FAT ROSIE'S NAPERVILLE
HOSPITALITY: RESTAURANT + BAR
Naperville, IL
Interior Design / Fixtures & Displays / Lighting / Art Installation / Custom Fabrication / CNC Wood / Installation
Photo Credit: Eric Kleinberg
Fat Rosie’s is a hip and festive, family-friendly Mexican Taqueria featuring a modern take on traditional Mexican cuisine and craft cocktails. Chef/Owner Scott Harris hired 555 for a third collaboration to expand the vibrant Fat Rosie’s brand in the bustling downtown Naperville scene.
Our design inspiration for this location was framed around a spirited, beach resort lens. We aimed to transport guests to an experiential, lively atmosphere similar to something they might escape to in Cabo. To do so we balanced creativity with authenticity, tying in narrative to every facet of the space beginning with the nods to specific design elements from architecture, restaurants, and beach hotels found in Mexico.
As we’ve done so with the previous Fat Rosie’s, we integrated central points of focus such as a hand-crafted tequila grotto and a giant, 22’ palapa standing front and center that underscores the overall beachy theme. The open and airy floor plan accented by an open kitchen and modular seating presented a potential bounce back sound issue, which we strategically helped deaden by incorporating hidden ceiling acoustic panels and large reverb diffusers such as the palapa. Continuing to help immerse guests within the experience are thoughtful touches like pops of bright color, natural finishes, patterned upholstery, terracotta, patinaed metal, reclaimed wood, succulents, rattan, Mexican tile, and whitewashed wood finishes. The Fat Rosie’s story is further reflected by carefully curated artwork and hand painted murals, sculptures, and images of a hard-working, beloved Mexican donkey in which Harris endearingly named his restaurants after. The result is a loud, colorful, fun, and quirky space that incapsulate all the elements the growing Fat Rosie’s brand has become synonymous for yet feels unique and independent in direction from the rest.