El Cubano

I had driven by this spot several times while in St. Paul and was drawn to the colorful umbrellas on the patio. It looks so festive. We popped in for lunch and I’m so glad we did. The service was friendly and helpful. You order at the counter, find a seat and they bring it to you. There’s seating inside and on both the front and back patios. We split the Cuban sandwich, which was delectable, the Plantains and the Loaded Tostones. They served it all with 3 sauces, one being a spicy creation made by their mom. So good. Highly recommend. We had so much to take home so go hungry.

Everything we tried was delicious! The sandwiches, the chicken, the pork, the fish- everything was yummy, tender, and fresh. We had a little bit of almost everything and there was nothing we didn't love. The ambiance is also amazing and even though there was only one waitress she was amazing! Super nice and super quick! We will definitely be dropping by again! Thank you for the great food!

Went during the lunch hour..arrived right before it got busy but no matter what this food is worth it! This arguably is some of the best food I have had in the city. Literally everything we had was delicious. Lastly, they have plenty of seating including seating outside.

If you like food with flavor, you need to try this place. If you like spicy, ask for their hot sauce. So much flavor. In my pictures are The traditional stew (sancocho), bistec encebollado (traditional Cuban marinated steak), loaded tostones, loaded yuca. My word!!! So good. And being born and raised in the Caribbean myself, I know flavor when I put it in my mouth, and this food has a ton of flavor. If you eat here and you didn’t like the food or you didn’t think the food was flavorful you probably had Covid or something. Oh, and the owners, are so wonderful, polite, very kind. They definitely make the experience that much better.

This place hit all the spots, went here for lunch so it was not busy, but plenty of seating more than enough. Got the El Dominicano and the app sampler. The sandwich was one of the best if not the best Cuban style sandwiche I've had, the Yuca was a nice and welcome change to a standard side. Out of the app sampler the croquetas and the Platanos Maduros were on point even though all were super good. Can't recommend this place enough.

What a Gem! 10 out of 10!! Delicious food, clean, friendly staff, very reasonably priced. You need to add this to the "must go" list!

This place was delicious. The service was excellent. I'm definitely coming back. I got a cuban sandwich.

One of the best restaurants in to Twin Cities. Amazing food. Simple. Delicious. Clean.

Amazing food - amazing service. A real gem! We stopped by El Cubano and immediately fell in love. There is adequate street parking and seating both inside and outside. I got the red snapper and it was so flavorful and good, pro tip - you can upgrade the rice to the seasoned rice and peas. Would definitely come back!

Was looking for a Cuban place during our visit. This restaurant is located at the corner of two streets. Park on the street. You place your order then they will deliver the food to your table. There is more seating on the right pass the hall. There is also outdoor seating for the Spring - Fall times. We ordered the Appetizer Sampler, Camarones con Crema De Coco, Ajiaco, and Bistec De Pollo. All the dishes were excellent. The ambience is unassuming and simple.

This restaurant served the best Hispanic food I've had in the Twin Cities. It's Cuban and Dominican food and it's really, really good. I had the Fiesta Caribe dish with Congri. It comes with white rice typically but I wanted the white rice and black beans. It didn't miss at all. The tenderness of the chicken and steak was excellent. The flavor of the cooked down veggies was right up my alley. Please stop by and support El Cubano. You WILL NOT be disappointed. My wife had the Pargo con Crema de Coco which is a red snapper filet and a coconut creme based sauce. The richness of the creme and filet was a perfect combo. This was a nice experience. The customer service was elite and the cashier made us feel appreciated that we were dining there. To think how many times I passed up on the place. Never again! Thank you for the excellent experience in your establishment El Cubano! We'll be back.

Winter hours and less traffic... but just as delicious! Hot warm and hearty like your Miami mom would made. A family run business. Very clean, but small. Inside seating comprises of 1 large table with a 3 smaller tables , all other seating is along bars. Outside seating is wonderful when the weather allows!

