Stepping inside Carniceria Maribel, it’s nothing to write home about. That is, until you take a bite of your taco. The corner store in Pilsen is just that, a regular corner store, offering snacks and household goods for purchase. But in the back, past all of that, there’s a bustling kitchen where mariachi music accompanies the clanging of pots and pans. This is where you’ll find some of the best Mexican food you’ve ever had.
The spot serves tacos, tortas and burritos in classic varieties like al pastor and lengua, or cow tongue. This place really is no-frills, so expect to order at the counter, wait 15-20 minutes if the place is busy and take your meal to enjoy somewhere else.
A shelf with dozens of bottles of hot sauce and a small counter with seating line the back of the store by the kitchen and deli counter where people wait to pick up their orders.
While the tortas and burritos are good, heartier options, the tacos are Carniceria Maribel’s bread and butter. Served with classic raw onions and cilantro, then wrapped in tin foil, the flavor and heat stay locked in while you travel to your next destination — a brewery that allows outside food.
The al pastor taco has been perfected with a harmony of spices, a sweet hint of pineapple and expertly marinated pork. Served in doubled-up corn tortillas that act as an insurance policy for inevitable messy rips, the ratio of pork to toppings to tortillas is nothing short of mouthwatering.
The pollo, or chicken, taco is just as lovely, but if you like your meals with more spice, you might want to load up the salsa roja or verde to accommodate. Both tacos are solid choices, and because they’re sold individually, order whatever combination will satisfy your cravings most.
As you leave Carniceria Maribel with the mouthwatering tacos in hand, take note of the neighborhood’s vibrance. A neighborhood known for its public art, a vibrant hot pink mural depicting Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla dons the outside of Carniceria Maribel, and tents of people selling elotes, snow cones and other refreshments line the streets.
From here you’ll make your way to Monochrome Brewing, a craft brewery that recently opened in Pilsen. As for transportation, take your pick of a 25-minute walk, a short bus ride or an 8-minute bike ride.
Once you arrive at Monochrome on the corner of 21st and Carpenter streets, some of the best elements of typical breweries will greet you. It’s in a wide-open space that housed another brewery before Monochrome. The ceilings are high and the space is large, similar to a warehouse.
But with some of the traditional brewery elements comes a Latinx flair. A wall decal displays neighborhood pride with “Pilsen, Chicago” and the four stars found on the Chicago flag while speakers pulse songs in Spanish, from modern reggaeton hits to traditional ballads.
Observing the space, you’ll understand the welcoming vibe co-owner Enrique Rivera described. A toddler runs circles around a table in the back of the space while a couple sits with their two dogs panting from a long walk. A group of friends sits at the bar, snacking on chips and sampling different beers. The patio offers more seating and is begging for a group of day drinkers to take advantage of its airy but shaded location.
Of the four co-owners of the brewery, three are Latino, and preserving the neighborhood’s culture is an important part of the company’s priorities, Rivera said.
The place is meant to be something of a watering hole for the neighborhood, with run clubs and other social groups gathering there regularly.
Monochrome has a few of its own craft beer options brewing already, with more to come later in the summer and fall, Rivera said. Guest beers are also on tap, and for those who prefer a non-beer or non-alcoholic option, batched cocktails, seltzer, wine and kombucha are available.
