Havana Espresso

Loved the iced coffee and panini. Took a little long but worth the wait! Definitely recommend.

Ordered iced vanilla latte and it was the worst thing I ever tasted. It was extremely acidic and has awful after taste. Going to Starbucks to get rid of this taste in my mouth. If you specialize in coffee and don’t operate like a chain, you should make the best damn coffee to get people coming back. Use quality products.

While in town less than a week, I ate here three times for breakfast. It would have been more, but I did not discover it until partly into the week.
There’s a lot of good here to talk about.
The Muffins
Okay, so I only had the baked goods. Mainly their harvest muffins and glutton free muffins. They’re really good, and apparently healthy too.
The Coffee
Coffee is the first thing I try when I travel and am in a new town. I have tried several places here in Englewood, and let me tell you, their Café con Leche is the BEST, by far.
The Service and the People
The service is just amazing. Very attentive but not hovering. The people working here are really nice and welcoming. It’s nice when the owner and her staff welcome your business. They remembered me on my first return. I think the best word to describe it is hospitality. You don’t always see this in other local restaurants.
The Atmosphere
Cozy. Vibrant. Good latin music played at a decent decibel. The art on the walls is managed by a local artist (I asked about it). It adds fun color and beauty to the café.
Even today, when the café is full, the noise level is not bad. It’s actually pretty quite.
Summary
If I lived here, I’d be here all the time. I encourage you to check the place out.

It hurts to leave only 2 stars bc the people who work here are so nice. But this is a review on their business practices.
Anyway– this place is super cute & very close to work. I went in for a sandwich on lunch break. Now I don’t know if you’re like me, but my lunch breaks are usually split btwn running errands & actually grabbing lunch. I could not run my errands after getting my lunch here.
I waited over 20 minutes for a Cuban panini & here’s why it annoyed me– they MICROWAVE the food. First of all, I think that’s pretty disgusting. Not only that, but the microwave is literally there in plain sight. Maybe ignorance is bliss & I would not be leaving this review had it been done discreetly. To add– my panini already had grill marks on it before the girl put it to press.
Granted the flavors on my sandwich are not horrible, but I am very visual, once I get a thought in my head it’s hard to separate «microwaved food» from «this is good.» I honestly would rather go to the hood for a Cuban sandwich at half the cost. Oh yeah my microwave sandwich was $ 10
They are big on coffee, and I did not see an actual grill or stove in their little kitchen up front (I assumed it was in the back). But I have to ask, how do they make their breakfast sandwiches? Microwaved eggs? I think I’ll pass.

Very very delicious!!! I had the lunch combo– half a panini/​wrap/​sandwich of your choice and a small side salad with the raspberry vinaigrette. Everything was very good, and the place is super cute and the gentleman was very friendly. The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 was because the portion was a little on the small side for $ 9.45.

Hours listed as 7am to 5pm. And the geniuses that rule this excuse of a business have closed it at 3pm. AVOID.

Excellent place! The coffee and teas are fabulous. We’ve ordered 2 of their lunch specials and will definitely become regulars. Delivery was super –fast and everything was fresh and delicious.

I’m so glad that I have new places to add to my coffee rotation instead of Starbucks! I had a soy latte and also got an 100% organic cold pressed juice with beets, kale, and some other veggies to go. The latte was so frothy & good! The owner was also really nice and the overall vibe of the place is cozy and inviting. They also have the option of «red espresso» which is caffeine free and made from rooibos? I’ve never heard of it but I think it’s so cool that they even have that option. I didn’t have time to try any of the food items, but I work in the area so I’m sure I’ll stop by again and get something. they also deliver, and according to the takeout menu I took they have hale & hearty soups as well as empanadas. Like what! Ugh im so mad I didn’t get one :(but based on my experience id definitely recommend!

[Formerly Tea Fields,] Havana Espresso is my new go-​to spot for a pick-​me-​up. And I don’t just mean caffeine!
Maria Cristina is like your favorite aunt who just wants to fill you with love and food. I believe it is a family business as it was just her and her son manning the counter. They’ve only been open 5 months, yet the ambiance is already cozy and the hospitality so warm. Boy do I crave that hospitality. You don’t find it very often.
I was offered a menu, glossed it over, ordered breakfast to stay and a beverage to go.
The Vegetable Egg White Baked Frittata ($ 3.50)
Delicious. Light, tasty, just the perfect portion. Comes with two pieces of sliced multi-​grain. The butter came in shavings so it was easy to spread (such a small detail, but I so appreciate this). Even came with a small container of ketchup for those who like the condiment with their breakfast. I normally don’t (unless it’s grilled cheese), but I did dab a little onto the frittata; it paired nicely, but not a necessity to enjoy because the frittata was already good on its own. Doesn’t end there. You can end this breakfast with sliced fruit (pineapple, grape, and canteloupe). A perfectly balanced breakfast for $ 3.50!
Café con Leche (medium $ 3.55)
Asked for skim, and the coffee grinding began. Yess for Freshness! My only issue was there was no sugar added. Normally when I order this at Colombian places (I know, totally different, but I’m Colombian! lol), café con leche comes sweetened; no need to ask. No big deal. I added some simple sugar when I got to the office. Perfection. Strong coffee, good flavor, touch of sweetness, just what I wanted.
Other Notes
It’s on the right side of Dean Street.
Ample metered parking on the right side for those familiar with the area.
Sign up with your e-​mail for a rewards program.
They deliver.
Online ordering through GrubHub (Maria Cristina even gave me a $ 5 coupon, so sweet).
(Sidenote that has nothing to do with my review, but I just can’t help but share… I asked for a menu to take with me, since I knew I’d be ordering from here again. «Give me 5 seconds,» she said. I couldn’t place her accent, as it wasn’t Cuban. She’s from Argentina, she said. Honestly. One of the sweetest women I’ve ever encountered).
I left Havana Espresso feeling uplifted, like I just got a pick-​me-​up (I hadn’t even sipped my café con leche yet). It’s rare, at least for me, for a small business owner/​a small business to really grab my attention and make an impression on me like this. Rightly so. Maria Cristina has so much to give, and, it seems to me, she really wants to give. And it’s my patronage she just won. Give this place a shot, and let her win yours, too.
p. s. Be it the caffeine or pure inspiration, this place just made me write 6 Unilocal reviews (my first of the year), in case that means anything to my fellow Unilocalers!