Desde Puerto Rico

12÷5÷11 — Desde Puerto Rico is no longer in business at this address, the storefront is empty!

This place sucks !!! You want exotic greasy food, this is ur place. There’s no where to sit, 1 bench, 2 tables, and 2 stools, so you could look at the skinny old man cooking your food, yay ! There’s nothing on the menu it’s extremely limited, the lady who makes mofongo is gone half the time, This place isn’t worth anyone’s time, money or even health. By health I mean you may get shot at it’s a rough area, or have a heart attack cause they tend to spread melted butter and salt on there already grease made sandwiches. ILLLLL !!!

After spending an obscene amount of time looking for this place, I finally made my way to this hidden gem! Just so you know, it’s directly across the street from Auto Zone. The place is very small with only a 2 or 3 person counterspace and a few, and I mean few tables. I always order carry out but I’ve never seen it packed out or anything. The Jibaritos are quite tasty; it has well seasoned steak (a tiny bit tough), with all of your typical jibarito fixins. I’d even dare to say that theirs are better-​tasting than the typical north-​side/​humbolt park places as well (or maybe it’s the taste of saving gas $$ from not having to go all the way up there), and it’s not too greasy or salty either. The rice & pigeon peas were well seasoned & pretty good, and you’re talking to someone who doesn’t care too much for pigeon peas. The maduros were OK-​and were served piping hot – a hole in the styrofoam hot. Just so you know, these are not the carmelized and super soft ones, so if that’s what you’re looking for, it’s a no go. A few of them were undercooked, but it’s nothing to have a stroke over. I’ve also had the Caribbean Pork Sandwich, which is basically made with flavorful, sliced pork, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, American cheese, & mayo on Toasted white sandwich roll (the same kind as Potbelly’s). Now THAT’S what I call a sandwich! Pair it up with some crispy Tostones and a cola champagne and you’re good to go! I really hope this restaurant sticks around for the long-​run!

Totally worth the drive! I have been to most Puerto Rican restaurants in Chicago and Desde stacks up to the best of ‘em. This isn’t a restaurant made for large groups. It’s small. It boasts two tables, a bench and some counter top seating. So, either get here early for a table or plan on getting some take out. Whatever your choice, just come! You’ll be happy you did.
The mofongo maker wasn’t in today, so I was denied my first choice. I am jibarito’ed out, so that was a pass. What to get, what to get? Ah! The Caribbean pork sandwich sounds good. Yes. That. And some maduros. And my cola champagne. If I came all this way and*didn’t* drink 57 g of sugar in one setting, the day was a waste. I took a seat at the low top table (nice wicker chairs for lounging) and I received my cola champagne. It came cold in the can and *with* a straw. These folks know me well. After a couple of sips of my boriquen beverage, I got my food. That was fast! I heard the grill frying up but d@ng. I am glad the food came quickly because it smelled delicious and I was hungry. The Caribbean Pork sandwich came with grilled pork, thinly-​sliced grilled onions, cheese, lettuce, tomato… on crunchy pressed white bread. Oh. Man. Delicious. Absolutely delicious. With every bite, a little juice ran off my sandwich and onto my plate. All the ingredients melded to form a delectable sandwich that made me say, «Jiba.what?» Yum. The maduros were piping hot, sweet, thickly cut and satisfying. At $ 1.75 for six, I would have liked to have seen more on my plate. They tasted great; give me more.
All the while I ate, I bounced along to reggaeton, eavesdropped some good neighborhood gossip, watched folks come in and pick up their take out orders and grew more and more satisfied with my decision to venture south. It’s sort of pathetic that it’s taken me close to six years to explore this part of the city. The drive south on LSD to South Shore Drive ranged from charming, to picturesque, to beautiful. There are so many sights to see in Chicago. There’s no excuse not to take advantage of them all. With Desde waiting for me, I am guessing that I have many more trips to South Chicago in my future.

Found this place thanks to Unilocal!
After reading favorable reviews I decided to give it a try. Very good super fresh food! I’m not sure if it has better food than PR places on the north side, but definitelly not worse.
The restaurant now has 2 tabled and a bench. And of course you can alway sit at the counter.
The reason I give it 4 stars… their ventilation is not that great, so don’t wear your nice clothes there, they will smell.

