Real Tenochtitlán nudity | What’s up with that?

The Mexican restaurant Real Tenochtitlán in Logan Square airbrushed the nipples on some Aztec murals, citing a customer complaint and a warning from city officials, according to some folks in a thread on EveryBlock. Is there an official nipple patrol?—E.S., Logan Square

A diner’s objection to the female nudity depicted by Chicago-based Mexican muralist Oscar Romero did indeed lead to a cover-up of the bare breasts portrayed on two works, including a chesty mermaid (pictured) that would make Larry Flynt blush. But a recent trip to Real Tenochtitlán’s Milwaukee Avenue storefront revealed that the nips had been restored to their former glory. “The management decided to cover the paintings, and now decided to uncover them,” says a manager who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. “We are a family restaurant. Some people are like, ‘Oh, my God, that’s a beautiful piece of art.’ Other people say, ‘Why don’t you cover that?’ We realized we can’t please everyone on both sides.” The manager calls the claim that the city enforced the censorship “a false statement.” A city spokesperson checked with several departments and confirms no one visited the business to try to take the tits out of Real Tenochtitlán.