Humboldt Park, on the West Side of Chicago, has experienced significant social and ethnic changes over the years. Since the 1970s, it has been a focal point for the Puerto Rican community.
In 1995, in honor of the neighborhood and its Boricua residents, a section of Division Street was designated as “Paseo Boricua.” This area is marked by two large metal Puerto Rican flags that arch over the street, representing a lasting symbol of Puerto Rican heritage and identity in Humboldt Park.
Nestled between those flags is La Bruquena restaurant, an unwavering community pillar that celebrates La Isla del Encanto’s flavors with dishes like arroz con gandules, lechon, and the traditional Mofongo.
(Photo by Isabella Balta)
We had a chance to speak with co-owner, Zoraida Rivera-Tañón.
“My life has been in these four blocks. From flag to flag this has been my life,” Rivera-Tanon said. “It is very special. The community is our family.”
Originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Zoraida and husband Roberto Miguel first decided to settle in Connecticut before making Chicago their home.
When they arrived in 1987, the couple only had $20 between them, but grit, hard work and commitment to community is the winning recipe that makes La Bruquena not only a restaurant, but a cultural epicenter.
La Bruquena, 2726 W Division Street, Humboldt Park (Pictures by Isabella Balta)
“We are open for many community events,” said Rivera-Tañón. “We have Palabra Pura which is poetry night…in Spanish and English.” She also said that once a month they host Colectivo Sayba, a local group who perform bomba, a variety of musical styles and associated dances originating in Puerto Rico. It was developed by enslaved Africans and their descendants in sugar plantations along the island’s coastal towns.
La Bruquena’s menu is also a fusion of many cultures, including Taino, Spanish, and African influences with dishes like arroz con gandules, lechon, and the traditional Mofongo.
Pictures by Isabella Balta
The couple was recognized by Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, 26th Ward, in 2023, on the 35th anniversary of they taking over the restaurant that was established in 1965.
The resolution read in part: La Bruquena and its owners have served as an enduring source of pride and inspiration to Chicago’s Puerto Rican community, exemplifying the values of hard work, quality service, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Sazón de Illinois is co-produced by Illinois Latino News (ILLN), an affiliate of the Latino News Network (LNN), and CAN TV, Chicago’s hub for community-centric news, hyperlocal stories, and educational resources.
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