I like to think I know a good taco when I meet one.. And I must say that I have met many tacos in my days, my belly is proof enough to see that.. This place, my friend, has the best Carne Asada tacos in Chicago.. I know everybody will come at me with how Atontonilco's has the best, or that the Northside conglomerate, La Pasada & it's sister restaurants rule, or that Paco Tacos across the street are top dog.. Sadly, they cannot come close to the Carne Asada tacos at ZACATACOS.. The aforementioned places are good, don't get me wrong, but nothing beats the marinated chunks of charbroiled steak that come packed in these tacos. The meat is perfectly marinated and seasoned, then charbroiled, and doused wth lime juice while cooking. The result, is a backyard barbecue quality flavor, that brings me back to the many family gatherings, that consisted primarily, of grilled arrachera tacos and ice cold Modelos. Actually, Zacatacos are still better than what we made ourselves, lol Ok, I am done gushing about the ASADA, I don't want to ignore the grilled chicken, but asada is the star here com'on.! Please note, that the grilled chicken is equally as good, and in my opinion the best around. I ALWAYS compare chicken tacos to ZACATACOS. Why you ask?? because they do it the right way, whole marinated chicken breasts, grilled, then diced up into bite sized chucks. Perfection! Other taquerias like to cook various parts of the chicken, shred it, and create a seasoned stew-like mixture with tomatoes and onions usually. The result most often, is a sloppy taco that sogs the tortillas and a makes a messy meal. Not very good in my opinion. Zacatacos wins by a very large margin! One last tid bit. I havent seen anybody mention the nachos, but aside from the tacos, the nachos are my second favorite. Crisp, freshly fried tortilla chips fill the white styrofoam container, add yellow nacho cheese, refried beans, sour cream, fresh guacamole, jalepeno peppers, and your choice of the carne asada or the grilled chicken.. Definitely a must try.
(5)
Jesse U.
Food 4/5 Service4.5/5 Atmosphere 4/5 The food here is great their char broiled steak(carne asada) is so delicious. However today when I stopped in for lunch their service really blew me away. I had not gone in since their remodel and addition to inner seating. I was greeted and seated efficiently and courtiou. Not even two minutes later I had been served Their complimentary chicken soup had a menu and my drink, with chips and salsa. I ordered the nachos with carne asada and within another five minutes I had my dish in front of me. If I had to critic anything, and the only reason today's service was not a perfect 5, it would be that once everything came to me at lightning speed no one followed up with me for about 18 minutes :-\, I was thirsty for more of their delicious agua de horchata but by the time someone did come I had finished my meal. All in all the remodeling did make it nice and comfortable to enjoy my meal and the food was great and so was the service. I look forward to more of these meals!
(4)
J T.
Best tacos on the south side. I always go for steak and I always mean to try the others, but can't help but stick with the steak. I also love the rice. This is a bit of a drive from me, but I always stop by when I'm in the area.
(4)
A M.
Some of the best tacos in Chicago. If you live on the northside or in the suburbs its worth a trip.
(4)
Abigail T.
After a 12hr shift today I passed by for some tacos al pastor because they are good. I get home and all I got are steak tacos. So I called and the lady who answered was very rude and told me that if I wanted tacos al pastor I could take the tacos back so they can redo my order. I asked to speak with the owner or manager and she said they weren't there. What kind of service is that? I don't expect them to deliver the food, but it wasn't my fault they are not able to get an order right and they are wasting my time and gas. Next time I will just go to La haciendita on Kenzie.
(1)
Mike Y.
I love these steak tacos. I drive from the north side south to get these tacos. When are they coming up here? I'm jonesing for one now.
(5)
Damian P.
They were rated # 1 Tacos by a Chicago Tribune a few times for a reason. This is the place that has the most authentic tacos ANYWHERE in Chicago. I love them. Although they can get busy in the evening hours, they are by far one of the best. their tacos de carne asada will FORCE you to do cartwheels. They are awesome for sure and the cleanliness of this place is really good.
(4)
Marlene M.
I love this tacos There The BEST TACOS IN THE WORLD When my aunt comes to visit everytime we go to Zaca tacos
(5)
Charles Z.
BEST CARNE ASADA TACOS on the south side of Chicago! This place has a basic Mexican restaurant menu: Tacos, Tortas, Burritos, etc... but the thing that gives this place that extra 'oomph' is the meat! The meat is cooked and seasoned to perfection every time I've eaten here. The quality of the food is consistent and I've never had any problems with my orders. Small space but the food makes up for it, big time If you havent been here, stop in for some tacos! I highly recommend it! Enjoy :) ::Quick Tips:: -Order ahead of time. The wait isn't long but it could get pretty crowded at times. -If the parking lot looks full, DO NOT drive into it! Park somewhere on Pulaski.
(5)
Gerardo S.
Thick tortillas, hard oversized meat cuts, and thick salsas. The only place Zacatecas can compete with is Pacos Tacos because they taste just as bad. Not a fan at all. They lack flavor and they try to make up for it by giving you large portions. Bland.
(2)
Tina C.
Very bad food tonite, tostadas were dripping with oil, tacos very greasy too, the bag the burrito came in had grease at the bottom. Had to put paper towel under the tostada to soak up the grease. Asada was greasy over cooked, and cut ver small. Had to wash hands twice to get rid of The greasy feeling. It has been. Hit or miss with them the past year, but never this bad, the asada sometimes on the nachos is skimpy than usual. Very disappointed!! If I had had not seen the bag my husband Brought it home in I would thought it came from somewhere else.
(1)
Jeff G.
the carne asada was the best taco, picadillo not so much and the chile relleno was kind of lacking flavor. also liked the barbacoa we only ate here because we had family business in the area. for example, not worth it for a northsider to come down just to eat here but overall it was tasty
(4)
Lili C.
I ended my search for the perfect tacos and salsa after a friend introduced me to this spot. The al pastor tacos and perfectly seasoned, but my favorite thing about this place is the red salsa! It's incredibly difficult to find a HOT salsa with a good flavor as well. Salsas at Mexican restaurants usually taste the same- like water and tomatoes with crappy seasoning. This place has the perfect recipe and as long as they don't change it, I will always be a customer.
(5)
Amanda S.
First off, I'm a maaaaaajor gringa. As in, 'medium' salsa is too much for me to handle. So I was kind of expecting even the plain meat to be spicy, but it wasn't, which was a very pleasant surprise. Plus, it was cheap. Got my tacos, several add-ons and a can of Squirt for well under $10. I had 3 Tacos: Asada (steak), Pastor (pork), y Lengua (beef tongue) Like everyone else on here, I thought the steak was the best. Just because of how flavorful the meat was. And not like some marinade, it actually tasted like good, real steak. Which is a rarity in tacos. The pork was just ok. The tongue was good - nice rich flavor, not too fatty. My only con is the amount of cilantro that's on them. The steak one was almost equal parts meat and cilantro. Needless to say, I scooped most of the herbage off. I'm a carnivore, no need for any green stuff on my taco, thank you very much. Pretty much the only time I'm in this area is when I'm killing time waiting for friends/family's flights to come in, but now I know that when I'm in that situation, I'll have somewhere to go to get some eats. Even late - til midnight every day except for til 2am on saturday night.
(4)
Sam Z.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Chicago! The food there is great and you get good portions. The place is REALLY small but I usually go there for take out. There is outdoor seating which I've used in the past but my girlfriend and I have always encountered bees when we sit out there in the summer times. The "parking lot" is small and is usually packed during the evening. Most people that go there suck at parking and it is really just a small dead end street which sucks when you drive in there to find no parking. If you manage to back out you can just park on Pulaski which usually has spots. Despite all the small negative things about this place the food makes up for it. I usually go there for steak tacos or a torta. I did once get a small piece of metal from what I think was a piece of a stainless steal scrubber in my torta back in the day but I've never had any problems like that in years. Maybe I'm crazy for going back but I haven't found a better taco place.
(4)
Shanisse J.
Tacos are the best! Flavorful and tender meat! Always packed,so be patient
(4)
Jane E.
A solid and unrelenting dive that brings people together. The food is made fresh - or so I can tell. The dishes are really authentic - my friend from Mexico was thoroughly impressed by their selection. And the speed that they get you your food - I can't complain. It's on my list of places to visit weekly, sooo goood!
(4)
Jasmine C.
I like this place so much that when 'taco' is mentioned, I automatically add 'ZACA' before it. A taco isn't a taco unless it's from Zacatacos. Why I love Zacatacos:- a) steak tacos (carne asada)- the meat is cooked whole before it is chopped up into pieces, resulting in a juicy, flavourful and ultimately superior taco. I like dousing mine with the provided red & green salsa. b) taco al pastor (pork)- order these with pineapple and onions... SO GOOD. Nobody does tacos like Zacatacos. Believe the hype!
(4)
Diana R.
This location is the best, though it is tiny. Flavor is better here than other locations. char-broiled tacos de asada...so delicious. They are perfect! I love a good Zacataco. (and the tortas are pretty good too). If you're going with a lot of people, do not expect to find a seat, but it is very inexpensive so you can always carry out!
(5)
Char Y.
delicious authentic place that's always packed with tons of people and cars!!!
(4)
Jia M.
Today I had tacos from Zaca Tacos and the Paco's Tacos a block away, taking a break from my usual diet of burgers and fried chicken. I had two steak (asada) tacos to go, with cilantro and onions, and I went home to eat them. In my opinion, the tacos from both are great, but I have to give the edge to Zaca because the meat seemed more moist and flavorful, even though the tortillas were greasier than the one at Paco's. There's not much space in there, so take out is the recommended option. I think my living room is about the same size as the customer area at Zaca. Credit cards are accepted, with a $10 minimum. Definitely give both places you try if you can.
(4)
Elle M.
Great tacos de carne asada! Cheap prices, and quick service. It's a fail-safe place for a quick bite. Definitely worth stopping by if you happen to be on that side of town.
(4)
Brandon C.
A great little Mexican place with good prices. I lived a block away from this place for years and never went. when I finally did I was mad that i missed out on it for all those years. I have had several things on the menu and loved it all. It is a tiny place though so I always get mine to go so I can eat at home. If you do eat there though they give you free chips and salsa witch are very good.
(5)
Diana T.
Everything on menu is great!!!! Great spot if your in the mood for a summer style grilled flavored steak or chicken taco anytime of the year. The salsa is truly spicy n tasty just like my mom makes it. The horchata drink is delicious as well.
(5)
Love L.
Been here a couple of times. Fast service and large portions of food. Not the cleanest place. But it is a good place for a fast meal.
(4)
Kelli P.
The BEST Steak Tacos in the City!!! I'm a steak taco connoisseur - I'll try them anywhere, looking for the best one. I think I've found it right here!! The best way to have them is with a little onion, cilantro and a hefty squeeze of lime. Forget the lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream. Yuck! Why ruin a good thing - add toppings that highlight the flavors! On top of it, they give you a huge amount of meat in each taco - I order two tacos, rice, beans and a horchata and I feel like I need to be rolled out of this place. I'm a big eater too, so I don't get full easily. Staff is always friendly, other menu items are also always good. Highly recommended! I'll keep trying the steak tacos at other joints, but so far, this is the only place that I will purposely go back to just for the tacos... Buen Provecho!
(5)
Svetlana M.
Honestly disgusting. I have no idea how this place has 4 stars and 61 reviews. It's a dirty hole in the wall with oily food. The employees were kind but the place was dirty and the food was bad.
(2)
Dee H.
