"Authentic" Cuban Food .....outside of Cuba

[El Presidente]

Regular visitors to Cuba (particularly Havana) can attest to the vast improvement of food over the past 4-5 years. It is actually becoming quite the "Foodie" spot.

Over the years I have been reluctant to visit "Authentic" Cuban restaurants outside of Cuba as they were generally crap. Then again ....food in Cuba until a short time ago was generally crap so maybe that is what they were trying to emulate......

However there was one on the weekend that took the cake. Di, lisa, Smithy, I and Gino headed to a magnificent 37th floor unit/skyhome on the Gold Coast and noticed a Cuban restaurant on the promenade next door to the Hotel.

I was reluctant but we decided to have dinner there

Outside of Ropa Vieja....there was not a meal I recognised from Cuba.

My Favourites: "Cuban Cigars" (rolled lamb mince in the shape of a cigar) and "Fidels Missile" (Smithy had this one and I can't even describe it )

I went for the Cuban Paella for main. For some reason ..."Authentic" Cuban Paella now includes Black Beans and a rice variety that is unknown to me

The highlight was the Chicken wings in Blue Cheese sauce. Neither Gino nor I can ever recall seeing Blue Cheese in Cuba.

Certainly one of the worst meals I can recall but as each dish came out it kept us entertained!

Smithy is still looking for Fidels Missile...which turned out to be a stuffed baked capsicum.

The plate presentation looked like the missile exploded at takeoff.

[tmac77]

Mambo Lounge here in Toronto run by a Cuban and the site of many a gathering of fellow BOTL's here in the Toronto area.

[Habana Mike]

I've found some really good Cuban food in Miami and Tampa. Not sure the authenticity since I've yet to dine in Havana but still quite enjoyable.

Also had decent Cuban cuisine around Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham and a couple other spots. The best is generally in the "less ambient" establishments.

[Colt45]

Don't know if it's "authentic", but I really like El Siboney in Key West.

[Skyfall]

I've had really good Cuban food in Florida and in Texas. In the Dallas area, you can't go wrong with :

http://www.havanacafedallas.com/food-menu/

^ Ropa Vieja is Fantastic....check out the menu

Also,

http://caribbeancafecuba.com/menu.html

Also

http://www.thelatinpig.com/

Houston:

http://www.rinconcriollo.net/

http://www.cafepiquet.net/

http://www.flordecuba.com/

San Antonio

La Marginal

https://azucasaborlatino.com/

http://www.havanasanantonio.com/ocho.shtml

http://www.azuca.net/

[oliverdst]

Usually regional food outside its original country is very different in order to be more palatable to locals. Of course this is not Rob's case.

[SCgarman]

I spoke to an owner of a cigar shop here in the US who went on a little vacation to Cuba covertly and he said the food there is hardly palatable. He said it hardly resembles anything of the sort we have to eat here in the US. Can anyone else weigh in on the types of food there. Chances are I will never be able to go there unless trade opens up and Americans can freely travel there without retribution.

[scottm12]

best you get in the states is the "cubana" sandwich. but on occasion you get a typical latin plate, they call it cuban/ puerta rican/ colombian/venezualan

Beans, rice. plantains and a stewed meat. with a hot sauce.

Deep fry an ocean fish and serve it with beans and rice and I think you have the most authentic cuban dish that exists.

[AndrewNR]

Wow Rob that sounds terrible :/ Never come accross a cuban place yet personally. Hopefully thats a changing trend.

[Paul3]

I had a great "authentic" Cuban meal in the Miami airport....can't really remember what it was or for that matter just how tasty it was.....the "authentic" Cuban brunette serving it had me otherwise distracted.

[BonVivant]

I had "Authentic Cuban food" in Beijing, China, at least that is what I had been told by Chinese officials there. Also, I had "Authentic Cuban cigars", but that is another story from there.

[Ghabanos]

Not sure about authentic but cafe habana in ny was awesome!

[dvickery]

rincon criollio in las vegas .

florida in LA .

derrek

[JoeyGunz]

I don't know if it's authentic, I'm yet to get to Cuba but this place in Islington, London does an amazing Paella;

http://www.cubalibrelondon.co.uk

Had a few other nibbles off their menu which were good too.

Red Dog Sandwiches in Hoxton Square does a bloody good Cuban Sandwich too;

[Puros Y Vino]

Mambo Lounge here in Toronto run by a Cuban and the site of many a gathering of fellow BOTL's here in the Toronto area.

Yup. He makes a mean ropa vieja, full pig roast, camarones, congris, etc. A real treat.

[asmith]

Truly one of the worst meals of my life. Somehow they turned an entire menu of unauthentic Cuban food into an authentic Cuban meal. Bad food cooked poorly.

When the waitress told us with a straight face that 'spiced lamb, rolled in the shape of a cigar, is a traditional Cuban meal?' We almost fell off our chairs laughing.

Rob you forgot to mention the Mojitos. Not sure what that put in them but I'm sure petrol tastes better.

[El Presidente]

Rob you forgot to mention the Mojitos. Not sure what that put in them but I'm sure petrol tastes better.

yes...the worst Mojito I have ever had. Tasted like a mix of soda water ...touch of lime...touch of mint ...and some bad moonshine.

[Skyfall]

Truly one of the worst meals of my life. Somehow they turned an entire menu of unauthentic Cuban food into an authentic Cuban meal. Bad food cooked poorly.

When the waitress told us with a straight face that 'spiced lamb, rolled in the shape of a cigar, is a traditional Cuban meal?' We almost fell off our chairs laughing.

Rob you forgot to mention the Mojitos. Not sure what that put in them but I'm sure petrol tastes better.

oh wow...look what the cat dragged in!

[AndrewNR]

Yeah lamb cigars is pretty terrible.. i can only imagine the chef..

[Fuzz]

I've had spiced lamb cigars before, but that was in a Moroccan style restaurant.

[BradNC]

I've had a Cuban sandwich at The Cheesecake Factory. That's about it for me unfortunately.

[mncz]

Of all places, in New Haven, Connecticut I stumbled across this absolute GEM:

http://www.souldecuba.com/

My father and I were on our way back to my college campus after he picked me up from the airport this February, returning from Cambodia. We went into this restaurant. It's Cuban owned and operated. The food was marvelous and the (attractive wood) bar was full of beautiful bottles of Cuban rum that had my eyes wide and mouth watering, and yet it was not the proper time for a drink. I looked some up and asked about a few. Apparently they have a nice collection going, and there were some rare bottles... I recall seeing many 18 years and at least one 24 year. Very exciting.

I will be stopping by here on my way to campus again in the Fall – no questions asked. I can't wait. It's small, cozy, & quite perfect. With all of that amazing booze to give a taste to, I might just spend the night. But shhh – save some for me.

[Squarehead]

Yup. He makes a mean ropa vieja, full pig roast, camarones, congris, etc. A real treat.

I have to agree here with Tom and Frank.Never liked mojitos before until I had one at the Mambo.now I can't leave this place without having at least one

[Guyman1966]

Living in Southern FLA - we have many fine choices to eat excellent Cuban! I do love Florida!

[PaulP]