Great food, terrible parking. As long as you can get into a spot, it is worth going in. Prices are very reasonable. Menu isn't super diverse (10 or so items on a given day) and several items change day to day (probably half), so it's a bit tricky to know what you want ahead. Ropa vieja is great. read more

My favorite lunchtime place right next to my job.Im a regular here for years.Latin food rules. read more

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So yummy and friendly fast service! We look forward to coming back. Black beans and rice with plantains was perfect!

This restaurant has salsa music playing which I love. The place is clean and nice on the inside. The workers are friendly and the food is good. The café con leche was very good. I will come again next time I'm in town. read more

La Bamba - Cuban Breakfast Sandwich with Cafe con leche!!! Looks great!!! - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

what a gem! run by Cubans. My favorite kind of place to find when I travel. Being of Cuban descent I know the food. The food was amazing. I had a hard time deciding what I was going to eat. The shrimp creole looks amazing as did the fricase de pollo and pretty much everything else they had on the quick-serve menu. But then I glanced at the menu and saw one of my favorite dishes which is a breaded steak. It was thicker than what I usually see but it was incredibly tender and perfectly seasoned. You can taste the lime and onion. The con gris was a little dry and could be more flavorful. I got a big ole cup of espresso to go. I would eat here any day of the week if I lived close by. I think they're only open for breakfast and lunch. It's not a fancy place but the food is amazing, the service is good, and the people are lovely. Legit Cuban food! they also had Cuban sandwiches. read more

Yummy yum yum. I would give a five star but the place was a little dirty for my liking (trays felt sticky) but other than that, the food was really great! read more

good cuban food, reminds me of home and doesnt cost an arm and a leg either

Usually a really good spot. Had the meatball sandwich and it was not good. Skip the meatball sandwich and go for the Cuban. read more

La Bamba - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Wow! This family -run restaurant is full of some of the most soulful Basque/Spanish food that you'll ever have in the US. It is a no -frills, cafeteria style, set up, with open seating. It is priced well below the incredibly authentic quantity foods you receive, and the portions are large too. Their picadillo is the best I've ever had, including the ones I've made. La Bamba is a must stop, when in Tampa. I can't believe I stumbled on to such a gem. read more

I have never been to Florida but my mission was to find an awesome Cuban sandwich because everyone says I needed to have one, I tried 4 different cuban sandwiches at different restaurant's and this one was still good but definitely 4th on my list, the sides and every thing else were still good but I was not impressed with their Cuban sandwich. read more

My coworker suggested this place because it's walking distance from our office. The outside doesn't look like much, and I never would've guessed it was a little cafeteria if I drove past it. You walk in and you're transported by the yummy smells and festive music. I almost expected some people loitering at the window/bar with their cafe con leches. I ordered a cuban sandwich without pickles, and it was absolutely delicious! I didn't think I was very hungry, but I ate the whole thing, it was just so good. The bread was beautifully crispy and the meat was a rich salty. Cheese melted to perfection and not too much mustard to make you forget about all the other flavors of the sandwich. It just worked so perfectly. Today was my first time here, and yeah, I am a fan. I have yet to try the other food. I'll update when I do. read more

I was craving some Cuban cheese toast and cafe con leche so when I saw how close this place was to my office, I made a quick detour on the way back to the office. It didn't disappoint. The coffee was strong and hot and the cheese toast was everything I had been craving! The ladies were friendly, quick and efficient and the place was very clean. I can't wait to go back and try something for lunch now! read more

Solid little cafeteria type restaurant. Had their breakfast special and it was plenty of food. Weird setup where you order at one counter and then pay at another. No real way to know that without them telling you. People working could be a little friendlier and they weren't quick at cleaning up after the people who already are off. That's the only thing keeping them from 5 stars. read more

Great location near my work, but I wish the food quality was a little better. Love the cafeteria style serving. I tried picadillo with black beans and rice. The picadillo was okay - a little bland but warm and not greasy. The black beans were excellent. Well-seasoned with just a hint of smokiness from being cooked with meat. Great value at about $10 for dinner and a drink. My lunch buddies tried the roast pork (proclaimed moist and delicious) and the palomilla steak sandwhich which looked amazing. They were out of flan by the time I arrived, so I went with one of the sugar cookies by the cash register. This was a mistake - it was dry and overly salty. Ewww. Overall, decent place to grab a cheap, hot lunch. I want to go back and check out the ropa veija or perhaps the boliche before I make a final decision. read more

Nothing fancy or pretentious about this place whatsoever, just really good authentic Cuban/Spanish food. Great spot to stop for a quick no frills lunch. Everything I had was excellent. read more

I have only had breakfast here. The Western omelette was good, the Cuban bread/toast totally sucks b/c they smear it with some kind of margarine that tastes like melted plastic. The employees are not great; they all have an attitude problem. read more

A fine Cuban cafeteria hidden in the shadow of Westshore. On Laurel and very popular with workers and locals. The line offers all the Cuban favorites, including boliche, Cuban sandwiches, and several soups. Large portions and reasonable prices. Parking is tight especially at noon....and the line gets long but moves well. read more

Short review. Inexpensive, clean, fantastic food! Busy with locals. This s now on out MUST stop list when in the area. Roasted chicken was the best I've had. Tender as in fall off the bone. Rice and black beans....superior. Latin music, Cuban food and all less than 10 minutes from the Tampa airport. read more

