Cafe 53

Chicago’s Best Halal Street Food

"Well known for their vegan and vegetarian sandwiches, all of Hyde Park’s Café 53 meat offerings are halal. Although Café 53 has the classics, like the turkey sandwich and the Reuben, they’ve also got extremely creative takes on the deli sandwich, from the meatball and eggplant panini with a sesame dressing to a kufta sandwich." - Nylah Iqbal Muhammad

The Best Restaurants In Hyde Park

"If you’ve ever spent time in a coffee shop on a college campus, Cafe 53 will feel familiar. You get the feeling that everyone inside it has imminent plans to ruin family get-togethers by incessantly quoting Nietzsche. The interior feels comfortable and lived in, and they have a menu full of sandwiches and salads, with a whole section devoted to vegan options. Come for a buffalo chicken sandwich, and stay to finally finish reading that used copy of On The Road." - adrian kane

The 33 Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

"If you’ve ever spent time in a coffee shop on a college campus, Cafe 53 in Hyde Park will seem very familiar—we get the feeling that everyone here frequently ruins family get-togethers by incessantly quoting Nietzsche. The interior feels comfortable and lived in, and there are plenty of tables for you to get some work done—as long as you avoid getting into any productivity-derailing debates about the existence of God." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru

The Best Healthy Restaurants in Chicago - Eater Chicago

"Salads and grain bowls are reliable standbys for a nutritious diet, but every now and then the craving for a good old fashioned burger (or at the very least a faux one) hits. Native Foods Cafe’s menu is entirely vegetarian, and the gastropub burger is both scrumptious and less greasy than the competition: a veggie patty topped with plant-based provolone, tomato bacon jam, onion rings, and vegan mayo. Additional outposts are located in the Loop, Wicker Park, and Lakeview. Online ordering can be done here." - Jeffy Mai

Cafe 53 - Review - Hyde Park - Chicago - The Infatuation

"If you’ve ever spent time in a coffee shop on a college campus, Cafe 53 will feel familiar. You get the feeling that everyone inside it has imminent plans to ruin family get-togethers by incessantly quoting Nietzsche. The interior feels comfortable and lived in, and they have a menu full of sandwiches and salads, with a whole section devoted to vegan options. Come for a vegan buffalo sandwich, and stay to finally finish reading that used copy of On The Road." - Adrian Kane

Ervin Eliud

Google

As someone who appreciates great vegan options, I was delighted by the variety and creativity of the menu. Every dish was fresh and flavorful. The vegan options were not just an afterthought but a highlight of the menu. The service was equally outstanding—fast, friendly, and attentive. Even during peak hours, the staff ensured everything ran smoothly, making the dining experience relaxed and enjoyable. The ambiance of the place was warm and inviting, perfect for both a casual meal or a special night out. This place is a must-visit! I'll definitely be coming back. I had a Vegan Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich and my partner had a BBQ Lettuce Chicken Wrap.

P. Moore

Google

Nice chill vibe here I'm digging. The place has a large sandwich menu and serves breakfast sandwiches all day too which is dope. You can dine in too place is not too small but it is not a big place either for seating. They also have some dessert as here as well that looks very good too. I went with the Garlic Chicken Sandwich 8.5. This a solid sandwich didn't taste the garlic thou as much as would have liked to but still was good. For dessert I got the carrot cake 8.9 which was very good ngl..and the Caramel Apple Cheesecake 9.1 this smacked was impressed by this one here. Absolutely delicious. But, overall the spot is super chill with some swanky music in the back while you eat.

Momen Al

Google

Went there with a few friends. We had the world famous lol Sumac chicken sandwich on two different breads, french baguette, and dutch bread and they were both good but I liked the dutch bread better. We also had pistachio latte and some dessert and everything was good and clean and made with attention. Would definitely come back again!

