So good Carne asada is straight fire We love everything about this restraraunt. Good food, fast service and great vibes!! read more

My first time here, and it was such a great experience. Delicious food and a really fun vibe! We walked in around 12:30pm Saturday, and even though the place was pretty packed, we were seated right away! I ordered the Paloma, and my husband got the Michelada, both super refreshing and made well. For food, I ordered the El Gringo with rice and salad. I definitely wish I had swapped the salad for beans, because my husband got both rice and beans, and I ended up finishing my rice and helping with his too lol. Highly recommend this dish, just go for the beans instead of the salad! My husband also ordered three tacos: Al Pastor, Chorizo, and Carne Asada, all of which were really good. One of the fun touches is that they have QR codes at the table to leave a Google review, and if you do, you get to spin a prize wheel. Of course I had to try it, and it made the whole experience even more fun. I ended up winning a free double shot! The staff were all super friendly, the restaurant was clean, and the music gave it a fun, vibrant atmosphere. I'd definitely come back! read more

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Would be 5 stars if they hadn't gotten rid of the elote. My favorites were the elote and the tortilla chips. Best in the City. Found out that they no longer offer elote and that's so disappointing. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this but it's a major mistake to cut elote from the menu. The other food items are still amazing. read more

LOVE their tacos! Perhaps the BEST tacos in all Chicagoland. The made to order corn tortillas makes the experience of "taco eating" more enjoyable. The steak and pork (al pastor) are prepared excellent. Sadly, I'm a south sider, hence live too far to visit regularly. Lizette, the front counter employee is a friendly order taker. I look forward to more visits for more tacos!! read more

Stopped by for the lunch special and it was so delicious. Service was sweet and quick. I'd def enjoy the al pastor more than the steak. Both good tortas but al pastor was top tier. Horchata was super tasty. It was nice to have a kid quesadilla option even if it's not listed on the menu, it didn't hurt to ask what options are available for the kiddos. She loved it and killed it! Space and cozy and we really enjoy our mommy & mini me date here! read more

L' Patron Tacos - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I live around the corner. The food is good. The prices have just gotten too high. $7 per taco and $18 for essentially a 1/2 burrito is where I draw the line. You are losing your base customers. read more

Wow - my last review for L' Patron was six years ago. Part of the reason is we live in the suburbs and used to go to L' Patron when our son lived around the corner. He moved some time ago but just moved back into the area. So, we went over the weekend. L' Patron was always cash only. The last time we were there was during COVID when they did accept cards. They are back to cash only now. (With credit card charges, I don't blame them.) They offer counter service and have a pretty extensive menu. There were only two of us. I ordered two tacos - Al Pastor and Carne Asada. My partner ordered the Gringo. We also had an order of guacamole. Everything was fantastic. The tacos are a little on the small side, but they taste great. Their Al Pastor is probably the best I've had anywhere. And, while some Mexican restaurants are using premade guacamole, not here. It was freshly made - and so were the tortilla chips. All in all, my opinion - L' Patron is one of the better fast casual Mexican restaurants in Chicago. read more

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I've been going to l'patron since they first opened on diversey and California. This time I brought a friend in from out of town and everything was tasty and flavorful. I got tacos and he had the gringo and a burrito. The veggie taco is my go to and it didn't disappoint this time. read more

L' Patron Tacos - Veggie taco - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm very disappointed in the quality of my tacos. I ordered a fish taco that was so-so, it didn't have the chunks of crisp fish that I had the last time, my second taco was an El Pastor it was no way near what I got the last time I was here, the meat was tough and chewy, and my last taco was the steak taco also a big letdown it was over cooked and dry. They must have change owners, it's as if I walked into a different restaurant. Sorry to say but I won't be coming back. I gave it three tries! I recently saw L'Patron on Check Please! last Saturday 08/02/25 from 2018 and this is what I remember on my first visit https://checkplease.wttw.com/restaurants/lpatron notice the fish and the El Pastor what a big difference from my last visit a few weeks ago. read more

Placed an order for pick up. They told us it would be ready in 20 and it was ready on time. We tried the gringa, l patron taco, carne asada burrito and elotes. Everything was really good! Our favorites were the gringa and taco. I enjoyed the beans and rice that came with the gringa. The taco was really loaded as well. I wish the burrito had the rice and same filling as the taco. Elotes were tasty too, but heavy on butter. Would go back! read more

L' Patron Tacos - Elotes - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Recently stopped in for a steak burrito. I also got 2 tacos for good measure....You know, just in case I didn't like the burrito. The steak was well seasoned, consistent with the tacos. All the general toppings, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, avocado and I opted for cheese. The burrito was a nice size but the cheese wasn't melted and I noticed the burrito was slightly warm. Even after being wrapped in foil and a styrophome container.....Now i'm all for keeping the cold things cold and the hot things hot but this threw me for a loop.....It wasn't bad but it wasn't hot either. I expected more, especially when a steak burrito and 2 steak tacos cost almost $30 and I had to wait 15 minutes.......Throughly enjoyed the tacos though..... read more

They did not have elotes and it's on the menu online and also all of their pricing is wrong.

