Skip to content
312 Eats
Avondale · Mexican · $

Cascabel Taco Joint

4.7146 reviews ·Opentil 8:30 tonight
The pastor was delicious
Jim TschetterJim Tschetter · 218 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

Cascabel Taco Joint — Avondale mexican that sets the standard. Straight from the source, no adjustments. Good service that doesn't feel rehearsed, and BYOB. Stirfryable: "The flavor in all three are unique and the meat is so tender" [$]

🍷BYOB — grab a bottle next door, they'll open it.

What 146 diners keep saying

Fast serviceQuick biteHidden gemByobTakeout strong
Plan your visit
2943 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
Avondale
Today10AM-8:30PM
Sun12-7PM
Mon–Tue10AM-8:30PM
Wed10AM-6PM
Thu10AM-8:30PM
Fri–Sat10AM-9PM
Own Cascabel Taco Joint? Claim this page · Spot an error? Suggest an edit

What 146 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by Derek Dominguez
Jun 2026

**Hidden gem alert!! So many good things to say about this place. One, it has the best green salsa in the city. That green salsa is reason alone to come here. Paired with the chips that are not too salty but also have perfect flavor, and crunch. The guacamole tastes like they just made it while you were sitting there, not like the guacamole at Jewel. The carne asada meat was super tasty. It melted in your mouth and had a juicy flavor. The tortilla was super soft and moist and brought out the best in the meat. Lastly I tried the chocolate tres leches cake which put the bow on a fabulous meal. So if you want to have the best tacos in Chicago gallivant over here.

Derek Dominguez

Derek Dominguez

23 reviews on Google

Review photo by Alfredo Aguilar
Apr 2026

Ya I need dinner and these tacos are absolutely banging when you're hungry. Small establishment with authentic everything! Whenever I do a show at Windy City Playhouse, this is a must stop. 3 al pastor tacos, Mexican coke, and frijoles for $25 + tip. Ya I'll be back.

Alfredo Aguilar

Alfredo Aguilar

8 reviews on Google

Review photo by Sam Miller
Jun 2025

This is a long overdue review for me. Growing up on the west side of Chicago and having spent extended periods living in Tucson, San Diego, and Albuquerque, I have been fortunate to eat some amazing Mexican food in my day… So, I do not take it lightly in saying… This man might make the best Tacos Al Pastor in the world! Just wow. A hit every time. The fresh guacamole is also great (I ask her to make it a bit spicy) and both salsas are also amazing. It is always the same couple (I assume, apologies if I’m wrong!) working and they are so kind everytime. It is small inside but comfortable, and there is plenty of free parking on the nearby side streets, and you can usually pull up in front pretty easily for a quick to-go. Love this place and they are very deserving a resounding 5 star review.

Sam Miller

Sam Miller

6 reviews on Google

Review photo by N Fig
Jun 2025

Don't let the small esthetics fool you.. All I can say is WOW.. The food was perfection! The tacos tasted like if I was in Mexico. I wanted to take the chef home. If you are looking for authentic flavors, this is it! The staff is very kind.

N Fig

N Fig

32 reviews on Google

Review photo by Stephanie R
Dec 2024

The enchiladas and steak tacos were delicious and well prepared. Quick and friendly service.

Stephanie R

Stephanie R

316 reviews on Google

Review photo by Claire T
Oct 2024

We live in the neighborhood, and this was a great hole in the wall find. Small on the inside, but friendly and quick service. My boyfriend had the birrias tacos and I had the steak tacos, both were absolutely delicious! We also ordered some horchata to drink, which was also tasty. We will definitely be back, so glad we found this spot! :)

Claire T

Claire T

16 reviews on Google

Review photo by ADLbh
Sep 2024

Great taco joint with a huge variety in the menu. Their birria quesadillas are amazing. Homestyle cooking! The owners are very friendly and will make sure to serve you at their best.

ADLbh

ADLbh

354 reviews on Google

Review photo by Claudio A. Jiron Jr.
Oct 2023

Visiting my sister that lives in the area. Was craving birria and I saw this place offered it and that they have great reviews. It’s a bit of a local “dive” but what they lack in ambiance they make up for in food quality and service. My quesa birria was amazing. Fresh, flavorful, good quality meat, and their consume was on point. This is my first time trying it but I will try more things and update my review. So far it’s a hit!!

Claudio A. Jiron Jr.

Claudio A. Jiron Jr.

20 reviews on Google

Review photo by Freddy Jimenez
Mar 2026

I ate next to gumby.

Freddy Jimenez

Freddy Jimenez

6 reviews on Google

Review photo by Andrew W.
Sep 2025

Walked into Cascabel Taco Joint for dinner. We started with the Guacamole and chips. Really good! For our main we got the Carne Asada Tampiquena and the Enchiladas. We both enjoyed our dishes and the fact that it is BYOB!

Andrew W.

Andrew W.

92 reviews on Google

Review photo by Ari Lynn
Mar 2026

Got a shrimp burrito with avocado. It was 70% lettuce, about 4 pieces of canned baby shrimp, no avocado. Dry. A few tomatoes. Rip off, dont go here. The fries were good but the bag was only half filled? You skimped on the fries too? 🙄 Spent $20 on a half bag of fries and some lettuce wrapped in a tortilla. This place aint gonna last on Irving.

Ari Lynn

Ari Lynn

27 reviews on Google

Apr 2026

Amazing food, was great with our kids and overall good vibes.

Eric Zarcone

Eric Zarcone

19 reviews on Google

Sounds like your kind of place?

Star it — your hit list is where dinner decisions get made.

First Bite

One email a month — new openings, hidden gems, and where locals are actually eating.

More Mexican in Wicker Park & Logan Square

See the ranking →

In the same lane · Mexican, budget

If it's packed, walk to…

More good rooms in Avondale, minutes away.

Keep exploring