Chef Rick Bayless opens Tortazo restaurant at Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie – NBC Chicago

Tortazo, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant founded by famed Chicago chef Rick Bayless, celebrated the grand opening of its new location at Westfield Old Orchard Mall on Saturday in front of a crowd of hungry customers.

Photos shared in a press release offered a glimpse inside the restaurant, crowds of excited visitors and many scenes from opening day, including a torta carving.

According to Tortazo’s website, its menu is “a freshly made-to-order, modern, chef-driven expression of Mexico’s bold flavors, ingredients and techniques,” including crispy sheet pan tortas, comforting chilaquiles, hearty artisanal bowls and seasonal salads. and crispy, golden churros.

Saturday’s grand opening featured live music from Chicago DJ Citlalic Jeffers Peña, special food happy hours, tequila samples and a free torta for the first 100 guests.

Tortazo has locations in the Willis Tower and Times Square in New York. Additional restaurants are planned at Harrah’s Casino in Joliet and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Bayless also owns several prominent Chicago establishments, including Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, XOCO and Bar Sótano.

Tortazo at Skokie’s Old Orchard is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.