Cafecito in Chicago - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

I was so excited to try the Ropa Vieja pressed sandwich… however, the meat was a bit raw and the taste was not right. The seasoning is not all that good, which is really important when it comes to making Ropa Vieja. The Ropa vieja was more on the sweeter side than the savory side. All in all, a first time bad experience.

Great Cuban food. I don’t go into the city a lot, but I’ve been to this place a couple of times at they never disappoint.

Great vegan options for that splurge meal

Quick service! Delicious take out!

Awesome little spot with great sandwiches. I did both breakfast and lunch here one day (I went on my own for breakfast and company ordered it for the office for lunch) both times were great. The staff is also super friendly which makes it that much better.

first time going. I ordered a sandwich and bought chips. They gave me the sandwich w/o the chips. AS A FIRST TIME CUSTOMER I went to the cashier and asked for them. She looked me up and down a couple times and looked at the computer ignoring me so I gave her my name assuming she was gonna make sure I paid?? Instead she just rolls her eyes n stares so I repeated myself again saying I didn’t get lays. She then goes “grab them yourself” with the biggest attitude and rolls her eyes again. How tf was I supposed to figure to just grab the chips n go? RUDE!!!! It was the short middle aged Hispanic woman who looks aged an extra 10 years probably because she’s miserable AF. I’m sure she should recall since she looked me up and down multiple times and glared at me so I’m positive she got a good look.

Food is delicious, healthy, and authentic. Service is decent, more of pick and go kind of place. We dined in and it was a great experience albeit being small which added to the cozy ambiance.

I went here for breakfast and had a guava and cheese pastelito and a breakfast sandwich. I’m from south Florida and this is by far the best Cuban food I’ve had in Chicago. The pastry taste just like the ones I’ve had in Miami. I will definitely be going back.

Prices are reasonable, we tried the eggplant sandwich. The eggplants were not tasty, they use canned food, the bread was hot and fresh, more popular options can be tried

A very nice little cafe, small, but good, fresh food, delicious coffee. A good place to start the day with a good breakfast.

This was such a cute little breakfast spot and they have amazing caficitoa. The price is very affordable and it is always busy. We got the ham egg and cheese sandwich as well as the chorizo egg and cheese sandwich and both were awesome but their coffee store the show! For sure check it out if you are around. Very quick

Fun small shop! The chorizo breakfast sandwich was fantastic and didn't taste at all greasy. They have loose leaf tea too which was a great surprise! I tried the coconut and enjoyed it.

second time in a row that they forgot to add shoe string potatoes to my order when i requested it both times.

The food was delicious, they are bilingual and very attentive. The food not only tasted great but the dishes were also displayed well

Cafecito hit me like a truck! There was quite the demand for Cafecito during lunch hours, and the staff was moving quick to get everyone’s orders in. I got the Cubano sandwich and a single hot Cafecito (Cuban coffee). The sandwich was really good and a nice portion, and I liked it a lot with the guavapica salsa they had. The coffee came in half of a small cup but packed an absolute haymaker of a punch. I took about 3 sips of it and had to throw it away because it was just too much for me. I don’t even know if it was bad or if I’m just not built for it, but I’m going to stay away from Cuban coffee for awhile. I’ll probably be back to try another sandwich, though. The atmosphere is nice with decorations behind the order counter and different accomplishments on the wall. Overall, Cafecito gets 4 stars!

Doesn’t look much but the flavors will surprise you

Prefacing this by noting that I'm from Miami and am on an ongoing hunt for good Cuban food in Chicago, so I am harsher when it comes to reviewing them. The cuban sandwich is just okay. Not enough meat and the lechon wasn't very juicy. The biggest oversight (as with nearly every Cuban spot I've been to in Chicago) is that they don't use Cuban bread. However, the biggest offense is that for a spot that claims to be a Cuban cafe, they don't have croquetas or batidos, which is like going to an Italian restaurant and not finding pasta on the menu. The hunt continues.

Best Cuban sandwich and black bean soup in the city!

this place may never have pastelitos or croquetas when i happen to walk in, but they have the tastiest cafecito (cuban coffee) i’ve been able to order in the city. most places only do espresso that is super bitter. so, there you go. ☕️

You shouldn’t be allowed to call yourself a cuban restaurant if you don’t make cuban bread for your sandwiches. The cubans back home in Miami would be furious. I can’t speak for the rest of the menu, but my breakfast sandwich was terribly plain. The cashier assured me that it would still taste good, and it didn’t.

