Tzuco has a gorgeous and lively atmosphere that makes for a great dining experience. We came for brunch, and I was excited to try a bunch of things on the menu. It is a bit on the pricey side, but the food was solid. I had the Chorizo Crepe, which was super tasty and really filling, while my partner got the Tzuco Shakshuka. The Shakshuka looked great but had a bit of an acidic kick that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Overall, good food and a great spot to check out! read more

Tzuco - Chorizo Crepe and Tzuco Shakshuka - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Truly amazing restaurant! The chef is beyond talented, he's a magician! Best Mexican food I've ever had in my life! Our server, Lauren was the very best! So friendly and attentive. She let us know which appetizers were not to miss and helped me choose an absolutely delicious main course, Carnitas Tacos! read more

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If you've ever wondered what the true definition of upscale Mexican cuisine looks and tastes like, Tzuco is it. This place is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience, a celebration of heritage and flavor brought to life in the most elegant and inventive way. From the moment I opened the menu, I was hit with a sense of nostalgia mixed with awe, so many dishes I recognized, yet each one elevated, reimagined. It was nearly impossible to choose... everything sounded amazing. In the end, I went with the COSTILLAS DE RES, The braised short ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, rich, and juicy, like they had been slow-cooked in stories and traditions. The depth of flavor in every bite was unreal. The smoky notes from the Guajillo and Ancho chile salsa hit first, bold, earthy, and complex, followed by the brightness of tomato and onion, the umami of perfectly charred avocado, and the crispy, caramelized edges of roasted Brussels sprouts. Each element wasn't just there to decorate the plate, it belonged. The salsa was so good it could've stood alone, like a secret recipe passed down through generations. But paired with the short rib? It transformed into something unforgettable. As soon as the fork touched my mouth, the flavors ignited, smoke, heat, savoriness, brightness, all layered so harmoniously it felt like a symphony in every bite. It was comfort food elevated to fine art, capturing the soul of traditional Mexican cooking and reimagining it with precision and bold creativity. The depth of flavor made you pause, close your eyes, and just feel, like you'd discovered something sacred. To end the night, we had the LIMÓN Y MIEL for dessert, and I'm telling you now, if there's one dish to define the heart and soul of Tzuco, it's this one. I've never had anything quite like it. It arrived shaped like an actual lemon, an edible sculpture. But inside that artistry was a flavor combination so thoughtful and refreshing, it was the perfect palate cleanser and finale. The lemon mousse was airy and tart, perfectly offset by the rich, buttery coconut crumble that added both texture and tropical warmth. The lemongrass ice cream brought a subtle herbal note, delicate and cooling, while the yuzu honeycomb added just the right pop of citrusy sweetness and crunch. Every bite was balanced, fragrant, and dream, a dessert that wasn't just a sweet ending, but a story in itself. Tzuco is the kind of place you don't just recommend, you insist people try. It's a rare gem where tradition meets innovation, and every plate tells a story. You won't find flavors like this anywhere else. read more

Tzuco - Limon y Miel - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wow, I came with a friend to Tzuco for brunch (we made the reservation same day, literally 30 mins before), and we were extremely pleasantly surprised. First of all, the restaurant is well known for it's beautiful interior and exterior, and for good reason. While the color scheme is very monotone, they do a really great job at playing with different media, plant, etc. to make the beige look stunning. The service here is INCREDIBLE. Walked in, and immediately had a bag rack for our purses. Additionally, I had a coffee cup in hand, and they brought me a mug right away to transfer it into. As for food, we shared two things, both of which were stellar. -Lamb Quesabirria: 9/10 - I love birria and this was no different. The meat was flavorful, the tacos were juicy, plus the consomée added even more flavor and moisture. There was not too much cheese, as can happen with birria tacos sometimes, and the corn tortillas were crispy. The quirk of using lamb instead of beef was SO cool, especially because it added a farmy gaminess to the flavor profile which I adored. -Duck Confit Waffle with sweet potato puree, rosemary, and hibiscus: 8.8/10 - This was SUCH an innovative dish, and super beautifully plated as well. The waffle itself was soft and had a subtle yet sweet rosemary flavor to it. The sweet potato puree brought a creaminess to the dish which was perfect, and the duck confit legs were PERFECTLY prepared. The meat was tender, the skin was crisp and flavorful, and when you get a bite of everything together, you really see the vision. read more

