Nothing here tastes bad. I've been a customer for years. You can't go wrong here. Wonderful workers and delicious food.

Amazing food, the freshness of the entrees seemed like everything is made from scratch. Open till fairly late in the night. Staff is very friendly and proud of their heritage!!!!! read more

Excellent Cuban food. Nothing I've tried here is bad. The waiters and waitresses are friendly and make you feel like family. I recommend the skirt steak with congris(black rice ). The cured beef (Tasajo ) is also awesome! read more

Too bad they don't have a zero star option. Ordered a Croqueta Preparada and what a disgrace all it had was bread a slice of ham and a mashed potato like substance in it. Embarrassing to be considered a Cuban restaurant, and they should consider changing their slogan As Cuban As It Gets to As Bland As It Gets. read more

I've been going to this restaurant since High School. Best cuban place around! Whenever family or friends come from out of town I know this is the place to take them. The food is delicious, the portions HUGE! They speak little English, but they make-up for that with the service. We've eaten all over, but We keep coming back to this place again and again. read more

I really like this place, the food is consistenly good and the prices are reasonable. The only thing that sucks is that is not in the best neighborhood and the parking can be sparse. Other than that, I highly recommend the Chuletas Fritas, Carne con Papas or the oxtail. I usually order one of those three when I dine here. I also heart the waitress w/ the crazy eye make up :) read more

Good authentic Cuban food and atmosphere with a huge menu.

Not only are these the most delicious Cuban sandwiches around and amazing coffee but the staff there is so pleasant and friendly. It's always a favorite and one of the best coffee places on Elizabeth Ave. read more

A hidden gem in Elizabeth! My boyfriend and I were leaving Jersey Gardens Outlets and decided to eat somewhere on our way back. With the help of Yelp we found this hidden gem! We both ordered the churrassco and we both thought it was delicious, the best we've had in the area. The churrasco was perfection...very flavorful and perfectly cooked. The rice was also nicely seasoned and the tostones were nice and crunchy but still pulpy inside....overall everything on our plates was very yummy. The service was very good, very nice people, they would make recommendations and were always very attentive and smiley, prices are very reasonable and although the restaurant is small, it is very welcoming and well organized, wait time was normal, parking is a little inconvenient...its metered street parking and since it's a busy main street it was hard to find a close parking spot, but the food is well worth the inconvenience. Can't wait to go back! Highly recommend if you want authentic Cuban cuisine. read more

Alvarez Cafe - Churrasco con chimichurri, Congri Rice, tostones, avocado, and yuca...Delicious!! - Cuban Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

This place wasn't all that good. The delivery took about a an hour and a half the rice was a bit hard. The bread tasted old and the meat was okay. I don't recommend it too much read more

I love this place me and my wife pick up food from here the skirt steak is awesome one of the best around. There black beans so remind me of ow my mom unto make them. I tried all these fancy wanna be Cuban restaraunt in the area they cant compare to this place try the monitors too bug glass and taste great. read more

I love the churasco steak at alvarez cafe, its Allways perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection, the servers are allways kind and on point, going there now 8 years never been let down, the flan is also tasty read more

Food was adequate, not great. The service was horrible!! It took 50 minutes to get our food once it was ordered. Getting the waitress' attention was extremely difficult. Also, street parking is impossible. I didn't think it was worth it. read more

This place has some delicious food. I am very suprised that no one has mentioned the Churrasco!!?? It is the best I have eaten. It's cooked and seasoned to perfection. Comes with a choice of 2 sides and an outstanding chimichurri that is filled with tangy garlic and fresh herbs. This restaurant has instantly risen to a favorite if mine! read more

