Best BBQ and Mexican restaurants in Chicago
 

I love Chicago for food. I'll be in town in a couple of weeks and am wondering if anyone has any tips for me on good BBQ and Mexican restaurants. Has anyone eaten at Rick Bayless' places for mexican? If you have recommendations, please add an address/phone number if you can. Thanks.

try this for Frontera Grill (Rick Bayless)http://www.kerrymenu.com/Frontera-Grill.htm <BR>

You might want to try Don Juan's on Halsted. The chef at DJ is Patrick Concannon. You can read more at: <BR> <BR>http://www.metromix.com/top/1,1419,M...-10419,00.html <BR> <BR>There is also a nice outdoor patio at DJ.

Carson's Ribs is one of my faves, although I haven't been there in quite some time (any Chicago locals know if it's still there & still good?).

TWIN ANCHORS FOR RIBS. THEY ARE SOME OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD. NOT MUCH ATMOSPHERE, BUT GREAT RIBS.

Lisa, Carson's is still here and is still my personal favorite for ribs and pork chops, great barbecue sauce, 612 N. Wells, no reservations accepted. <BR> <BR>Twin Anchors didn't do much for me or the other 3 people I was with, but if you're interested it's at 1655 N. Sedgwick, no reservations, pretty close to Second City. We had to wait for about an hour to get a table on a Saturday night. <BR> <BR>Frontera Grill is another place that doesn't accept reservations unless you have 5 or more people. It's at 445 N. Clark

Frontera Grill can be swamped, especially in the summer with people lined up for margaritas... If you are worried about a crowd, try Ixacapaluco (I think that spelling is close) west of the city in Wicker Park. The head chef there trained with Rick Bayless and the experience was similar. Although, in truth, I'd try hitting Frontera before 5:00 to secure an outdoor table, since it is my personal favorite.