Don't leave this earth without trying their famous coconut oatmeal Best place to go for coffee, pastries as well as your famous sandwiches.
(5)
Cal E.
This place is delicious. You must try the pastelillos de guayaba (pastry with cheese and guava) and quesitos (cheese pastry). I couldn't eat enough of these tasty pastries. The cafe colao was also very delicious.
(5)
Laura N.
There's something special in the cafe con leche - not sure exactly what, but it's definitely better than 'Murican coffee. And the price is right too! In the summer I get an iced mocha latte with a shot of coconut - don't ask questions, just do it! You'll thank me later. Pastelillos and quesitos de guayaba will probably give me diabetes one day, but they are sooo good - especially when they're really fresh. Many seem to have written something negative about one of the girls who works here. If you stop by regularly and try chatting with her, she's actually a pretty nice person. We should all try talking to people we see in our neighborhood more often!
(4)
Brian C.
Adore this place. I moved to Humboldt Park just within the last year and this place, blocks from the crib, was a real find. The coffee is great, the sandwiches amazing. I love the chicken and cheese, and the lechon especially. The steak, or steak/egg/cheese is a best seller too, for good reason. At this place they will actually sell out of sandwiches! Which is a great sign; means they make a certain amount of meat in advance, and when its gone, its gone. The prices are great. Most sandwiches are 5.50 and very large, for good value. The grilled cheese is only like 2 bucks, for one of the best deals in the neighborhood! I think the service is great: big shout-out to Carmen and Madi in particular. Cafe Colao is never going to be confused with S-BUX, with the pasted on smiles and the fakey-corporate friendliness, but that's OK with me. They are real people -- be nice to them and they're gonna be nice to you right back.
(5)
Adriana S.
I live a few blocks from this place. It's located a block from the Park which is great. Two stars because of the long wait times (I've had to wait up to 30 minutes for a iced coffee and sand which), the rude customer service interactions (cashiers waiving their friends to the front of the line while everyone else waits as they have a conversation) and the overall inconsistency of the food/coffee.
(2)
Cham S.
someone send me the paperwork necessary to legally immerse my body in this place... I guess that means just walking in and hanging out for a while...but still I want it to be known that Cafe Colao is consistently my best kept secret (until now mother f*ckers), and you're welcome. puerto rican breakfast sandwiches on freshly baked bread (in-house); forget about it. also, super cool to patron a Latino-owned and operated business! "keep it moving papa!" -cham
Cafe Colao isn't blow your mind off amazing but they definitely have some pretty good food for great prices! I came with a few yelp friends and we were lucky to grab a seat. The interior is very small and so the seating is also fairly limited. There is only around 5 small tables and on the day we went, 2 were reserved as the mayor of Chicago decided to stop by too! Order at the front, food will be brought out to you. I enjoyed my steak, egg, and cheese sandwich which can be easily split into two portions. I also supplemented my meal with a guava with cream cheese pastry which was a nice addition. I liked that the cream cheese wasn't terribly heavy but also wished that there was more guava filling in there. All in all, a good place to stop by in Humboldt Park. It seems very neighborhood friendly as people seemed to continuously come in and out to order. Easy parking right outside.
(4)
Ty R.
Best little coffee shop in the city. The sandwiches and pastries are fresh and made to order. Very small space so plan on taking it to go. The best Puerto Rican oatmeal I have ever had!!
(5)
Reuben H.
On the Paseo Boricua you will find in a little storefront Cafe Colao a taste of Puerto Rico through very nice coffee, great sandwiches and pastries, and really friendly service. My wife and I stumbled here on Sunday morning almost by accident after one of my favorite breakfast spots in the city - Nellie's - was closed due to some construction. Take it from me - don't let the modest, small space shy you away from heading from all over town to try out a few things and get to know a neighborhood staple in one of Chicago's unique and culturally significant stretches. From the traditional tripleta sandwich ("tripleta" meaning triple, as in kinds of meat: steak, and two kinds of ham), to their version of the medianoche (Cuban sandwich), to the pastelillos and quesitos from the baked goods cabinet, to the coffee made to order right before your eyes, the way you want it - everything I have tried here is good. However if you need that one, unique eating experience that you can't easily find elsewhere as the excuse to come down - make certain you put on your list of items to order the Avena de Coco (coconut oatmeal). They do it really well here, and ensure it is freshly made and actually completed to their satisfaction before handing over to customers. How do I know that? Because on that fateful Sunday morning, we got the last order of the batch that was completed and saw no fewer than five orders behind us be denied since the newest batch being worked on wasn't completed yet. So delicious!
(5)
Padma A.
Super quick,economical and quality food, why else would you spot the Mayor here? My yelper friends and i decided to meet here for brunch. We were surprised the place has literally 5 tables and 3 were reserved, later got to know it was for the mayor and his assosicate. I ordered the egg and chesse sandwich along with a latte and guva pastry. When i started to dig in realized they gave me the wong pastry, it was easily replaced. Great place to get some brunch, wish the seating area was bigger though.
(4)
Sheila K.
I met up with some girlfriends this past weekend to check out Cafe Colao. We were in luck because upon our visit Mayor Rahm Emanuel stopped by and had lunch there as well. I'll never forget this place now! I tried the Steak, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich and it was pretty tasty, well sized portion. For $6.25 it was definitely worth it. I also tried a couple of the pastry items: Pastelillos Guayabano, Cheese Roll, and the Guava and Cheese. Among these three, I would get the guava and cheese again. The cheese roll was all wrong for my taste. There was just way too much cheese and I am a person that LOVES cheese. I took one bite and that was it for me. I also tried a latte which is one of the best I have had. I was able to drink it no problem. If you are in the area, give this place a try. The food is affordable. It's a small place, but has a couple of tables.
(3)
Kyle H.
Cafe Colao is a great neighborhood spot for coffee, cortaditos, sandwiches (including breakfast), and neighborhood meetups. Having lived in Humboldt Park for five years, I can't believe it took me this long to visit Colao. The service is great, and so friendly. They remember their customers, and it has a great neighborhood feel, and cops have been known to visit. You gotta trust any business that cops frequent! (Since they dine out all the time...) I look forward to visiting Cafe Colao when I'm back in Humboldt Park.
(4)
Wingo S.
The avena de coco looks great. My guava pastry was delicious.
(4)
Chary H.
The coconut oatmeal is amazing. You should probably phone in your order and pay cash because the whole operation is a bit disorganized and you may end up waiting up to 30 minutes for oatmeal and a sandwich. The ringing out seemed to take forever as well. The coffee was great and they gave me a free pastry for the wait so at least they acknowledge their customers.
(4)
Andria C.
Everything you've read about the coconut oatmeal is true. It is amazingly good and you have to try it. I also highly recommend the sandwiches - especially the roast pork. It is a full sized meal and a great value. The space is small but definitely worth checking out!
(4)
Jessica V.
Please don't go here. Why? Because I do not want to wait one more minute for my sandwich or coffee. That's right I am selfish. If I find something I like I do not share it with you all.. but since I am drinking Hennessy at the moment you have caught me at the right time.. I will say this in all honesty and they say when you are drunk you tell the truth but they have the absolute best bread to make sandwiches and the best coffee I have had in Chicago. Now bread, it is the most delicious textural appetizing gluten artifact I have ever salivating on. Wherever they get the bread or make it I need to know more. The way the bread combines with all the other staples of a sandwich are in complete harmony. Now, I know everyone has their preference with coffee so let me clarify. So I do not like dunkin donuts and I do not like starbucks. Why? Because one is too strong and one lacks in flavor of coffee beans and is too sweet. At cafe colao they have the perfect mixture of just enough boldness but compensates with sweetness to offset that bitter coffee bean. If you like your coffee like I do and catch where I am coming from then I am sure we are on the same page. But coffee I know is a preference and I am not here to say who is better than the competitor.. all I can really say is that for me they make the coffee right and it is consistent and consistency is honestly what keeps me coming back to this place. The sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee have all been worth the drive to go there every day I have had off for a year. I love everything about them to their food and involvement in the community it makes me happy to purchase from them.. they really are the definition of a small business that shines in a sea full of big fish in the city of Chicago.
(5)
Abe K.
Went in here on Jan. 18, 2015 around lunch time. We ordered a few sandwiches and a pastry to go. Waited about 15 minutes for everything to be ready. The sandwiches were excellent but really just too slow to make them considering there were only about 3 -5 people ahead of us. But, they were good sandwiches. Hopefully this place will get their efficiency worked out but, but the wait is sort of worth it.
(4)
Kayla H.
