You order online. You pay online. You get your own water. So what is the tip for? I'm fine with tipping, when it's for service. This restaurant is a lot of self service with tip starting at 18%. As for food - it's good. Though a little on the salty side for my taste. read more

Everything on their menu is delicious. I loved the the steak and shrimp sandwich and mojito! The guava cheesecake was absolutely to die for!

3.5 stars! The people at Cuban Kitchen, a casual roadside restaurant off El Camino Real, could not be more friendly! Stopping by for dinner, we were greeted warmly and after perusing through the menu, ordered the "fufu" sliders, which came on soft rolls with tender, delicious pork, fried plantains, and a yogurt sauce, as well as a shrimp plate with sauteed mushrooms and salad. The lettuce-based salad was nothing special, but the grilled shrimp came in a delicious spicy marinade. On top of that, there are three homemade sauces you can help yourself to at the counter--the sweet and spicy mango/habanero sauce, the jalapeno cilantro sauce, and the creamy, cool yogurt aioli, which were all fantastic and full of flavor. The hospitality and speed of service were both great, but the portions were quite small for the menu prices. The rustic, self-service atmosphere was nothing special, but a decent stop for a quick, casual meal. read more

OUTSTANDING!!!! This has to be the Bestest Caribbean cuisine in the Bay Area!!!! I used to work for them during the pandemic, it had to have been the Best job I ever had!!! The Patrona (Leena) and Lylah (her daughter) treated me like family!!!! Also, the staff is very warm and friendly as well!!!! I tried just about everything on the menu and never ever had a bad meal there!!!! Even the Vegetarian stuff was good!!!! They specialize in Cubanos (The Pork Sandwich of you're dreams) however, the Philly Biztec (Philly Cheesesteak Cubanos) are my fave!!!! Also if you're doing Kosher/Halal, they have a chicken/Turkey version of it for you!!!!! But my Favorite go to thing on the menu are the Burritos!!!! If you're from Florida and missing sum home cooked Cubano Comida, than this place is a must for you!!!!! read more

Restaurant that claims to be Cuban in San Mateo, very disappointed with their food. How bad can you make a Cuban pull pork style sandwich? Service is good, as what can be expected nowadays There is a parking lot, we found easy parking for our lunch break. Not a real Cuban restaurant, should be more a Cuban inspired restaurant with Mexican touch read more

Amazing food, amazing service, and great music 10/10 love this place feels like hanging out at someone's house and eating their families food read more

The Cuban kitchen is so wonderful! They have stated that they've been struggling with the pandemic because they lost much catering business, please support this amazing local business so that they don't disappear! Their food is affordable and delicious. We love their burritos, plantains, and the salmon is really good, too! They have lots of yummy sauces you can order with your food. The Flan is also fantastic. Thanks, Cuban Kitchen! read more

Wow! What a hidden gem! The food is amazing, I recently had the pork plate and omg it was so tender and juicy! I also tried the empanadas and croquettes and everything was mouth watering, good! The sauces are unreal, next time I need to leave with some bottles to take home. We will definitely be back and we are seriously considering using them as catering for our upcoming wedding! read more

I dont understand the hype with this place at all. Everything that we ordered tonight was terrible. They overcooked and burnt our fried shrimp, and everything tasted so dry which included the bistec sandwich, rice and beans, and plantains (please see photos below for reference). We spent close to $100.00 for a meal that was absolutely atrocious. Almost feels like this establishment is paying for 5 star yelp reviews. Terrible read more

Cuban Kitchen - Burnt fried shrimp - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Wow, fantastic find! I was heading north on El Camino & did a Yelp search for a good lunch spot & this place popped up. Had to try it. As soon as I walked in I noticed how clean & bright & comfy the place looked & felt. Then I was greeted by one of the nicest people ever with a big, bright smile: the owner Lina! She couldn't have been more welcoming. She said I had to try the rice & beans: awesome! Cuban Philly cheesesteak had tons of flavor. All their sauces were great, as were their spicy fries. You definitely need to try this place!! read more

