El Artesano

The first time I ever came here I was seven years old so it holds a special place in my heart. Privately owned mom and Pop place it’s been around forever a staple in this town. Everything you’ll have here is delicious, especially their churros. Today I ordered the steak sandwich with a cafe con Leche. Attentive service and very nice staff.

This is the place I sometimes visit when I miss Cuban food. However, we cannot blame the restaurant for the higher food prices and lower quantity compared to the previous day, but it is not pleasant to add credit card fees. And ox tail was very tough at this time.

I stood at the cashier for well over 30 minutes waiting to pay bc the employees were placing their own orders. I finally said something as my uber was arriving, either I pay for my food or I walk out. They got defensive and made it seem as if it were my fault. Que poca clase tienen las que trabajan

One of this cozy and down-to-earth spots where the staff treats you well and you can get great Cuban food. After a long day, it was a nice impromptu treat for dinner. Keep up the delicious work!

First time here and the breakfast was very tasty. Prices are reasonable. Will be coming again.

My family & I have been going here since I was a child and it's still one of my favorite spots. My wife & I both love the steak sandwiches and fries. The espresso is good! The servers are always nice. The churros are on point. I love all the framed Cuban baseball jerseys and pictures. Always an enjoyable time.

My favorite restaurant! Never disappoints! The food is delicious and the service is excellent. The owners are magnificent people and always attentive to all clients.

Great place for quality inexpensive Cuban eats. Found this place on a whim while driving through the area. Municipal lot with meter parking behind and on street ($0.25/hr). Service was fast and the food was fresh. Entrees were a great price with just the right portion size, but definitely go for the sandwiches and empanadas! The waitress didn't speak much English to us but definitely understood everything we said. Would come back again if I'm in the area.

You MUST try their cortaditos. Such a delicious cup of coffee. The quality is incredible, service is on point. This is very authentic tasting Cuban food. We got the breaded fish - cooked perfectly with a nice crunch. The Cuban sandwich and avocado were so tasty. The churros are delicious - fresh and the perfect filling to dough ratio. A repeat spot and a personal favorite.

The empanadas at El Artesano are adorably labeled with the logo on the crust. It's this attention to detail that follows through to the staff and service. The waitresses are incredibly kind and multitasking the entire time. Locals sitting at the counter are caught up in conversations with them and yet nothing slows down. You've probably spotted this place for the churro window. I've never had one but they do draw people in. The cafe con leches turn out so quickly and the food is prepared and ready to eat when you walk in. This was the first time I tried the chicken soup and it was flavorful and fresh. There was a decent portion of chicken and some delicious noodles that could be a hearty meal. Most were eating the complementary toastada Cubana (pressed fresh bread with butter. This is perfect with their cafe con leches. The restaurant is adorned with vintage ads from Cuban products and artwork. The staff is kind and while Spanish is preferred, a handful of customers ordered in English. It's a very welcoming and non-intimidating environment for the non-locals. I do recommend bringing cash and tipping well. The service is worth it!

This place is great for sandwiches! they have sit down or counter service. It's a nice chill Spot to grab food and go - Bergenline staple

El Artesano offers authentic Cuban cuisine with amazing food and friendly service. We tried the Sopa de Pollo, as well as Muslo de Pollo Asado both were absolutely delicious. I'll definitely be coming back to try their famous Cuban sandwich. Parking can be difficult, but that's common for most businesses along Bergenline Avenue.

While I certainly appreciated Covid-era Cuban sandwich deliveries, I was glad to have a more classic experience, with an excellent hot sandwich on a wooden board. There was a perfect ratio of meat, cheese and pickles. I also liked the pork-fueled Caldo Gallego.

Been going here for years. I also order my lechon and Aroz con gris here for parties. Good stuff!

We wanted to try a different breakfast so why not a Cuban one. We found this spot, read reviews and wanted to try. Found a parking spot around the corner on a rainy day. Got seated right away and we picked a couple breakfast items. They have a lot of other choices. The server was a little impatient with us. She had difficulty with taking our orders in English. We got our food fast on plastic plates. It was OK, nothing special to remember. The experience could've been better overall with food and service.

