Well - the last review I wrote for this place was in 2012 and consistency is key with this place!! We brought friends here for lunch and they really loved the food and I suspect they will be back with their family! :) Hubby and I started our meal sharing the Plantain Crusted Goat Cheese Salad - AMAZING and DELICIOUS!! Two disks of goat cheese is coated with this crunchy plantain crust - so when you cut into it the goat cheese melts out gooey - then you take a piece and eat it with the salad greens which are PERFECTLY dressed (cause I HATE over dressed salads) - it was creamy, crunchy, and AMAZING. This is definitely a great way to start our food adventure!! I just HAD to get my Arzzo con Pollo and I'm SO GLAD I did - it did not disappoint - exactly as I remembered it over a decade. Definitely need to come back here more often! Chicken so tender, rice so flavorful - with the sweet baked plantains and that delicious sauce. Flavor bomb in the mouth for SURE!!! I know other dishes here are good too but I honestly crave this one.... Hubby and GF had the Tierra y Mar. I snuck some of the sofrito mashed potatoes off hubby's plate - it's SO GOOD... i could eat a whole bowl of just that!! And then there's the delicious tender and perfectly cooked marinated skirt steak! YUM... The coconut crusted shrimp was delicious as well but I feel like it was a bit over cooked - I mostly tasted the coconut crust. Hubby LOVED the asparagus - just the perfect accompaniment to the overall dish! Hubby and GF both LOVED this dish!! GF hubby got the lunch appetizer specials - he got the CdP Snack (Chicharrones de Pollo - appetizer side of their popcorn chicken with Cuban spices), the Camerones Pequenos (fried shrimp) and their side Coleslaw. He devoured everything and loved it. We ended our meal with their Key Lime Tart and it was delicious. Not too tart, not too sweet - a perfect bite! Overall we had an amazing time. The only thing that struck me was at lunch they aren't as careful about things - like for some reason we had to eat our main course meals with a salad/dessert fork and butter knife. Hubby wasn't pleased with the fork so he got a regular fork - and then when we got our steak and chicken we couldn't cut them with the butter knife and had to chase down our waiter for steak knives. I remember when we used to go for dinner - they automatically gave us the right utensils with the meal. That did take away a bit from the overall experience when you can't cut your meat and have to chase down the waiter... But overall the staff cleared plates, made sure our water was filled at all times and was overall courteous. Am definitely coming back and THANK YOU again for making sure my cravings were fulfilled and the food was EXACTLY as I remembered it! read more

I want to start by saying this review is specifically about my experience with Lara -- not the restaurant as a whole. Everyone else we interacted with was fantastic, and the food itself was delicious. I've been here countless times as I work across the street and I've never had any issues. Setting that aside, here's what happened. My group was meeting another company for a lunch they had organized, and going in, we didn't know who we were meeting, who the reservation might be under, or if there even was one -- think of it like a corporate blind date. When we approached the host stand, we gave a few names we thought a reservation might be under and were upfront and apologetic that we weren't sure, but were trying to figure it out together. Lara's response was to ask, in an unbelievably condescending tone, if this was our "first time at a restaurant." She then pointed to a corporate group on the patio and said, "why don't you ask them? You're adults." Once we found our group, we came back inside to ask about getting a larger table for six. The person who'd organized the lunch apologized and explained he hadn't realized he needed a reservation as he didn't know how many would attend the lunch. Lara told him that was "restaurant 101" and that they had no tables available for a party of six (despite the interior being completely empty from what we could see). A few minutes later, other staff pushed two tables together -- clearly we were not the first party of six to ever eat here. After scanning other Yelp reviews, there are some going back over a decade (!) talking about how rude and condescending Lara is. I'm sorry to report things haven't changed. read more

