May 27--Bummer news for Humboldt Park restaurant and neighborhood anchor Cemitas Puebla: The beloved sandwich shop and taqueria is closing after not coming to terms with its landlord. The West Loop location (817 W. Fulton Market), which opened last September, remains in operation.
The way owner Tony Anteliz tells the story, their Humboldt Park business was doing fine, financially. But the building's ownership was transferred to a bank not too long ago, who refused to put in necessary repairs.
Anteliz said: "The question I was asking was, do I keep throwing money into a place that's not mine?"
On Sunday night, Anteliz decided no. He closed shop after 13 years on the block of North and Central Park Avenues, which in restaurant years, is a lifetime. Anteliz said he hopes to find a new location soon, but for now, the Fulton Market shop will fly solo.
"That was my home. I spent more time in that space than with my wife and kids, but it was always for the greater good," Anteliz said. "I grew up in that block. That's why I stayed there so long. And I will re-open in that neighborhood. It's going to happen."
In a city overflowing with taquerias, Cemitas Puebla stood out on the back of its flagship item. Its cemitas atomica is a sesame seed-flecked roll stuffed with a breaded pork cutlet, guajillo-marinated pork chop, grilled ham, then stuffed further with gooey cheese and avocado. This guy even loved the sandwich.
kpang@tribpub.com
Twitter @pang
