Delicia Tropical Cafe Menu

  • Aperitivos / Appetizers - Platano Y Yuca / Plantain And Casava
  • Aperitivos / Appetizers - Frituras / Fritters
  • Asopados / Soups
  • Emparedados / Sandwiches
  • Emparedados / Sandwiches - Side Orders
  • Platos Tradicionales - Seleciones De Cerdo / Pork Selections
  • Platos Tradicionales - Seleciones De Res / Beef Selections
  • Platos Tradicionales - Camarones
  • Platos Tradicionales - Seleciones De Pollo / Chicken Selections
  • Acompanantes / Sides
  • Drinks
  • Drinks - Pepsi Fountain
  • Surtido's / Mixed Appetizer Dish
  • Pechugas / Chicken Breast
  • Main
  • Mofongo's

Diabetics at Jason's Deli

Diabetics must not get carried away at Jason's Deli as there are several tempting items on their menu to easily spike your blood sugar. You can try the salads at Jason Deli's or start your meal with hot soup to ensure that you don't stuff too much while at Jason's Deli. You can also pick the right kind of sandwiches to complete your meal.

Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for Diabetics:

You must skip all kinds of sandwiches, wraps, and paninis at Jason's Deli for their high sodium content. Even among the salads, avoid the regular ones such as Chicken Club Salad, The Big Chef, Mesa Chicken Salad and go for the lighter versions. In addition, it is also recommended to avoid desserts totally while dining at Jason's Deli.

Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Jason's Deli:

Breakfast Sammy

Nutritional Facts: 250 calories, 12g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 370mg sodium, 23g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 12g Protein

Chicken Club Salad (Lighter)

Nutritional Facts: 540 calories, 44g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 8g), 900mg sodium, 11g carbs, 3g sugar, 3g fiber, 24g Protein

Mesa Chicken Salad (Lighter)

Nutritional Facts: 460 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 850mg sodium, 26g carbs, 4g sugar, 7g fiber, 22g Protein

Spinach Veggie Wrap

Nutritional Facts: 350 calories, 14g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 830mg sodium, 51g carbs, 5g sugar, 12g fiber, 16g Protein

Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Hot Organic Green Tea

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Hot Tea

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Healthy Meal suggestions for Delicia Tropical Cafe

  • Aperitivos / Appetizers - Platano Y Yuca / Plantain And Casava
  • Aperitivos / Appetizers - Frituras / Fritters
  • Asopados / Soups
  • Emparedados / Sandwiches
  • Emparedados / Sandwiches - Side Orders
  • Platos Tradicionales - Seleciones De Cerdo / Pork Selections
  • Platos Tradicionales - Seleciones De Res / Beef Selections
  • Platos Tradicionales - Camarones
  • Platos Tradicionales - Seleciones De Pollo / Chicken Selections
  • Acompanantes / Sides
  • Drinks
  • Drinks - Pepsi Fountain
  • Surtido's / Mixed Appetizer Dish
  • Pechugas / Chicken Breast
  • Main
  • Mofongo's

High Blood Pressure at Jason's Deli

Blood pressure patients mustn't indulge in sandwiches offered on Jason Deli's menu. Most sandwiches, whether Muffalettas or Po'boys, are high in sodium and could easily spike your blood pressure. Be careful while you order at Jason's Deli and opt for healthy food options such as salads, soups, or soups to ease your cravings.

Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for High Blood Pressure

Sandwiches must be avoided at all costs at Jason's Deli as they are loaded with sodium. You must also skip the paninis and wraps if possible and stick to healthy salads and soups while dining at Jason's Deli. Skip adding any kinds of salad dressing, extra cheese, croutons, etc. in your order to limit your sodium intake for the day.

Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Jason's Deli

Banana Nut Muffin

Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 170mg sodium, 25g carbs, 14g sugar, 1g fiber, 5g Protein

A bowl of Fresh Fruits

Nutritional Facts: 390 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 45mg sodium, 23g carbs, 62g sugar, 9g fiber, 6g Protein

Pollo Mexicano (Lighter)

Nutritional Facts: 800 calories, 22g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 12g), 550mg sodium, 121g carbs, 14g sugar, 11g fiber, 30g Protein

Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cookie

Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 150mg sodium, 34g carbs, 17g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein

Wild Berry Hibiscus Tea with Pure Cane Sugar

Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 26g carbs, 26g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea.

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Hot Organic Green Tea.

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Hot Tea

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea.

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Visit below restaurant in Elgin for healthy meals suggestion.

High Cholesterol at Jason's Deli

If you are concerned about your cholesterol, then you got to be very cautious at Jason's Deli. Most sandwiches available on Jason's Deli's menu are high in cholesterol and sodium content. You must choose wisely and opt for salads or soups to please your appetite.

Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for High Cholesterol

Avoiding foods at Jason's Deli can be trickier if you are a foodie. It is recommended to skip the heavy sandwiches which are both high in cholesterol and sodium at Jason's Deli. You must also avoid paninis and wraps at Jason Deli's or order the lighter version to reduce your calorie intake.

Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Jason's Deli

Blueberry Muffin

Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 180mg sodium, 34g carbs, 19g sugar, 1g fiber, 3g Protein

Nutty Mixed Up Salad (Lighter)

Nutritional Facts: 430 calories, 21g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 810mg sodium, 41g carbs, 33g sugar, 3g fiber, 21g Protein

Texas Style Spud (Lighter)

Nutritional Facts: 830 calories, 22g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 11g), 740mg sodium, 139g carbs, 27g sugar, 14g fiber, 29g Protein

Jason's Deli Bottled Ginger Ale

Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 36g carbs, 36g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea.

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Hot Organic Green Tea.

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Hot Tea

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea.

Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein

Visit below restaurant in Elgin for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Jacob V.

    My wife and I have been looking for a Puerto Rican place in the suburbs, and this one had good reviews. It did not disappoint. The atmosphere is cool and Kevin, the wait staff, was really friendly and helpful. We ordered pork dishes--the carne frito was especially good. The fruit drinks-mango and guayaba- were as good as I've had anywhere, and being Mexican, we've had a lot of aguas de fruta. The tembleque dessert was incredible. This was our first time tasting it, and it is now our new favorite dessert. Overall, a great place, especially if you don't want to trek all the way into Chicago. We'll definitely be returning soon!

    (5)
  • Dude M.

    Good food and friendly owner. Excellent mufongo con pernil and the Bori-Cuba sandwich is my favorite. Many other good choices. My fave PR joint.

    (4)
  • Gigi J.

    Since this was my first time trying this place i tried the classics. I ordered tostones, steak jibarito and pernil with sides of arroz con gandules and the white rice and kidney beans. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The food had great flavor and was at a great price. I can't complain about any of it. I usually go to the city for good PR food but I can say I'll finally be saving on gas coming here instead. Definitely going to be coming here again and again.

    (4)
  • Hugo B.

    I finally found a home away from home when I want a real good Puertorican meal... Kevin makes sure the customers are happy with their food

    (5)
  • Matthew K.

    After vacationing in Puerto Rico, I yearned for some mofungo. I searched the internet, and Delicia was the only Puerto Rican restaurant I could find west of Chicago. When I found myself in Elgin, I made a stop. What a delicious experience! In addition to the mofungo, my girlfriend and I tried the aranitas and a bori-cuba sandwhich (a Cuban sandwich on plantain slices). My friends, you *must* try the aranitas--they are like hash browns, but they are made out of plantains and served with a garlic mayo sauce. Absolutely brilliant. The mofungo was exactly what I remembered from Puerto Rico, and the bori-cuba sandwich was delicious in its simplicity. The service is generally attentive, though this past time I had to remind my waiter of several things (e.g., refilling water). One of the waitresses there always speaks to us in Spanish even though she can speak English. (I don't speak Spanish very well.) All the servers are friendly, though. Definitely check out Delicia for a taste of the Caribbean.

    (4)
  • dottie m.

    Until we found this place, the only place my family could go for real Puerto Rican food was my house. A lot of people have called Delicia a "gem", and it really is a perfect word. The food is very authentic, and if you need suggestions, the servers are extremely helpful. Unbelievable mofungo, tostones, and pasteles that remind my mom of her ancestors (a huge compliment). We've even had some items that we'd never heard of before, and we have yet to be disappointed. The flan is not to be missed, either, and this menu is so affordable that it's pretty much a sin if you don't order dessert. A little off the beaten path, but if you're in Elgin, you should try Delicia.

    (4)
  • Mel C.

    Went on 4/18/15 1:00pm The food was outstanding and very big portions. The staff was very friendly and the service was great. I highly recommend this restaurant if you want some good home made Puerto Rican food.. We will definitely be back!

    (4)
  • Tiffany B.

    This place is sooooo good . 5 stars all the way . Hands down best puertorican food in the area. Next to my family's cooking that is . I'm still drooling over the pastelillos . And the rice . Yes yes yes .

    (5)
  • Ivy P.

    Fed my jibarrito craving without having to run in the city always a plus in my book!!!!

    (4)
  • Rachel K.

    Very, very good, I love Puerto Rican food and this is a really good spot to cure the cravings.

    (4)
  • Katie S.

    I can't say enough good things about the food here. It's authentic and delicious and tastes just like the home cooking. My only complaint is the guy in his mid-20s that works there, pretty sure it's his family that owns the place, can be a little standoffish sometimes. Very obvious that he cares more about the money side of things. But the rest of the staff/owners there are wonderful and very friendly. I recommend this place to anyone, especially if you're missing that home cooked meal.

    (5)
  • Alexis W.

    So. Good. We have Puerto Rican family members, and have never been able to find food like they make. This is so good. The stews were hearty. The plantain sandwich was dense and the combination of textures is addictive. The Tripolini sandwich was excellent and the steak was great. The rice and beans was a little dry, and not the traditional - with kidney beans and potatoes. But still pretty good.

    (4)
  • Chloe O.

    I dont know how to review this place because this was the first time I've ever had Puerto Rican food. I don't know how to gauge if the food is considered, "good Puerto Rican food" or "bad Puerto Rican food". Personally, I didn't care too much for the food. It didn't taste bad, but everything was soooooooo fried, I could barely handle it. They have fresh guava juice, but its so loaded with sugar, it made me feel heavy and full. Ugh. I just felt bored with the food. The staff were great and friendly.

    (3)
  • Paige W.

