Jibaritos on Harlem — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

I ordered two steak sandwiches. The cashier said they'll call my name and it'll take 20 minutes. Odd I thought, shouldn't take that long but I did observe there were alot of ppl and it was lunch time. After 25 minutes, I didn't see the cashier that took my order, but saw another employee at the counter.I went to the counter and said, 'hello! I've been waiting for 25 minutes. The man that took my order said it'll be ready in 20. I'm just wondering how much longer it'll take.' He then said give me a minute. And walked away, I said do you need my name to check my order? He said something that basically was rude and unhelpful. The cashier then said 'they haven't called your name yet?! It'll be another 10 to 15' The issue I have isn't the wait(thats a 3rd of this), but the rude customer service. Also there were 5 waiters/cashiers, some just walking around, another on a phone texting. Instead of spending capital on wait staff, utilize that capital for linecooks to speed up the process of cooking of asimple steak sandwich. They're the only PR place within the 10mile radius so yes they have a niche. If my wife didn't request me going here, I wouldn't again. I fact I'm not. In short. Rude staff, long wait, overly priced for 2 sandwiches The sandwiches were okay. The steak was tough, barely seasoned. The bottom bread was overly toasted. The top was perfect. Onions were slightly Sautéed, but didn't used sweet onions for some reason. A sliced of American cheese. Very simple, basic, zero sauce, more American then PR,...

We visited the Jibarito restaurant in Harlem again, which is marketed as offering Puerto Rican flavors.

The people working there are not friendly and serve customers in a robotic manner. They are not helpful. You have to ask for basic things like dressing an d salt for the salad, and they take a long time to bring them.

Unfortunately, the food didn’t resemble Puerto Rican cuisine at all. The arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) had an unexpected spicy flavor, and it didn’t taste like traditional Puerto Rican rice. The beefsteak encebollado (steak with onions) lacked the distinct vinegar and onion flavor; instead, it tasted more like Mexican carnitas. Puerto Rican food is not supposed to be spicy at all.

It feels misleading to advertise the food as Puerto Rican when the cooks, who are from a different nationality, use spices from other countries. While they may be skilled in cooking, this alters the original flavors that people expect when they come here. One comes looking for the food promised by the Puerto Rican flag and the sign, but unfortunately, that is not what is being served.

I have no problem with giving job opportunities to those who need it. However, if they are going to say they're selling Puerto Rican food, they need to make sure that's what they are serving. Honestly, the food today was bad.

Puerto Ricans are kind, joyful, and helpful people. Our joy sets us apart. There is none of that in this restaurant that claims to be...

Excellent soft JIBARITO, and Steak portion. Good size & moist MOFONGO.

1-star less as (1) American Cheese on Jibarito masks real protein season/flavor; (2) lame cafe and overpriced cafe con leche; (3) misleading pics as the Jibarito's have side orders of Puerto Rican rice (totaling $10+ per dish); (4) AVOID overpriced side dishes & drinks.

1-star less for giving me boxes on a non-existent table service (yet you are expected to tip) even though I asked 2x: "Can you box this for me?". SERVICE here is actually a COUNTER SERVICE (no tip necessary) where they bring you food.

THE MOST AMUSING FOOD SERVICE: (1) Free Bread, (2) Dessert, (3) Cafe con Leche, (3) Side of Mofongo, (4) Jibarito (Main), (5) Side of Maduros. When I had ALL these dishes on the table, Server asked: "Would you like dessert?" 🤔 I don't think she recognized their own product when BUDIN stares back at her!

Here, the subjective "AUTHENTIC" only relates to ONESELF, not the collective Puerto Rican. (1) Jibarito came into Chicago consciousness in 1996 (read history). [True, as none of the SAN JUAN restaurants had it in 2009 when we visited PR]. Other cultures has a similar dish as well. (2) When did Puerto Rican coffee become a singular espresso? NUMERO UNO BEACH HOUSE brewed a bottomless, strong drip coffee, and YOU pour milk & sugar. (3) SAN JUAN, PR has better service!

It's SAFE to say, Puerto Ricans CLAIMED Jibarito and made it popular.

Jibaritos serves the LUXURY CONDOS on...