Consider this my love letter to a small Cuban cafe chain that gave us all the home vibes we needed to get through the cold Chicago. We originally stopped in for a hot colada and warm tostada. A delicious little pick me up treat to get us by as we braved the Windy City block by block. After having a taste and thinking back to line busting through their doors, we decided we had to try their meals for dinner. Thankful that we were able to locate their locations on all the delivery apps, we opted to dine in our hotel room and have the food come to us even if it impacted the flavor a bit. I'm happy to say, it did not. The food was as flavorful and delicious as if my abuela had just laid it on the table in front of me (although my grandma does burn the maduros for that extra sweet crisp IYKYK). The star of the show was the Ropa Vieja sandwich. Probably one of the best I've had. Even counting back home, in Miami. If you're a local or just in town visiting, this cafe is definitely worth a visit. read more

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This location in the loop is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the city conveniently located near Grant Park. If you're in the mood for Cuban, don't skip Cafecito. The pressed sandwiches are clutch for any kind of weather, and there's a wide variety to choose from. I went with the Chivito which has steak, ham, bacon, fried egg, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, onion, citrus aioli, and shoestring potatoes. If I didn't get that, I'd go for the Cubano or Jamon. They offer salads, plates (with rice, black beans, and plantains), and vegan specialties. Pair your meal with a café con leche or other coffee drink, and it's a happy day. read more

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I have a soft spot for Cafecito, and I've gotten takeout from this location multiple times. It's a little bit odd and hard to find, tucked away next to a hostel, but that's the vibe - very casual, kind of eclectic. I love their guava-q pork platter, their Cubano sandwich is usually pretty good, and surprisingly their baked goods are too. As far as their coffee drinks, I've tried their cafecito and cortadito, which were just ok. I keep coming back for the food! read more

Cafecito - Outside - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had recently been to the Streeterville location of Cafecito and loved it. And we happened to see this location across Ida B. Wells from the C33 gallery! Of course we stopped in! The entrance is to the right in a shared lobby. The line grew long and the seating for about 30 filled quickly at 11:30am on a Wed (Feb 2026). This Cuban restaurant is brightly decorated with art, and a wall full of awards and reviews. The food menu is the same as their other locations, while this one leans into the café feel. We got the classic hot-pressed Cubano sandwich: Thin-sliced tender roasted pork and ham with swiss, and a few pickles, on crisped Cuban bread. Rich and tasty. And we had the hot-pressed Pollo Chipotle sandwich: tender thick-sliced chicken, a handful of fresh basil, thin-sliced fresh tomato, a little mozzarella and a light chipotle aioli. Bright, lightly spicy, and moist. They have at least four locations around Chicagoland. We'll gladly stop in whenever we are nearby any of them :-) read more

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I love the ambiance and vibe of cafecito. Great music. The service is friendly and very efficient. I love the tocino con huevos cuban breakfast sandwich (I selected cheddar cheese). The coffee is delicious. I highly recommend. read more

Amazing! This was the first place we stoped when we got to Chicago and I was so impressed. My sister got the shrimp and chorizo and WOW the shrimp was amazing. I can't wait to go back and get it. The service was quick and easy. There is a decent amount of seating. Very affordable as well. read more

I ordered a Ropa Vieja, an Iced Cafecito, and Tres Leches. All three were 10/10. Yum! The staff were quick and friendly. Ropa Vieja: A pressed sandwich of slow roasted skirt steak, sweet plantains, black beans, and tomato creole sauce *chef's kiss* read more

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Friendly staff and good pressed sandwich! I had the ropa vieja sandwich and a large café con leche (light sugar...still very sweet). Coffee wasn't hot, exactly, and I think the sandwich would have been better if eaten in the cafe instead of to go. Something to go with the sandwich would have been appropriate given the price...even a handful of plantain chips, better optics and all. read more

