Tequila

I am a Happy Man!!

Quick quiz: If you’re Irish when you go into a bar and Mexican when you come out, what are you while you’re in the bar?

Drinking. Tequila. And lots of it.

Thanks to the good spirits of Matthew O’Malley (Chicago Firehouse and Grace O’Malley’s) and Luis Meza (Platiyo), you can now get your fill at Zapatista, a new Mexican joint officially opening in SoLo today. Featuring more than 100 kinds of tequila, the restaurant takes its inspiration from an authentic Mexican villa — handmade tiles, rustic green and clay yellow walls, and, of course, strolling mariachis. As for the eats, none other than Dudley Nieto (San Gabriel Mexican Cafe, Adobo Grill) is in the kitchen and, yes, he will be whipping up more of his killer guac. Plus, all entrees come in under $20 — which makes it the perfect place to tie a few on before Bears games this fall. Feel free to leave drunken Uncle Joe and his bad jokes at the bar. Because once the Packers get into town, there will be plenty to laugh at.

Zapatista, 1307 South Wabash Avenue, between State Street and Michigan Avenue (312-435-1307)