I was in town for a convention and we stumbled upon this place. There was a taco special going on where most of the tacos were a bit cheaper. All tacos were good, but the ¡ay papa! was truly one of the best tacos I've ever had. I had to order another one. The service was great, and the server really made the experience a good one. (I don't recall his name, but he recommended the ¡ay papa! and said it was very authentic, like what was made in his family. This was a busy night, and it was pretty loud, making it harder to hear my companions. I wasn't a fan of the noise level, and I wish the stools had backs, but the ¡ay papa! and the friendly service made it all worth it! read more

Best Paloma I've ever had. Great bartender. Carnitas were very good. Chips and guacamole good too. Very cool place read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - Paloma - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Broken English Taco Pub was a vibe. We were a party of five that went for brunch on a Thursday. It wasn't crowded, but there was a nice amount of people for a weekday. I got the Thursday special, which was the $3 tacos -- one steak and one chicken. They were on the smaller side but did just fine with a side of the papa enchilada fries. The fries were a little spicy but really good -- and so were the tacos. The burrito, however, was delicious! It was really big, really hearty, and really flavorful. I tried some of my aunts and wished I got that. I also got a Paloma, which was really good! The service was great, and our server, Cidney, was amazing! She even wrote down suggestions for food and entertainment for the weekend. We had a really good time. read more

We came as a large group on a busy weekend night. We planned ahead and made a reservation a week in advance, which was fortunate because there was quite a crowd of people waiting outside when we arrived a few minutes before our time. TL;DR, we weren't disappointed by our meal, but we also weren't blown away either. There are some improvements both in the food and the experience that would make this a better experience. The restaurant has a convivial atmosphere, as would be expected. Casual conversation is extremely difficult. Its décor is wonderfully garish. Among the nine of us, we ordered a variety of items. In fact, I believe at least one of each taco was sampled. I'll only comment on the ones for which I actually took a bite Appetizers: Chips and guacamole, chicharrones and guacamole, and chips with queso - the guac was quite good, moderately chunky the way that I like it. The chicharrones were so light and delicate that it was a little hard to scoop up the guac. The queso was fine; it would have been nice if it had been just a little thicker in consistency so that you could scoop up a larger amount. My primary gripe about these appetizers is that while the chips on top (as you can see in the photos) were big, underneath most of the chips were small broken pieces - I think we got the bottom of the bag. Tacos: Al pastor de pollo - I appreciated that it's made with dark meat because it's a much juicier meat. Good flavor, the pineapple gave it a good hint of sweetness to balance the salt. Carne asada - meat chunks were slightly tough. Nothing particularly distinctive about this compared to tacos I've had at other restaurants, but I still liked it. Carnitas - moist juicy pork, generous amount of meat, but the salt level on this was just too much. Kind of a shame as I normally love carnitas. Camarones - pretty good, I think I would have preferred a cleaner/less dressed-up taco though. Shrimp was expertly cooked, not tough or rubbery. Cod - battered and deep fried. Someone who had been here before didn't recommend it but I wanted to give it a try. It wasn't bad, but as with the shrimp taco it probably would be better without as much toppings Others in our group got the vegetarian options and seemed to enjoy them. Dessert: El puro churro - a good choice for sharing, especially after a heavy meal. It comes with four half-size churros dipped in brown butter cajeta ice cream (had to look up what exactly is meant by cajeta). Personally I think it would have been better if the churros weren't filled with chocolate, but we all really liked this ending to the meal. Service was fine and food came out quickly. There weren't enough plates and utensils at our table and it was hard to get someone's attention to get some more supplies. Our water glasses were filled fairly regularly. The table that we sat at wasn't the most comfortable, as we were at an high table with backless stools instead of chairs. There was no place to hang our jackets or purses, so we ended up keeping them on the entire meal. Anyways, this was a decent experience. I can't say that I'm clamoring to come back here again, but I wouldn't be opposed to give it another try someday. read more

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Service was excellent Food good yet the guacamole was little portions yet allot chips on top Margs good just need less sugar aka agave triple sec Over all would go back Bryon and HIS Angel read more

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Came here for happy hour just by chance and so glad we did! As a Mexican nachos aren't a thing, but if they were this place gets it. The tacos amazing, the vibes amazing, best of all the drinks AMAZING! read more

