El Charro San Francisco

I came in and ordered a chicken taco and bistec en salsa roja. Was very disappointed. The chicken is not even chicken breast. The bistec tasted old and it was a pretty small cut. The tortilas were microwaved, what’s up with that? I sat there and waited for my food for about 18 minutes. Not cool. For 13.88 I spent I would’ve wished that I’d at least be full. Not happy I don’t understand how it has great reviews.

Saying I’m picky about my Carne Asada is an understatement. This place has the perfect Carne Asada meat, nice char on it, not tough, juicy, flavorful, quality meat never any gristle or fat, all perfectly trimmed off. I get it Mexican style with just cilantro onion and lime juice mmm all the flavors mingle together so nicely that way. Once I accidentally ordered it with everything which means lettuce tomato and cheese and I was so mad I think all that stuff, especially the cheese, ruins the natural simple amazing flavors of good meat with lime juice, it was still good with everything, not surprising, honestly everything is great here but the simple way I think is best when it comes to steak. Their shakes are huge and satisfying, their gorditas are also out of this world try it with either Asada or al pastor if you want something super rich, they have great servers, it’s always clean, I just find no flaws in this place. I would come here for my Mexican food fix at least once a week when my mom was away in Mexico, I think that says a lot. This place is so underappreciated just because it’s out of the way for most people but honestly come out here for the best tacos gorditas and Mexican goodies in general.

I tried this restaurant for the first time this weekend. With a taste for tacos on my mind I entered and immediately noticed how nice and clean the dinning area was. The ambiance is bright with lots of natural light coming in through the clean windows. The cooking area is in the rear and compact but efficient. I was asked if a menu was needed — there are no carry out menus in sight — and was advised that the taco dinner was available to me although it was not on the menu. The service was friendly and efficient, the clientele calm and quiet — at least at that hour — and the food was both delicious and reasonably priced. I am always on the lookout for good restaurants on Chicago’s south side and this was a good find. I’ll head back and try some of the other menu selections soon.

I’m disappointed in this place! they used to serve good quality food, now it’s just all about money to them. I use to order the steak nachos supreme back in the days and they used to give you a lot of chihuahua cheese melted over nice juicy steak! Now it’s just tortillas loaded with beans and a little bit of steak and about a handful of cheese. I ordered a steak nacho supreme and I swear it was mostly all dried up tortilla chips with beans lettuce and tomatoes cilantro and onion I barely had any cheese or meat on it! For 10.95 it should be loaded!

I live in the Southeast Side of Chicago and this is a great place to order Mexican food and just a few blocks from my house. I typically order their burritos de carne asada and 99.9% of the time they do a great job. The last time I ordered the burrito it was a little soggy so I decided to order their gorditas de carne asada the following time I went in and let me say this: THEY ARE AWESOME! The gordita is not overly greasy and the gordita is thick and not thin and falling apart as i have experienced in other restaurants.
If you are in the neighborhood and want authentic Mexican food stop by and have their gorditas! Also… they have bottled Coke from Mexico (which I love) — another perk! :-) Finally, if you are looking for good cheese fries (although not typical Mexican food) — is also very very very yummy!

«The food is good stop by if in the neighbor.»

Stopped in during a work trip for some lunch. Its a bit out of the way tucked away from most of the main streets. They do not speak very good english so if you are not fluent in Spanish be ready to point. Food was quite adequate not great but for a taqueria it hits the spot when you are craving tacos.

Adequate Mexican food in an area of the city where adequate is often the best you can get. I had a burrito and a steak taco, and despite asking for them to go easy on the refried beans on the burrito, it was more beans than meat. The salsa is so-​so, and the place is a small store front place you can easily drive by.

I came to this place with pretty high expectations based on the Unilocal reviews, and found that they has good food, but was disappointed because it didn’t seem great to me. It seemed way too greasy, and I didn’t think the horchata was anything special. I was actually very disappointed with the horchata since I asked the waitress if there were pieces of rice in it and she told me there was, but there actually wasn’t. That wasn’t really her fault as her English wasn’t very good, and I’m pretty sure she didn’t understand my question, but I was still very disappointed. This place is worth trying if your in the area and looking for good authentic Mexican food, just don’t expect anything fantastic.

I find it weird that only 5 – 6 people work there but it’s a great place to eat ! I love their tacos, gorditas and agua horchata. You’re missing out if you don’t try it !

Here’s a tip. If you like hair in your shrimp cocktail, charred taco meat, and pretty garbage service. You should come here. Other than that you should try New Chapalas down the street. Just opened up and the atmosphere is waaayy better. The food is phenomenon by the way. In all honesty I would only come here for the Horchata

One of the best places in this area. I like their gorditas de biztec or de pastor. They have great agua de horchata

This is a great place to go eat if you’re in the area their tacos de pastor are the best.

Love this place food is delic. Never disappointed with food! Waitress can be a little rude but she won’t keep me away. Great place for lunch or dinner with my family!

One of the best Mexican restaurants in the area. Really enjoy their chicken tacos and enchiladas. Their horchatas and licuados are also delicious! Fast service but the servers could look a little more alive.

They have great food anything you have here is great whether you dine in or take out it’s good!!! Shrimp fajitas, caldo de pollo and their carne asada plate are my favorite !!! Their food is five stars!!! But their waitress need a lot of improvement!!! They need manners and a smile on their face!!!

Run of the mill, but very quick. Steak tacos were alright, server was polite and quick. But he couldnt tell if I was mexican or what. I also kept switching between Spanish and English. So, I dont blame him.
Salsa is crazy hot. Watch where your hands go after…

El Charro simply has THE best tacos al pastor I know! Everyone I know loves this place because of their al pastor tacos. Everything in here is pretty good, but the main atraction for me is the pastor tacos. The only off and odd beef I have with El Charro is in regards to their «milanesa» torta, which tastes ok, but its a pretty big turn off that its not even a real piece of steak, but rather a finely ground up beef concoction spread thinly to look like a breaded slice of steak. I dont understand whats the need is for that, when it would be easier to bread a nice thin slice of steak. This place is always busy, wether for take out or dine in and open late, and its been open and in business for a while now, so that says a lot.

Awesome. If you’re in the mood and area, must stop in for anything.
Steak tostadas, horchata personal favs.

I have yet to find Horchata that I love more than the kind that I find here. Moreover, chips and pico de gallo/​salsa/​chiles are given with every meal when dining in — a little something I appreciate.
Fantastic taste, price, portion, and service.