommended the place and we both really wanted to like it. We even ordered the churros with hot chocolate and soft serve. An overall mediocre meal with bad service. I don't know what all the hype is about. A truly disappointing first meal in the Windy City. :(

    (2)

  • Mama L.

    I did not like the chocolate drink. It was gross

    (1)

  • John I.

    Always a delight. I happened by this time on a Wednesday night, the only night you can get tacos al pastor. They were worth the more than 1/2 hour wait in line, with pork pieces that were perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. The salsa was delicious (could have been a little spicier for my tastes, but I won't question the chef, especially if it's Rick Bayless). The pineapple chunks are the perfect complement to the meat and the salsa A little, slightly-picante Aztec hot chocolate, and the snack was complete. GOALLLL!!!

    (5)

  • Shady M.

    Maybe we picked the wrong things on the menu but we thought the food there sucks. It's listed as "mexican", but let me tell you, this is the furthest thing from any mexican foods you know... We decided to try several things. Food was either too salty, too spicy, or bland! I don't understand what all this hype is about. Chicagoans, you disappoint me!

    (1)

  • Jonathan R.

    In my opinion this is the best Bayless restaurant on the block de Bayless to date. Love the casual feel, the attention to detail in flavors with respect to authenticity. If he wanted to, I suspect Rick could open one of these in any major city in the US and kill it. House ground chocolate, Freshly fried churros, Wood -fired Torta sandwiches, killer Posole, the list goes on.... reasonable prices...happy, knowledgeable employees ......

    (5)

  • Shiana D.

    Don't waste your time or money. Guacamole was bland and not worth the price - the additions were quirky things, some of which just don't belong in guacamole. They count onions as a topping although onions are in guacamole basically everywhere else. The base guacamole is essentially cilantro and avocados and each addition costs money. The guacamole portion was QUITE SMALL and you will have leftover chips unless you put just a tiny bit of guacamole onto each chip. For $7 that = OVERPRICED. Other food did not look appealing. The bad reviews tell the story here. In terms of service, it's a fast food setup so no waiters and you fill up your own water (that's fine), but as others said they will NOT take your order unless you are a) doing takeout or b) have a table/seat. This is a strange setup and I can't imagine they don't lose business this way.

    (1)

  • Alma V.

    Seriously, this place is awesome! Love Ricky B and love this place. Chill atmosphere, you order at the counter and then sit. Prices are right. Margs are tastey, lots of unique beer options, just a great time. Oh...and the fooooddd is sooooo deeeellliiisssshhh! I need lots of double letters to emphasize the realness to this. The cubana, the pepito, so many good options! Hope to try Fronterra next. ay yi yi!

    (5)

  • Jason B.

    Simply Awesome

    (5)

  • Nichole F.

    We went here for lunch on Friday. We were a party of 2 and got there right around 11:30 and had a short wait. By the time we were seated, the line was out the door. I had a Cubana torta and my husband got the shirt rib one (spicy). They were both unbelievably great! I ate mine so fast because it was so delicious! We also split a hazelnut churro which was just okay. I would rather have had another half a torta if my stomach had any more room! I will definitely be back because I want to try more tortas!

    (5)

  • Cannelle T.

    The sandwiches and soups are good. The churros are good. Unfortunately, that is all they serve- soups, sandwiches, and churros. Having eaten my way through the entire menu, I wish they would expand their offerings.

    (4)

  • Victor U.

    this. place. is awesome. enough said.

    (5)

  • PB F.

    Was highly recommended by others. I will not be returning. I had some soup bowl. It was the saltiest thing I have eaten all year. There was some weird tangy taste to it. It contained about 5 black beans, 2 tiny avocado chunks, 1 zucchini piece and some leaves on top. I was hungry at the time, so finished it and tried some churros. The churros tasted okay, but were nothing special. Really like the ones you can get at Costco. Later that evening, I felt sick and had major diarrhea. This place is so overrated and disgusting. Hot and stuffy inside, long line up. I feel nauseated thinking about this place and am never going back again.

    (1)

  • Diana M.

    Look, I felt like everything tasted like lime. Torta Aguada, Guacamole (didn't mind the lime), and Torta de milanesa. I honestly didnt like it, maybe a different choice in food will get me to come back.

    (2)

  • Henry Y.

    Great casual dining food. The line goes relatively fast. Seats can be hard to find. Ahogada: DARN GOOD SANDWICH. Very tasty combined with the broth and sauce. Shortrib Red Chile Soup: I am a major soup person, but I found the soup to be a little watery. The flavors were there, but it wasn't particularly special. The shortrib was good, but it was a weird dichotomy since it was braised shortrib and watery soup, so you either end up finishing the soup first or the meat first, unlike a stew, which is more 'equitable'.

    (4)

  • Tal C.

    Really Chicagoans! Just finished having the seasonal shrimp torta here, and it was very disappointing. Very small shrimp (and very few) , clearly not fresh, served on hard French bread. It's as if you are voting because it is supposed to be good, not because it is. I wish you could visit Pepe's place in Memphis, Las Tortugas to see how a real traditional Mexican deli sandwich should be made. No, he is not a celebrity chef, but they serve the best possible food using fresh local ingredients. The shrimp they use are the size of your thumb, more shrimp than bread and it melts in your mouth. Near the end of my meal here I ran out of the "fresh" limonada, and as the hostess walked by I asked could I get a refill. Understand this was a very small glass to begin with, maybe 8 oz. I was told that I would have to leave my seat and get back in a very long line, again, to order and receive another drink. Seriously, how much less could they care. I was by myself, so this meant I would have to leave my food out of my site for at least five minutes to try to get a drink. I just don't get the ratings here, as I can't imagine the bread is fresher or the service is consistently better any other day.

    (2)

  • Shan D.

    What can I say that hasn't already been said? Avoid the rush at lunch time by coming here by 11am. Eating that early isn't a big deal because the food is so filling. Xoco has the best guac and empanadas. I avoid the soups because they're too salty. Make sure you leave room for dessert. Their churros are donuts on crack, and you must try them with their soft serve! Their black beans are usually cooked in a pork broth so make sure you ask if you're a vegetarian.

    (4)

  • Allison H.

    Mmmmm... the Ahogada is amazing. Spicy isn't toooo spicy. Can't wait for the Wicker Park location!

    (5)

  • Rachel W.

    FYI! The churros here are vegan, i just confirmed with their manager!! And that just made my week :)

    (5)

  • Coleen K.

    Great sandwiches, but waiting in long lines for "fast food" is a bizarre concept to me. I would love this place if it weren't for the waits.

    (3)

  • Lisette D.

    Delicious. It looks like its cafeteria style, but when its busy they seat you and make you wait until a tables ready to order so the foods not ready before you have a seat. I order delicious Carnitas soup, which might have been the best soup I've ever had; definitely the best broth I have ever tasted. The dulce de leche cake was to die for, and the coconut horchata was a perfect compliment to the savory soup. A lot of the food here is the same things they serve at the airport, so I specifically chose something not on the airport menu since I fly often, and I'm glad I did! I would never have thought soup could be so tasty!

    (5)

  • Tim B.

    Went in for churros and authentic hot chocolates. 8 pm and very busy. Decided to order take out. Did not disappoint. Worth the wait in the hectic ambiance. Churros were very good, paired with the sublime chocolate sauce. The authentics were excellent, different. My kids did not like them because they are used to the swiss miss crap. Wife and I loved them, though. Would love to visit again and try the tortas.

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    I was dragged here by my sister in law for the wednesday al pastor tacos.. Wow what a disappointment. The tortillas are flour..gag and the tacos are served with lettuce.....(traditionally served with cilantro and cebolla). The meat was mushy and the tortas were awful and extremely expensively small. For $12.00 you get stale bread and 1 oz of meat. The margaritas are $50/glass. Btw it's panara style, so you order in a line and then sit down, except there's 1000 yuppies standing around you waiting for their chance at "authentic" Mexican food. Do not waste your time here..go to cicero, Pilsen or albany park for better, more and way cheaper food.

    (1)

  • Blaise H.

    Bayless does it again. Damn he's good. I'll eat here for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Seriously, it's all good. Love the Empanada's. Love the Mexican Hot Chocolate. Love the Guacamole. Even if the line is long, its worth the wait. Go! Go now!

    (5)

  • Andy W.

    Very delicious food. We went in and couldn't decide on one meal each so we had to try multiple things. We were so full by the time we were done but it was totally worth it. And even then, it wasn't that expensive. My favorite dish was the Pepito. It had all the right flavors. I also loved the guacamole and the best part was getting to decide what goes in it (bacon!). It was a real treat to eat here. The only complaint I have is the wait for the food and how small of a space you get to eat. The seating is really close together and its a bit uncomfortable. I understand there is a space issue but I just wish it were a bit more comfortable. The food more than makes up for the seating, however, or you can get it to go!

    (4)

  • Danny N.

    I was pretty excited to try this place and it was a must for me since I was in Chicago. Well, I was kind of disappointed. I knew about how famous this place was because of Rick Bayless and I had to try his tortas. The torta bread was too hard for me to bite down and it got kind of annoying. Although the bread was hard, the inside was pretty good. The guacamole was good also!

    (3)

  • Lyndsey G.

    everything about Xoco is delicious and authentic. My only issue was the size of the guacamole. So small!

    (4)

  • Brian B.

    AMAZING in every aspect of the casual dining experience! The prices are affordable enough to go here every week and the food is out of this world! I've had almost everything on the menu and have LOVED it all. The quality, freshness, and wonderful flavors are over the top delicious. I take all of my out of town friends here for the food and the overall experience. It's so COOL to stand in line drinking a beer listening to the fun music and looking over the menu board. By the time we get up to the registers we're salivating watching the open kitchen and wood burning oven and guacamole station. We've finished half a beer and have had fun talking to the other customers in line. It's a social experience as well as a foodie experience. The energy and vibe of this sandwich shop is my personal favorite. I just can't get enough of the place. Prepare to be here at least an hour to an hour and a half. If you come in the evening you can even go down their alley to Three Dots and a Dash Tiki Bar for a great cocktail.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    Chorizo and queso sandwich is great.

    (4)

  • Tammy H.

    I've been here a couple times for lunch. It was always extremely crowded. I also thought it was a little expensive. I'd like to come by for dinner and hope it's not so crowded one evening!

    (3)

  • Derek V.

    Generally they seem to be a well put together, clean facility with a staff that ready to get right to business. You can walk right in, give a general idea of what you want, discuss prices for what they can do for you/with your idea if you have a specific price range. A little expensive but the two tats I got there were done quickly and painlessly. Or at least for my masochistic self, but I just love the ink. Anyways this is a good place only dis satisfactory aspect, in my opinion at least, was high pricing for relatively simple ideas so I opted for what I was prepared to afford in the moment. Compared to Noodle in Warrenville (my go-to for permadermis (no it's not a word that was my colloquialism) inking, a little high price. But overall a cool experience.

    (4)

  • Rikin K.

    The guacamole and dip is amazing they put pumpkin seeds and mixture of other spices to make it different def try that! We ordered the chicken soup which was honestly terrible we didn't even bother to finish it. The Mexican chicken sandwich was very good with the salsa they service it in adds up fairly nice. I def thought this place is overpriced, it's like a restuarant but you have to order by yourself in a line then they serve you! But 15$ for soup is crazy, The manager that works their probably is the best server I have seen he made sure we were okay ands leaped us pack out take out! He's great def made me feel like I would come here again!

    (3)

  • Amber H.

    Thank you, Rick Bayless, for taking "fast food" to a whole new level. Totally on-point, fresh, speedy, organized, and hella-tasty. I had the perfectly spiced carnitas "meal-in-a-bowl-caldos," which was bright with chiles and slightly wilted greens in the most flavorful broth. Add a dash of hot sauce, and it was a marriage made in heaven with a cold beer and side of bread. Guacamole and hot tortilla chips fresh from the fryer were also pretty special. It was an adjustment to share space with strangers at our table but easy to get over. Definitely swing through!

    (5)

  • Elisabeth A.

    Excellent food. If you are into Mexican food this is probably one of the places you will or you are already in love. Everything is prepared practically in front of your eyes and it looks and is tasteful. Couple of weeks ago I was with my boyfriend and we ordered Saturday chilaquiles, tortilla chips, guajillo chile sauce, Samuel's cheese, caramelized onion, baked egg and I can recommend this dish to everyone. If I can find some things that bothered than I can say there isn't anything huge there are couple of things. Generally whole atmosphere is fast paced and vibrant which I usually like but in this case it was kind of too much for me. All that noise can be annoying at certain moments. Also I'm not a fan of waiting in the line which here is probably the quickest way to get a meal, although they do serve at the tables it didn't look too promising because in general their service look bit confused in busy hours. Also don't expect anything too cheap, but it is worth every cent(if you ask me). Still you forget all these things, when you get your meal and find the table. Cool restaurant with even better Mexican food.

    (4)

  • Amanda L.

    Great food and a nice place to go after the beach in the summer. It can get a little cramped at peak eating hours and on the weekend. On the pricey side for a quick bite. Great drinks.

    (4)

  • Maitri J.

    This was the first time I went and never had a churro in my life now I'm addicted! Wish there was a xoco in the burbs I would be there everyday! The best place for churros great staff ! Ambiance is very nice. Coffee was delicious! Haven't found any other place like it in the burbs!

    (5)

  • Maria P.

    I had the pepito and a sip of my coworkers drinking chocolate. She had a salad. We both loved our food-pricier than some places but it was well worth the quality and quantity of food. It's a Rick Bayless place. Enough said....will return to try a churro soon

    (4)

  • Julie M.

    It's delicious. Awesomely delicious. expensive for what it is -like $20 each for a beer and sandwich and half a salad in this fast casual environment. But all the service and food details are covered and I have NEVER had a better tasting torta. Ever. And I live in Albany Park where tortas abound on every corner. I recommend. Treat yourself. :)

    (5)

  • Jill J.

    Yummmm!!!!!!! Only complaint is the long wait

    (4)

  • Pha L.

    Was the first restaurant to eat when I first moved here from Houston. Not interesting as I thought Rick Bayless's establishments would be. I am not a fan of community tables either.

    (3)

  • Kate R.

    I adore Xoco. I've gone on multiple occassions, and tried many of the different daily specials. I have to say that Saturday's Barbacoa torta is one of my favorite things to order. While it's not quite as good as my grandfather's cabrito, it's close enough that it has definitely made my list of comfort foods!

    (5)

  • Missy R.

    everything here is amazing.

    (5)

  • C A.

    Always great food. Always fresh. The Pibil is still my favorite. The staff is extremely friendly and willing to help. The manager, Arthur, will go out of his way to make your visit enjoyable.

    (5)

  • Asper K.

    Xoco is very interesting sounding. And it's by rick bayless who is a chef nerd. I've seen him on TV and as far I can tell, he's always on the hunt for undiscovered flavors in faraway lands. I can't remember exactly, but I think there was this one episode where he found the perfect jalapeno which was made by these dumbasses in some dusty hick town in mexico. And he was like, OMG this is the perfect jalapeno. And then he promised to bring it back to America for all the gringos to enjoy. So when I happened on Xoco on my yelp search for interesting lunch spots bikeable from the loop, I went for it. Nerd tortas, okay. I shopped online from my cubicle and after painful deliberation decided on the pepito. Mostly because I like pickles. Its..."Braised Tallgrass shortribs, caramelized onion, artisan Jack, black beans, pickled jalapenos." (BTW, I was happy to see that artisans are in charge of the Jack. I like to support the arts ;)) On arrival, I was immediately welcomed and sorted by the staff. I decided to eat in, and was assigned table 107. Which is a stool on a lunch counter-ish area at the window. Table 108 is the next stool over. I have to hand it to rick bayless when it comes to efficiency, he is a outstanding in this regard. I once bought a torta at his joint at ohare and I was also impressed. Super organized and fast as hell. Obama should've called this motherfcker when he started up the healthcare exchange. Anywho, when the sandwich arrived, I have to say I was a bit disappointed. Meat and cheese on a bun..big whoop. I mean, If you searched, you could find a bit of onion and jalapenos. But where were the exotic ingredients carefully sourced to yield flavor wonderfulness only a very efficient nerd could pull together. Where was my symphony of flavor god dammit? It was meat and cheese on a bun. There was some sauce too, which was good because the sandwich was a bit bland. Afterwords, still hungry I went to the Rock and Roll McDonalds down the street and had a quarter pounder with cheese. It was an equally adequate meat and cheese sando with a bit of pickle and ketchup. Also had an ice cream cone, which was excellent. I should probably bike less. Hungry all the time.

    (3)

  • Joanne T.

    Only reason this place gets a 4 is because their weird seating assignments that make you wait longer than the food takes to prepare. Otherwise, I think the food is great! If you like to dip bread or sandwiches in soups I would definitely try the Ahogada :) it's spicy and a bit tart but it's deeeelicious!

    (4)

  • Alisha H.

    Love this place! Great tortas, great soft serve and churros.

    (5)

  • Molly H.

    My boyfriend and I tried Xoco last night. Overall, it was a fine experience, but in my opinion it's a bit overrated and overpriced (like $12 for a six inch sandwich on a baguette, with no side dish). We were a little surprised by the layout at first; we were expecting a regular sit-down restaurant experience, but instead it's more Chipotle style, where you order at the counter and then find a seat (a very cramped seat in the small, narrow eating area). Their big feature is "tortas," which is apparently a Mexican style Panini (I wasn't familiar). We ordered chips/salsa for an app, and for tortas we got a chicken one with various toppings and a goat one, which is the Saturday special. We were both happy with our choices, but weren't blown away, especially considering the price. I'd rather go to Chipotle for casual Mexican to sit in a similar atmosphere, get more food, and pay a lot less money. Xoco is a restaurant by Rick Bayless (celeb chef) so I'm pretty sure you're paying for the name (it's plastered all over the restaurant). They also have margs and beer for sale. The churros looked awesome, but we didn't order dessert. Maybe we'd go back and try dessert. Otherwise there are lots of other places in the city that I'd check out instead of going back.

    (3)

  • Lynsy M.

    I regularly watch Rick Bayless' cooking show. Still now, I will gladly watch old reruns, again and again. However, Xoco was a bit of a disappointment. I like the concept, but this restaurant is definitely overrated. First, I'm not the biggest fan of the layout; the seating plan can be confusing and creates tight quarters during their busiest times. I don't need a ton of personal space, just enough to feel relaxed and not in other people's way. At almost every angle, people were too close in proximity for comfort. The girl next to me said "sorry" to me more than a few times. In addition, the concept of this restaurant is influenced by "quick service." It was anything but quick. The service was slow, making our wait time more than 40 minutes. Because I am a fan of other Rick Bayless restaurants and his cooking show, I choose to push through the horrible wait. Unfortunately though, the food was not memorable. The tortas were too hard to easily bite through. As I chewed, the hard surface of the torta scraped my gums; It was a very unpleasant experience. If there is one positive about Xoco, though, it would be the sauces that are served with the chips. The sauces were the highlight of our meal but not enough to convince us to regularly frequent Xoco.

    (3)

  • Liz M.

    Food was delicious and authentic! Would definitely get a torta next time. We shared a naked guacamole (yum!) and each had a margarita. Fresh ingredients in the margarita but they were small. I had an amazing carnitas torta. The bread had the perfect softness in the inside and crunch on the outside. My husband had the seafood meal in a bowl and was disappointed. Not a lot of seafood and really spicy. Needed bread to go with broth. Overall, pretty good meal but the reason for only 3 stars is the service. It's chaotic. Though it seems like that might be on purpose, it is confusing. If you are wanting to dine in, you can't tell if you should get in line and order or wait for a table. If you aren't familiar with the menu, it is difficult to see what options you have. Couldn't get additional water service table side, which my husband desperately needed due to the aforementioned spicy bowl. Still glad we went because of the torta!

    (3)

  • Bonnie B.

    Authentic. Casual. Good if u don't mind potentially awkward seating. Order the xoco margarita.

    (4)

  • Danielle M.

    I love XOCO! I would rate it a 5, but that doesn't feel quite right. 4.5 is accurate, but the app on my phone doesn't give that as an option. Anyways, I've been 3 times over 2 years and it hasn't disappointed. I love the pork belly vermicelli caldos, the broth is rich and warm...and the arugula cuts it perfectly. Their chips and guacamole are great, and of course you can't end a meal there without the churros! I've had the chicken caldos and the seafood one as well, and while I loved both of those, the pork is my favorite.

    (4)

  • Mollyann R.

    A Rick Bayless restaurant. Guacamole and churros for the win! We ordered the queso fresco and cicerone on the guacamole. Highly recommended combo! The churros served with a shot of chocolate for dipping were incredible. I really enjoyed the experience here! Mucho delicioso!

    (5)

  • Virginia G.

    delicious! Really good mexican restaurant. Will continue to come here.

    (5)

  • James G.

    Wow, couldn't have enjoyed the afternoon beer and Cochinita Pibil sandwich more! The ordering process was confusing at first but I immediately "got it" as soon as we sat and got our food. It's a wonderful place and I'm so pumped to go back.

    (5)

  • Ty C.

    Carnitas meal- in-a bowl was amazing!!! My friends had the tortas. I can't remember which had what, but they were amazing as well, and you can not leave with out having a Churrio. OMG beyond amazing. Going for the churrios alone is worth the trip

    (3)

  • Shaun C.

    The brunch here is AMAZING. Try the chilaqueles with a poached egg! You won't be disappointed!!

    (5)

  • Lorelei C.

    So, tonight as I was leaving Bottlefork I had to walk by Xoco, now, in all honesty I have never been inside this Rick Bayless Establishment before, but that darn sign in the window that said "Churros" was calling my name and pulling me in to this place. Now, I was welcomed by a nice Hostess Person and she asked me if I was there for dinner.. I stated No, but I sure do want a couple Churros, so she directed me to the counter where this nice guy/associate told me it would take 6 minutes or so for said Churros to be ready.. Well, okay.. I suppose if I have to wait I will... And then I was offered Chocolate Sauce for an additional $1.25 to dip my Churros into, hey, why not? I'll live dangerously! So, there were nice people working at Xoco tonight and I was happy to get my Churros but gotta say.. this place is like so busy/frantic/hyper and all those people running around were making me nuts! But, gotta say, I brought home my Churros and they were still warm and Chewy and I loved dipping them in that Chocolate Sauce.. So for their Churros alone I will rate them 4 stars... And I would probably run in again to get more Churros.. And then I'd run the hell out..:)

    (4)

  • Lubia N.

    Delish food. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the set up of the restaurant... I didn't like the order/take a seat set up. But seeing Rick Bayless in the restaurant made up for it.

    (4)

  • nikki r.

    It's great. The soup is huge and delicious. The hot coco and churros awesome. Try to go on off peak hours and in small groups. Not a place for a large party.

    (4)

  • Jorge B.

    The food is absolutely great, I've had a few of their tortas and they never disappoint. However, there's a few things that keep it from a 5 star review. First, (something they can't help), the place is very tiny and can get very crowded, so it's not a welcoming place to stick around. Come, savour the food, and go! Then, the food usually takes a long time to come. I'm hoping this is because they make things fresh and quality doens't come McQuickly, but I think I've waited longer for my food than the time it takes me to eat it. (It's very tasty, and I'm a fast eater). Last, because of Rick Bayless superstar status, for what it is, it's rather expensive. I'm sure for not much more one could simply eat at Frontera and have a great time, or for significantly less drive to Pilsen and find some really good Mexican food.

    (4)

  • Liz P.

    Celebrity chef fast food joints always deserves a try. If you happen to be stuck in an endless line, he also has one at the O'Hare airport hahaha! Service can be slow but what can you do. They're packed to the max. It's a weird set up, you walk in and stand on line as you graze the menu to decide what you're gonna order. After you place the order, you pay and they sit you at a table or up facing the wall with a number stick and they bring you the food when it's ready. There's not much seating FYI. Had myself a spicy house made chorizo torta. It was good. The red and green sauces were especially yummy. The loaded guac is expensive but worth it, better than Chipotle for sure. The churros are worth a try. Definitely unique in texture and flavor. It was really good for me. So was the chocolate cafe con leche. If you're around the area at an off hour and there's nobody inside, definitely go and get yourself a bite.

    (4)

  • Christina F.

    I came here to order takeout but wasn't expecting such a fast food oriented set up. Not a negative, just an observation. I ordered the Carnitas and Authentic hot chocolate. I initially planned to save the hot chocolate for after lunch but the cashier asked if I wanted it while waiting for my food. Good recommendation. It lasted my mere 7 min wait for the food and the cold walk back to my hotel. The hot chocolate, which is made with freshly ground chocolate was rich and slightly tangy. Took a little getting used to but thumbs up. And on to the main attraction: the Carnitas. Because I got it to go, the pork and soup came in a tall cup and the greens, onions, and avocado came in a smaller cup (FYI, dry ingredients go into the big soup cup. May seem obvious but I spent 15 secs debating which goes into which. A long day). This made my experience different than if I were dining in and eating out of a bowl because every once in a while, I'd stumble upon something in that deep ol' cup that I forgot came with the soup. Avocados? Oh yeah! Dumplings? Yes! Although the dumplings were just ok. Everything else was very, very tasty. The flavors of all the different ingredients came together so nicely and the pork was so tender. And the portions may not look impressive in that cup but I had to take a nap after mine. I want to come back for that guac.

    (4)

  • Gregg B.

    off the hook! best sandwich and the loaded guacamole with sun dried tomatoes, pistachios and cheese are crazy amazing. I would say the short rib torta and the mushroom torta are the best

    (5)

  • Elsie W.

    The one thing I love about this place is BACON POPCORN that they sell in packs. Their hot chocolate is also good, very thick and dark. For seating, you line up at the cashier and there is a dude who finds available tables for you and tells you a number. It's very casual. I don't remember much about the food. We had a caldo (soup), suckling pig torta, and guac (which I remember to be amazing). The torta was filled with shredded/pulled pork, which I didn't really like. The caldo had pork belly in it, which I enjoyed but was not the best. Everything on the menu is pretty much spicy. But if you do go here, get the guac and the bacon popcorn.

    (3)

  • Mike T.

    I've only been there once, but the experience was pleasant, different from the ordinary mexican food experience, and quite tasty. I would recommend for quick and affordable Rick Bayless experience

    (5)

  • Ryan P.

    This place is fantastic, my go-to recommendation to people who are looking for something to eat near the loop. This is the only restaurant I've had the chance to try in the Bayless empire but I'm rather to try more.

    (5)

  • Tracy R.

    I used to love this place. Maybe it was an "off" day for them, but judging from the lack of customers that used to line up out the door, maybe not. I'm pretty busy and don't Yelp as much as I should, so something has to be out of the ordinary on either the positive or negative to get me to spend time on a review. Chicago is overflowing with incredible options and I've always found Yelp to be helpful when I'm deciding where to go on a given day. If I see low stars, I scan the review to see if the reasoning is something that would impact me or not and make my decision. I typically don't mind when a review marks down for service unless I'm going to a very high end establishment - most service related issues don't bother me. However, the consistently terrible service from Xoco gets my attention now because unfortunately, the food was equally awful this time. They have an unusual system for ordering and getting a table, which is fantastic if it helps them manage large numbers of customers in a small space - but since it's not the norm and patrons don't typically know what to expect, it would be nice if they could refrain from allowing their thinly veiled contempt from shining through when a customer has questions. I've been coming here since they opened, and I'm honestly not sure if they've had turnover in the staff or not. The men who work here really bust their arses and seem to be generally okay with life. The women though... are consistently crabby, unsmiling, rude, terse, and cold. There is a definite "look" and style all these pretty, young Latinas have in common - that's why I'm not sure if there's been turnover or if it's the same bitter bunch each time I visit. (All the Hipsters in Logan Square look the same to me too, so no - it's not a racist thing - it's a haircut, makeup, clothing choice, body type thing). I've not worked in food service in my career, but I assume it's a tough job. I can't even imagine the random abuse these women must take from the crowds of tourists and pushy white people that filter through this place, but they could at least try to conceal how much they hate you when taking your order, taking your money, and seating you. I've been a major fan of their bean to cup chocolate since they opened, but today, sadly.. my "Classic" was watery and weak. I only drank about 1/4 of the small cup before deciding it wasn't even close to being worth the calories. This pains me! At first I thought maybe it was because I've been spoiled by Catherine Anne's drinking chocolate or Mindy Segal's Hot Chocolate, but nope. This was crap. Then I tried the formerly mind-blowing fresh churros. They used to be pillow soft, warm, and dusted lightly in crushed cacao nibs and raw sugar. These were overdone, hard as two day old bread, and buried in about 4 times the sugar they needed. Terrible. They snapped into a zillion bits when trying to pry off a bite. Okay... the scone or as they call it - biscocho. I would have told anyone that Xoco had the best scones in Chicago last month. This one was Mexican Chocolate. It was also tasteless, had the consistency of a muffin (GAH!), and had something disgusting and gooey inside that did NOT belong there when I broke off a bite. Wow. I'm just so disappointed. Maybe the quality has really suffered in the months since I've been here, maybe it was an off day - but for everything to have gone so wrong? I don't think so. I rely on other reviewers to let me know when something has changed so drastically, so here I am - doing the same. It's just no longer worth fighting the tourists, the traffic, the lack of parking, paying their highish prices, tolerating the open contempt of their female staff, for inedible and sad mexican "street" fare. I'll probably try again some day after I've let this experience wear off, since it used to be so so so wonderful, but not for a looooong time. Adios.

    (2)

  • Mariel I.

    I love this place everything was amazing ftom customer service to the food. I will definitely come back here. Came here from California saw the great reviews about this place and now I know why.

    (5)

  • Borat S.

    I had been here once for the first time, and I was in love with the place. Even though the line was really long, I really loved all the food. The second time I went I brought friends with me and told them about how great I though it was. We all ended up disappointed with the quality.

    (3)

  • Andrew S.

    loved our tortas and the speediness of our dining experience. only bayless could charge what he does for his tortas but they were dope.

    (4)

  • Frances X.

    I thought this is one of the most overpriced place in Chicago I have been to. The food is fine, but still feels just like some glorified street food. To me there are many places that serve just as tasty quick bites without the hype, for example Bahn mi & Co. and Cafecito. Besides, often there is a long wait.

    (2)

  • Sarah S.

    I've never had anything I didn't like here. The Ahogada, which is an eat-in only sandwich is particularly good; it's swimming in a delicious sauce and is juicy and delicious. But the accoutrements: chips, guac, salsa, are just as good. I've also had the Choriqueso, which is delicious but less "special": I can get a chorizo torta most places. Go for the stuff that sounds interesting and Bayless-y. Only downside here is the wait. I find I can never predict when it will be long and when it will be short, but certainly weekend lunches is a bad plan, unless you brought a good book to read. Once they get to you, though, the food comes relatively efficiently; just listen to their instructions about where the drinks are, where to sit, etc, which can be a little confusing.

    (5)

  • Mushira A.

    Love this place. Seating can be terrible at times. They are quick and the food is really good. Love the fresh guac. Wish they had one in the suburbs!

    (4)

  • Frankie S.

    Delicious food. I recommend the churros, particularly. They are a bargain!

    (5)

  • al o.

    That was really really good. I like that the menu is smaller so easy to choose. There was a line to get seated but a server brought me cucumber infused water while I waited. That was great. I ordered the soup with toasted pork, and the pork was actually roasted, great stuff. So good. Then the churros, gonna be great.

    (4)

  • Jennifer P.

    Can't help but give them a 5 star rating. They deserve nothing less. An amazing place to chill out, relax and just enjoy mexican food, where can I find one? Oh yes.. this is that place. I come here often to foget the troubles of the world to enjoy the glory of the food. The torta with a side a guac is the recipie for a mouthgasm. yes I've had so many of those here :) If you love food the way I do, you need to come here at least once.

    (5)

  • Sherri C.

    I heard great things about Rick Bayless' Xoco, so I had to give it a try when I was in town. I'm a lover of soup, so I decided to try the Chicken Pozole. It had chicken, pozole corn, crispy garnishes, ground red chile, and lime. The broth was flavorful, but it was suuuuper salty! I had to keep eating spoonfuls of pozole corn just to offset the really salty broth. I also tried the infamous Churros, and I was so disappointed. I thought the churros were a little too thin, and didn't have the soft center. I really did not like the specks of chocolate on them either, but I guess that's supposed to be authentic Mexican churros?... I think I'll just stick to my Disneyland churros (THE best!).

    (2)

  • Wendy W.

    I didn't think it was possible to make gourmet a Churro but Xoco has managed to elevate this everyday street food into something seductively delicious. Walking into Xoco, you are faced with the daunting task of ordering your Torta without the luxury of studying the menu at your leisure. As a first time visitor, everything looked so delicious that my head was spinning with greed...until I realized there were people waiting to order behind me. Make no mistakes however, that the fast food feel of ordering in no way takes away from their exceptional service. After you order, your congenial host guides you to your table where you anxiously wait for your food. The Tortas we ordered were beyond my expectations. The meat (suckling pig) was packed with flavor without being overly salty or spicy. The bread was wood-baked giving it a crusty finish that made the meat-bread bite absolutely sensational. We plowed through those sandwiches speechless for a good 10 minutes before coming up for air. The shortrib red chili soup was warming and hearty. The combination of tender meat, fresh vegetables and tomato-ey broth was exactly what we needed to brave Chicago's frigid winter. And of course, the Churro. The star of the show was heavenly. We had no shame placing a second order of these crispy, pillowey dessert and even less shame licking the cup of chocolate dipping sauce. I won't lie, I got a slight sticker shock at first. But after experiencing the food, you will understand why people line the block for these sandwiches. The ingredients are top notch and the flavors are exceptional.

    (5)

  • Megan C.

    Xoco. You let us down. The food was alright for a Mexican restaurant. But really is no better than most fast food Mexican places with your burrito or taco wrapped in foil. Though here they put It in a basket. Also they only serve lemonade and alcohol. You buy chips and salsa separately. Doesn't come with. And you pay $40 for two tortas, and a basket of chips and salsa. That's not even including a $4 coke. As they don't have any sodas. I'm not sure why this place has such high reviews. Or why so many people like it. If you're going to sit down and eat at a Mexican restaurant and have high expectations for food, taste, quality and maybe a shred of authenticity. This is not your place.

    (2)

  • Elli T.

    It's always packed over the lunch hour, so be prepared to wait in line, but the food is worth it! Delicious sandwiches and hot chocolate.

    (5)

  • Mat G.

    amazing

    (5)

  • Linda N.

    My friend and I went during 4 pm on a weekday and there was no wait!! We both had a carne asada torte special and it was delicious. The food tasted very fresh. The churros were also a nice treat and I would always recommend them for dessert.!! I tried the plain ones but I'm sure the chocolate dipped ones would also be delicious.

    (4)

  • Kevin L.

    Fantastic lunch spot. Rick Bayless' spots are always popular and for good reason. Pick up a torta with a side of guac and you'll be happy you went here. Carnitas and chicken tinga are my favorites so far. Another Rick Bayless restaurant, Frontera Fresco, should be on your list to go if you're craving tacos instead of tortas. Also, churros? Yes, please, thank you.

    (4)

  • F S.

    Good food modern Maxican

    (3)

  • Tanya A.

    My boyfriend and I tried this place out while we were in town. It's a small restaurant so accommodating a large group would be hard. I liked that we were instantly greeted and given a menu. Host gave some recommendations as we told him we were first-timers and I really appreciated that he tried to pronounce the dishes as accurately as he could. My boyfriend had the torta ahogada, I had the cubana, and we both had the agua de jamaica. I was really satisfied with my torta. It was cheesy and the salsa had a great kick. The bacon in my torta was a little too thick for me but it definitely gave it a good additional flavor to it. I wished the torta bread was a little fluffier/softer because I have braces and it made it a little hard for me to chew on. I hated the lack of dish they used for my torta. It came in a basket (like school cafeteria basket) and it looked awfully cheap compared to my boyfriend's dish that came in a nice plate. My boyfriend said his torta ahogada was too salty. I didn't try it because I was really enjoying mine but I'm sure I would've have thought the same (my salt-tasting sensitivity is usually more delicate than his). He tried mine and he liked mine a lot more than his. Their agua de jamaica was a little different than what we are used to (we're mexican) because the agua was mixed with lemonade. We both thought the agua de jamaica was wayyy too sweet and acidic! We had to water it down to be able to drink it. We also ended up trying the churros and the hot chocolate. I was really expecting the hot chocolate to be the "abuelita's" hot chocolate mixture (to me, that is the traditional way to make mexican hot chocolate) and that is not what it was. We got the "authentic hot chocolate" and it was really hard too drink because it was so rich in chocolate. It reminded me of the hot chocolate that is served in Paris. We couldn't drink it because it was just way too much chocolate. My boyfriend thought the churros were amazing. I didn't think they were spectacular in any way. If I were to go again, I'd definitely have the torta with water and no dessert.

    (4)

  • Jim K.

    Mmmm tasty. This place has some really excellent food. I had a tasty torta and my dining companion had the soup. I would have definitely slurped down both in a hurry if given the chance. It was a bit on the more expensive side than I ususally expect from a Mexican place, but overall, good. Nice selection of beer as well. I need my Three Floyds fix when I'm in the Midwest.

    (4)

  • Rae Ann P.

    Finally got back here and had the breakfast - had several items off the menu and just can't say which one was the best - probably should have written them down - but remember breakfast cuts off at 10 and tostas aren't available until 11!!!

    (5)

  • Jackie W.

    Fox Ford Lincoln was great to me. They found incentives and ways to help me buy my car, they explained the deal to me accurately, They were friendly. I have to mention David who was creatively friendly and very helpful. Also there was Micheal, Jose and Tara. The finance guy was nice too, I bought my car with no hassles, things were delivered when they said they were to be delivered and they also explained the car to me. I have not stopped driving since, except to sleep I give them all ten stars. THEY WERE GREAT AND i WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO GO TO THESE DEALERS FOR A FORD OR LINCOLN/ GREAT JOB GUYS.

    (5)

  • James H.

    Rick Bayless is the king. Not only has he given Chicago three incredible restaurants, but he had to overcome incredible adversity in his personal life - he was raised with Skip Bayless as his brother! Xoco can do no wrong. The sandwiches, the soups, the churros, the hot chocolate, the soft serve ice cream, the beer selection; it's all awesome. Go with a group. Enjoy the wait in line. And then share a ton of food.

    (5)

  • Alex O.

    Heaven go here.. Loved it Thank you!!!

    (5)

  • Sam A.

    Had a sandwich from here a couple months ago, Cubano I think. It was fantastic, but for the price you can get just as good as sandwiches from Rick Bayless' (owner/chef of Xoco) Frontera Express. Pro tip: There's a Frontera Express in O'Hare and makes for the best plane food option (Note: this food is leagues better than any airport/airplane food).

    (4)

  • Alissa K.

    Yum! Definitely order a torta. They are pretty much all excellent. I don't even know what is on the rest of the menu. If you don't want to wait, carry out. You can order ahead and go pick it up fresh. Skip the guacamole. Not that good and a sandwich is plenty filling. If you like thick and really rich, try the hot chocolate. They are closed Sunday and Monday. This is one of the few places I go back to again and again.

    (5)

  • Hannah F.

    We came at 6:30 pm thinking that we wouldn't have to wait too long.The wait was about 30 minutes and you have to stand in line. While we were waiting, the manager came by and talked to us about the menu. He made recommendations about the food and what beverage would complement our meal. Very helpful. All their food looked very good. We ended up choosing the the suckling pig sandwhich & the pork belly soup & the pistachio churros for dessert. I like the sandwhich better than the soup. The pork in the soup & the sandwhich was full of flavor. Taste like what good & authentic carnitas taste like.The churro was very fresh & the pistachio glaze gave it a different flavor but I found it outstanding. For drinks we got the pineapple bling (pale beer) and the bottled cocktail margarita. Both were very tasty. My only complaint is the place was very small & you had to share a table which we didn't mind but it felt really crowded in there. I think they had more people in the restaurant than it was suppose to hold.

    (4)

  • Steven S.

    I've been there a few times and I've always liked it. I really like the one that comes in the tomato soup.

    (4)

  • Daniel W.

    Everything was excellent if they say it's hot then they are probably referring to the side salsa they give you that taste as if it were made from some potent ghost peppers. Ordered across the menu and every selection hit the spot. Margaritas are small but very potent and have excellent taste.

    (5)

  • Monica J.

    My friend and I came here for lunch around 1145 and there was a long line so we went to run errands and came back around 1:45; the line was worse. So we decided to get take out. We ordered two woodland mushroom veg. Tortas to go. We asked if we could sub avocados in for cheese BC we weren't going to get cheese but were told it would cost extra. Considering how pricey even their veg. Tortas are, we decided to go without avocados. The tortas were good but not great. Too much bread and not enough filling. For a veg. Torta aka sandwich, there should be more filling to accommodate the lack of meat. In addition, we used so much of their hot sauces BC the torta didn't have much flavor. The size of the torta was too small for an average person and no sides are included. You can always pay $7 more for guac, though ;)

    (2)

  • Larissa F.

    good food, horrible environment to dine-in. crowded and bustle-y, and its so cramped that waiters bump into you (while you're sitting down) while getting food to people.

    (3)

  • Karl B.

    A great place for lunch, unless its Monday and they're closed.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth F.

    Amazing place. Line out the door at 10:00pm. Can't get enough of the wine, beer, and soup.

    (5)

  • Natasha S.

    I heard this place is a great breakfast joint, but wasn't able to experience that due to my limited time in Chicago. Went in around 3-4pm. Wasn't crowded at all. Ordered salsa and chips, the pork belly/bacon torta, a jamaica sangria, and pozole. Everything was delicious. The salsas had SO much flavor. Lots of Mexican restaurants don't make their salsa that good. My mom was a fan of the green salsa while I was a fan of the red. The torta was perfectly crunchy on the outside, full of flavor on the inside. Might have a little too much mayo for some people's palette, but it was JUST enough for me. I enjoyed every bite of it. I was surprised to see the pozole with a clear broth. Being Mexican, I normally make pozole with red chile. It was cool to see the pozole is made with chicken when it's normally made with pork. The broth tasted way too good to have been made with just chicken. I feel like the broth was made with pork for flavor and had chicken bits for added protein. I am not against pork, (I'm sure you can tell by me ordering the torta) and I make my pozole with chicken too. Squirt lots of like juice in there, throw in some of that fresh salsa for some spice, and you've got yourself a great soup on a cold day. I loved how much shredded cabbage was in there as well. Great crunch. The sangria was pretty strong and still yummy. Thumbs up to that. Ps: Rick Bayless came in while I was walking out. Awesome to see him walk into his restaurant with his chef's coat on and tasting the food=quality.

    (5)

  • Jessica N.

    Great place for lunch! Just make sure you get there early - this place usually gets a line out the door. Keep an eye out for Rick Bayless

    (5)

  • Liz D.

    So, so good! The woodland mushroom soup is my favorite, but i have enjoyed everything i've tried. I always finish my meal with fresh made churros and the dipping chocolate, delicious!

    (5)

  • Mitch M.

    I am only reviewing the churros which are amazing. My gf has a thing for churros so I have stopped in here twice now to grab a batch to go and each time they bring the noise and the funk. There is a chocolate dipping sauce but it doesn't really add much, the churro alone is great.

    (4)

  • Ami A.

    Chicago, you truly are foodie heaven. We came here for breakfast right at opening on a weekday. Here's what we tried: Classic Hot Chocolate: Extremely heavy... was only able to drink a 1/3 of it. And i'm the kind of person that can ALWAYS finish what's in front of me. I was defeated here. Pistachio glazed churro: So unusual, yet yummy. I had to order this since I knew I would probably never come across it again! Churro: The standard churro was just okay. The ones at Disneyland are actually much better (Disneyland's churros are boss in case you don't know). Iron Creek Tomato Mollete: It was almost like a flatbread topped with cheese and carmalized onions. It came with a green sauce/salsa on the side and the combination was heavenly. I asked for vegetarian beans. Excellent. One of the best breakfasts I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Vivian D.

    I received outstanding service from Berman's Star Nissan at 5757 W. Touhy Ave in Niles, IL. The way Billy Werner orchestrated a troubling situation so that it was resolved amicably is truly commendable. He facilitated the contact of several venues in such a manner that I couldn't be more pleased. All agencies have been exemplary -- the rental agency, Evanston Rent-A-Car at 112 Asbury Avenue in Evanston: Brown's Auto Body and Nissan. First, Evanston Rent-A-Car: It was as if divine providence selected the rental car for me: a super-charged Pontiac G6 that to me was akin to a race car. The monsoon stereo was a blast, a great listen. The '69 - horsepower engine mated to a four speed automatic transmission with ABS and traction control made the ride thrilling to me. The cloth seats with 6 way adjustment made me feel like I was riding in my living room chairs.Raymond's ease made me feel relaxed in a stressful situation. When I walked into Brown's at 6440 N. Western Ave. in Chicago, I was warmed by the family atmosphere. I happened to walk in during lunch, and was received graciously by John Smolinski, the lead man beside the owner and his daughter. John and I talked at length about the repairs made to the car, and he was very generous with his time. The time it took to repair a bashed in passenger door was more that worth it. My 2012 Nissan Rogue looked absolutely stunning --commensurate with a 2013 Nissan -- not a trace of the accident I had was visible. All the men, and the daughter and son in Brown's Auto Body went out of their way to help me in the many necessary transaction that took place. I am so grateful, especially to Billy at Nissan, for coordinating everything. Vivian DeGraff

    (5)

  • Weijia L.

    Went there for breakfast. The hot chocolate was too sweet for me(I mean, sweeter than dunkin' donuts) But the churro was very tasty. I wish the hot chocolate could be more chocolate-y in order to balance out the sugar-coated churro. It's an order-first-then-sit-down kind of style. The walls are painted in colors. I couldn't remember the name of our food. But they were satisfying.

    (4)

  • Sany N.

    Price: Pretttty expensive Location: Easy to find, lots of local restaurants, definitely in a good food-centered place Wait: Longggg, this place is crazy popular, so expect to wait in line to purchase, also its meant to be a "casual dining" which means its doesn't house a lot of tables for sit downs and people don't spend a lot of time there to mingle Food: Don't get me wrong the food is great, but for the price i'd have to say pass. I'm glad I got to experience this place, but I dont think i'd come here again after experiencing the wait, tightness, loudness, crowdedness and so forth. One thing I do recommend though is their churros! I got the chicken Melsusa (sp) and it was alright. I liked my sister's vegetarian torta more instead.

    (4)

  • Michael J.

    Food was OK, nothing we had stood out.

    (3)

  • Katie M.

    I trekked all the way down from Rogers Park to try this Bayless restaurant in a terrible torrential sleet storm so maybe I had high expectations. Here's the thing. Tasty. Well-thought-out. But basically a classy fast food joint that isn't exactly cheap, and the seating -- at counters with high stools -- does not make me want to eat there. It's true that everything was on the scale from good-to-delicious, but the eating experience left something to be desired. And I'm someone who feels that Chipotle has a positive "dining experience"! I did go in the evening though, and I can imagine this works better for lunch. Certainly if I worked around the corner, this would be a perfect lunch destination if I was feeling generous with my pennies.

    (3)

  • Phillip R.

    I love this place! It's perfect place to get great tasting fresh tortas, I went in wanting the ahogado which looked delicious but wasn't able to take it to go, which was disappointing. I was told to try the milanesa, it was really good but not quite what I was after. The bread held together well ( which can be a problem with tortas) the pickled onions and jalapeño mayo were awesome complimented the crispy chicken well. To go with the sandwich I had the Poole and it was very fresh and flavorful but I got it to go, so I didn't get to eat it properly. Meaning it wasn't well mixed. The cabbage and seasoning were on the side. The broth was phenomenal and I am a big time soup guy! The staff was great, I don't like the fact that the carry out orders are placed in front of the door and I wish the space was more open. I will definitely be going back, I got to try that ahogado!!

    (4)

  • Leon B.

    Great food and even better service! Didn't get the manager's name, but he really took care of us! he made recommendations and was Great at keeping the line moving and people satisfied. He even treated us to a free round of drinks! The seafood ceviche was amazing! Be sure to squirt the lime on it. The chicken torta was equally as tasty, but a little on the well done side and needed more chicken and less bread. The drinks were great. Chips and salsa come with your meal, too. My only complaint was that for almost $60, we should have gotten much more food. The portions are tiny.

    (4)

  • Alex J.

    People seem to love this place. I am not a fan. $4 coffee $12 Sandwich $7 guacamole I love Mexican food. In Mexico. On 26th or 18th Street, on Chicago Avenue.. Anywhere, but here. And by ANYONE but Rick Bayless.

    (1)

  • Jose A.

    Off the charts Mexican, don't even touch the menu, tell the waiter/waitress what you want and like... Done.

    (5)

  • Nicole W.

    Went to Xoco to figure out what all the rage was. Xoco has such good food it is surprising that they make you wait in line like they do. This place is informal, the manager was super helpful, the food was phenomenal, and the drinks were delicious. The only thing I didn't like was the seating, we sat at an area that apparently everyone wanted to pass by or hover around since it was on the way to the bathroom. The manager was able to move us to a good area so we could enjoy the food and not get distracted. Great prices too!

    (4)

  • Judy B.

    Came here with a friend during my trip to Chicago, as our first stop for lunch on our first day of our eating adventure. There was no line at all when we got there, and the place just seemed extremely casual. I ordered the short rib torta and grilled peach empanada for dessert. Short Rib torta: It was good, but it wasn't spectacular. For $12, I had expected a thicker sandwich, whether it was more meat, more onions, more whatever, in between the two breads. I also didn't like how hard the bread was to crunch into, but that's just my bread preference. The meat was good though and their salsa made it even better. Still wouldn't make a full trip just to get a torta here though. For the price, it's a little overhyped. Grilled Peach Empanada: This is what saved it for Xoco from me giving them 3 stars. The Grilled Peach Empanada was so amazingly good. It's basically an Empanada stuffed with diced peach, some cinnamon i think, and ricotta cheese topped with cinnamon sugar. SO GOOD. Granted, again, it was a tad bit expensive for one piece, BUT WORTH IT. I would actually go back to Xoco more for this than for the torta. Overall just a very casual place to grab lunch, but wouldn't crave it on the daily.

    (4)

  • Keith R.

    The place is great. My wife and I went there for lunch on Saturday. The line was out the door, but when I started eating I realized why. We had the chicken baja tortas, and they were delicious. The tortilla chips were made there, and they were great. It's a little higher than some other places of comparison, but it's worth the little extra cost.

    (4)

  • Cooper C.

    Great service and great tequila. Carlos is probably one of the best bartenders in town and is great regarding tequila facts and folklore.

    (4)

  • Anthony N.

    ***Rick Bayless' XOCO features a great Saturday chilaquiles special and their lunch tortas look very appetizing*** Rick Bayless' XOCO is a popular breakfast and lunch spot in the lively River North neighborhood in Chicago. Bayless performed very well on Top Chef Masters and he has two restaurants in Chicago (the upscale and casual Frontera Grill and the more fine dining and Michelin starred Topolobampo), some surprisingly good tortas eateries at O'Hare, and even a line of salsas, chips and dry goods you can find in stores like Cost Plus World Market. XOCO is not a sit-down restaurant like Frontera or Topolobampo. It is an order-at-the-counter spot where you can dine in or get food to go. I did not get to try XOCO's tortas, but I stopped here for breakfast twice. XOCO features a mix of breakfast tortas, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, churros, and French toast. Their chilaquiles are dine-in only and vary in ingredients depending on when you go. On weekdays, you can find chilaquiles with Samuel's cheese and tomato-serrano sauce and then the option of scrambled eggs or chicken. A pork belly chilaquiles is also available on weekdays. On weekends, you can get a Saturday only chilaquiles special, which features crispy, crunchy tortillas and Samuel's Cheese but also caramelized onion, a baked egg, and guajillo chili sauce. For an additional charge, you can add braised beef short rib. The Saturday special is the way to go. The tortillas have a much better texture than their weekday chilaquiles where the tomato-serrano sauce makes the chips too soggy. On the Saturday chilaquiles, the tortillas have a much greater crunch and crispier exterior. The chips are nicely flavored too at the center with the very good sauce. The braised beef short rib might not be the most generous portion, but the quality, flavor and crispy edge of the beef are all good. The only thing that could have been better was the baked egg, which was a little too cooked so there was not much of a runny center. yelp.com/biz_photos/xoco… The weekday chicken and scrambled eggs chilaquiles are fine, but the scrambled eggs and chicken definitely do not stand out as much as the baked egg and the beef short rib. yelp.com/biz_photos/xoco… I also had their chorizo empanada, which was a mix of chorizo, scrambled eggs and roasted poblano in a pastry crust. The crust was pretty good and not too dry. The flavor of the filling was pretty spicy and good. I probably would have preferred a moister and creamier filling than the more ground chorizo texture; however, I am not that familiar with empanadas so XOCO's version might be consistent with what most people would expect. yelp.com/biz_photos/xoco… Their churros are crispy and had a great sweet exterior. I would have preferred more thickness so there was a soft and moist center to go with the good crispy exterior. A good chocolate dipping sauce is also available. yelp.com/biz_photos/xoco… XOCO also features a variety of chocolate drinks like straight chocolate shots and hot chocolate. I had their authentic hot chocolate and I thought it was okay. It was a little too rich and strong for my taste. yelp.com/biz_photos/xoco… Service was good--friendly and quick. Prices are low, but portions are, for the most part, small. Everything on their breakfast menu is in the $5-$7 range so you can sample different dishes, flavor combinations and proteins for $15. I really liked XOCO's Saturday chilaquiles, which is one of the best breakfast dishes I have had in a long time. Their other items were more in the just decent range. A lot of the food here is very appealing though and this is a very popular spot run by a renowned Chicago chef. It is a must visit for locals or visitors for breakfast or lunch. I am not sure what the parking situation is around here.

    (4)

  • Stephanie M.

    Great spot! Xoco was great - its sort of a fast food resaurant, but the food is fresh and there is service. The gauc is awesome - definitely worth getting. the churros were also fantastic! we had the basic chicken sandwich/wrap item, and it was also really good, but the chicken wasnt that 'clean'. Little pricey for not full service, but worth it. Would definitely go back!

    (4)

  • John B.

    Umm... does someone have directions on how to work this restaurant?!? My first question to a staff member "Is the sidewalk seating first come first serve?" They tell me that I can request that with the host.... Easy right? ...What host? Who's the host? I go to a nearby computer and let him know I have 4 in my party... He lets me know that this is for carrout only and tells me to stand in a long line nearby. Okay... I wait...and wait... No host. I finally get to the cash register. Mind you I was not expecting to order, but I was in luck, I Can't! The gentleman asks for my table number, but since I don't have one, he tells me I have to wait and cannot order! He then says "the host has not given you a table number?" What host and who's on first?!? The host then comes up and lets me know she is looking for a table (Did I mention its 3Pm on a Saturday). I then get a table number and a little voice in my head tells me to ask if its big enough for my party since she didn't ask how many.... No... I wait again and the people behind me take my number. Just as I am about to give up and order to-go, I get a number and order. 2 Tortas 2 Grilled cheese for the kids 1 Guac 4 Churros 2 Drinks 2 Chocolates $60 Bucks The guac arrives, pretty looking, tastes good, not really mixed but topped with a bunch of stuff. Scale 1-10... 7 So the Tortas arrive... That's it?!?! Ity bity sandwiches. The kids grilled cheese is larger. Pork Belly- Really Tasty! Wish I had more than couple bites. ...9 on flavor Pepito- Meh... Nothing special...BUT!!!! The sauce on the side(Im guessing Jalapeno) was by far the hottest sauce I have ever gotten in a restaurant! (I should mention here that I put hot sauce that I literally have to sign a waiver to get, on everything.) My wife had one bite and had to take a moment to cry for a bit and drink everything in sight(this was funny since the first drink she went for was basically flavored lime juice and made things worse). I loved it. I have no idea how it was so hot since it was just Jalapeno, but I loved it. Sandwich...5 Sauce... 10 The grilled cheese was a 9 and I would recommend this over almost everything else. Churros- They were good and all, but I think the hype is from people that have never had a fresh Churro. Its good, nothing to explode over...7 Chocolate 2 ways. This is fresh, homemade Chocolate at its finest!... And it tastes horrid!!! Lol, I apparently do not possess the refined taste to understand un-sweetened molten chocolate in a cup. Sorry. I know people like this vial liquid, so I will say it is the best horrid chocolate I have ever had! Overall, I would not go here unless it was for takeout. The price on the sandwiches is supposed reflect freshness and local foods... But so does Chipotle and I don't leave hungry and 12 bucks short. Skip the tortas, churros and grilled cheese are a solid bet. If you've got money falling out of your pants go for the pork belly with the hot stuff. If you want hot chocolate, go to Starbucks. Fin.

    (2)

  • Randi M.

    This was right down the street from our hotel, so we walked over after arriving in Chicago. OMG, yummy. We shared the chicken Milanese sandwich( the only white meat chicken sandwich option) and it was enough with side of gauc and chips. Very tasty. Even my picky Ms. Pickster spouse enjoyed it. We ordered the churros and they came out after the dinner( I had to ask again for them). Loved them too. I only wish I would have had more time to go back again.

    (4)

  • Rachel S.

    I have wanted to go to this place for ages and finally had a chance to go with a friend on a week night. The margarita was divine! Good tequila and no thick sugary syrup. The tomato soup served with my sandwich seemed to be a tad bit too salty, but overall it was a delicious dinning experience and I would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Grace C.

    Very nice churros. I got pistachio flavor. Amazing!! They made it pretty fresh right when I order. If you want best churros in the city, I think this is it!

    (4)

  • Faye G.

    Love this place. Absolutely delicious!

    (4)

  • Double L.

    Tasty and certainly pricey. Worth checking out though.

    (4)

  • Breanne T.

    Let me preface this review by saying that I'm usually not a fan of tortas or sandwiches of any kind in general... But, Xoco was highly recommended by friends so I went for it! I got the pork belly special and the flavor combo was amazing. It's was a little on the pricy end ($12) but worth it because the ingredients were fresh and the bread was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The highlight however was the churros!! No matter what you order here, make sure you end your meal with at least one churro!

    (4)

  • Pirates C.

    Been here a few times. Would've given it 4 maybe 5 stars the first time around. Then maybe 3-4 stars the next few tries. And, then maybe 2-3 stars the most recent trips. Food has gotten saltier. Service has gotten more sporadicly bad. Prices have definitely increased. Place is dirtier. Another one of those places where the "chef" is no where to be found anymore. Tired and bored.

    (3)

  • Mike D.

    It honestly doesn't blow me away. Perhaps it's just the medium (sandwiches) that I don't love, but it just doesn't do for me what it apparently does for some. Certainly give it a shot - the chips and guacamole are great and the ingredients are delicious and fresh. Just... sandwiches, man. If the line is long, abort.

    (3)

  • Maureen W.

    Really delicious food. My only complaint is that sometimes the wait takes forever.

    (4)

  • Erin R.

    I adore this place. The pork belly vermicelli is amazing. The ahogada is my go-to dish here. Tender pork on perfect bread nestled in perfectly-seasoned, spicy soup. I can't get enough. And the churros are a perfectly sweet ending to a spicy meal. Don't miss the chilaquiles at breakfast. Just go here. Sometimes you wait. That's what happens when a place gets it so right.

    (5)

  • Kevin J.

    I've stopped in Xoco a couple of times for a quick bite and have never been let down. They get you in quickly and you sort of run through the line like a train. There's menu's on the windowsills to look at, as well as a giant chalk board menu on display. It's a pretty simple process. You get in line, place your order, and they assign you a seat and bring you your food. On the most recent visit we stopped in on a busy Saturday. Luckily the special that day was Goat Barbacoa tortas. Yum. Excellent slow roasted goat that was falling apart underneath the toasted bread. The marinade was fantastic. The house made chicharones were also very good, although not the best I have had. Alcohol is on the high side here, however non-alcoholic limonada was reasonable and tasty. Try to eat here during non-peak hours, although I must say for walking in at 4pm on a Saturday, we were eating within 10 minutes.

    (4)

  • Lindsey W.

    Delicious food. Friendly staff. A bit overpriced, I thought, for what you got. Guacamole was good with all the fixins and beer selection was good, but a bit too much $$$. It is in the Gold Coast, though, so understandable. Very well worth it for a treat to yourself.

    (4)

  • k. f.

    I needed a moving company last minute to help me move my possessions from an ABF moving container into a storage unit. Joseph's company LODESTAR MOVERS did the job for me and were very professional. He and his co-worker did a fast, efficient, and caring job. I definitely would hire this company again (in fact when I do find a place to live, I plan on hiring LODESTAR MOVERS). Joseph made sure that every moving need I had-and I had a few- was taken care of.

    (5)

  • Gretchen E.

    It's Rick Bayless, what's not to love? The food is delicious and flavorful. The service is great and quick. Xoco is the perfect place to stop for a bite when in River North. The only downside is the long lines on the weekends.

    (4)

  • Jim M.

    I ate here again yesterday and I'd like to rave about my positive experience. Almost no line at 1:30 pm. Not cheap but excellent value! I had an Ahogada torta: golden pork carnitas, black beans, spicy arbol chile sauce & pickled onions on phenomenally tasty crusty roll in tomato broth/ sauce! I loved this dish. It was tasty, and the tomato sauce made it even more so. But my favorite comment is about the quality of the staff here. They are very helpful and considerate - surprising since they aren't making much in tips. I ate at an outside table where I inadvertently left my I-phone. Arthur, a manager sent my wife a text that staff found my phone & he would hold in their safe until I returned to pick it up. Arthur turned down my $10 offered as a tip/ reward for considerate service above call of duty imo today saying that he was just doing his job. Kudos to Mr. Bayless (& 5 stars!) for a really well run operation that I look forward to eating at again soon!!!

    (5)

  • Brandon B.

    Now that the huge lines have died down a bit, I was able to get in and out of here in 45 minutes on a Saturday at 1pm. A little bit of a wait but once you order the process is very streamlined, with a pre-reserved table with a number set for you. Granted the tables are small and we were squeezed on one of those narrow counters with a stool, but they had to do a lot with a small space. Nothing extravagant in terms of design, more minimalist and practical. Focus is on the food which is very flavorful and spicy in a good way--not mouth melting but zings some new combinations of taste buds that I had not experienced before, satisfying the quality factor I was expecting.

    (5)

  • Jeremy A.

    Amazing food in a very laid back atmosphere. You have to get churros and chocolate!

    (5)

  • M F.

    I went in for a to-go lunch order and got the Shortrib Torta - a daily special: Guajillo braised shortribs, grilled cactus salad, avocado, black beans. At $12.50 with no sides it's far from cheap- but it was very good. The place is a zoo - tons of people in a small area waiting for to go orders and the line gets out-the-door long very quickly. It was about a 20 minute wait to get my food after I had ordered.

    (4)

  • Agustin K.

    Awesome Bayles creation. Try and come during off peak hours. I went there before my flight around 2pm. No line. Friendly people. Outdoor seating look very tempting but I have a head cold so opted to eat inside. The crispy pork belly vermicelli noodle - soo good. Better than ramen and better than pho! And it cleared up my nostrils too. I enjoyed the kick very much. When I am back in the area winter time, I'll definitely return here.

    (5)

  • Erin M.

