The empanadas here are so good and there's a wide variety to choose from. The staff is friendly, respectful, and very helpful. Both the inside and outside are super colorful with awesome murals decorating the exterior. The empanadas are a bit pricey but definitely worth it. I tried the chicken and beef ones and both were delicious. I just stopped in for empanadas and a coffee before carrying on with my day but I can't wait to come back and try more from their menu. read more

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The horchata latte has absolutely no business being this good. I had a variety of empanadas (birria, green spicy pork, mole de pollo, buffalo chicken and the guava with cheese). I would easily go back for the birria one, SO GOOD! The guy working was really pleasant and patient. The place wasn't too full on a Tuesday for lunch. I was across the street at medvet otherwise I would have ate inside. The place was super cute. read more

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We used to live near the Tola on Southport, and happened to drive by this yesterday morning on our way to a play date. I had to stop!! I'm obsessed with their lechon empanada. I wish I ordered more. I ended up ordering only six , a mixture of lechon, ropa vieja, chorizo and egg, green chicken, and beef sirloin. You can't go wrong, really with any of their empanadas. We were there early-ish in the morning, so they had a lot to choose from. I remember in the last, usually by the afternoon, it was slim pickings in what was left. There was a short line, short wait. They always have such nice staff. The inside has ample seating and I saw lots of tables outside on their patio, when the weather is nice again. I also love their quirky and bright decor inside. I really wish there was one closer to me. read more

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I didn't realize there were a few Cafe Tola. I got the "Hotchata Latte" and it tasted like creamy drink. I would want the horchata taste to be more pronounced but tasted the cinnamon instead. I had the guava cheese, a hefty size and delicious. Also tried the goat torta which again the taste of goat was overshadowed by the spices, this could be good for some folks but I like to taste the goat. This place is small and the biggest table was filled with folks at 10:45am surprisingly. I wouldn't hesitate to try other stuff in the menu. I love that the drink containers didn't have any markings, means they didn't spend much on marketing. read more

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First time in Chicago and we walked right by this place. We ordered really fast since we were on a bit of a time crunch. The staff was great and service was fast. The food was delicious!! Lots of flavor. I had an Horchata coffee and it was delicious!! I hope to have more time next time to try their famous empanadas. Over all great experiences. read more

Cafe Tola - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

ASH & JESSE'S CHICAGO COFFEE CRAWL '25 Ranked #9 out of 15 This review actually is not for this specific location but rather Cafe Tola as a whole. We got to try them at their stand at Lollapalooza and they were one of the better coffee options they had! Their Horchata Iced Latte was so yummy.. but their empanadas? Out of this world. Literally so good. Funny enough, I went back home and raved about Cafe Tola and a coworker let me know that Anthony Bourdain actually raved about them in his book and I just think that's so cool. I hope to visit one of their storefronts next time I am in Chicago! read more

Came here for the first time two weeks ago, I had been eyeing this place for the past year or so. I finally took the time to make it out here and I was very impressed. The variety of empanadas is insane! I tried a steak one and a rajas one and they were very delicious as a savory option. I also had their apple and banana with Nutella which were also very good. I recommend trying their Horchata Latte. Oh! And the salsa they provide was also tasty. The cashier was very friendly and nice and the space was colorful. I will be coming back. read more

Cafe Tola - Empanadas - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I just loveeee Cafe Tola. It's such a guilty pleasure. Because let's be honest. Does anyone really NEED to spend $6+ on one single little empanada? No, probably not. However, these are just too good to not indulge. Perfect for a day you just want a little treat. I also love the variety of flavors. They offer your traditional meat/cheese/potato/bean type empanadas, but they also have egg ones for breakfast, and I've even had a nutella banana one! On top of that, their coffee drinks are YUMMMMmmmmy! I love the coconut iced latte in particular, though I want to go back and try more. This one also plays fun music and has a variety of seating inside, plus a nice little patio outside. If you haven't been, it's deff worth checking out Cafe Tola! read more

Cafe Tola - Empanadas! - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great place, there's a reason Anthony Bourdain wrote about it when he was still with us. The drinks are always consistent and delicious, if i'm in the area i'll almost always stop by for an Horchata Latte. read more

Back again! My husband and I love the food here. I got my usual birria empanada and I tried the spicy pork taco this time. My husband always gets the pork belly torta. Though we normally get the horchata latte, this time we tried the coconut coffee. It was okay. We should've just stuck to the horchata latte. read more

