I don't mind a bit of "atmosphere", but this place made me feel like I was REALLY down on my luck.... think Rick Moranis, kicking a can down the street outside and singing "Skid Row". Â Service was downright surly, the gal who was apparently SUPPOSED to be running the register was too busy filling out her "1040-EZ" to be bothered, and the cook who actually ended up taking my $$ was none too sure of himself ($15 for a burrito and chips seemed a bit steep, but I was so over the place by then I would've left sans any food at all). Â And I should have, because the burrito (though HUGE) had no taste at all, and the chips were ultra-greasy. Â Back to Burrito Beach for me, I can't even imagine why I thought this dump might be worth a try!
Review Source:Good, cheap Mexican food in the Loop; there's really nothing to complain about here! Plenty of seating upstairs (where you get a lovely view of the federal slammer), and a banquet area downstairs. Not much to say in the way of interior aesthetics, but the food is authentic, and that's what counts.
Review Source:The outside of the place looks a bit shady. Â It's right across from a detention center and the Chicago board of trade. Â Since I work near the board of trade, I went there and got 2 steak tacos. Â The order taker was fairly normal, yet I detected a little bit of attitude. Â Not to worry, I ordered TO GO. Â After I ordered, I asked for some pico de gallo. Â The cashier told me that they don't give pico de gallo to small orders. Â At that point, I was going to tell her that I don't eat my tacos without pico de gallo and got my money back. Â However, she and the restaurant wasn't worth the effort. Â Probably not worth the effort of writing this yelp. Â At least there weren't rats running around for sure...however, you only eat here if there is nothing else. Â The meat on the steak tacos looked faded brown and didn't have much taste...and with tacos, the meat is everything.
Review Source:Using Yelp I read that there was a crepes place on this street. Ready for a proper breakfast before heading back to Detroit on the train that does not have much in the way of food options, we braved the cold weather and snow flurries and started the walk from our hotel. We walked right up to a cell phone store. Oops I guess the delicious crepes are no more. Luckily La Cocina serves breakfast!
They have a small variety of egg dishes and omlets available. I had the ham and cheese omelet, and added green bell pepper. The amount of food was perfect. The rice a beans were a treat and each breakfast comes with your choice of either corn or flour tortillas.
They have a breakfast special on weekdays. For just a few dollars you can get eggs and hash browns.
My co-workers and I have ordered out from here for lunch a few times since we work down the street. In my opinion, the food is just average for Mexican food. It's definitely not bad but it isn't anything particularly special. However every time we order from there (which are usually rather large orders) they always get it right--- right down to which tacos want sour cream and which ones want avocado. The prices are low also, which is always good. I've never eaten in the actual restaurant, but I always notice the saddle chairs by the cash register, and those are unique and fun. Also, the employees are always attentive and we've never had to wait for our food.
Review Source:I was going to give this place 3 stars because of their fast service during lunch and tasty enchiladas...BUT due to reading about cockroaches at this place, my entire body is now itching, I'm probably never coming here again, and I'm dropping it to 2 stars.
For better or for worse, thank you Yelpers.
Not the best, not the worst, just nothing special.
I've been craving Mexican lately something fierce and stumbled upon La Cocina by my office. La Cocina serves breakfast and lunch and offers carry out and table service options. After two visits I remain underwhelmed.
On the plus side:
* Tacos are cheap
* 3 different kinds of veggie tacos: cheese, green pepper and cheese, avocado
* It's a tacquiera, not an americanized chain
On the minus side:
* My tacos were wrapped so poorly that I thought I got one giant taco, it was a mess sorting it out
* On both visits my salsa has leaked all over the napkins by the time I made it back to the office
* At just under $7, I felt the veggie burrito was a rip off - lettuce heavy and bland
* Service is indifferent, don't expect the cashier to crack a smile
Average at best; I can see myself returning when my Mexican cravings get the better of me, but otherwise I won't be rushing back.
All I gotta say is $1.50 tacos.
I only eat here for lunch and even then only occassionally. Â I usually get 3 tacos for $1.50 each and that does me just fine. Â Chorizo, chicken, beef, or steak (extra, I believe). Â With lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Â Can't be it for the price.
I also have the burrito suizo quite often when visiting. Â It is quite large (two servings if you don't have a curly tail and oink like me) and made to order with the same meats as above.
Like others have said. Â Not the best but not the worst. Â A solid place to lunch during the week but don't try impressing anyone by bringing them here.
