Great food, you can tell because people of the culture were eating there. That's how you know it's really good! Kinda small though, so don't expect to eat there. read more

This is place is such a hidden gem in Des Plaines. Love it. The best part is they offer cafe con leche decaf with plant based milk. So hard to get that in the city. The service was fast and we didn't have to wait too long. Que Bola Cuban Cafe is has that Miami feel. A must try!!! read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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The food was INCREDIBLE!!! I have had Cuban food on multiple occasions and this some of the best. Staff was super nice. 10/10 recommend going here! read more

This place is a hidden gem in the suburbs and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great meal from breakfast, lunch, dinner and catering options. Food was great and service was exceptional. We had a little bit of everything on the menu to help us prepare to cater for our wedding and no plate was a disappointment. Definitely passing on the review to friends and family. Try the ropa vieja ... it's delicious! read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Catering Cuban food - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Been here twice for lunch for work. Cozy spot and I've heard it gets busy but fortunately our lunch time is not a normal time so we have always been able to sit. Both times the employees were very nice. Service is pretty quick. I tend to just drink water most of the time and they bring a carafe of water to the table with some cups. The first time I had the lechon asado sandwich. The sandwich was very good and I enjoyed the sweet potato chips that came with it. The mayo they give on the side is fantastic! The second time I had a steak jibarito. It was good but I liked the lechon I had previously. I don't understand the garlic sauce poured on top. I guess visually it works but it's a pain to eat. I'd much rather have the sauce inside or on the side instead of all over my hands. I might not get it again for that reason. The arroz con gandules was good but I'm not a rice fan. I tried the cucumber salad and it was refreshing but probably not something I'd get again. Cucumber, onion, and radish with a dressing on the side. Overall I am very happy with the opening of this cafe and look forward to sitting down for a sandwich (maybe a coffee as well). read more

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Ok the fried plantain slices are chefs kiss , BUT what is is happening with Cuban steak sandwich ... y'all doing way too much.. why is the steak asado.. why is there tomatoe and lettuce on it. And whats up w/ the italian vinegarette it not an italian sub. The 2 star rating is for the plantain. read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

First time here and it was excellent! Very clean, great service and the sandwich was spot on delicious. I'm coming back, and I don't even live here. read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Cubano Sandwich and smoothie. Great combo! - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

UPDATE:4/4/24 So I've dropped in a few times to see if they've improved. One prior visit I found hair in my rice which I tried for the 1st time ( congri ) I was sickened by the strand of hair to where I didn't finish it. I reported it to one of the girls who went back to tell someone in the kitchen ...Well obviously the Des Plaines Health Department doesn't require putting on a hair net because today I stopped in for coffee and some -Mariquitas ( plantain chips with sauce) and guess what I found?!!? HAIR ! little strands of hair - 2 to be exact- one loose and one embedded in one of the chips( picture included) so given how I've been told to give them a chance to get settled in. Guess what... hair in your food is not negotiable! Period!. None of the kitchen workers including the mgr/owner/cook whoever he is , still do not wear netting. Freaking DISGUSTING!. & I get it, once every now and then you'll come across a hair in your food but 2xs?! on separate occasions and far apart. But 1st time should've been a warning to the owner , but owner /partner obviously does but take precautions. DONE! NO MORE read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Stayed over for a flight to Boston and found this gem- it's not big or flashy but the food is phenomenal and the portions are huge! Highly recommend this place! read more

I usually go to Starbucks for my morning coffee until I seen this gem as I was driving, let me just say it is the cutest place ever! I order the Cuban sandwich, a Cubanito (coffee) and a medianoche.. wow the food and coffee were so delicious! I'm so happy to know they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner! Definitely will be coming to try out the other delicious foods they offer! The ambiance is cute like I mention above the walls are beautifully covered in Cuban culture and the place is so tidy and welcoming. Service was excellent as well! Definitely gives this place a try! read more

Really great Cuban food. So glad to have this in the neighborhood. Awesome Cuban sandwich. Can't wait to try the rest of the menu. Very nice people and customer service as well. read more

