La Humita

Stopped in for lunch last week. Wasn't terribly hungry, but this place had been on my list for a while and I had about half an hour to kill, so I got the Combinación de Aperitivos: Combination of Empanada Chilena, Humita & Potato Pattie ($8.00).

The Empanada Chilena ($3.75) is fried turnover stuffed with beef, onions, eggs, olives and raisins.

La Humita (Especialidad de la Casa $2.50) is the Ecuadorian house special made with fresh corn and cheese steamed on the corn husk. (Since it came "on" versus "in" the corn husk, I presume that's not a typo.)

The Tortilla de Papa ($3.25) is a potato patty stuffed with cheese and topped with home made peanut sauce.

If you add those three items up a la carte, they come to $9.50, so the combination is a steal at $8.00...however, what wasn't obvious is that the Tortilla de Papa that comes with the combination does NOT include the home made peanut sauce. When I asked the owner what it would cost to add it, he told me $2.00. Huh?!?

All three items were good comfort food; no complaints. Will definitely try this place a few more times.

Small menu, never had a bad meal. The upstairs area is pretty cool with live music. Definitely worth going.

Their grilled lamb dish is to die for....the last time I tasted lamb this good was back in the 90s at mom's house.

This place is truly a slice of Ecuador and reflects an accurate cuisine and level of service. One of my favorite dining spots in the Chicago area. Recommend trying their natural juices...I usually order two.