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Food was once upon a time really good, but the owners have decided to decrease the quality and increase the prices. When you look at the wall menu, you'll see big stickers with new prices placed over old prices. The torta I ordered had very little meat, few and large pinto beans and the amount of thick bread used tells you where their quality is at. The food was served at room temperature, not even hot. What happened to you, Cafe Tola on California? You were once good. I'll buy elsewhere going forward and I recommend you do too. read more

Cafe Tola - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Walked in and was greeted with a warm smile. Cute place great food. Love empanadas and I've found my place. The salsa is fire asf might just have to bring my own container. Love the horchata. Thank you read more

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Previously eaten an empandas from Cafe Tola from another establishment. This morning after a dance class, I drove right by so I had to stop in for some empandas for my husband. On this occasion, I grabbed a Horchata Latte which was fantastic. Additionally I got guava & cheese empandas. The guava & cheese was good but overwhelming with cheese. I would of like more guava. For empandas I ordered Chicken Tinga, Birria & Queso and Beef Sirloin empanda. My husband really enjoyed Birria & Queso. He liked the Chicken Tinga but thought the Birria had better flavor. The cafe is very colorful and bright. I thought the staff were very friendly. I would come back but really thinking about learning how to make these at home. Empandas were $6 a piece which is a little hefty for a small item. read more

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Excellent , I've had it at art fairs and love it. They're expensive at the art fairs. I'll have to go to the city.,and stock up

I'm here often since I attend the school across the street. I absolutely LOVE their empanadas. I also enjoy their tacos which are pretty big. read more

I had the combo plate and got really sick. I thinks it's because they put too much ICE in my horchata

I don't usually drink cofre but I drove out of my way to grab their horchata latte and the breakfast tacos were good and the gentleman at the register was well mannered! read more

Cafe Tola - Menu - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I swear... no one makes a better empanada in the city than Cafe Tola!! Fresh, lots of variety, unbelievable combinations and super consistent day after day! Pro tip, don't forget the salsa when you buy them. Been coming to their locations for a decade now and have NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED!! Always get served with a smile and friendly attitude... an absolute gem! read more

A must visit when I visit Chicago from Hawaii! Today was amazing... they cooked up some fresh empanadas for us and they didn't disappoint! Yum ! The service was great and love the restaurant it's too cute with all its pink and Cafe Tola decals and designs everywhere. Counter girl was super friendly! read more

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Nicely located in an area that isn't too crowded with street parking. The art is fun and retro/80s with superheroes and video games, outdoor seating on nice days. Great service, nice people! A big selection of empanadas and several types of core ingrediants for any taco or burrito combination. They have some Mexican varieties of coffee and chocolate too. The chicken mole burrito was amazing. read more

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By far the worst quality of meat I have ever encountered at a taco spot. The chicken tacos was not aesthetically pleasing neither did it taste good. The steak was bearable but not the best. The hospitality was excellent. read more

Cafe Tola - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is my favorite location. Empanadas are always fresh and great coffee. The staff at this location are SO friendly!

I had a vegan empanada that was very tasty. Garbanzo, spinach and curry. The combo may not excite all people but that's because you haven't tasted yet! The curry is delicious! The hot sauce is a chile de árbol with a great kick to it! read more

Cafe Tola - A vegan empanada that is straight fire. - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Definitely THE BEST empanada place in Illinois!!! We're from NY, and a visit to Cafe Tola is a must every time we're in Chicago! Our faves are the Lechon, Birria, Breakfast, Chicken w/green chiles, and Guava/cheese empanadas!!! Staff are all friendly as well! The Cafe is clean, and equipped with adequate napkins and plastic wares. read more

Cafe Tola - Cafe Tola Lechon empanada with special sauce - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is such a cool place - the location in Lakeview is great, the artwork is bright and beautiful, and the folks working there are delightful (with nice smiles!). I oddly had this introduced to me by a 9 year old, and if a 9 year old can get behind fun plays on the empanada, so can you. He loved the ham, egg, and cheese and I went for the Tika Chicken. Perfectly made, fried, and flavored. I'll definitely be back when I'm in town again. I just wish there were somewhere to sit inside - but even that is part of the charm. In one door, quickly order, smile, out the other. read more

