90 Miles Cuban Café

I love Cuban food and 90 miles does not disappoint! I went there for the second time this weekend and it has to be one of my favorite spots. The empanadas are a must! The beef is my favorite but you can’t go wrong with the chicken or mozzarella. We tried the chorizo/​goat cheese but the goat cheese was just too overpowering. The empanadas have a perfectly flakey crust with gooey centers. Also try the snickers version for dessert. The churrasco is hands down my favorite entrée. You get a huge serving of skirt steak and the flavor is incredible. I had my first yuca cob mojo here and it’s delicious. Similar to potatoes but velvetier. I wanted to try something else but couldn’t bring myself to pass this up. I sampled some of my friends fricase de pollo and croqueta which were both delicious but would still choose the steak =)
Pros:
The food– seriously everything is fantastic!
BYOB– you can literally bring a bottle of whatever with no cork fee. rum, wine, beer (think of the $$$ you save)
Con:
Busy– Make a reservation in advance especially the weekends

Stopped here for a quick bite. The quirky wall paper reminded me of the Cuba –US historical relationship, but transported me to an earlier time. The space may feel like a hole-​in-​the-​wall, but the flavors make up for what is lacks in space. I had the Ropa Vieja (shredded beef) sandwich and was in heaven! Authentic flavors, not pretentious, humble but surprising! I’ll be back!

We went to the Clybourn location. Holy cow. If I could give them an extra half star, I would. I come from Miami and spent most of my life eating this type of food. It’s the closest taste to home I have tried in Chicago.

Im not sure if this location (clybourn ave) has the same owners as the others but out of the three I find this one to be the least friendly (at least when there is a young woman with blondish hair serving the counter) and the one that over salts their food the most. If that wasnt enough, the ropa vieja sandwich ordered had a measly amount of meat.(im talking less than the size of my fist and Im a small girl so my fist is pretty small) and it was a sandwich yet we got the meat and bread seperate. didn’t know it was a create your own sandwhich kind of deal.
My bistec sandwich was super greasy. I had to blot it with a napkin and it soaked up the entire napkin. Now we all know we dont eat Cuban food for their health benefits but still I also dont expect a greasy spoon type order.
The only good thing from our visit was their café con leche.
If you have dined at their other locations, dont come here expecting the same quality or like me. you’ll be in for a dissapointment.
Oh yes and when I brought it to their attention, made no effort to rectify the situation.

This place never disappoints. As a proud Puerto Rican, I lay claim to having the best tostones, but I have to ignore the crispy, tender, salty snacks at 90 Miles. No matter, Cubans can fry a plantain like the best of us. From the media noche to the bistec de palomilla, everything is seasoned to my liking and fresh. Café con leche is on point with flavor, even though I could do with less sugar sometimes.
This location is counter service with some sweet and savory empanadas to carry out. Either check out the daily lunch sandwich specials above the water jug (available until 5pm) or ask for a full menu. At all hours I’ve found the cashier to be willing to make recommendations. Grab one of the few stools inside and the cashier will bring your dinner to you. If you don’t order a drink they have plastic cups and a water jug for you to help yourself.
It can get really crowded during colder months since there are so few seats in this corner lot space. They offer delivery and carryout if you’d prefer to eat at home. Heck, you could even sit in your car in their lot if you didn’t want to wait. I wouldn’t judge.
Before you go: I recommend the masitas de puerco appetizer. It’s magically crispy on the outside and super tender and juicy inside. Plus, fried pork.

Loved this place. Until they forgot to put my chips in my bag I politely called back and told them they forgot it the woman responded saying she didn’t charge me for them which was a lie cuz I had the receipt. Make sure you check your bag before you leave because this is not the first time it’s happened to me. Won’t be eating here again. They one on armitage is way nicer better food and definitely better service

Great sandwiches and traditional Cuban dishes. Love the island feel and the friendly service…

I am a single middle-​aged woman who often dines alone. I tried twice (January 22^nd and 29^th) to have dinner At 90 Miles, and both times I went in I was ignored and not seated. I waited 12 minutes the first time and 9 minutes the second, both around 730 pm. I’ll have to go down the street to Sabor de Cuba and eat earlier for my Cuban food fix. Can’t rate the food; only the service.

90 mile is decent place. But it small portions and it’s mad expensive. Plus it’s packed like all the time cause hipsters love byob. I’ve dropped this place off my radar and started to search for that perfect Cuban joint. It’s a great place of people who charge things on their credit card then report them stolen the next day. I think the proper name for those people are «scumbags». But for us common folk. No point on dropping that much coin on rice & plantains.

