Authentic Cuban food at least it seems like. Cool vibe, great service, and food is terrific. Check it out. read more

Whenever we asked someone to recommend somewhere to eat, they invariably would say La Bodeguita. I am not exaggerating, every single person. We were leaving for the second leg of our trip and were running late, as usual. We decided to run across the street for a sit down lunch, what's another hour? Two smiling faces greeted us at the door. They offered a high top but my hip was absolutely not digging it nor a table up the flight of steep stairs. Once seated, we were greeted promptly and had water in front of us almost immediately. We each ordered soup and then a sandwich to share. I had the Sopa de Pollo . A hot bowl thick with thin noodles and lots of chunks of chicken. The chunks were too big to eat without being cut up which was a challenge in a bowl of broth. It was so hot that I had to wait a while to try it and even then had to blow on it. It was delicious. Unless the soup is your meal, order a cup. I still took nearly a pint of soup back with me. My husband ordered the Frijole Negro - a huge bowl of black beans that was served with a large pile of raw onions on top. Like the chicken soup, it was burn your mouth hot and a very large serving. He said it was good but he'd not order it again. Moving on to the sandwich. We had the Cubano. I'm not even going to describe it - just trust me - order the Cubano. Do not look at the rest of the menu - order the Cubano. Don't even bother looking at the ingredients, just order the Cubano. Have you ordered it yet? Do it already. The Cubano is huge. We split one half and had the other when we arrived at our next stop. Do consider that we had soup first; otherwise, we'd have eaten the whole thing. The accompanying plantain chips were worthy of their own review. They were wonderful. Who knows if and when we'll be back to Louisville but when we are, La Bodeguita will be the first place we stop. BTW, have you ordered the Cubano yet? What are you waiting for? Put your phone done and order it! Enjoy!! read more

Ok this place is fun and delicious! Very nice service and an enjoyable music, flags and pictures on the walls to enjoy and add ambiance. The Forbidden Mojito is very tasty if you want a drink. We tried the Tostones Rellenos which was amazing! The plantains are crispy and the pork is great. Get it with the pork. I had the Ropa Vieja en Lata it come with a presentation and it fantastic. Beef that is so tasty with rice and fried plantains. My wife enjoyed the Arroz Imperial which was chicken rice and fried plantains. Get the cigar chocolate dessert! So fun in presentation and taste. We got it with another ice cream. Love this place! read more

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we went there yesterday for July 4th. lunch. I got the tropical salad and my wife got the ceasars salad. the tropical had a citrus flavor. I liked it. it had different fruits layered in it. we both ordered the mahi. it's delicious and it's cooked in plantain crumbs like a panko. I substituted the rice for yucca. I also exchanged the sweet plantains for tostones which is the same banana but it's fried and crunchier than the regular bananas. the staff and the food is always good. they also give a military discount. they allow you to park in the garage next door for free; you have to ask for the password from the hostess. Will always return. read more

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4 stars! The service was phenomenal from start to finish. The shrimp and garlic dish was outstanding, and the fresh bread and butter felt wonderfully indulgent. Whatever you do, don't skip the bread! The garlic butter is delicious, but the sweet butter is unforgettable!! It'll live rent-free on your tastebuds for weeks afterward. Trust me - I know! A quick note for anyone with mobility concerns: there are quite a few stairs leading to the upper dining room, and I didn't notice an elevator. You'll want to request a table downstairs when you make your reservation. Def make a reservation! The restrooms are very nice. They smell wonderful! They have a warmed candle that emits such a lovely fragrance. I want it for my house! I must inquire or just snap a picture of the candle name the next time I dine there! Also, the best mojito I've had outside of South America is served here. The piña colada mojito is dangerously delicious. The rim is delicious, too! It's coconut and something sweet. I dunno. Whatever it is.... It's fantastic. You can't taste the alcohol at all, but trust me, it's there. You'll realize it the moment you stand up, so enjoy responsibly! Especially since you may have a bit of a walk back to your car. Parking can be a challenge in this area, and that's honestly the only thing keeping this place from earning a full five stars from me. Well, that and the crispy short rib... aka "dry roast beef". But folks love it, so do you, boo! read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Camarones Ajillo entree - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Fantastic spot and could be amazing! In the heart of NuLu across from the coolest hotel in the city, Hotel Genevieve, sits a great Cuban place. Friday brought a buzz, Cuban Fedoras aplenty, and some tasty plates from the old country. Empanadas are likely the best I've ever had, coming out piping hot with an easily penetrable crust with delicious meats inside. The crunchy salad might remind people of a typical Asian with citrus, but it's so much more. The traditional Cuban dishes do not disappoint, so dig in. Service was , well, reminiscent of Cuba. Let's just say, we'll make it back when we make it back. That was a drag, and it's not hard to fix. Take this up a notch and it's 5 stars all day read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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We had reservations for a group of 6 on Thursday evening and arrived a little before our scheduled time. We were greeted by the hostess and taken upstairs to a large round table in the back. It was perfect for our group. We loved the decor inside and outside of the restaurant. It send you back in time. Nicholas was our server and he was very attentive and helpful. We started off with the Cubanchos and everyone enjoyed them. For drinks, I had the Old Havana Fashion, which was delicious and my wife had the Canchanchara. I also had a Carib beer at the suggestion of our server. For dinner, I had the Lechon Asado and it was delicious. The pork was tender and I also enjoyed the flavor of the Congris. It also came with Yucca Con Mojo. I had never had Yucca before so I didn't know what to expect. It was very good. My wife had the Churrasco. She loved it. Everyone in our group enjoyed the drinks and the food. I don't think any of us were able to eat all our food so there were plenty of leftovers, which were sent home with our friends. We will definitely be back. read more

