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So the drinks were amazing. Really loved the cocktail and the service. We sent the cauliflower back because instead of what we expected for roasted there was more of a boiled feeling, and the seasoning wasn't really there. A nice Friday evening light dinner so overall enjoyable . I'd have drinks again but maybe not dinner
Leña Brava is such a cute restaurant to escape the winter cold! The staff were so kind and provided some good recommendations. If you're pescatarian, there are a lot of options. But for vegetarians, the only main dish option was cauliflower. There were a few side options and smaller plates. I was still able to fill up, but in general, unless they get more creative with their vegetarian dishes then this won't become a staple for me. My favorite was the roasted beet dip. It was so rich and creamy! And the guac was also so good. They were able to do the potatoes without bacon, and it was good but a bit too salty for me. The cauliflower was disappointing. I think you have to loooove cauliflower to want to eat that much of it. The salsa macha on top was yummy but not enough to make it a stunning main dish. The flan was SO good! I was so full at the end but I'll always have room for flan!
I was blown away by this restaurant. The upstairs seating area was such a cute atmosphere and the food was seriously amazing. Our eyes were a little bigger than our stomachs (oopsies) and we ordered the guac, roasted veggies in salsa verde, fried plantains, crispy quesadillas, lamb birria, short rib, and chicken. Honestly zero complaints. Amazing flavors and very attentive/kind waitstaff. Would def recommend this place to anyone, it is perfect for a ~fancier~ celebration meal!
Great Vibe! Good music, friendly staff, big screen TV's for sports. Great chips and Salsa. Salad was huge but lots of croutons in it. Pork nachos were wonderful with a warm salsa verde poured over the dish. Quesadillas were good, as you'd expect a quesadilla to be. Drinks are very good and they were giving out generous samples of their new beer! Look forward to coming again.
Service was amazing. Our waitress was super nice and kept checking in on us. My party and I shared plates. My favorite was the steak fries and the plantains. Everything else was salty to me. Especially the scallops and the octopus. Overall tasty corn and short rib. The cookie skillet was also very good.
Better late than never. This was one of our Restaurant Week 2025 selections and I was excited about the menu they had to offer. Due to the weather we were running about 5 min behind, so I dropped The Doctor and The Queen off to get our table. After I parked and walked in to find my folks sitting at a table that looked like a two top, set up for three people, squeezed in next to our table, AND our table was next to a door that servers kept coming back and forth through. There was no way I was going to sit here for a meal. Our server came over to take our drink order and I immediately told her that we needed to be moved. After about 5-7 min, the manager came over to see what the problem was and I told him that I did not want to have a meal next to a swinging door and wanted to be moved. He claim that they were full, but somehow found a nice four top table on the second floor. Once we got settled, we did have a nice meal. Because it was Restaurant Week, we decided to each order different items so we could sample it. We got all three starters: Salsa Macha Ceviche (lime marinated sea bass, smashed cucumber, ginger, avocado, orange, sesame, toasted chiles, cilantro), Wood-oven Empanadas (cochinita pibil, habanero crema, pickled onions) and Charred Shishitos with jalapeño crema. All three of these were very nice. The ceviche was fresh, with the ginger and cilantro giving it an interesting flavor. The wood-oven Empanadas were delish...the cochinita pibil was very nice and the pickled onions worked well with them. The Charred Shishitos were nicely charred and flavorful. I didn't do any of the crema because they had jalapeño and habanero in them. For dinner I got the Parrillada Mexicana (grilled skirt steak, grilled chicken skewer, fontina queso fundido, short rib tostada, lime, roasted chile, salsa roja, tortillas), The Queen got the Baja Mariscada (fire-roasted shrimp, p.e.i. mussels, half Maine lobster, butter, lemongrass infused white wine, lime zest, herbs) and The Doctor got the Fire-roasted Cauliflower (salsa macha, toasted almonds). The Parrillada Mexicana was well done. Don't get me wrong, the steak and chicken were great, but that fontina queso fundido was awesome. The short rib tostada, I had a problem with....it was too tasty to be served that small! It was a bite size serving and was so good! The Queen's Baja Mariscada was impressive. The lobster was nicely prepared and that shrimp was also good. Didn't try The Doctor's dish because I am not a fan of cauliflower, but he said it was quite tasty. Dessert was Rompope Flan (vanilla custard, Mexican eggnog, charred orange, nutmeg). The Doctor and Queen said this was quite tasty, but I am not a fan of the texture of flan, so I got mine to go so they could have it the next day. I will say the presentation was quite pretty. Overall, we had a good meal once we got moved to a new table. This could have easily been a 3 star review based on the initial seating arrangements, but with the new table, our server as well as the woman in the lovely white knit dress and matching boots who brought over my bottle of bubbles made it a much more enjoyable evening.
