East Side Peruvian Restaurant from Lauded Chef Closes Permanently

Cherrywood Peruvian restaurant Yuyo has permanently closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as announced on an Instagram post. The restaurant, which is part of local Tex-Mex restaurant family El Chile Group and home to James Beard Award semifinalist chef Maribel Rivero, was located at 1900 Manor Road.

Yuyo opened in October 2017, with owner Carlos Rivero and his sister, Chef Maribel Rivero. It was known for Peruvian fare like dishes with bright aji amarillo sauce, grilled meats, and ceviche. However, it generally received mixed reviews from critics.

Yuyo did not offer food to-go after restaurant dining rooms were closed during the stay home, work safe order. According to a press release, Carlos explains the restaurant closed because “this pandemic environment has proven insurmountable for our developing concept due to the costs involved in operating a higher end and unique concept with so many unknown factors at play.”

The other restaurants in El Chile Group (El Alma, El Chile, and El Chilito) remain open. The company is still assessing what to do with the Yuyo space, and will come to a decision at some point.

Chef Rivero, a semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest last year, will be staying busy — she has launched a website with recipes and cooking classes.

• All Coverage of Yuyo [EATX]