    My friend and I couldn't have picked a better place to have dinner tonight. I told her that I never had a Cuban sandwich, so we venture out to find one and ended up at this cute kitschy restaurant. The staff was too notch. I don't know what others experienced, but the waiter we had was attentive and funny and very helpful with food suggestions. Our food came out fast and our drinks were always full. Now onto the food: we ordered that Cuban and it didn't disappoint. It wasn't at all greasy and the meat was fresh and juicy. We also ordered the bistec with onions which came out timely and was really pretty on the plate. The rice that came with it was good with the olive in it. We finished up with some amazing homemade flan. Don't pass this one up guys... It's SO good! We had a great experience and the price was right too. We were amazed by the nil when we left. We will be sure to go back again. From the great atmosphere to the friendly staff and the top notch Cuban food.. You can't miss. Muy bueno!

    (5)
  • Lissy E.

    The best Puerto Rican food outside of Chicago! Everything I've tried here was delicious... My favorite is the chicken Jibarito, served with rice & beans. Surtidos are awesome. My bf always gets the pechuga rellena... I recommend this place & I'm from Chicago.

    (5)
  • Dan M.

    My wife and I stopped in here for dinner. The staff was friendly. We were seated at a table that was dirty, but not the end of the world. We ordered the tostones. They were really good- crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The dipping sauce for the tostones was also very good. I ordered the steak Jibarito. It was good but I felt that the meat was dry and a bit lacking flavor. My wife ordered the Cuban sandwich. I thought the Cuban sandwich was awesome! Very flavorful. The restaurant had a good sized crowd. All in all I enjoyed the place and I want to go back and try the Mofongo (spelling?) it looks like a very unique dish.

    (4)
  • Avinash K.

    Peurto-Rican food - never tried it before. It was the first time. This seems to be fairly a small place with some decent decor and family-run restaurant and there was just one person helping with the seating and taking orders, so kinda was a little-slow service but very very friendly. We were given a complementary plate of bread - which was uhmm.. not really THAT fresh but hey we were hungry souls. We were just two of us, we started off with Platanutres - thinly fried plantain chips - which was soo good.. Reminded us of the Indian Banana Chips, we got a Cola Champaigna - cream soda, which was pretty good too something similar to some of our local sodas. We then ordered the Tilapia Al ajilio - which was baked fish with some veggies and garlic butter sauce, got with a side of mfongos (mashed/seasonded plantain) - both were good and was heavy. Also got the jibarito o'chicago with chicken (plantain sandwich - instead of bread deep fried plantain) - this was yummy .. Really good..!! Only complaints were - complementary bread was cold and hard, LOT OF PLANTAINS :p.. But overall really enjoyed the food I was given :) P.S. Probably difficult with someone who is veg - none of the entrees/sandwiches were vegetarian I think.. Though of course you can remove the meat I suppose.. x)

    (4)
  • Wanda M.

    OMG the flan was to die for delicious!!!! And they made my garlic chicken with extra garlic as I requested, soo good. The mofongo was like being back home. All in all, great service and delicious food. Will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Maria D.

    I love this locally owned business! The rice, tostones & flan are always consistently good. Jibaritos sandwich, passion fruit & guava juices are great! Sometimes I am at this place 3 times a week. It's affordable good food!

    (5)
  • Mark B.

    My new favorite breakfast place. One thing that jumps out for me was their coffee. Some of the best coffee I've ever had. I had the skillet, eggs were perfect and the Cuban toast was a nice change. I'm definitely going back to try more. I'll post up with a better review.

    (4)
  • Keysha C.

    Absolutely looooveedd itt!!! I went to Delicia just arriving from PR and my husband took me here because he had previously visited and was delighted with the place! I thought he was exagerating but NO!! Everything was good and the service even better!! Delicious food with the warmth of PR!!

    (5)
  • Stella W.

    Good service, good food. Honestly, walking in i really didn't expect much, but the lobster with criolla sauce was really delightful. The olives in the puerto rican rice kicked the flavour up a notch! After having a bite of my bf's jibarito sandwiches, i had to resist from finishing his dinner as well Such a hidden gems in Elgin..

    (4)
  • Janni V.

    Those tostones. THOSE TOSTONES. Some of the best tostones I've ever had. I'm not Puerto Rican. But one of my friends is, and SHE also swears these are some of the best tostones she's ever had. So I'm not on crack, yay! :D Ridiculously great sandwiches. I had the criollo de pollo. My aforementioned friend had the jibarito de pollo (which I wanted, but she ordered it first, so I got something else). My SO ordered the tripleta. Puerto Rican rice was a little heavy on the olives, but completely tasty. They even serve Coco Rico and other PR drinks! I'm hoping I have room for dessert next time. As it was, my SO had to take half of his tripleta home -- still can't believe that sandwich was under $7. It was huge, stuffed with meat, and delicious. Will definitely nom again. So happy a PR place of this quality is out in the 'burbs!

    (5)
  • Juan A.

    The pernil was good with either rice and beans or arroz con gan led. I must admit that the food was a bit cold but good taste. The alcapurria was of right taste but a bit too soogy missing crunch. Bacalaito completely missed the mark with just dough and no bacalao you may as well call it a blind bacalaito aka "ito". Lastly the bistec encebollado and they plantain mofongo was justo right, tasty and ver y well cooked moist yet bit greasy.

    (4)
  • Ron L.

    So so so good. Drove two hours to eat here and will gladly do it again soon. Amazing food, killer flan, and an atmosphere like you're going over to your best friends house who just happens to be a stellar cook and host. Had the mofongo with shrimp, which was crazy amazing btw. I even picked up the dish of sauce and then drank it like tea without caring who saw me. Don't judge. And I could not leave without having a dish of flan (better than your mama makes) and a cup of coffee. Denny, an owner, waited on us and was excellent. If you're still reading this, then stop and go there already. You'll be glad you did.

    (5)
  • Matt L.

    Awesome food and the service is just as good! Everyone there was extremely friendly and helpful. This place is great!! Will be back frequently.

    (5)
  • Ricky M.

    Best Puerto Rican food in Elgin love their pastellios and rice people are really friendly too !!

    (5)
  • Inigo M.

    Steamed chicken and vegetables a tad salty and buttery. Plain plantains.

    (3)
  • SOCHICKY S.

    Been here a couple of times...the arroz con gandules has always been really tasty, but the the rest of the food has been subpar. I've had the chicken jibarito and it was cold, the chicken breast was breaded and unflavored. You can tell that the chicken is a frozen patty and not fresh. The plantin was not crispy or garlicky the way it should be. I ordered and alcapurria and it was raw on the inside so I returned it. I was not impressed at all. I've also had the chicken mofongo it had good flavor but there wasn't chunks of chicken in it. There were tiny shreds of chicken...I was disappointed.

    (2)
  • Kelly O.

    Awesome food. Service was ok but no one mentioned that you need to get your check at the register. We sat for over 20 minutes waiting before we were checked on again and told to go pay in front. Food was delicious. Had the mofongo and steak jibarito as well as tostones as an appetizer. Everything was very flavorful and I will go back for sure.

    (4)
  • Craig R.

    An ok place to get Puerto Rican food, but no to die for. If this food style is your target, it may be convenient.

    (3)
  • Marlo P.

    The food was decent. I come from the northside of Chicago where Puerto Rican food is accessible. If it's your first time trying Puerto Rican food, go for it. It's worth trying and they do great. The service is a little slow but they're extremely nice here. The place is very comfortable with some very nice art work on the walls. Definitely not a fancy place to eat but most great places aren't. I can't say this place is the best food I've ever had. This place is okay and when I'm craving a jibarito with some tostones or some chuletas and arroz con gandules it fixes the craving. It'll definitely do the job especially if you're like me, living in the suburbs and are craving for it but don't want to drive all the way to Chicago for it. So, I give this place 3 stars for being the only place in the burbs that I was able to find that serves jibaritos.

    (3)
  • Jose R.

    You don't to go to Puerto Rico to get great Puerto Rican food. My days of driving to Chicago are over. Delicias Tropical is amazing. Just try their.Mofingo con Camarones and you will swear you hear the waves of the ocean.

    (5)
  • Jeff B.

    We had the pernil with arroz con gandules, an alcapurrias, pollo guisado, a couple of bacalaito, and chamgagne kola. And flan for dessert. (We took this home to eat later: we were quite full!) Everything was delicious, the place was busy but not crowded. Staff was friendly. Prices reasonable.

    (5)
  • Ben Y.

    I've been here serveral times under the old & new management.. Usually order the pernil, mofungo, or jibarito. Today, I tried the chuleta (marinated & fried pork chop). It's been literally 20 yrs since I've had a pork chop! Immediately, I had a flashback of my childhood & how my mom would prepare them the same way. Suffice to say, I cleaned my plate :)

    (5)
  • Kevin G.

    Food was awesome! The Cuban sandwich was one of the best I've ever had. The prices are good. I gave it 4/5 because service was a little slow. They only had one person working during the lunch rush. Other than that everything was great.

    (4)
  • Steve H.

    I had no idea what Puerto Rican food was like but this is a great little place with good service and food. We had lunch there and enjoyed it very much for all aspects except that it was a bit cold and we ate with our jackets on. We will go back again.

    (4)
  • Suzanne S.

    I used to love Delicia when Kevin was the owner. Prices were reasonable, service was much better, and the quality of the food was consistently amazing. We went 2-3 times per month all the way from DeKalb Co and for special family celebrations several times per year as well. Under new owners the prices soared, service has tanked, and food quality has gone down and is no longer consistent. We stopped eating here for about 6 months because of a series of really bad experiences, but finally tried it again a couple times this spring and had better experiences (still not great, but enough that I was willing to give you another chance). Tonight is the straw that broke the camel's back so to speak. Posted hours are until 9pm and we arrived at 7:45pm. After waiting about 5 minutes for staff to even acknowledge us standing there waiting, we were very rudely told that the dining room is closed and that they were only doing takeout. When we called them on their rudeness they snootily said that we could stay and eat this time but that we should have called ahead like their other customers and he would've told us the dining room was closed. We ended up leaving as we were so off-put by the WORST(!!) customer service we've ever had at a restaurant. Ended up at another restaurant where they were pleasant and happy for our business. A couple suggestions: a) change your posted hours online and on your door if you're closing over an hour earlier than posted or if takeout is open later than the dining room; b) get some hospitality/customer service training - you could've said things nicely in one of a million ways (such as, "I'm sorry folks, but we're short staffed this evening and we had to close the dining room early, but we'd be happy to cook you some great food to bring home" or "sure, have a seat and we'll be right with you. Just so you know for next time, we recently changed our policy and now the dining room closes at 745pm but since we're still in the process of changing our posted hours we're happy to serve you later than normal tonight.") instead of treating potential paying customers like crap. Really sad to write you off, but I'm not wiling to pay to be disrespected like that. If that's what I was looking for I'd head to Ed Debevick's where at least they're funny and only pretending to be awful to customers.

