Bombon Cafe for excellent tortas

Posted by Tammy at 7:00 am

Aug 172010

The mickey torta has four types of cheese.

I walked into Bombon Cafe last week in search of baked goods, but got sidetracked by the choices on their delectable torta menu. If they’re all like the mickey torta I had, then I will be taking my lunch at Bombon Cafe more frequently.

I made the mental leap that they named this torta after Mickey Mouse because of the four cheeses — panela, fresco, chihuahua and oaxaca — layered in thick slabs inside the crusty bread. That alone would’ve been delicious, but they also slathered on a red pepper spread and topped things with greens, tomatoes and fresh avocado.

I paired my delicious sandwich with a bottle of orange Juarritos pulled from a tub of ice. For less than $10, I had the perfect summer lunch. Next time, I’ll leave room for one of their cupcake-sized tres leches cakes.

Bombon Cafe, located in the West Loop.

Bombon Cafe
38 South Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60607-1830
(312) 733-8717

It's Cinco de Mayo! Try some guacamole!

Posted by Tammy at 8:00 am

May 052010

We haven't tried all the guacamole in Chicago. No, not yet.

Nothing says Cinco de Mayo quite like freshly made guacamole. We asked our Twitter followers where they go for the good stuff, and this is what they had to say:

@EEPR_17 Guac at Goodwin’s is awesome – homemade and so yummy
@curlygirl71 I like Frontera Grill
@esinclai Los Nopales at Western & Wilson has the best guacamole in the city. Full Stop.
@caseserasera El Jardin on clark makes the best guac, market price! And strong, strong margs. They cut you off after two of’em.
@pjs2780 Adobo Grill has great guac and margaritas!
@bifrojm Xoco guacamole FTW
@DazzlingRayn ADOBO! They make it by your table and you can tell them if you want it spicy or not and there is NEVER ENOUGH
@LWatkins84 Xoco!
@Piratealice I was impressed with the guacamole they make at the Morse Freshmarket up in Rogers Park.
@denas Frontera’s guac is the best i’ve ever tasted. Always incredibly fresh.
@sonnychibainchi I do guac @ Zocalo and Mercadito
@MKinChiTown I guac @Carnivale312
@ginnygetsfloury Amazing guac flight @ Zocalo, also Chipotle in a pinch!
@lacabezaG Casa Cabeza or Adobo Grill. Wanna try Big Star.
@ezbake The fresh-made guac sold at Harvest Time at Rockwell & Lawrence is to die for. I no longer make my own. 2 sizes both under $6
@clever_cupcakes Frontera Grill! Nothing like @Rick_Bayless‘ Guac
@CrabbyPinchy At a grocer called Pete’s market
@aliciakan Carnivale is the best!
@dreadnaught My own kitchen

Have a question for our Twitter followers? Send a message @ChicagoBites!

Lunch at Mercadito
Chef's Week

Posted by chicagobites at 4:30 pm

Mar 242010

Mercadito!

If you’re eating out this week, don’t forget Chef’s Week runs through Sunday! Fortunately, I was able to combine a little biz with a very nice lunch at Mercadito.

A selection of ceviche and guacamole for the table.

The structure for the Chef’s Week Menu is a little different. Here, you get a choice of two types of guacamole, two types of ceviche, three different tacos and one dessert for the table. This was a lot of food and covered a generous amount of their regular lunch menu.

We tried the mango and manzana guacamoles. The waitress promised us the added flavors wouldn’t overpower the avocado — they didn’t, but we can’t say they added much either. The ceviche was a little more successful with selections of mahi mahi and delightfully tender bay scallops.

The tender tilapia was overpowered by the chile poblano & tomatillo-garlic mojo.

We went with our server’s recommendations and tried the pastor taco, served with grilled pineapple and a spicy chile salsa. It was a huge portion that made a mess as you bit into it. The tilapia taco was even spicier and had a combination of flavors that overwhelmed the delicate fish. Since neither of us had tried huitlacoche, a fungus that grows on corn, we had to place an order. I’m very glad we did — the hearty corn flavor married well with the mushrooms, manchego and salsa verde.

While the plating for the other dishes was lovely, dessert was served in a salad bowl.

Dessert was my favorite part of the meal. We ordered a smooth, creamy caramel flan that came paired with mini pound cake and raisins. The texture was amazing. I would return to this restaurant just for that flan.

Mercadito
108 West Kinzie Street
Chicago, IL 60654-4508
(312) 329-9555 | Make Reservations
Get Directions