Empanadas got me through the grueling summer. I'd sit in Chicago traffic for hours for these things. They do God's work here at Cafe Tola

I have visited the original location on Southport so I knew the empanadas were going to be delish. But I was happy to have a sit-down place to enjoy them this time around. CT really made the space kind of funky with bright murals inside and out. Catch that ET/Yoda pic outside! Anyway, it was pretty cold outside and all I could think of was a warm empanada in my cold hands. Besides emapandas, there are tacos, tortas, burritos and soups. I had a soup and empanda and it hit the spot on that cold blustery day. The soup of the day was a chipotle chicken with mushroom. It was rich with flavor and had a mild spicy kick. It's served with toasted bread and it was delicious. My green chile empanada was also very good. I loved the pastry dough and loved that they don't skimp on the filling. Totally reasonable prices in a fun fast casual environment. read more

i all ready visit cafe tola in shouport so today tgif i deside visit this location on california & roscoe the menu is diferent more more opcions tacos, tortas , burritos , and much more and more space i order 2 tacos birria ,pancita cafe con leche& torta dulce guava & cheese hand made tortillas all was really good and the art frida viva la vida old school toys you order in the counter but they bring your meal to the table thanks cafe tola comida chingona read more

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Best empanadas ever. Wide range of options if you are avoiding things. Underutilized and ubercool inside. Highly recommended for that quick pit stop. A million times better than a diner, please, which wasted money on yesterday. Open early even on Sunday. They supply the storefront of the one on Southport, but have way more space. read more

Cafe Tola - Like savory cupcakes to go, eco packed with style! - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Incredible. My partner and I are visiting from Vegas, and the empanadas are amazingggg. The coffee was delicious as well. We had the horchata latte, spicy mocha, and a couple birria empanadas. So recommend this place!! read more

Love their red pozole!!!! Holy hell fire! Bright pink environment with a lunch counter feel.

We took our little one here last night and it's definitely a new family favorite. First off, my kiddo is obsessed with quesadillas. Cafe Tola does not serve quesadillas. What does the staff do? They went out of their way to make one for us without us even initiating an ask. That's what I call service. We had two empanadas: Pork verde and the black bean/goat cheese/plantains. The pork was juicy and full of flavor. Neither of us really enjoyed the black bean but that was a measure of personal taste. The execution of flavors would make anyone who would like it, love it. Adding to the empanadas were two types of tacos: Chicken Mole and BBQ goat. Each taco was around $3-4 each and come with generous portions of meat. The Chicken Mole was by far some of the best I've had in town and the BBQ goat had great flavor. The decor is very art nouveau without the attitude. Great for families and adults alike. Avondale nails it with another great new restaurant. read more

I usually love this place, but I'm a stickler on customer service and the experience I had today has given me a change of heart. The food is good, but the customer service was horrible. I ordered by 2 tacos and realized that people that were coming in after me were receiving their food before me. I then questioned the young lady at the counter and she realized they forgot to print the receipt for the chef. Instead of her offering me something for having to wait a long time for 2 tacos, she just handed the chef the printed receipt. The chef prepared my tacos and as I was walking out was told that he forgot to put the sour cream on my tacos. Considering I work across the street, I have supported this business on several occasions since they opened a few months ago. The experience I had today gave me a different opinion about this place. Just a bit of advice for Cafe Tola, in the future if your customer is waiting a long time because of a mistake you made, you might want to offer them something for wasting their precious time. It was your mistake and not mine. This put a very bad taste in my mouth and I will not be back. read more

Cute little spot for a quick delicious lunch! Iced café con leche is bomb!!! The empanadas are flavorful and they have lots of options. Definitely will be back!!! read more

Every time I've come to this location, im always told they do not have the empanadas I like in stock. It's because they are too lazy to make them. I asked the employee for some and instead of doing his job, he complained to me how he had to make them and then told me he thinks they were out of stock. Thinks..... guy didnt even check and tells me they are out. And he had an attitude the entire time, taller guy with du-rag and braids. Good food but rude and lazy staff. read more

This is my new go to Mexican restaurant. There is just so much good stuff here. I first started coming for breakfast and loved all the breakfast tacos, and thought the meat was just so yummy. My favorite is probably the Machaca. The coffee is strong and tasty. Then I decided to leave my normal burrito place to give Cafe Tola a try for dinner. I was not disappointed. The al pastor burrito with guac was everything I want in a burrito. Stuffed full of hot and cold and spicy and creamy...I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it. I think the Queso Flameado is a great thing to split as well (though I personally like it with chips instead of tortillas). But it is super cheesy and rich with flavors of peppers. Glad to see there are more locations popping up in the city. read more

I've been a couple more times and while the food is good, it has been more inconsistent lately. Birria tacos that were packed last time (dining in) were skimpy and dry this time (carry out). Ropa vieja empanada is usually reliable. Service was lackadaisical and the loud explicit music was kind of irritating. $25 for 3 tacos, 2 empanadas, and a poor excuse for a quesadilla seems like a lot, especially when the bag felt pretty light. I want to love them, but after several visits I feel like I should know by now. read more

