Cafecito (restaurant)

Last updated
Cafecito
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. (2023) - 010.jpg
Interior of a Cafecito restaurant in 2023
Restaurant information
City Chicago
State Illinois
CountryUnited States

Cafecito is a restaurant chain based in Chicago, in the U.S. state of Illinois. There are three locations, as of 2023. Owned by Philip Ghantous, Cafecito serves Latin American cuisine and has garnered a positive reception, especially for its Cuban sandwich.

Contents

Description

Cuban sandwich (right) with chicken, plantains, beans and rice (left) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. (2023) - 012.jpg
Cuban sandwich (right) with chicken, plantains, beans and rice (left)

Cafecito is a chain of counter service [1] coffee and sandwich shops in Chicago. [2] [3] The Latin American menu has included Cuban, [4] egg, and other breakfast sandwiches, as well as soups, salads, batidos (milkshakes), [5] and coffee, including Cuban espresso. [6] [7] The ropa vieja sandwich has skirt steak, plantains, black beans, and tomato creole sauce, and the chivito has steak, ham, bacon, fried egg, and mozzarella. [8] The restaurant has vegan options as well. [9] Sides have included roasted eggplant, cannellini bean salad, and artichokes. [10]

History

The business is owned by Philip Ghantous. [11] There are three locations, as of 2023. [12]

Reception

Restaurant interior, 2023 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. (2023) - 011.jpg
Restaurant interior, 2023

Moon Chicago says Cafecito's Cuban sandwich is the best in Chicago. [7] The author of the book What's with Chicago? says the restaurant has some of the best Cuban cuisine in the Midwestern U.S. [13] Scott Davis included Cafecito in Business Insider's 2014 list of Chicago's best "cheap eats". [14]

Ashok Selvam and Aimee Levitt included Cafecito in Eater Chicago's 2021 list of 13 "great" restaurants in Chicago's Theater District "for dinner and a show". [15] Selvam and Naomi Waxman included Cafecito in the website's list of recommended eateries in the South Loop. [16] The website's Samantha Nelson included the business in an overview of recommended Chicago eateries for dining solo. [17]

Elanor Bock and Meredith Heil included the business in Thrillist's 2022 list of the city's 17 best sandwich shops. [18] John Ringor and Vega Kilaru highlighted Cafecito in The Infatuation 's 2023 overview of Chicago's best meals for $10. [1] Ringor and Adrian Kane also included the business in an overview of the best eateries in the Loop. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acadia (restaurant)</span> Defunct restaurant in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Acadia was a restaurant in the South Side neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It was opened by Ryan McCaskey in 2011. The restaurant served New American cuisine inspired by Maine's culinary history. It received Michelin stars several years in a row until its closure in 2020.

Fat Rice was an American restaurant inspired by the food and culture of Macau, China. Located in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois and operating from 2012 to 2020, Fat Rice was known for their Arroz Gordo, a home-style Macanese dish which translates to "fat rice". Then-head chef Abraham Conlon once claimed Fat Rice is the "only restaurant in the world" to serve the dish.

Claudio Velez, often referred to as the Tamale Guy, Authentic Tamale Guy or the Tamale Man, is a cook and mobile caterer of tamales in Chicago. Originally from Acapulco, Mexico, Velez has a longstanding reputation in the city's North Side nightlife as a food provider outside and inside of clubs, bars, and other establishments open late at night. He has been called "Santa Claus for the drunk and hungry" and sells up to 250 pork, chicken or cheese tamales a night. A mobile app through a Twitter account was developed by a customer intended to help others track his location across the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridge City Pizza</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Bridge City Pizza is a pizzeria and sandwich restaurant in Portland, Oregon's Woodstock neighborhood, in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">An Xuyên Bakery</span> Bakery in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

An Xuyên Bakery is a bakery in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franks-A-Lot</span> Hot dog restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Franks-A-Lot, or Franks A Lot, is a hot dog restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Previously, the business operated as The Dog House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batterfish</span> Defunct restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Batterfish was a fish and chip shop in Portland, Oregon. Previously, the business operated in Encino, Los Angeles, as a food truck in Santa Monica, California, and as a food cart in Happy Valley, Oregon. Batterfish specialized in fish and chips and was featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The restaurant closed by 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volunteer Park Cafe & Pantry</span> Restaurant in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Volunteer Park Cafe & Pantry (VPC) is a restaurant in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taurus Ox (restaurant)</span> Restaurant in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Taurus Ox is a Lao restaurant in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington. The restaurant launched another called Ox Burger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michou Deli</span> Delicatessen in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Michou Deli is a delicatessen at Seattle's Pike Place Market, in the U.S. state of Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capitol Cider</span> Cider house in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Capitol Cider is a cider house and restaurant in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington.

