Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (21) sandwich (17) sandwiches (11) coffee (10) Cuban (8) great (8) service (8) order (8) delicious (7) menu (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Lena J. 2 years ago on Google
    A whole in the wall Cuban coffee + sandwich shop located right off of the busy street of Ida B. Wells tucked inside of a hostel. If you don’t know about this place you will miss this hidden gem that is frequented by college students and travelers alike. Equipped with wifi and Cuban coffee for a perfect place to get work done and eat if you’re hungry. I ordered the Ropa Vieja sandwich that has marinated steak and plantains inside of it and let me tell you — it’s 10/10 perfectly savory and sweet. Also ordered the jerk sandwich that had the perfect amount of spice to it. This place place does not disappoint and is incredibly inexpensive. Each sandwich is under $10 and huge portion sizes. I can’t wait to come back here again!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 JC O. 9 months ago on Google
    Service was great, food was so good, brought memories of when I lived in Florida, everything everyone tried was delicious. The cafecito was great but I enjoyed the vanilla coffee a bit more. Easy to get to, fast service with lots of options and made to order food. Bathroom was clean and the atmosphere was very relaxed.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mona T. 1 year ago on Google
    went for dinner around 6pm and it was decently packed. i ordered the jardin sandwich with eggplant, mozzarella and other veggies— was good, but didn’t quite hit as expected. there might’ve been a little too much balsamic as it was a bit too sour and veggies were on the blander side. overall solid though and consuming the sandwich was an enjoyable experience. i would go again to try some of their other sandwiches and dishes. good vibe overall.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kathrin K. 5 months ago on Google
    I always get the same sandwich bc it's always delicious! The ropa vieja. If it's your first time and you eat meat, do get that. Fast service, nice people, and a lot of menu options! Not too expensive either.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Oisemj O. 8 months ago on Google
    Had the Guava-Q Chicken Platillos for early dinnee. Love the whole thing - fried plantains, pineapple/cabbage? salad, and the sauces with the chicken is soooo good. I went to the Cafecito branch in the loop. They have other locations in Chicago
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hector G. 8 months ago on Google
    The food was excellent, the Ropa Vieja sándwich had so much flavor. It had cranberries and plantains pair with steak. Hands down the best cuban sandwich I have ever had. The café con leche was perfect! I would definitely be coming back for more!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Heather L. 9 months ago on Google
    Food was soo good. We got the ropa vieja pressed sandwich and tuna pressed sandwich. Both had generous portions of meat/tuna inside the sandwich and we were full after just that. Both sandwiches were very flavorful too! They also have a vegan menu with several options. Edit: came back the next day for breakfast and had the egg and cheese pressed sandwich. Sooo good and generous with the egg portions. Had to get another cafe con Leche - LOVED IT.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alisha P. 1 year ago on Google
    Seriously, yum! The restaurant is located inside of a hostel and is on the smaller side but the food is GREAT. I went for breakfast in the morning since it was close to my hotel. I ordered the huevos habaneros. SO tasty! Be sure to ask for the hot sauce. Very cost efficient and a great way to start the morning 😊

  • 4/5 Joaquin D. 1 year ago on Google
    Good Cuban food in Chicago. It is a drop in and drop out kind of place. Fast service with a welcoming staff. The restaurant could use some croquetas to compliment the selections.

  • 5/5 Dylan I. 1 year ago on Google
    Noticed I was right by Cafecito around lunchtime and decided to stop by; I have been to their other location but not this one. Both are hole-in-the-wall style as they are connected to other buildings. Their menu boasts a variety of cuban eats as well as classic cafe staples. Their chivito sandwich is one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten and the caldo gallego is delicious. Unassuming ambiance but staff are super friendly at both locations and the food rivals much more expensive restaurants. Great to grab a bite for lunch or a chill spot to get some work done.

  • 3/5 Wall F. 1 year ago on Google
    This was the BEST cafecito I’ve ever had. That being said the food definitely fell short. The meat just seemed a little subpar. Cubans and Palomilla were the meat offenders, didn’t really enjoy either one. The cafecito is responsible for 2 of the 3 stars and the other one is because the service was good.

  • 4/5 Namitha S. 7 months ago on Google
    The Ropa Viejo breakfast platter was amazing for the money. The mest was well seasoned byt the eggs are over fried. The chipotle mayo which you can add to your order at no extra cost was amazing. In contrast, the Mary y Tierra sandwich was a rip off. I ordered online. The food was ready earlier than expected. I walked up and they immediately gave me my takeout order. They have a decent restroom. The place looked busy with a long line for ordering at the counter. The location was easy to find. Although my husband had to circle around the block till I got out.

  • 5/5 Meghan A. 7 months ago on Google
    This place has some of the best iced coffee I’ve ever had! Had to go back a couple hours later for more. Food was amazing as well, and quick to come out. Very happy with this place :)

  • 5/5 David R. 6 months ago on Google
    Ordered the Cuban sandwich. Really good! Fast service, very nice staff. Grabbed a pastry on the way out which just as delicious!