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Lovely experience at Tzuco for a family member's birthday. We sat on the outdoor patio (it was a warm August evening) and it was perfect - the breeze was flowing through the patio and they had fans on overhead. The patio itself is very pretty and makes for people watching on the surrounding sidewalks. The service was fantastic, Cristian was our server and he did an amazing job answering questions and being prompt with drink refills and requests. The food was delicious, the Tetela was OUT OF THIS WORLD good, our favorite dish of the night. We also shared the Carne Asada, Guacamole, and the Tlyacoco, all of which were delicious. The cocktails were 10/10, I got the Pibil, which was delicious, and my brother got the Dona, which he liked, but he ended up switching over to the Pibil for his second drink. The coconut margarita was a hit too. We got the peach dessert and not only was it beautiful, but it was sooooo yummy. Overall, I highly recommend Tzuco for an elevated Mexican experience, all of the food and drinks were incredible and the service and atmosphere feels upscale and chic. Looking forward to coming back again! read more

Tzuco - Peach dessert - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Visited from San Francisco and as foodies, we were really impressed with Tzuco. The ambience is beautiful -- the teardrop lights create such a warm and stylish atmosphere. The food was amazing, with creative twists on flavors that felt elevated and well balanced. Everything we tried was thoughtfully prepared and delicious. Our waiter provided great service and made the experience even better. Would definitely recommend this place and would happily come back! read more

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The service was lovely. They greeted me as so as I sat down. Skinny margarita please!! I ordered the hamichi but it didn't come in today so I went with Tetila so instead of fish I had chicken. I know I should always ask"is anything spicy in this dish ". I didn't. !! Worked around the sauce that was spicy for me. The presentation was beautiful. I'll stop in again and ask if the hamachi is in. I asked them to take the surcharge off my bill. I'm learning about that too. read more

We loved our experience here. The open faced kitchen, the homage to Mexico is apparent with the decor, and the cuisine is delicious, light, and flavorful. Thank you so much to the staff for moving our original reservation. Service was impeccable! read more

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Went here to celebrate husband's birthday. Everything that we got was so delicious. The service was attentive. The ambiance was great. Nice place for a date. The bench booth seating has a stand fior your purse that I was weary to use because my purse was so big! But it was fine. We had the guacamole with pork belly and mussels for appetizers. The mussels with chorizo were sooo yummy!!! We had to take the sauce home, it was that good. Perfect creamy tangy goodness. We got tortillas instead of bread because I am gluten free. For entrees: short ribs, pork shank. Both were very good but the short rib was my favorite. Big portions and flavor packed. We had to take food home. For drinks we had the ultima palabra and el dorado. My husband loved the el dorado. I really liked the ultima. No gluten free desert other than sorbet. They gave us margarita shots for his birthday. All in all. Would definitely return. Solid meal, great value, sweet experience. Would return. You should check it out. read more

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I really was looking forward to coming here as I was here once before ago and it was great. The ambiance is the same, but the food fell short. My party split a bunch of appetizers throughout the night. They included the guacamole, papas zamoranas, tetela, tuna ceviche, Mayan ceviche, pulpo enamorado, asparagus, and pommes frites. Everything in general was fresh and cooked well, but the ingredients and flavors were not really cohesive. They didn't have that wow factor. The mole old fashioned was good but I would have never thought it resembled mole. The sangria was amazing, though. Both desserts were pretty good and I would say were the highlight of the night. read more

