Old Town Taco Pub Opens Friday, South Side Restaurant Legend Dies, More Intel

—Old Town eaters and drinkers are two days away from getting their Phil Stefani and Adolfo Garcia restaurant, as the second Broken English Taco Pub is slated to open on Friday in the former Pomp & Circumstance space at 1400 N. Wells St., Stefani COO/CFO Steven Hartenstein says. The main up-tempo Mexican-inspired pub and eatery takes up the first floor while a lounge and second bar lie upstairs; street art and traditional Mexican artwork encompasses the decor; craft cocktails, margaritas, sangria and Mexican beer is available to drink; and chef Frank Valdez cranks out both traditional and modern tacos. The original concept opened in May in The Loop.

—The longtime owner of a 50-year-old South Side restaurant favorite has sadly passed away, according to announcements on Facebook and its website. Edward Perkins, owner of Taurus Flavors at 8534 S. Stony Island Ave., opened the sandwich and ice cream icon in 1966. He was 79.

—Ukrainian Village neighborhood bar icon Happy Village is staying under the same ownership, at least for now. The establishment, known for its massive patio, ping-pong tables, cheap drinks and laid-back vibe, was in sale talks with the owner of Lucky’s Sandwiches, but that deal fell through, DNAinfo reports. The bar opened in 1964 at 1054 N. Wolcott Ave.

—Something new has taken over the former The Brixton space and extremely-short-lived relocated Taverna 750 space at 5420 N. Clark St. in Andersonville. Verzenay Patisserie, the French pastry bakery that’s popular at the Green City Market in Lincoln Park, is popping up there every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout December. There’s no word what will use the space once that’s over.

—The karaoke has begun at brand-new Chinese-inspired restaurant and lounge Won Fun and 2fun Chinese on Randolph Row. The two-floor spot, from Bar Marta owner and Sodikoff protege Austin Baker, officially opened last week but without the karaoke aspect, which happens at the upstairs bar 2fun that’s adorned with the massive red paper dragon and will launch dim sum carts soon. The karaoke only happens on the first Tuesday of every month from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m., however, so the next session won’t take place until January. In the meantime, here’s a map of other karaoke spots.

—Dixie, the creative, upscale, Southern-inspired restaurant in Bucktown from Lillie’s Q owner Charlie McKenna, has started a Tuesday special that could be worth a try. Customers can get a unique po’boy and a different bourbon-based cocktail from its excellent 1952 ¹⁄₂ Liquorette bar for just $15, only on Tuesdays. The special launched yesterday with a fried oyster po'boy with crispy oysters, spicy collard kimchi, bacon and cucumber paired with the "Enter Through The Side" (gentian kina, americano, and fig bitters). Check out a photo of the po’boy below.

Courtesy of Dixie

—And finally, following her Eater Chicago Restaurant of the Year honor, Monteverde chef/owner Sarah Grueneberg will host the sixth-annual First Bites Bash — the kickoff party for Restaurant Week — on Jan. 26 at the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. Tickets ($95 early bird; $125 full price) and the event’s full lineup are available here.