This is an exceptional spot for Cuban and Dominican food made with care, to your order and served with warmth and courtesy by the owners. They are eager to please the customer and very attentive. The food is very tasty and includes well-known dishes from both countries. The portions are substantial. My family and I have enjoyed the "ropa vieja," "yuca con mojo," and the Cuban sandwich. During warm weather it there is outdoor seating. And, they offer very prompt take out year round as well. Great eating spot in West St. Paul, very well worth the trip to that picturesque and unique neighborhood in the Twin Cities.

El Cubano is the BEST! Our little family of 3 loves frequenting this restaurant. The food is incredibly delicious, well priced, really high quality, consistently good and so satisfying. We order the El Cubano sandwich along with the Ropa Vieja and a side of yuca - it's a perfect amount of food for us to share as a family. This also comes with plantain and black beans - cannot recommend these enough. The restaurant staff are always so friendly and they also have a great patio that's nice to sit out at on nice days. It's the one place in our neighborhood that we would bring visiting friends/family. Highly recommend! The only minor thing we don't love is that the take out is in styrofoam - which isn't as good for the environment. (But we still love this restaurant!)

I came here on a summer day with two little boys and husband. The place has a nice patio area and very fun designs. The front service was great! Staff was friendly and helpful. I asked for their most popular dish, and was suggested the Ropa Vieja. The dish was delicious! It had wonderful flavors. I definitely will be back to try other dishes.

Still the best el Cubano sandwich I've had anywhere I've been in the world!!! The empanada was delish!! The masitas de peurcos is so good!!! Perfectly crispy on the outside, absolutele flavor heaven and moist meat on the inside. Just one bite does it!!

Lovely place, amazing staff, great food! I recommend the Beef Empanada, Dominicano Sandwich. El Guajiro Plate, Plantanos Maduros, and any of their fresh juices. Located in the middle of a neighborhood, free street parking, be careful of the construction and your car tires though. Also have outdoor shaded seating

I shared with the lady at the counter that I am moving to the Dominican and wanted to try the food before I got there. She was so happy to help me! She told me about classic Dominican dishes and took care of me. I wasn't sure what I was going to get when the food came out, but it was WONDERFUL! I sat outside on their patio which had lots of seating. Seating available inside as well.

Everything we ordered for the table was amazing. Nice little spot with great patios. You can tell they take the time to cook everything properly and not just slinging fast food. Excellent all around.

Drive by for the 2nd time and no one was home... So sad to this amazing family not taking orders! I hope all is well and if you guys moved PLEASE let us know.......

The authentic food is ALWAYS amazing. Friendly staff and a great patio. Best sandwiches around!

Fresh ingredients and really good food. Nice sized portions and cooked to order yet wait times are fairly short. Such nice people too.

This place is great. Great service, food everything was and is great. Go there. Do it. Drop what you are and go now. If they aren't open sleep in front of the door until they open.

Really enjoyed this neighborhood gem. The ropa vieja was quite tasty and it was nice to enjoy it on the patio.

This is one of my favorites places! The food is amazing and authentic. The staff makes you feel like you're family! The remodeling is complete and the restaurant looks like a picture out of a magazine. I recommend El Cubano, the staff will explain everything to you if you have any questions!

Amazing food but I think they closed. I've tried to go twice now and no one's there. Their empanadas were to die for

Me and my husband went here earlier today. He got the Cubano sandwich, which was one of the best Cubano sandwiches I think I've ever tasted. I tried the beef empanadas... they were amazing and that's an understatement. The Yuca fries were crispy. I would highly recommend this restaurant and I would ask anybody to go and check it out because it was that good. Everything was fresh and cooked with love. Which is something that is missing from a lot of restaurants nowadays.

Great food, nice family run place. Outdoor dining area is nice - will be glad when the road work is done. We will be back....

This place is the real deal. One of the things my wife and I always talk about is the rice, believe it or not. I really want to know their method, because it's perfect every time. The meats they serve are braised tender with the right balance of salty and acidic. Sandwiches are perfection. They have a crazy variety of appetizers/sides. You have to try this place. Not to mention they have the best staff you could ever ask for. They make things right if you have an issue with your experience, but more than that they work hard to make sure you never have an issue to begin with.

