We love this place. The food and the atmosphere is friendly as always. Considering the state of our country and the world I question how anyone could possibly trust white Americans again. I find it hard to trust my bigoted countrymen. But we went to see Elio today and it reaffirmed my belief that one of my heroes from childhood was correct. "Despite everything, I still believe that people are good at heart." That is a paraphrase from Anne Frank's' diary-but it still stands. This is a poem I wrote today. I asked Google to translate it into Spanish. I hope that it conveys the true spirit of what America really stands for. El globo que solía poseer - Un poema para James Conocí a un hombre en su último aliento Su carrera casi acabada En su habitación había un globo De esos que solían vender El eje, de bronce y dorado Representando al mundo Con fronteras desactualizadas Y pueblos fronterizos ya olvidados Pero las mismas guerras siguen luchando Le pregunté si había amado bien Sonrió, más amplio que el cielo "Oh sí, muchacho, mucho he amado No puedo esperar al siguiente; La vida que cargo aún me lleva" Miré ese globo Una vez más... el mismo globo que lo conoció bien y nos deja, aún gira Pero las guerras aún arden Cuando termine, ya no Tendrá necesidad de globos O guerras O pueblos con nombres olvidados Supongo que las guerras son para los vivos - Deseo que su globo pudiera Dejar de girar Suficiente tiempo para ver Un globo sin guerra Sin miedo, ni una sola lágrima Y fronteras con papeles que solo digan "Bienvenido de nuevo Te hemos echado de menos." read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Mi amor and I enjoying real Cuban cuisine. I love this place. - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

This place is seriously delicious! Order at the front and seat yourself. The food is served very quickly.

I was surprised to find good Cuban food at a good price. We ordered it in and we also went to the restaurant. So we ate here twice in one week. The Masitas de Puerco were good and the grilled chicken it was also very good. The food was authentic. I would highly recommend. read more

Delicious food Authentic Quick service Family owned Ropa vieja was delish Feels like your families kitchen read more

Great extensive menu. Prices can't be beat. Casual diner atmosphere in strip center. They know good authentic Cuban food. Many years a fave of locals. read more

Food is just fantastic. Good price and consistent. Friendly owner and servers. Always good.

I ordered takeout from here and it was exactly what I was hoping for. I love the care they took with packing the food. I'd never had a chance to try authentic Cuban food and was told that when I was in the area I needed to make it a priority. I got the Cuban sandwich and fried green plantains. I was surprised how much I liked both. The price was also pretty good . Definitely recommend this one and hopefully will get to eat here again soon. read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Half the Cuban sandwich was more than enough for me! - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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Espectacular sushi cubano , diferentes para fiestas y eventos especiales. Lugar limpio y muy atentos read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Sushi cubano, especial para fiestas and diferent - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

Decent Cuban sandwich, outstanding stuffed potatoes and palomilo steak sandwich! Worth a visit.

I love Elena's. I've been a patron for many years and have never had anything I didn't like. The bathroom is clean, the staff is sweet, and the food is wonderful. I take my students there every semester, and they the restaurant, too. read more

The Best Authentic (Cuban Food ) In Lakeland Florida I Give Them #10 I have tried every single Wannabe Cuban/Spanish Restaurant In Lakeland including 1961 which I rated the worst In Lakeland. The Best In Lakeland And Plantcity read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Ropa Vieja White Rice Black Beans PLATANOS MADUROS SWEET FRIED PLANTAINS) - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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Overpriced Spanish food. 20 dollars for rice 3 fried plantain and maybe 6 oz of shredded beef I rather take my 20 elsewhere next time. Que cosa más grande ! read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Rice with Shredded Beef and 3 plaintains - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

Good food and fast service. Get there early. They fill up fast. They have a drive thru. Call and pick up to avoid lines.

