Bongo’s Cuban Cafe

Took my boyfriend for his first time and we loved it. We shared the garlic mojo tostones as an appetizer and it was really good. I had the palomilla which was super juicy and he had the boneless chicken breast which was cooked to perfection. Everything was overpriced but it’s located in downtown disney and it’s a celebrity owned restaurant so what do you expect?

If I could give it 0 stars I would. My family and I just ate at Bongos this previous Friday night for my mother’s 60^th birthday and the experience was very disappointing.
It started with me trying to contact someone ahead of time to find out if I could bring a cake as I was making a special cake for my mother. After numerous attempts of trying contact someone, I finally received a call back and was told that I can bring a cake, that I just had to sign a form and they will take the cake back. At that time, I asked if I could make a reservation for 5 (specifying that it was for my mothers 60^th birthday celebration) and I was told no reservations for parties less than 15. Since I did see that on the website, I didn’t press the issue.
When I arrived with a cake to the hostess, she told me to go to the front desk and let them know that I needed to get that piece of paper to sign. I was told that someone would be there shortly. During the half hour that I waited holding that cake, there were numerous other parties that arrived stating they had a reservation (all for less than 15 people, one of the parties was a party of 6 and we were 5, yet we were told we could not make a reservation).
Finally, the Sous Chef came out with approx 100 copies of this form after half hour and apologized for the slow printer. I felt that he should have made the copy that I needed since I was out there waiting and brought it to me in a more expeditious manner rather than making what looked to be 100 copies for other people potentially coming in with cakes.
Once we were finally called to be seated, we were sat all the way in the back, behind the rear bar, where staff were hanging out and drinking. Our silverware was all dirty, we had to ask the server to replace it all.
The white sangria that was ordered was not pleasant and the calamari that we ordered tasted as though it was imitation and came out of the microwave. I have no other words other than disgusting.
I ordered the Lechon Asado and I had to literally choke it down. It was dry and the meat and rice tasted old. I did not want to make a scene and start complaining about everything while there because I didn’t want to make my moms b-​day a negative situation. To top it all off, at the end of the meal, the server asked us if we’d like any dessert. I had to say, in front of my mother, that I brought in a cake as a surprise. After about 20 minutes, she finally brought the cake out and laid utensils for us to cut it and serve it ourselves after the surprise was ruined.
I remember going to Bongos years ago and the pleasant experience that we had. This experience did not live up to the memories. It was disappointing to say the least. I looked at the current Unilocal reviews after the fact because I went there based on my memory of the place. Had I looked at the current reviews, I would have made another choice. After speaking to my family, even my mother, we all agreed it was a huge disappointment and that was the last visit we will ever make there.

I had a really funny experience here. We were drawn in by a combination of the music, a desire to try Cuban food and the fact that it was raining hard outside. We sat at the bar, and I ordered a couple of their specialty drinks and chips and salsa. The bartender, who I would guess was a first generation Cuban American, gave me the look a server gives when they are holding back a response of utter disgust and told me ‘We don’t serve chips and salsa here, we’re a cuban restaurant’ and then suggested I take a look at the menu and try ordering again. Her response wasn’t totally rude, but she went over to the other side of the bar and said something to the other bartender which I can only imagine was ‘another idiot just ordered chips and salsa.’
I would have felt like a total idiot, but the reason I ordered chips and salsa was that is what the people next to us were eating! It turns out that they were plantain chips and some Cuban version of salsa that is called something else, but a good server would have handled it a lot differently. Maybe you would connect the fact that idiots keep ordering something you don’t serve with the fact that you serve a dish that looks exactly like the much better known item, and it looks really really good! Little flat yellow fried chips, and a heaping bowl of tomatoes, onion and I will never know what else because I didn’t end up getting to order food. She made us our drinks (which were actually fantastic) set our check in the cup in front of us, and did not attempt to take another order from us.
For the record I am not a completely (although partially at times) ignorant white American who thinks every person who can speak spanish is a Mexican, or every Asian person is dieing to whip up an order of General Tso’s for me. I actually used to live in South Florida and enjoyed Cuban food on occasion and my wife and I were hoping to actually eat some. I can’t do any better than 2 stars at a place that didn’t serve me food, but I get that serving idiots is tiresome, and the drinks were fantastic (top shelf margarita and vip mojito) so a single star is not necessary. The music really makes the atmosphere.

