Havana’s Pilon

It’s definitely a change of pace from the typical food you’d get in downtown Memphis. After you’ve had all the ribs you can eat and all the fried chicken you can eat, Cuban food is right on time. I have no clue what authentic Cuban tastes like. Never been to Cuba before. But the ropa vieja was delicious as well as the plantains, rice and beans. My food was to go but the service was still excellent. I was greeted in Spanish and I attempted to return my salutation in Spanish.

I was amazed to find cuban cuisine in Memphis, but this place’s food is simply AMAZING!!! I had camarofongo which is mofongo with shrimp in sauce. The mofongo was the perfect consistency, the sauce was the right balance of caribbean condiments and the pieces of pork rind in the mofongo were the ultimate touch! I also has a guava-​cheese empanada that was delicious. The staff greeted me very courteously and the order was served pretty fast. I’m in Memphis on business travel, but I know where I will have dinner the rest of the week!

The best thing about my visit here was by far the cheese and guava empanada. It was perfect and I’ll definitely be back to buy another one. The rest of my order didn’t impress me quite as much. I had the Cuban sandwich, a chicken empanada, and the congri rice. I’ve always thought of Cuban sandwiches as one of those things that’s really simple, but when done properly, it’s fantastic. This was my first time having one, and I found out that it’s basically just a ham and cheese sandwich with mustard and pickles. It was pretty bland. The congri rice was very heavy in cumin flavor, but not much else, and the ration of beans to rice is 1:2. The chicken empanada was also just bland. I guess I expected Cuban food to be flavorful and bright and perfectly seasoned and I was just a bit disappointed. One other positive is the portion is good. I ate that meal for lunch and dinner. Overall, I think I may have just been so excited at the prospect of Cuban food, that I hyped it up too much in my head. I expected everything to be as delicious as the guava and cheese empanada; unfortunately, I just can’t say that it was.

I was a little bummed. I LOVE a good Cuban sandwich, but some how I was disappointed here. I don’t know what it was, maybe the pickles? Something about it just tasted «off» to both my friend and I. I know I made a mistake getting fries, but they were awful. My friend loved her plantains.

Memphis has had a dearth of Cuban food. Thankfully, these guys are an oasis for us.
I’ve been here a few times, never disappointed. This place caters to the lunchtime crowd and that’s the best time to come in. I’ve taken advantage of their daily specials, and not once have I been disappointed. I still pine for the baked chicken I had my second time, but alas, it was a special not on on the menu. On the menu, the rope vieja is fantastic and authentic. The sides are all winners. The empanadas are perfect to-​go snacks. And, the folks who work there are so kind and earnest, who care about making you happy and making their business viable. If nothing else, go support them for that.

The restaurant declined the online order at 6:30 when it appears on the website that they close at 7. There are both good and bad things about eating «local» and one of the bad is that the manager can decide when it’s time to close up shop. Further, I will not be using the EAT24 application as it notified me WAY later than a regular business would if I hadn’t been using a 3^rd party to order the food. Havana’s Pilon is very close to my work and after reading all the positive reviews I almost suggested and booked one of our monthly catered lunches for our staff– but because of the unreliable hours, it shows me that they do not have good business practices and I would want to let my staff down during lunch.

Had lunch here today… Absolutely wonderful… the food was so good… Looking forward to the next visit.

Ordered delivery. It arrived exactly when they said it would. Tried both types of plantains, they were both good. Tropical chicken was good, however, on the menu it said it came with vegetables. It actually comes with lettuce with italian dressing all over. Same with the tropical side salad, lettuce, shredded carrots, radish with Italian dressing. Not sure why throwing italian dressing on everything makes it tropical. We also had the shrimp on mashed plantains. Also fine, but surrounded by lettuce, again with italian dressing. All in all a very unimpressive meal.

Consistently reliable, authentic Cuban comfort food. My go to favorite is the traditional Cuban sandwich with a side of fries. The daily specials are always a good too. And for an afternoon pick me up, it’s hard to beat a sweet Cuban coffee!

Havana Pilon has some very friendly staff and the food is tasty, but the portions could be better for the price. Be mindful that if you order any drinks you will get a bottle version and not a glass.

They were real kind great service.
Great tasting cubano sandwhich and black beans!
⁵⁄₅

Had the cuban sandwich. Very little meat. What was in the sandwich, was low quality ham and roast beef out of a package. The fries were low quality as well. The beef empanada was pretty good. My friend had a salad, which was OK.

