Somewhere between a 3 & 4. Tried the maduros (fried banana), yuca fries, beef empanadas and ham sandwich. Sandwich was okay. Good flavor. Could've used a little more pickle. Not as meaty as I'd expect a Cuban sandwich to be. Nonetheless, filling. Maduros were excellent. Nice crispiness at the edges. Came out nice and hot. Great value at $2. Yuca fries had a nice fry, nice texture. Served with a mayonnaise-like sauce. Again, great value at $2. Beef empanadas inexpensive but small. Service fast. No line on Sunday at lunch. read more

My friend had Cuban Kitchen cater for baby shower a few years back and instantly fell in love with their food! I know they're known for their meat entrees but I especially love their rice and beans, it's so simple but SO GOOD! I usually order extra to go just so I can have more to eat later. read more

This is the first time I went to Cuban kitchen. I ordered the chicken breast with vegetables as I was working late at night. The flavor was amazing. The food was hot and the taste was delicious. Can't wait to go back there finally found a great place. read more

Sandwiches were excellent! Generous amount of quality meats on toasted panini? cashier/ wait staff was courteous. took a long time though. read more

Pretty bomb Cuban food, probably best I've found on the Peninsula. The Cubano is definitely the way to go. It's a huge sandwich, super filling, so if you're not starving, consider sharing it with a friend. Side of sweet plantains, what else do you need? read more

We have been to the Cuban Kitchen before. With SIP, we want to support local business so we order the food to deliver to us. Everything is packaged very well and food is as good as it can get. I read Yelp reviews and decided to give Pollito Mojito a try. It turned out to be the best item we ordered. While choosing a style, I had to google and learned something about Cigar. A bonus..... The only problem is there is no place for me to add tips on their online order system (or I missed it.) I will for sure leave them a big tip when I visit them in person. read more

My husband and I tried this place after walking by a few times and always commenting on how good it smelt. We were not disappointed! I had the Lechón plate with their guava- cranberry nectar and he had the pollito mojito burrito (super fun name lol). The pork shoulder was very tender and well seasoned with virtually no fat. It went really well with their rice and black beans. I don't even usually eat beans but the combination was perfect. The homemade nectar was sweet and had a unique taste but was good also. My husband was impressed by the burrito and the first thing he said was "man this is FIRE" he loved it and had not one comment about any improvements. We're not quite sure what the pink veggie was but it was in the burrito also and he said it really added to the flavor. The restaurant was clean, had good music and had a good amount of people coming and going. They offer quite a few sauces to try with your meal but both of us liked the food so much we didn't feel the need to add any flavor. We will for sure be back soon! read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

I ate here over the weekend and enjoyed my visit. The parking is a little tight and some of the parking spaces are a little difficult to navigate. Walking in the restaurant is pretty small but enough seating for a decent lunch crowd. I decided to go with their most popular cubano sandwich but I forget the name. Customer service was great, definitely 5 stars there. Friendly staff and honest recommendations. Wait time for my food wasn't bad, maybe 7ish mins. The food was hot and it tasted great. I wasn't crazy about the recommended side dish of the day, it was too salty and had a really mushy texture under the fried skin. Others might like it but I wasn't a fan. The Cubano was great though the combo of meats and cheeses was great. The meat was juicy and the bread was toasted perfectly. If I am in the area again and feel like Cuban food I will really consider stopping by again. read more

See all

I always forget that there are good restaurants outside of Downtown San Mateo. We decided to come here for dinner and it was pretty empty on a weekend night. We go the "best" Cubano and also the lechon plate and yucca fries. The yucca fries were pretty good when it came out hot and crispy. The lechon plate came with pulled pork, rice and black beans and all were really good. The pork was flavorful and super tender. It was a tad on the salty side though, but it didn't affect the meal that much. And I'm sure you're curious if the Cubano was really the "best"? TBH, probably not, but it was pretty tasty. The bread was a little thick to my liking, but the meat and flavors were really good. Overall, a good place if you like juicy, tender and flavorful meat. read more

See all

Delicious Cuban cuisine in good portions served in a no-frills setting. The restaurant is not big, and seems to handle a lot of to-go orders. We ordered two entree plates (chicken and shrimp) and could change the portions and/or whether we want any rice/beans/salad. Beverages are very reasonably priced. Service was excellent! Parking is available in a lot next to the restaurant. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Chicken Tenders Tray + Shrimp and Veg y Sofrito - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

