Lola 55 Tacos & Cocktails

Marco VanderMeulen a month ago

Best fish tacos I’ve ever had. Service was quick and everybody was chill. Also got Quesabirria taco and chips n quac. Quac was just fine, could have used salt. The salsa that comes with it was fantastic tho, had a rich smokey flavor. Combined with the quac it was also really good. Overall awesome. Also worth mentioning that you can see them making the tortillas which is sick.

Paulo Kodaira 8 months ago

First of all, I know the food is the most important thing in a restaurant, but the service was just INCREDIBLE. I feel bad I don't remember her name, but our waitress was so kind, attentive and just so energetic, me and my gf loved her. Now the food. Carnitas tacos were the best tacos I HAVE EVER HAD. A perfect combination of salty, acidity from what I think were tomatillos, and crunchy. They had a special pozole which was phenomenal too. Their fish taco is really famous. Disclaimer, I don't like fish tacos, but we still ordered and it was the best one I've had ever. Personally I would still stick with the carnitas and steak, but if you do enjoy them, it is indeed very flavorful. Overall 10/10 experience, if we didn't live in Chicago, we would become regulars without a doubt.

Allison L. 8 months ago

Stumbled upon this unassuming eatery on a sunny Thursday afternoon, and it turned out to be some of the best tacos I’ve ever had. The open, airy ambiance made for a relaxed and inviting setting, and the service was truly top-notch. Our server, Caleb, was fantastic—passionate and deeply knowledgeable. He enthusiastically shared the story behind the restaurant and dove into the thought and technique behind each dish, from preparation to seasoning. They also have an excellent happy hour. I especially loved the spiced Jamaica—a beautifully aromatic drink infused with anise and warming mixed spices. It struck a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and floral notes. As for the food—absolutely unforgettable. The Squashroom and Cauliflower tacos are two of the most inspired vegetarian tacos I’ve ever had. The Squashroom features a delicately battered lion’s mane mushroom paired with a squash blossom, bright verde salsa, and a bold red chili paste. It’s a mesmerizing harmony of textures and flavors. The Cauliflower taco might have been my favorite. Smoky, crispy cauliflower meets a crunchy eggplant “bacon” strip, all topped with a deeply flavorful sweet-and-tangy mole. The fresh corn tortillas elevate every bite—they’re the perfect vehicle for all these bold, creative flavors. I also tried the Baja Fish taco, which was equally impressive. The fish was fried to perfection—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—accompanied by a spicy salsa, tangy tartar sauce, and a touch of mesclun greens for freshness. An incredible combination. In short: this place is doing something truly special. Innovative, intentional, and absolutely delicious. Someone give them their Michelin star already!

James AVM 5 months ago

Lola 55 is a place to get unique tacos and drinks. If you are looking for traditional/classic tastes, you won't find that here. This is a modern interpretation and experience that may not suit everyone but may still be fun enough to try once. Our server explained it best when they said, "you can go get a regular taco anywhere, but if you want something different, you come here." I believe that's the easiest way to describe this place in a nutshell. The dining area is bright open and modern with an almost industrial vibe going for it. I ordered a Dirty Matcha Mocktail, a Mesquite Chicken Taco, a Baja Style Fish Taco, a Rainbow Cauliflower Taco, and the Apple Pie Churros for dessert. Along with the Dirty Matcha, I got to try the Brewchata and Pina Vice. The drinks took quite a bit to come in so more on them later (got around halfway through our food before they showed up). All the tacos were seasoned well throughout. The Mesquite Chicken had a nice chew/texture to it and the cucumber and salsa gave a nice flavor contrast to the chicken. The Baja Fish was crispy on the outside and moist in the inside. I'd say this was my favorite out of the 3 and probably one of the best fish tacos I ever had. The tang from the vinaigrette and pickled serrano just rounds out the flavor well. Only a subtle heat too from the pepper, I love the execution on this taco. And lastly the Rainbow Cauliflower taco. This one didn't quite hit it for me. It had a sweet savory profile, while not bad, was just missing something that I couldn't put my finger on. It was the sauciest of the three tacos but just lacked some "oomph". Also they use the "soggy" corn type tortillas here. I'm not a fan of that type and I believe any taco that uses this type could be elevated by just toasting or grilling the tortillas. So the drinks....well they are just as unique as the tacos. Bizarre almost. I really wanted some coffee and the Dirty Matcha has cold brew in it but it's such a small amount that it was probably just included for taste. It lists only two ingredients in it and kinda just tastes like dirty chocolate tap water (Brewchata and Pina Vice had similar taste too). 🤣 The glasses are loaded with ice so you're probably getting 6oz of liquid tops. I'd probably just get a beer next time. Finally the Apple Pie Churros. This was a highlight, on its own the churros are fine. Crispy exterior with a slightly doughy interior, but the apple pie ice cream just takes it to the next level. I wouldn't say I like apple pie that much but this was just executed well. Basically a deconstructed apple pie ala mode with strong distinct cinnamon spice without being overpowering. Nice. Service was good, except for the unusually long wait for drinks. We were given waters promptly though. And it wasn't really busy during our visit, around 25% capacity. Don't know what happened here. Prices on everything was reasonable. Slightly elevated, but it's expected for this type of establishment. While definitely not for everyone, Lola 55 is still an easy recommend for anyone looking for something unique or a twist on classic food. A mild adventure if you will. Yes, somethings could use some tweaks and changes but you should give it a try a least once. I hope they continue to improve, as it would be fun to dine here again.

Karen Yeung 4 weeks ago

The birria taco was good. Steak taco was chewy. Carnitas was oily. The tortilla was floppy and anemic looking. Horchata was too sweet. Churros were unique because it was not topped with sugar, so you need the sauce to add a bit of sweetness. Taco Stand and Tacos El Gordo are better nearby options.