La Casa de Isaac & Moishe, Highland Park

Hi,

Moishe advise today they have another enterprise, something that would be a great surprise. I told him it would take a lot to surprise me. Well, he managed it. They have signed a lease for a location across from McDonald's in Highland Park. Life is coming full circle, because this was the location where Isaac helped established Casa del Gordo. Until recently it was That Little Mexican Cafe.

They expect to be opening in two to three weeks. This restaurant will offer breakfast in addition to lunch and dinner, too.

And coming this summer ... he wouldn't say but they have something in works.

Just in case I am not clear, this is an expansion with the other locations remaining open.

La Casa de Isaac and Moishe
2014 First St.
Highland Park
847 433-7400

Isaac & Moishe's Deli, Fruits & Vegetables
311 Waukegan Ave
Highwood, IL 60040
847 433-0557

La Casa de Isaac
431 Temple Ave
Highland Park, IL 60035
847 433-5550

Is this going to be the same kind of food they serve at La Casa de Isaac or are they going for something more rustic like they sell at the deli?

Hi,

It is my understanding it will be food similar to Casa de Isaac.

I happened to be having lunch at the deli today.

Regards,

I drove by the new location today and popped in for a while. Isaac and a crew of six were scrubbing down the place. Inspectors are coming tomorrow.
The dinner menu will be the same as CdI, but they'll be serving both American- and Mexican-style breakfasts. Isaac hopes that commuters and HP High School students will come in for breakfast. They will open at 7 am and serve all day long until closing.
They plan to offer a lunch menu with bargain prices and feature some of their more popular items.
Their winter hours will be the same (closing at 3 pm on Fridays and opening one hour after sunset on Saturdays). But they plan to stay open until one hour before sunset on Fridays once daylight savings time starts. (I guess that would enable some customers to have an early Shabbat dinner.)
Isaac tells me that the new space allows them to have a private room that accommodates 60 people for parties, celebrations, and special occasions.
They're applying for the necessary permits and hope to be open within the next few weeks.
Best regards,
GP Bob

Wow, ambitious, but they've done a great job thus far. Best of luck! I look forward to my first visit.

Across from McDonald's in Highland Park"? Aren't the train tracks across from McDonald's? It's an even-numbered address so I think it must be on the same side of First Street as McDonald's. I'm trying to picture what business this address used to be. The bike store? Guess I'll just have to drive over and find out. Looking forward to the opening.

Hi,

You're right, it was the Schwinn store some years ago.

Recently that space has been home to restaurants Casa del Gordo and That Little Mexican Cafe. Parking is pretty good compared to their other Highwood/Highland Park locations.

Regards,

I called La Casa de Isaac today to place a lunch order and Moishe informed me that the new place is now open, as of today. So, it basically took them 10 days to get the place up and running, which is astonishing to me. Even their liquor license has been issued.

I'll try to head over there and check it out but because of a busy schedule, it probably won't be until early next week.

=R=

HI,

My Mom reported the same about their being opened today. I didn't believe her. Shame on me.

Regards,

Very soft opening tonight at Isaac and Moishe's new restaurant on First St.

Phones haven't been installed yet.

I saw their breakfast menu and they have a nice selection of omelets, pancakes, waffles and probably some Mexican breakfast specialties from their regular menu. The menus haven't been printed yet. Breakfast prices seem very reasonable.

Lots of folks coming in tonight to wish them well and enjoying a nice dinner.

Hope one of the LTHForum administrators can delete "Opening Soon" from the thread title. I think they set some kind of record. The restaurant closing was Feb. 7th and they opened today, only nine days later. Remarkable!

Regards,
GP Bob

Hi,

I stopped in for lunch from the breakfast menu.

While we have been surprised by their quick opening, Isaac and Moishe are just as surprised. All that local and state licensing plus the almightly liquor license, all in less than 10 days. Moishe smiled and said someone is looking out for them.

That Mexican Cafe shutdown three weeks ago. The interior art and everything was left behind. Moishe said the biggest effort was their cleaning it up to their standards.


2-17-11-029interior by cal222, on Flickr

One new addition to the art is a picture of their dear Mom.