I have two words for you: LECHON (PORK) SANDWICH. Ok, THREE words if you translate. This item is not typically listed on the chalkboard menu, but I ALWAYS ask... and they ALWAYS have it. If you're unfamiliar with Puerto Rican pork sandwiches, you are truly missing out in life! This is not American pulled pork - drowned in barbeque sauce, concealing all of the spices/flavors. This is slow roasted, spiced and rubbed to perfection, tender and melty goodness. The pork sandwich is served on Cafe Colao's French bread (made in-house), along with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and mayo. Toasted. It perfectly crunchy, warm and gooey and I AM DROOLING! I feel compelled to write a bit about the quality of service as this is always a source of contention at Puerto Rican joints: Unfortunately, my peoples are known for the "cojelo con take it easy" mentality. They will take your order with not much of a smile, or silly elevator banter. They will get you your food... when it's ready... in due time... And you will wait, because it's the best darn sandwich you've ever had and you're hooked. This is not the place to go to when you're in a hurry, or when your bus is 6 minutes away - giving you JUST enough time to run in and grab a small coffee. NO. This is a place to visit outside of rush hour on a lowkey day... like on a Sunday. Just say hi, drop a little conversation starter (if you that's the experience that you're looking for) and the ladies up front will follow suit. They are not MEAN, NASTY or SCARY. Please also try the Quesitos (keh-see-toas). Quesitos are pastries filled with cream cheese and in some cases, a combination of cream cheese and guava paste. They're amazing. The tornillos (corkscrews) are also good as are the pastelillos (pas-tell-ee-yose). Pastelillos are flaky puff pastries filled with a layer of guava paste in the middle, and topped with powdered sugar. Sugary deliciousness. Don't forget to have some coffee. It's strong and they've figured out the right cream and sugar ratios. Oh! And I can't forget the hot chocolate! It's made with REAL MILK. :)
(5)
DEMIAN C.
Amazingly good food at good prices. The breakfast sandwiches are full of fresh and delicious ingredients. I die for the avena de coco. Ufff sooo sweeet. The potatoes on the breakfast plate are so damn greasy but equally delicious. Ok now we gotta talk about the costumer service and the lengthy time for completion. 1. Obviously the "short lady" as described earlier, may not seem the friendliest woman ever; she is actually nice and you just got to ask her something like "How is your day?" Or "Wow, you seem overwhelmed by all these orders and you are here all by yourself. " I really like her. She is cool and works hard. 2. This is obviously not a Starbucks, so don't expect a quick 2 minute latte with all the bells and whistles. If you are in a hurry, try it at your own risk but dont get upset or give bad reviews if it takes longer than you thought. Overall excellent. Sit by the bar to get to know the "short lady" she is funny!!!
(5)
A.A. B.
Absolutely love this place! Greatest mochas I have ever had! The people that work here are wonderful- friendly and quick service considering the small space and high demand. At this point, I have tried about half the pastries and half the menu and everything is delicious; you can't go wrong. And the prices are very reasonable as well.
(5)
Andrew R.
how can a coffee place not ever have half and half??? seriously??? just curious if this is a common thing anywhere else. so weird.
This cafe is the closest your going to get to a real cafe in Puerto Rico. The soup is great especially if it's salchichon. The sandwiches are very P.R. authentic I add avacado to all of them. The coconut oatmeal is the best. The quesitos are very good and so are the pastelillos de quava. And of course the coffee is delicious. I have been going to Cafe Colao for about 15 years it never disappoints. If you are Puerto Rican living in the Chicago land area and haven't gone shame on you.
(5)
Kari A.
I normally don't write bad reviews but I have been going to this restaurant for over 6 years and I have never had any complaints until recently. I'm not sure if there are new owners now but the food is not the same at ALL. The avocado sandwich used to be my favorite! I recommended this place to so many of my friends but I will no longer be doing that. I ordered an avocado sandwich the other day and it had one slice of avocado in it. Not even kidding. I kept tasting no avocado so I opened it up and saw the little slice they had put on it. The rest was all bread and mayonnaise. This sandwich used to be loaded with avocado and tomatoes. I don't know what changed but something sure did. Sad to see greed ruin such a great restaurant. You might save a couple bucks putting less and less food into the sandwiches but you end up losing more in your customers.
(1)
Noralyn A.
This place was not good. The service took forever (I only ordered 1 steak,egg and cheese sandwich) then when I finally did get my sandwich, the steak tasted so old and over salted it actually smelled terrible. Owned by the same people who own Nellie's cafe" down the street, I really wouldn't recommend it. It is also way overpriced in my opinion. If you are looking for great, reasonably priced food in the area, definitely check out "Papa's Cache". They know what they're doing.
(2)
stan w.
These guys make an outstanding sandwich!
(4)
Lucy Z.
They weren't kidding about the amazing coffee and sandwiches here. I came to Chicago on a vacation and was going to visit Humboldt Parka and wanted to grab a breakfast nearby. This is a little cafe but the food is just absolutely delicious. I've suggested this place to my Chicago friend who has never heard of it because I love it so much. I will DEFINITELY be going out of my way on my next trip just to come to this cafe for some yummy sandwiches.
(5)
Julianne Z.
I finally go the chance to go here! The pastries are 4 stars but the customers service is what warrants this place one star. The girl at the cash register was extremely rude. Walking in, it was obvious that I didn't speak Spanish nor had I been here before. I asked her for a guava and cream cheese pastry and she said they ran out so I asked her what she had left. She just pointed at the case, all filled with pastries that looked exactly the same and told me that was all she had left. She then left the restaurant and I had to wait for another couple of minutes until she came back. When she came back, I asked her what the flavors of the pastries were and she said one kind was just guava, one was just cream cheese and one was apple. Was that that hard? I thought it was so rude, especially since I had gone in, being so excited to try the pastries. Now, the pastries lived up to their name. The guava pastry was flaky and delicious, and I had an apple turnover that was divine as well. Come for the pastries, but the service is just horrible!
(1)
Rayid G.
Decent Cuban sandwiches, coffee, and pastries. Not as great as cafecito but still decent.
(3)
Edward S.
This little hole in the wall on Division street is home to some of the best sandwiches and an amazing coffee. Try the tripleta, coconut oatmeal, and a cafe colao and your good to go. Enjoy
(5)
Amanda S.
This place smells like heaven! Their coffee and pastries are wonderful as well. The service may be a little slow, but whatevs I hardly am ever in a hurry, The only thing that makes this place a 3 star cafe instead of a 4 star is the younger cashier. She has a nasty attitude and always seems to be in a bad mood. Even if you try to be friendly towards her, she is just nasty back, I'll go here anyway, but they should maybe take her off the register and find her something else she could do. Some people are just not people persons. Anyway, it's a nice place, with delish coffee and tasty food. Stop in.
(3)
Ruma T.
The rating is an update to their guava pastries..all of which I've tried. Awesome. So unique because guava is not something you see very often. And just tasty. I am tempted to go get one right now writing this.
(5)
Noemi D.
I loved it! Had the Avena de coco, que rica! It reminded me of my abuela's Avena de coco!
(5)
Daniela V.
Dude.. I don't know what happened here but the service is so slow... I gotta wait 15 minutes for an iced coffee and 10 just for them to aacknowledge me. Oh and I asked for an iced coffee... so please stop asking if I want an iced mocha. I don't!
(3)
Jo L.
The sandwiches, quesitos and coconut oatmeal are all delicious. However, the customer service is very bad. It is embarrassing to see so many Puerto Rican owned businesses failing in the service component. Below is the process I went through to get one chicken sandwich, a quesito, a cup of coffee and a bottle of water. 1. I walked up to the counter and the short lady behind the counter did not acknowledge my presence, so I stood there awkwardly while she SLOWLY got drinks from the cooler. 2. She finally walks over after a few minutes and asks me rudely, "what do you want?" 3. I place my simple order - no deviations from the menu. 4. After about 15 minutes of waiting, I ask the short lady if I can get my coffee and quesito now while I wait for the sandwich to be made. Again, she does not acknowledge my request but simply goes in the kitchen for several minutes while customers are waiting in line. 5. After about 20 minutes of initially walking in, I finally get my coffee but no quesito. 6. 30 minutes later my sandwich is ready and she puts the quesito in the bag, but does not include my bottle of water. 7. I watched this woman for 30 minutes botch one order after the other and act extremely rude with customers. A few suggestions: Smile and say hello to customers when they walk in. Try and get coffee, pastries or anything that is easy grab quickly to customers. If the sandwiches are going to take more than 10 minutes, you should inform customers, so they can plan their lunch time accordingly. Say thank you to a customer for their patronage.
(2)
Crystal A.
Awesome sandwiches!! They are so tasty and served warm! They have great pastries and coffee too! Only bad thing is they don't have a restroom, I am 8months pregnant and had to leave in a rush to find a restroom:/
(4)
Courtney W.
Great breakfast spot in Humbodt Park! The steak, egg and cheese sandwich is delicious and a great deal. Wonderful coffee! The service can be a bit slow when it's crowded, but there's free wi-fi and the food is worth the wait!
(4)
Shayne S.
I can't say enough about this restaurant; you have to try it out! The coffee and variety of food here is not only delicious but, the staff and cozy atmosphere provide a pleasant experience that will call you back again and again.
(5)
James T.
My family and I moved into the neighborhood and this has been the most amazing find. Great food, awesome coffee and a wonderful vibe inside. Always love supporting local places and this is a must to try!
(5)
Amanda C.
Do not leave without having a Pastelito de Guayaba con queso (guava & cheese pastry) & Cafe Con Leche! Dynamic duo! I had the disk shaped pastry. I went back up and brought another it was so good! This place is super authentic... right in the heart of HP. Want some good Puerto Rican flare! You'll get it here! I am dying to go back and have the avena de coco (coconut oatmeal). I will update you when I have it... I'm somewhat of a coconut fanatic! They also have a variety of sandwiches and everything is priced fairly. Over all feel of the place was cozy and welcoming. Might I add they were Jamming!!!!! Had some Frankie Ruiz on... almost had me dancing in the cafe! Thank the good Lord I don't live near here... I'd be there every day. Sweet on the lips & thick on the hips!!!!!!
(5)
David B.
Friendly service, cute decor, good coffee, and great sandwiches. The pastries are solid too! Definitely recommended if you're in the neighborhood.
(5)
Jessica A.
