Restaurant Wed May 09 2007

Bombon: Get Tortas in the Loop

Torta with portobello, avocado, caramelized onions, poblano chili and bead spread

When I walked into Bombon Cafe in the Loop, I was expecting a crowd of large deep booths aside a glass pastry case and a counter with stools looking back to a kitchen. I think it was Chicago Journal that published a photo like this with an article announcing the opening of Bombon's Ashland location some time ago.

Their new Loop scene feels a bit sterile, but delivers a tasty lunch. A long bench runs along a side wall behind a long row of two-person tables. Tables dot the center. A pay counter lies in back. A bakery case is up front out of the way. I could have done without the perfectly clean un-used bought-just-to-hang-looking metal baking molds hanging aside the registers.

The torta was tasty. Bombon sweetens it with quite a selection of fillings. My torta held chunks of avocado that tried a sliding escape from tender portobello mushrooms and caramelized onions. A bean spread and poblano chili gave it a deep earthy flavor. The accompanying chips tasted homemade - oily, crispy at the edges and chewy in the center. Bombon can also hook you up with mini tlacoyos (pockets of fried dough filled with black beans and toppings), mini sopecitos (black beans and toppings on fried flat dough), tacos, quesadillas, tamales, salads and sandwiches.

Location visited: 170 W. Washington, (312) 781-2788
Other locations: 36 S. Ashland Ave., (312) 733-8717 and their original pastry and cake shop in Pilsen at 1508 W. 18th St., (312) 733-7788

— Chris Brunn / Comments (0)