While waiting for my wife in a business meeting, I found this place nearby and decided to stop in for lunch. Parking lot is small and was glad I walked over. I had the Cuban sandwich and it was excellent. There's also a cafeteria style dinner where you can choose your meal. The chicken and beef looked great. Authentic and inexpensive. Definitely worth the trip for lunch. read more

The Cuban sandwich with black beans and rice was just average. The other food looked good, but I think the skimp a little on the Cuban quality. It was clean, and maintained well. I would go again though. read more

First time customer. Ordered the pork with beans/rice and plantains - Awesome. All for $8.00. Which in the Westshore area is a steal for lunch. Will definitely go back for lunch and possbily dinner. Just wish their drive thru was "slightly" larger :) read more

Man oh man! It's definitely not the prettiest place but my lunch (pork, beans, etc.) was incredible. If you like Spanish/Cuban food you need to go as service is quick and the food is excellent. I have to say though that I laughed at the "office" in the corner of the eating area...is that where the owner counts her Benjamins after a successful day? read more

Wow! This food was amazing! Portion size was nice as well. In Tampa for a week long business conference. Definitely coming back here for lunch.... like every day read more

The food is delicious, best pressed Cuban sandwich in Tampa, their Spanish pork and plantas are out of this world. They close at 3, only open on weekdays. read more

I feel right at home, here, with my cafe con leche. A cute little neighborhood cafe offering some delectable Cuban dishes. However, don't like the velveta cheese in the omelets. read more

Not the best Cuban sandwich I had in Tampa/St. Pete's, but very good. Awesome cafe con leche and plantains. Excellent value for the money. Clean restaurant and friendly service. Highly recommended! read more

Cuban coffee is the best coffee ever! Plus Cuban music is so much livelier than Tejano, it makes you want to dance and shake your bootay at 7 AM. I need to learn how to make Cuban coffee at home. read more

Exterior looks like it should be something else, and interior kinda reminds me of a nursing home or hospital cafeteria, but the food is great. Coffee is delicious, and so were the daily offerings, simple and good. Cheap! $1.60 for flan! Great deal. I almost swooned tucking into the plantains. Very nice staff, diverse clientele. Easy parking. read more

La Bamba is an awesome Cuban cafeteria just off Westshore- food is amazing for breakfast or dinner. 1/2 Cuban and black beans and rice is my favorite for $4! Great good, great prices been coming here for 20 years! Family run business. read more

Yesterday for lunch I found a piece of CHEWED GUM attached to the back of a lemon in my carry out. I didn't discover it until I had already eaten a decent amount of food. I'm disgusted. Never again. read more

La Bamba - Spanish Near Me - Tampa, Florida

It's this little place behind my work. Pretty good food, gigantic portions and pretty cheap. It's cafeteria style and the restaurant itself could use an update but I got it to go anyways. Can only recommend. read more

Great Cuban food -- atmosphere is lacking, but La Bamba is clean and the staff is friendly. I had the tender & tasty beef (carne con papas) with black beans and rice and my bride had the chicken (fricase de pollo). Fantastic flavor in the sauce with ample servings -- we'll be back!! read more

Great food if you can park your car! Went for the first time on a recommendation. It was cafeteria style with several selections to choose from. The sandwich making area is a separate line. We got the pork with black beans and rice, and the chicken with yellow rice and plantains. My next visit will be with the port and yellow rice and plantains, or green beans. It was really good. Prices are good. Lunch for 2 was $15.00. Trying to leave was something else. Had to climb in the passenger door to get in the drivers seat because the door wouldn't open with the car next to me. Then I had to sit and wait because if someone is at the drive through window, it became jammed and we couldn't pass. We scouted out any areas around in office buildings to park for next time, but everything seemed jammed. But, I would still return. read more

One of my favorite Spanish restaurants for lunch or breakfast. Food is very good. I have been coming here for years. They are not open for dinner so sometimes I will order lunch and take home an additional meal for dinner. Simple and quaint place. I highly recommend this place if you want a quick and less expensive meal. read more

This place rocks! The quality, prices, taste and portion size was spot on. I had the pork roast with yellow rice and plantains along with a drink for just over $8.00. I also got a Cuban sandwich fully loaded to go for $5.00 and some change. I definitely look forward to another overnight in Tampa so I can visit here again. read more

Excelent food, the taste uff got visit it again, don't leave tampa without eating here

Meh. Good Cuban bread and plantains but Dry moros and chicken. Go to La Teresita. I drive past la Teresita today because I wanted to sit in a real chair . What can u do? read more

I was in town for Spring Break and needed some Latin Flavor. I ordered the Lechon, Picadillo, and the Ropa Veijo. All had great flavor. As a Puerto Rican, this felt just like home cooking. Sooooooo Good!! Friendly staff as well and great prices. read more

Just ate here for lunch and there was a huge cockroach in my black beans. The restaurant staff didn't seem to feel bad at all and only refunded $7 of the $9 that I paid. I will never go back. read more

Why five start for a low brow service counter place??? Well if you can find a better $7 lunch meal anywhere else I want to know! Simple Cuban style food, just the basics...pork, chicken, ropa vieja and a few others including sandwiches...with two side dishes. Given the portions, I always take some home and make two - three meals of pure simple basics that are always good and you just can't make for $3 per serving. The ladies working the counter are always very nice...so in the genre of simple, good, nice and value...it gets a five star rating! read more