De Cero Taqueria   

814 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607
312-455-8114
www.decerotaqueria.com

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Randolph Street continues to boom with exotic and unusual offerings as this updated taqueria sets up shop in the old Mar Y Sol space. De Cero, which translates to ''from scratch,'' specializes in contemporary Mexican cuisine -- and the crispy tortillas are made right on the spot. Owned by Angela Hepler and Susan Thompson (who are also behind hip sushi neighbor Sushi Wabi), De Cero features a similar atmosphere to Sushi Wabi: an intimate dining room, cool staff uniforms, trendy music (look for daily DJs spinning Latin beats) and diners who look like they've stepped from the pages of Esquire and In Style magazines. Fashion stuff aside, taco lovers will have the opportunity to indulge their wildest concoctions as the menu features 15 different tacos filled with grilled tuna (with mango cilantro), chicken mole, braised pork or seared marlin with cucumber. For those who just want to grab a quick bite to eat, the smoking lounge offers several banquettes, plush bar stools and an exotic cocktail menu with specialty sippers such as the peach camomile margarita, horchata colada and the raspberry mint margarita. All cocktails are made from fresh fruit, no syrups.