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A Piece Of Havana
Category: Restaurants Cuban Cuban [Edit]
11126 S. Tryon StreetCharlotte, NC 28273
Neighborhood: Steele Creek
(704) 588-7883
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for A Piece Of Havana
Review Highlights
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"...sides, but I usually go with yellow rice and black beans." In 4 reviews -
"I was hesitant but was in the mood for something different." In 5 reviews -
"The fried plantains were excellent and flavorful." In 3 reviews
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25 reviews in English
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Review from April B.
Charlotte, NC
4/13/2012
A Piece of Havana is the kind of restaurant you'd drive past a thousand times and never think to stop. Then, one day you do and you never stop coming back.
Located in the way back of a shopping center, you think it's going to be some shlubby fast food dive (not the good kind). It isn't. The inside of the restaurant is almost opulent with deep leather booths and romantic curtains over massive windows.
And then there's the food. I had the empanadas, Cuban sandwich and my boyfriend had the roasted chicken. All were outstanding! In addition, my boyfriend had the Cuban salad. It had at least an entire avocado sliced along the rim. It was delicious. I'm so glad we went and we will keep going back. Next time, I'm getting the oxtail. -
Review from Peggy C.
2/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
When I was feeding my car down by Carowinds Blvd, I used my new(er) BFF aka my droid phone Yelp app to locate a new place for lunch. The truth is I've been condemned to un-cultured, un-worldly food for way too long. I was determined to get some real taste back in my mouth before it goes on strike.
Who knows there's a cuban restaurant in the suburbs! The location is obscure... a little strip mall off Tryon (right at Moss). Something about Cuban/Latino music, it just brightens the day (and the place). Ok, so the service was slow (no one sat me, but to their defense I was standing by the hostess stand looking at the menu, I think they thought I was a to-go customer).
Lunch menu (smaller portion) is only available during the week. So I went after the sandwich (didn't feel like breaking my bank for a quick solo lunch). Instead of the old standby Cuban sandwich, I tried the Miami Sandwich. It's like a Cuban with with lettuce, tomato and mayo and ham croquettes. I love croquettes. I also orderd the soup of the day, Ajiaco Cubano.
The soup was tasty. Though it's very brothy (not as much as stew-y as it's described during my quick research online). It definitely wasn't creamy like the waitress said. But nonetheless it was good. My cup ($2.95) had a piece of fatty pork and a little yuca in it.
The sandwich ($8.95) itself was ok. The pork was a little tough. That's the disappointing part. (side note: best freaking Cuban sandwich EVER was the one I got in DC in the market... see my old review). The bread was good, and the mayo/mustard added to the taste. I definitely enjoyed the croquettes, which were being deliciously smushed by every bite I took. The sandwich was big enough for me to save half for later.
I substituted fries with plantains maduros. I'm a sucker for sweet plantains. And they were good. But is it possible to mess up sweet plantain?!
Overall it was an ok experience. The waitress was nice, but I can see if it's busier (the place had 3 other tables at the most, virtually empty) the service would be slow. The pork was the least impressive. But I was happy, I was very very happy that I haven't lost my appreciation for REAL food :) -
Review from David S.
York, SC
1/26/2012
Great food and fantastic atmosphere. The tiramisu is a must. Service is a little slow for lunch, but it is part of the culture. Never been here for dinner but the lot has had cars in it when I've driven by.
The ropa vieja and lechon asada are my favorites -
Review from ily m.
Charlotte, NC
2/24/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This is authentic Cuban! We were thrilled to find this place. The tastes took us right back to our childhood kitchen in Miami where our abuela cooked.
The croquetas came out piping hot. The to stones were great. I had the masitas de puerco and they were great too. I asked for lime just because that was how we ate them growing up, with lots of lime. The boiled yuca was good, could have used a bit more mojo. My kids had a pan con bistec. It was the thin steak cooked just as it should, i am just not sure it was on real cuban bread. It comes with mayo and mustard so we opted to have it without. They ate it all though and really liked it. The Cuban coffee (espresso) was very authentic, the way they make it on calle ocho. We look forward to returning. So glad to find this place! -
Review from Rod O.
Charlotte, NC
1/25/2012 9 photos
Right away I liked the look and "feel" of this place. They were busy for lunch today (a Wednesday) mostly men in white dress shirts and ties filling tables for four. This place has some character, is comfortable and is a lot nicer looking than I was expecting.
