After driving past Old Cuban Cafe on Goldenrod for years, I finally decided to stop in for a late…read morelunch. The restaurant sits in a converted old gas station, and parking is plentiful with some covered spots that provide welcome protection from the Florida sun. This is clearly an authentic Cuban spot where English appears to be a second language for some of the staff. Communication for a gringo like me was a bit challenging, but everyone was friendly and patient. I ordered a Cubano sandwich at the front counter and was asked if I wanted to make it a combo. When I asked what came with the combo, my understanding was a little limited, but I nodded yes and was asked if I wanted soda or water. I chose bottled water and believe I was credited back about $2 from the combo price. When my order was called, I picked up a basket at the counter holding a beautiful-looking Cubano alongside a generous serving of golden-brown French fries. Seating is simple and casual, and I noticed condiments are not kept on the tables other than salt, pepper, sugar, and napkin dispensers. I returned to the counter to ask for ketchup and hot sauce and was directed to a nearby table with ketchup packets while a small container of hot sauce was provided. The Cubano itself was well pressed with the Swiss cheese nicely melted and the meats heated throughout. The bread held together well and had a good texture. The ham was excellent, while the roast pork was fair. With mojo pork, you often get a mix of lighter and darker sections -- the darker pieces tend to have a stronger, gamier flavor, and this sandwich leaned more toward those sections. The pickles and mustard were well balanced and helped bring the whole sandwich together. The fries were fresh and crisp, though there was a slight hint of older fryer oil in the flavor. The hot sauce had a vinegar-forward profile and wasn't particularly spicy -- it reminded me somewhat of Texas Pete. The combo ended up being a solid value considering the size of the sandwich and the portion of fries. The restaurant also offers a buffet featuring many Cuban favorites, and I look forward to returning to sample some of those dishes along with a Cuban coffee. At the front counter there's also a glass case filled with pastelitos and a nice selection of empanadas that looked very tempting. Overall, a solid neighborhood Cuban spot with authentic character and plenty of menu options. If you're visiting for the first time, the Cubano is a good place to start.

This is one of the best Cuban restaurant I've been to for authentic Cuban cuisine. We were greeted…read moreby the staff super friendly and acomedating to our large group. Our niece Levon and her husband will go there all the time and knowing that im Cuban they wanted to share their favorite restaurant with us. Let me tell you all if your ever in Orlando and want some good food, drinks and live entertainment go to Old Cuban Café you won't be disappointed. To start off my nephew wanted a special whiskey he likes and they were out so guess what the owner did, he drove to a liquor store and brought it for him, if that's not great customer service I don't know what is, I was impressed. So my wife and I love to eat good food, she ordered one of the staple Cuban dish Yucca (cassava) frita with garlic sauce, and a Cuban sandwich which not evetyone makes it good but. it was right on point deliciously crunchy and yummy and she ordered a Guava smoothie also very yummy. I ordered the special of the day which was Picadillo (ground chuck) with rice and black beans and sweet plantains and omg it was so yummy I thought my mother was in the kitchen, it was that good. Three kids in our group ordered pastelillos and Cuban lemonade. Gya is not adventurous so she had a burger. They loved it and I tried a zip of the lemonade it was yummy made with fresh lemon and lots of sugar. My niece had the chicken dish with tostones (fried plantain) my sister in laws had the steak and congri. my brother in laws had steak as well. We were all very satisfied and the price was very reasonable a must visit restaurant for sure, I will be coming back each time I visit Orlando. I highly recommend them for their kindness and deliciously yummy authentic Cuban food. The live music was comforting and fun.

If you're in Orlando and craving a real, authentic Cuban sandwich, Cuban Sandwiches To Go is the…read morespot. Hands down the best Cubano I've ever had. The sandwich was everything it should be -- perfectly pressed, crispy on the outside, warm and melty on the inside. The pork was flavorful and tender, the ham was stacked just right, the pickles and mustard gave it that classic tang, and the bread had that authentic Cuban crunch that makes all the difference. It tasted traditional, simple, and absolutely delicious. What really blew me away was the price. For the quality and portion you get, it's crazy cheap. You'd expect to pay way more for something this good. No frills, just incredible food done right. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Absolute 5 stars.

I just got a new job in the area, and Cuban Sandwiches To Go are about to have all of my money!…read more I'm from Miami, so I've been searching for a great Cuban sandwich (and croquetas) to satisfy my cravings every once in a while. I haven't been able to find a decent Cuban sandwich, until now! They make their sandwiches THICK with freshly sliced meats. Best Cuban sandwich I've had in Orlando, for sure. I took the sandwich to go, and put it into my air fryer to crisp up the toast and melt the cheese once I got home. Loved it. I also got the ham croquetas. Each order comes with 4 small croquetas, which are super tasty. I noticed that in Miami, all of the popular spots like Sergio's sold croquetas that started tasting a little weird... Like the quality of the ham inside of the croquetas went down. But these were deliciously made- I'd definitely order it again. I got a flan for a coworker, and she said it was great! I got a tres leches and was very happy. I'll probably be back to Cuban Sandwiches To Go next week- not going to lie haha. The only issue is trying to race over there before they close at 5pm. I do love that I called ahead to order the sandwich, and it was ready by the time I got there 20 minutes later. Definitely recommend this spot!

This place as as authentic as Cuban food gets. Came here from SD and ordered so much of…read moreeverything. The people were so nice and very friendly. Congri is the bomb. I wish I had more time to keep coming and trying more. The owners mother was so helpful. Come try this place out.

