I gave this place five stars because it's the first Cuban sandwich I've had in LA that reminds me of my favorite Cuban spot in Chicago. The bread was crunchy and soft, the ham was juicy, the pork was savory, and the cheese was perfectly melted. The pickles and mustard were good too. The service was good. I ordered it to go and was standing outside while I waited and the guy walked it out to me; that was nice. The ambiance, while I was in there, seemed chill and friendly. They have a parking lot and prices are very reasonable. read more

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Always ,ALWAYS devious food and excellent service. The drive is worth it. Much love and appreciation for this mom and pop & son place. read more

This was the best cuban sandwich i've ever had in my life! Parking was right out front and an employee saw me coming as I walk with a cane and he opened the door immediately for me. This was not expected, but was definitely appreciated. Courtesy did not stop there. We were greeted and served drinks right away, and the food came out within 5 -10 minutes. The portions are big and I wasn't able to finish my sandwich, so they brought me out a box for my food. It feels like a family type of restaurant. My husband's melanesa was enormous! He let me try his rice and beans and they were very traditional. I highly highly recommend this for a great lunch place or even a evening bite. read more

Stopped by here yesterday afternoon for late lunch as I waited for my jeep to be serviced down the street. Upon entering, you are greeted and you can also pick out where to sit. I chose the bar area. I took a look at their menu and boy do they have plenty of Cuban dishes to offer. I went with the "ropa vieja" which is one of the many Cuban popular dishes. While I waited, I was given a basket with salsa and warm toasty bread. Soo good!!! 5/5 The "Ropa Vieja" plate came with lots of shredded beef stewed with onions and peppers in a light tomato sauce, white rice, and small plantains decorating. It was also served with a side of black beans. 5/5 Generous portions served--made to order and a beautiful presentation. I also ordered the red sangria to enjoy with my meal. The red sangria hit the spot since it was such a hot day, perfect way to cool down. I asked for a second glass. They have a small outdoor seating section as well but the vibes were inside. They are a busy establishment and I kept seeing to-go orders being picked up. I was very satisfied by the end and left happy as can be. Must come back again soon and try the croquetas next. Parking lot is quite small but they do have a few spots reserved for them. There is also plenty of street parking. read more

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I have been to over 100 DDD spots and this was top 3. Everything was spectacular, even the white rice was garlicky and fantastic. I got a steak sandwich where the "bread" fried plantains. The Mahi appetizer with special sauce. On top of that the staff was so friendly, quick, accommodating. I felt very welcomed and seen. My girlfriend and out friend absolutely loved it, we all made those noises you cant help make when you eat great food. I cant wait to have the leftovers. read more

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While the food is great all the time, definitely not interested in the owner spouting his political rhetoric for everyone to hear. Sadly we won't go back read more

My first time trying this place. I grew up in Atwater Village and wanted to take my mom (who still lives there) to lunch. We decided on Cuban food and this place came up. It is a small quint restaurant. The portions were perfect and food was delicious. We all tried different items and we all enjoyed our meal. My husband got a cuban sandwich and it was delicious. My mom tried the ropa vieja and she enjoyed it very much. I got the bistec empanizado with honey ham - fantastic. Will definitely be back. read more

Good food, great service, I've come several times I just avoid it because it's high caloric intake and I struggle to say no tot he delicious carne, plantains, beans, rice and fresh bread with salsa... read more

Ordered the Mambo Chicken meal and split it with my husband. Enough for two for a light dinner. Super tasty. Great people working here. Don't let the exterior fool you. It's nice inside! read more

Mambos Cafe - Entrance - Latin American Near Me - Glendale, California

Highly recommended!! The flan and Mambo foster are delicious The service by Ashley is top notch! Super delicious and authentic Cuban restaurant read more

Mambos Cafe - Latin American Near Me - Glendale, California

I love Mambos. Small, quaint and efficient. Food is always on point and the service impeccable.

We love Mambos! It's a great neighborhood restaurant. Friendly vibe, great food, and prompt service.

