Up until a few days ago, I wouldn't have had a remotely intelligent answer if someone asked me what Cuban food is, other than food eaten in Cuba.
After a visit to El Cubanito, I can at least say I've had Cuban food once. I can also say it's rather tasty.
The vibe
One thing strikes you immediately upon walking into El Cubanito: Someone there likes baseball. There are bats — a lot of bats — and pennants on the wall, and many photographs of different ballplayers (I spy what appears to be Detroit Tiger Neifi Pérez, among others). The owner evidently is not a fan of Cuban José Canseco — a sign with his picture calls him "Judas" — but who likes that guy these days?
The restaurant also targets another former baseball player, longtime Cuban President Fidel Castro. In a corner of the place is a plastic skeleton dressed in Castro garb (amazingly still recognizable with no beard!) that reads, "What is left of comandante Fidel Castro."
People are also reading…
There are only two other people eating when we stop in on an early Thursday evening, but the place fills out shortly after that. Given the rapport the employees have with most of the customers, it's clear that we're probably the only first-timers in the joint. They're rather welcoming to us gringos, though, greeting us immediately and quickly seating us and taking our order.
The bathroom (just one, unisex, with a lock) has, you guessed it, baseball posters, and is clean and quite purple.
The food
The menu has more than a dozen entrees, and all but one involve meat of some kind. Not being much of a beef eater, I settle on the barbecue chicken. (I briefly consider the chicken stew, but the word "stew" is just never really appealing, you know?) My sister opts for that day's special — pork chops, and my brother-in-law orders the "special of the month," which is breaded shrimp with red sauce.
The food comes quickly, although we don't get any refills on our water while we're there. My sister is enamored of her giant chop, and her husband enjoys his food as well. I like my chicken, but in general I'm usually bored with giant pieces of meat. The star of the show in my mind is the black beans that come with each meal. Very flavorful.
A bottle of hot sauce appropriately reading "VERY HOT" is on the table; my companions are too wimpy for it after a taste, but I find it great on the rolls.
We're all eager to try more things in the future, and I won't tell the owner that Canseco was one of my favorite players when I was 6.
• Where: 1150 E. Sixth St.
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (doors close at 6:30 p.m.) Mondays through Saturdays (closed Sundays).
• What: Cuban restaurant serving up several foods from the country.
• Parking: Several spaces available in the front of the restaurant.
• Phone: 623-8020.
THE BILL
Pork chops with white rice, black beans, bread and sweet plantains: $8.95.
Breaded shrimp with red sauce, white rice, black beans, bread and sweet plantains: $8.99,
Barbecue quarter-chicken with white rice, black beans and bread: $7.25.
Total, before tax and tip: $25.19.
