One of the great things about moving apartments is exploring new surroundings. While I have lived in Lakeview for most of my time in Chicago, I seem to pass at least one place every week I haven’t noticed before. In recent weeks, on my walks to the Southport brown line stop, I passed Café Tola. It is hard to miss the pink and purple hut between Jewel and the bank.
I finally made my way in when the words “Coconut Ice Coffee” were written on a chalkboard sign in front of the café. Put the words “coffee” and “coconut” in one sentence, and I will stop in my tracks.
The café is small. There is room for about three people to stand in line and other than that it is the counter, coffee, and fresh empanadas.
The coconut coffee is delicious. I seem to trust coffee that is given to me in a clear plastic cup and a colorful bendy straw. This may be because my favorite coffee from Uncommon Grounds is served this way or it is because it makes me feel like I am drinking something that is homemade.
From what I have read and heard, the coffee and empanadas are what keep bringing customers back. In an interview with DNAInfoChicago, it is found that the café sells up to 14,000 empanadas each month. The flavors change every day and are displayed in the window in the front. The chorizo and egg is my personal favorite. The buffalo chicken and Mexican egg are the next to try on my list. The recipes come from the owner’s, Victoria Salamanca, family cookbook along with the name of the Café. “Tola” was Victoria’s grandmother’s nickname, hence the name Café Tola.
In warmer months, there is seating on the sidewalk and to the left of the building. Also displayed on the left side of the building are hand-painted murals. The murals have different inspirations and change every so often. The Frida Kahlo or sugar skull murals add a Latin flare to the café that is unique to the Southport Corridor.
Visit Café Tola and get inspired to make your own empanadas or come in to The Chopping Block and sign up for our next Tapas Party hands-on cooking class. There you will make Black Bean and Cilantro Empanadas that you can recreate at home!
