5/5 stars! El Rincón Criollo hit all the right marks for great Cuban food in LA. ​We tried the ​Cubano Sandwich with Fried Plantains: The sandwich was flavorful, well-pressed, and paired amazingly with the crispy, sweet plantains. ​Empanadas: Exceptionally fresh and packed full of meat, they definitely don't skimp on the filling. ​A huge bonus for dog owners, they are pet-friendly. I'll definitely bring my family next time. read more

Ok spot if you crave Cuban food. The service is polite and helpful. Indoor dining and to go options are available. I'd say the Ropa Vieja is my go to here. Stop by and give it a try. read more

I've been going to this restaurant for over 30 years! Even though the location has changed within the last couple of years, the food quality, portion size, and taste has remained CONSISTENT for the past 30+ years. This place is a family tradition that I've passed down to my girls (and now my two little granddaughters) who all LOVE their "authentic Cuban" food. Always friendly service when we go, whether dine in or carry out. I really loved the ambiance of the original spot in Culver City, but I understand the need for growth and opportunity...hence the move. Either way, my family are customers for life!! Don't change a thing! **Favorite dish is the half chicken with white rice, black beans, and plantain** Chef's kiss!! read more

This. This is why taste buds were created They added a new dish to their menu. The Cuban Bowl. A flavorful knockout dish that hits the spot. read more

El Rincon Criollo - Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you... El Rincon Criollo's new Cuban bowl. Oh..... Hellz Yeah!!! - Cuban Near Me - Playa Del Rey, California

*Delayed post from May '25 This Cuban restaurant in Playa del Rey was a true delight for me as someone born in Miami to Cuban immigrants! The quality of food here is outstanding, despite relocating less than a year ago. Speaking with Jason the owner revealed that their chef has been with the restaurant for over a decade, so they know what they're doing! There is some outdoor seating on the patio, but I recommend sitting inside to absorb the atmosphere more, with books, paintings and music filling the space. The parking lot has a few spaces, but street parking is easily accessible. For an appetizer, I recommend the mariquitas, or fried plantain chips, because they're made fresh to order. At other popular Cuban places, Porto's for example, they cook these plantain chips in the morning and let them sit out all day, causing them to become stale. The dipping sauce for these chips however, is not your typical garlic and oil mojo sauce, but rather a sour orange garlic sauce that is more watery. I love the flavor, but I would recommend emulsifying it a bit to add texture similar to its traditional counterpart. The lechon asada is fantastic! The pork is super tender and moist in the middle, yet crispy on the ends where the fat has fried. The onions are well cooked and have a bite to them instead of being slimy. The rice and black beans are exactly like my mom makes them: fluffy jasmine rice with smoky, tender beans in a thick sauce that comes from mashing some of the beans as they cook. This meal was by far my favorite as it celebrated traditional Cuban seasonings and cooking methods. Cuban Sandwiches are always a classic order, but note that while the bread is delicious and crispy from being pressed, it's not your traditional bread made with lard. The pork is very smoky and the sandwich comes with a good amount of cheese that melts nicely into the buttered bread. Some people might prefer more pickles, mayo and mustard, though I appreciated the more balanced execution. My only criticism is on the maduros, or sweet plantains, which are too mushy in my opinion. I know this version is pretty standard, but I love it when the corners get really crispy and caramelized to add a textural contrast. At the end of our meal, Jason surprised us with a complimentary dessert that hadn't been added to the menu yet (it may be available now as this review is a few months delayed). It was a warm empanada filled with guava and cream cheese, served with guanabana ice cream and a sprinkle of cardamom. QUE RICO! I really hope they've added it to their menu because it kills. read more

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BEST CUBANO SANDWICH ON THE WESTSIDE!!! Since El Rincon Criollo moved to Playa del Rey from its longtime location in Culver City a few months back, not only have I eaten here five times, but I've bought gift certificates for friends and neighbors in the area so that they can try the Cubano- the pork is perfectly tender and moist throughout, not dry in parts like I've had at many other places. This is one craveable sandwich!! Other really good things I've tried are the Ropa Vieja, the Lechon Asado, and the ceviche. Entrees are served with bread, rice, and black beans. These portions are solid, so best to arrive hungry. Prices are modest for the quality, portions, and service. Free parking in the shared parking lot and free nearby street parking. The best part of this place is the owner and staff. The proprietor, Jason, is an area local who treats his customers like they're neighbors. Isabel and Cassie will give you service with a smile and are happy to recommend menu items if you have a hard time making up your mind. Can't wait till my next visit. Bon Appétit! read more

