As an island girl I'm always looking for some good beans and rice. This place satisfied that craving. Man them black beans were on point and the rice was cooked perfectly. The meal came with plantains and a salad. I usually brush off these little salads, but wow!!!! I really loved how fresh the tomatoes and cucumbers were and the thickness of them too. The plantains were also cooked wonderfully, not greasy or soggy as I've had at other places. This will definitely become a new favorite spot. read more

El Cubano - Veggie plate - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

This place is absolutely incredible! Before discovering it, I had never tried Cuban food, and I was completely blown away. My goal is to work my way through the entire menu, and so far, I've had about 5-7 dishes--and every single one has been outstanding. As a huge sandwich lover, I have to say the Cuban Sandwich is a standout favorite. The food is bursting with flavor and arrives unbelievably fast. Without a doubt, this has quickly become one of my favorite spots to eat! read more

Located in the Island food court off of Faraday, El Cubano is a nice addition to the several restaurants surrounding a nice open plaza with outdoor seating. They even had live music! They have several options to choose from - sandwiches, salads, and plates. We went with a classic Cuban sandwich - roasted pork, ham, pickles and cheese on a pressed roll that had the perfect outer crunch, yet still soft and chewy on the inner side, and the cheese was so melty and the spiced cream sauce they give you for dipping just enhances all the flavor. We also split a Ropa Vieja plate - stewed shredded beef - and we chose the Congri which is rice & beans stewed together vs other option to have white rice and beans served separately. You can also choose sweet cooked plantains or fried yucca, so of course we got plantains because we love mashing them into the rice. We also tried a papa rellena - a fried potato ball that's stuffed with seasoned ground beef and perfect for dipping. The quality and value of this place for this area is we will be back to try more! read more

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When I heard there's a new Cuban spot across the street from work, I knew I had to go check it out. I went with Ropa Vieja (stewed shredded beef) with congri (stewed white rice and black beans) and plantains. The owner also gave me a sample of some roasted pork. Honestly, it was flavor bombs everywhere. Everything was delicious! The ropa vieja was full of flavor. The plantains were soft but flavorful and probably the best I ever had. I'm not really a pork guy, but the pork sample made me want to order it next time. This is my new favorite spot at the island read more

El Cubano - Papa Rellenas (stuffed potato balls) with Chipotle mayo - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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If you love food, come here! Some of the most authentic Cuban food. The Cuban Cheesecake was life changing. Service was amazing. Can't wait to return soon. read more

Delicious cuban food. Authentic tasting. There are not many authentic cuban tasting restaurants in California. This is a good representation of authentic cuban food! Papa Rellenas, Croquetas de jamon, and empanadas are bomb. Their picadillo, ropa vieja and tostones were also on point. They need a sit down restaurant! read more

El Cubano - Front of restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

First time customer. Was so excited to try this place. Was craving Cuban food but didn't want to drive 1hr away so this was the closest. I Called in my order. I ordered the Fricase De Pollo because based on the website online ordering screen the picture had my mouth salivating. Cashier was super nice when I arrived. Picked up my order & made my way home. Opened the box and was very disappointed with what I saw. It was no where near close to what I saw on the website. Yes I could of called and complained but I didn't want to here the bs excuse. Now the food itself was ight. Nothing special honestly. I've had better!!! Chicken wasn't bursting with flavor like I expected, rice was good, potato tasted like it got boiled. Salad was ehhh seems like the dressing was missing. I guess I had really high expectations, smh ‍my fault!! read more

El Cubano - What I got!! - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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For a tiny, take-out only spot within the Island food court, I was shocked at how good this place is! I have tried their tri tip with congri and sweet plaintains, as well as their fricase de pollo with the rice and beans separate. Both are so good-- the tri tip is my favorite, though. Their portions and prices are great, and the flavor is amazing. I look forward to trying more things on their menu! read more

