Former Pop's Italian Beef Ready To Reopen: New Joliet Restaurant On Move Seeks Liquor License From City Hall

JOLIET, IL — For restaurants and retail stores, success or failure is often dictated by the three little words: location, location, location. One particular Chicagoland restaurant investor found out the hard way after he acquired Joliet's empty Boston Market fast food restaurant near Larkin Avenue and West Jefferson Street. People around Joliet didn't flock to the new Pop's Italian Beef, which is a nightmare for traffic.

Nevertheless, after the Pop's closed, another Joliet Mexican restaurant from right down the street has acquired the property. And after painting the building blue, Tacos El Tio has approached the Joliet City Council seeking to obtain a Class E liquor license so its customers can enjoy a beer or two while indulging on their tacos.

The Joliet City Council will review Tacos El Tio's petition for a Class E liquor license at Monday night's meeting. Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy is urging Council approval.

Based in Chicago, Tacos El Tio has several locations throughout the region and Tacos El Tio has been a part of Joliet's West Jefferson Street after taking over the empty Beef Shack property in the summer of 2022.

"The best tacos in the City of Chicago," the Tacos El Tio website declares. "At Tacos el Tio we have 100 percent Mexican snacks with the authentic seasoning of Mexico City."

The website for Tacos El Tio proclaims "delicious tacos, pambazos, tortas and more."

In the coming weeks, Tacos El Tio will be leaving that space at 1606 West Jefferson and moving into the former Pop's Italian Beef — despite the property's traffic difficulties.