Mexican Restaurant The Gringo Opens In West Town

CHICAGO, IL — A restaurant that serves Mexican-influenced street food has opened on Grand Avenue. The Gringo offers creative tacos, churros and a large backyard patio and bar. The new restaurant took over the former Grandview Tavern & Beer Garden space, at 1202 W. Grand Ave.

Chef Barney Smith — a 30-year global food veteran who has helmed Nosh, Booze and AMK Kitchen — has created a menu that includes traditional Mexican favorites, such as elotes and street tacos, but also fun options like fried chicken burritos and over-the-top churros with creative toppings such as Lucky Charms.

Jon Ruiz, who leads bar programs for AMK Kitchen, Nosh and Booze, has created the cocktail menu that focuses on a variety of tequila options, the signature slushy Frozé and mescal drinks.

The location was transformed from a dimly-lit bar into a bright, airy atmosphere with Latin folklore decor. Owners decided to keep the Cherrywood, Chicago-style pub bar and whitewashed brick walls as an homage to the location's history in the neighborhood, AMK Restaurant Group and partners said.

The Gringo's courtyard patio and bar seats 80 people, and the indoor space comfortably seats 60 guests, owners said.

The Gringo is open seven days a week serving lunch and dinner: Sunday thru Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to Midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Photos courtesy of AMK Restaurant Group/Mekky Media Relations