Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba is always a hit. There's something for everyone and you get to try a bunch of different foods since it's tapas style. Also, the sangria is really good!

As for food, I have to admit that I have a new favorite; the spinach and manchego stuffed mushrooms were incredible! Which means I have to put the bacon wrapped dates and the ham croquetas as close second and thirds. That apple vinaigrette and the aioli with the croquetas are always so so good. One of the specials when we went was the lamb empanada and I have to say I liked it better than the beef empanada, even though the beef one comes with the yummy aioli. Personally I thought the garlic shrimp and the chicken thighs were both just average; nothing special. While we don't usually save room for dessert, the little chocolate cake was a great way to finish the meal!

The perfect spot to bring a large group and/or to celebrate any special occasion! I came here with a group of 8 to celebrate my friend's birthday, and honestly, everything-- the food, the service, the ambience and vibes-- exceeded my expectations. The service was excellent, friendly, and attentive, and our server brought out a complimentary birthday brownie for my friend at the end. The interior was large and lively, and the ambience felt casual and friendly, yet sophisticated.

The food was aromatic, diverse, and flavorful. For 8 people, we ordered the following items, and were quite full and satisfied by the end (especially after the paella) (** = especially recommend):
- Spanish Meatballs "Al-Jerez"**
- Shaved Brussel Sprouts Salad**
- Iberico Ham Croquetas
- Spinach and Manchebo-Stuffed Mushrooms**
- Patatas Bravas
- Piri-piri fried chicken thighs
- Goat cheese baked in tomato sauce
- Farmers market vegetable paella**

The food was fairly priced, though we did go mainly vegetarian, so the total including tip came out to just ~$16 per person, split amongst 8. I can definitely see myself coming back with a large group of friends to try out some more of the tapas dishes on the menu!
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Price (relative to peers): 4.5/5
Food: 4.5/5
Ambience: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Overall Value: 4.5/5

We love Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Great Spanish food with so many amazing options, ranging from vegan to vegetarian. Favorites include the chicken paella and the spicy potato's. Great spot for dinner and splitting a pitcher of sangria with friends. A favorite for dinner and drinks with friends on a night out! Friendly service and lively atmosphere!

UPDATE: management took ownership of their mistakes and decided to comp us our entire party's meal along with a few gift cards. Stay tuned as I maybe give this establishment another shot

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Extremely disappointing experience for the price point and popularity of this place.

We had booked a table for 16 a month in advance and checked in morning of confirming our RSVP. Even then, it took us 55 minutes to get seated. The manager even gas lit us saying "oh you guys should've booked the private room to guarantee your spot" when we had been doing back and forth communication to assure and guarantee our spot & party size number. They did comp us 4 pitchers of sangria for making us wait nearly an hour.

The food quality was also unfortunately extremely disappointing. The hanger steak is $17 for basically 4 bites and was extremely over cooked - it was rubbery and dry and cooked well done. My bread was dry and it was like chewing rocks in my mouth.

There was hardly anything worth notably good here besides the potato's. Our waiter missed a ton of our dishes and got passive aggressive when we just wanted to confirm that we are not being charged for additional dishes that we didn't order. It's like, you missed our order in the first place; we're just trying to understand if you meant we're adding an order net new on top of what's been ordered vs just making sure something that was ordered before was being delivered. Unnecessary sass and unprofessional behavior from the waiter. He missed at least 5 orders and at the end we just asked them to take it off. All he replied was "sure". No apology or anything.

You can find better tapas for the price and quality elsewhere in the city.

I have heard a lot about this place. I really enjoyed it. Very fun for trying a bunch of different things. There was a very long wait but it is first come first served at the bar or the high tops around the bar which is a great life hack for getting in. The place was very lively! The food was brought out at a nice paced so you could enjoy each dish. My favorites were the goat cheese baked in tomato sauce, bacon wrapped dates, and the patatas bravas. A Chicago must try!!

Went to the location during happy hour. At the bar, the staff was extremely friendly. They offered different recommendations, and all were delicious. Some of the best tapas I've had. There are alot of items in the new for happy hour, but you can also order off of their normal menu. The vibe of the place was relaxing and definitely can be great for a romantic evening.

came on a friday and it was super busy, but we did have a reservation so it definitely helped! our server was super attentive and helped recommend food options as it was our first time.

food was good, but not memorable in my opinion. my friends and i thought the place was overpriced for what it was. we love tapas, but this place didnt do it for us and perhaps we will only come again for happy hour with better prices

Fun place for happy hour with great deals! Food and drinks were good, staff was friendly. A little wait to sit at the bar high tops.

Update: I think I just ordered the wrong things the first time I came here. The second time was exponentially better than the first. I have learned that many of the happy hour menu items are not anything special, but their non-happy hour items are.

The second time around, I got:

Shaved brussel sprouts salad--amazing flavor. I don't know what kind of dressing they used but it is perfect. The almonds add a nice crunch as well.

Stuffed mushrooms--these are bursting in flavor! The lemon butter sauce that comes with these is to die for.

Pressed bikini sandwiches--soooo good. Every ingredient really comes through and compliments each other. The added honey really balances the saltiness of the chorizo.

Piri-piri fried chicken thighs--the sauce on these is like crack. Slightly spicy but not overbearingly so. It is also kind of creamy which was not expected but very nice. The cilantro yogurt sauce was very tasty & the pickled veggies on the bottom really round out the dish.

Paella mixta--so so so good. Seems expensive at $34 but it is a TON of food. The rice was perfectly seasoned and cooked, with some nice crunchiness from the outer edges. You can't come to Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba without getting the paella!

The service was phenomenal this time around as well (unlike the last time). I am so glad I decided to give this place another shot. I most certainly will be back.

Amazing!! Paella was delicious and I wish we had saved room to try more tapas. Highly recommend the goat cheese dish as a first course! Half pitcher of sangria was also a great deal and very good.

This place is amazing!!!! Such a fun Spanish tapas restaurant. The patatas bravas.....wow....life changing. And the paella......sooo creamy. Such a fun restaurant and the staff is so friendly and helpful! Great ambiance inside too so fun before going out.