Cafe Iberico

07/26/2008 Posted by Iknowmystuff

We eat out A LOT...we know our stuff. And we KNOW Spain. This is NOT "real" Spanish food. What they call "Spanish" is not made with Spanish ingredients...kind of like passing off a "Boca burger" for a real burger...or a "Chicago Hotdog" for a grocery store generic. I always think that if someone eats here, is he REALLY going to think that this is what the food tastes like in Spain? Yikes! NO way. However, the food is edible. (The paella does not qualify as "food".) The best part is the hours are good. Pretty much open all day. Parking is not easy...(valet is only after 5pm) The worst part is the NOISE! The sound BOUNCES off the ceiling and ricochets off the walls. You cannot HEAR the person next to you. (Don't bring grandma!...Please don't bring children!) NOISE!!! Please put in some insulation!!! (Huh!? What!?)

Pros: Hours

Cons: NOISE and lack of parking

05/27/2008 Posted by savoydog

I just started writing reviews. I must disagree with some of the other reviewers. I think the service is good and the food is great. I love to eat in the bar area when possible.

05/12/2008 Posted by eschack

I have never felt compelled to write a restaurant review before, but the horrific service I encountered at this place last Saturday night needs to be shared. We ordered a pitcher of forgettable sangria, croquetas de pollo and the paella. The waitress told us that the paella required 40 minutes to cook and then she literally disappeared for 40 minutes. The staff was so inattentive that we practically had to beg them for water, as well as ice for the WARM pitcher of sangria they served us. While we waited for the paella, I noticed that every other table had been served bread and olive oil except for ours (despite our 40 minute wait for food). The food certainly did not make up for the terrible service. The croquetas were average, but the paella was just about the WORST I have ever had (and I lived in Spain for a year!). The rice was hard and runny (read: undercooked). While I chose not to eat it, my famished boyfriend had a helping and wound up with a serious case of indigestion.

Pros: large space

Cons: Bad Service & Food

01/23/2008 Posted by javend

I went here with a date and we had to wait for almost an hour to be seated. We try to seat where they sat us but it was too crowded that I kept on bumping my elbow with the person behind me. I would go again but not on a weekend because the appetizers are great but the place was too crowded. The space is too small, they should think of expanding.

Pros: Appetizers

Cons: Parking, Service

11/29/2007 Posted by eddiesmiles

Love this place and love to bring guests here! The best deal is the paella, but there are too many good dishes to name! You'll end up trying all of them eventually, especially if you go with large groups of friends.

10/03/2007 Posted by mjarv

The bar area was way too crowded, sangaria tasted too sweet but the food was pretty good overall. The chicks in that place were phenomenal. I'd Give Baba Reeba the nod over this place --BlindyJarvis

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

09/30/2007 Posted by snd26

My favorite restaurant in chicago! Amazing food for a steal! The ambiance is great, the Sangria is to die for, the staff recognizes you, and there is always prompt seating due to its size! A must go place if you are anywhere in the area.

Pros: Awsome Food

Cons: loud on weekend nights

08/21/2007 Posted by eatinginphilly

I came to this restaurant while vacationing in Chicago based on recommendations from friends who had lived in the city previously. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was probably the most authentic Spanish tapas place I've found thus far in the States. While Philadelphia and New York have some fantastic tapas-style restaurants, they tend to be way too "chic" (not to mention expensive!) compared to the kind of places you'd find in Spain. This place was just like I remember in Spain-- great food, no frills. The jamon & manchego plate was excellent, as were the chicken croquetas and tortilla espanola (almost as good as the one I make!). Sangria was also very good, and a great value to boot. All in all I'd highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for a truly authentic tapas experience.

Pros: cheap, authentic tapas experience

Cons: can be loud, not romantic

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/28/2007 Posted by dianas21

I enjoy the food. I love their food. The only thing I don't like is that they serve french fries with some of their meals, I didn't came to a Spaniard restaurant to eat french fries!!! I've been here very frequently since my friend loves this restaurant. Each time that I've been here the wait staff is very poor. I've been here with just two people and it took my boyfriend and I 20 minutes just to get our meals ordered. My waitor was standing around and it was hard to get his attention. The wait staff is the worse that I've ever experienced!!!! Be prepared for bad wait staff and long waits!!!! Mind you this was only 2 people.

Pros: Enjoy food and prices

Cons: poor wait staff

06/19/2007 Posted by team_splashi

Team Splashi went last night for small plates/tapas adventure to the Spanish restaurant. Right when you enter this establishment, smoke from the bar will great you, so if you are like us( we don't smoke and don't like that nicotine burning smell around us, specially when we eat) make sure to inhale before entering into this establishment. We didn't have reservations , and looked like we didn't need one, because we where seated right away. First thing you notice is loud/loud loud people around you, it looked like everyone was trying to out voice each other. So Team Splashi strongly suggest that you bring your head phones or ear plugs, for loud noise will for sure give you headache. Service is average, and one example is that our server "Claudia" didn't even know what kind of beer is San Miguel... Food, oh brother , we don't know what happed last night, but food at this place is average at the best. So Team Splashi will not recommend this place , unless you are looking for average food with loud patrons and untrained staff. teamsplashi.blogspot

Pros: loud,smoky,

Cons: loud,NO(know how)