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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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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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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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

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

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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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

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 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

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

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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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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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

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

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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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

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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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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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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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

Excellent experience! Couldn't sit outside because of thunderstorms but the ambiance was 100! The tacos legit! Servers were super friendly and fast. Only recommendation was that the music playing weren't very Latino, would've loved to hear more Latin beats/ urban. Overall, would definitely visit again and again! Go, you won't regret it 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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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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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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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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Chicken Al pastor was a hit!!! Shane service was great!!! Best chicken tacos I ever had!!! Friday night & the music was my type of vibe!!!

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

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

A bit expensive but those drinks are amazing and the nachos are big enough for at least 4 people. The atmosphere was nice and the waitresses were friendly and fun read more

The staff was very nice and did a great job of getting my party of 8 seated quickly. It was warm so we sat outside. The pineapple guacamole was mouthwatering and I couldn't stop eating its. The fish tacos were so tasty. The flour tortillas for the fish taco were crispy and warm. I wasn't a fan of the dipping sauce it came with because it had a little too much black pepper for me. The horchata was nice and refreshing but they use coconut so if coconut isn't your thing then you won't enjoy this one as much. read more

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This is not a negative review this place just wasn't our style or spot. All of the servers were super helpful always nice and checked up on us very often. This place just wasn't the spot that hit it for us. Easy spot to get to and have a drink quick service. read more

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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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Food and service were excellent. Tanya was our server and was very cheerful and positive. Her recommendations were great. The nachos with brisket and steak as an add on were so good. The flauta had so much flavor, my personal favorite. Tacos and quesadilla were standard. Everything we tried was seasoned well. read more

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After an evening on the town, I stopped in here for a quick bite before heading home. The dining room was fairly large and busy on a Saturday night. I tried the guac and chips and the camarones taco plate. The guacamole was topped with cheese and radishes but was surprisingly bland. I could not taste any salt, seasonings, or lime juice and mostly featured smashed avocado. It was a real disappointment. The camarones tacos were much better with a homemade chili sauce that had a bright flavor with a pleasant kick of heat. The shrimp were cooked perfectly, not over done. Service was mostly attentive but there was a long stretch in the middle where I was not checked for drinks or other needs. Overall, this is middling of the road. They need to do a little better for the prices and location. read more

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

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My best friend and I had some time to kill between events, so we stopped in Broken English Taco Pub for a quick dinner. Starters: We ordered the Chips & Chipotle Queso. It was SPICY, but I enjoyed it. The goat cheese made it rather creamy and thick, so we didn't finish it all. It needed a little something to cut thru. The chips were perfectly crispy and salty, so that helped a bit. Entrees: We each ordered 3 tacos, so the serve suggested we go with the 6 pack to save a few dollars. Thanks for that! I ordered 3 of the Camarones tacos. I love anything with pickled onions and this was no exception. The shrimp were a nice size, too. My best friend tried the Fried Chicken tacos. She seemed to enjoy them, but did say that the ghost pepper mayo was spicier than she expected. Service: It was decent, but could've been better. We sat for a while (about 10mins) at a dirty table before anyone acknowledged us or cleaned off the table. The server we had was nice and knowledgeable of the menu though. Overall, a decent dining experience. If parking were more easily accessible, I might return. #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFood #YelpEliteSquad read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - 6 pack of tacos 4 Camarones 2 Fried Chicken - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great tacos, really good drink selection, and a really fun, social vibe. I love the music they play but it is really loud and hard to have a conversation which is my reason for giving four stars. It's a fun place to go after work though. read more

The atmosphere was breathtaking! From the moment we walked in until we left the staff were all very accommodating. The food came out very fast and was SO good. The nachos were loaded with chicken and their queso was fire. I also loved the carne asada tacos. However- I will say I was not a fan of the pickled cabbage on the cod taco but everything else was very good. Be sure to check their daily specials drink menu!! read more

Broken English Taco Pub - The Loop - Carne Asada Tacos, Borderland Brisket, Oh My Cod (6 taco pack) - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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