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El Cubano is a no nonsense Cuban sandwich shop that will meet your expectations for a delicious Cuban sandwich. I ordered the basic Cubano and I was blown away by the quality, and amazing flavors. The small staff is incredibly friendly and you can tell they really care about your experience. They are located in the Island Food Court with plenty of shady outdoor seating options.
Called in a pick up order during lunch time. There was no wait when I arrived and the staff was very friendly. I ordered the Sloppy Cubano with a side of the croquetas. The meat was delicious and the bread was super fluffy, my only complaint is that it was a bit too buttery for my liking. The croquetas were flavorful, the sauces it came with really stole the show!
**editing to add my husband and I shared all of this and had leftovers, decent portions*** Plenty parking, courtyard with plenty of seating outdoors. No indoor seating. It's SoCal, enjoy the weather. This restaurant has great workers! From my understanding the owners are the workers. They respect the Cuban cuisine. Friendly and welcoming and they live up to their 5 star Yelp ratings. Oh and complimentary water available at counter or cans/bottles of various drinks for purchase. Ropa Vieja Plate is perfection! Added avocado and extra fried Maduros Sweet Plantains. Totally getting this again next time. See photos for more info. Do yourself a solid and visit this place. You'll wanna try everything on the menu.
Good yelp find. Damn fine Cuban sandwich. Just a counter to order from and outside seating. Made fresh and hot. Delicious.
Second time here this time I got the Cuban sandwich. In a word...delicious. Hand sliced pork roast and ham really make this sandwich. Needs more mustard though but no big deal. Thank you!
I ordered the chicken breast and shrimp bowl which says it typically comes served over a bed of seasoned rice with red & green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and topped with a light dressing. I asked for no butter or cheese because I'm deathly allergic. Maybe they sauté the veggies in butter? Maybe the seasoned rice along with the dressing contains milk? If it did they didn't tell me. My order contained chicken, shrimp, black beans, and white rice. It felt healthy and filling which I appreciated, but also wasn't what I was expecting. Big thing is I didn't get sick while eating which is a huge win.
We drove over from Escondido when I found out there was authentic Cuban food just a short drive away. I grew up in Miami, and my grandparents lived in Little Havana so I loved Cuban dishes. Living in San Diego, it is very difficult to find excellent places for Cuban dishes. The owners/staff are so friendly and nice. The food is even better! Every bite of my Ropa Vieja had me closing my eyes to savor the flavors. And the maduros....OMG Yum! My husband said his was the perfect Cuban sandwich-no skimping on the meat or overstuffing. He doesn't usually like a lot of dough or breading, and he thought the empanada was perfect! I agree-done just right, not overcooked in one single spot. We would recommend this a hundred times over and we will be back to try other dishes. But that's going to be hard because I really love my Ropa Vieja...
Hard to find a new sandwich spot that isn't Subway or a chain. This hit the spot. Big parking lot and easy service with a really different and big meaty sandwich with a sauce that makes it.
