UPDATED: Palatine Restaurant in Jeopardy of Losing Business License Amid Allegations of Drug Activities
A hearing will be held Friday, February 8 regarding the alleged sale of drugs on the premises and failure of employees serving alcohol to have proper certifications at Restaurant La Presa.
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 29 at 3:40 p.m.
The Village of Palatine announced that lawyers for Restaurant La Presa have asked for a continuance in the hearing to decided whether or not the business will lose its license, or if penalties or sanctions will be imposed.
The new hearing date is Friday, February 8 at 2 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers at Palatine Community Center, 200 E.Wood Street.
Earlier:
The business license for Restaurant La Presa, 319 S. Rohlwing Road, will be formally reviewed Wednesday at village hall to determine if the restaurant will lose its license due to illegal activities alleged to have occurred on premises.
Those activities, according to a hearing notice provided to Palatine Patch by the Village of Palatine are the, “sale of drugs on the premises, causing a nuisance or danger to public health, safety or welfare," and, "failure of liquor-serving employees to have property BASSET certification.”
BASSET certification stands for Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training, and is required by village code as well as the state of Illinois for establishments that serve liquor.
Village Manager Reid Ottesen will preside over the hearing, and possible outcomes could include penalties, sanctions or complete revocation of Restaurant La Presa’s business license.
The hearing is open to the public and will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Village Council Chambers at Palatine Community Center, 200 E.Wood Street.
Neal
3:30 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
If the drug sale thing is really happening then shut it down.. I have been here several times (4 to be exact), the food was pretty good, but the service is very slow and the staff made us feel like we were there to make them work and they clearly didn't want to. Too bad, still looking for a nice sit down Mexican place that is reasonably priced, clean and has good service in Palatine. I have yet to find it..
Chicago Food Guy
2:25 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
If you want authentic Mexican food, I suggest Angel's on Smith and Dundee. Very good food there. I've been to nearly all of the restaurants in Palatine, and this is my favorite.
Neal
4:55 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Thanks for the advice, Actaully I have been to Angels for pick up, twice, and not impressed whatsoever. I just want a good burrito or chimichanga, good rice and beans and please know how to make true pork tacos, seasoned with just onions and cilantro. El Angel failed on all these. As did El Torero, El Torero doesn't even serve pork tacos.
CHS
5:09 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
@Neal: Mexico Uno is the best in Palatine for the price and service. If you want more upscale then drive to AH and go to Mago.
Jon Chavez
10:39 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
No the Best Mexican Restaurant in Palatine is El Torero no questions about it
Paul Shafer
7:55 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Mexico Uno is awesome.
Todd Lowans
8:50 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Mexico Uno is the best, hands down
Hiram Walker
9:14 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
El Toreo is ok
Neal
11:36 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
El Torero? You've got to be kidding me, that place is terrible.. I have been there plenty of times over the years hoping they impove, everytime a disappointment.. Goto Yelp and read the reviews.. LaPresa is 10 Times better than ElTorero, and that ain't saying much..
Neal
11:42 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
MAGO is spectacular! Mexico Uno is pretty good.. and service is great at both..
Hiram Walker
9:13 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
off with their heads
Wilberth Marin
9:23 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
To Melanie Santostefano, I am very disappointed of your article!! I just have to say if you are going to write anything about any business of people get the fact right, This family is a very hard working people, they do everything by the book, I have been going to their restaurant for over six years, Great Food, Great Service. (They used to be at the corner of Palatine Rd and Northwest Hwy). The restaurant doesn't have any Drugs activity, this family is the most honest and hardworking people I know, they are really living the American Dream. To all; I have been on Mexico Uno, El Torero and la Presa they are good, every single restaurant has his own food flavor style and services are great!!
That's the problem when a reporter get the facts wrong, why you don't go an interview the owners and get their side of the story.
Sincerely,
Nidya
Zuzu
10:22 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Well, Nidya or Wilberth Marin or whoever you are, Ms. Santostefano did not write an investigative article because that wasn't her job. Her job was to announce that there will be a hearing of the "alleged" activities and the establishment's failure to have proper certifications. Don't shoot the messenger.
Neal
11:40 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Hello, she is reporting what the Village of Palatine supplied to her, she didn't accuse, she said under investigation.. As for hardworking? Definitely not their waitstaff, if that's what you are infering. They have been very unattentive to me and my party every occasion I have gone here..
Scott
9:55 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Wilberth - she is reporting the charges being made. If you dispute them you can testify at the hearing.
And Melanie did say "alleged".
upton
12:17 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
I'm not surprised about the allegations one bit. That said give Pancho's at Golf and Higgins a try. Great food, good prices, employees seem decent. I know its not in Palatine but I'm never disapointed.
Joemama
4:44 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
I'll try it Mr. Upton still looking for anything better than what's in town now.
Leonard Munson
12:13 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
Unfortunately, the owners can be very hardworking and diligent in making their business successful. If you don't do background investigations and pre-employment drug screening then follow-up with Random testing on your employees you are asking for things like this to happen. Classic example I use all the time as a Mobile Drug and Alcohol testing company and the response I usually get from the owner is "they are family or I don't have a problem I keep a close eye on them" Employees even family take advantage and it only takes one successful by chance sell in your workplace and it becomes a habit which unfortunately if proven could cost them their business.
USA Mobile Drug Testing of Chicago NW Suburbs
Leonard