El Cubano

6

200

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4 years ago

UPDATE!!!! I ordered catering for Xmas Eve and it was even better than when we ate there in person. The owner was very accommodating and generous with the portions! The food stayed hot in the TO GO tins. He included plenty of dipping sauces for the Empanadas. Was a total success!!!! EAT HERE! ORDER CATERING!!! read more

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Maria L.

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1 year ago

Cuban-American who has spent much of her life in Miami. This is some of the best Cuban food I've ever had (outside of my Abuela's cocina). The croquetas are just like hers and the congri is chef's kiss. The other plates were delicious. Beyond that, the owners are friendly and it is locally-owned. read more

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Addy W.

108

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1446

4 years ago

As an island girl I'm always looking for some good beans and rice. This place satisfied that craving. Man them black beans were on point and the rice was cooked perfectly. The meal came with plantains and a salad. I usually brush off these little salads, but wow!!!! I really loved how fresh the tomatoes and cucumbers were and the thickness of them too. The plantains were also cooked wonderfully, not greasy or soggy as I've had at other places. This will definitely become a new favorite spot. read more

El Cubano - Veggie plate - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Gwynne B.

69

3

0

2 years ago

Best Cubano I have ever had! I deliver for DoorDash so sometimes I encounter new places for me to try. When I had a pick up at El Cubano I couldn't believe my luck. I had never heard of them, but I love Cubanos (sandwiches). Bonus for the friendly staff who chatted about recipes with me. read more

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Thomas D.

97

360

223

4 years ago

This is a very nice Cuban restaurant. Great sandwich. Great service. Cashier girl is very nice and outgoing, smart. Authentic Cuban cook. Highly recommend. read more

El Cubano - Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Camila D.

111

5

7

3 years ago

Absolutely amazing. Brought tears to my eyes while I was eating because of how much it reminded me of my mom's food. Doesn't get more authentic than that! Can't wait to go back! read more

El Cubano - Picadillo con Congri - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Ruby R.

232

81

32

3 years ago

I was craving ropa vieja so we tried this place out. I think the ropa vieja was okay alittle salty but overall decent. My family also ordered picadillo and yucca fries. The picadillo is missing flavor it seemed like basic stir fried ground beef. The yucca fries were the best part! Super fresh and yummy with the sauce that it came with. The plaza has a nice calm ambiance and the young man working was pleasant. I would come back if I'm craving yucca fries and maybe try different plates. read more

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Crystal K.

Elite 23

150

254

1134

4 years ago

Located in the Island food court off of Faraday, El Cubano is a nice addition to the several restaurants surrounding a nice open plaza with outdoor seating. They even had live music! They have several options to choose from - sandwiches, salads, and plates. We went with a classic Cuban sandwich - roasted pork, ham, pickles and cheese on a pressed roll that had the perfect outer crunch, yet still soft and chewy on the inner side, and the cheese was so melty and the spiced cream sauce they give you for dipping just enhances all the flavor. We also split a Ropa Vieja plate - stewed shredded beef - and we chose the Congri which is rice & beans stewed together vs other option to have white rice and beans served separately. You can also choose sweet cooked plantains or fried yucca, so of course we got plantains because we love mashing them into the rice. We also tried a papa rellena - a fried potato ball that's stuffed with seasoned ground beef and perfect for dipping. The quality and value of this place for this area is we will be back to try more! read more

El Cubano - El Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Ropa Vieja - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Papa rellena - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Ryan G.

Elite 25

103

61

78

4 years ago

When I heard there's a new Cuban spot across the street from work, I knew I had to go check it out. I went with Ropa Vieja (stewed shredded beef) with congri (stewed white rice and black beans) and plantains. The owner also gave me a sample of some roasted pork. Honestly, it was flavor bombs everywhere. Everything was delicious! The ropa vieja was full of flavor. The plantains were soft but flavorful and probably the best I ever had. I'm not really a pork guy, but the pork sample made me want to order it next time. This is my new favorite spot at the island read more

El Cubano - Papa Rellenas (stuffed potato balls) with Chipotle mayo - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Ropa Viejas with plantains, congri (stewed rice and black beans) salad and a sample of the roasted pork. Everything was delicious! - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Lou C.

