Miguel Tenesaca of Pan-Latin Dell' Rooster Shares His Favorite Places to Eat and Drink

Lisa Futterman

February 17, 2026

Chef Miguel Tenesaca poses in front of a painted wall with his arms crossed and a hat on

At West Town’s Dell’ Rooster, Chef Miguel Tenesaca cooks up a pan-Latin menu of colorful dishes for brunch and dinner. Credit: Courtesy Dell' Rooster

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Every month, people from Chicago's hospitality industry share recommendations for food, drink, ingredients, and more as part of our Chef Picks series.

At West Town’s Dell’ Rooster, Chef Miguel Tenesaca cooks up a pan-Latin menu of colorful dishes for brunch and dinner daily. After immigrating from Ecuador, Chef Tenesaca worked his way through Chicago’s restaurants for 20 years before opening his own culinary tribute to Latin American and Caribbean culture. Dinner might start with Venezuelan cachapas, a savory pancake made with sweet corn and cheese, then move to a Mexican skirt steak tampiqueña, while brunch features sandwiches like the classic cubano and Chicago’s own jibarito, the Puerto Rican sandwich where fried plantains act as the “bread.”

We asked Chef Tenesaca what he loves to do and see in his adopted hometown.

Favorite restaurant

Carnivale

Favorite dish

45-day dry-aged ribeye steak

Favorite place to drink

The Frida Room in Pilsen for a cortadito

Favorite place to shop

Green City Market

Favorite local brand

Meats by Linz

Favorite place in the city to bring an out-of-town guest