Cafecito

297

582

715

5 years ago

Definitely came back here and tried the mocha. They do a good mocha, not too sweet and a perfect balance of coffee/chocolate. I believe they use Ghirardelli syrup. I also am in love with their exotica salad. Probably top three favorite salads ever! read more

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Andy N.

1115

2660

7135

8 years ago

I love Cuban food and haven't tried any in Chicago until Cafecito. This cool cafe serves up some delicious sandwiches and soups that seems to be a great lunch spot for those working in the area. My friend and I came here prior to a theater show at Roosevelt. We've walked by this cafe all the time and always assumed it was simply part of the hostel's lounging area. This was half-true as a lot of the diners looked like backpackers sipping on coffee, writing novels, or reenergizing after some drinks with their lads. Feeling extra Cuban today, I ordered their take on Ropa Vieja ($6.99) in sandwich form. This sandwich was packed with shredded beef, vegetables, and plantains all pressed neatly together and baked to order. You could even tell by the scorch marks on the bread that they want to make sure your sandwich is extra toasty. Sandwich was bomb and one that I would get again. I was also feeling extra hungry that day and ordered a bean stew to go with my sandwich as well. It was both the best decision and a terrible decision as I became extremely full after. If you've never had a Cuban sandwich before, this is a great spot to try for your first time. read more

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Laurie S.

174

2 years ago

I was totally disappointed walking in this place. The ambiance and atmosphere matched the food. I had a chicken and rice dish that was just bad. The chicken was dry and flavorless, bland rice and the beans... This was the worst Cuban food I've ever eaten. Do not come here thinking you can have a nice sit down meal. It's more like a grab and go. read more

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Michelle L.

124

3 years ago

First time trying cuban food and their Ropa Veja Pressed Sandwich did not disappoint! Been coming here regularly since then. It gets pretty crowded to dine in so I usually just order to-go. read more

Cafecito - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito - Ropa Vieja Pressed Sandwich ($11.16 including tax) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ivonnie S.

Elite 26 All-Star

445

425

12396

8 years ago

Super affordable & delicious Cuban food! If I lived/worked in the area, I'd definitely come here often to eat and try all of their sandwiches. It's great for take-out or for dining in. I had a hard time deciding which of the mouthwatering-sounding sandwiches to eat but finally picked the Chivito. It was pretty good and reminded my friend and I of a breakfast sandwich, probably because of the fried egg and bacon. Also tried half of my friend's ropa vieja sandwich, which was amazing for only $7! Incredibly tender shredded skirt steak, savory sauce balanced perfectly with the sweetness of the plantains... Mmm. I'd order this again in a heartbeat. Finished off lunch with a cafe con leche, which was rich and had notes of caramel. I'm still amazed that it was only $11 including the coffee, even though the cafe is in the Loop and I thought everything would be super expensive there - Cafecito proved that wrong! read more

Cafecito - Cafe con leche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito - Chivito sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito - Ropa Vieja sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Angel R.

361

395

914

8 years ago

Delicious Cuban food ! Voted best Cuban sandwich in Chicago and tons of vegetarian options . We ordered the tomato , mozzarella Cuban sandwich , beans and rice as well as plantain . Absolutely delish ! Gets crowded around lunch time because the the colleges around so go before or after lunch as table space is limited . Tons of desserts and amazing Cuban coffee ! read more

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John K.

5 years ago

Tiny spot, huge flavors. It's a place you barely see, and there's nothing better when those are great. Cubano was excellent, and my fam had vegan sandwich and plate, and they were great too. read more

Cafecito - Cubano Pressed Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito - View from inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Henry T.

167

166

4 years ago

It's a tiny tiny restaurant. I went with the chicken chipotle sandwich and it was pretty good. I might venture back to try other sandwiches but maybe a different location. First, this location didn't offer croquettes! Wish I knew that before heading to this location. And they ran out of another sandwich which is disappointing but also speaks to their popularity. Some people sat down and ate with the limited seating but this is more of a grab and go place. Perfect for summer with outdoor seating. read more

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Julia L.