Great Cuban Food. You order at the back counter towards the left of the restaurant. It took me a few minutes to realize that a waiter or waitress was not coming out to me. There are menus at the table plus enormous menu board by back ordering area. I ordered and paid for my food. My meal was out in ten minutes. Someone brought my meal to my table. I lived in South Florida area for twenty years. I've had tons of Cuban Food. I usually only eat Cuban Food in Miami. The food was excellent. I was surprised. Come check them out. Enjoy! read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Skirt Steak with Chimichurri - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

Elena's is a wonderful gem in Lakeland, and certainly a hidden one. It's tucked peacefully into a corner strip mall on Edgewood Drive and is more than easy to drive past and never notice. That's what I did until I started working for DoorDash. This place is super popular on there and it's really a great option if you want that delicious Cuban food (and let's be real- you know you do). I've put in several pickup orders through DoorDash and they are always ready super fast. Currently Elena's drive thru is the only thing open so a to go order or delivery are your two options. Their empanadas are absolutely fantastic- the chicken one has tiny chunks of chicken with cheese and it just melts in your mouth. The guava and cheese is a classically incredible empanada as well that I have to get every time- there's no other option but TO get it. They have juices and smoothies as well- and predictably the guava one is fantastic, though they have other fun options like mango, passionfruit, and more. Their chicken and rice is really good and a lot of the entrees come with fried sweet plantains- those are uniquely wonderful. I really do love and recommend this place! read more

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Worst service now twice we place an order with plenty of hours before closing and they just don't make the order. Door dash tells me order complete and no delivery. When I speak to door dash they say the restaurant never made the order. I placed order at 4:31pm for 6:10 arrival. Restaurant closes at 7pm. Never again and I mean none of us will ever order. Feel so scammed. read more

Was in Lakeland for work and stumbled upon Elena's Cuban Cafe for lunch. Oh man was Elena's a pleasant surprise. The restaurant is very well maintained and spacious. You order up front and your food is brought to your table. The employees were very nice and welcoming. I ordered the fried pork chunks and my partner ordered a Cuban sandwich. We also ordered a side of croquettes and yuca con mojo. All plates are served with rice and beans and sweet plantains. The pork chunks were absolutely delicious. Fresh, seasoned well, so tender I didn't need a knife. The ride and beans were also flavorful. My partner enjoyed his Cuban and we both loved the ham croquettes and yuca. I will definitely return to Elena's and am excited to try more items from their menu. You will not be disappointed! read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Masas de cerdo con arroz y frijol, y maduros. Fried pork chunks with beans rice, and sweet plantains. - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

The food was good, just not great, it didn't have the Cuban flavor I'm use to. No cilantro, lime or Cuban bread. No flan!!!

Ok, I love truly love visiting places and trying food. Yesterday I visited Lakeland Fl, and I was told the cook had to leave and because of that the ladies in the kitchen had to cook. Best decision ever, this food has been the best I have tasted, loved el churrasco, so my family and I had. Chicken soup, bistec ensebollado, sopa de pollo, sopa de garbanzo, relleno de papa was cold inside but I will let it slide Lol, arroz con pollo, tostadas, colada. Everything was around $95.00. We had so much food and believe me when I say I visit a lot of places but this here made me feel back in cafeteria en la calle 8. I will be back and I truly recommend this place. read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Churrasco - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

I highly recommend this place, food was close to authentic, portions were awesome. The service was fast, prompt, and efficient will definitely be coming back. read more

Authentic, fairly priced, and great service. There are so many places in Florida to try but this one, you don't want to pass up.

Food is the best and service is wonderful. We usually do call ahead order or uber eats.

