We are spoiled for choice when it comes to eating tacos in Chicago. We have an amazing variety of taquerias, and so much to try and to enjoy! We celebrate tacos extensively – on Taco Tuesday, Taco Thursday, for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and every day and on any occasion in-between 🙂
Here are some interesting facts about tacos:
- The history of tacos goes back to the Mexican silver mines of the 18th century, “when the word taco referred to gunpowder that was wrapped in a piece of paper and inserted into rocks. It was used to excavate the precious ore from mines and was called tacos de minero or miner’s tacos. Today, the word is widely known to signify the leading street food and fast food item in Mexico – thin, flat griddle-baked tortillas topped with numerous fillings, folded and eaten without any utensils” (“Tacos,” tasteatlas.com)
- According to Jeffrey M. Pilcher, professor of history at the University of Minnesota and author of “Planet Taco: A Global History of Mexican Food,” the first references to the taco in any sort of archive or dictionary appear at the end of the 19th century, and the first mention in a US newspaper dates from 1905. You can read Professor Pilcher’s fascinating account of the history of tacos here.
I have found that oftentimes, tacos are intertwined with amazing personal stories – of grit and determination, of family and home. Food is memories, and the best storytellers work in kitchens that produce the most delicious tacos 🙂
Such is the case with Tatas Tacos, a taco-focused restaurant with three locations in Chicago, each with their own unique flair and décor to reflect the neighborhood where they are found. Tatas Tacos is co-owned by Maricela Berner and Julia Paphitis, and specializes in Mexican fare, made with recipes traced back through the founder’s family tree. Berner and Paphitis bring decades of experience and a lot of passion to the concept, and their stories resonated with me deeply.
The menu at each Tatas Tacos location features classics such at Al Pastor, Chile Relleno Pepper, and Mole Chicken. Tatas Tacos also offers unique craft tacos – from Frida, with grilled garlic chicken, guacamole, pickled cabbage, and pico de gallo, to La Llorona, with scorpion, ghost, habanero, and chile de arbol marinated chicken. Tatas also offers burritos, sides, a kid’s menu, and desserts.
We visited the Lakeview Cantina location for lunch one sunny weekend. We started off with a duo of Paradise mocktails. Encompassing a dazzling combination of orange, pineapple, grenadine, mango, and Blue Curacao syrup, and layer upon layer of sweet refreshing bliss, these mocktails were beautiful works of artistry and creativity. Our experience was off to a great start!
Featuring warm tortilla chips, melted cheese, refried beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, fresh jalapenos, guacamole, and crema, Tatas Tacos’ Nachos were spectacular! I loved how the freshness of the pico de gallo harmonized with the melted cheese and the perfectly crunchy tortilla chips to deliver a soul-satisfying moment. With its comforting beans and luscious crema, this platter felt like home – the best feeling of all 🙂
Tatas Tacos’ famous tacos were next on our list of dishes to try. We ordered a taco flight, which encompassed a variety of meat-based (Jibarito, Chupacabra, and Sirena) and plant-based (Chile Relleno Pepper, Al Pastor Cauliflower, and Vegetarian) tacos.
I was super excited to experience these superlative tacos, which pleased the taste buds and the eyes and delivered big, bold, impeccably fine-tuned flavors in each and every bite. The blend of sweet and savory freshness on the perfectly soft tortillas was a joy to uncover.
A special mention must be made about the guajillo pepper in the salsa roja, whose fiery flavor profile was amazing on both the meat-based and the veggie-based tacos. Don’t skip it, I say 🙂
We finished our meal on a sweet note, with a platter of churros with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.
The fresh aromatic crispness of the churros in combination with the sauce and the ice cream, mmmm, such a mouthwatering delight!
Co-owners Maricela Berner and Julia Paphitis have recently created Tatas Foundation, a 501-C non-profit organization, through which they hope to help fund cancer prevention, with a focus on those not-insured. The goal of the fundraising is to provide testing kits, and further help with removal and reconstruction. They are looking for ways to expand the funds raised (via a permanent menu item with proceeds donated, a portion of event sales, etc.)
Thank you for the delicious food and the heartwarming hospitality, Tatas Tacos! I am humbled by your passion for excellence and community, for helping the others and for making a difference. An example to follow, a mission that soothes the soul and inspires the mind. I look forward to returning to Tatas Tacos soon.
Do you have a favorite taco? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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