    (1)
  • Kelley T.

    Outstanding!!! Will def make the trip again!! Jibarito is the most amazing sandwich I've ever eaten! My PR bestie works in the area so I met him for lunch one afternoon. I'd never had anything so amazing! The plantain "bun" is AWESOME! Garlicy but sweet. You HAVE to try it! I'm a freak about PR rice, and was not disappointed in the least bit. It was perfectly sticky and oh so flavorful! I go back EVERY chance I get!! Delicious!

    (5)
  • J H.

    Good food in an area that is generally under served. We liked the interesting choices and the taste was good. Really enjoyed plantain chips. Price was reasonable and seemed like good value. Unfortunately restaurant was very cold and we had to put our coats back on. My toes were getting a bit numb by the time we left. Building is a bit roughy around the edges. Will definitely go back, but will wait until weather warms up.

    (4)
  • Jeff B.

    We had the pernil with arroz con gandules, an alcapurrias, pollo guisado, a couple of bacalaito, and chamgagne kola. And flan for dessert. (We took this home to eat later: we were quite full!) Everything was delicious, the place was busy but not crowded. Staff was friendly. Prices reasonable.

    (5)
  • Craig R.

    An ok place to get Puerto Rican food, but no to die for. If this food style is your target, it may be convenient.

    (3)
  • Marlo P.

    The food was decent. I come from the northside of Chicago where Puerto Rican food is accessible. If it's your first time trying Puerto Rican food, go for it. It's worth trying and they do great. The service is a little slow but they're extremely nice here. The place is very comfortable with some very nice art work on the walls. Definitely not a fancy place to eat but most great places aren't. I can't say this place is the best food I've ever had. This place is okay and when I'm craving a jibarito with some tostones or some chuletas and arroz con gandules it fixes the craving. It'll definitely do the job especially if you're like me, living in the suburbs and are craving for it but don't want to drive all the way to Chicago for it. So, I give this place 3 stars for being the only place in the burbs that I was able to find that serves jibaritos.

    (3)
  • Jose R.

    You don't to go to Puerto Rico to get great Puerto Rican food. My days of driving to Chicago are over. Delicias Tropical is amazing. Just try their.Mofingo con Camarones and you will swear you hear the waves of the ocean.

    (5)
  • Ben Y.

    I've been here serveral times under the old & new management.. Usually order the pernil, mofungo, or jibarito. Today, I tried the chuleta (marinated & fried pork chop). It's been literally 20 yrs since I've had a pork chop! Immediately, I had a flashback of my childhood & how my mom would prepare them the same way. Suffice to say, I cleaned my plate :)

    (5)
  • Kevin G.

    Food was awesome! The Cuban sandwich was one of the best I've ever had. The prices are good. I gave it 4/5 because service was a little slow. They only had one person working during the lunch rush. Other than that everything was great.

    (4)
  • Inigo M.

    Steamed chicken and vegetables a tad salty and buttery. Plain plantains.

    (3)
  • Steve H.

    I had no idea what Puerto Rican food was like but this is a great little place with good service and food. We had lunch there and enjoyed it very much for all aspects except that it was a bit cold and we ate with our jackets on. We will go back again.

    (4)
  • Jacob V.

    My wife and I have been looking for a Puerto Rican place in the suburbs, and this one had good reviews. It did not disappoint. The atmosphere is cool and Kevin, the wait staff, was really friendly and helpful. We ordered pork dishes--the carne frito was especially good. The fruit drinks-mango and guayaba- were as good as I've had anywhere, and being Mexican, we've had a lot of aguas de fruta. The tembleque dessert was incredible. This was our first time tasting it, and it is now our new favorite dessert. Overall, a great place, especially if you don't want to trek all the way into Chicago. We'll definitely be returning soon!

    (5)
  • Dude M.

    Good food and friendly owner. Excellent mufongo con pernil and the Bori-Cuba sandwich is my favorite. Many other good choices. My fave PR joint.

    (4)
  • Gigi J.

    Since this was my first time trying this place i tried the classics. I ordered tostones, steak jibarito and pernil with sides of arroz con gandules and the white rice and kidney beans. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The food had great flavor and was at a great price. I can't complain about any of it. I usually go to the city for good PR food but I can say I'll finally be saving on gas coming here instead. Definitely going to be coming here again and again.

    (4)
  • Hugo B.

    I finally found a home away from home when I want a real good Puertorican meal... Kevin makes sure the customers are happy with their food

    (5)
  • Matthew K.

    After vacationing in Puerto Rico, I yearned for some mofungo. I searched the internet, and Delicia was the only Puerto Rican restaurant I could find west of Chicago. When I found myself in Elgin, I made a stop. What a delicious experience! In addition to the mofungo, my girlfriend and I tried the aranitas and a bori-cuba sandwhich (a Cuban sandwich on plantain slices). My friends, you *must* try the aranitas--they are like hash browns, but they are made out of plantains and served with a garlic mayo sauce. Absolutely brilliant. The mofungo was exactly what I remembered from Puerto Rico, and the bori-cuba sandwich was delicious in its simplicity. The service is generally attentive, though this past time I had to remind my waiter of several things (e.g., refilling water). One of the waitresses there always speaks to us in Spanish even though she can speak English. (I don't speak Spanish very well.) All the servers are friendly, though. Definitely check out Delicia for a taste of the Caribbean.

    (4)
  • Aletta J.

    Gosh, I hope this place stays around! I have never had PR food before, ever... and a friend who had explained how they roast this and that and the plantains yada...all this while I was practically DRINKING their salad dressing and chowing on the fried plantains with the same dressing. Yes, I smelled like garlic for two days, but it was completely worth it. I got the roasted pork mufongo which comes w/ soup or salad (salad drsg - the bomb!) and we ordered an extra order of the fried plantains so I could take home to the hubs. It was so much food that I had two meals out of the leftovers. My husband was impressed with the flavor. My boss, whom I got the same but chicken, was not impressed -- she said the chicken was dry, which it was and flavorless. NOTE: she did not realize she had to use the broth to moisten up the plantain mash etc. I drove past last Thursday night on my way to Bartlett and noticed it was EMPTY. I hope that this is not a sign of things to come. According to the manager/owner he said many catering orders were going out, which is good. BTW, atmosphere in the restaurant is very plain and nothing spectacular. Focus on the food... the bathrooms were clean. (this is important!)

    (3)
  • Dan N.

    We went with some friends one who is Puerto Rican and knows what shes talking about. We ordered way too much food just to get a good sampling of everything. No complains very home-style and fresh. I was happy to find a suburban place that make a good Jibarito. The Tostones were very yummy and I love there rice. Next time I really want to try the Monfongo...and I will report back later

    (4)
  • Just My O.

    The Pernil, bistec, acapuria, empanada, tostones are very deliciosa. This is a very good authentic Puerto Rican restaurant. I highly recommend it. Especially the price is economical. We will definitely come back for more to try the other dishes.

    (5)
  • Kat c.

    New owners took over in November 2012 (I think). I'm sure they are nice people, but the quality of food has taken a BIG dive. Used to love this place... now, not so much. Won't go back unless I hear that the food has improved. We had our favorites (pasteles... etc)... all were sub-par, in flavor. I hope they make a change quick. Hate to see their business go under.

    (1)
  • Miguel V.

    Wait staff lacks experience. Food is bland and lacks true Puerto Rican flavor.

    (2)
  • Pack C.

    I went there for lunch and had Cuban sandwich. It was ok, nothing spectacular. It's probably my bad for ordering Cuban food at a Puerto Rican place. The sandwich is cheap ~$5-6. However, it doesn't come with any side (the side is at $3)

    (3)
  • Eman A.

    This is the only PR restaurant I've been to in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. They've set a high bar. Their food is fantastic. Other than the fact that they serve Pepsi, I love this place. I can't remember the names of most things I have and I usually just point to the menu because my pronunciation is horrid. But their tostones are so so good. And every dish I've had has been good. Next time I go, i'll update this review with what i've gotten. Oh I've gotten the mufongo (sp?) with the steak and it's YUM. Also got the coconut pudding dessert. And it's good too.

    (4)
  • Jason C.

    This place has legit PR food. I vacation there last summer and the smells and tastes were pretty reminiscent of my Caribbean holiday. The pork, chicken, and mofongo dishes were delish. And the puerto rican rice and fried plantains? Muy bueno! Top off your meal with the coconut ice cream. It's really not an ice cream per se, but more of a shaved ice texture. Whatever it was, I'll definitely be going back to Delicia over and over again!

    (4)
  • Candyce P.

