Calle Ocho Cuban Cafecito

I went to try some Cuban breakfasts that are different compared to my Salvadorean food. Eloy the cook was so courteous, attentive I hope that's his name lol. My breakfast involves rice, egg and plátanos fritos delicious. The beef empanada was good it was kind of sweet like a FILIPINO empanadas. Loved the pictures and the whole decor. BUT there's only one table and two chairs. The emphasis in catering and coffee.

My first visit to this restaurant was exceptional. The food was flavorful, and the Cuban sandwiches were some of the best I had in a long time. Unfortunately, my most recent visit told a very different story. What was once a hearty, flavorful sandwich has now been reduced to what felt like a token gesture of pork. Both sandwiches were flat, nearly meatless, and a shadow of what they used to be. It was a clear example of shrinkflation in action. Inflation has leveled out, yet some restaurants continue to cut portions while charging the same prices. That kind of practice does not go unnoticed. This place has the potential to be a true standout for authentic Cuban cuisine in California, but if it keeps heading in this direction, it risks losing the loyal customers who once raved about it. I truly hope they bring back the quality that made this place great.

I’ve been coming to this place for almost 5 years now and it’s always been as good as the first time. The coffee is always on point, the food is absolutely worth the wait as it’s made fresh every time. (Call ahead if you’re in a rush) And the staff is the most family like staff out there. My favorite menu items are the lechon fries, the pork sandwich, and any of the empanadas, but my favorite is the media noche.

To start off the vibe of the place is amazing. There isn’t much seating available only 3 tables (1 inside, 2 outside and a loveseat couch inside) I was excited to try the cafe con leche and I got it with 4 shots of espresso but unfortunately it wasn’t as strong as i excepted it to be. The signature Cuban sandwich was delicious and the beef empanada with cheese was so flavorful and crunchy. The green salsa is more of a dressing and the orange salsa has a tangy kick but both paired amazing with the sandwich. The food was freshly prepared and the staff is very friendly.

This is one of the most authentic and traditional Cuban places that you will find anywhere in southern California! The food is served fresh made to order so you will have to wait a little bit for your food, but it is well worth the wait. The most amazing food, the most amazing atmosphere, and the best family who owns it!! Just try it!

I'm always out here looking for specific things. So I just leaned across the counter and asked the guy how he cooked his pork. I love a cook that loves food as much as I do without pretense. That being said, I got it back and it didn't look like much but the minute I bit into it, it was perfect. These guys know what they're doing and on top of that, the family that runs the place were so friendly. It's so hard to find good food and good service in the same place these days. I'll be stopping by here again

Absolutely great vibe and the food is lit 🔥! All home-made nothing recooked.

I am so disappointed & do not understand how this place has such a high rating , I guess people dont expect much now a days even prices that are ridiculously high for this type of whole in the wall, I would rather eat an In-N-Out burger & it be delicious & not pay as much as I did, truly not what I expected. The prices on the menu were crazy high for a restaurant which seems more like a fast food joint ,doesnt really have much area at all so that you can eat I guess more like a take out kinda place. Do not expect authentic Cuban food nore fresh, this food is left overs they did not sell the day before , the lechon was dry not saucy ,cheap with the rice they may have counted each grain for a bowl thats over $ 16, the tostones were old not freshly fried, their sandwiches aren't good what so ever, bread was old. Service needs to be genuinely friendlier & more welcoming. I know prices have gone up on pretty much everyone this doesn't mean we should not get quality & freshness . How is this restaurant still standing.

