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Cafecito

Cuban Restaurant and Caribbean Restaurant$$$$
The Loop, Chicago
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8.4/10
294
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    Has a stamp of approval from Serious Eats and Chicago Tribune
    • Serious Eats
    • Chicago Tribune
  • Tips
    Nikola P.
    "Amazing Huevos Completo, even more amazing Cortadito coffee."(6 Tips)
    Anna
    "Excellent cuban sandwiches and black bean soup."(17 Tips)
    Chicago Tribune
    "dozen sandwiches and platters"(2 Tips)
    Corrine T.
    "Chicken chimichurri and Cuban coffee are yummy!"(2 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon65 Tips and reviews
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  • Kyle C.
    Kyle ChovanecApril 26, 2013
    This place is one of my favorites in the loop... Amazing prices for even better [cuban] food. Get the cafecito! One of most unique brews I've had. Well played cafecito!
  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsMay 13, 2013
    Cubano: The ingredients work together beautifully—there's subtly spiced roast pork, two layers of ham, acidic pickle slices, piquant mustard, and Swiss cheese that melts into every crevice.
  • Robert M.heart icon on user image
    Robert MeszarosAugust 16, 2016
    There's always a line. Always. I finally waited got my food and it was worth it. And mind you on for Miami, so I can tell the difference. Prices are good. taste is excellent. The ever present line is
  • Angie O.heart icon on user image
    Angie OsmanskiApril 24, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    There's almost a guarantee line 11:45-1:15. It's worth the wait for their consistently fresh food!! This place is definitely my favorite or a great sandwich and coffee at an affordable price!
  • Manuel B.heart icon on user image
    Manuel BoscoloNovember 16, 2015
    Honest affordable food if you're in to get a quick bite or a proper meal... if you're passing by it's a must instead of the big chains polluting out menus... you won't regret it
  • Jineen C.heart icon on user image
    Jineen CarcamoMarch 15, 2017
    Great space, slightly hard to find since it shares an entrance with an apartment building. Came for breakfast - food was great! Cuban coffee was on point!
  • Angela
    AngelaMarch 17, 2015
    Love love love all the sandwiches here. Don't skip a coffee con leche it's amazing! This tiny place gets a little crazy and hectic during lunch though.
  • Samantha R.
    Samantha RangelOctober 20, 2015
    They rly know how to manage a crowd here. The line is often out the door with hungry loop business lunchers. Their cortadito is a tad less sweet than the congress location.
  • Kyle F.heart icon on user image
    Kyle FowlerJune 30, 2015
    Get the Cubano. Its like the physical manifestation of the mouth watering visuals from the movie Chef.
  • Brian S.heart icon on user image
    Brian StraussFebruary 24, 2015
    Came here as an alternative the S-Bucks across the street and stumbled upon a great Cuban sandwich. Excellent Cafe con Leche.
  • Corrine T.heart icon on user image
    Corrine TaylorDecember 14, 2015
    Chicken chimichurri and Cuban coffee are yummy! Also, they have breakfast sandwiches (with or without bread).
  • Maurice W.heart icon on user image
    Maurice WilliamsMay 20, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    I suggest sitting by the window to enjoy some people watching as well as to glare at those walking into the Starbucks directly across the street while they make the wrong choice.
  • Angela L.
    Angela LoCiceroApril 26, 2013
    The Cafe con Leche is amazing, a large is $2.52. Much better coffee and so much cheaper than that other coffee place. :)
  • Spencer S.heart icon on user image
    Spencer SOctober 2, 2013
    Been here 100+ times
    Best coffee deals in The Loop. I always get a double cortadito. And don't forget to get your punch card punched!
  • Chicago Tribune
    Chicago TribuneJune 22, 2015
    Cuban spot with good coffee and more than a dozen sandwiches and platters, notably a killer Cubano sandwich. Read more
  • Michelle T.heart icon on user image
    Michelle TruongAugust 19, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Get the Chivito. A lil bit of everything in your sandwich, including a perfectly fried egg! Awesome.
  • M D.heart icon on user image
    M DohMay 16, 2021
    Group of 9 had different sandwiches and platters. All were good. Service and drinks great, too.
  • Autumn C.heart icon on user image
    Autumn ChoiMarch 27, 2018
    Love the cafe con leche and sandwiches but the employees (several) are consistently rude and forget/mess up the order, and all-around unprofessional
  • Megan S.
    Megan SullivanJune 19, 2013
    Great prices and delicious! The cafe con leche is so much better than anywhere else, and much better priced !