Still one of the best places Ive ever come across in the bay area. I have been coming here since the early 2000. And I still consider it a hidden gem. Cute lil Cuban restaurant on California St in Palo Alto. Menu has pretty much stayed consistent for the most part with specials added. Drinks & cocktails legit and beautifully crafted every single time. On this night we decided to sit outside and take some friends out who were visiting from out of town. It was a bit breezy but the staff was so quick to set up heat lamps and bring out these cute blankets to drape on our lap to keep us warm. These extra touches is why I will always come back to this place. What we got: - Bread & Oil dip it in that spicy anatto oil. I think this is their cto (cuban table oil). - Pork Empanadas loved the flavor and flaky crust. The sauce was sweet and spicy but not super spicy so it added that extra layer of flavor. - Potato Croquetas crispy and loaded in cheese, potato, and spices. Pairs perfectly with the smoky tamarind BBQ sauce. - Marinated Olives were amazing. I'd like to think my 14 year old son is an olive conniessuer he eats these every time their on the menu. And he absolutely loved these! - Ropa Vieja one of my absolute favorite dishes here. Tender chunks of shredded beef stewed for hours in a tomato broth over yellow rice. Flavor over flavor over flavor. - Tierra y Mar was also a hit. Tender slices of steak cooked to perfection served with an herby chimichurri and served with large coconut crusted shrimp. Served with a creamy sofrito mash potatoes & Asparagus Spears. This dish is also one of my favorites. - 1 pound bundle ribs cooked slowly fall off the bone smothered in a tangy guava sauce. I didn't tey this but my friend loved it! - Havana banana was the best dessert to round out the evening. Served with rum laced caramel and vanilla ice cream. If you love caramelized bananas and ice cream this is your dish! - Hemingway Cocktail is my go to here. Balanced, not too alcohol forward and citrusy. - Espresso Martini is always done great here as well. It won't disappoint. All in all LBDM delivers consistently great food & servicr for years. Our server was amazing attentative, and very helpful when our out of town guests were deciding. Ambiance of this place is fun, inviting, takes you away on a little mini vacation! Do not walk by this place without walking in! Even for a late night cocktail you won't be disappointed. read more

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Haven't been back for ages. Just remembered about this place for my birthday and decided to try it again. Everything was delicious! Roasted mussels were tender and plump , super fresh. Empanadas were amazing. Slightly sweet to offset the punchy spice. Shredded skirt steak was very tender and juicy with really nice flavors. Carribean chicken was flavorful and bright with green and other veggies. Will definitely make this a regular place! The wait staff were also very friendly and nice. read more

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My family's go-to restaurant for special occasions! Service is always exceptional and accommodating of gluten allergies. They offer blankets if you are cold. Leftovers? Not here! Must-get: pork Masita, arroz con pollo - both are melt in your mouth with generous portions of protein and unique flavor profiles. Rotating favorites: the seafood ajiaco was great and the server did re-up the rice. We're not a huge seafood family, though, so this will probably get swapped out. And, I'll confess - the mojito fell flat for me, so I'll try something new next time! Skip: we usually get the bread pudding, but seeing as it wasn't on the menu, opted for the rum cake. It was quite dense. read more

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Finally got to try La Bodeguita after bookmarking it years ago! Cozy place with a nice bar area. Pleasant service and good vibes. Eats: *Pork Empanadas *Croquetas *Maduros: sweet plantains *Side of Asparagus *Tierra y Mar: steak & coconut shrimp *Carribean Curry with shrimp *Cubano Sandwich Empanadas were so good! They had a twinge of sweetness which reminded me of Filipino empanadas. I liked the black beans and slaw they serve it with. Croquetas were nice and crisp. Maduros were sweet enough for dessert! The steak from the Tierra y Mar was phenomenal! Prepared so well and wasn't tough. The mashed potatoes were orange so maybe it had tomato base for color? Tasty. The jumbo coconut shrimp was succulent. Asparagus was huge. I've had Cubano sandwiches before and this one was presented excellently. I just thought something was missing from the flavor profile. My friend's Caribbean Curry wasn't spicy, which I was surprised about. Creamy coconut flavor was present. Hernan waited on us and we were never rushed. Great place to catch up with friends or have a quiet family dinner. Can't wait to try more items! read more

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Met up with friends for lunch at this spot. It's a bit dark inside. We arrived at noon and were promptly seated inside. We ordered: Croquettes: good crispy outside, creamy filling. Dip in the side sauce for extra flavor. Shrimp cheviche: ok, not very memorable Ropa veija: 3.5/5 not a big fan of this type and texture of meat but it had good flavor. Rice reminded me of paella. Pork empanada: surprisingly a bit sweet. It was probably the white sauce that was drizzled on it. Liked the crisp outside but filling could use more flavor. Havana Bananas: looked to be super sweet but it wasn't overly sweet. Bananas are a bit mushy so expect that. Overall tasty. Glad to have tried this place. read more

