Zombie Taco — Restaurant in Chicago

This place is a gem.

We showed up randomly on a Friday night at like 11pm since it was only one of a few restaurants open late. It wasn’t packed to the brim with people (it probably would’ve sucked if it felt like being in a can of sardines) but there was a decent amount of people… enough for the place to feel alive.

Ordering was a breeze on their little tablet thingies. It’s definitely giving millennial-owned and/or we-cater-to-millennials business vibes.

We ordered the Adobo BBQ Chicken Nachos and the Zombie Burrito.

The Adobo BBQ Chicken Nachos come with adobo-marinated bbq chicken, black beans, pico de gallo, green chile queso, fresno peppers, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. It’s not a revolutionary dish but it’s a great thing to order if you’re sharing with a significant other. If you eat inside, they serve it on a big ole metal tray, canteen-rustic style.

The Zombie Burrito was a thicc boi, action-packed with pork carnitas, adobo bbq chicken, pepper jack, charred corn, black beans, carrot slaw, and rice.

The burrito was better than the nachos. It’s a clean burrito.

You get a large portion of food and the prices (of the nachos and the burrito, specifically) are fair, combined with the cool experience of being able to chill in the Moxy lounge. The food’s decent and it’s honestly being carried by the fact that you get to enjoy the vibes of the Moxy lounge and bar. The food tastes like what you’d expect from USA-washed Mexican food.

After eating, we played foosball and mega Jenga. They had a shuffleboard, other table games, and doodads laying about that you and your friends can play with.

There’s a ton of Instagram photo op areas, especially in the hallway and stairs to the bathrooms on the 2nd floor.

They also had a DJ playing bops all night.

Would definitely come back to try other things on the menu and chill in the lounge.

TLDR: The food was alright. ZT is carried by being adjacent to Moxy and we stayed for the vibes. 10/10 would come back again to try other things on the menu, especially...

The ratings here must be very high because from our visit (1) although not great the food was consistently good and (2) diners get asked to review after their meal. From my 8 March 2024 visit with a colleague:

This eatery was inside the Moxy Chicago Downtown. Entering the hotel's main entrance we saw Moxy's bar and lounge filled with very quiet, pleasant personalities. Turning right, we saw Zombie Taco, which was a tiny but grocery-store clean area to order and pick up food.

Service was fine. It also was provided by two very quiet, pleasant workers making a purchaser's in-store tablet order and setting that completed order on a nearby counter for pick up. Tipping for that service was requested in the tablet's payment screen. Napkin holders needed refilling.

Our ordered tacos were good but not outstanding. From the helpful review request I received from the eatery, they and their pre-taxed prices were:

BRAISED BRISKET TACO $6.00 NO chipotle ranch BEER BATTERED FISH TACO $7.00 Side Red Salsa $1.00 PORK CARNITAS TACO $5.25 JALAPENO BACON TACO $7.00 NO ranch

Of these tacos, the bacon was new to me and became my fav. It was not spicy and didn't have to be. The brisket was soft and flavorful and got the runner-up. Each of the pork and fish were fine and nothing seemed dry.

Prices were relatively steep in order to pay for this location's rent. Terribly overpriced was our tiny, $1 side of lamish red salsa.

The top-off to our experience was a free visit to Meow Wolf Santa Fe...at the Moxy Chicago. Going to the restroom to wash hands became a trek to a Minotaur's Labyrinth. We found it(!) and it was in the bar's...

I recently stayed at the Moxy in Chicago, unsure of what to expect, booking it for its proximity to a friend’s home. I was blown away by the experience. The staff, especially Cristal, Heather, and Katee, went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect.

The hotel's fun, vibrant atmosphere is evident, with every piece of furniture, artwork, and decor carefully chosen. The lobby feels like a "Pinterest board," and there’s not a dull corner in sight! Parking is convenient, with spots near the hotel and more options a short walk away.

The unique check-in happens at the bar, setting a fun tone for the rest of the stay. Though the rooms are small, they’re well-designed, maximizing space, and the bed was surprisingly comfortable. The views of the city were incredible, and I was impressed with how walkable the location is, close to restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.

The on-site restaurant, Zombie Tacos, serves great food with plenty of options. At night, the hotel comes alive with a DJ and lively bar scene.

What made my stay truly exceptional was the service. After a red-eye flight, Cristal accommodated my early check-in, and Heather was incredibly helpful. Katee, the hotel manager, was hands-on, working in the lobby, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

I give the Moxy Chicago an 11 out of 10. Having stayed in top hotels in major cities, it easily ranks in...