La Casa del Pueblo Faced Eviction Lawsuit
The Pilsen taqueria faces displacement after 60 years of operation.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Dining Out
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In early September 2026, building owner Nicholas Lombardi Jr. filed an eviction lawsuit against La Casa del Pueblo Taqueria. The restaurant has operated out of 1834 S. Blue Island Ave. in Chicago for 60 years.
Why it matters
The restaurant owners are seeking to remain in their current location through December 26, 2026, to fulfill their busy holiday tamale season. Following the eviction filing, the family plans to relocate their business to a new property in Berwyn.
The restaurant, which sells 10,000 dozen tamales annually, has operated at 1834 S. Blue Island Ave. since 1962. The family has purchased a new facility at 6723 Cermak Road in Berwyn.
The players
La Casa del Pueblo Taqueria
This is a long-standing restaurant that has served the Pilsen neighborhood for six decades.
Nicholas Lombardi Jr.
He is the property owner of the building located at 1834 S. Blue Island Ave.
Martha Saucedo
She is an 84-year-old co-founder of the restaurant.
The details
La Casa del Pueblo Taqueria operated for decades under a handshake agreement with the landlord before the lawsuit was initiated. The owners have retained legal counsel to fight the eviction and maintain their presence in the Pilsen neighborhood through the end of the year.
Timeline
The restaurant was founded in 1962 by Maria Sanchez and Martha Saucedo.
A handshake rental agreement with the Lombardi family began in 1992.
Nicholas Lombardi Jr. filed the eviction lawsuit in early September 2026.
The owners aim to vacate the premises by December 26, 2026.
Culture Shift
The forced relocation of La Casa del Pueblo Taqueria follows a broader trend of gentrification-related commercial displacement in the historic Pilsen neighborhood. This marks a departure from the area's decades-long history of family-owned, immigrant-led small businesses.
Regular patrons will need to prepare for the restaurant's planned move to Berwyn after the holiday season. The transition affects the daily operations of 30 full-time employees and the availability of their holiday tamale offerings.
The takeaway
Disputes over legacy business leases without written contracts can result in sudden displacement for community fixtures. Owners should prioritize formalizing lease agreements to ensure long-term stability and protection against changing property ownership.
Further reading
Learn more about the local food landscape in our Chicago Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Tribune.
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