Taco Joint

1969 N. Halstead
Mexican/Spanish/Cantina
average cost: $6-$14

Lines form when Taco Joint, a new Lincoln Park restaurant opens up on Halstead/Armitage.

This quirky new Mexican restaurant prides itself on being a 'modern taquería' and the hype of the Lincoln Park foodies is building up. The location that Taco Joint moved into has been the home of two other restaurants that failed to make it big.

The layout of the restaurant might be to blame for the failed success of the previous eateries. Taco Joint features a full bar, little breathing room, and just a few tables.

Showing up at Taco Joint on a Saturday night at 8pm will guarantee an hour wait at minimum. I visited Taco Joint on a Friday night around 8:30pm and didn't get seated until a little before 10pm.

But, if people are willing to wait that long, the food must be good - right?

Absolutely.

Taco Joint's menu is incredible! The food has been compared to the well known restaurant Big Star in Wicker Park but in my opinion it's better. Yes, there's no outdoor patio like Big Stair but the food speaks for itself.

Because Taco Joint is intended to be an "Urban Taquería" everything is ordered à la carte which works well for sharing. The menu includes nine different tacos all ranging from $2 - $4. If you ordered every taco on the menu it would only cost $24, so next time I go I think I might end up doing that to make sure I get the chance to try them all.

The crowd at Taco Joint ranges from poor college kids to young professionals out after work to the occasional family. The restaurant has made an effort to target a varying crowd and recently featured a discount on Groupon for $15 off.

For cheap, authentic Mexican food I'd definitely recommend stopping by Taco Joint...just aim for a weekday or a weekend before 7pm.