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Nice Cuban restaurant in Palo Alto. Location is really good and ample parking is there at the back of the restaurant. The service was pretty good too with friendly host and servers. For food we ordered potato croquettes which were good and main course we had a grilled snapper with mashed potatoes and Caribbean curry which was delicious. The cocktail nacional #1 cocktail was pretty smooth as well. Recommend if you are in the area. read more

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Can't believe I haven't rated this place yet because it is such a staple restaurant on Cal Ave! Great ambiance, great service. Food is always delicious. I'm told the ribs were a bit on the drier side, and I will admit that the plantain chips and black bean salsa were a little underwhelming, but everything else was 10/10 read more

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**Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars** As a first-timer to La Bodeguita del Medio, I was looking for that transportive experience you always hear about on California Ave, and they definitely delivered on the vibes and the flavors. It's a beautifully curated space--from the artwork and photos to the furniture, you feel culturally immersed in a Havana-inspired soulfulness from the moment you walk in. *The Service:* Huge shoutout to our waiter! Since it was our first visit, we really appreciated his patience. He walked us through the menu with genuine care and steered us toward the crowd favorites. He hit that perfect balance of being attentive without hovering. *The Food:* *Camarones: We started with the spicy sautéed shrimp on Cuban toast. The citrus sauce was vibrant, and the heat from the habanero had a great kick that didn't overwhelm the flavor. Highly recommend. *Arroz con Pollo: My friend's plate was massive. If you aren't "starving artist" hungry, this is easily shareable. Very traditional and satisfying. *Ropa Vieja: I went for the classic shredded skirt steak, which is essentially their version of a Cuban "surf and turf." The steak was cooked to perfection and tender, but the presentation was the winner--three large fried shrimp stacked right on top of the mashed sweet potatoes. Speaking of which, those sweet potatoes were incredibly soft and creamy--honestly, one of the highlights of the plate for me. *The Drinks:* I sampled three different cocktails, and the mixology here is clearly high-level, though I have one specific gripe. *Zacapa Manhattan & S.T. Old Fashioned:** Both were expertly balanced. I loved the subtle Cuban twists on these classics. However, the glassware was... odd. They were served in what looked like stemless port glasses. For drinks that belong in a heavy lowball or a proper martini glass, this felt like a miss. It honestly threw me off! Maybe it's a specific Cuban tradition I'm unaware of? ‍ *Café Cubano Martini:** This one came in the "correct" martini glass and was stellar. Creamy, rich espresso flavor--the perfect finish. *Bottom Line:* Is it pricey? Yes ($$$). But let's be real--those are just the standard Palo Alto "taxes" we pay these days. For the quality of the food and the excellent service, a 4.5 is well-deserved. I'll definitely be back, though I might bring my own rocks glass next time! ;) read more

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We had a team offsite dinner here with about 18 people. Originally I had emailed inquiring about the back patio, but the rental fee was too high for our budget. Lara from La Bodeguita was super accommodating and offered the front "Cuban Corral" for us for not additional charge. There were heaters and even a blanket for each chair. The food and drinks were really reasonably priced, and the happy hour is long (12-6pm) with decent offerings including $5 beers and $8 Moscow mules. There's some snacks too. We ordered various appetizers including the croquets, black bean balls (which were surprisingly tasty), empanadas, chicharrones which were actually chicken and shrimp. Everything was yummy, but I would skip the empanadas next time. For entree, I got the surf and turf. The shrimps were big and meaty. I would recommend La Bodeguita for your next team event! read more

