Great food with super friendly service but for big "real Cuban cuisine" aficionados - this is more of a Latin fusion spot where Cuban and Mexican food are infused and there are tasty entrees like the moros with more of a Mexican rice influence on the mix. read more

Stopped by around lunchtime. There's a lot of free parking behind the restaurant. There is some limited seating inside and outside the restaurant, so I would recommend taking your order to go. I thought the inside space was cute. Staff were very friendly and menu was clear. I ordered a classic Cuban. It was made hot and fresh. I was pleasantly happy by the portion size. Great place to stop by after you go to Costco. It's also a very short walk from the Aurora Village transit center. I need to come back and try other menu items. read more

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I been there twice it's okay, the place is super tiny inside to sit on seating outside right next to a bus stop but a friendly place , parking in rear.. I might say it looks better in the day than at night. For me it has to start with the bun a crunchy or soft sandwich bun this falls in the middle though they put garlic and butter in it , I still need alittle something something. First time I got the classic cubano I don't know what I was excepting there was no wow factor but it was satisfying and the next time I got the steak. I much like the steak better more meat , since the place was small I took it to go . Now looking back if I was going to a park or beach I would definitely choose the cubano there was no need to added anything, but if I was going home I would take the steak , but the way I did both went to the park and went home with the sandwinch. The steak had more meat but I went home and added cheese and jalapeños and banana peppers it tasted good four stars. read more

El Cubano - Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Shoreline, Washington

I had and issue with this order in the picture the rice was crispy (it's supposed to be fluffy) the meat was chopped into tiny slices and dry like leather. I called the store asked the owner to call me so I could understand what happened? She told me "The food is made a day in advance" it's very sad that she is giving a gross presentation of Cuban food. If you want a good close Cuban sandwich stick to un bein or any other place than here. She asked how she could make things right I asked for a refund it was $42 for bistek and "Cuban " sandwich was left on read. I hate having to do this but save your money life is too expensive nowadays. read more

El Cubano - Bistek plantains morro - Cuban Near Me - Shoreline, Washington

I've stopped in for takeout periodically in 2021, 2023, and due to the pouring rain ordered ahead to pickup directly (1/31/25). There are several food apps to place orders. It was curious to me why despite paying online for two cubanos with tax & tip, there's an additional service charge. There is also an automatic 8 cents bag charge, despite that I brought my own bag. My focus has always to support local indie businesses whenever possible. I appreciated the time and transparency given with regards to my service charge inquiry. My original online order was cancelled and charged directly instead. This removed the added service fee and the business retained more of the final transaction. Pro tips: *Look at their website to decide what menu items you're interested in. *Avoid food apps which inflate costs and not much return back to El Cubano. *Call El Cubano directly to place your takeout order. 206-629-4443 read more

El Cubano - One of two Cubanos (1/31/25) - Cuban Near Me - Shoreline, Washington

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Been here four times and tried three different sandwiches, classic cubano, pan con lechon and pan con bistec. PCB is definitely my favorite now. All my sandwiches were fully loaded and packed, very good deal for the price in Seattle. Both pork ones were tender and juicy, like a light version of pulled pork, but slightly bland to my liking. I love the beef one, the sirloin steak was savory. I also drizzled some Bachan Japanese BBQ sauce on it, so it would be a bit more moist and flavorful. I love their chocolate cake. The cream was super creamy and rich, the slight bitterness of cocoa made the cake more enjoyable. Mango mousse was my partners favorite, it was airy and creamy, came with a subtle mango-y acidity after taste. The lady was very friendly and genuine, the shop was tiny and cute, parking lot was behind the shop. This is exactly the place we need in every neighborhood. read more

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Out on a new weekend adventure, we thought we would try a new sandwich experience for lunch. We decided to stop in for two sandwich options switching up the variety. The flavor was ok but the meat was dry. read more

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The chicken thighs could quite possibly cure depression. Perfectly falling off the bone and bathed in a citrus marinade. So good.