    I love Chef Rick Bayless and everything he creates but his staff completely ruined this experience for me. I brought my husband here for his birthday breakfast. We walked in and were told to help ourselves to the menus sitting on the window sill. The girl then told us to pick whatever we wanted from the menu and order from the girl at the cash register down the way. We instantly saw the wood burning oven and got excited. We even had a conversation about how yummy our tortas where going to be in front of the girl that had just greeted us. We made our way to girl #2 behind the cash register/order area and placed our order. She then told us that the items we chose were lunch and we needed to order from the breakfast menu. Ok. We just spent 5 minutes 2 feet away from girl #1 clearly looking at the wrong area of the menu. Sigh...... I then asked if anything from the breakfast menu was cooked in the wood burning oven. NO! Ok. I am now having to change gears for a third time with my menu choice. I placed my order and was told they don't make the item I chose until Saturday. SIGH........ So incredibly embarrassed and let down that the girl (with nothing to do because we had been the only patrons in line for this entire time) couldn't help us out or steer us in the right direction. I honestly believe this new generation has no clue what good customer service is. It truly can make or break a business. Feeling completely dejected and not wanted, we walked out. Thanks girls for embarrassing me and making my husbands birthday morning suck.

    (1)

  • Regine J.

    I'm going to be honest: I think my meal at XOCO was unintentionally sabotaged. I ordered the Pozole (which is one of my favorite dishes in the whole world) and it tasted like someone dumped an entire jar of dried oregano in it. It was absolutely TERRIBLE. The only flavor present was oregano. I couldn't taste anything else, and I cannot believe that this was intentional. The torta we ordered was fantastic, the salsa was great, the watermelon lime juice was divine. This just didn't add up with my previous Bayless experiences, so I'm pretty sure someone Effed up my dish royally. What a HUGE disappointment. It won't stop me from going to XOCO again, but I hope that this doesn't happen again.

    (3)

  • Jen H.

    I was SO excited to eat at XOCO because of all the hype I've heard about it paired with the long lines at all times! I think the first mistake was ordering take out. I got a salad but honestly, it was pretty much just lettuce sprinkled with some corn and tortilla strips! I think they forgot half the ingredients but I was too lazy to go back and complain. I was really disappointed but I'm not sure if I'll give them another chance... it's pretty hard to mess up salad!!

    (2)

  • Cindy D.

    Only one four letter word describes Xoco. L-O-V-E

    (5)

  • Grishma M.

    We liked our veggie sandwiches and was able to glance at Rick Bayless. I would definitely come back with some friends for brunch

    (4)

  • Helen L.

    I got the Torta ahogada. It wasn't that good to me. I feel like the spicy tomato sauce overwhelms the flavor. I just didn't enjoy it. Churros on the other hand, I like.

    (3)

  • Molly A.

    maybe it was the time of day, or perhaps the high expectations our group had developed about this place from yelp reviews, guidebooks and even recommendations from friends. but we were all pretty angry after we left, which almost never happens to me. 1. it is super expensive. four of us got sandwiches (no sides) and A margarita ... the bill was over $100. that seems silly to me. 2. the food was cold ... and supposedly it's made to order? 3. it just DIDN'T taste good. i generally like everything, and by the time we got here i was starving, so i thought anything would taste good ... not the chicken tortas i ordered! maybe frontera holds up better, but i honestly feel like this is a tourist trap with subpar food and ZERO ambiance.

    (2)

  • Karen L.

    I went to Xoco twice on my trip to Chicago because I loved it so much! The first time, I ordered the Pepito Tortas, a Churro, and Hot Chocolate. The Pepito Tortas was roast pork on a baguette and it was the best Tortas I've ever had! The Churro was also the best Churro I've ever had and it was under $2. The Hot Chocolate was good but too rich for me so I couldn't finish it. The second time, I ordered the Milanesa Tortas but I didn't enjoy it as much as the Pepito Tortas. I also ordered a Churro with ice cream but the Churro tastes best by itself in my opinion. It is so good that anything added to it distracts from how amazing it is! Rick Bayless owns this restaurant and Frontera Grill next door. He was also winner of Top Chef Masters. Everything was reasonably priced and I would highly recommend visiting this restaurant if you're ever in Chicago!

    (5)

  • Hallie L.

    So the last time I came to Xoco, my friend and I almost missed our early afternoon flight back to New York. Oops. Luckily, traffic was sparse and my friend doesn't mind being a speed demon. In general, I feel service is relatively timely here, especially for how popular it is. The hot chocolate and churros are delicious, as is anything featuring chocolate here (I like to get it with espresso though--yum). The sandwiches are all amazing, but the piece de resistance for me are the caldos, specifically the seafood caldo. It's just so fresh and well-made and reasonably priced for what it is--delicious chunks of catfish floating amongst mussels, shrimp, and potatoes in a red tomato broth. I've actually developed a bit of an obsession with recreating this soup at home, as I haven't been able to find a place in New York that serves anything like this. Sigh. I miss you Xoco, and you will forever be a must-do any time I am in Chicago!

    (4)

  • Rekha V.

    I've been here twice now and I was completely satisfied with my visit both times. The first time I visited, my friend and I ordered the caldos and they were was spicy and delicious. We also got the churros and ice cream. By the end we were stuffed and completely satisfied. The second time I went, I got one of the sandwiches and it was very tasty too. A churro completed the night and I would highly recommend them to anyone, they're made fresh and are a wonderful sweet treat. The only downside was the extremely long wait times both times I visited (30 min - 1 hour), so next time I'd probably order carry out.

    (4)

  • Derek W.

    I had a wonderful Torta with great flavor. This was my first time at Xoco and I look forward to going back to try many other options on the menu. I also want to try the breakfast menu.

    (5)

  • Heather B.

    A stellar Rick Bayless restaurant. The Pepito Torta was delicious. I went with a group of eight and everyone was very pleased with their food. Filling, reasonably priced and a great location. Each bite was flavorful. There was a little wait but that was due to the popularity. I would definitely go here again.

    (4)

  • Chris B.

    Love the food here! Awesome. Just had grilled woodland mushroom torta (sandwich) with goat cheese, and guacamole. All super delicious and healthy! Great taste as the food is fresh and preparation is very nice.

    (5)

  • Aaron R.

    I can't believe that I haven't reviewed Xoco yet. Rick Bayless is one of my favorite chef personalities, so getting to one of his restaurants has been on my list for awhile. At last, my wife and I were in the city - and it was a very non-busy Saturday! We got right to the front of the line, ordered up guac, chips and salsas, coconut horchata, barbacoa cabra, and a lovely chicken dumpling style soup. Everything here - EVERYTHING was amazing - starting with the chips (so much flavor for a simple tortilla chip - worth going back JUST for the chips and salsa) and then right on to the soup and sandwich. The goat barbacoa was incredible. The guac was full of flavor - and I'm not a guac person. I almost finished the soup for my wife, because it just had tremendous depth of flavor. XOCO is one of those places that I describe as "special sauce" - the flavors are so well crafted, so balanced, so deep - they become hard to describe. I could just repeat menu descriptions and list ingredients - or I can tell you this: the churros (and the chocolate sauce that accompanies them, in particular) will change your view on desserts. The flavors will change your idea of "good" and the authenticity will change your viewpoint of what "mexican food" is.

    (5)

  • Jose G.

    So sad I couldn't give this place a better review. I've found it pretty difficult to find a good torta ahogada here...anything close to what I have had in trips to GDL. Based on my past experiences with Rick's restaurants I was very hopeful. Unfortunately, I was let down. Maybe, it was my fault for having such high expectations but still I thought I didn't really receive great value for what I paid. My dining partners all felt similarly. I did enjoy dessert however and hope to return when they restart al pastor wednesdays.

    (3)

  • Helen H.

    Luckily, there wasn't a line when we went. When entering, we were assigned a table before ordering at the counter. The food was then brought out to us. I came prepared and already knew what I wanted to order, because I had studied the menu beforehand. A friend and I shared, so it gave me an opportunity to try more of his food. Chips & Salsa: Tomatillo salsa, 3-chile salsa. The chips were crunchy and thick. Ahogada: Golden pork carnitas, black beans, tomato broth, spicy arbol chile sauce, pickled onions. I went with this rather than the woodland mushroom torta, because it was highly recommended. Unfortunately, as a whole I didn't like this dish. It was salty, and the tomato broth made it even more so. I had a bite of my friend's Milanesa and I liked this crispy chicken torta much better. Pistachio Glazed Churro: They forgot to bring it out, so I had to ask them for it. I was a little surprised how small it was. Maybe it's because I'm used to Costco's churros. The churro was crispy, airy, and sweet. It was my favorite part of the meal, but I think it would've been better without the pistachio glaze. I enjoyed watching Rick Bayless' show, "Mexico: One Plate at a Time." I never thought I would actually get a chance to eat at one of his restaurants though! I'm really happy we came here, even though the food didn't completely live up to my high expectations. I only wish I had the opportunity to meet him when we were there.

    (4)

  • Brynn F.

    XOCO is struggling right now with quality customer service and consistency. The food is great, so this review isn't a critique of that, but those experiential things matter. In my opinion just as much as the quality of the food. So, here's my complaint: A control freak of a woman who sometimes opens the restaurant in the morning has started dictating where people should sit, even when the restaurant isn't full. She forces duos and singles to sit at the uncomfortable and cramped bar seats. Not only is she bossy and weird about it, staff is rude to people if they accidentally sit somewhere that's 'assigned'. They even stop by unnecessarily to taunt you that you'll have to move if the restaurant gets busy (even though it never is in the morning). Not everyone does this who manages or works here so it's unclear if this is a new policy or just this one woman and staff's dictatorial way of running the restaurant. I strongly dislike this new policy, if it is one, and this particular manager (and her morning staff) have rubbed me the wrong way on multiple occasions so I thought the repeated incidents warranted saying something. Personally, I think the restaurant should knock out that useless structure in the middle of the restaurant to create more booths and tables. Also, some people who work there will bring milk and sweetener to your table when they bring your coffee. Others expect you to take the coffee right away after you order and doctor it up (with sugar/milk) at the counter. Some are disgruntled and flat out rude (the lady today rolled her eyes, slammed the items on my table and walked away without responding to my "thank you") if you expect all to be brought to you. It seems like an organizational culture problem. Seems few people smile or like their job anymore. People act put out, controlling and rude. Very disappointing. I would feel uncomfortable visiting there again.

    (2)

  • Reginald W.

    Came here on a Friday night to try it out. It was about a 35 minute wait, not bad as the line was to the door. We got the Smoky Garlic Shrimp, the Torta Ahogada, Chicharrones and Homemade Mexican Vanilla Soft with Churros. The Chicharrones were ok, they weren't stale, they were very thick and crunchy. Liked the sauce but wished they could have spreaded out the sauce more evenly, along with the onions and cilantro. The Ahogada can be described as bold. It was at a nice spicy level at medium. The bread was at a perfect level of crunchy and you could make it was soft as you wanted it to be by dipping it into the soup. The soup that came with it was good, it went well with the torta. The carnitas were so good. Honestly though, I preferred the subtleness of the Smoky Garlic Shrimp. The shrimp and the muskiness of the goat cheese went so well with the garlic and chipotle sauce. It was with this sandwich the bread shined through, the bread just complimented the fillings so well with its crunch, softness and slight sweetness. The star of the night though was the mexican soft serve vanilla with churros. The churros weren't overly sweet nor overly seasoned, it was a light dessert that was good by itself and went well with the ice cream. Though it was just soft serve the vanilla here isn't your run of the mill vanilla. It was much deeper and richer than the average vanilla. The vanilla lingered on your tongue instead of the quick hit of the generic vanilla. Overall it was a 4.5, but I'll round it up.

    (5)

  • Jane W.

    I was really excited to come here.... after hearing glorious and legendary things about Rick Bayless, I finally ventured out to Chicago to try his food. There was a LONG line - came the weekend before Halloween, and there were a whole bunch of hungry, costumed people waiting to order food. By the time I ordered food, I was pretty damn hungry. Ordered some sort of seafood soup, and although it wasn't bad, it was far from impressive :( Maybe I'll order the famous tortas next time.

    (3)

  • Valerie L.

    My husband and I went one night after a dance class down the street and the line was non-existent so we were excited to try it. We had tried to go several times prior to that but the line was so incredibly long and we were not inclined to wait for hours. I had one of the soups which while tasty, it was a little salty for my taste and my husband had one of the beef tortas which was good, but I've honestly had better. The salsa was amazing...absolutely get the chips and salsa to try the salsa..both of the styles of salsa are incredible! If there is no or a small line, we would drop in, but I'm not sure if we would wait an hour to eat here again.

    (3)

  • John F.

    Want a great lunch? Come to XOCO. Want a quick lunch? Don't come to XOCO! The food here is delicious. In fact, I loved everything we ordered. The tortas are some of the best I've ever had. Fresh and not over seasoned, the flavor of the pork really came through. The chips and guac were also excellent. Guac was a little spicey, so if that's not your thing, you're forewarned. In short, everything is as delicious as it looks, but be prepared to wait around 45 minutes to order/sit down. From a business standpoint, there must be a lot of money not being made due to the log jam of patrons at the door. Moreover, this place isn't cheap, but the food is definitely worth the price. We will be back.

    (4)

  • Lou M.

    Love this place. Love this place. Love this place. We center our trips to Chicago around Xoco, and try to book the closest hotel to this area. Anything with pork belly is amazing from here, but the pork belly vermicelli is unreal. The churros are a huge hit with the kids and the champurrado is great on a cold Chicago day.

    (5)

  • Mr. H.

    came here on a first date. thought it would be a cool place to grab some good quick food. i was right. great beer selection, but we passed and opted for the margs, tho insanely pricey at $14 for maybe 8oz, they were so good. our food, of course, was perfect. service and staff were helpful and friendly. a little overpriced for what we had, but id still go back.

    (4)

  • Shawn K.

    Not a bad spot at all. I had the seafood meal in a bowl. It was good but lacked a little spice. Next time ill order it extra spicy. The portion size was huge and high quality seafood. Ill be back

    (4)

  • Linda M.

    This place was SO good, i was just there yesterday and i'm still thinking about it. I went for a late lunch with a friend and i ordered the pork belly torta which was their special for the day. I was excited that they had hibiscus water and ordered one but i think it was a bit too sour for me. The food however was incredible. i typically only eat half of whatever i'm served but i could not help myself, i had to eat it all. it was an incredible combination of flavors, the sauce was not too hot but it had a good spicy kick to it. We ordered churros with chocolate sauce after to top it off and it definitely hit the spot. i would go back to xoco in a heart beat. I recommend it to anyone.

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    Man - everything about Rick Bayless's restaurants is amazing. I love the guacamole here, the cochinita pibil, the cafe con leche, I promise you cannot got wrong by stopping in this restaurant. If you really want a treat, head there for breakfast.

    (5)

  • Aaron M.

    Pricey niche mexican food. Good place to bring out of towners or if you happen to be downtown. Very good flavors.

    (4)

  • Christine M.

    i forgot what i ordered.. some carnitas dish in broth. It was too salty and not memorable at all. I tried my friends dishes as well and nothing stood out. The 4 stars is for the AMAZING churros!!! They are insanely delicious! If you stand out front you can watch them make the churros, it is mesmerizing! I would come back for those alone! I tried it with the chocolate sauce and soft serve. Soft serve was really good and I could do without the chocolate. But really those churros stand alone, must try!!!

    (4)

  • Clayton J.

    Good but not a place I'm in any hurry to get back to. You're assigned a table on your way in but then you order at the counter and the food is brought out to you. This is a little strange but I kind of liked it. Speeds things up and keeps the cost of the meal down. The house bottled mezcal margarita was very good and my favorite part.

    (4)

  • Isaac S.

    Rick Bayless has done it again! Xoco is a great place to go when the wait at Frontera is too long (which it normally is). My only complaint would be that it is overpriced and a bit puny for the price you're paying. The winning aspect of the cafe is that the flavors are immensely good. I love the caldos (soups) the most. They are very filling and immensely good. I really haven't had a miss on any of the caldos I have had on the multiple times I've been here. My favorite one is the shortribs one. My other favorite part of Xoco are the churros. They are excellent and not overall oily or yucky like some other ones.

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    With all the hype and time waiting in line, there was no way it was gonna live up to expectation. With that said it was very good but I don't know if I would wait that long again.

    (4)

  • Tim L.

    Great place, was a little thrown by the format, but the host couldn't have been more helpful.

    (4)

  • Laura W.

    Much to my disappointment, I've got to give Xoco a 1 star review. I went last Saturday and grabbed a salad with pork and ended up with the worst food poisoning of my life. 100% sure this was from Xoco given that I had nothing else to eat that day and well, unfortunately, couldn't really eat anything else for the next SEVERAL days after. The place was really busy, so not sure if someone skimped on good hygiene. Either way...watch out for the uncooked food there! Xoco - delicious, if if it doesn't kill you.

    (1)

  • Grace G.

    Setting: Went there with a friend after the Chocolate Tour downtown. This was the perfect lunch to soak up all that sweetness. The line was quite long, and there isn't an area for you to sit down. However, it was worth the wait; estimated 20 minutes. Food: I ordered the Cochinita Pibil. My friend ordered the Ahogada. -Cochinita Pibil: The pickled onions add this tartness that really blends with the sweet, savory meat. Tons of flavor, but the habanero sauce is a double-edged sword! Take caution. DO NOT FULLY DIP THE TORTA INTO THE SAUCE. Your mouth will fall off and you will sh*t fire. However, if you just add a few touches of the habanero sauce to the torta, it really brings out all of the flavor. -Ahogada: This was quite good as well. The tomato broth brings down the heat and gives a really warm flavor to torta. It seems more like a fall/winter dish. I recommend this, but I could not stop eating the Cochinita Pibil. Drinks: I had a margarita too, which was decent, but came in a pretty small glass for the price. Not really worth it, but good nonetheless. Conclusion: Definitely worth coming back for Round 2. No room for dessert since I had all the chocolate previous to the meal, but I would recommend going somewhere to get some good Mexican Hot Chocolate afterwards.

    (4)

  • Nicole And Earnest R.

    Loved this salon!!! Alley was the Lady who did my hair..She is so amazing! Very intuned to my needs and did exactly what I asked for...This is my new Salon!

    (5)

  • Ben B.

    Honestly? I've had better. I had the choriqueso torta (chorizo sausage, roasted poblano, artisan Jack cheese, tomatillo salsa). It was a sandwich comprised of 70% bread, 20% cheese and 10% meat. That seemed way off. I'd be willing to deal with a long line and minimal seating if my taste buds exploded out the side of my face, but my torta just struck me as a sad excuse for a meal. I was hoping the churros would rescue the day, but they were so small. When I get a churro, I want a monster chunk of dough the size of my arm. These weren't much to write home about. It's worth noting that everyone who works here was extremely nice. Hey, it's great that Rick Bayless is a celebrity chef (whatever that means), but I'm not going to bow at his altar unless his food soars beyond the bar. * It should be noted, I really liked Bayless' Frontera Fresco inside the State Street Macy's. I just wasn't blown away by Xoco.

    (2)

  • Matthew K.

    Everything is pretty good at Xoco. It's a consistent / solid casual lunch or dinner place. I've tried lots of things and rarely been disappointed. My favorite item that is always on the menu is the Torta Ahogada (ask for hot if you like spicy food, but be warned it is really hot!!). Even though they are known for their soups and sandwiches, breakfast is actually really good. Both the huevos rancheros and chilaquiles are great. Grab either of those, a cup of coffee, and churro and I promise that you'll be happy.

    (4)

  • Peter H.

    The texture of the torta bread was like biting into heaven... if heaven was a edible fortress surrounded by a crispy crust and shot tangy chipotle sauce into your mouth as a defensive measure! The meats were smokey and flavorful! Yelp labels this $$ but it felt like a paid a little more than most $$, but it was totally worth it! I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Mike Y.

    Oh man... the BEST churro i've ever had. it was flaky, sweet-sugary, cinnamon-ny-goodness with a nice bittersweet chocolate dipping sauce... amazing. Oh yeah, the tortas are pretty solid. I had the Cubana - the smoked pork and bacon was so tender and flavorful. The avocado and cilantro crema complemented the pork and chiles nicely. I also tasted the Carne Asada (only available on Tuesdays) - it was good, nice chimichurri on it, but I definitely preferred the Cubana. But OH those Churros... just heavenly. Next time I gotta try a Caldos (Meal-in-a-Bowl). A bunch of people were getting that around us and it looked so good...

    (5)

  • John F.

    Always an awesome torta!

    (5)

  • Felicia C.

    The menu options are overwhelming as you are pushed along in line but you can't really go wrong with whatever the special is plus churros. We had 9 people but the hostess was easily able to seat us outside and I was impressed at how attentive she was even though this really is a lunch counter type restaurant. This was probably our best value meal in Chicago, top notch chef for a rock bottom price.

    (5)

  • Peter M.

    I'm a big fan of Rick Bayless and wanted to check out the Frontera Grill, but when we went there was an hour and a half wait for table and it was already after 8:00. Not wanting to wait that long to eat, we decided to try Xoco since it was right next door and almost no line. I agree with the other reviewers who say the seating is confusing at best. You order at a counter, but have to wait for a hostess to assign you to a table first. I ordered a carnitas caldos and it was really disappointing. It was a decent sized bowl, but it was there was hardly any meat and an abundance of arugula and chayote. The broth had a nice spicy kick, but was way too salty. I also ordered a sangria but it was way too sweet and the glass was over packed with ice. The drink was $10 and tasted more like Iago than handcrafted. My wife had the Baja chicken which I tasted and it was far superior to the caldos and saved this from getting one star. Maybe my expectations were too high for Rick Bayless, but when you won Top Chef Masters, the expectations should be high and Xoco didn't deliver.

    (2)

  • Ji Yoon N.

    Had a great lunch at Xoco. The line was long and we (three of us) had to sit at a 6 top with another group of 3. It wasn't too bad and the food was worth the awkward seating arrangement!

    (4)

  • KM I.

    Churros. Yum. Get some

    (5)

  • Beth M.

    Words cannot describe exactly how much I LOVE Xoco. I'm a tiny bit obsessed with Rick Bayless, and this restaurant is the place that started it all. I've had most every torta they make here, but the ahogada with its silky tomato broth and the milanesa with its crispy chicken and cilantro crema are the two standouts. There's usually a little bit of a wait to dine in, but it moves and can be avoided if you arrive a little bit before the dinner rush starts around 7. The place is kind of loud when busy (i.e. always), but the service is consistently great. Also, I'm sure that this goes without saying if you've read any of the other reviews, but definitely save room for the churros and don't skimp on the chocolate shot. Always order the chocolate shot. ALWAYS.

    (5)

  • Greg P.

    If I was a somebody in the food industry and did "best things ever eaten". I would say this place has my favorite desert. The churros with dark chocolate for dipping that is made in front by employees crushing up coco beans. The cappuccino with the chocolate is also the shiz nit! The food is just awesome on anything you get. Hats off to Rick. Thanks for giving us a place like this to eat at.

    (5)

  • Bridget B.

    The only thing I've had here were the churros, and they were delicious. Will definitely be back soon for dinner

    (4)

  • Lita B.

    AMAZING! The chicken milanesa torta is one of the best I have had and the churros are so fresh and tasty. Must check this place out.

    (5)

  • Glenn C.

    Awesome. Stopped for lunch. They quickly got us a table for 7. The food was fantastic. I loved the fresh bread and the Mexican hamburger. The churro's with chocolate dipping sauce. Wow.

    (5)

  • Natalie F.

    Good food, but the service was awful.

    (3)

  • D T.

    Yum. This is a perfect addition to Bayless's near impossible to get reservations for restaurants. It allows you to sample the genius that is Rick Bayless, in a more affordable and casual atmosphere. The Pepito is to die for. I always get it at O'hare too. Ahogada and Woodland mushroom are exceptional as well. The Seafood Caldo didn't do much for me, I was shocked. You must get the churros, and the fresh juices are delicious. It's not a 5 star review bc I haven't had anything on the menu that I'd be crushed if they took it off. And I'm a huge fan, so I expect to be floored by at least one menu item. It's all fantastic, but slight room for improvement. Always busy, but the lines are exaggerated in reviews.

    (4)

  • Joan M.

    I was disappointed. Certainly popular, but I don't get what all the fuss is. Maybe we ordered the wrong food: seafood soup with tasty but for the price, it should have had more bites of seafood. The posole was extremely bland, even after the order taker telling my daughter it was medium spicy. She eats posole in authentic Mexican restaurants in Santa Barbara and knows what good posole is. And those churros that everyone raves about -- sorry, but the best churros are served during Santa Barbara's annual Fiesta. Here, they are overloaded with sugar and were a tad greasy. The two of us were squeezed into a table for 6 with some big-elbowed people and no one ever bothered to stop by and ask how everything was or fill a water glass. Oh right, I get it -- it's another tragically hip restaurant that people are willing to spend freely at in order to having bragging rights that they'd eaten there. Sorry, it's just not that great but I'd be willing to try some other items just to make sure.

    (2)

  • Yosef Z.

    The selection of ingredients, the way they season their food and the way they present it makes Xoco one of my favorite mexican restaurants in Chicago. I should know for I am a Mexican. When you go to Xoco try their Ceviche. There is an additional ingredient that makes this restaurant a safe and amazing alternative, namely, Xoco is a Rick Bayless restaurant, that guarantees you fresh ingredients, full flavor, and extraordinary attention to detail. The restaurant is affordable, I would even say cheap, if you consider that expensive is determined for the relation between price and the quality of what you are getting. The atmosphere is casual and very smooth, it is a place to feel comfortable and relaxed. It is a must go in Chicago. Also try the churros and the Asada, formidable!!!!

    (4)

  • Jason R.

    If you happen to be walking by Xoco and find you hands empty, do yourself a favor and pick up some glazed pistachio churros. You will thank yourself. Then go home and brush your teeth before a cavity sets in your premolar.

    (4)

  • Amina C.

    Nom!! Love this place. Unique Mexican that's very thoughtfully put together. Ivd never had anything here that wasn't stellar. Some people used to huge portions might be off put by the amount if food you get for the money but it really is tasty and enough to satisfy.

    (5)

  • Cynthia E.

    The only reasonI didn't give 5 stars is that I felt it was expensive for the venue. The Milanese Torta was spicy, tender,perfectly balanced between crispy, creamy, tart and spicy. The guacamole was as good as at Frontera,and we had it loaded, which comes with caramelized onions, sundried tomatoes, roasted tomatoes, pepitas, queso fresco and chicharrones. Really enjoyed it,and the system they have set up for service is terribly efficient.

    (4)

  • Isabel G.

    I am new to Chicago and had heard great things about Xoco. So one afternoon I found my self downtown and decided to drop in. You stand in line to order, they assign you a seat and your food is delivered to you. I ordered the Baja Chicken sandwich. It was really wonderful. The dipping sauce was what made the sandwich though. Without it, it was a bit bland. Person working at counter was friendly and helpful.

    (5)

  • Katherine R.

    I can't speak for their entrees but I always end up at Xoco at the end of the night when the dessert menu at a nearby restaurant doesn't sound too thrilling. Their dessert and coffee drinks are worth checking out if you're in the area. I personally recommend the pistachio churro and chocolate cafe con leche.

    (4)

  • Amjad S.

    Great ahogada sandwich and pistachio churro.

    (4)

  • Jessica E.

    I almost missed Xoco on my last Chicago trip if it weren't for a local friend of mine taking me on a whim. Because of the spur-of-the-moment meal decision, I came in with absolutely no expectations, so needless to say, I was very impressed! All the ingredients were fresh and as delicious as you would expect from a Rick Bayless restaurant (which I later found out after researching). The joint was definitely hoppin'...the line was out the door at prime Saturday dinner time. My friend let me know that they were known for their tortas so I took my chances on the Woodland Mushroom torta. I wasn't expecting the bread to be so crunchy but after the initial shock, I proceeded to enjoy my meal as is. It looked like a small serving on my plate but after getting through just half of it, I wasn't even able to touch the second half (for which my friend was excited about because he got to take the rest). Paired with an ice cold beer and their house chips and salsa, it was a win-win. Four stars for you, Xoco. You go, Xoco.

    (4)

  • L K.

    I'm sad that I've never had the great experience other reviewers rave about... I've been here several times (usually to get take out) and the food just seems to be overpriced and not a lot of flavor. Maybe I'm just ordering the wrong things but my latest choice, the vegetable meal in a bowl, was inedible because the broth was just so salty. Glad I paid extra for a side of bread because otherwise I would have gone hungry.

    (2)

  • Eva H.

    Went here on a Thursday night at 7:45 and had no wait, even though the restaurant was pretty packed! I got the carnitas caldos and for some reason, I glazed over the fact there were serrano chilis in the dish. I can't handle much spiciness to begin with, but man, that first slurp of the soup gave me a coughing attack like never before experienced! I tried to continue enjoying the dish but the heat just overwhelmed me. Happily, the staff were willing to make me another dish without the serrano chilis and it was the perfect hot dish for a cold and windy night. The price was decent - maybe a little on the pricey side for a soup dish of argula, carnitas, and gnocchi-looking things, but I would go back and try something else.

    (4)

  • Jesse F.

    Excellent tortas, but crazy overpriced!

    (3)

  • Johnny P.

    Recommended from a friend and was very excited to try! Immediately coming in, you are greeted and given a table #....then directed to go tot he counter and order your food. I was confused at first....but being open minded, went with the floooow! Choice of food: - Ahogada (their signature plate): got it "medium spicy"....should've gotten it "hot" (if you like spicy foods. The plate was unique, spicy chili broth with a sandwich filled with pork and sauteed onions inside a ciabatta type of bread (which was perfect!) It was kinda like a "Mexican version of the French dip?" It was good...but wasn't a wow in my taste buds. - Posole: uniquely made, looots of flavor and spice! The hominy was soft as well (which I'm not a big fan of) - Raspberry /lime juice: sweet, bitter, and tangy...but refreshing! Atmosphere was simple, some seats are tight leading you to stare at a wall. Service: very nice and friendly I'd give this place another shot though.

    (3)

  • Brian L.

    This place is simply amazing. It was my first time ever in a Rick Bayless restaurant and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was great, the service was great, the food was even better than great. When you get there, they will ask you dine-in or carry out. As you gain your whits from seeing the huge oven that is baking their tortas, you grab a menu and the salivating process begins. I went on a Saturday night with one other and it was about a 20 min wait, which is not terrible at all for a restaurant this caliber. They do a good job of keeping you occupied as you wait to be seated. You see the menu, the specials, get a cup of water. They get your order before you get seated, which is kinda nice. If you get drinks, they will make them there for you up front, so you can sip, while waiting. I had the saturday special which is a must try. The Goat Barbacoa Torta (drooling)... It was like biting into heaven. Crispy on the outside and oh so juicy on the inside. A week later I am still dreaming about it. The bread is amazing which makes me believe that any torta is equally heavenly. I also had the short rib calda. I thought the soup would be amazing for lunch. Hearty with a lot of vegetables and meat, it was a flavor explosion in your mouth. A little bit salty, but I could see thing going really well with some of that bread. I made a mistake and did not have the churro to finish off the night. Maybe not a mistake because this just gives me another reason to come back, but I had a lavender flan and aztec spice hot chocolate. Both were oh so good. Spot on with the flan. All in all, it was worth the hype. It was heavenly. Thanks Rick.

    (5)

  • Susan F.

    Amazing sandwiches, especially the one that is swimming in the excellent spicy tomato broth.

    (4)

  • Eden P.

    Soup and tortas are delish here. The pork torta of the day is one of my fav's. I also thoroughly enjoyed the churros and hot chocolate. Thank you Rick Bayless! This place is just too good.

    (4)

  • Brittany G.

    One of the best ways to spend a chill night in the city. Great beer and spicy food. Rick Bayless is king.

    (4)

  • Shin M.

    My fiance and I went there around 6:30-7ish to get churros. The line was pretty long. We had to wait 10 minutes, ordered our churros, and then waited another 10 minutes to get our churros to go. Hoppin place. I got the churro with a chocolate shot. It was pretty good but I wish they sold churros with fillings instead. My fiance got the pistacchio glazed churro. When I picture glazed, I picture a donut with glaze that has hardened. Xoco's definition of glazed is taking chocolate sauce and dripping it all over the churro. Anyway, my fiance said the pistacchio churro was ok but he liked my plain churro with choco dip better. My fiance got the Chocolate Espresso. The coffee taste was very strong and so was the Mexican chocolate flavor. I personally hated it. My fiance said it was o.k.

    (3)

  • Orchid R.

    Baja Torta chicken bread was baked to give it a nice toasted exterior. The green salsa was excellent! Guacamole just okay. The chocolate drinks are very sweet and rich, so don't be alarmed when you see the small cups. I think these versions are made with water instead of milk. I'm used to whole milk for Mexican hot chocolate.

    (4)

  • Diana T.

    Good food at a good price. The line is so worth it. I've been to Frontera Grill and Frontera Fresco, and XOCO is the best of both. The tortas at XOCO are much tastier and better prepared than at Frontera Fresco. At the recommendation of the cashier, I had the Ahogada, which is available for dine-in only. It's pork carnitas, black beans, tomato broth, spicy arbol chile sauce and onions. So good! The torta stands upright in a shallow bowl of soup and it was a delicious pairing. Great choice if you are a meat lover like me. I love spicy food and dipped the sandwich in their habanero sauce, which is preeeettyyy spicy but a really great addition to the torta. A friend and I also shared an order of chips and guacamole. Can't go wrong with guacamole! Not enough chips, but plenty of guac and salsa. I've never gotten a drink there besides water, but they have a great selection of beers and a few wines. $10 margaritas. We went at 6pm and the line was a decent wait. Probably about fifteen minutes but it was well worth the wait. Remember that there is a shorter line if you are looking for just take-out and not dine-in. The line to the right is for a table (for which the hostess will give you a number while you are in line) and the line to the left is for take-out. Go elsewhere if you are with a group because it's always busy. Despite the quick table turnover, it's a small space with few tables (mostly high-tops) Definitely go to XOCO if you get the chance. Frontera Fresco pales in comparison. I loved Frontera Grill when I went, but I also waited two hours for the table at the Starbucks across the street. If you don't have the time or the patience, check out XOCO!

    (4)

  • Luong T.

    I was here couple weeks ago while visiting Chicago due to yelp review. The sandwich here was super good and fresh. The meat was so tender. The place is centrally located at the loop. The employees are very friendly. Definitely a good place for quick lunch and dinner if you are in a hurry!

    (5)

  • Mark P.

    I have mixed emotions with Xoco, but overall I enjoyed this overcrowded fast casual concept. Visiting with my Mexican "in-laws", I was curious to get their impression of Rick Bayless' take on Mexican food. Unfortunately they weren't as impressed. The best item of the meal was the Coctel Rojo (Shrimp and Scallop Cocktail in red sauce) for $12.50. Mixed with avocado, cilantro and lime in a martini shaped glass, the combination was delicious version and better than what you usually find at traditional Mexican restaurants in my opinion. Usually served with saltine crackers, Xoco's version is served with warm and crunchy tortilla chips. I could have eaten another bowl of this and called it a meal. I tried two different tortas with my favorite being the Baja Chicken for $11. The tender chunks of chicken topped with slaw, black beans and chipotle mayo was delicious, but the unusual aspect of this sandwich was that it was served on sourdough bread. I've eaten a lot of tortas, but never on sourdough. I must say that I prefer the traditional bolillo (French type bread), and also found Xoco's version to be a much smaller sandwich than average. The small side of flavorful salsa was what made the sandwich successful. The other torta that I sampled was the Milanesa, which consisted of a breaded and fried piece of flattened chicken (escalope) with beans, cheese and other tasty toppings. This sandwich was good, but just not very adventurous for me. The bread was toasted in more of a flat panani style which brings me to one of my gripes: They really should distinguish the type of bread used for each torta on the menu. The Wood-Roasted Chicken Pozole for $11.50 was another item that I sampled, but once again wasn't overly impressed by. The broth was flavorful and more complex than most pozoles that I've tried, but it lacked in spiciness. When placing the order, I was asked what spice level I preferred: mild, medium or spicy/hot. I chose the "hot", but found it to be no spicier than a can of Campbell's Soup. I assumed that maybe they just made a mistake on the spice level, but someone else in our group ordered the same thing and found theirs to be mild also. Unfortunately there were no spices or condiments on the table to add to the soup, and the place was way too busy to track down someone to ask. There also wasn't enough chicken or hominy in the bowl that I sampled. Overall, I'd say my experience falls somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. It was good, but not at the level I'd expected from a Rick Bayless restaurant. It's actually very similar to the sister "Tortas Frontera" located at O'Hare Airport, which earned 5 stars from me. I'd happily visit Xoco again, but only if there is no long line.

    (3)

  • Pete C.

    I came to try their churros. They were good. It wasn't amazing where I would go out of my way for these churros. But if I was wandering in the neighborhood, I might stop by to get some.

    (4)

  • a c.

    Had to wait 30 minutes to order but so worth it. We ordered the ahogada, the carnitas soup, the goat barbacoa, the coctel rojo, and chocolate churros. The carnitas soup was my favorite, followed closely by the ahogada sandwich. Great bold flavors. Would definitely come back next time I'm back in the Chicago area.

    (5)

  • Helen S.

    Xoco sounds great in theory. It's among the most popular restaurants in Chicago (1900+ reviews currently with 4 star average), Top Chef restaurant, and the line is frequently out the door. How can it be bad? Well I've eaten here twice now and I think it's about time that I stop trying to like it. On my most recent visit, I dined with a friend and we both got the ahogada since Yelp says its been mentioned in 190 reviews and it's a dine-in only dish so we figured it must be special. And...it was bad. The flavor profile was just salty with nothing interesting, and it arrived at our table dipped in tomato soup that was way too salty. The sandwich halves were soggy and it was a mess overall -- why not give the soup on the side instead?? I don't get you. Our dessert of warm churros with strawberry ice cream was pretty good, but come on that's cheating, how can churros and ice cream not be good? The ice cream came in a small cup filled to the top, and it was so messy to dip. When we were done with the churros, I ate the remaining ice cream with a spoon and that wasn't so great standing alone. Overall, I get Xoco's appeal, I do. For all the draws at such a price point, it'd be strange to not have a constant line like it does. But still, I'm trying to not get blinded by the glamour of the Bayliss name and I don't think Xoco will entice me to try again.

    (2)

  • Rachel Y.

    First off, I recommend ordering ahead for take out. This place is constantly busy. The food is great, no complaints there. However, for the price, they could give you a little bit more. They have a guacamole bar where you can add additional toppings, which is great. All of their tortas are fire- grilled and quite delicious.

    (4)

  • Marisol D.

    The chicken and carnitas caldos were amazing for the value.

    (4)

  • Zach M.

    Great stuff. I think I always end up getting the same thing (some kind of sandwich), but it's worth the usual wait.

    (5)

  • Craig S.

    It's fine but I do not understand the hype. There's nothing overwhelming special about the place.

    (3)

  • Ted T.

    Cubana rocks... Its a very solid Torta place... nto worth the giant waits it once had but a great place to grab a sandwich to go. In fact i prefer taking out as the seating is somewhat cramped and the room is loud.

    (4)

  • Gino W.

    Look! At the corner of Clark and Grand. It's a line. It's a long line. It's people standing in a long line to go to Xoco. Every time I pass that restaurant, I feel like the preamble to the old Superman show that began, "Look, up in the sky; it's a bird; it's a plane." The food is good, I admit without hesitation. Since I went the first time, you can get your lunch for to-go. When Xoco first opened its doors, lunch for dining on the premises and that mean long waits. The torta milanesa was fantastic. The chips and salsa were worthy. And there was a spicy soup I remember having that I kept ordering during the winter months. Where I fell in love with Xoco was with the breakfast options. The ham and cheese bread pudding - I think that's what that was - and all of the empanadas were notable for breakfast fare. I never ordered breakfast without getting churros with chocolate dipping sauce that was substantial enough to stand a churro in. And the Mexican hot chocolate was very much like that I had in Distrito Federal, Mexico. I don't know if the wait is long like it used to be. After all, the restaurant has been in business for a few years, so the notoriety may have subsided a bit. But it drew a larger crowd than Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile - no joke. It was worth it, though.

    (5)

  • Thomas G.

    Great food, the order ahead service is excellent for lunch, the iced coffee is ridiculously overpriced, however, for how much you get. Occasionally the coffee is off, but the smell of being inside Xoco makes up for it.

    (4)

  • C. M.

    try the pistachio churro with chocolate dipping sauce. yum!

    (4)

  • Jodi K.

    I was really excited to try this place, and when a parking spot became available as I was passing, I thought, "This is it"! Unfortunately, not so much. I ordered a hot chocolate, which was more Luke warm than hot, and so viscous and thick, I could barely get it down. I also order a Cuban sandwich, which was so overdressed in some time of sauce, it would not stop dripping, and completely overpowered this delicious fresh roasted pork, that they must've braised for hours. I couldn't wait to get out of here. Too expensive, not worth it, too crowded, too small, rushed, not for me.

    (2)

  • Susan S.

    The food is a 5 and the food is the reason I went to Xoco.Everything we ate was absolutely fantastico! Darling Husband and I split the Torta of the day---flank steak with chimichuri, mushrooms and crema. It was delightful, with hot bread crusty on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The filling flavors were fab, as was the unknown red dipping sauce. We also each had the green gazpacho. Husband gobbled his down and was eyeing mine, so I let him finish half of what I had. That's love. We also shared the guacamole, "fully dressed" with a little of all guac bar toppings. That was fine, but the guac alone or withsome grilled onions and chiles would have been just fine. The chips were so corny---they may have spoiled any other chip I'll every have. We had to fly back to St. Louis that afternoon. I seriously considered a to-go order for that night's dinner, but the line was too long. I do know that I will go back to Xoco every single time I'm in Chicago, and I'll plan on my to go order ahead of time. The staff is super friendly, too. The only downside is that it was so freakin' loud in the restaurant---not sure what can be done about that.

    (5)

  • Paul E.

    After having lunch at Rick Bayless' Topolobampo on a trip to Chicago, I found myself eating at Xoco that same night. It was a Friday night, and there definitely was a wait at the door. Luckily, their lineup is on the inside so you will avoid the rain or the heat. I really love their menu here, and for the quality of the food the prices are definitely right! I had the Carnitas, with the pork, dumplings, avocado, arugula, etc, and my girlfriend had the Wood Roasted Chicken Pozole. I preferred the Chicken Pozole myself... as I found the cabbage and radish provided more texture than the arugula in the Carnitas. Also the pozole was a lot more fun for me than the tiny potato-masa dumplings in the Carnitas (which could have been non-existent) For the sandwich, I had the Pepito Torta (braised beef sandwich). It was good, but wasn't as epic as I had hoped from the pictures I had seen online. In retrospect, I should have maybe had the Ahogada as I was eating in, but I wanted to try a soup AND a sandwich. Not a soup sandwich. At the end, we left with a Chocolate Mint drink. And it tasted very naturally and wasn't too sugary. If I lived in Chicago I would probably eat at this place often! It's the kind of place I look for. Yummy yet affordable.

    (4)

  • caroline r.

    yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm. just go, everything is delicious. order at the counter and seat yourself. great beer selection!

    (5)

  • Robert M.

    This is a breakfast review. Some of the best food I have had outside of Mexico. Started with Chilaquiles. Really good. Also have a churo. Light and sweet and good. Coffee was excellent. OJ tasted fresh and delicious, Fast service. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Inter A.

    The food here is outstanding, but the experience still leaves something to be desired. Too many people, too many tourists, leaving a feeling of a college frat party where everyone is going after the same keg of beer. Xoco does the best the can with the situation, but it's not ideal for me. I actually find their O'Hare location more enjoyable, believe it or not.

    (4)

  • George G.

    Awesome food. Very unique menu. Decent service. I'm not a big fan of the ordering process but it keeps the line small and moving. Located right downtown so parking is hard to find but worth finding. Delicious.

    (4)

  • Maureen D.

    The twenty minute wait in line was worth it! I got a glorious torta with forest mushrooms, goat cheese and mixed greens. Super efficient service and such excellent food. Go here!!

    (4)

  • Phillip N.

    Was able to go early on a Saturday AM. Quiet and not crowded at all. The food is excellent and so was the service. I had the Saturday red Chilaquiles and was impressed. I recommend highly!

    (5)

  • Juan M.

    Came here for both breakfast and lunch while visiting in Chicago over a three day visit. For breakfast I ordered the Chilaquiles with chicken and egg and my wife ordered the wood fired oven baked french toast. Both were extremely yummy and we would definitely order again. For our visit during lunch we both ordered the special of the day, which happened to be the carne asada torta. We both really enjoyed our sandwich's and would order them again. Service was friendly and the food came out promptly. Would definitely recommend checking it out if you find yourself in the area.

    (5)

  • Grace T.

    We went at 4:30 on a Wednesdat and Thursday...no line! Both times, i ordered the carnitas caldos. It was to die for. My 11month old practically ate a whole bowl of guacamole (it was that good)! My 3yr old loved the carnitas in the soup --- the broth was too spicy for him (i didn't realize that there was roasted serranos in it until AFTER he started crying). But he loved eating the chips, bread and the pork. Everybody also loved the juices they had there. I didn't really care for the churros or hot chocolate....probably because I've had so many subpar churros and hot chocolate that i don't know what the real ones are supposed to taste like. I was starstruck when rick Bayless nodded hello to us and laughed at how my daughter had guac all over her face.....i love Top Chef masters!! But we loved everything and were glad to experience it!

    (5)

  • Magen R.

    Popped in for lunch today with some girlfriends and it was pretty good. I got the Friday special torta which came with smoky garlic shrimp. It was really, really good. I also noshed on chips and guac and churro my friends ordered. The chips and guac were really good and the churro was freakin outstanding. I really appreciated how well run the place was. They were moving people in and out of line and into tables extremely quickly and efficiently. The quality control also truly amazes me, so many people are in and out of the place and everything served is superb. Definitely a big fan. The only thing I'll say is that you can get the exact same products at Frontera Fresco in Macy's for a bit cheaper. I am not sure why it's $3-4 cheaper at Macy's but that turned me off a bit. Either way I'm sure I'll be back to both Xoco and Frontera Fresco. Delicious!

    (4)

  • lisa N.

    Used to be amazing. Now it is mostly salty. My daughter ordered a caldo bowl with dumplings and there were only three tiny dumplings in the whole bowl! Sad.

    (2)

  • Ingrid R.

    The wait was long but bearable, Queso Fresco Guac rocked but the small serving made me sad. Torta Ahogado is the way to go! And for the loved churros, I'm sorry but I am not in love with you. The chocolate dipping sauce did not taste good at all.

    (4)

  • Stephanie H.

    I went to Xoco one night after work after hearing a lot of hype over this place. For only being about 5:30pm, the place was already full, so I ordered to-go. I ordered the naked guacamole and the baja chicken torta. The naked guacamole was really good, and the chips were very fresh, but I don't think the portion size was worth $6.50. The baja chicken torta on the other hand was very good, and I would recommend that. I've also had the churros before, which were ah-maze-ing. I'd definitely check this place out, but maybe skip the guac.

    (4)

  • Liz S.

    We love Xoco! We always try to go on the early side (6:30 or 6:45 p.m.) to avoid a long line. We've come at 7 or later on Fridays and Saturdays and ended up waiting 45 minutes or more. (side note: Xoco is closed on Sundays and Mondays). If we see that the line is way too long, we just place a to-go order (which you can do at the register by the entrance) and we get our food much faster than we would have if we had waited to be seated. The only con is that we have to eat the food at home. The meal-in-a-bowl caldos are delicious and a very good choice for dinner. My favorite are the short rib, carnitas, and pork belly vermiccelli caldos . Be warned that the pork belly caldo is pretty spicy. My favorite sandwiches are the cubana and the ahogada, which is served in a bowl of tomato broth (the only sandwich you cannot get to-go).

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    crowded. delicious.

    (4)

  • Bianca C.

    Aztec hot chocolate is amazing!! So is the torta with pork

    (5)

  • Najah H.

    My salivary glands have no control near a Rick Bayless restaurant The seafood soup I ordered had good flavour - but I need to stop venturing out and stick to the amazing tostas! I kinda regret not getting them The churros ...oh man.. topped with yummy sugar. I think these were the second best churos I've had so far - the first being in Spain

    (4)

  • Marty g.

    Rick Bayless does street food.

    (5)

  • Kelly S.

    Love this place!!! Great food and very friendly staff! I highly recommend to anyone!

    (5)

  • Brad P.

    A very good meal. A much more traditional fare than most restaurants trying to copy Hispanic or Cuban food. Although I've only eaten lunch once at this restaurant, I'll definitely be visiting this spot again on future trips downtown. Prices are around $12 for a sandwich and a drink. Chips and dessert are extra. The chips and guacamole are very good. If you cant decide, i would order a torta. I ate one with wild mushrooms and it was fantastic. I can't wait to try one of his other restaurants nearby. BTW, they are closed on Sunday and Mondays.

    (4)

  • Susan A.

    If you want a tasty sandwich in Chicago, this is the place to go! I can't think of any other place that is as satisfying sandwich-wise as a torta from xoco. The guac is delish and the churros are a must! I've had the xoco salad also and it was great! Love it!

    (5)

  • Judy H.

    Hubby said, "Darling, you're working too hard. I'll take care of dinner tonight." And so it was, XOCO for dinner. Short rib tortas and an intensely flavorful squash soup was the perfect soup and sandwich dinner after a long day. A freshly made churro was a sweet end to the meal. We love going to Xoco and recommend it to our out of town guests who may not get a chance to eat at Frontera or Topolobampo.

    (4)

  • Ali E.

    Delicious tortas!!

    (5)

  • Lindsay W.

    It's great that Bayless opened a more affordable restaurant nextdoor to his 2 always busy and always pricey restaurant. At Xoco, the Cubana is my favorite sandwich (torta). The Ahogada is tasty too but it comes dipped in sauce so it can get messy. The café con leche is really yummy but you MUST try their churros WITH soft serve. You'll be glad you did. Also, 2 out of the 3 times I was here, I saw Rick Bayless. You never know!!

    (4)

  • Bobb S.

    What do you do after a 2 mile jog in the city? If you are like my girlfriend and I, stop for some delicious food and chocolate drinks. I really don't think a person can go wrong with any of the menu choices. Regardless of what you order, there are two "musts" to abide: 1) You must order churros and get the chocolate dipping sauce 2) And if that wasn't enough, you must order one of their hot chocolates (the Aztec is my personal favorite. Bring on the sugar buzz! Bring on some pangs of guilt for indulginng. Bring on a Wilford Brimley lecture on the risks of "diabeetus". And walk away happy!

    (5)

  • Mich S.

    Despite the long line and unorthodox seating/ordering system, this place is legit. I had the braised goat torta and wood roasted pork torta, both were great but the goat took the cake. The meat was tender and flavorful, served with a mild salsa. The entire menu looks appealing, so many trips are needed... maybe even daily! Too bad I don't live in Chicago!

    (4)

  • kelly g.

    really creative menu.. very fresh.. superb

    (5)

  • Annabelle R.

    Great food for a reasonable price. All the tortas are terrific. The hot chocolate is incredible. Order online ahead of time to pick up if you want to avoid waiting in line for a table. It's small capacity and often crowded, but if you're patient enough to wait to be seated, your order is often ready within minutes.

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    Food was great - margaritas were a little small and pretty expensive.

    (4)

  • Matt E.

    Love the pork belly sandwich on Wednesdays. Never been left speechless by a sandwich but this one did it!

    (5)

  • Katie D.

    I've been dying to try anything Rick Bayless since first season Top Chef Masters. I finally got the chance to got o Chicago for a weekend for a friend's wedding but was short on dining time. So hopped on over to Xoco for a snack. Cochinita Pibil: Wood-roasted suckling pig with achiote, black beans, pickled onion, habanero. Amazing. The pork was so tender and the whole torta simply kicked you in the face with flavor. The bread was also perfectly toasted. Warning: the sauces are real Mexican, meaning they are SPICY. I almost cried when I put a little too much on my torta initially without realizing it was that spicy. Nevertheless, delicious. I cannot stand the bland cheesiness that is tex-mex served in most "Mexican" restaurants around. This is nothing like that. The flan was so-so, hence the unperfect score.

    (4)

  • Reagan F.

    It's all about the churros with ice cream.

    (5)

  • Tim C.

    There are only two words you need to know.......Cochinita Pebil! It's amazing and you can get it at O'Hare too! One bite and your hooked but careful with the habanero salsa if you don't like hot stuff.

    (5)

  • Danny M.

    This place is always packed, but the ordering line moves pretty fast and I always end up finding a table. If there isn't any tables left and you don't feel like dining it, simply order to go. The torta's are all pretty good and the baja chicken sandwich are my two personal favorites from here. I have always wanted to try the shortrib chili soup and the pork belly vermicelli soup. Definitely give this place a try if you haven't already!

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    Been here many times. Luckily have timed out the rush each time. Food is phenomenal. If you like spicy, they have the heat for you. Chips and guac, torta and chorros.....can't beat that combination.

    (4)

  • Jessica W.

    Let's be honest: Going to one of Rick Bayless's restaurants was a main reason why I wanted to visit Chicago again. I wasn't disappointed. My boyfriend and I were able to order and be seated very quickly, compared to what other reviewers mentioned. I got the seasonal shrimp torta and we shared some churros. The torta was warm and flavorful. The churros were crisp and sugary, freshly made. It was delicious in every way. I will definitely make a point of returning next time I'm in the city.

    (5)

  • Shakura H.

    I was looking forward to experiencing Xoco, until I was standing in line and saw the menu. As a person that does not eat pork, the options at Xoco are limited. That is always disappointing when that happens. I ordered the shortrib red chile soup and my friend had the milanesa torta. The shortrib soup would probably would have been good if it were not soooooo salty! The saltiness overwhelmed the flavor of the beef broth. My friend said her chicken torta was decent, not amazing. I was impressed with the fact that despite the long line, the restaurant is so organized that by the time we ordered our food the host found seating for us. I most likely not return to Xoco, for me it was not that great.

    (2)

  • Andrea S.

    Very, very good tortas. The bread is nice and crispy and the meats that they use are all great. This place gets very busy so be prepared to wait to be seated. However, it is well worth the wait. It is a little pricey in my opinion, but because the tortas are soo good, I didn't mind the price.

    (4)

  • Robin L.

    After a long day of sight-seeing, no dinner reservations, and having reviewed both TA and Yelp (thanks, fellow reviewers!), my husband and I headed to Xoco for a casual Mexican meal. We noticed the outdoor seating when we arrived (too hot during this July visit, though), and headed indoors, where we were immediately greeted by a host and sent to a line. A little overwhelmed by the quickness and the set-up, we scoured the menu quickly and apparently, with looks of uncertainty. The host noticed and, coming to our rescue, explained the dishes to us, even sharing which were his personal favorites. While waiting to order at the counter, you're given a table number by the host, which you then tell the lady behind the counter. No table number, no ordering. On our first night (yes, we returned for a second meal during our 6-day visit), we each tried a torta (a sandwich much like a panini) - he the milanesa and I, the cubana. Both were outstanding!!! The homemade cilantro crema was rich, flavorful, and memorable. What I liked about my torta was the thin cuts of meat, leaving the flavor to the mixture of all the ingredients, not just a pile of meat accompanied by the 'other stuff.' We started with naked quacamole and chips (guacamole IS a food group in my world!). It was chunky, tasty, and easily dipped with the thick, homemade chips (some of the best we've had). However, the amount of guac was rather small, just enough for the two of us, and pricey for its size. If more than two in your party, definitely order two servings if you just can't live without it. Two days later, my husband suggested, "Let's go back to Xoco." Really? Excellent choice. The husband ordered his milanesa torta again, but this time, I went for the carnitas caldo (soup). OMG!!!!!!! If I were stranded on an island and could have only one food, THIS would be it! (Yes, even instead of guacamole.) This 'meal-in-a-bowl' is fantastic: a light broth filled with spices, herbs, greens, and of course, carnitas, which were just the right amount of salty. As the soup sits before you, it continues to steam, which just deepens the flavors. My husband laughed as I worked my way through the large bowl of 'delicious,' and kept talking about it even after we returned home from our vacation. I've already searched the recipe online! Rick Bayless has three restaurants in Chicago, all in the same area, and each at a different price point. I'm betting all offer the same amazing food! If you're in need of a meal in a casual setting, be sure to get to Xoco. And if you'd rather order and pick it up, we noticed LOTS of people doing that. Fantastico! Home now and ordering Rick's cookbooks online.... :)

    (5)

  • Edward W.

    3.5 stars The long line was only for dine in, so thankfully I could take the churros to go. Fresh, hot churros straight from the kitchen with chocolate dipping sauce. At $4 / 3 pieces, these churros were slightly pricey and I found the chocolate dipping sauce to be a bit too sweet. The cinnamon didn't stay on the churro very well so it tasted a bit bland.

    (3)

  • Saran R.

    Xoco satisfied my crave for churros. I came down here from Gold Coast on a Friday morning. 3 churros with mayan hot chocolate and I'm happy and ready to start my day. Order at the counter, get the number and food is served at your table.

    (4)

  • Betty N.

    **EXCELLENT CARNE ASADA TORTAS BUT MEH MARGARITAS** I wanted to avoid this place because I am not a fan of celebrity chef restaurants. But a Chicago local highly recommended it, so here it went: AMBIANCE ========= Not much. Typical Mexican restaurant vibe. Order at the counter and sit down. FOOD ===== CARNE ASADA TORTA (Tuesday special) - $12.75 I'm not a torta expert. But it was one f'ing good torta. The bread texture was cooked perfectly and the carne asada which consisted of Tallgrass flank steak, wild ramp chimichuri, local mushrooms, and homemade crema was excellent. RATING 5/5 CHURRO - $1.60 per piece Came out piping hot. Decent, not too sweet. But I liked it sweeter. RATING: 3/5 HOT CHOCOLATE (Classic) - $3.25 It's no hot chocolate from Madrid. I dipped my churro in it and that was my dessert. RATING: 3/5 COCKTAIL ========= MARGARITA - $10 Chatted with a dude next to me about Porsches and he bought me a margarita. Not the best margarita I've had, but it was free, so thanks. RATING: 3/5 OVERALL ========= Thinking maybe TO-GO next time. RECOMMEND for a torta lunch.

    (4)

  • Jill F.

    I only had soup and dessert here, but I was a fan and would go back. I can't wait to try his other restaurants.

    (4)

  • Erika K.

    Rick Bayless's food is amazing. That's just all you need to know. Full review here: thebuckwheater.com/xoco

    (5)

  • Ann R.

    Xoco's pozole got me through a very crummy winter full of colds, the flu, and a rollercoaster of emotions in my sinus cavaties. Honestly don't know what I would've done without it. And bonus - the takeout portion seems HUGE. My goodness gracious, it's divine. Something about the thickness/crunchiness of their tortilla chips, like those served at the Frontera Fresco storefronts, turns me off. To me, they taste like they came out of a bag and when I'm paying extra for chips and salsa, I'm really wanting something fresh, warm and well, not theirs.

    (4)

  • Ryan B.

    Had the short rib caldo and a guacamole bar appetizer. The caldo was off the hook with lots of tender short rib meat, roasted potatoes and vegetables, as well as a handful of fresh arugula. The guacamole appetizer was very good as well, topped with chicharrones. Very creamy with a small hit of red onion, salt and lime. Two side salsas (verde w/roasted tomatillos and rojo w/roasted chipotles) were very good. Not salty or overwhelming by any means...just a nice smooth taste that allow the ingredients do the talking with minimal seasoning. To drink I had the Jamaican iced tea (hibiscus I think?). It was very very tasty, but also very very sweet. Not sure if I'd get it again. Water that bad boy down a little bit and you could have the most refreshing drink on the planet. My only complaint was the cost: $25. That's insane. But hey, Rick was there, so I guess I got my money's worth to see one of the great chefs of our day. But that $25 is still grating on me...

    (4)

  • Dave K.

    Amazing lunch spot - tortas are fabulous and resonably priced. Churros are TO DIE FOR! Also, try the chicharones, unique and worth trying (only $3.50) Cannot wait to try it for breakfast! I really love this place, we are blessed to have it...

    (5)

  • Helen F.

    While visiting Chicago, we decided to try this place for lunch. Note that this restaurant does not take reservations. You just wait on line, and place your order with the cashier. The hostess will tell you which table you will be sitting at as you get closer to the cashier. She was very nice, and had a great attitude. She offered to get you drinks while you wait on line. There's also a free water fountain by the cashiers that you can refill whenever you want to. My bf decided to see if the wait at Frontera Grill, also owned by Rick Bayless, would be a quicker wait, but was told it would be an hour or longer before we can be seated. So, we stayed put on Xoco, and glad we did so! Overall, we probably waited about 30 minutes or so before we were able to place our order. The food we ordered were delicious. My bf ordered the pork belly caldo, and I the seafood caldo. The broth for both dishes were very tasty. The pork belly was tender, and the seafood very fresh. The churros with chocolate dipping sauce was just heavenly. The aqua fresca on the other hand, was too sweet for me. I just watered it down, and it was perfectly refreshing when I did so.

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    If you're in Chicago and want to catch Rick Bayless restaurant this is a great opportunity. First, it's prepared my mostly Mexicans in my observation. This is great. Second, what a great breakfast. You won't be hungry and basicall there is nothing on the menu you won't like. I like to leave a little more detail but everything I had on the menu was great. Go out of your way to eat here! The Mexican Hot Chocolate is incredible! Get some!

    (4)

  • Sylvia M.

    Besides the long lines this place was amazing!!! The food was amazing and the service was amazing!

    (5)

  • A L.

    After watching the show on TV and being a big fan of Rick Bayless, I had been wanting to try this place. This was on my list to go when I visited Chicago. We stayed out in the suburbs and got up at 6:30 AM to avoid traffic to get here on time for breakfast. The system is a little weird here. The hostess asked us how many people were in the group and gave me a table number. We were table number 61. After that, we went to the counter to place our order. Daughter ordered the Huevos Rancheros, which was the best item. I ordered the Torreja and liked it a lot. The hubs ordered Saturday Chilaquiles without the braised short ribs. He got the short ribs anyway. His order was the most disappointing one. When his order cooled down, the food got hard and it was chewy. The tortilla got stale. We also order the churro and Mexican Hot Chocolate. The churro was delicious but the hot chocolate was WAY too sweet. Service and staff were unfriendly. After we ordered our food, the hostess brought us to the back of the place and we were immediately seated by the window, where the table was wobbly. I immediately spilled my Mexican Hot Chocolate. Hubs went to ask the hostess if they could fix our wobbly table. She tried but it was still wobbly. The hostess asked a worker to fix it but was told that no matter what, the table will be wobbly. Why the heck would they leave that table there if it's knowingly wobbly? I was peeved because the restaurant was empty at 8 AM and they wouldn't give us another table because the other tables sat 6 and we were the third customers. She told us that we could sit at one of those high chairs facing the wall. We said that we would rather not. So, she told us that she can sit us at a table for 6 next to the wobbly table but we have to scootch over because we have to be prepared that a table for 2 will be seated next to us. Well, the place never filled up. I would've given this place 4 stars but I had to knock a star off for the staff. I love Rick Bayless but I do not like his staff. Considering all the effort we made to get down to his place and to be treated like that is upsetting. I think I will stick to his cookbooks!

    (3)

  • Ashley H.

    Two thumbs way up for the seafood salad and the GUACAMOLE! Tastes heavenly

    (5)

  • John S.