The sandwiches are delicious and the churros as well...prices are good ... and the service is excellent. Friendly atmosphere

Great food always very consistent over the years. Service always great. Authentic Cuban cuisine. Owners are very committed to the authentic food and quality. Frankie

My go to spot for Cuban food. Service is fast, prices are great & the staff is very friendly.

Came on a late Friday afternoon. Cute place. Staff was really nice and attentive. Loved the old Spanish music playing in the background. Reminds me of my grandma. Cuban Sandwich was delicious. Got some mojo sauce to dip it in- made it even more delicious. Loved the vibe here- customers coming in and out to pick up and dine. Would definitely return

buenos días con café con leche!! - y en este lugar si hay un buen café con leche!! WARNING- this review NOR the pictures will do justice- we have been going to El Artesano - as you will learn most people have; for more than 40+ years!!! Most people know one another - and if you've grown up here you're bound to bump into old classmates!! Great energy always!! With that being said - there are few plates I have not tried - - and all we order is consistently well made, with fresh and authentic Cuban tang!! On this visit, my mom was in NJ from DC for a couple of hours - so it was a little bites kind of visit- we ordered : Pechuga a la plancha Arroz moro- basically garlic, rice and black beans - slowly cooked with hojas de laurel - bay leaves - Caldo gallego - TamAl en casuela - braised pork to a tender point in a sweet , thick flavorful cornmeal with tomato base. Materva- a popular cuban carbonated drink deriving from Yerba mate tea compared to ginger ale - BUT much better!! JUPIÑA - another Cuban carbonated drink made from piña!! Refreshing!!! Whenever I'm UNION CITY, NJ - - must go in even for little bites which there is a large variety to choose from- empanadas, churros- shakes- papa rellena- croquetas- soooooo many choices!!! Buen provecho!! Churros Arroz MoroBeef EmpanadaBolicheBreakfast SpecialCaldo GallegoChicken SandwichChurrascoCrab Meat EmpanadaCuatro Leches CakesCuban SandwichFlanGrilled Chicken BreastGuava and Cheese EmpanadaMadurosMedia Noche SandwichPan Con BistecPapa RellenaPicadillo CriolloPork BellyRoasted Pork SandwichRopa Vieja SandwichTamaleTostonesTres Leches CakeVaca Frita

When in Union City, you gotta go Cuban! Super-friendly service, though our orders were all messed up but the food was solid so all was easily forgiven.

To anyone who warned me that my weight would gain exponentially upon moving to Union City and finding this restaurant located in the heart of Havana on the Hudson, OMG, I hate you, and I mean this in the best of ways. And I ask myself: "Why? Why, since my first visit in July of this year, have I kept coming back to this unbelievable (yet not ostentatious) locale over and over like a Broadway fiend coming to see Cats for the 9,000th time?" Because, El Artesano is not just good. It is finger-licking good. It is lick the remainder off the plate good. Heck, if the plate were edible, I would murder my teeth and ruin my gums just to get that elusive taste of Cuban cuisine. What I love is that you walk in, you don't need to be dressed up (and with the way the weather was this summer shorts and a T were my go-to outfit), you immediately find a seat anyplace in the locale. You get a warm greeting from the owner, or any of his employees (thank you so much!) and already you feel special. You feel as though you belong. I feel right back home in Dominican Republic from where my heritage is from. The music is always soft, there is always an undercurrent of happy chatter among the patrons and the employ, and the food is ridiculous. I mean, just look at what I wrote on my short second paragraph. Yes. It is that divine. I haven't been there before noon so I can't judge on the breakfast menu but I am pretty confident that on the day I go, I am going to be hooked for good. I may even have to move closer. Probably even upstairs. Is there a second floor available? But I digress. I absolutely love El Artesano, and the owner, Felix, is super-friendly. There is never any rush to finish up like in many Manhattan restaurants who need to keep it going and gently remind you that after desert, there is the bill to pay. Not here! I have a book with me (as I said), I will often read a few pages whilst sipping a hot cafe con leche that again, brings me back to the Zona Colonial and old Gazcue (kudos to anyone recognizing the second Santo Domingo neighborhood I just mentioned, pre-gentrification), and feeling comfortable among the hustle and bustle. At the moment I don't have any pictures but my iPhone does. I'll be adding them later. If you don't come here, you haven't done Union City. That's all.

