The first time I visited Chicago I had a jibarito and that changed the freaking chemicals in my brain. Every time I visit Chicago, I MUST have a jibarito. This time around, Cafe Marcela's Puerto Rican cuisine had the honor. We were staying in Logan Square, and only had time to hit up one jibarito spot. Cafe Marcela's had such great reviews, and we kept seeing day workers walk in and out with their lunch takeout orders...so we knew it was gonna be fire. The interior is old school meaning zero AC. So yes it gets hot especially in summer, so most people did take away. But the staff is so friendly, quick, and the kitchen is open hence the heat. Their menu has something for everything, and the cafe-style makes for lots of drooling behind the counter. Their fried plantains and stewed meat looked so good, but I only had space and appetite for that jibarito de pollo. The fried plantains just have such a hold on me! SO freakin good, flavorful, and finger-licking tasty. They also had lots of conchas and flan de coco for sale. It took everything in me to not grab some sweet treats as well. Their smoothies de frutas looked so tasty too. Honestly, can't wait to come back here next time. read more

Cafeteria Marcela’s - Interior - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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4.5 stars We've lived near Marcela's for almost a decade and never ventured in. Today, we were in a pickle for lunch, so I decided to give it a shot and hope that the menu i found online was accurate. I ordered a shrimp jibarito (not on the printed menu) and a Cubano for my husband. I really enjoyed my jibarito and the staff was super friendly. It's nice to have another option for lunch within walking distance from us. It's a shame we slept on this for so long, we will definitely be back. read more

The steak sandwiches were okay; they used to cook better. The meat was dry; I believed it was overcooked for the price I paid.

The best Cuban Cuisine I ever had, been going here since the age of 14, I take all my friends here to put them on and they love it! The sandwiches are top tier and delicious. Arroz con gandules is a must grab and the Gaia de parcha is amazing. Service is great and friendly once you become a regular they'll know exactly what you'll order haha. The inside is a little small but in the nice weather they have a back patio for extra space if you like eating outdoors, but if not to go is also as good. Never had to wait a crazy amount of time for my food usually always 5 minutes no more than 10. Definitely recommend checking out if in the area. read more

Cafeteria Marcela’s - Sandwich de pollo, Arroz con gandules, Agua de parcha - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The jibarito is one of the best in the city, they fry the plátano PERFECTLY! Portions are awesome, and make sure you try the maduros. read more

Cafeteria Marcela’s - Pltanos Maduros - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have reviewed this family"s business before & once again I have to say, I absolutely love going there. They remember their customers & communicate with them in such a friendly & welcoming manner. I do wish they had more room in their space. Most of the time I'd just love to stay & eat! Aside from that, this establishment is awesome. Latino foods. Sandwich Cubano, Steak, Arroz y gandulees & more. Oh yeah, Café con leche! Don't forget to ask for that extra shot if you are like me! This place is classic Logan Square/Hermosa. Visit them soon. I will. read more

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The carne guisada melts in your mouth amd you can cut it with a spoon. Super reasonable prices and really fast service (also friendly). The jibarito is fantastic and the salsa Verde they give you with everything would go great on a tire let alone actual food. read more

Cafeteria Marcela’s - Jibarito and Carne guisada - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Can't go wrong here. This place is always good any time of the day. For all you early risers, this is your morning breakfast stop. I come by here a couple of times a week, and it never fails that this place is busy at 7 am. The food is made fresh every day and most made to order. The staff is super friendly and the place has an old school diner vibe. If you're a coffee lover, this is the spot for a fresh cup. read more

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Food is high quality! Very delicious! Great family run business! I definitely suggest you give them, a try! Enjoy!

My meal was made fresh to order. Sweet over/chef who was so happy to greet us. I did not live the shrimp in my order but the flavors were yummy. Also free parking. read more

The food was decent. The service was a bit stand offish .Very quick and and not welcoming. I would go elsewhere better good and better environment read more

Food just delicious the service very polite order to pick up very fast can't ask for better service love it ...

