Puerto Rico Food & Liquors

emerge077

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -9.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

2012: PRFL has come a long way since the original review 2 years ago... 5x the amount of beers, really just a staggering selection these days. You know the feeling of the endless beer aisle in a huge Binnys? Now transport that into a tiny corner bodega, it's literally that same feeling of being a kid in a candy store. It's miraculous. A really impressive hand-picked selection and surprisingly without the usual gouge-happy bodega prices. The recent wave of new craft retailers should take serious notes from these guys.

600+ and counting...
http://www.beermenus.com/places/2552-puerto-rico-food-and-liquors

Had an issue with getting repeat emails from them, and they quickly addressed the concern. Good communication and dedication to their customers.

10-29-2010:
Puerto Rico Food & Liquors is a small corner bodega shop, and if you blinked while passing by, you could easily miss it. Surprisingly there is a great little beer selection here (roughly 100 brands). Once inside there is a warm beer shelf to the left, and down the aisle there are about 6 cooler doors on the left side with more beer (more varieties than on the shelf too). The store is about the size of an apartment, so don't expect a sprawling Binnys selection here.

Selection wise the focus is US craft beer, with a handful of imports, a handful of Belgians like St. Martin, Chimay, and Lindemans. A whole shelf of Bells sixers (8+), 4-5 Founders, several FFF bombers like Dreadnaught, Moloko, and Gorch Fock, Victory Hop Wallop, Lagunitas, Left Hand, Great Lakes, New Holland, Arcadia Hop Mouth & Hop Rocket 4-packs, Rogue bombers and Dead Guy mini-growlers, etc. Locals were represented by Half Acre Daisy Cutter & Gossamer, 2-3 Metropolitan sixers, Goose Island, and Two Brothers. For a tiny corner store, this is impressive, especially for the area. The owners are doing a great job at bringing in seasonals, and the beers I checked were in code. New stuff: Southern Tier: Iniquity, Cuvee 1 & 2, Krampus, Flossmoor IPA & Pullman Brown, Arctic Panzer, O'Fallon Sticke, and more.

Staff was friendly and pointed out their favorites in the beer section. They mentioned that they recently renewed an old liquor license, and would be expanding the selection in the future. In addition to beer, they sell locally roasted beans from Star Coffee, homemade guacamole and salsa, and tamales on saturday & sunday.

Overall a great locally owned shop with a good craft beer selection in an underserved area. Also nearby are Rootstock, Archie's, and J&M Tap. Probably the best selection in a 2 mile radius (Uke Village, Wicker Park, Humboldt Park), second only to Lush on Chicago Ave.

2011: 250+ beers!

10-29-2010 18:48:42 | More by emerge077

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev -9.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Just found out this place was less than a mile from my house. Thanks beer menus. They had a great selection and lots of good locals that I couldn't find other places. This bodega is two isles long with one being dedicated to craft beer, and the other to food. The cooler doors run along side the far wall but there is lots of warm beer, a good mix of local stuff and some imports.

If you can find something ask, the owner is a great guy and know beer but he doesn't have room for all the good beer he gets so some stuff is behind the counter till he gets room.

If you live in the neighborhood, this is a "must stop" place or if you live on the westside and are looking for brews that sell out fast this is a good place to stop. Check beermenus as he updates it with each new shipment.

I'd like to keep this place all to myself but the owner is so cool that I really want to see his business take off.

07-27-2012 18:43:38 | More by rhoadsrage

jrallen34

Illinois

4.31/5  rDev -9.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

I've heard about this place from two of my tasting group people so we trekked over here today to check it out. Driving down Augusta I would have missed this place if not for the gps. Its a small local ethnic grocery store that you would not see unless specifically looking for it. As I walk in I'm instantly skeptical as it reminds me of a store in Mexico; old, dirty looking even its not, unfamiliar foods everywhere. Once you walk past the counter the middle aisle contains all the beer, and I was super surprised. This is the beer place that time forgot, tons of local stuff that is harder to find (GI and Three Floyds), lots of Belgian staples, and other midwest goodies. No sours though. They still had Rare here at only $39 a bottle. The prices were a bit steep besides the Rare, a buck or two over what you would get at Binny's, but its worth paying as its actually on the shelf, where as most of the popular stuff sells out right away at other places. The owner or beer guy came up to us and we talked briefly. He explained he really likes to keep his beer selection seasonal, and that lots of lagers and pils would start coming in, he knew what he was talking about it. A bit out of my way, especially fighting down Western but if I was looking for something semi rare that sold out everywhere else I would give this is a try. Super solid neighborhood place.

03-05-2011 18:42:56 | More by jrallen34

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.45/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25 | $$

Old-school bodega right here that has a massive craft selection. It doesn't have too much fat on it like other places, it is sleek and well picked. The main beer guy Junior is a knowledgeable and very accommodating beer guy. The food seems to be tax free, at least when I bought some there which is a plus I would say, fuck Crook county.

