LAKEVIEW — After a year of serving Mexican-German mashups, Torta Haus has gone dark in recent weeks, suggesting the possible end of a culinary oddity in Lakeview.
In early June, the restaurant was closed with a sign attributing what seemed to be a temporary hitch to a "medical emergency." The sign remained on the door of 926 W. Diversey Parkway for weeks. It was later removed, but Torta Haus did not reopen.
Owner Robert Medina has not responded to requests for comment. Torta Haus social media feeds have been quiet for more than a year, and the restaurant's listed phone number is no longer in service.
Torta Haus specialized in torta sandwiches, made with Mexican bollio bread and filled with a mix of Mexican, German and Cuban foods. The German specialty torta, for example, was made with wiener schnitzel, smoked bratwurst, Brussels sprouts, sauerkraut and mustard.
The menu also included well-received tacos, Mexican soups, taco bowls and a guacamole bar.
Prior to the arrival of Torta Haus in January 2016, the building on the southern edge of Lakeview was Fogo to Go, a Brazilian pizzeria, for several years.
Last year, after four months in business, Torta Haus was the victim of a burglary that was captured on video surveillance.
At the time, Medina said his color video cameras made it easier for police to track down potential suspects.
"Don't just get cheap cameras," he advised other business owners at the time. "I know it's an expense, but it's something you just can't overlook anymore."
Prior to opening Torta Haus, Medina ran a different Mexican restaurant in Oak Park.
