After walking by this place several times, a friend and I decided to give it a try on our day off. The space was incredibly inviting, and the color scheme was incredibly reminiscent of Cuba (according to my well traveled companion, at least. I don't travel. Went to Indiana once to pay lottery tickets but that's a story for a different time). The staff was very nice and willing to answer any questions we had. I ordered a cuban sandwich and my friend ordered the ham and cheese sandwich. We decided to start with chips and guacamole. The food was server counter style with an interesting caveat; you pay at the end of the meal. This was pretty reassuring. Typically, the problem with counter style food is if you don't like what you get, you're stuck with it since you already paid. Between the awesome demeanor of the staff and the "pay after you're done" concept, this didn't seem like it would be a problem. The guacamole we started with was very good. It was a very large portion for the price, and we were informed that all of their guacamole is made to order, explaining the super fresh taste. The sandwiches were also phenomenal, probably one of the best Cubans I've ever had. This place is definitely deserving of five stars; between the environment, the amazing staff, the awesome food, and the very fair pricing, I'll definitely be coming back and bringing friends.
(5)
Daniel C.
I really wanted to like this place more because I love arepas and I miss them from Florida. I got their most popular Arepa (according to the gentleman working at the time) --Shredded pork and guacamole with queso cotija. The arepa was smallsh and filled with the listed toppings which were flavorful but I didn't like the arepa. I also had a cuban sandwich which was good. The pork inside was the same shredded pork as the arepa. GIant pickles inside. The rice and beans which were bland AF. The place is really cute with mexican ice cream available and a nice outdoor patio seating area. I just wanted to like the arepas better. Maybe I will come back and try sweet ones.
(3)
Patrick n.
This is a great addition to the neighborhood. We tried the guacamole and an arepa, looking forward to get back to try the Cuban sandwich and pozole. The food was great, very reasonably priced, and the staff was very friendly and eager to help us with the menu.
(5)
Deb B.
Hidden gem not far from Wrigley. Had a cuban sandwich, a cup of soup, and a tasty coffee...Service was great, and liked the clean vibe as well...sat outside in a small side patio..Worth tryinig again for sure.
(5)
James W.
When I do these reviews I usually start with five stars and work backward. No need for any movement here ... I happened to arrive right after a few orders were placed and the proprietor very politely informed me (right away) that I'd have to wait several minutes for the food. Good form! He was very pleasant and informative in later conversation. I had what amounted to a breakfast sandwich and an arepa. I'd rate the former above the latter, but they were both very good and reasonably priced. (Aside: The Chicago Reader mentioned Miami when describing Puesto. Wikipedia says that the arepa is most identified with Venezuela and Colombia. Considering Miami's pan-Latin flavor, I guess that makes sense.) The space is well-designed and pleasant. Wasn't sure what to make of the 7-11esque rack of candy bars, but they don't do any great harm to the atmosphere ... Overall, this is a good production. I hope they do well.
(5)
E M.
My friends and I had one of the best dining experiences at Puesto sandwich stand. Hermando and Francisco were so kind and accommodating. Hermando explained the cuisine to us and went into detail about the influence of the menu and his passion for the food. We tried the arepas, elote, and the horchata espresso - all of which were delicious - and the horchata espresso is a game changer. Puesto is tucked away from the bar scene and is a gem in the neighborhood. If you're in the area and in the mood for amazing food and great customer service with a unique and creative ambiance, then Puesto sandwich stand will not disappoint.
(5)
Devin S.
This place is amazing. Great Central American sandwich shop complete with patio and ice cream/sweets section. The people who run it are super friendly and have taken a lot of care to make a great experience.
(5)
Lori T.
The Arepas are phenomenal. This place is cute, fast service and delicious food!! I will definitely be coming back and trying more items on the menu. I will be recommending this place to everyone!
(5)
Jose F.
Honestly one of the best informal restaurants that I have ever eaten. Arepas were so good it reminded me when I was growing up. Juices were also great. Best of all was the Arepas conbined with Nutella and Ice cream. The owners if this place has been working really hard to get this place a clean nice looking setting. Congratulations I will often repeat this with my family.
(5)
Jason A.
