We went to Mi Tocaya last night and it’s definitely going to become a restaurant in our regular rotation. Food, drink and service were outstanding.
We started with the Aguachile de Cameron. First and foremost, it was actually spicy…which is so welcome in today’s culinary fare. This dish had wonderful acidity, crunchiness from the apple and chayote, and beautifully tender shrimp. It was maybe our favorite dish…
Maybe. Cus the Alitas de Pollo con Mole Poblano were an absolute banger. 5 chicken lollipops confit in chicken fat covered in their wonderfully complex mole poblano also completely blew us away. The chicken was fall apart tender and paired with a dark reddish brown mole that was nutty, spicy and complex. At only $9 for 5 wings, this dish is a steal and a must order IMO.
This meal started off so strong that the next two dishes, while also completely delicious, didn’t quite hold up. The Zanahorias in Zikil Pak brought some welcome freshness and acidity to our palates, but a few of the carrots were maybe slightly underdone for my taste.
We finished with the Borrego Frijoles Consume- an 8oz lamb loin accompanied with ancestral mantequilla beans and several other components. We had tortillas come with this dish and it was also really really good, though, it pushed salt levels a touch. The lamb was cooked perfect and the beans were wonderfully al dente and full of flavor.
We finished with Flan De Queso which was a nice sweet and salty finisher to the meal.
Drinks included a special Last Word made with some local spirits that I can’t remember, a couple of nice wine pours from Baja, and a really nice Sotol. Service was warm and friendly, though there was a weird wait time between our last course and the dessert, which resulted in a comped glass of wine, so ultimately NBD.
All in all a really fantastic meal. Genuinely can’t wait to go again.
by wine-n-dive
26 Comments
One of my favorite restaurants in the city. Miss their quesabirria served in a molcajete
I love Mi Tocaya!! I had my birthday dinner there.
Each time I’ve gone I leave with the thought it’s my favorite restaurant in the city. Maybe not the fanciest or most intricate, but just amazing every time I go from service to the food.
This is a spot I tried based on Reddit’s recommendation a while ago, and seriously loved it too!
I thought it was overpriced and very average
Why is it nothing but 50-100$ places posted here all the time lmao The average in chicago is like 30$ , Id like to see people post from 10-50$ restaurants more.
Absolutely love Mi Tocaya! It’s one of my favorite restaurants in the city as well. I take ppl there pretty much every chance I get.
The chefs are good people too. Happy to give them my money.
One of the best restaurants in the city and so underrated. The people saying they were underwhelmed must have done it wrong lol sorry. I miss their chicken fat flour tortillas. Woman-owned and seems to be the same staff there every time I’ve been, which I love.
Have they added sound dampeners yet?
Check out Johnny’s Table pop-ups. Chef Juan Meza was an apprentice to Chef Diana.
I have been debating going here. You have just convinced me!!
I’ll trust anybody ordering Last Words. Sounds like a great meal.
This place is so good.
It is *very* good
Looks fantastic. What were the prices?
Went once and loved it. Great steak burrito!
I absolutely loved this spot when my wife took me. Big Mexican fan, never really been to a fancier Mexican place. Food was super delicious, if I didn’t live in Lincoln Park I’d be there a lot more often lol
I went right when they opened and thought it was average, maybe even below average. I should try it again at some point
Looks OK
Those pictures look great, you sold me.
Love this spot. Perfect for a first date!
I love this post format. These are the types of posts that drive me out of my way to find new spots – thank you
I loved it the first time I went maybe five years ago. Went back last year and it wasn’t great. Servers were also not helpful and crazy hip-aloof.
It’s fantastic. Even the ridiculous $25 burrito was worth it despite my views on overpriced burritos.
Easily a top 3 spot in chicago at any level.