Ayayay - Mexican Eatery — Restaurant in Chicago

I tried Ayayay on a Saturday evening for dinner and was a bit confused when I first walked in. There's no host stand, so we weren't sure if it was a seat-yourself kind of place. There's also a large menu on the wall, which made us think it might be more of a counter-service setup. After a few minutes of waiting and trying to figure it out, someone finally came over and brought us to a table.

Once we were seated, it took about 10 minutes before anyone came by to offer water or greet us. We also noticed the table next to us looked visibly upset about the service, which wasn't the best sign.

When it came time to order, I got the filet mignon bowl and my friend ordered the nachos. Right after we placed our order, a large group came in. They were very loud, which made it hard to enjoy the vibe. Obviously, that's not the restaurant's fault--but it did seem like all the staff attention shifted to that group for the rest of the night.

When our food finally came out, my friend's nachos had the sauce on top even though they asked for it on the side, and the whole dish was cold. My bowl was also cold and didn't quite match what was described on the menu--the combination of ingredients was a little odd, and it tasted pretty bland. I asked for a side of green salsa to add some flavor, but it never came, so I ended up getting up and grabbing it myself after about 10 minutes.

It seems like this might be a newer restaurant, so I'm hoping they're still working out the kinks. The concept is fun, and the space has potential, but they've got some things to tighten up when it comes to service...

Off to a good start!!! Just three weeks in and I am more than the 200th reviewer. The word for this place is "Engaging"! We had an early dinner on a Monday night while on a family spring break to Chicago.

The service was energetic and engaging and our food was cooked perfectly! My 11 year old wanted Mexican food and my 14 year old found this place through an Internet search which was walkable from Michigan Avenue right off the El. Oh, and by the way it had great Margaritas for my wife and I! If you like a little spice in your drink try the "Devil's Margarita" with just the right amount of Jalapeno flavor.

Great food for everyone in the family. My 11 year old said this was the best Mexican food he has ever had (even better than Chipotle) and the quesadilla's ordered by my not very adventurous 14 year old eater were cooked perfectly crispy on the outside. I added a (cod) fish taco to my two chicken tacos which had the right amount of fixings along with a tasty Mango Margarita!

This place is worth a chance. They do the basics well and even add a little bit of flare! Great hidden treasure...

I recently visited AyAyAy, a Mexican-Peruvian fusion restaurant, and I have to say, I was really impressed! First off, the place itself is beautifully designed—modern, stylish, and with a great vibe inside.

I started with two margaritas, and they were absolutely delicious! Super well , and very reasonably priced. For food, I tried the tenderloin tacos, and they were spot-on. The meat was cooked perfectly, the salsa was bursting with flavor, and the caramelized onions added a great touch. I also had the sweet plantains in truffle sauce, which had incredibly bold flavors, but my absolute favorite was the fish taco. It came on a base of purple cabbage, adding a fresh crunch to the crispy, breaded fish, and the highlight was the sauce—sweet, tangy, slightly spicy, with jalapeño slices on top. Just perfect!

On top of that, the service was excellent, and the overall atmosphere was young, lively, and fun. I can easily see myself coming back after work for good music, great food, and amazing margaritas. No...