In a tough location that has seen lots of places close, I hope this place survives. Very friendly and cool design when you walk in, part modern part Latin. The service was excellent as they are very friendly and tell you specifically how to each new dishes to you. The price is excellent. You can walk away with a ton of food around $12-$15 per person. This seems to be very authentic foods from the Latin world. The pozole was great, mango salsa was great, and the arepas were a must try. I ordered plantain chips and they are just a bag of chips, this was a disappointment. The sandwiches(a torta and Cuban) were good, but nothing new or you haven't had before. This was actually my least favorite part of the meal. I'd come back for sure based on the service and price.
(3)
Manny T.
I'm confining my review to my arepa which was 5 stars; otherwise I might have to rate this establishment 4.5 and I don't want to ruin the almost perfect record here. The arepa is a delicious corn meal cake the size and shape of an English muffin; they slice it in half and fill it with pretty much anything you want. Mine had black beans, roasted red peppers and cheese and it was scrumptious. There was a very spicy pozole, an avocado and tomato salad, coconut gelato and coffee with a hint of cinnamon. All good but in truth, this being summer, the hard tasteless tomatoes didn't appeal to me--but I'm not going there. This place is run by the chef/owner and the staff is very friendly. There's indoor and outdoor seating. So on your trek up Sheffield Avenue to Wrigley Field, make the time and stop in here for some top flight nosh before the game.
(5)
Myles H.
The owners are very down to earth and interesting; and their food is excellent. Don't leave without trying their guacamole as well as the ice cream. So good
(5)
Chelsea B.
This is between a 3 and 4 for me. The people working were great and super nice. Offered free samples of the pozole soup (I thought it was good but too spicy, husband loved it) and talked us through the menu. We quickly ordered and went with mango salsa to start (good) and two Arepas, one with roasted pork and one with shredded pork (also both were good). Although the food was good and I would maybe consider going back, the wait was too long. We were the only ones there and we waited an hour from the time we got there until the time we got our food, and in the end had to have it packed up to go. I understand it is made to order, but an hour wait for two small grilled sandwiches was a bit much.
(4)
Dan N.
I literally just picked up and subsequently devoured the most amazing Cuban sandwich I've ever had. And I've been to Cuba. What a great addition to the neighborhood!
(5)
Amy M.
First impression, the ambience. Such a chill vibe and the outside patio with jazz music creates the perfect setting. One word: arebas. My boyfriend was starving and got 5 different things. All of them were freshly prepared and delicious. I would definitely come back and highly recommend this hidden gem!
(5)
Paula C.
Such an adorable little place!!! Delicious sandwiches and arepas, quirky movies, and AH-MAZING Mexican ice cream make this place a hidden gem in an area that needed some serious re-energizing. Must try and will come back again!! (For both regular food and their all-you-can-eat-bottomless-coffee brunch when it opens). In love!
(5)
Glen B.
Delicious. Some dear friends recommended this place and we'll definitely be back. The restaurant itself is small and very colorful and the staff is welcoming as ever. I'm assuming he's the owner but the guy who was running the counter went above and beyond to ensure our carry out order was fantastic. Every thing in our order was individually labeled and they genuinely seemed to want to please their patrons. Now on to the food. We went with the Cuban sandwich, steak sandwich, and couple orders of elotes. These sandwiches are phenomenal. Better than 90 mile. Really. There's a much better crunch with every bite. Go with the avocado add on as they're generous with the amount of avocado they give all for the steep price of $1. The mustard, cheese, and ham made every bite turn into another bite. The elotes were also very good. Parmesan cheese and a hint of a kick. Looking forward to returning to this place. Especially to try the horchata which sold out during our visit. See you soon and welcome to the area!
(5)
Kayla H.
Five stars for this ultra chic hideaway. Not only is the food excellent, but the owners are a totally delight to talk to. If the weather is good you can't miss out on the contemporary patio with its futuristic furniture and lush hanging plants. Escape the monotony of Lakeview and head to Puesto.....a delicious cultural adventure.
(5)
Alison T.
This place is great! Good (HUGE) sandwiches, cute design, and really friendly owners. It's a nice little oasis away from all of the craziness and bad food in Wrigleyville.
(5)
James S.
Awesome food and even better service... Can't wait to come back and see this place grow. The owners Armando and Vivian are so gracious.
(5)
J W.
I had dinner here with a friend on Friday night and it was delicious! I read an article that morning in DNA Lakeview about this place and told my friend we had to go. The mango salsa was fresh and tasty. He got a cuban sandwich which he said was the best he has ever had. I got another sandwich (unfortunately I don't remember the name) but was also very good. Then we split an arepa and I wish I would've had room to have another one as it as amazing. The owners are very friendly, its BYOB, casual, laid back place that I highly recommend you go to.
