In Lakeview, Cesar's Killer Margaritas serves up Mexican comfort food steeped in generations of family tradition, alongside a lineup of more than 28 margarita flavors. But the real story is in the recipes. The restaurant, owned by Israel Sanchez, with his sister Lulu Duran helming the kitchen, traces its culinary roots back to Mexico City and the family’s matriarch, Señora Lulu. At just eight years old, Lulu learned to cook alongside her grandmother, Clarita Vasquez, in a small fonda in Mexico City. There, she helped perfect the recipe that would eventually become Cesar’s signature El Mero Mole. Today, that legacy lives on in dishes like the Enchiladas en Mole Poblano - three soft corn tortillas filled with your choice of protein and covered in dark, velvety mole, then finished with queso fresco and onions and served with seasoned rice and beans.
Credit: Cesar's Killer Margaritas
West Loop
Bocaditos
September 15 kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month and marks the restaurant’s third anniversary. Since opening its doors in 2023, owner Jose Lozano has transformed Bocaditos into a celebration of Mexico, where time-honored flavors, colorful traditions, and a distinctly Mexico-inspired atmosphere come together under one roof. The idea is simple: create a place where authentic food can bring people together. The best way to experience it? Indulge in their Cevichazo - fresh octopus and salmon cured in-house leche de tigre, then layered with mango pico de gallo and creamy avocado, or opt to enjoy any of their seven tacos.
Credit: Bocaditos
West Town
Dell' Rooster
What if one restaurant could take you on a culinary trip across continents? That’s the idea behind Dell’ Rooster, a West Town restaurant inspired by 27 Latin American countries. Co-owner and Chef Miguel Tenesaca immigrated to the U.S. from Ecuador more than 20 years ago and worked his way through Chicago kitchens, starting as a dishwasher before building his own restaurant. Today, Dell’ Rooster reflects his belief that food can preserve identity, connect people to their roots, and bring cultures together. For a taste of the journey, order the Milanesa a Caballo,Uruguay style breaded chicken, black garlic aioli, and fried egg, with spicy roasted potatoes.
Credit: Dell' Rooster
Multiple Locations
Folklore, Bodega Sur, Tango Sur, and El Mercado
For Jenny DiSapio, Argentine cuisine isn’t simply a culinary passion - it’s part of her family story. Her parents and older brother were born in Argentina before the family came to the U.S., carrying with them a deep connection to the country’s food and traditions. Today, Jenny and her brother are sharing that heritage with Chicago through multiple businesses: Folklore, Bodega Sur, Tango Sur, and El Mercado, a butcher shop and South American grocery. At Folklore, the spirit of Buenos Aires comes alive in a setting with candle-lit tables and a variety of grilled steaks. At Bodega Sur, the mood shifts to something more casual - a tucked-away wine bar designed to feel like a slower journey into Argentina. For a true taste of the Argentine grill, order El Che: a sizzling flank steak served on a tabletop grill with red chimichurri, roasted red peppers, asparagus, and shiitake mushrooms.
Our Picks
Lakeview
In Lakeview, Cesar's Killer Margaritas serves up Mexican comfort food steeped in generations of family tradition, alongside a lineup of more than 28 margarita flavors. But the real story is in the recipes. The restaurant, owned by Israel Sanchez, with his sister Lulu Duran helming the kitchen, traces its culinary roots back to Mexico City and the family’s matriarch, Señora Lulu. At just eight years old, Lulu learned to cook alongside her grandmother, Clarita Vasquez, in a small fonda in Mexico City. There, she helped perfect the recipe that would eventually become Cesar’s signature El Mero Mole. Today, that legacy lives on in dishes like the Enchiladas en Mole Poblano - three soft corn tortillas filled with your choice of protein and covered in dark, velvety mole, then finished with queso fresco and onions and served with seasoned rice and beans.
West Loop
September 15 kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month and marks the restaurant’s third anniversary. Since opening its doors in 2023, owner Jose Lozano has transformed Bocaditos into a celebration of Mexico, where time-honored flavors, colorful traditions, and a distinctly Mexico-inspired atmosphere come together under one roof. The idea is simple: create a place where authentic food can bring people together. The best way to experience it? Indulge in their Cevichazo - fresh octopus and salmon cured in-house leche de tigre, then layered with mango pico de gallo and creamy avocado, or opt to enjoy any of their seven tacos.
West Town
What if one restaurant could take you on a culinary trip across continents? That’s the idea behind Dell’ Rooster, a West Town restaurant inspired by 27 Latin American countries. Co-owner and Chef Miguel Tenesaca immigrated to the U.S. from Ecuador more than 20 years ago and worked his way through Chicago kitchens, starting as a dishwasher before building his own restaurant. Today, Dell’ Rooster reflects his belief that food can preserve identity, connect people to their roots, and bring cultures together. For a taste of the journey, order the Milanesa a Caballo, Uruguay style breaded chicken, black garlic aioli, and fried egg, with spicy roasted potatoes.
Multiple Locations
For Jenny DiSapio, Argentine cuisine isn’t simply a culinary passion - it’s part of her family story. Her parents and older brother were born in Argentina before the family came to the U.S., carrying with them a deep connection to the country’s food and traditions. Today, Jenny and her brother are sharing that heritage with Chicago through multiple businesses: Folklore, Bodega Sur, Tango Sur, and El Mercado, a butcher shop and South American grocery. At Folklore, the spirit of Buenos Aires comes alive in a setting with candle-lit tables and a variety of grilled steaks. At Bodega Sur, the mood shifts to something more casual - a tucked-away wine bar designed to feel like a slower journey into Argentina. For a true taste of the Argentine grill, order El Che: a sizzling flank steak served on a tabletop grill with red chimichurri, roasted red peppers, asparagus, and shiitake mushrooms.
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