Embargo ‘62

I had the pleasure of visiting Tennessee from Orlando and was brought to Embargo by my friends. As a Cuban raised in Miami, I have to say I was extremely impressed with the experience that Embargo gave me. The food is amazing and the energy is key to a Cuban-​Miami feel! The DJ was also great! The owners are amazing people! I wish we had one in Orlando!

This restaurant is exactly what I was hoping for: authentic, elevated, Cuban style street food. The establishment is very well run. I look forward to returning for a second visit.

Came thru Chattanooga from Miami and checked out Embargo 62. Great experience all around. Waitress was very helpful in explaining the seasonal list of craft cocktail options and began to explain the menu but I stopped her since We grew up on the stuff. My wife ordered the pan con bistec and loved it. I had the Cuban sliders and also was very impressed with each of the three different interpretations. I was surprised to find such authentic Cuban food in Tennessee, but what really blew us away were the yuca fries which are drenched in mojito before being flash fried to perfection. Something I had never seen done, and definitely a must taste! The guava and cheese empanadas were delicious for dessert. Highly recommend this place!

I can’t give a review with no stars, so I’m giving this place one star. Seeing as to I wasn’t given service, I honestly have no way to really comment on the food, so I can only comment on the really bad experience we received by walking in and being ignored.
One thing I’d like to get clear is I never review on Unilocal.I’ve worked for nearly a decade in the food industry and generally have a bad view of «foodies» that leave entitled and crappy reviews of restaurants. This is the first review I’ve ever written and it’s unfortunate that it’s a bad one.
I’ve been told to visit Embargo by a few people and stopped in at 5:30p on a Saturday night. I knew it had Cuban food, but was unaware they were also a rum bar. In light of this, they might have been not ok with the fact that I had brought my 9 month old daughter with me, since it clearly wasn’t really a family restaurant (although I saw one other family with a toddler at a table being served), because I can’t think of any other reason that we received such crappy treatment.
When we walked in, we asked if there were any high chairs and were told very brusquely by a waitress that they did not and we could seat ourselves. After doing that, we were ignored for what felt like ten minutes even though the restaurant was empty and there were plenty of waitresses loitering near the bar, talking amongst themselves. My husband kept asking to leave and while the wait soon became pretty embarrassing and uncomfortable, I kept urging him to wait for a few more minutes. When we were continually ignored (and it’s not a big space; it’s kind of hard not to spot new customers who come in), we just walked out.
Again, I do realize some restaurants are not intended to be kid-​friendly, but not having realized this place was one of them, I think we definitely could have been treated with more courtesy because I wouldn’t bother visiting this place without my kid ever again. I’ve never really experienced this kind of disrespect at a restaurant, speaking as someone who’s worked both back and front of house.

Can’t give stars because I pulled up and got harassed by parking attendants. Apparently they have no parking. Good luck with that.

I’ve been here several times since I returned to Chattanooga. The food is solid, the drinks are pretty good (had one iffy cocktail and they were out of 2 wines on a Friday!!!) The service is great, particularly Alison! I’ll be back for sure.

Excellent food, excellent service.
Angie was our server, and she was phenomenal! She’s from Chicago, and so am I, so we hit it off right away. I got the Pan Con Lechon, it’s so good! I’ll definitely be returning and certainly hope to get Angie again!

Mojito– sooo sugary
We ordered a sandwich to split as well and it was basically pork and bred. No sauce. The pork had a good taste to it but the bread tastes freezer burnt.

