I don't know why there are so many bad reviews. I order from here all the time - the steak, pastor, and birria tacos are all delicious and very cheap. My order has never been messed up and the employees have always been friendly. 10/10 recommend Taqueria El Malecon. read more

I used to really enjoy this place and ordered from here often, but unfortunately the quality has gone downhill. Lately, everything has been extremely greasy. The tacos are soaked in oil, and all you can taste is the deep-fried flavor instead of the actual ingredients. It's disappointing because this used to be one of my go-to spots. Sadly, I won't be coming back unless the quality improves. read more

This is the first time I've had a birria taco. I bought four. I also bought sides of rice and beans with them. The whole meal was excellent.

Small shop in a strip mall on Irving Park. Friendly cashier but the dining room was disorganized. Ordered a California style burrito and was very disappointed. Very light on ingredients and soggy French fries. read more

Taqueria El Malecon - California Style Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I can't figure out why the rating is lower than the other places around. The food has been been excellent every time I have been there.

Ordered delivery, the restaurant didn't read our order correctly. The food tasted old and bland. No flavor in the birria, super disappointed. Such a waste of money read more

Ordered for delivery and disappointed with my order, the food came cold, the rice had no flavor I asked for sour cream on my torta sandwich which they did not add and I'm sure they charged me for it, for special instructions they had a column to ask if I wanted my sandwich cut in half and I said yes and they couldn't follow simple instruction, I guess they can't read or to lazy to read. Would not order from them again, the bread was not fresh. Very disappointed! Total waste of money! read more

Enjoyed the steak tacos and a bag of chips. The steak is cut up small and I edited a few fatty pieces out of it but overall very good. Not peppery at all, just marinated adobada style (I think). The tortillas for the tacos are the real deal, very tasty. And the chips are slightly over-salted just the way I like. Would order again for sure! We got it to-go and the hot sauce in the small container is very hot (for me). The salsa in the larger container is the smooth blended style, pretty light tasting but a little acidic. It might have onions blended in too. And the guacamole has onions which I have to avoid. But I would definitely try other things on the menu. read more

Taqueria El Malecon - Menu (front) - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Wanted to try something new and ordered this. Hands down an amazing taco upgrade! Get yourself some today! read more

Taqueria El Malecon - Steak birria - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We really liked this place. I failed to take pictures before eating most of it. We ordered pozole, pastor tacos, shrimp tacos, and pizzabirria. Loved jt all. The pastor is well marinated. The shrimp tacos were very full of shrimp. The pizzabirria was big with guacamole. And the pozole was very flavorful. read more

See all

Excellent quesabirrias, tasty salsas, homemade tortilla chips, tostadas piled high, fast delivery. Burritos are a bit skinny though. Solid place overall. read more

Taqueria El Malecon - mexican food in a styrofoam container - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Every time I order from this restaurant I somehow manage to get items forgotten, mistaken, or just completely wrong. The food is good, however the service is absolutely awful. I tried to call today and got hung up on multiple times, when I tried to call again I wasn't even met with a response. I feel as if the employees get confused every time with the orders and they seriously need improvement. Cada vez que hago un pedido en este restaurante, de alguna manera siempre tengo cosas que se han hecho olvidados, equivocados por completo. La comida es buena, sin embargo, el servicio es absolutamente horrible. Intenté llamar hoy y me colgaron varias veces, cuando intenté llamar de nuevo, ni siquiera obtuve una respuesta. Siento que los empleados se confunden cada vez con las órdenes y necesitan mejorar seriamente. read more

I wish I would have read the reviews before stopping in. Staff isn't rude but very difficult to communicate with. Price tag very expensive $25 for a meal is just ridiculous. The food itself is not terrible but nothing to run back to. Definitely not worth stopping in. I had the birria which is very greasy. I feel terrible after eating it. read more

Looks like a dime a dozen but shines on its own and well deserved. Don't skip over this unassuming spot. Love popping in here even for a single taco while biking along the river but worth stopping by for the fam. read more

