Cafe Tola
| Address: | 3612 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, USA |
| Phone: | +1 773-687-8428 |
| Site: | cafetola.com |
| Rating: | 4.7 |
| Working: | 6AM–8PM 6AM–8PM 6AM–8PM 6AM–8PM 6AM–8PM 7AM–8PM 7AM–8PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 46
KA
Karla V
The fillings are good, the bread of the empanada isnt too thick or greasy which is great! The place is ridiculously tiny! LOL just as well. You order and go. I think it was genius that someone outside of Latino thought about doing this. They do run out so you gotta get them fast. I think the fact that they promise that they be fresh leaves you with having to pick whatevers there until its all gone, then theyll make more. The only two things are 1. they should consider offering sauces/salsas. Specially for those with meat. As a Latina, I gotta have my salsa. 2. They are overpriced. Although they are good, they are not worth the money. $3.50+ for each!? No thanks! I tried it once not going back.
DA
Danny Fritz
This is a really good place to grab some to-go empanadas and be on your way. They are priced very well at about 3$ an empanada. Went here one weekend at lunch because Ive heard it was very good. Definitely are good empanadas. The place is literally too small to stand side by side, but is cutely decorated and appears to be well cleaned. The food is cooked right in front of you. My girlfriend and I didnt know what we wanted and the guy behind the register was very friendly and helped us choose.
GW
Gwendolyn Webber
Cozy little shack that serves up super tasty empanadas and coffee. Fun empanada flavors like beans, plantains, and goat cheese. I smothered mine in the orange salsa stuff to give my slightly sweet empanada a spicy kick. Wildly delicious and extremely satisfying. Not much seating available other than a few tables out front but who really needs to sit and eat an empanada? Shout-out to Kayla, good luck out there kiddo
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イッゼィセブ
Rating based on price alone. This place is for privileged (most likely white) folks. Almost $5 for an empanada? ! No thanks, Im not an idiot .... might as well go down the street to the other empanada place that charges half that. Still expensive for an empanada, but doesnt take that much advantage of their location. Sin vergüenzas. Friendly staff, however, therefore one star.
HE
Heath McKinley
Ive lived on Southport for 17 years, and Cafe Tola is by far the coolest empanada place on the strip. While the others on southport are good too, Tola, take the vibe and flavor to a whole new level. The thought behind theirr food, music selection, humor of the staff, etc....they get it...funky cool place! My favorite is the chicken mole empanada. Love you guys!!!
JO
Jonathan Douglas
The selection of empanadas and donuts is always good - sometimes too good, as it makes it hard to decide. Prices are a bit on the expensive side, but its nice to support a local business. Its a small location where you walk in and walk out, but in nice weather the small patio is nice, and the ever-changing murals on their walls are interesting to look at.
WI
William Noelck
This is my favorite little joint on Southport. Quick, easy, delicious and awesome service! Great for breakfast or lunch. My one and only compliant is that they dont always offer a basic (more American) alternative, such as ham egg and cheese. But, this really only causes me to be more adventurous in my empanada selections.
KE
Kevin Shane
Best empanadas, the coffee is great, and the staff is super friendly. The shop is so small that the line stretches out the door a lot, but its worth it to stand outside to get these empanadas. Red spicy pork is my favorite; its closely followed by the spinach and ricotta.
TE
Teresa Miller
This is the best place for empanadas in Chicago!. A small coffee shop that brings the authentic mexican quick "food bites". Besides the empanadas they also have these little home made sweets that go great with a coffee or any of their varieties of teas.
KA
Kay Granda
Doesnt have the best Empanadas. I asked if they sold Empanadas de Arroz they said "sometimes". Mexican empanadas are mostly Rice pudding. Iced coffee was terrible. The employees couldnt even say Lechon... Just terrible. #DisapointedMexican
AD
Adam Balas
Had a chicken empanada, it was okay but not great. My wife had a horchatta drink which she gets at every Mexican/Latin please she can find it and loved it. I think there were probably other menu options there I would have liked more.
