CHICAGO (CBS) — A Taco Tuesday attack and attempted robbery at a popular Pilsen restaurant left the owner scratched on the face and the ordeal was captured on video by customers.
Along 18th Street in Pilsen, the grill was hot and customers lined up to get some tacos at Quesabirria Jalisco.
“It’s tender beef with a delicious crispy fried cheese,” said owner Ventura Orozco, who took orders.
His sunglasses covered the scars and bruises from an ugly fight when a man tried to rob the taco shop during Tuesday’s rush hour.
“I’m coming this way, and when I get here, this guy is standing here,” Orozco said. “All I heard is, ‘Where’s the money?'”
Orozco found himself face to face with a robber who managed to sneak into the back office and demand cash.
“I’m from the south side of Chicago,” he said. “My first instinct was just, boom! I grabbed him and wrapped him up. We were wrestling and we came over here and all the customers were there. We’re wrestling here and I put him in a headlock here. He even broke our [stove] here and I hold him and hold him. I look up and all my customers, everyone is frozen with their phone in their hands.”
Other people filmed the attack.
“Nobody thought to come and help me with this guy,” Orozco said. “Everyone’s just frozen.”
Reporter: “What has it done for you to see your customers just standing there recording? What does that say about society?”
Orozco: “Man, it’s all about what you capture on film. It seems like everyone wants that viral video.”
The man managed to break free from Orozco’s grasp and ran out the front door.
“I don’t even know if he had a gun or a knife or something,” he said. “I just went into survival mode.”
Orozco posted about the attack online and explained why the dining room was closed Tuesday night.
Regulars returned to let the taco shop know they cared.
“It makes you a little angry, but at the same time, I’m here the next day,” customer Reggie Jones said.
As Chicago police search for Orozco’s attacker, the owner said he wanted to help the man who attacked him.
“Let him come back,” he said. “I’ll give him a twelve-pack of quesabirrias and let him know you made a mistake.”
