90 Miles Cuban Café

I heard great things about this place after seeing them on TV so when I saw that I could use a Giftie here I had no excuse not to go. Unfortunately it was slightly underwhelming. I ordered the chicken sandwich and the bread was kind of hard. It came with fries which weren’t too spectacular. However, I would definitely go back to try other items on their menu because it looked enticing. It’s also situated on a strip full of great attractions.

The food is decent but the service is very bad. They take a long time to serve you. so be mentally prepared.

Everything was delicious! I was especially impressed with the range of vegetarian and vegan options.
The best dish we had was the calamari– definitely a must-​try! Also enjoyed the goat cheese and soy beef empanadas. The yucca was also fantastic, and not something you see many places. Plantains were solid, but not mind-​blowing.
The mojito pitcher was also great; you could really tell it was freshly made.

I really do believe in dancing like no one is watching. That said, if I were not on my best behavior while dining, I would have stood up from my seat twirled my way to the entertainment and danced like there was no tomorrow. The live Jazz led me to sway and hum along the entire time. I took my break, when the band took a break. Haha.
After hearing nothing but good things and bookmarking this place, we finally made it and it was all that we heard it was and then some.
The music is worth the trip alone, and the food is very, very good. Flavorful and memorable. Especially the Ropa Vieja.
Prices could not be categorized as cheap, but it is reasonable given its quality and the service that accompanies it. ANNNND, you could save a ton if you enjoy spirits with your meal. For those who may have missed the statement in 769 other reviews that mention this tidbit, it’s BYOB.

Decided to meet here for lunch with a girlfriend. After driving around the blocks for 15 mins of dealing with «permit parking» I finally came across a parking. (Thats the only down fall) I have passed this place up a ton of times, seems like there is always a nice crowd. Since it was lunch time I decided to order the half order of the steak (bistec de palomilla) which was just the right amount for my self it came with a side of black beans and white rice. I also tried there appetizer which were tostones rellenos its a friend plantain with shrimp these were to die for I wanted another order but was so full.
For desert I tried there empanada of guava and cheese this was the best tasting pastry I have ever tried since I have eaten there I have went back just for the empanadas.
How did I forget to mention its BYOB!!!

Horrible service, food below average. Not sure what the hype is about. Made a 6pm reservation for birthday dinner and seated promptly. The waiter did not come to our table for 20 mins when I got up to ask if we had service, he showed up, did not apologize and acted like nothing happened. The restaurant is so dark we and other guests around us were using our cell phone lights to read the menu. The waiter was so aloof and had no recommendations on the menu or suggestions.
Food:
1. Tostones – dry, tasteless served with no sauce. Asked the waiter for sauce and he just said, oh well and did not bring any.
2. Empanadas: tried spinach, veggie and chorizo. We were given another order and had to wait for the server to come back 15min later to correct our order. All were minimally filled and basically eating the flour cover. The mojo cause was all oil
3. Tofu sandwich: huge disappointment, huge pieces of tofu with dry bread and minimal to no black beans. The cup of beans I had was mostly water with a small layer of beans at the bottom
4. Steak sandwich: per my husband, had flavor but mostly bread
5. Chicken soup: small portion, tasty but bread was dry and hard
Have been to Cuba and throughout Latin Central and South America – can honestly say this food is not authentic or cooked with the flavors found in Cuba. Disappointing!

skirt steak: perfect!!!
Pork sandwich: very good!!!
Empanadas: good!
BYOB!
I will go back for more food options

Amazing sandwiches and BYOB (they provide the mixers)

Great food and friendly staff. The only cons that I have are limited seating space and noise. Please understand that if you’re going there with a big crowd you will need to yell to communicate. We ordered the sampler and everything was delish!
Must try: Empanadas and chocolate flan.