Today is the first day that I've been absolutely DISAPPOINTED with Cafe Colao. Ordered a ham egg and cheese sandwich and when I got home to eat it the bread was different, BURNT and it was so bland I couldn't believe my taste buds. I've been here plenty and honestly every other time was more than satisfactory :) hopefully it's just one off day!
(1)
Diana D.
The day I tried this place I knew I was in trouble. I live around the corner and therefore far too close to it for the sake of staying in my current pant size. Cafe Colao is amazing. The owner is SO nice and has accommodated off-the-menu requests for friends of ours, their pastries are UNBELIEVABLE (i seriously want to bathe in the pastelillos), and I am officially obsessed with their avocado sandwich. I've tried the Cuban sandwich too, which is fantastic, but the avocado is just so creamy and delicious and satisfying. If you find yourself in the neighborhood, you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to stop here and try something.
(5)
kamal b.
Sandwiches were amazing and that guava&cheese pastry was alright too. Service took way too long though. Took about 30mins to get my sandwich... other than that went there twice in a row for brunch. I don't eat pork but lots of folks were saying that the media noches was on point.
(4)
Keisha J.
I absolutely love the steak, egg & cheese sandwich, along with the chicken sandwich. Their pastries are pretty tasty as well. The reason for such a low rating has to do with the extremely poor customer service I receive every time I attempt to patronize the cafe. They are entirely too slow, plus I really feel as if they don't want me there because of my ethnicity, as I patronize other places in the neighborhood (I live there) and don't receive the same coldness as I do there. One of the cashiers even took it upon herself to speak negatively about me in Spanish to another co-worker as if I don't understand the language. As I stated, I live in the neighborhood. Despite the pastries and sandwiches, I will never be back not recommend another person.
(1)
Billy M.
I love this place! Great atmosphere and amazing food and coffee. I have had the breakfast steak sandwich with egg and cheese. Out of this world! I love coffee and had a latte. Top notch. I recommend stopping in for breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning. The pastries are delicious too. You're doing it right Humboldt Park! Keep it up.
(5)
BM K.
This place is my go to spot for sandwiches, pastry, and cafe con leche. Ive lived in the neighborhood for over 6 years and just started frequented this place about a year ago. The sandwiches are out of this world! I get the ham, egg and cheese and the cubano at least once a week. The guava and queso pastries are equally as good and I am a sucker for pastry so Ive had some good stuff and this ranks up there, the crust is so buttery and flakey. Its perfect complement to a cafe con leche! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Oh and the prices are very fair here. I almost don't want to tell anyone about this place b/c its already super busy.
(5)
Reyna M.
I made the mistake of ordering the breakfast platter and waited 1hour for my food as i watched other patrons walk out with theirs Unbelievable
(4)
Kristina M.
My boyfriend's family lives in Humboldt Park down Division, so they're only a block or two away from here. They brought back sandwiches one morning and the ham and cheese was delicious (ordered without lettuce/tomato). I was looking for a place to pick up breakfast one morning and remembered Cafe Colao. When reading some of the reviews I was a bit hesitant - people said the employees and cashier seemed to be unfriendly to non-residents or people of different ethnicity - I'm Filipino and my boyfriend is Puerto Rican. The reviews intimidated me a lot because I thought I'd feel unwanted. However, I said, screw it, I don't care, I just want food. So I went anyway. I had wonderful customer service from who I assumed people were talking about. She was a young girl, maybe around 20. She was very friendly and apologetic when she couldn't hear me - I had lost my voice that day. It's a tiny cafe with dim lighting but I could tell there were some regulars there. I ordered a ham and cheese with everything, but I could do without the lettuce and tomato. I think there was something about the lettuce and the sauce they put on it that I could have gone without, but other than that I enjoyed it and it was not intimidating at all. Seems like a quaint little cafe great for the regulars there.
(4)
Eileen Z.
You don't know how little you matter Until you're all sleepy In the middle of dull and groggy With little stamina left but no cup of coffee Bro, this Puerto Rican stuff can make ya snap Pour into Paseo Boricua stat Even when he was and you are madly in need of a nap Madly in need a nap Gotta stay up, buy a cup of 'joe Iced, con leche before headin' home You hit the store, then hit the road Crack 'joe crack 'joe Crack 'joe crack 'joe
(4)
Jaclyn D.
Hands down the best sandwiches on Paseo Boricua! I have had a few of their sandwiches but my favorite is the chicken and cheese with Avocado. The chicken is shredded and all the topping fresh. The coffee is good but not the best I have ever had. If you just want a sweet treat get the guava and cheese pastry. All I can say is buy more then one. They are amazing! Really great place to have breakfast or lunch with friends. The cafe is small but they have a patio outside. It is a really cozy cafe and a must if your in the Humboldt Park Area.
(4)
Alton D.
That's was a surprisingly damn good turkey sandwich. Enough said.
(3)
Meaghan T.
Excellent! I love the guava and cheese pastry. I brought some to the office for a birthday and people flipped. Takes a while to order because this place is so popular. Get there early if you want to grab a lot of pastries. They go fast.
(4)
Marc R.
I walked into this place and it was what I expected. The coffee reminded me of the cafe con leche I had in Puerto Rico as a tourist visiting family. It came in a Styrofoam cup and tasted great. The cup actually made it onto the "Coffee of Chicago" poster (they have a copy on the wall). The bakery looked fine, but the sandwiches every one was eating looked awesome. When in an ethnic place have a look around and see what the regulars are eating! These sandwiches were pretty close to "Cubans" if you ask me. I had the Ham, cheese, and egg sandwich and it was an awesome breakfast treat (huge). My total bill was around $7 bucks. Leave your attitude at the door and you will enjoy yourself. Some of the employees are learning English so talk slowly, and enjoy a neighborhood gem. The coffee is good, but you have to expect that this is a place for Caribbean style espresso and Cafe con Leche (I think they ice it too).
(4)
Isaiah K.
This remains a hidden gem that I stumbled upon in the city years ago. I went in there one morning knowing nothing about Cuban coffee and was blown away by what I was served. Their Cuban sandwiches are unique and tasty. Prices can't be beat. I think the only comparable would be Cafecito in the loop but this place by far is more "authentic" feeling.
(5)
E R.
Well, I will like to know what the hell is going on!!! Customer Services has been declining.. Food is no longer as good as it was. The young girl they have working at the counter as no personality- (Very RUDE!!) Always looks angry that you have enter to place an order. NO PEOPLE/CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS. She as bad energy. She might be related to the owner because I cannot believe this girl is still working. I order the same thing all the time and the Price constantly changes when a different person is at the counter. #1.. Tip- if you go there ASK for a receipt!!!
(2)
Karena L.
Must try their pastelillos de guayaba (powdered pastry with guava), quesitos (cheese only), and their pastelito de guayaba con questo (cheese and guava pastry). Their coffee is good too and they serve coconut oatmeal which can also be found down the street at Nellie's restaurant. If you're looking for something savory, you must try their sandwiches.
(5)
Jenny K.
Some of the best coffee you'll find in Chicago - let them make it their special way and just enjoy the ride. They recently switched from styrofoam to paper cups, which only makes me love them more. You feel in touch with Humboldt Park when you spend time here-- they always have information about events and other Paseo Boricua businesses. Great range of people coming through, including young people, families, cops (a sign of how goof the coffee is!). Coconut oatmeal or an egg sandwich will save your life after a night of too much partying.
(5)
Sara E.
Literally ran in here to grab a cafe con leche - it's a really cute little place. Wish I'd read about the guava pastries before coming, as I miiiight have been tempted to try one. I'll be back to sample the food, though, I'm sure.
(4)
Ellen C.
Best sandwiches, guava cheese pastries & cafe con leche...I swear their cappuccino is the best!!! Starbucks who??? Addictive & outta this world delicious.... Love Cafe Colao!!! Great, now I want some!!!! Hmmmmm....
(5)
Kara K.
Cafe Colao is like the "Cheers" of cute little coffee shops...except nobody knows my name. But they do at least recognize me and seem to know each other's names. I've been patronizing businesses on Paseo Boricua a lot lately so I came in here one morning on my way to 17 Nails, which is next door. Usually I just get the cafe con leche or the avena de coco (the coconut oatmeal which is fantabulous, btw), but this day I decided to to try one of the delicious looking sandwiches. I played it safe and ordered the caribe grilled cheese and it was really tasty. The white cheese on cuban style bread was grilled to perfection and hit the spot. I followed that up with a cafe con leche so I wouldn't get the "itis". This place isn't fancy, it's rather small, and the waitress has a bit of a 'tude, but it's a great place to come for breakfast or lunch.
(3)
Jenny S.
awesome cheese and guayaba pastries and strong bold coffee...
(5)
Nas T.
Delicious sandwiches, great little pastries. Dry cookies and sweets. Coffee. The downside is that minority/locals/regulars will blatantly cut you in line or just walk in front of you and receive preferable service from the employees. Had it happen to me three times now.
(3)
Kimberly K.
Yum! Great food, great coffee, great pastries. It get's really really crowded at lunch time so I suggest getting their early or waiting until it's later in the afternoon. It has a very small dining area, so get it to go!
(4)
Eddie S.
Their pastries are AMAZING. Coffee is great, along with the price.