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Delicious and authentic Cuban food in Louisville. Had a 30 minute wait on a Friday night which wasn't bad. Place is absolutely huge and we were seated on the covered outdoor patio space. Server was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The complimentary bread and butters were soooo good. The drinks were strong and made well. The entree we ordered was absolutely large enough for two to split. It was a steak dish with caramelized onions and had great flavor. Would go back for sure! read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Just go! See for yourself why this place would get 10 stars if they could. Ambience perfect Service perfect Food perfect Drinks perfect Price perfect Music perfect If I lived in Louisville I'd be here every single weekend. read more

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This restaurant. THIS RESTAURANT!!! If you visit any one place in Louisville, make it this spot. Every dish is a banger. Every cocktail, perfection. Vibes, immaculate. I may just come back to visit Louisville for La Bodeguita de Mima alone read more

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I'm so excited I finally got a chance to come here! It's been on my list for a while now and today I got lucky because right when we walked in there were two seats at the bar! I got the second most popular dish and the chicken breast tasted so juicy!! I can't believe how much flavor it was in just one bite. I also enjoyed the black beans, probably the best beans I've ever had! So good! This dish was prepared so well, every bite made me so happy lol I also got the passion fruits mojito! Highly recommend. Also the bread they bring out before your meal is amazing! The two different butters go so well with it. I can't wait to bring my mom here when she's in town, the vibe of this place is amazing. Service was great and I loved the uniforms the staff wear. As soon as you step into the restaurant, you immediately feel like you're in Cuba! This is such a special place and I can't wait to come back. read more

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Ok.... I usually visit an establishment at least twice before making a review.... Unless.... its very bad.... OR Very Good!!! Guess which one this was?????..... Okay..I'm sure the 5 stars kinda gives it away!!!.. But.. This was some all around goodness.. from me hearing about this place from a friend last week... to actually meeting that same friend and his wife there with my oldest children.. And we were Not disappointed!!.. Everything from the atmosphere... The amazing service and hospitality... the the knowledge we gained about not only Cuban food but their traditions and why they cook what they cook... I really wish I could remember what we ordered, but the excitement was so overwhelming we just ordered and ate!.. the pictures does absolutely no justice to the flavors!! I'm certain that whatever you order will be prepared with Cuban tradition and Love!! Well worth the visit! read more

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Fun upbeat atmosphere! Live music with pizazz!! Amazing food and the cafe con leche and desserts are fabulous! I do recommend a reservation, however they have a covered porch if you have to wait. read more

I have been thinking about this place for the last two months since my last meal. The vibes and atmosphere are top notch. The service is outstanding. This is a must stop when in Louisville. Order: Lechon asado. Perfectly cooked juicy flavorful pork. The rice/bean mixture was flavorful and still had a great texture. Delicious and filling after a long day of bourbon sampling. read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Enchilado de Camarones - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Loved this place! The atmosphere & music was amazing and so fun. Tried the mojitos, empanadas, yellow rice, croquetas, & chicken dish. The empanadas were the best, but everything was so good. They also brought out bread wrapped in a Cuban newspaper, so neat! The service was great, our servers name was Dayron, he was so nice, helpful, and patient! Would definitely go back! read more

