Hands down, Hands down this is the best Euro cafe in the South Subs. Not only is the food great but every time i walk in the waitresses are amazing friendly and very pretty. The music they play is house/dance, everyone is speaking in other languages which i love, i can speech in my native tongue and people dont look at you weird. In the summertime they set the outside tables so you can enjoy a smoke while lounging with friends. I really can't say enough about this place.... I have been going to Xandos for 10 years now and it keeps on getting better. All in all, this place is a great lounge with a great ambiance and food and if your really looking for that European feel this is the place to go to. ~Jay P.s This is my first Yelp Review ...What What lol
(5)
Mich S.
The food here is good. Love their paninis and salads. The services is really hit or miss though. I guess is depends on the waitress. Not a place to go to if you want to get a quick bite, the service can be really slow sometimes. Overall great spot if you want to hang out with friends. It can get really loud sometimes though.
(3)
Lia Z.
Usually the only reason my friends and I have visited this Cafe is because of their smoothies and their wraps. The service on the other hand is always pretty awful and slow. We already know to come here if we have the whole day to waste waiting for food, and to see our server again. I've been craving their chicken fajita wrap for a while, so a friend and I visited the other day. The I had wasn't as good as usual, kind of skimpy, and the fries were a small portion and not the same as they usually serve. Hopefully it was just an off day for the place, otherwise I will be disappointed if it happens again. On a more positive note, my friend and I were pleasantly surprised and the friendliness and attentiveness of our server this time around. Her name was IRA and she really went out of our way to accommodate us several times. I hope Xando's hires more staff members like her. Honestly she was the best server I've had at any restaurant in a very long time. My friend was indecisive about her soup selection, so IRA brought her a sample of each. She actually came and checked on us several times and brought us refills on our drinks. We will definitely be coming back and requesting Ira every time we go to Xando from now on.
(5)
Samanta C.
absolutely love this place! Food is amazing!!!!!! try their salads and you wont find any other place who would have em better ;)
(5)
Kerry M.
Great environment and delicious, fairly priced food! Lemon chicken soup is out of this world. Great place to grab lunch or for a late night snack.
(5)
Rebecca S.
I used to love this place, LOVE!! However my recent visits have left a lot to be desired. I have been frequenting this establishment for the better part of 8 years and it seems like things have just been going down hill. My favorite part was always the food, huge portions great prices and above all delicious combination of flavor. Many recipes seem to have changed, and not for the better, the Caesar salad now comes with a vinegarete type dressing not the usual creamy dressing and the roast painini sandwich used to have a pesto mayo sauce that was just devine, that seems to be missing now, I do have to admit though that the feta fries have remained the same delicious side dish I remember. Moving on to wait staff. I have been here during the day, afternoon, evening, weekend, weekday and the wait times for food and beverage have been growing. Everything seems to be moving slow at this place, whether busy or not. Wait staff does not check on us, take too long to bring refills if they are brought at all, and you have to wave someone down constantly. My last two visits ( include tonight 1/9/15) I watched my food getting cold on the bar while our server was talking to someone or was just not paying attention. I want to give people the benefit of the doubt but if my table b is one of three in the entire place I cannot understand the little attention the patrons are paid. The atmosphere I still enjoy which is probably why I come back, that and the large mugs of coffee, oh and the wonderful patio outside in the spring but my food selection going forward will be coming from somewhere else. . . Unfortunately
(3)
Richie G.
its ok. It an alright place to chill but the waitress i had was pretty inattentive. Great coffee though. Just not the greatest thing I've been to.
(2)
Jessica P.
This is a good place to come to hang out. They have good prices here and service is good. Food: The quality is fresh here. I love getting the Caesar Chicken wrap with fries and a snapple. I also love their drink selection here from snapples to smoothies and a lot of coffee drinks. I have never had a bad food experience here. going with 4 people doesn't break the bank. Serivce: The service is nice. All young, "hot" people working here. Their professional attire is questionable tight leggings and a tank for the women and athletic clothes for the men. The place is very loud when there is a soccer game on. The place is filled with the trendy Euro type and loud techo music. But if you can look passed that it is a decent place to eat and hang out
(4)
Laura W.
I love this place! Great paninis, salads, and wraps. A wonderful place to go to for lunch or dinner. The service is a little on the slow side, so don't go here if you're in a rush!
(4)
Spyros P.
Ok this review is not to advertise this establishment but to sympathize on what they do so well as many other restaurants as well,that people don't understand and they don't recognize!Food is excellent with lots of different options ,staff is in a good mood ,attractive and efficient and there is a nice atmosphere and plenty of free parking ,prices are also great!Our server Agne was awesome as always as all the other girls that work there and our food even though it arrived a bit late was still outstanding!Why 5 stars because they are busy so the food will take longer if you like it to be fresh and tasty !Its not a fast good joint ,Stop blaming the server for the food taking long or not tasting good ,they are there to serve you ,they don't actually make your food!The guests directly behind us were so rude trying to flag down the server while she was at a different table,when you are the only table that does that and another 30-35 guests are ok,then you need a servant bot a server !So for all of you that go to this restaurant or any other restaurant and complain for every little thing ,try to be a part of a restaurant operation your self and you see that is not that easy!Its stressful ,it's not as easy as it looks and servers are getting paid in tips ,SO MAKE SURE YOU TIP,they have to tip out a busboy ,food runner ,bartender and who knows who else from what they make ,so you can be happy ,so if you can't afford to tip ,take it to go !Love you all and love Xando Cafe
(5)
kamila O.
Love the food here! I wish I could say the same thing about the service. I have been coming here for years and something's never change the food is always great and the service always leaves a lot to be desired. I think I'll stick to take out.
(2)
Scott J.
Brownies and coffee are really good. Service was polite, quick and knowledgable. The wife had a sinful slice of pie and the princess daughter had a guilt ridden ice cream Sunday. It was interesting enough to go back and try a meal.
(4)
Noula A.
Everything is delicious! The food, desserts, and specialty drinks! It's a great place to gather and relax! I always enjoy myself when I go!
(5)
Amelie and Dan B.
We've been here a few times in 2014 and have to revise our review.... We finally experienced what other patrons meant by "bad service." These waitresses aren't European, so I apologize, it isn't and wasn't a "cultural thing" - the service is bad. The waitresses (along with other staff) huddle-up by the end of the bar and talk, and gossip. some staff are not very attentive or courteous. On the plus side: the burgers are great - and worth a try. The coffee and salads are still bad.
(2)
Addison L.
Had the best time here this afternoon. I must say that the morning staff is on their game. Between Aga and Danielle I wanted not nor waited for that matter. And when noon hit I was pleasantly surprised by the stellar Cadillac Margarita!..worth the drive from Chicago. Will be back!!!!
(4)
Renad J.
This place is pretty decent. Good food and nice servers. I can only vouch for the sandwiches, paninis, and feta fries which are delicious. Outdoor seating needs to be updated. Nothing too special about it. All of the menu items are random and don't really have a theme or connection.
(3)
Marryann S.
Was here once and would not recommend this place at all..Poor service and bad food...
(1)
Sam D.
Place is great, food is greater. I just think Nike leggings as the waitresses' dress code is unprofessional. People want to focus on their food and their friends they're hanging out with, not butts sticking out.
(3)
Erik M.
Too bad... Used to love it here. Tried to place a phone order and had some pretty awful customer service. Smart comments followed by hanging up on us before the order was done. Maybe going in to dine would have been a better idea as the food is usually really good.
(2)
Erika P.
Nice place to eat with friends. I enjoy the drinks, the coffee drinks are good!
(4)
Rheiyad T.
Their food, services are very good! I usually go there at list twice a week! It's worth it the try! I
(5)
Maggie P.
Love coming here to get a good bite to eat, their food is amazing! My favorite the fajitas salad, and the salmon plate! Great place to hang out with your friends, prices aren't bad I always say you get what you pay for and that is the case here! The only reason why I didn't put 5 stars is because of the waitresses, like once we waited about 15 minutes for her to bring us sugar to the unsweetened coffee, which she had asked us if we'd like some sugar, while she was over there talking with the other waitresses. But other than that I think this is a great place to go to even for a small birthday dinner (which I've done plenty of times with my friends).
