A couple of months ago, I had the privileged of eating at XOCO, located at 449 N Clark Street. This Rick Bayless hot spot had been the talk of my office ever since I started back in July. Having been to Bayless’s other two Chicago spots, Frontera Grill and Topolobampo (both located next door to XOCO), I had pretty high expectations.
As expected, the food was really incredible. What I think is even more amazing, is how dedicated Bayless and his team are to creating a environmentally sustainable restaurant.
Here are just a few of the really cool things this XOCO is doing:
- They are committed to buying local and sustainable food. This helps by supporting the local economy and using less fossil fuels to deliver food.
- Their rooftop is covered with a soy-based reflective coating that helps them to consume less energy from heating and cooling.
- Also on their rooftop is a 1,000 square foot garden that provides produce to their kitchen.
- XOCO provides employees with bicycle storage and changing rooms to encourage them to ride bikes to work. They also strategically built their restaurant close to public transportation.
This only begins to scratch the surface of this restaurants commitment to sustainability. To read more about the cool things they are doing, check out their website.
If this enviable commitment to creating and fostering a sustainable restaurant environment doesn’t convince you to check this place out, I’m sure the food will. I’ve only been there a few times, so I haven’t tried everything, but for now, here are the 3 things I think you should try (based on what I’ve had):
1) Milanesa Torta ($10.25): This might be one of my favorite sandwiches ever. First of all, the bread is simply a perfect crispy canvas for the deliciousness that goes on inside of it. The sandwich is stuffed with crispy juicy chicken, black beans, artisan Jack cheese, pickled jalapenos & red onions, napa cabbage, tomatillo-avocado salsa and a homemade cilantro crema.
Do you have a strong aversion to cilantro like me? No problem! Just let the chef know and he will create a modified version that will be sure to knock your socks off.
Milanese Torta at XOCO
2) Guacamole Bar ($7-$8): This place literally has a guacamole bar with 8-10 add-ins (from pepitas to bacon) to choose from. I recommend getting it fully dressed with a little bit of everything. When I went last week, they even threw in some chicharones.
XOCO Fully Dressed Guacamole
Source: @XocoChicago via Twitter
3) Churros ($1.60 each): If you’ve been following my blog, you know I can’t resist a good donut. This Mexican donut type pastry is no exception. Simply delicious. The churros are super crispy on the outside and melt in your mouth soft on the inside. Make sure you order a side of chocolate to dip in!
XOCO Churros
Source: bakingbites.com
Since that first visit a few months ago, I try to go back whenever I can! Looking over the menu, I feel like I still have so much left to try! I’m sure this isn’t the last you’ll hear from me about this place. 🙂
Love always,
Erica