(Update: this is for the logan square location) I went on a Friday with my boyfriend for dinner. We didn’t have a reservation but we’re able to find parking and be seated right away even though it was crowded.
Atmosphere is great if you want a good time for a group of friends because it is loud — so not a good place for a quiet conversation. It’s also BYOB which is nice. We brought a bottle of rum and got the moijito pitcher. Probably not the best moijito only because I don’t consider myself a bartender so maybe the portions were off, but still very tasty.
For an appetizer we got empanadas which you order in 3s. We ordered spinach, chicken, and chorizo/​goat cheese. All were delicious and a good amount of filling with a flaky pastry crust that tastes homemade.
For an entrée we got bistec de palomilla which comes with white rice and beans and cooked plaintains, a typical cuban dinner. The steak was thin cut and flavorful but I would probably get something different next time because it had too many onions for my liking which overpowered the steak.
Overall, it was a pleasant experience and our waitress was very nice and friendly. I would like to try it again during the summer when there is outdoor seating available.

excellent cuban sandwhiches. bread is particularly good.
warning: not fast. expect to wait 10 – 15 minutes for anything you order

I am in LOVE with 90 Miles Cuban Café! I had no idea I’d find a vegan-​friendly Cuban place and this was certainly a surprise. The tofu dish – made with tofu, pepper, and onion simmered in creole sauce and white wine – was to die for! It was obvious that time and care was put into the preparation of this food because it was just phenomenal.
This is also a great place for vegans and non-​vegans to dine together as there are options for everyone. My boyfriend loved the meat dish he ordered too.

Great little Cuban eat in. Very authentic Cubano sandwiches. Cannot beat this place. Sandwiches are filled with meat. The lechon is great. Very tender and moist. Empanadas are also amazing. Very fresh! Easy 5 stars.

The empanadas and sandwiches, especially La Media Noche, are fantastic! Super autentico and made with love. I didn’t know it was BYOB my first time there, but the drinks are great with or without a mixer! While it’s a small joint, it is super cute with a great atmosphere.
Great food for the price — you’re paying the same amount or more for e. coli at chipotle, or some fries at a red robin, so why not try 90 Miles, a casual place with FLAVORFUL food.

The place is small but the food is huge with flavor! I ordered the Cubano sandwich and beef empanadas.
The sandwich was fresh with just the right amount of mustard to pickle ratio which complimented the meats perfectly. The bread was fresh and toasted just right.
The empanadas were amazing! Perfectly crunchy on the outside and full of complex savory favors inside.
The staff was busy but very cordial. Always a smile and willing to answer a question.
I will be back!

An explosion of flavor in my mouth! Loved the guajerito sandwich. My boyfriend had the cubano and we shared congri. We both enjoyed the food and will definitely be coming back for more.

Holy grease ball batman. Super disappointed in this sandwich. The bread was soaked everything.

This is a fabulous little spot serving the best Cuban fare around. It’s an interesting concept that fits very well into this establishment’s name, 90 Miles Cuban Café.
The lechon I had was excellent as was the Cuban sandwich on another visit. It was equally as good. The French fries and fried plantain chips are great too!
This place can be hoping… Improve your customer service! … Looks like you have plenty of help, step out from the back counter and be a tad more accomodating to your patrons. Maybe some colorful tablecloths outside in summer would surely draw attention and bring more people in. Action and people bring more people!
On the two occasions I was there, the food was fantastic but it was dead. Do something positive to bring more people in. Walk outside and ask people how’s it going. Refill their drinks but step out from behind the counter. You’re not White Castle’s, you have to work harder!
I ll be back … I want you to earn that 5^th star!

This is the Original 90 Miles to Cuba @ 3101 N Clybourn Avenue (hint it’s actually a little further then 90 miles to Cuba). It’s a really cool tiny little restaurant on a triangular corner bordered by Elston, Oakley & Barry. The décor both on the outside & inside are reminiscent of Cuban restaurants. The dining inside is somewhat limited with NO tables & about 10 bar stools. The walls on the inside are wallpapered with newspaper clippings from Cuban newspapers. There is another newer & bigger «90 Miles to Cuba» @ 2540 W Armitage, but you need to experience the original one first.
I ordered the Cubano Sandwich it is delicious. The perfect blend of ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles & mustard toasted on a piece of toasted French bread & topped off with hot sauce. If you like things spicy it’s so much better w/​the hot sauce. This also comes with banana chips.
I loved the food and the atmosphere of this restaurant and will be back to try some of the other items on the menu. I also want to check out the other location on Armitage.