Spent my Saturday in New Jersey and was craving a hearty meal after a packed day. It was 10 pm and we came across this Cuban restaurant that was lit! Decided to give it a try and this is a 5/5 experience! Great service, packed flavor, and vibes!! The prices were also unreal, crazy what we get used to in Manhattan... I got a mix of their empanadas, their fish sandwich (freshly fried flounder) in Cuban bread (baguette-like loaf). As if the meal couldn't get any better, but then I tried their flan and oh my lord, no flan from any French patisserie even comes close! This was an unexpected amazing find!

My fiancé and I love coming to Union City. We came across El Artesano after boycotting Las Palmas on Bergenline and it was the best choice! We have been here now 3x since and it has yet to disappoint. The service is very friendly and the steak sandwiches are delicious!

Union City, Nj // Definitely a neighborhood staple! Husband and I have frequented this place for years and the quality and service never disappoints. Personal faves are the following: cuban sandwich, beef empanadas, guava & cheese empanadas, churros, media noche, and ropa vieja

Great old school Cuban spot if you're in the mood for a Cuban sandwich. No frills service lol. Straight to the point.

I like to keep a list of bookmarks on the ready. That way, if I ever happen to be in a certain neighborhood/have a specific craving, I can pull out that list. This was one of those times. I was running some errands nearby and I also had a craving for a Cuban sammie. My list showed me that El Artesano was one of the restaurants I wanted to try. Hubby and I stopped in on the Sunday of President's Day Weekend at around 11 am. The restaurant is set up kind of like a diner. They have diner-style counter seating, and they also have two dining rooms. It was packed at that time but luckily, we only waited 5 minutes for a table. They have different specials each day of the week and one of the offerings on Sundays are Ajiaco Criollo, which is a Cuban-style stew. This one had potatoes, sweet potato (or maybe some kind of squash?), plantains, and super tender pieces of pork bone meat. It tasted more like a soup than it did a stew, but it was still delicious nonetheless. I ended up dipping my Cuban sammie in the stew, which sounds weird but don't knock until you've tried it. The Cuban was good but I felt like it could have been a bit toastier/hotter. It seems they pre make the sandwiches in the morning and have them ready to be heated up once ordered. Hubby had his go-to, the masitas (fried pork chunks). It comes with two sides. I don't really love this dish because the pork tends to be too dry, but he enjoyed it. For drinks, I had a cortadito and he had a fresh orange/carrot juice and both were a great addition to the meal. Tip - parking is a nightmare in that area. I'm not sure if it's a Sunday thing or an all the time thing. I would recommend parking a bit further and walking over. The time it'll take you to walk over will be shorter than the time you'll spend circling looking for a spot.

Food is amazing, the waiters are very friendly. Restaurant gives out at home vibe. Parking is a bit difficult to find around here but well worth it.

I fell madly in love with Cuban food ever since my first trip to Miami! I was thrilled to learn that the second highest concentration of Cubans in the US is Union City, NJ. Hence, we just had to check out El Artesano when I saw the good reviews. You can never go wrong with anything "a la plancha" here! Everything is pan fried just right: not too well done or too raw - just perfect! Oh and you get two free sides, for which I get salad and maduros. The sweet and sour balances out the meat's savory! Don't forget the batidos (shakes)! They use all natural fruits and ingredients so you don't get a mouthful of artificial. My favorite has to be the banana! Service is friendly and the food comes out rather quickly! You get an authentic diner vibe with a cute countertop outside where you can order coffee and churros from. Very Cuban! So happy that I can live the Miami food dream here in New Jersey. You do not want to miss out on an authentic Cuban experience here!

Best Restaurant in the area. We have been coming here for over 10 years, and now that I moved out to another state, when I come back to Jersey, I make it a point to stop by for their amazing breakfast. The staff is the same, so that should say a lot about how they care about their employees and in return the same care is passed on to the customer and the food that they make with lots of care and love. If I could give them more then 5 I would.

