Ponce Restaurant

Does this restaurant not care about customer service? I’ve been here between 5 – 10 times only because I like their steak jibaritos and arroz con gandules. But honestly, I dread having to sit there and endure their horrid service.
Why do some Latino businesses want to profit from business in the US but disregard the American-​way of customer service?
I want to support my Latino people and their endeavors, but not at the expense of my comfort. And then they complain that Los Gringos are talking their businesses, or that their being discriminated against. That’s because we are all not adhering to the higher standard of friendliness, cleanliness, and commitment to satisfaction. It’s not that difficult for Ponce to get their act together. They just have to keep the place clean, smile, and actually try to earn their gratuity.
Come on Ponce. Don’t lose business because you can’t be nice and focus on customer satisfaction.

I’m giving two stars because their customer service is nonexistent. We came almost at opening time. There was only one more table besides us, and it took 35 mins for our food to come out. They apologized stating their gas tank had gone out.
When we finally got the food, it was delicious. However, it was overshadowed by the lack of organization, and service.
When it is time to pay, you have to barge your way to the counter cutting people in line waiting to order, which kinda sucks if you are in line.
The lady at the counter, while a great multi-​tasker, did a mistake and overcharged us.
We will go back, but if this experience repeats, we will definitely stop.

Oh wow the jibarito was amazing. Tried the acapuria and that was just as good too. My ex was Puerto Rican and although I don’t miss him I sure do miss his mama’s cooking. And so this place really hit the spot. I left one star off cuz the service could have been better but food was great.

This is the only Puerto Rican restaurant in Chicago that I genuinely like. I won’t usually pay for PR food because I can get it at home, but Ponce is perfect for the more complicated/​rare dishes that are hard to make on your own. They make the best jibaritos and they’re only $ 5. They are always fresh and flavorful. The fritters are great too, they run out fast so they get replenished frequently. This spot is very popular, especially on weekends, so there is almost always a long line. I definitely think they’re worth the wait!

Hands down the most authentic Puerto Rican cuisine in the city!!! Small family owned so space is limited. Always look forward to the great eats!!!

Worse service in all of Illinois. I’ve been there a couple of time and they make you wait without acknowledging you, whether they’re busy or not. Just plain rude. No food is worth that. They’re not that great or giving it away. Good service and manners towards customers count.

I used to be a huge fan of Café Central… now I’m a HUGE fan of Ponce. This place is amazing. The food is as authentic as it gets (next to being in Puerto Rico). The staff is friendly. The whole joint has a very familial feel. My bistec encebollao (steak with onions) was juicy and flavorful and the platanos maduros (sweet plantains) were delicious. The best part? The bistec was only $ 8 (and it’s a large heaping of food). I will DEFINITELY be back!

This is the place to go if you want REAL Puerto Rican food! It’s hard to find a restaurant that has good lechon, it’s usually dry and no flavor. I’ve been here twice and each time was just as good. The service is great too, the people are friendly and treat you like family :)

One of the best PR joints I’ve been to in the city. Unfortunately, every time I come here they’re very short staffed and usually have to wait a while.

Love the food I’ve been going there for years since I was 11 now am 30… Love the girls there. they are like lost family members.. now I move by melrose Park. .You guys have to make a restaurant on this side of the world. .just saying

I LoVvve this place amazing food. I always leave here satisfied. When they make the you can really taste the seasoning of flavor.

Great Puerto Rican food. When I’m in the area and craving a jibarito, this is my go to place. No complaints from me.