They are extremely busy at lunchtime. Try to get there for early lunch. Very limited seating, we always take out.

I had no idea how good their vegan menu is! Had the La Playa sandwich yesterday for lunch. Can’t wait to try it all.

I got a sandwich and the house coffee and it was great :)

Great authentic food!!! Definitely a new fave!

Great Cafe con Leche great atmosphere and service .

I went with a few coworkers to this nice hidden gem. I ordered the Cubano sandwich and the sweet plantains. They were so good and complemented the sandwich most delightfully. Staff were very friendly and pleasant, enjoyed the Spanish music as we had our lunch. I would recommend giving this place a visit. 👍🏼

I normally love this place but I had a poor experience today. We ordered food for my work and they completely forgot someone's sandwich, ignored subtractions from the sandwiches, and ignored additions. My sandwich was soaked in balsamic vinegar making the bread soggy, covered in onions which wasn't even listed as an ingredient, there was no cheese despite it being an ingredient on the menu, and they forgot to add chicken. They did offer for us to make a trip to the restaurant for replacement but none us us had time with our packed schedules. They did refund the missing sandwich and mine. Hopefully they're just having a bad day, but it makes me less likely to trust them again.

So cute! It's a great little side Cafe that has Cuban coffee and Cuban food. Coffee is sweet and aromatic and you can tell the coffee is sourced well. When it comes to cafes I explore new ones to find new tastes and experiences and this one has made me pleasantly satisfied. Got to sit under the L, do some people-watching, and enjoying the music while sipping coffee. Stop by its right off the Washington and Wells stop and is a great pit stop to start the day.

Mmmm, Chivito sandwich with their hot sauce and a caldo Gallego soup. Great place

My first experience there since my fiancee and I moved to Chicago. She was always raving about this spit and now I see why. We were greeted right when we walked in and allowed to take out time viewing the menu. The two women in the front were extremely courteous and professional. Then, the FOOD CAME OUT! I can speak for the jamon con huevos pressed to perfection. My partner had the pollo arugula and she loved it. We finished it up with a Cafe con leche with their delicious pastries and that was a wrap. All in all 10/10 experience for a place hidden in obscurity in the loop. Truly a hidden gem. Reminds me of my home in Florida during this polar vortex weather. Thank you Cafecito!

I go to Cafecito for a good sandwich from Mine to time. After going vegan I was so happy to find their vegan menu was just as delectable. The flavors I usually miss from before are all there when I order their sabor impossible or salchichón platillo. I can't think of a better use for beyond sausage or impossible meat. I hope they expand their vegan options but know I can rely on their menu at any location for a great meal either way! #veganuary

I was excited to try this place, but it was disappointing. I got the ropa vieja sandwich. Although the filling was flavorful, it was more of a smashed up mush. Maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be? This was my first time eating ropa vieja, so maybe my expectations were wrong? The other issue was the bread was very soggy. I cannot stand a soggy sandwich. I ate mine pretty quickly from the time I got it, so that’s not the reason. Overall, I tried it, but I can’t say I’ll be back.

They are always busy and I always get my food perfect ♥️♥️♥️ hasn't changed 😍

Choripan and the Cubano are my favorites. I'm never disappointed with a meal from here.

I live here, I get sandwiches every other day. My favourite chivito pressed sandwich

I don’t know what’s better. The sandwiches, the desserts or the nice staff. Highly recommend

Small cafe with amazing breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Super friendly staff. Not a ton of seating inside but four of us huddled around a table meant for two and enjoyed every bite of our meals. Perfect breakfast on a chilly day!

Tiny place so you won’t have room to dine in during lunch rush. They take about half an hour on average during the lunch hour when I order ahead on ritual. But the food is worth it imo. Jerk chicken, Ropa vieja, chipotle chicken - all delicious, well seasoned, good bread. Just great.

Got the Lechón sandwich, excellent

Great food with awesome vegetarian options. Friendly fast service and nice casual atmosphere. Would highly recommend!

