Cafe El Meson

Hey fellow Yelpers! I've been to Jibaritos y Mas Southside in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood in…read moreChicago many times and this place never disappoints. I used to go to Jibaritos on Harlem in the Portage Park/Dunning neighborhood because I used to live in the northwest side, but now I live in the southside. I'm completely obsessed with jibaritos and the chicken one is the best one in my opinion. Customer Service: Every time I order whether that is a pick up order that I place through the phone or dinning in, the staff members are all very welcoming and polite. I feel like the same guy takes my order every time I order on the phone for pick up or in-person and he's the best. Kudos to you! You're doing an amazing job & keep doing what you're doing! Food/Drinks: They have a lot delicious options from food to drinks. My go-to order is a chicken jibarito, 3-4 sorullos (Puerto Rican corn fritters), and a large ice cold parcha (passion fruit) drink. It's the best!!! I'm craving it right now as I write this Yelp review lol. Overall Experience: Overall, I aways have a great experience eating at Jibaritos y Mas whether that is eating in my car or eating inside the restaurant. They prepare the food within a decent time and always comes out deliicous. I highly recommend this place that those that want to try Puerto Rican food or Puerto Rican food lovers. I hope this review helps Jibaritos y Mas & its current and future customers.

Oh my how tasty that was!!!! I got the shrimp and octopus jibarito. My table companion got the pork…read moreJibarito. We both loved our meals. My octopus was cooked perfectly and not too chewy. Also got the side of rice and it was ok. Service was nice and speedy. Will definitely be back for lunch again.

Appetizer counter.

Fried carnitas and fried yellow plantain

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Cafe Rosa

3.7(192 reviews)

3.1 mi•Garfield Ridge

We'll say since I come to work in Midway airport more often. I discovered this Puerto Rican…read morerestaurant on the route when I take Archer avenue along the way. Despite that I made my own lunch today I decided to splurge and give it a try. I've had Puerto Rican food before but it's usually up in the north side of Chicago and that in the south side especially by Midway airport. Anyways the rellanos de Papa was delicious and the feelings were b however the portion seem to be small that's why I'm glad I ordered too usually some of the Puerto Rican restaurants on north make their rellanos de Papa bigger. There bistec platter with fresh salad and Puerto Rican rice was delicious however their portions were small too. The bistec had a red sauce versus oily fried sauteed sauce with onion taste. They had a different take on it. I drank it with the traditional Malta India beverage like on picture. I finished it up with a cocoa flan. I would come back again it was actually up the par with the Puerto Rican restaurants up north it's just I'm surprised the portions are smaller and they didn't serve water. Thus 4 out of 5 stars. Service was pretty friendly and quick. Ambience had a more modern feel with the Puerto Rican Caribbean Spanish music in the background. This is my first time coming and yeah I would recommend if you are craving for Puerto Rican and you're at Midway airport now that I know where this is at

Jibarito sandwich dinner wasn't edible at all. I was disappointed. I picked this order up to go…read more The sandwich had grilled onions, 2 tiny roma tomatoes on it and barely 1 piece of lettuce, it was greasy. I never asked for grilled onions. The steak was tuff. And it wasn't even enough to cover the plantains. It was insulting to say the least. There wasn't any love or pride in that. Honestly, I would appreciate a refund and a apology. I got the dinner dessert and a can of pop. I drove there bc I was heading out of town. My family and I enjoyed going to eat there regularly especially my mom's before she passed. It was our hang out spot. Please know that it hurts to have to share this review. Thank you

The bar selections.

Pollo guisado and Congri.

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Puerto Rican Food. El Jibarito.

Que Rico! Restaurant

3.1(19 reviews)

1.0 mi•Brighton Park

Shoutout to Rico for making me and my brother feel very welcome my brother hadn't had Puerto Rican…read morefood since 2020 and Que Rico! did not disappoint. My brother ordered the jibarito and I ordered the chuleta frita and that came with rice and a fresh salad. Rico was very kind and attentive to us, even greeted us warmly when we first stepped into the restaurant. I will be coming back!! If you guys enjoy authentic PR food. This is the place !!!! also the art on the walls are done with such great detail. Overall this restaurant did NOT disappoint

This place sucks hands down, the food is salty the ALCAPURIAS doesn't taste good the pastelles are…read morenot traditional, rather eat white castle..

