Cafe Tola #2

Name: Cafe Tola #2
Address: 3324 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, Chicago, IL, 60618.0, US
Price range: $
Rating: 4.5

Essential

Mexican

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About

Cafe Tola #2 — the Empanadas anchors this Roscoe Village mexican spot. Solid veggie options. Blkreider: "They don’t skimp on filling and the crust is light and crispy"

Experience Breakdown

🍴Food

5.0

👥Service

4.7

✨Ambiance

4.6

💬Sentiment

4.7

keiniece

113 reviews

Highlights

CozyFamily FriendlyOutdoor DiningQuick BiteFast Service

Must Try

EmpanadasBirria

What Diners Are Saying

Diners loved

Good veggie/vegan options

Some noted

Probably will not return. Not very vegetarian friendly. Would probably go a typical taqueria instead. Limited menu.
— Scott Z.

So sorry to do this but I did get extreme food poisoning when I went on Monday for lunch.
— Kensli Brown

Read all 949+ reviews on Google

Specialties

Empanadas
birria

Location

3324 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

What 949+ diners say about Cafe Tola #2

“I’ve been a fan for a long time.”

I’ve been a fan for a long time. The empanadas are so stuffed, it’s so worth the price. Flavors are great and exactly what I needed on the cold rainy day in Chicago. They gave me an extra as well :)

Lilianna Meyer

Oct 2025

“Been passing by this place but only had a chamce to try it a couple of weeks ago.”

Been passing by this place but only had a chamce to try it a couple of weeks ago. I was drawn by the “Hotchata Latte” which I ordered by tasted more like creamy drink. I would want the horchata taste to be more pronounced but tasted the cinnamon instead. I had the guave cheese empanada which was a hefty size and delicious. I also tried the goat torta which again the taste of goat was overshadowed by the spices, this could be good for some folks but I like to taste the goat ;)

chintot

Oct 2025

“Absolutely outstanding.”

Absolutely outstanding! Order the birria and chicken mole with horchata latte.

Cousin Vinny

Jun 2025

“Damn, so many proteins.”

Damn, so many proteins! Love it. Same to my favorite 韭菜盒子

Apr 2025

“They do so much with so little here.”

They do so much with so little here. I don’t mean that in a bad way, I say l that with admiration because when I came in they were so busy and handled everything quick, efficiently and the food and coffee was delicious. The small space is just right and they have seating everywhere including outside which my son loved l.

Juan Aceves

Apr 2025

“Best empanadas I’ve ever had.”

Best empanadas I’ve ever had! And the al pastor torta amazing too. The salsa that comes with is just tangy and hot enough. Coffee is pretty good too but the food is the reason to come here.

John Wambach

Mar 2025

“Honestly, the pumpkin horchata latte is what drew me into going to this place, but we ended up...”

Honestly, the pumpkin horchata latte is what drew me into going to this place, but we ended up trying two of the empanadas there and ordering three more to take home. The latte was really nice, almost like drinking Autumn milk, which might sound weird, but that's exactly what I wanted. The empanadas we had were delicious. Not too greasy and just the right consistency/ thickness of crust. The flavor combinations were also quite interesting with classics thrown into the mix.

Patrick Finn

Oct 2024

“BEST EMPANADAS YOU WILL EVER EAT.”

BEST EMPANADAS YOU WILL EVER EAT! These things are like soft flaky bite of heaven! My personal favorites are rajas and potato, birria, and bean n cheese! Not only are they amazing at empanadas but the steak tacos were DELICIOUS! I’m really impressed with this place. I wanna try the torta next but I done ate like 5 empanadas 🤣so next time! I’ve been to two of their locations and they all are consistent AND taste like someone’s sweet grandma is baking them up every morning ❤️🥹🙏👀 THANK YOU!

Makayla Cerda

Sep 2024

“the empanadas were fantastic, so was the dulce de lech coffee.”

the empanadas were fantastic, so was the dulce de lech coffee. my husband got a burrito de asada and its one of the best burritos i tasted in a while.

a l

Sep 2024

“I always saw this place but never went in.”

I always saw this place but never went in. OMG, it was amazing. They specialize in empanadas, so many varieties and made fresh throughout the day. I had one of chicken mole and I had a taco of Birria. The food was so good. The Birria was amazing. I was greeted as soon as I walked in and was introduced to all the varieties of empanadas, they were very friendly. I loved the ambiance which included the music. I cannot wait to go back. I will be a lifelong customer. An amazing photo caught my eye, John and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Absolutely loved it.

Laura D. C.

Sep 2024

“Such a cute little spot.”

Such a cute little spot. So much charisma and vibe. Cold brew was STRONG and the vegan empanadas are very good and fairly large. Have to go back to try the vegan chorizo in a burrito. Definately recommend. 🖤