La Bodeguita Del Medio - Surf and Turf (skirt steak and shrimp and asparagus) - Cuban Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Saw some mixed reviews here but still decided to give it a try (some of the negative reviews were pretty old). We came in a group of 4 adults and 2 toddlers. We went with the paella, cubano sandwich, and palmitos salad. - Paella: 4.5/5. I personally preferred the rice to be more moist (kinda in between Spanish and Portuguese style) and this place nailed it. The shrimp was tender (our kids loved the shrimp), and mussels were big and meaty. It came in a decent portion. The price tag was a bit higher than some other restaurants' offerings but not outrageous. - Cubano sandwich: 5/5. Pleasantly surprised with the portion for under $20. The bread was crunchy and the meat and cheese go pretty well together. - Palmitos salad: 4.5/5. A rather rare combination of ingredients but worked pretty well. I liked the vinegar flavor. Portion is a bit small for its price. Service was awesome no complaints there. Reservation was also easy on the phone. Theres a parking lot a block away. Would revisit with friends. Note: theres a 5% surcharge for dine-in. read more

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Been wanting to do this review for years! La Bodeguita del Medio brings a little slice of Havana right to Palo Alto. From the lively atmosphere to the warm hospitality, it's the kind of place where you lose track of time because you're too busy enjoying great food and even better company. If it's your first visit, the Seafood Ajiaco is a must. The combination of stewed lobster tails, clams, and shrimp in a rich tomato bisque is packed with flavor and perfect for sharing. The Paella Cubana is another standout, loaded with shrimp, chicken, chorizo, and mussels, comfort food with a Cuban twist. After dinner, head to the back patio. Grab a cigar, pour yourself a Havana Club Añejo Especial (or a dark rum if that's your style), and settle in for good conversations and even better memories. It's one of those rare spots where the experience is just as memorable as the meal. Yelp Elite Tip: Don't rush this one. Come hungry, stay for dessert, then make your way to the patio. The best part of the evening starts after dinner. read more

This place is classic and serves up some of the best authentic Cuban food in the bay. I've been coming to this restaurant for over 6 years and the staff is top notch. I'm always at the bar, checking out the unique rums and bartenders know their stuff. The great music and cigar lounge in the back add to the allure. The cigar lounge is closed off and no scent enters the restaurant but the ventilation in the lounge is great. Have some paella and stay for a Nationale. 10 out of 10 every time. read more

Came here for my niece's birthday and this was spectacular. The bbq pork ribs with guava sauce was amazing 10/10! Perfectly cooked and the sauce was unbelievable, so good we ordered a second pound. Another favorite was the Arroz con Pollo 9/10, magnificently braise with fantastic flavor. The best side we had were the Croquetas 8/10; crispy and bursting with deliciousness. Camarones con Mojo, plantains and Yuma fries were all hit too. read more

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Came here almost on a whim. It's been on my list for a minute and I've been craving Cuban food after a decent experience earlier this month. We had the chicharron (I think) and the ribs. Both were good. I wish the pork had a bit more salt, and that the ribs were a bit less dry. In terms of flavors, it was mostly there. The plantains and other side dishes were pretty good. The staff were attentive and good. We were seated closer to the front of the restaurant and it didn't really feel like it. I really enjoyed the layout of the place. Good spot for a date night. Definitely consider sharing a few things and sample! read more

La Bodeguita Del Medio - Cuban Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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Delicious and authentic cuban food. All the appetizers were tasty and the entree was mouth watering. Service was phenomenal. Dark and fancy vibes for sure, great for a celebration. Mocktails were a little too sweet though. read more

La Bodeguita Del Medio - Tierra y Mar - Cuban Near Me - Palo Alto, California

We came here for a work dinner and it was a great choice. I started with the pork empanadas. Absolutely amazing! Perfectly seasoned filling and the dough had that ideal texture, crispy on the outside, soft inside. Honestly, I could've eaten a whole plate of those on their own. For my main, I had the pork masitas, which did not disappoint. The pork was super tender, and it came with veggies, rice, and beans. Everything was flavorful and well prepared. The portion was pretty big too. I had enough leftovers to take home. Service was solid and the atmosphere was relaxed but still nice enough for a group dinner. I'd definitely come back just for those empanadas! read more

There aren't many Cuban restaurants in the Bay Area, so I'm glad we found one nearby. Everything we ordered was delicious! We had mussels, crab cakes, and the Tierra y Mar (10/10). The skirt steak was cooked perfectly, very tender meat. For drinks, we tried the sangria and mojito, both of which were great. They also serve bread with Cuban oil (free). I ended up buying a bottle of oil to enjoy with my bread at home, it has a nice, subtle spicy kick. We sat at the bar since the regular seats were full, but we didn't mind. It's more convenient for grabbing extra drinks lol. It does get pretty packed, so I recommend making a reservation or coming early. read more

