(773) 358-2765
2252 North Western Avenue
(Lyndale Street)
Chicago,
IL
60647
41.9229
-87.6877
Neighborhoods: Bucktown, North Side
Hours:
Sun-Mon 10am-10pm
Tue-Thu 10am-11pm
Fri-Sat 10am-12am
Price:
$$
Last updated 8.09.11
Category:
What People Are Saying About Cafe Bolero
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
The Scene – Considering its rather diner-esque decor (tile floor, Formica tables, black lacquer chairs), Bolero's front room still feels romantic--must be the low light and spacious seating. Pictures and paintings line the walls; a glass-block, blue-lit bar marks the open kitchen. Craving a little more atmosphere? Make for the cozy bar in back, all hardwood floors and exposed brick, where you can listen to live music Tuesday through Friday. – – The Food – This is some of the most authentic Cuban food you'll find in Chicago. There are plenty of tapas to choose from,…
Editor's Tips
- The Extras:
- Listen to salsa and Latin jazz Tuesday evenings and romantic bolero tunes on Thursday evenings.
- WIne List:
- Bolero's reasonably priced wine list not only offers a dozen wines by the glass (all $5-$7), but also recommends a food pairing for each.
- Parking:
- Free parking is available at the Mid-America Bank just north of the restaurant.
- What to Drink:
- Make sure to try a specialty Cuban Drink; the critically-acclaimed Mojito Cubano, Daquiris or Cuban Libre should do the trick.
| ambiance | 93.75% positive |
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|---|---|---|
| drinks | 62.5% positive |
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| food quality | 79.89999771118164% positive |
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| menu variety | 100.0% positive |
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| overall | 100.0% positive |
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| return potential | 50.0% positive |
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| service | 68.75% positive |
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| value | 100.0% positive |
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| wait time | 0.0% positive |
|
Overated, Understaffed, and NOTHING good to say
by vegitoboi at Citysearch
I was actually on my way to another restaurant when I took a detour and found this place in my sights. I always heard good things from the reviews on this website, so I decided to ditch my original plans and come here. At first sight, there was only a group of 10 inside and a couple outside when I entered the place. I thought that since it wasn't busy I would be able to eat and run. However that wasn't such the case since there was ONLY 1 SERVER, 1 BARTENDER, AND 1 COOK AT THE TIME! Needless to say the ENTIRE service was SLOW (took 10 minutes for server to take my order and ANOTHER 5 minutes to get me a glass of water). When the server finally came around to me I ordered a mojito, and the green muscles and the omelet espanola appetizers. Let the disappointment begin. The mojito appeared not to be muddled and VERY bitter/sour as if the lime and mint weren't fresh. The "green" muscles tasted tough, gritty, and overcooked and weren't warm at all. It came with (I think) bleu cheese which was TOTALLY MISMATCHED with the muscles. The server messed up my omelet order as I ordered it wish beef and not veggies only. Actually, it's more of a fritada than an omelet which is mostly cauliflower and a potato base in a "watery" red sauce . It wasn't that appetizing at all. I asked the server whether or not there should've been beef (which I ordered). she responded, "...no because there's vegetables and it only comes with veggies, chicken, or beef" (yeah, go figure that answer for yourselves). I think the only good thing of the meal was the free bread that came with herb butter (I hope its herbs mixed with the butter). Needless to say, I left without taking home the leftovers and not tipping. I should've stuck to my original plan instead of coming here. Save yourself from a bad experience and a possible upset stomach and AVOID THIS PLACE!!!
Delicious food, very good service and reasonable prices.
by Ricaroo at Citysearch
We went to Cafe Bolero early on a Saturday evening. The atmosphere was very charming. I liked the open kitchen. Our server was very pleasant and attentive. When she found out that this was our first time there, she spent additional time making some recommendations from the menu. The combination platter of tapas was a wonderful option to sample of some of there offerings. Nicely presented with a variety of tantalizing flavors. The roast pork and vegetarian stuffed peppers were flavorful and ample. The total bill came to under $50 for two with one cocktail each. Not bad for a city location. Parking was a little inconvenient, but not a serious problem.
- Pros: Reasonable prices, delicious food
- Cons: parking
Exellent food horrible service
by altersand at Citysearch
If you go to Bolero will love the food specially the skirt steak w/ white rice and beans , mojitos are not the same than befoore , too sweet now , neither is the service . The new family related waiter avoid him if you cuold , worse service ever , starting with his language barrier to the point of his ego wich is the worst . Well I dont want to get to cranky about that , exellent food and drinks . Just don't forget to drink their sangria wich is one of the best in town .
- Pros: Amaizing food
- Cons: Horrible service
Best Sangria
by Georginadel at Citysearch
Ok, for a while there after the reopening the service was good and attentive but the last few times I've been there it's been lacking and it almost seems like it's a chore to wait on us. I mean it's not like we're demanding people but please don't make us wait fifteen minutes to ask what we'd like to drink especially since it's practically empty. I remember going there mid summer and it was late with some friends and the hostess and our cute waiter were more than accomodating and didn't seem to mind that it was near closing time. The margaritas were good but the sangria was the best I've ever had. The steak was cooked to perfection and the ceviche was delicious. The food and the prices are reasonable but alot has changed with regards to service. Someone needs to tell the manager that the staff should leave the "attitude" at home.
Inexpensive entrees, fabulous mojitos
by flynnmoa at Citysearch
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Bolero. We went on a Friday night around 7 p.m.; we didn't have a reservation but that wasn't a problem. We were seated immediately. The bread with garlic butter was a great start to the meal because I was famished. I ordered a $7 mojito and it was fantastic! My husband ordered a pineapple drink that I didn't care for, but he enjoyed it. For dinner, I had the ropa vieja. The dish was massive and flavorful -- mounds of shredded flank steak with rice, plantains and black beans. The dinners are priced reasonably (especially considering the amount of food!). The hostess and wait staff were overly friendly. I'll definitely come back!
- Pros: Inexpensive, lovely ambiance, mojitos, mojitos, mojitos!
The Details on Cafe Bolero
Place Categories:
- good cuban food
- good service
- great place
- best mojitos
- great back room atmosphere
- reasonable prices
- just bland chicken
- favorite cuban grill restaurant
- not best food
- romantic small romantic setting
- bad dish
- awesome music
- beautiful environment
- ample peppers
- great alcohol drinks
- full blast
- overly friendly wait staff
- liked open kitchen
- extremely rude manager
- best date spots
- never bad meal
- beautiful dining
- best stakes
- very pleasant server
- best kept secrets

