Cancel

Open app

Search

Café Tola

4.2 (73 reviews)
Open • 6:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

Café Tola Mexican Restaurant Photos

Business Info

CAFÉ TOLA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Dogs allowed
Good for kids

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Café Tola

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Chorizo & Egg Empanada
Jose C.

We came here to try out their coffee and also ended up taking an empanada home. The staff was great and they didn't take long to make our coffee. My wife ordered their dulce de leche and I ordered their horchata latte. My wife really loved hers and my horchata latte tasted great as well. We took a chorizo & egg empanada home. It was definitely good, but pricey for an empanada. They do have a huge variety of empanadas I'm just not sure they're worth the price. Will definitely be back for their coffee though.

Julie T.

Horchata Latte is king! So damn good it's been my daily need and pit stop after daycare drop off when the husband goes on a work trip. Guilty t for being her for at least 5x a month which is such an addiction First time trying it hot versus cold this month and still same amazing taste. My go to empanada is always the birra & cheese. If it's not there I don't get anything else it's just my favorite. Parking sucks! Now there's only one side to park on Milwaukee which kind of slow down my stop here because the only side to park is on the same side of the shop where as I'm driving from the opposite but if i really really want to treat myself I park around the corner and walk which is mission in the cold but sometimes it's worth the cold for a pick me up. Treat yourself often.

Eugene B.

I know tons of people love this location and the reviews are generally great. So, it's safe for me to say that I was not the biggest fan of this location. The lines are long and it's just empanadas from what I understand. There's another larger location about two blocks away and I believe that one serves burritos and tacos. I'm more excited about that location. My wife loves Cafe Tola and I trust her judgment. Unfortunately, by the time I get to taste any of the goodies, it's in the evening after work and not fresh out of the fryer. From what I see, the ambiance is cozy and divey. Regular customers know the routine. Line up outside the door, order, and eat outside at the few tables and chairs. Or there's a long shelf where you can stand and eat as well. I hear the horchata latte is yummy. I'm excited about that too:)

Nazia C.

I'm back again a month later and still pleased! They were out of birria tho which was a bummer. This time, I tried the biggie smalls taco because I love the name. It has steak, egg, and cheese. The steak is so good, and they cover it all with a ton of melty, gooey cheese! The spicy pork empanada has pinto beans and potato inside. It wasn't my favorite, but it was still pretty good. The sauce that comes with the empanadas is very good. I also tried the dulce de leche latte, and I was pleased that it wasn't too sweet despite the name. I love Cafe Tola!

Claimed to be an al pastor quesadilla but definitely steak
Matthew S.

I really love Cafe Tola- the biggie smalls tacos, quesadilla options and of course empanadas are amazing! However, the last three times I've gone to the Milwaukee Ave store in Logan, I've been given the wrong quesadillas- I always order the Al pastor quesadillas, and 2 times I've gotten home to find steak quesadillas instead- and once I discovered that I had received a pork based one (not sure which, but definitely not al pastor). While I realize not checking each quesedilla before leaving the store is on me, it's frustrating when the correct order is repeated back both when I order as well as when I receive the food- only for them to be continuously wrong. This never used to be an issue at this location, but now it's happened three times in a row, over the course of a month or so. Cafe Tola- I want to keep supporting you and your amazing food, but it's starting to feel like you don't really care!

Casey S.

On a brutally hot 95 degree day, Cafe Tola managed to save me with delicious food. Food: I ended up stopping here after a long walk in the heat with some friends. I got the chicken salsa verde burrito with was exceptional and washed it down with a water and glass bottle Coke. Couldn't ask for anything more. Service: I only dealt with the cashier, but she was super nice and patient with me. Aesthetic: Wasn't a fan of the drink stock being in the middle of the floor, but it is a small place so it is understandable. I did like the vibe and it was a nice "quick-eats" spot.

Kianoosh K.

Gotta love this Logan gem. It's the best pick me up empanada. It's tasty and consistent and they sometimes have new flavors you can try. Very easy grab and go shop that might have lines but they go fast. I love to take their table outside whenever it's free.

