On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Essential Orlando. No, wait. Mark this place down as Essential Florida.
Nowhere else in the country are you going to get as good of Cuban food as you will in Florida. And outside Miami, it's tough to find a really amazing Cuban sandwich... which is why the Black Bean Deli needs to be on your list of places to try.
It's been around forever, but it's recently come under new ownership. While this is normally the kiss of death for restaurants, the new owner has kept up the fantastically tasty traditions of the old. AND now that the owner is a bit younger, the joint no longer has those wacky, strange hours (it used to close at 4pm!). However it does cater mostly to the weekday crowd.
The basic Cuban sandwich is the star here. Pork, ham, swiss, pickles, mustard ... all pressed on perfect (chewy) bread. But if you want to branch out I can tell you the platters are excellent(!) and the plantains are not to be missed... my mouth waters thinking about them.
There isn't anything in the way of seating at the restaurant, so get your order to-go and take a picnic to Lake Lilly park.
Hours:
Mon-thurs: 11am-8pm
Friday: 11am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-3pm
Sunday: Closed
Finally made our way over to Black Bean Deli (not really in Winter Park proper) this weekend, and so glad we did!
Being the South Florida transplants that we are, the hubby and I appreciate good Cuban food, and we weren't disappointed. Arriving around 1:30 on a Saturday afternoon, we found nearly a dozen people waiting in line to order, or to pick up food.
We ordered cubans on this visit, but took time to check out the basic (but thorough) menu: sandwiches, sides, salads, dinner platters, even Cuban desserts! What a treat!
Prices are very reasonable, service was both friendly and efficient, and the food was a-m-a-z-i-n-g! It's easy to see how the Black Bean Deli has won the Zagats honor!
Parking is very limited, and plan on taking your food to go, as there is limited counter seating which accommodates about 5 people. (Reminds me of the takeout windows in Hialeah, known for their coffee and sandwiches!)
The Deli is also a member of Doorstep Delivery, and will gladly deliver your food to you on those days you've had enough of Orlando traffic (http://www.DoorstepDel...) if you happen to live close enough. (Also a definite bonus when Mother Nature turns ugly!)
We look forward to stopping back in to pick up dinner (open 'til 8 Mon - Thurs), or a quick weekend lunch.
Enjoy!
I am writing this review after polishing off a 6" cuban and shredded beef empanada. I have been going here awhile now and have never had a bad experience. The people are nice and the food is great. The dining room is small so opt for takeout.
The cuban sandwiches and pan con lechon (pork with garlic mojo) are my favorite sandwiches even though the pork can be kinda dry. That's ok- get the avocado vin to dip it in...it's delicious.
The best place in town to get quick, cheap, and yummy sandwiches.
This little Cuban oasis is rockin' and I'm so glad the greater Orlando area is lucky enough to have it. I'm Cuban and pretty critical of peoples' attempts to create their own versions and what these guys have done is right on, every step of the way.
My first time there the line was out the door (which isn't that long, considering the size of the place) bc they had just gotten a humongous last minute order for a party and not a single person budged from the line for the entire time we were there. That told me right off that this wasn't a place you should pass up. By the time we got to the front of the line I was still smiling and they were so apologetic that I got a free papa rellena, so i was even happier!
After I got started on my food, I knew I was in for a food coma. I got the Pan con Lechon, a cup of black beans, and a papa rellena and I was bent over afterwards bc I was so full (in the best way!). The food was awesome, every single bite. I really enjoyed that the owners work at the restaurant and do most everything themselves. They're also a young couple that seemed to genuinely love what they were doing and were offering great service, and a great set of products. I ended up going back for lunch on my birthday and I plan to go back again next time I'm in Orlando. Cheers to them! And I can't wait to come back and try their all their flans!
Really tasty and cheap. I have never had Cuban food though, so I guess I have nothing to compare it too. Their cubans were really good, along with the black bean and rice soup. We tried some of the desserts but I can't remember what they were called.. they were good too though!
My one complaint is the lack of eat-in space though. We live really far away, so it's not like we could take our food to-go. There are a few bar stools in there, but they are extremely uncomfortable! I was falling off half the time!
But very yummy, especially for the price!!
I'm from arizona and was in the orlando area for a few days last week- I NEEDED some great cuban food and had nowhere to go. A trek to miami really wasnt an option and a cuban buddy from Miami recommended it- I figured lets head to Black Bean Deli and see what we find.
My dad seemed somewhat preoccupied with the neighborhood, didnt seem so great, but that might just be years of living in Scottsdale coming to view.
Anyhow, we went on in an it was PACKED- I kid you not, I had some havana cola and got a chuckle out of the fidel toilet paper on the counter.