If this was my last meal, I would die a happy woman. If I could sleep in a cot by your front door, 90 miles, I would. That’s how awesome this place is… and you know I’m hard to please.
Reservations for a table of 6 were seated right away on a busy Saturday for brunch. The atmosphere is eclectic with awesome music and a lot of art pieces of Latino music legends. The wait staff is busy yet attentive and very friendly. The old school salsa serenades you as you peek through the menu, which offers everything from skirt steak, meat stews, and plantains, as well as seafood and vegetarian/​vegan options (an I’m talking entrees, not just sides and carbs). If you bring Rum, they can mix mojitos and sangria for you, which is super convenient and scrumptious.
I ordered the Fricase de pollo, which came with white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains. This entrée was previously featured on Diners, Drive-​Ins and Dive’s so I had to see what it was all about. The stew came packed with potatoes, olives, and chicken in a creole sauce, which melts in your mouth. The flavors are powerful but not overbearing. The chicken was served in a mini pot that was (super cute!) enough food for three of me — a steal for the price ($ 13). The passion iced tea was refreshing and flavorful, but not too sweet or overbearing.
The outdoor patio is calling my name in the summer. Looking forward to next time.
90 miles = 5 stars. Hands down.

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.
PS– This location is bigger than the Roscoe Village location, and is super cute.

BYOB– 5-​star rating is for unique atmosphere, dependably consistent food and reliable service. Make a reservation because 90 Miles is ALWAYS jumping. Its one of those few establishments where you actually feel like you have traveled to the place of origin for the food being served. I would revisit in a heartbeat for the experience and the food.

First and foremost, the food here is delicious! You of course have to start with some empanadas… though only one per person so you have room for the rest of the amazing food. The empanadas are so flaky and delicious, not overly greasy and amazing moist fillings, I’d recommend the ropa vieja. On my latest vist, I went with the churrasco for my main, and am still thinking about it! The meat was cooked perfectly medium rare and came with this amazingly flavorful chimichurri sauce, it’s not as oily as a typical chimichurri and sooo good. It also came with a side of yuca, which seemed so simple, but was absolutely delicious. My friends all helped me clean it right off my plate. All the food here is just so packed with flavor, it’s definitely memorable and makes you want to come back for more!
Atmosphere here is pretty cool as well, seems pretty eclectic and just like mish-​mashed together, but it’s cool and it works. If you have to wait for a table in the winter, they send you upstairs to this crazy room with like graffiti all over the walls and random bottle openers and wine openers throughout so you can enjoy your BYO drinks while you wait. The dining area is pretty big, so a good place to come for larger group dinners, just may have to wait a bit for a table as it’s always been pretty busy when I’ve been in. But don’t be deterred, it’s a great meal and great night out!

Cute restaurant, great décor, friendly staff. BYOB!!! Love that! Definitely coming back over the summer for some drinks on the patio. The food was good, I went with my co workers. Ordered a couple appetizers and some entrees, the food didn’t really blow me away.

It took way too long for me to pay this establishment a visit, but man oh man better late than never.
90 Miles easily has become one of my favorite restaurants. My first visit happened to be on a Tuesday night which I quickly found out was Flamenco Night. Side note: If you are not familiar with Flamenco just know that while it is a beautiful art-​form of music and dance, it does include foot stomping/​shuffling and loud vocals. (Chances are you will be screaming over the live performance to speak to whomever your with.)
Now to the food.
OH MY GOD. I’m literally kicking myself at how long it took me to try this place out. If you are vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian or just a good o’fashion meat eater there is something for everybody! A+++
I opted for the veggie entrée which included a portobello mushroom, grilled marinated vegetables, white rice, black beans and maduros (fried sweet plantains). I also added a side of yuca frita. –LET ME TELL YOU, the food was so good I didn’t even care that I was barely able to speak to anybody at my table due to how loud it was. Everything and I mean everything had so much flavor, and the portion size was so big I had to take half of my plate home.
* I usually photograph the majority of my meals, but the lighting was very dim and I didn’t want to be that one person who uses the flash on their camera and blinds everybody. No picture :(*
For dessert I decided to take home a
Flan Flight which included 3 different mini flans and one slice of flan with a chocolate bottom. All were delicious but the flan de coco (coconut flan) was life changing!
Since my first visit I’ve been back a second time and the food and service was just as perfect. I did manage to take pictures of what I ordered the second time around.
Do yourself a favor and check this place out!