Hands down the best tacos Ive ever had in my life. Staff was sooooooooooo sweet and accommodating. 10/10

We took a pleasant 15-minute walk from our hotel on the Magnificent Mile to Broken English Taco Pub, and it was absolutely worth it. If you're planning to visit--especially when there's a show at the nearby Chicago Theater--I definitely recommend making a reservation in advance at www.tacopub.com. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance transported us straight to Mexico. The vibrant decor, music, and atmosphere set the tone for a fun and flavorful experience. Our server, Sammantha, was fantastic--attentive, friendly, and always making sure our Coronas stayed full! We were also pleasantly surprised when the manager stopped by to check on us. That kind of personal touch is rare these days and really made the experience stand out. Now, let's talk food--the tacos were delicious. Since I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to spice, I asked for the sauces on the side. They put the sauces in cups next to each taco, which was super helpful. My favorite? Hands down, the Al Pastor--so flavorful and perfectly cooked. We wrapped up our meal with the chocolate-filled churros, served with brown butter ice cream and a warm, gooey caramel sauce. Absolutely heavenly. If I find myself back in Chicago, Broken English Taco Pub will definitely be on my list again! read more

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I love this place. They serve the best loaded nachos (nachos mama nachos) in town. The quantity is insane and you will just enjoy the burst of flavours from the raddish and guacamole. I also tried their vegetarian tacos, AY PAPA and Parillada De Verudas. Both of which were really good. Whenever I crave for a good vegetarian taco I just head here. They also have good options for drinks. I tried their Paloma which was just perfect. They have both indoor and outdoor seatings with good service. It's a must try place 10/10 read more

There is a little Mexican joint close to my home in Massachusetts. This place is a family business with only one location. Their schtick is somewhat similar to Chipotle or Qdoba. You tell them what you want in a taco or burrito, and they make it. With all of these, the ingredients lie in hotel pans. They are not going to be fresh off the grill or griddle, yet that is to be expected. Enter Broken English Taco Pub. For my main, I ordered the Borderland Brisket. With how fast these came out, for the meat to not be out of a hotel pan it would have to be like the stove Mr. Gambini described in My Cousin Vinny where the laws of physics cease to exist on its burners. Perhaps this is done solely for efficiency and expediency, or perhaps the whole idea is that the brisket is braised. I will give them the benefit of the doubt here, especially since I am typically not a fan of braised meat, but I know many people are and don't want to bash a place based on personal preference. Yet, my review is still three stars... Why? Well if I look at the experience I would say it was as unremarkable as it can be. There was nothing bad about anything I had, at the same time nothing was even close to stand-out. Enough blabber! Let me break it down! I know that's why you were here on my review page and not someone else's. The Borderline Brisket tacos had a very generous helping of meat! The brisket was not overcooked (it had a some pink still inside), and the chili flavors made themselves known without bringing too much heat. The escabeche was very pleasant, and conveyed some crunch, freshness, and acidity to offer a new dimension. If I forget/forgive/overlook that it was closer to braised beef than what I'd call brisket, it still feels as though something is missing. If I were a betting man, I would say this something is fat, either in the form of a little cheese based product or even a crema. With all this, one is left with solid tacos, but not something calling me to order them again, The same is true of the chips and salsa. I am not a tortilla expert (unfortunately?) but these felt homemade and were of the heartier sort, if you know what I mean. They were seasoned appropriately and not at all greasy. The salsa verde had a lovely heat and freshness. Meanwhile, the Chile de Arbol Ginger Salsa was one of the most savory salsa's I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. I also requested the smallest possible side of queso - this one did not hit the spot for me. It lacked that gluttonous gooeyness, and was on the acidic side. For drinks, I had the Rosemary's Baby and a Spicy Margarita. The Rosemary's Baby was a nice balance between boozy and refreshing, had a light sweetness, and a pleasant earthiness. Not out of this world, but not bad either. Where it comes to the Spicy Marg, other than some heat my fire-roasted tongue barely registered, this was extremely barebones as far as margaritas go. Finally, the vibe is inviting and bumping, and the service is friendly and very speedy. Thus, we (rather, you) are left asking the question: why three stars instead of four. Essentially, while there was nothing severely amock, I felt that most of the dishes were "good" but not "great". The tacos had a lot of meat - but it felt as though something were missing. The Rosemary's Baby was a solid cocktail, but nothing to write home about. For the Spicy Marg, I felt as though I could have made something like that myself at home. With all this, a solid experience, but one that is forgettable and does not inspire a second visit and/or a recommendation to friends. read more