(4)
Mari R.
i do not go here anymore , supposibly i called the health inspectors?? lol thank u who ever did me that favor ! no lost !its obvious someone feels the same way i do! yes sandwiches okay but, customer service !horrible they tend to top thr old milk with new milk, unsafe !they refuse to serve fresh milk at customer request who says no??!! to a customer , when they r paying for thr food, beware check ur milk people , over priced and bad customer service! i now go to cafetin taino 2706 w. division right by family dollar real puerto rican coffee, the customer service is excellent thr sandwiches are a plus u want real puerto rican coffee and good food go to cafetin taino, i give them a ten stars!thr prices are affortable not over priced cafe colao needs some pointers from this place and yes iam picky and guess what, they give me what i want and they say customers are always right so check them out, iam happy now !great customer service and the owner serves u with a smile all the time!!and the cashiers too! f.y.i if customers r calling the city on u ? thrs something wrong with u not the customers obviously people need to beware, i can get puerto rican food any where, thr's a lot of great other places ! but a lot of places r not customer service tolerant and cafe colao is one place that gets and (f )grade , i found a great place down the street! everything happens for a reason , i should not have to pay for excellent customer service it should come with it!! See u guys at cafetin taino:-)
(1)
Wandy V.
Love this place. The coffee is awesome; truly Puerto Rican coffee. The pastelitos made of cheese and guava paste are wonderful, and their media noche sandwich is amazing. My husband and I eat here at least once a week.
(5)
Diana C.
What a difference a year makes. This used to be my go-to spot for guava cheese pastries, as indicated in my previous review. Since then, they failed a health inspection. Still, I decided that since the failure was due to plumbing complications, I would check it out again. That was a mistake. I ordered three guava and cheese pastries, and when I got home, they were guava only. I don't really like the sweetness of guava without the cheese to offset it, so this was a big difference for me. They were dusted with a bunch of powdered sugar (read: choke powder) and were super dry. I had to throw them away. What a waste of money and food. So much for second chances. I won't be going back.
(1)
jenise r.
A perfect Puerto Rican bakery. They have great quesitos which is a sweet bread with some sweet cream cheese, they also have pastelillos de guayaba!! (a guava and cheese pastry) I try to bring these two things back when I go to PR but always end up eating them! =) I don't allow myself here as much, I don't know why I haven't had the coffee, it's the same brand I use at home so I'm sure it's good.
(5)
J R.
The most amazing Puerto Rican bakery I have ever been to. Aside from their cream cheese and guava pastries, cafe con leche (look it up if you dont know what this is), Their Chicken sandwiches and steak sandwiches are bomb. The wait can sometimes be pretty long, but the staff is so friendly that time flies while you chit chat. Also, nothing beats a breakfast sandwich you get their or make at home after buying a loaf of there fresh baked bread.
(5)
Frederica B.
My mom being a bakery aficionado we were obligated to at least glance at every bakery we walked past in Chicago. My mom and I were absolutely delighted with this one. Food here is VERY CHEAP and delicious. My mom ended up walking out with a BOX of pastries for 5 bucks. Most other places will at least cost you 20 for a box full of stuff. My favorite is what I call their "Oreo Cake" (it had no name posted by it) a sweet and moist chocolate pound cake with white icing. Heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds to make it even better.
(5)
Jenn K.
FYI, Cafe Colao recently failed a health inspection chicago.everyblock.com/r…
(1)
Jinna H.
Went here earlier with a friend. Delicious mochas, didn't even need to sweeten them. Egg and cheese sandwich was a lot more than expected, but very good. And of course, had to get a guava and cheese pastry. They were just as good as I expected! I'll definitely come back. :)
(4)
Mike G.
Yum. I am craving a cortadito now!
(5)
I'naru C.
If you're Puerto Rican and looking for the cafe con leche that you're mom makes, then this is the place to be. If you aren't Puerto Rican and looking for a chill place to grab a good cup of coffee, a breakfast sandwich and pastries really cheap - then this is the place for you. Cafe Colao is a small bakery in the middle of Humboldt Park's Paseo Boricua. They have outdoor seating and offer a wide selection of sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. You walk in, straight to register, order, pay and you're on your way. You must try the Avena de Coco (Coconut Oatmeal).
(5)
Pablo E.
FYI Jenn K., the failed health inspection was due to plumbing complications. Comments like that can really hurt a small mom and pop business. They were just inspected in January with no violations. Come check it out. Great fresh coffee, homemade Puerto Rican pastries and delicious sandwiches. Great service nice atmosphere.
(5)
Rita P.
My guy friend was visiting Chicago. We were driving through Chicago and he wanted coffee. I drove him past the crowds of wicker park and straight up North Ave to Cafe Colao. I love the Cafe con leche. The cakes were super. I come here when ever I am near by. We had a great visit over coffee and cake.
(5)
Katrina B.
puerto rican coffee is a lightly sweetened cafe con leche (coffee with steamed milk). when i lived near cafe colao, i was so spoiled by these perfect, inexpensive cups of richly steamed milk - mixed with just the right amount of strong coffee - that i spat at every starbucks i walked by. if you try to order a cafe au lait at starbucks, the barista will go slack jawed and vacant, walk in the back to consult a manager, and then return to tell you that you want a MISTO. the misto turns out to be a disgusting concoction of scalded milk scantily blended with boiling, burnt coffee. just go to cafe colao and order a large coffee with two sugars. order a quesito if you want to die of happiness for under two dollars.
(5)
Brookie D.
This little Puerto Rican cafe was featured on the show Chicago's Best. A comfortable, commodious, affordable, colorful and charming cafe with delicate aromas of freshly made coffee. The aromas are intoxicating, rich and wonderful. The sandwiches (or as my niece likes to say "sangwiches") are super huge. If you are a small eater you can split the sandwich with a friend. However, if you are super hungry or have a huge appetite you will not want to share your sandwich. I highly recommend their Cuban sandwich, which is freshly made and served up on super warm toasted Cuban "french-style" bread. The bread is super fresh with a crispy crust. The Cuban sandwich first emerged in South Florida in 1930, and it is still going strong today. Your buck will go a long, long way here (unlike other brand-name coffee shops). The food is very flavorful and freshly made to order. We also tried their sweets (all kinds of pastries -- too many to list here), and we were not disappointed.
(4)
Angie K.
what a nice surprise to discover this bakery in chicago. the shop was quaint. the workers were friendly. and the guava and cheese flaky pastry & guava and cheese pastry bites were DELICIOUS. if i lived in Chicago, this would be one of the pastry shops I would bring my friends. a definite must try!
(5)
Naomi M.
The pastelillos de guayaba are exactly as good as the ones I get at the little bakery on the winding country road on the way to my grandparents house oustide of San German. The quesitos are good too. The coffee is great, of course. It only has a few tables and has a definite friendly neighborhood hangout vibe.
(4)
Julio B.
Holy Moly, I'm so glad that ppl noticed this great spot!!! I found this place while walking around trying to find a place to get a haircut. The setting is very typical if it was located in Puerto Rico minus the beaches.... The coffee is awesome and it reminds me the way my Grandma would make it. Do not forget to order your piece of bread soaked in butter! The sandwiches are insane! If you read Ren.B review, she says the coffee is sweet, well that's the style of their coffee or the way we drink in Puerto Rico. I cant speak for the pastries because I stuff my fat face with sandwiches and throw it down with 2 cups of coffee.
(5)
Ren B.
my friend introduced me to cafe colao to curb my increasingly bougie tastes, and i was pleasantly surprised! the guava and cream cheese pastries are ultra flaky, and kick the crap out of the pastries at a lot of other bougie places i've been to. the coffee is nutty and a little sweet, as good coffee should be. and even as a highly carnivorous person, i gotta say that the avocado and caribe sandwich is top notch. not the best looking place in the world, but the food more than makes up for it!
(4)
M.C. V.
I lived in PR until 5 years ago. When I go back, among my de rigueur places to visit are the bakeries - La Ceiba, Kasalta, La Bombonera - and my must haves are cafe con leche, quesitos, pastelillos de guayaba, mayorcas and croquetas. Well, last weekend I visited Cafe Colao for the first time where I found most of the merienda fare I crave and was transported straight to my beloved Puerto Rico bakeries. I sat at the bar at around 4 in the afternoon slowly savoring a cafe con leche, a quesito and a pastelillito de guayaba y queso and almost cried for happiness. The rich, aromatic coffee woke up my senses and memories, the quesito - sweet and gooey, made me swoon, and the pastelillo - more like a buttery tart - was a perfect, melt in my mouth finish. Ahhh, heaven. I will go every time I go into Chicago from the suburbs.
(5)
Julia Z.
This charming cafe has the best coffee in the city. Get a cafe con leche and any of their fabulous desserts and you will not regret it. It is a hidden gem.
(5)
K S.
Love Cafe Colao! Always great music to get your morning going and the place to keep up with what's going on in the neighborhood. Both my Latino husband and I feel at home here - he loves their quesitos and I love their super flaky croissants. We both love their corn bread fresh out of the oven ham, egg and cheese sandwiches. Voted in the Top 10 best coffees in the city and we agree.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Beti G.
Don't leave this earth without trying their famous coconut oatmeal Best place to go for coffee, pastries as well as your famous sandwiches.
(5)Cal E.
This place is delicious. You must try the pastelillos de guayaba (pastry with cheese and guava) and quesitos (cheese pastry). I couldn't eat enough of these tasty pastries. The cafe colao was also very delicious.
(5)Laura N.
