The Bistec Jibarito: juicy and hot flank steak with tomato, cheese, lettuce, and a little bit of mayo, sandwiched between two fried green plantains that have been pounded thin and fried. Drizzled with some kind of DELICIOUS garlic sauce. I added some of the green hot sauce which only complemented the tastiness of the sandwich. Comes with a generous portion of puerto rican rice. I also ordered a side of sweet plantains (which perfectly complemented the savory sandwich and rice). I am now a believer in the Jibarito. The place looks small when you first walk in by the bar area, but it opens up to a larger dining room towards the back. Service is alright, but I was too focused on the delicious food to pay much attention to what the waitress was doing (although we did have to call her over to refill our waters a couple times). Definitely will be back again - the food is great and the boyfriend and I only spent $25 (including tip) for a really filling meal. read more

I came here for the plantain sandwiches! The place seemed awfully quiet at noon on a Friday--only a few customers eating inside. I went in and looked at the menu for a quick minute and found the list of different plantain sandwiches. I'm sure all of them would have tasted just fine, so I asked the waitress for her suggestion. She said beef was her favorite, so I went with it. The plantain sandwich was BOMB! The beef was tender, while the plantains were thin and crispy... paired with the mayo and cheese--Fantastic! Oddly enough, I thought the rice that came with the order tasted better than the sandwich. Definitely a simple rice side, but it had some sausage and green peas... kinda like latin fried rice. What can I say, I'm a sucker for Fried Rice. read more

Food is salty, greasy. Twice they've gotten my order wrong. Second time I picked up myself and was unpleasantly surprised to see place isn't very clean read more

(3.5) My friend and I were in the mood for jibaritos and we ended up here. It's kind of a dive-y Puerto Rican place in my best guess, but the food was good and pretty cheap. I got a beef jibarito as well as a side of sweet plantains, and she got the pork jibarito. She said last time the jibarito's plantains were more crispy, as this time they were more pliable, but I think it made it easier to eat then a crispy, shattering plantain. The plantain was garlicky, salty and good. The meat was tender and tasty. Jibaritos come with lettuce, mayo, tomato (thick, under ripe slice). The rice & it was served with was so-so and kind of dry. My biggest gripe was about the service.... the check took just shy of FOREVER to come, even though we were clearly done eating and ready to leave. I think I'll try a different place for my next Jibarito craving, even though Borinquen Lounge was ok. read more

How long has this place been here? I've lived a couple blocks away for 7.5 years and have just noticed it in the past year. It must have been the jibarito sign that finally caught my eye. I started working in west Humboldt Park a little over a year ago, and have noticed similar signs there. And after a coworker brought a jibarito in for lunch I became very curious. The place was empty at 6:30 on a Monday when I went in to place my carry out order. I decided on the jibarito with pork. My order was ready within 5 or 10 minutes. As I walked home with my bag of heart attack, I could smell the garlic. Awesome. This is an amazing sandwich. Fried plantains instead of bread, very tasty pork, garlic, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. When I get another one of these (I should probably wait a few months..) I will get it without the cheese. It's the processed stuff and i felt like it added an odd flavor to the otherwise delicious sandwich. The sandwich also came with a side of tasty yellow rice with pigeon peas. I'll probably be back to dine in and try some of the other food. There's a full bar too. read more

What's a "jibarito"?? Well, it's a plantain sandwich filled with your choice of steak, chicken, pork, or just veggies. And they make it good at the Borinquen. Had the chicken sandwich for lunch and it was the bomb. Kind of like a taco with a hard shell...but a really good taco with a really crunchy and tasty hard shell. A must try. read more

Borinquen - Jibarito with chicken. - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

just hearing the words "jibarito" or "borinquen" makes me droooool. I always feel bad coming here, because I'm THAT jerk... you know the one who comes in like 15 minutes before they close? oops. No worries wait staff, you haven't seen me eat these sammichs (are they considered sandwiches?). It only takes me 15 minutes to scarf down the whole meal, arroz included! Crunchy plantain, juicy dripping al pastor and sauces. It's SO GOOD. Also, we ordered the soup. Yea that crazy thing with the MASSIVE ball of plaintain mush on the side. Not pretty? Yes. Deliciously dripping with goodness? YES, YES! Also, I'm in love with the jibarito sauce. sriracha love, move on over... jibarito spicy sauce, come on down! read more

Got a sandwich to go from here. Was very pleased. You have to go with the classic jibarito. It's got plantain slices instead of bread and the sauce on it blends all the flavors together very well. It is a little greasy but nothing a bunch of napkins can't fix. read more

