Coco Restaurant

Stopped by last night with my husband to practice some salsa. We sat by the the bar and ordered drinks, Suddenly, a «manager» came and asked us to leave. When we asked why he said we don’t match here as it’s latino place and we are white. Speechless and very disappointing…

I would have giving them probably a higher star rating if the service was extremely great and the food was extremely great, but it wasn’t. We made reservations for 7 PM and when we got there it was probably around 6:45 PM. I told the server immediately that we had a Groupon and he stated that we can’t be served pretty much until 7 that’s when the Groupon starts. I told the server that I don’t have a problem paying for drinks that aren’t apart of the special and that’s when his energy changed for the better. Drinks weren’t that great and food was so-​so. If you like pork tenderloins this may not be the spot for you if you have bad or good teeth. It really lacked flavor and very Tough to eat but pretty on the plate. It’s worth checking out if you get a Groupon deal but other than that I wouldn’t do a repeat visit, sorry.

I’ve been 4 times. It gets 5 stars for a night visit, great atmosphere, great service, nice place to take people from out of town or a double date. As far as a visit in the day time when they are empty… service is slow and not very good. Food is good pretty standard Puerto Rican flavors. Food and drinks are pricey.

This is by far the WORST PLACE I’VE EVER EATEN AT IN CHICAGO. I had a groupon so I invited a few friends of mine to join me. I ordered the Escudo Boricua and it was lukewarm and flavorless. When I brought my concerns to the server, SHE RECOMMENDED THAT I PUT KETCHUP ON IT. KETCHUP!!! Why would I pay $ 23 for an entrée just to drench it in ketchup!!!
My friend’s food was overcooked and tough but after witnessing the servers reaction to my concerns, she simply sent it back.
Now granted, this was a pretty busy night. It took over an hour just to get our food. There was supposed to have a live band performing at 7pm, it was now 830 and there was no band to be found.
There’s far too many great eats in Chicago to waste your time and money at this one.

Decided to go with my friend to check out Coco when we were super hungry the other night. We stood in the entrance of the restaurant for a good minute and a half before anyone even acknowledged that we were waiting for a table.
That should have been the first indicator that this was not going to be a pleasant experience.
We looked over the menus and decided we both wanted jibaritos and a nice big glass of water. We had been walking around and it was hot so we were very thirsty.
Ten minutes go by and no one has come to our table to take our order despite multiple employees, including a blonde woman wearing an all white pantsuit who we assumed was the manager, walking by our table. We closed our menus so the staff knew we were ready and any time a staff member walked by us I would signal that we were ready to order. And they didn’t acknowledge me.
I’m sorry, but when you are a patron at a restaurant you shouldn’t have to flag down a waiter to take your order.
My friend keeps telling me that she wouldn’t be so irritated if they would just bring us some water and acknowledge that we were sitting in their restaurant. It wasn’t even that busy. There were quite a few open tables inside and no one sitting at the bar.
Another ten minutes go by and a man and his son walk into the restaurant. They are greeted, seated, and given water IMMEDIATELY. I was pissed. We had been sitting in that poor excuse for a restaurant for TWENTY MINUTES and did not receive any service.
I told my friend that we were leaving before I cussed someone out. I have honestly NEVER been treated like that at a restaurant before. Ever. I had to remove myself from the situation before I pulled a Real Housewives of New Jersey and started flipping tables.
I will never return to this restaurant and I strongly encourage others to do the same. One of my friends recently asked me if they should check it out and I replied with a very swift «HELL NO.» So they went to Cemitas Puebla instead.

fye!

