Texas Cheap Taco Chain Plans to Invade Chicagoland With 40 Locations

Texas cheap taco chain plans to open 40 Chicagoland restaurants

Texas-based chain Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has its sights set on a Midwest expansion. The franchise brand hopes to open 40 suburban locations in Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties over an undetermined period of time, according to Michael Mabry, Fuzzy’s chief development officer. The brand already operates around 150 restaurants in 17 states, offering Baja California-inspired fare like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, as well as a full bar. Mabry hopes the “family-friendly, value-conscious” brand will attract attention for its low costs — a family of four can dine for under $30, according to a representative. Some locations offer tacos for $1.99. Fuzzy’s is now seeking suburban franchisees.

Matriarch of two beloved French restaurants dies

Sad news from the family behind two of Chicago’s best French restaurants: Susanne Poilevey, the matriarch of beloved spots Le Bouchon and La Sardine, has passed away after battling cancer for five years, the Tribune reports. Poilevey created the longtime French favorites with her husband Jean-Claude, who died in a car accident in 2016. Susanne Poilevey was 60. The restaurants live on under the couple’s three sons, one of whom is now the executive chef.

Cannabis cafes could open in Chicago post-legalization

Another Chicago dining trend may come from an unexpected source: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s team, which introduced legislation Tuesday that allows for “cannabis cafes,” spaces where customers can inhale and consume edibles in peace inside or next door to a marijuana dispensary while possibly eating and drinking other food and beverages, similar to those that already exist in California and Denver. However, her floor leader, Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), later said that the measure was filed by mistake and that they would introduce a revised proposal soon, the Sun-Times reports. Stay tuned for updates.

Iconic South Side ice cream shop popping up in Wicker Park and Oakbrook Terrace

And finally, Wicker Parkers and western suburbanites can eat legendary South Side ice cream this weekend without traveling to the South Side or Navy Pier. That’s because Original Rainbow Cone is popping up at Stan’s Donuts and Coffee’s Wicker Park and Oakbrook Terrace locations from 1-9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, where attendees can buy the icon’s signature chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House and pistachio ice cream with orange sherbet combos for $6. Check out the event page and Block Club for more information.