WOW! Is all I can say. This spot is fantastic. I was so impressed with the menu and location is in a perfect fun part of town. I was really impressed with the smokiness and char flavor that came with every dish. We split a few small plates as our meal. The lobster tacos and empanada were delicious. And the corn side dish was such a nice surprise. I will be dreaming about the cookie skillet dessert with salted caramel ice cream - just incredible! I recommend this spot for dinner for anyone in the area
A cute place for lunch but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back. Our party got the ceviche to start and the pork carnitas and ribeye steak sandwiches. Although the place raved about the hand formed pan de campo I found the inside of it black and burnt and the ribeye filling very little despite the massive size of the entree. So from the presentation it looks great but inside not so much in terms of quality. One of my friends also didn't feel well from the ceviche so I would caution on ordering it. Staff was super nice but the attention to food during dinner is probably better than lunch here. Very easy to get a table for lunch as well, we were only one of three groups.
Lena Brava is a restaurant that we have walked by numerous times due to the location being on Randolph Street. We've been to the sister restaurant, Cruz Blanca next door and we knew we had to check this spot out. With Lena Brava being on the restaurant week list this was our chance to try. We went for lunch and it was delicious. From the restaurant we menu my girlfriend ordered the meatballs which were delicious. They came with a piece of bread, and then the main course was the steak frites. The only caveat that my girlfriend mentioned was the fact that the steak was a little bit on the greasy side it was sitting in like a small pool of grease, but it was very tasty. Nonetheless, the fries were really good too. The dessert honestly was the star real the real star of the show. The ice cream was made of a stout made by Cruz Blanca and had cookie prices that were so yummy. I got the Salmon Tostadas and it was Baja Fish & Frites. And it was delicious and it was a very small restaurant was smaller than I expected actually. Also, the service a little bit slow the service was a tad bit slow however, the food was good and it was worth the restaurant we price
Last night, some friends and I ate at Lena brava and it was pretty good. The server was very attentive and the ambience is very chill. You can definitely have dinner with friends family even some kids. There's a huge patio and upstairs bar and seating area which is great downstairs was very hot so that was a challenge. The restrooms were small as they only had two stalls but we're tidy we had the empanadas and tacos for small plates. Both very very delicious and the entrées included the pork chop and the braised short rib. The pork chop was a little dry and tough, not really flavorful, but presented nicely. The brave short rib over cauliflower was amazing. I also had a cocktail with pineapple cream and coconut. Very good.
Restaurant Week review Parrillada Mexicana - grilled skirt steak, grilled chicken skewer, fontina queso fundido, short rib tostada, lime, roasted chile, salsa roja, tortillas Rompope Flan - vanilla custard, mexican eggnog, charred orange, nutmeg Salsa Macha Ceviche - lime marinated sea bass, smashed cucumber, ginger, avocado, orange, sesame, toasted chiles, cilantro Flavor of the lime marinade was good but the fish's flavor is completely gone and the ratio is 90/10, cucumber/ fish & avocado. We got plenty of tortillas. The Parrillada of steak and chicken thigh was cooked to good tenderness but needed more seasoning. Cheese was good, salty and sweet. Overall, made for good tacos. Short rib tostada was a perfect bite. Flan was rich and creamy, perfect consistency. Loud atmosphere, tables packed close together, and less than ideal speed of service but not terrible.