This place is amazing. By far surpasses many big name restaurants and cafés! I highly recommend this place!!

Very crowded and service is slow. I waited 40 minutes for a cubano. It tasted good but not worth the wait.

I ate a Pollo Chipotle sandwich. It was nice.

Cuban sandwich to go. Very dry. Tasteless. I ate 1/3 and threw the rest away. Counter and expediting staff were efficient and very nice.

Delicious food! The sandwiches are amazing! Iced coffee was good too.

Go here or I'm telling your mom. PUNK!

Service was quick and friendly especially given how busy they were (I’d recommend getting your lunch order in before 11:45 to beat the longer lines) but the Jardin sandwich was underwhelming. I think maybe I got an underfilled sandwich considering all the great reviews I saw before. It just didn’t feel like enough within the bread and it was mainly just eggplant and very little of the other ingredients listed. However, I’ll try another sandwich next time before I fully write them off.

Can’t beat the price of this coffee and it’s good quality too. The only suggestion would be slightly less sugar in their cafe con leche!

Great food at a good price, little wait time

A great little place practically hidden beneath the train tracks. The coffee was excellent and the Cuban sandwich was delicious. Prices were also very fair. Overall I don't see any negatives to this place.

Great food and coffee. The Cubano sandwich is delicious. The inside is tiny, you definitely don't want to eat there, its also right under the El, so noise is an issue too. Take your food to go

Gloria at the Wells location was incredibly helpful in placing a catering order for a work event! Everyone in our office loves Cafecito!

This is a very small place, so would not recommend trying to hang out here with a group, but the food is excellent.

This location gets very busy during lunch, but service is fast. The Palomilla sandwich had good flavor, would get again

I love this place. They have great food, great pricing and fast service. One of the few good value lunch spots that still exists!

The most delicious and flavorful sandwich I have ever had. Can't wait to go back.

It’s a cute little spot to swing by and dine in at, but there are better Cuban joints than this one. You’d think their jerk chicken would have more of a kick to it than that.

Always amazing sandwiches— order here every time a large group come into the office for lunch. Have never had an issue, great catering service!

Had this catered for lunch at my work. So good I head up a few times a month for my fix. Great sandwiches and great coffee.

Very fast service. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options.

Small little place only 4 tables to sit but the food was amazing. First time there but I'll be back!

I had heard so many good reviews about this place and had it on my list for awhile before actually going. The food was amazing, I got a pressed sand which, guava pastry and the tres leche. All of it was delicious. I can wait to go back for breakfast.

My sandwich was unique, interesting and very delicious.

Literally amazing, GREAT coffee with bold flavor and a thick breakfast sandwich.

Buen lugar para disfrutar un bocadillo acompañado de un delicioso cafecito y destacar la buena atención de su personal

Cafe con leche & caldo gallogo soup slaps Sandwiches slaps

Take time for a Cafecito around the Windy City, North, South, East or West. Enjoy authentic Latin American cuisine, Cuban sandwiches, exotic tropical palm salads, tostones, platanitos fritos, mariquitas, side dishes, entrées, desserts like dulce de tres leches...

They have really good sandwiches, my personal favorite is the Guava-Q which is a guava BBQ style sandwich

Such a yummy spot to grab a quick meal!

Great sandwiches and maduros. Don't skip the cortaditos. Chicken sandwiches are ok but they really shine with their pork sandwiches and cubanos

Best affordable Cuban sandwiches in town. Every location is a hit but especially the south loop locations. These ladies work fast! Great drinks too

1st time customer. The food was ok a bit dry. Service was ok. I would go 1 more time to see if they improve.

Don't be fooled by the appearance! The food and coffee is some of the best I've had in Chicago. Have the Cafecito (double shot) and any of the breakfast or lunch sandwiches. You won't be sorry!!!

Love the sandwiches here, ropa vieja, provoletta and jerk sandwiches are great!

Amazing coffee amazing sandwiches! One of my new favorite coffee placea in the loop.

Had a chicken Chipotle sandwich and pasta salad, it was awful. The pasta salad was very dry and the sandwich was tasteless. Never again.