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Been here a half dozen times and this is my first review. In the past, I've gotten the paella, but we didn't want to wait that long this trip plus not everyone at the table wanted paella. So we enjoyed two delicious dishes. The first is called ROPA VIEJA, aka the 'CUBAN CLASSIC'. It's braised then shredded skirt steak, stewed with chilis, peppers & tomatoes, platanos maduros, yellow rice, sofrito. It is so good you always want more when your plate is finished. The second is called ARROZ con POLLO. It's a traditional, cuban style, braised chicken, spiced yellow rice, platanos maduros. Ambiance is nice. Good drinks. Nice location on California street in Palo Alto to walk around a bit before or after your meal. read more

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Super duper delicious !! Ordered the croquettes & Ropa Vieja. Instantly hooked. Their table oil that was served as a bread dip was definitely the tastiest spread I've ever tasted. It wasn't too oily & had a kick. Service was speedy & attentive. Also, everything was so flavorful . We must come back another time !! read more

La Bodeguita Del Medio - Ropa Vieja - Cuban Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Pretty solid. There ain't a lot of Cuban restaurants much less decent ones in the area so def wanted to swing by and give this spot a try. Generally everything was good. I don't remember anything really standing out except the ropa vieja. That was my fav dish of the night. Also the national cocktail was really good. The guava ribs were also interesting. Overall while I prob wouldn't make a detour specifically, if I was in the area and specifically wanted Cuban food I def wouldn't mind coming back to try their other dishes read more

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I haven't had Cuban food in a very long time and eating at this place brought back all of those good memories. I can't believe it took me so long to finally eat here because my friend and I were so impressed with the quality of the food. We started with some fried appetizers that had this lovely cheesy flavor and the pork was cooked so well. Then we shared some plates and we were very impressed with the Cubano, Yuca Fries and curry!! The service was great and I'm a sucker for a dimly lit restaurant so it's a perfect vibe for a nice dinner. I got a Dark N Stormy as well for my first time and it tasted lovely. The desserts would probably be the weakest of the food items. They key lime tart and banana dessert was superb but the chocolate cake was dense and was just hard to digest for lack of better words. The bread pudding was also kind of dense and was missing that softness. For that I give my whole experience a 4.5 stars but I rounded up because the folks there were nice and overall, I'd definitely come back. Would love to just see some improvements in the desserts! read more

La Bodeguita Del Medio - Fried Yuca, Caribbean Curry, Cubano Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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On a recent trip back to the Bay area, me and some girlfriends had a lovely dinner at La Bodeguita del Medio. We've been here before, located on the classic Street of California Ave with other lovely local restaurants nearby. La Bodeguita has an amazing extensive menu of Latin American delights in classics. Highlights for us were the classic paella and various salads that we ordered to share. One of our friends is gluten free, they have limited options for that... So just be aware that if have some severe food allergies... Due to the way that their fryer works across contamination is likely. But despite that everything that we had was absolutely delicious. Portions were generous and the flavors were exceptional. Definitely a restaurant to order things to share and try. Highly recommend making a reservation... We were a large party but by the time we're leaving to every table was basically full and a waiting line outside the door. Come check them out! read more

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La Bodeguita del Medio was a great dinner spot overall. The Paella Cubana was excellent and one of the better paellas I've had in Palo Alto. Service was prompt and friendly, and we enjoyed sitting outside. The only real miss was the Havana Bananas, which the staff recommended. It was a soggy mess, and I would not order it again. Otherwise, the meal was very enjoyable, and I would return. read more

Hey there Party People If you have a craving Authentic Cuban food look no further than La Bodeguita Del Medio. The atmosphere is wonderful with great outside cafe seating as well as a cozy interior. I came here with friends and our waitress was wonderful allowing us time to chat without hovering. We started with some marinated Olives and plantain chip appetizers with a great bean salsa. We shared our entrees so we could all experience the amazing choices. We had the Ribs and the BBQ sauce was finger licking good I'm talking succulent a total flavor bomb. The marinated Skirt steak with coconut shrimp was wonderful. All of the sides with it were top notch. I didn't know that I loved sweet potatoes until I ate here. To cap off or great foodie experience we had to get dessert. Some amazing choice to be had but after much debate we settled on a chocolate decadent cake with a chocolate ganache. It was extremely rich and delicious a chocolate lovers dream. But we didn't stop there we were determined to fill every inch of our stomach so we also shared a Plantains smothered in a brown sugar Carmel sauce, talk about taking you taste buds to the next level....soooo good I will eat here again and again. If you want the full Cuban experience there is also a cigar room in the back with an expert there to educate and help you choose the right cigar for you. Be kind to one another read more

