Popular southwest IL restaurant known for its yummy guacamole has apparently closed
Mi Jalapeno, located at 500 S. Main St. in Smithton, has apparently closed.
Multiple calls and written messages to the business (including a note with my card taped to the door) went unanswered.
Visits to the location revealed locked doors and stacks of tables and chairs sitting in front of the building.
This writer was fond of the place. The staff and the owner were always friendly and remembered my significant other and me whenever we went for lunch or dinner.
And (at the risk of revealing my approximate age) I had my 40th birthday dinner there with my family.
There used to be live music on weekends, performed by a one-man band. He played a lot of oldies, which I happily sang along with while “dancing” in my seat.
They had the best guacamole ever. Margaritas too. Good times.
Owner Nicanor Pliego opened Mi Jalapeno in Smithton in 2015.
In early 2018, Pliego opened a second location at 1333 Central Park Drive in O’Fallon.
That location later became El Indio Mexican Restaurant and was most recently the site for El Maya Restaurant.
In September 2013 Pliego and friend Victor Cupido opened Baja Cali at 100 N. High St. in Belleville, which closed a year later.
That site is now the location of Casa Maria Mexican Grill.
