An iconic Southwestern comfort food spot, Flo Cafe and Bar announced the closure of its Chicago West Town location because the building has been sold. The restaurant will serve its final meal in December and mark the end of its more than two decades-long journey.
Flo Cafe and Bar on Chicago Avenue Set to Close
Founded in 1999, Flo Cafe and Bar has been a vibrant dining destination for the West Town Chicago Avenue community. It offers authentic Tex-Mex cuisine along with New Mexican dishes. Menu options include green chile stew, chicken enchiladas, and pulled pork tacos.
The space features a lively and casual atmosphere during the day, and by evening it transforms into an intimate and social setting. The restaurant also has a well-curated bar program and offers classic cocktails, beers, and wines.
The restaurant announced the closure in a social media post. Flo’s final day of service is scheduled for December 20, 2026.
The team behind the restaurant thanked the community for their 25 years of support and said, “Thank you to all of you that have walked through the doors for a meal with friends and family, and have continued to show your support. Thank you for filling the space with laughs, cries, smiles, and hugs.”
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What Led to the Closure
In the post, the restaurant explained, “The historic building at 1434 W. Chicago Avenue that we called home has been sold, and after a wild and loving 15 years, Flo will be closing our doors.”
According to a Hoodline, Renee and Rodney Carswell opened Flo in 1998 and sold the business to Leonard Sanchez and Amy Laria in 2011.
The report mentioned that Leonard and Amy also opened a second Flo location on North Ashland Avenue in Lakeview in 2015. However, it was closed a little over a year later.
In the post, the team added that, “Sometimes things come to an end not by choice, but by circumstance- we’ll see you again soon”
They encouraged the community to visit the restaurant and enjoy their favorite dish and drink more times before it permanently closes.
