$1 tacos (steak, pork, chicken, and beef) on Tuesdays and Sundays. Kenny O. and I came here on Superbowl Sunday, so we got a bunch of tacos to go.
I didn't get any of the $1 tacos though. I got chorizo and lengua tacos. The chorizo was a little too dry for me. It also wasn't very flavorful. It was also as if they forgot to add salt. The lengua taco tasted a lot better. It was more flavorful, but I'm still not a fan of it.
Steak is hit or miss here, I've had a few tacos/burritos with too much gristle, but sometimes it's realllly good.
Personally, I've learned to go with the pork, they spice it up really well and it's always tender. Â The chicken is forgettable.
If it isn't a $1 taco day (Tuesdays and Sundays I believe), stick with the burritos.
Good lord, how do I miss those huge Burritos and fresh tacos!!!
I'm in Jackson, MS and all we have is tex-mex - where the mexican food is all like El Chico's - slathered in american cheese and paprika and they call it authentic mexican!
Be grateful you have an El Famous close to you - because when you go to places like Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee - you will miss it!
Please open a location in Jackson, Mississippi!!!
This place is a totally unpretentious, solid neighborhood joint. Â Service is far superior to my expectations; you order at the counter, but if you're staying, they sit you down w chips and salsa (and the salsa is not bad at all). The tacos and burritos are good, and a very good value. I've had an off experience or two here, but overall the service is what sets them apart from other hole-in-the-wall places.
Review Source:This place is really hit or miss to me. One day, the asada is fresh and firm with a great charred flavor, and the next day is mushy and bland. Clean facility and friendly service is a constant though. Overall, one of the better burritos (if you're there one a good day) in Rogers Park. Good french fries too!
Review Source:You are probably wondering why I would go to a place named "El Famous Burrito". Â Well, it's the same reason that I would go to a place named "Number 1 Nails": cheap, good [insert product here]! Â And, because I didn't have a vote in the lunch food poll. Â
I asked for the chicken taco platter. Â There were 3 gristle, ahem, chicken tacos with some sort of bbq sauce and shredded lettuce. Â There might have been some cheese, but I am not exactly sure about that. Â The chicken was, well, gross. Â I can see why it was covered in this weird, tasteless bbq sauce. Â The refried beans were not refried. Â They were not fried either. Â They were more like whole beans in some sort of sauce made of themselves; they were meta-beans...uh, yeah.
The rice was eh although it did have some veggies in it. Â The corn tortillas were nice, but they just could not carry the whole 'dish'. Â I shoved 2 tacos down my throat (I was taking notes during a day-long retreat and was trying to eat, take notes, participate, make sure my puppy was okay). Â I should've stopped after I thought, "Was that gristle? What the hell is gristle doing in my taco? Grody." Â And then I should've stopped after I thought, "Wow. Â Was that more gristle? Â I am totally yelping this." Â Although I did take the beans, rice, and taco for later, I decided to trash it even though I felt guilty.
The rest of the crew had burritos the size of a really, really large burrito. Â They seemed to like the burritos. Â Wait...I get it. Â Of course my tacos sucked because I didn't go to "El Famous Taco"! Â Sheesh. Â What a dummy.
Author's Note: I hesitated posting this review because of the number of good reviews. Â Apparently I ordered the wrong item or went on the wrong day...
I don't know if it is the same ownership or not but I have been eating at this place for over 25 years. They had huge burritos that filled me up when I was a broke teenager and they still have them!
The service is good, there are about a dozen tables that you can sit down and eat at. I usually get the food for takeout when I go there but I have eaten there as well. When I have gotten the food to go the wait is usually minimal.
The tacos are excellent! Reminds me of Tacos al Carbon that I used to get in Arizona. Tuesdays and Sundays the tacos are $1.00! That's when my family and I usually come and get a bunch of tacos. The enchiladas, rice and beans are all really good too! I haven't tried much besides the burros, enchiladas and tacos but I plan to on future visits.
The guys that work here are really nice guys (and gals). Who else is nice at 3am when a bunch of drunk people are trying to order mexican food.
This place is all about the snack attack. Huge burritos that are easy to pick up and eat without much mess (important if you are just coming back from a night out and still have your club attire on). They have a burrito and fries combo! Get the bottled coke imported from Mexico with real sugar! Or get the horchata, the sweet rice water drink that will refresh and delight without being to heavy (since you are all ready eating burrito and fries).
