excellent selection of Latino food. I would recommend this to anyone who misses their hometown cooking from Puerto Rico or anywhere in the Caribbean.... Señorita. read more

The price is good here but the options didn't work for me. U choose your protein and then two sides. The sides are either fried or rice. Which I didn't want either but I did just to complete my plate. The pork was alright but there was some really crusty hard pieces. It wasn't so juicy for me. I opted out of the rice which I tried my husband's rice. It was alright but I didn't want a plate full of rice. My sides were alright but nothing extraordinary. No one was there when we went and it was mediocre with the A/C. Service was good and they let me know what everything was bc there are no labels. They have an open dining room and you can pick your spot to sit. You choose your food up front and then they place your plate where you are sitting. Price is as just under $11 so a good price considering prices nowadays but unfortunately not my fave due to options. read more

Caribbean Twist - Pernil - shredded pork, sweet plantains, fried yuca - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This right here! It reminded me of my mother's cooking. Wasn't exactly hers but comparable. Hubs ordered the chicken with arroz con grandules, I had the italiano and two beef empanadas. Hubs said the rice was a little dry but it was ok. Everything else was a big smile and a humming of "mmm". His plantains were sweet and delicious just like he likes them. Chicken was a chef kiss. My Italiano was good. My only complaint about that was the lettuce was wilted because it was pressed into the sandwich. The beef empanadas were delicious, I only missed the olives. And they a good size. You can tell they were made from scratch and not frozen . read more

THE NICEST PEOPLE AND THE BEST FOOD. I ordered from Caribbean Twist to serve a luncheon for the holidays & kept the menu relatively simple to feed about 120 people. We served chicken, black beans, yellow rice, plantains. Everyone raved about the food, asked for 2nds (and 3rds!) -- everything was so flavorful. The chicken was tender, fall Off the bone perfect. Great value, super helpful, a win all around. We will be ordering from Caribbean Twist again! read more

Some of the most delicious fare in the city. They bring your plate to your table and it is typically perfect for a lunch break at work. Quiet, friendly, and filled with the smells of food cooked with care. read more

Great place, great food. Don't think about it, just go. The food here is really good. I visited for the first time today with my wife. We had bbq chicken, yellow rice, tostones and red beans. Everything was spectacular. The BBQ sauce was perfect. Oh, and the lemonade was great too. The staff was super nice, took time to explain everything on the food line and was really helpful. I'll definitely be back. read more

Always a pleasure to eat here. The food is fresh and the service is sweet. The atmosphere inside takes you to the Caribbean instantly with the music and smells of traditional cooking. I've ordered to go and eaten here and every time it's a hit. Currently fixed on their ensalada rusa it's great! Check it out. read more

Caribbean Twist - Entrance to Caribbean Twist - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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If you're in the area make sure you stop by and show some love to this establishment! It's so beautiful how they are able to mix Cuban and Jamaican food! The food is set out so that you can see what's available on the menu. I ordered the sweet ribs with the rice and beans and the plantains. My friend ordered the oxtails with the yellow rice and the yucca root fried. Both entrées and sides were delicious. Can't go wrong with choosing either or. They had a wide variety of l protein, and I would definitely come back to try the fish because it looked delicious. They have coffee and Cuban made to order sandwiches. Didn't have the opportunity to try,but definitely will be on my bucket list when I return. The ladies that are working behind the counter, are super nice and very helpful when it came to making decisions. read more

Caribbean Twist - Oxtails - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Today the food was very disappointing. I ordered breaded steak along with morros and yucca. The steak was very thin, which is OK by me, but it was so hard like shoe leather and very hard to cut or even break apart with my fingers which is not pleasing to me to have to do the Yucca had no flavor or any mojo and the rice was so dry you could almost choke on it. I understand a restaurant can have an off day, but this is the same food. They cook day Inn and day out. I just threw away money and my food.. read more

Every time I land in Tampa, this place is my first stop. Never been disappointed. Large portions, good flavor...love this place!

I'd driven by this place many times and today I went for the first time. Ordered a mangu con lost tres golpes which was very interesting to say the least. The mangu was overly seasoned and kinda tasted like they were going for a meat entree instead of plátanos. This twist on the mangu must be what they mean by caribbean twist but that twist was far from a pleasant one. This is a Cuban and Dominican place I know we don't make our mangu like that in DR and I asked my Cuban friends if that's how they do it in Cuba and this is not it! So if you go and are expecting traditional mangu beware! I also ordered a cuban sandwich for later in the day and that was very very good even after sitting for a few hours. If I go back i'll definitely order a cuban as it satisfied my Cuban sammy craving. The meat empanada was big and satisfying as well. I also love that they had typical Dulces by the register. Definitely grabbed one of those too. Oh and their cafe con leche was bomb. Overall the mangu shocked me hence the 4 star rating but everything else was great! read more