I ask one of the waiters about Cuban Style Espresso and told me to try something else. I do not speak much Spanish so I have no idea what it was, though the name sounded really good and he seemed confident that I would like it. Since I believe "Fortune favors the Bold" I thought I would see how I liked it. This Coffee with milk had a good (not great) flavor and it was better than many, though miles from the Great Cuban Style Espresso I'm used to! What he described as their approach to Espresso Cuban Style sounded close (close but not quite) and I probably should have ordered it and will next time. OK I know I'm crazy and I do not speak Coffee, so I'm part to blame!
They serve their Cuban Sandwich with Mayonnaise, yet you can choose to have it with none as I did! This Cuban Sandwich was very good, the pickles were thick, the mustard could have had a less dominant presence though I'm not counting that against it! Swiss Cheese, Ham and Pulled Pork, YUM! This sandwich gets 3.85 yelp stars, because I am almost a fan.
Instead of Fried Potatoes (french Fries) I substituted ($.99) fried Plantains (the sweet kind). The Plantains were perfect...5 yelp stars!
Soup of the day was Corn (Not the Creamy style) I guess it was a broth or water base, was flavored nicely and had some meat in it, 3 yelp stars.
The service was Superboy on Cuban and if you do not know that is a compliment. They made one small mistake on my order yet fixed it before it left the kitchen and I know they don't think I saw it. They put fries on the plate and my server caught it before he picked up the plate to bring it to me. Five Stars for Service!Listed in: Recon, Name It, Smoothe Operations, Stripped, Perfect Timing
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Review from Bruce K.
I lived in Fort Lauderdale for ten years, so I generally know good Cuban when I see it. And this... this was okay Cuban. We're not 90 miles away anymore, so perhaps a little was lost in the transfer?
Sticking to the classics, I ordered a Cubano - the standard Cuban sandwich that includes ham, sliced pork, cheese, mustard, mayo and sliced pork that spends a short while in a panini press. The sandwich was pretty good - maybe not perfectly aligned so it got a bit messy towards the end - but the flavor and texture was there. Served with fries that were hot and crisp.
They have live music on some evenings. It was loud. Fortunately, they started up when my friend and I were done eating, so we gave them a walking ovation. The rest of the meal was nice and quiet. -
Review from Bobby J.
Monroe, NC
11/19/2011
I've never been to a Cuban restaurant before today. Having been exposed to Cuban culture through my wife's family, I have only tasted some homemade Cuban food.
My wife and I ate pork and beef empanadas to start with. Pork is the best. We then ordered skirt steak / black beans and rice and the cubed pork /black beans and rice. We were totally impressed with the food.
The service was excellent and the waiter patiently explained what we didn't know about the food we were ordering. I finished with Cuban coffee. I never tasted Cuban coffee before. I had two cups! The only negative was the iced tea. It was very weak and I could have read a newspaper through it.
Totally great experience ! We will be back ! -
Review from Jules S.
8/17/2011
We happened upon this place when the hubs was code orange, and the slow start (only one server for the whole restaurant on a Monday) left me nervous we were going to have to bail. However, once we were finally seated and our order was taken, the food was ultra fast. Our server asked if we were familiar with Cuban food, and well, I've never been there, so no. We ordered the roasted pork and grilled fish (mahi mahi). The roasted pork was good, the fish was OK but I'd order something different next time. The plantains were (of course) delicioso, and I wished we had tried some of their really yummy looking mojitos (like 18 flavors) or sangria.
But the whole point of this review is that FINALLY after waiting my whole life (OK so the 14 years I've been in the QC), I found worthy empanadas!! The server said the ham & cheese was his favorite but I went for the beef. The pastry covering was nice and crispy, but not greasy at all and the beef was seasoned perfectly and also was not greasy at all! Hallelujah!! Hail to the empanada maker! Even though I live nowhere near Steele Creek/Ayrsley I would make an excuse to come back and have a meal of mojitos, empanadas, perhaps some of their avocado dip special and tres leches. Bueno!
Tip: coupon in Citipass made it even more reasonably priced. -
Review from Tiffany S.
Fort Mill, SC
8/7/2011
This is my first visit to a Cuban restaurant, but I loved A Piece of Havana.
All of our food was absolutely delicious. No complaints at all about the service either. There were several large parties on the week night we were there and from what I could tell, there were only three staff members working the floor and still, our service was great. The table beside us practically had the waiter explain the entire menu to them, plus the drink menu, and he was so patient and calm with them even though he clearly had his hands full. I was very impressed.
Is the food authentic? I haven't a clue - but it was good and that's all I care about. -
Review from Alese B.