There is no spoon...

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The Jibarito Stop

4.3(499 reviews)

6.6 mi•The Loop

So exciting to have The Jibarito Stop located in the Loop! I believe it's the only Puerto Rican…read morerestaurant in the Loop and it's soooooooooo good. The vibe is so warm and welcoming. I love all the colorful art and decor. Comfortable seating and nice wooden tables. They sell fun merchandise too. Mofongo is my boyfriend's favorite and he loves it here. The chopped cheese sandwich is fantastic and my personal favorite. The Alcapurria fritters are a great appetizer to share. They have fabulous cocktails too. We enjoy the mojito and piña colada. I also really like the non alcoholic Parcha, which is passion fruit juice. Friendly and attentive service. Great value and high quality food. I look forward to trying the entire menu and beverage list!

This was definitely one of my favorite meals during my trip to Chicago! I really like that this is…read morea fast-food restaurant with fast-food prices, but the food is still delicious. I ordered the 1/2 Jibarito with chicken, and in my opinion, the sandwich was quite large. It also comes with a side of rice, and they give you a whole chicken thigh in the sandwich. The sandwich was absolutely delicious! Just be aware that there is a lot of garlic in the sandwich. So, if you're heading straight to the theatre afterward like I was, you might want to bring some mints or gum!

2.0 mi•Back of the Yards, New City

Jibarito Shop

White Rice and Beans (sm)

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Cafeteria Yesenia

4.4(79 reviews)

We came in for breakfast on a Saturday morning and it wasn't too busy. We ordered two sandwiches,…read moretostones and a colada. I liked the Yesenia sandwich with egg. It was a simple sandwich with egg, veggies, and frites but ask for the green dipping sauce on the side. It brought everything to another level! The tostones weren't too crispy but they had a good gravy on them. I loved the colada, very strong!

This place is a hidden gem for Cuban food, especially the Media-noche on that particular type of…read morebread (IYKYK) and their bread w/butter. Located in a predominant Mexican neighborhood, it's nice to have this type of cuisine available. The last time I tried their jibarito, I wasn't too impressed with the texture of the platano...should have been crispy and garlicky, but instead I found it a bit bland & soft. Their cafe con leche is good too. The inside is cute and welcoming for dine-in, but also offers take-out orders...which is nice because they open very early if I want a breakfast sandwich on the way to work!

6.5 mi•West Town, Humboldt Park

Café con Leche

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Papa's Cache Sabroso

4.2(687 reviews)

I would say that this place is a tasty secret to a lot of people who never make it over herre to…read moreDivision or Puerto Rico... We parked in the neighborhood and walked around a bit and I like how the people really celebrate their culture here, with all of the flags, decorations, huge murals, etc... There is an exodus of the younger generation leaving the island to go elsewhere, mainly the US mainland...So, when you find a place like Papa's, which is very authentic, come back here, again and again...I think the mainly Puerto Rican clientele shows how legit their flavors are. We started off with the following: - chicken salad, which was full Of flavor and very meaty - the steak Jibarito with garlic butter sauce was incredibly great, this was an awesome sandwich and I'll probably order double meat next time - Maduros - very sweet plantains and could be a dessert - pollo chon (chicken lechon), flavored just right, juicy, tasty and pretty huge The service was inviting and thank you Pana, who was talking with us as we were waiting for them to open their doors for lunch.... Hope to make it to Puerto Rico one day!!

Papa is the best. The food is always on point and a great staff to make you feel welcome.read more

2.2 mi•Marquette Park, Chicago Lawn

The outdoor patio is nice and small.

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Garifuna Flava

4.3(443 reviews)

The best oxtails I've ever had in Chicago. Tender and flavorful…read more Service was fast and friendly. Dine-in was not crowded at all. Very people were there. It was peaceful and I enjoyed the music and art which reflected the culture. The stew oxtail is worth every penny.