Bacon breakfast taco

Update: I just posted the below a few minutes ago but wanted to make sure this was as full as I could make it. It doesn't change my rating or the situation much but provides a more colored in picture. Because I don't like to write reviews on deliveries before contacting the restaurants, I called them again this morning. The guy on the line may have been the same person as last time because he remembered my complaint (or perhaps there was a memo or chat folks had about my complaint). Like last time (which I neglected to include in my original review), he did offer that I come in for a free empanada or a replacement. Like last time, I told him no because I would get a refund through the delivery service. I'm not going to put these people out even more food and I live a couple of miles away. I think I know what the issue is with the bacon being undercooked. I think they take uncooked bacon pieces and put them in the egg mix and when they get a bacon/egg order, they "cook" in there as the eggs cook. As most folks know, eggs cook a hell of a lot faster than bacon and on a lower temperature. This is why I think some parts are browned and look cooked while the bacon pieces within the scrambled eggs are severely undercooked/uncooked. I'm no chef and don't know jack about operating a business, but I think they could do with reconfiguring the set up they have with cooking meat and eggs separately, especially in light of norovirus outbreaks throughout the country. With all this being said, their empanadas and horchata latte are the best in the city and it's a damn shame that preparation on a non-featured item is taking that away from an otherwise stellar place. Original: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I ordered their bacon breakfast taco a few weeks ago and I thought I had ham in it. Upon closer inspection, it was all undercooked bacon. I called them up to tell them and the person on the line seemed to hear with a slight tinge on indifference. I decided today, I'll order again. Surely, they would listen to a customer that called them up instead of writing a little nasty note on Yelp. Well, reader I was wrong. Again the bacon was undercooked but at least by a lesser margin. Also, I ordered a mole quesadilla but I'm pretty sure they put in birria meat instead.

chicken empanadas
Crystal C.

Flavorful empanadas! Yes!! The sweetest staff, the yummiest latin cuisine, and such a cute aesthetic inside and out. Great outdoor seating.

Al Pastor Taco
Cheyenne G.

This was the best al pastor taco that I've had that didn't require me to go to Pilsen. The staff was hospitable and made me a fresh coconut curry empanada right before they were about to close their doors. It is the most tasty vegetarian empanada that I've ever had! And the al pastor taco -- chef kisses! If I lived around the corner, I would be a common regular. I am certainly looking forward to returning!

Poblano and potato empanada

See all

2 months ago

Great empanadas, super fast service, and decent prices. The empanadas are stuffed deliciously full.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Victor G.
50
62
60

17 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 10
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Tee G.
97
19
7

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Intolerant of law enforcement and other natives. Food appears good, but owner is not respectful of police.

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Tracy M.
56
47
545

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 2
Love this 5
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Felonius M.
135
72
388

3 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ryan C.
45
11
7

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Chad F.
129
29
36

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Anna R.
0
26
76

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Kay F.
0
39
23

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Great steak & egg burrito. Super tasty green pork empanadas. Friendly and prompt service. Great variety for a regular place.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Empanadas are off the chain. Don't get addicted. I went back 3 days in a row. I've finally taken control back over my life.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - Café Tola

Do they have veggie/fish options also?

Yes!

View All 3 Questions

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Tacos 16,774 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Birrieria Zaragoza - Tacos

Birrieria Zaragoza

4.6(125 reviews)
3.7 mi•Uptown
•$$

We are so fortunate to have a place like Birrieria Zaragoza in our city. Their customer service has…read morealways been outstanding. They truly go above and beyond to make sure they deliver great customer service. They'll do little things like offer you a free taco of their Birria while you wait for your food. Go to any market in Mexico and they'll treat you the exact same. Unfortunately for them their original Southside location is closed due to a fire but they'll be back hopefully soon! My son and daughter both ordered their Birria Tacos, my wife ordered their Quesabirria tacos and I ordered their Tazon Chico of their carnaza Birria of course. It also came with a side of their handmade tortillas. Everything tasted so fresh and the Birria was very delicious. So much flavor in the consome. Ordering the tazon is definitely they way to go here because you get the meat in the consome. But if you wanted meat only, you have the option of ordering their plato instead. Regardless of what you order here, you won't go wrong. Enjoy!

