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Why 3 stars? Because this a solid Cuban spot in my 'hood. --- --- --- I can't believe it took me this long to visit a restaurant less than 2 miles from my house, especially one with a 4.5 star rating. Plus, I love Cuban food, which makes it even more egregious! To be honest, I found the experience to be the definition of 3-stars: A-OK. Because I live so close, I'm sure I will be back again, especially since Arco Iris, my favorite Cuban restaurant in Tampa, recently closed. When you walk in, it's a bit confusing on whether you're supposed to sit down and be waited on or if you're supposed to order from the counter. I basically did the in-between version of that and kind of stood near a table and yelled my order when they asked me what I wanted. The bill came without the opportunity to add gratuity, so I guess it's officially not a server situation. I ordered the following: Cuban Sandwich - 3.5 stars. I didn't hate it and didn't love it. It comes with deli meat, not the real-deal pork, which is fine. I can get down with deli meat, but I found the sandwich to just be ok overall. Rice - 3 stars. Pretty standard stuff. Plantains - 4 stars. Plantains pretty much taste the same (great) everywhere I've had them, and that's the same that can be said here. Cheese Croquetas - 2 stars. I regret ordering these. They were pretty forgettable. The folks here were very nice, and again, I'm happy to have a Cuban spot in my 'hood, but I wasn't overwhelmed by the experience.
Quaint little place located in an out-of-the-way strip mall on Linebaugh Ave. It's kind of hard to find, just know that it's at the traffic light at Plantation Blvd. I went there for an early lunch, which was a bit of a mistake, because the place was swarmed with construction workers, in a hurry to get their generously filled to-go boxes in a small amount of time. Once they cleared out, it was far more of a relaxing atmosphere. You go in and order at the side counter where a window displays the day's offerings. It's plated or boxed, then you can have a seat at one of 5 or 6 tables available. Bottled and canned sodas were available in a nearby cooler to grab as needed. I noticed the staff was very good about cleaning off tables as people got up. I chose the ropa vieja, yuca, and plantains, and it was all delicious. I love mom and pop places like this because you can tell all the food they make is fresh, and they use their tried and true family recipes. I do wish the order came with a hunk of bread - I kept feeling like I was missing something. I paid the Owner at the counter when I finished, and she was very sweet, inquiring how I enjoyed my meal. I will definitely be back to try more of their homemade offerings.
We have a take home for the meal. The food here is very affordable. The amount of food given is also good. It is cafeteria style food with sandwiches for order. We have the white rice, roast pork, gizzards, yucca, and sweet plantain. All that for less than $14. The roast pork is well marinated. The skin is crispy and crunchy. The gizzards are cook in tomato base sauce and the cook for some time. They are soft and not chewy. Bite size pleasure. The yucca is not my favorite food unless it is fried. But the steam yucca is my wife favorite. Plantain is well cook. Overall the experience is not bad. We also has some crocket which is tasty.
Have driven by this place countless times but had not gone in due to "fear of the unknown". BUT, thanks to my fellow Yelpers and their helpful reviews I went "All In". Franci' s is located in Plantation Center, a small neighborhood, unassuming strip mall. With only 5-1/2 tables, you'd do well to get there early and best the crowd if you plan to find in. I was craving a Cuban sandwich upon arriving but changed my mind when I saw the selection of the days' hot food items. I wanted chicken and yellow rice, but they don't have yellow rice; only white or morro (white rice mixed with black beans). Well, that wasn't going to work. So, as they serve breakfast all day, I ordered an egg with Swiss on Cuban (no meat) pressed sandwich and a medium café con leché. As Boon C. wrote in a previous review, their portions are generous and prices are affordable. My sandwich, as shown in the photo was warm, crisp and cheesy. I plan to return soon for a late lunch or dinner to try the chicken. I recommend Franco's Cuban Café. Just be sure and save me a seat!
Still five stars! I had a huge serving of Ropa Vieja and Platanos Maduros for lunch on Friday... and it was sooooo GOOOD! Staff is very nice...I always enjoy stopping by here!