My boyfriend and I came here in search of jibaritos to feed ourselves and my parents, who were helping us move. We parked on Western, moseyed inside, sat at the bar, placed our order, and waited about 15-20 minutes. Next time I'll probably call ahead! The inside was dim, relaxed, and divey in a good way. This would be a fun place to knock back a beer, a big plate of food, and watch a game (without a crowd). The server who took our order was really friendly and sweet, and kept us posted on the ETA of our foods. I should also mention that the food was super inexpensive - I want to say $32 for four people, so that's a huge plus. We unwrapped our snacky happiness back at our apartment. We got two steak jibaritos and one chicken (dark meat, not chicken breast), and my boyfriend got a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich on baguette. We got two Puerto Rican yellow rices with pigeon peas, and one white rice and beans. Everyone loved their jibaritos - very tasty with the crispy plantains, juicy meat (chicken was incredibly juicy!) with a little saucy tang. The rice sides were savory and great, way more than what you expect for a little side of rice. I still prefer the jibarito (called a guajirito) at 90 Miles, but this is a great place to get my fix that's closer to home! read more

I'll be honest, I came here very skeptic expecting the worste since those so called "puertorican" restaurants in Los Angeles can't get their shit together... Well Chicago, I'm impressed. I devoured the shit out of this plate with a glass of "jugo de parcha", aka passion fruit juice, and this ambassador has bestowed the honor of "authentic puertorican cuisine" upon this establishment. Que Dios los bendiga! #faithrestored read more

Borinquen - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The jibarito is the greatest part of the Puerto Rican cuisine at this establishment. Even though it is more of a Chicago creation than of the island itself. A healthy dose of spices on the flattened plantain along with the delicious tender pork, chesse and lettuce & tomato. You are guaranteed to have a mouthful of flavor and deliciousness with every bite. The arroz con gandules are the perfect traditional side and are good enough to stand alone as their own meal. As good as it tastes, it probably is not good for your health as it can be a little greasy at times, and who knows what it will do to your figure. Regardless, this is a small sacrifice I am willing to make, and I consider myself a regular having attended every other month. read more

I just got back from going to Borinquen Lounge. I had the Alcapurrias (banana dumpling with meat), Relleno de Papa (fried ball of mashed potato with meat inside), Pastelillo...I think...it was basically and empanada. And then I had the Lechon Jibarito. I do have to say that it was very delicious. The pork reminded me of carnitas, and the plantain was crunchy which I really enjoyed. And to top it off, the wonderfuly garlicky butter that is covering this amazing sandwich. My only complaints were it was really really salty, and the arroz con gandules weren't as good as the one at Papa's. Other than that, it was good, and I think when I go back, I'm going to try the steak one! Definitely worth a try. P.S....unless you really really like plantains, I don't really suggest the Alcapurrias. It was sort of bland...I liked the meat inside, but the outside didn't really taste good. read more

I always take my friends from out of town here to experience something totally different when it comes to sandwiches. Steak Jibarito: My favorite with no mayo. Good portion of steak and sandwich can easily be split for 2 meals. Chicken Jibarito: Also delicious, but for this sandwich, it is all about the red meat for me. Veggie Jibarito: Every Lent, I give up eating meat, but my Jibarito craving was so high that I decided to try and see if the veggie would satisfy my craving. The plantains were crisp and garlicky, but the Jibarito is not the same without meat. It didn't hurt to try though. With the exception of Lent, I always get my Jibarito with arroz con gandules because the porky rice tastes great with the Jibarito. This location is especially tricked out with nicer tables and flat screens. Jibaritos are good to go, but taste even better in the moment. (reheating tip: toast the plantains separately--in oven or toaster, pan fry meat to warm up and then reassemble. Not restaurant quality but better than straight nuking it!) read more

Borinquen popped my Jiburrito cherry and perhaps it's nostalgia that vaulted it to the 4 star plateau but I don't care, this is my party and I'll review things however I dern well please. Honestly, I've never had anything but the Jiburrito here but I loved it. I also haven't had a large sample size of Jiburrito's to compare it against (I think 2) but this was by far the best one I've ever eaten. If you're at Waveland Bowl and looking for a quick bite...well, honestly you could probably do better with a modicum of effort, but if both your legs were broken and you needed somewhere within 100 feet, this is easily in the top ten. Edit: I sobered up, came back and changed this to a 3. Sometimes I love TOO much. read more

The most dry and flavorless alcapurria I've ever had. The pastelillos are made with those pre-made discs and also flavorless. Such a disappointment. Definitely not authentic Puerto Rican food. I'd rather take the drive to Ponce or Jibaritos y Mas for flavor, authenticity and half the price! This place is 2 thumbs down! read more