C and I happened to be biking through the neighborhood and stopped for lunch. C ordered a vege Jibarito, which is grilled veges between fried plaintain. The veges consisted of broccoli Florets, Green Beans, Yellow Carrots, And Bell Peppers, Onions, and Lettuce with some kind of sauce. I ordered Flautas with Chicken and Potatoes, which was served with a white cheese and sliced tomatoes. Mine was good, but C's Jibarito was simply outstanding. We were blown away. The restaurant is small, but cute. Service was friendly and good; prices reasonable. We sat outside. (Thankfully they have outdoor seating!) p.s. We never heard Yellow Carrots before. They are not like regular carrots at all. I liked them! read more

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Ordered takeout from Cafeteria Marcela's over the weekend and was not disappointed. I ordered a 2 breakfast steak sandwich with egg and shared maduros on the side and it was so delicious! The pricing is really good for the big portions they serve you. The inside is nice; there are booths along the wall and on the opposite side is the kitchen area. There is also outside seating out front in a really cute gated area. Masks were worn inside by everyone not eating. read more

Cafeteria Marcela’s - Breakfast Steak Sandwich with Maduros on the side from Cafeteria Marcela's. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I absolutely love the food here it is always consistent, have been coming here since it was a small walk in place with barely no sitting, Love that they have expanded and that food still taste delicious over the years, staff is so nice and friendly and welcoming. The portions are well enough to share! read more

My buddy in pinball league told me this is the best restaurant in Chicago and he's only ever been there for breakfast. That's a bold statement! I will say, it's in my top 5 restaurants in the city. This place is a solid 5 stars! Comida Lechon (roasted pork) with yellow rice and some tostones or potato salad is a go to. I've also had Comidas Guisada (beef stew) and the Pollo Guisado (chicken stew) and they too are a solid 5 stars. I see another review for the cheeseburger, so now I need to try that! read more

Growing up in New York I learned to love Puerto Rican food. This place is great. I can eat their Lechon breakfast lunch or dinner. Folks that work there are great and portions are ridiculously large. read more

Cafeteria Marcela’s - Lechon Plate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My favorite is the steak and egg sandwich ever. Everything on the menu even the potato salad is great. Place is small but very comforting feel like you're at titis house read more

I think I came on an off day or when they were about to be closed, because there wasn't much selection of entrees to choose from. They were out of all things chicken and only had pork and beef. Anywho, I got the beef stew with rice and beans and salad, along with a side of tostones (garlic fried plantains) and it was very tasty. It was a good size too! My husband loves this place but I'll leave off a star until I check out the rest of the items on their menu. Till next time! read more

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Food is Good portions and veryyyy tasty. I tried their chicken sandwich, steak sandwich and ropa vieja and it was not disappointing. Their iced coffee was good too. Went twice just this week and i can tell they are busy from everyone walking in and out. I will definitely take the drive there rather than eating at other locations in humboldt park. read more

The best breakfast egg & cheese sandwich with ham or bacon! Very big sandwich so you will be stuffed. The cafe con leche also great. You know it's good when all the moving truck guys are here to pick up breakfast & coffee. Easy street parking. read more

Cafeteria Marcela’s - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent food and very friendly staff. Everyone should go and try this delicious, tasty food!

I was working in the area and came across this place so I gave it a try. WOW the food was delicious, I had a grilled chicken sandwich and some rice and I have to say it was one of the best chicken sandwiches I ever had, hot and flavored perfectly and the rice was delicious too! I will definitely be going back. read more

The food was great and I'm always greeted with a smile. The ambiance of the restaurant is great

Great food, affordable prices and more seating in outdoor patio in the front and back.

Prices have increased so much and the quality of the food has gone downhill. I was also overcharged, my family will not be returning here again. We're pretty disappointed considering we are set to come here frequently. read more

Some of the best lechón or pernil I've ever had! Must have the arroz con gandules, potato salad, and beans.... Just spectacular! Service is great, they all do super well! Atmosphere is perfect Chicago Latino ! read more

This is now my latest spot for great food! I've been in the neighborhood this week and happened upon Cafeteria Marcela's because Tony's up the street wasn't open and I was starving. I ordered Cuban sandwich and coffee the last two days and both were amazing. The folks that work there are incredibly kind, willing to explain some unfamiliar foods to me. Like I said, my new food spot when I'm in the neighborhood! read more

They got my order wrong twice in the same day! Very overpriced to be messing up peoples orders more than once. Food was better in the past. The iced coffee is also pretty basic. read more

