Fiesta Mexicana Restaurants Founder, Lucy Matthew, Dies at 65

Sad news, as the founder of Chicago’s two Fiesta Mexicana restaurants, has died. Lucy Matthew died on Sept. 3 at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Matthew, who arrived from Peru with a grade-school education, was 65, according to the Sun-Times.

Matthew reached Chicago in 1972 and opened Fiesta Mexicana seven years later in Uptown. A second location, over in Lincoln Park, opened in 1985. Though Peruvian, her Mexican restaurants gained quite a following among families and late-night revelers. Live music helped fuel the party with mariachi bands and other performers.

Family wrote this on the restaurant’s Facebook page: "The Palacios Laos, D'Agostino and Choque family wishes to thank all those who, in one way or another offer their affection and condolences."

The funeral will be on Sunday at The Donnellan Family Funeral Home in Skokie, with burial to follow on Monday at St. Ignatius Church in Chicago.