Cafe Ba Ba Reeba

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2024 N. Halsted (at At Armitage Ave, Lincoln Park)
Chicago, IL 60614

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(773) 935-5000
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Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Cafe Ba Ba Reeba - Chicago, IL
Reviews
( 11 )
( 16 )
( 6 )
( 5 )
( 2 )

Best

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago! The key is to always make reservations through Open Table. The atmosphere is fun & loud and perfect for big groups, such as bi...

Worst

Wait staff was friendly and very helpful. Food not worth it, luke warm, beef tough, just not very edible. Dishes served in a rush even when asked to serve us slow. They seem to wa...

Great tapas 12/24/2006

The food was great and the atmosphere is good. The service we had was good too. The place is kid-friendly. We'll go back for sure. more
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Great Tapas and Sangria 11/13/2006

A great place to go with a date or a group of friends. Tapas are great, especially the meat ones. There are different flavors of sangria so you can find one that you like! more
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Great food, good for special occasions (but not romantic occasions) 10/21/2006

I was at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba's the Friday before last. I enjoyed the food, the service was good, and the skewered beef was particularly excellent. Nice sangria, as well. The only fault I could find with the place was that it was a bit loud, like any restaurant on a friday night. If you really dislike high noise levels (as I do), stay far away from the bar, but the restaurant noise-level is bearable. Pros: Excellent food and a fun atmosphere Cons: Noisy and a bit expensive more
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expensive tapas 9/11/2006

the food is so-so, the service is spotty, and the prices are $$$$. instead, consider going to cafe iberico... more
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excellent service 7/30/2006

I was very disapointed by the food last saturday night. I had previously had an excellent experience and so on a return trip to Chicago, I returned with high expectations. The service was fabulous and atmosphere was really fun. The food was disappointing. The shrimp was bland and tasted as though they had not put any seasoning on it. The calamari was greasy and not crisp, and the omelette was mediocre. I hope I cought it on a bad night. Pros: Ambience is festive, service the best Cons: food was mediocre at best more
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DELICIOUS!!!!! 12/31/2005

This is the best tapas food in the city!!! delicious food, great group dining,cheap. I would recomend the beef skewer, the spicy patatoes,The goat cheese marinara, and the meatballs. Beleive me Cafe Ba-Ba Reeba is the best!!!! Pros: food,service,fun,, atmospere. Cons: JAMMED!!! more
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Great place 11/13/2005

The best Tapas restaraunt in all of Chicagoland. Worth the time and money everytime. Always make reservations. Pros: Delicious, Great Sangria more
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Still Crazy after all these years 9/6/2005

Haven't been in for 11 years and while passing through Chicago (looking to change jobs) I had a wonderfull evening of Tapas and Spanish wine. It doesn/t get any better in the US and if I get that job here (wish, wish) I will be back sooner than later. Pros: consistant, Great Tapas, Great Wines more
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love it! 5/3/2005

I have been frequenting Cafe Babareeba for years, and always have a good time. Friday and Saturday nights are to be avoided. It gets too crazy, and you have to have patience. If you do go on the weekend, you will find that the back bar is the best bet if you don't have a reservation. I rarely have to wait there, and you can order food at the bar. The tapas are excellent, especially the tortilla espanola, meatballs, croquetas and patatas bravas. I have done their paella classes, which are one of the best cooking classes in the city and priced reasonably. You walk out completely full. I went on New Years Day for the pajama brunch and had a blast. Management has always been friendly and knowledgeable (especially after the dinner rush!). It's not the cheapest Spanish restaurant, but it is consistently fun for groups. Pros: delicious, consistent Cons: crowded, noisy more
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Great tapas and paella 3/24/2005

We went on a Thursday night and were seated before our reservation time. Tapas, both hot and cold, were very good. The lobster and scallop paella was awesome! Great sangria with fresh fruit and the desserts- which are also small plates, so you can order more (!)- were also very good. Will definately be back! Pros: Paella, Tapas, Great for lg groups Cons: Can be crowded more
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Great tapas but too crowded for their own good 2/22/2005

Although the night started out a bit shaky (they were running almost an hour past our reservation time) once we sat down, we were greeted with exceptional service which remained consistent throughout the rest of the evening. The manager was very cool and ended up treating us with food & drink even before we made any complaints. Tapas are fantastic! We'll definitely go back but maybe next time on a less chaotic night. Pros: Awesome tapas, Good service, Inexpensive Cons: Too crowded, Too noisy more
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Good -- But Not Cheap 8/19/2004

