Taste of Fiesta kicked off the Sterling-Rock Fall’s Fiesta Days celebration with a day of fun Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at RB&W Park in Rock Falls.

Taste of Fiesta in Rock Falls kicked off a celebration of the deep roots of Mexican culture seen in the Sauk Valley. The Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, event is, as the name implies, a taste of the Fiesta Days parade and celebration that will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Photos by Katie Holloway and Alex T. Paschal

People flock to the Woodstock Square to celebrate Mexican Independence during the Hispanic Connections Mexican Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Woodstock.

Collins Street in Joliet was packed and alive with music, flags and floats with the return of the Fiestas Patrias Mexican Independence Day Parade. 

What is typically one of the biggest parades in Joliet coincides with the start of a big federal crackdown on illegal immigration coming to Chicago and aimed primarily at Mexicans and other Hispanics.

The Plano Area Chamber of Commerce canceled this year’s Hispanic Heritage Street Market & Taco Crawl that was supposed to be on Saturday.

President Donald Trump’s plan to dispatch National Guard troops and immigration agents into Chicago has put many Latino residents on edge, prompting some to carry their U.S. passports while giving others pause about openly celebrating the upcoming Mexican Independence Day

Four grand marshals will reflect heritage and community impact during Collins Street parade on Sept. 13.

After 27 years and likely millions of tacos and burritos served, La Siesta restaurant will be closing next weekend, but not without first holding a Farewell Fiesta for the community on Friday, August 8.

Burgers & Beer will soon be opening a new location, this one in Bradley along South Kennedy Drive. It will take over La Siesta Authentic Mexican Cuisine, which will be open for about two more weeks.

A Joliet man is charged with driving drunk in a crash that critically injured a motorcycle operator and he was ordered to remain in jail after prosecutors said he told police he wanted to go back to Mexico. 

Fans of artisan-made Mexican food have a brand-new destination in Morris. It’s the second location for Crest Hill-based Tacos Before Vatos.

Mexican restaurant Torro's in Lockport has announced that it will be opening on Mondays starting in January. Torro prides its menu on its fresh, homemade specialties.

Don José’s Cantina and Taqueria opened this August in New Lenox and is already welcoming large crowds.

The Harrah's Joliet location is famed Michelin-starred chef Rick Bayless’ first restaurant with Caesars Entertainment.

No parade this year, but Councilman Guerrero said a council committee will look into reviving the 60-year tradition.

People celebrate at the Hispanic Connections Mexican Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Woodstock Square. The celebration featured music, food and culture.

Fiesta en el Bicentennial Park, a food and music festival, was held Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet. The event is hosted by the Joliet Latino Economic Development Association, or LEDA, a nonprofit organization that generates funds to support Latino small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Joliet area.

With love in its name, the new restaurant Amore Mio is a romantic destination for Italian cuisine on West New York Street in downtown Aurora.

A new quick service restaurant featuring authentic Mexican food has opened up shop in Sycamore.

In celebration of Tejano singer Selena’s birthday, a paint party hosted by Primitive Frills’ Sonia Robinson was held at El Jacalito's new location Monday, April 15, 2024, in Sterling. Forty-three artists signed up to take part in the expression as both a way to show their admiration of the popular singer and to welcome the restaurant to its new downtown location.

The Crest Hill Taqueria opened its doors in May 2023. One year later, they are expanding their business to become a full sit-down restaurant and bar.

Michelin-starred chef Rick Bayless plans to open a location of his Tortazo dining concept this summer at Harrah's Joliet Casino and Hotel.

The dual goal is to create really good food and drinks, along with an inviting, upbeat atmosphere.

The Joliet Taco Trail features nine locations around the city.

Joliet celebrated Mexican Independence Day on Saturday with a massive parade at a new location in the city.

The Sauk Valley pays tribute to the men and women of Hispanic culture who helped shape the community during the 70th annual Fiesta Days parade Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Blue Margaritas, which opened recently in Oglesby where the KFC/Taco Bell had long resided, offers Mexican favorites but also more exotic dishes that show a little creativity in the kitchen.

Highly recommended, the Guzman y Gomez Mexican Kitchen in Crystal Lake is just the third of its kind in North America.

Believe it or not, some of the best barbecue I’ve had in La Salle County was at Mr. Salsa's in Oglesby.

The downtown Batavia restaurant is open three days a week to serve lunch and dinner, and makes its space available to other culinary enterprises on other days.

Once you try the food at Antigua Mexican Brunch and Grill in Algonquin, it's no wonder the owner is on track to add a third location – as soon as this fall – to Huntley.

The term hidden gem can be used far too often as a crutch, but when it comes to Flamingo Authentic Mexican Cuisine in DeKalb, the descriptor is apt.

The Mendota restaurant is called El Rey Del Taco – translating to The Taco King – but they do more than just tacos.

Mexico City artists create 48 alebrijes sculptures for outdoor exhibition running through October.

The restaurant, which has sister locations in Wheaton and Aurora, celebrates tapas-style dining that gets creative with flavors from Spain, Mexico and South America.