I can’t review this establishment’s food or drinks, since I was never served any. We sat in the outdoor bar area, said hello to the server, and asked for a menu. And then we sat.
And sat.
And sat.
And sat.
Then left.
There were 5 other couples in the bar area, two of which came in sat down, ordered and were served drinks in the time we were waiting. Not sure what it was about us that made the server decide to not serve us but our visit here was a huge waste of time. We won’t return, we don’t recommend.

I was impressed! We were greeted my a friendly staff member who went out of her way to try and give us the table we wanted. The waiter was also prompt and friendly. I had Ceviche and an Avocado salad and it was fresh and delicious. Sometimes Ceviche and be a little over soaked/​cooked and this was not the case here. I would gladly return again!

This place was great for Cuban food, but it seemed to be more of a café that indulged in Gloria Estefan. I know this is her restaurant, but does she really need to have a photo of her at every corner? I mean, if I was a celebrity and I had a restaurant, I’d probably do the same… but I’m not and I don’t so in the case of Gloria Estefan, it’s too much.
The food was ok. It wasn’t amazing as I thought it would be, but perhaps I went in with high expectations. After all, it was Gloria Estefan’s restaurant. I think I’d prefer a hole-​in-​the-​wall experience that worked on quality rather than work on the reputation of a restaurant.
Plantains were the best part. In fact, it was the only good part.

If I were a celebrity, I would totally open up a restaurant and have pictures of myself around the whole place. Idea inspired by Ms. Gloria Estefan.
Drinks were great. Food was good. I am not knowing in the ways of cuban food so was hard for me to decide on a meal. I had trouble deciphering the menu items and still wasn’t really sure what I was getting. I like it though.
We got the plantain appetizer. Worth it. Being in Downtown Disney, this place is packed with tourists. Isn’t terrible though. I would go back.

This restaurant is very poorly managed. They are leaving a lot of money on the table.
I’ll just desribe our experience. My husband and I arrived before 6 pm, so it wasn’t hugely overcrowded yet. We were told we could either wait 25 minutes for a table or get full service at the bar. As we were very hungry, we opted for the bar. We went back to one of the bars and every single booth surrounding the bar was empty, with the tables already cleaned and set. So naturally we assumed that those were the booths up for grabs with no waiting, because otherwise why were they making people wait 25 minutes with at least 5 booths open? So we sat down. We were told, no, these are not bar seats and we had to go to the hostess and wait. Fine, we assumed we’d be given one of these empty booths soon. We went back out and put our name in. Only at that point were we told that if we wanted to sit inside, our wait time would increase. Remember, there are at least 5 booths, inside, sitting empty. I did not see anyone seating the people in front of us either.
So we said fine, went the the nearest bar (a different one) just to get a drink. The seats at that bar were so unbelievably uncomfortable that we could barely finish our drinks sitting there. There was no way we were going to order food and stay in those seats for an hour. The drinks were overpriced, but at least they were strong.
After almost an hour of waiting and walking around to avoid the torture chairs, we got in line to figure out when we would be seated. There was one hostess who was trying to do everything, check people in, collect the pagers, gather the parties to find someone to seat them, etc. It was a very slow and inefficient process. Our pager finally went off while we were waiting to ask about our table. So we went up, had to wait until the hostess was done checking someone else in, at which point she printed us a little slip of paper with our table number on it, and had us wait in another group of people for someone to seat us. Finally got seated. On the way to our table, we noticed that fully HALF of the tables were empty, cleaned, and set. With people waiting an hour for a table! I do not know why it was taking them so long to seat people, but it was the most inefficient process I’ve ever seen.
Our server took another five minutes to even come over and take our drink order, and another five minutes to bring back a water and an iced tea.
Our server was not the one to bring our food out and waited way too long to come over and check on our food. By the time he came after my bowl of black bean soup was delivered, it was too late to ask for hot sacue, as I was almost done eating it. The food was excellent with one exception. The fried plantains were completely tasteless. I didn’t know it was possible for plantains to be so overcooked and tasteless, usually they are almost too sweet for me. I couldn’t even eat them. They tasted like cardboard. The shrimp with garlice sauce was delicious and the rice was perfectly cooked. So I do give credit where credit is due.
Throughout the meal we continued to notice tables sitting empty after they had been cleaned for up to 10 full minutes, even with a line out the door. At times almost half the tables were empty. With food that is overall very good, I would think they would want to turn the tables over faster to increase their revenue. The servers need a bit more training as well to come check on the food as soon as it comes out.

