Casa Amado

CASA AMADO

CASA AMADO WAS FOUNDED BY CHEF AMADO LOPEZ AND EMILIA JUOCYS.

A powerhouse of a duo, Chef Lopez brings his culinary knowledge and experience to the partnership while Juocys brings her culinary training as well as her business acumen. Established shortly before the pandemic hit in 2020, and originally set to open in Detroit, the onset of COVID-19 brought with it a sudden change of scenery.

Co-owner Lopez explained, “Everything shifted fast. We had to find a solid location where Casa Amado could grow roots.”

Keeping that in mind, during the summer months that year, Casa Amado hosted various popup dinners at Frame in Hazel Park, Urbanrest Brewing in Ferndale, Atomic Dawg in Berkley, and Flowers of Vietnam in Detroit. Ultimately, the restaurant found a permanent home at Atomic Dawg where it’s been operat-ing ever since. Juocys and Lopez were connect-ed to local business owner Joel Martin through a mutual acquaintance to start building roots, and the rest is history.

“We wanted to bring Casa Amado to a walkable city that had an active chamber of commerce, vibrant shopping district and was close to a school,” Lopez explained, and Berkley’s thriving downtown and close-knit ambiance easily checked all the boxes.

AS FAR AS THE RESTAURANT’S NAME, IT IS ONE OF SPANISH ROOTS, translating to “House of Love,” according to Lopez, who added, “Combined with the logo of the woman, Casa Amado represents all the strong women who have influenced our lives: mothers, grandmothers, wives, aunts, sisters, friends and mentors.”

A from-scratch taqueria supporting local purveyors, the restaurant’s staff make everything on the menu from real ingredients. “We even cut and fry our own chips,” the chef explained. “We feel that our attention to detail in our food brings people back to Casa Amado – along with our friendly staff who is always happy to see guests return.”

The eatery also has a rotation of weekly taco specials and small bar program featuring fresh margaritas, Mexican beers, and local craft beers. The main space holds 36 people, but Lopez is quick to add, “Don’t let the space deceive you. Be sure to walk in further and venture up the stairs. Casa Amado offers private events for small parties for up to 20 people in our back dining room. This space is ideal for birthday parties, meetings, anniver-saries, and private dinners.”

ON OCCASION, THE OWNERS HOST SPECIAL EVENTS, and this year, Casa Amado will be holding a special Halloween event as well as offering a pre-order menu for Thanksgiving. A taco truck travels to various locations as well, bringing fresh ingredients to other hotspots nearby.

“We are open to partnering with stores to do events,” Lopez said. “Contact us to chat about options.” The restaurant currently has ongoing community relationships with The Detroit City Football Club South Oakland, Berkley Public Library, and the Berkley Community Schools.

This year, Lopez’s work was recognized in a big way when he was a James Beard Award semifinalist, receiving a nod for emerging chef. The equivalent to the Academy Awards in the restaurant world, James Beard awards are reserved for the best-of-the-best in an industry with many potential contenders.

“I was in shock when I first found out I was nominated,” he recalled. “When my business partner, Emilia, texted me, I thought she was mistaken. In my exper-ience, James Beard awards were reserved for fine dining restaurants with higher check averages. I never thought that I, the owner of a little taqueria in Berkley, would be considered. When I realized it was true, I was so honored. The excitement in the restaurant was uncontainable. So many people came in to congratulate us. .”

LOPEZ CAN’T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT BEING A PART OF BERKLEY, IN GENERAL. “The local community is the best part,” he said. “We have a lot of regular guests and guests who also own small businesses, plus neighbors who visit frequently. We know their orders and names; it ends up having a very ‘Cheers’ kind of feel.”

To learn more about the restaurant, its menu, and its reward program available through Toast, visit casaamado.com, Instagram: @casa_amado or Facebook: facebook.com/CasaAmadoDetroit, call (248) 398-3294 or simply stop by 2705 Coolidge Hwy, Berkley.