The owner told me that Coco started out as a fine-​dining Puerto Rican restaurant when I expressed my surprise at how fancy it was. It’s spacious with a nice bar (and television) and well-​spaced tables set for four. In true Puerto Rican tradition, there’s a vibrant, three-​dimensional mural opposite the bar. Coco is the place where I want to go, SIT (key point), and enjoy Puerto Rican food.
Although Coco gives the appearance of fancy restaurant, it still seems to be run by family. The owner’s small daughter was flitting around the bar and what could have been a teenage son and wife were working nearby.
I ordered a jibarito with Puerto Rican rice and was given miniatura alcapurria as an appetizer. I think the alcapurria were incredible. They tasted as if they had a light, fluffy, potato breading exterior and beef interior. I loved dipping it into the creamy orange sauce. Each of the three given to me were consumed in only two bites. M complained that they were too garlicy but that is absolute nonsense. NOTHING can be too garlicy. Pish!
M had the same ridiculous comment about the jibarito. I thought it was incredible and am mentioning but overriding that derision. There was a white, creamy garlicy sauce that oozed between the components of the jibarito while I ate it. We both noted the generous portion of meat and M even suggested that I take some out. Not on my watch! What I didn’t like about the meat was that some pieces were kind of fatty.
My favorite characteristic of the Coco jibarito was that it didn’t give me heartburn. Every other jibarito I’ve ever enjoyed has flared up inside. Perhaps Coco’s jibarito would have done the same if I ate a whole one instead of splitting it with the fretting M.

After years of Unilocal ambivalence, I walked out of this restaurant with a compelling desire to join Unilocal *JUST* so I could warn everyone about the awful experience my friend and I had dining at Coco in August 2013. It took me sometime — and the furor that possessed me when I walked out of this restaurant months ago has regretfully subsided — but I am ready to recap why I would never return to eat here.
I was visiting a dear friend in Chicago when we decided to go out for Puerto Rican cuisine. My friend is vegetarian and aware that Coco offers veggie-​friendly jibaritos. I grew up in a Cuban family so Latin food runs in my blood (and no doubt already clogs my arteries.) I also currently live in Spanish Harlem and have traveled to Puerto Rico so when it comes to PR food, my palette doesn’t play tricks.
We found a «Dinner for two» Groupon: one appetizer, two entrees and two drinks for $ 55.00″ which seemed like a good deal. The total bill arrived at $ 65.00, including two extra drinks we planned to pay for outside the deal. This meant that after reviewing the bill, we discovered that our Groupon base order came in under the $ 55.00. We kindly asked the server if there was anyway to apply the $ 55.00 we paid via Groupon to the total bill as we felt short changed that our base was closer to the $ 40 range and we couldn’t help but feel slightly ripped off having overpaid. Not being new to Groupons, I’m well aware that expired deals default to the value paid for the Groupon so we didn’t think the request was totally unreasonable.
Our very nice waiter (who we ended up tipping 20% anyway because he was not responsible) said he could not make that call (which made sense) so he asked for the manager who was vehemently opposed to any kind of change. We acknowledged there was some liability on our part for not ordering the most expensive meals on the menu, but we were not interested in the Filet Mignon and our ignorance was not checking the menu prices well in advance. That said, we couldn’t help but note an element of entrapment in the deal. And the manager’s stone-​cold decision to dismiss the legitimacy of our complaint left even the waiter feeling uncomfortable. In full disclosure, I don’t mind paying $ 80.00 for a good meal, but what set us off is that not only were we paying more than we should have, the food here was AWFUL. Some of the worst Latin food (if you could call it that?) I have ever eaten.
Here were some of the problems:
The avocado jibaritos were disgusting. Instead of avocado they used some kind of guacamole mix that tasted like it came from a box.
The texture of the fried plantains was way off.
The pre-​cooked plantains from Goya you find in the supermarket freezer aisle runs circles around this.
The mofongo was unnatural and tasted like it was reheated in a microwave.
The chicken was devoid of flavor.
We went on a weekend night, and the place was empty. That should have been a red flag.
Coupled with the Groupon fiasco, it was an unforgettable dining experience we will carry to our grave. Buyer beware.

