Rick Bayless Opens Tortazo at Old Orchard, Marks Return to Skokie Mall

SKOKIE, IL — Celebrity chef Rick Bayless opened a new fast casual Mexican restaurant Saturday in the Macy's at Westfield Old Orchard Mall.

The opening of the second Chicago-area location of Tortazo, a Mexico City-style torteria, marks a return to the Skokie mall for Bayless, whose Frontera Fresco eatery in the same location closed in January 2020.

Bayless, 70, opened his first Chicago restaurant, Frontera Grill, in 1987. He added the Michelin-starred Topolobampo two years later. In 2009, Bayless opened up the less formal Xoco at North Clark and West Illinois streets, next door to Frontera, with which it shares a kitchen.

The first Tortazo location opened in the Willis Tower in the same month the Frontera Fresco shuttered in Skokie, adding New York City locations in 2021 and 2023.

“Tortazo is a place of discovery, of bold flavors and new culinary experiences, inspired by Mexico City’s gracious hospitality, vibrant food and culture,“ Bayless said in a statement.

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Last month, the New York Times named the O'Hare Airport version of Bayless's brand, Tortas Frontera, among the 25 best restaurants in Chicago. Operated by a contractor, the O'Hare location has racked up accolades among the best airport food anywhere.

“I am especially excited to be opening our second Chicago location, extending the food and hospitality that I am proud to offer at our restaurants in River North and at O’Hare Airport outwards to our friends in the suburbs,” Bayless said.

The menu at the Old Orchard Tortazo features six types of tortas — the restaurant's signature item — as well as three types of tacos, three types of quesadillas, churros, a soup and two salads. The restaurant also offers beer wine and cocktails, with a happy hour weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m.

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Tortazo President Sam Lipp said in a statement that the new, self-operated Macy's location is effectively a sister restaurant to the contractor-operated airport eatery.

"We’re looking forward to bringing even more delicious Mexico City flavors to the North Shore, just without the commute,” Lipp said.

Bayless had also been reportedly been planning to open in a River North high-rise last year prior to learning of the opportunity to lease the Skokie location.

"When the space became available," Bayless told Crain's, "it was kind of a no-brainer for us."

At grand opening event Saturday outside the new restaurant, Bayless and Lipp were joined by Skokie Village Manager John Lockerby and Edward Metz, a director of leasing for Macy's for a torta-cutting ceremony.