The popular Puerto Rican spot has a new prime location downtown.
The owners of The Jibarito Stop recently submitted a liquor license application at 174 N Wabash Avenue in The Loop. This follows the closure of their 1646 W 18th Street location late last year due to a fire. Co-owner Ana Rodriguez told What Now Chicago she is hoping to open the restaurant sometime in the spring, perhaps April.
Jibarito Stop first opened in Pilsen in 2015, serving Puerto Rican cuisine to the Lower West Side neighborhood. The fire that occurred last year made reopening at the W 18th Street location difficult. They had been considering a new location since September, and due to the damage, the owners ultimately decided to find a new home downtown.
“After a lot of reflection and difficult conversations, we’ve made the decision to move forward and begin a new chapter,” says a recent post from the restaurant.
Jibarito Stop’s new location is in the heart of The Loop, at the corner of N Wabash and E Benton Place. Also at this building are Panda Express and Taco Bell restaurants, along with a The Halal Guys location. This building is attached to the famous Chicago Theater concert hall.
Some of Jibarito’s popular menu items include the beef empanada and steak jibarito, a fried plantain sandwich packed with veggies and sauces and brushed with garlic oil. They also serve fritters, filled with options of cheese, meats and potatoes. Rodriguez said a new breakfast menu will be introduced at the new restaurant.
Right now, construction is ongoing to prepare for the spring opening. More information on Jibarito Stop and the new location can be found on their Facebook page.
