El Tlaxcalteca

The gist: In a sea of Mexican restaurants on the south side, this one stands out for reliability and its harder-to-find specialties, which are usually trendy and customers swoon over.
The food: The juicy beef from birria de res shows up in everything, from mulitas to machetes, an arm-sized crispy corn masa quesadilla that serves two. Huge pambazos and cemitas poblanos on sesame seed-flecked buns, achiote-dyed pork carved from a trompo, and chipotle albondigas are all standouts. 
The cost: Starters and entrees are $4-$16, tacos around $2.50, and machetes around $20.
How to order: Call the restaurant to order at 414-312-8436.