2

11

3

2 years ago

Highly recommend this place if you want authentic Cuban food. You can't go wrong with the Ropa vieja and pollo a la plancha, add maduros, you'll thank me later. Also love the service, they are fast, professional and put the customer first. I like going here for lunch once or twice a week because I can sit outside and enjoy the ambiance. read more

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jessica r.

0

19

0

2 years ago

If you love food, come here! Some of the most authentic Cuban food. The Cuban Cheesecake was life changing. Service was amazing. Can't wait to return soon. read more

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Tara F.

120

84

9

2 years ago

Run don't walk to this incredible spot! The food was absolutely delicious! I'm picky, too, having lived in South Florida. With each bite, you can taste the love that this food is prepared with. Pro tip: Buy an extra side of plantains. You're welcome! read more

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Hayley W.

131

14

2

2 years ago

Picked up food for my boyfriend's birthday surprise- everything tasted amazing! Loved that I could place an order over the phone and grab it fresh 20 min later. Staff was friendly and welcoming. read more

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Donna C.

0

9

1

2 years ago

I live in Ramona, my dog's oncologist is in Carlsbad on Faraday. She had an appt today and I got hungry around 11am when her visit was over and I searched on yelp to find a good place for lunch. I saw el cubano and all the 5 star reviews and decided that's the place and thank god I did. I ordered the oxtail which was today's special and so glad I did. The oxtail was tender and off the charts delicious and the portion is very generous too. I loved everything about it but especially the flavor of the oxtail, I don't how they do it but I highly recommend you try it if you see it on special or on the menu. I also got the tri tip salad for my sister and she's too busy enjoying it but gave me 2 thumbs up with a big smile. I will be coming to el cubano whenever my dog has her appt with the oncologist. So very glad I found them through yelp. read more

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Bless H.

38

8

3

3 years ago

First time customer. Was so excited to try this place. Was craving Cuban food but didn't want to drive 1hr away so this was the closest. I Called in my order. I ordered the Fricase De Pollo because based on the website online ordering screen the picture had my mouth salivating. Cashier was super nice when I arrived. Picked up my order & made my way home. Opened the box and was very disappointed with what I saw. It was no where near close to what I saw on the website. Yes I could of called and complained but I didn't want to here the bs excuse. Now the food itself was ight. Nothing special honestly. I've had better!!! Chicken wasn't bursting with flavor like I expected, rice was good, potato tasted like it got boiled. Salad was ehhh seems like the dressing was missing. I guess I had really high expectations, smh ‍my fault!! read more

El Cubano - What I got!! - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - What I thought I was getting. From website ordering screen. - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Olivia W.

0

18

3

2 years ago

This place is absolutely incredible! Before discovering it, I had never tried Cuban food, and I was completely blown away. My goal is to work my way through the entire menu, and so far, I've had about 5-7 dishes--and every single one has been outstanding. As a huge sandwich lover, I have to say the Cuban Sandwich is a standout favorite. The food is bursting with flavor and arrives unbelievably fast. Without a doubt, this has quickly become one of my favorite spots to eat! read more

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Eric F.

0

23

2 years ago

Delicious cuban food. Authentic tasting. There are not many authentic cuban tasting restaurants in California. This is a good representation of authentic cuban food! Papa Rellenas, Croquetas de jamon, and empanadas are bomb. Their picadillo, ropa vieja and tostones were also on point. They need a sit down restaurant! read more

El Cubano - Front of restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Karen T.

133

166

404

4 years ago

For a tiny, take-out only spot within the Island food court, I was shocked at how good this place is! I have tried their tri tip with congri and sweet plaintains, as well as their fricase de pollo with the rice and beans separate. Both are so good-- the tri tip is my favorite, though. Their portions and prices are great, and the flavor is amazing. I look forward to trying more things on their menu! read more

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Tara C.

