The Aurora City Council is considering a liquor license for El Huichol de Don Memo restaurant at 815 N. Lake St.
The license would be Class B, for on-site consumption only.
The restaurant has been open in Aurora since 2017, but had trouble getting a liquor license because it was next door to an apartment complex, and because of its size. Although next door to apartments, it is located in a busy commercial area.
Jennifer Stallings, city clerk, who administers liquor licenses for the city, said the restaurant did go before a local ordinance hearing officer, who approved the spot for a liquor license.
Also, under the city’s old liquor ordinance, the restaurant was ineligible because it only has 50 seats. But in the new ordinance, the amount of seating necessary for a liquor license was reduced, “and they now meet the seating and parking requirement,” Stallings said.
The restaurant expanded in Aurora from Joliet, where it has two restaurants. A representative from the restaurant recently told an Aurora City Council committee that in Joliet “we had many customers coming from Aurora.”
“We’re very proud to be given the opportunity to be here,” the representative said.
The restaurant’s menu features all seafood and authentic recipes from Mexico “you don’t find in many places in the city of Aurora, or many other places,” the representative said.
Ald. Juany Garza, 2nd Ward, said “the food is delicious.”
“Thanks for bringing your business to Aurora,” said Ald. John Laesch, at large.
At this week’s City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, aldermen placed creation of the license on the consent agenda for next week’s regular council meeting, meaning it is likely to be approved.
The city’s liquor commissioner, who is the mayor, issues all liquor licenses. But the City Council creates the number of licenses in each category.