(4)
Laura W.
Great tiarimisu and great friends. I usually come in to visit my buddy and have a drink and delicious snack.the tropical drinks and selection of different mixed drinks are amazing. I'll stop in again for desert sure :)
(4)
Tina H.
Food is great. I give props to the chefs. Why 3 stars? Service was TERRIBLE. I went for the first time with my boyfriend. We got greeted by the door and the waitress told us we can sit anywhere so we did. It took 15 minutes just get our menu! The same waitress made eye contact with me at least 7 times, knowing that we wanted our menu, but she continued to converse with her coworkers. If you are willing to sit through horrible service, but want great food, this is the go to place.
(3)
Fedai F.
Tonight I had the misfortune to meet the owner of Xandos. If I knew this was the man behind this place I would never have been a regular here and spent a penny at this place. Rudest owner I've ever met. He needs to learn ethical manners and know how to treat customers. The waitress was sweet so is the hardworking bus boy. But after waiting more than "40" minutes as he claims for our chicken tenders meals and a hamburger I asked for the manager because that is just not right letting customers wait for that long for their meals. He "apologized" angrily and accused me of being "loud". I wasn't loud but I was shocked at how he spoke to me. I've never ever been in that position before and hope no one would ever be treated as I had tonight. But then again he did the same thing to my daughter less than a month ago. Please drive away and DONT stop here. We are only making a rude angry man richer who thinks he's above his customers. I've been coming here for the past 7 years, brought family and friends from out of town here not to have been spoken down to by the owner. I'm done with this place.
(1)
Maria K.
I went to Xando for lunch with a friend on Sunday and had amazing food as usual. The wait staff decided to add a $10 unauthorized tip to my credit card receipt (we left it in cash). Obviously it's not about the money but the principle of the matter. Bill (the owner) contacted me immediately to resolve this issue. He was honest and professional. He is a class act! I will not let one bad employee ruin my dining experiences at Xando. The food is definitely worth the trip!
(5)
Thirstn H.
I am submitting another review since my first visit in March of this year, I have been back several times and the food is consistently excellent, the service is good and you can phone in an order for pick up. The only complaint I would have is the amount of flies that come in with the waitstaff during the warm months when the El fresco dining is in full swing. Mrs Howell actually didn't want me to post this because she didn't want me to ruin our little Gem!
(4)
Sam O.
Service was good. I had the Club panini. And loved it. I tried thier lemon chicken soup and thought it was a bit bland. I just threw some salt and pepper and it was fine. My friend had a steak sandwich and said it was juicy but not very flavorful. Lots of Europeans young and old. Overall I will probably go back.
(4)
Mya S.
If you don't mind the euros and Arabs having a car and motorcycle show down in the parking lot with their loud exhausts, you'll be fine. Depends on who is making the drinks but I love to sit here and just drink my coffee. Oh and the wraps are yummy.
(4)
Dawn S.
Love this place so far . The food is awesome. The kids always find something to eat there and I personally love their lemon chicken and wraps...... not to mention their margaritas ;)
(4)
Jeannie A.
Came here tonight with a group of 20+ to play Euchre. They knew were were coming - and provided us with a bunch of food & drink special. Very cool on their part. The place is a bar, restaurant, coffee-house. The music and noise level is really loud and the crowd in general is probalby 18-25. So, not a place I would go hang out on a regular basis, but it was perefect for my Euchre group. I had a two different items from their coffee menu - very good. The food that people ordered looked good - and was priced really well. Service was a little slow, but I think they may have been understaffed. If I was a 20ish old person - I would for sure hang out here.
(3)
Jon D.
One of those shrines to suburban middle-class leisure, plastered and painted Pier 1 chic, new metal accents, with an exotic twist worthy of the "X" that starts off the name on the door. But all in all, decent sandwiches and wraps, pretty much exactly what you would expect from the descriptions on the menu. Nothing too surprising, but a tasty neighborhood grill-type spot. Sandwiches come with a pile of fries and an average little cup of slaw. Grab lunch on the patio, or take advantage of the many tables with a group. Service, was a little icy, as has been mentioned... ("I'd like the caesar chicken sandwich" - "So the caesar chicken PITA?" - [I was not aware that it was a pita from the menu... *my apologies*]) And a little slow.
(3)
Nicole K.
Okay so there are some things you need to know before you come here. 1.) The service is very "European" -When I say this I mean, you are not on your time, you are on their time. Don't expect the waitress to be enthusiastic when taking your order. And definitely, don't expect quick service. Next, 2.) The food is the bomb.com -Seriously, there's nothing bad I can say about the food because I've pretty much tried everything. Their salads, wraps, pastas, etc. are all equally great choices. Finally, 3.) It's got a pretty neat vibe -Their outdoor patio might not be anything spectacular, but in the summer it's buzzing with good energy. Girls night, bromance night, whatever the occasion, it's the perfect chill spot. Consensus: The service, though sub par to say the least, is....well it is what it is. I come here for the food and company so as long as you have a relaxed and positive attitude, it's all in all a pretty sweet suburban cafe.
(4)
Brad B.
O my ... this place was the worst. Wish I read the reviews about bad service but nothing could have prepared us. Sat down.. no one came. After way too long waitress stops hanging around the counter to wander over. After way too long after bringing drinks she takes my wife's order for soup and never takes my order. She brings the soup! I have to ask her to take my order. After 10 minutes she comes back to "confirm my order". She must have forgot to put it in! People come after us and get there food. My wife finishes her soup and is ready to go. After we'd been there at least 1/2 hour, waitress goes up to the counter to pickup an order for 2 ladies who haven't been there 10 minutes. I freak out - stand up and am like WTF. She shouts across the restaurant 'it's coming'. I shout across the restaurant that I'm paying for the soup and cokes and leaving. She's shouting at the cook. He's looking all p*ssed. We shout so more.. 'do you want it?' 'no I'm leaving' .. quite a show. Magically the food appears - and it's cold! Well, the fries are hot but the 35 minute wrap is not and doesn't look like anything special. Now it's sitting there staring at me standing by the table. I'm late to get back to work so she says they'll comp the food, give me a take home styrofoam thing.. but I can leave her a tip. Really asked for a tip. I left $5 for the soup and left w/ the other (much cuter) waitress saying 'good bye' on the way out. Place is cute. Out door tables are nice. Prices okay. My wife tripped over poorly marked step up (or down). Ate 1/2 of the wrap at work and, yes, it was very mediocre and not worth waiting for. Could be a great hang out place because they sure aren't in a hurry to get rid of you.
(1)
Bia M.
This has been our place of choice for many, many years. It's a place we go to sit and hang out. Not a place for you if you like your waitress to come and check on you to make sure you don't want anything else. As long as you order everything you want at first, or you don't mind waving down a waitress (not all of them, but most) then this place is for you! Cool atmosphere, good food, and great variety of coffee drinks! Four stars!
(4)
Becky S.
This place hasn't changed since I was in high school. I like that. While in town this week I had lunch here. I got my usual- the Xando Chicken Sandwich- and it was as good as ever. Prices are good too. Great local place.
(4)
Kathleen M.
Our third stop on today's edition of Cruising for Caffeine. This place comes up under coffee and tea. I ordered a mocha latte to go and watched as the friendly young man put a styrofoam cup under a machine, pushed a button and a foamy milk and coffee mixture filled 3/4's of the cup. He then squirted chocolate syrup on it, put a lid on it and charged me 4.97 for a cup that would hold 8 ounces if filled. I tasted it in the car and spat it out. Horrible. It had a funky taste like the product in the machine was not at all fresh. The ambiance was friendly, sortof like a mild mannered sports bar with food. The coffee quite frankly was a one star experience but I am giving them another star as the food has to be better or they wouldn't be in business. Not much competition here for Starbucks which I know people love to hate but quite frankly, I wonder if anyone else who served me coffee today was making what they pay at Starbucks plus getting medical benefits. Not so sure the that Starbucks is the evil corporate giant it is made out to be. It serves coffee in recyclable paper, gives discounts if your card is registered and is cheaper and better than every place I visited today. The only way I would buy coffee here again is if....well, I can't think of a scenario. Cost: Around 5.00 for about 8 ounces Cup: Styrofoam Preparation: Little machine like you see at like 7-11
(2)
Alyssa G.