    I hate to give this place two stars since i was looking forward to it...i'd do 2.5 if i could. I had a Bayless co gift cert so i went here twice and frontera express (in Macys once). First time i went for a snack and had the Aztec chocolate and Flan. chocolate was to rich and bitter but the flan was pretty damn good...maybe too sweet though. Second time had the baja chicken torta. A little disappointed since i can always get a better torta at a local place in the burbs for a third of the price. Bread was to stiff and the flavor wasn't all there...and portion way to small for $12....no sides or anything with that too. Seating is a little to cramped at this place and you have to have a lot of time on your hands to wait. I would recommend Fronterra express in Macys for more bang for your buck I give Rick props for the LEED building though and the decor is pretty cool and beer selection is the best i've seen in a mexican restaurant.

    (2)

  • Annie S.

    The food is as delicious as they say, and a great deal. Sometimes it's not worth the wait, but certainly worth a try when you have time to wait in line.

    (4)

  • Katie D.

    This place would have been good if not for the crowds and the calorie laden food. I really think that it s a bit overrated and while the food is imaginative (although if you are watching what you eat, this is not a place for you, but the wait is usually a show stopper for me.

    (3)

  • Remesis G.

    One of the best restaurants in Chicago. I love how when eveytime I go there, I see Rick bayless (chef and owner) in the kitchen. Great food and service.

    (5)

  • amanda A.

    i am a tidy lady. that said, first time i came here i ruined a shirt as the tastiness of my sandwich dripped down my hands and it was to yummy to stop and care.

    (4)

  • Sonya S.

    The food at XOCO always makes me feel sick afterwards. I'm so disappointed because I really wanted to like this place.

    (2)

  • Jason B.

    Amazing food. A take friends from out-of-town here. I recommend the tortas and salads. This place does get busy though so try to hit on off hours.

    (5)

  • Jim F.

    my wife has been before but it was my first time at Xoco. we went for lunch, the line was long, my wife says that about the same length it always is. I had the Baja Chicken, my wife the Pepito tortas. and we shared guac and chips. the place runs like a well oiled machine, you order like at a fast casual restaurant, but they have a hostess to seat you, she was taking head counts while we were still in line, by the time we ordered she had seating ready for us. the place is crowded and they really cram you in, we ended up at the corner of a counter that runs along the front window. the food is truly excellent. the tortas are made with the kind of bread that is really crunchy on the outside but soft and chewy inside - the kind that will have the roof of your mouth all roughed up later, but is so worth it. the salsas and guacamole were all fresh and delicious. we split 3 churros for dessert, they are served with a little cup of warm chocolate sauce - so simple but so good.

    (4)

  • Cindy W.

    I was drawn to this restaurant after watching Rick Bayless on Top Chef because I have a slight obsession with celebrity chefs, and I was very pleased with my experience here. The food's not super cheap, but the quality was very great. The tortas are very filling and satisfying, but I was blown away by the ice cream with churros. The only problem is the store layout. It's pretty narrow and confusing. There are lot of shared tables and counters, so it's hard to grab a spot as a group. But I usually let that go since I go for the food, not the seating.

    (5)

  • Bardia N.

    The food here is amazing and has been consistently good. Place is clean and staff are friendly. You can't go wrong with this place!

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    This was my second time eating at XOCO and I plan on going back many more times. I've been lucky to arrive before the rush both times, so I've never had any problems getting a place to sit nor have I had to wait in line for very long, but both times I've seen the line grow considerably as I ate. We started with the fully dressed guacamole which was excellent. It comes topped with bacon, onions, pumpkin seeds, and a few other things which really added to the guacamole. For my main dish, I got the Ahogada torta which is a carnitas sandwich sitting in a spicy tomato broth. This was my second time getting it and I wanted to try something new, but I went with what I knew was good and I wasn't disappointed.

    (5)

  • Margaret D.

    This is a tasty restaurant for quick food, but the seating makes ABSOLUTELY no sense. You walk in, and the host greets you (we arrived before the dinner rush). He asks if you want to sit at a shared table, or the counter. We say counter (which, um, is actually shared, because it's a counter). He says he'll come BACK to find us and tell us the table number. The place is not crowded and there are plenty of open seats in both areas, because we are there so early. Then, you go up to the cashier to order. The woman at the register asks your table number. We don't have the table number. The host hasn't come back to tell us the magic number. She says, "I can't take your order without your table number." Great. So we look for the guy and he comes back and tells us our number, which we then convey to the woman. Does seating need to be so complex, with so many variables that can go wrong? We order a torta, the Xoco salad with crispy chicken, and three churros with chocolate dipping sauce. Then the cashier says we will get dessert separately, and to ask the server for it when we are ready. Seating at the bar either faces the window (very few seats) or is at a narrow counter facing the wall, so it feels like you're sitting in a corner after being naughty. We get our food and it's good, especially my salad. The salad is very fresh: spring greens, cilantro, crispy chicken breast (fried), black beans, creamy dressing on the side. Husband gets (I think the Cuban) torta. He says the bread is very hard, and I agree-- maybe others come with sauce or get juicy enough for the bread to soften, but his is hard (that's what she said! Hardy har har. I couldn't resist). Then, we're ready for dessert. My husband tells the guy who'd brought the food. The guy says he'll put the order in. We wait. Nothing. Husband goes up to the food counter and tells them we're missing our order. They say they will bring it right out. Nothing. 20 minutes. We see the host and he immediately sees we're looking around for something, and helps us out and gets us our churros. The patrons around us notice the churro situation and DIRECT the guy with the churros to us when they finally appear. The churros are really good. However, the food doesn't outweigh the seating system and the whole neglected churro. I don't know why they don't give you a number to put up at your spot, like they do at Panera or Corner Bakery or everywhere else. The place is quite small. It would not be difficult to find a number. It would make way more sense. Also, I do not like the fact that they ask for a gratuity up front, before you even get any service, because the dessert situation would have warranted a tip for a job less than well done.

    (3)

  • Eumi C.

    Oh Rick Bayless....I used to watch you on PBS and you were so quirky and awesome. I watched you win Top Chef Masters too. Your food is amazing!!! GAHHH!! Soups. SO flavorful and NOT salty. Sandwiches perfect amounts of meat and veggies. Churros. PFTTTT. I could eat mounds and mounds of these daily. Hot chocolate/Coffee. DELISH. Sigh. So good. SO GOOD! We try and make it here when we come into the city. Otherwise, Frontera Fresco in Old Orchard it is. YUMMMMM!

    (5)

  • Lai-Nin W.

    Bayless' casual mexican diner is absolutely delicious. I've always been a fan of their sandwiches, but I tried their brunch (their morninish menu) recently and that was also great. A slightly lower priced option than Rick Bayless' other restaurants, but it still offers the same great food and, best of all, also has beers for that quick weekend lunch. It's also conveniently located in river north which is super easy to walk to, but beware! Parking can be awful. If you go, make sure to also check out their fancy hot chocolates (rich, real hot chocolate made from the real stuff with fun things mixed in like chiles) and their desserts (churros are good, but both of the sundae options are out of control).

    (4)

  • Matthew M.

    its all that and a bag of chips and guac

    (5)

  • Sarah H.

    Delicious, but kind of a crazy wait. Went at 3pm on a cold and icky Saturday and the line was out the door (and did not move quickly). I'd recommend ordering online and getting takeout (don't forget the churros and dark chocolate sauce!!)

    (4)

  • Alfred L.

    Heard about this place from a friend's recommendation. We came on a Saturday evening and waited twenty minutes to order at the counter. We took our drinks with us and were promptly seated. Food came out not long after. Goat barbacoa torta- tender goat meat with avocado and cilantro. All in a crispy roll. the PERFECT sandwich. Ahogada torta- a close second to the goat torta. Carnitas in spicy salsa, wrapped up in a sandwich. Plus the tomato broth meant for dipping was unbelievable. Classic hot chocolate Churros with chocolate dip and cinnamon soft serve- dipping a churro in ice cream is genius. SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY. Seriously. Tres leches cake XOCO: great food, great service, MUST TRY

    (5)

  • David W.

    Great sandwiches, and it's always good to see Rick Bayless hanging out there! I just give it 4 out of 5 because it's pricey for what you get, and their seating system is kinda weird. Other than that, well worth it...just not worth the long line.

    (4)

  • Nicole Y.

    Xoco is awesome! The lines can run a bit long, but they move very fast. The sandwiches are yummy. I don't normally like sandwiches, but Xoco's are excellent! The churros are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. I even found the food better than Frontera Grill!

    (4)

  • Amy C.

    A go to if you're ever visiting Chicago, and even if you're there for a short stay-its a necessary pit stop. Always. Even at 3:30 pm (we thought we'd be missing the lunch rush) we were clearly mistaken. There was an hour long wait to be seated, so we opted out for the To-Go line. Rick Bayless restaurant?! YES please- SUCH a good deal for price and flavor. Don't be intimidated or overwhelmed by the menu- if you have the chance to dine in- I'd definitely recommend the ahogada- looked absolutely delicious. I regret not getting to sit down and try that. I ordered the cubana and the milanesa- two flavorful sandwiches overflowing with meat. And to end the meal on a sweet note we got the churros and a cup of aztec hot chocolate (basically a chocolate pudding that kind of served as a chocolate dip for our churros rather than a drink) If I'm ever back in Chicago, I'm coming back here for sure.

    (5)

  • Alissa R.

    yum

    (5)

  • Courtney C.

    Is Xoco overhyped? No way. The hype is all true! Got here around 10:30 today hoping for an early lunch when we discovered that they didn't start serving tortas until 11. No biggie - we just watched them prepare the food creepily through the window. We got into line around 10:45 and there were already 20+ people in line ahead of us. I have to say that Xoco has this line thing down to a science. They started taking orders and assigning tables at 11 and we were already to the cashier by 11:05. I filled up on free sparkling water and waited in anticipation for our food. I ordered the torta ahogada due to my love for carnitas. I feel the same way about carnitas as most people feel about a nice juicy steak. The torta was a flavor explosion in my mouth with the spiciness of the broth, the hint of lime and the beans & onions all mixing together. Every ingredient had its place and was destined to be together in my sandwich.. The part of the bread that was soaked in the broth was soggy and the other half of the bread was crunchy but the best part was the bread near the middle. The broth was a bit spicy for me and I found myself sucking down multiple glasses of water. You do get your choice of salsa -- mild, medium or hot. Next time I'll go for the mild instead of the medium. Of course I couldn't leave without trying one of their famous churros and homemade chocolate dip. The chocolate was bittersweet, while the churros were sweet-on the borderline of making my teeth hurt. I loved how the chocolate neutralized the sweetness of the churros. The biggest crime was that I didn't order more of them. Can't wait to try more restaurants by Rick Bayless. He's a culinary god!

    (5)

  • Linda B.

    I've been to Xoco several times and I think it's good but not as good as it should be given Rick Bayless's credentials (Top Chef Master, etc.) and, well, the price. We ordered the woodland mushroom, shortrib, and choriqueso tortas along with some chips and guacamole, tres leches cake and the almond churros. The woodland mushroom was the only standout--it was excellent--but I was struck by how salty the rest of the food was (I didn't remember that from previous visits). I also didn't care too much for the pastries; they weren't horrible, just nothing special.

    (3)

  • Jaime S.

    Liked this better than Frontera and Topolobampo. More accessible, had an RB sighting, and got it done on the cheap.

    (4)

  • Sonia L.

    Love this place and the Cubana.

    (5)

  • Susan M.

    Best cup of Hot Chocolate ever!

    (5)

  • Esther W.

    I got to say that this place has pretty awesome tortas. Will definitely go back again.

    (5)

  • Jordan P.

    Yummy yummy sandwiches. Perfect little creations full of deliciousness. My personal favorites are the Cuban and the sandwich with chorizo and eggs. And I'm OBSESSED with the salsa they give you on the side to dip your sandwich in. I could eat it by the spoonful. The only major downside is that the line to get in this place is usually out the door, especially in the summer. Also, the whole process of eating there is obnoxious. First you wait in line, then you order and only after you pay can you get a table. It's very confusing. To avoid the chaos, I would recommend getting food to go.

    (4)

  • Caroline N.

    I've eaten at Xoco about six times , and I've resolved to keep eating here until I make it through the entire menu because everything has been absolutely delicious. IThe ahogada t(signature dish) is perfection, a combination of cooked-to-perfection pork and unbelievably savory broth. The pepito was another favorite. The caldos helped me make it through the winter. I was happy to discover - after I got more serious about sticking to a vegetarian/vegan option for lunch - that the veg caldo was delicious. Combined with minimal wait-times for food and friendly service, I think Xoco is by far the best fast lunch option in River North.

    (5)

  • Jade F.

    My overall experience of XOCO is that it is just okay. A lot of people like to come here and I've walked by it many times. Finally came here for dinner with the gals, and I left feeling like this place is okay with the feeling that I most likely won't be back.

    (2)

  • Jay L.

    Wife and I finally had a chance to dine here on Saturday 4/20. The food was excellent. We split the Pork Belly Vermicelli and Ahogada. Both were very flavorful and beyond tasty. The crispy-tender pork belly was like no pork I have ever had. It's hard to ever try to put the taste in words. It was like the best bacon I've ever had but ever better. Also, I want to say that the staff had no problem with us asking for the Pork Belly Vermicelli to be split. I found this very refreshing as some places make a fuss when a couple wants to share a dish such as this. The line can be long but you can also order on-line for pick-up. I think we will do that on our next visit.

    (5)

  • Roger W.

    Omg churros dipped in chocolate was soooooo good

    (5)

  • Jon D.

    Caldos! There might not be any better remedy for a Chicago snow day known to man other than a bowl of delicious soup. And there are few soups that are quite better than what comes out of the kitchen at XOCO. Hot, steamy and full of umptuous flavor, full of meat and veggies. I had the shortrib on this particular visit, and topped with fresh peppery arugula, it was divine. The line does get long, as they don't take your order until they have a seat available, and they get busy.

    (5)

  • JH P.

    Holy cow this place is popular!!!! Came here on a Saturday evening for dinner and there was a line out the door. Plus it was quite chilly outside! So I thought to myself, "This place must be good!". Since the line for dining in was long, I decided to just get take out. There was a bit of a wait for that as well (it was a separate line) but not too terrible. Ordered the seafood caldo and a cookie. When I retrieved my order, I was a little surprised to find an actual metal spoon in the bag! This restaurant is eco-friendly and I guess the metal reusable spoon was in line with their sustainable practices. But not a problem! Love places that are eco-friendly. The seafood caldo was great and had a wonderful spicy broth to it. Good mix of shrimp, mussels and potatoes. It also came with a side of arugula to throw into the soup. Oh soooooo good! And perfect for a chilly night. Keep in mind that they are closed on Sundays and Mondays. I can't wait to go back and try more including their breakfast and dessert items!

    (5)

  • Kennen M.

    Two tortas and salsa, guac and chips came out for be $40 smackers. I would have wanted a bit more for $40 but I didn't get it. Got the Cochinita Pibil which had a nice habanero kick but it still wasn't all that mind blowing for a $12 sandwich. All I can say is I tried this place, it wasn't a good value for my dollar and I probably won't be coming back if I have to spend my dime.

    (3)

  • Vee C.

    Everything about this place makes my tummy and soul warm with delight - every torta is delish - churro dipping sauce divine - aguas siempre frescas - what's not to love. Will need to try the soups!

    (4)

  • Karina L.

    I came here with friends on a Saturday afternoon and the wait wasn't terribly long. They have a solid system -- you're put on a waiting list for a table while you wait on line for food. If you're doing take-out, you'll be ushered to front of the line where you can quickly order your food. I got the torta ahogada, which was quite tasty and well-seasoned. It's cut in half and dipped into a bowl full of tomato broth, which I thought was a little one-dimensional and probably could have done without it. I loved the pulled pork and the subtle chile sauce though! Frankly, I thought my friend's torta milanesa was better, which as a crispy chicken cutlet with jack cheese and a bomb avocado salsa and cilantro crema. We also got the pickled pigs feet, which I did not like at all -- the combination of the sour from the pickling and the feet texture did not mix well. My favorite part of the meal was definitely the churros with the Mexican chocolate dipping sauce. The churros were HOT HOT, crispy, sweet, and heavenly. The chocolate sauce has spicy undertones, which sounds crazy but is an absolutely must try.

    (4)

  • Kim B.

    I had never even heard of Rick Bayless prior to coming here and I can't say that his restaurant or food impressed me. I was actually pretty annoyed after my first experience here. First, the line moves super slow..annoyingly slow. The line on a Friday night was surprisingly short but it took at least 20 minutes to move only a few feet. We finally gave up and got into the line for take out orders. What else annoyed me? The fact that you can only have the ahogada torta if you dine in the restaurant. I get that the sandwich has a broth that comes with it but why can't you get it on the side in a separate container and take it to go? We were told that we could choose any other torta on the menu and order broth on the side. Except for the ahogada. No exceptions. Whatever. Instead of the ahogada torta, I tried the smoky garlic shrimp torta (the Friday special). It was okay but definitely not as great as I was expecting it to be. The churros and hot chocolate were a letdown as well. Overall, not worth the wait or the price.

    (3)

  • Edward S.

    It's Rick Bayless at less than $15. I had the Smoky Garlic Shrimp and was as good as I was expecting. The goat cheese + arugula was a great addition to the sandwich. The churros weren't what I expected. I'm used to the street vendor or run-of-the-mill taco shop version of fried dough slathered in cinnamon and sugar. The churro was almost too "clean" and the chunky granulated sugar they used wasn't very good. The chocolate dipping sauce it comes with, though, is fantastic. I heard the hot chocolate is to die for, will have to try it out at a future point in time.

    (3)

  • Tina L.

    Wow, Chef Rick Bayless. W.O.W. I'm a girl who loves sandwiches...there are _sandwiches_ but then there are TORTAS. It's a whole other level, y'all! I took a star away because, like some other reviewers noted, it's pretty confusing how the seating/ordering works. Also, we got there at 2pm and the wait was like 40 minutes. I think I'll try to get in earlier or later next time...So basically, you have to order first and then get seated. BUT, you can only order once you're given a table number. If the host or hostess doesn't give you a table number, then you can't order yet. So you just stand there at the register and wait for a table to become available. And then you can order once you get your table number. Got it? Good. OK, on to the food! There were 4 of us, so I made the executive decision of ordering a bunch of different dishes so that we can all share. Heck yeah! Vuh-Rye-Uh-Teeeeee. TORTAS: The Ahogada torta comes with the pork carnitas, black beans, tomato broth, spicy arbol chile sauce, and pickled onions. They top the torta halves on top of the tomato broth and serve it that way. By the time you take a bite, the warm soup has seeped into the bread for added flavoring. I mean...wow! This was the group favorite fosho. The seasonal torta was the Pork belly with tomatillo sauce, chicharrón, local spinach, queso fresco, and black beans. This was one of my personal favorites. I do love my pork belly! Cochinita Pibil: Woah, when they said the salsa was spicy, they meant SPICY. It's definitely got a kick that's reminiscent of the red sauce at King Taco or El Taurino. Finally! I've found a match!!!! This torta came with wood-roasted suckling pig with achiote, black beans, pickled onion, and habanero. I think the sauce was overpowering, so it was difficult to really taste the sandwich itself. Once you let the heat calm down a bit, the torta itself can be enjoyed. But beware of the hot sauce! Maybe try the sandwich before you dip it in the salsa? SOUPS: Shortrib Red Chile Soup: Braised Tallgrass shortribs, red chile broth, roasted vegetables, epazote, wild arugula, lime. This one was the group favorite soup-wise. It reminded us of a spicy Korean soup called Yook-gae-jang. It's a refreshing type of red broth that paired well with the different tortas. Wood-Roasted Chicken Pozole: Gunthorp chicken, pozole corn, rich broth, crunchy garnishes, ground red chile, lime. I kind of wish this was spicier or something. But maybe with all the amazing flavors of the other dishes, this one was sort of overpowered? It's a clean chicken broth with a lot of veggies. Someone from our group called it a poor-man's-soup haha. There was some leftover so I took it home. I'll probably add some Tapatio to it to add that extra kick. --------------- The guacamole and chips were nothing special...I don't know how crazy you can get with guac, as long as the avocado isn't going bad. **Highly recommend that you try the Churros with the chocolate shot: amazing! The chocolate has just the right amount of bitter sweetness, like a good dark chocolate sauce should be. Make sure you enjoy the churros when they first come out, so that it's hot and crispy.

    (4)

  • Jill S.

    Best torta I've ever had. "Which one?" you may ask, ALL OF THEM. Hands down. Bread is fantastic - salsa and guac is the best - and the meats are mouth-watering. I am obsessed with xoco. Oh, and get the lemonade.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    Go on saturday, get the goat special, get there early.

    (4)

  • Jim R.

    This is a great concept for a restaurant--gentrified Mexican street food. I will say that the lunch fare is strong--I mean, it is really good. Rick Bayless knows food and knows Mexican food. Read his cookbooks and you will see what I mean. I have spent serious time in the deepest bowels of non-tourist Mexico (strike that image from the record, your honor), and I have eaten at more Mexican back-alley food carts and markets than I care to recall. I have the intestinal scars to show for it and regret nary a one. The food at Xoco is authentically peasant in its approach and decidedly refined in its execution. It really hits the high points of any food-serving Mexican market--tacos al pastor, the selection of tortas, aguas frescas, caldos... Imagine walking down a street in any small, unknown-to-you Mexican town and coming across a taco cart, torta cart, corn cart, etc. Take that basic food concept and have a really inspired chef sprinkle it with additional culinary knowledge and inspiration while at the same time holding on to, and never looking down on, what it is--typically inexpensive food of honest, humble origins that accounts for how millions of Mexicans eat daily. This is Xoco (short for Xocolatl, what Moctezuma drank daily and what became known as chocolate.) Street food elevated to an art. Regarding breakfast--I am glad they open for the morning hot chocolates, churros and empanadas, but meh, not going out of my way again for Xoco in the morning before they begin serving actual food they are properly known for. 4 people can eat lunch for $60 with drinks, $50 without. But to tell the truth, don't look at the prices. You would agree to pay more after eating the food.

    (4)

  • Melissa T.

    Sometimes I wake up thinking about the churros. Other times--often when I'm eating lackluster mexican-type fare elsewhere--I fondly recollect the smokey garlic shrimp torta I had on my one visit to XOCO. I had to wait about 25 minutes to order and another 10 to get my food, but everything about waiting was totally worth it. Despite the long wait and the crowded space, this meal was everything I could have hoped it to be and more.

    (5)

  • Cj L.

    Wow the pistachio churro and the woodland mushroom was phenomenal. Staff is on the ball too.

    (5)

  • Alexander Z.

    I love spicy food. So much so that usually things I find totally mild are "hot" to others. Saying that, DAMN, the pastor soup was spicy!! (and frickin awesome). We went the other night, ordering the soup, the Shrimp Torta & a whole mess of beers. The Soup as I said before was amazing. While it was spicy, it was not overpowering and had an amazingly fresh mix of flavors, all balancing off each other (arugula & tiny dumplings for a nice mix to the heat). The pork was perfectly cooked & crispy almost like a pork belly. I had a bite of the shrimp torta and the shrimp were huge & cooked perfectly plump. As we went on a Friday night, a large sampling of beers were absolutely necessary. They had a pretty good sized mix of beers but as the display case was really warm, we luckily asked if they had chilled ones in the back which they did. As an avid craft beer (& IPA) drinker, I was impressed that there were numerous Cans (go figure) I had not heard of but were excellent. The food was 5 Stars easily but they lose 1 star for the organization of service. When we arrived, we were greeted and told to wait in line. 20 minutes late (seems pretty average compared to other reviews) we went to order and they asked our table #. We never had one and they said we needed to get a table # before going in line to order (but WHY would they tell us to go in line when we got there and not give us a #???). The exact same thing happened to the couple in front of us too. Luckily they were able to get us table #'s within 2/3 minutes so we were able to wait at the counter and then order. Overall, amazing restaurant. Food wasn't expensive, although the beers are pricey (soup, torta & 5 beers = $68). I definitely will be coming back here again!

    (4)

  • Verlee G.

    Bayless is an inspiration at my old workplace, so when visiting Chicago, his restaurants were on my list. Ordering style is more cafeteria-- order at the counter, walk down the line, very expressly casual. Much of the seating is barstools. Hot chocolate and churros were delish, and we ordered the thinner, spicy Aztec. Loved how it's made on-site from the beans and poured tableside. I ordered the Daily Special Torta, which that day was smoky garlic shrimp and hubby ordered the Ahogada Torta. I enjoyed my torta, and loved the balance of flavors. My husband however, wasn't thoroughly impressed. He thought it was too much onion and too bitter. I would give it another shot if we were visiting in town, and would definitely stop for the churros and chocolate.

    (4)

  • Brian G.

    Amazing Mexico City-style thick hot chocolate, actually better and thicker than what I've had there! The churro was hot and the best I've had, same for the tres leches cake. We took it to go because it was late Saturday night and still extremely busy - but what can you do?

    (5)

  • Jessica B.

    I this XOCO is great, just a bit on the spicy side for me. I also hate that when we leave all of my clothes smell like oil.

    (3)

  • Ida G.

    We were in the area headed to the Frontera Grill, but unfortunately the wait was quite long and it was getting late, so we decided to try this place instead. XOCO, Frontera and Topolobampo are all right next to one another and they fall under the same Rick Bayless umbrella, and when two of the staff members at Frontera/Topolo saw how disappointed we were that we couldn't get a table, one of them gave us a couple of menu recommendations at XOCO. My friend and I ended up splitting the Milanesa torta, which we both agreed was one of the best sandwiches we've ever had. This deliciously spicy chicken and Jack sandwich was smothered with some kind of cilantro aioli that made my mouth dance. Visiting from the East Coast, we appreciated the selection of local beers and were quite impressed with the ones we picked. The third person dining with us had a mushroom torta and was still raving about it a week later. I guess the only thing that wasn't ideal was how hard it was to get seating late in the evening on a weekday, and I didn't think the small Margaritas were worth $10 (one of our party had one and didn't have much to say about it). But I'm not going to dock a star from a restaurant that serves up perhaps the best tortas ever. I'm no monster.

    (5)

  • Anne W.

    Had lunch here a while back, it's fantastic. I'm not loving the seating situation, but the food it top notch. My favorites are the churros and the mexican hot chocolate. Those should not be missed.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    My mouth Salivates at the mere thought of Chicken Pozole. This time I also had a Pistachio Churro it was amazing! It is worth the line! The food is fresh and different you can get anywhere else! I wish we had one back home I love this place so much I might name my future born baby Ricky B.

    (5)

  • Misha T.

    Frontera was closed for 3pm hangover lunch but luckily xoco was just around the corner. My torta ahogada was pretty solid and I like the idea of turning it more in to a dipping sandwich vs a full on fork and knife affair. I do think my friend's pork belly vermicelli was better though. The soup was very rich and the arugula/avocado/zucchini mix was really went well together.

    (4)

  • Qadree H.

    I love theer chicken sandwich that they have, but this is a fun little lunch place in the loop. No need to make a special trip for this quick and easy! Usually there is a line at lunch and no calling in orders over the phone. you stand until you get to the front.

    (4)

  • Christie B.

    Am I the only person who thinks the bread they use is way too hard? I have waited in the super long line 3 times now and each sandwich I tried was good, but the bread was just too hard. They were difficult to eat as all the fillings would squeeze out as you tried to chew through the bread. Yes, they use quality ingredients and the flavor/tastes were good but the bread just ruins it for me. Over it!

    (3)

  • John L.

    Fricking amazing. Have been a few times and leave with the same feeling after each visit which is: when can I come back? Have only been for breakfast and lunch and either is a win. Usually a 20-3- min wait but you can get coffee and/or beers in line.

    (4)

  • Nathan N.

    Came here for dinner. Have to say it was very memorable. What a unique twist that Bayless did here. Definitely check it out!

    (5)

  • Champika F.

    Delicious. I'm so glad I had a chance to eat here on a recent trip to Chicago. There lunch and dinner menu consists mostly of soups, salads and sandwiches none of which are favorite types of food for me. However I was surprised by how much I enjoyed my conchita pibil torta and my soup and salad. We went in at 9:30 on a Friday evening and surprisingly the wait wasn't too long. About 15 or 20 minutes. I really wish I had gotten a chance to have breakfast here - the chilliquiles sound delicious.

    (5)

  • Tia B.

    The food is phenomenal! Rick Bayless has outdone himself. His spin on a Cuban sandwich was delicious and his homemade chorizo was the right mix of flavor and spice. And the churros...oh my goodness they melted in my mouth! The only reason this isn't a 5 star is the space. You wait in an endless line that's the size of a cramped hallway. Considering the chef has 3 restaurants on one corner you'd think he'd expand but always having a line attracts attention just like if you're at a club.

    (4)

  • elissa w.

    You know a place is awesome when there is a giant line at 8 pm on a Wednesday night. Everything is delish here including the rotating specials. I ordered online and still waited about 20 minutes which was annoying but the soup I got was so yummy I forgot all about it after I licked my bowl clean.

    (5)

  • Jessica D.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Although the space is small and there is always a line, the food more than makes up for it. Amazing tortas, spectacularly complex and delicious soups, churros that melt in your mouth, and spectacular homemade hot chocolate with real cacao beans. I've had the mushroom torta on both my visits but I need to branch out to try the other amazing options on the menu--you honestly can't go wrong! Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area, but be prepared to stand a while and then enjoy one of the best meals of your life. I enjoy the people watching and menu reading in line, so time flies by for me. There is a tiny bit of outdoor seating in the warmer weather months.

    (5)

  • Jen F.

    Great chocolate and churros! I was killing time before frontera opened for dinner, but I'm pretty sure I have to come back for dinner here as well. Cute little place with counter service and tables. Staff is super nice and helpful. Ok, so I went back for dinner had the pork belly vermicelli and the chicharrones. Both were amazing. The chicharrones could have had a little less cheese on them, but still great. Nice, porky and crispy. The soup was amazing for a cold night, meaty, noodly and a bit of spice. Huge portions. Then two days later I went back and had the same meal again, that's how good it was. (with the chicharrones toppings on the side)

    (4)

  • Steven S.

    The tortas and caldos are too spicy, salty, and sour. No other flavors make it past those three. The churros are pretty good.

    (2)

  • M S.

    amazing sandwiches, concept and atmosphere!

    (5)

  • Stephanie W.

    I've only ordered carryout here, but it was still fantastic. Get the daily torta, especially if it's Wednesday. All-around mouth explosion.

    (4)

  • Natalie G.

    Xoco never gets old. My all-time favorite torta is the ahogada. I love to sop up the tomato broth with the sandwich, and the spice is just right. The caldos are fantastic as well - so fresh and flavorful. The freshly ground hot cocoa is wonderful in winter. Love this spot.

    (5)

  • Hayley H.

    Excellent food, and extremely reasonable prices. Currently my favorite restaurant in chicago, very spicy tortas that are life enhancing. Great restaurant, I dream about going to one of the other Rick Bayless restaurants in the future soon!

    (5)

  • Daisy B.

    We got 3 sandwiches to split between the two of us. Amazing. Goat, chicken and portobello sandwiches were all SO fulfilling. The sauces were incredible and the ingredients all fresh and decadent. Try this restaurant :)

    (5)

  • Joshua S.

    Wow. Chicken milenese was amazing. This place is one of a kind. Rick is my hero.

    (5)

  • E J.

    Yeah, the wait for dine-in is long, its crowded with bad seating but the food is great. I like the food more at XOXO than at Frontera Grill. I really enjoyed what I have tried on the menu.

    (5)

  • Ed J.

    The line/system continues to annoy. But the tortas are outstanding, the woodland mushroom is as good as advertised, earthy mushrooms, tangy goat cheese, it's a course in balance. Don't underestimate the effect of a wood fired oven. The churros really shine, skip the soft serve, and it may take a few tries to find out which hot chocolate you like best- they're mostly all good: classic is the most "american" style, Champurrado is the best for churro dipping. And although the line is annoying, it's worth it.

    (4)

  • Edward K.

    Wonderful and authentic! I took a friend who grew up in Mexico and his comment was that it took him back to being a school boy and reminded him of the sandwich his mother packed for his morning snack each day!

    (5)

  • Brian O.

    Walked .7 miles in the dead of winter and it was well worth it. It lived up to its 4 star Yelp rating for sure. I ordered the Baja Chicken torta which was spectacular. Also enjoyed a cup of chocolate espresso. The chocolate they use is unbelievable. I would definitely recommend!

    (4)

  • Lo S.

    Everything I dreamed of and more. Xoco has elevated street food to the highest level while retaining the authenticity and flavors I associate with the foods I've tried in small towns across Mexico. Pork Tinga Tuesday changed my life, thank you Rick and team for warming up cold winter nights. The only negative is the seating is a little tight and I don't enjoy sitting at a little counter to eat when i'm with another person or group. If this were closer to home i'd prefer to get it to go, but am grateful it is not or I would gain 20 lbs.

    (5)

  • Benjamin B.

    Mr. Bayless does it again. And he didn't even have to resort to yelling like his brother does to get attention. If you go during peak hours (lunch) you can expect a little bit of a wait, but it is WELL worth it. Also, I heard that XOCO has begun to take online orders so that might expedite the process for the savvy foodie. I had the Pork Belly Vermicelli which was done extremely well. Belly was tender and the broth was nothing like your mother has ever made, yet twice as good as mom's home cooking. The seating can be somewhat cramped and not for the claustrophobic a there will almost always be a line. But again, it is worth rubbing elbows for XOCO.

    (5)

  • Juli A.

    One word - AHOGADA. The spicy arbol chile sauce makes this the best sandwich there, and believe me, I've had them all. The Pork Belly Vermicelli is perfect comfort food and I love the Cochinita Pibil with the pickled onion and habanero. Their salsas are distinctive and flavorful, the chips are made from scratch and the churros are as good as they were in Mexico. Depending on what time you go, you may have a wait, but it will be worth it . . . and you'll be back.

    (5)

  • Ernesto R.

    Finally tried Xoco since I heard some good things about it. After trying a seafood soup and a torta, my conclusion is the following. This is an overpriced less tasty version of the Mexican food I grew up loving. I mean you can go to numerous other Mexican joints in the city and get better food for half the price. But I guess you are paying more because its Rick Bayless. This guy is making a career off turning cheap unhealthy Mexican fast food into a high priced cuisine. I don't mean to be a hater but... c'mon man!!!!!

    (2)

  • Cameron W.

    Pepito Torta, Seafood Caldo, and 3 churros and soft-serve to match were ordered on a cold wintery night to be split with a friend visiting from out of town. We concluded that: 1. Pepito Torta - a bit on the saltier side, but the flavors were outstanding 2. Seafood Caldo - recommended by a friend previously, but I found it to be a bit underwhelming. However, there were plenty of shrimp in the soup, and it was heartwarming on this wintery night. 3. Churros - absolute best!! crunchy on the outside and just a bit soft on the inside with lovely large pieces of raw sugar coating it. I would return again and just order the churros. The wait was not long, perhaps 25 minutes max on an early Saturday evening. You line up to order, and then they arrange seating for you before you go ahead and place and pay for your order at the cashier. As soon as you pay, they lead you to your seats where they then follow up with your food. Its kinda like an altered Chipotle version of pay and sit. PLUS: we saw Rick Bayless at the store!!

    (4)

  • John R.

    Gotta say I love Xoco. Sandwiches are awesome. Churros are awesome. Chips and guac, also awesome. It's fast and not outrageously priced. For the tourist district, what else can you ask for?

    (5)

  • Robert J.

    What a gem! I wouldn't call this "Mexican food", I would call it "Authentic Mexican food- straight out of Oaxaca" Torta Ahogada. Yelp recommended, and I approve. I ordered it Hot, and got just what I ordered (I'd rate it as 8/10 spiciness; enough to burn, but not cause pain.... and I consider myself used to most spicy foods). My friend ordered the Carnitas, which were also really good. The chips, guac and salsa were also extremely tasty. Order at the counter and delivered to your table. They also have a huge selection of beers and a specialty margarita, we had mixed reviews on. One order came long after our others, but this was one of my favorite restaurants of all the ones I've visited, and I will be back for SURE!

    (5)

  • Alex G.

    Great tasting and very creative tortas (sandwiches). It is strictly sandwiches, their full menu version is around the corner at Frontera.

    (5)

  • Mopsie B.

    I used to work near here and tried to eat at XOCO twice. Unfortunately, it's a weird place that is always crowded with a very limited menu and pretty unhealthful food. There really are no vegetarian options and the whole routine is cafeteria-style. For the prices, it should be a little less like a cattle call. Weird. So I'll pass by all the tourists and cattle and go someplace a little more in need of my business.

    (2)

  • Mandy C.

    This review is just for the breakfast!! If you like a fresh hearty breakfast, this place is for you. I'd been here two times for breakfast and unfortunately, the food was too much and too heavy for me. Here are some of the things I've tried: + Authentic & Aztec Chocolate--whoa! Super rich and creamy. I can get drowned in this stuff. If you're a die-hard chocolate fan, well, this is for you! +Made-to-order churros: Okay, these are good, but sometimes it can get oily and super coated with sugars. + Open face breakfast sandwich: The bread was super hard--dislike! It was topped with black beans, tomato sauce, egg and avocado. And as the bread absorb these ingredients, it was super soggy. Dislike! + Chorizo and egg sandwich: Okay, this is like one of the items that tasted really good...it was just too much for breakfast, but it's nice to save half for lunch! Overall, it was an okay place. I like the atmosphere though, and would definitely love to come back to try their lunch.

    (3)

  • Stella W.

    Taking the price factor aside, their sandwiches are really tasty! but I am not too sure if it worth avg of $12 price tag though.... on the other hand, I love their hot chocolate...though i wish it could be thicker like the european style...but i would skip the churros..

    (4)

  • Jocelyn W.

    I love Xoco for their delicious churros chips and I love the iced mint cocoa when they have it. I love everything I get there.......... WHEN I CAN GET IN! Sometimes you get all the way there and there's just no way. even the take out line. The one time rude bimbos took so long really, we had a bus to catch so I couldn't stay and we went out of our way and I got no Iced mint cocoa and I live 6 hours away *tears.... so I really wish they had more lines or something.... I digress cause XOCO! 4 stars gotta knock you 1 for the grossly long lines - it takes away. (Go at some other time cause its a cute place) Also its closed those two days I think.

    (4)

  • Prem S.

    Meh. Walked in, waited in line. Got to the register and was told we couldn't order until we were assigned a table (apparently all tables were full). Said the magic words ok, let's go somewhere else and a table was ready! Voila! Got sat 4 people... facing a wall in a row lol. Okkkkk so much for atmosphere. Guacamole came out quickly. Mediocre sorry to say. Chips are thick and hard. Like super crunchy. Came out w two salsas, both just ok. Guys got sandwiches, gals got veggie soup. Only reason 2 stars is because the veggie soup was pretty good, like nothing I've had before. Guys thought sandwiches were just ok. But honestly, I came to this place wanting tacos. They only serve tacos on Wednesday?! Otherwise the menu consists of sandwiches and soup. Weird. Concept weird, seating weird, weird they don't have soft drinks. Literally water or booze. Waitresses were strangely arrogant and rude. If you want to grab something to go, this is a better option than most fast food. If you want a great atmosphere and good service, don't come here. Overrated.

    (2)

  • Swiss W.

    Rick Bayless. Enough Said.

    (5)

  • Aarushi G.

    Their chocolate-glazed and pistachio-glazed churros are simply amazing! Warm, soft and dabbled with glaze. The chocolate was rich, strong and delicious, as if it had some spices in it. A must-visit in Chicago!

    (5)

  • Linda S.

    Both soups that I've ordered were amazing, light but filling and savory. Both sandwiches that I ordered were only so-so, not bad. Also, I've found some of the waitstaff to be rude. One man became very defensive when he was not able to explain the difference between a torta and a mexican sandwich. A woman yelled at me for asking a customer near the front of the line how long they had been waiting.

    (4)

  • David C.

    I have been here a couple of times and I always order the same thing...the ahogada torta, a sandwich served in a bowl of soup. Delicious! I also spoil myself and get the 3 piece churros with a side of chocolate...the chocolate has a slight kick to it. So why only 3 stars? I found the staff very pushy and I don't like being handled. For example, we walked in and I saw an open table for 4 people so I walked towards it to save it for our party of four...I was stopped and directed to go to the ordering line. Then, they decided where to sit you. I did not like that at all. It makes me second guess whether I would return. For me part of the dining experience is the service and the environment.

    (3)

  • Michelle P.

    Service: long line, but it moved rather quickly, so i can't complain Food: got the churros with chocolate.. pretty good.. chocolate was super thick and dense and was a nice accompaniment.. friend got it with cinnamon ice cream which was really good as well

    (4)

  • Peace Y.

    Short rib caldo soup - broth was one note and lacked any depth or real flavor. Had to add in the salsas which are actually really tasty for flavor. Short ribs also bland once they're sitting in the soup. Overall a disappointment.

    (3)

  • Jess P.

    Closed Sunday and Monday! If I lived in Chicago, I would work my way through the entire Xoco menu. Thankfully I don't, but I managed to eat here twice in one day. For lunch, I tried the Wednesday special, a pork belly torta. The flavors were unbelievable, between the crunch of the warm bread, the heat of the chile, the fat of the pork... everything worked together so well. But for the price, maybe a few chips and salsa, or... something? The hibiscus lemongrass agua fresca was also delicious, and petite for the cost. For dinner, I had the chicken posole and the loaded guacamole. Definitely try the latter: a smattering each of pepitas, roasted squash, bacon, chicharrón, spicy roasted poblano and serrano chiles, queso fresco, grilled red onion, and sun-dried tomato over fresh guacamole and crisp, fresh tortilla chips (the salsas are good too). The posole was good, but not the best I've had. The chocolate hazelnut cookie was divine. I ordered dinner to go, and it was served in compostable containers with a reusable, metal spoon (nice!). The food here is awesome. I get that the quality is better than average, and assume that the staff are paid well. But the portions for "street food" could be slightly bigger (tortas in D.F. are HUGE and available at all hours!) and the service could be significantly better (c.f., Danny Meyer's restaurants in NYC), especially if assuming a 20% service fee for counter service or takeout. C'mon, at least be attentive and friendly.

    (4)

  • Lucy L.

    Top spot for tortas. My favorite is the ahogada with the chile arbol broth, which you can mild, medium or "muy caliente". Also have a solid beer selection and traditional mexican-style drinking chocolate, including the Aztec, which has added chile powder/spice. If you're looking for modern Mexican comfort food, this is the spot to go!

    (4)

  • Joe R.

    This is my go to for tasty Mexican food that's reasonably priced. I've had just about everything on the menu, and just about everything on the menu is fantastic. Most of their food is locally-sourced, which is nice. Some of it even comes from Rick Bayless' backyard. Neat! I've seen Rick wandering about the kitchen on occasion. I wanted to hug him for making such wonderful food, but I thought it might be weird... so I didn't. Resist the urge to hug Rick Bayless, but do eat his food.

    (5)

  • Scott G.

    To simply be short and sweet, the tortas (i got the goat) were good but not great. I wouldnt make a speacial trip for them, especially at the inflated price (my opinion claro). The staff was wonderful, no complaints there. The hot chocolate was very good and different. Now that is something I would recommend going out of the way for though it was so rich I actually had to take half of it home and sip it over the next day out of the fridge (really good cold!).

    (3)

  • Jeff S.

    This place is awesome even though I think Tortas Frontera is a little better. The Pepito (shortibs) is a must get. If you get the pork rinds, do know that they come with a lot of hot sauce. If you don't mind it, it's great. But if you do not like spicy, you might want it on the side.

    (5)

  • Nina M.

    churros. 'nuf said.

    (5)

  • D D.

    Quality ingredients but not as good as we had hoped. Papito? torta I think is what I ordered and it had some intense flavors but the bread was way more crunchy than I would want. My wife got some Milanesa panini thing and she was really disappointed, but I think that's just because she didn't realize that her meat would be deep fried. The sauces and flavors were pretty solid despite our disappointment with what we ordered. Also I am constantly on the lookout for a great churro and my wife and I both thought the churros were not nearly as good as they were hyped up to be-i.e. Too crunchy and the chocolate was too bitter (probably more authentic but we didn't like it ). I did like the hazelnut churro flavor quite a bit though, just wish I would have passed on the chocolate, we threw it out if you can believe that.

    (3)

  • Michele J.

    First, the food was wonderful. The guac and my Pepito was the bomb. It was the best thing I ate in the six days we were in Chi-Town. And we ate a LOT. Gotta share some suggestions with the management though. The restaurant wasn't full (it was about 6pm on Wednesday June 25th) yet, I had to ask for our iced tea to be brought to us. When it was brought to us, I asked if it was sweetened. "no', was the reply, and then the server WALKED AWAY. After a few more minutes, I asked a bus person if there was sweetener, and he kindly obliged me. We were seated at the table closest to the kitchen (again, the restaurant wasn't full, so there were other places for us to have been seated). Our meal was continually punctuted by the din of the kitchen: doors slamming, carts crashing, people hustling. I realize that table space = dollars. However, sitting there definitely detracted from our enjoyment of the delicious meal. I would still highly recommend Xoco, just felt as though our experience could've been better.

    (4)

  • Chris R.

    I honestly can't decide if I like this place or not. Before I get critical, I want to point the positives, because I think they matter. The staff is really well trained to be customer-centered; they are friendly and courteous. Also, the food is served quickly; it's the best part about waiting a long time. In the end, the heaviest weight on my rating rests on the food itself. To be frank, it's a confusing experience, primarily because this place advertises itself as a "Mexican Food" establishment. So the expectation is that there will be a dominant sense of traditional Mexican flavors, arrangements, ingredients and ambiance. That however changes as soon as you step in. The first clue, is that the majority of the customers are Caucasian tourists - but what do I expect? - I'm in Chicago. The ingredients are a testament to who they cater or who would be attracted to this place. So if it's not Mexican, then what is it? Experimental Mexican-influenced food. The food is not bad, just a little confusing at first. I can see how people could get used to this; a novelty. That's all this place is, once you get over it, you'll be ready to go back to the hole-in-the-wall taquerias they have in San Diego.

    (2)

  • Darci G.

    Get there when it opens, avoid the lines and get a table outside. Delious.

    (4)

  • Sheena N.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Chi town! Very casual but modern interior and the food is of excellent quality. You can tell they put a lot of heart into it. Definitely try the seafood soup, the churros, and any of the hot chocolates...you will leave there so much happier than when you came in :)

    (5)

  • Tom M.

    i guess xoxo means "tiny shitty little sandwiches for too much money" in spanish...

    (1)

  • Rich L.

    Ai Caramba this place is in my hood and worth every minute you have to wait in line.

    (5)

  • Trevor H.

    I love that every animal served here is from a local farm, and the farm is named. I like knowing that I'm not eating torture meat. Also, it's Rick Bayless so everything is cut and made to order- the cooks aren't pushing around a gray mass of beef that's been on the grill since noon. Simply a good, top-quality mexican restaurant. I'd only avoid it because of the wait.

    (5)

  • Nathan H.

    Excellent food ! Little busy but worth it

    (5)

  • Michele G.

    My first mission when I moved to Chicago was to locate a restaurant that had all the true flavors of authentic Mexican food. I found three places and Xoco is one of them. A friend of mine recommended this place to me when he overheard me voicing how much I missed Mexico. I was skeptical of his recommendation - mainly because I frequent Guadalajara, Jalisco and my expectations are through the roof. I know authentic Mexican food and I blame my family for my highly selective palate (spoken like a true Mexican). My immediate reply, "mmm, we'll see." Curious about Xoco, I decided to go and try the tortas ahogadas. Let's just say I was delightfully surprised. Rick Bayless did it again - he created an amazing torta ahogada with salsa that is aimed to please a native of Mexico. None of this quote on quote 'spicy salsa' that tastes like it was water down with tap water - yet they continue to label it 'the diablo.' The salsa here has a kick to it and I was in heaven. I'm certain that if my family were reading this review they would be rolling around yelping at me for days telling me that this torta ahogada would never compare to the one's in Guadalajara. Guess what? I disagree. I loved my torta and I have been back several times to get my fix.

    (5)

  • Pingting L.

    Good!

    (5)

  • Oddie G.

    Be prepared to wait but it's worth it. Must tries are the ahogado, hot chocolate, and churros. Great for a casual river north meal.

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    hugely overrated, but pretty decent. bad deal for the price. the caldos are uninspired. the sandwich ingredients are excellent, but overwhelmed by bread. the churros are ok. sometimes their hot chocoloate comes out lumpy and not hot enough. rick bayless i love you, but your popularity makes quality hard to maintain and the true foodies can see it. you'll always make less money catering to true foodies though, so i guess you have to choose between being rich and having awesome food so that discerning eaters love you. i'd choose rich too, so i can't blame you.

    (3)

  • Stella M.

    I had to visit Rick Bayless' place on my trip to Chicago especially when all my friends from Cali raved about this place! And boy he did not disappoint! My friend and I got the Baja Chicken and Ahogada. Both were very good but I would recommend the Ahogada! Ahhh the pork carnitas were so tender and flavorful! It literally melts in your mouth! Definitely try it if its your first time here. We also got the Churros with the chocolate shot and soft serve ice cream. It was very good. There's something about a warm churros with cold ice cream. Personally I would forgo the chocolate next time. I will most definitely revisit XOCO on my next Chicago trip! ^^

    (5)

  • Judy H.

    Delicious, but small. I wanted to meet friends there and that's a bit hard to do

    (5)

  • Junko I.

    Great to dine in as a small group or solo. Truly enjoyed their Torta Ahogada and their pistachio glazed churros!

    (4)

  • Alex A.

    I give it 3 stars only because the service was excellent. The wait was a bit long but I had heard such great things from my brother i needed to try this place. Usually I'm opposed to over priced Mexican meals since I am Mexican and 9 out of 10 ties I can make the same food at home, but any who when we were seated we were sat next to a party of 4 on the left and noisy girls to the right. We were cramped right in the middle. So I was already uncomfortable. My brother had purchased a torta and their drink of the day ( which was amazing) I ordered a torta ahogada and their drink of the day. $29 .00 for those 4 things. I was a bit shocked but I gave them the benefit of the doubt. My conclusion the presentation was cute the food was bland my sauce for the torta had too much oregano I walked out feeling hungry and robbed.

    (3)

  • Jamison E.

    I ordered the woodland mushroom torta, pistachio glazed churro, and Aztec hot chocolate. This was my first Rick Bayless restaurant that I went to (since then I have gone to Frontera which I really liked- like a lot). The torta was good but I wasn't crazy about. The churro was tasty but the highlight was the hot chocolate. That was amazing. Just stop in for a cup to go on a cold Chicago day. It is worth the calories. Good vegetarian options. Decent prices. Overall pretty happy with the place and would go back.

    (4)

  • Anh N.

    If you haven't been here, you need to go, STAT! If you don't want to wait, just go a little bit before dinner time (around 6pm) and you're sure to get in quickly. The service is great, the first time I was here our soup didn't come out the same time as our sandwich, so when we checked to see if they took the order, the Manager apologized for the wait and gave our group a free round of Horchata! He's been extremely gracious and wonderful every time that I've been back since. My recommendations/favorites: --Milanesa --Pepito --Horchata --Yucatecan Pork Belly Torta --Pork Belly Vermicelli --Churro Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Ermelinda C.

    We went here with a group of coworkers for lunch and, despite the wait to both, order and sit down, all of us actually really enjoyed our meals. Everything that we ordered (Milanese, Pork Belly tor ta, and the Woodland Mushroom tor ta) was delicious and we all left saying we have to come back here again soon! This was my first time eating at one of Chef Bale's restaurants and the pleasant experience I had at Xoco means that now I have to try out the rest of them :-)

    (4)

  • Rene A.

    very good.

    (5)

  • Julie D.

    Loved everything. Here for the first time after hearing and reading about it. Loved the chicken pozole and the torts abaghato or however it's spelled. So good!!! Worth the stop on the way through the city.

    (5)

  • Katie L.

    I had the carnitas last time I visited Xoco. The meal was really good, but kind of sparse on meat and dumplings. I like to try new things every time I go here.

    (4)

  • Steve A.

    Good friend of mine who was a former Chicagoan with similar culinary tastes told me this is a must-try on my trip. Being compelled, it was the first place I went after checking in at my hotel. I don't give a darn about celebrity chefs. I respect their ability, but I think more is made of it than need be. Still, the prices are reasonable here, so I knew I was not paying for reputation alone. And I got there and there was no line, so I stood next to the "wait here to be seated" sign...and stood next to the sign...and stood next to the sign...a bunch of employees were milling about and I wasn't about to interrupt them-I'm not exactly easy to miss. After awkwardly standing around as the only person in line for about 10 minutes I finally ask the guy at the to-go register what the deal is...and he just takes my order and tells me to grab a seat...ohhhhkay. If the sign says to wait, I tend to do that. Now, if the food were anything less than exceptional, I'd say this merits a bad review. Thankfully, it was not. I love tortas. These were among the best I'd ever had. Also: guacamole bar. Yeah. That's a thing and it's awesome. Check this place out-just don't put too much credence in the signs.

    (4)

  • rebecca k.

    What a fabulous little spot to stop by for Mexican hot chocolate with a friend! The place is cute and run efficiently. We didn't have a long wait and only snacked on some churros since it was mid morning but they were delicious. My fave is the hot chocolate though. It's like having dessert at breakfast!

    (5)

  • Cindy A.

    The churro and hot chocolate here are what my friends and I call "OMG" good. It's one of those things you take a bite and silently mouth "OMG" because it's so good, the moment it hits your taste buds, you're at a loss for words. Both of these desserts are so simple, but made so well. The hot chocolate is just water and chocolate, no milk, no fancy marshmallows, literally just hot chocolate. The churro will forever change the way you think about a churro. In addition to the desserts we got the Ahogada (DO NOT eat a spoonful of the tomato broth like me. It is spicy) and the short rib red chile soup which I believe cured my hangover that morning.

    (5)

  • Caitie W.

    We love this place. Everything that we've ordered has been great. My husband had the Ahogada and I had the Woodland Mushroom. Both were full of flavor. We also had the xoxo salad which was light and fresh. And we can't forget about the Churros! Yum! Be prepared to wait to eat, but it's worth it. The staff is always very friendly here.

    (5)

  • Ece D.

    Why go to Frontera Grill next door and pay such a big bill, while you can delicious food just next door at XOCO? Definitely give their spicy hot chocolate a try.

    (5)

  • Maree J.

    XOCO is heaven! Do not go here if you are looking for something quick, as there is usually a long line. The line is totally worth every minute! I rarely order a vegetarian option, but the mushroom torta is out of this world! I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Connie F.

    It's a must meal at O'Hare, but plan for it as everything is made fresh to order.

    (5)

  • nguyen d.

    the soups and churros

    (4)

  • Maria S.

    chocolate chocolate...flewn in from the trees it was picked from...ground right here and poured over flan cake...do I need to say more? the soups and sandwiches are fantastic also

    (5)

  • C D.

    the sandwich was good!!!! people should order the special sandwich.

    (4)

  • Brad O.

    A bit overrated. It suffers from a bit of fine dining syndrome - small portions and crazy high prices ($12-15 for a sandwich). There are some cuisines that take well to being "fancied" up; for example Italian, French and Japanese. Mexican isn't supposed to be fancy, imho. Further, I was hoping that this place was basically a high quality Chipotle - order at the counter and seat yourself. Nope, you order at the counter and then have to wait for them to seat you so you could be waiting for an hour like any other restaurant. Further, you pay before you sit down, but you do have a server, so you have to tip before you find out if your service or food is good or not. This is a unique concept, but I'd much prefer to go anywhere in Pilsen, i.e. Nuevo Leon.

    (2)

  • Amy B.

    Came for lunch with my husband on a cold weekday. There was no line! Upon walking into the restaurant we were immediately pleased with our choice. Delicious smells and spices were wafting around the kitchen. We choose a couple sandwiches and drinks as well as a churro to go. Our menu selections: Pepito torta Ahogada torta Hot chocolate Agua del dia (cucumber and mint) Pistachio churro My husband thoroughly enjoyed his ahogada and half of my pepito since I was stuffed! It exceeded any and all of his expectations while I, on the other hand, thought it was quite good but not my favorite food selection. Also, I'm not huge on hot chocolate so that was lost on me. My favorite item was the agua del dia which tasted like kiwi juice. So delicious! And the churro was incredible. I would love to order one a day in each flavor.

    (4)

  • Andrew W.

    Oh wow. I love anything with a modern and unique twist to it, and Bayless's XOCO does wonders with Mexican food. I'm going to ignore everything about it, though, and just focus on their churros. They're perfect. Or, well, near perfect. They could be a bit fluffier, but I wouldn't hold that against them because I can see what they were going for because these churros were designed with their glazes, which are technically optional but pretty much mandatory if you enjoy eating, in mind. Given that, these churros are supposed to be a bit on the crunchier and crispy side, because they can't faulter under the weight of all that pistachio flavor.

    (5)

  • Monica C.

    Churros! 3 for $4. Yum.

    (4)

  • Julie T.

    3.5 stars --Rick Bayless is amazing, but the wait can get out of hand. TIP!!! -- The O'Hare airport has XOCO and Frontera Grill at the airport, which serves the same sandwiches. If you are traveling, you should stop at the airport, instead (prices similar) and use your time in Chicago NOT waiting in line. _ _ _ _ I've tried his other restaurant, Topolobampo (very high-end) and the flavors were so rich, I had to try his other restaurants in Chicago. XOCO is the more casual, affordable, no-reservation needed kind of restaurant. FOOD: Aztec Hot Chocolate--a must !! The flavors are so unique. There is a blast of fireworks when it hits your tongue. All the sandwiches ($10-14) have an explosion of flavor and kick. I only wish the bread was a little thinner so that the carbs don't get in the way of that goodness inside the sandwich. Churros--Just ok. Good fresh, but tough as a brick later--so don't save this as a snack. SERVICE: Great--the line was so long, we were given free hot chocolate while we waited. :) VERDICT: Great if convenient, but if the line is out the door--not worth an hour wait. Move on.

    (3)

  • Emily R.

    Wow, maybe I am missing something here. I had the mushroom torta today and it was good but not stellar. Perhaps the meat sandwiches are better... The problem? The bread was too crusty, the sandwich and chips were too salty and the beverage that I received was WAY, WAY too small to even begin to quench my thirst. I also wish there were more vegetarian/seafood options. The one bright side to my meal: the scrumptious, delectable, finger-licking churro. Holy mother!

    (3)

  • Russell B.

    Went there last night and loved it. When you walk in, you instantly smell the comforting foods and flavors. Despite being very busy , they have a very good system for getting everyone seated. I had the baja chicken tortas and loved it. Salsa and the mayo on it was outstanding. Finished off the meal with a churro with chocolate. Being my first churro, I was very happy by this new experience. It was crispy yet delicious. The chocolate melted in my mouth with the crunch of the churro. I look forward to going back and trying some new dishes that the amazing Rick Bayless created.

    (5)

  • Gina G.

    Menu offered a nice selection of meats and tortas as well as soups and salads. I had the subkling pig with pickled onions and a black bean spread with habanero salsa on the side. Let me tell you- that is the BEST habanero salsa I have ever had. It was of course spicy hot but not overwhelming to the point you couldn't dip your sandwich in for every bite you took. There are places to sit down and the staff was friendly but this is definitely more of a quick lunch spot.

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    was in chicago for a day and stopped here. i think about this place longingly every once in a while. crowded, but great fast casual food.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    The concept behind Xoco (which translates to "little sister") is "contemporary expressions of Mexico's most beloved street food and snacks." Basically, you come inside and tell the hostess how many people you have in your party. If they have a table available for you, they allow you to order at the counter and the food comes out steaming hot about 10 minutes later. If they don't have a table available right away, you hang out until one is ready. The staff is really knowledgeable and basically suggested everything that my boyfriend and I ended up ordering including: Chicharrones (fried pork rinds), carnitas soup (meal-in-a-bowl), pepitas torta (shortrib) and churros. Everything was beyond delicious. It was one of the best lunches I have ever had and I can't wait to come back over and over. For more about my experience at Xoco - check out my blog post: youngfoodies.com/weekend…

    (5)

  • Nik A.

    The black bean caldos...they just...they make so much sense. Should've sent a poet.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    kinda pricey but totally worth it. EXCELLET TORTAS!

    (5)

  • Don B.

    Maybe my bromance with Rick Bayless skews my rating a bit but I love this place. The cochinita pibil is amazing, but beware of the habanero sauce that comes with it. A bit on a chip and it doesn't seem too hot, then you douse your torta with it and get ready for tears! The fresh churros and ice cream are a treat not to be missed. I don't normally do desert but I always, at least, grab a churro.

    (5)

  • Eddie S.

    Tasty tortas, churros. Great for a lunch spot, just be prepared for the lines!

    (4)

  • Asdf A.

    Glorious Churros and decent, overpriced, authentic sandwich. Went there at 12:20PM on Friday. I didn't have to wait at all, but after I ordered and was seated, 10 people came right after forming a line. I guess I was lucky. I got three things at Churros: Ahogada (Hot) , Hot chocolate (Mexico city) , and 2 Churros. These cost about $10, $2.50, $3.50 respectively. Churros is something I had the least expectation, but it ended up the best thing I got at XOCO. With a little exaggeration I could say XOCOs Churros is glorious. Churros was crispy out, soft inside, sweet, and hot. It was easily the best Churros I have ever had and I say it is worth visiting XOCO just for Churros. On the other hand, the famed Hot chocolate and Ahogada didn't leave up to exception. Hot chocolate was rich. I give it that, but that was only highlight and the rest was mediocre. I failed to see why so many people were fascinated by it. Ahogada was decent, but its quality did not defend itself from being labeled overpriced. Bread baked in wood-burning oven was good, pork was marinated just right, and the spicy tomato soup was quite authentic. Overall, the sandwich didn't present anything beyond being decent. It's worth a visit for over priced, authentic sandwich, but worth multiple visit for great Churros.

    (3)

  • Won K.

    I'm visiting Chicago from Los Angeles, and needed a quick dinner as it was almost 9PM and I had just gotten out of a long day of meetings. I had read about this place, and thought I'd try out the pork belly vermicelli. I thought it was pretty solid. The broth towards the top can be a little thin, but if you let all the avocado and pork belly settle in, you'll have some wonderfully warm comfort food to make the cold Chicago night not so frigid. The pork belly is superbly done, and probably the best part. I felt there might have been a touch too much cilantro, taking away from the heartiness of the broth, but I'd never had it before so I couldn't judge. I got take out, and it only took like 10 minutes to prepare. They also provided me with what looks like real silverware (albeit thinner metal) but still not the cheapo plastic picnic stuff I'm used to. Fast service. Hearty yummy food. "Yay! I'm a fan."

    (4)

  • Barbara A.

    The place won me over with their sparkling water on tap. That in itself is enough to win my heart. But let's move on to their delicious food and hot chocolate. You enter the restaurant and order at the counter but they seat you and bring you your food. I went with a friend, we ordered and were seated at a corner bar seat right away. We split the Pepito and a special torta. They were both DELICIOUS. The flavors go so well with each other and although they're "sandwiches" they are very filling. I ended the night with an Aztec which is the perfect, rich, chocolatey dessert. Definitely a perfect spot to stop in for a casual dinner or lunch with phenomenal flavor.

    (4)

  • Rachel S.

