We were able to seat us right away on a Sunday, they have a good selection of alcoholic beverages. We had a side of sweet potato fries that was really good. They do offer vegetarian and vegan options to choose from. The offer their own version of Mexican food, the waiter was cordial and the service was fast. The Poblano enchiladas and Chorizo Quesadilla were OK. Might come back again to try other dishes. read more

Estrella Negra - Zapata and Pancho Villa - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Super cool place! It's a tiny little place at Fullerton and Western, but the inside has a ton of flavor and really good service. Our waiter was very attentive and thorough, and the food was great too! Portions looked a little small but I think it's just the size of the plates that trick you, because I was stuffed by the end of my meal. First things first, Estrella Negra is BYOB. Came here with some ladies from work and we split a bottle of wine... no corking fee! We didn't get any appetizers or anything, but for entrees we got the ceviche tostadas, empanadas and enchiladas. We also got sides of sweet potato fries. WOW. The food is really, really fresh tasting and very thoughtfully executed. I loved the goat cheese in my enchiladas and the mango salsa over the top. Yum. My friends enjoyed their dishes too :) The sweet potato fries were DELISH, but I will warn you that they are sweet-- with cinnamon and something like honey over the top. Mmmmm.... read more

Edible but not memorable. Nothing i had screamed okay you have to come back here! I don't understand how this place has such high reviews. The actual restaurant is decent, some pairings, dark lit. The thing is, in this area i expect the Mexican food to be TOP NOTCH!! This did not cut it for me. Chips were okay, i feel like i could get better ones at the super market. Enchiladas were mediocre. Chicken poblano looked like empanadas. The carne fries were really weird, had beans in them. The side of guac is $1 and is a teaspoon worth. To say i was disappointed is an understatement. read more

Best caipirinha in town right here. Food is amazing and you can taste the love in it. Highly recommend hidden gem. :)

Came here a few weeks back with my girlfriend. It was our pregame/dinner spot before what we planned as a girls night out. She'd brought a bottle of champagne (we weren't offered ice, which is fine, because we aren't picky when it comes to our drank). Anyway, I ordered the chicken burrito and spicy soup, she got steak tacos. The food was amazing. I LOVE Mexican food, and this stuff hit the spot! I liked the fact that I wasn't too full with that gross lazy bloated feeling afterward because we planned to be out all night. The wait staff was friendly. Almost too friendly. . . I guess the girl heard us talking about juicing and decided to chime in about her own, kinda graphic, experience. Cool, but uh, kinda unwelcome. Other than that, it was great. Would probably go again if I were in the neighborhood. It was reasonably priced and decorated well. Reminded of a divey, hipster basement, with its black light and weird ish paintings all over the place. I do remember being a little cold despite my long sleeved blouse and jeans, so bring a coat? Lol. Meh. read more

This is probably my new favorite place to go to get drinks with a couple friends. The restaurant is cozy so we don't hog the place if there's a wait - but it's a great spot to just relax and enjoy some of their cocktails (they're no longer BYOB). The menu is great for my wife and I as we're both vegetarian - there's tons of things to choose from, personally the Goat Cheese Tostadas and the Black Bean Tacos are what keep us coming back. Though we try to bounce all over the menu when we can. Like I said, the place is a little small so if you're bringing a party of 6 or more maybe give them a heads up so they can accommodate you. Oh, and this is part of what I've been calling the "Walk Western" path - starting down at Challengers Comics (or coming off of the 606), hitting Margie's or GBD for something sweet, hunting to get a piece of your childhood back at Toy de Jour, looking for oddities at Sideshow Gallery, getting dinner at Estrella Negra before ending up at Logan Arcade. Great date day all in one stretch of Western that most people miss while doing the same old Milwaukee Ave stuff. All this while getting some exercise walking Western! read more

Pretty ok Mexican food with some unique flavors. Their goat cheese quesadilla is an interesting twist on a Mexican staple that is definitely different and solid. The mango salsa on the enchiladas is refreshing but the other aspects of the dish were a bit subpar. Overall the food was mediocre, nothing really blew me away. Also - got to knock a Mexican place when they charge for chips and salsa. Cool Day of the Dead decor adds to the fun atmosphere but the average food means I'm not dying (pun intended) to go back any time soon. read more