A recent evening while wanderlusting in Chicago, I suggested Garifuna Flava because I'd heard…read moreamazing things about it. My fellow traveling house heads trusted my foodie instincts, but there was a little skepticism until our rideshare driver gave it his enthusiastic vote of confidence! Garifuna Flava is a Black-owned restaurant celebrating the rich flavors and traditions of Belizean, Caribbean, Latin, and Indigenous Garifuna cuisine. The restaurant isn't fancy, yet it is warm, welcoming, and one of the owners even took time to share the history of the Garifuna people with one of my friends. And making the experience even more authentic was the soundtrack of Caribbean and reggae music, which had us swaying, singing along, and feeling right at home like a spot in the Caribbean or Brooklyn. As for the food, it was DELISH! I enjoyed tender oxtails with yams, fried sweet plantains, rice, and stew beans. It was comfort food that tasted like a home-cooked meal. A nice cold Ting was the perfect pairing. I couldn't resist sampling a dining partner's shrimp dish, which was also flavorful. Garifuna Flava is located in Chicago Lawn, often referred to locally as Marquette Park on Chicago's Southwest Side. The neighborhood is home to the beautiful 323-acre Marquette Park, designed by the Olmsted Brothers (sons of the designer of Central Park), and holds an important place in the city's civil rights history. Thank you, Garifuna Flava, for a delicious meal and a cultural experience I'll remember. I'll definitely be back. But don't just take my word for it, go experience the yummyliciousness for yourself! Mmmm... #BonAppetit! Cheers!

Menu along wall and decor.

Delish Jerk Chicken (Plus 2 Sides) Rice & Beans and Mac & Cheese

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Outside

Cubanito Express

4.6(53 reviews)

1.0 mi•Archer Heights

Cute and casual ambiance. Not a ton of tables as it's one large room where you order and have…read moretables. Service was fast and friendly. amazing empanadas. Lots of unique and yummy sandwiches to pick from and a few large dishes. Definitely worth coming back. I've tried the ropa vieja sandwich and the guava bbq sandwich and they are both super yummy.

I was told they do not have a dedicated fire so people with Celiac beware…read more I saw one review saying they had gluten free but there is cross-contamination with the fryer.

The booths, love them.

La Mexicana Sandwich

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Kids Half Turkey Sandwich w/ Fries

Bocaditos De La Isla

3.0(2 reviews)

9.4 mi•Avondale

Delicious food was fresh ordered at like 1:30 am. So yeah open till 3 am I think. Big plus for me…read morewith my schedule.

They tell you they are opening at 3pm you wait for an hour to order, then they don't pick up and…read moredon't accept any orders online. Poor Service, False Advertisement. Very Unprofessional!

Estamos ubicados en picnic Food Avandole (No consumo en el lugar ).

Pollo frito .

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Parcha (Jugó de maracuyá)

El Mofonguito

4.2(66 reviews)

7.0 mi•Humboldt Park

I like this lil spot.. I was just driving pass hungry one day and decided to stop in. Kinda small…read morelocation but they make the best of it.. i ordered tostones which are fried plantains and fried pork belly...which is exactly what it sounds like. I was a huge fan of the tostones, it was crispy and crunchy and fried to perfection. They put tooo much garlic oil on mines but still edible. I was not a huge fan of the fried pork belly.. it was like I liked it bc I was hungry but I didn't like it enough to come back and order it again.. I think it was the seasoning and it was overly salty for me... besides that it was cooked to perfection. Maybe I need to come back and try something else on the menu but for now it's not a place I would rush back to and eat at.. I'm sorry I hate being mean but I have to be honest.

Was looking for Puerto Rican food and came upon the reviews of El Mofonguito…read more Parking is a little tough but we came early and were able to find street parking. We were greeted with a smile and guided to choose our own table. A basket of bread and butter was brought over promptly. I ordered appetizers, tostones rellenos de lechón and carne frita. They came out at the same time as the entrees. It only took about 10 minutes! We ordered a volcan with steak in red sauce (mofongo relleno de bistec en salsa), breaded chicken breast and lechón with arroz con gandules. The food was spectacular! Everything was very well seasoned and reminded me of home (born and raised in PR, moved here as an adult). I would definitely recommend that anyone come here for authentic Puerto Rican food. Be mindful that they are very generous with their portion sizes. We ended up taking about half of it home. There are worse problems one can have. :-)

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Tostones

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Bistek encebollado, arroz y habichuelas

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Shawn A.