Elite 24

653

158

383

3 years ago

A great lunch spot! I liked the Chivito and breakfast sandwiches, the yuca side was just ok. I wish they were crispier or fries instead but still yummy! I need a whole jar of their mild spicy sauce to take home too read more

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Rachel S.

Elite 23

134

296

3 years ago

This place has the most delicious brunch, and the absolute best pancakes I've ever had the mangonut!

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Kim L.

242

163

6 years ago

Since it was dreary out today, was craving something warm and decided to order ahead for a cubano and churro. They had covid guidelines in place - masks, signs for only 4 customers in the space at a time - and pickup was a breeze. The cubano was nice, toasty and a good size. I was debating between this and the chimichurri steak but glad I went the OG route. The churro was nice and flaky (wish they had creme filled ones though!). The meal definitely hit the spot. If you're in the area, definitely come support this local business! read more

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Oswaldo M.

4 years ago

I found this spot on yelp summer 2022 during a trip to Chicago and decided to give it a try. We got two sandwiches which were both a bit light but flavorful. The coffee I ordered was smaller than I expected but it packed a decent punch which helped me walk around like a tourist. read more

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Jasmine L.

500

591

4 years ago

I ordered the cubano and the Cubanito and it was delicious! Very small place but great for an assortment of sandwiches. Service was good too

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SF Y.

130

183

4 years ago

Great sandwiches, very flavorful and tasty. This place is definitely a local hidden gem. Would love to come back and try more when we're back in Chicago. read more

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Candi M.

286

599

4 years ago

Cafecito was right around the corner from our Hilton Suites so we decided to grab brunch there. You can order online or at the counter but we seated ourselves to enjoy dining in. I love Cuban coffee and their Cafe con Leche did not disappoint! My husband ordered El Gringo because he isn't much on onions and spicy foods. It was 2 fried eggs, bacon, & tater tots. I had a more traditional platter with spinach, onions, chorizo, peppers and fried eggs. The platters were both filled to the brim with deliciousness. They are known for their pressed sandwiches as well and have a large variety including a Cuban. I highly recommend this spot. It has several other locations as well indicating their success! read more

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Heather T.

403

6 years ago

I got the ropa vejes. Really really great. It is the skirt steak sandwich with the plantains. Really unique and really good. When I went there wasn't a line and only had to wait about five minutes for my food. It's in a really dingy part of town and Street and that was the only downside was it just felt like a really dirty area. read more

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Arwa A.

Elite 23

365

116

169

4 years ago

This place is an understated gem in the Loop. I come here to chill and get work done between classes and enjoy my favorite: the ropa vieja sandwich. If you don't know what to get, that sandwich will never let you down, and make sure to grab a guava habanero sauce to eat it with. Their cafe con leche is really great too, and the prices are fairly reasonable. Definitely check them out. read more

Cafecito - Ropa Vieja Pressed Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Paula T.

2 years ago

Food is great! It brought me back to life after a busy morning at work. I had Palomina with steak/onions, rice, beans and plantains. For dessert a had a slice of tres leches cake. Amazing!!! read more

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Andrew E.

435

4 years ago

I'm happy this is so close to where I live. The service great, the vibes are chill, and of course the food is tasty (and reasonably priced). I got a cafe con leche with the egg and chorizo breakfast sandy. The bread had a soft crunch and a soft, sweet chew. I will say it's not heavy on chorizo but for a light breakfast it had the perfect amount for what I wanted. After ordering I held back ordering dessert. Def next time. read more

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Vincent Q.

214

546

4364

8 years ago

I had the Chimichurri flank steak platter and a Cuban coffee. The coffee was really bad. I couldn't drink it because it was too sweet. If you use Starbucks as a benchmark for average coffee this would be well below that level in taste and quality. The food was much better and really liked the plantains and the rice. The flank steak was a bit tough but the chimmichuri helped make up for that with some fat and acidity. Not much seating available and would be better to order take out than dine in. read more

Cafecito - Chimichurri flank steak rice plate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Selena L.

