Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Chicago's best Mexican restaurants

Hoodline
Taco & Burrito House.

It's the United States' favorite day to celebrate Mexican culture, but it's not, as many believe, Mexico's Independence Day — that comes Sept. 16.

Cinco de Mayo instead commemorates a significant military victory, in which the Mexican army defeated French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Want to celebrate the occasion and show off your newfound knowledge of Mexican history? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago, using both Yelp data and our own methodology. Use our list to score a delicious Cinco de Mayo meal.

1. Valentina Restaurant

<b>Photo: Angela P./<a href="https://yelp.com/biz_photos/valentina-restaurant-chicago-2?utm_campaign=d185c28e-4719-46be-8087-f6b8282d3dfb%2C4a416621-579e-4050-9d1e-193676baef7c&utm_medium=81024472-a80c-4266-a0e5-a3bf8775daa7" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Yelp;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Yelp</a></b>

Topping the list is Valentina Restaurant. Located at 4506 W. 63rd St. (between Kolmar and Kilbourn avenues) in the West Lawn, the Mexican spot is the highest rated Mexican restaurant in Chicago, boasting four stars out of 112 reviews on Yelp.

2. Taco & Burrito House

<b>Photo: Kristen J./<a href="https://yelp.com/biz_photos/taco-and-burrito-house-chicago-2?utm_campaign=d185c28e-4719-46be-8087-f6b8282d3dfb%2C4a416621-579e-4050-9d1e-193676baef7c&utm_medium=81024472-a80c-4266-a0e5-a3bf8775daa7" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Yelp;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Yelp</a></b>

Next up is Lakeview's Taco & Burrito House, situated at 3939 N. Broadway (between Clarendon Avenue and Dakin Street). With four stars out of 133 reviews on Yelp, the Mexican spot has proven to be a local favorite.

3. Octavio Cantina & Kitchen

<b>Photo: Cass K./<a href="https://yelp.com/biz_photos/octavio-cantina-and-kitchen-chicago?utm_campaign=d185c28e-4719-46be-8087-f6b8282d3dfb%2C4a416621-579e-4050-9d1e-193676baef7c&utm_medium=81024472-a80c-4266-a0e5-a3bf8775daa7" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Yelp;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Yelp</a></b>

Andersonville's Octavio Cantina & Kitchen, located at 5310 N. Clark St. (between Berwyn and Summerdale avenues), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Mexican spot four stars out of 221 reviews.

4. Edgewater Tacos

<b>Photo: Christopher V./<a href="https://yelp.com/biz_photos/edgewater-tacos-chicago-6?utm_campaign=d185c28e-4719-46be-8087-f6b8282d3dfb%2C4a416621-579e-4050-9d1e-193676baef7c&utm_medium=81024472-a80c-4266-a0e5-a3bf8775daa7" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Yelp;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Yelp</a></b>

Edgewater Tacos, a Mexican spot in Edgewater, is another much-loved go-to, with five stars out of 171 Yelp reviews. Head over to 5624 N. Broadway (between W. Bryn Mawr and N. Ridge avenues) to see for yourself.

5. Paco's Tacos

<b>Photo: Fabian M./<a href="https://yelp.com/biz_photos/pacos-tacos-chicago?utm_campaign=d185c28e-4719-46be-8087-f6b8282d3dfb%2C4a416621-579e-4050-9d1e-193676baef7c&utm_medium=81024472-a80c-4266-a0e5-a3bf8775daa7" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Yelp;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Yelp</a></b>
Photo: Fabian M./Yelp

Over in Brighton Park, check out Paco's Tacos, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 178 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Mexican spot at 4311 S. Archer Ave.

This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.