Salsa Picante in Ukrainian Village closing after 9 years

CHICAGO — After nine years of serving up Mexican food in West Town, a Ukrainian Village restaurant is closing its doors for good this month.

The owners of Salsa Picante, located in the 900 block of North Western Avenue, announced Tuesday that they would cease operations on Sunday, Sept. 29.

“We would like to thank our staff, past and present, for being such an integral part of our business and for helping us to provide so many wonderful experiences to our countless guest over the years. Restaurant work is not easy, it takes commitment, thick skin, and really good sense of humor and we are so grateful for everyone that has worked so hard to keep the vision alive,” the restaurant’s owners said in a post on Facebook .

In the post, the owners thanked the community, adding that the decision to close was “bittersweet.”

“Salsa Picante gave us all a place to feel at home. However, as much as we love Salsa Picante and seeing you walk through our doors, this is a bittersweet choice and most difficult decision during these unprecedented times, to say the least,” the owners said. “We would like to thank our Ukrainian Village community for welcoming and supporting our small family business. It has really been an honor to serve our community and hope the strong sense of community continues and thrives for ever.”

The family-owned restaurant offered an array of authentic Mexican favorites, as well as breakfast and vegetarian options.

According to the owners, the recipes were handed down from generation to generation, dating back to their great-grandparents in Mexico City.

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