Frontera Grill/Topolobampo
- Neighborhood: River North
- 445 N. Clark St.
- Chicago, IL 60610
- 312-661-1434
- Price range: $$$ ($16-$25)
Celebrity chef Rick Bayless defines authentic regional Mexican cuisine for north-of-the-border diners at Frontera and Topolobampo, where the latter provides fine dining and the former offers a rustic take. Devotees wait in three-margarita lines for Bayless' imaginative appetizers and entrees. Our tip: Arrive early for the Saturday-only brunch, and don't miss the enchiladas mole and the Iroquois white-corn pancakes.
Getting There
- Cross Streets:
- Clark and Illinois Streets
- Parking:
- Street Parking Difficult and Valet
- Public Transportation:
- CTA bus: LaSalle-156, Grand-65; Brown Line "L" stop: Merchandise Mart
- Wheelchair Access:
- Yes. Entrance and restrooms
The Basics
- Hours:
-
Frontera Lunch: 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday
Frontera Brunch: 10:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Frontera Dinner: 5:20 -10 p.m. Tuesday; 5-10 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Topolobampo Lunch: 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday; 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Friday
Topolobampo Dinner: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday; 5:30-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Both closed Sunday and Monday, major holidays.
- Cuisine:
- Mexican and American Tex Mex
- Meals Served:
- Dinner and Lunch
- Price Range:
- $$$ ($16-$25)
- Reservations:
- Accepted. Both accept for lunch. At dinner, Frontera accepts reservations for parties of 5 to 10 in advance and a limited number of day of reservations for all size parties; Topolobampo takes them for parties up to 6.
- Alcohol:
- Beer and Wine. Beer, wine, tequila and tequila-based drinks only.
- Smoking:
- No
- Bar Style:
- Lounge
- Audience:
- Adults / 18+
Features
- Carryout:
- No
- ATM:
- Yes. At Clark and Illinois.
- Live Music:
- No
- Features:
- Free Admission and On-site Merchandise. No catering. Cookbooks, jars of salsa, coffee, nut mix available for retail purchase. Private parties of up to 30. Winemaker dinners quarterly; major summer and winter "fiestas."
- Facilities:
- Private Party and Banquet Facilities. For 45
- Worth Noting:
- Critic's choice. 3-star. Recommended.
- Specialties:
- Authentic Mexican fare.
- Payment Methods:
- American Express, Diners Club, Discover Card, Mastercard, and Visa
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes. Frontera only; sidewalk cafe seats 30.
- Delivery:
- No
- Seating :
- For 65 at Frontera Grill; For 75 at Topolobampo
Write a review
Rate Frontera Grill/Topol...
"Top Chef Arrogance with the staff"
By JimRoberts from lakeview, November 12, 2009
I have been to all three restaurants in the last 2 months- Xoco was good and acoomodating. The best and least expensive of the 3 places. Frontera ...
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"Not as special today..."
By Comensal from Oak Park, October 28, 2009
Frontera has been a favorite lunch spot for many, many years -- the food (especially the sauces) has been superb and the décor delightful. It’s bee...
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"Frontera Grill "
By marytouza from western suburbs, October 22, 2009
We have been eating at this restaurant since it opened and I agree the attitude has changed, who was that petitte hostess with the HUGE attitude tu...
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