Borinquen - Alcapurias - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Too long to wait for food, maybe if the poor waitress wasn't running back and forth between tables and the kitchen... I would have gotten a basket of bread and a glass of water! Hope the Vegetarian Jibarito (i just made vegan) is worth the wait read more

Borinquen - The menu/placemat - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Horrible salty slop. I went there for the lunch buffet yesterday. I paid $10 with tip. Total waste of money. The place was 1/4 filled and even the service was abysmal. I had to get up and get my own water refilled twice. They served rice (the only thing that was good), some type of soupish bean and hot dogs, tasteless greasy fried bananas, salty pork roast soup, god-awful super-salty fish pancakes, salty burnt buffalo wings and sliced white bread. Seriously, I could have made better dishes than this crap. And it didnt help there were kids crying their heads off either. But then again, they had to eat the food there! I can only imagine what they would do if they also had to pay the bill. read more

2nd time this month and again disappointed horrible service food better off going to a trailer in Humboldt park to get my food cause you get a half scoop of rice and order steak in sauce and got a more Green and red pepper then I did rice really horrible my last time fire the cook and get the owner on a make over show to help his struggling business read more

Borinquen - Like I said all that green pepper and red pepper and a baby scoop of rice step your game up - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Friendly staff but food to me was disappointing. I was excited to try one of my childhood favorite fritters, the alcapurrias, but they were doughy, hard and almost meatless. Not traditional in my opinion. I did enjoy the relleno de papa. It was crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside with just amount of beef filling. read more

Jib...ari...tos. Enough said. I've been to this establishment twice and this is the first time I've tried their jibaritos. Actually is the first time I've ever tried a jibarito period. Wow. The flavor is pretty damn solid. I ordered the one made with chicken breast and for a whopping price of under $7 it made my evening. If you're in the North Center neighborhood and in the mood for a jibarito stop into Boriquen Lounge. Great stuff for a great price. read more

I recently visited this place a few times..I can honestly say they have great Puerto rican food! I I believe almost everything on their menu is delicious. But my all time favorite will always be their steak plantain sandwich with a side of Spanish rice. I sometime order their flan so far I like it too. Dine in area feels cozy, and comfortable. Workers here are nice. A nice place to come with friends, or by yourself. I like to visit this place when I am nearby I would call to place orders for pick up. read more

I knew this place was going to be good when my coworker's eyes rolled to the back of his head in ecstasy at the mention of jibaritos. My only complaint of the evening was the slow service, despite the place being nearly empty. Go with the beef steak jibarito, the meat was crazy tender and juicy. The garlic sauce that comes with the sandwich was a little overwhelming for me and left me smelling like garlic for the rest of the evening, so tread with caution if you're garlic sensitive. The plantains are also a little greasy so prepare to use a lot of napkins. The dinner came with yellow rice with "pigeon peas", which was fluffy and flavorful. I definitely joined the clean plate club that night. read more

Things to note: 1. Jibaritos are $7 come with a side and are delicious. 2. Dinner plates like fried pork chops are $11 but the food is spot on and the serving size is intimidating. 3. Try the mofongo (plantain ball). 4.They have a full bar. Being on the north side of Chicago I was pleasantly surprised at how good the jibarito was. Moreover, the place was empty on a Tuesday and the staff still managed to be kind without checking in obsessively. I would certainly eat here again. read more

Nice atmosphere and great food. The waitress named Rosa is very nice and loves feeding customers. Does have a bar but it's a very family-friendly place. Nice date place too read more

Yummy yummy food. I wasn't sure if this place was even open when we drove past it but man was i craving a jibarito or what? Well this place is a lot cozier inside than its outer exterior shows and the jibarito was something a pregnant woman would jump over three people to get. Love it! read more

THE BEST JIBARITOS!!! The perfect amount of flavor, salt, and garlic!!! Their red sauce is an amazing addition. They have a variety of entrees on the menu. Also, the arroz con gandulez is great as well as their soda options from across the Golf of Mexico. I've been here plenty of times and the staff are very welcoming whether it's a table for two or a large party. Street parking is easy and free. Never a dull bite! read more

Had the steak plantain sandwich otherwise known as the JIBARITO! This is as original a sammich as you will get in Chicago. Great flavor and awesomely creative. I'll be back when I have a jibarito craving. Oh yeah, and the rice is awesome. read more