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I just have to say that this place is amazing. If we ever go back to Chicago, this will be our first stop. The ambience, our waiter, Thomas, the food, the music... Everything was an extraordinary experience. First, we had an appetizer of cheese nachos. For our meal we ordered the fish and brisket tacos. Soo tasty. If you want a friendly comfortable atmosphere - this is the place. read more

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10s! 10s! 10s across the board!! If you're looking for the best tacos in Chicagoland, THIS IS THE PLACE! My husband and I are originally from Texas (so we KNOW good tacos!!), and have been looking for good Mexican food. It's taken us almost a year, but THIS is the place! I got the brisket tacos which were DIVINE, and my husband ordered the giant nachos, which were also delicious and PACKED with toppings! Both me and my husband are hearty folk, and even with our eating habits, we couldn't quite finish them. So my advice? Share the nachos! We went on a lively Saturday night right before a show in the area. The wait was minimal, the service was friendly, they got our food out fast, and it wasn't overly expensive! For a fun, tasty Saturday taco night, give this place a go! read more

Wow!!! Everything at this restaurant is incredibly well thought out, with the flavors of the tacos, cocktails and desserts so masterful. Each type of taco we tried was unique in its flavor and accompaniments. We had the platter of 6 tacos and tried the fried fish, carnitas and chicken al pastor. They were all so different and delicious. The fish was one of the best fish tacos I have ever had. I don't usually go for fried fish tacos, but these were extraordinary. The crunchy cabbage slaw on them was fantastic. The chicken al pastor was, as my SIL stated "life-changing." The Al pastor flavor really came thru, and the pieces of pineapple were sublime. The carnitas were a bit salty but delicious, with the jalapeños escabeche was so perfect. My husband had the Rosemary's Baby, which was a cocktail with mezcal and a smoking Rosemary branch. He loved it! And we went for the dessert...warm mini-churros, stuffed with melty chocolate, served with pomegranate sorbet. Sounds like a strange combination, but like everything else at this restaurant, the flavors blended perfectly. The restaurant is colorful and fun. Great decor. And our server, Lindsey K. could not have been nicer or more helpful. My husband exclaimed that these might have been some of the best tacos he has ever had, and I have to agree! SO happy to have come upon this gem of a restaurant. read more

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The service was amazing and the menu was digital but the size of the food was crazy I got the bidi bidi burrito and it was gigantic we also got nachos that were also big. They have good everything and they play good music, I recommend going here 101% 5 stars. read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - The nachos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I somehow forgot that it was the weekend of Lala when I booked my stay downtown. However...Broken English Taco Pub was just what I needed. Super chill vibes. Great service. I sat solo at the bar and was very well taken care of by the staff. Attentive, while allowing me to chill. They didn't even blink an eye when I ordered a shot for myself as I was preparing to leave to walk back to my hotel. 10 out of 10. Highly recommended. read more

Besides the delicious lotte and excellent Borderland Brisket tacos (chile rubbed beef brisket, chile tepin, onion, carrot & serrano escabeche, cilantro, flour tortilla), what made this place so good was the the icy cold Tecate. And I mean cold, cold, brain freeze Iñupiat cold.² As I drank it, I wondered, as I always do, "Why can't the other 90% of the beers I drink outside of my living room (while eating pizza - see above), be this god damn cold?" Though after it was all said and done, leave it to Mrs. AAR to bottom line it: "So two tacos, four beers, some guac and a single piece of street corn is now 80 bucks?!" Footnotes: ² Iñupiat is the correct term for the group of Alaska Natives whose traditional territory roughly spans northeast from Norton Sound on the Bering Sea to the northernmost part of the Canada-United States border. There is an exonym for these people which I refuse to propagate (the "E" word). read more

