A must try spot near Pilsen! Excellent cocktail menu, amazing staff, and equally amazing menu! Aguachile verde is a highlight and the traditional dishes are elevated and created with love! Pro Tip: mezcal drinks are a must try :) read more

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Came here around 9:45pm on a Thursday night just for drinks and we were seated right away. It's a super small restaurant with less than 10 tables and a bar, so it's not really ideal for large groups. I ordered the espresso martinez, which was like an espresso martini, but I thought this one was pretty strong. I tried a couple sips of the jalisco punch, and it was really refreshing and fruity. We also ordered the Café De Olla Ice Cream, which tasted like cinnamon/pumpkin spice. I'd come here again to try their food. read more

My friend and I decided to take a chance and show up without a reservation. We managed to snag seats at the bar where we were treated to a truly stupendous evening. There were candles throughout the space, casting everything in a warm glow that seemed to seep inside of our very souls as the night progressed. Yeah, I know. The dedication to hospitality is palpable--the electricity of genuine human connection courses through the veins of this place. Everyone we spoke with was down to earth and knowledgeable. Memo was particularly attentive and ensured we had a very memorable first visit sharing tidbits about his life and his love of the craft. The food was flavorful and portioned well. The drinks were delicious and flowed freely. I can't wait to return and bring more friends. read more

Cerdito Muerto - Blurry and beautiful - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cerdito Muerto is primarily a bar that also serves slightly elevated tacos and related food. We reserved for right when they opened and were fortunately able to switch to comfortable seating. (The bar stools are way too crammed in.) The drinks are the star of the show. We had the Casi Alaska (a tequila martini variation), the Pilsen Old-Fashioned (with tequila and sotol), the Athletic Run Wild NA IPA, and the Baja sauvignon blanc. Each of these deserves its own epic poem, both for ingredient sourcing and for flavors! The duck confit nachos were a little oily, which was more obvious as they were served on wax paper; rich and flavorful. We also had a trio of tacos: the vegetarian, the goat, and the al pastor; all were good but kind of blurred together. The space is beautiful and inviting. There is no provision to absorb the noise and the combination of music and customers creates a tinny din that is hard on the ears and stifles conversation. The staff were very helpful and well-choreographed. They put a 2 hour time limit on us which was OK this time. We appreciated Chef Becky's efforts but feel like we would need to try a few more things to fully appreciate the menu; we would just have to come at a time when they weren't so loud. read more

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What a gem. Able to walk in for dinner on a Saturday evening. Very friendly and accommodating staff! We sat at the bar and had so many items to choose from. Very dim and chill vibes inside. Went with the salad to start then the pastor and the birria tacos. The salad was phenomenal! One of the best I've had no joke. So light and refreshing. Whatever was on the bottom that looked like graham cracker crust was so good! The heirlooms were juicy. Every part of the salad was top notch and full of flavor. The tacos were also amazing. Home made tortillas to start. Each bite had the juices pouring out of the sides so you know it's good. Pastor had spice to it while the birria was more flavorful. Salsa verde was also sweet not spicy at all. So happy to have stopped in and looking forward to coming back to try some cocktails! read more

Cerdito Muerto - Pastor taco and quesabirria taco - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Drinks and vibes 5/5, food 4/5 - loved my birria taco, liked the steak quesadilla and duck carnitas. LOVED my pina colada guera, would return for that alone. Solid service, very attentive, gave my friend a napkin for her gum without her mentioning it lol. read more

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You can't make a reso online here, so when I sent an email asking about a table 24 hours ahead, I wasn't optimistic about our chances of getting in. To my surprise I got an email back that night that they'd had a cancellation and could accommodate us the next day! The mood of the place is cozy, intimate, with bits of fanciful and cultural art and decor, as well as some reminders of the pool hall that the owner's grandmother used to run in the space. The staff was great, the hostess (and I think the owner's wife?) was very sweet, our server was attentive but laid back and helpful with explaining the menu, and even the owner, who was moving with alacrity stopped to thank us for coming in as we were getting up to leave. The food and drinks were also on point! I was skeptical that a taco with heirloom carrots, pepidos, pomegranate seeds, and queso fresco was going to work. But those flavors dazzled my taste buds as they came together in each bite. I was also skeptical about the clear drink I was brought after ordering a milk punch (great story about this happening to a friend in Nashville, with a less than ideal outcome). But it was delightful, I didn't even notice it wasn't creamy after my first sip. Go with friends so you can get a bunch of things to share, and be open to some interesting flavor combinations, you won't be disappointed! read more

