The service is consistently outstanding, and the food is authentic, delicious, and made with incredibly fresh ingredients. The meat quality is truly top-notch, and the portions are perfect. The drinks are the cherry on top. Our family of four loves dining here, and it’s also become a favorite spot for spontaneous date nights for my husband and me. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Javier de la Sancha
Great food and drinks! Been multiple times with different theme events; fun every single time. From lotería to brunch Estela Negra makes it a special time out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anthony Nading
⭐ ESTRELLA NEGRA: THE KIND OF MEAL THAT MAKES YOU REEVALUATE YOUR LIFE CHOICES (IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE) ⭐ 5/5 — If I could give it 17 stars, I would. Walking into Estrella Negra felt less like entering a restaurant and more like stumbling into the coolest underground art party you were never cool enough to be invited to. The décor? A glorious collision of Chicago edge, Día-de-los-Muertos soul, and pure personality. The vibe is immaculate — like your wildest friend’s living room if your wildest friend also happened to be an award-winning chef. But let’s talk food, because MY GOD. Where has this been all my life? Then came the tacos. Not just any tacos — Estrella Negra tacos, which apparently exist on a higher plane of existence. Every bite was a perfectly engineered explosion: tender meat, fresh toppings, handmade tortillas that taste like someone’s abuela blessed them personally before they hit the plate. And the Chilaquiles? Listen… I’m convinced these could end wars. The drinks? Dangerous. Delicious. Too smooth. The margaritas taste like summer vacation in a glass — the kind of drink that tricks you into thinking you’re fine until you stand up. Service? Absolute A+. Friendly without hovering, funny without trying too hard, and somehow psychic about exactly when you’re ready for the next round. Estrella Negra isn’t just a restaurant — it’s an experience. It’s the place you bring someone when you’re trying to impress them. It’s the place you go when you need a mood lift. It’s the place you think about days later, wondering if it’s socially acceptable to go back for the third time in a week. If you’re anywhere near Chicago and you don’t try this spot, you are making a mistake. A life-choice-level mistake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maria Velazquez
If I could give this place more than five stars, I would! Everything here is a hit. The guacamole is incredibly fresh, the margaritas are spot on, and honestly the entire menu delivers. We tried the Poblano Surf N Turf burger and the goat cheese quesadilla too both were delicious, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. And whatever you do, don’t skip dessert. Every single one we ordered was amazing, so just do yourself a favor and get them all. This is officially one of my favorite spots. Highly recommend! 🌮🍔🍰🍹
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Me
From the owner to the server top down a great place. Highly recommend. Would definitely come back again and again....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elisabeth Logan
This was ok—we had the tamarind wings (just ok), tamale sampler (the elote was the best, the others were fine), and chips and spicy salsa. Nothing to go out of your way for but not bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Yash
Food was pretty good. Little bit on the eclectic side but well made. Drinks were great and the vibe was pretty chill.
Tom
Never seems to disappoint! With friendly service, excellent recommendations, high-quality food, and affordable prices, this place is one of Chicago's best-kept gems!
Amy Frield
It was ok
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Vanessa Figueroa
Customer service is terrible. Food is overpriced and not great.
This was a great meal. Loved the vegan soup; never imagined I'd write that. Drinks were great. Food was delicious. Had tamales, the aforementioned soup, shrimp tacos, and a chicken & poblano quesadilla. Just absolutely delicious. Flavorful. Chill vibes in the best way. Server was friendly and helpful. Just a great spot. A new regular was established tonight.
Ashly Marquez
There are so many great Mexican restaurants to choose from in Chicago, but don’t snooze on Estrella Negra. I’m vegetarian and they have my fave veggie taco - sooo flavorful. Plus their beans AND rice are veg. My husband swears by their steak tacos. But we’ve tried nearly half the menu and everything is so. damn. good. Margaritas are also fresh and well balanced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Seona
Such a fun place which elevates Mexican dish into the next level. Unassuming yet brilliant.
Lou Lou
I went here for Cinco de Mayo and unfortunately did not make a reservation but they still sat me at a table! I’m appreciative of their long list of Mocktails and tried the Nojito (Mojito without alcohol) and it was great! The burrito meal with chicken was good and the side salad had a good vinaigrette dressing. They were so busy though and I accidentally got charged for alcoholic drinks I did not order, but we took some time and figured it out and I will be reimbursed. It’s a small space so it gets super loud in there, but the bright colors are fun!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Ernesto Posada Jr.
Everything here is BOMB. Food is fantastic, the restaurant is has a great vibe to it, and the staff always greets us with a smile and makes us feel very welcome. I'm from Saint Charles and make any excuse to come to Estrella Negra. This is a must try!