(5)
Jessica M.
One word...DELISH! Cutest, brightest environment with such affordable flavorful food! Great staff and service. Phenomenal Cuban sandwich, cafe con leche is a must. Nothing better than being able to have an "elote" without having to chase someone down the block! Owners are lovely, and staff is extremely quick with service! Must try there mexican ice cream before you leave!
(5)
Isa A.
Hey everybody this is me and my girlfriend laurens new hot spot. It's amazing and everyone should try it out (especially the arepas and Mexican ice cream) ! And the staff is very friendly. Venezuelans -THIS IS THE PLACE, TE LO JURO !!
(5)
Maria R.
My mother and I found this hidden gem last night while on our way to the red line. We had the arepa with shredded pork, avocado and cotijo cheese and the one with sirloin. Both were out of this world and worth the wait. Armando, the owner was so personable and very focused on making sure that we were happy with our food. I'm so happy that Puesto has open in my neighborhood. It was about time that some Latin flavor was added to Lakeview. My mom and I are definitely coming back for the bottomless coffee-all you can eat- $15 weekend brunch. Also, looking forward to trying out the cuban sandwiches.
(5)
Christopher A.
Just had a Cuban from Puesto and it was excellent! Staff was very friendly and let me try some coconut ice cream which was also delicious.
(5)
Mel M.
Went to Puesto for the first time this morning and ABSOLUTELY loved it!. Their breakfast is amazing. The Arepas, Avocado salad, Horchata, Pozole and cafe con leche were to die for. The Vibe and decor all fit together perfectly. Thank you to the owners for their recommendations.
(5)
Katie F.
Hidden gem on Sheffield! The Cuban sandwich with avocado was amazing. The restaurant is adorable, and spotless. Very nice owners. Can't wait to try the ice cream (too cold today!). Highly recommend!
(5)
Adriana K.
Finally a great place to eat at this location. If you are from the neighborhood, you know this location has been many things over the years. Guy and girl own this, and it's a refreshing local shop with a latin flare to it. Fair prices, comfortable setting, and great food. Support this place, and skip the franchise coffee and sandwich shops that are taking over Lakeview and Lincoln Park..Thumbs up!!!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Andrew E.
After walking by this place several times, a friend and I decided to give it a try on our day off. The space was incredibly inviting, and the color scheme was incredibly reminiscent of Cuba (according to my well traveled companion, at least. I don't travel. Went to Indiana once to pay lottery tickets but that's a story for a different time). The staff was very nice and willing to answer any questions we had. I ordered a cuban sandwich and my friend ordered the ham and cheese sandwich. We decided to start with chips and guacamole. The food was server counter style with an interesting caveat; you pay at the end of the meal. This was pretty reassuring. Typically, the problem with counter style food is if you don't like what you get, you're stuck with it since you already paid. Between the awesome demeanor of the staff and the "pay after you're done" concept, this didn't seem like it would be a problem. The guacamole we started with was very good. It was a very large portion for the price, and we were informed that all of their guacamole is made to order, explaining the super fresh taste. The sandwiches were also phenomenal, probably one of the best Cubans I've ever had. This place is definitely deserving of five stars; between the environment, the amazing staff, the awesome food, and the very fair pricing, I'll definitely be coming back and bringing friends.
(5)Daniel C.
I really wanted to like this place more because I love arepas and I miss them from Florida. I got their most popular Arepa (according to the gentleman working at the time) --Shredded pork and guacamole with queso cotija. The arepa was smallsh and filled with the listed toppings which were flavorful but I didn't like the arepa. I also had a cuban sandwich which was good. The pork inside was the same shredded pork as the arepa. GIant pickles inside. The rice and beans which were bland AF. The place is really cute with mexican ice cream available and a nice outdoor patio seating area. I just wanted to like the arepas better. Maybe I will come back and try sweet ones.
(3)Patrick n.
This is a great addition to the neighborhood. We tried the guacamole and an arepa, looking forward to get back to try the Cuban sandwich and pozole. The food was great, very reasonably priced, and the staff was very friendly and eager to help us with the menu.
(5)Deb B.
Hidden gem not far from Wrigley. Had a cuban sandwich, a cup of soup, and a tasty coffee...Service was great, and liked the clean vibe as well...sat outside in a small side patio..Worth tryinig again for sure.
(5)James W.