3 months ago
So as a first-timer, I was absolutely delighted that Raphael, the maître d' (well that's a bit of a formality that's honestly inapplicable in this instance, but humor me), held our table though we were late--very late due to Spot Hero getting us locked inside a garage, but that's a different review! The rocky start continued when our waitress, Martha, was far less than attentive and when arriving at our table 5-10 minutes after we were seated advised that BOTH of the entrées we wanted were sold out--at 6PM! After I thought about it perhaps that's a testament to how good those selections must be--Lamb Chops and Baja Mariscada (fire-roasted shrimp, mussels and maine lobster, smoked and lemongrass infused with lime zest, herbs). I'll return and revisit a review of those dishes. However, "Leña Brava -- 'ferocious firewood'- celebrates Mexican dishes cooked over hardwood fire," is spot on in accurately describing the restaurant, its warm friendly vibe and its remarkably delicious food! (Okay so it took a minute but just wait--your mouth will water in anticipation of dining here). The appetizers and entrées alike were incredible. I suggest that you must have the Leña Guacamole which comes with wood-roasted tomatillos, serranos, and salsa macha. I had BOTH the Chilled Oysters (appetizer) and Roasted Oysters (small plate) and urge you to order both if you're a fan of oysters. Finally, the Fire-Roasted Plantains with crema and queso fresco was the best I've eaten in Chicago. The Bone In Pork Chops had a char on them that I could eat in-perpetuity and the medium-rare Steak & Frites (crispy fries perfectly seasoned) had us sharing plates the presentation was so divine! But the star dish of the night was the Coal-Fired Tacos Gobernador -- "lobster, shrimp, Chihuahua cheese, avocado-habanero salsa, flour tortillas, Oaxacan pasilla butter." Really outstanding and reasonably priced cocktails and wine -- list of offerings pictured with this review -- including an incredibly unique offering called "Papi Diablo:" real del valle tequila, jalapeño, elderflower, ginger, hibiscus and lemon. The 2022 Palafox Pionero Chenin Blanc and 2023 Henry Lurton Sauvignon Blanc, both from Baja, California were well balanced and flavorful. The willingness to make not on the menu mocktails - "Not a Margarita" and "Spicy Fruit Cart" - was a welcomed accommodation, but PLEASE adjust the price when you cut the alcohol guys--otherwise you're just price gouging your customers! The most pleasant surprise was from the "Nightcap Menu" ESPRESSO MARTINI / vodka (or tequila which I don't think constitutes a martini but what do I know), espresso, and coffee liquor. This was a star cocktail despite the fact that they don't sell coffee here!!!!! A BIG NO NO for a quality dining establishment. Finishing with one of the best desserts I've ever eaten saved this restaurant's fifth star!!!! The Tiramisu Tres Leches was moist, sweet, balanced and clearly freshly made in-house. TO DIE FOR! read more
My experience at Lena Brava was lack luster and quite confusing overall. Randolph street is already packed and takes a valiant effort and wallet to participate in. For instance- after looking around my mother was the oldest young lady in the restaurant. There were booths open ... why sit older women in the high tops and not the open booth - only to eventually sit two men at the booth and we're a party of four. Not the bet decision. Then one of the biggest faux paus happened which was a steak at the incorrect temperature. What was even more disappointing was being asked did my guest want to throw it back on the grill with the chimichurri sauce already on. Mind you the bill is easily at 300 for four people with no tax or tip yall. Then knowing that you can see if the steak was cooked correctly before it gets to the table and you still sit it down is wild- and only more so because this is not a budget dinner. Of course the timing threw the dinner and temperature off for everyone and there was another horribly late dish - corn lol smh. Our waitress was kind and inattentive. The most interesting aspect was being asked if we needed anything and the whole table stared at her for 30-45 secs with a bunch of empty plates and I had to ask "ummm hey can we have these removed". She should've been the one to offer instead of me asking. Everything else was cooked properly but my fingerling potatoes were tastier than the octopus that sat on top. I can't say I'm up at night craving any particular flavor from here Last but not least after messing up the steak and removing it from the bill.. late corn , lackluster service ... there was an additional 3.25 % restaurant surcharge I had to asked to be removed. I understand bad nights. But there was literally nothing to hold on to here. Other than it's a cute spot. read more
