On this night, we visited Sabor a Café for dinner and an intimate solo with a Chilean artist. I don't know why we hadn't noticed this gem before! The place looks like a recently discovered music temple! But, let's slow down a bit and take it from the top. We arrived and there was plenty of parking in the back. The rear entrance is really nice, like little resort with TV and all, reminding me of my own deck. The hostess seated us and the owner promptly came out I welcome us. The server came out and quickly took our order as we wanted to dine and enjoy the musical journey we were about to take. Food was made quickly and was delicious! The empanadas were good with a nice crisp outside. Tostones had a perfect crunch. The steak was perfectly cooked and the potatoes were surprisingly delicious! Drinks were great and well balanced, with a nice punch! The artist was old school, a musicians and a storyteller. He lived a great life and was pairing songs with experiences in his travels. We had a great evening and ended it with the owner giving us tour of the restaurant and all the eclectic art pieces on display. All in all, a great evening was had. read more

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Service was great. The place was nice. It has a theme nights and the night that we went it was a Colombian night and there's dancing partner dancing if you're into that. I am honestly not into that stuff and I just came here because of her birthday party. The food was okay it wasn't that great especially for the price range. I didn't like my Ceviche at all it's a different kind of ceviche tasted kind of weird and off for me. Calamari I did fried it was good but once again the quantity is like half a plate and the other half is a salad. Picada which is a fried pork dish this was really great quantity was big fried pork was very tasty I would order this again. Happy Eating! read more

Sabor A Cafe - Steakhouses Near Me - Niles, Illinois

We were excited when School of Rock Glenbrook was performing on a Saturday afternoon. The stage and lighting were very good but the table seating was small and very crowded. Our server came around a few times to take our drink order and meal order. They were only serving off their lunch menu. We ordered their signature Chicken and Beef Empanadas with rice. Fantastic! We also had their Ceviche de Mango with shrimp. It was served with plantain chips. The shrimp could have been cut into smaller pieces instead of serving them whole. The mango sauce made it too sweet in my opinion. Parking is available in the back of the restaurant but it is very small. They do have additional parking about 2 blocks away. I would definitely like to go back and try some of their dinner items . They also have salsa and jazz music a few times a week. Check their website for music events and hours. read more

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We were excited that School Of Rock from three suburban franchises were performing at this new South American restaurant/nightclub venue which gave us a reason to drive to Niles and try it. Normally they aren't open on Saturday afternoons but the SOR bands were performing from 1-4pm so we ordered from the lunch menu. The service was very good even with the place packed to overflowing. Management handled everything well. The decor was great and the food exceeded our expectations. The owners are from Columbia had a dream to open this venue. Nothing is marked as gluten free but I know that plantains are and that is what came with the ceviche. There were plenty of shrimp and mango in it and great flavor. The jibarito sandwich is also good for those avoiding gluten. Check their website for hours as they are somewhat unusual and especially for the entertainment lineup. The parking lot is small but there is overflow parking available down the block. I would love to return to enjoy some salsa dance lessons or listen to live jazz. read more

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We flew to Chicago for two reasons: to visit family and to stuff our faces at Sabor A Café. Because when you've got points, why not fly halfway across the country for a bandeja paisa that haunts your dreams in the best way? Of course, day one was spent easing into vacation mode with their OG menu and familiar vibe in Chicago. But by day three, after just enough time to reset our appetites (and dignity), we made our way to the brand-new Niles location to see what the buzz was about. Spoiler: It's everything we love about the original, but with more room to dance, and a slightly elevated menu. The Niles location brings all the warmth of the original but dials things up a notch. The layout is spacious and bright, and there's a low-key elegance to the decor that makes it feel like you're walking into something special--but still casual enough that no one's judging your stretchy pants. The restaurant also features a stage that gets lively on weekends. On a Friday night, you might hear traditional Colombian folk music; on a Saturday, Latin jazz or salsa. There's also an upstairs lounge-style event space with cushy seating and a full bar--perfect for celebrating anything from birthdays to, "Hey, I survived the week and need chicharrón." Drinks with Flair (and Fire): I ordered the lychee martini, which was shockingly well-balanced. Not too sweet, not too boozy--just the right kind of floral buzz to ease into the evening. Jorge went with the Charred Gentleman, a smoked old-fashioned that came with its own dramatic entrance. The glass arrived to be smothered in a cloud of smoke. And Julie? She stuck with her tried-and-true Shirley Temple, cherry on top and all. We raised our glasses, some with fire, some with Sprite, and toasted to round two of Colombian heaven. A Feast Worth Flying For Now, the real reason we came (besides the excuse to rack up more American Airlines loyalty points)? The food. The Niles menu features a few upgraded dishes compared to the original spot, but don't worry, the essentials remain untouched. First up were the meat empanadas, my not-so-secret obsession. The crust is golden and crispy, and the filling hits that perfect savory note that pairs dangerously well with their secret recipe green ají. We also ordered calamari, which was crisp, tender, and--shockingly--a favorite for Julie. The table shared the Picada platter, a glorious bowl of pork ribs, chorizo, fried yuca, arepas, chicharrón, and tostones. It's the kind of appetizer that makes you wonder if you even need a main course. (Spoiler: You do. You always do.) The Heavy Hitters: Bandeja and Ribeye For the entrée, I had the Bandeja Paisa, but with a twist--I subbed in churrasco steak for the standard beef. This version came piled high with red beans, white rice, avocado, sweet plantains, fried egg, chorizo, and crispy chicharrón. Julie and I tag-teamed this dish, and still barely made a dent. Worth every overstuffed bite. Jorge went with the rib-eye steak, grilled to a proper medium rare and served with rice and garlic mash (plus a request for red beans). No fluff, no sauces masking mediocrity--just a solid, juicy steak done right. And then there was the burger. Yes, the burger--because no one warned us that a Colombian restaurant would serve one of the best burgers we've ever tasted. This beast is made with a blend of short rib and brisket, topped with melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and their addictive house-made sauce. It comes with fries, but honestly, we could've eaten the burger on its own and still felt like we discovered something sacred. Juicy, rich, perfectly seasoned, and so good it briefly distracted us from the empanadas--which says a lot. Why We'll Keep Coming Back What sets Sabor A Café apart isn't just the food (which is consistently next-level). It's the experience. From the genuine warmth of the staff to the sounds of Colombia playing in the background, everything about this place feels intentional and full of heart. We had a chance to chat with Marta, the owner, and she's every bit as welcoming as the space she's built. I tried my best to sell her on opening a location in Miami--we need this kind of flavor in South Florida--but for now, she's keeping the magic in Chicagoland. Final Thoughts: Whether it's your first visit or your fifteenth, Sabor A Café feels like coming home--if home had a full bar, live music, and empanadas so good you consider quitting your job to become a full-time food blogger. Would we fly back from Miami for round three? Let's just say the only thing stopping us is the need to fit back into our jeans. For now. Want more reviews and travel tips? Visit me at www.MilesToAnywhere.com read more