Charbroiled goodness! What more could you ask for? The hot sauce is yummy, chicken and steak taco had a great smokey flavor. Only issue is that the sometimes the steak meat tastes more burnt than charbroiled. It's hit or miss. I suggest that if you're getting tacos, try a variety if it's your 1st time to find out what you like.
(4)
Hula B.
the best $2 tacos i've ever had. actually the best tacos i've ever had. over an hour from my place on north side - but when i want them, i will go get them!
(5)
Anita V.
Still a winner, I love sitting outside and eating my delicious zacatacos. The only difference is I'm more of a red sauce girl then a green sauce girl now. My only wish would be for them to start doing breakfast.
(5)
Adolfo A.
Good tacos, inexpensive and quick. Love their nachos! I have to admit in the past 2 years the quality of the tacos has gone slipped a bit and I have to believe its because they are now serving a more diverse clientele as well as just lots more people.
(4)
Maryam S.
Sooooo good. Even my sister who dislikes Mexican loved every part of our meal. Wasn't a huge fan of the plastic forks and lack of plates (all they had were plastic baskets) BUT mega-amazing food had me quickly forgetting. The asada - seriously, is a must.
(5)
Chinika T.
The. Best. Steak. Tacos. Ever. That should tell you enough.
(5)
Loretta T.
I love, love, love Zacatacos! The carne asada taco salads are the best! The food is always great there and the red salsa is delishhh! The only negative comment I would have is that you'll walk out of there smelling like a char grill! The place has long lines however worth the wait but poor, poor ventilation which causes you to sell like charcoal. Its definitely worth the wait though! I'm there at least once a week. Oh and la sopa for the kids is good too!
(4)
Andrea M.
This is by far one of the best taco places in Chicago. The place is small and only offers a few stools for inside seating, but does have a little outside area. I usually just get my order as carryout. All of the meats are grilled which cuts down on the fat in the meat. The steak tacos with avocado are pretty incredible. If you have a huge appetite I would recommend the burrito. I have never ordered it myself, but have been with others who have and not only is it huge, but it looks yummy. Outside of the chicken and steak tacos I occasionally order the chicken nachos. If you are fan of sour cream make sure to order it on the side because it isn't served on any of the items.
(4)
Tom A.
Chicken tacos are good, although the chicken can be dry at times. Carne Asada have a good charcoal grill taste, but carne asada cooked in this style is not traditional Mexican. Rather, cooking carne asada on a griddle or large pan is the way they do it in Mexico. The tortillas they use are ordinary, very much unlike the better-tasting El Milagro tortillas one of their competitors uses. Don't let the nice smell fool you. The quality is just plain ordinary.
(2)
Jason N.
I know this is a local chain but this location has the deepest menu. The Al Pastor tacos are only mediocre to me. But the steak tacos and gorditas are char broiled and flavorful. Very tasty. In my opinion, bar none the best chicken tacos I've had at a mexican restaurant. Something about grilling that makes it extra good. The gorditas are top notch, think of a big taco but instead of a tortilla substitute a homemade grilled pita. The potato tacos are tasty as well, but artery clogging. And the salsa is good, but very spicy. Great southside taco joint and on a weekend evening prepare to wait as it does get crowded.
(4)
Nico C.
Fantastic food. Also, don't be afraid to try something new other than a steak taco. It's all good!
(4)
Christopher L.
After years of hype from coworkers, I came, I ate, I left happy. Definitely better than any mexican food I've tasted on the Northside... not sure if it lived up to the hype, but definitely worth going to.
(4)
Amy H.
Mmmm...zaca tacos!!! The taco salad is delicious and enormous. I love the steak tacos too. I have heard that their menudo is the best cure for a hangover, but I'm too chicken to try it. An utterly awesome taqueria!!
(5)
Mike Y.
Had a carne asada taco, a al pastor taco, and a horchata from here the other night. Pretty good stuff. I've become a fan of al pastor (pork) tacos lately and this one did not disappoint. I didn't know that you could get it with pineapples so sadly mine didn't have any in it. Hopefully next time! The steak taco was pretty good as well and the horchata was good but perhaps slightly too sweet.
(4)
Roxanne D.
Very small place with a big, authentic taste! I've had nothing but great food and great service at each and every Zacataco location!!
(5)
Mary A.
I haven't had another grilled taco yet that can beat zaco taco yet, very good, service fast, prices reasonable. the only dislike is the tiny space on the inside, very small, but hey who cares the food is delicious!
(5)
Teri L.
My favorite place for tacos! Everytime I'm anywhere in the area, I'll stop by for a bite to eat. I love the carne asada so much that I seem to always get the same thing. I also like the chicken tacos. As others have mentioned, the parking lot is small but I've always been able to find a spot. The customer service is friendly and fast. Prices are very affordable.
(5)
Jay M.
Hands down my favorite taco joint in the city... of course it's gotta be on the south side. There are pretenders to the throne in Logan Square, Uk. Village, etc. but Zaca kills them. Good quality ingredients, cooked legit, seasoned perfectly, cooked on a flame barbecue grill and not some shitty flattop fast food style grill, this taco joint will destroy any steak or vegetarian taco joint in the city.
(4)
A-train R.
Zacatacos is a taqueria which means it doesn't really serve any sides or platillos, but i've been to the new restaurant on Harlem and 75th and that one is a restaurant which has much more selection. However, all their meats are really good, but i would go with their steak tacos. The definitely have some of the best served carne asada in the Chicago area as far as I know. It's cheap and very good. They are also quick. I have been here a few times and its very consistent with serving good steak. If you want a good taco or burrito you won't go wrong with Zacatacos. The only negative side to the west lawn location is that its not cozy, the south Harlem restaurant though is very accomodating.
(4)
Amanda T.
If you want to experience food nirvana, GO TO ZACATACOS. The tacos here are amazingly delicious. It's a bit out of my way to get here but trust me, the journey is worth it. Each one is stuffed to capacity, so I'm usually full after two and in a full out food coma after three. The horchata is also in a league of its own. Food here is cheap too! People say that money can't buy happiness. I say they're lying. You can buy happiness. You'll find it at Zacatacos for under $10.
(5)
Fred A.
GO!!! This location has the best tacos I've ever had. Crap area, crap looking building, but the food is amazing. You just can't go wrong. Don't believe me, just try it for yourself.
(5)
Meghan R.
Small location but packed with tons of good food! Their tacos are delicious and service is fast. Definite go-to for great Mexican food!
(4)
David O.
I have been eating here for years since they first opened. They have the best skirt steak burritos and tacos in the whole south side of chicago.they charbroil their skirt steak and marinated with lime juice, as well as herbs and spices. They also have delicious chicken tacos and burritos. they use the best boneless, skinless chicken breast meat, and is prepared the same way as their skirt steak. And if your a vegetarian eater, they have tasty vegetarian tacos as well. The nachos on their menu could be better if they only used authentic mexican chihuahua cheese, instead of american nacho cheese dip. F.Y.I.... they're red salsa is the bomb! Mmm, Mmm, good!
(4)
Joe S.
Ran into this place on my way to Midway airport. There's an old Chicago adage that states: " The best Mexican food is cheap and found at a tiny local hole-in-the-wall restaurant." Well, that's absolutely true in this case. All food is fresh, and you can see it being prepared in their open kitchen. The lady at the counter told me that they purchase the bread for the tortas from a local bakery across the street. Produce is delivered fresh daily and if they run out, they run to the local grocery store next door. Finally the tacos are to die for. Huge chunks of real chicken with fantastic old world spices and fresh produce piled high on two corn tortillas (also made in Chicago). Burritos are good, but overshadowed by their other menu items. I will return there every time I need to travel through Midway Airport.
(5)
Liz W.
One of the best tacos i had ever had. So my friend who lives on the southside decided to take me there. The place is small inside and they have a little outdoor patio so we decided to eat there. The brought out the chips and 2 different salsas. The chips weren't really good but i was hungry so i ate a few. I ordered a chicken taco, steak taco, rice, & beans. Tacos were yummmyyyyyy. The rice and beans were a lil on the bland side. They also didn't sell water which is a bummer for me since that's all i drink. I recommend going there for the tacos.
(4)
Rich L.
This place has the best steak burritos and Tacos period!!! Have tried many other places but this joint is simply the best.
(5)
John M.
OK before you crucify me for only giving one star let me first explain. It is true the tacos here rock but in that very average way, the nachos here would be alot better if they used a better brand of cheese to smother the chips in, shredded chicken instead of grilled chicken breast in my burrito c'mon are you serious, and finally the high prices and lousy service in this place bring the rating down to a single star. The only thing that stands out to me on their ridiculously overpriced, average menu is the sopa de pollo but considering I only eat it when I'm sick I cant really factor it into the ratings. Sorry Zaco Tacos you're just not that good in my opinion.
(1)
Tobias C.
The tacos taste ok but I recommend you check out El Pollo Feliz up on the next block- Their tortillas are no factory made like in Zacatacos. Frankly this place is vastly overrated.
(3)
Diana R.
I love their steak tacos!!!! They use hearty pieces of meat in your tacos not ground beef looking. I'm sure they marinade their meat with lime and other spices. I truly like this place for their tacos, chips & salsa, and chicken flautas! What I don't like is that the place gets pretty crowded and it takes a little longer than it should for them to have your food ready.
(4)
Rosie p.
this place is cheap and you get your taco torta or burrito STUFFED with meat. the seasoning is done just right,and there food is really good. The place is small so I would recommend you take it to go if you want to eat at your own pace. If you are going to eat quickly eat there.
(5)
Alayna H.
This place can get a little stuffy, went here in the summer with a large group of people and it was slightly miserable...but the tacos are well worth it. I pretty much always order tortas de pollo, I can't help it, they always hit the spot! But the tacos here we deliciosos and definitely gave me good reason to stray from the norm.
(4)
Noemi T.
There other location just made the list for Chicago best tacos and I have to agree. I'm always eating here or at their other locations. The do have the best steak in town. Click here for the Best tacos article metromix.chicagotribune.…
(4)
Luis A.
Very good, my uncle introduced me to this place and i have to say i was very surprised! giving la pasadita a run for it's money.
(4)
Michael D.
I am rating it based on the tacos alone, I would give it five stars but I only get the steak tacos with cilantro, onions, and cheese. These tacos are soooo good and filling that only two wil have you satisfied. However the great tasting tacos are addicting and will have you wanting more. I think you can even phone in your order, this way you avoid the waiting there. Back to the tacos, the meat is actually meat. You rarely find the chewy/fatty pieces. If friends or people I know ask me about a good taco place, I always reccomend zaca tacos.
(4)
Evan K.
This place has the best Mexican food you can buy. The carne asada is amazing, with that charcoal grilled flavor. This is the original place. Why would you ever go to some snooty Mexican restaurant like Lalos and pay 3-4 times what the food is worth. Come here and get it cheap. This place is so popular with locals, many who see not the type to be reviewing it on Yelp, you see Asians, Mexicans, blacks, whites, Indians/Desi, EVERYBODY comes here.
(5)
Yo U.
The gal working the cash register at Zacatacos the night that I visited was very nice and on top of things, but the food was very ordinary.
(3)
Eunice S.
Zaca tacos is near my family office, so whenever I crave some good ole fashion tacos I am absolutely satisfied. I always get the Carne Asada Tacos with silantro, onion, and splash of lime. They are very small with a few seats inside an few tables outside. Parking can be a little annoying sometimes since they have limited space. But it's okay because they are my favorite place to get tacos at the moment. I definitely recommend it!