Went to this place based on the reviews when searching for a place to eat after a trip to Ikea. The man friend suggested Mediterranean, which I wasn't feeling. I was feeling something "Latin" Roast pork, rice and beans etc... You get the picture. Well, Cuban was the way to go, sooooo much better then any Spanish place I ate at! We both had the roast pork and this defiantly is prepared better then any Puerto Rican pernil I've had, including my own. ( OK, I'm not Puerto Rican, but I was taught by one, close enough!) I even tasted the skin, which I have never done in my entire life! I feel so misguided! Along with the pork I had the yellow rice and red beans, which I thought where tastier then the black beans that the man had. We also had some yucca, which I couldn't eat due to the fact it was cooked in garlic then some more garlic with a dash of more garlic, and a sprinkle of more garlic for good luck. It's safe to assume no vampires will be visiting a certain someone's house for quiet a while. The place was clean, staff polite and courteous. Our waitress didn't speak English but fear not, the man friend speaks Spanish! No, he didn't teach me to make pernil. He has taught me a thing or two but that neither here or there. Bottom line GO THERE. I walked out there saying I couldn't wait to go back! read more

Was looking for a Cuban resturaunt while In the area when we turned to Yelp and found Alvarez cafe! Have been back twice and the food has been excellent. The chicken soup was delicious! read more

WOW! still the best cuban food anywhere! service, prices, Great! Parking not so much, but worth the effort,do not miss this if good food is what you want!!! read more

My favorite Cuban resturant in the world!!!! I've been eating here for years and the consistency is always there .. I live in new York and when I can I will travel here just to eat . I wish there was a NY location ... 10 stars!!! read more

Great spot , great authentic food , won't break your pocket . The service is on point , very attentive . Highly recommended if you're in the area and love some Cuban food . read more

By far my favorite place to eat in Elizabeth and the white sangria is amazing! The team there is extra pleasant which is hard to find.

I grew up eating food from here (mainly cuban sandwiches). The food is delicious & the staff is always lively. Oh, & they have the best beef empanadas ever. Trust me. read more

Amazing authentic Cuban food. Family run, friendly atmosphere, quick service and the food is out of this world. I would strongly recommend

Worst food ever several of us bought a large order for a major airline. We order several cuban sandwiches it had hardly any meat, cheese, or pickle the bread was so stale and hard. Was not worth eating We spend a large amount of money. Too bad he will never get our business again. read more

Little hole in the wall but the food is excellent and the owners are very personable and friendly. I always order the Chicharron de pollo (fried chicken chunks). They season it very well and add lime juice, AMAZING. The yuca with mojo is also one of my favorites. Prices are cheap and the service is very good. When you have time stop by and give it a chance you have nothing to lose. Enjoy it! read more

Solid spot for a reasonably price meal that's delicious and authentic cuban. Love people and the black beans with one if the sandwiches they offer even more ... Perfect lunch for about 8 bucks!! read more

This is my go to spot when we want don't feel like searching for something new and just want plain simple good food, beverage, and service. My wife is in love with the food here as well. read more

I have been coming to Alvarez since 1994 and I have no complains what so ever. I love their food and I love the laid back atmosphere

So I was in the mood for a cubano, saw some good reviews for this place and went on in. So a guess the old chiche of 'pizza is like sex, even when its bad its still pretty good' - can ring true for the cubano as well. Its pork on pork, w/ cheese, pickle, mayo, on crispy bread...of course - how bad can it be?? The one I had was not bad, but completely average and nothing more. could have used more of everything except the ham. just a little streak of mayo on top, no mustard, thats fine as long as its moist, but eh, not so much... the pickle was also a little sparse. The roast pork, could have been a little more succulent or maybe had another slice or 2 in there so I didn't taste only ham. I'd go back, but to try something else........ Also they have about 100 cubans premade in the case, thats cool and all - but quantity doesn't outweigh quality in this case...... read more

I like Alvarez, the food is authentic and the service is good. I enjoy the food when I come here, my favorite dishes are the churrasco with congri and tostones, or the oxtail. read more

Worst cuban sandwich... they didn't put mustard nor pickles!!! Those items makes the sandwich plus it wasn't really hot. Yulys cuban cafe has a great cuban sandwich! read more

The Cuban sandwich sucks , the food is over priced and the portions are weak and the seasoning and flavor is awful , you want real good Cuban sandwich and great Cuban dishes go to Cuban petes Montclair nj and or go to north newarks nj Omar's cafe . read more