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We tried this place with some friends on a Saturday night. The place was empty. The lights were practically out when we arrived. The ambiance was nice, but, the lighting was very dark. We had to ask them to turn the lights on lighter so we could actually read the menu. Our waitress was nice, but she wasn't too knowledgeable of drinks and the food. We felt the drinks were very average and way overpriced. The food sounded good. But it was very average - especially for the price. I tried the Culpo (grilled octopus/$18) and some empanadas. I felt the empanadas were premade or even frozen (very average). My wife ordered the Ceviche. It came out warm. We returned it and she decided to order a filet ($42). Her and I have had filet mignon many times in our lives and we felt that the steak she received was not a filet. It was tougher and chewier than a filet. But we made the best and just ate it. The rest of my party ordered ribeyes and other steaks, but they thought they were average and not very good as well. Everything was severely overpriced and not that good here. There was a reason (or many) that no one was in there on a Saturday night. Whether it's great drinks or great food, something has to bring in the people. This place had neither. We arrived at 6:30pm on a Saturday. We stayed until about 10pm. Other than our party, there were probably only 3-4 other people who came in over those 3.5 hours. The place was dead. Our waitress was very nice, but didn't know the menu that well. She also decided to leave early because it was so slow (which I later learned). We asked for the check around 9pm and no one brought it is. We had to get up and ask for it around 9:30pm. I asked where our waitress was and the bartender, who was nice, said she left (because it was so slow). You'd think she'd tell us she was leaving?? There was a live band playing at 10pm. We felt like we were being held hostage so we could stay for the band. But we left right as the band came on. $200 later, we left very disappointed with our restaurant choice that night. I will say, it has potential due to the nightclub vibe. But they drop the ball with their food and the pricing. As much as I don't like being negative on Yelp, we will never return to this restaurant. There was nothing there that would bring us back. We felt robbed. I can't recommend this place to anyone. There are much better restaurants, relatively close to this one, that will stretch your dollar farther and be so much better. Pass on this one. When I got home, I learned that my son (who didn't join us at the restaurant) ate a cheeseburger, fries, and a shake from a local grill for dinner. That's was $15. I was instantly jealous ... read more

Great food and great service live music , we drink we danced we bean going to this place for a while read more

Sabor A Cafe - Steakhouses Near Me - Niles, Illinois

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Went with friends on a Friday night out first time and everyone enjoyed the food and drinks! service was great and to top it off they had a live band that was absolutely amazing! All in all just a great vibe! And must go! read more

I'm sorry they disappointed me and my friends. It seems no one knows how to do their job there. We had reservations and the hosts kept asking our name like 3 different people and did we pay( and they said pay in cash $25 a person) Finally we were seated. It took forever to get a server. We had to pull someone over. Super crowded inside and the tables are small. Very very dark as well. We had a few drinks that were just ok. The wait staff kept bringing out the wrong orders to everyone not just our table. We liked the calamari it was really good. Then we shared of plate of meats. Seemed a little spartan and some of the meat was just gristle. We had dessert as well and it was awful because they used a dirty knife to cut it. It tasted like garlic and onion. It's pretty small inside and it was pretty impossible to see the show just the chest up. Our server didn't speak English and we didn't speak Spanish. Also they charged us automatic 20% tip which was for party of six we certainly were well under that. Also they didn't know how to close out the check properly. I can't see going back here cost too much to achieve so little. read more

