May St. Cafe

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Address:
1146 W. Cermak Road
Chicago, IL 60608

Neighborhood:
South Loop

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Cuisine:
Mexican

Price: $30 and under

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May St. Cafe Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.maystcafe.com
Email: maystcafe@gmail.com
Phone: (312) 421-4442
Hours of Operation: Spring and summer hours tuesday,wednesday,thursday friday,saturday 5pm to 11pm
sunday open for Brunch 10:00 am to 3:00 pmopen for private parties year round for lunch,brunch and dinner) during summer only for alfresco covered patio sunday brunch starts feb16 2014 10 am to 3 pm
serving Allen Brothers the geat steak house steaks with a Latin flair
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Mexican, Steakhouse, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Executive Chef: Mario Santiago
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cigar Room, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Fireplace, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Smoking Area, Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
Catering: May St. Cafe is YOUR one stop destination for any and every dining need.offering contemporary and traditional american menus and latin menus, bar packages From romantic nights, special event catering on or off premis for 200 or 20 close friends in your living room, we can do it all! Visit us today for dinner, inside or outside on the terrace! check out our new event loft space seating up to 450 We know you'll have a special experience like no other.
Private Party Facilities: May St. Cafe is YOUR one stop destination for any and every dining in and off premises need. From romantic nights, corporate and Holiday events catering for up to 450 in our loft or for 200 cocktails in the patio garden or seated outside covered terrace for 75 to 300 inside or outside on the terrace We know you'll have a special experience like no other.
Private Party Contact: mario santiago (312) 421-4442
Entertainment: dine with us before or after all games and concerts we offer full pacakges obtain the best tickets and seats through Gold Coast tickets dine with us and we will limo you and your group we are just a few minutes to United Center for Chicago Bulls, Chicago Black Hawks, Chicago White Sox, Concerts, Soldier Field, Chicago Bears, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium close to Mc Corrmick Place Convention Center, Burnam Harbor, we also offer on and off premiss full service catering we offer our private space for events
weddings rehersal dinners private cocktail parties corporate receptions, from 20 up to 450
Special Events & Promotions: sundays have your private event day or join our email list to enjoy guest chef night also available for rehearsal dinners private party for all events holiday corporate events
weddings up to 450 in our loft space or in our garden terrace
email wecater2@aol.com

Getting there

Cross Street: May St.
Public Transit: red line chinatown cermak bus 21 blueline to uic halsted bus to cermak cermak west to may st or ashland bus to cermak bus west may st
Parking: Private Lot
Parking Details: Street parking & private lot available
special event valet parking available

A word from May St. Cafe

Contemporary seasonal cooking featuring Mexican and Puerto Rican traditional foods with a modern twist. All beef, pork and lamb products come from Allen Brothers - "The Great Steakhouse Steaks."

Best house-made margaritas in town and an excellent boutique wine list. Watch all games. Dine… before or after games concerts or conventions. The restaurant is located close to United Center, White Sox, Soldier Field, and McCormick Place limo service.

Enjoy the warm summer weather while dining al fresco on May St. Cafe's outdoor patio. Available for private parties and catering, try our patio for your private party and our new May St. mini late night menu of small plates and Latin inspired fresh cocktails. Watch special events and Chicago's teams win on our large flat screen TV without the distraction of sound while at the same time dining in style.Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerMexican

