Chilam Balam

The food is incredible, the staff are incredible, the setting and ambience are perfection—our first time in was Valentine's Day 2020 and it was such a cozy, warm, happy place to spend the evening. We continued to get carryout throughout covid and love returning now that it's back open for dine-in. But it's also perfect during any season and it's become our go-to spot to take visitors, celebrate special occasions, or when we want to enjoy amazing food any day of the week. Support this small, local restaurant, you won't regret it. It's full of talent, heart, hard work, and is a very special gem in the neighborhood and city. Some tips: Don't sleep on the desert! You think you don't like mousse? You haven't tried theirs. Think the desert empanadas sound too heavy? You're wrong! For what it's worth it's a Bib Gourmand restaurant aka Michelin recommends it and so does Mr. Fieri himself. You can bring tequila to have margs, or wine and beer (read the website for limits). It took us way too long to come here so stop what you're doing and don't waste time like we did. We've lived in the neighborhood for 6+ years and at first glance, the mixed reviews kept us from popping in. Well if you do your research, you'll see it mostly seems to be people who are angry they don't allow you to get obliterated via the BYOB policy.

Excellent meal, unique twists on classic Mexican fare. Loved the creativity of the menu. BYOB, server "reccomended" 6 dishes if you bring wine, but after we ordered 5 dishes he said we had to get 6 dishes if we had BYOB wine. Server knew the menu in and out, made great reccomendations. Only note would be the atmosphere - the space was small, crowded and loud. Wheelchair accessibility: Downstairs / limited space, no elevator

Left without words to describe this dining experience! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We emailed to made a last minute reservation and are so glad we did. It was a full and exciting Friday night - always plan to make a reservation, this place has a cult following, for a reason! The owners and waitstaff are all extremely friendly and hospitable, passionate about the culinary experience and happy to provide recommendations on their menu that changes from week to week. Sharing 4 plates + dessert between 2 people was the perfect amount. What we had was simply some of the best Mexican small plates we had ever tasted. Empanada, Flautas, 1,000 layer potato, Plato Placero, and ending with Sweet Empanadas. Pick up a bottle of wine from BottlesUp across the street or bring a bottle of mezcal to enjoy their handmade margarita and drink mixers. Cannot wait to come back, especially since the menu changes with the seasons! Dietary restrictions: Almost everything is gluten free!

This is a tough review to give because I truly did love this place. The food is exceptional and for the most part my partner and I have had great experiences. I’ve read the reviews about the rudeness and rules, etc. in my opinion if a restaurant has rules that’s their prerogative and if you don’t like them then go somewhere else. However, the time before last that I went to Chilam Balam I had a great experience but could tell that the owner/waitress was getting short with me or was annoyed by myself and my group although I didn’t know why. We were nothing but kind to them, we only asked about getting more water/cups, more napkins, or just general service questions a few times. Eventually she came when we were done eating to ask us to leave the table. Perfectly fine by us, we understood the 90 min rule. This past time I brought my mom along with me and we had a great experience, the food was lovely, everything seemed fine. After dinner the same woman came up to our table and mentioned she remembered us from the time before, said we were being awful before and that “all of the staff were asking what was wrong with [our] table.” This crushed me because I don’t remember ever being anything but nice and polite to these people and only asking for another water or napkins which seems like a normal thing to ask… in my opinion this was an extremely rude and unprofessional thing to do to your customer, it made me feel horrible and essentially ruined what was a great experience that night. I don’t feel welcome coming back or really have any interest in it now. Overall I’d say if you like good food, this place has it. However I can’t promise that you wont be left feeling terrible when you leave.

Chilam Balam - A Culinary Gem Nestled in the heart of Lakeview East, Chilam Balam stands as a beacon of authentic Mexican cuisine, offering a delightful blend of tradition and innovation. This charming and intimate restaurant may be small in size, but it boasts an undeniable sophistication that permeates every aspect of the dining experience. From the moment you step through the door, you're greeted by the warm smile of owner Soraya Rendón and a cozy ambiance that instantly transports you to the streets of Mexico. The décor is tastefully understated, allowing the vibrant flavors of the food to take center stage. Chilam Balam's menu is a testament to the culinary prowess of executive chef Natalie Oswald, featuring a tantalizing array of dishes that pay homage to Mexico's rich gastronomic heritage. One standout feature of their menu is the tapas-style presentation, allowing patrons to sample an assortment of small plates and share the experience with friends and family. Among the myriad of options, the enchiladas potosinas steal the spotlight with their bold flavors and comforting textures. Each bite is a symphony of savory goodness, with tender masa enveloping a filling of cheese and peppers, all bathed in a rich and aromatic sauce that leaves a lingering warmth on the palate. The flautas are another must-try dish, offering a delightful contrast of crispy and tender elements that dance harmoniously on the tongue. These golden-brown cylinders of joy are filled with succulent shredded chicken and served with a vibrant salsa that adds a refreshing kick to every bite. For something a little more unconventional, the peneques are a revelation. These delightful pockets of masa are stuffed with a medley of savory ingredients, ranging from duck confit to pico de gallo, before being fried to perfection. The result is a crispy exterior giving way to a meltingly tender center that's bursting with flavor. No visit to Chilam Balam would be complete without indulging in their exquisite ceviche. Served in small, shareable portions, this refreshing dish is a true celebration of fresh seafood, marinated in a zesty blend of citrus juices and spices that invigorate the senses and leave you craving more. In addition to the stellar food, the service at Chilam Balam is nothing short of exceptional. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, always ready to offer recommendations or answer any questions you may have about the menu or their homeland! Owner Soraya and our waiter gave us wonderful recommendations on Mexico City, and we hope to visit soon. Chilam Balam is a hidden Chicago gem. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado of Mexican cuisine or simply looking to expand your culinary horizons, this charming restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you coming back for more.

LOVED our experience here. Walking in, the atmosphere is cozy, intimate, and inviting. We were greeted promptly and warmly. We ordered the roasted brussel sprouts, memelas, and enchiladas potosinas. Each dish was divine. So flavorful — exceeding all expectations (the enchiladas were a personal favorite — stuffed with warm and oozy goat cheese). Towards the end of our meal, our server raved to us about the tres leches (with pistachio!), so we were compelled to order it, & it was the PERFECT end to our dining experience. Best tres leches I’ve tried. Will be back when I visit the city!

one of the best meals I've ever had in Chicago. We were so happy to get a table for dinner as walk ins on a Friday night! All dishes were incredible, not to mention the insane pistachio tres leche for dessert. I have not stopped thinking about this meal, we will definitely be back!!

Second time here and it was just as fabulous as the first time! The dishes are all so tasty. Love that it is BYOB too. All of the restaurant staff are so friendly and kind. We will definitely be back many times! Parking: Paid street parking on Broadway. Kid-friendliness: Not kid friendly. We brought our daughter once but brought food for her to eat.

Had the best dining experience last night here with my parents and girlfriend. We didn’t even look at the menu; we just asked for the chef’s choices, and the entire meal was curated for us perfectly. All the staff made sure we were having a great time and were very kind, personable, and welcoming. The pistachio tres leches cake was the best dessert I’ve ever had hands down no exaggeration. Also the playlist they had going was great! Will definitely be back soon. Thanks for such a wonderful time!