That's all I usually get here. the price is about right, and you will definitely be satisfied. The most authentic, but that doesn't mean it doesn't taste like good Mexican food. Eating in is okay, the seating is standard and the ambiance is just cafeteria-ish. But they are fast when you need to do carry out.
Friendly people, delicious loads of Mexican food, open late. I think I'm craving a burrito right now!
Sweetest staff in Chicago; attentive and eager to accomodate. Free chips with traditional Mexican salsa (i.e. onion and cilantro centric - mildly sweet and mildly hot). Tacos over-flow the brim, and are $1 on Tuesdays and Sundays. Between that and the endless chips, you could seriously stuff yourself here for $5 with tax and tip; $4 if you're being more reasonable. Meat tastes fresh and juicy. They accept plastic for any amount. All round, nothing too exceptional here: just a wholesome, solid taqueria - done as it should be.
Coffee is very strong.
I hate to break the 4-5 stars here- but I certainly have had better burritos else where. Â I guess depending on where the cook is from, some would have rice and beans in their burritos, and some - well, don't. Â I like mine with rice and beans. Â Oh, and sour cream, please. Â
I had the al pastor taco, and pork burrito. Â The taco definitely the winner of the two.
Taco Tuesdays here is a weekly routine at my place. $1 for reasonably stuffed steak, chicken, pork, or beef tacos. Personally I go with steak--seems like the best deal to me--but the pork is cooked in delicious sauce, and the chicken is hearty.
And now they have $1 tacos on Sundays (at least I think that's a new thing--I miss Taco Tuesday for two weeks and all this new stuff happens!). On Sundays they're open til 11pm (woah) and Tuesdays til 1am (oh god!). Tuesdays are always packed so the best choice is to call ahead about ten to twenty minutes, and when you arrive you'll be able to sidestep the hungry queue and walk out, as opposed to waiting around in the crowded dining room (aside from Taco Tuesday patrons, there are usually several people eating at tables).
"Hey, my friends . . . who needs a fork?"
When I lived in Rogers Park with my brother, this was at least a weekly nosh. And a stop after a night of imbibing.
One of my brother's friends, famously, consumed TWO Burrito Suizas at one sitting (may he RIP). My brother's girlfriend, now wife, once ordered a Vegetarian Burrito here, while we teased her unmercifully "WTF is that, a lettuce burrito?!". She's now back to being an omnivore and they've been married for 15 years. Was it the El Famous magic? Can't say, who knows!
Steak Burrito or Al Pastor is my usual order. Delish.
Everything's pretty reliably fresh, quick and delicious, and even now I get an occasional craving that brings me up to the ole hood. Who needs a fork?!
Heaven wrapped in foil. That's El Famous Burrito.
Tonight was my second adventure here and it was as heavenly as my first time.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I had the steak burrito again and it was Yum Part Deux. I added guacamole because... why not? Awesome.
Last time I had a junior burrito and had a tamale too. The tamales were fantastic.
I'm super jealous of the folks that live around here. Our local taco/burrito places suck in comparison.
OMG, Love El Famous.
I work down the block, and my division regularly comes here on Thursdays - "Burrito Day." Â The counter guy, Alejandro, knows all of us by name, has a our table set up when we come in, and is super attentive to everything we need. Â He always brings us extra chips and salsa, and our orders are made perfectly every time.
The chicken and al pastor burritos are to die for, but personally I prefer the Veggie since it's slightly lighter. Â Try asking for it crispy, they'll grill the burrito for thirty seconds so that the shell is slightly hardened. Â They'll also throw in jalapenos, onion and cilantro at no extra charge.
The red salsa is sweet with the right touch of cilantro, and the salsa verde is made in house so it varies in spiciness. Â You can always see the cooks working hard in back as well.
This is my favorite of the Rogers Park taquerias, which is really saying something, as there are about two dozen within a half-mile stretch of Clark Street. Â The late, lamented mc quake strongly recommended this place, and he is a much more expert source than I.
The food is solid and they are 100% gringo-friendly. Â Actually, they are just plain friendly. Â If you dine in, they actually bring the stuff to you. Â And they smile. Â And speak! Â (Not just grunts.) Â They also give you free chips and salsa. Â The grub is hot and fresh-cooked whether you are getting "for here" or "to go."