I have been going to Alvarez for as long as I can remember, great restaurant and it has been there FOR EVER...All the reviews are on, and I am particular to DULCE DE LECHE only mom can make it better. Recently I have noticed that the Cuban Sandwich has changed for the worse, and like another review here, I did see a lot less of everything and it was JUST OK. I have never seen mayo on a cubano probably someone mistaken it for the melted Swiss cheese that it does have. For me they forgot the mojito or was very little and the pickles were also absent. I also picked up several croquetas and they tasted bland they were mostly bread filing. So Alvarez you guys are the real deal if you are looking, don't let it fall thru the cracks. Oh yeah it is seedy in that area, the many businesses that were there before that were mostly Cuban owned and operated kept the place clean, unfortunately, times do change and the sidewalks are dirty, and the place is stuck in the 80s, and it's hard to find parking, but hey give it a try you may disagree I hope you do, better yet I hope they take heed and see what we are talking about here. read more

My fiance and i went on a shopping trip to NJ in August of 2011, we drove from Massachusetts . Alvarez Cafe a Cuban restaurant was one of the places we had anticipated in eating dinner at. When we first walked it the atmosphere was great.,.,. the service was friendly and we were well informed of any questions we had regarding there dishes.. My Fiance had the Bistec encebollado, with fried plantains and frijoles negros.. The steak was nice and juicy and not hard to chew.. the plantains were to die for.. I ended up having the White chicken with onions , yellow rice and fried plantains... Now normally we use Mayo-Ketchup for the dipping with our plantains.. Our server told us.. no we don't have that here.. but we definitely have something better than that.. i said OK.. as we waited.. anxiously to find out what it was .. he brought us back a dip that appeared to have onions, garlic, parsley and many other fresh ingredients... the minute we tasted that stuff with our plantains,.. we were hooked... all i have to say is that it is def a cheap priced restaurant, good amount of food great service and definitely very tasty dishes... 3 thumbs up! read more

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Great Cuban food closest thing to home cooked food stop by

Great place for Cuban food. I tend to get a bunch of appetizers and the media noche. The staff is really friendly and that's always a plus

Their service via fax is excellent but their food was average. The philly cheese steak sandwich was dry not heavy on the cheese and the bread seemed stale. Their papas rellenas are great. I went there in person a second time and had Chicken Empanizado that was slightly ok. Elizabeth isn't known for being a great town with good quality food. You get what you pay for. read more

Had a Cuban sandwich to go. Service was fast and friendly. Sandwich was hot. But it lacked taste. It just didn't taste like a Cuban sandwich should. It wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't good. read more

Not sure if this was an off day or anything however here with a few family members. Took 3 times requests to order a vanilla milkshake, croquetas never came. 30 minutes for a Cuban sandwich with no mustard? 45 minutes for my aunt to get a steak sandwich. Cousin received appetizer after his steak. If the place was packed then okay maybe this would make sens, but hey you know write an order and butcher it, that makes sense. read more

We went to this place because we were in Jersey Gardens Mall and wanted to go eat nearby since my friend and I hated the food in the mall. The area that the restaurant is in is a little sketchy so it was a relief to find parking right in front of the restaurant. Once inside, the restaurant itself looks decent. You can definitely tell that it hasn't been updated in a while, but it still feels cozy! It definitely caters to Spanish speaking people; however our waiter did speak a little bit of English. My friend and I both ordered the grilled chicken and it was perfect. It was very well seasoned and came with two sides. It was plenty of food. You will definitely feel satisfied. One thing that's amazing about this place is the cafe con leche. It's served very hot and tastes delicious. We each got two cups of coffee because we enjoyed it that much. That alone would make us come back. We ordered the bread pudding for dessert and we both hated it. It was very sweet and it just didn't taste good. Thankfully it was cheap at only $3 so it wasn't that big of a deal. The food is very reasonably priced here (just keep in mind that they include tip into your check). They played Spanish music the whole time which I really enjoyed. It definitely felt like an authentic experience. I would definitely come back here but maybe just a little earlier in the day to avoid being in that area at night! Highly recommend! read more

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Place sucks these people have no taste buds. And the nerve of the stupid waitress adding %18 tip as if she even desered %5 after bringing our food after a group of three that came after us then we finally get our order 45 minutes later, unreal. Food didn't taste good very bland and retards put imitation crab meat in my crappy cuban style meriscada read more