We visited 1492 this week while visiting from out-of-town, and found it to be in the top 3 of Cuban places we've tried anywhere! We tried the empanada trio with pork, chicken, and ham-n-cheese, and all were tasty; the lechon [pork] was especially great. For mains, my spouse ordered the masitas de cerdo (fried pork) and I got the pollo a la plancha (grilled chicken). We both opted for congri and maduros for sides. The flavor of everything was delicious! The meat was slightly on the dry side, and the maduros were SO sweet that we wondered if they were bananas rather than plantains, but overall we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The portions were plentiful. If we weren't staying in a hotel with a fridge but no microwave, we definitely would've had enough to take home for a whole other meal each. We would definitely be regular patrons if we didn't live hours away! read more

A really cute family friendly place, great to come with friends or in smaller groups. They have a wide menu to suit the taste of all and the service is really fast. The food itself is so yummy. Would definitely come back and try more! read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - Fried egg sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great food and a homey, authentic atmosphere. We ordered a few different items and nothing disappointed. The 1492 cuban platter comes with croquetas, empanadas, tostones, stuffed potatoes, and plantain chips. Everything was yummy! Service includes two side sauces and a chimichurri style sauce to dip, smother, or slather. The cortado, hot chocolate, and fresh juices were good - and they don't skimp out on the drink sizes. I also appreciated that they offer milk alternatives for the dairy-sensitive. I definitely recommend this place! read more

Was pretty disappointed. Food was so bland and the portions were SO small. The fried plantains were $7 and we maybe got 5 small pieces in our order. read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - Maduros Fritos / Sweet Fried Plantains - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is legit. Highly recommended! I ordered the Cuban Sampler Platter with Masitas de Cerdo and it did not disappoint. The plantain chips were nice and crispy. The empanadas had very nice dough and filling - fried but not oily. Same with the ham croquettes and stuffed potatoes. I'm a sucker for fried pork so I have no complaints there either. It came with three different dipping sauces which were all appropriate for each of the items in the platter. It was a HUGE serving (see attached pic). read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - Cuban Sampler Platter - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

the service was great, even on a busy sunday our waitress was very nice and patient. i ordered the lechon sandwich and added cheese and avocado to it and it was a great combination. the meat was juicy and tender. i had a cafe cubano on the side of course. other dishes on the table, the bistec sandwich and the ham eggs and cheese sandwich. the restaurant was beautifully decorated and smelled amazing. would definitely recommend for anyone who's craving a good cuban sandwich. read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - Tostones / Fried Green Plantains Yuca Frita / Fried Cassava - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We ordered a variety of dishes to try 1492 as a first time customer. Empanadas, steak salad and a couple of the entrees to try different proteins and dishes. We also got the cuban sandwich. The Cuban sandwich was good but lacked any real flavor. Not sure if it's because it was delivered (so not as hot off the grill). But it was good, just not great. Next time I'd reheat it first. The empanadas were very good. We enjoyed a variety. My favorite was the pork. The steak and chicken entree's (both grilled) were ok and were both closer to 3 stars at best, maybe 2. The meat was tender but was a little bland, and as a to-go dish, the presentation is just unappetizing. I wouldn't order those again. The sandwiches are good to try in the future. read more

Allergy friendly!! Thank you, 1492 Cuban Fusion! I love that my kid can get a safe gluten-free/nut-free/peanut-free meal here, every time! And via UberEats too! I know this is one restaurant near his home where I can have a couple of meals delivered and I know he will be safe. I went for the first time myself a few weeks ago and really enjoyed the experience! The servers are knowledgeable and friendly, made us feel so welcome. Highly recommend ordering one of each of the flans for dessert, and sharing them! There were 4 of us sharing 4 flans, with enough for 5th person. read more

10/10 place. Good portions for the price. Relaxing environment with great service. Support this business!! read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - Chicken breast and skirt steak - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