We came last night for a friend's birthday--this place is really cute. It is small and was not overly crowded for the size. This restaurant is supposed to be Argentinian, but if you count atmosphere along with menu, I would call it more eclectic. Interesting notes--our waiter, Rudy was a cutie. Very friendly and there when we needed him. Also, there was a big flat screen with the CW on, that was kind of random. And the artwork both on the walls, and in the bathroom, was really cool. Abstract, colorful canvas pieces. The music was really good, but again random, a lot of Icelandic music, I swear I heard the Breeders in there and a lot of dance/trance music, it was like someone's ipod was on shuffle, but whatever, it was cool. Now, the food: Chips and salsa--the salsa was green and came out hot (both temperature and spice) and tasty. Not complimentary, but not expensive Empanadas--the gem of the meal. We got a sampler which came with a chorizo (spicy and so yummy), goat cheese and mango (what? awesome), and spinach and artichoke (which I thought would be boring but was even more awesome!). If I could do dinner all over again, I probably would just do an empanada dinner. But last night I got the steak tacos, good but too spicy for my tast. They do marinate it in bacon which added a great flavor to it. Other people got the nachos which had a ton of stuff on them and I think went over well (I didn't try them) and the angus burger, which I also considered--came with guacomole and I think goat cheese and looked great. For dessert, we tried the chocolate chip tamales--now I think other people didn't like them that much, but Rudy said they were the best dessert on the menu. I thought they were really good, add chocolate to something fried and really how could you go wrong. OH, and I almost forgot! For the dinners you can get a side--one option is for a $1.50 more you can substitute sweet potato fries. You MUST substitute the sweet potato fries!!! They add this agave nectar and cinnamon to them and they were the best thing we ate all night, everyone loved them! I may try to emulate for a Thanksgiving side, we'll see if I do it justice. And finally, this place is BYOB which is nice, and they bring you buckets for the beer. Last night we had Corona's and Negro Modelo, and I guess there is this cocktail that you make half and half of each beer, and it's named after some Mexican dictator. Really good! And Rudy kept the limes coming which was awesome. Ok really finally--the prices were great, including 20% gratuity, dinner was about $27/person, can't get better than that. And I found a free parking spot right outside. Can't wait to go back. read more

Delicious food, low prices, great atmosphere/service, and BYOB....I am in love with this place! We went here with a group of 8 and called a week or so ahead of time to make a reservation. The guy who answered the phone couldn't have been nicer and seemed genuinely excited to have our group come in to dine with them. We ordered a few appetizers (nachos, guac, and sweet potato fries) and they were all DELICIOUS. Thank you fellow yelpers for suggesting the sweet potato fries because I would never have ordered them here, and would have really missed out. For the main dish I ordered a combination of tamales and they were all super tasty each with a very unique mix of flavors. I got the cheesy bean dip to go with my meal as well which was really yummy. All while we enjoyed the wine and beer we brought with us to take advantage of the BYOB (no corkage fee). After paying about $18 a piece (WOW CHEAP!) everyone left full, satisfied, and wanting to go again. read more

Steak tacos! Excellent! The guacamole was very good, fruit added makes a nice combination. My friends had the chicken tacos, they were also pleased with them. You get a side with most orders and we all got the Borracho, it's very good as well. The service was very friendly and relaxed, we were never waiting too long for anything. The decor...well, I love it! Lots of day of the dead stuff, a lot of it you can buy. Bathrooms are either or, just use the one that is not occupied. Parking is on the street in Bucktown, not too bad. Look for the red entry way. Thanks for everything, we'll be back!!!! read more