4 years ago

Great undiscovered treasure. We always enjoy our visits to this coffee place. They have a wide selection of meals and drinks. Signature lattes are among our favorites. They taste smooth and creamy and are incredibly tasty. The quality of the coffee differs, and you can taste it. We haven't tried any food yet; next time, for sure. The place is super clean, quiet, and welcoming. We liked the ambiance and the service was great too. They are very attentive and quick. read more

Annie S.

16 years ago

Love this place! You gotta try the Tuna Gourmet accompanied by a Guayaba Frappe! Yes, it has Christian written all over it, but if you ignore the books on the shelves and you are looking for a quiet, home feel cafe where you can study, relax, hang out- El Meson is your spot! Michael and his father are awesome, very friendly and trying new ideas to grow the business and make their customers happy! read more

Cecilia D.

15 years ago

I met up a friend at Cafe El Meson last week and absolutely adored this place!!! It feels like you're having a cup of coffee at home. It's so warm and comfy. They also have an upstairs and a nice back patio outside for the summer. They have plenty of couches for you to relax or even work at. read more

Delilah A.

10 years ago

The BEST CAFE EVER!!!!!! This place is a must stop type of place! The coco latte is the best latte I have ever had. I totally recommend the place, the coffee drinks, and not to mention the sandwiches. My favorite sandwich is the El menson! Tell them Delilah recommended it!!! read more

Karlos L.

10 years ago

I took my gf there the other day to get some milkshakes and we were welcomed with kindness. The owner is very nice. The setting in this cafe is absolutely beautiful, inside and outside. Great place to sit, read or study. Will most definitely come back. read more

Carlos P.

3 years ago

Wow! Truly a wonderful experience at this place. The jibarito steak sandwich is a must - 1st time visit has made me a fan! Great service from the business owner and staff. Clean space and ample room for working away from the office. read more

Enrico C.

9 years ago

I have never had such a bad experience at a coffee shop before. Completely ignored by the staff. They actually greeted and took care of someone who walked in 15min after I did. I would leave a worse rating if possible. read more

Claret D.

3 years ago

Very kind workers. Usually a line because of little staff, but very worth the wait. The food is delicious. Also a great place to relax or work on your laptop. read more

Christopher F.

8 years ago

INCREDIBLE PLACE! Food and Atmosphere Setting... Looking Forward To Returning And Enjoying A Great Experience Dining In Cafe'....

Stanislav L.

4 years ago

Absolutely amazing customer service! I received my order and it was amazing. I will definitely come back again!

Michael C.

1 year ago

El mejor Jibarito Sándwich The best Jibarito Sándwich Servicio de calidad! Las empanadas son riquísimas. read more

Victor W.

177

6 years ago

What a wonderful experience the staff was great very attentive and the food was wonderful love everything

Andy M.

11 years ago

Muy buen servicio y comida, me encanta! Such an awesone environment... Friendly staff, y buenos precios

Jackie P.

4 years ago

Very nice and amiable people running this store. Their oreo milkshakes and piña colada's are a must !

Inga P.

4 years ago

Excellent service, very welcoming, good food and drinks. I love to eat and enjoy here.

Ana R.

15 years ago

Good place!! Very friendly and good tasting coffee con coco!!!

Boxuan Z.

10 years ago

Friendly owner, great food and drink. Perfect for a break.

Diana J.

116

8 years ago

Such a great place. The food and environment are AWESOME!

Arlene C.

16 years ago

Loved IT !!!!!

