Bolivar & Lincoln

Venezuelan restaurant · Lakeview

Bolivar & Lincoln

Venezuelan restaurant · Lakeview

4

Store front 1, 3349 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

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Highlights

Loaded arepas with authentic Venezuelan flavors, plus juices  

Featured in The Infatuation
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Store front 1, 3349 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 Get directions

bolivarandlincoln.com
@bolivar_and_lincoln

$10–20 · Menu

Information

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Store front 1, 3349 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 Get directions

+1 312 998 1735
bolivarandlincoln.com
@bolivar_and_lincoln

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 18, 2025

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@infatuation

The Best Restaurants In Lakeview - Chicago - The Infatuation

"This small BYOB Venezuelan restaurant is located on the cusp of Lakeview and Wrigley, right before the wilderness filled with crazed Cubs fans. Bolivar and Lincoln makes loaded arepas, and has a variety of options like shredded chicken with gouda, NY strip steak, and their take on sausage, egg, and cheese. But our favorite is the Pabellon, which throws sweetness into the mix thanks to caramelized plantains buried underneath a mountain of stewed shredded beef, beans, and cheese. Disclaimer: spillage is an unavoidable part of the eating process here, so definitely ask for extra napkins. It’s pretty small with limited seating, but if you can grab a table it’s a great place to eat and drink before a game." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/the-best-lakeview-restaurants
View Postcard for Bolivar & Lincoln
@infatuation

The Best Restaurants In Lakeview

"This small BYOB Venezuelan restaurant is located on the cusp of Lakeview and Wrigley, right before the wilderness filled with crazed Cubs fans. Bolivar and Lincoln makes loaded arepas, and has a variety of options like shredded chicken with gouda, NY strip steak, and their take on sausage, egg, and cheese. But our favorite is the Pabellon, which throws sweetness into the mix thanks to caramelized plantains buried underneath a mountain of stewed shredded beef, beans, and cheese. Disclaimer: spillage is an unavoidable part of the eating process here, so definitely ask for extra napkins. It’s pretty small with limited seating, but if you can grab a table it’s a great place to eat and drink before a game." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/the-best-lakeview-restaurants
View Postcard for Bolivar & Lincoln
@infatuation

Bolivar and Lincoln - Review - Lakeview - Chicago - The Infatuation

"You can find this small BYOB Venezuelan restaurant at the edge of Lakeview, right before it becomes Wrigley and you're accosted by crazed Cubs fans. Bolivar and Lincoln serves up loaded arepas, with a variety of options like shredded chicken with gouda, NY strip steak, and their take on sausage, egg, and cheese. But our favorite is the Pabellon, which throws sweetness into the mix thanks to caramelized plantains buried underneath a mountain of stewed shredded beef, beans, and cheese. Make sure to ask for extra napkins because spillage is an unavoidable part of the eating process here. This place is small with limited seating, but if you can grab a table with some friends, it’s a great spot to eat and drink before a game." - John Ringor

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/reviews/bolivar-and-lincoln
View Postcard for Bolivar & Lincoln
@biscuit

Really delicious arepas

Chicago food spots
View Postcard for Bolivar & Lincoln

Cherie Frémine

Google
Bolivar & Lincoln is a neighborhood gem! The food is amazing the staff is lovely. There are lots of gluten-free options. Do not miss the Cowboy and Pabellón arepas. For anyone who can enjoy gluten, the tequeños are also delicious! Thank you for all of the great visits!

David H

Google
Bolivar & Lincoln was a first for me! I've never tried Venezuelan food, but my goodness was the food amazing 🧡 The manager was incredibly welcoming and communicative with his employees. Tequenos were great! And I loved the sauce that came with them as well! My partner and I both tried different Arepas. They were both so wonderful! I definitely recommend this little hidden-away spot!

Ana Reyes

Google
Service was great. The food was a good price for the portions. Flavor was definitely there. Server was kind and honest. I would 10/10 recommend. I’m pregnant, so it’s nice to go somewhere with alot of non-alcoholic beverage options!

Nitin Malla

Google
The food here is very authentic—true to South American flavors. I really enjoyed the arepa, which was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The tequeños were also a highlight—crispy but not overly fried like at many other places. One thing to keep in mind: while the photos make the portions appear quite large, I found them to be on the smaller side, especially for the price. The Queen Arepa (chicken salad with avocado and gouda cheese) came out to about $18 with tax, which felt a bit steep for what was served. The ambiance is fairly basic, and the service was underwhelming—probably a 2 out of 5. I wasn’t greeted or offered a smile, and the staff didn’t seem particularly happy to be there, even though I was the only customer during peak lunch hour. That said, maybe it was just an off day, so I’m not going to hold that against them too much. Despite those drawbacks, I do plan to come back. Next time, I want to try the strip steak with avocado arepa—it sounds fantastic. The flavors are definitely worth exploring further.