¡Feliz comiendo!
la cocina...you know what...this place isnt the best on earth..but its pretty solid...steak tacos..some rice and beans..the salsa options are pretty good...i mean it isnt the nicest place on earth..but its good for lunch...the ladies who work there are extremely nice and everyone thats there seems to be enjoying their lunch..
the burritos are huge, the taco plates are good, the enchiladas are solid..try it out for lunch..i can make you one guarantee..its better than taco bell...thats for sure..and its inexpensive also..$7-$9 for lunch..cant beat it
My boss brought me back half of a steak burrito to try, telling me it was better than Flaco's Tacos. I tried it and the meat tasted off. Plus there was nothing but meat and cheese on it (but that's how he orders his food). I added salsa and guac from Flaco's to it and it was still nasty. This plus the fact that this building is cockroach haven are two reasons to stay away. Far, far away.
Review Source:I used to always come to this place until I heard one of my coworkers found a cochroach wandering around.....I've never seen any bugs in this place but the thought of it did it for me. When I did eat here it was pleasant. The salsa was CRAZY hot. I thought I could handle spicy until I tried their salsa. I thought my tongue was going to fall off!!!! The food was ok. Service is ok.
Review Source:La Cocina is my favorite taco joint in the loop. Â This is also the only place I've found that still serves Coke in the glass bottles like they used to come in. Â Prices are a good value and service is quick and friendly. Â There is an eating area downstairs so even if the first floor looks crowded there might be more room.
Review Source:La Cocina serves my favorite tacos bar-none. Â I love the meat they use there as well how they make them. Â They only add onions, lettuce, cilantro, and tomatoes. Â The red salsa is also very very tasty. Â
The only thing I don't like sit the service. Â Although most of the time it's fast, the people that take your order are rarely ever hospitable. Â I've been going there for the past 8 years because I absolutely love their tacos and they still don't recognize me and know that I only order the red salsa. Â They even forget to put that in the bag sometimes.
Outside of the tacos, I've not tried anything else here. Â For a burrito, I suggest going to Burrito Buggy instead.
If you absolutely crave the ambiance of a dirty authentic burrito place, but want crap food, I recommend La Cocina.
I have eaten at many burrito joints growing up on the South Side of Chicago and then adulthood on the North Side. Â The food here is probably the worst. Â The burritos are terrible and the carne asada is even worse. Â The scarce meat on the steak burrito is hard and tough. Â The carne asada is paper thin and and might have been prepared in the microwave.
I can appreciate that this place is in the loop and that's the only reason that I give it 2 stars. Â It's affordable lunch dining in the loop. Â
The only way that I can imagine that someone would like the food here is if they have never eaten at an average mexican place (outside of Chi-Chis or Pepe's)
Vom.
It troubles me to even write this review.
Suffice it to say La Cocina is the worst dining choice I have made in the city. Service: nonexistent. Food: disgustamundo. Decor: Lawn furniture-meets-Grandma's basement.
At least there weren't rats running around, so I guess they get the one star. OMG do not go here. I feel like I need a shower every time I think about it.
I just discovered La Cocina on my lunch break yesterday, and I will return without hesitation. Â I ordered my food to go, but next time I will sit down, and enjoy some chips and salsa with my meal. Â The dining area is on the small side, but there were a couple of empty tables when I arrived. Â I had a carne asada sope and a side of beans. Â Both were excellent, and the beans were probably the best refried beans I've ever had, full of flavor! Â The place looks a little shabby, but it seemed clean. Â The prices are good too. Â They also have a bar in the dining area, in case you're in the mood for some libations. Â I would give more stars, but since I only tried a couple of things, I can't give it more until I try a few other items.
Review Source:Mmm-mm-mmm!
See poking out of the downtown hustle and bustle is a beacon of hope, a friendly reminder that you can find reasonably priced lunch among the greedy, opportunistic chains.
La Cocina is basically a Taco Burrito King #X on Clark St in the south Loop. They've got the obligatory horchata fountain eternally recycling the sweet, cinnamony goodness like a little latin fountain. The ladies at the counter stand vigilantly by, waiting to take your order and crack fun at those unfortunate souls who pronounce queso with a kw or frijoles like some distant relative of Angelina.
I get the burrito rajas con queso. Sure it's vegetarian but I get over it. A flour tortilla is filled with beans, lettuce, cheese, green peppers, tomatoes and sour cream. I leave off the tomato y crema but that's just because I'm weird. A side of frijoles con queso and a large horchata and I'm set back $6 or so and muy feliz.
La Cocina is a breath of fresh air in the south loop.
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