Cafe Laguardia
(773) 862-5996
2111 W Armitage Ave
Chicago,
IL
60647
41.9175
-87.6806
Neighborhoods: Bucktown, North Side
Reviews & Ratings for Cafe Laguardia
21 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 21 reviews
Huge portions!
by wkugirl
August 18, 2008
Went here for a lunch with five friends. Server must have been brand new but he was friendly and attentive. The questions he could not answer he found someone who could. One friend and I split the paella. It says it will feed 2-3 but it is more like 4. The paella was presented in the pan it was cooked in and looked and smelled great! We enjoyed it and had leftovers for another day. Our friends ordered a combo entree and they could have easily split it. The BBQ on their entree was yummy. We also ordered a pitcher of Sangria. It was tasty. We ate a late lunch so we did not wait for a table and it was not crowded. The tables are very close together though so I would guess they pack you in tight on busy nights. Good drink menu.
good food, good value, friendly service
by pink75
July 26, 2008
We felt welcomed the moment we stepped in. The man who greeted us perhaps he was one of the owner was welcoming and we were seated promptly. We were not crazy with the ambience, we thought it was too dark. Perhaps if they can brighten up the room a bit I would give it 5 stars. However, we were not disappointed with the food. The price was reasonable. We might come back for the food but will sit by the window.
- Pros: good food, good value
- Cons: ambience, it was too dark.
Cockaroaches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by cubanasdoitbetter
July 03, 2008
so i tried this infamous cuban restaurant and to my dismay was dissapointed. not only did i have to wait a lifetime to sit and when i did the older man who i believe is the owner gave us the worst table! He practically put us on top of the people next to us and there was no way out at one point when the owner kept stuffing more people inside (um fire hazard anyone) . the appetizers came out cold , the mojitos were mediocre and were bordering on lethal toxicity ( the bartender who was on check please is not very nice btw) and the rachel ray red " snapper" was salty , unedible and im pretty sure was tiliapia in disguise. the service was fine and the server was appologetic but seemed defeated when i pointed out the humongous cockaroach that ran across our table. despite the hype i highly suggest cafe bolero which is just 5 minutes down western.
Good drinks, ok food and bad service
by KTberg
April 28, 2008
We showed up at 8pm and were told by Carlos (the owner) that the wait would be one hour, which seemed reasonable for that time of night. During our wait we tasted the mojitos and caiparinhas. The caiparinhas were well made and quite good, but the mojitos lacked flavor. 80 minutes later, we check in again since we had still not been seated and were told it would be another 40 minutes. After a two hours of waiting we were finally seated.
The food itself was ok, but nothing spectacular. It was actually less remarkable than my last visit a year ago. I had the Cuban nachos and seafood which were bland and uninspired. The table service was a welcome highlight being both friendly and accurate.
Overall, the atmosphere is interesting and it's not a bad place to grab a drink, but I wouldn't recommend the food and don't trust the quoted wait time estimates.
- Pros: Caiparinhas
- Cons: Service, food
Awesome food!! by Carmen I Q. at InsiderPages
Contributor
April 14, 2008
We celebrated my best friend's birthday at Cafe Laguardia, and we had enjoyed it quite a bit! The owner of the restaurant was extremely nice, and he truly cares about his customer. He kept coming to our table to make sure everything was perfect; and it was! The appetizers and entrees are delicious! Try the platano nachos, so yum!
Very fun place by Craig F. at InsiderPages
Contributor
March 11, 2008
Every one of my friends I've brought here has loved the place. I'm from Miami, and my Cuban friends agree that the food is about authentic as you can get outside of South Florida.
The atmosphere is fun and lively with a hip, energetic crowd. Live salsa music a couple nights a week adds to the excitement.
Also adding to the excitement are the delicious caipirnhas and possibly the best mojitos in the Chi.
My all time fave is the ropa vieja, but I dare you to finish all of the taste of Cuba. It's a delicious dare, trust me.
