This blog post is inspired by some of my favorite things: trying new restaurants, eating delicious food, exploring new neighborhoods and watching my favorite shows on T.V. Because really, if I wasn’t an avid T.V. watcher I do not believe my friends and I would have discovered the deliciousness that we ate this weekend. It all started when Top Chef: New Orleans aired on Bravo a couple months back. Every Wednesday night you can find my roommate and me glued to our couch watching the contestants cooking up mind blowing dishes. Our conversations during the show usually go like this: “Their worst dishes are still better than the food that I make for dinner,” “I know I just ate, but I’m hungry again,” and ”I wish I had a man to cook for me.” And since we are both not interested in attending culinary school and we are still looking for that dream man who owns his own successful restaurant and would still want to cook for us after a long day, we came up with the next best possible thing.
One of the contestants on the show, also happens to be one of our favorites is from Chicago. ApartmentSavvy Blog readers, let me introduce you to Carlos Gaytan, Top Chef contestant and owner of my new favorite Mexican restaurant in Chicago, Mexique (it 
will soon be yours too, I promise!) Carlos had a big win last Wednesday in the pig challenge, where the Chefs had to butcher and cook up a 300-pound hog. So Carlos did what he does best. He made Fried Chorizo Tacos with Pozole Verde. If you do not watch Top Chef or you forgot what his dish looked like, let me refresh your memory. My roommate and I knew what we had to do next. We picked up the phone and immediately made reservations for Mexique. Come Sunday we were not going to have to eat chicken and broccoli and we would FINALLY have one of our favorite Chef’s recipes in front of us.
In May of 2008 Carlos opened Mexique on Chicago Ave. With great creativity, love, and dedication, he applies his knowledge of French 
cooking techniques and ingredients to his roots of traditional Mexican cuisine, creating a revolution of Mexican gastronomy. Mexique has received much recognition since its opening, including one of Chicago 
magazine’s top new restaurants of 2009, best restaurant of 2010 and received its first star in the Michelin Guide in 2013. If you have been to Mexique this comes as no surprise to you. And if you haven’t, here is all you need to know.
Mexique
1529 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 850-0288: Reservations Accepted
Must Try:
CAZUELA DE JAIBA
Crab Cakes, Corn, Potatoes, Red Peppers, Bacon, Spinach and Chipotle Hollandaise, Scrambled Eggs
ENCHILADAS VERDES
Chicken Enchiladas, Shredded Chicken, Fennel, Tomato Salad, Queso Fresco, Sour Cream, Tomatillo Sauce
CHILAQUILES ROJOS
Crispy Corn Tortillas, Epazote, Red Guajillo Salsa, Steak, Fried Eggs
My friends and I were too engrossed in our food to take any pictures of it. (The photo above is courtesy of Yelp, I could not not show a photo!) But believe me, these three meals were some of the best Mexican dishes that I have ever had, and I am a hard core critic when it comes to food. The crab cakes were mouth watering topped with the Chipotle Hollandaise, the Chicken Enchiliadas were cooked to perfection and when the waiter poured the Red Guajilo Salsa over the Chilaquiles Rojos, game over. All of our eyes lit up. And, of course, it would not be considered a Sunday Funday without a pitcher of the house Sangria.
I am so happy I have found Mexique and I am able to share this discovery with you. The wait staff is so friendly and attent