Vive la sandwich! Torta, jibarito, bocadillo, however it translates: it has a friendly home at this Northwest Side staple for South American specialties. The menu advertises Caribbean and Cuban specialties but shines with its Chilean selections.

Calling itself "La Casa de las Empanadas," or "House of the Empanadas" for the gringos/gringas, the café churns out doughy pockets of chicken, beef, seafood or spinach that are made to impress. Fried to a delicate crisp, the filling for the beef empanadas fritas come mixed with sauteed onion, and the chicken version comes with olives and raisins tossed throughout, making a sweet casserole in a pouch. Other appetizers include guacamole and chips, fried sweet bananas, and the palta reina two halves of an avocado stuffed with chicken mayo over lettuce and tomatoes. Mmm…avocado-ey goodness.

The Chilean sandwiches served on homemade bread are not to be missed. Dense and chewy, the Sandwich Lukas (named for one of the owner's kids whose art is scattered throughout the storefront) is filled with avocado, cheese, ham and hammered-thin steak. The chacarero isn't too shabby either, filled with steak, tomato, mayonnaise and green beans. Sandwiches average about $4.50-$6, and the rotating weekday lunch specials go for $5.50.

Dinners don't suffer because of the focus on the sandwiches, however. Lots of lomo--translation: rib-eye steaks served with various treatments—populates the menu as well as seafood, black beans, bananas and more. For those looking for seafood, consider the paila marina, a seafood stew chock-filled with mussels, clam, octopus, shrimp, crab legs and fish.

Centerstage Reviewer: Karl Klockars