Today I had El
Mogota's for lunch for the first time, and it was so good, my mate
and I decided to have it again for dinner. The only other restaurant
I've done that with recently is Cafe Orient 33.
Located right on the
corner of Kedzie and Argyle, I would pass by this taco place all the
time, but never bothered to check it out because it looked a little
dingy. I was also really mad at this particular intersection because the laundromat across the street painted over that pretty mural on the side of their building, and I've shunned that area
ever since in protest.
Anyway!
The place was not empty, the people at the 3 tables were angled out, because privacy |
Yes, the place got a make-over, as in, it was “hipsterfied” at the end of January, and it looks way better now. The décor is simple, but effective. Dark wooden paneling lines half the wall, with 9 (?) matching table and chairs. Art on the walls are black and white photographs of graffiti in Pilsen the owner says he took. The kitchen looked clean, and the owner was working and very polite and helpful.
I realize I was judging a book by its cover here by not trying it sooner, but now I am glad I finally went it.
My mate Chris went
there to pick up lunch, and returned with tacos. We ate their pescado, arrachera,
and barbacoa and
before we even finished those we agreed to try dinner there. For
dinner, I went to pick it up (because eating twice at the same place,
who does that?). Our entrees were the Albany Park burger and the
breaded chicken sandwich. The quality of the food was superb, as were the prices.