When I do these reviews I usually start with five stars and work backward. No need for any movement here ... I happened to arrive right after a few orders were placed and the proprietor very politely informed me (right away) that I'd have to wait several minutes for the food. Good form! He was very pleasant and informative in later conversation. I had what amounted to a breakfast sandwich and an arepa. I'd rate the former above the latter, but they were both very good and reasonably priced. (Aside: The Chicago Reader mentioned Miami when describing Puesto. Wikipedia says that the arepa is most identified with Venezuela and Colombia. Considering Miami's pan-Latin flavor, I guess that makes sense.) The space is well-designed and pleasant. Wasn't sure what to make of the 7-11esque rack of candy bars, but they don't do any great harm to the atmosphere ... Overall, this is a good production. I hope they do well.
(5)E M.
My friends and I had one of the best dining experiences at Puesto sandwich stand. Hermando and Francisco were so kind and accommodating. Hermando explained the cuisine to us and went into detail about the influence of the menu and his passion for the food. We tried the arepas, elote, and the horchata espresso - all of which were delicious - and the horchata espresso is a game changer. Puesto is tucked away from the bar scene and is a gem in the neighborhood. If you're in the area and in the mood for amazing food and great customer service with a unique and creative ambiance, then Puesto sandwich stand will not disappoint.
(5)Devin S.
This place is amazing. Great Central American sandwich shop complete with patio and ice cream/sweets section. The people who run it are super friendly and have taken a lot of care to make a great experience.
(5)Lori T.
The Arepas are phenomenal. This place is cute, fast service and delicious food!! I will definitely be coming back and trying more items on the menu. I will be recommending this place to everyone!
(5)Jose F.
Honestly one of the best informal restaurants that I have ever eaten. Arepas were so good it reminded me when I was growing up. Juices were also great. Best of all was the Arepas conbined with Nutella and Ice cream. The owners if this place has been working really hard to get this place a clean nice looking setting. Congratulations I will often repeat this with my family.
(5)Jason A.
In a tough location that has seen lots of places close, I hope this place survives. Very friendly and cool design when you walk in, part modern part Latin. The service was excellent as they are very friendly and tell you specifically how to each new dishes to you. The price is excellent. You can walk away with a ton of food around $12-$15 per person. This seems to be very authentic foods from the Latin world. The pozole was great, mango salsa was great, and the arepas were a must try. I ordered plantain chips and they are just a bag of chips, this was a disappointment. The sandwiches(a torta and Cuban) were good, but nothing new or you haven't had before. This was actually my least favorite part of the meal. I'd come back for sure based on the service and price.
(3)Manny T.
I'm confining my review to my arepa which was 5 stars; otherwise I might have to rate this establishment 4.5 and I don't want to ruin the almost perfect record here. The arepa is a delicious corn meal cake the size and shape of an English muffin; they slice it in half and fill it with pretty much anything you want. Mine had black beans, roasted red peppers and cheese and it was scrumptious. There was a very spicy pozole, an avocado and tomato salad, coconut gelato and coffee with a hint of cinnamon. All good but in truth, this being summer, the hard tasteless tomatoes didn't appeal to me--but I'm not going there. This place is run by the chef/owner and the staff is very friendly. There's indoor and outdoor seating. So on your trek up Sheffield Avenue to Wrigley Field, make the time and stop in here for some top flight nosh before the game.
(5)Myles H.
The owners are very down to earth and interesting; and their food is excellent. Don't leave without trying their guacamole as well as the ice cream. So good
(5)Chelsea B.
This is between a 3 and 4 for me. The people working were great and super nice. Offered free samples of the pozole soup (I thought it was good but too spicy, husband loved it) and talked us through the menu. We quickly ordered and went with mango salsa to start (good) and two Arepas, one with roasted pork and one with shredded pork (also both were good). Although the food was good and I would maybe consider going back, the wait was too long. We were the only ones there and we waited an hour from the time we got there until the time we got our food, and in the end had to have it packed up to go. I understand it is made to order, but an hour wait for two small grilled sandwiches was a bit much.
(4)Dan N.
I literally just picked up and subsequently devoured the most amazing Cuban sandwich I've ever had. And I've been to Cuba. What a great addition to the neighborhood!
(5)Amy M.
First impression, the ambience. Such a chill vibe and the outside patio with jazz music creates the perfect setting. One word: arebas. My boyfriend was starving and got 5 different things. All of them were freshly prepared and delicious. I would definitely come back and highly recommend this hidden gem!
