I had the pleasure of dining and experiencing Cuban food for the first time, at this place, during my recent visit to the Chicago area. The service here was excellent! Our waiter was on point and very attentive to our needs. Although I love trying new foods, you always have the moment when you ask yourself, "what did I get myself into"; however, this place cured me of my doubts and also superseded my expectations. The food here is truly amazing! The Tapa Combo, Bistec Empanizado, Bistec Arrachera, and the mango shake was incredible! I honestly can't wait to go back to Chicago just so I can eat at this place again! 5 out of 5 stars!
Great drinks but the food needed more flavor and the cuban tamale I ordered was raw..
(1)
Jenny P.
One star for very friendly service. The food was not good. I love trying new Cuban spots out. My steak sandwich had the thinnest piece of barely seasoned meat. The ends of the steak were raw and the onions lacked that delicious Cuban flavor. I was really hungry and left there still feeling hungry. I will not be visiting this place again.
(1)
Jamal A.
Very nice place clean with great food and service. For someone like me who used to live in Miami this place is like home away from home and I'm not even cuban but I love cuban food and I was so happy to see this place not too far from where I live. I will be back an will tell all my friends about it.
(4)
Edgar I.
When on a Saturday afternoon with my lady, they had a private event inside , so we had to sit outside luckily weather was good for outdoor dining. Had some empanadas which weren't fresh 'cause they came 5 minutes after ordering when they came they were soggy and dripping in oil like they had them already made and they just drop them in hot oil to make it look like they were fresh.had some ropa vieja which was ok, my lady had som masitas de puerco which was greasy. Had a beer which was hot and some mojito that tasted too strong like they use cheap liquor. Service was good though. We won't go back.
(2)
Ramsey B.
Perhaps my favorite Cuban restaurant in the Chicago-Metro area. Everything is outstanding. The ropa vieja, fricase de pollo, and the palomilla steak are my favorites. The sandwiches are excellent and the appetizers (croquetas de jamon) are a must. Also, don't forget to wash it down with a Materva
(4)
Joe C.
I just downgraded my opinion of this place based in no small part on the classless and unprofessional email I just got from someone at Cafe Cubano. Not only does Mayra not understand customer service and a simple request like "can I please have balsamic vinegar!" (4x no less) but then when a customer like me complains rather than apologizing and focusing on how she can improve from the honest feedback, Mayra calls me an idiot and tells me to get a life. No wonder service here is so bad....
(1)
Tiffany S.
If you're looking for authentic cuban food this is not the place for you, this place is cuban style not authentic. Service wasn't good at all, 15 mins each time you wanted a drink. Our server was never around and the place is small can't go far. Took over 40mins after we ordered to get our food, and the restaurant was pretty empty maybe 5 tables total. And the food wasn't that good. And heads up they charge 18% automatic tip for table of 5.
(2)
Gina M.
I loved their Mojitos!!! We stopped by on Friday night and they had live music, it was so nice and relaxing. The food was delicious. I had roasted pork and my husband had the Ropa Vieja! Both tender and tasty! Will be back again our lovely waitress told us they also have live entertainment on Saturdays. What a gem!
(5)
Christy W.
We've ate in the restaurant three times (once with out of town guests) and placed a pick-up order. The food is delicious-I've never had anything we did not like here and there are a lot of interesting dishes. One of the things we really appreciate about Cubano is the amount of gluten free/paleo dishes. The jibaritos are AWESOME and the plantains that they serve with them on the side are cooked perfectly. We also recently tried their fries (despite not really being a "Cuban" dish) and they were awesome. They appeared to be hand-cut and very fresh. The drink menu is a bit limited and I wouldn't recommend their bloody mary's but I guess that's what you get for ordering one at a Cuban restaurant! It was hard for me to not give this place a five-star review but once we had a bad experience with placing an order for pick-up. We were told the order would be ready in 15 minutes and when we got there it was another 25 minutes because I think our order was forgotten about and then they made it on the spot. This seemed like a fluke because we have had a positive experience every other time-and they did throw in free dessert to make up for the error. Cute relaxed atmosphere inside-very colorful. The staff is very friendly. Parking can be a bit difficult but there are many neighborhood side streets to park on as well.
(4)
Efrain M.
I ordered take out and did not get what I ordered. When I called the apology was akin to "oops". The woman said the driver was not working this night, so I'd have to bring the wrong food back to get it replaced. I wasn't offered a beverage while I waited, let alone a refund, discount or a token dessert. I wasn't looking for a handout, but some sort of gesture for having to drive back because of their mistake would have been nice, Was it worth it? Not really. the food was bland at best. Too bad, because I like Cuban food and would have like to find a good local option- Cafe Cubano is not it.
(2)
Patrick M.
I ordered two cubano sandwiches and two orders of fried plantains with garlic sauce. The cubanos were never heated under the press and the tostones never came with the garlic sauce. Called up to let them know, they said they would take my number and call the owner and get back to me. It has been over 3 days. Is this how you treat your customers? They finally responded to me on Facebook and had no idea what I was talking about. Did they try and make everything better...No, they just blocked me from commenting on their posts. I hope you guys figure out the customer service angle, without that, all you have left is bland food. Thanks for robbing me of $30.
(1)
Mark L.
I ate here with my family last week. This was my second time in the restaurant, and both experiences have been enjoyable. The sangria's were very tasty, but a fair warning that the mojito's were very sugary (as intended) but too much for my taste. The empanadas were delicious, as were the main courses. I've tried a combination of both steak and pork over onions and sauteed peppers, and both were great. They also do a great job of feeding you, as the portions are hearty and well priced. Definitely interested in coming back!
(4)
Sarah C.
The Cuban sandwich was disappointing. I think I got all of the stringy, fatty pieces of pork in mine. It was also not very flavorful. I get it though, some folks like that kind of meat. The fried plantains with garlic oil were pretty good though.dunking the sandwich in the garlic oil helped out a little. I drove an hour to try this place out so I was let down a bit. The staff was really nice though.
(3)
Nora D.
This place is soooo good! The palamilla is AMAZING. I don't eat Cuban food very much at all, that will have to change!
(5)
Eddy V.
I love Cuban food. The end. Just kidding. I have more to say. Here it goes: My co-workers LOVE Cafe Cubano and usually make a pilgrimage here pretty often. I was pleasantly surprised when my supervisor asked me and another co-worker to join her for lunch at this place. I had been there before and remembered enjoying it, so I was very excited for this retreat during lunch. Since it was a little after 1pm on a weekday, we ended up having the entire restaurant to ourselves. Our waitress attended to us promptly and brought us our appetizer after a few minutes. To start, we shared a chicken and a beef empanada. They were delicious. My only complaint about the dish was the not-so-fresh looking vegetables that garnished the plate... For the main course, I ordered the grilled chicken breast with barbeque. It came with a side of white rice, beans, and fried plantains. The chicken was enormous, so I was happy to take half of it home and eat it the next day for lunch. My supervisor ordered the arroz con pollo, which comes in a small pot and tastes delicious. I'll definitely be coming back for lunch.
(4)
Yvonne O.
I'm not sure why people really hate this place (according to some of the low stars) I was in Cuba this past February and I still find it amazing how similar the food on this menu is to what I ate while there. The fried chicken and sauce is literalyl the same. The tostones with shrimp, twins. Sure, the coffee can't be the same and the mojitos are naturally different since there is no Cuban rum, but I love coming here and feeling like I am back on that amazing trip! The service is always friendly, even if slow when they are super busy. This last time we got a few appetizers and the fried steak and fried chicken. Everything was fresh and delciious - the breading was never soggy and the tostones come with a mountain of shrimp and sweet onions on top - yum!
(5)
SarA M.
I love the oxtail stew here. They serve it in a huge casserole enough to feed two. Oxtail stew is the bees knees
(5)
Yari S.
The cuban sandwich was alright, i have had better. the jibarito was actually good. i was surprised that I liked it. parking sucks
(3)
Bunny K.
Tasty!!!!!!! Yum yum. One of my favorite restaurants. Service here is fantastic...
(5)
Tanya S.
A-Ok for different cuisine. Otherwise I was shocked the food was rather bland. Not for me. This is a very low key place.
(3)
Dave G.
I was really hoping that I could write a good review of this place. This little place was great from the time I walked in through the time I walked out....unfortunately the eating took place after I left. The restaurant is a great little welcoming place with a fun atmosphere. The waitress was quick, very friendly, very knowledgeable and actually seemed happy to be there and happy that I had come in. The menu looked incredible and I was drooling over the options, especially with the descriptions of the dishes from the waitress. Unfortunately, I was on my way back to MN so I was pretty limited on what I would get and still eat in the car. I settled on my standby - the Cubano sandwich, one of my all-time favorite foods and one I will drive way out of my way to get. I will not drive out of my way to get another one here, however. The bread was dry, and not like what I've come to expect on a Cuban. The pork was very tasty but other than it and the dry bread there was little other flavor. As I was trying to tear through the second half of the sandwich I realized that this was not worth the effort and bagged up the remains...totally demoralized. I'd like to think that the experience in the restaurant along with the other positive reviews will be enough to convince me to give this place another try. Certainly not for a Cubano but to try some of the wonderful sounding dishes on the menu. In reality, I'll probably try a different place.
(2)
Rafael N.
I tried liking it. Ordered a couple different things from the menu. The food just isn't good. It lacks flavor. If you've never had Cuban food before then you might think this is good, but if you have had it before chances are you'll be able to taste the difference right away. Ordered the sandwich sampler because I was worried about picking one full sandwich and not liking it; unfortunately I didn't like either of the 3 sandwiches in the sampler. My girlfriend got the ropa vieja sandwich, and though it had a bit more flavor than my stuff, it still wasn't anything special. The empanadas didn't give much to talk about either. I enjoyed my cafe con leche the most and the Yuca was also good. Well we gave it a shot, but we won't be coming back.
(2)
Karina F.
The staff was very nice but our Cuban and Pork sandwiches were a bit dry. We used the oil from the tostones appetizer to wet the sandwich a bit. I would still give it another try though cause I would like to try the entrees out.
(3)
Mary Ann C.
MMMMM. ....I was pretty disappointed. I had heard great things about this spot, so I gave it a shot for a carry out lunch. The staff was very friendly. The cuban sandwich was very dry...nothing like the versions I enjoyed on vacation in Miami or even at US Cellular Park.
(2)
Jay J.
The restaurants on this strip is growing! a little something for everyone. But Cafe Cubano has authentic Cuban Cusine (no I'm not Cuban). Their flavor has a distinct accent of Cuba. Give it a go. I love the Ropa Veija and the Ox Tail. I wish I could try something else without always wanting to order those mentioned already.
(4)
Diana L.
I really like their food. It is authentic cuban food and the atmosphere was great. It is very casual and their is outside dinning available. I have tried the ropa vieja and other items and everything was good.
(4)
Tricia L.
Had high expectations for this place thanks to the reviews I read here and also for my love of Cuban food and tapas..MAN was I DISAPPOINTED!! The food was overcooked to the point of not edible and super greasy!! The cocktail called the Cuban Sunset is made with Dole juice DRINK..NOT REAL juices as stated in their menu. Started with the spicy shrimp empanadas..which were NOT spicy and you can tell the fry oil was "dirty" they came out a dark brown as oppose to a golden brown and soggy NOT crispy and there several dishes we ordered that I WILL NOT go into because they were ALL TERRIBLE..all overcooked!! My dinner bill was over $100 for greasy overcooked food which left me with a VERY bad taste in my mouth..the ONLY upside to this evening was the ONE and ONLY waitress trying to take care of 6 tables at once..she was wonderful and took very good care of us and everyone else..she did an amazing job!! Too bad she was alone..will NOT be returning to this place again!
(1)
Nektaria R.
The fist time I ate lunch here, it was not mind blowing, OK, I'm not into sandwiches I guess. I never went back until a few days ago since my friends dragged me. They've expanded the restaurant from the last time that I was here. It's much better for groups of people, especially for lunch or after work. The waitstaff was very patient and helpful in understanding the menu. We ordered the sampler of empanadas. I tasted the shrimp and beef, they were sooooooo good! My mouth is watering as I'm typing this. I also had a steak sandwich with plantains (instead of bread) I'm not even sure what it's called but I know I want another one NOW! Basically, fresh and tasty food, awesome prices and service with a smile. I can't wait to go back. Update! The awesome sandwich is called a Jibarito!!! (he-ba-rito)! Thanks for the lesson Yesenia!
(4)
Oscar S.
Not a bad place to get your Cuban fix.I would say it's average though.I'll come back because its in the area but theres definetely better places in the city.THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE A NEGATIVE REVIEW.Food is ok.Service is good.No complaints.
(3)
Christine D.
We have ordered out from this spot 3-4 times a year for several years and eaten in twice. Here is the low down: 1. Food - entrees are great - really good, well cooked and huge portions. We have our favorites but have tried at least 1/2 the menu at this point and never been disappointed. Ropa Vieja, Arros con Pollo, the ox tail stew, the stuffed peppers (both veggie and ground beef ones) are all delicious. Nothing is very spicy and I'm no cuban expert so I don't know if this is bad. All I know is its good and a ton of food. Yes, entrees are pricy but we always have tons of leftovers. I have been a little disappointed in the sandwiches. They are ok but seem a little dry. good bread though. 2. Service - they are typically pleasant but not overly friendly and our food is ready on time but they just seem disorganized. We've had several instances when we've arrived home only to find they messed up the order. Now, we like everything they make so it hasn't really bothered me but for someone else it might. Same eating in - we specifically ordered and pointed to the ground beef stuffed peppers one night and were brought the vegetarian ones that aren't even listed on the same page of the menu. Also eating in can be slow....the crowds are a little unpredictable along North Ave so I think they probabaly have a hard time knowing how many waitstaff to schedule and the kitchen is miniscule. All in - because of the food, we will continue to go here and deal with the occasional service issues
(4)
Andy M.
