Joliet's Newest Bar Restaurant Marks Grand Opening

JOLIET, IL — Mayor Bob O'Dekirk, executives from the Joliet Chamber of Commerce and directors for Joliet's City Center Partnership joined Joliet businessman Noe Patino and his family to celebrate Thursday's grand opening of the El Camaleon Bar and Grill.

El Camaleon has a seating capacity of 150 to 175 guests, Patino's family told Joliet Patch. El Camaleon is at the corner of Van Buren and North Ottawa. The address is 103 North Ottawa St. Patino bought the building in 2018, and he's renamed it Plaza 66.

It's directly across the street from the city of Joliet's Ottawa Street parking deck. Decades ago, the building, now owned by Patino, was Joliet's Montgomery Ward store.

"I'm happy to see another restaurant open downtown," remarked Priscilla Cordero, Joliet's City Center Partnership executive director. She said that her organization and the city of Joliet provided grant funds to Patino to help with his redevelopment project.

Patino has been working on a major remodeling of the old Montgomery Ward building the past four years. Along Van Buren Street, he has attracted Leo Gonzalez to open The Artesano Store, which sells clothes and products made by Mexico's indigenous people.

"A lot of big projects are coming on Ottawa Street," Cordero assured Joliet Patch on Thursday. "A lot of other big projects are in the works."

Two of the Patino sisters, Laura and Dayana, will run El Camaleon, which focuses on "elevated Mexican style food" and "specialty signature drinks," the sisters said.

El Camaleon is now open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

On Sunday, it will be open noon to 8 p.m.

On weekends, there will be live entertainment including music artists, the sisters said. The menu features: antojitos, tacos, brunch, enchiladas, sides, fajitas, peques and desserts.

Noe Patino said that El Camaleon will be known for "high quality Mexican food." No reservations are needed for dinner, he said. The dress attire is casual.

"We're doing really good," Noe Patino told Joliet Patch. "We're excited downtown Joliet is gonna come back to life. That's what our plans are."

Here are the signature meals on his menu:

Fajitas El Camaleon: signature fajitas served with green and red sauce, cactus, your choice of meat topped with grilled jalapeño pepper and onion. Chicken is $28, steak is $32, shrimp is $32, a combination meal is $34.

Tampiquena El Camaleon: Marinated skirt steak in bed of grilled bell peppers and onions. Served with enchillada topped with potatoes, comes with a side of homemade gucamole, pica de gallo, sour cream, frijoles de la olla and arroz blanco for $32.

Tostadas El Camaleon: Chipotle marinated shredded chicken on a crispy tortilla topped with El Camaleon's specialty coleslaw and sour cream for $19.

Ensalada El Camaleon: Spring mix bed with grilled peaches, strawberries, pecans, feta cheese served with a chipotle dressing for $15, add chicken for $2, steak for $4 or shrimp for $4.

Related Joliet Patch coverage on Plaza 66:

New Joliet Store: Merchandise Made By Indigenous People