I tend to get burritos here, because a burrito is a manly, strenuous piece of food. Â (Like, imagine me flexing my guns before picking it up, and then growling after taking a bite.) Â Their tacos are good and they happen to give you a lot of meat here, but face it--tacos are a snack...a burrito is a meal. Â Pork is their best meat, flavorful and cooked pretty close to perfect. Â The chicken and steak are skippable, frankly. Â The steak is tough and dubious, and the chicken is dry and occasionally contains a piece of bone. Â The ground beef is actually better than you'd expect, tasty and not at all greasy.
The red salsa is better but the green is still okay. Â They have decent meal specials for six bucks--you can't beat that. Â Or just eat the manly burrito. Â Or mix and match a few tacos. Â Whatever you fancy. Â I need to try their enchiladas because that is my favorite Mexican food item. Â And their guacamole (hmm, I need a return visit again already). Â And they have a few breakfast items too.
Oh yeah, and their churros are GREAT!
Admittedly, I'm not deeply versed on Mexican cuisine and area restaurants. Chipotle used to seem 'authenticate' to me, and maybe is when only compared with Taco Bell. I've made quite a step forward, though, and I think El Famous is not only a better eatery but would probably get the approval of even the most die hard taqueria-goers.
I started to frequent in spurts for awhile, and my face became known by the cashier(s) and was met with a nice greeting each time. The menu seems typical and what you'd expect. I usually go for the taco meal which comes with rice and beans on the side. It's blissful. They also give you chips and salsa to eat if you dine-in, but they offer take-out if you're busy and aren't enticed by chips and salsa. The green salsa is great, by the way, it's basically potable.
It's not the place to go with a date you want to impress, unless your date considers burritos an aphrodisiac. I hear some women and men do, it must be symbolic or something? I digress.
It's my Mexican 'place' and could very well be yours too if you give it a try. Me Gusta!
Mr. N and I had talked about getting Mexican food today, you know, with it being Cinco de Mayo and all. He found this place on Yelp (thank you!) and a 5 minute Metra ride later, we were wandering down Clark. This was quite the adventure for me. There was a lady selling inflated animals and ball on the street, stores with some tacky looking dresses and questionable mannequin poses in the window, groceries advertising really cheap produce (I'll have to go back there later for some shopping)... you get the idea. What a fun neighborhood!
Anyway, I didn't get the famous burrito. I am a lover of tacos, so I ended up with: 3 tacos al pastor, 1 fish taco, 1 chorizo and egg taco, 1 tamale and a 32 oz. horchata. This is far too much food for one person to consume by the way. Mr. N got the steak burrito suiza.
The horchata was delicious, not overwhelmed by cinnamon and nice and rice milky tasting. The tamale was filled with chicken and most importantly, moist. I HATE dry tamales. Topped with lots of spicy salsa verde that is brought out in a bottle = mmm!!! The tacos al pastor were good, not my favorite. I am truly devoted to the tacos al pastor at El Quijote as the ones there taste like the pork was cooked on a grill and these were more of a juicier, braised pork with lots of fatty bits. The chorizo and egg taco tasted mostly of egg, which is never a bad thing, as I regularly make 4 egg omelets for myself. It would have been better with more flavor from the chorizo. But my favorite taco by far was the fish. It was simply two pieces of breaded, fried fish with some pink sauce on it. So simple, so delicious.
I couldn't even stomach a bite of the burrito because I thought I would explode, but the thing was enormous. The rice and beans were good. They also do a great cinnamon sugar dusted churro.
The place is clean and the guy at the counter was really nice. You get free chips and salsa with your meal that can be paid for with a credit card. Hooray. It's close to the Metra and 22 Clark bus. Did I mention our meal only cost 25 dollars? Cheap! Even less if I hadn't ordered so much food, but I do have tacos in the fridge for later. Yippee! I will be back El Famous Burrito!
I have to admit, this is one of the first restaurants I ate at in Chicago. Â Then I ended up staying over the summer and I ate here a lot. Â I liked it because I could order chips and salsa and a glass of milk. Â Yeah, that was weird of me, but it was what I wanted and they didn't bat an eye at it.
They definitely have problems now and then. Â I picked four stars because Yelp defines that as "Yay! I'm a fan." - and I am. Â But I also have to admit they're far from perfect. Â I took a friend there once and watched as a cockroach (or should I say una cucaracha) crawled up the wall next to him. Â It killed me not to mention it to him, but I didn't want to freak him out. Â As I've said in other reviews, I'm not squeamish - I continue to eat there - but I still notice these things and know they'd be total deal-breakers for other people.
