Machesney Park loses Del Taco

3 comments December 12th, 2007

The first Del Taco Mexican-style restaurant to open in Illinois — on the hot Illinois 173 retail corridor in Machesney Park — has closed after only about a year in business.

Machesney Park village president Linda Vaughn confirmed Wednesday that the 24-hour Del Taco eatery, opened in late 2006 by franchisee Phil DiGiovanni of Roscoe, had closed. DiGiovanni declined to comment Wednesday concerning when the restaurant had closed or why.

The 2,800-square-foot Del Taco, at 1555 W. Lane Road between Alpine and Forest Hills Roads, was one of more than 499 locations in 14 states, according to the chain’s Web site. In 2006, just before the Machesney Park restaurant opened, the Rockford Register Star reported that Del Taco was considered the number-two Mexican-style food chain behind Taco Bell.

DiGiovanni also owns DiGiovanni’s Ristorante in Roscoe, at 4866 Bluestern Road.