WICKER PARK — A Korean-Mexican restaurant opens its third Chicago location Friday in Wicker Park.
Seoul Taco, 1422 N. Milwaukee Ave., was started more than a decade ago as a food truck in St. Louis by chef David Choi. Choi has expanded the business into nine brick-and-mortar locations in Missouri and the Chicago area, plus two food trucks.
Seoul Taco features what the restaurant calls Korea-American street fare, such as tacos and burritos with Korean flavors and toppings, gogi bowls topped with a fried egg, nachos and more.
Choi said he learned how to cook growing up with his Korean-American family and while working in restaurants as a young adult. Seoul Taco was one of the first food trucks in St. Louis when he launched, he said.
“I got most of my culinary training through my grandma and my mom, so I really honed in on that. I didn’t grow up with much, so I always worked different restaurant jobs, just always worked back of house at different little restaurants,” he said.
Choi is also unveiling a new menu item at the Wicker Park location: a Korean corn quesadilla inspired by the corn served at Korean barbecue restaurants.
The restaurant worked with local street artists to paint murals in tribute to the Wicker Park’s history and culture, Choi said.
“Like the local record shops and audio shops around, just the whole feel of Wicker Park, what it stands for, as far as streetwear, as well, and what it means to the city. We really try to pay homage to the neighborhood,” he said.
Seoul Taco will be open 11-10 p.m. daily, and it will stay open later on weekends when it gets its liquor license, Choi said.
Seoul Taco also has locations in River North and Hyde Park, as well as suburban Naperville.
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