I really wanted to give this place a five star review but couldn't because of service and setup. I came into the restaurant and it was completely empty. The wait staff was briefing so I held up approaching the host stand. As I waited, the woman approaches and I get no help on how to order or what the suggestions were. The process for ordering isn't written. They do not have a wait staff that takes your order. Food: I got the bistec steak SIRLOIN, what I got was a boiled piece of flank. The rice wasn't seasoned and the salad was pretty fresh. The sirloin barely had any sear marks and it lacked any seasoning. I literally took two bites and instead of sending it back; I will just fox it myself at home. Tostones: cooked to perfection and so crispy and good. Ambiance: lovely patio read more

Service was friendly and welcoming. Spontaneous trip to San Mateo led me into the Cuban Kitchen. Tasty fresh everything was yummy. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Chicken Rice & Beans Combo - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

Super tasty traditional Cuban food in a small restaurant by home style atmosphere. Service is friendly and relatively quick. I used to come here years ago and it's basically the same as I remember. Definitely a staple in San Mateo. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cuban sandwich, tostones y yuca frita. - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

A five-star experience! I've only ever had a Cubano sandwich once from Porto's, and luckily I stumbled across Cuban Kitchen when looking around on Yelp while in the San Mateo area. We visited for a quick lunch, and the portions were huuuuge. We arrived about 30 minutes before they opened, and ended up just waiting it out in their parking lot (where they do curbside pickup) since we were planning on going home straight after getting our food. It was easy to order online since they had QR codes with their website at each parking spot. Our food came out 10 minutes after they opened, and the woman who brought out our food to the car was really kind too. We ordered three of their Cubano sandwiches ($14 ea), which each came with their guava habanero BBQ and Guantanamo (mayo-based aioli) sauces that paired really well with the sandwich. The Cubano sandwich was a solid 10/10 from me! Inside, it had ham, pork, cheese, mustard, mojo, and pickles. The meats were super flavorful, and the guava habanero BBQ sauce especially enhanced the smokiness of the meats. The cuts of meat (especially the pork) were huge and hearty. I wish there were more cheese, but nonetheless, the food was great. Would highly recommend Cuban Kitchen to those looking to fill their Cubano sandwich cravings! read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Super yummy food just wish the portion sizes were a little bigger - especially with the Yucca fries. I got a large order and it came with 6 fries - at $5.99 it's basically $1 per fry. I was hoping for a bit more at that price point. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Yucca fries - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

Great food and great service! Friendly workers and the atmosphere is great, I recommend trying each of the sauces, all unique flavors but go together well great, Love it and will be back! read more

Oh HELL YES. This, this is the spot. Found while bored and scrolling around on Google maps looking for places to go. I haven't had Cuban in a good minute and fondly remembered the one and only time I've ever had ropa vieja (though I've never had anything else Cuban in my life). I dragged my husband here (no small feat, mind you, he did not care for the 30+ min drive from SF) and ordered a LOT of food for two people. We got the vaca frita (crispy beef) and ropa vieja (beef stew) with rice & beans and veggies. Paired with angry fries (super seasoned) & spicy ketchup, beef empanada, and chips with their homemade dips we were in food heaven. I was kind of wary of the price for the entrees but it is a LOT of food. Enough for two meals for me, though I did fill up on the fries. Ropa vieja was tender, flavorful, smoky, and stick-to-your-bones delicious. Perfect comfort meal. The vaca frita was too effing delicious. Very savory, salty, and meaty. Had lots of maillard from being crisped. Both were absolutely amazing. Ground beef in the empanada was well flavored. Homemade sauces ON POINT. I purchased the Guantanamo (garlic/jalapeno/citris aioli), Mambo (guava-habanero mayo), and Cienfuegos (guava vinaigrette) to go (8oz mason jars). Also, super pro, was the parking. Staff was super nice, friendly, and helpful. The only downside is the restaurant is a bit tiny, with maybe the biggest table being a 4 top. I want to bring my whole family here for my birthday but it might just fill the place up. Anyways, go here. Hope it doesn't get too popular. This just might be my new weekend restaurant!!! read more