    Listen, I know Xoco (show-co) has like 1500 reviews, but I can't help but want to add my voice to the masses. This place is THE BEST. Specializing in Mexican soups and sandwiches, you really cannot go wrong here. If you are indiscriminate when it comes to Mexican food, start with the caldos. Little known fact about Xoco, it's a great brunch spot. Come in the summer for breakfast and sit outside. You know, on one of those fresh June mornings, with the dew still wet on the ground and bright blue skies. Yeah, try that out. Still, getting a seat at Xoco can be a beast, so I highly recommend skipping on the meal and just coming here for hot chocolate take out. The hot chocolate is bean to cup, which means it wasn't sitting in a bar or powder before it was made into a delicious steamy beverage, it was still a cacao bean. Or something like that. I usually get the chocolate and water. You don't need any dairy for this hot chocolate to be the richest and most creamy hot chocolate OF YOUR LIFE. Add in an order of churros and you are good to go. The moral of the story is, the food is good but the hot chocolate is the star. Waiting in line is the pits, so save up and go to Frontera and stand in line there. Get the hot chocolate to go for your evening stroll through the beautiful streets of Chicago. Mmm.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    Love the decor here, very friendly staff. I tried the pork belly special torta, the side salad, a churro, and the ice cream with caramel and bacon streusel topping. I also tried a bit of the mexico city thick hot chocolate but it has cinnamon and other spices in it and I don't like those in my chocolate, but some like that kind of stuff. To start, I loved the side salad. Great dressing, fresh ingredients. I would come back just for this. Dessert was awesome, and I'm not usually a churro person. The torta was very good, except that the glaze was too spicy for my taste. I didn't realize it was that hot, so make sure to ask about the spicy add ons if you like it mild. I like that they find a seat for you so you don't have to worry about it and you don't have to get your food all at one time. They will stagger it for you. Overall this place was great

    (5)

  • Andrea B.

    The Mexico City hot chocolate is thick, rich and delicious! I found the drowned torta to be a bit boring so next time I will try something else. This seems strange to say but the one thing you really want to have here is the vanilla ice cream. It is smooth and has intense vanilla bean flavor. I think Rick should open an ice cream shop!

    (4)

  • Scott C.

    This was my first visit to a Rick Bayless establishment. The sandwiches were very creative. I started off my meal by trying the short-rib chile soup. The soup was tasty and spicy. The portion was enough for me to share with someone else. I had the Ahogada sandwich. The presentation was creative for a casual and fun dining place. The carnitas was soft and tender. We topped everything off with the churros dessert with chocolate dipping sauce. I recommend you telling them to hold off on serving the dessert until your ready. The crispy texture was what I enjoyed the most since it came straight from the kitchen. I recommend coming by for lunch. Beware that the place is small and can be very pack with a long wait.

    (4)

  • Jason N.

    Great tortas, delicious hot chocolate, and nice outdoor seating in warm weather. Highly reccommended!

    (5)

  • Tan K.

    Really good. Very authentic food, with some amazing dishes. Look for the shrimp specials. All the ingredients are very fresh and reflects in the great taste. The deserts could even be better than the actual menu, the hot churros and chocolate, the tres leches cake, never had a bad dish

    (5)

  • Brad A.

    Best churros ever. That alone is a great reason to go there.

    (5)

  • Club H.

    Great food, and pretty good variety of beer to choose from. Tried the Cubana which was a well constructed sandwich which hit the taste buds just right. The meat was cooked over a real hickory wood fire stove, definitely can taste the differences between meat cooked on a conventional metal top stove. Staff is very accommodating and happy, restaurant was clean. Will be coming back in the near future to try a different dish.

    (5)

  • Wendy L.

    Right off the bat XOCO made a good impression with their very attentive service. My buddies and I arrived just before they started serving lunch at 11. I guess they know how awkward it is to transition from breakfast to lunch but they had a hostess guide us through the ordering process, which was a little complicated with all the separate bills for our one table. She also helped us navigate the small size of this location by getting us a large table in the back. The slight complication was really a blip on my radar once we got to the food. Some highlights of XOCO included the churros (try using the very very thick and not-too-sweet aztec hot chocolate as a dipping sauce) and the Cochinita Pibil, a torta made with a crusty bread and really tender pork that walks the fine line between a mouthwatering punch of flavor and destroying your taste buds well. Side note: Do not take the cashier's warning lightly. The habanero sauce that comes with this torta is indeed really spicy. Also, the guacamole and chips sound simple but don't be deceived. It's creamy and flavorful without being too salty. Highly recommended. I also had a chance to try the ahogada torta, which contained some really juicy carnitas but I didn't like that it was served already sitting in the tomato broth. There's no way you can eat the entire hefty sandwich before it gets way too soggy. Also, I'd recommend sticking with the tortas. I had a taste of the Pork Belly Vermicelli, which, while it had a very nicely done pork belly, was overwhelmed by the uber-limey broth. Also, I might be biased because I'm used to eating soup noodles with chopsticks but I found it really hard to eat this with a shallow spoon and fork. Didn't particularly enjoy this dish. Nonetheless, XOCO is well worth the wait. The food is exciting and done well. Go for it.

    (4)

  • B C.

    One word to describe this place....AMAZING!!!

    (5)

  • Jason A.

    Just moved back to Chicago and I forgot how much I missed this place! The made to order flavored churros are out of this world!

    (5)

  • Kelly K.

    I avoided the crowd and took my lunch to a fountain around the corner. There I was able to enjoy it fully without distraction. The Pork Belly Caldo was sheer perfection; an explosion in my mouth. I have not had more pure and unadulterated Mexican flavor outside of Mexico. Rick Bayless is a master of this cuisine and never disappoints.

    (5)

  • Jessica G.

    Drop everything and go get a torta. Right now, ok?! Yes, the line is probably long and yes you might gnaw your own arm off in the time that you spend waiting but it is worth it. They have a pretty fantastic system for getting people seated but you may not get exactly the seat you want, especially if it is busy. They do tend to cram people in. The mushroom and goat cheese torta is my favorite - I kind of don't order anything else when I come here (except for a churro because not having one is really quite criminal in my opinion). The bread is hard but the cheese is soft and the mushrooms have great flavor on the mushroom torta. LOVE it. Keep in mind if something is labeled as spicy, it is definitely going to have heat to it. No wimpy flavoring here at all. You might have a Rick Bayless sighting when you are in - I think we've seen him about half the times we've visited, so that is exciting. Good stuff - well worth a visit, in my opinion!

    (5)

  • D. C.

    After years of wanting to, I'm so happy to have finally made it to one of Bayless' restaurants. There was a roughly 20 minute wait in line for our party, but it didn't feel terribly long; we somehow seemed to get in ahead of the lunch crowd. On the plus side, that gave me plenty of time to absorb the menu and decide. While I finally decided on the Choriqueso torta and an Aztec hot chocolate, I was also able to sample the Ahogada and Milanesa tortas, Carnitas caldo, and churros. The chorizo wasn't as spicy or greasy as others I've had, but the roasted poblanos and onions made up for the spiciness; the tomatillo salsa it comes with added nice contrast, though, particularly from the fresh taste of cilantro. It was a pretty good sandwich, but after half I'd had enough and wanted a change of flavors. I'm honestly not even sure why I picked this as chorizo anything is not on the top of my fav meats The hot chocolate was decadently thick and rich (with an interestingly sour/fruity tang to it), but too much so for my tastes--it was like a cup of melted dark chocolate, which is not something I've developed a taste for yet. While I couldn't detect any chile or allspice, another person I was with tried it and said it had a kick, so maybe our tastebuds processed it differently? Don't freak out over how small the cup it's served in is, anything larger and you'd probably make yourself sick from this stuff. The Milanesa was good, especially if you want something on the more mild end of things. Totally was not expecting it to made with what was essentially a chicken schnitzel. Definitely not a bad thing to me. Now the carnitas--that's the stuff dreams are made of. Big chunks of tender, juicy pork were to be found in the Ahogada and Carnitas caldo. But beware if spicy is not your thing--the tomato sauce of the Ahogada and the broth of the caldo pack a serious punch, even for people who are used to spicy stuff (like the people I went with). And those churros? *unintelligble sounds of delight* They're brought out fresh and hot with a thick chocolate dipping sauce. These actually aren't overly sweet despite being coated in crunchy sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of ground chocolate. I really hope I'm able to go back because I felt like I made lackluster choices for my tastes and the years of wait probably boosted my expectations way too high. Aside from that, it's really nice to see a chef of his caliber (and one of my top favs) offering their quality creations at a reasonable/accessible price and not skimping on the portions.

    (4)

  • Hyung S.

    Sandwiches and soups are all really great. The hot chocolate is very traditional and thick, so if you don't know what Mexican chocolate is like, it may be a bit much for you. I haven't had anything that wasn't delicious here. Rick Bayless, thanks for bringing the tastes of the Mexican street and the home to Chicago. This is a great addition to the Frontera/Topolo family. Bottom line: awesome food, but not worth an hour-plus line, which occasionally builds up.

    (4)

  • Geoffrey D.

    I'm not a huge fan of Rick Bayless as a person (he can be pretty rude to fans of his work), but you can't argue his culinary prowess. Xoco is delicious and well priced Mexican fare. Don't miss the vanilla ice cream and churros at the end of your meal... but be sure you carb up before getting in line, because the waits can be excruciating!

    (4)

  • Betty B.

    Mmm chocolate aroma fills the air even before you step inside...if you like that kinda thing :P Once inside, quickly get on line and pick up a menu. Figure out what you want asap because you need to order & pay up front before being seated counter style. Space in this place is limited to counter tables, so its best to only go with a few friends. The Ahogado sandwiches in tomato broth are really good, probably the only thing I would come back for. Nice and crispy bread, tastes great when dipping in the tomato sauce. I would say it fills you up just right, not too full and not too hungry. We also had the churros and hot chocolate that everyone raves about. I honestly thought I was sipping a chocolate bar, it was so thick and sweet like melted chocolate cocoa. I'm usually in favor of the sweet stuff, but I feel hot chocolate shouldn't be THAT sweet. So I couldn't finish that drink. The churros were okay, nothing too special to me, but I'm no churro expert. I would recommend that you skip on getting any of the dipping sauces or special churro styles if you're getting the hot chocolate. You can literally dip the churro in the hot chocolate cuz its so thick, I'm pretty sure it's the SAME as the chocolate dipping shot.

    (3)

  • Paola B.

    I thought it was standard fare. Sandwiches were fresh and tasty but nothing to rave about. The hot chocolate was very tasty, strong and with a spicy kick to it.

    (2)

  • Pari P.

    Mi amor XOCO, Last night, you were magnifico. For our first date, we shared an intimate moment in the car. People were walking by and saw what we were doing but I didn't mind. The fact that they saw us XXXing in the car turned me on. I couldn't help myself but XXX every part of you. You were bold, sweet, and spicy all at once. It was everything that I dreamt the moment was going to be and more. In the heat of it all, I couldn't help but notice that the windows were all steamy. I know about all of your previous lovers but last night, you were mine and mine alone. I must see you again. Meet me for a rendezvous - maybe for a quick XXX during lunch time. The thought of it is already getting me excited for the next time we meet. Aye! Xoco, te amo. XOXOXXXX

    (5)

  • Valerie G.

    Srsly, the churros here are TDF. Then again, I really have no comparison bc I was always too chicken to buy any from the churro lady on the 7 train platform =/ Came here just before closing time on Saturday to get some churros (3 for $3.75!) & Mexican & Aztec hot cocoa to go! Putting in my order was quite fast and I think I waited about 8 minutes in total for the order to arrive. Meanwhile, my dad was mesmerized by the torta making abilities of the workers in the open kitchen. Unfortunately, we were way too full from our dinner so didn't order any this time around - def will next time if we're ever here! The churro & hot cocoa combination was glorrrioussss and kept us warm on a cold Chicago night. However, the hot cocoa on its' own didn't impress me too much; I felt it was too thick & heavy and the spices didn't gel correctly. Once we finished using the hot cocoa as a dip we tossed 'em!

    (3)

  • Eric V.

    How could I not have given xoco 5-stars in my previous reviews? Just the thought of Pepito and Ahogada tortas, yet alone delicious churros and refreshing agua frescas, gets me down right giddy.

    (5)

  • Amanda D.

    I was so excited to come here, and apparently I am not the only person. We walked by around 1pm and the line was out the door, so we figured we'd come back after 3. Still waited in line, of course, had we been there 10 minutes later it wouldn't have been as long. We both got the Milanesa torta, and it was so good. The breading on the chicken was a bit heavy at times, so I'd probably avoid that if you want to really taste the chicken. I had the short rib torta at the airport outpost, so I'm sure that one is pretty damn amazing here too. I ordered the churros for AFTER the meal and they showed up about 5 minutes after our tortas. There was no room for them on our tiny counter area facing a wall, so I reiterated AFTER. So yeah, of course then the order for our churros was completely lost because the ticket was sent out at the wrong time. We asked for a manager and he was the nicest person and the reason this is 4 stars instead of 2. We were in a bit of a hurry because of plans to relive my childhood at a Wolves game, so not getting churros was sad. Max came by and apologized for what happened and said he'd get them to us. He returned with a discounted check, the churros packed up in a box, plus some cookies, because as he said "cookies make everything better." And those are words I live by. Basically the order got entered wrong, so after they accidentally came out with the tortas, the ticket vanished forever. But before that was over, he had his business card out and when we said we were returning to Atlanta tomorrow, he swore we had to go to Tortas Frontera in O'Hare and wrote a note on the back for the people there to take care of us. Of course they didn't bother to do what he asked on the note but that's another issue entirely that Max AGAIN took care of, so really even though my experience here was bumpy I do not hold that against XOCO at all and when I am back in Chicago, I will probably be back.

    (4)

  • J C.

    On a recent trip to Chicago my boyfriend and I wondered in to XOCO not once but TWICE! We had lunch one day and breakfast the other. Both times we were seated right away which is always nice. We ordered huevos rancheros and chilaquiles - both really good! Their ague de jamaica is also delicious. Ahogado totrta and Carnitas torta were both finger licking worthy! The breakfast crowd was also pretty entertaining because you could tell that a lot of the girls that morning seemed to have done the walk of shame - hey, at least the guy bought them a yummy breakfast...lol!

    (4)

  • scot s.

    Good food, with the rustic mexican style that I like, but the food and beer were expensive, and hoped that salsa and hot sauce condiments were free and easily accessable, but were not. Good to try out but I enjoy more latin cultured restaurants where you can mix and match itmes and savor the different salsas etc. Don't get me wrong, I know that this is suppose to be a gringo american twist on south american food, but I guess I was expecting more.

    (4)

  • nancy b.

    i was nervous about this place due to the rumblings i heard and read about the long lines and little seating. i also didn't even know how to pronounce the place (not sure i still do). however, they have it down to a near science in there. it's not a great spot for a large group or to go when you want a leisurely lunch. however, if you're in the river north area and want a great meal without dealing with waiters or super long waits, i think this is a good place to go. the guac is good - nothing earth-shattering, but good and a nice snack while you wait for your tortas. i had the pepito torta, which was by far the best of the three that we ordered. it was delicious. the shortribs melted in your mouth, and the rest of the toppings were well balanced to not overpower any other ingredient. i couldn't discern what was what, and i liked that. the milanesa is a big sandwich. literally. it actually feels heavy in your hand compared to the other tortas. it's one that probably should be split unless you're ravished and/or can eat for 2. the chipotle chicken was good. it was good but i'd suggest trying something a little more adventurous than this one. whatever you do, order a churro. you will end up drinking the chocolate sauce it comes with. don't even bother trying to hide it, just take a swig. it's so delicious. also the limonade was delicious. a perfect compliment to the heat in some of the food. my negatives: wish there was more space to comfortable eat.

    (4)

  • Christina G.

    I headed here for a quick dinner with my husband before our plans for the rest of the evening. Yum is the only word that comes to mind. We split a torta and a meal-in-a-bowl caldo. The torta was really good, though it had too much red onion for my taste, but the meal-in-a-bowl was simply amazing. The flavors blended together perfectly. The staff is very nice and friendly. When the person at the register found out we were sharing a bowl, they kindly offered to split it into two bowls to make sharing easier. I didn't get to try the churro, but I hear it's very tasty and I'll have to try it next time. It wasn't crowded when I was there, but then again, I was there about 5:45 on a Friday night. It was starting to fill up as we headed out.

    (4)

  • Will C.

    Frontera Grill was just a tad too busy (2 hour wait), so onto the next door child of RIck Bayless's family--XOCO. Got the special of the day--Goat Barbacoa: Braised goat, Oaxacan pasilla-tomatillo salsa, avocado, onions & cilantro. Polished off the meal with tastings of two flavors of the soft serve ice cream - get the caramel one over the chocolate because the chocolate cake pieces tasted really stale, like you were the last customer at a Coldstone on a hot summer day and the high schoolers at the back of the counter were running on fumes and not singing kind-of-stale. Don't leave without a churro! They are xo amazing so co get some.

    (5)

  • Natasha S.

    Rick Bayless' street food is amazing. The sandwich with broth and meaty soups are out of this world. I'm still dreaming of the spicy thick hot chocolate (which is surprisingly water based) and fresh made churros. It was definitely worth the hour plus wait.

    (5)

  • Andrew H.

    nothing with Bayless' name is cheap, even for this snack corner/ sandwich shop. however, the line is never short neither which means he must be doing something right. Everything here tastes pretty solid. The line moves faster than you think, so if you pass by one day, give it a try

    (5)

  • Kim N.

    I gave this place the best rating because of the food alone. I read other reviews on yelp that had no compliants but only gave 4 stars- I guess the only way those reviewers would give 5 stars is if the food was also free. I have had the Ahogada and the cubana both delicious. However I'm vietnamese so I love soups as meals but I am extremely picky about them. I was actually reluctant to try the caldos here for fear that I would be disappointed. I orderd the Fideo and really loved it. The broth was complex and the texture of the ingredients complimented the flavors. The pork belly was insanely good. No wonder there is a screen blocking your view of how they make their caldos. As for service. I thought for how busy this place is the staff balances it by being very pleasant- full of smiles and helpful suggestions. The hostess is very informative as well as checking back in with you about wait times often. I especially liked this place because on my fourth visit here an obnoxious guy ( He pretended to know Rick Bayless by saying hi to him and asking why is this place always so busy. If you really knew a chef/owner of a busy restaurant it is never seen as a problem that it is constantly busy. Rick just nodded at him without a reply.) cut in front of me to place his order. He knew he cut in front of me - I mean I was standing in front of him for the last 30 minutes. But I guess Xoco karma balances things out here. I was seated next to him and my food came out quickly. I was finished eating and got up to leave before he ever got his food. I saw him look over and look confused about why his food wasn't out yet. This place is great.

    (5)

  • Sibi J.

    Rick Bayless !!! Have The lines are long for this "technically" fast food mexican place but every sandwich on the menu is just awesome. The sandwiches on the menu are very elegantly composed and definitely a great value for the price. The Wood oven chilaquiles were just amazing. If you are just in the neighborhood and don't want to eat anything, stop in here and just have their fresh juices. I think they are rotated every week (or day) and they are definitely a value add to the menu. If as a tourist you don't get a chance to visit the clark location, fear not, they have another place in O'hare. I saw them in AA terminal but from what I hear, there is a location in the United terminal as well.

    (5)

  • Megan T.

    I have loved everything that i have ordered. The soups are especially amazing, so tasty and flavorful. I also recommend the guacamole! The only thing to improve is the hours. I have stopped by several times and it isn't opened or it is closed.

    (4)

  • Pascal M.

    This...man...knows...food.... Any sandwich is devine, the soups are equally delicious, and the churros are off the chain good. Compliment your lunch by trying one of his chocolate beverages. They're full of deep harmonious flavor. I also recently went for breakfast, again Rick's food does not dissapoint. I think he could take taco bell's menu, change nothing, and "I would walk 500 miles *sing the tuen damn you" and give T-bell 5 stars. Call me a fanboy, but I love this place. Serve your own water, thank you, I will. I drink like Don Rickles insults, which is a lot. Nice to have a place give you a change of pace. Not to mention it probably helps the servers out a little. Just go here already. It's good for you. In one way or another.

    (5)

  • Beth M.

    We arrived at XOCO on a Tuesday night in February around 8:30 and It was pretty packed. The way this place works is that you get in the ordering line, pay for your food and then the hostess will then help you find a seat. The restaurant is pretty small, so not sure if you go there around lunch/dinner time Im sure it would be harder to grab a spot. We had a party of 10, so it was nice that the host was able to find us all seats together. I ordered the Chili Hot Chocolate since that is what real Mexican hot chocolate is and I honestly didn't care for it. It was way to RICH for my tastes. I'm more of a Swiss Miss kinda girl. I also ordered the Churros with the dipping sauce and these were really good. I only ordered dessert, but other people in my party had sandwiches and soup and they all seemed to love their food options. I would definitely go back here to have the Churro's again and try other things on the menu. I know when I eat at any Rick Bayless Resturant his food is always bursting with flavor. So I can't wait to return.

    (4)

  • Jon C.

    Ahogada carnitas in SPICY tomato broth is as close to perfect as you can get. Decent bottle selection of local microbrews is an extra bonus. Line up shortly before lunch starts to avoid long wait.

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    As if this place needs another review but its just too delicious. Me and my friend always enjoy going to new places for food but this is the one place I wouldn't mind going back and waiting for. I've visited twice already and I think Its safe to say the food is amazing but I wasn't too fond of the hot chocolate. I tried the almond milk hot chocolate and it was just not good, I just didn't like it and my friend's chocolate cafe con leche was just plain nasty super bitter and just wasn't like any other cafe con leche I've tried having lived in Miami for 7 months. Torta, guacamole, and salads are just off the hook amazing. I have yet to try their soups but I bet its just as amazing, definitely can't wait for the next time to go back. oh their churro's are also very very good, but I think its sweet enough by itself, definitely do not need the chocolate shot for dipping, that makes it a little too heavy.

    (5)

  • Cyn C.

    Let me preface this review by the fact that I have always hated cilantro and parsley. It makes me want to throw up. No, I'm not allergic. But if you add fresh cilantro or parsley to my dish, you have ruined it for me. However, I love Rick Bayless so much that I ignore his love for all things cilantro and brave his wonderfully created and composed sandwiches. Either I've never had cilantro/parsley the way it should be done, or Rick has managed to incorporate this ingredient in a new and wonderful way. I've had almost everything off the menu (except desserts and some of the salads). The vegetarian sandwich (mushrooms and cheese) is oh so delicioso. The spicy beef sandwich (eat in only) is served in a bowl with this spicy broth... well. I would've drank it all or sopped it up with more bread if I had any leftover. The ceviche/seafood salads are excellent and fresh. I love that much (if not all) of the food is organic and local. The bread is the perfect heartiness and crunchiness for these sandwiches. Yes. The lines are long. You wait in line to order, then you wait in another line to get seated. And don't be surprised if you have to share a table with another group of people. It's not fine dining with crystal glasses and silverware. It's lunch. And once you bite into your sandwich, you won't care.

    (5)

  • Kari O.

    Delicious! Addictive.

    (5)

  • Raul N.

    I had been hoping to dine at Rick Bayless's restaurants during my trip to Chicago in October. When it was looking unlikely we'd make it to Frontera Grill for dinner, my friend and I decided to pop into XOCO for a late lunch. I ordered the day's special tortas--al pastor. The pork was smoked with red chilies and cooked with sweet pineapple. The sandwich was packed with lots of tender meat. It was so flavorful--sweet, spicy and savory all in one bite. And the bread--oh, the bread. The secret to a good torta is the bread--it should be toasted and crispy, providing a little crunch with each bite. The bread here was spot on. My friend ordered the seafood caldo. He gave it an enthusiastic thumbs-up and after the spoonful I tried, I'd have to agree. It was flavorful, with a mix of chilies and lime. There was tons of sustainable seafood in this soup--it's definitely a hearty meal in a bowl. But the real unsung star of lunch was the tortilla chips. Now I've eaten a lot of tortilla chips in my day, so I don't take what I'm about to write lightly. These just might be the best tortilla chips I've ever eaten. No joke. They were so fresh, very light and packed with corn flavor. The accompanying salsas were fresh and flavorful, nicely seasoned with a touch of spice. And the guacamole was great--very creamy, with a good balance of the buttery avocado and citrus. As if we weren't stuffed from lunch, we decided to try dessert too. We split a churro and a soft-serve ice cream. The churro was lightly fried, made fresh with a hint of corn and cinnamon. The soft-serve ice cream was smooth and rich, with crumbled brownie on top. The brownie was made with a hint of pasilla peppers, giving it a nice touch of heat that paired well with the sweet ice cream. We picked up some cookies for later, and they were all quite tasty too. I was really impressed how smoothly things ran at XOCO. When we walked in, I was a little worried how things might go since they don't offer waiter service--would it be like a land grab in the wild, wild west? Thankfully, the hostess here had things under control, setting aside tables as diner entered. I was thoroughly impressed how smoothly things ran--from getting a table to ordering to getting our food, it was a well-oiled, coordinated machine. I wish more fast casual shops were this efficient! XOCO isn't the most formal of eateries, but it's a good spot for a quick, casual lunch without having to sacrifice the quality of the food for price and convenience.

    (5)

  • Rick C.

    Dr Kevin Tu Simply the best, great person, cares about his patients and does all he can to help you understand what's going on.

    (5)

  • Calvin S.

    Had the Summer Carnitas Torta tonight, which was amazing! Highly recommend! Those fresh pork skins are super amazing too! None of my trips to Chicago are complete without eating at one of Rick Bayless' restaurants.

    (5)

  • Lambert P.

    I've been to Xoco before years ago but only for coffee and the churros. This trip to Chicago I wanted to actually sit down and eat there this time and have more than just dessert. My wife and I walked over to Xoco on a Friday knowing if we didn't get there on Friday or Saturday that they'd be closed Sunday and Monday. This place is small, very small for the amount of people that want to eat there. There is a line up leading up to the check out and while you're in line you're asked where you want to eat (inside, outside, take out). Basically the person asking where you want to eat knows what seating is available and will marshal you to that area as it's not a self seating type of place. You can also order a drink while in line so you can have a drink while you wait which you must pay for up front. The seating marshal will then tell you what your table number is and you'll be assigned that seating so you don't have to scramble for a place to sit down. This place is pretty noisy inside. The only seating available was outside which has both stools and low chairs. We had low chairs. By the time you get to the register you have to give them your table number and know what you'd like to order and pay there. We went with a Cubana sandwich and my wife had a watermelon and goat cheese salad with a guacamole with bacon and queso fresco to start. We also ordered churros and my wife wanted a coffee but not until we were done our mains. The guacamole was ok. I can't say it was amazing. The chips were good and they also came with a couple different salsas as well. My sandwich was good but not great. The bread I'm used to being more crusty and toasted more than it was. This is a standard for just about any Cuban sandwich I've ever had in Miami or just about anywhere that wants to make it as should be. Their torta simply wasn't as good as I'm used to and generally speaking every place in Miami does it the way I was expecting it to be. My wife's salad was a disappointment for her that or it simply wasn't what she was expecting. She was expecting way more watermelon than she received (only about 5 small pieces) and there was barely any goat cheese in her salad. I looked at it and it was rather sad looking. It definitely wasn't worth 11 dollars. We ate all our guacamole and mains and we had asked to receive our dessert. I had asked for a single chocolate and peanut churro and my wife had the trio of regular cinnamon and sugar with her chocolate cafe con leche. The coffee I tried and it was really good. Honestly I think Xoco's strong suit is the churros and coffee. The food was in my opinion nothing really special. Rick Bayless or not I've had better torta in Miami at walk up places and for me the bread is the maker or breaker for sandwiches. My wife's salad seemed "skimped" to say the least. The churros and coffee however are as we remember them, great.

    (3)

  • Samantha E.

    I've come back quite a few times and Xoco really is one of the best spots in Chicago. It always delivers and is well priced. Just beware of the line or if you are coming with a larger group.

    (5)

  • Ben H.

    Now that the waits are not as terrible, I have to say that the food here is EXCELLENT and it really is a flavor sensation. Plan ahead to go at an off-time or know that you'll be waiting and you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED by the deliciousness of this place.

    (4)

  • J W.

    Just great. Sure, you're paying $12 for a sandwich, but it's worth it. I've seen Rick Bayless behind the counter a handful of times, which tells me that he is invested in the quality of his casual little lunch place. I've had the ahogada torta (my favorite), the mushroom torta, the cochinita pibil, the chicken milanesa...all delicious. Don't pass up a churro or one of the chocolate drinks for a little sweet bite at the end of the meal. I particularly like their cold summer chocolate drink with a little mint from the chef's rooftop garden. You'll have plenty of food with just a torta, so you can probably skip the chips and guac.

    (5)

  • George L.

    might be slightly over hyped. paseo in seattle is better!

    (3)

  • Vic R.

    Excellent food-5 stars Interior/vibe 5 stars 4 stars for indecision on whether they are a sit down restaurant or not. Ordering/sitting down/getting more food/paying can be confusing. Also 4 stars on price. A bit too pricey

    (4)

  • Mary C.

    Let's just start with this, Rick Bayless can do no wrong in my eyes (my taste buds agree). XOCO is perfect when you want to add a little Bayless to your day, but didn't really plan ahead. Yes, the lines can be long, but don't all good things come to those who wait? Get the hot chocolate; it is rich, spicy, and decadent. The guac is better than anything I can make - and I'm really good at making guac. The churros, oh the churros!

    (5)

  • Mari Y.

    I've been meaning to try this place for a while - I thought it was only open for lunch, so I went for lunch. Of course I find out that it's open til 9 PM. I had the vegetable caldo. I was warned that it was a soup but I didn't listen and it was indeed a soup. The broth was really good but unfortunately that shit went through me like water. The avocados were a nice touch accompanied with zucchini and mushrooms. The serrano chili was HOT! I thought I took them all out but there was a straggler and it nearly choked me. I'll be back to try out the other menu items.

    (4)

  • Stephen S.

    Bayless definitely gave himself a challenge by placing three of his restaurants right next to each other. A chef has to differentiate himself as it is by opening multiple locations or multiple restaurants by putting three things all in a row, you really gotta give each it's our character. Xoco is the youngest sister of the Topolobampo and Frotera trifecta. Xoco thought hits a very nice blend between fast service (well when there's no wait) and a nice dining atmosphere. You still wait in a line to order your food but then get whisked off to your table where you can hang out before they bring your order to you. We stopped by for dessert only as one of the fun, flirty aspects of li'l sis is the hot chocolate and churros. The churros are more refined than the ones I'm used to from the streets of the Mission in San Francisco or those ohhh so delicious smelling carts at Disneyland and cater to a more grown up palate by offering an optional addition of a rich, dark, chocolate dipping shot. The Mexico City Thick hot chocolate was thick and delicious although not as stand out chocolate-y as the dipping shot. Is this Bayless' at his best? Of course not. But the beauty of Bayless is that he invites you in to meet his family and appreciate the uniqueness that each one holds.

    (4)

  • Ron N.

    Guacamole to go. Nice quick carry out food for a treat in the hotel room. Full menu with seating too.

    (4)

  • Tian Y.

    Apparently the wait here can get long? There was no line at all on a Wednesday in November at around 5:30pm, so stop by for an early dinner! The meal was great. I wish my short rib soup meal in a bowl was more filling, but surprisingly it didn't leave me hungry and was very bright and flavorful. The tuesday special torta was delicious. The hot chocolate we got afterwards was REALLY rich, almost a little bitter? I was not a fan because it wasn't very balanced. The hostess was kind of impatient with us, and asked us questions before we even knew she was talking at us. She was kind of annoyed we asked her to repeat herself, but then I saw her being nicer to some others that came in after us? I don't know what her deal is. The ordering protocol here was kind of confusing because the hostess did not speak clearly and explain any of the out of context things she said... Opt for high barstools along windows/walls or normal tables that may end up being shared with another party, then remember the table number she gives even if she mutters it, then order and give that number to the register. Why couldn't she have just explained...

    (4)

  • Nora K.

    This place is a gem. The food is delicious, interesting, spicy, succulent, and affordable. The seating system is efficient, and the service is friendly. Great value.

    (5)

  • Kate N.

    Good but definitely not worth the 45 min in line.

    (4)

  • Paul D.

    I love this

    (5)

  • Sean N.

    Rick Bayless is a culinary phenom. Absolutely flavorful, delicious unpretentious offerings at reasonable prices. Great for lunch but beware given it's popularity there will more than likely be a wait though never-the-less worth your while.

    (5)

  • Jeff B.

    Really 4.5 stars. Great service. Friendly, quick, authentic. Very, very sweet sugary food that taste awesome. Got here before 9 on a Saturday and walked right in. Chocolate is so amazing. Wow, hot chocolate. Love sparkling water option. Not a diet spot but worth the splurge for breakfast.

    (4)

  • Kelsey H.

    If I had more of a sweet tooth, I probably would've bumped it up a star. BREAKFAST AT XOCO!! I tried the chorizo and egg (and avocado and cheese) torta which was absolutely delicious. It's definitely a must-try if you're in Chicago for breakfast, and it's not too spicy and full of flavor! I'm pretty sure our cashier said house-made chorizo too... CHURROS FOR BREAKFAST!! 3 for $4, with a melted, thick, creamy, rich chocolate dipping sauce (order in addition). What a way to start off the morning! The churros are rolled in some spiced sugar so they're a bit sweet for me but perfect for someone craving sugary-sweet food for breakfast! They also have some great breakfast drinks; my sister's lactose-intolerant so she definitely appreciated their ALMOND MILK chocolate drink! I also saw some mouthwatering french toast go by when I was sitting down... Breakfast is from 8 am to 10 am (make sure not to get there a minute too late!). We went the day after Christmas at 9:30 and it wasn't busy at all! They also do take-out for breakfast which is a great on-the-run option! Xoco was good enough for my sisters to eat it 2 mornings in a row... and they probably would've done 3 if we had stayed in Chicago!

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    They have great sandwiches. I loved the short ribs one. I would love to try all of them eventually. Their soups look interesting. I would like to try it next time. I had their aztec hot chocolate, which I personally did not really like. It was lukewarm and the spices were overwhelming. I love sweets but felt that it tasted too sweet. My friend was half hour late so I waited for her before ordering. The nice hostess kept an eye out for me while I waited and eventually recommended that I ordered a drink to save a table before it gets busier.

    (4)

  • Laura I.

    Good coffee/hot chocolate, beers & churros. Soups/bowl lunches leave a lot to be desired. Not a lot going on in them, I got the Carnitas bowl and it was light on the meat and potato dumplings, mostly flavorful broth (that gave me hurt burn) and greens. Chips and guac left our table of 3 feeling like we should have ordered 3 orders, each only had like 2 chips with guac so it was a little depressing. I've been to the restaurant next door and had a great expensive meal, wish this lunch spot lived up to the name. Perhaps the sandwiches are the way to go? I would try one of those if I go back.

    (3)

  • Mely A.

    Rick Bayless' restaurant lives up to the hype and he has tought his chefs well. Ususally when you encounter food greatness it's hard not to devour your meal in minutes but my torta was so good I savored each and every bite, I just didn't want to be finished.

    (4)

  • Christa Lei S.

    I'm rating it four stars because of the chocolate. And the churros. I'm amazed that it took me two years AND moving away from Chicago to get me to actually visit this place (on a Thanksgiving return trip with my boyfriend, nontheless.) Or rather, ANY Rick Bayless restaurants period. And no, Frontera Frescos of any and all sorts do not count in my book (because by that definition, I've been to two different locations. Whoops.) That being said, XOCO is simple. They serve tortas (sandwiches,) caldos (soup,) and churros. And delicious hot chocolate. Yum. They ran out of the Aztec hot chocolate that I wanted, but quickly subbed it with another one. My boyfriend and I were kind of full, but still wanted to eat something so we ended up splitting a caldo. They will let you half the caldo, and it's basically like a cute sized normal portion. They also had chicharrones on special, so we had that as our appetiser. The chicarrones were deliciously salty and porky (as they're supposed to be-- duh!) but the salsa that was drizzled on them was WAY too spicy. My boyfriend really enjoys spicy foods and he thought it was waaaaaaaaaay too spicy. I wish they had toned down the spiciness a little, because I love chicarrones. :( That being said, the caldo, for being medium heat was very reasonable and delicious. Yes, the seating process is super confusing and it gets really intimate real fast-- but damn, if those churros and that hot chocolate aren't worth waiting for.

    (4)

  • Lisa P.

    Lunch nirvana! Our first time here. Food was excellent, every item was excellent. The Best guac ever, delicious sandwich special, Mexico City torta. A seafood cocktail loaded with shrimp and scallops, my pozole was good...mostly because it had a seasoning in it that is common in Mexico but not commonly added to pozole here, tasted very authentic but it was the weakest dish. I won't order this again. The chips were stand alone tasty. We had the homemade chocolate drink for dessert and it was heavenly along with the mango mint tres leches that was over the top fabulous! The meringue was exactly like creamy marshmallow...omg good! An expensive lunch but worth the splurge. We really didn't need all that food, but it was our first time here so we went for it. The music was good and also loud but not uncomfortable. The decor is not special. Service was very friendly and professional.

    (4)

  • Manuel A.

    I would have given this review 5 stars, but the subpar dinner experience at the second location (in wicker park) made me drop 1 star. This is an excellent establishment if you stay away from the chilaquiles, they sucked (but I am very picky when it comes to this dish). I tried the Baja chicken sandwich and it hit the spot. I hate dark meat and this sandwich was all dark meat, yet I ate every bite. Very well balanced and the flavor of the veggies, cheese, and sauce hid the dark meat taste well. Their red hot sauce is excellent as well. My buddy had the Barbacoa sandwich, I didn't get to taste it but he left the restaurant as happy as I did. The horchata was pretty solid too, not too sugary.

    (4)

  • Tricia T.

    The chips here are way too salty. I tried the seasonal gazpacho, again very salty which overpowered the taste. If they laid off the salt the food would improve.

    (3)

  • Carl C.

    Very tasty authentic Mexican cuisine. Fantastic take on guacamole with the wide variety of options to dress it up. Quick service and great sidewalk seating.

    (4)

  • Martin P.

    I went in again, (as a favorite to my pookie) and of course the food is amazing. I recommend ordering it to go. I ate it there its very touristy, meaning that you add the fact you are dealing with out of towners who just don't get the restaurant's concept. You will be sitting at the same table as other people. It is a tight spot to sit in. Employees will ask if you are done with your food to take away the dish if you sit there and haven't touched it in 20 minutes. Its a restaurant not your home. Its sandwiches and soups lunch type fare asking an employee for a fork makes sense to me but not in a condescending way to the point you got your table wondering if they are doing bad things to your food. In other words, get it to go and skip the rudeness. I recommend the Chips and two Salsas (I do not like) Guacamole but it looked damn impressive. The Carnitas soup with excellent it was a hot bowl of hot pork meaty goodness. It accompanies the chips very well. And wash it down with hibiscus tea for a great meal.

    (4)

  • David L.

    Super delicious tortas (sandwiches), guacamole and everything else. You need to eat here if you come to Chicago!

    (5)

  • Sasha B.

    Torta Ahogada was everything I expected it to be! Being a native from Mexico City I can say that this is the best you will ever have in the states. Guacamole bar was fun adding toppings like crushed chicharrones and roasted poblano peppers. To savor all the flavors I had a Melon mezcal Margarita. And for dessert the churros and hot chocolate was the final touch to such an awesome dinning experience. By the way their chips and salsa were on point! Everyone knows a salsa makes the place the real deal!

    (5)

  • Phyllis S.

    This was the incorrect Mexican Restaurant. Sorry.. but I am sure they do an excellent job Never at Xocxo..

    (3)

  • Stephen R.

    Reminds me of a more expensive Chipotle. Food was ok. Service is: a hostess telling you your table number, ordering at a counter and someone bringing food to your pre-assigned table. There's a water machine where you can get your water. Not what we were expecting from the reviews and by walking by. Exterior looks like an upscale Mexican restaurant. Maybe we just had different expectations. Seems like a good place for lunch for people who work nearby.

    (3)

  • Mia W.

    Now THIS is a restaurant! My first day in Chicago and my first restaurant experience in Chicago! The food was amazing and the prices were not geared to hurt a tourist's pocket. The drinks were excellent too! This chef / owner truly believes in sharing a beautiful culture with the masses without compromising on flavor and authenticity and shorting a patron's wallet. I fly standby, so my next trip again is Chicago and I'm headed to XOCO again to try something new on the menu. Best restaurant I've eaten at in years and I'm a born and bred New Yorker! See you soon XOCO!

    (5)

  • Lindsey L.

    Pretty decent. I had two churros and a strawberry ice cream. It was really decent for a little snack, but the side of ice cream was in the smallest container possible. The kind of containers that a side order of ranch comes in at most establishments. I will be back here for a meal.

    (4)

  • Shirley L.

    I was looking for a quick sit down snack while waiting for my friends to get out of work. Churros seemed like the perfect idea! I was definitely lost when I walked in as I wasn't sure if this was a it down place or not but the host was very helpful in guiding this lost tourist. I went for 2 churros and the chicharones! Yes, I had the whole basket all to myself... The churros were fresh and tasty and the chicarones with a spritz of lime was so good (I felt a little guilty)! This is seemed like a great place for a quick snack/margarita or takeout for lunch. It's like a "coffee" spot. It's a bit pricier than the churros from the subway stations but it is fresh!

    (4)

  • Ana M.

    Went for brunch on a Saturday. Their breakfast menu ended by 10 am. Ended up settling on chicken pozole. It was horrible. The broth was watery and lacked flavor. The hominy was hard and seemed undercooked. Overall it seemed rushed. Never going back.

    (1)

  • Ela O.

    Tortas- carne asada was BLAND and had an uneven filling to bread ratio with too much creme.. too overpowering while the rest of the ingredients hid in the sandwich. Go to this place for chips, salsa verde, and dessert. Salsas and guacamole were very fresh.. best in the city so far. We ordered all 3 glazed churros- hazelnut, chocolate, and pistachio. Amazing!! We also got the dulce de leche and chocolate cake. Taking off 2 stars because we were seated in a booth that was next to the entrance of the kitchen and the door kept swinging back and forth and kept hitting my boyfriend on the shoulder everytime an employee bustled in and out. Awkward and smelly experience. I was basically ready to get out of there as soon as possible so we ordered desserts to go. I'm sure the other sandwiches could have tasted better, just not the one we ordered. Not worth $13, but go here for the other stuff.

    (3)

  • N O.

    When I see a restaurant with this many reviews and great reviews, I get so excited to try the place. Then we get there and there was really nothing that blew my taste buds. WE had 2 kinds of caldo: seafood and shortrib. Between the two, the seafood is more decent since it had nice piesces of fish and shrimp. Now the shortrib was pretty stingy. The broth is mild and lacking in flavor, that was disappointing. The guacamole is equally bland, i think they keep it mild and tasteless so you can add your own toppings. I ordered Melon Mezcal which is this drink with smokey spirit, I am not a fan. The Good: Pilbil torta was good. It's a nice size sandwich bursting with meat so it was a decent item in the menu. I should just gone there to try the churros but didn't get a chance to go back. I wasn't that motivated to go back even if it was just a few steps away from our hotel. Service was decent. They had a manager who was enthusiastic enough to tell us what the Mezcal drink was about.

    (3)

  • Albert C.

    I have no idea what has happened to this restaurant which at one time was one of my favorites but which is now awful. My wife, son and I had dinner at Xoco tonight and to say we were disappointed would be an understatement. To start the server brought the wrong orders for my wife and son. When the correct order was finally delivered it turned out to not be worth the wait. The sandwiches were all bread (barely toasted if at all) and very little meat. Not good. My soup dish was fine but certainly nothing special. Sorry to day I have no plans to go back.

    (1)

  • Clark G.

    Couldn't wait to try this place! Well...our tortas was a little over cooked which kinda ruined it, but wait there's more!! A buss boy stopped by and asked about everything and he took it upon himself to get a comp and brought us dessert! Im not one to ever complain because even though the tortas was over cooked the ingredients were amazing! The service was so outstanding I had to yelp!

    (5)

  • nils l.

    the best tortas i've ever had. wish this place was everywhere. extremely busy cafe style service. not for a date.

    (5)

  • Nicole W.

    This might be my favorite spot right now. Food is outstanding quality and thoughtfully crafted. Price is just right as well. I usually stop by for the chicken Milanesa which has so much flavor, also the cubano absolutely melts in your mouth. Churros are a must try as well! Just a couple of my personal favorites but come here and you're in good hands! Thank you Rick Bayless for blessing us with this goodness! Yum

    (5)

  • Shane Z.

    I love this place for its quality service and food. Excellent drinks! Grilled Pork was really tender and flavorful. I will surely recommend this place to some of my friends.

    (4)

  • Vlad S.

    Not a bad self-service sit-down restaurant . Food preparers need to wear gloves when they make sandwiches.

    (3)

  • Tiffany L.

    Stopped by late on a Saturday night. I liked how there were two windows--one for dine-in and one for take-out; however, the wait for the food to be made took quite a while despite ordering it to-go. I got the mushroom torta, which I thought was not bad--not amazing, but definitely above average. I enjoyed how the bread was toasted very nicely and how flavors of the arugula, mushrooms and the goat cheese came together (despite not being a fan of goat cheese); however, I wished there was more of the mojo sauce since the torta overall was slightly dry. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and will definitely be back to try the other tortas as well as the churros next time.

    (4)

  • Kristina K.

    Been here several times and it is quite possibly the best authentic Mexican food! I always get the Cubano sandwich and sharing a Xoco salad! It is 2 die 4!!!!

    (5)

  • Becca M.

    When I first went there close to its opening this place was a solid 4 stars. The last 3 times I have gone it has really been not worth it at all. The food just hasn't been as good or authentic as this place claims to be. The chicken pozole was bland and I didn't get any garnishes (Should come with limes, oregano, cracked red pepper, sliced radishes and cabbage or lettuce). The cochinita pibil in a torta was chewy and really didn't taste like something that was marinated overnight. Their tacos al pastor were also not worth the hype. Add to that how expensive it is and the long lines and you are better off skipping this place with some of the newer Mexican food alternatives in the West Loop, Wicker Park, Noble Square, Etc.

    (2)

  • Alex P.

    Been meaning to try this for a while and finally made it. I've been spending weeks at Chicago staying at Aloft right down the street and cannot believe I didn't eat here until now. SUCKLING PIG TORTA IS PHENOMENAL. The bread is delicious, tons of flavor bursting meat and very spicy sauce on the side. GUAC WAS ALRIGHT. Nothing to write home about, they added some toppings to it that I was just not a fan of. TRES LECHES CAKE IS EXCELLENT. I couldn't finish it after the meal, but made a great hungover breakfast. EXPENSIVE FOR WHAT IT IS. I spent $30 here with an appetizer, a torta and a dessert. For a fast foodish joint, that's pretty ridiculous. NICE FAST FOOD FEEL. If you are thinking about having a date here, think again. I wouldn't call it a hole in the wall, but it's not too far from it. Inside is nice, but cheap casual feel.

    (4)

  • Sydney B.

    I brought a friend here from out of town about a month ago. I read the reviews and was eager and excited to arrive. I am the one who even picked the place as I am a fan of Rick Bayless and his shows. We arrived about 10 minutes to 10am and they wouldn't take our breakfast orders. If the entire breakfast menu is till 11am, they should extend the made to order items to 11am as well. This was my first time here as well. We both ended up ordering the baja chicken sandwiches and we split both pistachio glazed and chocolate hazelnut churros. First off, the baja chicken sandwiches tasted dry,tough,and rubbery; needless to say, I didn't finish the bulk of the sandwich! It tasted like a pounded slab of lightly breaded pork meat. I was questioning my friend if it was actually chicken! It was also deep fried which the menu does NOT specify. On the menu, it is only labeled as 'Gunthorp'chicken. Full disclosure to the customer is always good. On the other hand, I enjoyed the pistachio glazed churro much more than the choco-hazelnut churro. I was disappointed that we could not order the made to order breakfasts. The time slot for the made to order breakfasts is a crunch with it only being 8-10am;If it changes to 11am, this would provide more business and sales as well as allow new customers to delight in their food. Perhaps a brunch menu consisting of some of the breakfast favorites? Food for thought.

    (3)

  • Mickey A.

    Taking it down a notch only because my last visit was a complete disappointment. I was working late and ordered my usual (Baja chicken and and order of guacamole) through the online service they offer. The online thing is great, by the way, especially if you know what you want and plan it just right. I walked over after work and didn't have to wait at all for my order. I got home and saw my Baja chicken torta barely had any chicken or any of the other good stuff in it. Usually my sandwiches are stuffed to the point of overspilling in the container. I basically paid for bread. I It was too late in the evening to go back and complain. Maybe I should have ordered sooner.

    (3)

  • Samantha K.

    Loved the guac and vegetarian options. Was a really nice atmosphere for enjoying an early dinner with my husband outdoors while sharing a bottle of wine.

    (5)

  • Maisie L.

    Authentic Mexican food. Great texture of fully dressed guacamole. Pistachio glazed churro is crunchy and the sauce is rich. Melon water is freshing!

    (5)

  • Christina L.

    Outstanding! Xoco margarita, Coctel Rojo, and fully dressed guacamole is a must get! Great service as well.

    (5)

  • Priya G.

    I got the Woodland Mushroom and it was pretty good. Although a little salty, would still recommend it if you are vegetarian.

    (4)

  • Food L.

    This place was delicious. Had the trio appetizers that included mini quesadillas, mini sopes and mini taquitos. The guacamole is a must! They were all really good! I also tried their coconut cake and cafe de olla but I didn't really care for either one of them. The mini enchiladas de mole poblano were okay, too. But nothing I would order again.

    (4)

  • Suzanne O.

    Tipsy or sober, this place always hits the spot! The first time I had a sandwich here was after a full day of brewery tours. Needless to say, I wasn't exactly sober. I was hungry, and probably anything would have tasted good at this point, but this was really, really good! It was a Saturday, so I had their special - Goat barbacoa torta. The bread is so cripsy and delicious, and the flavors of the meat and salsa makes a perfect combination. Upon my second (sober) visit here, I knew my love for this place was real. I had the Ahogada, which is a carnita torta sitting in a pool of delicious tomato chili broth. You can get the broth spicy or mild, and I went for spicy. It definitely had a nice kick to it, but it wasn't overpowering. Now I could have just drank bowls upon bowls of this broth. YUM! This time I also had the much talked about churros- one pistachio glazed and one regular. I personally think the regular one is so good that you don't need the glazed options. These aren't that large, so I suggest getting a few. The restaurant itself is casual- you order up at the register and they bring the food out to you. Along with the food, they have a small drink selection- some beers and margaritas. My only gripe about this place is it's not open on Sundays, and that's usually when I'm in the city.

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    Food is really fantastic in taste and quality. Organic, fresh and local ingredients. Awesome.

    (5)

  • Erin Y.

    This was actually my 2nd time at Xoco, but it's been at least 5 years since my last visit. Noticeable changes were the lack of the ham torta with fried egg and hot chocolate made with almond milk. I was definitely bummed to see these gone, but that said, I still had a great lunch. While expensive, the bare naked guacamole was very good, perfectly seasoned and served with fresh, crisp chips. The pepito and Cochinita pibil tortas were delicious, and even better with a little guac. Also heard rave reviews about the special Tuesday carne asada torta from others at my table. Of course, you can't come to Xoco without having their famous hot chocolate and churros, so I ordered just that. I prefer the hot chocolate with milk because it's so much richer than with water. The hot chocolate really is some of the best you will ever find, it's incredibly strong and rich. Still upset they don't make it with almond milk anymore though. And the churros are just as good as I remember, crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, right amount of cinnamon sugar. Perfect piece of fried dough. Overall, Xoco is a classic. It will forever remain a go-to breakfast and lunch stop and rightfully so. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu and I wouldn't mind coming everyday to enjoy a nice hot chocolate or coffee and fresh hot churro or torta.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Wow, so good! Exceeded my expectations! Probably some of the best mexican fusion food in all of Chicago.

    (5)

  • Marc R.

    Simply the best value in Chicago. High quality food, good service and a fun environment at friendly prices. The tortas are amazing, ceviches are plentiful and not overpriced like most places, and the deserts are amazing. The hot chocolate is like no other in the city and I love the frozen yogurts and cakes. We go here every week and can't get enough.

    (5)

  • Chad C.

    Really good food!! Very weird service for getting seated and acquiring food..and or refills etc....

    (3)

  • Christina M.

    Xoco is super delicious, the food is creative and colorful. Last night I ordered the Pepito, the guacomole with fresh cheese on top and my dinner was excellent, I would have done a margarita but I was taking it to go, the drinks are also delicious. I have tried the tortas, guacomole, hot coco and their churros. Next, I would like to try their soups.

    (5)

  • sam g.

    Hum Overpriced. Meal was fine. But not great. Not sure why I would want to go back or recommend. Street food at avenue prices. Go if you must, but you can do better. Bottom line...skip it! You welcome

    (2)

  • Kinnari P.

    The churros con choco are the closest thing to authentic ones I had in Madrid. The tortas are all excellent. The place is clean. I also met Rick Bayless here! :)

    (5)

  • Dan S.

    Everything Rick Bayless is over rated, bread is hard, sandwiches are average, and I think they get too fancy on the desserts.

    (1)

  • Kanan S.

    Amazing service to go with the amazing food. Will be coming back often. I am glad that this place doesn't take reservations. It's perfect for a last minute plan for the evening.

    (5)

  • Dana J.

    Not impressed but loved the lively atmosphere and nice staffs.

    (3)

  • Nicole W.

    This delicious location just a handful of blocks from the Merchandise Mart makes me one very happy girl. And churros. They have churros. I mean, come on, didn't you see this solid 4 star review coming from a mile away? So, yes, Bayless did just dandy when it comes to all things Xoco. I love the concept - fresh Mexican (street eats) that lean towards the more casual tortas, guac, soups, etc, all made quickly and perfect for takeaway. All that being said, my buddy Corey and I still sat inside and enjoyed our lunch. First of all, the naked guac was pretty fabulous - incredibly fresh and flavorful and perfect with my fresh juice. However full you may be, start with some guac, my friends. When it comes to the menu, I've got to be honest, I wasn't totally bowled over by my main order - the ahogada. I should have read the description closer as the sandwich comes with a *very* spicy broth and not only am I not crazy about dipped sandwiches in general, but more so, my mouth was absolutely on fire. And I can handle heat. So there's that. Even though the sammie wasn't my fave, the grilled pork was flavorful and delicious, and everything I sampled was super solid. I'm looking forward to my Xoco visit and getting through more of the menu! PSA: Xoco is pronounced SHO-ko...and it means Little Sister.

    (4)

  • Linda L.

    And so began my love affair with Rick Bayless and his food. Caldos and tortas are all excellent. I've been here so many times, and have been super impressed each time. The caldos and tortas are all amazing. (Note to self: you've had the carne asada and the goat torta recently, so order something else next time!) The churros are out of the world good. I've never gotten one with chocolate dipping sauce, but the one with ice cream is superb. Usually I just go for plain though. The hot chocolate is excellent and some of my favorite in the city. It's pretty rich though, so don't be surprised if you can't finish it. Last time I was here, I tried the iced chocolate with mint drink and it was so refreshing. Totally making a version of this at home (just when I thought I could escape from drinking chocolate in the summer heat!) It can be a little confusing if you're just going there for the first time. Basically you have to stand in line to order (they'll tell you a number). You place your order using this number and then find the corresponding table labeled with it in the seating area. Pretty efficient system!

    (5)

  • Meredith B.

    Love XOCO and don't know how I could've forgotten to review it! A colourful and busy lunch spot in River North, there's a queue at busy times but it's utterly worth the wait. Highlights include: their refreshing agua frescas, and the wonderful caldos - big bowls of hot soup with a variety of fresh ingredients. I remember especially enjoying the seafood one. It's a little pricey, better to go here for a special lunch than a grab-and-go so you can really enjoy it. And you have to finish with the churros, served with a chocolate shot. Whenever I come back to Chicago, I try not to miss stopping in here for a wonderful lunch.

    (4)

  • Sue A.

    With a last name like Aguilera I've had my share of good Mexican food so when we visited family here from Arizona a Rick Bayless restaurant was on our must do list. We could not believe the flavors, textures and culinary delight we experienced here. Wait staff is so helpful and very well educated. A definite must!!!

    (5)

  • Cara K.

    Terrible experience! Especially for Handicapped! TIP FOR RICK: Please put up a sign or Hostess station Your front of house people are untrained and not representing your food well. We are from out of town and I am handicapped as well. We walk in and proceed to the order counter. After waiting to order for at least 10 minutes we are told that we can't order because we do not have a table number. The counter person than leaves the counter letting us just stand with our hands up our &@$?€£. After several minutes another person appears and again ask to take our table number and of course we are thinking the other girl will gets us one but nooooo. We than decide we have to go because now the learn to order is huge. When we walked in there was only one couple there. The hostess who was suppose to stop us at the door finally appears and really takes no responsibility for anything. Nice way to treat out of towners and handicapped. You could have helped us you knew we did not go In front of people Thanks a lot UPDATE: upon leaving the Windy City we took a chance and had lunch at Rick's place at O'Hara. Totally different experience as well as staffing. The Staff at the airport worked as a team. Were very accommodating in a much more stressful environment. You need to look at your staffing with an open mind. Front of house is very important and customer care needs attention.

    (1)

  • Bridget M.

    Won't come back here again - I paid $8.50 for half an avocado's worth of guac! But their chips are above average.

    (2)

  • Steve D.

    One of my fav places to go while in Chicago - Service is great, food is amazing, could almost eat every meal there while visiting! :)

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    Came here for a birthday outing in the fall. While I can't remember exactly what I ordered (good or bad sign?) I do remember what I like. The churros! I've tried the ones with cinnamon and sugar, pistachio, and chocolate. I do say I like the cinnamon sugar ones the best, but all our quite yummy. The churro is fried just right. Nothing beats a warm churro. I can also say that if you are a chocolate fan, try the hot chocolate. It's thick, not like your typical hot chocolate. The tortas are good, but I don't have any recommendations. I also remember my friend ordering a spicy soup, which was so flavorful I would order it again.

    (3)

  • Matt W.

    The food was amazing and a great place to come with friends. Ended up getting a soup that was too filling and the manager saw that it had gone uneaten. He insisted that he take it off the tab and was one of the sweetest people. The churros and salsa were to die for. Definitely coming back here not just for the food but for the customer service!

    (5)

  • Michelle B.

    Came here after seeing breakfast empanadas on the menu, and I was not disappointed. It was about 9am on a weekday and the line moved a little slow for only having 5 people in it when I showed up. I ordered the egg and chorizo empanada to go and it was really good. The puff pastry/crust was super flaky and light and the filling was slightly spicy and super flavorful. Best part is the empanadas were so cheap ($4.95) for how delicious and intricate they are. I don't know that I'd run in 10 minutes before work without fear of being late, but this place is definitely worth it.

    (4)

  • David S.

    Very good food. Cramped seating. But, if you want some Bayless somewhat faster and cheaper, this will fit the bill. I'd return.

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    Yum...I met a friend for lunch here to catch-up and loved this place! We shared the guacamole (excellent) and I had an agua fresca and an albondigas sandwich...it was so ridiculously good. My mouth is watering thinking of that tasty lunch! I came back later that afternoon and ordered a classic chocolate to go...wow, was that rich and delicious!

    (4)

  • Alvaro E.

    Can't say enough about this place! I love it! I wish there was one in NYC but no. I will have to come back to Chicago to eat this amazing food! My respect to Rick Bayless! Also, they play great Colombian music!

    (5)

  • Michelle F.

    You guys. YOU GUYS. If you haven't been here yet, you are nuts. I actually cant believe I'm just getting around to writing this review now. It never disappoints. Ever. Go on off hours for the shortest wait....went with a couple of friends yesterday around 5:30 and we waited maybe 15 minutes. Then.....you MUST get guacamole. It's so delicious and creamy, and the chips are TO DIE. Seriously. Then....THEN. you have to get the Ahogada sandwich. It's like, not even a question. The best idea is to order two different things with whoever you are with, and share. Because everything is so good. But the Ahogada is in a class all its own. It's pork carnitas and these like, pickled onions on this super crusty bread....and its cut in half and served in a bowl of spicy tomato broth. So the bread and carnitas soak up the spicy, delicious broth...OMG I want it right now and I just ate it yesterday. Also got the Milanese torta and THAT was delicious too! Crispy chicken, melty cheese, spicy salsa...you just can't go wrong. And they make churros in house. With mexican chocolate for dipping. This place is all kinds of nuts, seriously. I always look forward to going there. I went to Grahamwich not long ago thinking it would be similar in deliciousness because it's kinda the same idea that Rick Bayless had here....but there isn't even a comparison. Seriously. I want to give Rick Bayless a hug. Thanks dude.

    (5)

  • Caitlyn H.

    Oh my gosh. If you don't try the almendrado you're making a huge mistake. In fact, order some churros alongside and dip them in there - I can't even begin to describe the heaven I was in. And I also had the baja chicken torta. Also not at all bad, though I feel for the price, the sandwich was kind of on the small side. It just happened to not be the highlight of the meal. As far as waiting goes, I think it depends on when you get there. We got their early enough that we just beat the dinner rush but were there to see the place packed. I'd definitely go that, though probably more for the churros than anything.

    (4)

  • J D.

    I've never had bad food here. I always get vegetarian items and they do not disappoint. The lines can get long but if you time it right, that shouldn't be a problem.

    (5)

  • Aishwarya P.

    If I am going to a mexican restaurant and it is brunch time ofcourse I cannot resist ordering a Huevos Rancheros! So did I at Rick Bayless' Xoco. We also ordered the Milanese torta. It is cooked and served fresh from the griddle. Suddenly, the windy city seems a lot less chillier with such a Mexican food fiesta. We also got the bean 2 cup chocolate preparation (Authentic) which was good. However, the Aztec preparation seemed to be way too spicy for my liking of hot chocolate. I did not like the Aztec preparation, it seemed very diluted and mixed with an odd spice combination. However, I excused that on having some delightfully warm Churros.

    (4)

  • Art S.

    This place is fantastic! I usually come here with the coworkers for lunch. The wait can be a bit long, but the restaurant is pretty packed, so that's understandable. The food has never disappointed. Quite honestly, the roasted chicken on the sandwiches tastes like they're straight off a farm. It'll change how you think of chicken! I also stopped in for dinner once and the vibe was a lot more exciting. Standout host Max gave us a warm welcome and was very knowledgeable about the food. Props to Xoco for being on their A game.

    (5)

  • Mike P.

    I was luke-warm at best on Frontera Grill after I ate there for the first time a few weeks back, so I was rather indifferent about going to XOCO when a friend recommended it. I knew that we'd get a decent bite to eat, but didn't think that I'd have my expectations reset. My God was I wrong! The Cubana is basically the best Cuban sandwich I've had Chicago. Flavorful and hearty! Looking forward to a return trip for another taste at what Mr. Bayless has to offer.

    (4)

  • dean f.

    My experience at XOCO was just OK...but overall it was WAY overpriced for what it was. The best thing first: We didn't have to wait at all and the manager/line-host was very nice! I got the baja chicken torta, husband got a steak torta, and we got chiccarones to share. We also both got a margarita. in total it was over $55. Seriously?? The chiccarones came out right away. Having just been to Colombia where we slaughtered a pig and made fresh chiccarones over an open fire....These were pretty pitiful in comparison. They tasted like gas station pork rinds with hot sauce and onions (and cilantro, even though I asked them to leave it off). No flavor whatsoever to the chiccarones that didn't have hot sauce on them. Some of the pieces were so hard, they were inedible. My baja chicken torta was good. That's all. It was good. Nothing mind-blowing or even unique...It was just...good. The bread was good, the chicken was good (if maybe a tad under-done) and the sauce was good. It was MUCH smaller than I'd anticipated though, especially for $11! If you're charging $10-15 for a sandwich, I'd hope it would be much bigger than that... My biggest complaint were that the "amazing" margaritas were TINY and also cost $10. The rocks glass is full of ice...I downed mine in less than 10 minutes. I would go along for the ride if someone else was paying, but I don't think I'll electively choose to go to XOCO again.

