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    Nellie's

    3.9 (504 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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    NELLIE'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Nellie's

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    pastelon
    Nazia C.

    I came with my family of 12 for my daughter's birthday. They have a menu but they also have a lovely brunch buffet. Buffet items include continental breakfast like bacon, sausage, and potatoes, and Puerto Rican specialties like pastelon, arroz con gandules, and maduros. The avena de coco (coconut oatmeal) is a must try. It's included in the buffet. The café con leche was delightful too! There is an omelet station with a variety of ingredients to add to your eggs. It takes about 5 minutes for him to prepare each omelet. The buffet also has cereal, toast, and flan! Honestly it's good food and the price is very reasonable. Early on a Saturday it's pretty easy to find street parking in the area as well. Give it a try!

    Avena de Coco
    Sam L.

    Delicious puerto rican restaurant in Humboldt Park that I've heard lots of good things about. I've lived in the area for 20+ years and have been meaning to come to this restaurant for a while, and finally made my way over there this weekend. The space is nice with plenty of seating and the staff are super friendly and attentive. We ordered the famous avena de coco and the el coqui sandwich to split, along with some cafe con leche. Everything was so delicious! The oatmeal was very creamy and cinnamony, and the sandwich had some amazing flavors. I definitely hope to be back to try the brunch buffet some time!

    Buffet breakfast plate
    Ci H.

    Went for the buffet. It's around $25 & includes coffee & juice. I was not asked if I wanted refills as the waitress never came round again. I was not told tip was already added for a large party until I already paid extra tip via the hand held machine. The buffet first round fried chicken & rice tasted like leftovers (cold too) but the newly replenished ones tasted fresh. Highlights were the omelet station. The chef was super nice & created my omelet very skillfully. It has special Puerto Rican spices ,is super delicious & not to be missed. I also enjoyed the waffles with the delicious toppings of fresh cream & strawberry. Bacon, sausages, potatoes & plantains were good. Some type of lasagna was also tasty. I did not think the famous coconut oatmeal was that great. Overall, good to try once for a different take on breakfast.

    The food was great and the service was good. Their was a long wait time but, I would definitely go back there for the Jibarito.

    Jibarito with fries.
    Jon B.

    The service is very nice and inviting, the ambiance is great for a small busy cafe. The food was decent the coconut oatmeal was very good, my Jibarito and fries was a bit soggy but I don't think they were prepared for a lunch early in the morning.

    Puerto Rican fried chicken and pulled pork
    Gyamfua G.

    Nellie's was amazing! This was a last minute brunch selection and though they were busy we made a reservation on open table for 12:45 and was seated quickly. Our seating was in their event space that was a separate entrance on the 2nd floor. The event space was very spacious with lots of folding tables covered with white table cloth. The servers were very quick and super nice! The food spread was plentiful with a good selection of Puerto Rican specialties including Puerto Rican oatmeal, fresh plantains, rice and the most amazing and flavorful pulled pork. I was so full I didn't get to try the omelet station. The desserts were amazing as well. I would definitely recommend this buffet to anyone looking for a tasty Sunday brunch for a reasonable price!

    Mofongo Relleno con Caldito de Pollo
    Mona T.

    Overall Thoughts: The food was solid with hearty portions, but the flavors were blander / more mild than expected. Despite having a reservation for Friday brunch, we waited a pretty long time to get seated; the service was very friendly but slow overall. The interior has a nice vibe and feels very homey. Prices are not bad and pretty standard for brunch food (came out to ~$22 per person + tax/tip). I'd want to come back to try their weekend breakfast buffet! Food I tried: - Avena de Coco (Coconut Oatmeal): Sweet with a pretty strong cinnamon flavor; the coconut flavor was mostly at the bottom. I love oatmeal and thought it was pretty good. - Jibarito Bowl with Steak: The steak was tender and flavorful, the rice and sauce were delicious, and the portion was generous. I wish it were more garlicky though, to really capture to jibarito flavor. - Nellie's Breakfast Special: Probably my least favorite of everything we ordered... The eggs were pretty bland and slightly overcooked. I really liked the toasted bread though-- it had a soft pillowy interior and crunchy exterior. It barely contained any plantains, but I wish it had more for a sweeter flavor. - Mofongo Relleno Con Caldito de Pollo: This was a dense and filling dish of stuffed mashed plantains. I liked the texture, but found the flavor a bit lacking-- the garlic flavor was much more mild than I would've hoped / liked. -- Price (relative to peers): 4.4/5 Food: 4.2/5 Ambience: 4.5/5 Service: 4.1/5 Overall Value: 4.2/5

    Jibarito Bowl veggie
    Stacie D.

    Was in Humboldt park and needed a vegetarian meal. I popped in hoping they would have something I could eat. They do have a few veggie options on the menu. I got veggie Jibarito bowl. It was beautiful and colorful and fresh and delicious. Staff is very nice. Will return for sure.

    Jamón y queso sándwich and Mofongo Relleno con Caldito de Pollo
    Marlene S.

