{"id":5062847,"date":"2024-06-02T00:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-02T00:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/illatinonews.com\/?p=5062847"},"modified":"2024-06-02T00:15:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-02T00:15:00","slug":"sazon-de-illinois-la-casa-de-samuel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/2024\/06\/02\/sazon-de-illinois-la-casa-de-samuel\/","title":{"rendered":"Saz\u00f3n\u00a0De Illinois: La Casa de Samuel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CHICAGO &#8211; Little Village, &#8220;La Villita,&#8221; is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago. With a solid Mexican-American heritage, this community is known for its rich culture, tight-knit community spirit, and delicious cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re looking for authentic Mexican cuisine in this neighborhood, look no further than <a href=\"https:\/\/lacasadesamuel.com\/#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">La Casa de Samuel<\/a>. This beloved restaurant has been serving delicious dishes inspired by traditional Mexican recipes for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"335\" src=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/View-recent-photos-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5062862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/View-recent-photos-1.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/View-recent-photos-1-300x157.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Founded in 1989 by acclaimed chef Samuel Linares, La Casa de Samuel offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes diners feel right at home. The walls are adorned with colorful murals and artwork, creating a festive ambiance that perfectly complements the flavorful dishes on the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Illinois Latino News had the opportunity to speak with two members of the Linares family, Arturo and Maribel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Arturo and Maribel Linares on what sets La Casa de Samuel apart from other eateries\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Saz\u00f3n\u00a0De Illinois: La Casa de Samuel\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RXNYDXuOhqY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Samuel Linares, an immigrant from Mexico, and his wife, Alicia, arrived in Chicago in 1986. Drawing from his experience working in some of the finest restaurants in Mexico,&nbsp;Linares dove into the city&#8217;s restaurant scene. He first worked at El Chile restaurant and the Columbia Yacht Club before deciding to open La Casa de Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;He (Samuel) noticed that they (restaurants) don&#8217;t have the traditional dishes from Mexico,&#8221; said Maribel Linares. The daughter of the late chef explained how her father introduced diners to regional specialties like Cabrito Estilo Monterrey (roasted goat kid) instead of the typical simple Mexican dishes catering to U.S. tastes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The restaurant has an extensive menu selection of classic Mexican dishes that are sure to satisfy any craving, such as quesadillas de huitlacoche and charales empanizados. It also entertains more exotic pursuits, like iguana en salsa de&nbsp;ajillo&nbsp;and cecina de venado.&nbsp;(something about the kitchen)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"422\" data-id=\"5062854\" src=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4489.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5062854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4489.jpg 640w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4489-300x198.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Platanos flameados cooked at your table<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"670\" data-id=\"5062856\" src=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4484-1024x670.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5062856\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4484-1024x670.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4484-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4484-768x502.jpg 768w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4484.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fresh tortillas made at the restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"855\" height=\"574\" data-id=\"5062855\" src=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4497.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5062855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4497.jpg 855w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4497-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4497-768x516.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 855px) 100vw, 855px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">iguana stew<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Mi Papa fue un chef de la vieja escuela,&#8221; said Arturo Linares of his father, who insisted on following recipes exactly as written. That discipline has been a fundamental part of La Casa de Samuel&#8217;s success for more than 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Originally from San Francisco in the state of Guerrero, Linares grew up in a farming community. Seeking to support his family economically, he left home at a young age and headed to Acapulco, a popular tourism destination in the 1950s. That is where his culinary training began, from dishwasher to learning how quality ingredients and expert preparation were key to success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"422\" data-id=\"5062860\" src=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4763.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5062860\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4763.jpg 640w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4763-300x198.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"420\" data-id=\"5062861\" src=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4764.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5062861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4764.jpg 640w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4764-300x197.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"640\" data-id=\"5062859\" src=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4765.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5062859\" srcset=\"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4765.jpg 538w, https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4765-252x300.jpg 252w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Photo Credit: Linares family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since opening its doors, La Casa de Samuel has operated from the same spot at 2834 W. Cermak Rd. According to his children, the Linares family feels proud of having helped launch more than a dozen Chicago-area Mexican businesses and restaurants started by people Chef Linares trained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;We live here, all of us,&#8221; says Maribel Linares about the familial relationship between the restaurant and its customers that her father nurtured. &#8220;They met here, they started dating here,&#8221; she says remembering one couple. &#8220;They married, they bring their kids, and now those kids bring their kids.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sadly, Samuel Linares, beloved chef and patriarch, died from COVID-19 in December 2020. He was 76.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still photos: Esteban Balta, video: Isabella Balta<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do you have an idea for a Saz\u00f3n feature? We want to hear from you! Email us at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:info@LatinoNewsNetwork.com\">info@LatinoNewsNetwork.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A taste of Mexico in one of Chicago&#8217;s most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5062853,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[281],"tags":[23,278,25,98,279,280],"ppma_author":[272],"class_list":["post-5062847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sazon-de-il","tag-hispanics","tag-la-casa-de-samuel","tag-latinos","tag-mexico","tag-restaurant","tag-samuel-linares"],"acf":[],"mb":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4499.jpg",1170,773,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4499-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4499-300x198.jpg",300,198,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4499-768x507.jpg",768,507,true],"large":["https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4499-1024x677.jpg",1024,677,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4499.jpg",1170,773,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/05\/IMG_4499.jpg",1170,773,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"LNN","author_link":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/author\/jermainesmith\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"A taste of Mexico in one of Chicago's most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods","authors":[{"term_id":272,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"hugobalta","display_name":"Hugo Balta","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","author_category":"","first_name":"","last_name":"","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":""}],"mfb_rest_fields":["title","uagb_featured_image_src","uagb_author_info","uagb_comment_info","uagb_excerpt","authors"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5062847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5062847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5062847\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5062853"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5062847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5062847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5062847"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=5062847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}