La Bomba — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

The only time I go to "La Bomba" is when I have my dog groomed at Salon Dog (on Fullerton, east of California Ave). I have to kill 2 hours of time, so I always go here and grab a bite to eat. I recommend their Jibarito (pronounced "He-ba-ree-toe"). If you can say Doritos you can say Jibarito. It is a thinly sliced steak sandwich with tomatoes, lettuce, garlic and white or American cheese on two slices of thin plantain. The plantain serves as the bread. They are crispy and deep fried. I also recommend their empanadas (filled with ham & cheese or just ground beef) and budin (pudding dessert) or pastelillos (flaky pastry with white powdered sugar on top filled with guava). Street parking only. Parking can be challenging if you come at peak times, but it is not impossible to find a legal spot. Check your food before you leave the restaurant (if you take out/carry out). I have been here many times over the years. They have made mistakes on my order several times, which is why I ALWAYS check everything before I leave. You can also dine in which is nice if you are not in a hurry. The dining area is towards the back. The front of the restaurant looks small and dumpy, the back part is very nice with ample tables, a large fish tank with beautiful, exotic fish. There is also a flat screen TV. This restaurant is family owned and has been here for over 7 years. The people who work at La Bomba are very friendly/nice. If you are not sure about what to order, ask your Server for a recommendation. Their yellow Puerto Rican rice is very tasty with small chunks of ham. The take-out (carry out) service is somewhat slow at times, but you can call the restaurant and place your order. This way, you can walk into the joint, pay for your order and leave quickly. Service can be slow at times (when they are very busy). The price point is very good. I spent $9 and change (tax included) on a Jibarito sandwich, pastelillo (and potato filled with ground beef (also called papa rellena or patata rellena). The papa rellena is breaded on the exterior and baked in the oven. However, I believe they deep-fry theirs -- as opposed to being baked in a conventional oven). The stuff potato is a very good, generous size appetizer. La Bomba has LOTS of very good choices, but be aware that MOST of the food is fried (not grilled or broiled or baked). If you have high BP or high cholesterol, please watch your intake here. The food is always fresh, delicious and made to order. I love Puerto Rican food! La Bomba will not break your budget. This is very, very authentic PR food. GO FOR...

I have heard alot of buzz about La Bomba and have been trying to plan a visit, but simply could not wait so I decided to have some for lunch. I called in my order at 12:35 and when I arrived at 1:25pm , there was one customer placing an order at the register. There are three young ladies behind the register/counter and not once greeted me. I stood infront of the counter where food is at for about 10 mins before someone asked what I needed. I told the young lady I was there for a pickup. So she shouts to the others. Did you take a pick up order?!!! While I am waiting there is a bunch of back and forth from the young ladies on who did what, and who didn't pack what. There were two phone calls/ complaints about incomplete orders, and one young lady is complaining about that girl is always messing up! So finally it's my turn I go up and she asked what I needed. I told her I was there for a pick up. she said what did you have..I told her alot of stuff I ordered about 12 different items and no one took my name or phone number when I placed my order. So she figured out which order was mine then went on to tell me there were no alcapurria's, did I want something else. I picked something else. She then starts to wrap up all my food. while the other two girls are loudly in the back going back and forth again about who did what! Finally I get my order packed away..get rung up and while my credit card receipt is printing the girl who is attending me gets into a conversation between the driver and another employee. I cut her off and explained I only have an hour lunch and half of it was spent standing here! Can I please have my receipt. I walked out of the resturant at 1:50pm. 25mins later of my just picking up an order!!! I get back to work...food is cold..we had to warm up in the microwave, MY order is wrong and my steak sandwich is soggy! All I could do is apologize to my coworkers for even suggestion La Bomba. Needless to say I nor any of my co-workers will be...

If I could give this place a -10 I would! This place is HORRIBLE. A week before Christmas, I ordered a 10 pound tray of pernil for Christmas day. They said they could deliver at 3 pm on Christmas day and gave me a total of $114 to pay upon delivery. 3 pm on Christmas day arrived and all guests at the Christmas party were waiting for the pernil to arrive. These clowns not only did not show up, they didn't even have the decency to call so we called them and the guy who answers the phone (who by the way doesn't even answer with the establishment name, 1st red flag) says he can't find my order and starts asking what we ordered and when the order was placed. I thought it was a bad joke, I put the order in a week in advance but what a nightmare of a restaurant this is!! they finally said they found the order and will be delivering in 20 minutes. Mind you, this is 20 minutes after they were supposed to arrive and I have hungry guests waiting to be fed on CHRISTMAS DAY!! So 20 minutes go by and THE SAME THING. They do not arrive, they do not call so we called AGAIN. At this point the clown on the phone says "I have good news and bad news. which one do you want?" Really??? Stop playing and tell me where my order is!! Completely distasteful, these people are a disgusting disappointment! so the guy proceeds to tell us he only has 5 pounds ready and he could give us 5 pounds of some other meat we didn't even order. We ended up canceling the order and ordering chicken from Popeyes which showed up on time and was exactly as expexted. Stay away from La Bomba, they are not a serious establishment, completely unprofessional, unpleasant and unreliable!!! Call them if you want to be...