Laura Lockett
Que sorpresa! Encotramos esta joya de restaurante Cubano en el corazón de Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!
What a surprise to find authentic Cuban (Miami style) food in East Tennessee! My husband grew up in Miami, and is always looking for Cuban food wherever we travel. He has been disappointed SO many times. This time he was elated!
We split a Cuban sandwich, yucca fries, and black beans and rice, and had enough for 2 more meals!
The yucca fries were super crispy outside and meltingly tender and creamy inside. The Cuban sandwich was not quite as perfect as his Miami standard, but still the best he has had outside Miami! The black beans and rice were perfectly seasoned and served the way they are “supposed” to be served-separately.
He asked me to taste his café con leche so that I would understand how it should taste! I’m not really a coffee drinker, but I could be converted with sweet and frothy café con leche.
I would highly recommend!
… moreNikki D
Amazing food! Friendly and welcoming staff! Got the ropa vieja, sweet plantains, yucca fries, croquettes, and guava cheese pastry; everything was phenomenal. So happy to have randomly found delicious Cuban food in the mountains of Tennessee. Highly recommend stopping here as the atmosphere is warm, food is top tier, and the staff you can tell are genuinely great people. Support small!
… moreRachel Gardner
This place was so great! Kind staff, quick service, fresh food! They also have a good price point for the portions! I got the fried pork chunks and they were tender, crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. Highly recommend the garlic cilantro sauce for the yuca fries and the “hot sauce” for rice. It’s homemade, and bottled and sold at the restaurant. It’s less spicy, more tangy with lime, cilantro, and peppers in vinegar. My husband got the Cuban and said it was the best he ever had. Please try the guava and cheese empanada for dessert, its amazing! You should also try the Materva soda if you like both cream soda and sweet tea. Sounds weird right? Just trust me and try it!
… moreJohnny Machado
Amazing Cuban food and a great atmosphere. The flavors are authentic and everything tasted fresh and homemade. The ropa vieja was perfectly seasoned, the rice and beans were on point, and the portions were very generous.
The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Service was fast without feeling rushed
If you’re looking for real Cuban cuisine with great service and fair prices, this place is a must. We’ll definitely be coming back.
… moreTina VG Williamson
We enjoyed the food and service so much that we went back the next day. Definitely will go back. If you like a Cuban Sandwich, try the Croquette Sandwich! It was a step up from their delicious Cuban. If you hungry, treat yourself to the Milanese Steak! And don’t forget the Coffee Shot!
… moreAaron Bell
Excellent food… Can’t wait to go back.
We had the pork chunks with rice and beans and sweet plant… Pork chunks were fantastic. Well seasoned with a slightly crispy outside and tender inside. The beans were well seasoned. The homemade hot sauce was also fantastic. We had a beef and cheese empanadas that was also really good.. the guava and cheese pastry was yummy… it’s not too sweet and really creamy. The service was also excellent. She was very sweet and helpful with the menu.
.
… moreRobert Schmid
They food was amazing. Best Cuban sandwich I have had outside of South Florida. The owner is Cuban and she is spot on with her dishes. Can’t wait for our next trip back to have it again. Must try And remember always support local business.
… moreMaira Keenan
Let me start by saying it was fresh and delicious! Like eating a Cuban meal at home! Portions was great and that’s coming from a couple that can eat a lot. I say come and try it you will not be disappointed. La Cubana de OHIO.
… moreDavid D
Aww man. When we first walked in, the place looks brand new and I thought to myself, another disappointing Cuban sandwich? The picture on the menu looks promising…but not getting my hopes up. I have been disappointed too many times. Anyone can grab a photo of a true Cuban from the internet. But what’s this? ROPA VIEJA? That’s authentic Cuban Cuisine. So we order the Ropa Vieja and, of course, the Cuban sandwich. The Ropa Vieja comes out first with rice and frijoles negras, and fried plantains. Since I was waiting on my sandwich, I took a bite of the beef and about melted. I am used to it being chewy, the beef covered in the tomato- based sauce but not infused. My first bite of THIS Ropa Vieja really surprised me. The beef is infused with the sauce so that, chew after chew, the beef is tender, flavorful, and full of sauce. My opinion is changing… Next up to the plate is The Cuban. It is oblong, flat, and toasted on Cuban Bread!!! Looks good from a distance, lets check it out up close. You see, as all my Cuban Sandwich lovers already know, it’s not only the bread, the ingredients…but it is also the BUILD. The roast pork, the sliced ham, the Swiss cheese, the sliced dill pickle spears, and the mustard, neatly stacked so that each bite has all the right flavors. This is a legit Cuban restaurant! Yet the decor looks brand new! When our waitress comes over, I ask how long they have been open (thinking maybe 6 months) FOURTEEN YEARS! Every Cuban Sandwich searcher knows the struggle is real, so when you find the legit thing, chills accompany every bite. Cuban sandwich and Ropa Vieja notwithstanding, the meal was finished with a Cordaito and Tres Leches.
This place is authentic and a rare gem in a land of pancake restaurants and mountain coasters (oh, and the MAJESTIC vistas, the INCREDIBLE arts and crafts community, and ALL the great, friendly people!)
We will be back again before heading home.
… moreKEVIN JARDET
Great cuban food. Server was good for a huge crowd. Atmosphere is not impressive but for what it is very good.
… more