Lovely outdoor seating on leafy quiet street. Arrived around mid day on Sunday, put in our name on the waitlist and it was only about 20 minutes before we were seated. Small amount of seating inside, but we chose for the outdoor patio it was such a beautiful day. Only serving brunch on the weekends which was fine, because there was quite a variety to choose from breakfast items right up to lunch items. We had the Hibiscus iced tea which was refreshing, not too sweet with a nice flavor. My husband ordered that chilaquiles with eggs anyway, he chose poached and claimed it to be yummy. I chose the seared salmon sandwich with pickled onions and capers and a jalapeño spread. It was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. Came with a side of roasted potatoes and leafy mixed greens. Really pleasant waitstaff. Would definitely go again. read more

Omg this place is bomb! Looking for a Latino-inspired breakfast in the north side of Chicago? Look no further than Esencia Urban Kitchen! We ordered delivery from this place with it being very close by and the food was delicious! I got the Sunnyside Huevos Rancheros and my friend got a Huevos con chorizo Torta both were excellent given that they were delivered and we all know how deliveries can be a hit or miss based on freshness and what not. The potatoes that came with the torta was so good! I'd love to come and dine at this place sometime. Seems like a lot of people in the neighborhood love it, and rightfully so! read more

Really cute and cozy breakfast spot. Kind host and servers and unique menu items. Salmon sandwich wasn't my favorite combination of flavors and the potatoes were a little too crunchy with seasoning that was also not my favorite, but the torta was very good and filling. They also have specialty lattes and a pick up window. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Huevos con Chorizo Torta - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'm here nearly every Saturday. Absolutely love Esencia. Love and thought put into the food and it shows. Great flavor combinations and amazing service. Highly recommend the poblano eggs, hibiscus enchiladas, chilaquiles, pumpkin pancakes, lemon ricotta pancakes, horchata, and the lavender latte. If there's a wait, wait! It's worth it. Just walk around Broadway to the local shops nearby while you wait. AMAZING read more

SO GOOD! Showed up with a pup on a Saturday morning. Seated quickly on the patio, which had a nice breeze and wasn't overcrowded. I had the chorizo hash. Arguably the best I've ever had. Not only was the hash itself exceptional but it also came with a small salad in the bowl that complemented the hash very well. You get a choice of either tortillas or toast, and I'm glad I opted for the toast--it came with a jam that was so good I was licking it off my knife and asking for more. Overall, great experience. Will definitely be back! read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Chorizo Hash -- Yum!! - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food here was phenomenal and the staff are so friendly. It's very small inside but the service is quick and the wait is minimal. This is now one of our favorite breakfast spots. read more

I Chicago. Everything about it. This restaurant is so good that I would move here just to be able to eat here regularly. In town to watch the Cubs, looking for a yummy breakfast. Saw the reviews on Yelp. Husband LOVES chilaquiles so of course we had to check it out. We were not disappointed! The salsa verde on the chilaquiles is amazing. I went with the chorizo hash and will be dreaming of that forever. We started with some biscuits, hot and delicious with a preserve that made it complete. The whole grain bread that came with my breakfast - I would like a whole loaf to take home. The place is small, very clean, super nice staff. Check it out!! read more

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Amaaazing coffee, service (special shout out to Erika!) and menu. The French toast and side potatoes are particularly good here.