Cafe con leche is my go to here, its so tasty. It's a very small shop, a couple of tables and a bar area but most people grab and go. I haven't tried any of the food, to be honest, and the regular drip coffee is alright but my stars are for the great service and my cafe con leche.

Ordered through Uber. Jerk pressed sandwich, cuban bean soup and guava dulce de leches mousse cake. Jerk sandwich was good, need more Caribbean flavor. Dessert was delicious. Cuban black bean soup was salty , tasted like boiled water than soup and not good.

Manager was very rude when asked for a assistance with a catering. As a chef she should be placed in A position where she’s best suited dishwasher.

Serviceable downtown Cuban. The lunch crowd gets a bit disorganized, and the place is small, so know what you want, order and pay, and then stand out of the way. I was surprised that similar orders can take significantly longer than others. Two coworkers and I went in for sandwiches for lunch and one of us ordered an al pastor sandwich (because they were out of all chicken) and two of us got our sandwiches within 10 minutes, but it was closer to 20 for the al pastor sandwich. So not always the easiest experience at lunch; maybe ordering ahead would be better for this location.

Cafecito is one of my favorite lunch spots in the loop. The line can be pretty long but they’ll usually get you your drink while your waiting for your sandwich - and the sandwiches are worth the wait!

This was our wild card spot for lunch today while at work and we were all pleasantly surprised. Amazing vegan options weren't even advertised on Google maps, so I wanted to give a big shout out as the beyond impossible sandwich was wonderful! I was literally lamenting about my favorite pressed sandwiches and Cubano Fair and wishing there were vegan options (outside of my own kitchen) and low and behold, Cafecito delivered. I went with a non-vegan who ordered off the vegan menu as well as someone with dietary restrictions who found it easy to order a custom sandwich. We grabbed it to go because the eat in area is small and it was lunch time, but we will be back soon! The service was very kind and there were awesome soda and coffee options to go along with a great quick lunch.

I just started working in the neighborhood and was delighted to discover Cafecito. Everything I have tried has been delicious and all of the staff are friendly and helpful. The manager, Isabel, always goes above and beyond for her guests. A great change of pace from all the chain food in this area.

My favorite place so far in the loop

Casual but special place for coffee and a sweet

Had the Mojo Shrimp Platillo and not only was everything fresh but it was bursting with flavor! Enjoyed the laid back and comfortable atmosphere as well anndd they have Coco Rico 😄

Un lugar perfecto para recordar el delicioso sazón mexicano, a un precio regular comparado con los otros lugares.

The only sandwich I'll get downtown. Amazing, perfect every time. Huevos con chimuchurri for breakfast is the best - of course with a cafe con leche

Acogedor, buena comida y buena atención por un precio razonable teniendo en cuenta la zona.

Jerk chicken sandwich was delicious, juicy and very tasty. Will go back again very soon.

One of my favorite Cubano sandwiches, and their rice and beans are phenomenal. Only downside is the line out the door at lunch time, which says something about how good their food is.

Love you all. Crazy to see the restaurant with just few people inside. I remember before COVID-19 that the line used to be out the door every weekday afternoon. I hope you get that kind of success again soon—you deserve it.

El café nos gustó mucho, sabor fuerte cómo nos gusta, ofrecen mucha variedad de desayunos y comidas. Probamos el pastelito de queso con guayaba, tiene un bien balance sin embargo sabe mucho a manteca y eso no estuvo muy agradable, también probamos el pan con matequilla y cómo no le ponen nada puedes ponerle unos granitos de sal o azúcar según prefieras. Mi sugerencia sería con respecto al empacado ya que es una gran cantidad de basura que se genera, por ejemplo el pan con mantequilla tenía 3 empaques: 2 que lo cubrían y una bolsa de papel, creo que es demasiado. Sugeriría que si vas a tomar el café ahí ofrecerlo en taza y los alimentos en platos.

Delicioso el Café Cubano Lechero❤

Perfect Cuban sandwich besides the pork not tasting as fresh..

Wide variety of options, very warm and friendly staff, quality of the sandwiches and coffee is A+. Hidden gem in the heart of the city

Muchas gracias por un delicioso desayuno

Simply one of the best Cuban Cafes in Chicago - amazing coffee and delicious food

Good coffee and sandwich to start off the day

Nice little place for a good Cuban cup of coffee.