Authentic Cuban cuisine. Any of their choices in the menu transports me to the Caribbean. Friendly staff and a clean and family oriented environment. Comfort food.

Got the Cubano with frijoles negro and it did not disappoint ! Can't wait to go back and try a few other items ! Highly recommend if you like good Cuban food

AMAZING! gracias por todo. This place is excellent not only is the food amazing however the owner and her husband are the most kindest and generous people. The cuban culture just makes you feel so welcomed and like you really belong there weather you are Cuban or not. The restaurant itself is beautiful as well it is definitely a vibe in the summer outside however inside is super cute and cozy too. I go all the time and the owner makes the most amazing cafecito to go with your food make sure to try the tostones and the empanadas.

Flavors are excellent, attentive staff and ambiance was excellent for outdoor seating. I'd call it authentic. Great date night spot. I'll be back

Been meaning to try this place for a while and finally made it over. It's a super clean, bright, airy space with a well presented, easy to read menu with accompanied photos of the dishes. which was nice. I always figured I'd get a Cubano here, but had my fill of bread related food the past two days, so went with the item menu recommend by the friendly gal at the register (Bistec somethin-the steak, rice, salad, beans, and plantain platter). It came out to 17$ (no accompaniments) which was right at the precipice of acceptability for what I'd be willing to pay for the meal in hindsight. Everything was cooked perfectly, and the steak had some spectacular seasoning going on, and all the flavors mixed together great. I don't know what they do to the rice at these places, but it was so good. The plantains had some nice caramelization. A lot of food, which was really good and fresh. I'll be back to try the Cubano.

Lovely place. Very clean and neat, with a nice outdoor area with tiki huts and fun Spanish music, flowers at the windows in summer. This small family owned business feels like coming to family because the staff is very warm and friendly. It's like home cooked love; the meals are made to order unlike those of premade chain restaurants. Makes it very authentic. And the menu rotates seasonally so it's always fresh. Cuban food is very different than Mexican food in that it's not spicy at all, some of their main flavors and spices include garlic and citrus (as seen in their GUAJIRO pork dish). I recommend: --Any of their pressed sandwiches, they are the most authentic you can find in St Paul (they don't use ciabatta which is no-no) --the Bistec Encebollado (beefsteak with onions); -- red snapper when it's in season; --empanadas (meat hand pies) if you want something small and light; --can never go wrong with plantains in any form: tostones, or maduros DESSERTS: --Tres Leches (vanilla poke-cake soaked with sweet vanilla mixture), though it's typically a Nicaraguan dish, is very good here. --Rice pudding --Great passionfruit juice (fyi it's supposed to be very sweet) and fruit shakes, as well as a classic Cuban malt (vanilla) --Cuban espresso HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

A delightful Father's Day dinner! We called ahead to pick up. Our food was ready when promised. Our tummies perked up the second we walked in & smelled food cooking. Very friendly staff! Everything is made to order. The empanadas were crispy and both chicken and beef were nicely seasoned. The Dominican-Style snapper fillet in coconut cream was a hefty portion. The fish had a hint of coconut flavor, not overpowering, which is what I prefer. The black beans, rice & side salad + sweet-fried plantains made for a perfect combo. Next time will try a sandwich.

Excellent food and prompt service with a smile. Was fairly busy when I was there with family. Seems like a great place to hang out with friends too. Stumble across this place after a tour of the St. Paul caves. I had Chicken Empanada, Cuban Sandwich, Beef Empanada, Yuca Fritas, and Plantanos Maduros.

Food and Service is so great. The namesake sandwich is a must try. Also, the rice and black beans!!

First time ordering! Delicious Dominican/Cuban cuisine. The empanadas are absolutely killer, especially the chicken empanadas, and I could eat a whole meal of them. The Ropa Vieja was a little tough but had a great depth of flavor, especially in a bite with the rice and black beans. The El Guajiro was good, but a with the generous portions the pork+rice combo needs a salsa or extra citrus to keep it interesting. Definitely excited to return and enjoy their patio space. Glad to support a local small restaurant.

