From Puerto Rican Plates to Game Night Greats: How Stay & Play Shaped GVL’s Café Vision
After six days on the road, seven incredible cafés, and more rum lemonades than we can count, the BGC Roadtrip is officially in the rearview. On each leg of this journey, we’re diving into a new board-game café to uncover the layout tricks, operational insights, and community-building magic that make these venues thrive—and gathering inspiration to bring home to GVL Board Game Cafe.
Let’s step into our second spotlight: a Chicago original that’s fusing Puerto Rican cuisine, community nights, and tabletop joy in a way that’s both heartfelt and strategic—Stay & Play Game Cafe.
Thanks Greg May of The Uncommons and Uncommon Publishing for the recommendation.
Location & First Impressions
Located at 3932 W. Irving Park Road, Stay & Play Game Cafe is the kind of place you immediately feel was built with love. Founded by Yesenia and Jose Maldonado, who met in college and bonded over family, food, and games, the café reflects their shared roots and mission: to create a space where people of all backgrounds can connect over a jibarito and a game of Catan.
The Founder’s Vision
Yesenia and Jose envisioned more than a restaurant—they built a community hub. With backgrounds rooted in big loving families, Puerto Rican heritage, and the joy of shared games, they designed Stay & Play to reflect the values that shaped them.
“We have cherished our family game nights and special tournaments. We’ve found board games to be a wonderful way to spend time together and build the foundations of cooperation, friendly competition, and critical and creative thinking.”
That energy infuses everything—from the Puerto Rican-inspired menu to the inclusive game tables and the sense of welcome that hits you at the door.
About the Venue
Jose spent a year saving, another remodeling, and chose their location by literally sitting on neighborhood streets—watching who passed by until the right community revealed itself. Owning their building gave them the freedom to custom-design every detail, from the layout to the tables themselves, with intention and longevity in mind.
Stay & Play Game Cafe is more than a restaurant—it’s a designed experience.
The space was brought to life by Perpetuum Designs, with a layout that captures the essence of fun and community from the moment you walk in. The design team embedded visual game cues throughout the space to immerse guests in the gaming culture—think playing cards adorning walls, crossword patterns on surfaces, and chess pieces suspended from the ceiling.
The restaurant’s palette is both modern and comforting: dark floor accents ground the space, while natural wood tables provide warmth and familiarity, making each seating area feel like a personal hub for connection and competition.
One of the most popular features? The #Instagram wall—a lush green photo spot perfect for selfies, group shots, or social shares. It strikes a perfect balance between energetic ambiance and natural calm, reinforcing Stay & Play’s role as both a hangout and a haven.
Whether you’re here for your first game of Azul or your hundredth game night with friends, Stay & Play delivers a space where memories are made—and every design detail helps set the stage.
Gaming Library & Curation Strategy
Stay & Play Game Cafe doesn’t just offer a massive collection of games—it offers a thoughtfully curated experience. With over 800 titles ranging from party classics to deep strategy and cooperative campaigns, the library is a tactile expression of the café’s mission: to welcome every kind of player.
What sets their collection apart:
- Ease of Entry: Games are organized by complexity and group size, making it easy for both seasoned gamers and complete newcomers to find a perfect fit.
- Playability Matters: Most of the games in the library are designed to be played in 20 minutes to 2 hours, an ideal range that keeps the energy moving while still offering depth and engagement.
- Staff-Driven Recommendations: The staff aren’t just service pros—they’re curators and teachers, ready to guide guests to a fitting game and explain the rules in under five minutes. That kind of hands-on support bridges the gap for hesitant players and fosters repeat visits.
- Community Favorites: Games like Wingspan, Azul, Codenames, and Battleship remain high-rotation picks, but there’s also an emphasis on introducing newer indie titles, keeping the collection fresh and community-driven.
- Design for Use: The café layout allows ample room for both gameplay and dining—striking the right balance between energy and comfort.
What really makes the collection shine is that it’s not just for display. These games are selected for use, tested in live play settings, and often rotated based on what the community is actually enjoying. It’s an organic, evolving library that keeps people coming back.
Game Pass & Pricing Model
Stay & Play’s Game Pass is straightforward and affordable:
- $5 per person with a minimum of $10 in food or drink purchases
- $15 per person if the purchase minimum is not met
- Includes up to 2 hours of gameplay
- Staff are available for game recommendations
This structure balances table flow management with value, ensuring a sustainable model that still feels welcoming and accessible.
Customer Experience & Innovation
A standout from our visit was the staff’s level of genuine hospitality. As echoed in many reviews, game guidance is personal, not scripted—whether you’re a regular or stepping in for the first time. From rules explanations to food pairing tips, the team genuinely elevates the experience.
