Big fan of this place! My wife and other family members have a gluten sensitivity so its great for that matter but I don't and I still absolutely love the the food. They have a nice variety of empanadas plus they do a specialty flavor every once in a while. Their pizzas are amazing too. The operators of the business are top notch. Had issues with a delivery recently where the Postmates driver "drove off" with my order and they refilled my order without hesitation. All around love that this is just down the street from where I live and highly recommend to others. Gluten free or not! Thank you! read more

Twice a year for the past two years, orders have been placed to stock up on the most amazing gluten free pizzas and empanadas from Cassava. The texture of the cassava dough is perfect. When cooked correctly, the outside crust offers an amazing crispness, while the warm inside bread is soft and chewy. The fillings and toppings are plentiful and taste amazing. I look forward every spring and fall to ordering another round. read more

One word: YUM!!!!! Everything they make is out of this world; you can taste the freshness and quality of the ingredients they use! read more

Why am I just finding out about this place? To know I can eat here safely is such a relief and the food is delicious! I had the chicken and apple empanadas and they were amazing! Try the sauces, they are worth the .25-.35 cents extra. I am full and happy and can't wait to try more! read more

I accidentally came here. Friend and I agreed to meet at Cassava. She meant Cassava Cafe, and I went ahead and searched for Cassava on Google Maps and this restaurant came up. I ordered some food anyway for a quick lunch prior to heading out for Cassava Cafe since there wasn't going to be any food there. I love gluten and generally dislike gluten free foods. Substitutes just don't do it for me. However, I'm pleased to say that the empanadas here were more than good. The starchy chewy dough underneath the crunchy crust was a welcome difference from the flaky pastry dough I'm used to with empanadas. While I would still prefer the pastry dough, the filling for each empanada was very good. I had two: the beef & cheddar and the chicken. The beef & cheddar seems to be a favorite in the other reviews and it's easy to see why. Lots of beef with great seasoning with a cheesy zing from the cheddar. The chicken was also good with the sweet potatoes working well with the cassava crust. Two got me pretty full for lunch. For $3.25 per empanada (+$0.35 for the steak one), it's a pretty good deal for lunch at $6.50. They've got free wifi here as well, and I may consider coming some other time for studying / working but it seems like the other reviews agree that the coffee here isn't all that great... read more

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I'd never had cassava root before entering into this attractive, bright storefront on Clark and I am a little upset that I've missed out on something so delicious for so long. You all know that I have plans for South American tomfoolery once my diabolical schemes come to light. It's fortuitous, then, that I have gained a leg up on my ability to blend in as a local by devouring my body weight in cassava bread. Sweet (and savory) bread made from root? Who'da thunk... but I like it. The bread are roll-sized and perfectly suited for popping in your mouth. I'd recommend taking small bites and savoring each chew, though. These bread balls are too good to chomp all at once. My sweet tooth couldn't get enough of the chocolate but I might have raced over an older woman to get more of the sun-dried tomato, cheese & jalapeno and/or BACON rolls. 'And.' It was definitely 'and.' The heart wants what it wants and so does the stomach. The wallet gets some love as well, as the cassava rolls get cheaper the more you buy. But, the goodies don't end with gluten/guilt-free bready deliciousness. Do you like to drink things? Of course you do. In the summer time, you can't go wrong with any number of the fresh fruit smoothies. Three berry and mango pineapple had me rollin' in the deep but there's something even better than the smoothies waiting for you: the hot chocolate. I was skeptical, too. I shouldn't have been. We're settling into our 15 months of winter. It's time for warm drinks. Order the hot chocolate. Made from melted dark chocolate and warm milk, the drink is truly an experience of drinking chocolate. It sounds so basic but once you've had it, you'll realize how often you've been given hot brown water and had it called 'hot chocolate.' This is a revelation. Trust me. read more