We used group-​on for this food left us thirsty for water! I never in my life experienced a place that looked so charming and cute to see the near by ghetto hood rats drink at the bar and gaze at you while you eat. he major dee/​owner looked like Emilio Estefan Gloria Estefan’s husband.
it felt as though my husband and I went out on a half marathon thru death valley without water.
Maybe bad experience maybe an other try? No thanks.

Very authentic food. I was introduced to puerto rican food by the bf. I love tostones, mofongo, and sweet plantains, all of which Coco serves.
The portions are large and prices are very reasonable. Nearly every entrée comes with some type of starch. The bf ordered a vegetarian pasteles (so that i could try some) that came with monfongo. I ordered shrimp sopa with tostones, and a side of arroz con gandules. The soup was a little salty but everything tasted so good. It was flavorful and authentic, at least according to the bf. Pasteles are usually prepared with meat but this veggie version was definitely just as good as the meat loaded ones.
The service was prompt, wait staff was very friendly, and knowledgeable about their dishes. I get annoyed when waitresses can’t speak to the dishes at all. Our waitress knew the dishes and was very attentive.
I can’t wait to introduce my friends to this place!

To be fair I came here at lunch time and was the only one in the place. I usually like it a little more lively but I was in the neighborhood and had heard good things about this place.
To start, the restaurant is pretty nice as far as décor goes and the staff seemed friendly enough. I ate a beautiful slow cooked beef dish with plantains which were pretty good.
Everything was pretty good–

Went to use the free appetizer with purchase and the owner would not accept it. Said we needed to purchase 2 entrees to get the appetizer. That was not written on Unilocal’s coupon. Really disappointed as that was one of the reasons we came here. Service was incredibly slow.

I think this is my 2^nd review. I went here for my birthday party in December and while the food is AMAZING… their service is really bad and they could not accommodate for my entire dinner party even though I RSVP’d for 15 people like 3 weeks in advance. Two of my guests, who arrived a little late, drove out a long way from the burbs to only stand in a crowded restaurant. They couldn’t even sit and ended up having to just leave because there were NO table or chair space for them (even though I RSVP’d enough space way in advance). Would I recommend doing a large dinner party here? No. I went here a year ago during the week and the restaurant was empty but the service was still ridiculously slow. Just keep that in mind.
The restaurant was packed to maximum capacity and we waited an hour for our food to come out (mostly jibaritos). I also notice that at most Caribbean and Puerto Rican restaurants the service does tend to be slower than at other kinds of places. We waited a long time for our 2^nd round of drinks too.

I freaking LOVE LOVE COCOS! I’m puerto rican so I know where to get to good cheap eats…
But Cocos is upscale and gives you the quality and savory blend to make you want to pay more!
The coconut martini is a MUST!
Apps
I definitely recommend the Mini Pastelillo, MINI JIBARITOS, MINI ALCAPURRIAS, TOSTONES RELLENOS.
For dinner I ALWAYS GET
MOFONGO RELLENO
mashed plantain with pork crackling
Bistec en Salsa
steak melts in your mouth mofongo is the best in the city
and desert
Flan de Coquito

Went her with 3 friends again and I still think their food is very salty. I ordered the pork chops with creole sauce with white rice & beans since I’ve tried the other samplings here.
We had two appetizers — one that’s like an empanada which was good and coconut shrimp (didn’t have much flavor but the coconut breading).
The Jibarito my friend ordered was pretty good here but the aroz con gandules was terrible. It had a burnt flavor.
Turtle cheesecake has changed since the last time I was here but it was still good. The other one was great.
Flan was okay, I usually don’t like anyone’s flan but my mom’s.
I would love to love this place but I’m not there. Service was bad too. I had to keep requesting for water since I didn’t want to drink my coquito anymore. It wasn’t busy but service was slow. Our appetizer came before our drinks.