Really great spot that serves up Cuban food in a small strip mall of Rancho Cucamonga. The space itself is pretty small and there are a couple of tables, but I think it's more conducive to takeout. The menu has a pretty good variety of dishes/menu items as well as coffee drinks, but like the space, lots of items you can order are more geared towards take out. I think it's owned and run by a couple and they are super friendly. Also, I've never been to Cuba, but with the decor, it really does have a vibe like you are in a small food shack in Cuba. For my first trip there, I definitely got the popular iconic Cuban hits : the Cubano, the Café con Leche, an empanada with ham and cheese, and a potato ball (papa rellena) with ground beef. All the food was just so delicious and very well done. The coffee was great as well. Definitely a big fan of this place and will be coming back and hopefully often. And I really want to ropa vieja bowl, since ropa vieja is one of my favorite things to order when I've been to other Cuban spots.

Food is good and service is great but the pricing is wild. Their website advertises one price but I was charged $1-3 more PER item. Didn't know since they took payment over the phone and wasn't given a receipt. Only received one when I had to divvy up costs with coworkers and called them for one. When I noticed the difference, I called back and was told they have no control over the website (even though it's theirs) and that it's definitely $5 for ONE potato ball (website lists one for $2.95). Was not told that plantains did not come with the sandwich when it was offered (charged $7 for 6) and that each sauce we got (about 10 cups) was charged separately for each. Good food but definitely feel swindled with the price and not honoring what's advertised on their own website.

The food here is absolutely amazing- fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The customer service is also top-notch; everyone was friendly, attentive, and made sure our order was perfect. I appreciate the help to the car with my big order. That said, I'm giving 4 stars out of 5 because the restaurant was extremely hot inside. It made waiting for our food a bit uncomfortable. Also, there aren't any dine-in seats, so be prepared to take your food to go. Great food! Great service! But definitely room to grow! Maybe start the trend- order ahead "dine in". You will need more space for diners. Something to consider! I know, having in restaurant diners wait 45 minutes for their food can be tough. Just a thought!

Walking into Calle Ocho always feel like a warm hug. From the kindness of the staff to the way you can taste the love poured into the food and coffee, it's always an experience that leaves you feeling happy and fulfilled. The guava and cheese empanadas are always a must have, along with their Signature Cuban Sandwich. I never visit without getting an iced Cafe Con Leche (4 shots because I don't play about my coffee). Whether you're a weekly regular, a sometimes regular, or a visitor from out of town, Denise and her crew make you feel so welcome and valued every single time. We've literally never had a bad visit or bad meal. I promise if you visit, you will not be disappointed!! It's a small spot without a lot of seating, but what they may lack in seats they make up with in flavor and culture. Enjoy!

So , I tried this restaurant, it's very hard to find Cuban food , specially good Cuban food . I ordered a Cuban sandwich, it was delicious, I combined both green and red sauce and it elevated the flavor to a new level. The service is fast . Ambiance is very old Habana style , very unique . The location is very small so do yourself a favor and order to go , there no tables, unless you don't mind eating standing .

The friendliest greeting when you walk in and the food is awesome it's just a small place but has a huge feeling of belonging

Never miss a moment for empanadas, cheese and garlic will forever be my fav! Owners are great ALWAYS CALL IN YOUR ORDER

Love it here! The decorations, the music, the selection, the QUALITY. Absolutely worth the hype. I was getting car work done in the plaza and was due for some coffee. The staff and cozy atmosphere greeted me right away. Felt like I was walking into someone's home with the hospitality and seating. It is quaint and it clearly gets very busy. Take the advice to order ahead if you can. I walked in because I had the time to spare. I ordered the classic Cafe con Leche, guava pastry, and tried the media noche empanada. Oh my goodness, delicious! I would definitely have to come just for the food because that empanada was savory and satisfied a flavor profile I didn't know I needed. Overall, you come here for the coffee and café vibes, but you return for the hospitality and quality food. Shoutout to the business for putting some sazón in Rancho Cucamonga. Wepa!

