Fat Rosie’s, a Mexican restaurant and bar, opened its fifth official location in Lincolnwood, Illinois on Aug. 4, 2023. While more famously a South Chicago business, Fat Rosie’s has taken to opening locations close to and North of downtown, including locations in Schaumburg and Lincolnshire. The opening of the Lincolnwood location–about a ten minute drive from Niles North–marks the closest this restaurant has ever been to Skokie, and this location does not disappoint.

Seemingly overnight, the restaurant became extremely popular with children and adults alike. The restaurant has solid reviews essentially everywhere, rating 3.9, 4.1, and 4.5 stars on Facebook, Yelp, and Trip Advisor respectively. The Lincolnwood location also became a part of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce & Industry since their opening day in August. Most famously, the restaurant can get quite loud and busy, with packed tables and sometimes dancers entertaining the guests at the restaurant, even offering them hats and sombreros. Some students and teachers at NN even highlight the restaurant’s quality and excitement.

“Their service is fast; they get you your drinks and food fast, that’s how it was both times [I went there],” an anonymous Junior and Latinx Club member said. “The second time it was a lot more loud and energetic. The workers were dancing, they gave us hats to wear, and they gave us a printed picture of my family for my family member’s birthday. It was a good experience both times. Everyone seemed like they were having a good time, even the workers… I’ve been to Hispanic restaurants before and I’ve never seen people dance or be that happy. I would [recommend], it’s an 8/10.”

Upon entering the restaurant, one is immediately greeted with blasting music, decorative lights, merchandise, and colorful Mexican imagery everywhere. This ranges from donkey pictures–as is the restaurant logo–to paintings of Mexican figures like Frida Kahlo. The place is often packed with families, especially at night, eating tacos, tamales, quesadillas, and other Mexican cuisine with adults drinking at the sitdown bar in the dead-center of the building; A late night reservation is an absolute necessity. Their most famous item listed as “Fat Rosie’s Favorite,” the Tampiquena, is a grilled, flank, skirt steak served with rice, beans, veggies, and a slice of cheese, which is not a bad place to start for those new to the establishment.

“This is the first location closest to the city and it’s been picking up lately,” Bartender Andrew Coria said. “The weekends are always crazy. This place just feels very family oriented; from the minute I met [General Manager George Ortiz], he reminds me of my dad, he was just very welcoming the minute I stepped in. It’s just a great atmosphere, it’s not like any other restaurant you eat at. It’s very crazy… but it’s fun, so it’s like a fun chaos.”

Waiters and waitresses pace the restaurant from kitchen, to bar, to table with a tray full of food in one hand and receipts in the other; if there’s an employee in the restaurant, they are always working, on their feet with designated purpose. Despite this they are ready to answer any question with a smile on their face and a readiness to do more if necessary as well. One will always be welcomed by these employees with complimentary chips and salsa as soon as you take a seat, making a solid start to the meal. Even more impressive is their accommodative consciousness; the restaurant serves their drinks with environmentally friendly straws and offers meals that are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free. This includes tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and even street corn salad (esquites).

“The Village of Lincolnwood did not have a Mexican Restaurant like Fat Rosie’s: upscale, lively, fun, good food and drinks with a great selection of tequilas,” General Manager George Ortiz said. “[Our goal] is to provide the best possible service, starting with the smile you receive when you walk in, to our selection of traditional Mexican dishes and unique cocktails. We are happy to be in this location. In six months we have grown and welcome a tremendous amount of regulars because we embrace the local communities of Lincolnwood, Skokie, Evanston, Niles and even Chicago. We are very friendly-oriented. When you come in, we want you to be excited [about] dining with us and feel like you are at home. We try our best to make sure everybody has a great time.”

For those students more interested in the work aspect, Fat Rosie’s does offer jobs for punctual, organized, and experienced teens ages 16 and up. Ortiz says, “We are a high volume restaurant that moves at a quick pace. No day will ever [be] the same.” 

Fat Rosie’s, with all of its food, drinks, business, and friendly service seems to be just what Lincolnwood and the surrounding communities are looking for. Any student or teacher can find something they like here, from the food, to the drinks, to the decorations, or even just the vibe of the place. For those with a strong stomach and a hunger for some Mexican cuisine, Fat Rosie’s on West Touhy Ave might just be the place to go.