(5)
Michelle R.
Mashed potato taco?? Who woulda thunk it?? Vegetarian friendly! This place uses high quality chicken breast, steak, etc. for their tacos, burritos, tortas. The tomato and cilantro are always fresh. The place is always clean. This is my favorite taqueria EVER!!!
(5)
ava l.
seriously, folks. zacatacos IS just about as good as it gets. and to all the nayayers who describe the carne asada as "chewy." well, it is supposed to be chewy. there is nothing more inauthentic than carne asada that is not prime quality skirt steak, which resists the teeth in that oh-so-perfect way. these are the best carne asada tacos EVER. honestly. i'm a so-cal native who has tried just about every tacqueria in LA, SD, SF, and Santa Cruz. And most of the reputable ones in Chicago. Not to mention all over Mexico. Zaca Tacos has the most authentic al pastor and carne asada. perfectly seasoned, perfectly prepared. For instance: you know when you spritz your lime in your steak taco and it just tastes like lime-drenched steak? It's good, right? Well at Zacatacos they season their asada so perfectly, that when you add lime, all the ingredients of the taco cohere into a synergistic flavor sensation that is so much more than the sum of its parts. It's briny, steaky, citrusy, and mouth-watering. in every bite. And need I mention that the tortillas are the best in the city? they are quite toothsome as well. I eat my occasional lomo (ribeye) taco. It's really good, not chewy at all. But asada should be chewy and hearty steak, with excellent beefy flavor and a noticeable char. AND the mashed potato taco is out of this world delicious. tacos are all about the genius of simplicity. zaca tacos has mastered that genius.
(5)
Naomi C.
Love! 2 steak tacos, under five bucks and super filling. Nachos are a must have all though a bit much for me my hubby likes them, Very fast services, but be prepared, they are almost always busy
(5)
b c.
the good: great chicken tacos prepared on open grill, great chicken flautas. the bad: steak tacos also tasty but very chewy(sub-standard meat i'm thinking) the ugly: right around noon it gets REALLY crowded. call ahead & get the food to go, sometimes it gets very smoky in there. the exhaust blows (it certainly doesn't suck) you smell like food the rest of the day. don't forget to CHECK YOUR ORDER before you leave. they'll screw it up faster than mcdonald's
(3)
Al R.
You CANNOT drive by this place and NOT be tempted by the smell of flame broiled steak cooking. This is one of the few in the area that cooks its steak whole, and THEN cuts it up. Make a difference? Si! It produces a juicy and flavorful steak that is not shriveled and dry, as when you cook it cut already. Taco and burritos are the best here. Although, it only lacks perfection because of their lackluster sauces. They have the green tomatillo and red sauce. Heat, but not enough flavor. This is definitely a condiment, and not something you can eat a cup of ,without gastric repercussion later on. I have been coming here for years, and now that the 71st Street is open and PACKED constantly, it is a great escape that some have forgotten about. IMHO, they can open up about 6 more and have them all do very well. My only complaint about the meat is that the burrito is VERY small. I get one, and it may be half the size of an El Gallo's or El Famous. Did success go to their heads?(Like Tony's Beef) Are they cutting back or heavily portioning the servings? I hope not. maybe I am just getting fatter. Edit: As of 2008, their Green (tomatillo) sauce is probably one of the best I've tasted. NOW, they are perfect.
(5)
Steve W.
This is one of my favorite Mexican food spots in the city. The food always comes out fresh to made and nothing on the menu ever disappointed me. The only thing missing at this place are the carrots on the side other then that u can't go wrong with anything you order. Food portions are large the steak is charbroiled just right and flavorful. They just updated the dining area so u don't have to order to go anymore. Definitely worth checking out if ur craving Mexican food.
(5)
Brian H.
One Of The Best Food Spots Of Chicago. My Opinion. I Love This Place. The Steak & Chicken Prepared Here With Various Combos And Dishes Definitely Set Them Far Ahead Of Other "Authentic" Claiming Counterparts. From The Salsa's To The Entrees I'm Positive You will Be Pleased.
(4)
Thomas G.
Tried the Carne Asada Tacos. Good flavor, a little char broiled. Good hot sauce red or green. My friend had the Carne Asada Burrito which was good too. There are a lot of good taco places around there but I will remember this one. I understand it was one of the first in the area too. They have a pretty full menu including Guacamole which was excellent. I'm sure I will be back when I can.
(4)
Louie N.
I have been a fan, customer for over 15 years. All of their locations taste the same and are good. After arriving from out of town, I decided to grab a bit to eat with my friend. We ordered burritos, steak & ground beef, guacamole & chips & an horchata. Went home to eat it and when I got towards the middle of my burrito I noticed an odd taste in my mouth. I took items out and noticed a long strain of brown hair was wrapped up in the meat. I went back to restaurant to get a refund but the mgr Albina, a non-speaking English lady, said she would only give me a refund for 1 burrito not both. I asked for corporate # and the answered, Jocelyn, got a mgr on phone, Pasquel, whom I told the same incident to and he apologized and said to go back and he will call Albina to give a refund for the other burrito. She had an attitude and demanded my receipt for her records. I took my receipt back and told her I need it in case I get sick. I came home and vomited 3 times. I won't ever patronize them in my life again. #hairnets
(1)
Bar Guy Yes O.
When you don't eat quality tacos, then try places like this, you think it's the best ever, but it's not. The tacos are made with sub par meat first of all, then they are grilled to death leaving burnt smokey carbon all over the food, which is not healthy at all. Too much salt, too much grease, bad meat used, but all these things will hide the real taste of anything. I'll stick to CHIPOTLE and be sure every ingredient is quality, rather than risking getting sick from food poisoning, skyrocketing my sodium, cholesterol or saturated fats for the week. This is mexican grub food at best, and just to let you know, I am mexican, have eatin from every mexican place around and know quality when I see it.
(1)
Oscar S.
This is my favorite of all their locations.Idk. The food just seems to taste better.But you really can't go wrong at ANY of their spots.Charbroiled steak tacos are on point!!!! I always have to have at least one when I order.Love their gorditas de rajas con queso and quesadillas al pastor as well.They've been SUPER SUCCESSFUL for a reason.I could honestly take a blind taste test of their steak tacos and KNOW when Im having ZACATACOS.Just DELICIOUS!!!!
(4)
Mario B.
Too many flys and no air conditioning. Small portions of meat. Food is average but great if you love eating with flys!!
(1)
Diana S.
If you want an authentic Mexican fast food restaurant that tastes pretty good you should come here. If you're looking for a fancy, overpriced Mexican restaurant this is not your place. They have been around for quite a while and they are definitely doing something right. They Cater mostly to people that want inexpensive fast food Mexican plates or just a la carte tacos. If you're in the neighborhood I would definitely suggest give it a try. I have tried their tacos, enchiladas, flautas, dinner plates, taco salad and nachos. They were all pretty good and pretty reasonably priced. They actually just remodeled this location.
(5)
Mirna S.
Their food is mediocre. The sauce is just too spicy with no flavor. Like your typical salsa it should consist of a few chiles, tomato, garlic and chicken boudin or salt for flavor. Their sauce is only chile de arbol with water. Yuk! The refried beans they use to stuff their burritos is disgusting, again no flavor but on the other their chicken tacos w/onion & cilantro are great along with their chicharron en salsa verde but wayyyy to spicy for my liking and yes I'm Mexican. For Mexican I would stick with Don Chava's on Pulaski right across from Target
(3)
Angel A.
I was very, very dissatisfied with the service and quality of the food during my lunch today. As a long time South Side native, Zaca has always been my favorite place in town to eat yet today my opinion has changed. I ordered my usual steak tacos with lettuce and cheese which they didn't get right then they had the nerve to give me an attitude after they messed up my order! I was trying to be convenient but they were very rude; I don't think that's how you should treat loyal customers (10+yrs of visits) especially when you are at fault.
(1)
Ale I.
Good quality Mexican food. Phone ahead if you plan to carry out. Once in a while my food will have a little too much salt. Recently remodeled as it used to have an outdoor seating area.
(4)
Jaclyn H.
Love this place. The food is great but the staff is a bit rude. I think they are understaffed. They always forget my green salsa.
(4)
Jose M.
30 minute waiting to get 5 tacos to go not worth it they have good food but the wait time is ridicules
(2)
Danny K.
Best Tacos I've had since moving to Chicago. Carne Asada flavorful but a little dry, still great. Lengua was on point, tender and juicy. Al Pastor has great flavor but the taco didn't have as much meat, maybe a fluke. Horchata was good, not the best I've had, but still good. Free Chips and Salsa for dining in. Red Salsa was very flavorful and spicy. You might need water afterwards. Green Salsa was a nice flavor and has no spice. Both Salsa's were fresh and not watered down like some places. I had 4 tacos and med Horchata for $12.18 before tip. If Zacatacos wasn't in the Southside I would be here more often.
(4)
G S.
My last visit I had the gordita dinner an I was impressed with the quality of the gordita. I had never had one before and it was very flavorful and filling. Today I am having the steak nacho and tostada carne asada and a taco al pastor. That steak nacho was unbelievable. Highly recommend it. If you come and don't get the steak nacho. Just hit your self now
(5)
Eduardo G.
Me and my wife love coming here for a late night dinner! She loves the tortas, me as well but the tacos got me in a trance (Asada) lol! We can't complain!
(5)
Jenifer J.
Zaca is back and better than ever! I've lived in this neighborhood my whole life and about 10 years ago Zaca was the best place to get a steak taco, torta, burrito, whatever... I never even wasted my time trying anything else however, after while the meat got fattier and less flavorful. So I stopped going and went to any one of the 52 other mexican joints in the neighborhood in the past several years. But I am soooo happy that I decided to stop in after they did a whole new remodel of the joint. I had the steak quesadillas on flour tortillas and oh em eff gee were they delicious!! The way I remember them tasting when it was 9 years ago. Sauces were pretty good, guac was pretty good. I would only recommend not getting horchata because they serve you the ones that are already pre-filled in the cooler (aka super water downed beverage) even when you dine in. Also, when you dine in you apparently have to just walk up to the cashier lady and pay without receiving a check or notice from your waitress. Didn't bother me though because after finishing my food and waiting 7 minutes I just walked up there because there was only 2 other tables full there. In conclusion, cannot wait to go back, dine in or carryout.
(4)
Michael S.
Came to this place with a few friends a few days ago! This place did not disappoint from what my friends were telling me. The food was pretty good and the green salsa was pretty amazing! Also very affordable to come with your family. I definitely will be back to have some more amazing tacos!
(4)
Adnan A.
Best steak tacos in Chicago. The steak is char grilled so flavor is awsome. Great value for the money. Try their steak and cheese quessedia, it's great.
(4)
Emilee S.
The original & the best. You don't get better tacos than this. Period. Been coming here for over 13 years and traveling far and wide to get there.
(5)
Richard C.
The food is pretty good, and maybe 20% less than enough to fill me up, but the price is about 60% less than I expected, e.g. $3 for an asada burrito, IIRC.
(5)
Diana G.
I've heard so much about this place and decided to just go try it out. I got the nachos, while it was good, I've had better. I think everyone agreed the steak tasted good, but just as a whole it didn't blow us away. My BIL had the al pastor and said it was okay, but he prefers it from somewhere else.
(3)
Jose A.
Still, hands down, one of the best places to eat in the area. Great food, great service, the whole nine. What the place does lack is parking space. It's almost always frustrating to park in their small lot. The food definitely is worth it in the end though.
