WHO Executive director, Chicago Latino Theatre Alliance
HOME 'HOOD Pilsen. "I love that it's walkable and that I get to see people from the neighborhood that I know. I love getting coffee in the morning or lunch in the afternoons and having people greet me by my name. Pilsen is that kind of neighborhood."
GO-TO SPOT "If you're talking about Pilsen, then I have to pick a few. I love 5 Rabanitos (1758 W. 18th St.). It's a great restaurant with a well-thought-out menu highlighting Mexican food. Chef and proprietor Alfonso Sotelo has put out a lot of heart and thinking into this establishment. For chile rellene tacos I recommend El Milagro (1927 S. Blue Island Ave.), and for carne asada tacos I recommend Carniceria Maribel (1801 W. Cermak Road @carniceria_maribel). This tiny neighborhood store/bodega is hard to miss. You'll know you found it when you see the Selena murals welcoming you. They have a quaint taqueria in the rear with some of the best carne asada tacos I've had anywhere. And for a good cocktail, I recommend The Alderman (1163 W. 18th St.), a speakeasy located inside Pilsen Yards."
LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST "Summer festivals and dining alfresco on Chicago's hidden back patios and rooftops."
CURRENT OBSESSION "I love getting together with my friends for a good happy hour filled with oysters and bubbles. We try to do this at different locations throughout Chicago. From Pilsen to River North, and Hyde Park and Humboldt Park to Andersonville, there's always a place we must visit and support over a good happy hour special. It's truly one of the best ways to spend your time with friends in Chicago. Another obsession is checking out Chicago's theater scene. We are so fortunate to have more than 250 theaters in this great city. We're also home to Destinos, the Chicago Latino International Theater Festival. The Latino theater arts scene is simply amazing."
Photography by: Courtesy of Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA)
