El Cubano

4.8 (138 reviews)

ModerateCuban, Caribbean, Food Trucks

Closed • 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Updated 2 weeks ago

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El Cubano - Tri Tri-Tip Sandwich Combo, delicious! First time. - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - a menu on the wall - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

El Cubano - Sloppy Cubano Picadillo with plantain chips + their delicious side sauce - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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El Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Health Information

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El Cubano Popular Dishes

$20.50

Cuban Sandwich

5 Photos18 Reviews

$22.50

Ropa Vieja Plate

7 Photos4 Reviews

$9.50

Empanada

2 Photos8 Reviews

El Cubano menu photos

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EL CUBANO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

Inside

5 Photos

Outside

19 Photos

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Really good food. Really good service really good ambience. I'd say it was reasonably priced.

Rafa E.

El Cubano is a no nonsense Cuban sandwich shop that will meet your expectations for a delicious Cuban sandwich. I ordered the basic Cubano and I was blown away by the quality, and amazing flavors. The small staff is incredibly friendly and you can tell they really care about your experience. They are located in the Island Food Court with plenty of shady outdoor seating options.

Yadi E.

Called in a pick up order during lunch time. There was no wait when I arrived and the staff was very friendly. I ordered the Sloppy Cubano with a side of the croquetas. The meat was delicious and the bread was super fluffy, my only complaint is that it was a bit too buttery for my liking. The croquetas were flavorful, the sauces it came with really stole the show!

Ropa Vieja Plate is perfection! Added avocado and extra fried Maduros Sweet Plantains.

Tia M.

**editing to add my husband and I shared all of this and had leftovers, decent portions*** Plenty parking, courtyard with plenty of seating outdoors. No indoor seating. It's SoCal, enjoy the weather. This restaurant has great workers! From my understanding the owners are the workers. They respect the Cuban cuisine. Friendly and welcoming and they live up to their 5 star Yelp ratings. Oh and complimentary water available at counter or cans/bottles of various drinks for purchase. Ropa Vieja Plate is perfection! Added avocado and extra fried Maduros Sweet Plantains. Totally getting this again next time. See photos for more info. Do yourself a solid and visit this place. You'll wanna try everything on the menu.

Mike M.

Good yelp find. Damn fine Cuban sandwich. Just a counter to order from and outside seating. Made fresh and hot. Delicious.

Bob W.

Second time here this time I got the Cuban sandwich. In a word...delicious. Hand sliced pork roast and ham really make this sandwich. Needs more mustard though but no big deal. Thank you!

Trevor T.

I ordered the chicken breast and shrimp bowl which says it typically comes served over a bed of seasoned rice with red & green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and topped with a light dressing. I asked for no butter or cheese because I'm deathly allergic. Maybe they sauté the veggies in butter? Maybe the seasoned rice along with the dressing contains milk? If it did they didn't tell me. My order contained chicken, shrimp, black beans, and white rice. It felt healthy and filling which I appreciated, but also wasn't what I was expecting. Big thing is I didn't get sick while eating which is a huge win.

Love the authenticity of the food here, great customer service and it is conveniently located next to my favorite barbershop, Steez Fine Barbering

We drove over from Escondido when I found out there was authentic Cuban food just a short drive away. I grew up in Miami, and my grandparents lived in Little Havana so I loved Cuban dishes. Living in San Diego, it is very difficult to find excellent places for Cuban dishes. The owners/staff are so friendly and nice. The food is even better! Every bite of my Ropa Vieja had me closing my eyes to savor the flavors. And the maduros....OMG Yum! My husband said his was the perfect Cuban sandwich-no skimping on the meat or overstuffing. He doesn't usually like a lot of dough or breading, and he thought the empanada was perfect! I agree-done just right, not overcooked in one single spot. We would recommend this a hundred times over and we will be back to try other dishes. But that's going to be hard because I really love my Ropa Vieja...

Peter I.

