Quiote | The Mezcal Bar [closed]

In Chicago, Food & Beverages March 27, 2017

Finding a good place to eat is always a challenge. Everyone has to agree and there are too many places to decide. Finding a good place open on a Monday night is even harder because a lot of places are closed. I was delighted to discover that Quiote was open, not only on Monday nights, but also for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week and that the food was incredible. I’m not sure when or if the owner and chef of Quiote, Dan Salls, gets any sleep.

Quiote wears many sombreros. At breakfast they serve conchas (Mexican sweet bread) and Sparrow Coffee. At lunchtime you can dine at the “Quiote Taqueria” and order tacos, tortas or salads. As one would expect, they serve dinner in the evening but also have a downstairs bar which has it’s own side street entrance. The Mezcal Bar offers over 80 types of mezcal.

The food is contemporary Mexican, influenced by different regions throughout Mexico. I was unfamiliar with many of the ingredients listed on the menu but found the dishes to be gentle, comfortable and well-balanced. It could take 5-7 visits to thoroughly experience the full range of food that Quiote has to offer and at least another 86 visits to learn the varieties of mezcal. With every chance to dine out, there are more and more great places to try, both new and tried and true. I have no reservations about moving Quiote high up in my go-to rotation list.

Chef: Dan Sall
Tip: Make time before or after your meal to go to The Mezcal Bar in the basement.