2 months ago
Phenomenal food, tastes like it was made with a lot of love!! My grilled chicken plate was a ton of food and the plantains were my favorite. Will definitely be back very soon!! read more
I was in the Encinitas area again and was hungry. I actually came to this area for a different restaurant for breakfast but saw this Cuban restaurant, El Cubano, and I rarely turn down Cuban food. There was ample parking due to this area being a strip mall type of establishment. I headed to the food court area and stumbled on El Cubano. I decided to choose a go-to item, the Ropa Vieja and I got it with white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains. A salad also came with the plate. Everything had a nice flavor to it. I really enjoyed the ropa vieja. I just wished there was a bigger portion because I'm a growing boy lol. I will for sure return to try some of their other items. read more
El Cubano is one of the restaurants located at The Island. Just keep in mind, there's only outdoor seating. It offers a good variety of fresssh authentic Cuban dishes which are yummy. I've tried Cuban food before and looove it. For transparency, I did experience a dish that had a lot of salt; but because the welcoming staff provided excellent service, it made up for it. I still highly recommend this place to check out. read more
El Cubano is a no nonsense Cuban sandwich shop that will meet your expectations for a delicious Cuban sandwich. I ordered the basic Cubano and I was blown away by the quality, and amazing flavors. The small staff is incredibly friendly and you can tell they really care about your experience. They are located in the Island Food Court with plenty of shady outdoor seating options. read more
17 hours ago
Called in a pick up order during lunch time. There was no wait when I arrived and the staff was very friendly. I ordered the Sloppy Cubano with a side of the croquetas. The meat was delicious and the bread was super fluffy, my only complaint is that it was a bit too buttery for my liking. The croquetas were flavorful, the sauces it came with really stole the show! read more
**editing to add my husband and I shared all of this and had leftovers, decent portions*** Plenty parking, courtyard with plenty of seating outdoors. No indoor seating. It's SoCal, enjoy the weather. This restaurant has great workers! From my understanding the owners are the workers. They respect the Cuban cuisine. Friendly and welcoming and they live up to their 5 star Yelp ratings. Oh and complimentary water available at counter or cans/bottles of various drinks for purchase. Ropa Vieja Plate is perfection! Added avocado and extra fried Maduros Sweet Plantains. Totally getting this again next time. See photos for more info. Do yourself a solid and visit this place. You'll wanna try everything on the menu. read more
17 days ago
Really good food. Really good service really good ambience. I'd say it was reasonably priced. read more
3 months ago
I ordered the chicken breast and shrimp bowl which says it typically comes served over a bed of seasoned rice with red & green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and topped with a light dressing. I asked for no butter or cheese because I'm deathly allergic. Maybe they sauté the veggies in butter? Maybe the seasoned rice along with the dressing contains milk? If it did they didn't tell me. My order contained chicken, shrimp, black beans, and white rice. It felt healthy and filling which I appreciated, but also wasn't what I was expecting. Big thing is I didn't get sick while eating which is a huge win. read more
3 months ago
10 months ago
We drove over from Escondido when I found out there was authentic Cuban food just a short drive away. I grew up in Miami, and my grandparents lived in Little Havana so I loved Cuban dishes. Living in San Diego, it is very difficult to find excellent places for Cuban dishes. The owners/staff are so friendly and nice. The food is even better! Every bite of my Ropa Vieja had me closing my eyes to savor the flavors. And the maduros....OMG Yum! My husband said his was the perfect Cuban sandwich-no skimping on the meat or overstuffing. He doesn't usually like a lot of dough or breading, and he thought the empanada was perfect! I agree-done just right, not overcooked in one single spot. We would recommend this a hundred times over and we will be back to try other dishes. But that's going to be hard because I really love my Ropa Vieja... read more
4 months ago
Love the authenticity of the food here, great customer service and it is conveniently located next to my favorite barbershop, Steez Fine Barbering read more
2 months ago
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3 years ago
We arrived 15 minutes before they started closing and they were kind enough to take our order, and they didn't rush us. We just wanted something light and we ordered the Empanada and Maduros Sweet Plantains. The Maduros Sweet Plantains come in two pieces, tender and ripe. The Empanada was not dry, savory, crispy, and hit the spot. I enjoyed both items we ordered and I like that they are served fresh and came out fast. They are a takeaway/food court, they have service water available and the place looks clean and new. and it is our first time here. I would definitely love to come back and try their entrees. read more
1 year ago
I just got back from Miami and was spoiled with yummy Cuban food. Found El Cubano on Yelp and just had to try it. Called them spoke to Darren and he said they had oxtail. What a great surprise. Ordered the braised oxtail with rice and beans with fried plantains. Oxtail was fall.off the bone tender. We also ordered the Cubano sandwich which was just as good. Definitely a need to go back resto. Yummy read more
11 months ago
9 months ago
First timer. The Tri tip plate was delicious and well seasoned. The meat was tender, and cooked just right. The congri rice & beans were so flavorful. Will definitely go back. 10/10 read more
3 years ago
Wow wow wow wow. This place was so stinkin good! I wanted something different for lunch and I couldn't have been more happy with the ease of ordering, the service at pick up and the freshness of the food. The store is small but mighty and the they're just very kind and calm as a collective. Not pictured but the papa relleno, croquetas and tostones were also delicious. But hey yo, those maduros? Wooooo so yummy. Best lunch I've had in a while. The shrimp and tri tip are delicious but I'm eager to come back for that Cubano. read more
2 years ago
It was weird to place the order over the phone, they couldn't understand when I said flan?? And the chef in the back seemed on edge when I showed up as if I wasn't going to show up. Anyway, especially for the cost, still not the best Cuban I have had in San Diego. The ham quality for the Cuban sandwich is boiled cheap ham, tasted rubbery. They don't have Vaca Frita and the option with the meat was ok two pieces of steak on rice. read more
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Dayron M.
