When you order delivery, you usually expect it not to be as good as sitting in the restaurant...but that was most definitely NOT the case here! I think I finally found THE Cuban spot. Our favorite place that I grew up going to closed down maybe 8 years ago, and this brought me right back to that authentic, mom-and-pop TASTE. The ropa vieja was incredible. And the flan... wow. It instantly took me back to that little spot, with Pedro and his cigar, cooking up outrageously good food and the best flan! A must try! read more

12/10/25 - Met my buddies here for lunch before the holidays. We get together about twice a year. Que Bola Cuban Cafe is in a tiny strip mall on Touhy Ave about 1/2 mile west of River Road in Des Plaines blink & you'll miss it. Cool little place w/good Cuban food definitely worth checking out read more

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I would give it 10 stars if I could. Excellent customer service. Adorable restaurant. It is small and cozy. All the tables were taken and the employee who took our order was so concerned. She got more chairs for us. A gentleman waiting on a take out order gave us his table. We both got Cubano sandwiches and they were delicious! I got the cucumber salad and it was very tasty. Our friends share some sweet plantain chips with us and I highly recommend them if you like plantain. read more

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Everything is excellent! Nothing was greasy, or over seasoned. We enjoyed all the food (pictured) and over ordered! What is it they say: don't go to grocery store when you are hungry! Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs and we ended up taking home half of each sandwich. So full but so good! Definitely will be back, highly recommend! read more

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Looking for something unique to eat in the area that isn't a chain. Looked this up on Yelp and saw all the awesome reviews. No lies were told. Cute and vibrant strip mall spot with nice variety of Cuban eats. Got the Bandeja Que Bola...because a sampler plate is always after my heart! I want to try a little bit of everything and this is exactly what this platter was! Also got the Lechon Asado! Portions were immaculate and all tastes were on point! Can't wait to go back and try some other goodies! read more

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Sandwich was good, media noche, a lot like a Cuban sandwich, plus the ham crostinis are great too. The atmosphere is fun with the music, and the decorations. For a minute I forgot I was still in Des Plaines! Until I felt the 22 degree (F) weather outside! read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Found this little Cuban restaurant in Des plaines and decided to give it a try. From the photos online, it looked like they served alcoholic beverages but unfortunately, we learned upon arrival that they're still in the process of obtaining their liquor license. The space is very small and, to be honest it got pretty warm inside. It felt like there was no AC, which made the dining experience a bit uncomfortable. We started with three empanadas: 1 chicken 1 beef Both were flavorful and well seasoned. The guava and cheese was a bit too sweet! For my entree, I ordered the steak jibarito and a modongo without pork! Absolutely delicious, the flavors were rich and authentic. They really need to work on getting the AC running or getting fans spread out and securing a liquor license to enhance the dining experience! I'd come back just maybe on a cooler day! read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Jibarito - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Back again and again, it was EXCELLENT! I ordered vaca frita, Cuban rice and plantains - delicious. My husband ordered rellenos trio & enjoyed it thoroughly. Some of the best Cuban food we've had outside of Miami! Yum read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Vaca Frita dinner plate - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Hole in the wall is delicious, even their selection of coffees was a surprise. I can't wait to comeback to try other things.

I love Cuban food,the culture and the music! But I was disappointed in Que Bola. I went here with a friend to grab some food, the environment was lovely, service was good,loved the music and the selections of drinks they had. When it comes to the food I was not happy. I got the Rabo Encindido, there was only 3 oxtails in the dish, and not a lot of meat on them, a little flavor. For the price of the dish you would think you'd get a good amount, but I didn't.. I love Cuban food and the culture but I was let down. read more

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This is a gem of a restaurant that serves delicious Cuban food. I have been here twice and had terrific food and good experience. It's a family-owned establishment and is popular among the locals. The food is made fresh and it had authentic flavors. The restaurant had a cozy atmosphere and the vibe is good. Que Bola has a good menu variety and the items are reasonably priced. It's counter service in the sense that you order at the counter and if you choose to dine in, then food is brought to your table. I liked their Ropa Viejo and Jibarito Cubano sandwiches a lot. The sandwiches were packed and full of flavor. They were delicious to say the list. Their Cuban coffee is really good as well. It had a good taste. The restaurant is clean and inviting. The dining area is small since the restaurant is small in itself. There might be a wait if you are looking to dine in depending which time of the day you go. We received good service. The staff was friendly and helpful. I highly recommend checking out this restaurant. You can't go wrong with it. read more

