Al Chulo restaurant brings authentic, modern Mexican food to West Chicago

To describe something as "chulo" or "chula" is to call it cute, beautiful or lovely.

"We use that word a lot in Mexico," says Miguel Villanueva, co-owner of the Al Chulo restaurant that recently opened in West Chicago. "When you see a good-looking person or thing, you always say it is very 'chulo.'"

Villanueva and his brothers-in-law, Roberto Avila and Jose Trejo, are focused on delivering a "chulo" experience at 1400 S. Neltnor Blvd. through the restaurant's classy, but laid-back interior, a growing collection of more than 55 tequilas and quality food influenced by their roots in Mexico City.

In Mexico City, they say, the dining scene is a melting pot, with food and flavors from every state in that country. It's a concept they're trying to emulate with Al Chulo, which opened March 10.

"We have dishes from Puebla, we have dishes from Oaxaca, we have dishes from the north part, like milanesa, we have cochinita pibil from the south of Mexico," Avila said. "We have all that influence and that modern cuisine because we are from Mexico City."

Avila said customers can expect Mexican-style tapas and "street food" with a twist, such as esquites, a treat served from carts wheeled down Mexican sidewalks that consists of roasted corn mixed with serrano peppers, onions, queso cotija, tajin seasoning and mayonnaise.

Cemitas, traditional Mexican sandwiches made with sweet bread and topped with cheese and a choice of pork, sirloin or egg, are another staple, along with sopes made with fresh corn masa, tostadas topped with shredded chicken tinga and pozole, a traditional chicken soup with chile broth, cilantro and radishes.

This isn't the trio's first culinary endeavor. All three worked in the industry for more than a decade before opening Altiro, a Latin fusion restaurant, three years ago in Geneva.

Altiro's menu, however, is a mix of Mexican, South American, Spanish and Italian cuisine, with items such as tacos and enchiladas listed alongside mussels and lamb. Last year, the owners also opened a second Altiro location in Chicago's Roscoe Village.

The Geneva location, they say, draws regulars from Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Warrenville, Bartlett and other area towns.

In searching for a second suburban location, they considered places that would be central for those customers. In creating a menu, they were thoughtful about offering something a little different from Altiro.

"I think we are very lucky to be here in West Chicago and especially in this location, where there is a lot of traffic and people from all over, not just from West Chicago," Villanueva said.

The restaurant is open 4 to 9 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.