I totally recommend this! Honestly, what got my attention here was the Cuban Fry Mix because it was sweet potato fries and regular fries. I absolutely love love love fries so my husband went and ordered them only for me. I was so touched Cuban Fry Mix - The flies themselves were absolutely phenomenal! So perfectly crispy and not too greasy either. Such a creative idea of mixing both the fries and they actually went really well together. Proper sweet salty vibes! Classic Cubano Sandwich - First time trying a Cuban sandwich and it was actually very nice. Properly loaded with meat and the flavors went well together. It can get quite heavy though because it's quite a big sandwich so be prepared for that! Definitely a nice one to save leftovers though! One down side of this place as a whole though is that they don't offer customizations. I was hoping they could stop out something on the menu for something else or pair some two different items in a combo but they were not able to do that. read more

Palavana Cubano - Cuban Fry Mix + Classic Cubano Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Palavana Cubano is located inside The Garage Food Hall serving up Cuban food with a modern twist. They also have a spot that has fountain drinks with free refills! So funny story, a couple months back I was ordering just drinks and the person taking my order asked what I wanted to eat instead of will that be all. My brain wasn't fast enough and I panicked and said the first thing that I saw on the menu. It was Cuban nachos. I would never in a million years have ordered Cuban nachos as I'm not a huge fan of the sandwich (I'm a foodie yes, but I have the pallet of like a...17 year old) l. So I got my drinks and the weird looking nachos with tiny cubes of pickles and mustard in them? They. Were. Ah-maaaazing! I would never have thought they were be good but the cosmos must have known I would love them. Ordering them was a very happy accident! The crispy tortilla chips, the warm salty pulled pork, covered in pickle cubes and swished with mustard. O my god it a perfect bite every time and the flavors just bouce gleefully on your tongue. They don't have the nachos anymore but the fries Cuban is just as good. I go to Palavana every time I got to The Garage. read more

Palavana Cubano - Cuban fries! Pulled pork, ham, diced pickles, cheese, mustard - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I really enjoy Cuban food so I was excited to try this restaurant at the Garage. The staff was friendly and we got our food within a good amount of time but the food didn't taste great. I got a rice bowl and there was just no flavor. It tasted like salty, mushy rice. Maybe that was just the rice bowl and the sandwiches looked pretty good so I would try that next time. read more

Palavana Cubano - Rice bowl - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

They make a perfect Cafe Cubano here. It's a Cuban espresso in a small cup (think Dixie cup sized), and it's super flavorful and strong. All you need is that tiny shot of espresso to get you through the day ... or the next hour, if you're like me. This is the only place to get a cup of coffee in The Garage, and it just so happens to be an amazing cup. It takes a little over five minutes for the coffee to be made from the time you order, but it's worth it. The Cafe Cubano went perfectly with a guava pastelito, which was hot out of the oven. Their pastelitos are like flaky, baked danishes filled with guava jelly. They also make them filled with cheese. They are so good! They're the perfect little dessert / treat to eat with your Cuban coffee. I highly recommend getting both at the same time. read more

This is an excellent addition to the Garage Food Hall! I ordered their Classic Cubano sandwich. The Sandwich is packed with flavor and is delicious. It was about $16 for the sandwich plus mixed fries, sweet potato and plain fries. I wish there were more sweet potato fries, but there is enough under the sandwich to fill you up. I left with half my meal and could heat it nicely in the evening for dinner. The food is delicious, but rather pricy. --a few things to note. 1. The Garage is a Food Hall -- expect there to be a lot of noise depending on the time of day. 2. You go to the counter and order, and it is about 15 minutes before your food is ready. The individual at the counter let me know that up front, as they make everything to order. 3. You will get your food on a tray, and they will call out your name when it is ready. It is self seating. read more