  • Cheryl A.heart icon on user image
    Cheryl AnnOctober 3, 2014
    Cortadito was perfect, not too sweet. And the jerk chicken sandwich is seasoned to perfection!
  • Harrison W.heart icon on user image
    Harrison WilliamsAugust 22, 2017
    Been here 25+ times
    Don’t let the long line discourage you, it tends to move fairly quickly.
  • Andrew H.
    Andrew HallMarch 21, 2013
    The Cubano sandwich by itself comes to $6.05 with tax so be sure to bring a nickel if you hate getting change back like I do
  • T-Sax
    T-SaxJuly 8, 2013
    Incredible rice & beans - perfect amount of spice. Ordered with the pollo arugula sandwich which is also great.
  • Mischaheart icon on user image
    MischaAugust 3, 2015
    Line during lunch is really long, but will move quickly. There will be someone to ask you for your order, let that improve the waiting time.
  • Philip T.heart icon on user image
    Philip TamOctober 5, 2015
    Great sandwiches and wonderful staff. Reasonably priced for downtown
  • Jillian B.heart icon on user image
    Jillian BurnickasSeptember 15, 2016
    This place is always packed and for good reason. Order ahead to avoid the wait.
  • Matt S.heart icon on user image
    Matt SilvermanMay 16, 2015
    Delicious Cubano sandwich for less than $6. A must-try.
  • Cary B.heart icon on user image
    Cary BlackSeptember 24, 2014
    Get the Cubano, you won't be disappointed.
  • Terence C.heart icon on user image
    Terence ChanDecember 18, 2014
    Decent cubano and cafe de leche. Had better and the sandwich is a tad on the small side. Not a bad experience overall
  • jadey r.
    jadey ryndakMay 20, 2013
    Cafe con leche is very good. Worth a stop just for that.
  • Nikola P.heart icon on user image
    Nikola PlejicSeptember 11, 2014
    Amazing Huevos Completo, even more amazing Cortadito coffee.
  • Chazamm
    ChazammAugust 1, 2016
    Been here 25+ times
    Worth the wait, but always a line...Joint needs more space
  • Steve F.heart icon on user image
    Steve FunteasFebruary 22, 2019
    Cubano and pasta salad were excellent!
  • AV
    AVJuly 7, 2014
    Jerk sandwich is pretty good but heck, their hot sauces are kickass.
  • Douglas B.heart icon on user image
    Douglas BermudezSeptember 5, 2014
    Cortados! They have a great selection of coffee.
  • Tamara
    TamaraMay 20, 2015
    Hey Cafecito, you should join Freebie! It’s pretty rad and the benefits are great for both you and me. Check it out! http://taps.io/freebie
  • Annaheart icon on user image
    AnnaFebruary 19, 2016
    Excellent cuban sandwiches and black bean soup.
  • Rachel C.heart icon on user image
    Rachel C.April 7, 2014
    Been here 50+ times
    They make a killer Cuban cafe con leche.
  • Chris S.heart icon on user image
    Chris ShackletonJuly 17, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    The Choripan is heavenly. Get some hot sauce to go in the back corner.
  • Paul R.heart icon on user image
    Paul RossiMarch 28, 2015
    One of the best Cuban sandwiches I've ever had.
  • Paul F.heart icon on user image
    Paul FarrellApril 17, 2015
    Amazing value. Really authentic
  • Scott D.heart icon on user image
    Scott DNovember 15, 2015
    Excellent coffee/espresso and sandwiches
  • Meriya T.heart icon on user image
    Meriya ThomasApril 11, 2014
    Awesome place! With lots of stuffs to try!
  • Willheart icon on user image
    WillApril 23, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Guava-Q sandwich is amazing. Try a cortadito as well.
  • Andrew G.heart icon on user image
    Andrew GriesemerFebruary 5, 2015
    Been here 25+ times
    Don't let the long line scare you away. Service is quick.
  • Eric M.
    Eric MunnSeptember 11, 2013
    The Guava-Q with pork is excellent
  • Nick B.heart icon on user image
    Nick BarellaJuly 12, 2019
    Any Cuban sandwich
  • Spencer S.heart icon on user image
    Spencer SOctober 2, 2013
    Been here 100+ times
    They take LevelUp if you enjoy paying with your phone and earning cash for dining out. Read more
  • Avinash S.heart icon on user image
    Avinash SalgamMarch 18, 2016
    Order the Cubano
  • Consta K.heart icon on user image
    Consta KNovember 4, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    Great eggplant salad
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