A quick update from my last two memorable visits. Yes they do greet you with a smile when you walk in and they are friendly. But once you pay and don't give them a tip all that goes out the door. Ahem! Their demeanor changes or I should say Her demeanor changes and when you pick up your order it gets thrown to you. Or should I say my sandwich got flung to me with an evil dirty look. I went back again but this time around I had someone else order and pay and the same thing happened to them. No I'm not making this up. Check the surveillance footage if you will. So not cool if you don't tip you get treated like that. Like WTF! I support local businesses but this is just not cool at all. And that's my Retake on this experience, Peace

Can you say ..DELICIOUS! The food is made to order and the service is amazing. The inside is quite small but there is a cute sitting area outside. Make sure you come with time to find parking and enjoy the fresh food

I just had finished going to the gym and getting ready before work. I happen to stumble upon this place looking up sandwiches on this app. Seeing the reviews, I decided to give it a whirl. I am so glad I started Friday with this place! The vibe was heartwarming. The owners really care about there regulars and new people alike. Seeing me struggle to decide between fries and potato ball, the owner slipped one in! Didn't realize she did that until I started eating in my car. Definitely will be back for the quality of food and hospitality. Thanks for showing some love to the Philippines as well!

Wow! This place is incredible. Wonderful staff, cozy ambiance, and delicious food. This place made me feel like family the moment I stepped in the door. I will definitely come back!!

Consistency is what I look for and expect for a 5-star review. The service and food here do not disappoint. The place is quite cozy with only one 2-seat table inside, as well as a small couch for those waiting on their orders. There are outdoor tables in the shopping center, and many people take their orders to go. Denise, owner/operator, runs a tight ship and along with her family, provides tasty delights from their Cuban roots. This visit, we were able to try their delicious Jamon & Queso Croquetas, as well as several Empanadas (Beef, Chorizo, and Guava con Queso), and a slice of Flan. Once again, the empanadas were golden brown and crisp, and the fillings were very tasty. I washed it all down with a refreshing Mango Agua Fresca. We really enjoy coming to this family owned and operated café/deli and is a must visit when we're in the area. I highly recommend you give them a try...you'll be hooked!

I drove out here today because I was craving Cuban food.. There was a line to get in to order and it moved pretty quickly. The wait time for our food went by quickly since we were distracted with all the decor! Such a vibe! The food was amazing and the coffee was delicious. I took my first sip and immediately realized this was worth the drive! From ELA I went straight to Rancho and I don't regret it one bit! I told the owner I was over the coffee shops in LA and wanted to try something different and I am Happy I did! I will definitely be back

My review is based on 3 times being here, first time was about 3 years ago and the food was legit, being i'm cuban and from miami. 2nd time food was so salty, didn't go back for a while. Today sent a co worker to get us cuban sandwiches and some papa rellena and guava and cheese emapnadas. Today was more of a let down than ever. The cuban sandwich was more bread than anything, the plastic to go containers are a big mistake, makes the sandwich sweat and get soggy, was better wrapped in aluminum. The papa rellena was the only thing that was good. The empanada the guava was not melted and the empanada had more pastry than the inside good stuff. Too pricey for the product.

This place has really good Cuban food and empanadas. Highly recommend staff here is very welcoming. Place has a Cuban feel with the music playing and all

Food was great ! Love the coffee great taste . Service was great and locations was cute love all the little things on the walls definitely worth trying!

Heads up: This is strictly a takeout spot--no tables, no dine-in--so plan accordingly! I highly recommend ordering 30 minutes to an hour ahead, especially during peak hours. Now let's talk about the food. The Cuban coffee here is bold, rich, and brewed with heart--you can truly taste the love in every sip. I asked for a recommendation and was pointed toward the plate you'll see in my photo. Let me just say: they did not miss. Every element was thoughtfully prepared. The plátano was caramelized just right, soft with a slight crisp on the edges. And then there's that green sauce. I don't know what's in it, but I'd put it on literally anything--chicken, rice, maybe even cereal (kidding... kinda). It's that addictive. The flan? You'll notice in the picture that a few bites are already gone... that's because I couldn't wait. Creamy, not overly sweet, and with that perfect caramel finish. They have multiple flavors, but for me, nothing beats the classic. Local gem alert. Support spots like this that pour passion into every bite.

