We finally stopped in to try their food and were pleasantly surprised, but probably shouldn't have expected less based on the reviews. We tried: - Biscuits and Gravy - Plato Paisa Everything was flavorful and to me, the beans in the Plato Paisa were standout. The chorizo in the biscuits and gravy was slightly sweet, but that didn't detract. I will note that in the morning there is only one gentleman manning the counter and the dining area, so if it's a busy it may take a little longer but not too much. read more

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Following our wonderful lunch, we returned with a party of six to try Lanzaga's dinner service. Happily, it was every bit as good if not better! We started with ceviche and empanadas before moving onto our entrees. Four of our group were head-over-heels in love with the Brazilian fish stew. I had the very flavorful stuffed yellow pepper while our sixth diner smiled all the way through her walleye pike. Service by Caesar was gracious. Lanzaga's BYOB which we really liked. read more

The Lanzaga - Stuffed yellow pepper--not a morsel was left! - Latin American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wow was the food delish, and plentiful...host was amazing, was present but didn't hover! I had the pulled chicken surrounded by plantain as the delivery vessel to my eager mouth, the maracucho was the most unique handheld I've ever had...The tomatillo creme gave it a little more depth...The horchata was the perfect compliant, homemade and creamy...perfect...Don't miss this gem! Almost forgot the empanadas as a starter...very good and not forgettable read more

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Amazing brunch. We had a sweet corn pancake the was filled with a mild cheese and a side a scrambled eggs. Great coffee options as well. Definitely plan to come back for lunch or dinner. read more

The Lanzaga - Bocata Desayuno - Latin American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My friend wanted to try this spot as it was on her list and had good reviews. We came for dinner one night which wasn't busy at all. We didn't know what to order but was going to share everything. We ordered two empanadas to try, one pork and one chicken. The empanadas were the best items we had for dinner. We had one of the specials and the 1/2 chicken in coffee rub. The waiter recommended these items to us. We were a little disappointed in both dishes as we felt like there was really nothing special and not enough sauce on both. They both came with some type of carbs, as can be seen in the pictures, but there was no flavoring or seasoning or sauce that accompanied them. We also felt that it was a bit awkward inside and we had this dinner to catch up with each other. But we felt that it was hard to keep talking when we needed water and had to keep asking for refills. Overall, we were a bit disappointed in our dinner here but the empanadas were pretty good. read more

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What a great little place to stop for a tasty Brazilian breakfast! The Caracas omelette was one of the best egg dishes I've had. Full of flavor but not super spicy. I'm also a potato freak and the quartered red potatoes on the side were seasoned well and very good. Randy brought us an avocado crema with a little tang for dipping. Speaking of Randy, the service was impeccable and it's clear he and his partner put lots of time and care into their business. Coffee, tea (created in house) and hubby's dish (Plato Paiso) were all fantastic as well. Anxious to come back for lunch or dinner next time we are in town. For now, we purchased a bag of coffee beans to enjoy back at home. A portion of sales go to the Wounded Warrior Project and/or the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Great coffee for great causes! Go check it out!! read more

The Lanzaga - Caracas Omelette - Latin American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Made a reservation the night before. Drove downtown to the reservation with my family. They canceled my reservation one hour before via email (while I was driving downtown). Called them 10 mns out to see what was going on. Waited on hold for a long time and nobody answered at all. Just stuck on hold. Bunmer. read more

This place was fabulous. The service was fantastic & the owner was so friendly & accommodating. The food was so great. If you have the chance to experience The Lanzaga, do it. You won't be disappointed. Great coffee drinks, great breakfast/brunch faire & outstanding service. I will return for another great brunch club with friends. Kudos The Lanzaga! read more

My husband and I tried Lanzaga this morning based off their high Yelp rating. We were not disappointed. Everything from the ambience to the service to the food was amazing! The restaurant doesn't look like much from the outside. However, upon walking in you're greeted with a high-end cafe/restaurant look and feel. We were greeted with smiles immediately and taken to our table. Our server, Cesar, was very nice and patient with our questions and even made a few suggestions based on those questions. We ordered coffees to start and were impressed by how good just drip coffee was. Turns out they roast their own beans in-house. For brunch my husband had the veggie omelette and wanted a crab cake on the side; we were really surprised with the size of that crab cake (see pics). I ordered the steak and eggs and they were cooked to perfection. The steak was so juicy and my over easy eggs were the perfectly runny consistency to sop up with their crispy breakfast potatoes. The entrees were large enough that we brought leftovers home. We also grabbed a few desserts to take home. All in all, we had a great experience at Lanzaga and are excited to bring friends with us on our next visit. read more

