Two Beer-Focused Restaurants Among New Businesses Opening in Evanston

If you like beer and Mexican food, you're in luck this fall. Two new pubs selling craft beer are opening up in Evanston, and the city will also be blessed with two new Mexican restaurants.

Read on for all of the latest business openings, closings and relocations in our Comings & Goings column, which chronicles the business scene in Evanston.

Smylie Brothers Brewpub To Fill Illinois Unemployment Office

Evanston’s city council recently approved a liquor license for Smylie Brothers Restaurant and Brewery, which will take over the 8,400-square-foot building that once housed the Illinois Unemployment Office at 1608 Oak Ave. According to city documents, the restaurant and brewery will provide seating for 200 with a menu featuring craft beers and American regional food such as barbecue and pizza.

World of Beers Set To Open This Month

Located at 1601 Sherman Avenue, the franchise establishment serving a lineup of craft beers is set to open in late October, according to its Facebook page. Unlike other World of Beers locations, Evanston’s pub will have a kitchen in order to conform to the city’s code banning bars without food service.

Mexican Restaurant Plans October Opening on Dodge

The zoning board of appeals recently recommended approval of a special use permit for The Famous Burrito at 843 Dodge Ave. Owner Kathy Romero told Patch that the restaurant will specialize in casual, authentic Mexican fare and will offer a king size burrito as its signature dish. Romero hopes to open by the end of October.

Rick Bayless’ Mexican Cusine Comes to Northwestern

Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless will open his first Frontera Fresco restaurant on a college campus at Northwestern’s Norris Center this October. Conceived as a fast, casual version of Bayless’ famous Frontera Grill, the restaurant will offer tacos, tortas, tamales, quesadillas, soups and salads made from local ingredients. 

Down Dog Brings Hot Yoga to Evanston

New studio Down Dog Hot Yoga recently opened at 1508 Sherman Avenue. The fitness spot offers classes in hot yoga, a workout designed to increase metabolism and tone muscles at the same time.

Avail & Company Will Make Custom Wedding Dresses

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for the grand opening of custom wedding dress shop Avail & Company on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Owners Rachel and Ted Alvia have been operating the business out of their home in Poplar Grove since 2005, and chose downtown Evanston for their first retail location. Rachel Alvia works with clients individually to create custom wedding dresses and other special occasion attire.

Hota Restaurant Shuts Its Doors After Less Than a Year

Owners Jonadab Silva and his wife Erin Silva Winston operated Jacky's on Prairie, at 2545 Prairie Ave., for two years before they reopened the restaurant as Hota in January this year. The new eatery served contemporary American fare with Latin American influences until it shut its doors abruptly this August.