Sherman set the Wayback machine - anyone remember El Sol?

There used to be a place at Sheffield & Fullerton in the 80's called El Sol. It was a little place with the best Mexican food.

I know they are no longer at that location, but does anyone know if they moved or changed their name or at least know of a place similar to it?

Thanks LTH!

Do you mean Hacienda del Sol on Sheffield just south of Armitage? I ate there once a long time ago but don't remember the food at all.

I used to go there quite a bit during their long run but last I heard Tony, the former owner, moved back to Mexico (or at least out of Chicago). There is another restaurant called El Sol on Dempster in Morton Grove, but I found out the hard way that it is no relation. Avoid it at all costs.

In terms of restaurants like it, C. Manny's on Irving and Elston has a similar vibe and very good food.

C. Manny's
3641 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 583-1590

Oops, sorry, Hacienda del Sol was on Sedgwick not Sheffield. Was El Sol on the south side of Fullerton near Southport?

It was on the southeast side of Fullerton, right next to a bar named Mattick's and across the street form the Lakeshore Athletic Club.

stevez wrote:I used to go there quite a bit during their long run but last I heard Tony, the former owner, moved back to Mexico (or at least out of Chicago). There is another restaurant called El Sol on Dempster in Morton Grove, but I found out the hard way that it is no relation. Avoid it at all costs.

In terms of restaurants like it, C. Manny's on Irving and Elston has a similar vibe and very good food.

C. Manny's
3641 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 583-1590

Thanks for the update, I'll have to check out CMannys...tell me though, do they have the never-ending margarita refills like El Sol used to? (wishful thinking, I suspect) ;>

Only on LTH...I have been trying to think of what the name of this little spot was forever. I remember walking over to el sol for summertime dinners with the family years ago and it was always my choice for my bday dinner. I think this place is the reason Mexican cuisine is my favorite, I loved the nacho's, each chip would be made to order individually like the ones offered at Cuetzala. Nice call.

Liz in Norwood Park wrote:tell me though, do they have the never-ending margarita refills like El Sol used to? (wishful thinking, I suspect) ;>

Very wishful. C. Manny's used to be in a space slightly north of their present locaton on Elston. It was nearly a dead ringer to El Sol back in the day. Around 4 - 5 years ago, they moved to their present locaton which had previously been some type of semi-upscale restaurant, so C. Manny's inherited a bit of decor that classed the joint up a bit, but the food is still the same.

I ate at El Sol a couple times when I was a student at DePaul. I remember it being well prepared and a cheerful space.

Liz in Norwood Park wrote:It was on the southeast side of Fullerton, right next to a bar named Mattick's and across the street form the Lakeshore Athletic Club.

El Sol was at Fullerton and Southport. Killer carne Tampicana and fantastic margaritas. In the early '80's I lived around the corner on the 2200 block of Janssen and El Sol was my go to spot for Mexican.

I remember the owners as being a young Mexican couple and the wife had a thing for leopard skin print pants.

JSM wrote:El Sol was at Fullerton and Southport. Killer carne Tampicana and fantastic margaritas. In the early '80's I lived around the corner on the 2200 block of Janssen and El Sol was my go to spot for Mexican.

I remember the owners as being a young Mexican couple and the wife had a thing for leopard skin print pants.

I wonder if our paths crossed back in the day. I spent quite a bit of time there myself.

SteveZ wrote:I wonder if our paths crossed back in the day. I spent quite a bit of time there myself.

Quite possibly Steve. back then I was working afternoons at the Airport. Dinner was usually around 10:30 at El Sol followed by a little music and cocktails at Blues on Halsted and then maybe the Oxford pub....life was good!!