I stopped in on my way home from work and grabbed a burrito, which is probably the worst barometer for Mexican food. So many flavors wrapped together that it's hard to tell what's good and isn't. The burrito was insanely huge, I attached a picture to show im not exaggerating. I would maybe order a smaller one next time. The food was not anything spectacular, pretty on par with the other Mexican restaurants in the area. Staff was friendly. I would stop in again. read more

Taqueria El Malecon - Super King Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So amazing I loved this place so much! Food is great and very cheap. This is the birria btw. read more

Taqueria El Malecon - Quesabirrias Birria en su caldo - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

good food. No fish but shrimp, have veggie burrito/taco. salsa not as expected, a bit too hot..., for a veggie burrito, chips and coke it was $11.50, would definitely stop here again!!! read more

Really great food. Portions are large and the food is reasonably priced. I've done take out and dine and either way I'm always satisfied.

Not only was this place unclean but I came in to place an order for some tacos with a coworker, the woman on the register was completely rude to the point where I refused to order after my coworker after the hard time she was given. I will NEVER eat at this place. read more

Doesn't look like much when you walk in, a small cute restaurant. This place is actually a hidden gem for Mexican food, hidden in the corner. I had a steak taco dinner, the steak was superb. The tortillas delicious and fresh. The beans were very delicious with tasty mozzarella on top. The rice was great, i also had a horchata with my meal it was perfect because it's not too sweet for those watching sugar. Not to mention that my meal was prepared very quickly, but it came to me warm and fresh. Overall excellent experience, definitely check them out. read more

Taqueria El Malecon - Steak(Carne asada) taco dinner, Horchata - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Flavorless burrito and burger that taste like hand soap w cheese that doesn't melt with rubbery meat. Will never return.

Although the thing this place seems most famous for on yelp is bad reviews, I needed chips and guacamole and I needed a place close by. I don't usually like to frequent poorly reviewed places but how can you screw up chips and dip? 10$ minimum to pay with a credit card, so I had to double my order. I was in there just a couple minutes because I grabbed the food to go but despite being the only one there, the tables weren't clean. I will post a picture. In the end I can only judge my own experience and getting the food to go and it being so hard to mess up chips and guacamole... I feel 4 stars is fair read more

Taqueria El Malecon - Dirty tables - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

the best taqueria in the city. Jose makes a torta so good you will never want to go anywhere else I would give them 10 stars if I could I come here everyday on my break and it seriously makes my day to experience food and service at such a high level. My fav food spot in the city hands down. make sure to give Jose a big tip in the jar when you leave read more

I came here last week with one of my friends who lives a few blocks from the restaurant. I was craving Quick Mexican food that was nothing fancy, just good enough to fill me up and prepare me for a night of drinking. I ordered a rice and bean burrito with queso on top. When I said queso I meant the white delicious queso that most Mexican restaurants have. Turns out it was some yellow monstrosity that resembled nacho cheese sauce. Before I could say something it was already on the burrito. Then I asked if he has the white queso and if so I would just like a side of it with some chips. What happened next left my friend and I almost speechless. The two of us watched him get a styrofoam container. Fill it up with chips and then put shredded white cheese on top of it and put it into the microwave. How did chips and queso turn into microwaved chips with shredded cheese? Either way, we were too mortified to even say something so we just laughed in disbelief and I paid them and left. As you would expect, the chips with cheese that was microwaved in a styrofoam container tasted like absolute shit. Not to mention you can't microwave styrofoam so it melted into my lovely pile of shit nachos. Burrito was fine and our poor excuse for nachos was regrettably eaten after a night out drinking at Dave and Busters. Let's just say, I won't be returning. read more

Once upon a time I worked the graveyard shift and lived nearby. One disadvantage of both my living situation and my schedule was the laundry situation as my landlady didn't allow laundry to be going after 10pm and I was rarely awake or alert enough to start it early enough so I found myself at the 24-hour laundrioteca next to The Taco Burrito King, or Rey del Tacos y de los Burritos for my espanol speaking fans. They're cheap, I'll give you that. You get that whole "don't know exactly what I'm eating but hey at least it's not moving oh whoa whoa ok maybe it's moving a little but hey at least it's not singing" kind of experience. The "meat" is typically chunky and fatty, you'll find yourself chewing more gristle than you'd like. The lettuce is a bit soggy, the beans a bit flat but what the hell, man? We're at the Taco Burrito King. Live a little don't worry about the health department so much. Many a night was spent washing my undesirables and munching on a steak burrito, no tomato or sour cream. Along with this a nice cool cola and then it was off to desert from the vending machines. Stale 3 Musketeers bar, score! read more

