El Faro | Our Story
The legacy of Jose Zavala Hernandez
In 1978, Jose Zavala Hernandez arrived in Chicago after years of selling tacos on the streets of Mexico City. By 1980, he took over El Faro near 31st and Pulaski, laying the foundation for our family business.
Building the first El Faro
In 1979, Jose established a modest eatery named Los Portales before taking over El Faro near 31st and Pulaski in 1980. He enlisted the help of his growing family, making the restaurant a true family affair.
Summit since 1981
We opened the Summit location in 1981 to serve burritos, tortas, tacos, and weekend favorites. Over the decades, it has played a long-running role in feeding our community.
Carrying the legacy forward
Following Jose's passing in 1989, his wife and eleven children stepped up to keep his dream alive. Today, his eldest son Pablo leads the family in serving the exact same recipes Jose perfected.
Expanding to Riverside
The family expanded with El Faro 2 in Riverside on November 13, 2019. This location features a larger dining room, table service, a free dine-in salsa bar, and expanded menu additions.