Ambiance- quiet on a Sunday afternoon. Lots of seating space. Beautiful art on the walls. A cozy spot. Reminds me a a small café that can be found in Spain. There is a Service- service at the door. But from there, it was hit or miss. No one asked to refill a glass or add ice. Had to run one of the servers down for ketchup while he sat at the front door. Food- i wasn't sure what to order so i went with the Meatballs. And that was an excellent choice. The beef tasted fresh and tender. The red sauce and cheese paired well. It also came with garlic bread. I made it through three of the five meat balls and was stuffed. The Flan and ice cream came with the meal. I had a little one with me and she got the chicken tenders and fries. The chicken did not taste manufactured. Definitely rib meat (breast meat). Crispy, crunchy and delicious. Fries were on point too. I was happy to see the meal was served with fruit. Soup and garlic bread is served.. please don't ask for salsa and chips, wrong place. Pink Lemonade was a perfect mix between sweet and tart. Overall, I recommend this little space of Spain. Not for my service experience, but for the food. read more

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Great place, we can't wait to go back. My husband and I were just walking around the area looking for a place to try and luckily we chose this place! Great, friendly service, the seafood paella was amazing and I loved the sangria! It was a little small inside but really cozy. Great find. read more

Date night at La Vieja Castilla in downtown Blue Island was everything we hoped for and more. The space is small, cozy, spotless and intimate in the best way, with a warm atmosphere that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. Even though it was extremely busy, everything felt welcoming. The true star of the night? The food. The sangria was smooth and refreshing the perfect start to our date. We shared the beef pintxos, which were packed with flavor, and the paella... absolutely divine. Every bite tasted authentic. We also ordered the goat cheese and the meatballs, and both were rich, savory, and completely satisfying. Despite a full house, the service was fantastic. The owners were incredibly friendly and attentive, and you can truly feel the pride of it being a family-owned restaurant. That kind of warmth makes a difference. We'll absolutely be back. If you're looking for authentic Spanish flavors, a cozy atmosphere, and heartfelt hospitality, this is your spot. read more

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I absolutely love this restaurant for so many reasons. The menu is varied and has options for vegans. I have enjoyed the spinach & mushroom empanadas,(they are huge!), and the veggie paella is ginormous and delicious. The complimentary lentil or veggie soup has been simmering all day and the complimentary garlic bread is tender and tasty. The owners are in the kitchen and on the floor. They have great cocktails, wine and fresh sangria. The atmosphere is cozy and homey. Great place to go with a group & share. Can't get enough of this cozy place. read more

Hidden gem! Don't miss it. Almost missed the paella because the tapas were so good. Would have been big mistake. Try the sherry goat cheese garlic bread, croquettes, house board, shrimp and definitely the paella, even the flan was amazing. Deliciioso! read more

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I was here for the first time. I was not impressed. The food was a little pricy and very slow service. I had croquets before, but the ones here were not really good. I don't think I'll return to this place. read more

This family affair is a hidden gem in Blue Island; everyone is joyful and welcoming. The baked goat cheese is luscious; the garlic shrimp are INCREDIBLE, huge & with lots of fresh garlic. Stuffed mushrooms are made even better with the sherry cream mushroom sauce. The empanadas are superior, with a perfect crust, real roast shredded beef (not boring ground) and flavorful chicken, served with a lovely fresh green aioli. Had the mushroom-cheese, ham-cheese, and shrimp last time; best I've had. Forgot to mention the complimentary soup & bread; so rar these days!. Top it off with truly decadent flan, with lovely true caramel, and this spot is just to die for. So much more to try, but on my third visit, I can say not a morsel was less than delicious. Quick drive from Chicago; make the trip. Thanks Alex for the attentive service also! read more

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Charming place, authentic atmosphere friendly people. Mom and Pop, create tasty fresh dishes that represent their homeland. Starting with soup and bread and ending with a delish flan ! read more

Spanish tapas in Blue Island - woohoo! Friendly and knowledgeable service! And cozy atmosphere, looking forward to live flamenco nights this fall! read more