So glad we stumbled upon this restaurant for breakfast. The owners were incredibly friendly and welcoming and the food was absolutely delicious. They even went above and beyond to satisfy my cravings for the guava and cheese empanadas (that were sold out before 9 am!) and I'm so glad I had to chance to try them. Every dish was fantastic but their excitement for sharing the flavors of their culture is what really made the experience unforgettable.

The cheese & guava empanada was disappointing (see pic) Breakfast bowl was decent though I wish they had steak or something to add to it

This place is soooooooo good! Wish I took a picture of my food first but I devoured it. Ordered the Beef Empanada and Our Signature Cuban Sandwich and it was amazing. The lady who helped me at the counter was so sweet and had the most welcoming energy. Love the music and how cute the cafe is. Will be bringing my family to try this place out !! So excited to show them this gem

Amazing service, food, and owners! It doesn't get any more authentic than calle ocho. Highly recommend the papa rellena and croquetas The arroz con leche tastes just like my grandmas Can't wait to be back

Lechon fries are my go to. So delicious. Whenever I'm in town I have to stop and pick up an order.

Food is always amazing here. The environment is a little smaller than most coffee shops. This shop is a order online and wait type as the husband and wife cook their hearts out for a lot of customers. Service from them is always amazing. Waiting a long time for amazing food is always worth it though.

Walk in the door and you're at a small street cafe. Food is amazing and you can tell it's made with love. Service is top notch, the whole family is so friendly. Food is made when ordered so you may have to wait a bit, but the wait is well worth it! We will be back for sure!

OhhhhMgee wow!!! My mom and I, absolutely loved this place! The empanadas were delicious and the cafe- pos wow!!!! The atmosphere is so quaint and inviting- we will be back!!! The staff were genuinely humble!

A really awesome take-out Cuban sandwich shop in a small plaza surrounded by auto car shops. It definitely is a cafecito, small with only about 3 tables with two seats each. I love love love the decor inside, it's so homey with a string of laundry hanging at the door and pictures of whom I assume were the original owners/grandparents of the shop! They have little items to buy in the shop like Skin and hair products, small wooden serving boards. They sell a variety of Cuban coffees (only with steamed regular milk so I couldn't have any :( ), empanadas and sandwiches! We had to go with the Cuban sandwich in addition to 2 flans (they normally sell seasonal, tropical, ube and guava but they go out fast so we got the ube and pistachio only), and a passion fruit aguas fresca. The staff is really nice and quick to take your order. Definitely feels like a small mom and pop and I'm happy they've been successful with how busy it was on a Saturday noon. Sandwich is as good as it gets! Savory with a bit of sour and spice, bread was crunchy and delicious. Empanada was awesome! I've never had an empanada that is sweet on the outside and savory on the inside, the shell was so pretty too! Coffee was sweet and strong as noted by the cafe and passion fruit agua fresca which is not too sour. Gifted the flan so didn't get to review it but it looked amazing and was selling out when we showed up around 12:30 so I'm sure it's good! Thanks Calle Ocho!

Shout out to the young man Eloy, who assisted me at the register and the Sweet woman .I felt so welcomed. I ordered 2 empanadas and he sold me on a slice of pistachio cheesecake. ( the sweet woman advised that ,pistachio was his favorite) He was super friendly and the woman was so welcoming. The service was fast and efficient. The food and service were top tier! 10/10. I highly recommend!!

Such a cute, homie, and welcoming spot. When I tried this place I was fairly new to the coffee game, but now that I've tried more and more coffees I'd love to go back and try more of their variety. Owner was friendly, welcoming, and helpful to us first timers. Worth a try!!

