Antique Taco Nutrition | Smart Menu Picks

Nutrition Q & A / By

Nutrition at Antique Taco varies by order; most tacos land near 250–450 calories, with bowls and burritos running higher.

Antique Taco Menu Calories: What To Expect

Antique Taco is a small Chicago chain with a rotating market-style menu. Items change with the season, but the build stays similar: corn tortillas, slow-cooked meats, slaws, crema, queso, and fresh salsas. Since full nutrition panels aren’t posted, the smartest way to plan is to break each item into parts and tally an estimate using trusted databases. A typical 6-inch corn tortilla is about 60–65 calories, black beans land near 110–230 per cup depending on portion, roasted meats vary by cut and marinade, and dairy garnishes add small but noticeable amounts.

Portion size drives the math. Two tacos usually mean two tortillas and 3–5 ounces of filling plus toppings. Bowls swap tortillas for extra beans, rice, or greens, which shifts carbs and fiber. Burritos stack flour tortilla weight and fillings into one package. Drinks, especially margaritas, can rival a taco in calories because sweet mixers push sugars up.

How We Estimate Numbers Safely

To keep this guide useful and honest, estimates below combine the restaurant menu format with reference values from public databases. For components like tortillas, beans, queso fresco, crema, and salsa, we use per-piece or per-cup figures from USDA’s FoodData Central. For mixers used in cocktails, we align with typical margarita values. Treat the ranges as guides, not labels.

Menu Breakdown Table

This table groups common orders into estimated ranges so you can pick what fits your day. Use it as a quick scan, then read the tips that follow to tailor a plate to your goals.

Item Type What’s Inside Estimated Calories
Single Corn Tortilla Taco 6″ tortilla, ~2–3 oz meat or beans, salsa, herbs 250–350
Two-Taco Plate 2 tortillas, 4–6 oz total filling, toppings 500–700
Burrito Large flour tortilla, rice/beans, 4–6 oz filling, dairy 700–1,000+
Salad Or Bowl Greens or rice/beans base, 4–6 oz protein, toppings 450–750
Chips With Guac Fried corn chips, avocado-lime mash 450–700
House Margarita Tequila + citrus mix over ice (5–8 fl oz) 200–300

Pick Your Protein Wisely

Different fillings swing totals fast. Slow-roasted pork can be richer than grilled chicken. Beans add fiber and minerals with fewer calories per ounce than many meats. If you’re building two tacos, aim for consistent scoops so each shell eats the same.

Quick Protein Guide

Grilled Chicken: Leaner by the ounce. A modest portion keeps fat on the lower side while staying satisfying with slaw and salsa.

Pork Carnitas: Braised and picked meat tends to carry more fat. It’s tender and flavorful, so a smaller scoop still hits the spot.

Steak Or Barbacoa: Middle of the road; marbling and marinades can nudge calories up. Balance with lighter toppings.

Black Beans Or Veg: Plant-forward builds keep saturated fat down and boost fiber, which helps with fullness.

Ingredient Reference Points

Use these ballpark add-ons when eyeballing your plate:

  • Corn tortilla: ~62 kcal each.
  • Queso fresco: 70–90 kcal per ounce.
  • Crema: ~30 kcal per tablespoon.
  • Pico de gallo: ~5–20 kcal per serving spoon.
  • Cooked black beans: ~110–230 kcal per 1/2–1 cup.

Cross-check ingredients with USDA’s database if you like; branded entries and generic staples make quick work of estimates.

Portion Moves That Keep Flavor

Order Tactics

  • Go single-shell: ask for one tortilla per taco to shave ~60 calories.
  • Split dairy: half crema and cheese still pop against acids and herbs.
  • Lean on salsas: chile-lime brightness brings a lot of taste for few calories.
  • Pick one rich star: if carnitas is the star, keep sides lighter; if you’re craving chips and guac, choose a lighter protein.

Smart Sides And Drinks

House-made chips are fried to a lovely crunch, which means energy density goes up. Sharing a basket spreads the load. For beverages, unsweetened choices like water or soda water dodge the sugar curve, while a classic margarita spans roughly 200–300 calories based on the mix you choose.

Signature Flavors, Estimated Totals

Menu names change seasonally, but the flavor patterns repeat. Use these sample builds to gauge ranges and swap in the filling you like.