I can't get enough of the steak tacos with home made tortillas!! The flavor just melts in your mouth and is just beyond delicious. A must try in Chicago! read more

I NEVER give bad reviews, but this restaurant is the first to deserve the honor. For starters, ordered 2 tacos and waited 40+ minutes, mind you the restaurant was empty sans another couple hiding in the corner. Let's talk tacos: the Al pastor was drenched in a sugary syrup and is not shaved al pastor but reheated grill meat style. The asada could have been forgiven had it not been for the leftover quality of the meat. Their redeeming quality? They were huge. But does size really matter if it's disappointing all around? And finally, when asked what was on special our group was told both the cucumber and regular margarita were on special only to find at the end that they were not. Only the regular marg is ever on special (even if the server misinformed you). So if you care for let down and cheap service, this is your spot. Buyer beware. read more

The best steak taco in Chicago! Heavenly seasoned! Fresh ingredients. Try the Gordita too. Excellent service from the staff.

How do you charge $7 for a taco like you can't be serious that's Robbery & the food is just average to be charging $7 for a taco when your website says $4.99 before you decide to charge a price without the customer knowing change the price on your website as well & don't charge my card for a inflation fee that has nothing to do with the customer. Never returning again. read more

I haven't eaten in several years, and now I remember why. I recalled never having an issue with the food itself, nor could my better half. We were looking for a quick bite to eat, as she had work this evening. Nothing fancy, just something quick to go. As we were driving Fullerton ave, as if a lightbulb went off above my head, I exclaimed, "LA PATRON!" Our order was simple enough, 1 fish taco, 1 shrimp taco, and a simple quesadilla for myself, as I wasn't quite hungry, but didn't want to feel left out. The minutes felt like they turned into hours, as we waited and waited and waited. We watched others wait for food impatiently, as the lines for take grew longer and longer, as people sitting to eat bowls of chips grew empty. How could one take over 40 mins to cook shrimp? To cook a simple filet of fish? To simply melt cheese, I ask? The quesadilla size, meant for a child. The shrimp, a mere 3? More of an onion of taco. I now remember why I stopped patronizing La patron. 1 star, perhaps too many. read more

Food is delicious but a very questionable move by management to remove the tip jar that doesn't make any sense this is a cash only place yet u remove the cash tips for ur workers If that is true that management doesn't have a tip jar in place than that tells you all u need to know about where they come from and the lack of awareness read more

Went to the original location on Diversey long ago where the food was incredible but now they're at a new location need to go back and see if it's the same quality will return with the scoop read more

I've been coming here for years and have recommended many friends and family eat here as well. After not having been in for a few months, I came in tonight and was incredibly saddened to learn that they changed their menu and no longer offer their "L'Patron taco"... IMO this was the best taco in the city and I can't believe they removed it. Combined with their increased prices and removing the tip jar, I don't think I'll be coming back anytime soon. read more

Best Al pastor in town, toss that into a Gringa and L' Patron is tops on my list of taco spots.

Although the flavor of the steak in the burrito's we ordered was excellent, the portion sizes for the higher price point is quite disappointing. Since this is within walking distance of our home, we'd love to frequent more often, but can't justify the cost vs quantity over the other many taco and burrito restaurants in the area that are excellent. Normally with a burrito I'm full off half and save the leftovers for the next day or can split to share. Here one burrito will leave you hungry more more. Additionally I asked for no lettuce or beans - keep that in mind vs other photos that are pictured. I thought it also came with onion and tomato from what I saw listed, but there wasn't any in mine. Will consider trying other menu items to give another shot. The elotes were decent. Not anything I felt strongly about one way or the other. I do prefer the street vendors in the area though if not feeling like taking the time to just make at home. Place wasn't packed when we came in but very lengthy wait (I'm guessing online orders/grubhub). If doing take out I'd recommend calling ahead. Place inside is really cute. Nice atmosphere if deciding to sit down to eat in. read more

