🥘 Sabor A Café, Niles IL

We flew from Miami to Chicago for two reasons: to visit family and to stuff our faces at Sabor A Café. Because when you’ve got points, why not fly halfway across the country for a bandeja paisa that haunts your dreams in the best way?

Sabor A Café isn’t just a stop on our Chicago itinerary. It’s a tradition. We don’t visit the Windy City without making a pilgrimage to the original location on the north side. So, of course, day one was spent easing into vacation mode with their OG menu and familiar vibe.

But by day three, after just enough time to reset our appetites (and dignity), we made our way to the brand-new Niles location to see what all the suburban buzz was about.

Spoiler: It’s everything we love about the original, but with a little more room to dance, a slightly elevated menu, and enough charm to make you question whether you should just move to Niles and call it a day.

A Familiar Heart in a Bigger Space

The Niles location brings all the warmth of the original but dials things up a notch. The layout is spacious and bright, and there’s a low-key elegance to the decor that makes it feel like you’re walking into something special—but still casual enough that no one’s judging your stretchy pants.

The restaurant also features a live music stage that gets lively on weekends. On a Friday night, you might hear traditional Colombian folk music; on a Saturday, Latin jazz or salsa. There’s also an upstairs lounge-style event space with cushy seating and a full bar—perfect for celebrating anything from birthdays to, “Hey, I survived the week and need chicharrón.”

Drinks with Flair (and Fire)

We kicked off the meal the only way we know how—with cocktails and zero shame.

I ordered the lychee martini, which was shockingly well-balanced. Not too sweet, not too boozy—just the right kind of floral buzz to ease into the evening. Jorge went with the Charred Gentleman, a smoked old-fashioned that came with its own dramatic entrance. The glass arrived to be smothered in a cloud of smoke.

And Julie? She stuck with her tried-and-true Shirley Temple, cherry on top and all. We raised our glasses, some with fire, some with Sprite, and toasted to round two of Colombian heaven.

A Feast Worth Flying For

Now, the real reason we came (besides the excuse to rack up more American Airlines loyalty points)? The food.

The Niles menu features a few upgraded dishes compared to the original spot, but don’t worry, the essentials remain untouched. First up were the meat empanadas, my not-so-secret obsession. The crust is golden and crispy, and the filling hits that perfect savory note that pairs dangerously well with their secret recipie green ají.

We also ordered calamari, which was crisp, tender, and—shockingly—a favorite for Julie. The table shared the Picada platter, a glorious bowl of pork ribs, chorizo, fried yuca, arepas, chicharrón, and tostones. It’s the kind of appetizer that makes you wonder if you even need a main course. (Spoiler: You do. You always do.)

The Heavy Hitters: Bandeja and Ribeye

For the entrée, I had the Bandeja Paisa, but with a twist—I subbed in churrasco steak for the standard beef. This version came piled high with red beans, white rice, avocado, sweet plantains, fried egg, chorizo, and crispy chicharrón. Julie and I tag-teamed this dish, and still barely made a dent. Worth every overstuffed bite.

Jorge went with the rib-eye steak, grilled to a proper medium rare and served with rice and garlic mash (plus a request for red beans). No fluff, no sauces masking mediocrity—just a solid, juicy steak done right.

And then there was the burger. Yes, the burger—because no one warned us that a Colombian restaurant would serve one of the best burgers we’ve ever tasted. This beast is made with a blend of short rib and brisket, topped with melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and their addictive house-made sauce. It comes with fries, but honestly, we could’ve eaten the burger on its own and still felt like we discovered something sacred. Juicy, rich, perfectly seasoned, and so good it briefly distracted us from the empanadas—which says a lot.

Why We’ll Keep Coming Back

What sets Sabor A Café apart isn’t just the food (which is consistently next-level). It’s the experience. From the genuine warmth of the staff to the sounds of Colombia playing in the background, everything about this place feels intentional and full of heart.

We had a chance to chat with Marta, the owner, and she’s every bit as welcoming as the space she’s built. I tried my best to sell her on opening a location in Miami—we need this kind of flavor in South Florida—but for now, she’s keeping the magic in Chicagoland.

📍 Quick Info

Final Thoughts: Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, Sabor A Café feels like coming home—if home had a full bar, live music, and empanadas so good you consider quitting your job to become a full-time food blogger.

Would we fly back from Miami for round three? Let’s just say the only thing stopping us is the need to fit back into our jeans. For now.

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