I ordered some frozen empanadas on Grubhub and I have to say that these far exceeded my expectations - and I had hopes! There are both veggie and meat options and so far every one that I have tried has had great flavor. I ordered the chimichurri on the side which is a great compliment to the empanadas. Next time I think I'll try the rolls! Awesome gluten free option with amazing taste. read more

A while back, I stopped by here for a muffin and a smoothie. I dig the cassava flour; it really works for baked goods. Their smoothies are not overly sweet; they just taste like fruit. Good stuff. More recently I hit them up for empanadas and walked away impressed. Although there were a few in the display case, mine were baked to order. The shells are thicker and chewier than most emanadas but overall the package stays in balance. The spinach & mushroom and veggie varieties were both very tasty but my favorite was the fire-grilled chicken. I would have to put that one on a list of the top five empanadas in Chicago...if such a list existed. read more

When I came in yesterday, I didn't realize I'd been here before. Yelp says I have, so I can't argue! I recently became gluten intolerant so I now look at food differently - not willing to give up on taste but more aware of healthier cooking. That search led me here to try their gluten free empanadas! I loved their spinach one and my fiancé really liked their veggie one. I'm not sure what kind of dough they use because it's hard to achieve that taste + texture without wheat, they did a good job of it! The corners are a little starchy but don't let that hold you back from digging into the rest - it's worth it! The rolls are more doughy so we enjoyed the empanada more. read more

I hadn't been to Wrigleyville in years, and while I was there, I decided to wander around like a meander around the neighborhood like a "Silly Old Bear." I had lived in the area in my first apartment in Chicago, within shouting distance from the ballpark (i.e., I could hear the fans; they couldn't hear me), but I'm not referring the Cubs; since cubs are young bears. I am, of course, referring to Winnie the Pooh, who will fairly regularly require a "smackerel" of this or that, in both cases referring to honey. My third smackerel that Sunday afternoon happened to be a single empanada from Cassava. I tried the spinach & mushroom and wow! That smackerel was lip-smackereling good. I'd remembered having cassava buns in Brazil that I enjoyed, but these... a completely new sensation. Very fresh ingredients, with the dough cooked to a perfect soft and chewy consistency, with the perfect sensation of garlic on the tongue and in the nose. When I was getting ready to leave, it must have been the Christopher Robbin in me who realized that I could use some tasty vitamins and fiber; so I got a dark berry smoothie to go, to consume while I continued my walkabout. It was delicious; I got it with coconut milk and it was the perfect accompaniment as I headed down Clark in the direction of Brazil. It's lucky that there exists a Yelp; otherwise I never would have gone into the place. They don't have a menu out front; so I wouldn't have had a clue what they served, and I would have assumed that whatever it was, that it was a sit-down restaurant. When I'm just looking for a smackerel of something, I don't expect there to be a smackerel server. They don't exist, outside of the Five Hundred Acre Wood, anyway. The consultant in me wanted to say, "Hey! You're doing this all wrong! You need to capture some foot traffic through awareness. It's as easy as a simple menu or news clipping!" But I don't work for free, and I try to keep my Sundays free. I almost bit my tongue to avoid breaking those principles; luckily I noticed the straw in my mouth and avoided a catastrophe. Then again, another empanada might have worked to soften the blow. read more

Cassava - Spinach and mushroom empanada. Delish. - Caterers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love that this place is dedicated gf but i really think they should roll the dough out flatter. the fillings of all of them were really good but the thick sticky part of the crust just took away from that. a lil disappointed since i had been looking forward to eating here forever! read more

I order this on Uber eats and pay the $8-10 delivery fee because these empanadas are so good I have a gluten sensitivity so options at restaurants or on Uber eats are usually pretty limited or very bland - but cassava is the opposite! Every empanada I have tried has been incredibly delicious. I'm grateful this place exists and I love that they sell frozen ones also so I can buy more in bulk! Haha love it! read more

