Jalisco & Tequila celebrates the start of its next chapter in downtown Rockford
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Jalisco & Tequila on Friday celebrated the opening of a full bar that completes the family’s vision for the restaurant when they took over the business last year.
The owners, employees, city officials including Alderman Isidro Barrios and Mayor Tom McNamara, and KH Food Safety Consulting and Services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of renovations and opening of a bar where you can order house margaritas, tequila and a variety of cocktails.
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Jalisco & Tequila opened in August 2023 at 805 E. State St. in the former Los Portales, which closed after about 20 years in business when the owners decided to retire.
Claudia Rodriguez, who was a previous owner of Mexico Clasico on Broadway, bought the the former Los Portales and turned it into Jalisco & Tequila. Her husband, Carlos Rubio, is the head chef.
They long planned to renovate the east end of the space to create a new bar.
“Not only have they taken over a really long-running and strong establishment, they’ve now made it their own and we’re seeing them expand that operation because of the early success that they’ve had,” McNamara said. “This is really the gateway into the downtown from the east side. It’s a fantastic business, and I would urge everyone to come on out and support them.”
The drink menu includes a variety of margaritas, mojitos, sangrías and micheladas, many of which are built from recipes created by Rodriguez.
“I just make them with love,” she said.
The menu includes classic street food items such as sopes and tortas. There are also a variety of fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas and different options for parrillada, a platter with a mixture of meats that can include steak, chicken, beef ribs and chorizo.
Everything is made in-house from scratch.
Opening Jalisco & Tequila was a two-step process that started last year and finished with the completion of the renovation, which also allows for the restaurant to host private parties.
“I’m just excited to make this dream come true,” Rodriguez said.
About | Jalisco & Tequila Mexican Restaurant
Where: 805 E. State St., Rockford
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday
On social: Find them on Facebook
Contact: 815-977-4187; Jaliscoandtequila@gmail.com
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
