Cubana Cafe

[Tiny]

Anyone tried this place on Smith Street?Just wondering if its good?Thanks

[Nehna]

I've never gone for a full meal, only a couple times for a drink/app at the bar and recently for dessert.

The recent trip, the service was comically bad, and its kind of put me off returning. The food...I've had the quesadilla which was alright..not bad but not particulary great either. When we went back for dessert, we really did not like the coconut rice pudding (maybe its the dish and not them...I found the texture of the shaved coconut made it taste like the rice wasnt cooked enough, too chewy) nor did we like the Tres Leches cake very much...have had much much better.

Summary...probably wont go back for more than a cocktail at the bar.

[Ellis Aponte Jr.]

I wanted really badly to like this place, but eventually had to concede that this is fake Cuban food. Everything's a little off, but somehow crucially off, starting with the rice & beans. Great cocktails, though.

[PAL]

Ellis,

You sound like you know your Cuban food. Where are your favorite places? I just got back from Miami and I have a craving.

-PAL

[Ellis Aponte Jr.]

I'm an ex-Floridian myself, and I'm constantly let down by Cuban restaurants in this city. I keep hoping there's that perfect jewel out there somewhere, but in the meantime my favorite place is Cafecito at 185 Ave. C (@12th St.) in the East Village. Their vaca frita is delicious - they get the marinade right. A totally unpretentious place with almost-Miami level prices.

[Cobber]

I had some nice meals at Cubana when it first opened, but I just went again recently and had the saltiest pulled pork ever. It was barely edible without heaps of the whipped plantains on it.

[fudluvr]

Their sandwiches are pretty good. We get them to go. The skirt steak and avocado one is my farorite. Nothing is mindblowing, but all in all fun and satisfying.

[Laura]

I am a big fan of Cubana. The menu is extensive and varied - there is something for everyone. I have regular cravings for the jicama and green apple salad. The service is not fabulous but the good food and low prices makes it worth the trip. And the flan is delicious.

[Todd Eaton]

Went once when it first opened and due to extremely bad service, I vowed never to go back. Essentially the waiter rounded up my tax 50 cents because he didn't feel like getting a calculator or doing the math. Five cents, six cents, a dime, I might can let that slide, but 50 cents of extra tax on a 9 dollar meal is ridiculous and dishonest. Did not apologize or offer an explanation when confronted with the situation. Will never step foot in there again.

[LJ]

That's really too bad, because I happen to know they've addressed some of the poor service issues they had in the early days. I would recommend giving it another try.