Celiacs!! Gather 'round!! A gluten free establishment for you to behold! All hail cassava! A lovely spot in Chicago to drop in and claim a gluten free snack. They have salty and sweet, baked empanadas. We had the pork, steak and cheese, spinach and mushroom, and an apple empanada. All were delicious. A bit pricey for the size. That would be my only complaint. I did not get satisfied. But I can be greedy. It was wonderful to see a GF dedicated bakery. My wife was in heaven. And happy wife= happy life! Thanks Cassava chicago! read more

Cassava - Baked empanadas. - Caterers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent empanadas! They are fresh with quality ingredients and the perfect size; not too filling. Two was perfect for lunch. I had a beef and cheddar and a spinach: Beef & Cheddar: Grass-fed beef with cheddar cheese, onions, and bell peppers Spinach: Mushrooms, roasted garlic with Feta cheese I would definitely order either or both of those again. They also have chicken, veggie, pork, bacon, egg and cheese, and an apple one. They have a variety of dipping sauces, but they are good with or without. For those who can't tolerate gluten, they are also completely gluten free! Yum!! read more

Let me preface by saying: Oh my God the hot chocolate!! Honestly, some of the best I've ever had. Don't forget to get it spicy. Wonderful food and ambiance! It's a great place to come to work and grab a quick lunch. The empanadas are delicious and extremely filling. I recommend the steak or beef empanadas. Also, the chocolate rolls are amazing - my friend raves about the bacon roll, which I'm planning to try next. The smoothies are also very fresh with whole fruit. Additionally, prices are very reasonable - empanadas are $3.25, 12 oz smoothies are $5, and the chocolate gooey delicious rolls are $1.03 with tax. Perhaps the best part are the barristas - so friendly and provide great service! I'll definitely be back! read more

So the owner tells me it gets busier in the afternoons and after work, and I sure hope he's right because the food was delicious. I enjoyed the place to myself this afternoon and savored my gluten free empanadas sitting in a comfy couch in the window while reading some of Michael Pollan's finest books. I felt a little guilty reading about "eat food. not too much. mostly plants." ....and here I was indulging in chicken & beef empanadas wrapped in a soft, cheesy crust. I didn't feel too guilty for long - so delicious and I bought an assortment of cassava rolls to bake at home since I didn't really need any more carbs at the moment! read more

Cassava - Caterers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Since I was in the 'hood, I stopped in to indulge my sweet tooth. What better way than to do so during Yelp's Sugar High? I walked into a quiet cafe on a weekday afternoon. Sadly, they were out of the rolls I wanted to try. Namely the cheddar jalapeno... in fact their surprisingly small display case only had four items. I decided on a veggie empanada instead. Holy fudgsicles, the hot chocolate was rich, smooth, decadent... and since it was buy one get one free, I was tempted to double fist. No shame here and there was no one else around. My better judgement told me it was probably best to take the other to-go. The empanada was scrumptious, a tad on the dry side but much respect to their gluten-free-unprocessed-root-treats. There was nothing better than sitting with my book, sipping on cocoa, whilst snacking on my empanada. Once I was done I went back to the counter to pick up my second cocoa. Even after it had chilled down in its cardboard cup later that day, it was equally as aromatic and delicious post-microwave, said other lucky hot cocoa recipient. read more

Cassava - empanada and hot cocoa - Caterers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cassava is a celiacs dream come true when you want a tasty savory pastry treat! You can't go wrong with any of the flavors, it's just that good! Order the sauce, in fact extra sauce and thank me later! I just wish they included the sauces instead of charging extra since it's already on the pricier side when you order large quantities. read more

Wanted to try this place because of all the great reviews. Let me just say, these gluten-free empanadas are just not my style. They are very dense and doughy. However, just two of the empanadas filled me up. The smoothies are amazing! The Carrot Strawberry one was fantastic. The vibe is also great. They play great music and have a lot of interesting books and games out. I would go back for the smoothie and atmosphere alone. read more

