Ikal Y Sanse, 40W222 LaFox Road, Campton Hills, is celebrating its first anniversary starting this month with a 13-course tasting menu, the owners announced in a news release.
Co-owner and chef Christopher Gonzalez will curate the tasting menu, inspired by flavors from across Mexico, which will be offered from Aug. 25 to Sept. 13.
Some parts of the menu will honor tradition; others will create a journey to showcase the beauty and depth of Mexican cuisine, the release stated.
The restaurant will offer a dedicated anniversary dinner by reservation only on Aug. 26, with the tasting menu and optional wine pairing.
Owners Gonzalez and Luis Maldonado created Ikal & Sanse after buying the location of the previous restaurant, Lupita’s Cucina.
The name, which means Unique Spirit, is drawn from three Hispanic empires: Ikal is Mayan, Y is Spanish and Sanse is Aztec.
Together, Maldonado and Gonzalez created a completely new concept and culinary identity, the release stated.
“Our goal has always been to bring an elevated, ingredient‑driven experience to the suburbs of Chicago – one that treats Mexican cuisine with the same respect and standards found in any high‑end restaurant,” Maldonado stated in the release.
The restaurant uses prime beef and halal‑quality proteins.
“While some items on our menu may look familiar – tacos, fajitas, tortas – the quality, preparation, and culinary approach behind them are anything but ordinary,” Maldonado stated in the release. “Mexican cuisine is protein‑forward, technique‑heavy and deeply rooted in tradition. It is not ‘cheap food’ and we are proud to present it at the level it deserves.”
Speaking honestly, the economy has challenged their first year.
“Whether this anniversary becomes the first of many or the only one we get to celebrate, we want the community to know how thankful we are for every person who has walked through our doors,” Maldonado stated in the release. “The economy has affected many small businesses, including ours.”
More information is available online at ikalysanse.com or by calling 630-377-0703.
Dining and Cooking