Cafe Cubano is a beautiful little Cuban eatery located in downtown Elmwood Park. The interior is quite welcoming, it resembles some of the wonderful Cuban restaurants that I visit when I'm in Tampa. We started out with the Ham Croquet's and the Papa Rellenos appetizers. They were both delicious, it was nothing short of breaded, Cuban Goodness. For my entree, I went with the Breaded Steak. This was served with sides of rice and beans. On first glance, the Breaded Steak looked to be pretty dainty, but it was quite filling and packed a spicy wallop. I have no idea what spices were put in the breading, but it was awesome. I can't say that Cafe Cubano would be my first choice for Cuban food in Chicago, but it's a close second. The food is delicious, the service was good and atmosphere was quite comfortable. If I'm ever in the area with a empty stomach, I will definitely be back.
(4)
Rachel T.
Friendly service and great food. The owner could not have been kinder or more welcoming to us. They had a great Malbec (that makes it for me) and my husband and I did many of the tapas dishes (mussels, empanadas, octopus...). EVERYTHING was fantastic! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and appreciated the warmth. We'll be back, definitely!
(5)
Marco C.
Not recommend. Had to wait half an hour to be waited on. Overpriced for no reason! Food was cold and overly salted.
(2)
Tom T.
what a great little Cuban place! Friends and I stopped here on a whim since our original dinner location is closed. We sat outside on a cool summer evening and dined on delicious Spicy Shrimp Empanadas, Camarones Empanizados Tapas. I had the Ropa Viejo and it was decent. Great flavor, but I think I prefer the Bistec Arrachera that my gf had. That was friggin delicious! Friends had the Pulpo and that tasted delicious as well. Even though I ate my share of the Platano Maduro and then ate my gf's share, I still wanted more. The Flan de Coco desert was heavenly!!! Highly recommended if you're looking into a good Cuban place with a nice outdoor seat patio. Beware though, North ave can be a bit LOUD sometimes...
(4)
Kymberly J.
The amount of food for the money is ridiculous! my friend and I always share everything when we go out to eat. we got the Lechon which was tasty and tender although it could stand to be more seasoned. I make it at home and I use Adobo and Sazon but everyone does it differently. we also got the tapa platter which contained many Cuban delights like ham croquettes and empanadas. The camarones flamenco were perfectly cooked in an oniony red sauce and the congri (a black bean and rice blend - cuban style) was fresh and light. The service is friendly and they offer outdoor seating in a nice setting amongst the strip of great restaurants on North Avenue. Beware! if you use a gift certificate from restaurant.com , they will add gratuity onto your bill no matter how small the party.
(4)
Rosalin S.
I had to sign up on yelp just to give this review . The food was horrible nothing was authentic nor had flavor . The ropa vieja was so bland , empanadas were undercooked and greasy. The sampler sandwich platter was a joke the lechon was not good . Honestly my mother and I cook better ropa vieja and lechon and we are not even Cuban . Overpriced food with no flavor . Needless to say I will not be going back .
(1)
Amanda B.
We went here because we were able to get a Restaurant.com gift certificate, and I guess I was just hoping for something a little bit different. My husband and I were going out for a Friday night date night and it was a little bit too casual and too quick for the date night I was hoping for. With that said, service was incredibly friendly and kind. We didn't have to wait at all, and in fact, it was quite empty when we went, which was surprising for a Friday night. The food was also good, though I wish we had just ordered a more casual dinner of sandwiches, as that sounds more like their specialty. My husband ordered the bistec arrachera, which he said was good and I tasted it and it had good flavor. I ordered the Aji Rellenos. The flavors were delicious but it tasted more like and italian dish than a cuban one. Perhaps if they used a cheese other than mozzarella or a tomato sauce that had more spices, it would have a more cuban flavor. While it was good, I was expecting something different. Pros: Solid food, good service Cons: Too casual for the prices, not much ambiance
(3)
Tom A.
So, in the mood for Cuban food and the place on North and 25th was closed. So we went over to this place, which we have had sandwiches here before. They are kinda pricey. The Tapas - Empanada sampler - They seem a little over cooked, but decent flavor. I ate the two spicy shrimp ones... and it had one ...(1) ... 1 ...uno... tiny shrimp in it! Talk about cheap. The sandwiches - The Miami.. The larger version of the Cuban sammy and it was pretty good. The congri was dry and pretty bland and over priced. + Service was nice. - Prices are kinda high + Nice atmosphere. I personally would drive into the city and go to Pancho's or Cafe Mariano next time to curb our Cuban fix.
(2)
Rudy M.
Cafe Cubano is a great opportunity to taste the foods of a different province of Cuba. When it comes to Cuban restaurants, the preparation and spices of the dishes vary from owner to owner because of the different areas of Cuba they come from. These are not your typical Cuban recipes. This restaurant offers more of a home style twist to their seasonings. It's not super heavy on the spice but also not overly bland. I recommend this restaurant for allowing themselves to dare to be different on some of their menu offerings. The staff and owners are very accommodating and friendly.
(5)
Jason V.
Great mojitios and the ropa vieja sandwich is great
(4)
Jill O.
When I first entered,I thought it would be a good place to eat. . We're sat down & there's a nice warm bread basket w/ butter that I think is garlic butter,but tastes more like ranch. Everything on the menu sounded delicious, I decide to get grilled pork chops w/ BBQ sauce on it. The food wasn't anything special. The pork chop wasn't spiced at all & it was thin with the bone still attached,mostly fat. The BBQ sauce tasted like the same sauce they paired w/ the croquetas & empanadas platter. All in all,food was bland & I won't be coming back. I would give them 2 stars,but I liked the way it was decorated.
(3)
Carolynne M.
Darling little cafe located in this strip of larger restaurants, if you are driving by too fast, you are apt to miss it. I enjoyed the decor, which was very bright and cheery, mostly yellows, oranges and greens, and felt the cuisine was pretty authentic. Had the Lechon, which was roast pork, served almost in a "pulled" style. Incredibly yummy. It came with a very garlicky yucca and a black bean/rice combo. BF had the ropa vieja,which was a spicy pulled beef. Both of these I was told were specialties of the house. They certainly didn't disappoint! On Janet M's recommendation, I ordered the Malta, which was a very heavy, syrupy drink. It reminded me a lot of molasses. It was good, but quite unusual. It was rather early on a Friday when we went, so the place was rather empty, but quite a few folks came in to pick up take out orders, so that was a good sign. The prices were quite reasonable for what you get, and the service was very quick, efficient and pleasant. All in all a great experience!
(4)
Caroline C.
You know, I like this place, but the service -or LACK of it - yesterday was really unforgivable. They were busy, and good for them, but they ignored our table for 10 minutes, took our drink order that took another 10 minutes to arrive. We finally placed an order and then 20 minutes later she came back to tell me that they'd run out of what I ordered. It was another 30 minutes before we got our food. No apologies, no acknowledgement. Nothing. And tables that came in after us were getting served. I am extremely disappointed. I guess I'll be getting my Cuban food at another restaurant from now on.
(1)
Miguel A.
Horrible experience. Came with my wife and 2 year old son. 30 minutes after having my order taken, I find out ( by getting up to ask) that my waitress had left. I spoke to what seemed to be the owner or manager, who didn't seem to care for my situation.
(1)
Melissa B.
We went to this restaurant this summer and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We started with the Tapa Combo appetizer which was plentiful and tasty. My daughter loved the potatoes and I found the ham croquetas to be very good. My husband ordered the Cuban Sandwich Sampler and found the salad refreshing. He also found the meat to be moist and tasty. He was able to bring one sandwich home. My son ordered the Media Noche which was comprised of roasted pork, ham and cheese on Cuban bread. While he liked it, he repeatedly said it was a bit greasy. I ordered the Miami Sandwich. From the description on the menu, this sounded like a BLT "A bigger version of our Cuban sandwich with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise." However, it also had cheese and pork on it. When we went the restaurant was empty, which I found surprising considering the quality and quantity of food. All of us had half of our sandwich to take home for a meal tomorrow, and we had about half of the appetizer to bring home. You can read my detailed review at: diningoutchallenge.com/2…
(4)
Bill O.
Cafe Cubano is a pleasant place, and its in a quickly growing restaurant row in this neck of the woods. Went there on a Sat. nite. Had a taste of mojito to start, then shared a tapas platter as an appetizer. The ham croquetas were AWESOME, as well as the potato spheres. Get these individually for appetizers. NOW. I had the ropa vieja (shredded beef with tomato sauce), and better-half had arroz con pollo (Chicken on the bone with yellow rice). Portions were well-sized, had fresh ingredients and were served quickly. Dessert was coconut flan. Shared the portion with better half, and this was awesome too. Service was a touch hurried, but pleasant. 3 courses, + 3 drinks + restaurant.com coupon = $58 tab. We'll be back.
(4)
Cyn P.
This review is all on the food only... I grew up on Cuban food so I was dying to try this place and finally did. The menu made my mouth water, and as a solo diner, I could only try so much. I have to try some other dishes but am afraid I will find the same thing - a just ok experience.... Overall impression was that it was just OK and somewhat lacking flavor. I will try it again because I want t to try a few more dishes, but this is how my first experience went... Croquettes - They were tasty - 4 stars. Fried plantains - They were tasty and there was a hint of maybe lime? 4 stars. Black beans - very disappointing. They tasted like they were right out of a can and with little flavoring. 2 stars. White rice - flavorless. Could use some garlic and olive oil and a touch of salt for flavoring. 2 stars Stuffed peppers with picadillo - 2 stars. The picadillo was very disappointing. Very little flavor and lacking. This was my bigest disapoinment. Flan - 3 stars. It was authentic and good but over done on presentation with the addition of a marichino cherry and whipped cream and both carmel and chocolate sause. Really - I would have preferred a larger portion of flan sans all the topings. Flan stands on its own as a perfect dessert.
(3)
Todd B.
We stopped by today as the result of my "Dad's executive decision" which I reserve for those times no one can agree and no one's very enthusiastic about any particular choice. I'd been meaning to try Cafe Cubano for some time and now realize what I was missing. The service was excellent: friendly, professional and attentive. When the food arrived (quickly by the way) it was hot and fresh. My boys each had different sandwiches, my wife had Lechon ( roast pork ) and I had a fried shrimp dish just to try something different than I'd normally get at a Cuban place. Everything was flavorful and it was evident that all the ingredients were high quality. I heard several times today and this evening how tasty our lunch was. Total score in my book. We'll be back soon.
(5)
Jennifer Q.
I was here again last night because my friend, Rose, treated me to a birthday meal. (Seriously -my bday has been this month long celebration so far!) I ordered my usual, the Veggie Combo plate, which I adore! I also had a decaf cafe con leche that tasted so good, I worried that they gave me full strength. I was a little more awake and hyper than I usually would be when getting home, but I did end up falling asleep! Gotta love this place! The owner and his daughter are always so hospitable and the food is so, so good! Can't wait to visit again soon!
(5)
R S.
So the husband and I have taken it upon ourselves to try new cuisines and we decided to do Cuban on Saturday evening, an early Valentine's Day meal if you will. We agreed on Cafe Cubano in Elmwood Park., am still recovering from the food hangover....talk about yummy...oh my...my taste buds are salivating while I write this. It was real nice that they could cater to the demands of a hardcore carnivore aka moi and a vegetarian who does not even eat sea food aka the hubby...boy did he miss out. We were seated immediately and actually they let us switch because I was so cold, we got moved closer to the kitchen, no complaints from me at all. After settling down with a Mojito for me and Cuban Sunrise for my hubby , who btw kept trying to sneak sips of the Mojito, we ordered up Tapas, the Ham Croquetas - 4 of our delicious ham croquettes for me and Tostones Rellenos - Green plantain shells stuffed with your choice of beef or vegetable, hubs chose the vegetables natch,. They were substantially sized and really delish. Moving on to the main course, I has the Bistec Arrachera - 12 oz cut of skirt steak marinated overnight with house spices and grilled to taste and my hubby had the Aji Relleno con Arroz, Vegetales, Queso y Salsa Marinara - 2 bell peppers stuffed with delicious vegetables and rice, topped with mozzarella cheese and homemade marinara sauce. The steak was melt in your mouth tender and the spices it was seasoned with did a happy dance in my mouth. As picky as he is my husband actually polished off his meal . Ohhhhh the plaintains that came with it and the melt in your mouth black beans that came with the meals...can we get an amen just for that? The grand finale was a Cafe Cubano for me and Cafe Con Leche for him, we split a flan. Perfect end to a perfect mean and in my defense the Cafe Cubano had me wired enough to stay up and watch a late night showing of The Mechanic. Now to the good part...I mean the icing on the perfect cake that is Cafe Cubano, the staff is so friendly, answered all my questions, chatted through, it was such a close knit family run establishment. My birthday is in April and guess where we are going for dinner?
(5)
Heather G.
Finally a decent Cuban place nearby. My husband and I tried Cafe Cubano earlier this week -- a place we had been meaning to try for months and one that, after an abismal visit to Cafe Laguardia West (not to be confused with Laguardia on Armitage), one we didn't have high hopes for. But happy we were when we were proved wrong and Cafe Cubano turned out to be a solid venue we'll add to our rotation of neighborhood places for a casual lunch or dinner. We went on a weeknight and sat outside on a clear summer night. Service was excellent -- the cutest little Cuban lady took such great care of us! Since I'm pregnant, I wasn't able to try the fully-loaded mojito, but I will say that their virgin mojito was full of minty flavor balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. We loved the Tapa sampler (croquettes, tostones, potatoes, etc) to start with -- I was actually pretty stuffed even just after that much! You'll find all of your typical Cuban favorites here -- no frills but good, authentic Cuban food. My husband had the steak empanizado -- his "usual" at all Cuban places -- and it was delicious. I enjoyed my arroz con pollo. Generous portions -- definetly enough to take home for another meal the following day. Recommend.
(4)
Isabelle L.
The quick summary: - friendly folks and service, you will definitely feel welcomed - low key casual place which has more of a bar feel than a restaurant, makes it a good place to just grab a bite with friends and relax - full bar with good strength of alcohol in the cocktails although I was not impressed by the flavor of the mojito (suspecting the addition of flavored syrup on that one) - food is good and solid with traditional Cuban offerings: steaks, pork, chicken, shrimps entrees all with plantains, beans...but also sandwiches and tapas. Overall good but not impressive or out of this world, more like a diner or what you would quickly through together at home. - I have to say though, try to save space for dessert, the flans we ordered were really good. Overall, solid food, in a friendly low key atmosphere makes Cafe Cubano a good place to grab a drink and something to eat and it will be relaxing but not memorable in any way.
