Evanston gets Mexican eatery Guzman y Gomez via Australia

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An Australian fast food company that serves Mexican food opened its sixth U.S. location in downtown Evanston last week. Its founder insists that the food is fresh and free of preservatives and artificial flavors.

Guzman y Gomez opened at 1710 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, on March 11. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. In a break from the status quo of fast-food restaurants, Guzman y Gomez also serves Mexican beers and margaritas.

Steve Marks, the founder of Guzman y Gomez, began the brand in Australia in 2006. Since then, the restaurant has opened locations in Australia, four in Japan, and more in Singapore.

“I’m a New Yorker and I’m a food guy, right? I look at the big food cities, New York, Chicago, and a little bit Miami,” Marks said. “I wanted to go to where people appreciate good food.”

Guzman y Gomez, a Mexican fast food chain that was started in Australia by an American, has opened in downtown Evanston at 1710 Sherman. It features burritos, nachos, tacos, burrito bowls, margaritas and more. (Pam DeFiglio/Chicago Tribune)

Marks said when he began the brand in Australia, there weren’t many people there familiar with Mexican food. A common nickname for his restaurants ended up being GYG, as the names Guzman or Gomez were not too common in Australia.

The names Guzman and Gomez are a tribute to Marks’ friends in New York, he said, where he grew up and learned to love Mexican food and culture. The faces on the restaurant’s logo are an artist’s rendition of what his friends would look like now, he said.

Guzman y Gomez, a Mexican fast food chain that was started in Australia by an American, has opened in downtown Evanston at 1710 Sherman. It features burritos, nachos, tacos, burrito bowls, margaritas and more. (Pam DeFiglio/Chicago Tribune)
Guzman y Gomez, a Mexican fast food chain that was started in Australia by an American, has opened in downtown Evanston at 1710 Sherman. It features burritos, nachos, tacos, burrito bowls, margaritas and more. (Pam DeFiglio/Chicago Tribune)

“Mexico has a very special place in my heart. I spent a lot of time in Mexico City. I have a huge children’s charity that we support in Tapachula and Chiapas,”  Marks said. “So even though I’m not Mexican, I’ve dedicated my 20 years of my life to Mexican people and causes.”

As for the fast food moniker, Marks said he wants to rebrand that description to make it healthier. “We’re all about making sure that kids start knowing what fast food should be… I’m the face of GYG. At the end of the day, it’s all about love. I love our food.”

At the recently-opened Guzman y Gomez fast food restaurant at 1710 Sherman in downtown Evanston, Lara Thom, Guzman y Gomez' global chief marketing officer, orders from Nia Montoya. Employee Vivian Ransom is at left and Peter Geraerts, head of U.S. operations, is to Montoya's immediate right. The chain was started in Australia by an American. (Pam DeFiglio/Chicago Tribune)
At the recently-opened Guzman y Gomez fast food restaurant at 1710 Sherman in downtown Evanston, Lara Thom, Guzman y Gomez’ global chief marketing officer, orders from Nia Montoya. Employee Vivian Ransom is at left and Peter Geraerts, head of U.S. operations, is to Montoya’s immediate right. The chain was started in Australia by an American. (Pam DeFiglio/Chicago Tribune)

Marks said the restaurant’s menu, which includes burritos, tacos, bowls, quesadillas, nachos  and nacho fries has proteins of ground beef, grilled chicken, sautéed vegetables, carnitas, brisket and flank steak, and was created by chefs flown from Mexico to Australia.

In the summer months, the restaurant also has outdoor dining.

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