I've been craving some Mexican food for a while so this fit the bill without feeling heavy and greasy. Modern Mexican inspired food best describes the menu. Portions per dish are just right but don't expect any leftovers. I got the enchilada suizas, which was filled with tender shredded chicken and topped with a light, non-spicy green cream sauce. It actually felt quite healthy eating it. It came with a small side of rice and beans. This is a great foodie spot to meet up with friends or go on a date. Two to four people is a good number to bring here, as most of their tables are meant for two people. I would choose not to bring young kids here, unless during the summer months and choose outdoor seating, because the space inside feels ever so slightly tiny and cramped. There was a wait, about 15-20 min, and we put our names on the list with the hostess after arrival at the restaurant. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Poblano Eggs - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Brunch isn't hard to mess up. I never have high expectations for brunch because how hard is it to make eggs and toast? However, brunch can be difficult to make memorable. But Escencia exceeded with their food. Most of their dishes seemed fairly simple, but they were delicious. The potatoes had to be some of the best breakfast potatoes I've ever eaten. They had a crisp exterior and were seasoned perfectly. I ordered the poblano eggs, which was their version of eggs benedict. I didn't miss the hollandaise sauce at all, as the poblano sauce was a delicious replacement over their perfectly cooked eggs. I didn't get to taste what my friends ordered but we all agreed the food was fantastic. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I tried this place in order to satisfy a craving I was having for chilaquiles. According to the reviews this was the place to go. I went on a weekday after lunch rush. The place was fairly empty. The service was very friendly both from the server and their assistant. The menu was interesting but I knew what I wanted. Incidentally, the chilaquiles are what the server recommended. I was not that impressed by the chilaquiles. I chose the salsa verde because it was supposed to be spicier. Overall I found the dish a bit bland though. What it really needed, and what I was craving, was a couple slices of avocado or a little dollop of guacamole. This is how it is usually served at other places. I probably should have just asked for a side of it. It wasn't bad by any means, it was just missing something. The reason I chose three stars instead of four stars, was the slowness of service. I definitely want to emphasize that the servers were very friendly, and I was not in a rush. However I did find the wait time for my food rather puzzling. It was not busy in the restaurant at all. The chilaquiles took about a half an hour to come out. I found it a little odd. I also didn't get any refills on my coffee until after my meal. That said, it was still a nice experience and the friendly service made it impossible to get annoyed. I would not go here if you are in a hurry though. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Chilaquiles with salsa verde. A little bland and needs avacado - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had the seared salmon sandwich with pickled onions and capers. Great choice, just the right amount of everything right down to the perfectly toasted bread. Coming back tomorrow to try the rest of the menu! Great food, service, and ambiance read more

Here for Cubs opening day. The best breakfast in Chicago. Egg white omelet was fluffy, huevos rancheros was perfect, veggie wrap was amazing. Not pictured biscuits with apricot jelly were incredible and seared salmon sandwich w potatoes were scrumptious . Homemade everything- going to come back tomorrow. read more

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I've long been a devotee of Wicker Park's Handlebar for vegetarian breakfast, but my chilaquiles here topped any others. Obvious care goes into the prep: rich, freshly-fried tortillas and spicy, ever-so-slightly-sour homemade tomatillo salsa made me feel positively spoiled. Staff was very friendly, and there's a contingent of enthusiastic regulars who keep the place lively. The space is fairly small, but tables are well-spaced so I didn't feel rushed or cramped. I'll definitely return, though I'd love to see more veggie options. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Chilaquiles verdes - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came in towards close (we didn't realize at first) and our server ( I think his name was James?) was super nice, as was the food runner. We both got eggs and chorizo. I was so glad to hear the chorizo was beef, and it was flavorful but lacked heat. Regardless, the food was solid. Good potatoes. Awesome cafe con leche. 10/10, right swipe, will return. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen is one of my favorite neighborhood spots to grab breakfast. The dining room is tight, but huge windows open up the space. It is light and intimate. The food is truly delicious, I usually get the Poblano Eggs Benedict which is served on a house-made biscuit and with perfectly crispy potatoes and a fresh mixed green salad. The poblano sauce is flavorful and a beautiful green color. A great twist on a traditional Benedict. Their coffee is also especially tasty. The servers are helpful and kind. I'll come for breakfast again and again. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Poblano Eggs Benedict - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here straight from the airport, needing a place to grab some food and take some meetings. Super cute spot, small but cozy. Barbacoa tacos were SO GOOD, also had horchata and green tea since I stayed there for so long (and they didn't give me any issue about it!). 10/10 recommend. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a small bakery and brunch spot. The food is good and they have a small outdoor seating area in the summer. I go to this place all the time. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Whole Wheat Pancakes - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Small, cute little brunch spot. We were seated within 10 minutes and the service is super friendly & quick. Our coffees were delicious and our food came out in about ten minutes; everything bc tasted great! Definitely come and check this place out! read more