Incredible Mexican food in Wicker Park! Probably the best that I ever had in Chicago! -Drinks- BYOB -Chips- OK -Mango and Verde Salsa - Good -El Mundo Guacamole- Good with Pomegranates and Mango! -Las Jaras Sweet Potato Fries- Awesome! Topped with organic agave nectar and cinnamon -Carne Asada Fries- Awesome! Topped with house bean dip, sharp cheddar cheese, guacamole, sour cream and skirt steak! How's that for appetizers?? La Escalera Mango Salsa Enchiladas- mango salsa enchiladas stuffed with muenster and goat cheese, mango salsa, chives, tomatoes! I cant believe how great these Enchaladas are!!!! Parking is kind of tough, I would recommend taking the bus. Again, incredible Mexican food that was featured on Check Please. Whoever selected Estrella Negra on the show got it right! read more

We've seen this place a million times when we've gone to Quenchers, but always forget about it when it comes time to choose a restaurant. This weekend, hubs and I were enjoying the chilly sunshine and walking around the neighborhood to take care of a few shopping errands. We decided to give Estrella a whirl for lunch. Love the Dia de Los Muertos decor. Everything on the menu looked so good that we could barely decide. I went with the tamale sampler and my husband got the empanadas with a side of seasoned fries. My 3 tamales were quite good, although I was still a little hungry. My husband enjoyed his empanadas, but was also still a little hungry. Presentation was nice. Next time back, I think I'll round things out with a side of pozole or chips and salsa. And, it's BYOB! read more

The pozole is delicious, but other than that the food is just average. The interior is cool and it's BYOB, so that's nice. Also the food is very affordable. Sorry Estrella Negra, you just don't do it for me. read more

4 and a half stars. We have been trying to eat here for a long time and finally got reservations last friday. When we walked in, and when we placed the orders, for some reason I was prepared to be disappointed by the food. Boy, was I wrong. The food was excellent - each and every dish that we ordered. The sweet potato fries are addictive and oh so good! The tamales, empanadas and tacos were really good and flavorful. But the star was the enchilada dish .... Blew our socks off. It was nothing like the usual greasy enchiladas that you find. These were packed with flavor, and freaking delicious. Amazing. Most of the dishes can be customized to make them vegetarian which is a big plus. Service was friendly and it is a byob. I am sure we will definitely be seeing more of Estrella Negra. read more

This place has amazing food. I hate that it's so far away from everything (me), but I had to go twice to use my groupon deal, and I would go again. First time I had the empanadas sampler- the spinach artichoke and chorizo ones are my absolute fave. Then I had the shrimp mango enchiladas, and tried one of my friend's chicken ones- both were delicious though I preferred the chicken because it was saltier. Get the sweet potato fries. Tastes like a cinnamonny fried dough treat, but it's a potato! Second time I had the guacamole, which is covered in mango and garnished with a cute star-shaped tortilla chip. Loved it and delighted in the star treatment- hah. Then I had the flavorful steak tacos, which are for sure flavorful because they are flavored with bacon fat. I don't like bacon, but fat tastes good. Again, get the sweet potato fries. They are a side that comes with the entree, but this time I ate them for dessert. It's BYOB, it's cute, the waitstaff is super nice, the prices are reasonable, the food is worth every caloric bite, what's not to like? Oh yeah, the location. But there was a man selling cotton candy outside the restaurant yesterday. So there's always a bright side. read more

MMMM MMMM MMMM FYI NO LONGER BYOB so leave your bottle at home. I loved the nachos that i had the last time I was here. My wife always gets the enchilades. Seriously, this is more food than two people should eat. Share the plates, they give you a lot of food. Their margaritas were pretty good as well. I had one of the specialty ones and it was pretty tasty. Their salsa seems pretty fresh too. Or at least they have me foold if it isn't! Afterwards, don't forget to have a drink at Quenchers! read more

It says a lot when you remember the restaurant more than you remember your date. It wasn't as though my date was bad, just totally boring. At least he picked Estrella Negra. We went on a Thursday afternoon and had most of the place ourselves- it's pretty small and cozy, and has really cool Mexican themed decor, and has totally chill and attentive waitstaff. We started with chips and salsa, we chose the salsa verde and the hot salsa. Both choices were delicious, but be warned: the hot salsa is FIRE IN THE MOUTH. So hot. For entrees, we split some tamales and some empenadas. Both were amazing. I think I liked the empanadas a bit more- the dough was perfectly crispy and the dough/filling ratio was on point. I will go here again. Hopefully with a date as hot as the salsa. read more

