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Bullhead Cantina in Humboldt Park to Expand to Former MorseL Location

By Benjamin Woodard | December 3, 2013 12:06pm
 Humboldt Park's Bullhead Cantina plans to expand to Morse Avenue by February, its owner said.
Humboldt Park's Bullhead Cantina plans to expand to Morse Avenue by February, its owner said.
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DNAinfo/Benjamin Woodard

ROGERS PARK — Humboldt Park's popular Bullhead Cantina plans to expand to the vacant storefront on Morse Avenue that formerly hosted Colm Treacy's MorseL.

Francisco "Paco" Ruiz, the owner of the whiskey and taco bar, said he planned to open in February after redesigning the space at 1406 W. Morse Ave. He said he bought the restaurant's assets from Treacy after MorseL closed in September.

"It’ll be nice and comfortable," said Ruiz, who opened the original Bullhead, at 1143 N. California Ave., in 2012.

Ruiz also owns Hunter & Tails, a newly opened gastropub, at 2700 W. Chicago Ave. in Humboldt Park.

He said he had been searching for a restaurant location on the Far North Side for the last few months.

Ruiz said the "artsy" and community-oriented people in Rogers Park persuaded him to open in the neighborhood.

"People there, they all seem so close," he said. "I think that’s what Chicago’s all about, the neighborhoods."

The 45-year-old former architect and cancer survivor said the concept of Rogers Park's Bullhead would closely resemble the original, including its $6 No Bulls--- Special, consisting of a taco, a shot of whiskey and a tallboy of either Pabst Blue Ribbon or Old Style.

The cantina also will have craft beers and cocktails and "not-your-typical" tacos, he said, such as the $3 grits and kale taco.

All tacos are served on house-made tortillas. He said he also would serve burgers and salads.

"Cantinas are all about neighborhoods — for people to come out and hang out and have a good time," he said. "... Hopefully it’ll take off and people will enjoy it."