They have grass fed beef in the empanadas and accept payment in Bitcoin. Comfortable atmosphere and good lighting make it an easy place to read or work. Don't have any Bitcoin? There's a Bitcoin ATM here! One of only a handful in Chicago to my knowledge. read more

Cassava - Dining area and Bitcoin ATM. - Caterers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Thank you Cassava, for being you: a Latin American-flavored sanctuary for the gluten-free. Even if you're a celiac, you're safe here! I recently ordered delivery as Postmates was running a promo which comped delivery at Postmates Plus restaurants (these restaurants offer delivery for $2.99, all the time). But I digress - delivery was fast, and my assortment of empanadas and cassava rolls arrived fresh and hot. Though my baked sirloin steak empanada was just okay, I loved the cassava rolls. I tried the original, bacon, jalapeño cheddar, chocolate, and the cinnamon roll. Yes, a cinnamon roll built from cassava root starch! If you've ever tried a gluten-free cinnamon roll, you know that they tend to be quite dry. The magical powers of the cassava root keeps things moist and gooey, as a cinnamon roll should be. Add some butter, brown sugar and a sweet glaze and you have a winner! The best part? You can order all of the cassava rolls (including the epic cinnamon rolls) frozen! Can't wait to return and bring some of the frozen rolls home! read more

These were pretty tasty! I had the beef & cheddar as well as the steak. Waited a bit for them to come out, but it was really hot and fresh when I got them. They're chewier than you'd expect for an empanadas but I really enjoyed it! Really hearty and comforting and delicious. One star off just because the employees seemed super disinterested and weren't very friendly but maybe it was off day. It won't stop me from coming back though! I'm so down to go back and try their other items soon read more

The rolls are great and low in cost. The smoothie was heavy in Cranberry flavor ( cranberry peach ginger) which I love but know not all do. If it wasn't that I live in Pullman,Wa I would come here every day. The place is small so no groups over 15 unless on the go. The area is nice and close to the red line. read more

Cassava - Roasted Veggie Empanada with A cranberry peach ginger smoothie - Caterers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Roll with me... Or, don't. Because, I didn't eat any rolls at Cassava. Though, looking back I probably should've. I had little gluten-free roll envy when I spied that my dining companion made smarter decisions than I. Ce'st la Cassava. I was intelligent enough to test out their all-natural smoothies, and for this I was handsomely rewarded with a cherry mango concoction with an extra shot of almond protein. Most definitely an entire meal at around 16oz, under $5, and a helluva lot better for you than JambaJuice. (eww). Cassava is super clean, great for catching up with a friend, or getting some work done (free wifi!). Spacious, and has a nice little niche. Easy metered parking (but d'oh, don't forget to pay the meters...I'm back in chicago for ONE DAY and I get a ticket, boo), or easy on public transit. Will be crazyyyyyy during Cubs season, but for now this is a nice little oasis on the south end of doucheyville...so embrace it, and if you're all gluten-free, pop in for a snack. Don't do JambaJuice! Cassava smoothies get a major stamp of approval from moi. read more

