This is just a holler in the wall mostly carry out spot. So today I had 3 empanadas the Lechon, spinach+ricotta, Birria. They are all fucking tasty. These are so much better than the Empandus spot read more

Café Tola - Empanada - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Placed a good order on Uber Eats for my family. Was really looking forward to it. The order was cancelled with no explanation. Why be on the app if you can't fulfill it? Leaves a bad taste in customers' mouths. read more

I saw their food truck at the Millennium park art festival over the weekend and thought I'd give it a shot. The empanadas were around $10 each which is pretty pricy in my opinion. They were really good though! My favorite of the two is the spinach one. The Lechon/pork empanada was pretty good with some fatty bits inside. The salsa pairs really well with the empanadas. The service was really quick. The ambiance for the food truck was near the festival so it was a tad busy and loud. read more

Café Tola - Spinach empanadas and pork empanada - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came here to try out their coffee and also ended up taking an empanada home. The staff was great and they didn't take long to make our coffee. My wife ordered their dulce de leche and I ordered their horchata latte. My wife really loved hers and my horchata latte tasted great as well. We took a chorizo & egg empanada home. It was definitely good, but pricey for an empanada. They do have a huge variety of empanadas I'm just not sure they're worth the price. Will definitely be back for their coffee though. read more

See all

Horchata Latte is king! So damn good it's been my daily need and pit stop after daycare drop off when the husband goes on a work trip. Guilty t for being her for at least 5x a month which is such an addiction First time trying it hot versus cold this month and still same amazing taste. My go to empanada is always the birra & cheese. If it's not there I don't get anything else it's just my favorite. Parking sucks! Now there's only one side to park on Milwaukee which kind of slow down my stop here because the only side to park is on the same side of the shop where as I'm driving from the opposite but if i really really want to treat myself I park around the corner and walk which is mission in the cold but sometimes it's worth the cold for a pick me up. Treat yourself often. read more

Café Tola - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Got there early in the morning and had all the choices. I got a few different types of empanadas and they were wonderful. Took them home to Wisconsin to share them with my family. Clean, friendly establishment... And plan to go back. read more

Cafe Tola is great. It doesn't really have seating space at this location but that's fine. Their burritos and tacos are excellent. Their chicken verde burrito is juicy and flavorful and huge. It's $12 (after tax). I'd say that's a good value. I have no idea why anyone eat at a chipotle over Cafe Tola. There is no comparison. Chipotle is absolute garbage in comparison. 4.5 stars for Cafe Tola. read more

"Regular tacos, regular prices, really good vibes." Sometimes you don't want a $28 brunch with a foam flower on top--you just want tasty food, good prices, and people who don't make you feel like you're in a TikTok set. Cafe Tola gets it. Super friendly staff, quick service, and solid comfort food that doesn't break the bank. Honestly, a little pocket of happiness. Worth noting that the breakfast tacos come on flour tortillas. I messed up by not checking bc in CA it's usually corn (gf girlie here). Flour tacos are usually a lot heartier so theirs were big. read more

I know tons of people love this location and the reviews are generally great. So, it's safe for me to say that I was not the biggest fan of this location. The lines are long and it's just empanadas from what I understand. There's another larger location about two blocks away and I believe that one serves burritos and tacos. I'm more excited about that location. My wife loves Cafe Tola and I trust her judgment. Unfortunately, by the time I get to taste any of the goodies, it's in the evening after work and not fresh out of the fryer. From what I see, the ambiance is cozy and divey. Regular customers know the routine. Line up outside the door, order, and eat outside at the few tables and chairs. Or there's a long shelf where you can stand and eat as well. I hear the horchata latte is yummy. I'm excited about that too:) read more

See all

Thank god i looked this up on yelp bc now i know theres one in ny!!! I loved this place and the guava cheese empanada was so gd scrumptious. Horchata latte also v sweet and yum read more

Definitely only get these from a brick and mortar not delivery, they did not taste the same and also did not come with salsa. Overall they are still delicious and well known for their breakfast tacos! Great cold brew too! read more