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Went to The Lanzaga for dinner last night, and unfortunately, it was a bit of a mixed experience. The restaurant was quiet, with only two other tables occupied, so we got attentive service from a nice waiter. We both ordered the skirt steak, which was very tender but lacked seasoning--definitely could have used more flavor. They were out of yams, which was disappointing since I'd been looking forward to trying them. Instead, we had the fried yuca and sweet plantains, which were tasty, and the ranch dipping sauce for the yuca was a nice touch. The biggest downside was the price. The bill came to near $100 for two people, which seemed high, especially considering the lack of seasoning on the main course. The coffee, however, was excellent; maybe they shine more as a breakfast spot. I might come back for breakfast someday if they're still around, but with several similar places offering better prices, I probably wouldn't return for dinner. read more

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Everything about this place is welcoming and comfortable and delicious! I'm a coffee snob but they are devoted to the best beans (which you can take home a bag of!). The owners are so sweet and attentive and the food is always amazing, we always try something new with portions big enough to take some home for a snack later! Big big fan of this hidden gem! read more

My husband, sister in law and I went here for the first time today. I instantly felt comfortable the minute we walked in. Very clean and cute. The food was delicious. Absolutely delicious. I can't praise this restaurant enough. Randy who did everything from the minute we walked in to the minute we left made the experience here wonderful. Can't wait to come back to try the lunch menu. And I will be ordering on line some of your wonderful coffee and tea . read more

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I visited the Lanzaga twice and got very friendly service both times. On my 1st visit I only had their papelon drink due to the kitchen closing 30min before the cafe's closing time. The papelon was so delicious I wanted to return to try their other menu items. On the 2nd trip they were unfortunately out of the papelon and 2 other menu items I ordered (no empanadas or crab cake). I settled for a modified Caracas omelette, since they were out of the Serrano ham (they offered bacon instead). There was a hair in the omelette and it was overcooked. The Suelta la sopa was very flavorful with tender chunks of chicken and veggies. Definitely my favorite dish. My other guest had the Plato paisa that he described as "alright". Nice ambience of it weren't for the faulty radio with music fading out every few seconds. I'd stop back in for the papelon drink and maybe to try the passion fruit cheesecake but not for a full meal. read more

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Great space for beverages or a meal. Service was friendly and helpful. We felt welcome. Try the Venezuelan style lemonade.

Cute place with great food. Had the Cachapa which was crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. The sweet corn and onion played off each other beautifully. Not sure I need the extra cheese fwiw. Staff was friendly & helpful. read more

I love this little neighborhood place. The owner is out front and does a great job of explaining the Argentinian menu. My favorite is the Portabella mushroom burger. Great fries too. read more

Took a friend of mine for her birthday to lunch. The food was incredible, and Caesar took very good care of us and explained the different items. No disappointment at all. Food presentation was beautiful. I would definitely recommend it for lunch or dinner or even breakfast. Be sure to have their coffee, much better than Starbucks read more

One of the best South American food spots I've tried in the city! The service was incredibly warm, and every dish was a highlight--the empanadas were perfectly crispy on the outside with tender meat inside, and the shrimp stuffed with lump crab and Moqueca offered generous portions with rich seafood flavors. The Lanzaga chicken with coffee rub was wonderfully seasoned. Their desserts, like the passion fruit cheesecake and flan, were delightful and not overly sweet. Will definitely be returning to explore more of their menu! read more

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Absolutely delish meal. Got the maracucho with chimichurri. Along with a passion fruit cheesecake for dessert. So fresh and satisfying. Highly recommend. read more

The Lanzaga - Passionfruit Cheesecake - Latin American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great South American cuisine! They have breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks such as coffee. read more

The Lanzaga - The Maracucho - Latin American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wanted to try this new place that opened up in the neighborhood. We had the Arepas. It came with a fresh fruit bowl which was great. The bowl had slice strawberry, pineapple and blueberry. It also came with French fries. The fries had a unique rub on it. The areas was okay. Service was great. read more

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What a wonderful place. The service is warm and welcoming (ask for Cesar - he's terrific) and so is the atmosphere. They have a weirdly calming and comforting playlist. And the food is some of the best in Chicago. Try the Mac & Cheese or the Crab Cakes Benedict. And fantastic potatoes! Just amazing. And enough to take home for leftovers. But I'm betting you'll like anything they offer. Thank you Lanzaga! Can't wait to go back! read more

Delicious homemade food, a comforting environment, and beyond friendly and kind staff! This is a great restaurant for everyone! These people know how to poach an egg! read more

The Lanzaga - Spinach, portobello Benedict! - Latin American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My partner and I decided to give this place a second try. This time we did take out on a Friday morning. No tables were filled. The person taking orders and making drinks was aloof and mumbled. The coffee was fine. Not the best, not the worst. I got a bagel with cream cheese. It was more like cream cheese with a bagel, WAYYY too much cream cheese and the bagel seemed like a 50 cent store bought one just heated up. My partner got an earl grey tea. He said it was insanely mediocre. He got a muffin that was advertised in their case. Extremely dry and not appetizing. We really REALLY tried to like this place since it is small owned and local, but we have just been extremely disappointed. We will not be coming back. There are many places in Lakeview with better options and with better service. read more

We had two of the sandwiches, both were excellent. And the sauces really added to it. Definitely coming back.

