Pilsen is a neighborhood bursting with Latino culture, offering a vibrant tapestry of music, art, culinary tradition, and nightlife. Nestled in the heart of the lower west side neighborhood of Chicago is La Luna.

Located at 1726 S. Racine Ave., La Luna is an artistic restaurant with an atmosphere and cuisine reflecting the spirit of the Pilsen community. Illinois Latino News had a chance to speak with founder, owner, Samantha Sanchez.

“My family is from Monterrey (Mexico). Pilsen has been a very important neighborhood to me…to connect to my roots,” said Sanchez. “When I chose to have Luna in Pilsen, I thought it was the perfect fit to highlight what we are as a family and what we can offer to the table.”

The restaurant business is the family business for Sanchez, whose father, Sam Sanchez, has an accomplished hospitality career in Chicago.

Collaboration is key to La Luna’s success; no partnership has been more important than the one with Chef Marco Colin. “Marco has been awesome to work with. He has literally taken all of my ideas and transformed them into his own way,” Sanchez said.

A homegrown chef, Colin has lived in Chicago his entire life and grew up in an environment where love and respect for food and fresh ingredients were paramount. “I think cooking is part of nurturing,” said Colin. “Carne asada. Almost every Sunday, having the grill going outside, just sitting with the family -that is always going to be a core memory for me,” he said remembering childhood memories of food bringing loved ones together.

La Luna offers a menu that truly captures the essence of the neighborhood, you’ll find classic tacos, creative small plates, and authentic tortillas, all with a modern twist on popular Mexican fare.

There aren’t many eateries that not only cook and serve you the food, but teach you how to make it also. La Luna offers a make-it-from-scratch, tortilla-making class where patrons immerse themselves in the world of Mexican cuisine. QUOTE

For more information on signing up for cooking classes and other events, click HERE.

Tortilla making class at La Luna (Pictures by Esteban Balta)

Sazón de Illinois is co-produced by Illinois Latino News (ILLN), an affiliate of the Latino News Network (LNN), and CAN TV, Chicago’s hub for community-centric news, hyperlocal stories, and educational resources.

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