    (2)

  • Jennie T.

    The boyfriend suggested that we get pozole, and that made me happy because I LOVE POZOLE and just about anything soupy. But I was disappointed with XOCO's wood-roasted chicken pozole. The cashier had asked me if I wanted it spicy, and I said yes, but when the soup came out, it was not spicy at all. I also thought the soup was a lot blander than I had expected. I felt that I even preferred the chicken pozole at Flaco Taco's more, which is sad, because the pozole here cost almost 4 times as much. We also ordered ahogada torta -- golden pork carnitas, black beans, tomato broth, spicy arbol chile sauce, pickled onions. This was my favorite part of the meal. It was actually spicy, which I liked. It wasn't too spicy though, so don't get scared away. The tomato broth was delicious, and the carnitas were juicy. My mouth is watering as I type this part of my review. Everything on this torta was delicious, and it's the reason why I'm a fan of this place. If we only had the pozole, I'd have given the place 2 stars.

    (4)

  • Mark T.

    Service was terrible. You pay before being seated and they bring you the food. But it was 20 minutes into seating with no entrees, so we asked twice when our food would come and they had to take our receipt twice to confirm what we ordered. I flagged down the hostess who walked by texting on her phone and smiling and didn't hear us call her until we did it three times. That said, the food was just ok. The guacamole was great (we got the one with all the toppings). My girlfriend got the carnitas soup which was just green salt water. I got the short rib soup which I thought was flavorful. The pistachio churro was really good and crunchy. I would only come back if I lived nearby but wouldn't go out of my way to come here.

    (3)

  • Michael H.

    I don't get it! I've been here two times and both times I've been miserable experiences. I just left there now because they had one slack jawed lackey working the counter. It took us 10 minutes to walk 10 feet. I know Rick Bayless is a name, but every time I go there, they treat their customers like assholes

    (1)

  • Michael L.

    I ordered the Xoco salad, dressing on the side and it was delicious! It was big, and definitely worth the money! I also ordered a chocolate glazed churro, and it came with nuts crumbled on top of it! Another bonus is that Rick Bayless was there and I got to meet him for the second time!

    (5)

  • Lauren B.

    This was our first lunch in Chicago and it did not disappoint. We started with margaritas and chips and salsa, followed by the choriqueso and cochinita pibil sandwhiches. Both sandwiches were fresh, homemade, and delicious. They were super flavorful, and I loved the homemade chorizo in mine. Knowing that Xoco makes their own chocolate, or course I had to have a churro with chocolate dipping sauce. It was heavenly. The churro was freshly fried to order, and the chocolate was heavenly.

    (5)

  • Rick G.

    No trip to Chicago is complete without stopping here. It doesn't seem to matter what you order, everything is excellent!

    (5)

  • Michelangelo V.

    Honest review: best tortas really high quality. U order and u sit down so know what u want. The seating sucks they split tables to sit two partys so it can be awkward. The service is so amaizing they will go above and beyond to accommodate y there so nice they gave us chips and salsa free its kinda slow though meaning dirty plates wont get picked up. Be warned the hot chocolate is supper bitter to the point where it makes ur face pucker u wont be able to take another sip supper overpowering dont try it. The actual torta bread is amaizing usually i never eat the bread but its so crunchy and delicious Bill was like 80 dollars expensive but u will remember this for a very long time all in all im coming back! The wait is long to so be mindful of that Chips and salsa: these are the best tasting chips i ever had in my life they werent supper thin or greasy or really bland they were delicous to the point where u just eat them plain. All the salsas are delicous the dark green spicy and acidic the red really rich and spicy be careful the light green one is just habanero peppers one bite will knock u out if u dont like spicy food dont try the light green one! 3 bucks Pozole verde with egg: im mexican so i am really picky to pozole because my grandma makes the best one but this one was so much better sorry grammy! It was so rich so much depth of flavor then all of the condiments were amaizing there was chicharron and beef and pork really tender and delicous the harmony was perfect not chewy or gummy which is really rare! The egg made it perfect must order best pozole ever! 12 bucks Ahogada torta: this for me was the best one. The bread supper crunchy and delicous. The meat inside was really tender really flavorful the soup was really good a lil to salty and acidic but still really really good only problem was there was hardly any meat in it! :( 11 bucks Short rib and mushroom torta special: this was really good there was alot of meat inside and the red salsa is to die for suppee delicous wasnt as good as the ahogada but it had more meat in it 12 50 Flan nopolitano: omg best flan ever it was so good perfect texture not hard or not to squishy the corn with bacon was to die for sweat and salty perfect combination must order 6 bucks Mint mango tres leches: best tres leches i ever had i hate mint with a passion like if i order something n it has mint i get pissed so much so thats why i dont chew gum but this was to die for perfect texture wasnt dry the mangos were really sweat not sour its savory and sweat such a really interesting combination u wont stop eating it! 6 bucks Pistachio churro: i didnt like the texture it was hard not fluffy so the batter was way to thick the nut flavor really enhanced the dish it was really good then the glaze was to die for they just need to fix the texture of it Hazelnut churro: i didnt like this the sauce was grainy idk how to describe it kinda like wet sand it was off putting the hazelnuts reminded me of nutella but not that exactly just the flavor combinations were not good together i hated it i wouldnt recommend it

    (5)

  • Tiffany B.

    Their Chicken Milanesa is one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted! I highly recommend trying their guacamole fully loaded. So many wonderful textures and flavors! Always love coming here when we're in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Veronica L.

    Good was great! Ordering and seating process needs work but food was worth it. Staff was also very friendly.

    (4)

  • Patrick T.

    Came here at 2pm for lunch. Had heard great things about Rick Bayless, and was not disappointed. The wait was about 45 minutes for my party of 4. They have a weird, strict order of doing things. Wait in line, wait for your table, then you order, and then you can sit and they'll bring you food. Chips and guac to start -- I don't know what they do, but the guacamole is some kind of amazing. Really smooth. Also came with two salsas. A nice snack, but probably not worth $6. Split the goat barbacoa and Ahogado sandwiches. The ahogado is nice -- pork carnitas, black beans, pickled onions. A little dry if you eat it alone, but that's why they serve it face down in tomato broth. It's a fun concept, but the sandwich itself is not amazing. The goat barbacoa is only served on Saturdays, and is stunningly good. It's goat and avocado, which makes a lusciously soft and delicious filling for the sandwich. Aztec hot chocolate is spiced wonderfully. The first half is not too thick, but if you let it cool it will be harder to drink. The agua de jamaica is a red colored sweet and tangy drink, almost lemonade based. Nice and refreshing, and probably a better way to wash down a sandwich than the thick hot chocolate. Also had the 3 churros with a chocolate shot. Really good. Had the Margarita churro which had a lemon sauce drizzled on top and was coated with crushed almonds. Pretty good, but I'd try a different one next time, or stick to the plain churros. All in all, a great food, great place minus the wait.

    (5)

  • Emily T.

    Perhaps I'm just too used to Americanized Mexican Fare, and if so, that's my fault, but my whole experience here this weekend left a lot to be desired. Yes, it was a Friday night (6pm) and yes, it was a busy holiday weekend, but our party of 6 waited WELL over an hour for a table, after being told it would only be 30-35 min. We tried to be as patient as possible while the people sitting at the only table that could fit us sat and just chatted away after their meal, leftovers packed up, oblivious to the fact that seats are in very high demand here. Eat and go, people. We had serious foodies from out of town as part of the group, and this was their only chance to sample the Rick Bayless culinary fare after learning of a 2.5-3hr wait at Frontera. The lingering patrons weren't the restaurant's fault, but the gross inaccuracy of the wait time for us was. Had we known it would take that long to sit and dine, (we also had with us a 18 month old) we probably would have chosen another restaurant. But we stood there, while everyone else behind us in line sat and ate. We get it- small place. But the system they use (stand in line, wait for table, order, sit) was really confusing and frustrating. To try and compensate for the wait, the manager(?) offered up some chips and guac as we waited. It would have been a nice touch, but the cashier, who handed them to us, then said, "we'll just add this to your bill when you order". Um, what? They did FINALLY talk to the lingering table and comp the $5 side order, but wow. But let's get to the food, shall we? Best guac I've ever had. Superfresh. Everyone else loved their meals, except for me. I ordered the Baja Chicken Torta, and for some reason, it just didn't grab me. I finished less than half of it. My dad almost died after ingesting too much of his super hot sauce, but he hadn't heard the server's warning. We ended the meal with churros, a Mexico City hot choc and some ice cream. Delish. Unfortunately, by that point, though, I was already superannoyed. We spent over $200 on apps, drinks, food and dessert (about $34/pp) on a "fast food" concept meal. After having stood in line for 75 minutes. I can't speak for my companions, but I was not happy. Not going back.

    (2)

  • Nancy C.

    I really enjoyed my sandwiches here. I got to sample the Cochinita pibil and goat barbacoa, which were both really delicious. I highly recommend the goat barbacoa, which was well spiced and nicely complimented with rich, creamy avocados. But I believe that is a Saturday special here. I was really sad to discover upon arriving that the carne asada isn't a regular item on the menu. I had an intensely delicious carne asada torta at frontera fresca and was hoping to have it again here, but unfortunately, not possible on a Saturday. The Agua fresca de Jamaica is also really refreshing and unique. Perfect beverage to wash the sandwiches down with. The hot chocolate, on the other hand, was a little thick for my taste. The churros were as good as I had remembered them. I actually really enjoyed them plain. The chocolate shot/syrup that can be purchased as a dipping sauce for the churros is really rich and delightful, but I think it overpowers the simple cinnamon sugar coating. The margarita churros was an interesting concept as well--it was a churro drizzled in an almost custardy lime syrup and sprinkled with chopped pine nuts(?). It was good, but I prefer the plain churro. The guacamole is fantastic.

    (4)

  • Kristen C.

    THIS REVIEW IS ONLY FOR THE CHURROS!! SCENE: 6 girls outside of Xoco in the freezing cold REASON: a box of churros, ice cream, and chocolate sauce CONCLUSION: extremely worth it!!! TIP: go back for 2nds!!!

    (4)

  • Heather L.

    Been here a couple of times. The upside is that it's fast-food-Frontera, which is pretty awesome. The downside is that it doesn't come close to Frontera/Topo quality, and it isn't your cheapest Mexican food to-go. $15 Tortas are pretty good for lunch - be careful asking for "extra hot" - they show no mercy. I would skip out on the sopas and, in my opinion, the churros + choco sauce are pretty standard. It is worth a visit, albeit an average establishment.

    (3)

  • Nancy R.

    I'm writing this review to add to the 1300 plus reviews it's received. Xoco is truly one of the best Mexican restaurants you'll ever go to in Chicago, not only is the food organic and FRESH, you can taste everything when combined and continue humming 'mmmmmmmmmm' forever. I can't tell you where to begin- practically ALL their sandwiches are beyond delicious, my mouth is watering thinking about it! The combination carb, veg and protein is spectacular. The menu is designed by a celebrity Chef Rick Bayless and that tells you why you're in for a treat. If you plan to visit, don't forget the following: 1. The chocolate drink - you'll never find it anywhere, it's raw and beautiful! 2. The Chimichiri sauce - you'll never find anything this good anywhere either! 3. For a sweet tooth, try their vanilla sundaes- oh my god! 4. Don't leave the restaurant without an order of soup and sandwich, share if necessary. Their food portions are also quite healthy and they don't waste on food decoration like salads or fries- stuff that people usually leave and waste.

    (4)

  • Justin S.

    Fuimos a XOCO para el desayuno. XOCO is a step above what I usually eat for Mexican breakfast -- usually the grittier (but tastier) burritos, huevos, etc that the various joints in the bay area serve. Food: The churro was high quality and toasted to a very nice chewy golden brown and sprinkled lighty with sugar. Probably the best churros I have eaten to date. Wood-Oven Chilaquiles: The food was good -- eggs were tasty and food looked very presentable. However, I felt like the order was a bit on the dry side. Perhaps this not custom with what I usually eat when it comes to Mexican food, but I just wanted to note my thoughts. Overall, the food was good and it is in-line with the pricing.

    (3)

  • Erika C.

    Whipping past Clark and I spotted an open space in front of XOCO. I slide the little jeep into the blinkered standing area on Illinois directly outside. 11 am on the dot Tuesday morning. I roll right in feeling smug about my score for quick take out. Little line and standing parking, this rocks. I can finally try the famous Bayless tortas that I have been hearing sooo much about. Order placed, Short rib and a chicken torta, chips and salsa. $27 plus a little something for the girl taking my order. 15 minutes later or so, out the door with my prize snugly tucked in the seat next to me, I couldn't wait. A swift 5 minutes later I opened the brown paper boxes and split each torta with my husband. Painfully underwhelmed. I don't know if I was expecting world piece in a torta or what, but come on. My chicken was over doused in the sauce resulting in a soggy mess. The flavors were good but nothing that made me compelled to want to eat more. The short rib was slightly better although the beef was very chewy. Nothing that would make me wait an hour in line. The chips and salsa are available at your local grocer with the Frontera label. Again, no need to stand in line for an hour. My mistake was not ordering a churro and some of the awe inspiring beverages I have read about. Will I try it again? Yes, if I serendipitously find an open blinkered spot on Illinois again I will swoop in and give it another go. You will not find me cooling my heels in line here for a hour plus on any occasion.

    (3)

  • Sandi C.

    Churro and homemade ice cream! Worth a try, pretty yummy.

    (4)

  • Erik H.

    It's hard to tell what kind of place Xoco is when you get in. Is it a nice sit-down restaurant? Upscale fast food? Do you serve yourself? What's happening? Don't worry and just let them guide you through the line. Order & grab your water & sit down and prepare to enjoy food. The ahogada torta is Mexican Heaven. Seriously, it's a meaty, tomatoey wonder of the near north side, and the bread played this neat trick where it soaked in the broth and absorbed all the flavor without getting soggy. I need to learn how to do that to impress my friends. My fiancee's chipotle chicken torta also knocked it afuera de la parque, and I was even impressed by the two salsas that come with the chips. In other words, it's relatively cheap, relatively fast and amazing Mexican food in the heart of the city and it's literally a sin to not eat here.

    (5)

  • david k.

    tortas are superb. nothing comes close, though i've only eaten there three time because of the lines - only ate there when i did by going at the opening on a rainy day. thought about going today, and drove by to check the line, and as usual, peole were queued up into the street. maybe another day ...

    (5)

  • Edith R.

    Amazing service, mouthwatering food. If you order a super spicy carnitas soup, be ready to cry from heat.

    (5)

  • Julia C.

    Rick Bayless is a genius and I need one (or 10) of these in NorCal. The ahogada sandwich my husband ordered had great flavor. The short rib soup was good. The absolute best thing I tried were the fresh churros, covered in brown sugar and with an amazing cup of Mexican chocolate (with lots of chilis) to dip into. I only have 3 days in Chicago and I may have to eat every meal there.

    (5)

  • Chris L.

    The wait was well worth it. In line for about 15 minutes and once we ordered had a place to sit right away. The system is pretty efficient. The ahogado with chile Arbol was fantastic. Id take a jar of the chile Arbol home and put it on everything. The Jamaica sangria was also very tasty. Overall the staff and waiters were kind, attentive and quick to help. I can't wait to come back for breakfast and try some chilaquiles and hot chocolate. Even though it's like 30 degrees outside, the heater is definitely on. Smells tasty and warm settings. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Kate W.

    Xoco has fantastic food. Love their Caldos. Unfortunately, the restaurant is just not cozy! You feel piled on top of your neighbors and it's impossible to get comfortable. Xoco is exponentially better when you can sit outside. Take out is also good, but sometimes difficult to transport. Regardless, a decent lunch spot if you're out in that part of River North during the day--beware of long lines around1pm, though.

    (3)

  • Melissa F.

    YUM! Great beer selection, awesome food. The pistachio churros are delicious!

    (5)

  • Ruben L.

    I don't understand the hype. Came here with a friend based on another friends recommendation. He said the sandwiches here were amazing, we figured we'd try it. A very hip and happening place, even for a Friday afternoon at 2pm. My friend and I tried the Cubana, and a daily special sandwich that had garlic shrimp. We also ordered the churros with special chocolate sauce. Cubana was decent, though the bread was hard. The garlic shrimp was bland, with no real flavor. As for the churros, they forgot about them, so we had to remind them to bring them out. 15 minutes later, we got them. Just ok. Overall- should've just gone to a neighborhood taqueria. Certainly would have been cheaper. Celebrity rating- snookie

    (2)

  • Louis H.

    'BAYLESS!" That's the first thing I yelled out when I walked into Xoco! I have since been back twice. First time though, I nearly passed out when I had the Cubana Torta,...then I cried from being too damn happy. Just an amazing combination of ingredients. Nothing overtaking anything. Just the right balance. Talking about a subtle sandwich....this is it. It will definitely be the yardstick I will measure others by. Second time....I had the Ahogada! Oh my danglers!!! The pork and pickled onions did me in. Close to work, I'll be going back soon.

    (5)

  • Gerald Z.

    It was good very good but not amazing. I really like their seating system. A hostess talks to you while you are in line and tells you where she can find you a table. this stops people from worrying about where to sit while they are in line. I had the suckling pig sandwich my wife had the pork carnitas and noodles. I would say that the carnitas and noodles were better than the sandwich. Overall they were ok..pretty good but not amazing. The amazing part of our meal were the churros. fried fresh and dipped in house made chocolate. Soooo good. I could eat maybe 4 dozen of these.... My advice, eat dinner somewhere else (Sunda is down the street) then come here and gorge on the churros and chocolate.

    (3)

  • Jill T.

    Had the carnitas soup. The flavor was really good but $11 for a bowl of broth with 3 small pieces of carnitas and 3 little dumplings, not worth the money. I'll go back and try one of their tortas...

    (2)

  • Brice F.

    On one hand it's kind of expensive for what you're getting. Then, you realize what you're getting - fresh, top-chef quality, amazing Mexican food - and you kinda feel okay with what you paid. The system for ordering/dine-in is wonky, but you just might get lucky and not have to wait long for a table. Pozole: awesome and perfect for a chilly day. Pork belly torta: even more awesome and a nice sized sandwich.

    (4)

  • Aramys E.

    Heard from Yahoo that this is the sandwich spot in the Chi. I had the Suckling pig Torta and my fiance` had the shripm torta. We had an early start on drinks so we ordered a margarita each... with no sides, the total was $48.25. A lil steep for a quick bite but it was delicious. The habanero sauce was very spicy which did inhibit my taste buds to enjoy the rest of the meal.

    (3)

  • Julie P.

    Came here for lunch. Line was out the door with 30 mins wait to reach counter to order. Once we placed order, food arrived pretty quickly. We had the seafood soup & 2 sandwiches. All were pretty good. Not much for service.

    (4)

  • M C.

    A refreshing spin on Mexican - I had their special - hamburger torta which was mildy seasoned and had a heap of roasted peppers and melted cheese. The torta was pressed - like a panini - and very good. Their salsas and chips were also on par and I topped it off with their "oh-so-talked-about" churros and warm chocolate sauce. When I don't feel like waiting for a table at Frontera, I'm definitely coming here. Service was very attentive even though this is more of an eat-and-go place.

    (4)

  • Beth M.

    Who doesn't love Rick Bayless? If you've never tried his food and live in Chicago, there's something wrong with you. I tried this place a year ago and still remember it fondly. It was certainly not what I was expecting: you wait in line to order your food and scramble to find a seat in a rather busy area. But everything was great. The husband and I decided not to get any drinks - that part was just a tad pricy- but everything else was worth the price. Happy to go back again soon.

    (4)

  • Hannah T.

    Everything here I had here from the Baja Chicken to the loaded guac was great. The chips were very good. The guac was my favorite full of flavor and fresh ingredients. Loved the churros and the chocolate sauce that accompanies them, in particular.

    (4)

  • Karen P.

    Love this place! Mexican comfort food. No matter what you order you will like it. The churros and hot chocolates are must trys. I have only gone there for breakfast, however, so I can't comment on lunch. But as this is a Bayless restaurant, it has to be good as well.

    (5)

  • Stefan L.

    Eh it's ok if you're in the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

    (3)

  • Steve H.

    I love this place. It can be a little busy on weekends or after work hours, but the way it's structured they get you in and out pretty fast. For those who don't know, their main focus is traditional Mexican Tortas. The bread is delicious ( I can't stress this enough) and the Meats are fantastic. If you work in the River North area, it's a great lunch spot or after work go to. I'm a die hard sandwich fanatic and it's easily in my top 5 in Chicago. The churros are the real deal but I suggest the Cochinito which is roasted suckling pig. It comes with a habanero sauce that will light you on fire, but the flavor is so good you can't stop. Wash it all down with one of the many bottled beers they feature and enjoy the best sandwich you can get in R.N. If sandos aren't your cup of tea, they also have a nice selection of soups that do not disappoint. The thing I really love is Xoco's attention to detail. The food actually tastes the way it is described on the menu. In my experience, this is a rare feet outside of fine dining establishments. Give em a shot.

    (4)

  • Richard T.

    Been to XOCO many times during my years in Chicago. Huge fan of this place. I've had their ahogada, chicken pazole, carnitas caldos, seafood caldos, chicharonnes, and of course their churros. My least favorite of the dishes I tried is the chicken pazole. I actually ordered this by mistake, thinking that it was the carnitas caldos. But everything else I tried were delicious. I thought the ahogada was pretty interesting because it was my first time having a sandwich in soup. Bonus: the soup can be as spicy as you want for you spice lovers. Seating is a mess though, cuz everyone loves this place. Go check it out.

    (4)

  • Amber E.

    Seriously I could not have made it through my pregnancy with Rick's churros!!!!

    (5)

  • Edward S.

    With my office having moved down the block, I've had the chance to sample much more from Xoco and it has continued to impress. I've tried several of the sandwiches and a few of the desserts (I could eat the churros and mexican chocolate chip cookies all day), and nothing has disappointed. Ingredients are high quality and the flavors are killer - spicy, fresh, savory, and imaginative. Pro Tip: Order online for pickup and avoid the lines.

    (5)

  • Guilherme B.

    Anything that Rick Bayless touches is gold--including his sandwiches and caldos as Xoco. Everything is just super flavorful--you're going to enjoy every bite. Worth the stop if you're anywhere around there.

    (5)

  • Alice G.

    So I came here with great expectations because I'm really homesick for Mexican food. However, I know the real deal, and I think that sets my expectations way too high. And then I inevitably feel crushed when the food doesn't deliver. Snif! I had the Seafood Caldo. It was ok, but not like the caldo de camarón or sopa de mariscos you have in Mexico. Disappointed. I also had a churro and it was too greasy and undercooked on the inside. Oh well. I'll keep looking. If you ever go to Mexico City, go to the following places: - For the best seafood - El Danubio. - Runner up for seafood - Fisher's (and they have several branches through the city) - Great churros - El Moro (this is what churros should be like - fluffy on the inside. And yes, they are not fat free food by any means, churros are fried. But they are not served dripping oil). Maybe I'll give them another chance and try the chilaquiles.

    (2)

  • Raja Y.

    I have this unreasonable bias against celebrity chefs and I rarely consciously go to their restos on my own accord, but this place is delicious. I've never been to frontera grill so can't compare, but the sandwiches and soups here are awesome, especially the soup so fresh and full of flavor. I went with two other friends for a late afternoon snack. We waited on line 30 minutes until our turn was up and after finishing what we had initially ordered, we went back for seconds and waited another 30-45 minutes. I agree the churros/mexican chocolate pairing is a must.

    (5)

  • Lisa N.

    Before even coming to Chicago, I knew I had to try a Rick Bayless restaurant. Thankfully we could try his food without the hassle of getting reservations or dining in for hours. We were on a mission to explore the city and just wanted a quick stop. Unfortunately for us, they don't serve their tortas until 11:00 AM and we were 30 mins shy of that. We decided to have some churros while we waited around until lunch time. There's not much around the spot to sightsee. The churros were pretty amazing. Empanadas were sold out that morning. Eleven o'clock rolls around and we are immediately in line for tortas. I opt for the Friday special Smoky Garlic Shrimp and my friend got the Ahogada. Both were delicious! The shrimp one was fresh and light while the ahogada was rich and hearty. You can use the bread to sop up all the sauce. mmMMmmMmm... goodness!

    (4)

  • T G.

    I want a Cubana and I want one right now! Pork, bacon, avacado, cheese, onions and dipped in a spicy red sauce. Yum. The poblano corn chowder is fantastic too. XOCO has an incarnation also in Macys on state and in terminal 1 at O'Hare (Tortas by Rick Bayless) serving a similar menu as XOCO. All of Rick Bayless restaurants are the same--fresh and unique with tastes that are 5 star quality! Wonderful!

    (5)

  • Tanner B.

    AMAZING! You must get the churros with soft serve! Also on saturdays they have Horchata! Its the best I have ever had!

    (5)

  • Drew C.

    Best Mexican street food...ever. Well, at least in this continent. Even their iced teas and herbal beverages are all natural and untainted with preservatives and artificial flavors and colors. The Oaxacan hot chocolate alone is worth the visit. One caveat: they seem to always be busy and seating is minimal. So, be flexible. The food is worth it.

    (5)

  • Kelsey T.

    On the same day that I ate brunch at Frontera Grill, I came in to Xoco for a snack in the early evening. I walked out with my snack (churros and Aztec hot chocolate) AND with dinner, the pork belly vermicelli soup. Churros and chocolate are a much loved snack combo and the ones at Xoco didn't disappoint, they were a perfect pair. The soup was a decision I made while waiting in line and it really warmed me up on a chilly evening. Pork belly, mushrooms, avocado, zucchini and noodles is not a combo I would have come up with, but the flavor combo was sensational. This place getis crowded, so getting your order to go is a good option.

    (4)

  • Jamie D.

    Best agua fresca I've had.

    (5)

  • Danny B.

    This place is amazing! I had the vegetable soup and chips+guacamole. The soup was much fresher than most Mexican food and the ingredients were all really good. The flavors went perfectly together and their broth is unlike any I have ever tasted. They give you a little dish of sliced serrano chilies to spice it to your taste and the chilies had so much flavor! The guacamole was very fresh and good. They must have used perfectly ripe avocados and they didn't over do the lime juice or salt. Their salsas were also very good and fresh. I drank their agua fresca that had lime and mint (I think). It was really good-a bit too sweet for my taste, but most people probably like it that way. I finished the meal with a hot chocolate with milk. This is how hot chocolate should be. It is thick, rich and flavorful without being too sugary like most shitty hot chocolate. Everything for less than $25. I'm so impressed. I'm going back

    (5)

  • Bobby G.

    This place is a class act. Very good sandwiches (tortas) at a decent price. I recommend the one with mushrooms. Can't remember what it's called but it's delicious. If this place didn't make you wait for 20 minutes during non-rush-hour lunch time, I'd be all about it. Also, they've got a good bottled beer selection that is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too expensive. $15 for a Cripsin cider. So fuck that. Otherwise, like this place a lot.

    (4)

  • Daniel O.

    okay place but not worth the wait

    (3)

  • Chrystalle B.

    My husband and I went here specifically for the hot chocolate (only because we'd aready eaten at another Top Chef's restaurant that day). I wish we wouldve found room for more food cuz this place smelled AMAZING. Looking back, if we had dared to stand in the crazy long line, we probably wouldve been hungry again by the time we got our food. Next trip for sure. He decided on the regular hot chocolate while I chose the Aztec (regular hot chocolate w/ chile and all spice). Beverage only service, in and out w/ in 5 minutes. We both greatly enjoyed our choices and they were the perfect accompaniment to the cold snap that came thru while we were in town.

    (4)

  • Megan G.

    The tortas here are pretty amazing- I'm absolutely in love with the pork belly one! It's best to hit this place during off peak hours (think during the middle of the week in mid afternoon)- it'll still be busy but the wait won't be quite as bad! I haven't personally had the churros, but my one friend comes here every time he visits Chicago just for the churros and tortas. Downside- wait (I got mine to go- never would have found a seat if I had wanted to eat there), price (worth it for the occasional sandwich splurge, but not every day)

    (4)

  • Pete D.

    Different food. Yummy but unexpected flavors. I went in there and ordered like I normally do by saying to the person taking orders: "what do people normally order" and then "okay Ill get that". So i got a sandwich that sort of came in a spicy broth. I got to choose how spicy I wanted it too. I got it mild but it for sure still had a kick to it.

    (4)

  • Cathy S.

    Awesome churro and hot chocolate! Get the Mexico-city style for an authentic and decadent experience!

    (4)

  • donna y.

    if you like spice and flavor, you should definitely have their Carnitas soup! It doesn't have much meat and is a bit pricy for soup but the flavors are amazing!!! I've had their milanesa torta and ahogada, which is flavorful but I thought a bit bready. They also serve horchata as the drink of the day on Saturdays!

    (5)

  • Mar C.

    Very good food, I would return.

    (4)

  • Francine P.

    The food is great!! I wish it wasn't so minimal though, like we had table service and there was more than one bathroom, etc

    (5)

  • Ben E.

    I'm not sure why I'm being prompted to review Xoco, but whatever. It's thoroughly overrated and overpriced, but is genuinely good. Still, if you want something truly authentic and far less expensive, try Cemitas Puebla. That restaurant is nationally renowned and is far better.

    (3)

  • Jessica H.

    Not a week goes by that I don't get a hankering for the churros. The best way is to order for take out; ditch the line and bring it on home. Totally a deal for the portions and quality of food you get. I only wish that there was some sort of reasonable parking scenario near by.

    (5)

  • Rob T.

    The Chocolate aroma fills the air - and the Hot Chocolate selection is perfect for a cold Chicago day.....

    (3)

  • Nicole L.

    After eating the Ahugada and the Cubana at Xoco - I do not think I can have a mexican torta anywhere else! Soooo scrumptiously delicious...

    (5)

  • Na S.

    I love everything here. EVERYTHING!

    (5)

  • Alvin J.

    It's hard for me to understand how I lived in the Midwest for 7+ years considering the weather. We recently went to Chicago for a wedding and of course it was already pretty chilly there. We decided to make a quick trek to Xoco for some hot chocolate before hitting up the Willis Tower observatory. This is my first visit to a Rick Bayless restaurant (Frontera Grill is still on the list). Good casual dining concept. The place is cozy (OK, it's small) so our group of 8 had a hard time finding a table. Some of us ended up standing by the one table we found until more spaces cleared Went with the classic chocolate and it hit the spot. We decided to also get some churros and this is clearly the reason to come here. They're 3 for $4 (I guess inflation is that bad...apparently they were 3 for $1.50 2 years ago!) and worthy of all the praise. They were crispy and not greasy, and they came with a nice dipping chocolate sauce. I also got to sample a bit of the chilaquiles my friend ordered, and they were quite nice, although they don't compare to what we can get here in Houston All in all I liked Xoco, even if it's a bit on the overpriced side of things

    (4)

  • Anthony B.

    Good place for lunch, but come early, lines build up fast. It takes a little while to get your food after you order, but its well worth it. Its cooked fresh. Muy bueno. I had the Cubana torta, the bacon on there was fantastic. The bread was fresh, crispy, chewy, toasted just right. Again, I'm a wimp on spicy food, but I still gobbled this down. I had their iced tea, which is really good, to help extinguish the heat. There isn't a lot of seating, you'll most likely find yourself sitting next to random people, but it makes it fun and you end up having good conversation you probably wouldn't have otherwise. Good stuff, now I just need to try Bayless' other more expensive joints :)

    (4)

  • Daniel L.

    I came to check out this Mexican restaurant with fellow Yelper Fia R. It was early in the morning but the restaurant was already packed with customers from front to the back. The interior was small, and the fast food protocol started from a narrow walkway that led to the register before we arrived at tiny corridors with limited counter seating. We ordered the Ahogada ($10), Barbacoa Torta ($12), and a glass of Jamaica ($2.50). The Ahogada was put together with pork carnitas, black beans, tomato broth, arbol chile sauce, and pickled onions. I thought the pork had decent flavor, but the textures were uneven between moist and dry spots. I really enjoyed the tomato broth that went well to soften the torta. I liked the broth as it made a big different in this sandwich, but the price was too high for me to order it again. The Barbacoa Torta was made with braised goat, Oaxacan pasilla-tomatillo salsa, avocado, onions, and cilantro. There were some sharp tasting flavors here and there, primarily due to the salsa to add to the smothering of smoky chipotle sauce to render a tenacious kick. The seasoning of the barbacoa could be much better, but the secondary ingredients provided the flavors when it was desperately needed. Service was quick and friendly. I thought there was some creativity and finesse in parts of the meal. However, the primary reasons for the low rating was due to 1) the high prices for tortas that usually cost around $5 in many places, and 2) the bread that was not crisp but rather doughy, hard, and very difficult to chew. I give the chef credit, but it is difficult to refine a street food that could be discovered cheaper and better on the streets of Los Angeles. I wouldn't order their tortas again, but I may still come back to try their churros that everyone has been raving about.

    (2)

  • Dorothea S.

    XOCO has the best tortas I have ever tasted! My husband and I have been driving by it for the last couple years and always said we wanted to stop in but the lines were very long. So on a Friday afternoon we decided to give it a try and loved it! Yes, we waited in line for 45 minutes but the minute you are seated the food doesn't take longer than 15 minutes to arrive. I had their Friday special (Shrimp Torta) that was so delish! My husband had the pepito, which was alright but I liked mine more:) Don't let the long lines stop you from coming here!

    (4)

  • Joyce H.

    I am craving one of these sandwiches right now. The tortas (sandwiches) are DELISH. I met up with some friends here on a Friday and had the daily special -- spicy garlic shrimp torta. The bread was perfectly crispy and crunchy, and the shrimp was fresh and plump. Gotta love the flavors combined with the arugula too. The dipping sauce had the perfect amount of heat for this sandwich, and I think it was what held the sandwich together for me. My friend ordered the ahogada and while I didn't taste her sandwich (I don't eat meat), the spicy broth is SO GOOD. I couldn't help dipping my sandwich in that soup. It has a perfect kick and flavor. I'd prob give 4 stars for the shrimp one, but I hear that the ahogado pork sandwich is the thing to get. We also got the churros with hot chocolate. If you're looking for a snack/dessert, these are IT. The hot chocolate was dark and that slight bitterness complemented the sugary sweetness of the churros. Some other friends joined us and got the hot chocolate -- one with milk, one with just water. If you like dark chocolate, you'll like the one with water. The only downside... you're going to have to wait for these delicious tortas. I came at 2:30pm on a Friday afternoon, and while they wait wasn't long, there was still quite the crowd there. People are hungry for this food!! I would suggest coming between the hours of 2-5pm. :)

    (5)

  • Mina K.

    I wanted to really like this place, I really did. After reading the reviews prior to my visit, I expected melted in your mouth goodness. I did not receive it. The tortas I tried (shrimp special and some sort of beef) were sub par, and over-priced. HOWEVER, the churro was amazing, and the vanilla bean ice cream that came with it! (What's up with the small size of the ice cream though? Loosen up them apron strings, XOCO!). I wouldn't come back, though it was nice to try a Rick Bayless restaurant.

    (3)

  • Bryce B.

    This review is only for the dessert potion of the menu, although I do hope one day to try XOCO's tortas. On my last trip to Chicago, I came here just before they closed to get some freshly made churros and some Aztec hot chocolate. I must confess that I kneel at the altar of all things Bayless, and was not disappointed. The churros were both crisp and chewy, but the real star of this show was the hot chocolate. The Aztec features chile pepper and all spice in a thick, rich and thoroughly satisfying elixir.

    (4)

  • Chris L.

    Rick Bayless opened my eyes to the world of real Mexican food and every time I am in Chicago I make a point to visit one of his restaurants. Sure, it's only been two times but that won't stop me from making wide ranging and baseless long term pronouncements! Having been to Frontera Grill the last time, XOCO was next on my hit list since I love Mexican street food and we were in a mood for a satisfying breakfast. We took a walk up from our hotel (a lot of things are walkable in Chicago which is nice) and surveyed the situation. XOCO is unsurprisingly a very well made restaurant. The interior is pleasant in a cafeteria kind of way and being able to see workers making the food from the exterior is a nice touch. The menu is solid but limited a bit for breakfast which was disappointing but understandable. The chorizo and egg torta was delicious and hit the spot. The french toast was really well cooked but a bit over seasoned for me. My girlfriend loved the custard texture and the pecan-bacon topping. I don't like things that sweet but there is no doubt that it was tasty. Best churro I've ever had and the chocolate shot we had was perfect for dipping. Huge fan of the Rick Bayless and I'll keep on frequenting his restaurants whenever I'm in town!

    (4)

  • Stephanie C.

    meh. my expectations were way too high. thankfully, there was no wait on a wednesday night. the pepito torta was decent, but nowhere near spectacular. the pork belly vermicelli was lacking in flavor. overall, a decent experience

    (3)

  • Julia B.

    Raphael D ordered me to visit XOCO during my visit to Chicago to not only have their delicious food, but to also have a cup of their homemade hot chocolate. I take orders seriously so even though my friend said she's eaten at XOCO before, I told to shut the f*ck up and take me there. This place is a hot spot, as it was packed but the lines move relatively quickly and the food comes out fast. The wait is worth it, my friends! The way they run this place was odd to me at first but it works. You wait in line til it's your turn to order, pay and then are taken to your table where the food will come to you. Depending on your order, you can have some dishes come after others. The seating area is not huge but can fit small and big groups (to an extent). I ordered the Carnitas (pork carnitas, potato-masa dumplings, chayote, roasted serrano chile, greens, arugula, avocado) Meal in a Bowl. It was exactly what I needed on a cold, rainy day! It warmed my soul and made me do my little delicious wiggle. On the side, I got a cup of their Aztec (fresh-ground chocolate + water + chile + allspice). I love the combo of chocolate and spice as it is so I knew I was going to love this and I did. For those in the know, it's like having Green & Black's Maya Gold chocolate bar in a cup! My friend took a sip of this and was immediately jealous! My friend got the Vegetables Meal in a Bowl, which was just as delectable. We decided to get dessert and try their Churros with a cup of their Mexican Vanilla Soft Serve for to dip it in. It's so nice, we had it TWICE. We didn't want to go in line to order it again so they let us use the Take Out line instead - woo hoo! I'm not a huge fan of Churros but XOCO makes them perfectly. Just go and have it with the soft serve. Just go. Now! I had hoped that we could return to XOCO for round 2 so I could try one of their Tortas, which my friend says are awesome but it was not meant to be. Oh well, that just means I have to come back to Chicago soon! Hasta la vista baby!

    (5)

  • Tim S.

    Don't need to write anything here. It's awesome. Just go.

    (5)

  • Gabriela R.

    Went to XOCO not long ago... I was hoping to find Tortas as good as Frontera at the Airport, but no luck... :( However, they were pretty decent in taste. Too long of a wait on weekends and closes too early!!!

    (3)

  • Ken N.

    Churros con chocolate! Well, that's what I was going to order since I've been craving them since my Barcelona trip last summer. Then there she was... churros with ice cream? Well, that ice cream was damn amazing. Tasted like a rich vanilla bean. Blended very nicely with the warm churros. The iced choclate was just OK though. Rich chocolate lovers would enjoy it more. A couple sips and I just couldn't do it anymore.

    (4)

  • Tracy L.

    Xoco has the best churros in the world. BEST EVER! And I live in Los Angeles! I've had good churros before! ALWAYS SAVE ROOM FOR THE CHURROS! That aside, the churros are the only thing I consistently come back to Xoco for. This is probably a contentious opinion, but I don't think the tortas are all that great. The flavor palate is generally good, but not particularly complicated by any means. And sometimes the meat is dry. Actually dry. And it makes me so sad. But most of the time the tortas and sopas range from pretty okay to really good. I'm more a fan of the sopas than the tortas, but it seems most people go for the sandwiches? Drinks and desserts are good too. Mostly the churros and the agua frescas! I'm not a very big fan of their chocolate (another blasphemous stance I'm sure), but I find their chocolate to be too gourmet to feel authentic. Their champurrado certainly doesn't taste like any other champurrado I've ever had. It's almost too thick, too rich. But hey, maybe it's just me and my predilection for midnight taco trucks in hispanic neighborhoods. The only part of Xoco that sort of drives me away is the line. There's always a line. So if you get take-out it's not a problem, but if you want a table, expect to be in line for quite some time.

    (4)

  • Sam K.

    I just came with my friends. Overall I am very impressed with the food. The kind of Mexican food you get here is definitely something different from what you would usually expect. Definitely worth a try and will go back for sure. I tried the Wednesday special of pork belly. It was good, but I would recommend the Ahogado, which is a sandwich drowning in tomato broth. Overall experience is excellent!

    (5)

  • Taylor E.

    The food is delicious and reasonably priced for the quality and location. The daily special tortas are my favorite on the menu, especially the smoky garlic shrimp and the goat barbacoa. The churros are also delicious, especially when dipped into a mug of their (excellent) hot chocolate. The guacamole isn't bad either. The only thing that keeps this from a 5-star rating is the crowd and the wait - if you come in here at any point during regular dining hours, there will be an incredibly long line and if you come as part of a small group it is very likely that you will have to sit with strangers in the (loud) seating area.

    (4)

  • Roberto G.

    Aztec hot chocolate with churros for diping, trust me..

    (4)

  • Bobbie W.

    Yum, yum, yummmmmm!! I originally had reservations at Frontera but a friend told me to skip Frontera and go to Xoco instead. So glad I listened to him. The line was at the door so we waited around 30 minutes before we ordered and maybe another 10 for a table. They don't let you order until a table is free. My girlfriends and I are three little piggies so we ordered: - chipotle chicken torta: so good! the bread was nice and crispy, and torta overall was really tasty. the sauce on the side goes really well with it and adds an extra kick of flavor. - ahogado torta: this was my second favorite of the three tortas we ordered. i loved the concept of the torta in a broth because it softens the bread and the pork was a little dry so it added some extra moisture. something very comforting about this dish, it's probably the tomato broth. - pepito torta: this was pretty good too! the short rib was tender and full of flavor. - pork belly vermicelli: this was definitely not what i was expecting. it says vermicelli noodles but it was soba noodles. the broth was a little bland but the pork belly was good. i probably wouldn't order this again. - guacamole and two salsas: all really good. Overall, my gfs and I really enjoyed this place and wanted to come back during our short visit there. Luckily, there's one in the airport so we got to have our fix one last time before leaving the windy city.

    (4)

  • Dom R.

    Food was good.. not great.. some of the spice was over powering taking away from the flavor, I'd like to enjoy the food for what it is, everything is fresh which is great, however a little pricey.. place was pretty small too.

    (4)

  • Rich J.

    I had originally made reservations for Topolobampo, but decided to cancel as I wasn't feeling the menu. I ended up coming here twice on my trip to Chicago as we were so impressed with the food. It's hard for me to get excited about upscale mexican food, which is why Xoco was more appealing to me instead of Topolobampo. I did actually try to get into Frontera Grill for lunch on a sat, which was a foolish endeavor, since it was a 90 min wait, so we were more than happy to come here again. First time I was a damn pig, and got a carnitas torta and a bowl of pork belly fideos, as well as sharing some amazing chicarrones and an order of three churros. So I waddled out of there ashamed at my gluttony. second time I was more reasonable and got the saturday special...braised goat torta and the chicharrones again. Both tortas came with sauces that were knock-me-on-my-ass delicious..just an amazing amount of spice, heat, and flavor. The pork belly fideos..which is like the mexican version of ramen noodles..was pretty spectacular as well. The chicharrones were the best I ever had, for sure. Worth the wait and the communal seating to have some amazing Ric Bayless food for affordable prices here.

    (5)

  • Vanessa D.

    Good food. But total chaos at lunch on weekdays. Waited 15 minutes for a takeout salad. Not worth the wait, unless your dining in.

    (3)

  • Jamie B.

    I came here a few months back expecting something amazing. The soups are really good. The sandwiches were just ok. They were really, really, greasy and heavy. I know that is how they are supposed to be-- but what bothered me was the lack of bright flavor. It seemed very bland. The wait was around an hour, at an "off time" at 3pm.

    (3)

  • Max E.

    When we came at around 6pm on a Wednesday, we expected it to be incredibly crowded. It wasn't. The system is very efficient- you aren't allowed to go up to the counter to order until they have a table for you. They serve bottled beer and glasses of wine at the counter (but I wish the beer was a bit colder). I had the Chicken pozole soup, which brought me back to the time I spent in Morelia eating Mexican Chicken soup. The chocolate sundae was good- but on a colder day I want to try their hot chocolate. Overall highly recommended- I hope to come back soon.

    (4)

  • Christopher F.

    Buying a sandwich or a bowl of soup shouldn't come with the wait of a fine dining restaurant no matter how well known the chef's name on the door is. Xoco is set up like a quick serve joint so we kept thinking, "it can't be that much longer", but. it. will. be. that. much. longer. The service was certainly not in line with a fine dining restaurant, the host sucked and the cashier had the pathetic nature of an employee suffering in a system that is endlessly broken. After a 40 minute wait we were charged $15.50 for the 2 cans of beer we drank to kill the time. F that. My wife and I spend a lot on restaurants each week and I can tell you that there are too many good places to eat in Chicago to suffer this nonsense. And I have eaten at Xoco before, but as soon as we saw the price of the beer after the wait and bad service we ignored our intense hunger pains and went elsewhere to support a place that didn't feel like it was set up to abuse us. The repeated mewling of "sorry" from the cashier did not make the bad experience better.

    (1)

  • Schnoodlin G.

    Sometimes the wait is up to 2 hours (they are good about warning you) but it is always worth it! Unbelievable tortas and soups, I drool just thinking about it.

    (5)

  • Yusef E.

    My favorite place to grab lunch in the city. Given the wait, it is apparently everyone else's as well. I've skipped the line once before by ordering to go, and walking across the street to fados. If your first time, take the time to drink as well as eat: get an espresso and a craft beer.

    (5)

  • Jason N.

    Not my favorite, but an interesting diversion. Tortas are the focus of the menu here and I have to emphasize that I favor tacos over Mexican sandwiches. I got the special of the day with cochinita and the pork was a tad gamey for my tastebuds. The softserve ice cream with caramel/bacon-y sauce was good enough, but not great. I like the fact that complimentary fizzy water is available. Not sure I'd seek out a return trip here, but was not dissatisfied either.

    (3)

  • Raj S.

    Probably one of the best mexican restaurants I have ever been to. The chorizo sandwich is unreal!!! and make sure you leave room for decadent churros and hot chocolate. they grind their own cacao beans! Beat that.

    (5)

  • Travis T.

    I was really excited to eat at Xoco on my most recent trip to Chicago, and it did not disappoint in any way. I will add at this point in my review that my hotel was just 2 blocks away. When I walked into Xoco, the line was nearly out the door. I stood in it for about 2 minutes as I stared at a sign above a cash register that directed customers to place take out orders there. So, I opted to just jump out of line, which was not really moving at all, order to go and walk back to my hotel to eat. I had the Saturday special torte of braised goat barbacoa with tomatillo pasilla (sp?) sauce and avocado and chips/salsa. The torte was unbelievable. The bread was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, which was so yummy with the sauce from the meat soaking in. The meat was flavorful and juicy. Delicious. The sauce was smokey and the avocado provided a richness and texture that pulled it all together. The chips were tasty and delicious and they came with a red salsa and a green salsa. Although both were flavorful, I would've liked the red to have a bit more heat. All in all, it was an amazing meal. I wanted to go back on Sunday but they were closed.

    (4)

  • Jim M.

    It's usually crowded. There will almost certainly be a line, and there's not always room to sit down inside once you get your food. The ahogada sandwich is a pork-based creation literally served with tomato soup, it's fantastic. The Cubana torta is an amazing combination of pork, beans and cheese, and it's probably the best thing here. The chocolate churros are of the spicy variety, and go great with the chocolate espresso as well.

    (5)

  • Alex R.

    Yes, there will be a wait, but it's really not that bad. And after you finish your meal, you'll be glad you waited. Here's a quick rundown of the three tortas (XOCO's signature offering) I've tried: Cubana - This is one of the tortas made on the griddle and easily one of the best XOCO has to offer. Flavor-packed pork loin and bacon are blanketed by velvety melted cheese in this heavenly sandwich. It also packs a surprising punch of heat from the chipotle mustard. Pepito - Another delicious offering from the torta menu. The meat was so tender, and the flavors meshed well together. The onions and the jalapenos round out the sandwich nicely. Choriqueso - This was my least favorite of the bunch. It lacked the balance of flavor the other two tortas had. The chorizo simply dominated the torta. All in all, XOCO is a great place for delicious food without all the fuss of a formal restaurant. Chef Bayless hit this one out of the park!

    (5)

  • John G.

    Omg, the hot chocolate was the best drink I have ever put to my lips. The special sandwich I had was fantastic too!

    (5)

  • Laura A.

    XOCO was OK. I went with my cousin for a late work day lunch at the recommendation of a co-worker. Since we dropped in around 2 p.m. we didn't have to wait very long, but despite the lull it was way too loud for a conversation without shouting. We ordered the caldos and they were also OK, but not anything mind-blowing and way over-priced for what is essentially soup. Perhaps we ordered the wrong thing, but with so many awesome food choices in Chicago, I don't plan to XOCO anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Cindy P.

    Delicious. Worth the wait. Another Bayless gem. Can't believe I waited so long. Had the special for that day - the carne asada Torta. If you enjoy out of the ordinary, don't mind waiting and love amazing food go here.

    (5)

  • Ni V.

    We were walking nearby and found this place on yelp. Skimming the reviews quickly suggested this was good, so we took a leap (the name Rick Bayless did not ring a bell with me). I wasn't sure how a torta could be all that much to rave about, as I've had a few tortas at traditional Mexican establishments before. All I can say is that they share the same name. This was out of this world delicious--I wish someone could tell me where to find an equivalent in the Bay Area. The only downside is the limited table seating--most of the seating is at a stool and counter, which is how we ate. So it is was a little off-putting at first--until we actually tried the food! We were also fortunate in that there was no queue when we arrived--sometime between 5:30 - 6:30 PM mid-week.

    (5)

  • Erich D.

    This Chef Bayless eatery is located adjacent to his two other restaurants however here they only serve tortas and caldos or basically sandwiches and soups. It also probably won't matter what time you come here, be prepared to wait in a line. The Cubana is a savory, delicious and warm torta with smoked pork loin and bacon, mushed black beans, avocado, and jack cheese.

    (4)

  • David C.

    Another successful execution by Rick Bayless. Can be hard to get a place to sit down inside. Must go early for breakfast. But the food, again, is amazing.

    (5)

  • C B.

    Milanesa with avocado. Blew my mind. Chips and salsa/guac are better than most in Texas.

    (5)

  • Rachel A.

    I prefer XOCO over Frontera Grill. There I said it. Why? Because I am a simple girl. I want my food now without feeling fancy and I want it with churros without waiting in line for two hours. XOCO is pretty much a fast food cafe with alcohol and adopts the same seating policy as Hot Doug's: you can sit down when there is space for you. Luckily the turnover here is fast as well as the service. WIN WIN WIN. We were first in line and were dawdling for about 20 minutes. The staff was really nice and apologetic. Believe me, compared to waiting two hours next door, the wait at XOCO is nothing. Plus they let you drink while you are in line indoors. We only got snacks since we were planning to eat next door at Frontera. We got the Cochinita Pibil, chicharrones, guacamole, and churros with Mexico City Thick hot chocolate and dulce de leche. Amazing! I think I could have been content with XOCO and had called it a day. Definitely stopping in at XOCO is a meal. We had to stop ourselves not to load up too much. The sandwich was awesome. The lechon was juicy and had pieces of skin with it. It had a spicy sauce on the side which was hot on fire spicy. It's nice that we could go up to the water fountain at any time to refill our glasses. The guacamole was to be expected. I actually preferred it more on the chicharron than the chips. The churros? OMG. BEST THING EVER! Churros at La Churreria in NYC are a sad pale comparison. Yes, different styles from different countries but XOCOs are so much better. They are dusted with cinnamon and sugar, delicious alone and heightened to heaven dipped in the chocolate. Also, the chocolate was nice enough that it could be drunk as is. I finished every last drop of it. Frontera Grill, if you are wondering why your customers arrive with a smile on their face when you finally call their name, it's because they've come from next door. Churro still fresh in their mind. Oh... yes!

    (5)

  • Angie H.

    The jamaica was delicious but the tortas were flavorless. I had the chipotle chicken torta which did not really taste like chipotle and the bread is not the traditional Mexican bread used in tortas so the texture is a bit strange. The tortas are disappointing for the price.

    (2)

  • Shang S.

    I'm so glad I finally made my way here and it is completely worth the raves that everyone else writes here. The good: YUM, get some aqua fresca, and then get the super-solid chipotle chicken torta. I don't like the caldo, it might just be that it's not up to my taste, I think it's a bit too salty for what soup should be. The bad: The line. What would you expect though? also, the pickled pigs' feet tostada was also very sour.

    (4)

  • Fia R.

    Hi Chef Bayless, I'm glad I got a chance to savor your inventive Mexican flair when DL & I partook on our Chi-town shenanigan. Yes, those are 2 stars shining up above, and I want to truthfully & fairly expatiate on Saturday's brunch, so that improvements can be made before Top Chef enthusiasts might easily notice. Throughout the 25+ elapsed minutes of ordering by the counter & being efficiently led & seated onto this narrowed booth--allowing about 1/4 of 40 maxed-out gastronomists dining in--instead of entering the traditional table & chair zone, we chose the Ahogada ($10) and Saturday Special's Goat Barbacoa ($12). Getting the drink descriptions out of the way already, our Jamaica/Hibiscus ($2.50) was nectarous (though a bit over my threshold of sweetness), tart, & had quite of a deep viscosity without being medicine-like syrupy. My Single Shot Mexican Chocolate Espresso ($2.50 for small), however, was more on the average-Joe level, although I appreciated the counter dude's suggestion to have this rich, hot drink brought in right after our abovementioned tortas. The sad news, unfortunately, is about those tortas. From literally paying the prices the supporting ingredients, such as avocado, in the Goat Barbacoa shone brightly; the braised goat, however, surprisingly had some parts dry. Meanwhile, the Ahogada was the weaker sandwich. Served only dine-in I did find its tomato "soup" quite sweetly addicting, but even w/ the broth, the pickled onions & chile together the flavor of the golden meat, i.e. carnitas, seemed to be hiding from me--was it missing a critical spice? One of my favorite foods, black beans, scarcely helped the flavor status that I had to liberally pour the awesomely smoky & spicy Chipotle salsa that was intentional for the Barbacoa. What's worse was that I was awfully disappointed and not amused when we had a tough time biting off this bread from BOTH of the tortas, as if they're beef jerky's shamefully tasteless alter ego. We were suspicious if the "pan" were dreadfully stale from the day of =(! For paying about $30 total I left off feelin' pretty cheerless w/ my middling Espresso, and tried to temporarily forget about it while we gallivanted Chi-town. So Mr. Bayless, I may not know exactly what happened in that fateful late Saturday morning, but the happy news is that I am willing to not only revisit especially for your illustrious Churros, but to update this personally distressing but honest review of one of your renowned, auspicious restaurants. Sincerely, Fia "Fair to the Community" R

    (2)

  • Mary J.

    I was here on Friday the 13th and the "bad" thing that happened was I ate too much! I decided to stop in here after being at Northwestern Hospital for 3 hours. The stroll here was nice, although going through the tourist zone had some challenges. When we arrived, there wasn't much of a line for seating, but they told us it would be about 20 minutes. What place doesn't say 20 minutes? We were handed menus and figured out our food while we waited. Everything was yummy! I had the woodland mushroom torta and hubby had the choriqueso torta. It was hot and fresh and brought to our spot. I also ordered some chocolate espresso for when I was finished dining and then had to go up to the counter to request it. That part I didn't like since by then there was a HUGE line and I had to do the "excuse me, excuse me" dance to get to the counter. It's noisy in here, so don't go if you plan to converse lots. Also the seating is a crap shoot, you might be at the counter, you might have some stranger next to you. Get over it and focus on the food. That's why you visited, isn't it?

    (4)

  • PJ J.

    This here is a review of Xoco, and not so much a review of Rick Bayless.... let's talk food for now, that way you can skip my silly rant. Lunch (over the top as always): Caldo de Carnitas with masa dumplings, arugula and artfully sliced chayote. -At first I smiled and said, "wow, this is so genius..so aggressively seasoned". Then after half of the bowl, I was like "only old boy Rick can get away with putting arugula in caldo". Another minute or so later I'm like..."ok, this shit is salty enough to give me a stroke". This was pretty much the big filler of the meal, $12 dolla. Tostadas de pickled pigs feet. No, I didn't get churros and hot chocolate...I got tostadas, with pig's feet on them. Fuck a churro! This tostada was the best I have ever had. The size, texture, flavor, and contrast of the pickled meat against the cream and the crunch....Now, I am no stranger to the deluxe elote cart and some cueritos -nor do I get off bragging to people about eating swine feet. It is just seriously good. $4 bucks. Cochinita pibil torta. Pretty good, but I promise you that I was at Ba Le an hour or so later (still hungry) holding a roast pork bahn mi...saying in my pretend sandwich voice "I pee on you, o Bayless torta". O, the hot sauce at Xoco I believe is a version of Kutbil Ik De....crazy delicious, soooper spicy. Gumball Head -Yeah, my first time. Pretty spectacular beer with a great range of flavor, and a mean kick. I am far from a beer sommelier, but I like New Glarus brews, proper Guinness pints and the occasional malt liquor 40. Gumball Head was a treat. Anyway, here is my rant....God forbid this corner spot was opened by someone other than Mr. Mexico, One Plate at a Time. There would be some serious issues with trying to make humans pay $12.50 for a bowl of soup, all while trying to mimic the Mexican cafeteria format. Seriously. .....But here is why this guy is so bad ass. Rick Bayless puts arugula in the caldo, and tucks catfish into the bowls of seafood soup. This is genius. Total mind control. Rick Bayless knows Mexican food, and the Chicago Mexican food scene would be less relevant without him. Why does it cost $70 bucks for 2 bowls of soup and some pig's feet? Because fool! That's just it, and I am not giving less than 3 stars because I want to keep watching his show without thinking I threw his ass totally under the bus on Yelp.

    (3)

  • Hion L.

    Tortas at Xoco are what tortas at any other Mexican place dream to be. Cocinita pibil is the Mexican version of pulled pork and XOCO's habanero sauce serves as an amazing complement. It does not get better than this if you went to the Yucatan yourself. The added bonus here is that you don't have to worry about getting kidnapped or shot by drug cartels. The ahogada consists of golden roasted carnitas that are perfectly tender and chewy and drowned with an amazing chile de arbol sauce. As much as I wanted to, i could only try two of these tortas, for fear that I out myself into a food coma. For dessert, I recommend their fresh churros which are a taste of light crispy heaven. As if they were not decadent enough, you get a melted chocolate to dip them in. Bean to cup chocolate drinks are what I equate to hot chocolate on steroids. Extremely rich and chocolately, albeit slightly gritty, it is a chocolate purist's dream. In this case, milk is for sissies. I ordered the Aztec which had nice subtle spice notes of chile and allspice, just enough to give it distinction. If you can bear the slight wait, you will definitely be rewarded.

    (5)

  • Van L.

    worth the wait. and come with friends so you can share (attempt to share) some churros and each others dishes. there's a line - always- so don't worry, you have time to make a decision and change it a million times. everything sounds phenomenal...and everything actually is. always order some chips & guac to start. i'm a fan of the daily special tortas myself, but many of the other dishes are fantastic as well. the flavors are just amazing...soup is fantastic if it's chilly outside! the staff is friendly, the atmosphere is fun, the food is consistent. great stop-in for lunch or a mid-afternoon meal if you want to avoid lines.

    (5)

  • Ali H.

    I'm a little torn about XOCO. So, 3 stars leaning towards 3.5. Here's the breakdown of my scoring system: Churros with ice cream: YUM. A little pricey (esp for the side of soft serve), but, seriously, yum. Hot chocolate: meh. We had it only once but it wasn't very well mixed (I'm remembering a chunky texture) and it didn't live up to the high standard set by Hot Chocolate. I've yet to meet a hot chocolate that can dare to compare with the Mexican at Hot Chocolate. Food: I liked the chips and guac. We had the vegetarian caldos as well as the woodland mushroom torta. I wanted to like them SO much. But they were both SO salty. Different occasions too, so it wasn't just one salt-happy sous-chef on a binge night. The caldos we got to-go and actually didn't even eat hardly any of it, it was that salty. Pucker your face and spit it out salty. Use it to gargle after you've had your wisdom teeth out salty. I keep coming back here, mostly for the churros. Not wowed by the food, although I suspect the part of me that really wants to like this place will keep trying it.

    (3)

  • eric f.

    YES!! not really lots of options for vegetarians but i still recommend xoco. they tweaked a torta for me, offering many tasty options for replacing the chorizo - very cool! AND the sandwich was totally delicious. the system they have in place is a little confusing at first visit, but it gives you a reason to return. here's what to expect; wait in line to be given a table # (this might involve waiting 10-40 min, depending ont the day/time), order + pay at the counter, eventually you're seated (drinking beers while waiting is encouraged) and you can relax + wait for your "mexican street food-inspired cuisine" to arrive at your table. DEFINITELY order the chips, guacamole, and salsa.

    (5)

  • Ruben G.

    We'd seen this place featured on CBS Sunday Morning a while back, an article dedicated to XOCO's hot chocolates. My wife made me promise that we'd visit on our next trip to Chicago. I'm glad we did! XOCO is not the high end, trendy spot you'd expect (having seen it on a national TV show, and with Rick Bayliss's name attached to it) - it was much more like a comfy little hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant that happens to have extraordinary hot chocolates. This was ideal for us, as we were on our way to the Cub's home opener, and weren't dressed for anything upscale. As it turned out, the huevos rancheros were outstanding! (Mind you, I learned how to eat huevos rancheros in New Mexico, home of the really authentic stuff.) For our chocolate fix, we each got the Almendrado (hot chocolate with almond milk). I'll admit I was surprised at how complex the flavors were! The next time we're in Chicago, I'll put this place high on my list for either lunch or dinner - I'd love to try some of their bigger meals.

    (4)

  • Jay S.

    Another place with long lines even though it's suppose to after lunch hours...why is everyone still here? Go back to work or shopping! Since we couldnt get into frontera grill, we decided to check this place out. The guacamole and chips, especially the chips are to die for! so good... the tortes are ver tasty and you can't go wrong. we had the choriqueso, pepito and ahogada... So yummy ....it's not your everyday Mexican food. It's Mexican food with a tasty twist.

    (4)

  • Van P.

    another vote for the churros! SO GOOD. will try it with the soft serve next time I am in town.

    (5)

  • Apolinaras S.

    It has been 3 years since the last time I was in Chicago and the 1st stop on our usual gastronomic agenda was XOCO. I believe publishers of Michelin should consider separate category for casual places. Rick should be one of the first ones to receive a star.

    (5)

  • Jon S.

