We recently visited Humboldt Park in search of the legendary Jibarito sandwich, a Puerto Rican concoction served in only a handful of eateries around the city. Customer reviews pointed to one restaurant: Borinquen. On to the sandwich review!
Steak Jibarito (grilled steak, lettuce, tomato, mayo, served on fried plantain)
Obviously, the Jibarito starts off sounding like your run-of-the-mill steak sandwich...that is, until you realize it's served on two generous slices fried plantain. WHAAA? Right now, you're probably thinking, "I bet that sandwich is awesome." If so, you're correct. The cooled veggies, succulent steak, and hot, crisp plantain make for a flavor explosion words cannot describe. And don't forget to pile on some of their homemade hot sauce for an extra kick in the ass. The folks at Borinquen also include some Puerto Rican-style rice and beans, all for a price that puts Chipotle to shame. My only criticism is that the steak was a bit on the chewy side, but to be clear, the experience as a whole is well worth your time.