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Where do I start? I decided I wanted to make Cuban sandwiches at home, but I wanted legit pan Cubano and since no spots near me seem to carry it I called Que Bola on a whim to see if they would sell me some. I'm glad I did...Marco was kind enough to order 4 extra loafs of their bread and I happily drove 45 minutes to their restaurant to pick them up. And again, I am glad I did. When I got there Marco and his team were so kind. I told Marco my plan to make Cuban sandwiches at home and his response was to bring a bunch of samples of their pork and several different mojo sauce variations for me to sample. Let me say, the braised pork was easily one of the best bites of meat I've had in my life. The sauces are all incredibly delicious and perfectly compliment the pork as well. He sent me home with 7 different types of sauce to dip my sandwiches in, and each one is unique. The hospitality at Que Bola was second to none and the food speaks for itself. I will happily drive down there again soon to sit and have a meal. From my interaction with Marco and the amazing food it is clear he puts a lot of pride into the food he serves. Just an amazing little gem over there is Des Plaines. Thank you so much Marco, and staff. read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

The food was delicious. We got coffee and sandwiches for lunch. Portions were healthy and our waters were ice cold. Staff was happy to help us pick which sandwich would be best. What more could you want? read more

Ordered the Rope Vieja Sandwich which came with a side of Plantain Fries and 2 sauces which were tasty. A very filling sandwich filled with steak and beans and very good. The online ordering process was super easy and service was quick when I came in for the order. A cute small place perfect for lunch read more

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OMG! Hands down.. one of the best Cuban food, small and cozy! Generous portion, great taste, meat is very tender and juicy! Highly recommended! read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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I've been to a few Cuban restaurants in the Chicago area and I feel that Que Bola is perhaps a cut above. The food here was delicious and well-presented. I ordered the ropa vieja dinner plate, which was a hit at my table. The meat is a bit tough (as is the nature of the dish), but jam-packed with flavor. I also got to try the surf & turf, which was tender and decadent. Finally, I got a passion fruit mojito (non-alcoholic version) to drink, and it was perhaps the most delicious mojito I have ever had. You order and pay at the counter when you arrive, and the food/drinks are then brought to you at your table. This made splitting the bill among 8 people really easy, since we each paid for ourselves as we ordered. The restaurant has charming murals on the walls, and has overall a casual and pleasant ambiance. It is not very big inside, but we came on a Thursday night, so while it was pretty busy, we were still able to get a table for our big group. read more

Authentic Cuban. Generous portions, quick service. Cuban sandwich, masas de puerco, rice and black beans. All excellent. Small cafe, clean. Will return! read more

Wife is Cuban and said it all tasted very authentic! Cant get a better food review than that!

I am here now and the food is amazing, the ambiance brings you back to Cuba and the service is warm not to mention fast. I would recommend anyone to try some thing different, you will not be let down! read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Ropa Vieja dinner plate - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

My daughter and I love Cuban food and especially Cubanos. I was in the area from out of town so I looked on Yelp for somewhere to get lunch and found Que Bola. The service was great from the moment I walked in. The cashier was very friendly. I already looked at the menu so I ordered 2 Cubanos to go. After checking out, I asked the cashier what the pastries were and he explained it to me and gave me one for free to see if I liked it. I really liked them so I bought some. Our sandwiches came out really fast and the cashier showed me all the sauces they offer, told me which ones were popular, and asked which ones I wanted. I got the garlic sauce, chimmichurri, and hot sauce. I drove back home about an hour away before my daughter and I could eat our Cubanos. We both agreed that they were the best ones we've ever had! The sauces were amazing and I used different combos of them to dip my sandwich. Even eating them after sitting for an hour, they were phenomenal. I can't imagine how good they would be fresh. We're definitely going to make the hour drive just to come back and try more of the food. I really want to try their Ropa vieja sandwich but the Cubano was so good, I don't know if I can go and not get one! read more

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This place is fantastic. Took some sandwiches to go, they were quick to get them out, even though the place inside was packed! Best Cubano I've had in a long time! read more

Love it there. Great food and very authentic. Marco goes above and beyond. A hidden gem in the neighborhood

I have never been to Cuba but going here makes me want to take a trip there soon! The food here is full of flavor and great textures. Though I would have preferred the food to be more spicy, I thought the sandwiches had nice crispy bread and a generous amount of meat. The coffee is some of the best I've ever had outside of going to a coffee house. It was dark and not too bitter with just the right amount of sweetness. Besides the food this is a really nice spot to hangout with friends. The prices are good for the quality of the food that you get here. In summary, a great option for experiencing the delicious flavors of Cuban food in a casual atmosphere. Definitely worth the drive from Naperville and will be coming here monthly! read more