This is not an easy restaurant to find. The first time I tried to go here, I knew it was near 89^th and Commercial, so I figured I would just drive down Commercial near 89^th and find it. I could not find it, so I had to find out the exact address and try again. After finally finding the place, I was not disappointed. This little «hole in the wall» is very clean and friendly. I was greeted with a nice hello — a few questions like «have you been here before?» and «do you like Puerto Rican food?» and «Do you live around here?» I asked for a recommendation, and the very nice young woman (maybe the owner’s daughter?) recommended the jibarito or plantain sandwich. Basically, a flank steak sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and some kind of creamy delicious sauce sandwiched between two plantains. It was delicious. I got mine con arroz. The arroz was very delicious with little bits of sausage mixed in. I didn’t give this restaurant a five star rating only because it was hard to find and there are only a couple small tables to sit at. It also looks like the inside is not totally finished. The counter around the grill looks like it needs to be painted or tiled or something. The food is outstanding — its nice to find a high quality restaurant on the south east side.

I was looking for this place all last week, but I was distracted by the street meter boycott group picketing right next door to the restaurant. Ya, we all hate those darn meters popping up all over the city!!!
Anyways, my mom called me at work to ask me if I had tried this place yet. She had just left after eating their number one seller the Arroz con Pollo for lunch. She planted the seed in my stomach and I couldn’t wait to zoom home and get me some Puerto Rican food… and if my mom called to rave about this spot, I knew I had to go.
So I entered a bit anxious about what I’d find. The place was empty as it was a bit early for dinner. Lucero, part of the husband wife team that runs this family owned business, greeted me and welcomed me to the restaurant. I mentioned that my mom was there earlier for lunch and she remembered her and was excited I stopped by today. She quickly called to her husband Israel to come and meet me.
They are the most charming couple and extremely friendly. I felt as if I where family talking with my long lost Aunt and Uncle. It was really nice. They also introduced me to there cute daughter.
In any case, back to the food… I asked them for their best plate. Well that was the Arroz con Pollo my mom had for lunch, but I guess everyone else had it to, so they where out. The next best was their Ropa Vieja; which was also a popular dish and sold out. So after perusing the menu, I noticed an item I wasn’t familiar with, the Amarillo Relleno, so I ordered that.
They quickly jumped to the order and never skipped a beat with the conversation. The Amarillo Relleno is basically a «Maduro» (sweet ripened plantain) with a seasoned ground beef stuffing topped with cheese. They served it up with some arroz con gandules (staple Puerto Rican rice).
I took it to go and speed home to chow down. For $ 5.50 that was great meal. The maduro was cooked just right and the beef was really well seasoned. I told them I was going to be critical of the rice, so I will. It wasn’t was that bad at all. Doesn’t beat Abuelita’s (my grandmother’s) or my moms, but every true blooded Puerto Rican would say the same.
All in all, I very happy with my visit to restaurant. I will make definitely make regular visits and hope to sample everything on the menu.
They mentioned that in the morning they make one batch of the Arroz con Pollo and one batch of the Ropa Viega. Once it goes it’s gone. So I’ll have to keep trying. :D
So, if you want good Puerto Rican food you no longer have to go North. Hop on Lake Shore Drive and head South to South Chicago. You will not be let down!

Loved the food here. FIrst time here and it was great. The owners were very friendly. The food here is really cheap. The jibaritos are awesome. Can’t wait to go back. They offer catering also. They have breakfast and lunch. This is more of a take out place. They don’t really have too many seats inside. Can’t wait to go for the coconut oatmeal.

Best place for some great Puerto Rican food. It’s always fresh and the owners are friendly. Place needs a few more tables, but you can’ t beat the food and the prices. My favorite are the jibarito sandwiches!
I go every chance I get!

If you live near South Chicago and are new to Puerto Rican cuisine then Desde is the place for you.
Though the menu is limited the flavors will blow you away.
For breakfast I recommend the quesada (a pressed sandwich made from sliced guava paste and a choice of either cream or swiss cheese). Have this with a freshly made cup of Café con Leche and you’re ready for the day ahead.
For lunch you can’t go wrong with ordering the ropa vieja. Before you start laughing it’s shredded beef that has been stewed for a long time with traditional island spices that will make your mouth water. It’s severed with Spanish yellow rice and a couple of tostones. Those are are twiced fried pressed green bananas. Before you say anything try them. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
There are other Island favorites on the menu that the owner Israel will be more than happy to explain to you. So drop on in and give Desde a try. You’ll find yourself becoming a regular like I have.

3.5 stars
Welcome to the ‘hood, Desde!
It’s slim pickins when it comes to lunch spots in South Chicago and this new Puerto Rican restaurant has the neighborhood abuzz with excitement.
So far I have only had the Café con Leche. It was really good and I don’t even drink coffee. I have heard rave reviews for the Cuban sandwich, which everyone was ordering when I was there. I would also like to try their Jibarito sandwich.
Friendly owners. Just wish there was more than 1 table. And, the décor could use a little sprucing up.
Not sure if it’s worth making a drive to, but if you’re in the vicinity – why not stop by?
I hope Desde sticks around!