Hey all, Just wanted to let you all know -- went to "Cafe 28," at Irving Park and Ravenswood, on the recommendation of a friend who swore it was "terrific authentic Cuban." It turned out to be a Bistro Clone, with horrendously poor ventilation (the restaurant was actually filled with smoke from the hot kitchen) and merely pleasant food. The appetizers were far better than the entrees (the quesedilla appetizer was the best). I don't know why this place is getting so much buzz lately -- maybe it's the hip interior -- but it sure wasn't worth the $45-for-two price tag. Ouch -- we got burned. Bookgrrrl
Chicago, IL
Disappointing "Cuban" (ha) Food
NNTP-Posting-Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1999 19:03:17 GMT Organization: Verio Xref: alexander.INS.CWRU.Edu chi.eats:5812 Hello, Laura Miller, on 30-Jul-99 17:43:34 you said: >Since you seem to know cuban, have you tried El Diminico >Dallas (spelling?) on Howard near the el stop? I thought I >heard that it was good from someone that I used to work >with, but I'm not sure it is the same place he was talking >about. I might give it a try since it is near my >neighborhood if I can get a good comment. El Dinamico Dallas is more Hatian than Cuban, seems to me. Great jerk chicken wings, sweet breads (not sweetbreads) and spicy Caribbean concoctions. Was BYOB last time I was there, which is a while. Family run, and definitely a no- tablecloth, regular folks kind of place.
I agree with Wade. Ate at Rancho Luna last night on a friend's recommendation. I'm not an expert on Cuban food, but the service, atmosphere, price, etc. were great, not to mention the live-singer, accompanied by his karaoke machine. The food tasted great to me. We'll go back. Alan