The Alley of the Kiss: a restaurant behind a love story

Located in Cicero, Illinois, this restaurant serves delicious Mexican dishes and honors the cultural tradition of Guanajuato, the homeland of its creators.

By Migdalis Pérez

In the Alley of the Kiss, Guanajuato, Mexico, a poor miner named Don Carlos and Carmen, a wealthy young woman, defied all obstacles to be together. Ingeniously, the young man managed to buy the house across the alley from his beloved, and thus, from balconies separated by a narrow street, they were able to see each other every day.

Tragedy, however, awaited them. One day, Carmen’s father discovered the affair and murdered her, prompting Don Carlos to commit suicide in the La Valenciana mine. Today, the alley is a tourist site where couples kiss to ensure seven years of happiness.

Chef José Ballesteros, from Guanajuato, explains that this story served as inspiration. “We found the name El Callejón del Beso (The Alley of the Kiss) very appealing because it’s a story of two lovers where, in the end, love triumphed. Something similar to the novel Romeo and Juliet .”

Then, he continues, “we opened the restaurant and decided that El Callejón del Beso (The Alley of the Kiss) would be our name, because love always triumphs. That’s part of the philosophy, and the other is to bring our culture to Cicero; to our beautiful city of Guanajuato.”

Open since September 2024, the restaurant was born from the dream of the Ballesteros family (José, his son, and his brother) to be independent and show the world what they had learned in the restaurant industry. “We knew about cooking, but we were unfamiliar with the paperwork that cities require to legally establish a business,” says José.

That’s where the Little Village Chamber of Commerce proved crucial. According to the restaurant’s co-founder, this organization guided them “in a safe way to apply for everything the government requires, thus avoiding mistakes and delays. Because if a business is delayed in opening, it’s a loss of money.”

The support they received was crucial in overcoming the initial challenges. From permits to safety regulations, the chamber helped them “have a safe place in the neighborhood,” since they cook with gas and use cleaning chemicals. José acknowledges that without that support, the process would have been much more complicated.

The restaurant’s menu, meanwhile, is an ode to the flavors of Guanajuato. Its signature dish, the “Taco del Beso” (Kiss Taco), combines brisket , smoked pork, and bacon, and is just one example of José’s culinary creativity. They also offer mixed grills featuring Mexican cuts of meat with a unique twist. “When you see the plate, you’re surprised by how beautiful it looks and how delicious it smells,” the chef says.

Besides delighting diners, El Callejón del Beso is also a source of employment for the community. As José points out, they currently have four Latino employees, in addition to the three owners, but they are open to any nationality.

The chef also has advice for those who dream of opening a business but don’t dare: “Don’t stop. If one door closes, three open. Persistence and confidence are key. If the government asks for four documents, bring five. And always go in with the certainty that everything will turn out alright.”

She also emphasizes the importance of seeking help, like the support they received from the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. “With their support, the process is clearer, and you know you’re doing things right. If many of us have managed to open restaurants, others can too.”

Much more than a place to eat, El Callejón del Beso is a space where culture and community intertwine; a place where José and his team bring a little piece of Guanajuato to Cicero, showing that love and perseverance are essential ingredients for any dream.

Read article in Spanish / Leer artículo en español: https://negociosnow.com/lucy-torres-me-gusta-ayudar-a-la-gente-a-encontrar-trabajo/