Cafe Cubano

Very good pan con pistec. Average service and clean environment.

Went here randomly in search of some Cuban pastries that I had in Miami and fell in love with. The place is lacking in décor but more than makes up in the quality of pastries. As soon as you walk in the door, there is a glass case that are housing these glazed beauties. I got the guava and cheese pastries. They have a six dollar minimum for credit card purchases but didn’t sway me from getting a couple extra. This place is a diamond in the rough. I will definitely be coming back as a regular.

I tried this restaurant for lunch today and was completely disappointed. I was literally the only customer, even though it was lunch time and other eateries in the same shopping center were busy. I found out why it was empty pretty quickly!
First of all, the service isn’t good. Two employees were working when I walked in. The first I walked past, trying to make eye contact and say hello. She didn’t acknowledge me. The second employee shouted, «Buenos tardes» from the kitchen, in a tone that was anything but friendly or welcoming. She also had a phone call from a customer while she was helping me. It was a short call, she answered a simple question. After hanging up, she said in an exasperated tone, «People!»
Sadly, the service was better than the food. I ordered a Cubano — a very traditional Cuban sandwich. She pulled a pre-​made sandwich out of the refrigerator, threw it in the microwave for a few seconds, then put it on a panini press for a couple of minutes. I expected a sandwich in a place like this to be made to order. No such luck. When I ate it, I will say that the bread had a nice crispiness from the panini press, but the meat was extremely dry and tasted old.
I’m a big fan of independent restaurants and I really enjoy trying foods from various cultures. So it pains me to say that the only tip I can offer about this place is to skip it and try one of the Colombian restaurants in the same shopping center.

I really wish I could give this place a higher rating. I love the old style counter vibe it has going on, very reminiscent of a 50’s soda shop. I had actually intended on going to La Vina, which is located next door but since they didn’t open until lunch, I came here instead. I was craving some empanadas and figured that any good Cuban establishment would have them. *sigh*
Maybe I came here on an off day, but the place was out of just about everything (it was a Friday morning, ~ 10-​ish). Didn’t have the guava and cheese pastelitos. Didn’t have a lot of the desserts listed on the menu. Didn’t even have empanadas. Say what? The owner said that he was out of dough and was waiting on a shipment from Miami, which would arrive the next day. Oookay. I don’t get it either. He can’t make the dough or get it somewhere else in Houston, which has a heavy cuban and latin presence? Does this mean La Vina would be out of them as well? I say this because the owner gave me the menu that is used at La Vina. I didn’t bother asking about the other dishes since I pretty much knew he’d say he was out of them. Cuban sandwiches, this he had.
I really should have gone somewhere else, especially after I saw him preparing the Cuban sandwich. By preparing, I mean he took a pre-​made sandwich out of the refrigerator and pressed it in the hot press machine. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head and I asked him about it. According to him, since the place is small, the sandwiches are made at home the night before and brought in the next day. The sandwich was just okay. I’ve definitely had better. Based on this experience, I’m kind of hesitant to try La Vina now, especially since I understand the place is under new ownership.
I will say that the owner was very pleasant and accomodating. Like I said, it could have been an off day but I don’t think I’ll be making the trek back here to find out otherwise. I was going to be nice and give them 2 stars but they didn’t even have empanadas. Oh, the humanity!
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This is authentic Cuban cuisine with a feel of Miami meets Houston– truly wonderful!
When I first moved here from Miami, I missed my café cubanos, cortaditos, and café con leches like crazy. No one here understood what they were let alone how to make them. It is for the true genuine coffee lover, this is a fact.
No nonsense, just true authentic strong and delicious coffee! I feel at home, just like in Miami.
Even better is that they also serve guava and cheese pastels which are the best thing ever. Serious nom!
It is a cozy little place with a big heart you can see in the food, too. Sandwiches are made and pressed right before you to perfection, and you cannot miss the deal of the desayunos, a great breakfast which of course includes Cuban bread and a Café con leche– yummy.
It is the real thing, and a luxury you will love to indulge in without breaking your wallet. A full meal with coffee is around $ 5, how can you beat that?
It is my new spot, hope to see you there ;)