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I've been to Tzuco for lunch before and loved it, but dinner absolutely blew me away. Went here with a few friends, and every single dish was as beautiful as it was delicious. The presentation is impeccable, and you can tell so much thought goes into every plate. Our favorites: Tetela is an absolute must try and one of the best things we ordered. Tlacoyo was packed with flavor and perfectly executed. Ceviche was fresh and decent, though not the standout of the night. Fish main course was cooked to perfection, flavorful and balanced. And just when I thought the night couldn't get any better, the desserts arrived. The Maíz is a MUST order, unique, creative, and unforgettable. We also tried a chocolate mousse (can't recall the name), which was rich and decadent. Overall, Tzuco is an absolute must visit in Chicago. Whether you're local or just visiting, this place deserves a spot at the top of your list. Creative dishes, flawless execution, and an unforgettable dining experience. read more

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Tzuco has been on my husband's list to try, so we went to their happy hour, held weekdays from 4-6:30. I started with Carajillo which is like an espresso martini, delicious. And husband got the Negroni. We loved the guac which was light and a hint of chipotle spice. Tuna tostada and cochinta tostadas were extremely flavorful and balanced. Our 2nd round was sangria for me and margarita for my husband. His drink was so smooth and mine was great too. The octopus was very different than typical calamari and the lime squeeze on esquites con carne brought out the steak flavor. We need to come back and try the patio outdoors. read more

Tzuco is a beautiful spot with food that delivers big on flavor. The dishes have just the right amount of spice, and the margaritas are truly amazing--definitely worth ordering. They also have vegan options, including mushrooms, which is a nice touch. My personal favorite was the mushroom and queso appetizer (wish I had grabbed a photo, because it was that good!). The downside of my experience was the service. Our server was slow and not very consistent in checking on us, which took away from the overall experience. Another thing to watch out for: they automatically try to add a 3.5% fee "just because they can." Be sure to ask for this to be removed if you don't agree to it. Overall, I'd recommend Tzuco for the food and drinks--the flavors really shine--but keep an eye on the service and check your bill. read more

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My bf and I stopped by for brunch one day cause he has heard great things about it. It was like Sunday noon when we came and the place was kinda empty which was shocking since the restaurant is located in a somewhat touristy location. We were immediately seated with menus, but took a while for them to serve us water. Then it also took a while for us to order given that we were seated at the bar and no one else was being taken care of at the bar. I ordered the tzuco shakshuka cause it's usually my go to item if I see it on a menu and my bf ordered the chorizo crepe. The shakshuka was very tart/tomatoey for my liking. I did not enjoy the food at all, but my bf loved his chorizo crepe. Overall, I had a mediocre experience given the service and food here. I don't think I'll return for brunch. The ambiance inside is very nice though. I think there are better food in the area. read more

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Best brunch ever. We love Tzuco for dinner but who knew the brunch was so phenomenal?!? The avocado flatbread, the quesabirria & pulpo tacos, the margarita, Casa Madero rosé, & a carajillo as 'dessert'...A perfect brunch start to finish. Great servers & service, too. Takes you to México. read more

Was visiting Chicago for the first time and was sadly a bit disappointed by some of the popular restaurants. Therefore, asked a local for food recs and this restaurant was recommended. SO SO glad we decided to give it a try. The inside is beautiful, simple, and moody. Got the tetela, pulpo, mayan ceviche, costillas de res, and the limon y miel for dessert. The only dish we didn't love was the ceviche. Everything else was INCREDIBLE. Each dish was bursting with unique flavors and delicious. Also got a hot horchata chai tea and the tea paired perfectly with the refreshing lemon dessert. Would 100% recommend to anyone who has never tried this place. read more

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Meh. Nice atmosphere, great service and drinks, but the food wasn't mind blowing. A little too overpriced for subpar food IMO. read more

Tzuco - Horchata latte martini - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We celebrated the holidays here and it was delicious. Great ambiance and service. We loved all of our dishes. The cucumber chia seed aloe mocktails was incredible. I'm obsessed with the bathroom sink. read more

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Wow! Amazing service, amazing food, and beautiful interior. We enjoyed the papas appetizer, short rib entree, and all the ice cream flavors. Definitely enjoyed the entire meal and experience. read more

