It's a shame that when some people hear the term "Mexican food," they automatically think of certain fast-food chains. However, tacos with Doritos shells do not constitute authentic Mexican food.
For the real deal ( and at a reasonable price ), there's Riques Cocina Mexicana ( 5004 N. Sheridan Rd.; www.riqueschicago.com/ ). Chef Enrique Cortez vividly re-creates the cuisine of Mexico, his home country.
When entering Riques, it impossible to not notice the decor. ( Cortez told Savor, "We want the place to be fun." ) Angel-themed paintings, courtesy of Alex Stevenson Diaz, decorate the wallsbut patrons will also see everything from crosses to photos of famed Mexican actress Maria Felix.
As for the cuisine, it's exemplary. Starters include empanadas de Calabaza ( corn turnovers filled with squash, chiles gueritos and salsa verde ), fish with shrimp ceviche, quesadillas de Huitlacoche and ( my personal favorite ) vampiras. The name for the latter concoctions ( composed of corn mini-tostadas, skirt steak, melted chihuahua cheese, pico de gallo and salsa chile de arbol ) fits, as they're devilishly good.
However, the platos fuertes ( or main plates ) and antojitos ( "little whims" ) are just as captivating. Tacos can be filled with pollo asado ( grilled checken breast ), chicarron ( pork rinds ) or skirt steak, among other options. I'll have to hit this place again to try such items as conejo ( braised rabbit in plum sauce ), Baja fish tacos and burrotes.
Brunch is another reason to ( re )visit Riques, as the restaurants has such crowd-pleasers as divorciados ( two eggs cooked over medium; one with salsa verde, the other with salsa roja ), machaca ( eggs with shredded beef and salsa chile de arbol ) and the heavenly sounding burrote suizo ( scrambled eggs, vegetables and cotija cheese topped with salsa verde and melted chihuahua cheese. served with guacamole, sour cream and petite green mix salad ). The horchata latte alone might be enough to draw a few curious souls.
As if all that isn't enough, Riques also has specials. Tuesdays, for example, feature selected $1 tacos, while there are also Veggie-Friendly Wednesdays and Picture Perfect Thursdays ( 20 percent off the bill if you check in at the spot on Facebook and take a food photo ).
The menu even comes with a short glossary in case people don't know their chorizos from their chimayosand there's not a Doritos Taco to be found.
Also, there's final reason to hit Riques: After dinner, you can go to Big Chicks, which is literally a stone's throw away from the spot.
Note: Riques is not open on Mondays, and is BYOB.