Just returning from a trip to Puerto Rico, this place has all the authentic features, from its food, to its service.
You will not get A+ service at this joint in terms of service, they are busy, you get your food, menu, water whenever, because they are busy. So prepare yourself, not to be treated with high class priority
They dont adhere to the US «I want it, and want it now» model. Throw that idea out the Window. Which I found a little charming, as it reminded me of my vacation
If you appreciate culture and authenticity, this is true puerto rican style food and service from the old country. I tried out several restaurants in PR, and it is authentic
2 star off. and maybe I should have given less. but I dont have a palate for PR food.
They like pork and seafood, which is not my favorite. I ordered the steak and onions with arroz con gandulas.
While the food was tasty, it wasnt anything I felt I could buy at a local grocery chain. Just didnt stand out. Maybe Im a picky eater, but the food tasted very bland and basic to me. but my guests really liked the food.
The price was unbelievably cheap.$ 8 for shaved steak, rice, salad. I think they can raise their prices a bit more, and get more help. They could easily charge 40% more its still cheap. My party of 3. cost $ 28
Give it a try. and ahhh yes, the restroom is rancid, dont expect four seasons.
But again. think authentic Puerto Rico. I know they are part of the US. but they do it a little different in their beautiful island than what you are used to

Ponce takes you back to the island!
Everything is authentic just like abuela makes it.
My favorite food here is the surullos and the pollo guisado. The food is fresh and has amazing flavor. Best Puerto Rican food in Chicago!

They have great food, the price is reasonable. I have order trays of food for different occasions and people love it. Everytime i put order over the phone is correct. I highly recommend to try their food.

The food here is awesome! The fritura is cooked in small batches so its usually fresh, their jibaritos are the best in town, and the guisados are delicious as well. The ingredients here are all of good quantity. And I don’t see how they are making a profit because the prices are so low. I laugh when I see the comments about service. There are tables here to dine at, but restaurants like these are set up for takeout. If you are dining in, just go to the counter, place your order and be patient. The food is so good, that it’s worth any small aggravations.
I used to go to the P.R. place at Fullerton and Kimball, but with the cockroaches and the declining quality of the food there, I definitely recommend a visit to Ponce instead.

This place gets two stars, 1 for the papa rellenos and 1 for the meat puff. I placed a carry out order. I get there waited in line and when the line finally moved the lady walked away from the register to go talk to someone at a table. I waited another 5 mins. And she finally came back. There’s a reason I placed a carry out order so that I don’t have to wait. Okay fine shitty service, but the Jibarito was a joke. Steal fried so hard I could barley chew it. Plantains were perfectly done, just no taste. They forgot salt. I’m sorry, but there were too many issues here for me to justify ever going back.

Food is great, I had the mofongo con camarones and it was amazing. There service in the other hand really sucks. They get over crowded and forget about people they are attending and skip to the next. I wish the service was better I would of definitely gave them 5 stars.

I texted my friend Mari this after I left the restaurant.
«My review on Ponce:
Too many great things going on here. Took a while to have our order taken but as soon as that happened I was noticing all the good stuff.
1. Adorable grandma walking around wiping down tables calling us mama and papi. She was wearing a little black hat too.
2. Tastes authentic as heck but that’s just me guessing cuz I ain’t PR. Delicious for sure!!!
3. They sell fried pork on a stick doused in hot sauce. What !?
4. Lady running the show was literally running around like a boss. Super serious look but winked at me when we were leaving. It made me question my sexuality
5. We ate 2 jibarritos with rice/​1 alcapurria/​1 relleno de papa for $ 26
Ok. I’m done. »

Fan of pollo guisado? Come to Ponce!
Ponce serves up the BEST pollo guisao that I’ve ever had (flavorful sauce, lots of chicken and yummy potatoes). It’s also served with either rice and beans or the yellow rice. At $ 7, this is a STEAL.
My bf has been a fan of their steak jibaritos since forever. (Like…since high school.) They’re also a steal at $ 4 and, even though they don’t come with rice, you can add an order for less than $ 2, I think. They also have an assortment of $ 1 «appetizers» like relleno de papa (meat stuffed potato ball), empandas and alcapurria (fried plantain ball filled with meat).
And passion fruit juice. Don’t forget that.
Food comes out fast! Even though it’s usually crowded in here, you never have to wait long for food! Great home-​y atmosphere with friendly waitresses. This is one of my favs!