Ali H

Google

Wow! I'm so glad I discovered this place. If you're in Hyde Park or near the Museum of Science and Industry, you have to check it out. It's a Zabiha Halal café. We tried the turkey avocado on French bread and the beef pastrami on Dutch bread—both were fantastic. Personally, I preferred the French bread; the Dutch bread was more like a giant biscuit. The sandwiches are huge! The secret patio in the back is a whole different vibe.

Ryan Shab

Google

This is one of the best cafes I have been to in the Chicago area. Being so close to UChicago this is the perfect spot for students to come and eat while studying or just to come hang out. I highly recommend ordering the pineapple teriyaki oven baked sandwich. Another plus to this cafe is that it has a cozy environment and nice outdoor seating perfect for a fall evening.

William Weber

Google

Perfect local spot with saucy sandwiches brimming with flavor! Reasonable sandwich prices and a variety of flavors. The sumac chicken was fantastic. I was prepared to give a tip and the waiter clicked past, saying “if you like it come back” which made me want to tip way more than the obligatory “couple questions for you”

Emily Liu

Google

Great place to take a rest at Hyde Park neighbourhood. It’s always busy, but the service comes quick and warm. The staff are welcoming and polite. Small size of drink is already big enough. Chai Latte is good, love it. Bagel has different options- sesame, plain, and wheat. Bagel 53 is yummy, with cream cheese and tomato.

Ashley Bushala

Google

Such a solid sandwich. We got Dutch Crunch on garlic chicken, can’t wait to come back and have another sandwich. We also got the raspberry bar. You can tell the workers and patrons love the place. Free street parking was pretty easy on a Saturday afternoon.

Emma D.

Yelp

Have had the spicy tuna avocado here too many times to count. By far the BEST tuna sandwich I've ever had. The giardiniera, the sharp cheddar, the excess of Mayo, the perfect bread (normally I get the wheat). The sandwich is massive, like 1/2 is normally enough for me but I'm always more than happy to have the other half for later. The service here is always nice & I want to try more but I just keep coming back for this sandwich specifically. I'm always sad when I'm out of town and can't get this sandwich. If you like tuna, you have to try it.

Felicia D.

Yelp

My first time here and I had the turkey avacado on a french roll. The sandwich was really good and fresh. I like my sandwiches juicy but this one may have been over-sauced. That's my only complaint about the sandwich. I'm glad they didn't skimp on the avacado either. Inside, this place is quaint and neighborhood-like. They was art hung around the walls for sale and people sitting at the tables studying. Seems like a nice place to have a coffee with a pastry or lunch.

Melissa Q.

Yelp

Small bakery with delicious and unique sandwiches. I didn't try the desserts, so I can't speak to those, but it looked really good. I had the lingonberry turkey sandwich. The bread was so fresh and delicious. The combo was awesome! The service was fast and the gentleman working there was very friendly. Clean and cute spot. Definitely worth checking out.

Talena H.

Yelp

Nice small place the have tons of sandwiches options vegan and non vegan. I got the vegan pineapple chicken teriyaki. I ordered online so I didn't have to wait in line but the lines inside of here go pretty quickly. They have great local artist on the wall was around $11 and it was really good. It's also a great place to come and work out of. They have Wi-Fi but if. It was a little bit busy in there, but it was still nice and quiet.

Grace H.

Yelp

Came here by myself because I was in the area and ordered the chicken sumac on Dutch crunch bread. The sandwich was sizable and the bread tasty. The person who took my order pointed out that this was the most ordered item on the menu. The sandwich was a 6.5/10 for me - mainly because the meat was dry/tough and the sumac seasoning was subtle. Different add-ins could have enhanced the sandwich and I kept thinking about the various things I would have added to spice up the sandwich. Still, this spot seems to be a local favorite and its casual ambiance is inviting for the solo diner. I will be back to try the other options!

Jim F.

Yelp

I doubt I can add much more than what's in the other good reviews. This place is awesome. Sandwiches are great. Outdoor seating in the back. It's a local staple.

Scott K.