I had never had a cuban sandwich before and figured this was the perfect place to try one. $4.50 (cash only) and it was the best money I have spent on lunch in a long time. A lot of people were ordering the steak sandwich too. Everyone that works at Marcella's is friendly and welcoming. I sat at the counter by myself and ended up chatting with two regulars who've been going here since it was at the original location. I added their house green hot sauce to the sandwich and it was amazing. The regulars I talked to raved about the cafe con leche which I'll have to try. They said it's the way the milk is steamed that makes the coffee taste so good. A large coffee is only about $2 too and it's a strong roast. Lunch rush was pretty busy so I recommend coming before noon or after 2pm for a lighter crowd. The place is small inside. It's a good feeling supporting this authentic, family-owned establishment. Majority of the people that come here speak spanish so you know it's good just with that. When you order to eat in, pay for your food at the left side of the counter after you eat. read more

Cafeteria Marcela’s - Lunch rush - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ordered a Cuban sandwich. Not bad, good value. I'll be back.

I'm a regular here, been eating here for over a decade and the food has never disappointed me. Get the Cuban sandwich (add grilled onions) or the steak sandwich (it's the best around) Get the Puerto Rican rice (arroz con gandules) and the potato salad The ribs are fantastic with a sweet tangy tarty sauce with a hint of ketchup (it's unique and executed flawlessly) The hot chocolate is amazing (Abuelitas) The prices are fair and affordable, sandwiches are $5.50!! The Fruit juices are good too I must mention. I get agua de parcha (trust me it's delicious) I love this place and that's why I've given it one of the very FEW 5 star ratings read more

OMG. This is the best Cuban Sandwich & Cafe Con Leche spot in Chicago, hands down. This cash only hole in the wall has the most delicious & juicy roasted pork - the very same lechon pork they use for dinner plates - and put huge portions of it in the Cuban sandwich. YUM. I love how they open early, because their cafe con leches are sweet and get me going for the rest of the day. Everything else on the menu is good too. Treat yourself to an empanada and some Puerto Rican rice on the side. Little mom & pop shops like this make my world go round. read more

I almost didn't want to write this review because I don't want everyone swarming my favorite hidden gem. This place is FANTASTIC. The food is flavorful and the price is great. It's honestly the best Cuban in Chicago. I also frequently get the sandwich de lechon. Highly reccomend it with the green sauce. Service is fast and the food is great. Cash only but there's an atm inside. 10/10 recommend read more

Cafeteria Marcela’s - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Highly recommend the food here Always fresh, reasonably priced and friendly service on top of this the place is super clean. Great coffee and great Spanish food read more

Cafeteria Marcela’s - Cafeteria Marcela's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

this is one of my favorite places in the city of Chicago to get steak sandwiches and coffee. Everything that I've ever tried here has been tasty. The service is great, fast, and the food is very flavorful. read more

I been going here for over 20's year and the food still delicious. Best sandwiches in the whole Chicago area. Marcela's style Cuban sandwich is my favorite but the chorizo with eggs, steak, ham and eggs sandwich are also fire with the bomb coffee. Make sure when you leave to take some napkin with you because you're gonna drool thinking about how good was the food read more

Great food and excellent service when ordering over the phone! I highly recommend it! A steak and eggs sandwich is my go-to on here.

Wonderful place, tasty & consistent every time! Great sandwiches, coffees, and lunch combos. For the person complaining about pricing going up- WHATEVER. Sandwiches are $6 bucks, dinner combos are $11. I don't know where you're getting anything of decent quality any cheaper than that. This is a small family owned & operated business, gimme a break. Food costs & labor costs have gone up during Covid, you'd have to be living under a rock not to know that. To leave a poor review on a small business for (supposedly) raising their extremely fair prices is shameful. Especially since restaurants have taken such a beating during the pandemic & so many have closed. These guys are the best & have been feeding the neighborhood forever. We're lucky to have them. Support small local businesses! read more

Amazing! I think they have the best Cuban sandwiches in the city--hands down. It ain't fancy...just a hole in the wall spot where you order at the counter and grab it to go or each your food there. There's about 10 different sandwiches and other entrees you can order which look amazing (I saw this man order soup and drooled at the sight of it). Last time I came, I order a simple breakfast Cuban sandwich with eggs and ham. That simple sandwich blew my socks off. I slathered with some nice Cuban hot sauce and sucked down my Cuban coffee (cafe con leche) and went to town. My sandwich and coffee was only 6 bucks so you can't beat those prices with a baseball bat! My friend ordered the pork Cuban sandwich and she said it was to die for. She asks me weekly when are we going back and I guess it's on my agenda for this Sunday! read more