Fronterra Grill- Chicago's and possibly the U.S.'s best upscale Mexican restaurant. PBS Chef Rick Bayless creates classic but inventive, true Mexican dishes. The margaritas have been picked by some as the best in the country. But be warned they can be addictive and will run up your bill in a hurry not to mention ruining all other margaritas. Fairly informal, Topolobampo, which is attached is more formal. No reservation are accepted and the wait can be long. Newly opened Xoco next door is Bayless' take on Mexican street food. 661-1434, 445 N. Clark, L D Tues-Sat, $$$ Website
Salpicon- Upscale Mexican food in a formal setting with a extensive wine and tequila list. It would be our favorite upscale Mexican restaurant if not for Fronterra Grill. 988-7811, 1252 N. Wells, D, $$$ Website
Adobo Grill-
Decent Mexican American fare in a fun environment. We eat there after going to the zoo or before going to Second City. Good margaritas and guacamole, 266-7999, 1610 N. Wells, L D, $$$ Website
Blue Agave- Above average Mexican-American offerings in a party atmosphere. The chorizo burritos, our favorite, are especially spicy and are a treat not found in most Mexican-American restaurants. 335-8900, 1050 N. State, L D, $$
Mixteco- Very good, true Mexican food. Best moles I have found north of Mexico. Informal, BYOB 773-599-5538, 1601 W. Montrose, D, $$
Havana- More of a Latin fusion restaurant than a true Mexican place. They have tasty food, especially the pulled pork, and great drinks. Check the website for drink specials. Friday is half price mojito pitchers. Ask for light mojitos to avoid all the sugar. 664-1900, 412 N. Clark, L,D, $$
XOCO- Rick Bayless' newest venture. It is setup like a cafeteria. Less formal than his other places it serves unbelievably tasty Mexican street food. The prices are high, $12 for a sandwich with no sides. The Pibil sandwich is one of our favorites in Chicago. The lines can be long on weekends. 312-334-3688, 449 N. Clark, L,D, Tues-Sat., $$, Website
Flaco's Tacos- Chicago is lucky to have an abundance of inexpensive, authentic and unbelievably tasty small taco places. The problem is that they are all far away from downtown. But Flaco's Tacos has finally brought a bit of that to the tourist area. The have very good skirt steak and pastor tacos and burritos. Not the best around but the best anywhere near Michigan Ave. The have nice selection of Mexican beers and margaritas. 226-8226, 46. E. Chicago, $, Website
Fuego Mexican Grill- A large restaurant in the Logan Square neighborhood that has a mix of Mexican-American and authentic Mexican food. Their moles are very good. Their hand made margaritas give Fronterra a run for their money as the best in Chicago. 773-252-1122, 2047 N. Milwaukee, Tues-Fri, D, Sat-Sun, L,D, $$ Website
Cemitas Pueblas- A bit out of the way in a so-so neighborhood. It is not a tourist friendly locale but it is a tourist friendly place. The reason to make the trek is the amazing, cheap and unusual food. The cemitas, a Mexican sandwich, are loaded and heavenly. The tacos arabes are served in a pita not a tortilla and contain spit roasted pork and are one of the best things you can eat anywhere. 3619 W. North, 773-772-8435, $ Website
El Jardin- Near Wrigley Field, a 10 minute walk south on Clark. They have very good margaritas, a lot of outdoor space and good Mexican food. The Steak Michael is one of the cities best dishes. It is a fun place to go before or after a Cub's game. 3335 N. Clark, $$