'Family built': Generations work together to help Abel’s in Grayslake survive pandemic

GRAYSLAKE – Abel Bonilla fulfilled an American dream when he opened his Mexican restaurant in downtown Grayslake in 1995.

Now his family is helping him keep that dream alive.

Shut down like many businesses when the COVID-19 pandemic struck nearly four months ago, Abel’s Pizza and Mexican Food has navigated through a reopening to offer limited seating inside and on a quaint outdoor patio.

Along with Bonilla’s son, Abel Jr., who manages the kitchen, Bonilla’s son-in-law, Andy Rickman, and three grandchildren have stepped in to work at the restaurant. They’re all striving to adjust to a new normal.

“I love helping my grandpa out,” said 14-year-old Kyle Rickman, who busses tables and delivers chips and salsa to customers along with his 11-year-old sister, Taylor. Their 16-year-old sister, Jenna, is a waitress.

“My dad taught me everything I do is one less thing they have to do, so I love helping out,” said Kyle, who likes that his first job is with family “so it’s easy to talk with them.”

With the state in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, businesses across Illinois and in Lake County have been able to reopen with limits. Along with offering outdoor dining, restaurants have resumed indoor dining with partial capacity.

Still, the past several months have taken a toll, as many businesses have been forced to close their doors completely and lay off workers.

“You know, we try to survive just like everybody, but we manage to open it up again,” Abel Bonilla said. “I’ve got a beautiful little place here in Grayslake. I’ve been here for almost 27 years, believe it or not. And it wasn’t easy. But we did it.”

Originally from Mexico, Bonilla of Arlington Heights has been in the U.S. for five decades. Opening his own restaurant, he sought to offer an extensive menu of traditional Mexican cuisine and atmosphere to his customers.

“Now I’ve got my grandkids helping me and I love it,” he said.

Along with his American dream, he’s passing along his work ethic to younger generations, said Andy Rickman, who is married to Bonilla’s daughter, Elizabeth.

The couple’s three children asked Bonilla to put them to work.

“They’re proud to work in their grandpa’s restaurant,” said Rickman, who has worked on and off at the restaurant since marrying into the family.

“Working for someone who made his way here, I think it’s a great story,” Rickman said. “They’re learning great lessons. I know working with family can be tense at times, but you have that bond and you have that pride just to be part of something the family built.”

Jenna Rickman, a high school senior this fall, started waitressing at the restaurant as soon as the state’s restrictions were lifted.

When she needs help with a table, her sister, Taylor, answers the call.

“It’s really fun, just like all around helping out,” said Taylor, who has gotten used to wearing a mask and washing her hands “constantly.” Although, she said, “It’s crazy.”

“It’s not as chaotic as I thought it would be,” Jenna said. “We’ve surprisingly smoothly worked together. I just love the environment here, and it’s cool to work with my grandpa and uncle and my whole family.”