Commission recommends village board consider liquor license for Puerto Nuevo Seafood Mexican Cuisine

The Villa Park Liquor Control Commission voted unanimously May 5 to recommend that the Village Board consider a restaurant liquor license for Puerto Nuevo Seafood Mexican Cuisine, a Baja‑style Mexican seafood restaurant proposed for 120 West Roosevelt Road.

Antonio Ochoa, who identified himself as the owner, told commissioners the business will be a family restaurant serving a mix of seafood and Mexican dishes, with about 120 seats. "We're planning to close at 10PM, so it's a family restaurant," Ochoa said. Mario Mercado, who said he will be the manager, described drink offerings that will include beer and margaritas and confirmed the venue will include a physical bar and table service for beer, wine and hard liquor.

Commissioners discussed the appropriate license class for the operation and agreed the draft Quad I (a sit‑down restaurant license that permits bar service but prohibits video gaming terminals) best fit the business model. A committee member moved to approve the recommendation; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call. Chair noted the commission's recommendation "will go to the village board probably next week" for final action.

The petitioners said they have worked about a year on the project and expect to operate primarily as a food service with alcohol incidental to food sales. They told commissioners hours would be roughly 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Friday and about 10 a.m.–10 p.m. on weekends. The commission reiterated standard license conditions — background checks and state licensing requirements — and advised the applicants on next steps.

The commission's recommendation formalizes its review but is not final approval; the Village Board reviews allotments and can adopt ordinance changes or adjust license counts before final issuance. The applicants were congratulated and told to expect follow‑up from village staff ahead of the board meeting.