Delicious! Don't miss the soup, but the sandwiches are also excellent. The classic Cuban is always a favorite

My husband and I went to Que Bola Cuban Cafe with some friends before seeing a hockey game at the Allstate Arena. The location was perfect, it was less than a mile from the stadium. When I arrived the neighborhood and strip mall looked uninviting. Don't let that stop you from coming. Once inside you'll notice that this restaurant is both cozy and full of charm. The walls and decorations scream of Cuba. We ordered the Cuban sandwich and the roasted pork sandwich. The sandwiches were super delicious. There was a lot of meat and toppings. The sandwiches were pretty greasy. Definitely needed a couple of napkins to eat these. The sweet potato chips come standard without having to upgrade. The hot chocolate and coffee were excellent. The owner came to talk with us and was super nice. I highly recommend Que Bola Cuban Cafe is excellent Cuban cuisine! read more

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I wasn't too optimistic, most Cuban places I've tried since I left South Florida many many years ago have disappointed me. Finally, I've found someplace to fill that void. I can get my fix, and it's not too far away. It's a small place with an inviting interior. The menu has some good options with good prices, and everyone was very friendly. That was a good start. I went with something basic, the Cubano sandwich. O.M.G. This is the best Cubano that I've had in years. The bread was fresh and delicious, the meat was perfect, the portions were perfect, and the slow roasted pork was amazing. A batch of sweet potato chips came with it, and they were perfectly crisped and a great accompaniment. I can't wait to work my way through the menu. Cuban coffees, empanadas, plantains, pork, Cuban pastries... I've made myself hungry. I think I need to head there for supper. read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Went here without any expectations, just looking for something quick and inexpensive to eat before going to the Allstate Arena for a Chicago Wolves game. However, I left here thinking that this might be one of the best hidden gems in Chicago. As my friends know, I'm quite a fan of Cafecito in the South Loop, often making a special trip there to enjoy the cubano and cafe con leche. I may have left here now having a new favorite spot for that combination. The sandwich itself had the perfect amount of saltiness and cheesiness without feeling too greasy and a generous amount of meat inside. I'm not normally a fan of mustard or pickles, but the way that this was combined inside the sandwhich was masterful. I also really enjoyed the sweet potato chips as well. Similarly, I found the lechon asado to be a delicious mix of perfectly cooked pork with a good amount of umami from the grilled onions and tied together nicely through the mayo. The ropa vieja I tried was also cooked to perfection with the right amount of spices and incredibly tender meat again. I would love to try one of the grilled steaks in the future based on the high quality cooking and flavor combinations I tried in these dishes. The cafe con leche here is also bold and full of flavor, definitely one of the best coffees I've had in recent memory. Overall, if you look at the outside you could easily pass over this restaurant. However, once you step inside you'll find a beautifully decorated restaurant with amazing food at incredibly reasonable prices. The staff here is incredibly friendly and helpful, with food that comes out fresh and hot. This is worth a special trip for any lovers of Cuban food. read more

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Looked for a good Cuban place in the area to try. Delicious food and starters. Highly recommend to try the Ropa Vieja sandwich! A good pair with maduros and your drink of choice. A nice vibe inside to enjoy some food and music. Thanks for providing great service. read more

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Stopped in with my wife, we had empanadas, café con leche, she had bistec a caballo and I had rabo encendido (ox tail). Everything was absolutely amazing and seasoned to perfection. Staff was friendly and attentive. The restaurant was very clean. We will definitely be coming back for more. read more

Thanks to Yelp reviews we planned to visit this restaurant as we were headed to Chicago/Indiana. Arrived in Chicago and they weren't open for business yet so we tried another restaurant that's in the same parking lot. Last day we left Indiana about 5 hours early just so we could try Que Bola before our flight back to Vegas. Food was yummy! A bit pricey. If you're in the mood for Cuban not many places to choose from. I would suggest maybe more garlic/ cumin; it was missing something. Cashier was there to do her job. Wouldn't say friendly or unfriendly. Just saying she did her job by taking order and bringing food to table. Glad we were able to try this restaurant. It's near the airport and there's a beautiful park just down the street. read more

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Came for early dinner 6p, made reservation. Good thing we did, got crowded fast and it's a small place. We had 2 different empanadas bot were delicious and 2 cubano sandwiches. I think they have the best ones around. The ratios of the ingredients are perfect. It's so yummy that you can't wait to come back. We also had the mojito, im sure it was a can cocktail but hit the spot. Love this place and think about it everything I'm near read more