Caribbean Twist - Cuban Sandwich - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Caribbean Twist is a hidden gem! We decided to try this place for lunch and we're not disappointed. We chose to do their '1 Meat and 2 Sides' entree from the hot bar. I got their yellow rice with sausage and ham with plantains and oxtail. My fiancé got their rice with beans, tostones, and ox tail. The food was soooo good!! The oxtail was fall of the bone and packed so much flavor. I could eat the yellow rice with sausage and ham for days, so so so so good. The oxtail was a higher price, but if you get a regular meat with the 2 sides it's reasonably priced. We will definitely back to try more of their food. The service was quick, friendly, and attentive. Instagram: @living.with.reg read more

Caribbean Twist - Oxtail with 2 Sides - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This has to be one of the top restaurants here. I've lived in Tampa my entire life and this place has changed the game. The food was sensational, the service was also remarkable the entire time we were there. The setting was very welcoming with some music and an up beat vibe. I 100% recommend this place. read more

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Horrible business staff rude as hell didn't have what I ordered and lied and stole my money

First time here and look at all the choices I had, from my pictures. I got the yellow rice, beans, and ropa vieja. The lady was serving like it was my last meal. When she was done, two people could have eaten and been full. I love these places. Tons of food, cheap. Everything was nice and hot. The taste was exceptional. Everything has good flavor. The restaurant was empty for dinner but they had a bunch of pick up orders. The service was very quick. The servings were huge. Nice. The process were great. The people there were very nice. Plenty of parking. Everything was excellent. We need one of these places where i live. I could just wish. I will come here again. read more

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Carribean Twist 3328 W Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33607 @caribbean.twist The Perfect Mix of Cuban and Dominican Cuisine. Caribbean Twist is here to serve you the BEST Latin Food. I had the pleasure of visiting them this week and let me tell you, this place rocks. Great Latin Food. Lots of Options to choose from. Good Atmosphere. Friendly staff to attend you. I would definitely recommend to come visit them and try out thier food menu. read more

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Food was tasty, but a bit dry. All in all it was a nice lunch. Its counter service and typical small cozy area to sit down.

Their selection was extremely good. I had the salmon and it was great. Definitely a Caribbean restaurant.

My boyfriend and I were craving Latin food, so we headed over to try Caribbean Twist on a Saturday afternoon. It wasn't busy when we walked in, however, there were a few families scattered throughout. We were greeted immediately and attended. I ordered the Beef Tip Stew with a side of wild rice and smashed plantains. My boyfriend ordered his dish with Goat and then added on croquettes and two empanadas. My entree tasted exactly how I expected it to! It reminded me of home. It was hearty but oh, so good! I even ended up getting an extra plate to take home. You really get a good bang for your buck! However, the empanadas and croquettes are a skip. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. They were poorly made and just way too greasy. My experience was good at Caribbean Twist. The layout is similar to a Latin cafe found back in Miami. No frills, just simple. I'll be back when I'm in the mood for some Latin food and want a quick bang for my buck. Note: I tried to use the Yelp Check-In discount for 10% -- however, the cashier didn't honor it. read more

Caribbean Twist - Beef Stew with Yellow Rice - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

The food was out of this world good. Exactly what I was looking for after moving to the west coast years ago. Took me right back where I wanted to be, and taste! The service was top notch, all the ladies were kind and greeted us with big smiles. It was not busy (surprisingly) but a perfect atmosphere and what we wanted after a long day in the sun. read more

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One of the best latin restaurants in Tampa. All of the food items on display look amazing. It's always tough to decide what to order. This time I had the chicken florentine which was batter fried with a slice of ham wrapped around the chicken under the batter coating and it was delicious. I also had an order of the ham croquettes which were fresh out of the frier and also delicious. And I had a small avocado salad that's basically avocado, tomato onion and their seasoning. I order this every time and every time it's delicious. After my lunch I had an excellent Cuban espresso. Service is always great but try to avoid the lunch rush because it gets busy. read more

My go to Caribbean take out spot - Dominicana approved! The options are endless and the food is always spectacular. I'm Dominican and don't play about my food! I've picked up food from here several times and it's always so so good. I also am skeptical of places with food bars like this, but it's always very clean and you can tell the food they put out is fresh and tended to accordingly. You truly can't go wrong with any of the options. Service is also great, very friendly and attentive staff. I even used them to cater my baby shower. Was super affordable and a big hit everyone loved it. read more

I came here based on the Yelp reviews but was extremely disappointed when I got home at tasted the food. I had the baked chicken, white rice, and plantains. The chicken was very salty & nasty. My friend had oxtails and she said it was also very salty and tasted soapy. I tried to use to check in off which was 10% off but the cashier could not figure out how to spot the discount. I'm very surprised and shocked at the over 4 star reviews here. read more