If you're looking for a quick, no-frills bite that punches way above its weight, Birria Zaragoza's…read moreUptown location delivers exactly that. Despite their well-earned fame, this spot keeps the humble, hole-in-the-wall energy intact, small, unpretentious, and staffed by some genuinely warm and welcoming people. Pop in, grab a seat, and let them do the rest. My fiancé and I shared the quesabirria combo, two quesabirrias with consomé, a Mexican Coke, and a Jamaica, and honestly, everything was amazing. The Jamaica alone deserves its own shoutout: perfectly balanced, not too bitter, not too sweet, and exactly what you need to cut through the heat of the food. The tacos came out piping hot, prepped right in front of us, loaded with cheese and packed with flavor. The consomé was warming, rich, and perfectly spiced, the kind of broth that makes you want to tip the bowl. And the accompaniments (onion, cilantro, peppers, lime, and salsa) give you full control to doctor things up to your liking. For spice lovers, this setup is a dream. My one gripe, and the sole reason I'm docking a star, is the price. At around $30 for two tacos, a consomé, and drinks, it's a tough pill to swallow. As a Mexican American, there's something about that price point that pulls me slightly out of the authentic experience I was hoping for. I fully respect the craft and passion behind this food, but it's worth noting. That said? Don't let it stop you. This food is incredible, and I'll absolutely be back.

Photos
Birrieria Zaragoza - Restaurant hours on 10/22/2023

Restaurant hours on 10/22/2023

Birrieria Zaragoza - Tacos on the making, on plain sight

Tacos on the making, on plain sight

Birrieria Zaragoza

See all

Velvet Taco - Velvet Taco 8

Velvet Taco

4.2(1.9k reviews)
4.2 mi•Near North Side
•$$

I love that they had an upstairs space with lots of wide tables and seats you can move around. Both…read morefloors have bathrooms and self-serve drink stations. Really awesome space at a crowded downtown location. Foods were served on nice metal holders or disposable/environmentally friendly containers and utensils. The tacos were huge, and I love that they focus on the variety of vegetables on the taco, which is often overlooked at other places. Veggies also make the taco look beautiful. I particularly enjoyed the tikka paneer, the paneer was soft for paneer but firmer than tofu, a really great texture. And the flavor wasn't overpowering. The tikka sauce was light, which I am totally fine with. The chicken quesadilla was also made well and of good value, the kids all really liked it. The salmon was good too but didn't really stand out as much, but appreciate the variety veggies on top! The mexi-Cali shrimp bowl was not bad either, but also didn't stand out much. The shrimp was good but I prefer it cooked even lighter if possible. Flavor was good tho. The rice was long grain, which I prefer, but they do give quite a lot, I ended up having quite a lot leftover. I wish the had a bit more cilantro or other herby mix to increase the depth of flavor, but overall still pretty good. Queso was also really good, thick and creamy, not too salty, but sadly the kids didn't like it as much. Husband also liked the gochujang pork a lot, said it was actually really really good. Overall, we really enjoyed everything we had there. Love that they also had paper towels everywhere. My preferred method of keeping clean haha. Will definitely come back.

Ordered their tacos online and they were heavenly. Tried their paneer, tofu and cauliflower taco …read more All three of them were amazing. Such great flavor can just come to Chicago just for this specially. Would definitely recommend.

Photos
Velvet Taco
Velvet Taco - Velvet Taco 8

Velvet Taco 8

Velvet Taco - Velvet Taco 1

See all

Velvet Taco 1

Tacombi - Tacos al pastor

Tacombi

4.0(202 reviews)
4.0 mi•West Loop, Near West Side
•$$

I was just randomly walking around the area and the festive music drew me in. Reminded me of the…read morekind of place you might see in a neighborhood in Mexico City, casual, pop up style, no frills and just really good food and friendly hardworking staff. In a way it felt like a makeshift restaurant with an urban warehouse vibe, big colorful signage on the walls, folding chairs and card tables make up the interior. It was very busy, almost every seat taken and the staff was running around taking orders with a smile delivering food and seemed to be having fun too. This is the kind of ENERGY I love!! There is a separate bar for drinks. The juices are freshly made in house, the horchata was highly recommended and apparently always sells out. I might have gotten the last glass of the night, the guy who ordered right after me couldn't get it. My quesoburrias and chicken quesadilla were very filling, and honestly I didn't need to order three, I left overstuffed haha... the waiter says I should try the shrimp tacos and cod next time. (Yelp tip:) He also told me that on Tuesdays from open til close it's BOGO on all tacos but there's always a line. Oh I'm definitely going to be back for this! Might be one of my most enjoyable meals in the city in 2026 so far!

Tacombi is the place you need to visit to satiate your taco cravings! With a lot of taco options in…read morethe west loop this is the clear winner! The sinaloa shrimp is the best there is and props to the al pastor, seared fish, and carne asada. Excellent esquites and the margarita packs a punch, especially if you dare to get the spicy margarita! The vibes feel like the minute you step out you'll be greeted by the beachside at playa del Carmen! End your meal with their churros for good time.

