At Cesar’s in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, family and food come together.
Lourdes (Lulu) Duran helps lead the restaurant with her siblings, continuing the work their parents started decades ago.
We spoke with Lulu about what it means to run a family-owned restaurant, raise children who are growing up in the business, and create a dining experience that feels like home for families across Chicago.
How did you get started working together at Cesar’s?
We have worked together our entire lives. Having been raised in the hospitality industry, the restaurant is truly our home away from home. However, we officially started working “together” around 2019 after both of our parents passed away, and the three of us (our sister Sandy included) took over the business.
The kids’ menu items are named after your children — how did that idea come about and what does it mean to your family?
There’s a seven-year gap between the first child in our family and the next, after which the others are about one year apart. The restaurant is a part of our daily lives, and we often have various meals here.
We have a “secret menu,” so to speak. As the kids got older, they each developed their own variations of Cesar’s favorites. Each dish is named according to that child’s favorite or secret menu item, although we may need to revisit if these items are still their favorites!
What are your kids’ favorite dishes when they come to the restaurant?
The kids are getting older now and are quite adventurous, often influencing any new dishes we create. Currently, across the board, their favorites are the Quesabirrias, the Birria Ramen, and the “sopita” (Sopa de Fideo) always hits the spot; they will never say no to it.
How does being a parent influence the way you approach creating a family-friendly dining experience?
Parenthood is at the core of what we do. We always put ourselves in the customer’s shoes and consider what we look for when we dine out with our own families. When creating the menu, we really wanted to emphasize meals that our kids eat, not just typical chicken fingers or fries although these are also household favorites.
From ensuring we have an interactive kids’ menu to providing high-quality crayons and adequate portions (sometimes these little ones eat more than adults!), we consider every detail. We always say that if your kids are happy, it makes for a better dining experience for everyone, especially for parents who sometimes just need to relax a little.
What makes the tacos at Cesar’s stand out in Chicago’s competitive restaurant scene?
We use high-quality ingredients and will not compromise on quality for price. Our tacos are made as if we ourselves are eating them. Although we serve them with lettuce, tomato and cheese, we always give the customer the option to eat them the traditional way, with onion, cilantro and a killer salsa. At the end of the day, the salsa will make or break the taco.
What do you hope families take away from their experience when they come to Cesar’s?
We hope that families feel at home and welcomed when they visit Cesar’s. When that first taste of the sopa de fideo hits their taste buds, we want them to be immediately transported to our grandma’s dinner table, feeling a big hug and being filled with love. We want them to leave with a full belly, and for every time they think of Cesar’s, it brings a smile to their face.
If you go: Cesar’s Killer Margaritas
Location: 2924 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
Hours: 12p.m. – 10p.m. Monday-Thursday, 12p.m. – 11p.m. Friday, 11a.m. – 11p.m. Saturday, and 11a.m. – 8p.m. Sunday
Why families love it: Interactive kids’ menu, portions designed with children in mind, and dishes named after the owners’ children.
Must-try for parents: Steak taco with pico de gallo, avocado, lime and salsa martajada.
Kid favorites: Quesabirrias, Birria Ramen and Sopa de Fideo.
