We went here for a late night meal post theater and were happy to find a place open. It is very LOUD and HIP and I guess trying to create a nightclub vibe? There was still a line to get in but I guess they took pity on us as we walked in the wrong door and were led through the space to the host stand. I was skeptical but was delighted with the food. First of all, it is the best margarita I have had in a long time. Just a plain normal one, not fruited or fussy. We split an order of carne asada tacos and they were delicious. The trio of salsas were a yummy side kick.- Paired with some corn, it was plenty of food for two. I would not make this a regular place but thoroughly enjoyed it and am glad we checked it out. read more

Really a 4.1. Solid food. Great value. Had a reso for 5 on a Wednesday evening. It was pretty full, so a good idea to reserve. We ordered the tasting menu for 65pp. Seemed like a great deal. They also have unlimited tacos for 35. Food: Tuna tostada - really nice. Sesame really brings out a nice flavour out of the tuna and guac Bean/mushroom thing + beef thing - not sure what these were but they were good. The beef thing almost tasted like a smash burger with the thinly sliced beef and fried cheese on top Chips and guac - bland. Needed salsa to be added Molcajete - biggest dish. At this point we were stuffed. The steak and chicken were dry and not particularly flavorful. The octopus was soft and good though. The grilled shallots were nice and smokey as well. Shrimp Molcajete was good too. Service: Really good. One of our companions needed halal options so the waitress swapped out his tasting menu for seafood and vegetarian alternatives. Very accommodating. Ambiance: Busy. Packed. But a nice restaurant still. Cam bring a date here if you wanted something more casual but still nice. read more

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Service started off well enough, but went completely off the rails the moment dinner ended. The chips were taken away while we were still eating, and after that, the service disappeared entirely. We waited an embarrassingly long time just to get a drink, then another long wait for a second drink, and nearly 20 minutes to receive a bill I had to ask for three times. I had explicitly mentioned I was celebrating a birthday. Not one person acknowledged it. Meanwhile, the table next to us was treated to a full birthday cake and attentive, enthusiastic service all night. That contrast is not lost on me, and it is unacceptable. All of this after spending close to $400 in your establishment. On top of everything, my husband got a splinter from your poorly maintained chair -- a basic safety issue you should be embarrassed about. This was a disappointing, frustrating experience and I expect better for that price point. I will not be returning. read more

I walked in for dinner. I was greeted by host. I asked for a table however they were saving tables for 2 or more. I was sat at bar. I ordered their spicy tamarindo margarita. It was good and strong, not a ton of ice either. Very refreshing. $18 Ordered their rib eye 3 volcano tacos. They were good, crunchy black corn tortillas with a slice of meat and toasted cheese. I liked they bring out their 3 sauces. Neither was hot, one was a tomatillo. Lime green, second was like a chili oil and third was a green tomatillo sauce. They my also brought a tortilla chip and black bean appetizer complimentary. One thing I noticed was service was faster at bar than table service as several ppl Were still waiting for their food. My drink and food came fast. $25 The ambience is what attracted me to come ins they had a Mexican themed decor. The place was pretty full by the time I left. There's table and bar seating. Few items I noticed are their self serve selling g tequila shot vending machines. There's also a go to order and casual dining at entrance. My total for one was $48 plus tip $10. read more

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Best mexican in chicago, period. Amazing veggie and vegetarian options. Our server Jesús was awesome, treated us great read more

Momento Cantina - Veggie Birria Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My family celebrated Mother's Day at this relatively newer restaurant. As you enter the loud pink almost garish decor is kind of cheesy but once I get used to it the choice of salsas is intriguing. We all got different kinds of tacos , chicken fish beef and couple of appetizers tuna crude was delicious and chicken sopes was good too . The house salad I will definitely avoid next time easily the worst item on the menu. Their tres leches and corn desert were decent . We had the hibiscus with mezcal and another mezcal drink which were good read more