    5 stars for a Puerto Rican restaurant in ELGIN? Yes, it's true. Delicia Tropical Cafe is fantastic! I went with 2 others last night after googling PR restaurants. We were surprised to see one pop up in Elgin, and decided to give it a try since it was by far the closest. (We spent all afternoon staring at the menu, starving ourselves for the feast to come) The neighborhood is a little skechy, but isn't that where you find the best food sometimes? Small parking lot and directly on the main street, so it's easy to find. Upon entering, we all looked at each other with empty stomachs and agreed that the place just smelled delicious already. We were excited. The server (can't remember his name, but there only seemed to be two present) was friendly, helpful and must've thought we were Puerto Rican because he was rambling off spanish like we were from the islands. Good thing we could keep up :) We ordered several items, all of which were absolutely homemade and delicious. A LOT of food for 3 hungry girls. But that's how we roll. [DRINKS] Kola Champagne all around. Yum. Looks like Cola but tastes like Cream Soda. And straight from Puerto Rico. [APPETIZERS] 1) Tostones - huge, double-fried, drizzled with a garlic oil and served with a mayo-ketchup dipping sauce. Hot, freshly made and delicious! 2) Pastelillos - we ordered one beef and one cheese. Again, delicious. I loved the beef filling and could eat maybe 3 of those as a meal. [ENTREES] (all came with a pretty good, fairly large side salad) 1) Pernil y Arroz Blanco con Habichuelas Rojas - This was my entree and I was completely happy with it. I've had delicious homemade pernil before, and this didn't disappoint. Perfectly seasoned, on the salty side, which I love. The habichuelas... omg... Can I have a bowl of just that with rice please? They were so, so good and comforting! 2) Pechuga con Salsa Criolla y Arroz con Gandules- I had a bite to taste and it was flavorful. The chicken was a bit overcooked (fried), and without the salsa would've been too dry. Altogether though, pretty good. Arroz con gandules - YUM! 3) Mofongo con Camarones Al Ajillo - I was too busy with my Pernil to taste this one, but my sis thoroughly enjoyed it and got her mofongo fix. [DESSERTS] 1) Flan - One of our all-time fave desserts. This one didn't disappoint. 2) Tembleque - Um, are we IN Puerto Rico? We felt like it when we took a bite of this delicious coconut custard pudding. SO. GOOD. We used a restaurant.com Gift Certificate... but I almost felt bad using such a discount on such delicious food. The service was great too - friendly and helpful. Total came to about $30 after the gift cert.... A STEAL for this food. I'll definitely be back, and recommend it to everyone. I'm determined to get people to this place so that they never close down. Already getting a big group to go back! Go. Eat delicious food. Enjoy my favorite salsa songs in the background. Support this authentic spot deep in the burbs. They deserve it.

    (5)
  • Jason S.

    I should mention, I ordered the Churrasco and that was delicious. Best mushroom gravy I've had in my life

    (5)
  • Terrence B.

    ok, admit it! There are restaraunts you go to that you that you don't understand their offerings. The place is in a seedier end of Elgin than I would desire but is far from worry-some and inside looked really nice!!! (another customer commented about their recent remodel) So back to not understanding their menu, we ordered all of their frittas appetizers. There are 5 of them, they are a buck fifty each, we received 4 (and accurately billed as such)... I can't tell you what was what but they were a steal for the price and damn tasty. We had salads that (while I am not a fan in any way shape or form) had some of the reddest, ripest tomatoes I had ever seen. For the main course, I'm not even sure what I ordered! something about fried plantains that are turned into mashed potatoes and steak with vegetables (the best I can tell you was it began with an 'M'). The fried plantains mashed potatoes is probably more ethnic a texture than I will understand. The steak cut is very thin and seemed a bit overcooked. The topped peppers and onions were the absolute perfect thickness and major props for that. And it was over a very watery "salsa". I don't think I understood how to properly eat it but I did very much enjoy it. My date had one of their seared shrimp in garlic butter with vegetables and Spanish rice. That was a damn good dish! Oh and they had my favorite soda: Good Cola's Cola Champaign.... mmmmmm. To overview the experience, the neighborhood is a bit off-putting and I don't think they are accustomed to clients ordering in english (so some order shortings but the billing was accurate), but I really enjoyed my experience there and will certainly be back again! And the pricing was fantastic, 2 people ordering twice the amount of food they should have totalled to 32.25.... Thumbs up!

    (4)
  • Dennis M.

    Pretty good. I'm more familiar with Mexican than Puerto Rican so I wasn't too sure what to expect. The sandwiches are great, but the plantain chips were kind of blah. The service was prompt and very friendly and the price was very reasonable. The waitress also gave us some good drink recommendations.

    (3)
  • Ameli A.

    It was great. And don't have to travel far if u live in the suburbs.

    (5)
  • T L.

    I enjoyed this place, it was my first time eating puerto rican food, so I can only base this off my taste buds since I have nothing to compare to. Tostones- good texture, good sauce, but definitely needed to be salted, not such a bad thing because I like to control the amount of salt I used. mofongo with fried pork- flavor city, the pork was delicious- some parts a little too dry, but still delicious. the mofongo was garlicky and had enough chicharron for texture, and I really liked the broth. portions were good, we had a lot of leftovers. Service was good, they were all very nice and helpful, and they have carafes of water. More restaurants need to bust out carafes for water!

    (4)
  • Christine G.

    Just returned from Puerto Rico and I loved this restaurant. They have GREAT service and are willing to answer questions and make recommendations of what to order. I thought their rice and beans (pinto beans) were spiced perfectly and the Pechuga al Ajilo (garlic chicken) was very good. I think this restaurant is a good value and overall I had a great experience. I can't wait to go back to try more. Update: We catered from this restaurant and it was fantastic. You could not beat the price, the food, and we ordered the perfect amount of food. The owner was super helpful and dead on with how much food to get. I can't say enough about this place, I love it!

    (5)
  • Mike C.

    This review is long overdue but it's hard not to give this restaurant justice, it is THAT DAMN GOOD! Now, being born and raised my whole life in Chicago i have experienced most of the Puerto Rican restuarants in and around Chicago/humbolt park area. I also have been to Puerto Rico this past year and i can say that Delicia is one of the best, if not the best Puerto Rican food i have ever had (Besides my Wife's of course :) ) I have been here a few times now and the food has never disappointed me. As hard as it is to find mofongo, Delicia's is perfect and the best i have ever had. The Pernil was juicy and very flavorful and was perfect with the mofongo. The Jibarito is great as well, the steak is very tender and again, the best jibarito i have ever had (Sorry Borinquen). Now the rice (Arroz Con Gandules), is the best i have had from a restaurant. Very traditional and perfect. VERY good cafe con leche and i must say the service was very good the few times i have been there. I really hope Delicia stays around for a long time, now that i live out in the burbs i dont have to drive to the city to get my PR food fix. The owner takes great pride in his restaurant and reading the stories on the wall about him, made the whole experience even better.

    (5)
  • Robin W.

    The place was great suprise. We don,t venture into Elgin often but the reviews sounded very interesting. The restaurant itself could use some updating and spicing up. I think that may keep some patrons away. The food was just terrific. Everything was made from scratch and everything was given special attention. I will be back many times. If you go be patient order the appetizers and take your time. A great food adventure.

    (5)
  • R. M.

    pretty mediocre,,, the sandwichs were fairly bland and the service was very slow.... we enjoyed the food, but the portions were small other than the plantains..... this wouldn't be somewhere I would go regularly.... my sandwich was a very thin chicken cutlet with a very small piece of lettuce and a very thinly cut tomato slice cut in half.... instead of bread I chose the fried plantain as the bun which was most of the sandwich... very starchy with little to nothing as far as sandwich filling.... My daughter also chose the plantain bunned Cuban sandwich which once again was light on the meats, cheese and pickles.... My wife got the chicken and rice soup which she said had great flavor and once again this dish came with fried plantains which were in all plates a majority of what the dishes consisted of.... with a side of mixxed catsup and mayo for all....

    (2)
  • Ryan H.

    I used to live in Puerto Rico and I love good Puerto Rican food. Unfortunately, finding good PR food is sometimes difficult. Then I find Delicia Tropical. I've had carry-out from this restaurant on a number of occasions. Each time, the food has been decent. Not the best Puerto Rican food, but certainly good enough and without the 5 hour flight to San Juan. Good mofongo. Rice and beans with that very specific Puerto Rican flavor. And I've also had a couple excellent chicken and beef dishes as well. The area around this restaurant is a little seedy, but it is definitely worth the visit in my opinion.

    (3)
  • Bill F.

    We went to Delicia tonight with friends based on a word-of-mouth recommendation and had a wonderful time. Superb friendly service, massive portions of excellent food, and reasonable prices. The owner bent over backward to recommend the house specialties and explain everything. You can tell he loves his business and sharing his Puerto Rican heritage. Everything was like home-cooked and delicious. Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Conor G.

    The food here is at least as good as any restaurant I tried in San Juan. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Elgin of any type.

    (5)
  • Mark W.

    I'm not sure exactly what my dish was called but it was a lemon / peppery chicken with peppers & onions and a side of rice/beans. Amazing. The flavors were simple, stood out, they didn't overpower each other. If you're looking to try something new or different stop in.

    (5)
  • Becky F.

    Thanks to all of the great reviews I read here on yelp about Delicia, I finally went tonight! Oh, what a fantastic treat! I took my daughter and my 2 granddaughters, ages 8 and 6. We ordered way too much food!!! Everything was very good! We had the amarillas (fried plantains), the bacalaito (fried cod fish fritter), pastelillo de pollo (chicken turnovers). MMMMM!!!! The daughter and the grandkiddos didn't like the texture of the plantains, but loved the flavor. The entrees were pechuga al ajillo and mofongo - both were chicken sauted in garlic butter with onions and red and green bell peppers. MMMMMM!!! I will definitely go back soon!! Thank you, all of you previous reviewers, for you great recommendations!

    (5)
  • Linda R.

    A fantastic bit of Puerto Rico right in Elgin! My husband and I just returned from a trip to Puerto Rico and were missing the food. We searched Puerto Rican restaurants and found this one close by. We called, and they do take reservations, although they are not always needed. They asked that if you bring a larger party that you call ahead to reserve a table. They also said that you can bring your own favorite alcoholic beverages if you like. We started off with the pastelillos -- one chicken and one beef. My favorite was the beef -- the seasoning was just like the ones in Puerto Rico. We moved onto the bistec en salsa and camarones en salsa criolla: beef in a tomato sauce with onions and peppers and shrimp prepared similarly. We both got the rice and beans with sausage. Absolutely fantastic and I'm not a fan of white rice!! The portions were so big that we each took home half of our meal and are enjoying it during the week. Dessert was just as pleasing -- we tried both the flan and the coconut custard. Delicious!! It was also fun that the staff came over to talk to us. We shared stories of Puerto Rico, and they told us some very interesting history and other places to go to if we ever get that return trip in. There was pleasant salsa music playing in the background. Everyone was very pleasant, service was excellent, and the food came out fast (we had become accustomed to waiting a lot longer in PR). We're eager to share this restaurant with friends and will be coming back.

    (5)
  • N S.

