LOVE LOVE LOVE This is what subway wishes they were, & the reason I never eat at panera. read more

The food here is amazing! My friend and I split a cubano sandwich and an egg & chorizo sandwich for breakfast. Since we were one of the few customers, we got our food really quickly. Out of the two sandwiches, I preferred the egg and chorizo. It was so flavorful that I felt like there is a party in my mouth! The sandwiches were pressed so the bread had a nice crunch to it while still maintaining its soft center. The coffee was really good as well. It was definitely a great way to start of the day. read more

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Excellent lunch option in the loop. I've tried the cubano, and chimichurri steak sandwiches. Both EXCELLENT taste and portion for lunch. The place is not that big, so be prepared for long lines during lunch hour 12pm-1pm. There are a few chairs and long table to sit at, but you may prefer to take it back to the office or eat outside if it is a nice day. read more

The bigger Cafecito has a nice dining area and still lines out the door. A 3rd and 4th location is justified. we will let them decide. Still one of the best sandwiches in Chicago. Service was quick despite the line and taste was consistent. read more

Amazing sandwiches and cafe con leche--if you're here, make sure you order a coffee with your sandwich. I like mine iced, but I'm sure it'd be good hot as well. The sandwiches are fairly inexpensive and the coffee is $2.29 for a large!!! So cheap and SO much better than Starbucks. My boyfriend and I love the Guava Q, which has roasted pork or chicken (we get the pork), caramelized onions, and guava BBQ sauce. The guava makes the BBQ sweet and I think they add pineapples, which just tops the whole sandwich off. If you're looking for something both savory and sweet, this is the sandwich for you! read more

Danger, danger! As in, if I was in the area more frequently, I would probably be in a lot of trouble. Cute little place - tiny, really. Sandwiches, salads, coffees and pastry. Order at the counter and your items will be brought out to you. I really like Proveletta a lot - lots of cheese, roasted red peppers and chimichurri sauce that was pretty outstanding. We also tried the Choripan, which has chorizo and grilled onion along with the same chimichurri sauce. Very tasty, as well. I like the dulce de leche roll I had as dessert and would go so far next time to maybe only eat a couple of those with the delicious coffee. Loved the Cortadito, which had a smidge of foamy milk in it. My only complaint is that the double was still pretty small for the price - also good coffee? Yes I would like a bucket-size of it because, well, why not. It would have me stopping in every day if I could. It took a few minutes for our food to come out but the place was pretty packed. It was also fairly inexpensive, coming in right around $20 for two people to eat a rather filling dinner! In general, pretty tasty stuff and somewhere I'll be glad to come back to again! read more

I know I'm going to get flack for this... but I wasn't too happy with Cafecito. I ordered the Cubano (basically pulled pork) based on the cashier's recommendation, as well as the black bean soup. The Cubano was unfulfilling. I was hoping for a moist, flavor spazzing sandwich. Womp. The black bean soup, although obviously fresh, was almost TOO authentic. In other words, it tasted like someone's mother had made it from whatever ingredients she could find in the kitchen. The "Cito" part of Cafecito seemed to promise me a meal that would entertain and get me all excited. Expectations are killer. I'm going to have to change up my process next time and visit a place named "Sandwiches." read more

Great sandwiches. We went there for dinner last night and we loved the Cubano, had a great combination of meats, pickle, mustard and very tasty bread grilled to perfection! My daughter had their mango shake, it was a hit and we all kept 'stealing' sips of hers, it was soooo good. ;) read more

The food here was great and at a great price! Between $5-6 for an amazing sandwich. We ended up ordering: -Cafe con Leche - if you really want terrific coffee, it comes hot or iced and we got both! -Lechon Sandwich - the sandwich smelt amazing when I opened up the wrapper, the meat was cooked perfectly and the sandwich itself didn't feel too heavy since it was light on sauce and had a bed of greens in it. -Cuban Sandwich - another light sandwich, pork, cheese, and pickles to give it that fresh crunch. -Guava BBQ Sandwich - on the heavier side with the sweet and tangy BBQ sauce and pulled pork type of meat. It was pretty dang tasty! We first ordered the first two sandwiches and a cup of the cafe con leche, but after finishing our meal we decided to take another sandwich and cup of coffee to go. It was just that good! My only complaint was that the waitress there taking our order was not the most pleasant of people. She seemed a bit arrogant and slow to take our order/answer any of our questions. Even when I went up again to tell her how great their food was, I didn't even get a smile out of her... Oh well, you can't win them all I guess. read more