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First off the host was extremely rude! He had no manners and had an undermining tone. Also our server Zoe seemed cold and unwelcoming. This is unfortunate because the interior design is gorgeous and had a fun and lively environment. Music is a bit loud making it hard to order or hear our server at times. Food and drinks come out extremely fast, very impressed. Ceviche was underwhelming, cucumber overpowering the dish. Gorditas were good, nice crisp and flavorful, very spicy. Food presentation was flattering. I ordered the cuatro de mar which were a hit or miss. My favorite were the pescado playa tacos, pickled onions and sauce were really great. Fish quesabirria was an interesting concept but fell flat in my opinion. The pulpo macha taco was just okay. Dessert was good. Overall with the service being the way it was i don't see myself returning. read more

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Got the Ceviche and the unlimited tacos. The unlimited tacos was $35 per person for a hour and 30. The habanero salsa was so spicy. The ribeye taco was quite gamey and fatty. The fish tacos were also a bit fishy. The birria was not bad and the al pastor was pretty good. The ceviche was very salty but a lot of seafood and for $21 it's not too bad. Overall, for 35$ of unlimited tacos, it is pretty worth. The service was super nice and the restaurant is a bit dark but nice. The man's bathroom has a statue which scared me a bit but honestly very cool and fit the theme. read more

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After leaving the Christkindl Market, we decided to stop by Momento, and I'm so glad we did. The food was absolutely amazing and the service was incredibly attentive...you could really tell the staff cared about making your experience great. Everyone was so kind and accommodating. The decor is super cute and bold, with pink arches, colorful details, and a nice bar and kitchen area. The space feels open and lively, though some of the tables are a bit close together. They start you off with chips and bean dip with three different sauces, which were all delicious. I ordered the Pescado Trio (fish tacos) with pickled onions, cabbage slaw, chipotle sauce, and mango pico...so flavorful and fresh. I also had the elote, which tasted great, though it was a little watery for my preference. My boyfriend had two picante tacos and one white fish taco, and his picante tacos were divine, topped with fried cheese. For my drink, I had the Horchata margarita, which was creamy & strong...a fun step outside my usual choice of liquor and definitely worth it. He ordered sparkling water, and they even brought him an extra bottle of a different brand just to try, which was a really thoughtful touch. The atmosphere felt fun and a little exclusive, especially for such a new spot. Our total was about $75 for two people, including drinks, which felt like great value for the quality. Overall, amazing food, great service, and beautiful decor. I'll definitely be back with friends. Highly recommend! read more

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Came here with my Book Club and the setting was absolutely amazing. We had a table of six so they were able to accommodate all of us and they're able to accommodate both large and small parties for sure.. I got the fish tacos that they had on the menu that were absolutely delicious as well as a margarita. It starts up with complementary chips and I think salsa or guac and we ended up ordering more for the table because it was so good.. I love the absolute beautiful ambience and just vibe to this place. It's cute for a date night or just if you want to come with friends to have a good time.. also we were able to pay for our orders individually, which I always love even when it's a big group they were able to separated by our personal tab and we could tap to pay which I did! read more

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Quick question: Why. Are. You. Not. Here? I've ate some good restaurants and plenty of mid ones, but it's been awhile since a place has really impressed me and pushed above five stars. Momento did that for me, and let me tell you why. On a dark, bitterly cold Monday night when the city feels empty and lonely, Momento is a bright, lively, and colorful place to dine. Settings for large parties, singles, or a fun date night. All are welcome. It's boisterous and friendly in here. Terrific array of options on the menu. Combos of three, four, or six tacos. Complimentary chips and salsa. Tacos are outstanding. Flight of four tacos made of blue corn. Fresh made and they smell of it. And altogether, the tacos are amazing. One ribeye and one picanha taco, each ridiculously tender. Momento is part steakhouse as well as cantina. It's just the steak is improved by wrapping it in tortillas. Finally, fish taco, of which I'm usually not a fan, was spectacular. There it is; surf and turf in four tacos. That's a great concept. I'm always underwhelmed by Mexican places that slather giant ice cream scoop dollops of guacamole on everything. It's unnecessary, unappetizing, just uncouth. Momento has something, much, much better. Tortilla chips are served with a trio of sauces that are far superior to the guac, salsa, crema mainstays. Momento gives you a tomatillo, sesame, and a chili sauce. Each amazing. That's five star stuff right there. Server walked me through the menu, making good suggestions. As my evening ended he set a tequila shot on the bar. Thanked and explained that I'd never tasted tequila. Next thing I know, I'd tasted an array of tequilas and had an intro to tequila class. My server could have sat at the corner of the bar, dinking around on his phone while I ate. But, he didn't do that. He engaged with me, and that's pretty precious stuff these days and made my dinner the highlight of my day. Sixth star stuff. I can't say that will happen for everyone who eats here, but I think everyone who does will have a really good experience. read more