Franci's Café is a fabulous little Cuban café located along Linebaugh Avenue in between Gunn Highway and Anderson Road. You'll find them right at the intersection of Linebaugh and the traffic light at the entrance to the Plantations of Carrollwood. The restaurant sits in a non-descript little strip mall on the north side of Linebaugh in southern Carrollwood, and even though there is a sign for Franci's along the road, it is easy to blow right past the shopping center and miss this local favorite. The café is small, but don't let that fool you. Inside there are only 5 tables and a small counter with the steam tables, coffee machines, and the cashier. It is cramped, but the place is spotless, and the food is wonderful. Most of their business is carry-out, and they really cater to the local Latin community. Franci's is open 6 days a week from 7am till 5pm, and then closed on Sundays. Breakfast is the usual egg sandwiches on Cuban bread with your choice of bacon, ham, sausage or chorizo; scrambled or fired egg platters; omelets; Cuban toast; and then some serious wake-the-heck-up Cafe' con Leche. Super affordable prices -- everything is under $5!!! For lunch and dinner you have your choice of various Cuban sandwiches (pork, ham, fish, chicken, steak, and traditional Cubans), or make your selection from Franci's steam table entrees including the traditional roast pork, grilled chicken, palomilla steak, ropa vieja, and so on. Each entrée comes with two sides, and the cost is between $5 - $7.50. Sodas out of the cooler are $.90 each. She also has salads, soups, fried rice, arepas and croquetas with chicken or pork. If you're driving through southern Carrollwood and want to try a true Cuban café, then Franci's should be on your radar screen.
What a gem! Cuban food lovers rejoice! Another small, authentic Cuban eatery. It's small, it's simple, and its authentic. If you are looking for a restaurant type experience, look elsewhere. However, if you enjoy authentic Latin food with real flavor served cafeteria style, this is a great spot. Open for breakfast, they have a best looking and tasting lunch line. The also have sandwiches, soups, and oddly fried rice and spaghetti. I've gotta ask about the origins of those two. There's probably a colorful story behind it. This is a hidden gem. If you appreciate the Latin culture and flavor, give Francis Cafe a visit.
Stopped in this little Cuban cafe on a Monday for a quick meal to go. I was greeted by someome from behind the counter as soon as I walked in and was shown what food was available on the steam table. There wasn't a menu next to the food but I was told the names of each entre they had to offer. It's a small cafe, but very clean and all of the food to choose from looked very fresh. There were a few tables and chairs at every available spot and filled by patrons with some placing orders to go like myself. I went with the pork and potatoes with yuca and morro (black beans cooked with rice). The pork was tender and not dry like you would think from it being sat out for you to see. There was juice from the meat that soaked into the potatos and the server also had put some on the rice for me, which was just as good and plenty enough to eat the next day. The yuca was soft and didn't have those little hard slivers of it sticking in the side of my mouth as I ate it...like you get at other places that leave it out too long. I was given some garlic lime juice mixture to put on the yuca and it helped give it a little tangy garlicky bite. Good place for a good quick lunch.