2-17-11-032Mom by cal222, on Flickr

Moishe said when they had all their licenses and could open, they did an overnighter creating a menu. When they worked in this space earlier, the chef took two months to create a menu. I am sure they will be refining their menu as they go, for now it is a photocopy.

I ordered their California Breakfast Burrito consisting of ground beef chorizo, jalapeno, tomato, onion, pinto beans and mozzarella. When I order this next time, I have them go lighter on the jalapeno. Isaac saw a small pile of jalapeno's gathering on my plate. He commented they will reduce those. I said I am not the best person to measure a response, since my tolerance for heat is lower than many. Thinking out loud, he thought adding their hashed browns to the burrito would be a good addition.


2-17-11-027 California burrito by cal222, on Flickr

My friend Helen ordered their Fisherman's Omelet filled with Novo, spinach, onion and choice of cheese, she went with Feta, plus a bagel. While I am heat sensitive, Helen is salt sensitive. She found the Novo too salty for her liking, though I think that comes when you Novo.


2-17-11-023fishermans-omelet by cal222, on Flickr

The next time we visit, we will aim for the skillets, especially their Fajita.

This new location is far larger than Casa de Isaac with much easier parking on the premises and street.

I should learn never to doubt my Mom. When she said it was open yesterday, I did not believe her. Shame on me!

Regards,

I'm curious if they retained any of the staff from That Little Mexican Cafe. Anyone know for sure?

I seem to recall some of the same waitstaff from Casa De Gordo sticking around when it reopened as TLMC.

Looking forward to trying this additional Casa de Isaac location!

Lerdawg wrote:I'm curious if they retained any of the staff from That Little Mexican Cafe. Anyone know for sure?

I seem to recall some of the same waitstaff from Casa De Gordo sticking around when it reopened as TLMC.

Looking forward to trying this additional Casa de Isaac location!

Hi,

I saw people from other Isaac & Moishe operations. I never went to That Little Mexican Cafe to visually recognize anyone.

Regards,

Isaac and Moishe's new restaurant finally has phone and fax numbers.
Phone: 847-433-7400, fax: 847-433-7421

They tell me that they had a full house last Saturday night (their first) at 7 pm. How nice.

Regards,
GP Bob

An American Dream Comes True - http://triblocal.com/highland-park-high ... omes-true/

I stopped by CdI&M restaurant this morning for a first-time breakfast. I had the steak fajitas skillet, which included hash browns, green & red bell peppers and onions along with two eggs (any style) and your choice of bread. It had been cooked in a skillet but wasn't served in one. A real bargain at only $7.95. Besides Mexican breakfasts, the restaurant has a complete American breakfast menu. It's amazing to me that the McDonald's next door is mobbed while only a few feet north one can get a healthy and inexpensive breakfast.
Isaac & Moishe are now offering a reduced-price lunch menu. You ought to check it out. Similar items from the CdI menu.
Best regards,
Grandpa Bob

Last week on my way to the office, I picked up a Burrito Desayuno and it was great. The eggs were tasty and fluffy, and the cecina was flavorful and tender. The jalapenos I requested (add-on) were really fiery, which was a nice treat. I normally don't eat breakfast but I can see making a morning stop at the new "Casa" a semi-regular thing, at least when I'm in the area.

=R=

$10 for $20 deal today - http://wedeal.com/deals/529/isaac-moishe

Isaac asked me to post a message that their new restaurant (and the old one) will be closed starting today (Sunday, 4/17) through and including next Sunday (4/24). Besides the family observing the Passover holiday, they feel that their staff would enjoy having Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday off to be with their families.

BTW - I think they're now calling the new restaurant, Isaac's and Moishe's Restaurant. I always felt that having "La Casa" in the name of the new place would cause confusion. They must have too.

Best regards,
Grandpa Bob

Hi,

Thinking out loud: what in the new name suggests to anyone they will be dining on Mexican food? A casual drive by might expect deli or Kosher dining.

I agree the "La Casa de" might be overused, though it did suggest food from a Spanish, Mexican or South American culture.

Is the grocery store closed, too?

Regards,

Good point, Cathy. Maybe they do call it Isaac's and Moishe's Mexican Restaurant. I can't find the card Isaac gave me.

I don't know if the grocery store will be closed to. You might check it out if you're over that way.

