Mama Delia

I’ve recently developed a love for Spanish tapas, so Mama Delia was the perfect Chicago restaurant to fulfill my craving. The menu features a variety of Spanish-inspired small plates, cocktails, and paella, making it a great spot to order a little bit of everything and try a variety of flavors.

Starting with cocktails, I ordered the Margarita made with tequila, salted cucumber, and jalapeño. This was the perfect margarita for me because it wasn’t overly sweet and had just a subtle amount of spice. The salted cucumber also added a refreshing flavor that made this a great cocktail to start the meal.

Starting with one of the specials of the night, we ordered the Heirloom Tomato Salad. This was a light and fresh start to the meal, and I loved the vinaigrette dressing over the tomatoes and vegetables. It created a savory bite that was full of fresh flavor.

Next was the Tuna Tataki with black garlic aioli. This was such a delicious bite, with the perfect balance between the fresh tuna and flavorful aioli. The black garlic added a deeper flavor that paired really well with the tuna.

One of my favorite parts of the meal was a recommendation from our waiter: the Croquetas de Jamón Ibérico. The jamón had such a buttery flavor, and I loved how crispy the croquetas were on the outside while remaining creamy on the inside. This was definitely one of my favorite dishes of the night.

Another table favorite was the Anchovy Toast served with tomato sauce on a brioche bun. As someone who hasn’t had anchovies many times, I was surprised by how much I loved this dish. All of the flavors worked together seamlessly, creating the perfect bite.

Of course, we had to order one of the Paellas, so we opted for the seafood version with monkfish, cuttlefish, huge shrimp, and squid ink. The shrimp was a standout for me, but I especially loved the crispy rice at the bottom of the pan. That crispy layer added the perfect texture to the dish.

We couldn’t leave without trying the award-winning Flan, which honestly surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. It was perfectly sweet with a thick, creamy custard that made for a delicious ending to the meal.

Overall, Mama Delia was an incredible dinner spot and one of my favorite Spanish dining experiences in Chicago. I truly loved everything we ate, and I especially enjoyed how so many different flavors and textures came together across the menu. Between the tapas, paella, cocktails, and dessert, Mama Delia is definitely a restaurant I’ll be thinking about for my next Spanish food craving.

Mama Delia: 1721 W Division St Ground Floor, Chicago, IL