(3)
Diana M.
The food is great and the service is excellent. I''ve only gone during lunch but if you're looking for flavorful food served quickly, this is the place. I've had the tapas plate and the sandwich assortment and it was all good. My friend gets the fried chicken. She says it moist and delicious. I will be trying that next.
(4)
angelica r.
Went for lunch. was good. nothing grrrrrreat. def have had better, but good for what it was.
(3)
Joe C.
Really good Cuban food, and great prices. We did have a pretty large bill considering that we had 3 sandwiches, but 40 of the 70 dollars were for the Rum and Cokes! The great thing was that they participate in restaurants.com and we bought a $25 gift certificate for $10! I will definitely go back .
(4)
Sue R.
We stopped by here on Sunday for a late lunch. We started with Mojito's which were good. We had the original and a mango. Both had plenty of alcohol in them - yum!!! We had the tapas sampler and the Cubano Tamale. While we waited for our food the waitress brought out hot garlic toast which was also yummy. The tapas sampler was good, we liked everything accept the croquette. It seemed like it wasn't cooked enough to me the middle was kind of mushy. The empanada was delicious and the little salad on both plates was fantastic. Black beans, onions, tomatoes and carrot. The tamale was also very good. The mashed potato ball with meat was good - but really heavy and filling. We were absolutely stuffed with just the two appetizers and drinks. All the food coming out of the kitchen looked great. The restaurant was busy when we were there. There was only one server and the cook. The service was good, the waitress checked in on us many times to be sure we were happy. They have a cute (but small) outdoor area but we chose to eat inside since it was sweltering hot out that day. We'll definitely stop in again to try some of the entrees and maybe the sangria.
(3)
Maritza V.
I LOVED IT LOVED IT!!!! If anyone else has read my other reviews, my biggest thing is customer service and how well they are with kids. A++++++++ The food was so delicious, my kids ate everything, the plates are good size, we had some left overs, the pan cubano was HMMMM YUMMY! We've been trying out restaurants in the area because we're looking for a new place there and this can be our Friday night hangout for a nice family meal. they deliver but I'm not sure what they're area is for delivery. Worth the drive for a nice meal. The person attending was so nice, I can't wait to go back to eat in the patio during the nice weather. Price was very reasonable, especially for everything we ate. :)
Good food. bad service. This is a small little spot on north ave just west of harlem that serves up some pretty good cuban cuisine and not too pricey. It reminded me of the times i've spent sitting on the beaches of cuba with a cigar in my mouth and big ol' plate of mama's home cooked meal being served to me by a beautiful dark skinned cuban honey pot named Maria. ok, fine, I've never been to cuba and no this never happened but my best friend growing up was cuban and his mother would make the best ropa vieja, black beans and white rice you could ever have. This place is pretty close to the real deal. Although I will say the black beans and white rice were a little on the bland side. The place itself is small and can get a bit loud as it did today when a large group of people came in. It's not crazy loud but loud enough to kinda hinder any conversation you might be having with someone. My biggest con to this place was the service. Seriously she has to be family because anyone else would be out on the street with service like this. She acted like were completely ruining her day and taking up all her time. I asked what sides my sandwhich came with she said "onions." Even though the menu has an entire section of sides she could have suggested she didn't. She just said onions. Which weren't on the menu. who knows, maybe she was hooking me up with something and i missed it. Perhaps an offering of onions meant she had her eye on me and wanted my hand in marriage. I guess i'll never know now. I will ponder this. While i do that you should check this place out. For the food. Not the service. The service sucked. Thank you, and good day.
(3)
Linda N.
Tiny indoors, larger patio. I very much enjoy their ropa vieja and the plaintains.
(3)
Sean L.
The food is awesome the drinks are stiff a bit pricey but worth it if you want to treat yourself.
(5)
Jeanette M.
Not happy, came here b/c cafe lagurada down the street closed...mojitos tasted like a store mix. Food had no flavor, when you order the yellow rice instead of white, u don't get your side of black beans or apparently waitress service didn't care to tell you that or well anything, just all around dissatisfied. Guess I'm gonna have travel to the city to get real Cuban food!! I think people like it, because they haven't had better?
(1)
logan j.
This Cuban Restaurant has some good cheap eats. I have eaten here a few times and always have been pleased. The empanadas were delicious as were the mojitos. This isn't a fancy romantic spot but rather a nice place to grab a bite to eat. The staff has always been friendly and accommodating. I recommend this place as more of a summer spot because the outdoor seating basically doubles their capacity.
(4)
Rhonda G.
First visit to this place although I have passed by numerous times. It's a cute little place with music playing providing a laid back atmosphere I must start off by saying that I was NOT impressed with the waitress and I think she must be family otherwise she would be fired. No personality, no banter, no smile~strictly business and it wasn't crowded so NO excuses. On to the food.. I tried the vegetable combo which came with vegetable pastry (looked like an empanada to me), plantains and beans and rice. The plantains were good but slightly greasy and the filling to the empanada was just okay. The beans and rice were good as well (could stand a bit more seasoning). The bread they gave us pre-meal was really good along with the seasoned butter spread and I could just eat that with the beans and rice and be fine. Next time I think I'll try some chicken empanadillos from the tapas section. OH! I must mention the Materva (Caribbean soda) it's my new favorite pop!
(4)
Nicole S.
When I saw Cafe Cubano listed on Restaurant.com I got a certificate to try the place out. Went there last night and had a great experience! Friendly service, Everything we ordered tasted so fresh and came out piping hot. We ordered the Tostones Rellenos appetizer in beef which was a decent portion of 4 and very good. The Ropa Vieja as well as the Lechon was very tender and succulant both tasty dishes. Lastly the steak Jibarito dinner was really good not mushed together messy like Ive had at some other places. ! Luckily I was able to try a little from everyones dish and I would of been happy with any of the entrees. I will definately return to try something new.
(4)
Joshua W.
close to my school..good service, really above average food...The Chicken is good, pork is good, black beans and rice..good..actually have really good plantains ( rare in Chicago)...i'm a regular customer. I actually like evvvveeeeerything they serve here, its a little small area but its a nice place to take someone, especially if your trying to not go to a chain restaurant and show them somewhere a little different. A place everyone should visit and give a try
(4)
Karla O.
This is the 3rd cuban place we visit and it's not like we're experts but my husband and I both agree this one is the best by far!! Not much to look at but who cares if da food is delicious right. They have a full bar but I strongly recommend a glass of their sangria.
(5)
Jason N.
Stopped in here for a sandwich as I happened to be driving by. The staff was very nice and accommodating as they gladly took my request for a Croqueta Sandwich, which wasn't even on the menu. I also ordered a side of tostones and garlic. The sandwich was not great but good, my only gripe was they use yellow American cheese which is not authentic for a Cuban Sandwich. The sandwich was a generous size and after eating half I was shockingly full. The tostones were very good, crispy on the outside and light and airy on the inside. Good garlic sauce and perfectly salted as well.I wouldn't call the prices cheap, but they were reasonable. Two sandwiches and tostones for $20. It's not worth going out of your way for, but if your in the area it's a serviceable option for Cuban fare.
(3)
K M.
Delish!! The price is an exceptional value for both the quality and taste. I had probably the most basic arroz con pollo with black beans. Very good! Parking is difficult because it is located right on North Ave. Anyone in the Oak Park, River Forest area knows that North Ave can be a pain. But this place is worth the trouble. I can't wait for the weather to break and visit during the summer months.
(5)
Candace M.
I am literally typing as I eat!!! We are eating for lunch. We had Papa Rellenas for a appetizer which is a potato ball stuffed with ground beef. Very delicious.. We had two orders of it!!!! For our lunch order, we had jibarito sandwich! Which is Steak or chicken placed between two fried green plantain with cheese, tomato and grilled onions, with a little bit of garlic spread. Delicious!!! We loved it. My daughter had rice. She is a very picky eater and she loved it!!! It was very moist! Our overall Experience was very good and we will be back very soon!!!!!
(5)
Chillie D.
We have been to this Cuban restuarant several times over the years, so we are repeat customers. The food that we have ordered over the years has been flavorful, consistent and very, very good. I recommend the breaded thin bistec (steak), and the Palomilla bistec with onions. All dinners come with white rice, black beans and two slices of sweet plaintains. Also try the ropa vieja (shredded and tender beef in broth (looks like pulled brisket) served with white rice and black beans. The food is very flavorful and it is authentic Cuban food. The restaurant offers several pretty good appetizers (big thumbs up for the empanadas -- my mom's are better -- but they are pretty good). WARNING: The steaks are pretty big. This is a great place to go if you are really, really hungry and craving some good, decent, flavorful Cuban food. Of course, you can always take the other half of your steak home. We have only been to Cafe Cubano for dinner, so I have no idea what lunch is like at the Cafe Cubano. Two people can have a very delicious dinner for under $35 or less (this excludes the tip, tax and alcoholic drinks). Cafe Cubano has some interesting art work on the walls -- nicely decorated with bright and bold colors. It used to be a small restaurant (narrow and long), but they expanded. You can see where the new space begins (tile floor versus the original restaurant -- wood floors). The owners are young and very hospitable. It is obvious that they enjoy what they do and have a passion for cooking Cuban food. The service is decent (not over the top, but you will not feel neglected). The wait staff is attentive. Although they have a small outdoor seating area, I don't recommend sitting outside (unless you don't mind choking on the car, truck and bus fumes -- ugh -- not cool).
(4)
Jerry B.
Had Sandwich Cubano and Jibarito sandwich (on plantain). Nice bread served right away. Very good, but a little greasy. Good, friendly service. Nice atmosphere. In middle of little strip of eateries with street outdoor eating. First time at Cuban restaurant, so can't compare, but everything on menu sounds good. Would go back.
(4)
Chris B.
Awesome experience. You really do feel like you are in Cuba. The food and drinks are tasty and the service is fast and friendly.
(5)
Chris L.
The inside was nice, but the food really fell flat. The one saving grace - an amazing bowl of black bean soup. If all you need is a little soup on a chilly day, head on over. Otherwise you're probably better off finding another spot for dinner.
(2)
Sam S.
One of my favorite restaurants in Chicagoland! Lunch specials on weekdays are pretty awesome and reasonably priced. Different special is featured each day. The Friday chicken kebab is really good. Tuesday fricase de pollo is super savory. They always serve a basket of hot toasted bread with herb-butter for starters, and you can ask for more. The specials come with plantain - most of the time it's moise and ripe and sweet. It's also served with black bean and a little fresh vege as garnish. For dinner, the ceviche cocktail appetizer has a good combination of seafood and excellent flavors. My favorite entrees are their oxtail stew and fricase de pollo. For drinks, their mojito has really good mint flavor, and the amount of rum is just right. They also have malta which is great for summer. The cuban espresso shot will keep you awake for two straight days. Outside seating is available in summer tho' North Ave traffic can be unforgiving. Parking hasn't been a problem for me - just drive around the block and you're bound to find a spot on the street.
(5)
Annie M.
I came here with a friend on a Thursday for $5 mojito night... I wasn't expecting much as I'm not huge on super sweet mixed drinks but I was completely blown away! The coconut mojito is easily the best drink I've ever had! We also tried the raspberry, pineapple, and mango mojitos. All of them are made to order with huge amounts of fresh mint and fresh fruit but like I said, coconut is the way to go. We also got the tapas sampler... Pretty good but a lot of the options seem to have the same filling so not too much variety. Empanadas and ham and cheese croquets were pretty good but for me the one reason to visit is that coconut mojito!
(4)
Andrew J.
Went for a lunch on a Friday and sat outside to enjoy the weather. There was a decent crowd there, which was a good sign. For an appetizer we ordered the green plantains stuffed with vegetables and it was great. Though the free warm Cuban bread and herbed butter disappeared quickly as well! I had the chicken kabob lunch special and my girlfriend got the green peppers stuffed with beef. We were both very happy with the dishes and could only finish half of them. The service we had was very good. They were apologetic that I had to wait about a minute to refill my coke, but I'm not complaining at all. We'll definitely be back. Bring a restaurant.com gift certificate for an even better value.
(4)
Darryl S.
The GOOD: Not much good to say about this. I would give this place 1 star because my food was not good at all, but 2 people in our group of 5 liked theirs so I had to give an extra star. It could've been just what I ordered. Come to think of it, I asked the waitress what she recommends and she chose the lechon and that kinda sucked. So screw it, I'll make this 1.5 stars. I guess the only good was the stuffed burger my friend got. He said it was good, but I didn't want to get a burger at a Cuban spot. My other friend said her octopus dish was good too. I tried it and I guess it was alright. It had nice flavor, but was still lacking something to it. I might as well move on to the bad... The BAD: Ok so like I said I was recommended the lechon. I was probably going to get that anyway but was curious if the waitress had another dish that was better. The lechon was bland. It was kind of similar to lechon I would get in Filipino parties but at least that roasted pig had much more flavor. The beans and rice were straight up terrible. How can you make something that is a staple in Cuban food so bad? My other friend ordered deep fried potato balls and was disappointed as well. She said it was all potato with hardly any filling. Her husband kind of felt sick after. I should have just told him to throw it up since it's not worth keeping that crappy food in his system. We also had a pitcher of sangria. I don't order sangria much, but it felt they were pretty stingy with alcohol. It just tasted like a Juicy Juice fruit punch with pieces of fruit in it. I could have just went to the Walgreens down the street and made that crap myself instead of paying $18 for a pitcher. If I'm totally wrong about sangria and that's actually how it's supposed to taste just tell me because I don't know. The UGLY: The atmosphere was nice...until you hear the roar of junior high kids coming down the street from Johnny's. Besides that, outdoor dining wasn't bad. But in case mother nature does rain down on your parade, you better hope not many people are eating inside. The indoor dining is very small. The reason we even ate outside was due to a family of 6 taking up most of the space. Another ugly thing...the beans and rice. I really can't stress enough how awful it tasted. Yeah you know what? Just don't go here. The only thing nice about the place is the service and the way the drawing of the guy on the wall looks like my friend's dad.