My girlfriend & I love this place… we always order the Arroz Con Pollo and share a Pina Colada… I highly reccomend doing the same.

My husband and I ate here on our last night in Orlando. Since we knew where it was located in Downtown Disney, we parked at the AMC theatres and was really close. I am a huge fan of Cuban cuisine, so it was a natural choice for me to want to go there. We did not have to wait at all to be seated and we had pretty good service… but it wasn’t a crazy busy week at Disney, so that could’ve been a factor. I got the ropa vieja and it was delicious! The maduros were cooked perfectly and sweet just like I like it. The bill wasn’t more expensive than the Cuban restaurants we go to at home, so we were actually happy about that. We would definitely go back there the next time we are in town!

Well, this is a first… A place that I am not sure they deserve for a rating. So, I’m just go through each element and average it.
Location: Located in Downtown Disney, by it quite a long walk from the entrance, so 2 stars for location.
Wait Time: 1hr and 10mins to be seated. That would normally be 1 star, but it is christmas eve at disney, and the everyplace was mobbed, so 3 stars.
Take out wjndow: Had some empanadas to tide us over during the long wait, they were excellent, 5 stars.
Bar Service: Fast and friendly, 5 stars.
Bar Prices: Way over overpriced, domestic beer = $ 6, 2 stars.
Bouncers/​Security: First round of drinks, took them out to the patio with no problem. Second round, I was stopped at the door and told the drinks would need to be in a plastic cup to go outside. A reasonable request, but the security guy was kind of a prick about it, so 2 stars.
The meal: This is the complicated part…
Cuban Skirt Steak: Was absolutely delicious and deserves 5 stars.
The plaintains: Inedible and disgusting, 0 stars
Rice: ahh, its plain white rice, nothing special, so 3 stars
Mojo: Delicious, 4 stars.
The meal (overall): 5+0+3+4=12÷4=3 stars
Service: Was fast and efficient, until the end, it took awhile to get the check and leave. Nevertheless, 4 stars.
Management: I let the manager know I was not happy with the plaintains and also pointed out that there was not nearly enough meat by my standards. She quickly had them prepare more meat (twice he original portion) and over a free beer. A great response, that left me satisfied, 4 stars.
Food Prices: Way overpriced, 2 stars.
Entertainment: The band and DJ were first rate and a lot of fun, 5 stars.
Ok, so now the tally:
2+3+5+5+2+2+3+4+4+2+5= ³⁷⁄₁₁ = 3.4 = 3 stars

The Background:
A restaurant run by Gloria Estefan, the place is part of a chain and is located in Downtown Disney. The décor is interesting and reminds me of being on a cruise ship. The food is tasty but slightly on the higher end because of the Disney Downtown premium.
The Positives:
I will readily admit that I am not an expert of Cuban food, but we got some pretty tasty food. The chicken was moist and falling off the bone. In addition, the service was fast and we were seated immediately and well cared for.
The Negatives:
On the slightly expensive side but definitely a good price for Downtown Disney.