Yelp

Great study to study in and crank out some work. Plentiful seating, although it feels a bit cramped. Amazing sandwiches with tons of vegan options! Pro tip: don't just default to Dutch crunch. Try the wraps and other breads for different sandwiches. The pastries are not bad. The mint chocolate cake I got was a bit dry, but it was still tasty. They have a lot of options!

Jennifer S.

Yelp

Service was a little indifferent and annoyed (?) with me asking a couple of questions. Order a Turkey sandwich and a Turkey with Lingonberry sauce. French bread was crusty deliciousness and I liked the lingonberry sauce. My daughter enjoyed her chocolate gelato. Would recommend for to go food. Ambiance was odd, as in it seemed a college student hang out with high school or college art lining the walls. If not for the other good reviews, I would've skipped it on the lack of welcoming atmosphere.

Sheryl T.

Yelp

The best Garlic Chicken Sandwich! I was visiting my man from Cali and he frequents Cafe 53 at least three times per week and they know him by his name! He orders the Vegan Buffalo Wrap (y'all know who he is...lol) Anyway, I ordered the Garlic Chicken Sandwich on a Dutch Crunch roll and it was delicious!!! It was large enough to have for two meals! The ambiance is quaint, clean and good energy! When I visit Chi town again I'll be stopping by to try another amazing sandwich! Happy yelping

Darla C.

Yelp

2/10/2024---If you don't like being in tight, cramped feeling spaces, then I'd say order delivery. Aside from that, check your order before leaving. I had the Sumac Chicken Sandwich on lettuce wrap. I asked for giardiniera to be added, and it wasn't. I didn't realize this until I was in my car. I was too hungry and didn't feel like going back as the wait was about 10-15 minutes total, including being in line and prep time. They have a steady flow of customers and pick up orders. I overheard a call in reporting that their order wasn't correct either. The staff appeared a bit overwhelmed but were moving quickly to get orders prepared. That being said, my wrap was delicious and fresh. The chicken was well seasoned and juicy. Lettuce was fresh and crispy. I'd certainly go back to try other menu items. Housekeeping items: The table I sat at while I waited wasn't clean. I didn't notice any cleaning/disinfecting being done after the patrons left. Street parking and metered parking available. (They have local artwork hanging up for sale).

Ness K.

Yelp

Great ass sandwich. Cajun Chicken on french bread. Whatever shit they put on that lettuce is crazy delicious. Delectable. Seating is a little sparse but that's a vibe. Guys behind the counter are welcoming and one of them looks like my uncle.

Charlene H.

Yelp

I overheard someone recommending this restaurant. Today I visited and ordered the #1 most ordered sandwich, the Sumac Chicken Sandwich, on Dutch Crunch Bread. The cashier was beyond pleasant and patient. The vibe in the place was good. I ordered my sandwich to go. The ingredients were fresh. My one disclaimer was the bread way overpowered the ingredients. That chicken did not come close to balancing out the bread. I even threw away half the bread. Sad because the sandwich could have been much better with less bread. If you need a place to work, study, and/or get nourishing healthy food in a no frills restaurant this is the place.

Shaun M.

Yelp

The delivery was about 15 minutes late despite the fact that I ordered early...but the sandwiches were DELIGHTFUL. Warm, flavorful and perfect for my meeting. The turkey cranberry sandwich and cajun were my favorites. All in all, worth the wait. Will try again and give them more time when ordering

Benjamin T.

Yelp

Had a Greek salad, which was quite serviceable. Companion had the egg bagel, which apparently also satisfied.

Anthony J.

Yelp

Food was pretty face coming out took about 8 minutes. Service was ok. The place was a no thrills spot a few tables but room to sit. Had buffalo chicken sandwich it was so so.

Christine H.

Yelp

Sumac chicken sandwich on the French baguette was really good. It's served warm and fresh. The chicken is well seasoned and the sandwich itself is very flavorful. It has a little bit too much mayo but other than that it's a great sandwich. I heard the back patio is super spacious. Will need to check it out when the weather gets warmer!