While searching for a lunch spot with my kids, I wanted to take them to somewhere new and NOT a franchise. They opted for Cuban and we made our way over to 1492. When we arrived we were welcomed and directed to a table. Menus were brought over shortly and we were given time to review. My girls were thrilled to find milkshakes on the menu - and such great prices. They got the pina colada and mango versions. We also ordered the empanada trio and papas rellenas as appetizers. For entrees we order the masitas de cerdo fritas with white rice & black beans, Elena Ruz Cuban sandwhich and the sandwhich de pollo empanizado. Everything was great. The black beans and pork needed just a little bit more salt, but I was able to add from the side and also use the chimichurri to add more flavor. My girls loved their sandwhiches. They can't wait to come back and try other items on the menu. My oldest is already talking about coming back and now Cuban is her new favorite! read more

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Rating: (3 out of 5) Location: 1492 Cuban Fusion - 2615 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL I had a craving for plantains and rice and finally decided to try out 1492 Cuban Fusion. The interior is super charming--Cuban-inspired decor, cozy atmosphere, and plenty of seating. The staff was welcoming and knowledgeable, and I appreciated how they took the time to answer my questions. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of vegetarian options on the menu, so I sampled a few dishes. I started with the café con leche, which was rich and delicious. The veggie empanada was good--cheesy and flavorful--but I do wish it had more vegetables in the filling. I couldn't choose between sweet or savory plantains, so I got both. The sweet plantains were the standout for me. I also had black beans and rice, which paired perfectly with the plantains, plus a side of fries. Everything was a bit on the carb-heavy side, so I took some home. While the food was tasty overall, I would have loved to see more veggie-focused options. For a first visit, I'm giving it a solid 3 out of 5. I'll definitely be back to try some of the more traditional dishes on the menu. read more

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I was disappointed. The food did not taste like the food my Cuban friend would make. She was from Pinar Del Rio, so maybe there's a difference. Her way of cooking Cuban foods made that cuisine my absolute favorite and that is what I judge any Cuban food by. read more

Food was phenomenal! I can't wait to bring my Cuban mom here when she visits next. Everything was delicious, authentic, and generously portioned. The staff was warm and welcoming, and the Cuban art, décor, and music made the whole experience feel immersive and special. Service was a bit slower, so it's best to come when you're not in a rush... sit back, enjoy the atmosphere, and take it all in. read more

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I love that the foods are not too salty or sweet. Although it's mostly fried, it didn't taste too greasy. All of the sampler items were really good, the plantain made so many different ways. The fish sandwich was on the smaller side but was very tasty, crunchy bread and juice fish. The sweet bread is pretty heavy but fluffy, plenty of meat that's tender enough but not dripping with liquid, so on the drier side. The sauce on the table chimichurri was so good with everything, a must-use on all of the foods. I loved that the coffee wasn't sweet and uses oat milk. The flavor of the roast was really good too, like cocoa. The Mamey milkshake was a hit, really a lot like papaya but also avocado combined. Not too sweet but smooth. The coconut flan was good too. Overall we were pretty happy with the foods. Servers and staff were nice too, and pretty quiet in general and leave you alone. Plenty of space actually, they have their own bathroom, but it is street parking. read more

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Update.... Visited today at 9:55Am before they opened at 10:00Am. When it was time to open the female with black long hair did not open the door on time nor did she acknowledge us waiting outside in the cold. Her & a man with an apron were taking their time setting up, laying the rug down, turning on lights etc. Minutes later I waved at her and she ignored me. I even telephoned and she didn't even answer, so we left.....for good. Not a good way to treat your customers. Bad for the business. Actualización... Hoy he ido a las 9:55, antes de que abrieran a las 10:00. Cuando llegó la hora de abrir, la mujer de pelo largo y negro no abrió la puerta a tiempo ni nos dijo nada, aunque estábamos esperando fuera con frío. Ella y un hombre con delantal se tomaban su tiempo para prepararlo todo, poner la alfombra, encender las luces, etc. Unos minutos más tarde, le hice un gesto con la mano y ella me ignoró. Incluso llamé por teléfono y ni siquiera respondió, así que nos fuimos... para siempre. No es una buena forma de tratar a los clientes. Es malo para el negocio. read more

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Popped into this place on a whim and I wasn't disappointed. My friend got the sweet bread sandwich and the pork was amazing. I got the pulled pork plate with white rice and beans and the fried sweet plantain. Oh man, those plantains were so, so good. I could eat them for days. The pork, mixed with rice and beans and the mojo sauce...what a pleasant surprise this was! Highly recommend this place for delicious Cuban food. Wait staff was quick and helpful as well. read more