14

135

220

4 years ago

This is not a sit down restaurant. You get it to go and you can eat it out in the patio food court area. Saw this when it was a food truck. Glad they got an established location now. Service was quick and a friendly lady was at the front taking my order. She was nice and very patient with me. Their food is bomb! The closest I came to eating authentic Cuban food was in Miami and it was amazing there as it is here. The plantains are cooked to perfection and the beans are seasoned so good, I don't really like beans but these are a perfect combo with the sweet and salty. I'm going back for the ham croquettes!! They didn't have them when I went but they do now! I wish I had pics but my fat ass was hungry and I only had a 30 min lunch! read more

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Josh G.

Elite 17

109

54

1

2 years ago

This place is so good! The authenticity, taste, and options made us feel like we were back in Miami. The plantains, Cubano sandwich, and palomilla were the best we've had on the west coast! The owners were super friendly and were accommodating with any special requests like extra lime on the palmillia which is the best way! Go check it out. read more

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Toby S.

0

1

0

2 years ago

We've been to a few sit down, fancy ambiance, Cuban restaurants and Cuban food trucks and this is far and above better than all of them. Breaded and Grilled Chicken, Empanadas, Croquettes, Beans and Rice, Maduros and Sweet Plaintains..all of them were excellent, not good, excellent. Do yourself a favor and grab some lunch, nice guitar player on the patio too. read more

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Kelley E.

445

46

15

4 years ago

Can't recommend this place enough! The food is so good and as authentic as it gets. The cubano is the real deal! read more

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Fi A.

0

4

6

4 years ago

We ordered the el cubano and tri-tip sandwich and it was soooooo delicious. The tri-tip wasn't dry and it was a bigger sandwich than expected! Great taste, great portions, great service. We don't live around here but will definitely make a stop each time we visit! read more

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Brandon H.

0

2

0

2 years ago

Phenomenal food and phenomenal service, excellent tri tip sandwiches. I took my customer here and it's a great place to kick back and talk business read more

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KC P.

0

127

225

4 years ago

Tucked away in a small food court and a must try. The empanadas were flaky, crispy and delicious. The cubano sandwich was a perfect mix of succulent pork, salty ham and toasty bread. Now let's talk about the sauce served along side the croquettes. Who in the world made this? I could drink this perfectly seasoned orange looking sauce with a tiny kick, soooo good. I am so happy I found this little slice of heaven! read more

El Cubano - Empanadas, delicious and huge! - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Cróquets con jamón, crispy, golden and delicious! - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Chandy C.

0

10

2

4 years ago

LOVED this restaurant! Being Cuban in Southern California, I don't find a lot of Caribbean food, let alone Cuban Food. The food was very flavorful (especially the tri tip) and the service was amazing. Will definitely be coming back and supporting my community! Felt like I took a mini trip to Cuba - Miami Congratulations on your wonderful restaurant. read more

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Janine Z.

0

18

8

2 years ago

Our lunch experience at El Cubano in Carlsbad, CA today, was the first of many delicious meals to look forward to! The menu is nicely varied in flavors and options, including vegan options. Our greeter Sarah was as sweet and informative as could be, and we enjoyed engaged in a conversation about how we heard about the place (we googled a Puerto Rican dish, and their restaurant populated). We ordered and thoroughly enjoyed: *an EMPANADA appetizer (fluffy pastry stuffed with ground beef picadillo); *MADUROS side dish (Sweet Plantains); *ROPA VIEJA plate (braised shredded beef in tomato sauce with onions, garlic, and bell peppers, which included their white rice & black beans cooked together "CONGRI", a side salad, + salted, fried green plantain "TOSTONES"); *SLOPPY CUBANO PICADILLO (ground beef in tomato sauce, onions, garlic, and bell peppers), served on a grilled, pressed brioche bun (combo included PLAINTAIN CHIPS + a beverage). We knew we ordered too much food for 2 people, but wanted to try several dishes, so we happy brought home leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Thank you for the excellent, fresh, flavorful, authentic taste of Cuba; Happy Mother's Day to all! read more

El Cubano - Picadillo Empanada +
the Madura (sweet plantain) appetizers - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Ropa Vieja Plate with Congri (mixed white rice with black beans), Tostones (fried, salted green plantains) and side salad - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Alexandria G.

8

30

13

4 years ago

Amazing catering I ordered for my husband's "Havana Nights" themed birthday in September. Owner was professional in communication and the food was absolutely delicious! A huge hit with everyone at the party. We ordered the ropa vieja, white rice, black beans, and plantains. Highly recommend this quality Cuban food. read more

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Tiyi D.

50

12

3

4 years ago

Best Cuban food since my Cuban best friend's moms cooking. Everything was flavorful, perfectly seasoned, authentic and fresh. Will definitely be back next time I'm in town. No wonder my son rants and raves about this place. read more

El Cubano - Ropa vieja, congrí and maduros - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Nicholas R.

62

71

27

2 years ago

Definitely recommend trying a plate! The pork is tender and flavorful. the owners are friendly and the center has great outdoor seating

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Susan B.

0

7

0

3 years ago

Delicious authentic Cuban food. The staff is very friendly and welcoming! I love their fricasse de pollo, with maduros, salad, and white rice and black beans. read more

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Jonathan G.

19

39

4

5 years ago

Best option in North San Diego county. Give them a try. I recommend the congri. Ropa vieja and picadillo are good read more

El Cubano - They have a takeout restaurant at the island in Carlsbad! Check it out 5806 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, CA 92008 - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Darnell J.

Elite 24

43

140

166

5 years ago

If only they could play some Cubano music. This place is perfection on a beautiful sunny sun diego. read more

El Cubano - Pork and tostones - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Rice and beans are beautiful - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Cuban cheesesteak - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - the entrance to a restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Fricase chicken - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Nicole K.

0

27

50

3 years ago

The beef empanada was delicious especially the sauce. Sweet plantains were amazing! Friendly staff. Outdoor sitting was great. read more

El Cubano - Empanada (beef) - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Store front - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Menu - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Bill R.

0

96

162

3 years ago

Great classic Cuban food, quick and friendly service! A great addition locally to Carlsbad.

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Marisa R.

4

65

20

3 years ago

So happy to have finally tried El Cubano. I ordered the Picadillo, and my husband ordered the Ropa Viejo. Both were delicious and nicely seasoned, it came with a side salad, rice and beans, and sweet plantains. Highly recommended! read more

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Marlene M.

Elite 21

17

112

291

7 years ago

Found this food truck by my work, pretty excited to have this food option. The owners are so sweet. I have been here twice now! The Cubano sandwich is my favorite and I recommend it. I'd like to see them offer cortadito coffee to go with their guava pastries and some empanadas would be great. read more

El Cubano - The ham is off the bone, bonus! The pork is not lunch meat. Woot - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Food truck - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Cubano sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Maduros (ripe plantains) - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Business owner information

Dayron M.

Thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed your meals from us. We…

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Antonio A.

0

1

0

2 years ago

Amazing cuban food. I'm from Cuba and got the ropa Viejas with yuca fries and one cafesito. Portions where good too. Good food, atmosphere, and service. read more

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Halle G.

0

3

0

2 years ago

Fantastic! The food was amazing and the staff was so friendly and welcoming! I will definitely be going back. I got the Cubano cheese steak and I'm already craving another! read more

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Is A.

350

6

2

4 years ago

The food was amazing and authentic! It's nice finally having some Cuban food near by. All the flavors were on point, definitely coming back more and can't wait to see what else they add to their menu. If you've never had Cuban food, I 10/10 recommend. read more

El Cubano - Lectin sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Ropa vieja plate - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Back

Page 2 of 4

5806 Van Allen Way
Ste 105
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Directions
(760) 814-8224
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://www.elcubanocarlsbad.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does El Cubano open?

El Cubano opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, Friday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.El Cubano opens at 11:00 AM on Saturday.

What time does El Cubano close?

El Cubano closes at 4:00 PM on Monday and Friday.El Cubano closes at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.El Cubano closes at 2:00 PM on Saturday.El Cubano is closed on Sunday.

Mon, Fri 10:00 AM - 4:00 PMTue-Thu 10:00 AM - 5:00 PMSat 11:00 AM - 2:00 PMSun Closed

Payment methods

Does El Cubano take credit cards?

Yes, El Cubano takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does El Cubano have catering options?

Yes, El Cubano does have catering options.

Does El Cubano have a happy hour?

No, El Cubano does not have a happy hour.

Does El Cubano serve alcohol?

No, El Cubano does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does El Cubano have TVs?

No, El Cubano does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does El Cubano have bike parking?

Yes, El Cubano has bike parking.

Does El Cubano have outdoor seating?

Yes, El Cubano has outdoor seating options.

Does El Cubano have parking?

Yes, El Cubano has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is El Cubano wheelchair accessible?

Yes, El Cubano is wheelchair accessible.

Does El Cubano have free WiFi?

No, El Cubano does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Restaurant delivering authentic Cuban food. Delicious Caribbean cuisine serving San Diego’s north county.

More Info

Health Score

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The food and service were amazing! Matt helped us and couldn't have been more kind and positive…read more we had the tacos and all were 5/5!!

We came here for a 34th anniversary dinner and it was an excellent choice! It was our first time…read morehere! The atmosphere, waitstaff (Matt) and food were all superb!

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Our first time at this restaurant. (We found it on Yelp.)All I can say is if you're looking for…read moreJamaican food or something out of the ordinary like Mexican, burgers, or Chinese...you have to try this place! I ordered the boneless jerk chicken plate with plantains and salad. The chicken was tender and flavorful! Plantains were good too. The rice and beans was also a good accompaniment. My fiancée ordered the ox tail plate with mango salad and collard greens. The meat was so tender and delicious! He said it was probably one of the best oxtails he's had. We loved the food, service and will definitely be returning!

I've been coming to One Love for years and the food has always been consistently good. The oxtail…read moreplate is my favorite, especially with the mango salad and sweet plantains. Everything is flavorful and satisfying, and I usually order it to go. The only downside is the price. It's always been on the expensive side, but seeing one oxtail plate go up to $31 (+tax) makes it hard to justify coming here as often as I used to. The quality is still there, but the higher price means it'll probably be more of once a year meal. One thing to be aware of is that there's a surcharge even when paying with a debit card. Legally you're not supposed to add a charge when using debit card but I paid it anyways. It was an unexpected charge that other customers may want to know about. Ambience was okay. Service was nice. Overall, the food is delicious and worth trying, but between the rising prices and the added card surcharge, I'll likely be visiting once in a blue moon.

Jerk chicken, BBQ beef, Mango Salsa, Steamed Cabbage, Potato Salad

Jerk Chicken

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Beef patty inside Coco Bread with Kola Champagne to wash it down! Jamaican Patties Coco Bread Jamaican Soda

Caribbean Taste

4.3(338 reviews)

32.1 mi•South Encanto

Sometimes a hole in the wall is exactly what you want, and Caribbean Taste is that. Every meal is…read moreprepared as though you're going to leave, but everyone is welcome to stay. My permanent date, who has been to Jamaica and pronounced her jerk chicken absolutely authentic. I, who hasn't been to Jamaica, was delighted with the oxtails. As I was working with a plastic fork, there was a bit of using my fingers to pick the meat off the bones, which was completely worth it. She had to caution me to pause, as the quantity of rice and beans is more than any single person should eat in one sitting. Survey. Helpful hint: get a small if you don't want leftovers, but the large will make for a nice lunch the next day. Also, this place gets five stars despite not having sodas on tap. The joint is too small for that amenity, but they do have some Jamaican sodas in a fridge which looked delightful.

Stop by because I was craving some traditional Jamaican breakfast…read more I have been here once or twice and this has been my favorite dish thus far. I ordered the Ackee and salt fish with dumplings. This hit the spot for sure

Restaurant and kitchen interior

Curry goat small $16ish

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Outside of restaurant

VAGA Restaurant & Bar

3.8(531 reviews)

3.9 mi

•$$$

I have been wanting to go to a Claudette Zepeda restaurant for a long time now and I am so glad we…read moredid. So here's my problem.... EVERYTHING was good. The table, the servers, the food, the valet guys... literally everything about our experience from the moment we stepped out of the car was perfect. It was super fancy with zero pretentiousness. This is not cause I'm fan-girling out... it really was a nice time. So since everything was so good.. what do I talk about? The duck hash was super good and had big chunks of duck mixed into the kimchi and sweet potatoes. The French toast was really surprising because the bread itself had a lemony flavor. Everyone at the table was happy with their choices so it's like, why should I call out specific items? Everything is good.

This is the second time I've gone to this restaurant and it's only really about the coastal views…read more Was invited to have lunch with friends for a 1:00 reservation on Sunday. Valet only and if dining at the restaurant $10. It wasn't busy at all inside but all the outdoor seating was occupied. We were able to sit by the windows which still had a nice view of the coast. No lunch menu just brunch. One of my friends who is a regular here let us know that aside from the hamburgers, the rest is "European Style" which equates to smaller portions. I experienced that the first time I had gone. We ordered Batiquitos Bowls and a Traditional Benedict. The food came out in a timely manner and was good. Both times I've gone, the experience was alright but lacking. Being a local, it's hard to justify dining at this place just for the views. For me, it wasn't worth paying higher prices for average food and paying for parking.

Lounge area

Tuna Tataki* ** @dangit.all

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Waiting area

Cococabana

3.9(433 reviews)

6.9 mi

We got here just in time for sunset and the amazing view. The bartender was super friendly and…read moreaccommodating. It wasn't a very busy evening, there were only a few other patrons at the time so we were able to get nice seats looking out towards the beach. My friend and I each ordered a cocktail that was cute but weren't amazing flavor wise. I had decided some fish tacos sounded great for dinner and found out that they were actually on special for taco Tuesday, score! $6 each, don't mind if I do. The tacos were delicious and refreshing, 2 was the perfect amount for me. My friend opted for the poke bowl which she said she enjoyed but it did have quite a bit of spice so be aware. This was such a cute spot I loved the ambience and I will be back, maybe try a different drink next time.

This place kind of feels like a group of girls were sitting at a bar one night and decided how cool…read moreit would be to open their own place. And honestly, that would be cool if the flow was there, but you can kind of tell that all the ideas aren't fully there yet. For starters, the drinks are expensive, which I get because you're in Oceanside by the beach and I'm sure rent isn't cheap. But man, I paid $18 for a coffee-style cocktail and it was pretty bad. They put this whipped cream on top that just didn't work with the drink and was actually pretty nasty. They definitely put alcohol in it, which was good I guess, but overall it was probably one of the worst cocktails I've had in a while. My wife and I also walked up to the bar and waited to be attended. One of the waitresses was busy cleaning and organizing things, going back and forth from inside to outside, while another waitress was socializing with a group of guys for probably 6-7 minutes before noticing us standing at the front of the bar. I really don't mind waiting, but when you combine that with the quality of the drinks and the lack of attention, it just makes it seem like no one really cares that much. That's kind of why I made the comment in the beginning. The place has a cool idea behind it, but you can tell it's missing some of the professionalism and attention to detail that comes with running a good bar. The one thing that really saves this place is the view. It's a really nice view, and during sunset I can definitely see why people come here. Other than that though, I personally wouldn't spend my money here again.

Tiki Bar downstairs

Plantains and ceviche

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Mango Guava Spritz and Miami Pound Machine

Jampinoy

4.5(182 reviews)

3.5 mi

Had a wonderful dinner here last week. The customer service…read morewas wonderful--thankful that the young man working offered me a couple of samples because it really helped me decide to have Filipino food instead of Jamaican food that night only because I have Jamaican food options close to home. Every dish and side looked and tasted amazing. My favorites were laing and pansit. The servings were ample and I pretty much ate it all in one setting and had to go walk it off! I definitely need to go here everyyime I'm in the area.

The ambiance was great, staff was friendly and welcoming. We liked that they offered samples…read more They had 2 fusion dishes that we tried, Jerk Chicken Adobo and although their Pancit Bihon wasn't billed as such, it was different than the usual style and it was GREAT! Their Ginilang was tasty, and their portions were generous, enough for my boyfriend and I to share and still have leftovers. Will definitely be back!

Bathroom has some cool decorations

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Halo-halo topped with avocado ice cream & leche flan

Caribbean Pleasure

4.3(60 reviews)

27.1 mi•Loma Portal

Both the owner and cook were great! They were very nice and funny. The food itself was 10/10…read more Reminds me of back home in Florida and when my mom would cook Haitian food for me. Definitely was a great experience and would like to come back again when in San Diego.

This made me so sad. I was craving ox tail, but they only serve it on Sundays. What's another great…read moreoption? GOAT!! So I ordered the goat. The rice was fresh and delicious; the pickled cabbage- bomb; the goat, not so much. It's unfortunate. The goat was overcooked and literally 4 pieces. It was dry and not flavorful at all. The service was great, but I don't think I will be coming back here.

Partial view of some seating

Haitian Rice and Beans (Diri ak Pwa)

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Havana Grill

4.5(2.1k reviews)

21.8 mi•Clairemont

amazing cuban, legit. satisfied…read more idk what other review said about it being dry juicy and authentic

This review is from the last time I had oxtails here before they took them off the menu and…read moresubsequently closed. I visit Havana Grill whenever I want some tasty oxtail. I noticed oxtail was one of the specials. Last time I visited the oxtail was on the regular menu and you could order it anytime. Oxtail was extremely tender and juicy. The mix of beef flavor and the spices in the sauce were delicious. This is my favorite oxtail dish in town. French fries were crisp and had a delicious fried flavor. The oil was fresh and there was no aftertaste. Excellent fries. Pineapple upside down cake was dense and did not have a fresh baked aura. The outside part was starting to harden like it was getting stale so I guess it was baked at least a day ago. Cake had a mostly mild flavor. I didn't taste the pineapple though the top was lined with it. I did taste a ton of ginger flavor. It appears pieces of ginger were mixed in with the pineapple. I love ginger as part of soy/ginger seasoning for fish but not in a cake. This is one of the worst pineapple upside down cakes I have had. My favorite is at Roy's where you have to give them 30 minute notice and they bake it to order. Roy's version was piping hot out of the oven, was moist and fluffy, with amazing pineapple flavor. Staff provided fast and friendly service.

Locally sourced ingredients

Havana Grill

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Menu

Havana Grill

Some of my favorite sweet tooth pasteries and empandas. The staff is always so nice and helpful…read morewith choices to eat or drink. Defintely get a cuban firing squad drink. The ambiance definetly giving me outskde patio area in cuba while playing dominoes

We recently hosted a large reception (around 60 people) in honor of my Cuban-born mother. The food,…read moreambiance, and service were absolutely fabulous. Whether you're grabbing a coffee and guava pastry after a day of shopping or planning your next large event, I highly recommend Havana Grill. It's sure to taste good and be a crowd pleaser. To start, the food was amazing. The owner, Sandra, helped me plan a menu that would be satisfying and popular with all of the guests, but also within my budget. We settled on chafing dishes with arroz con pollo, frijoles negros, rice, lechón, ropa vieja, croquetas, plátanos maduros, and Cesar salad, and guests were able to add beverages, deserts, and any special dietary requests. Everything was a HIT. A week later, I'm still hearing how wonderful the food was-- even from guests with food restrictions and a relative who runs her own Cuban food business in another state! The atmosphere was perfect and the service was impeccable. Sandra, her Operations Manager (Markley), and the staff were fantastic to work with on the planning and preparation, as well as on the day of the event. The restaurant music and decor is already warm and inviting with an indoor tree, high ceilings, and a large dining area, so not much was needed to make it festive. Still, I wanted to place some photographs and memorabilia around the various tables to personalize it. The staff made it super easy to drop things off the night before, taking steps to communicate with each other and make sure nothing got lost. The next day, I arrived to see that they had set it up beautifully-- even adding flowers at each table. On the day of the event, service team (including Bree, Ramon) were attentive and friendly. We were treated like family, and it was wonderful. Havana Grill really knocked it out of the park for me and my family. I was so sad to hear that the Clairemont location had closed and had never been to this location before, but I will definitely be back. Highly recommend!

Bar scene

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SEAFOOD PAELLA , this one is good

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8 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Gwen S.

0

1

4

2 years ago

This was my first experience at El CUBANO and it was amazing with delicious food and ambiance. The copious amounts served lasted two days so the prices were reasonable. This has become my new 'go-to' place for Caribbean cuisine. I highly recommend this establishment! read more

Jim R.

260

10

505

7 years ago

he really from Miami man I mean he's the best food truck around visit the spy you want to go to if you looking for some good Cuban food I would go here man I spend like $50 every time I hit it here safe and Coronas it's your boy shamrock you know what's read more

Burgos P.

0

1

0

2 years ago

food was amazing reminded me of being back home in nyc!! I highly recommend! The service is fantastic Aswell.

Albert M.

0

2

0

2 years ago

Being Cuban I know a really good Cuban sandwich. And the one offered here are amazing! Very nice people!

Natasha V.

0

12

0

2 years ago

This is legit and yummy!!!!! So good if you haven't been here you MUST GO!!! thanks El Cubano!

Lara B.

0

1

0

2 years ago

We came several times and we are always happy!!!! Love the food and the owners are very nice!!!

Ronaldo K.

0

21

0

2 years ago

Holy hell this spot is delicious it's a must go now!!! Loved it, gotta try it if u haven't

Tyler S.

0

1

0

2 years ago

Great food, great service, and great ambiance. Nice spot to sip mate and eat a cubano!

El Cubano - cuban - Updated September 2026

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This place has the beautiful vibe of small business and it almost feels like you're at a family…read morehome having a good meal. The people are nice and welcoming and even though it's order at the counter, we were checked on to make sure we didn't need anything. The food is solidly good-- flavorful meats, beans, rice--whatever your mood is, I'm pretty sure you'll like it. Another detail I liked is that the food is served on reusable plates instead of styrofoam or plastic containers. Everything just tastes that much better on real plates. :-) It's not far from the freeway, so if you get hungry passing through, please come & check them out.

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I chose to try this restaurant after reading the positive reviews. I love Peruvian food, having…read morevisited Peru, and have always enjoyed the country's culture and cuisine. We started with the papa a la huancaína, followed by the pollo saltado, tallarines verdes con pollo, and a chicha morada. The papa a la huancaína was decent, but it lacked the rich, flavorful sauce I was expecting. Unfortunately, the chicken in the tallarines verdes con pollo was undercooked. I let our server know, and when the dish was returned, the chicken had been cooked to the point that parts of it were charred black. I also wasn't impressed with the quality of the chicken, as I bit into hard pieces that caused me to spit out my food. The noodles themselves also lacked flavor, so I ended up leaving most of the dish untouched. The pollo saltado was the better of the two entrées, and we finished that plate. The chicha morada was refreshing and enjoyable. As for the sauces, the ají verde was mild and lacked flavor, while the ají panca was much better full of flavor with a nice kick of spice. The service was also just okay. There was one server handling the dining room, and while he wasn't unfriendly, the service felt very minimal. Overall, I really wanted to love the food based on the reviews, but I found it to be average. The portions, however, were generous. I left disappointed and don't plan to return. It's possible I simply ordered the wrong dishes, but since these are classic Peruvian staples, I expected them to be much more flavorful and better executed.

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