Cuban Kitchen - Ropa vieja with rice & beans, vegetables, and maduros. - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

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It took me too long to get here ... This place is great for local Cuban food The staff was very great! Axle was very nice and welcoming. Ordering is very easy. You order from the QR code on the wall at your table. Fast and easy. We ordered the Cuban sandwich and angry fries... it was tasty and great price. Let's talk about delicious sauces!!! Nava-Habanero BBQ---yum tangy and sweet Cienfuegos sauce Creamy Yogurt Aioli Mint Mojito Dressing for salads Limonette Candela special special not always available. All in all 5 stars!!! I can't wait to come back :) read more

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I threw the sandwich way. It tasted terrible,not like any Cuban sandwiches I have eaten before. The fries were very grease and tasted worse. I never go back. read more

It's hard get Cuban food wrong, however to do it great is an accomplishment! They did it great! The service was stellar and let me tell you the sauces were outstanding! It was a great place to sit and chill and just be in the moment with good company, really made me remember my time in Miami read more

Very good sandwiches, tasty. Ordered the best Cubano sandwich and Philly. Very yummy! Service was great, friendly staff! read more

Cuban Kitchen - Philly Bistec - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Pleasantly surprised by this little gem. I had been craving Cuban food since visiting Little Havana. I brought my family to try it and they enjoyed it as well. read more

Cuban Kitchen is a cute little restaurant in San Mateo with a small outdoor patio surrounded by cool plants, some indoor seating, and a small parking lot with numbered stalls. They serve a variety of food items (Cuban/Mexican), but I came here to try their Bistec Classic Sandwich. It was good! Fresh veggies (sliced tomatoes, lettuce, and grilled onions), and the steak was so flavorful, cooked and seasoned really well. The Philly Bistec sandwich was similar, just with different veggies (grilled peppers and onions), so just as good. I liked their guava habanero bbq sauce, which was somewhat sweet and went really well with the sandwich. But they offer other sauces on the side as well in a range of sweet and smoky flavors. I like that they have a pretty diverse menu, offering some of my favorite foods - empanadas, quesadillas, and salads.. even a surf n turf sandwich. The service was friendly and the ordering system (QR code at the table and pay through your phone) was easy and efficient. This restaurant is small and simple overall, but it has everything you need for a good meal and good experience. If in the area, I'd return. read more

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We haven't had Cuban food in a while, and since we were at Hillsdale mall, we thought we'd try it. This place is adorable--small, lots of natural light, making the most of the small space. I started with a sake mojito--it's made with rice wine instead of rum. It was absolutely delicious. Then I had a couple of empanadas, fries, sweet plantains. All of it was fantastic. My husband loved his bowl, too. We brought home leftovers that we supplemented with a couple more to-go items from the menu, that's how much we loved it. So flavorful, the service was fantastic, and the prices were totally budget-friendly, particularly for the Bay Area. I will return, and I'll recommend it to anyone and everyone. read more

ISO the best Cubano led me here. It could have used a few more pickles, but the flavors wow. And the sauces they give you. My favorites are: Guantanamo and Guava Habanero BBQ. The Honey Ham S'wich had a good ratio of ham, but the Cubano was a better mix of shredded pork and ham. The Pastelito de Guava is just the right sweetness and the pastry is nice and flaky. read more

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This will sound sensational but I assure you it's true: This is the best restaurant in the United States. Excellent quality food, tastes great, and is as authentic as restaurants I've visited in Havana. I've been to every kind of food place, from back alley taqueria to Michelin star fine dining, but nothing keeps me coming back like Cuban Kitchen. Incredible food, great service, and well worth the trip. I highly recommend the Vaca Frita read more

Good location, inside is pretty clean. The workers were very nice. The food was very good and they had a good verity of different and unique sauces. read more

