this sandwich was highly impressive as the main part of the…read moresandwich, it was pretty necessary that the pork be cooked to near-perfection, and i have to say it was here it gave off a deep, brown-ish color, which showed the extent of it's cooking and marination. It wasn't quite incredibly tender, but the marinade added an absolute ton of flavor. more importantly, it was present plentifully throughout the sandwich, so practically every bite came filled with pork I also have to mention how packed together the ingredients are between the buns. when you start eating, it's inevitable that a quarter of the ingredients will fall onto the wrap below, leaving a nice secondary meal to finish off after the sandwich is done. the sandwich is packed incredibly tight during the wrapping process, but it unravels a bit while eating. for me, the major highlights of this meal was the onions and the aioli Starting with the onions, these may be the best I've ever had on a sandwich. They're caramelized amazingly, placed onto the sandwich in astoundingly large pieces, are crunchy, and there's just a lot of them. They're just wonderful both texturally and taste-wise. This sandwich is absolutely lathered with aioli - practically dripping with it. This boosted the overall flavor so much, especially because this aioli was addictingly good. In my experience, the amount of sauce has been directly proportional to how much I enjoyed a sandwich, and when the sauce is this good - it's even on the top of the bun! - i absolutely loved it Somehow the lettuce stayed crunchy despite all the otherwise wetness going on in the sandwich. Props for that The jalapenos were great as well for that extra bit of spicy - I would've loved to have more of them while the bread was toasted well, the one downside was i thought it was pretty hard and tough, which made chewing kind of difficult. I found my jaw to be pretty tired at the end after eating this. I would've much preferred a softer roll that's easier to bite into I've had similar sandwiches from Paseo and Bongos, and in my opinion this does edge out both of those Comparing to Paseo, the sandwich there has way more oil, making it more sloppy and I do like the bread there a lot better, but the pork feels richer and better marinated here (although less fatty), and the onions are definitely caramelized better here as well. Bongos has a pretty similar level of pork with more, but onions are definitely a step down What moves this place above those two for me is the amount of aioli used here far exceeds those other places, which just makes the overall eating experience better For the price (about 14 dollars) this is a really filling meal

Messy, a little pricy, but great sandwiches!! There's lots of meat and flavor, definitely worth…read morebeing one of the top sandwich places in Seattle! I didn't have to wait any longer than 10 minutes for my food to be ready, so service is pretty efficient. Note: Outdoor seating is limited, like a long bench style. Water is self-serve with plastic cups in the back wall of seating area.

Been loving this place, since before the beginning! I've been good friends with the owner, for…read moreseveral decades now and I continue to go there several times a month, because their food and drinks an vibe are always that good!!! When you go, definitely start with a signature MOJITO or 2, chat up with neighboring tables or the staff, then order up an appetizer, like the Empanadas, Ceviche or Tostones, then one of their large entrees! Ohhh...how I love their Shredded Beef or Lechon! Once you're done with your meal and order another mojito, definitely check out their postres/desserts menu! While I'm partial to their FLAN, my next favorite is definitely their Tres Leches! This will round out your savory/sweet palate and will go home super full and happy! I promise! Hope you check them out! ¡Salud Amigos!

Neighborhood gem... warm environment through the wait staff... everyone works together to ensure…read moreeveryone is getting service. Main focus is on the regular clients. Met at the door with I'm assuming the owner. Ordered Millionaires Mojito- great drinks! Cerviche- nice dish Marinated steak dish- excellent flavor Roasted pork dish- tender dish ... ... no complaints

Paseo is ICONIC and if you've never tried them, I'm gonna need you to get in your car and drive to…read morethem immediately so that you can stop missing out. This is THE spot to come before Mariners games or nearby concerts and nobody can convince me otherwise. I've tried them several times in the past and now have my dad hooked as well. Their signature Caribbean Roast sandwich is absolutely phenomenal and I have the hardest time ordering anything else when I'm here. I have tried the nachos version of it before as well, and that's equally delicious. The key is definitely that succulent roasted pork. I will say that the sandwich version is MESSY so don't wear white, and also just be mindful if you have plans after. This year, my dad decided to order a pre-seasoned and smoked turkey from Paseo and my GODDD it was good! We made a gravy from the drippings as well which turned out so good too. We also get their street corn that was said to serve 4-6 but it was generous and we had leftovers. Absolutely a MUST try, 10/10 no notes. There's a reason they have received so much love over the years - no questions, no notes, JUST GO TRY THEM PLEASE.

