Mercadito — Restaurant in Chicago

Visited this restaurant on a Tuesday night at 11pm before the kitchen closed. Went in wanting the steak tacos. Was a little bit put off by the price tag but it was the only Mexican place open in the neighborhood, so I figured what the heck. I definitely don't recommend this place. Go to any other Mexican place! Let's start with the service. The hostess was super nice and bubbly and I was impressed by her. But as soon as a sat down the waiter came and tried to tell us the specials. I don't know about you, but I don't like to waste my time and the waiters time listening to the specials when I know what I want. So I politely interrupted him to let him know that I already knew what I wanted to order. Jesus, the waiter, did not take that very well and told me 'Are you going to let me finish?' I was a little taken aback and he pulled out his pad and pen to take down my order. Mind you, me and my friend had just sat down and she didn't get a chance to look at the menu. So he took my order for steak tacos and left. Before my friend could order and before we could order drinks. Also, I had asked him for guacamole on my tacos and he told me I had to order the $14 guacamole. So finally my friend decided what she wanted and she ordered. While our food was cooking, I had a direct view of the hallway to the kitchen. Where Jesus was blatantly talking to someone in the kitchen about our table, gesticulating in our direction with a bad attitude. When our food finally came, Jesus dropped our food on the table and condescendingly asked if we needed anything else. We didn't so he left. I asked the bus boy for the manager but none was around, since it was late at night. Finally Jesus came back to tell us the kitchen was closing. I asked to see the desert menu and he pulled a piece of paper that's been through the ringer. I decided not to get anything because I didn't want to be in the presence of someone who obviously has distaste for me. As far as the food goes, it's not the best Mexican food I've ever had. Certainly not worth the price tag. And the tacos are not customizable at an affordable price. They served the ceviche on a flat plate. If you've ever eaten ceviche you know it's supposed to be served in a bowl so it doesn't get everywhere when you're eating it. I've had better, more well seasoned ceviche. And the fish to vegetable ratio is off. You would expect more fish and a larger portion for the price. Everyone I talk to, from Uber drivers to my friends, I'm telling never to come to this place or recommend it to visitors. Tldr; Service sucks. Food is meh. Not...

This was my first time visiting this establishment. My wife has been before with her girlfriends and decided to treat me to their Bottomless Brunch. The moment we entered the restaurant I was in awe, amazed by how beautiful the restaurant looked... very upscale. The ambiance was beyond my expectations and the staffed welcomed me and family as if we were regular guests. They were just as warm as the lighting that illuminated the environment. The shuttle sounds of Latin Afrobeats and Reggaeton music served as hug 🤗 as we embraced the peacefulness and calmness of the soon to be busy establishment... Therefore, I recommend early arrival and make a reservation.

The food experience was beyond my expectations. For starters, I love when a waitress/waiter can provide solid food and drink recommendations. It speaks volumes for how much one is vested in the job. While my wife endulged on a neatly plated dish of enchiladas, my daughter smashed the Tres Leches French Toast... As for myself, I had the Total Desayuno which consisted of smoked brisket, eggs, avocado 🥑, tomato 🍅, Mexican slaw, habanero aioli, mayo, black beans and a small salad 🥗. I love tortas and was not disappointed!!! By the way the mango guacamole was a hit!!! The mango, pico de Gallo, lemon, and chipotle was prepared to perfection.

The bottomless drinks for $35 provides a variety of beverages to choose from which sets this brunch spot apart from a lot of over priced venues. One can select the margaritas, mimosas, Amiga Sandias, bloody Marys & Tecates... Something for everyone's taste buds. And it's a 90 minute experience and trust me when I say drink up. I'm not a fan of mimosas so I opted for the Amiga Sandias and drank 6 of them... And because I had inquired about their mezcal selections my waitress made sure that my last drink was prepared with mezcal. Marie, Marie Marie.... Our experience wouldn't have been what it consisted of with you. The level of customer service provided was "Top Notch." I'll definitely request to sit in your section in the future. However, the entire staff was great and should be recognized as well. Outside of the service Marie provided, everyone that walked by our booth made sure if glasses (water) were refilled, empty plates didn't sit long before being removed... Everyone helped one another. Finally, as a person who is learning Spanish, Mercadito is definitely a spot enjoy and practice your Spanish speaking skills. Gracias, me...

I walked in, I said to myself, “I like”, this being my first time in. Went with a friend that had been before. Nice corner table, though this place doesn’t practice social distancing not even a little bit, tables are extremely close together. I ordered a three taco dinner, which is served with only the tacos which is street size tacos. No sauce or any comes out with these little dry tacos. I asked for sauce, the hottest they have, my waiter brought it right back, no wait. The sauce was extremely cold, that I’m now suppose to spread on my warm tacos. So I call him back over, first he says “no”, so I persist, and I am so thrown off by him telling me, “no”. So he comes over to our table, I simply ask for him to warm my sauce, he straight out says, “no”. Confusion comes across my face, I say, “no”, “so you can’t warm my sauce”,he says, “no the kitchen is crazy right now, I’ll try in a little while”. Which means now I’m supposed to wait to eat while I wait for him to take my sauce back and warm it, and that’s only if he comes back to do it in hopes of the kitchen calming down. Not me wait, when I’m paying to be serviced. I sent everything’s back. I will not dine in nor order out ever again at this restaurant. I DO NOT recommend, horrible experience. Very unprofessional, mind you as he was taking the order back, the manager approached him to find out why, don’t know his story, but the manager didn’t approach my table to apologize or get or issues. I was just what it was, I have never had an experience such as this one. It’s still mind boggling. Also the drink menu is, Spanish, that isn’t okay neither… this isn’t a Spanish speaking area. If it’s a must, it should be an English...