Fuck, they absolutely crushed my visit there. I have never eaten cuban food so we didn't know what to get. The lady suggested the empanadas, pork platter, sampler platter and some soup. I could have eaten just empanadas, delish. Then to top it off they had a chocolate cake in a cup with whipped topping and strawberry, so good.

Was in Minnesota for three weeks and came here twice. The owner is welcoming and friendly and the El Guajiro is fantastic. The meat is tender and the dish kept me full for awhile. We were even given a sample of their coffee while we waited. It was great to be able to try a new cuisine and support a local business.

I really enjoyed going to this restaurant for lunch. It is located on St. Paul's historic west side - kind of off the main drag. I have always received great service with a smile. Today I tried a Cuban. Wait time was reasonable - they do state everything is made fresh - not a "fast food" restaurant. The sandwich was really good. Looking forward to my next visit as there are many other great menu items to try.

5 stars is simply not enough. Saying the food is delicious is even an understatement. If I could eat here everyday, I would without a doubt. The Ropa Vieja is savory, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Each dish is prepared to order and made with fresh ingredients, DAILY. The yuca fritas are perfectly crisp and served with a mojito sauce I could eat with AND ON everything. I've also had the El Cubano, the Bistec Encebollado, their Empandas, and fresh juices. Their food is always consistent, fresh, and dangerously delicious. The staff are so warm and welcoming, I could not have asked for a greater experience. With COVID as a major concern, El Cubano is following ALL protocols and safety measures. Their space and common areas are clean, they have hand sanitizer in multiple areas, and plenty of outdoor seating that is safely distanced apart. El Cubano is worth the drive and worth every penny. I will definitely be back, time and time again.

How is it that I have not known about this Jewel? It is out in the middle of nowhere for me, but I would ride to get here. Had one of their entrees which was outstanding, taking another one home & expecting it to be much the same. Had food left over from the first entree that I'll be taken with as well and it didn't break the bank. If the good Lord made anything better, he kept it for himself. Come and get you some good Caribbean comfort food.

I am a huge fan of Cubano Sandwiches and eaten them all across the Twin Cities at different bars and restaurants. Hearing about this place I knew I just had to come check it out. It's a small simple place located at the corner of an interesting intersection, and the parking lot is small. I kept my order simple a Cubano Sandwich with Yuca fries and a Jarritos Mandarin drink. Yuca fries are completely new to me so I was excited to try them.out and I must say I think I like them better than regular fries. They're not as hearty or "heavy" as they look, almost like a "lighter" version of French fries. Also the fries weren't oily which is a great plus for me. But the star of the show was that sandwich. What I liked about their sandwich was that it throws no gimmicks, just a simple straight forward Cubano Sandwich. The bread for the sandwich was delicious and I loved how it was properly pressed and crisped and that butter adds the magical touch. That melted cheese is just excellent, along with the pulled pork and ham, everything just works well. In my opinion this is one of the best authentic Cubanos in town and I know if I'm ever in the mood for a traditional Cubano I'll give this place a visit.

Tasty! I'm not a fan of pork so I ordered the Americano and a beef empanada to try. The sandwich was good - good amount of steak and a great combination with the mayo and sautéed onions/peppers. I liked the yucca fries too but the real winner was the mojito sauce. I don't know what's in it but boy is it good! The empanada was fine. Could've had more filling but I also don't know what an empanada is supposed to be like. The service was great! I stopped in for take out during the COVID-19 outbreak and they ran my order out to my car. I will definitely be back and want to try one of their entrees and some more appetizers!

Good little cuban spot that I will definitely be hitting up more often. Had the pepper steak and ropa vieja both were good.

Pretty great and patient service. Food got served quick. I got the soup. It was to have " root vegetables and thickened with butternut-squash". It had nothing but corn on the cob and white potato. But, let me tell you. It was actually really tasty anyway. Beef. Shredded chicken, beef, and pork acting like a chicken noodle soup but with potato and a side of (well done) short grain white rice. So, come here. Eat some stuff, but I was kind of goping it would be more elevated than corn serving as root vegetables, and white pot awww to vs butternut squash, or "squas" as they sign with a typo says. Underspiced and salted too in my opinion, but still I'm okay with it all :)

Went back to try more at El Cubano Sooo good!!! Everything here is awesome and I would recommend u to just order 1 of everything lol so delicious Cubano sandwich is still awesome The meat stew is soo good and cozy, like it would be perfect if you are sick and want something warm to make you feel better Ropa vieja is delicious Great home cooked food I love it!!

