**Quick, solid Cuban food right by the mall** Heading to the mall and wanted something better than food court fare -- La Teresita was right down the street, so we popped in. Skipped the sit-down cafeteria side and grabbed the counter seating instead, which had a fun bar-style setup. Service was fast -- they got our water order in immediately, and we followed up with a large café con leche. Plenty of coffee for the price, though the red plastic cup was a letdown compared to a proper mug. Food came out in under five minutes, which is impressive for how good it was. I got the Milanesa -- a breaded steak in red sauce -- with yellow rice and black beans on the side, and it was excellent for the price. My wife had the Ropa Vieja with yucca and Moros rice, and it didn't disappoint: tender, soft beef with rich tomato sauce and just a hint of olive coming through. We also added a side of tostones with their garlic sauce, which were absolutely delicious. For a quick stop before the mall, this exceeded expectations -- great flavor, fast service, and solid prices. Would go back even without the mall as an excuse. read more

My tummy is happy! It's been a while since my last visit but oh boy itch scratched! One of the best and very reasonable Cuban food in the Tampa Bay Area. Ordered ropa vieja which isn't available on weekends but they checked with the kitchen and got it for me. Yucca and rice and beans to complement it. Cafe con leche is a must! It was a bustling weekend so we sat at countertop. Still plenty of seats. Good came out very quickly and servers were very accommodating even wi tv my broken Spanish lol read more

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This is our favorite spot before going to TB BUCS games on Sundays! Amazing place! We never wait, even when busy, and the prices are so affordable. The food amazing too! We went on a date night and walked in. We did ask nicely to move after we sat, because the man behind us was playing a soccer game loud on his phone. We were accommodated and moved closer to the music man- a nice musician who plays music while we eat. I didn't want to hear a random game but no complaints- on to dinner. Rolando was our server. I ordered empanadas- came hot! She ordered white meat chicken, fried bananas, and I ordered skirt steak, and flan. Amazing! Food was hot. Atmosphere great. Everyone smiling and enjoying a great night. You got to try it!!! read more

La Teresita Cafe - Flan - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Service from our waiter was very slow from start to finish. The ham croquettes were good, the red bean soup was cold (barely warm, the Sauteed Beef Tenderloin (FILETE SALTEADO) was tasty. My drink didn't come out until after the entrees were dropped off. I thought cuban bread was complimentary, however, they either discontinued that, or forgot to bring it. It took 15 mins to get our check after we completed our meal. This was for the main restaurant, not the busier "Counter" side... read more

La Teresita Cafe - Red bean soup (FRIJOLES COLORADOS), Ham Croquette, FILETE SALTEADO (Sauteed Beef Tenderloin), Plantains, yellow rice . - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

A delicious classic. Reliable and so large that there will be seating available. Service is quick and kind. Super helpful as well. Can't wait to continue to go! read more

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This place was okay. There was a guy that was kind and did a good job. The girl up front spoke so low we could not hear or understand her. Definitely needed to speak up or louder. We tried a few things: -Churro: okay but definitely stale, wish it had been fresher. This was a bit disappointing. -Chicken and rice: chicken was not very flavorful. Parts were cooked perfect and some of it was a little dry. Definitely not great... The rice was fantastic, perfectly cooked and seasoned -Salmon and fries: this was really good, flavorful and cooked great. We just wish it was a little bigger for the cost. -Vanilla Flan: very good, just a bit small. -Tres Leche: stole the show! Fabulous! I would come back just for this! The texture was perfect and the flavor was flawless! It was sweet but not too sweet. Great dessert! Definitely check your food before leaving though as they did forget part of the meal. Not a big deal as the guy up front was super apologetic and friendly. That dude was great! They need more just like him. Also, not the cleanest, floors needed swept and mopped. (That definitely would have helped the experience) Overall, it was a good/okay experience, just not great. read more

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I have t been here since high school, over 20 years ago. It has not changed and that is meant in the best way possible. Still have to fight for parking, and I came on a Friday workday for lunch. The wrap around eat in bar is still packed and the service is still hilarious and hospitable. Things I love, the complimentary Cuban toast and no matter what protein you get, you can't skip the rice and beans (whichever combo you prefer, yellow/white, red/black). The food is so much you take leftovers home and the price is still amazing, especially with prices going up everywhere else, it's STILL affordable and never sacrifice the taste. It's a Tampa staple. read more

