Description: El Jibarito is located on Calle Sol, near the corner of Calle Tanca. The decor is pleasantly old fashioned, somewhat rustic and unmistakenly Puerto Rican. The service was fine and the wait staff more than helpful, though the servings seemed a little small in relation to the price.
I have often read of this establishment being a solid example of comida criolla, or native Puerto Rican fare. It may well be, but frankly I found it a little disappointing on my visit. In general, Puerto Rican cuisine is not as spicy as that found in other Caribbean countries and can sometimes be just plain bland, despite ingredients that sound exotic to American ears. Keep that in mind when ordering your meal. The spice of Jamaica or the pizazz of Mexico are not on the menu. I knew this ahead of time and still felt a bit let down.
I don't want to cast too negative of an impression, however. El Jibarito is still worth investigating if you want to try some simple, straight forward local dishes. In my case, I took some known risks in ordering and got what I deserved. I've never cared much for plantains, so I shouldn't have expected El Jibarito to serve them in a way that would suddenly meet with my approval. I should have kept it simple, which is exactly what I suggest you do when visiting this restaurant.
If you order something that most resembles what you are used to then you should get a feel for the native touch on cooking and enjoy a satisfying meal at the same time.
I would recommend El Jibarito to anyone seeking to test the waters of Puerto Rican culinary culture in a comfortable location with an attentive staff. While it may not make my list of places to revisit, I'm certainly glad I chose to eat there once.
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