El Camino Community Tavern

When owner Grant Gingerich decided to turn the former Swimclub32 into something that would better fit the rapidly changing Highland neighborhood, he drew inspiration from the taquerias that had been sprinkled throughout the area for years -- but gave the concept a shot of sex appeal. He painted the building bright pink, opened the windows to the outside, and filled the bar with skulls, chandeliers made of beer cans and other flashy faux-Mexican accessories. The atmosphere at El Camino is fun and welcoming, and so is the food. While the board is too heavy on things like molten cheese and too light on things like intestines to really sate a craving for authentic Mexican food, it's also not hip like the menu at one of Rick Bayless's upscale Chicago joints. Instead, the food here is unpretentious, pulling from all regions of Mexico — simple fare, influenced by the desires of American palates, that pairs well with El Camino's killer margaritas. They're some of the best in town, as are the nachos.