This spot is a staple in Union City! The second you walk in through the door you can immediately feel that rich, cultural, Cuban vibe. From the music, to the decor, the ambiance and all the way to the menu options, you can tell that this place strives to give you the full experience. My family and I were seated immediately and were greeted by a really nice waitress. We came in wanting breakfast, so we ordered their breakfast special. The meal comes with 2 eggs (however you want them made), bacon, fries and bread with butter. As for drinks, you are given orange juice and café con leche. For about $7 you can't really ask for a much better deal! The food was amazing and the portion size was great for all that was included in the special. The eggs were well made, the bacon was super crispy with lots of flavor, the fries were fantastic and the bread with butter was so soft and warm. The coffee was delicious and the juice complimented the meal well. If you're looking for a place that'll fulfill your breakfast craving and satisfy your appetite for a great price, this is a go-to!

Amazing food :) very filling and delicious mix ketchup and mayo. To add to my sandwich with a cold refreshing coke can.

My chicken sandwich was mostly bread and a ton of potato chips. If you're looking for just carbs this is your place.

Good churros, I liked the Cuban sandwich, the ham croquettes were okay the tamales though that was a no for me absolutely no flavor and had an after taste. A lot of things to choose from!

Union City's favorite for a reason! Great service and food is always great! Always stop in when I'm in town

My friend took me to El Artesano for the first time on a foodie tour of all of his favorite spots in Union City/North Bergen/Weehawken. If you are interested in having authentic Cuban food, come here. They serve lunch, dinner, and breakfast. The restaurant is off Bergenline. When you enter inside, there's a definite vibe. I liked looking at the menu boards and the picture collages behind the counter area while there. I've been told the churros are really good (my next must-try when I visit again).

Mala la comida y muy caro para ser unos frijoles salados y picadillo condimentado y un pan viejo malo mi

Stopped by for a quick bite. Now I got a favorite spot in the Union Hall area. The sangria is a must get. Nice quite spot for dining and takeout!

El Artesano is excellent, authentic Cuban food. It doesn't try to be anything fancy and the food speaks for itself. A fantastic Cuban sandwich and an amazing tres leches. The appetizers were also fantastic with all different croquetas and that delicious bread. The service was quick and we had all our food out in minutes. Definitely stop by this restaurant for authentic Cuban food and friendly service! All the photos on the wall and music brought back great memories of being with my Abuela. Highly recommend!

Good place to have lunch. Sandwiches were good. Cafe con leche was to light for me so I asked for more coffee and the lady was more than willing to accommodate.

The food is amazing taste like homemade Cuban food. The staff if very kind. They serve you warm bread while waiting for your food. The vaca frita is to die for!