Very friendly I just wish they have veggies friendly I am allergic pork and lard :( Thank you

Came here after seeing how well reviewed the place is on a random Monday morning around 11:30am. The place is located in an unassuming strip mall. Nothing flashy. A place where you can randomly stop by and find a hidden foodie spot. "Hole in the Wall" if you will. The restaurant is small with a small dining area inside and outside. When I walked in a gentleman was there before me. For the most part I heard his order and it was similar to mine, Cubano Sandwich and Cafe Leche, except he added plantains. The reason why I mentioned this is that I over heard it would take 30 minutes. Not sure why it takes that long? Maybe it was a large ToGo order before hand but when I was quoted for the same. I almost didn't want to wait but the guy before me said it was worth it so I begrudgingly said okay. The lady took my order and took my number to call me when it was done.... After 30 minutes I checked in by walking in and asking if the order ready. It wasn't. I came back 45 minutes later and my order was on the table. Not sure why they didn't call my cell but the lady saw I was irritated and said we called your name. Ummm why take my phone number then? Regardless, when I got the food and drink I rushed to get to get to work. The coffee was actually good. I enjoyed it on my way to work. The sandwich was okay. I wanted it to be more toasted and cheese melted but not sure if they were rushing the order or if it comes like that? I liked the sauces that was included. It helped round out the flavors. The pork with cheese was a little dry so the sauce helped balance it. Overall, I'd come back and check out other items on the menu. This time I'll either call ahead or just not be in a rush to go to work.

Great coffee, attentive service , Cuban decor Went back twice in the same day for more coffee

I absolutely loved my visit to Calle Ocho. Their cafe con leche is amazing, and the pastelitos are a real treat. Gotta come back asap!

I cannot recommend this place enough. Not only is the food absolutely delicious but the staff is super friendly and family oriented. My favorites are the Beef and Cheese Empanadas, the Original Flan, the Ube Flan is also good, and the Cafe con Leche. Everything is made fresh and the quality of the food is always top tier. The interior also has a cute vibe to it, only downside is not a lot of seating but well worth it to take it to go.

Tiny place with outdoor seating. Friendly service. The Cuban Sandwich was excellent. The pork in the sandwich was very flavorful and the sandwich was well put together. Ysabel enjoyed her ropa vieja bowl. Fresh and tasty. The yucca was fried perfectly and accompanied by a green garlic sauce and a mild red sauce. The pumpkin flan was a knockout. I'm glad we were able to make it for lunch. We've been to the Peruvian place next door for dinner but missed this place because it closes at 3PM. We'll be back to try their other dishes.

Small family establishment. Great customer service. Quality of food is very good. The garlic and cheese empanada and Maduro were delicious.. cafe con Leche incredibly smooth. Highly recommend! Will definitely be coming back

Ambiance: a VIBE Service: personal, so relieving & happy to come across business owners exactly like this! Thank you for being you Food: EXQUISITE! guava empanadas & the chicken were our FAVORITES, we're looking forward to our next family gathering just so we can order a tray to share Our first time here, didn't know which coffee to get so we ordered 1 double shot & 1 quad shot iced cafe con leche, both were perfect !!

My friend had recommended this small business a while back, I finally stopped by and was NOT disappointed at all! The staff was so welcoming! Denise walked me through the menu. I had my toddler with me and they didn't make me feel uncomfortable at all! I had a chorizo empanada and beef empanada, cuban iced coffee, and the house flan. The empanadas are so crispy , they did not disappoint at all! The chorizo and cheese was my favorite. The coffee was a bit too sweet for my liking, I would ask for less condensed milk next time but it was very good!