Cafecito - Ropa Vieja Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Has anyone else seen that Gabriel Iglesias bit? The one where he talks about trying a cafecito in Miami's La Carreta? If you haven't, then you're missing out, but I digress. When I saw a place named "Cafecito" not far from the office, I knew I would be stopping in. The challenge in this review is that the cafecito I ordered was competing against my imagination of what my mind said is what Mr. Iglesias had. With this, here is my attempt to clear my imagination and present it to you as it is. When I ordered a (double) cafecito, I expected something brewed with audacity, with a little sugar added. What I was instead presented with was an espresso brewed with the indifference of a commercial machine, and seemingly liquid sugar added. That is to say, it was a respectable cup of sweet espresso, but at the same time, an almost far cry from the rich, velvet, sweet jet fuel I was expecting. When it comes to their cakes and pastries, they have a fair selection. I ordered the limoncello cake, which, much like the sweet espresso, was respectable, but not something I'd be messaging the group chat about. So, the final verdict: When it comes to coffee and cakes, Cafecito does a fine job being a great alternative to the Dunkin' routine. At the same time, their product isn't quite up to par with something made out of a percolator or moka pot with love and granulated sugar. read more

Went towards the end of the day. Got the ropa vieja sandwich- the bread is perfectly toasted and thin. The meat is flavorful and the plantain inside is perfectly sweet. Service could be better - seems like they were trying to make sure they closed on time so when I asked for the restroom key, they said they thought someone was using the bathroom .... No one came out for the 30 min we were there. Go for the food because it's good but take it to go. read more

Cafecito - Ropa Vieja Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The coffee was not tasty and the "espresso" shot tasted like regular drip coffee in a cup. Place environment was nice though. read more

If you're looking for spot that'll serve you classic carribean eats and at the same time sooth the soul Cafecito is the spot. Ropa vieja sandwich is my favorite but the lechón is a close second. It's a nice laid back cafe feel. read more

A great hearty brunch option for brisk windy days. We ordered: - the Maduro omelet with tomato, peppers, and plantain: the tomato sauce was rich and flavorful, an interesting contrast to the sweetness of plantains. Served with both tater tots and toasted bread - an abundance! - the Cafe con leche pancakes, two large pancakes with simple sugar glaze and a pourable amount of coffee glaze (not straight espresso, don't try to drink it ‍): delicious but very sweet by the end - cafecito: espresso, sugar, and a little milk. I wanted to try something new but was worried because I don't like straight espresso but this was the perfect sugar ratio to keep it bitter and sweet, similar to Vietnamese coffee Logistics: - indoor seating only - order at counter and then food is brought out - limited street parking nearby but close to the loop transit - gluten free options (barring cross contamination) if you ask for no bread with the omelet read more

Cafecito - Maduro Omelette (huge!) - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Got takeout and wow, this is a good place to get a sandwich in a pinch. They definitely did not skimp on the ingredients, flavor, and the bread was still crispy. The sandwich itself was very filling and good for leftovers as well. Would love to go to the location to check out the inside and try out their cafe menu! read more

Cafecito - La Costa - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The steak chimichurri sandwich was pretty good. The meat was definitely the star, and it definitely had to be since there isn't much more to the sandwich besides the sauce and tomato. It was a little on the salty side, but the bread to meat ratio balanced it out. I'd like to try out the chicken and definitely some of the other sandwiches. It was a cute and calm interior giving cafe vibes while still having a full fledged menu. Great spot to stop in if you're needing a break while walking around Chicago or need a quick bite to go. read more

Cafecito - Steak Chimichurri Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito brings the Cuban food to your taste buds. I ordered the guava pork and chimichurri steak. Both dishes were excellent and glorious. The guava pork was sweet and the steak was savory. Combination was amazing. The vibe of the place was warm and open. Loved that they had couch seating, table seating and high ceilings. Excellent spot nearby Art Institute and Millenium park. read more

Usually I go to the other location but this one is closer to where I've recently been working. It's just as good for Cubano style sandwiches as well. Service is great, nothing fancy, just good food. read more

I've had a LOT of lattes, but the cafe con leche was EXTREMELY impressive. It was no more than what it was, but it was damn near perfect. It was smooth and flavorful to a degree you just don't see with unflavored lattes. Get a cup of their Caldo Gallego soup, too, and warm up in the afternoon. Very, very impressive. read more

