La Licor Panamericana
Cocktail bar · Logan Square
2521 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Highlights
Panamerican cuisine, inventive cocktails, empanadas, and burgers
Panamerican cuisine, inventive cocktails, empanadas, and burgers
"La Licor Panamericana, named for the Pan-American Highway that stretches from Alaska to Argentina, provides the best parts of a road trip — the snacks — without the long, boring stretches in the car. And because you’re not driving, pair the lomo saltado with an Otra Amanecer (“another dawn”): Zacapa Rum No. 23, vermouth rosso, sherry cream, cold brew, and xocolatl bitters poured over a big ice cube." - Vox Creative
"La Licor is a stylish pan-American bar and cafe in Logan Square. Sure, there’s not a margarita on the menu, but with such an extensive library of spirits and a staff of talented bartenders, it certainly won’t hurt to ask. It’s worth it." - Sam Nelson
"Inspired by the Pan-American Highway and brought to life by owners Abraham Ramírez and Javier Arroyo, this Logan Square destination centers a lively bar and a sharing-style menu that traverses Latin America and the Caribbean. The space greets guests with a striking huacales display and handmade textiles and artifacts that evoke a road-trip aesthetic, while Chef Juan Jiménez—whose résumé includes Sky, Roister, and the Chicago Club—executes dishes rooted in Indigenous, European, Asian, and African traditions. Small plates include pão de queijo, Salvadoran-style fried yuca with pickled cabbage relish, chuzos (Ecuadorian grilled skewers), East Coast oysters with michelada seasoning, a jícama salad dressed with yuzu vinaigrette and finished with radishes and sesame, empanadas (cheese or spinach), Honduran pollo chuco with plantains and pickled red onion, and a Peruvian tiradito. Mains range from a grilled pescado zarandeado seasoned with red adobo to the 4AM Burger featuring chistorra on a buttery brioche, and desserts spotlight a cachaça-spiked lemon mousse and a modern nicuatole paired with chocolate ice cream and corn foam. The beverage program dives beyond agave to showcase singani, Peruvian and Chilean pisco, cachaça, and house-brewed mamajuana, plus regionally inspired cocktails such as the Cacao Fashioned (2012 barrel-aged chocolate pu-erh and bourbon, fat-washed) and the Alba Martini (pu-erh, cold brew, and rum); playful touches include a Pisco Sour garnished in Peruvian-flag colors and a Clericot Platense served in penguin-shaped pitchers. Nonalcoholic cocktails receive equal care—options like the Zeroni, Notini, I See Red (soursop, dragon fruit, high-mountain mango tea), and the Retox (cucumber, spinach, lime, bell pepper, with optional CBD/THC) make the list—while a curated selection of Pan-American beers and future wine offerings round out the program. With late-night hours, Sunday brunch, a focus on community events such as Hanal Pixán and mixology competitions, and reservations via Resy, the restaurant aims to be both a culinary tour and a cultural hub." - Brenda Storch
"Find Argentinian empanadas, Peruvian lomo saltado, and even a burger with Oaxacan cheese at this pan-Latin restaurant in Logan Square. The cocktails are serious with favorites like a pisco sour, Paloma, and more stretching classic and modern tastes. La Lico is open Christmas Day with reservations via Resy." - Eater Staff
"Eating your way along the Pan-American Highway no longer requires a sabbatical—just head to this Latin-American restaurant and cocktail bar in Logan Square. Each dish on the menu represents a different country, with everything from jalea from Peru, empanadas from Argentina, to a whole fish in adobo from Mexico." - john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
