Ayayay - Mexican Eatery
Laura Pariso · 380 Google reviewsAyayay - Mexican Eatery — high-caliber mexican in Loop. The noise level tells you everything you need to know. Nothing here has been watered down. "The filet mignon was beautifully tender and juicy, cooked with precision" — Kendall Harden
What 1,628 diners keep saying
What 1,628 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Blink and you will miss this hidden gem of wonderful Mexican food, on Lake Street just off a busy Michigan Avenue. Started with their cheesy yucca balls and its been a long while since an appetizer has been better than I expected. The crunchy ball and the melty cheese center with that cheese sauce and nice spice from the togarashi was a perfect bite. I could eat a dozen of these. Also tried their truffle plantains which was soft yet sweet and complimented with the cotija cheese fondue. However, there was truly no earthy contrast in which I could taste the truffle, the honey was just more sweet on top of the already sweet plaintain. But this was all made better with some of the best carne asada tacos with both charred savory & fatty steak contrasting with the crunch of the shoestring potatoes. Also, their al pastor tacos were excellent!! The tang of the pineapple and the savory & seared pork was a nice combination. I see why their ratings are so high!!! Well worth a visit!”
“Tacos were absolutely delicious. Ordered three but two was more than enough. The churros were so good, actually creamy inside.”
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ayayay Eatery, and I can’t praise it enough! The food was absolutely delightful, showcasing a perfect blend of flavors. The **guacamole** was incredibly fresh and bursting with flavor, making it a fantastic starter. I then tried the **octopus pastor tacos**, which were nothing short of delicious; the octopus was perfectly cooked and seasoned, offering a unique twist that I can't stop thinking about. To top it all off, the **mango cheesecake** was a heavenly treat creamy, rich, and just the right amount of sweetness. Every bite was a delightful experience! If you're looking for a place with flavorful dishes and a warm atmosphere, Ayayay Eatery is definitely worth a visit!”
“This place is right downtown on Lake Street just east of Michigan. It has an unassuming storefront right next to the 7/11. Take a walk inside and discover an area that seems miles off the city street. I had some of the best Tenderloin Carne Asada Tacos ever. My husband enjoyed the Pork Belly El Pastor tacos as well. Don't skip the cheese ball appatizer... excellent. Don't fill up on chips, save yourself for the main attractions. Excellent margarita offerings too.”
“RUN, don’t walk here. I stumbled across this place & I can’t believe I didn’t know about it. the margaritas are unreal. so fresh. the cheesy appetizer in a cheese sauce. omg. the torta is something they write home about and Jennifer was absolutely delightful. will be back”
“My bf found this place by accident… my bf had made a res at a different restaurant on valentine’s day but apparently they overbooked and were not able to honor our reservation last minute. My bf on the quicks was able to look around and find this lovely spot and omg am i so glad he did! The cheesy yuca is a musttttttt for starters, although next time we’ll try the truffle plantains. Both me and my bf got palomas and they were just perfect! The filet mignon bowl was so yummy and the steak torta was a 10/10, i wish i had taken pictures before we finished it all.”
“Really good place! Great good and atmosphere. The steak dishes were super tender and well seasoned.”
“Went for happy hour (2:30-6pm) which is an insane deal! Margs are $7 and this giant plate of nachos is $8. Staff were great at handling a larger group and were so attentive without being overbearing. Really enjoyed the space, drinks, and vibe! Would definitely come back”
“Easiest 5 star rating in some time! So flavorful, wonderful service, reasonable prices, and amazing mezcal margaritas! Highly recommend!”
“This Mexican restaurant lets you try a few Mexican-Japanese fusion dishes. The first bite of Filet mignon bowl made me instant wow. The smokey grilled meat, the doneness and the cilantro-garlic sauce were all excellent. But excessive sauce made it feel a little bit too salty by the end. The charcoal chicken taco is exactly what you’ve expect- honest, reliable chicken taco that won’t let you down. It was a warm day and the dining room felt a bot hot. Even thoigh I visited during a slow hour, service was slow. While eating in, I ordered a the Nekkei burrito for takout and it took 15 minutes to get this single item. It tasted like eating avocado shrimp tempura shush roll wrapped inside if a burrito. Honestly, you probably don’t need to order this one at a Mexican restaurant.”
“Hands down the best Mexican food I've ever had! We were in Chicago for just one day to catch up with friends who were visiting from overseas and decided to try this place after reading the Google reviews. They absolutely lived up to the hype. As vegetarians, we were impressed by how flavorful and satisfying everything was. We ordered the Cheesy Yuca Balls, nachos (without the mushrooms), and the Portobello Chimichurri, and every dish was outstanding. Our friends ordered the chicken dishes, and they said they were the best Mexican meals they had eaten during their entire week-long trip, despite having Mexican food almost every day. The food was fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. If you're in Chicago, this place is a must-visit. We'll definitely be back!”
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