I'm back again a month later and still pleased! They were out of birria tho which was a bummer. This time, I tried the biggie smalls taco because I love the name. It has steak, egg, and cheese. The steak is so good, and they cover it all with a ton of melty, gooey cheese! The spicy pork empanada has pinto beans and potato inside. It wasn't my favorite, but it was still pretty good. The sauce that comes with the empanadas is very good. I also tried the dulce de leche latte, and I was pleased that it wasn't too sweet despite the name. I love Cafe Tola! read more

See all

I really love Cafe Tola- the biggie smalls tacos, quesadilla options and of course empanadas are amazing! However, the last three times I've gone to the Milwaukee Ave store in Logan, I've been given the wrong quesadillas- I always order the Al pastor quesadillas, and 2 times I've gotten home to find steak quesadillas instead- and once I discovered that I had received a pork based one (not sure which, but definitely not al pastor). While I realize not checking each quesedilla before leaving the store is on me, it's frustrating when the correct order is repeated back both when I order as well as when I receive the food- only for them to be continuously wrong. This never used to be an issue at this location, but now it's happened three times in a row, over the course of a month or so. Cafe Tola- I want to keep supporting you and your amazing food, but it's starting to feel like you don't really care! read more

Café Tola - Claimed to be an al pastor quesadilla but definitely steak - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great empanadas, super fast service, and decent prices. The empanadas are stuffed deliciously full.

On a brutally hot 95 degree day, Cafe Tola managed to save me with delicious food. Food: I ended up stopping here after a long walk in the heat with some friends. I got the chicken salsa verde burrito with was exceptional and washed it down with a water and glass bottle Coke. Couldn't ask for anything more. Service: I only dealt with the cashier, but she was super nice and patient with me. Aesthetic: Wasn't a fan of the drink stock being in the middle of the floor, but it is a small place so it is understandable. I did like the vibe and it was a nice "quick-eats" spot. read more

See all

Amazing empanadas. All different flavors. From sweet to savory. They also have a special running with a coffee and 1 empanada of your choice. read more

We went to the Bucktown Arts Fest and ordered two empanadas. The chipotle chicken was good but the ricotta and spinach wasn't that good. The lady that helped my daughter was kind of rude and rushing her. There was no need for the rush. The little people that were behind her were looking at the menu and were patient. She spent her hard earned money just to deal with rude behavior. $9.96 for empanadas is crazy work. The wonderful Cuban restaurant down the block empanadas are $11 for 3 and every kind is amazing. 3 stars for the buttery flavor and chipotle chicken one. Minus 2 stars for the not so good spinach and ricotta and unpleasant service. Next time, let my daughter give you a thumbs down and request a receipt, instead of you giving yourself a thumbs up and putting no receipt. Thanks. read more

Gotta love this Logan gem. It's the best pick me up empanada. It's tasty and consistent and they sometimes have new flavors you can try. Very easy grab and go shop that might have lines but they go fast. I love to take their table outside whenever it's free. read more

Café Tola - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Update: I just posted the below a few minutes ago but wanted to make sure this was as full as I could make it. It doesn't change my rating or the situation much but provides a more colored in picture. Because I don't like to write reviews on deliveries before contacting the restaurants, I called them again this morning. The guy on the line may have been the same person as last time because he remembered my complaint (or perhaps there was a memo or chat folks had about my complaint). Like last time (which I neglected to include in my original review), he did offer that I come in for a free empanada or a replacement. Like last time, I told him no because I would get a refund through the delivery service. I'm not going to put these people out even more food and I live a couple of miles away. I think I know what the issue is with the bacon being undercooked. I think they take uncooked bacon pieces and put them in the egg mix and when they get a bacon/egg order, they "cook" in there as the eggs cook. As most folks know, eggs cook a hell of a lot faster than bacon and on a lower temperature. This is why I think some parts are browned and look cooked while the bacon pieces within the scrambled eggs are severely undercooked/uncooked. I'm no chef and don't know jack about operating a business, but I think they could do with reconfiguring the set up they have with cooking meat and eggs separately, especially in light of norovirus outbreaks throughout the country. With all this being said, their empanadas and horchata latte are the best in the city and it's a damn shame that preparation on a non-featured item is taking that away from an otherwise stellar place. Original: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I ordered their bacon breakfast taco a few weeks ago and I thought I had ham in it. Upon closer inspection, it was all undercooked bacon. I called them up to tell them and the person on the line seemed to hear with a slight tinge on indifference. I decided today, I'll order again. Surely, they would listen to a customer that called them up instead of writing a little nasty note on Yelp. Well, reader I was wrong. Again the bacon was undercooked but at least by a lesser margin. Also, I ordered a mole quesadilla but I'm pretty sure they put in birria meat instead. read more

