Aug. 31--Three months ago, the original Cemitas Puebla in Humboldt Park abruptly closed after a dispute with the landlords. Owner Tony Anteliz vowed to return to the neighborhood, where his family had operated the taqueria and sandwich shop for 13 years. He grew up on that block of North and Central Park avenues, after all.
It's one thing to proclaim loyalty to an area lacking ambitious new restaurants and another to invest the resources to make it happen. So color us surprised and delighted at today's news that Cemitas Puebla is returning to the neighborhood. And it's doing so in a unique way.
First, Anteliz has secured a space in Humboldt Park that requires significant renovation and won't be ready until next summer. Until then, he will operate a temporary restaurant -- think of it as a one-year pop-up -- in Logan Square, across the street from the cocktail bar Scofflaw. He will take over a turnkey space at 3129 W. Armitage Ave. with a functional kitchen and only minor renovations required. Anteliz believes he can open as early as October.
"Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask, 'When are you coming back?'" Anteliz said. "There's a karma with coming home."
The West Loop location will continue in Fulton Market.
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