Welcome to Nellie's
At Nellie’s, we’ve been serving the flavors of home in the heart of Chicago’s Humboldt Park for nearly 20 years.
Founded in 2006 by Pablo and Cindy Espinosa, Nellie’s was born out of a dream to create a welcoming place where the Puerto Rican community — and all of Chicago — could come together to enjoy traditional island flavors. “We wanted to preserve tradition and create a space where people could get a little taste of our home,” Cindy says.
What started as a modest breakfast and brunch restaurant has grown into a neighborhood institution, known for our warm hospitality, our famous coconut oatmeal, and our authentic Puerto Rican classics. Over the years, we’ve built relationships with generations of families — many who started coming in as babies and now bring their own children to experience the same sabor and comfort.
For Alexander Espinosa, who grew up flying paper airplanes through the dining room on slow afternoons, Nellie’s has always been more than a restaurant — it’s home. After graduating from DePaul University with a degree in finance, he continues to help lead and grow Nellie’s, honoring his parents’ vision while keeping an eye on the future.
Today, Nellie’s remains a proud part of the Humboldt Park community — from bomba and Fiesta Boricua to family celebrations and everyday breakfasts. We’re here to welcome you, to share our culture through food, and to give you a little taste of Puerto Rico, right here in Chicago.
Come join us. Bienvenidos a nuestra casa.