6 months ago
Restaurant week platter was actually kinda bad/mid besides dessert and mole. Tuna crudo was pretty good, solid fish quality. I feel like ceviche here would actually be amazing. First time having a half decent mole but I don't know what to look for l guess. Did enjoy it/could taste something. The chicken skewers were the best on the plate and good for a dressed up chicken but still super average. Pork was kinda bad. Flank steak was aight but not nearly as good as steak frites. Tres leches tiramisu was phenomenal. I like both and this was a good blend. Steak frites and plantains were very good. Frites were done perfectly, close second to Al's. Chimichurri on the steak left a pool of juice/oil that ruined the last bit of fries but just bad tech I guess. Steak was very flavorful and tender. I was hoping the plantains would be more raw, this was giving bananas foster a little but still mild enough to be a good side. Scallops were solid but the breadcrumb sauce thing was a little odd. Idk why there were shrimp in there but no complaints ig. read more
2 months ago
So the drinks were amazing. Really loved the cocktail and the service. We sent the cauliflower back because instead of what we expected for roasted there was more of a boiled feeling, and the seasoning wasn't really there. A nice Friday evening light dinner so overall enjoyable . I'd have drinks again but maybe not dinner read more
8 months ago
Leña Brava is such a cute restaurant to escape the winter cold! The staff were so kind and provided some good recommendations. If you're pescatarian, there are a lot of options. But for vegetarians, the only main dish option was cauliflower. There were a few side options and smaller plates. I was still able to fill up, but in general, unless they get more creative with their vegetarian dishes then this won't become a staple for me. My favorite was the roasted beet dip. It was so rich and creamy! And the guac was also so good. They were able to do the potatoes without bacon, and it was good but a bit too salty for me. The cauliflower was disappointing. I think you have to loooove cauliflower to want to eat that much of it. The salsa macha on top was yummy but not enough to make it a stunning main dish. The flan was SO good! I was so full at the end but I'll always have room for flan! read more
I was blown away by this restaurant. The upstairs seating area was such a cute atmosphere and the food was seriously amazing. Our eyes were a little bigger than our stomachs (oopsies) and we ordered the guac, roasted veggies in salsa verde, fried plantains, crispy quesadillas, lamb birria, short rib, and chicken. Honestly zero complaints. Amazing flavors and very attentive/kind waitstaff. Would def recommend this place to anyone, it is perfect for a ~fancier~ celebration meal! read more
Great Vibe! Good music, friendly staff, big screen TV's for sports. Great chips and Salsa. Salad was huge but lots of croutons in it. Pork nachos were wonderful with a warm salsa verde poured over the dish. Quesadillas were good, as you'd expect a quesadilla to be. Drinks are very good and they were giving out generous samples of their new beer! Look forward to coming again. read more
1 month ago
Service was amazing. Our waitress was super nice and kept checking in on us. My party and I shared plates. My favorite was the steak fries and the plantains. Everything else was salty to me. Especially the scallops and the octopus. Overall tasty corn and short rib. The cookie skillet was also very good. read more
Better late than never. This was one of our Restaurant Week 2025 selections and I was excited about the menu they had to offer. Due to the weather we were running about 5 min behind, so I dropped The Doctor and The Queen off to get our table. After I parked and walked in to find my folks sitting at a table that looked like a two top, set up for three people, squeezed in next to our table, AND our table was next to a door that servers kept coming back and forth through. There was no way I was going to sit here for a meal. Our server came over to take our drink order and I immediately told her that we needed to be moved. After about 5-7 min, the manager came over to see what the problem was and I told him that I did not want to have a meal next to a swinging door and wanted to be moved. He claim that they were full, but somehow found a nice four top table on the second floor. Once we got settled, we did have a nice meal. Because it was Restaurant Week, we decided to each order different items so we could sample it. We got all three starters: