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Cafe Tola's New Lonchería A Hit With Everyone From Cubs Fans To Doug Sohn

By Ariel Cheung | November 16, 2016 5:59am
 Cafe Tola opened its second location at 3324 N. California Ave. in Avondale.
Cafe Tola Opens In Avondale
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AVONDALE — The folks at Cafe Tola have some big shoes to fill, but they're up for the challenge.

Cafe Tola Lonchería y Tacos opened at 3324 N. California Ave. during the Cubs postseason, filling the storefront made famous by Hot Doug's.

And while nobody is waiting in 12-hour lines (yet), the restaurant did get a huge rush of customers during its first two weeks in business, as hungry Chicago Cubs fans ditched the long line at the flagship Cafe Tola empanada stand, 3612 N. Southport Ave.

"The first two weeks, we hardly slept," said co-owner Victoria Salamanca, who shares the Tola nickname with her grandmother. "It's the joy of being self-employed."

Salamanca and her husband opened the first Cafe Tola four years ago and have plans to open a second storefront on the Southport Corridor called Doña Tola, hopefully in the spring.

But when Hog Doug's successor Frank Meats Patty abruptly closed almost a year ago — which sent owners retreating to Fatso's Last Stand and former manager Bob Corbett off to open his own greasy spoon in Lakeview — the Salamancas saw an opportunity they couldn't pass up.

And even Doug Sohn, who owned Hot Doug's for 13 years, has given the restaurant a thumb's up, Gerardo Salamanca said.

"He said he loved the renovations, but he doesn't miss coming in here every day," Salamanca said of Sohn, who has crafted himself a pretty sweet retirement made up of Wrigley Field tributes, tattooed droves of still-loyal fans and pop-ups so popular that people will get in line for them at 6 a.m.

Doug Sohn gave his successor a thumb's up during a visit to the new Cafe Tola, which opened in the former Hot Doug's. [Provided/Gerardo Salamanca]

The new Cafe Tola has seating for about 40 people and a new look bursting with the brand's signature bright colors, Mexican pizzazz and Frida Kahlo tributes. Gerardo Salamanca also brought pieces from his prized vintage toy store speakeasy, proudly displaying such gems as a gigantic Boba Fett, Transformers and a mammoth Godzilla.

RELATED: Rare Vintage Toy Paradise Hidden Behind Logan Square Bodega

Bicycles their children have outgrown hang alongside Gerardo's old skateboards, while chairs from Hot Doug's have been covered with jewel-toned stripes to match all the other colors in fantastical fashion.

Artwork from home and bright accents give the new Cafe Tola ties to the original empanada stand in Lakeview. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]

Cafe Tola Lonchería y Tacos opened at 3324 N. California Ave. in Avondale at the end of October. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]

Out front, the brick facade has been painted a bright pink, and the old Hot Doug's sign repurposed. South Side artist Aniki28 has carried over his mural work from the Southport stand to the Roscoe Street-facing wall of the new location, where ET, Yoda and Voltron wave to passersby.

The restaurant will be open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

Inside, Salamanca is serving up more than her beloved empanadas — although "no matter what's in every order, there's an empanada or two in there," she said of business so far. Once that's taken care of, customers will branch out and try out the tacos, burritos and tortas, she said.

Like at the Southport stand, Cafe Tola's selection of empanadas will rotate, recently ranging from a traditional chicken salsa verde to a PB&J empanada oozing with melted peanut butter.

A garlic pork empanada at the new Cafe Tola Lonchería. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]

For breakfast, the restaurant has an espresso bar and empanadas filled with scrambled eggs, chorizo and pico de gallo. Breakfast tacos come with similar options, like the shredded beef and egg Machacas con Juevo taco for $4.50.

And Cafe Tola didn't win the Taco Fest crown two years running for naught — those who attended the Lakeview street festival will be pleased to see many of the fest options now on Tola's daily menu.

The "OG" keeps it simple with skirt steak and the typical onion and cilantro ($3.25). The $4 birria is made with spicy goat meat, while a $3.50 pork belly taco comes topped with red cabbage and pinto beans.

In addition to having indoor seating, the new Cafe Tola Lonchería has tacos and tortas. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]

Also on the menu are burritos with steak, chicken verde, birria or al pastor for $8.50-$9. Tortas have similar options and cost around $8.50.

It's new for the Salamancas to see customers try their food first-hand; the Southport stand only had outdoor seating during the summer.

"We don't get to enjoy our customers as much as we do here," Gerardo said. "We see them sit down, take a bite into their food. We don't have to wait for the Yelp reviews."

As for whether it's difficult to run three storefronts, renovate a fourth and parent their six children, the Salamancas said it helps that their offspring inherited their hustle.

"The Mexican Brady Bunch" have all taken turns working in Cafe Tola, Victoria Salamanca said. (Gerardo prefers to compare them to "Bob's Burgers," which he just started watching).

Gerardo noted that Cafe Tola is already acquiring regular customers from DePaul College Prep, ComEd and Honey Butter Fried Chicken.

And when you're not trying to appease huge crowds of hungry Cubs fans, it's a walk in the empanada park.

"The neighborhood has been really receptive," Victoria said. "And at least now we're sleeping."

"It's really different for us, and I can't wait to get back on the line and work on some more specialty items," Victoria said.

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