Puerto Ricans Love Jibaritos And So Should You

Today I hit up the city (Chicago) to hang out with my brother from another mother Alex. Pretty much me and Alex have the same mindset when it comes to picking a place to eat which is we are down for going wherever the other person we're with wants to go and we not picky eaters. Seeing as it is his birthday tomorrow and really just an excuse for him to pick where we should eat, I ended up picking a place he had been hyping up for a while. Yes you read that right, it was his choice and I ended picking where we would eat. The conversation went as followed within a minute timeframe:

Me: Since it's your birthday, where you want to eat?
Alex: I don't care.
Me: What about that one Puerto Rican place you keep talking about?
Alex: Yeah that's cool.
Me: Alright let's go.

I imagine that's the general experience folks get with me when it comes to deciding where to eat. I don't usually "crave" particular food and am up for anything food wise. Karen on the other hand is the opposite and has specifics in mind although she tries to claim she is "up for anything." Which once again I have no problem with cause I'll eat whatever whenever.

We ended up at The Jibarito Stop (http://thejibaritostop.com/) located in the Pilsen neighborhood, which is a predominately Mexican community. I could be mistaken but The Jibarito Stop is the only Puerto Rican restaurant on the south/west side of Chicago that I am aware of. Most Puerto Rican restaurants/shops are typically around Humboldt Park, which is the predominately Puerto Rican community in the north/west side of Chicago. In case you're unaware of where it is and or if it is predominately Puerto Rican,  you can be clued in by the giant art depiction of the  Puerto Rican flag that is known as the gateway to Paseo Boricua by Division and Western Ave. #TheMoreYouKnow.

Geographic lessons aside, The Jibarito Stop was pretty fantastic for my first visit to it. Their menu is small but hits the major Puerto Rican food groups in my opinion. Naturally if you're going to a place that has one item as part of its name, you have to order it. I mean you wouldn't go to a Chinese Restaurant and order a burger...unless you're my youngest brother Amir back in the day then yes you would. Actually it might be possible that he would do that even today. That kid...SMH. Before I forget for those who have never had one, a Jibarito is a sandwich that uses fried plantains instead of bread.

I ended up ordering a Pernil (slow roasted pork shoulder) Jibarito sandwich with Arroz con Gandules and a side Papa Rellena (stuffed potato ball). I went with that as Alex had ordered a Bistec (steak) Jibarito. As a foodie and probably some other neurological disorder, I don't typically like to order the same thing as someone else that I'm with (unless there are no options). I think pretty much its a strategy to get larger sample/evaluation of a place...or I really love sharing food. Probably the latter.

The Pernil Jibarito included the pork shoulder, lettuce, tomato, mayo, garlic, and American cheese. Cheese wise you could choose from three types: American, Pepper Jack, or Chihuahua. Their Jibaritos come with a side of either Arroz con Gandules (yellow rice and pigeon peas) or Arroz Blanco con Habichuelas (white rice and red beans). I went with American cause I love chanting U-S-A! whenever I can which I blame Hacksaw Jim Duggan for instilling in me during my formative years. Also had to see how their Arroz con Gandules stood up against my homemade version. Also love me Papa Rellena to the point that if I see it on any menu at any restaurant I'm most likely going to order it about 90% of the time.

Pernil Jibarito w/ Arroz con Gandules

Papa Rellena 

Alex's Bistec Jibarito included the same items as mine but also had onions and he opted for the Pepper Jack cheese. As true brothers and foodies should do, we swapped half our Jibaritos (not a euphemism). Funny enough we just exchanged them without discussing/asking about it. Pretty much picked up the half of the sandwich at the same time and just swapped them. 

Bistec Jibarito w/ Arroz con Gandules

For the record if you ever go out to eat with me- yes I will try your food about 95% of the time and will share my food 100% of the time. The only reason I say 95% of the time for trying is in the instance where I have been to a place and have tried that particular item and/or you are currently sick. That being said all the food we ordered was pretty tasty and fulfilling. I would highly recommend giving this place a try if you're in Chicago. On the about page of the Jibarito Stop website the last line states: "You can't call yourself a food junkie if you haven't had our food!" I fully concur with that statement.

#Foodie4Life

-Reef-