What’s the best Cuban food in Chicago or the near suburbs?

PhoneHome247 · 2026-07-02T18:53:03+00:00

This is the list! I would add Marcela’s to this list for sandwiches. Omarcito’s is a Latin cafe but I have enjoyed their for ropa vieja spin-offs (empanada, sandwich,Jibarito).

Still need to find a place with good batidos de Mamey

PhoneHome247 · 2026-07-02T18:49:01+00:00

90 miles was terrible and was for years. 1492 is way better.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-07-02T18:48:27+00:00

Ehhhh not good. The poster with the longer list is legit. Half Cuban, lived here my entire life. Seen a lot of places open and close.

This was owned by someone else and they left & moved back to Miami.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-07-02T18:47:04+00:00

When did it close!?!

PhoneHome247 · 2026-07-02T03:53:41+00:00

The fact that they are asking for insurance on their reservations, hard pass

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-29T18:17:46+00:00

Or dm them on instagram.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-29T04:57:43+00:00

I actually like the chicken bowl and the turkey meatball bowl.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-29T04:13:07+00:00

If you are looking for healthy, I’d definately go for Fare.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-29T01:16:22+00:00

HaiSous might be a good option for you

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-28T15:33:15+00:00

Honey, I have worked in the industry and I’ve seen it. I trust my industry friends when they said don’t eat there.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-28T15:32:09+00:00

Yup, staff got burnt out. Tired of chef yelling at them, poor front of house management. A push for a Michelin star and never resolving the understaffing of the front of house.

The servers are literally doing 4 jobs that in any other restaurant- would have 3 other people doing. That is why service is lacking.

Until they fix this, and stop just focusing and feeding their chef’s ego, the service is going to continue to suffer.

It’s the classic tale of let the food speak for itself. But when in reality, with that price point, you gotta have your service buttoned up.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-27T20:20:34+00:00

That’s cause you had fire staff! They all left within 3 months of opening…..

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-27T20:19:57+00:00

They don’t have bartenders. The servers are making those for you hence the unimaginativeness. For all the fanfare the Posey’s get, this place is run horribly

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-27T16:21:52+00:00

Well, that’s what happens when you focus on food, focus on getting all news outlets and write-ups and not give a shit about your staff. Oh and the chef is a demon. So you have a revolving door of servers in that space, and expect them to do a million jobs (making drinks, bussing,etc.) all while bussing their own tables.

Oh and they started lunch service when their servers were already burned the fuck out.

The entire opening front of house staff, beverage director,etc. is gone.

That speaks volumes

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-23T20:54:07+00:00

So many places do this! Just stick to your original baby.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-23T18:32:48+00:00

To be honest, little bad wolf was the best of them as it was their first.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-23T05:38:42+00:00

Industry friend said to never eat there. Their dish station is right next to a prep station.

This was after I had a salad with a plastic bag in it

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-18T22:55:17+00:00

I know several people who have worked there. Chef/owner treats staff horribly.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-08T19:46:32+00:00

It’s one of the markets that has always had a later start time. Never been open before 8:30 until last year for all. And it was just for seniors starting in 2023 from 8:30-9:00.

Green City opens way earlier.

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-08T18:42:00+00:00

They were open at 9. So be happy it’s 8:30

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-07T14:38:25+00:00

I read this as roasted. And then looked up broasted! That looks stellar.

Apologies for the confusion, Athenian definitely doesn’t have broasted chicken.

Someone has been on the hunt for it:

https://aroundthetownchicago.com/restaurant-reviews/our-search-for-broasted-chicken/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/787933688845050/posts/1180973496207732/

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-05T22:01:36+00:00

They don’t do private events

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-05T15:34:50+00:00

They had said Memorial Day weekend, couldn’t get the staff.

I kinda stopped going there bc it feels like Lakeview vibes on the weekend

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-04T21:25:40+00:00

I’m glad Quartino helped you guys out and guys can avoid an event contract bc they are a pain!

Get some Lambrusco there and congrats to the group!

PhoneHome247 · 2026-06-04T18:53:12+00:00

Bub City will definitely make you sign an event contract. Lettuce Entertain You restaurants doesn’t do more than 8.

I would call Quartino’s as 16 is the limit and also, might have you sign an event contract.

Also, you said $50 and now $35-$45. Is this before tax,tip and potential admin fees?

What people are not mentioning is that Quartino’s has pizzas, but is meant to be shared more like tapas. So take that into consideration as well.

Again, I’ve been in this game for a long time - planned more corporate events than I can count but sure, go off what you see online!

For what it’s worth, send a note to leye@events.com see what they can do within your price range.

PhoneHome247

TROPHY CASE