Mexican Restaurant Opens In Morton Grove

Daniel Albarran is hoping Morton Grove-area residents will come in and try what he describes as traditional Mexican cuisine at Las Fuentes' new location at 9001 N. Waukegan Road, in the space formerly occupied by Crazy Jaws.

It's the fourth Las Fuentes restaurant opened by his family. His father Jorge started the original eatery at 2558 N. Halsted in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood 32 years ago. They opened a second location in Stickney 12 years ago and in Alsip last year.

"We have tacos, burritos and authentic dishes like cochinita pibil and chiles nogada on the menu," he said. "The portions are big--you'll be full by the time you're done with it."

Daniel, 24 is waiting on his brother Jorge Jr., 23, to finish up at DePaul University before joining the business, and brother Gerardo, 22, and sister Carolina, in high school, may someday be called upon to help out.

The restaurant seats 250 indoors and the outdoor patio seats an additional 40. There is a full bar with a number of big-screen TVs for watching sports games.

"A lot of people order a pitcher of margaritas--it's a very social place," Albarran said. 

The restaurant is also family-oriented, he added, and has a kids' menu.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.