Chicago’s Beloved Jibarito Spot Turns 10: Free Sandwiches and a Decade of Flavor at Jibaritos y Más

There’s something deeply Chicago about a sandwich that ditches bread entirely. And for the past decade, Jibaritos y Más has been doing just that—serving up one of the city’s most iconic creations with a side of heritage and heart.

This April 1 marks the restaurant’s 10-year anniversary, a milestone that feels less like a business celebration and more like a neighborhood block party. To say thanks, the Puerto Rican staple is giving away free jibaritos from 7 a.m. to noon at its Fullerton Avenue location (3400 W. Fullerton Ave.), a gesture that feels perfectly in line with its roots: generous, communal, and unapologetically flavorful.

Founded in 2016 by Yelitza Rivera, the restaurant began as a humble Logan Square outpost. Rivera brought with her two decades of experience cooking in Puerto Rican kitchens, but more importantly, she carried a vision—one that honored tradition while embracing the rhythm of Chicago’s ever-evolving food scene.

The result? A menu that feels both nostalgic and immediate. At its center is the jibarito, a Chicago-born original that swaps bread for crispy, garlicky fried green plantains. It’s messy, indulgent, and entirely unforgettable—the kind of sandwich that demands two hands and zero distractions.

Early on, Rivera’s son, Jesus Arrieta, joined the business, helping to expand its reach while keeping its soul intact. Together, the family transformed a single storefront into a growing presence across the city, with locations stretching from Logan Square to Harlem and Archer avenues.

But growth hasn’t diluted the mission. If anything, it’s sharpened it. Jibaritos y Más remains a place where culture is served daily—where recipes carry stories, and every plate feels like an invitation.

Ten years in, the restaurant isn’t just feeding Chicago. It’s reflecting it: bold, diverse, and built on community.

And on April 1, for a few delicious hours, it’s giving a little of that love back—one jibarito at a time.

For more Stories From The 78, follow @tombarnas78 on Instagram and @storiesfromthe78 on TikTok.