One of my favorite places. Drinks, food and service are all phenomenal. Highly recommended

I've been to Zentli and (now closed) Estacion and had a fantastic experience so Libertad has to be good, right? Unfortunately I wasn't impressed. They have fans inside the restaurant which were on full blast and it was uncomfortably cold inside during the summer! The food was just okay. I split a burger with my daughter and it wasn't seasoned very well at all. I also had the elotes, hummus, and the yucca fries. I'm not sure they actually gave us yucca fries. What we got was crispy shredded yucca chips - not worth the price on the menu. The service was good but I wouldn't go back for the food. read more

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Service was good, the restaurant is very dark kinda hard to see. It was clean. They have these huge ceiling fans and they are blasting on high. I went with my kids and they were complaining that it was cold. Ive heard great things about this place so maybe they had an off night.I had gone to estación another restaurant owned by the same people and I really liked that place I got the lomo saltado which is a beef stew with white rice and vegetables. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. The hummus was ok and the yuca was terrible and I love yuca. I went with my kids but they don't really have a kids menu. I don't think I would go back. read more

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My family came here for brunch on a Sunday and we loved the restaurant. We were seated near the bar area and there were only a few tables for smaller parties, but there's more seating in the back. Some of the items are a bit more expense, like the guac appetizer was $15 but the guacamole was really fresh and the chips were freshly fried and crispy. The enchiladas were a bit dry so I wasn't a super big fan. My dad got the fish special for Father's Day and it was beautifully plated but did cost $40. read more

Libertad - Latin American Near Me - Skokie, Illinois

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I received a warm welcome when I entered the door. The front area of the restaurant was full so we were led to the back, enclosed patio. There was a funky smell at first (the wood, the alley?) but we eventually just got used to it. I would suggest something to battle the smell. The waitress mentioned the specials for the night and when she said Short Rib, I was sold. It was delicious. Only sad thing is that the average person will probably never take leftovers home. The portion, as pricey as it is, is just right for one person. The margarita I had was good and the Tres Leches dessert was a perfect ending. read more

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I was in the area and wanted something close to me and this popped up. I walked in and was immediately greeted. It's a smaller space so I opted for the bar so I didn't have to wait. The bartender was friendly during my encounter. I ordered a nonalcoholic margarita, crispy potatoes with crema, and the flautas. The margarita was tasty and came in a cute jar, definitely picture worthy. I had the potatoes as starters, they were good but the spice was there. I was able to save half. The portion sizes are decently big. I really enjoyed the chicken flautas. The chicken was seasoned well and juicy. The green sauce on top was also my favorite part of the flautas. It's a little pricey but was able to make two meals out of it. read more

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My niece had her christening reception here and it was fabulous! They made custom drink menus for the event and ended up moving our party from the patio to inside due to the heat. We got so much food and it was all delicious! We started out with some yucca fries to snack on and I loved the green salsa that came with it. Then we got some flautas, rice and beans and lomo saltado. All were very excellent! The service was great and they were on top of things. I would definitely come back again and try other items from their seasonal menu! read more

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We've been going to Libertad for years and they never disappoint. We even had my MIL's 88th birthday dinner there two years ago. We took her on Sunday and it was spectacular. They have a new vegetarian dish with masa and grilled vegetables and it was incredible. Our waitress was amazing as was the food runner/bus boy (he'll make a great waiter if that's where he's heading). We've also had brunch there and it was equally delicious. They update their menu often and use local ingredients. This is absolutely one of our favorite restaurants, city or suburbs. 5 plus stars!!!! read more

You could improve by posting or telling loyal customers that you are no longer open for lunch, as opposed to being greeted by locked doors and no explanation. Really bad way to run a business. We were in your restaurant last Friday for lunch, you think you might have mentioned that you will not be having lunch going forward. You are apparently not interested in your loyal customers, only profit. We consistently spent over $160 per week at your restaurant, we will not be back, and you apparently don't care read more

Cute restaurant in the Skokie area. There was free street parking in the front so that was a plus. Pretty empty when we went for lunch on Sunday (didn't really need a reservation, but just in case). Our group ordered a variety of food and they were all pretty good. The drink menu was a bit pricey for the size. The food didn't take a long time. There is an indoor area and then an enclosed outdoor patio which was great, because even though it was a bit chilly, we were not affected by the wind. Would come and eat the food again. Maybe come try out the dinner menu next! read more

