ZipPicks Awards
Best Mexican in Woodlawn & Hyde Park
Best Burritos in Goose Island & River West
Best Mexican in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville
Best Tacos in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville
Best Burritos in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville
Best Happy Hour Tacos in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville
Master Critic Review
Burrito Beach
8.4
Burrito Beach’s Ohio Street location is a fast-casual staple for toasted burritos, bowls, and tacos built with fresher-than-average ingredients. High-volume lunch lines from nearby offices and hotels speak to its role as Streeterville’s reliable, customizable Mexican grill.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toasted Burritos, Beach Bowls, Crispy Quesadillas
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A Chicago-born Mexican grill balancing speed, customizability, and fresher ingredients.
Who should go: Office workers and hotel guests needing a fast Mexican lunch.
When to visit: Arrive just before noon to beat peak weekday lines.
What to order: Build a toasted burrito, add a Beach Bowl, share a crispy quesadilla.
Insider tip: Order online for pickup to skip the peak lunch line and secure better seating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Streeterville; nearby paid garages and hotel garages are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Casual — office wear, athleisure, and jeans are all common.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch rush; easy conversation outside the noon window.
Weekend wait: Usually little to no wait — traffic is lighter than weekday lunch.
Weekday lunch: Expect a 5–15 minute line during peak noon hours; mobile pickup is faster.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — beans, rice, veggie proteins, and build-your-own bowls and burritos make it easy to order meat-free.
Vegan options: Yes — customizable bowls and burritos can be made vegan if you skip cheese and crema; confirm ingredients when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Partial — bowls and salads work well, but tortillas contain gluten and there is no fully separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date — it’s a fast-casual counter setup best suited for quick meals rather than a sit-down, conversational setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — no reservations are taken. Seating is first-come, first-served, with the tightest availability during weekday lunch.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual seating, quick service, and simple burrito and bowl builds work well for families, though space can feel cramped during the lunch rush.
Best For
Better for: Fast, customizable burritos and bowls with fresher-leaning ingredients than many national chains, especially for downtown office and hotel traffic.
Skip if: You want a full-service Mexican meal, margaritas, or a slower, sit-down dining experience — this is a convenience-forward counter spot.