Cafe El Meson - sandwiches - Updated September 2026

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Dulce Cafe Cubano

4.5

(11 reviews)

This place is great! I got a jibarito steak sandwich and my bf got a Cubano. Both sandwiches were…read moreso clean tasting. The jibarito was nice and crunchy and the steak was seasoned just right. The Cubano was great! Im always afraid to order it because ive had one taste like too much pork. This one did not taste too porky at all. To drink, we had a passion fruit juice and a watermelon juice. They were both so fresh! The passion fruit juice was just as sweet as you thought it would be. The staff was so friendly and they make sure you have what you need to enjoy your food.

I think that the term "hidden gem" is often over used. However, there are still some places where…read morethe term definitely applies. Dulce Cafe Cubano is most certainly one of them. This is a small sandwich shop on Chicago's southside making some amazing food. First, the food I excellent. I tried the jibarito, medianoche (similar to a cubano, but with an egg) and the tripleta. I liked all them, but my favorite was the tripleta. I loved that all of the flavors of the meats seemed to work together. Also do not skip out on their pastries and drinks. I especially recommend the frappe. Second their food is a great value. I believe that none of their sandwiches are more than $11, with many of their less than $10, and I think, most of, if not all, of their drinks are less than $5. You get a good bang for your buck here. Third, the staff is friendly and service is fast. You order at a window and wait for your food to be ready. I felt that my food was ready super fast and it was very fresh. In sum, this is a must visit hidden gem.

La Catedral Express

4.3

(6 reviews)

Great Food with reasonable pricing .Really clean and hygienic place with good costumer service …read more Lot of menu options although service is on the slower side it's definitely worth the hype .

The cafe de olla is very good and many food items are pretty decent. My only complain would be the…read moreportion, for one sometimes you get more sometimes you get less and it's the same dish! Secondly many dishes come with hash browns but they give you so little like come on it's potatoes you can afford to give more like other places especially for the price

Kusanya Cafe

4.7

(105 reviews)

I came here a few days ago during lunch and ordered the Quest Love sandwich and a mango pineapple…read moresmoothie. I initially sat down to dine in but had a change in plans & took my orders to go. They were out of the aioli & I thought there was going to be a substitution put on the sandwich but I think it was forgotten. Other than that, everything was good. The staff was nice, especially the young woman who made the smoothie. She recommended spinach for my smoothie and I really appreciated that. The establishment is very nice from the decor to cozy setup. I can't wait to come back.

Relaxed vibes as soon as you walk in. Good music playing & lots of eye catching plant life, books,…read more& art on display. Lots of enticing sandwiches to choose representing both the breakfast & lunch categories. I ordered the j dilla, a bacon ham & Swiss w fried egg on croissant. W a 12 oz latte it cost me $10-$12 w added tip. Oat milk latte was delightful. Drank it all the way home. When i 1st opened the sandwich, i thought.. how much did i pay for this again? This was on looks alone. After the 1st bite, i no longer remembered or cared.. the smoked ham w the delicious peppery fried egg & sweet bacon. Damn!!!!! It was so tasty. This coffee shop is so good. A neighborhood staple for a reason.

Dulce Mami Cafe

4.0

(27 reviews)

Some items are way too sweet for my liking. One thing I recommend is putting prices on the menu.read more

Second location I have visited! Had to travel around the city a bit and arranged to meet a friend…read morehere. Have loved both visits service is helpful and for a small place they're using tablets for their servers and handled a totally custom order without problems! (It probably helped they weren't busy yet.) We hung around for a while on a weekday and though it was getting crowded we weren't rushed to leave. I loved the creative use of dark-stained wooden crates to deal with an extra large window that may have been 'too-open' had it been left like just as a window. (I know, weird thing to notice.) Would absolutely come here or try another of their locations again.

Gorditas La Tia Susy

4.3

(93 reviews)

The sign caught my attention for two reasons ! First, the restaurant is named after one of my…read morefamily members and second, they had 2 tamales for $6! I was a little skeptical about trying tamales in Chicago haha, but glad I did! I'm not much of a morning eater but I had a busy day planned and wanted something small to hold me over, so I figured why not? Service was cool, but there was a bit of a language barrier so my friend had to translate. We ordered one of every flavor they had - 4 total/ 3 flavors. Red and green were fire! Cheese and jalapeño were okay, just super light on the cheese. Definitely needs way more cheese in it. But let me tell you, the masa on these tamales was gold! I'd come back for the red and green. They're pretty small but surprisingly filling. Inside has plenty of seating!