3.5 STARS When "Best Cheap Eats in San Francisco" lists are released, I sometime roll my eyes at the things they list: $5 for one hipster taco, $9.50 for a baby banh mi, or 4 asian fusion dumplings for $10. Who writes this sh*t?! I'm definitely not their target audience because if I followed their list my "cheap eats" meal would turn into a $50 one because let's be real...who gets full off 4 dumplings?! Then again, maybe 4 dumplings is all I should be eating... If you're looking for a REAL cheap eats meal, then Cuban Kitchen is your place. It's not in San Francisco but it's a quick 20 minute drive and there's free parking. Cuban Kitchen started out as a food truck (qba) in NYC and opened their brick and mortar in San Mateo about a year ago. They offer salads, plates, and sandwiches. The portions are large and nothing is over $11.50. There's no waiter service. You order at the counter, grab your own utensils, seat yourself, they deliver your food, and you bus your own table. We ordered the following: *Ropa Vieja: Braised beef, garlic-lime adobo, black beans, rice, mojo (pickled onions), maduro (plantain), spicy aji sauce ($10.95): http://bit.ly/2axMejb *Lechon: Cuban pork, garlic-cumin adobo, black beans, rice, mojo (pickled onions), maduro (plantain), guava-habanero bbq sauce ($9.95): http://bit.ly/29WsFoA *Yuca Fries w/ guantanamo sauce ($3.95): http://bit.ly/2acjiPI After ordering, I was surprised that we received our food in less than 3-4 minutes. I don't mind that the food was pre-cooked but they could of at least took an extra minute or two to warm it up because it was room temperature. The meat platters were decent but were both on the dry side. The ropa vieja was pretty tasty but could use more garlic and spices, and the lechon could of used a touch more seasoning. I really liked the pickled onions as they nicely cut through all that rich meat. The rice and beans were alright and would have been better if they were warm. The portions were large and we had leftovers so I can't really complain since it was so cheap. The star of the night were the Yuca fries! They were fried to order so they were piping hot, crunchy outside, and pillowy soft inside. Really addicting. It would have been nice if they provided more than a thimble size amount of dipping sauce. For a mom and pop restaurant, the customer service could use some work. When I was waiting to place an order, I felt like I was inconveniencing one of the employees when she had to stop what she was doing to walk to the counter (there was 4-5 employees and one table eating). I ordered a beer and she didn't offer to take the cap off. I know the staff is not there to make friends but a simple greeting and a smile goes a long way especially when a customer tips you in a self-service restaurant. The dining area is bare bones - seating for about 35-40 inside and there's dog-friendly outdoor seating. They have a doggie water bowl outside but the water was very dirty. They have their own private lot which fills up quickly so you may have to find street parking on El Camino. 3.5 STARS rounded up since it was $20 pp with a beer and 18% tip. Granted, I went over $10 so it not really "cheap eats" but what's a meal without booze? read more

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Cuban Kitchen deserves 101 stars! They serve authentic and delicious Cuban food and do it with a smile. Every year the school where I teach puts on a multicultural celebration for Open House and for the entire school. This year I selected Cuba as our classrooms country and when I called Lynna she immediately said she would support our school. She was a dream come true and really made our classrooms experience so special and students, staff and families were all raving about the delicious food. Love this place to pieces. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Orion School - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I tried them out for the first time today for lunch. I got the Lechon Classic Sandwich and it was very tasty. We had take out and the sandwich still arrived warm which was great! I loved the flavor of the meat and how tender it was. I wish the meat had been a bit juicer, but all in all it was a great sandwich. I would definitely come back and try something new! read more

Cuban Kitchen - Lechon Classic Sandwhich - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

I just finished eating my Cuban Chicken Philly sandwich and I knew within my first bite that I needed to do a review! First off when I walked in the door I was greeted by their server, who was super friendly , he and a woman i'm guessing is the owner immediately offered me chips and several sauces while I waited for my take-out order. Let me tell you all, if you like flavor, this is as good as it gets!!! The smell of this place, amazing! the food/flavors, amazing! and friendly people to go along with it all! I will be trying everything on the menu!!! This is what great food and customer service is all about! read more

