Chicago: Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
South Florida's culinary powerhouse Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is making a splash in Chicago's food scene. It opened its first location in the West Loop neighborhood on Cinco de Mayo. This taqueria offers a unique blend of fast-casual Mexican street food during the day and morphs into a buzzing speakeasy lounge in the evening. From a retrofitted airstream trailer-turned-taco truck, customers can savor items like Jalapeño Brisket Quesadilla or a 'build your own' bowl, and enjoy numerous, eclectic taco options. Beyond the tantalizing eats, Bodega's character lies in its custom artwork and interior design reflecting Chicago's historic architecture. A graffiti-decorated corridor leads to the speakeasy, which features an award-winning cocktail menu, live local music, and weekly specials like Margarita Mondays and Taco Tuesdays. Co-founder Jared Galbut says a second Chicago location in River North will open by the end of summer. Read More.
Chicago: Taylor's Tacos
Taylor Mason, a native of Chicago's West Side, recently launched a brick-and-mortar location for her catering business, Taylor's Tacos, in Little Italy, Chicago. Combining authentic street-style tacos with a soulful twist, the menu offers four signature options - chicken, steak, sweet potato, and crispy shrimp - along with a rotating 'taco of the week'. Taylor’s journey with food began as the 'team cook' during her basketball days at Pepperdine University and continued through her travels, cooking classes, and her love for bringing people together through cuisine. The establishment of Taylor’s Tacos was made possible by the $50,000 support received from community members through Honeycomb Credit. Not just serving scrumptious tacos, Taylor’s Tacos, a Black-, women-, and lesbian-owned business, also aims to inspire others interested in the food industry, while simultaneously fostering a sense of community with initiatives like neighborhood cleanups through her non-profit, Tacos Create Community. Read More