(2)
Tracy O.
I went here on a Friday for a late lunch/early dinner and was incredibly underwhelmed by this restaurant. We went in excited to try somewhere new but were quite let down, the biggest issue was the service. When we ordered our food, we were the only table of people ordering, and the only meal that had to be prepared. We ordered a salad with our meal, and my biggest pet peeve occurred.... the salad came out with the entrees. That is such poor planning, I would've preferred not even received the salad when that occurred. The salad was quite bland as well. The entrees were cooked nicely and tasty enough. My dining companion ordered a $24 lobster dish and neither of the 2 waitresses bothered to ask how our meals were until we were almost finished with them. We also needed a steak knife and spoon and since no one came around to check on us, I had to go up to the counter and ask someone for those items. Maybe these are small complaints, but poor service can truly ruin the dining experience. Go there for take out, not to dine in.
(2)
Janet M.
Please excuse the misspelled Spanish/French words below; Yelp doesn't accept accented vowels *sigh* After visiting the Hemingway Museum and his birthplace home in Oak Park, IL I wanted to take my new fiance to a Cuban restaurant nearby. Seemed fitting with Hemingway's Cuban connection AND my love affair with the Cuban people (I learned Spanish with them in the 60's when so many arrived in my Chicago neighborhood fleeing Castro's Communist state) and their tasty cuisine. Cafe Cubano is a tiny storefront restaurant with a good variety of authentic Cuban dishes at reasonable prices. I actually ordered three meals just so my fiance would be able to sample several of my favorites (and we'd get to take home the leftovers..yum!). I ordered picadillo (a saucy ground beef dish, very flavorful), lechon (a roast pork favorite with the Cubans for big parties and a must on Christmas eve) and rabo encendido (an ox-tail stew with awesome sauce that has a little "bite" to it...encendido means on fire, but Cuban cuisine does not use a lot of hot peppers, so it's relatively mild in comparison to spicy Mexican dishes). Each entrees came with white rice and black beans and platonos fritos (fried plantains which are related to the banana but when green they are not sweet at all). The lechon was accompanied by yucca en mojo de ajo (yucca is a starchy root vegetable something like a potato and it's served dribbled with oil and garlic..the mojo de ajo). I ordered a side dish of platanos maduros (also fried plantains but after they've ripened significantly, making the end result a soft, sweet, almost candied delight). I had a virgin Pina Colada (alcoholic beverages are served here) and ordered a Malta (a non-alcoholic malt drink, dark and a bit thick and very sweet served cold in the bottle) for my guy. The dessert offerings, which included flan (egg custard with a syrupy burnt-sugar coating) or arroz con leche (rice pudding, cooked with cinnamon sticks, but more sweet than, say the Swedish variety or what you can pick up at the supermarket in plastic containers) will await us another day. We were soooo stuffed..and contentedly so. As a postscript I'll add that my fiance noted my face just lit up when we entered the restaurant. With the Cuban music playing through the speakers and the cozy feeling of memories being revisited from when I spent so much time sharing meals at the homes of my Cuban friends so many years ago (hospitality is a given in the Cuban culture..they have a saying "Where two eat, three eat" and are always welcoming when one happens to stop by), it was like coming home.
(4)
Stella S.
I had a terrible experience and will never go back here. I'll leave it at that.
(1)
Tim R.
for my first time having cuban food, i really enjoyed it. fast service and great selection of dishes.
(5)
Tina T.
Good cuban fare in the burbs! I had read a review about them by the Chicago Tribune, otherwise I probably would never had found this place. A small, almost diner size restaurant on North Avenue just west of Harlem, Cafe Cubano is worth checking out because of: good food, great prices, and fantasticly authentic mojitos! Their mojitos probably rank up there as being one of the best in Chicago so far! Even though it's a small place and not very fancy, it's clean, cute, and serves good food. Except that I don't eat meat, and I found their fish and vegetarian choices to be just okay. I had a shrimp dish recommended by the server, and it was good, nothing awe inspiring. However, my husband had the "ropa vieja" and loved it! With two entrees, 2 mojitos each, our total bill was less than $60. Not bad. Try it out if you are looking for a low key night.
(3)
Leonard W.
If I could just remember to get here on a Thursday! ($5 Mojitos!) I kind of think of this place more as a really good lunch spot. Have tried their Cuban Sandwich Sampler. Ironically the lechon is the one I like the most and usually the one I would get when I come here. (The classic Cuban is the one that I liked the least...shrugs) I've also tried the Tapa Combo. The empanada was okay, but didn't think much of it. However the Yuca Frita was good and thought the beef tostones rellons were really good. Saturday night would probably be the best night to come if you want more of an Cuban feel, but if you just want some good food Then give them a try.
(4)
Matt M.
This place was really, really bland. The food was really overpriced. There are not a lot of Cuban places around Chicago, but there are some places that serve very good Cuban food. This place is not one of them. The meat was tough, poor choice, and poorly prepared compared to their competitors. The bill was exorbitant for the food you actually get. I could easily say I won't be back
(2)
Uber City Girl D.
Ordered take out from here and have to give them 2 thumbs down. When I ordered I asked if the platanos were ripe and they weren't, they were hard and not sweet at all. Also ordered a couple of Jibaritos and was disappointed to find they hadn't put mojo de ajo or mayo on it but had put generic american cheese on it which tasted horrible. In one word, UNIMPRESSED:-(
(1)
Scot M.
Some of the worst customer service I've experienced. I would prefer a negative star rating but can't proceed without one here. Previously liked the place, but not anymore. Family was in need of a quick meal so my daughter and I stopped in to order take out, 3 cuban sandwiches. When we got home we discovered that all three sandwiches were missing pickles and mustard. I called the restaurant back and I they offered to remake those sandwiches, however it was too late for that to be a good option, so I was told a manager,would call me back the next day. A few days goes by and I realize I having heard anything, so I call back and talk to the manager. The manager offered the following. She explained that when you order in the restaurant they provide plantain chips with the sandwich, but do not provide this when you order to go. So she offered the next time I order to throw the chips in with the sandwiches. The whole time in thinking why does the restaurant not provide the same food when it's to go it does when dining in? I also explained that a cuban sandwich has a couple of ingedients that make the sandwich, however she did not see it the same. So I went from being offered to have the sandwiches remade to getting the same chips I would get if I ordered the same sandwiches dining in. Additionally, I reached out to the restaurant again, however they did not respond once again. They went from having a customer for several years who recommended the restaurant to friends and family that will need to find another cuban restaurant. Poor customer service easily goes from customer for life to telling friends the story and spreading the bad experience to friends that are surprised a restaurant could be this short sited. 4 coworkers to date that were going to go have since changed their minds. Take A clue from Burger Boss nearby, that when they messed up a recent order, I called back and they took down some information and without hesitation said next,time we will redo the order and throw in some additional fries.
(1)
Rosa S.
I wanted it to be better. Having eaten tons of delicious Cuban food (my aunt is from la Habana) I think I've been spoiled. She is an amazing cook. We ordered several things and tried from each other. Black beans. Meh. Plantains. Yummy. Ropa Vieja. It was OK. croquetas. Yummy. Bistec Empanizado. Ok. Arroz con Pollo. Yuck. Congri. Meh. Classic Flan. Ok Overall the food lacked flavor. It tasted like bland Cuban Food, which honestly is an oxymoron. Authentic cuban cuisine smells like onions, garlic deliciousness before you even see it. We didn't smell that upon entering. And what about Ironbeer? I love that. Why isn't it there? Service though was fantastic. The waitress was jovial and attentive even though they were packed on Saturday night. I'll probably go back. It wasn't bad enough to write off completely. One more chance.
(3)
Maris R.
Had their ropa vieja sandwich with white rice, black beans , and a plantano let me just say delicious My husband had their Jibarito steak sandwich with the same sides white rice , beans , and a plantano his was delish too Will definitely be coming back
(5)
Yadira D.
Cuban food, at its BEST! This week a gf and I decided to get together after work and do dinner. We both wanted to go somewhere at a 1/2 way point for the both of us, as we both live opposites of each other in the city/outskirts of the city, but wanted a place that served drinks. She had been here before and suggested it. So, I get there before her somehow, despite traffic being atrocious. I've had a rough week, and looked at their drink menu and settled for the Raspberry Mojito Martini, made with real fruit. The drink was JUST what I needed. Absolutely, DELICIOUS! My gf arrives and we chat it up with a few drinks and have some appetizers, the empanadas which were juicy and amazing. The bread was also delicious. Our entrees were just muah, delicioso!! I will definitely be back. Its a cute, quaint little establishment and our waitress was so attentive and just amazing.
(5)
Deno A.
Great food! Fantastic service. Adorable ambience. The Mojitos should get 7 stars. We are here for our anniversary and loved this restaurant. The food was hot and plentiful with authentic tastes. We will return!
(5)
Chris C.
Very good food, very good atmosphere! I was pleased. Highly recommend this place. They have an ample selection of alcoholic drinks and a few coffee drinks, although we didn't have any of those. Looks like a very professional set up. Very clean, very classy. Very friendly service. Four stars because we brought in a restaurant.com coupon that we received awhile back (said it didn't have an expiration), but they apologized and said they don't work with them anymore. It was a $25 coupon too. I don't know... I guess Restaurant.com should find some way to let coupon-holders know when a restaurant drops them? I don't know... We got some sweet plantain for dessert. Very nicely done. Don't understand all the super-negative reviews here, my goodness.
(4)
Jill L.
Cafe Cubano was wonderful! They had a great menu selection. I chose the steak jibarito dinner which came with white rice and black beans. I also ordered steamed yuca as a side and shared some sweet plantains which were great. Well, everything was great! I was more than satisfied. Servers were very friendly and attentive. The live music was also a plus. Although it was busy, our food arrived fast and there were a few tables open so we were sat right away. Will be back!!
(5)
Sophia G.
I just had lunch here and ordered a pan con lechon. As I was half done with my sandwich, there was a pubic hair embedded in the pork meat. I pulled it out to be sure and sure enough it had a root and a thick curl to it..it's a pubic hair!! I was so disgusted, I told the waitress "Maria" and all she did was take the plate without any care/concern. My bill was charged for the full price of the sandwich and "credited" for $5.83 versus the price of the sandwich $6.95. The owner or waitress didn't even bother to apologize after I ask if she bothered to inform the owner (which her reply was "yes, I gave you a credit") The restaurant was already empty during lunch when it should be busy, I see why now. I will never come back! #cafecubano #noconcernforcustomers #nasty #cheap #pubichair
After looking at the website and menu, I was very interested in experiencing their claim of ''Chicago's Most Authentic Cuban Food.'' What a letdown. When I think of Cuba, the first thing that comes to mind is fantastic flavors and well prepared meat. I ordered the sampler plate which was a disappointing collection of three visually unattractive sandwiches. The bread smothered the contents which in itself was a collection of dried meats almost lacking completely in flavor. After reading some of the less than flattering reviews including owner responses that seem to show consistent lack of accountability for subpar food, I am looking forward to visiting a legitimate Cuban restaurant.
(1)
Rosa J.
Looking through the yelp reviews, apparently they seemed to miss the mark recently. I was slightly worried, but knowing that we wanted to be in and out quickly because hubby was still on the clock, here was our best bet. I'm not very familiar with Cuban cuisines at all, so ordering the samplers was the way to go. We ordered the empanadas sampler and the Cuban sandwich sampler. Food came out fairly quickly and was tasty. The only suggestion I would have was the freshness of the romaine lettuce. The piece that I consumed was slightly withered so maybe it could have used a fresher batch. Otherwise, the meat was cooked just right and it wasn't overly done. The service was adequate for what we asked for. We were the only patrons in the house so everything went smoothly. We were done within 30 minutes and had a great and a better quality meal than dining at the "big M," "big W," or the "BK." I don't linger in Elmwood Park much at all, so there's no guarantee that I will be back, but I didn't experience any glitch like what other reviewers said. I will still recommend this place.
(4)
Mel C.
Very bad experience. Definitely not a authentic Cuban food. Their was a miscommunication with the order. They brought out beans no rice had to wait additional 15 mins for rice. They brought out yellow rice not white didn't bother to ask. Their famous Cuba sandwich tasted old with the pig meat in it. And eating old pig meat is not good it will mess up ones stomach. I have lived in the area for many years wanted to give it a try since it was in the area. But horrible experience!!! My husband try to go and tell them the sandwich had a bad after taste what was that for. The owner got very unprofessional started swearing and saying he will never serve us again. Made a very big show in front of everyone...Two thumbs
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Paulamertha A.
I had the pleasure of dining and experiencing Cuban food for the first time, at this place, during my recent visit to the Chicago area. The service here was excellent! Our waiter was on point and very attentive to our needs. Although I love trying new foods, you always have the moment when you ask yourself, "what did I get myself into"; however, this place cured me of my doubts and also superseded my expectations. The food here is truly amazing! The Tapa Combo, Bistec Empanizado, Bistec Arrachera, and the mango shake was incredible! I honestly can't wait to go back to Chicago just so I can eat at this place again! 5 out of 5 stars!
(5)Rob W.