Vegan options would be GREAT! I live near this place and I'm so happy to see it up and running. I have consistently gotten very tasty coffee drinks from here, and it is evident the employees care about the quality of their offerings and customer experience. I really want to try to the food here, but I eat vegan and unfortunately they have very little to offer in terms of vegan meals. There is a large community of vegans/vegetarians in the area, so I would encourage them to build out 1-3 vegan options as I think it would make it a more enticing option for groups of friends where there may be mixed dietary restrictions. read more

The food was delicious. Some of the best South American food in Chicago. Decent prices and friendly service. The empanadas and crab cakes were amazing. We will definitely return! read more

Amazing breakfast food. I got the Plato Paisa and a pancake. The main course was amazing. I mixed and matched basically everything on the plate and every ingredient combo tasted delicious with the fried plantains adding the perfect little bit of sweetness to the whole plate. The pancake was also really good, but I think the savory dishes here are the real strength if you're eating. Service was great as well and I loved the overall vibe! read more

Phenomenal South American food, and best coffee I've had. Desserts and meats are to die for, and breakfast is amazing! The owner, Randy, is incredibly hospitable. read more

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Great food, great service. Try the breakfasts and don't miss the arepas. What not to love?

Cannot believe this place was not packed! Some of the best coffee we've ever had. Best poached eggs I've had since NOLA. The beans and rice were so on point, I could just order a bowl of that!. The brioche breakfast sandwich was also a winner, along with the home fries that had some unusual spice on them. read more

Excellent food - fresh and well seasoned Friendly professional service Pleasant conversation friendly restaurant read more

This new restaurant in lake view/boystown is soo good. This area has needed a good coffee spot and this is it plus way more. Coffee is made by them and is very tasty and strong. We also got breakfast and were super happy with the amount of food and flavor of everything. The owner was there and he was extremely attentive. We will be going back there soon. read more

The Lanzaga - Biscuits and chorizo gravy - Latin American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great food. Pleasant service. Neat surroundings in a neighborhood restaurant. Varied menu with lots of unique choices. read more

A wonderful Latin inspired, European Bistro in the heart of Boystown. Just around the corner from Charley's, this hidden gem with great food, great service and great ambiance is perfect for a light snack or a whole meal. Everything we tried, the fries and cilantro aioli, the crab cake with citrus slaw and pickled reds, the egg white omlet and smooth cold brew were chefs kiss. I will definitely be coming back here with crew in tow. Thank you to Cesar and the friendly, kind staff for starting our Sunday Funday off right! read more

An amazing spot! The coffee is super delicious and really sets up the breakfast for success. We ordered the Plato Paisa and the Bocata Desayuno. The Plato Paisa was huge and super comprehensive with a bit of everything! The Bovata Desayuno was an amazing breakfast sandwich that I highly recommend for any and all. We really enjoyed ourselves, and the environment was wonderful! read more

I literally woke up thinking about our dinner at The Lanzaga last night. The food was to die for. The flavor profiles of each dish were amazing! This food is cooked with love and makes you feel like you are having dinner in someone's home. This is a 5 star dining experience in a quaint and inviting restaurant on Broadway and for now it's BYOB! Do yourself a favor and put this restaurant on your list for a fabulous date night or impressing out of town guests. I guarantee you will return! Oh and save room for dessert! I'm not even a big chocolate fan but the chocolate mousse in a jar chefs kiss!! read more

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I randomly stumbled on this place as I was walking around the neighborhood looking for coffee. I was really hungry so I ended up getting a iced Carmel latte with oat milk and a plate that reminded me of arepas but in omelet form , it was good but had a lot of cheese read more

Excellent Latin American cuisine a short walk from Wrigley Field. Our family of 5 all enjoyed our entrees - stuffed shrimp, the Brazilian BLAT, stuffed portabella, stuffed pepper, and the skirt steak. ¡Todo fue muy excelente! The highlights may have been the free chips for the table (house made with a combination of potatos, sweet potatos, plantains, and maybe one other root...?), and the taqueños appetizer. Cesar took good care of us. The coffee is air roasted in house and smooth as silk. While it ended up being pricier than I anticipated, no regrets - excellent food and service, nice little cafe vibe, and happy to support a new business (he said just 3 months since opening). Check it out! read more

Fantastic hidden gem near Wrigley. Everything on the menu is delicious and made fresh in-house (including roasting their own coffee beans!). The staff is delightful and passionate about the food. Highly recommend! read more