    Great, fresh, homemade style Puerto Rican food at an amazingly low price! First off, walking into this tiny old diner building I was greeted by the aroma of roasted meats and garlic. I had the kind of feeling you get as a hungry kid, when your friend's mom is making dinner and you are really hoping they will invite you to stay. We used a restaurants.com gift certificate so we ordered alot for 2 people. I had the garlic shrimp mofongo (amazing but so loaded with garlic that its for extreme garlic die-hards... You'll be tasting it the next day, trust me). My husband ordered a roast pork platter with hot broth. Tender with lots of flavor. The fried plantains rock but not as much as the tostones fried dough with meat or cheese. That can't be healthy, but that's not why we eat out, right? Also we had dinner salads with the house dressing (a zesty version of thousand island), and a side of Puerto Rican rice (made authentic with pigeon peas and olives), which was mild and filling. I want to go back for the soup and a sandwich (which combined only costs around $7). I only regret ordering the kola champagne soft drink. While having a pleasant aroma of cream soda with distinct notes of rose petals, at 52g of sugar I could actually feel it drilling holes into my teeth. We shared that nevertheless. So, for cheap authentic eats, check this place out!

    (5)
  • Sara G.

    Great PR food at extremely reasonable prices. I've taken friends and relatives to Tropical to experience this place for themselves and ever time it's been an overall hit. Two thumbs up!!

    (5)
  • Alejandro T.

    This restaurant not only offers one of the most delicious Puerto Rican food I've had outside that Island but the prices are extremely good and the people that work there are very kind. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Sofia D.

    Uhh, this place is really good... like, amazingly fantastic good. I chose the "Bori-Cuba" (plantain sandwich with roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles and a bunch of mustard) and a side of the arroz con gandules (rice with peas). The rice was a big ol' mountain of deliciousness, so I recommend splitting it with your compañero. I also suggest getting two sandwiches for yourself, so you can eat one now and take the other one home. We chowed on the "Cubano" sandwich and really liked it despite feeling guilty for eating Cuban food at a Puerto Rican restaurant. The guy told me that the tostones (plaintain chips) are worth getting too, so check 'em out. Anyway, it was such a great meal, I'll be going back asap.

    (5)
  • R L.

    It's pretty hard to find good Puerto Rican food in the burbs, this one is great. The food is very tasty. I would say the service is slow so don't go there if you're in a rush. I've been there twice since the new owners took over and I have to say the food is better than before. Today I took my daughter's friend there for her first Puerto Rican dinning experience and she was trilled with her selections.

    (4)
  • Annette G.

    My husband and I took our 4 year old twin girls. Service was a little slow, but the food was very tasty. We tried the Rellano de Papa (don't bother), and Pastelillo de Pollo (supurb), amarillos (yummy), the pastel, mufango, and El Jibarito were all excellent. There was plenty of food, our girls liked the rice, and the bill completely reasonable. Can't wait to go back.

    (4)
  • Alanna K.

    Ok, I went to this restaurant today. It was pretty good, and WAY CLOSER than Humboldt Park....BUT...I do have to say, it's not as good as some Puerto Rican food I have had before. I would go back though. The tostones were mighty delicious, with its little dipping sauce. The Jibarito was pretty decent...but their BEEF STEW was yum yum yummy! Their arroz con gandules were also pretty good too. The service there was a little slow, but that's just because there was only one guy working all the tables! He was super nice though, and would answer any of our questions that we had. I'm sure I will be there again, and will try something different!

    (4)
  • Seleen T.

    My friends and I went to Delicia Tropical Cafe and we were not impressed. We have tried La Boriquen and Boriquen Lounge in the city and we by far say the jibaritos is much better in the city than elgin. Our food took forever to be served and we were just left there with only bread and butter. Then when the food arrived it only comes with just the sandwich when in other restaurants with rice. If you ask you rice they charge you an extra 3$ and in my opinion that's really overpriced for a jibarito meal. It came out to be 8.25 in the end which is very overpriced than the restaurants in the city and they include rice. I would not recommend this place. Sorry.

    (1)
  • Katie S.

    I can't say enough good things about the food here. It's authentic and delicious and tastes just like the home cooking. My only complaint is the guy in his mid-20s that works there, pretty sure it's his family that owns the place, can be a little standoffish sometimes. Very obvious that he cares more about the money side of things. But the rest of the staff/owners there are wonderful and very friendly. I recommend this place to anyone, especially if you're missing that home cooked meal.

    (5)
  • Alexis W.

    So. Good. We have Puerto Rican family members, and have never been able to find food like they make. This is so good. The stews were hearty. The plantain sandwich was dense and the combination of textures is addictive. The Tripolini sandwich was excellent and the steak was great. The rice and beans was a little dry, and not the traditional - with kidney beans and potatoes. But still pretty good.

    (4)
  • Mark B.

    My new favorite breakfast place. One thing that jumps out for me was their coffee. Some of the best coffee I've ever had. I had the skillet, eggs were perfect and the Cuban toast was a nice change. I'm definitely going back to try more. I'll post up with a better review.

    (4)
  • Keysha C.

    Absolutely looooveedd itt!!! I went to Delicia just arriving from PR and my husband took me here because he had previously visited and was delighted with the place! I thought he was exagerating but NO!! Everything was good and the service even better!! Delicious food with the warmth of PR!!

    (5)
  • Paige W.

    My friend and I couldn't have picked a better place to have dinner tonight. I told her that I never had a Cuban sandwich, so we venture out to find one and ended up at this cute kitschy restaurant. The staff was too notch. I don't know what others experienced, but the waiter we had was attentive and funny and very helpful with food suggestions. Our food came out fast and our drinks were always full. Now onto the food: we ordered that Cuban and it didn't disappoint. It wasn't at all greasy and the meat was fresh and juicy. We also ordered the bistec with onions which came out timely and was really pretty on the plate. The rice that came with it was good with the olive in it. We finished up with some amazing homemade flan. Don't pass this one up guys... It's SO good! We had a great experience and the price was right too. We were amazed by the nil when we left. We will be sure to go back again. From the great atmosphere to the friendly staff and the top notch Cuban food.. You can't miss. Muy bueno!

    (5)
  • Lissy E.

    The best Puerto Rican food outside of Chicago! Everything I've tried here was delicious... My favorite is the chicken Jibarito, served with rice & beans. Surtidos are awesome. My bf always gets the pechuga rellena... I recommend this place & I'm from Chicago.

    (5)
  • Avinash K.

    Peurto-Rican food - never tried it before. It was the first time. This seems to be fairly a small place with some decent decor and family-run restaurant and there was just one person helping with the seating and taking orders, so kinda was a little-slow service but very very friendly. We were given a complementary plate of bread - which was uhmm.. not really THAT fresh but hey we were hungry souls. We were just two of us, we started off with Platanutres - thinly fried plantain chips - which was soo good.. Reminded us of the Indian Banana Chips, we got a Cola Champaigna - cream soda, which was pretty good too something similar to some of our local sodas. We then ordered the Tilapia Al ajilio - which was baked fish with some veggies and garlic butter sauce, got with a side of mfongos (mashed/seasonded plantain) - both were good and was heavy. Also got the jibarito o'chicago with chicken (plantain sandwich - instead of bread deep fried plantain) - this was yummy .. Really good..!! Only complaints were - complementary bread was cold and hard, LOT OF PLANTAINS :p.. But overall really enjoyed the food I was given :) P.S. Probably difficult with someone who is veg - none of the entrees/sandwiches were vegetarian I think.. Though of course you can remove the meat I suppose.. x)

    (4)
  • Chloe O.

    I dont know how to review this place because this was the first time I've ever had Puerto Rican food. I don't know how to gauge if the food is considered, "good Puerto Rican food" or "bad Puerto Rican food". Personally, I didn't care too much for the food. It didn't taste bad, but everything was soooooooo fried, I could barely handle it. They have fresh guava juice, but its so loaded with sugar, it made me feel heavy and full. Ugh. I just felt bored with the food. The staff were great and friendly.

    (3)
  • Tiffany B.

    This place is sooooo good . 5 stars all the way . Hands down best puertorican food in the area. Next to my family's cooking that is . I'm still drooling over the pastelillos . And the rice . Yes yes yes .

    (5)
  • Rachel K.

    Very, very good, I love Puerto Rican food and this is a really good spot to cure the cravings.

    (4)
  • Ivy P.

    Fed my jibarrito craving without having to run in the city always a plus in my book!!!!

    (4)
  • dottie m.

    Until we found this place, the only place my family could go for real Puerto Rican food was my house. A lot of people have called Delicia a "gem", and it really is a perfect word. The food is very authentic, and if you need suggestions, the servers are extremely helpful. Unbelievable mofungo, tostones, and pasteles that remind my mom of her ancestors (a huge compliment). We've even had some items that we'd never heard of before, and we have yet to be disappointed. The flan is not to be missed, either, and this menu is so affordable that it's pretty much a sin if you don't order dessert. A little off the beaten path, but if you're in Elgin, you should try Delicia.

    (4)
  • Mel C.

    Went on 4/18/15 1:00pm The food was outstanding and very big portions. The staff was very friendly and the service was great. I highly recommend this restaurant if you want some good home made Puerto Rican food.. We will definitely be back!

    (4)
  • Wanda M.

    OMG the flan was to die for delicious!!!! And they made my garlic chicken with extra garlic as I requested, soo good. The mofongo was like being back home. All in all, great service and delicious food. Will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Maria D.

    I love this locally owned business! The rice, tostones & flan are always consistently good. Jibaritos sandwich, passion fruit & guava juices are great! Sometimes I am at this place 3 times a week. It's affordable good food!

    (5)
  • Stella W.

    Good service, good food. Honestly, walking in i really didn't expect much, but the lobster with criolla sauce was really delightful. The olives in the puerto rican rice kicked the flavour up a notch! After having a bite of my bf's jibarito sandwiches, i had to resist from finishing his dinner as well Such a hidden gems in Elgin..

    (4)
  • Dan M.

    My wife and I stopped in here for dinner. The staff was friendly. We were seated at a table that was dirty, but not the end of the world. We ordered the tostones. They were really good- crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The dipping sauce for the tostones was also very good. I ordered the steak Jibarito. It was good but I felt that the meat was dry and a bit lacking flavor. My wife ordered the Cuban sandwich. I thought the Cuban sandwich was awesome! Very flavorful. The restaurant had a good sized crowd. All in all I enjoyed the place and I want to go back and try the Mofongo (spelling?) it looks like a very unique dish.

    (4)
  • Kelly O.