I was surprised to see BA BA REEBA under cheap eats. While the individual tapas are priced as single tasting servings -- that's just what they are. You must be careful as the bill adds up fast as you keep ordering tastings. Generally you walk out a little lighter in pocketbook that you might expect when you look at the menu. more
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boring!!! 7/26/2004

with much better choices all over the city, ba-ba-reeba was a major disappointment. food was mediocre and not as hot (or cold) as it should have been. the only saving grace is the outdoor patio and so-so sangria... skip this place and try emilio's or cafe iberico. Pros: outdoor seating Cons: , service more
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terrible service two out of three times 5/10/2004

I've been here three times. The first time the line was really long so we offered to sit in the bar. It took FOREVER for a waiter to finally come to us and forever for the food. It wasn't too bad but not worth the price. The third time, we sat next to the unseatable table. They have three garbages sitting outside next to this table and it reeked, people kept coming to sit an then asking to be moved. The food took about an hour to get to the table and they kept bringing the tapas in weird order. two of us ordered entrees and one ordered a couple of tapas. The Tapas came one after another quickly and the entrees came an hour later. They couldn't handle it. It really isn't that difficult, that's coming from an ex-waiter. Pros: outside seating more
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Would no bother going back 9/8/2003

Wait staff was friendly and very helpful. Food not worth it, luke warm, beef tough, just not very edible. Dishes served in a rush even when asked to serve us slow. They seem to want to get you in and out rush, rush rush! Would not visit this one for a second try too many other Tapas choices here and the other I have tried were much better. Pros: Wait staff Cons: poor food, crowded, rushed more
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Cafe Ba-Ba Reeba 7/10/2003

What can you say about any of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurants? The food is always quite reliable, the atmosphere is always interesting, the wine list is always good (in this establishment the list of Sherrys are exemplary), Valet Parking is at the door and it is always crowded. This is another establishment that is open into the wee hours of the morning. I have never had bad service at a Lettuce Entertain you restaurant. Pros: Memorable Tapas Plate, Great List of Sherrys, Crowded Cons: Long waits for tables more
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Fired up 6/5/2003

The food was excellent. Service was okay but my only real complaint which compels me to write this is the sangria is awful. Simply awful. Not awful in taste but in value. First of all they fill the pitcher half way and it's like 18 dollars and on top of that it's not strong at all. If you're going to charge 18 dollars than at least fill it 3/4 full. Go there for the food - not the sangria but unfortuntely, it's part of the experience of tapas. more
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ba-ba Bueno 1/2/2003

Excellent service from being seated to getting the check. Two of us ordered 3 tapas, and could not finish it all. Cold veal in vinegrette, chicken in bread, and beef skewered with horseradish. Red sangria was not over sweet, just right. We got seperate entrees; salmon and garlic chicken, and both were exceptional. Very rich in flavor. The mashed potatoes were wonderful. Unfortunately, we could not finish nor take anything with us. Bring your appetite!! Pros: good portions Cons: parking more
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good for parties 12/18/2002

Fun colorful atmosphere. Tapas are good, sangria could be better. Great place to go with a group of people. Pros: fun atmosphere, attentive service, accomadating Cons: crowded more
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Great for a Group Dinner 11/12/2002

This is a great place to go with a bunch of friends. There are plenty of choices for tapas and the portions are perfect for sharing. The sangria is good, too. Pros: Nice patio Cons: Crowded more
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Menu for Cafe Ba Ba Reeba


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Tapas, Pintxos & Sangria

Owner Message

  • Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, Chicago's first Spanish restaurant, serves fresh, authentic Spanish cuisine in a lively, vibrant atmosphere. The menu features Spanish tapas, hot and cold appetizers meant for sharing, as well as paella, a typical Valencian rice dish made with vegetables and meat or seafood. You'll be tempted by the Pintxos ("peen-chos"), one or two bite snacks popular in Northern Spain, which are the perfect way to sample your way through the vast Mediterranean menu. Everything goes well with Sangria, a famous wine "fiesta" drink made from fresh fruit, wine and liquor. Don't miss the large outdoor patio decorated with the sights and colors of Spain.

Editorial

  • The Scene
    Loud, colorful and usually packed to the rafters, Ba-Ba-Reeba's several rooms and outdoor patio brim with flowers and vivid artwork. Sausages hang above an open kitchen, two...

  • 6/30/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-10pm Fri 4pm-12am Sat 11am-12am
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, Diner's Club
  • Neighborhoods: North Side, DePaul
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