Elie Berchal, owner of Elie’s Chinchorro. Photo by Susi Franco, JEFAS Magazine.
By Christina Fernández-Morrow.
At 5 a.m., while most of Omaha sleeps, Elie Berchal is in her kitchen blending garlic, cilantro, onions, and two kinds of sweet peppers to create the fragrant sofrito that will flavor plates of authentic Puerto Rican food — something rare in Nebraska.
For Berchal, who began her culinary career selling plates from her kitchen, Elie’s Chinchorro Caribbean Bistro represents more than a place to make memories while eating delicious food; it symbolizes family and culture, values she takes pride in sharing with her customers.
Her journey reflects a growing movement of Latina entrepreneurs filling gaps in unexpected places while preserving cultural traditions through successful businesses far from their ancestral homes.
Bringing Puerto Rican Chinchorro to Omaha
When choosing a name for her business, Berchal chose a word that takes her back to her roots. Chinchorro, pronounced cheen-CHOH-roh, has several meanings, but whatever it brings to mind, the word elicits smiles and happy memories. In Puerto Rican culture, it means a casual spot to grab traditional street foods, a gathering place filled with laughter, music, dancing, and fun times among friends and family. For this reason, it was the perfect name for Berchal’s restaurant, where she takes pride in recreating dishes that were passed down from her grandmother and aunt.
Authenticity drives Berchal.
“I’m proud of myself because my goal has always been to share my culture. Not many people know about Puerto Rico in Nebraska. I’ve been asked how many hours it takes to drive there,” she says with a laugh.
She takes it all in stride, welcoming opportunities to talk about her island, an approach that serves a twofold purpose: she can share what she loves most about her culture while teaching her children about their heritage.
A Family-Run Restaurant Across Four Generations
“It’s a family business,” Berchal explains. “At some points, I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it.”
As a single mother of three daughters and a son, she wanted to show them that they could do anything. That’s why she involves them in the business.
From her mother to her granddaughters, everyone has influenced the restaurant’s success. Her son loves to cook; her daughters played a huge role in the layout and aesthetics of the restaurant’s interior and patio, while analyzing metrics and offering solutions. Even the youngest of the next generation rolls up their sleeves and helps, often washing dishes or encouraging their grandmother to sell piña coladas at events. Visitors on karaoke nights may even hear her oldest daughter belting out classic salsa songs!
Elie Berchal, owner of Elie’s Chinchorro. Photo by Susi Franco, JEFAS Magazine.
Puerto Rican Dishes Make Culture Shine
What makes this place special is that it was built with the idea that families would feel at home trying the dishes that shaped Berchal’s childhood.
“I love seeing people’s faces light up when they try my food. It’s something different, but they also see that we use ingredients they’ve tried in other cuisines,” she says of the rice and roast pork dishes that are most popular, and the ones that are distinctly Puerto Rican, like mofongo and alcapurrias, a fried plantain stuffed with seasoned ground beef.
“I serve my mofongo in a pilón (mortar) like they do in Mayagüez, where I grew up. It can be dry, so it comes with a savory broth,” Berchal says of how she remembers eating the dish when her dad would take her to their favorite hometown restaurant.
While she carefully fills alcapurrias and places them atop a banana leaf, she loves sharing the story of learning how to make them just right, a favorite snack within her family.
Alongside the food and music, she is most proud of creating something built by four generations — a true labor of love.
“They are my everything,” Berchal gushes. “They sacrificed too, to help me launch this and make it possible every day.”
She knew her entire family was invested when she had to leave the business to care for her brother after surgery.
“They took over and did everything without me,” she says of her children.
The siblings worked together to ensure customers were satisfied so their mother could focus on their uncle.
“I love for them to feel like they’re a part of this, and I trust their decisions for the business,” she says.
Expanding Puerto Rican Flavors Beyond Nebraska
Their Omaha location is just the beginning. After years of building a clientele and introducing Caribbean flavors to eastern Nebraska, Berchal wants to help her children launch locations in other parts of the state. She’s also considering a Kansas location where her son lives and has already started selling pinchos (Puerto Rican kabobs) at summer events.
“Every day I feel thankful for what I have achieved and for what cooking has brought me and my family,” Berchal says.
From giving away plates of food made in her home kitchen, to attracting customers who drive from out of state to try dishes her menu has introduced to the Midwest, Elie Berchal demonstrates how dedication to one’s culture and family can nurture a dream that transcends generations.
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