    Came in on a Sunday afternoon. I made a reservation online but it was pretty slow so I could've been fine walking in. Service was okay, nothing out of this world. We had just missed the break buffet so we went ahead and ordered from the menu. I went with the jamón y queso sándwich with tostones instead of fries. I also got a passion fruit juice. My friend ordered the mofongo relleno with caldo to de pollo. His looks really good and he enjoyed it. He Ali had a raspberry Italian soda. Over all tasty food with okay service!

    Heather B.

    Fabulous oatmeal. 5 stars Fabulous French toast. 5 stars Quick service. I ordered out for lunch. I've had other menu items, but these two are my favorite.

    Rose P.

    Been wanting to try this place for years and I'm glad I finally was able to. Came for Sunday brunch and was seated immediately. Place is cozy and seating is limited. The buffet was set up in the back but ordering off the menu was also available if that's what you fancy... buffet was a little smaller than what I had imagined but we were informed they used to have an omelette station and they were currently looking for a new cook. It made no difference to me- because the food was itself was enough for me. My favs were the sweet plantain and egg casserole, the maduros, the arroz con gandules, and the chicharron con pollo... and and let's not forget about the coconut oatmeal!! Yum, yum, and yum! They also had regular breakfast items like French toast, bacon/sausage, potatoes, eggs, cereal, and some pastries- but I didn't go there to eat food I can make myself...

    Inside
    Jessica W.

    This is a cute little spot in Humboldt Park. It is a cozy cafe inside with lots of Puerto Rican art giving it a homey feel. The brunch buffet is a great value with tasty options. It's a good mix of traditional and authentic Puerto Rican. Loved the waffles, omelets, plantains, chicharrones and rice.

    Front entrance to restaurant and outdoor seating
    Norman O.

    A trip to the Chi during the Easter holiday, and we just came across Nellie's. They were serving an Easter holiday buffet, I have to say, it was amazing! Of course, we had to make a reservation due to the holiday. 2nd floor, and it was on! It was set up like a catered buffet but was cooked, prepped at location. Pastelon was good, I loved the plantains in this dish! Maduros (plantains), Lechon (Cuban roast pork), Chicharron de Pollo (Puerto Rican fried chicken), very nice tender, crisp crust, very good. Ensalada de Papa (potato salad) looked very tasty, not overcooked as it sits out. We also had the pleasure of having a cook to prepare omelets or scrambled eggs, who were personable. After breakfast/brunch, there was the dessert table to take care of. Of all the wonderful desserts, my favorite was the coconut custard, chilled, very good. Happy Easter all

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    13 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Service was HORRIBLE. Way overpriced and overrated. Don't waste your time or your money!

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Outstanding brunch and normal menu. Gotta try the oatmeal!

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    14 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Nellie's is a great place for breakfast. The coconut oatmeal is stupid good. Can't wait to come back.

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Awesome coconut oatmeal! Eggs made to order. Not a huge buffet but everything was tasty!

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    11 years ago

    Best egg sandwich ever. Big, delicious and great price. Good coffee too, with refills. Enjoyed. Thanks.

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    10 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Great food, especially the coconut oatmeal!! Been there numerous times. Never let down.

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    15 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Pablo E.

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    Page 13 of 13

    Nellie's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nellie's

    Do they sell alcohol or is it BYOB? Any corkage fee?

    It's BYOB and no corkage fee

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    El Mofonguito

    El Mofonguito

    4.2
    (65 reviews)
    1.5 mi
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    I like this lil spot.. I was just driving pass hungry one day and decided to stop in. Kinda small…read morelocation but they make the best of it.. i ordered tostones which are fried plantains and fried pork belly...which is exactly what it sounds like. I was a huge fan of the tostones, it was crispy and crunchy and fried to perfection. They put tooo much garlic oil on mines but still edible. I was not a huge fan of the fried pork belly.. it was like I liked it bc I was hungry but I didn't like it enough to come back and order it again.. I think it was the seasoning and it was overly salty for me... besides that it was cooked to perfection. Maybe I need to come back and try something else on the menu but for now it's not a place I would rush back to and eat at.. I'm sorry I hate being mean but I have to be honest.

    Was looking for Puerto Rican food and came upon the reviews of El Mofonguito…read more Parking is a little tough but we came early and were able to find street parking. We were greeted with a smile and guided to choose our own table. A basket of bread and butter was brought over promptly. I ordered appetizers, tostones rellenos de lechón and carne frita. They came out at the same time as the entrees. It only took about 10 minutes! We ordered a volcan with steak in red sauce (mofongo relleno de bistec en salsa), breaded chicken breast and lechón with arroz con gandules. The food was spectacular! Everything was very well seasoned and reminded me of home (born and raised in PR, moved here as an adult). I would definitely recommend that anyone come here for authentic Puerto Rican food. Be mindful that they are very generous with their portion sizes. We ended up taking about half of it home. There are worse problems one can have. :-)

    Photos
    Flag
    Flag
    Tostones
    Tostones
    Bistek encebollado, arroz y habichuelas

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    Bistek encebollado, arroz y habichuelas
    Papa's Cache Sabroso

    Papa's Cache Sabroso

    4.2
    (680 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    If you are looking for an authentic Puerto Rican spot this is a great spot. It is a smaller spot…read moreand fills up quick. We got takeout and it is a great takeout place. They were fast and efficient. They offer everything authentic jibaritos, chicken, and different types of plates as well. The staff is friendly and it is family owned. A great and cheap spot to grab dinner.

