allterrainjohnny

¡Fuego es Bueno!
(photo via)

I love Chicago and the plethora of restaurants it embraces. Whether it’s the special-occasion steak house serving 55 day dry-aged steaks (which I find hard to believe that the FDA doesn’t question) or that 4am pizza parlor that serves as a “bed-time snack” after a night on the town, this city has it all. The Sun Times recently stated that Chicago has more “Five Diamond”-rated restaurants than any other city (according to AAA’s new ratings).

But despite the fact there are 6,000+ restaurants in this great city, I had yet to find a fabulous Mexican restaurant that has menus and waiters (not chalkboards and Styrofoam plates) that won’t break the piggy bank. Don’t get me wrong, we all love a good burrito on-the-go, but I needed a place that serves fresh margaritas for a girls’ night out.

Christmas came early…I found it!  FUEGO in Logan Square is hands-down incredible. The décor is lively, yet authentic and the menu is flooding (almost overwhelming) with appetizer, salad and entrée options. The drinks are fresh (none of that “margarita in a plastic jug” garbage) and they make them with fresh juices and puree.

Before you even open the 5 page cocktail menu (hallelujah!), the waiter will plant a large basket of warm tortilla chips and the most flavorful salsa you’ve had in 2009. And if you find yourself addicted to the salsa, you can ask your waiter for 16 oz of it to take home and he’ll tack on just $2.50 to the bill!

So, if you’re figuring out when to check out this joint, flip your planner to “Sunday” because at the Chicago location, they’re serving a 3-course dinner for two- one appetizer, two entrées and a dessert to share for just $30…total!

See you Sunday! I’ll be the girl in the corner sitting with a few empty chip baskets and a couple of drained margaritas glasses.

-Tara