A very nice place for authentic Cuban food This restaurant…read moreopened in 1978 and has been serving authentic Cuban food in the South of Downtown district for decades. One of our family recommended it to us and we decided to try it. I am very glad we did. It is at the north end of a strip center just off the east side of Orange avenue and north of Michigan St. It has a large Cuban Flag sign so finding it is not hard. The parking is to the north of the restaurant and only has about 10 tightly packed spots. I expected just a small counter area and was pleasantly surprise to find a very nice restaurant with tablecloths, real utensils and dishes. The murals and mirrors on the wall give a very nice feel to the place. Each table has glass platen over a white vinyl tablecloth with business cards, letters and notes from satisfied customers over the years. The waitress was very nice and efficient. We ordered a Media Noche, Cuban sandwich, Papa Rellanos and Ham croquettes. Everything came out within 10 minutes and was absolutely delicious. The price for all the food and drinks for 2 people was ~$50. It was well worth the price for great food in a very nice atmosphere from pleasant people. I definitely recommend it for fellow travelers who want real Cuban food.

Hidden Gem Alert! If…read moreyou're looking for authentic Cuban breakfast in a beautiful setting, look no further than Cuban-American Café, conveniently located on the first floor of the Fairwinds Bank building. From the moment we walked in, the staff greeted us with genuine warmth and professionalism, making us feel right at home. The café features a clean, contemporary dining area with plenty of natural light--perfect for a relaxing breakfast or coffee break. The food was outstanding. The fresh homemade Cuban bread was warm, soft, and full of flavor, and the homemade ham croquettes were absolutely delicious--crispy on the outside and perfectly seasoned on the inside. Paired with a rich, made-to-order cup of hot Cuban coffee, it was the perfect start to our morning. It's always a pleasure to discover a local restaurant that combines exceptional food, welcoming service, and a wonderful atmosphere. This is one of those places. We will definitely be returning and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic Cuban café experience. Fresh food, friendly faces, and authentic flavors--this hidden gem is worth the visit!

Meet the owner and he was really down to earth really nice guy, had the steak sandwich it was…read morereally good. I really loved the mayo ketchup it had alot more flavor than other places which was good , tried the jalapeño monkey sauce it was amazing I like the location of the place it was really nice

Don't sleep on this Cuban spot! Solid lunch option with great sandwiches and even breakfast!…read moreFriendly service and delicious food.

Running errands with Mom and she was starting to feel a bit hungry....We'd come to this plaza…read moreplenty of times yet we'd never stopped to try this place. From the outside, it's pretty unassuming, but after our experience here, I can say it's a great hole in the wall to visit! We ordered to go but were met by family and decided to sit down after receiving our food. The staff was incredibly friendly and seemed genuinely happy to greet us and show off the menu. The empanadas were packed full of flavor but weren't too greasy which I appreciated. The seasoning may be a bit strong for some people's tastes but my mom quite enjoyed it. The mofongo was much better than I was expecting. It wasn't oily and had a crunchy exterior while keeping that soft plantain on the inside. It had a rich note of garlic without overpowering my palate. I will note it may be a bit salty for some but nothing over the top. The fruit shakes can be made with either water or milk. We had passion fruit and mango and did not regret ordering either. They were fresh and had vibrant flavors without being overly sweet. It was wonderful to find a hidden gem in such a small plaza, and I've no doubt we'll be coming back whenever we're in the mood for some comforting Cuban food!

Arrived on a Thursday night with a slight tropical storm passing through, road was flooded and shut…read moreoff nearby, and it was STILL busy! That should tell you something. Our group ordered the Lomo Saltado, skirt steak, and grilled steak & onions. I have to say the skirt steak was my favorite flavor and tenderness. But the tres leches was AMAZING! That was worth the trip in the tropical storm and flooded roads LOL!

Nice atmosphere, friendly staff and great variety of Latin cuisine, along with amazing drinks. The…read moremenu is divided by country, so you know where ea dish comes from. We had the Garlic Shrimp appetizer, Chauffeur rice with chicken and the Bandeja Paisa, which offers a variety of tasty meats along with beans.

Delicious! I was craving something like this & took a chance & was not disappointed. I was greeted…read morein a friendly manner right away by the hardworking owner. I knew from the smell of everything cooking, I made a good choice stopping in here to order takeout. But there are also some tables to sit & eat if you prefer. Good atmosphere w/ music. Many options to choose from but keep in mind, some days some options might not be available so call ahead & place your order. I ordered the stewed chicken, beans, rice & plantains. The meat was so flavorful & tender, falling off the bone & the sauce made the rice extra delicious.This place is a gem.

Good food and a clean small place. The staff is knowledgeable of Dominican food and culture.read more

It's so comforting to know I have this place nearby. Prices are amazing and you get a lot of food…read more I always order the barbacoa tacos & they NEVER disappoint. The green salsa is spicy!!! but it's got a great flavor Their house made chips and salsa is complimentary. And make sure you order a LARGE agua frescas. You can't go wrong with any flavor but I recommend: Passionfruit or Coconut. I prefer to dine because it's authentic and cozy. But you can call ahead to order.

Hole in the wall taqueria inside of a grocery/convenience store. Authentic tacos! I got the chorizo…read moreand asada tacos and both were delicious with my favorite being the chorizo. It had great flavor and a nice crisp. Extremely affordable as the tacos were under $3 each. Plenty of seating and fast service!