Frontera Grill/Topolobampo - River North - Chicago, IL 60610 | Metromix Chicago

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... PoorBelow AverageAverageGoodGreat

No-pic-dude
1


"I wish I could say..."

By thatsrobb from Edgewater, January 26, 2010

Any place that will tell you there's a 3+ hour wait for a table ought to either expand or close. Especially when you express to them you have an o...

More...

Report This Review
No-pic-chick
2


"Not Worth the Wait..."

By chicagocritic7 from Lakeview, December 15, 2009

This place thrives on making customers wait outside and wind around the corner to get a table. Well, my opinion- it's not worth the wait. With al...

More...

Report This Review
No-pic-dude
2


"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 ...

More...

Report This Review

What's nearby?

 

More on Metromix.com

Ornament-bottom-yellow