Salsa Macha Ceviche (lime marinated sea bass, smashed cucumber, ginger, avocado, orange, sesame, toasted chiles, cilantro), Wood-oven Empanadas (cochinita pibil, habanero crema, pickled onions) and Charred Shishitos with jalapeño crema. All three of these were very nice. The ceviche was fresh, with the ginger and cilantro giving it an interesting flavor. The wood-oven Empanadas were delish...the cochinita pibil was very nice and the pickled onions worked well with them. The Charred Shishitos were nicely charred and flavorful. I didn't do any of the crema because they had jalapeño and habanero in them. For dinner I got the Parrillada Mexicana (grilled skirt steak, grilled chicken skewer, fontina queso fundido, short rib tostada, lime, roasted chile, salsa roja, tortillas), The Queen got the Baja Mariscada (fire-roasted shrimp, p.e.i. mussels, half Maine lobster, butter, lemongrass infused white wine, lime zest, herbs) and The Doctor got the Fire-roasted Cauliflower (salsa macha, toasted almonds). The Parrillada Mexicana was well done. Don't get me wrong, the steak and chicken were great, but that fontina queso fundido was awesome. The short rib tostada, I had a problem with....it was too tasty to be served that small! It was a bite size serving and was so good! The Queen's Baja Mariscada was impressive. The lobster was nicely prepared and that shrimp was also good. Didn't try The Doctor's dish because I am not a fan of cauliflower, but he said it was quite tasty. Dessert was Rompope Flan (vanilla custard, Mexican eggnog, charred orange, nutmeg). The Doctor and Queen said this was quite tasty, but I am not a fan of the texture of flan, so I got mine to go so they could have it the next day. I will say the presentation was quite pretty. Overall, we had a good meal once we got moved to a new table. This could have easily been a 3 star review based on the initial seating arrangements, but with the new table, our server as well as the woman in the lovely white knit dress and matching boots who brought over my bottle of bubbles made it a much more enjoyable evening. read more
WOW! Is all I can say. This spot is fantastic. I was so impressed with the menu and location is in a perfect fun part of town. I was really impressed with the smokiness and char flavor that came with every dish. We split a few small plates as our meal. The lobster tacos and empanada were delicious. And the corn side dish was such a nice surprise. I will be dreaming about the cookie skillet dessert with salted caramel ice cream - just incredible! I recommend this spot for dinner for anyone in the area read more
A cute place for lunch but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back. Our party got the ceviche to start and the pork carnitas and ribeye steak sandwiches. Although the place raved about the hand formed pan de campo I found the inside of it black and burnt and the ribeye filling very little despite the massive size of the entree. So from the presentation it looks great but inside not so much in terms of quality. One of my friends also didn't feel well from the ceviche so I would caution on ordering it. Staff was super nice but the attention to food during dinner is probably better than lunch here. Very easy to get a table for lunch as well, we were only one of three groups. read more
Lena Brava is a restaurant that we have walked by numerous times due to the location being on Randolph Street. We've been to the sister restaurant, Cruz Blanca next door and we knew we had to check this spot out. With Lena Brava being on the restaurant week list this was our chance to try. We went for lunch and it was delicious. From the restaurant we menu my girlfriend ordered the meatballs which were delicious. They came with a piece of bread, and then the main course was the steak frites. The only caveat that my girlfriend mentioned was the fact that the steak was a little bit on the greasy side it was sitting in like a small pool of grease, but it was very tasty. Nonetheless, the fries were really good too. The dessert honestly was the star real the real star of the show. The ice cream was made of a stout made by Cruz Blanca and had cookie prices that were so yummy. I got the Salmon Tostadas and it was Baja Fish & Frites. And it was delicious and it was a very small restaurant was smaller than I expected actually. Also, the service a little bit slow the service was a tad bit slow however, the food was good and it was worth the restaurant we price read more