(4)
Sara S.
Very busy at 4pm on a Sunday. Staff was nice and didn't laugh at my pathetic attempt to speak Spanish. However they forgot the the taco I had walked over a mile to get. Bummed, but everything else was delicious and I'll be back! Great place.
(4)
D K.
I was referred to this place by a friend and I must say it is the worse Mexican food I have ever eaten! Ordered the carne asada dinner and it was salty as the Dead Sea. Also, I could still taste the meat coming up through my stomach even after 6 hours! This place should be shutdown for inspection. Any food that comes up after you eat it is a bad sign of contamination. Avoid this place! I don't want to give any stars but I have to in order to post this review.
(1)
Anamaria T.
I had a barbacoa taco and a chorizo tostada. The chorizo tostada was pretty good, but the barbacoa taco was absolutely amazing! It was so good, I had to order another one! And I absolutely love Mexican sodas, so I had a Jarritos with my meal. The place was really busy, and it seemed like there were a lot of regulars. Everything was fairly clean and the waitresses were attentive. My boss really liked the verde and hot salsas. I particularly enjoyed the verde on my chips. The food is really cheap considering how tasty it is.
(4)
Danny T.
We order from there maybe 2 times a month for the past 8 years or so, Its convenient and my co workers like it very well, but they are not from these area so they don't know many options, I guess it's good if you dine in, but from my experience, one out of 5 times that I take out they Always forget something in our order, I don't know why they keep making the same mistake but I just arrived back to work from zacatacos today to find out my order is missing, so while everyone is eating I'm not, so I decided to share my experience with everyone, I know I should've checked the bag before leaving the restaurant but so many bags I wasn't about to dig through 6 different orders. I decided to call the place and complain, and in other words I was pretty much understood that they Cannot refund my money to my credit card for the missing order and they Cannot deliver it, so pretty much I was screwed, I could only go back (drive back) and get it my self. I hope everyone had a better experience than me but I will never return to that place, the food it's good, But there's a better place just down the street so is not like I'm out of options. Thx you for reading my story and hope you have a bless day.
(1)
Kevin S.
These tacos are a delight to the senses. I always get tacos de asada and the meat is well seasoned, it's juicy and no guilty thoughts after it's all gone! This is a must go taco spot! Not your regular cookie cutter tacos.
(5)
Laurie E.
Love the food but sometimes the service can really be bad. The waitresses can sometimes be stuck on stupid. But other than that, Love that they remodeled. I've had almost everything on the menú. Love the gorditas. Love the nacho's , but with queso blanco. Their "nacho" cheese tastes like melted government cheese slices lol trust me I know. ( tough times). The asada can be a bit too salty for tacos that's why I usually get asada only for my gorditas. Love the veggie tacos. And the burritos are bomb. The lengua and barbacoa are good. Nothing great but good. Salsas are nothing special but good and spicy enough for the food! Also the parking really sucks. 4 stars for the good food itself .
(4)
B C.
God I love this place. Steak is so delicious. Sometimes they have tongue which is out of this world. Get the horchata.
(5)
Cesar M.
I was surprised. I have been to their 71st location many times but recently I was in the 59th intersection visiting a couple of businesses and decided to check them out. The place is really small with only a few seats available. But they do have a nice patio on the back. And now it is about to get hot (not complaining, we had a pretty nice winter this year) I think I will be coming more often. I was there with a friend and we had: steak nachos, steak and chicken tacos. The chicken was my least favorite. The steak was good and I think it is better than at 71st. But the nachos were amazing and that is not an adjective I use often to describe nachos. They come with asada, sour cream, refried beans, guacamole, pickled jalapeno peppers and nacho cheese (I have a problem with that word "nacho cheese" it is like it lacks creativity and limits the cheese) Anyway they were good. You get the nacho with steak and then the cream with a hit of the peppers. My mouth is literally watering as I write. I don't want to think about the nachos anymore because even though I am not too far from there, it is not near lunch time so I will move on to the service and the drinks. Service is nice and fast. They are packed sometimes. Usual drink menu: horchata, jamaica water and canned drinks. I wished they sold beer. A corona would be perfect to wash down those delicious nachos. Damn it I am thinking about the nachos again. Zaca is good, is cheap try the nachos.
(4)
Melissa B.
This place is awesome! I have to admit I was a little intimidated in here. I think I was the only person not ordering in Spanish and I didn't understand the menu and process 100%. I just sort of felt awkward. My own issue. Everyone was really nice and tried to help me. We had tacos, nachos and quesadillas. We loved everything. I thought the steak was really good quality and had a nice flavor. Whenever I crave tacos this is the first spot that comes to mind. My BF hated Mexican food until he ate here. Now he can't get enough of it. Parking is a real pain here, but at least they take credit cards.
(4)
Miguel A.
One of my top 3 favorite taco places in the city. The meat is seasoned and cooked to perfection. Love this place.
(4)
Lilibeth C.
Food is great but the lady that took my order(to go) seemed as if she hated her job and didnt wanna be at work. She gave me my food and i said thank you, no reply she just rolled her eyes at me. WOW! Oh and to top it off she had an attitude taking my order. Will be back but will ask for someone else to take care of me :)
(4)
Mari R.
I used to love this place. The last 2 times I've visited the carne asada has been has been way too greasy. It's like they are adding more oil to cook the meat which is completely unnecessary. I would always order tacos de carne asada but no more. I'm not paying for food drenched in grease.
(2)
Stephanie S.
I loved this place when I was a kid, since my mom is Zacatecana we tried the place as soon as they opened and we were HOOKED. Like another Yelpie had mentioned, the meat was starting to get a little fattier so our visits decreased but they got better with age! I absolutely love their portions, prices, and they're one of the few Mexican restaurants that KNOW how to make good, CONSISTENT horchata. None of that good one day bad another bull. Their asada is the best and I love the charbroiled smelled that consumes the area surrounding the restaurant. Mmmmm..
(5)
Missy Poo J.
The Best. Tacos. HANDS DOWN. I love that their chicken tacos have a fresh char broiled / grilled taste. Nothing mediocre about their food. Love it.
(3)
Saul U.
Came here after a long day at work ordered 3 steak tacos for my wife & a grilled chicken burrito for me. As I was waiting there was a young lady that returned because her order was short. I didn't think nothing of it. Make long story short they gave me a steak burrito instead of the grilled chicken. I was upset. Called them and they said I would had to stop by or they will give me credit. (Herminia) I said fine. I will stop done other day. I was hungry I decided to go back. When I got there was another gentleman that got his order wrong. To me that's unacceptable. I got my grilled chicken burrito dinner. I didn't even got an apology. I'm not coming here no more. Zacatacos you lost a loyal customer.
(1)
Lubna S.
Love this place, have been coming since they opened over a decade ago. The steak tacos can't be beat and they are very fairly priced. They are currently closed for renovations and I have been craving their Steak Taco Salad something fierce. I'd give them 5stars if they had better customer service. I will definitely be going back once they reopen to see what's been improved but I hope they don't mess with the food. Definitely worth a drive. Oh just a heads up they do take CC/Debit but there is a minimum of 10.00.
(4)
Cathy B.
Uses Yelp to identify a close place for tacos. This place was within a 10 minute drive. The place was very busy, but we were seat as soon as we entered. The waitress was attentive, helpful and patience. Excellent chicken taco and refried beans. The price was unbelievable. The facility wasn't fancy, but clean. Parking was close and kind of tricky existing. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Dake K.
This place is so good. After a random jaunt on the 55, we got off and wandered down Pulaski road in search of great Mexican food near midnight. Ducked into this joint because... well, just 'cause. We weren't looking for a four course meal, we were just looking for some food. And food we got. I don't know what more to say. The tacos are great. The meat is cooked to perfection, and the sauces that came with it were incredible. The restaurant was packed even near closing time, and near everyone was speaking Spanish, a pretty good sign overall. Not to mention how damn cheap everything is!
(5)
Yuri L.
This place is so much better than the 71st location. Their taco salad is delicious, and their Jamaica is yummy. I'd rather have their tacos here, because other places just give you chunks of meat with fat. Haven't had that problem here so far.
(4)
Maria C.
YUMMY. If you guys have not tried this place, you must. The meat (carne asada) is so great tasting and they get your food immediately. Everytime I come to the south side, I have to make a pit stop here. Enjoy some great tacos.
(5)
Omar R.
They've recently expanded this location to their own detriment. My last last few visits here have been wildly inconsistent. Lately the meat has been soggy or mushy. I'm not sure if its a new grill or the taqueros, but this place has lost its mojo. And what's up with the stale chips!! When it was small and much more quaint, the grilled meat (the highlight) was always spot on. The smallness of the place complimented the cooking and vice versa. The original Zacatacos has gone from my go-to taco spot to no-go. Interestingly their location on cermak and Harlem has surpassed this place in quality of food.
(2)
Stephanie P.
I hate to give such a low rating to Zacatacos but I must. The last time I stopped for a chicken taco I noticed that the prices increased while the portion size decreased. Not good. However, Zacatacos still offers delicious food. I am a huge fan of Zacatacos steak and chicken tacos. The protein is grilled with just the right amount of seasoning. The protein is served with cilantro and onions on a double tortilla. I add some house green salsa and lime for the perfect taste. The steak nachos with all the toppings - guacamole, melted cheese, jalapenos, and sour cream - are out of this world. They are the perfect comfort food. Unfortunately, I can't eat Zacataco nachos anymore due to my food allergies. I did notice that this location is undergoing renovations possibly to add indoor seating. I will give them another shot but please Zacatacos don't get cheap on me!!
(3)
Nik L.
Guilty pleasure lol! The meat is greasy,the place isn't dirty but it isnt the cleanest, the carne asada too tough BUT the steak and chicken tacos so soooo good. Your tongue will be happy, your stomach????..cant vouch for that. Hey, this isn't a place you eat at everyday. Lol. mmm those tacos, Enjoy
(3)
Lupe G.
The ORIGINAL spot; it's still good but I hate eating there; honestly, they used to be better than the one off of 71st st. but their quality has dwindled since
(3)
Alexis V.
Best tacos I have had in Chicago. The carne asada is very flavorful and cooked to perfection. I actually like this location better than the others. The horchata is very good, and the sauces are great. Highly recommended
(5)
Fernando R.
Best carne asada! Because of the grill they use the steak gets a certain charbroiled taste that takes it to another level. They give you complimentary chips and chicken noodle soup. Both red and green sauce are hot and flavorful. Friendly service and great prices.
(5)
Aja M.
this place has some simple elements that when put together make it outstanding- clean, fast, tasty, authentic and quick. It's not fancy, gourmet, eclectic food. It's Mexican from the heart (but possibly diluted for weaker American palates) done well and done right. Good chips, salsa and guac as well. Coming here on a Friday night feels good and happy :)
(4)
Brian S.
This is my goto spot for nachos. They are sooooo good. What's best is all their meat is smoked on the grill so it has a unique flavor. You might wanna call in your order, cuz this place can be crowded and it's pretty small.
(5)
Rebecca B.
I always stop here on my way to the Ford City Theater to pick up a steak burrito to eat during the movie. (Be sure to get a container of both sauces and a small order of guacamole to go with it). Yummy!
(4)
frankie r.
"dont let the smell fool you" i cant believe people actually like the steak tacos(carne asada), to me they were very bland and the meat was chewy, also i didnt like the big chunks of meat, i prefer them chopped up a little smaller. the chicken isnt bad, but if around the area stop at paco's and avoid this overrated place. people really need to venture out more if they think these taco are great!!!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
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.
