Elmhurst Restaurant Says It's Defying Governor's Order

ELMHURST, IL — The governor may have banned indoor dining in DuPage County, but at least one option apparently remains in Elmhurst: Primos Locos, a Mexican food restaurant in downtown, announced over the weekend it would defy the governor's order.

Primos Locos, whose heavily armed guards got in trouble with the police over the summer, revealed on Facebook that it would continue offering indoor dining.

Last week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all restaurants in DuPage and Kane counties to shut down indoor dining as of Friday, citing spiking coronavirus cases in the two counties. But Primos Locos is not going along.

"After careful consideration, we have made the decision to continue offering indoor dining to those who feel comfortable," the restaurant said.

It said it considers its guests and staff part of its family. "And it has always been our #1 priority to keep our family safe. While dining with us, rest assured we will be taking every precaution necessary to ensure your dining experience is safe and comfortable."

The restaurant said masks would be required for customers when entering, when getting up from their table and when servers are present at the table. This is already required under previous orders from the governor.

Last week, Patch reported on restaurants near Elmhurst that planned to defy the governor's order.

In June, Primos Locos hired two private security guards to protect its restaurant at 122 S. York St. during a Black Lives Matter protest a few blocks away. The guards themselves ended up getting arrested.

In a news conference last week, Pritzker said the state could cite restaurants that violate the order but would start by giving warnings and asking people to disperse.

He said the state could also take away business' liquor licenses, but he is reluctant to do so because of the long-term impact.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dining at bars and restaurants is closely linked to the spread of the virus in many communities. Adults who tested positive for the virus were about twice as likely to have reported dining at a restaurant than those with negative test results, according to a CDC study published in September. Experts now believe the coronavirus is airborne, and tiny droplets containing the virus can linger indoors for hours as aerosols, making indoor dining especially risky.

Primos Locos management couldn't be reached for immediate comment. The restaurant, which opened during the summer, is closed on Mondays.