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Excelente ambiente y la comida espectacular con la presencia de la santería Ceviche de camarón de entrada Vaca Frita Yuca al mojo read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Menús - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Had so much fun checking out La Bodeguita de Mima in Louisville. The musicians playing and singing were so talented and we couldn't help but stop our meal and listen because they were so good. The Ropa Vieja had a really flavorful taste and the meat was cooked well and then served in a can. The staff told us how following the Cuban Revolution, Cubans faced economic hardship and relied on the Soviet Union for trade, during which they imported canned goods like this. Although the taste was definitely not straight from a can, it was nice to see how they were preserving history and we even got to take the can home as a souvenir. The fried plantains were also really tasty, and it came with a bowl of black beans. The arroz con pollo a la chorrera was the perfect comforting dish, and reminded me of porridge since it was soupy. Empanadas were steaming hot and I loved how crunchy the shell was in comparison to the meat inside. We got a mix of beef and chicken! The staff was so friendly and I loved how festive the atmosphere was, with other guests recommending dishes and sharing jokes with us. Can't wait to be back! Getting a reservation is recommended for weekend dinners, since it is a popular restaurant. They have a parking lot with designated spaces, which was helpful as well! read more

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Shout out to yelp for this suggestion! This is an amazing find. Get transported to Cuba in Louisville. This place is amazing from start to finish. The outdoors is a brightly colored house, walk inside to a brightly contrasted turquoise walls with red leather seating and chairs. The chairs are each unique, one has a pineapple backing. Everything here is intentional with attention to the details including the food. This is thee best Cuban food I've ever had. Better than what I've had in Miami. The black beans are the 2nd best I've had in my life, they are slow cooked and spiced. (My mom's is first). They have a vegetarian section and you can ask for no dairy for it to be vegan. I ordered the tamales and my friend ordered the churrasco steak. The bread here comes with guava butter!! The fries had Cuban newspaper as the lining. The music was Cuban. The outside is gorgeous with lots of tropical plants. I never expected this in the middle of America. Thank you yelp read more

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La Bodeguita is a gem located in the heart of Nulu. The restaurant specializes in authentic Cuban cuisine and cocktails. The dishes are cultivated and curated to perfection!!! The customer service is phenomenal and ambiance and decor is beautifully decorated. The moment you walk into the restaurant you will experience the rich Cuban history. The restaurant has a small parking lot and a patio area. I would highly recommend this restaurant; however making reservations is suggested as this restaurant is always booming with business. Hands down my favorite restaurant in Nulu and Louisville! read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Salmon, plantains, and rice. - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Loved this place. Will definitely come back. We tried the croquettes for appetizer. It was so delicious. For dinner I had the steak. It was sooo good as well. Steak was cooked perfectly on the rarer side. For dessert we had the chocolate cigar. Presentation was nice and it was basically somebody opening the box and smoke coming out. I will say I was a bit disappointed that they did not do the birthday celebration for my friend's bday, which I had informed them about. Other than that- the prices are fairly reasonable and I would even say below what I expected. Would come back, and hopefully they'll help make the next special occasion memorable. read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Outside - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

If you enjoy a lively dinner scene, this is a hot spot! It was quite loud at the front with the live music at the bar. We had to wait a while, but it was worth it! We got a table in the cigar room which was quieter than the downstairs dining. All of the food was delicious, but I think the cubanos were the highlight! Absolutely recommend this place for cuban food in Louisville. read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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My wife and I made reservations here for dinner prior to a comedy show at The Brown. The reservation process was easy online. The place is decorated in a 1950's Cuban style which was very cool. The food was amazing. My wife has not really enjoyed Cuban food in the past, but she loved this. The cocktails were really good too. Everything was great. It's casual dress, and entree prices are 25 a 30 bucks. Bread is served complimentary. We highly recommend. read more

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This place is amazing! There's a reason they have a zillion five star reviews. We visited here on a weekday for lunch and made reservations in advance, knowing how hard it can be to get a spot here. We ended up in a cozy room upstairs and quite frankly I think we would've been happy with any room in the house because it all felt so cozy and like you were in someone's kitchen. Our order included a chicken olive dish, Ropa Vieja, some of the fabulous complementary bread with two different types of butter. We especially loved the homemade guava butter and a dynamite Mojito with a sugarcane stick. It definitely took us back to our past visits to Cuba and Miami. The staff was very friendly and the overall experience was kid friendly. You can't beat their festive and vibrantly decorated location in the heart of NuLu, the space oozes Cuban vibes with moody lighting, a cozy interior and vibrantly painted exterior including a mural and old car. Dreaming about future visits already! read more

