2 days ago
La Luna's Little Sibling Debuts This Weekend in Logan Square
After six years in Pilsen, Samantha Sanchez wants more. Sanchez and sister Corina are about to open their second restaurant, La Lunita, in Logan Square. Think of it as the name suggests — it's La Luna's little sibling. The new restaurant will bring over favorites from Pilsen with a few notable changes to the menu.
Opening date should be Saturday, June 14 at 2539 N. Milwaukee Avenue. While the Pilsen location uses tortillas from El Milagro, a beloved local manufacturer, La Lunita will serve tacos wrapped in corn tortillas made on premises. The menu from chef Marco Colin will focus more on platters and entrees. Look for chicken mole and more steak dishes. There's also a grilled and smoked octopus. Colin will make use of a wood-burning grill.
Sanchez is excited about serving wines from Mexico, something she didn't have access to until recently: 'I'm taking the time to carefully select the spirits I want to bring in and embrace,' she says. 'You know, certain small businesses, certain local and Latin-owned wineries.'
The Pilsen restaurant opened six years ago and has seen changes along 18th Street. The small and narrow restaurant and bar has brought a new energy to the area, and Sanchez hopes that translates in Logan Square.
Designwise, there's no patio, but a garage door-style window in the front swings out to improve circulation. The space also utilizes the signature flower tile from the Pilsen location. There's about 80 seats inside with room for 20 at the bar.
La Lunita's drink menu intrigues as every beverage can be made non-alcoholic. It's cost effective and also gives those who are avoiding booze more choices. Sanchez didn't want to treat those customers like a vegetarian in the '80s, with menus usually featuring a single sad pasta or salad.
'I didn't like giving them a B.S. cocktail,' Sanchez says. 'I wanted them to feel like they could still order off the menu exactly like what everybody else is ordering.'
Sanchez feels more poised in opening her second restaurant. She's found her own niche and is contributing to causes like Let's Talk Womxn, and breaking out from her father's shadow. Sam Sanchez was the founder of Wrigleyville mainstay John Barleycorn. He's been very vocal in his political beliefs as of lat, as ICE protests and raids dominate the headlines.
Samantha Sanchez is thankful for her family's support, but wants to establish her own identity and a new company called Culture Hospitality. She wants to open more restaurants in other parts of Chicago. With La Luna and La Lunita, she found that Pilsen and Logan Square share similar qualities.
'I felt that everybody knew each other and was a neighbor — everybody wanted to connect,' she says. 'I feel that same energy.'
Check out photos of the food, drink, and space below.
La Lunita , 2539 N. Milwaukee Avenue , opening on Saturday, June 14; opening hours will be 4 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday through Thursday; 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday; 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday See More: Chicago Restaurant News
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