Frontera Fresco, one of Old Orchard Mall’s popular Mexican restaurants, closed over five years ago. But as business continues to boom in Skokie, more restaurants have reason to open up in this large village. That includes the restaurants of famous Chicago chef Rick Bayless with the opening of “Tortazo,” which sits where Frontera Fresco, another one of his creations, used to stand.
The Mexican restaurant opened just a few days after the end of the 2023 – 2024 school year, and to much awaited excitement; a line was forming of dozens of people outside the restaurant. And it made sense; unlike many other restaurants around, Tortazo not only provided fresh, authentic fare, but food and service created by a popular, local chef and restaurateur.
Before Tortazo there was State of Taco by Macy’s, unaffiliated with Bayless, which closed in January 2020. Even before that stood the famous Frontera Grill, created by Bayless. This restaurant, licensed by Macy’s (explaining its location), was rather successful since its opening in 2009 and into its closing in early 2019. However, since the restaurant cut ties with Macy’s, and since the closing of State of Taco, Rick Bayless decided to open up another one of his restaurants in the same location, providing the same kind of food, service, and atmosphere as Frontera Fresco. According to General Manager Morgan Sidner, “It’s Frontera Fresco, but under a different name and a new branding.”
When one walks into the restaurant, they are greeted with warm lighting and a quaint, calming atmosphere. Employees work busy behind the counter preparing the food, made to order, and serving their customers in the small dining area, fitted with a TV showing some of Bayless’ cooking. The restaurant mainly serves different types of unsweetened teas as their signature beverages, and the workers encourage customers to grab a paper menu, sitting right beside the front door. This menu, while rather small, still offers an abundance of good-tasting, authentic Mexican cuisine—what anyone would expect: tacos, quesadillas, carne asada, etc—including vegan and gluten-free options.
As for dessert, the restaurant offers “CHURROS, CHURROS, CHURROS!” Also made to order, they are deliciously warm and absolutely loaded with cinnamon sugar. When the meal is over, one can ask for takeout boxes, make a quick stop at the Macy’s that Tortazo shares a wall with, and go back to school or straight home.
“The food was really good,” senior Mark Carusas said. “I went with two of my friends and it was a great place just to have a nice conversation; it was a lot of fun there. The interior decoration there is pretty unique. I’d go there again ‘cause the food is good. I like the quesadillas I ate.”
As for the working side of Tortazo, the staff are friendly, accommodating, and helpful. According to Sidner, the restaurant is also looking to hire new workers, including students (minimum age of 16). In fact, the restaurant has already employed a student worker from Niles West as well.
As more and more shops and restaurants make themselves heard, especially around Niles North, it’s no wonder why Bayless chose Skokie for his next foodie hotspot. And more and more is to be expected; Skokie is expecting the opening of The Spot Hot Pot in September and Morton Grove is awaiting construction for their new Joe Donut location at a currently undetermined date. More and more businesses are finding their way to our surrounding communities, and with them, there will be no shortage of good food to eat this time of year. And fortunately, for the students and staff of NN, the newest food service addition to Skokie is just a five minute walk past Lawler Ave.
