Broken English Taco Pub Review

Alexis Hu

What draws you to a restaurant? A friend’s recommendation? A good Beli review? An aesthetic Instagram photo? What stood out to me first about Broken English Taco Pub was its flashing red arrow sign, bringing vivid brightness to the otherwise gray, monotone surrounding architecture. Located in the heart of the loop, near the Riverwalk, this restaurant is a convenient walk from The Bean, and a perfect spot to grab a drink, share a bite, and watch whatever sports game is airing (RIP to the Bears’ season).

I was first introduced to this restaurant through a house event (shoutout D-Nik!) and loved it, so I happily agreed when my friends suggested we go back. As soon as I entered through the neon blue door, I didn’t expect the interior to be filled with a burst of colorful, hanging lights, upbeat music, and TVs from all different angles. I couldn’t help but immediately feel the contagious, joyful spirit emanating from the customers and staff.

I appreciate the casual vibe and the digital menu, which offers a variety of appetizers, drinks, and entrees, accommodating both a slow sit-down meal and a quick drink & snack. My friends and I came here for dinner on a weekday, but they have many weekend specials if you’re looking for a good deal! Of course, to start, we had to get the chips & salsa—a true must-order at any Mexican restaurant. Confession: tortilla chips are my kryptonite. I could literally eat them non-stop if they’re placed in front of me. As an experienced tortilla chip consumer, Broken English Taco Pub’s are some of the best I’ve ever tried! They have a distinct corn flavor with the perfect thickness (not too thin, not too thick), and remind me of the famous El Milagro brand of tortilla chips. As for the salsas, all of my friends and I preferred the green one to the red one because it had a bit more depth and spice. Nonetheless, these chips are a must-order!

Something else on the appetizer menu caught my friend's eye, so we ordered something none of us had ever tried before: elote. Elote is Mexican street corn on the cob, served with various toppings and sauces. I don’t have a reference point to fairly judge this dish, but what I can attest to is that the chipotle fondue was amazing—we even dipped some of the chips in it! As for the elote: my guess is that there’s better out there, but it’s a very solid option.

Two of my friends got the Ay Papa tacos, which are a delicious vegetarian option. Drizzled in crema with a crispy deep-fried taco shell, these tacos are filled with a garlic potato puree that provides a satisfying contrast of crunch and smoothness in one bite. It’s one of the more unique tacos I’ve tried, but I loved the texture of the taco shell, and both friends really enjoyed one of the salsas that came with it. Overall, it was approved by my vegetarian friends and was a fun option to try, even if you aren’t a vegetarian!

Along with the Ay Papa tacos, my two Chicken al Pastor tacos were a sight for sore eyes. The previous time I came, we tried all sorts of tacos and the Chicken Al Pastor was my favorite, so I figured, why fix what ain’t broke? The tacos come with a generous portion of chicken and pineapple and are served with the same green salsa included in the chips & salsa. The chicken was tender and full of flavorful juice with that signature Al Pastor flavor. Although Al Pastor tacos typically use pork for the meat, as a chicken lover, I thoroughly enjoyed this small twist on the classic. Also, restaurant tip: depending on the price of your tacos, you might be able to save money by ordering the 6-pack Taco Tray!

Al Pastor de Pollo Tacos ($10 for an order of 2)

While the food is delicious and the service is great, my favorite part about the Broken English Taco Pub is its ambiance. The TVs allowed me to keep an eye on the college football game (I’m an avid football fan), and the vibes are incredibly upbeat and light-hearted. Not to mention, the location is incredibly convenient, as you have a range of fun options to explore before or after you stop by. If you’re ever in the area, which I’m sure you will be at some point during your time at UChicago, I would definitely recommend you check out Broken English Taco Pub with friends!