Hard to find a new sandwich spot that isn't Subway or a chain. This hit the spot. Big parking lot and easy service with a really different and big meaty sandwich with a sauce that makes it.

Natalie V.

We arrived 15 minutes before they started closing and they were kind enough to take our order, and they didn't rush us. We just wanted something light and we ordered the Empanada and Maduros Sweet Plantains. The Maduros Sweet Plantains come in two pieces, tender and ripe. The Empanada was not dry, savory, crispy, and hit the spot. I enjoyed both items we ordered and I like that they are served fresh and came out fast. They are a takeaway/food court, they have service water available and the place looks clean and new. and it is our first time here. I would definitely love to come back and try their entrees.

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Gena L.

295

628

3 years ago

Thank you to the girl at the counter that gave me the recommendation of the Ropa Vieja plate. This is the braised shredded beef that comes with rice, beans, salad and plantain chip. It was all delicious and would definitely order again. The cubano sandwich was decent but not really noteworthy in my opinion. All the basics were there but it seemed a bit plain. The swiss cheese was creamy and not that flavorful. The pork could use a little more seasoning. The bread was great but could have used an oil or butter spread on the outside before grilling so it wasn't quite as dry. Overall this restaurant is a great addition to the Island and to the area in general. I definitely recommend giving this place a try when looking for something unique and different. read more

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David R.

3 years ago

Had lunch here the other day. Food was delicious and the people were very friendly. I plan on coming back.

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Mark C.

2 years ago

Best Cuban food on the West Coas. I used to live in South Florida where there were amazing Cuban restaurants all over. The food here is authentic Cuban! the flavors are perfect and the portions are generous. They even give you a gourmet salad when you order a plate. I'm addicted. read more

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erickson j.

2 years ago

Food here is always great. Been here three times so far and it's always a hit. Will be back again for sure. With the service and wait time being short that's an additional plus in my book. read more

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Antonio M.

140

2 years ago

I'm Puerto Rican/Cuban from New York City and I always miss food like from home. This tastes like my grandmother made it and I saw the owner cooking. It's legit. They were very nice and the food came out quickly. I can't wait to come back. Great island vibe ! read more

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Scott R.

4 years ago

Discovered this great spot in the Island for Cuban food. Got the cubano sandwich combo with plantain chips. Everything was really good. I'll be back. read more

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

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Sabrina H.

2 years ago

I've been looking for Caribbean food for a long time and I just found this Cuban place. OMG.!!!! Yessss I love the empanada,ropa vieja , black beans, the white rice! i'm so happy I found this place. My daughter loved the food. The service is really nice. The place looks really clean. read more

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Tannia A.

3 years ago

Smells great! Tastes ok. A bit salty for me. Service was good. I would go back to try a different plate though (i forget what I ordered) read more

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Jane M.

4 years ago

Really tasty and fresh food . We got the cubano, papa rellenas and the breaded chicken and it's was all 10/10! Definitely will be coming back. Also staff was really friendly read more

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Maria A.

4 years ago

I am visiting from the east coast and stopped in to have a quick bite before work. The service was remarkable and the food amazing! I definitely recommend stopping in if your in the area! read more

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

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

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Ho L.

399

4 years ago

Oh my... really really really good. Cuban sandwich was too 3 ever. Bread was perfect. Just the right amount of everything. Not one flavor overpowered another. The aioli that came with it was delicious. Plantain chips were a nice compliment and pineapple soda was a keeper...so get the combo. My son also wanted the smoked pork plate. He said it was delicious. I got to try the beans...oh my oh my. The person who took our order was super friendly and kept asking if we had any questions. When in the area again, I will be back. read more

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Ryan M.

3 years ago

They have a great Cuban sandwich the plates are also very good the only thing I could say I had any sort of issue with is the way they cut the Cuban sandwich makes the meat kinda fall out when you bite in, but regardless one of the best Cuban sandwiches Iv had in a long time! Would recommend to anyone read more

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Alex S.

3 years ago

Food is amazing Best chicken in north county Tri tip 10/10 Sandwiches 11/10 These guys know how to do it. Don't hesitate to try read more

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Denise R.