03-24-2013 15:25:48 | More by crossovert

Flabbyjandro

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

PRFL is where you go to get quality craft beer without having to make the drive to Binnys. He has awesome selection including lots of barrel aged treats. Prices are reasonable, selection is great even for new releases and on Saturday and Sunday they have home made tamalaes and salsa!

They even have an email list to update you weekly on new arrivals and he takes request. It's like the dj at a wedding that brings the goods and then some.

Lots of local pipe works and FFF

Ask for Junior, he'll take care of you!!!

08-12-2012 13:18:53 | More by Flabbyjandro

exitmusic00

Oregon

4.8/5  rDev +1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This place is a hidden cache! And by hidden I mean, they don't even have a sign - I literally did not know the name of the place until checking my bank statement. Right on the southeast corner of Augusta & Rockwell - looks like a straight-up convenience store (i.e. nothing special) from the outside.

The beer selection is ridiculous for a place of this size - as noted in another review, one of the first things I noticed here was a bottle of Rare...$39. That's at least $10 less than I saw it anywhere else, and I'm still kicking myself. ;-( That bottle is long gone, but they have plenty of rotating selections to offer. I was just in and saw a couple Brewdogs (Punk & Dogma), Boulevard on display (Single & Double Wide, Tank 7, Unfiltered Wheat), Port Mongo, Oak Aged Yeti, ST Cuvee 1 & 2, GI Big John, a couple Bruery, Ommegang & DFH offerings, etc. The local and Midwestern breweries (Half Acre, Metropolitan, Arcadia, Founders) are also well represented. Yet unfortunately, only one flavor of Four Loko was represented today - an oversight from the distributor, I presume...

I couldn't recommend this place any higher...good selection, great service - the type of place that makes you want to be a regular, and then rewards you for doing so. The owner is awesome, and seems to be truly appreciative of his loyal customer base.

05-18-2011 00:12:34 | More by exitmusic00

mpwdoyle

Illinois

4.8/5  rDev +1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $

This place is absolutely incredible, a true hidden gem. I was led to this place when I was hunting for some Parabola. A twitter friend of mine said to go here and ask if they had any, as he bought some the prior morning. Unfortunately they were out, but holy hell, what a beer selection!

Normally one wouldn't expect to find such a large selection of great beer in the Ukie Village, especially in a Puerto Rican corner store. Don't judge by the exterior of this place, the neighborhood, anything...just go.

Oh, they do have an email list you can join that will grace your inbox with such gems as, "IM PREETY SURE YOU ARE WONDERING, WHERE CAN I GO TO GET SOME GOOD BEERS FOR THIS WEEKEND! YOU KNOW WAZ UP! PRFL!!!!"

Fucking A+, so awesome.

11-02-2011 18:59:03 | More by mpwdoyle

Kayn169

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I will keep this short and sweet. I just have to say, This place is the definition of a diamond in the rough. Couldn't tell from the outside, but this place has a killer selection. The only thing that out weighs it's selection is the man himself, Junior. Seriously one of the nicest guys, and eager to help in anyway he can. Even if their selection sucked, I would prob still go back just to talk to him. I don't live close anymore, but still make a special trip on occasion.

01-09-2013 04:11:28 | More by Kayn169

memoarauz

4.85/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Now this store has a great neighborhood feel to it and a GREAT beer selection. The other great thing is the owner takes great pride in his store. He doesn't just provide beer to sell but educates you about it. He tries everything he sells and if you don't know what to try, just ask him. He hasn't steered me wrong. If your about supporting small business or looking for good tasting beer Puerto Rico Food & Liquors is where you got to go. Stop in and ask for Junior, let him know what you like, he's confident he'll have something to send you home with. Great selection and competitive prices.

12-12-2012 20:50:00 | More by memoarauz

ferillo

Massachusetts

4.94/5  rDev +4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I traveled to Chicago from Boston for work and had mapped out places to hit on my free time. It happened to be right around when BCBS was making its way into the market. I hit a few of the bigger name places like West Lakeview, where no one working spoke to me and a few Binny's who both said that they had BCBS but had not decided when to put it out. Really? So I took a shot and went over to PRFL.

THIS PLACE WAS ALL THAT THE OTHERS WERE NOT.

I was greeted by the owner right away who hooked me up with the BCBS and offered to take me through the shelves and show me some of his favorite locals and regional beers. When I mentioned I was from Boston, I was treated like a long lost son and he actually gave me a couple of locals to try later on back at the hotel.

These guys love their beer, love people who love beer and their town, and care deeply about making sure you leave happy with your visit.

I cannot recommend this place enough. Do yourself a favor and check it out if you haven't before.

11-07-2012 15:22:43 | More by ferillo