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Stopped by for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. I absolutely love their warm French fries with the white sauce. The chicken sandwich was decent but I added the white sauce because it was dry and a little hard. read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - Sandwich de Pollo - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was in the area walking around and stumbled across this place -and omg I'm so glad I did! I ordered the Bistec Encebollado a Caballo which is this perfectly seasoned steak that comes with rice and beans, a fried egg and a side of salad. I was blown away. It became one of my favorite places in the city for REAL authentic Latin food. You can feel the love they put in it. I've been ordering on DoorDash ever since and recommend it to all my friends. read more

This is truly my favorite Cuban restaurant. Behind the restaurant there is an Owner who cares about quality and value in all the dishes they serve. They do it with love, creativity and authenticity. Highly recommended! read more

It has been SO long since i have had empanadas. This place has an appetizer of trio of empanadas that you can choose from. My selection was ground beef, chicken and ropa vieja. Every bite was a delight. The papas rellenos and yuca frita were great as well. Their garlic sauce can go with anything! Wish they sold it in stores. The decor was awesome as well. There were some tiles with funny sayings in Spanish. The staff was very friendly as well. I only wish they had a liquor license. read more

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We always look forward to visiting our daughter in Logan Square because there's always a VERY good chance that she will suggest 1492 for lunch, or dinner, or whatever. And so it was last Saturday! She and her mom got the Ropa de Vieja dinners, and I had the Lechon Asado sandwich. All were great, as usual. The patrons and the staff are all so welcoming. It's like walking into a big family gathering. . . If your family is from Cuba. And if it IS, then eres increíblemente afortunado! in my opinion. 1492 never disappoints. It's one of my favorites. read more

The food and service are amazing. The food is made fresh and one of the best Cuban restaurants in Chicago.

The Food was so delicious and the people was so polite I would highly recommend this place to everyone read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - Papa rellena - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We drive 25 minutes to come here for great food and excellent service! Our visit today included a media noche and a Cuban sandwich- both of which were flavorful, fresh, moist and delicious. The third dish was the lechon asado with a side of white rice and black beans, and sweet plantains. The meat was super tender and juicy, and the beans were also tasty. Hot, crispy fried yuca and well-seasoned ham croquetas rounded out our main meal. Flan is usually how we end the meal but today we had the tocinillo (part flan part cake) and it was equally sweet and delicious with a traditional cafe con leche and cortado. Service is always friendly and timely, and the space is bright and cozy. It's our go-to for delicious comida criolla! read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have no idea how this place has 5 stars. We ordered delivery and ordered masas de puerco, lechón, and skirt steak as entrees. 3 empanadas from the appetizer menu plus 1 extra empanada, a side of white rice and a side of tostones. The masas de puerco were inedible. They were over fried, dry and tasteless. Usually masas de puerco are crunchy on the inside with a soft tender inside. This was not that. This at best was really bad chicharrón. They forgot the order of empanadas and the one they did sent was dry. The skirt steak was a solid 3, the lechón a solid 4. If you order those I guess you'll be fine. But avoid ordering from here altogether, there's so many better Cuban options in the city. read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - "Masas de puerco" - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We love this restaurant. Friendly service and the food is delicious. Ropa vieja, croquetas, batidos, pastries...all so good. If you love authentic Cuban food this is the place for you. read more

Awesome service. Food is always good. Very friendly customer service Good location. Recommend it for large party catering. read more

My first time here--and my first time trying authentic Cuban food--and I'm so glad I did. The plate was flavorful, well-balanced, and deeply satisfying. The sweet plantains especially? A must. Everything tasted like it belonged together. The ambiance felt right--Cuban music in the background, a warm vibe, and a cozy decor that matched the food. You could tell this place had heart. That said, the service was a bit rushed when it came to asking questions about the menu. The staff seemed short-handed and overwhelmed, which made parts of the ordering process feel slightly rushed. Still, they handled it with as much grace as they could. I get it--and I appreciated their effort. Overall, I enjoyed myself and left full and happy. Looking forward to returning again when they're better staffed and can give the experience even more room to breathe. Thank you. read more

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Love the food and coffee here. Very nice atmosphere and servers are very nice and attentive.

