Cafecito (restaurant)

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.

Cafecito
Interior of a Cafecito restaurant in 2023
Restaurant information
CityChicago
StateIllinois
CountryUnited States

Description
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

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]

References
  1. "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. 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.
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