Charlotte, NC
1/9/2012
Pleasantly surprised and delighted with my meal. Went during lunch. Service was prompt and food came out fast. Food was very flavorful, reminded me of some of the Cuban food I had in Miami. The Mojitos were absolutely delish. I suggest the Mango because it was made with real fruit. The ones without fruit(peach for instance was peach flavored syrup) were still good and had the basics (lemon, mint) but didn't taste as authentic to me( though very good). I would go definitely go again if I'm on that side of town.
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Review from Jeff S.
5/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I hit this place for lunch to try something different.
I have to say that I wasn't expecting this restaurant to be here. At the end of a once busy strip mall, there's a restaurant that looks like the old-style Chili's with the circular window seating area. But I don't think it was ever a Chili's.
When I arrived, I was greeted by the hostess and we exchanged greetings. I didn't understand one of her comments so when I didn't respond she got a little rude with me which turned me off and affected my whole dining experience.
Since I was unfamiliar with Cuban food I asked the server for a recommendation and she suggested a flank steak dish with chimichurri sauce. It came with beans, rice and fried plantains.
The place wasn't very busy so the dish came out fast. The steak was tender and the sauce was good. The fried plantains were excellent and flavorful. The beans and rice were ok. I'm not a big rice eater so I'd say it was average.
I keep wanting to go back to try something else on the menu. I just hope the hostess doesn't get snippy with me again.Listed in: The Great…, Da Plantain, Da Plantain
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Review from Kevin L.
Charlotte, NC
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
In Atlanta, there was a shack of a Cuban restaurant that was so authentic they had a picture of the raft they came over on (I'm not kidding about that). I ate there at minimum once a week.
While not quite as good, this place has been the closest I have found so far. Definitely a lot more upscale than my Atlanta spot, which had bars on the windows, but the food was really good and reasonably priced.
I had a beef empanada and the Media Noche. The Media Noche was pretty good but the empanada was outstanding. If I had any room in my stomach, I would have ordered 2-3 more of them.
They place is tucked away at the end of a strip mall but now that I've found it, I'll be back. -
Review from Melissa H.
Waxhaw, NC
6/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
It seems like a lot of people reviewing this place as not being too great aren't very familiar with Cuban food to begin with. If you are familiar with it and enjoy it, you'll like this place.
I'm native to the Tampa Bay area of Florida so I'm quite familiar with the cuisine. The food here is excellent and seasoned well, the atmosphere is quite beautiful and the staff is personable. I had the Palomilla Sirloin Steak and it was delicious. Their homemade tres leches cake is also intensely delicious (extremely moist yet not mushy), and their Cuban shakes are very good too. -
Review from Luke J.
Charlotte, NC
8/27/2010
Look, if you are in the mood for something other than burgers, tacos, or Chinese, something a little off the beaten path, this might be a good bet for you; however, as others have pointed out, this isn't exactly authentic. Yes, it's generally Cuban food, but it's definitely Americanized a bit. For example, I asked if the restaurant carried Adobo spice for my rice and beans (which is how I usually take them), and the waitress had no idea what Adobo was. Not a good sign.
Overall, the meal was tasty, and I had a good experience, but it should be noted that there are better options in the greater Charlotte area for those who are in search of a true Cuban food experience. -
Review from Pam P.
Matthews, NC
10/29/2011
Been here a few times and have yet to write a review well here it is... the food is delicious and the sangria superb... Enjoyed dinner tonight and each and every time I go here I enjoy the food, drinks and cozy atmosphere...oh I almost forgot on Saturday nights the live music is really nice.
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Review from Julie R.
Pineville, NC
1/25/2010
The food here is decent, but not completely authentic- and the quality seems to be a little hit or miss. Sometimes we'd go and everything would be fine, other times the rice would be bad or something else not made right, over-seasoned, under-seasoned, etc.
If you're looking for authentic Cuban food, you're much better off making the drive out to Rock Hill and hitting the Carlos Cafe. -
Review from Jessica M.
Gastonia, NC
5/27/2011
I was recommended to this place by a Costa Rican friend of mine. It did not disappoint!! My husband and I came here for dinner on a weeknight to celebrate our anniversary and LOVED it. The Long Island Lemonade was a tasty drink to start off the night. We got the sampler platter, and the empanadas were BY FAR the best I've ever had. Fried plantains were perfect. Our seafood paella was to die for. Capped the evening off with a cuban coffee, and boy did that ever give us a jolt! But, it hit the spot. The tiramisu was great for a Cuban place (thought it was an Italian specialty). Our server was so very kind and attentive. I loved it! Will definitely be coming back!