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Amazing time here. Small, cozy, beautiful decor. Real vibey like. Great service, super nice. Food was amazing and they actually offer a lot of vegetarian friendly options that taste great. I got the potato flautas, beet taco and mushroom taco. The drinks were on point. We also got the ice cream it was creamy and cinnamony. My friends got the special dessert, it was strawberry covered in chocolate and it was so good. read more

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They put a lot of effort into the food. It tasted good. Served was nice. And they were very happy when I said the food was delicious. Duck nachos were crunchy. The burger is amazing too. Tuna was good, but feels like something is missing. It needs a friend. Potatoes were good, but not our favorite. Seating is a little tight and they open exactly at 5, so I don't recommend coming too early. read more

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Same day reservations are not available so it's recommended to rsvp 2 to 3 days in advance. And You can do so online. Walk-ins are available but you will wait about an hour to an hour an a half. So it's best to rsvp bc even if you just want bar seats, you still need to wait and God-daughter arrived at 7:45 pm to get our table at 9 pm. Emili (the owner) zwas helpful in informing and updating us on our table. Dario was our server and he was very attentive and sweet. We were happy with his service. The place is aesthetically pleasing, Warm and has a very beautiful lounging energy. Drinks are phenomenal. I absolutely loved my Espresso Martinez- very clever name. Dessert: Unfortunately they ran out of the cafe de olla ice cream - My main purpose for visiting was for the Aguachile and the mushrooms taco. I give the Aguachile a 6 out of 10. Aguachile is known to be A spicy lime-based marinade Mexican seafood dish. I was expecting it to be spicy but unfortunately it wasn't. It was noted to the owner as we did conversed with him after dinner and complimented him on a beautiful place, and how delicious the hamburger was and how we wanted to know more on where the chorizo comes from and he gave us that info. However, I was questioning why the Aguachile was missing that spicy kick to it. Emilio did say he'd work on it and will accommodate this specifically for us on our next visit. Im taking his word on this. read more

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10/10 all around. The drinks, food, and staff were wonderful. You can tell how much effort and care went into this place. Very unique, small and cozy in the best way. Highly recommend. read more

Cerdito Muerto - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The cocktail program is outstanding every drink we tried was thoughtfully crafted and perfectly balanced. The menu is small, but everything on it is clearly intentional and incredibly delicious. The branzino was a standout and easily one of the best dishes we had all night. We sat at the bar and had a great experience with Alex, who was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole evening even more enjoyable. I'd definitely recommend coming with a group and sharing several plates so you can try more of the menu. Overall, a great atmosphere, excellent food, and even better cocktails. read more

Cerdito Muerto - Branzino - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been here twice now since they opened up this summer in Pilsen and have to see the vibes here are wonderful. Our most recent experience we had an amazing bartender who was super friendly and whipped out some amazing drinks for us. I expect this place to get busier and more difficult to get into as it gets more popular overtime, so go now while you can! It's very unassuming from the outside on frankly a quiet street (business-wise) but once you're inside, it's a whole different vibe! Have not gotten food here so I cannot speak for the bites offered! read more

Enjoyed an early dinner this evening at Cerdito Muerto. The space is comfortable and intimate, with a late-night vibe even at 6 pm. We were greeted warmly and seated immediately. The drinks were interesting. I had Choby's Kryptonite--tequila forward and a bit smoky. My friend tried the Espresso Martinez--awesome name, but the drink featured a banana flavor that didn't mesh well with the coffee taste. We requested a couple of other drink options during our visit and none were available--a carajillo, coffee (hot) or an affogato. For a restaurant that looks like it has a full bar, this was a bit of a letdown. The potato flautas were my favorite--more plump than traditional flautas, crispy outside and tender inside. Arguably the best part was the contrast between the warm potatoes and crisp tortilla outside vs. the fresh avocado and tasty salsa toppings. The al pastor tacos were quite spicy, so be prepared! Overall a pleasant experience. read more

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Food was spot on and enjoyable and definitely would come back to try out the other half of the menu we didn't get. Only thing I was not impressed was having to stay on the cocktail list since they could not make any drinks outside the list read more

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I've been meaning to try this speakeasy-style tavern in Pilsen for a while now given all the social media hype. Because the space is so small and intimate (30seats?), getting a reservation could be a challenge. No same day reservations and bookings are done through an online request form rather than a typical reservation system such as through Resy. At first glance, the bar is sleek and cozy, and staff were friendly and welcoming. Unfortunately, the food and drinks didn't quite live up to the hype. The tacos were on the smaller, drier side and as someone who enjoys bold sauces and a bit of heat in my Mexican cuisine, I fund the flavors lacking. The cocktails were similarly underwhelming as I was hoping for something more spirit forward or with greater depth. Our drinks leaned pretty mild for the most part, even my mezcal one. Overall, the food and drinks felt a bit too expensive for what it is worth, especially considering the surrounding area. read more

