Little Mexico Galesburg to Open at Former El Jarochito Site

New restaurant aims to bring authentic Mexican flavors back to downtown Galesburg

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:31am

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Little Mexico Galesburg, owned by Maria Ceron and Antonio Flores, is set to open in the next two weeks at 164 S. Academy St., the former location of El Jarochito. The new restaurant will offer a menu of homemade Mexican dishes with coastal flavors, including tacos, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, and more. Ceron and Flores plan to provide dine-in and carryout service, but no alcohol will be served.

Why it matters

The opening of Little Mexico Galesburg marks the return of authentic Mexican cuisine to the downtown area after the closure of the previous tenant, El Jarochito. The new owners, who have experience working at other local Mexican restaurants, aim to cater to the community's desire for familiar and affordable Mexican food options.

The details

Ceron and Flores, the owners of Little Mexico Galesburg, have been planning the new restaurant since September 2025. The name "Little Mexico" was chosen as a nod to how the community referred to the previous El Jarochito restaurant, which was known for its difficult-to-pronounce name. The new restaurant will offer a limited seating capacity of 18-20 and focus on dine-in and carryout service, without serving alcohol. The menu will feature homemade Mexican dishes with coastal flavors, including tacos, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, and more, as well as appetizers like queso fundido con chorizo, guacamole, and horchata.

  • Little Mexico Galesburg is set to open within the next two weeks.

The players

Maria Ceron

Co-owner of Little Mexico Galesburg.

Antonio Flores

Co-owner of Little Mexico Galesburg and a former partial owner of the previous restaurant, El Jarochito.

El Jarochito

The previous Mexican restaurant that occupied the 164 S. Academy St. space in Galesburg.

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What they’re saying

“If we want the same great customers that they used to have here, we definitely need something catchy and Little Mexico would just click onto all the familiar people.”

— Maria Ceron, Co-owner

“Things happen for a reason.”

— Maria Ceron, Co-owner

What’s next

Little Mexico Galesburg is set to open within the next two weeks, offering the community a new option for authentic Mexican cuisine in the downtown area.

The takeaway

The opening of Little Mexico Galesburg represents the return of a familiar and affordable Mexican food option for the Galesburg community, with the new owners' personal connections and experience in the local restaurant scene expected to draw in loyal customers.