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Went here after picking up persons at O'Hare airport as it is east to get to. Ordered Yuca Frita with mojo de aho, Tostones Rellonos and Empanada trio with picadillo for the table. Also, a Sandwich Cubano and a Media Noche sandwich for everyone to share. I ordered at the counter and the food arrived fairly quickly. There were three sauces: a mayo-ketchup, a honey barbecue and the best which is the mojo de ajo garlic sauce. Smaller quaint dining area. Appears to be a brisk carry out and delivery activity. I am coming back for the breakfast with Cuban expresso. read more

I haven't had many Cuban food experiences but regardless of the country of origin this is amazing food. Ropa Vieja is my go to sandwich. Friendly counter service. Good music transports you to Cuba or South Miami. Priced right. I have brought a few groups here and made regulars of them after just one visit. Must try!! read more

We were in the area and visited because of Yelp reviews. We were very happy with the choice! I had the tostones rellenos and my husband had the spicy pork sandwich. Both were delicious! We felt the pricing was fair for two people. We'll definitely stop here again if we're in the area! read more

Que Bola is a great find! I'd seen a review on another site, and thought we'd give it a try. Stopped by on a Tuesday afternoon. Not many people eating in there, but a steady stream of people dropping in for take-out orders. It took us a while to figure out what we wanted (from the really large and diverse menu), but we ended up with Tostones Rellenos, a Spicy Habanero BBQ Pork Sandwich, and a Bistec Cazuela. I don't say this a lot, but... everything we tasted was amazing! The Tostones were a great way to sample a little of everything - three fried plantain cups filled with (1 each) ropa vieja, shredded pork, grilled shrimp and guacamole. The plantains were crispy and delicious - they could stand alone as an appetizer. I didn't get a chance to taste the shrimp/guacamole one - my wife devoured it before i got a chance - but the other two meats were so rich and tasty. (sorry i'm running out of adjectives...). On to the main courses - My wife loved the sandwich, again really juicy and delicious. And the Bistec Cazuela... i have to say that this was one of the best dished i've had at a restaurant in years. Rich, deep sauce, great flavors from the beef - i had to eat all of the generous portion. (BTW - everything here is served in generous proportions). Sides of beans/rice and fried plantains were just as good. Do yourself a favor - go to Des Plaines, find this little storefront in an old strip mall - and enjoy! Let's work to keep the traffic flowing to keep them open. I know we'll be back soon. read more

Finally free wifi, great place to work and get jugo de mango or cafe con leche. Ambiance is great and fantastic Cuban food. Sayra from Colombia makes me feel at home. Wonderful service. read more

Wow wow wow! So much flavor. My Cubano was delicious! Even next day it tasted great! Highly recommend this spot for authentic Cuban food. Coming back soon! I'm craving it. read more

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We were looking for a place in the area for a quick meal and relied on Yelp to find a place. It is located in a strip mall and from the outside looks very small and unappealing, but once we walked it it was a warm, inviting atmosphere decorated with Cuban items. You place your order at the counter and they serve it to you. The young lady taking our order was perceptive and asked if this was our first time and offered recommendations. We started with the Tostones Rellenos Trio. Three crispy fried plantations , I especially liked the pork and shrimp. I tried the Pollo Jibarito. The sandwich was large, but a bit hard to eat. The pollo was tender and flavorful. I was disappointed there was mustard ,since the description did not include it and I do not like mustard. The owner stopped by to see how everything was. The overall vibe is friendly and welcoming. This is an excellent place for good Cuban food. read more

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Finally got to eat here after multiple visits to Illinois and never getting the timing right to do so. Was very surprised to hiw small it is. A small storefront in a mini strip mall. I ordered the pressed steak sandwich. Tender and flavorful. The Cuban bread is as I remember when I lived in Miami as is the food here. My friend had the ropa vijeo a shredded beef dish in a tasty broth with minced vegetables, black bean and white rice. Also very delicious . Also had plantain chips, mojeto, flan with strong coffee to finish. All this for around half a C note aka $50 was more than fair for the quality homemade food. Food is made to order so be patient as it's worth it. It is loud in a small space as we had a table of hens cackling non stop 1 foot away from us. Reminded me of Miami again our servers were excellent. Special shout out to the very cute young lady who interacted with us on food items. Authentic Cuban food is key.. read more

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Delicious food. Fast delivery. Would definitely order from here again. Especially the coffee and buttered bread