Cafe Central — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

Cafe Central is an absolute gem nestled in the heart of Chicago, offering some of the best and most authentic Puerto Rican cuisine you'll find outside of the island itself. From the moment you step through the door, you're greeted with warm hospitality that makes you feel right at home.

One of my favorite starters is the papa rellenas paired with their house hot sauce, a tantalizing combination of flavors that never disappoints. Meanwhile, my kids are always delighted with their pastelitos, which are perfectly crispy and flavorful.

But the real magic happens when you delve into their main dishes. Whether you're craving the iconic Jibaritos de bistec, the succulent Camarones, or the comforting Arroz con Gandules, each dish is expertly prepared and bursting with traditional Puerto Rican flavors. And for those who love a hearty meal, their fried pork chops are a must-try, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Save room for dessert, because Cafe Central offers a selection of sweet treats that are sure to satisfy your cravings. The Tembleque, also known as rice coconut pudding, is a creamy delight that transports you to the shores of Puerto Rico with every bite. And of course, you can't leave without trying their famous flan, a rich and velvety custard that melts in your mouth.

What truly sets Cafe Central apart, however, is the exceptional service and sense of community you'll experience with each visit. It's the kind of place where you'll find yourself returning time and time again, joining a community of loyal patrons who share your love for incredible food and a welcoming atmosphere. If you're craving a taste of Puerto Rico in the heart of Chicago, look no further than...

Overall Thoughts: Cafe Central is a long-standing Puerto Rican establishment in West Town. I ordered takeout, but the interior had a comfortable, homey diner feel. The total price for my 2 items was $30, which was reasonable for the portions and the area. While I wouldn’t recommend the cod fish stew mixta plate I ordered, I thought their jibarito was great. I’d either skip the mixta plate altogether or try a different protein choice. For takeout, you need to call them in advance and say your order clearly. They misunderstood my order over the phone, so they had to change the order receipt after I arrived. Including the mix up, the order took ~20 minutes overall to pick up, which is still reasonable.

Food I tried: Mixta Plate with Arroz con Gandules, Beans, and Cod Fish Stew (Friday Special) (3.2/5): I wasn’t a fan of the cod stew— the cod was quite dry and rubbery, didn’t taste very fresh, and lacked flavor. The rice was flavorful and tasty though a little too hard. The beans were pretty good, but could’ve had more flavor. It was a large amount of food for $15, but not fresh enough in my opinion to justify getting again.

Steak Jibarito (4.6/5): This jibarito redeemed the mixta plate for me. It’s not the best I’ve had in Chicago and a lot smaller than most (especially for the $12 price point), but it’s still super delicious. It’s less garlicky than I like (I wish it came with extra garlic sauce), but everything else about it was perfect. The plantain was thin and crispy and the steak was extraordinarily flavorful and well cooked. The ratio to other ingredients was perfect. —

Price (relative to peers): 4.3/5 Food: 3.9/5 Ambience: N/A Service (takeout):...

I honestly don't understand the hyped reviews. 4 tostones $4.50! 1 order de carne frita $22! "Perdoname, pero esto aquí esta mas caro que un catalitico robao." The service is "excelente" and atmosphere is great, but where are the Puertoricans! I was rooting for this place, but too bad the food is mid at best, maybe awesome "pa' los blanco", but something tells me it's not authentic P.R. food. There is something about the lack of seasoning and flavor that is off. The "Mofongo" literally a dry fried ball in a "pilón", since when is mofongo fried into a ball. Where's the garlicky olive oil to drizzle over the mofongo? "A lo seco!" Speaking of balls, the Rellenos de Papa saved the day♡, they were great, crispy browned on the outside and soft on the inside. Unfortunately, the carne frita was basically hidden under a mound of cold onions. Again, dry. Back to the mofongo; not one piece of "tocino", not even a little cup of "caldo" to get it down, maybe a complimentary small simple lettuce & tomato salad, how about the typical french bread slice on the side, nothing. I guess I'm biased from living in P.R. for 12 years and enjoying "Ponce" here in Chi'. So basically overpriced "Mas o menos" Puertorican food without the true homemade Puertorican culinary swag. Give the dishwashers a raise; too many plates everywhere, literally a plate for every individual item. Yo!, where is the pique!!!🔥🌶 Nowhere in site, just a tiny cup of some refrigerated mild green stuff. 🇵🇷 $100, 2 adults & 2 kids, must be...