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A miss and a hit! After trying to eat somewhere else, unsuccessfully, a quick search brought us to the recently opened Memento. We were specifically looking for Mexican (and are regular proponents of SoCal Cali-Mex cuisine). What we encountered was a lovely surprise - head chef from Mexico City (CDMX) and flavors reminiscent of our recent trip there. The margaritas are flavorful, the tacos were delicious, and the presentation was detailed. Colorful interior, with a tasting area for mezcal. Honestly, we were not sure what to expect, especially realizing they had opened recently, but the staff was great - our server, Colin, was attentive and friendly, and made great recommendations. We were happily surprised - located right across from the Palmer House Hotel - great location for drinks! read more

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Interesting spot in an interesting space -- a higher end taqueria in the first floor of an old department store -- in this case, Carson Pirie Scott's old flagship location. Like the store, kind of a tragedy of unfulfilled potential. And pretty pricey for the experience. The food was good...when it finally came. We're guessing that they were short servers and slammed by a sporting event (we had a reservation and were seated on time, for the record)...but the timing of the bar and kitchen was kind of a disaster. Way too long for a first visit from our server. Way too long for the first round of margaritas to come. THREE (really) requests for chips and salsa after the server first said he would bring them -- one of our party finally went and asked the hostess desk for help. They came -- AFTER the apps (I won a bet about that...). The chips were served with three salsas in stylish but impractical cups (tall, skinny, didn't hold much...so you couldn't really dip...and the cups didn't even really fit in the holder...see pic...another near miss by the restaurant?). By the time we politely reminded our server that we would like another round of drinks with dinner, he acted annoyed (he WAS slammed and the kitchen WAS totally letting him down...) and never came back (an expediter did bring the drinks...someone else ultimately brought the check). Our group shared two apps: guacamole and totopos (pomegranate seeds) and a whitefish ceviche. The guacamole was overpriced and small but tasty; the ceviche was a real hit with the group. All four of our crew then had tacos, (that arrived -- literally -- 55 minutes after we were seated and ten minutes before we told them we would have to leave...) and agreed that they were quite good -- one went with green mole chicken, two with the fish, and one with the four taco sampler. Some plain white rice (really?!), frijoles, and chips on the side; the sides were as boring as the tacos were interesting. Add to that our table's location was near the Monroe St. entrance to the restaurant, which had a serious draft (two of our group put on their coats) and the obligatory streets-of-Chicago pot smoke wafting in and, well...what could and should have been a really terrific meal turned out to be, as noted, a pricey tragedy of disappointing service and unfulfilled potential. Lots of interesting Mexican food in the city these days. Saddens me to say that this one needn't be on the "must try" list. read more

Momento Cantina - Salsa cups...too narrow to dip a chip...and don't QUITE fit on their holder...missed it by THAT much... - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in for a quick snack and to cool down from the humid Chicago summer. It's got a nice decor aesthetic. Very Latin and super colorful. I'm a fan! Even the exterior has some art pieces that intrigued me. We got some guac and it wasn't bad. The chips were seasoned and came with watermelon radishes. Guac tasted made to order. We also got horchata and hibiscus. Pretty refreshing and tasted like how it should. It's self serve so I don't have much to say about service. I'd come back to do the sit down part of the restaurant. read more

