The Tiny Restaurant In Illinois That Only Serves 4 Tables At A Time
By Linze Rice|Published November 17, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
When I lived in Chicago, I could not have loved my neighborhood more. It was densely residential with a few commercial strips, access to the lakefront, public transportation, and a historic high school — almost like a small town of its own. I lived near the school in a condo building where each day I could walk various routes around the area, discovering new delights and relishing in my usual favorites. Yet it wasn’t until at least a year or two after we first moved in that my husband and I discovered that one of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it storefronts we often strode past was a little restaurant. We tried it only once and knew it would soon become part of our usual rotation. This under-the-radar Mexican restaurant in Edgewater, Chicago is small, but mighty — with the power to garner loyal fans from just one meal.
Huaraches Doña Chio, 1547 W. Elmdale Ave., is a family-owned Mexican restaurant located in the idyllic Far North Side neighborhood of Edgewater in Chicago, Illinois. Found on the ground floor of a residential building on an unassuming street corner, this hidden gem can easily be walked past without ever realizing the incredible food inside. And, those who are in the know may sometimes be reluctant to share their delicious secret.
Why? Because this tiny diner only has a handful of tables inside. At any time, expect for only about 4-6 tables to be available, typically with 2-4 seats, each.
It's probably not the best place to bring your entire squad, but if you're looking for an exceptional solo meal, date night, or have only a small family crew, then you just may get lucky with a table. Fortunately, take-out is always an option, and there's usually at least one spot available to sit while you wait.
But for what it lacks in table space, it more than makes up for in the kitchen. Steak is thinly sliced before being marinated in onion, pepper, and oil for at least 24 hours to give it the mouth-watering taste it's known for.
Combine the steak with fresh cilantro, onion, cheese, and salsa on top of one of the tortillas and ta-da — you have a huarache! Think of it as a Mexican pizza — the dish is served open-faced on a fresh tortilla with your choice of toppings.
From chicken to pork to steak to veggie, there is no wrong way to order your huarache, whether you're a meat-eater or vegetarian. And did you know that huarache is Spanish for "sandal"? They're thick and sturdy like a trusty sandal, but obviously much more delicious and appealing to eat.
Other popular menu items include the enchiladas, burritos, gorditas, and sopas. Head in on a weekend and get a chance to try their best-selling pozole!
In the summer months, the restaurant also sometimes offers a few tables on the sidewalk. This photo is of my husband and I enjoying a meal outdoors — him with a huarache and me with a hefty steak and cheese quesadilla (another thing I'd recommend!). Add some chips, a side of rice and beans, and a refreshing pop (or BYOB) and you've got one of the absolute best meals in the city.
Linze Rice
Start planning your trip to this beloved Mexican restaurant in Edgewater, Chicago by checking out its Facebook page and menu on Grubhub. And while you’re there, I can’t recommend spending a weekend in Edgewater enough. This top-rated bed-and-breakfast is in a prime location in a quiet residential area across from the gorgeous high school, within walking distance to the lake, train, bus, grocery stores, and more local shopping and dining on Clark Street and on North Broadway. If that endorsement isn’t enough, check out this “Chicago’s Best” segment on Huaraches Doña Chio below and I guarantee you’ll be making plans!
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