Oldsmar: Latin American Grill
This is located in a strip center at Tampa Rd. & Forest Lake Blvd. They seem to have most of the Cuban standards plus a number of Argentinian items. The dinner menu lists sweetbreads! I take that as a very good sign.
I tried their Cuban. I was in a fog and it felt like it was Saturday - so I was confused why the door was locked at 3 pm*. A lovely lady opened it and offered a quick sandwich to go, which was exactly what I wanted. She was watching her grandson as we chatted - seems to be a multi-generational family business.
I've had a lot of Cubans - I grew up in the area when you could smell the tobacco long before you could see the cigar factories of Ybor. This one had the most flavorful, succulent pork I've ever experienced. The bread was acceptable, had all the Ybor style ingredients plus a light smear of mayo. It was lightly pressed. A little slim on pickle and salami. But the overall flavor (due to the amazing pork) was fantastic.
A quick search of the board didn't show any mention of this place. My trips to the area are usually filled primarily with visits to old favorites, so I seldom get to try something new here. This is so close to where a few family members live that it will be a welcome addition to my Fl. food fixes.
*They close between 3 - 5 M - F
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scubadoo97
Sep 20, 2009 06:04 AM
My wife and I wondered into this restaurant many years ago. I remember getting some kind of steak dinner with potatoes and plantains. I remember walking away thinking this place met and exceeded my expectations. We don't go out a lot so for what ever reason we haven't gone back but I liked the place.
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re: RibDog
meatn3
Sep 18, 2009 10:28 PM
I have family in the Palm Harbor/Oldsmar area, but I never lived that far north in Pinellas. Most of my Oldsmar dining has been at a few chains my father likes (Tequila Flats, Boston Cooker, Steak and Shake).
My favorites in the county (based partly on getting fixes of foods that I can't get elsewhere) are Ted Peters, Red Mesa, La Teresita, El Cap, and I seem to end up at Guppy's a bit. I always liked Greek Isles in Largo, but the last few times the food was slipping. Oh, for breakfast either Lenny's in Clearwater or Kelly's in Dunedin. The area keeps growing rapidly and each visit I find something else has closed. Also, most of my visits are to give my siblings a break from the care taking aspects our aging parents now require. So I have very limited time to explore these days. It is frustrating - I lurk on the Fl. boards to try to keep some level of awareness. The ethnic options have grown by leaps and bounds. I'd love to devote a week just to taste-test all the Vietnamese places I've noticed in Pinellas Park! That is why I was so excited about the place I posted about - I can get there quite fast! I seldom have the spare few hours to make it to St. Pete or much of Tampa.
Do you have any recommendations?! I've got no problems with hijacking if it leads to good food!
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