Closed 890 Days, Joliet Restaurant Says 'We're Happy To Be Open'

JOLIET, IL — When Gov. JB Pritzker ordered all Illinois bars and restaurants to halt indoor dining in March 2020, as the deadly coronavirus spread across the globe, the owners of downtown Joliet's Puerto Escondido didn't see a point in trying to keep their restaurant going.

"We had to shut down at the time. We didn't want it to be permanent," restaurant owner's assistant Mayra Campos told Joliet Patch during Tuesday's interview.

In years past, Puerto Escondido was known for its Mexican seafood. And after being closed nearly 900 consecutive days, Puerto Escondido is back in business after a remodeling project and a revamped menu that doesn't include Mexican seafood at the moment.

One of the most popular Tuesday specials are the pork ribs smothered in green sauce. As for soups of the day, Tuesday featured a beef soup that the customers seem to like, Campos noted.

This marks Puerto Escondido's second week of being reopened. It's at 509 North Chicago St., just up the street from St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

"We're happy to be open," Campos remarked. "Eight hundred ninety days we were closed. We decided we have to reopen."

Puerto Escondido specializes in "authentic Mexican homemade meals and homemade fresh tortillas every day," she said.

Staff said they purchased a tortilla machine to make fresh tortillas daily.

The new menu at Puerto Escondido will never be confused with Thayer's Deli on Ruby Street, but the new concept is very similar.

How?

As loyal customers at Thayer's Deli know, Thayer's typically posts its daily comfort food specials on its Facebook page every morning.

Puerto Escondido said it's planning to have its new Facebook page launched in a matter of days.

"Hopefully we'll have the Facebook page, so people can see the daily menu," Campos remarked. "Price is $12.99 every day. We wanted to make it a little more economical. We're trying something different. We're trying to give a different vibe.

"This is all new."

Campos said there is a possibility that Puerto Escondido may bring back its Mexican seafood on weekends if the demand from restaurant customers is there. So far, Puerto Escondido has only been open for just one weekend, but a number of the customers were inquiring about ordering Mexican seafood dishes, Campos said.

Campos told Joliet Patch the owner of Puerto Escondido is Pepe Sanchez. Puerto Escondido has been on the northern edge of downtown Joliet since 2011. It also has a large bar area inside the restaurant for patrons who want to drink beer or enjoy mixed drinks.

As for soft drinks, the pop bottles of Coke and Squirt come from Mexico.

Puerto Escondido is closed Mondays and open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

The number to place carryout orders at Puerto Escondido is 815-727-5150.