Best Cuban Food Around
by jessiawhite
June 20, 2007
I first heard of this place on Food Network and decided to try it out. My boyfriend's family is Cuban so he is very familiar with amazing Cuban food. Our experience was amazing! The Taste of Cuba is a must have, as is the snapper. I've been several times now and have tried other Cuban dishes, they were all fantastic. The mojitos and the sangria are not to be missed. The flan makes the perfect finish to the meal. As if the food wasn't wonderful enough, the atmosphere is great and the owner always greets you at the door. I would highly recommend this place to people who enjoy great food and a good time. Parking is tricky, but certainly doable.
- Pros: Family service, amazing food, fun atmosphere
- Cons: Parking
Service is like a roller coaster, up one day down the other, then up again...
by vegitoboi
March 19, 2007
Talk about inconsistant. I've been here a couple of time already; I try to go once every 3 months to get my somewhat cheap Latin cuisine on. I remember the first time I was here receiveing a tip from one of Rachael Ray's Food Network shows. I was seated right away, despite the somewhat short wait on a Saturday night, and the food was hot and phenominal that I gave this place 5 stars. Then the 2nd time came around and low and behold, down went the service and quality. The BAR WAS NOT STOCKED as I asked for 3 different mojitos only to get shot down 3 times and settling for a regular mojito. BARTENDER DIDN'T COMPENSATE!!! She also frequently left the bar area for times as long as 10 minutes. Although the appitizer I ordered was great, the entree I usually order took over 30 minutes to make, WAY LONGER than it usually takes, and SERVED LUKEWARM. It just took 1 bad visit to lower my rating from 5 stars to 2. But after a couple months, I gave them a 2nd chance and up went the service. Although some habits still remain even to my latest visit not too long ago: disappearing bartenders and lukewarm (but slightly hotter) food. I'm starting to question what ever happened to the 5 star experience I had the 1st time I was here? The food and drinks are great, no doubt (despite the problems). The decor can use updating since it looks like it hasn't changed since they opened. It wouldn't hurt to expand since it does get crowded. It reallt is a good place, but they need to get their act together.
- Pros: Good mojitos, yummy twist on Latin American cuisine with emphasis on seafood, live band on some nights
- Cons: parking, NO WEEKEND RESERVATIONS, cramped on nights and weekends, LUKEWARM FOOD, Service went DOWN. Value could be cheaper, weekend reservations not allowed
Very Mediocre
by dellskin
January 16, 2007
Before they redid the place, LaGuardia was okay food in a restaurant with tables on top of each other. Since the rehab, the seating is much more comfortable, but the okay food has declined to poor. None of the food has any flavor. How can ropa vieja with tomatos, onions and peppers have no flavor? Somehow they manage. The fried steak with onions was hands down the worst piece of beef I have ever had, including the $5.99 T-Bone special at the corner breakfast spot. The only food worth ordering are the beans. Both the red and black beans are very good. Why go here when Cafe Bolero is only a few blocks away?
Overpriced, Lacks Authenticity
by meev
April 29, 2006
Unfortunately, this place didn't live up to our expectations. What could have been a good dining experience was sorely lacking in authenticity. The menu featured the broad strokes of Cuban cuisine but missed the finer details in its choices. There were also too many "Americanized" concoctions clearly designed for people who don't know the difference. Disappointing. The restaurant clearly had a trendy feel. Nice decor, beautiful, friendly wait staff but, dining is about the food. I did have a good mojito but it and everything else was overpriced. The food was mediocre, at best. Who ever heard of not serving "maduros" with an entree at a Cuban restaurant. You had to request them, pay extra and then they were undercooked and cold. If you are looking for authentic Cuban, try Sabor a Cuba. The service is poor but, who cares, the food is great, authentic and cheap.
- Pros: Good mojito, Free parking in front
- Cons: Lacks Authenticity, Overpriced, Mediocre food
