Lonely Planet

"El Jibarito is the kind of old-school place that you just know will serve a good arroz con habichuelas (rice and beans) and substantial meat feasts. Which it does. A favorite of both local families and visitors, the meals are simple but hearty."

Larry Olmsted

"No Puerto Rican meal is complete without rice and beans - and these beans are especially good, flavored with added pumpkin."

Larry Olmsted

"Everything was tasty, but I especially liked the garlicky roasted pork, a mix of chunks and slices, with both crunchy exterior and juicy interior meat, done simply but fresh and flavorful."

Travel + Leisure

"Focus on the tostones (fried plantains) and the mofongo (mashed fried green plantains with red snapper), which are easily the best in Old San Juan."

Angelina Cox

"I highly recommend trying white rice and red bean."

Sarah Clayton-Lea

"There’s nothing fancy here, just amazing quality beef cooked to perfection. El Jibarito is the place to come for Puerto Rico steak that’s so tender it melts in the mouth, with a perfect smokey flavour."

All She Cooks

"Enjoy your tostones in the brightly painted El Jibarito."

Krisanne Fordham

"Come here for stick-to-your-ribs comfort food like bistec encebollado (steak with onions)."

Aliza Abarbanel

"Chef Mario Juan Pagán sells different types of tricked-out pernil sandwiches and a slew of sides (yuca in escabeche, arroz guisado). We still dream about the Revolución es Orden sandwich, shards of crisped slow-roasted pork piled with pickled onions and plantain chips atop a pillowy brioche bun."

Royal Caribbean International

"Puerto Rico is famous for its pernil, a roasted pork shoulder with crispy skin spiced with garlic and adobo, typically served over rice and beans with a side of sweet plantains. The mountain town of Cayey is known for having perfected pernil, but you don't have to leave San Juan for a taste — just head to El Jibarito."