I've been going to Xando for years. It's the only cafe or non-chain place to grab a panini in the hills. Pro's: Their chicken panini is awesome. The pesto mayo makes it. The panini's can be hit or miss... sometimes they're perfectly cooked; but I've eaten a few undercooked panini's. Their greek egg lemon soup is my favorite. All the coffee and desserts are pretty good too. Pretty much all the sandwiches are good. Con's: The pasta dishes are always good but they are overpriced. When I see a high priced pasta dish I accept it hoping that the pasta is homemade (I can deal with paying more for that, pasta isn't easily or quickly made). I could be wrong, but I doubt they serve handmade pasta at a cafe in Palos Hills. Now the service..... I've been served by a lot of bimbos here over the years. I have waited over 20 minutes without being greeted by a server for drinks more than once. Having to ask the bus boy for a drink? Not okay. The servers kind of stand in a group chatting and forget to visit their tables. Maybe they're used to getting tipped well by the creepy old men that hang out there. Strange crowd here too... people get way too dressed up here sometimes. I prefer just getting carry out here to avoid the large groups of creeeeepy men that are there.
(4)
A N.
I have been coming here for over 10 years now, and I absolutely love this place! Great food at reasonable prices, nice outdoor seating in the summer time, and sports on inside when you want to watch the games. Good desserts & drinks too. Their wine/beer is very affordable, which is a refreshing change from most restaurants that jack up the price. Service is usually pretty good, there are always exceptions though depending on which waitress you get. The prices and food quality will always keep me coming back. Love you guys! I do have one suggestion though, maybe add some speakers to the outdoor area so that when people sit outside they can listen to music there as well.
(5)
Robert C.
Visited on 06/02/2012. Cajun Chicken Salad was very good. Sizzling Fajitas (Steak) was very good, but the rice was NOT good, it had a weird aftertaste. Avoid the rice. Nice comfortable atmosphere either inside or outside. Free Wi-Fi.
(4)
C L.
The greek salad is one of the best i have had.
(5)
Penny M.
Yummy food, but very slow service. Expect to spend at least 2 hours here to eat dinner. That said, this place has great panini sandwiches. I always get the ham and cheese panini. A great appetizer is the chicken souvlaki or cream of chicken with rice soup. The soup is lemony which I love. I would have given it 4 stars if it wasn't for the slow service. It's also interesting that this place turns into a pretty much Greek nightclub at night with pretty late hours. It's funny to notice that the later it gets at night, the more expensive the cars get in the lot.
(3)
Shari S.
The wraps here are very good. We always have a good meal at a good price.
(4)
Danielle C.
I have been dining at Xando since it first opened over 15 years ago. I have tried practically everything on the menu, and have loved it all; especially the bruschetta, paninis, and tiramisu. However, the reviews on service are spot on. As someone who has spent a decade making a living on waiting tables, it is completely frustrating to consistently wait 15 minutes to be greeted. Every single time, of the countless times, I have dined here, the slow service has turned my meal into quite the extended one. Xando stays busy, so I dont think management cares how attentive its servers are. You will definitely see your waitress standing around more than working (sweet gig for them!). On that note, make use of the few times she is at the table to think ahead and ask for anything you may need (condiments, refills, etc). That being said, only dine here if you have 2 hours to spend. Otherwise, the food is awesome!
(4)
Olga B.
I love the food (Greek salad, feta fries *highly recommended btw* and their wraps) and the owner has been nothing but polite every time I have gone there. If you're looking for a caffeine boost, try their Greek frappe.
(5)
Patrick H.
For their coffee alone they deserve a high rating but this place has so much more than excellent coffee. The place is very Eurocentric and that gives it a cool vibe. The staff are super friendly and competent. I ordered a bowl of soup and a Greek salad. The soup came out and it was like this lemony creamy chicken broth and the bowl was huge. Really a big bowl like that would have been enough for me. It was so delicious. Then , the Greek Salad came out. I am very particular about my Greek salads and this one was just perfect. Black olives check, red onion check, feta cheese, romaine lettuce check, pepperoncinis yep 5 of them check, and good lord they put anchovies in there too like they are supposed to do !! So many places don't put anchovies in and it makes me so mad that they still call it a Greek Salad without its best ingredient. Anyways this was such a nice meal and my waitress was perfect. She never told me her name which was a breath of fresh air. I don't want to know my servers name. I am not inviting her to the bar mitzvah and she is not inviting me to her wedding. We don't need to be on a first name basis. I just want good service and that she provided. I am eager to make it back here some night for some of their drink specials. I see Moscow Mules on the menu and I also see Svytury Bier advertised so I will need to make a pit stop here again soon. If you haven't been here yet , stop what you are doing and enjoy the best food Hickory Hills has to offer.
(5)
George M.
This place has great food along and a great atmosphere for hanging out with a huge screen for any game day. I had the shrimp and crab-meat salad, which was a perfect portion and super fresh. The service was polite, fast and suggestions made on what to order, which I always enjoy. When in Hickory Hills next month I will stop by to try another dish.
(5)
Linh L.
Came back here a few times recently and their service has improved a lot. They have a large menu and they're all tasty. I enjoy the ambiance as well. This is one of the nicest places you will find in Hickory Hills.
(5)
Valerie H.
Had a nice late lunch yeasterday and was super impressed. Great food, great service, very friendly and happy, I loved the ambiance and that you can sit outside. Here are some nagatives, they do not have an alternative to their milk products like soy etc and everyone smokes up a storm outside. Other than that this place is great and I will definitaively come back again. Oh forgot to mention the vibe is for sure European.
(4)
Nina M.
My 50th Review goes to Xando! Have been eating here for a while and now I work close to here so I go for lunch with a friend about 2x a month. I love the frappes and chicken souvlaki sandwich. The tomatoes are fresh tasting and so is everything else. The one minus is their new fries! They have skin on them now. Go back to the old ones please!! I feel everyone is really friendly and the outdoor patio is nice in the summer. Better cafe food than anywhere else and it's a nice feel of European style, a good break from the same old lunch places.
(5)
Kyle S.
Good food, friendly service, good prices. I'm a local and I eat here every few weeks. Food is always consistantl good and I like the atmosphere. Surprising how good it is for being in a suburban strip mall.
(5)
Victoria O.
There are things I like about Xando: their soups, for instance. Generally tasty, served with grilled bread (you may have to ask for the bread.) Ambience is pleasant, as is the waitstaff. Things I don't like about Xando: they have many coffee drinks, but...ready for it? No Half and Half. I asked. I do NOT WANT "Non Dairy Creamer" in my coffee, which is what is offered (or milk, for that matter.) There is no excuse for this in a restaurant that purports to have real coffee choices. End of story.
(2)
Anthony P.
The food is amazing. I fell in love the first time that I had their Cheeseburger Panini. They have a number of tasty coffee drinks as well, and I have not found one that I didn't enjoy thoroughly. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. However, the wait staff can indeed be obnoxious at times. There exists a line between not wanting to rush you, and totally ignoring you. I love the relaxed atmosphere here. But after you ask for the check, I feel that, at that point, you can return for my card within 20 minutes. And then another 15 minutes to get your card back... is a bit much. I feel like I would give this place a 5 star review if they just overhauled the wait staff.
(4)
Emma P.
I had a HORRIBLE experience! The food is not all that, people are rude, service is on a scale 1-10 i would say a maybe a 4. The restaurant is always COLD!!! I think you should go to a restaurant that is not to hot and not to cold in the middle. It is so noisy! It is the WORST PLACE TO GO TO HANG WITH FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!! :(
(2)
Elena S.