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Libertad surprised me in the best way! Service was super sweet. I really liked the head of house a lot. She was so personable and gave her opinion on dishes, which I always appreciate. The space is simple and that perfect blend of lightness/airiness while still being intimate. They suggest 3-4 plates between two people, and we went with 3 and had plenty of leftovers. Queso de cabra was fantastic. Flautas were AMAZING. Chuleta, and actually especially the sweet potato purée, was cooked to perfection. All dishes were well balanced. Drinks were STRONG. I got the fresas one and my husband got the G&T, and both were the perfect summer drinks. I'm just so happy with our experience there! It was so perfect. We would return. read more

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It was our first time at Libertad for brunch, and we wanted to order everything. We enjoyed the steak and eggs along with the shrimp and grits. Everything was very well put together, from the presentation to the balance of each ingredient. Their hot sauce is a must. We also enjoyed the coffee. We will definitely go back to try other dishes. read more

Libertad - Shrimp & Grits - Latin American Near Me - Skokie, Illinois

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Libertad is a gem for its location in Skokie. Latin American small plates delight the senses with imaginative flavors and visuals. We enjoyed the carne asada (and especially the sauce!), the grilled octopus (pulpo), the flautas, and many more dishes. Drinks were well-balanced and kept us coming back for more. Service was attentive, gregarious, and kind. read more

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Been here a couple of times over the years but just writing a review now! We've gone during the summer and they have a nice little patio area in the back. Not a huge amount of space but it's well-covered so everything is shaded and comfortable. Better to use if you have a smaller party, probably no more than 4 people. We once went with a party of 8 (4 adults and 4 kids) and it was a little tricky, but the staff was very accommodating and made it work for us. We typically went for their brunch/lunch menu and I usually get their Breakfast Burrito. Very substantial and filling with great flavor! My wife has gotten the chilaqueles and she also enjoyed it. We haven't tried their brunch cocktails yet but their pineapple agua fresca was good (though too sweet for my wife). I'm getting hungry just writing this review so we'll be making our way back again soon! read more

Libertad - Breakfast Burrito. - Latin American Near Me - Skokie, Illinois

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Yummy yummy in our tummies! This cozy and upscale-ish establishment offers 40-45 seats for indoor dining and also offers outdoor heated dining (back of restaurant). The atmosphere is minimalistic. Wood tables, seats and a long shared bench against the wall. It's a little cramped which can make it hard to hear conversations with people you're with, but for introverts - this is a perfect spot lol. There is also a bar area that seats 5 guests. Their mezcal cocktails (la dragona and la guerra) are definitely top notch and delicious. Smokey, spicy with a hint of fruit and smoothness to it, they are VERY good and I highly recommend them. The food was okay - this is a pretty pricey place so I was expecting a bit more from the food. Still good! Just not 5 stars for me. My favorite was the pescado - full of unique flavors, refreshing and filling. My con of it was it's heavy on the butter/oil side. My fiancé and I also tried the pulpo and crane asada. I was impressed with the service - I only saw 1 waitstaff person and she was fairly quick with getting all the orders in. She timed our meal out very well, as soon as we were finished with a course another 1 was coming out. Plenty of other people bringing food to the tables, refilling waters, etc but only 1 server (Amy). She was really nice and had a smile on her face the entire time. Oh! We also got a fresh plate and fresh utensils for each course. That's a bonus in my book as this gives a clean and fresh palette. read more

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We had excellent dining experience at Libertad. After telling our server, Jenny, which plates we were interested in she curated a perfect meal. The food was not only delicious but the presentation was amazing. The restaurant's kitchen is located in plain sight of the tables so that you can watch the plates being created. read more

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I hadn't been to Libertad since before the pandemic. It was one of my go-tos for a downtown-ish meal and vibe with the convenience of being in a nearby suburb with plenty of free parking. I went for Sunday brunch and ordered the Pambazo; crispy fried chicken, guajillo dipped roll, habanero dressing, cabbage, avocado. It was fresh and delicious with the perfect spicy kick. Our server was really great about making sure I was ok with spicy food and offered options to offset the heat. I ordered with no modifications and loved it. I was surprised with a comped dessert since we were celebrating my birthday. It was a very sweet surprise and a lovely ending to a great meal. I'm sorry I didn't catch our server's name but she was really sweet and helpful! I'm glad to say that Libertad has held up their high quality and I look forward to returning for a girls night out or intimate celebration. read more

Libertad - Pambazo: crispy fried chicken, guajillo dipped roll, habanero dressing, cabbage, avocado - Latin American Near Me - Skokie, Illinois

