1116 Madison St., Oak Park
New Rebozo closed for remodeling in late winter 2008, but has reopened with a fresh new look. The menu is inspired by the cooking of owner Francisco Lopez's mother. Orders may take a while to emerge from the kitchen, but the food is worth the wait. Best bets: tortilla soup, mole dishes and enchilada Pancho Villa. Twelve family recipes of moles are available. READ MORE
3166 N. Clark St., Lake View
This Lakeview Mexican restaurant that claims to serve the "Killer Margarita" is family owned and operated and located mere steps from Belmont and Boystown. Sip on a "Killer" and munch on chips n' salsa at the bar or grab a table and order from the menu of mostly traditional mexican fare. House specials include the Cesar's torta (mexican sandwich filled with chicken, steak or veggies), veggie fajitas and Cesar's very own tacos. READ MORE
3361 N. Elston Ave., Avondale
This quaint, family-owned Mexican spot in Avondale is about as authentic as it gets. "Most of our customers are referrals," says Joel Iniquez, whose parents, Elisa and Roman, have been the owners and chefs since 1991. "We are always busy." The menu's traditional, but not boring. Carnivores can't say no to the Parilla al Patron, a two-person portion of short ribs, steak, chicken, and chorizo served on a tabletop grill that continues to sizzle while you eat. Service can be a bit slow, but no worries: Sip a made-to-order cazuela while you wait. This freshly squeezed citrus-and-tequila cocktail even comes in its own clay bowl. READ MORE
1471 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wicker Park
Should you expect to only drink tequila at Salud, a lounge that specializes in pure agave tequilas? Of course not, in the same way that folks don't only gulp canned beer at Cans, another Wicker Park bar from the same owners. If you embrace the theme, however, you'll have about 85 different tequilas to choose from, available straight, in a 2-ounce pour; in flights; or in the house margarita, the Tequila Mockingbird. This spot took over the original Holiday Club (the Holiday Club in Uptown is still going strong), and sports low-slung couches, a stucco interior and a metal tree sculpture framed by tequila bottles. Their menu complements a night of drinking with ceviche, mango scallops and a tequila cheeseburger. READ MORE
