Dee R.
Yelp
Taking advantage of a timeshare spiel, the Cuban salesman recommended his fav Cuban meal: Vaca Frita
So I yelped and found this place within a bike ride of the resort. SOOO happy I did!!
Closed on Sundays, was glad it was opened on Monday and I pedaled to it after the resort tour and when it opened at 2p
Only two couples inside, I found a seat near the window so I could keep an eye out on my bike.
The server spoke more English than I do Spanish, but we got help from the gentleman behind the counter (I overhead from convo with another patron/ he's not the owner. But he seemed to really care about the place). He continuously made sure I knew my bike was safe and they had cameras all around
It's in a strip mall, and midday, but I'm mindful of complacency and letting guard down while on vacation that can lead to unhappiness...so I kept my eye on it
Torn between the oxtail and the Vaca frita, I decided to try what I came for. The VF. Added a Cuban soda. And was NOT disappointed
According to the host: they boil a cut of beef, till you can shred it. Then they season it well and fry it up crispy...think beef jerky that is shredable. VERY chewy, but DELICIOUSLY SEASONED! OMG it was seasoned!! I forced myself NOT to eat it all in one setting, JUST so I could have more the next day (I even asked for more onions: next time I'd ask for extra onions from the onset, so they get hard friend and seasoned from the beef)
It comes w two sides, and since the Cuban rice is "rice/bean combined" I got it, and the plantain(cooked perfectly!). I actually ordered a serving of Cuban rice to-go, ro ensure I had a duplicate meal the next day
The Cuban "beans and rice" was darker than the usual Jamaican bnr: he said cause they partially cook the black beans first and then ADD Rice so it really soaks in the dark juice! (Don't get me wrong, I love my Jamaican bnr. But this was great too!)
Not much of a soda drinker, the Metava? (hmm tea/7up concept) Cuban soda was pleasant (hindsight: I should've gotten one of them to go as well)
HMMMM. Minorly perturbed that they automatically charge 20% gratuity PLUS 3.5% for using a credit card. So plan to add over 25%+ mark up on your food after you also include taxes My total was $40 and I paid cash!! But again..turned it into two meals (I'd ordered a side to-go). I didn't get a receipt so can't vouch for the correctness of the bill
I paid cash, so saved a little. And likely would have left a 25% tip since the food was so good, the guy very helpful in suggesting options, showing and explaining the variety of sodas, and making me comfortable about my bike
Def a recommended place
Note: lots of paintings on the wall for sale. I'm assuming it's local. But, biking..it was hard enough carrying my leftovers in my small back pack