488

1083

5 years ago

Great place for a quick lunch! The sandwiches are super reasonably priced, delicious, and the service is fast. I would pick up lunch here frequently on my break from work in South Loop, and they have many delicious options. read more

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Sergio Z.

3 years ago

Cafe con leche is so good. And any pressed sandwich. Their sandwich cubano or breakfast sandwich I've had and always good.

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Nerissa T.

434

425

6731

9 years ago

A taste of Cuba in the heart of the Loop. Finally made my way to Cafecito to see what it was all about. And like everyone has mentioned, it's as good as it gets! I got the cubano and an iced café con leche. It was the perfect combo. For such a simple sandwich, it was FULL OF FLAVORS! Thinly slices of roasted pork & ham, melted swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard all sandwiched between bread... it's a winner. Even during the busy lunch hour, I was surprised that my order was ready within minutes. Since I was so impressed with my first visit, I decided to come again the next day during their less busy hours except the service this time was less than subpar. I ordered an iced café con leche and decided to try the chivito. The coffee came out right away but wasn't iced, so instead of making a new one, she throws in a few ice cubes making the drink lukewarm, which was kind of disappointing. Not sure if my order got misplaced or what since we were waiting for about 15 minutes and one of the guy notices that we haven't gotten our food yet and asks what we had ordered. But other than that the food here is spot on and prices are really affordable. Great for lunch, buen provecho! read more

Cafecito - Cubano & iced cafe con leche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito - Chivito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Megan M.

122

3 years ago

We ordered this today for lunch and everyone was correct. It was so good. I got the chicken Portillo I think and it wasn't spicy at all. The Cuban is what they're known for I'm told. We had it delivered by Uber. read more

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Tiara W.

158

583

747

9 years ago

Soooooo forgive me for forgetting the name of the sandwich i had but ill tell you whats in it!! Shredded beef and plantains!! My spouse and i split it and immediately felt like snatching the other piece from each and making one of us go get their own!!! That sandwich was out of this world read more

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D'Von A.

263

143

107

5 years ago

I can eat the chivito every day of my life. A succulent combination of meat , cheese, and egg. It was absolutely delicious and I can't wait to order again! read more

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Kira P.

139

232

271

7 years ago

We stopped in for a little snack and really enjoyed our sandwich, it was plenty for my husband & I to share for a "snack". We got the Ropa Vieja which was very flavorful and something different for us. Looking forward to going back and trying other things. Side note: it's not as big as some pictures indicate. I'm not sure if some the picture are of a different location but it's not the small downtown location. read more

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Kevin K.

Elite 22

197

101

139

7 years ago

Good sandwiches at cheap prices! I recommend the cubano. The sandwiches feel homemade, deep flavors and comfy feels. I especially liked the roast pork in my cubano. It was fatty and fresh, hard to find in processed or chain restraunts. Service was super quick, and menu has nice variety. My coworkers all enjoyed their food as well, they did say the jerk chicken was hotter than expected. Sandwiches came out quickly and service was nice. The sandwiches are a bit small, so you may want a side as well, and seating is limited. They are usually pretty busy as well but the wait isn't long. Definitely try this place out if you're in the Loop! read more

Cafecito - Cubano - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Javier S.

5 years ago

I only came for the Cuban coffee ( cafecito ) Worst "Cuban "coffee I ever had , if that's what they want to call it . Please go to Miami or go on you tube and learn how to make Cuban coffee . read more

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Daniel C.

141

7 years ago

Cafecito didn't wow me, but I don't think I'm the intended audience either. When I order coffee it's more flavoring, cream, & sugar. That's just not how things are done here at Cafecito. This is coffee for the purists - strong & dark. With regards to the food - it's fine. I got the Cuban & it was good, just not anything special. If you are a local this is probably a pretty cool joint, but as a visitor I wanted something more memorable or unique. My party also had ceviche & salad - no complaints. What I will warn you is that this joint gets crazy busy around lunch time with lines out the door. So make sure you come before or after the lunch rush. Beyond this, I'm a fan of any eatery that serves San Pellegrino Limonata. Ps: Some of the uploaded pictures are disingenuous, are of another location, & have likely been up loaded by the owners in an attempt to make this location look more appealing. This location is VERY SMALL. read more

Cafecito - Cubano Pressed Sandwich w/ Limonata - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cary C.