There's something special in the cafe con leche - not sure exactly what, but it's definitely better than 'Murican coffee. And the price is right too! In the summer I get an iced mocha latte with a shot of coconut - don't ask questions, just do it! You'll thank me later. Pastelillos and quesitos de guayaba will probably give me diabetes one day, but they are sooo good - especially when they're really fresh. Many seem to have written something negative about one of the girls who works here. If you stop by regularly and try chatting with her, she's actually a pretty nice person. We should all try talking to people we see in our neighborhood more often!
(4)Brian C.
Adore this place. I moved to Humboldt Park just within the last year and this place, blocks from the crib, was a real find. The coffee is great, the sandwiches amazing. I love the chicken and cheese, and the lechon especially. The steak, or steak/egg/cheese is a best seller too, for good reason. At this place they will actually sell out of sandwiches! Which is a great sign; means they make a certain amount of meat in advance, and when its gone, its gone. The prices are great. Most sandwiches are 5.50 and very large, for good value. The grilled cheese is only like 2 bucks, for one of the best deals in the neighborhood! I think the service is great: big shout-out to Carmen and Madi in particular. Cafe Colao is never going to be confused with S-BUX, with the pasted on smiles and the fakey-corporate friendliness, but that's OK with me. They are real people -- be nice to them and they're gonna be nice to you right back.
(5)Adriana S.
I live a few blocks from this place. It's located a block from the Park which is great. Two stars because of the long wait times (I've had to wait up to 30 minutes for a iced coffee and sand which), the rude customer service interactions (cashiers waiving their friends to the front of the line while everyone else waits as they have a conversation) and the overall inconsistency of the food/coffee.
(2)Cham S.
someone send me the paperwork necessary to legally immerse my body in this place... I guess that means just walking in and hanging out for a while...but still I want it to be known that Cafe Colao is consistently my best kept secret (until now mother f*ckers), and you're welcome. puerto rican breakfast sandwiches on freshly baked bread (in-house); forget about it. also, super cool to patron a Latino-owned and operated business! "keep it moving papa!" -cham
(5)Hira H.
I came here on a whim, brought by a man whose taste I completely trust and was blown away by their food! We got a turkey and cheese sandwich, and the turkey was seared to enhance its flavor, the cheese was nice, gooey and melted, and the sautéed red onions gave it a depth of flavor that was perfect!, while sautéed red peppers gave the whole sandwich a sweet, smoky undertone. Combined, the flavors were absolutely phenomenal! Can't wait to try their coffee...
(5)Evie H.
Cafe Colao isn't blow your mind off amazing but they definitely have some pretty good food for great prices! I came with a few yelp friends and we were lucky to grab a seat. The interior is very small and so the seating is also fairly limited. There is only around 5 small tables and on the day we went, 2 were reserved as the mayor of Chicago decided to stop by too! Order at the front, food will be brought out to you. I enjoyed my steak, egg, and cheese sandwich which can be easily split into two portions. I also supplemented my meal with a guava with cream cheese pastry which was a nice addition. I liked that the cream cheese wasn't terribly heavy but also wished that there was more guava filling in there. All in all, a good place to stop by in Humboldt Park. It seems very neighborhood friendly as people seemed to continuously come in and out to order. Easy parking right outside.
(4)Ty R.
Best little coffee shop in the city. The sandwiches and pastries are fresh and made to order. Very small space so plan on taking it to go. The best Puerto Rican oatmeal I have ever had!!
(5)Reuben H.
On the Paseo Boricua you will find in a little storefront Cafe Colao a taste of Puerto Rico through very nice coffee, great sandwiches and pastries, and really friendly service. My wife and I stumbled here on Sunday morning almost by accident after one of my favorite breakfast spots in the city - Nellie's - was closed due to some construction. Take it from me - don't let the modest, small space shy you away from heading from all over town to try out a few things and get to know a neighborhood staple in one of Chicago's unique and culturally significant stretches. From the traditional tripleta sandwich ("tripleta" meaning triple, as in kinds of meat: steak, and two kinds of ham), to their version of the medianoche (Cuban sandwich), to the pastelillos and quesitos from the baked goods cabinet, to the coffee made to order right before your eyes, the way you want it - everything I have tried here is good. However if you need that one, unique eating experience that you can't easily find elsewhere as the excuse to come down - make certain you put on your list of items to order the Avena de Coco (coconut oatmeal). They do it really well here, and ensure it is freshly made and actually completed to their satisfaction before handing over to customers. How do I know that? Because on that fateful Sunday morning, we got the last order of the batch that was completed and saw no fewer than five orders behind us be denied since the newest batch being worked on wasn't completed yet. So delicious!
(5)Padma A.
Super quick,economical and quality food, why else would you spot the Mayor here? My yelper friends and i decided to meet here for brunch. We were surprised the place has literally 5 tables and 3 were reserved, later got to know it was for the mayor and his assosicate. I ordered the egg and chesse sandwich along with a latte and guva pastry. When i started to dig in realized they gave me the wong pastry, it was easily replaced. Great place to get some brunch, wish the seating area was bigger though.
(4)Sheila K.
I met up with some girlfriends this past weekend to check out Cafe Colao. We were in luck because upon our visit Mayor Rahm Emanuel stopped by and had lunch there as well. I'll never forget this place now! I tried the Steak, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich and it was pretty tasty, well sized portion. For $6.25 it was definitely worth it. I also tried a couple of the pastry items: Pastelillos Guayabano, Cheese Roll, and the Guava and Cheese. Among these three, I would get the guava and cheese again. The cheese roll was all wrong for my taste. There was just way too much cheese and I am a person that LOVES cheese. I took one bite and that was it for me. I also tried a latte which is one of the best I have had. I was able to drink it no problem. If you are in the area, give this place a try. The food is affordable. It's a small place, but has a couple of tables.
(3)Kyle H.
Cafe Colao is a great neighborhood spot for coffee, cortaditos, sandwiches (including breakfast), and neighborhood meetups. Having lived in Humboldt Park for five years, I can't believe it took me this long to visit Colao. The service is great, and so friendly. They remember their customers, and it has a great neighborhood feel, and cops have been known to visit. You gotta trust any business that cops frequent! (Since they dine out all the time...) I look forward to visiting Cafe Colao when I'm back in Humboldt Park.
(4)Wingo S.
The avena de coco looks great. My guava pastry was delicious.
(4)Chary H.
The coconut oatmeal is amazing. You should probably phone in your order and pay cash because the whole operation is a bit disorganized and you may end up waiting up to 30 minutes for oatmeal and a sandwich. The ringing out seemed to take forever as well. The coffee was great and they gave me a free pastry for the wait so at least they acknowledge their customers.
(4)Andria C.
Everything you've read about the coconut oatmeal is true. It is amazingly good and you have to try it. I also highly recommend the sandwiches - especially the roast pork. It is a full sized meal and a great value. The space is small but definitely worth checking out!
(4)Jessica V.
Please don't go here. Why? Because I do not want to wait one more minute for my sandwich or coffee. That's right I am selfish. If I find something I like I do not share it with you all.. but since I am drinking Hennessy at the moment you have caught me at the right time.. I will say this in all honesty and they say when you are drunk you tell the truth but they have the absolute best bread to make sandwiches and the best coffee I have had in Chicago. Now bread, it is the most delicious textural appetizing gluten artifact I have ever salivating on. Wherever they get the bread or make it I need to know more. The way the bread combines with all the other staples of a sandwich are in complete harmony. Now, I know everyone has their preference with coffee so let me clarify. So I do not like dunkin donuts and I do not like starbucks. Why? Because one is too strong and one lacks in flavor of coffee beans and is too sweet. At cafe colao they have the perfect mixture of just enough boldness but compensates with sweetness to offset that bitter coffee bean. If you like your coffee like I do and catch where I am coming from then I am sure we are on the same page. But coffee I know is a preference and I am not here to say who is better than the competitor.. all I can really say is that for me they make the coffee right and it is consistent and consistency is honestly what keeps me coming back to this place. The sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee have all been worth the drive to go there every day I have had off for a year. I love everything about them to their food and involvement in the community it makes me happy to purchase from them.. they really are the definition of a small business that shines in a sea full of big fish in the city of Chicago.
(5)Abe K.
Went in here on Jan. 18, 2015 around lunch time. We ordered a few sandwiches and a pastry to go. Waited about 15 minutes for everything to be ready. The sandwiches were excellent but really just too slow to make them considering there were only about 3 -5 people ahead of us. But, they were good sandwiches. Hopefully this place will get their efficiency worked out but, but the wait is sort of worth it.
(4)Kayla H.
I have two words for you: LECHON (PORK) SANDWICH. Ok, THREE words if you translate. This item is not typically listed on the chalkboard menu, but I ALWAYS ask... and they ALWAYS have it. If you're unfamiliar with Puerto Rican pork sandwiches, you are truly missing out in life! This is not American pulled pork - drowned in barbeque sauce, concealing all of the spices/flavors. This is slow roasted, spiced and rubbed to perfection, tender and melty goodness. The pork sandwich is served on Cafe Colao's French bread (made in-house), along with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and mayo. Toasted. It perfectly crunchy, warm and gooey and I AM DROOLING! I feel compelled to write a bit about the quality of service as this is always a source of contention at Puerto Rican joints: Unfortunately, my peoples are known for the "cojelo con take it easy" mentality. They will take your order with not much of a smile, or silly elevator banter. They will get you your food... when it's ready... in due time... And you will wait, because it's the best darn sandwich you've ever had and you're hooked. This is not the place to go to when you're in a hurry, or when your bus is 6 minutes away - giving you JUST enough time to run in and grab a small coffee. NO. This is a place to visit outside of rush hour on a lowkey day... like on a Sunday. Just say hi, drop a little conversation starter (if you that's the experience that you're looking for) and the ladies up front will follow suit. They are not MEAN, NASTY or SCARY. Please also try the Quesitos (keh-see-toas). Quesitos are pastries filled with cream cheese and in some cases, a combination of cream cheese and guava paste. They're amazing. The tornillos (corkscrews) are also good as are the pastelillos (pas-tell-ee-yose). Pastelillos are flaky puff pastries filled with a layer of guava paste in the middle, and topped with powdered sugar. Sugary deliciousness. Don't forget to have some coffee. It's strong and they've figured out the right cream and sugar ratios. Oh! And I can't forget the hot chocolate! It's made with REAL MILK. :)
(5)DEMIAN C.