Last night, some friends and I ate at Lena brava and it was pretty good. The server was very attentive and the ambience is very chill. You can definitely have dinner with friends family even some kids. There's a huge patio and upstairs bar and seating area which is great downstairs was very hot so that was a challenge. The restrooms were small as they only had two stalls but we're tidy we had the empanadas and tacos for small plates. Both very very delicious and the entrées included the pork chop and the braised short rib. The pork chop was a little dry and tough, not really flavorful, but presented nicely. The brave short rib over cauliflower was amazing. I also had a cocktail with pineapple cream and coconut. Very good. read more
Restaurant Week review Parrillada Mexicana - grilled skirt steak, grilled chicken skewer, fontina queso fundido, short rib tostada, lime, roasted chile, salsa roja, tortillas Rompope Flan - vanilla custard, mexican eggnog, charred orange, nutmeg Salsa Macha Ceviche - lime marinated sea bass, smashed cucumber, ginger, avocado, orange, sesame, toasted chiles, cilantro Flavor of the lime marinade was good but the fish's flavor is completely gone and the ratio is 90/10, cucumber/ fish & avocado. We got plenty of tortillas. The Parrillada of steak and chicken thigh was cooked to good tenderness but needed more seasoning. Cheese was good, salty and sweet. Overall, made for good tacos. Short rib tostada was a perfect bite. Flan was rich and creamy, perfect consistency. Loud atmosphere, tables packed close together, and less than ideal speed of service but not terrible. read more
Excellent food. Dined here for NYE 2024 and for a friends birthday. We tried the paella, roasted chicken and the steak. So delicious! Every bite. All of the food was perfectly seasoned. New Years Eve, they sent our girls complimentary dessert with sparklers. It was so cute and festive. The sangria was delicious, nice and stiff. Highly recommend. read more
Food: came for rest week and the lunch is a deal you can't pass. Live fire, perfect steak, very crunchy fries. Loved the tepache as well, it's a kombucha made into mocktail that is just refreshing for the food. Ambience: very upbeat, feel like it's more suitable for a dinner nevertheless I loved it. Service: very attentive, servers speak Spanish! 10/10. read more
**3.5 stars** Came here for an early weekday lunch during Restaurant Week. We came right when it opened and the restaurant gradually filled up during our time there. I liked the vibes and open kitchen layout of the restaurant. I started off with the albondigas (3 short rib-pork meatballs, queso de cabra, guajillo-tomato sauce). The bread was perfectly crispy and paired well with the queso de cabra and guajillo-tomato sauce. I think the dish normally comes with 6 short rib-pork meatballs but the portions were smaller for Restaurant Week. Next, I had the steak and frites (skirt cut, spiced fries, Baja chimichurri). The steak was good but could have used more seasoning/salt and the dish itself was too oily. The fries were crispy at first but got soggy from all the oil on the plate. For dessert I had the Rey Gordo sundae (vanilla bean ice cream, Cruz Blanca barrel-aged stout syrup, stoner cookie crumble) which was good and the Cruz Blanca barrel-aged stout syrup wasn't too overpowering. Service could have been better. The dishes came out slowly and our main dish was accidentally brought to another table instead even though we ordered before them. In addition, when the waitress brought the main dish out the knife flew off the plate and across the table along with some of the frites, which kind of freaked me out. Lastly, only one dessert was brought out for hubby and I to share even though we both ordered off the Restaurant Week menu so we had to clarify with the waitress before another dessert surfaced. We put more time on the meter since it was taking longer than expected and we still ran out of time on the meter again so I ran out to the car in fear that we would get a ticket. read more
Had an early team dinner at Lena Brava and it did not disappoint! We arrived at 5:30pm and the place was pretty empty, but by the time we left, it was packed -- definitely recommend grabbing a reservation. Every dish we tried was a hit, but the standout surprise was the fire roasted watermelon -- I never knew watermelon could be so complex and delicious. I ordered the steak fritas, and it was cooked to perfection. Juicy, flavorful, and beautifully plated. Also worth calling out: the spicy fruit cart mocktail. Our whole table loved it, even the folks who usually go for cocktails. It was the perfect mix of heat and refreshment. Great food, great service, great vibe -- would absolutely come back! read more
3 months ago