Fabian Pineda

Google
Authentic Venezuelan flavors in Lakeview! I stopped in and tried the cachapa with meat — super tasty and felt genuinely authentic. Service was fast and the staff were friendly and attentive the whole time. Prices are a bit on the higher side, but given it’s in Lakeview, that’s pretty expected. My girlfriend is Venezuelan, and I’m pretty confident this spot would get her seal of approval. Definitely planning to come back to try the arepas next! the staff at this place are definitely venezuelan

Elianne Ferrer

Google
The food tasted just as if it was eating at an aunts house. Large portions, great seasoning, fast, very friendly host. Cute spot, loved it.

Juan Martin

Google
This is not old avocado. This is rotten avocado. And it’s the second time this happened to me. I will not be ordering again. Shame on whoever did this because you know exactly what you were doing!!!! Imagine what they do with the ingredients that are not visible???? ‼️‼️‼️‼️ would not recommend. And I suggest you train your employees because clearly they don’t care about delivery orders…. Very upsetting.

A. Flores

Google
Top tier spot! Gluten free arepas, delicious options all around, BEST BEST tostones I’ve ever had hands down, and friendly staff. Couldn’t recommend more.
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Michelle R.

Yelp
This place was excellent. I was raised on arepas and it tastes like my mom's home cooking!Everything is prepared with love. Authentic tasty flavors! Carefully and thoughtfully made. The food was just amazing! They even have a fancy expresso machine and can make a delicious coffee! The owners and staff are all really friendly and care for their customers. They also have fun merchandise adoring the walls making for a fun ambiance. In the few days we spent eating our way through Chicago's excellent food scene...this was the standout and we went back 2x in 3 days! We went with a group and all shared a bunch of food and everything was an A+! Standouts: fried yuca, arepa with plantain & shredded beef, patacon, and cachapas Also, they have an array of gluten free options carefully labeled for those that desire that! We will be back!!! Thank you B&L for bringing authentic Venezuelan food to the US!
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Sherard C.

Yelp
Not an expert on Venezuelan food by far but man was this a great find! Tucked away in a residential street, you'll step into a little shop greeted by the most friendly staff. I came here on a Monday around 12:30. The Galiban Arepa was simply fantastic. Generous portions of steak and sausage served with onions & tomatoes in a house made sauce when put together tastes absolutely delicious. The empanada was fried to perfection as well with generous stuffings of shredded chicken. Altogether it gave me the feeling that this was very authentic Venezuelan food and I will definitely be back to try more things off their menu - perhaps build my own Arepa next time! I didn't have any other benchmark to compare price to but I think my only concern would be that a sandwich for nearly $20 is a bit hefty in this economy. However, as this is a specialty sandwich that not a lot of places offer in the US, for that reason I would come back and spend the $20 and consider it well worth it.
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Kathy P.

Yelp
A cute friendly place. Loved the beef cachapa! Highly recommend- a wonderful corn pancake filled with cheese, corn and deliciousness. Would get it with the guasacaca sauce next time. My son got the empanadas and liked them as well. So many items on the menu to try. Plantains, flan- next time! Don't serve alcohol. Byob. Highly recommend. Will be back.
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Bob S.

Yelp
We met our son here for lunch and had a great meal. The service was excellent too, plus the small seating area and big front picture window gave it a great cozy vibe. We tried several items and I recommend you do the same, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu based on our experience.
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Cheryl W.

Yelp
I came here for lunch on a Friday. No wait for a table. I got the pabellon arepas. It came out fast and was a big portion. I enjoyed my dish and glad it came with a sauce. I would definitely come back again. They are also BYOB. The guy who runs this place was nice and helpful. They have an outdoor seating area as well.
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Alice D.

Yelp
I looove arepas and they never disappoint here. I've tried a few of the combos they offer on the menu, and I've also done the build your own. The ingredients are good quality and the flavors hiiit, especially with the creamy green garlic sauce! The service here is top notch as well. The staff is very chatty and smiley, so it's a great environment for dining in (but they do offer takeout too). Awesome lil spot, def check it out!
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Zoe G.