160

146

7 years ago

Oooooh I do enjoy myself a Cafecito sandwich. Just splurged on a Completo Breakfast sandwich with cheddar and added chimichurri. That's how I treat myself on a Friday after hard Muay Thai training the night before. My train was sort of late so I called ahead and pickup was easy. For the cost and quality, they are some of my favorite sandwiches in the Loop. Its a bummer that its a small place that can be tough to wait around during the lunch rush, and sadly I don't dine here often. When I do, its treat for sure. The marinated steak and ham are delicious, and chimichurri isn't watery, more substantial and fresh. I am definitely stuffed and happy now. Keep fighting the good sandwich fight and try their offerings if you can stand the wait. read more

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Shirley J.

601

393

1121

9 years ago

I still get the steak chimichurri pressed sandwich. However, the aforementioned free coffee coupon in my review is no longer available. They do have a frequent buyer program on Stampt (must download the app) where you purchase seven sandwiches and get one free. I missed out on the 11 times I checked in here, ahhhhh!! Also, I recommend calling in and picking up your order to bypass the line. You'll feel very cool surpassing the many people when you head straight to the counter. *insert sunglasses smiley emoji* read more

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Deserae D.

113

5 years ago

I love this place!!! Best Cuban pressed sandwiches on the block! I believe they have 3 locations, and the 2/3 of the 3 I've been to were superb! Get the ropa vieja, and the chimichurri sandwiches have been my fave. For dessert please try their tres leches read more

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Guadalupe P.

7 years ago

The food here was amazing! Traveled from LA to Chicago and I was literally obsessed with their Cuban sandwiches. I kept craving their sandwiches after I left Chicago! The chivito sandwich was so flavorful and was made well. Also tried the Cubano and lechón plate and the results were also great and seems that most of their plates taste flavorful and you can taste the quality of the food. The place is small, the service is fast, but the quality of the food was the best part! read more

Cafecito - Bomb! So much flavor! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito - You know the food is good when you bite it before taking a picture - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito - The lechón plate! Not the best picture but it's bomb! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ketan P.

223

3 years ago

Very crowded and service is slow. I waited 40 minutes for a cubano. It tasted good but not worth the wait.

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Yo M.

3 years ago

My Cafe was delicious and gave me the kick I needed to start my day. Also tried a Guava Alfajore and it was DELISH! read more

Cafecito - Guava Alfajore - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Beanie F.

280

170

2 years ago

Honestly, one of the best Cubanos I've ever had. I went with a classic. The cafe itself is very chill but I took mine to go and sat in the park by the lake and scarfed it. I suggest you do the same. read more

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Erika G.

114

2370

437

7 years ago

The Cubano. That is all. It's a perfect sandwich. Not too large, not too small, salty, savory goodness. Small, unassuming little restaurant, that chuns out some FANTASTIC sandwiches. It makes me want to go back to Cuba instantly! Seriously delicious sandwich, I'll definitely be back to try the other offerings, and some delicious Cuban coffee as well. I'm lucky this place is really close to my office, but for you - it's worth a li'l trip. read more

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Nathan L.

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

233

246

7 years ago

If Justin Bieber were to sing a song about a restaurant in Chicago, it would probably be this one. (Despa-Cafecito). This restaurant is a great little find! We stopped by for a quick lunch during a full day of shopping nearby and were very pleasantly surprised. The food is mostly soups, salads, sandwiches and meat plates, all Cuban style. The food is like a classic cafe but with a great Cuban flair. There is lots of options and variety on the menu. The restaurant is small and tight but has comfortable booth seating, good service, and clean bathrooms. The location was great, just a few blocks away from michigan ave. We stopped by for a late lunch on Sunday and were seated immediately. I had the ropa vieja steak plate and it was amazing! The meat was delicious and perfectly seasoned. The rest of our group got salads and sandwiches, all of which were unique and tasty. Another favorite of ours was the Guava-Q sandwich, a tangy barbecue sandwich - Cuban style. Want a cafe meal but tired of a boring turkey club and house salad? Cafecito is the place for you. read more

Cafecito - Ropa Vieja - slow cooked steak, rice, plantains, and beans - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito - Guava-Q Chicken Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Page 3 of 54

7 N Wells
Chicago, IL 60606
The Loop
Directions
(312) 263-4750
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://iheartcafecito.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Cafecito open?