My partner and I have been going here for a few years now, coming once in a while. Never been disappointed! The food and service is great. You'll always feel welcomed as you walk in. The owner is so nice. Highly recommend! read more

When here for lunch a couple weeks ago on a Saturday. The food was excellent. We both had the Cuban sandwich, which was really big. The sandwich was the perfect temperature, and really filled with a lot of stuff. Plenty enough for leftovers for the next day. The fries were pretty good too. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

It was a pleasure to eat some excellent food, but I had even more fun having a nice conversation about food and hot sauces with the owner. 10/10 for the service and flavor. read more

This is my first of many times I will be here‼‼‼ food was smacking no lie whatever they use to season their meat makes me want to fly to Cuba right now and learn read more

Great Cuban food. Perfect for the whole family, love the location, its really cute and aesthetic!

This spot is a hidden gem! Ordered a Cuban sandwich and exceeded expectations. 10/10 recommend!

I had the mojito chicken, rice and beans plate. AMAZING!! So flavorful and just delicious! My boyfriend had the Cuban sandwich. I had a couple bites of it. So GOOD! We tried the lime mojito lemonade. That was pretty good too! Overall, good food, good service. Definitely going back! read more

This place has enough charm and ambience to last a lifetime.The food and service keeps me coming back time and time again. At this point I have tried almost everything on the menu, and every single time I rate each meal five out of five stars! The staff really takes the time to getting to know each customer's pallet and Give stellar recommendation. Try this place out -your stomach and soul will thank you! read more

The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because I haven't eaten an actual meal here yet. I've been buggin my bf to try it but we always end up somewhere else for various reasons. Well, yesterday a friend and I tried it. My friend was quite hungry because she hadn't had a proper meal all day, so she ordered the bistec plate. She loved how authentic and flavorful it was. It was too close to dinner for me (and I already had plans to eat somewhere else with my bf) so I just ordered some chips and guacamole. The chips were dangerously addictive. Crisp and light but sturdy enough to hold a big scoop of their chunky yummy guac! We also shared a half order of sweet plantains, which were absolutely perfect. I cannot wait to go back and try one of their sandwiches and basically everything else on the menu. Luckily it's really close to where I live! My favorite thing about this place was a sign in the window that was from the owner. It was a letter to customers explaining why the hours had been shortened. I could tell from the letter that this business owner really values her staff and cares more about the quality of her service than about making money. So great to see people that still have basic decency and respect for both their staff and customers alike. Will definitely enjoy supporting this business as much as I can! read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

Had to check this place out since I recently got back from Cuba! Wanted to see how authentic the food was- and I have to say they do a decent job. I was only comparing the rope vieja since a cubano isn't actually Cuban (an American invention). The meat was good and the sauce tasted great. We also ordered murados and tostones- both tasted great especially when dipped in the green sauce they had out! We of course had to try the Cubano- and it didn't disappoint. The bread was toasted well and loved the combo of pickles and mustard. We also ordered the philly bistec- honestly wouldn't recommend getting this. Very dry and didn't really remind me of a Philly cheesesteak. They also served "Cuban" beer... but it's really crystal from Peru not Cuba. Would defiantly come back here if ever in the area! read more

See all

I'm eating inside because I don't want take out. BUT they give you your food in take out containers . what happened to the plates and saucers from before Covid? Sitting at the table eating out of take out containers is not like eating in a restaurant. No sauces came with my food. Chicken was plain, kind of blah. Rice and beans not impressive-- no real flavor. One great item: the plantain. The quality of the food doesn't match the price! read more

I came here last night for a company dinner, and oh the owner was sooo welcoming, and the food was ooooh so amazing!! This is such a GEM! It's such a cute place with good atmosphere. My personal favorite is the guac and chips and the cheesecake!!!! I am still thinking about that cheesecake today :). Will definitely be back!! Superb friendly staff and super warm atmosphere~ read more