Was looking for a different restaurant to try and after finding that my original choice wasn't open, I cruised by Café Cubano and decided to give it a shot. I arrived there around 1:15PM and they were about half full with late lunchers. I asked for a carryout menu and the hostess/waitress/bartender gladly obliged. An initial glance at the entrees showed a price range of $11-$16, which I wasn't interested in paying for lunch. Then I saw the sandwich and lunch offerings - most under $10 and the daily lunch specials at $7.95. That was more reasonable. So I decide to select two offerings as I'm headed back to my Mom's house with lunch for her as well. I picked a Classic Cuban sandwich ($6.95); essentially ham & cheese with pork, along with an order of chicken kabobs - the Friday lunch special ($7.95) which looked pretty good coming out of the kitchen. So the h/w/b rings it up - total of $17.37 and I give her my debit card to run. Signed the slip and I'm sitting there doing some rough numbers... $8 +$7 = $15... I paid $17.37, seems like $2.37+ is an awful lot of tax on that. So I look at my bill and asked the h/w/b, "is your lunch special $7.95 as it is on the menu, or $8.95 like I was actually charged?" She checked and said, "It's $8.95" but didn't say anything about the error or a possible small refund. So I said, "this needs to be fixed - people want to pay what the menu says and not what the register happens to ring." So she paused and said, "I can give you a dessert - do you like flan?" Now, ordinarily I would have preferred getting the buck back, but I am a flan fan and her recompensatory offer was a good deal since the flan was $4.50. So I went with the dessert. The food was out within the 10 minute promised time, so I headed to my mom's house where we split both entrees (I knew the Classic Cuban was probably pretty benign spicey-wise, so if the chicken was to much for her, I'd give her my ham and cheese). Opening the sandwich, I saw a fairly flat sandwich with an average amount of meat and cheese. We both ate it as it came - not adding the mustard/mayo type sauce that accompanied it, which may have been a mistake. The sandwich was OK - was kind of hoping for something more tastewise out of the meats. The chicken kabob however was OUTSTANDING. A Cuban type of sweet and sour chicken, the entrée came with rice and two 10" skewers of chicken, onions and peppers that were really good and worth the $8.95 price. We were both pleased with this offering. There was also bread and black beans included in the bag - I'm guessing this was supposed to be included with the special. The flan was pretty good too and a nice "make-up" for the pricing error. I think the sandwich may have been better if consumed in the restaurant rather than taken home. Other entrees looked kind of interesting. Glad I tried the place - I'll give it a shot again based on this experience.
(4)Diana M.
Great drinks but the food needed more flavor and the cuban tamale I ordered was raw..
(1)Jenny P.
One star for very friendly service. The food was not good. I love trying new Cuban spots out. My steak sandwich had the thinnest piece of barely seasoned meat. The ends of the steak were raw and the onions lacked that delicious Cuban flavor. I was really hungry and left there still feeling hungry. I will not be visiting this place again.
(1)Jamal A.
Very nice place clean with great food and service. For someone like me who used to live in Miami this place is like home away from home and I'm not even cuban but I love cuban food and I was so happy to see this place not too far from where I live. I will be back an will tell all my friends about it.
(4)Edgar I.
When on a Saturday afternoon with my lady, they had a private event inside , so we had to sit outside luckily weather was good for outdoor dining. Had some empanadas which weren't fresh 'cause they came 5 minutes after ordering when they came they were soggy and dripping in oil like they had them already made and they just drop them in hot oil to make it look like they were fresh.had some ropa vieja which was ok, my lady had som masitas de puerco which was greasy. Had a beer which was hot and some mojito that tasted too strong like they use cheap liquor. Service was good though. We won't go back.
(2)Ramsey B.
Perhaps my favorite Cuban restaurant in the Chicago-Metro area. Everything is outstanding. The ropa vieja, fricase de pollo, and the palomilla steak are my favorites. The sandwiches are excellent and the appetizers (croquetas de jamon) are a must. Also, don't forget to wash it down with a Materva
(4)Joe C.
I just downgraded my opinion of this place based in no small part on the classless and unprofessional email I just got from someone at Cafe Cubano. Not only does Mayra not understand customer service and a simple request like "can I please have balsamic vinegar!" (4x no less) but then when a customer like me complains rather than apologizing and focusing on how she can improve from the honest feedback, Mayra calls me an idiot and tells me to get a life. No wonder service here is so bad....
(1)Tiffany S.
If you're looking for authentic cuban food this is not the place for you, this place is cuban style not authentic. Service wasn't good at all, 15 mins each time you wanted a drink. Our server was never around and the place is small can't go far. Took over 40mins after we ordered to get our food, and the restaurant was pretty empty maybe 5 tables total. And the food wasn't that good. And heads up they charge 18% automatic tip for table of 5.
(2)Gina M.
I loved their Mojitos!!! We stopped by on Friday night and they had live music, it was so nice and relaxing. The food was delicious. I had roasted pork and my husband had the Ropa Vieja! Both tender and tasty! Will be back again our lovely waitress told us they also have live entertainment on Saturdays. What a gem!
(5)Christy W.
We've ate in the restaurant three times (once with out of town guests) and placed a pick-up order. The food is delicious-I've never had anything we did not like here and there are a lot of interesting dishes. One of the things we really appreciate about Cubano is the amount of gluten free/paleo dishes. The jibaritos are AWESOME and the plantains that they serve with them on the side are cooked perfectly. We also recently tried their fries (despite not really being a "Cuban" dish) and they were awesome. They appeared to be hand-cut and very fresh. The drink menu is a bit limited and I wouldn't recommend their bloody mary's but I guess that's what you get for ordering one at a Cuban restaurant! It was hard for me to not give this place a five-star review but once we had a bad experience with placing an order for pick-up. We were told the order would be ready in 15 minutes and when we got there it was another 25 minutes because I think our order was forgotten about and then they made it on the spot. This seemed like a fluke because we have had a positive experience every other time-and they did throw in free dessert to make up for the error. Cute relaxed atmosphere inside-very colorful. The staff is very friendly. Parking can be a bit difficult but there are many neighborhood side streets to park on as well.
(4)Efrain M.
I ordered take out and did not get what I ordered. When I called the apology was akin to "oops". The woman said the driver was not working this night, so I'd have to bring the wrong food back to get it replaced. I wasn't offered a beverage while I waited, let alone a refund, discount or a token dessert. I wasn't looking for a handout, but some sort of gesture for having to drive back because of their mistake would have been nice, Was it worth it? Not really. the food was bland at best. Too bad, because I like Cuban food and would have like to find a good local option- Cafe Cubano is not it.
(2)Patrick M.
I ordered two cubano sandwiches and two orders of fried plantains with garlic sauce. The cubanos were never heated under the press and the tostones never came with the garlic sauce. Called up to let them know, they said they would take my number and call the owner and get back to me. It has been over 3 days. Is this how you treat your customers? They finally responded to me on Facebook and had no idea what I was talking about. Did they try and make everything better...No, they just blocked me from commenting on their posts. I hope you guys figure out the customer service angle, without that, all you have left is bland food. Thanks for robbing me of $30.
(1)Mark L.
I ate here with my family last week. This was my second time in the restaurant, and both experiences have been enjoyable. The sangria's were very tasty, but a fair warning that the mojito's were very sugary (as intended) but too much for my taste. The empanadas were delicious, as were the main courses. I've tried a combination of both steak and pork over onions and sauteed peppers, and both were great. They also do a great job of feeding you, as the portions are hearty and well priced. Definitely interested in coming back!
(4)Sarah C.
The Cuban sandwich was disappointing. I think I got all of the stringy, fatty pieces of pork in mine. It was also not very flavorful. I get it though, some folks like that kind of meat. The fried plantains with garlic oil were pretty good though.dunking the sandwich in the garlic oil helped out a little. I drove an hour to try this place out so I was let down a bit. The staff was really nice though.
(3)Nora D.
This place is soooo good! The palamilla is AMAZING. I don't eat Cuban food very much at all, that will have to change!
(5)Eddy V.
I love Cuban food. The end. Just kidding. I have more to say. Here it goes: My co-workers LOVE Cafe Cubano and usually make a pilgrimage here pretty often. I was pleasantly surprised when my supervisor asked me and another co-worker to join her for lunch at this place. I had been there before and remembered enjoying it, so I was very excited for this retreat during lunch. Since it was a little after 1pm on a weekday, we ended up having the entire restaurant to ourselves. Our waitress attended to us promptly and brought us our appetizer after a few minutes. To start, we shared a chicken and a beef empanada. They were delicious. My only complaint about the dish was the not-so-fresh looking vegetables that garnished the plate... For the main course, I ordered the grilled chicken breast with barbeque. It came with a side of white rice, beans, and fried plantains. The chicken was enormous, so I was happy to take half of it home and eat it the next day for lunch. My supervisor ordered the arroz con pollo, which comes in a small pot and tastes delicious. I'll definitely be coming back for lunch.
(4)Yvonne O.
I'm not sure why people really hate this place (according to some of the low stars) I was in Cuba this past February and I still find it amazing how similar the food on this menu is to what I ate while there. The fried chicken and sauce is literalyl the same. The tostones with shrimp, twins. Sure, the coffee can't be the same and the mojitos are naturally different since there is no Cuban rum, but I love coming here and feeling like I am back on that amazing trip! The service is always friendly, even if slow when they are super busy. This last time we got a few appetizers and the fried steak and fried chicken. Everything was fresh and delciious - the breading was never soggy and the tostones come with a mountain of shrimp and sweet onions on top - yum!
(5)SarA M.
I love the oxtail stew here. They serve it in a huge casserole enough to feed two. Oxtail stew is the bees knees
(5)Yari S.
The cuban sandwich was alright, i have had better. the jibarito was actually good. i was surprised that I liked it. parking sucks
(3)Bunny K.
Tasty!!!!!!! Yum yum. One of my favorite restaurants. Service here is fantastic...
(5)Tanya S.
A-Ok for different cuisine. Otherwise I was shocked the food was rather bland. Not for me. This is a very low key place.
(3)Dave G.
I was really hoping that I could write a good review of this place. This little place was great from the time I walked in through the time I walked out....unfortunately the eating took place after I left. The restaurant is a great little welcoming place with a fun atmosphere. The waitress was quick, very friendly, very knowledgeable and actually seemed happy to be there and happy that I had come in. The menu looked incredible and I was drooling over the options, especially with the descriptions of the dishes from the waitress. Unfortunately, I was on my way back to MN so I was pretty limited on what I would get and still eat in the car. I settled on my standby - the Cubano sandwich, one of my all-time favorite foods and one I will drive way out of my way to get. I will not drive out of my way to get another one here, however. The bread was dry, and not like what I've come to expect on a Cuban. The pork was very tasty but other than it and the dry bread there was little other flavor. As I was trying to tear through the second half of the sandwich I realized that this was not worth the effort and bagged up the remains...totally demoralized. I'd like to think that the experience in the restaurant along with the other positive reviews will be enough to convince me to give this place another try. Certainly not for a Cubano but to try some of the wonderful sounding dishes on the menu. In reality, I'll probably try a different place.
(2)Rafael N.
I tried liking it. Ordered a couple different things from the menu. The food just isn't good. It lacks flavor. If you've never had Cuban food before then you might think this is good, but if you have had it before chances are you'll be able to taste the difference right away. Ordered the sandwich sampler because I was worried about picking one full sandwich and not liking it; unfortunately I didn't like either of the 3 sandwiches in the sampler. My girlfriend got the ropa vieja sandwich, and though it had a bit more flavor than my stuff, it still wasn't anything special. The empanadas didn't give much to talk about either. I enjoyed my cafe con leche the most and the Yuca was also good. Well we gave it a shot, but we won't be coming back.
(2)Karina F.
The staff was very nice but our Cuban and Pork sandwiches were a bit dry. We used the oil from the tostones appetizer to wet the sandwich a bit. I would still give it another try though cause I would like to try the entrees out.
(3)Mary Ann C.
MMMMM. ....I was pretty disappointed. I had heard great things about this spot, so I gave it a shot for a carry out lunch. The staff was very friendly. The cuban sandwich was very dry...nothing like the versions I enjoyed on vacation in Miami or even at US Cellular Park.
(2)Jay J.
The restaurants on this strip is growing! a little something for everyone. But Cafe Cubano has authentic Cuban Cusine (no I'm not Cuban). Their flavor has a distinct accent of Cuba. Give it a go. I love the Ropa Veija and the Ox Tail. I wish I could try something else without always wanting to order those mentioned already.
(4)Diana L.
I really like their food. It is authentic cuban food and the atmosphere was great. It is very casual and their is outside dinning available. I have tried the ropa vieja and other items and everything was good.
(4)Tricia L.
Had high expectations for this place thanks to the reviews I read here and also for my love of Cuban food and tapas..MAN was I DISAPPOINTED!! The food was overcooked to the point of not edible and super greasy!! The cocktail called the Cuban Sunset is made with Dole juice DRINK..NOT REAL juices as stated in their menu. Started with the spicy shrimp empanadas..which were NOT spicy and you can tell the fry oil was "dirty" they came out a dark brown as oppose to a golden brown and soggy NOT crispy and there several dishes we ordered that I WILL NOT go into because they were ALL TERRIBLE..all overcooked!! My dinner bill was over $100 for greasy overcooked food which left me with a VERY bad taste in my mouth..the ONLY upside to this evening was the ONE and ONLY waitress trying to take care of 6 tables at once..she was wonderful and took very good care of us and everyone else..she did an amazing job!! Too bad she was alone..will NOT be returning to this place again!
(1)Nektaria R.
The fist time I ate lunch here, it was not mind blowing, OK, I'm not into sandwiches I guess. I never went back until a few days ago since my friends dragged me. They've expanded the restaurant from the last time that I was here. It's much better for groups of people, especially for lunch or after work. The waitstaff was very patient and helpful in understanding the menu. We ordered the sampler of empanadas. I tasted the shrimp and beef, they were sooooooo good! My mouth is watering as I'm typing this. I also had a steak sandwich with plantains (instead of bread) I'm not even sure what it's called but I know I want another one NOW! Basically, fresh and tasty food, awesome prices and service with a smile. I can't wait to go back. Update! The awesome sandwich is called a Jibarito!!! (he-ba-rito)! Thanks for the lesson Yesenia!
(4)Oscar S.
Not a bad place to get your Cuban fix.I would say it's average though.I'll come back because its in the area but theres definetely better places in the city.THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE A NEGATIVE REVIEW.Food is ok.Service is good.No complaints.
(3)Christine D.