Diner Reviews

"My wife and I have been going to May St. Cafe for years. We have seen it grow from a terrific neighborhood place to a fine dining destination. The flavors of the food are unique, original and always delicious. There is nothing on the menu I do not like. I really like dark moles and the chi;c;ken with mole is fantastic, rich and complex. My wife specially likes the butternut squash soup if it is on the menu you must try it. We come to May St. whenever we have the time for a night out and are never disappointed."
Dined on 3/11/2014
"My wife and I very much enjoyed our visit to the May Street Cafe. The guacamole was fresh and delicious, and the Mexican burgers were outstanding. They were huge and very tasty. We will look to come back, though we don't live anywhere near the restaurant. My wife was coming back to town, having arrived at Midway Airport."
Dined on 3/8/2014
"From the moment we walked in, our server greeted and sat us while saying "Welcome Home." We were impressed immediately by the friendly and attentive staff. The drinks we had were delicious. I strongly suggest the jalapeño cilantro margarita. EVERY single food item we had was amazing! I had the Pollo con Mole and I am still thinking about it the next day! It's very rare that I find cooking that reminds me of my childhood and my mom. May St. Cafe was definitely like being "home" and I can't wait to go back!"
Dined on 3/5/2014
"Food was delicious, from appetizers through main courses and dessert. Really nice evening."
Dined on 3/1/2014
"Went on a very quiet Wednesday night. Had the place almost to ourselves. Good place for quiet conversation. Food was delicious. Parking is great. Will definitely go back."
Dined on 2/19/2014
"This time around the service was incredibly slow. However, the food was great and my pineapple mango margaritas were delicious."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"I was introduced to this gem for the first time years ago from the television show, Check Please. Every since I have introduced several of my friends to this fantastic dining experience..from the ambience to the food..a winner every time! This time, I had taken a friend there for her birthday celebration. She was impressed with the food and the friendly staff. I LOVE the MAY STREET CAFE!!! A must go and see for yourself."
Dined on 2/8/2014
"The food was delicious-I had the sirloin ke-bobs and my husband had the shrimp dish-both were delicious. Also I had the coconut margarita, yum! Service attentive w/o being intrusive."
Dined on 2/8/2014
"May St. Cafe was an amazing surprise. It's Latin infused cuisine was flavorful and not overly spiced, with a fabulous variety of meat, seafood and unique sides and appetizers. A must try!!!"
Dined on 2/8/2014
"They food was good, but a bit overpriced for 22nd street. It's defintely a good place to visit. Guacomole was Delicious and the lechon was yummy. A must visit."
Dined on 12/13/2013
"Food delicious, great presentation. Staff - always on point, makes you feel like you have come home for dinner."
Dined on 11/22/2013
"This restaurant is a little off the beaten path but well worth it! We found the margaritas to be wonderful (try the jalapeno/cilantro marg) and the food was fantastic. Definitely try the guacamole!"
Dined on 11/8/2013
"May St. Cafe never disappoints. The food is always outstanding. The service is impeccable and the owner Mario couldn't be more welcoming and friendly to the guests. Wish we could eat there every night."
Dined on 10/28/2013
"Always a great experience, Chef Mario goes out of his way to make you feel welcome. May Street offers a unique variety of culinary delights that are never run of the mill. Great Steaks, perfectly cooked from Allen Bros. and the best Puerto Rican Paella you will find anywhere. Try the berry margarita."
Dined on 10/27/2013
"May St. cafe has some good food, albeit my Lechon was extremely greasy and fatty, but is really overpriced for what is provided. Drinks are outstanding but also overpriced. The desserts are miniscule in size and also overpriced. Won't be coming back."
Dined on 10/27/2013
"My friends and I came in on Marathon weekend and had a late 9:30 reservation. We sat in the outdoor covered patio, which was a perfect temp on an October evening. Service was outstanding and wonderfully polite. The guac was excellent, and the chicken mole was phenomenal. My friends raved about the chicken fajitas that were flavored with a touch of cinnamon and crisp, not soggy vegetables. We topped it off with the chocolate flan, split between the three of us. The lovely owners sent a complementary round of the smoothest tequila I've ever had over to our table, as they were sharing some down time with their friends at the table next to us. We felt very welcomed in their restaurant at the end of the evening and had a lovely evening overall."
Dined on 10/12/2013
"Imaginative and fresh approach to Latin/American cuisine. Top notch ingredients and thoughtful preparation. Don't be in a rush, but the enclosed patio is a wonderful place to visit and enjoy the appetizers and really good drinks. Honest portions means you may want to skip desert. That would be a mistake! Have some of your dinner packed to go so you have room for at least sharing the flan or cake. Enjoy!"
Dined on 10/13/2013
"Will never return if you would like your review I will gladly give it to you over the phone. Never going back and will pass it along. There is no way anyone can write any type of review in that small place"
Dined on 10/3/2013
"This restaurant is completely off the crowded hipster areas, but that makes it even more charming. Over the years, simple additions to their outdoor seating has made this a wonderful dining experience. It is easy to spend several hours here, just enjoying drinks and good conversation. The food is impeccable, as is the service. I highly recommend this place!"
Dined on 10/3/2013