Regards,
GP Bob

From what I remember, the hours at the grocery tend match the hours at the restaurant. I'd expect it to also be closed while the restaurants are closed.

=R=

Just talked to Moishe today and found out that the grocery store will only be closed today 4/18 and tomorrow.

I asked him about the new name and he was surprised to hear about Isaac's business card. As far as Moishe knows, the new restaurant is still called La Cas de Isaac & Moishe. Stay tuned!

Regards,
Grandpa Bob

I stopped by the Nava's new restaurant the other day for a late breakfast. Their brother, Israel (Lalo), - who is the head chef at the new place - was cooking a monster pot of chicken soup. Since I never had tried this particular soup, I asked him for a sample. OMG! The flavors would put many Jewish mother's chicken soups to shame. Loaded with veggies and pieces of chicken and tiny globules of chicken fat floating on top for added flavor made this soup a real winner in MHO. I never thought to try their chicken soup before, but who would have imagined that a Mexican restaurant could come up with something as wonderful as this delightful dish. Anyone else had tried the soup and enjoyed it as much as I did?
Regards,
Grandpa Bob

Grandpa Bob wrote:I never thought to try their chicken soup before, but who would have imagined that a Mexican restaurant could come up with something as wonderful as this delightful dish.

Actually, Mexican restaurants have a rich tradition of serving Caldos of many types...chicken included.

Reviewing this thread, it looks like I forgot to post about a recent meal at Casa de Isaac. CdI is very conveniently located to Highland Park Hospital, where I unfortunately spent the better park of a week visiting a family member (happy to say all worked out very well on that end).

But my meal at Casa de Isaac was great - friendly service, good margarita and I really liked the chips and salsa. But the highlight for me was my whole red snapper, Veracruz style. What a beautiful fish, perfectly cooked, and served with a really delicious sauce (tomatoes, onions, raisins, olives, capers, etc. IIRC). I hardly lifted my head to say a word as I ate every morsel of the dish. I was with a couple of other family members who also loved their dinners (but I didn't taste any of it).

And although we ate outside, I was also really impressed with the decor of the restaurant - very colorful and well designed (even the bathroom!). So while Casa de Isaac may be well out of my way on most nights, the next time I'm anywhere in that area, I will absolutely return to try more of the menu. Although my opinion is based solely upon this meal, I believe CdI could hold its own with any of the Mexican restaurants in Chicago. Once again, thanks LTH folks!

It's difficult to tell from your post as to whether you went to Isaac's new or old restaurant. Their 4-yr. old restaurant next to Carlos' at the north end of town is called CdI. Their newer one just north of McDonald's on First St. is called Isaac and Moishe (Mexican) Restaurant.
I mentioned to Isaac when he opened the second restaurant that there might be confusion. But both restaurants seem to be doing well. They have similar menus with daily specials. Some minor differences in operations are that the newer restaurant opens at 7 a.m. for breakfast and has a separate lunch menu..
Both restaurants close at 3 pm on Fridays and open an hour after sundown on Saturday nights due to the Nava family following Jewish traditions. And if you call and there's no answer, it's probably a Jewish holiday and they're not open.
Moishe tells me that someone is designing websites for both restaurants and their grocery store. Hopefully the new website will have up-to-date info on the store closing dates.
Regards,
Grandpa Bob

Grandpa Bob wrote:It's difficult to tell from your post as to whether you went to Isaac's new or old restaurant. Their 4-yr. old restaurant next to Carlos' at the north end of town is called CdI. Their newer one just north of McDonald's on First St. is called Isaac and Moishe (Mexican) Restaurant.
I mentioned to Isaac when he opened the second restaurant that there might be confusion. But both restaurants seem to be doing well. They have similar menus with daily specials.

Good thing you posted. I had to look at my Opentable.com history to find out we ate at La Casa de Isaac & Moishe.

I got excited by the name, I thought that it would be jewish south american food.

Since the Nava family follows Jewish tradition, they don't serve pork or shellfish in their restaurants, but they do mix dairy and meat. So neither of their restaurants are strictly kosher. Note that they serve three types of latkes in December - one traditional and two Mexican style. That's the closed you're going to get to Jewish Mexican food.
Regards,
Grandpa Bob