What an experience! From the hostess who warmly reminds you of Sterling K. Brown, as he closely monitors the turn style door to ensure the wind never rips thru the cracks and reaches the patrons to the open kitchen flames that somehow seem to dance in the air...this is a wonderfully cozy dining experience. You feel like you're visiting that one Rich Aunt that has a cozy house filled with artifacts from her travels, but then also has an eclectic live-in chef! Lol To avoid the pressure of selecting a single dish to fall in love with (because the options felt limitless) my table chose a Tapas Approach with multiple starters that almost included every option they provided. We started with a beautiful vertical ceasar salad that divided very easily (contrary to what I thought), then we had the grilled oysters, Salsa Macha Sea Bass Ceviche, Smoked Beets with Goat Cheese Mousse, Coal Fired Lobster/Gobernado Tacos, Wood Oven Empanadas, and finished with Grilled Octopus with Capers. To drink I enjoyed the Papi Diablo with Hibiscus, Ginger and Tequila! I have no regrets! My faves were: the Tacos and the Grilled Oysters! I could eat those all day! Did I mention the tacos were served right off the coals to our table? Magnifique! The presentation was beautiful for each dish. The aromatics were perfectly matched to each experience and the sounds of the open kitchen were a great soundtrack to the evening as well! Thank you for a wonderful evening! read more
Ceviche is large portions and huge chunks of fish. The carnitas sandwich is made fresh and easily splits for two. Service is kind but slow on a weekday afternoon. Drinks are good. The vibe inside is much classier and formal as opposed to outside relaxed dining. read more
1 year ago
Ridiculous! Mexican fused charcoal at its best. Bass and Scallop dish were outrageous. Bass was plentiful and shareable while containing freshness and flavors that hit the pallet. The scallops were equally delicious and top notch. Highly recommended. read more
8 months ago
Good service and ambiance but the food is just alright for the price. The only thing I truly liked was the lobster taco, which was incredible, but everything else was quite forgettable. Would go again just for the taco though, it was great. read more
I recently tried Leña Brava with a friend for dinner and the experience was great! I don't know how I missed this spot from my list and never tried it before, I'll surely be going back to try their amazing Mexican dishes and drinks. We ordered a fire roasted cauliflower, guacamole and chips, and plantains to share. My friend ordered a roasted octopus as well. Overall, the food was very impressive. i liked the fire roasted cauliflower the most. It was drizzled with chilly oil all over it which definitely enhanced the taste. For drinks I ordered a Night in Oaxaca, and my friend ordered Berry Boozie. Both the drinks were soo good. I never imagined a cocktail drink with beet juice and mezcal but I was fairly surprised with this combination. This place is a bit tiny and reserving a spot beforehand is recommended. Definitely try them for good authentic Mexican cuisine! read more
8 months ago
So delicious! You can taste the grill flavor. Was one of the best meals we've ever had and the best table side bread. read more
2 years ago
Nice smaller place. I love how even when it's a full restaurant it's not noisy. We didn't near the kitchen and it was so hot (only negative lol). Staff is very polite and kind. Food - well it was absolutely wonderful. I would go here again many times. The table ordered some appetizers so I had a couple bites of everything ordered and everything was amazing. I highly recommend the bass. It's so good. I don't think you can go wrong and the cocktails were wonderful as well!!! read more
1 year ago
Had a great time here! Came in for dinner (probably helpful to make reservations as I can see this place is quite popular). As soon as we stepped in, there was a great ambiance/energy! Drinks were so good! Refreshing and not too sweet or tart Appetizer: wood oven empanadas - it seemed like the meat inside was birria-type and so packed with flavor and juice! The wood oven enhanced the crisp on the outside but didn't dry out the inside. It paired well with the yogurt like dip. Entrees: braised short rib & lamb neck birria - I never heard of lamb neck birria and didn't know how much I needed it in my life until this meal! Absolutely delicious and flavorful - if you get a chance to get this, do it! Short ribs were also delicious, very tender, and rich - came with a sauce that elevated it further. read more