I'd give this place 4 stars, but I had an upset stomach after my meal. I was actually craving Un…read moreBien after my boxing class at Nomad, but they were sold out of roast and chicken thighs, so I headed to Paseo to get my fix. The indoor space is really cute, but I was confused as to why everything was blocked off and restricted to takeout only. I ordered the famous Caribbean Roast sandwich and a side of rice and beans, which came to a little less than $30. While it's a good sandwich, it felt a bit heavy; I really found myself looking for more acid to cut through the fat and grease. I'm glad I was sharing with Jenny because it's quite a lot for one person. I also noticed toward the end that the bread was burnt. Overall, it's a solid sandwich, but between the stomach issues and the char, I'm not sure I'd go back.

I really enjoyed the Desi Plate from Bongos. The pork was flavorful and tender, the plantain was…read moresweat and soft, the coleslaw was fresh and not too creamy and the pickled veg was great sourness to combat the rounded beans flavor. 10/10 would order again. Good spot for the summer since it's an order and pickup at the counter spot (with ringers) and a good post-Greenlake hearty meal. The service was quick and standard, no complaints and limited conversations so not too fussy

cant believe i havent had bongos yet! but wow it really lived up to the hype!…read more i got the bart sandwich which has both the fixins on the desi and the 1am. boy was it JUICY. it was packed with meat and all the toppings blended together in a symphony of wonderful flavors. the bread was fluffy, but definitely doesnt sit well. i reheated the other half for dinner and it disintegrated. i also tried the ropa vieja bowl. again, packed with a generous helping of meat, over rice, some slaw, and a maduro. very tender. i loved the beans. the slaw was ok, not the most flavorful but it was a nice crunchy addition. my friend ordered the tostones which i loved! fried to perfection and dusted with salt. it came with a dip/aioli which was wonderful! definitely want to come back and try their drinks and get that sandwich again!!!

Nice family owned business with traditional favorites. The setting is small and the service was…read moregood. The tostones and particularly delicious.

The staff here was so friendly and amazing! The food was even better!…read more The empanadas and the sauce that come with it were straight up amazing!!! The ropa vieja was also so amazing as was the sauce and onions with it. We love this place and can't wait to go back. And try more of the drinks (and cigars!) Not a lot of parking there, but we went shortly after opening and it wasn't a problem.

While stuck at Shilshole Marina for a boat mechanical issue we grabbed lunch here. So so so good…read more I might be back for dinner.

I've been to Un Bien 15th Ave NW location (OG location) but this time I went to another location…read more I've gotten the #1 (their best seller) which is always delicious, so this time I decided to venture toward their seafood options. The pricing is pretty good for rice bowls (probably an underrated order, though slightly smaller portions to the sandwich). I got the seafood in red sauce and got the scallops, which was priced at $10.75 for a satisfying meal - not too big but not too small. Hard to find seafood dishes at this price point so I appreciate it being fairly accessible in price. The red sauce is like a Cajun like sauce but not spicy - it is very flavorful. The pickled cabbage adds a bit of tang to the dish to accentuate the flavors of the other ingredients. I tried a bite of my friend's fish of the day (Mahi mahi) sandwich which has similar fixings to the Caribbean pork sandwich - always love their garlic aioli and caramelized onions. As typical, their sandwiches are very juicy so definitely get your hands messy or try your best eating it with utensils. As someone that enjoys to not get my hands dirty, I'd still recommend using your hands to savor all the flavors evenly in the sandwich! For first timers I'd recommend the #1 but you can't go wrong with other options for sure!

The Ropa Vieja from here was quite good. It came as a very large amount of shredded beef, a smaller…read morehelping of rice, and fries to go along with it. I'll start with the beef, as it was the primary component of the dish. Despite it being flank steak, it was clearly simmered for a long time - and displayed none of the traditionally chewy or dry properties associated with the tougher cut. The sauce also helped - it was very well spiced, and had a slight tomato-like flavor. Mixing this with the yellow rice yielded something that was really satisfying to eat. The combination of sauce, beef, and rice was quite enjoyable, even with mixing the vegetables in for some extra crunch. The portion size of beef was crazy. When combined with the rice, the total amount of food here was solidly enough for two full meals. It is around 20 dollars for the dish, but I would classify that as a good value when you consider how much food you get. On the opposite side, I swapped the maduros out for fries. These...were not good. The fries tasted stale, hard, and not appealing at all. While the portion size was high, the appeal was not. The sauce that came with these was interesting at least. Overall, I think this is a very strong core dish at an impressive portion. Would recommend sticking with the plantains as a side though. 8.5/10

I heard someone at my hairdresser mention this place having the only decent Cubano in the city…read more They had lived in Miami and found this place to be the most authentic - so we had to go. I haven't had a real Cubano but if it's like what we had at Cafe con Leche then I may need to book a flight. It was so good! We started with a small shot of espresso and moved on to a pair of tasty sandwiches. A Cubano for him and a marinated chicken sandwich for me. Our server was drifting between Spanish and English and greeted a number of the customers like old friends. Always an excellent sign.