Cafecito opens at 8:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

What time does Cafecito close?

Cafecito closes at 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Cafecito is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMSat-Sun Closed

Payment methods

Does Cafecito take credit cards?

Yes, Cafecito takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Cafecito have catering options?

Yes, Cafecito does have catering options.

Does Cafecito have a happy hour?

No, Cafecito does not have a happy hour.

Does Cafecito serve alcohol?

No, Cafecito does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Cafecito allow dogs?

Yes, Cafecito allows dogs.

Does Cafecito have TVs?

Yes, Cafecito has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Cafecito have bike parking?

Yes, Cafecito has bike parking.

Does Cafecito have outdoor seating?

Yes, Cafecito has outdoor seating options.

Does Cafecito have parking?

Yes, Cafecito has parking options. Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is Cafecito wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Cafecito is wheelchair accessible.

Does Cafecito have free WiFi?

Yes, Cafecito has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Cafecito Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Cafecito

Do they have Wifi and can you come and work here?

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5.9 mi

a lovely place for brunch in lincoln square! staff was extremely friendly and consistently checked…read morein on us. the food was absolutely delicious and came out piping hot. the pork belly of the sisig shishito hash practically melts in your mouth. the flavor of the ube pancakes was strong and overall wasn't too sweet. the standout for us was the crab rangoon dip! so glad we came in during our weekend trip to chicago :)

Bayan Ko originated in 2018 on Montrose in a location basically beneath the Brown Line. Eventually…read morethis venue morphed into the new Bayan Ko (now a fine dining restaurant), and the original casual mashup of Filipino and Cuban cuisines transferred a few doors down to the former Glenn's Diner space as Bayan Ko Diner (got all of that?). My lovely wife and I finally made it to Bayan Ko Diner recently for a Sunday funday dinner. We were a tad early for our reservation time, but we were seated with no wait. It was cool to see images of Cuba displayed on the west wall, and Filipino scenes on the east wall. We received kind and thoughtful service throughout our meal. Since we went to two nearby breweries prior to dinner, we stuck with drinking water for our meal. We loved that the menu offered whole and half portions of most of their food items, and amazingly the price point of the half-portions were always half that of the whole portions. We decided to order only half-orders so that we could try a variety of dishes. We started off with Lumpia Shanghai and Croquetas as appetizers (two pieces of each are in the half-orders), and both were pretty tasty if not stellar. The Crab Rangoon dip was perhaps the most unique dish, as it is sort of a deconstructed version of the Crab Rangoons everyone knows and loves at Asian restaurants. The dip itself has a bold flavor, and it was served beside a bed of fried saltines. I know little about cooking processes, but the saltines were very salty and perhaps the frying aspect accentuates the saltiness of the crackers. Oxtail Kare Kare seems like an exotic Filipino dish, and the half-order consisted of a very reasonable number of oxtail segments. The oxtail tasted great with the bold peanut garlic sauce, and the plate is accompanied by eggplant (also excellent), bok choy, green beans, and a bowl of white rice.

Sisig shishito hash and drinks

Interior

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Ropa vieja, black beans, maduros, garlic rice

El Cubanito

We got the Cuban sandwich and Cubanito steak sandwich. Tasty and good value! The Cubanito steak…read moresandwich is a bit messy to eat though because it's ground beef. Unfortunately there wasn't a sit down option when we went, only window pick up. The employee was nice and had good energy though.

