The Return of Cafeteria Marianao with Bia's Cafe Marianao

I was sad to see Cafeteria Marianao shut it down last year. Now I'm happy to see it come back to life in the form of Bia's Cafe Marianao on Addison just west of Milwaukee.

Bia's Cafe Marianao

Before I moved to the Logan Square/Bucktown border I'd been to Cafeteria Marianao a handful of times and always liked it. Then when I moved into the area I found myself there pretty often. Always for one thing and one thing only which is the famous steak sandwich that probably accounted for about 75% of the orders at the old shop. Thinly sliced boiled (in something potent) steak topped with mojo laced onions paired with melted processed cheese. Yes.

Steak Sandwich with Cheese

If you couldn't tell from the pic it's as good as ever. Notice the perfect toast job on the bread which isn't something they used to do. The new space is much larger and not nearly as chaotic. I felt the sandwiches were sometimes rushed at the old spot due to limited space on the sandwich press. Not the case here. One of the great steak sandwiches in the city and something that can be downright craveworthy so it's wonderful to have the option for one back in the fold. Still a steal at $5 and change.

To New Memories...

Bia's Cafe Marianao
4323 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 993-0178

Beef,

Thanks for this update! I rode my bike up Addison just now and made it to Milwaukee in less than 20 minutes from Lakeview.

15 minutes prior to closing at 4pm (Mon.-Sat. they close at 6pm), the owner graciously let me order my sandwich to stay, and I enjoyed what is hands down, one of Chicago's best sandwiches, steak or otherwise.

For those who have not had the famous steak sandwich at Marianao, it is basically a Cuban version of a Chicago Italian beef: braised steak with garlic mojo and lightly pickled onions in a toasted bun. It works so well, with or without cheese, and is definitely a sandwich you wany to eat with a surface under you to catch all the dripping fat and juices. Brilliant.

The owner was excited about the new location and mentioned that they were also opening at Narraganset and Addison, with a third joint in the planning stages at an undisclosed location. I hope it's Lakeview! Probably not, but I don't mind the short trip up Addison for such a stellar sandwich.

Happy father's day to all you deadbeats!