The place is located in a strip mall on Columbus, about a block away from La Teresita. It looks tiny when you see the storefront from the road, but know that it is very large inside, with a huge parking lot behind the restaurant, and a conveniently located entrance there. Inside, you walk through the restaurant to the main food area. It is essentially buffet style - you tell them what you want, and they dish it up. You get one protein with two sides. My first visit I had the salmon topped with shrimp, which I was told was the most popular item they offer. I can understand why - even though it was also their most expensive item, it was delicious, with a huge piece of salmon, and easily enough for two meals. My second visit I tried one of my favorite Cuban meals, ropa vieja. It too was excellent with a generous portion. So far I have also enjoyed all the side dishes I have tried: the rice and beans, the rice with pigeon peas, and the yuca with mojo. The only item that was slightly disappointing was the tamale, which did not seem to have much filling in it. Service has been unfailingly cheerful and helpful, and I love that I was able to try a sample of a side dish I've never had before. I've only gotten to-go, but if you choose to dine in there is plenty of seating inside. Quick, easy, and delicious, this is my new favorite casual restaurant. read more

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Food was great and flavorful. There are many options in this authentic restaurant. Prices are great. Service was great and friendly staff.

The options were overwhelming. The staff let me sample an item I'd never heard of. It was a plaintain mash and it was incredible. The tostones were very delicious. I topped them with the beef and bell pepper option. The setup shows what all options are available and you choose one meat and two sides. My comrade chose the oxtail option and it was very well made. They have varies meats, soups, veggies. Vegetarian friendly in my option due to option selection. But also carnivore friendly lol. read more

Caribbean Twist - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

When you walk in you realize how much food they have. It's two sides and a meat. When I picked my sides they gave me enough food for two people. The avocado salads was an extra charge but worth every cent. Both our meals were 30$ which seems pricey for two people but I'm not complaining because it was delicious and I had some for left overs the next day and it was just as good. I'm not a huge fan of Spicy food but I love flavor and they managed to bake some of the juiciest chicken that packs flavor in every bite. Cooking rice in large quantities usually can be a hit or miss but the rice was soft and perfectly cooked. This place definitely knows how to cook and would recommend just for all the flavor. read more

Caribbean Twist - Baked Chicken Plate with . Yellow Rice, . Avocado Salad, Platanitos - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

While on a business trip in Tampa, I found myself yearning for some genuine Cuban cuisine for dinner. Discovered this gem of a restaurant just down the street from my hotel and oh my, what a find! Had the Cuban oxtail with black beans rice and plantains... SO DELICIOUS! Will definitely be back the next time I'm in Tampa! read more

Caribbean Twist - Oxtail Congri Maduros - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

My first post as a Tampa area resident and of course..had to choose a (i think it is) Dominican place. My oh my..it was delicious and yes i was born and raised in DR ..lived there for 34 years sooo Ok, super nice staff, clean place. They had a food line with a lot of amazing treats. We chose ropa vieja, chicken, moro (rice with beans), tostones (huge) and YUCA. LOTS OF YUCA...i made the rookie mistake of ordering as the larger side haha! Dude..it was a LOT. Everything was delicious , the proteins, the sides, HUGE portion and good prices. Less than 20 for both plates. read more

Caribbean Twist - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Tons of options, quick service, and the food was pretty good. We tried the pork, rice, and tostone plate, as well as a Cuban, and fried fish sandwich. The sandwiches had good flavor but the press was running too hot, so the bread got too dark, while the cheese wasn't even warm or melty yet. Plenty of seating, however, the seating is also serviced by the staff that runs the hot bar, so they get to the tables when they can. We sat around three tables covered in plates with old food. read more

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Horrible roast pork sandwich, MEAT WAS SUPER DRY!! NO FLAVOR. They need a lesson on how on to make Pernil. I will never go back to this place. If you DON'T know what GOOD FOOD is then this place is for you! PLACE HAS BAD FOOD. read more

