Jibaritos Chicago Celebrates 10 Years of Bringing Authentic Puerto Rican Flavor to the Windy City

This April 1st marks the 10th anniversary of Jibaritos y Más, the beloved Chicago Puerto Rican restaurant known for its signature jibarito sandwich and rich Latin flavors that has since grown to three Chicago locations. Since opening its doors in 2016, the family-owned business has become a local culinary staple, delighting generations of diners and celebrating Puerto Rican food culture throughout the city. In celebration of the anniversary, free jibaritos will be available from 7am until 12pm at their 3400 West Fullerton location in honor of the 10-year anniversary. 

Founded a decade ago by Yelitza Rivera, a Venezuelan native with nearly 20 years of experience cooking in Puerto Rican kitchens, Jibaritos y Más began as a modest corner spot in Logan Square. Rivera’s deep roots in Latin cooking and her connection to the community helped turn her vision into reality, serving authentic, freshly prepared dishes inspired by traditional Puerto Rican and Latin American cuisine.

Rivera’s son, Jesus Arrieta, joined the venture early on, working alongside his mother to grow the brand and deepen the business’s community impact. Together, they nurtured the restaurant from its original location into a thriving local favorite, known for its flavorful jibarito sandwiches which are a Chicago-born creation featuring crispy fried green plantains in place of bread.

Over the past decade, Jibaritos y Más expanded into three vibrant Chicago neighborhoods: Logan Square, Harlem Avenue, and Archer Avenue, bringing its unique blend of tradition and innovation to diners across the city:

• Jibaritos y Más (Logan Square) – The original location that started it all.
• Jibaritos on Harlem – A community-favorite spot on Chicago’s northwest side.
• Jibaritos y Más Southside – Welcoming guests with Puerto Rican classics on the South Side.

What began as a single storefront has grown into a Chicago institution where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy hearty jibaritos, savory lechón asado, ropa vieja, yuca fries, and more, all while experiencing the warmth of family-driven hospitality. The jibarito is a true Chicago original, created within the city’s Puerto Rican community in the 1990s and inspired by the Caribbean patacón, a twice-fried green plantain traditionally enjoyed in Puerto Rico and across Latin America, including Maracaibo. Chicago cooks transformed the patacón into a sandwich by replacing bread with crispy green plantains and filling it with steak, garlic, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Through Jibaritos y Más, the jibarito was elevated from a neighborhood favorite to a citywide staple, served consistently, authentically, and at scale to generations of Chicagoans.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate ten years of serving our Chicago community,” said Yelitza Rivera. “This journey has been about more than great food. It’s about sharing our culture, our traditions, and making everyone who walks through our doors feel like family.” Added Arrieta, “We are so grateful for our loyal following, and they all truly feel like family to us. It is our honor to play a part in some big events in their lives through our catering, from graduations to weddings to birthdays to anniversaries.”  

As Jibaritos Chicago marks this milestone, the team remains committed to preserving authentic Latin flavors while continuing to innovate and delight customers with fresh menu offerings and community-centered experiences.

Jibaritos Chicago also specializes in providing exquisite catering services for a wide range of events. Whether it's a corporate gathering, a wedding, or a private celebration, they are dedicated to delivering an exceptional culinary experience that will impress, offering customizable menus and professional service.

For more information, visit jibaritoschicago.com and follow Jibaritos Chicago on social media to join in the anniversary celebrations throughout April.

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