🥘 I Finally Tried Chicago’s Super Popular Spanish Paella!

Over Labor Day weekend, I went all out on food adventures—and Cafe Ba·Ba·Reeba!, which had been sitting on my list forever, finally got its first visit! The restaurant is huge and buzzing with energy—so lively that you practically have to raise your voice and repeat yourself to chat 😂. The vibe totally feels like a festive Spanish tapas bar. We originally wanted to sit in the garden, but it was already full… a slight bummer! 📍 2024 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 🍑 White Peach Sangria (half pitcher) – Saw this on almost every table! Perfect for the season—light, fruity, and refreshing. 🐙 Octopus Carpaccio (collab with Ramen San) – Sadly a light miss… the flavor was so subtle it almost didn’t exist. 🌴 Chorizo-Wrapped Date – A standout tapas! Super aromatic and delicious. 🥘 Main Event: Paella De Mariscos – The server dished it out at lightning speed—literally blurry-hand fast 🥘⚡! Portions were generous. (Shhh… I snapped a pic of someone else’s paella before ours arrived 😆) Taste-wise, it was saltier than expected with a nice toasty aroma, but not mind-blowing. 🥩 Surprise Hit: Beef Tenderloin Toro – Looks stunning and the meat was tender! I wasn’t a huge fan of the mojo sauce (garlic + horseradish—a bit sharp), but my friend loved it. ✨ Verdict: Amazing vibes, perfect for group hangs and drinks. Must-order: White Peach Sangria 🍑 & Chorizo-Wrapped Dates. The paella is worth trying but keep expectations moderate! #Chicago #SpanishFood #Paella #Tapas #ChicagoEats #SpanishRestaurant #ChicagoLife