4 months ago
4 months ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
Great hot home made Cuban food!! open 6 days a week! Have been coming here for years now! Great place! read more
2 years ago
Why 3 stars? Because this a solid Cuban spot in my 'hood. --- --- --- I can't believe it took me this long to visit a restaurant less than 2 miles from my house, especially one with a 4.5 star rating. Plus, I love Cuban food, which makes it even more egregious! To be honest, I found the experience to be the definition of 3-stars: A-OK. Because I live so close, I'm sure I will be back again, especially since Arco Iris, my favorite Cuban restaurant in Tampa, recently closed. When you walk in, it's a bit confusing on whether you're supposed to sit down and be waited on or if you're supposed to order from the counter. I basically did the in-between version of that and kind of stood near a table and yelled my order when they asked me what I wanted. The bill came without the opportunity to add gratuity, so I guess it's officially not a server situation. I ordered the following: Cuban Sandwich - 3.5 stars. I didn't hate it and didn't love it. It comes with deli meat, not the real-deal pork, which is fine. I can get down with deli meat, but I found the sandwich to just be ok overall. Rice - 3 stars. Pretty standard stuff. Plantains - 4 stars. Plantains pretty much taste the same (great) everywhere I've had them, and that's the same that can be said here. Cheese Croquetas - 2 stars. I regret ordering these. They were pretty forgettable. The folks here were very nice, and again, I'm happy to have a Cuban spot in my 'hood, but I wasn't overwhelmed by the experience. read more
2 years ago
Quaint little place located in an out-of-the-way strip mall on Linebaugh Ave. It's kind of hard to find, just know that it's at the traffic light at Plantation Blvd. I went there for an early lunch, which was a bit of a mistake, because the place was swarmed with construction workers, in a hurry to get their generously filled to-go boxes in a small amount of time. Once they cleared out, it was far more of a relaxing atmosphere. You go in and order at the side counter where a window displays the day's offerings. It's plated or boxed, then you can have a seat at one of 5 or 6 tables available. Bottled and canned sodas were available in a nearby cooler to grab as needed. I noticed the staff was very good about cleaning off tables as people got up. I chose the ropa vieja, yuca, and plantains, and it was all delicious. I love mom and pop places like this because you can tell all the food they make is fresh, and they use their tried and true family recipes. I do wish the order came with a hunk of bread - I kept feeling like I was missing something. I paid the Owner at the counter when I finished, and she was very sweet, inquiring how I enjoyed my meal. I will definitely be back to try more of their homemade offerings. read more
We have a take home for the meal. The food here is very affordable. The amount of food given is also good. It is cafeteria style food with sandwiches for order. We have the white rice, roast pork, gizzards, yucca, and sweet plantain. All that for less than $14. The roast pork is well marinated. The skin is crispy and crunchy. The gizzards are cook in tomato base sauce and the cook for some time. They are soft and not chewy. Bite size pleasure. The yucca is not my favorite food unless it is fried. But the steam yucca is my wife favorite. Plantain is well cook. Overall the experience is not bad. We also has some crocket which is tasty. read more
Have driven by this place countless times but had not gone in due to "fear of the unknown". BUT, thanks to my fellow Yelpers and their helpful reviews I went "All In". Franci' s is located in Plantation Center, a small neighborhood, unassuming strip mall. With only 5-1/2 tables, you'd do well to get there early and best the crowd if you plan to find in. I was craving a Cuban sandwich upon arriving but changed my mind when I saw the selection of the days' hot food items. I wanted chicken and yellow rice, but they don't have yellow rice; only white or morro (white rice mixed with black beans). Well, that wasn't going to work. So, as they serve breakfast all day, I ordered an egg with Swiss on Cuban (no meat) pressed sandwich and a medium café con leché. As Boon C. wrote in a previous review, their portions are generous and prices are affordable. My sandwich, as shown in the photo was warm, crisp and cheesy. I plan to return soon for a late lunch or dinner to try the chicken. I recommend Franco's Cuban Café. Just be sure and save me a seat! read more
8 years ago
Still five stars! I had a huge serving of Ropa Vieja and Platanos Maduros for lunch on Friday... and it was sooooo GOOOD! Staff is very nice...I always enjoy stopping by here! read more
6 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