La Teresita Cafe - Yuca, ropa vieja, sweet plantain, buttered and pressed Cuban bread, yellow rice, black beans - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I really wanted this to be a home run, especially being in Tampa, where the Cuban sandwich was born, But what I got instead was a foul ball. I ordered takeout at lunchtime expecting something fresh and satisfying. The Cuban sandwich was the biggest letdown. They try to get slick by loading you up with slices of ham while giving you very little pork, when the pork should be the star. I even left specific notes on the order: no salami and add mustard. Somehow, they still left a piece of salami in there and didn't put any mustard at all. A Cuban sandwich without mustard? I don't know. It was so bad I had to take both halves of the sandwich and move all the pork onto one side just to make it resemble something decent. There was one tiny slice of pickle. Don't take my word for it--check the pictures. That's why I always include them. The soup? It reminded me of Lipton soup. No knock if you like that, but this was basically Lipton soup with grease. As for the coffee, it was takeout coffee, so I can't even complain too much. I got it to wake me up, but honestly... after this meal, I should have just stayed sleeping. Overall, really disappointing given the expectations. read more

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Brought friends here for lunch and decided to try the milanesa today, with fries and yellow rice as sides. Just as I expected, this place never disappoints. I've only had Argentinian-style milanesa before, and I can easily say I liked the Teresita style better. The marinara sauce on the milanesa brings enough acidity to cut through the grease from the fried meat -- the meat is thin and crispy, but not at all dry. The fries and yellow rice make the meal an absolute steal based on the amount of food you get. My friend had the fried fish, which looked delicious -- excited to try it myself next time. Will definitely be back to try more items on the menu! read more

La Teresita Cafe - Milanesa - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Awesome authentic Spanish food. We enjoyed the sangria, chicken soup kids loved loved it , the steak sandwich which my son said was awesome he took it to school the next day for lunch. The staff is friendly a great family spot read more

My daughter and I went for lunch. The waitress spoke so little English it was hard to have a conversation with her. We asked her if we could order a Spritzer. She shook her head yes, and then brought us an Expresso. We just looked at each other and laughed. She was sweet and trying to serve us ,but didnt speak enough English to have a conversation. I dont think that is fair to the customer. I understand that many patrons speak Spanish, but a lot of tourists come to experience the latin culture who dont speak Spanish. Also the food wasnt as good as in the past. The collard green soup needed salt and was lukewarm. The fries also needed salt. read more

I used to frequent this place in the past. So many great memories surrounded by yummy food! I always dine at the CapdeVilla's, next door to La Teresita. It has a diner feel to it, high bar stools and very fast service by sweet waitstaff. The food is always great and it's been cheap since day 1. All entrees comes with 2 sides. Morro rice, platanos and yuca smothered in yuca sauce are my top 3! It's so good! read more

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This might be my top restaurant of this year. The food was fantastic, and the prices were amazing too. I had the arroz con pollo with platanos fritos and ensalada. The price was around $13 before tip. For that much food, and its great taste, I was extremely delighted that we had picked this restaurant for dinner. The arroz con pollo was so tasty. The chicken was very tender and moist. The platanos fritos were a little bit too sweet for my liking, but I still enjoyed them. The ensalada was just some bland lettuce with tomato slices, but I was fine with that as I just wanted some kind of vegetables in a sea of meat and carbs. I ended up mixing in some of the salad into the rice. My friends got the pork ribs and lamb stew, and they enjoyed their food. There was a really tasty guava drink that everyone loved, and we tried a bottle of Malta India for the first time, which was really good as well. We really wanted to get the sweet rice pudding for dessert, but we were so full. The dessert menu looked so tempting. It was my friend's birthday, and they brought a cute little flan with a candle on it. They sang happy birthday too. There were three birthdays celebrated within the hour inside the restaurant, which was amusing. read more

La Teresita Cafe - Arroz con pollo, lamb stew, pork ribs - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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worse experience ever. I ordered my 4 year old a cheese burger off the KIDS MENU & the burger wasn't all the way done. The person with me asked the price off something & was told "I don't do prices" in a nasty way. waitress attitude was the WORSE . I ordered Arroz Con Pollo & it was nasty so I sent it back & didn't eat but still paid for it. I also have puctures read more

La Teresita Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This was my first time here and it felt super homey! We sat on counter and was immediately greeted, given water and a menu. The prices were pretty good and the food cranking out the kitchen looked delicious. I was given some complementary buttered bread and it was hot and delicious. I ordered a steak sandwich and it was pretty good! The soft bread, the seasoned steak, lettuce, tomatoes and they even add these fun crispy potato chips to the sandwich. It was overall a good experience. My friend and I ended the lunch with some guava and cheese pastries and they were delicious. The flavor was spot on, super flaky and it reminded me of my fav treat from my childhood. I would definitely come back and try something else on the menu. read more