"What can I say? I ALWAYS have A great time at the May St Cafe the food is great and the white chocolate flan is world class !"
Dined on 9/8/2013
"The patio is fantastic and the food was delicious. Always a great meal!"
Dined on 9/7/2013
"A great sophisticated menu, but it's there unique take in mac and cheese that has me craving them! Truffle and chorizo is my favorite this far."
Dined on 8/23/2013
"Dined on a Sunday @ 7. Food was delicious. Hands down the best mole I have ever had. The guacamole was fantastic, as were the empanadas (thought the crust was better than the filling). Only disappointment was they were out of 2 out of the 4 desserts we tried to order, as well as the tequilla we ordered. Also, they close the kitchen at 8 on Sunday, so don't show up too late!"
Dined on 8/19/2013
"This is at least our 3rd time at May Street Cafe for a special occasion celebration. The food, the service, the ambience are all top-notch. It's like dining at a friend's house, if that friend was a gourmet chef. We love it and will be back."
Dined on 8/17/2013
"I've been wanting to get to May Street Cafe since it was on "Check Please". The guacamole was so tasy and smooth we wanted to lick the bowl and spoon. Both our entrees were tasty. The shrimp and scallops and rice inside a scooped out pineapple was something different and delicious and enough food there to take home for another meal. The chocolate cake with chiles special for desert hit the spot in the mouth and in the tummy. The service was friendly, attentive and just right."
Dined on 8/11/2013
"May St. Cafe keeps getting better and better - the food, the service, the ambience. They have enclosed their outdoor area and it is indeed very pleasant and enjoyable."
Dined on 8/8/2013
"The seafood selections were particularly impressive and inventive."
Dined on 8/8/2013
"This little place is off-the-beaten-track, and that adds to its charm. The neighborhood is not picturesque, but the May Street Café has created a lovely island of atmosphere (we ate outside, on the covered patio), warm, welcoming staff, and authentic, interesting, delicious dishes. The flavors and preparations comfortably span Mexican and Cuban influences, with rich flavors and balanced spiciness, but without the gratuitous "hot and spicy" that Americanized "Mexican" food sometimes uses to make up for true complexity of flavor. We will return again, and will bring friends, and will help "spread the word" about this great spot!"
Dined on 8/2/2013
"surprising gem in an offbeat neighborhood. worthwhile going out of your way for"
Dined on 7/21/2013
"It would be difficult to match May Street for a relaxing, mid-week meal on a summer evening. The open-air portion of the restaurant is wonderfully comfortable, the service is outstanding, and the food quality is excellent."
Dined on 7/11/2013
"great flavors. nice size portions. sat outside and it was wonderful. friendly wait staff and chef spent time with us. out of the way location yet easy to get to."
Dined on 7/10/2013
"The ambiance could not have been better--the food was pretty good, too."
Dined on 6/23/2013
"Excellent food. If only Puerto Rico served Puerto Rican food that was this good. Service was spotty but always warm and friendly. Outdoor dining area is awesome and nice even on cool evenings."
Dined on 6/20/2013
"Went for dinner with our tween kids. We had fun, sat out on patio. The beef was delicious,we had steaks, fajitas, and sea food paella. Relaxing and not rushed. Don't go here if you're in a hurry. The food is cooked to order and you're expected to relax and enjoy. The margaritas were good. This was our second trip, food consistently good, I 'd go again."
Dined on 6/16/2013
"This restaurant is in an odd location, but definitely worth the trip. They have wonderful, interesting, cocktails and delicious food that feels home cooked. It is a unique Latin menu and everyone is very friendly. Certainly not a spot for a quiet, romantic, conversation, but very fun and wonderful food."
Dined on 6/15/2013
"Food was excellent. One of my guests, who seldom cleans her plate, ate it all. White flan was outstanding. Chef Mario always comes out to greet the guests, a definite plus."
Dined on 5/18/2013
"I'd to the May St. Cafe before and thought it was excellent and well worth the price. My visit this time was the exact opposite. I wanted my mother to try the food so I took here there for mothers day. The restaurant decided to do a mothers day "brunch" buffet. The place barely has enough room for seating, so a buffet was not the best idea. Only two people could make their way through the buffet at a time. There was no place to put the lids for the warming trays which made serving yourself difficult. The "brunch" was just breakfast food and some pastries. It was incredibly generic, the only Latin style food they had were eggs and they were bland, and the pancakes tasted of flour. I had to ask the staff to clear the table and for the check."
Dined on 5/12/2013
"Great Ceviche! All the food was great. My only complaint is because of the small size of the restaurant the tables are way to close together. Service was impeccable."
Dined on 4/19/2013
"Had a very nice time. The food was solid. The ceviche and guacamole were fantastic!!! Their margaritas were also very good. Main dishes were good, did not blow my mind, but I was very satisfied. We had the Lechon Asado (slow cooked pork) and the Paella. Both were tasty & satisfying. I was happy with our meals, but wasn't blown away. I would definitely come back for their margaritas and appetizers! It is a tiny dining room, so be prepared to be in tight quarters & the wait staff sometimes do bumb into you - it's all part of the atmosphere, was not bothersome as I knew going in."
Dined on 4/19/2013
"WOW!!The food,drinks,and service is GREAT.you can taste the Love."
Dined on 4/17/2013

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