without going to Cuba.....

1/7/2014 11:08:49 PM

Damn, was going to say Cuba

1/7/2014 11:09:25 PM

Florida

1/7/2014 11:09:38 PM

A Cuban restaurant located outside of Cuba

1/7/2014 11:10:07 PM

1/7/2014 11:10:12 PM

If you work around RTP, you should check out Carmen's. It's by the old outlet mall.

1/7/2014 11:11:27 PM

Yes, cuban b

1/7/2014 11:12:10 PM

If you're ever in Richmond, try Kuba Kuba.
If you're in Tampa, go to Columbia (or I'm sure many other places.)
If you're in Key West, El Siboney gets lots of love.

In the Triangle unfortunately I have no clue. Cuban Revolution was merely okay the one time I went, and there's a little place out by the airport that seems to get decidedly mixed reviews (never actually ate there.)

[Edited on January 7, 2014 at 11:12 PM. Reason : Carmen's, yes, that's the place I was thinking of.]

1/7/2014 11:12:37 PM

I like the Cuban Sandwich at Mitch's

1/7/2014 11:14:32 PM

^^Kuba Kuba is so delicious!!

1/7/2014 11:16:12 PM

1/7/2014 11:20:12 PM

There's a place near DPAC and the stadium I thought was pretty good. Can't remember the name for the life of me. Not sure I even got their authentic Cuban dishes though.

1/7/2014 11:24:06 PM

^I've been there... was at a workshop of some type and went there for lunch. pretty good.

1/7/2014 11:27:52 PM

Cuban revolution and their food sucked when i ate it a few times. i like their $2 domestics and 20 cent wings and free popcorn though.

I thought all cuban food sucked. no flavor at all

1/7/2014 11:42:28 PM

Yes cubans lack taste buds.

1/8/2014 12:00:12 AM

A motherfucker once told me a Caribbean restaurant was a Mexican restaurant. Credibility will never be granted

1/8/2014 12:03:05 AM

There is a Cuban sandwich on the menu at Mitch's. It's good too.

1/8/2014 12:36:04 AM

Quote :

"^^Kuba Kuba is so delicious!!"

Love that place...plus it's within (somewhat long) walking distance of my residence.

Quote :

"There's a place near DPAC and the stadium"

That would be Cuban Revolution.

A place called Old Havana Sandwich Shop also opened in downtown Durham a couple years ago, not sure if it's still there but I always meant to try it.

1/8/2014 3:02:41 AM

I also enjoy Carmen's.

1/8/2014 3:04:53 AM

^^^^ get outa here

1/8/2014 9:03:34 AM

Oakwood Café or the Havana grill in cary

1/8/2014 9:09:36 AM

^Seconding Havana Grill. They're probably some of the best we've had in the Triangle. Carmen's is pretty good too.

1/8/2014 9:25:30 AM

thirding havana grill. had a solid meal when i went.

but for the real deal, either gotta go down to miami or especially hialeah.

1/8/2014 9:39:25 AM

Seconding Oakwood Cafe. Best Cuban food I have had in Raleigh and good prices as well.

1/8/2014 10:06:40 AM

Another Richmonder here to brag about Kuba Kuba. That shit is amazing.

In the triangle, definitely Carmen's. Oakwood Cafe isn't bad either if it's still open.

1/8/2014 10:07:57 AM

I'm surprised there aren't more endorsements for Oakwood Cafe. I really like that place. And there's a taqueria across the street from it (has Gringo's opened?)

1/8/2014 10:11:58 AM

i think the only issue with oakwood is the hours. its a lunch place and is only open from 11-3

1/8/2014 10:19:05 AM

food IN Cuba is notoriously horrible. got one good meal there in over 2 weeks (a fancy restaurant that made grilled langoustines). 1.5 if you consider the grilled crocodile snack we had at the crocodile farm. it was fishy tasting, but with a meaty texture.

1/8/2014 12:18:49 PM

http://www.tropicalpickenchicken.com/

Located in Wake Forest. Best cuban sandwich I've ever had. They also have some good PR and DR dishes as well.

[Edited on January 8, 2014 at 1:31 PM. Reason : ask for some green sauce on the side]

1/8/2014 1:30:24 PM

^Love them too, although they're a lot more Puerto Rican and Dominican. I just picked up some of their sancocho the other day.

[Edited on January 8, 2014 at 2:04 PM. Reason : which you totally said already ]

1/8/2014 2:03:44 PM

Why can't Cuba be opened up to tourism? It so close and they have good food.

1/8/2014 9:10:29 PM

Quote :

"i think the only issue with oakwood is the hours. its a lunch place and is only open from 11-3"

according to their website they're open for dinner thurs-sat or sun. think they do breakfast too

1/8/2014 9:12:00 PM

Quote :

"A place called Old Havana Sandwich Shop also opened in downtown Durham a couple years ago, not sure if it's still there but I always meant to try it."

I think it's still there, I went there about 6 months ago. I had some kind of pork sandwich and plantains, both very good. It's not a fancy place, but it's legit.

1/8/2014 10:02:09 PM

Quote :

"I'm surprised there aren't more endorsements for Oakwood Cafe. I really like that place. "

1/8/2014 11:05:30 PM

Quote :

" Why can't Cuba be opened up to tourism? It so close and they have good food."

This is from a wife-of-a-friend connection, but they kinda are. It's technically "diplomatic exchanges" but tourism companies can organize group trips to cuba for travelers.

She works in sales for a travel agency, and they do of cultural exchanges with Cuba every once in a while. Basically they plan a trip out that includes lodging, dinners and destinations and take travelers down. The agents act as the handlers, and there is a lot more oversight into what is spent and how, including per diems and restrictions on purchases.

I also used to work in a fly fishing shop about 14 years ago. We had a client who did a lot of bone fishing come in every once in a while to talk about his trips to Cuba. Apparently you could charter companies from other Caribean and Central American companies for bone fishing expeditions and they would take you to off-coast Cuba. The locals would then boat out and supply everything you needed; food, water, alcohol, gear, women, smokes, etc.
There was no paperwork so it just looked like you went to Cancun for an off-shore fishing trip.

[Edited on January 8, 2014 at 11:17 PM. Reason : ]

1/8/2014 11:17:09 PM

Miami

1/8/2014 11:41:49 PM

^ - specifically West Flagler, Little Havana, and Calle Ocho areas.

1/9/2014 12:05:07 AM