Café Tola - Bacon breakfast taco - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was the best al pastor taco that I've had that didn't require me to go to Pilsen. The staff was hospitable and made me a fresh coconut curry empanada right before they were about to close their doors. It is the most tasty vegetarian empanada that I've ever had! And the al pastor taco -- chef kisses! If I lived around the corner, I would be a common regular. I am certainly looking forward to returning! read more

Café Tola - Al Pastor Taco - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have a weird obsession with Cafe Tola. Their empanadas are definitely the best & I love the little red salsa. The coconut curry vegan, cheese & potato poblano, and chicken tika are my top three. They reheat ah-mazing in the air fryer if you have one. read more

If I could give 20 stars I would! I very rarely go somewhere and eat something, and from first bite, feel as if I can no longer live without said food item... but here, I don't know what I will do without these empanadas! I was just in town visiting my sister for the weekend, so now anytime I go visit her, I know where my first stop will be! ***FOOD*** Let's start with the food because 100/10. I have just never tasted something so delicious in my life. The sweet lady at the register recommended the poblano pepper potato empanada (idk the exact name of it) but she said it was a popular vegetarian one, so I said sure! I love peppers. This was sooo incredible, it was like jalapeño cheese popper meets pierogi meets hot pocket (but ofc way better than a hot pocket) it was just so good! It says best empanadas in Chicago but I think they're the best in the world. ***STAFF*** So kind and helpful! :) ***INSIDE*** A small bar against the wall for seating and a little table out front so you can sit to enjoy your food but it's really mainly for to-go. ***CONCLUSION*** I will be counting down the days until I visit my sister again so I can come try more flavors! read more

Café Tola - Poblano and potato empanada - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Intolerant of law enforcement and other natives. Food appears good, but owner is not respectful of police.

Flavorful empanadas! Yes!! The sweetest staff, the yummiest latin cuisine, and such a cute aesthetic inside and out. Great outdoor seating. read more

Café Tola - chicken empanadas - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been to 3 of the Cafe Tolas and this one is weird. Like the empanadas taste noticeably different from the Cafe Tola on Southport and the Cafe Tola on California. I get the Mexican Egg and the Gauva and Queso one regularly and the Mexican Egg was missing all the flavor here. And both empanadas had a slightly different pastry crust. This is weird. Why is this one location different? read more

Absolutely love this place. Their huge selection of empanadas always hit the spot, but I'm always a sucker for the Biggie Smalls tacos (carne asada breakfast taco). It seems pricey, but you get a lot of food packed into those empanadas, tacos, and especially those breakfast burritos. I love the salsa it comes with. There's extremely limited dine-in seating, but most people come here for take-out anyways. Never disappoints. read more

Café Tola - the inside of a mexican restaurant - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Their impanadas and pozole are worth the trip. Amazing. And horchata latte, oh my! I would like to thank my amazing daughter for find this spot! 10/10 would recommend! read more

Why are ALL of the lights on AND the OPEN SIGN on if the place isn't OPEN.....? No hours posted on the door... Every OTHER Cafe Tola location is OPEN @7am.... read more

See all

Loooooooove cafe tola. We tried multiple things 1. The pork belly, eggs and beans taco which consisted of what I would call a chicharon with egg and beans. The taco was very big and the beans were really good. 2. Try the lavender lemonade it was delicious, it made me buy lavender syrup. 3. The coffee wasn't my favorite. Good flavor but not strong for my liking. 3. The best part are the empanadas. I love that they are flavorful not bland. Our favorite were the red and green spicy pork. The place is small, enough for maybe one couple to eat inside. Place your order to go. read more