I loved this place. If you're craving home-style Cuban food with no frills and great flavor, this is the spot. The service was friendly, attentive, and more like a diner than a lavish dinner spot. The rhythm of Changüí and Cha-Cha fill the space and the clanking of spatulas tossing Lechón is a live addition. I ordered the Pollito Mojito platter. That's how I gauge a Cuban spot. It's simple, straight forward, and often not executed well in the Bay. This place did it perfectly. They checked off all the requirements: char grill, mojo sauce, onion. The black beans were seasoned but not salty. The rice was cooked in chicken broth and LIGHTLY tossed in some oil. The rice was perfect. 5/5. read more

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I'm so glad that my boyfriend and I decided to stop here for lunch because after pondering about this for a couple days, I am still convinced this was a 5-star lunch for me. I ordered the Classic Bowl ($11.99), which came with rice, beans, 1x maduro, and your choice of protein (I chose lechon). This was a very simple meal, but I felt like Cuban Kitchen made each thing on my plate so well that I literally devoured everything. There were no leftovers taken home because everything was happily eaten up. I'm not sure what the rice was flavored with (I saw another review that it was maybe chicken broth?), but I loved how it was a subtle flavor - might be very specific here, but ugh lightly flavored perfectly made rice is a soft spot for me. You can't go wrong with beans and the lechon was sooo soft and flavorful! The pickled onions sprinkled on top was also a plus because it added a nice crunch. My boyfriend had the Cubano Sandwich ($13.99) and he really enjoyed it as well. The different meats paired perfectly together and the mustard and pickles made the sandwich feel light. Honestly, if I had the stomach space, I would've ate both my order and the sandwich for just the taste alone. Ambiance-wise, this was a really casual restaurant. There's a barcode on everyone's table and you order and pay on your phone via Toast. You also get your own water, so there's minimal interaction with the workers. They do bring out the sauces; however, and they have this white aioli that is so yummy! There's a parking lot behind the restaurant, so this is a great and convenient place to go to for some affordable and tasty eats! read more

Cuban Kitchen - Lechon Bowl and Cuban Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

Cuban kitchen catering is A MUST for all your event needs. They catered our Miami-inspired wedding shower of 200 guests and absolutely nailed it. From the first experience meeting the catering managers Lynna and Lilah, they helped us to plan a delicious menu with the perfect amount of food for our guests. Based on their event catering experience and expertise on their menu, they let us know the popular items and what food does well over time (since it was an all-day event). We received several compliments on the food items - big hits were vaca frita, bistec, cubanos, plantains, the three rice selections - pretty much can't go wrong with any item on the menu in all honesty! They even designed a beautiful menu for our guests which was extremely helpful because Cuban food was new to many of our guests. Their outstanding service on the day-of was above and beyond anything we could have asked for. They took care of everything - which we as party hosts GREATLY appreciated because we didn't have to worry about anything (serving and refilling the foods, bussing tables, passing appetizers, answering guest questions about the food, replacing trash, keeping the food/drink/plates/utensils stations clean and fully stocked, and the list goes on). The staff was incredibly kind and such joys to work with. Our guests were raving about Cuban Kitchen, and we are definitely having them cater our next event. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

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We were in town for a job and ate here 3 days. Delicious sandwiches, cortaditas, empanadas and plantains. And wonderful cheesecake with guava sauce. Highly recommended. The CK fries are among the best we have had. Well seasoned and crispy! read more

My fiancé and I came here for the first time for lunch today. Had been wanting to try since we always drive by it. Food was amazing! Nick, who was so kind to provide us samples and explain each item, was awesome! Thank you for making our first time experience here even better. Will definitely return! I had the Bistec S'wich and my fiancé had the Cuban S'wich. We also shared the sweet plantains. So yummy! read more

Food is delicious and the service is great. I recommend trying their flan and cheesecake for dessert.

Amazing service and even better food! The rice and beans are so delicious. Cuban Kitchen was able to accommodate a big catering order for me with a 2-day notice! Everything came with labels and allergy info on them. They also provided serving utensils. Luckily, I was able to get a parking spot in the tiny lot. They were very busy during lunch hours. read more

The cienfuegos sauce is bomb!! It comes as a dip with the chips along with guantanamo aioli and guava habanero bbq sauce for the table read more

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We went there for lunch and the food was delicious. We ate outside since we had our dog with us. Service was excellent. We will definitely go back. read more

Outstanding food and friendly service! Such a good vibe and atmosphere. Makes me wanna come here all the time!