Federico C.
I like to think I know a good taco when I meet one.. And I must say that I have met many tacos in my days, my belly is proof enough to see that.. This place, my friend, has the best Carne Asada tacos in Chicago.. I know everybody will come at me with how Atontonilco's has the best, or that the Northside conglomerate, La Pasada & it's sister restaurants rule, or that Paco Tacos across the street are top dog.. Sadly, they cannot come close to the Carne Asada tacos at ZACATACOS.. The aforementioned places are good, don't get me wrong, but nothing beats the marinated chunks of charbroiled steak that come packed in these tacos. The meat is perfectly marinated and seasoned, then charbroiled, and doused wth lime juice while cooking. The result, is a backyard barbecue quality flavor, that brings me back to the many family gatherings, that consisted primarily, of grilled arrachera tacos and ice cold Modelos. Actually, Zacatacos are still better than what we made ourselves, lol Ok, I am done gushing about the ASADA, I don't want to ignore the grilled chicken, but asada is the star here com'on.! Please note, that the grilled chicken is equally as good, and in my opinion the best around. I ALWAYS compare chicken tacos to ZACATACOS. Why you ask?? because they do it the right way, whole marinated chicken breasts, grilled, then diced up into bite sized chucks. Perfection! Other taquerias like to cook various parts of the chicken, shred it, and create a seasoned stew-like mixture with tomatoes and onions usually. The result most often, is a sloppy taco that sogs the tortillas and a makes a messy meal. Not very good in my opinion. Zacatacos wins by a very large margin! One last tid bit. I havent seen anybody mention the nachos, but aside from the tacos, the nachos are my second favorite. Crisp, freshly fried tortilla chips fill the white styrofoam container, add yellow nacho cheese, refried beans, sour cream, fresh guacamole, jalepeno peppers, and your choice of the carne asada or the grilled chicken.. Definitely a must try.
(5)Jesse U.
Food 4/5 Service4.5/5 Atmosphere 4/5 The food here is great their char broiled steak(carne asada) is so delicious. However today when I stopped in for lunch their service really blew me away. I had not gone in since their remodel and addition to inner seating. I was greeted and seated efficiently and courtiou. Not even two minutes later I had been served Their complimentary chicken soup had a menu and my drink, with chips and salsa. I ordered the nachos with carne asada and within another five minutes I had my dish in front of me. If I had to critic anything, and the only reason today's service was not a perfect 5, it would be that once everything came to me at lightning speed no one followed up with me for about 18 minutes :-\, I was thirsty for more of their delicious agua de horchata but by the time someone did come I had finished my meal. All in all the remodeling did make it nice and comfortable to enjoy my meal and the food was great and so was the service. I look forward to more of these meals!
(4)J T.
Best tacos on the south side. I always go for steak and I always mean to try the others, but can't help but stick with the steak. I also love the rice. This is a bit of a drive from me, but I always stop by when I'm in the area.
(4)A M.
Some of the best tacos in Chicago. If you live on the northside or in the suburbs its worth a trip.
(4)Abigail T.
After a 12hr shift today I passed by for some tacos al pastor because they are good. I get home and all I got are steak tacos. So I called and the lady who answered was very rude and told me that if I wanted tacos al pastor I could take the tacos back so they can redo my order. I asked to speak with the owner or manager and she said they weren't there. What kind of service is that? I don't expect them to deliver the food, but it wasn't my fault they are not able to get an order right and they are wasting my time and gas. Next time I will just go to La haciendita on Kenzie.
(1)Mike Y.
I love these steak tacos. I drive from the north side south to get these tacos. When are they coming up here? I'm jonesing for one now.
(5)Damian P.
They were rated # 1 Tacos by a Chicago Tribune a few times for a reason. This is the place that has the most authentic tacos ANYWHERE in Chicago. I love them. Although they can get busy in the evening hours, they are by far one of the best. their tacos de carne asada will FORCE you to do cartwheels. They are awesome for sure and the cleanliness of this place is really good.
(4)Marlene M.
I love this tacos There The BEST TACOS IN THE WORLD When my aunt comes to visit everytime we go to Zaca tacos
(5)Charles Z.
BEST CARNE ASADA TACOS on the south side of Chicago! This place has a basic Mexican restaurant menu: Tacos, Tortas, Burritos, etc... but the thing that gives this place that extra 'oomph' is the meat! The meat is cooked and seasoned to perfection every time I've eaten here. The quality of the food is consistent and I've never had any problems with my orders. Small space but the food makes up for it, big time If you havent been here, stop in for some tacos! I highly recommend it! Enjoy :) ::Quick Tips:: -Order ahead of time. The wait isn't long but it could get pretty crowded at times. -If the parking lot looks full, DO NOT drive into it! Park somewhere on Pulaski.
(5)Gerardo S.
Thick tortillas, hard oversized meat cuts, and thick salsas. The only place Zacatecas can compete with is Pacos Tacos because they taste just as bad. Not a fan at all. They lack flavor and they try to make up for it by giving you large portions. Bland.
(2)Tina C.
Very bad food tonite, tostadas were dripping with oil, tacos very greasy too, the bag the burrito came in had grease at the bottom. Had to put paper towel under the tostada to soak up the grease. Asada was greasy over cooked, and cut ver small. Had to wash hands twice to get rid of The greasy feeling. It has been. Hit or miss with them the past year, but never this bad, the asada sometimes on the nachos is skimpy than usual. Very disappointed!! If I had had not seen the bag my husband Brought it home in I would thought it came from somewhere else.
(1)Jeff G.
the carne asada was the best taco, picadillo not so much and the chile relleno was kind of lacking flavor. also liked the barbacoa we only ate here because we had family business in the area. for example, not worth it for a northsider to come down just to eat here but overall it was tasty
(4)Lili C.
I ended my search for the perfect tacos and salsa after a friend introduced me to this spot. The al pastor tacos and perfectly seasoned, but my favorite thing about this place is the red salsa! It's incredibly difficult to find a HOT salsa with a good flavor as well. Salsas at Mexican restaurants usually taste the same- like water and tomatoes with crappy seasoning. This place has the perfect recipe and as long as they don't change it, I will always be a customer.
(5)Amanda S.
First off, I'm a maaaaaajor gringa. As in, 'medium' salsa is too much for me to handle. So I was kind of expecting even the plain meat to be spicy, but it wasn't, which was a very pleasant surprise. Plus, it was cheap. Got my tacos, several add-ons and a can of Squirt for well under $10. I had 3 Tacos: Asada (steak), Pastor (pork), y Lengua (beef tongue) Like everyone else on here, I thought the steak was the best. Just because of how flavorful the meat was. And not like some marinade, it actually tasted like good, real steak. Which is a rarity in tacos. The pork was just ok. The tongue was good - nice rich flavor, not too fatty. My only con is the amount of cilantro that's on them. The steak one was almost equal parts meat and cilantro. Needless to say, I scooped most of the herbage off. I'm a carnivore, no need for any green stuff on my taco, thank you very much. Pretty much the only time I'm in this area is when I'm killing time waiting for friends/family's flights to come in, but now I know that when I'm in that situation, I'll have somewhere to go to get some eats. Even late - til midnight every day except for til 2am on saturday night.
(4)Sam Z.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Chicago! The food there is great and you get good portions. The place is REALLY small but I usually go there for take out. There is outdoor seating which I've used in the past but my girlfriend and I have always encountered bees when we sit out there in the summer times. The "parking lot" is small and is usually packed during the evening. Most people that go there suck at parking and it is really just a small dead end street which sucks when you drive in there to find no parking. If you manage to back out you can just park on Pulaski which usually has spots. Despite all the small negative things about this place the food makes up for it. I usually go there for steak tacos or a torta. I did once get a small piece of metal from what I think was a piece of a stainless steal scrubber in my torta back in the day but I've never had any problems like that in years. Maybe I'm crazy for going back but I haven't found a better taco place.
(4)Shanisse J.
Tacos are the best! Flavorful and tender meat! Always packed,so be patient
(4)Jane E.
A solid and unrelenting dive that brings people together. The food is made fresh - or so I can tell. The dishes are really authentic - my friend from Mexico was thoroughly impressed by their selection. And the speed that they get you your food - I can't complain. It's on my list of places to visit weekly, sooo goood!
(4)Jasmine C.
I like this place so much that when 'taco' is mentioned, I automatically add 'ZACA' before it. A taco isn't a taco unless it's from Zacatacos. Why I love Zacatacos:- a) steak tacos (carne asada)- the meat is cooked whole before it is chopped up into pieces, resulting in a juicy, flavourful and ultimately superior taco. I like dousing mine with the provided red & green salsa. b) taco al pastor (pork)- order these with pineapple and onions... SO GOOD. Nobody does tacos like Zacatacos. Believe the hype!
(4)Diana R.
This location is the best, though it is tiny. Flavor is better here than other locations. char-broiled tacos de asada...so delicious. They are perfect! I love a good Zacataco. (and the tortas are pretty good too). If you're going with a lot of people, do not expect to find a seat, but it is very inexpensive so you can always carry out!
(5)Char Y.
delicious authentic place that's always packed with tons of people and cars!!!
(4)Jia M.
Today I had tacos from Zaca Tacos and the Paco's Tacos a block away, taking a break from my usual diet of burgers and fried chicken. I had two steak (asada) tacos to go, with cilantro and onions, and I went home to eat them. In my opinion, the tacos from both are great, but I have to give the edge to Zaca because the meat seemed more moist and flavorful, even though the tortillas were greasier than the one at Paco's. There's not much space in there, so take out is the recommended option. I think my living room is about the same size as the customer area at Zaca. Credit cards are accepted, with a $10 minimum. Definitely give both places you try if you can.
(4)Elle M.
Great tacos de carne asada! Cheap prices, and quick service. It's a fail-safe place for a quick bite. Definitely worth stopping by if you happen to be on that side of town.
(4)Brandon C.
A great little Mexican place with good prices. I lived a block away from this place for years and never went. when I finally did I was mad that i missed out on it for all those years. I have had several things on the menu and loved it all. It is a tiny place though so I always get mine to go so I can eat at home. If you do eat there though they give you free chips and salsa witch are very good.
(5)Diana T.
Everything on menu is great!!!! Great spot if your in the mood for a summer style grilled flavored steak or chicken taco anytime of the year. The salsa is truly spicy n tasty just like my mom makes it. The horchata drink is delicious as well.
(5)Love L.
Been here a couple of times. Fast service and large portions of food. Not the cleanest place. But it is a good place for a fast meal.
(4)Kelli P.
The BEST Steak Tacos in the City!!! I'm a steak taco connoisseur - I'll try them anywhere, looking for the best one. I think I've found it right here!! The best way to have them is with a little onion, cilantro and a hefty squeeze of lime. Forget the lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream. Yuck! Why ruin a good thing - add toppings that highlight the flavors! On top of it, they give you a huge amount of meat in each taco - I order two tacos, rice, beans and a horchata and I feel like I need to be rolled out of this place. I'm a big eater too, so I don't get full easily. Staff is always friendly, other menu items are also always good. Highly recommended! I'll keep trying the steak tacos at other joints, but so far, this is the only place that I will purposely go back to just for the tacos... Buen Provecho!
(5)Svetlana M.
Honestly disgusting. I have no idea how this place has 4 stars and 61 reviews. It's a dirty hole in the wall with oily food. The employees were kind but the place was dirty and the food was bad.
