Amigo Sole Takeaway. Amigo Sole gets ambitious with their spicy Cheeto burrito. I'd give it a 7.5/10 for the novelty alone, though the execution is more fun than life-changing. Worth grabbing once in your life.
If you work on the Loop and want to shake up your lunch rotation, this fast-casual spot delivers solid Mexican fusion with a side of sneaker culture.
Service was quick, parking was easy, and you're in and out within 10 minutes. It's not worth a special trip across town, but it's a solid option if you're already in the area or catching a show at the Pageant.
Amigo Sole Experience Summary
I rolled up to Amigo Sole on a random Tuesday at lunchtime with a buddy. He works nearby on the east side of the Loop, right across from the Pageant, and suggested we give it a shot. I didn't know anything about it going in.
The name started making sense the second I walked through the door. Amigo Sole is a play on words--think "amigo" meets "soul" meets "sole" as in shoes. The whole vibe is unapologetically shoe-obsessed.
Walking into the restaurant, you're hit by a modern, clean feel with bright yellowy colors splashed across the walls. It's not the old school feel of a small town taqueria. Instead, the entire place is covered in different types of kicks--sneakers mounted on the walls like art. If you're into sneaker culture, you'll probably appreciate the aesthetic. If you're not, it's at least something different to look at while you wait for your food.
This is the kind of place where they're willing to take chances on different flavors and different styles. Mexican ramen? Sure. Hot Cheetos *inside* a burrito? Why not. When I saw the spicy Cheeto burrito on the menu, I knew I had to give it a shot. It's not every day you see something that audacious.
The service was super fast and friendly. The place was basically empty except for maybe one other person, so we hopped right in line, ordered our food, and got it within 10 minutes. Can't beat that for a quick lunch break. They give you a number and bring the food to your table when it's ready.
They were offering some kind of complimentary tea for tasting. I'm not a tea person--more in the Ted Lasso camp that considers it just hot garbage water--but I gave it a taste anyway. It was a little sweeter than I was expecting. Not something I'd get again, but my buddy liked it enough. More than anything, it was a nice touch that they offered it for free.
Overall, I'd give Amigo Sole a solid rating for what it is. It's not going to change your life, but it's worth the experiment if you're in the area and want something different for lunch. I used to work on the Loop, and we'd go somewhere different every Friday.
This would definitely be worth adding to that rotation, at least once.
The Food At Amigo Sole
Let's talk about the star of the show: the spicy Cheeto burrito.
This thing is as interesting as it sounds. Hot Cheetos both on top of *and* inside a basic burrito. It's the kind of creation that makes you go, "Who thought of this?" But honestly? It works.
The burrito itself was really nice. The outside was grilled to perfection, and the tortilla had a little bit of crunch to it, which I'm a big fan of. I love Chipotle tortillas generally, and this was in that same class. Nice thickness. Nice chew. Plus, that outer grilled crunch makes all the difference.
Inside, you've got your standard burrito fillings: rice, beans, chicken, and sour cream. But then come the Hot Cheetos. Think of them as adding a lot of crunch with that distinctive Cheeto flavor. Essentially, what you're getting is cheese, right? So it's almost like a queso, conceptually, but way more American and modernized.
In my opinion, you're going more for the novelty than for pure flavor perfection. But you'll take it. I'd give it probably like a 7.5/10. I definitely enjoyed it. If you're in the area and you want some Mexican food, it's a good place to go.
Real talk?
I wouldn't drive the 15 minutes from my house again. I think there are better Mexican places--more hole-in-the-wall, authentic Mexican spots to get. But for offering something different on the Loop, it's fine. Worth trying for the novelty if nothing else.
My buddy went a different route and got the Mexican ramen.
Mexican ramen is different, I'll give them that. I don't think I've ever heard of it before. He actually really enjoyed it and finished the whole thing--egg, beef, noodles, and all. I didn't taste it myself, so I'm not sure exactly how they put a Mexican spin on it. But he had no complaints, and coming from him, that's saying something.
The fact that they're willing to experiment with fusion dishes like this shows they're not afraid to get creative. That alone makes it worth giving them a chance.
Amigo Sole Atmosphere And Miscellaneous
Amigo Sole is a fast-casual setup, not a fancy sit-down place. It's modern and hip without trying too hard. You order at the counter, grab a number, and they bring your food out.
The shoe decorations are the main talking point. If you're a sneakerhead, you'll probably spend half your meal checking out what's on the walls. If you're not, well, at least it's colorful.
It would be a good spot to hit before or after catching a show at the Pageant since it's right across the street. Quick service means you're not going to be late.
The vibe is casual and relaxed. Perfect for a lunch break or a quick bite when you're out and about on the Loop.
Parking At Amigo Sole
Parking is really easy. They have a dedicated lot around the side. If you're going to Amigo Sole, you're allowed to park there along with the other places in that little strip of Delmar.
However, if that's full, you can always park on the other side of Delmar. There are a bunch of public lots back there. Parking on the Loop can be a pain sometimes, but this spot makes it simple.
Amigo Sole Receipt