Yelp
This place is down right amazing. Fantastic food and friendly service. We got two to share and they were both delicious. If you are looking for something lighter the queen is great. The pabellon stole the show in our books. Cannot wait to go back for more!
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Keila B.

Yelp
This place was fantastic! I had the pabellón arepa and it was so delicious. It was huge but I finished it. Cool vibe inside and the service was friendly.

Julie S.

Yelp
Great little place with friendly staff and delicious food. Everything was hot and flavorful.
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Eilleen L.

Yelp
Bolivar & Lincoln is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Everything is homemade, fresh and they take pride of the food. The service is beyond amazing. Everyone is so nice, thoughtful and attentive. The arepas are soooo good. Perfectly season and cooked. The meat is juicy and the arepa is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. This is a must visit esp if you're in Wrigleyville! And if you're not, still go, it's worth it!
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Auston T.

Yelp
Best arepas I've had so far. They do not skimp on the amount of food you get, you'll get plenty for your money. You also don't wait very long for your food. I'd definitely recommend getting a fresh fruit juice with your meal. It's fresh and particularly nice on a warm night. You can also get it with milk if you're looking for something more like a shake. Strongly recommend this spot!
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Clay G.

Yelp
I walk by here all the time and decided that it was finally time to get some empanadas. Luckily for me, they're 100% worth it. They're pretty big, crispy on the outside, and full of deliciousness on the inside. Weirdly, when you're inside you feel like you've been transported out of Chicago. The city moves on outside but inside Bolivar & Lincoln you're in a whole different world and it feels good to escape, even if only for a short while.
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Anthony D.

Yelp
The food is phenomenal, especially the Cowboy Arepa. They cook it fresh to order, so there is definitely a wait if you order to-go or if you show up hungry. Also, the seating is pretty sparse and so you may end up having to take it to-go or eat on the curb. Either way, give it a shot because you won't be disappointed.
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Hannah T.

Yelp
Landed in Chicago to visit some friends and needed lunch asap. My friend took us to this neighborhood spot and I'm sooo glad she did. I mean just look at how absolutely STACKED this arepa is!! I got the veggie arepa which came with black beans, plantains, and avocado (which came with a side of an incredible green sauce). The beans were more than just beans but seasoned to perfection and seemed to be mixed with tomatoes and onions. The plantains were sweet and juicy and the corn arepa itself was delicious and tender. So glad I got to try out this spot and definitely hope to be back!
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Angel A.

Yelp
I've been meaning to come here for ages. Stopped in tonight for dinner and left very satisfied with every aspect of this meal. I started with some tequenos and a mango juice which were delicious. I opted to build my own arepa with steak, gouda, bell peppers, and plantains. Would highly recommend this combo. Definitely looking forward to coming back. Excited to try other menu offerings.

Teresa A.

Yelp
This place has the authentic flavors of the Venezuelan cuisine. We tried quite a few plates hence we were in a big group. Different arepas: blondie, pabellón, shredded pork, cachapas with cheese(queso de mano), and shredded chicken. Fried yuca (excellent), tequeños, passion juice, mango juice, Maltin Polar and tres leches Just scrumptious food!! Wonderful bilingual service, friendly, efficient, and helpful. Great ambiance casual, cozy with natural light perfect for a nice meal. Can't wait to go back!! Highly recommended it!!
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Jessa Jamille A.

Yelp
Food is amazing. But service is horrible. Me and my friend who's leaving Chicago ordered after packing everything and we're starving. I ordered and my friend was next. The guy at the register just left and went to the kitchen. We thought that he was just putting the ticket in line, but he also started bringing out orders to the tables. There were other staff there who clearly saw us waiting but did not help. My friend waited over 10 minutes just standing there at the register waiting for someone to take her order. When the guy finally came back, there were no apologies, no sense of urgency or whatsoever.

Robert A.

Yelp
I have had arepas for many years and this tops them all. The staff was extremely helpful in deciding what's the best arepa to eat and in fact they suggested cachapas and I was delighted with this plate. It is a quaint and convenient location not far from Lincoln Park area. They get my five stars! Hands down!
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Irineo B.

Yelp
One of the best arepas I've had in the entire Chicagoland area! They were the closest in taste to the arepas I had in Florida with one of my best Venezuelan friends. I tried the Cowboy Arepa, which had NY Strip Steak, avocado, white cheese, and tomato. The arepas were incredibly fluffy, fresh, and crispy on the outside. The whole experience made the trip worthwhile!
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Annaleigh M.

