Local Eats: Who Needs Bread? Not Chicago’s ‘Borinquen’ Specialty Sandwich

Photo: Sky Full of Bacon

Twitter: @AndreaGompf

Long before KFC was clogging our arteries with the “Double Down” (a sandwich that uses two fried chicken filets instead of bread), there was El Jibarito. The brainchild of Borinquen owner Juan Figueroa, the sandwich switches out bread for platanos that are fried stiff and crispy – they bookend steak, melted cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a garlicky sauce mix that is highly addictive.

Much like caesar salads and california rolls – which have no place in actual Italian and Japanese cuisines respectively –  most people in Puerto Rico have probably never heard of the Jibarito sandwich. But since inventing it in 1996, the Jibarito has spread to other Puerto Rican spots around Chi-town, including Papa’s Cache Sabroso and Ponce.

Is it heartburn in a delicious package? Yes. But who cares, it’s delicious. Pick up some Tums and head over to one of the spots below to get your greasy, garlicky fix.