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I will start by saying I would hop on a plane just to eat here. We recently spent a week in NULU to enjoy the bourbon trails and Louisville. This place was right across from my hotel. Not only is it eye candy and the outside drew me in, but the inside vibe is so cool. (That's if you are seated in the house) We are here twice, it's that good. The empanadas are amazing. The Papa Rellenos is amazing. The chicken and rice is amazing. I wish I could have tried it all! Every dish was absolutely delicious! Service was good, and they had some amazing drinks but I stuck with the New Old Fashion. Just a note, if they sit you in the expansion area, it's a bit like a Mexican restaurant vibe, still great, just not as good as the house. They had live music and it was exquisite! read more

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Great vibe with indoor and patio seating! Live music and great customer service. Everyone was extremely nice and attentive and the food was even better! read more

Great food, great location, live music, authentic vibes. Came here on a Friday night for dinner. This place was busy and had a 35 minute wait so I'd recommend making a reservation to avoid waiting. It's in NULU so we used that time to walk around and see other establishments that were in the area for future visits. We ordered the beef empanadas for an appetizer. They were flavorful and fresh although for the price, we'd hoped for more than two. I had the arroz imperial which was a chicken and rice dish and my partner ordered the ropa vodka en lata. Both dishes were flavorful large servings. Definitely will be back. read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Are - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We were visiting Louisville for the weekend and looking for something unique and delicious and we struck gold with La Bodeguita! We waited about 20 minutes for a table on a Friday night, and our server was both friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. She let us know that all of the dishes are family recipes and helped us decide on an appetizer of what looked like mini beef tacos. The pulled beef was so tender and full of flavor and was topped with homemade guacamole. My husband ordered the Cubano sandwich which came with plantain chips and I ordered a chicken and yellow rice dish, Arroz Imperial. We cleaned both plates because it was too good to leave any leftovers. The Cuban sandwich was one of the best we've ever tried, the pork was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the mustard added a nice kick. The pickles were clearly house made and the bread was fantastic as well. My rice dish was the quintessential cheesy, warm, comfort food. The chicken thighs were seared and juicy. The flavors were off the charts and the spice wasn't overwhelming. The bar is known for their mojitos but I've recently stopped drinking alcohol - thankfully the server clued me in to their virgin mojito and with the fresh mint and lime, I didn't miss the rum at all! We ended the night with the bread pudding which was different than traditional bread pudding in that it was a solid piece of cake-like bread soaked in caramel and cream. Needless to say, we polished that plate as well! During dinner we got to participate in an impromptu conga line and got to enjoy some lively Cuban music. The whole restaurant was full of a party-like energy that was infectious and only added to our enjoyment of the evening. La Bodeguita truly provided a five star experience and we'll be making a point to return the next time we're in Louisville! read more

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Honestly one of the best meals I've had in a while. Loved the ambience and decor as well. Pollo al mojo looked a little beige but flavor couldn't have been farther from that. Plantain chips were v crispy. The real stars were the Cubano and Havana mojitos. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Top 2 sandwiches I've ever had maybe not 2. 100% worth the drive from Lexington read more

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From start to finish, La Bodeguita de Mima was a fantastic experience. My only regret is that we didn't order more food! Our server was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. She suggested the mojito because it was the best and she wasn't wrong! The mojito was perfectly sweet, minty and dangerously good, if you know what I mean. We ordered the ensalada Cubana, camarones al ajillo and the churrasco. The salad was huge, great for sharing. Both the shrimp and churrasco were perfectly seasoned and cooked. We hope to return soon to order more and dessert too! Inside and out, the decor was amazing. Bright, rich colors with a nod to Cuban heritage throughout. Each corner and room was different and absolutely lovely. Reservations are highly recommended and certainly made the experience seamless upon our arrival. There's a reason this restaurant has so many five star reviews and from so many people around the country so if you are in the area, don't miss out on the opportunity to give this place a try at least once! You won't be disappointed in any part of your experience here! read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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The restaurant is 2 hours away but we drove here specifically for this reason! And it met... exceeded... expectations! Shrimp Ceviche was delicious! I needed a spoon to eat it all. The pollo a cherrro had a tomato sauce with fried green plantain. Yum. My SO got the pollo with a side of black beans, rice, and sweet plantains! Love love love the fried sweet pl read more