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Located just a few steps down from the hotel we stayed at while in Chicago, this small place has delicious Mexican dishes. This place is only open for breakfast, brunch and lunch. No dinner service. When we went, we were able to get a seat right away however, as we were there, people were being told that there was a wait. Service was very friendly and prompt. When I asked between two dishes, the waiter recommended the chilaquiles with eggs over medium. It came with refried beans which tasted just like when I was growing up and some rice. Portion wasn't too big or too small. The chilaquiles were spicy and tangy and packed a punch! Every single bite was delicious! I also got the churros and although good, the chilaquiles were soo much better! The churros were crunchy and sweet with cinnamon sugar on top of them. We also got an omelette with spinach and ham. The plate came with potatoes and a small green salad. Unfortunately for me, I don't live in the Chicago area, otherwise I'd be visiting this place frequently!! read more

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Esencia is one of those little neighborhood gems that you want to share with the world but also don't want too many people to find out about so you can still get a table! Food quality and service are consistently top notch. I'm a sucker for their chilaquiles, in roja or salsa verde, which you can add a protein to (go with the chicken...you'll thank me). Coffee and other drinks compliment the food choices well. The agua de jamaica is a hibiscus based agua fresca that is a great non-coffee alternative. My PIC swoons over the cafe con leche. If you're in Lakeview East and feeling brunchy, travel up Broadway and get the essence of Esencia yourself. Can't wait to see your review! read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - New artwork - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This spot for a breakfast was awesome! We had the breakfast poblano and the egg wrap and it was amazing! The service was super great and we loved our waitress. The vibe is fun and cute. Very chill but the food was awesome! Stop by! read more

Love the lemon ricotta pancakes. Fast and easy pickup at their cute little pickup window

Great spot! I got the morning wrap and I was pretty happy with it. It was not something extraordinary as I would like stronger flavors but it was very good. The house potatoes as a side were great tho! I recommend getting them and eating then warm since they are crispy and well seasoned. My bf got the carnitas taco and it was pretty great. He also got the steak and was happy with it. Again, nothing special but still very good. Would recommend if you are looking to change the scene and try new things. read more

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chilaquiles and brown sugar sage latte were amazing! great service. good sized portions. plenty of vegetarian options. excited to come back and try more things on the menu! read more

This place was absolutely amazing! Stopped in for brunch on a Sunday around 11:30 after deciding last minute we wanted to do brunch and realized it was going to be an hour wait to get in anywhere else, and seeing this place had open tables inside. When we went to put our name in, they did say it would be around a 25 minute wait, which only ended up being 15. Was a little confused since they had a handful of open tables at the time we put our name in, but they had only 1 waitress and someone helping run the food and do refills, so they were just balancing the load to make sure everyone had a good experience (or at least that's the impression I got). We ordered the chilaquiles and the sunnyside huevos rancheros, the chilaquiles we got with salsa roja, and on the huevoes rancheros we got both the verde and the roja. They do a some of each sauce on half, and it was so good. We were really blown away by the food, it was simple and light, but the sauces were so good and the tortillas cripsy. Also didn't skimp on the sauce, and as a sauce perosn, I always appreciate that. Neither of them had meat, but we didn't miss it with how good these were. We also ordered a side of biscuits, which also were excellent. We used them to mop up some of the salsa at the end, so our plates were cleaned to the last drop. Service was great and food came out quickly, and it's in a super cute little area. Definitely a hidden spot and would recommend! read more