Tzuco - Papas appetizer - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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So sad I really wanted to have a great time here. But yesterday I had the worst service we waited 30 min with reservations. Then waited 20 more minutes to even get our drinks in. I told the waiter I was allergic to pineapple and I had an order a drink that I didn't realize had pineapple. I had an allergic reaction to it my friend had to go get me pills at Walgreens. read more

Tzuco is a lovely, super aesthetically pleasing and tasty brunch spot. My friends and I were visiting from out of state and one of us had made a weekend reservation a little before 11. The place was maybe half full at most when we first arrived but filled up pretty quickly while we were there. Service wasn't bad. The downside of the brunch is that the food took a while to come out but it was worth it. We started with the queso fundido. All of us agreed that it was unlike anything we have ever tried before. It cokes with two super moist pieces of I think sourdough bread. The blend of mushrooms and spices and cheese was wonderful. I got the quesabirria for the main dish. It tastes like how it sounds - cheesy, savory, etc. I appreciated that the consume wasn't too salty. It was super messy to eat since each of the 3 tacos has 3 squirts of avocado salsa on the outside so be prepared to use a lot of napkins and wash your hands afterwards. I would be more underwhelmed with the dish without the side of onion and cilantro that it comes with so I'm glad it all came together. The interior is beautiful. Going to the bathroom was a great experience because of the beautiful mirrors, sink, and ambience. Prices are very reasonable. read more

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I've passed by Tzuco hundreds of times and have always heard great reviews about it, but never stepped in until recently. First off, we went on a Monday, around 7PM. The place itself is unassuming on the outside, you don't know what to expect once you get in. The ambiance is great, it is a step above minimalist, with great touches of decor throughout. It truly feels like you're in another place while you're there. It's warm, but trendy. We had a reservation for 7PM, like I said it was pretty crowded, so we were told we would have to wait a few minutes. That was fine, it was nothing crazy or out of the ordinary. Other parties were waiting as well. We were able to catch up. When we got seated, we were greeted with a glass of champagne for the wait. Totally unexpected and totally grateful that the restaurant added that extra touch to make our experience special. The service was beyond. All of the servers were phenomenal, very helpful and very attentive. We ordered a few items - the guacamole to start and the queso fundido. It's not a typical queso fundido, it has a nice twist with very fragrant flavors. Served with bread, which was nice and warm and crispy. We ordered the chile relleno, pommes frites, and cochinita pibil, between the three of us. The dishes can be good for one person or can be shared. The portions of meat are really generous, so you will definitely be full after. The meats are served with tortillas. The cochinita fell right off the bone and was so juicy and tender. Forgot to take pics of the chile relleno and cochinita, but I highly recommend the both of them. They're doing great work here on fusing authentic traditional Mexican recipes here with a twist. We look forward to visiting again soon to have some cocktails and try some of their other meat dishes! read more

Tzuco - Guacamole Dinner, Horchata Agua Fresca - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The ambiance was very cool, service was nice. The cocktails were disappointing, didn't have balance and good flavor profile. The mussels were great, other food was just okay. Dessert looked great but didnt excite me. Overall, its good to go one time, but might not so again. read more

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I've given Tzuco two chances, and both times the service was incredibly disappointing. I won't be returning. First visit: We had a reservation and expected to be seated in the main dining room. Instead, we were told there were no tables available and were placed outside -- in freezing late fall weather -- despite no one else being seated outdoors. It felt like we were being brushed off. We ended up leaving without ordering and went to Gino & Marty's instead, which turned out to be the best decision. The food and service there were amazing. Second visit: We again had a reservation, arrived on time, and were told the restaurant was "full" and that they couldn't seat us. The hostess was rude, dismissive, and offered no real explanation or solution. Once again, we went to Gino & Marty's -- no reservation, yet they welcomed us warmly and made sure we had a great dining experience. Bottom line: Both times we tried Tzuco, the staff was rude and unaccommodating despite us having reservations. It's clear that customer service is not a priority here. I truly don't get how they can treat customers like this. We've had consistently better experiences at other places with less space but far more hospitality. Tzuco: Never again. Reservations were made through OpenTable both times! read more

