de cero Restaurant Review

814 W. Randolph St. (Halsted St.) Send to Phone

A modern-day taqueria that's all about the food, which is flavorful, creative and reasonably priced.

Cuisine

Open

Lunch Tues.-Fri. (March-August), Dinner Tues.-Sun., Brunch Sun.

Features

Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Outdoor dining
Open late
Valet parking
Casual

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There is an invitingly casual feel about this place (from the bare-top tables to the ranchero chairs), and that fits right in with the reasonable prices. Furthering the theme, a large portion of the menu is devoted to updated tacos, taco combination plates and tamales (try the pulled pork). Check out the small plates, though, and you will have a better idea of what (creatively) is going on here. We like the cumin-rubbed rib-eye skewers with creamy avocado sauce. But if small plates are, well, too small, there are options like a sizable tequila-marinated pork chop served with killer garlic mojo, basmati rice and mashed pinto beans. And that is one fine-tasting poblano-mole sauce that smothers a grilled half chicken. Desserts --- the rubbery flan in particular --- are a letdown. The trio of sorbets is a better choice.