NOT worth the money we paid, and to add to the disappointment the food came out a little cold, and soggy french fries to add to the list. After all of this we were shocked when we got the check. Sorry Gloria but you need to check out your establishment every once in awhile to insure a tight ship if your going to promote it.

Delicious! Great portions for the price and awesome Cuban food for a Disney restaurant. A fun atmosphere for adults or families. I would definitely eat here again in Disney or Miami.
Try the combo appetizer plate for a large sample of everything but split it with 2+ people.

Solid 3 star place. Its mucho better than typical theme park Disney food or the dorm food that we ate at the hotel.
Appetizers —
Yucca Frita– a bit dry. But ask for some salsa (the one they throw in the blender and some hot sauce and it makes it much more edible)
Papas Rellenas (Potato Balls) — 3 just aren’t enough for two to share :). In a blink of an eye they were gone!
Entrée
Churrasco A Lo Cubano — Tender meat and nicely seasoned. Got a side of black beans to mix with the rice. Chimichurri was very eh, but the garlic mixture was a nice compliment to the meat. I breathe wreaked of garlic after but that’s ok.
The service was very eh at best but other than that I had no major complaints. I’m sure if we went off of Mickeys compound that night we might have had better Cuban food, BUT I was well satisfied after the dinner.

If you want to wait an hour to be served the equivalent of a McDonald’s chicken McNugget for $ 15.00, then this is the place to go!
The food is overpriced, the service is slow. And just as a heads up, should you decide you do want to wait for that forgettable meal, don’t go to the bar. If you do, your wait will be longer, they check to see if you are drinking and if you are, no hurry to get you into your booth!
LindySez — buyer beware. I’d go to Micky D’s before I Bongo at Bongos.

I enjoyed my meal at Bongo’s but that was more about the company than the restaurant. Everything about the place was okay but nothing special. The restaurant is massive, the staff is mechanical, the food is pedestrian and the décor is fun.
I would venture elsewhere next time.

FUCKING BONGO’S.
i thought i was eating a yummy dish o’ fish, but 3 hours later my throat started to close up, my eyes swelled almost shut and (TMI ALERT TMI ALERT) i pretty much shit a planet out.
i’ll never go there again. those bitches. they can suck it. no stars for them… if that were an option.

Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney is all about having fun. So my review of Bongo’s has to separate the fun I always have here at a private party– with the food that is just so so. Bongo’s is huge– so if you have a large group– they will be able to accomodate you– just keep the expectations on the food in check.
Every couple of years, I have to be in Orlando for a huge convention for work. There is always a big party at Bongos, on the 2^nd floor where we dance on the outdoor patios and drink the night away. Appetizers are passed and from the fried plantains to the Ropa viega, the food is just okay in my book– always seems that most of the food is deep fried and much of it comes out cold and greasy.
The drinks on the other hand are strong (go for the mojitos) — perfectly poured and with all the crazy advertising people at this party– create an atmosphere of fun. Couple that with the loud Cuban music that is playing, and it never fails that colleagues are up on their feet dancing together.
The best news? Years ago we all signed a pact that said no pictures at this event. So whatever happens at Bongo’s? Stays at Bongo’s. And for this party goer– that’s a good thing!

There’s just something about this place that just makes me what to get up and dance, start a conga line and scream, «Olé!» As cheesy as it sounds, located in Downtown Disney and brainchild of Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estevez, Bongo’s really delivers. The place transports you to Havana and the food is delicious! We went back twice because we couldn’t get enough.
The maduros (sweet plantains) were perfect. A side to your dish, I could eat those as an appetizer, main course, and dessert. The churrasco steak was grilled perfectly and was packed with flavor from the chimi churri sauce. I wish everything came with chimi churri sauce.
Even though this place is packed with tourists, Bongo’s doesn’t take advantage. The meals are reasonably priced, portions are ample, and they are not Americanized at all. I’m not Cuban but I would say the meals here are pretty authentic.