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de cero—a modern day taqueria       Loop :: West Loop  
de cero—a modern day taqueria

814 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607

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de cero offers fresh, authentic Mexican food in an upbeat atmosphere. At de cero—which translates to "from scratch"—the focus is on Mexican recipes and their fresh flavors. The extensive menu centers around à la carte items like tacos and tamales. It’s not surprising that de cero’s taco platter won "Best New Dish" by Chicago magazine in 2005. The tortillas are housemade on a griddle and then filled with everything from freshly grilled ahi tuna with a habañero salsa to more succulent fillings like battered shrimp with creamy avocado crema. Take your pick from among 16 taco varieties, including the Tomatillo Pork with white onion, cilantro, and lime, or the amazing Battered Catfish Taco. If you prefer tamales, try the Tamale Trio, featuring fresh corn, pulled pork, and a black bean and goat cheese variety. Diners in search of a heartier meal can sample entrées like Grilled Chicken over sautéed greens with a rich and savory housemade mole sauce or Tequila-Brined Pork Chops. Complement your Mexican fare with Horchata (a sweet rice drink) or specialty cocktails like the signature house Guava Margarita. The hip, energetic atmosphere transports taqueria fare comfortably to the urban world.

appetizers::
Duck Nachos  9.50
Housemade tortilla chips served with duck, queso, mashed pinto beans, and crema
Mushroom Quesadilla  7.90
Mexican corn mushrooms and queso stuffed in housemade tortiilla; served with fresh crema, picante salsa, and chopped cilantro

entrées::
Carne Asada  17.50
Skirt steak marinated in pickled jalapeños, cumin, and garlic; served with mashed pinto beans, basmati white rice, and tortillas
Grilled Ahi Tuna  15.75
Served with charred tomato, orange-butter salsa, and sautéed greens
Grilled Pork Chop  17.85
12oz, thick-cut pork chop marinated in tequila; served with lime mojo, mashed pinto beans, and basmati white rice
Grilled Chicken Mole  14
Grilled half-chicken served with mole-poblano sauce, basmati rice, and sautéed greens

à la carte tacos::
Grilled Tuna  4.75
With mango and habañero salsa
Chipotle Chicken  4.75
With mashed pinto beans and crema
Vegetarian Black Bean  3.65
With garlic, avocado, and crema
Rajas Roasted Pepper  3.50
With potatoes, cream, and cotija queso
Tres Queso  3.15
With roasted poblano pepper
Grilled Skirt Steak  4.75
With potatoes and onions
Battered Shrimp  4.25
With avocado and crema
Chorizo—Spicy Pork Sausage  4.45
With black beans and crema
Tomatillo Pork  4.45
With white onion, cilantro, and lime
Braised Duck  4.25
With sweet corn salsa
Battered Catfish  4
With Mexican slaw and chipotle mayo

brunch::
Black Bean Cakes and Huevos  10
Two spicy black bean cakes topped with chipotle crema; served with two scrambled eggs and roasted cumin seed potatoes
Carne Asada and Huevos  16
Skirt steak marinated in pickled jalapeños, cumin, and garlic grilled and served with pinto beans, two sunny-side-up eggs, and pear-tomato salsa
Breakfast Burrito  14
Grilled and marinated skirt steak, pinto beans, pico de gallo, and scrambled egg; served with a side of chipotle salsa and roasted cumin seed potatoes
Chipotle Chilaquiles  10
Housemade tortilla chips with chipotle salsa topped with an omelet, queso fresco, and cilantro
Horchata French Toast  9.50
Thick-sliced bread soaked in horchata and topped with cinnamon-walnut butter and served with blackberry compote
Pozole Verde  5
Spicy chicken and hominy soup garnished with radishes and lime
Bunuelos  4
Mexican fried pastry with a cinnamon-sugar glaze and blackberry compote