Taqueria Amigo Chino (5601 W. Irving Park Road) won a Backing Small Business Grant from American Express and Main Street America earlier this week. The restaurant is one of 500 grant recipients across the country.

A family-owned Mexican restaurant in Portage Park, Taqueria Amigo Chino is well-know for its generous portions and reasonable prices. The restaurant has served the neighborhood for over twenty-five years.

Owner Ines Hurtado (pictured below right) will use the $10,000 award to purchase new machines and equipment for the kitchen. This support will help the business continue to grow and make progress towards a goal of creating three to four new jobs for neighborhood residents.

North Branch Works staff was honored to partner with Ines on her application and help her submit it. We informed her of the grant opportunity, conducted business consultations in Spanish, and helped her obtain the necessary paperwork.

Along with the Backing Small Business Grant Award, Taqueria Amigo Chino has won a Restaurant Strong Grant and a grant from the City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) in the West Irving Park TIF District.

In total, the business has received $100,000 in assistance since we have been working together.

Because of the success of our partnership, Taqueria Amigo Chino has an incredible opportunity to purchase new kitchen equipment and renovate its space through SBIF, setting the business up for sustainable success over the long term.

The way that we have been able to support Taqueria Amigo Chino is a great example of the benefits of connecting with your local Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC).

Nonprofits like NBW can add capacity to your business, help you pursue grants, and growth opportunities, and raise your profile in the community.

North Branch Works would like to congratulate Ines Hurtado and Taqueria Amigo Chino on another incredible win.

We’d also like to thank the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection whose support through the NBDC Program makes possible success stories like this one.

Image credit: Jeff Marini (top)