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Really tasty food, reasonable portion sizes, excellent service. Environment was very nice. The food is seasoned well, not over the top, not under seasoned. We had the chicken, skirt steak, crab cakes, roasted asparagus, and banana Havana dessert. Our server was new, but very attentive and professional. Also, Happy Hour from 12-5! We'd love to come again and try more dishes. read more

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Fantastic Cuban restaurant! Delicious, flavorful food and warm, attentive service! Everything was fresh and beautifully prepared. A wonderful dining experience! We will definitely be back! Highly recommend! read more

Food is okay. I don't recall anything really standing out or super memorable... Ceviche comes with fried banana chips. Interior is a bit dark, and could be more inviting. read more

La Bodeguita Del Medio - May 2019 - Cuban Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Cuban spot on California in PA that's been around for a while that I found to be just OK. 3.5 stars Food 3.5 Service: 3 Atmosphere 3 Cost to worth it rating: 3 (starters ~$17, entrees ~$25-30) Opentableable: no but on their website few days prior Return worthiness: yes Highlights - Shrimp special: was delicious with a lobster butter sauce and delightful white mashed sweet potatoes. 4.5 stars - Empanadas: filled with lots of pork and crispy exterior. 4 stars - Pork: large portion of braised pork with some beans. 3.5 stars - Many rum drinks on the menu - Had a long bar and outdoor seating in the street Midlights - Limited menu lacking some Cuban staples like vaca frita or deep fried pork cubes - Croquettes: just ok didn't have much flavor. 3 stars - For the fanfare around the mojito here thought it also was just ok. Lowlights - Waitress started off great but went MIA after our food arrived. When finally got a hold of someone, they didn't ask if we wanted dessert and just dropped off the bill. Hadn't been here in years and had an OK dinner, but wanted it to be a bit better. read more

The food was delicious. We ordered the shrimp on a toast for app and it was citrusy, garlicky with a nice heat. The pollo con arroz was cooked well where the chicken was cooked perfectly and the rice as well. The skirt steak and shrimp was also cooked to perfection. The steak was cooked perfectly medium and was not chewy which can be the case for a skirt steak and it came with a mashed sweet potato which was a great accompaniment. read more

La Bodeguita Del Medio - Arroz con Pollo - cooked well and great balanced flavor - Cuban Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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I'm surprised I never saw this place before but I'm so glad to have found them today. I'm in the south bay a few times a month so I enjoy trying new restaurants. LaBo was at the top of my search list so we decided to give it a try. First impression was favorable, the spot is very cute. I love seeing the representation of Cubans in the artwork. Often that is not the case (IYKYK) so that was a quick win in my book. The menu (we were offered both the happy hour and the regular menu) was robust enough for me to feel torn between a few dishes. We sat outside and really loved being on the patio which was pretty quiet for a Tuesday at 1530. We started with the empanadas which I have no business eating (I'm GF not by choice so I took the enzyme pills) and they were fabulous. Well seasoned and came with black beans and a cabbage slaw. Excellent. The we shared the Yesina salad and that made me feel very good about myself as only a fresh, well made salad can. Then! I had the arroz con pollo because I'd seen so many positive reviews and I've been knocking back way too much been and pork the last few days. It was AMAZING and a generous portion.my partner had the Chicarrones El Pollo sandwich and I don't know what kind of sorcery is happening in that kitchen but this dish ROCKS (NOPE, I wasn't supposed to eat that either). We wrapped it up with Havana Banana dessert and waddle out of there happy and ready for a nap. They will see me again. The service was attentive and made the experience a 5 star all around. read more