My job catered from this place on 7/22 for a lunch meeting .First time trying it I grabbed the ropa vieja and it was very delicious plate .The meat was just marinated perfectly and very tender. The rice and beans was a perfect portion. Literally licked clean the box it came in. I called the restaurant later that day because I count my calories( yeah I'm one of those) and I had Lenna and Angel help me out.I didn't feel judged at all.angel told me he would call me back with a estimate of the calories. I was surprised they called me back. I give this place straight 5 stars review not just for the food but for the amazing customer service I received.I can only imagine how amazing the atmosphere is when people stop by to eat here. Will be coming around to try out the place in person soon. read more

Tried Cuban Kitchen a few years ago (when they first opened) but haven't been back since. I'm glad to have tried again because their food is pretty tasty. Cuban Kitchen, launched as a food truck in NJ/NYC before opening their San Mateo restaurant. The location is on busy El Camino Real but there's a parking lot adjacent and a couple of reserved spots for pickup. Shrimp & Veg y Sofrito plate - 1/3 lb of shrimp & veggies seasoned with their signature sofrito spice blend served with aromatic garlic-bay leaf white rice and Cuban black bean soup black bean soup. Shrimp & Veg y Sofrito plate - 1/3 lb of shrimp & veggies seasoned with their signature sofrito spice blend served with aromatic garlic-bay leaf white rice and Cuban black bean soup. Very delicious Cuban food full of that sazón flavors. Get out there and support this female-family-owned and operated business, especially during these tough pandemic times. read more

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It is great to have a Cuban-style restaurant in the area. I did not realize until we ordered and sat down at our table that you can also order directly from your table, which is nice. And with the tight street parking it is great to have the parking lot next to the restaurant. Cubano sandwich: 3.5/5. Pretty good. I am a "sandwich guy" and was hoping to have my socks blown off on this one given the reviews. The ingredients were fresh but the overall experience was just "pretty good". Garlic chicken bowl: 4/5. My wife chose better than me and this was pretty enjoyable. I plan to return and try the BBQ pork. read more

Total diamond in the rough. Cuban Kitchen is truly that. Authentic. Endless options and sauces. Excellent customer service. Did I mention the food is incredible? My mouth is salivating just thinking about it. This was my second time to Cuban Kitchen and they did not disappoint. I think I'll make this an official date spot! The ambiance is casually cute and perfect for catching up with old friends. Just be aware that they close at 8:30pm so better to come on the earlier side of dinner. Other than that...what's not to love? read more

Cuban Kitchen - Top to bottom: Guava-Cranberry Nectar, Yuca Fries, & Burrito / Bowl with shrimp. My belly thanked me all night. - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

Super quick and delicious takeout restaurant! I got the bowl with the vegan meat and it was sooo good that even when I was full I kept eating haha. Given there is quite an up charge on the vegan meat, I was expecting to get a bit more of a portion. My friends got the cubano and they all enjoyed. read more

Cuban Kitchen - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

Love, love, love this place so much. Being Cuban in the Bay Area is hard, as there are not many Cuban restaurants around, the food here is legit! From the vaca frita to the moros, it is so delicious! No pictures because I always eat it before I take any! Will remember and post again! You will not be disappointed! I usually order one to eat and one to take home for the next day!! read more

