Mexican-American fare at new Geneva restaurant
By BRENDA SCHORY
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GENEVA – Three brothers and a brother-in-law with restaurant and chef experience have opened a new Mexican restaurant in downtown Geneva – El Molcajete Mexican and American Cocina.
The owners are brothers Isaias Gomez, 35, Memo Gomez, 27 and Esteban Gomez, 34 and brother-in-law Ramón Muñoz, 35.
El Molcajete just opened in the space at 113 W. State St. It was vacated by RJ’s Deli on May 10.
The name translates to English as The Mortar, Isaias Gomez explained.
“It is from mortar and pestle, a cooking tool we use in Mexico for making salsa, mole and guacamole,” Gomez said.
“We have everything you would expect to find in a Mexican restaurant.”
The menu offers an expanded traditional Mexican fare, such as burritos, tacos, enchiladas, soups, salads and fajitas, as well as black bean soup, homemade chorizo and marinated beef tacos, and a wild mushroom salad with romaine lettuce and grilled cactus.
American fare includes hamburgers, sandwiches and wraps.
“This is our first restaurant together,” Isaias Gomez said. “We used to work in different kitchens, such as Chili’s, Red Robin, Colonial Café, Tia Maria’s.”
Isaias Gomez said he and an older brother used to have three other restaurants in Mexico City, so there is extensive restaurant management and cooking experience among them.
“Every dish we have is traditional,” Isaias Gomez said. “Almost all of them [are] my favorites.”
Paul Evans, business development specialist for the City of Geneva, said El Molcajete moved in so quickly, the shuttered RJ’s Deli did not even have a chance to get on the market.
“Obviously, we are glad to see the space filled right away,” Evans said. “It is very much a family business.”
If you go
What: El Molcajete Mexican and American Cocina
Where: 113 W. State St., Geneva
Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Contact: 630-232-1600 or www.elmolcajetecocina.com.