Hello Yianni,…
6 months ago
Being from South Florida, I've been missing Cuban food ever since moving here. I am so glad we finally got to try this place and did not disappoint!! We got here early before the lunch crowd and ordered a Bistec de Palomilla with Congri and Maduros and it tasted just like home! We also ordered a Cuban Sandwich which was made to perfection. Wish these places was around the corner from me, but it is well worth the 20 minute drive. My husband finished his and said "now I want this for dinner!" Excited I get to make sure my daughter is raised with Cuban food. Can't wait to come back and try a cafecito and pastelitos! read more
1 year ago
This is located directly from my work, but I often work remotely these days, so I won't be that close to it, but still in Carlsbad. I was craving Cubano food, like in my Miami days and even when I was visiting Cuba. I looked it up and found this place, so I had to go try it out. I wanted the cubano sandwich, of course, but I also love the Lechon plata, which was good but was hoping the pork was shredded. The plantains were to die for and the beans were cooked perfectly to go so well with the rice. My cubano did not disappoint, especially with the chipotle dipping sauce. It was fantastic. We got the potato ball to start and it was very filling for just one ball for an appetizer. The sauce that went with it was really good. These are things I normally order from Porto's when I'm in LA, but the lechon plata from Porto's is shredded pork. The Papa Rellena (potato balls) from Porto's doesn't have a dipping sauce, it's smaller, and costs a bit less, but again, this place has larger potato balls. And cubano here is much better than the cubano sandwich at Porto's, since it has more of a complex and balance of seasoning and was more generous with the pickles. I'll be coming here more often now that I know this place is here. It's only about 4 miles from my house. read more
2 years ago
A welcomed addition at the carlsbad island plaza. Love seeing the diversity of food cultures in this plaza. I got the cubano sandwich and was not disappointed. They also give you a creamy spicy sauce that perfectly compliments the sandwich. read more
2 years ago
It's hard to find other Latino food here in San Diego. I ordered the Ropa Vieja and it was delicious! Being from NYC, there is a ton of different food choices. This was refreshing to order from this place. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
So I'll preface this review with the fact that I was born and raised in Miami and now preside in North County. Now with that out of the way I just have to say, this is such an authentic Cuban spot. Everything on the menu is extremely delicious. Portions are hearty and prices are extremely reasonable. It's one of my go to lunch spots and it's highly recommended. All the staff is always so courteous and nice, and the cook/owner knows what he's doing. I'm so glad El Cubano is here, anytime I'm feeling a little homesick, I grab some food from here and leave full and happy! read more
3 years ago
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More info about El Cubano
5806 Van Allen Way
Ste 105
Carlsbad, CA 92008
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(760) 814-8224
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https://www.elcubanocarlsbad.com
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Ask the Community - El Cubano
Are there any gluten free options?
Can you bring back the Croquetas de Jamón please?
Hello, thanks for inquiring. We have them available on our menu now!
Can you post a current menu?
Hello, yes we added an updated menu in the photos section. Thank you!
Been craving their Picadillo!! Anyone know where they can be found when?? ( i know i can always call)
They now have a restaurant stand at 5806 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Where do they park?
They were usually parked at Rutherford and Farnsworth and still were the first month of quarantine. Although now that most offices in the area are closed, they could have moved to a higher traffic location.
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8 reviews that are not currently recommended
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