JESSICA PERJES

Tacotlán

Jessica Perjes is the co-owner of Tacotlan, a beloved Chicago restaurant known for its quesabirria. Born and raised in the same building where Tacotlan now thrives, Jessica brings a unique blend of deep-rooted community ties and business acumen. Before entering the restaurant industry, she built a successful career in sales, working with companies like CareerBuilder, Glassdoor, Text Recruit, and iCIMS. 

When her father decided to reopen a restaurant in 2018 after a previous attempt, Jessica joined him to build Tacotlan from the ground up. Initially a traditional taqueria, the business took a transformative turn during the pandemic when she lost her job and committed fully to the restaurant. She introduced quesabirria to the menu, a move that propelled Tacotlan’s growth and recognition. 

Leveraging her expertise in sales and marketing, Jessica has grown Tacotlan’s social media presence to over 190,000 followers across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, helping to establish the restaurant as a destination for food lovers. Now in growth mode, Tacotlan is expanding its vision beyond just food, with plans to renovate its current location and transform it into a true community hub—offering events, catering, and an even more welcoming space for customers. 

Jessica remains dedicated to pushing Tacotlan forward, blending tradition with innovation to create something lasting for the Chicago community.