Chicago Taco Authority — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

CTA, in this case not relating to the trains, is the name of one of the more popular eateries in the Keeler area of Chicago.

Their taco selection seems generic, just like everyone else is, however, what makes them different and unique is that they go out of their way to not only have exotic people in high quality ingredients, but they also find a way to blend things together to create new flavors you don't normally assault shared with what you would be eating.

With the simple removal of the spice elements from their shrimp taco, it immediately gave a flavor similarity reminiscent of popcorn.

And no, I do not mean popcorn shrimp.

The chicken taco also has an exotic flavor that is second to none. When you order the traditional from an artisan location, the flavors have to deliver, less you find yourself out of business in this city.

The restaurant's esthetics, on the other hand, leave something to be desired, but not in the appeal, but in comfortability.

Yes the Antique Chicago architecture on display, and authentic is well placed, eye catching, and fun to look at.

But not one cushioned seat hasn't gone flat.

The hi-tables are metal and can carry "heavy" loads but not only have no cushions but are smaller sitting platforms, means they can become uncomfortable very easily. Not to mention feature they have some kind of slot in the center center meant for carrying.

THAT IS THE ONLY ISSUE!

You can't go wrong with the appreciation of the city that gave birth to 1 of the best traditional Mexican American street food places in the STATE!

Pros:

The ENTIRE MENU.

Cons: Furniture/Seating generic desert options have no creativity in comparison to the rest...

Chicago Taco Authority has a lot of potential, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, the menu on Google Maps isn't up-to-date, so expect prices to be higher than what you might see online. The location is in a great area, and the restaurant itself is clean both inside and out. The decor is fantastic, really leaning into the subway station theme, which extends even to their bathrooms with super dim lights for ambiance.

My husband and I ordered the carne asada and chicken tinga tacos along with drinks. As Latinos, we noticed a few things that were a bit off. The tacos are on the smaller side, especially considering the price—over $5 for a chicken tinga taco and over $4 for a carne asada taco. It’s not your typical Mexican restaurant; they don’t serve lemon wedges with the tacos, nor do they offer chips and salsa while you wait. However, they do provide small salsas with your order.

Taste-wise, the chicken tinga tacos were delicious, but the carne asada was a bit bland, which was disappointing given the price. It could have been an off day, but for what we paid, we expected more flavor. On the bright side, the staff is great, and they even have a fun “spin the wheel” game where you can win a free item.

Overall, it’s a decent spot with some cool features, but the food didn’t quite live up to our expectations, especially...

I really wanted to love this place and I love supporting small business but I’m honestly on the fence about giving it a second go. I got the steak burrito for pickup and it had a really powerful aftertaste of shrimp. I am a big seafood person and love shrimp but the aftertaste was really off putting. I unfortunately only ate about half which is a bummer because I paid $20 for a burrito and horchata. There’s definitely so good things about this place which make me want to try again. The burrito was otherwise well made with beautiful green chunks of Avacado and a good balance of ingredients. It was wrapped well and toasted perfectly. The horchata was delicious and mostly beverage not ice! I’ve been to so many places that pack the ice dense and a few sips in, already seems like you’ve hit bottom. The inside was casual, I was greeted by a very friendly face and my order was waiting for me. My order was ready quickly from online payment go pickup which was nice.

I’m assuming maybe my steak was grilled in the same spot as the shrimp? Or fish? Idk to be honest but it wasn’t a pleasant flavor. Will update if I get a chance to...