Inside Pink Taco Chicago, Feeding River North Lobster Tacos and $18 Margaritas

Visitors will see luchadores, vinyl records, and a frenzy of bright colors when they enter Pink Taco, the new Mexican bar and restaurant that opened on Monday in River North. There are flatscreens everywhere inside this Hubbard Street venue that replaces Bull & Bear at 431 N. Wells Street. The Chicago location is the third in the Pink Taco empire, which is expanding from its roots in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

From an aesthetic standpoint, it’s got many of the core elements of what Chicagoans can expect from a Mexican-ish bar downtown. Besides those Mexican wrestlers, there’s a few skulls evoking Dia de los Muertos-type imagery. There’s also a painting behind the bar of a sombrero-wearing lady looking to blow kisses. Similar imagery is used in Broken English Taco Pub’s logo that features a silhouette of a sombrero-wearing woman in a margarita glass.

The space will never be accused of being drab. As this is River North, there’s an opportunity to serve tourists and the need to ensure higher rents are paid. Neighborhoods like Pilsen and Little Village won’t charge $15 for an order of three tacos (it also comes with two sides), but Pink Taco gives patrons a chance to do so. The tortillas are made on premises and management say they have a commitment to fresh ingredients.

Like its predecessor, the after-work crowd should find this space popular. Unlike Bull & Bear, which closed before the state repealed its archaic happy hour laws, Pink Taco should benefit from drink and food specials. Take a look at the photos below. Pink Taco is now open.