Un Bien is a Caribbean restaurant with two locations in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamonegi (restaurant)</span> Restaurant in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Kamonegi is a Japanese restaurant in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood, in the U.S. state of Washington.

Mako is a Japanese restaurant in Chicago, in the U.S. state of Illinois.

EL Ideas is a restaurant in Chicago, in the U.S. state of Illinois. The restaurant opened in July 2011, and has received a Michelin star. Phillip Foss is the chef and owner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starbucks Reserve Roastery (Chicago)</span> Restaurant in Illinois, United States

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago, which opened November 15, 2019, is the largest Starbucks location in the world and latest roastery to be built. The building at 646 North Michigan Avenue on the Magnificent Mile has five stories at 35,000 square feet (3,300 m2). It was formerly a flagship store for Crate & Barrel. The roastery includes a coffee bar, cocktail bar, and Italian-style sandwich shop. Starbucks involved Crate & Barrel founder Gordon Segal and Solomon Cordwell Buenz, original architects of the building in 1990, in remodeling the space.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ella Elli</span> Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Ella Elli is a restaurant and bar in Chicago, Illinois. Matt Eversman, Dan Harris, and Nolan Narut have been chefs at the restaurant, which is one of others in the area owned by 4 Star Restaurant Group.

Thattu is an Indian restaurant in Chicago, Illinois. Established in April 2023, the business was included in The New York Times's 2023 list of the 50 best restaurants in the United States. It was also named one of twelve best new restaurants in the nation by Eater in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fat's Chicken and Waffles</span> Restaurant in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Fat's Chicken and Waffles is a primarily Southern and soul food restaurant in Seattle's Central District, in the U.S. state of Washington. Marcus Lalario opened the restaurant in 2015, in a space which previously housed Catfish Corner. Erika White later became a co-owner.

References

  1. 1 2 "The 17 Best $10 Meals In Chicago - Chicago". The Infatuation. 2023-05-11. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  2. "The Best Spots To Grab Food Near The St. Patrick's Day Parade - Chicago". The Infatuation. 2023-02-21. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  3. Balkus, Meredith (2017-10-05). "Cafecito". Thrillist. Archived from the original on 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  4. Olvera, Jennifer (2013-12-03). Food Lovers' Guide to® Chicago: The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN   978-1-4930-0662-5. Archived from the original on 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  5. Mai, Jeffy (2019-08-22). "12 Delightful Non-Alcoholic Summer Drinks in Chicago". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  6. Lonely Planet Chicago. Lonely Planet. 2014-01-01. ISBN   978-1-74321-826-6. Archived from the original on 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  7. 1 2 Holland, Rebecca (2018-04-17). Moon Chicago. Avalon Publishing. ISBN   978-1-63121-721-0. Archived from the original on 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  8. Mai, Jeffy (2015-09-30). "20 Excellent Lunch Options in Downtown Chicago". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  9. Selvam, Ashok (2016-09-27). "13 Great Restaurants in Chicago's Theater District For Dinner and a Show". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  10. "Cafecito". Time Out Chicago. 2016-06-20. Archived from the original on 2022-08-17. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  11. Newcity's Best of Chicago 2012: The ultimate insider's guide to more than 500 things to do, facts to know and places to go. Agate Publishing. 2011-12-29. ISBN   978-1-57284-404-9. Archived from the original on 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  12. Selvam, Ashok (2015-07-29). "Where to Eat and Drink Near Lollapalooza Chicago". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  13. Shubart, Ellen (2018-04-15). What's With Chicago?. Reedy Press LLC. ISBN   978-1-68106-130-6. Archived from the original on 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  14. Davis, Scott. "The Best 'Cheap Eats' In Chicago". Business Insider . Archived from the original on 2018-05-13. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  15. Selvam, Ashok (2016-09-27). "13 Great Restaurants in Chicago's Theater District For Dinner and a Show". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  16. Selvam, Ashok (2017-11-02). "Where to Eat in South Loop". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on 2023-07-16. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  17. Nelson, Samantha (2017-01-11). "Where to Dine Solo in Chicago". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  18. Bock, Elanor (2022-04-01). "The 17 Best Sandwich Shops in Chicago Right Now". Thrillist. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  19. "The 17 Best Restaurants In The Loop - Chicago". The Infatuation. 2023-08-31. Archived from the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2023-10-09.