I have a rule for Mexican restaurants: The best holes-in-the-wall are the ones that have an infatuation with their own food. How you can tell? If the restaurant has large photographs of their own dishes adorned over the walls, it's probably going to do you well. Some restaurants choose to set the mood with works of arts or illustrations of Chicago – but not Rogers Park taqueria Tu Casa. Burritos and tacos and nachos are what the good people at Tu Casa lovingly choose as decor, and they back it up by serving up dishes that look just as good as the pampered version on the posters.

Typical Mexican fare dominates Tu Casa's menu: tacos, burritos, tortas, nachos, and anything stuffed with beef, chicken or steak. For sure, make sure to ask for double helpings of refried beans on whatever dish you end up with, as they are hot, smooth, melty and well worth the, um, side effects afterward. A typical special offers three tacos and a drink for $4.99, but in reality you'd be hard-pressed to spend more than $5 before you find yourself plenty full.

Size constraints qualify Tu Casa as a certified "hole-in-the-wall," but a sizable amount of tables are cramped in there and the cleanliness is pretty darn impeccable (napkins at each table!). And the service couldn't be friendlier, with lots of smiles, compliments and Mexican hospitality.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Andy Seifert