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What a lovely neighborhood spot! I saw this place on social media and thought I'd give it a try since I live in the area. It's easy to miss on Halsted, but there is a menu posted on the wall outside so you can see it's a restaurant. Coming in I was enamored by the sage scent, it reminded me of something I had smelled on a vacation in Mexico last year (Flamingo Estates Adriatic Muscatel Sage). There is a long ramp headed by the hostess at the end. We tried a little bit of a variety of the menu based on our server's recommendations. The paloma with house made squirt, piña colada (not at all what you imagine and delicious), flautas, al pastor and squash tacos, skirt steak tostada (the sear on the steak was perfection), and duck carnitas. I always appreciate when a place helps course out the meal, and they did this to a degree for sure. Presentation was lovely, prices are what you'd expect if not reasonable. The bathroom is cute and clean. The noise level is great for conversation and intimate groups / dates. Looking forward to coming back soon and trying more of the menu. It won't surprise me if this ends up on the Bib Gourmand list at some point. read more

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Small speakeasy ish restaurant that is cute for date night or drinks with girlfriends the birria taco was okay but the al pastor and carrot taco I would come back to order. The owners and the staff were extremely nice and if you want to support a neighborhood spot I recommend this place. read more

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We visited yesterday without reservations. The hostess told us it would be a 1 hour wait but actually was more like 1h 20min. The vibe inside was cute and full of energy. We got seated at the bar and it was rather a tight squeeze and this is coming from a skinny girl. The man behind me and I kept touching our backs because the bar stools were so close together. I ordered a Mezcal cocktail and this was the best part of the visit. Then My $25 dollar Duck Nachos came and that was the worst part of my visit, as there were only 7 nacho pieces arranged in a circle around my plate and they tasted very mid. I left still hungry. We most likely won't be back unless it's just for drinks. read more

We had an incredible experience. It is beautiful and refined but really comfortable for the casual diner like myself. The drinks were terrific, I recommend the fire starter and the Paloma with house made squirt. The best for last is the food! Everything is tapas style so we tried about couple things. I truly enjoyed everything we had. Don't snooze on dessert... it was a perfect end to the meal. read more

Cerdito Muerto - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here solo and left already planning my next visit. Cerdito Muerto strikes that perfect balance of laid-back and seriously impressive. It doesn't feel flashy or overdone -- just genuinely great food, thoughtful drinks, and people who clearly care about what they're doing. The husband-and-wife team makes you feel welcome right away, which goes a long way when you're dining alone. Everything felt personal without being overbearing. And don't skip the cocktails -- the milk punch was a standout. Knowing this spot came to life out of a childhood home makes it even cooler. You can feel the heart behind it. Highly recommend and will absolutely be back. read more

Unique space, innovative food, friendly servers! First visit, I will definitely return. read more

Stopped in for a before dinner drink and wish we could have stayed for dinner! The wine and cocktails we got to try were truly special. The ambiance is cozy but still stylish and the staff was absolutely wonderful. Had a quick chat with the owner and was really moved by his dedication to the restaurant and the community. Sad we have to wait until our next visit to Chicago! 100/10 recommend! read more

Great ambiance, the espresso martini and al pastor tacos are a must try, and really warm and lovely service. It's definitely on the expensive side for tacos etc but the food and drinks felt very elevated and worth it to us. Very cute date night read more

Very cozy spot that's well decorated and incredibly welcoming and warm staff. Unfortunately that's where it ended. Food was good, not great. Much better tacos that you can find at many other places and were quite expensive for what they were. Drinks were very much just undrinkable. read more

We only came for drinks and they were excellent. Spoke to the owners, that were very nice. Will definitely be back

Amazing hospitality, service and menu! We saw it online and were skeptical about trying it. 5/5 AMAZING! The branzino was like no other highly recommended we also tried the ceviche which was very unique. We each tried about 2 cocktails the favorite was the piña colada. A must try in Pilsen, the server Abby was great and attentive read more

Cerdito Muerto - Ceviche - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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All I can say is, this place is a hidden gem!!! OMG, the food, I'm speechless. The menu fits the atmosphere, very quaint and sexy atmosphere. The staff, ABSOLUTELY professional and friendly! We saw the restaurant on the nightly news and decided we'd drive from Gurnee to, Chicago and it was worth the trip!!! They have the BEST Duck carnitas and the hamburger, OMG it's SOOOO GOOD!!!! We really enjoyed the restaurant and its staff, they were great!!! You won't be disappointed!!!! read more