Yelp
Food: AMAZING. Highly recommend the Pabellon arepas and mandocas appetizer. The beef was amazingly seasoned and plantains perfectly tender. The mandocas were the perfect touch of sweetness and cheese on top was the perfect accompaniment. The strawberry juice with milk was a delicious refreshing smoothie. I would pass on the pineapple juice without milk however. Service: such kind and very informative servers. Quick service too! Ambiance: space is small, so I would recommend a reservation! There are about 9 or 10 tables and an outdoor patio area with another handful. The food was so amazing we cleaned our plates :)
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Isha S.

Yelp
The pabellon arepa with the green garlic sauce was absolutely worth five stars. Filling and everything was cooked so well. Tablemates also got the cowboy arepa and the steak sandwich. Would rate those 4 stars- steak wasn't cooked nearly as well/as flavorful as the meat in the pabellon. If you get the plate definitely ask for the green sauce on the side- completes the dish. Very friendly atmosphere and service.
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Sania H.

Yelp
A nice spot for authentic Venezuelan food tucked away near Wrigleyville! I ordered the steak sandwich which I didn't love, only because of the excessive cheese and mayo/ ketchup topping. The arepas were all delicious, and so was the garlic sauce. The plantains were not very crispy, and felt more like I was eating warm bananas. Overall, good but not great, but I think this was more because of my personal order. I would go for only arepas if I were to come back!
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Paige K.

Yelp
Overall, we def enjoyed our meals. We tried a but of everything. I got the classic Venezuelan dish with plantains, rice, and shredded beef. It was a huge portion. The meat was good but a bit chewy. The plantains were delicious. My husband got the chicken empanada which he said was very good and the cowboy arepa. He liked it but the steak was a little dry. My friends enjoyed their arepas as well. Overall a good option near Wrigley for a quick bite.
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Andrew S.

Yelp
This is a great local casual Venezuelan place! The fruit juice (I got maracuya) is super tasty without being overly sweet, and the arepas are amazing! The arepas are very large so just one is decently filling. There's an indoor seating area but the patio seating is pretty nice in the evenings, and not too loud even with the L passing above.
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Sherry P.

Yelp
Everything here was very good. The service was great and they were very helpful. The platter for an appetizer was great. The burger was good, as was the arepa and cachappa. The only complaint I would have is that the beef was very chewy.
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Rachel J.

Yelp
On a typical Wednesday evening where I didn't feel like cooking, my boyfriend stumbled upon Bolivar & Lincoln online when looking for somewhere to eat that was more casual. We haven't experienced a lot of true Venezuelan meals, but are familiar with Arepas and I love plantains. I had seen the excellent reviews and was a little worried it wouldn't quite live up to the hype but we throughly enjoyed our meal! It looks like normally they take orders at the counter but we sat down with menus to decide what we wanted and an employee offered us full sit down service. We started off with the tequenos, which I can only describe as a MUCH better bosco stick (if you went to any public school in the late 2000s, they were quite the staple). They were soft without the cheese pouring out and weren't overly greasy. The garlic and fancy peppers sauce was like an elevated garlic aioli with almost a chimmichuri kick? We both tried each of our two areas and I really enjoyed the Pabellon with the meat offering a delicious but mild flavor and the plantains offering a subtle sweetness to the dish. The cowboy had well cooked steak with really fresh avocado and tomato on there, adding a freshness to the arepa. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area. We live nearby and this will become a staple for us.
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David J.

Yelp
(shhhhhhhh ... don't tell anyone but this place is better than Bien Me Sabe and this is coming from someone who LOVES Bien Me Sabe)
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Kylie L.

Yelp
1st time eating Venezuelan food! And this place got me hooked in one visit! We ordered the tostones for an appetizer and they were a very tasty choice! And for entrees, we ordered the cowboy arepa and the pabellon criollo! Each were delicious! The veggies were fresh, the rice was divine and the meats were well seasoned! I just hope my next venture into Venezuelan is as good as this first experience was! Friendly staff.
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Sam P.

Yelp
Large portions and excellent attentive customer service. We had the empanadas and tostones for lunch which filled us up substantially. The waiter was very friendly and attentive. I recommend you visit. Tucked away on Sherlyn's just south of Roscoe! In the heart of Wrigleyville.
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Paul C.