Tehreem H.

Yelp

It's always worth coming out to Cafe 53. Great food and great service! Sandwiches are always on point and the bread is delicious. You really can't go wrong with any of the sandwiches with stars. The owners are always super helpful and make it a great experience!

Ingrid Y.

Yelp

Don't let its humble interior fool you. Cafe 53 serves some of the best sandwiches you can get in the city. The options are endless, including some very tasty vegan choices, and you get a choice of bread for each sandwich. On top of all that, the prices are reasonable and the owners and workers are super friendly. What more could you ask for? I came here the other day based on someone's recommendation. I'll admit I was rather skeptical when they said it was their favorite restaurant in Hyde Park, but I thought I'd give it a try anyway. I got the turkey cranberry sandwich on Dutch crunch bread. The sandwich came out quickly and was absolutely delicious. It was love at first bite, and I've been hooked ever since.

James T.

Yelp

Got the chicken and waffles, which for the price was a meager amount of food, like 4 chicken nugget sized pieces and 2 small waffles, however it did taste good. They also tacked on a 3.5% optional fee which we had to tell the waiter to take off. I'm fine with tipping but when have we gone too far that we can put a second optional charge to the bill?

Porsch K.

Yelp

Was incredibly surprised by the quality and LOVE put into meals. I was skeptical of trying this place but it was the only restaurant open that time so I said wth. Best decision made, I will ALWAYS come back here. I got 2 sandwiches for myself and hubby and we tore it up. I will say that I was surprised by how long it took to make both BUT after eating, I understood why and wouldn't any shortcuts made on that quality meal.

Dannah J.

Yelp

Great food, great study spot, fast service. This place is a hyde park classic. Highly recommend the sumac chicken

Samantha M.

Yelp

Sandwiches are pretty good! The cafe's got a nice vibe and a lot of students from Uchicago come here to do work. the gelato is also delicious!

Gesline D.

Yelp

Best chicken sandwich I ever had. The bread was amazing. Definitely going back. My new fav sandwich spot.

Omar K.

Yelp

Great sandwiches. Had the garlic chicken and buffalo which were amazing. Recommend the Dutch crunch but it tasted sweeter on the garlic chicken than the buffalo

Blake K.

Yelp

This place is incredible. I decided to stop by while in Hyde Park and needed some lunch, I haven't been able to stop thinking about these sandwiches since! They are so fresh tasting, the bread is delicious (I believe it's the Dutch crunch in this photo) and the staff was very kind in helping me decide what to order. We opted to sit out on the back patio because it was a gorgeous summer day, and it was a great experience. I'm already looking forward to coming back.

Eric H.

Yelp

Best-tasting coffee in Hyde Park, and the best food to go with it out of the coffee shops too. Delicious cakes and bagel sandwiches. But several improvements are needed: 1. They're understaffed. The wait times on food orders from 10-2 are upwards of 30 minutes. This is not ideal as a coffee shop largely serving on-the-go students. It's not because they're slow or lazy--they are clearly rushing and sometimes this results in clumsy mistakes (I've been given slightly incorrect orders many times). This could be fixed by hiring a few more people. 2. They need to be a little more careful to get orders right. I've ordered from here roughly 40 times, and can recall at least five errors deviating from my receipt (wrong milk in coffee, scone x instead of scone y, missing bagel sandwich ingredients, etc.). Overall the best coffee shop on the South Side! But still frustratingly held back by a small number of flaws in service that could mostly be fixed by hiring a few more people.

Robert M.

Yelp

Nice spot to relax, get something to eat and meet with some friends. Had a late breakfast with a friend and felt surprisingly right at home. Coffee was great and the bagel with eggs and veggies was even better. Quite a relaxing spot in the middle of a very vibrant part of 53rd. The cashier & cooks were cool and quick. Could definitely be my morning stop if I lived closer.