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After a recommendation from a local friend, we rode our bikes from Hermosa Beach to this delicious place! Everything we tried was amazing! Excellent Cuban food and great service! read more

Ordered the lechon asado with white rice, black beans, and plantains and enjoyed everything. Juicy pork with a delicious mojo sauce, nice portion sizes, and flavorful rice and beans! read more

Judging by social media, the neighbors of Playa Del Rey can't seem to agree on a lot of things, but they are overwhelmingly happy with our new Cuban restaurant. The food is so good, the owner and staff are eager to please and the casual atmosphere is just right for our quirky 'hood. The prices are reasonable and portions are generous. The Paella for one was more than enough for two with leftovers for two more meals, especially with our orders of Black Beans and Tostones. The Paella had a generous amount of crab and other goodies. The beans were soft and seasoned to perfection without lard or meat. The tostones were good, but I like them plastered a little more with crispy edges. We devoured them just the same. We liked our meal so much that we ordered takeout for our visitors the next day. If you haven't tried El Rincón Criollo, you should go. Bienvenidos! read more

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Delicious!! The coctel de Camaron was full of shrimp and was so tasty!! And the 1/2 chicken platter was soooo so yummy!! Huge portion too! The service was also very attentive. Great spot I'd go again and again! read more

I've been waiting to try this place for so long! And I was surprised to see so many options! As soon as we ordered our food we heard them firing up the grill and you could see them preparing meals. All the dishes we tried were savory, and the meals didn't feel heavy! Everything we tried was so fresh and flavorful. They also have daily specials, which I love and appreciate! Our bellies left satisfied without that bloat feeling which was amazing! Their hospitality was also very warm, welcoming, and pleasing. I will be happy to come again and bring my family when they are in town. What a gem! Welcome to Playa Del Rey! read more

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Lengua Guisada, is one my favorites dishes here. Comes with also black beans and plantains and white rice... so good ! Also the Squid plate is also excellent. read more

El Rincon Criollo - Lengua Guisada - Cuban Near Me - Playa Del Rey, California

First time trying ERC at their new location. Got my go-to Pollo Asado. Same great taste as before. The only difference for this dish between this location vs the old location is that it's a $1 to add plantains. No big deal. Service was very friendly. read more

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New place to have lunch with friends. Service was excellent as we declined what to get for lunch. Most everything is made in house. Rolls are given to begin your meal. The rolls are fresh and hot and airy. My beef and potatoes came with flavorful black beans and rice. The beef and potatoes had a spicy yet mellow flavor. The beef could very well be cut with a fork. Husband loved his oxtail and cleaned his plate. The restaurant has a island vibe with paintings from different artists. Definitely a place to go for cuban food, read more

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Came to try this place after hearing some rave reviews in the neighborhood app. The only thing Cuban about this place was the music and the pictures on the. The Cuban sandwich was ok, not much taste to it. The bread wasn't toasted much the french fries were soggy. The ropa vieja plate was ok, nothing to write home about. Service was ok, however I don't believe any of the servers or kitchen staff are Cuban. The place is missing the Cuban spark!! Still looking for a good Cuban restaurant. read more

Very small place on Pershing & Manchester. I wish they had more indoor seating. Food is excellent. We tried the Cubano Sandwich, Pork & chicken, garlic shrimp, omelette. Everything is fresh & tasty. Service is very attentive. Saw lots of take out orders. Highly recommend. They should have a liquor license soon, but you can byob. read more

El Rincon Criollo - Menu - Cuban Near Me - Playa Del Rey, California

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Love El Rincon Criollo. Got their oxtail which was very hearty and a decent portion size with a nice tomato sauce. Very tasty and good portions. They used to be in Culver City so glad to see them in this new location. Looks a lot nicer. Probably a good spot for a date or to enjoy the local beach vibe a couple minutes drive down the hill.. read more

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This place was a disappointment. Place was nice enough as was the staff. The food however was not much to write about. The Cuban sandwich ( a staple in any Cuban restaurant) was anything but. The bread was Mexican "torta" bread not the traditional Cuban bread. This changed the flavor for me as did the carnitas they put in the sandwich instead of the slices of roasted pork which is what makes it a Cuban sandwich. Finally they buried the sandwich in cheese. Something that some may like but which is totally wrong for this sandwich. The food is also not worth the price. I spent $26+ on a sandwich and soft drink. I can think of a dozen better meals I could have had for that price. read more

