Cuban Restaurant Havana Grill Expanding to Westfield Mission Valley | Eater San Diego

"A neighborhood favorite for more than five years in Clairemont, Havana Grill is expanding into a 3,443-square-foot space in the Michael’s at Westfield Mission Valley redevelopment next to Mediterranean chain Cava and is slated to open by December or January. Owned by chef Sandra Cardet and her son and co-founder Alex Guevara, the business says it experienced continued growth during the pandemic, enabling this expansion; after debating between North County and central San Diego they settled on Mission Valley to provide a less “chain-y” dining alternative. The new outpost will offer counter service in an upscale setting with a full bar and will carry over the current lunch and dinner menu that uses grass-fed meat and organic produce, featuring Cuban classics like arroz con pollo, yucca fries, roasted pork, and ropa vieja. Cardet and Alex are most excited to add an in-house bakery to bake fresh bread for their popular Cuban sandwiches and to offer a large variety of desserts and pastries, and the Mission Valley location will also have a walk-up window inspired by Miami’s iconic ventanitas to serve Cuban coffee drinks and to-go breakfast bites such as empanadas, papas rellenas, and croquettes. As Alexis Dachs of Location Matters said, their authenticity and quality of Cuban food is what makes them stand out and should bring a unique offering to Mission Valley." - Candice Woo