La Vieja Castilla - Spanish Near Me - Blue Island, Illinois

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Went again for lunch with my middle daughter to La Vieja Castilla, and again, it was incredible. We got there shortly after they opened at 11 am on a Saturday. Pretty sure the Chef/Owner waited on us.. made our Sangria.. cooked all our food and served it to us. The service could not have been better. The pride he takes in his food, and this establishment, is pretty tough to hide. He seems to be as excited as we were to eat his lunch. We ordered one of each of all of their empanadas, and they were all delicious.. freshly made with flaky crust.. and they were a nice size too.. definitely big enough to share for two.. the one with shrimp and peppers was unreal.. really good, but none of them were bad. We wanted to also order a garlic shrimp appetizer, and he recommended a dish that wasn't on the menu. They recently had the menus redesigned, and he wanted them to add this dish (name?) to the new printing, but somehow it didn't get included. Whatever it was called, it was incredible.. steamed shrimp, fresh calamari, clams and mussels in a lemon garlic sauce.. served with garlic bread?!?!! Forget about it.. absolutely sick.. I mean.. it was incredible. One of the best appetizers I've ever had. The seafood is incredibly fresh. The calamari melted in your mouth. The clams were tender with not a single grain of sand - great flavor. The mussels were of the same caliber... not sure where they are buying their seafood, but this plate of shellfish was really good.. and we had the delicious crispy and chewy garlic bread to soak up every ounce of the lemony garlic marinade.. Just. Sick. We. Will. Be. Back. read more

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La Vieja Castilla is a small family owned business that makes you feel like you are at home. My girlfriend and me wanted to try something different, we are so used to sticking to the same routine, and we came across this beautiful restaurant, we got there an hour before close and felt bad that we where coming in late. But the staff was more than welcoming and they made us feel comfortable! The first words our waitress told us were "Thank you so much for coming!" She was very kind and helpful as we had never tried any spanish food. You are treated to a complimentary garlic bread with a dip that goes so well with it, and a vegetable soup. I don't really like soup, but they quickly changed my mind as it was one of the best I've had! Appetizers We ordered a chicken and a beef empanada, they are of great size, the beef was very juicy and had such great taste. I've had empanadas that are either too dry or no flavor. But la Vieja Castilla didn't disappoint, they got it spot on. Main dish For the main dish we decided to try a pincho and you can choose if you'd like shrimp, chorizo, chicken. It comes with two side dishes we decided to go for the papa braba and arroz with chorizo. Everything was perfect! You can tell they take pride in their food, and make sure everything is just right for you. It feels almost as if you are especially being cooked for. Once we finished dining we rushed to get the bill since they were already closed and we didn't want to keep them late. We were told to take our time and the cook had his wife bring us out some flan so that we could try! This was such a nice touch to an already beautiful and perfect diner. La Vieja Castilla made us feel special and treated us with kindness and respect, we will definitely be back to try more of their amazing food and will recommend to other friends! read more

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Amazing place family owners and operated! You get what you pay for and pay!!! I highly recommend trying it!!!

This was my second time dining here. We started with their complimentary garlic bread and potato soup. The soup was delicious. Then, we had the shrimp empanada, which was also delicious. Then, we tried the antipasto salad; very tasty but not enough meat or cheese - we had to order extra. The shrimp with garlic was the star of the night. It was so good, not gummy and full of fresh garlicky flavor. Go and try more items! There were only two of us. What a cool gem on the south side! I should add that the server was not great. Wasn't attentive and wasn't around much. Had to holler to get him. However, I think this is a casual family biz so should be expected. He was very sweet when he did come by. read more

I love Spanish food and if you're looking for authentic great flavors, you won't be disappointed here! We gave three stars rather than five stars for a few different reasons. First, when we walked in, the smell of the building wasn't very inviting. We were seated and were given two plate plates and one was dirty. We both ordered piña coladas and they should've been frozen, but they had big chunks of ice that were not crushed. We still enjoyed them. They were not busy at all so we were surprised in the wait time for the food but once it came out, we were glad we chose this place. If you do go here, you have to try the empanadas! The dough was baked with a soft flaky crust, and I would come back just for the empanadas! My girlfriend ordered the lamb chops and I ordered the steak. Another reason we did not give it a full five stars was because I asked for a medium cooked steak and it came out well done. Again the flavors compensated for everything lacking and we would go back again. There are a few simple corrections this restaurant can do to really shine and we are hoping this place can really thrive because they really know their recipes well. read more

La Vieja Castilla - Lamb chops - Spanish Near Me - Blue Island, Illinois

Start a cup of soup is awesome. They finish with a nice piece of flan. The shrimp and garlic sauce was perfect with the garlic bread. I don't speak Spanish, but the lady was very nice. I think. I would definitely go back. It gave me a little feel like I was back in Spain. read more

