Commission approves new all-kinds alcohol license for Torito Restaurant & Lounge with conditions; entertainment application to follow

The Chelsea Licensing Commission on June 12 granted a new all-kinds alcoholic beverage license to Torito Restaurant & Lounge, 73 Winnisimitt Street, after an extended hearing that included presentations from applicants, detailed guidance from Chelsea Police and comments from nearby residents.

Applicant Jean Machado and proposed manager Ashley described plans for a family-style, full-service Latin-inspired restaurant with seating on two floors and televisions for sporting events. "We're gonna have a floor manager. We'll obviously have to have security there in compliance with Chelsea regulations," Machado said, noting on busy nights the business would scale security staffing. Machado said the group had inspections from the building, health and fire departments and that the restaurant expected to open about 1½ months after approvals.

Sergeant Star Chung and Officer Santiago told the commission police had reviewed the applicants' records and raised operational requirements the business must meet if it opens. Chung emphasized camera and video requirements: licensees must maintain 30 days of continuous footage (not motion-activated snapshots) and provide video to police in a timely manner when requested; the department said it expects video to be produced within 48–72 hours. Chung also warned that security staff must meet Chelsea’s uniform rules and that establishments must call 911 when incidents begin outside the door rather than relying solely on locking doors to "protect" patrons.

Police also cautioned about noise and neighborhood impacts: the property’s backyard is residential and the commission and police urged careful sound mitigation. Machado said she had spoken with neighbors and reached a tentative agreement with Frank's Auto to rent 10–15 parking spaces for customers. Neighbors who spoke at the hearing expressed mixed views: Mari Manji, who lives next door, said she supports a family restaurant but raised concerns about parking and late-night noise; William Kaufman, treasurer of the condo association directly above the restaurant, said earlier closing hours and sound mitigation would reassure residents.

Commissioners asked applicants to wait to use any entertainment devices until a separate amusement and entertainment license is approved; the entertainment application was not yet ready and is expected to return to the commission. The applicants had requested hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday; commissioners voted to approve the new alcohol license with the hours as requested but made clear police and licensing staff will conduct an administrative walk-through, review camera placement and require compliance with Chelsea rules on security, over-service prevention and video retention.

During the hearing commissioners repeatedly warned that a restaurant cannot become a nightclub in practice if operating as a family restaurant; they emphasized enforcement steps that would follow any violations. Applicants were told to mark rented parking spots, finalize camera coverage and consult police on soundproofing before opening entertainment offerings. The amusement and entertainment license application will return to the commission for a future vote.