Xando is in my family's neck-of-the-woods so I'll dine in or get take out at least twice a month when visiting family. It's really the only place in the S.W. burbs where you can sit outside and enjoy the day and get coffee or a drink, have dessert, or a meal or all of the above and have a relaxing time while there. I love the soups, they have different ones each day. The chicken vegi is always good. And the small is huge and really inexpensive for the size and quality. Another favorite menu item is the Chicken-fajita wrap. It's really enough for two people, or two meals if you take left-overs home. It's chicken breast, cheese, peppers and onions on a tortilla with french fries, and sides of quacamole, mango salsa, and cole slaw. It's a LOT of food and really yummy! Paninis are also great items to try, as well as the bruschetta, and friend calamari!! Yum yum! If you are in the neighborhood, it's well worth stopping by for lunch or a casual dinner, or even a drink on the outside patio.
(4)
Anpan W.
Good food, coffee, and service. Prices were reasonable, unlike the many places that have inflated theirs. Cold delicious water frequently refilled. The dessert case looked inviting, but we didn't indulge. The pannini were great. My friend adores their chicken ceasar salad. Mixed clientele of European immigrants, conservative Muslim women, and older men. We saw no Euro trash, there were pretty young white women with designer purses, but that is par for the course in many suburbs. The dining area is big, open, and airy. Service was polite, prompt, and well timed. But yes, yelpers who need the aggressive Trader Joes smileyness will not get their flare desires met. Just stick with reliable chains known for perkiness. Also, you will not see Xando if you drive down 95th. Turn into the mall area, Xando is on the corner behind the gas station.
(3)
Jamie S.
Chicken strips are awesome! LOL Love the atmosphere of the place! Id definitely recommend trying it!
(5)
Rena K.
My one qualm about this place is bad service. The bus boys are great, and the bartenders as well but the waitresses have always been poky and rude. Once you get your menus, I must warn you, decide what you would like and do it QUICKLY! Because if the waitress does come back to your table and you tell her you are not ready to order yet, you may never see her again (or at least for another good 45 minutes). Anyway, besides the slow service and negligent waitresses, this place is a nice local hangout. The food is another redeeming quality. They have great paninis, chicken ceasar wraps, and good calamari. Also, very good drinks from the frappe to alcohol! So overall, I am a fan, I just wish the waitresses were more attentive and some of the crowd less pretentious.
(4)
Chris W.
Are you a member of a clannish southwest suburban ethnic enclave? Do you like bad coffee? Do you enjoy getting talked down to by a plump Mediterranean eugenics enthusiast? Then this is the place for you! The food's all right, the service somewhat lackluster, the atmosphere downright bizarre for a place in a strip mall across from a gas station and a defunct Ace Hardware. The clientele oozes inexplicable snootiness. You're better off at a Starbucks, where there's less pretense and you can bitch to corporate if your latte sucks.
(2)
M W.
Xando and I have been in a relationship for relatively 4-5 years.... It all started with one hungry drive around Chicago suburbs for some bored city kids.... but once I entered the premises on a cold, winter, Chii-night, I saw two things that would forever keep me coming back for more: COFFEE and European Techno Music that blasts during the day and night! *ATB anyone?!* Walking into Xano is quite the experience ... you might as well be walking into Serbia or another European country for that matter... but I am European so to me it feels just like home. Hearing everyone speak in different languages is rather refreshing... Some call it Euro Trash atmosphere... I call it home. But it doesn't stop there. The coffee at Xando is AMAZING ... especially Cappuccino Xando which comes served with a load of whipped cream, cinnamon and a fruity wafer cookie! YUMMMM-ooooo!!! To food is pretty good too if you are looking for a casual dining experience. My favorite are the veggie wrap and the Cesar wrap, the classic cafe salad w/ chicken and the taco salad, and their lemon drop soup (pretty much most of their soups are good). Also, servings are big but make sure to leave room for dessert! Finally, it is open really late so its a cool night hang out! Make sure to bring your suited up german cars and/or bikes ;) lol! Just teasin'... you gotta know Chicago! I now live in LA but i come back to Xando every time I'm in town. Supporting and converting since 2004!
(4)
john s.
Portions are huge for what you pay. I go here about twice a year and I'll agree with the others that it does take a while to get your bill. I honestly don't mind because I'm meeting friends I only see a few times a year anyway. Nice place, good food and I absolutely love the staredowns!!
(3)
Amy B.
They have great sandwiches, paninis, salad, soup, burgers, pasta, wraps. The service is slower but it has a very easy going atmosphere. The food is really good, prices are resonable. Yes, to the Euro-trash but the food makes up for it.
(4)
Dave S.
Xando Cafe has come long way since it first opened. It started out as a sandwich/coffee shop and since then they have expanded to offer a full line of entrees, sandwiches and salads. I have had their panninis and their chicken Caesar salad and you get a large portion of food. The prices are reasonable for the quality and for the portion size. The service can be slow at times but I think that their goal is for you to stay and drink their coffee. They have a full line of specialty coffee drinks and their Turkish coffee is very good. They also offer wine, beer and other bottled alcoholic beverages to accompany your meal.
(3)
Lisa B.
After tonight, I swear I will NEVER be coming back... I for years now, I have been a loyal customer up until a year ago, and I feel that up until then, their service is just worse and WORSE everytime. Last summer, I take one order dine-in, one to-go... she brings out my to-go order with my dine-in. My to-go order will now be cold by the time I bring it home to my mother. I understand that this place has an added gratuity for tables of 6+ people, but my check notes a 30% (!) added gratuity for my table of two. I'm left very questioned, but pay anywho. That waitress doesn't work there anymore, so I'm sure she decided to be a scumbag and rob me bc she wasn't getting good tips. A couple months after, I arrive for a friend's birthday dinner and place my order. My food arrives burned. I kindly ask the waitress if it would be too much of a problem if I can order something else. Her respose: "Yeah but you're paying for BOTH orders." Instead of telling this bitch to "suck it", I ask the eversokind busboy (I tip him $10 everytime just for picking up my empty glasses because he is so kind) if I can speak with his manager. I tell him my food is burned and all I ask is for another order. Fortunately he is willing to accept my request and the follow up order is complementary. I tip the dumb bitch $2. Well what happened tonight... My boyfriend and I arrive at 10:30. We already know what we want and we order pronto. Its starts to get packed and there are about 4-5 (full) table that come in after us. 11:30 comes around and we've yet to get our food, but all 4-5 tables that have come 10-15 minutes after we did get their food, finish, and have just paid their check. The waitress comes to our tables after being MIA for an entire hour and I tell her we're just going to take our check. "Ok well let me see how much longer" and she runs off so fast before I even get a chance to tell her that I refuse to take the food. A gentleman comes to our table and tells us that the food is boxed and he'll have it discounted for us. I continue to tell him no, and he say "BUT THE FOOD IS DONE." I tell him firmly that this has already happened a few times already and I am not willing to pay for the food. Finally, he lets us go. The food is great, the busboys are even better, but management sucks and so do the waitresses. Working in the restaurant business before, I get the feeling that management is stingy and unorganized... if he is reading this... I'm sure he knows exactly what I'm talking about.
(3)
james p.
Stopped by yesterday very good cafe for the suburbs. Service could use a tune up
(3)
L K.
Nothing says welcome like everyone in the restaurant stopping and staring at you when you walk in. The place blows. It's racist.
(1)
Michelle H.
Formerly housing a pool hall, this place is the little coffee shop that could. And does. They have a great menu, including sandwiches, panninis, gourmet deserts, homemade soups, and delicious entrees. (The shrimp scampi over pasta is my favorite). There regular Colombian coffee is always outstanding. Some of their specialty drinks are lacking, like the cafe mocha was more like chocolate milk. The atmosphere is very laid back, and the service is fairly decent. (Sometimes you have to wait a little while for them to bring your check.) And if you are looking for a change from the regular bar scene, this place also carries a full line of domestic beers, and a fair selection of imports. They also make specialty frozen drinks, like mudslides and hurricanes.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jay T.