Happy hour. Had a good selection. Pretty reasonable price…read more Waitress was super friendly.

Stepping into Mexicuban isn't just a dining experience; it's a passport to culinary…read morecross-pollination. This isn't your average taco spot--it's where the bold, tangy soul of Cuban cuisine meets the fresh, vibrant heart of Mexican street food. And the results? Nothing short of spectacular. While their menu is full of unexpected delights, the tacos are the undeniable stars of the show.The Perfect Blend of Mojo and MasaWhat sets Mexicuban apart is its fearless approach to fusion. Every taco is a masterclass in balance, utilizing scratch-made tortillas as the canvas for complex, slow-cooked flavors. You won't find tired, generic fillings here; instead, you get fillings deeply rooted in tradition, elevated by the opposing culture.The absolute must-try is the Lechón Asado Taco. It features pork that has been marinated for hours in a bright, tangy mojo (Cuban garlic-citrus sauce) before being slow-roasted until it practically melts. The kitchen then adds a genius counterpoint: a spicy, smoky salsa roja and a scattering of finely chopped, crunchy white onion and cilantro, finishing it with a squeeze of fresh lime. The result is a perfect textural symphony--tender, fatty pork against crisp toppings, and citrus brightness cutting through the savory richness.Beyond the Classic FillingsWhile the Lechón Asado is legendary, the variety keeps you coming back. The Ropa Vieja Taco, featuring shredded beef braised in tomatoes and bell peppers, is rich and savory, paired beautifully with a quick-pickled Cuban onion relish that adds a necessary crunch and tang. Even their vegetarian options, like the Sweet Plantain and Black Bean Taco, feel inventive, utilizing the starchy sweetness of the plantains to complement the earthy black beans, all tied together by a mild, creamy avocado crema.Each tortilla, clearly made by hand, has that beautiful, slightly chewy texture and corn flavor that defines an authentic taco. They hold up perfectly to the generous, juicy fillings without ever becoming soggy.Final Verdict: Go, Try, DevourMexicuban doesn't just make amazing tacos; they make tacos that tell a story--a story of two cultures meeting on a small, perfectly grilled corn vessel. If you are looking for a flavor adventure that delivers excitement and deep, comforting satisfaction in equal measure, look no further. Mexicuban's tacos are revolutionary and easily earn a spot among the best in the city. Just be warned: you won't be able to stop at one.Rating: 5/5 Stars

I've had a fascination with Cuban culture and cuisine after watching a SIFF film called, Cuban Food…read moreStories, back in 2019. Never been to Miami, FL either. I miss Cuban focused businesses that have closed such as Paladar, Geo's, and Papa Chango. The latter had created a major void to have Cuban style coffee and pastelitos, those light flaky cheese or fruit filled pastries. Havana Sweets Bakeshop has been a bookmark for awhile. I finally had the opportunity to leave SLU via Westlake and detoured to Fremont's Peace Love and Happiness plant shop, where Havana Sweets Bakeshop has a coffee cart located on Wed, Thurs, Fri, and Sun from 10am-4pm (3/1/24). Parking is always a challenge in Fremont, and eventually I gave up and parked in the loading zone out front. I was warmly greeted with a smile by the gentleman at the coffee cart. That was uplifting after a long work week and major sleep deprivation. Since it was coming up on 3pm, luckily there were a few pastries left. So I ordered one guava pastelito and a cafecito as my afternoon merienda. Nice pleasant convo and shortly thereafter left with the goods. I found another parking spot and took in the sunbreak and waterway view. Took a sip of the cafecito, so smooth, creamy, and hit the spot. The pastelito was spot on - light, flaky and in the middle a nice portion of guava filling. Delicious! So worth the wait and was able to finally to relax after another long work week. Great way to start the weekend with a pleasant experience from Havana Sweets Bakeshop.

a spot i frequent inside of the peace love & happiness plant shop…read more moving from miami to seattle was tough. i definitely was missing the cafecito & cuban desserts until a friend told me about this place. i actually got to try them when they were popping up in capitol hill wayyy back, which was awesome. the two owners are also super cool guys! one of them bakes all the desserts and the other makes the coffee. they have pastelitos with all the staple flavors: queso, guayaba, a combo of both, and then there is also a dulce de leche that is just awesome. it's the perfect pastry to go with the awesome cafecito. i really feel like i'm back in miami when i come by since they're a sort-of pop-up, they've also experimented with different items they don't always have. my favorites were the medianoche sandwich (of course), flan, and the churro cheesecake. at the time of writing, they are on a hiatus with an intention to launch again -- hopefully sooner rather than later. i find myself missing miami and wanting cafecito most on some of more grey and gloomy days here. when they're back, i suggest y'all go running.