This is not a sit down restaurant. You get it to go and you can eat it out in the patio food court area. Saw this when it was a food truck. Glad they got an established location now. Service was quick and a friendly lady was at the front taking my order. She was nice and very patient with me. Their food is bomb! The closest I came to eating authentic Cuban food was in Miami and it was amazing there as it is here. The plantains are cooked to perfection and the beans are seasoned so good, I don't really like beans but these are a perfect combo with the sweet and salty. I'm going back for the ham croquettes!! They didn't have them when I went but they do now! I wish I had pics but my fat ass was hungry and I only had a 30 min lunch! read more

Definitely recommend trying a plate! The pork is tender and flavorful. the owners are friendly and the center has great outdoor seating

This place is so good! The authenticity, taste, and options made us feel like we were back in Miami. The plantains, Cubano sandwich, and palomilla were the best we've had on the west coast! The owners were super friendly and were accommodating with any special requests like extra lime on the palmillia which is the best way! Go check it out. read more

We've been to a few sit down, fancy ambiance, Cuban restaurants and Cuban food trucks and this is far and above better than all of them. Breaded and Grilled Chicken, Empanadas, Croquettes, Beans and Rice, Maduros and Sweet Plaintains..all of them were excellent, not good, excellent. Do yourself a favor and grab some lunch, nice guitar player on the patio too. read more

Can't recommend this place enough! The food is so good and as authentic as it gets. The cubano is the real deal! read more

El Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Fantastic! The food was amazing and the staff was so friendly and welcoming! I will definitely be going back. I got the Cubano cheese steak and I'm already craving another! read more

Phenomenal food and phenomenal service, excellent tri tip sandwiches. I took my customer here and it's a great place to kick back and talk business read more

Tucked away in a small food court and a must try. The empanadas were flaky, crispy and delicious. The cubano sandwich was a perfect mix of succulent pork, salty ham and toasty bread. Now let's talk about the sauce served along side the croquettes. Who in the world made this? I could drink this perfectly seasoned orange looking sauce with a tiny kick, soooo good. I am so happy I found this little slice of heaven! read more

El Cubano - Empanadas, delicious and huge! - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Our lunch experience at El Cubano in Carlsbad, CA today, was the first of many delicious meals to look forward to! The menu is nicely varied in flavors and options, including vegan options. Our greeter Sarah was as sweet and informative as could be, and we enjoyed engaged in a conversation about how we heard about the place (we googled a Puerto Rican dish, and their restaurant populated). We ordered and thoroughly enjoyed: *an EMPANADA appetizer (fluffy pastry stuffed with ground beef picadillo); *MADUROS side dish (Sweet Plantains); *ROPA VIEJA plate (braised shredded beef in tomato sauce with onions, garlic, and bell peppers, which included their white rice & black beans cooked together "CONGRI", a side salad, + salted, fried green plantain "TOSTONES"); *SLOPPY CUBANO PICADILLO (ground beef in tomato sauce, onions, garlic, and bell peppers), served on a grilled, pressed brioche bun (combo included PLAINTAIN CHIPS + a beverage). We knew we ordered too much food for 2 people, but wanted to try several dishes, so we happy brought home leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Thank you for the excellent, fresh, flavorful, authentic taste of Cuba; Happy Mother's Day to all! read more

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LOVED this restaurant! Being Cuban in Southern California, I don't find a lot of Caribbean food, let alone Cuban Food. The food was very flavorful (especially the tri tip) and the service was amazing. Will definitely be coming back and supporting my community! Felt like I took a mini trip to Cuba - Miami Congratulations on your wonderful restaurant. read more

We ordered the el cubano and tri-tip sandwich and it was soooooo delicious. The tri-tip wasn't dry and it was a bigger sandwich than expected! Great taste, great portions, great service. We don't live around here but will definitely make a stop each time we visit! read more

El Cubano - El cubano - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Best Cuban food since my Cuban best friend's moms cooking. Everything was flavorful, perfectly seasoned, authentic and fresh. Will definitely be back next time I'm in town. No wonder my son rants and raves about this place. read more

