The Berwyn Jibarito, JT's

We were heading toward the Depot after the dog training class last night when Bill mentioned some Mexican restaurant on the south side of Roosevelt that was supposed to be great but only open for lunch. Maybe it was now open for supper too. So we cruised more slowly and stopped in front of a small brightly-lit place that advertised tacos and burritos. I noticed it also had a big vertical sign for jiberitos, which I thought intriguing.

It turns out that whatever place Bill was thinking of, this wasn't it since the present owners have had it only six months. It's very small--a bunch of stools in front of a couple of very narrow counters and one small table for two. The menu offers everything--Italian beef, Polish sausage, burgers, etc. Bill got the asada tacos and found them thoroughly undistinguished. I asked about the jibarito. It turns out that the owner's wife--who was manning (womaning? staffing? running?) the grill-- is Puerto Rican. They told me that steak was the traditional filling, but personally, they both preferred the chicken. And even though it was advertised with fries, would I like it with rice? I'd noticed a grandmother in the back and had a good feeling about the rice and said definitely with rice. Here it is.

Now here's the problem. This was my first jibarito. It was terrific. As was the rice. But I have not the foggiest idea how it stands up to other jibaritos in town. Maybe if I knew my jibaritos it would be as forgettable as the tacos. So consider this an alert. I couldn't find the address anywhere, and forgot to make note of it, but it's a block or two west of Austin on the south side of Roosevelt. They also offer fried plantains, which the owner told me are great as well. And he has a little grill-top smoker and is hoping to get into BBQ too. I'm not sure this is the best business plan, but he's clearly passionate and energetic so I wish him the best.

JT's
6100? West Roosevelt
Berwyn, IL

It looks great (except for that pallid winter tomato).

Ann Fisher wrote:This was my first jibarito. It was terrific. As was the rice. But I have not the foggiest idea how it stands up to other jibaritos in town.

Ann,

As LAZ says, jibarito looks great, and as you thought it "terrific" then it was terrific! Arroz con Gandules (pigeon peas with rice) appear tasty as well.

I'll keep a sharp eye out for JT's next time I'm in the area.

Enjoy,
Gary

Do you recall the price tag, and if they are cash only? This will likely be my first jibarito as well. I'll be around there today and Thursday.

Supper?

We used to call our evening meal 'supper' where I grew up in northwest Iowa. We also called our noon meal 'dinner'.

Breakfast, dinner, supper. Brings back the memories.

Seebee--I'm glad you can check it out. I don't remember whether there were credit card signs in the window but I'd be surprised if they were taking plastic. I think you should assume it's cash only. IIRC the Jibarito plate was $5.99.

MrAnderson-- M-Sa, lunch at noon. Dinner at night (though we just as often called it supper). Sunday dinner at noon. Supper in the evening.

GWiv--I knew there was a Spanish name for the rice with pigeon peas, thank you. I had had them before--most recently from one of the trucks in Humboldt Park--and these absolutely held their own.

Since we just had our first Jibarito almost a month ago to the day I welcomed a chance to try another.

My bride had an obligation that evening and we didn't eat dinner so I was on my own so I perused the forum for an idea.

Mmmm... and a little over a mile from the house.

Even though there was not an address I knew the place Ann was takling about as I have stopped by there (cute little hole in the wall) in it's last few incarnations and, while the food was OK, nothing to write home to mother about.


While the awning says one thing if you look real close you can see stick on letters 'JTs' on the window of the door.

The street parking was full so I drove around to the alley and parked in a vacant lot a few doors down.

Dang! I forgot to check the address! It is in the 6000 block of Roosevelt. a half block west of Austin on the sount side of the street.

I went inside with the intent of eating a half of each chicken and beef and take the other halves to my bride.

I ordered, the entire family was in residence, grandama and pa, mom and dad and three kids all skurrying around either helping with the the preparation of my order or bringing in groceries from thee van double parked outside.

The halves were served to me on a plate with a generous amount of the rice with pigeon peas.

Verdict? The plantain 'bread' was much fresher that at Borinquen. A nice easy bite. It was very greasy though.

Even though they claimed that the garlic paste was on the sandwiches it was very mild. The steak was very tender and flavorful and a goodly amount. The chicken was a little sparse.

Odd thing was a slice of american cheese. Not bad.

All in all a pretty good sammie and so close to home. I might pat off some of the grease though before digging in.

IIRC, American cheese is a standard ingredient, but the color varies (I think Borinquen used white?) I think Salamera's had some kind of cheese food as well, but it was always completely melted.

Thanks for the research! In your photo, the way the sign board is set up looks like you can get 6 fillings: beef, chicken, Italian Beef, Italian sausage, combo and peppers...my mind is trying to wrap itself around a jibarito filled with Italian Beef...

This address would actually be Cicero, not Berwyn.

According to Yahoo Travel, the address is 6011 W Roosevelt Rd. Cicero, IL 60804 (708) 652-2372

Hmm. I didn't make it over there like I hoped, but I know exactly where this place is, driven by it quite a few times, and thought, very prejudicously, I hate to admit, that it looked kinda "ewww-ish." I'll get in there though. I have a quest in the area to also try the new "Turco's Italian deli" on East and Roosevelt. Probably have a sub/jibarito taste off this wknd.

Mhays wrote: In your photo, the way the sign board is set up looks like you can get 6 fillings: beef, chicken, Italian Beef, Italian sausage, combo and peppers...my mind is trying to wrap itself around a jibarito filled with Italian Beef...

I had exactly the same reaction. I did confirm, however, that the Italian beef is served on a Turano bun, not a fried plantain--intriguing as that may sound!

JT's was closed without explanation for much of December and January (what is it about places on Roosevelt and their unwillingness to put up explanatory signs?), but I fortunately didn't lament its demise in print, because it's back.

Unfortunately, the jibaritos are gone.

"Sorry. Have to get that sign changed."

Yes, you might.

"But we do have rabbit in pepper sauce!"

...

"Not interested?

Are you still called JT's, at least?

"Yes. I think." [looks back at mom, who nods wearily]

exeunt.

Santander wrote:JT's was closed without explanation for much of December and January (what is it about places on Roosevelt and their unwillingness to put up explanatory signs?), but I fortunately didn't lament its demise in print, because it's back.

Unfortunately, the jibaritos are gone.

"Sorry. Have to get that sign changed."

Yes, you might.

"But we do have rabbit in pepper sauce!"

...

"Not interested?"

Are you still called JT's, at least?

"Yes. I think." [looks back at mom, who nods wearily]

exeunt.

"No thank you, do you have coon?"