Amazingly good food at good prices. The breakfast sandwiches are full of fresh and delicious ingredients. I die for the avena de coco. Ufff sooo sweeet. The potatoes on the breakfast plate are so damn greasy but equally delicious. Ok now we gotta talk about the costumer service and the lengthy time for completion. 1. Obviously the "short lady" as described earlier, may not seem the friendliest woman ever; she is actually nice and you just got to ask her something like "How is your day?" Or "Wow, you seem overwhelmed by all these orders and you are here all by yourself. " I really like her. She is cool and works hard. 2. This is obviously not a Starbucks, so don't expect a quick 2 minute latte with all the bells and whistles. If you are in a hurry, try it at your own risk but dont get upset or give bad reviews if it takes longer than you thought. Overall excellent. Sit by the bar to get to know the "short lady" she is funny!!!
(5)A.A. B.
Absolutely love this place! Greatest mochas I have ever had! The people that work here are wonderful- friendly and quick service considering the small space and high demand. At this point, I have tried about half the pastries and half the menu and everything is delicious; you can't go wrong. And the prices are very reasonable as well.
(5)Andrew R.
how can a coffee place not ever have half and half??? seriously??? just curious if this is a common thing anywhere else. so weird.
(2)Natalie R.
Although the food and café con leche is always on point, the past couple of times I've been here, the customer service has been horrible. There seems to be 2 young women who are fairly new at working here and they are completely unprofessional. I had to repeat my simple order of 3 sandwiches and 2 coffees FIVE times! I put in my order once with one of the girls who wrote it down and who then asked me to repeat it to make sure she got it right. Then the other girl stepped up to the cashier and asked what it was I ordered, when she read it back, it was wrong. I repeated it again and she was still missing one of the sandwiches from my order. So she rolled her eyes, looked over at the other girl and said to please take the order because she "couldn't understand" what I was saying. Between the two them, they finally got it after the fifth time. It was a completely frustrating experience. I will come back for the food, but I really hope they do better training with their staff soon.
(3)Rebeca R.
This cafe is the closest your going to get to a real cafe in Puerto Rico. The soup is great especially if it's salchichon. The sandwiches are very P.R. authentic I add avacado to all of them. The coconut oatmeal is the best. The quesitos are very good and so are the pastelillos de quava. And of course the coffee is delicious. I have been going to Cafe Colao for about 15 years it never disappoints. If you are Puerto Rican living in the Chicago land area and haven't gone shame on you.
(5)Kari A.
I normally don't write bad reviews but I have been going to this restaurant for over 6 years and I have never had any complaints until recently. I'm not sure if there are new owners now but the food is not the same at ALL. The avocado sandwich used to be my favorite! I recommended this place to so many of my friends but I will no longer be doing that. I ordered an avocado sandwich the other day and it had one slice of avocado in it. Not even kidding. I kept tasting no avocado so I opened it up and saw the little slice they had put on it. The rest was all bread and mayonnaise. This sandwich used to be loaded with avocado and tomatoes. I don't know what changed but something sure did. Sad to see greed ruin such a great restaurant. You might save a couple bucks putting less and less food into the sandwiches but you end up losing more in your customers.
(1)Noralyn A.
This place was not good. The service took forever (I only ordered 1 steak,egg and cheese sandwich) then when I finally did get my sandwich, the steak tasted so old and over salted it actually smelled terrible. Owned by the same people who own Nellie's cafe" down the street, I really wouldn't recommend it. It is also way overpriced in my opinion. If you are looking for great, reasonably priced food in the area, definitely check out "Papa's Cache". They know what they're doing.
(2)stan w.
These guys make an outstanding sandwich!
(4)Lucy Z.
They weren't kidding about the amazing coffee and sandwiches here. I came to Chicago on a vacation and was going to visit Humboldt Parka and wanted to grab a breakfast nearby. This is a little cafe but the food is just absolutely delicious. I've suggested this place to my Chicago friend who has never heard of it because I love it so much. I will DEFINITELY be going out of my way on my next trip just to come to this cafe for some yummy sandwiches.
(5)Julianne Z.
I finally go the chance to go here! The pastries are 4 stars but the customers service is what warrants this place one star. The girl at the cash register was extremely rude. Walking in, it was obvious that I didn't speak Spanish nor had I been here before. I asked her for a guava and cream cheese pastry and she said they ran out so I asked her what she had left. She just pointed at the case, all filled with pastries that looked exactly the same and told me that was all she had left. She then left the restaurant and I had to wait for another couple of minutes until she came back. When she came back, I asked her what the flavors of the pastries were and she said one kind was just guava, one was just cream cheese and one was apple. Was that that hard? I thought it was so rude, especially since I had gone in, being so excited to try the pastries. Now, the pastries lived up to their name. The guava pastry was flaky and delicious, and I had an apple turnover that was divine as well. Come for the pastries, but the service is just horrible!
(1)Rayid G.
Decent Cuban sandwiches, coffee, and pastries. Not as great as cafecito but still decent.
(3)Edward S.
This little hole in the wall on Division street is home to some of the best sandwiches and an amazing coffee. Try the tripleta, coconut oatmeal, and a cafe colao and your good to go. Enjoy
(5)Amanda S.
This place smells like heaven! Their coffee and pastries are wonderful as well. The service may be a little slow, but whatevs I hardly am ever in a hurry, The only thing that makes this place a 3 star cafe instead of a 4 star is the younger cashier. She has a nasty attitude and always seems to be in a bad mood. Even if you try to be friendly towards her, she is just nasty back, I'll go here anyway, but they should maybe take her off the register and find her something else she could do. Some people are just not people persons. Anyway, it's a nice place, with delish coffee and tasty food. Stop in.
(3)Ruma T.
The rating is an update to their guava pastries..all of which I've tried. Awesome. So unique because guava is not something you see very often. And just tasty. I am tempted to go get one right now writing this.
(5)Noemi D.
I loved it! Had the Avena de coco, que rica! It reminded me of my abuela's Avena de coco!
(5)Daniela V.
Dude.. I don't know what happened here but the service is so slow... I gotta wait 15 minutes for an iced coffee and 10 just for them to aacknowledge me. Oh and I asked for an iced coffee... so please stop asking if I want an iced mocha. I don't!
(3)Jo L.
The sandwiches, quesitos and coconut oatmeal are all delicious. However, the customer service is very bad. It is embarrassing to see so many Puerto Rican owned businesses failing in the service component. Below is the process I went through to get one chicken sandwich, a quesito, a cup of coffee and a bottle of water. 1. I walked up to the counter and the short lady behind the counter did not acknowledge my presence, so I stood there awkwardly while she SLOWLY got drinks from the cooler. 2. She finally walks over after a few minutes and asks me rudely, "what do you want?" 3. I place my simple order - no deviations from the menu. 4. After about 15 minutes of waiting, I ask the short lady if I can get my coffee and quesito now while I wait for the sandwich to be made. Again, she does not acknowledge my request but simply goes in the kitchen for several minutes while customers are waiting in line. 5. After about 20 minutes of initially walking in, I finally get my coffee but no quesito. 6. 30 minutes later my sandwich is ready and she puts the quesito in the bag, but does not include my bottle of water. 7. I watched this woman for 30 minutes botch one order after the other and act extremely rude with customers. A few suggestions: Smile and say hello to customers when they walk in. Try and get coffee, pastries or anything that is easy grab quickly to customers. If the sandwiches are going to take more than 10 minutes, you should inform customers, so they can plan their lunch time accordingly. Say thank you to a customer for their patronage.
(2)Crystal A.
Awesome sandwiches!! They are so tasty and served warm! They have great pastries and coffee too! Only bad thing is they don't have a restroom, I am 8months pregnant and had to leave in a rush to find a restroom:/
(4)Courtney W.
Great breakfast spot in Humbodt Park! The steak, egg and cheese sandwich is delicious and a great deal. Wonderful coffee! The service can be a bit slow when it's crowded, but there's free wi-fi and the food is worth the wait!
(4)Shayne S.
I can't say enough about this restaurant; you have to try it out! The coffee and variety of food here is not only delicious but, the staff and cozy atmosphere provide a pleasant experience that will call you back again and again.
(5)James T.
My family and I moved into the neighborhood and this has been the most amazing find. Great food, awesome coffee and a wonderful vibe inside. Always love supporting local places and this is a must to try!
(5)Amanda C.
