Land & Sea, Paul McGee Today Unveil Tacos, Margaritas, and More

While some are content in erecting a wall, star bartender Paul McGee and the team at Land & Sea Department are celebrating how Northern Mexico’s culture has intertwined with southwestern America with Lonesome Rose. The all-day restaurant and bar opened on Monday morning at 2101 N. California Avenue in Logan Square. Find breakfast tacos, creative “truck stop” nachos, and an arsenal of McGee’s takes on Mexican drinks like micheladas, margaritas, and other creative cocktails.

Executive chef Pete Coenen previewed some of the offerings earlier this year at the Pitchfork Music Festival. One of the highlights over the summer was the rajas con crema, a vegetarian taco with ember-roasted poblano, chayote squash, corn srema, cotija, and cilantro. They use fresh corn tortillas on the tacos, which also include a carne asada al pastor and a beer-battered tilapia. A double-stacked chorizo burger and a grilled-cheese quesadilla with chihuahua, oaxaca, and salsitas combine American and Mexican tastes. They’re also doing homemade ice cream desserts including a version of a Choco Taco and soft serve with cinnamon crunch.

By day, they’ll have coffees, fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies, and breakfast tacos. At night, the lights dim and the vibe shifts toward the bar. Take a tour of the space below. Lonesome Rose is now open.

Lonesome Rose, 2101 N. California Avenue, (773) 770-3414, open 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily; kitchen closes at 1 a.m.; to go coffee, juice and breakfast tacos available from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.