The ambience is a bit more upscale for our neighborhood restaurant, the drinks are wonderful, and the food is good. The live band is amazing. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

The food was just OK, and the service was quite awful. Our server was extremely inattentive and seemed very annoyed that we weren't buying alcohol. The entertainment, however, was fabulous. read more

Great good, great atmosphere, great music. Staff was helpful. Drinks were well made. Went for Valentine's day and had a good time. Wonder if they have dancing, not sure . read more

So great! Great awesome Food , great service, great staff! Atmosphere awesome! Decorations beautiful! Has a music stage. read more

the food was very good and great ambiance and good service as well! free live jazz music every Thursdays.

Tried to order the empanadas but they were out of them (at 9pm on a Saturday with an empty house). Ordered a chicken dish, instead, and it came with rice....no beans nor anything else. However, the chicken was decently spiced. You can find much better places just a few miles south. read more

Wonderful gem in Niles! The food was outstanding as was the ambiance. Exceptional service by Charlie. We'll be back again and look forward to the live music! read more

Great food and live music. On a Thursday night I was very surprised that they had a full band.

Great food beautiful place and the best entertainment! The best latin fusion in the city read more

Este restaurant postea en las redes sociales que van a tener música y "NO Cover Charge" pero eso es una gran mentira. En el bill cuando vas a pagar te añaden 10 dólares extra y si va un grupo de 5 personas también cobran un 20% de fee y si uno se queja por todos esos cobros extras, tanto el manager como el dueño se alteran y son unos malcriados. Osea este restaurant es un relajo cobrando hasta las pisadas. El punto es que NO deben de mentir y si van a cobrar por cover charge que lo digan y no escriban en las redes que no hay cobro!!! Ese cover charge lo añaden al bill sin decir nada. Ahhhhh y después de todos esos extra fees, esperan la propina. O sea una comida de 50.00 al final te viene saliendo en $80.00 y cuidado si en algo más. read more

Delicious food!! We Loved our server! and the empanadas flavor, truly a taste of home!

I recently came here for an early dinner on a Sunday. Let's talk about the space - It's stunning and beautifully decorated. There is plenty of parking and love the patio on the outside which would probably be really nice in the summer. The food was okay - The appetizer chicharron and tostados was done terribly. Super salty and not plated correctly. The entrees were okay but lack balance of flavors. Also it was freezing in the restaurant. The service was okay. I am chalking this up to it being new and hope it gets better. Their Peterson location is amazing so I know they can do much better. read more

Sunday afternoon. I've been seeing this place driving down Milwaukee for a short while. they are new. My friend and I both went there and shared a carne asada dinner. They have a lunch menu on the whole menu that is there for the "future". It shouldn't need on there at all until ready. The carne asada was not carne asada. It's more like sandwich steak. It had lots of tendons. Not good quality meat. It was fast to get water and a menu, but a long time to be asked what we would like to drink or order. There was only 1 person that was both taking orders and bartending. Most of not all places I've been to have a bartender for the server alone, and an extra one for the bar. ‍ after they slowed down we did get several visits asking if the food was ok. They were very nice. We give the food a C- and service a C. I'll wait till they are open longer to try them again. read more

Good grass fed steak. Friendly service. If you're there on the weekend, you should be there for the evening. We were there for a Saturday evening and the entertainment was dynamite. Get up and dance! read more

Forget about this place, I took my family to taste the food but unfortunately it was a deception. The menu is totally different than the one in Chicago, it is really pricey and we didn't have good service, Sorry I rather go all the way to Chicago read more

The food and music was amazing. Charlie is an attentive, hard working, host. The atmosphere is top notch. You can't go wrong with the Churrasco and the empanadas. We will come back. read more

Nothing compared to the other location at Peterson. Different, overpriced menu and slow service.

We live in the neighborhood and have been here for dinner twice so far. We ordered empanadas, soup, vegetables, and steak, and everything was fresh and delicious. One thing worth noting: The menu states that a gratuity will be added automatically for parties of 5 or more. So be sure to check your bill. Also, the writing on the drink menu is gray on a black background--extremely hard to read, especially in a dark restaurant. We would definitely go back for the food! read more

i had the chinese chicken salad - it was really good with really fresh ingredients. Gerard served us and he was so friendly and helpful!

The place is very beautiful and has great scenery. But the problem is with the service. We arrived and were sat. We ordered food and were asked if soup or salad. We both ordered soup. After waiting a while for our meals. We just got our Entrée and the soup never arrived. We brushed it off and asked one of the waiters after finishing our meals if we could get their cinnamon plantains for dessert. We were told yes and waited about 20 mins. We asked another waiter for an update on the dessert and were informed they were out of plantains. No one told us this until we asked 20 minutes later. It was a disappointing evening. We paid and left. Unsure we would return after this experience. read more