    Awesome food. Service was ok but no one mentioned that you need to get your check at the register. We sat for over 20 minutes waiting before we were checked on again and told to go pay in front. Food was delicious. Had the mofongo and steak jibarito as well as tostones as an appetizer. Everything was very flavorful and I will go back for sure.

    (4)
  • Janni V.

    Those tostones. THOSE TOSTONES. Some of the best tostones I've ever had. I'm not Puerto Rican. But one of my friends is, and SHE also swears these are some of the best tostones she's ever had. So I'm not on crack, yay! :D Ridiculously great sandwiches. I had the criollo de pollo. My aforementioned friend had the jibarito de pollo (which I wanted, but she ordered it first, so I got something else). My SO ordered the tripleta. Puerto Rican rice was a little heavy on the olives, but completely tasty. They even serve Coco Rico and other PR drinks! I'm hoping I have room for dessert next time. As it was, my SO had to take half of his tripleta home -- still can't believe that sandwich was under $7. It was huge, stuffed with meat, and delicious. Will definitely nom again. So happy a PR place of this quality is out in the 'burbs!

    (5)
  • Juan A.

    The pernil was good with either rice and beans or arroz con gan led. I must admit that the food was a bit cold but good taste. The alcapurria was of right taste but a bit too soogy missing crunch. Bacalaito completely missed the mark with just dough and no bacalao you may as well call it a blind bacalaito aka "ito". Lastly the bistec encebollado and they plantain mofongo was justo right, tasty and ver y well cooked moist yet bit greasy.

    (4)
  • Ron L.

    So so so good. Drove two hours to eat here and will gladly do it again soon. Amazing food, killer flan, and an atmosphere like you're going over to your best friends house who just happens to be a stellar cook and host. Had the mofongo with shrimp, which was crazy amazing btw. I even picked up the dish of sauce and then drank it like tea without caring who saw me. Don't judge. And I could not leave without having a dish of flan (better than your mama makes) and a cup of coffee. Denny, an owner, waited on us and was excellent. If you're still reading this, then stop and go there already. You'll be glad you did.

    (5)
  • Matt L.

    Awesome food and the service is just as good! Everyone there was extremely friendly and helpful. This place is great!! Will be back frequently.

    (5)
  • Paul M.

    Great food, great environment.

    (5)
  • SOCHICKY S.

    Been here a couple of times...the arroz con gandules has always been really tasty, but the the rest of the food has been subpar. I've had the chicken jibarito and it was cold, the chicken breast was breaded and unflavored. You can tell that the chicken is a frozen patty and not fresh. The plantin was not crispy or garlicky the way it should be. I ordered and alcapurria and it was raw on the inside so I returned it. I was not impressed at all. I've also had the chicken mofongo it had good flavor but there wasn't chunks of chicken in it. There were tiny shreds of chicken...I was disappointed.

    (2)
  • Ricky M.

    Best Puerto Rican food in Elgin love their pastellios and rice people are really friendly too !!

    (5)
  • Russ W.

    This place is DA BOMBA! I've gotten food there on several occasions, both eating in and carry out. The service is excellent and the food is mucho tasty. They are still building their menu but sure to be FIRE in the future. My wife and I stopped in this weekend and they gave us a free sample of the new cuban coffee they serve. I almost fell out of my seat! It was soooo delicious. I didn't expect coffee to taste that good! Better than Starbucks in my opinion. I'll continue to go and recommend this place to anyone in the Elgin area. This place is a hidden gem in Elgin!

    (4)
  • k h.

    We took a chance with a groupon and decided to go. I just love when we discover a great place by chance! Our bill was so small for what we ordered and we brought home leftovers. The tostones and mufongo were delicious. The pork mufongo was perfect with the sauce it came with, True PR food is not really spicy but subtlely seasoned and it was right there. Had the option of ordering the tostones without garlic but I would strongly recommend them with. Yum!! Best I've had this side of Chicago. Hot, fresh, authentic. The rice was perfect and the meats in our entrees were cooked just right, Loved the coconut pudding, too. Next time I will try the coconut "icecream". The place is small but was clean and nicely painted, service was spot on and our waiter was nice and pleasant. We eat out a lot and I can't remember getting really excited about a restaurant in a long time. We really can't wait to go back and try other things.

    (5)
  • Suzanne S.

    I used to love Delicia when Kevin was the owner. Prices were reasonable, service was much better, and the quality of the food was consistently amazing. We went 2-3 times per month all the way from DeKalb Co and for special family celebrations several times per year as well. Under new owners the prices soared, service has tanked, and food quality has gone down and is no longer consistent. We stopped eating here for about 6 months because of a series of really bad experiences, but finally tried it again a couple times this spring and had better experiences (still not great, but enough that I was willing to give you another chance). Tonight is the straw that broke the camel's back so to speak. Posted hours are until 9pm and we arrived at 7:45pm. After waiting about 5 minutes for staff to even acknowledge us standing there waiting, we were very rudely told that the dining room is closed and that they were only doing takeout. When we called them on their rudeness they snootily said that we could stay and eat this time but that we should have called ahead like their other customers and he would've told us the dining room was closed. We ended up leaving as we were so off-put by the WORST(!!) customer service we've ever had at a restaurant. Ended up at another restaurant where they were pleasant and happy for our business. A couple suggestions: a) change your posted hours online and on your door if you're closing over an hour earlier than posted or if takeout is open later than the dining room; b) get some hospitality/customer service training - you could've said things nicely in one of a million ways (such as, "I'm sorry folks, but we're short staffed this evening and we had to close the dining room early, but we'd be happy to cook you some great food to bring home" or "sure, have a seat and we'll be right with you. Just so you know for next time, we recently changed our policy and now the dining room closes at 745pm but since we're still in the process of changing our posted hours we're happy to serve you later than normal tonight.") instead of treating potential paying customers like crap. Really sad to write you off, but I'm not wiling to pay to be disrespected like that. If that's what I was looking for I'd head to Ed Debevick's where at least they're funny and only pretending to be awful to customers.

    (1)
  • Kelley T.

    Outstanding!!! Will def make the trip again!! Jibarito is the most amazing sandwich I've ever eaten! My PR bestie works in the area so I met him for lunch one afternoon. I'd never had anything so amazing! The plantain "bun" is AWESOME! Garlicy but sweet. You HAVE to try it! I'm a freak about PR rice, and was not disappointed in the least bit. It was perfectly sticky and oh so flavorful! I go back EVERY chance I get!! Delicious!

    (5)
  • J H.

    Good food in an area that is generally under served. We liked the interesting choices and the taste was good. Really enjoyed plantain chips. Price was reasonable and seemed like good value. Unfortunately restaurant was very cold and we had to put our coats back on. My toes were getting a bit numb by the time we left. Building is a bit roughy around the edges. Will definitely go back, but will wait until weather warms up.

    (4)
  • M.C. V.

    Just been there once and will definitely reurn to taste some more stuff. I had the carne guisada (beef stew), white rice and mofongo. I agree with previous reviewers, the carne guisada is worth writing home, or Yelp, about. Just couldn't stop eating it. The white rice passed the test - yes, something so simple as plain white rice can be pretty hard to get right. The grains were firm and it was ever so slightly sticky - done right in my book. The mofongo, not so. Lacked what are essential tastes to my palate - garlic and tocino. The worst offense though was that it was pretty undercooked - the pieces of plantain were not mashed together and tasted a bit raw. This may have been my fault - service was a little slow and I was sort of pressuring my server who might have had the kitchen hurry it along. Gotta give it another try and be more patient next time - good things come to those who wait!

    (3)
  • Conor G.

    The food here is at least as good as any restaurant I tried in San Juan. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Elgin of any type.

    (5)
  • Becky F.

    Thanks to all of the great reviews I read here on yelp about Delicia, I finally went tonight! Oh, what a fantastic treat! I took my daughter and my 2 granddaughters, ages 8 and 6. We ordered way too much food!!! Everything was very good! We had the amarillas (fried plantains), the bacalaito (fried cod fish fritter), pastelillo de pollo (chicken turnovers). MMMMM!!!! The daughter and the grandkiddos didn't like the texture of the plantains, but loved the flavor. The entrees were pechuga al ajillo and mofongo - both were chicken sauted in garlic butter with onions and red and green bell peppers. MMMMMM!!! I will definitely go back soon!! Thank you, all of you previous reviewers, for you great recommendations!

    (5)
  • Linda R.

    A fantastic bit of Puerto Rico right in Elgin! My husband and I just returned from a trip to Puerto Rico and were missing the food. We searched Puerto Rican restaurants and found this one close by. We called, and they do take reservations, although they are not always needed. They asked that if you bring a larger party that you call ahead to reserve a table. They also said that you can bring your own favorite alcoholic beverages if you like. We started off with the pastelillos -- one chicken and one beef. My favorite was the beef -- the seasoning was just like the ones in Puerto Rico. We moved onto the bistec en salsa and camarones en salsa criolla: beef in a tomato sauce with onions and peppers and shrimp prepared similarly. We both got the rice and beans with sausage. Absolutely fantastic and I'm not a fan of white rice!! The portions were so big that we each took home half of our meal and are enjoying it during the week. Dessert was just as pleasing -- we tried both the flan and the coconut custard. Delicious!! It was also fun that the staff came over to talk to us. We shared stories of Puerto Rico, and they told us some very interesting history and other places to go to if we ever get that return trip in. There was pleasant salsa music playing in the background. Everyone was very pleasant, service was excellent, and the food came out fast (we had become accustomed to waiting a lot longer in PR). We're eager to share this restaurant with friends and will be coming back.

    (5)
  • N S.

    Great, fresh, homemade style Puerto Rican food at an amazingly low price! First off, walking into this tiny old diner building I was greeted by the aroma of roasted meats and garlic. I had the kind of feeling you get as a hungry kid, when your friend's mom is making dinner and you are really hoping they will invite you to stay. We used a restaurants.com gift certificate so we ordered alot for 2 people. I had the garlic shrimp mofongo (amazing but so loaded with garlic that its for extreme garlic die-hards... You'll be tasting it the next day, trust me). My husband ordered a roast pork platter with hot broth. Tender with lots of flavor. The fried plantains rock but not as much as the tostones fried dough with meat or cheese. That can't be healthy, but that's not why we eat out, right? Also we had dinner salads with the house dressing (a zesty version of thousand island), and a side of Puerto Rican rice (made authentic with pigeon peas and olives), which was mild and filling. I want to go back for the soup and a sandwich (which combined only costs around $7). I only regret ordering the kola champagne soft drink. While having a pleasant aroma of cream soda with distinct notes of rose petals, at 52g of sugar I could actually feel it drilling holes into my teeth. We shared that nevertheless. So, for cheap authentic eats, check this place out!

