BAR REVIEW: XOCO in the River North area of Chicago, Illinois
The newest restaurant creation by Rick Bayless is not a bar, but for the sake of this review, I will treat it as one…hey, the place serves Mexican Beer, that’s all that matters to me. XOCO is a “quick-service cafe” that serves delicious street food and snacks typical of Mexico. For those of you who have not been to Mexico and had the chance to experience “street food”, basically what you can expect to eat at XOCO are Tortas, Caldos and snacks like Churros. Rick Bayless elevates all menu items to a higher standard thanks to his exceptional cooking skills.
As for the beverages available at XOCO, you can find refreshing water drinks typical of Mexico, as well as some fine Mexican Beers. My favorite beer available at XOCO is Bohemia. Bohemia is a smooth Pilsner that complimented very well my Torta Milanesa. As far as Pilsners go, Bohemia is one of my favorites.
Overall, XOCO is a great destination for quick Mexican food from Rick Bayless. The food may come out quick, but do expect a wait to order. The line forms out the door during peak dining hours. There are better quick Mexican food joints around Chicago, but for the River North crowd, this is as good as it gets (too bad they don’t stay open all night on the weekends). Plus, you may get a glimpse of the Master Chef himself, Rick Bayless, in action in the kitchen.
XOCO is located at 449 N. Clark Street in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (312) 334-3688
XOCO is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo
