El Cubanito’s Cafe

I am so glad that there is a good Cuban alternative in the area now! After reading up some of the reviews, I didn’t really know what to expect, but was nicely accomadated to my Cuban food craving. Walkinng in the place had a few booths and tables to sit, but I was getting my food to go.
I started with empanadas because I was starving! Hoping to get one in my belly was a sad daydream, because they didn’t have any made at 4 pm on a Sunday! Bleh. They were done by the time I was leaving, and althought the flavor of the beef was great, the meat was SOOO mushy it felt almost pre-​chewed for me.
I ordered a Pernil (roast pork) sandwich, which sounds pretty boring, just bread and pork — but it is delicious. On top of that it is very affordable at only $ 5.50. I also ordered a plate of Chicharron de Pollo (small fried chicken) and maduros (sweet plantains), which was tasty as well.
I also ordered two soups, one small Sopa Gallega — that tasted NOTHING like soup, and more like delicious beans; so although it did not go to waste, it wasn’t what I ordered. The second soup was chicken noodle, which lacked noodles and was a bit pricey for the tiny cup at $ 3.50.
Overall, the food was yummy and the price was cheap, so I would definitely return. In the area, there aren’t any Cuban restaurants, the next closest is acutally in the town over and only offers sandwices. I’m excited to try other things on the menu.

The food was bland, oily and stale and the service was awful. If you’re in the mood for Cuban food try Mambo Tea House in Rutherford.

Food is very good and it’s quick! It’s a nice casual place to have a good meal. Prices are good too

As far as Cuban food goes the food there is at best ok, not great, and some of it horrible. So bad that you will bring the food home and throw it away in disgust, like with their chicken soup and steaks. Having said that I do go there from time to time for their fried pork skins, I know it’s bad for me, but they are tasty. Another thing is I’ve had to learn to be very careful with what I order because they sometime overcook the food to burnt cinders. The bottom line is if you want Cuban and if you don’t want to drive to Union City then I guess this is it… Just don’t forget to tell them not to burn the food and remember to get some fried pork skins cause who wants to live forever anyways…

The food is good but the customer service is by far the worst i have ever had to deal with. I’ve given it several chances but things progressively gotten worse. The final straw was one night my husband and I entered and despite being open and sitting down at a table no one approached us or looked in our direction. We were the only customers in there and staff was still behind the counter– no one said they were closed either. Not sure what that was about but we left and went elsewhere.

Tres leches = phenom.
That’s all I’ll say. Oh, and to go try it. You’re welcome.

Visited 12/​19/​2014 at around 8pm with my wife. We entered, sat down, and checked out the menus while three people in the kitchen area talked to each other. After a few minutes they sent over a young Spanish kid who couldn’t speak English, or at least pretended he couldn’t. We chose three different things off Saturday’s menu choices, each one was apparently not available. We felt very unwelcome so we left to eat Indian food at Kamal Palace down the road instead.
Will never come here again.
We’ve eaten here several times before, in the restaurant, takeout, and delivery. Delivery is awful, takeout is ok if you can stand being ignored for several minutes and spoken to in broken English. The food is just ok anyway.

Finally! A Cuban restaurant with all the traditional favorites for a normal price. We just moved up north from Miami and have had a hard time finding Cuban food without having to pay an arm and a leg for it. We love El Cubanito and order from here at least twice a week. The food is consistent and the staff is very friendly.

I enjoy their food and especially their smoothies. Those are delicious. The staff is also friendly.

I brought my family here and I was very impressed from the moment I walked in. The small family owned restaurant was clean and the staff offered great customer service. There beef and chicken empanadas were amazing and we had the shredded beef which was so go good we took another order to go. Great place and we will be back soon.

Oh my God this place is terrible.
If Cubans in America want to get rid of Fidel Castro once and for all, send him some of the food from here.
Poorly described foods, croquettas that are pre-​bought and undercooked. Cuban Sandwich with onions??? WTF???
If you have a friend or relative who is a native of Cuba, or if you are an exiled Cuban yourself do yourself a favor and don’t eat here.
I’d rather clean their floors with my tongue than risk eating here again.
To be fair though, it’s not all bad… Their coca cola is ok!

Order from here at least once or twice a month. They are not consistent on the main dishes. Extremely disappointed on my last order (breaded steak) steak was burnt to the point of being cardboard! Went straight into the garbage. My husband called them right away And got a refund as promised but, if I was the owner I would have never let that order go out!!! This has happened before. You might get a fabulous meal one time and get the same dish horrible the next.

Definitely some of the best Cuban food I’ve had! I LOVE their croquettes, especially the cheese one. Also the Saturday special, ox tail is super delicious! The regular ropa vieja and roast pork are also really yummy!!! The staff is really friendly and we received great service.

Why is there pork in both the black rice and yellow bean rice?! Oh so disappointed. I checked in but I had to check right out and did not get to eat here. I didn’t want to eat the white rice. Cubans love pig meat but I don’t eat it. Sorry.

The beauty of a sales life on the road… You find little gems like this along the way. Authentic and delicious Cuban food. Inexpensive as well! Enjoy!

I cant say much about the inside because i ordered here for takeout but driving by it seemed reasonably sized.
The prices are very reasonable and the amount of food they give is very filling.
I had ordered the shredded beef with white rice, beans, and some tostones.
All of it was amazing! My only dislike was that there was peppers in the shredded beef and i’m slightly allergic :(however, I don’t waste food so I picked out what I could and still enjoyed it very much.
**I should have thought to ask about the peppers since most Cuban places use a lot of peppers in their dishes — my fault.
Over-​all, my experience was good and the people on the phone were really friendly.
I’m looking to try the Cuban sandwich next or the pepper steak.
I would definitely recommend if your local.

I’m Cuban and when I go to a place serving Cuban food, I expect authenticity. This place was ok. It looks more like a luncheonette than a restaurant. The Cuban sandwiches didn’t taste that fresh which is disappointing. I was also extremely shocked that they don’t offer fritas on their menu. Big no no. I was so surprised that I asked the owner about it and he said he never thought on it, but would consider adding them. Fritas are Cuban hamburgers and pretty much a staple for quick lunches or late nights.
Overall, the staff is friendly and the place is clean, but the food just didn’t do it for me. I could cook the same dishes better at home for less money.

Hot holy damn, was that a good Cuban sandwich!!!
Granted, I’ve never had one before, but El Cubanito’s sandwich is the bar against all others will be measured. Moist and not greasy? Check. Slab of hand-​pulled pork with falls-​apart-​easily goodness? Check. Bread hard, hot and crusty on the outside yet pillowy on the inside? Yes! Yes! Yes!
Others may call this place divey, but I like to think of it as someone’s home kitchen that was opened to the public. Good food, good prices, friendly place.

Cubana magnificent. When I roll into a small divey type of establishment I’m looking for three things quality food great prices and quick service not to mention cleanliness which is a given. All 3 hit home here.
$ 8 for a massive plate with perfectly cooked rice and bean choice. A pork, beef or chicken selection cooked in sauces along with a soda. Really. How can you go wrong. BYOB BONUS!

If you’re expecting quick food around lunchtime, avoid this place. But if you have time to wait and are in the mood for Cuban, El Cubanito is a good spot.
A friend and I were in the mood for empanadas and Stella’s was closed. So we went a few blocks north, into the 4-​table restaurant and glanced at the paper menu. Thursday special: stewed pork ribs. SOLD! After ordering, we waited at least 30 minutes for our food. The people running the restaurant seemed unorganized and were scrambling around taking phone orders and waiting tables. A customer had walked in to pick up a phone order and waited just as long as I did. I felt bad for the kid.
My styrofoam box was piled with food! I opted for the yellow, seasoned rice and black beans on the side. It’s all included with the meal. The pork was tender and flavorful and fell right off the bone. The yellow rice was too salty for my taste. I will probably have white rice and then add the black beans next time. I was satisfied with my dish and will most likely go back to try other dishes, on a less busy hour/​day. Oh, the $ 1 beef empanadas were excellent.