Had a great experience ordering takeout in the middle of the week. The restaurant space is quaint, and the outdoor space is amazing! Would be a great place to have a meal on a beautiful summer night. The staff taking my order was so kind, friendly, and personable and convinced me to try a couple extra things! I really enjoyed the chicken empanada. I ordered the masitas de puerco and substituted yuca for small extra fee. The meat was well cooked. I prefer meat dishes with more of a sauce, so this was a little on the dry side for me but otherwise flavored well. I'd like to come back to try the cubano!

Food: A brand new food truck turned restaurant located down the street from us in St. Paul. We ordered the Bistec Encebollado (Thin steak with onions, served with black beans, rice and plantains). The steak was tasty but the meat itself was a smaller portion for $12. My boyfriend ordered the El Cubano which was fantastic. Well balanced and extremely tasty, although I could do without the pickles. We also ordered the Tostones and the Congri / Moro. The Tostones (fried green plantain slices) didn't come with any sauce which I now realize was a mistake because they should've come with the mojito sauce. They were a little plain and I ended up squeezing my lime on them for more flavor, but I realize now they should've had a sauce to dip in! They would definitely be tastier that way. The Congri / Moro was a mix of black beans and rice, so if you're getting a plate that comes with the two, you don't need to get this as it's the same thing plus some spices. Venue: A little corner restaurant with two areas for seating and counter ordering. Limited parking lot space but plenty of street parking. Service: The employees were all incredibly friendly and welcoming. They clearly want you to enjoy your food and experience here!

My first ever authentic Cuban sandwich. It was amazing. The famous el Cubano food trunk has opened a restaurant in West St Paul at the corner of Dodd and Annapolis. They have decent sized seating areas for eating in while listening to Cuban music. My GF and I decided to go the entire 3 blocks from my house to have a Sunday lunch and try something different. We're both glad we did! I had their signature El Cubano and she had the El Dominicano. Both are great sandwiches that are way too big for a single person. We also had the Plantanos Maduros. These are fried plantains does Cuban style. While we were trying to decide what to order we asked about the Yuca con mojo. This is a yuca root (think potato) dish flavored with their mojito sauce. That's olive oil, garlic, onions, bitter orange, and lemon juice that is sautéed. Wow this is amazing. The owner decided the best way was to let us sample some. He brought out a large bowl with it and gave it to us for free. Wow again. Very nice man. Overall the portions are big , the prices are small, the service is great, and the people here are the best. This place is too close to my house for my own safety. I suspect I'll be having many lunches here.

We were just visiting the area, but can never pass up a chance to try the local Cuban restaurant. This place did not disappoint. We ordered the Cubano and Ropa Vieja and both were on point. The service was quick and friendly.

Wonderful service and amazing food! A gem in the neighbourhood... a MUST TRY!

Very tasty,legit Cuban food (from my opinion anyways. Nothing special on presentation (Styrofoam containers/plastic, even though we didn't ask to-go, but food and hot sauce are both legit. Wish I was nearby more often, so I could try more, but it's not in a part of the cities I frequent.

Review Super super good..!!!! We love it and service is great, the food is really authentic and very tasty. The owners are very nice and friendly... I did help them with this New Yelp page so they were so happy so they gave us a meal for free, that's what a real owners do. I recommend this restaurant 100%, I saw a lot of Cuban, Puerto Rican's and Dominican people coming here to eat, so if they like it that mean is very authentic. We are going to continue coming here for lunch or dinner. Congratulations in your new journey. ...Keep cooking and making people happy...!!!....

Great food. Nice, intimate, no frills interior. Fun tables outside too. Was there with three friends and spent a long time chatting.