Yelp
Highly recommend this hidden gem for Venezuelan food. We tried the fries, tequenos, Patacon Montao, and passion fruit juice and everything was delicious! We had plenty of food for leftovers which we plan to make into huevos rancheros for brunch. The Venezuelan dishes are Devine but I would be tempted to come back for the garlic Mayo fries and tropical juices alone! The restaurant has a small dining room but it was quick and easy to find a table. The location is easily walkable and in a safe area. A highly recommended spot to taste some new cuisine.

Josefina L.

Yelp
Muy orgullosa de recomendar Bolivar Lincoln restaurante que ofrece en sus platos la autentica sazon venezolana,el sabor de nuestras regiones .Un local sencillo atendido con cariño y cordialidad , muy buen servicio .Cachapas con queso, Party belly arepas, Tajadas y jugo de parchita sin azucar todo un banquete de sabores .
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Marlon E.

Yelp
The food was really good. I'm not very familiar with Venezuelan food, so keep that in mind. The portions were plentiful. The sides alone were enough to make a meal. I'd go back just to keep trying other meals. The banana were my favorite.
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Gabrielle W.

Yelp
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! 10/10. these are the best arepas and Venezuelan food that I have had. The corn wrapping was absolutely phenomenal. The flavor of the meat -- tender and juicy, the cheese was fresh, just enough beans. Great portions. Amazing staff. Fast. Indoor and outdoor seating. Free street parking nearby. What more can you ask for?! I couldn't explain again how happy my tastebuds were and my tummy! This place is 100% worth a visit. go! You will not regret it. They have 5 stars for a reason! Quality & consistent food.

Ben A.

Yelp
Legit!!!! This place is the best. Authentic/family restaurant with a lot of passion. They really care about the experience. Everything was perfect. I'm coming back 2x a wk!
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Vivi Z.

Yelp
This place is a hidden gem in the area! My boyfriend brought me here for date night and I freaking loved it. I took one bite and told him I can't wait to be back! I'm usually not a plantain person, but this place kept wanting more and more for some reason. The seasoning is spot on. The arepas looked small when they served it but you'll start feeling full halfway through. They really stuff the arepas and the first couple bites can be a bit overwhelming. I didn't know how to approach it so I started eating little by little with a fork then just picked it up and went straight for it. My bf had the beer and I chose the chicken. He liked the chicken more than the beer but I loved both. I couldn't find any complaints cause it was so good! I can't wait to be back for more arepas!
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Emily W.

Yelp
This place was so delicious! im not normally a huge arepas fan so I got the Venezuelan national dish (Pabellon Criollo) which was beef and beans and plantains and was very good. My husband got the party animal which was really yummy too (despite me not loving arepas). We will be back! We were seated immediately - they have indoor and outdoor seating.
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Marissa M.

Yelp
I was craving some patacon (very specific craving, yes) and had heard about this cafe from some Chicago food Instagram account and decided to check it out with a friend. We were blown away! Service was incredibly friendly and quick. The food was spectacular and a great amount for the price. The whole experience was fantastic!
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Michelle C.

Yelp
Great food and AMAZING service.  Alejandro was very personable and made our first time trying Venezuelan food a great experience  What we ordered: Bolivar & Lincoln platter: EVERYTHING tasted great! We couldn't decide on just one appetizer so we tried them all. My favorite was the mandocas Pabellon Arepa: Massive portions. It was so flavorful and the sauce paired very well with the shredded beef Cowboy Arepa: The beef strips were cooked to perfection. Just fantastic. Well deserved 5-star-reviewed restaurant. 10/10 recommended!
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Sarah C.

Yelp
The service was nice ! Arepas were fresh, but had to much mayonnaise for my liking. They were full to the max, which made it very difficult to enjoy.
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Dave B.

Yelp
Fantastic food - I'm so glad we got food from here on our way to a Cubs game, rather than ballpark food or the corporate schlock that surrounds most blocks around the stadium. My veggie arepa was delicious and massive; if I had to complain about anything, it's that I should have used a fork, knife and plate (rather than my hands in a ballpark seat) to eat it. All ingredients were superb, fresh and flavorful. Half the beans, rice, plantains & my cheese add-on fell out of the arepa, so enormous were its contents. A big thumbs-up! My son enjoyed his considerable burger & fries. Heads-up that a plain burger comes w/a garlicky Venezuelan sauce on it; this initially intimidated my kid, though one taste, and he proclaimed, "WOW! That's good!" Although prep time was longer than at a fast-food place, the result is well worth it. I think you can call ahead if time is a concern. I would come here again for sure! And the employees were very helpful.
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Dennis S.