    The tortas here are a little pricey but definitely worth it. I've had the Choriqueso (chorizo and poblano), Pepito (shortribs and carmelized onions), and the Cochinita Pibil (suckling pig and habanero). Of those three, my favorite is probably the Pepito but the others are close. The cochinita is very spicy (my server told me to be careful before I ate it). My eyes were watery the entire time (but it tasted so good). The staff is friendly and patient towards the patrons. When I visit Chicago, I definitely try to hit this place and usually go in the morning to try to avoid the lines.

    (5)

  • Steve Y.

    This was my first experience at a Rick Bayless restaurant. I took a few co-workers with me. We got there around 4pm so there was no line. The hostess was extremely helpful in teaching us how we get seated after ordering first and helped me pick out the favorites on the menu. The guy taking my order even gave me samples of the hot chocolates and the agua fresca. Excellent service here. I got the Passion fruit agua fresca $2.50 which was so fruity and refreshing. The carnitas caldo was a bit salty, but it had the crunch from the veggies, about 6 oz of carnitas, a few dumplings, avocado, and cilantro. I asked for it extra spicy. I could really taste the pork in the broth. I wished it came with some rice, noodles, or tortillas. We saw the next table getting some chicharrones so we ordered some, too $3.50. It had sprinkles of cilantro, lime slices, onion, and queso fresco. The lime had a huge difference and the sauce had heat (but tasted more like Cholula). We got 3 Churros $3.75 and didn't get the chocolate sauce for $1 more. We ended up meeting Daniel, the owner of The Lime Truck that won the Great Food Truck Race on FoodTV this year. He gave us his chocolate sauce for the churros, and let me taste his Pork Belly Caldo. The chocolate sauce kicked the churros into a whole new level of goodness. The Pork Belly caldo was a red broth, but a mellow pork flavor. Not spicy. I'll be back here for sure!

    (5)

  • will c.

    Some of the best tortas ever created. Better than Cook's Torta in Monterey Park, CA. Rick Bayless is a genius with his cooking style. The Ahogada is a dine-in only item and a must order item. The broth and chile sauce is a great complement to the pork carnitas. The Cubana was also an excellent choice with spicy sauce on the side. Next time I'm back in Chicago, I'll definitely try other sandwiches.

    (5)

  • Vy T.

    The food here is very consistent and the service is always good. The Ahogada is my favorite on the menu along with the lemongrass hibiscus iced tea. On the other hand, I was not very happy with the chocolate flan I ordered. I think it was over seasoned with the cinnamon on the top and the chocolate sauce was way to sweet....

    (4)

  • Annie D.

    After eating a meal and taking a walk around the city, we ran into this place that was bookmarked.. so we decided to squeeze it in while visiting Chicago.. We tried their daily special- Saturday - Goat Barbacoa: Braised goat, Oaxacan pasilla-tomatillo salsa, avocado, onions & cilantro- this was very tasty and the torta itself was good. Also tried their fish shaped churro, which was pretty good. We ordered to go, but looks like this place gets busy all the time. Food was great.

    (4)

  • Rebecca N.

    I would have given XOCO 4 stars if it wasn't for the 30 minute wait. That being said, it went during lunch time on a beautiful day--it is to be expected. I got the Chipotle Chicken sandwich which was delicious. I would have preferred if it was white meat as opposed to dark. The flavor was delicious and the bread was the perfect texture. My mom got the side salad--too boring for me, but she enjoyed that with a side of chips and guac. The guac was great; however, the salsa was a bit mild for my taste--it was very flavorful though. I would definitely come back here again and try to Vegetable Bowl.

    (3)

  • Danielle F.

    Mexican food in Chicago?! I didn't think it was possible. I've traveled enough to know that the farther you get from Mexico, the harder it is to find good Mexican food. I ordered the daily special, which was a shrimp torta with goat cheese and black beans. I also ordered the churro with chocolate dipping sauce for dessert. Everything was delicious and cooked perfectly! The churro was so sugary and sweet! Yum yum. Definitely get here early; we were lucky to not have to wait, but the line was out the door as we were leaving.

    (5)

  • Shanda S.

    I'm not going to re-tread over covered territory, but I just wanted to make sure that the historic underdog of desserts-- rice pudding-- doesn't get overlooked in all of the frenzy surrounding churros, hot chocolate and, um, food. Today, the arroz con leche is made with lime, toasted coconut, and mango. A couple of weeks ago I think that it was made with black cherries, tequila, and pure love. And it is so crazy good it actually makes 3:30 in the office (my lease favorite time of day) tolerable. More than tolerable, actually-- enjoyable.

    (5)

  • Marti M.

    Xoco is always busy and a fun and energetic atmosphere! AND they just opened up the option to ORDER ONLINE!!! :) Which is awesome and super helpful! AMELIA is a WONDERFUL help and so are all the staff and cooks! Our office orders from here at least once a week, if not twice! Big fan!!! :)

    (4)

  • Pioneer P.

    Sorry Rick Bayless... Not impressed. I was dying to try this place after several foodie/non-foodie friends recommended it, and with the Rick Bayless name behind it there was no question that I had to go. I've been a Rick Bayless fan since I was a kid watching One Plate at a Time on Channel 11 so I was really looking forward to this visit. To my dismay, the experience and food quality was just NOT up to par. After working at one of the city's River North hot spots, I understand what it is like trying to seat your tables with what is open so I was not surprised about the 20 minute wait for lunch on a Wednesday afternoon. As we were waiting for our table, the host kept asking us to move down closer to the register which made it really awkward for those that were ordering to go with us breathing down their necks behind them. Once we were finally told to order, we went to the assigned table number to find that we were sharing the table with a couple who was already in the middle of their meal. This is something that normally wouldn't bother me (again from formerly hostessing at a restaurant using the same seating practice), but the fact that there was an empty table for 4 right next to us which never got sat throughout our meal is disappointing. To start we ordered chips and guac. It was overall pretty tasty, but there was a little too much lime to my taste. Then our tortas come out, we ordered the chicken, short rib and chorizo: Presentation - not appealing. For the price of this sandwich, I expected better presentation instead of it cut in half sitting in a basket over a piece of parchment paper. And for functionality it was difficult to eat from, plain and simple. Taste - pretty bland, and not the best quality which is what set me off! At a place with this kind of prestige I expected good cuts of meat, yet the chicken was very fatty and chewy (made me want to gag, chicken fat is not the good kind...) Besides the fat it just wasn't very flavorful... we didn't even touch the other half of this torta. My short rib was really tough and dry, and the chorizo was a little too greasy. With the short rib there was pickled jalepeno on it, so I was expecting a little heat and spicyness but there wasn't any of that. Disappointing yet again. Bread could have been good. For how chewy it was the toasted top part got too hard as it cooled and scratched our mouths a little more than preferred when eating this type of bread. For all the hype I had high expectations. I understand that Xoco is trying to bring Mexican fare alive in a new way, but for the prices you pay you can do much better than Xoco with the quality of food presented to you and experience. The only positive thing I can say is that I was full after this meal. Not impressed.

    (2)

  • Joey T.

    Fantastic Mexican street food! While waiting for a table at the Frontera Grill, the wife and I took a short hop over to XOCO to check it out. First, don't expect to get a seat. You are better off enjoying it outside or in a warm hotel lobby, like we did. Second, I don't think there is a bad choice to be had here. We settled on a Churros, Cubana Tortas and a cup of classic hot chocolate. The Churros was sweet and delicious, the Cubana Tortas was succulent and although my wife didn't care too much for the hot cocoa, I enjoyed immensely. If you are looking for a quick bite or waiting on for a table at the other Rick Bayless' restaurants, stop by this jewel of a place.

    (5)

  • Marilynn L.

    I may never do you justice with mere words. Photographs convey some of the deliciousness. Talking about you in person with gestures galore helps. But what I really yearn for is the ability to fly every single person I love out to Chicago for three days so we can eat three dinners or lunches at Xoco. There's so much to order that it pained me to pick just one torta and soup and churros. The Goat Barbacoa was by far the best sandwich of any kind I've eaten. Better than Banh Mi (and I'm vietnamese!), better than Bay Cities' Godmother, just better. By far. The bread is crusty but doesn't hurt, the meat was so tender and smoky, and the sauce was addictive. The carnitas soup was the best soup I've had. Better than pho? Well, it's different, but I'd say yes. It was innovative. Little dumplings and arugula and a bright, lime-y broth were unique components but they worked perfectly together. And the churros. It can't get any better than Xoco's churros. Crispy, doughy, piping hot. I can't get enough of this place!

    (5)

  • Jared H.

    Came here on my first day in Chicago for breakfast. We were determined to eat as much Rick Bayless food as possible. It was a great start to the day. The Chorizo was amazing and the churros were excellent as well. The hot chocolate was very very chocolaty, but exactly what I was hoping for. I will definitely be here again next time I am in Chicago!

    (5)

  • Becky N.

    First off I have to say, i love Rick Bayless!! His passion for cooking really comes through in his food. After eating at Topolobampo's Top Chef tasting menu during my last trip in Chicago, I've made it a mission to try all of Bayless's restaurants. I came here for lunch on a weekday and had the Ahogada: golden carnitas, black beans, tomato broth, spicy arbol chile sauce and pickled onions. It was so delicious, especially on a chilly Chicago day. I would skip the churro next time since it tasted like it was fried in old oil. Their soft serve was just ok as well. I love visiting Chicago and will be returning to Xoco!

    (5)

  • Francesca S.

    Tortas... best place for it. There's a couple of options when ordering tortas. We decided to try the Tortas off the Griddle. Milanesa: Crispy chicken and the pickled jalepenos. There's crunch and heat with each bite. Nom nom nom! Cubana: pork loin and bacon. Definitely for the pig lovers!!! Food was made pretty quickly. Portion sizes are large. I had to take the other half home. Service is super nice and accommodating. If you are unsure with the menu they are there to explain anything. Ordered jamica too for drinks. It was refreshing and wasn't too sweet. Perfect for a hot summer day. We went here close to closing time on a Saturday night. Still the place was packed. One of the annoying things of place is parking is difficult. There's valet which is totally a life-saver had I known after driving around for 30 minutes. The place is kinda small so I can imagine the lines to sit gets pretty long. Can't make reservations so be prepared to wait. Knowing that you are getting a high-quality meal is totally worth the wait. The caldos looked really good as I saw others ordered a couple near our table. There are also pastries made in house that I have to go back and taste. The prices are wayyy reasonable than its sister restaurants next door. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Ken K.

    What we ordered: The brother: Choriqueso The girlfriend: Ahogada Me: Cochinita Pibil What we shared: Pork belly Vermicelli Churros (w/ soft serve) The verdict: First off, I should mention that I really liked the bread. Crispy, but not crack-the-roof-of-my-mouth crispy. Good bread is crucial in sandwiches and burgers. I liked the Ahogada torta the best of the three - it had the best combination of flavors. The Choriqueso was good, but not quite at the Ahogada level. And my sandwich was the most disappointing. When I read the description of "wood-roasted suckling pig," I envisioned the suckling pig I had in Peru last year (lechon). Unfortunately, this did not come with the crispy skin that I now associate suckling pig with. Therefore, my heart and stomach just did not feel satisfied. I simply did not taste anything exciting from the sandwich. Side note: I must warn you that the accompanying hot sauce is hecka spicy, so be careful. The Pork belly vermicelli was quite tasty. Maybe a bit too watered-down, but the soup hit the spot as it was pretty dang cold outside. And the pork belly in it was excellent. Finally, the churros. I had these churros during my visit prior to this last one, and I wasn't impressed at the time. I don't know if anything changed over the course of the year (probably not), but I really, really enjoyed them this time. Just the perfect amount of cinnamon sugar and just the perfect amount of crunch. Hands down, the best churro I've had. 3.5 stars

    (3)

  • Chuck L.

    I love the Bayless / Bourdain attitude that emphasizes foods that spring from a culture, which are often cheap foods, not foams and emulsions and potions. But Xoco is nothing special. We had a goat torta: the meat was not particularly distinctive, it could have been anything. Goat at birrerias is much better. The separately served sauce was good, and necessary to give the sandwich any character. The caldo was perfectly flavored but was mostly water with some meat scraps; true, this is how it is in Mexican market stalls as well, but there it doesn't cost $12 (or rather it does, given that in Mexico $ means pesos). The almond hot chocolate was strangely sour and left an aftertaste. The churros were fresh and authentic, which means we're now a step closer to diabetes. So our impressions were mixed; a commendable effort, but not worth all the hype. On a Saturday, the line was short when we arrived for lunch, and short when we left.

    (2)

  • Jeff R.

    It had been a while since I ventured back to XOCO, mainly because every time you fly out of O'Hare it's hard to avoid grabbing a torta before boarding and thus my bayless cravings are usually satisfied. A few Saturday's ago I was leaving the office and Erica and I were on our way to the gym (kind of bad timing to grab a lunch but oh well) and stopped by XOCO to grab lunch. It was noon so the line was ridiculous to dine in but I just walked up to the cashier to place my to go order (a handy tool for those on the move). I went with a chicken torta for Erica and the Saturday special of braised goat. For a number of reasons my second visit was not as memorable or tasty as my first. Getting the full experience of ordering and getting a seat and sharing some chips and guacamole is probably better than eating a sandwich out of a box in the car. Also, the tortas from XOCO are the same as all of the other Frontera outposts - the airport and now Chase Plaza in the loop - that the novelty has worn off. My goat was quite tasty though and if you add a little of the hot sauce it all comes together well. Erica's chicken was not very good though and appeared to have all the dark meat scraps instead of nice chicken pieces. Finally, it's hard to get too excited about paying $25 for two sandwiches, even if you ate in the restaurant. I still like and recommend XOCO as a fun and different spot to get tasty mexican. It's not cheap and always crowded at peak times but there's still nothing like it in the city. I wonder if XOCO will offer something different since more Bayless Tortas will be available in the loop. In any event it's different and fun and usually tasty.

    (3)

  • Jennifer S.

    My husband actually found this on Yelp before we took a trip to Chicago for a concert. I had the Cubana and my husband had the Pepito. And for dessert we had to get the yummy and fresh churros! I had it with the Mexico City Thick, and he got the Aztec. All the items we had were delicious and and we would certainly go back! (My profile picture was taken while we were there). The guacamole was perfect as were the tortilla chips that came with it. I will say that they do not have enough seating. When you place your order you will receive a number as to where you will sit. (if you want seating inside. Otherwise there are places where one can stand outside) We eventually were seated at the high counters, which was fine. It was a bit noisy as we arrived on a warm, mid afternoon on Saturday. Overall we loved what we had and though we may try another place for our next visit, it was still great.

    (5)

  • Su-Yee L.

    I've got no complaints about Xoco other than: Come to the East coast! And that's not really a complaint, just, you know, a demand... Awesome salsa and guacamole (but a bit pricey at around $7, I think) although it came with the best tortilla chips ever! Perfect thickness and totally fresh. Yum. The torta ahogada (~11) came in a delicious spicy tomato-y broth that was great for dipping your tortilla chips as well and we also had the shortrib torta (because they had run out of the day's special of al pastor! :( ) Honestly, couldn't tell you which torta I loved more. Each had that perfect crusty fresh-baked bread, which has become my ideal bread for sandwiches, and the meaty/veggie/cheesy/saucy filling just melded together so that the sandwich just tasted of delicious. What else could you ask for? Also, one churro at $1.50= best churro ever. It tastes like they put vanilla sugar or something on top too? I know it's usually cinnamon sugar but definitely tasted some vanilla which made it unique. I'd definitely come again next time I'm in Chicago!

    (5)

  • F M.

    Is it possible for service to be too good or too nice? Had a really great experience and loved the novel idea of waiting in line to order and be seated, really. We had a beer while we chatted and decided what to order. Once we were seated, the food came very quickly and the busers (they aren't technically "servers") where very attentive. Ordered the Cubano which was AMAZING and another pork sandwich that came with incredibly spicy sauce. Will definitely go back. I'm eager to try their breakfast!

    (4)

  • Sara L.

    I know, I know, I know its suppose to be wonderful and blah, blah, blah....but I am just not sold. The first time I came there wasn't a line, which is good since this place is always crowded. Tried these tortas everybody speaks of, which were okay but nothing to brag about. The second time coming was a little chaotic. A 45 minute wait to sit and atop of that crazy crowds of people who don't understand you need a table number to order. Yes, to that crazy woman tapping my shoulder I am calling you out! The only thing I really enjoy here is the churos...otherwise its over priced and overhyped. The Mexican hot chocolate everybody raves about here isn't that great, nor is the so called Mexican soft serve vanilla . Take this as the truth coming from your fav half Filipina & Mexican gal! Save your money and just go to the Mexican grocery store and just buy the Nestle Abuelita...tastes better, better quality and cheaper too!

    (2)

  • Luan N.

    "Where's my churro?!" as the party beside us ordered after and received before us. Are the words uttered by my friend's gf. Unexpected, Loud, and possessed by another soul. Bayless is actually a drug lord smuggling that Mexican cinnamon sugar crack across the border. One of my friends actually went back for those churros 6 times in one month. I tried to do an intervention, but I ended up stabbing him in the flank for not bringing me one. Anyway, tried the ahogado, milanesa, cochinita pibil, carnitas soup. All were great.

    (4)

  • Phil C.

    Got the carnitas caldo, churro, side salad and guacamole with chips. Very tasty food and bold flavors... just a little on the salty side. A very nice casual option when Frontera next door is jam packed.

    (4)

  • Marcia R.

    I was visiting from San Diego, Ca. I was raised with this food since mother is Mexican and father is Cuban, so i had high expectations. Also, we are about 10 miles from the mexican border where the authentic stuff is. Knowing that Mr. Bayless makes the food with his own twists i took that in mind. Hubby and i ordered the Ahogada torta, Cubana torta, Champurado and Churros. Both tortas were quite impressive. The salsa's were amazing and tasted just like mom's. The pork in the Cubana torta was just like the way my uncle's make it. The champurrado was the best I've ever had. The churros were good, not great. I grew up with Tijuana style churros and therefore that is why i gave the 4 stars instead of 5. We also had a Rick Bayless sighting while enjoying our food, that was neat. :)

    (4)

  • Carol W.

    I cannot get enough of this place. Tonight was my third visit and I was not disappointed. We even managed to somehow go at a time when it wasn't crowded. The place was practically empty, which was a surprise...we were planning on waiting a long time (The last time we went, we had to wait an hour). Wait or no wait, this place is worth it. Incredibly delicious food, with ingredients coming from local farms. The spanish peanuts are mouth-wateringly delicious. I love the woodland mushroom torta, and the churros are to die for - dipped in rich chocolate and mexican vanilla soft serve. Mmmmmmmm. Can it get any better? If it weren't so far from where I live, I think I would go every week.

    (5)

  • Lindsey W.

    Being a major fan of Mr. Bayless, I was disappointed when I tried Xoco. The place: The ordering process is a little funky, you stand in line to order then someone tells you what table you are going to be sat at. For a small joint I understand it's hard to get everyone in, but I really dislike being told where to sit when the place isn't crowded and I get sat next to a busy staff door. The food: Now I love trying new things, but there are some ingredients I just don't like. So when I order a torta sans one ingredient (which I asked if they would even do, or if I should order something else) I expect it not to be on my torta at all. When it came out, the woman even confirmed- it was sans item. However, upon looking at my torta it appears that it had been pre-made and then the item had been scrapped off. Which isn't the same to me as not being on there, especially when said item was beans. So don't expect them to be fresh or made-to-order at all. That being said, the prices were also steep for what you get. The best part about it were the churros which I would come back and order- but that's about it. I'll take the hour+ wait at Frontera to get the good stuff any day.

    (1)

  • Allison M.

    The churros are to die for! I prefer the tortas (especially the pork belly torta) over the soups. I always get a agua del dia which is usually some type of cucumber and lime drink. LOVE XOCO.

    (5)

  • Charlotte T.

    While waiting in line at X0C0 (Thursday at 700pm), my friends and I began joking about the odds of Rick Bayless actually being in the kitchen plating our food. We worked our way through the line, ordered food and drinks and found our way to a table. Near the end of our delicious, worth-the- wait tortas, my friend nudged me and directed my attention toward the food prep line. There was Rick Bayless. He was on the line helping to plate food! It would have been a lovely dinning experience on its own, but the Bayless sighting really put it over the top. XOCO is a great urban dinning experience- the small space has communal tables so you might find yourself dinning with new friends in addition to the old. It gets crowded and the beers could be cheaper, but the food is good and the churros with ice cream dip are even better!

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    This is one of my new favorite places to eat. Churros with chocolate are amazing and the milanesa torta is to die for! I'm not a torta fan but this place hit the spot. Can't wait to go again!

    (5)

  • Michael B.

    I love this place. Great sandwiches, but it is pricey! May not be the best place for groups being that seating is limited and most in bar style. Seating is tough even with two people, but with a decent line you are usually able to get seated before your food is done.

    (5)

  • L M.

    Can't help it, I love Rick Bayless and I love this place. I always get the milanesa torta. It can do no wrong. About half the time I get chips and guac. Great stuff. Love all the agua frescas, I've tried many flavors. Had the churros a few times. They are good but not really my thing. Also had one of the hot chocolates, didn't love the one I chose. Love that they do takeout now, but once in awhile I wait in line and eat at the restaurant. Still waiting to bump into Rick!

    (5)

  • Taz M.

    Went here for the Aztec hot chocolate - it was less than OK - I'm a fan of chili/spice in chocolate, but something just tasted off. Also, their system for to-go orders is a total cluster. Definitely going back for the food - menu looked awesome.

    (3)

  • Reb R.

    Hands down the best churros con chocolate I've ever had (beats Madrid's infamous Chocolateria)! The churros come crispy with the best cinnamon sugar and the chocolate is divine! My friend and I also shared a torta-of-the-day and it was delicious! The limonada is a little sour for my taste, but definitely worth trying. The mexican hot chocolate were delicious as well! We tasted the Aztec (chile and chocolate) and Almondrado, and both were smooth and delicious. We went in around 4p-5p and there was no line. The service was fast and they were friendly about seating us in the right location.

    (4)

  • Emmy M.

    There are already over 1,200 reviews of this place, and I'm just as crazy about Xoco as everyone else, so I'll keep this short! I've had the Cubana and Choriqueso tortas, the seafood caldo, churros, and champurrado hot chocolate and all have been outstanding. The DUCK SOUP they have right now though (the special Winter caldo) is absolutely to-die-for. Very large, succulent pieces of duck, deliciously roasted winter root vegetables, plentiful strips of poblano peppers, a very complex and tasty broth, and (this is my favorite part) it's topped with these crunchy strips of beets that I reeeeally need to figure out how to make at home. I just posted a picture of the soup. It is the best thing to get at the restaurant right now, before it turns to Spring.

    (4)

  • Laura G.

    Went to Xoco the other night for the first time on a Thursday at around 7:30. No wait. My friend ordered the pork belly caldo, which was a delicious soup filled with veggies and perfectly cooked pork . It had spicy complex flavors and very different than any other soup we've eaten before. I ordered the chicken milanesa sandwich, which was very tasty and spicy as well. It was really big; I only ate half and wrapped up the other half to go. The guac and salsas were fresh, but expensive ($6.25) for a small portion. Definitely a good quick and impressive spot in the River North area!

    (4)

  • Aboud Y.

    Had a hefty dose of XOCO today making significant inroads to their menu. I tried the chicharones, pigs feet, goat barbocoa, Cochinita Pibil, and of coarse the much celebrated Ahogada. Throw in some hot chocolate, horchata, and the tastiest churros I've ever sampled anywhere and I had to loosen the belt a notch. Everything was well executed and mostly tasty (except the chicharones which were universally loathed by everyone at our table). All that said, I don't think I could bring myself to return unless there's a day when I don't have to stand in line for a Caldo or Torta. Can't see that happening anytime soon...

    (3)

  • M S.

    Great place for very tasty Mexican inspired eats. I would not hesitate to go back or recommend it to anyone visiting Chicago. The vibe was certainly good and hosts/employees and even guests were awesome (a lady shared chips with us). It was really awesome.

    (4)

  • Taylor J.

    Delicious food and very reasonable prices. I got the goat barbacoa and we ended up splitting an order of churros. Love that they source from local farms. The line was a little ridiculous, but nothing unmanageable for determined eaters. Would love to come back here and try everything else on the menu!

    (4)

  • Selin D.

    I've had better Mexican but this was with a twist. All the dishes surrounding us was tempting and that's always the best part, you want to come back to try what she/he had. The service was quick and I felt quite pressured to leave. The servers were clearing/cleaning before we even left the table. It's a small place that can get crowded so it's a lot of squeezing through stools. Other than that, worth a try! I'll be back for sure, but most probably during slow times of the day. I don't like eating under pressure.

    (3)

  • Roger A.

    Went to Chicago to do some work with short notice. Xoco was consistently recommended by all our foodie friends & colleagues, and being suckers for mexican food we went here right away. Although suffering from a serious jetlag and a rough day it was a fantastic experience. No surprise it was busy on a friday night - but even waiting to be seated is a pleasure over here (thanks to the selection of great beers and friendly service). Never had a Caldo before - but Xoco's will stay on my list of great soups for a long time.

    (5)

  • Jason R.

    Really good place for breakfast with a bit of energy and latin feel, and the food is very plentiful. We wanted to try a few things and walked out stuffed. The Choriso sandwich was awesome. I really like the Churros with chocolate sauce, but wish they would have brought it last instead of first. The Open face was OK, but the the egg whites were a bit runny.

    (4)

  • Jaime G.

    Love Rick and the lengths he goes thru to serve quality food and drink. Great Mexican inspired food with beautiful flavors meshed well together. Loved the tortas but not crazy about the hard bread. Also tried the huevos rancheros but I think the ones at Nuevo Leon has him beat. Great the craft beer selection. Pricey but worth it for the quality of the food. Only 4stars for the effort but could easily turn to 5.

    (4)

  • Annette V.

    Stopped at XOCO for an evening snack during a trip to Chicago and was floored by how excellent such fast, simple could be. Churros were ordered and enjoyed by all - absolute sugary, cinnamon-y, fried deliciousness. My boyfriend ordered the chipotle chicken torta, which he absolutely raved about. Solid spot for a quick bite!

    (4)

  • Dana S.

    SO AMAZING!!! We got the Pepito torta and the Carnitas caldos. Both were pretty spicy (especially the soup!), which we were more than happy about. The carnitas in the soup managed to stay crispy, even while sitting in the broth. We were able to make the experience a quick and easy one by getting in the take-out line and taking the food back to our hotel nearby. Based on the eat-in line, I'm pretty sure we saved about an hour doing it this way, so if you're in a rush, take note!

    (5)

  • Steph C.

    After a 10:00 breakfast at Hooiser Mama and an 11:30 lunch at Topolobampo, Michael K. and I had no business stopping in XOCO for an extra dessert. We did it anyway. Obviously. It was a short visit, so this will be a short review. We just wanted a little taste of XOCO as long as we were on the Rick Bayless block, having checked out and checked off the more expensive restaurants. We shared a single churro with sides of hot chocolate sauce and Mexican vanilla soft serve. The churro came a la carte and the sides were probably more expensive than they should have been. No matter. That was an awesome churro. It looked kind of pale, but one bite revealed it was fried to golden perfection, with a crunchy crust leading into chewy dough insides. Not too sugary, but definitely sweet, it went well with the dark hot chocolate sauce, which was decidedly unsweetened. This was lush, rich chocolate, with a slow viscosity and a thick, smooth texture. If I were hungrier, I would have eaten it with a spoon. The Mexican vanilla soft serve was also great, though less suited to the churros. It had a nice creamy texture and a pure vanilla bean flavor that made it more interesting than your proverbial vanilla. Next time I'm in Chicago, I will come back to try the tortas and caldos, which looked so wickedly tempting even to our food-clogged eyes. I gave a lot of money to Sr. Bayless on this trip, but XOCO's churro was one of the best things he fed me, at the most affordable price.

    (5)

  • Steve B.

    Whenever people ask what I would want to have in my perfect meal, I always have a hard time coming up with a definitive answer. However without a doubt, my perfect meal, last meal, meal if no calories existed, whatever hypothetical you want to pose, would definitely feature XOCO's hot chocolate. Damn. Wow. Holy sh!t! The hot chocolate here is perfect. Thick consistency. Sweet but not cloying. Rich and full chocolate taste. Slightly acidic/tannic. If you order the Aztec you get some heat to boot. I also split the soft-serve with salted caramel and bacon maple streussel which was equally delicious. While the tortas and caldas are undoubtedly sublime, coming here with my girlfriend just for dessert made for a great end to our evening out downtown. If you see the line looks too long during dinner time, try coming back for dessert. You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Evan K.

    I came here a couple of weeks ago with some friends, and the food was very good. The tortas are very delicious, and I would definitely go back. Also, I would recommend an order or two of churros with chocolate to go with your meal. The food all tastes very fresh, and the flavors can't be beat. I'm looking forward to going again sometime and trying some of the other menu items. The soups also looked very good. The only thing about this place that was kind of confusing that I didn't really think was necessary was the way in which they take orders and do seating. They want to assign you specific seats, but yet they also want you to place your order at the front counter. With the way the system works, they basically won't allow you to place your order and make you stand in line until they have seats to assign you. This means that you could be standing in line to place your order for kind of a long time. There were three of us when I went, and they kept telling us we'd have to keep waiting, because they didn't have space for three, only two. They had us stand in front of the counter at the front of the line to wait to order until there were seats for us. So, we didn't lose our place in line, but at the same time, there probably was a party of two in line behind us that could have ordered and been seated ahead of us. Basically, I think their ordering and seating system could use some adjustments, but the food is amazing. They have an option where you can order the food to go, in which then there is a separate place where you can place your order and you don't have to wait. Whatever you decide to order here, do yourself a favor and get an order of churros and chocolate sauce to go with it.

    (4)

  • Christina B.

    Being from Texas, I know a thing or two about tortas: they are delicious. XOCO hit the nail on the head with their tortas, caldos, and churros (though I only tried a torta and a churro, the soups DID look amazing). Waiting in line to order was not very fun, but once we did we were able to sit and quickly got our food, which was surprising because everything was hot, fresh and delicious. I got the Milanesa, which was incredible though a bit chewy for my tastes. Not much in the way of veg options, but meat eaters and spicy food lovers will rejoice here.

    (4)

  • Lavina D.

    I read about this in Food & Wine magazine and marked it on my list. Then, Neelam P. recommended it to me as well. I figured if 2 sources were telling me to go, it's legit. Funny enough I was staying walking distance to Xoco - it's a sign! OK, on to the more important part - the amazing food. SO SO SO GOOD! I ordered the mushroom torta with goat cheese. Perfect combo of flavors- the salsa they give you on the side is yum too (and you can get a spicy one!). It wasn't crowded when we went which was a bonus, got a table to sit at no problem. And for dessert? Churros con chocolate! Growing up in Miami and spending a lot of time in Spain(and studying there) allows me to be a churro connoisseur. The churros here are delicious! It's hard to find a good one up here. They need to franchise this place - or I should. We tried going back for breakfast on Sunday morning (churros for breakfast, duh!) but they were closed - next time I will check that ahead of time.

    (5)

  • Christine F.

    This is a review of the chilaquiles only (in general, I give Xoco five stars, and it is one of my very favorite places to eat in Chicago). The chilaquiles are very nice. They are presented in a little cast iron dish and sprinkled with the traditional raw onions and cilantro. Could be crunchier... so four stars here.

    (4)

  • Hari R.

    Mr. Bayless, I love your work. I wanted to love XOCO, too... I really did. But it just didn't live up to my own hype. I tried the enchiladas and the sope, and they both just didn't meet my expectations. Not salty enough? The fillers not filling enough? The cheese not tender enough? Perhaps I read too much about it before going. Perhaps it was the fact that I had to wait in line for a very long time to even order my food - thus making me overly excited to delve into what I thought would be a fireworks inducing meal. Perhaps every other item on the menu is delicious and I just picked the wrong plates. Whatever the case, I was disappointed by my first experience here. It will not, however, prevent me from going again. I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, the purity of the ingredients, and just the sheer dedication involved in putting together such a vast menu. I'm still a believer, Mr. Bayless, and I shall support your restaurants 'til the end. For now, I'll keep my stomach occupied with the corner hole-in-the-wall.

    (3)

  • Kevin W.

    Was disappointed when I saw the torta come out - girth was fine, but length less than I'm used to deepthroating. But turned out to be surprisingly filling. The Pepito is no ito. No, hay Pappi que rico! The braised short rib meat inside was delicious and high quality with just the right amount of caramelized onions to complement, plus that fantastic dark green chimichurri-ish dipping sauce. Satiation. A previous time I got the carnitas soup which was delicious (tortas more filling tho). Great for Atkins diets if u take out the handful of lil chicken dumplings. Will def try other tortas and soups here.

    (5)

  • Robert C.

    So much wanted to love this. Fan of the other Bayless outlets, and totally a Mexican street food junkee after years of working in Mexico and Grammas cooking growing up...BUT - Pozole was WAY salty. Could not believe it. Cold night in Chicago, so the warmth was welcoming, but not satisfying or up to the expectations of a Bayless joint Worse yet - with most of the soup uneaten - not even a remote blink from staff about whether the food was off mark... A clear warning sign that moving from quality eats next door to quasi fast food is leaving the service experience flat...I hope not.

    (2)

  • Cecilia N.

    This is the spot in Chicago for a DELICIOUS, beautiful meal. This was the first stop for my boyfriend and me during a weekend trip to Chicago, and it was the best meal of our stay. Seriously, everything was downhill from here. Xoco was so crowded, even during off hours on a Saturday, but there is order to it all. While we waited in line and deliberated on what to order, the host gave us a number and found us a place to sit once we were done ordering. We went all out for this meal. I got the ahogada, and my boyfriend for the goat barbacoa, which was the special for the day. They were both great dishes, but I kind of wish the goat meat was in my sandwich. The tomato-based sauce of the ahogada was out of this world. We indulged in the fresh made guacamole with the works, and we definitely enjoyed the margaritas. Those margaritas were expensive but tasty. We capped it all off with churros with a chocolate shot on the side. We were so full after this meal, but luckily the place was in a good location and we took in the sites afterwards to digest a bit. To top it all off, Rick Bayless himself made an appearance. He came in to taste EVERYTHING to make sure it was up to snuff. So amazing.

    (5)

  • R W.

    Until recently, I would have only given this place four stars because despite the great food, the service always struck me as a little disorganized. Tonight however, my boyfriend and I were treated to a couple drinks and churros on the house for our longer-than-usual wait by the extremely friendly and responsible manager/host. Seeing us confused by the table number/waiting system, he immediately took our orders himself and seated us. After apologizing for our wait, he promptly then brought us some hot churros, iced mint chocolate, and a really delicious watermelon spritzer drink on the house! We had a great time. Not to mention, the tortas are divine. The bread is toasted just right, and that chipotle mayo just gets me every time. We were only sorry we weren't able to thank the manager/host properly on the way out. So if you see this, thank you!!! We hope to come back again soon now that we live in the area.

    (5)

  • Amy D.

    I have been raving about this place to my boyfriend since we started dating. It was this time last year, right after seeing the river get dye for St. Patty's Day, I took him to check this place out. It was a bit chilly that day, especially since we weren't intoxicated like 80% of the Chicagoan that Saturday, so how were we going to warm up? My solution was XOCO! One word - Ahogada! This hearty pork carnitas sandwich sits in a warm tomato base broth. Toasty on the outside, soft on the inside. It warmed us up instantly. They also have daily specials and on Saturday, it was the Goat Barbacoa. Although the barbacoa came with a salsa, my boyfriend couldn't help but to dunk the sandwich into the tomato broth. This broth is addicting! He nearly licked it clean. Two sandwiches and some chips with guac, and we were a couple of happy campers. Too bad this time around, I didn't order the churros because I had a wedding to be in the following month. I still regret not getting it til this day! Well, don't be like me, screw that diet and just go for it. Order the churros with a shot of chocolate. You will thank me later. No joke people this is the real deal. All I have to say is once that warm churro with that chocolate hits your mouth, heaven.....

    (5)

  • Jonah K.

    I was expecting a better version of Frontera that you get at O'Hare, but it's the same pretty much. The wait was longer to get my togo order. The staff was very nice. Overall decent spot for good torta.

    (3)

  • Megan S.

    All the food is good but I definitely go for the Churros and the incredible dipping chocolate!

    (4)

  • Shindanee K.

    The churros: Warm, crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside dipped in their chocolate sauce....deeeeeeelicious. The sandwiches are excellent as well but the churros are what keep bringing me back.

    (5)

  • Anne R.

    This place was amazing! I grabbed a quick lunch from here and the baja chicken sandwhich exceeded my expectations! Plus the churros were so fresh. NEED TO GO BACK!

    (5)

  • Mario M.

    Rick Payless. I went here with my girlfriend at the time , had to wait for a ridiculous amount time . Food was pretty OKAY , they have a vegan menu which was cool and interesting and hip; I get it. The beer selection was note-able. The sandwich Woodland Mushroom: I got however was lacking. Xoco is supposed to be Spanish street food , it is but it's quite over priced

    (3)

  • Keith C.

    Great fast and easy Mexican spot for lunch located right next to Rick Bayless' other 2 restaurants. I love how you can choose multiple pairings with the guac which is prepared fresh. A little more salt and lime would have taken the guac to another level but the avocados that they use are very fresh. I had read a lot of things about the Ahogada sandwich and decided to try it out. I didn't realize that it came in a light tomato soup as well which was pleasantly surprising. I will definitely be coming back to try the other sandwiches on the menu because the Ahogada was fantastic. My only gripe is with the seating. When you walk in, you tell a waitress how many people are in your group, then she gives you a table number. You then order your food, pay and then try to find your table number which can be really tricky due to the layout of the dining area. I ended up getting seated along one of the walls with a small marble counter top. There wasn't a lot of space for all my food when it arrived and it was pretty cramped.

    (4)

  • Ginny M.

    We ate there for lunch and it was excellent! Another hit for Rick Bayless. I had the weekly special, which was the pork belly sandwich with bacon, arugula, zucchini and quest anejo. My friend had the ahogada sandwich. Both were delicious. For starters, we ordered the sikil pak, which is a pumpkin seed dip served with jicima, cucumbers and tortilla chips.

    (5)

  • Jen C.

    They said their signature sandwich is the ahogada torta, so that's what I got, along with the pistachio churro, in an order to go. I saw a box come out soon after I ordered, thinking it was someone else's order, but it was my churro! Didn't realize this until someone packed it with my torta 12 min later, and I was sad, because the churro tasted like it would've been amazing if they gave me the box right away and I ate it right away... The torta comes with a dipping jus that you can order different levels of spicy. I went with medium even though I'm not great with spice because I figured I could adjust by dipping more/less. The medium definitely had a kick but was perfect for me. That dipping jus is really tasty and a perfect complement to the already tasty sandwich. Will have to come back for a fresh churro, maybe another dessert, and another torta. And the chicharrones. And one of the bowls. Yeah ok I'll have to come back with a group and share.

    (4)

  • Jacob J.

    So with the numerous; numerous reviews popping up on my Yelp home-screen from Yelp friends that had reviewed wonderful experiences at Xoco, so was I, thrilled at the possibility of having a divine Mexican meal at Xoco. Two dined on a weekday morning. Which by the way is the best time to try the restaurant without a significant wait time. (I hate waiting these days and would skip a venue altogether if it's longer than fifteen minutes. Life is short, okay!) And we were able to score street parking around the corner within feet of their front door. So we ordered a couple items for sharing, got the Xoco chocolate (which she said tasted just like the stuff served in Mexico - ding!) Food portions were minuscule for the cost. I remember wondering whether I'd ordered the child portion of the chilaquiles. Beyond the chocolate drink, I wasn't much impressed with any of the food or the churros! (and lemme tell ya, I like a good churros.) ((I think I stopped somewhere for a burger afterward. )) So many people with great experiences and what did I miss? Was there a special ordering algorithm or should-st I have dined with a group of people? Anytime I've mentioned this experience to friends, I get the "stink eye," like, how DARE YOU talk ILL of Rick Bayless! He didn't make my food, his peeps did and I wasn't too crazy about it. Nor have I ventured back. I'm not closed off to it. Maybe I'll peruse Instagram photos searching for the right items to order.. Or you (reader) could invite me to join you on your tasting adventure with friends. I'm cool with sharing plates.

    (3)

  • Cynthia C.

    I really was excited to come here and perhaps my expectations were too high but needless to say-I was extremely disappointed. My daughter and I arrived at 8am on a Saturday and luckily it was just getting busy. I ordered a huevo con chorizo torta and cafe con leche. My teenager had their french toast with this "authentic"hot chocolate I kept reading about on Yelp. Plus we did order 3 churros with chocolate dipping sauce. My daughter tried her french toast and had to spit it out onto her napkin. Her hot chocolate was so thick and sweet-she could bare to drink it. The churros were hard-they could not have been fresh.They were already sweet and yet I was supposed to dip them in chocolate sauce? My sandwich was so bland that I took literally 2 bites and i was done. There was no way I was going to force myself to eat that. The service-truly disappointed. There wasn't a happy or friendly person there. Almost as if they were bothered by my daughter and myself. I asked the waitress if we could get a couple glasses of water (since my daughter could barely swallow the thick hot chocolate) and she said "its right over there-it's self serve". Really?? The correct way to have handled that request would to have said, "Sure. Give me one second. Is there anything else you need?". I spent almost $40 for bland food and communal seating- we were probably there a good 15 minutes and walked right out. Will I go back? Definitely not.

    (1)

  • Michael S.

    This is probably the best meal I had in Chicago. I never like spending a ton of money to get good food. For less than $12 I had the best bowl of soup of my life. It was the four bean seasonal soup and the flavor was so complex and tasty that I'll never forget it. And the portion size was substantial. Even though this is a casual restaurant, someone greets you at the door and makes sure that you get a menu and get in line in the right place. I appreciate that kind of consideration. And we were lucky enough to even see Rick Bayless behind the line. We'll be back for breakfast before we leave town.

    (5)

  • Claudy C.

    Great service and place. Ordered the churros and they are tasty. I needed to charge my phone and the server changed me to another table with a wall plug. Will give it 5 stars when I try the entrées.

    (4)

  • Rose L.

    Nice spot with yummy eats. We tried the bacon popcorn, sandwiches and the churros. All were tasty. It's good food made fresh in a low key setting.

    (4)

  • Vy T.

    I came here for the dessert, specially the pistachio churro. I stopped by and ordered it to go. it was around $2.50. They make it fresh to order and it came out nice and hot. I opened up my to-go box, and was surprised to see the presentation. They boxed it the way it would look on a plate! It was love at first bite. It was warm and crispy, the perfect churro consistency. But the sauce and crushed pistachios was amazing!!! It was the best churro I've ever had, including the churros in SD, which are fried in front of me. So, yes, I got back in line...but I ordered the tres leches cake. I figured, if the churro was this good, their other desserts must be too. I was right! The tres leches cake was sooo moist!! But the sauce once again was what made this dish! It was a mint and mango cake!! Need I say more? I'm seriously drooling just thinking about their dessert. If you get the chance, run here and try their amazing desserts. If I ever come back to Chicago, this will be one of my first stops.

    (5)

  • Lacey H.

    We went just for dessert. So glad we did! The Mexican thick hot chocolate was amazing! I also loved the pecan shortbread cookie. Service staff was pleasant....especially the host.

    (5)

  • Elyse G.

    I cant conceive of a worse concept or dining experience! Latin music absolutely raging, horrible boiled chicken soup, confusing path to getting a table and taking your order and overpriced. I couldnt wait to leave. If you want to relax dont go here. No tacos either- just some aweful looking carb loaded bread sandwiches and bad soup. $18 for soup tea and chips staring at a wall in a horrible dining area of just wall lined shelf tables. Really not good.

    (1)

  • Richard H.

    Had a good Lunch.... Great Food! Margarita's are very expensive and you do not get much for your Money. Other than that, a good place for some good food.

    (3)

  • Amy C.

    While you will not have the best sit down restaurant experience of your life here, you will have AMAZING food. It may take awhile to get food and table so don't go if you are in a hurry! You wait in a cafeteria style line to order and they then seat you communal style at small tables and counters. The food was beyond my expectations. I ordered the Milanesa sandwich and it was full of flavor and I wish I had room for dessert!

    (5)

  • Ace R.

    The food was decent but not great. We had the beef short rib torta and were not impressed. Location is pretty cramped inside and this place gets packed. Desert on the other hand was actually pretty good. We had hazelnut as well as pistachio glazed churros and if I come back it will definitely be for that. They serve intelligentsia coffee which is an added bonus.

    (3)

  • Sam S.

    Xoco is consistently excellent.

    (5)

  • Vaibhav V.

    THEIR DESSERTS! My friend and I came to Xoco on a Saturday evening and were given a table immediately. As one of the more casual restaurants of Rick Bayless, the restaurant stil has a very intriguing menu with a guacamole bar, tortas, bowls, and more. Milanesa Torta: 4/5 -- A flavorful sandwich filled with chicken, beans, jalapaneos, jack cheese, cabbage, and avocado salsa. Excellent but still pricey with the ten bucks. Did not find it anything amazing. Churros: 4.5/5 -- These churros were warm, crunchy, not-too-sweet, and with the perfect amount of cinnamon and sugar. Chocolate: 3/5 -- The shot of chocolate that came with the churros was too bitter for my liking. But if it's strong bitterness you like in your chocolates, go nowhere else. Hazelnut Glazed Churro: 5/5 -- I will be coming here for their glazed churros for a long time to come. Everything great about the regular churro plus a perfect glaze. Flan: 5/5 -- Topped with kettlecorn (yes, kettlecorn), the flan was another amazing dessert. Delicate and smooth, it's simple yet executed to perfection. With so many other dessert options to try (I'm looking at you, tres leches), I'm most definitely coming back!

    (4)

  • Nicola S.

    very good mexican street food. we had sandwiches, guacamole, salad. all good. service is amazingly poor though. unacceptable, we got in enthusiastic, got out mad at the people.

    (2)

  • Tess K.

    Amazing Wild Mushroom Tortas and desserts!!! Loved the Churro! And the tres Leches was so yum.

    (4)

  • Steph F.

    To be honest, I only bookmarked this place for their hot chocolate and churros but ended up loving their food here. Before coming here, I read about their bean to cup hot chocolate. Apparently, they are the only place in Chicago with their own bean to cup chocolate program and that's what I wanted to try before I left. I came here for dinner with my friends. You order and pay first and then are seated as you wait for your food. Don't worry, order your dessert first and it will come out when you ask for it after you're done eating. I ordered the Ahogada (a Mexican sandwich with golden pork carnitas that comes in a tomato-arbol chile broth). The sandwich was very tasty and I loved being able to dip it into the broth. For dessert, we tried the almond chocolate and Mexican City chocolate drinks. Both were very good and went well with our regular churro and pistachio churro. I'd definitely come back again for the food and dessert. I'd love to try the coffee and chocolate drinks as well as their pastries.

    (4)

  • Lillian C.

    I was sorely disappointed with this restaurant. I was in a rush to get between the Dreihaus and Art Institute on my last day in Chicago to get some sight seeing done before I had to head back to the airport tomorrow. I flipped open Yelp, saw Xoco nearby, and believe I heard good things about it from other sources so I headed in that direction. Also note that I walked past a Chipotle to get here and that I only went here under the impression service was speedy. First of all, let me say that the service system is a hot mess. You walk in. You must specify whether you're dining in or carrying out as there are two different counters for that. When you're dining in, you are assigned a number you must remember. The hostess did not specify why I had a seat number, I just did. Was I 120 in line? Was I supposed to find seat 120? Should I wait until this number is called? I promptly forget my number after staring at the menu, great. A new seat awaits (I swear I am not forgetful, I was just overwhelmed and mildly dyslexic)! You order up front with your number apparently and go find the hostess again, and give her your number so she can show you your seat. Why didn't you just give me a placard with the number like a normal fast casual restaurant is beyond me. It was clearly inefficient because I saw the runner just approaching random people with the wrong food, and looking confused. I'm completely surprised with this terrible system because Bayless grew up in the industry, he should know this is a hot mess. It was as annoying as trying to get service at a genius bar in a crowded Apple store before a phone release. The best thing here I've tried was the hibiscus tea. And it better be at $3 a glass! It essentially tastes like starbucks passion tea lemonade. If you like passion tea lemonade, you like hibiscus tea. With my delicious hibiscus tea, I ordered the carne asada torta special and the chicharones. The chicharones look bangin' on yelp and all of the tortas look pretty legit so I thought I couldn't go wrong (especially with ordering a special which should be a "highlight" on a menu!) I got my chicharones pretty quickly but once you get past the first layer of hot sauce and onions it gets pretty burdensome. They didn't add enough toppings and only dressed the top layer so the rest is just plain old pork rinds. I felt like my rinds were rancid tasting too- maybe that's how they're "supposed" to taste, I'm not a huge pork fan, but any other time I had pork rinds they didn't taste like this. I continue eating them anyways because I was starving and patiently waiting for my entree to come out. 30+ minutes in, I figured they lost my order because I'm watching people who clearly just walked in get fed. I inquire, and they look confused and consult with a bunch of other people (they even had to ask if I had a receipt to show that I actually ordered a sandwich - no I came here to slowly eat pork rinds and not eat real food for 45 minutes! ) They try to comp with some free chips but honestly I could not be bothered to wait around any longer for chips. Now why I actually rated this coveted restaurant a 2/5 was the fact that my Mexican food was bland. as. hell. Holy crap. No flavor express. I regret so hard not going to chipotle within one bite of my carne asada torta. No spice, no salt, barely any acidity. The salsa just tasted of roasted tomatillo and nothing else. The chimichurri just tasted like watered down, blended parsley. This is the type of Mexican food you'd feel safe serving at a old folk's home because it's so inoffensive and flavorless if you blindfolded them they'd swear it came from Subway. Everything you would ever want from Mexican food is missing. I paid over $20 for this meal and Taco Bell could out-flavor this joint (lesson earned: don't pay $20 for Mexican food unless it's sizzling fajitas). Maybe if my sandwich had an ample amount of juicy, premium carne asada I'd say that'd make up for it, but gosh, even that was bland. Do they even season the meat? Are they aware of what salt is? Is there a lime shortage? I've been on a one week flavor adventure in Chicago and Iowa and by and large, this was the worst meal I had the entire time. Skip, skip, skip. Save yourself the disappointment. I've definitely had worse meals and worse service (thus why it's not a 1) but my god, I would had much rather been eating at Chipotle.

    (2)

  • Richard O.

    I love the ambience in this place..although the food i had was a little salty for my taste my Latino friend says it is quite good for him...the service is wonderful and the people was helpful...the taste is different from my California taste but that is a welcome difference...

    (4)

  • Jorvik Z.

    SO MUCH FLAVOR!!!!!! Ordered Milanesa torta , very impressed with its abundant flavors and incredible textures. I would order more!

    (5)

  • Audriana V.

    My favorite guac in the city. Delicious vegetarian/vegan options! This place falls right in the middle of a casual restaurant and fast food because it's counter service but with restaurant quality food. Old standby for sure.

    (5)

  • Jeana C.

    So I thought Xoco was fancier than it was in actuality. You know, with servers who served you at your table. I was wrong. Xoco is more like a brunch place with a lot of sandwich options. You walk in and you order your food at the counter. You then sit somewhere where someone will bring you your food. My friends and I all loved our sandwiches and the guacamole with everything in it. The guacamole was definitely something different as it had everything from pork skin to sunflower seeds. Awesome.

    (4)

  • Hunter H.

    System to get table number before you order your food is confusing and doesn't seem efficient or customer oriented. Paid sit down restaurant prices for what felt like a quick lunch experience. Food is good but not spectacular. My sandwich came floating in tomato soup even though the menu said nothing about that. If I had wanted tomato soup it would have been a pleasant surprise but I didn't. Not planning on going back any time soon.

    (2)

  • Cherpumple F.

    Rick Bayless may be the Lidia Bastiannich of Mexican food, but he does it well here at XOCO. Save yourself time and moolah and head over to this small torta spot, complete with EtOH (Chicago brews, vinos) and churros and Mexican hot chocolate. Chips and salsa are what made me dock a point. Friends, I want some piping hot chips, not lame-o-I-can-buy-this-overpriced-Frontera-Grill-­brand-at-Whole-Foods chips. The tortas are legit though. Delicious crusty bread and great service, you'll be glad you sought out this spot in an otherwise busy touristy part of town!

    (4)

  • Amy H.

    I give it a 3.5. This place is a solid one to go to if you dont want like a fancyish place and you just wanna chill. This was lunch number two so splitting was necessary. 1) Red Ceviche- This was pretty good. The seafood was yummy and those legit pieces of avocado. nommm. Quite tiny cuz we split with a total of 6 people. 2) Porkish Sandwich- Bloop. The meat was meh so you definitely need the sauce for it. Not really impressed so I would pass. 3) Churros- Each one was $2.25 and of course I tried all three. Pistachio was pretty legit and I loved that sauce. My favorite was the hazelnut because it tasted like Ferrero Rocher and nommmmm. The one I was most excited about was the chocolate with peanut but that was just wrong. It friggin tasted like alcohol but they said it was because it was more dark chocolate tasting. I swear it tasted like alchy. NO like. I dont think I would repeat and go to this place

    (4)

  • Brad W.

    The Saturday morning enchiladas are awesome! Loved the chocolate and coffee. Very unusual.

    (5)

  • NAmrata K.

    Over-rated for vegetarian options. I have tried all the veggie options on the menu, not a fan of any. Will not be going again.

    (2)

  • JJ S.

    Appreciated the flavors, but for the price there was a lot of bread and not enough filler . Had the Ahbogada and Woodland Mushroom Tortas. The Ahbogada sauce was everything it's cracked up to be though.

    (3)

  • Michael R.

    Couldn't find a thing wrong with breakfast.....Chilliquellies were outstanding and was the best rancheros I have ever had

    (5)

  • Jon B.

    XOCO has become one of my go to lunch spots since I started working in the area. I love the Tortas, and have tried probably half of them, all are delicious. I guess I would say the bread is pretty hard but other than that they all have incredible flavor and fresh ingredients. For the tortas sandwiches I would give the place 4.5 stars. Why 2 stars on this review then? I had to write this after having another bad experience with the place. On two separate occasions I came to the restaurant and ordered a torta to go. Both times I waited 25+ minutes for a sandwich which is ridiculous. I noticed there were a couple other very large orders for delivery being prepared and I guess I understood why it would take so long so I would cut them some slack. Today I had a hankering for a hot sandwich and decided to order one online so that I could pick it up, avoid the wait and have a torta during lunch. I ordered the sandwich at 11:15, got to XOCO at 11:30 and told the woman my name. She looked at the to go orders and said it'll be just a minute. 20 minutes later I'm still standing there, furious. I walk back up to the counter and tell her I ordered one torta over 30 minutes ago. She looks at the counter, finds my cold sandwich and asks me why I didn't check in with her....... I ALREADY HAD! I looked at her dumbfounded and explained, she handed me the sandwich and said, "my bad." I also paid extra for extra cheese and my torta came with no cheese. I didn't notice this until I was already back at my office, already very angry over what had just happened. I paid almost $15 for a cold sandwich with no sides. That's absurd. XOCO, you really need to step up the customer service. The food is delicious but this is not how you run a restaurant.

    (2)

  • Tym P.

    As a longtime customer to this restaurant, I feel obligated to explain my disappointment with how far downhill this place has fallen. Out of my past 5 visits, only 1 was without problems. Multiple times my carry out order has been prepared incorrectly or without effort. Last time I ate in the restaurant, I waited for 40 minutes and finally discovered that they had forgotten to make my order. My most recent visit will be my last. I ordered a chicken sandwich that literally consisted of 10% chicken, 20% arugula, and 70% bread, nowhere near the standards of my earlier visits. Also, I paid $7.00 for an "order" of guacamole, which apparently now equates to 8 chips worth (see attached image,) unlike the previous large serving size. It saddens me to say I will never eat here again because I used to love it so much, but the standards have become unacceptable.

    (1)

  • Marshall R.

    Great food using authentic flavors. The hot chocolate is a must I had both lunch and breakfast and if really is amazing hot the flavors are dead on. The place is packed most times of the day so make sure you plan ahead. Seating is also limited so not Good for large groups.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    It seems like if you come to Chicago, you have to try a Rick Bayless restaurant. Since our hotel was so close, we decided to order pickup and eat in our room since we were tired from a long day. Ordering off of Yelp was easy enough, and we arrived about 10 minutes early to pick up our food. The guy at the pickup counter said to wait in a certain spot, and then a manager had to move us which was just a bit weird. Anyway, our food was ready about 10 minutes late which was fine. I got the Baja Chicken Torta and my dad and I split guacamole and churros. The chips were okay--very salty, and our tiny portion of almost naked guacamole with sun dried tomatoes was just above average. My torta was very flavorful and enjoyable until I found a bone (it could have been a ligament or tendon, I guess) in my chicken. Gross. Poor preparation on the chicken. The sandwich was otherwise very good. The best part of the meal, though, was the churros. Warm and sweet and soft--yum. We got the chocolate dipping sauce which was a little bitter but a good addition. I don't know if I would be back--it's pretty expensive for 3-star food. Definitely worth a trip if you've never been to a Bayless restaurant, though.

    (3)

  • Andrew D.

    Went for some authentic tacos and was blown away. The pastor Wednesday is a must. The horchata was fresh and not too sweet. We tried a couple of the tacos and a sandwich. The balance of vinegar, sweetness and spice was great. Kept your jowels begging for more. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Allison L.

    If you stop here, you've got to try the churros! They are the best I've ever had, perfectly crispy and sugary. I bought a chocolate dip to go with them, but they were so good on their own that I barely used it! I also tried the classic hot chocolate, which was indulgently rich and creamy, much better than average! A friend had the blood orange margarita and that was tasty too. This is a great place to stop for a snack while exploring Chicago!

    (5)

  • Pablo D.

    Best soups in town hands down. Warms up that cold Chicago wind with a little spice. Can't go wrong with the menu and take out to go probe a winning combo. Definite must for any foodie.

    (5)

  • Bryn C.

    Yes it is a bit expensive but that is really if you add drinks. The entrees are not really even more expensive than a chain restaurant but the food is supremely better. We went early-ish on a Saturday night so were given The Xoco margarita was so good it was 100% worth the price. We ordered the guac with the extras, that was too expensive for what it was, and the short rib soup. The shot rib soup was one of the best things I've had this decade. The broth was so flavorful! Totally worth the money, to keep it cheaper skip the drinks.

    (5)

  • Frank O.

    If you like authentic mexican cuisine, then this would be a great place to go. If you don't have a strong desire then it seems a weird restaurant. The way it's set up is dysfunctional, with a host that interacts with you while you're in line to order. What is the point? Why not let customers seat themselves? Really it's just an extra hassle, and since the food did not impress enough on it's own I'd recommend getting take out rather than eating in. The food itself is mexican, and not americanized mexican. The Hot Choclate are not sweet, the Aztec variety is thick and does have prominent chile flavor. The Agua Fresca is nice and fresh, but while seemingly easy to make is a tad pricey (for something that is mostly water). I've had the Ahogada twice, once it was okay and the other it was incredibly salty. This comes mostly from the broth, and if the broth were better then I think the whole torta would be great. I instead would recommend the Pepito, a bit more flavor and nothing too over the top. And of course you should end your meal with the churros, simply delicious (skip the chocolate shot or ice cream, not worth it, churros are good on their own). The Coconut Tres Leches pastry looks exquisite, but does not stand out much, pretty average desert.

    (3)

  • Lucho L.

    There's a reason why this place is always so crowded: the food is original and really good. It is expensive but totally worth it. The guacamole is great and so are the tortas (especially cubana or milanesa). Be prepared to wait about 30 minutes for a table.

    (5)

  • Ryan C.

    I wish right by Xoco so it is usually my lunch spot when I have a bit of extra time since it takes about 20 minutes for the sandwiches to come out. I've tried most of all of them with the cubano being my favorite. They are messy, they are more expensive then your normal counter sandwich place but a they nail it with their sauces and flavoring.

    (4)

  • Jialing L.

    Came a year ago and I've been wanting to come back. It's on my list of places to take my coworkers to since I'm in charge of finding a place for them to try out every week. The chips and guac are very good here; once you start you kind of just keep eating and you're out before you realize it. I had the baja chicken torta which was really good but I definitely want to try out their daily specials like the short rib and pork belly as well as some of the other regular menu items. My friend and I also shared a hazelnut churro as well as a pistachio one; both were delicious. I noticed recently that they added more desserts that sound amazing so I definitely want to go back and try out more things.

    (4)

  • Alexis V.

    Excellent food in a nice, casual setting. Had the carne asada sandwich - meat was tender and went perfectly with the mushrooms, crema, and mojo. All was inhaled in less than 5 minutes. They served my warm churro and mexican hot cocoa soft serve ice cream with 2 spoons. I see where you're going with that but there's no way I'm sharing. That was gone in 60 seconds.

    (5)

  • Jessica P R.

    YUM! Came here late night. The line was long, but the staff was friendly and the food was exceptional. They modified a menu item for me to make it vegetarian by replacing the meat with avocado. I even took some of that green salsa back to my hotel. I was tempted to drink it the next day it was that good!

    (5)

  • Neechi M.

    In case you are wondering, it is pronounced "Shoco". This Yelp rating is strange -- I just can't explain it because with 4 stars and over 2,000 reviews I was not expecting the experience we had. Quick summary: - Expensive ($47 without tip for two people with two entrees, guac and two beers) especially considering there are no complementary chips - Service is slow, interior feels like fast food place but entrees come out slowly (two entrees took over 15 min) - Seats are chosen for you; we didn't get a table but instead got side-by-side bar stools near the bathroom (seems they reserve the tables for larger groups) Longer story. This is a super average Mexican food place where tourist families seem to frequent. It's not a sit down and eat place (this is probably our fault for not knowing but we assumed it was the type of place with wait staff), it's overpriced, and maybe worst of all -- there's no Corona (how is this possible?). Here's the thing -- we are fine with high prices, no wait staff, no Corona, seat roulette etc as long as the food is worth it. But food was all bland with little flavor. The Ahogada for instance came dipped in a sauce which was basically a tomato sauce (less flavorful than heated up Ragu) with some hot sauce in it. If you are not looking for flavor, this is the place for you but I enjoy a little more excitement in my life. The tortilla chips taste like Fritos and the guacamole is totally not worth it (again, bland, but also tiny portion). We ordered the chicharron in the guacamole expecting some solid chunks of pork belly but ended up with some weird breaded stuff and could not taste any meat in there. Do yourself a favor, skip Xoco. If you do go, at least they have Bohemia beer -- I was happy to see that.

    (2)

  • Liya M.

    The Saturday special lamb avocado sandwich was very mediocre - meat was too gamey and lacking in flavor, overall had a greasy feel, bread was too much and hard to chew. Did not enjoy it one bit. The churro was way too sweet already and covered with sugar. You are supposed to dip THAT into chocolate? Though my friend had the soup which she liked. Maybe I just ordered the wrong things. The wait was 30 minutes or so, and even when we got to the cash register, we had to wait some more because no tables were ready. Overall do not recommend.

    (2)

  • Greg T.