Had a delicious dinner at the new Cuban restaurant. I've been wanting to try the moment I saw the sign and construction. The portions are generous and perfect if you're into leftovers, though I ended up finishing everything! The plantains were perfectly caramelized, the beans tasted authentic, and the rice was so flavorful it didn't need anything extra. The real standout! The hospitality! The staff is incredibly kind, checked on us often, and were super accommodating when I asked for a vegetarian plate no hesitation at all. The sauces were house-made, fresh, and especially delicious with the empanadas. Jessica and her counterpart at the counter were absolute gems. I'm so happy they've found a home in PDR . I'll definitely be back with friends and family. Highly recommend! Sorry my picture weren't insta worthy. I was ready to eat. read more

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Been a customer of this restaurant since it used to be on Sepulveda in Culver City. Always friendly smiles and greetings. I like the decor and feel of the current Playa del Rey location. Feels less "stuffed" than the old location in Culver City. Parking is still about the same. Best to park on a side street and walk back if the tiny parking lot is full. Their fish soup kept me nourished through severe colds during cold and flu season. While their white rice and stew black beans are okay, their perfectly cooked and seasoned moros is hands down the best rice side dish to get with your order. I'm not vegetarian, but eating a plate of their moros topped with some garlic sauce is my go-to meal when I had a long work day and craving comfort food (aka starch). Their oxtails are tender and flavorful, especially when they're soaking in the tasty tomato based sauce that comes with the oxtails. The garlic shrimp is delish especially if you're a garlic lover like me. Wish I had pictures to share but when I get my food from El Rincon, the only thing on my mind is eating and definitely not taking photos. read more

Food 4 stars Service 5 stars Vampires beware! Garlic heavy menu and lots of grilled onion, too. Up until now I've only had Cuban food at Versailles. This is a cozy restaurant with excellent, warm, attentive service. Need to come back because I wanted to try so many things. The rolls were warm but pretty dense. My friend didn't like how the butter was firm. **Yuca Frita - so crispy, interesting garlic/vinegar sauce that was not overwhelming. Very starchy **Camarones al Piña Colada - shrimp in a coconut rum sauce with onions and garlic. Just realized I didn't get any onions. :/ Still, solid comforting dish. Sauce was sweeter than expected, got the yellow rice which was amazing, subtly flavored. **Masas de Puerco - OMG, this looked delish. Pulled pork, need I say more? Generous pile of grilled onions. My other friend got a fried chicken dish. These are filling entrees as we all took home leftovers. The menu also has soups, hot pressed sandwiches, salads and some kids' meals. Few options for vegetarians. Street parking or since it was dinner time, a good sized parking lot one block south on the same side. Next time gotta encourage family style dining! read more

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We finally had lunch here today and the food was delicious. We had the ropa vieja dish and the sandwich cubano. The sides - tostones and maduros - were really good too! My husband is from NYC and he has high standards when it comes to Cuban food and this one met his expectations. The service was also great - prompt and very friendly. We will definitely be back! read more

El Rincon Criollo - Cubano Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Playa Del Rey, California

GO TO THIS RESTAURANT IMMEDIATELY I am of Cuban heritage, grew up in Florida, and have lived in LA for 10yrars. I have been on the eternal hunt for anything close to decent Cuban food here for a decade. I am happy to report that the search is FINALLY OVER! My sister and I got the Maduros, the Camarones, and the pechuga a la plancha. Everything was EXCELLENT. It is not easy to get black beans right, but they figured it out. Every single bite I took, my eyes bulged out of my head in shock and delight. I will be back as often as I can. Highly suggest you do the same. You will not regret it read more

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Comida deliciosa !!!! Servicio excelente gracias Alex muy bien atendidos . Lo super recomiendo Volveremos !!!! Pronto read more

This place has great Cuban food. I ordered the Lechon, it came with plantains, white rice, black beans, and pork drizzled on top with a nice sauce and onions. My buddy ordered a Cuban sandwich we thought the food was amazing and decently priced. We will definitely be coming here more often. read more

Had a wonderful time at El Rincon Criollo. Friendly service and the ropa vieja was excellent! Roasty flavor of the shredded beef pairs so well with the black beans, white rice and sweetness of the fried plantains. The cuban sandwich was tasty as well. Can't wait to come back for more! read more

Delicious! We've ordered out and eaten in. Both times were terrific. We're especially fond of having To Go, the signature Cubano sandwich (we've had grilled chicken and steak) and come with Banana Chips. This place had so many obstacles with LA County causing delays with permits etc. that we were delighted when they finally were able to open and provide this yummy option locally to us in PDR. read more

The most amazing staff and food you could ask for!. If you live on the west side of L.A., make it a point to eat here...often! . We are blessed to have this place. read more

