Mercadito

Featured reviews

• A

  Audrey Nichols

  ·1 month ago

  “Amazing, fresh flavors. I walked in as a single on a Sunday and the host was so kind and found me a seat almost immediately. The Ceviche and enchiladas were so good. My server Emma was friendly, and present yet not over attentive. Will definitely be back”

• A

  Ash C

  ·1 month ago

  “Tried this place out a friend’s Birthday dinner last night. We had a party of 7 and made reservations in advance (highly recommend). Food was fantastic - the mango guacamole & hongos tacos were definite highlights! I also got an N/A cocktail - Shake The Mango Tree - which was so delicious. Service was decent but not great (they were very busy). Overall a great experience!”

• A

  Andrea Novoa

  ·1 month ago

  “If you’re searching for the best Mexican restaurant in Chicago with a vibrant atmosphere and standout dishes, Mercadito should be at the top of your list. From cocktails to brunch-style bites, this spot delivers a full experience that goes beyond just great food. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance sets the tone warm lighting, lush greenery, and a lively dining room that feels upscale yet relaxed. It’s the kind of place that works perfectly for a casual dinner, date night, or weekend brunch with friends. We started with drinks, and both were a hit. The Amiga Sandía was refreshing and slightly sweet with that perfect watermelon flavor, while the classic margarita was clean, citrusy, and well-balanced exactly what you want from a traditional marg. For appetizers, the guacamole and chips were fresh and flavorful, with a creamy texture and just the right amount of seasoning. The queso fundido came out hot and melty, rich without being too heavy, making it perfect to share. One of the highlights of the meal was the quesabirrias. The tortillas were perfectly crisped, filled with tender, juicy meat, and packed with deep, savory flavor. Dipped into the consommé, they were easily one of the must-order items on the menu. To finish, we tried the French toast, and it completely surprised us. Thick, soft, and beautifully plated, it had that perfect balance of sweetness and texture making it a great option if you’re visiting for brunch or just want something indulgent at the end of your meal. The service was attentive and friendly, and the overall experience felt polished without being pretentious.”

• M

  Michael Corona

  ·2 months ago

  “What a great experience from the server, management, host and assistants. We sat on the patio for brunch and had one of the best meals we’ve had in Chicago in a while. We ordered the French toast to share for the table and it was a hit! …”

• G

  Grace Montgomery

  ·3 months ago

  “My boyfriend and I are visiting the city for a few days as an anniversary trip, and this was our last dinner before leaving. It did not disappoint! Our server Yana was so bubbly and helpful with picking our food and drinks. Highly recommend the short rib quesabirria & prickly passion cocktail.”

• A

  Amey Joshi

  ·4 months ago

  “I stopped by this Mexican restaurant for a quick lunch while heading to a meeting, and it turned out to be a great experience. The food was delicious, the service was fast, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. Everything felt fresh and well prepared. I’d definitely recommend this place if you’re looking for a nice lunch spot or a casual dinner with a small group.”

• R

  Rae

  ·4 months ago

  “We came here for brunch during restaurant week. The hostess was super warm and inviting. Our waitress was Janessa and she was awesome! She was super friendly, attentive and gave great recommendations. I got a watermelon margarita which was good, although I didn’t really taste much watermelon flavor. If you like strong drinks, you’ll enjoy this one. I usually like lighter/fruitier drinks. For my first course, I got the short rib quesabirria tacos and they were super delicious and flavorful. 10/10 no notes. My partner got the flautas and he really enjoyed them. The second course is where things went a little left for us. I ordered the French toast and it ended up being a super thick slice of French toast. The outside edges were cooked, but a lot of the middle was undercooked, resulting in wet/soggy/unpleasant bread. I think they should make the French toast half as thick, so it can fully cook. I ended up only eating about 60% of it, because the rest was not great. I did enjoy the cafe de olla drizzle. My partner got the steak and eggs for his second course. He ordered the steak medium, but it was closer to rare. Also, there were a lot of fatty/tough pieces that he had to spit out. He didn’t really enjoy the steak. He said the eggs were decent and the hash browns were good. We would absolutely go back. I would probably stick with the short rib quesabirria and maybe explore some of the other menu options. I’m glad I got the opportunity to try this place during restaurant week, because I probably would have never come across them otherwise.”

• S

  Sophie Lancaster

  ·5 months ago

  “We had a fantastic brunch experience here during Restaurant Week — the deal was an incredible value for the amount of food you get. Everything we tried was delicious and came out quickly! Service was efficient and friendly, and a special shout-out to our server Samantha, who was amazing. She handled our party’s dietary restrictions with total confidence and care, making the whole experience feel easy and stress-free. Great food, great service, and an overall excellent value — we’ll definitely be back!”

• J

  Justin Green

  ·5 months ago

  “I seriously can’t say enough good things about this place. From the second I walked in, everything was smooth, professional, and way beyond expectations. The biggest reason? Rafael. Rafael’s service was unreal! He was friendly, knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely cared about making sure everything was perfect. He didn’t rush anything, explained everything clearly, and made the whole experience feel effortless. It’s rare these days to find someone who takes that much pride in what they do, and it absolutely shows. Because of Rafael, I’ll be coming back 100% and recommending this place to everyone I know. If you go here, ask for Rafael, you’ll thank me later.”

• P

  Perla Villarreal

  ·5 months ago

  “We are from out of town and came to Mercadito twice during our visit (once for dinner and once for brunch) and we were thoroughly impressed both times! The food was great and it was an easy dining experience with our larger group. Samantha …”