Wow I haven't been on here in so long :( I came here awhile ago with a pal. We got the shrimp cocktail appetizer which was amazing!!!! So spicy but so good. I got the steak tacos and can u believe they came with bacon. BACON bits people!!! Nina got some tamales that were super good too. Byob is a plus. Cute decor too. read more

Not one bad comment, negative thought, or suggestion I can think of! The experience I had at Estrella Negra was great from start to finish. My boyfriend and I went around 12pm on a Saturday and they were serving both their brunch and lunch menus. Our server was welcoming, made you feel like you were eating at a friend or relatives house rather than a restaurant, he took the time to explain the menus, answered all the questions we had, and had great recommendations. We had the chips and salsa to start because we were both starving! The spicy salsa was amazing! My boyfriend said it was the best spicy salsa he's ever had (and he's had lots!). Then we had the wings for appetizers. Also great! I've never had wings with goat cheese and I don't know why it isn't more common! They were great!!! And we split the croissant burger off the brunch menu. It was big and juicy, the egg was cooked to perfection, and the croissant was nice and buttery. Unfortunately we were too stuffed to try the strawberry and chocolate empanadas, but we'll definitely be back! I can't wait to return and to try more of the menu! read more

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Overall I would say the food was average. The Corn tamale was by far the best thing we ordered. I would get that again, but probably nothing else. The portions are really small for the prices. The tacos were very small and for 15 dollars I was expecting a lot more meat. There was only about 4 small pieces of steak in the taco. Also, I wish they would have been more accurate with their pick up time. We ended up having to wait outside in the cold for 25 minutes because the food wasn't ready when they said it would be (with COVID-19 no customers are allowed inside and we walked over). I understand they may have been busier than usual, but then please be truthful about when the food will be ready. read more

This place is pretty neat. The art work on the wall is for sale! I thought that was very neat! The menu is simple with new takes on classic Mexican staples. My server was pretty excited that it was my first time and was quick to suggest some favorites....I use to manage a restaurant so I LOVE when servers take an interest! Estrella Negra is definitely a Modern Mexican restaurant as oppose to a traditional. Oh yea did I say its BYOB?!!!!!!! MUSTS: BEAN DIP POZOLE STEAK TACOS (VEGGIE FRIENDLY) *Quick Notes SIN ARROZ (no rice) read more

Estrella Negra is a Chicago gem. The dining room fits about 20 people, and it takes no time at all to fill up most nights after 6. Like the "Dia de la muerte" inspired decor, the food served pays homage to traditional Mexican cuisine while packing a modern and original punch into favorites such as tamales, enchiladas, and chicken pozole. Our waitress (one of the co-founders) could not have been more gracious or helpful. She was extremely friendly and made the evening that much more enjoyable. Call ahead and reserve a seat, because the word is out, and Estrella Negra is a rising star in Logan Square. read more

I wish I liked this place more than I do. I just feel like everything felt a little flat. First off, I DO love that it's a BYOB. Most BYOBs in town are Thai places so it's nice to have a different flavor with my "Three-buck Chuck" but I was really just underwhelmed. The "spicy" soup had no flavor at all. Maybe if it sat for a day or two but when they served it up to me it was completely lacking in any sort of flavor. Just a broth with some chicken chunks and hominy. It especially pained me because I love soup more than probably anyone on the whole darn planet.. So, bummer. We split the empanadas and those were pretty tasty, but again, it was just missing something. The chicken sandwich was pretty great though! I would for sure recommend that. read more

If I was a restaurant owner, most-likely it would be alot like this spot. The vibe, the art, the decor is totally my style. The guy working the day we when inside was mad cool. The menu has a huge section of different types of main plates. This looks like a great spot to start the night off with a small group. Keep in mind it BYOB, before going there and expecting to order alcohol beverages. I ordered the Chicken Goat Cheese Quesadillas were so of the best ever. I cant wait to come back and try other things on there menu. Awesome local vibe, with tasty food! read more