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I ate here a while back with a coworker that said this is some of the bed Cuban food he ever had. Either he lied or I ordered the wrong thing. The food was bland and unseasoned. The shrimp was soaked in butter, steak was hard and dry and the chicken wasn't seasoned. Also had Yucca which has zero flavor. The service was terrible as well. The waitress never checked on us. Also, I couldn't get her attention for a refill on my drink. Another customer had to get her attention. I wouldn't come back here if the food was free. read more

Wow! I love this place. Food is good and great service. I loved that they have a daily special menu. For someone that doesn't know what to order that kinda makes it simple. The restaurant is big. Make sure you know what side you're entering from. read more

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I've lived in Tampa for over 40 years and I believe today is the first time I've had breakfast at La Teresita. Crazy! Hubby and I decided to stop here on our way south to St Pete. We sat at the counter which wasn't too busy. The staff clears and cleans the counter very quickly after someone has left. Cushioned bar stools and purse hooks round out the experience. Our server Elizabeth was very friendly and efficient. She sang along with the music on the radio and greeted all of her regulars and newcomers cheerfully. Her English is not that great but who cares? She got the job done very well! We ordered decaf cafe con leche which was served in a small glass. So good! I got 2 fried eggs and Cuban toast and hubby ordered a cheese omelet with Cuban toast. The bread alone was worth the trip (sourced from La Segunda Bakery, I'm sure). The eggs were perfectly done. Fast, good, and cheap (we got out of there for under $25 - half of what we spent in Cracker Barrel last week). What's not to love? Buen Provecho! read more

La Teresita Cafe - Café con leche mediano - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

My breaded steak was cooked in rancid oil. The place is DIRTY. There's a 2 inch gap on side door at the bottom. I know restaurants have rodents, but this was an open invitation to rats, roaches and their friends. They will NOT see my face here again. We drove an hour to get here on a recommendation. Im beginning to think it was a trick to get us here. To improve you need a complete tear down. read more

An extra star just for their stuffed fish, those bell peppers add a hint of sweet But for real, who's been hyping this place A chill Cuban spot probably would be better That said, their sandwiches looked massive Might be worth giving those a try. Like, can't really complain at that price, right? read more

La Teresita Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Dining at La Teresita Restaurant (also the Cafe and Bakery) is a great way to be indoctrinated into the Cuban cuisine and the local-Latin food scene. La Teresita stands out and rises above the surrounding dining venues located on Columbus Drive when it comes to taste and flavor (and there are a handful of great eats along this stretch). The parking lot and spaces, while plentiful and ample, does not intuitively lend itself to the establishment. You can get to the lot from the rear using N Lincoln Avenue if you're coming from the West/Dale Mabry/International Plaza-Bay Street, or N St. Vincent Avenue if you're coming from the East/N MacDill Avenue/Tampa Heights. Now that you're behind the establishment, it is important to understand that La Teresita operates effectively as three sections which are interconnected. So now that you're looking at the building from behind, the left side of the restaurant is reserved for the cafe/diner and to-go bakery. The right side of the building is for casual and formal dining. If you're looking for take-out or something more casual, I suggest going to the left side of the restaurant. While there is signage for patrons, it might be somewhat confusing. Immediately from the rear, you will find the to-go bakery which has a door to the cafe/diner. Or you can enter the cafe/diner directly from the left side of the building. The bakery section has a few seats which is primarily used by those waiting for their orders. While there are cases to display the fresh and locally baked pastries, you can also order the same meals that you find inside the cafe/diner to-go. From this section, you can take a look into the cafe/diner through the windows and door. The setup is pretty unique in that they have both booths and stools that rides up to the servicing counter which then snakes its away around the inside. In a way, it creates a more intimate and neighborly atmosphere as you dine essentially shoulder to shoulder and across from other patrons. With that being said, I am sharing my experience with the left side, specifically the to-go bakery. Walking into this section, I immediately gravitated to the rows and trays of fresh baked goods that were displayed in the two large glass cases within. Seeing the appealing guava pastries and morsels, I knew I had to get some along with my meal. The cashier/clerk was extremely welcoming and helped me with some recommendations. Each day had its lunch specials, and for this particular day, he recommended the ROPA VIEJA. I cannot emphasize this dish enough, but I will simply leave that name right there in CAPS LOCK and come back to it later. Two side dishes come with the meal, so I selected the Garbanzos soup and Arroz Amarillo (yellow, medium-grain rice). I also ordered the Casco de Guayaba - one plain and the other with cream cheese (Con Queso Crema). Despite being take out, the portions were extremely generous - both the main entree and rice came in their own aluminum pans (approximately 8" x 6"); while the Garbanzo soup came in its own disposable soup bowl (12-16 oz). I found myself being teased and tortured by the amazing aroma of the food as they waited next to me on the car ride back to place of sanctuary. The moment arrived when I finally parked and opened up the containers. The moment I took a bite into the shredded beef, I was blown away to say the very least. The flavors were incredible, and the meat was extremely tender. It paired nicely with the stew/sauce it was cooked in. There were neatly sliced bell peppers which added additional flavors and texture to the overall dish. The flavor and texture profile continued to evolve as I scooped the beef into the fluffy rice. I continued to do this between all three items - the beef, rice, and soup - orchestrating a beautiful symphony within my mouth. In hindsight, the meal was heavy, and even though I found myself full mid-way into the meal, I couldn't stop myself from eating and finishing the rest (I'm fairly certain that both Asian and Latin culture share the sentiment that food should not be wasted). I did not fail in this regard, and I did not regret one bit of bloatness afterwards. Furthermore, I capped off this experience with the guava pastries. And when I tell you how flaky and decadent the guava paste was as it nested itself with those layers of buttery goodness, I am not exaggerating. This was one of the first guava pastries I've had since I last lived in Florida, and this was amazing. La Teresita, I hope the best for you and your continued success. If you live in Tampa, you have to get yourself La Teresita. 100% read more

