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Read the press release here.

Cardinal Taco Opening in Andersonville in Spring

By Adeshina Emmanuel | October 28, 2013 8:39am
 Andersonville is slated to get a few more Mexican food options.
Andersonville is slated to get a few more Mexican food options.
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Andersonville Chamber of Commerce

ANDERSONVILLE — Andersonville is getting yet another Mexican food joint.

Marty Fosse — whose Andersonville empire along North Clark Street includes Italian restaurant Anteprima, American farm-to-table restaurant Acre and Venetian-style bar Ombra — is partnering with Texas chef Carlos Ysaguirre, former executive chef at Anteprima and Acre, to open a new taqueria and bar called Cardinal Taco in the spring.

The location hasn't been disclosed yet.

But a news release promised a “fun and casual dining experience” at Cardinal and a “very affordable” menu, with most items priced between $3 and $9. The 15-item food menu will feature tacos, spreads and salads, and will be complemented by a selection of draft brews, bottled beer and cocktails, the release said.

The restaurant, wherever it’s supposed to open, will seat about 100 people inside — and 200 people total with help from what the folks behind Cardinal contend will be “Andersonville's largest and most inviting outdoor beer garden.”

A lot of Andersonville residents have been calling for more sit-down Mexican food options in the area this year, according to Jason Cox, assistant director at the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce.

They didn't have to wait for long.

Bull Horns Taco Bar opened at 5413 N. Clark St., a couple weeks ago.

And earlier in October, the team behind Crew Bar and Grill and SoFo Tap announced plans to open an upscale Mexican restaurant and bar next summer or fall in the former T's Bar space at 5029 N. Clark St.

"It's funny," Cox said about the Mexican restaurant surge. "I think this is something that sometimes happens in cycles. People sense a similar need."

Back in May, Andersonville residents interviewed by DNAinfo Chicago for their ideas about what should replace the former Kingfisher Restaurant at 5721 N. Clark St., favored the idea of a taco joint and bar similar to Wicker Park's Big Star.

DMK Restaurants is taking over the former Kingfisher but has yet to announce what will go there. They company also owns DMK Burger Bar and Fish Bar in Lakeview and a cocktail bar and restaurant in West Town, Ada Street Restaurant.