Tzuco - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This time we stopped for an early birthday dinner. Every dish was beautifully plated and rich in flavor. The small plates were all incredible. Highly recommended a dinner stop. You can't miss the octopus. Thanks for the berry cake. read more

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This place is delicious! The best French onion soup you will ever have. Everything on the menu is excellent. So much flavor packed in every dish. I would go back just for the soup alone. Perfect for a cold Chicago night. Our server Cristian was great! Attentive but not overbearing with customer service. I would recommend Tzuco. read more

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Went here recently on a Friday night . When my husband and I got there we didn't have reservations and there was a wait. We decided to just sit at the bar which had full menu service. The atmosphere was really nice, low light setting and nice decorations. I ended up getting the mahi mahi and it was one of the best ive ever had. For drinks, I had the Sangria and wasn't really a fan. It had a much different taste then other sangria's. It wasn't bold with the fruit taste. For 2 people, it was over $150 for dinner so a little on the pricy side but well worth it. Will definitely be back again read more

The food was exceptional and the ambience genuinely elevated. I have been to Mexico with my family many times and the food and real hospitality brought be and transported me Mexico. You can't go wrong with this place. read more

We came here for a nice birthday dinner, and we definitely made the right choice! We were sat at the chef's table/bar so we could see everything happening in the kitchen. The staff were absolutely amazing - super helpful with regards to dished and even more with respect to the wines they offer. And wow, are some of those wines spectacular. Trust them! Don't forget to try their cocktails either. The food was absolutely spectacular. Look at the specials and ask questions. I promise you will find something good. As others have reported, the service is exceptional, the atmosphere is great and the food is over the top. It's a great Mexican fusion kind of cuisine. This is a great place and a great time. A real less well known gem in Chicago. read more

Beautiful atmosphere, amazing service, and the food and plating were phenomenal! Highly recommend!!

The host and wait staff helped me out during my visit because I thought I scheduled outdoor seating and wanted to change it day of to bar seating. Originally I was nervous because it's cold out. But luckily there's outdoor heat! They still sat me at the bar because they had space, my server was so hospitable and nice. I wanted to switch to bar seating because the bar is the only place where you're given a happy hour menu! So that's why I took the point off. I think the place would have been packed if they offered it to not just the bar. I'm definitely coming back here-- this is a Michelin restaurant with reasonable prices, PLENTY to eat so you leave feeling full, and a not-too-stuck-up menu where your more picky eaters can get a burger that is still absolutely worth the price. Chef Carlo's Gaytan has become a piece of Chicago history. read more

The appetizers were more appealing to us than the mains, so we shared five. Our favorites were the pulpo and tetala but truly everything was good. The dessert menu looked tasty too. The service was good but nothing incredible. This was a bigger space than I was expecting and I liked the lighting and vibes, but the decor was a little weird. I liked the coat racks by the table! Beware the diet coke is cans and not fountain. read more

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I recently dined at Tzuco, and my experience was a mix of highs and lows. Let's break it down: Appetizers: Above Average. The appetizers were a pleasant surprise. The flavors were well-balanced, and the presentation was appealing. I particularly enjoyed the pulpo and guacamole. Desserts: Spectacular. The desserts stole the show! From the decadent "corn" dessert, to the fruity and tart peach, each bite was heavenly. The pastry chef deserves applause. Service: Horrible. Unfortunately, the service left much to be desired. The staff seemed disorganized, and communication was lacking. One of our four main entree orders was delayed, and frustration grew as we waited for attention. Main Courses: Underwhelming. Despite high hopes, the main courses fell short. The steak, though perfectly cooked, lacked seasoning. Other dishes lacked creativity and failed to impress. In summary, Tzuco has potential with a beautiful ambiance, but improvements in service and main courses are crucial. I'd (maybe) return for desserts, but with tempered expectations. Update: I also realized we never reviewed one of the side dishes we ordered and got charged for. Unfortunately, we didn't realize this until several days after. We were blinded by the bad service! I can always get great dessert elsewhere, so definitely won't be returning. read more