So, if you like greasy Mexican food where you can order pretty much whatever you want, however you want it at a reasonable price, it's a great place. Â I'll take you there if you'd like, just let me know. Â If, even for your dives, you need something fancier or sleeker, this probably isn't a good choice.
I have to agree the Chili Relleno burrito is good ( minus the lettuce) Burritos shouldn't have lettuce in them.
I recently tried the carne asada (steak) burrito and it was OK, the meat had too much fat.
The red and green salsas are really good though!
The Horchata is not the typical rice-water-cinnamon drink, it taste more like vanilla ice cream?
Our second visit (for carry-out) reinforced our first impression: good cheap eats  - a true value in terms of both quality and quantity - plus a very warm and English-friendly staff (and for some reason - maybe the creative visualization/meditation thing??? - I always find a parking space right in front - and usually with a quarter's worth of time left on the meter!)
Anyway, I'm a quick study and had refined my menu choices:
Chile Relleno "combo" - which meant adding steak to the otherwise veggie burrito (not the same as "double meat" - Â which I can't even fathom!)
Tres, tres yummy! A couple of Fish Tacos - which though a tad soggy - were still very delish - even several hours (in the fridge!) later and then briefly reheated. 12 oz, of the yummy red salsa (which came with a bag of warm chips.)
And finally (sigh) one diappointment: an Egg and Chorizo Sope - which was kind of awful... (and tasted like it had been made the day before...)
Still, all in all, El Famous is definitely "a keeper."
Cheap, delicious, greasy Mexican food. Â I wish it were closer to my place. Â Only been there once, but plan on going back weekly.
Couldn't leave the place empty handed, so I got a pint (I'm not kidding you, it comes in a 16 oz. plastic drinking cup) of their delicious salsa and chips for only $4. Â Insane. Â I downed the pint of salsa on my way home.
If you get any of their burritos (MASSIVE for two meals!), fish tacos or guacamole, it's a win-win. Â Their horchata is delicious and sometimes their churros get a little stale, but hey, who doesn't love sugar coated pastries?!?! Â I love this place and compared to the other places along Clark St., it's bright, clean and sunny. Â Also, the guy at the counter always has a smile and is super nice.
i have to admit, with their huge portions and low prices, this is one of my guilty pleasures as soon as I get off of the Rogers Park Metra most afternoons after work.
This place is great for a more authentic Mexican fast food place. Â If you call ahead, your order is ready in ten minutes.
There's a Chipotle on Sheridan that we've stopped going to because the meat seasonings at El Famous are better and less spicy than Chipotle's, Â They make a really decent steak taco dinner too.
If you dine in, they bring your food to you and you can have a more relaxing meal.
Plus, they're open til like 5 in the morning on weekends!
Ah, El Families! Â ha! Â wow..........this hits the spot at 2am! Â Me and a few buddies stopped in.....placed our order and BAM.......chips n salsa were brought out like that! Â after maybe 3 or 4 chips.......BAM.......out came my steak tacos! Â wow, are they HOT! Â be careful! Â
The salsa is surprisingly good.....the tacos are very tasty.......but then again, i have only been here after 2am every time........but let me tell you when i am in this area..........there is only once place to go!
Sitting at the bar putting back your last Miller Lite of the night and you turn to your friend and go "El Families????" Â Â What a perfect way to end my night! Â Oh and I call it EL FAMILIES cause the first time i was there, i didn't know the name of the joint!
I realize El Famous has other locations, but this one is tops for me. Â The staff that never seems to go home, the tasty tasty food, the diverse and sometimes creepy customers... I can name a hundred reasons why I love this place.
It comes down to this though... when I moved into the area, I went to pretty much every taco stand up and down Clark street and although the others are tasty, El Famous takes the cake.
Take note - in the summer, there's usually Krishnas hanging around outside and they're always good for conversation regarding 90's hardcore while eating your burrito.
I discovered this place when in college. They truly have football size burritos and they're great! I prefer mine with sauce and cheese (suezo con queso). My favorite is the steak burrito.
They also have excellent chips and salsa - sometimes I'd come after class just for a basket of chips and salsa. They are located close to liquor stores so you can BYO - they don't mind at all.
I met Vince, the owner and saw him there a lot. Back then (this was in the mid-to-late 80s) he was just opening new locations in the suburbs, but to me, the location on Clark was always the best - probably because Vince was himself there to oversee everything. It was always a pleasure to stop by and see him, and get some really great food.