    If you don't have the time or money to enjoy Frontera Grill, then definitely check out Xoco, which is only a few steps away! The restaurant has an open kitchen and modern decor with hints of Mexican culture - beautiful tiles and mosaics enhanced by the sound of Latin pop (think Shakira and Enrique Iglesias). At Xoco, there are separate lines if you want to order food to go or dine in. If you choose the latter, you will be given a table number (remember this!) and a menu from which you can order any number of delectable items. In lieu of traditional waiter service, you place your order at the register and then migrate to your table number. When your food is ready, your order will be brought to you. Although there was no line when I first arrived, it quickly ballooned during prime lunch hours on a weekend, so I would imagine that it could get even busier on a weekday. I ordered the seafood caldo, which featured a delicious array of shrimp, mussels, and fish. All three types of seafood were cooked to perfection: the shrimp was juicy and succulent, the mussels were tender and reminiscent of the sea, and the fish was soft yet meaty. The broth wasn't overly spicy, which may or may not have been a good thing given how cold it was outside. You could tell that the potatoes had been roasted prior to being added to the soup, which made them extra tasty. And, though they resembled zucchini, the knob onions (I think)? were also nicely flavored and enhanced the overall dish. What I appreciated about the soup was the complexity of the flavors as well as the freshness of the seafood. That being said, I probably should have ordered something else in addition to the soup, as it wasn't as filling as I would have liked. I was expecting the soup to be somewhat hardier given the description. The freshly made chips smelled delicious, and I hated myself for not ordering them! Overall, I would highly recommend checking out Xoco if you're in the neighborhood and short on time or money! The staff is super friendly, the food is delicious, and the music will keep you entertained!

    (4)

  • Norah S.

    Xoco is awesome. It can be heavy sometimes when I'm not in the mood for Mexican food, but most of the times it fits me well. I really like their soup and ceviche

    (4)

  • Yabi C.

    I really enjoyed bringing my friend to Xoco this week for his birthday! There is nothing like the churros and a small Aztec Hot Chocolate to celebrate! Yummmm. And from an eco standpoint: Positives: Eating-in is super eco-responsible. They use all washable dishes and silverware for their food. Xoco offers 100% recycled paper napkins, and glass cups to help yourself to water. Virtually no waste. Their to-go boxes are also the cardboard with wax lining- way more responsible than styrofoam and plastic. They even have water-efficient toilets! I'm even pretty sure that all of their to-go containers are plant derived! Bravo Xoco! Negatives: They use paper towels in their bathrooms for drying, and there are some meals where unnecessary wax paper and doilies are used. Mind you, I am really nitpicking here... Xoco is doing super well from an enviornmental standpoint thus far, but to continue that streak... Xoco could improve by switching to hot air hand-dryers, and omitting the wax paper and extra paper products from the few dishes that are served with it. Also, I am unsure if they recycle...but they sell a lot of glass and aluminum beverages that should be recycled if they aren't already! I XOXO Xoco!

    (4)

  • Syd T.

    Rick Bayless is the man! Everytime I go to Xoco I order the melinesa(spelling might be wrong) chicken torta. The chicken that comes with it is cooked perfectly - crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. It comes with green salsa and black beans. Also, if you find yourself dining at Xoco, you might as well indulge yourself and order the churros! It too is perfectly cooked, comes out hot so be careful! You can get your churros with the chocolate dipping sauce if you want it wouldn't hurt! Come by this place and treat yo self!

    (4)

  • Aina L.

    Fast and friendly service even during lunch rush hour. The Carnitas Caldo Verde was great. We also had the Pepito and Red Chile Lamb Torta that are just ok. We're not a big fan of real dry and hard bread so perhaps that's the deal breaker. The pistachio churros was good but real tiny for $2.25. I was disappointed. I'm from New York and residing in California. I know my Mexican food. Overall this place offers good food with fast service but completely over priced.

    (3)

  • Todd Z.

    One dish says it all. Pork belly chilaquiles. A perfect way to start a visit to Chicago and a memorable dish.

    (5)

  • Xotchilt A.

    I can only give this two stars because AT LEAST the service was ok. Other than that, this dude Rick Bayless really knows how to make a buck. It's insane to see this place packed with people. I'm sure they 1. Don't have tasted buds or 2. Don't know what real Mexican food tastes like. $25 dollars for two sandwiches that probably aren't even equivalent to one when combined. The "albondigas" pretty much tasted like a subway meatball sandwich. The only reason my chicken sandwich tasted decent was because I smothered it in the salsa they give with the meal. $10 margaritas that are sold to you in what I would think is a shot glass. Sad to know just because this is in downtown people pay to eat here when there is WAY better food.

    (2)

  • Dan D.

    Good food. Fast. Casual. Friendly. It's unique flavors makes it great experience. I got the albondigas sandwich and my wife got the vermicelli. Enjoyed both. My son loved then fully loaded guacamole dip The desserts were also really good. We got churros with chocolate, chocolate cake and caramel corn. My son and I loved the cake. My wife loved the churro and chocolate. Dining area is small. If your lucky, you will get a table. We were pressed up against a wall in bar stools, which is not ideal with a 4 year old. First come first serve.

    (4)

  • lori c.

    interesting concept. we waited in line on a Friday night for about 25 minutes and were sat cafeteria style on a 6 top with 2 other guests (there was 4 of us). which is why I give this restaurant a 4. staff is so friendly and attentive! we ordered 6 different things that were all full of flavor. my favorites were the guacamole, pork belly vermicelli, choriqueso, and cubana sandwich! margaritas are deliciously dangerous!

    (4)

  • Sunay P.

    A but chaotic, crowded and atmospheric in its loudness, but it makes up for all that in representing the food of Mexico (admittedly at much steeper prices than what you might expect ) with spot on flavors. The tacos al pastor on Wednesday are a perfect combination of chili, achiote, tangy pineapple and the herby cilantro all coming together in a perfect bite. The ahogada is the Mexican answer to a beef dip, where the jus is substituted by a flavorful sauce (that was a bit disappointing here...it was quite watery and bedded the judicious application of salt and doctoring with salsa ), but the carnitas, enveloped by the bread made for great eating with the sauce Let's end on a sweet note with the perfect churros! Crispy outside, soft-chewy inside with the cinnamon sugar adding just the right crunchy sweetness to the mix. I found the chocolate shot a bit too soy saucy for me, but it was just a matter of tossing it and eating the churros without to create the perfect dessert or breakfast as the case may be.

    (4)

  • Mark G.

    I've been to three of the Rick Bayless restaurants and they all have been excellent! This one is a more fast causal type of place. You get in line to order for either takeout or dine in. There is not a ton of seating inside, they have a few tables and some counter space. The food comes pretty fast though. I had a torta of pork which was good as ever with a fiery habanero sauce that is flavorful and spicy. I got the loaded chicharones, which if you like pork rinds then this is a must for you. Also had a churro as well that was very cheap but the best that I have ever had. 3/3 on trying all of his restaurants. They deliver every time and always have something to keep you coming back for more. Great place for a meal anytime of the day including breakfast!

    (5)

  • Niranjan P.

    Amazing lip-smacking sandwiches, never tried the other options, but I'm sure they are equally good. The place is a tad small, but it does the job efficiently. Been here twice, and both times the place has a long waiting line. That should tell a lot about the quality of the food.

    (5)

  • Rod P.

    Looking for genuine Mexican chocolate, head here. The beans are delivered directly from Tabasco. Don't expect swiss miss hot chocolate. I had the pistachio glazed churo and the 3 for $4 chirps. Made fresh and hot with a nice crisp shell.

    (4)

  • Jack F.

    Great food. The lamb was fantastic. A bit crowded inside, so prepare to share your table with someone on weekends.

    (4)

  • Jacqueline Y.

    ahogada, delicious when sober, even better when hung over. recommend eating it fast because the bread than becomes too soggy. oh and bring floss. dem churros should only be eaten hot and fresh, never knew they could be so good.

    (4)

  • Jesica L.

    I came here with a big group of 7 people on a random Wednesday night. We were lucky to squeeze into a table for 5 and then were able to move to a bigger booth that seated us all comfortably. The people that worked there were extremely friendly and exceptionally accommodating. I felt like we got VIP service even though I have no idea why. We were cold, hungry, more like starving, and showed up about an hour before they closed. We all ordered various dishes including posole, torta de milanesa, torta de championes, guacamole with chips, and 3 orders of churros with a chocolate dipping sauce. The chips tasted like they were straight out of Mexico, made out of real ground corn. The rest of the food had authentic Mexican flavors but with a twist that really complemented the dish. My father really enjoyed the pozole but my Mexican mother found it too salty and enjoyed half of my torta de milanesa instead. Normally a torta includes beans, cheese, maybe some guacamole and the milanesa. They added shredded cabbage and some other goodies that sounded random but tasted right once they were in your mouth. We couldn't get enough of the churros either and my sister sprinkled the chocolate dipping sauce into the cinnamon-flavored ice cream they gave us. The ice cream was good as a dipping sauce but was too powerful to eat with a spoon. I found the cinnamon too overwhelming but my sister was obsessed. My uncle had been to this establishment numerous times on his trips to Chicago and raved about the food here. Apparently they own various Mexican restaurants in town including La Frontera and in the food court in Macy's (which we went to for lunch the next day). All in all, this restaurant has everything you could possibly ask for and the prices are insanely reasonable. Dinner, drinks, dessert for 7 people was around $100.

    (5)

  • Amy K.

    That.was.delicous.ahogada torta. If we had these in Cali I would probably order this every other Sunday. Next time I'm dining in to try the michelada

    (4)

  • Shannon N.

    Wow. If you want to find a good place to eat while you're in Chicago--GO. HERE. I wish I had the ahogada right now with me...it's hard to understand how a sandwich dipped in this yummy chile sauce could be so freakin good!! We came here on a Saturday afternoon around 3:30pm and it was insanely PACKED....why? Because it just happened to be St. Patty's weekend, and everyone was out and about, having the drunchies and all that. :/ We had just come from the Art Institute and were famished! So, instead of having to wait in line that went all the way outside, we ordered to go to bring back to our hotel--best decision we made because we only had to wait 20 minutes for our food and weren't bothered by drunk people everywhere (but I do slightly wish I could have experienced the food in the restaurant atmosphere rather than a hotel in takeout boxes). Besides the ahogada (a sandwich you should DEFINITELY GET), we got the churros--one pistachio and one peanut butter chocolate--and they were very good. They were more chewy than expected, but we liked the change. Next time I'd want to try just the plain churros as well. We also go the hot chocolate (made with almond milk I believe)--and it was a bit too thick and decadent for our liking. I don't want to explain anymore. Just go here to get some really great sandwiches. I fantasize the idea of having a Xoco open up in the SF Bay Area...if only :( I would be there #1 customer.

    (5)

  • Leah O.

    In the words of Geto Boys,"Man, it feels good to be a.......foodie?" Ok no, seriously those are way different lyrics. But doesn't it feel good to be a foodie? I am. And yes, indeed it does. Xoco is Like Chipotles overweight sister. She likes bread, more drinking options and always finishes dinner with dessert. She's also a little dressier. I ordered the Milanesa. It had crispy gunthorp chicken and delicious tomatillo-avocado salsa. The sandwich is cut in two. I could easily use either to do bicep curls with. Which is impressive. What is equally impressive, or gross (let the reader use discernment) is that I ate it in it's entirety. My husband ordered the Baja Chicken. I liked the cabbage raddish slaw they used on it. It was served on a different bread than I had. Which I didn't care for as much, but when everything else is going right on a sandwich, it becomes a minor detail. We didn't save room for dessert but managed to shovel some in anyway. My words of wisdom to those who eat here is save room for coffee and the churros. You can order them individually or in threes. I strongly recommend the chocolate dipping sauce. The soft serve ice cream was really a nice touch as well. You will also probably want more than one. They have a guacamole bar, which is, well, awesome. Just awesome. If there was a restaurant that was a guacamole buffet, I'd go. We love you Chipotle, But your sister Xoco who lives in Chicago is a little more fun.

    (5)

  • Rossi W.

    I came here a couple weeks ago while I visiting for a few days. My father and I were in hurry as we had a show at 7:30. We got right in and right out without a problem. I had the veggie Meal in a Bowl, which was absolutely delicious! It was jam packed with so many different flavors. The guacamole was wonderful as well. I am a huge fan of spicy foods, but I suggest avoiding the jalapeños if you don't have a high tolerance to spicy. Our drinks never went empty and the staff seemed friendly enough. I will be coming back here the next time I'm in town.

    (5)

  • Ryan K.

    Couldn't get resevrations at Frontera Grill so we went here, so amazing! The Albondigas torta was absolutely incredible. The Baja Chicken torta was just slightly better than average though in comparison. The fresh guacamole comes with unconventional but creative toppings which you can choose.

    (5)

  • Suzy B.

    Would not recommend. We should have left when the hostess kept ignoring us and helping people in line after us. Their menu board states you can enjoy a beer or margarita while waiting in line but we couldn't get anyone to take our order. The guacamole was good but the food server acted put out when we asked for a second tiny basket of chips to finish it. Our meals (carnitas, chicken sandwich) were soggy and the meat was very fatty. We ended up having to go buy something else to eat at another restaurant. Also no kids menu. We wanted tacos but they only serve tacos on Wednesday.

    (2)

  • Zach C.

    I didnt even know Mexican sandwiches existed in this world before I ate here. I'll tell you one thing - I will never forget it! Delicious!

    (5)

  • Geoffrey D.

    Really wanted to jump on the bandwagon because the concept is great, staff is super nice and the packed house, celeb chef buzz, social ratings and vibe definitely raises expectations. Sadly, the actual food was a disappointment. Here in Chicago on a visit, family of 4 (12,17) and on a cold day this seemed like the hot spot. So...in a nutshell. Carnitas Caldos. AVOID. Unless you need heavy brine broth. Honestly, chef needs to taste and dial back the salt or deer will come lick you! Ahogada Torta just ok. Meh. Cubana was quite good. Smokey spicy. The stars go to the Oxco Margaritas. Strong, tasty, worth the price of admission. Guacamole was generous, good but needed a bit more pop. And yes, desserts were all very good. Chocolate cake was light and fluffy, churros with chocolate dipping sauce, sinful. And ice cream, yum. Not shocking, sweet after all the salt was kind of like an oasis in a desert so that worked! Bottom line: we spent about $115 w/tip for family of four so not exactly $$ Yelpers but given all the great reviews, stick to what everyone else says is great and you'll be ok. Just expect to pay more than you expect and wait awhile.

    (2)

  • T S.

    had the carne asada torta (daily special), and it was outstanding. Also grabbed the naked guacamole bar. Chips were a little salty for me, but the guac was one of the best. As others have said, ordering/seating is a little weird, but we were given a table number after ordering so all was good. Arrived just before 6pm, and most seats were taken. Didn't try the hot chocolate (not my thing), but in summary this place is really tasty. The price/taste ratio was perfect.

    (5)

  • Susana T.

    I went back to Xoco today to try their ahogada sandwich. The sandwich itself had yummy pork flavor but the tomato broth it was sitting in was too salty. Medium spiciness gave it a good amount of heat. I had another churro today and was pleased. The churro helped me keep my review at 4 stars instead of taking away a star for the saltiness.

    (4)

  • Manpreet K S.

    Great food: Takeout- Milanese sandwich! Medium spicy and extremely fresh.. My fav- Churros :) Definitely a quick bite stop by!

    (5)

  • John P.

    The two chicken Tortas are delicious. Service is fast and friendly. Almond churro is delicious !

    (5)

  • Sung K.

    churros churros churros. wish i tried to torta. but churros itself was life changing

    (4)

  • Sheila N.

    How I wish I bought a sandwich and churro for my flight home. Yes, it was THAT good. I am dreaming about the ahogada right now, wishing that we had such a restaurant here in the Bay Area. Rick Bayless, OPEN ONE HERE NOW. The glazed pistachio and chocolate peanut churro was delightfully crispy on the outside but airy on the inside. The Ahogada-- THE AHOGADA -- is one of the more popular items on Xoco's menu, and reasonably so. A soft baguette filled with black beans, pork carnitas, a spicy arbol chile sauce and dipped in this warm tomato broth -- what could go wrong with this? NOTHING. Definitely one of my go-to places in Chicago if I were to visit again or recommend to a friend.

    (5)

  • Damian C.

    The only star that is deserved is to the manager who supplied us with taking money off of our bill. I am horribly disappointed with Xoco. My first experience was great. The first time I had a sandwich and it was really good, plus the churros with chocolate dipping sauce and hot chocolate. I left satisfied. This time around, everything was stupid expensive and the food was skimpy for what you get!!! You start with chips and salsa. The tomatillo salsa was gross, and the other orange looking salsa was just as bad. Makes me think that Bayless's cooks don't know what they are doing. The chips were horrifically salty, and so was everything else. I ordered the Tuesday special which was the Carne Asada Steak sandwich. It was a stupid price of $12.75!!!! It was like eating salt between bread, so much salt!!!! I feel that because of the lack of flavor, they try to compensate by pouring a silo's worth of salt on their food. They took food out, and didn't bring out all at once. It took at least 35 minutes for the other food to come out. Waiting on a pork soup that was over abundantly filled with salt. It was ridiculous!!!! We never had a designated waiter. The bus boy kept trying to take stuff without even asking if we were finished. I had to keep saying, "please don't, we're not done". I was over it. The manager was very nice and willing to fix things. He took the soup back and brought it back out. It wasn't his fault for the cooks heavy hand to make everything salty!!! Unfortunately, his generosity was overshadowed by another bout of salty soup. I was ready to get out of there. When Rick isn't there, you can tell a difference. I HATE the fact that the prices have gone up and the portions are TERRIBLE!!!! I don't think I will go back!!!!!! ****If you want salty food and to experience stroke symptoms....eat at Xoco!!!*****

    (1)

  • Cassandra K.

    i loved xoco! the one time i had an issue with the service (i.e., i wasn't getting served and our plates weren't being taken even though the place was near empty) was quickly resolved. the management kept their word and were super nice about everything and discounted my food. the food itself: AMAZING. i love their guacamole and usually need to order two plates full. their food is unique and a great blend of spice. i'd come to xoco anytime, and suggest you do too.

    (4)

  • Kristin F.

    I love both restaurants. The tortas are so good I could eat there every day. I recently had brunch in the Wicker location and had the chorizo egg Torta. Also don't forget to grab a churro before you leave.

    (5)

  • Lindsey H.

    XOCO was excellent!!!! I'm from WA and my friends all recommended it. They were not wrong! My friend and I both had the carnitas chicharrones torta seasonal special and it was easily the best torta of my life! We had to wait a while in line, and it was sort of confusing, but the food made up for any wrong doing. I also had the blood orange margarita and it was awesome!!!!!!!! Somewhat expensive for not very much alcohol, but the blood orange and Mexican vanilla flavors were off the charts. Whenever I am back in Chicago this will be my go to stop!

    (5)

  • Peter V.

    The bread was delicious and the steak was perfectly seasoned/ cooked. The medium heat salsa was a perfect complement to my sandwich. Will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Tim Y.

    I've been waiting to finally find good Mexican food east of California, just a little something to remind me of San Diego. This not only brought me back to San Diego, but gave me a taste of Mexican food that is rare even in the golden state. Beer selection: Very impressive beer selection, especially with the Goose Island Fleur exclusively brewed for Xoco and the Rabbit Ale with just enough hops to wash down those tortas. Aztec Hot Chocolate: Similar to the one offered at Max Brennner's, this is simple yet so decadently guilty - essentially melted chocolate with chili and allspice. Yum. Chips and Guac: Guac wasn't super impressive, but it is Guac so I'm a fan! Tomatillo salsa and Red Chili Salsa were very good, right on par with SoCal. An additional thumbs up for using homemade fried chips instead of packaged dry tortilla chips. Xoco Salad: Normal salad - thumbs up for adding fresh avocado, but thumbs down for the high price of 9.50 Wood-Roasted Chicken Pozole: This is an awesome soup that would be the perfect Hangover medicine of Mexican food alongside Spicy Beef Tripe Soup. Big chunks of roasted chicken, Puffed Corn Pozole (like really large barley) to soak up that broth, and spiced up with a kick of chili and lime. Pepito Torta: Awesome, tender braised shortribs that falls apart in your mouth like pulled pork or brisket, caramalized onions/beans/Jack cheese to further please your umami cravings, and pickled jalapenos to add a little flavor. Top Chef Torta: As if tender braised lengua (beef tongue) wasn't enough, they add in that spicy Chorizo just to spoil you. What made this my favorite Mexican dish I've ever had outside of California, however, was that the whole combo of these two amazing meats, potatoes, avocado, and salsa verde. If they changed that avocado to guac, and added in some pico de gallo/salsa fresca, however, this would quickly be a contender even with SoCal caliber places. Churros with Chocolate Shot for dipping: This is not your Costco or state fair churro. This is the original churro just like those I've had in Spain, seasoned with complex sugars and cinnamon, fried crispy on the outside and smooth on the inside, complete with thick melted chocolate for dunking. Don't get turned off by the long wait, it is well worth the wait. On my next trip to Chicago, this will be one of my first stops!

    (5)

  • Kymia J.

    Ohhh those churros... I didn't know they could taste that good! Sprinkled with cinnamon, sugar and tiny bits of chocolate? With ice cream?! Yes, please! The chocolate chip cookies were heavenly. I hear that this man makes his own chocolate infused with peppers he grows on his rooftop organic garden. Yeah. So although I wasn't blown away by my torta (ordered the chipotle chicken, but I'm not much of a meat eater and I think this just wasn't the best personal choice), I deeply believe that it is an absolute must for me to return to experience other menu items as my lunch companions were highly impressed by their selections.

    (3)

  • Jen L.

    Oh my, Rick Bayless. What DON'T you do well? I've been here a couple of times with family and it's been awesome both times. The chicken pozole is awesome and the brother loved the short rib soup as well. I have yet to get the tortas, but that's next on the hit list. So. Good. The brother also really liked the beer selection. He settled on Fleur, the beer that Goose Island only brews for Bayless (how badass is that). Fair warning, it's infused with hibiscus flowers. It's delicious, but it has tea-like undertones, which may not be everyone's cup of tea (no pun intended). Let me tell you what, though. It's all about the churros. They are hot, cinnamon sugarry tubes of amazingness. Get them with the chocolate shot. You don't need it, but it's just so good as a dip - kind of bitter mixed with the cinnamon sugar...omg heaven. You cannot NOT get the churros when you go to Xoco. Oh last thing, it seems to get super busy after about 12:30 on the weekends. If you can get there around noon or before, you'll probably only have to wait about 30 minutes.

    (5)

  • Nick D.

    Had an amazing dinner here last night. Have always been a fan of Rick Bayless and glad I was finally able to eat at one of his restaurants. I had the suckling pig torta, guacamole and a churro topped off with a nice Goose Island Matilda. The pork in the torta was amazing. Tender, juicy and very flavorful. I can easily say that it was not only the best torta I've ever had, but it may have been some of the best tasting pork I have ever eaten. The habenero salsa that came with it was fiery and delicous. The guacamole had great flavor and was seasoned perfectly. A lot of times I find guac to be bland, but not here. Very flavorful and delicous. The service was great and the people working there were very knowledgeable about the food and friendly. We waited about 25 min for a table on a wed night at about 8PM. It was well worth the wait and we will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Jen C.

    On my holiday weekend to Chicago, I planned for XOCO to be my first food stop. After reading all the reviews, I was expecting to brave the cold for at least an hour in a line that was out the front door. To my pleasant surprise, people must have been staying in cause of the sudden rain and departures for Christmas, so we came in and immediately were reserved a table while we ordered! The cashier was a very nice guy, who recommended our first selections at XOCO. To start, we ordered guacamole, which was already at our table when we finished ordering and walked over to it--how nice! This was more than enough for two people (even had leftover chips, and they gave us fresh pico de gallo to go for free!). Really, really tasty stuff but got a few chips that were too salty. We also got the ahogada, as it is highly acclaimed in these reviews. It's the pork one with an upside down torta in a tomato broth. They split it between the two of us in two bowls. It was a great sandwich with some fresh heartiness to it, but I thought it was a little overpowered by a dull, one note taste from the broth. I think this torta's overhyped and nice in concept that you can dip it and make it soggy, but it was just OK. The carnitas soup was really great--hearty and refreshing at the same time--also easily spilt between two people. It was like finding little surprises inside...not only were there potato dumplings inside, there were silky bites of avocado, crispy pork, and then a nutty arugula to finish up the bite. All very well combined. Could be because of the two items I tried, but found that after finishing it all everything just tasted the same and missed sort of different flavor profile. We finished with churros and the chocolate dipping sauce, which was so, so good. I don't think it was anything different from a good churro elsewhere--the difference is, quality quality ingredients in a fast-food like setting! If you come as a couple, get the guacamole (without devouring it all), churros, a torta and soup to split and you'll be full.

    (4)

  • Jennifer Q.

    Since the moment I read about XOCO, years ago, I have been meaning to go. I finally had my opportunity a few weeks ago, as I was downtown on a Saturday and it was so convenient to stop in. I had plans to go see Tori Amos at the Chicago theater down the street. XOCO is a delicious and quick place to stop in if you are in the area. I had the pulled pork torta and the spicy hot chocolate. It lived up to my expectations. This was some seriously good food. They are closed on Sundays so you need to either go on a weeknight or Saturday. I can't wait until I have a chance to go again!

    (4)

  • Shalin D.

    I've come to expect good things from Rick Bayless. Frontera was good. Topolobampo was better. Since Xoco is supposed to be a fast food version of the aforementioned restaurants, my expectations were lower. That may explain why I was nearly BLOWN AWAY. Ordered the churros (crispy outside, chewy inside and a whole lot of delicious) and the short rib torta (savory, spicy, with a bit of sweetness from the caramelized onions). I lived that meal over and over hours after I ate it... in a really good way. A quick tip: The quickest way to connect your mouth to any food at Xoco is to get it to go. You'll skip the long lines and avoid the elbow-brushing between close tables. And, as with most hotspots, try to avoid the peak mealtime hours to get your food even faster.

    (5)

  • matthew b.

    So I'm not going to talk about the sandwiches (which are decent) or the hot chocolate (which is amazing).You can read all about that stuff in the over 1,000 reviews already posted on here. I'm writing about the one major flaw in this place. Tourists, tourists, TOURISTS! Every time I come in here, there's a deep line ahead of me, and it seems to be full of tourists who not only have never been to this restaurant before, but who seem to have never been to any restaurant at all. None of them think about doing apparently ridiculous things like looking at the menu while they're in line, or perusing the drink case while they wait to order, or maybe even getting their means of payment out before it's due. No, why do any of that when you can wander around the city obliviously as if no one might be waiting on you. They make it really difficult for native Chicagoans to pop in and grab something and get on to where they might need to go, like work. Please tourists, helps us native Chicagoans out. Here's what you can do. 1. Read the menu while you're in line. Don't wait til you get to the register and make the cashier read the whole thing to you. Heck, maybe get on your smartphone and look at the menu before you even get there. It's a world famous restaurateur's place after all. 2. Don't insist they give you something they're telling you they don't have. None of the nice people working there can make special cups or food not on their menu appear out of thin air. 3. Don't ask a hundred questions. They're not your waiter and there's people's waiting on you. If you're there alone, fine, then ask about how they roast their own cocoa nibs. If there are people in line behind you, look it up on the internet. It's there. World famous. 4. Get your money out before they tell you to pay. Don't just stand there looking flummoxed. That this whole deal is going to cost you money shouldn't be a surprise. Thanks, we appreciate it. -Big City Folk

    (3)

  • Inna B.

    I'm a little late on the Bayless train, but finally got a chance to try XOCO this week. Caldos and churros and chocolates...oh my. Everything is delicious! Even though it was crowded, the people working there were friendly and helpful which made navigating the crowds much easier. I came here around 1.30pm on a weekday and was seated and served within 15 mins. Can't wait to try more of the menu.

    (5)

  • J L.

    Must try the churros! So YUMMY! I would fly back to Chicago right now just to have some more churros!

    (5)

  • Chef douglas T.

    Whenever I am in Chicago, hungry, and have time, I look for restaurants bustling with people. It is my theory that the good restaurants are the crowded restaurants. XOCO held true to my theory.* While standing in line for 40 minutes, I was able to have a long look at the menu. I commend XOCO for this; the menu was a ten-foot wide billboard that could be seen from fifty feet away. When I finally arrived at the register, I ordered the Choriqueso for $9. The Choriqueso is a type of Torta consisting of homemade chorizo sausage, roasted poblano, artisan jack cheese, and tomatillo salsa. If you are like me, and like sausage, then this will be the best Torta you will ever eat. It is that simple. The cool and acidic tomatillo salsa contrasts the warm and smooth artisan jack cheese perfectly- both of which augment the phenomenal sausage. It must be from some obscure farm. I have cooked sausage from Bobak's, Dean and Deluca's, and Casey's- and non has ever tasted like this sausage. I was really able to taste the quality of the meat. The chef, a former Iron Chef, knows what he is doing. He certainly had a good recipe, and used quality ingredients. While eating my Choriqueso, I overheard the table next to me obsessing about their exotic "hot chocolates". After thirty seconds of my eavesdropping, I found myself regretting not placing an order for one. The four old ladies were absolutely raving about the texture and flavor. "This is the best cocoa I have ever had". Coming from a grandma, who has most likely gone through a lot of hot cocoas, I confidently declare that the "hot chocolate" from XOCO must be pretty darn good. If it were not for my dentist appointment, I would have gone back in line and waited another 40 minutes for one. Do not let the thought of hispanic-hot-cocoa deter you. Overall, XOCO has some of the best Mexican food out there. If you are like me, and willing to wait for your meal, then you will not be disappointed. Although you can order 30 different meals from Taco Bell in the time it will take you to order one meal from XOCO, I guarantee you will leave XOCO at least 31 times more satisfied. A good Choriqueso will (possibly) be in your stomach, and (hopefully) a mug of hot chocolate will be in your hand. *On my way out I asked an employee if they are always crowded, and she replied, "Unless it tuesday past 3". So that might be a good time to aim for.

    (4)

  • Amanda N.

    Came here after a great lunch at frontera grill to try the fresh churros. Service was incredibly warm, friendly, and efficient. They find you a table as you place your order and it comes to your table when it's ready. Churros were hot and fresh. The pistachio glaze was too sweet for me and overkill overpowering the fresh already sweet churro. Plain is the way to go with these guys or maybe the other glaze flavors are better. Horchata wasn't bad but wasn't as special or packing as much of that refreshing punch as I hoped. Chicharrones were great!! Such a nice portion for the price. Looks like a nice place to grab snacks and/or a meal.

    (4)

  • Miguel g.

    Perfectly executed tortas and caldos. Reminds me of some of my favorites from DF, Guadalajara and Oaxaca. Watch the spice level, their medium is hot for some. Get 3 (not 1) churros + chocolate!

    (4)

  • Monica S.

    The first mistake I made was getting so excited about Xoco that I accidentally stepped into Frontera Grill first, which was next door; they need clearer signs. The second mistake involved coming on a Saturday at 11:30am, which required a 45+ min wait. But luckily, the next move I made was order the woodland mushroom torta, churros, and almendrado as a take-out order, which took 12 mins. total. Even though the vegetarian torta and churros were good, the almendrado was waaaay too concentrated for me. Overall, my trek down to Xoco was not worth the series of unfortunate events.

    (3)

  • Arpana U.

    Been to Frontera, was a fan and tried some of Rick Bayless' store bought stuff (really like his verde enchilada sauce, hard to find good green sauce in the store). So of course had to try XOCO as well. First time (yes, been here twice in 2 weeks, that tells you something), we brought a couple friends visiting from Ohio. To put it shortly (as if the star-rating didn't give it away) WE ALL LOVED IT. Interesting set up, you come in, wait in line to order, but if you're eating-in, you have to way to receive a table number before you can order. That delays it sometimes if there aren't table free - but I do like this better than the alternative it could have been (standing with warm, delicious food, hovering over people in what would become a crowded area, cursing under your breath for people to leave). Both times we went, we were greeted by Max, he was like an all-around host/waiter/manager, telling you how things work, asking if you want a drink while you wait, answering questions, giving you your table, etc. He is very nice and gets 5 stars himself. As for the wait, we went on a Saturday around 7 p.m. and waiting 20-25 minutes, another day on a Tuesday same time, about a 10-15 min wait. Now the food: WOW! Foodgasms all around the first time. We loved the guac, they only do regular guac, but it was just so fresh and delicious - I wanted to bathe in it. Chips are fresh, and it comes with a bit of their verde/tomatillo and red sauce. I love gauc in general, so among 4 of us, we got 2 orders. I think it was just right. One of my friends wasn't a fan of guac (she has this thing about certain foods not being certain colors, i.e. no food should be blue so she doesn't like blueberries, ha). She tried the guac though and had to admit she really liked it, and continued to have more. Main meal - I got the pepito, hubby had woodland mushroom torta (with jack cheese instead of goat since he doesn't like goat cheese) - he loved it, other friend got the Shortrib Red Chile Soup (meal in the bowl/caldo). I was skeptical at first, is soup a meal? But this was very large, and hearty. And my friend could not stop talking about how much she loved the broth - she would have also probably bathed in it (lots of that going on at this restaurant, apparently). My pepito was awesome, such great flavors, great meat, and that jack cheese is so good! Dessert: We go the churros with chocolate dipping sauce. Very good, the dipping sauce was a bit too dark choc. taste for me, but still loved the churro. They have other desserts that sound so good, can't wait to try them. This was totally a 5 star experience. The 2nd time, it wasn't quite 5 stars, but not enough for me to change my rating. The guac was a 9.5/10 (instead of 15/10 the first time), but the chips were even better than the first time. I got the Cubana (torta from griddle), it's bigger than the regular torta. It was good, but I liked the pepito better. Still a great experience, and would go back again in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • urbanaite K.

    Loved it! The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is because the chips and guac were a little too salty and they almost blew my taste buds out before I got my entree. The entree was heavenly. My husband got a pork dish that was excellent as well! This is not the place for you if you are a large group wanting a table together, it seems like they have a few tables for 4, but mostly it's great for 2 people or if you are by yourself. Once more, food was terrific! Next time I have to get myself some hot chocolate.

    (4)

  • Janel J.

    8AM weekday breakfast at Xoco was one of the most preposterous and also most worthwhile meals I've had over the past few months. The dipping chocolate also deserves its own paragraph. I would trade my dignity for more of that stuff (slash may or may not have - couldn't see my friend's look of disgust and/or embarrassment, as was too busy licking my finger and getting chocolate all over my face...)

    (5)

  • Niti B.

    I went back to have a mushroom torta and some churros with hot chocolate for lunch and just about died! The food was delicious and packed with so much flavor. I thought the sandwich was a good hearty portion and definitely a great spot to get lunch. The only problem I have is with the tiny space. You would think that after all his success Rick Bayless would expand his space or relocate to a larger area! The line was extened out the door and people were shoulder to shoulder waiting there turn in line. It's a good thing the menu isn't that complicated and the food can be brought to your table. All in all a great spot!

    (4)

  • John S.

    Well, I certainly see what the fuss is all about. Xoco, around the corner from the Frontera Grill, will give you the flavors of its elder brother without the fussiness or cost. Excellent preparation, friendly staff, delicious food. And the price is right for what it is.

    (5)

  • Helena G.

    I had lunch in Xoco and I was very lucky because it wasn't a huge line! I tasted a daily special torta Wednesday (Pork Belly: Dark salsa negra glaze, bacon, arugula, queso anejo). It was very good, it's a little spicy but nothing special. The staff is nice.

    (3)

  • Karen T.

    XOCO, love of my life. Bless Rick Bayless for opening a Mexican eatery that's a middle ground between Frontera Grill and $1 carne asada tacos from Maxwell Street Market. I can't believe there are 1200 reviews of this place, and I can't believe I haven't written one up yet, seeing as how I live down the street and eat here about 2x/month. I love the caldos and the tortas, ESPECIALLY the Cubana. With a salad, this can be made into two meals. Admittedly, I've rarely achieved letting the second half of a torta make it into my refrigerator. I wish they would deliver or let me at least call-in orders, but alas, I'm resigned to continue waiting my 15 minutes in house for take-out. It's not all bad though. At least I get to savor my hot chocolate during those moments. I'm currently on a big Aztec kick to combat the onslaught of winter doldrums, though prior to this I was an Almendrado girl all the way. And no, these are not your average hot chocolates, though that's exactly why you get them: to experience hot cocoa from an authentically rich and flavorful place that's the complete antithesis of your packets of Swiss Miss. PSA: They chucked the Thursday mole poblano special in favor of an al pastor torta that my boyfriend was not as fond of. Also, while I will eagerly devour the chocolate hazelnut cookie, I stopped buying it because it's pretty overpriced at $2.50 and I can find awesome cookies at Fox and Obel down the street for less. Other than that, I think anything on the menu is a pretty safe bet. So go and take your friends.

    (4)

  • Mike R.

    Xoco is one of those places that looks like much less than it is. If you were a tourist and had no idea what Xoco was or who Rick Bayless is, you might be tempted to pass this up unless you saw the massive line that could be present at seemingly any time of the day. I have been here numerous times, and still have never had a bad experience with service or food. Sure, the wait can be long, but that is no big deal because the food is pretty damn good. My favorites: Cochinita Pibil - A torta with roasted pig, black bean, onion, etc. Really, really good stuff. I'm going to warn you though: if you don't like really spicy food, then either don't order this or don't dip the torta in the sauce. Yes, the sauce has Habenero in it. I can handle a lot of spice, but have dipped way too much into one bite before. I paid for it for the next five minutes. So my tip is if you're going to dip it in, don't dip too much at one time. Seafood Caldo - It is what it is. A caldo and a damn good one. The broth is excellent and full of Shrimp, Mussels, and Catfish. Actually the Mussels used in this are huge and not the standard appetizer Mussels. I have never seen them this big in the midwest. There's also some good stuff like big cuts of tender potatos and onions. Mexico City Hot Chocolate, and Aztec Hot Chocolate - Yes, both hot chocolates (obviously). Well, let's just say that I'm pretty sure they grind and roast their own cocoa beans. yes, very fresh and how a real hot chocolate should be. The Mexico City Hot Chocolate has a nice taste, and it's thick. They must put some sort of spices in it like cinnamon, but it's really damn good. The Aztec is the original hot chocolate (historically). There's cayenne pepper in this and allspice. I personally don't think it's spicy, but then again my tolerance for spiciness is pretty high. Churros - Well this is obvious. Order it with the soft serve ice cream and Chocolate. Very good. Honorable Mentions: Shortrib Red Chile Soup and Choriqueso torta. Both still really good. Choriqueso is better of the two in my opinion. So recommendation? Just go there. If you are "I'm about to pass out" hungry, then don't go because you're going to have to wait in line. There are not many seats and there's a lot of demand, if you know what I mean. Order anything on the menu. Honestly, you can't go wrong at Xoco.

    (5)

  • aneel u.

    The Cubana sandwich is pretty awesome, but make sure you (or someone who will let you try a bite) get the Cochinita Pibil. The habanero dipping sauce is definitely a heat that builds, but it's one of the best things I've ever eaten. The pickled onions, the porky goodness...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Make sure you finish with the churros, too...a great (and not inexpensive, but definitely worth the $$) place for a very filling lunch.

    (4)

  • Chris O.

    Worth the wait, worth the price, worth the hype. This place is unique, and I always take visitors here. Everything is fresh and mostly locally sourced. And the ahogada (spicy! don't wimp out!) is one of the best sandwiches of Chicago.

    (5)

  • Farrah D.

    My party and I arrived about 1pm on a Saturday--the lunch hour peak! We had a little less than a 45 minute wait in line and Frontera Grill next door had an even longer wait so we decided to just stick it out. I prefer the tortas over the caldos (too salty for me), but overall it was a hearty lunch. We also tried the agua del dia and hot chocolate--all good too. We dined in, and were sharing a table with another party because this place is very small. There was a take out option that many people who didn't want to wait were taking advantage of.

    (4)

  • Kristin S.

    Stood in line and while we waited had the Mexico City Thick hot chocolate along with a churro to dip in it. Nice touch! I like that they let us order while we waited in the line. I had a oven-toasted torta... I had the wild mushroom. It was tasty, but unfortunately not warm in the middle. Need to be heated more. But damn those mushrooms were good. My husband had the special - the goat. He loved it! I am not super crazy about the bread they use for the sandwiches, but hey Rick B. knows.

    (4)

  • Daisy P.

    The churros are amazing, as is the guacamole and the service is top notch. The only reason I'm giving this 3 stars versus 5 is because I'm a cheapo and you can go to equivalent places for just as cheap and though they were super friendly and loved my son as he stared and gawked at everyone from his stroller, we were definitely an anomaly and it was not the most kid-friendly place. If you are going, be aware that the wait is quite long, evident of how popular this place is. You tell the hostess how many in your party (if you're sitting) and then you stand in line to order and your seat is normally there when you've made it through the line. A tip - the chips and guacamole are VERY FILLING and if what you ordered takes a while to come.. you will be full. I'd stop by again next time I'm in Chicago for chips and guac and some churros! Yay!!!

    (3)

  • B C.

    The choriqueso gets all the attention as one of Chicago's best sandwiches, but it's the ahogada that I enjoyed the most. It's a sandwich in a bowl, which means you're guaranteed some dipping action. The sandwiches aren't very large, so if you have an appetite, you'll want to get chips with their amazing guacamole. Xoco is a really small restaurant, and you'll probably have to wait a little while to get your food. The line strings along in front of the openly exposed kitchen prep area, allowing you to watch the cooks in action while you mull over your chalkboard of menu options. I was pleasantly surprised by the local beer options they had lined up too, nearly all coming from either Illinois or Wisconsin breweries. Note that some of the meals (like the aforementioned Ahogada) are only available if you eat at the restaurant, not take-out. The food is creative and distinctively delicious, making it well worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Jacob F.

    oh my f, ing jesus!!!! i dont normally eat my tortas on a french baguette, but i would everyday if i lived near xoco's in chicago. sos sososososos goood!! organized, professional, and great hustle bustle metropolitan atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Rob B.

    On a quick trip to the city, I used YELP to pick this place. It was 11 am and the YELPERS said arrive early so I did and thank goodness! I was seated by 11:15 and when I left at 11:45 the line was LONG! I only had about 90 seconds to read the menu and while my Pepita sandwich was good, I did not see or taste the jalapeños that were described on it. The green salsa made the dish. Good but about as good as the O'Hare offerings, though the line is shorter at the airport and the awesome margaritas are also there! Beer and wine only at XOCO. The churro with chocolate shot was AWESOME! I promised myself to eat only half, but could not stop until it was gone. Dining in is a tight affair, but they handled the counter dine in service perfectly!

    (3)

  • Liz P.

    I hate jumping through all of the hoops that are entailed in any visit to a Rick Bayless vehicle... however, the churros at Xoco are ridiculously good (so good they make up for the wait in the take-out line, followed by the additional 10-minute wait for the food).

    (4)

  • Andy S.

    I don't work in the loop, but if I did, I would be constantly leaving early for lunch (to avoid the line) to get my fill. Go for the pork belly vermicelli and the milanesa torta!! Kudos Mr. Bayless Sir

    (5)

  • Tim Y.

    Too busy, crowded, and noisy to sit and eat a meal here, however it's definitely worth stopping in on a chilly day to snag a freshly fried churro. Nobody does it better, period.

    (4)

  • Maribel L.

    Very yummy! I had the Ahogada which is a pork carnitas torta dipped in a tomato broth. Delish! The Churros were amazing also. My fiance had the Chicken tinga torta....and he didn't like it. I'm not taking his opinion into consideration though because he doesn't like anything. I had a bite of it, and thought it was good :)

    (5)

  • Carol J.

    Lucky, lucky me has a flexi schedule that allows me to go after peak hours. Lucky, lucky me, met someone who was nice enough to bring me my Pepito on demand several times at will. Did not love the long line but really appreciate the super organized, very friendly and honest line minders that kept things moving along and also expedited the wait time to make it seem like a gross exaggeration. So that being said, here's my take: Food: Unique and outstanding balance of beautiful flavors. I usually have to modify till the cows come home but went with the menu as is and found that Rick Bayless knows a LOT more about balance and ingredient composition than I shall ever dream of. Shared bites of others dishes but unfortunately for them did not share my darling new love of life Pepito and all his juicy, tender, succulent Pepito parts. Guacamole and chips are beyond exceptional., perfect crunch to slather ratio to tide us over during the brief wait for our tortas. Drinks: Hibiscus tea. That is all you need to know. Dessert: Churros in chocolate sauce is kinda like, well God's gift to your belly. The food ain't cheap but neither are the ingredients so its is worth every single peso. Ti amo Pepito, mi amor.

    (5)

  • Ashley W.

    We were downtown for the Festival of Lights and decided to turn to Yelp to help us determine where we should stop for dinner. When we saw the number of reviews XOCO had, (over 1,000.... CRAZY!), we knew we had to stop. As we approached the building, there was a large coach bus sitting there. We saw a line of people and thought it must be people waiting to get on the bus. WRONG. The line of people was for XOCO. XOCO Rule #1 - expect a line. A super nice guy from XOCO came outside to talk to the people in line. We were debating whether we should wait or not after he said it would be about an hour. He convinced us that we should.... so there we stood. We waited.... and waited.... and finally it was our turn to order our food and see if this over-hyped restaurant could really live up to its reputation. The guy was right- it was just about an hour wait. All I'm going to say is that it was probably some of the best food I've had in my life. Seriously. Based upon a recommendation from the aforementioned employee, I tried the Milanesa - a Torta made on the griddle: Crispy Gunthorp chicken, black beans (made with pork), artisan Jack cheese, pickled jalapenos, tomatillo-avocado salsa -$10.00. All of the flavors blended perfectly. I washed this amazing sandwich down with a glass of their homemade lemonade which was insanely tart... but delicious. After we finished our sandwiches, they brought out the churros that we ordered with some chocolate sauce. Fresh churros. I watched them making the churros as we stood at the counter to order. They definitely taste better than your average churro you'd buy from a street vendor. I wouldn't say the chocolate sauce was fantastic, but the churro definitely was. Now... the only problem is that I live in the burbs and will have to drive myself to the city and pay to park, just to partake in the wonderful food XOCO offers. But.... it will all be worth it. XOCO is a must try... even if you have no idea who Rick Bayless is (I didn't).

    (5)

  • Garrett P.

    pretty darn good tortas....crusty bread, garlicky, slow marinated meat and a heavy dose of cilantro...hard to imagine a better combo of ingredients. The churros are some of the best I've ever had. decent selection of beers to accompany the grub as well. Since it's a more affordable Bayless spot, it is super busy and can take a while to eat. Be patient.

    (5)

  • Lydia L.

    Worth the 45+ minute wait? Absolutely not. Worth being herded like cattle and nagged by some random guy behind the counter every 5-10 minutes? No. I really wanted to try something new in Chicago, and with the Rick Bayless name tacked on, thought it would be a guaranteed delicious spot. The tortas were fine. Tasty? yes. Did that wait make those tortas that much better? no. Had the chicken tinga and requested it without the black beans, but the cashier absolutely insisted that I keep them on- and had a long, drawn-out story defending the beans, so I did. Really didn't add anything to the torta itself; I would have been happier without them. Choriqueso was fine. Good for a lunch if you can avoid a long wait, otherwise turn around and pick another place.

    (3)

  • Jason H.

    I walked out the door of XOCO knowing I'd need to come back, if only to finish a missed food connection. A quick recommendation before the story: remember your seat number and exact dish name if sitting inside. I ordered the Ahogada, coming highly recommended from the staff and fellow yelpers. They brought out a sandwich pretty fast, and quickly asked if I got this sandwich. I didn't remember the name, and they asked if I was seat #74, to which I said "yeah, I think so?" Anyway, it looked damn tasty, so I took it. And it was! Best I can infer now, it was the Chicken Tinga - a think layer of breaded chicken, drippy anejo cheese, and a tasty pickled onion sauce which gave a nice spice profile. I had a thought, a few bites in, "hey this doesn't taste like carnitas", but I continued to destroy it. Shortly, a sandwich in a bowl of broth walked past. Lightbulb! That's what an Ahogada looks like! I died a bit inside, as it taunted "I am the best carnitas ever!" I drowned my 'taking a premature sandwich' shame in my bowl of guac and chips. Chock with onions and a light amount of diced tomatoes, this is some of the best around. About 10 minutes later, the waiter brings an Ahogada over to me, and asks if it's mine (as if to rub in my epic failure). No, I say, must be the guy over there who clearly got one too. Ok - looking back now, this appears to be mostly my fault. I was a bit sick and out of it, but nonetheless a poor excuse. Next time, Ahogada, next time.

    (4)

  • Laura K.

    If you go here get a torta (sandwich)! I ordered the cubana torta which was delicious. When I go back, it will be hard to order anything else when I know how much I loved this sandwich. The bowl things are kinda weird. My husband and one of the friends we were with ordered a bowl and we were very surprised when it came out as a soup. My husband got the pork belly bowl which was had 3 or 4 pieces of pork belly slices and other things in a large base of broth. It was extremely difficult to eat - though it did taste good (I am just not really a soup person). He definitely had food envy... He also ordered the hot chocolate which was very unique and good (though I am not sure we would get it again). Last thing to comment on is the ordering process. You stand in line, order, and wait for someone to tell you when a table is available. We pretty much sat on top of the people next to us (literally). This was alright because we were hungry, but it definitely was not comfortable. You also serve your own water. It is definitely a casual place so if you dine in - go for the food and not the dining experience. Prices are a bit high ($12-$15) for just a sandwich, however they are delicious so I would pay it again for sure.

    (4)

  • Analisa F.

    AWESOME. First time there, and we'll definitely be back. I ordered the braised pork belly vermicelli and it was divine. The broth was so complex, with all the flavors of avocado, arugula and zucchini masterfully mixed to complement each aspect of the dish. Churros, a must have. I tried the Aztec hot chocolate too, not used to the bitter sweet chocolate but if you like that type of thing, you'll love it. Only critique I have is that the "host stand" seemed to be too busy socializing when we walked in and we missed the process of getting a table before ordering. It wasn't a big deal since we went when they were dead but just a heads up there.

    (4)

  • Andrew C.

    I've been wanting to try a Rick Bayless restaurant for a while so I'm glad I finally got a chance as it did not disappoint. I know this place is popular so I was prepared for a long line but it actually wasn't too bad. Maybe it was because it was a Friday or maybe we just came at a good time. The line was moving pretty well until right before we ordered. We got stuck behind a party of 6 and we couldn't get seated until they got seated. This is a dumb way to seat people because most of their tables are for parties of 4 or smaller so we ended up waiting a lot longer than necessary. This is probably my only criticism. I thought churros from Sea World were good but Shamu has got nothing this. These churros were amazing. Warm and crunchy with the perfect amount of sweetness. I savored every bite and it paired beautifully with their hot chocolate, which was as good as advertised. I had the Mexico City Thick. I was afraid it might be too thick so the cashier let me try a sample first. It was a lot thicker than my friend's Almendrado, but I still liked mine better than hers. I'll have to go back to try the other varieties though. We both ordered the Top Chef Torta, which was the special torta of the day. The braised beef tongue was very tender and the chorizo gave it a nice kick. The bread they used was a little different than what I've become accustomed to in Houston. I'm used to having a soft, airy bun and XOCO's is more like a hoagie. It has a much thicker crust and is very crunchy. It's definitely more substantial and does a better job staying together than the soft buns but I think I still prefer soft bun.

    (4)

  • Monica K.

    LOVE the churros. The Mexican hot chocolate is soooooo rich, i couldnt even finish it. Just FYI, the breakfast ends at 10am, but the tortas arent available until about 11am. We went right around 10am on a weekday and were able to just get some of their breakfast items (chilaquiles were good, but didnt have eggs in it?) and we didnt have to wait in line at all...i dont know that i would ever wait in line for the breakfast items, but the churros were really really good

    (4)

  • Mike S.

    Quite simply some of the freshest ingredients and unique take on tortas, sopa and sandwiches. Rick Bayless does it best! Definitely worth trying here one or six times!

    (5)

  • Danny W.

    Xoco never fails me for a quick, easy, delicious meal downtown (more or less). Of course you come here for the tortas (and I've never had the bad one - the Albondiga was particularly good), but definitely look into the soft serve ice cream, all of which are great. (I'm a sucker for the chocolate one, but to each their own.) There can definitely be a wait, but as is usually the case, it's worth it.

    (4)

  • Brittany B.

    My boyfriend and I stopped in here for an early dinner (or a late lunch for us) for his birthday. I've been curious about this restaurant for a while now and I couldn't afford Frontera Grill or Topolobampo, so Xoco was perfect. We had probably a 5 minute wait, so I guess we were really lucky. I had the Choriqueso( Homemade chorizo sausage, roasted poblano, artisan Jack cheese, tomatillo salsa. $9.00)was delicious! The verde salsa it came with was amazing. My boyfriend had the Cubana (Smoked Gunthorp pork loin and bacon, black beans, avocado, artisan Jack, chipotle mustard. $11.50) and he really enjoyed it. To drink, I had the Agua de Jamaica and it was sooooo good! I highly recommend it if you like sweet fruit teas. For dessert, we had a piece of the Choco-Flan and a Churro...Both were to die for. For the two of us, the bill was about 35. Not bad at all for an excellent dinner for two in Chicago. The only thing I didn't like was that you had to ask for a take-out bag. At first I expected them to ask if we wanted to take the rest of our meal home, but after a while, I saw the people next to us go up to the cashier and ask for one so we did the same. Another thing that I didn't like was the seating. Most of the seating has you facing a wall. That made me feel odd, but the food definitely made up for that! This was our first time to Xoco and we both were extremely impressed. Also, we were able to see Rick Bayless! I didn't want to sound like a fangirl, but my bf and I did say that we enjoyed the food and he said thank you. It was a unique experience and I loved the fact that we were able to see him.

    (5)

  • Ben C.

    Ok, so I've gone to XOCO a handful of times since I've moved to Chicago and I absolutely love this place. If you're planning on going to XOCO for lunch, make sure you bring your patience with you because there will definitely be a long line. The good thing is that it moves fast, but sometimes not fast enough (come on...they're cooking the food right in front of you!). So once you've moved up towards the front and it's your turn to order, I highly recommend one of their fountain drinks - tons of flavour and extremely fresh tasting. I've tried several dishes and my favorite thus far is the Cubana torta. Holy sh*t, just thinking about it right now makes me want one in my mouth. The crunchy bread, tender meat, and chipotle salsa make it sooo good. Oh, and the goat barbacoa (Saturday special) is amazing too. After your meal, give the chocolate espresso a try. It's a little rich but the two flavours really compliment each other. Their desert is top notch too - everything from their cookies to churros rock my world. Ok, time to get your butts off Yelp and head over to XOCO for some awesome food. See ya there!

    (4)

  • Michael U.

    Without a doubt my favorite city for breakfast this most recent three day trip to Chicago would logically include three breakfasts - the first a solo jaunt to celebrity chef Rick Bayless' highly regarded take on Mexican Street food, Xoco, that occurred no more than 60 minutes after my plane landed at ORD. Having been mildly impressed by the brunch at Frontera in the past and much more so by lunch at Michelin Starred Topolobampo shortly thereafter I went into my breakfast at Xoco with relatively high expectations and, thankfully, came away thoroughly impressed. Having mentioned Xoco's more laid back approach to Bayless' cuisine I was not surprised to find the restaurant featuring a cafeteria style ordering format, but what I was surprised to find was the lack of a line - something that had prevented previous attempts to visit Xoco, particularly during a February visit when the temperatures were near zero. Greeted promptly on entering I was asked if I was ready to order and after a few questions regarding the daily rotating selection of pastries and empanadas I made my choices, was handed a number, and found seating near the door where I could watch the traffic on Clark Street. Sitting for mere moments sipping my water (both still and sparkling are complimentary and on tap) while listening to the festive overhead soundtrack one of a trio of servers would arrive with my first item; the daily Muffin featuring Honeycrisp Apple, Pecan Frangipan, and Sugar Brandy Glaze served warm and absolutely full of shredded apples balanced adeptly by soft notes from the frangipan. Always impressed by Chef Bayless' ability to incorporate a multitude of tastes, textures, and spices into his food the soft interior was only improved through the use of large Belgian vanilla sugars coating the outside and the slight nose of brandy punctuated by cinnamon; a truly great start and a veritable bargain at $2.50. With my muffin only half gone as I coordinated a meeting place with my sister via text my "main course" of the morning would arrive perhaps ten minutes after seating in the form of "Torreja," or "Mexican style French Toast" as it was described by my server. Beginning first with the French Toast itself, a personal favorite for vacation breakfast, it may sound like hyperbole but I'd place the Torreja amongst the top 5 I have ever tasted as the thick bread was perfectly caramelized on the exterior and nearly a liquid custard on the interior - a veritable bread pudding, if you will. With notes of cinnamon prevailing and topped amply with Gunthorp bacon-pecan sprinkles the sweet/savory balance was quite impressive to begin with, but all the moreso with the addition of local pure maple syrup. Gilding the lily? Absolutely. With the French Toast still wowing me my "dessert" (yes, at breakfast!) would arrive last in the form of Xoco's most famous item - a single "Mexican doughnut" or Churro heavily dusted with spicy cinnamon and sugar plus a "Hot Chocolate Shot" on the side for dunking. Crispy on the outside, soft within, and perfectly accented by the slightly fruity pure Mexican cocoa I cannot say this was the absolute best Churro I've ever had, but considering the price and the quality of the chocolate my only regret in ordering it was that I didn't go for the trio and pair it with a cup of Xoco's drinking cocoa, though all things considering there was plenty more eating to do on this trip and given the quality (and modest price) I've no doubt I will be back.

    (5)

  • Daniel M.

    Pretty Damn good spot. Bayless definitely takes the torta to a whole new level. The meats are always tasty and the bread is amazing! The churros are good as well. The one bad thing with this place is there is often a long wait and the seating area is kind of small IMO. Also not a fan of the process of ordering here, they make it more complicated than it needs to be. I guess that's more than one bad thing, but you know what I'm sayin'.

    (4)

  • C L.

    To all those giving this place 2 stars or even 3 stars, you're craaaaazy! This place is BF's and mine fav. lunch spot. The trick is to go around 3 so there is no line. The staff is friendly and well organized as well as very attentive. The first time we went I got the Carnitas Caldos : slow-cooked Gunthorp pork carnitas, potato-masa dumplings, chayote, roasted serrano chile, greens, arugula, avocado- soooo good, the ingredients were fresh and the flavors were truly authentic. It was like being wrapped in a spicy, warm and delicious Mexican blanket while being sprinkled with lime. Perfect for a cold winters day. The BF got Ahogada sandwich: golden pork carnitas, black beans, tomato broth, spicy arbol chile sauce, pickled onions. RECOMMENDED. The sauce the 'wich was sitting in was a mixture of spicy tomato-y goodness. It just melted in your mouth. We finished up our meal with a homemade churro and home made Mexican ice cream. Now I have had a churro before, BUT NOT like this one! It was golden, sugary, and delicious topped with the smooth milky ice cream, I forgot I was full from my Caldos! As I sipped my chocolate espresso ( also recommended) with lively folk music echoing throughout the restaurant, I longed to be in Mexico, the cold Chicago air screaming down the street. With authentic flavors and its colorful spread, at Xoco I can pretend, if only for a while.

    (5)

  • Rachael M.

    I went last night. The food was good! I had a seafood soup that was spicy and very interesting. I didn't like the setup - we ordered food at a counter and then were given a table "number," but then were seated along a counter even though there appeared to be ample tables available. Not exactly cozy. I'd go again for the food though.

    (4)

  • Courtney S.

    The Milanesa Torta is incredible. Ask for the spicy sauce. Order everything to go, walk a couple of blocks, and eat by the river. Not as enjoyable when it's bitter cold outside, but on a mild day it beats waiting in line! That said, it would be worth the wait. The food here is really fantastic, and I like the low-key atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Christine K.

    Authentic delicious mexican food. I ordered a bowl of pozole and it was the best pozole I've ever had. Especially on a cold Chicago afternoon. I also split an order of mexican hot chocolate and churros with a friend. The waitress was kind enough to split it in two cups for us. my friends' tortas special for the day (I believe it was carnitas) was delicious as well. These four items were the perfect amount of food for the two of us.

    (5)

  • B. C.

    Not a place I would exactly go to relax, but none the less, Rick has done a great job once again. Wonderful place for lunch if you don't mind the price.

    (5)

  • Brenda M.

    Warning: Be prepared for a long wait if you want a table! However, if you are ordering something to go you can go straight to the register to place your order. Because of the line that is what we did and just ordered three churros with yummy Aztec dark chocolate for dipping. Unfortunately the churros were not well done, doughy and very greasy.....not what I expected from a place associated with Rick Bayless. I might go back to try something else when I'm back in Chicago based on the other reviews but I'm not hopeful.

    (2)

  • Veronica C.

    Sadly, we were starving when we got here and found out about the over hour wait. So we wandered around the block to find something else, but the places we were interested in trying were closed for lunch, or lunch time was over (2pm). We made our way back to XOCO and decided to just order food to go. I split the goat barbacoa torta (special of the day) and pork belly vermicelli noodle caldo, and then ordered the churros with chocolate dipping sauce. The sandwich was pretty delicious, the avocado went really well with it. The noodle soup felt a little more asian (like taiwanese beef noodle soup), and I liked the kick it had to it. Delicious! The churros were also good... not too sweet. I tried it with the dipping sauce, but I was not a fan... the sauce was a little sour and the sourness was too overpowering. I'd love to come back if the wait wasn't so ridiculous. At least their to-go ordering was pretty quick.

    (4)

  • Vince V.

    Finally stopped by XOCO because we were both starving and couldn't fathom the hour-long wait for Frontera. I was impressed how quickly we were able to get seats - don't be intimidated once you walk in, we had been planning to just get take out, but our wait was less than 5 minutes even for a full house. We got the Chips & Guacamole/Salsas, Choriqueso Torta and Ahogada torta. I'll start with the Chips & Guac, which are really the reason I can't give this place 5 solid stars. The guacamole was just OK - not good or bad, definitely more dense than I like mine and seemed kind of pedestrian in general. Neither of us cared for both of the salsas, one too sweet, the other too tart, and neither had much heat at all. The chips are my main gripe though - I have to assume they're using house made chips because it's Rick Bayless' place....but they were entirely undistinguishable from the cheap grocery store kind. Totally killed it for me. The Choriqueso torta was good - on French bread which was weird, but the sauce was a very heavy tomato base and seemed kind of like a Mexican street-food take on your meatball sub. Overall tasty. The Ahogada was both exciting and weird. There was just way too much going on - tart, spicy, sweet, sour....there was something new in every bite but not necessarily in a good way. More like torta going through an identity crisis. The heat was nice though and overall tasty. That said - their 'Mexican Style Hot Chocolate' is maybe the best thing one I've ever had. I have fantasies of bathing in this stuff after enjoying a cup of it.

    (3)

  • Tommy H.

    XOCO was definitely a highlight during our visit to Chicago. what we had: Tuesday special of carnitas tortas a bowl of pozole an order of the churros and a hot chocolate this makes a perfect meal in my eyes. so much flavor in every dish, it makes me happy reliving it in this review. the Carnitas torta was phenomenal, the meat was moist and tender. it was served in a toasted loaf with guacamole, black beans, red onions and pickled chiles . the chiles had a nice kick to them that had me reach for my water cup a few times. the pozole was a hearty soup. my first time having this dish and i wouldn't mind having it again! get the Churros, with or without the chocolate dipping sauce, they were delicious. not overly sweet, it was a tasty pastry. the classic hot chocolate was thick, not too sweet, and was a perfect way to end the meal.

