Category: Mexican

Art lovers around the world know the paintings of Frida Kahlo, haunting self-portraits, Aztec inspired symbols and fearless feminist images. Very few, however, get to enjoy this Mexican painter’s other creative gift - her culinary skill. Chicago sisters Marlene and Lidia Benitez are changing that. Their restaurant, La Cocina de Frida, pays homage to Kahlo’s art and prepares delicious meals using her original recipes. The simple elegance of the food and décor will impress any date, especially an art lover.

As you make your way up Clark Street in Andersonville, look for the brown awning that simply says “Frida.” Notice the many versions of Frida’s paintings on the walls, and the beautiful portrait of her with calla lilies, painted by her husband Diego Rivera. If the weather’s hot, proceed to the cool, shady patio. If not, stay inside and enjoy the art and the brightness of the pink and orange room. Most tables seat two and the quiet, modestly-sized dining room allows for long conversations. Service is friendly, but never intrusive. Order a cerveza or wine from the full bar. I enjoyed the margarita, served in a pint glass with salt.

As Frida probably knew, a shortcut to the heart of a man or a woman is through the stomach. Start your meal with an appetizer like the guacamole de Frida with queso fresco, or the ceviche, a simple, addictive mix of shrimp, avocado, tomato and red onion ($8). The crimson salsa is smoky hot but won’t scald your tongue; spices are used wisely here. Offer your date some corn comfort food with the popular tamales ($2 each), baked fresh here every day.

Many dishes give you the option of steak, chicken, shrimp or beans and cheese. The Mexican cheeses nicely balance the spicy dishes. Vegetarians and others will appreciate plentiful, unique vegetables like the traditional grilled cactus salad, pickly yet crunchy, flecked with white cheese. I ordered La Bomba de Frida, an explosion of chorizo, ham, pork, pineapple, red and green bell peppers, crowned with melted manchego cheese and cilantro, with tortillas. There was plenty to share, so I sampled and traded with my dining partner, who enjoyed the special carne in chipotle, chicken with a white sauce of Chihuahua cheese smoked chipotle peppers, with a side of beans and cactus salad.

You can finish your meal on a romantic, traditional note with a thick slice of flan ($4). The creamy caramel flan sits in a light cinnamon sauce with a cherry on top. Or warm up with a big mug of hot cocoa; the original food of love from Mexico.

In a city with hundreds of good Mexican restaurants, La Cocina de Frida is a great one.

Must. Have. Mojitos! This is what you will be chanting all week as you pull the happy dance, waiting for the weekend brunch time to arrive at this Cuban and Mexican inspired restaurant! That is, if you can even wait til then – you might want to go here for dinner during the week as well! Seriously – they are that good here! You'll want to make sure you bring a mirror with you too, because the mint is crushed fresh, leaving lots of leafy goodness stuck in your teeth! But hey – who cares! You'll be savoring its cool flavor all day long.

Cafe 28 does things a little bit different than other Hispanic places around the city. They cater the menu around Gringos like myself and do a pretty good job of it, but without compromising true, authentic flavor: an ideal, mixed marriage that birthed a beautiful child! The décor is charming in its rustic glory, and the patio is nice to hang out in when the weather cooperates. The overall vibe is just so friendly and upbeat and the prices are so reasonable that I doubt I could ever have a complaint here.

The first thing folks will discover is the garlic flavored butter in the bread baskets. I swear you can eat this all by itself! Fried plantains make a nice change of pace from fries or chips, the seafood is incredibly fresh and the beef and pork selections are falling off the bone tender – they slow cook it for hours and hours. Even their version’s of American breakfast food is simply awesome! What's more, everything is spiced just right, and not just a bunch of heat over powering the food itself.

What works for me is the wait never seems to be all that bad, even at their busiest. Getting a table isn't a big deal, waiting for food isn't painful, and getting refills or the check won't cause any finer tapping or frantic hand waving. Also the decibel level is pretty fair, even at brunch with other people's kids in tow, which gets big kudos from me. My only regret is not being able to frequent this place more often.

Clustered among several other Hispanic-inspired restaurants and take-out joints, both El Cid and El Cid II provide an oasis with a wide variety of filling and delicious Mexican fare, all at very reasonable prices.

Both restaurants offer an extensive list of authentic selections, from carne astada burritos to their popular chile rellenos, and many items can be made with as little or as much heat as desired. Their only contemporary facet is in their health-conscious cooking: vegetable oil is exchanged for lard, and only the choicest cuts and freshest ingredients make the cut. Even strict vegetarians will be pleasantly surprised to find plenty of items to choose from! A full bar is available, but the margaritas and Mojitos are by far some of the best in the city and tend to overshadow every other selection. Customers are also treated to a spread of warm, fresh chips and home made pico de gallo, verde salsa and pickled jalapenos, along with live music on Wednesday evenings.

While the original El Cid on Milwaukee offers plenty of parking and has a festive decor, it's the sister location that wins hands down for the overall experience! El Cid II has a charming, beautiful outdoor patio that begs couples to enjoy in warmer weather, and can sometimes become a bit packed, making reservations a recommendation. Their fabulous made to order margaritas are mixed with quality tequila, and their small but decadent choice of desserts should be sampled, if there's any room to spare! Also, the staff is knowledgeable, pleasant and courteous, even during rush periods.

Overall, both restaurants offer a fun and casual escape for an inexpensive evening out, ideal for couples new and old. They are truly the rare, hidden gems of Logan Square.