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Cafe 28

4.3

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1800 W. Irving Park Rd.

Chicago, IL 60613

773-528-2883

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''You're not going to find a basket of (tortilla) chips on your table,'' says Berta Navarro, owner of Cafe 28, which specializes in Mexican and Cuban cooking that is ''a little upscale.'' Instead you'll find grilled shrimp quesadillas, chipotle grilled chicken and green tamales in this intimate cafe. Navarro makes friends with her customers fast, and if she's got something she's proud of on the stove (like her arroz con pollo), she'll coax you back to see it. Most of the recipes are her own and she takes the same pride in the front of the house. Cafe-style exposed brick walls and marble-topped tables meet cantina-style salsa music on the soundtrack.

Getting There

Cross Streets:: Irving Park Rd. and Ravenswood Ave.

Parking:: Street and Valet. Valet Parking: Friday-Saturday nights only.

Public Transportation:: CTA Bus: 11 Lincoln, 50 Damen, 80 Irving Park. Brown Line Train: Irving Park stop.

Wheelchair Access:: Yes

The Basics

Hours:

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 5:30-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday

5:30-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Monday

Brunch: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

The bar opens at 5 p.m. nightly.

Cuisine:: Cuban, Mexican, and American Tex Mex

Meals Served:: Weekend Brunch, Dinner, and Lunch. Brunch: Saturday-Sunday. Lunch: Tuesday-Friday.

Price Range:: $$$ ($16-$25)

Reservations:: Accepted. Parties of six or more.

Alcohol:: Full Bar. Bloody Mary, Caipirinhas, Mojitos.

Smoking:: No

Music Style:: Latin

Audience:: Families

Features

Carryout:: Yes

Atmosphere and Personality:: Theme. Latin

ATM:: Lakeside Bank at Lincoln Ave. and Irving Park Rd.

Live Music:: Yes. During Sunday brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Features:: Catering and Free Admission. No dancing. No children's menu Kid-friendly options like the Mickey Mouse pancakes at brunch. Catering available. No buffet.

Facilities:: Private Party and Banquet Facilities. No on-site store. Capacity: 50

Worth Noting:: Top brunches. Recommended.

Specialties:: Arroz con pollo.

Payment Methods:: American Express, Diners Club, Discover Card, Mastercard, and Visa

Outdoor Seating:: Yes. Capacity: 30

Delivery:: No

Seating :: Capacity: 100

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Rate Cafe 28

"Cafe 28: A Lot of Fun!"

DK from North Suburbs - August 9, 2008

Cafe 28 is a great place, pure and simple. As others have said, appears to be a neighborhood dive, but certainly is a welcome visit for anyone. I...

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"Love Cafe 28!"

ckay from lakeview - June 13, 2008

I live in the neighborhood and Cafe 28 is my old stand-by. I have tried almost eveything on the menu and have never been disappointed.

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"Best Cuban Food in Chicago!!!"

NewToChicago from West Loop - May 21, 2008

You must try the Cuban Chicken! It was great and so were the rice and maduros (sweet plantains) that came with it!!! The chicken quesadillas were r...

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