4 years ago

I came across this restaurant on my lunch and let me tell you I wanted to order everything on the menu. I had the chicken sandwich and an empanada!! It was fire! I'm definitely coming back for more! read more

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Tom N.

2 years ago

Wife and I both had their special for that day, oxtail plate. It was to die for - so good! Food was hot. Recommend their sweet plantains if given an option. Very authentic. While we were dining outside, they seemed to stay very busy - we hope they stay at that location a long time! read more

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Ryan C.

2 years ago

Best Cubano I've ever had. Will be coming back for more. Super nice people working here as well.

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Orlando M.

261

3 years ago

That's a good Cuban sandwich. Stop reading and just go, thank me later. Clean space, friendly staff. read more

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

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Mike M.

4 years ago

Stopped in a couple of days ago to get a Cubano sandwich. I'm not very familiar with Cuban food so cannot speak to the authenticity but it was very good. I had the Cubano, my wife had the chicken breast fillet, and my daughter had the tri tip. All gave it 5 stars, very good, very reasonable for the portions. We'll be back for sure. Lot's more on the menu I'd like to try. read more

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Andrew W.

115

5 years ago

Hidden gem of a spot. Moved from Florida and hadn't found a good Cuban place yet. They nailed it. I wish them the best and hope they do very well. Their Cubano was spot on. Thank you guys. read more

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Maria C.

4 years ago

Excellent service and the food is super good, we are regular customers now, so glad they have this restaurant in Carlsbad

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Trisha C.

4 years ago

Really good Food here, I have tried a few different items on the menu snd they have all been tasty. The fried Bananas are super good !!

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Vicki K.

4 years ago

First time here and the food was delicious! I had the Sloppy Cubano combo and my husband the El Cubano; both were great and came with plaintain chips, drink, and killer chipotle dipping sauce. Nice outdoor food plaza with fountain and lots of shady tables. They even had live music today - so pleasant! A casual plave to enjoy great cuban-style food. We'll be back for sure! read more

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Vanessa N.

Elite 24

7 years ago

Great Service! Owners are very friendly! We tried the Sloppy Cuban and the Picadi. My husband is Cuban and we have Cuban food often and this is definitely AUTHENTIC Cuban food! Both dishes were delicious! read more

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

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

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Maricel L.

4 years ago

Cocinan muy rico, platos cubanos de pura cálida , la yuca con mojo, los tostones, el congri, los frijoles negros, las papas rellenas, las croquetas, el lechón asado, el pollo frito o asado, todo es delicioso, y la atención es súper especial, son muy amables y talentosos en su negocio. Dios los bendiga siempre read more

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Carlton C.

6 years ago

This is some true amazing food!! Great ownership and cooks. I could stalk these guys for days and have lol. The pork is EVERYTHING but than you got the plantain chips and the beef. There's some LOVE put in this food read more

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Blake S.

4 years ago

Excellent tasting Cuban food....definitely recommend for lunchtime. Sweet plantanes and tostones are superb....authentic Cuban food in this area for change. It's a small eatery run by actual Cubans. read more

El Cubano - El Cubano (760) 814-8224 https://maps.app.goo.gl/fk5FEgB9AU4FqZgA8 - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Alex M.

7 years ago

Been wanting to go to this food truck since it's been around my job and my curiosity had been sparked, and lucky for me it was at our job site today. I ordered the Cuban sandwich, waited about 10 mins since they do make it right on the spot. It came with banana chips as well. Once I got my order I had to take a look at it, looks delicious. Once I took a bit of the sandwich it tasted even better that what I imagined. Bread was nice and crispy and full of flavors. They definitely got me as a return client. read more

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

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

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Karyne G.

3 years ago

Delicious! I can't wait to come back. We had the tri tip and the lechon. Really well done!

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Vanessa G.