We have ordered out from this spot 3-4 times a year for several years and eaten in twice. Here is the low down: 1. Food - entrees are great - really good, well cooked and huge portions. We have our favorites but have tried at least 1/2 the menu at this point and never been disappointed. Ropa Vieja, Arros con Pollo, the ox tail stew, the stuffed peppers (both veggie and ground beef ones) are all delicious. Nothing is very spicy and I'm no cuban expert so I don't know if this is bad. All I know is its good and a ton of food. Yes, entrees are pricy but we always have tons of leftovers. I have been a little disappointed in the sandwiches. They are ok but seem a little dry. good bread though. 2. Service - they are typically pleasant but not overly friendly and our food is ready on time but they just seem disorganized. We've had several instances when we've arrived home only to find they messed up the order. Now, we like everything they make so it hasn't really bothered me but for someone else it might. Same eating in - we specifically ordered and pointed to the ground beef stuffed peppers one night and were brought the vegetarian ones that aren't even listed on the same page of the menu. Also eating in can be slow....the crowds are a little unpredictable along North Ave so I think they probabaly have a hard time knowing how many waitstaff to schedule and the kitchen is miniscule. All in - because of the food, we will continue to go here and deal with the occasional service issues
(4)Andy M.
Cafe Cubano is a beautiful little Cuban eatery located in downtown Elmwood Park. The interior is quite welcoming, it resembles some of the wonderful Cuban restaurants that I visit when I'm in Tampa. We started out with the Ham Croquet's and the Papa Rellenos appetizers. They were both delicious, it was nothing short of breaded, Cuban Goodness. For my entree, I went with the Breaded Steak. This was served with sides of rice and beans. On first glance, the Breaded Steak looked to be pretty dainty, but it was quite filling and packed a spicy wallop. I have no idea what spices were put in the breading, but it was awesome. I can't say that Cafe Cubano would be my first choice for Cuban food in Chicago, but it's a close second. The food is delicious, the service was good and atmosphere was quite comfortable. If I'm ever in the area with a empty stomach, I will definitely be back.
(4)Rachel T.
Friendly service and great food. The owner could not have been kinder or more welcoming to us. They had a great Malbec (that makes it for me) and my husband and I did many of the tapas dishes (mussels, empanadas, octopus...). EVERYTHING was fantastic! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and appreciated the warmth. We'll be back, definitely!
(5)Marco C.
Not recommend. Had to wait half an hour to be waited on. Overpriced for no reason! Food was cold and overly salted.
(2)Tom T.
what a great little Cuban place! Friends and I stopped here on a whim since our original dinner location is closed. We sat outside on a cool summer evening and dined on delicious Spicy Shrimp Empanadas, Camarones Empanizados Tapas. I had the Ropa Viejo and it was decent. Great flavor, but I think I prefer the Bistec Arrachera that my gf had. That was friggin delicious! Friends had the Pulpo and that tasted delicious as well. Even though I ate my share of the Platano Maduro and then ate my gf's share, I still wanted more. The Flan de Coco desert was heavenly!!! Highly recommended if you're looking into a good Cuban place with a nice outdoor seat patio. Beware though, North ave can be a bit LOUD sometimes...
(4)Kymberly J.
The amount of food for the money is ridiculous! my friend and I always share everything when we go out to eat. we got the Lechon which was tasty and tender although it could stand to be more seasoned. I make it at home and I use Adobo and Sazon but everyone does it differently. we also got the tapa platter which contained many Cuban delights like ham croquettes and empanadas. The camarones flamenco were perfectly cooked in an oniony red sauce and the congri (a black bean and rice blend - cuban style) was fresh and light. The service is friendly and they offer outdoor seating in a nice setting amongst the strip of great restaurants on North Avenue. Beware! if you use a gift certificate from restaurant.com , they will add gratuity onto your bill no matter how small the party.
(4)Rosalin S.
I had to sign up on yelp just to give this review . The food was horrible nothing was authentic nor had flavor . The ropa vieja was so bland , empanadas were undercooked and greasy. The sampler sandwich platter was a joke the lechon was not good . Honestly my mother and I cook better ropa vieja and lechon and we are not even Cuban . Overpriced food with no flavor . Needless to say I will not be going back .
(1)Amanda B.
We went here because we were able to get a Restaurant.com gift certificate, and I guess I was just hoping for something a little bit different. My husband and I were going out for a Friday night date night and it was a little bit too casual and too quick for the date night I was hoping for. With that said, service was incredibly friendly and kind. We didn't have to wait at all, and in fact, it was quite empty when we went, which was surprising for a Friday night. The food was also good, though I wish we had just ordered a more casual dinner of sandwiches, as that sounds more like their specialty. My husband ordered the bistec arrachera, which he said was good and I tasted it and it had good flavor. I ordered the Aji Rellenos. The flavors were delicious but it tasted more like and italian dish than a cuban one. Perhaps if they used a cheese other than mozzarella or a tomato sauce that had more spices, it would have a more cuban flavor. While it was good, I was expecting something different. Pros: Solid food, good service Cons: Too casual for the prices, not much ambiance
(3)Tom A.
So, in the mood for Cuban food and the place on North and 25th was closed. So we went over to this place, which we have had sandwiches here before. They are kinda pricey. The Tapas - Empanada sampler - They seem a little over cooked, but decent flavor. I ate the two spicy shrimp ones... and it had one ...(1) ... 1 ...uno... tiny shrimp in it! Talk about cheap. The sandwiches - The Miami.. The larger version of the Cuban sammy and it was pretty good. The congri was dry and pretty bland and over priced. + Service was nice. - Prices are kinda high + Nice atmosphere. I personally would drive into the city and go to Pancho's or Cafe Mariano next time to curb our Cuban fix.
(2)Rudy M.
Cafe Cubano is a great opportunity to taste the foods of a different province of Cuba. When it comes to Cuban restaurants, the preparation and spices of the dishes vary from owner to owner because of the different areas of Cuba they come from. These are not your typical Cuban recipes. This restaurant offers more of a home style twist to their seasonings. It's not super heavy on the spice but also not overly bland. I recommend this restaurant for allowing themselves to dare to be different on some of their menu offerings. The staff and owners are very accommodating and friendly.
(5)Jason V.
Great mojitios and the ropa vieja sandwich is great
(4)Jill O.
When I first entered,I thought it would be a good place to eat. . We're sat down & there's a nice warm bread basket w/ butter that I think is garlic butter,but tastes more like ranch. Everything on the menu sounded delicious, I decide to get grilled pork chops w/ BBQ sauce on it. The food wasn't anything special. The pork chop wasn't spiced at all & it was thin with the bone still attached,mostly fat. The BBQ sauce tasted like the same sauce they paired w/ the croquetas & empanadas platter. All in all,food was bland & I won't be coming back. I would give them 2 stars,but I liked the way it was decorated.
(3)Carolynne M.
Darling little cafe located in this strip of larger restaurants, if you are driving by too fast, you are apt to miss it. I enjoyed the decor, which was very bright and cheery, mostly yellows, oranges and greens, and felt the cuisine was pretty authentic. Had the Lechon, which was roast pork, served almost in a "pulled" style. Incredibly yummy. It came with a very garlicky yucca and a black bean/rice combo. BF had the ropa vieja,which was a spicy pulled beef. Both of these I was told were specialties of the house. They certainly didn't disappoint! On Janet M's recommendation, I ordered the Malta, which was a very heavy, syrupy drink. It reminded me a lot of molasses. It was good, but quite unusual. It was rather early on a Friday when we went, so the place was rather empty, but quite a few folks came in to pick up take out orders, so that was a good sign. The prices were quite reasonable for what you get, and the service was very quick, efficient and pleasant. All in all a great experience!
(4)Caroline C.
You know, I like this place, but the service -or LACK of it - yesterday was really unforgivable. They were busy, and good for them, but they ignored our table for 10 minutes, took our drink order that took another 10 minutes to arrive. We finally placed an order and then 20 minutes later she came back to tell me that they'd run out of what I ordered. It was another 30 minutes before we got our food. No apologies, no acknowledgement. Nothing. And tables that came in after us were getting served. I am extremely disappointed. I guess I'll be getting my Cuban food at another restaurant from now on.
(1)Miguel A.
Horrible experience. Came with my wife and 2 year old son. 30 minutes after having my order taken, I find out ( by getting up to ask) that my waitress had left. I spoke to what seemed to be the owner or manager, who didn't seem to care for my situation.
(1)Melissa B.
We went to this restaurant this summer and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We started with the Tapa Combo appetizer which was plentiful and tasty. My daughter loved the potatoes and I found the ham croquetas to be very good. My husband ordered the Cuban Sandwich Sampler and found the salad refreshing. He also found the meat to be moist and tasty. He was able to bring one sandwich home. My son ordered the Media Noche which was comprised of roasted pork, ham and cheese on Cuban bread. While he liked it, he repeatedly said it was a bit greasy. I ordered the Miami Sandwich. From the description on the menu, this sounded like a BLT "A bigger version of our Cuban sandwich with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise." However, it also had cheese and pork on it. When we went the restaurant was empty, which I found surprising considering the quality and quantity of food. All of us had half of our sandwich to take home for a meal tomorrow, and we had about half of the appetizer to bring home. You can read my detailed review at: diningoutchallenge.com/2…
(4)Bill O.
Cafe Cubano is a pleasant place, and its in a quickly growing restaurant row in this neck of the woods. Went there on a Sat. nite. Had a taste of mojito to start, then shared a tapas platter as an appetizer. The ham croquetas were AWESOME, as well as the potato spheres. Get these individually for appetizers. NOW. I had the ropa vieja (shredded beef with tomato sauce), and better-half had arroz con pollo (Chicken on the bone with yellow rice). Portions were well-sized, had fresh ingredients and were served quickly. Dessert was coconut flan. Shared the portion with better half, and this was awesome too. Service was a touch hurried, but pleasant. 3 courses, + 3 drinks + restaurant.com coupon = $58 tab. We'll be back.
(4)Cyn P.
This review is all on the food only... I grew up on Cuban food so I was dying to try this place and finally did. The menu made my mouth water, and as a solo diner, I could only try so much. I have to try some other dishes but am afraid I will find the same thing - a just ok experience.... Overall impression was that it was just OK and somewhat lacking flavor. I will try it again because I want t to try a few more dishes, but this is how my first experience went... Croquettes - They were tasty - 4 stars. Fried plantains - They were tasty and there was a hint of maybe lime? 4 stars. Black beans - very disappointing. They tasted like they were right out of a can and with little flavoring. 2 stars. White rice - flavorless. Could use some garlic and olive oil and a touch of salt for flavoring. 2 stars Stuffed peppers with picadillo - 2 stars. The picadillo was very disappointing. Very little flavor and lacking. This was my bigest disapoinment. Flan - 3 stars. It was authentic and good but over done on presentation with the addition of a marichino cherry and whipped cream and both carmel and chocolate sause. Really - I would have preferred a larger portion of flan sans all the topings. Flan stands on its own as a perfect dessert.
(3)Todd B.
We stopped by today as the result of my "Dad's executive decision" which I reserve for those times no one can agree and no one's very enthusiastic about any particular choice. I'd been meaning to try Cafe Cubano for some time and now realize what I was missing. The service was excellent: friendly, professional and attentive. When the food arrived (quickly by the way) it was hot and fresh. My boys each had different sandwiches, my wife had Lechon ( roast pork ) and I had a fried shrimp dish just to try something different than I'd normally get at a Cuban place. Everything was flavorful and it was evident that all the ingredients were high quality. I heard several times today and this evening how tasty our lunch was. Total score in my book. We'll be back soon.
(5)Jennifer Q.
I was here again last night because my friend, Rose, treated me to a birthday meal. (Seriously -my bday has been this month long celebration so far!) I ordered my usual, the Veggie Combo plate, which I adore! I also had a decaf cafe con leche that tasted so good, I worried that they gave me full strength. I was a little more awake and hyper than I usually would be when getting home, but I did end up falling asleep! Gotta love this place! The owner and his daughter are always so hospitable and the food is so, so good! Can't wait to visit again soon!
(5)R S.
So the husband and I have taken it upon ourselves to try new cuisines and we decided to do Cuban on Saturday evening, an early Valentine's Day meal if you will. We agreed on Cafe Cubano in Elmwood Park., am still recovering from the food hangover....talk about yummy...oh my...my taste buds are salivating while I write this. It was real nice that they could cater to the demands of a hardcore carnivore aka moi and a vegetarian who does not even eat sea food aka the hubby...boy did he miss out. We were seated immediately and actually they let us switch because I was so cold, we got moved closer to the kitchen, no complaints from me at all. After settling down with a Mojito for me and Cuban Sunrise for my hubby , who btw kept trying to sneak sips of the Mojito, we ordered up Tapas, the Ham Croquetas - 4 of our delicious ham croquettes for me and Tostones Rellenos - Green plantain shells stuffed with your choice of beef or vegetable, hubs chose the vegetables natch,. They were substantially sized and really delish. Moving on to the main course, I has the Bistec Arrachera - 12 oz cut of skirt steak marinated overnight with house spices and grilled to taste and my hubby had the Aji Relleno con Arroz, Vegetales, Queso y Salsa Marinara - 2 bell peppers stuffed with delicious vegetables and rice, topped with mozzarella cheese and homemade marinara sauce. The steak was melt in your mouth tender and the spices it was seasoned with did a happy dance in my mouth. As picky as he is my husband actually polished off his meal . Ohhhhh the plaintains that came with it and the melt in your mouth black beans that came with the meals...can we get an amen just for that? The grand finale was a Cafe Cubano for me and Cafe Con Leche for him, we split a flan. Perfect end to a perfect mean and in my defense the Cafe Cubano had me wired enough to stay up and watch a late night showing of The Mechanic. Now to the good part...I mean the icing on the perfect cake that is Cafe Cubano, the staff is so friendly, answered all my questions, chatted through, it was such a close knit family run establishment. My birthday is in April and guess where we are going for dinner?
(5)Heather G.
Finally a decent Cuban place nearby. My husband and I tried Cafe Cubano earlier this week -- a place we had been meaning to try for months and one that, after an abismal visit to Cafe Laguardia West (not to be confused with Laguardia on Armitage), one we didn't have high hopes for. But happy we were when we were proved wrong and Cafe Cubano turned out to be a solid venue we'll add to our rotation of neighborhood places for a casual lunch or dinner. We went on a weeknight and sat outside on a clear summer night. Service was excellent -- the cutest little Cuban lady took such great care of us! Since I'm pregnant, I wasn't able to try the fully-loaded mojito, but I will say that their virgin mojito was full of minty flavor balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. We loved the Tapa sampler (croquettes, tostones, potatoes, etc) to start with -- I was actually pretty stuffed even just after that much! You'll find all of your typical Cuban favorites here -- no frills but good, authentic Cuban food. My husband had the steak empanizado -- his "usual" at all Cuban places -- and it was delicious. I enjoyed my arroz con pollo. Generous portions -- definetly enough to take home for another meal the following day. Recommend.