I love love love Cuban food. I had the privilege of growing up with Cuban relatives who had a Cuban restaurant and my mom was one of the cooks there, so we always ate great Cuban food.
I was so excited when I heard about this place opening up. Just what our little town that is growing in diversity needed. I’ve been reading the Unilocal reviews and knew I wanted to wait a little bit until they worked some kinks out and that I didn’t want to go on a weekend. Well, finally, on a Tuesday evening I was able to go with my friend to belatedly celebrate her birthday.
Parking is tough around there. With so many new businesses opening on that block, there’s not enough parking spots to support it. I see they have valet parking on the weekends, but we were able to get a spot across the street.
It was open seating and the patio was full so we took a table right inside the doors. The space is lovely and open and very tropical and Cuban. The music is great and fits in with the ambiance.
It was several minutes before a server came over to us but when she finally did she was very attentive. I ordered the classic mojito even though they have some other really great sounding cocktails. The mojito was refreshing and minty and perfect.
We ordered our food and I was prepared to wait a good long bit, but it came out fairly quickly. I ordered the ropa vieja, which is my favorite Cuban dish. My mom makes the best I’ve ever had but I had to try this one too. The flavors were there but it was a little dry and the meat a little tough for me. This was served over white rice but I had to try their congri, so I ordered a side of that. The congri was decent, but not as good as I had hoped. I’ll have to try the black beans on their own next time but from the taste of the congri, it was missing a bit of seasoning.
My friend ordered the Lechon, which I tried a couple of bites of and it was delicious. Very moist and flavorful. I would definitely get that dish.
The menu isn’t overly extensive, which I applaud them for, but there are a couple of things I wish they had; like tostones instead of french fries, and especially for dessert, tres leches cake. I’d like to see a pan con bistec dinner too, in addition to the sandwich. They should also put out some nice Cuban rolls for the table. Just my humble suggestions.
I will definitely be back to try more cocktails and have a Cuban sandwich, which is my second favorite dish.
They also have a humidor of cigars and as we walked out, passed the smoking patio where the rich smell of men smoking cigars wafted through the air. I love that smell, and it brought back some fond memories of my Uncle Rene and his friends smoking and telling stories of the old days back in Cuba. He was my favorite uncle and so for that reason alone, Embargo 62 has a place in my heart.

The atmosphere, the staff, the drinks, the cigars, and the fire pit. Travis and Paul understand customer service which is a pleasure. Sadly, I must report I found out about this amazing place after I had eaten. So I haven’t had food there yet, but am looking forward to my next visit. 3 of my favorite restaurants in my life have been Cuban, what each shared with me was an immediate sense of Family. I’ve always been a loner and will always appreciate that type of a vibe and this place has it. To feel welcomed and appreciated is such a simple experience yet so rare for so many places with such fast and busy lives.
Check this place out, if you enjoy good service and a good time then this place should be on your list.

After work on a Friday… it was busy but luckily my Peruvian partner arrived early and secured a table. Keg had kicked on my first choice, so I went with a Negro Modelo. I ordered a Cuban sandwich, of which I am a fan and make at home often. It was different from my version, but quite tasty, hot and lean meat, crunchy pickle and mustard. I prefer a crustier bread, but the soft, sweet and toasty roll was OK. Plantain chips were great.
My partner had already finished her ceviche, so I didn’t get to try it… she said it was Cuban style, not very spicy, small portion. Again, this is a dish we make at home frequently, so we’re a bit snobby about it. Empanadas were tasty and hot.
Partner’s half-​cuban daughter ordered a medianoche and said it was great… she’s often visited Miami, so she knows a good sandwich.
Service was attentive and quick, considering the crowd. It was nice to see a friend on the wait staff.
Too bad I’ve quit the rum and cigars, or I might’ve added another star… we’ll definitely be back for more!

Loved the interior of this fun little place! It’s really quite small with very few tables, so do expect a wait until the newness wears off. The only thing that really put me off was the HUGE TV above the bar that was blaring a football game. Nothing against sportsball, but when I visit an establishment that is supposed to invoke Havana, I sort of expect music that fits. They finally turned the volume down because we weren’t the only table yelling «What?» at our seating partners.
Our server did a bang-​up job, especially for a Saturday night. Which helped increase the star rating. I was pretty surprised though, that out of the extensive rum collection they tout, they did not have my personal favorite. I little white rum from St. Croix… So I stuck with my favorite beer, and only managed to get one glass because it was the bottom of the keg and they didn’t have another delivery until Monday.
The Hubbs and I ordered a Cuban and Medianoche with a side of black beans. The only difference between the two sammies is bread. One is sweet (think Hawaiian roll), the other not. So how about the flavor? Honestly, it left me wanting. More acid? More spunk? It’s not that the flavor was bad, it wasn’t! But I felt like the mojo was lost somewhere in the depths of the sammy. It was simply flat and salt wasn’t the challenge. The black beans were tasty and had that nice silky slip.
The sammies are served with plantain chips, which I actually liked using as a scoop for the black beans. I didn’t try any of the plates, but I saw several headed to tables and they were piled high with rice and meat. My other cohorts all ordered sammies, too. Next time, I’ll try the club. Looked fab!

