1626 South Halsted Street; 312-226-9886

MEXICAN [$]

Good Mexican grub in Pilsen? Big deal, right? It is at DeColores, where the sophisticated Mexican fare has the kinds of bright, fresh flavors Pilsen has never seen. The taquito de papa—four warm papas (potatoes) nestled in a taco shell topped with squash, sugar beets, carrots, Mexican chayote, and queso fresco—is a terrific balancing act of textures and temperatures. The tender, juicy pork kebabs get marinated in fresh pineapple guajillo. The tres leches cake comes from Kristoffer’s down the block, and it’s awfully good. Even the guacamole, paired with warm house-made chips and bulked up with enough crisp cucumber, tomato chunks, onion, and cilantro to qualify as a salad, is reason enough for a trip to Pilsen. Get moving while there are still parking spaces.

TIP: A good place to try flavored waters: tamarind, rice, or hibiscus

PRICE KEY: ¢ $10 to $19  $ $20 to $29   $$ $30 to $39  $$$ $40 to $49   $$$$ $50-plus
[Cost per person for dinner, excluding wine, tax, or tip]