I grew up eating Cuban food at home and this is one of the few spots in Chicago that really gets it right. The atmosphere is right up my alley too.
Just go!

I only had time to stop in here briefly. I picked up a caltado (3 shots of sweetened espresso) and their guava and cheese pastry to go. Both were fantastic. Their menu looks really good and they cater too. I would definitely return.

Very, very solid place.
Ambiance and service — 5 stars.
Food — 4 stars.
Price — ehhhh. $ 15 for lechon? I dunno. Señor Pan a couple miles away does it slightly better for a few dollars cheaper so…
Still, it’s worth going here because of the amazing vibe, décor, and it’s also BYOB! Like, if you’re taking out your second cousin who’s visiting from out of town, go somewhere cheaper. If you’re on a date or trying to prove to your tight-​lipped Asian mother that you eat like an adult, go to 90 Miles.

My two friends were constantly raving about 90 Miles Cuban Café and the fact that it was BYOB; so we got a group together and came here for dinner on a Friday night. Surprisingly, our wait time was only 15 minutes and then we were seated on the patio. Our waiter was helpful with tips for those of us who had never been there and he got our wine bottles open hella fast, which was appreciated. While I enjoyed the atmosphere and an entire bottle of wine to myself, I didn’t fully get what all the fuss was about with this place. The food was good, but I had better Cuban food a couple blocks away at another restaurant. I give this place a solid 3.5 stars.
The Good
*We weren’t charged a cork fee for our 3 bottles of wine.
*Lechon — slowly roasted pork was delicious and I wish I had ordered this.
The Meh
*Ropa Vieja — totally wasn’t digging this dish… and of course it was the one I ordered.
TheBad
*Black Beans — came with my entrée and I thought they were bland city.

My father and I ordered take out and waited at a table until it was ready. My dad went to use the restroom and he told me he had to wait for the performers to get out of the bathroom. They shared a cigarette in there so it was full of smoke. That was a negative experience to start.
The food was ready and we took it home to eat. We ordered 1 beef empanada, a side of plantains, ropa vieja, and pollo a la plancha. The beef empanada was tasty– 4 stars. The plantains weren’t cooked all the way through some of them were raw on the inside– 3 stars. Ropa vieja– definitely average. The meat was soft but it lacked flavor. I’ve had better for the same price. Pollo a la plancha– probably the best tasting thing that we ordered. It was filled with flavor from the marinade and the onions were delicious and added great texture to the chicken– 4 stars. The rice and beans were nice but just a little above average– 3.5 stars.
I’ve eaten a lot of Cuban food and this place did not speak out to me. The atmosphere could be fun but the food is nothing exquisite. This place is affordable though. For all the food I mentioned, our bill was $ 21 and change.

Yum, yum, yum!
I love ‘dried’ meat, so the vaca frita will be my forever go to. Shredded beef that’s been in a broiler, that’s Heaven for me! My husband had the Cuban sandwich. Both were absolutely amazing.
Anthony Bourdain would absolutely rave over their black beans, phenomenal!
Overall, this place is a party! My only frustration: we went on a Sunday night and were not popping bottles. After finishing our meal, it took 30 minutes to pay our bill. I understand people go there to rage and enjoy good food, but our poor waiter had way too many tables. Lesson Learned: this place gets packed, so expect some potential delays.

Came here with a couple of friends on a Tuesday and we were packed in to a small space inside the restaurant. I didn’t much care to have to brush shoulders with the people sitting behind us and having our table bumped each time someone walked past us. We also were not aware of the live music situation on Tuesday nights and the wailing and extremely loud stomping that was occurring in such a small space nearly gave me a migraine. The menu alerts you that you only have a 2 hr seating time– the music drove us out in half that time.
It was too bad we had such a distasteful musical experience (which, by the way, was more Spanish influence than Cuban according to my half-​Cuban friend) because the food and service were quite good. I tried the goat cheese and chorizo and beef empanadas and they were flaky and delicious. Be warned that they are bigger than the server will indicate so you may only need one as an appetizer and not the two that I ordered. For my entrée I selected the salmon, which was fresh-​tasting and healthy. I had actually wanted the surf and turf but the price made it seem like a lot of food and after having two empanadas, I didn’t want to risk it. Because my meal was so good for me, I allowed myself a vanilla flan, which was perfectly sweet and light and wonderful. The prices are right on for the amount of food you are getting and the service is friendly and attentive. Just don’t go on a Tuesday.

