New Rick Bayless Restaurant, Two Craft Beer Pubs Opening in Evanston

If you like beer and Mexican food, you're in luck this fall. Two new pubs selling craft beer are opening up in Evanston, and the city will also be blessed with two new Mexican restaurants.

Rick Bayless’ Mexican Cusine Comes to Northwestern

Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless will open his first Frontera Fresco restaurant on a college campus at Northwestern’s Norris Center this fall. Conceived as a fast, casual version of Bayless’ famous Frontera Grill, the restaurant will offer tacos, tortas, tamales, quesadillas, soups and salads made from local ingredients. 

Smylie Brothers Brewpub To Fill Illinois Unemployment Office

Evanston’s city council recently approved a liquor license for Smylie Brothers Restaurant and Brewery, which will take over the 8,400-square-foot building that once housed the Illinois Unemployment Office at 1608 Oak Ave. According to city documents, the restaurant and brewery will provide seating for 200 with a menu featuring craft beers and American regional food such as barbecue and pizza.

World of Beers Set To Open This Month

Located at 1601 Sherman Avenue, the franchise establishment serving a lineup of craft beers is set to open soon, according to its Facebook page. Unlike other World of Beers locations, Evanston’s pub will have a kitchen in order to conform to the city’s code banning bars without food service.

Down Dog Brings Hot Yoga to Evanston

New studio Down Dog Hot Yoga recently opened at 1508 Sherman Avenue. The fitness spot offers classes in hot yoga, a workout designed to increase metabolism and tone muscles at the same time.

Avail & Company Will Make Custom Wedding Dresses

Evanston wedding dress shop Avail & Company held a ribbon-cutting grand opening ceremony on Oct. 17. Owners Rachel and Ted Alvia have been operating the business out of their home in Poplar Grove since 2005 and chose downtown Evanston for their first retail location. Rachel Alvia works with clients individually to create custom wedding dresses and other special occasion attire.

El Famous Burrito Plans October Opening on Dodge

The zoning board of appeals recently recommended approval of a special use permit for El Famous Burrito at 843 Dodge Ave. Owner Kathy Romero told Patch that the restaurant will specialize in casual, authentic Mexican fare and will offer a king size burrito as its signature dish.