I love el cubanito! I love their Cuban sandwich! It has Sliced pork and ham INGREDIENTS: cheese,…read morepickles, mustard. So good! I have tried most of their empanadas but my favorite is the steak ones service is always friendly. The place is nice and clean they always have good music playing which can be pretty relaxing after a long day of work! And their prices are reasonable! Don't forget to get the delicious sauce to pour it on the Cuban and your empanada!

Front counter

Cubanito Steak Sandwich

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I loved this poster.

Marina's Bistro and Rum Bar

4.5

(130 reviews)

5.9 mi

cute place w parking. i had a steak Jibarito and it was amaaaaazing. i ordered it to go and the…read morestaff worked w me on what would travel best. the have plenty of it variety including GF and vegan. highly recommend!

We made a reservation since there were six of us. It is very small inside so plan ahead. My friends…read moretried to eat here on Sunday night, but they were told the restaurant had run out of food. So we tried again on Friday. The service was exceptional. We loved our waitress. Everyone enjoyed their food. The craft cocktails were also good. If you are looking for authentic Puerto Rican food, you should try this spot.

Lechon Asada with majado (mashed taro)

Dining room, small bar

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Booth area

Omarcitos Latin Cafe

Yasss Omarcitos is exactly it!! I can not count how many times I have been. The food is…read moreconsistently amazing. Always hits 100/100. The place is getting popular, very popular. So if coming during peak times expect a small line and enjoy Omar is amazing standing at the window making sure everything runs smooth. He is yelling out hello papis left and right. He knows and loves everyone. The menu is full of everything is fire. Enjoy it this is one of the best on this country

I saw a foodie review/post them on ig and bookmarked this place about a year ago. I was in the area…read moreand decided to try them out. I got the steak sandwich on french bread. Service was 5 stars all day! The owner was ECCENTRIC! LOL We dined in. You place your order and he screams your name once it's ready. I gave the flod 4 stars because I could've had my steak meat a little more well done, if I return I'll probably request that. The ambiance is really cute and colorful, lively and upbeat. They had indoor and outdoor seating, I dined inside. Great try!

Best Coconut café con leche

Steak Sandwich or Steak Jibarito

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Eye catching local art

Bayan Ko

I don't think I've had a meal this good in a long time…read more I'm usually hesitant about Asian fusion restaurants, but Cuban-Filipino sounded interesting enough for me to take the chance--and I'm so happy I did. Every dish was sexy. My favorite was the arroz caldo: a black rice porridge with lobster. It was salty without crossing into oversalted, and it tasted warm, homey, and comforting while still feeling incredibly elevated. The wagyu melted in my mouth and was easily my second favorite. The octopus came in third - it was cooked and charred perfectly. The tamales and pork were also so mf good: crispy, flavorful, and just extremely satisfying. Dessert was amazing too. It wasn't overly sweet and had this mochi-like texture on the inside with a cake/brownie-crust texture around the edges. So fucking good. Even the cocktails were great. I rarely visit fine-dining restaurants twice, but this place was so good that I genuinely feel like I have to come back. They rotate the tasting menu, although this particular lineup was so perfect that I can't imagine how they'll create another set of dishes just as amazing. My only criticism is the timing between courses. Some of the waits felt longer than they should have, and tightening that up would make the entire experience feel even more polished. Other than that: really, really good. Everyone needs to try it.

First time! The inside is cozy and small. We were greeted warmly and seated immediately…read more(reservations only) we got complimentary drinks because we were celebrating, which was a nice surprise. The food was really good but I had higher expectations. The tamale Cubano was one of my favorites and the kare Kare was good. The dessert was also really good. Amazing amazing service! I don't think we will come back because we can definitely get food as good for cheaper somewhere else Chicago; it was a great experience to try one time.

Cubano Fried Rice. Uncle Ritchie Ricardo approved

Inside

ARROZ CALDO

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Kasama

i was very surprised to see that a michelin star restaurant offers takeout! we put in an order…read moreknowing that it would take a few hours before pickup, but despite the pickup option, the portion sizes were more than fair and the quality was phenomenal. the mushroom adobo was savory and the variety of mushrooms they included made this a very fun dish to eat with the various textures. the banana tart was lightly sweet, just the way i prefer. i understand why this place has two michelin stars!

