Cesar’s Killer Margaritas has been a Lakeview restaurant for decades, offering dishes created from family recipes passed down through generations, and a lineup of margaritas. With a menu full of Mexican classics and dishes like Enchiladas En Mole Poblano, made with Cesars’ El Mero Mole, Chile Relleno, and Steak Fajitas, to name a few. The story of Cesars’ begins with the family’s matriarch, Senora Lulu, in Mexico City many generations ago. At just eight years old, Lulu worked alongside her grandmother Clarita Vasquez to create the recipe that would later bring Chicago Cesar’s El Mero Mole. Growing up, Senora Lulu loved working alongside her grandmother in the fonda, perfecting her culinary skills that she would later pass down to future generations and inspire the creation of Cesar’s restaurant, now run by Israel Sanchez with sister Lulu Duran helming the kitchen.
Photo courtesy of Cesar's Killer Margaritas
River North
Vela
Vela is one of Chicago’s newest Mexican restaurants, and the restaurant encapsulates the melting pot of cuisines and cultures within Mexico City. The restaurant is primarily owned and operated by nearly all first-generation Mexican Americans.
From Executive Chef Jorge Angulo and Head Bartender Christopher Martinez down to the Hindo Brothers’ Celeste Group ownership team, the entire spirit of the restaurant is rooted in Mexico.
Wicker Park/Bucktown
Manchamanteles
Manchamanteles, the newest restaurant on the resume of Chef Geno Baneha, has announced its new Fall menu. Located in Bucktown, Chef Geno and the Manchamanteles team have curated a limited-time menu honoring Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Chiles En Nogada included on this exclusive menu, are traditionally served to honor Mexico’s first emperor during Hispanic Heritage Month. Made to order, a poblano is stuffed with pork, apples, pears, peaches, and spices with a walnut cream sauce and topped with pomegranate for a twist on a traditional dish.
Also included in these new offerings is a fall mole, known as “Mole Chichilo.” Made with lamb, nuts, and seeds, this dish pairs with Marz Brewing’s Abuelita’s Mole Stout and Ruby’s Tears, which are offered as a first look at the upcoming Marz and Manchamanteles partnership.
Amaru
Amaru from Chef Rodolfo Cuadros will donate $1 of every Bomba de Cereza sold to Latinos Progresando to celebrate the month.
Amaru’s Bomba de Cereza features cherry purée, vodka, lemon juice, Ginger Beer and a splash of grenadine.
Latinos Progresando is an organization dedicated to high quality immigration legal services, community support to help make Chicago healthier and safer, as well as advancing our local Hispanic culture through the arts and their signature speakers series, MEX talks.
Photo courtesy of Vela
Multiple Locations
Tatas Tacos
Tatas Tacos has two locations where guests can choose from craft tacos, along with Tatas Kitchen + Social, in Portage Park. This taco spot, owned by Marci Berner and Julia Paphitis, opened in 2018, and serves options like Al Pastor and Cameron Tacos, Fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and more. Owners Marci Berner and Julia Paphitis also take pride in supporting the communities where each location can be found, through both fundraisers and by hosting events where local artists, musicians, comedians, and more can perform and interact with locals.
Argentinian Cuisine
Jenny Di Sapio’s parents were born in Argentina, as was her older brother. The family came to the US, where Jenny was born, with the hopes of introducing Chicago to Argentinian cuisine. Folklore will celebrate 15 years in business in October and South American flavors and culture take center stage at Bodega Sur. The family also owns Tango Sur, Barran Chicago, and El Mercade Foodmart. Jenny and her brother currently run all the establishments. Their father passed away, but their mother still helps with watering and keeping the plants alive and thriving at the restaurants.
Photo courtesy of Tatas Tacos
Suburbs
Amerikas (Oak Park)
Located in the Oak Park neighborhood, Owner and Chef Armando Gonzalez moved to Chicago from Mexico nearly forty years ago. His vision for Amerikas is to cook “outside of the box” and break down barriers within the community surrounding food. The restaurant’s concept is dedicated to blend its Latin roots with flavors from around the world to create that taste. Menu options include Pulpo, tender Spanish octopus complemented by chorizo and garbanzos, a variety of tacos, Barbacoa– lamb shank braised with guajillo and ancho peppers, avocado leaves, mushroom risotto and pistachios, and Coliflor, a dish comprised of cauliflower, carrots, farro, almonds, and Manchego cheese, with a hibiscus/arbol reduction.