Do not leave without having a Pastelito de Guayaba con queso (guava & cheese pastry) & Cafe Con Leche! Dynamic duo! I had the disk shaped pastry. I went back up and brought another it was so good! This place is super authentic... right in the heart of HP. Want some good Puerto Rican flare! You'll get it here! I am dying to go back and have the avena de coco (coconut oatmeal). I will update you when I have it... I'm somewhat of a coconut fanatic! They also have a variety of sandwiches and everything is priced fairly. Over all feel of the place was cozy and welcoming. Might I add they were Jamming!!!!! Had some Frankie Ruiz on... almost had me dancing in the cafe! Thank the good Lord I don't live near here... I'd be there every day. Sweet on the lips & thick on the hips!!!!!!
(5)David B.
Friendly service, cute decor, good coffee, and great sandwiches. The pastries are solid too! Definitely recommended if you're in the neighborhood.
(5)Jessica A.
Today is the first day that I've been absolutely DISAPPOINTED with Cafe Colao. Ordered a ham egg and cheese sandwich and when I got home to eat it the bread was different, BURNT and it was so bland I couldn't believe my taste buds. I've been here plenty and honestly every other time was more than satisfactory :) hopefully it's just one off day!
(1)Diana D.
The day I tried this place I knew I was in trouble. I live around the corner and therefore far too close to it for the sake of staying in my current pant size. Cafe Colao is amazing. The owner is SO nice and has accommodated off-the-menu requests for friends of ours, their pastries are UNBELIEVABLE (i seriously want to bathe in the pastelillos), and I am officially obsessed with their avocado sandwich. I've tried the Cuban sandwich too, which is fantastic, but the avocado is just so creamy and delicious and satisfying. If you find yourself in the neighborhood, you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to stop here and try something.
(5)kamal b.
Sandwiches were amazing and that guava&cheese pastry was alright too. Service took way too long though. Took about 30mins to get my sandwich... other than that went there twice in a row for brunch. I don't eat pork but lots of folks were saying that the media noches was on point.
(4)Keisha J.
I absolutely love the steak, egg & cheese sandwich, along with the chicken sandwich. Their pastries are pretty tasty as well. The reason for such a low rating has to do with the extremely poor customer service I receive every time I attempt to patronize the cafe. They are entirely too slow, plus I really feel as if they don't want me there because of my ethnicity, as I patronize other places in the neighborhood (I live there) and don't receive the same coldness as I do there. One of the cashiers even took it upon herself to speak negatively about me in Spanish to another co-worker as if I don't understand the language. As I stated, I live in the neighborhood. Despite the pastries and sandwiches, I will never be back not recommend another person.
(1)Billy M.
I love this place! Great atmosphere and amazing food and coffee. I have had the breakfast steak sandwich with egg and cheese. Out of this world! I love coffee and had a latte. Top notch. I recommend stopping in for breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning. The pastries are delicious too. You're doing it right Humboldt Park! Keep it up.
(5)BM K.
This place is my go to spot for sandwiches, pastry, and cafe con leche. Ive lived in the neighborhood for over 6 years and just started frequented this place about a year ago. The sandwiches are out of this world! I get the ham, egg and cheese and the cubano at least once a week. The guava and queso pastries are equally as good and I am a sucker for pastry so Ive had some good stuff and this ranks up there, the crust is so buttery and flakey. Its perfect complement to a cafe con leche! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Oh and the prices are very fair here. I almost don't want to tell anyone about this place b/c its already super busy.
(5)Reyna M.
I made the mistake of ordering the breakfast platter and waited 1hour for my food as i watched other patrons walk out with theirs Unbelievable
(4)Kristina M.
My boyfriend's family lives in Humboldt Park down Division, so they're only a block or two away from here. They brought back sandwiches one morning and the ham and cheese was delicious (ordered without lettuce/tomato). I was looking for a place to pick up breakfast one morning and remembered Cafe Colao. When reading some of the reviews I was a bit hesitant - people said the employees and cashier seemed to be unfriendly to non-residents or people of different ethnicity - I'm Filipino and my boyfriend is Puerto Rican. The reviews intimidated me a lot because I thought I'd feel unwanted. However, I said, screw it, I don't care, I just want food. So I went anyway. I had wonderful customer service from who I assumed people were talking about. She was a young girl, maybe around 20. She was very friendly and apologetic when she couldn't hear me - I had lost my voice that day. It's a tiny cafe with dim lighting but I could tell there were some regulars there. I ordered a ham and cheese with everything, but I could do without the lettuce and tomato. I think there was something about the lettuce and the sauce they put on it that I could have gone without, but other than that I enjoyed it and it was not intimidating at all. Seems like a quaint little cafe great for the regulars there.
(4)Eileen Z.
You don't know how little you matter Until you're all sleepy In the middle of dull and groggy With little stamina left but no cup of coffee Bro, this Puerto Rican stuff can make ya snap Pour into Paseo Boricua stat Even when he was and you are madly in need of a nap Madly in need a nap Gotta stay up, buy a cup of 'joe Iced, con leche before headin' home You hit the store, then hit the road Crack 'joe crack 'joe Crack 'joe crack 'joe
(4)Jaclyn D.
Hands down the best sandwiches on Paseo Boricua! I have had a few of their sandwiches but my favorite is the chicken and cheese with Avocado. The chicken is shredded and all the topping fresh. The coffee is good but not the best I have ever had. If you just want a sweet treat get the guava and cheese pastry. All I can say is buy more then one. They are amazing! Really great place to have breakfast or lunch with friends. The cafe is small but they have a patio outside. It is a really cozy cafe and a must if your in the Humboldt Park Area.
(4)Alton D.
That's was a surprisingly damn good turkey sandwich. Enough said.
(3)Meaghan T.
Excellent! I love the guava and cheese pastry. I brought some to the office for a birthday and people flipped. Takes a while to order because this place is so popular. Get there early if you want to grab a lot of pastries. They go fast.
(4)Marc R.
I walked into this place and it was what I expected. The coffee reminded me of the cafe con leche I had in Puerto Rico as a tourist visiting family. It came in a Styrofoam cup and tasted great. The cup actually made it onto the "Coffee of Chicago" poster (they have a copy on the wall). The bakery looked fine, but the sandwiches every one was eating looked awesome. When in an ethnic place have a look around and see what the regulars are eating! These sandwiches were pretty close to "Cubans" if you ask me. I had the Ham, cheese, and egg sandwich and it was an awesome breakfast treat (huge). My total bill was around $7 bucks. Leave your attitude at the door and you will enjoy yourself. Some of the employees are learning English so talk slowly, and enjoy a neighborhood gem. The coffee is good, but you have to expect that this is a place for Caribbean style espresso and Cafe con Leche (I think they ice it too).
(4)Isaiah K.
This remains a hidden gem that I stumbled upon in the city years ago. I went in there one morning knowing nothing about Cuban coffee and was blown away by what I was served. Their Cuban sandwiches are unique and tasty. Prices can't be beat. I think the only comparable would be Cafecito in the loop but this place by far is more "authentic" feeling.
(5)E R.
Well, I will like to know what the hell is going on!!! Customer Services has been declining.. Food is no longer as good as it was. The young girl they have working at the counter as no personality- (Very RUDE!!) Always looks angry that you have enter to place an order. NO PEOPLE/CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS. She as bad energy. She might be related to the owner because I cannot believe this girl is still working. I order the same thing all the time and the Price constantly changes when a different person is at the counter. #1.. Tip- if you go there ASK for a receipt!!!
(2)Karena L.
Must try their pastelillos de guayaba (powdered pastry with guava), quesitos (cheese only), and their pastelito de guayaba con questo (cheese and guava pastry). Their coffee is good too and they serve coconut oatmeal which can also be found down the street at Nellie's restaurant. If you're looking for something savory, you must try their sandwiches.
(5)Jenny K.
Some of the best coffee you'll find in Chicago - let them make it their special way and just enjoy the ride. They recently switched from styrofoam to paper cups, which only makes me love them more. You feel in touch with Humboldt Park when you spend time here-- they always have information about events and other Paseo Boricua businesses. Great range of people coming through, including young people, families, cops (a sign of how goof the coffee is!). Coconut oatmeal or an egg sandwich will save your life after a night of too much partying.
(5)Sara E.
Literally ran in here to grab a cafe con leche - it's a really cute little place. Wish I'd read about the guava pastries before coming, as I miiiight have been tempted to try one. I'll be back to sample the food, though, I'm sure.
(4)Ellen C.
Best sandwiches, guava cheese pastries & cafe con leche...I swear their cappuccino is the best!!! Starbucks who??? Addictive & outta this world delicious.... Love Cafe Colao!!! Great, now I want some!!!! Hmmmmm....
(5)Kara K.
Cafe Colao is like the "Cheers" of cute little coffee shops...except nobody knows my name. But they do at least recognize me and seem to know each other's names. I've been patronizing businesses on Paseo Boricua a lot lately so I came in here one morning on my way to 17 Nails, which is next door. Usually I just get the cafe con leche or the avena de coco (the coconut oatmeal which is fantabulous, btw), but this day I decided to to try one of the delicious looking sandwiches. I played it safe and ordered the caribe grilled cheese and it was really tasty. The white cheese on cuban style bread was grilled to perfection and hit the spot. I followed that up with a cafe con leche so I wouldn't get the "itis". This place isn't fancy, it's rather small, and the waitress has a bit of a 'tude, but it's a great place to come for breakfast or lunch.
(3)Jenny S.
awesome cheese and guayaba pastries and strong bold coffee...
(5)Nas T.
Delicious sandwiches, great little pastries. Dry cookies and sweets. Coffee. The downside is that minority/locals/regulars will blatantly cut you in line or just walk in front of you and receive preferable service from the employees. Had it happen to me three times now.