  • 5/5 Justine M. 9 months ago on Google
    As I'm preparing to leave Chicago in a couple of hours, I had to get packed and ready to check out of the Ida B. Wells Hostel (I highly recommend) and found myself with no time to venture out on a specifically "Vegan" quest for breakfast. As is the case with most hostels I've stayed at, they do offer free breakfast, but the Vegan offerings are practically nonexistent, with only doughy bagels and jelly, or granola/cereal with no plant-based milk offered. I prefer to eat nothing. Nevertheless, there happens to be a wonderful café immediately adjacent to the hostel - Cafecito! And they have "Vegan Specialties" and I've made a point of uploading a photo of that portion of the menu here, as I literally wolfed down the Vegan Pan con Bistec I ordered, along with a large coffee (their coffee is da' bomb!) And the woman who took my order made me my coffee fresh and graciously added the two packets of organic stevia, that I always carry with me on trips, along with the soy milk that offer as well. They have a total of nine (9) items on their Vegan menu, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, including background music playing at just the right level, plenty of tables and chairs for solo diners, couples and groups, where you can sit and work, socialize or map out your tour of Chicago. I definitely recommend them if you happen to be in the area. Pros: Nine Vegan options on the menu, Great service!, Very comfortable

  • 4/5 S S. 3 months ago on Google New
    Great lunch spot near the AIoC. The Guava-Q with roasted pork, caramelized onions, guava bbq sauce, and jicama slaw is sweet, saucy and amazing. I also had a cafe con leche on ice, which was a great pick-me-up prior to an afternoon of walking the galleries.

  • 4/5 Benoist 5 months ago on Google
    Had lunch there for a week. Excellent sandwiches. Coffee quality varied significantly (from very good to below average).

  • 2/5 Laura A. 1 year ago on Google
    I was really excited to try this place because of the good review however I was really disappointed… The food was extremely greasy that I couldn’t finished it. Taste was good but the amount of oil on my plate was ridiculous also the potatoes were not fresh. Food here, reminds me of Waffle House. Unfortunately I cannot recommend the place for breakfast maybe their sandwiches and/or salads are a better option.

  • 5/5 Alexis A. 2 years ago on Google
    Great Cuban coffee, great service and food. If you are looking for a great breakfast or lunch before to continue your trip Cafecito is the place. They have 4 location I visited 2 (amazing experience), also local people love too.

  • 5/5 B J. 2 years ago on Google
    Cute coffee shop with a solid latte. Came here for a pit stop to warm up, do some work, and grab a coffee. There was a slight evening rush but the wait wasn't too long. Cute vibes and although I didn't eat any of the food it did look and smell delicious.

  • 5/5 N/A 2 years ago on Google
    Delicious! One of the best cubans ive had in chicago. Ordered via uber eats. The sandwiches were still so hot gooey and juicy when they arrived. So good. Will definitely have again and try other menu items. Ive been thinking about it all day. Lol

  • 1/5 D R. 1 year ago on Google
    For starters, the place looks dirty and uninviting. I don't mind the cafe setting and fast service but at least keep the place clean. Second, the lady who took our order was unpleasant. Attitude in her demeanor. I would also suggest turning up the music to drown out the loud inappropriate chatter between the staff. I'm happy they all get along but sadly, the joyful energy doesn't transfer to the dining customers. I can tell they simply don't care overall. The food was ok. I had a sandwich which I finished because I was hungry. My husband has a chicken platter. The chicken was ok but the rice and beans did not taste good. As a latina, I love to support Latino businesses but this one definitely is off the list. Too bad. Hope they make some changes if they care about staying around.

  • 4/5 Mike X. 2 years ago on Google
    Not a lot of people on a Saturday morning. Cubano and huevos completo sandwiches came out quickly and we're delicious. Great quick bite to eat.

  • 4/5 Greg E. 2 years ago on Google
    Picked up the Cubano and the Choripan sandwiches. Both were good, but I give the nod to the Choripan for the unique flavor of the chorizo chunks. Be sure to try the hot sauce they have in the little containers - it goes great on the sandwiches! The food is made to order and takes a little while to get, so prepare to wait for a bit or eat in.

  • 5/5 George Z. 2 years ago on Google
    Ordered the classic Cubano Sandwich with a Cuban Black Bean Soup on the side. This was an amazing Cubano Sandwich, even better than sandwiches in Miami, FL. I also highly recommend the Cuban black bean soup. make sure to add the guava habanero hot sauce to it for some spicy sweetness. For less than $15 for the whole meal it was very good and tasty on a cold day. Parking is available on the street with a meter or in self-pay parking lots nearby. There is ample parking, but don't expect to find any free parking anywhere unless you belong to an Xsport Fitness gym for 2hrs free parking with validation.

  • 5/5 DeeDee M. 2 years ago on Google
    The Cuban sandwich & cafecito were DELICIOUS!! The restaurant has a nice, cozy vibe to it as well.

  • 5/5 Nancy W. 2 years ago on Google
    Delicious food. Creative sandwiches. Vegetarian options and pretty quick.

  • 5/5 Jesus L. 2 years ago on Google
    Love the vibe here! Finally a real topless gentlemens club in Sacramento that serves good alcoholic drinks.

  • 5/5 Taressa Van D. 2 years ago on Google
    Many vegan and vegetarian options. I still dream of this place. The food was so good!

  • 5/5 Murillo A. 2 years ago on Google
    Good food and good place. I like the staff, they made everything better than expected

  • 5/5 Jose C. 2 years ago on Google
    Such a great little place. The food was delicious, wished I was able to try more after the original plate but the portions are good. I cannot wait to go back and try something else.

  • 5/5 Ellise V. 2 years ago on Google
    We went with this cafeteria and just wanted some drinks. First, the waiter asked what we should order. He was very entertaining and nice to us. When he already gives us our order, the teas taste good and yummy. Besides, their place was very good to take a photo, for it has a style and modern to look at. After we have the tea, we realized that we should be back here. Till next time!


Call +1 312-922-2233 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid parking lot
    • ✓️ Difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Sandwich shops nearby

Last updated:
()