IN THIS SMALL PLACE LOCATED AT SAN JUSTO STREET IN THE PUERTO RICAN CAPITAL, HIDDEN AMONG FAST FOOD CHAINS, IT SEEMS THAT TIME HAS FINALLY STOPPED. HOWEVER THE PERSONALITY AND THE CHARM OF THE PLACE THAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT AND EQUAL, AT THE SAME TIME, HAS BEEN WELL PRESERVED.

THE origin of La Bombonera (Chocolate Shop) dated back to 1905, when the Mallorcan Antonio Rigo set up "La Panadería Mallorquina" (La Mallorquina Bakery) on San Francisco 205. Gabriel Abraham, another Mallorcan who happened to be the owner's cousin joined the business in 1920, adding to the bakery items, European fine chocolates and soft drinks, with the innovation of one made of chufas. As a result, the establishment gained in prestige and thus La Bombonera was born. The present building dates back to 1924, the very year the cafeteria was enlarged and moved to San Justo street (now San Justo 110). Rigo returned to Spain in 1930 and Abraham established a partnership with another Mallorcan, Cristóbal Puig. "Abraham and Rigo" should have been written on the beautiful show windows of the façade, according to chronological order, but because of high costs, this was not feasible and taking into account that Puig has four letters as Rigo, the name was replaced and consequently the present façade reads "Abraham and Puig". The present life of this establishment is characterized as follows: 40 employees work in the place and some 500 customers visit the cafeteria per week, forming an heterogeneous mosaic of artists, politicians, tourists and several visitors hanging around out of curiosity. They all visit the place to taste any of the famous items as mallorcas, nougats from Alicante and Cádiz, cheese and meat pies with puff paste; highly seasoned coca with apricot, a special choice for Sundays . La Bombonera is on account of its past and present, an indispensable place to be considered for your next visit to San Juan de Puerto Rico.