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The service at Momento Cantina was absolutely fantastic! From the minute we walked in, got seated by our very friendly hostess, our waiter was helpful, had great suggestions and really made sure we were taken care of. The food, was also phenomenal, everything tasted really fresh and delicious. The ambiance was the most disappointing: The decor was really nice, however the noise level was very high for dinner. We were there on a Friday evening, and it seemed like the music just got louder- we were there for less than 2 hours (we were a group of 5). If it wasn't for the loud music, everything was really good, and we would love to come back! read more

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Nice ambiance. Had an authentic vibe about the restaurant. Nice portion size, I couldn't finish my food. read more

Momento Cantina - Watermelon Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

When our table ordered the mar y tierra molcajetes, I was not prepared for what the waiter brought out. It was a steaming hot, still sizzling grill of steak, chicken and octopus. The vapors were still coursing off the meat. We needed a few minutes before we could eat. It was delicious. The guac was great. The ceviche wasn't bad. It's a great spot with really good food. read more

Momento Cantina - mar y tierra molcajetes - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here for the Restaurant Week menu - had not heard of this spot but another friend highly recommended it, and I was interested in trying the drink add-on as a part of the prix fixe. The food was so flavorful and tasted of good quality, and the drinks tasted great as a pairing. I liked the interior design and mood of the main restaurant space as well. I'd definitely come back here again to try more on the menu. read more

Momento Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Nice ambience and vibe! Tacos of all kinds with house made tortilla and sauces. Huge selection of Tequila and Mezcal, had the tacos pibil w shredded pork very tasty! Wife kept it simple and lite w nice guacamole and rib eye slices. All good read more

Went for some drinks with friends Friday. Right when going in it looks like a fast food place but you go in some more it's completely different vibes. I like it. The drinks I tried horchata and guava margarita they were ok. I also ordered the sampler and I think the ribeye was the best out of the 4. The steak was ok but it felt a little dry. Service was ok I think they keep rushing us to finish and leave though probably because it's a Friday night after work but I didn't enjoy being rushed. read more

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Tried Momento yesterday for the first time. I ordered the four taco plate and most of it was inedible-- the meat was hard, cold, and old. The tortillas were stale and hard. I will never come back here. The service and drinks were exceptional but will definitely skip the food. read more

Momento Cantina - tacos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Situated in the old Carson's (if you know, you know) this place has all the charm! Food and drinks were perfect and the atmosphere will definitely have me returning! read more

Momento Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had lunch here after a visit to the Art Institute recently, shared Guacamole and Roasted Camote as appetizers and ordered Cochinita Pibil, Pescado Playa and Quesabirria as our main dishes. Every dish was quite tasty, and I found Cochinita Pibil to be particularly sumptuous. The server was quite busy that day, but she gave us good recommendations. read more