El Cubano - Ropa vieja, congrí and maduros - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Amazing catering I ordered for my husband's "Havana Nights" themed birthday in September. Owner was professional in communication and the food was absolutely delicious! A huge hit with everyone at the party. We ordered the ropa vieja, white rice, black beans, and plantains. Highly recommend this quality Cuban food. read more

Best Cuban food on the West Coas. I used to live in South Florida where there were amazing Cuban restaurants all over. The food here is authentic Cuban! the flavors are perfect and the portions are generous. They even give you a gourmet salad when you order a plate. I'm addicted. read more

Delicious authentic Cuban food. The staff is very friendly and welcoming! I love their fricasse de pollo, with maduros, salad, and white rice and black beans. read more

Food here is always great. Been here three times so far and it's always a hit. Will be back again for sure. With the service and wait time being short that's an additional plus in my book. read more

Great classic Cuban food, quick and friendly service! A great addition locally to Carlsbad.

The beef empanada was delicious especially the sauce. Sweet plantains were amazing! Friendly staff. Outdoor sitting was great. read more

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So happy to have finally tried El Cubano. I ordered the Picadillo, and my husband ordered the Ropa Viejo. Both were delicious and nicely seasoned, it came with a side salad, rice and beans, and sweet plantains. Highly recommended! read more

I'm Puerto Rican/Cuban from New York City and I always miss food like from home. This tastes like my grandmother made it and I saw the owner cooking. It's legit. They were very nice and the food came out quickly. I can't wait to come back. Great island vibe ! read more

Amazing cuban food. I'm from Cuba and got the ropa Viejas with yuca fries and one cafesito. Portions where good too. Good food, atmosphere, and service. read more

Best option in North San Diego county. Give them a try. I recommend the congri. Ropa vieja and picadillo are good read more

El Cubano - They have a takeout restaurant at the island in Carlsbad! Check it out 5806 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, CA 92008 - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

If only they could play some Cubano music. This place is perfection on a beautiful sunny sun diego. read more

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Found this food truck by my work, pretty excited to have this food option. The owners are so sweet. I have been here twice now! The Cubano sandwich is my favorite and I recommend it. I'd like to see them offer cortadito coffee to go with their guava pastries and some empanadas would be great. read more

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Thank you to the girl at the counter that gave me the recommendation of the Ropa Vieja plate. This is the braised shredded beef that comes with rice, beans, salad and plantain chip. It was all delicious and would definitely order again. The cubano sandwich was decent but not really noteworthy in my opinion. All the basics were there but it seemed a bit plain. The swiss cheese was creamy and not that flavorful. The pork could use a little more seasoning. The bread was great but could have used an oil or butter spread on the outside before grilling so it wasn't quite as dry. Overall this restaurant is a great addition to the Island and to the area in general. I definitely recommend giving this place a try when looking for something unique and different. read more

Had lunch here the other day. Food was delicious and the people were very friendly. I plan on coming back.

The food was amazing and authentic! It's nice finally having some Cuban food near by. All the flavors were on point, definitely coming back more and can't wait to see what else they add to their menu. If you've never had Cuban food, I 10/10 recommend. read more

El Cubano - Lectin sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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I've been looking for Caribbean food for a long time and I just found this Cuban place. OMG.!!!! Yessss I love the empanada,ropa vieja , black beans, the white rice! i'm so happy I found this place. My daughter loved the food. The service is really nice. The place looks really clean. read more

Smells great! Tastes ok. A bit salty for me. Service was good. I would go back to try a different plate though (i forget what I ordered) read more

Really tasty and fresh food . We got the cubano, papa rellenas and the breaded chicken and it's was all 10/10! Definitely will be coming back. Also staff was really friendly read more

Discovered this great spot in the Island for Cuban food. Got the cubano sandwich combo with plantain chips. Everything was really good. I'll be back. read more

El Cubano - Cubano sándwich - Cuban Near Me - Carlsbad, California

I am visiting from the east coast and stopped in to have a quick bite before work. The service was remarkable and the food amazing! I definitely recommend stopping in if your in the area! read more

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