Together Hospitality Roundtable @ Taquizas Valdez
Our March Roundtable will be on 3/12 at Taquizas Valdez, located at 3038 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
Taquizas Valdez, a new Mexican restaurant from owner and executive chef Ivan Valdez, opened in December in Old Irving Park. The restaurant is a heartfelt tribute to Ivan's late mother Rosa, honoring their Mexican heritage and the time they spent catering “taquizas” (Mexican backyard taco buffets) together. After leaving the restaurant scene in July 2020 to care for his ailing mother, who passed in March 2021, Valdez pursued further education, earning certifications in Electrical Maintenance & Construction from Coyne College and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from DeVry University. Now 30, he brings his passion back to the kitchen, serving composed tacos, build-your-own tacos, and tortas on house-baked bread, alongside starters, sides, and more for lunch and dinner. Operating five days a week with counter-service ordering, dine-in seating for 36, carryout, and delivery, Taquizas Valdez is also BYOB.
Axios feature from Monica Eng, “Valdez’s chuy mushroom taco is the best veggie dish I’ve tried this year”
https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/02/06/diversey-house-taquizas-valdez-milk-bar-open
Michael Nagrant's “The Hunger” review "Chicago's Best New Taco Spot"
https://thehunger.substack.com/p/the-turn
Eater opening feature: