Irazú Costa Rican Restaurant & Catering

★★★★☆ 4.3 (2439) • $$

"One of our favorite spots in Chicago! The food is always delicious, service is great, and the atmosphere is laid back and fun! We always start with a variety of empanadas. My favorite is the jalapeño and cheese and the plantain and cheese. The surf and turf burrito is amazing! There is so much steak and shrimp inside and it is always perfectly cooked and incredibly flavorful. The portion is also very large and makes for great leftovers! The Casado is also a great dish with a variety of flavors and textures. Don't forget to end with an oatmeal shake! They also do great catering! Love this place and will continue to return!"

Cafe con Leche

★★★★☆ 4 (1159) • $$

"We came in on a Sunday morning and were able to be seated immediately in their outdoor patio. The brunch menu has a good variety of options ranging from American standards (pancakes, French toast, eggs with sausage) to more Latin items like tortas, chilaquiles, etc. we opted for the latter; the coffee came out quickly, but the food took some time given it was breakfast food. It arrived at our table lukewarm at best, but the overall flavors were good and the portion sizes were generous. Overall I'd say it was a good experience!"

Flo

★★★★☆ 4.1 (1060) • $$

"My love and I dined at Flo yesterday. Although Flo seems to be known as more of a brunch place, we experienced a wonderful dinner. We were seated immediately when we entered early on a Saturday evening, and the restaurant was chill and not too crowded until near the conclusion of our meal when a party of 16 adults and young kids wandered in. Service was pleasant and unobtrusive. There was minimal waiting for anything at all.Flo touts its traditional southwestern / New Mexico cuisine. Having never been to New Mexico, I was excited to try the carne adovada. It's called a New Mexico specialty, and after savoring the whole dish I can tell you it's a deserved title. The tender little chunks of braised pork loin are bathed in a deep red chile sauce that is flavorful and zingy without being overly spicy. The crispy little hemispheres of red potatoes, thin wedges of avocado and tortillas were perfect accompaniments to the saucy pork. My love enjoyed her grilled salmon, with heirloom potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, and crispy brussels sprouts, as well as her hibiscus margarita. The portion sizes were also right on the money. After enjoying the delicious and reasonably priced food at Flo, we vowed to come again when in the area."

Takito Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (745) • $$

"Been here several times. On this occasion came for Taco Tuesday specials. On Tuesdays they have $3 tacos (for the most part). Between us girls we ate about 4 tacos each. Unanimously agreed that Shrimp Taco with Strawberry Pico was thee favorite. We also enjoyed the Skirt Steak and the Fish Taco. Our night was very pleasant with Juan guiding us through the menu. Juan also was very good about telling us his favorite entrees. Three Yelp Elite ladies left very happy on Taco Tuesday. So nice to bond over food and hang with these girlfriends. Drinks: Passion Fruit Margarita with sugar room was my favorite. Gabby loved Lychee Margarita."

Janik's Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (633) • $$

"03/19/24 - My buddy brought me here for breakfast this morning. Nice restaurant directly across the street from Cafe Istanbul on Division. When we went in we were greeted & seated. The server/owner suggested the chilaquiles which were very good. I wouldn't mind going back and tryi some of the other items on their menu"

Papa's Cache Sabroso

★★★★☆ 4.2 (627) • $$

"Overall Thoughts: Delicious, garlicky jibaritos; exceptional service and inviting staff (Papa himself gave us a warm welcome too)! Indoor seating is limited, but they have a toasty, heated outdoor space for cold winter days. Prices are reasonable too.Food I tried:- Ribeye Steak Jibarito: The steak was super juicy and flavorful, and the plantain was quite densely flattened. Adding their garlic sauce on top added a nice kick. The arroz con gandules on the side was also extremely good-- a little crispy, very flavorful and aromatic. - Shredded Chicken Jibarito: The shredded chicken was also tender and juicy with great flavor, but I think the flavor of the steak was more robust, which I preferred.-- Price (relative to peers): 4.4/5Food: 4.7/5Ambience: 4.8/5Service: 5/5Overall Value: 4.7/5"

Mima's Taste of Cuba

★★★★☆ 4.2 (498) • $

"Best ropa vieja I've ever had - bar none!It came in a cute little caldero and was packed with flavors.The kids had empanadas with cheese and it came with guava dip/salsa. My wife got the pica kos bowl and it hit the spot!We both had sangria which completed the vibe.The maduros and tostones were perfectly made.Highly recommend!!"

Azul 18

★★★★☆ 4.1 (417) • $$

"How have I been slacking on so many places? We actually just ate here recently as we were in the neighborhood. This is a really great place and one of our favorites along that whole street. Food quality is excellent. We usually sit outside and we recently had some flavored Micheladas and they were delicious."

Riobamba

★★★★★ 4.5 (334) • $$

"We tried this place based on Yelp reviews, and I was a bit disappointed. Located in a strip mall and there was ample parking. You order at the counter and service was ok, not over friendly. Your food is brought to your table, but we had to get napkins and utensils. My husband tried the carne asada street tacos and I had a al pastor bowl. The portions were fine. I would have liked chips and salsa to be included One small container of salsa is included, but a second comes with a charge. Food was pricey considering what you received."

Bendita Cocina

★★★★☆ 4.1 (381) • $$

"Nice and cute in a strip mall close to the cutting theatre in palatine. My friend and I stopped for a quick bite before a comedy show and enjoyed the food but the service slow as hell and we ended up missing 15 mins of the show. The sauce on calamari was very flavorful and delicious with hints of saffron., mussels were very sandy, not fun!The wines were pretty good and well paired with our seafood. I may come back if ever in the area."

El Nandu Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (392) • $$

"My husband and in-laws came here at 4:30 on a Friday and it was a empty but great for us. We got to choose where to sit and got our waters and bread right away. We ordered a bunch of empanadas (shrimp, spinach, beef). Our server gave us ham empanadas by accident but corrected them by bringing us the shrimp a few minutes later. We got 2 pitchers of their sangria because it was sooo refreshing, especially on a hot day. We got our entrees, I got the chicken in chimichurri sauce. It was a bit salty but the fries were good. The steaks were very good. Our waitress always checked up on us. Place was very clean. Chicken was cooked very well but the saltiness sorta ruined that. I would definitely recommend this place. I would probably order the steak next time."

Casa Yari

★★★★★ 4.5 (274)

"My husband has not stopped recommending this place to everyone we talk to since our visit. They had been on my radar for a while due to some of their unique menu options, and we were finally able to make a weekend brunch date happen. They don't have a huge dining space, but there was a table in the back by the bar available. We did wait a bit for our order to be taken even though they didn't seem that busy, but the wait was worth it. We started with the Funche dulce ($5), Sweet creamy cornmeal made with coconut milk, topped with fresh banana, coconut chips & cinnamon. This was a simple but tasty dish. My husband had the Guava & cheese French toast ($15), Stuffed French toast with a guava & cheese mix, drizzled with guava sauce & whipped topping. Absolutely delicious - I stole a lot of his! But my dish was the one he couldn't stop raving about. I had the Breakfast mofongo ($16); the standard menu item is Mofongo made of green plantains mixed in with bacon, topped with our criollo sauce, eggs your style & pink aioli, but I had it vegan, so it came with vegan egg mix & Uptons naturals vegan bacon.I absolutely love how many vegan options they have, and I can't wait to return and try more of their menu - although something tells me it will be hard to convince my husband not to just order nothing but mofongo when we go there again. ;)"

Brasa Roja

★★★★☆ 3.9 (333) • $

"Brasa Roja means red embers and that's exactly what you see as you walk in - their rotisserie chickens are roasting over real fire wood. That flavor you can't replicate at Costco, if you've ever BBQd or cooked with real wood, it takes the meat to an entirely different level. This is also a chain but I would go to this location because it has a 4 star overall average whereas the other two locations are in the 3.5 star range. The interior has a lot of nicely painted walls, I guess to make you feel like you're in Columbia?? There's a lot seating and they're well staffed so you won't have any issues getting served. Got half a rotisserie chicken because those red embers got my belly fired up for that. The garlic chicken on a sizzling hot plate was extremely satisfying. First, there was so much of it and the garlic flavor, it was so strong and oh so good. I also enjoyed their accompanying red and green sauces. You also can't go wrong with the ribeye lunch, that's such a deal and a great value for the money and taste. The empanadas was a solid 3 stars, I'd skip those if I were you but you should be the judge of that. Street pahking on Montrose and in the Hood. I think it's BYOB, I'm sure it is."

UNIDAD

★★★★☆ 4.4 (243) • $$

"This is a Latin restaurant and bar located on 95th St., and Evergreen Park parking is available on the street as there is no designated parking lot. The restaurant is small on the inside and has a large patio for alfresco dining when it's warm outside. The menu selections are all small plates. They offer a happy hour during the week with lots of food and drink options. This restaurant gets five stars for customer service. The hostess and bar maids are amazing. The manager also checks in on food and service received while dining, if you're in the area stop by, you will not be disappointed"

Don Pedro Carnitas

★★★★☆ 4.4 (206) • $$

"From outside Don Pedros looks like any number of 18th Street Mexican restaurants. Most of which offer a variety of delicious Mexican dishes. Most of which are really good.But it's when you step through the doorway of Don Pedros that the real magic begins. First off let me say that they have off street parking on the side of the building which is almost unheard of in the densely packed Pilsen neighborhood. Get it while you can.Now on to the magic. When you enter it's "Hola's" all around from the staff. A small group of folks behind plexiglass windows where the magic is working as the meats are slow cooked. The aroma's filling the room are reminiscent of a Mexican home kitchen. The dining area is a decent sized space where the tables are spaced apart well enough to feel comfortable. The tables are basic and not cluttered with unnecessary items. After all it's all about the meats here.Our server, who was excellent at what she does, came over no menu in hand as my buddy inquired about the offerings. She said she would explain the menu and let us know what was available for the day. That's when we knew the tacos would be off the hook. Today, Thursday, the offered boiled seasoned beef and their signature carnitas. We opted to take some of the skin with the carnitas. All meats are offered by the weight usually by the pound. We ordered a pound of each and a couple Mexican cokes. The real kind of coke.Upon returning our server dropped off a small bowl of fresh cut limes, a small bowl of chopped fresh white onion and cilantro mix and two kind of homemade salsas, one verde and one rojo. All you need for real deal tacos.Next she dropped off our carnitas and boiled seasoned beef and some fresh corn tortillas. We dug in hard! Their seasoned beef is tender and perfectly seasoned. You can actually taste the beef with very little lard behind it which is the way it should be. Their signature carnitas if absolutely off the hook! Tender, moist and juicy, and perfectly cook with the skins which offer so much favor. Making our own tacos table side, the 18th Street way is as real as it gets and honestly all you need it this case. Every bite was better than the last. We had to pace ourselves and force ourselves not to order another pound. They have various offerings on different days and i will be back to try more out.So many great places out there but Don Pedros Carnitas authentic, simple and to the point. The Don knows what it does and it does it the very best."

Tabu

★★★★☆ 4 (237)

"We came here for my wife's birthday on a Saturday night. The evening started out quiet, with a rather empty dining room. The place got packed by the time we were heading out. My guess is that people come later so they can enjoy the this place when it converts into a lounge. The service for the most part was good. It started out great, but as more people started coming in, the service got slower. Took about 20 minutes to get our bill so we could pay and get out. We started off with their Queso Fundido and forgot to bring tortillas. Everything else went pretty smooth though. My wife ordered their Bandeja Paisa tacos and I ordered their Steak & Frites. The tacos were really flavorful. They came with chorizo, skirt steak, plantain, Chicharron, quail egg, aji, and avocado. A lot of stuff going on there but they all went so perfectly inside the tortilla. Wouldn't mind ordering these again. The skirt steak as tender, and you get a little heat with the chorizo. My steak was cooked perfectly. It came with chipotle chimichurri, habanero aioli and a lot of fried that we couldn't finish. We also ordered a few drinks and they were all tasty. Fruita Fresca was our favorite. Overall a satisfying meal and decent night. Will definitely be returning."

Dell Rooster - Chicago

★★★★★ 4.8 (135) • $$

"Overall Thoughts: This is a cute spot in West Town for creative Latin American fusion dishes. We made a reservation for a Saturday night, but it wasn't too crowded and you could've easily walked in without one. Though pricey (total price ~$50 per person), the portions were large and I think many of the dishes were worth the price in taste and quality. True to its name, it's decorated with a strong rooster theme throughout. The service was very friendly and reasonably quick. This is a spot I'd love to come back to on a special or splurge occasion to try more of their menu.Food I tried:- Rabo Encendido (4.6/5): This was excellent and flavorful, with the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, soft and creamy textures... a must-try appetizer for sure. - Short Rib Barbacoa (4.7/5): Ahh this was my favorite dish here. The grits were so creamy and meat was so tender, just an amazing mix of textures and flavors all around.- Bife a Caballo (Medium) (4/5): The steak was just okay, but we should've ordered medium rare instead of medium, which was a lot tougher and drier than expected. The flavors were solid, but I probably won't pay $35 for it again.- Abuelita Tres Leches (3.5/5): The only true "miss" of the night-- it was not a very moist cake and was strangely hard on the bottom.--Price (relative to peers): 4.2/5Food: 4.4/5Ambience: 4.8/5Service: 4.8/5Overall Value: 4.5/5"

Rojo Gusano

★★★★☆ 3.6 (221)

"I love it when I can give a positive upgrade! I came here with my sister-in-law and had a really pleasant experience. We dined at Rojo Gusano for dinner on mother's day and was thrilled to see there was live music! The musician was so talented, rocking out on guitar and singing songs from Amy Winehouse to Lizzo. She really made the vibes fun, I hope she's a regular performer throughout the summer! I was so happy when our server told me they have NA margaritas. With the salt rim and everything! It tasted delicious. Our server was very kind and checked on us frequently throughout the evening. I also enjoyed the food much more this time around! We shared nachos, chips & guac, and the street corn. Everything tasted fresh and was enjoyable.Really happy to have come back here! The churros and ice cream was the perfect way to end the evening."

Cultura Subs

★★★★★ 4.5 (125) • $$

"Morton Grove's best kept secret!This place is in an unassuming strip mall location just north of the Red Roof Inn. It has 1-2 tiny tables outside for dining al fresco and 2-3 tables inside with a handful of bar seats. Menu prices are at a premium for this Latin American-Mediterranean fusion. Think jibarito, tacos, and shawarma options. I myself tried the $15 steak jibarito, and the fried plantains were perfectly crisp and salty, steak juicy, and rounded out very nicely with the sauce, lettuce, and tomato. I can't wait to eat this again! If you are what you eat, my husband is on his way to evolving into a Philly cheesesteak bc he's eaten this for a meal weekly for what seems like the last couple months. Cultura's version is a hefty $20, but the serving is monstrous and would easily be 2 sittings for many people. My minis both had a cheeseburger ($9), which was juicy and delicious. I almost forgot to add that the yuca fries are strongly recommended! Generous serving for $5, well salted, and plentiful. All the food is prepared within eye shot behind the counter, and you can taste the freshness. #pipinghotWith a Yelp check in, you get a $5 valued box of baklava, which is nutty, sweet, crispy, and delicate. I'm not usually a fan of this dessert, but I enjoyed the offering here. See you soon, Cultura!"

Mr Pollo

★★★★☆ 4.3 (122) • $

"I've been once, but I'm already sold. You know that old adage? Go to where the "locals" go? Well, when I went in every single person was Hispanic. Families are together, friends, everyone was speaking Spanish. Seeing as the place is a "Latin American" restaurant, I knew I was going to be in good hands. I ordered a gluttonous half chicken for myself, which comes with two sides but I ordered an additional side. The black beans and rice are great when mixed together. Add a little bit of the pico de gallo and you have an amazing combination.Oh yeah, the chicken. The chicken is fall off the bone tender and juicy. The skin has a great flavor. When you mix in chicken pieces with the aforementioned rice and beans and pico.. wow! This place is right down the street from my apartment. Maybe they'll adopt me."

