Taqueria Chingon — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

This place has been on my radar for awhile and I finally got a chance to try it and i can’t help but feel like a fool for not trying it sooner. I came by on a Saturday evening with some family. When you walk in, the restaurant is very small. There’s no seating inside but there’s a covered patio in the back that has limited seating. You must order at the front before you can be seated. I splurged because I couldn’t decide quite what i wanted - a carne asada taco, al pastor, gobernador, a duck carnitas and yucca fries. The food came pretty quick. Starting with the Yucca fries, tbh they were very okay - they reminded me of double fried thick cut french fries. The salsa macha and chipotle remoulade weren't quite enough to elevate it for me but i appreciate the attempt to mix things up. The real stars are the tacos. Starting with the carne asada - The carne was amazing. I really appreciate the switch up from how most places serve carne asada with smaller cuts of meat. The long cuts, medium rare made each bite so juicy and flavorful. The chimichurri was a great addition and was the perfect topping. The Gobernador was a classic take on a shrimp taco - big shrimp and fresh ingredients. The Al Pastor was marinated nicely - a strong sweet pineapple leaning taste, with some spice in the seasoning to balance it out. The duck carnitas I got because I heard it’s one of their specialties. Personally I am not the biggest carnitas fan so i didn’t know what to expect coming into it. Conceptually, it’s a very interesting dish and a unique combo i have not seen before. In practice, I thought it was decent. I believe there’s better tacos to order but i’d give it a shot if you are a carnitas fan, or just want to try something new! My partner let me try her Huitlacoche quesadilla and oh my…i’d never tried Huitlacoche before and it exceeded my expectations! such a densely rich umami flavor, I wish i got one for myself ! To finish the meal, we got the churros. I was shocked to find how soft and pillow like it was. Most churros i've had are on the crunchy side, i enjoyed the softness. The crème anglaise that came with it was just the right dipping sauce, not too sweet and enough to compliment the churros nicely. It was more than enough food - realistically, 2 tacos is enough for most. The tacos are a bit pricier than what you’d see for tacos but in my opinion the difference is worth it. The expertise from the chefs and generous portion sizes are enough for me. On top of the excellent food, the staff was personable and helpful, and the vibes were good all around. I’ll be back to see what other dishes they...

Taqueria Chingon is a culinary adventure waiting to be explored. The moment I walked in, the vibrant and authentic atmosphere set the stage for what would be an unforgettable dining experience. This spot effortlessly combines traditional Mexican flavors with innovative twists that truly elevate each dish. I started with two tacos, each one a masterpiece in its own right. The Duck Carnitas taco was an explosion of flavors. The house-made duck carnitas were tender and rich, paired perfectly with the crispy chicharron that added a delightful crunch. The date puree brought a subtle sweetness, while the sunchoke-habanero salsa delivered a spicy kick that was balanced by the freshness of the oranges and radish. The herb salad on top added a burst of color and freshness, making each bite complex yet harmonious. It was a taco that danced on my taste buds, leaving me craving more. Next up was the Shrimp Taco, and it was just as impressive. The shrimp, coated in a mezcal-infused masa tempura, was crispy on the outside while remaining juicy and succulent inside. The Mexican ranch drizzled over the shrimp added a creamy richness that perfectly complemented the crunch of the cabbage salad and the bright, zesty notes of the pico de gallo. The flavors were bold, and the textures were diverse, making it a taco that was both satisfying and memorable. To finish off the meal, I indulged in a side order of churros. These were everything you could hope for in a dessert—crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside, and coated in just the right amount of cinnamon sugar. Each bite was a sweet, comforting end to a meal that was full of flavor and excitement. Taqueria Chingon is more than just a place to grab a quick bite—it's a destination for those who appreciate high-quality ingredients, creative culinary techniques, and a true passion for food. I can't wait to return and try more of their...

You know I was ok with giving expensive tacos a try bc I can see the vision and justification.

I would say that I'm redacting that thought and here's why:

Inconsistencies as other reviewers have mentioned things to be too salty. My experience is the opposite, it lacked salt. I ordered the Al pastor and the steak tacos. They looked amazing but tasted like nothing. It's as if the chef or whoever prepped the meat forgot the key seasonings. Very disappointed for the price I paid.

Yucca fries were the only good thing that came out with our order.

We've heard great reviews on the churros so we had to try it to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Upon taking a few bites, we noticed the middle was raw af. It was wet. We asked the food runner about it and if it contains eggs, he said yes and tried to reassure us that it was intentionally cooked that way so it's "crispy on the outside and soft on the inside"

A few minutes pass by and the food runner comes back to the table to tell us hell bring our tray of churros back so the chef can take a look.

Head chef comes out and apologizes to us and tells us the chef that cooked it didn't do so long enough. He states it's not up to his standards and offers other desert options or to comp the churros. At this point we were quite dissatisfied with the overall experience. The tacos and churros didn't live up to the hype and we just wanted to leave. Head chef is a kind dude and we can tell he genuinely felt bad but seems like this is a reoccurrence in consistency and quality.

I normally give restaurants another shot after an avg experience but I'd say I probably won't come back as there are other great options in the neighborhood and even across the street.

If anyone gets churros, please...