They also have great quesadillas, sopas, and everything in between.
Seating is limited, but its well worth the trip even if you get it for takeout.
Man, do I love me a good burrito. Â I have been going to EL Famous since high school and it just keeps getting better! Â About 5 months ago they re-did the inside of the place, and it is much nicer.
The food is delicious. Â Last night I got a chile rellano burrito, which I only ate half of as usual because it is gigantic. Â It is so good i can't wait to finish it! Â My boyfriend got a steak burrito and a langua taco, both delicious as well, and our friend got an avocado Sope. Â You have to order sides separately (rice, beans, whatevs), but honestly you don't need to, there is so much food in the entree you really don't need any more.
They have a breakfast menu that looks excellent as well - Huevos Rancheros, Bistek with eggs, breakfast burritos.
The salsa is really good and their Horchada is my favorite anywhere!
EL Famous is open until 1 am on weekends and there is plenty of seating if you want to eat in. Â The guys who work there are super nice and it is dirt cheap.
This is authentic Mexican food, so don't go expecting fancy sides, margaritas and tons of sauce - you will be disappointed.
Oh El Famous Burrito, you complete me . . .
A few years back, one of my co-workers who lived in the Rogers Park area recommended El Famous Burrito. Did I go? No. Fast forward to last summer when one of my friends moved three blocks from the place. We told ourselves we'd try the place when stuff settled down. Did we go? No. But finally I was able to try this place, and their steak burrito with avocado was good. Funny thing is that the night I went, my friend and I were already 10 minutes away from Chinatown trying to figure out what we wanted. Then one of us mentioned how we should've tried Famous Burrito. I spun the car around and headed back north.
The place was empty when we walked in, and two other people were waiting for their order before us. The dining area is utilitarian, but well lit, and surprisingly clean. The cashier took our order after eyeballing us- I guess at that time of the night we didn't fit in as a typical regular. A burrito, with avocado, and a pop was about $6.50, is made to order, and brought to you by the cashier. Upon first bite, I had made up my mind that this place was worth it. More people streamed in, most of whom looked like late evening regulars ranging from high schoolers and day laborers, to frazzled out twenty somethings on their third Red Bull. And everyone followed the same pattern. Talk loudly, get burrito, fall silent while eating. The cashier asked us if everything was ok, and I think I shot him a "Quiet, I'm Eating!" look. In the end we paid for our orders and walked out.
In the end, it was worth driving back halfway across town for these meat filled tortilla contraptions.
Pros: meat is juicy and tasty, prices are reasonable, interior is cleaner than one would think. Serves RC Cola.
Cons: neighborhood can be dicey after hours, the clientele can be "interesting", serves RC Cola.
To sum it up: I gotta try more places like this on north Clark St.
Being from Texas and coming from a Mexican family myself... I was on a hunt for authentic GREAT tasting mexican food. Â This is the place. Â I've tried several places around Clark St. and even where I live now near Addison and Lincoln. Â El Famous Burrito definitely has it down.
The guys are really nice, the food is great and the prices are cheap!!
We walked by three restaurants filled with Spanish-speaking customers (including one claiming "the best burrito in town") before arriving at this El Famous Burrito, our Yelp-inspired destination. Maybe it's because this place is noticeably much brighter than neighboring spots, and the menu is in both English and Spanish, but there were no native Spanish speakers in the place. Not that something like that should be an indication of the quality of the food, but it was still good.
My vegetarian burrito came with SURPRISE real avocado slices, re-fried beans, onions and cheese, but a little too much lettuce--all for somewhere around $4. Next time I'll try the chicken version. I overheard a neighboring customer saying, "this is MUCH better than Chipotle." Thank goodness. I hear the Horchata is good.
Stand-out features include: Dr. Pepper on tap, unlimited chips and salsa, and super attentive service! You order at the counter, and then they bring it to your table. And they even were ready with a fresh basket of chips before I got to the counter to ask for one. Parking is bad, so if you're willing to take the risk, snag a spot in the Blockbuster lot just a little farther south.
This El Famous ... words fail me.
I've been going to this place for about 15 years now, and it's never failed. Â The burritos at this place are stellar: the standard by which other burritos should be judged. Â Likewise with the horchata. Â And the salsa; both the traditional and the verde are amazing.
Caveat emptor! Â There are other El Famous locations. Â These are but pale shadows of the Rogers Park place. Â Don't judge this one by the others. Â They don't measure up, not by a long shot.