BryAnnas Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (121) • $$

"I haven't ate at a Central American restaurant in so long, I'm glad this was a recommendation I followed through on! I indulged when I went:Had the Atole de Elote, while I'm use to an atole being a bit more thick, this consistency was thin but PERFECT in flavor! It was almost like a nicer creamy drink! I then had to follow this with the Tamales de Elote, my goodness were they great! They felt a bit more soft than I'm use to, but it brought out this creamy texture that I really enjoyed. The crema on top was the perfect paring.I then was a bit too full for the popusas, but I still ate. I thought they were good but a bit thicker than I'm use to (don't mean to compare my moms cooking but that's my only point of reference hehe). Pupusas de Loroco y Queso, Chicharrón, y la mexicana were good but I felt they needed a bit more flavor. Can't go wait to go back and try the ox tail dish, my sister recommended it to me!We took a huge group and they were great!"

D' Nuez

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (158) • $$

"The café de olla here is my favorite. Today however I got the classic cheeseburger. I loved the fries. The service was fast. We arrived around 2 pm and got seated promptly. The music they were playing made the ambiance feel authentic."

La Humita Express

★★★★☆ 4.3 (93) • $$

"Wanted stew and remembered Humita offered food specials (express meals) on them. Glad I called in an order rather than using the web. Learned that the stew express meals mentioned on their website are no longer available. Update the website then? The stews with two sides are still available but their pricing has more than doubled and portions are small like lunch specials. I wonder if dining in is why most reviews are five starred. Need to try that way sometime. Ordered two stew meals. Lamb (awesome that they offer this protein) & chicken. Lamb was properly stewed and easy to eat. The chicken was boring in flavor and hardly any gravy was included. Smh. The carryout container has three sections. One for the "main" and two sides. Alas, they fill the main section with a big ass amount of rice. Then fill the side areas with stew and your second option. Stews are in the $22-26 range. They have to reconsider how they're serving. I mean, stew needs its gravy to go with all that rice and the portion should be significantly larger.Due to the niceties of their staff and the flavors, I'd check them out again. Dine-in."

South Of The Border Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (102) • $$

Mayfair Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (99) • $

"Solid little neighborhood diner! I have been here 2 times for breakfast in the morning. The breakfast and service were good! I was satisfied. Definitely will be coming back!"

La Celia Latin Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.3 (79)

"Such a cute and tasty gem on Milwaukee!I went here for brunch over the weekend and it was outstanding. I ordered La Celia, which is a plate of perfect homemade salsa with crispy tortillas filled with beans, eggs on top, sweet plantains, and a little bit of crema. Seriously it was perfection. Their coffee was great too and it was a rainy morning, no wait at all to get in. The staff were incredibly friendly and fast. The art on the walls and the overall environment was very beautiful but still laid back. I will be returning for other meals and bringing more folks with me! This is an incredible spot and I cannot wait to try more of their menu."

Omarcitos Latin Cafe

★★★★★ 5 (58)

"Can't wait to go back. The food was incredible, and the atmosphere so fun, the music and outdoor patio space was very enjoyable and the service was on point!"

El Fogón de Elena Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.7 (50)

"I feel very lucky to have a good Colombian spot in my neighborhood. The empanadas are delicious - I've had the carne and camaron and loved both. The spot is cute inside too. Their jugo de mango is also perfect.I've tried their arepas too - the others are more standout to me, but definitely a yummy place I've been to a few times and will go back to again."

