El Jibarito was a huge hit with our family of 10 and easily one of our favorite meals in Old San Juan.
We ordered a variety of appetizers and entrées, and honestly, every dish we ordered was a hit with our family. The appetizers were especially popular with the kids--they were flavorful, easy to eat, and disappeared quickly.
I ordered the pork chop with yellow rice, and it was incredibly well seasoned. Mine was tender and delicious, although my mom and brother mentioned theirs were a little on the tougher side. Even so, they still enjoyed the flavor. My sister loved the garlic chicken with rice and beans, while my brother enjoyed the tamales with a side of mofongo. My husband ordered the shrimp entrée, which came with a generous amount of shrimp. The portion was so filling that he couldn't finish it. My dad ordered the ribs, which looked delicious, but I never got the chance to try them.
As visitors to Puerto Rico, this was exactly the kind of local meal we were hoping to find.
The restaurant has a cozy, homey atmosphere that made us feel comfortable as soon as we walked in. During our visit, it was a nice mix of locals and visitors, which added to the experience. The staff was warm, friendly, and attentive throughout our meal. I'm not sure if the restaurant is family-owned, but everyone worked so well together and had such a friendly rapport that it gave the restaurant a family-run feel, making the experience even more welcoming.
The drinks were also enjoyable. The mango daiquiri was a little sweeter than I personally prefer, but it was refreshing after walking around Old San Juan. We also asked for their house hot sauce on the side, and wow--it paired perfectly with almost everything we ordered and added an extra kick of flavor.
If you're exploring Old San Juan and looking for delicious Puerto Rican comfort food in a cozy, welcoming setting, El Jibarito is definitely worth a visit. We'd happily come back on our next trip. read more