Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Tropicuba Cafe

    4.2 (47 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Tropicuba Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Tropicuba Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    TROPICUBA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Tropicuba Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Interior decoration
    Joe B.

    Little local business that offers Cuban coffee and cuisine with a twist. Ordered your typical Cuban sandwich was not well toasted and lacked flavor also decided on a steak sandwich the meat was tender requested extra as I'm an onion lover and was disappointed when took a bite as did not have the added trims I requested maybe they were just annoyed as I got there 15 min prior to closing but will give them another try. Service was friendly.

    Valeria G.

    Once again, GREAT service! My niece and family look forward for their traditional roast pork, black beans, white rice & yuca meal during Christmas. This restaurant delivers that! Highly recommended!

    Cubano sándwich
    Mari S.

    We tried this place today after passing by and it was so good the sandwiches tasted great we had the cubano and the bistec caballo the egg was cooked perfectly and the alcapurias were delicious as well service was good very nice and attentive

    Lechon Asado
    Jazmin R.

    I was visiting my grandparents and we were talking about ordering Cuban food when I started doing my research and found this place. We ordered carry out and for the price of things, we were all impressed. Places can sometimes be skimpy on the portions but our plates were packed with food. I got the Lechon with arroz y gandules, and platanos - very good! My mom got the ropa vieja plate which she enjoyed. Everyone else got jibaritos and they all enjoyed theirs as well. Service was great, ready on time when we picked it up. The restaurant itself looked clean and the staff was friendly at pickup. Definitely coming back as this is much closer than having to go deeper into the city for some good Cuban/PR food.

    Mango Tres Leches Slice
    Yarelis C.

    20/10! As a puertorican (born and raised in San Juan, PR), this is the only place that I LOVE their alcapurrias! The service is great, very homey and cozy and everything was tasty. My husband had the Churrasco with Arroz con Habichuelas Rojas and they were the best beans I've tried in the US! And the flan de coco and tres leches de mangó was so delicious! Definitely my new favorite restaurant that reminds me of home

    Sandwich Combo
    Terry T.

    This fusion restaurant of Puerto Rican, Cuban, and even east Asian food has culminated so many flavors found around Chicago and Latin America so effectively. Everything here is good: Jibaritos, Ropa Vieja, Cuban Sandwiches, and unexpectedly the Chinese rice as well. Alcapurria, Relleno de Papa, and Bacalao are the notable savory and greasy sides, perfect for a table to share. Service is nice and it's small but cozy. The coffee is potent and delicious.

    Ropa Vieja Jibarito
    Lauren Z.

    My fiancé and I decided to ring out the new year by trying the locally acclaimed Cuban restaurant. I had low expectations because I've always despised this parking lot (growing up in Portage Park) and have always tried to avoid it at all costs. Still, I had to see what it was all about! Parking lot is cramped. The location is small and right in between little cesar's and 711. Service was friendly. Since they just recently opened, they don't have "to-go" paper menus just yet. There was one menu at the cashier. We decided to get all the fried shit that was left out for the night. (It was close to 7pm and they close at 8pm). Everything cost just under 40.00 and we ordered quite a bit of food. Two jibaritos to go. We live in the area and by the time we brought it home, the "tostone" for the sandwich was soggy. Always best when crunchy. We waited a good 30-40 min for the food. Overall, everything was good but it did lack a little kick. Food tasted great with some hot sauce but you know it's really really good when you don't need any sauce. My expectations were exceeded but still wasn't mindblown. Very good. B+

    Beautiful mural inside
    Sabrina R.

    I have seen numerous restaurants come and go in this storefront, but I hope that Tropicuba Cafe is here to stay. They have a great menu selection with empanadas, a multitude of appetizers, jibaritos, a variety of sandwiches, and dinner plates. We had the plantain and yuca alacpurrias and the chicken empanada. All three were crisp and flavorful, especially with the red hot sauce and greenish garlic sauce. We also ordered the Bistek Jibaritos. The plantain was nice and crisp, lots of garlic on top, and they were generous with the meat and the cheese. We were so full walking out, we had to order some cafe con leche to get our energy back. Everything was great! I can't wait to come back to try the ropa vieja and their Cuban. The parking lot is tight, but you can also park off of Central or Irving Park if you're not willing to brave it. The staff was super nice, and came to check on us frequently.

    Audra M.