HOLY CASSAVA! Or, Holy Yuca! [Wait, is it pronounced you-ka or yuck-a?] Or, Holy Manioca?? No matter what you know this funky-looking, tropical root vegetable as, it might be the next healthy Latin American treat like Acai, Taro or Empanadas. And when it comes to gluten-free choices, the options are quite limited. With that said, Thanksgiving/Christmas is one of the toughest times of the year for those with Celiac. It makes those who have the condition willing to search near and far for food items that you don't have to make in your kitchen and won't make you sick. Well I'm happy to share with the Celiac Yelp Universe that Cassava Cafe comes to the rescue! I came in here for lunch on a workday and was greeted by the business owner Jorge. He told me the scoop about their trademark product: Cassava Bread. They utilize cassava, which is often found throughout South America and you may be familiar with it since it's used to make tapioca pudding, as a base for their buns. These little rolls are baked fresh with a doughy interior and crunchy exterior in a variety of flavors. I tried one of each of the four flavors: Original (simple yet delicious with a slight hint of butter), Sun-dried Tomatoes and Basil (perfect to accompany an Italian dinner or Cassava's Beef Chili), Feta Cheese with Greek Olives (a unique twist of sweet and savory), and White Cheddar & Jalapeno (my absolute favorite with a little spice kick and bubbles of hidden cheese mixed in). The best part is that the buns are 100% gluten-free and sans trans fats, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives making them al-naturale. They sell the buns individually [.55 cents each] or to go by the dozen [price TBD] stored in a freezer-friendly bag with cooking directions. Oh that's not all...Latin America is also famous for their Cocao plant. Cassava takes it to another level with their hot chocolate served up as original or spicy. It is easily at the top in the recent Chocolate competition throughout Chicagoland like Xoco, Ethels, Vosges, Hot Chocolate and Cafecito. The texture is super thick and frothy which warms up your body on a frigid winter day. All it was short of was a bit of whipped cream on top. Now Cassava's menu is a tad sparse when it comes to lunch options (hopefully they'll get salads or sandwiches soon), but they do sell fruit smoothies and two soups at a time. I tried my friend's Pumpkin Soup which was delicious and one of my favorite autumn/winter dishes. I personally chose the Grass-fed Beef Chili since it is hearty and goes perfectly with the dip-worthy Cassava rolls. Jorge also put some shredded cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream on top *nice touch!*. I surely went all out and also got a gluten-free muffin to take back to work for an afternoon snack. As I find with many GF items, the texture was a bit tough and chewy but was still tasty and filling. It's a plus that they're made with organic eggs, cassava, and high-fiber coconut flour. Be sure to check out this winter oasis of hot chocolate, warm cassava buns and soups, plus free Wi-Fi...and you too will soon be a regular. Featured in the Weekly Yelp-Chicago "Neighborhood Spotlight: Wrigleyville" on July 6, 2011: http://www.yelp.com/weekly?editorial_id=qWTkDSn_sBJ8NGQS_HX7IA read more

Cassava - Cassava Facade - Caterers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My latest experience with cassava: In response to the owners accusations that are slanderous and libelous towards a paying customer: 1. Mr. Jorge claims to have done a reverse image search of my image which has nothing to do with my review since "Cassava" hires well knows reputation repair companies (you can google this to see it exists) to come after people who leave negative reviews about their recycled food policies. Cassava also allows these reputation companies to create fake testimonials based on fake facebook accounts the reputation companies create. Furthermore, there is no need to bring my home country into the matter because that is just racist MR. JORGE. The review is based on my experience after my free yoga session with nicole at moksha, it is free, I highly recommend the free classes and there are three moksha yoga locations in chitown. 2. How can Mrs. Jorge claim to be familiar with another businesses entire yoga clientele? Mr. Jorge should be busy attending and providing customers with adequate service. It is obvious that if Mr. Jorge would pay some attention to his business instead of trying to steal and persuade customers from the yoga place to eat his reconfigured waste, he wouldn't need to respond to this review. He would have left the review without a comment like all of the other positive reviews. I am very good aquantances with Kimmy Wilcox, Serena Brommel, Ally English, Nikky "full of life" vitale. They know about Cassava and they are indifferent to the existence of Cassava to be frank. 3. Correct Mr. Jorge, I am a person that believes in giving people a second chance, but if you recycle food over and over, you cannot expect to re-sell used food and not make people sick. That is not fair. I got sick and so have a few of my colleagues who have visited the waste basket next to the yoga studio. Furthermore, you claim your food is gluten free. Since you are so forthcoming with what you do not have in your food, why don't you take the time to list your ingredients for all of your tiny expensive pies and include the nutrition facts while you are at it since you are such a pro-active respondent to a factual review. I have tried to report the situation many times, but MR. Jorge is always never at the business. He leaves uninitiated people at his bitcoin office to reheat pies that have been used already. Mr. Jorge has failed to resolve any of the complaints I have written down and left personally for him to address. I am not a confrontational person at all. 4.Again, Mr. Jorge is promoting his scary bitcoin machine that brings really interesting looking people who look like they are one step away from jail with sagging pants, out of state license plates and blaring music. Moreover, the bitcoin customers always come in "teams" as opposed to a normal person that withdraws cash from the ATM on their lonesome... (it seems like Mr. Jorge is biased to his bitcoin office because he makes a lot of fees regardless of whether the bitcoin customers are buying food from him or not) thus he must admit that they are courteous since they are the butter to his three-day old breaded meat pies. read more

