La Pasadita Expansion

ronnie_suburban (in the media digest) wrote:The owners of La Pasadita have announced the acquisition of 20 local Chicago Taco Bell outlets, with plans to open 10 more over the next 2 years. "Chicagoans love Mexican food in all different forms, and we are happy to provide it." Owner Jose Jimenez feels it is a good fit because "nuestro negocio es todo acerca de proporcionar a las personas con una experiencia culinaria mexicana de calidad, y no todo el mundo le gusta una buena carne asada."

I knew something was up when the new LP Express opened up on Elston just south of Foster. I tried it out the first day it was open and found that there is no al pastor being served...or pork of any kind. They only offer chicken breast and carne asada cooked on a flat top. It's definitely Gringoesque Mexican food; nothing at all like GNR winner La Pasadita. I wish them luck, but I doubt I'll be patronizing any of the new LP outlets.

L.P. Express
4968 N Elston
Chicago, IL 60630

I'll be sure to check one of them out after going to that restaurant in the water crib on Lake Michigan.

trpt2345 wrote:I'll be sure to check one of them out after going to that restaurant in the water crib on Lake Michigan.

Oh, you mean "Intake"? I heard that's going to be Wylie Dufresne's first Chicago venture.

I think this was meant to be an April Fools joke right?

nicinchic wrote:I think this was meant to be an April Fools joke right?

No. LP Express is very real.

yikes!

stevez wrote:

nicinchic wrote:I think this was meant to be an April Fools joke right?

No. LP Express is very real.

As is the water crib restaurant. It's also going to feature an Italian-themed, uber-trendy Rande Gerber lounge called "Lago Sporco".

You're not re-using Sula's gag, are you?

Credit where credit is due.

whiskeybent wrote:You're not re-using Sula's gag, are you?

Credit where credit is due.

I actually hadn't seen that - that's excellent! Thanks for linking.

If this is not an April Fools' thing:

Being a frequent flier at Las Asadas, I made a mental note when someone here posted something about a La Pasadita opening somewhere pretty far north. I ran into the Las Asadas owner one day and asked him if the new place was really part of La P. He vehemently said that they were not part of the La P group. I'm not sure this is the same place as L.P. Express, all I remember was that it was pretty far north, and the name had some tie in with La Pasadita. Is anyone sure that this LP Express is directly related to the La Pasadita group?

20 Taco Bells?
I hope they do it right (live fire.)
But, it doesn't matter if they don't. There are a decent amt of places that do, and I know where they are.

Well, all this talk about La P got me in taco mode, so I headed on down to Las Asadas. I asked the couterguy if LP Express was part of the La Pasadita group, and he confirmed it. As a side note, Las Asadas has some KILLER steak going today. Super tender. The salsa is about a 6 out of ten - started off hot, then died down after eating a few more bites.

Khaopaat wrote:"Lago Sporco".

I have eaten here a few times and the flame cooked carne asada is worth a visit when fresh. The menu is basic and even then some items are not always available.

On another note they offer a burrito challenge which should be an April Fools joke. The Burrito is about a yard long and anyone finishing it will get their picture put up.

Pasadita Express is opening in a space that has had a ton of turnover, including a brief stint as my favorite local taqueria.

Given the real La Pasadita's limited menus and quick service, what exactly defines this as "LP Express"?

Kennyz wrote: my favorite local taqueria.

Hmm, that link just leads to the same picture that is in your post.

bnowell724 wrote:

Kennyz wrote: my favorite local taqueria.

Hmm, that link just leads to the same picture that is in your post.

fixed, thanks.

why doesn't the sign say "La Pasadita" ? Are you sure it's the same outfit ?

Definitely affiliated with La Pasadita. Can't wait for the Palatine location to open,

LP Express
1590 N.Rand Rd.
Palatine, IL 60074
http://www.pasadita.com/

Picked up dinner at La Pasadita (west side of the Ashland, Northern one) and snapped this pic of a poster advertising two LP Express locations -- the one discussed above and one at 5211 W. Diversey.

hmm, maybe the one in my pic is not connected.

Confirmed with HQ. The Irving Park spot is connected.

m'th'su wrote:Confirmed with HQ. The Irving Park spot is is connected.

Is the typo an accidental second "is" that should be deleted, or is the second "is" supposed to be a "not"?

Corrected. Connected.

Kennyz wrote:

m'th'su wrote:Confirmed with HQ. The Irving Park spot is is connected.

Is the typo an accidental second "is" that should be deleted, or is the second "is" supposed to be a "not"?

It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is?

I wish La Pasidita would expand into the loop. There aren't any real or any good Mexican places in the loop. The best one would be Zaco Taco's which is pretty good but not nearly as good as La Pasidita. Do we know what if any other locations they plan to open?

The new Pasadita Express on Irving (see above) nuked the tortillas for my tacos. Dealbreaker.

m'th'su wrote:Confirmed with HQ. The Irving Park spot is connected.

Further evidenced by the fact that the one on Elston has recently changed their sign to match the one in the picture of the Irving Park location posted by Kenny.

Kennyz wrote:The new Pasadita Express on Irving (see above) nuked the tortillas for my tacos. Dealbreaker.

If a nuked tortilla is a dealbreaker, forget the original E side Pasadita as they nuke their tortillas too. Not certain about the W side "la pas" I rarely cross the street unless I want a side of guac. I'd say it's pretty standard operating procedure. For that matter, Tierra Caliente aka casa de pastor nuked them in front of me before packing them up with some excellent birria de chivo I bought by the lb. to take to a recuperating friend for sustenance. I had them pack everything separately for the ride and there were no complaints or leftovers.

Jazzfood wrote:

Kennyz wrote: I had them pack everything separately for the ride and there were no complaints or leftovers.

That's because I wasn't in the car with you. Thanks for the tip on the other Pasadita's, and on Tierra Caliente. I'll be staying away from those tacos too.