(5)Paula C.
Such an adorable little place!!! Delicious sandwiches and arepas, quirky movies, and AH-MAZING Mexican ice cream make this place a hidden gem in an area that needed some serious re-energizing. Must try and will come back again!! (For both regular food and their all-you-can-eat-bottomless-coffee brunch when it opens). In love!
(5)Glen B.
Delicious. Some dear friends recommended this place and we'll definitely be back. The restaurant itself is small and very colorful and the staff is welcoming as ever. I'm assuming he's the owner but the guy who was running the counter went above and beyond to ensure our carry out order was fantastic. Every thing in our order was individually labeled and they genuinely seemed to want to please their patrons. Now on to the food. We went with the Cuban sandwich, steak sandwich, and couple orders of elotes. These sandwiches are phenomenal. Better than 90 mile. Really. There's a much better crunch with every bite. Go with the avocado add on as they're generous with the amount of avocado they give all for the steep price of $1. The mustard, cheese, and ham made every bite turn into another bite. The elotes were also very good. Parmesan cheese and a hint of a kick. Looking forward to returning to this place. Especially to try the horchata which sold out during our visit. See you soon and welcome to the area!
(5)Kayla H.
Five stars for this ultra chic hideaway. Not only is the food excellent, but the owners are a totally delight to talk to. If the weather is good you can't miss out on the contemporary patio with its futuristic furniture and lush hanging plants. Escape the monotony of Lakeview and head to Puesto.....a delicious cultural adventure.
(5)Alison T.
This place is great! Good (HUGE) sandwiches, cute design, and really friendly owners. It's a nice little oasis away from all of the craziness and bad food in Wrigleyville.
(5)James S.
Awesome food and even better service... Can't wait to come back and see this place grow. The owners Armando and Vivian are so gracious.
(5)J W.
I had dinner here with a friend on Friday night and it was delicious! I read an article that morning in DNA Lakeview about this place and told my friend we had to go. The mango salsa was fresh and tasty. He got a cuban sandwich which he said was the best he has ever had. I got another sandwich (unfortunately I don't remember the name) but was also very good. Then we split an arepa and I wish I would've had room to have another one as it as amazing. The owners are very friendly, its BYOB, casual, laid back place that I highly recommend you go to.
(5)Jessica M.
One word...DELISH! Cutest, brightest environment with such affordable flavorful food! Great staff and service. Phenomenal Cuban sandwich, cafe con leche is a must. Nothing better than being able to have an "elote" without having to chase someone down the block! Owners are lovely, and staff is extremely quick with service! Must try there mexican ice cream before you leave!
(5)Isa A.
Hey everybody this is me and my girlfriend laurens new hot spot. It's amazing and everyone should try it out (especially the arepas and Mexican ice cream) ! And the staff is very friendly. Venezuelans -THIS IS THE PLACE, TE LO JURO !!
(5)Maria R.
My mother and I found this hidden gem last night while on our way to the red line. We had the arepa with shredded pork, avocado and cotijo cheese and the one with sirloin. Both were out of this world and worth the wait. Armando, the owner was so personable and very focused on making sure that we were happy with our food. I'm so happy that Puesto has open in my neighborhood. It was about time that some Latin flavor was added to Lakeview. My mom and I are definitely coming back for the bottomless coffee-all you can eat- $15 weekend brunch. Also, looking forward to trying out the cuban sandwiches.
(5)Christopher A.
Just had a Cuban from Puesto and it was excellent! Staff was very friendly and let me try some coconut ice cream which was also delicious.
(5)Mel M.
Went to Puesto for the first time this morning and ABSOLUTELY loved it!. Their breakfast is amazing. The Arepas, Avocado salad, Horchata, Pozole and cafe con leche were to die for. The Vibe and decor all fit together perfectly. Thank you to the owners for their recommendations.
(5)Katie F.
Hidden gem on Sheffield! The Cuban sandwich with avocado was amazing. The restaurant is adorable, and spotless. Very nice owners. Can't wait to try the ice cream (too cold today!). Highly recommend!
(5)Adriana K.
Finally a great place to eat at this location. If you are from the neighborhood, you know this location has been many things over the years. Guy and girl own this, and it's a refreshing local shop with a latin flare to it. Fair prices, comfortable setting, and great food. Support this place, and skip the franchise coffee and sandwich shops that are taking over Lakeview and Lincoln Park..Thumbs up!!!
(5)