West Side Stories: A dream and cooking with love
It's all about family, a dream, and "cooking with love." They all come together in a connection between a grandmother and her granddaughter. You see, when Maria Arellano started Taqueria Chicago on South Bend's west side in 1986, she wanted a restaurant that served authentic Mexican food, Chicago style. But she also wanted a restaurant that would remain in the family when she was done running it. Her wish came true when her 30-year-old granddaughter, Adriana Perez, decided to move to South Bend from Chicago to take over the business in 2021, along with her husband, Kevin Suarez.
"Even though she didn't want to do it, my grandmother was probably going to sell it to someone outside the family," said Perez. "Me and my husband had been working in the restaurant industry in Chicago and we saw this as an opportunity to improve our lives and also make my grandma's dream come true. She really wanted the business to stay in the family."
37 years ago, Arellano moved to South Bend from Chicago, just like her granddaughter did recently, and started Taqueria Chicago. She had her own recipes, and she understood the value of good, friendly service. Good food and good service is a winning combination for most restaurants. It has definitely worked for Taqueria Chicago.
"It's close to my work and I'm originally from Chicago, so I'm partial to that style," said Scott Szakonyi, a regular customer. "It's very consistent, always good food."
"If we're getting Mexican food this is where we come," said Logan Potter of Granger, Ind.
Perez says they have plans to expand the restaurant some day and they are also trying to make it more convenient, adding Uber Eats as an option for customers. They also want to add alcohol to the menu so they can serve margheritas and other drinks. She says, however, that the heart of the restaurant will always be "cooking with love."
"When you cook with love, everything tastes better. The best food is prepared with love."
Perez and her husband got a big break when they inherited the same cook who started the business with Arellano 37 years ago. Oscar Martinez knows all the recipes and his presence helps maintain that consistency that so many customers expect and enjoy. He also knows how to cook with love.
"We are so lucky to have him," said Perez. "We want to maintain the quality food my grandmother established. Having the cook who started with her really helps."
The husband-and-wife team works hard in the restaurant, doing whatever is needed to keep it running smoothly. They both grew up in Chicago and have spent their adult life working in the restaurant industry. They have experience and they have plans to improve the business, including a fresh take on the colorful murals on the building's exterior, but Perez says they want to keep it true to their grandmother's dream.
"She just believes so strongly that the food must always be the best it can be, and the service must always be friendly."
Perez talks to her grandmother regularly, even though grandma now lives in Mexico, where she grew up. It's an important connection as one person's dream of a family business stays in the family, and another's dream of a better life and a business of her own is realized. And, there is some evidence the great granddaughter may be next in line. Perez's four-year-old daughter, Kathaleen, seems to like being in the restaurant and meeting people.
"She is a people person. We've had her in here greeting people and she seems to like it. Maybe she will take over when we're ready to stop."
Maria Arellano started Taqueria Chicago in 1986. Today, her granddaughter, Adriana Perez and her husband Kevin, are running it. They have plans to modernize it and expand, but they know "cooking with love" and friendly service are the core values that have provided success over the years. They also hope to keep the business in the family for many years to come.
Check out a video version of this story below.