See all

Cafe Tola's food can be a bit hit-or-miss. I ordered three empanadas, which came to around $24 with tip (yikes). My first empanada was black bean/plantain/goat cheese, which was fantastic-- earthy, sweet, and crispy. I also got vegan sirloin, which was decent but would've been bland had I not added hot sauce. The last empanada I got was egg and pico de gallo. The pico de gallo had almost no presence in the dish, so the main flavor/texture came from the eggs, which were unseasoned and dry/crumbly from the deep-frying. I found this one to be pretty nasty. The atmosphere was fun, and the food would've been worth 4 stars had the price not been outrageously high. I am open to coming back, but I probably wouldn't go for the empanadas. read more

Homie at the counter, hooked me up with the Pork Belly Tacos, I mean damn. These Tacos was A1, try with it the sauce as well, very nice establishment. The service is A1, it's a little tough to get to the bathroom but the the bathroom is spotless in case you need to take care of business read more

Café Tola - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Really excellent lunch spot. Great food, sauces and service. Highly recommend! Chill atmosphere read more

Café Tola - Three taco lunch special - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really great food if you're looking for authentic Mexican street food. It's a small little establishment next to a Target off of Logan Square. I had the beef skirt tacos and a couple of my family members had the birria tacos. My daughter had the beef (ground) meat empanada and everything was great. The skirt steak had no bristle or fat and were generously portioned. read more

See all

Stopped in here off of recommendations from Yelp, wanted to show love to a local small business. Very disappointed my friend had a Verde chicken burrito was also disappointed in the flavor of the food. The beans tasted like they came out of a can. Steak taco meat was burnt to a crisp, literally! They don't have a bathroom and parking near here is a big problem. I wanted to love it ended up hating it spent $30 wasted read more

See all

Great steak & egg burrito. Super tasty green pork empanadas. Friendly and prompt service. Great variety for a regular place.

This place is super close and I've been wanting to try it so I finally did. I love that place is locally owned. The atmosphere was great and the staff was so friendly. The menu is reasonably priced. I got a breakfast taco that had chorizo, eggs, and potatoes. It was delicious! I also got a white chocolate mocha and it tasted so good and warmed me up from being outside in the cold. I'm so excited to come back and try their empanadas because I know that's what they're known for. I'd also like to try their other coffee options as well. So glad this gem of a place is close to me! read more

I'm not quite sure what to say about cafe Tola, one word comes to mind- yes. Yes, try it Yes, it's a bit pricey Yes, try as all the different empanadas (my favorites are lechon and green spicy pork) Yes, the coffee is good Yes, it's not like other empanadas Yes, they have tacos and burritos Yes, their salsa is so good, I wish they sold it. (Hint hint nudge nudge) Just. Yes. read more

First, I want to say that I LOVE Tola. I frequently go to any one of the locations but today unfortunately I heard the staff at the register tell a cyclist to f'off when they complained about the business illegally parking out front. The man had frustration in his voice but did not shout or use profanity. The woman at the register was out of line and inappropriate, completely unprofessional. The cyclist was in the right explaining he has been hit by a car because of their illegal parking in the bike lane. I do not want to cause harm to one of my favorite local establishments, but the owners need to address this issue of parking to make it safe for everyone and with the staff about their unprofessional attitude. Hope this is helpful for improvement and I do hope to return for a better experience in the future. I'm a loyal customer with genuine concerns and with all the respect to the establishment. read more

Seriously delicious empanadas. I've been wanting to try these and finally glad I did! They were so flavorful and tasty. We tried the lechón, queso con chile poblano, ropa vieja & mole con pollo. They did not disappoint. Can't wait to try some of the other ones next time. read more

Café Tola - a colorful mural on the side of a building - Tacos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Empanadas are off the chain. Don't get addicted. I went back 3 days in a row. I've finally taken control back over my life.