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La Cocinita, the food truck peddling Venezuelan-style street food, has graduated to brick and mortar status. They're planning a restaurant Evanston with a March opening, according to The Daily Northwestern.
The husband-wife team of Benoit and Rachel Angulo live in suburban Wilmette and will take over the 1,200-square-foot spot that once housed Greek Fire Grill at 1625 Chicago Ave. The truck originated in New Orleans and in 2013 it earned Eater New Orleans' Food Truck of Year Award. They've continued to operate the food truck in The Big Easy, as well as another in the Chicago area.
The couple moved to Chicagoland about a year and a half ago, as Rachel Angulo is a Wilmette native. Benoit Anuglo — who made a cameo on "Top Chef"— will get a chance to showcase his skills as a sommelier, as the Angulos envision some sweet cocktail and wine pairings. They'll also offer a weekend brunch, said Rachel Angulo, perhaps serving up some sweet Venezuelan/Colombian corn pancakes known as cachapas. Expect more appetizers and empanadas, too.
The Chicago food truck, which is used for catering and is parked many times outside Temperance Beer Co. in Evanston, will continue to operate, Rachel Angulo said.
"We've always viewed them as going hand in hand together," she added. "Essentially, the truck is our mobile billboard for our restaurant."