    I'll start by saying this was a spur of the moment meal well after the 2026 Puerto Rican parade on…read moreSaturday June 13th had ended. A friend and I decided to hit the Humboldt Park area (Western/Division) and take in some Borinqueña atmosphere and sights. After walking up and down Division Street awhile we stumbled upon Papa's Cache Sabroso. The place was jumping! The weather was amazingly gorgeous and outdoor seating was packed. There was a line for seating and takeout. The friendly host was doing an amazing job of keeping it all organized. We chose takeout and ordered a steak Jibarito con arroz y gandules and a side order of plátano maduro all totaling $22.27. As another reviewer noted it is a tad pricey but not overly so. It took about 20+ minutes to get the food...but like their sign states, something on the order of, "this is not a fast food place and good food takes time, please be patient". The Jibarito tasted good overall like other Jibaritos I've had in the past, however my friend commented that although the steak was flavorful, it was a tad chewy and I would slightly agree. The mayo, tomato and garlic kind of brings it all together for me, but I would've liked way more garlic...and there was even a small container of garlic "sauce", but it was very light on the mashed garlic paste. Whenever I dipped my plátano maduro, I couldn't get any pieces of garlic on until most of the olive oil was gone. The rice was standard and flavorful and I really did enjoy the plátano maduro. I would probably return to try the garlic chicken.

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    Papa's Cache Sabroso
    The outdoor patio is nice and small.
    The outdoor patio is nice and small.
    Papa's Cache Sabroso

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    Marinas Bistro & Rum Bar

    Marinas Bistro & Rum Bar

    4.5
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    4.5 mi

    This unassuming little spot in a veritable United Nations of Food strip mall is a hidden gem in…read moreChicago. Friendly, helpful, busting their butts service (I'm talking to YOU Anna and chef owner!) will ensure you have an excellent meal, perfect drinks and a great time at incredible value prices. Standouts were: the soup of the day (plantain and cilantro-- never had anything like but would like to have it again !), the lechon with a side of make taro that put mashed potatoes to shame--we didn't know that pork could be that juicy and garlic-ful. Also had the eggplant starter (almost like fried green tomatoes) and then the bread pudding with coconut ice-cream. We had a couple of well balanced creative cocktails, a great Spanish red, and some premium rum to round things out. It was crowded and we didn't have reservations (with make that mistake again) but were squeezed in at the 4 seat bar and well served by aforementioned Anna who didn't steer us wrong. Appropriate Latin music and tasteful tropical wallpaper and greenery made for a lively atmosphere. We don't live far so will be back. No matter where you live, you should make a reservation and go too! Small crowded parking lot, street parking, as always-- recommend public transit.

    We made a reservation since there were six of us. It is very small inside so plan ahead. My friends…read moretried to eat here on Sunday night, but they were told the restaurant had run out of food. So we tried again on Friday. The service was exceptional. We loved our waitress. Everyone enjoyed their food. The craft cocktails were also good. If you are looking for authentic Puerto Rican food, you should try this spot.

    Photos
    Dining room, small bar
    Dining room, small bar
    Lechon Asada with majado (mashed taro)
    Lechon Asada with majado (mashed taro)
    Booth area

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    Booth area
    The Jibarito Stop

    The Jibarito Stop

    4.3
    (480 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Went in on a Thursday afternoon for lunch. The place was packed not a single table available. The…read moredining area is a bit on the smaller side but still a decent size. You go to the counter to place your order. The guy taking my order at the counter seemed like he was rushing me to complete my order but otherwise everyone else was nice and accommodating. The food order was placed and the food was brought out to the table. I got a half Jibarito with steak. The flavors were incredible and the steak was tender and juicy. I also got a beef empanada, which was also packed with meat and flavors were delicious. Lastly I also got a bacalaito just as something extra to try. It was basically a flat crispy fish fritter and was so good I had to eat the whole thing. Overall the food was quite delicious and packed with flavor. Definitely give them a try if you're in the area you won't be disappointed with the food.

    This review is for their new location on Wabash...it was different going to this location. It was…read moremissing a community vibe but I do understand and respect them for moving on. As u know parking is non-existent so I had a friend double park while I go in. They have an order kiosk that accepts credit and debit cards. They only take cash at the cashiers. I placed my order with a helpful rep. They had a crowd there, didn't wait long for food. Left and checked bag for all items ordered and the beans were missing so I had to drive around the block again which is horrible due to construction. Decor is decent, not really feeling a home vibe. Will I be back? Hmmmm maybe if I had a concert/event nearby but the parking will be a deal breaker plus forgetting items u ordered.

    Photos
    Jibarito Shop
    Jibarito Shop
    White Rice and Beans (sm)
    White Rice and Beans (sm)
    The Jibarito Stop

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    Nellie's - breakfast_brunch - Updated June 2026

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