1146 W Cermak Rd
(between May St & Carpenter St)
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 421-4442
Hours: Tue-Thu, 5 pm – 10 pm and Fri-Sat, 5 pm – 11 pm
This casual, eclectic Pilsen cafe is known for inventive cuisine. Chef Mario Santiago’s menu draws influence from Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban, contemporary American and Nuevo Latino cuisines. The result: dishes such as brie-and-pear pasteles (Puerto Rican tamales), and salmon with lemon butter and chipotle-tequila cream sauce. Santiago takes care to offer a high quality but affordable wine list, as well as a line-up of fun and fruity cocktails, including the popular May St. Margarita.
Chef Mario Santiago began his journey in the culinary profession back in the late seventies working in his family businesses at the El Coco Loco Supper Club and The Latin Village Night Club. After leaving the family business to prep and cook at some of Chicago’s local restaurants like Garest, Lazare, Busgatti and the Chicago Athletic Association, he took a break from his cooking to study wine in Sonoma, Ca. in the late eighties. Upon his return to Chicago, he worked the front of house for organizations like Levy at Arlington International Race Course in the Turf Club, Santiago and Ramos Production Company, Entertaining Company, and Caliahn Catering as captain of the Graham Room at Chicago’s Civic Opera House. His true passion for food and wine led him back into the kitchen, cooking and catering privately for some of Chicago’s most prominent families and corporations.
May St. Cafe at Baconfest Chicago:
double-chocolate flan with cherry-smoked bacon