What a cute shop! And the food is delicious! Came here late Saturday after a post move and was starving Figured we tried something thats non Asian today and opted for Cuban cuz I do enjoy a good cubano. I do remember coming here once during the pandemic and I do remember it being good but not memorable or it's been so long Got to try the cubano and the philly with my partner and we split the half. The cubano was delicious!! I loved how they wrap the ham around the pork on the sandwich so you're not biting and all the pork comes off. The cheese was gooey and melty but I wish they gave me more sauce. However, they do offer sauces on the side (not normally with the sandwich) which were a guava habanero bbq, a guant....something aioli and a certf...something (sorry it's late!!) the sauces were great with the cubano and offers a unique flavor per sauce per bite! The C one is the best one tho The Philly - definitely different than the cubano, if you want the beefy taste...this is it! I like how they marinate in the tangy lime garlic and it made the beef so tender! Again the C sauce is bomb with this The guava bbq sauce is really good, it gives a different sweetness than the other typical mango or pineapple habanero bbq sauce and I think that's what this one unique The aioli was meh on its own. I couldn't figure out what it was on its own but great for the sandwiches that it adds a creaminess I will definitely come back P.S. partner said this might be the best cubano he ever had...wowww read more

This place has the best Cubano!! I love the angry fries with their spicy ketchup. Their guava cranberry nectar drink is yummy. I also like their Cuban sodas. I've only gotten take out from this place. The food comes out super quick. Everyone there is super nice. I can't wait to try more things on their menu! read more

Came here with a big group when they opened yesterday to introduce some of my friends to Cuban food for the first time. The service was fantastic. You can either order using a QR code or order at the counter. The food comes out really fast. Split the Ropa Vieja and Lechon with a friend. Both were great. Loved the variety of sauces they brought us. Two different green sauces in small plastic containers were the best (one slightly spicy and one garlicky). Also liked the orange sauce in the big squeeze bottle. The food was really good (5 stars) but deducting a star for pricing, value and transparency. The food prices have gone up a LOT and there is not a clear price for the plates (which come with really fantastic rice and beans) on the menu. It was just given as a price range not a fixed price. Lechon plate was $17.99 but 3 small yuca fries were $3 ($6 for 6 in a large). $1 for a small yuca fry is just too much in my opinion. read more

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The people are very nice but after trying the food several times over the years the kitchen has been open I have to say, No More. I've had the Cuban Sandwich 3 times and each time it disappointed (I'm not Cuban, so I draw from knowing good food). This last time the flavor was very good but it made me feel very unwell. My wife and I had the pork (in my sandwich and her Lechon), we both wound up not well. It happens. Angry fries were very good, maduro too. read more

The best Cuban food on the peninsula! Always delicious and friendly service. Love the pork lechon plate with maduras. My husband loves the Cuban burger and the Cuban sandwich. Our go to place for take out once a week! read more

Absolutely da bomb and a reoccurimg come-back! Spicy chick bowls and plantation are awesome Have tried others as well, and they are fantastic! read more

Cuban Kitchen - Da bomb!! Absolutely delicious and a reoccuring comeback! - Cuban Near Me - San Mateo, California

When the husband and I first started dating Chef was our movie and then Cubanos became our thing. Since it was our first date tonight as a married couple we had to try out Cuban Kitchen! We been on the hunt for good Cubanos and CK hit the spot tonight! We made the drive over and was told if we ordered online you get a discount plus there was a couple of patrons in front of us. Ordering online was easy and fast. 5/5 The Best Cubano is a must try and I say my favorite! The pickled onions just hit it just right and meat portion was perfect! The bread was perfectly toasted and had a good crunch. 3.5 Honey Ham I thought was going to be my favorite but it was it just didn't satisfy me. It was sweet but the mustard leveled it out but it just needed maybe one or two more slices of ham. 5/5 Chicken Empanada omg is a must try! Not greasy and it was thicccc. The chicken was moist and tender but meaty. They made sure not to skimp on the stuffing. I'd could probably eat a dozen :D 4/5 Yuka Fries were hot and fresh and served with Guantanamo Sauce was tasty. The dipping sauce was like a horseradish mayo imo. It balanced out the palette. 5/5 Guava Cranberry nectar is super good! Refreshing and good balance of sweetness and tartness. Must try also! Now that Guava Habanero BBQ Sauce! Omg its amazeballs! We literally dipped this with everything! We didn't know what it was becuz we like to try to figure it out and at the end we asked and we were half right! I need to buy this sauce buy the jug! Overall CK was good but a little pricey but anything to support local businesses especially during these times. Can't wait to come back CK! read more

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