Coco’s what can I say it’s a pretty nice place to come and lounge and enjoy good spanish music during the weekends. As mostly I’ve only been here for the nightlife and always have a blast.
The drinks are reasonably priced and they are pretty stiff. It can be rather hard to get a bartender’s attention but then again that’s any place you go to. The crowd is a mature yet fun crowd and the music is always great, especially for all you salseros!
I have tried there food and I am kinda dissapointed I didnt know they were THAT GOOD! If memory serves me I had a lechon and rice and it was pretty damn good. I def need to come check this place out for dinner one night as opposed to only coming here for music and drinks!

Despite the bad reviews, we decided to get a quick bite for lunch. The service was very friendly and the place has great space for parties and gatherings.
The food wasn’t THE greatest Puerto Rican food I’ve had, but it wasn’t the worst either. So I’m half and half about coming back. Perhaps for a big event.

I had a Groupon here. I called this place to get a reservation in. Don’t bother, you won’t get an answer; you will get a voice mail. I called approximately five times throughout the day all to no avail. That’s just not ok for a restaurant.
Service– Our server was Jessica. She was outstanding. She was friendly, helpful, patient, and stayed up with our needs. 5 stars for her.
Parking– I went on a Saturday night about 8:30 and I found street/​metered parking very easily.
411: They have an outdoor seating option for those who prefer that. Initially were were seated right dab in the middle of two parties on each side. They were über close and it was a bit too close for my comfort. They did have music coming through on the speakers, so we did have to speak a bit more loudly to hear one another. I would say turn the volume down a bit for your folks there wanting to have a conversation during dinner.
Food– We ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer. I found it to be ok, but nothing that made my mouth have a mouthgasm by any stretch of the imagination. For dinner we had the Bacon wrapped chicken dish. I don’t remember the menu name, but it was really good. It it a chicken breast that has some fruity center baked in, and it is wrapped in bacon. Ummm. everything is better wrapped in bacon. The rice it comes with was good. The fried plantains were ok, but I’m not a fan of them anywhere.
Drinks– We were told to try the Sangria, and it was good. I’m glad we did.

Most important part of this review… WE LEFT.
We had a reservation for 630 but when we arrived they had no tables available. That defies the whole purpose of calling beforehand for a table. We decided to wait at the bar for some drinks but were never asked what we wanted to order– even after I chased a waitress down and asked her for a drink (coquito to be exact)!! They seemed to be understaffed, but even then, no one seemed to be in a hurry. WE FINALLY sat down. 45 minutes later with two sips of a coquitos in us. We order our food. Took another 30 to 45 minutes for our appetizer AND they gave us the wrong one (I am vegetarian and we asked for the avocado stuffed plantains and they brought chicken stuffed).
PEACE. WE EFFING PEACED THAT PLACE SO FAST. Do not go to this place unless it is empty and they give a s***.

Hallo, wer in Chicago ist, sollte unbedingt im Coco vorbeischauen. Es ist ein ganz individueller Flair. Das Essen war super und es gab sogar einen kleinen Geburtstagskuchen für mich :-) Auch ohne Geburtstag ist der Service sehr nett und aufmerksam. Die Cocktails waren der Hammer.

I really wanted to like this place and our experience at the restaurant actually wasn’t that bad, but the way that they dealt with our issue afterwards was completely unacceptable. I must tell everyone this: THEY NO LONGER HONOR RESTAU​RANT​.COM GIFT CARDS EVEN THOUGH THEY WILL STILL SELL THEM TO YOU ON THEIR SITE! Yeah, not cool. I ended up having to pay full price for our meal at a restaurant that we probably wouldn’t have chosen otherwise and I’ve been fighting to get my money back for 2 months now. I’ve called to speak with the manager and I’ve left messages multiple times and I’ve heard nothing back.
Okay, so the food was fine. Maybe good even. The management is disappointing and I am just plain frustrated about the whole experience at this point. We probably would have gone back had the manager made any effort to return my calls or make me feel like they gave a damn. Oh well, there are plenty of places that serve food that is just as good, or better, than here and make me feel like they care.