Miami good! The lechon (pulled pork) is exquisite, the 'best Cubano' sandwich is also very good, and the staff is friendly & enthusiastic! This place just does a few of the most popular Cuban dishes, like sandwiches, but they do them exceedingly well. If you're cruising El Camino Real, and looking for an authentic Cubano with just the right ham, cheese, bread & pulled pork, then pull over and try it! Not fully staffed yet, still working out the menu, and just simple tables & chairs, so don't expect the Ritz:). Nice improvement from the old Pantry there before. :) read more

Cuban Kitchen - Zoom for menu - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

First time in today. Food was amazing! The owner was super friendly and really helpful with me making my decision on food. She gave me some samples so I could find what I liked. Went off her recommendation to get the fried sampler appetizer and was not disappointed! My classic bowl with bistec was delish! Will definitely be going back for more. Everyone was really nice and friendly. Highly recommend!! read more

I've been eyeing this place since they still had the paper covering the windows. Brought my son here for what's becoming our summer ritual, biweekly, Thursday lunch. The bare bones décor (linoleum flour, acoustical tile ceiling, etc.) helps develop the hole in the wall feel of it. And the Cuban music was loud, but not loud enough to drown out all conversation. The parking lot is a little small, but we both managed to snag spots, albeit at 12:45. Bet its tough at noon. With so many good choices, it was hard to pick, so we went with standards: Cuban Sandwich 4.5 stars: Very good. Lots of pulled pork, which I love, cause some places scrimp here. Perfectly grilled. Made a mental note to ask for extra pickles next time. They were barely present. Good quality, assertive, but not overly, swiss cheese. Comes with very good black beans and rice. Tasty pickle onions garnishing the beans, which I tucked into my sandwich. I may ask if they'll do that next time. Yuca Fries 3.5 stars: My first time having these so I don't know if it's traditional, but I would have preferred they be cut thinner to allow a higher crispy to soft texture balance Havana Salad 2.5 stars: Skip this. It's shredded iceberg, like what I'd put on a sandwich or burger, not the right cut for a salad. The dressing was the color of lime sherbet, and I received only about a thimble full to cover the rather large salad. In fact one of the faults here is that they provide such small servings of all of their sauces, and they don't offer the different options when you order. Maybe regulars know to ask for more and different ones. I surely will next time. Food came out faster than I expected and the servers were very conscientious, if a bit flustered. Food:33/40 Service: 17/20 Atm/Intangibles: 18/20 Value: 17/20 Overall:85/100 read more

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If you are a meat fan, then this is a good place for dining. All you can eat but expensive. You can choose all kinds of meats with many type of cooking. read more

The best Cuban Dive! Highly recommend, loved the Lechon and Ropa Vieja yummy sauces (guava habanero bbq sauce rocked) and the most delicious black beans. Oh don't forget the postones read more

Cuban Kitchen - Yum - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

Food was absolutely amazing! Came for a quick lunch during work and I'm glad I found this place because I will be coming back

The owner is lovely. Very friendly lady. Service was fast. She gave me 4 sauces to try plus some chips while my bowl arrived. It was healthy and tasty. Try this place. read more

I was very happy with the Lechon !! I will venture and try other foods but for now 5 Stars RG read more

Cuban Kitchen delivers decent food but nothing that really stands out to call us back. We had the chicken mojito, bistek, and lechon plates. The meat was a bit dry and lacking in flavor but the side sauces kicked it up. The pork sandwich was also fairly decent. For sides we had a small serving of yuca fries and fried green plantains. Both were ok. Surprisingly, they only have one dessert (flan) and at 5 pm we were told it wouldn't be ready for a few hours. So, after our meal we went on a quest to top off our dinner with something more memorable. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Chicken mojito plate - not bad but rather dry - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