Photos
Tacombi - Full liquor & juice bar

Full liquor & juice bar

Tacombi - Churros con Xocolate.

Churros con Xocolate.

Tacombi - Corn Esquites.

See all

Corn Esquites.

L' Patron Tacos - Chicken breast taco

L' Patron Tacos

3.9(648 reviews)
0.9 mi•Logan Square
•$$

My first time here, and it was such a great experience. Delicious food and a really fun vibe!…read more We walked in around 12:30pm Saturday, and even though the place was pretty packed, we were seated right away! I ordered the Paloma, and my husband got the Michelada, both super refreshing and made well. For food, I ordered the El Gringo with rice and salad. I definitely wish I had swapped the salad for beans, because my husband got both rice and beans, and I ended up finishing my rice and helping with his too lol. Highly recommend this dish, just go for the beans instead of the salad! My husband also ordered three tacos: Al Pastor, Chorizo, and Carne Asada, all of which were really good. One of the fun touches is that they have QR codes at the table to leave a Google review, and if you do, you get to spin a prize wheel. Of course I had to try it, and it made the whole experience even more fun. I ended up winning a free double shot! The staff were all super friendly, the restaurant was clean, and the music gave it a fun, vibrant atmosphere. I'd definitely come back!

Would be 5 stars if they hadn't gotten rid of the elote…read more My favorites were the elote and the tortilla chips. Best in the City. Found out that they no longer offer elote and that's so disappointing. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this but it's a major mistake to cut elote from the menu. The other food items are still amazing.

Photos
L' Patron Tacos - Inside

Inside

L' Patron Tacos
L' Patron Tacos - Dining area of L' Patron

See all

Dining area of L' Patron

Taqueria Primo Chukis Uptown - Asada/Steak Taco @ Primo Chuki's Ravenswood/Uptown .(Ashland/Lawrence Ave) Tacos Burritos Tortas Quesadillas Enchiladas etc. Fast & Cool!

Taqueria Primo Chukis Uptown

4.3(387 reviews)
3.3 mi•Ravenswood
•$$

Authentic and delicious…read more This has been our go-to lunch spot for my co-workers and I, whenever we decide to eat out. I've tried different proteins for the tacos: STEAK, LENGUA (tongue), TRIPA (tripe), PASTOR (pork), and BISTECK. They are all delicious, tender, juicy, well-prepared and well-seasoned. The lime, cilantro, and onions on each taco are fresh and give so much flavors. The rice and beans that come with the entrees are so good as well. Service is always friendly and efficient. The place is neat, the bathroom is clean, and the prices are very reasonable. I will never get tired of coming here to eat. I heard that their margaritas are worth trying too. I'll try those after work hours ;)

My goal is to try 50 new Chicago restaurants in 2025!…read more Restaurant: 48/50 Month tried: August Favorite dish: Burrito, Tacos Picture this: It's moving day and it's hot outside. You've been up since 6 am sweating and lifting heavy boxes. You just paid your movers an excessive amount of money and got yelled at by a neighbor for blocking the alleyway. It's 1 pm and you're HUNGRY and want a DRINK. This was our experience walking into Taqueria Primo Chukis. We ordered some very well-priced margaritas, my husband got tacos and I got a chicken burrito. YUMMMM. Great portions (my burrito was huge), simple yet flavorful recipes, and great service. The house salsas were great as well and actually quite spicy. After inhaling our food in record time and declaring this our favorite restaurant of our new neighborhood, only one question remained - was it actually that good, or were we just starving from our move? Don't worry, we put that to the test! We came back with a group on a perfectly normal day and had a spread of enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and flan. Somehow, I think it was even better the second time!! My husband now suggests this spot for any and every meal. You will not be disappointed if you are looking for simple yet delicious mexican food.

Photos
Taqueria Primo Chukis Uptown - Primo Chuki's  by Night . Ravenswood/Uptown .(Ashland/Lawrence Ave) Tacos Burritos Tortas Quesadillas Enchiladas etc. Fast Service. Cool!

Primo Chuki's by Night . Ravenswood/Uptown .(Ashland/Lawrence Ave) Tacos Burritos Tortas Quesadillas Enchiladas etc. Fast Service. Cool!

Taqueria Primo Chukis Uptown - Chips and Salsa

Chips and Salsa

Taqueria Primo Chukis Uptown - Seating and flat screens

See all

Seating and flat screens

Café Tola - tacos - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...