Always a treat when you're Hangry for some good Cuban food it's fast family owned full of life. Been there for years that says something about the quality right now. Heading there right now to pick up three Cubans and three potato balls can't wait. read more

Excellent Food! Excellent Service! I've gone in to pick up, I've done the drive thru. Only time it was not perfect is I called in and the language differences made ordering hard lol. But all worked out! Best Cuban food I've found in Lakeland! GO! OFTEN!! read more

We've seen this place a hundred times but never stopped in. So glad we did!! What we ordered: Two Cubans (one with no cheese, no mayo) Four beef empanadas A bowl of beans and rice Side of fries What we thought: Cubans - Amazing! Perfect blend of meats, tasty pressed bread but not too hard. Empanadas: awesome!! I love a good empanada and this was a good empanada. The kid at two alone and loved them. Beans and rice: husband said they were perfect. Fries: they were fries; not too soft, not too crunchy. Tasty fries. Could've used a little seasoning. I'm so sad we haven't stopped in here before. We will definitely return. Oh!! And if you call an order in ahead, there's a drive up window to collect your grub! Nice. read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Inside - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

I came here for dinner and ordered 2 regular Cuban sandwiches and they were amazingly delicious. The bread was definitely Cuban style bread, the only complaint I have is that it was still missing another meat selection. Usually, Cuban sandwiches have 3 meats and this one had 2, and just felt like it was missing something. Other than that, service was quick and great. I will still return when I'm around this side of town. read more

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I went to check this spot out and I was really impressed. The food was good the place was nice. I will definitely be coming back to try some more food out. read more

This place was amazing. The staff was so nice. Food was ready for pick up when they told me it was and the food was tummy

I enjoy a good cup of Cuban coffee,and it is very good here . I also like the food that I have had here ,and the people are very friendly.

My friend and I were looking for a local restaurant to try. This place was awesome!! If you love Cuban food this is the spot!! Staff were friendly and food was delicious! We will definitely be back! read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Vegetable sandwich on Cuban bread. Delicious - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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Best Cuban Sandwich on the Planet !!! The rest of the menu is equally appealing. Fried plantains & black beans with rice & onions I order the sandwich w/ those sides several times a week. read more

Food was great. Media noche is my favorite. Nice indoor seating and quick to go service also. I think they have a drive thru. Was clean inside. read more

The food is great in an unpretentious atmosphere. I would certainly go back. The service was quick and friendly. There is nothing I would change. read more

I love the chicken and yellow rice with the midnight sub black beans and rice are to die for but unfortunately the past few times that I've actually had time to go over to eat lunch they haven't been open. Did they close the doors on certain days? read more

Fabulous authentic food. Great service. Reasonable prices. Highly recommend. Their pulled pork is amazingly tender.

This is a hidden jem of Lakeland. Sitsbin a strip mall near Bartow hwy. My daughter had an appointment near by and i saw the traffic giing into this place so decided to check it out. First a long line yet clean dining room first uncheck. As i waited i saw portion size for money second upcheck. Foodservice was amazing. Hot delicious food nicely plated.. I hand the daily special consisting of shrimp Creole with black beams and I chose yucca. Food seasoned well as was plated. I look forward to trying other dishes in future. A must try. read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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Elena's Cuban Café serves good quality Cuban food. Today for lunch I had the daily special: Picadillo. This ground beef dish was mixed in a flavorful tomato sauce with diced onions and green olives. The dish came with a side of delicious sweet plantains and black beans and rice. read more

Elena's Cuban Cafe - Picadillo - Cuban Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

I've been eating at this place for several years. They always deliver. Great flavor, and quick service.

Picked up takeaway lunch specials, 1/2 Cuban sandwich, black beans and rice, plus iced tea (&1 can diet Coke). This is a very popular lunch spot, I only saw one empty table when I went in. I phoned in and the order was ready within ten minutes after my call.The Cubans were pressed and ready to go. The sandwich is fine, but does not taste as good as some other places we go to like Cuban Delights, or Louis Pappas (I know, Greek food, but they do make a terrific Cuban!). Elena's Cuban is certainly better than what's offered at some other places in town (e.g. Julio's) and compares fairly well with the Silver Ring downtown. Black beans & rice were good. I want to try the plate lunches at some point, those looked fantastic! read more

Perfect!! Just absolutely perfect! The Cuban sandwich was to die for, the Cuban garbanzo bean soup was perfect. I can't wait until I get back to Florida so o can visit again. read more