We felt a little duped by the specials. The waiter — who was otherwise really great — up sold us on the «First Time Here» sampler in which first time visitors get to have a communal tasting plate with the table. Who knows if it’s actually only for first timers, or a gimmick, but nevertheless.
We agreed to do the sampler and found that it came to $ 55. We definitely didn’t want to spend that much. True, if you’re a couple it’s $ 28 per person, but still, it was a bait and switch I’m not sure I appreciated.
It was generally good and well cooked. Except, it was really just standard stuff like chicken and rice, and some pork. Again, it was all fine, but the up charge was crazy, and the profit margin they make off a single sampler must be high.
This place can get loud. Really, really loud, especially in the back. It’s a bit nerve wracking and chaotic. That’s surprising because it’s in a neighborhood not really known for its restaurants. Hey, maybe that’s why people come here.
Also, — as silly as this sounds — the butane from all the candles was nauseating in a closed space. I was getting lightheaded.
BYOB, so you’ll save money there.

I took my gf here for dinner on Halloween and we definitely did not need reservations. We were given a small 2 seater table while there were plenty of bigger tables available. So when our food came out, we struggled to fit all the plates on our table.
We ordered 3 empanadas: chicken, beef and spinach. Honestly, it was just okay. I’ve had much better elsewhere. For our main dishes, we ordered the Guajirito Sandwich and the special of the day «Chef Board». The only complaint about the sandwich was that it was super greasy, otherwise it was good. The Chef board included 5 samples of entrees: Churassco (steak), Masas de Puerco (fried pork), Fricasa de Pollo (chicken), Pollo a la Plancha (chicken breast), and Camerones al Ajillo (shrimp). My favorite was the Churassco and Camerones. My gfs favorite was the Churassco and Pollo a La Plancha. I normally don’t eat pork but since it was fried, I tried it and it was actually good. Our table could not fit our chef board and the sandwich so we put the sandwich on our dinner plates in a hurry to make room, but no one came to get that plate for a few minutes.
Overall, the food was average. It isn’t bad but we aren’t dying to come back either.

Haven’t tried much cuban food. But if it’s anything like this place makes, I better start going cuban. They have a few locations, but I like this one. On a warm, sunny, Chicago day, there’s nothing like sitting outside on the patio.
First, you gotta have some sort of espresso drink. They do it right. Had a café con leche, haven’t gotten much better than elsewhere. They will also customize how many shots of espresso you want. If you are a caffeine/​coffee addict like me, the answer is always: more than one.
Cubano: You can get this sandwich at a lot of different places, not exclusively at Cuban cafes, but I assume CUBAno is cuban. And this one tastes the best. The sandwich has the right crunch of the bread and the melty cheese combines with ham and pork giving it goodness in every bite.
Masita de puerco: Oh so good. A star dish. Crunchy, flash fried, pork. What could go wrong? Nothing! It comes with the mojo de ajo (garlic sauce) for dipping. If you are a garlic fiend like me, you’ll love this. So so good.
Come here. If you are caffeine-​coffee guzzling, garlic fiend, like me, you gotta test this place out. Also, bring gum. I forgot mine, the results were not good.

