Pilsen’s Top 5 Food & Drink Hotspots: A Tasty Tour

If you’re looking for a good time in Chicago, well Pilsen’s got an awesome array of restaurants and bars that very much could keep you delightfully occupied. It’s almost a neighborhood where traditional eats meet new tastes. Whether you want a good, solid Mexican meal or something new and exciting, Pilsen could easily surprise you. Let’s jump into some standout spots. So, here is a rundown of some awesome food and drink joints in Pilsen.

1. 5 Rabanitos: Authentic Flavors of Mexico

5 Rabanitos, now this place is an absolute treasure in Pilsen that serves up a real taste of Mexican tradition. It’s not your everyday spot. Very Chef driven, you might say, this joint goes hard on using high-quality ingredients that celebrate heritage recipes in interesting and modern, yet respectful ways. The ambiance is, in some respects, both cozy and inviting. Plus, you should expect a lively environment, that almost adds to the whole experience.

I can share a story about my first visit to 5 Rabanitos that will give you the essence of the place, that I am pretty certain you could experience yourself. As a matter of fact, it was on a chilly evening when I was really craving something hearty. So, I decided to swing by based on a bunch of recommendations I’d received. As soon as I walked in, I noticed that the aroma of spices and roasted meats hung pleasantly in the air and seemed to want to give me a hug. I ended up ordering the mole poblano. And that, my friends, was something else. That mole had layers of flavors from that slight bitter note to that almost dark chocolate note. Each element very much highlighted why this spot gets the love it does. Also, very I should mention, the service was good. So, overall that place made it a memorable experience. 5 Rabanitos gets a big thumbs-up from me.

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2. Dusek’s Board & Beer: A Gastropub Delight

Very located in the historic Thalia Hall, Dusek’s Board & Beer offers a, sort of, gastropub experience. It, too, it’s known for its wide range of craft beers. I should also point out, the food is darn good. Expect dishes that often seem, maybe surprisingly, inventive, maybe not, alongside a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for pretty much anyone.

There I was meeting up with friends and we very wanted somewhere that had character but still had really great food. Also, a place that could cater to various tastes without being a burger and fries place. Dusek’s, seemingly, really fit the bill well. I personally went for their famous burger (as burgers are so good now, eh?). A well executed, sort of, simple yet classic burger. You could tell they were using high-quality meat and had paid attention to the details. Others had everything from their interesting spins on mac and cheese (is that still a thing?), and, yes, even the salads were interesting. As a matter of fact, no complaints at our table that night. So, if you want a night out and a decent brew with friends, Dusek’s would seemingly be an option. I mean, just throwing it out there, is all.

Read our full review: Dusek’s Board & Beer Full Review and Details

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3. Pilsen Yards: Tacos and Good Times

Do you like patios? Yes? Pilsen Yards is pretty darn cool with good vibes and tasty tacos. The location offers a, kind of, hip setting, both indoors and outdoors. It’s almost known for its taco selection and pretty decent drinks.

I have an opinion: this is a solid warm weather option. I mean, don’t go when it’s -20 outside, right? However, I seem to recall one really lovely summer evening just chilling, right, there at Pilsen Yards that made a positive impact on me. Margaritas, of course, flowed, as did other less sugar heavy items and all the tacos had a bit of zing to them. Not really life-altering, but just very tasty, I thought. As a matter of fact, the setup really lent itself to hanging out with friends. That is that a low-key way. Very much try Pilsen Yards. You could very easily spend an enjoyable evening there with solid tacos and margaritas, assuming you like warm weather, too.

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4. Thalia Hall: A Landmark of Food and Drink

Ok, so, Thalia Hall isn’t just one spot, right? That very landmark building houses a bunch of spots to eat and drink. This is a nice pick if, in a way, you and your group are very unlike each other, at least when it comes to tastes. It is home to Dusek’s (as mentioned), plus Punch House and several event spaces. I mean, almost everyone should be able to find something they want here, very in one architecturally significant building, alright? As a matter of fact, it’s very hard to not be a little impressed by that hall. Worth a look!

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5. La Vaca Margarita Bar: Where Margaritas Meet Meat

Want to go heavy on a fun vibe and killer margaritas, then there’s La Vaca Margarita Bar. This very joint is a little different. Think massive, dressed up, over-the-top margaritas paired with tacos and meat. Basically, La Vaca offers that, too. In other words, this spot is made for social media. It seems, almost, it’s almost designed to be photographed and enjoyed with a group. Bring a fully charged phone, or, I don’t know, whatever thing we are all carrying around in the future.

Now, personally I tend to aim for food quality over kitsch, which, by the way, tends to usually correlate with price points, alright? So, admittedly this isn’t usually the place I run to myself. But my friends (again), sort of, dragged me there, ok? Anyway, I can share that the margarita I ended up drinking did pack a punch, right? No skimping on the tequila there! My friend also ordered a version that literally came with an entire ice cream cone stuck in it. If that’s what you enjoy, there is definitely room for that. It really just depends on who you are trying to impress. Alright, that makes sense, don’t you think? If that’s you, you should try that version with the ice cream cone, or, you know, get your photos. If not, and you very want something tasty without a lot of fluff… well maybe try the other places first.

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