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...
"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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"The Privilege"
By mbnissan1 from River North, October 11, 2009
Now that Chef Bayless has reached ICON status it seems that the attitude of the Maitre'd and staff have evolved as well. For some reason I had the...
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