The manager there is an a**hole and is rude. Starts off friendly but don't question anything. My order was wrong and he blamed me. Said I should've asked questions before ordering. Which I did, simple question was - are there refills on your soda. He said yes and then charged me because I switched from iced tea to coke. Then when I asked about the extra charge he became angry and started telling me why he was right. Just felt like he did too much for a refill. I will never return to this place. So many better options out there. And honestly the food is bland. read more

Great spot for Cuban fare in the area! Quick and friendly service. I enjoyed my Ropa Vieja plate. read more

Mambos Cafe - Ropa Vieja (black beans not pictured) - Latin American Near Me - Glendale, California

I love going to Mambo's Cafe! The service is great and the food is always delicious. I always order the Ropa Vieja.

We've lived in Burbank for over 12 years and we always pass by this place and finally got a chance to try it one evening. Seems like a spot for lotta regulars that enjoy the food and the atmosphere. We got greeted by Gary-he was so kind, so calm (not slow) just beautiful, calm energy that immediately put you at ease that you're in the right place. He made great recommendations for us since we weren't familiar with the menu and the place. Food came out hot and delicious. Give this place a try if you love to support local businesses, they are worth it. read more

Went on a weekend sat outside. Server was very sweet. We ordered the half chicken it was smaller portion than before. The sandwich had great thick french fries but the sandwich was soooo anemic! Bread with thin portion of barely there meat. Had to supplement by adding salsa. The comp bread and salsa was on point and chicken dish was very flavorful. read more

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I was driving by and decided to give them a try. They have a nice big parking lot so parking is no issue. They have a lot of indoors and outdoors seating so it's perfect large groups. The service was one of the best iv had in a while. The gentleman helping me was super nice and even made some good recommendations when j was ordering. The prices are average in comparison to other places. Now on to the food. The portions are big and the sandwiches come with fries. I ordered the cuban sandwich and the pan con chorizo with cheese instead of onions. I also got a diet coke. The total was like $34 which is good price. Both sandwiches tasted great, i just wish the fries were seasoned a little more. Overall a great experience and il definitely be back!! read more

Chill vibe, came in to have dinner with my Mom. The restaurant is small but welcoming. My mom likes spot. I was pleased with my dish very tasty. The only complaint I have was the black beans they did not taste homemade. I did enjoy the yucca dish & avocado salad. I would return to try other options. read more

Mambos Cafe - Pollo a la plancha - Latin American Near Me - Glendale, California

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It's a small restaurant with good ambience and awesome customer service. We were welcomed as we first walked in and seated right away. They serve bread on the house. For food we ordered the plate of the day which was chicken with veggies, mambo chicken, steak sandwich, ropa vieja as main dishes. And for appetizers we ordered chicharrón de pollo and the trio which is 1 empana, 1 croqueta and 1 potato ball. They serve generous portions and the food is well seasoned. For the sandwich I opted to get a salad instead of the fries it was surprising to see a $3 extra charge and maybe it was on the menu but for the salad they put it's definitely not worth it- Get the fries. Also, don't forget to save space for dessert, the flan and the bread pudding were delicious! They also serve alcohol and the sangrias although I didn't order it, it seems it a must here as I saw other tables order it and it look delicious. I recommend this place. read more

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There are only a handful of good Cuban restaurants in LA, and this is one of them! Mambo's Cafe has been going strong since 1988. The Grilled Chicken Breast (pounded thin), flavorful, tender and delicious. Served with white rice, black beans and Tostones . The Avocado and Shrimp Tostones is also excellent. In fact, everything on the menu that we've tried so far has been great. The service is very friendly and accommodating, and the dining room is comfortable. Also, they don't add any extra fees to the bill. If you are in the neighborhood definitely stop by. You cannot go wrong at Mambos Cafe. read more

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It seems like less and less I walk away from a meal happy. This place hit a home run. The service was exactly what I want and expect...polite, friendly, there when I need you but not there too much. I'm picky. As I took every note I kept saying Wow this is sooo good. read more

Mambos cafe continues to be one of my favorite places for home made food in LA. #IYKYK Their Cuban 'gusto' is on point. Their black beans are just like mom makes and the service is like walking into a friend's house. You can't go wrong with the ropa vieja or the daily special. I've had some of the best cuban dishes at this place and take my parents there every time they come to LA to visit. They ask for it by name. Ok, now I'm craving some ropa vieja. See you soon, Mambo's! read more

