CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Walk through the door of 90 Miles Cuban Cafe at 3101 N. Clybourn, and the sights, sounds and smells transport you to the island, and that's exactly what owner Alberto Gonzalez wants.
“All the senses are involved when you walk in here…There were a lot of Cuban restaurants in Chicago…I wanted to bring something small where we had the essence of my childhood,” Gonzalez said.
That includes the flavorful food.
“The ropa vieja is a staple in the Cuban cuisine, which is kind of like a shredded beef, personally I like the churrasco, yuca, yuca con mojo, the congri, lechon is a staple as well,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez was just 11 when his family fled Cuba for the U.S., the moment captured in a colorful mural on the outside of the restaurant-- which he and his wife opened in Sept of 2008.
“We've created a piece of Cuba and everybody is really enjoying it and I'm very happy to be able to offer that,” said Gonzalez
90 Miles grew in popularity so quickly, Gonzalez opened a second location at 2540 W. Armitage, and features on both CNN and the Food Network, elevated its status on the Chicago food scene.
“Guy Fieri came in here, and it was a success from day one, and it really helped us a lot…It's been a very beautiful experience to be able to be part of Chicago at the level that we're in,” Gonzalez said.
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