There’s a new Mexican restaurant opening in the Nash Park Neighborhood. Cinco Lokos will be hosting its grand opening this weekend at 3430 N. 84th St. in the former home of Thistle & Shamrock, which closed last May.

A grand opening party will be held on Saturday, March 1 from 4 to 10 p.m. and will be open to the public.

Behind the family-owned restaurant is owner Izabella Arteaga whose husband operated Cinco De Mayo Fiesta, 8412 W. Morgan Ave., before closing the restaurant in November to focus on Cinco Lokos. 

Her brother-in-laws Chendo and David Coatzozon will head up the kitchen, where they will prepare a wide variety of dishes, including family recipes from Veracruz, Mexico as well as recipes from Cinco De Mayo Fiesta.

“This fantastic new business in the neighborhood will provide the community with another great place to come together, and I welcome Cinco Lokos to the 5th District,” notes Alderman Lamont Westmoreland. “I look forward to an exciting grand opening with delicious food and great company!”

What to expect

Arteaga says that they’ve maintained the restaurant's layout, but have dressed up the interior with green, red and orange paint and a skull candy theme.

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“The interior is still in progress, but the goal is to make it feel like you’re walking into a bar in Veracruz,” she says, “It’s very bright and fun with a little pop of Las Vegas thrown in for good measure.” 

At the bar, guests will find a full assortment of tequilas and Mexican beer, along with margaritas and daiquiris in spicy flavors like pineapple chipotle and jalapeno lime. Arteaga says they will also feature a full collection of Island Oasis flavors including strawberry, peach, raspberry, banana, mango, Bahama Mama, wild berry and passion fruit.

As for the food menu, Arteaga says it will feature a wide variety of Mexican favorites including tacos, enchiladas and fajitas, along with family recipes from Veracruz, Mexico that have been passed through the generations.  

Guests will also find a cadre of modern dishes and favorite items previously served at Cinco De Mayo Fiesta. That includes items like Fire Crackers (jalapeño peppers stuffed with cheese and guests’ choice of meat); Mexican pizza and their “TikTok famous” birria quesadillas.

And a fish fry!

“We’ll also be introducing a Friday fish fry,” she says. “We know that this has been a popular place for the neighborhood to enjoy their fish fry, so we wanted to keep the tradition going.” 

Somewhat like Thistle & Shamrock, Cinco Lokos’ American Friday fish fry will include a variety of options. That includes cod, pollack, catfish, lake perch, blue gill and walleye.  Accompaniments will include marble rye bread, butter, freshly made coleslaw, lemon and housemade tartar sauce along with a choice of potato (fries, potato pancake or a baked potato for +$3)

Arteaga says she’s grateful for all the assistance they’ve received from building owner Jack Lepold, who she credits for attracting them to move their business to the West Side (and for sharing his fish fry recipe). 

“We are so excited for the opening,” she says. “And we can’t wait to introduce our food to the neighborhood.”

The grand opening party for Cinco Lokos will take place on Saturday, March 1 from 4 to 10 p.m. Beginning Sunday, March 2, Cinco Locos will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.