Federales Tacos & Tequila - Fulton Market, Chicago

The atmosphere is lively and upbeat. The open format ceiling is great for ambient lighting and all of that shenanigans...if you're into that sort of thing...looking at you wannabe interior decorators. I came in between 4pm and 5pm on a Saturday. The service was a bit bitchy and sassy but that is to be expected.

I cannot blame the manager, bartenders and servers for any sassy attitude...they have to deal with obnoxious young twenty-something Gen Zers all day and all night long. So I get it and took no offense.

The food on the other hand was top notch. I ordered a three taco combo platter. If you notice the color dots indicate a different kind of taco.

The green dot is the steak taco. It is delicious I would recommend this taco. However - it needs a little bit more spice and the tortilla is uninspiring. At one point I used the salsa from the chips and salsa to add to the taco. The salsa was not spicey so I elected for the red sauce... it improved the spice.

Please no offense but the tortilla is something that I can buy and make at home. If I may add a small critique...maybe add a little butter to the flat iron and grill the tortilla a little bit. But the chucks of steak were great portions, and the marinade flavor was excellent.

The Yellow dot is the pork and pineapple taco. Same critique with regards to the tortilla; however the flavor with the pork taco is superb and the marinade is delicious. It's difficult to decide which taco is the best of the three ....steak or the Pork and Pineapple....??? still not sure. I'll need to go back on an off weekend day.

The purple dot is the carnitas taco. Carnitas has never been my personal favorite; however, the pieces of carnitas that were in this taco were great. The outside of the meat was grilled with a little crust finish that was delicious. Carnitas is just not my favorite glass of bourbon, if you know what I mean. Maybe if I go back and just get the Carnitas tacos on a different night/day, it will be different.

All in all. Great place. Fun atmosphere. Service can give a smile every once and a while... but again I get it... the clientele you're dealing with is obnoxious. Maybe I'll come back on a weekday. :) Less crowded...less Gen Z shenanigans!

I will continue my quest for the best taco in west loop. Federales is making a good argument for the title...however...onto the next one.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Salsa and Chips Free While Dining In, Steak Taco

Great experience, again!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Steak

I've come across this restaurant as a suggestion before, but decided to try it out last night. What a good choice I made!! The salsa was so fresh and tasty, we ate the entire bowl! (& we're usually ones to just dip the tortilla in slightly) the queso fundido was so gooey and delicious, & our margaritas were 👌🏾🍹 now on to the steak tacos 🌮🤤🤤 these were easily the most tender, juicy steak tacos I've ever had! I would literally drive here from an hour away just to get them! The weather was perfect, the music was throwbacks to my era (early 2000s), & the place was a constant flow and movement of customers in and out. I'll be returning here sooner rather than later for the tacos for sure!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Steak Taco

My son made a reservation for him and his girlfriend. They got denied at the door because she had left her id. Why would they not be able to eat dinner . It was a 430 reservation. If you have to prove you’re 21 to eat dinner there. That needs to be made clear. As people are driving a distance to try your food!

Brittany was awesome! She loved my elephant tattoo and made for a great experience. Oh yeah and espresso martini is awesome and got to get some tacos!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Over hyped

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 1

First time dining here, spicey chicken Taco is amazing. Best taco I have had.
Fast friendly service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Loved!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Smoked Brisket Nachos

Came late at night ready to dance… left a little underwhelmed. The line was wild but moved fast (no cover), yet the inside felt more messy-bar than dance-party. Super lively music, yes but it felt like barely anyone was dancing. Security was rushed and a bit cold, but it was a busy night. Probably wouldn’t recommend if you're looking to really dance and hear banger after banger, but maybe for a drink with a crowd. I'd love to come back and actually try the food and review again.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Dietary restrictions: Flour.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Shrimp, Chips and Salsa, Birria

Kid-friendliness: Not recommended,for pets and kids,you could be there, but it gets too crowded.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Two Steak Tacos One, Brisket Nachos

Ordered Online @330 for 5 o'clock pick up didn't make my order til I arrived smdh 20 mins later more then half my lunch break gone, must be under new management thats ridiculous!

Service: 1

Hostess Who’s an African-American young woman with ginger orange hair was very rude and disrespectful she continuously has a nasty demeanor this is my second experience Having her seat me at federal’s and experiencing this behavior from her.

Food: 5

Service: 1

When we walked in the entrance there wasn’t a host, so we walked in and just stood there wondering if we seat ourselves. The security and staff were looking at us but didn’t say anything which made us feel some type of way. We were getting ready to leave and the bouncer asked us why we were leaving and we said no one was greeting us and the vibe didn’t feel welcoming. He said they didn’t have a host for the evening and you can sit where you want. It would have been helpful to know that in the beginning. Maybe a sign would help. We sat ourselves and it took a minute for someone to come over. She was fine but it seems like the staff here are just here to work. There wasn’t a personality there and it just felt transactional. The drinks and the food were amazing. I was shocked. Everything we ordered was really good and no complaints. It’s a shame the service was subpar, but I’d come back maybe during the summer when they have more staff. The music was great and the place itself is a vibe. Also not pricey at all.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 3

To start, if you have a smaller party then 4, they will forget about you and force you to ask other staff to help address your tables needs. So be wary of going as a couple, it is not a friendly environment for that. Second, the online orders is a joke and almost always forget something (I think it’s part of the routine now honestly). They either are preparing items blindfolded in the kitchen or just can’t read their own menu. It’s truly amazing to know you allow your staff to have this low of an IQ level work in the back. I’ve never been a business owner but I assure you I would at least do a proper reading test before hiring someone. Kudos to you Federales, if you can even read this