3 years ago

It's been over a month since I've tried El Cubano and I can honestly say I have yet to find a place that compares up here in the bay area. Ropa Viejo plate (meat, rice, beans, salad) was bomb asf...beef was SUPER tender and flavorful. Idk if the sauce was just for the salad, but it definitely leveled up the entire dish! Finishing off the flavorful adventure with maduros is DEFINITELY the way to go! Oh yeah, can't forget to mention their HUGE pappas balls YUM read more

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Chaianna R.

Elite 18

346

110

172

3 years ago

I really enjoyed my chicken rice bowl with maduros. Everything was fresh to order and flavorful. Would recommend and visit again.

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Ingrid H.

239

7 years ago

Their food is always so good. It is worth every penny and so filling. I'll ruin my diet any day for them. Look them up and don't miss out. read more

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Miss C.

3 years ago

Really good quality ingredients cooked and served by sincere people. You can't go wrong here

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Nina A.

4 years ago

I am so happy I found this place. It tastes like home. You have to try the papas rellenas. They are to die for

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J D.

393

4 years ago

very good cuban sandwich (cubano) and highly recommend getting a side of sweet plantains! located in "The Island" food court in Carlsbad. Great place for lunch and a nice place to sit on a beautiful day. it comes with traditional mustard on it and some extra sauce on the side. Nice owners making tasty authentic food! read more

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Ava F.

3 years ago

As a longtime enjoyer of Cuban food, I had yet to find a restaurant in the San diego area that had both good service and traditional, homestyle Cuban food- but this place has it all! The food is delicious, and there are so many options to choose from- there's something here for everyone's taste pallet. If you're in carlsbad, definitely check it out! New favorite restaurant read more

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Stephen K.

211

4 years ago

In a word, fabulous. Great Cubano sandwich, and also their Ropa Viera and Papa Rellena are off the chain! We will definitely be back and soon! read more

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Henry E.

4 years ago

10/10 food! Went earlier this week & got two Cuban sandwiches because I knew they were gonna be good... & they were even better than I thought. Already been here twice this week. Great service too! Definitely a must try! Come support this place! read more

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Rosa F.

4 years ago

We hadn't found a good Cuban spot in this area for a loooong time. Even though this place is in a food court and a grab-and-go kind of place it was soooo good! They have a small but delicious menu. We even took some empanadas to go for later. read more

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Lucy L.

114

7 years ago

I've been hearing some of my coworkers brag about this food. First off Great customer service, super friendly people. I was lucky enough to pick some up on my break, I regret not getting me a full plate for myself since the the plate I ordered was for my boyfriend he devoured that plate so quick once I gave it to him. He said it was good!! I myself tried the papa rellena must say it was delicous that sauce they give you for it definitely tops it off! See you guys soon again read more

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

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Gail F.

4 years ago

Great service. Quick sandwich, I tried the Cubano with plantain chips. Ham, pork and cheese melted together with pickle yum. Plantain chips dipped in the special sauce were yummy. Reasonable priced!! read more

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Page 3 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

Ask the Community - El Cubano

Are there any gluten free options?

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

Can you bring back the Croquetas de Jamón please?

Hello, thanks for inquiring. We have them available on our menu now!

View question details

Can you post a current menu?

Hello, yes we added an updated menu in the photos section. Thank you!

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Store location hours?

M-F 9am-5pm Sat 10am-2pm 760-814-8224

View question details

Been craving their Picadillo!! Anyone know where they can be found when?? ( i know i can always call)

They now have a restaurant stand at 5806 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, CA 92008

View question details

Where do they park?

They were usually parked at Rutherford and Farnsworth and still were the first month of quarantine. Although now that most offices in the area are closed, they could have moved to a higher traffic location.

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Very tasty grilled cheese sandwiches. Nice buttery crispy bread, and lovely melted gooey cheese…read more I got the Birria beef grilled cheese, which had some nice flavorful, tender, succulent, Mexican spiced marinated beef inside so good! I just with the portion size was larger, I could probably eat 3-4 these magnificent morsels. Or I maybe I should be dieting....

