Looking for great mexican food in the downtown area! Give us what you think are the best (names and favorite dishes). Thanks so much!

Frontera Grill/Topolobampo-- the only game in that town for Mexican as far as I'm concerned. Great platillos (sopes!!) and imaginative main courses (pato al pasilla oaxaqueño-- duck breast in Oaxacan pasilla chile/tomatillo sauce). You can't go wrong. However, if your idea of Mexican is Taco Bell, steer clear. This is the real thing. If you're from California or the Southwest, you'll love it.

I've only had one experience with a Mexican restaurant in Chicago and that was Adobo in Old Town. We thought the food was very good and enjoyed the lively atmosphere. It was the first place we'd been to where they make guacamole at your table and to your specifications. I agree that it's better if it's melded a bit but this gave me the opportunity to say fewer onions, more spice. Can't remember what else we had but I don't like the taco/burrito/enchilada kind of cuisine so it wouldn't have been any of those.

The "downtown" area of Chicago is probably not what you're really thinking. But if you mean within the general tourism belt, both posts above are great. Salpicon in Old Town is also supposed to be good, but I haven't eaten there.

My last trip to Adobo Grill was phenomenol, but it was during their Cinco de Mayo celebration. We all ordered off the special menu (nopalitos, chiles rellenos, wonderful stuff!) and couldn't have been more satisfied. They also make a killer house margarita and have an enormous selection of tequilas.

Another place I'd like to try is Las Pinatas - a total dive Mexican place (probably more the burritos type) about a block south of Adobo Grill. Just looks like fun.

Not in downtown Chicago and for another and less pricey range- Lalos in Berwyn (3011 S. Harlem Ave).

My kids go there all the time regardless of it being 50 miles out of their way. The Margaritas will knock you off your feet, literally, so be careful. They have a roasted garlic appetizer that is not to be believed.

I like Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. But in the authentic Mexican/ Chicago survey they named many others that were in Pilsen or in burbs over Rick Bayless. Frontera Grill is high end pricing, Topolobampo less so - but they are both consistently good.

My son-in-law is a El Famous man totally with the green chile sauce in abundance. They are fast food but they are not Taco Bell in any sense.

Some perspective: the first really good MX restauarant we went to was in Chicago in 1975. Shortly after, we moved to SAN (San Diego) and then spent 25 years in Dallas.
Now have been here in the state of Guanajuato for 2+ years - the MX food here is the very best.
Life is even better.
M

Further to JJ5's suggestion - there is a Lalos in the River North area and I agree that is an excellent casual Mexican experience.

I did not know that NanoPalos- and I'm going to be near there the days before the Dec. 10 GTG. Huuuummm, I think I know where I'll be going. THANKS!