The space is small but very decorative and nice great murals on the wall. Service was quick and efficient, the food was tasty, we tried the jibarito and steak sandwich, and took a pork sandwich to go. We loved the sweet potato chips those were real good. We also tried the cheese and guava pastries, also real good and fresh. I forgot to take pictures because i was too hungry read more

Food presented well, I got the sandwich cubano and the meat was all fat. I lost my appetite right away from chewing it all. I've had many better Cuban sandwiches and to top it off 2 drinks 2 sandwiches and 2 sides was $50 which isn't ridiculous but the quality is very poor read more

Amazing Cubano sandwich and espresso! I'll find you on the next trip to Chicago! Thanks for a fabulous lunch. read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Cubano Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Food was pretty much authentic but the quality of the cut of meat for el bistec encebollado needs improvement it was a bit stringy with fat on it. The palomilla cut does not have fat on it like this. La vaca frita was good as well as the empanadad. read more

Just like the Cuban sandwiches and black beans I ate growing up !! the pork dissolves in your mouth I wish I got to try their ropa vieja 10/10 read more

Great food and very authentic. Coming from living in Miami and missing eating Cuban food, this brings me back and I love that it's local.

Owner was so nice. The food was amazing. The rice was really good. I loved the jiberito sandwich. The mayo on top made it super messy but did not distract from the flavor. I can't wait to try more. read more

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Had the egg,chorizo and cheese sandwich is also comes with some fresh mad potato chips and of course I had to have the cafe con leche my personal favorite when it comes to coffee. The food was good and the coffee on point I will be coming back today for either lunch or dinner. The only reason I don't give my experience 5 stars is price which is not really their fault with current food prices but so far I like what I have had so far,I could be wrong about the potato chips they may have been yuca chips either way they were good read more

First time here.. we absolutely loved the food. Can't wait to come back and try other food. Everything was very fresh and seasoned perfectly. Brought my mom for lunch and she was very pleased. She said this is going to be our new spot!!! read more

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This restaurant was so good! It was perfect after a long day of travel. The food was delicious with large portions and great mocktails. 2 of us shared 2 empanadas and one main dish and it was amazing! We especially loved the beans and chicken and the plantain was cooked perfectly. The staff were so kind and gave us extra sauces to try and some free dessert. Would absolutely come back and highly recommend! read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Mojito - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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We called to ask a question about the restaurant and the lady would not answer us or help us out. Maybe she didn't understand us or know what we were talking about but she could have offered to get someone else to help us. If it was a language barrier she could have asked me to speak Spanish. read more

If you are looking for great Cuban food, this is your place!! The restaurant is super clean and the atmosphere takes me back to south Florida. I had the Chimichurri Steak sandwich and it was delicious. I also ordered a side of Congri and sweet plantains that hit the spot. Don't forget to get a Cortadito and Flan for dessert. Marco, one the owners, is the best. I will definitely be back!!! read more

This place is great, local, great coffee, great food, I ordered the Cuban sandwich my husband ordered a steak sandwich. Both were great, comes with sweet potato chips which are crisp, not too sweet, and not greasy. We also both ordered a cordatito I love the coffee, so nice to have something besides Starbucks. The bread on the sandwiches are so good. Thanks for opening something different in our town ! We need the variety. The owner and staff were so kind and friendly, small place not a lot of tables but still cute cafe style inside. read more

You would never know from the outside but what a gem! The menu is full of authentic Cuban cuisine and everything is fresh. The place is small but super clean, quaint and very cute inside. Even the bathroom is spotless. I enjoyed every bite and the portions were amazing. The service is fast and they are very responsive if you need anything. read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Jibarito y Arroz con Gandules - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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I traveled back to the Chicago area after having lived in an Asian country for the last several years. I knew there just had to be a place that served great Cuban sandwiches. I tried out Que Bolo and found out I was totally right. I'm no connoisseur of Cuban food, but this sandwich was fantastic. My son had a bite and liked it, so we ordered the kid's size Cuban sandwich. He's a bit of a fussy eater, but there wasn't much of this sandwich left. The potato chips that came with it were simple but clearly made to order. They look like they're sliced and fried right in the kitchen. My child's order came with a generous serving of chips as well. The service was great. I didn't have to wait too long for my food, and it came out HOT. They have Cuban music playing and the booth seating definitely fits the theme. Having a glance in the kitchen and looking over the menu, it seems this is a family business that is very recently established. I hope Que Bolo is becoming a local hotspot because they deserve it. read more