Laura S.

Yelp

Amazing sandwiches, get the Dutch crunch bread! Plenty of veggie options! Large patio out back.

Denise B.

Yelp

All around good service, food and atmosphere. Love being able to stay close to home and finding good food.

Bill G.

Yelp

A surprise highlight of my trip to Chicago. I ordered the Sumac chicken on Dutch crunch. The sandwich was a great balance between generous amounts of chicken and a well paired sauce. The Dutch crunch bread was a true highlight. I've had variants before, but this version tasted fresh and had the perfect balance between the crisp exterior and softer middle. Prices and portions were excellent, and the employee who helped me was extremely nice. The local artwork on the walls was very nice. I will definitely return.

Ankita P.

Yelp

Cafe 53 is a hyde park staple. They have the best sandwiches- lots of options on the menu, huge size, and amazing French bread. I have been here many times over the last few years and my favorite sandwiches have been the garlic chicken, the sumac chicken, and the turkey avocado. This time I got the sumac chicken and it was perfect- the bread was warm and soft and the chicken with the sauce was delicious. My mom got the falafel pita wrap and she enjoyed it a lot. Ate in the back patio and it was lovely! Support local Hyde park businesses and come here!

Yasmeen O.

Yelp

Absolutely obsessed with this Palestinian owned coffee shop! Their sandwiches are PHENOMENAL. Their outside patio is incredibly adorable and beautiful to sit in. They are the most kind and generous hosts - the owner gave us free ice cream. LOVE LOVE LOVE and can't wait to go back to Chicago just to hit this spot up.

M O.

Yelp

This review is way overdue. I have been eating from this cafe for at least 6 years. Everything is phenomenal! From the vegan, vegetarian, chicken, roast beef, breakfast sandwiches is made with high quality fresh ingredients. Meats are high quality halal certified. Sandwiches are always made to order so be a little patient- I promise it's worth it. We have catered meals from here for work and for personal gatherings and their service is always on point. They always take time to answer all your questions. The ambience is perfect for getting work done. Space is limited but they never make you feel rushed or unwanted.

Lincoln C.

Yelp

First time visit. Came here on a Sunday afternoon to get some work done and grab some coffee. Nice change from the chain coffee shops, with a huge variety of sandwiches and salads. Service was quick and courteous. Had an iced coffee and a tuna with avocado on pita. The sandwich was a little heavy on the mayo but very good overall. I couldn't get the Wi-Fi to work, but it's all good.

Howard M.

Yelp

Great sandwiches and drinks. The ginger iced tea was good. I recommend the garlic chicken sandwich on French bread.

Paul P.

Yelp

An unassuming place with their own version of hot sandwiches. Nice that the staff offered to give me a free plastic cup (of cold water) or a purchase of a plastic bottle of refrigerated cold water. Looks like all their sandwiches are made to order.

Ángel R.

Yelp

Delicious sandwiches. Welcoming and culturally rich atmosphere. Family owned Palestinian store. Worth a visit and the wait!

Isaac Y.

Yelp

Awesome sandwiches! There are a lot of interesting flavors and was pleasantly surprised by the tuna avocado sandwich. The flavor profile was definitely something I've never had before. Portions are amazing as well. I ordered two other sandwiches and hope they're good tomorrow.

Andrew R.

Yelp

Extensive choices for diverse styles of sandwiches & desserts!! A gem in Hyde Park on 53rd.

Shelia J.

Yelp

Service was good, vegan sandwich was excellent and I will certainly have it again. Dining in a little complicated as the place is small and the popularity makes it a little congested. Wouldn't stop me from going again though.

Filza V.

Yelp

This place is SUCH a gem! Thank you so much for having vegan options. I am the only vegan in my family who are halal meat eaters. Everyone in my group had something to eat, and not only just something to eat but something INCREDIBLE to eat. The man working the cashier was extremely busy but very kind. He patiently gave us recommendations and took our orders. The food came out fast and is easily the best vegan sandwich I've ever had. I got the vegan sumac "chicken" sandwich. Although the vegan chicken isn't convincing, the flavor is definitely there! I'd 100% order again, just expect a tofu-looking protein in your sandwich. Thanks for a great meal!