Blehhhhhhh. Let me preface this review by saying I relocated to Chicago from Los Angeles, and have never met a taco or burrito I wasn't cool with. Hole in the wall taquerias are my lifeblood. But.. Should have gone to Taco Bell next door. Ordered a Burrito Suizo - Red sauce was weirdly sweet, not good. Hardly any cheese on top (which should be a federal offense). Had to drown in salsa and sour cream to make it edible. Pretty sure the burrito was supposed to have other ingredients, but all I saw was meat, tomatoes and like 1 pinto bean. Side of Chips & Salsa - Also not great, small portion of chips, salsa is a cloudy, weird color and it was pretty bland. Also, I asked for a lengua burrito and the guy said "we don't have lengua", but after I ordered I saw it listed on the menu in English - Maybe he doesn't speak Spanish? Who knows. No me gusta. read more

Wth - this used to be a Taco Burrito King (TBK) until recently - i think it's all upper management stuff and what not. But I mean this place was THE ORIGINAL TBK. Good cheap mexican food if you live in the neighborhood and don't want to travel far. I don't know why it says they dont deliver because they definitely do!! I usually get the steak tostadas and have had the usual dishes on the menu. I probably pass 2 other taco joints on my way here on my lunch break from work (Paisano's and another new place I've yet to try) but I would rather take out a few more minutes from my lunch for some better quality food. Btw - I'm glad there's new management, the guy who always takes my order is very nice and patient (I tend to forget my wallet in my car). ANNNND he doesn't call me chinita and burn a hole through my pants with his eyes as I walk out the door (as the previous workers/management did!!) read more

Been in the neighborhood for years!!. Used to be TBK...but dropped the "King". I have to say that is it pretty decent. I haven't gone here before, but wandered in one day when I was in the mood to try a different place. SOO happy to have a decent taco place in the vicinity. Although not absolutly mouthwatering.....I am extremely impressed with how FAST they put your order together. Everything is just as it should be, but done in literally 3 minutes TOPS. They also deliver..WOO HOO....and have Horchata and Jamica (sp?) juice out with the pop for you to self serve. (same price as pop). They are super cheap, and sourcream /cheese are included for no extra charge. perfect spot when you need VERY FAST food and don't want BK across the street. i've had their taco, torta, and sopes...all pretty good. Beans and Rice are good...although not to fond of the mixed veggies in the rice. (just not the way I like it) read more

It's late. Really late. Come on, you know why you are here. Cheap burrito and a can of soda pop might just be a lifesaver, too soon to be "next" day. Chicken or beef? Tortilla wrapper cooked hot and off the griddle. Yum. Get in before 3:50am. Last call! read more

I got take out from here one Thursday evening on my way to a friend's place in Avondale. I sort of stumbled upon it really as I really just drove by and it looked like it could be good. I was so hungry I rushed into ordering 2 avocado tortas and a side of rice. While I waited for my order, I made the mistake of looking at the poster on the wall that had a blown up picture of their enchiladas. I immediately wanted to change my order, but it was too late. The tortas were excellent and their green and red sauces were great. I am usually more partial to the green, but this red had a smokey spice that was a nice change of pace. I will return at some point and there is nothing that will keep me from housing those enchiladas! read more

I got a King sized burrito with Carne Asada and everything: lettuce, tomato, beans, sour cream, cheese. Had it not been for the salsa verde, I think it wouldn't have tasted like anything. Completely flavorless meat combined with other bland fillings does not a good burrito make. read more