This is one of my favorite Spanish restaurants. The roast pork, and white rice & black beans are awesome. Cuban sandwiches are authentic and tasty. It is a great place to get breakfast, lunch and dinner. Take out is fast in the dedicated room in the back. read more

La Teresita Cafe - Picture of antique espresso machine . - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

My Tampa friends discovered this quaint Cuban restaurant. Everything is Cuban here, yes authentic. Ordered the ropa vieja. Very good. Service was quick and to the point. Great place for thy family. I'll be back. read more

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I have been coming to La Teresita my whole life and I won't be going again. My portion of ropa vieja was laughable. I could fit the entire portion on my fork. The flavors were fine, but what happened? Gone are the days where you get anything good for your money I guess. read more

La Teresita Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Came here with a friend while on a business trip. Atmosphere was ok and the food was good, but nothing super special. Service was ample and quick, but I got the vibe they wanted to push people through like a machine. Seating section is nothing intimate or attractive; reminded me of the interior at any large-scale food buffet. read more

I'll start with the positive: the food was good. I ordered the grilled salmon with yellow rice, black beans, and yucca, and my partner had the baked chicken with yellow rice and red beans. Both dishes were flavorful and well prepared. That said, our Valentine's night experience was extremely disappointing. First, our meals were served on flimsy Styrofoam plates; the cheap kind you'd buy at a dollar store. I've never been served on Styrofoam at a sit-down restaurant before. I don't even use Styrofoam plates at home, so this was shocking and honestly unacceptable for paying customers. Service was also very slow. There were only three waitresses working. Our waitress did her best, and it was obvious she was overwhelmed. Another waitress, who was in charge of making juices, had a very unpleasant attitude and seemed focused only on drinks while plates sat waiting at the window. The overall atmosphere felt tense and chaotic, which is not the usual vibe here. I've dined here many times and have always had a good experience, which makes this visit even more disappointing. I understand that businesses can face staffing or financial challenges, but serving dine-in customers on cheap Styrofoam plates is not okay. Unfortunately, this visit did not live up to the standard I've experienced here before, earning them 2 stars. read more

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This is just the dessert counter! Amazing variety of Cuban foods and desserts! Best Cuban food in Tampa!! read more

La Teresita Cafe - This is just the dessert counter! Best Cuban food in Tampa!! - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Delicious, and fast. Employees are super friendly. Very affordable and open late. Will be back for sure read more

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A very inexpensive meal. Good, friendly service. Good, tasty food. It can use some real veggie options. I eat fish and seafood, so I found some good choices, including a stuffed fish dish, which cost only $12. read more

We've been coming here for years. I love the arroz con pollo and Cuban sandwich. Consistently delicious . My son loved the plantains. Great spot for authentic food. read more

