Stop By This Chicago Restaurant For Some Of The City’s Best Chocolate
I never thought a simple craving for chocolate would lead me to one of Chicago’s most exciting culinary experiences.
Xoco, tucked away at 67 West Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60654, is more than just a Mexican café.
It’s where authentic street food meets artisan chocolate in ways that surprise and delight every visitor.
Walking through those doors changed how I think about Mexican cuisine and chocolate forever.
The Bean To Cup Chocolate Magic
Chocolate lovers, prepare yourselves for something genuinely extraordinary happening right in the heart of Chicago.
Xoco stands as the only restaurant in the entire city with its own bean-to-cup chocolate program.
They import cacao beans directly from Tabasco, Mexico, then roast and grind them on site.
Watching this process unfold feels like witnessing culinary alchemy at its finest.
The beans transform into smooth, rich chocolate bars that become the foundation for everything chocolatey on the menu.
Every sip of their hot chocolate carries the dedication and craft behind this meticulous process.
The depth of flavor you experience comes from controlling every single step of chocolate creation.
No shortcuts exist here, just pure commitment to authentic taste.
This dedication sets Xoco apart from every other restaurant claiming to serve great chocolate.
You taste the difference immediately.
Mexican Hot Chocolate That Rewrites The Rules
Forget everything you thought you knew about hot chocolate before stepping into this place.
Their Mexican hot chocolate arrives at your table with a thick, frothy cap that looks almost too beautiful to disturb.
But once you take that first sip, restraint becomes impossible.
The richness hits your palate with waves of deep cacao flavor, perfectly balanced with just enough sweetness.
Unlike the sugary versions served at chain cafés, this drink respects the natural complexity of chocolate.
They offer it with either milk or water, each version showcasing different aspects of the cacao.
The milk version feels indulgent and creamy, while the water based option lets the chocolate shine brighter.
Every cup gets made from those beans they roast themselves, giving it an authenticity you simply cannot find elsewhere.
This hot chocolate warms you from the inside out on chilly Chicago days.
Churros Fresh From The Fryer
The aroma of fresh churros hits you the moment you walk through the door.
These aren’t the sad, stale versions you might find at amusement parks or mall food courts.
Xoco fries their churros to order, ensuring every single one arrives piping hot and impossibly crispy.
They offer flavors that elevate this classic treat beyond your wildest expectations: pistachio, hazelnut, and chocolate peanut.
Each variety brings its own personality while maintaining that essential churro character.
The exterior shatters with a satisfying crunch, giving way to a soft, tender interior that melts away.
Cinnamon sugar clings to every ridge and curve, adding sweetness that never overwhelms.
Pairing them with their house-made hot chocolate creates a combination that borders on transcendent.
You’ll find yourself ordering an extra serving before you finish the first.
Trust me on this one.
The Famous Torta Ahogada Experience
Some dishes tell stories, and the Torta Ahogada narrates an epic tale of Mexican street food tradition.
The name translates to drowned sandwich, which perfectly describes this glorious creation from Guadalajara.
Tender pork carnitas get nestled into crusty bread, then the whole thing gets bathed in warm chile broth.
Pickled onions cut through the richness with their sharp, tangy bite that balances every mouthful.
The bread soaks up the flavorful broth without falling apart, maintaining just enough structure to hold together.
Each bite delivers multiple textures and flavors that dance across your taste buds in perfect harmony.
The pork practically dissolves on your tongue, showcasing hours of slow cooking and careful preparation.
This torta stands as one of their signature offerings, drawing regulars back week after week.
First timers often order it based on neighboring tables’ recommendations.
You’ll understand why immediately.
Sustainability Meets Deliciousness
Great food tastes even better when you know it comes from a place that cares about our planet.
Xoco earned LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, proving their commitment runs deeper than just serving amazing meals.
They’ve implemented sustainable practices throughout their entire operation, from energy-efficient lighting to responsible sourcing.
This certification isn’t easy to achieve, requiring rigorous standards and continuous dedication to environmental responsibility.
The restaurant manages to maintain these high standards without compromising on flavor or quality.
You can enjoy your torta or churros knowing that your meal supports a business genuinely trying to reduce its environmental footprint.
Their sustainable approach extends to ingredient sourcing, favoring local and responsible suppliers whenever possible.