Hands down, Hands down this is the best Euro cafe in the South Subs. Not only is the food great but every time i walk in the waitresses are amazing friendly and very pretty. The music they play is house/dance, everyone is speaking in other languages which i love, i can speech in my native tongue and people dont look at you weird. In the summertime they set the outside tables so you can enjoy a smoke while lounging with friends. I really can't say enough about this place.... I have been going to Xandos for 10 years now and it keeps on getting better. All in all, this place is a great lounge with a great ambiance and food and if your really looking for that European feel this is the place to go to. ~Jay P.s This is my first Yelp Review ...What What lol
(5)Mich S.
The food here is good. Love their paninis and salads. The services is really hit or miss though. I guess is depends on the waitress. Not a place to go to if you want to get a quick bite, the service can be really slow sometimes. Overall great spot if you want to hang out with friends. It can get really loud sometimes though.
(3)Lia Z.
Usually the only reason my friends and I have visited this Cafe is because of their smoothies and their wraps. The service on the other hand is always pretty awful and slow. We already know to come here if we have the whole day to waste waiting for food, and to see our server again. I've been craving their chicken fajita wrap for a while, so a friend and I visited the other day. The I had wasn't as good as usual, kind of skimpy, and the fries were a small portion and not the same as they usually serve. Hopefully it was just an off day for the place, otherwise I will be disappointed if it happens again. On a more positive note, my friend and I were pleasantly surprised and the friendliness and attentiveness of our server this time around. Her name was IRA and she really went out of our way to accommodate us several times. I hope Xando's hires more staff members like her. Honestly she was the best server I've had at any restaurant in a very long time. My friend was indecisive about her soup selection, so IRA brought her a sample of each. She actually came and checked on us several times and brought us refills on our drinks. We will definitely be coming back and requesting Ira every time we go to Xando from now on.
(5)Samanta C.
absolutely love this place! Food is amazing!!!!!! try their salads and you wont find any other place who would have em better ;)
(5)Kerry M.
Great environment and delicious, fairly priced food! Lemon chicken soup is out of this world. Great place to grab lunch or for a late night snack.
(5)Rebecca S.
I used to love this place, LOVE!! However my recent visits have left a lot to be desired. I have been frequenting this establishment for the better part of 8 years and it seems like things have just been going down hill. My favorite part was always the food, huge portions great prices and above all delicious combination of flavor. Many recipes seem to have changed, and not for the better, the Caesar salad now comes with a vinegarete type dressing not the usual creamy dressing and the roast painini sandwich used to have a pesto mayo sauce that was just devine, that seems to be missing now, I do have to admit though that the feta fries have remained the same delicious side dish I remember. Moving on to wait staff. I have been here during the day, afternoon, evening, weekend, weekday and the wait times for food and beverage have been growing. Everything seems to be moving slow at this place, whether busy or not. Wait staff does not check on us, take too long to bring refills if they are brought at all, and you have to wave someone down constantly. My last two visits ( include tonight 1/9/15) I watched my food getting cold on the bar while our server was talking to someone or was just not paying attention. I want to give people the benefit of the doubt but if my table b is one of three in the entire place I cannot understand the little attention the patrons are paid. The atmosphere I still enjoy which is probably why I come back, that and the large mugs of coffee, oh and the wonderful patio outside in the spring but my food selection going forward will be coming from somewhere else. . . Unfortunately
(3)Richie G.
its ok. It an alright place to chill but the waitress i had was pretty inattentive. Great coffee though. Just not the greatest thing I've been to.
(2)Jessica P.
This is a good place to come to hang out. They have good prices here and service is good. Food: The quality is fresh here. I love getting the Caesar Chicken wrap with fries and a snapple. I also love their drink selection here from snapples to smoothies and a lot of coffee drinks. I have never had a bad food experience here. going with 4 people doesn't break the bank. Serivce: The service is nice. All young, "hot" people working here. Their professional attire is questionable tight leggings and a tank for the women and athletic clothes for the men. The place is very loud when there is a soccer game on. The place is filled with the trendy Euro type and loud techo music. But if you can look passed that it is a decent place to eat and hang out
(4)Laura W.
I love this place! Great paninis, salads, and wraps. A wonderful place to go to for lunch or dinner. The service is a little on the slow side, so don't go here if you're in a rush!
(4)Spyros P.
Ok this review is not to advertise this establishment but to sympathize on what they do so well as many other restaurants as well,that people don't understand and they don't recognize!Food is excellent with lots of different options ,staff is in a good mood ,attractive and efficient and there is a nice atmosphere and plenty of free parking ,prices are also great!Our server Agne was awesome as always as all the other girls that work there and our food even though it arrived a bit late was still outstanding!Why 5 stars because they are busy so the food will take longer if you like it to be fresh and tasty !Its not a fast good joint ,Stop blaming the server for the food taking long or not tasting good ,they are there to serve you ,they don't actually make your food!The guests directly behind us were so rude trying to flag down the server while she was at a different table,when you are the only table that does that and another 30-35 guests are ok,then you need a servant bot a server !So for all of you that go to this restaurant or any other restaurant and complain for every little thing ,try to be a part of a restaurant operation your self and you see that is not that easy!Its stressful ,it's not as easy as it looks and servers are getting paid in tips ,SO MAKE SURE YOU TIP,they have to tip out a busboy ,food runner ,bartender and who knows who else from what they make ,so you can be happy ,so if you can't afford to tip ,take it to go !Love you all and love Xando Cafe
(5)kamila O.
Love the food here! I wish I could say the same thing about the service. I have been coming here for years and something's never change the food is always great and the service always leaves a lot to be desired. I think I'll stick to take out.
(2)Scott J.
Brownies and coffee are really good. Service was polite, quick and knowledgable. The wife had a sinful slice of pie and the princess daughter had a guilt ridden ice cream Sunday. It was interesting enough to go back and try a meal.
(4)Noula A.
Everything is delicious! The food, desserts, and specialty drinks! It's a great place to gather and relax! I always enjoy myself when I go!
(5)Amelie and Dan B.
We've been here a few times in 2014 and have to revise our review.... We finally experienced what other patrons meant by "bad service." These waitresses aren't European, so I apologize, it isn't and wasn't a "cultural thing" - the service is bad. The waitresses (along with other staff) huddle-up by the end of the bar and talk, and gossip. some staff are not very attentive or courteous. On the plus side: the burgers are great - and worth a try. The coffee and salads are still bad.
(2)Addison L.
Had the best time here this afternoon. I must say that the morning staff is on their game. Between Aga and Danielle I wanted not nor waited for that matter. And when noon hit I was pleasantly surprised by the stellar Cadillac Margarita!..worth the drive from Chicago. Will be back!!!!
(4)Renad J.
This place is pretty decent. Good food and nice servers. I can only vouch for the sandwiches, paninis, and feta fries which are delicious. Outdoor seating needs to be updated. Nothing too special about it. All of the menu items are random and don't really have a theme or connection.
(3)Marryann S.
Was here once and would not recommend this place at all..Poor service and bad food...
(1)Sam D.
Place is great, food is greater. I just think Nike leggings as the waitresses' dress code is unprofessional. People want to focus on their food and their friends they're hanging out with, not butts sticking out.
(3)Erik M.
Too bad... Used to love it here. Tried to place a phone order and had some pretty awful customer service. Smart comments followed by hanging up on us before the order was done. Maybe going in to dine would have been a better idea as the food is usually really good.
(2)Erika P.
Nice place to eat with friends. I enjoy the drinks, the coffee drinks are good!
(4)Rheiyad T.
Their food, services are very good! I usually go there at list twice a week! It's worth it the try! I
(5)Maggie P.
Love coming here to get a good bite to eat, their food is amazing! My favorite the fajitas salad, and the salmon plate! Great place to hang out with your friends, prices aren't bad I always say you get what you pay for and that is the case here! The only reason why I didn't put 5 stars is because of the waitresses, like once we waited about 15 minutes for her to bring us sugar to the unsweetened coffee, which she had asked us if we'd like some sugar, while she was over there talking with the other waitresses. But other than that I think this is a great place to go to even for a small birthday dinner (which I've done plenty of times with my friends).