An N.

Yelp

Owner was very nice and helpful with recommendations. Sumac chicken was great! Lots of different options for sandwiches.

Chris R.

Yelp

This might actually be the best sandwich I've had in Chicago. The secret seems to be the Dutch Crunch bread--which I don't understand but is definitely soft and crispy at the same time. Pastrami sandwich was salty and balanced and warm and... wow. Back patio is sorta just a huge backyard with tables and I had no idea it was here for the longest time.

Nikki P.

Yelp

The sandwiches here are amazing!! I have a gluten allergy, and when I mentioned it to the owner, he went and made my sandwich himself. He said he would guarantee no cross-contamination, use new ingredients, clean the work service, etc. It meant so much to me that he would not only make my food himself, but also that he knew all the precautions that needed to be taken. I enjoyed a delicious turkey and avocado wrap. The others in my party (who are not allergic to gluten), had a chicken sumac sandwich and a garlic chicken wrap. They also gave five-star on their food. We enjoyed our sandwiches on the back patio, which was comfortable and quiet. Absolutely will be going back here again, and would absolutely recommend this place to anyone who is wanting a delicious sandwich In Hyde Park!

Janicca C.

Yelp

I'm so bummed I didn't take any pictures of our delicious food! My daughter got the bbq chicken sandwich and my niece got the Turkey sandwich. They both said they were absolutely delicious! And we were shocked by the size of them. They ate the one half that same day and the other half for lunch the next day. I wanted to order myself a vegan one but it was late for me and I decided not ans wish I would have. We were in town visiting family. And help is always my number one go to. So this was near my uncle's house. Will definitely go again when I'm back.

Khadija A.

Yelp

My new fav place. I love all these sandwiches and their coconut ice cream is the best thing in the world.

Rima S.

Yelp

The food and sandwiches are phenomenal ! Vibes is that of cross btwn eclectic hipster cafe and NY deli Solid coffee!! - didn't expect the cappuccino to be perfect when they have like 20 options for caffeinated drinks!

Cher C.

Yelp

What a gem with lots of vegan/vegetarian choices! We had the vegan buffalo chicken sandwich on French bread - delicious! The French bread was nicely baked, soft on the inside and it overall tasted like a great standard buffalo chicken sandwich. We also had the vegan sumac chicken sandwich on the Dutch bread and this was a stand out because the flavors were so unique! The flavor was mild compared to the buffalo sauce, but it was definitely not bland. The sandwiches are large, btw! They also cut them in half so it was very easy to swap and share. Another nice thing is that you can have the sandwich be made into a wrap or salad if you're not craving a sandwich. Seating in the cafe can be tricky since a lot of people were posted up with their computers, but they do have a large patio in the back so it should be much easier once the weather is nicer.

Tosin O.

Yelp

Nice cafe located in Hyde Park. They have several coffee and food options. I had the Turkish coffee and basil, goat cheese sandwich on a croissant. Great service and food.

Chicago’s Best Halal Street Food

The Best Restaurants In Hyde Park

The 33 Best Coffee Shops & Cafes In Chicago

The Best Healthy Restaurants in Chicago - Eater Chicago

Cafe 53 - Review - Hyde Park - Chicago - The Infatuation

"If you’ve ever spent time in a coffee shop on a college campus, Cafe 53 will feel familiar. You get the feeling that everyone inside it has imminent plans to ruin family get-togethers by incessantly quoting Nietzsche. The interior feels comfortable and lived in, and they have a menu full of sandwiches and salads, with a whole section devoted to vegan options. Come for a vegan buffalo sandwich, and stay to finally finish reading that used copy of On The Road." - Adrian Kane