CHIReview

photo credit: Sandy Noto

Bárbaro Taqueria y Cantina review image

Bárbaro Taqueria y Cantina

$$$$

2525 W North Ave, Chicago
View WebsiteEarn 3X Points

There are all kinds of taco spots in Chicago, and Bárbaro Taqueria Y Cantina, a small Mexican restaurant in Humboldt Park, falls right in the middle of the taqueria spectrum. It’s casual and affordable enough for a rent week date, but also feels a little like a cocktail lounge that would impress your friend who drove in from Schaumburg.

And it’s Bárbaro’s great bar that makes it more fun to hang out in than your average neighborhood taqueria, but still more relaxed than a place like Big Star, where the patio crowd can be seen from space. In fact, great drinks are the main reason we enjoy spending time here. Like their piña colada, which is made with fermented pineapple, swaps rum for mezcal, and is our favorite in the city.

For the most part, the tacos here are fine - like the standard (and somewhat bland) carne asada. But there are exceptions, like the delicious pancita (pork belly) taco, or the pescado with a beer-battered piece of whitefish and a spicy habanero sauce that sneaks up on you after a few bites. Between the tacos and the excellent drink menu, Bárbaro’s a reliable option if you’re in the area.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Be the first to get expert restaurant recommendations for every situation right in your inbox.


By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Food Rundown

Bárbaro Taqueria y Cantina review image

photo credit: Sandy Noto

Pancita Taco

This pork belly taco is the best one here. Order it.

Bárbaro Taqueria y Cantina review image

photo credit: Sandy Noto

Taco Bárbaro

The carne asada here is solid, but too bland on its own. Go for the Taco Bárbaro which adds nopalitos and queso fresco.

Bárbaro Taqueria y Cantina review image

photo credit: Sandy Noto

Pescado Taco

This has beer-battered whitefish and a very spicy habanero salsa. The ideal place to eat these would be sitting on a beach somewhere in Southern California, but then we’d be tempted to drink the ocean water to cool down the heat.

Bárbaro Taqueria y Cantina review image

photo credit: Sandy Noto

Milanesa De Pollo Torta

If you’re looking for something filling and don’t feel like ordering six tacos, get a torta. Our favorite is the one with breaded chicken.

Bárbaro Taqueria y Cantina review image

photo credit: Sandy Noto

Gorditas

These are stuffed masa, and the options for fillings are pretty similar to the tacos. Get the chorizo with potatoes, skip the ensalada de nopales (cactus, onion, tomato) - it’s boring and unpleasantly squishy.

Cocktails

Occasionally we find ourselves just coming here for drinks. The piña colada is a big reason why, but the rest of the drinks are exciting too, with spirits like raicilla and ingredients like mole and habanero bitters.

Suggested Reading

La Chaparrita Taqueria review image
8.3
Review
La Chaparrita Taqueria

La Chaparrita is a taqueria in a grocery store in Little Village with outstanding tacos.

Big Star review image
7.0
Review

There’s no denying Big Star is an anchor tenant of the Wicker Park dining scene, but that doesn’t mean everyone feels the same way about it.

La Josie review image
7.6
Review

La Josie is a lively Mexican restaurant in the West Loop with a huge selection of tequila and great tacos.

Taqueria El Asadero review image
8.1
Review

Taqueria El Asadaro is a small cash only spot in Ravenswood with amazing steak tacos and burritos.

Infatuation Logo
2023 © The Infatuation Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FIND PLACES ON OUR APP

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store