GE
Genesis Torres
I was very fortunate to get a Pernil Empanada straight from the fryer! It was flavorful, and packed with pork!!! No empty dough pockets here! One empanada will fill you! I strongly recommend, and I will definitely return!
PA
Paula short
in love with this place. burritos are delish, fresh, lean and juicy. love the service very nice people behind the counter and cooking my food. empandas are must have the variety will make your head spin.
SH
Shellie Lewis
Big, chubby empanadas stuffed with meat $4 each. My boyfriend loved the coconut iced coffee. Real sodas in the bottle. This is the kind of gem that makes you love living in the city.
MA
Max B
Quality empanadas. They dont skimp on size or ingredients. Great for a quick bite or even a meal on the patio. Will be coming here often as I just moved in across the street.
RO
Robert Hornbostel
Amazing hole in the wall spot offering a delicious, rotating selection of Empanadas at a great price. Not great on seating, but Empanadas are great walking food!
A.
A. Rodriguez
Hands down, best empandas in town. They have several empandas options- all amazing! Its such a struggle for me to pick one that I end up leaving with 3!
JE
Jessica L
unique aesthetic, excellent food, delicious coffee and lemonade, and the friendly service ties it all together. one of my favorite spots in Chicago!
RY
Ryan Paul
Delicious empanadas at this little stand. They also have a great coffee selection. Definitely worth a stop for a snack or a meal
CH
Christopher Sargent
Delicious empanadas! Tasty cafe con leche!
SU
Susie Morales
Empanadas were amazing- authentic and the iced cafe con leche might be the best ive every had. Very refreshing!
SU
Susan Sommers Evans
todays goat empanada was amazing. plus they had a couple of interesting veg options for our non meat eaying
KO
Kosta Popovic
LOVE their empanadas. Truly one of Chicagos hidden gems. Spinach (+ricotta?) one is my favorite!
DA
David Schwartz
Great empanadas. Maybe the best on the crowded empanada block. Storefront with outdoor seating
ED
Eduardo Aquije
Great empanadas but really great coffee! They also have an app where you can order in advanced.
MA
Ma. Lucia Carrasco
Aaaaamazing empanadas! Chocolate Abuelita with a shot of Expresso and whole milk, to die for!!!
MA
Mauricio Ibarra Jr.
Best empanadas ever! Must tries - guava/cheese and pb&j. Cafe con leche iced is everything.
ST
Steve Carmody
Every time I go to Jewel, I pick up a fresh empenada from Cafe Tola. Small, but very good!
LO
Logan McC
Empanadas are amazing and the cafe con leche is hands down one of the best Ive ever had.
BR
Brian Freedman
Small coffee shop with really good coffee and tasty Mexican pastries. No place to sit.
AN
Andrew Roman
Steak and potatoe empanada with a spicy green chili pork empanada is the perfect meal
JE
Jeremy McBrayer
Love the empenadas here. Great for on the go. The spicy green chile is my favorite.
RA
Ray Metzger II
Best epanadas around.
LU
Luis Cardona
Fantastic empanadas. A wide variety of types keeps it very interesting!
AD
Adam Forlaw
The best empanadas ever. Great coffee. Amazing people. Go to there.
JE
Jesus Delgado
Every item is made fresh and hot and very excellent service.
TR
Trey Buchanan
Great in-and-out coffee service with very friendly staff.
BR
Brian Montana
Staff is always friendly and their empanadas are amazing!
DA
Daniel Gruber
Fun little place to grab a quick breakfast on the weekend
DA
David Mora
Always a good selection of empanadas and speedy service!
JO
josias gutierrez
Geniaal
DA
Daniella Antilla-Porter
Great coffee and the customer service is fantastic.
DO
Doug Hansen
delicious empanadas and fantastic coffee. worth it.
FR
Frederick Hahn
Awesome empanadas, good coffee, & nice staff.
JO
Joe Bonk
I had the pork empanada and it was so good.
CO
Corey Hudson
Fantastic! Everytime I go I get one of each!