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I made a reservation for a group of 17 for dinner and that was fine.. But unfortunately, the food was not like it used to be (good) , the sangria was like water down wine, and it tasted horrible.. Apparently, they had had run out of bread, even though they knew that this big group was coming. They were also out of most of their sandwiches and one of their signature dish. They had one or two waitresses for the whole restaurant so the service was not very good.. It is too bad because we are a big group of woman who go out to lunch or dinner many times a week, they definitely lost the opportunity for any of us to come back.. read more

I had never tried authentic Cuban food before, but my Cuban friend took me here because she LOVES it & now it will be one of my go-to spots in the area. SERVICE / ATMOSPHERE: Service was incredible. Everyone seemed super nice and welcoming. I went on a weekday night so it wasn't busy, and the atmosphere was dark & cool. It had a nice "local" feel to it. FOOD: We were served the bread & sauce before our meal which was already great! Then I ordered the Ropa Vieja which I was told was sort of a braised beef dish. It had a tomatoe-y taste, but was DELICIOUS. I also asked to have the rice and beans mixed together on the side. The sweet plantains or Maduros were also a fantastic add-on. I cannot rate this place high enough. read more

Mambos Cafe - Ropa Vieja & Maduros - Latin American Near Me - Glendale, California

Flavorful food and warm services! After a long and fun day at the LA zoo, we decided to find a place to grab some decent lunch. We stumbled upon Mambos Café, and we had a wonderful experience there. Located in Burbank and minutes from the zoo, this Cuban restaurant appears to be family owned. Both indoor and outdoor sitting are available, and there is parking in front of the restaurant. While inside, our server greeted us warmly, and we seated quickly. We were offered complimentary warm bread and salsa dips while we looked through the menu. For the appetizer, we had Fish a la Mari, and it was a flavorful appetizer with a generous serving of halibut and avocado under a spicy sauce. For the entrée, I had the Camarones Ajillos, with a generous portion of shrimp, plantains, rice, and a side salad. Overall, the appetizer was the highlight of the meal, and the lunch entrée was delightful as well. As for the pricings, most entrees were between $18-$25. Service was fast during lunch hour, and the restaurant also advertised live Cuban music on some evenings. The ambiance felt relaxed and intimate for small gatherings. It is a good place for dates or small gatherings for friends and family. Great place, and I look forward to trying some of the dishes on my next visit! read more

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I grew up coming here for my Cuban fix. I love the bread and salsa they bring to the table. The roast pork is the way to go in my opinion. Juicy, tender, garlicky, with onions.. all of my fav things. All of the plates are very fairly priced. Also shared the bananas foster with the hubby which was plenty for 2 to share came with great quality ice cream and fried plantains! read more

I've only gotten takeout from here but it is my go-to Cuban place when I have a craving. Everything has been tasty but I especially like the mambo's combo appetizer (you can try a bunch of different items) and their sandwiches. Do not miss out on the maduros! read more

We love mambos! Best service and delicious food. Love the Cuban ambiance. We love getting the empanadas for appetizers and steak sirloin as entrees. read more

What's not to love about Mambo's? I mean except for the tiny parking lot. Mambo's has been around for ages, and it continues to be good. I was in one random lunch and the special was arroz con pollo. It was so good! Rice cooked in a flavorful stock with plenty of chicken and sprinkling of some vegetables. Garnished with a few fried plantains for a sweet palate cleanser. I would happily eat that arroz, again. But maybe only half of it. I was a little sleepy the rest of the day because it is a lot of food. Service is friendly and efficient. They understand that folks have a limited time for lunch. read more

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I was recommended to try this spot from my business colleague Hugo and let me tell you...this is the spot for authentic Cuban food. It's got that small family style vibe but the nostalgic pictures of musicians all around the wall really make it unique. Service from the owner Raul was spot on especially for our party of 6. We didn't order anything from the menu as we let Raul bring out the favorites. Everything is delicious! But my favorite was the mesitas de puerco. If you like sangria they make a stiff one. I'll for sure be back to try the sandwiches read more

