Two new restaurants get permission to open in Lake Zurich

Two new restaurants are coming to Lake Zurich after the village board approved a drive-through lane for a new Meat & Potato Eatery and a liquor license for a new Carlos Mexican Grill & Seafood 4.

Meat & Potato Eatery will be in the Deerpath Commons shopping center at 927 South Rand Road.

As a restaurant opening in that area, it wouldn't have needed to go before the village board. However, the owners needed a special use permit for a drive-through lane.

Jason Sfire, senior VP and part owner of Fidelity Group, the project developer, said the drive-through lane won't be used like one at a typical fast food restaurant.

"It's a carryout-style restaurant," Sfire told village board members. "So if you're on your way home, you call for your dinner and pick it up at the window."

Sfire said the restaurant will also have some ready-made items available but there won't be a speaker box. Instead, customers will order at the window, he said.

Sfire said company officials will submit final blueprints to the village next week and will start work once they are approved. He said construction will be a little tough because of the winter weather but the goal is to open around May 1.

Carlos Mexican Grill & Seafood 4 plans to open the second week of February at 500 Ela Road, formerly home to the El Jardin Mexican Restaurant.

Owner Amado Pulido told the village board Monday that they have three other locations and 19 years of experience in the restaurant industry.

With the liquor license, the restaurant will be able to sell alcoholic beverages in the restaurant and in the outdoor seating area.

The village board voted unanimously to approve Meat & Potato's drive-through lane and Carlos Mexican Grill & Seafood's liquor license.