Our community has a food truck Friday event, the last Friday of the month for summer, and we needed…read moresomeone to come. I yelped food truck and called a couple before coming to Dripping Kitchen. Garrett the owner picked up and was so friendly and willing to come out to our event. His minimum wasn't bad either. Although the event wasn't as big as the previous food truck events, I spoke with some of our neighbors and they loved the food. We tried some too. I got their drippin Mac, dripping birria sandwich and a jalapeño chipotle chicken sandwich. The jalapeño chipotle chicken sandwich was so good! Highly recommend!! The Mac and cheese had good flavors. Good for the little one. Birria was good, a bit greasy but good flavors. The food is definitely cheat day food!!! Lol. We also drank a strawberry lemonade which was refreshing. Garrett told us he also had an ice cream food truck. Hopefully at one of our next events we'll use both services. We'll definitely save his contact to our favorite vendors list. Thanks for coming out to our community!

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One Love Island Cuisine

4.4(711 reviews)

4.9 mi

•$$

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.

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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

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8 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Gwen S.

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

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.

2 years ago

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

Albert M.

2 years ago

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

Natasha V.

2 years ago

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

Lara B.

2 years ago

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

Ronaldo K.

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.

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

People who viewed El Cubano also viewed

Al Toque Peruvian Kitchen

4.7

(380 reviews)

•$$

If I can give it ten stars, I would! This might be the best Ceviche in a la, Dead@$$!! Pollo…read morealaBrasa was Great ,taste it like the chicken in peru . Bater the server was such a smooth server very respectful and had a great energy! The other guy, so wish I knew their names, but they were also very attentive kept on checking on us, my family was very taking care off by them, seriously i'm really impressed! Can we when I go back to the lCan wait when I go back to the l a area la area.

This place is sooo good! They always do an amazing job, super fast service and the most delicious…read morePeruvian food in SoCal!! They treat you like family and its so consistent! Thank you guys, will always be back!

Casera Latin Kitchen and Bakery

4.7

(244 reviews)

•$$

I've been wanting to try this place since they opened, but my family isn't willing to try new…read morethings so I came by myself and ordered the Lomo Saltado ($17) for lunch. It was made to order (not sitting around on a burner all day or made the night before). I REALLY appreciate that because I know it's extra effort. It was very good. Needed a little salt and I forgot to ask for some sauces to go with it (assuming they have sauces for this). It was quite warm inside, but not surprising considering it was around 100°F outside (WTF) but I noticed they have lots of seating and lots of food options on the menu and in the display cases. Will definitely come back!

What a wonderful surprise to have found a Peruvian/Colombian restaurant in the heart of Oceanside…read moreCalifornia ! My daughter and I were on our way to find some food and by our luck we saw the billboard Casera! We looked at the menu and were taking it back it was a Colombian/Peruvian restaurant it had messed up both worlds ! Lomo Saltado , Bandeja Paisa, Arepas, Alfajores, Buñuelos, Pilsen Callao, Postobon, Inka Kola! Every Peruvian in Colombian dream when it comes to food! We had a Lomo Saltado, a Peruvian staple! They knocked it out of the park! A lot of places miss the Mark but this place got it just right the flavors were great the meat was just tender with a side of rice and the fries it was just perfect! Had an Arepa con Queso because yes! Pilsen Callao to wash it down with! Also had a chat with the owner who had a similar backstory like mine half Colombian half Peruvian from New York and now resides in San Diego! So if you're in Oceanside and you want a great place to have lunch or dinner, look no further than Casera!

Jampinoy

4.5

(182 reviews)

•$$

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!

Sinaloa Mexican & Seafood

4.6

(506 reviews)

•$$

What a treat! We were greeted so warmly the moment we…read morestepped up to order. Then the food - delicious battered fish and shrimp tacos with the tastiest salsas. Finished with the silkiest flan. Highly recommend Sinaloa!

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.

