The culinary landscape of Westfield Old Orchard Mall in Skokie is set to spice up as celebrity chef Rick Bayless launches his latest operation this weekend. Tortazo, the fast-casual Mexican spot by the acclaimed chef, will throw open its doors inside the suburban Macy's department store, promising shoppers and foodies a taste of his renowned Mexico City-style fare.
Bayless, known for his top-tier Chicago Mexican restaurants, including Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, has once again bet on the burbs instead of city streets. Previously hoping to expand in the Loop, Bayless sidestepped the downtown area due to its slow pandemic comeback, NBC Chicago reports. "The Loop is not what it used to be pre-COVID, so we decided not to do that," said Bayless considering a new Loop restaurant but opting for Skokie instead.
Tortazo's anticipated arrival coincides with Westfield Old Orchard's vision to transform its space into a community hub that extends beyond traditional retail. The mall, surviving the pandemic better than most, has seen new additions like a Zara flagship, as Bayless joins the fray alongside the recently opened Italian dessert spot, Café Castemila.
It's not just tacos and tortas that Tortazo will bring to the table. The eatery plans to serve up an array of quesadillas, salads, and snacks, along with beer, wine, and cocktails to ease the mall-goers' thirst. According to Crain's Chicago Business, Bayless emphasized "We are going to be doing our signature full-flavored dishes at Old Orchard," clearly underlining that his commitment to authenticity and bold tastes is unwavering, even in shuffled onto the suburban dining scene.
For those seeking a pre-shopping spree brunch or a post-retail unwind, Tortazo promises it has got you covered with its operational hours, slated to range from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and an extended close on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Not to mention, there is a special treat for the after-work crowd with happy hour beckoning on weekdays, as NBC Chicago outlines the slated schedules.
Bayless' decision to locate Tortazo within Macy’s aims to leverage the store's foot traffic and the chef's own clout to create a new dining destination. This isn't the first time Bayless has bet on mall space — he closed a previous installation, Frontera Fresca, at the same location years back. Yet despite past closures, the chef's confidence in the mall — and appetite for expansion — seems far from satiated.