Positive: The waitress was very nice and attentive…read more Negative: The restaurant could use some additional cleaning. There were flies around the tables, which was unpleasant. The food also needs some improvement.

Esquina Del Sazon

4.1

(31 reviews)

cómo se dice , wow. in chicago for the day wanted some mexican food. best al pastor ive ever had…read more just wow.

I love this place. I had four tacos two steaks and two Pastor and let me tell you something this…read moreplace is a hidden gem. The tacos were so delicious I wanted some more lol very tasty and not bland like theses other restaurants, it's a must try and the prices are decent and the Tacos are fat just the way I like them and the service was amazing I can't wait to go back

Cafeteria Yesenia

4.4

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Mora Mia Smoothie Bar and Cafe

4.6

(24 reviews)

This week the world is in an uproar, so it was such a gift to sit down and see Saturday morning…read morecartoons on the television instead of CNN. From the start, I was greeted by the smiliest (yes, I know it's not a word) preteen, beaming with pride as she handed me the menu while the other woman working was outside. That moment alone set the tone--the place spoke frankly, and I felt welcome. Now, let's talk about the food. The waffles with toasted pancakes were a treat, and when I asked to add bananas, there wasn't the slightest complaint. I also ordered the Meat Lovers Skillet--oh my goodness! The red potatoes were soft, seasoned perfectly, and plentiful. The chef was generous with the ham, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, jalapeños, and green peppers. The best part? Those extra veggies weren't even part of the original skillet--they were suggested by the waitress, and she absolutely knew what she was talking about. It ended up being the veggie boost I didn't know I needed. What really moved me, though, was watching family and community woven together so seamlessly inside this little spot. It almost brought tears to my eyes. I needed this respite. I needed the children. I needed the Meat Lovers Skillet. I needed those Saturday morning cartoons. For thirty minutes, I sat in pure peace and joy. Every moment mattered. Thank you. P.S. The only reason this review isn't five stars is the clutter--my ADHD knocked it down one. Next time, I'll sit outside and enjoy the peaceful patio and its inviting chairs. Thank you, Mora Mia, for being a container of peace for your patrons today.

I had the best breakfast at Mora Mia! I called ahead to see if dogs were accepted on the patio, and…read morethe answer was yes! They were so accommodating, they even asked if the dogs needed water. The service was amazing. They were very attentive. Although I was outside, I want to mention that inside was charming. To start, they gave complimentary chicken noodle soup; it was flavored pretty well and was great temperature. I ordered the molletes and boy oh boy were they delicious. I regret not ordering two orders, it came with a special Verde salsa . I also ordered a side of strawberry French toast, I highly recommend. For my main dish I ordered the southwestern omelet, I thought it was ok... they forgot the cilantro so I asked for a side , I was expecting a bit more of a kick as well, it should be noted that the potatoes were perfectly crispy but I had to add salt. The horchata shake is worth tasting, it was different but a good thing to try at least once.

Carnitas Don Rafa

4.2

(88 reviews)

Ordered twice for takeout! My work place ordered from here to determine if we wanted to have a…read morestaff gathering there. We ordered the taco flight which comes with one chicken, one pork, and one steak taco. I wish I took a picture of it because both times were different. The first time, the tacos were filled to the brim. It was so nicely packed and easy on the eyes. The second time, we noticed that it wasn't packed the same. We could tell that there were two different chefs. However, they were tasty and def something we would order again!

Been getting carnitas to go from Don Rafas for a decade. I think I'll stick to that, it's the only…read morething they do good. All other food was totally without season. I restate, not under seasoned, no seasoning. The carne asada was decent quality and cooked perfectly, but had not been salted or anything. It was literally just plain meat cooked. The guacamole had no lime or salt. When we added some it was actually good. Chicken taco was also just bland unseasoned chicken. Did the cooks run out of salt? It was also so incredibly overpriced, if it cost 60% less maybe it'd be acceptable , I could have gone to a fancy sit down white table cloth restaurant for the same price.

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