We were attending a show down the street at the Lyric and looking for something nearby. We were very pleased with LaVieja. The quality of the food was high-end and prices were reasonable. When you sit down, they bring you a bowl of homemade soup and bread that was excellent, and at no charge. The empanadas were all delicious. There is a ham, beef, and chicken empanada choice. I tried and shared all three. It was a good amount of food. The better half had the rib-eye. The meat cut was top quality, no fat, and cooked to medium exactly the way she likes it. She raved about the sauce which we all tried and agreed was very tasty. My buddy had the Paella Valenciana with chicken not knowing the serving size. It was huge. We all tried it and loved it. He took the leftovers home. His better half had a citrus salmon dish, which she enjoyed. I didn't try it but the quality looked like that of a 5-star restaurant. I believe everything is homemade and cooked to order. So allow at least an hour if you are attending a show at the Lyric. We will be back. read more

The food is the best! We have been coming here for years and have never been disappointed eating here. The complimentary soup is out of this world! This authentic spanish mom and pop restaurant is truly a Blue Island gem. Great food, family-like service, with quaint ambience. Closed Mondays, but wonderful for any other day of the week! read more

Their spinach and mushroom empanadas are a must have! Love this place, their food is the best!

Very good and favorable I tell ppl about this place all the time everything is always fresh all the time

Great food and service. This restaurant is family run, and it feels like you're getting some great home cooking.

This is my favorite restaurant for dinner on the south side of Chicago. The food is made with LOVE and has the best flavors in any cuisine I've ever tasted. I believe it's family-owned. It's a very small establishment with a cute and authentic Spanish decor that makes you feel at home. The chef comes out every once in a while and gives a very pleasant smile and wave. They give you small cups of homemade soup with dinner with garlic bread that comes with a special dipping sauce that is just pure magic. I love this place so much! You will not be disappointed. read more

La Vieja Castilla - Spanish Near Me - Blue Island, Illinois

What a gem. This little Blue Island place has its own identity entirely & was the best of surprises. The staff and owners all working together are kind & helpful. They let us know what wine & liquor options were available (don't expect a full drinks menu... this place is much more like visiting your favorite aunt & uncle's home), had us first taste our selections to our approval, then out came a delicious tray of the most garlicky bread and scrumptious salty barley soup cups. Unexpected and on the house. We ordered a large array of the entrees & tapas. Each wonderful. The gambas are the size & juiciness of being on the Mediterranean; the calamari perfectly breaded & fried, more like tempura than the thick heavy fry usually found. Stuffed mushrooms yummy, and their chicken & spinach empanadas were excellent & the breading tasted to us closer to phyllo dough than the pastry used for Latin American varieties. The sausage tapas plate was a huge hit with morcilla being the star. The final bill was a shock... actually too low to believe after stuffing ourselves on rich wonderful food and drinks. This place is not for trend-seekers. It is a cozy, warm unique place following no latest styles. We feel so lucky to live close to this place but agree we would travel miles for it. We can't wait to go back. read more

Been here multiple times and you can't go wrong with ANYTHING. Food is excellent along with the wonderful service! As far as ambiance it has a Spanish feel to it. read more

Saw this place was highly rated and suggested my fiancée and I go in for a late dinner. We called ahead 40 mins before closing and they said they'd happily seat us, so we came in. We ordered some appetizers and the seafood paella and while we waited, got free bread and soup. The soup was a delicious seafood veggie soup and the bread was warm, rich and delicious, with fresh herbs. The shrimp and mussels tapa was INCREDIBLE. Creamy, savory, rich seafood taste, served with the same warm crispy bread. The staff was very attentive and when the paella came out we were floored. HUGE serving and it was delicious, clearly made to order. We ate what we could and took the rest to go. During the meal, the chef came out to ask what we thought, and we could tell he had pride in what he did when we told him how good everything was. After the check came out the chef came out with a serving of flan on the house which we happily shared. Overall, this place was just a gem. It was late and we were the only ones there, and we both greatly enjoyed this meal. Wish I had gotten pictures of the shrimp and mussels - you have to try it. I'm not from the area, but my fiancée has family in Blue Island. We are DEFINITELY coming back the next time we find ourselves in Blue Island. Easy 5 stars, highly recommend. PS: Lots of parking in the lot nearby too! read more