Welcome back to Havana, Cuba. This is El Artesano. It is the restaurant that is as close to Cuba as you can imagine. Look at the menu and decide. There are appetizers, soups, sandwiches, and entrees. There are special meals depending on the day you are there. There is also a selection of side dishes to choose from along with the meal you select. It is all there. It does not matter. And when you are finished with your meal there are the desserts. This alone is worth the trip. Especially if you select a special coffee to go with it. The variety is extensive. The choice is yours. Have a little to start and keep on picking something new to eat. It is here for you. Just like it would be if you had the ability to travel in Cuba and enjoy a meal while sitting out there. Where can you begin. For us, we started with the appetizers. And it was a classic. First up was the Tamal de Maiz. It is a corn tamale stuffed with pork and cooked just the right way. It is moist, fresh, and not over spiced. It is one large leaf that you can enjoy as a meal or share with someone else to start your meals. It is created in such a way to enjoy each bite you take. We also started with Empanadas. This is a classic even here. We ordered the Carne Empanadas, which are beef stuffed and fresh. There is just enough flavor with each bite you take at the time. You can eat it as a sandwich, or slice it in two and share the bite with each other. Add a little spice sauce and you have an extra flavor of spice that goes well with it. This is also moist and filled with the beef or any other stuffing you prefer such as chicken, pork, cheese, or a combination of other items to go inside it. The Empanada is also grilled to just the right consistency that you will enjoy. Next on the list we had different meals to share. In this case you have a large selection to choose from. We decided to go traditional since this is the way you would eat if you went home or to a friends house. It is the way to eat. Nothing over cooked, over spiced, or over flavored. This is the way we would eat every day. We started with Chuletas de Cerdo a la Plancha. It is a grilled order of two pork chops with onions. It is simple and flavored. There is no spice. It is on the side. It has just the right amount of flavor you need to enjoy. You also have a selection of side dishes to choose from. We ordered Arroz Moro, which is dark rice mixed with black beans. This was also combined with a side of Tostones, the green plantains which can be a sweet meal all to themselves. This combination was filled and large. There was a meal you can enjoy with each taste you take. It is sweet, it is spicy, it is moist and fresh. You have a great deal to choose from. But there is more. Next we had Arroz Frito Chino, which is normally called Cuban Style Chinese Fried Rice. And it is to start. But it is also filled with shrimp and chicken and pork. There is also pepper and onions and some extra spice if that is what you are looking for. It is all here as you take a bite. It too is moist and prepared in a way that makes this a large meal you can enjoy by itself. Finally, we did go very traditional with an order of Mofongo con Masitas de Cerdo. This is a unique meal unto itself. It is a combination of mashed green plantains mixed with crispy pork rinds and served with fixed pork chunks and a bowl of chicken broth and noodles. It is one healthy meal you can have for lunch or dinner. There is everything here. Spice. Onions. Sweetness. Herbs. Flavors. It is crispy, it is crunchy, it is something to cut into slices or eat with a spoon. And having a bowl of chicken soup along with it is ideal. This is why it is classic. These were meals you can enjoy by yourself, or share with each other to taste and try. It was fresh and flavorful. Best of all it did remind us when we were in Cuba and ate at local restaurants like this. That is what we had missed, but now we had it here. For dessert we also went the traditional way. We had Flan, Tres Leches, and Churros. Everything was freshly made, tasty and just sweet enough. It was rich and fresh. And the portion was big enough to enjoy. Have a cup of coffee with it, or maybe a Cafe con Leche which is espresso with steamed milk. It is worth it. Prices are perfect. Portions are large. The team is wonderful to know and ask questions as you decide what to eat. Come for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is a perfect choice. We are going back next week to try some more. Gracias!!!

They are on a corner. The restaurant appears very clean. It looks like it could fit in anywhere in Miami. They are well staffed. The coffee looks to be freshly put together when you order. The sandwiches might be already made, and then when you order, they put it on la plancha. I ordered the croqueta preparada which I've had at about a billion different Cuban spots. My wife ordered the medianoche, which she has ordered many times as well. They are our go to sandwiches for gauging how good a Cuban place is. Both sandwiches were very good. The croquettes in my sandwich tasted perfect. However, we ordered croquettes on the side, standing alone, they were not our favorite. Then we had churros with dulce de leche filling for dessert. They were a couple of bites each. They were very delicious and the price was low. I'd definitely come back for a sandwich. They were a good price for the size. Not huge in price or size, just right.

Workers are very friendly and helpful here. They mostly speak only Spanish, but it is not difficult to get by if you don't speak Spanish. The sandwiches were decent, but the tres leches cake was amazing. They make it so well. It definitely hits the spot, which is what got this review up to 4 stars. I would definitely visit this place again, but only for the tres leches cake.

One of the BEST Cuban restaurants in area. Staff very welcoming and friendly. Hot bread served while you wait for meal. Never had a bad meal - Pan con bistec, Ropa vieja, Ajiaco, etc - all good! Walls full of old pictures of Cuba. Highly recommend.

Really good Cuban sandwich, probably best in area. Also empanada have great texture... looks very clean and food has great presentation

I'm sad to say this was not good. We ordered palomillas and lechón asado. Food was flavorless. We are Cuban, I know what this is supposed to taste like and it was not good. The empanadas were just ok. Honestly, the best thing we had were my kids chicken nuggets. Maybe the sandwiches are better but definitely don't get the full entrees. So so bad. 2 stars for service. The waitress was super sweet and attentive.

My parents took me there when I was a little girl and now I take my children there. It is our favorite place! The food is amazing and the staff is wonderful too. Thank you

Real deal Cuban food. Absolutely love this place on the Bergenline. Reminds me of childhood and growing up in my crazy Cuban family. The portions aren't super huge for the price, but the food is excellent.

Well you all know me for my reviews, this is one of the best cuban cuisine you could ever go to. Great food and very friendly staff that treat you like family! Come down and enjoy a great meal anytime of the day or night and make sure you end it with one of the best cortadito that you will ever have. Tip them all well!!