Great Cuban-​American food*, always fresh and well presented.
The bartenders are awesome mixologist and the rum menu is off the chain!!!
There is a cigar connoisseur always there for the cigar lovers wanting to enjoy a high quality smoke.
The owners are very friendly and willing to get to know their guests.
This is a family friendly place in the afternoons and early evenings.
*I can’t call it legit Cuban food since I was in Cuba for several months in 2014 and I’m ½ Cuban, so flavors here are more to American taste, not what you’d get at my home or a Cuban’s home.
It’s still really good, enough so that I’ve been coming 2x/​week since it opened.

It’s hard to find authentic Cuban cuisine in Tennessee but guess what, I found it in Chattanooga. The music the Pan con Bistec, congri and arroz con frijoles negro. Bistec a la palomilla. OMG Sangria. This is eating. Top it off with Café, pastelito de guayaba. I died and went old Havana (Habana). I love my life.

First and most important, I want to congratulate the owners and team of Embargo 62 for a phenomenal start!
Where do I begin!!!
Cuban food the way it’s done «authentic» CON SABOR CRIOLLO CUBANO!!! All dishes are out of this world. It’s the real deal, made with traditional recipes and condiments. Deserts are amazing. Flan and Torejas are spectacular! Yummy!
I will tell you this and I am a Cuban born. This is the real deal, food is delicious.
I urge you to visit Embargo 62. Wonderful atmosphere and the service… «This is what I’m talking about» GREAT SERVICE and a warm feeling.
I am and I can speak for other friends and family «we are very happy you guys made it to Chattanooga! Welcome home!

This place was booming the whole time we were there. We got there around 6:45 on a Saturday and there was a 30 minute wait.
The hostess was nice and gave a correct wait estimate. One thing that would have been nice was the option to sit inside or on the patio. By default you were seated in first available. For us this meant on the patio facing the street, not a great view, not screened in so you get to shoo some house flies. I guess that keeps it authentic, right? The patio could use some ceiling fans.
The food was good, not great. I had the Cuban sandwich and it came with plantain chips but mine did not. I didn’t realize this until I saw every sandwich with them.
Service was good but delayed here and there. Server had a good attitude but we waited a while for our check and flan (which was delicious).
Hopefully they’ll work through their newly opened restaurant pains and then they’d be a 4 for sure.

I’m of Cuban and grew up in Miami Fl.
The Embargo staff is pleasant and with a clean authentic cuban décor. This would be a fun hangout or date night spot. It is NOT child friendly. No high chairs or booster chairs.
At $ 11 a plate the the food is «ok». I was not impressed with the Ripa Viejas, dry and not very flavorful. The Lechon was very good however.
Drinks are around $ 11 and small.

We have been waiting for this place to open, as hubby is Cuban and we are both from Miami. Hubby had been then on opening night and was impressed with the Cuban sandwich — found out tonight the bread is shipped in from Miami! We ordered two Mojoito’s — great with a lot of fresh mint! Hubby and I shared a Cuban sandwich and the Lechon. We were able to substitute black beans and rice for the Congris –yea. We wanted sweet plantains, but they were having a problem getting the right ripeness of bananas, so tostones were substituted, not my favorite! We shared a flan that was very good!
I believe this place can only get better… It’s been less than 2 weeks and they have been packed since they opened. We arrived a little before 6 and were able to get a seat at the bar immediately. Paul, their cigar guy and knows his stuff. You can buy cigars from him and enjoy them at an outside area. Hubby decided to have a cigar at their pit, while I enjoyed a glass of wine. We watched as the line grew to a wait time of 45 min. or more. Some people stayed and some decided to leave. The staff made a great attempt to get drink orders to those waiting as well as set up extra tables and seats in the waiting area?
I am looking forward to my next visit, if you go on the weekends, go early or be prepared to wait a bit.