I was in Chicago with my sis and our Beaus for the weekend. We were looking for a quick lunch place before walking around Millennium Park. We found Cafecito on Yelp and was hoping it would be as good as the reviewers were raving. We got the Cubano, the Lechon Platter, and the Chivito. The Chivito was probably my favorite thing here. It had great flavor and was balanced in seasoning. I thought the Lechon Platter was the most disappointing. It needed much more salt and seasoning. The rice and plantains were yummy, but not enough to warrant the $10 cost. The cubano was good, but not the best I ever had. I thought the sandwich was a bit sour. Next time I come here, I'll try more of the sandwiches and stay away from the platters. read more

Everytime I come here I'm more satisfied than the previous visit. Must get their cafe con leche- perfection. I've tried about half of the item on their menu and all are excellent. You can't go wrong. But what you cannot miss is their tres leches cake. OMG. Excellent quick spot if you want good food. You just have to wait for a table- space is limited and tables are small. read more

Stopped in here for lunch during my lunch hour based on previous reviews and this place does not disappoint. I ordered the Jerk with Plantain chips and it was about $8. Chicken had a great flavor to it and the mayo and vegetables complimented it very nicely. Sandwich is about the size of a "regular" size at Potbellys. Would order this again in a heartbeat! Plantain chips were very very good and you god a large quantity of them. Plan on visiting this place many more times for lunch and the only reason I am not giving them 5 stars is because I want to get a few more eating experiences here under my belt! read more

The wife and I needed a quick caffeine pick be up and thanks to yelp we found Cafecito was near us. According to yelp, it was awesome so we felt like we needed to go and confirm that fact. So we walked over from the Millennium Park area for a cup of Cuban joe. I was glad that yelp was able to bring me to the door as it's a little tucked away in a nondescript building. It also has a smallish space for seating and ordering. I needed something strong so I asked about the colada, which they described as a pitcher of Cafecito or Cuban espresso, perfect for sharing. They said that it was the equivalent of 4 shots and I said sign me up. I did not share it other than give the wife a little tasty taste. It does come with some sugar in it and while I felt that it was not necessary, I ordered it as it was described. The wife chose her standard non dairy latte and she enjoyed it. I tasted it and it was smooth and creamy, and I usually don't like lattes. She also got a coconut dulce de leche tart, which she thought was phenomenal in flavor. I would definitely return and try some of their sandwich and other food options. It seems like it would be a perfect lunch place. read more

Nothing else to say other than ...... This place will never let you down. Always great and delicious and fairly priced food and coffee. read more

Cafecito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This would be a great place to grab a quick lunch or breakfast on the go...but not friendly to the health-conscious, or those with food allergies. I got a huevos chimichurri breakfast sandwich, which was delicious, but a bit greasy and there aren't any options to sub for whole wheat bread or anything. From what I could see, there were no dairy-free milk options for the coffees/cafe con leche. I really love the Cuban music they play. The prices are also great. Staff is friendly. I'm here super early (7:30/8AM), so it is pretty quiet and great for getting a little work done. Not sure if I would come again because I'm looking for certain type of food, but would recommend to friends in the area looking for something to eat during their lunch break. read more

Went for a Saturday morning stroll downtown and decided to drop in this joint to see what it was all about. I've read the reviews but figured that most of the reviewers were staying at the Hostile located adjacent to the restaurant and wouldn't know a Cuban Sandwich from a Ham and Cheese Panini with pickles and mustard so I went for it. I travel a lot and have eaten numerous Cuban Sandwiches while in Miami as well as from local Cuban hot spots 90 Miles, Habana Libre, and Paladar, and I must say of the locals Cafecito hit the mark all the way around!!! Not sure if its the Mojo that they marinade their pork but the flavor of the roast pork was intense and was really what won me over (don't judge, yes I'm the type of person who picks a sandwich apart to taste the separate elements to see if they could stand on their own)!! The only disappointing part of my meal is that I didn't order two sandwiches - one for immediate consumption and one for later!! This place is real. Sorry no picture to share - I ate it too fast!! read more

