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XOCO

Address
449 N Clark St Chicago IL 60654
Phone
(312) 334-3688
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Average Rating
4.5
Total Reviews
(75)
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What the community has to say about XOCO

Information about this business (2)

The allure of mexican street food is It’s rustic IMMEDIACY—SEASONAL agua FRESCAS; made to order guacamole topped with locally SOURCED ingredients; TORTAS from the wood burning oven; steaming CALDOS; HOT from the fryer CHURROS and homemade HOT chocolate.

This low key Rick Bayless eatery was inspired by Mexican street taco stands. Bayless serves up creative tortas, sandwiches, and number of caldos (soups), sure to warm anyone up on a cold winter day. The pozole is a healthier take on the traditional dish. Made of chicken instead of pork, the pozole usually served on weekends at most Mexican eateries is served here daily and is quite tasty. The...

Reviews of this business (82) view all

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Editorial reviews from the web (7) view all

XOCO Restaurant Review

While slightly on the pricier end for a grab-and-go joint, the tab for the slow-braised meats, wood burning oven cooked tortas and fresh guacamole offerings can potentially be justified, depending. A love of spice is almost essential, as many of the meals are rather fiery. Temper the heat of a sandwich like the pepito (braised Creekstone short ribs, caramelized onion, artisan Jack cheese, black...

You'll get "fantastic" Mexican "street eats" with the "usual [Rick] Bayless upgrades" at this River North counter-serve where grub like "tremendous" tortas, "amazing" churros and "incredible" breakfast items succeed in offering "fast food without compromising quality"; the "small" space can have "long lines" (and be a "mob scene" at lunch), and the ordering process can be "kind of weird", but...

Rick Bayless — whose Topolobampo and Frontera Grill have reigned over the Chicago Mexican scene — opened a third spot. This restaurant (pronounced SHO-ko) is a torta, soup and churros place that is primarily a lunch destination.

Xoco has a casual vibe, like a cheerier, more colorful Chipotle Grill. A quick scan of the menu, though, makes it clear that there’s more to Xoco than meets the eye:...

Rick Bayless' young disciples-in-training --- you'll see them while waiting in (very) long lines --- present tortas, juicy with slow-braised meat, from the wood-burning oven and bustle to plate just-fried churros at this little,…

By opening a third restaurant next door to perennial favorites Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, celeb chef Rick Bayless has taken control of this River North block. With Xoco, he's given the city the ultimate place for tortas (Mexican sandwiches) filled with spiced-up fare such as cochinita pibil (suckling pig with pickled red onions, black beans, and searing habanero salsa) and caldos, generous...

Other reviews from the web (82) view all

great sandwiches

Average Rating
80

Great sandwiches. I had a cubano with smoked pork and it was amazing. Prices are reasonable. Churros with chocolate sauce also were excellent. I'd definitely come back. Looked like they did good takeout business.

We should add a 5th star to Chicago's flag for Xoxo

Average Rating
100

LIne up, and have fun. I just don't think you can go wrong with the sandwiches. Guac looks good but I've never had it because the positions are generous. Authentic food and drinks. DO NOT MISS the hot chocolate selection. I've gone there just for the hot chocolate. Don't be concerned about the line, it moves quickly.

Mexican Breakfast

Average Rating
100

I've been here twice. I love the food. The Pork is crispy and everything tastes very homemade. They also have good strong coffee.

yummy

Average Rating
100

Have eaten here several times and the food is delish. I have had both sandwiches and soup. Everything looks good. Try the Aztec hot chocolate. Looks like could have a long wait but we always went 11ish and got in before the crowds.

Amazing

Average Rating
100

Rick Bayless has outdone himself with this great eatery. The tortas (sandwiches) are fantastic. I love the Pepito (short ribs and pickled jalapenos on a crusty baguette). Also, you have to have the guacamole, which you choose which toppings you add. To finish it off, you can't pass up the churros with chocolate sauce. I dream about that chocolate sauce....

Business description (3)

If Topolo pampers and Frontera dances, then XOCO rocks. Though the word is Mexican slang for “little sister” (from the ancient Aztec language), there’s nothing little about XOCO’s big, bold Mexican marketplace flavors. Open early, late and closed on Sundays and Mondays, this quick-service cafe from Rick and Deann Bayless proffers contemporary expressions of Mexico’s most beloved street food and...

Casual, 'fast-food' incarnation by Rick Bayless; closed Sunday/Monday. Recommended: tortas and Caldo soups.

We stopped at Xoco today for lunch .. at 11:45, it starts to get quite crowded! First you order at the counter, and the server assigns you a table number. Walk over to the seating area, and the waitress will seat you in an assigned spot.

We sampled the Chicken Tinga and Cuban...

This low key Rick Bayless eatery was inspired by Mexican street taco stands. Bayless serves up creative tortas, sandwiches, and number of caldos (soups), sure to warm anyone up on a cold winter day. The pozole is a healthier take on the traditional dish. Made of chicken instead of pork, the pozole usually served on weekends at most Mexican eateries is served here daily and is quite tasty. The...

Tips about this business (4)

What to Drink

Try the rotating selection of fruit-flavored agua frescas. They're made in house. Looking for something harder? Sibling restaurant Topolobampo's house-label Syrah and Albarino are available for wine-drinkers; beer-lovers find Negra Modelo and Matilda, a Belgian-style ale made by local brewery Goose Island.

When to Go

If you want to get your hands on those churros, go before 10am or after 7pm. Soups are served after 3pm, while tortas are available after 11am. Before 10:30am, it's breakfast only.

Fun Fact

The restaurant was awarded gold-level LEED certification for its environmentally friendly design and build-out.

Where to Sit

The handful of tables and counter seats close to the open kitchen afford a great view of the fast and furious cooking.

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