Introduction to Mariscos Los Cuates
PILSEN — Robert Cardenas, Julio Moreno and Juan Ortega are cuates — a colloquial Spanish word used in Mexico to refer to close friends. The trio, all of Mexican origin, have opened a restaurant that pays homage to their friendship. Mariscos Los Cuates de la 18, 1807 S. Ashland Ave., held a grand opening Saturday.
The Concept Behind Mariscos Los Cuates
“We just wanted to create a space for everybody to be cuates,” Cardenas said. As the name suggests, the menu at Mariscos Los Cuates features seafood dishes from different regions of Mexico — including spicy shrimp a la diabla and ceviche — along with modern dishes inspired by traditional Mexican cuisine, like chicharron de pescado and a ribeye aguachile.
Ribeye aguachile at Mariscos Los Cuates de la 18, as seen on March 18, 2025. Credit: Francia Garcia Hernandez/Block Club Chicago
“We’re just trying to make it where people are like, ‘Oh, I’ve never had this before,’” Ortega said.
The Founders’ Background
Moreno and Cardenas also co-own La Mejikana, a sister restaurant located across the street from Mariscos Los Cuates. Ortega befriended Cardenas while visiting La Mejikana sometime before the COVID-19 pandemic. Cardenas was battling brain cancer, and Ortega would regularly bring him food and check up on him, Ortega said. Their friendship continued to grow after Cardenas’ cancer went into remission, he said.
The Inspiration Behind Mariscos Los Cuates
The idea for Mariscos started during a trip Cardenas and Moreno took a few years back to the Mexican beach town of Puerto Vallarta. They visited a restaurant called Cuetes y Cuates and found themselves inspired by its “good vibes,” they said. As they discussed the idea of a restaurant, the name cuates was a no-brainer, Cardenas said. When the storefront on Ashland Avenue across from La Mejikana became available for lease last summer, they decided to make it the home of their new restaurant.
Meet the Co-owners
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