Its like a girl who plays hard to get!! Me n my pals have been wanting to try this place out for a long time now. And every Friday evening or Saturday evening we called, it used to be so busy and we'd never get a table. So, this time luckily we called at Friday am and got a table. On the way, we were getting a little late and I got so tensed that it might be one of those place we walk into and the hostess is in a sexy little black dress with red lips looking all bitchy, that would be like, "Sorry, you're late. We don't have a table anymore". But boy was I in for a surprise. We were greeted with a friendly smile. The interior decor is very Inca with casual cool music in the BG. The only reason that they play hard to get is because its a small place with just 2 waitresses and a waiter. Looking at the menu, my husband exclaimed "ah, this place is a heaven for vegetarians", cuz we're not used to so many veggie options. Our table got the Guac with mango, sweet potato fries, spinach & artichoke tamale, veggie taco, mozzarella goat cheese empanada, corn enchilada and pork tamale. Each one was better than the other and we experienced bliss. Its a nice family owned business and our waitress (probably the owner) also told us that most of the recipes are from her aunt. Needless to say, I'll be back!! read more

I really enjoyed this restaurant. It's small and quant, but the food is great. Rich flavors and good portions. What more can you ask for. I love that it's BYOB and the decor is fun too. The odd waiting room downstairs is a little freaky since it feels like a Mexican funeral, but other than that, I think the dining experience was a success! I'd go again and that's the best recommendation I can give. read more

The food and atmosphere were great, 4 star worthy. The excellent service and great value knock my rating up to 5 stars. The Cinnamon Wheat Quesadillas were a great starter. Sweet tortillas with the spice of jalepenos; delicious. Highly recommend Homemade Pozole as a side (I mean, it's grandma's recipe!). The Spinach and Artichoke Empandas and the Tamales are all excellent. read more

LOVE the people and the food at Estrella Negra! I threw my friend a small, intimate dinner for her 30th birthday here -- and by "small, intimate," I mean about 28 people. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating! When I called to make the reservation, they were completely up front about the kitchen not being able to bring out ALL the food at once for a party our size. Believe me, I get it and it was no problem for us. When we got there, a couple of tables were still finishing up, so we had to wait, which was no problem because we went downstairs to this really great space they had. We had brought a TON of champagne (it's BYOB with NO pesky corkage fees), so the staff brought us glasses and we toasted the birthday girl! It was a great way to start off the night while waiting for the tables to get ready. The food was incredible! Seriously. Everyone loved it and we will all be going back. Probably not together, although Estrella Negra could handle it. read more

Estrella Negra offers creative and flavorful Mexican cuisine in a cool, hip, but unpretentious space. The servers are accommodating and knowledgeable, but laid back at the same time. My friend and I went here rather late on a Friday night, and the place was crowded, but the staff easily found us a table and they were unfailingly helpful and polite. We started off with the black bean tostadas, topped with goat cheese. This may have been the highlight of the entire meal. I had the spinach and artichoke tamales, with a complimentary side of pozole. Both were excellent. The pozole was a great balance of chile and lime juice, along with generous portions of hominy and chicken. A bowl of it would be extremely filling. The tamales were light, fresh, and very well made. As a small bonus, the restaurant is BYOB, and with several liquor stores nearby you can find pretty much anything you'd like to accompany your meal. Plus, almost every dish on the menu can be altered to suit vegetarians, and those options are listed on the menu itself. This is a great advantage, and I certainly didn't think that any of the vegetarian choices were lacking in flavor or attention to detail. This is a great place to bring a group of friends for a really good meal without spending a ton of money. read more

The restaurant itself was nice. Beautiful paintings, friendly staff and its BYOB. I ordered the Elotero Man tamales. First off, it took them a bit over 30 minutes to bring out the food. We went on a Sunday and the place was dead so I wasn't sure why it took so long. So they bring us the food and the tamales were cold, dry and lacked flavor. In my opinion I think this restaurant is more for non-latinos who haven't experienced real Mexican food with bold flavors. I think that's the only reason this place has high ratings.... I wouldn't come back. read more

