La Cubana Restaurant
Cuban restaurant · Glendale ·
Authentic Cuban dishes like Ropa Vieja and Rabo Encendido
Authentic Cuban dishes like Ropa Vieja and Rabo Encendido
"A meal at La Cubana is like listening to that Prince’s Greatest Hits album your dad always leaves in his car: solely the classics, you’ve experienced it all before, but you still hit replay because it just gets you every time. An obscure reference? Maybe. But like our love for Prince, people have been returning here time and time again for quality Cuban food since it first opened in 1973. This Glendale restaurant serves usual lunchtime staples like fluffy white rice, great black beans, fried cutlets, ham sandwiches, and one very delicious rabo encendido (slow-cooked oxtails cooked in tomato sauce). The meat comes out extremely tender after bubbling in a tomato-heavy sofrito and pretty much collapses the moment you poke it with your fork. For an excellent sweet/savory combo, pair the garlicky and tomato-y beef with some sweet fried plantains." - sylvio martins
"A meal at La Cubana is like listening to that Prince’s Greatest Hits album your dad always leaves in his car: solely the classics, you’ve experienced it all before, but you still hit replay because it just gets you every time. An obscure reference? Maybe. But like our love for Prince, people have been returning here time and time again for quality Cuban food since it first opened in 1973. This Glendale restaurant serves usual lunchtime staples like fluffy white rice, great black beans, fried cutlets, ham sandwiches, and one very delicious rabo encendido (slow-cooked oxtails cooked in tomato sauce). The meat comes out extremely tender after bubbling in a tomato-heavy sofrito and pretty much collapses the moment you poke it with your fork. For an excellent sweet/savory combo, pair the garlicky and tomato-y beef with some sweet fried plantains. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation
"A meal at La Cubana is like listening to that Prince’s Greatest Hits album your dad always leaves in his car: solely the classics, you’ve experienced it all before, but you still hit replay because it just gets you every time. An obscure reference? Maybe. But like our love for Prince, people have been returning here time and time again for quality Cuban food since it first opened in 1973. This Glendale restaurant serves usual lunchtime staples like fluffy white rice, great black beans, fried cutlets, ham sandwiches, and one very delicious rabo encendido (slow-cooked oxtails cooked in tomato sauce). The meat comes out extremely tender after bubbling in a tomato-heavy sofrito and pretty much collapses the moment you poke it with your fork. For an excellent sweet/savory combo, pair the garlicky and tomato-y beef with some sweet fried plantains." - Sylvio Martins
"Located in the Meatpacking District and opened by chef Carl Ruiz in June, La Cubana was presented as his down-home Cuban outpost; in announcing Ruiz’s death the restaurant said it will start a scholarship foundation for aspiring chefs in his name and remembered him for his "fierce intellect and infectious humor," calling him "a mighty force of down home Cuban cuisine" who lived life to the fullest and cooked with "dancing always" as the most important ingredient." - Stefanie Tuder
"Though the decor can seem austere, La Cubana sports an impressive espresso machine and nicely framed photos; rabo encendido (oxtail stew) is one of the special dishes, yuca con mojo is a perfect side, and toasted Cuban bread helps sop up the meat and sauce. A plate of vaca frita will redefine caramelized beef with a sweetish garlic glaze and onions — be sure to apply lime juice. Desserts underline Cuba’s love of sugar: candied guava shells and syrupy shredded coconut come with a small slab of cream cheese, and the natilla catalana is a Spanish-style crème brûlée worth trying." - Alejandro Benes