This location has all bar seats inside. On a nice day there are some tables on their patio.
We ordered to go:
We got the puerco rostizado… this was quite tender but didn’t quite live up to our expectations… it lacked some flavor or kick. It was fine after adding a little hot sauce and salsa lizano
The guave and cheese pastry was quite tasty. You can’t go wrong.
The steak sandwich was pretty awesome with the onions and chimichurri sauce.
I’d probably try something different next time. it’s very accessible and has a small parking by lot.

In response to the owner stating dogs must be outside the sidewalk café on a leash, I researched the claim and its unfounded. According to the City Of Chicago Sidewalk Café rules and regulations section III Operation, subsection L states that «Dogs are allowed within the Sidewalk Café if it is accessible from the street.»

I’ve passed this cozy spot several times over the years, but only just recently got a chance to go into it. My mom sent me in for a café con leche, and I took this as an opportunity to scout the menu out, too.
The décor is lovely, with old newspapers from Cuba and plenty of cultural art pieces. The space itself is small, but they do have an outdoor patio, which I imagine is nice for the summer.
The staff seemed overwhelmed by everything going on, and the restaurant wasn’t even very busy. Maybe they were understaffed. The counter person was responsible for taking orders, running food and also making all the drinks, which depending on what you get, could take a while. There seemed to be confusion as to where food was going, which sort of dragged things out a while. I imagine it might help if the staff asked their customers if they would be seated indoors or on the patio…
I waited for 20+ minutes for two coffees and my shake. This was definitely more than I would like to wait, and I consider myself extremely patient. This time did give me the chance to look over the menu though, which was awkwardly placed next to the counter (making it hard for someone just walking in to really get to the menu BEFORE having to place the order). The food I did see looked delicious and reasonably priced.
I would come back and try the food, but choose a time that’s significantly less busy than a Saturday early afternoon…

This is a very small location which I think of mostly to go… The sitting is very limited however the food is great!!! I’ve had the ropa vieja and the cubano sandwiches and they never disappoint me. I always get the café con leche here as well since they make it right then and there. Service could be a little bit friendlier but that doesn’t stop me from coming back! Lol Definitely recommend it to anyone in the area looking for a good Cuban sandwich!

This place has amazing Cuban food! Love this little mom and pops corner shop. Yuca fries to die for!

Excellent Cuban coffee!

Delicious, just the pick me up I needed for lunch. Casual setting with only 10 stools, its a small and cozy environment. I would recommend take out but there are two locations and this one is a little smaller than the one on Armitage.
Now for the food, I ordered the Bistec De Palomilla which is a steak type item with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, some sauce, with I think plantain chips. Great for a light/​medium lunch. The sandwich itself was good but a little stiff, my jaw felt like I was working it out cause I had to bite the tough bread, otherwise it went down happily.
Not sure what authentic Cuban food is but this one def was tasty. Would recommend.

Awesome freakin sandwiches! Stopped in around 10am and grabbed a seat in what can virtually be described as a shack with a kitchen. Only about 10 seats inside… but man was it worth it. Tried their Media Noche Sandwich (a Friday Special) as opposed to their Cuban. Fortunately it was a near mirror image and worth every red cent! Tender pork and ham, pickles, plenty of Swiss cheese, and mustard topped off the dish perfectly. Their egg bread was similar to you’re more often seen Hawaiian style bread. A side of maraquitas was icing on the cake! It’s understandable the hype, and no doubt one of the best Cuban sandwiches in the city. Now I’m looking to check out their other location, I’m sure it’s just as great.

90 Miles makes one of the best Cubano sandwhiches I’ve had in Chicago. The meat is melt-​in-​your-​mouth goodness. The plantain chips are great. I also love the empanadas. The guava and cheese is an interesting, but delicious combination. This location is no frills with a small eat-​in bar and outdoor patio. We’ve also ordered catering (from the Logan Square location) for one of our parties. Everyone raved about the food. Even the Veggie sandwhich was delicious.
I’ve recently discovered they offer all you can eat roasted pig with sides and dessert every Thursday from 6−10pm for $ 15. What!!! I’ll be back for that.

Las empanadas aqui estaban desmesurado y la harina estaba muy fresca. They are out-​of-​this world fab-​u-​licious. This restaurant is known for its succulent fall-​off-​the bone ox tail as well as sandwiches. We ordered the bistec (steak) sandwich and el Cubano (a typical Cuban sandwich). My niece ordered the ox tail and gave it two thumbs up! Service is friendly. It is very clean. Todo es hecho fresco. The quality is excellent, and we loved the authentic Cuban bread used for sandwiches. The sandwiches were flavorful, but average. Parking can be a challenge in this area, so if you decide to check it out, try it for lunch instead of dinner. Leave room for dessert, porque tienen que probar el flan!