When At Play asked readers to nominate your favorite tacos, you sent e-mails, letters and postcards–almost 200, nominating more than 100 places–many like these:
“I almost hesitate to tell you about my choice. The line is already out the door by 5 [p.m.] on Saturday … But, Taco Real (935 Hoffman St.) in Hammond, Ind., has uncommonly good home-cooked tacos.”
–Joe Skvara, Western Springs
“Best tacos in Chicagoland? Tough question and there’s probably not a single right answer. There’s an extremely competitive playing field out there amongst our best taquerias … That being noted, and as a veteran indulger, I wholeheartedly nominate Tacos el Rey de Oro.”
–Chip Marshall, Glenview
“Whenever I’m in the suburbs to see family, I love to sneak a side trip to Taco Express [7 W. Quincy St., Westmont].”
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–Julie Chidester, Chicago
Our tasters, 35 Tribune reporters and editors, ate hundreds of tacos. From the first round of 86 eateries (there were multiple nominations for many places), we narrowed the field to 32. Those are listed here. Another round tackled those 32. In the third round, 12 were still in the running. The final round left us with seven.
Buen provecho.
–Judy Hevrdejs
Atotonilco, 6922 W. 111th St., Worth; 708-448-8242*
De Cero, 814 W. Randolph St., 312-455-8114
El Cid #2, 2645 N. Kedzie Ave.; 773-395-0505*
El Mariachi, 612 Torrence, Calumet City; 708-891-0840*
El Milagro, 1923 S. Blue Island Ave., 312-433-7620*
El Pueblito, 3941 W. Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood; 847-329-7633*
El Torito, 1825 W. Montrose Ave.; 773-929-5404
El Zarape, 325 W. Front St., Wheaton; 630-260-1122
Hot Tamales, 493 Central Ave., Highland Park; 847-433-4070
Jalapeno Grille, 602 Geneva Rd., St. Charles; 630-587-1918
Jalisco’s, 560 High St., Aurora; 630-801-1261*
La Casa de Campo, 1208 W. Irving Park Rd., Bensenville; 630-766-7225
La Pasadita, 1132 N. Ashland Ave., 773-384-6537*
La Rosita, 131 N. Main St., Crystal Lake; 815-356-7705*
Lencho’s Tacos, Maxwell Street Market, near entrance to Dominick’s, Canal St. at Roosevelt Rd.
Los Huaraches, 3482 N. Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook; 847-827-8653
Mexican Inn, 9510 S. Ewing Ave.; 773-734-8957
Nuevo Leon, 1515 W. 18th St.; 312-421-1517
Peeples Tacos, 5944 W. Chicago Ave.; 773-626-7699
Restaurante El Faro #4, 411 E. Main St., East Dundee; 847-426-0506*
San Jose Taqueria, 3253 S. Halsted St.; 312-225-7386*
San Luis, 2903 W. Diversey Ave.; 773-276-0691
Siete Mares, 4012 W. Montrose Ave.; 773-427-4480
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Tacos el Rey de Oro, 416 S. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville; 847-247-4433*
Tacos Erendira, 3207 S. Halsted St.; 312-567-0202
Taco Grill & Salsa Bar, 111 W. Ogden Ave., Westmont; 630-353-0964
Taqueria Fiesta, 1802 S. Elmhurst Rd., Mt. Prospect; 847-593-0660
Taqueria Mexico, 50 N. Lincoln Ave., Aurora; 630-859-9266
Tio Luis, 3856 S. Archer Ave.; 773-843-0098
Tony’s Burrito Mex (2), 1957 W. Belmont Ave., 773-832-4896
Valentina’s, 4506 W. 63rd St.; 773-284-5529
Zacatacos, 6224 Cermak Rd., Berwyn; 708-484-8443*
* Restaurant has multiple locations