Mundial Cafe
(312) 491-9908
1640 W 18th St
Chicago,
IL
60608
41.8579
-87.6674
Neighborhoods: West Side, Pilsen, Pilsen (Lower West Side)
What People Are Saying About Mundial Cafe
The Editor
Jennifer Olvera
Citysearch
The Scene
Appearance-wise, little distinguishes this narrow, blue and white-tiled, two-room storefront with unclothed, faux wood tables from nearby taquerias. Decorated with roping, strings of garlic and terra cotta vessels, the restaurant entices with the sultry smell of peppers and garlic wafting from the open kitchen in the front dining room. Dramatically plated and eye-popping dishes command attention.
The Food
From colorful sweet corn tamales to aromatic, baked whole fish, this is Mexican made with TLC. Warm, garlicky shredded pork carnitas with chewy lentils and pickled jalapenos beg to be stuffed into flour tortillas. Biting, chili oil-zapped tilapia and sirloin seviche with capers and avocado make taste buds sing. Wine sauce-braised short ribs nestled on chunky yucca mashed potatoes are good, but smoky, five-alarm shrimp with applewood-smoked bacon and roasted red peppers in cilantro-dotted broth are better. Light-as-air apple and tropical fruit souffle-filled crepes are special occasion-worthy when sprinkled with rose petals.
User Reviews
Voracious1
May 27, 2009
I really enjoyed the Mahi Mahi en Salsa de Hoja, it was grilled to perfection. I dared myself to try the frog legs and found that I enjoyed them. Don't miss out on the Sangria. My friends were there on a hot night and it really quenched our thirst.
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behk
November 09, 2008
I feel strongly that Chicago enjoys the finest list of BYOB restaurants anywhere and this is one of the premier BYOB locations in the city. Don't be fooled by the location, Pilsen, this is much more eclectic than latin, for example their pasta dishes are outstanding, sea food fresh, and meat dishes perfectly seasoned. I try something different each time and am always impressed with the sauces, regardless of the dish. Not sure why the one bad review, maybe they were looking for tacos, but it enraged me enough to write this, my first review. Give it a try, see what you think.
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Rox1968
October 27, 2008
I heard great comments from my co-workers and through this list of reviews. I was very dissappointed especially when I arrived to the placed. There were two empty tables, plus the back tables and they had us wait for about 10 minutes. We were finally seated and I ordered a guacamole for appetizer, it didn't have any salt and it had a lot of lemon. I ate quesadillas de huitlacoche, my friends ordered a salad, shrimps with some sauce, tamal oaxaque?o and I tasted a little of all their dishes. We all agreed it didn't have any seasoning. This place might be good for you if you have never been to any Latin American countries or have not tasted your mother's dishes, that's real Mexican food. This is another wannabe Mexican top-scale kind of restaurant. Regardless of the prices, the dishes are not good for you, if you're accostumed to the taste of Mexican food with the exact combination of seasoning. They only surprise people with their decoration in their dishes, but that does not mean a good taste in their cooking. Honestly, if you want to spend that much, go to La Fogata right on Ashland and 18th St. But everyone has a different taste, so it depends on you, but I am Mexican and was accostumed to eating with the right seasoning and this is not a place for you if you want authentic Mexican dishes.
read full reviewThe Details on Mundial Cafe
The Extras:
Brunch along this strip is a rare find, but the kitchen here cranks out some mean fruit crepes and egg dishes.
Fun Fact:
The chefs and owners each have spent time in well known kitchens around town, including MK, Gioco and Boka.
B.Y.O.B.:
There is a $3 corkage fee.
