La Pasadita
Like video stores, grocery stores and liquor stores, the best Mexican restaurant tends to be the one closest to your house. It’s more or less the same ingredients no matter where you go, though some are more authentic and/or consistent than others. But sometimes, the lure of a faraway joint will have you on the train for an hour to get a taste. Well, you know who makes a damn good steak burrito? La Pasadita. And a damn good chile rellenos? La Pasadita. And despite the claim of every Mexican hole-in-the-wall in the world, La Pasadita might actually have the best tacos in town to boot, in its trio of storefronts. They’re neatly clustered on Ashland, convenient day and especially at night to those returning from ballgames, hockey or hungry from a hard evening at the tavern. Four bucks or so and you’re in for li’l piece of Mexican heaven featuring cheese, onions, cilantro and the freshest, juiciest, most tender bits of steak around, all wrapped in a soft, flour tortilla, and served with a side of salsa verde. Spice that’s nice at twice the price.
1132 North Ashland (773)384-6537
Best of Chicago 2002