L' Patron Tacos - Steak burrito - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Why does it take forever to get your tacos when you order to dine in. We've waited over 40 mins to get 6 simples tacos. Why???? There is no one here either l- so it shouldn't take long.... read more

New Years Eve Day @ 11am (first one here). L Patron Baby. It's been way too long. For me they are the best dam tacos that I've had in Chicago. Maybe I'll try something different next time, but maybe not. Not my first rodeo and certainly not my last. In the immortal words of Arnold Schwarzenegger. I'LL BE BACK!!!! Too good not to read more

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I went with a burrito, and it was quite small. The taste of the beef was decent (al carbon, smoky flavor) but a bit chewy. I had to ask for sour cream, but was told it was in there ( I couldn't see it or taste it very well) which is part of the problem. it was compact, but the fixings which should make the burrito come to life were kind of meh. Plenty of better places to get a burrito in this abundant food town. read more

This place use to be a great choice for beer batter shrimp tacos, not anymore. Ordered pick up and although I can expect the quality of a take out shrimp taco, trying to eat a burned shrimp is impossible for the taste buds. Order 6 shrimp tacos all were meticulously arranged to have one super crunchy/burned shrimp... the asada torta was very good but this place used to have fire shrimp tacos and not anymore, they are dry and have cero pop flavor, aside from giving customers burnt shrimp which come on, any cook should know better, I would definitely NOT get my shrimp fix from this place. read more

L' Patron Tacos - Burned shrimp tacos. Unbeatable - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wife and I favorite Mexican food joint in the city. The carne asada burritos are the best. Add with side of jarrito. Muah! read more

L' Patron Tacos - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here for the first time and it was so so good! I ordered two carne asada tacos, one poblano taco, elotes, and a side of rice. The only thing I didn't care for was the rice because to me, it was stuck together and had a gross texture. Just wasn't the rice I was expecting. The steak in the tacos was so fricken good and it had amazing flavor... almost had a burnt/charcoal taste to it without being burnt. The meat was instead so juicy and perfectly cooked with no fat. The poblano peppers were also so good! The elotes was also so full of flavor. The corn was sweet and buttery, and then the cheese on top made it a little salty. The flavors mixed together were perfect. I wish you could buy a taco dinner with rice and beans on the side, because they make you pay for everything a la carte. They also have two salsas: salsa verde (the best one) and the red hot salsa. I didn't realize this place is CASH ONLY, so please make sure you bring cash before coming. They do have an ATM, but who wants to pay to use an ATM. No thanks. The decor is vibrant and colored, and the workers were all friendly. The way you order is uou order at the counter when you walk in, and then sit down and wait for your name to be called so that you can pick up your food. They also have a takeout window where you can wait in line outside so you can take food to go without stepping foot into the restaurant, which I thought was cool and convenient. I also heard they have outdoor seating in the summer and have a food truck! Overall, the food was great and I'll be back! read more

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Ok so we had no idea what to expect finding this taco joint walking distance from our Airbnb but good god. After an afternoon of day drinking, L'Patron had everything we needed to recover. The menu was not what I expected from a usual taco joint - so I had trouble deciding what to order. I figured I couldn't go wrong with what was labeled under the House Special. I'd never heard of the gringa or the gringo so I decided to try one. The gringa is tortilla filled with carne al pastor and melty cheese and GOOD LORD ALMIGHTY. The greasy meaty goodness was all I needed and then some. Paired with some refried beans and rice? I was in Heaven. Prices are cheap, although cash only. Although sometimes, you know a hole in the wall restaurant isn't any good unless they're cash only. I've gotta come back and try other options from the menu next time I'm back in town! read more

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The best $5 tacos in the city! The Al pastor is incredible and I love to see what's on the veggie burrito when I'm trying to order something that makes me feel healthier. The Gringa combo is one of the best with the homemade tortillas. Don't forget to ask for the spicy hot sauce! I also highly recommend trying the shrimp taco or the fish taco! I just wish they took cards or something other than cash since no one carry's cash these days. Fortunately I don't think their atm charges a fee! read more