(3)Kimberly K.
Yum! Great food, great coffee, great pastries. It get's really really crowded at lunch time so I suggest getting their early or waiting until it's later in the afternoon. It has a very small dining area, so get it to go!
(4)Eddie S.
Their pastries are AMAZING. Coffee is great, along with the price.
(4)Mari R.
i do not go here anymore , supposibly i called the health inspectors?? lol thank u who ever did me that favor ! no lost !its obvious someone feels the same way i do! yes sandwiches okay but, customer service !horrible they tend to top thr old milk with new milk, unsafe !they refuse to serve fresh milk at customer request who says no??!! to a customer , when they r paying for thr food, beware check ur milk people , over priced and bad customer service! i now go to cafetin taino 2706 w. division right by family dollar real puerto rican coffee, the customer service is excellent thr sandwiches are a plus u want real puerto rican coffee and good food go to cafetin taino, i give them a ten stars!thr prices are affortable not over priced cafe colao needs some pointers from this place and yes iam picky and guess what, they give me what i want and they say customers are always right so check them out, iam happy now !great customer service and the owner serves u with a smile all the time!!and the cashiers too! f.y.i if customers r calling the city on u ? thrs something wrong with u not the customers obviously people need to beware, i can get puerto rican food any where, thr's a lot of great other places ! but a lot of places r not customer service tolerant and cafe colao is one place that gets and (f )grade , i found a great place down the street! everything happens for a reason , i should not have to pay for excellent customer service it should come with it!! See u guys at cafetin taino:-)
(1)Wandy V.
Love this place. The coffee is awesome; truly Puerto Rican coffee. The pastelitos made of cheese and guava paste are wonderful, and their media noche sandwich is amazing. My husband and I eat here at least once a week.
(5)Diana C.
What a difference a year makes. This used to be my go-to spot for guava cheese pastries, as indicated in my previous review. Since then, they failed a health inspection. Still, I decided that since the failure was due to plumbing complications, I would check it out again. That was a mistake. I ordered three guava and cheese pastries, and when I got home, they were guava only. I don't really like the sweetness of guava without the cheese to offset it, so this was a big difference for me. They were dusted with a bunch of powdered sugar (read: choke powder) and were super dry. I had to throw them away. What a waste of money and food. So much for second chances. I won't be going back.
(1)jenise r.
A perfect Puerto Rican bakery. They have great quesitos which is a sweet bread with some sweet cream cheese, they also have pastelillos de guayaba!! (a guava and cheese pastry) I try to bring these two things back when I go to PR but always end up eating them! =) I don't allow myself here as much, I don't know why I haven't had the coffee, it's the same brand I use at home so I'm sure it's good.
(5)J R.
The most amazing Puerto Rican bakery I have ever been to. Aside from their cream cheese and guava pastries, cafe con leche (look it up if you dont know what this is), Their Chicken sandwiches and steak sandwiches are bomb. The wait can sometimes be pretty long, but the staff is so friendly that time flies while you chit chat. Also, nothing beats a breakfast sandwich you get their or make at home after buying a loaf of there fresh baked bread.
(5)Frederica B.
My mom being a bakery aficionado we were obligated to at least glance at every bakery we walked past in Chicago. My mom and I were absolutely delighted with this one. Food here is VERY CHEAP and delicious. My mom ended up walking out with a BOX of pastries for 5 bucks. Most other places will at least cost you 20 for a box full of stuff. My favorite is what I call their "Oreo Cake" (it had no name posted by it) a sweet and moist chocolate pound cake with white icing. Heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds to make it even better.
(5)Jenn K.
FYI, Cafe Colao recently failed a health inspection chicago.everyblock.com/r…
(1)Jinna H.
Went here earlier with a friend. Delicious mochas, didn't even need to sweeten them. Egg and cheese sandwich was a lot more than expected, but very good. And of course, had to get a guava and cheese pastry. They were just as good as I expected! I'll definitely come back. :)
(4)Mike G.
Yum. I am craving a cortadito now!
(5)I'naru C.
If you're Puerto Rican and looking for the cafe con leche that you're mom makes, then this is the place to be. If you aren't Puerto Rican and looking for a chill place to grab a good cup of coffee, a breakfast sandwich and pastries really cheap - then this is the place for you. Cafe Colao is a small bakery in the middle of Humboldt Park's Paseo Boricua. They have outdoor seating and offer a wide selection of sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. You walk in, straight to register, order, pay and you're on your way. You must try the Avena de Coco (Coconut Oatmeal).
(5)Pablo E.
FYI Jenn K., the failed health inspection was due to plumbing complications. Comments like that can really hurt a small mom and pop business. They were just inspected in January with no violations. Come check it out. Great fresh coffee, homemade Puerto Rican pastries and delicious sandwiches. Great service nice atmosphere.
(5)Rita P.
My guy friend was visiting Chicago. We were driving through Chicago and he wanted coffee. I drove him past the crowds of wicker park and straight up North Ave to Cafe Colao. I love the Cafe con leche. The cakes were super. I come here when ever I am near by. We had a great visit over coffee and cake.
(5)Katrina B.
puerto rican coffee is a lightly sweetened cafe con leche (coffee with steamed milk). when i lived near cafe colao, i was so spoiled by these perfect, inexpensive cups of richly steamed milk - mixed with just the right amount of strong coffee - that i spat at every starbucks i walked by. if you try to order a cafe au lait at starbucks, the barista will go slack jawed and vacant, walk in the back to consult a manager, and then return to tell you that you want a MISTO. the misto turns out to be a disgusting concoction of scalded milk scantily blended with boiling, burnt coffee. just go to cafe colao and order a large coffee with two sugars. order a quesito if you want to die of happiness for under two dollars.
(5)Brookie D.
This little Puerto Rican cafe was featured on the show Chicago's Best. A comfortable, commodious, affordable, colorful and charming cafe with delicate aromas of freshly made coffee. The aromas are intoxicating, rich and wonderful. The sandwiches (or as my niece likes to say "sangwiches") are super huge. If you are a small eater you can split the sandwich with a friend. However, if you are super hungry or have a huge appetite you will not want to share your sandwich. I highly recommend their Cuban sandwich, which is freshly made and served up on super warm toasted Cuban "french-style" bread. The bread is super fresh with a crispy crust. The Cuban sandwich first emerged in South Florida in 1930, and it is still going strong today. Your buck will go a long, long way here (unlike other brand-name coffee shops). The food is very flavorful and freshly made to order. We also tried their sweets (all kinds of pastries -- too many to list here), and we were not disappointed.
(4)Angie K.
what a nice surprise to discover this bakery in chicago. the shop was quaint. the workers were friendly. and the guava and cheese flaky pastry & guava and cheese pastry bites were DELICIOUS. if i lived in Chicago, this would be one of the pastry shops I would bring my friends. a definite must try!
(5)Naomi M.
The pastelillos de guayaba are exactly as good as the ones I get at the little bakery on the winding country road on the way to my grandparents house oustide of San German. The quesitos are good too. The coffee is great, of course. It only has a few tables and has a definite friendly neighborhood hangout vibe.
(4)Julio B.
Holy Moly, I'm so glad that ppl noticed this great spot!!! I found this place while walking around trying to find a place to get a haircut. The setting is very typical if it was located in Puerto Rico minus the beaches.... The coffee is awesome and it reminds me the way my Grandma would make it. Do not forget to order your piece of bread soaked in butter! The sandwiches are insane! If you read Ren.B review, she says the coffee is sweet, well that's the style of their coffee or the way we drink in Puerto Rico. I cant speak for the pastries because I stuff my fat face with sandwiches and throw it down with 2 cups of coffee.
(5)Ren B.
my friend introduced me to cafe colao to curb my increasingly bougie tastes, and i was pleasantly surprised! the guava and cream cheese pastries are ultra flaky, and kick the crap out of the pastries at a lot of other bougie places i've been to. the coffee is nutty and a little sweet, as good coffee should be. and even as a highly carnivorous person, i gotta say that the avocado and caribe sandwich is top notch. not the best looking place in the world, but the food more than makes up for it!
(4)M.C. V.
I lived in PR until 5 years ago. When I go back, among my de rigueur places to visit are the bakeries - La Ceiba, Kasalta, La Bombonera - and my must haves are cafe con leche, quesitos, pastelillos de guayaba, mayorcas and croquetas. Well, last weekend I visited Cafe Colao for the first time where I found most of the merienda fare I crave and was transported straight to my beloved Puerto Rico bakeries. I sat at the bar at around 4 in the afternoon slowly savoring a cafe con leche, a quesito and a pastelillito de guayaba y queso and almost cried for happiness. The rich, aromatic coffee woke up my senses and memories, the quesito - sweet and gooey, made me swoon, and the pastelillo - more like a buttery tart - was a perfect, melt in my mouth finish. Ahhh, heaven. I will go every time I go into Chicago from the suburbs.
(5)Julia Z.
This charming cafe has the best coffee in the city. Get a cafe con leche and any of their fabulous desserts and you will not regret it. It is a hidden gem.
(5)K S.
Love Cafe Colao! Always great music to get your morning going and the place to keep up with what's going on in the neighborhood. Both my Latino husband and I feel at home here - he loves their quesitos and I love their super flaky croissants. We both love their corn bread fresh out of the oven ham, egg and cheese sandwiches. Voted in the Top 10 best coffees in the city and we agree.
(5)