(2)Dee H.
Charbroiled goodness! What more could you ask for? The hot sauce is yummy, chicken and steak taco had a great smokey flavor. Only issue is that the sometimes the steak meat tastes more burnt than charbroiled. It's hit or miss. I suggest that if you're getting tacos, try a variety if it's your 1st time to find out what you like.
(4)Hula B.
the best $2 tacos i've ever had. actually the best tacos i've ever had. over an hour from my place on north side - but when i want them, i will go get them!
(5)Anita V.
Still a winner, I love sitting outside and eating my delicious zacatacos. The only difference is I'm more of a red sauce girl then a green sauce girl now. My only wish would be for them to start doing breakfast.
(5)Adolfo A.
Good tacos, inexpensive and quick. Love their nachos! I have to admit in the past 2 years the quality of the tacos has gone slipped a bit and I have to believe its because they are now serving a more diverse clientele as well as just lots more people.
(4)Maryam S.
Sooooo good. Even my sister who dislikes Mexican loved every part of our meal. Wasn't a huge fan of the plastic forks and lack of plates (all they had were plastic baskets) BUT mega-amazing food had me quickly forgetting. The asada - seriously, is a must.
(5)Chinika T.
The. Best. Steak. Tacos. Ever. That should tell you enough.
(5)Loretta T.
I love, love, love Zacatacos! The carne asada taco salads are the best! The food is always great there and the red salsa is delishhh! The only negative comment I would have is that you'll walk out of there smelling like a char grill! The place has long lines however worth the wait but poor, poor ventilation which causes you to sell like charcoal. Its definitely worth the wait though! I'm there at least once a week. Oh and la sopa for the kids is good too!
(4)Andrea M.
This is by far one of the best taco places in Chicago. The place is small and only offers a few stools for inside seating, but does have a little outside area. I usually just get my order as carryout. All of the meats are grilled which cuts down on the fat in the meat. The steak tacos with avocado are pretty incredible. If you have a huge appetite I would recommend the burrito. I have never ordered it myself, but have been with others who have and not only is it huge, but it looks yummy. Outside of the chicken and steak tacos I occasionally order the chicken nachos. If you are fan of sour cream make sure to order it on the side because it isn't served on any of the items.
(4)Tom A.
Chicken tacos are good, although the chicken can be dry at times. Carne Asada have a good charcoal grill taste, but carne asada cooked in this style is not traditional Mexican. Rather, cooking carne asada on a griddle or large pan is the way they do it in Mexico. The tortillas they use are ordinary, very much unlike the better-tasting El Milagro tortillas one of their competitors uses. Don't let the nice smell fool you. The quality is just plain ordinary.
(2)Jason N.
I know this is a local chain but this location has the deepest menu. The Al Pastor tacos are only mediocre to me. But the steak tacos and gorditas are char broiled and flavorful. Very tasty. In my opinion, bar none the best chicken tacos I've had at a mexican restaurant. Something about grilling that makes it extra good. The gorditas are top notch, think of a big taco but instead of a tortilla substitute a homemade grilled pita. The potato tacos are tasty as well, but artery clogging. And the salsa is good, but very spicy. Great southside taco joint and on a weekend evening prepare to wait as it does get crowded.
(4)Nico C.
Fantastic food. Also, don't be afraid to try something new other than a steak taco. It's all good!
(4)Christopher L.
After years of hype from coworkers, I came, I ate, I left happy. Definitely better than any mexican food I've tasted on the Northside... not sure if it lived up to the hype, but definitely worth going to.
(4)Amy H.
Mmmm...zaca tacos!!! The taco salad is delicious and enormous. I love the steak tacos too. I have heard that their menudo is the best cure for a hangover, but I'm too chicken to try it. An utterly awesome taqueria!!
(5)Mike Y.
Had a carne asada taco, a al pastor taco, and a horchata from here the other night. Pretty good stuff. I've become a fan of al pastor (pork) tacos lately and this one did not disappoint. I didn't know that you could get it with pineapples so sadly mine didn't have any in it. Hopefully next time! The steak taco was pretty good as well and the horchata was good but perhaps slightly too sweet.
(4)Roxanne D.
Very small place with a big, authentic taste! I've had nothing but great food and great service at each and every Zacataco location!!
(5)Mary A.
I haven't had another grilled taco yet that can beat zaco taco yet, very good, service fast, prices reasonable. the only dislike is the tiny space on the inside, very small, but hey who cares the food is delicious!
(5)Teri L.
My favorite place for tacos! Everytime I'm anywhere in the area, I'll stop by for a bite to eat. I love the carne asada so much that I seem to always get the same thing. I also like the chicken tacos. As others have mentioned, the parking lot is small but I've always been able to find a spot. The customer service is friendly and fast. Prices are very affordable.
(5)Jay M.
Hands down my favorite taco joint in the city... of course it's gotta be on the south side. There are pretenders to the throne in Logan Square, Uk. Village, etc. but Zaca kills them. Good quality ingredients, cooked legit, seasoned perfectly, cooked on a flame barbecue grill and not some shitty flattop fast food style grill, this taco joint will destroy any steak or vegetarian taco joint in the city.
(4)A-train R.
Zacatacos is a taqueria which means it doesn't really serve any sides or platillos, but i've been to the new restaurant on Harlem and 75th and that one is a restaurant which has much more selection. However, all their meats are really good, but i would go with their steak tacos. The definitely have some of the best served carne asada in the Chicago area as far as I know. It's cheap and very good. They are also quick. I have been here a few times and its very consistent with serving good steak. If you want a good taco or burrito you won't go wrong with Zacatacos. The only negative side to the west lawn location is that its not cozy, the south Harlem restaurant though is very accomodating.
(4)Amanda T.
If you want to experience food nirvana, GO TO ZACATACOS. The tacos here are amazingly delicious. It's a bit out of my way to get here but trust me, the journey is worth it. Each one is stuffed to capacity, so I'm usually full after two and in a full out food coma after three. The horchata is also in a league of its own. Food here is cheap too! People say that money can't buy happiness. I say they're lying. You can buy happiness. You'll find it at Zacatacos for under $10.
(5)Fred A.
GO!!! This location has the best tacos I've ever had. Crap area, crap looking building, but the food is amazing. You just can't go wrong. Don't believe me, just try it for yourself.
(5)Meghan R.
Small location but packed with tons of good food! Their tacos are delicious and service is fast. Definite go-to for great Mexican food!
(4)David O.
I have been eating here for years since they first opened. They have the best skirt steak burritos and tacos in the whole south side of chicago.they charbroil their skirt steak and marinated with lime juice, as well as herbs and spices. They also have delicious chicken tacos and burritos. they use the best boneless, skinless chicken breast meat, and is prepared the same way as their skirt steak. And if your a vegetarian eater, they have tasty vegetarian tacos as well. The nachos on their menu could be better if they only used authentic mexican chihuahua cheese, instead of american nacho cheese dip. F.Y.I.... they're red salsa is the bomb! Mmm, Mmm, good!
(4)Joe S.
Ran into this place on my way to Midway airport. There's an old Chicago adage that states: " The best Mexican food is cheap and found at a tiny local hole-in-the-wall restaurant." Well, that's absolutely true in this case. All food is fresh, and you can see it being prepared in their open kitchen. The lady at the counter told me that they purchase the bread for the tortas from a local bakery across the street. Produce is delivered fresh daily and if they run out, they run to the local grocery store next door. Finally the tacos are to die for. Huge chunks of real chicken with fantastic old world spices and fresh produce piled high on two corn tortillas (also made in Chicago). Burritos are good, but overshadowed by their other menu items. I will return there every time I need to travel through Midway Airport.
(5)Liz W.
One of the best tacos i had ever had. So my friend who lives on the southside decided to take me there. The place is small inside and they have a little outdoor patio so we decided to eat there. The brought out the chips and 2 different salsas. The chips weren't really good but i was hungry so i ate a few. I ordered a chicken taco, steak taco, rice, & beans. Tacos were yummmyyyyyy. The rice and beans were a lil on the bland side. They also didn't sell water which is a bummer for me since that's all i drink. I recommend going there for the tacos.
(4)Rich L.
This place has the best steak burritos and Tacos period!!! Have tried many other places but this joint is simply the best.
(5)John M.
OK before you crucify me for only giving one star let me first explain. It is true the tacos here rock but in that very average way, the nachos here would be alot better if they used a better brand of cheese to smother the chips in, shredded chicken instead of grilled chicken breast in my burrito c'mon are you serious, and finally the high prices and lousy service in this place bring the rating down to a single star. The only thing that stands out to me on their ridiculously overpriced, average menu is the sopa de pollo but considering I only eat it when I'm sick I cant really factor it into the ratings. Sorry Zaco Tacos you're just not that good in my opinion.
(1)Tobias C.
The tacos taste ok but I recommend you check out El Pollo Feliz up on the next block- Their tortillas are no factory made like in Zacatacos. Frankly this place is vastly overrated.
(3)Diana R.
I love their steak tacos!!!! They use hearty pieces of meat in your tacos not ground beef looking. I'm sure they marinade their meat with lime and other spices. I truly like this place for their tacos, chips & salsa, and chicken flautas! What I don't like is that the place gets pretty crowded and it takes a little longer than it should for them to have your food ready.
(4)Rosie p.
this place is cheap and you get your taco torta or burrito STUFFED with meat. the seasoning is done just right,and there food is really good. The place is small so I would recommend you take it to go if you want to eat at your own pace. If you are going to eat quickly eat there.
(5)Alayna H.
This place can get a little stuffy, went here in the summer with a large group of people and it was slightly miserable...but the tacos are well worth it. I pretty much always order tortas de pollo, I can't help it, they always hit the spot! But the tacos here we deliciosos and definitely gave me good reason to stray from the norm.
(4)Noemi T.
There other location just made the list for Chicago best tacos and I have to agree. I'm always eating here or at their other locations. The do have the best steak in town. Click here for the Best tacos article metromix.chicagotribune.…
(4)Luis A.
Very good, my uncle introduced me to this place and i have to say i was very surprised! giving la pasadita a run for it's money.
(4)Michael D.
I am rating it based on the tacos alone, I would give it five stars but I only get the steak tacos with cilantro, onions, and cheese. These tacos are soooo good and filling that only two wil have you satisfied. However the great tasting tacos are addicting and will have you wanting more. I think you can even phone in your order, this way you avoid the waiting there. Back to the tacos, the meat is actually meat. You rarely find the chewy/fatty pieces. If friends or people I know ask me about a good taco place, I always reccomend zaca tacos.
(4)Evan K.
This place has the best Mexican food you can buy. The carne asada is amazing, with that charcoal grilled flavor. This is the original place. Why would you ever go to some snooty Mexican restaurant like Lalos and pay 3-4 times what the food is worth. Come here and get it cheap. This place is so popular with locals, many who see not the type to be reviewing it on Yelp, you see Asians, Mexicans, blacks, whites, Indians/Desi, EVERYBODY comes here.
(5)Yo U.
The gal working the cash register at Zacatacos the night that I visited was very nice and on top of things, but the food was very ordinary.
(3)Eunice S.
Zaca tacos is near my family office, so whenever I crave some good ole fashion tacos I am absolutely satisfied. I always get the Carne Asada Tacos with silantro, onion, and splash of lime. They are very small with a few seats inside an few tables outside. Parking can be a little annoying sometimes since they have limited space. But it's okay because they are my favorite place to get tacos at the moment. I definitely recommend it!