(4)Laura W.
Great tiarimisu and great friends. I usually come in to visit my buddy and have a drink and delicious snack.the tropical drinks and selection of different mixed drinks are amazing. I'll stop in again for desert sure :)
(4)Tina H.
Food is great. I give props to the chefs. Why 3 stars? Service was TERRIBLE. I went for the first time with my boyfriend. We got greeted by the door and the waitress told us we can sit anywhere so we did. It took 15 minutes just get our menu! The same waitress made eye contact with me at least 7 times, knowing that we wanted our menu, but she continued to converse with her coworkers. If you are willing to sit through horrible service, but want great food, this is the go to place.
(3)Fedai F.
Tonight I had the misfortune to meet the owner of Xandos. If I knew this was the man behind this place I would never have been a regular here and spent a penny at this place. Rudest owner I've ever met. He needs to learn ethical manners and know how to treat customers. The waitress was sweet so is the hardworking bus boy. But after waiting more than "40" minutes as he claims for our chicken tenders meals and a hamburger I asked for the manager because that is just not right letting customers wait for that long for their meals. He "apologized" angrily and accused me of being "loud". I wasn't loud but I was shocked at how he spoke to me. I've never ever been in that position before and hope no one would ever be treated as I had tonight. But then again he did the same thing to my daughter less than a month ago. Please drive away and DONT stop here. We are only making a rude angry man richer who thinks he's above his customers. I've been coming here for the past 7 years, brought family and friends from out of town here not to have been spoken down to by the owner. I'm done with this place.
(1)Maria K.
I went to Xando for lunch with a friend on Sunday and had amazing food as usual. The wait staff decided to add a $10 unauthorized tip to my credit card receipt (we left it in cash). Obviously it's not about the money but the principle of the matter. Bill (the owner) contacted me immediately to resolve this issue. He was honest and professional. He is a class act! I will not let one bad employee ruin my dining experiences at Xando. The food is definitely worth the trip!
(5)Thirstn H.
I am submitting another review since my first visit in March of this year, I have been back several times and the food is consistently excellent, the service is good and you can phone in an order for pick up. The only complaint I would have is the amount of flies that come in with the waitstaff during the warm months when the El fresco dining is in full swing. Mrs Howell actually didn't want me to post this because she didn't want me to ruin our little Gem!
(4)Sam O.
Service was good. I had the Club panini. And loved it. I tried thier lemon chicken soup and thought it was a bit bland. I just threw some salt and pepper and it was fine. My friend had a steak sandwich and said it was juicy but not very flavorful. Lots of Europeans young and old. Overall I will probably go back.
(4)Mya S.
If you don't mind the euros and Arabs having a car and motorcycle show down in the parking lot with their loud exhausts, you'll be fine. Depends on who is making the drinks but I love to sit here and just drink my coffee. Oh and the wraps are yummy.
(4)Dawn S.
Love this place so far . The food is awesome. The kids always find something to eat there and I personally love their lemon chicken and wraps...... not to mention their margaritas ;)
(4)Jeannie A.
Came here tonight with a group of 20+ to play Euchre. They knew were were coming - and provided us with a bunch of food & drink special. Very cool on their part. The place is a bar, restaurant, coffee-house. The music and noise level is really loud and the crowd in general is probalby 18-25. So, not a place I would go hang out on a regular basis, but it was perefect for my Euchre group. I had a two different items from their coffee menu - very good. The food that people ordered looked good - and was priced really well. Service was a little slow, but I think they may have been understaffed. If I was a 20ish old person - I would for sure hang out here.
(3)Jon D.
One of those shrines to suburban middle-class leisure, plastered and painted Pier 1 chic, new metal accents, with an exotic twist worthy of the "X" that starts off the name on the door. But all in all, decent sandwiches and wraps, pretty much exactly what you would expect from the descriptions on the menu. Nothing too surprising, but a tasty neighborhood grill-type spot. Sandwiches come with a pile of fries and an average little cup of slaw. Grab lunch on the patio, or take advantage of the many tables with a group. Service, was a little icy, as has been mentioned... ("I'd like the caesar chicken sandwich" - "So the caesar chicken PITA?" - [I was not aware that it was a pita from the menu... *my apologies*]) And a little slow.
(3)Nicole K.
Okay so there are some things you need to know before you come here. 1.) The service is very "European" -When I say this I mean, you are not on your time, you are on their time. Don't expect the waitress to be enthusiastic when taking your order. And definitely, don't expect quick service. Next, 2.) The food is the bomb.com -Seriously, there's nothing bad I can say about the food because I've pretty much tried everything. Their salads, wraps, pastas, etc. are all equally great choices. Finally, 3.) It's got a pretty neat vibe -Their outdoor patio might not be anything spectacular, but in the summer it's buzzing with good energy. Girls night, bromance night, whatever the occasion, it's the perfect chill spot. Consensus: The service, though sub par to say the least, is....well it is what it is. I come here for the food and company so as long as you have a relaxed and positive attitude, it's all in all a pretty sweet suburban cafe.
(4)Brad B.
O my ... this place was the worst. Wish I read the reviews about bad service but nothing could have prepared us. Sat down.. no one came. After way too long waitress stops hanging around the counter to wander over. After way too long after bringing drinks she takes my wife's order for soup and never takes my order. She brings the soup! I have to ask her to take my order. After 10 minutes she comes back to "confirm my order". She must have forgot to put it in! People come after us and get there food. My wife finishes her soup and is ready to go. After we'd been there at least 1/2 hour, waitress goes up to the counter to pickup an order for 2 ladies who haven't been there 10 minutes. I freak out - stand up and am like WTF. She shouts across the restaurant 'it's coming'. I shout across the restaurant that I'm paying for the soup and cokes and leaving. She's shouting at the cook. He's looking all p*ssed. We shout so more.. 'do you want it?' 'no I'm leaving' .. quite a show. Magically the food appears - and it's cold! Well, the fries are hot but the 35 minute wrap is not and doesn't look like anything special. Now it's sitting there staring at me standing by the table. I'm late to get back to work so she says they'll comp the food, give me a take home styrofoam thing.. but I can leave her a tip. Really asked for a tip. I left $5 for the soup and left w/ the other (much cuter) waitress saying 'good bye' on the way out. Place is cute. Out door tables are nice. Prices okay. My wife tripped over poorly marked step up (or down). Ate 1/2 of the wrap at work and, yes, it was very mediocre and not worth waiting for. Could be a great hang out place because they sure aren't in a hurry to get rid of you.
(1)Bia M.
This has been our place of choice for many, many years. It's a place we go to sit and hang out. Not a place for you if you like your waitress to come and check on you to make sure you don't want anything else. As long as you order everything you want at first, or you don't mind waving down a waitress (not all of them, but most) then this place is for you! Cool atmosphere, good food, and great variety of coffee drinks! Four stars!
(4)Becky S.
This place hasn't changed since I was in high school. I like that. While in town this week I had lunch here. I got my usual- the Xando Chicken Sandwich- and it was as good as ever. Prices are good too. Great local place.
(4)Kathleen M.
Our third stop on today's edition of Cruising for Caffeine. This place comes up under coffee and tea. I ordered a mocha latte to go and watched as the friendly young man put a styrofoam cup under a machine, pushed a button and a foamy milk and coffee mixture filled 3/4's of the cup. He then squirted chocolate syrup on it, put a lid on it and charged me 4.97 for a cup that would hold 8 ounces if filled. I tasted it in the car and spat it out. Horrible. It had a funky taste like the product in the machine was not at all fresh. The ambiance was friendly, sortof like a mild mannered sports bar with food. The coffee quite frankly was a one star experience but I am giving them another star as the food has to be better or they wouldn't be in business. Not much competition here for Starbucks which I know people love to hate but quite frankly, I wonder if anyone else who served me coffee today was making what they pay at Starbucks plus getting medical benefits. Not so sure the that Starbucks is the evil corporate giant it is made out to be. It serves coffee in recyclable paper, gives discounts if your card is registered and is cheaper and better than every place I visited today. The only way I would buy coffee here again is if....well, I can't think of a scenario. Cost: Around 5.00 for about 8 ounces Cup: Styrofoam Preparation: Little machine like you see at like 7-11
(2)Alyssa G.