Lakeview
Cesar’s Killer Margaritas has been a Lakeview restaurant for decades, offering dishes created from family recipes passed down through generations, and a lineup of margaritas. With a menu full of Mexican classics and dishes like Enchiladas En Mole Poblano, made with Cesars’ El Mero Mole, Chile Relleno, and Steak Fajitas, to name a few. The story of Cesars’ begins with the family’s matriarch, Senora Lulu, in Mexico City many generations ago. At just eight years old, Lulu worked alongside her grandmother Clarita Vasquez to create the recipe that would later bring Chicago Cesar’s El Mero Mole. Growing up, Senora Lulu loved working alongside her grandmother in the fonda, perfecting her culinary skills that she would later pass down to future generations and inspire the creation of Cesar’s restaurant, now run by Israel Sanchez with sister Lulu Duran helming the kitchen.
River North
Vela is one of Chicago’s newest Mexican restaurants, and the restaurant encapsulates the melting pot of cuisines and cultures within Mexico City. The restaurant is primarily owned and operated by nearly all first-generation Mexican Americans.
From Executive Chef Jorge Angulo and Head Bartender Christopher Martinez down to the Hindo Brothers’ Celeste Group ownership team, the entire spirit of the restaurant is rooted in Mexico.
Wicker Park/Bucktown
Manchamanteles, the newest restaurant on the resume of Chef Geno Baneha, has announced its new Fall menu. Located in Bucktown, Chef Geno and the Manchamanteles team have curated a limited-time menu honoring Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Chiles En Nogada included on this exclusive menu, are traditionally served to honor Mexico’s first emperor during Hispanic Heritage Month. Made to order, a poblano is stuffed with pork, apples, pears, peaches, and spices with a walnut cream sauce and topped with pomegranate for a twist on a traditional dish.
Also included in these new offerings is a fall mole, known as “Mole Chichilo.” Made with lamb, nuts, and seeds, this dish pairs with Marz Brewing’s Abuelita’s Mole Stout and Ruby’s Tears, which are offered as a first look at the upcoming Marz and Manchamanteles partnership.
Amaru from Chef Rodolfo Cuadros will donate $1 of every Bomba de Cereza sold to Latinos Progresando to celebrate the month.
Amaru’s Bomba de Cereza features cherry purée, vodka, lemon juice, Ginger Beer and a splash of grenadine.
Latinos Progresando is an organization dedicated to high quality immigration legal services, community support to help make Chicago healthier and safer, as well as advancing our local Hispanic culture through the arts and their signature speakers series, MEX talks.
Multiple Locations
Tatas Tacos has two locations where guests can choose from craft tacos, along with Tatas Kitchen + Social, in Portage Park. This taco spot, owned by Marci Berner and Julia Paphitis, opened in 2018, and serves options like Al Pastor and Cameron Tacos, Fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and more. Owners Marci Berner and Julia Paphitis also take pride in supporting the communities where each location can be found, through both fundraisers and by hosting events where local artists, musicians, comedians, and more can perform and interact with locals.
Jenny Di Sapio’s parents were born in Argentina, as was her older brother. The family came to the US, where Jenny was born, with the hopes of introducing Chicago to Argentinian cuisine. Folklore will celebrate 15 years in business in October and South American flavors and culture take center stage at Bodega Sur. The family also owns Tango Sur, Barran Chicago, and El Mercade Foodmart. Jenny and her brother currently run all the establishments. Their father passed away, but their mother still helps with watering and keeping the plants alive and thriving at the restaurants.
Suburbs
Located in the Oak Park neighborhood, Owner and Chef Armando Gonzalez moved to Chicago from Mexico nearly forty years ago. His vision for Amerikas is to cook “outside of the box” and break down barriers within the community surrounding food. The restaurant’s concept is dedicated to blend its Latin roots with flavors from around the world to create that taste. Menu options include Pulpo, tender Spanish octopus complemented by chorizo and garbanzos, a variety of tacos, Barbacoa – lamb shank braised with guajillo and ancho peppers, avocado leaves, mushroom risotto and pistachios, and Coliflor, a dish comprised of cauliflower, carrots, farro, almonds, and Manchego cheese, with a hibiscus/arbol reduction.
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