Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
A Chicago invention: fried green-plantain slices used as bread, stuffed with garlicky steak or chicken, lettuce, tomato, mayo and a thin slice of white American cheese.
The jibarito was invented in 1996 by Juan 'Pete' Figueroa at Borinquen Restaurant in Humboldt Park, the Puerto Rican spine of Chicago. Figueroa adapted a recipe described in the San Juan newspaper El Vocero, swapping bread for twice-fried, flattened green plantain. The sandwich spread fast through the Paseo Boricua corridor on Division Street, then onto Latin-American menus across the city. Borinquen closed in 2018; Borinquen Lounge on California Avenue carries the family recipe, and a dozen other Humboldt Park kitchens serve their own. The seasoning (a Puerto Rican mojo of garlic, oregano, olive oil and lime) is what separates a good jibarito from a passable one.
3 editor picks for Jibarito in Chicago, ranked by editorial score. All Chicago signature dishes · Jibarito across every city.
Borinquen Lounge in Chicago is the North Center Puerto Rican kitchen on Western Avenue from the family that invented the jibarito in Humboldt Park.
OrderJibarito, mofongo
TipOrder the steak jibarito with garlic-mayo. The mofongo is the second visit; the jibarito is the first.
Papa's Cache Sabroso is the Humboldt Park Puerto Rican kitchen on Division Street that locals send first-time jibarito eaters to: BYOB, green chilli sauce.
OrderJibarito, lechon, pollo a la brasa
TipOrder the jibarito de bistec with the homemade green chilli sauce on the side; ask for extra garlic. Cash and card both fine, but bring your own beer.
La Bomba is the Humboldt Park-to-Logan Square Puerto Rican counter on Armitage, jibaritos and a deep seafood list of camarones al ajillo, closed Tuesdays.
OrderJibarito, mofongo, Puerto Rican seafood
TipSteak jibarito first visit, camarones al ajillo over rice the second. Closed Tuesdays; weekend lunches are the calm window.
Jibarito makes more sense with someone from Chicago explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Taste the finest examples of Artisan, Neapolitan, Detroit Style, and Chicago deep-dish pizza on this professionally guided walking tour that takes you to highly-rated ...
Water activity · 2h 30m
An unforgettable celebration of holiday cheer and fine dining awaits on our Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan. Enjoy a 3-course plated dinner, an on board D...
2 hours
Make pasta night feel like a full Italian escape in this fun 4-course cooking class in Chicago. Learn to roll ravioli from scratch, prepare a vodka sauce and a veggie ...