Estrella Negra - Elotero Man tamales - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Delicious food, great drinks, and nice ambience and music. I got the chicken goat cheese tostadas which are normally an appetizer but I got it with the entree. read more

Estrella Negra - I got the chicken goat cheese tostadas, it's normally an appetizer but I ordered it to come out with the entrees. 5/5 - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've only ever had their food at festivals but everything tastes phenomenal and everyone who works with them is so nice. What more could you ask for as far as festival food goes?? read more

This place is pretty laid back....I like that a lot!. The staff was nice attentive without being annoying. Empanadas were delish, tamales and cheesy bean dip were outstanding. The seasoned fries were just okay while the chicken tacos were WAY TOO salt:( After the tacos the pina colada hit the spot! I'll be back, but I won't be getting the tacos. read more

Great service, first of all! Our server was very sweet and attentive. Food was good. We loved the goat cheese chicken quesadillas and then we tried the steak tacos and shrimp ceviche tostada. Both were solid. Their sweet potato fries tasted like funnel cake to me, which I LOVED! Love that it's BYO! read more

Let me start out by saying that the decor in this place is rad. They have a seemingly never-ending collection of colorfully creepy Día de los muertos art, including a skeleton to take pictures with! That being said, the food and the service did not live up to my expections. 1) I went there with a group of 12 people, and it took a really long time to get our food. So, I would say only go to this place on a date or with a small group of people. 2) The food sounded a lot better on the menu than it actually tasted, except for the enchiladas and tamales. So...if you do go there, go with one of the dishes that is "highly recommended" on the menu. I would probably not go here again, but it is definitely worth a one-time visit just because of the eery day of the dead theme. read more

One of the best Mexican restaurants in the city! What I love most about Estrella Negra is their unique offerings and vast use of corn on the menu. As a vegetarian corn dishes are always stand outs in Mexican cuisine, and Estrella Negra seems to understand that. I've been here many times and tried a variety of items, but the stand outs have to be the tamales. I'm obsessed with the corn tamale but the three cheese is delicious as well. For starters both the sweet potato fries and the bean dip are my favorites. Just do yourself a favor and get the tamales! The BYOB rules have changed and can be found on their website, as they now offer a full bar. read more

GREAT place! I absolutely LOVED it!!! Went here with my bff and we started off with chips & salsa roja(hotest one) which was delish, and then got their amazing pozole, and my friend ordered the tamales sampler and I ordered their steak tacos....which are made wityh bacon...nom nom nom!!!!!!!!!! I'm def going to keep coming to this place!!!!! 5 stars for the food!!! 5 stars for the service/ the waitress was a doll!!! read more

This is one of my fav spots to eat, maybe cause it has this home like feeling. The amazing, colorful, fun art work(that's forsale even the tables) is enough to get you wondering what is that place....once inside you're greeted by a friendly staff and the food is GREAT it has it's own little twist on classic Mexican dishes. It's a great spot for big groups or date nights. Oh wait did I mention BYOB! :) read more

Mmmm!!! Went on a double date here tonight and everything from beginning to end was delish! Split the carne asada fries to start: the steak was flavorful and tender! My entree as the enchiladas with chicken. Again the chicken had so much flavor. My date had the tamale sampler. Even tho they veered from the traditional Mexican favors, they were awesome! I would definitely go back and next time just give me orders of those carne asada fries please! YUM! read more

I LOVE THIS PLACE! I love the ambiance, the artwork, the service is great, and the food is delicious. Food: Their guacamole is really flavorful and fresh. I had the "famous" enchiladas and was more than happy with my choice. Any plate that includes goat cheese in it is always a winner to me. I also had their chocolate chip tamale for dessert and really like it. It was a little small, but I probably didn't need a bigger dessert anyway :) My boyfriend had the pozole and loved it. He said it was some of the best pozole he's ever had because it had just the right amount of spice. I've been here twice and have never been disappointed. My only disappointed is that they are no longer BYOB (except for wine). I really think they should've kept their BYOB option, but I'm sure they are now making more money having a full bar. read more