Super Mercado - Super Guerro, Wheeling, IL

I was passing by a taqueria that I’ve already rated 5/5. If I were to rate one taqueria 6/5 as the winner, it would be a strong contender as the best. Since it’s so good I was tempted to eat there again but the point of this blog is to try different taquerias. The last time I had noticed Super Mercado a couple of doors down and wondered if they make tacos there as well.

I rolled by Super Mercado. It had a sign in the window for quesadillas and beans with a price. My feelings were confirmed: they are running a butcher/taco stand in back. I decided to check it out.

The store’s like a cramped New York bodega and the carnicería is in the back. 2 cashiers and the taco maker do not speak any English. I got by with my rudimentary Spanish but be forewarned if you don’t speak enough. They had a chalkboard menu with a few things offered on weekends, like barbacoa (do I have to buy by the pound? How would I explain in my limited Spanish how I want it prepared?) and tamales (too much masa for my low-carb diet right now.) I asked him if he had chorizo tacos. He got the chorizo from the back and whipped them up. 

While he made them, I looked for a Diet Coke. There was Coke everywhere but no Diet. I guess Diet would be sac-rel to this population.

My tacos come up, I go up front to pay. The man in front of me is sending money to Mexico, which is always a lengthy transaction. The cashier wants me to stand somewhere else, there is some confusion. Just saying, if you don’t speak Spanish, be prepared. Finally she rings me up. I got 2 tacos and a package of cinnamon sticks and a bag of Chile lime chips for my mom and the cashier announces $20. Even. That was a couple bucks more than I expected and it was oddly an even number, plus she didn’t offer a receipt nor did I ask for one (I was like “whatever”). I figured she rounded up to take a tip. I do tip, I just thought she may have levied a mandatory tip. Then I asked her to change a $5 bill. I wanted to tip the taco guy a couple bucks. She said she doesn’t make change. I hoped she tipped the taco guy for me. Next time I will have singles so I can do it myself.

Anywho, I went out the car to have my tacos. Double-wrapped La Preferida tortillas, chorizo looked good, I took a bite. Tastes like mom’s!  He’s using the same or similar chorizo to what my mom uses. Light, fluffy and tasty.

4/5 

Super Mercado, 26 W. Dundee Rd., Wheeling

2 chorizo tacos $7.98