(4)Isabelle L.
The quick summary: - friendly folks and service, you will definitely feel welcomed - low key casual place which has more of a bar feel than a restaurant, makes it a good place to just grab a bite with friends and relax - full bar with good strength of alcohol in the cocktails although I was not impressed by the flavor of the mojito (suspecting the addition of flavored syrup on that one) - food is good and solid with traditional Cuban offerings: steaks, pork, chicken, shrimps entrees all with plantains, beans...but also sandwiches and tapas. Overall good but not impressive or out of this world, more like a diner or what you would quickly through together at home. - I have to say though, try to save space for dessert, the flans we ordered were really good. Overall, solid food, in a friendly low key atmosphere makes Cafe Cubano a good place to grab a drink and something to eat and it will be relaxing but not memorable in any way.
(3)Diana M.
The food is great and the service is excellent. I''ve only gone during lunch but if you're looking for flavorful food served quickly, this is the place. I've had the tapas plate and the sandwich assortment and it was all good. My friend gets the fried chicken. She says it moist and delicious. I will be trying that next.
(4)angelica r.
Went for lunch. was good. nothing grrrrrreat. def have had better, but good for what it was.
(3)Joe C.
Really good Cuban food, and great prices. We did have a pretty large bill considering that we had 3 sandwiches, but 40 of the 70 dollars were for the Rum and Cokes! The great thing was that they participate in restaurants.com and we bought a $25 gift certificate for $10! I will definitely go back .
(4)Sue R.
We stopped by here on Sunday for a late lunch. We started with Mojito's which were good. We had the original and a mango. Both had plenty of alcohol in them - yum!!! We had the tapas sampler and the Cubano Tamale. While we waited for our food the waitress brought out hot garlic toast which was also yummy. The tapas sampler was good, we liked everything accept the croquette. It seemed like it wasn't cooked enough to me the middle was kind of mushy. The empanada was delicious and the little salad on both plates was fantastic. Black beans, onions, tomatoes and carrot. The tamale was also very good. The mashed potato ball with meat was good - but really heavy and filling. We were absolutely stuffed with just the two appetizers and drinks. All the food coming out of the kitchen looked great. The restaurant was busy when we were there. There was only one server and the cook. The service was good, the waitress checked in on us many times to be sure we were happy. They have a cute (but small) outdoor area but we chose to eat inside since it was sweltering hot out that day. We'll definitely stop in again to try some of the entrees and maybe the sangria.
(3)Maritza V.
I LOVED IT LOVED IT!!!! If anyone else has read my other reviews, my biggest thing is customer service and how well they are with kids. A++++++++ The food was so delicious, my kids ate everything, the plates are good size, we had some left overs, the pan cubano was HMMMM YUMMY! We've been trying out restaurants in the area because we're looking for a new place there and this can be our Friday night hangout for a nice family meal. they deliver but I'm not sure what they're area is for delivery. Worth the drive for a nice meal. The person attending was so nice, I can't wait to go back to eat in the patio during the nice weather. Price was very reasonable, especially for everything we ate. :)
(5)Adam r.
went here with my fiancé food and atmosphere are all excellent cant believe we haven't stopped in before
(5)Cesar j.
Good food. bad service. This is a small little spot on north ave just west of harlem that serves up some pretty good cuban cuisine and not too pricey. It reminded me of the times i've spent sitting on the beaches of cuba with a cigar in my mouth and big ol' plate of mama's home cooked meal being served to me by a beautiful dark skinned cuban honey pot named Maria. ok, fine, I've never been to cuba and no this never happened but my best friend growing up was cuban and his mother would make the best ropa vieja, black beans and white rice you could ever have. This place is pretty close to the real deal. Although I will say the black beans and white rice were a little on the bland side. The place itself is small and can get a bit loud as it did today when a large group of people came in. It's not crazy loud but loud enough to kinda hinder any conversation you might be having with someone. My biggest con to this place was the service. Seriously she has to be family because anyone else would be out on the street with service like this. She acted like were completely ruining her day and taking up all her time. I asked what sides my sandwhich came with she said "onions." Even though the menu has an entire section of sides she could have suggested she didn't. She just said onions. Which weren't on the menu. who knows, maybe she was hooking me up with something and i missed it. Perhaps an offering of onions meant she had her eye on me and wanted my hand in marriage. I guess i'll never know now. I will ponder this. While i do that you should check this place out. For the food. Not the service. The service sucked. Thank you, and good day.
(3)Linda N.
Tiny indoors, larger patio. I very much enjoy their ropa vieja and the plaintains.
(3)Sean L.
The food is awesome the drinks are stiff a bit pricey but worth it if you want to treat yourself.
(5)Jeanette M.
Not happy, came here b/c cafe lagurada down the street closed...mojitos tasted like a store mix. Food had no flavor, when you order the yellow rice instead of white, u don't get your side of black beans or apparently waitress service didn't care to tell you that or well anything, just all around dissatisfied. Guess I'm gonna have travel to the city to get real Cuban food!! I think people like it, because they haven't had better?
(1)logan j.
This Cuban Restaurant has some good cheap eats. I have eaten here a few times and always have been pleased. The empanadas were delicious as were the mojitos. This isn't a fancy romantic spot but rather a nice place to grab a bite to eat. The staff has always been friendly and accommodating. I recommend this place as more of a summer spot because the outdoor seating basically doubles their capacity.
(4)Rhonda G.
First visit to this place although I have passed by numerous times. It's a cute little place with music playing providing a laid back atmosphere I must start off by saying that I was NOT impressed with the waitress and I think she must be family otherwise she would be fired. No personality, no banter, no smile~strictly business and it wasn't crowded so NO excuses. On to the food.. I tried the vegetable combo which came with vegetable pastry (looked like an empanada to me), plantains and beans and rice. The plantains were good but slightly greasy and the filling to the empanada was just okay. The beans and rice were good as well (could stand a bit more seasoning). The bread they gave us pre-meal was really good along with the seasoned butter spread and I could just eat that with the beans and rice and be fine. Next time I think I'll try some chicken empanadillos from the tapas section. OH! I must mention the Materva (Caribbean soda) it's my new favorite pop!
(4)Nicole S.
When I saw Cafe Cubano listed on Restaurant.com I got a certificate to try the place out. Went there last night and had a great experience! Friendly service, Everything we ordered tasted so fresh and came out piping hot. We ordered the Tostones Rellenos appetizer in beef which was a decent portion of 4 and very good. The Ropa Vieja as well as the Lechon was very tender and succulant both tasty dishes. Lastly the steak Jibarito dinner was really good not mushed together messy like Ive had at some other places. ! Luckily I was able to try a little from everyones dish and I would of been happy with any of the entrees. I will definately return to try something new.
(4)Joshua W.
close to my school..good service, really above average food...The Chicken is good, pork is good, black beans and rice..good..actually have really good plantains ( rare in Chicago)...i'm a regular customer. I actually like evvvveeeeerything they serve here, its a little small area but its a nice place to take someone, especially if your trying to not go to a chain restaurant and show them somewhere a little different. A place everyone should visit and give a try
(4)Karla O.
This is the 3rd cuban place we visit and it's not like we're experts but my husband and I both agree this one is the best by far!! Not much to look at but who cares if da food is delicious right. They have a full bar but I strongly recommend a glass of their sangria.
(5)Jason N.
Stopped in here for a sandwich as I happened to be driving by. The staff was very nice and accommodating as they gladly took my request for a Croqueta Sandwich, which wasn't even on the menu. I also ordered a side of tostones and garlic. The sandwich was not great but good, my only gripe was they use yellow American cheese which is not authentic for a Cuban Sandwich. The sandwich was a generous size and after eating half I was shockingly full. The tostones were very good, crispy on the outside and light and airy on the inside. Good garlic sauce and perfectly salted as well.I wouldn't call the prices cheap, but they were reasonable. Two sandwiches and tostones for $20. It's not worth going out of your way for, but if your in the area it's a serviceable option for Cuban fare.
(3)K M.
Delish!! The price is an exceptional value for both the quality and taste. I had probably the most basic arroz con pollo with black beans. Very good! Parking is difficult because it is located right on North Ave. Anyone in the Oak Park, River Forest area knows that North Ave can be a pain. But this place is worth the trouble. I can't wait for the weather to break and visit during the summer months.
(5)Candace M.
I am literally typing as I eat!!! We are eating for lunch. We had Papa Rellenas for a appetizer which is a potato ball stuffed with ground beef. Very delicious.. We had two orders of it!!!! For our lunch order, we had jibarito sandwich! Which is Steak or chicken placed between two fried green plantain with cheese, tomato and grilled onions, with a little bit of garlic spread. Delicious!!! We loved it. My daughter had rice. She is a very picky eater and she loved it!!! It was very moist! Our overall Experience was very good and we will be back very soon!!!!!
(5)Chillie D.
We have been to this Cuban restuarant several times over the years, so we are repeat customers. The food that we have ordered over the years has been flavorful, consistent and very, very good. I recommend the breaded thin bistec (steak), and the Palomilla bistec with onions. All dinners come with white rice, black beans and two slices of sweet plaintains. Also try the ropa vieja (shredded and tender beef in broth (looks like pulled brisket) served with white rice and black beans. The food is very flavorful and it is authentic Cuban food. The restaurant offers several pretty good appetizers (big thumbs up for the empanadas -- my mom's are better -- but they are pretty good). WARNING: The steaks are pretty big. This is a great place to go if you are really, really hungry and craving some good, decent, flavorful Cuban food. Of course, you can always take the other half of your steak home. We have only been to Cafe Cubano for dinner, so I have no idea what lunch is like at the Cafe Cubano. Two people can have a very delicious dinner for under $35 or less (this excludes the tip, tax and alcoholic drinks). Cafe Cubano has some interesting art work on the walls -- nicely decorated with bright and bold colors. It used to be a small restaurant (narrow and long), but they expanded. You can see where the new space begins (tile floor versus the original restaurant -- wood floors). The owners are young and very hospitable. It is obvious that they enjoy what they do and have a passion for cooking Cuban food. The service is decent (not over the top, but you will not feel neglected). The wait staff is attentive. Although they have a small outdoor seating area, I don't recommend sitting outside (unless you don't mind choking on the car, truck and bus fumes -- ugh -- not cool).
(4)Jerry B.
Had Sandwich Cubano and Jibarito sandwich (on plantain). Nice bread served right away. Very good, but a little greasy. Good, friendly service. Nice atmosphere. In middle of little strip of eateries with street outdoor eating. First time at Cuban restaurant, so can't compare, but everything on menu sounds good. Would go back.
(4)Chris B.
Awesome experience. You really do feel like you are in Cuba. The food and drinks are tasty and the service is fast and friendly.
(5)Chris L.
The inside was nice, but the food really fell flat. The one saving grace - an amazing bowl of black bean soup. If all you need is a little soup on a chilly day, head on over. Otherwise you're probably better off finding another spot for dinner.
(2)Sam S.
One of my favorite restaurants in Chicagoland! Lunch specials on weekdays are pretty awesome and reasonably priced. Different special is featured each day. The Friday chicken kebab is really good. Tuesday fricase de pollo is super savory. They always serve a basket of hot toasted bread with herb-butter for starters, and you can ask for more. The specials come with plantain - most of the time it's moise and ripe and sweet. It's also served with black bean and a little fresh vege as garnish. For dinner, the ceviche cocktail appetizer has a good combination of seafood and excellent flavors. My favorite entrees are their oxtail stew and fricase de pollo. For drinks, their mojito has really good mint flavor, and the amount of rum is just right. They also have malta which is great for summer. The cuban espresso shot will keep you awake for two straight days. Outside seating is available in summer tho' North Ave traffic can be unforgiving. Parking hasn't been a problem for me - just drive around the block and you're bound to find a spot on the street.
(5)Annie M.
I came here with a friend on a Thursday for $5 mojito night... I wasn't expecting much as I'm not huge on super sweet mixed drinks but I was completely blown away! The coconut mojito is easily the best drink I've ever had! We also tried the raspberry, pineapple, and mango mojitos. All of them are made to order with huge amounts of fresh mint and fresh fruit but like I said, coconut is the way to go. We also got the tapas sampler... Pretty good but a lot of the options seem to have the same filling so not too much variety. Empanadas and ham and cheese croquets were pretty good but for me the one reason to visit is that coconut mojito!
(4)Andrew J.
Went for a lunch on a Friday and sat outside to enjoy the weather. There was a decent crowd there, which was a good sign. For an appetizer we ordered the green plantains stuffed with vegetables and it was great. Though the free warm Cuban bread and herbed butter disappeared quickly as well! I had the chicken kabob lunch special and my girlfriend got the green peppers stuffed with beef. We were both very happy with the dishes and could only finish half of them. The service we had was very good. They were apologetic that I had to wait about a minute to refill my coke, but I'm not complaining at all. We'll definitely be back. Bring a restaurant.com gift certificate for an even better value.
(4)Darryl S.