Café Tola claims it has the best empanadas in Chicago. They are damn near correct on that, at least top 3 in my humble empanada eating opinion. The empanadas are savory, delicious, and absolutely succulent. The tacos are also on par with the excellent empanadas they carry. I don't usually stray far from al pastor, or steak. I can vouch that they are both splenderiffic. Yes that's a word. I am, I will, and I shall be a loyal customer. From now until the Cubs win the Word Series. Wait this already happened. Until the Beard win the Super Bowl. read more

Cafe con leche is amazing!!!! Empanadas are not shy on the meat and filling. It is a little pricy but when you want great food thats what happens. Live down the street will definitely come back for a cafe con leche and 1 Empanada for breakfast!! read more

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

Stopped by for an afternoon snack with some of my teens. Enjoyed the ropa vieja, red pork and banana/Nutella empanadas. Empanada crust flaky and crisp. Some of the best empanadas we've had in Chicago. read more

The Empanadas and Coffee were definitely the highlight of the experience. Definitely recommend this spot if you are a fan of this combination. Can't wait to go back and try the empanadas that I missed out on read more

Cafe Tola - Empanadas and Coffee were amazing - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First, atmosphere! Colors pop, decor is colorful and fun. 2nd - assortment of empanadas ready to go or eat in. Coffee was really good. Small breakfast menu too. It's just cool to have this place around. read more

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Stopped by on the way home from the Logan Square farmers market. The veggie tacos are amazing. Veggies chopped up small and cooked up into perfect tacos! read more

Cafe Tola - Veggie tacos done right! - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'd really love to give this place 5 stars. The food is absolutely fantastic, it's right next door to my house and the coffee is phenomenal. Once I came in and didn't have enough money so the owner gave me coffee on the house. That really won my business and I will continue to go there. I have a few qualms though. I was really hoping Cafe Tola would be more of a cafe and less of a restaurant. They don't have wifi to my knowledge. I'm a coffee shop rat so I was really hoping this was a place I could hang out at all day. The food also seems over priced for the amount you get. $4 for a empanada you can eat in 3 or 4 bites....ehhh....I would definitely recommend it all in all. Super friendly staff as well! read more

I LOVE this place. I went there around March, but just got to getting this review done... I took the morning off to hang out with my wife on my birthday and, after we dropped off the kids at school, we went to Tola's new place in N California to check it out and get some breakfast. Since we had been to Cafe Tola on Southport several times and had eaten Tola's award-winning tacos at Tacofest, we decided to give this new establishment a shot. When we got there, we were marveled by all the decor: Frida portraits, graffiti, bright colors, vintage toys and luchadores, Mexican loncheria sheet metal Corona tables and metal folding chairs. Everything was very meticulous to recreate the feel and look of a Mexican loncheria. Being born and raised in Mexico City, this place felt just right. We had huevos con chorizo and rancheros --I think. They we delicious! Portions were generous and food very tasty and flavorful. My coffee was good, but I like it pretty hot and this one was not there. No biggie. Gerardo, the owner, is such a great guy. He made sure that our experience was a great one. We will most definitely be back, whether here or the Southport location. MEXICAN YUMMY-NESS !!! read more

Bad flavor. Bought $40 worth of food and threw most of it away. Didn't realize you could screw up tacos

Coffee is nice and a strong like I like it. The ropa vieja empanada was scrumptious. The young lady behind the coounter was awesome. Great customer service. Very cool decor thru out location read more

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Chorizo and egg breakfast taco was delicious. Also had a taco al pastor (yum) and cafe con leche. The salsa on the tables was also perfect- spicy and flavorful on the tacos. Love the decor and the food! read more

Cafe Tola - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came to this restaurant because of their intriguing instagram and I do not regret it, even with the hour long drive home! The inside is a bit messy, but it was whatever. I ordered 1 taco al pastor for 3.25 and 1 birria taco for 4. It was expensive to me , but I'm assuming that's just because it's in the northside ! Regardless, they were sooo good! The birria taco was definitely the best I've ever had! They struggled to get my order but everyone has bad days! I got myself the iced coconut coffee- wasn't too bad. I got cafes con leche for my parents and they loved them! Loved the colorful and happy vibes. Without a doubt will be returning!! read more

Cafe Tola - iced coconut coffee and one of my cafes con leche! - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have seen the one on Southport, but did not realize they had this location! They serve Colectivo Coffee which is fantastic and rare to find in Chicago. Will definitely be back for the tacos and empanadas! read more

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The breakfast tacos will surprise you with their size and value. This was a quick bite on a Saturday afternoon. Quite perfect. I also had an empanada with goat cheese. Usual but tasty. I would go back for sure. read more

Delish pastor tacos. We also got some empanadas and a torta to go. I'll update once we have eaten them, but I am certain that they will also be amazing! Great service and friendly people. A great find for us AZ natives who have transplanted to MI. read more