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I have ordered the same dish each time I have come to Mambos Cafe: the Camarones a la Brava (comes with rice, plantains and black beans). Sometimes I will add a side of yuca (cassava). The Camarones a la Brava is rich in flavors and the shrimps have a little kick to them if you don't mind that. The portion is large in my opinion so you will likely leave with a delicious leftover. Usually, I would also order their red wine sangria. Also delicious and a good size! Friendly and fast service. Plenty of space in their parking area. read more

Really delicious food and adequate portion for the cost. Pretty busy on a Tuesday at lunchtime gets quiet at 2pm. Food came out in timely manner. Staff seem really friendly. They were just short staffed. Our drinks never filled. Only saw her when we placed our order and when we checked out. Aside from that we Will definitely be back food was delicious. read more

Mambos Cafe - Ropa Vieja - Latin American Near Me - Glendale, California

Had lunch with some friends and actually ran into some other friends there. Very popular place. Staff was really friendly and attentive and the restaurant itself was very clean. Service was great. We had ordered the Ropa Vieja and it was delicious! Would definitely stop on in again when I'm in the neighborhood. read more

Mambos Cafe - Latin American Near Me - Glendale, California

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We went last night for dinner. They had a special "Pork Chunks with Shrimp Fried Rice" on the board. Since I have bee going to this restaurant for years I wanted something different. Boy am I glad I did. The pork was cooked perfectly in a sauce that was out of this world. The shrimp fried rice was perfect and the fried plantains were as usual the perfect compliment. Let's just say I will be back. All their food is great but this was unbelievable. I apologized for eating the design off the plate. They are going to see even more of me in the future. read more

I've never been here before and had a lovely lunch! We were a large group (20 plus) and they worked fast and efficient for the amount of people that we had. Lots of authentic Cuban dishes to choose from, and everything came out hot and fresh! Ambiance is casual, and I appreciate that they work fast. The servers were friendly and on top of it. Make sure to add the black beans to the rice... it made it taste extra good! Parking is tight (I had to park a ways away) but other than that, I'd totally come back! read more

Mambos Cafe - El Pedro (not pictured are the bowl of black beans included) - Latin American Near Me - Glendale, California

This cafe is definitely not the same as it used to be. Customer service has declined. Politeness exist but the demeanor of the persona and how we were served declined. Food quality has decreased. I won't pin pointe what but definitely won't be returning. read more

Not what I expected it to look like inside or out. Dark and pub-like. Small with black and red colors. Photos of jazz players on the wall. Service was excellent. Food was very good. We are vegan and we were assured that everything on the vegetarian menu was also vegan except for the garden burger because the bun had egg. Their bread they offer also has egg so luckily we asked. The maduros and black beans were delicious over the rice and grilled vegetables. We ate our whole meal. The biggest gripe is they charge $3.50 for a teeny tiny amount of avocado. Next time I might bring my own avocado because that's crazy for how little you get. The sangria was wonderful but I kept having to add ice because of the heat. We are currently in a major heat wave and it was incredibly hot inside. I don't think their air conditioner worked. Everyone was sweating. I felt bad for the staff. The ice melted immediately. We asked for a large glass of ice and it turned into water almost instantly. It was quite uncomfortable eating there. I'd like to return when it's not so hot and try some of their other vegetarian/vegan options. read more

Mambos Cafe - Grilled vegetable plate and the Mam-Bowl (top) - Latin American Near Me - Glendale, California

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After 18 years of being in business, Mambos isn't resting on its laurels. Really incredible good. Great service. And it looks nice inside for a sit down vibe. Highly recommend. read more

Mambos Cafe - Fish a la maria - Latin American Near Me - Glendale, California

oh Mambo's I wanted to like you, I did! Man who took my order was a gem and the place was incredibly clean. Ordered a Toston steak sammie and a Medianoche. Both were bland and such a massive letdown. The pork in my Medianoche was INCREDIBLY tough (like leather?) and the Toston sandwich had no salt, lime or any sort of flavor. Had my BF take a bite and he immediately let it go as the pork was STIFF. Oh mambo's I hope I caught you on a bad day. 4/10 would come back. read more

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