I had heard my friends talk about jibaritos (hee-ba-ree-tho) forever. But it was never something that I took note of because I didn't know what it was. However, I finally had to ask when it came us as a suggestion for a group dinner one day. So, what is a jibarito? It is a sandwich made with flattened, fried green plantains which replaces the bread, garlic-flavored mayonnaise, and a filling that typically includes meat, cheese, lettuce and tomato. At Borinquen, they have a steak, pork, ham, chicken (breast and off the bone) an a vegetarian option. It really was love at first taste. The flattened plantain is seasoned with a garlic and salty goodness that I could eat all by itself. The sandwich is served with your choice of plain/Puerto Rican rice, and black/white beans. If you'd like to add fries, it's a $1 extra. Unfortunately, the Puerto Rican rice and both beans are made with pork so I go for the french fries instead. The sandwich is so big that it's hard to finish all of it. My only complaint about the steak (which is what I usually opt for) is that it could be better seasoned. Luckily plantain "bread" to the rescue because this sandwich is a feast for the taste buds. Ohhhh, side note, their jugo de parcha (passion fruit juice) is tropical and so delicious that I can never eat here without ordering it. This place is no frills but service is good, the food is always consistent and prices fair. It's like having a piece of Puerto Rican paradise in our backyards. read more

The service is sloooow and the math on the check sometimes doesn't seem to add up correctly. That said, they totally rock the Jibarito -- a plantain sandwich that is Borinquen's specialty. Be sure to ask for the in-house garlic vinegar and hot sauce because they're both quite good additions to the sandwich & rice and they won't bring them to you by default. They have a pretty cheap and tasty buffet during the week and I go there with my coworkers on a semi-regular basis. Unfortunately, the buffet will often run out of items and take a long time to refill. So with all that in mind, it's pretty good cheap food and it is fairly tasty. They are really slooow so expect that -- you have to wait around 10-15 min to get your order in and another 10- 15 minutes to pay the bill. You also have to wait for your food (about 20 min for a sandwich). So going there for lunch and ordering (as opposed to just getting the bufet) means burning most of our hour lunch waiting even if the restaurant is mostly empty and then wolfing down the Jibaritos quickly to get back to work. If the service were just a little snappier, I'd give then four stars but three's all they get right now. read more

Service and quality of the food has definitely gone down. This used to be one of the top restaurants. Something has significantly changed. read more

Pork jibaritos is where it's at. The garlic topping is the perfect added touch to the fried plantains. The empanadas are tasty. Dip them in the hot sauce. It's a chill place. Nothing fancy. And, cheap. Try it out. If you don't, then you must be a glutton for punishment. read more

Every time I come here my my jibarito is never cook right or Done Right very disappointed have to come like two or three times to get it right read more

Love this place! Best jibaritos!!! We enjoy the food no matter what. Don't be fooled this is a homey, local dive with awesome food. If you are coming for the aesthetics don't bother go to one of those high priced eateries in Michigan Ave who have all the bling but sell you high priced frozen food. If you want authentic PR food, this is the place. No bougies allowed, bye Felicia! read more

Delicious, heart-attack ready jibarito sandwiches and other great Puerto Rican foods. While it takes a little time to get your food ready, it is generally well worth it. Area is not exactly the lively Chicago restaurant scene but trust me, it is well worth the drive read more

This place is a gem. Puerto Rican cuisine is really underrated. Located on a forgettable, concrete-heavy stretch of Western, this place doesn't look like much from the outside. But the inside is comfortable and welcoming, and bigger than you'd expect. The food is serious. The arroz con gandules is seasoned and cooked to perfection. The mofongo is really tasty. And they might have the best jibaritos in town (and I'm comparing them to other serious joints, e.g. Borinquen Restaurant and Papa's Cache Sabroso). The prices are extremely affordable for the quantity and quality of food you get with a typical entrée. The service isn't the fastest on the planet. So if you're in a big rush, this may not be the place for you. But if you're in the mood to hang out and relax and east some excellent Puerto Rican food... this is your spot! read more

Ok we need a spot like this back in NJ! I had a jibarito de bistec with curly fries and I almost passed out on how good it was! Sandwich contained two big tostones used as bread filled with mojo (garlic sauce) onions, tomato, cheese and your choice of meat. You have rice or fries with it. Need to go back for this immediately, this is a game changer ! read more

How did I live all these years without knowing about a jibarito?! Thin crispy plantains as bread: eureka! Big enough to split with a friend. There was a buffet going on too. Cute space inside; you'd never guess from the outside. read more

Jibarito you ask? YES! Plantains instead of bread and oh so yummy. The atmosphere is ok for what it is. My food took a while for some reason or another. Everyone at my table was finished eating by the time I got my food but it was worth it. I'll be back. read more

I came in to purchase some Arroz con Dules for Thanksgiving dinner. I am so glad I did because it was a hit at the family gathering. I sort of wish that this restaurant was back in Humbult Park but the food here is still good and the same. read more

Have lived behind this Joint for 8 years and "Heard" it was great but had never tried it!? Walked in the other night and got Bistec Jibarito--It's Flat Out AMAZING!! Find this Joint! GTFJD read more