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Dave and I were spending the night in Tampa and he wanted to eat dinner at La Teresita Cafe. We hadn't been there in over five years! I love the look of the Cuban style building, the inside is large and full of tables and a few rooms. There is a small stage where there is live music every night. We opted for the smaller room because it was really chilly inside lol! Dave got a delicious frozen Pina Colada. I think I was jealous and had to watch my carbs. So I got club soda with lemon instead. We perused our menus and every day they have 5 special dinners. Elizabeth our server brought us warm Cuban bread and we shared a tamal. Dave got the roast pork dinner that came with a house salad, large portion of yellow rice and Colorado beans that had pieces of meat in it. Myself of course did not order the right thing. I got the special salad with olives and grated cheese and chicken noodle soup. So after much deliberation I added a dark meat chicken quarter that was so moist and soft and delicious! So all was not lost lol! Elizabeth made me the Cuban version of a decaf cappuccino! Boy was it good and strong. Well Dave's portion was so large that I got to taste everything. I loved the beans, they were like a soup with pieces of meat in it. I hope that we don't wait another five years to return lol! Great food, great atmosphere and lots of fun! read more

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Yummy Cuban dishes. Love the sapote smoothie. Seat bar style. Order taken . Good price good quantity and delicious. read more

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Been here years ago had these big plántanos con un bistec omg delicioso mas riquísimo sorry it's been years no pics to share next time I will... read more

Awesome, spacious, authentic kitchen cuban restaurant. Highly recommended by the local cuban population I ran into. The staff was extremely friendly, informative, knowledgeable and helpful. The menu is extensive with a variety of daily specials. There is a children's menu, extensive dessert menu, aka cart menu, side dish menu and drink menu. Fresh warm buttered cuban bread was instantly delivered. I opted for the daily fresh stuffed fish special and hit a home run. The light white fish was lightly battered, stuffed with shrimp and other deliciousness. The white gravy was heavenly, the entire combination perfectly balanced and tasty. As was the interesting vegetable assortment which was also tasty. The mango fruit shake was perfect. The restaurant is very affordable. The Cuban coffee was perfect. read more

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Love the service! They are very welcoming. So many delicious things to choose from. Really like the Cuban sandwich dressed and pressed! I also order a bowl of black bean soup with a side of yellow rice to mix in together. And an order of there plantains is a must. read more

We visited and brought for take out the tres leche and two different kinds of flan. The plus is that there's plenty of parking and it's a large place with the restaurants divided from the bakery. The con is that the signage doesn't make sense and isn't direct to get you to the right place. I ended up walking and circling the entire building to find the bakery The flan unfortunately was not consistent where one tasted like pudding, and the other jello but none having a creamy texture that stayed together. The tres leche was good and a nice sweet level and soaked all the way through as this dessert is made to be however, it was a very thin layer of cake. Service was quick but not entirely friendly but this may also be a language barrier. I'd try the food next time as the restaurant was full but not so much the bakery read more

La Teresita Cafe - Flan - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Wasn't planning on having lunch here, but the original option had the longest line. Wanted to just eat and go on with our day. The building had lots of parking and looked packed, but there was no wait when we entered the seated area. There is an option to grab and go in the adjacent building. Service was good. We felt rushed and didn't get to really look over the menu items. The food prices are great and they give you a lot of food. We wished the food was hot and had flavor. The cuban had lettuce, and I'm not used to having it on my cuban sandwich. It was OK, not great. The rice and chicken needed something. It was like eating boiled chicken with no noting. Kinda dry and meh. My husband pork chops were dry also. Overall, it was just ok. Maybe we ordered the wrong things. read more

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I have been coming here for years and the food always tastes great. The breaded steak and onions is my go to.

Stopped here for dinner with Judy. Probably my fifteenth time in 20 years & I live out of town. Little has changed. Plain but Good food. Roast pork (with two sides) is always their special for a reason. They do it well. Catherine was our server and treated us well with recommendations and comments. We started off with my pina colada (sweet, frozen and delish) and a tamale we split (mildly sweet nice flavored). Then Catherine served our dinners - hot. Healthy sides of Amarillo (yellow) rice, Colorado (pinto) beans along with a plain house salad. They complimented the roast pork served with sliced white onions. Judy had chicken soup, salad and 1/4 chicken that was moist and easily picked apart. We didn't leave much. Just some broth. Judy had a decaf capachino. It was strong. Music started at 6:30. Electric guitar. My only negatives were how chilly it was. AND In 15 years the facility is unchanged except for the menu updates. The restaurant was 3/4 empty the hour we were there but it has been famous for its late hours of operation. All in all a pleasant evening with a home cooked hot meal that's affordable. We read more

Anytime I'm in Tampa, "La Teresita" is a spot I always treat the family to.. Excellent comfort food. read more

La Teresita Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Tampa, Florida