We stopped in for a quick dinner. Split an order of chips & guac and the 6 pack of tacos. I love that you can make your own 6 pack - 6 different tacos, 2 each of 3 kinds of tacos, 6 of the same, whatever you want. Considering the location the price we paid for dinner was great. The service was super friendly and helpful. The inside is fun and funky. The Al pastor tacos were so good, with pineapple, and so juicy. I also got the papasito which was a crunchy taco with potatoes and some spice and yummy slaw and queso fresco on top. Definitely glad I stopped! read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - Chips and guac - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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10/10. The perfect fix after a long day of shopping and walking downtown. The waitstaff was super friendly and attentive. They have different daily specials and on Friday I enjoyed the $9 fresa frose. We also had the chips & queso which was gone in 3 seconds. It has goat cheese in it for the perfect touch! For the taco tray we did 3 carne, 1 fish, 1 fried chicken, 1 brisket taco. All fireeee! The only one I didn't care for was the brisket the meat was a little dry. This is also a very picture worthy place with lots of art and fun quirky signs. We will be back :) read more

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I was really impressed with the tacos here. I wasn't expecting anything super authentic, but the flavors are incredible. The tacos come wrapped in a double corn tortilla, and they are packed. The meat, especially the chicken in my opinion, is so flavorful. Even the side sauces are good. I can't wait to try more. They come 2 per order for $10. Not super cheap, but not bad for this neighborhood. In a sea of chains, this place is a gem. read more

It's not 5 star dining but the tacos are yummy! Standouts to me were the shrimp, the chicken with pineapple, and brisket. Brisket has plenty of meat and cod has a nice out a; the chicken wasn't as exciting but till good. Michael our server was peppy, helpful, and charming. I definitely need to go back! read more

A cool Mexican restaurant with vibrant decor and outdoor seating. Our server kept checking in on us and was so nice! They have a different happy hour menu item every weekday (ex: Wednesdays are $6 margs, Tuesdays are discounted tacos) We came here during happy hour. I got the chips and guac, which came with a hefty portion of chips. The guac was topped with pickled onions, fresh tomato's, and a bit of cottage cheese, which added such a refreshing taste. The guac portion was small though... read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - Chips and guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Not a great experience at Broken English Taco Pub. We ordered margaritas and they didn't arrive until we were almost done with our meal. We kept asking waiters when they would come and they'd circle back and say they'd almost be up. The food was fine but wasn't something I'd go out of my way for again. read more

I recently visited Broken English with a couple of friends to enjoy Taco night on a Tuesday! They have Taco Tuesday offers where you get just $3 tacos however the offer is only valid on Tinga Chicken tacos. Like what about vegetarian/ vegan folks? We even asked the server like why can't we have the same offer on vegetarian tacos and he said that they offer Taco Thursday where most tacos have some discount. As a Vegan/ vegetarian, I was disappointed but moving on. We ordered Guacamole and chips, my friends ordered a Brisket and Chicken Taco, and I shared Ay Papasito with a friend. They have 2 tacos per plate! The taste was honestly very salty and I didn't like it much. My friends had a similar feedback for chicken tacos, they found it salty too. Overall, decent place to pick up dinner on a weekday. Hoping they improve on the service and quality tad bit! read more

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loved the vibe of this spot, but unfortunately the food was not up to par. i ordered chilaquiles verde and was disappointed to find my eggs were overdone and there was not enough salsa! it was also advertised as spicy... which it was not. i will say, the portion was huge for the price, so i will give you that. maybe would try something else, but probably won't be back read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - Chilaquiles - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tacos were amazing - ordered chicken, steak and shrimp! Friendly service and quick. Would definitely recommend!

This place is literally around the corner from my hotel, Arlo. Chicago in the winter time is cold and windy of course so I did not want to go far. I sat at the bar and the service was friendly and fast. I ordered chips &queso, carnitas and a passion fruit Margarita. Everything was made very quickly. The Margarita was very good and the bartender was not skimp on the alcohol. It was present, yet not over powering. The chips and queso were also very good. The queso has a unique mouth feel which could be from the addition or the goat cheese in the mixture. The chips were fresh and not stale tasting. The tacos were also very good. The meat was moist and seasoned well. Outside of the food, the vibe was good. It's definitely a calm spot to grab a good bite to eat if in the area. I would definitely recommend. read more

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Let me start by saying this spot is a must go the service and food was on point. Shots out to Ahliyah my very attentive server, Hannah door service and mgr Trevor keep up the good work. read more