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Tzuco has been one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago! I visited this place again after 2021 and their menu has completely changed! I was in absolute love with their mushroom fajitas which isn't on their menu any more but they have a dish which is closest to the Fajitas and it did not disappoint at all! On my recent visit with my friends, we ordered a bunch of apps and food. We tried Papas Zombranos, Queso Fondido for apps and shared Pumpkin Risotto and Chile Releno for the main course. The food was absolutely delicious! The queso is very similar to the mushroom fajitas they used to serve, definitely was my favorite and I highly recommend. We also tried Horchatta Latte and Rose Margaritas and they were so good! I usually don't care much for deserts but my friends have a sweet tooth so we ordered Gianduja which was hazelnut sponge cake with salted caramel icecream. It was sooo good! This place has an amazing ambiance, friendly staff and great service! Tzuco should be on your list to experience a great fine dine experience! read more

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The food was good, but the service was absolutely disappointing. We mentioned to our waiter that we were there to celebrate our friend's birthday and politely asked if they could bring a dessert with a candle at the end of the meal. When he came to take our final order, I reminded him, "We don't need anything else besides the cake," and he responded, "The surprise one, okay," completely ruining the surprise on purpose. On top of that, the service was extremely slow. After bringing the check, the waiter didn't come back to pick up the card for at least 15 minutes. Eventually, we had to go to the cashier ourselves to pay because he never returned with the card. Even though the food was nice, the overall experience was frustrating. We were literally counting the minutes to leave. I would never go back again. read more

Tzuco - Receipt - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A good restaurant with tasty drinks and good food, plenty of outdoor seating (with heat lamps), plus a nicely decorated interior space (mood lighting, lots of brass). We all found the bathroom with its hidden entrance door and modern-adobe-farm vibe entertaining. RESERVATIONS Made a few weeks in advance for 5 people on a Tuesday night. THE COST $312.14 total for dinner + drinks for five people. DRINKS * Mexico City Sour ($16) - 4 stars. Very refreshing, good balance of flavors. This was no longer on the menu but I saw photos on Yelp, and they still made it for me. * Pibil ($16) - 4.5 stars. Lovely, spicy, herbacious, complex, smoky. Both my drinks they lit on fire. APPETIZERS * Tlacoyo ($14) - 3 stars. Not a standout in my memory, I don't think it was too impressive of a dish. * Mayan Ceviche ($22) - 4.5 stars. Very fresh, nicely done. * Mejillones ($25) - 4 stars. Nice mussels, a crazy chunk of sourdough, the sauce reminded everyone of pizza sauce. MAINS * Barbacoa ($39) - 4 stars. Unique that this was lamb. Tasty sauce, soft meat. * Chile Relleno ($26) - 3 . This was fine, but not too impressive or memorable. DESSERTS * Durazno ($18) - 4.5 stars. The peach mousse, the crumbles, the ice cream on the bottom, all made for a great combination of textures & flavors. * Gianduja ($16) - 4 stars. Much more on the sweet side, this was tasty but had less diversity of flavors. read more

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What a unique blend of cuisines - French and Mexican! The food is creative and very flavorful. I've been here for dinner and brunch and it does not disappoint. The Tetela is my favorite thing on the menu. Definitely save room for dessert because they are as beautiful and as delicious as they look! read more

Tzuco - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We went for Restaurant Week this year and it was good. Service was impeccable and everyone was very welcoming. Food was pretty good. The vibes were chill and the drinks were amazing! Coming back for drinks for sure. read more

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Wow! We came during restaurant week and it has now been added to our restaurants in rotation. I was a bit scared of the queso fundido but wow it was the best I've ever had. I cannot wait to come back and try new food. My martini was also so good. I could have had like 3 more. We were really well taken care of and never felt like we needed anything. The place was dimly lit which made it for a romantic dinner. read more

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Stopped in to eat at the bar on a Monday. Sat at the bar. Greeted properly. One main bartender. Then sat for a while with no food or drink order. This is not a full service top quality place. read more