    (5)
  • Terrence B.

    ok, admit it! There are restaraunts you go to that you that you don't understand their offerings. The place is in a seedier end of Elgin than I would desire but is far from worry-some and inside looked really nice!!! (another customer commented about their recent remodel) So back to not understanding their menu, we ordered all of their frittas appetizers. There are 5 of them, they are a buck fifty each, we received 4 (and accurately billed as such)... I can't tell you what was what but they were a steal for the price and damn tasty. We had salads that (while I am not a fan in any way shape or form) had some of the reddest, ripest tomatoes I had ever seen. For the main course, I'm not even sure what I ordered! something about fried plantains that are turned into mashed potatoes and steak with vegetables (the best I can tell you was it began with an 'M'). The fried plantains mashed potatoes is probably more ethnic a texture than I will understand. The steak cut is very thin and seemed a bit overcooked. The topped peppers and onions were the absolute perfect thickness and major props for that. And it was over a very watery "salsa". I don't think I understood how to properly eat it but I did very much enjoy it. My date had one of their seared shrimp in garlic butter with vegetables and Spanish rice. That was a damn good dish! Oh and they had my favorite soda: Good Cola's Cola Champaign.... mmmmmm. To overview the experience, the neighborhood is a bit off-putting and I don't think they are accustomed to clients ordering in english (so some order shortings but the billing was accurate), but I really enjoyed my experience there and will certainly be back again! And the pricing was fantastic, 2 people ordering twice the amount of food they should have totalled to 32.25.... Thumbs up!

    (4)
  • T L.

    I enjoyed this place, it was my first time eating puerto rican food, so I can only base this off my taste buds since I have nothing to compare to. Tostones- good texture, good sauce, but definitely needed to be salted, not such a bad thing because I like to control the amount of salt I used. mofongo with fried pork- flavor city, the pork was delicious- some parts a little too dry, but still delicious. the mofongo was garlicky and had enough chicharron for texture, and I really liked the broth. portions were good, we had a lot of leftovers. Service was good, they were all very nice and helpful, and they have carafes of water. More restaurants need to bust out carafes for water!

    (4)
  • Christine G.

    Just returned from Puerto Rico and I loved this restaurant. They have GREAT service and are willing to answer questions and make recommendations of what to order. I thought their rice and beans (pinto beans) were spiced perfectly and the Pechuga al Ajilo (garlic chicken) was very good. I think this restaurant is a good value and overall I had a great experience. I can't wait to go back to try more. Update: We catered from this restaurant and it was fantastic. You could not beat the price, the food, and we ordered the perfect amount of food. The owner was super helpful and dead on with how much food to get. I can't say enough about this place, I love it!

    (5)
  • Mark W.

    I'm not sure exactly what my dish was called but it was a lemon / peppery chicken with peppers & onions and a side of rice/beans. Amazing. The flavors were simple, stood out, they didn't overpower each other. If you're looking to try something new or different stop in.

    (5)
  • Russ W.

    This place is DA BOMBA! I've gotten food there on several occasions, both eating in and carry out. The service is excellent and the food is mucho tasty. They are still building their menu but sure to be FIRE in the future. My wife and I stopped in this weekend and they gave us a free sample of the new cuban coffee they serve. I almost fell out of my seat! It was soooo delicious. I didn't expect coffee to taste that good! Better than Starbucks in my opinion. I'll continue to go and recommend this place to anyone in the Elgin area. This place is a hidden gem in Elgin!

    (4)
  • k h.

    We took a chance with a groupon and decided to go. I just love when we discover a great place by chance! Our bill was so small for what we ordered and we brought home leftovers. The tostones and mufongo were delicious. The pork mufongo was perfect with the sauce it came with, True PR food is not really spicy but subtlely seasoned and it was right there. Had the option of ordering the tostones without garlic but I would strongly recommend them with. Yum!! Best I've had this side of Chicago. Hot, fresh, authentic. The rice was perfect and the meats in our entrees were cooked just right, Loved the coconut pudding, too. Next time I will try the coconut "icecream". The place is small but was clean and nicely painted, service was spot on and our waiter was nice and pleasant. We eat out a lot and I can't remember getting really excited about a restaurant in a long time. We really can't wait to go back and try other things.

    (5)
  • Sofia D.

    Uhh, this place is really good... like, amazingly fantastic good. I chose the "Bori-Cuba" (plantain sandwich with roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles and a bunch of mustard) and a side of the arroz con gandules (rice with peas). The rice was a big ol' mountain of deliciousness, so I recommend splitting it with your compañero. I also suggest getting two sandwiches for yourself, so you can eat one now and take the other one home. We chowed on the "Cubano" sandwich and really liked it despite feeling guilty for eating Cuban food at a Puerto Rican restaurant. The guy told me that the tostones (plaintain chips) are worth getting too, so check 'em out. Anyway, it was such a great meal, I'll be going back asap.

    (5)
  • R L.

    It's pretty hard to find good Puerto Rican food in the burbs, this one is great. The food is very tasty. I would say the service is slow so don't go there if you're in a rush. I've been there twice since the new owners took over and I have to say the food is better than before. Today I took my daughter's friend there for her first Puerto Rican dinning experience and she was trilled with her selections.

    (4)
  • Annette G.

    My husband and I took our 4 year old twin girls. Service was a little slow, but the food was very tasty. We tried the Rellano de Papa (don't bother), and Pastelillo de Pollo (supurb), amarillos (yummy), the pastel, mufango, and El Jibarito were all excellent. There was plenty of food, our girls liked the rice, and the bill completely reasonable. Can't wait to go back.

    (4)
  • Alanna K.

    Ok, I went to this restaurant today. It was pretty good, and WAY CLOSER than Humboldt Park....BUT...I do have to say, it's not as good as some Puerto Rican food I have had before. I would go back though. The tostones were mighty delicious, with its little dipping sauce. The Jibarito was pretty decent...but their BEEF STEW was yum yum yummy! Their arroz con gandules were also pretty good too. The service there was a little slow, but that's just because there was only one guy working all the tables! He was super nice though, and would answer any of our questions that we had. I'm sure I will be there again, and will try something different!

    (4)
  • Seleen T.

    My friends and I went to Delicia Tropical Cafe and we were not impressed. We have tried La Boriquen and Boriquen Lounge in the city and we by far say the jibaritos is much better in the city than elgin. Our food took forever to be served and we were just left there with only bread and butter. Then when the food arrived it only comes with just the sandwich when in other restaurants with rice. If you ask you rice they charge you an extra 3$ and in my opinion that's really overpriced for a jibarito meal. It came out to be 8.25 in the end which is very overpriced than the restaurants in the city and they include rice. I would not recommend this place. Sorry.

    (1)
  • Robin W.

    The place was great suprise. We don,t venture into Elgin often but the reviews sounded very interesting. The restaurant itself could use some updating and spicing up. I think that may keep some patrons away. The food was just terrific. Everything was made from scratch and everything was given special attention. I will be back many times. If you go be patient order the appetizers and take your time. A great food adventure.

    (5)
  • Aletta J.

    Gosh, I hope this place stays around! I have never had PR food before, ever... and a friend who had explained how they roast this and that and the plantains yada...all this while I was practically DRINKING their salad dressing and chowing on the fried plantains with the same dressing. Yes, I smelled like garlic for two days, but it was completely worth it. I got the roasted pork mufongo which comes w/ soup or salad (salad drsg - the bomb!) and we ordered an extra order of the fried plantains so I could take home to the hubs. It was so much food that I had two meals out of the leftovers. My husband was impressed with the flavor. My boss, whom I got the same but chicken, was not impressed -- she said the chicken was dry, which it was and flavorless. NOTE: she did not realize she had to use the broth to moisten up the plantain mash etc. I drove past last Thursday night on my way to Bartlett and noticed it was EMPTY. I hope that this is not a sign of things to come. According to the manager/owner he said many catering orders were going out, which is good. BTW, atmosphere in the restaurant is very plain and nothing spectacular. Focus on the food... the bathrooms were clean. (this is important!)

    (3)
  • Dan N.

    We went with some friends one who is Puerto Rican and knows what shes talking about. We ordered way too much food just to get a good sampling of everything. No complains very home-style and fresh. I was happy to find a suburban place that make a good Jibarito. The Tostones were very yummy and I love there rice. Next time I really want to try the Monfongo...and I will report back later

    (4)
  • Just My O.

    The Pernil, bistec, acapuria, empanada, tostones are very deliciosa. This is a very good authentic Puerto Rican restaurant. I highly recommend it. Especially the price is economical. We will definitely come back for more to try the other dishes.

    (5)
  • Kat c.

    New owners took over in November 2012 (I think). I'm sure they are nice people, but the quality of food has taken a BIG dive. Used to love this place... now, not so much. Won't go back unless I hear that the food has improved. We had our favorites (pasteles... etc)... all were sub-par, in flavor. I hope they make a change quick. Hate to see their business go under.

    (1)
  • Miguel V.

    Wait staff lacks experience. Food is bland and lacks true Puerto Rican flavor.

    (2)
  • Pack C.

    I went there for lunch and had Cuban sandwich. It was ok, nothing spectacular. It's probably my bad for ordering Cuban food at a Puerto Rican place. The sandwich is cheap ~$5-6. However, it doesn't come with any side (the side is at $3)

    (3)
  • Eman A.

    This is the only PR restaurant I've been to in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. They've set a high bar. Their food is fantastic. Other than the fact that they serve Pepsi, I love this place. I can't remember the names of most things I have and I usually just point to the menu because my pronunciation is horrid. But their tostones are so so good. And every dish I've had has been good. Next time I go, i'll update this review with what i've gotten. Oh I've gotten the mufongo (sp?) with the steak and it's YUM. Also got the coconut pudding dessert. And it's good too.

    (4)
  • Jason C.

