Chicago Mama's Kitchen - Catering, Mixology & Culinary Experiences

Chicago Empanada Mama is Open in West Town | Eater Chicago

"After five years of growing from a food truck to a virtual restaurant, the owner opened a permanent West Town Puerto Rican spot following a year-long buildout timed just before the city's Puerto Rican Day Parade. The menu highlights homey Puerto Rican dishes and a roster of sweet and savory empanadas — including quesitos con guava (guava, gruyère), cochinita con queso (ham, cheese), and ropa vieja (beef, potatoes) — alongside sides like arroz con gandules, shrimp ceviche with plantain chips, and Puerto Rican potato salad made with apples. Beverages range from nostalgic bottles of malta and cups of Dark Matter coffee to rum-forward cocktails such as Esteban’s Smoked Rum-Fashioned (Ron Zacapa Centenario, chocolate bitters, pecan smoke) and the Titi-Martha-Rita (guava, lime, tequila, Grand Marnier), with beers sourced from nearby breweries. The compact, counter-service storefront is styled to feel cozy and inviting — teal and blush pink walls, hanging basket lamps, Edison bulbs, abundant greenery and floral tributes to Aibonito — and includes plush velvet chairs, stools, and upholstered couches to encourage guests to linger. Hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday." - Naomi Waxman