Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Chicago Taco Closes After Two-Day 'Pop Up' Exploration

By Alisa Hauser | August 5, 2013 2:32pm
 West Town Tavern at the southwest corner of Throop Street and Chicago Avenue in West Town appears to be officially closed.
West Town Tavern at the southwest corner of Throop Street and Chicago Avenue in West Town appears to be officially closed.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser

WEST TOWN — A new taco joint, Chicago Taco, opened and closed within two days, leaving its  neighbors and fans puzzled.

Susan Aldous, a staffer at the West Town Chamber of Commerce, said she was told by the Mexican restaurant's co-owner Susan Goss that Chicago Taco, which opened four days after West Town Tavern announced its closure at the same location, "was an intentional pop up."

As for what's next at the southwest corner of Throop Street and Chicago Avenue, the future is unclear, though a new graffiti-style mural went up on the restaurant's awning on Saturday, the same day as what became Chicago Taco's second and apparently final night.

"It was a surprise to everybody," said Yesenia Espinoza, assistant director of Noble Day Care at 1333 W. Chicago Ave.

 Formerly West Town Tavern, Chicago Taco opened Friday at 1329 W. Chicago Ave. on the southwest corner of Throop Street and Chicago Avenue in West Town.
Chicago Taco, 1329 W. Chicago Ave.
View Full Caption

Espinoza said she was on her honeymoon when West Town Tavern at 1329 W. Chicago Ave. closed as well as reopened as Chicago Taco within the same week.

Espinoza said Noble Day Care has worked with West Town Tavern on catering for events as well as dining at the restaurant on a semi-regular basis.

While a condominium above the restaurant has a contract pending with a new owner, an agent from Mario Greco Realty Group told DNAinfo.com Chicago that the first-floor restaurant space "is not part of the condo association." 

In February, West Town Tavern's immediate neighbor, Scrafano Architects at 1331 W. Chicago Ave. relocated about 10 blocks east, to 357 W. Chicago Ave. due to the expansion of Noble Day Care.

Currently enjoying time off, Goss and her business partner and husband, Drew, told the Chicago Tribune's Phil Vettel on Thursday that they'd accepted a Friday night dinner invitation — a first in 30 years —  and indicated that their time in Chicago might not be finished yet.