I haven't had the full food experience yet but I have heard many great things but! What I have had from here is their famous churros! They have regular and stuffed churros! I love stopping by and grabbing a bag of churros!

Bergerline is a eclectic melting pot of authentic Latino & Cuban origin. El Artesano is perfectly situated here as a cozy little diner style and clearly a local favorite. The prices are a steal for the homemade fresh daily pasteleras and sandwiches. They also have a full bar. I highly recommend the sandwiches, I went with the classic Cuban ($4.50!) as well as a sampling of their croquettes (75¢) and empanadas($1.50). The chicarrones was a delectable huge slice of pork belly ($4.50). The winner of the day was the chorizo sandwich ($5.25) and wow, the bread they use and toast for all of the sandwiches is excellent!

The food here really is not reliable. Ate a breaded fish filet and the fish was undercooked. Took a bite of smoosh, it was really disgusting. The person i was there with ordered a "Arroz on Pollo" normally that means rice with pieces of chicken but what they got was rice with a big chicken thigh but ok it's a mistake. the rice was warm not hot but warm and the peas were cold. it was so gross we complained about the peas being cold. Th waiters response was "oh" "it's because we throw the peas and veggies on top of the rice" okay. It should still all be hot or warm? His response was so dismissive we ate nothing, paid and left. A true waste of money. Food used to be so good here. Overall beans and chicken were bland, they were the only edible things but weren't good. What happened?

Since 1974, this small corner restaurant in the heart of Union City NJ is a shining example of good, basic Cuban food served in the traditional home-cooking style where my friend and I had a catch up lunch. Upon arrival, there was a 15 minute wait while listening to the music of old Cuba. We were greeted by our server and looked at the extensive menu to decide between the appetizers, soups, sandwiches, and entrees. There are special meals depending on the day you are there. There is also a selection of side dishes to choose from along with the meal you select. We started off by ordering Chicharrón Colombiano (Colombian Fried Pork Belly) which came out hot and tasty but unfortunately very fatty. As an entree, we ordered Filete de Pescado Empanizado (Breaded Fish Fillet) which came with red bean and white rice. However, I wanted to try one of their other specials Rabo de Res Guisado (Oxtail Stew) but unfortunately they were out and settled for Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef, Cuban Style) with black bean and white rice. While waiting for our meal, we had complimentary warm bread with butter. The food came out warm, tasty and seasoned with the right portion. Best of all is the cost as it was ideal. You can eat a nice meal for a most reasonable price. In fact, when you order your meal whatever you don't complete you can bring it home with you. This is perfect. A good meal. A good price. A good reason to be back which we can recommend this place.

Those who swear by La Isla in the JC/Hoboken area are ridiculous. El Artesano is leaps and bounds superior and for a lower price. As a benchmark comparison I tried their Cuban sandwich - the overall quality was vastly greater than anything I've had previously (outside of Miami), plus you have to appreciate the old-school, authentic vibe. For kicks I also tried the crab meat empanada - was surprisingly delicious though next time will just try a standard one. Again, don't be fooled by these imitators in the area, just go get the real thing.

If you are looking for fancy make believe Cuban this is not where you go to, but..... if you want really DELICIOUS. and AUTHENTIC Cuban food THIS IS THE PLACE. I've been to all Cuban spots in Hudson County and hands down El Artesano tops them all. Cafeteria/Restaurant ambiance (not a club or nightspot) and great service, El Artesano serves up typical Cuban dishes like mom or abuela used to make. Highly recommended !!!!!!

Best place to have breakfast in Union City, I used to come here every Sunday for breakfast with my dad for years when I was a kid; we even had a few Father's day lunches here. I haven't stepped foot in the restaurant for at least a good solid 15 years, man was I due. The breakfast special is such a great deal, eggs, pan con mantequilla, home fries or french fries, bacon, sausage or chorizo, OJ and cafe con leche all for $6.95! The food is cooked well and very tasty, Andrea and I both loved the chorizo it was a little spicy with a great crunch to it. The eggs were cooked sunny side up with the yolk being runny, great for dipping the butter roll! Staff was friendly and the restaurant itself is very clean. Love that they kept the same counter tops and stools, really brings back great memories. Looking forward to another breakfast!