El Cubano is tucked away on highway 99 in Shoreline yet it stands out for it's authentic Cuban style cuisine. It has array of different options and to go along with a friendly staff that makes this small spot shine even if it nestled away for bustling traffic. Give this spot a try and you too will end up finding yourself becoming a regular when you need some flavor in your life. read more

I really wanted to like this place. Ordered the Cuban and the Sirloin. Meat on both sandwiches were on the dry side. The pork was cut in small cubes that fell out when you picked it up. The Cuban also lacked pickles. I hate to say it, but less than impressed. read more

I really liked my classic Cubano sandwich and the rich, dark chocolate cake! I found it interesting that they source their bread from a bakery in Florida that makes it the traditional way - by placing a palmetto leaf on the dough when baking to create a split (the leaf is removed after). Ordering online for pickup was super easy and they email/text confirmations. Food was ready exactly when they said it would be. Parking is easy, behind the storefront. Inside is small and cute and the employee was friendly. This will definitely be a go-to for take out! read more

Been here before. It is pretty good, no issues with food. Today I had the pork Cubano sandwich. The thing that I would like the owner to realize, is that you have a TINY parking area.. it is also shared by about 5 businesses. The problem is that all the employees AND the owners of these businesses.. you all park in the customer parking lot. This means MANY times myself and other customers drive in, can't park, and you lose our business. ‍ Park off site, then you will have more business. read more

Delicious Cuban sandwiches with gracious and friendly service. I had the pan con lechon. I liked the flavors as well as the soft texture of the bread. read more

I have no notes. I really enjoyed the sandwich. Parking wasn't too difficult either if you head to the parking lot behind. Staff were really friendly and helpful. This is not a sit down place and the storefront is tiny. I'd recommend ordering ahead. read more

Yo. If you haven't already been here, you need to make the trip. Dope spot in the Shoreline area. Right on 99 just past Edmonds. It's just a small storefront so you'll be getting your food to go, but the plus is that it's fast but it's worth it. Parking is in the back. It was pretty open so as soon as I pulled in I just had to scan and decide in the same maneuver. I walked in and the chef was working on an order for a lady that was sitting on one of the two chairs available. I already knew what I wanted, cuz I'm like that hahahaha. I usually do my research before. I think had to wait for less than a minute to place my order but it was no problem. The lady came up with the prior customers order and was very nice as she greeted me. I ordered the cubano classic, the pan de lechon, and an order of the maduros plus a 20 oz plastic bottle coke. My total was something around 45$ I think. Kinda up there but the quality was good. The classic cubano was great. Ham, pork, Swiss, pickles and mayo and mustard on a white roll, or Cuban style bread which was panini'd and cut diagonally lengthwise. Wrapped in white paper, sandwich paper not butcher( there is a difference) and labeled with a sticker which was designer like and gave it flare. The lechon was PACKED with roasted pork. It had two sauces on it but to be honest I couldn't differentiate them from each other nor really taste them but it didn't matter because the sandwich was bangin'. It is salty so be prepared but it wasn't overwhelming. The coke helped it out. This sandwich was crowded with the roasted pork. There were onions and a single piece of romaine lettuce, which I removed after a few bites because I'd rather less interference with the meat but you might not mind. Same type of white bread or Cuban style bread. But this was not cut. Wrapped the same and adorned with a similar sticker which I dug. Had a small conversation with the lady. Very nice. They've been there I believe roughly 4 years but have been around longer in different locations. I forgot to mention that they had Cuban music playing and she was dancing. I kinda felt like cutting a rug too but didn't want to cause problems so restrained myself lol. I have to say that as good as the sandwiches were my favorite part was the Maduros. They were plantains fried. Sweet. Savory. Such a great bite and chew. The menu says you get approximately 7 but my container was packed. Definitely more than 7. I couldn't stop eating them. I ate half my order on the hood of my car which was a great choice. I highly recommend this place. Check em out. read more

