Marcos Rivera

Founder & Restaurateur

Marcos Rivera grew up between Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood and his grandmother’s kitchen in Guadalajara, where food was never just sustenance — it was the language of love, memory, and belonging. That understanding shapes everything about Libertad.

After spending a decade in restaurant management and hospitality operations across Chicago, Marcos founded Libertad in 2015 with a vision to create a restaurant that felt as welcoming as a family table but as exciting as the most ambitious dining rooms in the city. Under his leadership, Libertad has grown from a 40-seat neighborhood spot in Skokie to a two-location brand with a devoted following and national press recognition.

Marcos believes that great restaurants are built on great teams. He mentors young hospitality professionals, champions equitable wages and benefits, and is deeply involved in both the Skokie and Wicker Park communities. He lives in Skokie with his family.

Chef Mark Mendez

Executive Chef & Co-Founder

Chef Mark Mendez is a Chicago native whose culinary journey has taken him from the city’s acclaimed restaurant kitchens to stages in Mexico City, Lima, Buenos Aires, and Barcelona. His food reflects that journey — deeply rooted in Latin American tradition, refined by classical French and Spanish technique, and always grounded in the flavors that have shaped his life.

Before founding Libertad with Marcos Rivera, Mark trained under James Beard Award-winning chefs and led kitchens at some of Chicago’s most celebrated restaurants. He brought that experience back to his roots, channeling it into a menu that honors his Mexican heritage while embracing the full spectrum of Latin American gastronomy.

Mark is a champion of seasonal, local sourcing and works directly with farmers across the Midwest to build relationships that shape each season’s menu. He has been recognized as a Rising Star Chef by Eater Chicago, and his work at Libertad has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, and Food & Wine. He teaches cooking classes periodically — ask your server for upcoming dates.

Sofia Delgado

Director of Operations

Sofia Delgado joined the Libertad family in 2017 and has been instrumental in shaping the day-to-day operations and guest experience across both locations. With a background in hospitality management from the University of Illinois and years of front-of-house experience at independent restaurants, Sofia brings both operational rigor and genuine warmth to everything she does.

She oversees hiring and training, service standards, and the events program, working closely with both the culinary and front-of-house teams to ensure that every guest experience reflects the Libertad values of quality, care, and discovery.

Carlos Vega

Head Bartender & Beverage Director

Carlos Vega joined Libertad as our Head Bartender in 2016 and has since built one of the most respected beverage programs in the Chicago restaurant scene. His deep knowledge of agave spirits — tequila, mezcal, sotol, and beyond — has made the Libertad bar a destination in its own right.

Carlos travels regularly to Oaxaca and Jalisco to deepen his relationships with small-batch producers and bring unique, limited bottles to the Libertad menu. His cocktail program changes seasonally to complement Chef Mark’s menu, and his spirit selections are among the most thoughtfully curated in the city.