3.5 stars. Lots of sandwich options. I've tried the Choripan which to my shock wasn't that memorable (I love me some sausage). Went with my Cuban food standard Ropa Vieja sandwich the next time and it was really good. I'll probably just order that from now on. I might have made this up but I thought I read that this place is always crowded? I've gone between the hours of 12-2 each time and never had a problem sitting down to eat. The women who work the register aren't rude but I don't think they've ever smiled. Oh well. read more

Wow. We briefly visited Chicago about a month ago and I randomly came across a review for this place, scrolling through nearby places on my phone. The enticing picture of the Cubano on Yelp was all the convincing I needed to give this place a try. It was an instant and self-assured decision that this was going to be one of our best meals yet in Chicago. And of course I was right! We've tried a lot of food, but unfortunately, the Cubano has managed to abscond from the peripheries of our eclectic repertoire. What a shame. Que lastima! But thank God we now know what a good Cubano is, to the extent that we've never actually eaten in South Beach. Either way, this was one of the best sandwiches of my life and it certainly lived up to its hyped reputation! If only I could find a good Cubano like this in San Diego.... read more

This little spot has the potential for 4 stars. On my first and only visit I was there for coffee. I had already had lunch and was disappointed that I had when I saw they had Cuban sandwiches. I'm not a big coffee drinker but was in need of a "pick me up". I enjoyed my caramel latte with an extra shot of espresso. I most certainly will be back to try the sandwiches. read more

A very good friend of mine brought me here when I was going through my interview process. It had been my first time visiting Chicago and he insisted that I try it. This place is so delicious!! The sandwiches are grilled or toasted and melt in your mouth. It is a small space, which only adds to the authenticity. I hope it never becomes a chain as I fear it will lose its charm and, worse, its flavor. If I worked closer to this spot, it would easily become a lunchtime routine during the week. LOVE it. read more

Cafecito is a near-perfect picture of Chicago for me. Located next to the hostel on Congress, you cannot get more multicultural than this. It's Cuban take on foods is apparent everywhere. Today we only did dessert and coffee. On a busy Saturday afternoon, Cafecito kept its great atmosphere and remained not too busy for most of the time we were there. We had a batido (shake), a chimi and an alfahor. All the desserts were just right and tasted authentic (without too much sugar). In addition they have a great selection of LAM and SAM soft drinks in the cooler if you don't want the typical barista bevs. Next time I would like to try a sandwich. read more

I knew that pressed sandwiches awaited me as I stepped through the doors of this establishment. They are conveniently next to an international hostel in the University district of the Chicago. Let me tell you - I've never had a Cuban like this before, and I loved every second of it. The three sandwiches ordered by my group were the Choripan, the Guava BBQ, and the Pollo Chipotle(mine). The only downside to my experience is that my sandwich came out maybe 10 minutes after my friends' did. I'm pretty sure it was up and ready, but no one grabbed it and called my name for 5-10 minutes. That was frustrating because I was just making awkward glances as my mouth was salivating from staring at the sandwiches of my compadres. Lucky for me though, I had some tasty plantain chips to snack on. When my sandwich got to me, it was so warm. As I pulled apart the halves, the cheese stretched through the center and all that time I spent waiting was forgotten. The chicken was a little dry, but it was covered in the saucy nature of the chipotle mayo that it didn't really matter. It balanced it out more than anything. The basil was fresh and added so much delight to the experience. The only thing I would have done differently would have been adding a guanabana milkshake. read more

I have not yet tried the South Loop location, but I don't think I will, as I will never have to! This location is right by my office and suits me just fine. Cafecito is hands-down the best spot to grab a take-out lunch in the Loop. Each sandwich I have tried is absolutely delicious. The meat portions are fresh and large, the sauces are zesty, and the veggies are crispy! Not to mention the people who work here are always super nice and patient. On my birthday they comped my lunch and threw in some delicious cookies! Don't let the daunting line zooming out the door intimidate you. It is most certainly worth the wait and moves quickly. read more

