Introduction to Picadillo Puffs
A Northwest Side pop-up is putting its twist on the Chicago classic pizza puff. Smash Jibarito is filling the puff with muenster cheese and picadillo, a type of savory ground beef popular across Latin America. The pizza puff is one of Chicago’s most iconic food items, and owner and chef Josean Irizarry of Smash Jibarito, 30, wanted to put something on the restaurant’s menu that spoke to the robust Chicago food scene.
The Concept Behind Smash Jibarito
Already well-known for their jibarito smash burgers, Irizarry and his small team of six, including chefs David Matulac and Tony Torres-Nevarez, have been operating out of Desert Hawk’s kitchen space at 2029 W. Division in Wicker Park.
The Making of Picadillo Puffs
The picadillo puff starts with a nicely seared portion of ground beef (the beef purchased from Chicago food distributor Greco and Sons). It’s complemented with a vegetable medley that includes peas and potatoes and some sazón (seasoning). It’s all wrapped up in a flour tortilla with shredded Muenster cheese and then deep-fried for eight minutes.
Inspiration Behind Smash Jibarito’s Menu
Irizarry said he and his team use the foods they grew up eating as some of the inspiration for Smash Jibarito’s menu. That includes not only classic street foods, but what was found at home, too. Irizarry grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago and enjoyed his Mexican mother’s cooking, and later in life explored his father’s side with Puerto Rican cuisine.
Conclusion
Smash Jibarito is a unique fusion of Chicago street food and Latin flavors, bringing a new twist to the classic pizza puff. With their picadillo puffs, they are representing Chicago’s diverse food scene and providing customers with a delicious and memorable experience.
FAQs
Q: What is a picadillo puff?
A: A picadillo puff is a twist on the classic Chicago pizza puff, filled with muenster cheese and pic