I've been coming here for years and never thought to give a review. I just assumed everyone knew and universally agreed this place was awesome. It is. The food is great, always well prepared, delicious and imaginative while also being totally reliable and consistent. But what sets Esencia apart is the genuine sense of kindness exuding from this place. Truly family owned and operated by people who love their customers and effortlessly make them feel welcomed. I'll never stop Esencia. read more

This Mexican-inspired eatery is on the corner of Broadway and Roscoe. It was quite busy for a 1230 Saturday brunch excursion so had to wait about 25 minutes to sit down. Been here before when it wasn't so busy so I would say the wait is fair. They have 11 tables that seat 2 people (can be combined for groups of 4) and about 4 counter seats so its a bit intimate. I have been craving this for a while and I ordered the Chilaquilles with the salsa verde option (can get red too). Food came out a a decent time and ordered a slice of the banana bread. Both were delicious and decently priced. Overall pretty good place if you're in the mood for Mexican style brunch. Pay to park around the area and right by a bus stop read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Banana bread - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Breakfast was so good that even cracking my head open on this outlet couldn't ruin my morning! We got the ricotta pancakes and the chorizo torta RIP to my head but this place is the best! read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Side of ice - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Esencia never disappoints - definitely our favorite breakfast spot in Lakeview! The staff is always super friendly, and we've never been disappointed by the food. Our favorites are the chilaquiles and the egg & pesto sandwich, but we've loved everything we've tried. Even the coffee is delicious and has a hint of cinnamon. And if the owners are reading this, please bring back those tiramisu pancakes you had a few years ago - PLEASE! read more

A new favorite spot of mine in the neighborhood! Had the refreshing lavender oat milk latte, the chilaquiles, and lemon ricotta pancakes which were a yummy poppyseed dream. Service and ambience were also 10/10. Coming back to try the chorizo torta ASAP! read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Lemon Ricotta Pancakes - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My neighborhood favorite. We go here just about every Saturday, and I leave satisfied having devoured my regular poblano eggs dish with the best crispiest potatoes and just enough side salad to make me feel good about getting some greens in too. Also great coffee! It's a tiny restaurant without a lot of seating so I occasionally order to-go and they're quick. Love everything about this place. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Poblano Eggs - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Not even sure where to begin. This has been our go-to breakfast place during the pandemic -- and every entree continues to deliver! We've love their chilaquiles and poblano eggs, but do NOT sleep on the chorizo hash or the HOT CHOCOLATE. Words cannot describe the goodness that is their chorizo hash. And for the hot cocoa! It comes with the gigantic marshmallow that makes me feel like a 12 year old plopping it in my cup and watching it melt. The marshmallow isn't super sweet either, so it adds a layer of creaminess without making the hot chocolate super sweet. Their service is also amazing. Thank you to the staff for being so patient as I've asked a million questions about pasteurized cheese (their queso fresco is pasteurized, mamas!) during my pregnancy and they made my poblano eggs over hard upon request, and it still tasted amazing. My husband and I love you, Cafe Esencia! Please keep up the stellar work!!! read more

Loved this place! Came here around 9am on a Sunday morning to meet a friend. We were seated right away as there was an open table. The inside is very small so I bet it gets pretty crowded but we picked a good time! I stayed with a Cafe con Leche which was delicious- so smooth and creamy! My friend had a mocha that she also liked. For breakfast, I had the wrap with scrambled eggs, asparagus, cheese, and a jalapeño sauce all wrapped in a spinach tortilla. It was delicious and fresh! It also came with breakfast potatoes which were so awesome- very crispy and delicious! Additionally, there was a nice little side salad with balsamic. My friend had the poblano eggs which were also really delicious. We had a great experience overall and I will definitely be back! read more

