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When late-night munchies roll around, nothing quite hits the spot like a greasy taco, some beans and some queso. While many people swear by a long-time American staple (Taco Bell), I prefer to get my wee-hour snack on at a more authentic joint: Arturo’s Tacos in Bucktown.

Even a nocturnal Taco Bell can fail you at times, calling it a night before your cravings for Mexican food. Arturo’s is open 24 hours a day, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to all kinds of folks. A flashing neon sign pulls in hungry guests at any hour of the day (or night). Inside, the ceiling is painted like a bright daytime sky with sparse clouds and seagulls soaring above, reminding customers that “it’s sunny somewhere.”

But it’s not just the around-the-clock service that sets Arturo’s apart from the rest. The down-home Mexican meals at Arturo’s inspire flavor-induced memories in diners that they never even had. From the ripe avocados in their vibrant guacamole to the glistening al pastor rotating next to the flat-top grill, each menu item suggests a sense of tradition unmatched by your typical Mexican joint.

The staff takes pride in the cuisine and business. Women carefully squirt homemade rojo and verde hot sauce from bottles into small plastic cups while cooks vigorously chop chorizo as it sears on the flat-top. Customers are greeted by a warm smile and a sign above the register that reads “We don’t call police,” with a pistol mounted on the sign among the words.

While Arturo’s is praised for its perfect chorizo tacos, the sweet treats are also worth a visit. Small-batch pastries and candies surround the register to encourage that impulse sweet-tooth fulfillment. Coca-Cola made with real sugar (imported from Mexico) refrigerates in a cooler by the counter and horchata, sugary and potent with cinnamon, flows from a chilled dispenser.

A visit to Arturo’s might discourage diners to ever seek another option. Arturo’s isn’t just an upgrade from Taco Bell – it’s a completely different ballgame of genuinely fantastic Mexican grub.