Habana Libre: User Reviews

delicious authentic cuban food. the rice and black beans are amazing. the lunch menu is always great portion for a unbeatable price. def work checking out.

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Thought I was walking into a storefront takeout joint when I walked in, and this joint turned out to be a packed BYOB. It's right down the street from my house. How could I never have noticed? Got my ceviche and empanada takeout, and was over the moon with its tastiness. Will definitely go back with a bottle and some friends.

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I have been hear several time and the food is solid. The Testones with garlic sauce are great as they will repel vampires for an 8 block radius; I love garlic. The shrimp in creole sauce is tasty. No nonsense place, decent prices.

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I have been to this restaurant a couple of times and I had liked it so much that I took a group there for a celebration. I had called 4 days in advance to make a reservation and warn them of the size of the group, gave them my name and phone number. When we got there, they were not prepared for us and they said they had no record of a reservation and that they don't take reservations on week nights. Additionally, they did not tell me about thier rule that if parties of 15 or more stay beyond 1 hour and 45 minutes, they are charged $60 per hour, for every hour thereafter.

The food is great, though a little pricey and when i've been there in smaller groups, they have always been friendly and prompt with service, I just was very disappointed that I was misled about bringing a group there and the way our server treated us on my recent visit.

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The arroz con pollo was delicious and was more than enough for the two of us for dinner and lunch the next day.Well worth the 45 min wait to prepare. We had an appetizer platter which I was glad we ordered everything was great. I will continue to go back and try new items off the menu

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Wanted to try a different place and found a gem.

Great flavors and service.

Ox Tail and Skirt Steak dishes were bursting with flavors.

Appetizers were very tasty as was the sides of beans and some of the best fried plantains we have had.

We took the CTA bus from downtown. About a 10 minute trip.

Did not have room for desert that is why I give them a 3 stars.

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The food here is good, pretty authentic. The waiting staff is terrible. I asked the waiter if our croquetas were ham (they tasted like chicken) he took the plate away, brought back the same half bitten food, with the cook/owner, who assured us (with an attitude) that they were ham, and that he is cuban. If your not big on treatment, this is the place for you. If you are looking for cuban ambiance, you need to go somewhere else, there's not a cuban in sight.

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The food makes this place a destination, not the atmosphere - although the place is clean and not too brightly lit and they put fresh flowers on the tables (check out the cool lamps on the walls). It was HOT in there when we went on a warm evening. Split the appetizer platter: all fried - great for trying a little bit of everything, all fresh, tasty and NOT greasy. I think when I go back I'll stick with the wonderful, light fried yucca. The ropa vieha (sp?) was melt-in-your mouth tender and delicious. I wish they would have provided more beans & more plantains. The portions are plenty but not in excess. I can't wait to go back and try everything. Service was just OK but very friendly. Dinner for 2 entrees, appetizer, coffee & a soda was $39 - we ate it all, no leftovers.

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The food was great, every thing we ordered we really liked. The only thing I wasn't super pleased with were the plantains. Price was fair, and the service was great. Especially help full to those who aren't familiar to the dishes. I would recommend it to any one, and am looking foward to going back.

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The food is well above average, as evidenced by its popularity and full dining room. Problem is, they obviously have a small kitchen, and tables are served one at a time. Better plan on waiting at least an hour for your entrees, if you come at prime time on a Friday or Sat. evening. We enjoyed the Red Snapper Filets in a unique Creole sauce, as well as the Roast Pork in garlic sauce. Nice fillers were the included white rice and black beans in mole sauce. Not much atmosphere here, but it is BYOB. Though I would recommend this restaurant, I still strongly prefer La Cocina (See my Review).

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