One Great Sandwich: Artemio's Torta Carnitas

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Sep 3, 2008 4:00PM

Taquerias in Chicago are so prevalent that if you can't find one, you aren't trying. Even though the good ones tend to stand out like oases in a desert, some fly just underneath the radar of the recognition they deserve.

One that does a commendable job is Artemio's in Portage Park. We were in Six Corners Saturday night to watch Chaplin's "City Lights" at Bank of America Cinema, had an hour to kill before the movie started, and were really hungry. Artemio's is right across the street and we thought, "Hadn't featured a torta for 'OGS' before." So we dove in and ordered the torta carnitas, a staple when we're up that way. The pork was impeccably seasoned, served on lightly toasted bread, lettuce and light Mexican sour ream. Best part of this? It only costs $4.50. With popcorn at B of A cinema only costing $1, it made for a fulfilling evening.

Artemio's is open late (4 a.m. on weekends) to accommodate folks leaving the Latin and Eastern European discos of the Nrothwest side jonesing for something to eat after a night of drinking, dancing, (possibly) fighting and (most certainly) cockblocking.

Artemio's, 4918 W. Irving Park Rd., 773-545-2631.