Many restaurants talk about sustainability, but Xoco walks the walk with third-party verification.
Dining here means supporting practices that benefit both your palate and the planet.
That feels good.
Vibrant River North Location
Location matters, and Xoco picked one of Chicago’s most exciting neighborhoods to call home.
The River North spot at 67 West Illinois Street sits right in the heart of the action.
This area buzzes with energy from morning until night, filled with galleries, restaurants, and people exploring the city.
Finding parking can challenge even seasoned Chicagoans, but public transportation makes reaching Xoco relatively simple.
The restaurant’s proximity to downtown means you can easily combine your visit with other activities.
Large windows let natural light flood the space, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that invites lingering.
The counter service setup keeps things casual while maintaining the quality you’d expect from a celebrated chef’s establishment.
Watching the neighborhood’s energy from inside while sipping hot chocolate creates a quintessentially Chicago moment.
The location contributes significantly to the overall experience of dining here.
Context enhances everything.
Rick Bayless’s Street Food Vision
Behind every great restaurant stands someone with vision, passion, and serious culinary chops.
Chef Rick Bayless brought his deep knowledge of Mexican cuisine to create Xoco as a celebration of authentic street food.
His commitment to honoring traditional preparations while maintaining accessibility for American diners shows in every dish.
Bayless spent years studying regional Mexican cooking, traveling extensively, and learning from local cooks and families.
That education translates directly to the menu, where each item reflects genuine Mexican marketplace flavors.
The name Xoco means little sister in Aztec, positioning this restaurant as a more casual sibling to his other establishments.
This approachability makes exceptional Mexican food available to everyone, not just fine dining enthusiasts.
His influence ensures quality never wavers, from ingredient selection to final presentation on your plate.
The restaurant earned numerous accolades, including Best New Restaurant from Time Out Chicago.
Credentials matter here.
Enormous Oaxacan Tlayudas
Sometimes size really does matter, especially when discussing these magnificent Oaxacan creations.
Tlayudas resemble giant crispy tortillas topped with beans, cheese, meat, and fresh vegetables in glorious abundance.
The base gets toasted until it achieves the perfect balance between crispy and chewy.
Black beans spread across the surface provide earthy richness that grounds all the other flavors beautifully.
Stringy Oaxacan cheese melts into every crevice, creating pockets of gooey deliciousness throughout.
Your choice of protein adds heartiness, whether you opt for chorizo, chicken, or another option.
Fresh cabbage, avocado, and salsa bring brightness and acidity that prevent the dish from feeling heavy.
One tlayuda easily feeds two people, making it an excellent choice for sharing or bringing a serious appetite.
The combination of textures keeps every bite interesting from first to last.
You’ll need napkins.
Lots of them.
Meal In A Bowl Caldos
Cold Chicago winters demand soul warming comfort food, and these caldos deliver exactly that.
These traditional Mexican soups arrive as complete meals, brimming with vegetables, tender meat, and aromatic broth.
Each spoonful provides nourishment and warmth that radiates through your entire body.
The broths simmer for hours, developing complex flavors that only time and patience can create.
Fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and other garnishes let you customize each bowl to your preferences.
Chunks of potato, carrots, and other vegetables add substance while soaking up the flavorful liquid.
The meat falls apart at the gentlest prod from your spoon, evidence of long, slow cooking.
These caldos represent Mexican home cooking at its most comforting and authentic level.
They’re the kind of food that makes you feel cared for, like someone’s grandmother prepared it specially.
That emotional connection matters as much as the flavors themselves.
The Catering Option Nobody Talks About
Here’s something most people don’t realize: you can bring Xoco’s magic to your own events.
Their catering service offers tacos, guacamole, churros, and other menu favorites for gatherings of various sizes.
Imagine serving your guests the same quality food that draws lines at the restaurant daily.
This option transforms ordinary parties and events into memorable culinary experiences that guests talk about for weeks.
The convenience of having authentic Mexican street food delivered removes stress while elevating your hosting game.
Whether planning a corporate lunch, family celebration, or casual get together, their catering adapts to different needs.
The same attention to quality and authenticity that defines the restaurant experience translates to catered events.
You don’t need to sacrifice flavor or freshness when feeding a crowd anymore.
Their team handles the food preparation while you focus on enjoying time with your guests.
Smart hosts know this secret already.