Wow! I came here with my mom and aunt who are in town visiting. Service was lovely, felt like I was interacting with family. We started with the 3 ham and cheese empanadas. We were giving chimichurri sauce, ketchumayo, and some delicious garlic sauce. For main dishes, I had the churrasco with white rice, avocado and mariquitas )plantain chips. My mom had the lechón asado with yellow rice and tostones. My aunt had the bistec encebollado with sweet plantains and brown rice. We were all in love with our meals and honestly obsessed. Will be bringing everyone here!! read more

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Excellent restaurant walking distance from Wicker park! Delicious food, friendly staff and affordable prices. Highly recommended!

Most bland food I have ever tasted in my life. Literally the worst black beans I have ever had. The only thing with any sort of flavor was the sweet fried plantain. I am pretty sure they didn't use any seasonings- not even salt! Do NOT go here. You can make more flavorful food at home. read more

I love this cute, cozy little Cuban cafe. They sell coffee, guava pastries, and lots of authentic Cuban options. I highly recommend the lechon, masitas de cerdo, fried yucca, and empanadas. Good sandwiches also. Try them out! read more

We discovered this restaurant driving around North Avenue! Everything was on point, the flavors are authentic, and it feels more Cuban to me than other Cuban restaurants in town. We went there for lunch in a weekday and it was almost full of people. We tried the Mamey Milkshake that was creamy and delicious, best milkshake ever. Then we tried Cuban Sandwich (regular) and Ropa Vieja with Congri and Cassava and Mojo side. I'd judge a Cuban restaurant after their Black Beans in this case the Congri was really nice. They also bring a nice chimichurri and other sauces to the table to accompany your food (that are not super Cuban but were really good!Finally Cuban Coffee that tasted homemade and Guava Pastries that were really flaky and good. I'd say all in all very good, the menu is long and rich with many options. Next time I'd like to try Croquetas and Papas. I recommend it, so far my favorite Cuban spot in town! read more

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Pretty good! We came in closer to closing time. Service was good. I love the dining area, lots of cool stuff on the walls to look over. The food was good. Both my partner and I enjoyed. read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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5 of us just ate here today for a work dinner. The service and food were exceptional. This is our favorite Cuban restaurant in Chicago.

Will start by saying I plan to return to try more platters. It is a lovely laid back family owned atmosphere. Just the type of place I like - local with good food and service. The service was super courteous and friendly. We ordered: - The trio empanadas - ham/cheese, ropa vieja, chicken. All great. - the Cuban sandwich - my friend got this but she felt like it was too much mayonnaise. The staff was courteous and made another sandwich without mayo. - pulled pork platter which came with rice and black beans and sweet plantains - The stewed pork was juicy and decent portion that made for tasty leftovers. - cafe con leche with coconut I think. This was a large drink. If you like coffee, give it a try. It's not strong on the coconut I think but I like coconut. - ropa vieja sandwich- this was a to go order for hubby. It was very very good. Overall good experience and work love to come back to try steak entrees and other sandwiches read more

1492 Cuban Fusion - Trio de Empanadas - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here randomly on a whim and it turned out pretty good. The workers were pleasant and the food was pretty good. Honestly, I forgot the name of what I ordered, but it was enjoyable. The dinner plates come with a main dish and two sides. In my case, it was stewed pork, fried plantains, and rice and beans mixed together. The rice and beans were drier than I expected so I added some extra beans to it. The pork was flavorful but a bit oily. Fried plantains are always a good choice. My friends tried the chicken (okay) and stewed tomato beef (very good). The price was acceptable and the portions were pretty generous so I would consider it a decently good value. read more

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I had been to this restaurant when it was another Cuban Restaurant, not so good back then. But last visit was perfect. Great food even better prices! read more

"1.5 out of ten. I never imagined that something which brought so much joy could be turned into something so unpleasant. Picture bread with the rough texture of a New York Timberland boot; if you manage to chew through that, you'll encounter a giant, soggy tomato reminiscent of 'James and the Giant Peach' that turns the wooden buckwheat into something unappetizing. The flavoring, egg lettuce, comes without onion slices, but instead features onion skins! The steak has a texture akin to a Gucci belt, perfect for keeping even the naughtiest kids in line--Dennis the Menace wouldn't stand a chance! I was hoping for a Cuban twist on something resembling a Latin torta, but instead, I ended up stuck in a workshop. Until next time!" read more