This is a long overdue review about this place! Not going to lie, but my cousin and I tried this place out right after our cycling class. It was definitely worth it! There's outdoor seating and the inside is small but they have cute seating as well while you wait for your food. Food/Drink: + Signature Cuban Sandwich ($14): It's voted #1 Cuban sandwich in Southern California! Honestly, I have to agree! This sandwich was delicious and had so much flavor. Just thinking about this sandwich while I'm writing this review is making my mouth water. The lechon was so tender and juicy, the cheese, pickle, and mustard all stuffed inside a Cuban bread is just amazing! You need to get this! + Lechon Fries ($15.95): Garlic fries with more pork, cheese and their homemade chipotle and garlic dips. SAY LESS! This with the sandwich is a match made in heaven. Ask for extra sauce on the side because you'll want to dip everything in it. + Empanadas ($3.25): I ordered a variety to take home to my mom. Dang, these empanadas were stuffed and my mom enjoyed them! I got to try them too and they were yummy. +Cafe con Leche: I am not a coffee drinker but dang this drink changed my opinion on coffee! I love how you can still taste the coffee and how sweet it is. Every single person that came, had an order of this drink. Will I be back?! Definitely! I'm so sad that I live so far from this place that every time I decide to visit my cousin I'll ask if we can come here.

Sooooo good!!! Always a good vibe and excellent Cafe!!!! Never disappoints!!!! We love Calle Ocho‼

Every time we come here it feels like I'm going to my family's house. They are so welcoming! Good music playing and damn the food and drinks are delicious! Love their cafe con leche, cubano, yucca fritas, and maduros. Okay, basically love everything lol! Here's my recommendation you want to get there early before the run out of the deliciousness. Be patient because there's always a wait because it's that good. And grab a drink while you wait for your food.

Its a very small cafe but I love the food and i love the owners! They are sweet! I will definitely come back.

Really enjoyed the Cuban sandwich & flan I got from here. Espresso was just OK. There was bit of a wait, but honestly the food was pretty good and I understand that quality takes time. The owner was very friendly & kind. I would definitely take food to go because there is only 1 table inside. Overall really great spot, I'll be back!

Very small place this is definitely somewhere you order to go. The food is amazing though all the empanadas hit the spot ! The service is great always the same people helping definitely a great place for Cuban cuisine

Excellent Empanadas and other Cuban food & beverages. Small family restaurant and great service

First I will say it's been a while since I've been here to eat. The drive from my house is pretty long, so I can't get by very often. However, on this trip the food quality and taste was not very appealing. I ordered the exact things I raved about previously. The Cuban sandwich and the Cafe Con Leche. The cafe con leche was very good. However the sandwich was very underwhelming this time. The first couple times I had this sandwich, I was blown away, but this time I was not happy at all. The lady said it was the same sandwich but it didn't look the same or at least as good as before. Not sure what happened this time, but now I'm questioning if I will return especially with the drive. The employees were still very friendly and the restaurant was clean. Unfortunately a bad experience this time. I understand inflation, so I know prices are gonna go up, but if I pay $25 for a sandwich and drink without even being able to sit down, I expect it to be really good tasting food.

Flan. Pistachio. Hand made. BEST IVE EVER HAD!! And this is one of the many things I've ordered. Their coffee is amazing, the food has so much flavor and cooked perfectly. You get the sense of the Cuban culture when you enter and you are greeted with kindness and treated like family! The ambiance feel like when you come home

Very welcoming Ambiance ! Got greeted right away ! Customer service was great ! Food looked delicious !

I wanted to like this place so bad that I gave it 3 try's but ultimately, I will not be back. To start, the service is always great & you can tell the owner is passionate about her place & giving the customer a good experience.. I cannot take that away from her. Aside from the good customer service.. this place is extremely overpriced.. the food is so dry.. and lacks flavor. I feel that people only like this place because they've never had good Cuban food. My most recent visit, I ordered a Cuban sandwich and a cafe con leche which was $28. The meat in the sandwich was so dry and flavorless it was hard to eat. The only thing that brought each bite alive was the green sauce provided with the sandwich. The cafe con leche was delicious but for $8 & it being so small.. no. My visit prior, I ordered a Cuban lechon bowl and I can't say much different.. the meat was so dry and flavorless. :/ sad to say, but wanted to be transparent to the people that have had good Cuban food and are expecting it from Calle Ocho.