I have been undecided about what to rate this place, because there's the food and then there's the experience, so I figured I would just start typing first. The food part of my experience was good. The baked empanadas were very delicious, reminiscent of the equivalent to a good Chinese bao to me. The crust is not like the traditional empanada where it's more flakey, this had a different texture altogether almost like a sweet potato flour like crust. It was more like a sink your mouth into something that is soft yet denser. I got the beef and cheddar, chicken, and veggie. All were different in flavor and very tasty. Now, the reason I came here was because I had bought the Groupon. I did realize that they were for 1 person per visit, and it came with 3 coupons worth $10 each. I am very aware of terms and I do feel that my explanation was justified to meet the conditions of it. So this is where my conversation with the person at the counter ensues because I asked about redeeming my 3 Groupons at the same time or on behalf of my coworkers. I said this would save me the time on having to come back a few other times. He explained that the intent was to space out the visits and what more specifically seemed to be on a per day basis since they ran out yesterday or what not. So, my thinking is that you would turn someone away then if they came for lunch and dinner - which seems like not a nice thing to do to a customer since you really just want people to come once a day...? Also, if I am not full after my first visit and wanted to come back and get more 10 minutes later it is another visit so it should also count. In addition to that you made exceptions for people in the past and don't want to do it for me, so how can I not take this personally. Though he did give in to my request, it was done with reluctance, which didn't make me feel good. I don't feel like I should have had to convince this person, and I felt like I ate with a heavy feeling. If you have it then why can't you give it. If you ran out I'd understand and I'll have to come back the next day. When you get invited to someone's home for a meal, you feel like welcomed to come inside and feel the love that the food was made out of. I felt like he was tired and maybe not in a good mood and it wasn't about the food and making people happy. He talked about the influx of demand that has come into the business as a result of the Groupon and not having enough and the work of having to make more food. I can understand the exhaustion. I love cooking and food, but not to the point where I could make a business out of it because I also don't want to be in the kitchen all day. I'm sure it's even more difficult to have to put on a smiling face for customers but that's going to make the difference in the interaction you have with your customers. Isn't the purpose to sell out of what you are making anyways? This always seemed to be a good indicator that people like and want your product. See, then the marketer in me wants to comment here because in my job I measure and provide reports and results on offers and promotions. So, when I sit with whomever has this idea of a promotion I ask them what they are trying to accomplish - are you trying to sell more products, get new customers, make a certain amount of money? So, I think about this Groupon and I try to dissect and analyze what the intent is, and from my perspective the answer is yes to all of the above. So from the perspective of this and being at the receiving end as a customer I ask myself from this marketing/Groupon experience would I buy or eat more items from here.Honestly, I'm afraid to have this interaction or conversation with this guy again so I might have to ask someone else to go in on my behalf if I am craving empanadas in the future. I also came as a new customer even though this restaurant was not in my neighborhood which takes a lot for a person to do because people have a tendency to dine locally. From this there should be flattery or a good feeling that someone came from a farther location just to come and try this place out. Instead, he made me feel stupid and insulted for buying a Groupon that wasn't close to where I was at because he wouldn't do this. I like to try new places and I don't feel like location should be a barrier. Will I recommend this place to other people - it's tough because they are delicious empanadas but I am reluctant because my interaction was just so frustrating. Profitability, if the intent was to get people to buy the Groupon and not have them redeem them before they expire or not redeem them altogether then you are obviously making money. Mostly, you want to see the difference of what your typical traffic of people coming in versus not having the promotion at all would be. If people redeem them you hope they come back or refer other people. I wanna go back and try other stuff but still kind of nervous. read more

