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Chef Ambrocio Gonzalez
It’s been dubbed “Home of the World’s Best Chilaquiles” — a menu staple that Chicago area food reporter David Manilow highlighted on the April 2 episode of “The Dining Table” podcast that featured his list of the most authentic Mexican restaurants in the city.
“Mostly I go because they have the best chilaquiles I’ve had in Chicago,” Manilow said.
But there’s so much more to La Catedral than the 16 varieties of what the restaurant’s website calls its “Sinful Chilaquiles.”
The extensive menu includes dishes like huaraches, sopes, enfrijoladas and tortas — many inspired by recipes Chef-Owner Ambrocio Gonzalez learned from his mother and grandmother as a child in Guadalajara and brought with him when he relocated to Chicago before he turned 16.
Moises Ramírez
Chilaquiles Verdes
His knowledge about and love of cooking led to the debut of La Catedral in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood in 2009, followed by locations in the city’s North Lawndale neighborhood in 2023 and Brighton Park in 2024. Now, as he prepares to open a new location in Chicago’s Loop, el Restaurante asked Gonzalez to share why he decided to embark on this new venture in spite of the challenges the industry is currently facing.
#1 What made you decide to open your new location during such a challenging, uncertain time?
Opening a new location during such uncertain times wasn’t an easy decision. There were definitely moments of doubt — thinking about the rising food costs, the economic pressures, and the challenges our immigrant community faces every day. But at the end of the day, my passion for what we do — serving our community, creating a space where people feel at home — is stronger than any fear. I believe that in tough times, what people need the most is connection, comfort, and a reminder that good things are still possible. Opening this new location is my way of saying we’re not giving up. It’s my way of showing my team, my family, and our community that together, we can keep moving forward — no matter how hard things get.
#2 Do all four of your restaurants have the same menu items?
La Catedral in Little Village, Chicago
Each of our La Catedral locations shares the heart and soul of our menu — but I do like to adjust a little depending on the community we’re serving. Food is personal, and I believe every neighborhood has its own heartbeat.
For the Loop location, we are keeping our classic favorites, the dishes that our loyal guests know and love, but we’re also excited to introduce a few new items that cater to the busy, downtown lifestyle — lighter options, faster pick-up choices, and a few special dishes inspired by the city’s energy. It’s important to me that every plate we serve feels like a piece of home, whether you have ten minutes or an hour to sit and enjoy it.
#3 You have such loyal clientele at your other locations. What do you anticipate your biggest challenge will be in building that kind of loyal following for the downtown location?
Building loyalty doesn’t happen overnight — it’s built one customer, one meal, one moment at a time.
Our biggest challenge downtown will be introducing ourselves to a brand-new audience that maybe hasn’t heard of La Catedral yet. But honestly, that’s part of the excitement, too. We plan to host some special events, little celebrations that bring the warmth and soul of our original locations into the heart of downtown. More than promotions, what we really want to offer is an experience — the feeling that no matter where you come from, when you step through our doors, you are welcome here.
#4 I read that you also plan to open another restaurant in Little Village as well as a coffee shop/café. Are those plans still on?
Interior of La Catedral
Yes, those dreams are still alive. We’re moving forward with another location in Little Village — that’s been on my heart for a long time. Opening the Loop location didn’t slow down our vision — if anything, it fueled it even more. I come from humble beginnings, and I know what it feels like to have a dream that seems too big. But I also know that our community deserves spaces that are built for them, with love and intention. Every new project is a tribute to the people who believed in us when we were just starting — and to those who are still dreaming.
#5 What advice do you have for an independent Mexican restaurant owner who has been thinking of expanding but isn’t sure when the time is right to make that move?
My advice to any independent restaurant owner thinking of expanding is this: Move with your heart but stay grounded in your mission. There will never be a “perfect” time. There will always be challenges, fears, doubts. But if you truly believe that your food, your vision, your purpose can serve more people — take the risk.
Just be sure you’re not chasing growth for growth’s sake. Grow because you have something special to offer. And remember, the most important ingredient in any expansion isn’t the menu or the space — it’s the heart you put into it.