In general, I would use the word disappointing. There are a lot of Mexican restaurants in this area and this is definitely one of the higher priced spots but I came here to get a higher quality of meat and I was disappointed. First off, the restaurant is cute and clean. Street parking is easy. Menu prices were all crossed out and increased quite a bit due to recent inflation. I ordered the steak tostada . Don't order this. The steak was cut in big bits but unfortunately it was very chewy and fatty , I was actually choking while eating it. The tortilla is grilled not fried, which I should have known. Tortillas just turn really hard and dry when they over cooked on a grill. They never get crispy or crunchy. Needless to say the tortilla was terrible. They put a slice of tomato on it which his another terrible idea. Slices are meant for sandwiches where they stay in place. Loose meat should not have slices, it doesn't allow for even flavor balance . They do not use regular Mexican cheese but cotija or fresco which is more similar to Parmesan then melty goodness. The only positive was the lettuce was romaine. One star. The pastor taco was very good. There are big chunks of meat that have nice char to it. The meat was so stuffed that it fell out of the taco. I'd get this again. The pastor wasn't overly flavorful but it was simple and good. 4.5 stars The green and red sauces were quite basic with little heat, I preferred the green. read more

The best Lomo Tacos I've ever KNOWN I drive for hours for that taco ALONE Tastes as good as when Trump was OVERTHROWN Come and get tacos at L'PATRON Gives me funny feelings in my private ZONE Sometimes I've drove here, sometimes I've FLOWN One of the best baez in town, like JOAN Everyone loves tacos from L'PATRON Drake's girl used to call him on his CELLPHONE Austin Powers got down with his own CLONE Ian McEwan told us how to ATONE But nobody makes tacos like L'PATRON Can't afford a taco? Take out a LOAN Cause skipping this taco I can never CONDONE Bring a bunch of friends, or come on your OWN Cause nothing tastes better than L'PATRON L'Patron Salsa is my fave COLOGNE You don't like the tacos? I don't like your TONE I'm gonna put "L'Patron" on my TOMBSTONE It's the Queen Of Tacos and my mouth is the THRONE Afterwards we'll go to the hotel and BONE And after a few you'll say "my how you've GROWN" I'll tell you a joke, you'll ((rolleyes)) and GROAN Then you'll spread your legs like Sharon STONE I'm way more attentive than the dudes you've BLOWN The whole hotel will hear you MOAN I'll put the Desi in Desire like SUNNY LEONE And afterwards we'll go back to L'PATRON WHAT Chicago's best taco. One of the best 5 ribeye tacos in USA (which is the best kind). One of my 10 fave taco places ever (and I've tried a f**kload). My first experience here? Having my car stolen. I told a cop: hey, my car was parked right here, now it's gone! He said, damn, where'd Chicago? What to get: Lomo Encebollado Taco What is it: Ribeye w/Grilled Onion Why: It's life-changing What else to get: All their meats, tacos, tortas, etc, are good Seriously, Patron has - and for many years now has been serving - some of the greatest tacos in the history of tacos. They've grown up from a little place that not too many people knew about when I first tried it over 10 years ago, to being one of the most beloved and popular (and to some degree hipster) taco places around. With hipsterism comes responsibility (crap menu additions), but they still manage to crank out some of the most wondrous tacos you'll ever have. The ribeye (Lomo Encebollado) is the way to go, no matter what you usually like in your tacos, no matter what anyone recommends, you have to try it. There are not that many people that can make a truly life-changing ribeye taco, but these guys are those people. I'm pretty sure I will always be in love with their tacos, and if they ever up and close on me, the punishment level would be cruel and unusual. Luckily this life-changing taste of these ribeye tacos has helped to make them very popular in a very Latin town (Chicago has better Mexican than NYC). The decor is gorgeous too, colourful, orange and memorable. Perhaps Chicago's best Mexican food - definitely up there, tied with Gorditas Santiago (in the real Barrio). A word of warning though: If you have expensive CARGO And have to drive to FARGO Don't stop in CHICAGO Or you'll be asking "where'd my CAR GO" Now let's finish with more rap: So no need to be miserable, no need for the SORROWS Tacos will cheer you right up, so you don't need WALLOWS I promise that I'll follow back if you give me FOLLOWS And then we'll go for dinner at L'PATRON TACOS So I can sit right on your lap like in Santa's GROTTOS Or I can lean into the rolled down window of your AUTOS Or I can bring my Barbi and you'll think you won the LOTTOS But the best plan of them all is that we go to L'PATRON TACOS I will bring my Devil's Tower and Barbi'll bring her LAGO You'll find I'm a strict machine, but not like the GESTAPO Barbi's hotter than Ipanema girls, and I'm bigger than SAO PAULO And the best Rib-Eye Taco is an L'PATRON TACO Barbi charges more than I do for her AVOCADO And when she gets Chilly I take her to SANTIAGO Then I make her squeal repeatedly just like VIBRATO Then we're hungry so we get an L'PATRON TACO! Some people say I'm girlie, others say I'm MACHO Some people know real Mexican food, others just eat NACHO I cross the Rio Grande at will, you just watch RIO BRAVO And when I'm in Chicago, I get an L'PATRON TACO Barbi doesn't like to suck but me I love to SWALLOW Anything for Barbi or for money is my MOTTO I've had some problems down in Houston just like the APOLLO But when I want Chicago Tacos, it's an L'PATRON TACO I've been to South America, the Mid Easts and MORROCCOS I've been labeled deep AF while others think I'm HOLLOWS Some say we're a cute couple, others call us PSYCHOS But one thing that I know is that we love L'PATRON TACOS I like to pretend I'm okay but that's just my BRAVADO Sometimes I feel so cold inside like Frances was in FARGO Sometimes I feel so frozen I'm like Barbi in CHICAGO But when in the windy city, I get an L'PATRON TACO! WHAT read more