We sat outside, it was a pretty night , the fragrance from the blooming trees was lovely, the service was friendly, and the food was very good. When our check arrived, we were surprised to see a 5% surcharge for "dining in." We asked our waiter, who shrugged, gestured down California Avenue, and said everyone was doing it. No -- we often eat along the avenue and had never seen this surcharge before. We were dining outside, not "in." So did this mean as opposed to take-out? He didn't know, said other people had asked about it, did we want to speak to the manager? We didn't. But we left with an unpleasant aftertaste. read more

Enjoyed the Cuban Social Hours on Friday afternoon... bring your boss, and have a tour of Cuban cuisine and Rum. Loved the Shrimp Po Boy and Havana Mule. Bartenders Georgie and Louis are a pleasure to hangout with, and very knowledgeable on Cuban Rum and cigars -- the well appointed back room is well ventilated in case your boss enjoys cigars! read more

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Lively ambiance with a great addition of the smoking bar in the back of the restaurant. Menu was well created and food was beautifully made. Every dish was plated well and precise. I loved the portions on the paella and how fresh and flavor each appetizer was as well. Cigar bar had a large array of choices from beginner friendly items to expert such as mini cigarillos to large cigars imported from various countries read more

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The best! You have to go during happy hour. One of the best that we ordered was the Tierra y Mar! Meat melts in your mouth! Service is also excellent! read more

La Bodeguita Del Medio - Tierra y Mar - Cuban Near Me - Palo Alto, California

We haven't been here for over 15 years and my wife decided to come here for her birthday on Friday. This place did not disappoint. The service was great and the food and drinks were still really good. Our friend and cousins were also impress with the place for their first visit. We started off with our usual drink, the mojito. I ordered the mexcalito and if you like smokey cocktails, I highly recommend this. I then ordered j.s.p.m. followed by nacional no 1. Both those drinks are more on the fruity side but very refreshing for a warm evening. My wife ordered the j.s.p.m. after her mojito and enjoyed the drink as well. We ordered our usual appetizers that we would get back then which were camarones con mojo, pan roasted pei mussels, and crab cakes. The broth in the mussels and shrimp were very delicious and rich in flavor that we dipped our complimentary bread into it. Do not skip on these 3 dishes if you plan on ordering appetizers. For our main course, we knew we could never go wrong with tierra y mar and paella cubana so we ordered these two dishes again but as family style so the whole table can share. The steak was very tender and packed with flavor. The coconut shrimp was fried to perfection where we could taste the coconut strip and it did not taste burnt compared to other places. The paella was moist and the olive added an interesting twist to the flavor. Everyone enjoyed the dishes and were glad that my wife chose this location to celebrate her birthday dinner. We didn't realize what time it was and we stayed well after they closed. The host came over and politely told us that they were already closed and that the busboy was waiting to clean our table. We felt bad and apologized. The host understood and was very cordial about it. Highly recommend this place for the service, food, drink, and of course, the ambiance. read more

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We had a great girls' night out at Boguedita del Medio. It's so nice that you can reserve a table and not worry about crowds or a wait - the indoor/outdoor seating is nice, too. My friend and I got margaritas and shared small plates together - the ensalada de yesica, croquetas (yummm) and plantain chips. Everything was filling and flavorful without being heavy. Our server was very warm and attentive and made sure to check in on us as we stayed a while catching up. Looking forward to coming back and trying more dishes! read more

La Bodeguita Del Medio - Ensalada de yesica, croquetas and plantain chips - Cuban Near Me - Palo Alto, California

This Cuban restaurant has been a Bay Area go to for nearly 30 years. I tell all the visitors to go here. The cocktails are exceptional. I loved a key lime pie with gram cracker crusted rim which is no longer available. However I recently discovered the National and Hemingway were really good too. I recommend the seafood Ajoaco, this dish is shareable 2-3 ppl and totally worth it. The broth is creamy and tomato based with perfectly cooked lobster, mussel, shrimp and yukon. It is delicious with rice and bread. read more

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We took my parents out to dinner for a family celebration and enjoyed the dinner, service, and ambiance. It's hard to pick a favorite out of all the dishes we tried but the arroz con pollo and the Tierra y mar were both hits. Lots of great Cuban flavor and traditional dishes. We highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time as they were very busy after 6pm. We also loved checking out the cigar room in the back! Such a cool vibe. We'll be back again. read more

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