On a recent visit to Chicago, my boyfriend and I met up with a girlfriend who’s relocated to the area and she recommended 90 Miles Cuban Café for dinner. WHAT A TREAT! We arrived at the restaurant around 7pm on Friday and the entire place was packed. There are a few seating areas, mainly an inside and outside. Because it was a very chilly June night, we decided to wait longer for a spot inside. We were told our wait would be an hour, and this time was accurate.
We were seated near the host stand, directly in front of the service station, and this view is great because you can see all the delicious food rolling out of the kitchen. Unfortunately, this portion of the restaurant is fairly small so you also get a great view of people waiting in line for their downstairs unisex restroom.
Service here is good and our server seemed very authentic and knowledgeable about the menu items. The atmosphere is calm and fun, and coming here on a Friday evening was the perfect choice.
On to the food! We started with an order of the Calamar Criollo, which is one of the best calamari dishes I’ve ever had. It’s described as «squid stewed in sofrito with toasted bread», and the dish arrives at your table in a dark black color that doesn’t appeal to the eyes, but will have you enjoying every bite. The sauce is delicious and the calamari is perfectly cooked, tender and warm.
For our main, we decided to order their evening special, which consisted of a variety of different dishes, and allowed us to sample most everything on the menu. Our sharing plate for two consisted of the following:
ROPA VIEJA | slow cooked shredded beef with onions, peppers, garlic, in house creole sauce.
CAMARONES AL AJILLO| seven grilled jumbo garlic and house seasoned shrimp
LECHON | slow roasted pork in citrus mojo and house seasoning
CHURRASCO | marinated and grilled one pound skirt steak served with yellow rice, chimichurri, and yuca con mojo.
FRICASE DE POLLO | *featured on Diners, Drive-​Ins, and Dives* chicken, olive, potato braised in creole sauce served with arroz blanco, frijoles negros, and maduros.
EMPANADAS
Somehow, we thought that would not be enough food, so we decided to order another dish to accompany our special.
BISTEC DE PALOMILLA | thinly sliced marinated 12 oz. steak with grilled onions
Needless to say, we ended up with a ton of food. Everything here is delicious. All the meats were marinated with a different, special taste and my taste buds were just having the time of their lives here. My favorites were the jumbo shrimp, the churrasco, and the empanadas, but honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, however, I will say their empanadas are a must! This was one of my favorite meals on my trip and if you’re a fan of good food, you definitely need to stop by – it’s worth the wait!

3.5
I coordinated a class reunion with some elementary school friends.
Ambience: Beautiful. Great for an outside dinner when there’s good weather outside. You’ve got soft yellow lighting, festive music, and all the feels for a feel good kind of night. It can be a little loud. Perfect for a date night or small group… we came with a group of about 12.
Note: They take reservations of only up to 15. Anything over, and it’s considered a catering ordeal. They required us to have half our group present before seating, which was fair. I only didn’t like that my group was split into different waiting areas. Apparently there’s an upstairs 3^rd floor waiting area, which isn’t very pleasant… and a wicker furniture sexy outdoors lounge as well. Hit or miss.
Food:
I had the goat cheese chorizo empanada, as per other reviewers’ suggestion. It wasn’t out of this world for me. It was served with a dipping sauce… which really only mimicked thousand island with a kick. chipotle maybe? Skippable.
Also ordered the shrimp appetizer that comes in a shell. Forgettable, and not anything I’d go out of my way for. The shrimp was cooked well, sitting in a tomato-​salsa like sauce, and the shell was thickly crispy. Nice that it was finger foodable, but *shrug* meh.
I ordered the vieiras en vino blanco, or the scallops n white wine. Decent sear. scallops overcooked. not as delicate as a cooked scallop should be. Came with a rice. Another instance where I wasn’t quick to inhale and clean off my plate.
Sangria mixer: decent. I brought my own wine, but I really did not like that the glasses provided were essentially mason jars shrunk down to a double-​shot glass size. Not so classy for sangria. and doesn’t hold much to drink.
Service:
Our server was quick to sell, quick to take order, and essentially disappeared once plates were dropped at our table. There was a mixup, and he delivered my side of sweet plantains to another person. Since we were in a group and our table was having multiple conversations, I hadn’t realized this until my friend across the table dug into my appetizer for me. I guess i can’t blame, but I feel like servers have a responsibility for organizing plates to the diner. We were then hurried and rushed to pay our check. They do not split, so this took some time to sort out. And this kind of left us with a bothersome vibe.
Our group dined on a somewhat busy weeknight. I’d say stick with the ropa vieja/​beef/​common cuban or reviewed fare. If you’re a first timer, or new to cuban food, I’d definitely recommend. Otherwise, if you’re seasoned at Latin American fare, I’d say this a good spot, but there are spots out there that are much better.
Really, I’d come here moreso for the vibe and ambience for a dinner date with girlfriends or a s.o. but I wouldn’t expect amazing. It’s definitely made a name for itsself, esp. considering they’re opening another spot at lincolnwood. But I feel like its quality is starting to slack, on account of its growing reputation.

