La Catedral Cafe Little Village
Mexican restaurant · South Lawndale
2500 S Christiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Highlights
Specialty chilaquiles, crepes, and cafe de olla in a unique setting
Specialty chilaquiles, crepes, and cafe de olla in a unique setting
"The mini Mexican cafe chain La Catedral now has a location in the Loop. Open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, their menu has dishes like huevos rancheros, waffles, and burritos. And for all of the chilaquiles obsessives, they have 14 varieties to choose from." - john ringor, nick allen
"Decked out with religious Mexican art and version of the Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam on the ceiling, Little Village favorite La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant offers divine Mexican breakfast fare including a wide variety of chilaquiles, dulce de leche pancakes, and huevos rancheros. Check in with the waitlist before heading out as lines can stretch out the door. There are also locations in North Lwandale and Brighton Park." - Sam Nelson
"This beloved Little Village restaurant is Mexican breakfast heaven. Playing on the cathedral theme, its décor features saints and other religious imagery. According to the owner and chef Jalisco-born Ambrocio “Bocho” González, his collection has grown thanks to the saints and other religious motifs his customers gift him. The menu features something for everyone, from eggs, omelets, and pancakes to crepes and tortas, but this especially rings true for those with a shrine in their hearts to chilaquiles. According to González, at La Catedral, the traditional chilaquiles verdes are made with tomatillo sauce, or the very spicy a la diabla version, which adds the smokiness, and depth of chipotle chilis to the heat, are the most popular. Try the café de olla or sample one of the many coffee drinks or milkshakes. La Catedral has recently expanded with a new, modernized version of its original restaurant in North Lawndale (1407 S. Washtenaw) and a more compact, counter-only service offshoot in Brighton Park inside Clínica La Esperanza (4720 S. California Avenue)." - Brenda Storch, Eater Staff
"A perpetually heaving breakfast destination in Little Village, La Catedral has in recent years expanded into a mini-empire with outposts in North Lawndale and Brighton Park. Owner Ambrocio “Bocho” González generally puts the spotlight on his vast and varied selection of chilaquiles, but regulars and fans know that toward the back of the menu lies a wonderland of sweet crepes, all served with powdered sugar and whipped cream. Highlights include dulce de leche with banana and strawberry mango." - Naomi Waxman, Ashok Selvam
"With its many options, this popular Little Village breakfast spot could very well be a shrine to chilaquiles. From the version in mole sauce to enfrijolados, a take on a dish similar to enchiladas that entails covering tortillas with a bean-based cream instead of salsa, at La Catedral, there is a choice suited for what it seems every taste and level of heat tolerance. According to Jalisco-born chef and owner Ambrocio González, at La Catedral, the traditional chilaquiles verdes made with a tomatillo sauce, or the very spicy a la diabla version, which adds the smokiness, and depth of chipotle chilis to the heat, are the most popular. Despite the recent shortage of ingredients, which has driven the team at La Catedral to look out for them constantly, Chef Ambrosio is committed to keeping the many chilaquiles on the menu and will add one more option in winter. If you can, try to visit on a weekday. Lines are out the door on weekends but worth the wait." - Brenda Storch
