Chicago's Little Village is observing the final days of Hispanic Heritage Month by showcasing the flavors and culture of Tijuana. Veronica Fabre, owner of Taco Sur, is broadening locals' culinary experience by serving up Tijuana-style cuisine. With strictly handmade tortillas and a varied menu, her taqueria is taking patrons on a gastronomic journey.
To really understand the food offered at Taco Sur, make sure to know it's a fusion of Mexican and Californian cuisines. Fabre expresses her adoration for Tijuana's food to the Chicago Tribune, "It's important because I want to bring authentic Mexican food to this area." An example of this fusion involves the birria dish, using beef instead of the Jalisco-style goat, served alongside a rich consommé. The tortillas are all handcrafted during the day, contributing to the authenticity of the dishes.
The successful merging of Mexican and Californian flavors at Taco Sur has received considerable attention. Notably, a TikTok video showcasing the restaurant's freshly prepared corn tortillas and beef birria tacos made waves, accumulating over 500,000 views on the platform, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. This recognition triggered a surge of customers, causing heightened wait times and some unfavorable reviews. Nevertheless, Fabre views the situation positively, stating, "Now I think, we just have to be nice and friendly. Just tell people to come on a different day. But I’m so happy. I feel blessed because people want to come here."
Born in Mexico City and a resident of Little Village, Fabre comes from a line of street vendors, her parents having sold tamales for nearly a decade. This isn't her first food-based venture either - she previously opened Tacos El Rey on Chicago's East Side.
Intriguingly, a new project is underway–a takeout-only offshoot of Taco Sur, named TacoSur Taqueria. The smaller location, set to open in the same lot as Taco Sur, will retain the original menu but extend its hours. The Chicago Tribune doesn't mention a launch date for TacoSur Taqueria yet.
