Guanajuato Brings Authentic Contemporary Mexican Cuisine To Chicago's North Shore

Guanajuato (pronounced "juan-a-wotto"), is a new contemporary Mexican restaurant, (73 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe; 847-242-0909) opening today, Wednesday, June 23. Owned by Mark and Margarita Challenger, Guanajuato is named for the beautiful state in the central highlands of Mexico where Margarita was born and raised.

Margarita is a professionally trained chef, having earned her culinary degree at Washburne Culinary Institute. She also operated a successful catering business, Culinary Treasures, with chef Miguel Coronel, and Mixteco Grill owner and former Topolobampo chef, Rauel Arreola. Margarita and Mark purchased Wholey Guacamole Mexican Grill in Glencoe two years ago from its previous owners; Margarita completely changed the menu, featuring her own contemporary Mexican creations.

"Wholey Guacamole gave me the opportunity to bring our passion for Mexican cuisine to the North Shore, and our customers have been delighted," says Margarita. "Mark and I knew that Wholey Guacamole would be just a stepping stone."

When a larger space became available, the couple jumped at the chance to build the type of restaurant they've always wanted.

"Guanajuato is a happy place to eat and drink," says Margarita. "The menu not only features many of our customers' favorites from Wholey Guacamole, but also presents a quite expanded menu, with our contemporary take on authentic family recipes."

Margarita serves as Guanajuato's executive chef, and is assisted by Jovanny Diaz, the chef de cuisine, who has earned his culinary stripes through on-the-job training at several restaurants, including Wholey Guacamole.



Guanajuato's Contemporary Mexican Cuisine
Guanajuato's Aperitivos y Sopas (appetizers and soups) include selections like Tostadas de Ceviche, two crispy open-faced tortillas topped with a savory ceviche marinated in lime juice and mixed with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro and a pinch of jalapeno served with avocado; Salsalito Tamales, chicken, pork or sweet corn tamales served with two house-made sauces, a creamy roasted poblano salsa and a tangy red guajillo salsa; and Tortilla Soup, traditional Mexican soup garnished with avocado, cheese and tortilla strips.

For Ensaladas (salads), Guanajuato offers a large selection including the Vallarta Salad, mixed greens, fresh strawberries, diced green apples and walnuts, sprinkled with a light balsamic vinaigrette dressing, served in half a pineapple; San Miguel Chop Salad, crispy Romaine lettuce, tomato, cilantro, radishes, cucumber, Kalamata olives and crumbed bleu cheese, and Jicama Salad, mixed greens, cucumbers, radishes and pomegranate served with a light lemon dressing.

Guanajuato's entr�e selections include a number of seafood, beef and poultry dishes. Del Mar features include Michoacan Grilled Avocado and Shrimp , a dish from Uruapan, home of Mexico's avocado orchards: a lightly grilled avocado filled with fresh shrimp cocktail, mixing the flavors of land and sea, served with vegetables and Mexican rice; Margarita Salmon, a fresh salmon filet grilled with Guanajuato's house marinade, served on a bed of homemade black beans, saut�ed vegetables, and garnished with cucumber, radishes and lime sauce, and Blackened Tilapia Fajitas, a dish from Tequila Jalisco: sizzling hot blackened tilapia accompanied by tequila-marinated vegetables, served with black beans, guacamole and Margarita's salsa.

The Carnes dishes include tasty selections such as El Molcajete, a dish from the Mexican countryside: grilled cactus and onions, black beans, steak and salsa slowly simmered together and garnished with cilantro, radishes and Cotija cheese; Carne Asada, a tender skirt steak grilled to perfection and served with rice and beans, garnishe