Remembering the taste, I searched for something similar here in the Windy City, which I found at Lalo's. While Lindo Mexico on Lincoln Ave. is a fantastic restaurant, Lalo's gets my vote as the best Mexican restaurant in Chicago. With its origins in the Little Village community of Chicago, Lalo's expanded over the years to the burbs and, most recently, the northside in the constantly developing Clybourn Corridor. Some of the tables, particularly on the west side of the restaurant, have a bit of a glare coming from the overhead lights. While people are pushed a little close together, diners shouldn't feel too claustrophobic.
Typical patrons are after-work yuppie groups, couples, and some families.
Like most Mexican restaurants in town, the table comes with chips and salsa. Entrees include a cup of chicken soup, loaded full o' veggies and chunks of chicken. Indeed, there is more stuff than soup. Still, the flavorful cup is small enough to not be too filling. On one visit, I enjoyed the El Trio Combination, which features a tamale, a taco, and a chile relleno, plus a helping of rice and beans.