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Best Ceviche In Chicago

Ceviche may be a coastal dish — considering its main ingredients are fish or shellfish — of Latin America, but it's also become quite popular here in the United States. Chicago is no exception. No matter which restaurant you pick, the fish/shellfish in the ceviche is cooked to tender perfection from the citric acid from the lemon or limes. While it's 'cooked' the same, not all ceviches taste alike — that's because each Latin American country places their own spin on the dish, depending on the spices and other ingredients used. The variety of Latin American restaurants in Chicago reflects that diversity in ceviche.

Ay Ay Picante Peruvian Steak & Seafood
(Photo Credit: Ay Ay Picante Peruvian Steak & Seafood's Facebook)

Ay Ay Picante
4569 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 427-4239
www.ayaypicante.com

Peru is the land of ceviche, and the country boasts hundreds of recipes of the seafood dish. Ay Ay Picante in Albany Park reflects that with their ceviche bar. But if there's one ceviche, and one only, that you must get, go for the ceviche mixto. The extraordinary dish is piled high with various seafood and mixed in with tilapia fish, as well as a traditional leche de tigre, camote (sweet potato), choclo, lettuce and onions. Come with an appetite... and your drinks. This place is BYOB.

Frontera Grill
445 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 661-1434
www.rickbayless.com

No list of best Latin American restaurants is complete without a mention of a Rick Bayless restaurant, and if it's ceviche you have a hankering for, head to Frontera. While many items have changed on the menu over the years, the ceviche has remained a constant. It's the epitome of Mexican street food combining, as most of their ceviches do, onion, lime, cilantro and chiles. Fortunately for patrons of the River West restaurant, you don't have to choose just one among their many ceviches — go for the ceviche trio, which features the three most popular ceviches (which also change depending on the seasonal menu).

Nacional 27
(Photo Credit: Nacional 27's Facbeook)

Nacional 27
325 W. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 664-2727
www.n27chicago.com

The salsa lessons are one reason to visit this Near North restaurant. The ceviches are another — especially the drool-worthy ahi tuna and watermelon ceviche, an interesting but outstanding combination of flavors. This ceviche comes with gyoza crisps for the perfect added crunch. Grab this ceviche, among others, during their half-price deal Monday through Friday from 5 - 7 p.m.

Related:  Best Latin American Food In Chicago

Tanta
118 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 222-9700
www.tantachicago.com

Just as there's an enormous variety of ceviches in Peru, there's also different ways to spell it, and in this River North Peruvian restaurant, it goes by the name of "cebiche." All of the cebiche dishes run at $19, and all feature the freshest fish catches. Since its best to try as many as possible, you'll want to opt for the cebiche tasting, which is worth every penny of the $28. From the clasico ceviche to the mixto and nikei, the fish is chunky and perfectly balanced with its accompanying ingredients. The dishes are the epitome of simple, and prove that you just need fresh ingredients to make an out-of-this-world dish. To complete your meal, be sure to order a pisco, the traditional drink of Peru.

Veneno de Nayarit
1024 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-7200
www.restaurantvenenodenayarit.com

For a restaurant that's all about the Mexican food, head to this West Town hotspot. While extremely casual — it feels like you're walking into someone's home — the food is unbeatable (and that's not just because of the affordable prices). In terms of ceviche, go large when you order your shrimp ceviche, especially if you're sharing, because you'll consume every last bite. That goes for the complimentary ceviche you may receive, too. The restaurant is hopping upstairs and down for dinner, and don't forget it's BYOB.

Related: Most Unique Margaritas In Chicago

Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not blogging about food, she's working part-time at a culinary vacation company, The International Kitchen, based in the Windy City, as well as repping Younique cosmetics and skincare products. Some of her writing can be found at Examiner.com.

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