I love this place. Like heart pounding, palm sweating, butterflies flapping real love. There is nothing fancy about the decor or the food - unless you count the large print of the woman with the panther on the wall. I choose to turn a blind eye to that, though I suppose it does add a small touch of color at the least. The food is good and if you're starving, know the portions are plentiful. Everything is made very quickly, to the extent that I am in and out usually in under 10 minutes. I've tried everything from tacos to burritos to tortas to chilaquiles and have liked it all. The menu is pretty typical taqueria fare and the prices are almost ridiculously cheap. The main thing I love are the employees. Everyone who works here is always so friendly and nice, no matter what day or time I come in. It is a consistently pleasant experience which is unbelievably rare in this era of lacking customer service. I don't understand why anyone would go next door to Taco Bell over coming here, but since it means I spend less time in line, please continue to do so. read more

Ordered a chimichanga to carry out. They packed the burrito on top of lettuce, tomato and sour cream , so when I was ready to eat it was soggy and falling apart. The chimichanga itself tasted like it was fried in rancid oil and refried beans looked like they had been sitting out all day. Threw it all out. Never again!!! ;-/Carne Asada Burritos . read more

Not the best, but not the worst. It falls somewhere in the mediocre medium.... The only reason I go here (and gave it three stars) is for an item that isn't even on the menu: carne asada burrito suiza. A friend once mentioned this concoction, so the next day while doing my laundry I asked these guys to make it for me. That was two years ago. Since then, its the only thing I order. It appears to be quite the popular spot. There are always people either picking up or dining in.... read more

Decent place for food. I'm never disappointed and my food is always done on time. Their horchata is one of the best, in my opinion. Their quesabirria is delicious read more

YEAH! the real TBK! the hell with that other TBK by harlem and foster...i've been going to this spot since like '99 or '98... i'm a pretty simple guy and usually stick with either the king steak burrito dinner or the steak taco dinner and large orchata...it's not gourmet, but it's cheap, it's filling, it's 4 blocks away, and it's TBK... minus one star because i wish their food tasted like garcia's, but i still love you dearly, TBK read more

This place is not bad. Don't expect the best burrito you've ever eaten in your life, but it's decent for a nice, quick dinner. We grabbed our order to go and everything was tasty. The portions are a good size and the staff was friendly. read more

Liked the clear menu, free lot parking, clean space with large clean menu, and how dinners come with a medium drink. However, I didn't really like my 2 al pastor taco dinner. The tortillas tasted a little off, and I wasn't fond of the seasoning. Passable but not the best. 2 stars is defined as "Meh. I've experienced better", which is exactly how I feel about this place. read more

So tonight I originally was going to get a Nacho Bell Grande from the Taco Bell/KFC combo next door but I thought why not get a better nacho supreme from the Famous Taco Burrito in the next lot. I mean after all it's famous so it must be good, right? Well not so much. While the to go container of a nacho supreme was heaping, all of the contents were mediocre. There wasn't a lot of lettuce, a decent amount of tomato, meet and processed cheese. The steak was extra chewy and not very tasty. Maybe this would've hit the spot if I was looking for drunk food, but I wasn't drunk :-\ I think next time I'll stick with the nacho bell grande read more

I went to Taco Burrito because it is conveniently located next to our favorite Laundry Mat called Mr. Bubble! I also dropped in to sample the quesadilla that were so highly recommended by Matt F. Before I mention how the quesadillas were I will mention that I am used to Mexican Take-Out Dives, and side of the street Mexican food vendor stands, and I've had my share of upset stomachs, but I'm usually immune. The Meat Quesadilla combo, with beans and rice and your choice of meat was delicious. I had the pork, and it was Yummy! Although I also got another plain cheese quesadilla to get the whole gooey cheese mess experience which is one of my few food weaknesses. Unfortunately I was hugely let down. I mean I'm OK with wringing out quesadillas, and all the extra oil that oozes out when you heat up good cheese. I've also wrung out my fair share of quesadillas, but this tasted nothing like fine quality cheese grease this had a nasty watery butter taste. Yuck! I will not be getting the plain cheese queso here ever again. I also didn't like the fact that they did not put up the price for the cheese quesadilla, who knows how much I was charged, but I didn't want to stand there looking like the guy who is skeptical, cause ouch I really am that guy! Maybe I'll be back, but I'll be thinking twice. read more