Taqueria El Milagro is a classic Chicago-style taco joint with all the charm of a family-owned Mexico City taqueria. If you live in Chicago, you can probably find the little paper pouches of El Milagro corn tortillas in any Mexican market, even most grocery stores, but you may not have been to one of their restaurants. My favorite is the 26th Street taqueria. El Milagro has a long and humble history like many of Chicago’s food industries. Its founder grew the business with his family after peddling tortillas in his predominantly immigrant neighborhood to supplement his railworker’s income in the 1940s.
When you walk in the door, check yourself; the delicious smell of hot Mexican food might make your mouth water before you know it! Grab a tray and head to the ordering line. You’ll cruise down a line featuring traditional taco fillings like chicken and beef fajitas, as well as some of the more exotic choices like Lengua de res (beef tongue!). My personal favorites are the Pollo en mole (Chicken), Guisado de res (Beef), the Perco en salsa (pork), and of ALL of their tamales! If you’re in the mood for breakfast, I highly recommend the Huevo a la Mexicana (Mexican style eggs) or the Chilaquiles (kind of an eggs & salsa dish cooked over fried tortillas). Don’t expect to leave without the scent of tortilla chips in lingering on your clothes, and certainly don’t plan on leaving without a handful of warm churros in your hands for dessert!