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One of my favorite spots to eat in Skokie! Staff is so friendly, and the food is absolutely phenomenal! I'm a huge fan of the camerones and the flautas, so delicious! read more

We had a lovely dinner at Libertad. The waiter was very helpful in having us choose our dishes, that we chose to share, and pair with some delicious drinks. read more

Food was pretty much a 4 across the board. Free soup starter - 5 - best thing we had Edamame hummus - 4 Chicken mole - 4.5 Macaroni and cheese - 3.5 Bodin - 4 My dining companion had the vegetarian entree. She said she enjoyed it but I could tell it wasn't amazing. Service was a little slow considering it was a Tuesday night and there were plenty of servers. Also, the room is very small and the kitchen is in the same room. So the temperature fluctuates and you will leave with smoke in your nose. Just a heads up! Not sure I'd go out of my way to come back here but if a friend wanted to go, I wouldn't be disappointed. read more

We've been for brunch a handful of times, and it's always been great. The outdoor seating is lovely, the menu has something for everyone. We had gone for "fancy" brunch but really the prices are quite reasonable. The waitress we had was super kind, and they brought complimentary birthday treats for those of us celebrating. I really like the coffee made with a touch of cinnamon! read more

Great menu. Great service. Try Zentili, too in Evanston on Dodge and Dempster. Not only are these places authentic, they are filled with art. read more

We came here on a Sunday evening to celebrate my husband's birthday. He chose Libertad from among several restaurant options presented to him. We easily made a reservation on OpenTable for 7 p.m. and requested a table on the patio. We were seated right away at our table for two. Our server greeted us shortly after being seated with an amuse bouche of potato and red pepper soup in a demitasse cup, which was creamy and delightful. Our server gave us a tour of the menu, highlighting how dishes were organized and making some recommendations of her favorites. We started with the ensalada cezar and the shishito peppers. The salad was too fishy for my preferences (not specifically their fault - they disclose the anchovies on the menu). There was also basil in the salad, which didn't mesh well with the other flavors. I saw a woman at the table next to us have a similar reaction to mine when trying her salad, so that one seems like maybe a course to skip? The shishito peppers were great - pan roasted and topped with cojita cheese and tajin. I could have made a meal out of those! We also ordered salmon, which was chipotle marinated, and a special of filet served with rosemary chimichurri. I only had a small bite of the salmon, and it was flavorful and smoky. The filet was also very good and prepared well. The rosemary chimichurri will live on in my dreams. My husband received a scoop of ice cream (dulce de leche with caramelized bananas) as a complimentary dessert. He enjoyed it (I skipped it because I'm allergic to bananas). Our cocktails - a margarita and the gran guerra - were both good. I appreciated the freshness of the margarita, made with fresh lime juice. My critiques: -The patio has vinyl "walls" around it, so the pictures online of the outdoor seating are disingenuous. It was disappointing on a perfect summer evening when we were specifically looking forward to being semi-outdoors. -Our table on the patio was in the middle of the space. Every time someone walked by, our table was bounced and jostled on the wood planks. That table just shouldn't exist until they secure the floor joists. It was like being in a bounce house while eating dinner. -Potentially resolved by the above, the tables are very close to each other, which was disappointing when a man at the table adjacent to ours started very loudly sharing his opinions about "DEI hires" among other topics. The food was good, and I would consider coming back to explore more of the menu, but the ambiance missed the mark for us for a special occasion. read more

The cuban sandwich was one slice a very thin ham and the beef that was on. It was not fresh.. The pickle was good. The mix for the margarita was not good I should have taken a picture of the sandwich to show how stingy the meat was . This was our second visit here and as of right now we won't be back. read more

Absolutely impeccable! Flavors are spot on, service is awesome, space is lovely and warm. All around fabulous meal--the chicken flautas are a MUST! The esquites were exquisite. So perfect I forgot to take any pictures. But EASILY the best meal I've had this month. You have to go! read more

Amazing everything. Amazing service, food, and price. This place is a great spot if you ever find yourself craving delicious Cuban.