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Review from Janet P.
Charlotte, NC
6/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
If your wanting to hear live cuban music, And taste it too you have to come to come to POH!! and don't forget to try a mojito or yummy sangria YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE!!
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Review from Chris H.
Charlotte, NC
7/2/2011
I tried this place on the recommendation of coworkers. I was hesitant but was in the mood for something different. I was pleasantly surprised. The food was very good, restaurant was clean and enjoyed the Cuban music playing. The only thing keeping it from 5 stars was the service. There are some good and not so good members on the waitstaff. Waiting thru most of my meal for someone to come by to see if we need anything was a bummer. Any good waiter/tress will stop by a few minutes after food is served to check on the table. I will continue to keep dining here despite the spotty service.
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Review from Tré Y.
Charlotte, NC
6/4/2009
Came here one weekend night with a group of friends. The food was delicious and authentic. The black beans and rice are a must. Make sure you finish dinner with a Cuban coffee! This would be a 4 star review if not for the speed of service. Our waiter was extremely polite and great at providing recommendations, but our drinks went empty more than once and we were almost finished with our main dishes before our sides showed up. That being said, I'd have no reservations about giving them a second chance.
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Review from dan k.
4/14/2010
This is another place where I've been to a few times but have just gotten around to writing my first review. First off, the service is great. The servers are friendly and always willing to explain the menu if you have questions.
For lunch, it gets a bit busy even when it's not full. It's more of a sit down, and you may have to wait a bit. But, things may have gotten better because dinnertime seemed to be almost quicker. Maybe an extra chef? Who knows.
The food itself is great. The lunch specials are good deals, but even the dinners are reasonably priced. You can substitute sides, but I usually go with yellow rice and black beans. The maduros are good and not too sweet. I had the gaunabana shake which was a bit different. Probably won't get it again, but it wasn't terrible.
I'd definitely recommend this place to people who want something different, but it's a bit heavy so don't go if you are looking for something light. -
Review from Winston C.
Palm Beach, FL
6/23/2009
You won't think you are in Havana or even Little Havana, but it's not a bad place to grab lunch if you are looking for something different.
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Review from Jeffrey H.
Chicago, IL
9/16/2009
Came here for lunch and it was around half capacity. Appetizer sampler platter was great and came out quick, but I agree with the other reviews that the service for entrees was a little on the slow side. Would not recommend coming here if you need a quick 30 minute in and out.
I had the Ropa Vieja and it was pretty good, but a little salty. It comes default with white rice, black beans, and plaintains, but you can sub them for 2 sides of your choice. Papaya shake was great and recommended. I'd probably go back, but it won't be a staple favorite. -
Review from Christine D.
Charlotte, NC
10/13/2009
Eh, maybe I just really don't care for Cuban food. At least not what I ordered on this visit. Came here recently with a friend for lunch and we decided to spit a few appetizers. First the good- Fried yuca and the chicken turnover were yum. Other than that, not so much. We had also ordered ham and cheese/pork turnovers, the pork croquettes and the tamal. The chicken turnover was good so I was surprised at how unimpressed I was with the others. The pork croquettes had a taste that I found gross. The tamal was a mouthful of cornmeal. I could barely even swallow it. I wasted a lot of food on that day which makes me sad. I had heard from some that this place is actually pretty good. So im guessing I may have just ordered the wrong stuff. Or perhaps this style Cuban food and I are just not meant to be. I thought I was playing it safe by ordering those apps. I think this was the first time in my life I have disliked so many things that were deep fried. 2 stars since the service was decent and there were 2 out of 5 things I could finish eating.
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Review from Chris R.
Bothell, WA
2/19/2009
I've been here a couple of times for lunch, right before the holidays and again after. Both times the service was a little spotty. We would get seated right away but then it would take awhile for our order to be taken. Once we ordered the food came out pretty quickly but then it would take awhile to get drink refills. By the time we got refills we were ready for our checks which also took awhile to get. Aside from that the food was pretty good. I had the ropa vieja the first time which was good but didn't come with enough rice (at least for me, I like to have some rice for each bite and I ran out half way into my meal!) I had to ask for more, which they had no problem just giving me some more. The second time I went I tried the lechon asado which was also good. This time I ordered the rice which had the black beans mixed in and that was a better helping than when I ordered the rice with the beans on the side...I'll definitely be back for lunch to try some of their other dishes but hopefully they can get their service a little faster. They are very nice and helpful but just a little on the slow side!