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Have you ever paused and said to yourself: "Name, you're being an insufferable curmudgeon." Yeah... I did that today. It's almost like I was looking for reasons to dislike Momento, but to be honest, I couldn't find any, not a valid reason, anyway. I will tell you now, everything you think you know about what a Mexican restaurant should be, take it and throw it out the window. Whether you're expecting onion and cilantro, or lettuce tomato and cheese, put all of that in a box with a lock. Let me first talk about the chips and dip that are included with the meal... these were among the best chips I'd had in a Mexican restaurant. They were house-made, light and airy, not greasy, and seasoned not only with salt but also something flavorful (though I couldn't tell you what). This was served with a lovely black bean dip. For us salsa lovers, there were three sauces served with the tacos (which one could easily use with the chips: a mild green, mild roasted tomato, and spicy Chile de Arbol. All were distinct and interesting, with the spicy bringing some proper heat! For the tacos, I tried both the sirloin and octopus. Now, remember how I said to remove yourself from your expectations? Expect three things only: balanced proportions, terrific assembly (don't fall apart), and next-level flavors. Well, the sirloin tacos had only meat and house-made potato sticks. After turning off "curmudgeon mode" I found it doesn't need it. Not that it would have hurt, just wasn't needed. The meat was beyond tender and flavorful - some of the best I've experienced in a taco, ever! The potato sticks added a little crunch while not interrupting the meat's flavors. The octopus tacos were a little different in that they also had a sauce that complemented the protein. Otherwise, the meat (mollusk?) also shined - and wasn't rubbery in the slightest. Potato once again bestowed crunch. For dessert I had the Fondant de Maiz. What made this so delightful is that the sweetness came primarily from the ice cream/gelato, with the cake having little. Thus, flavors other than sugar could come through. Great combination of textures also! With alcohol, I am in awe of their system. The card you're given allows you to try 15ml increments of tequilas and mezcals, from entry-level to fancier pours. IIRC there are 16 bottles, but only four were available as they are still in their opening. For beers, these are per ounce at a self-serve tap. Thus, one can try sip-sized amounts of each one for a nominal cost, and then go ahead with whatever they like, or nothing at all. Finally, I want to give big points for the service. It was kind, friendly, welcoming, attentive, and quick considering the freshness of everything. With all of this, I can't wait to see what's in store for Momento as they iron out any kinks and start working as a well-oiled machine read more

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Momento Cantina: New Year's Eve, and a serious win My wife and I slipped into Momento Cantina for New Year's Eve dinner before heading across the street for our party at the Palmer House. Zero expectations walking in. Walked out talking about it the rest of the night. This is, without hesitation, the best Mexican food we've had outside of Mexico. We kept it focused. No overthinking. Started with the Pescado Playa tacos. Crispy white fish, mango pico, jícama slaw, chipotle mayo. Three tacos that tasted like vacation. Light. Bright. Crunchy. Every bite worked. Then we moved to the Steak Trompo tacos. Prime beef, carved, seasoned, full-on CDMX energy. Deep flavor. Juicy. Bold. One of those plates where you slow down because you want it to last. Service was friendly. Pacing was tight. Restaurant was clean. Good vibe. You can tell they take pride in what they're doing. We walked out saying the same thing to each other: we're coming back here every time we're in town. This place is a win. read more

Momento Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious and very traditional Mexican options, unique tacos, knowledgeable server, fantastic variety of agave drinks, and very decorative interior! Great find in Chicago if you're in the mood for tacos! read more

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Great vibe, friendly staff. We all ordered combinations of tacos. Unfortunately, all of them were over-salted (even the fish). Dropping an average of $30 per plate of tacos only to leave feeling like you spent lunchtime sucking on a salt-lick was disappointing. I work a block from here and was hoping for better ... but maybe it was a bad day in the kitchen. Stay tuned for the second try. read more

Went on a Monday evening. Great atmosphere. Tried the spicy tuna tostadas the Ceviche ,duck molcajete, queso fundido compechano tacos pan de elote and. Arroz con leche. I would have to say one of the best Mexican places around. The tortillas/ tostadas are made with fresh blue corn masa. The ribeye taco definitely one you should try. Service was great seemed a bit short handed. read more

If I could give this place a 3.5 I would, because the service is very friendly. The vibe/decor felt very much geared towards a party setting- particularly with the di booth and ability for guests to join. While this can be fun if you're looking for a party, it can come off obnoxious if you aren't- especially when random guests are taking a turn playing dj. The food was subpar which is primarily driving my review score. We ordered chips and guac which was very low on the guac. The vegetarian birria tacos were really disappointing, instead being mushroom tacos with some beans drenched in sauce, making it soggy and very one dimensional in flavor. The fish tacos were significantly better with more texture and flavor. The tajin mango margarita was also disappointing as it was more like mango juice with a rim of tajin. The best thing I had was some tequila that I sampled, but also ended up being the most expensive thing there I consumed. Overall I left this place unsatisfied as did many people in my party. read more

