Gooey and Porky at Cafecito
Almost all of the many restaurants in the South Loop are designed to serve the lunch crowd. I’m willing to bet there is one Potbelly’s, Jimmy John’s, or Panera Bread for every person who refuses to make themselves a sandwich in the morning. I used to find the amount of options overwhelming until I found Cafecito.
Nestled between a youth hostel and a Dairy Queen on Congress resides this Cuban café that serves up some of the greatest sandwiches, deli salads, and desserts in Chicago. I wandered in looking to try a new place for lunch and found myself lunching there every chance I could.
Cafecito has great Cuban coffees and café treats…which you should try, as they are all outstanding. But café con leche and guava caramel cheesecake are not the reasons why Cafecito boasts a line out the door every day from 11:45 am to 1:30 pm. People line up for one thing: the Cuban sandwiches.
Cafecito serves around twenty different Cuban sandwiches. I have had the pleasure of trying almost every sandwich on their menu, and all of them are phenomenal. Most of the sandwiches use standard South American and Caribbean flavors like chimichurri, chipotle, and mojo sauces. Almost all of the sandwiches contain roasted meats, chorizo, or steak, though there are a few vegetarian options. Some of the sandwiches are classic recipes with Cuban twists. The “Elveez,” a Cuban play on PB&J, uses guava jelly and adds grilled plantains that pair perfectly with peanut butter. The “Guava-Q,” a Cuban take on the bar-b-q pulled pork sandwich, consists of pulled pork shoulder slathered in a house-made, guava bar-b-q sauce that is tailor-made for pork.
I recommend trying the Cubano sandwich your first time there, and believe me, there will be more visits. It’s rated the best Cubano in Chicago and you’ll know exactly why after you try it. The sandwich – slow roasted pork shoulder, melted Swiss cheese, Virginia ham, mustard, and vinegary pickle pressed between two pieces of bread, is so simple and is executed perfectly.
When my friends and I are served our Cubanos, social etiquette is out the door. No one talks, no one makes eye contact, and no one bothers to wipe the mustard that is guaranteed to gather on the sides of their mouths. Everyone is transfixed by their ridiculously gooey and porky sandwich until the last mouthful is consumed. I’m thoroughly convinced that it is the best thing you can buy for about $5. However, even if they charged $20, I’d still be sitting there with mustard on my face.
After you’ve sampled the sandwiches, you might find yourself going back to try their comforting Cuban soups, or platters of tender, marinated meats served with grilled plantains, or flavorful Cuban side salads. Regardless of what you try, you will find yourself going back to Cafecito.
Cafecito
26 East Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 922-2233
http://www.cafecitochicago.com/
