Today's graduation day in Evanston as La Cocinita Venezuelan officially opens, going from food truck to full-fledge brick-and-mortar establishment. Rachel and Benoit Angulo held a soft opening over the weekend, but now they're ready to rock in full.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6302435/POSTER_1small__1_.0.jpg)
Arepa [Photo: Rachel Angulo]
The full-service restaurant —which includes a liquor license for cocktail and wine pairings— grew from a food truck that got its start in New Orleans in 2011. The trucks continue to operate in Chicago and New Orleans.
The food truck is known for tacos, arepas and bowls, as well as the hybrid burri-taco. Inside the 1,200-square-foot restaurant, their menu will be larger. Rachel Angulo is particularly psyched about serving Venezuelan brunch. She also said they're looking into keeping the kitchen open later on the weekends. Check out the lunch and dinner menu here.
La Cocinita Venezuelan, 1625 Chicago Ave., Evanston, (773) 234-6676. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Will eventually open daily.