Cafe Salsa
Categories:
Catering Companies, Restaurants, Banquet Rooms, Mexican Restaurants
Details:
$, Family-Friendly Dining, Group Dining, Local Favorite, Lunch Spot, Outdoor Dining, Romantic Dining, Open 7 Days
Message from Cafe Salsa
Since 1981, Cafe Salsa has been dedicated to sharing a passion for Mexican food and culture with each and every guest. Therefore, it is their intention to bring the flavors of Mexico to everyone in a friendly, festive manner. Although their menu began with, and still includes, traditional items such as tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas, they also provide contemporary items such as grilled portabella mushrooms with a chicken basil sauce, blackened catfish with salsa verde, and an ever-changing specials menu. Two items they have never modified are the world-class margaritas and the homemade salsa and chips.
Editorial by Citysearch
In ShortFounded in 1981, this cantina's brightly colored walls and multihued decor set a festive tone. Dishes include traditional carnitas, chicken mole, chilis relleno, tacos, enchiladas and more. A kids menu (at the Countryside location) features items like tacos, hamburgers, chicken nuggets and grilled cheese.
Key Points
- Catering
- Patio seating
- Fully-stocked bar
The Inside Scoop
- What to Drink - The Countryside location features a full bar and offers more than 50 kinds of tequila.
- What to Drink - Margaritas are a favorite with the after-work crowd. Additionally, you'll find more than 40 different tequilas behind the bar.
- Catering - Salsa also offers catering, featuring a choice of a taco or fajita buffet, party trays, and several other side options.
Insider Pages Reviews for Cafe Salsa
I love this place. The food and service is amazing. The decor is ethnic and there is always spanish music playing. The prices are reasonable and they give you a lot of food for the money. The margaritas have special prices on certain days and are very tasty. The bar is small but you can order any type of drinks to your table. They have an outdoor patio also. The staff is always friendly and happy to see you.
Posted 10/08/08 | Report Abuse
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The first thing you notice about this place is the wonderful painting on the out side. When you step in you really feel like you are in a Mexican Hacienda. I just love the Chicken Mole'! I could eat here every day.
Posted 07/25/08 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Great!
by mirook
I just came from Korean and I love this restaurant!!! We ordered food for 70 people for MOSAIC event and the response was so good!!!
Pros: love it!
Posted 04/21/09
Delivers what it promises
by reality2u
Cafe Salsa delivers what it promises, good hearty food at a decent price. If I want art I go to the art museum. If I want pretentiousness moronic drivel I read Artful reviewers or read fast food nation. The key to Cafe Salsa's success is by delivering the customer what they want and not pretending to be something they are not. I have been to some of the best Mexican restaurants in the world, and in this city and still come back to Cafe Salsa. Sure if I want a five course or even seven course chef menu tan I will go to Tompolubumpo, or for delicious inspiration I will travel to Mixteco, but I always find myself going to places that deliver every time. From their Carne Asada to the Burrito Suizo Grande every item delivers. Morons like coldhardtruth2 or jimmycassata are nothing more than guttersnipes who haven't the knowledge or the where with all to run a successful restaurant and have had their own restaurants crushed by the consistency of Cafe Salsa, nice try but Cafe Salsa rules the roost.
Pros: Abundence
Cons: gets packed on the weekends
Posted 01/21/09
Has REALLY gone downhill!
by nicolekoziel
I used to dine here frequently 4+ years ago, and the food was very good. I went last night, and I was HIGHLY disappointed. The food has really gone downhill since my last visit. I had one of the specials, the crab cake appetizer, and it was very fishy tasting and not fresh. I had a taco dinner that was mediocre at best. The service was good, but the food wasn't worth the money or time.
Pros: Good service
Cons: fishy, not fresh food
Posted 08/24/08
Medicore mexican food
by bubbletea24
Bland Mexican food. I was disappointed when I heard this place was owned by Hispanics. It has a nice atmosphere but it ends there. This restaurant satisfies those who want to try Mexican food at a place other than taco bell, but are afraid of trying anything authentic. Anyone who truly appreciates Mexican food should go elsewhere.
Pros: atmosphere
Cons: the food
Posted 05/11/08
Realy Good Mexican Food
by zooma64
This is a really unique and good Mexican restaurant. I love the healthy twist they have on tradional favorites. I have had the carnitas, which are meaty and flavorful and the enchiladas with chicken, portabella mushrooms and spinach were to die for! The place does get loud at night, but the food, drinks and great service make up for it
Pros: great menu, plenty of parking
Cons: gets pretty loud, somewhat restrictive to wheelchairs
Posted 06/24/06
Cafe Salsa's high ratings...
by jchevron
Citysearch has Cafe Salsa with a 9.6 rating. That is excessive.