Yelp
Absolutely fantastic! Make sure to visit this place! The staff member who assisted us was extremely kind and attentive. The Arepas were out of this world, hands down the most delicious I've ever tasted. We tried the pork, beef, and steak options. I highly suggest all of them! I will definitely be returning in the near future.

Katie B.

Yelp
Amazing experience at Bolívar and Lincoln! My boyfriend and I have been wanting to try arepas and im so glad we chose to visit. Portions sizes were great and the arepas were so flavorful! We also tried their fresh juice which was outstanding. Wonderful staff and overall amazing food! Couldn't recommend it enough.
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Monique W.

Yelp
Visiting from California and came here to try something different from pizza & hot dogs. Lovely experience, great service and food!! The food had so much flavor. Very memorable. Will definitely come back.
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Aleah H.

Yelp
What a gem in our neighborhood!! After walking by many times, I finally decided to stop in Bolivar & Lincoln for dinner on a cold February evening. Both the incredible service and incredible food left me feeling warm!! Both employees that were working were super helpful and kind. They checked in with us, provided recommendations, and directed us to the instagram account for photos if we wanted some more inspiration of what to order. It appeared that their families were also there visiting at another table while they were working which was super wholesome! Food was amazing, and I look forward to trying more menu options!! The highlights for me were the canaima arepa and fancy pepper sauce. The arepas are fully loaded and cooked to perfection - The texture was amazing! I personally found the chicken to be more flavorful than the beef, but both were very solid! The fancy pepper sauce was also scrumptious! I am tempted to buy some to take home as it is very unique and spicy/flavorful! I put it on everything and have no regrets. I will absolutely be back - This is a local business I am super proud to support in the neighborhood!
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John M.

Yelp
My arepa runneth over! We're just back from spending most of February in Colombia where we feasted on a steady diet of arepas hot off the ubiquitous street carts. We had an arepa itch that we needed to scratch and ended up here after reading glowing Yelp reviews. B & L's arepas are far more substantial than their South American cousins (for which we typically paid 2,000 pesos/0.45 USD). I had the Cowboy--the steak was muy delicioso--and my wife had the Canaima which was packed with extraordinary shredded chicken. We split an order of crazy good fries which could have fed a party of four. Service was attentive and friendly; B & L is BYO. We'll be back!
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Abby F.

Yelp
This place was great! The patio is very shaded. The food was excellent and came quickly. Service was good too. Would recommend.
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Ben A.

Yelp
I met my friend for lunch and ordered The Cowboy, which comes loaded with steak, tomatoes, avocado, cheese, and a fantastic sauce on the side. The arepa was perfectly crisp on the outside. My friend ordered The Pabellon, which came with Shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains, and a crumbly cheese. It looked amazing! We split a side of fries since the arepas are massive. The fries had a great seasoning and dipping sauce. I would definitely return to try more of the menu. Lastly, service was super friendly and welcoming.
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Bill M.

Yelp
Bolivar & Lincoln is not an obscure street intersection in Chicago, but a relatively new (established 2019) Venezuelan cafe on Sheffield about 2 blocks north of Belmont. I have enjoyed Venezuelan food such as arepas before, but B & L seems to cook with tender lovin' care and everything we tasted was just dynamite. My love and I went there on an early Saturday evening, and we were seated right away. They have a few indoor tables, and even a couple of outdoor tables in what appears to be either a wide gangway or narrow patio space. They seem to do some brisk takeout business too. Our pleasant server provided us with a carafe of water which we greatly appreciated. We each selected one of the deluxe arepas (based on their prices), and they were absolutely delicious from bite number one. My love really enjoyed her Cowboy arepa, stuffed with chunks of NY strip steak, avocado, tomato, cheese, and also a cup of what tasted like chimichurri sauce. I also relished eating my Pabellon arepa, overflowing with shredded beef, cheese, plaintain slices, black beans, along with a delicious light green sauce (garlic sauce?) on the side. We also loved the ham and cheese empanada. The corn shell of the empanada is crunchy and greasy and delicious, and for us it was the right size to split into two for sharing. I titled it the "Empanada of the Year" as it was the tastiest one I've tried so far in 2021. Can you tell by this rave review that we loved this place? We look forward to a return visit to Bolivar & Lincoln.

alex s.

Yelp
This place was cute. The staff was attentive and nice. Food came out quickly. I had the cowboy arepa, my friend had the blondie arepa, and we split the mandocas. All of the food was good portions and very tasty. Definitely will recommend!