Tacos Guanajuato Welcomes New Menu and Beautiful Outdoor Dining

Tacos Guanajuato, located at 20771 N. Rand Road, Kildeer, IL, is owned and operated by Executive Chef Jovanny Diaz, Margarita Challenger, and her restaurant group, Salsalito, Inc. The restaurant offers many dishes, from the traditional to the creative, to please any lover of quality, authentic Mexican cuisine: handcrafted tacos, tortas, burritos, appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts. An ever-changing selection of original Margarita cocktails and other libations enhances the dining experience.

Bomb Pop, America’s favorite ice-pop brand , is dropping the ultimate flavor mash-up:Candy Clash . Combining the signature candy flavors known and loved by all - blue raspberry, strawberry and watermelon - Candy Clash is the collision of three fan favorites into one delightfully delicious ice pop designed to be enjoyed throughout the summer and beyond.

In this day of fewer family-owned bakeries delivering daily and servicing restaurants, Franklin Park Illinois based Il Mulino di Velanzano Bakery recently expanded its product line to serve its customers and the industry better. The bakery has always had a reputation for high quality delicious Italian breads and rolls. The company recent expanded it’s selection of hearth-baked artisan breads, sandwich and dinner rolls to include trending products like bread made with full-flavored slowly fermented dough, fresh pizza dough, par-baked pizza crusts and pan (sandwich) loaf breads. You can find Il Mulino’s ad on page 47

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Ruth’s Chris Joins Darden

Darden Restaurants will buy 154-unit Ruth's Chris Steak House in a deal valued at $715 million, the Florida-based companies said today. The Olive Garden parent company plans to include the upscale steakhouse chain in its finedining portfolio. – AP

Global Vacation Deprivation at Ten-Year High, Expedia Reports

Expedia released its 23rd-annual Vacation Deprivation report, finding that global vacation deprivation levels have reached a 10-year high as working adults navigate inflation, workplace labor shortages and busy schedules. Despite these obstacles, a whopping 81% of travelers worldwide plan to take as many, if not more - trips in 2023, pledging to travel “no matter what.”

“Vacation Deprivation is feeling like you don’t have enough vacation time but it’s a sneakier, more complex syndrome than that,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations.

Graceland Announces AllAmerican 4th of July Weekend

Elvis Presley’s Graceland will be lit in red, white and blue as it celebrates the nation’s independence during its “All-American Weekend” on July 1-2. The weekend will include an Elvis tribute concert, VIP Dinner and Reception on the grounds of Graceland, gospel brunch, special “hidden” tour of Graceland, plus will be capped off with a fireworks extravaganza set to Elvis music. Elvis Presley’s Graceland, in Memphis, is music’s most important and beloved landmark, with hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world visiting the historic home each year.

Somos Hospitality Announces Ummo, Opening In Chicago’s River North Summer 2023

Somos Hospitality, the team behind the awardwinning Tzuco, is pleased to announce Ummo, a contemporary Italian dining concept opening in the heart of River North at 22 West Hubbard Street in July. Helmed by Principal/Co-Founder Germán González and esteemed Chef/Partner Carlos Gaytán, with cuisine by Chef/Partner José Sosa and design by Karen Herold of Studio K Creative, Ummo will unlock the flavors of regional Italian cuisine in a stunning, artfully imagined space. A soon-to-be named, second-floor social lounge ideal for a retro-inspired aperitivo hour or post-dinner enjoyment, promises a relaxed destination for spirited times and community connection.

Ummo marks the second restaurant by Somos Hospitality in Chicago’s River North district. Tzuco, which opened in 2019 at 720 North State Street, has become a fixture for area residents and visitors seeking Chef Gaytan’s native Mexican cuisine effortlessly graced with French influence that earned the restaurant a semifinalist nod for Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation. Expansion in the area was a natural progression for the Somos team, and Italian cuisine represents an exciting direction for the group under Chef Sosa’s experienced leadership.

“This is an exciting time to expand our presence in Chicago,” said Germán González. “The downtown Chicago community has been so good to us, and we see a distinct growth opportunity for Hubbard Street. It is ready for a fine-casual concept of this kind, and we are proud to be among fellow business owners working collaboratively to bring exciting culinary talent and even more vitality to the area.”

Anticpated Growth for Soft and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The global non-alcoholic beverages market size is anticipated to reach USD 1,185.30 billion by 2030, expanding at 6.4% CAGR from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Owing to factors such as rising disposable income, population growth, and changing lifestyles. Increasing concerns regarding obesity and health awareness are expected to trigger the growth of low-sugar carbonated drinks, tea & coffee, and bottled water.

Neil Jones Food Company: A Little History

At the heart of the Neil Jones Food Company story is an entrepreneurial hero’s journey.

Neil Jones entered the cannery business in the 1970s when much of the industry was flailing. Northwest Packing Company, a fruit and green bean packer at the time, was no exception. Jones and his team worked around the clock to improve operational efficiencies, product quality and customer service. After months of persistence, fighting for every dollar, the company finally became profitable again.

Soon after, San Benito Foods became part of the NJFC family. Operating since 1915, Jones knew the legacy of quality built into the Hollister, CA cannery and sought to maintain and expand it through the same dedication to excellence. In time, the NJFC family of customers grew to include some of the finest Mexican & Italian restauranteurs operating in the U.S.

Not stopping there, Jones kept his eye on the future and built a processing facility with capabilities for a new packaging solution. TomaTek was built in the 1980s and quickly established itself as a leader in aseptic technology, industrial tomato production and the #10-equivalent, shelf stable, flexible pouch.

Still family-owned and operated, NJFC continues to strive for quality and excellence at every step. You can find them in our directory under Food Products.

Eleven City Diner Serious Mary Mix

Chicago is a city that really knows how to host a serious breakfast & brunch...and a signature Bloody Mary is always on the menu. Eleven City Diner, opened its doors in downtown Chicago back in 2006 – and they have always taken the crafting of a Bloody Mary as serious business – an art. They spent eight and a half months creating what they felt was the finest bloody mix, and bottled it – a little heat up front with a clean citrus finish. Now having landed national distribution, their “Serious Mary Mix” is available in the midwest market. They are so proud to offer this nonalcoholic mix for you to create your very own signature Bloody Mary for your guests. As they love to say...don’t skimp on the garnish.

For distribution information and maybe get a bottle to play around with at your establishment, contact info@eleven-ro.com.

— You can find the Eleven City ad on page 41.