Build Components Estimated Calories
Grilled Chicken Taco 1 corn tortilla, ~2.5 oz chicken, slaw, salsa 260–340
Carnitas Taco 1 corn tortilla, ~2.5 oz pork, onions, cilantro 300–380
Veggie Bean Taco 1 corn tortilla, ~1/3 cup black beans, veg slaw 240–320
Two-Taco Plate (Mix) 2 shells, ~5 oz total filling, toppings 520–700
Chicken Bowl Greens or rice, ~4 oz chicken, beans, salsa, light dairy 500–700
Fried Chicken Burrito Flour tortilla, rice/beans, fried chicken pieces, sauces 900–1,200+

Allergens, Swaps, And Dietary Notes

Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free when made without flour blends, but cross-contact can occur in mixed kitchens. Dairy shows up in queso, crema, and some slaws. Seeds like pepitas may appear in specials. If you’re ordering for a guest with restrictions, confirm ingredients at the counter.

Need a lighter path? Try tacos with one shell each, grilled chicken or veggie filling, double salsa, and cheese on the side. Prefer indulgent? Keep the same base but add crema and a richer protein—easy sliders on the calorie dial without losing the Antique vibe.

How To Rebuild A Taco At Home

Craving the same profile while controlling the numbers? Build at home using market tortillas, your protein of choice, a crisp slaw, and a bright salsa. Weigh or measure once to learn your portions, then go back to eyeballing. A digital scale removes guesswork for cooked meats, which lose water as they braise or grill.

DIY Reference Mini-List

  • 3 corn tortillas = ~186 kcal.
  • 4 oz grilled chicken = ~180–220 kcal depending on cut.
  • 1/2 cup black beans = ~110–120 kcal.
  • 1 oz queso fresco = ~70–90 kcal.
  • 1 tbsp crema = ~30 kcal.

What The Restaurant Shares Publicly

The official site posts locations, menus, and ordering links. Exact calorie labels aren’t listed, which isn’t unusual for independent shops. If you’re planning ahead, scan the restaurant site and pick a protein style in advance; the counter team can confirm current garnishes on request.

Method And Sources

Numbers above combine menu patterns with public food databases: tortilla values come from major references; beans use standard USDA figures; dairy and salsa figures match branded or generic entries; cocktail ranges use typical margarita records. These references are listed here for easy verification without heavy math.

  • USDA FoodData Central database for staples and brands.
  • Restaurant menu pages for current offerings and ingredients.

Ready-To-Order Picks

Short on time? Try one of these patterns and you’ll have a good sense of the numbers before the tray lands:

Lighter Two-Taco Set

Two single-shell tacos with grilled chicken or veggies, double salsa, no rice, cheese on the side. Add sparkling water or ask for a half-sweet margarita.

Balanced Burrito Night

One burrito shared with a friend plus a side salad or slaw. Ask for extra lime and skip second fried side.

Plant-Forward Bowl

Greens base, black beans, roasted veg, salsa verde, a touch of queso fresco. It’s filling, colorful, and easy to track.

Calorie Math In Action

Estimate a two-taco meal fast. Two corn tortillas give roughly 120–130 calories. Add filling: 4–5 ounces grilled chicken lands near 200–260; pork for the same weight can add 60–120. Layer flavor next. A spoon of pico barely moves the dial, slaw adds crunch for little energy, a tablespoon of crema adds ~30, and an ounce of queso fresco adds ~70–90. Put it together and two tacos often sit in the 520–700 range, which matches the table above.

Bowls follow the same math. Swap shell calories for beans, rice, or greens. Half a cup of black beans adds about 110–120 and brings fiber. Rice raises carbs faster than beans, so many guests split the scoop. When dairy rides along, ask for half; it still brings tang and body.

Sodium, Fiber, And Fullness

Seasoned meats, pickled veg, and cheeses carry sodium. If you’re watching your daily total, lean on lime and fresh salsas, keep one salty element per plate, and sip water. Fiber from beans, slaws, and grilled vegetables slows digestion and takes the edge off snacking. A plate with at least one fiber-rich element tends to feel steady for hours.

Protein targets help too. A meal with 25–35 grams often feels balanced. Two tacos with lean protein and beans can hit that range without sending calories sky-high. If you’re pairing a drink, eat first; alcohol on an empty stomach leads to extra chips.

Drinks, Desserts, And Pace

Margaritas bring sugar unless you ask for a smaller pour or extra lime. Beer in lighter styles can land below many cocktails per serving. For shakes and creamy desserts, treat them as a separate course. If you want both a drink and dessert, pick one full-size and one mini, or share. Keep water on the table to pace bites and sips mindfully.