"When passing through Hawthorne, the sight of Cubo de Cuba simply cannot be missed with its colorful exterior and palm trees posted by the entrance. Cubo’s bowls — ideal for those wanting a little bit of everything — come with mango, avocado, sweet maduros, crisp tostones, rice, beans, and your choice of protein, such as the mojo pork or ropita, shredded beef brisket. Opting for one of the plates, such as the ropa vieja, includes a larger portion and a side of choice. To drink, Cubo offers a range of refreshing rum-based cocktails like the guava colada and Havana Sunrise. For something nonalcoholic and sweet to sip on, the batido de mamey, a tropical fruit-based milkshake, is a classic favorite." - Elizabeth Delgado, Chandler Petersen, Olivia Lee