The service is consistently outstanding, and the food is authentic, delicious, and made with incredibly fresh ingredients. The meat quality is truly top-notch, and the portions are perfect. The drinks are the cherry on top. Our family of four loves dining here, and it’s also become a favorite spot for spontaneous date nights for my husband and me. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and drinks! Been multiple times with different theme events; fun every single time. From lotería to brunch Estela Negra makes it a special time out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
⭐ ESTRELLA NEGRA: THE KIND OF MEAL THAT MAKES YOU REEVALUATE YOUR LIFE CHOICES (IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE) ⭐
5/5 — If I could give it 17 stars, I would.
Walking into Estrella Negra felt less like entering a restaurant and more like stumbling into the coolest underground art party you were never cool enough to be invited to. The décor? A glorious collision of Chicago edge, Día-de-los-Muertos soul, and pure personality. The vibe is immaculate — like your wildest friend’s living room if your wildest friend also happened to be an award-winning chef.
But let’s talk food, because MY GOD.
Where has this been all my life?
Then came the tacos.
Not just any tacos — Estrella Negra tacos, which apparently exist on a higher plane of existence. Every bite was a perfectly engineered explosion: tender meat, fresh toppings, handmade tortillas that taste like someone’s abuela blessed them personally before they hit the plate.
And the Chilaquiles?
Listen… I’m convinced these could end wars.
The drinks? Dangerous. Delicious. Too smooth. The margaritas taste like summer vacation in a glass — the kind of drink that tricks you into thinking you’re fine until you stand up.
Service?
Absolute A+. Friendly without hovering, funny without trying too hard, and somehow psychic about exactly when you’re ready for the next round.
Estrella Negra isn’t just a restaurant — it’s an experience.
It’s the place you bring someone when you’re trying to impress them.
It’s the place you go when you need a mood lift.
It’s the place you think about days later, wondering if it’s socially acceptable to go back for the third time in a week.
If you’re anywhere near Chicago and you don’t try this spot, you are making a mistake. A life-choice-level mistake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could give this place more than five stars, I would! Everything here is a hit. The guacamole is incredibly fresh, the margaritas are spot on, and honestly the entire menu delivers. We tried the Poblano Surf N Turf burger and the goat cheese quesadilla too both were delicious, flavorful, and perfectly cooked.
And whatever you do, don’t skip dessert. Every single one we ordered was amazing, so just do yourself a favor and get them all. This is officially one of my favorite spots. Highly recommend! 🌮🍔🍰🍹
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
From the owner to the server top down a great place. Highly recommend. Would definitely come back again and again....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was ok—we had the tamarind wings (just ok), tamale sampler (the elote was the best, the others were fine), and chips and spicy salsa. Nothing to go out of your way for but not bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Food was pretty good. Little bit on the eclectic side but well made. Drinks were great and the vibe was pretty chill.
Never seems to disappoint! With friendly service, excellent recommendations, high-quality food, and affordable prices, this place is one of Chicago's best-kept gems!
It was ok
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Customer service is terrible. Food is overpriced and not great.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
This was a great meal. Loved the vegan soup; never imagined I'd write that. Drinks were great. Food was delicious. Had tamales, the aforementioned soup, shrimp tacos, and a chicken & poblano quesadilla. Just absolutely delicious. Flavorful. Chill vibes in the best way. Server was friendly and helpful. Just a great spot. A new regular was established tonight.
There are so many great Mexican restaurants to choose from in Chicago, but don’t snooze on Estrella Negra. I’m vegetarian and they have my fave veggie taco - sooo flavorful. Plus their beans AND rice are veg. My husband swears by their steak tacos. But we’ve tried nearly half the menu and everything is so. damn. good. Margaritas are also fresh and well balanced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a fun place which elevates Mexican dish into the next level. Unassuming yet brilliant.
I went here for Cinco de Mayo and unfortunately did not make a reservation but they still sat me at a table! I’m appreciative of their long list of Mocktails and tried the Nojito (Mojito without alcohol) and it was great! The burrito meal with chicken was good and the side salad had a good vinaigrette dressing. They were so busy though and I accidentally got charged for alcoholic drinks I did not order, but we took some time and figured it out and I will be reimbursed. It’s a small space so it gets super loud in there, but the bright colors are fun!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Everything here is BOMB. Food is fantastic, the restaurant is has a great vibe to it, and the staff always greets us with a smile and makes us feel very welcome. I'm from Saint Charles and make any excuse to come to Estrella Negra. This is a must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tamarindo Chicken Wings, Vegan Pozole, Guacamole \u0026 Chips Happy Hour, Wings, Chicken Pozole, Michenada
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