La Vieja Castilla - Plan de Caramelo - Spanish Near Me - Blue Island, Illinois

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This place is a hidden gem. Their steak specialties are good enough to serve 2 people and come with sides, a soup and bread, as well as two small flans. The chefs are warm and very proud of their food. The restaurant decor itself is a little dated and it's small, but I guarantee you'll find a table easily. read more

This was a great little mom and pop spot. Food was excellent. Service was excellent. It was priced very fairly. Flavors were spot on. Will be back for sure. Keep up the good work. read more

This restaurant is amazing. Excellent food and service. I bring out of town guests here as well and they absolutely love the food, drinks and desserts. Highly recommend it. read more

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I've been watching too many food shows lately and have had empanadas on the brain. When I searched for empanadas near me, this amazing place came up, and was still open after 8pm. We hopped in the car and headed over. I saw that they have great reviews, so this was exciting. Also, I'm half Spanish and there are zero Spanish restaurants in the area. We were greeted by several happy employees... a man starts playing guitar and sings... this lovely woman brings EXCELLENT soup and garlic bread to the table. OH MY GOSH SOOOO GOOD!! We ordered: Vegetable paella -- so good! Empanadas -- he got ham and chicken, I got spinach mushroom (FANTASTIC) Spanish tortilla with potato and onion -- it was ok, very eggy Cheese and potato croquettes- so good Flan for dessert - So good!! We decided that we have to come back at least once a month. Y'all NEED to try this place!! read more

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Really delicious!!! First of all, it is not that sparkling clean, but it's clean enough. The staff was extremely welcoming. The food was amazing! Flavorful, generous portions, and more than reasonably priced. First time here, will definitely return. Improvements - menu's were sticky, light fixtures had long term dust/grease, bathrooms a little dirty. read more

WOW WOW WOW!!!! if I could give this restaurant 10 stars, I would. The Service 10 The Meal 10 The Atmosphere 10 Chef Alex and his Team do an AMAZING job of ensuring they earn a 10! You just have to try it! BRAVO!!! read more

So my wife and I were looking to try something local and new. She heard about La Vieja Castilla through and group on social media. Reviews seemed legit so we came out with our two kids. It a small very intimate setting. The décor is nothing fancy, but it feels like you are eating in someone's home. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive despite being the only server working at the time. It also appeared that he was doubling up as the bartender as well. My wife and I requested coconut mojito which was not on menu but he made it anyway and they were quite delicious. We ordered quite a bit of food as it was our first time here. Honestly it was way to much food as the portion were pretty sizeable. We ordered all 4 types of empanadas. (Chicken, Beef, ham, mushroom). There were unlike any other empanadas mainly because of the exterior. The pastry was light and flaky which made them unique to us. We also ordered the calamari, which probably is the best calamari I've ever eaten. It was lightly breaded, crispy and tender. Usually you get most of the flavor from the dipping sauce, but not here. The calamari was seasoned to perfection and I honestly didn't want to dip it. On top of the appetizers they provided us with complimentary garlic bread and vegetable soup which were also very good. We ordered the kids chicken tenders, which to our surprise were not your standard frozen variety. These tenders were prepared to order and the kids loved them. My wife and I ordered the seafood paella. They brought it out sizzling hot and served it to us table side. By this time I was already busting at the seams, so I only took a few bites, but it did not disappoint. So my compliments to the chef. I heated it up the next day and ate for breakfast ,then lunch. Even after ordering all this food they brought out desserts for us and ice cream for the kids, FREE OF CHARGE. It felt like they were just showing their appreciation for our business, which is so rare these days. With everything we ordered, drinks included our bill was just over 100 bucks. Overall our experience was amazing and we will definitely be back. If you are looking for some swanky, up scale place this is not it. But if you are looking for a place with great food, great service and friendly people, look no further you have found it. read more

Wonderful food and service. Great portions too! The paella could easily feed four. The food is love! These were some of the best empanadas I've ever had. read more

I truly enjoyed this Spanish restaurant in Blue Island. Excellent quality much better than I had expected. Portions are quite large. Wish they had sampler platters. Will definitely be coming here again. The paella was excellent. Love the potato pancake and empanadas. Will need to make some time to try other menu items. read more

