The tacos Wicker Park actually talks about.
Al pastor shaved fresh off a spinning trompo, steps from Milwaukee Ave. Pickup from 1742 N Western Ave or delivery straight to your corner of the neighborhood. Fast enough for a lunch break, good enough to talk about on the walk back.
The Wicker Park taco situation
Wicker Park has great taste. The taco options haven't kept up.
Six blocks from the Damen Blue Line stop and you're surrounded by brunch spots with $22 avocado toast. Solid tacos? That used to require a drive.
Reheated protein, not carved protein
Most spots around North Avenue and Damen are pulling pre-cooked meat from a steam pan. You can taste it.
Neighborhood prices for neighborhood-quality food
Every block between Milwaukee and Division has somebody charging boutique prices for food that doesn't earn it.
Great-on-arrival food that turns into mush in transit
Corn tortillas that were crispy four minutes ago are not crispy at your Wicker Park apartment door. Most places haven't solved that.
After Subterranean or The Empty Bottle, hunger wins
The late-night eating landscape around Wicker Park is a coin flip between sketchy and sad. If the show runs long, you suffer.
By the numbers
"I live two blocks from Damen and I was driving to Pilsen for tacos. Now I don't have to. TROMPO at Western is the one."
The al pastor actually tastes like it came off the trompo, not a steam tray. I drive in from Avondale every Friday and it is worth the trip.
Avondale
Catered our office party for 60 people. Showed up early, the line never stopped, and there were zero leftovers. Everyone asked who did it.
West Loop office
The quesabirria with that consome is the best in the city and I have tried all of them. Crispy, cheesy, worth every cent.
Wicker Park
Carved, not assembled
The TROMPO Method
The marinade, 24 hours minimum
Dried chiles, pineapple, achiote, garlic, and patience. The adobo sets overnight, every night. This is why the flavor reads deep, not surface-level.
Stacked on the trompo, then spun
Al pastor stacks layer by layer onto the vertical spit. The outside caramelizes, the inside stays juicy. Both textures land in the same bite.
Carved to order, never pre-sliced
When your order comes in, the knife goes to the cone. Not before. That shave of meat is warm, live, and not sitting in a pan going dry.
On a fresh-pressed corn tortilla
Double-stacked, warm, slightly charred at the edge. The tortilla is the foundation, not an afterthought. Get yours before it cools.
Al Pastor
$3.75Carved live off the trompo. Charred pineapple, cilantro, white onion, salsa roja. This is what the place is named for.
Signature
Carne Asada
$4.25Skirt steak grilled over high heat, sliced thin. Lime-pickled red onion, guacamole tatemado, fresh cilantro.
Crowd Favorite
Quesabirria
$5.00Slow-braised beef, dipped tortilla, Oaxacan cheese. Comes with a side of consomme for dipping. Wicker Park regulars order two.
Weekend Special
Pollo Adobado
$3.50Chicken thighs marinated overnight in chile negro and Mexican oregano. Crisp-edged from the grill, never dry. Topped with salsa roja and crema.
Most OrderedYour block party, gallery opening, or rooftop set needs a trompo.
We cater Wicker Park. Backyard cookouts off Pierce Ave, company events near the Flat Iron Arts Building, live music nights, pop-ups, everything. We show up with the full setup: live trompo, pressed tortillas, salsas made in-house, and a team that keeps the line moving.
"Minimum 25 guests. We handle the setup, the service, and the breakdown. You get the credit." TROMPO Catering, Wicker Park events
Plan Your Event
Ready when you are, Wicker Park.
Pickup from 1742 N Western Ave in under two minutes. Delivery across Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Ukrainian Village.
No reservation needed · No wait minimum · Just show up hungry. Catering: hello@trompochicago.com
Hours
Mon-Thu: 11am - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 2am
Sunday: 11am - 10pm
Location
1742 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
Near Wicker Park & Bucktown
Wicker Park details