Cafecito is your one-stop-shop for the lunchtime fiesta, portioned perfectly to stave off that afternoon siesta. Open wide and chomp away at a delicious sandwich from Cafecito. Perfectly combining elements from the culinary diversity offered by myriad Latin American kitchens, Cafecito offers the hungry adventurer, a chance to dive headfirst into that delicious street food you ate during your semester in Buenos Aires, clandestine voyage to Cuba, or Peace Corps service in Guatemala. Choripan to pork belly, Cafecito does it all, and does it all well. Get a cup of the black bean soup with your sandwich. You won't be disappointed. Cafecito takes what that nice old lady served you on the side of the road to a whole new level- without the risk of Giardia! Stepping up the street food game, Cafecito maintains an intimate atmosphere of stools and small tables while you're nestled shoulder-to-shoulder with your fellow lunchtime traveler. Just leave the Backcountry pack at home! Buen provecho! read more

The line to order was about a half hour during the lunch rush. However the wait was well worth it. Cuban sandwich check. Could have had more pork in it but overall solid sandwich. read more

Cafecito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito is a tiny little shop tucked away in the Loop underneath the train tracks. The line goes by pretty quick even when the place gets busy. It has a couple tables inside (like 3 or 4... 2 seaters) but I found that most people order their sandwiches to go. I ordered the cubanito, steak chimichurri, and a hot cafe con leche. The absolute best Cubanito that I have ever had!!! I was not a fan of the steak chimichurri sandwich at all but the cubanito more than made up for that lackluster sandwich! The cafe con leche was just meh - very one note, I've had better for sure. But the cubanito, I feel like I must mention once again - amazing!!! Everyone who comes here must order the cubanito and then they will be happy. read more

Heard great things but really disappointing first experience. I got the gauva-q sandwich. Not only was it cold but the bread was stale and soggy at the same time. Maybe not there day but it will be a bit before I try this again. Good prices and quick service. read more

First time I went here, I got the Chivito because it had egg on it. Pretty solid! I wasn't blown away. The steak wasn't anything spectacular, but it hit the spot. Next time I got here I got the Guava-Q and holy fuck! That sandwich is something to write home about!!! Not only is there delicious, sweet, tangy Guava BBQ sauce but there are, like, chunks of Guava in the sandwich. What a great idea. And this shit is like $7! Really hard to find a better bang for your buck. Also, they have Jarritos. read more

Loved this place! We went in for a quick bite to eat and this place was the perfect place to choose. I got the Jerk pressed sandwich, which is Caribbean spices, marinated chicken, veggies, and habanero lime mayo. Everything about this sandwich was so good! The chicken was really well seasoned and the mayo added the perfect amount of kick to the sandwich - beware though, it can get pretty spicy! We also got coffees and they were delicious along with the sandwich. The prices are so reasonable and it's in a perfect location close to Grant Park. read more

I've been there twice now - in the last two days. :) Went there for lunch right at noon. It seemed at first there was a bit of a wait to get the food after we ordered (there were 4 of us), but when all was said and done the entire excursion took us an hour, so it was much faster than I originally thought. So far I've tried the steak chimichurri, lechon, and hearts of palm salad. Both sandwiches were excellent; very fresh ingredients and served warm. The hearts of palm salad was also pretty good... and I don't think any of their sandwiches are over $6 so it's a pretty good deal. The salads come in 8 ounce containers, so if you decide to get that as a meal it seems like a good choice, especially since a lot are quite protein heavy and would be quite filling. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back to try some of the other choices on the menu! read more

Came back after a long hiatus - LOVE this place. The Cuban is still too tempting to move away from - it's just SO damn good. I've never regretted getting it. If you want a cold coffee, I recommend getting a double of the cafecito versus just getting a plain old American iced coffee. The cafecito coffee was simply OUTSTANDING and nearly to-die-for. It was so, so good and I was quite jealous of the hubs who got it, but was grateful he let me taste it. read more

Hidden in a practically deserted section of the loop, its worth the walk for a unique lunch that you won't find anywhere else in downtown Chicago. The cuban, jerked chicken (although not really that "jerk") and guava bbq are the only ones I've tried, but all worth going back for. Lines get long, but move relatively quickly and the side dishes are big enough to split (check out the hearts of palm). It has the feel and comfort of a family owned restaurant, with authentic flavors that might be pricier for a regular lunch (~$9) but worth the price and is always a good excuse when you need a slightly longer walk on your lunch break. read more

