Best Cuban in Westchester?

[Kirkcollm]

Where can you find the best cuban food in Westchester? Is there anywhere that is better than city?

Looking for something that has great flavor and reflects the culture. Food first, followed by ambiance.

[Westjanie]

Latin American Cafe in White Plains. Certainly authentic, and compares quite favorably with what I've had in Miami.

[Bloombee]

I enjoy Latin American Cafe - and it most certainly meets your requirements of food way before ambiance. I like their Papas Rellenas, Chorizo con Tostones, Tamales (can you tell I generally like a appetizers) and Puerca Asado. I have not had their Cubano sandwich personally but have heard good things about it. Service is friendly.

[laylag]

I third the rec for Latin American Cafe. Lived in Miami for 4 years and have to say this place is pretty darned good. I have had the Cubano and it was delicious. Pork was actually much more tender than many I've had in FL.

[Kirkcollm]

Is it currently closed?

[adamclyde]

best cuban in Westchester may = only cuban in Westchester. Is there a full Cuban place anywhere in Westchester besides Latin American Cafe?

[Marge]

I actually really like Salsa Latin Eatery in Jefferson Valley. It looks like an "upscale" fast food joint, but everything is homemade, and everything I've had there so far (Cuban sandwich, mofongo, bacala salad on yuca) has been delicious.
http://www.salsalatineatery.com/Menu....

[mary30]

I've been to Belle Havana twice and both times the food was excellent but the service was so incredibly slow I swear the seasons were changing while we were sitting there. So I haven't been back. Has anyone been recently?

[Jon1856]

Yes, or at least rather close:
Karamba Café
185 Main St.
(Court St.)
White Plains, NY
914-946-5550

Belle Havana
35 Main St.
(Riverdale Ave.)
Yonkers, NY
914-969-1006

Cuban Eddies
130 W Shore Ave
Dumont, NJ
201-338-2382

Coco Rumba's
443 Lexington Ave.
(Radio Circle Dr.)
Mt. Kisco, NY
914-241-2299

[intrepid]

coco rumba food is cuban food by disney..

[laylag]

Shortly after moving to Westchester, husband and I went into Karamba expecting Cuban. We left after looking at the menu - before even ordering. I can't really remember what the menu had on it but it wasn't Cuban as I knew it from either Manhattan or Miami. When we left we went for the first time to Latin American Cafe and haven't seen a need to go back and try Karamba. Is there a reason that I'm missing?

[Westjanie]

Haven't been to Karamba in a very long time, but from what I remember, they were not Cuban, but some sort of pan-Latino mix. Okay for what it is (or was, since I haven't been in so long a time.)

[chowdom]

Karamba cafe has a cuban that I like more than the cuban at latin american. I don't care for the rest of their food though, and do like the food at latin american. Neither of these places can compare to the cubans I have had at a place on Broadway near 165th st (sorry don't know the name)

[Jon1856]

Would it be either Havana Central or La Caridad?

[chowdom]

Unfortunately I don't remember the name of the place.

[laylag]

Isn't La Caridad the Chino Latino place on the UWS?

[Sra. Swanky]

There are a few Caridad restos throughout the Bronx. The Chino Latino place you're thinking of is La Caridad 78...how I love that place!

http://www.menupages.com/restaurantde...

[Sammy Diaz]

I second the Caridad in the Bronx for the best thing closest to Cuban in Westchester. i Just gave up on Westchester -- have tried ALL the above and never really satisfies my cravings for Cuban. BTW I am Cuban, born and raised in Miami if that means anything LOL

[laylag]

It does mean quite a bit. You don't care for Latin American Cafe Sammy?

[Sammy Diaz]

Not really. To be honest I've only had one meal there, the ropa vieja and tostones. The ropa vieja didnt melt in my mouth as expected and the sauce had too much tomato paste (or sauce) in it and didnt have the sazon flavors I like with cilantro and recaito, etc... just didnt have the kick and tasted, dare I say -- "gentrified" and I've had better tostones, crispier, nice and salty, in cuchifritos in the Bronx or upper Manhattan. That's just my opinion.
I love the Cubanos at Colonial cafe in Pellham parkway in the Bronx -- our go to place for Carribean closest to Westchester. They toast their bread with mojito, so it has a nice garlicky flavor to it...Maybe theres something else out there but I haven't tried it.

[laylag]

Noting the rec for Colonial Cafe and will try - I'm not so familiar with the Bronx so where on Pelham Pkwy - i.e. - get off 95 or Hutch and go West I assume but how far?

[Alex318]

i agree with your review of Latin American Cafe - i was very disappointed with my meal - cant even remember what it was to be honest-and they didnt even have vaca frita or bunuelos on the menu

[MMRuth]

This doesn't fit the bill for a Cuban restaurant, but the Cuban sandwich at the Bakery at Four corners is excellent, in case you hadn't seen that thread:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/570411

[raider]

finally tried the cuban at four corners bakery. wow. not just a great cuban, but one of the best sandwiches i've ever eaten. definitely wrap up half for dinner. and next time i'll ask for mustard instead of mayo, but next time will be soon. very soon.

[sdchowcom]

I'm cuban born and raised in Miami. Latin American Cafe and Karamba do not reflect the cuban culture nor flavor!!

The Karamba menu is less Cuban than Latin American. I'd say they are more Dominican. Out of the two, I'd pick Karamba for the price.

So to answer your question, there is no good Cuban restaurant in Westchester that I know of. I'm not avid restaurant goer by any means, but from my time living in New York, I have learned that best Latin food is found in Dominican restaurants. I've found several good ones in the Bronx, none in Westchester.

[laylag]

Even though this is a Westchester thread on the tristate board, do post your recs in the Bronx - it's really so close. Arthur Ave. places are often mentioned here too so crossing fingers your response won't get relocated to the outer boroughs board.

Btw - lived in Miami for a few years. What was your favorite Cuban down there?

[MikiLovesSugar]

I went this past wednesday and it was my first time eating there. The food was really good and flavorful!!! The fried plantains were perfecto and my shrimp were nice and plump! It was my first time having cuban food and this was definitely a nice intro to it!

[timIam]

As a Cuban food junkie who spent a decade in Miami, I hear what you're saying about Latin American. But I would try the Cuban there anyway, it's a real treat even if it's not exactly what you would expect in Miami. It's more like a pan con lechon with a little ham and Swiss just for seasoning but it's very tasty