Great BYOB! I made a reservation online, received a confirmation via text one day ahead of time. Found parking on the street but they have a customer parking lot across the street and down the block. Bring a flashlight app, it is kind of dark in the restaurant which makes the menu tough to read.
Our server was nice but super busy. The menu has a lot of offerings. We had a cerviche starter that came with plantain chips, so tasty! My entrée was camarones (shrimp). It came with rice and beans and plantains. So good! Portion was not huge but very filling. Our friends had a meat board, which was an amazingly large sampler that they said was fabulous. My mocha tres leches was super fresh.
Prices reasonable. I plan to go back soon!

90 Miles gets a fond remembrance from me, as it was the first dinner outing (in life!) where we brought our infant daughter. She didn’t eat anything, but she didn’t disapprove of the experience. It’s hard for me not to like semi-​decent Cuban (or any other Latin American) restaurant. Give me rice, give me beans, give me Latin spices, and you shall find me a happy man.
90 Miles definitely didn’t disappoint. We got a medley of food, including Unilocal faves like the empanadas (tasty) and the ropa vieja (tasty). The ceviche, with a friendly heaping of avocado and plantain chips, was also remembered fondly. Frankly, looking back on the menu there were about eleventy other things I would’ve liked to order (bacalao frituras! choripan! puerco rostizado!) that I’m disappointed in myself that I haven’t been back.

Friendly service. Right when we arrived, our friendly waiter asked us indoors or outdoors for seating and then explained all the favorites on the menu after we were seated. We enjoyed the scenery, listened to Cuban music, connected to Wifi, talked, and enjoyed some appetizers.
It didn’t take long for the food to arrive. We enjoyed it all very much! It was muy delicioso! We even got dessert and it was good too.
We really enjoyed this place. I recommend it if you’re in the area. Take a second to look around the restaurant too. They have some pretty cool paintings.

Pesima calidad de comida! Las empanadas, aun estaban frisadas cuando llegaron a la mesa! La ropa vieja, carecia totalmente de sabor! En general el servicio es muy malo… de lo peor, despues de visitar cuba312, la comida de 90 miles es basura…

A great place to try out the BYOB option if you aren’t familiar with it. We bought pre-​made alcohol mix and the server gave us extra glasses along with an ice bucket to keep the drink cool. There is also the option to purchase their mojito and sangria pitcher roughly around $ 12, all you have to do is bring the alcohol!
Made reservations for a table of 5 at 7PM on a Monday night. FYI, reservations for indoor and outdoor seating are made separately. We were greeted by friendly staff and seated in the indoor patio area surrounded by lovely décor.
We did family style dinner and started off with the empanada (beef, chicken, and mozerella) and croquetas. The empanadas were average, nothing about them really stood out. I really wanted to try the chorizo and goat cheese empanada, unfortunately they ran out for the night. The croquetas were better IMO than the empanadas, must’ve just chose the wrong ones to taste. Depending on which types you order, the empanadas come in a pack of three for a price of $ 8 — $ 12. Why order just one when you can eat three?
Now, the entrees were where it really hit the spot:
Ropa Vieja (⁴⁄₅): Soft, tender shredded pork topped off with the beans and rice. What an authentic dish! Definitely would order again to share.
Lechon (⁴⁄₅): If you weren’t already drooling from the way the pig was being roasted out in the front of the restaurant, this is a must order dish!
Churrasco (⁴⁄₅): While my friends favored the lechon entrée, the churrasco was my favorite. The steak was perfectly seasoned and grilled perfectly for a tender, chewy taste. I did find that the steak left a weird after taste, not sure what it was, hopefully this isn’t an issue for others.
We also ordered side of Congris, highly recommend if you are sharing.
Great service, awesome food, overall a worthwhile visit as one of your meals in Chicago!