Totally get the hype--chicken tinga empanada was stuffed to the BRIM, so flavorful, and not at all greasy. I came in hungry AF and was full off 2 empanadas alone. Friendly staff, easy ambiance, fun decor. Will be coming again. read more

Delicious, amazing, all of the above! This was such a great little spot! They had quite a few varieties of empanadas and it was hard to choose! I ended up with the spinach and ricotta empanada and I was blown away by how stuffed it was! I don't think I've ever had an empanada with that much filling in it! The inside is decorated with all kinds of quirky Star Wars art, it was fun to look at all of it. My friends both got the horchata latte and said that it was amazing! Next time I'm in Chicago this is definitely a spot I want to return to! read more

Cafe Tola - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Craving empanadas , and cafe Tola hit the spot. Highly recommend the green pork empanada and buffalo chicken. Place could use a little TLC in regards to cleanliness - but outside of that the food was solid read more

Top notch catering service! Their empanadas are so yummy, as are their guava/cream cheese pastries! They have cafe de Hola and horchata iced coffee that I'm hooked on! read more

I always saw this place but never went in. OMG, it was amazing. They specialize in empanadas, so many varieties and made fresh throughout the day. I had one of chicken mole and I had a taco of Birria. The food was so good. The Birria was amazing. I was greeted as soon as I walked in and was introduced to all the varieties of empanadas, they were very friendly. I loved the ambiance which included the music. I cannot wait to go back. I will be a lifelong customer. An amazing photo caught my eye, John and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Absolutely loved it. read more

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Cafe tola in California I stop by for lunch I order machaca con huevo tacos was out, then I ordered 2 tacos al pastor mexican coke and Nutella empanada Tacos was bland and got asked for salt, same no flavor at all.... Empanada was too much Nutella with bananas..... I ordered to go horchata latte took like is too popular too dam sweet........... not recommend for diabetics read more

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So delicious. Great service and a nice quick bite to eat with coffee. Try the horchata latte. Empanadas are a decent size so one is a good serving, two if you're really hungry. I was visiting, but I wish it was warmer so I could have enjoyed the patio! read more

Cafe Tola - Horchata Latte - delicious - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Interesting decor but just felt rundown and dirty. I love the concept, empanadas ready to go, and unique flavors. However, nothing was amazing and the greasy dough just rans together when trying different flavors. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't get it again. read more

Small place more like a pick up and go burritos and tacos and quesadilla small good but pricey empanadas are delicious full of stuffing horchata latte excellent will get it got next time. read more

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Cafe Tola embodies why I love Chicago. Great food, owned and operated locally, consistently great service and flavors and no fuss vibes. My husband and I constantly go back for their empanadas (lechon and steak are the best) the burritos (Al pastor is the go to) and their horchata latte (hot or iced you can't go wrong). They have tons of convenient locations and also have their tacos/empanadas at Dark Matter coffee shops. I recently noticed they also serve pizole so will have to try that soon too. Thank you for being such a gem and making our city great! read more

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The best pozole on a cold winter morning. Empanada's to die for, full of filling and packed with flavor. Finish with a horchata latte. YUM! Friendly staff and super fun decor. We recommend it anyone coming to Chicago. read more

Cafe Tola - Horchata Latte - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First timers here. Would have been SO much better if these were fried fresh. We went at 7pm and we were only able to choose what they had sitting in the glass case which they only had maybe 5 flavors to choose from. This was my ground beef empanada...had so much oil soaked into it, nothing was crispy, it wasn't fresh. So disappointing. Not sure why they aren't fried when ordered instead of only being able to choose from what's been sitting there for who knows how long read more

Cafe Tola - Greasy empanada - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

When I tell you this is my favorite place in Chicago, I MEAN IT! 10/10 every time- I live 45 minutes away and drive here often to get empanadas. The Rajas and chicken tinga are my faves. Their coffee is also great. read more

Cafe Tola - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I love love love Cafe Tola, especially when I want to treat myself. The empanadas are divine, combined with a hot horchata latte, and I'm in heaven. I also love the flavor selection of these empanadas, they've expanded over the last few years and now serve well over a dozen of varieties. My teenagers say that their steak tacos are some of the best in the city. And the staff is always friendly. I truly recommend this place!! read more

I love cafe tola. It's a bit pricey, but really good. I just wish there was one close to me. I haven't really had a bad empanada yet. read more