Dining at Leña was one of my best experiences this year. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, with a comforting warmth radiating from the wood-fire cooking--perfect for a cool evening. While my friend found it a bit too warm in their thick sweater, I thought the temperature added to the experience! We started with oysters and pork empanadas. The oysters had a beautiful flavor. They were larger than I usually prefer, but still incredibly delicious. The empanadas were packed with savory pork and had a wonderfully crisp exterior, making for a memorable appetizer. Be careful of the spicy ranch that comes with it! The Paloma cocktail was expertly prepared, refreshing, and just the right balance of tart and sweet. For my main course, I ordered the meat platter and added shrimp for an additional $20. It's hard to put into words just how good everything was. The red salsa complemented the steak perfectly, adding a kick of flavor, while a goat cheese and almond mixture paired well with the chicken. You're given the option to build our own tacos with crisp lettuce bibs or warm, house-made tortillas, allowing us to customize each bite to our taste. Our server was incredibly sweet and had extensive knowledge of the menu, making helpful recommendations and enhancing the whole dining experience. My only regret was not bringing a bigger group so we could sample even more dishes. I can't wait to return to Leña and explore the menu further. read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
7 months ago
Where do I even start. This place was honestly shockingly GOOD. We had a few appetizers and we couldn't get enough of all of them, we couldn't stop saying how good everything was. We shared a parillada with chicken, steak and veggies with tortillas. My son had the short rib and he was amazed. This restaurant definitely deserves a Michelin star . I highly recommend this place and will be back soon. read more
8 months ago
3 years ago
I did not expect Lena Brava to blow me away like it did. It was absolutely outstanding, in terms of food, vibes, service, and everything else in between. My friend was in town and wanted to check out this place in west loop so the 4 of us went on a Wednesday evening and were seated outside, which is by the way, absolutely beautiful seating. It's super chic vibes both inside and outside so you can't go wrong in terms of where you sit. We started off with some happy hour drinks and I got the mojito, which was a beautiful ombré color and so refreshing and yummy! We ordered chips and guacamole to share for the table. The size of the guacamole was smaller than I would've liked, but you guys it was probably the best chips and guac I've ever had. The chips were warm and salty and crispy. And went absolutely perfectly with the INCREDIBLE guacamole, which was flavored perfectly. The guac was light, refreshing, salty, with just the right amount of lime and seasoning. For my entree, I got the Al pastor taco and the chicken tinga taco with a side of the rice and beans. The sides were very flavorful and came in a hefty quantity, which was perfect for my 2 tacos. The chicken tinga taco was delicious with juicy chicken, topped with picked onions, cheese, and cilantro. But the star of the night was the Al pastor taco. I can't even begin to explain the outstanding seasoning of the pork paired with grilled pineapples, salsa, and queso. It was the perfect culmination of flavors. And I still think about that taco every day. I even ordered the Al pastor tacos to go bc I loved it so much!! Hands down, the BEST Al pastor tacos I've EVER had! The menu is small but whatever they have available, it will be the best you will have. I LOVED my experience at Lena Brava and cannot wait to return! If you guys are reading this, please go!! Your taste buds will thank you! read more
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More info about Leña Brava
900-902 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607
West Loop, Near West Side
Directions
(312) 733-1975
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https://www.lenabrava.com
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Ask the Community - Leña Brava
Is this more of a dressy or casual spot?
Generally business casual. This spot is in between topolo and frontera in terms of vibe and price point so dress accordingly.
What is the usual attire/dress?
If you're familiar with the other Rick Bayless restaurants, I'd say not as dressed-up as Topolo, but not as dressed-down as Frontera can be. So for the men, blazers aren't required, but I wouldn't go to Lena Brava in shorts either. "The nicer side…
Will Lena Brava take reservations?
Yep they do but plan ahead! It's tough to get them at the last minute
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18 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Leña Brava - seafood - Updated August 2026
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