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This was my second visit, and it definitely won't be my last! The Kentucky Mojitos were amazing--authentic and served with a sugar cane stick, which was a great touch. The Cuban sandwich was absolutely delicious and large enough to share. I also enjoyed the cigar bar area upstairs. It has a great atmosphere and is a nice place to relax. The only downside is that there isn't table service upstairs, so you'll need to go downstairs to order drinks. Overall, the food, drinks, and ambiance make this a must-visit spot. Anytime I'm in Louisville, this place will be on my list! read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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My all time favorite restaurant here in Louisville. Whenever a friend comes to town, you can never go wrong bringing them here. The food is always so delicious and their desserts are so fire. My favorite part are the free appetizers of bread and butter. I usually order the pescado or the steak. Both very good options. Sometimes the fish can be dry though. The portion size is huge! Can't really complain. I always bring a box home. Somewhat of a con is that it can get busy on weekends, but I usually get seated with 30 minutes. Likewise, I could always tell the servers always try their best to give good service. In terms of the ambience, they have live music, it's always a great vibe but it can be super loud at times if you want to have a conversation with friends. read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Pescado Crujiente - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I cannot say enough great things about our experience! This place makes for a fun night! I also didn't realize how big this place was. They have several different seating areas. I loved that we got to be outside. The singer was amazing! There were two stages, one in the bar and one outside on the stage. Both were really good. Our food was served quickly and our server did a nice job helping us decide between a couple of things, including the dessert, which was so good! Mojitos are my favorite drinks and these were tasty! He also told us to stay for a couple minutes for the conga line. Highly recommend coming here! read more

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My mom and I were visiting and made a reservation! This place was so good, the service was great! We ordered non alcoholic mojitos, they were so pretty! For appetizers we ordered the camarones al ajo, entrees we shared the crunchy tropical salad and the salmon! Everything was so delicious! I loved the outside / inside, it was such a vibe! I will definitely come back when I'm in town! read more

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We had a party of seven, we were seated outside on a very hot evening, where we were sitting there were no fans or any type of airflow, so it was extremely uncomfortable. There were also lots of flies. The service was average. The food was average. I didn't realize that they included the tip with our bill so I'd left an extra tip. It would've been fine if it wasn't for the miserable experience so I asked them not to charge it but they did anyway. I would definitely not recommend. There are much better places in Louisville. read more

This restaurant is so good and fun! Indoor seating is romantic and beautiful. Outdoor seating is pretty. There is live entertainment on the patio. The music is so good! The tostadas on the appetizer menu are amazing and very large. I absolutely adore this restaurant! read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I'm not even sure how I ended up here I'm from Florida, have lived in both Miami and Orlando, and I'm surrounded by amazing Cuban food all the time. Yet somehow, among the rolling hills of Kentucky and the intoxicating aroma of the Angel's Share, I found myself eating Cuban food again. Was it the worst meal I've ever had? No. The best? Also no. Would I go out of my way to come back? Probably not. We stopped in on a Saturday night while exploring the Bourbon Trail on a bit of a detour, but my family had visited earlier this year and wanted to return. The place was packed and parking was a challenge. Tip: you can park at the AC Marriott garage next door for free just ask your server for the secret word to yell into the pay box when you leave. The restaurant itself is vibrant and lively and a bit loud. There's seating upstairs and toward the back. The staff were all friendly, and a couple who seemed like the owners were walking around making sure everything ran smoothly. This place is pricey and when i compare it to the Cuban food i have had elsewhere for much less it makes it more challenging to like.. Our table tried the Cuban sandwich, croquetas, empanadas, palomilla steak, and the cigar-shaped chocolate dessert. Everything was decent, but the dessert was the star of the night. I'm a big fan of smoked flavors drinks, meats, you name it but I'd never had a smoked dessert before. The smokiness was intense, and I loved it! It would pair perfectly with a smoked old fashioned. If only they had one... Bottom line: Good if you're nearby and want Cuban food or celebrating, but not worth a special trip. read more

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Tons of seating and conveniently located next to a parking garage. Tried the empanadas and they were amazing and super hot! The drinks were mixed perfectly, not too much but just enough alcohol. The Cuban was so big I had to take it home. Great service and atmosphere as well! We'll definitely be back! read more

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The best Cuban food north of Florida. Never had such delicious food. The ceviche was flavorful with a slit garlic, lime tomato base. The Cuban sandwich was a good size and the pork was freshly made. Highly recommend and will try others the next time I come back. read more

La Bodeguita de Mima - Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Easily one of the most favorite meals I've had in a long time. Everything at La Bodeguita clicks. Ambiance, service and food all work together perfectly. It was a very fun meal between our amazing server and the music. I was happy to be seated upstairs though. The music was quite loud on the first level and I'm a bit loud music averse at my advanced age ;) The papas rellenas appetizer was a favorite and the arroz imperial main blew my mind. SO much flavor. Wish I lived closer so we could dine here more often. read more

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