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My coworkers and I wanted to grab some lunch to celebrate the passing of my exam! I chose this place as I heard good things about it, and it was nearby our workplace. It's located in between Star Vape and a spa, across of Costco on Aurora Ave N in Shoreline. There's a parking lot with quite a lot of stalls behind the building, entering from N 200th St. The shop itself is VERY small. Probably only 2-3 people allowed inside. I got the Classic Cubano. And wow, it was delicious! There was so much flavor packed in the sandwich. The amount of savory and sourness was well balanced. The bread was soft yet crispy and buttery. There was also a cheese pull! The picture does not do any justice to the deliciousness of it! My coworkers got a Pan Con Lechon, which was my second choice, that I was also able to try. It wasn't as good as the classic. It was lacking flavor in my opinion. My group and I also ordered Maduros (fried sweet plantains), and they were delicious! A bit overly too sweet with the extra sugar they added, but still a great dessert to have after a savory meal. Great small business to support for a quick bite! The food was delicious, and the prices were very reasonable. Will be back for another sandwich! read more

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Solid cubano! We weren't able to eat it right away but even an hour later it was still warm, crispy, juicy, and comforting just the way you want a cubano to hit read more

El Cubano - Classic Cubano Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Shoreline, Washington

Ordered the classic cubano...Nice solid sando...super friendly people that work there...will try the tamale next time...looked yummy also Park in the rear then walk up the stairs to street level read more

Had the pan con lechon, was amazing!!! Reminded me of Portillos in LA. I'm a sandwich snob and this is definitely a solid spot.

Great Cuban sandwiches! Bread (flown in) is exactly the texture that makes their Cuban different than a sandwich with other bread. read more

Came here and the first challenge is to enter here. parking is in the back. Next, one needs to climb the rickety stairs , closer to the sound of Cuban music they play at the front of the restaurant. One is on a mission for roasted pork deliciousness. I waver between the pork sandwich, or the hefty slices of pork with beans and rice with plantains. Or, the pork tamale. Today, I saw one can get a tamale with a side of marinated chicken thigh. Today's order is sandwich, tamale and mango pie dessert. The storefront isn't much. A few stools inside, for you to wait for your food. One can also dine at a small bistro table for two. The table is located very close to the loud speaker and the sounds of Aurora Avenue North. Not at all relaxing, so get mine to go. The sandwich is full of roasted pork. I do prefer the larger tender slices of pork, rather than the sandwich. The tamale has a soft masa dough, with a good quality of diced roasted pork inside. I have tried the bread pudding, mango pie and the coconut rice pudding. All are a not too sweet and full of flavor. I have each one, tonight my head is turning towards mango pie. The mango filling compliments the end of savory and fill meal. Enjoy the food here, be sure to try the roasted pork, chicken and dessert offerings. read more

Delicious sandwich! If you haven't had their Spicy tuna yet...you MUST try this one. It was down right delicious! Friendly service as well is the cherry on top! read more

Incredible Cuban sandwiches & Cuban Entrees. The Classic Cubano ($10.50) was incredibly loaded, flavorful, and perfectly pressed. Also got the tamale & sirloin steak plate (Tamal Con Bistec, $14.50) - the tamale was great and this entree was LOADED with protein. I wish it came with plantains. I probably will stick with the sandwiches next time though. Small hole in the wall, one small table outside for seating. Food was ready in 5 minutes. read more

El Cubano - Classic Cubano ($10.50) - Cuban Near Me - Shoreline, Washington

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Are you fucking kidding me?! I paid $6 extra for ahi tuna. It ended up being literally just a can of tuna, ya know... the ones that are $.50?! SUCH A RIP OFF!!!! read more

El Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Shoreline, Washington

I am a longtime Geo fan from his place in Shilshole Bay to his place on Greenwood and now here. The day was cold and rainy, and there was still no power at home. With errands to do, I found myself in the mood for one of his fantastic sandwiches. I chose the Spicy Tuna Melt - delicious Albacore mixed with homemade garlic cilantro sauce, layered atop toasted Cuban bread with melted cheddar, Cajun mayo, Mama Lil's spicy red peppers, sweet pickles, and sliced red onions. I am normally very good about taking a moment to photograph my sandwich but NOT THIS TIME! I finished the entire sandwich while it was still warm and I had zero regrets. The service was friendly and fast. Christina was exceedingly pleasant! The ambiance is simple, clean and welcoming takeaway spot for your sandwich needs. Ample free parking is available downstairs, the front entrance opens directly onto Aurora. Skip the Costco food court and indulge in some authentic food made with love. And tell Geo that Kristine said hello! read more

Pan con lechon is my favorite but everything is great. Get a tamal. Friendly service. For carry out.