It pains me to write these reviews when the food is good (room for improvement), but the cost is absolutely ridiculous. This place has been around since 1969 and has changed ownerships once. I wish ii could have sampled it under the previous owner who probably was more attentive to the food, the presentation, and offered a good value for the dining experience. We ordered two simple sandwiches and have Little Havana in Miami as the benchmark. It then again, this should be a Cuban place. Unfortunately, it didn't hit its mark and the sandwich was bland, overloaded with onions (more than the meat). Now for the cost. The menu said $17 per sandwich which is up there but then again so are many of the food prices. What was shocking was to get the bill with a surcharge and NO explanation. Each sandwich is now $17.51 and the sodas, hold your seat, $3.09 each. Really? I would have expected to pay more like $1.50 but this is insane. When I asked the waitress to explain the extra cost of $0.51 per sandwich, she said the computer decided the prices but she would check. Upon her return, she said the extra cost was if I were to use a credit card, however it says NOWHERE that there is an extra charge for using a credit card. There are other good Cuban places to try like Versailles so don't waste your time or money going here until they change their pricing model. read more

El Rincon Criollo - Receipt for two sandwiches and two sodas. - Cuban Near Me - Playa Del Rey, California

I am a very satisfied and extremely happy customer of Rincon Criollo for over 20 years. This is the absolute best in Cuban food and service. In fact I was there enjoying it all less than an hour ago. Simply read the name of the website bestcubanfood.com read more

When I walked in there was only one occupied table, waitress did not even look at me, I had to order myself at the counter, while waiting for my food another customer walked in and he got seated and served immediately, she was very friendly with everyone else but me, like I didn't exist. even though I came to dine in and they have nice plates and cutlery my food came out in a to go container and a plastic bag, staff never checked on me once, food was tasty but I felt so slighted I couldn't finish it, left and no one noticed or said anything. Maybe because I was in sweatpants and not wearing expensive clothing and jewelry like the other two patrons?? I tipped 20% when I ordered they are lucky I paid upfront or I wouldn't have and I am always a generous tipper. read more

I've been going to this place since they operated in Culver City. I'm happy they relocated to Playa Del Rey, which is closer to my home, and the food is still as great as before. My favorite are the lengua guisado and the rabo encendido. The sauces are really delectable and flavorful. The paella Valenciana is amazing too! read more

I can't believe I waited so long to try this place it is HEAVENLY. The employees are really sweet and our food tasted like the most wholesome home cooked meal I've had in ages. read more

El Rincon Criollo - Both of these were OUTSTANDING - Cuban Near Me - Playa Del Rey, California

Amazing cubano!!! Would def order here again and looking forward to trying other items

Delicious! Hubby had the Lechon in garlic sauce and I had the 1/2 chicken. Both come with Cuban black beans and rice, plantains and that delectable garlic sauce that made me want to lick the plate. All you Culver City folks, rediscover El Rincon Criollo. The flavors are just as addictive as before their move to Playa del Rey and the location is cuter and more open. Alex provides fantastic service. I need to try the oxtail next read more

Glad to see this place moved from culver to PDR. They have only been opened for a few days. I ordered Rabo Encendido (via takeout) and it was very good!! read more

I got the Pollo Asado. First, the staff was sweet. BYOB. Bonus. Wine, Beer, and Sake are sold next door. The half chicken is delish. Garlic and citrus. Amazing. No photo. We got it to go. Comes with rice and black beans for sure. I think Plantains but they literally just opened so they were out. Delish. Seating indoors and outdoors. Nice staff. Excited for them and to have such a unique offering (Cuban food) in Playa del Rey. We also have other international cuisines and Cuban is no where else in the area. Bravo! read more

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Greatest Cuban food restaurant in Culver City! I have not been in years, my father lived in Westchester and I would go there almost every time. Better than Versailles. read more

A little gem of a Cuban restaurant off Supelveda on the southern side of Culver City. Arguably better than the Cuban food I've had in Miami, California. One of the most homemadey home-made soups I've ever had -- and I thoroughly enjoyed every drop of it! From the homemade chicken stock broth, to the potatoes, carrots, and the juicy chicken breast. A very good dish (and of course inexpensive) for the seasonal occasion on the non-cold cold winter days of SOCAL. read more

El Rincon Criollo - Chicken Soup (Regular size). Fantastic. - Cuban Near Me - Playa Del Rey, California

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I have been coming to El Rincon Criollo for 6+ months since moving into Playa Del Rey. Only have positive things to say. The staff is attentive and friendly and the food is very good. Servings are generous and high quality. Definitely recommend. read more