Great vibe in here - it's a chill place to sit back and relax and eat delicious empanadas full of chewy goodness. The menu is simple but sometimes that's the key to doing things really well - don't overcomplicate a success. I was impressed by how satisfying our meal was, considering how few ingredients they need. Local art on the walls makes this a great spot to rest your feet after exploring the neighbourhood. Check it out! read more

I don't feel as guilty eating Cassava's empanadas and rolls because everything is gluten free! My most favorite item here is the most plain, which is the original cassava roll. I've tried the jalapeno cheese and sun-dried tomato and basil (which tastes like pizza) and also a couple of the empanadas; all were good, but there's just something about the simplicity of the original roll. A smooth, firm outside and a warm, subtly cheesy, and chewy inside...just thinking about it makes me want to pop some in the oven now! I think it's great that they offer the option of either having them already baked or purchasing them frozen, which is the smarter thing to do since it saves you some money. I've been here twice in one week and plan on returning more often. Need to stock up on cassava rolls! read more

Cassava. Bacon. Chocolate. Oh, you're still reading this? Before stopping into Cassava, I had never had cassava used in any other way besides in filipino cassava cakes and boba. I was missing out. It turns out this weird gummy-textured ingredient is pretty darn good paired with things like bacon, olives, or chocolate. I had the bacon roll, the chocolate roll, the chicken empanada, and a cup of green tea. It took five minutes to warm the goodies up, which I didn't mind at all, and the guy behind the counter brought them out to me nice and hot. He also offered my drink to me in a mug, which I appreciate (let's save the Earth, peeps!). Cassava may be an acquired taste, but because I've had it plenty of times growing up, I knew what to expect, and I love it. It's really chewy, a bit gummy, and not as fluffy and airy as regular bread. So when you bite into a cassava roll or empanada, just don't expect it to taste like regular bread. The rolls were very cassava-y - the bacon one had a great bacon taste but I would have liked to taste more chocolate filling in the chocolate roll. Since cassava is a really bland ingredient it can get old after awhile if not paired with enough other flavors. The chicken empanada was delicious. It kind of reminded me of a chimichanga. Is that weird? Don't judge me. The shop itself is a cute little space located right near the Belmont Brown/Red Line stop. The employee who helped me (I think he may have been the owner) was very friendly (and didn't judge me when I ordered 2 cassava rolls, an empanada and tea to eat...alone). There are couches near the window but the rest of the shop is a little "health food shop-esque." The menu and signage is super modern and clean, which makes the space feel a little less inviting than I like my cafes, but still cute. Oh yeah, and free wi-fi. Definitely need to go back to try the smoothies. read more

That was best mother f-in' smoothie I've ever had. They have six different smoothies to choose from and I went with the Carrot-Strawberry...best choice of my life. The Greek yogurt they use in it makes it. -12 year smoothie connoisseur read more

Tried this place for the first time, we ordered one pork, egg, beef and apple to try. They were absolutely great to have as we no longer eat wheat. I had missed having empanadas and this place made it possible to have them again. After finishing those, we tried the chicken and got a couple beef and egg & bacon ones to take home. All were delicious. read more

Absolutely love this place! A dedicated gluten-free facility that offers grass-fed beef empanadas cooked in 100% coconut oil. Many restaurants have seen the value of grass-fed/pasture-raised meat, but continue to ruin their meals by cooking them in industrial oils. Cassava has it covered from top notch ingredients to sound prep and cooking practices. The food tastes phenomenal, whether you buy them baked fresh from their location or frozen from Whole Foods. They provide detailed ingredient lists and nutrition information so that you know exactly what you're consuming. Lastly, their customer service is amazing and they're very willing to custom make empanadas at only a fraction more than the ones they currently offer. We keep frozen ones stocked in the freezer, will grab fresh baked ones for takeout and also ship them friends and family! Have not tried the smoothies yet but plan to soon. read more