(5)Michelle R.
Mashed potato taco?? Who woulda thunk it?? Vegetarian friendly! This place uses high quality chicken breast, steak, etc. for their tacos, burritos, tortas. The tomato and cilantro are always fresh. The place is always clean. This is my favorite taqueria EVER!!!
(5)ava l.
seriously, folks. zacatacos IS just about as good as it gets. and to all the nayayers who describe the carne asada as "chewy." well, it is supposed to be chewy. there is nothing more inauthentic than carne asada that is not prime quality skirt steak, which resists the teeth in that oh-so-perfect way. these are the best carne asada tacos EVER. honestly. i'm a so-cal native who has tried just about every tacqueria in LA, SD, SF, and Santa Cruz. And most of the reputable ones in Chicago. Not to mention all over Mexico. Zaca Tacos has the most authentic al pastor and carne asada. perfectly seasoned, perfectly prepared. For instance: you know when you spritz your lime in your steak taco and it just tastes like lime-drenched steak? It's good, right? Well at Zacatacos they season their asada so perfectly, that when you add lime, all the ingredients of the taco cohere into a synergistic flavor sensation that is so much more than the sum of its parts. It's briny, steaky, citrusy, and mouth-watering. in every bite. And need I mention that the tortillas are the best in the city? they are quite toothsome as well. I eat my occasional lomo (ribeye) taco. It's really good, not chewy at all. But asada should be chewy and hearty steak, with excellent beefy flavor and a noticeable char. AND the mashed potato taco is out of this world delicious. tacos are all about the genius of simplicity. zaca tacos has mastered that genius.
(5)Naomi C.
Love! 2 steak tacos, under five bucks and super filling. Nachos are a must have all though a bit much for me my hubby likes them, Very fast services, but be prepared, they are almost always busy
(5)b c.
the good: great chicken tacos prepared on open grill, great chicken flautas. the bad: steak tacos also tasty but very chewy(sub-standard meat i'm thinking) the ugly: right around noon it gets REALLY crowded. call ahead & get the food to go, sometimes it gets very smoky in there. the exhaust blows (it certainly doesn't suck) you smell like food the rest of the day. don't forget to CHECK YOUR ORDER before you leave. they'll screw it up faster than mcdonald's
(3)Al R.
You CANNOT drive by this place and NOT be tempted by the smell of flame broiled steak cooking. This is one of the few in the area that cooks its steak whole, and THEN cuts it up. Make a difference? Si! It produces a juicy and flavorful steak that is not shriveled and dry, as when you cook it cut already. Taco and burritos are the best here. Although, it only lacks perfection because of their lackluster sauces. They have the green tomatillo and red sauce. Heat, but not enough flavor. This is definitely a condiment, and not something you can eat a cup of ,without gastric repercussion later on. I have been coming here for years, and now that the 71st Street is open and PACKED constantly, it is a great escape that some have forgotten about. IMHO, they can open up about 6 more and have them all do very well. My only complaint about the meat is that the burrito is VERY small. I get one, and it may be half the size of an El Gallo's or El Famous. Did success go to their heads?(Like Tony's Beef) Are they cutting back or heavily portioning the servings? I hope not. maybe I am just getting fatter. Edit: As of 2008, their Green (tomatillo) sauce is probably one of the best I've tasted. NOW, they are perfect.
(5)Steve W.
This is one of my favorite Mexican food spots in the city. The food always comes out fresh to made and nothing on the menu ever disappointed me. The only thing missing at this place are the carrots on the side other then that u can't go wrong with anything you order. Food portions are large the steak is charbroiled just right and flavorful. They just updated the dining area so u don't have to order to go anymore. Definitely worth checking out if ur craving Mexican food.
(5)Brian H.
One Of The Best Food Spots Of Chicago. My Opinion. I Love This Place. The Steak & Chicken Prepared Here With Various Combos And Dishes Definitely Set Them Far Ahead Of Other "Authentic" Claiming Counterparts. From The Salsa's To The Entrees I'm Positive You will Be Pleased.
(4)Thomas G.
Tried the Carne Asada Tacos. Good flavor, a little char broiled. Good hot sauce red or green. My friend had the Carne Asada Burrito which was good too. There are a lot of good taco places around there but I will remember this one. I understand it was one of the first in the area too. They have a pretty full menu including Guacamole which was excellent. I'm sure I will be back when I can.
(4)Louie N.
I have been a fan, customer for over 15 years. All of their locations taste the same and are good. After arriving from out of town, I decided to grab a bit to eat with my friend. We ordered burritos, steak & ground beef, guacamole & chips & an horchata. Went home to eat it and when I got towards the middle of my burrito I noticed an odd taste in my mouth. I took items out and noticed a long strain of brown hair was wrapped up in the meat. I went back to restaurant to get a refund but the mgr Albina, a non-speaking English lady, said she would only give me a refund for 1 burrito not both. I asked for corporate # and the answered, Jocelyn, got a mgr on phone, Pasquel, whom I told the same incident to and he apologized and said to go back and he will call Albina to give a refund for the other burrito. She had an attitude and demanded my receipt for her records. I took my receipt back and told her I need it in case I get sick. I came home and vomited 3 times. I won't ever patronize them in my life again. #hairnets
(1)Bar Guy Yes O.
When you don't eat quality tacos, then try places like this, you think it's the best ever, but it's not. The tacos are made with sub par meat first of all, then they are grilled to death leaving burnt smokey carbon all over the food, which is not healthy at all. Too much salt, too much grease, bad meat used, but all these things will hide the real taste of anything. I'll stick to CHIPOTLE and be sure every ingredient is quality, rather than risking getting sick from food poisoning, skyrocketing my sodium, cholesterol or saturated fats for the week. This is mexican grub food at best, and just to let you know, I am mexican, have eatin from every mexican place around and know quality when I see it.
(1)Oscar S.
This is my favorite of all their locations.Idk. The food just seems to taste better.But you really can't go wrong at ANY of their spots.Charbroiled steak tacos are on point!!!! I always have to have at least one when I order.Love their gorditas de rajas con queso and quesadillas al pastor as well.They've been SUPER SUCCESSFUL for a reason.I could honestly take a blind taste test of their steak tacos and KNOW when Im having ZACATACOS.Just DELICIOUS!!!!
(4)Mario B.
Too many flys and no air conditioning. Small portions of meat. Food is average but great if you love eating with flys!!
(1)Diana S.
If you want an authentic Mexican fast food restaurant that tastes pretty good you should come here. If you're looking for a fancy, overpriced Mexican restaurant this is not your place. They have been around for quite a while and they are definitely doing something right. They Cater mostly to people that want inexpensive fast food Mexican plates or just a la carte tacos. If you're in the neighborhood I would definitely suggest give it a try. I have tried their tacos, enchiladas, flautas, dinner plates, taco salad and nachos. They were all pretty good and pretty reasonably priced. They actually just remodeled this location.
(5)Mirna S.
Their food is mediocre. The sauce is just too spicy with no flavor. Like your typical salsa it should consist of a few chiles, tomato, garlic and chicken boudin or salt for flavor. Their sauce is only chile de arbol with water. Yuk! The refried beans they use to stuff their burritos is disgusting, again no flavor but on the other their chicken tacos w/onion & cilantro are great along with their chicharron en salsa verde but wayyyy to spicy for my liking and yes I'm Mexican. For Mexican I would stick with Don Chava's on Pulaski right across from Target
(3)Angel A.
I was very, very dissatisfied with the service and quality of the food during my lunch today. As a long time South Side native, Zaca has always been my favorite place in town to eat yet today my opinion has changed. I ordered my usual steak tacos with lettuce and cheese which they didn't get right then they had the nerve to give me an attitude after they messed up my order! I was trying to be convenient but they were very rude; I don't think that's how you should treat loyal customers (10+yrs of visits) especially when you are at fault.
(1)Ale I.
Good quality Mexican food. Phone ahead if you plan to carry out. Once in a while my food will have a little too much salt. Recently remodeled as it used to have an outdoor seating area.
(4)Jaclyn H.
Love this place. The food is great but the staff is a bit rude. I think they are understaffed. They always forget my green salsa.
(4)Jose M.
30 minute waiting to get 5 tacos to go not worth it they have good food but the wait time is ridicules
(2)Danny K.
Best Tacos I've had since moving to Chicago. Carne Asada flavorful but a little dry, still great. Lengua was on point, tender and juicy. Al Pastor has great flavor but the taco didn't have as much meat, maybe a fluke. Horchata was good, not the best I've had, but still good. Free Chips and Salsa for dining in. Red Salsa was very flavorful and spicy. You might need water afterwards. Green Salsa was a nice flavor and has no spice. Both Salsa's were fresh and not watered down like some places. I had 4 tacos and med Horchata for $12.18 before tip. If Zacatacos wasn't in the Southside I would be here more often.
(4)G S.
My last visit I had the gordita dinner an I was impressed with the quality of the gordita. I had never had one before and it was very flavorful and filling. Today I am having the steak nacho and tostada carne asada and a taco al pastor. That steak nacho was unbelievable. Highly recommend it. If you come and don't get the steak nacho. Just hit your self now
(5)Eduardo G.
Me and my wife love coming here for a late night dinner! She loves the tortas, me as well but the tacos got me in a trance (Asada) lol! We can't complain!
(5)Jenifer J.
Zaca is back and better than ever! I've lived in this neighborhood my whole life and about 10 years ago Zaca was the best place to get a steak taco, torta, burrito, whatever... I never even wasted my time trying anything else however, after while the meat got fattier and less flavorful. So I stopped going and went to any one of the 52 other mexican joints in the neighborhood in the past several years. But I am soooo happy that I decided to stop in after they did a whole new remodel of the joint. I had the steak quesadillas on flour tortillas and oh em eff gee were they delicious!! The way I remember them tasting when it was 9 years ago. Sauces were pretty good, guac was pretty good. I would only recommend not getting horchata because they serve you the ones that are already pre-filled in the cooler (aka super water downed beverage) even when you dine in. Also, when you dine in you apparently have to just walk up to the cashier lady and pay without receiving a check or notice from your waitress. Didn't bother me though because after finishing my food and waiting 7 minutes I just walked up there because there was only 2 other tables full there. In conclusion, cannot wait to go back, dine in or carryout.
(4)Michael S.
Came to this place with a few friends a few days ago! This place did not disappoint from what my friends were telling me. The food was pretty good and the green salsa was pretty amazing! Also very affordable to come with your family. I definitely will be back to have some more amazing tacos!
(4)Adnan A.
Best steak tacos in Chicago. The steak is char grilled so flavor is awsome. Great value for the money. Try their steak and cheese quessedia, it's great.
(4)Emilee S.
The original & the best. You don't get better tacos than this. Period. Been coming here for over 13 years and traveling far and wide to get there.
(5)Richard C.
The food is pretty good, and maybe 20% less than enough to fill me up, but the price is about 60% less than I expected, e.g. $3 for an asada burrito, IIRC.
(5)Diana G.
I've heard so much about this place and decided to just go try it out. I got the nachos, while it was good, I've had better. I think everyone agreed the steak tasted good, but just as a whole it didn't blow us away. My BIL had the al pastor and said it was okay, but he prefers it from somewhere else.
(3)Jose A.
Still, hands down, one of the best places to eat in the area. Great food, great service, the whole nine. What the place does lack is parking space. It's almost always frustrating to park in their small lot. The food definitely is worth it in the end though.
(4)Sara S.