Ok…
Good– fun atmosphere
Different environment
Outdoor seating
Damn decent call daiquiri.
No bueno
How can you be a rum bar with no rum list.
Limited non exciting selection.
Please gluten free isn’t new you should know what it is and not confuse it for vegan.

This is going to be long. Sorry. A lot of good and a lot of not-​so-​good at Embargo ’62. We ate there tonight and I’m dripping with sweat and tense as all get out after a very tension-​filled evening there!
Right off the bat, I can make one suggestion that would really help them. They made the mistake of putting the computer terminal that servers use to check customers out — and to place orders — right by the bar and by the food window. This corner is in a very tight space to start with. It is the only terminal the servers use and they are always all bunched up there waiting to use it, resulting in long wait times at the tables. I would have put the terminal in a more open area by the door to the kitchen. Better yet, install a second terminal by this door.
Parking is tricky in that area, so we had to drive around a bit to find a place on the street. They do offer valet parking, however. As we entered the outside part of the restaurant, we smelled the pleasant aroma of cigar smoke and heard the salsa music. Really nice atmosphere outside. I chatted with the cigar vendor and learned a lot about cigars, although I don’t smoke them. He doesn’t view them as dangerous as cigarettes. We arrived there at 8:00 and went to sign in. We were told it would be a 45 minute wait since people were lingering. The place doesn’t have that many tables. We went to a long table inside that seats about 14 people or so to have our drinks. We had ordered our drinks outside with another server, and it took a long time to explain to our new server (more on her later) that we ordered with someone else. About 20 minutes later we didn’t have our drinks. Also, they opened the garage doors and let in all the hot air. It became extremely hot and since we didn’t yet have our drinks, we were getting a little cranky. We were told that they had lost our ticket. But it still took another ten minutes to get my mojito. My wife still didn’t have her beer! Ten minutes later, she got her beer finally. And we still hadn’t ordered food! 45 minutes later, still we are 6^th on the list for a table, so we decided to eat at the long table.
I got a Cuban sandwich with black beans and wife got ropa vieja, rice, plantains. Took a good 30 minutes to get our food. Before that, our overwhelmed server put the wrong food down in front of us. It was for the people opposite us. When we got our food, it was quite good. Not hot, but good. Cuban sandwich was made properly with really good Cuban bread. But it was not hot and needed more mustard. I wasn’t going to even dream of asking for more mustard or we’d still be there. Ropa vieja was flavorful and tender but lukewarm. Rice was just rice. Black beans were not outstanding at all. Plantains were OK. Never have liked them anyhow.
When our server put our food down, we had no silverware and no napkins. Here they have Mason jars with coffee beans in them and silverware jammed into the beans. And there are napkins, salt and pepper, ketchup, and two types of hot sauce (but no mojo sauce). Problem was, the mason jars near us were emptied of utensils! We told our server this, and what does she do? Takes an order for a party of six people at the end of the table! Rule number one for a server is (or should be) when you deliver food, you ask if they need anything and then get them what they need before moving on to do anything else. We finally get forks and knives but no spoon for my beans. It took an act of Congress to get anything out of our server. She was nice but truly blonde. Can’t completely blame her because of the computer situation that completely ruined the flow of the wait staff. It took forever to get water, to get refills, to get our bill, to pay our bill. We finally left at 10 pm. As I left, I asked the host if a table ever opened up. Two hours later, a table still had not opened up!
To sum up… I’m not sure if this is a place to go for dinner unless you make a long evening out of it. This is a place to linger for a couple of hours, which we were not in the mood to do. So if you do want to eat, get there early. Probably 6 pm at the latest. After that, the service and seating slows down and it becomes more of a night spot. Décor is nice. The place has a great atmosphere. Nice people. Food is excellent. I can overlook it being not operating so well this early in the game (just fifth night open). They are going to open another location in Ooltewah shortly. So we have gone from being a city with no Cuban places to one with two good ones. As I understand it, these owners came up from Miami just to open these places. I guess they knew we didn’t have any Cuban food here. It is good. But it is not as good as Smokies Cuban Café in Pigeon Forge, a fantastic place. I wouldn’t rate it as good as Havana Restaurant in Atlanta. It is flashier than both and maybe a better place to have a drink and spend an evening. But not a better place to eat.