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This place is inside The Garage, a food court-type place near Mass Ave. in Indianapolis. We stopped by kinda randomly for the dumplings place and then I wanted a Cuban sandwich also. They have all kinds of interesting options. I think we got the Tampa Cubano which has a different meat instead of ham. It came with the Cubano itself and also plantain chips. It was $13 which is a little pricey but not terrible. I'd like to try a few other things on the menu as well if I return at some point. read more

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Sadly, I didn't love this or the service. I do love a good cuban sandwich and I love a Reuben so I figured the Cuban Reuben would be amazing. My complaint with the sandwich is the bread. It's dry and crusty. Aside from that I'd say the sandwich was just okay. I missed the part on the menu that said the sandwiches came with plantain chips, so my disappointment with the service is due to not being informed or corrected. When I asked what her recommendation for a side was, this would have been the perfect time to make sure I knew there were plantain chips that come with it or explain to me what the Cuban fry upgrade entails. Instead, she recommended tostones. I've had many tostones and even made them myself. These were very dry. Thankfully I ordered the garlic mojo sauce and used that to dip them in. The sauce was good but a recommendation for a better sauce pairing would have been appreciated. Some service training would go a long way here. read more

Palavana Cubano - Tostones - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Cuban was good! Nothing crazy just a good Cuban. The plantain chips it came with tasted like store bought with seasons thrown on them sparingly. The Fried Plantains though we're cooked nice but lacked any flavor whatsoever but the dip they came with did provide a small kick of heat but that was the only bright point on a rather classic Cuban meal. read more

Palavana Cubano - Cuban with crisp plantains and the an order of fried plantains - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

First time at Palavana Cubana did not disappoint. From the ease of ordering, the friendly workers we encountered, and the mouthwatering food, it all made for an enjoyable visit! I ordered the Cuban Reuben and WOW - one of the best sandwiches I have had in a while! It was packed full of ingredients, prepared to perfection and was very filling. My wife enjoyed the sample platter and my daughter really enjoyed the Cuban Salad. We are already looking forward to going back. Thanks for a great first experience, Palavana Cubano! read more

Palavana Cubano - a variety of food items - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This isn't going to be much of a review because all I did was order a cup of coffee (it is one of the only places in the Garage Food Hall that has coffee). It as good. It took about 5 minutes to make, but that is to be expected with Cuban coffee. read more

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Nestled inside The Garage food Hall this cute location packs a great smell. On my way out the smell drew me in and prompted me to get a meal to go. Unfortunately they were out of shrimp so I went with a vegetarian option. The rice bowl didn't disappoint. It was lite and fulfilling. Hopefully they have shrimp to add to this tasty bowl on my next visit. read more

Palavana Cubano - Rice Bowl - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I've always wanted to travel to Cuba, but its island beauty and culture have eluded me thus far in life. I love Cuban food, and fortunately, Indianapolis has options not requiring scrutiny from immigration authorities. Palavana Cubano is the newest Cuban kid on the block, and through the generosity of its owner, invited Yelp Elites to enjoy a sampling of their food. I hit that "RSVP" button with enthusiasm. The eatery is in The Garage, and although I think the place is awesome, it's usually too crowded and noisy for the introvert in me. Thus, Palavana Cubano had not been on my radar prior to the event. The sampler I generously received included half a classic Cubano, rice and mojo beans, Cuban fry mix, and plantain chips. The sandwich was great...really great. The meats were juicy and flavorful, and it was quite large. I found the rice and beans to be blander than I'd like...but I ate it! I did not expect to like the plantain chips, as I don't care to combine sandwiches with sweet sides. The chips were savory, and I don't think I'd need to order fries if these were already included. On my own dime, I ordered the Cuban Rueben. I was very, very impressed. By "impressed," I mean it was "perfection." It's a large sandwich, and next to the Reuben at a place sounding like "Shapiro's," it's the best I've had in town. Thank you, Palavana Cubano. I can't wait to be a return customer! read more

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I tried the Cuban, although they had many other interesting menu selections... I opted for a classic. The sandwich had great flavor and was very filling. It was served next to a mountain of banana chips. This meal was large enough for two. read more