Very busy at 4pm on a Sunday. Staff was nice and didn't laugh at my pathetic attempt to speak Spanish. However they forgot the the taco I had walked over a mile to get. Bummed, but everything else was delicious and I'll be back! Great place.
(4)D K.
I was referred to this place by a friend and I must say it is the worse Mexican food I have ever eaten! Ordered the carne asada dinner and it was salty as the Dead Sea. Also, I could still taste the meat coming up through my stomach even after 6 hours! This place should be shutdown for inspection. Any food that comes up after you eat it is a bad sign of contamination. Avoid this place! I don't want to give any stars but I have to in order to post this review.
(1)Anamaria T.
I had a barbacoa taco and a chorizo tostada. The chorizo tostada was pretty good, but the barbacoa taco was absolutely amazing! It was so good, I had to order another one! And I absolutely love Mexican sodas, so I had a Jarritos with my meal. The place was really busy, and it seemed like there were a lot of regulars. Everything was fairly clean and the waitresses were attentive. My boss really liked the verde and hot salsas. I particularly enjoyed the verde on my chips. The food is really cheap considering how tasty it is.
(4)Danny T.
We order from there maybe 2 times a month for the past 8 years or so, Its convenient and my co workers like it very well, but they are not from these area so they don't know many options, I guess it's good if you dine in, but from my experience, one out of 5 times that I take out they Always forget something in our order, I don't know why they keep making the same mistake but I just arrived back to work from zacatacos today to find out my order is missing, so while everyone is eating I'm not, so I decided to share my experience with everyone, I know I should've checked the bag before leaving the restaurant but so many bags I wasn't about to dig through 6 different orders. I decided to call the place and complain, and in other words I was pretty much understood that they Cannot refund my money to my credit card for the missing order and they Cannot deliver it, so pretty much I was screwed, I could only go back (drive back) and get it my self. I hope everyone had a better experience than me but I will never return to that place, the food it's good, But there's a better place just down the street so is not like I'm out of options. Thx you for reading my story and hope you have a bless day.
(1)Kevin S.
These tacos are a delight to the senses. I always get tacos de asada and the meat is well seasoned, it's juicy and no guilty thoughts after it's all gone! This is a must go taco spot! Not your regular cookie cutter tacos.
(5)Laurie E.
Love the food but sometimes the service can really be bad. The waitresses can sometimes be stuck on stupid. But other than that, Love that they remodeled. I've had almost everything on the menú. Love the gorditas. Love the nacho's , but with queso blanco. Their "nacho" cheese tastes like melted government cheese slices lol trust me I know. ( tough times). The asada can be a bit too salty for tacos that's why I usually get asada only for my gorditas. Love the veggie tacos. And the burritos are bomb. The lengua and barbacoa are good. Nothing great but good. Salsas are nothing special but good and spicy enough for the food! Also the parking really sucks. 4 stars for the good food itself .
(4)B C.
God I love this place. Steak is so delicious. Sometimes they have tongue which is out of this world. Get the horchata.
(5)Cesar M.
I was surprised. I have been to their 71st location many times but recently I was in the 59th intersection visiting a couple of businesses and decided to check them out. The place is really small with only a few seats available. But they do have a nice patio on the back. And now it is about to get hot (not complaining, we had a pretty nice winter this year) I think I will be coming more often. I was there with a friend and we had: steak nachos, steak and chicken tacos. The chicken was my least favorite. The steak was good and I think it is better than at 71st. But the nachos were amazing and that is not an adjective I use often to describe nachos. They come with asada, sour cream, refried beans, guacamole, pickled jalapeno peppers and nacho cheese (I have a problem with that word "nacho cheese" it is like it lacks creativity and limits the cheese) Anyway they were good. You get the nacho with steak and then the cream with a hit of the peppers. My mouth is literally watering as I write. I don't want to think about the nachos anymore because even though I am not too far from there, it is not near lunch time so I will move on to the service and the drinks. Service is nice and fast. They are packed sometimes. Usual drink menu: horchata, jamaica water and canned drinks. I wished they sold beer. A corona would be perfect to wash down those delicious nachos. Damn it I am thinking about the nachos again. Zaca is good, is cheap try the nachos.
(4)Melissa B.
This place is awesome! I have to admit I was a little intimidated in here. I think I was the only person not ordering in Spanish and I didn't understand the menu and process 100%. I just sort of felt awkward. My own issue. Everyone was really nice and tried to help me. We had tacos, nachos and quesadillas. We loved everything. I thought the steak was really good quality and had a nice flavor. Whenever I crave tacos this is the first spot that comes to mind. My BF hated Mexican food until he ate here. Now he can't get enough of it. Parking is a real pain here, but at least they take credit cards.
(4)Miguel A.
One of my top 3 favorite taco places in the city. The meat is seasoned and cooked to perfection. Love this place.
(4)Lilibeth C.
Food is great but the lady that took my order(to go) seemed as if she hated her job and didnt wanna be at work. She gave me my food and i said thank you, no reply she just rolled her eyes at me. WOW! Oh and to top it off she had an attitude taking my order. Will be back but will ask for someone else to take care of me :)
(4)Mari R.
I used to love this place. The last 2 times I've visited the carne asada has been has been way too greasy. It's like they are adding more oil to cook the meat which is completely unnecessary. I would always order tacos de carne asada but no more. I'm not paying for food drenched in grease.
(2)Stephanie S.
I loved this place when I was a kid, since my mom is Zacatecana we tried the place as soon as they opened and we were HOOKED. Like another Yelpie had mentioned, the meat was starting to get a little fattier so our visits decreased but they got better with age! I absolutely love their portions, prices, and they're one of the few Mexican restaurants that KNOW how to make good, CONSISTENT horchata. None of that good one day bad another bull. Their asada is the best and I love the charbroiled smelled that consumes the area surrounding the restaurant. Mmmmm..
(5)Missy Poo J.
The Best. Tacos. HANDS DOWN. I love that their chicken tacos have a fresh char broiled / grilled taste. Nothing mediocre about their food. Love it.
(3)Saul U.
Came here after a long day at work ordered 3 steak tacos for my wife & a grilled chicken burrito for me. As I was waiting there was a young lady that returned because her order was short. I didn't think nothing of it. Make long story short they gave me a steak burrito instead of the grilled chicken. I was upset. Called them and they said I would had to stop by or they will give me credit. (Herminia) I said fine. I will stop done other day. I was hungry I decided to go back. When I got there was another gentleman that got his order wrong. To me that's unacceptable. I got my grilled chicken burrito dinner. I didn't even got an apology. I'm not coming here no more. Zacatacos you lost a loyal customer.
(1)Lubna S.
Love this place, have been coming since they opened over a decade ago. The steak tacos can't be beat and they are very fairly priced. They are currently closed for renovations and I have been craving their Steak Taco Salad something fierce. I'd give them 5stars if they had better customer service. I will definitely be going back once they reopen to see what's been improved but I hope they don't mess with the food. Definitely worth a drive. Oh just a heads up they do take CC/Debit but there is a minimum of 10.00.
(4)Cathy B.
Uses Yelp to identify a close place for tacos. This place was within a 10 minute drive. The place was very busy, but we were seat as soon as we entered. The waitress was attentive, helpful and patience. Excellent chicken taco and refried beans. The price was unbelievable. The facility wasn't fancy, but clean. Parking was close and kind of tricky existing. I would definitely go back.
(4)Dake K.
This place is so good. After a random jaunt on the 55, we got off and wandered down Pulaski road in search of great Mexican food near midnight. Ducked into this joint because... well, just 'cause. We weren't looking for a four course meal, we were just looking for some food. And food we got. I don't know what more to say. The tacos are great. The meat is cooked to perfection, and the sauces that came with it were incredible. The restaurant was packed even near closing time, and near everyone was speaking Spanish, a pretty good sign overall. Not to mention how damn cheap everything is!
(5)Yuri L.
This place is so much better than the 71st location. Their taco salad is delicious, and their Jamaica is yummy. I'd rather have their tacos here, because other places just give you chunks of meat with fat. Haven't had that problem here so far.
(4)Maria C.
YUMMY. If you guys have not tried this place, you must. The meat (carne asada) is so great tasting and they get your food immediately. Everytime I come to the south side, I have to make a pit stop here. Enjoy some great tacos.
(5)Omar R.
They've recently expanded this location to their own detriment. My last last few visits here have been wildly inconsistent. Lately the meat has been soggy or mushy. I'm not sure if its a new grill or the taqueros, but this place has lost its mojo. And what's up with the stale chips!! When it was small and much more quaint, the grilled meat (the highlight) was always spot on. The smallness of the place complimented the cooking and vice versa. The original Zacatacos has gone from my go-to taco spot to no-go. Interestingly their location on cermak and Harlem has surpassed this place in quality of food.
(2)Stephanie P.
I hate to give such a low rating to Zacatacos but I must. The last time I stopped for a chicken taco I noticed that the prices increased while the portion size decreased. Not good. However, Zacatacos still offers delicious food. I am a huge fan of Zacatacos steak and chicken tacos. The protein is grilled with just the right amount of seasoning. The protein is served with cilantro and onions on a double tortilla. I add some house green salsa and lime for the perfect taste. The steak nachos with all the toppings - guacamole, melted cheese, jalapenos, and sour cream - are out of this world. They are the perfect comfort food. Unfortunately, I can't eat Zacataco nachos anymore due to my food allergies. I did notice that this location is undergoing renovations possibly to add indoor seating. I will give them another shot but please Zacatacos don't get cheap on me!!
(3)Nik L.
Guilty pleasure lol! The meat is greasy,the place isn't dirty but it isnt the cleanest, the carne asada too tough BUT the steak and chicken tacos so soooo good. Your tongue will be happy, your stomach????..cant vouch for that. Hey, this isn't a place you eat at everyday. Lol. mmm those tacos, Enjoy
(3)Lupe G.
The ORIGINAL spot; it's still good but I hate eating there; honestly, they used to be better than the one off of 71st st. but their quality has dwindled since
(3)Alexis V.
Best tacos I have had in Chicago. The carne asada is very flavorful and cooked to perfection. I actually like this location better than the others. The horchata is very good, and the sauces are great. Highly recommended
(5)Fernando R.
Best carne asada! Because of the grill they use the steak gets a certain charbroiled taste that takes it to another level. They give you complimentary chips and chicken noodle soup. Both red and green sauce are hot and flavorful. Friendly service and great prices.
(5)Aja M.
this place has some simple elements that when put together make it outstanding- clean, fast, tasty, authentic and quick. It's not fancy, gourmet, eclectic food. It's Mexican from the heart (but possibly diluted for weaker American palates) done well and done right. Good chips, salsa and guac as well. Coming here on a Friday night feels good and happy :)
(4)Brian S.
This is my goto spot for nachos. They are sooooo good. What's best is all their meat is smoked on the grill so it has a unique flavor. You might wanna call in your order, cuz this place can be crowded and it's pretty small.
(5)Rebecca B.
I always stop here on my way to the Ford City Theater to pick up a steak burrito to eat during the movie. (Be sure to get a container of both sauces and a small order of guacamole to go with it). Yummy!
(4)frankie r.
"dont let the smell fool you" i cant believe people actually like the steak tacos(carne asada), to me they were very bland and the meat was chewy, also i didnt like the big chunks of meat, i prefer them chopped up a little smaller. the chicken isnt bad, but if around the area stop at paco's and avoid this overrated place. people really need to venture out more if they think these taco are great!!!
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