XOCO, River North, Chicago

Pepito Torta

Last month I was excited because Rick Bayless‘s new restaurant, XOCO, opened on my birthday. Perfect timing! I’ve been to Topolobampo, Bayless’s high-end restaurant, a few times and loved it. This past week I had a great lunch at Frontera Grill, his more casual spot. I’ve even been to Frontera Fresco, a restaurant located in Macy’s food court. I’ve liked all of Bayless’s restaurants, so was really excited for the new place. XOCO is billed as Mexican street food – soups, sandwiches, etc., and it is right around the corner from my office so I had high hopes of dropping in frequently for lunch sandwiches.

XOCO Woodburning Oven

Here are my thoughts on XOCO:

Opening day there were no takeout orders. Kind of a bummer since I was planning on just grabbing something to go, but totally understandable. People were only being allowed to order as tables were available. I waited about 10 minutes to order. Orders are taken at a counter and then you get a number to sit down and the food is brought out to you. Drinks can be picked up at the counter before you sit down. I’m not sure if they’re still only doing dine-in or if you can get takeout now.

XOCO Dine-In Only

Ordering Counter

Rick Bayless was working hard in the kitchen only a few feet from everyone in line to order.

Rick Bayless at Work at XOCO

The menu is written on a chalkboard. All tortas, ensaladas, sides and caldos on one board; chocolate, coffee and pastries on another.

XOCO Menu

XOCO Pastry and Drink Menu

All of the Mexican Cacao Beans are ground on the premises. I ordered the Classic Chocolate, which is a chocolate shot with 2% milk. The drink was rich and deep. The consistency was medium – not so thick that it sat like lead in your stomach (like some drinking chocolate I’ve had), but not watery at all. The cost of a small 8oz. Classic Chocolate is $2.50.

XOCO Classic Chocolate

I also ordered the Pepito Torta, which is braised Tallgrass shortribs, carmelized onion, artisan Jack, black beans and pickled jalapenos cooked in the woodburning oven. The beef and onion were cooked perfectly. Tender and tasty. The cheese was nice and toasty. Jalepenos added just the right kick. My bread was a bit more black in areas than I’d have liked. Also, the sandwich was only about the size of my hand, doesn’t come with any sides and goes for $12. I didn’t mind paying this on that day.. my total bill was $16.17 with tax.. because it was my birthday and I was excited about the opening, but probably wouldn’t do it every day.

XOCO Pepito Torta

XOCO Pepito Torta

The dining room is bright and casual with a friendly blue and yellow color scheme, lots of natural light, and photography by Jane Fulton Alt. I think I heard they can seat 50 people in the restaurant. There are a lot of small tables, a lot of counter seating. Very kind of on-the-go, quick feel. Probably not good for big groups.

XOCO Dining Room

XOCO Dining Room

Topolobampo, Frontera and XOCO are three of Bayless’s restaurants and they’re all in a row on Clark Street, but the the XOCO entrance is actually on Illinois St., not Clark.

XOCO

XOCO

XOCO is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) built restaurant. They’re in the process of getting Gold Level Certified by the US Green Building Council.

XOCO is LEED Certified

Overall impression: Nice, bright and casual feel, great tasting food. I won’t say it’s overpriced because Bayless, no doubt, uses the highest quality ingredients and is one of the top chefs in the city. The food was delicous. That said, at $16+ for lunch, I will not be able to afford to drop by regularly, which kind of bummed me out.