    This place has legit PR food. I vacation there last summer and the smells and tastes were pretty reminiscent of my Caribbean holiday. The pork, chicken, and mofongo dishes were delish. And the puerto rican rice and fried plantains? Muy bueno! Top off your meal with the coconut ice cream. It's really not an ice cream per se, but more of a shaved ice texture. Whatever it was, I'll definitely be going back to Delicia over and over again!

    (4)
  • Candyce P.

    5 stars for a Puerto Rican restaurant in ELGIN? Yes, it's true. Delicia Tropical Cafe is fantastic! I went with 2 others last night after googling PR restaurants. We were surprised to see one pop up in Elgin, and decided to give it a try since it was by far the closest. (We spent all afternoon staring at the menu, starving ourselves for the feast to come) The neighborhood is a little skechy, but isn't that where you find the best food sometimes? Small parking lot and directly on the main street, so it's easy to find. Upon entering, we all looked at each other with empty stomachs and agreed that the place just smelled delicious already. We were excited. The server (can't remember his name, but there only seemed to be two present) was friendly, helpful and must've thought we were Puerto Rican because he was rambling off spanish like we were from the islands. Good thing we could keep up :) We ordered several items, all of which were absolutely homemade and delicious. A LOT of food for 3 hungry girls. But that's how we roll. [DRINKS] Kola Champagne all around. Yum. Looks like Cola but tastes like Cream Soda. And straight from Puerto Rico. [APPETIZERS] 1) Tostones - huge, double-fried, drizzled with a garlic oil and served with a mayo-ketchup dipping sauce. Hot, freshly made and delicious! 2) Pastelillos - we ordered one beef and one cheese. Again, delicious. I loved the beef filling and could eat maybe 3 of those as a meal. [ENTREES] (all came with a pretty good, fairly large side salad) 1) Pernil y Arroz Blanco con Habichuelas Rojas - This was my entree and I was completely happy with it. I've had delicious homemade pernil before, and this didn't disappoint. Perfectly seasoned, on the salty side, which I love. The habichuelas... omg... Can I have a bowl of just that with rice please? They were so, so good and comforting! 2) Pechuga con Salsa Criolla y Arroz con Gandules- I had a bite to taste and it was flavorful. The chicken was a bit overcooked (fried), and without the salsa would've been too dry. Altogether though, pretty good. Arroz con gandules - YUM! 3) Mofongo con Camarones Al Ajillo - I was too busy with my Pernil to taste this one, but my sis thoroughly enjoyed it and got her mofongo fix. [DESSERTS] 1) Flan - One of our all-time fave desserts. This one didn't disappoint. 2) Tembleque - Um, are we IN Puerto Rico? We felt like it when we took a bite of this delicious coconut custard pudding. SO. GOOD. We used a restaurant.com Gift Certificate... but I almost felt bad using such a discount on such delicious food. The service was great too - friendly and helpful. Total came to about $30 after the gift cert.... A STEAL for this food. I'll definitely be back, and recommend it to everyone. I'm determined to get people to this place so that they never close down. Already getting a big group to go back! Go. Eat delicious food. Enjoy my favorite salsa songs in the background. Support this authentic spot deep in the burbs. They deserve it.

    (5)
  • Jason S.

    I should mention, I ordered the Churrasco and that was delicious. Best mushroom gravy I've had in my life

    (5)
  • Mike C.

    This review is long overdue but it's hard not to give this restaurant justice, it is THAT DAMN GOOD! Now, being born and raised my whole life in Chicago i have experienced most of the Puerto Rican restuarants in and around Chicago/humbolt park area. I also have been to Puerto Rico this past year and i can say that Delicia is one of the best, if not the best Puerto Rican food i have ever had (Besides my Wife's of course :) ) I have been here a few times now and the food has never disappointed me. As hard as it is to find mofongo, Delicia's is perfect and the best i have ever had. The Pernil was juicy and very flavorful and was perfect with the mofongo. The Jibarito is great as well, the steak is very tender and again, the best jibarito i have ever had (Sorry Borinquen). Now the rice (Arroz Con Gandules), is the best i have had from a restaurant. Very traditional and perfect. VERY good cafe con leche and i must say the service was very good the few times i have been there. I really hope Delicia stays around for a long time, now that i live out in the burbs i dont have to drive to the city to get my PR food fix. The owner takes great pride in his restaurant and reading the stories on the wall about him, made the whole experience even better.

    (5)
  • R. M.

    pretty mediocre,,, the sandwichs were fairly bland and the service was very slow.... we enjoyed the food, but the portions were small other than the plantains..... this wouldn't be somewhere I would go regularly.... my sandwich was a very thin chicken cutlet with a very small piece of lettuce and a very thinly cut tomato slice cut in half.... instead of bread I chose the fried plantain as the bun which was most of the sandwich... very starchy with little to nothing as far as sandwich filling.... My daughter also chose the plantain bunned Cuban sandwich which once again was light on the meats, cheese and pickles.... My wife got the chicken and rice soup which she said had great flavor and once again this dish came with fried plantains which were in all plates a majority of what the dishes consisted of.... with a side of mixxed catsup and mayo for all....

    (2)
  • Ryan H.

    I used to live in Puerto Rico and I love good Puerto Rican food. Unfortunately, finding good PR food is sometimes difficult. Then I find Delicia Tropical. I've had carry-out from this restaurant on a number of occasions. Each time, the food has been decent. Not the best Puerto Rican food, but certainly good enough and without the 5 hour flight to San Juan. Good mofongo. Rice and beans with that very specific Puerto Rican flavor. And I've also had a couple excellent chicken and beef dishes as well. The area around this restaurant is a little seedy, but it is definitely worth the visit in my opinion.

    (3)
  • Paul M.

    Great food, great environment.

    (5)
  • Bill F.

    We went to Delicia tonight with friends based on a word-of-mouth recommendation and had a wonderful time. Superb friendly service, massive portions of excellent food, and reasonable prices. The owner bent over backward to recommend the house specialties and explain everything. You can tell he loves his business and sharing his Puerto Rican heritage. Everything was like home-cooked and delicious. Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Dennis M.

    Pretty good. I'm more familiar with Mexican than Puerto Rican so I wasn't too sure what to expect. The sandwiches are great, but the plantain chips were kind of blah. The service was prompt and very friendly and the price was very reasonable. The waitress also gave us some good drink recommendations.

    (3)
  • Ameli A.

    It was great. And don't have to travel far if u live in the suburbs.

    (5)
  • Sara G.

    Great PR food at extremely reasonable prices. I've taken friends and relatives to Tropical to experience this place for themselves and ever time it's been an overall hit. Two thumbs up!!

    (5)
  • Alejandro T.

    This restaurant not only offers one of the most delicious Puerto Rican food I've had outside that Island but the prices are extremely good and the people that work there are very kind. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)
  • M.C. V.

    Just been there once and will definitely reurn to taste some more stuff. I had the carne guisada (beef stew), white rice and mofongo. I agree with previous reviewers, the carne guisada is worth writing home, or Yelp, about. Just couldn't stop eating it. The white rice passed the test - yes, something so simple as plain white rice can be pretty hard to get right. The grains were firm and it was ever so slightly sticky - done right in my book. The mofongo, not so. Lacked what are essential tastes to my palate - garlic and tocino. The worst offense though was that it was pretty undercooked - the pieces of plantain were not mashed together and tasted a bit raw. This may have been my fault - service was a little slow and I was sort of pressuring my server who might have had the kitchen hurry it along. Gotta give it another try and be more patient next time - good things come to those who wait!

    (3)

Q & A on Jason's Deli

When did Jason's Deli open?

First Jason's Deli was started on 30th November 1976 at Beaumont, Texas, United States.

Where's the nearby Jason's Deli?

There are around 275 delis in 28 states of the United States. You can locate a nearby Jason's Deli by using our Restaurant Listings Directory.

When does Jason's Deli open and close?

Jason's Deli opens early in the morning daily at 6 AM and closes at 6 PM on weekdays and 3 PM on weekends.

Does Jason's Deli have a drive through?

Yes, Jason's Deli has a drive-through. Besides the drive-thru, Jason's Deli also set up Jason's Express especially for on-the-go families to make things faster. Drive-thru and take-out options help individuals and families to order and pick their meal quickly while on a busy schedule.

Does Jason's Deli serve gluten-free items on the menu?

Jason's Deli isn't entirely a gluten-free environment, but it does offer a gluten-sensitive menu. You can order food from the gluten-sensitive menu to ensure your food is gluten-free.

Does Jason's Deli serve vegan items on the menu?

Yes, they do. The vegan options are limited at Jason's Deli. You can try the organic vegetable soup, spinach veggie wraps w/o cheese, hummus, salsa, guacamole, and many other options from the salad menu.

Does Jason's Deli Cater?

Yes, it does. You can use Jason's Deli's catering service to serve hot and fresh foods to your guests. Whether you want to feed 5 or 5000, Jason's Deli's experienced team can handle your catering order and ensure timely delivery.

What's on Jason's Deli breakfast menu?

Jason's Deli serves a variety of different items on their breakfast menu. You can try the breakfast sandwiches or wraps prepared with fresh-cracked eggs. You can pick up breakfast as early as 6 AM at any Jason's Deli nearby.

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About Jason's Deli

Jason's Deli is a popular bakery restaurant in the United States. Jason's Deli started its operation in Beaumont, Texas on 30th November 1976. The bakery restaurant was started by four partners: Joe Tortorice Jr., Rusty Coco, Pete Verde, and Pat Broussard. Currently, the delicatessen restaurant chain operates in more than 268 locations across 26 states in the United States. Jason's Deli is one of the most successful restaurant chains with under 300 locations.

Deli Management Inc. owns Jason's Deli along with several other deli restaurants in the United States. Jason's Deli is famous for its standard deli style menu where the customers can order from traditional sandwiches to salads, baked potatoes, and pasta. After initiating a health drive in 2000, Jason's Deli successfully eliminated added trans-fat from its food in 2005, later got rid of high fructose syrup in 2008, and finally removed MSG from its food. Today, Jason's Deli offers a wide range of food items including vegan and gluten-free dishes.

Healthy Food Options at Jason's Deli

Jason's Deli offers a standard deli style menu which consists of traditional sandwiches, soups, pasta, baked potatoes, wraps, and salads. If you choose wisely and skip the extra sides or dressings as you order at Jason's Deli, you can find a good variety of healthy food options at Jason's Deli.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :10:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

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