Where are the best authenic Mexican restaurants in Chicago? We are most familiar with River North, Michigan Ave. and will be in Lincoln Park one day.

Your taste buds will be happy at either of these two restaurants, both owned by the celebrated chef Rick Bayless--Topolo-bampo, or Frontera Grill. I don't have the addresses, but when we stayed at the Hotel Inter-Continental on the Mag Mile, we walked to Topolo-bampo for lunch. It was a bit of a hike, punctuated by many little shopping excursions along the way, but well worth it! The food (and the Margaritas) were delicious.

din,

How did you like the Intercontinental? What stores did you like? I would like to get out more into the neighborhoods this time. Thanks for your reply!

Dear Makingtracks, we loved the Inter-Continental! It's our favorite of all the hotels we've stayed at. The location is just amazing--walk one way and you're in the heart of all the Mag Mile shopping, walk an equal distance the oppocite direction and you're at the Art Museum. Another really nice thing that appeals to us is that is both a new hotel and an old hotel. The old part was constructed in the 1920s, and has been meticulously restored to its original grandeur. The pool is from the '20s and Johnny Weismuller swam in it! If you go to the hotel's website, you'll see photos. It's magnificent. The new part of the hotel is so sleek and sophisticated and the views are to die for! I kick myself for not making a note of our room number, because I'd like the same room again--we had a fantastic view of the Wrigley Building. As for shopping, I like going to Filene's Basement on the Mag Mile because I can find designer goods at great prices. Even with Chicago's exhorbitant sales tax! We also like just moseying around--found great little boutiques that way, without even really looking. Check out this website: www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism and you'll find plenty to guide you. Also, there are many people on this board who are extremely knowledgeable about Chicago. Type in Chicago in the text search box and you'll come up with many discussions about Chicago food, hotels, sightseeing, etc. You'll be so well-prepared after that boatload of reading!

I forgot to add that when you arrive in Chicago, pick up a copy of the monthly magazine Chicago. It has a list of that month's events, and restaurant listings in the back, divided up by type of restaurant. The restaurants are reviewed as well.

din

Maybe we'll get to try the Inter Continental next time. Thanks for your tips. We leave tomorrow to see Cirque Soleil and the Tall Ships and I'm not packed! Thanks again.

dln is exactly right-- Frontera Grill/Tompolobampo (445 North Clark-- next door to each other) are wonderful. I cringe every time I hear Rick Bayless try to speak Spanish (that awful accent!!...), but boy can he cook Mexican food!! The margaritas are sneaky-- you'll stumble out of there-- and the food is simply a work of art. Brilliant!!

You can check out his website at www.fronterakitchens.com-- follow the /restaurants link.

I live in Lincoln Park and by far our favorite restaurant is Fiesta Mexicana on the corner of Lincoln, Halsted, and Fullerton. We eat there about once a week. They have great mango margaritas and the service is great. A single family runs the place (cousins, brothers and sisters,etc.) If you go at night, the matriarch of the family sings with a guitar player.The atmosphere is fun and it isn't the chi-chi overpriced restaurants on the mag-mile. Hope you enjoy Chicago!

I third Frontera Grill/Topolobampo!! Food is outstanding.
There is also a Tapas Bar in the same neighborhood-I cannot think of the name but the food is good (and cheap) and the Sangria is incredible!!

Mmmmmm... tapas. I love Spanish food! Anyone know the name of this joint?

It was driving me crazy. I had to look it up.
Its called Cafe Iberico. the address is 739 N. Lasalle

I second Cafe Iberico -- It's one of our favorite places--if you like goat cheese, order the Queso de Cabra! The Sangria is the best in the city but they don't take reservations except for big groups so you may have to wait.

I third Cafe Iberico! Temporary brain drain not to have mentioned that goody.

dln, it isn't brain drain-- makingtracks asked for MEXICAN food, not SPANISH. Very different. You gave the best answers in the downtown/Mag Mile area, believe me! Now, next time I hit Chicago, I'm gonna try this Café Ibérico-- I'm a sucker for tapas and sangría!

Easily my fave Chicago mexican resteraunt is SALPICON on 1252 N. Wells!! Really small, cute and the wait staff in incredible. Unbelievable food, appetizers might be best in city. Best guacamole dip in the universe. And an absolutely stunning Tequila list, they have hundreds!! Check it out, cannot recommend this place highly enough!

have to add to this. Frontera Grill is the best for the high end Mexican (Topolobampo is overkill almost!). We would not go back to Salpicon-way overpriced for what you get when you can to go Frontera down the street!.
and Blue Agave on Maple is great for affordable Mexican and good margaritas!