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Chef David Choi's Latest Seoul Taco Location Serves Up Unique Flavors with a Side of Street Art and Community Vibes

By Tom Barnas
8/7/2024

Mexican-Korean Tacos? HELL YES!

Seoul Taco, the Korean-Mexican street food sensation from chef David Choi, has just unveiled its latest location in Lakeview, on Belmont and Kenmore avenues. This new spot marks the brand’s fourth outpost in Chicago, further cementing its presence in the Windy City.

Opening its doors on August 7th, the Lakeview location promises to serve up an enticing blend of Korean-Mexican flavors. Expect to find menu favorites like sesame and citrus tacos, bulgogi bowls, burritos, and kimchi fried rice. For those seeking something a bit different, Seoul Taco also offers quesadillas with Seoul sauce, kimchi and queso blanco nachos, and a curated selection of domestic, Korean, and Mexican beers, alongside a variety of soju.

“Chicago has been an incredible home for Seoul Taco, and we’re thrilled to introduce our fourth location here,” said David Choi, chef and owner. “We love the soul of this city and can’t wait to share our culinary creations with the Lakeview community.”

To celebrate the opening, Seoul Taco collaborated with deconstructive pop artist Matt Gondek, who transformed an exterior wall with a unique mural. The artwork, a playful remix of Picasso’s Guernica featuring characters from Family Guy, reflects the brand’s deep ties to streetwear, pop art, and music culture. The new Seoul Taco is located in the former Big & Little’s space at 1034 W. Belmont Avenue, conveniently close to the Belmont L train stops.

What began as a popular food truck in 2011 has evolved into a fast-casual powerhouse, with ten locations across Chicagoland, St. Louis, and Columbia, Missouri. For David Choi, a third-generation Korean-American who grew up in a family where cooking and food were always at the heart of gatherings, Seoul Taco is about more than just great food—it’s about building community. This dedication to both flavor and community earned Seoul Taco a spot on QSR Magazine’s 2019 40/40 List, which highlights emerging fast-casual brands to watch.

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