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All I need to say is my friends visiting from Tucson said it was good as anything there. Chicago, you now know. Go here.

My do things change, I had L' Patron 2 years ago and it was still decent. So, I decided to pick some up for me and my co-worker's lunch. Tacos seem smaller and tortillas were preheated which made them harden up around the edges. I waited like 20 minutes for 8 tacos and they were not busy. Steak tacos were still decent but the Al Pastor was tough and really fatty. Not to mention each tacos was nearly $5, which I wouldn't mind but the quality did not coincide with the asking price. Probably could have got better tacos at Jimenez. Will not be revisiting this establishment, way to many options to better spend my money. read more

L' Patron Tacos - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food is yummy. Lots of options to choose from. The staff is very friendly. You order at the counter, and it is cash only. The ambiance is very casual. read more

L' Patron Tacos - neon sign for a restaurant - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Pretty disappointed in this spot since it came highly recommended from family members who lived in the area. I tried three tacos, at about $3-4/taco: Ribeye and onions- not flavorful at all, but at least it was tender. This one needed a lot of salsa for flavor! Al pastor- plenty of meat but I actually thought it was a tad too sweet Fish- good but nothing special Elote- Also good but nothing special. It comes in a cup and gets pretty watered down at the end. Oddly enough, no limes were given to us, which would've definitely improved the tacos! They could've used some acid. Staff wasn't very kind--I was dehydrated and just asked for a cup of tap water and they outright refused, and were pretty rude about it, and then when I asked about buying a limonada, they were also like "You can only get the largest size" even though the menu says there's a smaller one. Don't know what's up with that. The line wasn't to order wasn't too long but we ended up waiting in the back patio for a long time for our food. All in all, the tacos weren't that great and the experience definitely wasn't! read more

I lived in southern California prior to moving to Chicago and I truly was so so so sad I was going to be leaving the mind blowing flavor of Authentic Latin Cuisine. Thank God for L'Patron. L'Patron has definitely become a place where I seek comfort when I'm getting home sick. The staff is great! The atmosphere is upbeat and fun and the food. HOLY COW. It is so so so good. Definitely a place I go out of the way for. The prices are great too! Head over. You won't regret it! read more

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We came here for dinner to get some tacos. The inside is very colorful but alos very small. We had a hard time finding a table since two jackasses decided to use a large table instead of one of the two seater tables. So we had two rearrange some tables around so we go could sit down. The service was great and the staff was very friendly. You order at the front of the restaurant and then they call your number when your order is ready. I ordered an Al Pastor taco, carne Asada and lengua taco. All three were delicious. They were small for the price but packed full of flavor. The al pastor marinade was on point with a hint of sweetness and cooked properly. They use arrachera for their carne Asada tacos. The meat was perfectly seasoned also cooked properly. The lengua was cut thick and very tasty. They use to go containers for their salsas, so you don't get bottles like you would at traditional taco joints. Overall, their tacos were on point, and I wouldn't mind returning to try a few other items off their menu. read more

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I was unfortunately unable to order food due to not knowing they take cash only , but they of course have an ATM inside. Then I can use this app to order online to pay but somehow the prices are higher on the website ? So we nickeling and dime'n as much as possible huh. read more

The new location in Bucktown is still very good but needs to tighten things up a bit. Had the gringo with a few pieces of too chewey steak. That doesn't happen at the OG location on Fullerton (always tender/nicely prepared steak there). read more