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Chef John Manion plans live-fire steakhouse Palomino in West Loop

Chef John Manion plans live-fire steakhouse Palomino in West Loop

Money Moves Chicago, IL local

The El Che and Brasero chef signed a lease at 565 W. Randolph St. for an early 2027 opening.

Today: Palomino announced for former Proxi space

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

The corner of Randolph and Jefferson in the West Loop has been without a restaurant since Proxi closed after New Year's Eve 2025. Chef John Manion plans to fill it with Palomino, a live-fire steakhouse drawing on the American West and South, early next year.

Manion already runs El Che and Brasero, two fire-driven restaurants a short walk apart. Palomino would add a third West Loop room and test whether a chef known for South American flavors can sell a steakhouse built on American ranch imagery and game birds.

Why it matters

The West Loop gets another chef-driven steakhouse, testing whether live-fire cooking and a Western story can stand out in a crowded premium dining market.

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Key Indicators

Early 2027
Planned opening
Palomino is slated to open in early 2027.
8
Years Proxi operated at 565 W. Randolph
The coastal Asian restaurant closed after New Year's Eve 2025.
100
North American wine list
Sommelier Alex Cuper plans a list drawn entirely from North American bottles.
3
Manion restaurants in Chicago
Palomino would join El Che and Brasero in Manion's current portfolio.

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People Involved

JM
John Manion
Chef and co-owner, Hey Che Hospitality
Planning Palomino for early 2027
AC
Alex Cuper
Sommelier and partner, Hey Che Hospitality
Building Palomino's all-North American wine list
CC
Carlos Cruz
Chef de cuisine, Palomino
Leading kitchen with Manion

Organizations Involved

Hey Che Hospitality
Hey Che Hospitality
Restaurant group
Signed lease for Palomino

Manion and Cuper's restaurant group operates El Che and Brasero and is developing Palomino.
Palomino
Palomino
Restaurant
Planned for early 2027

Live-fire steakhouse planned for 565 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop.

Timeline

December 2025 November 2026

4 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Palomino announced for former Proxi space

    Today Announcement

    Block Club Chicago reports the live-fire steakhouse will open in early 2027.

  2. Hey Che Hospitality signs lease for former Proxi space

    Lease

    Manion's group took over the corner of Randolph and Jefferson.

  3. Manion wins Jean Banchet Chef of the Year

    Award

    The award came as Manion was developing a new concept.

  4. Proxi closes after eight years on Randolph Street

    Closure

    The coastal Asian restaurant at 565 W. Randolph St. served its last dinner on New Year's Eve.

Scenarios

1

Palomino opens in early 2027 as planned

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Block Club Chicago and Food & Beverage Magazine

Manion's group has a signed lease and an announced early 2027 target. If buildout and permitting stay on track, Palomino opens at 565 W. Randolph St. and joins El Che and Brasero in Manion's Chicago portfolio.

2

Palomino opening slips past early 2027

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Food & Beverage Magazine and Chivibe

Restaurant buildouts often face delays. If construction or permitting pushes the opening, Palomino could miss its early 2027 target and land later in the year.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

August 2016

El Che Steakhouse & Bar opens (2016)

John Manion opened El Che at 845 W. Washington Blvd., built around a long wood-fired hearth and Argentine live-fire cooking. The restaurant marked its tenth anniversary in August 2026.

Then

El Che became a West Loop fixture and ranked among Chicago magazine's 50 best restaurants.

Now

It helped establish Manion as a steakhouse chef with a live-fire signature.

Why this matters now

Palomino extends that approach from South America to the American West.

February 2024

Brasero opens (2024)

Manion opened Brasero at 1709 W. Chicago Ave. in West Town, drawing on his childhood in São Paulo. The menu centered on pão de queijo, coastal seafood, and picanha over coals.

Then

Robb Report named it one of the country's best new restaurants.

Now

It added a second fire-driven concept and a wine program recognized by the James Beard Awards.

Why this matters now

Palomino is Manion's next concept, moving from South American flavors to American ranch cooking.

December 2025

Proxi closes (2025)

Proxi, a coastal Asian restaurant at 565 W. Randolph St., closed after eight years. It served its last dinner on New Year's Eve 2025.

Then

The West Loop corner became available.

Now

Hey Che Hospitality signed a lease there in March 2026.

Why this matters now

Palomino will take over the space.

Sources

(5)
Block Club Chicago Chivibe Food & Beverage Magazine WTTW Chicago La Fête du Champagne