    As someone who does not own a car in the city, I am never too attracted to nondescript strip mall eateries. However, I was so glad I went against my norm when trying Tropicuba. This is a new location, and they really do a fantastic job in all aspects. The place is super clean, our server was awesome, and the affordable food just wowed me in full. If you have a car, the free spacious parking lot is a notable perk. My order was a Sandwich de Ropa Vieja, and my husband had a jibarito. We both loved our meals. They offer "Regular" and "Super" sandwiches, and I only had a regular, which was a very generous portion. My husband's jibarito was also a great size. Although it was dinner for us, we went with what we did so we could sample a few appetizers. I am so happy we went this direction because all apps were delicious. (We sampled many that were at the $1.50 price point, as well as an empanada that was fantastic) What really blew me away was the side sauce they served. They actually offer two, but the one that was so awesome was a garlic and cilantro mixture. I had to ask the server what it was exactly, as I was thinking it was with spinach. But, wow, this was so delicious and fully complemented the Alcapurria and Alcapurria de Yuca apps. I could literally go there and just have apps and this sauce! So delicious. Pro-tip: there is a key on a cord for the bathroom! You'll find it to the right of the door.

    Media Noche
    Jonathan P.

    Place was fairly new when my family and I went, but that didn't change a thing. Food was still awesome! I only got a picture of the Media Noche, but we also got a Cuban and of course we got some Pastelitos. Parking lot SUCKS, but it is what it is. Plenty of parking on the side street or even Irving. Don't let that stop you from checking it out!

    Jibarito (lechon) and rice

    See all

    Photo of W A.
    0
    70
    8

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe B.
    392
    251
    2180

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Absolutely delicious especially the coffee I'm a little hungover and this place really hit the spot!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Small place but I love the food and coffee. I give them 5 stars because the food is delicious

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mari S.
    1
    67
    37

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Order 3 steaks sandwich,horrible the steaks was so dry, flavor was ok buy the steak is supposed to be juicy~ my first and last time .

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill M.
    2281
    1967
    4428

    5 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 0
    Love this 20
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karina A.
    40
    22
    48

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Love ordering from this place, the food is always so good and fresh! The lechon is always so juicy and perfect flavors

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of King K.
    2
    71
    16

    3 years ago

    This is our spot to take food to go. Authentic, delicious food every single time. If you want real Cuban food then this is where you come.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Wilmar G.
    47
    28
    42

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yani C.
    22
    38
    146

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Welcoming and friendly environment. Amazing sandwiches! Highly recommend the Pan con Bistec a Caballo.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ena M.
    120
    8
    1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    After many restaurants came and left, this is the one that is going to be successful I tried their food today and is awesome

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jackie J.
    85
    29
    11

    4 years ago

    Food is amazing and tamales are unique and super flavorful ! My go to is the pork guisado

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex A.
    530
    57
    19

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    I had the ox tails n really liked them. The staff was very friendly. Will b back for more.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Tropicuba Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tropicuba Cafe

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Latin American 1,443 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Peru Criollo - Churrasco

    Peru Criollo

    4.5(120 reviews)
    1.0 miPortage Park

    Do I recommend this business???? YES!!!…read more Living in Portage Park, we have come here a few times and they have never disappointed. I've had the ceviche, the Lomo saltado, seco de carne, papa relleno, and the Papas a la Diabla with the steak. There is not one item that I have gotten from here that I have not enjoyed. Do yourself a favor and try their drinks too. Chicha Morada is a Peruvian maize drink, and really different, good, and refreshing. My favorite though is the Maracuya. You know it's real passion fruit juice when you see the seeds. I'm almost always able to find street parking on Cicero when we have come here. The servers are also very nice each time that I've been here. The restaurant itself says they are open until 9p, but be warned that their kitchen closes at 8p, so don't come in later than that. The dining room is nice for a dinner with friends or a more intimate date night, and the paintings on the wall are beautiful renditions of Peruvian culture. One of my favorite restaurants in Portage Park.

    Came in here last weekend with a girlfriend and was able to get a table right away. The staff was…read morevery friendly and warm. We shared the ceviche (I devoured it before getting a picture) and it was to die for! I'd go back just for that one entree. We also shared the empanadas, lomo saltado, and arroz con pollo. Everything was 10/10 and incredibly flavorful. Will be back soon!

    Photos
    Peru Criollo - Inside

    Inside

    Peru Criollo - Arroz Chaufa de mariscos

    Arroz Chaufa de mariscos

    Peru Criollo - Flan

    See all

    Flan

    Tropicuba Cafe - latin - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...