Pepe Barajas, who opened El Solazo in 2007 in Chicago’s West Elsdon neighborhood, will debut the concept as Solazo (5600 S Pulaski Rd) on Thursday, September 23 after two years of being closed for service. Barajas will introduce a refreshed vibe at Solazo similar its sister property La Josie, the 2019 and 2021 Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient in the West Loop.
“I’ve been wanting to re-concept El Solazo and bring La Josie’s upscale and laid-back vibe to the neighborhood for a while now. We unfortunately had to close immediately two years ago due to a small fire and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to collaborate with my team and bring the neighborhood what they’re starved for,” says Barajas.
“El Solazo” was founded in 2007 in the West Elsdon neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago. Soon after opening, El Solazo became a neighborhood staple, best known for its great food and service, as seen on “Check, Please!” and “Chicago’s Best.”
In the summer of 2019, the restaurant experienced an electrical fire that forced it to shut down and the pandemic further delayed its reopening. Owner Pepe Barajas is proud to finally debut “Solazo” on September 23 with a new agave bar program (formerly BYOB), refreshed menu and large outdoor patio.
Agave Program
Solazo will focus on agaves from all regions in Mexico with an emphasis on rare agaves from the state of Jalisco, while showcasing the spirits and families who have been distilling these wild agaves for generations. A particular passion of Pepe's, agave (maguey in Mexico) produces spirits beyond mezcal and tequila, such as raicilla and bacanora, a growing interest among Chicago imbibers.
Barajas invites guests of Solazo to journey through the various regions of Mexico, with a menu that features more than 100 mezcals and agave spirits, many of which are crafted by independent artisans in Mexico.
At both La Josie and Solazo, Pepe and his team are dedicated to exploring and immersing themselves in agave education.
Culinary Program
Building on La Josie’s modern Mexican cuisine—Solazo’s menu will introduce new modern flavors that pay tribute to Barajas’ childhood in Mexico and his family’s puestos de tacos (taco stands).
Menu options include the Ceviche, Aguachile Rojo ($12), with choice of Baja California striped bass or tiger shrimp, chile piquin, onion, tomato, cucumber, avocado and cilantro and Tacos (with housemade tortillas), including Pescado ($9), with Baja California striped bass, beer batter, carrots, pickled jalapenos, napa cabbage, agave chipotle aioli, onion and cilantro and Cochinita Pibil ($8), with Yucatan achiote-marinated pork, escabeche rojo, chile habanero, achiote salsa, baby kale and cilantro.
Solazo opens on Thursday, September 23 at 5600 S Pulaski Road. Hours of operation are Thursday 4 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to midnight and Sunday 4 to 10 p.m.
Pepe Barajas, who opened El Solazo in 2007 in Chicago’s West Elsdon neighborhood, will debut the concept as Solazo (5600 S Pulaski Rd) on Thursday, September 23 after two years of being closed for service. Barajas will introduce a refreshed vibe at Solazo similar its sister property La Josie, the 2019 and 2021 Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient in the West Loop.
“I’ve been wanting to re-concept El Solazo and bring La Josie’s upscale and laid-back vibe to the neighborhood for a while now. We unfortunately had to close immediately two years ago due to a small fire and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to collaborate with my team and bring the neighborhood what they’re starved for,” says Barajas.
“El Solazo” was founded in 2007 in the West Elsdon neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago. Soon after opening, El Solazo became a neighborhood staple, best known for its great food and service, as seen on “Check, Please!” and “Chicago’s Best.”
In the summer of 2019, the restaurant experienced an electrical fire that forced it to shut down and the pandemic further delayed its reopening. Owner Pepe Barajas is proud to finally debut “Solazo” on September 23 with a new agave bar program (formerly BYOB), refreshed menu and large outdoor patio.
Agave Program
Solazo will focus on agaves from all regions in Mexico with an emphasis on rare agaves from the state of Jalisco, while showcasing the spirits and families who have been distilling these wild agaves for generations. A particular passion of Pepe's, agave (maguey in Mexico) produces spirits beyond mezcal and tequila, such as raicilla and bacanora, a growing interest among Chicago imbibers.
Barajas invites guests of Solazo to journey through the various regions of Mexico, with a menu that features more than 100 mezcals and agave spirits, many of which are crafted by independent artisans in Mexico.
At both La Josie and Solazo, Pepe and his team are dedicated to exploring and immersing themselves in agave education.
Culinary Program
Building on La Josie’s modern Mexican cuisine—Solazo’s menu will introduce new modern flavors that pay tribute to Barajas’ childhood in Mexico and his family’s puestos de tacos (taco stands).
Menu options include the Ceviche, Aguachile Rojo ($12), with choice of Baja California striped bass or tiger shrimp, chile piquin, onion, tomato, cucumber, avocado and cilantro and Tacos (with housemade tortillas), including Pescado ($9), with Baja California striped bass, beer batter, carrots, pickled jalapenos, napa cabbage, agave chipotle aioli, onion and cilantro and Cochinita Pibil ($8), with Yucatan achiote-marinated pork, escabeche rojo, chile habanero, achiote salsa, baby kale and cilantro.
Solazo opens on Thursday, September 23 at 5600 S Pulaski Road. Hours of operation are Thursday 4 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to midnight and Sunday 4 to 10 p.m.
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