I've tried most of the sandwiches now. My favorites are the Ropa Vieja, Chivito, and the Cubano. I'm sure I describe them in more detail in one of my previous reviews. I'd also like to give an honorable mention to a tilapia sandwich that was a special. I do not like fish and will never order it, but Philip, the owner, told me to give it a shot. I tried it and very much liked it. It is one of the very few fish items I will eat. I do not know for certain if it is still being offered though. My main reason for the update though is that the owner told me the other day that they now have BIGGER SANDWICHES. They are 7 inches I believe and the same price they originally were. I thought this place was already a great lunch spot, but now you are getting a better bang for your buck. If you previously felt that you weren't full when leaving, the new bigger size may satisfy your appetite. Give it a shot...get a Ropa Vieja. read more

Really good sandwiches - got the Cuban and Ropa Vieja with a friend and we split both of them. Initially we thought they were pretty small, but since they are pressed, they are dense and filling. I loved the Cuban was it was hot but as it cooled, it just tasted like a normal sandwich. Best part of the Ropa was the plantain that squished in your mouth as you ate it. If you go online, there is a coupon for a free drink with purchase of sandwich - total was $6.56. CHEAP! read more

I've only been here once (yesterday) while I was in Chicago for work. The Guava Q sandwich is so great that I definitely wanted to let the Yelp world. I had it with pork, which was roasted and had great flavor. The caramelized onions were a great addition but the winner is the Guava BBQ sauce. I don't know what it is or how it's made, but It's super. The bread was also a highlight. Lately, I feel like sandwiches are all bread. The bread was also great but it wasn't the main attraction. They know it's purpose is to hold the meat together. Great flavor without being filler. At under $6, it's a bargain. read more

Brilliant! I love the idea of a cuban coffee shop in the downtown area. The loop really needs less commercialized chain joints and more *adorable* places like this. The prices were good, the cafe con leche was spot on, and the food that I had was good. Guava Q chicken pressed sandwich-- a little messy with the guava BBQ sauce but delicious. I'm happy that they have a large (and creative) selection of sandwiches, and it is great to see some cuban classics on the menu (ropa vieja, cuban sandwich, cafe cubano), unlike the supposedly-cuban-cafe-in-Wicker-Park-that-I-shall-not-name, that served more mexican food (enchilada, burrito, french toast wtf?) and like, one cuban sandwich. Oh there's also a large pastry case. NOM. next time. TV with news channel on, but the awesomeness is the salsa/bachata music in the background -- like no other cafes in the city that I know of. I'll be back. read more

The jardin and jerk chicken sandwiches are delicious, but I have not had the opportunity to eat through the entire menu. My chopped salad was ok, but I thought the greens would be greener. Maybe the arugula salad is better, but if I was visiting Cafecito for the first time, I'd recommend getting a sandwich. The desserts and sides in the display cases always look scrumptious! If you sign up for their text messages, you get alerts for their specials, and promotions. During prime lunch time, the line can go out the door, but they try to reduce your wait time by going down the line to take your order. One star off because seating can be limited, and my cashier didn't include the discount when I showed my text discount. :o( Other than operations stuff, very tasty. read more

Excellent. Thank you Yelp for a good find in the South Loop! This little cafe is attached to Hostelling International, and it's won of several local awards for the best Cubono around. Black bean soup is brothy (rather than creamed) and features healthy doses of charred pepper, pickled vinegar, and bay leaves. The small ($2.25) is served in a cereal bowl and is plenty for a light lunch. - A bit hidden, North side of the street next to a giant DQ - Great place to sit and use wireless - Various coffee drinks, iced/hot, here or to go - Salads of many genres, including hearts of palm read more

I've only been here a couple of times, so I'm still a little bit limited on what they have. But I can say this much, they make tasty sandwiches of different styles, and their coffees are great. Also they have some good blended fruit drinks which are great at lunch. The place itself is kinda tiny, making it crowded at lunchtime, but I haven't had a problem finding a table - they seem to have a lot of pick-up customers vs sit-in. Service is fast, and so far reliable, no issues with my non-oniony requests! I know I'm going to be coming back here again, and I'll probably update this review with more detail as I go along. Until proven otherwise (and hopefully not!), this place is going to stay in my list of lunch spots in the loop to recommend. read more

Really great little cafe serving pressed sandwiches. We tried the tilapia sandwich and the cubano sandwich...both were excellent, but I thought the tilapia took the cake. They have a huge menu, so be prepared to spend a few minutes looking it over. Don't be deterred by the long line, they keep it moving quick! read more