Just had lunch w/a client at the Cafeteria Marianao, located at 2246 N. Milwaukee in Chicago, phone: 773.278.4533

Cafeteria Marianao is a stand up/take out small shop on Chicago's near NW side. Client had a Cuban sandwich. He was nice enough to give me a bite. I've had many Cuban sandwiches; Cafeteria Marianao's is a good Cuban sandwich, not great.

Now the sandwich I had on the other hand was great. It was the bistec con queso or steak sandwich w/cheese. The thin sliced steak pieces are boiled in a slightly vinegary pot on the stove until done. Then the steak is put on Cuban bread w/tomatoes, stewed onions and cheese. The whole sandwich is then grilled crispy, YUM! YUM!

I think my client wanted me to share more of my sandwich. Oh well, at only $2.75 for the Steak sandwich w/cheese and $2.50 for the Cuban sandwich, it is cheap to get your own.

Also served are lots and lots of cafe cubano con leche, the little cups of powerful coffee that you see people in Miami stopping by food stands for.

Fun atmosphere as we were the only English speaking people in the place.

I believe I saw the hours as 7am-7pm daily.

The steak sandwich is well worth the trip to try.

No client today, just another great steak sandwich!

Back for more??? Must be good! Thanks for sharing, Willie. It's on my list now when I'm back in town.

I can't find a good cubano here out west to save my b*tt. Been making them myself at home, at least then I know what I get..!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gregseattle:
[B]It's on my list now when I'm back in town.
B]</font>

greg,

let me know when you are in town, I would be fun to go Cubano searching with you.

Willie

even though I'll be in Philadelphia this weekend, picked up a couple steak sandwiches for this evening. They are good!

Cafeteria Marianao was just mentioned by the Trib for a good cup of coffee under $1

Is it still possible to find a decent cup of coffee in the Chicago area for under a buck? Certainly not at Starbucks. Not at Dunkin' Donuts, White Hen or now even McDonald's.
Finding on in Logan Square, however, is a different story. There we found a few strong contenders, my favorama being the cafe Cubano at Cafeteria Marianao. This sweet, dark, carmelly brew with a creamy brown froth goes for a mere 75 cents. ...and served in a two ounce plastic cup, it's meant to be jauntily tossed back at the counter. Dilute it with a touch of hot milk, in a drink called a cortadito, and the price drops to 50 cents.

These places were also mentioned:
Cafeteria de Pancho, 2200 N California Ave
Tropicuba, 3000 W Lyndale St
Taqueria Moran, 2226 N California

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