The GOOD: Not much good to say about this. I would give this place 1 star because my food was not good at all, but 2 people in our group of 5 liked theirs so I had to give an extra star. It could've been just what I ordered. Come to think of it, I asked the waitress what she recommends and she chose the lechon and that kinda sucked. So screw it, I'll make this 1.5 stars. I guess the only good was the stuffed burger my friend got. He said it was good, but I didn't want to get a burger at a Cuban spot. My other friend said her octopus dish was good too. I tried it and I guess it was alright. It had nice flavor, but was still lacking something to it. I might as well move on to the bad... The BAD: Ok so like I said I was recommended the lechon. I was probably going to get that anyway but was curious if the waitress had another dish that was better. The lechon was bland. It was kind of similar to lechon I would get in Filipino parties but at least that roasted pig had much more flavor. The beans and rice were straight up terrible. How can you make something that is a staple in Cuban food so bad? My other friend ordered deep fried potato balls and was disappointed as well. She said it was all potato with hardly any filling. Her husband kind of felt sick after. I should have just told him to throw it up since it's not worth keeping that crappy food in his system. We also had a pitcher of sangria. I don't order sangria much, but it felt they were pretty stingy with alcohol. It just tasted like a Juicy Juice fruit punch with pieces of fruit in it. I could have just went to the Walgreens down the street and made that crap myself instead of paying $18 for a pitcher. If I'm totally wrong about sangria and that's actually how it's supposed to taste just tell me because I don't know. The UGLY: The atmosphere was nice...until you hear the roar of junior high kids coming down the street from Johnny's. Besides that, outdoor dining wasn't bad. But in case mother nature does rain down on your parade, you better hope not many people are eating inside. The indoor dining is very small. The reason we even ate outside was due to a family of 6 taking up most of the space. Another ugly thing...the beans and rice. I really can't stress enough how awful it tasted. Yeah you know what? Just don't go here. The only thing nice about the place is the service and the way the drawing of the guy on the wall looks like my friend's dad.
(2)Tracy O.
I went here on a Friday for a late lunch/early dinner and was incredibly underwhelmed by this restaurant. We went in excited to try somewhere new but were quite let down, the biggest issue was the service. When we ordered our food, we were the only table of people ordering, and the only meal that had to be prepared. We ordered a salad with our meal, and my biggest pet peeve occurred.... the salad came out with the entrees. That is such poor planning, I would've preferred not even received the salad when that occurred. The salad was quite bland as well. The entrees were cooked nicely and tasty enough. My dining companion ordered a $24 lobster dish and neither of the 2 waitresses bothered to ask how our meals were until we were almost finished with them. We also needed a steak knife and spoon and since no one came around to check on us, I had to go up to the counter and ask someone for those items. Maybe these are small complaints, but poor service can truly ruin the dining experience. Go there for take out, not to dine in.
(2)Janet M.
Please excuse the misspelled Spanish/French words below; Yelp doesn't accept accented vowels *sigh* After visiting the Hemingway Museum and his birthplace home in Oak Park, IL I wanted to take my new fiance to a Cuban restaurant nearby. Seemed fitting with Hemingway's Cuban connection AND my love affair with the Cuban people (I learned Spanish with them in the 60's when so many arrived in my Chicago neighborhood fleeing Castro's Communist state) and their tasty cuisine. Cafe Cubano is a tiny storefront restaurant with a good variety of authentic Cuban dishes at reasonable prices. I actually ordered three meals just so my fiance would be able to sample several of my favorites (and we'd get to take home the leftovers..yum!). I ordered picadillo (a saucy ground beef dish, very flavorful), lechon (a roast pork favorite with the Cubans for big parties and a must on Christmas eve) and rabo encendido (an ox-tail stew with awesome sauce that has a little "bite" to it...encendido means on fire, but Cuban cuisine does not use a lot of hot peppers, so it's relatively mild in comparison to spicy Mexican dishes). Each entrees came with white rice and black beans and platonos fritos (fried plantains which are related to the banana but when green they are not sweet at all). The lechon was accompanied by yucca en mojo de ajo (yucca is a starchy root vegetable something like a potato and it's served dribbled with oil and garlic..the mojo de ajo). I ordered a side dish of platanos maduros (also fried plantains but after they've ripened significantly, making the end result a soft, sweet, almost candied delight). I had a virgin Pina Colada (alcoholic beverages are served here) and ordered a Malta (a non-alcoholic malt drink, dark and a bit thick and very sweet served cold in the bottle) for my guy. The dessert offerings, which included flan (egg custard with a syrupy burnt-sugar coating) or arroz con leche (rice pudding, cooked with cinnamon sticks, but more sweet than, say the Swedish variety or what you can pick up at the supermarket in plastic containers) will await us another day. We were soooo stuffed..and contentedly so. As a postscript I'll add that my fiance noted my face just lit up when we entered the restaurant. With the Cuban music playing through the speakers and the cozy feeling of memories being revisited from when I spent so much time sharing meals at the homes of my Cuban friends so many years ago (hospitality is a given in the Cuban culture..they have a saying "Where two eat, three eat" and are always welcoming when one happens to stop by), it was like coming home.
(4)Stella S.
I had a terrible experience and will never go back here. I'll leave it at that.
(1)Tim R.
for my first time having cuban food, i really enjoyed it. fast service and great selection of dishes.
(5)Tina T.
Good cuban fare in the burbs! I had read a review about them by the Chicago Tribune, otherwise I probably would never had found this place. A small, almost diner size restaurant on North Avenue just west of Harlem, Cafe Cubano is worth checking out because of: good food, great prices, and fantasticly authentic mojitos! Their mojitos probably rank up there as being one of the best in Chicago so far! Even though it's a small place and not very fancy, it's clean, cute, and serves good food. Except that I don't eat meat, and I found their fish and vegetarian choices to be just okay. I had a shrimp dish recommended by the server, and it was good, nothing awe inspiring. However, my husband had the "ropa vieja" and loved it! With two entrees, 2 mojitos each, our total bill was less than $60. Not bad. Try it out if you are looking for a low key night.
(3)Leonard W.
If I could just remember to get here on a Thursday! ($5 Mojitos!) I kind of think of this place more as a really good lunch spot. Have tried their Cuban Sandwich Sampler. Ironically the lechon is the one I like the most and usually the one I would get when I come here. (The classic Cuban is the one that I liked the least...shrugs) I've also tried the Tapa Combo. The empanada was okay, but didn't think much of it. However the Yuca Frita was good and thought the beef tostones rellons were really good. Saturday night would probably be the best night to come if you want more of an Cuban feel, but if you just want some good food Then give them a try.
(4)Matt M.
This place was really, really bland. The food was really overpriced. There are not a lot of Cuban places around Chicago, but there are some places that serve very good Cuban food. This place is not one of them. The meat was tough, poor choice, and poorly prepared compared to their competitors. The bill was exorbitant for the food you actually get. I could easily say I won't be back
(2)Uber City Girl D.
Ordered take out from here and have to give them 2 thumbs down. When I ordered I asked if the platanos were ripe and they weren't, they were hard and not sweet at all. Also ordered a couple of Jibaritos and was disappointed to find they hadn't put mojo de ajo or mayo on it but had put generic american cheese on it which tasted horrible. In one word, UNIMPRESSED:-(
(1)Scot M.
Some of the worst customer service I've experienced. I would prefer a negative star rating but can't proceed without one here. Previously liked the place, but not anymore. Family was in need of a quick meal so my daughter and I stopped in to order take out, 3 cuban sandwiches. When we got home we discovered that all three sandwiches were missing pickles and mustard. I called the restaurant back and I they offered to remake those sandwiches, however it was too late for that to be a good option, so I was told a manager,would call me back the next day. A few days goes by and I realize I having heard anything, so I call back and talk to the manager. The manager offered the following. She explained that when you order in the restaurant they provide plantain chips with the sandwich, but do not provide this when you order to go. So she offered the next time I order to throw the chips in with the sandwiches. The whole time in thinking why does the restaurant not provide the same food when it's to go it does when dining in? I also explained that a cuban sandwich has a couple of ingedients that make the sandwich, however she did not see it the same. So I went from being offered to have the sandwiches remade to getting the same chips I would get if I ordered the same sandwiches dining in. Additionally, I reached out to the restaurant again, however they did not respond once again. They went from having a customer for several years who recommended the restaurant to friends and family that will need to find another cuban restaurant. Poor customer service easily goes from customer for life to telling friends the story and spreading the bad experience to friends that are surprised a restaurant could be this short sited. 4 coworkers to date that were going to go have since changed their minds. Take A clue from Burger Boss nearby, that when they messed up a recent order, I called back and they took down some information and without hesitation said next,time we will redo the order and throw in some additional fries.
(1)Rosa S.
I wanted it to be better. Having eaten tons of delicious Cuban food (my aunt is from la Habana) I think I've been spoiled. She is an amazing cook. We ordered several things and tried from each other. Black beans. Meh. Plantains. Yummy. Ropa Vieja. It was OK. croquetas. Yummy. Bistec Empanizado. Ok. Arroz con Pollo. Yuck. Congri. Meh. Classic Flan. Ok Overall the food lacked flavor. It tasted like bland Cuban Food, which honestly is an oxymoron. Authentic cuban cuisine smells like onions, garlic deliciousness before you even see it. We didn't smell that upon entering. And what about Ironbeer? I love that. Why isn't it there? Service though was fantastic. The waitress was jovial and attentive even though they were packed on Saturday night. I'll probably go back. It wasn't bad enough to write off completely. One more chance.
(3)Maris R.
Had their ropa vieja sandwich with white rice, black beans , and a plantano let me just say delicious My husband had their Jibarito steak sandwich with the same sides white rice , beans , and a plantano his was delish too Will definitely be coming back
(5)Yadira D.
Cuban food, at its BEST! This week a gf and I decided to get together after work and do dinner. We both wanted to go somewhere at a 1/2 way point for the both of us, as we both live opposites of each other in the city/outskirts of the city, but wanted a place that served drinks. She had been here before and suggested it. So, I get there before her somehow, despite traffic being atrocious. I've had a rough week, and looked at their drink menu and settled for the Raspberry Mojito Martini, made with real fruit. The drink was JUST what I needed. Absolutely, DELICIOUS! My gf arrives and we chat it up with a few drinks and have some appetizers, the empanadas which were juicy and amazing. The bread was also delicious. Our entrees were just muah, delicioso!! I will definitely be back. Its a cute, quaint little establishment and our waitress was so attentive and just amazing.
(5)Deno A.
Great food! Fantastic service. Adorable ambience. The Mojitos should get 7 stars. We are here for our anniversary and loved this restaurant. The food was hot and plentiful with authentic tastes. We will return!
(5)Chris C.
Very good food, very good atmosphere! I was pleased. Highly recommend this place. They have an ample selection of alcoholic drinks and a few coffee drinks, although we didn't have any of those. Looks like a very professional set up. Very clean, very classy. Very friendly service. Four stars because we brought in a restaurant.com coupon that we received awhile back (said it didn't have an expiration), but they apologized and said they don't work with them anymore. It was a $25 coupon too. I don't know... I guess Restaurant.com should find some way to let coupon-holders know when a restaurant drops them? I don't know... We got some sweet plantain for dessert. Very nicely done. Don't understand all the super-negative reviews here, my goodness.
(4)Jill L.
Cafe Cubano was wonderful! They had a great menu selection. I chose the steak jibarito dinner which came with white rice and black beans. I also ordered steamed yuca as a side and shared some sweet plantains which were great. Well, everything was great! I was more than satisfied. Servers were very friendly and attentive. The live music was also a plus. Although it was busy, our food arrived fast and there were a few tables open so we were sat right away. Will be back!!
(5)Sophia G.
I just had lunch here and ordered a pan con lechon. As I was half done with my sandwich, there was a pubic hair embedded in the pork meat. I pulled it out to be sure and sure enough it had a root and a thick curl to it..it's a pubic hair!! I was so disgusted, I told the waitress "Maria" and all she did was take the plate without any care/concern. My bill was charged for the full price of the sandwich and "credited" for $5.83 versus the price of the sandwich $6.95. The owner or waitress didn't even bother to apologize after I ask if she bothered to inform the owner (which her reply was "yes, I gave you a credit") The restaurant was already empty during lunch when it should be busy, I see why now. I will never come back! #cafecubano #noconcernforcustomers #nasty #cheap #pubichair
(1)Stephanie H.
Came here with my fiancé tonight, we were pretty skeptical bc of the reviews. As soon as we came in we were greeted and looked over the menu. We chose the jibarito, beef empanadas, fries and congri. Honestly, I loved everything! The congri was perfect, empanadas were pipping hot! Mmmmmm and the jibarito was DELICIOUS!! Even better, fresh fries!! Regarding the service, it was great! I kept on getting refilled without asking and my cup wouldn't even get to half way. I believe it was the owner who was the one refilling it actually, she even chatted with us for a little and was super friendly! The waitress was really nice as well. I wouldn't pay any mind to the bad reviews, try it yourself, you'll be pleasantly surprised. :)
(5)John C.
After looking at the website and menu, I was very interested in experiencing their claim of ''Chicago's Most Authentic Cuban Food.'' What a letdown. When I think of Cuba, the first thing that comes to mind is fantastic flavors and well prepared meat. I ordered the sampler plate which was a disappointing collection of three visually unattractive sandwiches. The bread smothered the contents which in itself was a collection of dried meats almost lacking completely in flavor. After reading some of the less than flattering reviews including owner responses that seem to show consistent lack of accountability for subpar food, I am looking forward to visiting a legitimate Cuban restaurant.
(1)Rosa J.
Looking through the yelp reviews, apparently they seemed to miss the mark recently. I was slightly worried, but knowing that we wanted to be in and out quickly because hubby was still on the clock, here was our best bet. I'm not very familiar with Cuban cuisines at all, so ordering the samplers was the way to go. We ordered the empanadas sampler and the Cuban sandwich sampler. Food came out fairly quickly and was tasty. The only suggestion I would have was the freshness of the romaine lettuce. The piece that I consumed was slightly withered so maybe it could have used a fresher batch. Otherwise, the meat was cooked just right and it wasn't overly done. The service was adequate for what we asked for. We were the only patrons in the house so everything went smoothly. We were done within 30 minutes and had a great and a better quality meal than dining at the "big M," "big W," or the "BK." I don't linger in Elmwood Park much at all, so there's no guarantee that I will be back, but I didn't experience any glitch like what other reviewers said. I will still recommend this place.
(4)Mel C.
Very bad experience. Definitely not a authentic Cuban food. Their was a miscommunication with the order. They brought out beans no rice had to wait additional 15 mins for rice. They brought out yellow rice not white didn't bother to ask. Their famous Cuba sandwich tasted old with the pig meat in it. And eating old pig meat is not good it will mess up ones stomach. I have lived in the area for many years wanted to give it a try since it was in the area. But horrible experience!!! My husband try to go and tell them the sandwich had a bad after taste what was that for. The owner got very unprofessional started swearing and saying he will never serve us again. Made a very big show in front of everyone...Two thumbs
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