I was excited to try this new restaurant. I was very disappointed in the Cubano sandwich. It tasted rancid. I had to spit it out. The sweet potato chips were good along with the cafe con leche was amazing. I'm not happy with the fee for using my debit card. I paid $15.50 for sandwich and latte. Had to toss sandwich due to taste and only had coffee then. Won't be back. read more

Excellent Cuban sandwich and coffee. Great spot if you want some quick quality food. The kitchen staff who was rapping along some songs in Spanish was the cherry on top read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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I went to Que Bola today and let me tell you it was not I expected. I had to repeat my order at least three times and we both spoke Spanish! then he charges me twice for my drink and then brings me a coffee instead of the soda I ordered. Let's go to the sandwich now. It had NO flavor and was the worst steak sandwich that I have ever eaten. I have been to other cuban restaurants like cafe Marianao and Senor Pan and let me tell you, I don't see Que Bolao open long term. read more

Extremely delicious food. Service was amazing and it feels like a small part of Cuba! I will be coming back for sure

Highly recommend this spot. It's nice to see the expansion of Latin food here in the area. As a traveler when I see a place to eat a Cubano & drink some Cuban coffee I take it. El Cubano was actually really good! The meat was tender, the crispy texture of the bread was perfect, the way the pickles were sliced were how you were supposed to have them! The espresso there was great! I had 3. The service was very pleasant. The place took me from being in the suburbs to a place of comfort. Now the ambiance... it made me happy just being around the culture within the restaurant. I sat there eating, drinking and listening to the music for roughly 2 hours. It's a spot worth noting & marking whether you go by yourself, with family, friend, or respective partner. You can count me coming back! read more

Que Bola Cuban Cafe - The front of the restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Second time here and have to say the steak Jibarito is spectacular, the plantain chips with guacamole were super tasty and the yuca fries were perfection. This is my new go to secret spot in Des Plaines! read more

Mediocre Cuban. Mexican owners can't have any idea what food should taste like. I so wanted it to be fabulous. The smoothing I had was good but they were out of a lot and only just opened. Pastelito was ok. read more

A great find as we were staying in to area awaiting a morning flight. Staff were welcoming and friendly, food was great, plentiful, and affordable. The black beans were a highlight along with their amazing array of sauces. Highly recommended! read more

The food was 4+ stars, but the charm of this little place puts it to *****. I ordered for takeout, but in the few minutes or so for my order to be ready, I saw the owner (who also worked the ordering) pay close and friendly attention to the 5 or 6 tables where people were eating. I liked his demeanor and his "hustle". It is refreshing to see someone work so hard to make a go of a difficult business. I had the Cuban, but will def go back to try other things. Yes, try this place in the middle of an old strip mall with a 7-Eleven at one end. You won't be disappointed read more

Food is good but the vibe is weird. The women who work here are always staring at us in such a weird way. They smile with the men and the women they treat different. It's such a weird vibe Every-time we visit . My friend walked in with her husband and all they do is stare at him while she's with him it's so disrespectful this place should be more professional read more

The food is incredible. We came on a whim and it was a great choice! We had pan con bistec y queso, tostones, maduros fritos, and mango smoothies - I cannot wait to return. read more

First time visiting this 3-month new restaurant and it did not disappoint. The staff was very friendly and helpful and the food was superb! Fresh ingredients, sizable portions, welcoming presentations. The restaurant is cozy and clean. I will absolutely be going back for more. read more

Food is great, love having a local Cuban place. Seating is very limited but the staff is friendly, would recommend!

This place is the Bomb.com! Their hospitality + good food is what makes this place a fav! Happy to have ran into this spot. Will be coming back and definitely tell your friends+ family! read more