I've been going to Xando for years. It's the only cafe or non-chain place to grab a panini in the hills. Pro's: Their chicken panini is awesome. The pesto mayo makes it. The panini's can be hit or miss... sometimes they're perfectly cooked; but I've eaten a few undercooked panini's. Their greek egg lemon soup is my favorite. All the coffee and desserts are pretty good too. Pretty much all the sandwiches are good. Con's: The pasta dishes are always good but they are overpriced. When I see a high priced pasta dish I accept it hoping that the pasta is homemade (I can deal with paying more for that, pasta isn't easily or quickly made). I could be wrong, but I doubt they serve handmade pasta at a cafe in Palos Hills. Now the service..... I've been served by a lot of bimbos here over the years. I have waited over 20 minutes without being greeted by a server for drinks more than once. Having to ask the bus boy for a drink? Not okay. The servers kind of stand in a group chatting and forget to visit their tables. Maybe they're used to getting tipped well by the creepy old men that hang out there. Strange crowd here too... people get way too dressed up here sometimes. I prefer just getting carry out here to avoid the large groups of creeeeepy men that are there.
(4)A N.
I have been coming here for over 10 years now, and I absolutely love this place! Great food at reasonable prices, nice outdoor seating in the summer time, and sports on inside when you want to watch the games. Good desserts & drinks too. Their wine/beer is very affordable, which is a refreshing change from most restaurants that jack up the price. Service is usually pretty good, there are always exceptions though depending on which waitress you get. The prices and food quality will always keep me coming back. Love you guys! I do have one suggestion though, maybe add some speakers to the outdoor area so that when people sit outside they can listen to music there as well.
(5)Robert C.
Visited on 06/02/2012. Cajun Chicken Salad was very good. Sizzling Fajitas (Steak) was very good, but the rice was NOT good, it had a weird aftertaste. Avoid the rice. Nice comfortable atmosphere either inside or outside. Free Wi-Fi.
(4)C L.
The greek salad is one of the best i have had.
(5)Penny M.
Yummy food, but very slow service. Expect to spend at least 2 hours here to eat dinner. That said, this place has great panini sandwiches. I always get the ham and cheese panini. A great appetizer is the chicken souvlaki or cream of chicken with rice soup. The soup is lemony which I love. I would have given it 4 stars if it wasn't for the slow service. It's also interesting that this place turns into a pretty much Greek nightclub at night with pretty late hours. It's funny to notice that the later it gets at night, the more expensive the cars get in the lot.
(3)Shari S.
The wraps here are very good. We always have a good meal at a good price.
(4)Danielle C.
I have been dining at Xando since it first opened over 15 years ago. I have tried practically everything on the menu, and have loved it all; especially the bruschetta, paninis, and tiramisu. However, the reviews on service are spot on. As someone who has spent a decade making a living on waiting tables, it is completely frustrating to consistently wait 15 minutes to be greeted. Every single time, of the countless times, I have dined here, the slow service has turned my meal into quite the extended one. Xando stays busy, so I dont think management cares how attentive its servers are. You will definitely see your waitress standing around more than working (sweet gig for them!). On that note, make use of the few times she is at the table to think ahead and ask for anything you may need (condiments, refills, etc). That being said, only dine here if you have 2 hours to spend. Otherwise, the food is awesome!
(4)Olga B.
I love the food (Greek salad, feta fries *highly recommended btw* and their wraps) and the owner has been nothing but polite every time I have gone there. If you're looking for a caffeine boost, try their Greek frappe.
(5)Patrick H.
For their coffee alone they deserve a high rating but this place has so much more than excellent coffee. The place is very Eurocentric and that gives it a cool vibe. The staff are super friendly and competent. I ordered a bowl of soup and a Greek salad. The soup came out and it was like this lemony creamy chicken broth and the bowl was huge. Really a big bowl like that would have been enough for me. It was so delicious. Then , the Greek Salad came out. I am very particular about my Greek salads and this one was just perfect. Black olives check, red onion check, feta cheese, romaine lettuce check, pepperoncinis yep 5 of them check, and good lord they put anchovies in there too like they are supposed to do !! So many places don't put anchovies in and it makes me so mad that they still call it a Greek Salad without its best ingredient. Anyways this was such a nice meal and my waitress was perfect. She never told me her name which was a breath of fresh air. I don't want to know my servers name. I am not inviting her to the bar mitzvah and she is not inviting me to her wedding. We don't need to be on a first name basis. I just want good service and that she provided. I am eager to make it back here some night for some of their drink specials. I see Moscow Mules on the menu and I also see Svytury Bier advertised so I will need to make a pit stop here again soon. If you haven't been here yet , stop what you are doing and enjoy the best food Hickory Hills has to offer.
(5)George M.
This place has great food along and a great atmosphere for hanging out with a huge screen for any game day. I had the shrimp and crab-meat salad, which was a perfect portion and super fresh. The service was polite, fast and suggestions made on what to order, which I always enjoy. When in Hickory Hills next month I will stop by to try another dish.
(5)Linh L.
Came back here a few times recently and their service has improved a lot. They have a large menu and they're all tasty. I enjoy the ambiance as well. This is one of the nicest places you will find in Hickory Hills.
(5)Valerie H.
Had a nice late lunch yeasterday and was super impressed. Great food, great service, very friendly and happy, I loved the ambiance and that you can sit outside. Here are some nagatives, they do not have an alternative to their milk products like soy etc and everyone smokes up a storm outside. Other than that this place is great and I will definitaively come back again. Oh forgot to mention the vibe is for sure European.
(4)Nina M.
My 50th Review goes to Xando! Have been eating here for a while and now I work close to here so I go for lunch with a friend about 2x a month. I love the frappes and chicken souvlaki sandwich. The tomatoes are fresh tasting and so is everything else. The one minus is their new fries! They have skin on them now. Go back to the old ones please!! I feel everyone is really friendly and the outdoor patio is nice in the summer. Better cafe food than anywhere else and it's a nice feel of European style, a good break from the same old lunch places.
(5)Kyle S.
Good food, friendly service, good prices. I'm a local and I eat here every few weeks. Food is always consistantl good and I like the atmosphere. Surprising how good it is for being in a suburban strip mall.
(5)Victoria O.
There are things I like about Xando: their soups, for instance. Generally tasty, served with grilled bread (you may have to ask for the bread.) Ambience is pleasant, as is the waitstaff. Things I don't like about Xando: they have many coffee drinks, but...ready for it? No Half and Half. I asked. I do NOT WANT "Non Dairy Creamer" in my coffee, which is what is offered (or milk, for that matter.) There is no excuse for this in a restaurant that purports to have real coffee choices. End of story.
(2)Anthony P.
The food is amazing. I fell in love the first time that I had their Cheeseburger Panini. They have a number of tasty coffee drinks as well, and I have not found one that I didn't enjoy thoroughly. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. However, the wait staff can indeed be obnoxious at times. There exists a line between not wanting to rush you, and totally ignoring you. I love the relaxed atmosphere here. But after you ask for the check, I feel that, at that point, you can return for my card within 20 minutes. And then another 15 minutes to get your card back... is a bit much. I feel like I would give this place a 5 star review if they just overhauled the wait staff.
(4)Emma P.
I had a HORRIBLE experience! The food is not all that, people are rude, service is on a scale 1-10 i would say a maybe a 4. The restaurant is always COLD!!! I think you should go to a restaurant that is not to hot and not to cold in the middle. It is so noisy! It is the WORST PLACE TO GO TO HANG WITH FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!! :(
(2)Elena S.