While visiting Chicago, we decided to check out this Michelin-star restaurant. We arrived around…read more10:00 a.m., which was admittedly a bit late on our part, and there was already a long line. After waiting about 30 minutes without much movement, we decided to place an online order instead and return later. Our order was ready between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., so be prepared for a wait during peak hours. The drinks were good, but they didn't particularly stand out to me. I personally preferred the Ube coffee over the tea-based drink. The breakfast sandwiches, however, were the highlight of our visit. They were incredibly flavorful, and the tocino paired perfectly with the other ingredients, making for a delicious and satisfying meal. One thing that could improve the experience would be having a staff member outside providing estimated wait times. Without any updates, it was difficult for guests to know how long the line would take, especially since the restaurant becomes very busy and closes relatively early. From what I could see, the interior looked beautiful, modern, and very clean. Overall, despite the long wait, the food was well worth trying. If you plan to visit, I recommend arriving early or placing an online order to save time.

@endoedibles on Instagram 03/21/25

Longanisa breakfast sando

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Breakfast sandwich: soufflé egg, longanisa, cheese, hash brown

Sweet Bean

A Taiwanese bakery. How could a place that loves Michael Jackson be bad?…read more Salted Egg Yolk Bolo Bun流心菠蘿麵包: Calling it "流心"(runny) isn't quite accurate; it's a bolo bun菠蘿包 (pineapple -shape bun) with a salted egg yolk filling, but it had an authentic, old-fashioned flavor that made me feel like back to childhood. The crust was thin and crispy, with a large air cavity, making it very soft and fluffy. The salted egg yolk has just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness, and wasn't too cloying. Garlic Cheese Brioche Bun蒜香奶酪麵包: Perhaps its more Taiwanese name is "八蒜包" (Eight Garlic Bun). Its appearance and taste were very similar to those I've had at Taiwanese bakeries in mainland China. The cheese and garlic flavors were very strong, but the bread itself was slightly coarse. Hojicha Latte: The whole milk was very milky, but the hojicha flavor felt a little weak. However, it's already great to find a tea latte that's not very sweet.

We came around 12:30noon and got a huge bread haul at this bakery. I'm SO glad we did!…read more Here's what we got: * Purple rice taro bun / 5 (OUR FAV!!!) * Matcha custard bun / 4.5 * Matcha pistachio bun / 5 * Tuna egg mayo bread / 4.5 * Hot dog & cheese bread / 4 * BBQ hot dog skewer / 3 * Sesame roll / 3.5 * Cheese pudding tart / 3.5 * Banana bread matcha c oat milk / 4.75 If there's one thing you get here, get the purple rice taro bun. Suuuuper soft & chewy bread filled with purple rice and taro. The textures were amazing. Best baked good I ever had. It's pricey but SO worth it!! 10/10, 5 stars, 100%. Service here is just okay, nothing special. There's also a small seating area in the back that is open until 4pm!

Inside of Scallion & Ham Bun 蔥花火腿麵包 ($3.95) - very strong scallion flavor. Bread is soft, moist, and pretty oily.

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Inside of Lychee Cranberry Scone 荔枝蔓越莓司康 ($5.75) - not the best, is dry and powdery. Definitely not worth the price.

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar

I'm from Los Angeles, and I have to say this place was such a sweet surprise. Everyone was…read moreincredibly welcoming and made me feel right at home, which always stands out when you're visiting a new city. The outside is super cute too it actually caught my eye when I first found them on Yelp, and it's just as charming in person. I tried the Teddy Graham latte on the barista's recommendation, and I'm so glad I did. It had great flavor without being overly sweet, and I got it with whole milk which made it perfectly smooth and comforting. If you're in downtown Chicago, I'd definitely recommend checking out this spot. It's a cozy little gem with great vibes and even better drinks.

Clearly a popular spot, run like a well oiled machine. The space is tiny so they only allowed four…read morepeople in a time and then you wait outside in the alley for your order. The bagel was good, I had a hippie sandwich and my boyfriend got a bacon egg and cheese which he said was good too.