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as far as cuban restaurants, i havent experienced too many in the area. luckily there is cuban kitchen and its also really good. first time trying i had to go for the cuban sandwich. ham pork pickles mustard onions. all slapped in between two pieces of bread. this sandwich was grilled and delicious! they even gave us chips and salsa to nibble on as we waited for the food. there were a few sauces we got to try as well ranging from mild to spicy. they played some cuban music as we ate and i just wanted to get up and dance. its a small place with maybe 6 tables? but you dont spend too much time there. eat and go. street parking and a small parking lot. its located pretty close to jacks prime so if you dont crave a burger, you can come here for a good alternative. id come back to try some of their plates next. read more

I don't recall the name of my plate but I'll be returning. The dish had flavor, it was hot and timely on the delivery. The coffee beverage was delicious and hot the spot too. This held me over for a healthy lunch option. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Delicious - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

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This place is hidden on El Camino next to Jacks Prime.. you've likely driven past it plenty of times but never stopped in. Decided to give it a shot and thought it was okay. I haven't decided if I will be back yet but I wouldn't knock it off my list. I got a Cubano sandwich (about $10) which either comes with a salad or rice or beans or a combination of rice and beans, which I ordered. The sandwich was pretty good and filling and served warm so it was pretty good. I found either a piece of lint or small hair on my plate after I already ate the sandwich it was on top of..so that was kind of a turn off. Hoping it was lint. My friend's sandwich had a bunch of oil on it so that was another turn off. The beans are black beans that come with onions which tasted a little too sour for me, but I think that's just how they make it.. overall I thought it was okay. Might want to try other things if I do come back. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

A gem of a place for Cuban food in the Bay Area! So glad they came out here from Jersey to open this great restaurant. I was excited to try this place with my friends, since it was a central location, coming from South Bay, east bay and SF. Even though today was rainy, we got there early and got a good table towards the back, for better conversation. The first impression I got when I walked in was the music playing created a festive atmosphere. I was greeted by the owner Lynna, who is super friendly and welcoming. Menus as on the rack right near the door as you come in, so you can decide what you want. First things first was an order of their Cuban coffee, which is strong and sweet. It's like jet fuel, as it will get you going quickly. Each of us ordered different dishes so we could have a variety of tastes. And everything we ordered was phenomenal!! The Lechon was tender with a little kick to it. The Cubano sandwich was amazing, and I can compare to those I've had in Miami. The sweet plantains with pickled onions was my favorite. The Yuka fries were perfectly tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, dipped in their sauce is like a taste of comfort in your mouth. My friends also had the Chicken and beef Plates and they loved them as well. As it got past noon, more and more people streamed in and by 1pm, the place was packed! The atmosphere was like a family gathering with people dancing as they waited in line, families with kids saying hi to the next table, and smiles all around as everyone enjoyed the delicious food. I would definitely come back again when I'm in the neighborhood. read more

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Really good food, I like all of the sauce options. Easy to order online and pickup in the lot with well marked parking spaces. Looking forward to eating here again soon. read more

The cuban sandwich is just perfection!! Its HUGE and delicious! Sharable or not up to you but definitely fulfilling. Small parking that they share with another business but i have never had issues. Easy to see off the road. Also during the pandemic they set up a table outside to bring your order out and are partnered with Grubhub currently so payment is pretty smooth and everything is contact less. read more

I've been going here a couple years now. So happy to find a place to reminisce on my time in Havana, Cuba. I've tried most everything. The flavors, the tenderest and juiciest of meats, the most amazing unique black beans, the cuban coffee, all of it gives you the most delicious gastronomical journey, you'll keep wanting to come back for more. Now it's takeout only and I'm so happy Lynna, the most delightful host, adapted so quickly to challenging times and continues to serve up the most delectable cuisine to her loyal guests. Viva la Cocina Cubana!!!! read more

HOLY COW! Just inhaled my meatless breakfast burrito with red sauce. Incredible! Delicious! (I forgot to take a picture of it because it was that good). I've always been a long-standing fan since you've opened and love that you are expanding your menu. The ice coffee drink was delicious as well. Looking forward to eating my side orders of maduros and black beans at home to stretch Cuban Kitchen comfort food in my home. So grateful you're still here. read more