    (5)

  • Lindsay P.

    Mmmm, so glad we tried XOCO while in Chicago! The 30 minute wait at lunch was worth it. The staff made the wait and ordering process very easy. My husband and I each had a different "caldo" (soup), Aztec hot chocolate and churros. The caldos were simple but very fresh, filling and flavorful. Great for cold Chicago weather! The Aztec hot chocolate was delicious, as were the churros. I also enjoyed the complimentary sparkling water with lime....a nice touch. The freshness of the food would definitely bring me back!

    (4)

  • Lannie L.

    Wait: 30 minutes (lunch time). Their system is relatively efficient and the staff are friendly which helps. Ordered the beef tongue torta and friend got some spicy noodle dish (which was way too spicy. And we're Asian...). Still, lots of flavor and was fun to eat. The best part was getting my churro and chocolate dipping sauce. 1 churro is not enough to finish that sauce so I got a 2nd churro so as to not waste my chocolate. Best decision ever.

    (4)

  • Betsy C.

    While on a trip to Chicago, my daughter and I went to Xoco for lunch- first on a Tuesday around 2:00- no wait. We ordered Tortas and Mexican hot chocolate. The sandwiches were great, really special, the hot chocolate was also really good, very rich and thick- A fun treat! The second time was a Friday at Noon, We had about a 45 minute wait. This time we had the Caldo- both were good. We also got the guacamole ahead of time and Churros for dessert. I'm from Austin, Texas and have lived on the border and my mother lives in San Miguel de Allende- I've had amazing quac but this was the best I've ever had. The Churros?? Well let's just say I will dream about the way they tasted with the vanilla bean ice cream for a very long time! Way to go Rick!

    (4)

  • Elizabeth P.

    I tried this for the first time this morning. I ordered take out, and it was good. I had an empanada with salsa verde. I have a low tolerance for spice, and this was on the spicier side for me, but I enjoyed it. The empanada was flaky and the crust was well executed - I enjoyed the crust more than what was on the inside. I also had a muffin. The muffin was really good. Way better than the crap Sprinkles tries to pawn off on people. I also ordered a classic hot chocolate with 2% milk and dulce de leche. I couldn't taste much of the dulce de leche until the end of the glass, but the hot chocolate was VERY chocolate-y and VERY good. I enjoy the hot chocolate from Ghirardelli's more than here, but this was far superior to the Starbuck's hot chocolate, which I frequently get. I was trying to decide between 3 and 4 stars, but I went with 3 because I couldn't find descriptions of what was in everything (still have no idea what was in my muffin or empanada) and the woman behind the counter was not helpful at informing me when I asked her. I had to wait more than 20 minutes for a to go order and it was pricey. I would stop here again if I were in the immediate vicinity, but I would not make a special trip for this.

    (3)

  • erica i.

    My husbands day off of work and I thoughht I would surprise him with lunch at RL. As we were driving there, he begged for xoco. I had the reservations and finally said, ok cancel. So off to xoco. Yum yum yum.

    (5)

  • Jen G.

    Mmm...drool. Thank you, Chef Rick Bayless. That was probably the most delicious lunch I've had in ages. We went with a friend on Saturday. The wait was about 30-35 minutes. Not too terrible, and definitely worth it. I have to admit that I was surprised by how tiny the place is, though. A bigger location wouldn't hurt them any, but I understand the appeal of where they are at. We could have gotten served much more quickly if we'd taken our food to go, but 30 minutes wasn't the end of the world. I ordered the chips and guac, Chicken Tinga Torta, and shared an order of the churros with chocolate dipping sauce with my husband. DELICIOUS. All of it was DELICIOUS. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Sarah B.

    Salivation inducing wafts of roasting cacao beans will gently tug you in the direction of XOCO from a block or two away. This indescribably lustful scent is a beacon of hope in a city that can at times deliver aromas more akin to septic gas and motor oil. This wonderful chocolate fragrance is attributed to the on-site roasting of cacao beans that go on to produce authentic, traditional hot chocolate... the sort of hot chocolate that you want to hug with your mouth in a long embrace. It is thick, shimmery and can be delightfully dark depending on the variety you select. Although I could continue to dote over the hot chocolate, I realize this place kicks ass in innumerable other ways. Obviously, with Rick Bayless involved, one can expect to have whatever meal in question literally redefined. I was here for breakfast, and was blown away by the friendly, efficient service that kept the ravenous crowds moving through. I ordered the aforementioned hot chocolate of the Aztec variety, a churro, and a poblano empanada. A more rewarding breakfast simply cannot be had. The churro's dusty surface of confection was the perfect contrast to the savory but subtle corn flavored interior... and it was even better when dismembered and submerged into my hot chocolate. The empanada was fresh, flaky and had a healthy but not overwhelming spice for the early morning. I also tried a bit of the wood-fired french toast with particles of candied bacon. It was like french toast, but a much better dresser that hit a lot more notes on the palette... It was incredible. When more than one typical restaurant offerring is outdone to almost enlightenment standards, it leaves one with a mythical reflection of the meal. Living a painful 9 hours away creates a bit of a burden of inaccessibility, but I am certain that each visit to Chicago will contain at least one nourishing stop here. While, I can't wait to get back to XOCO to carefully savor every last dish on the menu, I sort of enjoy holding them in such an insatiable yet affectionate regard... much like a lover's quarrel.

    (5)

  • Alexander W.

    XOCO. Rick Bayless. Wikipedia. "Younger brother of sports journalist and television personality Skip Bayless." Ugh, I was already annoyed before I even stepped foot into the restaurant. I just hope Rick cooks better than his brother comments on sports. For starters we had churros, which are Spanish doughnuts dipped in thick chocolate. I expected this combination to be super sweet but it was twisted ridged goodness. Captain Crunch's cinnamon has got nothing on these churros. The Pepito Torta which accommodates braised tall-grass short ribs, caramelized onion, artisan Jack, black beans, and pickled jalapenos in its buns was phenomenal. The Mole Poblano (Thursday special torta) encompasses braised pork, wood-grilled onions, crunchy fresh garnishes, and fresh cheese was good but pales in comparison to the Pepito. One day I will be back to try the Ahogada, the golden pork carnitas is dine-in only. XOCO's tortas are worth trying, even if their maker is an Oklahoma Sooner.

    (4)

  • Linda M.

    The only disappointment I had here was not seeing Rick Bayless there. Everything else was amazing. When I was planning our restaurants for our Chicago trip (the first thing I planned; I had my priorities straight), I knew we had to hit one of the three Rick Bayless restaurants. Since I'd found two amazing options for dinner, I figured I could put XOCO in a lunch slot. Even with just one dinner behind us, my SO had decided that I would be choosing all restaurants on all trips from now on, so he was as excited as me even though he didn't know much about the place or the chef. I ordered the Choriqueso torta, which was with homemade(!) chorizo sausage. He had the Cubana torta. They were both delicious, although I'll admit...I definitely preferred mine. I have a deep and everlasting love of chorizo and will order it pretty much whenever I see it. Surprisingly this love began in Paris, not Spain, but that's another story. The sandwiches were fantastic. We had also opted for an order of home-made Mexican soft-serve with some kind of brownie topping that had a slight bitterness to it - in a good way, like real dark chocolate. As with everything else, it was delicious. I don't know if I'll ever be able to appreciate the cheap soft-serve of my childhood again. But I'm okay with that because this experience was worth it. All in all, it's a very reasonably priced lunch from a Top Chef and it's fantastic - you might even get to see him if you're lucky!

    (5)

  • FRANCO P.

    Only reason I have to give it two stars is because the sauces and guacamole were excellent! The rest went down hill fast. My girl (who is Mexican btw) and I are have been big Rick Bayless fans from TV and his cook book so eating at one of his establishments was a real treat for us while in Chicago. This exploration into fast casual / higher end CHIPOTLE failed for me. The Chorizo was like paste on FRENCH BREAD? a Torta on FRENCH? The pozole looked authentic...at first BUT not so much. I've traveled to Mexico quite a bit and my new comfort food in lif is Mexican Cuisine and i must say this was no where near comforting. It felt like a weak attempt at Americanizing and over complicating a cuisine that is more complex than most people can appreciate with flavors, but is still a very simple food. If I ever return to Chicago I intend on dining at Frontera Grill like i hoped to on this trip, but Xoco spoiled my urge for a second trip to that part of town while there.

    (2)

  • Nirali S.

    I have been wanting to go here for months, finally made my over on a Thursday night. It was around 8:30pm and wasn't overly packed so we were seated within about 10 minutes. Food I tried: chips/salsa/guac, shrimp torta (which is not on the menu, but happened to be the special that day), mushroom torta, limonada, pineapple/mint drink (agua del dia), churros with chocolate dipping sauce, classic hot chocolate and almendrado hot chocolate. I was full to say the least. The chips were just a tad bit too hard for my taste, but I really liked the tomatillo salsa and guac. The limonada was sour in a good way and the agua del dia was sweet but not overly so. I liked the shrimp, but didn't love it, the flavors just didn't mesh well for me. The mushroom torta was fantastic, I think the goat cheese really makes this worthwhile. The churros are the best I've ever tasted, soft and sugary and warm, yum!! I would seriously go back just to get these and nothing else. The classic hot chocolate was great, but the almendrado wasn't sweet enough. I wasn't a fan of the seating arrangements, but I shall return to try the caldos next time!

    (4)

  • Maria C.

    oh my goodness, xoco. yes, the wait was 55minutes, and we were waiting outside of the door. BUT, we got to see rick bayless!!!! and he was working in the kitchen :). i got the mushroom torta which was DIVINE... mushrooms tasted meaty and juicy! we also got the cold chocolate, which was probably my favorite. real cocoa beans... and reminiscent of holidays but for the summer = WIN. also had their fresh, piping hot, soft churros... mmmm! lastly (yes i know), got the coconut pudding... which was delicious. sadly i was too full and already overwhelmed with sweets. AWESOME MEAL!

    (4)

  • Dan C.

    So soooo good, perfect blend of flavors, good selection of random beers, desserts and food. I've always been satisfied, staff is super friendly and the place is always crowded but you're always taken care of. I go here at least 3 times a month with my boyfriend and usually always get the Milanesa Torta substituting jalapeno's for caramelized onions. AMAZAZING!

    (5)

  • Tawana W.

    I always feel silly when trying to order because I don't know what half the things are so I just guess at what my stomach wants....and each time my taste buds and belly are mighty happy with me! I hate the line and that its not open on Monday, but darn do I love the food. If you have the time, absolutely stop in and grab a bite to go (because there is never a table to stay in).

    (4)

  • Karen T.

    AWESOME! super flavorful and well sourced ingredients combined to make outstanding tortas, caldos and aquas.

    (5)

  • Josh M.

    Holy sh*t is the habenero salsa hot. Maybe I just got a super spicy batch or maybe i'm just becoming a pussy but it made me sweat in the middle of the restaurant. That would have been great to see me all red faced when Rick Bayless himself walks in to do a quick line check. Awesome to get to see him in person and know he is still so active in all of his places. So the above mentioned salsa was on the pibil. Even though it was spicy it worked well with the juicy pork and the pickled onions took the edge off. The mushroom torta was about as good of a vegetarian option your gonna find. The grilled shrooms with goat cheese is like tomatoes and basil - it just works so perfectly. As if that wasn't enough we also got the carnitas caldo that was crazy good. The porky broth was seasoned just right and the greens added a nice pepper bite to ward off the richness. The limonada was more limey then lemony but in a good way. I had a 5 rabbits golden ale that was had some good citrus note and helped to calm the demon spawn habenero salsa that i was choking down. We also took one of the almond hot chocolates to go - it was a little chilly this night. It was small but sooooo rich - it prob could have been diluted by half and still be knock your socks off good. Anyways after all of that this place is crazy good. Tortas are a very overlooked sandwich especially with all the Jimmy Johns and other sub shops. I can't wait to go back and try some more of the porky delicious menu!

    (5)

  • Grace L.

    Never had a torta before but daaaaang am I glad to have finally met one! Poor little Pepito is now settled deep within the belly, nice and cozy. My BF and I came here randomly after we got out of class early since we had heard such great things about it. We figured oh, we'll get a quick bite to eat. Apparently half of the Chicago metropolitan area had the same idea, too. The line was kind of daunting... but the turnaround was surprisingly quick! By the time we got through the line and ordered, they had a seat waiting for us in the dining area! As previously mentioned, I got the Pepito torta. Delish. My BF ventured out into the Gunthorp chicken and he would also recommend it. The real prize-winner, though, were the chips and guac! We had ordered chips and salsa but they serendipitously gave us an order of the salsa + guacamole and WOW were we glad for that! It was rich, creamy, avocado heaven. It was so fresh and perfect. I can't recommend it enough!!! Overall, a little pricey for lunchy but perhaps an impressive quick lunch date. I'd go again just for that guacamole....

    (4)

  • Adoley J.

    After a rough week I needed a good lunch date to get me ready for the weekend. A friend suggest XOCO and man am I glad she did. While the line was a bit long, it was well worth the wait. I got the chicken tinga and loved every bit of it. The flavors all worked well together and the chicken was tender and delicious. Yay to XOCO!

    (5)

  • Emily B.

    I love Mexican food and I love a good sandwich. Enter XOCO, the perfect combination. I have been here a few times and tried many of the tortas. They are all super yummy. The guacamole has a great flavor and the churros con chocolate is to die for! Get your own. Don't split it. Again, trust me on this. The line can be intimidating but, don't fret, it moves quickly and it is worth the wait. The staff also has the seating formula down pat so, you will have a seat when you are ready to eat.

    (5)

  • L.A. M.

    If you're looking for a cramped hipster scene, maybe this is the place for you. The coconut horchata was terrific, as was the churro, but entrees were a major downfall. Between the lackluster torta and "meal in a bowl" broth, this was the weakest meal we had in Chicago. And when you factor in the unpleasant seating conditions, an hour-long wait standing in a line they don't have the floor space for, and the fall-on-your-face attempt at fresh hot chocolate, I would suggest you avoid XOCO. The hype is strong here; the food not so much.

    (2)

  • Karen S.

    The food here is amazing! Since I work in the neighborhood, I go here for lunch fairly often. I have never had a bad meal. Anything with pork is great. My favorite is the Tuesday special - Carnitas. Its a pork sandwich from the wood-buring oven. But I also love the Carnitas Caldo - this great soup with pork, dumplings, chayote, greens and avocado. For dessert, I once had a chocolate fudge covered brownie with bacon. Sadly, I don't think that is on the menu anymore. My only complaint is that the place is so small its usually hard to get a table unless you go early or late. Finally, the offer take out, but that can take a while, too.

    (4)

  • Ruben A.

    Great huevos rancheros. The best Chilaquiles I have ever had. The empanadas were to die for. Aztec chocolate drink a bit too bitter for me. The cafe con leche was okay. The churro was great. The streusel was a bit to sugar heavy. Ice cream was ice cream. Staff was awesome

    (4)

  • Gina L.

    We started out with Frontera Grill but were told there was a 2 hour wait, the hostess, recommended XOCO, since it was more casual... WAIT, was I under dressed, I thought not since it was my birthday and was dressed in a nice casual way, no sweats or sneakers. I TRIED not to take offense and since we already parked ($10) decided to go. When you first walk in, it is more of a 'fast-er food' type of atmosphere and you either place your to-go order or get in line to place your sit down order. Once you get to the counter, you give your order, which you cannot place until they have found you a place to sit, we opted to 'share' a table with others and was okay with it since we were hungry and didnt really want to wait. You go down the 'line' and get your water or other 'drink' and are then led to your seating spot. This was okay and the ladies we sat next to, didnt seem to mind which was cool. It was a bit tight though. After all this, it was a bit inconvenient, the food arrived and was well worth the wait and process to get it. We ordered the Guac and chips, the guac wasnt too shabby but a small portion, comes with two sauces. Also, the Chicken Tinga, which wasnt bad, the Milenesa, which is chicken and the best of all that was ordered, the Al-Pastor Torta, which was also good and the Carnitas Caldo, again, very good. We ordered desserts which were O.K. (Fruit tart, Ice cream Pasilla and Churros) Not bad for a faster food joint if you asked me but what I REALLY love is that it supports organic and sustainable business, especially the meat. You are doing a fine job Rick! We will be back to try the other joints.......

    (4)

  • Katie G.

    Music is way too loud and seating is weird. You get in line and then this concierge of sorts "seats" you in what otherwise would be a self-serve/order at counter and seat yourself place. But the stew I had was amazing.

    (3)

  • Peter S.

    All the food, all the time, is incredible. Menos una estrella for the janky ordering system if you want to eat in.

    (4)

  • Pheebe L.

    Churros was good. my husband liked his sandwich, I didn't. Was not memorable.

    (3)

  • Karen S.

    We tried Xoco for a Saturday breakfast. Got there about 8:45 am, not too crowded. We were able to get seats at a community table. Looking over the menu in line, everything looked (the empanadas of the day and the aqua frescas) and sounded good. We tried the chilaquiles (loved the fresh jalapenos on top and the red sauce in it) with scrambled eggs, chorizo torta (BIG sandwich served with very tasty tomatillo sauce), and the french toast (good, but VERY sweet). My favorite parts of the meal were the churro (should have ordered more than one to share!) and the almendrado (it was like drinking liquid good chocolate). We all enjoyed our breakfast and i would definitely go back for breakfast or try lunch/dinner next time. YUM!

    (5)

  • Wendy B.

    We arrived just before breakfast was over and didn't have to wait in line which I heard was very lucky! We ordered the wood-oven Chilaqulles with both scrambled eggs and chicken. The presentation was picture perfect and the flavor was good however I did add quite a bit of their two homemade salsas to it. The locally roasted coffee was very tasty. The empanada (egg and pablano) was a bit doughy and bland. I would recommend a visit to XOCO and wished we had been able to try the breakfast torta but they had stopped serving. The portions are not huge so you are able to sample several of their menu offerings!

    (4)

  • T V.

    We decided to go here on a Thursday night around 6:30pm. This was our first time trying out the restaurant, so we were pretty excited. As we entered the restaurant, we could see that it was moderately busy. There were no signs to direct you anywhere. I saw people waiting in line to order food and patrons sitting in the dining area. Seeing how busy it was, we decided to grab seats while we wait for one more in our party. After sitting for more than 10 minutes, we were rudely ask to leave the sitting area. The host told us we had to order first then he would seat us. We have never been to the restaurant so how were we suppose to know? Also, while we were sitting there, there were many employees that walked by us and didn't even say a word. We stood near the front while waiting for our friend. After 10 minutes, the same host rudely asked if we were ever going to order. We explained that we still had to wait for our friend. There were others that were waiting so I don't understand why he singled us out. Eventually, we ordered our food and sat down to eat our meal. I ordered the Thursday special which was the mole poblano. It was just OK. The other two in our party ordered different tortas. They enjoyed their sandwiches. We had the chrurros for dessert. They were really tasty. Overall, our dining experience was just OK. It's unfortunate that the host was rude to us. I'm sure not all the employees are rude like him. They should explain their system of ordering and seating. This way it doesn't make newbies coming to the restaurant feel embarrassed from being scolded by the host for sitting in the dining area when we were not suppose to.

    (2)

  • Talia R.

    Have had a variety of tortas & soups. Everything is well-balanced spice levels and layers of flavor. I like that you can get free sparking water! Prices are a little hefty for a regular work-a-day lunch, but the quality is also much better than your average lunch sandwich. Not something I particularly go out of my way for, but I never regret coming. Last time I met a friend for lunch they forgot my sandwich for about 45 minutes, but we were just chatting away so I didn't really notice. Once they realized the error they insisted on refunding me, brought out milk & cookies for my friend's baby, were gushing apologies that were super sincere. A+ for that.

    (3)

  • Jonathan Y.

    It's a sandwich shop that is not a sandwich shop. Long wait time but the hostess is efficient and quick at making the best of the situation. One of Bayless' restaurants...the food was delicious. I was really impressed, and would definitely come back again. I honestly didn't think sandwiches could be "elevated" to another level without looking bougie but damn some of the plates coming by smelled so damn GOOD. The homemade churro with vanilla soft serve was deathly. I could die happy eating that. Definitely impressed here, and wish I had more time to try the different options.

    (4)

  • Khadijah L.

    everytime i come here, i leave, salivating for a cemitas puebla's torta. the sandwiches are good, but they're just like, ok. 5 stars for the cold mint chocolate drink, if you get a chance to get it, though i think it's a summer special. beware, the caldos are kind of salty.

    (3)

  • Catherine W.

    Returned, and this time we shared a chorizo egg torta (which is a pretty hefty sandwich size), and also tried a ham empanada - delicious! Churros is still the stand out.

    (4)

  • Jamie O.

    I have been back to Xoco two more times for lunch and pleased enough with the food to move it to 3 stars. I would like to give it 3.5 stars but that is not allowed. On my first return visit I went out on a limb and ordered a beef tongue sandwich. The bread was fresh and crunchy while the cubes of beef tongue were tender and spongy. I appreciate any menu that rewards my trust with an unusual but tasty experience. On my second return, I ordered a special, tiger shrimp sandwich. Like my first experience, I take issue with how the seafood becomes lost in the bread. I love bread but not when it overtakes the main ingredient. I will be back to Xoco for lunch and look forward to trying more of their diverse menu.

    (3)

  • Joanne W.

    Finally! I got to fill the XOCO void that had been lingering in my life for far too long. And who better to share this experience with than my pal, Deb E! Granted, she ordered a salad...A SALAD, but we also ordered up some other tasty treats from the menu so I let it slide. I got myself The Pepito which consisted of braised short ribs, caramelized onion, Jack cheese, black beans and pickled jalapenos! Whoa, those are some serious fixins on that torta. It comes with a side of salsa verde, a nice compliment to the sandwich....which was DELICIOUS! The short rib was fork tender and well seasoned. The bread was crispy, yet chewy. The onions were done just right. In a word: scrumptious! The chips and guac were also quite tasty. After having a mediocre experience at Frontera that left me saying "I make better guac than Rick Bayless" I was a bit skeptical to give his guac another go. Rick has redeemed himself. It was well seasoned and had a nice little kick to it. My only criticism is that the portion was a little on the small side...but I'm also a piggie. The salsas that accompany the guac were also quite nice as were the chips. Nom nom nom. We rounded out lunch with an order of churros. So.freakin.good. They were warm and crisp with a nice chewy center and served with chocolate dipping sauce that we gladly would have eaten with a spoon. Actually, I think one of us did *cough Deb*. The limonada is also a delight and I recommend you give it a go. You gotta wash down all that deliciousness with something, right? In closing: I'd like to try another torta. The big steaming bowls of soup looked wonderful. I'm curious about the tortas from the griddle. The dessert of the day sounded delish. Go early, prepare for a wait. Sometimes you CAN actually win friends with salad.

    (4)

  • Jon K.

    This place is great! If you can get a seat... I've been here multiple times, and the best is just avoid the meal time rushes. Prices have increased over time and it appears that sandwiches have shrunk over time. Sigh, a sign of inflation (at least in the food industry). But it's still worth it once in a while. I've tried several items here: Ahogada - Best choice hands down. If you're a first-timer, get this. Pepito - It's okay, wasn't spectacular Cochinita Pibil - On par with the Pepito Pork Belly Vermicelli - Tasty, would recommend; wish there was more pork belly Churros - They're just like any other place that sells churros. Chocolate dipping sauce - It's bittersweet chocolate, which helps combat the sugar coating on the churros. Is it worth the price? Not really. On subsequent visits, I've skipped it. I recommend this place if you want to bring some friends and not blow a ton on Frontera or Topolobampo.

    (4)

  • Carrie V.

    We stopped by XOCO to grab a late lunch before our 9:30 dinner reservations at Topobampo. The logistics of the place are a bit confusing, but the hostess quickly explained that you wait in line to order and pay, and are given a number in line, then are seated at that particular table and your food is brought to you. Sounds easy enough. I ordered the Woodland Mushroom Torta, and the Churros with chocolate for dipping (desserts get brought out later) and my husband ordered the Choriqueso Torta and Homemade Mexican Vanilla soft serve with the caramel sauce. Water was free and easy to serve yourself, which I love. We were seated and our tortas came out in a reasonable amount of time. Mine was good but VERY messy to eat--slippery mushrooms and cheese everywhere. My husband enjoyed his as well and we were soon finished. Our plates were cleared and we sat, waiting on our desserts. We waited. And waited. My husband had to finally get up and ask somebody where they were. It appears they were forgotten, although no one said as much. They were brought out shortly after asking, but we must have been there for 20 minutes in between tortas and dessert. The churros were good, although the chocolate was a bit strong and I think I would just get them plain in the future; I didn't do much dipping. My husband LOVED the bacon-caramel topping on his ice cream! Overall, the food was good, service not so good, but I haven't written them off. We go to Chicago a few times a year and I would be willing to try again!

    (3)

  • Kim K.

    So good! You must try Xoco. We wanted to have dinner at Frontera Grill but didn't have the time so we opted for lunch here instead. The sandwiches are amazing. Very complex flavors and a variety of choices. The guac and salsas are some of the best I've ever had. Lastly the churros and vanilla soft serve are unbelievable. I could eat those everyday. The prices are very good, staff is great, and the wait isn't bad. Be prepared to elbow up with your neighbors here, most fo the seating is communal.

    (5)

  • Mary-Catherine S.

    So good! I had no clue what anything on the menu was but I heartily enjoyed my meal. All three of the people in my group enjoyed their food. Its definitely not like any other place I've been. Its mostly sandwiches (I can't recall what they call them) but some are baked and some are pressed so there's variety. Its a small amount of tables so be prepared to wait and possibly share a table. We ended up getting to know our table mates and it was fun. If you're nearby, I highly recommend this place. Btw, I think the name of the restaurant is pronounced "cho-ko" but don't quote me on that, lol.

    (5)

  • Sallina Y.

    We came here on a Friday around lunch time. We were hoping to avoid the lunch rush, but things just worked out that way. Luckily, we were seated within 30 minutes so it wasn't too bad. This is what I got --- Ahogada, which is carnitas (pork), black beans torta in a spicy arbol chile sauce tomato broth ( yelp.com/biz_photos/jGiK… ). . After I ordered it, I was questioning myself because I am actually not a big fan of tomotatos, but the torta was amazing. The carnitas were tender and juicy, the bread was toasted just right, and the spicy broth added a delicious kick! I also ordered the churros with chocolate ( yelp.com/biz_photos/jGiK… ). Slightly sweet, crispy, and fluffy when you bite into them--- these were some of the best churros I've ever had. Since I have the biggest sweet tooth ever, I was not a big fan of the slightly bitter chocolate that came with them though. The Mexican Vanilla Soft Serve ice cream is also worth a try. yelp.com/biz_photos/jGiK… . The ice cream itself is not that sweet, but the maple pecan bacon streusel adds the perfect amount of crunchiness and sweetness to it. Bottom line is... I would definitely go back to this place if I'm in Chicago again... but we need one of these in New York!

    (4)

  • Kathy S.

    This place is amazing! I fell in love with the ahogada torta and wish I had one right now as I write this. The mushroom torta and Gunthorp chicken were good as well but nothing like the ahogada in my opinion. For dessert, we tried the ice cream...the bits of bacon were so yum...and the iced mint hot chocolate was really refreshing. We came at noon on a Saturday and I believe it was about a half an hour wait in line to order. As I was prepared for this, I wasn't bothered by it.

    (5)

  • Farbod D.

    Good, but not worth the hype. Food is solid, but what went above and beyond were their churros and chocolate drinks, which were unlike anything I've ever tried here in San Francisco. One thing worth mentioning -- the hot sauce from the roasted sucking pig tostada almost put me in the hospital...I LOVE hot sauce, and have never had an issue before, but I was seriously having complications. Hopefully it was just an overly spicy batch, but if not, they definitely should give some sort of heads up.

    (3)

  • Pam R.

    I only went here for dessert. I've heard a lot about the churros that are made here so i tried the churro w/chocolate. The churros were uniquely shaped and not a stick churro like most. The churro was very good as it was very crisp and warm. I had the chocolate dipping sauce that is bittersweet but compliments the churro it self very well! I can't wait to go back for a meal and of course another churro.

    (5)

  • Chris B.

    What can I say that hasn't already been said? Everything I have tasted at this restaurant has been exceptional. The kind of food where every bite is followed by "Holy s%$@, I can't believe it tastes that good." I went there for dinner and didn't even have to wait. The ordering system is a little strange, but it worked out well and we got a table immediately. Get the spicy drinking chocolate. You won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Sao-Mai N.

    Xoco already receives quite the number of reviews and in the chain of Rick Bayless's Chicago-must-eats - I have to contribute. I'm going to ruin my secret, but that's the whole idea of a review. Most people come here for lunch or dinner and have to wait in super long lines, but here's the secret - breakfast. Xoco serves breakfast from 8-10 AM and if you get there before 9:30 there's literally no wait. The hot chocolate is so thick and delicious, but in this July heat I highly recommend the iced chocolate that is spiked with a little peppermint. The menu is short but if you're in the mood for churros and chocolate, chorizo torta, huervos rancheros, or chilaquiles then come here. Portions are perfect and it's self-serve sparkling water! Even the water is amazing... come on Rick Bayless! So if you're up early, crave some Mexican flavors, and want to taste some Bayless cuisine without the 6 month-advanced reservation, I recommend having breakfast at Xoco.

    (4)

  • Linda L.

    Great sandwiches but no phone-in takeout. so popular that people put up with 30+ minutes wait for takeout

    (4)

  • Kien M.

    Rick Bayless knows Mexican food. I love his food so much that I had it two straight days in a row. The first day I had the cochinita pipil which is a suckling pig torta with habanero sauce. This is some super hot sauce but I kept munching away anyways. There is something about spicy pain I enjoy. I had to refill my water 3 times. The wife had Ahogada which was highly recommended by Yelpers. This has to be one of the best sandwiches I ever ate. A carnitas sandwich that is a inch soaked in a savory spicy tomato broth. I can only dream about a sandwich so good now that I am back home in California. for desert, we had the churros dipped in chocolate sauce. This was also good. The second day was our last day in Chicago. We narrowed it down Portillos or Xoco. Best dog I ever ate or best sandwich and mexican food I ever ate. The clear choice was Xoco since it was one of a kind restaurant. This time I ordered the special which was a pork belly torta and the wife had the short rib caldos. Today didn't blow me away like the first day but both dishes were solid. I recommend for the caldos to order a side of bread. It is so good to soak the bread in the soup. It reminds me of a vietnamese beef stew with french bread. For desert, we had the vanilla soft served ice cream with caramel and bacon. Everything complemented each other, sweet and savory. Do not leave Chicago without going to Xoco.

    (5)

  • Manav B.

    snugged into a cosy little corner next to its cousins frontera and topolobampo, xoco is gourmet sandwiches at its best. i have been there more than once and have always come out impressed. the chicken tinga, gunthorp chicken, the pozole bowl and even the desserts are of very high quality. my only problem with the place is that it is totally packed during peak hours so it is hard to find a place to sit. however, i guess thats just the price you have to pay for a great sandwich.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth C.

    Flavors just outstanding! Try the Hamon Quiche dish or Yogurt for an outstanding light breakfast or the chicken milanese or sopa caldo for lunch or simple dinner and don't forget the churros. Delicious. The ordering process is a bit convuluded but it seems to be getting smoother with each passing day and like I said the flavors are worth the wait and mild chaos.

    (4)

  • Michael P.

    Here is the thing - the food is so good - it really is - I crave the breakfast empanadas - CRAVE them - but why oh why do they put slow duckies at the register - there is always this lovely woman at the register who makes me feel like I have arrived at my favorite place - but when she is not there I KNOW IT WILL TAKE THIRTY MINUTES to get a little empanada which I can grab with my own hand - sigh I am thinking I need to buy a dozen - freeze and warm up eh? I don't even get the churros anymore - as amazing as they are - because it takes too long for mr. hurry about Seriously - if you are not in a rush - what a dreamy place for a different kind of breakfast - just not fast - hah then in chicago you can't even get a fast bagel at einstein's.... oh cute boy factor LOW - when they first opened everyone was a hottie - now not so much - not so much

    (4)

  • Norbert W.

    great fun! this is not your chichis or Americanized Mex - subtle flavors, not vinegar fueled hot sauce (and don't expect spicy - not at all. expect subtle! Rick himself explained the lack of spicy to me first time I was there and in the mood for spicy. He's terrific!) good choices regardless of time of year. Rick is sometimes there, as friendly as can be. People working behind the counter are wonderfully professional and friendly. Just a nice vibe. Go with the gang from work on a Monday to start the week on a high note. Go Wednesdays to break up the weak. Go on Friday to start the weekend off early. You'll have a good experience at all times. downside: long lines. But the professionalism, the energy, and the vibe make it well worth the wait

    (4)

  • Rob M.

    Having recently enjoyed dinner at Rick Bayless's Red O in Los Angeles, I made a point to try XOCO for lunch in Chicago two weeks later. Whereas Red O is a high-end restaurant, XOCO is billed as Bayless's fast-casual or "street food" concept. Yet, no one could plausibly argue that patrons are slumming it here. In fact, XOCO is housed within the same building as Bayless's other restaurants (Frontera, Topolobampo). As much as I enjoyed Red O, XOCO certainly was a better value across all segments (guacamole, two tortas, and churros with chocolate dipping sauce). The bill for two was approximately $35. By comparison, I paid three times that for a comparable dinner at Red O only two weeks ago. As at other Bayless concepts, the guacamole and churros at XOCO were excellent. The tortas, which were basically fancy sandwiches from a wood-fired oven, were also very good. Order the Chicken Tinga over the Pepito, which is too spicy. My only disappointment: I had hoped the braised shortribs of the Pepito would be as good as the shortrib sopes at Red O, but that was not the case. The half hour line here is an excellent alternative to waiting three months for a reservation at Topolobampo.

    (5)

  • Jing C.

    My favorite place in River North! Xoco is fantastic! From the delish sandwiches to the yummy soups, this is one of my favorite spots to bring people from out of town. Don't be intimidated by the crow, the line moves quick and if you order chips and guac they bring it to your table right away so you can start munching. I've even seen a couple eat theirs while standing in line. I'm too much of a germaphobe for that but if that works for you, go for it. The place is basically a semi-gourmet fast food joint with beer. What else could one ask for? I must be a little kid because the highlight of my trip to Xoco is always the sparkling white station - you can pick from still or sparkling tap water and fill up yourself. Good for the environment and endless entertainment for me.

    (5)

  • Amanda R.

    I wish this place was less popular. I've been waiting for the crowds to die down for going on two years now, but I guess I need to give that dream up. XOCO is amazing and I guess everyone knows it. The ahogado is maybe the best sandwich ever. Pork and pickled onions on a crunchy baguette, served in a bowl of spicy tomato broth. It is easily the best thing on the menu, and maybe the best sandwich I've ever had. When doing take-out I've tried to get other sandwiches, but I'm never as happy so I now just plan on eating in so I can get the ahogada. The chocolate is made fresh from bean to finished product, and it's really wonderful in anything from a hot chocolate to a churros or ice cream topping. I've seen complaints that the chocolate is too strong, but I think that's because people are used to eating a lot of additive with their chocolate. This is fresh and pure, so there is a bit of a tart, berry flavor to it. If you like real chocolate, I think you'll be very happy. If you prefer milk chocolates, it might seem a bit strange to you. The carnitas salad is great too. It didn't occur to me to order a salad at XOCO before, but this one is pretty spectacular. The pork is rich and deeply flavored, and the dressing and salad greens are light, fresh and a bit tart. They're the perfect complement to each other. Now when I can tear myself away from the ahogado, I get this salad. And when I have room for dessert? The soft serve is awesome! It has the teeny tiniest hint of tartness to it. Not anything as strong as tart froyo, just the smallest hint of tart, like there's a bit of buttermilk in it or something. I have no idea what it is, but I really like it. The baked goods and churros are great as well, but for the past few months I haven't been able to move away from the soft serve. Come autumn, I'm sure I'll be back to churros though!

    (5)

  • Christina M.

    Churros. If you ask for a sample of the hot chocolate or ice cream, they give you PLENTY to dip in. Delightful.

    (3)

  • Jeff K.

    So simple and so complex...at Xoco, fresh ingredients well prepared results in great flavor combinations balanced in a simple torta. Delicious and a great value - Informed and helpful staff. Well worth the :30 minute wait.

    (5)

  • Glo K.

    This place is a popular place to go, especially on Saturday during peak lunch hours. I went with friends who were visiting. The line was outrageously long but the server/hostess was very polite and calm. I liked how the staff made sure that once you and your group got your food, they made sure your group had a place to sit. It's nice to see a staff that makes sure each customer was satisfied with the table he or she were sitting instead of urgently forcing people to sit anywhere. My group got a nice outside table in the front. The tables outside were long and narrow. We weren't allowed to sit facing each other because of pedestrians walking by. So, all four of us sat awkwardly in a line. It was kinda humorous because we looked like a munching spectacle. Every person that passed by would stare at us as we devour our delicious lunch. Now the food was delicious. My friends and I started with the Guacamole & Chips ($5.75) which came with two salsas. One salsa looked like a green tomatillo salsa and the other salsa was a red/orange chile salsa. Each dip was delicious and the chips had a nice crunched to it. Next we had our main dish. Three of us ordered Goat Barbacoa tortas ($12) which is a special that is served on Saturdays. The torta consist of braised goat with a special salsa, avocado, onions and cilantro. The ingredients were so simple but it was very flavorful. Also the bread that they use was nicely toasted and very crunchy. My other friend had the Pork Belly Vermicelli ($12). It's basically a bowl of beautiful red broth with vermicelli noodles and crispy pork belly, harmonized with chopped zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and avocados. I thought it was interesting that they would add avocados in the savory soup. My friend let me try the broth and it was nice to taste how these ingredients compliment each other. The broth was very delightful. At last, we ended our lovely lunch with some churros which I recommend getting with ice cream or hot chocolate. My friends and I were pretty full but we just ordered the churros without the ice cream and hot chocolate. I'm giving this place four stars for the price being a little too high, but hey! I guess It's downtown Chicago, so I should expect it. Overall, I enjoyed my experience here since I'm fairly new to Chicagoland but I believe I would be coming here again in the near future.

    (4)

  • Bryan V.

    Worth the wait. The snap of the crust on the tortas is amazing only to be followed up the sensational taste of the meat... An incredible meal.. Watch for the hot sauce...

    (5)

  • Eugene N.

    I typically don't like to go to high end, trendy, Mexican joints but this place got high reviews and there's Rick Bayless. I ordered the beef tongue sandwich (mainly because it's not a typical Mexican dish) and it was delicious! I believe it was a special that day. Closed it out with ice cream and churros. While churros aren't that expensive and I'm not sure how much better they can make it to justify the cost. It was pretty expensive for just 3 churros and ice cream, but it was good. I'd recommend it, but just a heads up, it'll cost you. Either way, I still recommend this place. 1 star deducted just for the prices. A little high for Mexican food, but don't get me wrong, it's good here!

    (4)

  • Danny B.

    A cheaper, but still tasty way, to experience a Rick Bayless restaurant. The wait was a bit long, but the food was excellent. Very nice lunch spot.

    (3)

  • Levent T.

    Suckling pig torta was very nice and the pickled onions complimented it very well. The Habanero sauce it is served with could be addicting to those who love flavor while punishing their innards. If you're going to order that torta I recommend asking for extra onions, habenero sauce and topping it off with cheese. Overall Rick's Mexican street food rendition...5 stars. Watching Rick actually taste test and coach his team (yes he was in the kitchen!) while I waited to order...5 stars. Friendliness 4 stars. Value for the price...4 stars (where's the beef or pork for a $10+ sandwich?) Poor portion control or the cost of rent is the blame for that considering the location and the amount of staff Rick has working there during lunch. Nevertheless I much rather pay the few extra bucks for good food other than buying over priced Subway and Jimmy John's in downtown Chicago!

    (4)

  • Megan M.

    Rick Bayless?! He's here?! WHERE! Yep, that's right, I saw the back of Rick Bayless' head. Ha.. Simple menu, sophisticated food. The ahogada ($10, dine-in only) is my absolute favorite. A torta sitting in tomato broth? Doesn't get much better than that. For $6 I wish they would give you more than a spoonful of guac, but it's Bayless' guac, so you're allowed to price it like that... right? I WISH I could give this place 5 stars, but overfried churros? Really?! Xoco, you broke my heart. Maybe the cook was just as excited to see Bayless as I was and took his eyes off my churros for a split second. If that was the case, I forgive you.

    (4)

  • Sara D.

    I felt like a tourist in my own town as I waited in line for lunch. The two groups ahead of me were taking pictures and asking questions about the ingredients on nearly every item prior to ordering. The wait on a Saturday wasn't too shabby, about 10 minutes to order and another 5 for food delivery. Split an order of chips/salsa, Cubana sandwich, and Cochonita Pibil. A very solid meal, in terms of quality and flavor, but not especially memorable. The bread on the cochonita pibil was rather dry and crusty. I think that the vibe at Frontera Grill is a lot more lively and the food is more vibrant and delicious. But I appreciate the layout and decor of Xoco, and our servers were friendly and polite.

    (3)

  • Christine I.

    Rick Bayless is a genius! On a trip to Chicago, my boyfriend and I were extremely excited to try one of Rick Bayless' three restaurants. We are huge fans of his ever since he won Top Chef Masters. We took a cab to Frontera Gril and were surprised to realize that all three of his Chicago restaurants are on the same block. It was pretty early and we weren't quite sure if we wanted a full meal so we picked Xoco. It was the least formal of the three and seemed like the best choice for brunch. The concept of Xoco is more of Mexican street food, tortas, soups, desserts . Yet another place popular place with a pretty long line, I was surprised that it moved pretty quick. You line up, order and then waitress finds you a seat in this pretty bustling restaurant. The menu was pretty large for a lunch place so we were overwhelmed with choices but decided on the following: Ahogada torta - rick bayless' take on a soup and sandwich...a pork carnitas sandwich cut in two nestled in a tomato broth soup..very spicy Jamon torta - one of the best sandwiches I have eaten, a panini style pressed sandwich with spicy prosciutto, sharp cheddar, avocado, black beans and a fried egg. fresh guacamole with homemade chips and for dessert: Freshly made churros - warm, crunchy and chewy dusted with cinnamon and sugar with chocolate dipping sauce and mexican vanilla frozen yogurt for dipping. we were also intrigued with his choices of mexican hot chocolates. there were about 5 or 6 to choose from but we decided on his Classic hot chocolate. It was perfectly warm, thick and creamy, rich and chocolately. Hands down, THE best hot chocolate we have ever had. If you are ever in Chicago, do yourself a favor and visit Xoco. You will not be disappointed!!

    (5)

  • Mark P.

    Loved it. I went on a Tuesday night late and couldn't believe how crowded it was. I had to wait 20 minutes. It was worth it. The food was great.

    (4)

  • Alexander C.

    This place is great and you must check it out at least once. The ahogada is really good. The ceviche is a great starter. The prices are decent for Chicago. It can get busy so plan accordingly. Make sure to try a Victoria Mexican beer with your meal. This place is not "oh my land" good, but it's definitely one of my favorite cheaper places in downtown.

    (4)

  • Aileen F.

    This was on my "I must eat here while i'm in Chicago" list and I am so happy I got to try what they are known for: churros! My boyfriend and I arrived at the restaurant on a late Saturday afternoon before heading over to the Navy Pier. I was nervous upon arriving to the resturant because after reading many of the yelp reviews, I did not want to stand in line. However, to my surprise there was hardly a line and a hostess greeted us at the door and asked what I wanted to order. I told her I wanted some desserts to go and she led me to one of the cashiers who was very helpful in making additional decisions to my order of churros. I left happy with a bag of churros with the chocolate dipping sauce, an iced Mexican chocolate drink and my boyfriend got a Mexican vanilla ice cream with bacon and caramel bits. The churros: very fresh! warm, crunchy, not to sweet, good amount of cinnamon and sugar. It also tasted corn, like it was fried in the same oil they used to fry taco shells. But it was so good! the chocolate dipping sauce was very rich. not your typical chocolate sauce since it is a Mexican chocolate. It almost reminded me of a Filipino chocolate that i used to eat as a child. This Mexican chocolate was also in my iced cold drink that sweetened my sweet tooth. The ice cream: My boyfriend devoured this dish. The combination of bacon and caramel bits with the vanilla was so good! My tummy was very happy with all the deserts and the only disappointment I have is not actually eating non-dessert items on the menu. All the food looked so GOOD while the waiters passed me by with the dishes as I waited for my 'to go'. So although I did not try anything else to eat on the menu I would highly recommend to eat here anyway. Its Rick Bayless' resturant!

    (5)

  • Erica R.

    XOCO is the real deal. It's the most authentic Mexican street food that you will find anywhere in the midwest. I've been several times and each time I am blown away. I usually stick with the tortas and they have never failed me yet. From the Woodland Mushroom that has the most flavorful garlic mushrooms I've ever had to the Cubana topped with a fried egg (a MUST-HAVE) everything is delicious. For your friends who like to walk on the safer side tell them to go for the Milanesa or the Chicken tinga both very delicious but probably more easily appreciated for the less adventurous. Make sure to add chips and guacamole or if you are one of the crazy people who don't like avocados try any of the salsas. As a final warning DO NOT LEAVE without getting some of the authentic Mexican hot chocolate. My personal favorite are the Mexico city thick and the Aztec but I'm sure they are all delicious. Also if you feel that you especially deserve a treat then go for a churro cause they are great. happy eating!

    (5)

  • Albert H.

    We are sorry. We are from out of town. We showed up directly from the airport, about ten minutes before opening, and stood outside the door and ended up first in line. And then we had lots and lots of questions about what we should get. Our delay is no doubt why the line was so long all day. We were *those* *people*. But despite all this, everyone was very friendly. We got churros and hot chocolate and an empanada, and they were all very good. Not mind-blowing, mind you, but a nice breakfast on our first day in Chicago. As part of what would become a Rick Bayless trifecta in the course of the week, I would have to say that this is perhaps not the strongest of his three connected offerings. But it was, even in our limited sampling, absolutely no less than we expected.

    (4)

  • Robert G.

    So the wife and I took some time recently to take another step up the Rick Bayless ladder, having started with Frontera Fresco in Macy's a few months ago. At this rate, I'll be hitting up Frontera Grill and Topolobampo in no time. For now, since we didn't have time to do a 1 1/2 hour wait for the Grill, we decided to take on XOCO. The blow-by-blow follows: Iced chocolate -- the special of the summer... I think it's just cocoa powder boiled into water, steeped in peppermint grown on the roof, then poured over ice. The key is they use really good cocoa. It certainly had some texture to it, which was a plus in my book. Ahomado -- a pork sandwich served in its own broth. I got the distinct impression that at twice the price, this would have been mindbendingly good, but I'll take this $8 any day. The bread was toasted nicely, and I even tolerated the raw onions, because everything was spiced well. No stale ingredients or lazy presentation here. Top Chef Torta -- I honestly wondered why my wife got this, because it's lengua: beef tongue. Apparently, she didn't know that's what it was, so I benefitted a little bit. The chorizo gives it a big flavor kick, and it also comes with lettuce, tomatoes (I think) and its own green salsa. As usual, they toasted the bread just right. Excellent. Lemonade -- My wife got this and I've been making it at home since then. Fresh lemons, of course, but there's a twist of lime in it too. (I add hearty amounts of sugar.) Churro with chocolate -- My wife described it as a cross between a donut and funnel cake. That sounds about right. Wonderfully sweet, balanced with cinnamon and served separately with Mexican (I presume... pretty safe since I've never tasted chocolate like this before) chocolate melted in a little cup. Polvoron -- In the Philippines, or Daly City, California, depending on where you are, polvoron is a candy that's mostly flour, sometimes other ingredients (like chocolate powder or crackled rice) and butter. XOCO put the Goldlock's version to shame. Everything else I've ever had now reminds me of raw flour. XOCO toasts the flour and lightens up on the texture to ensure that you're not biting through something rock solid. Excellent. I loved this place, and really wished for something like it closer to home. Service was decent, and it wasn't all that busy at the time we went. We even got a brief view of Rick himself, probably just moving from kitchen to kitchen, so that was cool. Bring on Frontera Grill!

    (5)

  • Angela S.

    One of my favorite places that I ate at during my Chicago trip. I had to xoco salad, which was surprisingly filing thanks to a big helping of carnitas :) My boyfriend had a torta that came in tomato soup! Also surprisingly good, but probably not the smartest choice in the 80+ weather. We ended with their famous churros and soft serve - I've been craving it since we left.

    (5)

  • Tom B.

    I went to Chicago on vacation and tried this restaurant while waiting in line for pizza at Lou Malnatis. Food was awesome! Ingredients used were good quality and fresh. I believe we tried the beef tongue torta and it was excellent, not chewy like some places. Very flavorful. The only complaints were that the lines were long and slow. The host there was awesome. But the cashiers were rude. Initially they didn't even want to take our order cause there wasn't a table available for our group of seven after we've been standing in line for 40 minutes. Wasn't even apologetic for it, could have told us that while we were waiting in line for that 40 minutes. We ordered to go anyway and found our own seats outside. Food good, cashiers could be nicer. Host awesome.

    (4)

  • Allie H.

    Eh... maybe I expected too much, but this was just fine. Nothing more. It doesn't hold a candle to Nopalito or other San Francisco spots in a similar food vein, but I was so hoping that it would based on my impressions of Rick Bayless. Solid enough chilaquiles, but found the tortillas in the huevos a bit off: bland and didn't seem very fresh based on the texture (though the accompanying sauce was stellar and eggs cooked well). I'd go back for a caldo, since I missed trying that. Breakfast during the week, FYI, has no line, at least that I've seen.

    (3)

  • Devi R.

    I'm ok on this place. Being in the food industry I love that they source locally. But I found the vegetarian selection to be pretty weak. It tasted fine, but it was very standard stuff, and I expected more of this place. We aren't inclined to go back, but if friends wanted to go there again I wouldn't be opposed.

    (3)

  • Amy S.

    Xoco has the BEST empanadas and mexican hot chocolate I have ever tasted. The tortas are moderate; they tend to get a little dry. But definitely end the meal with the churros, they are phenomenol!

    (4)

  • Joy L.

    I am in awe of the food here. I came here with 3 friends in the early evening (~5:30 ish, or earlier) and we all ordered something different. Everything was absolutely delicious. My friends all ordered tortas: baja chicken, ahogada... I forget the last. We always try each other's food and all of them were absolutely delicious. I was the odd one out and got a meal-in-a-bowl-caldos, the Carnitas bowl. At first I had a little food envy for those crunchy sandwiches, but when the soup finally came, quickly made me change my mind. So hot and delicious and flavorful! It kept me warm the whole walk to the train afterwards. We all got churros after dinner. They were hot, fresh and perfect with the mexican vanilla soft-serve. My friend went a second time and said they weren't as good (cold and not very tasty), and I actually heard the same from a third party. Most people seem to think the churros are awesome though, so maybe my friends were out of luck. A couple of my lady-friends also got the hot chocolate (authentic and classic) and found it too rich to drink. Tasty, but it just made them thirstier. The food was honestly some of the best I've had for a while. I'm taking off a star because the hostess was truly unpleasant. It was our first time dining there, and she was extremely rude because we did not know the ordering protocol of the restaurant and took too long deciding on what we wanted to eat. She got mad at us for holding up the line, and we offered for many people to go ahead of us as we read through the entire menu. In addition, as we left the restaurant, instead of a "Thank you for dining with us!" or a "Have a nice night," she gave us a really nasty stink eye and brushed past us. Kind of an aggravating way to end a nice dinner... still, I'd go back anyway.

    (4)

  • Kathryn G.

    So delicious. We go at off times and never wait too long.

    (5)

  • Brian L.

    Rick Bayless (that won't break the bank) at its finest!

    (5)

  • Aileen C.

    love this place! really good mexican food. i forgot the name but the sandwich that comes in a soup is really good. but it really spicy too. almost cried eating it. They have horchata on Saturdays. and remember to finish your meal with the churros :D

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    This place was AMAZING. At first I was very annoyed at waiting in a line for almost 45 minutes. However, I was with a large group and the manager did her best to accommodate us. It was DEFINITELY worth the wait. I ordered two sandiwiches which I shared with a friend (i recommend you do the same). 1) Ahogada with the spicy salsa. This took quite a while to be served. Its a pork sandwich served in a bowl of tomato soup. It was incredibly delicious. The soup matched the falvors in the sandwich so well. Not something I would typically order, but it was so good, I was left salivating for more, even though I was so full. 2) Carne Asada: I ate this half as I waited for the Ahogada. Again, this sandwcih was incredible. The flanksteak was surprisingly tender and the chimichirri was on point. Perfect blend of spices and seasoning. 3) Chips and Salsa. The chips came with two types of salsa. Not chunky, but super smooth, almost watery. I love it this way. The red was wayyyy better than the green imo. I ended up pouring the red salso on my sandwich and the staff gladly brought some more. 4_ Chicharrones; Can't really go wrong with fried pork skin/fat. However, I will say the sauce they serve on this was REALLY hot. I like heat, but this was almost too much heat. 5) Churros. If you are sticking around for dessert, get the plain churros. They are good, and well plain. I ordered two of the peanut butter with chocolate ones and felt ripped off. Basically tey drizzle a little chocolate syrup on top of the plain churros and some crush peanuts. Definitely not worth the money they charge for them. but again the plain ones were good. 6) someone else at our table ordered the ice cream. I LOVE ice cream, but didnt order it cause iwas so full and well, it was very expensive for such a small portion. However, ......THIS WAS SOME OF THE BEST ICE CREAM I'VE EVER TASTED. It was incredible good, plain, vanilla ice cream. all in all xoco is a five star win.

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    I say in many of my reviews that there is not much I love more on this earth than a sandwich. Rick Bayless' tortas are amazing here as well as at (surprise!) Frontera Torta in O'Hare airport. If you're ever in Terminal 3 at the K gates, get one. They are amazing. But back to Xoco...yeah, there's always a long line but totally worth the wait. I beleive a good sandwich is made good by the intimate understanding of the relationship of tastes and textures and an attention to craftsmanship. Too heavy handed? Shut up! I like sandwiches! Also get the churros. Doesn't matter if you're full from the torta, you'll make room for these churros.

    (4)

  • Eunice M.

    FOOD: Churros with a side of vanilla custard and chocolate. Just fried churros with a side of Mexican style, homemade vanilla custard? Wow. Sign me up. Like right now. Seafood caldo (Mexican soup): It's brothy and flavorful. An excellent choice on a chilly day. Guacamole + chips: Famous for their guac, good but not mindblowingly amazing as some would say. A few things: - Xoco is closed on Sundays and Mondays - The line gets long (~30 minute wait if your waiting by the entrance door) - Get the churros. They are amazing.

    (4)

  • Sarah A.

    After the rain stopped, Minh and I were finally able to walk around downtown freely without getting soaked. We had planned on going to Frontera Grill, but there was a supposed 2 hours wait (for lunch). Therefore, we decided to go to XOCO (small fact XOCO is slang for little sister). I Love Rick Bayless and his cooking shows. In my opinion, he is a master at his craft. The line was short when we walked in, we were greeted and asked if it was to-go or we were eating there. We told the hostess we would be dining in, she then handed us a menu to look over while we were in line. The line moved pretty fast for us, the menu had a lot of options to choose from: Made to order Tortas Meals in a bowl (soups, stews) Salads Sides Snacks (not desserts, more like chips and salsa, Chicharrones ect) Dessert Drinks (including Chocolate coffee, Bean-to-Cup Chocolate, and Agua Fresca) Ordered a Cubana: Smoked Gunthorp pork loin and bacon, black beans, avocado, artisan Jack, chipotle mustard, Morita chiles, cilantro crema. Guacamole & Chips: guacamole, just-made chips, 2 salsas Arroz con Leche Churros with Chocolate shot for dipping The Guacamole & Chips were amazing. I could not get enough of it! The Cubana was filling and delicious for a first timer trying it out. Just thinking about it right now is making me lust over it again. The mix of meat, bacon, spicy black beans, cheese, and avocado all melted together. (Insert drool) The bread was a little to crispy as it was hard not to cut the roof of my mouth open several times but no fear I just took the bread off and ate the insides, still yummy! By the time both Minh and myself were finished with our lunches we were only half-full, which is until our desserts arrived. Now if any of you reading this knows, Arroz con Leche is a filling dessert all on its own! I would say I prefer this to the Churros; sadly, I was not too impressed with the taste of them. Maybe it was an off day in the kitchen but I found myself having to dunk them in chocolate just to get a proper taste! The Arroz con Leche was just how my mom used to make it when I was little and had a tummy ache. We left XOCO overly full but ready to take on a day and night of partying at Lollapalooza!

    (5)

  • Zsiberian N.

    Really wanted to give it 4 stars but everytime I'm mildly annoyed with the waiting line and an absolutely insane ammount of sodium in most dishes I tried. Whatever you do - don't walk out of this place without Chocolate Cappuccino.

    (3)

  • Shirley L.

    I really like this place! Really enjoyed my first dinner there, came back just for the churros, and went back a third time for a full dinner. Quick note: I always try to go during off hours, specifically for an early dinner, to avoid the lines (it's a small spot and there are no reservations). I've had the Pepito and Cubana torta sandwiches, and enjoyed both -- really fresh ingredients and a lot of flavor. One of my friends had ordered the vermicelli and didn't like it, so I'd stick with the sandwiches. For dessert definitely get the churros with chocolate sauce, then a side of soft serve and dip away -- I'm not normally a fan of churros but these are amazing. Also had their chocolate cappuccino, which was a little too sweet for me. I'd stick to a torta (do half and half with a friend so you get a little variety) and the churros (don't skimp on the soft serve).

    (5)

  • ava c.

    The short rib sandwich had phenomenal texture and tenderness. The suckling pig sandwich was a-okay; a little bland, and the habanero salsa that came with it was a bit too spicy for me. The churros were fresh and delicious, so was the hot chocolate. I did not like that they don't have a salsa bar and wish they could change that. A little spendy for what it is, but I'd love to come back and try the soups (smelled wonderful).

    (3)

  • Alison M.

    Really, really good sandwiches. Only 3 stars because I thought the ordering process was confusing and the space was too cramped and uncomfortable to fully enjoy the deliciousness of the food. I'd do take out if I went back.

    (3)

  • Megan R.

    I love the XOCO!!! My favorite dish is the Ahogada. It is worth the wait.

    (5)

  • D. K.

    This has to be one of my favorite Chicago restaurants. I love the concept of ordering at the counter, and then being seated. You get all the experience of a "sit-down" meal without the high prices. I'm always torn because everything looks so good on the menu, but the Cubana sandwich is so hard NOT to order. It's amazing! I like going with other people so I can still order the Cubana but try others' tortas. This last visit I also had the vanilla soft serve with bacon-struesel topping. It was AMAZING!

    (5)

  • Deep B.

    From chips and salsa to churro and chocolate sauce xoco was a delight. The ambiance was just hip enough to say, " hey I don't wear a suit to work" yet the price was high enough to say, "I have a job." i went by myself but it's probably best to go with 2-4 people order different things and trade. More of a lunch spot which passes my "poquito mas" test (order at a register, food brought to your table and then bussed; maximum service, minimum tip). I Reccommend xoco to chi town residents and visitors alike.

    (4)

  • Bart H.

    Many people spoke to the long lines, we had no issues with lines or getting a table. Definitely get the chips and guacamole! So you aren't surprised a Torta is a baked sandwich. I had the Ahogada Torta: pork carnitas, black beans sandwich which is served in a bowl with tomato broth & spicy arbol chile sauce. Fantastic! My son had the Pepito which he loved and my daughter had the Chipotle Chicken which lacked some flavor. A little on the pricey side for 4 sandwiches and drinks ($90).

    (4)

  • Lourdes A.

    I had the torta ahogada, which is a torta drowned in a chile sauce. It's a very common street food in Guadalajara. I wasn't thrilled with the Bayless version. It's all in the sauce and his sauce leaned a little on the fatty side. I washed it down with a hibiscus green tea or some such concoction that was divine. I'd go back just for the tea. Plus, I have a feeling maybe some of the other offerings will be better so I'm willing to go back but this review is based strictly on the torta ahogada, which was not that tasty. Skip it.

    (2)

  • Tom A.

    I rarely am willing to wait in a long line. I probably wouldn't again, here, but for an early dinner with no wait it could work. There are a couple veggie options. Guacamole was not my style, at all -- had some nasty red pepper in it. Hot chocolate a worthy addition to a meal. They asked if I'd like it now or at the end of the meal. Oh and I hope you remember to order everything you like because otherwise you have to get in line, I gather. I was still a little hungry after not eating the guac and would have had a baked good, but not in the line. Officially, it is overpriced, and annoying product placement gift ideas.

    (3)

  • Ronny L.

    After missing out on this place last year, I vowed to go here if I ever went back to Chicago. My friends swear by this place. After trying their torta and the churros (which I usually love to eat btw) I thought this place was just meh. First off, it was very frustrating that they are not open on Sunday and Monday. We were staying right next to the place Sunday and Monday night, and had to come all the way back on Tuesday. I got their Ahogada - Golden pork carnitas, black beans, spicy arbol chile sauce, pickled onions, that you eat by dipping the sandwich in their tomato broth. My friend loves this sandwich, so I thought I would try it. I thought It was pretty good, but not to die for. My gf got the Pork Belly Vermicelli (Fideos): Crispy-tender pork belly, toasty-tender noodles, woodland mushrooms, zucchini, avocado, salsa negra. Nothing special here either. I also got two types of their churros. The pistachio flavored one, and their regular one with soft-serve on the side. I felt that, even though these churros were good, it wasn't anything amazing either. Churros you get at any other place are just as good. Wished there was more to it. Maybe I hyped up the place too much in my mind. Since I kept thinking "I need to go to XOCO, I need to go to XOCO" for the last year of my life. oh well.

    (3)

  • Sneha P.

    Their Saturday goat special is the best sandwich I've had in ages. I always go back. The atmosphere is blah, but you go for the food. Their Mexican hot chocolate is good too, and so is their salsa/guacamole. I'd definitely recommend their tortas.

    (5)

  • Vicki C.

    Do I really need to add another review to the 1000+? Just a quick tip - the line can be long if you want a seat. But if you're willing to grab take-out to eat at home or while you walk - it is MUCH quicker.

    (4)

  • Ryan E.

    AMAZING, not much more to say about the food here! whatever you do, do not leave without getting a churro! I just wish I lived closer.

    (5)

  • Jessica V.

    I absolutely LOVE this place. I wish I lived closer so I could eat here more often! The tortas here are incredible. I almost always get the Ahogada when I come here. The tomato broth that it's served with is the best thing in the world. I am salivating just thinking about it. My boyfriend's go-to is the conchinita pilbil which is also amazing. The pork is so tender and flavorful. Definitely my favorite pork sandwich. The caldos are also very good. I've had the chicken pozole and the shortrib and both were great, but I think the tortas are way to go. Don't be discouraged if you see a long line when you come here, it moves very quickly and it's well worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Joan F.

    I think I expected too much. From reading the reviews, I thought my friend and I were in for a real treat--and, possibly, some really great food. What we ended up with were tortas on bread with a crust so hard it made eating them unpleasant. The torta 'innards', if you will, were good, but wasn't worth the cost. If I'm paying $14 for a sandwich, I expect greatness. The churros with chocolate sauce were delicious.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

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 : No
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : No

Categories

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

Xoco

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