Seattle boasts a great sandwich scene, and El Cubano does not disappoint and places high on my list of great sandwich stores in the PNW. I got the Tampa Cubano and my wife got the Pan Con Bistec. The Tampa Cubano was amazing. Highly highly recommend. And it's astonishing that you can add salami for a dollar more compared to the classic, which just boosts the flavor to a new level. The sandwich was bursting with flavor and the warm melted cheese was perfect on a cold dreary day. The banana peppers were the perfect surprise crunch and worked perfectly to elevate the taste. My only complaint is that I wish they added more peppers, but that's something I'll ask for future orders. The Pan Con Bistec was also really good, but the greens watered down (literally) the sandwich a bit. It left a bit of a sogginess to the sandwich, which was rather disappointing, but the flavors and the fries were a nice touch. It'll probably be a sandwich I'll be thrilled to order if I can customize it and ask for no greens. Overall, what a gem. It's not easy to find this, as it's a small store on Aurora, but once you find it, you're in for a treat. read more

El Cubano - Tampa Cubano - Cuban Near Me - Shoreline, Washington

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This is a small place along Aurora with an almost hidden parking lot in the back, so it's easy to miss, but oh man am I glad I stopped by. As soon as we entered we were greeted by a friendly cashier who let us take our time to peruse the menu on the mirrored wall to the left. I noticed that her interactions with every customer who walked in were so genuinely welcoming and kind. Love that. We got two sandwiches: the classic cubano and the pan con bistec. Both were steaming hot and delicious! I mainly ate the cubano, which had the stretchiest cheese ever. The meat was flavorful & juicy. The only thing is the meat & cheese needed more sauce or pickles/mustard or something to cut the richness. My husband really enjoyed the pan con bistec, but we later realized it didn't have the red onions listed on the menu. I'm not a huge fan of steak sandwiches because they tend to be too chewy for me, which this was, but I really liked the little fries in the sandwich! Overall, a great sandwich to pick up on your way to or from the nearby Costco. The menu showed a variety of other things like tamales and entrees with rice & beans, I'd definitely like to come back to try those as well! read more

El Cubano - Pam con bistec - Cuban Near Me - Shoreline, Washington

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Cheese sauce on sandwich is fake factory soy trans fat sauce. Bread is cheap $1 loaf crap. Steak on sandwich was good. Mayo I'm sure is PUFA crap oil. Some kind of herb spread on bread made of some type of oil. Not sure what type. Probably was PUFA/MUFA crap oil read more

Great tasting sandwich! I got the pan de lechon, and it had some pretty tasty, juicy pork. The onions, olives, and (what I believe was) butter also really added to a satisfying flavor combo here. The staff was pretty gracious in waiting for me to place my order, though they seem to be a teeny bit understaffed. The place itself is more of a stall or hole in the wall than a proper restaurant, so it's perfect for on-the-go eats. They have a really interesting menu, so I look forward to trying more of their food in the near future. read more

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I was in Seattle for the week apartment hunting and of course trying to find good restaurants with cuisines that I enjoy. I was really dismayed by the lack of Cuban options as someone that grew up in Miami. Thankfully this little place hit the spot when it comes to a Cuban sandwich. They sell a few more things which I'll have to try once I make my move. Service was fast and the ladies were very nice, had a chat with one of them while I waited. I'm only giving a 4 because I haven't tried the other options but I'll update once I do. read more

A tiny little shop, with great Cuban sandwiches, made to order. If you go multiple times, there are many choices -- but if it's your first time, I strongly recommend you get a Classic Cubano -- pork, ham, pickles, cheese on a toasted baguette-like bread, grilled to perfection with just a little mustard. It's a small shop, so be prepared to wait a few minutes while they make your order -- they make each order one at a time. Or if you want to risk the timing (as opposed to getting your sandwiches just as they come off the grill), order in advance by phone, email, or on-line. There is no parking out front, but there is parking in back, so go around the corner and park in back (sometimes full, usually not). This is a small business, so cut them some slack -- nothing fancy here, just great sandwiches. read more

