eMex: How Chicago's Carnitas Uruapan Faces ICE Harassment; Indy Mexican Restaurant Report 2025

News About Mexican/Latin Restaurants from el Restaurante Magazine

November 21, 2025

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Dignity in Difficult Times: How Carnitas Uruapan Faces ICE Harassment Without Giving Up its Essence

On the corner where 26th Avenue breathes history, resilience, and the aroma of freshly made carnitas, the Carbajal family has sustained one of Chicago's most iconic Mexican businesses for nearly five decades: Carnitas Uruapan. They have done so with a unique blend of Michoacán tradition, entrepreneurial vision, and a deep sense of community. But in 2025, this legacy has been tested like never before. Read More

2025 Independent Mexican Restaurant Report: Bright Spots Among the Clouds

It’s been a tough year for Mexican restaurants. Food prices are up, good employees are hard to find, and managing social media is a hassle. On top of all that, masked government thugs are harassing workers and keeping customers away. Read More

2025 Sassiest Salsa Contest Winners: Complex, Deep Flavors Win Top Prizes

When Darryl Holliday and his colleagues made a batch of Smoky Oaxacan Charred Cucumber & Jobo Salsa in the kitchen at Simple Culinary Solutions in Rogers, Arkansas, it was quickly devoured. Holliday suspected it was something special….and he was right! The recipe won first place in el Restaurante’s 2025 Sassiest Salsa Contest sponsored by Sammic. Read More

Four Mexican/Latin Restaurants Among OpenTable's Top 100

Three Mexican restaurants and one featuring cutting-edge Spanish cuisine are among OpenTable’s 2025 list of Top 100 restaurants. Read More

Latin Desserts, Rompope, Shared Plates: Our NovDec Issue is Here!

Good news: The November/December issue of el Restaurante magazine is now available. Do you want to know trends in desserts at Mexican/Latin restaurants? Or how rompope is making inroads? Or how Chicago's Chilam Bilam succeeds with shared plates? You can read about all of that, and much more, in this issue. Read More

Good Rum from Mexico? Yes, Casa Cannerva Proves It

There are a number of quality makers of rum in Mexico, but the idea persists that rum takes a back seat to tequila and mezcal in that country. Among the companies that is changing that idea is Ron Cannavera, located in Campeche, in southeastern Mexico. Read More

Aarón Sánchez Scholarship Applications Open

Do you know a young, aspiring chef seeking mentorship and a life-changing experience in the culinary arts? The Aarón Sánchez Scholarship may be perfect for them. Applications are now open for six full scholarships that will be awarded for the incoming Class of 2026. Each scholarship will provide: Read More

Denver's Chili Shack Expanding with Franchises

Chili Shack, a Denver-based restaurant that mixes Mexican-American flavors with a heavy dose of green chili, has decided to franchise. Read More

Q&A: Guerrero Mezcal Leader Secured Funds for Guild

We arrived at our conversation with Beatriz Vanessa Valenzo Campos with the clear impression that we were in the presence of a woman who embodies the strength, memory, and struggle of Guerrero mezcal. President of the Guerrero Chapter of the Association of Women of Mezcal and Maguey of Mexico, Beatriz has been a witness, heir, and tireless promoter of this drink that accompanies life in her state from cradle to grave. Read More

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