Tiffany's On Broadway

★★★★★ 4.5 (51)

"Let me start off by saying this is a 3.5 star review. Tiffany's is a small space, with two tops in the windows, a main bar with bar stools and a few four top tables. It is BYOB and that is amazing to be able to bring my own bubbles.The staff was very friendly and chatting and fun. The physical space was cheery and comfortable. And the food was very good. The Queen loved her steak and eggs, as did I. The waffles were nice and The Doctor loved his omelette. The other folks that were with us got the Sausage and Waffles and the standard Tiffany breakfast...both commented on how good everything was.What was not so good was the service when it came to getting the food to the table. The restaurant wasn't quite at capacity, but was relatively full. We were able to place our order right away, but the food for the table did not come out together. Our friend that ordered the standard breakfast had toast, but that did not come out until he was finished with his meal. He jokingly said that toast is the dessert for breakfast and ate it. Same for The Doctor, the toast and side of bacon came out almost after he was finished with his meal. Not sure how big the kitchen is, but it was clear that they could not keep up with the orders coming in or were not well organized. There were two people who came in after we had placed our order, but got their food well before ours.I would love to come back here to explore the dinner menu as it looks amazing, but guessing I would come when they first open when the kitchen isn't that busy. If that doesn't improve on our next visit, this will definitely turn into one of those places I only do take-out for. Here's hoping second time is a charm."

Tasa Coffee Roasters

★★★★★ 4.9 (40)

"This is an awesome cafe. The vibe is awesome, the staff are friendly, and it's always busy with customers because it's so good. I went on a saturday morning with my sister for some coffee and brunch. They happened to be doing a "pictures with santa" event when we got there which was a funny surprise. We ordered the chorizo avocado toast with egg, which was delicious. They didn't hold back on anything, and there was plenty of chorizo and avocado. We also split the beignets, which came with twelve delicious bite size beignets, enough to take some home. I also tried the lavender coconut latte, which was super delicious with a very natural flavor. Clearly, this place puts a lot of effort into making top quality food and drinks. They are passionate about giving the customers a great culinary experience, in a very chill setting for excellent prices. I would totally come back!"

El Burrito Bronco

★★★★☆ 4.2 (51)

"Massive burritos that rival El Famous'. I ordered the chicken burrito and it was the size of a mini football. The beast is hungry, and it fully made its way into my belly. Service was good, and the lunch time experience was good as well. The dining area is somewhat small, but when we went there, there were plenty of seats before the lunch rush"

The Lanzaga

★★★★★ 4.9 (35) • $$

"Vegan options would be GREAT!I live near this place and I'm so happy to see it up and running. I have consistently gotten very tasty coffee drinks from here, and it is evident the employees care about the quality of their offerings and customer experience. I really want to try to the food here, but I eat vegan and unfortunately they have very little to offer in terms of vegan meals. There is a large community of vegans/vegetarians in the area, so I would encourage them to build out 1-3 vegan options as I think it would make it a more enticing option for groups of friends where there may be mixed dietary restrictions."

Tropicuba Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (38)

"My fiancé and I decided to ring out the new year by trying the locally acclaimed Cuban restaurant. I had low expectations because I've always despised this parking lot (growing up in Portage Park) and have always tried to avoid it at all costs. Still, I had to see what it was all about!Parking lot is cramped. The location is small and right in between little cesar's and 711. Service was friendly. Since they just recently opened, they don't have "to-go" paper menus just yet. There was one menu at the cashier. We decided to get all the fried shit that was left out for the night. (It was close to 7pm and they close at 8pm). Everything cost just under 40.00 and we ordered quite a bit of food.Two jibaritos to go. We live in the area and by the time we brought it home, the "tostone" for the sandwich was soggy. Always best when crunchy. We waited a good 30-40 min for the food. Overall, everything was good but it did lack a little kick. Food tasted great with some hot sauce but you know it's really really good when you don't need any sauce. My expectations were exceeded but still wasn't mindblown. Very good. B+"

Minna's Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (53) • $$

"The best! Juices are amazing; cecina taco on handmade tortilla! Get it! Soups are great too."

DeBorincuba

★★★★★ 5 (24)

"Nice business... Affordable, delicious food!Husband got the steak sandwich... Really good! I got a half pound of the pork that was tasty... Some pieces a bit dry but overall a steal! We also got casava... I could have ate those all night .We will be back for sure!"