Cafecito - Cafe Con Leche (small) and Caldo Gallego Soup (small) - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great lunch spot! I was surprised how busy cafecito was on a Saturday in the loop. I like their wide variety menu and affordable prices here. The Cuban sandwich was a tad dry, but still had great flavor and was a very large portion. I'd like to come back and try more things! read more

Cafecito - Cubano and side of plantains - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I stopped by here for a quick breakfast before walking around the downtown area. This is connected to the hostel right beside it. Service was great, good selection, and good customer service. Seating was a little tough but we found a seat before our food arrived. The sandwiches are large so I would suggest sharing if you're not too hungry. I would definitely visit again. read more

I found this place by mistake and it was a great mistake! I love the menu its vast with delicious options and healthy options too! I got the tilapia sandwich and it was delicious. I'll definitely be going back to try other items. The service was great too, the lady taking my order was nice and answered my questions. read more

Cafecito - Menu - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I never turn down a cafecito, which made this a must try spot in The Loop. The pobrecito breakfast hit the spot, with an interesting and tasty take on frijoles, salsa to spice things up just a bit, and sweet plátanos to round out the flavors. Good service and a fun atmosphere. I'll be back. read more

Cafecito - Pobrecito desayuno...tan rico! - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Visiting from California as a NYC native, I miss eating good Cuban food. I was super excited to have found a place near my hotel. The cafe has enough space for more than a handful of guests with seating for coffee drinkers to hang out as well. Customer service was quick, not overly friendly, just straight to the point. I'm comfortable with that being from NYC. The food was delicious and tasted homemade. We had the ropa vieja, the palomilla and the lechon plate. Everything tasted delicious. Only complaint was WAY too much onions thrown on top of the food. Other than that, the rice, black beans, plantains were all perfect accompaniments. They had vegan options too which was really cool and Latin sodas. read more

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Cool little cafe. I liked the vibe. The oils in which my maduros and eggs were fried tasted a bit nasty (maybe it was margarine, not sure), but the garlic sauce helped. My eggs were crunchy with egg shells. Noone will care to get that fixed for you. read more

Cafecito - Breakfast - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Popular Cuban coffee and sandwich place Cafecito has a location down in the South Loop that is a great place to grab a coffee and some quick eats. We normally go to the streeterville location but we were downtown. A plate of maduros is always good if you need a quick snack. Surprisingly busy for a Saturday afternoon but still service was pretty quick! Right near Roosevelt University and auditorium theatre which might account for the foot traffic . Seating was not easy to find like other locations #cuban #coffee #chicago read more

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,service : 0 stars Went for breakfast... got there 15 minutes before they opened and they let us stand outside for the entire 15 minutes, even though they were literally sitting down doing nothing for at least 10 minutes. Could have at least let us in and told us we could sit but they would not be ready to cook for 10 min, that would have been fine to add to it, no one smiled, they were just not friendly, none of them. pancakes : 5 stars Mango Coconut were my favorite but the tres leches was done very well, not too sweet Would I go back, yes, but tip? ... No, not if the service was just as bad read more

Was craving a savory breakfast and landed on Cafecito. Would never have given this place a second thought walking by but glad it came up on my breakfast searches. Staff was friendly and helpful with my questions in trying to decide what to order (everything sounded so good). Decided on the Probecito Which was fried eggs, rice. Beans, and plantains. Food was absolutely perfect. The flavor was amazing and a great portion size as well. Food and coffee was under $20 including tip which was shocking to me for what I got. They have a few locations downtown so highly recommend when in the area. read more

Cafecito - Pobrecito - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I really should mark down a star for the state of the restroom, however, the sandwich made up for it (and luckily I ordered takeout). Seating is limited, but the menu is quite large. Delicious and perfect for the train ride back home! read more

We stopped in for breakfast on Sunday morning around 11am. There is counter service, and there were plenty of seats available. It was a little disconcerting that they have several signs up that say not to leave belongings unattended, but we didn't have a problem. Sadly, it's located in a not so populated nor clean area of the city. We ordered jamon con huevos with cheddar cheese and mangonut pancakes. The jamon con huevos was pretty underwhelming, especially considering I've had a great Cuban at their other Loop location. It's more of an omelet on bread than anything else, and the contents didn't reach the edges of the sandwich. The mangonut pancakes were the standout! They were a very generous portion and had toasted coconut and mango in every bite. All in all, we had a great experience and would come back again. read more