Franci's Café is a fabulous little Cuban café located along Linebaugh Avenue in between Gunn Highway and Anderson Road. You'll find them right at the intersection of Linebaugh and the traffic light at the entrance to the Plantations of Carrollwood. The restaurant sits in a non-descript little strip mall on the north side of Linebaugh in southern Carrollwood, and even though there is a sign for Franci's along the road, it is easy to blow right past the shopping center and miss this local favorite. The café is small, but don't let that fool you. Inside there are only 5 tables and a small counter with the steam tables, coffee machines, and the cashier. It is cramped, but the place is spotless, and the food is wonderful. Most of their business is carry-out, and they really cater to the local Latin community. Franci's is open 6 days a week from 7am till 5pm, and then closed on Sundays. Breakfast is the usual egg sandwiches on Cuban bread with your choice of bacon, ham, sausage or chorizo; scrambled or fired egg platters; omelets; Cuban toast; and then some serious wake-the-heck-up Cafe' con Leche. Super affordable prices -- everything is under $5!!! For lunch and dinner you have your choice of various Cuban sandwiches (pork, ham, fish, chicken, steak, and traditional Cubans), or make your selection from Franci's steam table entrees including the traditional roast pork, grilled chicken, palomilla steak, ropa vieja, and so on. Each entrée comes with two sides, and the cost is between $5 - $7.50. Sodas out of the cooler are $.90 each. She also has salads, soups, fried rice, arepas and croquetas with chicken or pork. If you're driving through southern Carrollwood and want to try a true Cuban café, then Franci's should be on your radar screen. read more
What a gem! Cuban food lovers rejoice! Another small, authentic Cuban eatery. It's small, it's simple, and its authentic. If you are looking for a restaurant type experience, look elsewhere. However, if you enjoy authentic Latin food with real flavor served cafeteria style, this is a great spot. Open for breakfast, they have a best looking and tasting lunch line. The also have sandwiches, soups, and oddly fried rice and spaghetti. I've gotta ask about the origins of those two. There's probably a colorful story behind it. This is a hidden gem. If you appreciate the Latin culture and flavor, give Francis Cafe a visit. read more
Stopped in this little Cuban cafe on a Monday for a quick meal to go. I was greeted by someome from behind the counter as soon as I walked in and was shown what food was available on the steam table. There wasn't a menu next to the food but I was told the names of each entre they had to offer. It's a small cafe, but very clean and all of the food to choose from looked very fresh. There were a few tables and chairs at every available spot and filled by patrons with some placing orders to go like myself. I went with the pork and potatoes with yuca and morro (black beans cooked with rice). The pork was tender and not dry like you would think from it being sat out for you to see. There was juice from the meat that soaked into the potatos and the server also had put some on the rice for me, which was just as good and plenty enough to eat the next day. The yuca was soft and didn't have those little hard slivers of it sticking in the side of my mouth as I ate it...like you get at other places that leave it out too long. I was given some garlic lime juice mixture to put on the yuca and it helped give it a little tangy garlicky bite. Good place for a good quick lunch. read more
6 years ago
6 years ago
8 years ago
Excellent place for Cuban food. I had the ropa vieja with yellow rice with black beans and tostones on the top. Delicious! read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
9 years ago
5 years ago
10 years ago
I went to this place for the first time yesterday and it was simply AMAZING! The food had so much flavor, the staff is so nice, it was simply perfect and quick! I was able to go in and out in a mater of 30 minutes so its perfect for lunch! read more
10 years ago
Omg i have been waiting for the best coloda in tampa for about 6 months this place is awesome and the staff customer service is great i dont know if its cause i am cuban and we cubans gdt aling but amazing i come from miami been living in tampa for 6 months and its about time i find a place read more
9 years ago
This is my Saturday lunch spot every week. We've been coming here since it opened and never been disappointed. My dad and I come in and are greeted like family. The staff and the owners are very friendly and the food is absolutely delicious. The prices are very reasonable and they serve very good portions of food. To me, Francis Cafe is the best Cuban food spot in town. read more
11 years ago
This place is very small perfect for take-out, not so great for a sit-down meal. The food is delicious specially for the price and portions. They serve enough to eat two full meals. I've been here multiple times and will continue to come back. If you like cuban food, you must try Franci's. read more
8 years ago
8 years ago
9 years ago
10 years ago
Amazing food and a pleasant staff! First time there and I opted for the daily special which consisted of Beef Steak(processes steak that is breaded and fried then covered in onions and peppers), yellow rice(choice of plain or yellow), black beans(choice of black or red), and sweet plantains. Serious portion for the price and taste just as good as it looked!! read more
8 years ago
7 years ago
10 years ago
9 years ago
I LOVE THIS PLACE! They have some of the best food that is cooked fresh daily. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. They always have variety of options to choose from and the food itself is untouchable. This place definitely has authentic cuban food! read more
12 years ago
11 years ago
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More info about Franci's Cafe
4901 W Linebaugh Ave
Ste 7
Tampa, FL 33624
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(813) 960-9480
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