We got there about 5:15 and they were a little understaffed, but they were very nice and more staff arrived as the dining room filled up. Our meal began with a delicious little cup of complimentary potato soup. I liked my Margarita too. My husband's wagyu beef burger was also delicious, as were my flautas. Be aware that the burger comes with (soggy) fries, though the menu doesn't say so. The yucca fries are the shoestring kind, not our preference but okay. They come with ok garlic dipping sauce. The potatoes bravas were a disappointment--basically just baked potatoes with uninspiring sauce--not crispy as they should be. The dining room gets crowded, but conversation is still possible. read more

My wife and I enjoyed ourselves at Libertad for Valentine's Day. The experience was nice and we were both impressed by the service. We started with a cocktail. The drinks were strong but also mixed well. The lomo saltado was different from some that I've had in the past. Different isn't a bad thing and I still really enjoyed the meal. read more

Libertad - Lomo Saltado - Latin American Near Me - Skokie, Illinois

We had such an incredible dining experience at this sublime restaurant. We were given a gift card to eat there and I am SO thankful! We had late reservations and were the last patrons to be there at closing. Even though, we are sure the staff was wanting to close for the night, they never rushed us or seemed annoyed that we were still there. The atmosphere was quiet and cozy and besides the main dining area where we were seated, there was another dining area in the back. Our meal started off with a tiny cup of black bean soup, courtesy of the chef. It was perfectly textured, and absolutely amazing. Once we tasted that, we knew that a great meal was coming!!! As my husband is a vegetarian we picked all vegetarian items from the menu. We picked four of the smaller plates but believe me it was plenty of food. (We brought home leftovers) The portion sizes were great and the dishes were spaced perfectly. We started with the Brussels sprouts that were made in a maple syrup chile sauce. They were cooked perfectly between soft and a little firm. Next up was the Poblano which was my personal favorite. It was filled with goat cheese and habanero Jack, mushrooms and some other vegetables. My husband even liked it and he doesn't normally eat goat cheese. The crispy potatoes were exactly as they said "crispy" and they were simply amazing. Our final dish for dinner was a squash dish made with salsa macha and our waiter, Miguel, who was simply the best, explained its origins, and how the sauce came from the Chinese influence in Mexico many years ago. We ended with amazing desserts. Yes, we had two desserts! We had the Tres leches cake and the dessert of all deserts recommended by Miguel: a guava cheesecake. I will be definitely getting that guava dessert again. We had the best and kindest service at this restaurant. You could tell that everyone that worked there liked each other, and there seemed to be a great camaraderie. Besides, Miguel being fantastic, our bus boy was so personable and polite. You have to check out this restaurant in downtown Skokie. You wouldn't believe that a gem like this exists there. read more

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Came with my wife and her cousins to get dinner here. Its a nice cozy spot with friendly staff. We were greeted right away and they set up a table for out reservation of 5. Our server was kind and helpful in figuring out food and drink options. We all picked mainly based off her recommendation. I got the Carne Asada with the mocktail Hielo Caliente. My wife got the Margherita Zero to go with her Lomo Saltado. We were served our drinks pretty quickly. I loved the Hielo Caliente and my wife really liked it as well. The Margherita Zero was okay but I dont think my wife was a huge fan. Our food came out soon after. The skirt steak was cooked perfectly medium and each bite was delicious. The yuca fries on top were also good but i just wish they were larger instead of so many small fries. My wife loved her Lomo Saltado and really seemed to enjoy it. The others all got similar dishes and seemed to enjoy them as well. Overall, I would say the quality and taste of the food is excellent. The drinks are quite inventive and delicious. The staff were all friendly and helpful. Great place to come for a nice evening to spend with loved ones! read more

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Libertad is one of my favorite places in Skokie. The menu changes regularly, and the service is always so friendly. It's a great spot for a special date. read more

Food was pretty good! First time here. The braised pork rib was excellent. The sauce was great that accompanied it. The yuca fries were so addicting. The pulpo was my least favorite because there was barely any octopus in the dish. I was very disappointed and wish there was more than just a few pieces of octopus in the dish. The flautas were great and very saucy. Service was impressive. When I initially parked my car by Libertad and was about to walk up to restaurant, I thought it was closed. The restaurant is very dark on the inside, darker than a typical dimly lit restaurant in my opinion. I was in a group of 6 and a few people in my party were unable to see the menu. read more

This is an excellent restaurant to enjoy in a nice downtown community atmosphere. The food is excellent, and service is predictably attentive. I highly recommend going to this place. We will return again. Thank you, Libertad! read more