I would love to be able to say that this place is authentic Cuban food, the good stuff, the stuff that brings me back to my first boyfriend’s mother’s kitchen… Food made with love, food so good that you pack on 50 pounds in two years.
But I can’t. Because of one issue: They don’t honor their own chosen close time.
Of the five times I’ve attempted to eat here, one time turned out to be the night of a baseball game. Couldn’t find parking within walking distance. Not their issue, but the game is probably the only reason they were open til close. But the other four times I’ve driven well out of my way at varying times, arriving there between 5pm and 6:30pm and once on a Sunday well around 1pm, and each of these four times they were closed. Sign on the door blaring their business hours, with the «open» light turned off well before the times posted.
I’m sorry, but that’s just bad business. If you claim you are open Monday through Saturday until 7pm, then be open until 7pm. If you don’t want to stay until 7pm consistently, then change your hours. It’s really that simple.

This place is incredible! We ordered a pork dish, chicken dish, and the steak dish… Along with a beef empanada and for dessert, we ordered the guava cheese empanada.
Everything was to die for… I specifically loved the plantains (both fried and fresh)! The guava and cheese empanada is only $ 2.50 and one of the best desserts I can say I’ve ever had.
The owners are wonderful and take so much pride in their food! Ask them to recommend you some dishes and they’ll come through! You won’t be disappointed!!!

After living in Florida for nine years and visiting South Florida twice a year, I lost hope of ever eating high quality Cuban food again.
My hopes were realized upon discovery of Havana’s Pilon. A family run shop where the matriarch’s primary language is Spanish, you know it has to be good. They offer daily specials for $ 7. With tax, your meal will be less than $ 8.
Their Cuban sandwich is phenomenal. Freshly cooked pork combined with deli ham, mustard, cheese and pickles. Just as they serve it in Havana. Don’t taint it by adding mayonnaise or ketchup. Enjoy the authenticity.
What really stole the show was their Cuban Picadillo. It’s a ground beef concoction mixed with herbs and vegetables. It’s the special on Wednesday. Order it with the Congri Rice.
Very inexpensive ethnic food on Madison Avenue in downtown Memphis.
This is a hidden treasure with delicious food. Enjoy!

I have eaten a few times and the food is always really good. I would suggest anyone who wants fresh Cuban food to go this place. The staff is very friendly and they do care about how the food comes out.

Great little family run eatery! Great prices and really good cuban style food!
Try the Cuban Sandwich with a side of Red beans for a great lunch.
I have enjoyed the Arroz con Pollo multiple times. As well as a couple of the daily specials. One of the specials last week was Rotisserie Chicken with two sides for only 7.00! It was awesome!
The family that runs the place are very nice and accommodating. The owner often drops by our table to express what she thinks is good to order that day. She is very enthusiastic about her food!
Downtown memphis workers… you must add this to your lunch rotation.

In short, good Cuban food with very reasonable price. Long version, the food tasted great. Had shrimp and yellow rice chicken. Yellow rice chicken is the bomb. We wanted to get it again but had timing issue. Also mango smoothie is very good.

«Cheese, wine, and a friend must be old to be good.» — Cuban proverb
I didn’t have cheese or wine here, but it’s still a great thought. Anyways… back to my review.
Woah, baby. Why has it taken me this long to get over to this place? At first glance, you might think it is just a downtown hole in the wall… but if you look closer, it is actually a delectable gem where you are sure to devour whatever they put in front of you.
My favorite thing about this place is that I couldn’t figure out what to order… so I just told them to surprise me… and I ended up with one heck of a chicken dish. Wowza! But then I had my heart set on the Cuban sandwich after I watched my dining partner gobble his up so I HAD to order one to go… and it travels well. I hate getting food to go, but even though I had it for dinner, it was still perfectly fresh and not soggy. I like that in a food.
The décor is a little plain but the emphasis and praise should be on the food anyways since that is the highlight of the experience. Super warm and hospitable staff too.

There’s something to be said about an ever increasing Latin American style to new restaurants in the Memphis area. From taco shops on Summer and Lamar to Arepas y Salsa and more. Havana’s Pilon is no exception to the exceptional. A must try for authentic Cuban food (coming from the guy who’s never been to Cuba, but likes his Cuban food!).
Let’s break it down. Service… excellente! I’m not sure if it’s a family who runs this place, but it sure feels like it. They make you feel welcome and are always excited to have you arrive. Menu… plenty of options, but by no means overwhelming… and frankly, you can’t go wrong. Food… great! The ropa vieja, my favorite Cuban dish, is excellent, and everyone who has come with me has enjoyed their meals (FYI, the empanadas are larger than you’d think, so one is plenty). Price… psssht, hay es no problema, amigo… very affordable.
Why not five stars? Well, they could invest in the interior space to make it more welcoming and refined, they could open for dinner with a bar and music, etc. etc. There’s always room for improvement (i.e. they could go for La Bodeguita del Medio in Palo Alto, my favorite Cuban restaurant on the planet). But for Memphis, these guys are awesome… go check it out!