This place is a gem in plain sight! We had walked by here many times and finally stopped in to try it, mainly because everytime we would pass the place was packed already, a sure sign the place is worth trying. We went on a Sunday morning, I suggest going earlier as this place gets crowded quick, and is quite small so not recommended for parties larger than 4, unless they have the patio open in the summer. We used the Yelp join the waitlist as we were on our way over, another thing I would suggest. Alright now to our experience, the staff was extremely friendly and attentive! It's a small neighborhood place. I got the cold brew coffee and it was tasty! Food wise, I had the chilaquiles which were delicious and I recommend! Other dishes at our table included the oatmeal, chorizo hash and an omelet. All good options that my group said they would definitely come back. To finish it all off we had churro, also delicious! In summary, I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back! read more

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I enjoyed this place more than my stars entail... but the wait time was ridiculous. Even on a Saturday around noon, I was added to the lost and told about 30 minutes. We were not seated until an hour later! But the weird part was, there was an open table for two when we arrived... I understand how it goes, it's a smaller place. Maybe total seating 30 people, but it's frustrating. Other than that, the drinks were super yummy, and the food was solid too. I didn't love the filling in my enchiladas, the chicken was slightly bland but the sauce was making up for it. The rice and beans were phenomenal and I would totally come back to this place! Hopefully next time I will remember to call ahead. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Enchiladas suizas - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Esencia is an extremely cute place for brunch in Lakeview. The cafe has an amazing vibe to it that can almost instantly make you feel happy. The menu is good, and the staff is friendly. Despite having a no modification rule on their menu, they agreed to give us the torta with the chorizo on the side as some of us were vegetarians. I ordered the hibiscus enchiladas. They came with a side of rice. They were extremely tasty and the combination of flavors worked very well. The rice too did not need any accompaniments. The only issue was that the portion was way too small for how much I was paying for it and I was hungry 10 minutes after I got done with brunch. The portion of the torta and the pancakes looked good though and my friends were raving about the breakfast potatoes. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had been here for brunch sometime last year and remember it being good, this was my first time for lunch. Wait service was friendly and attentive. Food service was a little on the slow side, but more than worth the wait. The Hot Chocolate was deliciously spiced with cinnamon and the marshmallow was clearly gourmet, nice and soft with a subtle raspberry flavor. Now, the sandwiches...I ordered the Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese and my lunch companion ordered the Milanesa Torta and we both loved our orders. The grilled cheese was nice and crispy and the pesto was delicious. I thought the chipotle in the Milanesa Torta was a tad too spicy and overpowering (I don't much have a taste for spicy), but my lunch companion loved it! I will definitely be coming back Esencia! read more

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Walked past this place many times and decided to go when a friend suggested it for lunch. Went at around 12:30 on Thursday and sat out on the patio. There were a good amount of other people but it wasn't not too loud or crowded and we were seated pretty quickly. That's pretty much all the good I have to say about this experience. My friend ordered the breakfast tacos, which she says were good, and I had the lemon ricotta pancakes. I also ordered some toast, which came with butter and jam, and some avocado. There were a few others ahead of us, which may be why our food took over half an hour. But we also didn't have water for awhile either. The toast was fine, they offer white, wheat, and rye. But it's toast, so kind of hard to mess up. The ricotta pancakes were a totally different story. Totally flavorless, or at least not tasting at all of lemon, and cold.l. I also found multiple hairs in my food. Upon the first, I just wanted to tell myself it was mine. But I cut into it more to check only to find another. The waitress was very nice about taking it back and removing it from the bill though, which I do appreciate. She offered to bring another but that had really killed my appetite. Saved from one star only because I think the slow service could be an understaffing issue. This neighborhood is packed with brunch places just like this one and without this problem. Not worth it. read more

Esencia Urban Kitchen - Toast ($2.5) Avocado ($2) - Cafes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I used to work down the street and more recently I went back. Everything I've tried has been fresh and tasty. The whole menu leans mexican, but they have traditional american-brunch choices too. It's super small, but the outside seating adds quite a bit. I've only had carry-out. The staff has always been very friendly as well. read more