Palavana Cubano - The Cuban - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Another great restaurant located inside of The Garage! Palavana Cubano offers a nice selection of cuban sandwiches & a few other different items as well. Out of all the restaurants in The Garage, their drink selection is my favorite (& they even do free refills on fountain drinks). My boyfriend & I like to order one sandwich to share because they are so filling. All the sandwiches come with plantain fries, but I recommend upgrading to the Cuban fry mix and trying it with their ketchup! We have never had an issue with service here & have enjoyed all the different Cuban sandwiches! read more

Palavana Cubano - Tampa cubano & Cuban fry mix - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Great place to stop in and get a quick bite. Sandwiches are awesome and fries are always perfect. Everything comes in super generous portions so you will not leave hungry! Plenty of parking all over the garage and their set up is pretty cool and nostalgic. Everyone is always super friendly as well! Really recommend the spicy Cuban! read more

Palavana Cubano - Tampa Cuban - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Let's start with the beginning...the ambiance draws you to the place (right on the corner and BRIGHT). The second thing that drew me in was the young man with a huge smile taking orders. My husband came last week & I've been so jealous. Yelpers had an opportunity to try a sampler - and my favorite is everything. The mojo beans and rice are full of flavor, Cuban mix fries are fresh & crispy, plantain chips are a no-brainer any day of the week, Cubano is pressed to perfection. Highly suggest. All workers were so kind & food is delicious!!! read more

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Really yummy food! Service was a little slow considering it was a Tuesday before lunch rush. But that's okay. My sandwich came out delicious. When it came out I thought the chips were potato chips. No! They are plantain chips! They were a great touch to the meal. The sandwich was flavorful and hot. We also tried the Cuban bowl which i was a little west about - cubed ham on rice isn't tan everyday craving - however, it was really good. One of my favorite additions in the Garage Food Hall. read more

Palavana Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Ordered the spicy Cubano, and it had the perfect amount of spice. It was very flavorful. To me, a Cuban is all about the bread, and this sandwich had perfect bread. On top of the sandwich (or rather, underneath), was a mountain of plantain chips. This will definitely fill you up, and it's my new favorite place in The Garage (sorry, Gaucho's Fire). read more

Palavana Cubano - The Spicy Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This was a solid burger with a good sauce. The plantain chips were kind of plain and a lot of them were broken to be honest, they would've been great with a little bit of salsa or some sort of sauce to go along with it. read more

Palavana Cubano - Frita - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I've been here twice since it opened because it's just that good! The plantain chips are delicious, the rice bowl is my favorite, and their portion size is perfect! I also truly appreciate that they do cups of water instead of making you pay $4 for a bottle like a lot of the places at the garage. This business is full of flavor and good people clearly! Quality is top notch and it's sure to catch your attention upon entry with its cool design! read more

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I was a little skeptical because one review commented on the bread, but I must say it was pretty good. The 1st time I had a Cuban was on vacation in Miami Beach at Havana 1957 and have been searching for a good Cuban ever since. I've tried various food halls in different cities, cultured cafes in Grand Rapids- all not even close...this mojo pork right here is everything!!! The bread is a little different but the pork is the star of the show. Goes great with the mustard n pickles. The cherry on top was the great customer service from the nice young man at the front counter.I'm a fan. I'll be back to try the Cuban sandwich variations being offered. read more

Palavana Cubano - Enjoying the GARAGE and it's selection of cultured cuisine - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Charged me $28 for a dry ass sandwich. When I asked for mustard, they wanted to charge me $2.18. For mustard for my dry ass sandwich.

