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312 Eats
Chinatown · Mexican

CERDITO MUERTO

4.5157 reviews ·Opens at 5 tomorrow
The service was outstanding, attentive, knowledgeable, and perfectly timed without ever feeling rushed
Julio AviendaJulio Avienda · 28 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

CERDITO MUERTO — a Chinatown mexican mainstay. Classic neighborhood feel, nothing here chasing trends. Good cocktails round out an already strong menu, and cash only. "The drinks were very good, the chicken tinga tostada was phenomenal" — Naz

💵Cash only — hit the ATM first, worth it.

What 157 diners keep saying

Family runRomanticCozyOld schoolGreat cocktailsQuick bite
Plan your visit
1700 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608
Chinatown
TodayClosed
Sun–TueClosed
Wed–Thu5PM-12AM
Fri–Sat5PM-2AM
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What 157 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by Yara El Madalla
Jun 2026

It was truly an incredible experience! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone passing by Chicago looking for a nice atmosphere and good food and drinks for dinner. We had the chance of meeting the owner who told us the story of his family and opening this restaurant and it was great to learn and made us appreciate the experience even more.

Yara El Madalla

Yara El Madalla

4 reviews on Google

Review photo by Andy Sotelo
May 2026

The food was delicious! I had an Al pastor taco and an arrachera quesadilla. The arrachera was made with outside skirt steak which is tender and has some good marbling. It is served with salsa macha while the taco is served with salsa verde. The salsa macha was more on the mild side, I can even say a little sweet. The salsa verde was a bit more spicy.

Andy Sotelo

Andy Sotelo

14 reviews on Google

Review photo by Claudia
May 2026

One of my favorite experiences in Chicago! We ordered the following: ➡️ homemade squirt nonalcoholic 🤤 ➡️ Pilsen old-fashioned, my bf loved it! 🥃💨 ➡️ something love drink 🍹 🔥 😋 ➡️ duck Carnitas nachos 🦆 ➡️ quesadilla with a Ranchera with their homemade salsa (has a cake, but delicious and I put it on everything) ➡️ their hamburger with homemade chips 🍔 ➡️ Al Pastor tacos had a sweet and spicy kick! Yum ➡️ Birria tacos were tender and delicious ➡️dessert was something rhubarb crumble ➡️cafe de olla ice cream For two people we spent a good amount of money because we were splurging and we wanted to try different things but we don’t regret any of it! So if you do plan to come, just be mindful of the cost and make sure to tip the waitress 🫶🏼 Note: I feel like an average alcoholic drinks can be between $15-$20 give or take. The vibe of this restaurant is cute, quiet but not too quiet and definitely a space for meeting up with friends to talk catch up and treat yourself to something nice y casual.

Claudia

Claudia

32 reviews on Google

Review photo by Hatatta
Apr 2026

Stopped by for a quick late snack and got a Martinez espresso and quesadilla. Was great, friends got the burger which they highly recommend

Hatatta

Hatatta

11 reviews on Google

Review photo by Scott Kaplan
Apr 2026

Very highly recommend, amazing atmosphere, wonderful hosts, and probably the best steak quesadilla that ever exists.

Scott Kaplan

Scott Kaplan

20 reviews on Google

Review photo by Alonso Bahena
Feb 2026

Anoche, mi amigo y yo fuimos a Cerdito Muerto como a las 11:15 pm, y la verdad fue una gran decisión para cerrar el día con algo sabroso. El ambiente estaba muy a gusto, perfecto para ir con amigos y platicar un buen rato mientras esperas la comida. Desde que llegaron los platos se veía que prometían, y no nos equivocamos. Los tacos de papa estaban muy ricos, bien servidos y con un sabor casero que se disfruta mucho. Pero la estrella de la noche fue la quesadilla de arrachera con salsa macha… ¡qué cosa tan más sabrosa! La carne bien sazonada y jugosa, y la salsa macha le daba ese toque picosito perfecto que hacía que cada mordida estuviera todavía mejor que la anterior. Sin duda, mi amigo y yo salimos contentos y con ganas de volver. Si andan buscando algo delicioso para cenar tarde, este lugar vale totalmente la pena. Se me olvidó tomar foto de los tacos pero les aseguro que están deliciosos.

Alonso Bahena

Alonso Bahena

6 reviews on Google

Review photo by Sergio Gonzalez
Feb 2026

25 years of living 25 years of being Mexican. Best birria tacos I have ever had. The atmosphere is so smooth and warm. Espresso Martinez is a must. Happy I found a new favorite spot.

Sergio Gonzalez

Sergio Gonzalez

5 reviews on Google

Review photo by dlp
Jan 2026

Excelente! Service, food, drinks. Last minute accommodations. It was just a bummer I couldn’t eat everything but that only makes me that much more excited for the next time.

dlp

dlp

19 reviews on Google

Review photo by Alexis Chernow
Dec 2025

You can't make a reso online here, so when I sent an email asking about a table 24 hours ahead, I wasn't optimistic about our chances of getting in. To my surprise I got an email back that night that they'd had a cancellation and could accommodate us the next day! The mood of the place is cozy, intimate, with bits of fanciful and cultural art and decor, as well as some reminders of the pool hall that the owner's grandmother used to run in the space. The staff was great, the hostess (and I think the owner's wife?) was very sweet, our server was attentive but laid back and helpful with explaining the menu, and even the owner, who was moving with alacrity stopped to thank us for coming in as we were getting up to leave. The food and drinks were also on point! I was skeptical that a taco with heirloom carrots, pepidos, pomegranate seeds, and queso fresco was going to work. But those flavors dazzled my taste buds as they came together in each bite. I was also skeptical about the clear drink I was brought after ordering a milk punch (great story about this happening to a friend in Nashville, with a less than ideal outcome). But it was delightful, I didn't even notice it wasn't creamy after my first sip. Go with friends so you can get a bunch of things to share, and be open to some interesting flavor combinations, you won't be disappointed!

Alexis Chernow

Alexis Chernow

8 reviews on Google

Review photo by J A
Dec 2025

Great ambiance. Definitely going back!

J A

J A

33 reviews on Google

Review photo by Denise Estrada
Dec 2025

I loved this place! I submitted a last minute reservation request on their website and they were quick to reply and due to a last minute cancellation, I was able to get a reservation. We got the old fashioned, Paloma, quesadilla and burger. Everything was delicious but the burger was my favorite, one of a kind chorizo burger. Service was amazing, everyone was so friendly and attentive. Can’t wait to come back!

Denise Estrada

Denise Estrada

13 reviews on Google

Review photo by Greg G.
Oct 2025

Greta burger and even better service. The owner was also very attentive to the crowd.

Greg G.

Greg G.

317 reviews on Google

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