Took my daughter here before a concert and Momento Cantina delivered on every level. The guac and beans with tortilla chips were incredibly fresh, the pomegranate on top was a lovely touch. We both did the Los Cuatro tasting menu and every taco pork, steak, short ribs was outstanding. Great service, great ambience. Highly recommend! read more

Momento Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I think this place is so fun! The service is SO attentive. They have a casual side and another more lounge-y sit down side. Their salsas are quite good (complimentary), and they have non-lard black beans too that come which is very inclusive. I liked their carne asada and birria tacos but omg the pan de elote dessert is to die for, worth the 5 stars alone. They have mezcal and tequila on tap, which I've never seen before. Fun vibes inside, fun decor, the bathrooms have mouthwash (lol). Recommend for sure! Fun girls night or date spot. read more

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Came for lunch on a Thursday. For this being a common corporate lunch area in the loop, momento has a complicated ordering system. We each had to get a card (which the host links to your credit card) before sitting down which you then place on a kiosk to order. It was a little confusing and felt kind of like those breweries that you serve yourself with based on your card. The tacos were pretty good, just a little overpriced for what it was. read more

Momento Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food was very authentic; I loved the Ribeye tacos with the green salsa, the cebollitas very AMAZING. Bummed bc they didn't have Picanha. Def didn't expect much from a taqueria in the middle of downtown Chicago. Stop by and try it, hopefully you're impressed as we were. read more

Momento Cantina - Ribeye tacos & cebollitas - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've visited this restaurant four different times because the food is genuinely good, but every single visit has come with the same issue: the host staff has very poor customer service. During one visit, there was an inspection happening, so I returned the next day. When I came back, I was not accommodated at all. The hosts were dismissive, unprofessional, and made me feel unwelcome. I was refunded, but it was never about the money -- I came back because I wanted the food. What concerns me most is that several of my coworkers visited on different days and had the exact same experience with the hosts. It makes you question what's really going on. The kitchen does a great job, but the attitude and behavior of the hosts make you want to take your business somewhere else. Until the customer service improves, especially at the front, it's hard to recommend this place despite the good food. read more

I would come back just for the octopus tacos, they were 10/10. They offer a range of amazing margarita flavors. read more

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Welcome to momento - a new eclectic dining experience with their take on fine Mexican dining. My personal opinion is that this place is for how it makes you feel and what you see during your time and little about the food. I took a risk on this place and decided why not with my mentee. We ordered the chicken Tinga sopes along with two fish tacos for me and two steak tacos for her. If you get the basic tacos, it's 2/$11 or 4/$20. No sides. Each order of tacos comes in two so you're given the option to mix march and share. While I didn't indulge in drinking it was $18/ cocktail. The food was good. The flavor profile and textures were there - no doubt about it. It was too expensive for my taste buds. Then again, this is an elevated dining experience. I wouldn't turn down the opportunity to go again however I wouldn't choose, on my own, to come back. read more

You have never seen this much grease. Good drinks good appetizers. Steak was very fatty read more

Momento Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This new (9 months) restaurant is large and stunning. We sat at the bar for lunch - Christopher was excellent and personable. We also spoke to a few other staff as well. First were the salsa and chips - loved the Avocado. Plate had refried beans and cheese as well. We had the skirt steak tortillas with potatoes. Two sauces on the potatoes one mildly spicy (the green) and one that had us chewing ice cubes (the white). The only negative was they don't have coffee. Any type. Definitely will return read more

New tacos spot in the of Chicago. The Picaña Trompo tacos were my favorites--so flavorful. The self-serve tequila and mezcal setup is super unique and fun. Our server, Fiona, was amazing--friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure we were well taken care of. read more

Momento Cantina - Tequila & Mezcal self serve - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

it was a great ambiance very fun and cool. service was great and very nice. food was yummy but pretty overpriced read more

Momento Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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