La Bomba

La Bomba gets 5 stars for the absolutely authentic delicious Puerto Rican food! The friendly down to earth service is what keeps the rating at 5 stars. The owner/manager walks around and engages tables with the waiter like you're a friend from the neighborhood. It also seems he may bring a small sample of items from the kitchen on a nice white rectangular dish. LOL, not sure if this is standard practice or because we chatted him up so much, but he did the same to another table...so don't be shy about being a friendly customer. Although we ordered the banana appetizer, he suddenly appeared table side with some lechon, blood sausage, a sweet fried corn item with cheese inside and few other small items...all DELICIOUS! The seating area is intimate but this is truly a Humboldt Park neighborhood restaurant and it has that island restaurant feel. It's not overly fancy on the order of downtown Streeteville, but it's not trying to be. It's casual come as you will. I love the unique tables taking me back to a seaside restaurant in P.R. To get food better than La Bomba, you'd have to be in P.R. itself!I had the breaded steak with red salsa sauce and arros con gandules that came with a flavorful broth containing a few beans. The star of my meal was the cook on the steak. The breading was well seasoned and cooked to a nice crust, but the meat inside was tender and moist...a testament to the excellent cook! The steak could be totally enjoyed just like that on its own! BUT...when you marry the succulent green/red pepper and onion red salsa like gravy sauce (served in a cup on the side)...OMG!!! The dish really comes alive. I chose to cut a piece of breaded steak and then spoon some sauce on top, but eat it as you like. Gordon Ramsey says you should never plate and present a beautifully cooked crusted/crispy item with the sauce already on top. You can even put the red sauce on the rice...it makes everything even better! My dining partner chose the un-breaded pork chops with the same red sauce and poured the sauce directly on the chops which were also moist and properly seasoned. For dessert we chose the flan which was really good. This is my second time at La Bomba and it reminds me that it's still as good as the first time when I had a fabulous jibarito sandwich! Great tasting food, down home friendly neighborhood service at truly exceptional prices! What more could anyone ask for??? I really can't wait to take some new people there!

Came here with my cousins to have some yummy rican food while I'm in Chicago. We ordered some Jibarito sandwiches (they are huge) and mofongo de camarones (shrimp) and have to order me some Malta (yum!). Everything is cook to order so be patient and you will get a flavorful meal that will fill you. The ambience is like a family party with good music flowing through the place and cool art to look at. At the front of the restaurant they had a person selling their 3D art and jewelry. Got some of those too. Really cute. i definitely recommend this spot. Love to see the staff enjoy their job and they're dancing and singing and are chill. They have live performances as well.

So this place is a give star rated place, let me tell you why...1. Hospitality Puerto Rican style- if you don't know then you will. Its warm inviting and feels like coming home.2. Atmosphere- warm fun and musical. The amazing mural on the wall will transform you to an island wonderland.3. Food - the recipes are as authentic as the hospitality and atmosphere. Worth the trip to this place. See my pictures for an invitation to their fine menu. My lunch: Alcapurra de yuca, cafe con leche y pollo guisado.Buen provecho mi gente...

I watched as they piled lechon on a plate til the top almost wouldn't close. But this is what was put on two plates served to me. Is it because I have a darker complexion? Is it because I don't speak Spanish? I didn't want to make a scene, but the difference in these plates and the plates I saw piled high with meat........ How would I not question it? Paid same price, got different service.Beef tender but dry and has absolutely no seasoning. Like boiled in water then served. The puertorican rice is barely ok.Beans is all water. Not even a fourth of the cup is actual beans.$40 on garbage.A friend took me here 15+ yrs ago and it was the bomb. Service received today was a straight dud. Not likely to make that trek again. Really disappointed.

My husband and I have ordered from here a few times, with me usually getting Mofongo con camarones en salsa (shrimp Mofongo) so this time I decided to try the Mofongo con carne fritta (fried pork). Not sure what I was thinking because I don't even like fried pork! The pieces were fried hard and not appealing to me at all. I know some people like it but it was terrible hard fried pieces of pork that I did not like or eat.Luckily hubby ordered a pound of roast pork (and the arroz con granules) and shared with me. That tender, tasty pork, along with the Mofongo, both covered with the tasty sauce was much better. Will stick with what I know! They have a nice dining room and we would like to dine in one day.

I really like this place a lot. I come all the way from Milwaukee and I love eating here. But man the last time I was there the girl that took my order. She must've been slow like as in not being coherent in understanding basic instructions or something, she wrote and crossed out my order a good 4/5 times. Like whattttttt???Then when I get my order it's all messed up. Like HOW? Did you manage to mess my order up after u wrote it and re wrote it all them times. Lol I'm laughing cus it's wild to me I don't get it. In all I guess til next time. Maybe I'll get to actually eat and enjoy my food and Ill change the review.

Now this place is no joke , the food here taste just like you would expect at a family event. It's delicious , fresh and flavorful. The service is a little different as the inside is kind of tight so they move as fast as they can but with great efforts. The ambiance is upbeat and relaxing as the music goes with your food and reflects the culture. Enjoy some Puerto Rican food that leaves you wanting more.

Was recommended the Jibarito Sandwich from this restaurant, so I came by to try it when visiting Chicago this past weekend. TBH I wasn't super impressed - the plantain didn't add much to it at all (bland flavor), and the meat was pretty dry. The portion size was nice, but I'd go elsewhere for a sandwich.Service was perfectly fine - was a bit loud when it became busy, and we had to flag someone down several times for a to-go box and the check. No major complaints otherwise!

This has been our go to Puerto Rican spot for the last few years. Seems like a Venezuelan spot now. First time going back since the remodel. Employees drinking beer at the front door. Smaller portions. All the food was off. They didn't have half the things we asked for. Hope they get it together.

Good food but poor customer service. Thank goodness there are other good Puerto Rican restaurants in Chicago.