HIGHLY RECOMMEND this outstanding family-owned/operated restaurant that serves delicious, flavorful Spanish-style tapas and entrees. The meal starts with a complimentary plate of mouth-watering garlic bread and bowls of savory lentil soup. SOOO good. Our party of four ordered empanadas (spinach & mushroom and chicken), goat cheese in tomato sherry sauce, tortilla española, mushrooms stuffed with spinach & manchego cheese, and vegetable paella. All dishes were freshly prepared, seasoned well, and served very hot. We also had a pitcher of sangria (of course), full of apples & oranges, no ice. Our server brought us ice upon request. We all agreed afterwards that the sangria was agreeably strong and called for a post-meal siesta. You can tell that the chef and staff (his wife and son) put their hearts and souls into this charming, little restaurant. It is warm, cozy, and comfortable. Perfect for an intimate, romantic dinner or a large family meal. The staff is very accommodating. My friend wanted to go for a bike ride and lunch for her birthday. After leisurely riding the Cal-Sag and Major Taylor Trails (highly recommend), we decided to explore downtown Blue Island. We saw the Spanish flags adorning La Vieja Castilla and were pleasantly surprised to find this gem of a restaurant in Blue Island, of all places. Our server, Alex, heard that it was my friend's birthday. At the end of our meal, after we were all pleasantly stuffed, Alex and his mother and father (the chef) brought us some rich & creamy flan with a birthday candle, and everyone in the restaurant, including another table of diners, sang "Happy Birthday." It was so delightful. We have been to other bougie, expensive Spanish tapas restaurants in Chicago, all with delicious food. However, La Vieja Castilla surpasses them in charm, warmth, and hospitality, which makes a delicious dining experience even more memorable. We will definitely return soon for another scrumptious meal. Btw, I am craving those empanadas the next day. read more

Amazing food and service. It's a gem! I went here with three friends before seeing a show at The Lyric. We ate... garlic bread, soup, three empanadas, two glasses of wine, a pitcher of sangria, and a platter of paella served table-side. Our bill for four (which includes the drinks and more delicious food than we could even finish) was less than $100. Tell your friends. Bring your family. read more

La Vieja Castilla - Those four plates are ONE order of paella - Spanish Near Me - Blue Island, Illinois

Fantastic food and drinks. Went to the Lyric and stopped in before a show. Hospitality was great and I will definitely be back.

Very disappointed.. Service was terrible. One table at a time. Food was over cooked. Asked for service 2 times and nothing. Asked for A sample Of wine and was given a margarita glass full.. the flan was over cooked and sour.. when I sent it back both the chef and the "mother" both came out of the kitchen to yell at me.. over all do not recommend, service,food, and "management"was horrible 10/10 Do not recommend read more

I'm not usually a big reviewer, but I think this business earned it. Long story short, my food order got lost from the online service that was provided. The service they provided when they found out was impressive, they were very apologetic. I got nothing but good thing to say about them. I'm writing this as I'm waiting, there is no place for me to sit cause all the tables are taken. That alone should tell you about he food. Definitely got a repeat customer. read more

I spotted theis restaurant while searching Mexican Food. wow was I totally impressed when I got there. This is a truly ovely decorated place to dine in. Its intimate, cozy and yet throughly inviting. The food is made with love and i can tast that in every morsel. Padilla, chicken, with some empanadas. While I waiting I was treated to a complimentary glass of their delicious sangria. Just glad I had only one glass I had to drive. This is just a beautiful gem tucked away in Blue Island on South Western Avenue. Please just stop by, you will not be disappointed, if you are... so what... I will return. read more

Look, if you've been to Spain and craving some of the flavors of Seville, Barcelona, Madrid, or the coast.... Just go here! Family owned and run, makes all the difference in experience. Kind of diner decor but they always have great Spanish music on the tv/sound system and the diner vibes are just the decor NOT the food! I do love the green thumb and plant vines in the foyer and front room.... Ok ok, food... MEATBALLS!!!! The BEST Spanish meatballs and Spanish sauce you've ever had! Garlic shrimp, paella, it all rocks! Oh, but let me mention your meal starts well with an endearing greeting from one of the family... and then, homemade soup and garlic bread with garlic aioli. My goal? Try EVERYTHING ON THE MENU!!! I've never felt this way about a place! So thankful a neighbor told me about it after I returned home recently from Spain, and cooking classes in Spain! Thank you Alex and family for your wonderful hospitality, flavors and recipes and just having a good hometown restaurant! I bring ALL MY OUT OF TOWN FRIENDS HERE!!! They all melt! read more

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