Was SO excited to try this place especially since I'm half Dominican and my husband is half Cuban. Decided to go this morning for a traditional Dominican breakfast, Tres Golpes (Mangu with fried cheese, summer sausage, and eggs). Upon arrival, there was very little food out - granted it was 9a but not what I was expecting. Also, never were we greeted until we got their attention and asked for assistance. When I first asked 1 of the 2 ladies behind the counter, she didn't even know what I was asking for, so the other explained. When I saw how dark the Mangu was and the white onions on top rather than the typical pickled red onions, I should've known but figured I'd give it a shot. Welp...surprise, I should've judged this book by its cover (won't even say what it looked like but see attached picture for reference) - the Mangu was HORRID. The consistency was almost soupy with little chunks of platano and the flavor convinced me they threw sazon in there - it sure did have a "twist," alright. So I immediately tell one of the ladies behind the counter it did not taste good. She offered me a Cuban toast, yuca, or arroz con gandules in place of it so I went for the toast bc I figured they can't mess that up. Was scared to get either of the other two options though it probably would've been more bang for my buck. When she hands me the toast, I ask if I can also have a couple pieces of yuca and she said she'd have to charge me for it. I said, do you think the toast makes up for whatever the Mangu costed? She proceeds to tell me the toast was $1.99 when I paid $8.99 for the meal but she then says the cheese, summer sausage, and eggs I guess made up the rest of the cost of the meal and that she had to charge me if I was wanted the yuca. I said keep the yuca and will never visit this place again. They also had some dulces for $2.99 each next to the register which I grabbed 2 of and haven't tried yet but I assume they will be decent as they weren't made there. Thankfully the cheese, summer sausage, and eggs were good but those really can't be messed up unless they're fried incorrectly. I guess I'm spoiled from how delectable El Tipico Criollo is and how great their service is. Underwhelmed is an understatement especially with how I couldn't wait to try this spot after all the hype I gathered from social media. I'd previously suggested this place be one of the caterers at my office (900+ employees) and I'm thankful they never reached out bc I would've been embarrassed. Never again. read more

Caribbean Twist - Mangu con Tres Golpes - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

My favorite pernil in West Tampa. The seasoning of the food is amazing! I really love the way they cook the pork, the carnitas, and the fact that they have great rice options, and lots of other delicious side dishes. Service is good, fast if needed, location is great, near Bucs stadium, and right in the heart of Cuban Central. The restaurant gets going with a crowd at lunch time. Because the food is great! To go is very popular as well. I definitely recommend it. read more

Caribbean Twist - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I love this place, great food great prices & and amazing vibe. Very quick service & tons of parking. The fresh juices are definitely worth trying them all! I always get the mango you won't be disappointed. Love a great home grown business, if you have anything negative to say don't run to the yelp app go and speak with the owners they will surely correct anything you have opinions on. read more

Great food great service great flavor! Plenty of variety to choose from. Generous portions. Great coffee and desserts too. read more

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Loved loved this place, from the great customer service to the food.I had not been able to have Spanish food in so long since being in NY because where I live now in the Midwest is a no go! lol The food was so fresh and I made sure to come twice just to try another dish. So I tasted the ribs and that sweet sauce was exactly what I was looking for.They had goat and at this point I was sold! Oh and the pernil, I want to come back I swear just to try other things on the menu. I hope they never change their authenticity, prices, and service. read more

Caribbean Twist - Pernil, plaintains, and rice. - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I was a huge fan of Arco Iris (previously in this location), and I was curious to try out its replacement. It's a cafeteria. They have a ton of selections, but I think I must have ordered the wrong stuff. The platanos were great! Perfectly cooked, not soggy despite being kept on warmers. However, everything else was subpar. I had the Spanish rice. It was dry. The meats in the rice were REALLY dry. I also had the roast pork. There was no distinctive flavor, just meat and propane. I was hoping for hints of garlic and citrus, like any good Caribbean roast pork. Dosing everything with hot sauce helped. The portions were huge, but I'd rather have less food that tasted better. Staff was really great, attentive and pleasant. And everything in the restaurant was as neat as a pin. Parking was plentiful in back, but strangely, every space was compact (fine for me, but not for your average Tampanian). read more

Caribbean Twist - Roast pork plate - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This restaurant take over a legendary restaurant Arco Iris. Now it is Caribbean cuisine with Latin flavor. This cuisine just match it name. I like the mixed cuisine who can serve the community. This restaurant is a cafeteria type food. You can select the food by looking at the tray they serve. God is warm. I prefer hot plate. However, the selection is great. It have variety from poultry to seafood. We have the oxtail with sweet plantain and tamal en cazuela cubano. Tamal en cazuela cubano is tamales are made by mixing savory cornmeal dough. It is special thing I first try. My wife have the goat curry with tostone and black bean rice. The goat is tender. Not dish meat item is a bit salty. Other than that. It is a good meal. The price is affordable especially dinner time. The place has an uplifting with new furniture and nicer environment compared to last restaurant. read more

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The seasoning is on point at this place. Everything I tried was so delicious!! The cuerito on the pernil was so crispy and the meat was super tender. That pollo frito was incredible. That moro must've had some elite sofrito, so so good. Can eat it by itself. Must visit. read more

You get SO much food for a low price. The food was very good and we loved the options of sides. Staff was very friendly and gave us great recommendations. Highly recommend! read more