Well folks. It's official. I am in an abusive relationship. I know it's wrong. I know I get hurt every time. And yet, I just keeping hoping they will change - but they never do. I keep going back when I know I shouldn't. And it always ends up the same.... This time around, we were running late after a birthday party; needed a quick dinner to appease the toddler and a house guest, and figured while driving down California that empanada's would be perfect, despite our previous experiences. So, we pull up in front, and I send the wife in to place and grab our order - Maybe she will have better luck that I have; she's much better looking (hooray for batting above my average!), and is a much more patient person. Order placed, food received. 5 Empanadas and two tacos. We get home - and again, as always, and expected; we realized we paid for 6 Empanadas. Now one might argue it's a simple mistake, maybe not deserving of the 1 star review; and normally I'd agree. But see my other past reviews - this is an ongoing, constant, and repeated issue. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, fool me three times, I'm an idiot. Fool me four times? I clearly have deeper issues. Maybe this time I'll stay away. read more

Nothing short of amazing the chicken mole' is must try. You can easily fill up off the wide selection of empanadas. The decor takes you back to your childhood a simpler time. The staff is very friendly, quick and accurate. The menu has a little bit of everything. A Must try ! read more

Cafe Tola - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't even know where to begin with this review. My husband brought us to this restaurant. This was the first time coming to this place and all I can say.. I would love to return. One of the best tacos I have ever eaten! We live an hour away, so I have to find a way to come back. The restaurant is very clean. The washroom is very clean. The service was wonderful. Very friendly employees. But those tacos... those tacos were delicious. My two little boys loved their tacos de birria. They're two picky eaters, so for them to sit and eat their entire tacos without complaining, is a big deal. I highly recommend this place. read more

I absolutely am in love with this place. I've tried the empanadas, tacos and tortas. They have by far the best birria I have ever had in the U.S!!! It's almost as if I'm sitting somewhere in Mexico eating flame birria. Their salsa is out of this world, like I can go in their cooler and hijack all their bottles. I really would love for them to incorporate the crunchy tacos they had at the taco fest. Them chorizo crunchy tacos are BAE....literally. read more

Cafe Tola - The BEST birria tacos you will ever eat in this country - Empanadas Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Go here! Just go you won't be disappointed! Breakfast lunch dinner you can't wrong with the tacos or empanadas !

Open for takeout...this is the legit spot for empanadas, with a Great daily selection. The crust is perfectly flaky, and the fillings are delish...cheese/spinach and black bean mmmmmm. Check this place out...excellent coffees as well. read more

Yummy! Food was delicious and beautiful! I got a buffalo chix empanada, BBQ goat and chix verde tacos. My friend ordered the veggie taco (which looked amazing, stuffed with fresh, crisp, warm, whole veggies) and a pintos and cheese empanada. We really liked everything. The service was great and the spot is so attractive, with Mexican woven fabric and old 80's toys and figures decorating the walls and seats. Our only complaint was the music - low quality (lyrically) hip-hop. I dunno if it's what the cook needs to keep him going or what, but it was pretty bad. Peace. read more

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What a horrible experience! I ordered food for a get together with friends ($150) the restaurant did not deliver half of the order. Ok, mistakes are made. I go to call the restaurant and their phone did not work. I had to drive to pick up the food and the restaurant is refusing to refund the delivery fee! Never order from this place! Also, grub hub was not at all helpful. Try caviar delivery instead! read more

The other evening I checked the Cafe Tola web site and drove about 30 minutes to the California location to try their queso flameado. Upon arriving an hour before the indicated closing time, I was told they could not make the request because the kitchen was closed. I asked why they closed the kitchen an hour before closing the restaurant. I was told very kindly (apparently I was the most recent in a long line of potential customers with the same question) that in the summer of '17 they started closing at 8 rather than the 9 o'clock time on their web site. It is unbelievable that the owners have such disregard for their customers that they have not updated the info. in almost a year. I hope the cooks put more effort into the food than management puts into customer service. Call ahead. Who knows what changes they will make in the future. read more

Staff extremely pleasant and courteous. Fast service. Good recommendations. I stopped by for breakfast and had the Steak, Egg & Cheese Platillo which came with rice and beans. Accompanied with their Orchata Iced Coffee made it complete. They have many more items that look good for the next visit. They're right, the comida is chingona. read more

Empanadas are to die for! Fun quirky place with great food! Small and very casual if you plan to dine in. I usually take out and haven't had a bad meal yet. read more

Highly recommend the Steak Burrito! I love how they are not stingy with the meat and they stuff it. I can never finish one by myself

First time going here and one thing that stood out was the interior design. Love the atmosphere here as well. Highly recommend the breakfast taco "Machaca Con Huevo" it's scrambled egg with shredded beef & Pico De Gallo. The flavor has you wanting more. Excited to try the rest of the menu which I will take my time with as I keep coming here. read more