Cafecito - Huevos con Jamon Con Huevos - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Shaved pork?! Really? That's what you use for roasted pork?! Feels like one step away from lunch meat! And they didn't have any rice cooked at 6 PM on a weeknight ! read more

Cafecito - Shaved pork in the lechón - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I enjoyed a tasted Tilapia Criolla sandwich and coffee here on a bustling Thursday morning. The sandwich itself was delicious, with red onion, lime, tomato, lettuce, and grilled tilapia pressed together in between two slices of bread. My friends tried their breakfast platters and appreciated the generous portion of tater tots and aesthetic of avocado toast. For around $10-20, you can get a filling, tasty, and unique breakfast/lunch in a convenient spot in the loop. read more

This is one of my go-to spots when I'm in the city. I love the sandwiches and cortadito!

The place is a little hidden especially with the construction outside of it. They have other Chicago locations. It feels like a simple place that you can rest your feet with a coffee for a while. We tried the Colada, expresso, and it is both strong and sweet. They bring the food to you, but you do need to put away the trash and the plates before you head out. We tried the Bistec con Huevos sandwich and it was very filling. Taste is great, but do not be too picky if the steak feels a little overcooked. This is a fast casual place. The Guava-Q Chicken is a big portion for 1 person. I think that the chicken needs to marinate longer. The Guava sauce is sweet as you would expect of most fruit sauces. It is right next to a hostel so there is good traffic. I love the laid back feel of the décor and style. read more

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The dish I had at Cafecito was disappointing as it was different from what I have had elsewhere. The beef was crispy and I appreciated the peppers and onions that it was sautéed in. However, the dish was SOUR. The vinegar was overpowering and this was the first time my vaca frita was flavored with vinegar. The rice and beans were fine. Maduros was fried to perfection! Suggestion to Cafecito: perhaps ask your patron if they like vinegar in their vaca frita because I would have preferred it without had I known. read more

Cafecito - Vaca Frita with onions and pepper, rice, black beans and maduros. - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cafecito is a local Cuban "chain" with a few locations in the city. This one is around the corner from my daughter's dorm and we love it. Authentic Cuban in a cafe setting and good coffee! Whether you want a sandwich, snack or full meal, if you like Cuban food you will love it here! They serve breakfast too. read more

Cafecito - Delicious!! - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chimichurri sandwich was amazing will definitely be coming back here for it. 10/10 recommend.

We found this place by mistake but I'm really glad we did. The restaurant is not very large but does offer inside seating. I feel we got there just in time because after we ordered, there was a line right out the door. It's not a very large menu but it offers their traditional Cuban dishes. I ordered a side of rice and beans with a vegetarian sandwich. The rice and beans were your typical rice but the sandwich was amazing. I regret not ordering a Cuban coffee with my order because it looked delicious. The lady that was drinking it heard me say that and assured me that it was delicious and authentic. But like I stated, the line got crazy. The staff members were friendly but it was easy to see that they were overwhelmed. There seemed to be a big event happening nearby and not enough staff to handle the rush. Overall a nice spot to stop by for some Cuban cuisine. read more

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Everytime that I come here, I never know what to buy. The Jerk chicken sandwich is delicious read more

Cafecito - Jerk chicken sandwich . Its delicious - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

An unassuming spot that really blew us away. I always walk by Cafecito without realizing they have some yummy sandwiches here. What we ordered: Palomilla: Good and filling. I like the balance of the flavors, and it's not too overwhelming with too much filling. Caldo Gallego Soup: Simple and light. Goes well with the sandwich. I noticed that their tres leches is very popular. Definitely want to try that when I get the chance. read more

Cafecito - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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There was only one thing I was determined to revisit in Chicago and it was the Ropa Vieja pressed sandwich at Cafecito. Two years later it still holds a special place in heart (or rather stomach). Sweet plantains always compliment well seasoned meat but to hold it all conveniently in your hand and get that perfect bite every time is just something else! This location had plenty of seating, as well as, outlets if you are trying to get some work done. read more

Cafecito - Ropa Vieja Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois