4 taquerias to compare in Chicago
Short answer
Chicago’s deep Mexican traditions produce specialists that do not resemble one another. Birrieria Zaragoza’s Uptown location brings the Zaragoza family’s goat birria to the North Side; Carnitas Uruapan serves Michoacán-style pork in Pilsen; Taqueria Chingon takes a contemporary approach; L’ Patron keeps the pace of a neighborhood taqueria with tacos, burritos, and tortas.
4 restaurants with different strengths
Birrieria Zaragoza is the goat-birria specialist, serving it as tacos, plates, or quesabirria with family-made tortillas and salsas. Google Maps showed 4.7/5 from 587 reviews when checked on September 16, 2026.
Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant is the Michoacán carnitas benchmark, with nearly three thousand reviews and a choice between tacos or different pork cuts sold by weight. Google Maps showed 4.6/5 from 2,912 reviews when checked on September 16, 2026.
Taqueria Chingon is the chef-driven, changing-menu choice, with tacos that may feature octopus, duck, or other unusual ingredients alongside recognizable preparations. Google Maps showed 4.4/5 from 866 reviews when checked on September 16, 2026.
L' Patron covers the broad neighborhood-taqueria role: carne asada, al pastor, gringas, burritos, and tortas with quick service and accessible prices. Google Maps showed 4.4/5 from 2,303 reviews when checked on September 16, 2026.
How to choose
Choose Zaragoza for a meal centered on goat birria, Uruapan for carnitas by the taco or by weight, Chingon for less traditional combinations and a changing menu, or L’ Patron for straightforward carne asada, al pastor, burritos, and tortas. Check the exact location because some businesses have multiple sites or have moved.
Before visiting
Google ratings and review counts are dated snapshots. Menus, prices, hours, reservation policies, and locations can change. Confirm current details on the official website and Google Maps before traveling.
There is no universal winner: choose by specialty, atmosphere, location, and meal type, then recheck variable details before visiting.
Restaurants to compare
These restaurants match the question. Check menus, prices and recent reviews before visiting.
The Uptown location of the Zaragoza family business, devoted to La Barca-style goat birria with house-made tortillas, salsas, and garnishes.
La Barca-style goat birria, house tortillas, and salsas
A Pilsen family institution specializing since 1975 in Uruapan-style carnitas, with tacos, meat by weight, chicharrón, and sides.
Michoacán carnitas, chicharrón, and pork tacos
A contemporary taqueria now located in Fulton Market, serving corn tortillas, creative tacos, less common meats, and rotating specials.
Contemporary tacos, unusual meats, and rotating specials
A Fullerton Avenue taqueria serving carne asada and al pastor tacos, burritos, tortas, gringas, and salsas in a casual format.
Carne asada, al pastor, burritos, and tortas
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
-
Official website of Birrieria Zaragoza ↗
Primary source
Birrieria Zaragoza · Accessed September 16, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant ↗
Primary source
Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant · Accessed September 16, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Taqueria Chingon ↗
Primary source
Taqueria Chingon · Accessed September 16, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of L' Patron ↗
Primary source
L' Patron · Accessed September 16, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Google Maps listing for Birrieria Zaragoza ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 16, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.
-
Google Maps listing for Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 16, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.
-
Google Maps listing for Taqueria Chingon ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 16, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.
-
Google Maps listing for L' Patron ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 16, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.