Xando is in my family's neck-of-the-woods so I'll dine in or get take out at least twice a month when visiting family. It's really the only place in the S.W. burbs where you can sit outside and enjoy the day and get coffee or a drink, have dessert, or a meal or all of the above and have a relaxing time while there. I love the soups, they have different ones each day. The chicken vegi is always good. And the small is huge and really inexpensive for the size and quality. Another favorite menu item is the Chicken-fajita wrap. It's really enough for two people, or two meals if you take left-overs home. It's chicken breast, cheese, peppers and onions on a tortilla with french fries, and sides of quacamole, mango salsa, and cole slaw. It's a LOT of food and really yummy! Paninis are also great items to try, as well as the bruschetta, and friend calamari!! Yum yum! If you are in the neighborhood, it's well worth stopping by for lunch or a casual dinner, or even a drink on the outside patio.
(4)Anpan W.
Good food, coffee, and service. Prices were reasonable, unlike the many places that have inflated theirs. Cold delicious water frequently refilled. The dessert case looked inviting, but we didn't indulge. The pannini were great. My friend adores their chicken ceasar salad. Mixed clientele of European immigrants, conservative Muslim women, and older men. We saw no Euro trash, there were pretty young white women with designer purses, but that is par for the course in many suburbs. The dining area is big, open, and airy. Service was polite, prompt, and well timed. But yes, yelpers who need the aggressive Trader Joes smileyness will not get their flare desires met. Just stick with reliable chains known for perkiness. Also, you will not see Xando if you drive down 95th. Turn into the mall area, Xando is on the corner behind the gas station.
(3)Jamie S.
Chicken strips are awesome! LOL Love the atmosphere of the place! Id definitely recommend trying it!
(5)Rena K.
My one qualm about this place is bad service. The bus boys are great, and the bartenders as well but the waitresses have always been poky and rude. Once you get your menus, I must warn you, decide what you would like and do it QUICKLY! Because if the waitress does come back to your table and you tell her you are not ready to order yet, you may never see her again (or at least for another good 45 minutes). Anyway, besides the slow service and negligent waitresses, this place is a nice local hangout. The food is another redeeming quality. They have great paninis, chicken ceasar wraps, and good calamari. Also, very good drinks from the frappe to alcohol! So overall, I am a fan, I just wish the waitresses were more attentive and some of the crowd less pretentious.
(4)Chris W.
Are you a member of a clannish southwest suburban ethnic enclave? Do you like bad coffee? Do you enjoy getting talked down to by a plump Mediterranean eugenics enthusiast? Then this is the place for you! The food's all right, the service somewhat lackluster, the atmosphere downright bizarre for a place in a strip mall across from a gas station and a defunct Ace Hardware. The clientele oozes inexplicable snootiness. You're better off at a Starbucks, where there's less pretense and you can bitch to corporate if your latte sucks.
(2)M W.
Xando and I have been in a relationship for relatively 4-5 years.... It all started with one hungry drive around Chicago suburbs for some bored city kids.... but once I entered the premises on a cold, winter, Chii-night, I saw two things that would forever keep me coming back for more: COFFEE and European Techno Music that blasts during the day and night! *ATB anyone?!* Walking into Xano is quite the experience ... you might as well be walking into Serbia or another European country for that matter... but I am European so to me it feels just like home. Hearing everyone speak in different languages is rather refreshing... Some call it Euro Trash atmosphere... I call it home. But it doesn't stop there. The coffee at Xando is AMAZING ... especially Cappuccino Xando which comes served with a load of whipped cream, cinnamon and a fruity wafer cookie! YUMMMM-ooooo!!! To food is pretty good too if you are looking for a casual dining experience. My favorite are the veggie wrap and the Cesar wrap, the classic cafe salad w/ chicken and the taco salad, and their lemon drop soup (pretty much most of their soups are good). Also, servings are big but make sure to leave room for dessert! Finally, it is open really late so its a cool night hang out! Make sure to bring your suited up german cars and/or bikes ;) lol! Just teasin'... you gotta know Chicago! I now live in LA but i come back to Xando every time I'm in town. Supporting and converting since 2004!
(4)john s.
Portions are huge for what you pay. I go here about twice a year and I'll agree with the others that it does take a while to get your bill. I honestly don't mind because I'm meeting friends I only see a few times a year anyway. Nice place, good food and I absolutely love the staredowns!!
(3)Amy B.
They have great sandwiches, paninis, salad, soup, burgers, pasta, wraps. The service is slower but it has a very easy going atmosphere. The food is really good, prices are resonable. Yes, to the Euro-trash but the food makes up for it.
(4)Dave S.
Xando Cafe has come long way since it first opened. It started out as a sandwich/coffee shop and since then they have expanded to offer a full line of entrees, sandwiches and salads. I have had their panninis and their chicken Caesar salad and you get a large portion of food. The prices are reasonable for the quality and for the portion size. The service can be slow at times but I think that their goal is for you to stay and drink their coffee. They have a full line of specialty coffee drinks and their Turkish coffee is very good. They also offer wine, beer and other bottled alcoholic beverages to accompany your meal.
(3)Lisa B.
After tonight, I swear I will NEVER be coming back... I for years now, I have been a loyal customer up until a year ago, and I feel that up until then, their service is just worse and WORSE everytime. Last summer, I take one order dine-in, one to-go... she brings out my to-go order with my dine-in. My to-go order will now be cold by the time I bring it home to my mother. I understand that this place has an added gratuity for tables of 6+ people, but my check notes a 30% (!) added gratuity for my table of two. I'm left very questioned, but pay anywho. That waitress doesn't work there anymore, so I'm sure she decided to be a scumbag and rob me bc she wasn't getting good tips. A couple months after, I arrive for a friend's birthday dinner and place my order. My food arrives burned. I kindly ask the waitress if it would be too much of a problem if I can order something else. Her respose: "Yeah but you're paying for BOTH orders." Instead of telling this bitch to "suck it", I ask the eversokind busboy (I tip him $10 everytime just for picking up my empty glasses because he is so kind) if I can speak with his manager. I tell him my food is burned and all I ask is for another order. Fortunately he is willing to accept my request and the follow up order is complementary. I tip the dumb bitch $2. Well what happened tonight... My boyfriend and I arrive at 10:30. We already know what we want and we order pronto. Its starts to get packed and there are about 4-5 (full) table that come in after us. 11:30 comes around and we've yet to get our food, but all 4-5 tables that have come 10-15 minutes after we did get their food, finish, and have just paid their check. The waitress comes to our tables after being MIA for an entire hour and I tell her we're just going to take our check. "Ok well let me see how much longer" and she runs off so fast before I even get a chance to tell her that I refuse to take the food. A gentleman comes to our table and tells us that the food is boxed and he'll have it discounted for us. I continue to tell him no, and he say "BUT THE FOOD IS DONE." I tell him firmly that this has already happened a few times already and I am not willing to pay for the food. Finally, he lets us go. The food is great, the busboys are even better, but management sucks and so do the waitresses. Working in the restaurant business before, I get the feeling that management is stingy and unorganized... if he is reading this... I'm sure he knows exactly what I'm talking about.
(3)james p.
Stopped by yesterday very good cafe for the suburbs. Service could use a tune up
(3)L K.
Nothing says welcome like everyone in the restaurant stopping and staring at you when you walk in. The place blows. It's racist.
(1)Michelle H.
Formerly housing a pool hall, this place is the little coffee shop that could. And does. They have a great menu, including sandwiches, panninis, gourmet deserts, homemade soups, and delicious entrees. (The shrimp scampi over pasta is my favorite). There regular Colombian coffee is always outstanding. Some of their specialty drinks are lacking, like the cafe mocha was more like chocolate milk. The atmosphere is very laid back, and the service is fairly decent. (Sometimes you have to wait a little while for them to bring your check.) And if you are looking for a change from the regular bar scene, this place also carries a full line of domestic beers, and a fair selection of imports. They also make specialty frozen drinks, like mudslides and hurricanes.
(4)