It’s always fun to go back home and finally check out those new businesses we have been following through social media from Chicago. Not only do these inspire us with their refreshing concepts and quality products, but are slowly contributing to our island’s new phase of financial stability.
And let me tell you… It didn’t matter how much we planned in advanced, with so many new businesses popping up, it was truly impossible to visit all of them, which is exciting news. Pick a town like Aguadilla, for example, in the northwestern corner of Puerto Rico, and you can feel how change is in the air. Great creativity and innovation is everywhere.
Just take a look at our favorites! And feel free to suggest new ones. We would love to hear from you!
Let’s start with Isla Pops. This is a great little business. Founded in 2013, Isla Pops is the first handcrafted natural ice cream paleta business in Puerto Rico starting a sweet revolution not only in the West Coast, but throughout the island. Gourmet paletas became the new cupcake.
What makes Isla Pops unique is that they use local, ecological ingredients as much as possible, and their flavor combinations are amazing. Think pineapple basil, mamey, coconut ginger, tamarind & guarapo, hibiscus mint. And did I mention they use guarapo (raw sugar cane juice) honey and organic cane sugar as sweeteners? Boom! Yaribeth and Alan have truly something special going on! Their decision to move back to the island from Austin, Texas really paid off.
Next on the list is TBC Food & Drink. If you are looking for a hip place to have brunch, you are going to fall in love. This husband and wife team from Washington DC completely transformed the space that housed the old Escuela Michael into a cozy, casual and fun place to enjoy brunch and lunch. Everything on the menu is healthy comfort food. Colorful, fresh and delicious, like Aguadilla itself.
Their risotto of the day is always a good choice, as well as their quinoa oatmeal or quinoa salad with sweet potato. Nabol had to get the TBC hash, also with sweet potato, and it was very tasty. The red velvet pancakes are a great treat as well. You can wash it down with their ginger ice tea, the TBC green smoothie or just a good cup of local coffee. And because you mostly get sunny days in Aguadilla, I recommend enjoying your meal in TBC’s front porch or patio. Both are gorgeous.
Now, if you are looking for a rustic, romantic dinner spot, try La Spezie Resto-Pub, right next to the old Ramey Base. Their cuisine is representative of El Río de la Plata in South America and the owner greets you with a beautiful Argentinian accent. This is the place you go for artisanal pizza, made to perfection in their wood fired brick oven.
The Rioplatense pizza is a great choice, and includes olives, bell peppers, eggs and raisins. Enjoy it with Papas a la Provenzal on the side or with any of their refreshing salads. Drinks are beautiful too, as well as their selection of craft beers.
Another great restaurant that we can’t wait to try and sadly didn’t have a chance this time is One Ten Thai. This is a cool place to eat, drink and be marry. It’s right next to the beach on road 110 (Same road as TBC) and they serve simple and delicious Thai favorites with a twist. Locals love to stop by on Saturdays to enjoy live music and their selection of craft beers. On Saturday mornings, their parking lot also turns into the Aguadilla Farmer’s Market, which is also a must during the weekend.
We definitively can’t wait to find new favorites next time we fly back. It is truly exciting to experience and write about our island’s culinary boom. In the meantime, we’ll be covering a lot of cool places here in our second home. That way, you have an excuse to visit us in Chicago! What do you think? Until next week!
Related Posts in English and Spanish
Just take a look at our favorites! And feel free to suggest new ones. We would love to hear from you!
Let’s start with Isla Pops. This is a great little business. Founded in 2013, Isla Pops is the first handcrafted natural ice cream paleta business in Puerto Rico starting a sweet revolution not only in the West Coast, but throughout the island. Gourmet paletas became the new cupcake.
What makes Isla Pops unique is that they use local, ecological ingredients as much as possible, and their flavor combinations are amazing. Think pineapple basil, mamey, coconut ginger, tamarind & guarapo, hibiscus mint. And did I mention they use guarapo (raw sugar cane juice) honey and organic cane sugar as sweeteners? Boom! Yaribeth and Alan have truly something special going on! Their decision to move back to the island from Austin, Texas really paid off.
Next on the list is TBC Food & Drink. If you are looking for a hip place to have brunch, you are going to fall in love. This husband and wife team from Washington DC completely transformed the space that housed the old Escuela Michael into a cozy, casual and fun place to enjoy brunch and lunch. Everything on the menu is healthy comfort food. Colorful, fresh and delicious, like Aguadilla itself.
Their risotto of the day is always a good choice, as well as their quinoa oatmeal or quinoa salad with sweet potato. Nabol had to get the TBC hash, also with sweet potato, and it was very tasty. The red velvet pancakes are a great treat as well. You can wash it down with their ginger ice tea, the TBC green smoothie or just a good cup of local coffee. And because you mostly get sunny days in Aguadilla, I recommend enjoying your meal in TBC’s front porch or patio. Both are gorgeous.
The Rioplatense pizza is a great choice, and includes olives, bell peppers, eggs and raisins. Enjoy it with Papas a la Provenzal on the side or with any of their refreshing salads. Drinks are beautiful too, as well as their selection of craft beers.
Another great restaurant that we can’t wait to try and sadly didn’t have a chance this time is One Ten Thai. This is a cool place to eat, drink and be marry. It’s right next to the beach on road 110 (Same road as TBC) and they serve simple and delicious Thai favorites with a twist. Locals love to stop by on Saturdays to enjoy live music and their selection of craft beers. On Saturday mornings, their parking lot also turns into the Aguadilla Farmer’s Market, which is also a must during the weekend.
We definitively can’t wait to find new favorites next time we fly back. It is truly exciting to experience and write about our island’s culinary boom. In the meantime, we’ll be covering a lot of cool places here in our second home. That way, you have an excuse to visit us in Chicago! What do you think? Until next week!
Related Posts in English and Spanish
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