Boca Brava Will Open New Evanston Restaurant
The new 200-seat restaurant is expected to open in early 2027 at 1557 Sherman Ave.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Dining Out
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Carlos Arechiga has signed a lease for a new restaurant, Boca Brava, at 1557 Sherman Ave. in Evanston. The establishment is expected to open its doors in January or February 2027.
Why it matters
The new restaurant will occupy 7,000 square feet of the former Reza's Restaurant and Lounge space, which closed in May 2025. The move is part of a larger plan to split the property, with Giordano's slated to occupy the remaining space.
The new Boca Brava restaurant will feature a 200-seat capacity within its 7,000-square-foot footprint. Ownership filed an official food license application with the city of Evanston on September 18, 2026.
The players
Carlos Arechiga
He is the 31-year-old business owner who signed the lease for the new restaurant space in Evanston.
Reza's Restaurant and Lounge
This former occupant of the 1557 Sherman Ave. property was a long-standing establishment that previously operated for 40 years in Andersonville.
Giordano's
This restaurant chain is planning to move into the other half of the property located at 1557 Sherman Ave.
The details
The site of the new restaurant previously served as a location for Reza's Restaurant and Lounge until its closure in May 2025. Property owners are currently splitting the building into two separate spaces and relocating the main entrance to accommodate both the new restaurant and an incoming Giordano's.
Timeline
May 2025: Reza's Restaurant and Lounge closed its Evanston location.
September 18, 2026: Carlos Arechiga filed a food license application with the city.
January or February 2027: Boca Brava is scheduled to open to the public.
Culture Shift
This project follows a pattern of replacing long-standing local institutions with newer restaurant concepts in the downtown Evanston area. The transition mirrors broader trends where large-format legacy properties are divided to host multiple retail and dining tenants simultaneously.
Residents can expect significant activity at 1557 Sherman Ave. as construction continues on the property subdivision and entrance relocation. The opening will add 200 seats to the local dining capacity once the restaurant begins operations in early 2027.
The takeaway
The transformation of the former Reza's space highlights the ongoing revitalization of downtown Evanston's dining district. Local diners should watch for the site's upcoming renovation as the property is prepared for its split occupancy.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving restaurant scene in the area, visit the Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston RoundTable.
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