I like Cafe Salsa and dine there every other month or so. It has acceptable Mexican food, average Margeritas, and good service. Nothing that suggests the high rating they have on this website.
Pros: OK Mexican food, Patio in the Summer, Carne assada
Cons: Average food, Dining room is loud
Posted 04/09/06
Cafe Salsa A "Hot" spot
by lilgigigirl
I've been going to Cafe Salsa for a while now. Its a favorite spot in the suburbs. Not only is it great food, but great service. Servers, hostesses and bartenders are very polite and knowledgeable. And By the Way HOT!!! Connor to name Just one! Grr!!! SO if you looking to have a fun night out with the girls or family or ect....cafe salsa is a must!!!!
Posted 01/12/04
A Must Visit
by jbpatterson
A wonderful twist to the boring Traditional Mexican spots. Very authentic without just beans rica and burrito. Great steaks seafood and the margaritas are the best I've ever had. And I know ritas...
Pros: value, service, food
Posted 02/02/03
Suburban Haven
by lbetzel
Cafe Salsas is a surburban haven for Mexican foodies. The ambiance is warm and exciting, and they provide great service. Cafe Salsas has taken great care with the menu offering a variety of interesting dishes. I've been on a number of occasions and always liked what I ordered. My favorite though is the Chipotle Chicken, a very large chicken, whole breast served with a spicy chipotle salsa and garlic mashed potatoes. Must try the margaritas too!
Pros: consistent, good value
Cons: crowded / weekends
Posted 01/31/03
Mmm Mmm Hot
by harron
I am definately going back for MORE! The food was great and we can get in and out in under an hour. Staff made it a very pleasurable experience.
Pros: Food, Lighting, Location
Cons: No welcome mat, Out of straws
Posted 01/29/03
Best drinks in town
by megberry
My friends and I love to meet for drinks, snacks and chatting at Cafe Salsa. The drinks are excellent and the bartendar knows how to take care of the customer. Their chips adn salsa are very freah and tasty. We are making it our regular meeting spot.
Posted 01/22/03
Best Margarita in Town
by hchamberlin1
My family and I had an anniversary party at Cafe Salsa and I have been hooked ever since. The drinks were flowing, the atmosphere was fun and the food was fabulous. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a wonderful Mexican experience.
Pros: Fun, Great Food, Great Service
Posted 01/22/03
We know its good!
by joeypatterson
Cafe Salsa has us hooked. My wife and I dine out frequently and visit the Oakbrook location weekly for the food and margaritas. She is a vegetarian and always orders the Portabella mushroom fajitas with corn tortillas. She substitutes black beans for the refried. I have sampled the menu, and keep coming back to the Churrasco, a garlic, cilantro, and olive oil marinated skirt-steak, and request the garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies instead of the rice and beans (dont know of another place that will do that). I can recommend the Shish-ka-bob alone or with a combo plate, Mahi with Mango Salsa, Mazatlan Salad, Chili Relleno and Carne Asada combo. I like my food spicy, so I always request the Salsa Brava in addition to the table Salsa for the chips and order a roasted jalapeno with my meal (not on the menu, but never a problem).
Pros: Consistent quality, Great value, Staff knows us
Cons: Loud on weekends
Posted 01/22/03
You call this Mexican food?
by dlangl1
The worst Mexican food I've ever eaten. The food at the Oakbrook Cafe Salsa was dry and tasteless. There was no flavor in the food. Would never go back.
Pros: parking, good salsa
Cons: dry, no flavor
Posted 01/08/03
Best Margarite in town
by Tony_Filippelli
Cafe Salsa is in my top ten list of regualr haunts. One of the best steak burritos in town and Conner behind the bar makes a killer Margarita. Highly recomended.
Pros: Excellent Margarita's, Awesome burritos, homemade Salsa
Posted 11/13/02
Excellenty
by cutterguy
This is the best mexican restaurant that I have ever eaten at, the food is excellect.
And the management is unique, that is all I can say
Posted 09/04/02
Salsa is HOT!
by azstabb
The food at Cafe Salsa is the best in Chicago. I love the staff and the service they provide. When ordering the carne asada ask for the garlic mashed potatos. I have to go now, I'm making myself hungry.
Pros: Great food, Great service, Great prices
Posted 08/29/02
Down and Dirty Mexican
by mweinstein
This place is amazing. It has good home style mexican food. It is not greasy, the chips are homemade, and offers a huge menu. The only other thing you need is a good margarrita and they have that also. This place is great and so are the prices.
Pros: healthy, inexpensive, many locations
Posted 06/10/02