We made a group ordered through caviar. My Cubano was good but not the best I've ever had. The ham was overpowering the pork, and I like the bread that media Noche uses better. That said, the yuca fries were good, and my friends enjoyed the ropa vieja dish and the breaded chicken cutlets. The dishes didn't come with any cutlery, and it's good that we had them at work that day. The guava cheesecake was just ok. What didn't do it for me was the crust, which tasted like an old cookie. Though I'm sure that the dessert was made fresh. The fries arrived soggy, as one would expect, and the guacamole was good. The guac came with pretty heavy but tasty chips. I don't think I'd order again from here, but I'm definitely happy I tried it. read more

I have been living on the Peninsula for 2 years now and been homesick for New York every minute of those 2 years. Coming from NY, the Latin cuisine that I am used to has its roots in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. California's Spanish food is overwhelmingly Mexican. Cuban Kitchen is a taste from home and it is excellent. It's the only Latino restaurant I know of in the area where I can get arroz con pollo, mojito chicken and platanos the way I remember it from back East. The very first time I went there, I met one of the owners, Lilah, and we had a great conversation about how she and her Mom started back East in New Jersey with a food truck, worked hard, moved out here and now are bringing their delicious, on-point, legit Cuban food here to San Mateo. Since the pandemic, I have ordered takeout and the food is every bit as good as always. Packed well by her always attentive staff. Like all of us, I can't wait for things to reopen, but until then, I'm glad that I can still pick up the best Cuban food in the area from Cuban Kitchen. read more

Omg. I am such a foodie, and let me tell you. I think i found one of my favorites. Right when you walk in, the vibes are fun and authentic. I really love the style of the menu here. I ordered the vaca frita platter, which was a crispy citrusy flank steak. You can choose two sides and i got the yellow rice and the black beans. Such a well rounded meal. My boyfriend got the cubano sandwich and the pollo Milanesa platter (he loves chucken cutlets, katsus, etc) he said this was the best breaded chicken hes had. I tried and bite, and it was perfect. The cubano here is top tier, incredibly authentic. Also, i love the way they cut their sandwiches. Theres so many yummy sauces here. Guantanamo sauce, cienfuego sauce, and tula candela sauce, some of my favorites. Service was awesome. Young gentlemen was very friendly and helpful, also i believe it was the owner there as well and she was very friendly, was very nice to tell us about all the sauce, and brought out some chips for my son while we waited for food. Unfortunately i live really far away, but ive already found excuses to head that way! Lol. Love this place. read more

Walking into this spot will make you feel like Vanessa Williams when she came across Chayenne for the first time in the movie, Dance With Me. Hmm...seems legit! Decent spot for a casual, inexpensive lunch. The Cubano, a specialty pressed sandwich with honey ham, pulled pork, pickled onion mojo, mustard, jarlsberg cheese and pickles, is fairly tasty. The highlight of my visit had to be the fresh yuca fries (fried cassava), which came out piping hot--lightly crispy on the outside and lusciously soft on the inside. What a delight! All sandwiches come with your choice of a small side: rice and beans, havana salad, cuban french fries (shoestring potatoes), yuca fries, tostones, maduros, just rice/just beans. + For Cubanitos 10 and under, they offer a kid's menu + Catering available read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cubano sandwich - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

First timers!! We had to have ropa vieja my favorite and we also had tri tip both really good. The ropa vieja was served different than at mist other Cuban places I been to there was a or of sauce in it. Tri tip was really good. We had a lemonade mojito also delicious dinner for two With drinks was $33 food was prepared fast and tasted fresh I will come back and try other things from The menu read more

See all

I was in San Mateo with my husband and 5 yr old son. My son is normally extremely picky. He announced that he wants to go back "many times." My husband and I were also very, very happy with the food. It's good enough to drive from Fremont to San Mateo just for the food. The service was excellent and everyone was fantastic. Thank you for a wonderful meal! read more

