La Puebla

The ladies that work here are very sweet and it is a strange setting with the brown puffy burnt siena south west color vibe booth seats.

The mexican food is standard. Nothing amazing but it keeps up with everywhere else in the area. Open 24/7 is convenient. Once I ran into a man masturbating in the bathroom. He was drunk jerking off. it was weird.

Super low rating mainly because we were sitting at a table and Male Salsa Nazi came over to take our order with salsa and chips in hand, but when we said we were only ordering one taco he walked away and did not give the chips/salsa to us! We have been there before where the woman would just give it to us anyways. Whatever Nazi man.

Drunk me wanted to give this place 80bajillion stars.  Unfortunately drunk me is not writing this review.  Sober-ish me had the tacos again the next day and they weren't bad.  They were not the best tacos I have ever had.  But they were open late.  These were 3am tacos mind you.  Which in itself makes this place a godsend.  Being within walking distance made it even better.  You know what the more I think back on my experience here I have to add another star. (we're at 4 now for those keeping track) I mean the tacos were still alright when I was hungover.  Up till that point all I was able to choke down was clear gummy bears(which aren't as bad as you'd expect on the way back up).  

I digress.

I had steak tacos and a few bites of my drunk buddy's chimichanga.  Which I'm still not certain is a real thing.  I know you can get them from the gas station, but half the crap at taco bell isn't a "thing" either.  Potatoe, tomato I guess.  

The guac held it's own.  The salsa was good too, not too spicy and not just Clamato. The steak tacos were tasty and I didn't get a taco full of that grissly fatty crap chunks that you can't actually eat.  So against my better judgement I'm going to do it.  Right now.  Boom, that's right.  

ONE.  

MORE.  

STAR.

It turns out in retrospect this place was pretty awesome and I would now go there even sober.  I, in fact, want to go there now.  I am getting hungry just thinking about it.

The staff was real kind as well.  I doubt she could tell that we were drunk, aside from my buddy running out the door mid chimichanga to puke.  Because I am an awesome drunk, and have nothing but respect for sober people.  But she didn't yell at us and I don't think we were over charged either.  I will be back.

Although I've been around Chicago a long time, this was the first visit to La Puebla this afternoon without Yelping first, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.   Fish tacos, shrimp tacos, tostadas and other items from the a la carte (to go) menu topped off with DELICIOUS, GIANT MARGARTAS. (ate in house)   Very pleasant waitress and the flour tortillas are awesome, crispy but soft, and can hold their contents.  Salsa has a good spice, although I didn't care as much for the salsa verde which is creamier than others I've sampled.

Also love the juke box with top Latino tunes including El Buki and Luis Miguel.   This is a very  clean, large space, muy comoda and reminds me of the first Mexican restaurantsI visited as a teenager in Chiggy that caused me to fall in love with Mexican culture, music  (i.e., in Cicero and Little Village). (PS, I'm a gringa).   The open 24 hours makes me wish I lived in the hood . . . . mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm although I'd start packing it on if I did.

I'm kind of surprised at  the negative reviews here, and I think many of you one and two star people should simply admit you were totally wasted when you were there and can't actually remember how good the food was!

Buena gente at La Puebla, I'll be back for karaoke Latina nite (you are forewarned, bring earplugs!).

Management should consider  salsa night w/ cover charge, as the space is large enough to accommodate and dancers prefer recorded and not live music -- but they don't drink much, hence the cover.   Do it!