Latin Chef Peruvian Cuisine

4.5

(83 reviews)

•$$

Amazing Peruvian food! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The service was…read morefriendly and welcoming, and the portions were great. Definitely a place I would recommend if you're looking for authentic and delicious Peruvian food. We'll definitely be coming back!

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.

Torta Time

4.6

(61 reviews)

•$$

This place is really really good! I had the healthy light…read moretorta with a fresh grilled poblano chili, and lots of other goodies! The grilled tortilla bread is so yummy! We also had a Fuego torta that had Carne Asada on it and crumbled spicy Cheetos dust! We really really enjoyed our meal and I was very happy to see how nice and clean everything was and it did not smell like cleaning fluid. The whole place smells like you want your restaurant to smell like! Just really good food! We will definitely be coming back and are very happy to have found this place.

The tortas are definitely the highlight of the choices and the more meat that they put in the…read morebetter it is overall I would say it's a pretty good spot if you're hungry and want something for lunch. The combo option is pretty good. I would say that the Horchta was just OK and overall there is better options elsewhere so you can get your combo and get your other choices like a soda or a bottle of water. There are so many add-ons or variations, but overall large portions and appreciated the taste.

One Love Island Cuisine

4.4

(711 reviews)

•$$

Cancun Mexican & Seafood

4.3

(557 reviews)

•$

Big time hidden gem. Fried sea bass is the only way I want seabaas from now on. Solid beans and…read morerice. I might prefer flour tortillas. Also fairly big shrimp. That pineapple yellow sauce is really good. Nice and spicy green sauce top

You can tell the owner really cares about this place! Every dish is made with love. We always get…read morethe #17 fried shrimp and a crispy beef taco.

HidalGo Bistro

4.9

(40 reviews)

Tried the Torta Del Vecindario! Incredibly filling (I split it with one other person). Lovely…read moreenvironment and excellent service. Amazing family that runs it! Cherry on Top: They make their own ketchup for the side of fries they give!!! This place is amazing and soo underrated, whenever your in the area and want a nice innovative Mexican meal, stop by!!

We moved to Vista about a year ago and have not found that one place that my husband and I really…read morereally enjoy until now. (Mostly me, I'm picky - he's been bugging me to go to Hidalgos for a while now) This place is fire. And there are lots of different choices. They have 3 menus so you can order breakfast lunch or dinner. I got their shrimp burrito and it was amazing. My husband got their ribeye steak and it was also amazing. Everything is super fresh, the place is clean and the food is great. I've tried a lot of places in Vista and most I won't go back to. But this one is the kind you want to go to over and over to try something different each time. It's not just Mexican food, it's steaks and pasta as well. Top notch. And I don't give that kind of review lightly.

Masa Madre

4.3

(27 reviews)

Masa Madre exceeded our expectations and after one meal, has quickly become our new go-to Mexican…read morefood restaurant! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it a lovely date-night dinner spot. Great service and DELICIOUS food- we will be back in no time! Side note- I have only written one other review ever before reviewing Masa Madre. It was so yummy that we felt like we just had to review! I should have taken photos of my meal because it was beautiful, but dug into them right away. I highly recommend the chicken enchilada plate with red sauce... I will be having dreams about it later. Thank you for an amazing dinner, Masa Madre!

Really wanted to love this place being so close. Previous restaurant here had great food portions…read moreand prices. New place still has mom and pop feel but, the food is overpriced and portions much smaller than expected for that price. Flavors ok...but hard to like when you're comparing it to the previous restaurant not even close...very different food and approach, but still Mexican food. Bummer!

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8 El Cubano reviews that are not currently recommended

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8 reviews that are not currently recommended

El Cubano - cuban - Updated September 2026

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People who viewed El Cubano also viewed

Al Toque Peruvian Kitchen

Casera Latin Kitchen and Bakery

Jampinoy

Sinaloa Mexican & Seafood

Latin Chef Peruvian Cuisine

Torta Time

One Love Island Cuisine

Cancun Mexican & Seafood

HidalGo Bistro

Masa Madre