Cuban diner on El Camino with a nice small business vibe. I got the Cubano sandwich & the Guava-Cranberry juice - both were very good, and they complemented each other well. Has a small parking lot right next to it. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cubano sandwich & Guava-Cranberry Nectar - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

Old schoo restaurant/cafe. Very mom and pop, not a corporate look or franchise.... A neighborhood find on EL Camino Real !!! They have outside patio seating (4 tables) plus of course inside seating. Such a beautiful day, decided to sit outside. My she-devil was a bit excited, but more excited when the orders were brought out to our table, cuz she would be sharing (yes I share) We ordered: (descriptions from Yelp menu) 1) "The "Best" Cubano s'wich" -honey ham, pulled pork, pickled onion mojo, mustard, jarlsberg and pickles. 2) "Lechon plate"-Tender pork shoulder. Served with rice and beans. 3) "Yucca fries"-Fried cassava Pros: The Cuban Sammie was the best. The bread was grilled beautifly, so golden and lightly crunchy. The meats were piled thick. This was my fav all day. The yucca were chubby thick cut pieces that were lightly fried and pillowy inside. Came with a dipping sauce. The rice from lechon plate was good tasting and black beans were a rad salty, but when you mix together, the saltiness mellowed out. Cons: The lechon itself was too salty for my liking. I probably would not order this again, but maybe I'll try another plate... Any suggestions? When I'm in the area, I'll come back for sure. read more

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I was excited to try this place as soon as I came across the Yelp reviews because what's not to love about good Cuban comfort food at a reasonable price? It's a nice, no frills, mom-pop kind of place with a small parking lot out front. You order at the register and they'll bring your food to you, they've got seating inside and outside as well, which is nice on a sunny afternoon! We got a lechon plate and a bistec plate, both of which came with rice, beans, and a plantain. The lechon was a little bit dry, but the bistec was very tasty and the side of yucca fries we ordered were awesome, piping hot and crispy! All in all, good portion for the price, pretty solid food. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Bistec plate - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

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It's just good food, plain and simple. I always dabble in the plates - ropa vieja, lechon, pollo. And my teenager loves their sandwiches. Great place to pick up a lunch. read more

Really authentic Cuban food! Very good and delicious! Staff is very friendly, they always welcome you and provides suggestions is needed.

Just ate here after leaving the airport. We were looking for something different, and this place didn't disappoint! We shared a Cuban sandwich, surf n turf sandwich, and angry fries. The food was delicious, especially the surf n turf! That was our favorite. The fries had a slight kick but not too spicy. Our server was so sweet and helpful. She brought out chips and a wonderful assortment of sauces to accompany them. The ambience is cute and clean. When I'm the area again, we'll definitely be back! read more

Just tried this place for the first time today and it was excellent! The lady was very nice upon entering and they were playing great music! I had the chicken plate, and my lady had the chuleta (pork chop) plate. The chicken was fried perfectly, breading had good seasoning, and was still tender. The pork chops tasted very good also, with salt, pepper, and a little thyme. The frijoles were definitely standout! Perfectly made, both sweet and savory, made yu want it as a dip. We got the side sampler which came with two of the tostones, platanos, and yuca frita. All which were delicious. I was very full when we finished eating and even took a little box to go. Definitely go if you haven't been, I will be back! read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

I grew up in Miami so I'd like to think that I know something about authentic cuban food. Decided to check out this spot on a whim with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Hands down the best Cuban food I've had in the Bay Area. I had the breaded chicken with rice/beans. Food was ready in 15 minutes and the staff was pleasant. Will be back. read more

Relaxing, charming place with delicious food, including some tasty sauces that seem to be proprietary. Their "best Cubano" really was the best Cubano I've ever had, and a I had a mojito-lemonade that was really refreshing. Definitely recommend for people who already like Cuban or want to try something new well-executed. read more