Food & Beverage Program
Stay & Play isn’t just a game café that serves food—it’s a restaurant-first experience inspired by Puerto Rican flavors. Jose and Yesenia’s heritage shines through in every dish.
Menu Favorites:
- Coconut Shrimp
- Jibarito Sandwiches (Classic, Steak, or Trio)
- Loaded Tostones
- Churro Waffles & Coquito French Toast (Brunch specials)
Drinks:
- Mojitos and Piña Coladas
- Local beers
- Zero-proof and family-friendly options
What makes the menu truly special is how “gamer-friendly” it is—meaning dishes are intentionally designed to be:
- Easy to eat one-handed so players can stay engaged
- Non-messy to protect game components and playing surfaces
- Quick to serve, minimizing downtime between ordering and play
- Flavorful without requiring utensils, encouraging relaxed, social dining
It’s a dining experience optimized for gameplay—one that enhances, rather than interrupts, the flow of the evening.
Special Events & Community Engagement
Stay & Play doesn’t just serve games and great food—it serves its neighborhood.
Their calendar is packed with regular events like:
- Dungeons & Dragons Nights – Monthly, hosted by in-house Dungeon Masters
- Boricua Bingo – A lively Puerto Rican take on a classic game
- Community Social Nights – Great for meeting new players or easing into the hobby
But beyond entertainment, Stay & Play also builds community through impact.
We Give Back Wednesdays
Each Wednesday, Stay & Play commits 10% of select pre-tax dine-in sales to a local nonprofit or school group, chosen through their Social Change Partner Program. The process is community-led: patrons nominate deserving organizations, and selected groups receive donations when guests mention them during a qualifying order.
This initiative isn’t just marketing—it’s a values-first approach to business. It gives regulars a reason to visit midweek, empowers patrons to support causes they care about, and keeps the café deeply embedded in the Chicago community it serves.
“We have a passion to serve and are proud to support organizations making a positive difference in our city.”
It’s smart. It’s generous. And it’s a model well worth considering for future GVL programming.
Business Model Insights
- Their pricing model is inclusive yet efficient, ensuring each visit supports both food sales and table management.
- Prepaid event structures like D&D reduce no-shows and increase attendance consistency.
- Their year-long remodeling effort and custom-designed tables speak to a founder-built space with intention and longevity.
- The game library is curated around a practical playtime sweet spot—most titles are designed to be played in 20 minutes to 2 hours, optimizing flow and keeping sessions engaging without overstaying.
- They also host community appreciation nights spotlighting educators, first responders, and others who serve the neighborhood—another way they embed value-driven connection into their business model.
Customer Insights
Jose doesn’t just host a crowd—he studies it. Over time, he’s identified four key customer types who make up the heart of Stay & Play’s community: Gamer George, the dedicated hobbyist looking for a welcoming game-ready venue; Supervisor Sam, who thrives in structure and seeks out organized events; Drive-by Darlene, a loyal local who comes for the food and the people; and Hostess Helen, the social connector introducing new faces to the café. These personas don’t just reflect smart observation—they inform how events are run, how the space flows, and how Stay & Play continues to meet people exactly where they are.
Review Highlights
Top Pros:
- “The owner helped us pick a game and taught it in five minutes. Amazing.”
- “Tried a jibarito with yuca fries—absolutely delicious.”
- “Huge game selection, great service, and family vibes.”
Common Cons:
- Limited hours, especially earlier in the day
- Not many gluten-free or allergy-friendly options
- Noise levels can spike during peak hours
Key Takeaways for GVL Board Game Cafe
Stay & Play Game Cafe sets a powerful precedent for what a culture-rooted, community-driven game café can be. From the smell of garlic to the shuffle of playing cards, every element of the experience is intentional—and joyful.
For us in Greenville, this café reaffirmed a few key insights:
- Let your story guide your space.
- Great food invites, but great service converts.
- Community doesn’t just show up—it’s built.
What Should GVL Board Game Cafe Try First?
Stay & Play’s success stems from bold choices deeply rooted in love for community and culture. As we shape our own space here in Greenville, we want to build with you—not just for you.
Share your voice in the comments:
- Community Impact Nights — Weekly proceeds supporting local nonprofits you nominate
- Heritage Menu Integration — GVL-inspired dishes that celebrate our region’s flavors
- $5 Game Pass Model — Simple, welcoming pricing for everyone at the table
What lights you up about Stay & Play’s approach?
Which ideas do you think will resonate here—and which might miss the mark? Your insights will help us shape a café that reflects our values and vision.
This is your invitation to co-create with us. The most resonant ideas will be the first we prototype as we move toward opening GVL Board Game Cafe.
Next up: We’re heading to Bonus Round Cafe—so keep following along as we continue building the blueprint for a game café that truly belongs to Greenville.
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Bonus Round Game Cafe – Chicago, IL
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