Mima's Taste Of Cuba — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

If you've ever dreamed of escaping to a breezy little Cuban café without booking a flight, look no further than Mima's Taste of Cuba in Chicago. Tucked away on Irving Park Road, this gem feels like a slice of Havana—with vibrant vibes, warm hospitality, and food that’ll make you want to dance salsa right at your table.

First off, this place is adorable. The décor is full of tropical charm and vintage Cuban flair, and the outdoor seating? Chef’s kiss. Whether you're soaking up the summer sun or enjoying a breezy evening, it’s the perfect setting to pretend you’re chilling in Old Havana with a mojito in hand. Now, let’s talk about the staff—attentive, friendly, and just genuinely lovely. You can feel the pride they take in their service and cuisine.

But oh, the food. Where do I even begin? We kicked things off with the Chicharrón con Mofongo, and it was the ideal crispy-savory start—flavor-packed and addictively tasty. Then came the Ropa Vieja, and let me tell you, I’ve tried this dish at many Cuban spots, and Mima’s version is hands-down the best I’ve had. Tender, rich, and bursting with flavor.

The Lechón was another knockout—juicy and full of that smoky charred goodness on the outside. And just when I thought it couldn’t get better, the Churrasco Cubano hit the table. This steak was so good it should have its own fan club—perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth, and seasoned to perfection.

Bonus: the portions are generous, and the prices are more than reasonable. You'll leave full, happy, and probably already planning your return. If you’re craving real, authentic Cuban food that hits all the right notes, Mima’s is your spot. Whether you’re a seasoned Cuban food lover or just curious to try something new, this place will not disappoint....

I was excited to try this place, but I’ll be honest, I was disappointed. The service was pretty bad. We expected a wait as they were pretty busy, but we were just told to stand outside and wait for our name (most places tell you what the wait time is). Being pregnant and having a 3 year old with us , we took a seat at an unoccupied bench outside to wait. We asked the security guard if it was okay to sit there and he said yes. We got water after about 20 mins of waiting and then it took about another 25 mins before anyone even offered us our regular drinks, and no one stopped to discuss how much longer of a wait or anything. We just kinda sat there waiting around while staff walked by. I expected more hospitality without having to be called out on it? Our server was not much better either she kinda just slapped our food on the table and walked away. I asked for a coke 3 times before I got it as well. My jibarito lacked flavor and was very greasy but the plantain was cooked very well and the meat wasn’t fatty unlike some places which was nice. The beef empanada was okay, but also extremely greasy. My boyfriend got the lechón sandwich and that was much better but kind of small for the price. The food was hot and you can tell it was fresh. He said his mango pina colada was good too. Overall, I’d try them again to see if the other menu items are better and maybe on a less busy day where the servers and hospitality in general is better. The music was loud and the art work was fun which we enjoyed for a tropical feel, but the staff was just not...

Saw this place as I was riding past on my way to another restaurant and was interested. I decided to try the jibarito with plantains Cubano style. I requested light mustard as I don't like mustard but wanted to stay true to the sandwich, and they gave me light mustard requested. The plantains were nice and crispy. The pork was juicy and tender and had some delicious crispy bits. The ham had the right amount of saltiness, and there was a nice cheese pull from the swiss! It was everything you'd know and love about a cubano, but on plantains, i highly recommend the Jibarito cubano style. I ordered the beef empanada and it had an extremely familiar flavor (may have been the taco seasoning?) , but it was flavorful none the less.The guava glazed cheese empanada was my favorite out of the both of them. I believe the cheese was Mozzarella, and this also has an amazing cheese pull. Both empanadas were perfectly fried and had a wonderful crunch! For my drink, I got the mimi punch that was a perfect fruity drink, and if you don't like strong alcoholic drinks like me, you'd love it as I could taste the rum just a little bit but not overpowering. I highly recommend this drink.The food overall was delicious! I would definitely come back. This is a place where I would try the whole menu based on what...