It's a no nonsense, smallish cafe featuring empanadas. The hook is that instead of standard bread, the empanadas are encased in bread made from the cassava root. This is a good hook. You have an exotic sounding vegetable and a claim that this can somehow be transformed into bread. (There's also a nice yelp deal. Check in and you get the 3rd empanada free) I've got to hand it to them, the cassava bread tastes exactly like bread. The fillings were only okay. I think a pizza one would be a great addition. I think it said somewhere that they will be offering these in the frozen section at whole foods soon. Sounds about right. read more

Visit from January... Really disappointing they don't mention that all their cassava baked goods contain cheese on the website. Went out of my way to come here excited for some gluten free goodies. At least they brew pretty good coffee (metropolis). read more

Pretty good empanadas! So nice to be in a truly gluten-free restaurant. It's a stop for when I have to get a bite on the go. They are very filling. The empanadas are more of a South American/Argentinian style, in that they are baked, not fried. They will make the empanadas fresh if they are out or low. read more

Everything is gluten-free AND soy-free? :D :D :D! The chili was amazing, with the chunks of white cheddar on top being a great touch. We tried 2 of the empanadas (beef & cheddar and fire-roasted chicken), both were super tasty with a good balance of crispy outside and chewy, and the bacon rolls were SO GOOD. Also highly recommend the hot chocolate- loved the spicy! Like Mexican cocoa in flavor but with a lot more fire. Even better: you can order frozen empanadas & rolls on their website, and they will come deliver them to your house, for free. The website says it'll take up to 48 hours, I ordered last night and they are bringing them by today. Only gripes: we ordered 3 empanadas, and only got 2 when we were at the restaurant. I also found myself wishing the atmosphere were warmer and cozier, it's pretty big and exposed in there and I felt a teeny bit uncomfortable. 4.5 :) read more

Wow. Just, wow. The empanadas are amazing. I tried all five - I can especially recommend the beef & cheddar and mushroom marinara, although all of them were great. I am a super-sensitive celiac and I had no problems with them.. everything in the store is gluten-free. I also love spicy hot chocolate, so this place really serves up the best of both worlds. It was pretty mellow inside, so we received friendly, quick service. Gluten free diners (or anyone, really) they ship anywhere in the US for a flat $18 fee. read more

In one word: Wow. In full sentences: Cassava was an incredible experience for someone like myself that keeps a gluten free, mostly-paleo diet year-round. Their cassava empanadas and rolls are delicious, and they use coconut oil in their empanadas, another plus for those who prefer to avoid overly-processed vegetable oils. The staff was very friendly, bringing our food over to our table when it was ready instead of making us get up to retrieve it. They even threw in a few rolls on the house after we let them know how amazing the meal was. Oh, and not only is the coffee reasonably priced, they use coffee cubes instead of ice cubes for the iced coffee. Doesn't get much better than that. Next time I'm back in Chicago, this is the first place I'll return to. read more

The empanadas are wonderful. I tried the ham and egg, beef and cheddar, and chicken varieties. They were all perfect and delicious. The hot chocolate was amazing. I ordered mine with cayenne for a spicy little kick. Yum! The main reason I will go back to Cassava is the Brazilian cheese bread. It took 15 minutes to prepare them, but the wait was totally worth it. If you've been to a Brazilian-style restaurant before (Texas de Brazil, Fogo de Chao, Brazzazz, etc.), you know the cheese bread is super special. At Cassava, the little rolls are much denser than the kinds I've had at the big restaurants. They're delectable. I ordered 5, ate 2, took 3 to go, and barely had time to drive away before I totally devoured the other 3. So good! read more