This restaurant is counter service in the food court area of "the garage" on Mass Ave area. Regarding if it is as good as a Cuban sandwich in Tampa, FL it is NOT the same. I think there are 2 issues 1st the bread is French bread which is not Cuban bread, 2nd the press should be garlic butter to enhance the flavor.. but anyway the pork was good! I wish they had smashed fried plantains. They have plantain chips which are not awesome. Get the Cuban Fry upgrade. They have Cuban coffee (cafe bustelo) but no true Cuban coffee with condensed milk, just a shot of basically espresso :( Anyway overall it was not a complete letdown and the closest thing to a Cuban sandwich in Indiana. read more

Palavana Cubano - Front of counter service - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Located in the garage food hall, I had high hopes for the Cuban addition to the wide variety of cuisine offered there. I ordered the original Cuban sandwich. Unfortunately, it was as lack luster as some of the other food offerings there- the theme at the garage thus far has been 'pay more for less'. The sandwich lacked the depth of flavor I enjoy from a more authentic Cuban sandwich- it comes off as a diy Cuban equivalent thrown together with cold cuts. Very little actual Cuban flavor, and at 16$ for a thin sandwich and some plantain chips, you'll finish wishing you had diy at home. read more

This restaurant is in the Garage Food hall. This is my favorite stand in the hall!!! The sandwiches are amazing and so big and the tostones come with the most delicious garlicky tangy sauce!!! They have cuban coffee which is just like a little espresso shot that has already been sweetened a little. They also have bottled coke which you cannot beat. The wait is only about 7-10 minutes on a Saturday at lunch!!!!! Eating at the garage is great because it's not too noisy and it's never crowded enough that there's not seats. I got the classic sandwich but the Elena Ruz sandwich is a sweet option that was also delicious. read more

Palavana Cubano - Classic cubano, fry mix, tostones, guava cream cheese pastry - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Best Cubans in town! Everything is cooked when you order, so expect it to take 10 minutes or so. My sandwich was huge, hot and delicious. Very fresh. Not as dry as other Cubans I have had. This is my favorite place at The Garage. read more

My husband disagrees with the reviews here. The cuban sandwich was not packed with flavor and was just ok. He too ordered the mix of regular and sweet potato fries and got a drink and the total was $25. I on the other hand went to the Brazilian place and had a great tasting cheesesteak for $12. read more

The traditional Cuban is a very good sandwich, the bread is on point. I give three stars because the plantain chips are so so and the overall price seemed high, over $20 for a sandwich, plantain chips, and a fountain drink, plus tip. Maybe I'm just old? read more

Palavana Cubano - Traditional Cuban- Tasty Plantain chips-eh - Cuban Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I'm a big fan of Cuban sandwiches and eat plenty of them. The first time I went to Palavana, the pork in the sandwich was overly dry. I shrugged it off, thinking it was a one-off. However, the second trip produced the same, overly dry pork. When I went back to the counter to ask for a little extra mustard to add to the minimal on the sandwich, I was told "it would cost extra". They're charging extra for sandwich mustard?!?! I was SHOCKED when they then charged me OVER $4 for extra mustard to put on my dry sandwich. All this after I tipped PRIOR to their (negligible) service which has seemingly become commonplace. Summarized: dry pork, poor service, charged $4+ for something that EVERY other sandwich shop would provide FREE. read more

UTTERLY FLAVORLESS. I ordered the Tampa Cubano with the fry mix. The only flavors I could detect were the toasted pressed bread and the pickles. I couldn't detect the mustard, the swiss, or the meat at all. The roasted pork seemed like it had been boiled and served, without any seasoning, even salt. Even the fries were light on salt. The sweet potato fries were undercooked and had some weird spice that I couldn't identify, but barely any salt. It's filling, but barely suitable for my dog. read more

Very good food! We tried the Cubano sandwich and Cubano rice bowl. Both were delish and authentic! Their banana chips were a nice side too. Will def be back! read more

The food here is excellent! We tried the Frita Burger and Cuban mix fries. The burger patty was delicious and full of flavor. The fries were fresh and delicious. Also had a Cuban coffee that was perfect. Service was great. Definitely recommend! read more

Flavor is good. Portion sizes good. Veggies are fresh. I love the plantain chips. And service was fast. What more could you ask for?