Chicago Travel — Chilam Balam

Name: Chilam Balam Location: 3023 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 Cuisine: Mexican Hours: Tue-Thu 5 PM–9 PM, Fri-Sat 5 PM–10 PM It often feels like Chicago's Mexican scene is dominated by Rick Bayless, so I’ve been seeking out other styles. One is Tzuco (though I wasn’t a fan of their menu), and another is Chilam Balam. This place is small and easy to miss — tucked underground with just a subtle sign marking the entrance. Inside feels like a cozy cave 🕳️. The menu is compact: a few starters, 4–5 mains, and 2–3 desserts. They feature various moles and offer creative, refined dishes like Mexican-style pork ribs. Their menu changes frequently (fitting for a spot that posts a “Today’s Menu” online). I visited two days before Thanksgiving this year. Based on that day’s menu (which has since changed), I ordered: 🥕 Roasted Carrots — My first time trying roasted carrots. Their version came with burrata cheese and veggies. Room-temp creamy burrata + warm, sweet-crisp carrots = surprisingly magical. 🌮 Enchiladas Potosino — Small enchiladas, lightly fried, topped with a rich brown sauce. 🐖 Pork Belly — The star! Possibly air-fried — crispy outside, incredibly juicy inside. Served with a thick, tangy-sweet apple-nut purée, garnished with greens, nut crumbs, apple, and pomegranate seeds. So creative and delicious — my plate was clean in under 10 minutes! Also, despite looking small online, the portion was two generous slabs of pork. Service was attentive — maybe because the space is small, staff could easily check on everyone. Courses flowed smoothly, and the server often asked for feedback right after a dish was finished (felt intentional, not coincidental). Highly recommended for creative, authentic Mexican in an intimate setting! PS: BYOB, and they only accept cash or Venmo. #Chicago #ChicagoLife #ChicagoFood #UniversityOfChicago #ChicagoEats #ChicagoTravel