I've seen Cuban Kitchen for awhile, but the mixed reviews kept me away. Luckily, the catering company we use at work had Cuban Kitchen cater to us a few months ago. They provided us hungry techies a wonderful feast. Our menu included: lechon, pollito mojito, ropa vieja, chips and guac, salad and veggies. The lechon was moist and though it didn't come with crispy skin that I'm familiar with in Filipino cuisine, it was a winner. The ropa vieja, shredded beef was tasty too with the smoked paprika flavor coming through! The chicken wasn't bad either, but the star was the other white meat, the pork. The chips were so crisp and seasoned, and made better with the guac, because, let's face it, guac is amazing. The fresh veggies and garlic mint dressing in the salad could make any salad hater appreciate the flavors and eat more veggies. I told hubby that I need to take him here sometime. If only the parking lot was easier to deal with. But Cuban Kitchen you'll be seeing us sometime soon! read more

jeez I love this place. growing up in NJ and NYC i ate a lot of Cuban food and this was legit. tastes like it came right out of madre's kitchen (although I don't have a Cuban mother haha) I've had the pork shoulder (lechon) and shredded flank steak (ropa vieja) plates (with rice and black beans) with fried sweet plantains super casual, very fast service, you order at the front and they bring it to the table. they do catering too, and I'm going to suggest it for our next group lunch superb value too! plates are around $12 and plenty of food read more

I hate to do this, but ordered the Cuban sandwich....because its a Cuban restaurant! Whoever prepared mine put a squirt or two of French's mustard and didn't bother to spread it. Then 2 pieces of ham lunch meat...no seasoning. Then unseasoned pulled pork....dripping grease and again no seasoning. If there was cheese on it, I couldn't taste it and then hardly any pickle. For a menu price if $15.99, plus tip...what a HUGE disappointment. However, my dining partner truly enjoyed the steak burrito. Come on guys....for a Cuban restaurant, you can do better with your signature Cuban sandwich. read more

In the area and wanted to try something different. It's good cuban food. However not memorable. I appreciate the home made salsas and hot sauce. The flavour is mild IMO. I still prefer Versailles Resteraunt in LA. read more

See all

Delicious! We've been here twice now for pickup and they are as efficient as they are delicious! We ordered a variety of items but my favorites were the chicken empanadas (come to mama babies!), the chicken tenders and the garlic chicken quesadilla. The chicken is tender and flavorful - so good. I'm not a big beef eater but husband like their bisteak and loved the rice and black beans that came with his entree. Their sauces are delicious accompaniments to already delicious food - this place is most definitely five stars. Their parking spaces are numbered so when you pull up to pick up your order you let them know what space you are parked in and voila - a Cuban food genie whisks your meal out to you. Very, very friendly staff. A new favorite! We'll be back in a week! Make sure you have plenty of empanadas! read more

Omg folks let's get ready to eat this place is AMAZING hello finally a REAL CUBAN SPOT but please folks don't think for a second that the food is Mexican food trust me it's NOT ok so right away the owner is cuban great start right !!! and she's super super nice love her ok so the flavors make your mouth water for more I personally can't say everything you just have go for yourself you won't be disappointed trust me and if your Cuban well you already know what I'm say family it's Comfort food from home it's made right from heart you can taste to love and dedication of its authenticity and Passion to making it right from the start great great CUBAN FOOD people Let's Goooooo!!!! read more

It's never consistent here One day the Bistek is flavorful and tender And the next day chewy rubbery and acidic The combo plate served in 3 different bowls was stupid. a combo plate should all be one one plate Not 3 separate bowls Don't call it a combo plate BC it's not a combo plate That idea was stupid The chkn is the same One days it's good and tender the next is dry n rubbery read more

Tried the Philly cheesesteak and omg. I love it. Bought one for my mom and Hubby as well and they also loved it.

Excellent food and fast service! Plantains and beans were perfect. Be sure to try the sauces...you could pour it over and shoe and it'll taste great! read more

Food was amazing loved it a little hard to find but very good service was fast and felt very welcomed by workers

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this spot!! Discovered it several years ago on El Camino coming home from the gym. It is a true gem with amazing food and great service. It reminds me of the good, simple Cuban food from my college days on the east coast! Hard to find in the Bay area unless you were planning on paying an arm and a leg at some sit down, fancy schmancy place (which are also good, but I actually like the food better here!). I'm a sides and carbs kinda gal, so I love their rice/beans, plantains, and the yucca fries (eat those right away otherwise they're not as crispy and delicious). My fave meat dish is likely the lechon. The sauces are all to die for!! Guava habanero BBQ sauce is my fave, I legit buy a tub to bring home to put on all meats. I like them so much that I've actually catered them for my bday gatherings twice. So good. I'm back here all the time. read more

My visit to this restaurant was so disappointing the food was salty, lack of flavor and my drink was hot..for me being a cook, stay home and save your money.. read more