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We got a lot of various things catered to my work and everyone was absolutely blown away at how amazing everything was! The (I'm guessing) owner was so helpful and kind and gracious! The spicy tuna melt was especially amazing and I will absolutely be going again! It might not look like a lot but it's a fantastic hole in the wall gem! Thank you so much!!! read more

El Cubano - Spicy tuna melt, Cajun sauce, AMAZING Garlic Cilantro Aioli, plantains, Macaroni Salad - Cuban Near Me - Shoreline, Washington

Very good hidden gem. Awesome service, 1 small table on the sidewalk to sit and enjoy but they're set for take away. I had the Bistec de Palomilla, full of flavor and a heaping portion. The bf had the Tamal con Pollo, two juicy and amazing chicken thighs with one of the tastiest tamal read more

El Cubano - Bistec de Palomilla - Cuban Near Me - Shoreline, Washington

After a long and exhausting haul at Costco, this is the perfect place to stop by for some great food! Their food has perfect portion sizes. We got the classic cubano, pan con bistec, and cuban roasted chicken. Classic cubano: Great flavors - blend of savory cut of meat, little sour from pickled veggies, and perfectly toasted bread without overwhelming sauce. Pan Con bistec: Steak was still tender and easy to bite into. The steak strips were a bit thicker than I anticipated, but I am not complaining because that meant more steak! However, did make it a little harder to take a full bite. It pairs well with their cilantro aioli. The papas fitas added a nice crunch. Cuban roasted chicken: Chicken was tender and basically fell off the bone. Seasoned well. The star was definitely the plantains - not too sweet, thick cuts, and fried without sogginess or overcooked. Mac salad was a light add that balanced out more of the heavier flavors. Rice and black beans were definitely more flavorful than other spanish restaurants I've been to. Overall, worth trying! Recommend ordering online or calling in. It is a take-out only place so it has limited waiting space. read more

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The staff is so friendly! Family owned and DELICIOUS food! The plantains are so yummy and such a treat after a yummy cubano

This was my first time here. Two very kind women made me a couple sandwhiches. I got the Tampa Cubano with extra salami. I was told she "made it with love", and it tastes like it!!! The pulled pork is mouthwatering! I grabbed a business card and intend on coming back for a lot more Cubanos! Vibrant atmosphere, kind people, and delicious food. read more

Located on near a busy corner along 99, El Cubano is a tiny sandwich shop with an authentic Cuban vibe and delicious sandwiches. Pro tip: park behind the building in the lot off of N 200th St. if you are able to hoof it up the narrow, steep stairs to the front. This location isn't the best for those with mobility challenges with some uneven terrain and a tight space in the shop itself. We entered to lively music and a friendly greeting. The sandwiches take a little time to make, so I'm not sure if I would dub this a quick lunch - especially when it's busy - but the classic Cubano and the Pan Con Lechón we tried were both delicious. Cost was on the higher side so El Cubano is a treat to be savored every now and then, in my opinion -- but definitely worth a visit if you've been craving a good Cubano. read more

Being a Miami girl, this Cuban place hit the spot! All sandwiches are made to order which always provides you the hottest and richest flavors! Service was warm and welcoming! Highly recommend to spot by and pickup a hearty lunch or dinner read more

By far the best Cuban sandwich I have ever eaten. I am almost never in this part of Seattle (Shoreline). however, I had read about this delicious spot in the Seattle Times a few times. Despite already having bought my dinner for the evening, I decided to stop for a sandwich anyway. Tampa Cubano didn't disappoint. This sandwich was better than the versions at Paseo, Twisted Cuban Cafe and Bar and Whole Foods. The ingredients were so fresh and the bread was perfect. I want to come back next time and try their steak and garbanzo bean salad. This is a tiny hole in the wall place that is definitely worth a try. You can not stop your car in the front but there is plenty of parking in the back. Call ahead so you are not waiting in this tiny space for them to make your delicious sandwich from scratch. read more