Tepalcates

When you walk into this Mexican restaurant in Roscoe Village, the owner will inevitably pitch you on the restaurant's food. And he's got so much charisma (and phone photos and aguas frescas samples), he could convince someone to buy a decrepit used car with no wheels. Fortunately, the food lives up to the owner's enthusiasm—Tepalcates' housemade horchata, zesty shrimp tacos, cheesy quesabirria, and carne su jugo with a broth we wish came in a Big Gulp cup are all excellent. Which is probably why, on weekends, the small space fills up quickly with Roscoe Villagers, and there might be a line to order at the counter. It's a little easier to snag a table with friends and a six-pack (they’re BYOB) during the middle of the week, though.