Lincoln Park’s Getting a Boozy Taco Bell

Taco Bell’s Chicago expansion continues as the fast-food chain’s bringing its Boozy Bell concept to Lincoln Park. A Taco Bell Cantina should open by the end of the year at 2407-2409 N. Clark Street, according to a company spokesperson. Taco Bell Cantina sells spiked slushies and beer. It’s a store without a drive-thru and designed for cities — they feature open kitchens. The first one in the country opened three years ago in Wicker Park.

The cantina will be just north of the Clark/Fullerton intersection and the Bell’s taking over both the former Ponzu Sushi and the neighboring space, a shuttered Hair Cuttery. Taco Bell has Chicago cantinas in Wicker Park, Logan Square, South Loop, and the Loop, as well as other cities.

Earlier this month, Taco Bell opened a new Lakeview location that features many of the same design elements as cantinas but doesn’t sell alcohol. The opening coincides with the imminent closure of the Taco Bell across the street from Wrigley Field, which is scheduled for a November 1 demolition. However, the new Lakeview location isn’t a replacement for the soon-to-be razed fast-food restaurant. A source said Taco Bell continues to search for a space closer to Wrigley to open a cantina restaurant that would serve beer and spiked slushies. Taco Bell has no comment on that speculation. Meanwhile, neighborhood dive Nisei Lounge held a wake over the weekend for the Wrigleyville Taco Bell. Bean tacos were allegedly served.