Taco at broken English during lunch! We ordered a tantalizing array of taco trays from broken English. With a total of 12 tacos plus an additional 6 tacos featuring different varieties, it was a feast fit for a taco aficionado! Food: We have order fish beef and pork, each taco was a burst of flavor that tantalized the taste buds. The variety offered something for everyone, however, the pork is a little bit salty Service: Despite the large order, the service from broken English was exceptional, with prompt delivery and careful attention to detail. They refilled my coke with out asking. Ambiance: While enjoying my taco feast, the atmosphere is okay for a low-key lunch. There are not a lot of people over there. Price: The price for the taco trays was reasonable. It offered excellent value for for ordering 6+ tacos meal. read more

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The nachos might be the best i've ever had in my entire life. Honestly maybe the best meal i've ever had in general. I will be thinking about these for months. read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - Nacho Momma's Nachos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped by Broken English after a show at the Chicago Theatre and I'm so glad I did! The inside of the restaurant is such a vibe. It's super colorful and full of character. Sat at the bar and received timely and attentive service from the staff. I really enjoyed the cocktail Rosemary's Baby with mezcal. The chips and guac were superrrr yum (my only complaint was the small guac to chip ratio). The brisket tacos were also heavenly. Definitely adding Broken Taco to my taco Tuesday list. read more

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this place gets busy for lunch so you may wanna make a reservation for a larger group. we always share guac and a taco platter and every taco we've tried (cod, veggie, steak, really every flavor) has been delicious and fresh. It's got a party vibe so it's a good break from a work day read more

Cool decor. Great service. Solid mezcal selection. The ¡Ay Papadito! Tacos with purple potatoes were surprisingly amazing!!!!! Shout out Emilio for the recommendation. Had to order two more. read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stumbled upon this place on a Saturday afternoon and was so happy we did! What was supposed to be a "quick" drink turned into a great experience, and several rounds. The atmosphere is welcoming and very fun. We ordered micheladas and a margarita that were great and refreshing. We also shared an order of the nachos that were perfect to share with 3+ people. The service was excellent, the staff specifically Joselyn was very attentive and friendly. Bonus was that the bathrooms were very clean! 10/10 would highly recommend!! read more

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3rd time in Chicago and 2nd time visiting this place. Definitely a part of our tradition from here on out. Carne fire, pastor fire, fried chicken taco fire, and the Elote was amazing as well. read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Joselyn and Paloma were the best servers! We had a big event and they were so helpful and kind. Great food and great margaritas!!

I wanted to send a shout out to our server at the taco pub today! I feel as though when someone goes above and beyond for the customer it deserves some recognition. Coming from out of town for some quick lunch became a much better experience because of Julio. They were friendly, attentive, and accommodating. I want to come back for dinner because of how good the food was along with the service. Kudos to Julio and the rest of the staff. The inside and outside were clean, the food and customer service was a 10/10. They truly made me feel like I was a friend not just another person having lunch. read more

Really enjoyed dining for lunch. Our server Samantha was very attentive and provided good service! We tried the shrimp tacos, the fish tacos, and the fried chicken tacos...the shrimp was our favourite, although the other two were good too. The salsa that came with the chips were delicious! The highlight would definitely be the bottomless mimosa special on a Sunday! Our drinks were consistently topped up and we got great value for our meal! read more

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Would highly recommend for casual large group meal! They have taco platters that are super worth it and lets you mix and match different tacos. We had a group of six and ended up getting a platter of 12 tacos. I got the Al pastor and fish tacos and enjoyed it! read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The "Nacho Momma's Nachos" from Broken English Taco Pub in Chicago. Made with chicken al pastor, tortilla chips, black bean purée, guacamole, pickled jalapeños, chipotle fondue, Mexican crema, radish, queso cotija, and cilantro. These are among the BEST nachos I've ever had. I'm not big on spicy food, but the chipotle fondue is worth it. Ready to go back to the Windy City to have these again. The My Sister's A Horchata made with Rum Haven coconut rum, horchata, cinnamon, and toasted coconut. (choose: regular or frozen) smooth and creamy texture. The coconut flavor is well balanced. Is like a tropical Christmas. The service was very attentive and friendly. The restaurant has a fun vibe to it and has a great location. read more

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Actually so mucho better than expected and service was fast, diligent and welcoming. Plus the price is good. Sat at the bar and ate a guacamole and asada tacos. It is a crowd but they move so fast its a breeze. Would come back highly recommended. read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - View at the bar... - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois