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Taco Bell Coming to Wicker Park, Not U.S. Taco, Company Says

By Alisa Hauser | February 26, 2015 12:19pm | Updated on February 27, 2015 9:55am
 Taco Bell gordita, taco assortment and nachos.
Taco Bell gordita, taco assortment and nachos.
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Taco Bell website

WICKER PARK — A Taco Bell is coming to a stretch of Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park that has seen a rise in new taco-focused restaurants.

On Thursday, DNAinfo Chicago reported that the new restaurant would be a U.S. Taco, a high-end concept being developed by Taco Bell's parent company. Taco Bell spokesman Rob Poetsch said that is not true.

"The location will be Taco Bell and not a U.S. Taco Co. restaurant. We’ll have more detailed information to share with you and your readers/listeners soon," Poetsch said.

A franchisee for Taco Bell signed a lease to rent a commercial storefront in a building at 1439 N. Milwaukee Ave, formerly home of Tobaccosville, a cigarette and head shop that opened in August 2011 and closed last year.

Poetsch said the targeted opening is in May.

The fast food restaurant will join a host of taco options already settled into the neighborhood, including Antique Taco, less than one block south at 1360 N. Milwaukee Ave;  Kokopelli, 1324 N. Milwaukee Ave., Authentaco, 1141 N. Ashland Ave; La Pasadita, 1140 N. Ashland Ave. and the forthcoming hybrid BAOCOS.

Taco Bell also sits within a block of Rick Bayless' Xoco, which serves tacos and other Mexican fare at 1471 N. Milwaukee Ave and a few blocks from Big Star, 1531 N. Damen Ave.

The new eatery will be operated by a Taco Bell franchisee who owns other Taco Bells in the Chicago area, according to the franchisee's landlord.

Photo by Phil Raimondi:

 

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