We were able to call ahead to reserve some outdoor seating if 8 people and the staff were super friendly and helpful in getting us high chair and moving tables around to fit the strollers as we have two parties with kids. The outdoor seating is a bit limited, crammed, and very enclosed, I'd wished it would be more open air. Probably seats 4-5 parties, 10-20 people at most. The set up is super elegant with nice glasses for water and paper cups for kids water. Breakfast burrito-- we asked without cheese and they easily accommodated. Served with baked potato and some side salad. Big chunks of soft fluffy egg and avocado, I especially loved the the thick cut Canadian bacon (ham)'s flavor and texture, it provides a nice chew. My oldest daughter liked it a lot too. Cuban braised pork torta with brioche bun-- wow this was so good. Pico de gallo plus sunny side up egg on top of juicy smoked flavorful braised beef, was suuuch a good combo. Would order this again! French fries were perfectly crunchy. I do wish they served on a bigger plate since I was juggling with feeding kids too. But the rectangular plate is very pretty. Side pancakes-- these are thick and fluffy, definitely fluffier than 0.5 inches thickness and it's firm and soft also. Not overloaded with powdered sugar which is great. Can dip in syrup, which is also not super thick, which is good. Overall I really liked the quantity and especially the quality of foods. The brunch menu is reasonably priced and of good value. I would definitely recommend this place to others. read more

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Amazing food, great service. We shared many dishes and everything was excellent. Best Restaurant in Skokie by far !!!

Outstanding dinner. The food is exquisite, the staff so warm and helpful and the environment cozy and cheerful. We started with a fresh watercress and jicama salad and chiles rellenos (crab stuffed peppers). As entrees we had carne asada - so flavorful and yummy yuca fries. And lomo Salgado (stir fry beef, peppers and onions ). Everyone was so hardworking in the kitchen and a special shout out to Tino, our server and Mateo. read more

This place is so good. We've been twice for brunch and it never misses. Atmosphere is fun, the coffee is great, and they have some exciting things on the menu. read more

Can't believe I haven't tried this gem of a place when it's only 5 mins away from where I lived! First of all, I highly recommend making a reservation since the location is on the small side with a little patio in the back. We came an hour after opening and we got seated at the patio because the inside was all booked up. It got busy real quick. Alright, let's get to the good stuff! Before anything else, we were served with a complimentary cup of a potato soup amuse-bouche that was rich and savory in flavor. That was a pleasant surprise! For an appetizer, we also got the Pan to share and the ciabatta was crispy and buttery on the outside and soft inside. For my entrée, I got the Camarones and wow! The shrimp was sweet and cooked to perfection and the blue corn polenta purée complimented the chile butter. I don't know about others but in my culture, we like to suck on the juices off the head of the shrimp and that's just what I did! Also, I didn't want to waste the sauce on my plate, so I used the leftover ciabatta to mop up the rest of all that goodness! I'm not leaving anything off that $24 plate, haha! My friend ordered the Carne Asada and I had nothing bad to say about it. It was cooked in the temperature he wanted and the yuca fries with chimichurri completed the whole dish pretty well. Another friend ordered the Pescado and from what I could see, the salmon was soft and not dry. For desserts, I had to try Budín de pan and that really just completed the night for me. The bread pudding with the plantains and horchata ice cream sang in my mouth and it wasn't overwhelmingly sweet as I was expecting! I wish the bread pudding was warm all the way because the center was still a little cold but otherwise, it's a dessert I'd still want to eat again. We also ordered their Tres Leches and it was my first time seeing a chocolate variant. I've tried the usual original ones and I found those too cloyingly rich but this one was wonderful! The sweetness of the cake was offset by the tartness of the raspberry salsa. The servings were also pretty big and could be shared! I gave service 5 stars right off the bat. Our server was just so friendly and she immediately accommodated us with a high chair for my friend's baby. She kept checking back on us and I loved that! The only thing off putting to me was that we barely even finished a plate and someone was already approaching our table to take our plates away. We felt kinda hurried every time a server did that, but I wouldn't say it took away from the overall dining experience. While overzealousness and efficiency were appreciated, this was a little uncomfortable. Even so, I definitely still want to come back! There're still items on the menu that I'm excited to try! read more

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Amazing food. Amazing ambiance. You will love things you never liked. Their broccoli was to die for!

We had a reservation for 5:00pm on Sat. The food was great. I had the special which was a Filet. It was cooked perfectly. The drinks were SO slow, we actually had our food before we had our drinks and they were staggered. With a party of 4, it makes it a bit difficult when some are still on their 2nd drink and everyone else is ready to go. They definitely need more than one bartender. I hope they figure this important piece out, because it's a great place to meet with friends or celebrate. read more