Cafe Bolero

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,…

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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.

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User Reviews (31)

ambiance	93.75% positive	“Some have bad dishes, but good atmosphere and drinks.” “Lively atmosphere--i would recommend this Cuban joint to a friend.” “Bolero has a nice, comfortable environment and we weren't rushed on a friday night.” “The atmosphere was very charming.” “Cheap tasty food & lively atmosphere” “The place is a small romantic setting perfect for a date with a little outside dining area.” “Great atmosphere, good food and very reasonable.” “Although the back room atmosphere was wonderful, the service left much to be desired.”
drinks	62.5% positive	“the food is good and the alcohol drinks are great.” “Some have bad dishes, but good atmosphere and drinks.” “Otherwise, it is a nice place to sit outside and drink and smoke a cigar.” “The service was poor - the bartender took our order and forgot the drinks, the busboy brought our food out and forgot the black beans.”
food quality	79.89999771118164% positive	“Delicious food, very good service and reasonable prices.” “am always surprised when I read people's reviews saying this is the best Cuban food in the city.” “Not a bad place, just not the best food in the city.” “Great place for cuban food” “The tapas sample platter is fantastic and the filled potato balls are to die for.” “The food is amazing and authentic.” “Other can have great food but the place itself may be ugly or with no class.” “the chicken was dry- not overcooked, but just bland, in the arroz con pollo.” “The Mojitos were good, the ropa vieja was great, the fricasse, black beans, and flan was fabulous.” “The food, when it arrived was good, but definitely stick to smaller parties.” “The steak was cooked to perfection and the ceviche was delicious.” “Do those people actually know what real Cuban food tastes like?” “Food very tasty” “do not know what good Cuban food is, but I do know the food I had here, was very good.” “Usually the food would make up for the poor service, however, even the food did not compare to authentic cuban food and I'm from HIALEAH Florida.” “Cheap tasty food & lively atmosphere” “The food and the prices are reasonable but alot has changed with regards to service.” “I've NEVER had a bad meal there, and I NEVER left hungry.” “The roast pork and vegetarian stuffed peppers were flavorful and ample.” “Prices were excellent and the food was even better.” “Great food, good service, interesting variety.” “HORRIBLE food that I do not think my dog would eat and the service may be even worse than the food.” “The manager was extremely rude when I said that the food was not good and told me I'd have to pay for it anyway and did not offer an apology and just walked away.” “Exellent food horrible service” “His bad customer service combined wit the bad dish has assured me that I nor my friends will never return to Cafe Bolero.” “the food is good and the alcohol drinks are great.” “Some are beautiful locations but the food its just bad.” “Great atmosphere, good food and very reasonable.” “The service was poor - the bartender took our order and forgot the drinks, the busboy brought our food out and forgot the black beans.” “Some have bad dishes, but good atmosphere and drinks.” “The bread with garlic butter was a great start to the meal because I was famished.” “"Good" Cuban food by default” “Not only was it not authentic Cuban it was disgusting.” “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”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Great food, good service, interesting variety.”
overall	100.0% positive	“Otherwise, it is a nice place to sit outside and drink and smoke a cigar.” “Cafe Bolero has a nice balance overall: The place used to be cheaper but after a complete renovation of the main area, the increased prices a bit.” “This was a great place for Thursday night dinner.” “The service was good, the place was packed.” “Other can have great food but the place itself may be ugly or with no class.”
return potential	50.0% positive	“"Home of the CUBANS" The restaurant did have a beautiful environment, however, this is not enough for me to come back or recommend to anyone else.” “His bad customer service combined wit the bad dish has assured me that I nor my friends will never return to Cafe Bolero.”
service	68.75% positive	“Not to mention the difference in flavor and the bad service the bartenders offer in Rumba.” “Usually the food would make up for the poor service, however, even the food did not compare to authentic cuban food and I'm from HIALEAH Florida.” “The food and the prices are reasonable but alot has changed with regards to service.” “The manager was extremely rude when I said that the food was not good and told me I'd have to pay for it anyway and did not offer an apology and just walked away.” “Do those people actually know what real Cuban food tastes like?” “The service was fast, friendly and resourceful.” “I'm not very attached to fried stuff, but it seems that people like maduros a lot, along with tamales and rellenos.” “HORRIBLE food that I do not think my dog would eat and the service may be even worse than the food.” “Although the back room atmosphere was wonderful, the service left much to be desired.” “His bad customer service combined wit the bad dish has assured me that I nor my friends will never return to Cafe Bolero.” “The service was good, the place was packed.” “Our server was very pleasant and attentive.” “This restuarant has friendly service.” “I've always had very good service, whether I go with just my wife, or with a group of 8 of my best friends.” “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” “am always surprised when I read people's reviews saying this is the best Cuban food in the city.” “The service was poor - the bartender took our order and forgot the drinks, the busboy brought our food out and forgot the black beans.” “Exellent food horrible service” “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.” “Great food, good service, interesting variety.” “However, the service was slow so don't eat here at lunch if you're in a hurry.” “Delicious food, very good service and reasonable prices.” “people there were happy. Always good to see. Good change from the "Din” “The hostess and wait staff were overly friendly.”
value	100.0% positive	“Cafe Bolero has a nice balance overall: The place used to be cheaper but after a complete renovation of the main area, the increased prices a bit.” “Delicious food, very good service and reasonable prices.” “The food and the prices are reasonable but alot has changed with regards to service.” “Easily one of the best places in it's value range.” “good prices.”
wait time	0.0% positive	“However, the service was slow so don't eat here at lunch if you're in a hurry.”

09/27/10

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!!!

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01/24/09

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

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11/22/08

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

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11/15/08

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.

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08/27/08

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!

Cafe Bolero

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What People Are Saying About Cafe Bolero

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Editor's Tips

09/27/10

Overated, Understaffed, and NOTHING good to say

by vegitoboi at Citysearch

01/24/09

Delicious food, very good service and reasonable prices.

by Ricaroo at Citysearch

11/22/08

Exellent food horrible service

by altersand at Citysearch

11/15/08

Best Sangria

by Georginadel at Citysearch

08/27/08

Inexpensive entrees, fabulous mojitos

by flynnmoa at Citysearch

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