Mike B.
Yelp
Tried newly opened Casa Cubana early on a Sunday nite. Food is delicious, service still a little disjointed.
A dozen wood top tables ring a few high top tables at the center of the dining room, with a 6 seat bar in front of the kitchen. Cuban music plays at medium volume in the background.
We were seated quickly and drink orders taken. A basket of 2 types of toasted, warm bread are served.
The mojitos are outstanding. The drink is big - served in water glass. The proportions are perfect - not too strong, not too sweet, nicely muddled fresh mint plus a lime slice and a stalk of sugar cane. Really delicious. The only criticism is that it took a while for the drinks to be served, even though the restaurant wasn't that busy. I chalk that up to a new team.
To get a feel for the menu, decided to try the Rumba sampler. This is an appetizer for two and is loaded with a shredded pork empanada, ham croquetas, fried pork nuggets, fried chicken chunks, plantain chips and crispy yucca plus 2 sauces for dipping. A minor nit is that the sampler isn't served with plates. Appetizer plates would make this easier to navigate instead of eating over the shared platter.
The empanada comes from a nearby sister restaurant (Empanada Factory). It's a delicious crispy pastry stuffed with perfectly spiced shredded pork. The ham croquetas resemble cheese sticks - oblong tubes of ham-based filling, breaded and deep fried. These are OK, but not my favorite - kind of bland. The chicken is small chunks of bone-in meat, fried deep brown. They're crunchy with a garlicky spice to them. Pork nuggets are similarly prepared, small chunks deep fried till crunchy. Both are fantastic dipped in the green sauce; avocado based and extra garlicky. Spicy, but not hot. Plantains are length-wise peels, nice and crunchy. Yucca sliced like steak fries, and deep fried. Each choice is delicious and this a great representation of the menu options.
Next, tried the Cuban sandwich. There are a couple of Cuban sandwich options on the menu, the choice this time is Miami style. It's a 9" Cuban bread, piled high with slow roasted shredded pork slathered in a garlic sauce, plus ham, swiss, mayo, mustard and pickles. The sandwich is served pressed, with fries on the side. The pork is moist and flavorful, the garlic sauce a great enhancement. The pork overpowers the other ingredients though, so it essentially tastes like a shredded pork sandwich. The bread could have been pressed longer; its better when it's crustier. Still, a delicious sandwich. Next time I'll try the Tampa Cuban, so I can compare.
Lastly tried the black bean soup. This is a great rendition of this classic. Beans soft and spiced perfectly in an earthy broth, slightly thick from the simmering beans. Yum. Did have to go to the counter and ask for a spoon... Again new service working out the kinks.
Overall, the food at Casa Cubana is great, with many other entrees to try. I'm sure that as the team settles in, service gets smoother. Definitely will be back.