We got our food to go, I binged and got some picadillo, tostones, black bean soup turkey sandwich on cuban bread and tres leche- not all for me :D
As soon as we got in the car the smell of the spices was overwhelming- the tostones were amazing that hint of lime makes all the difference. Everything was delicious, fresh and CHEAP- ! Now if only they'd come to arizona- fat chance but highly recommend it to people living in the Orlando area :D
i go there a lot!!
ok, it's not far from where i live, but even if i had to travel some i would still go whenever i can.
hand down the best cuban food north of miami. even my friend who lives in little havanna agrees!
generous portions and the price is definitely right, too!
This is good, this is SO damn good. OK, I found THE perfect time to come to BBD. No lines out the door, plenty of parking, cashier was able to lavish alll of his attention on me and not one of the 5 bar stools at the tiny eat in counter were taken.
4:30pm-way after traditional lunch and before the dinner rush makes perfect sense.
Seriously, this is excellent Cuban food. Excellent. We went to Miami on our round-the state-of-FL Honeymoon and had food from 4 different Cuban restaurants. They were all fair to poor-strictly 2 or less stars.
Pumpkin flan was muy bueno-creamy, sweet-but not overly so. Perfection.
And the meal I was was delicious, too. Ground beef w/potatoes, carrots, peas-served w/plantains, black beans and rice, with a side of salad and very savory/tangy homemade dressing. As I always say-yummy and cheap, my fave combo!
This place is the SHIT!
Been meaning to go here for years, finally did today. Staff was friendly enough. They have a very cavernous kitchen. Seems like this is where some of the cool kids go for lunch.
The beans and rice were all fine, once I added hot sauce and raw onions. I don't ever expect much from beans and rice anyways. I like my stuff spicy and extra flavorful which is atypical of those staples.
I had the picadillo which is ground beef with olives in it, it was pretty ok.
One thing I liked a lot was the salad dressing. My favorite thing by far were the Sweet Plantains. They were much juicier and yummier than any I've ever had.
The food here is pretty cheap. about $6-7. There are only 4 seats inside and they are extremely uncomfortable so this is mostly a take out place. They really should put a picnic table outside somewhere but I don't think there is any place.
They also have Pumpkin Flan most days, so go check em out. They are open until 8 weekdays, and now open on saturdays.
I finally got to try this place recently and I must say that the food is delicious and the prices are great for what you get. I only had a Cuban sandwich meal, but I can't wait to try their other offerings. The sandwich was well crafted and I have to say the black beans had to be some of the best I've ever had.
I'm not so crazy about the ordering/dining area. It's too much like being stuck in an elevator with a bunch of strangers.
Had the cuban sandwich, black beans and rice lunch special ($5).
Very good. Also tried the cheese flan. Excellent!
Fantastic is a word that comes to mind when thinking about the Black Bean Deli. A lot of people also already know this, so the hours are limited, but people still line up. Cuban Sandwiches are delicious, but I would also try some of the other offerings, such as the namesake black bean soup, Empanadas, or Spanish baked chicken.
The prices are also very reasonable and makes for a great takeout. Seated inside, the service is kinda slow, so I prefer to order my meal out and go.
Tiny hole in the wall Cuban deli!
The good:
Food is delicious and fairly inexpensive. You can get a roasted chicken platter with black beans, rice, a small salad and plaintains for around $7.50. The portion is enough to bust your gut. They also have a HUGE cuban sandwich for not much money at all. I could only finish 1/2 of a sandwich with my side of black beans... and I can normally eat a lot!
The bad:
Not much seating at all. In fact, it's just bar style seating along the window. Maybe for 5 people, total! If there are a lot of people in line, it's very uncomfortable because you feel like you're being closed in on.
Also, they are not open on weekends. One worker told me that only 3 people work there, and they need their days off. Haha.
Service was bad. I had a cuban with rice and beans. My sandwich was terrible. My black beans tasted as if they opened a can of black beans, heated them on the stove, then handed it to me. No flavor at all! Ham croquettes were pretty good though........
Oh, how I miss thee Black Bean!
Tasty cuban, fast service, and awesome (cheap!) prices. It's worth the spot-less parking and long lines. Promise.
This is a nice and small quick restaurant that offers your typical Cuban food such as sandwitches and rice with beans ..the quality of the food is great and the service is also good but they could make the place a bit bigger so people can fit an also open a little bit later.
Wonderful cuban sandwiches, and the flan is just like my friend's mom.
Best cubans in Orlando, according to me. Also a good lunch special with a cuban and black beans and rice for like $5.
There's a reason the line is out the door at lunch time. The cuban sandwiches are amazing. I hope the rumor that the Black Bean Deli is thinking about moving to Atlanta is true.
Tiny little restaurant with some of the best Cuban food in town. Seating is very limited and does not accommodate groups, but if your plan is to get some quick delicious Cuban food to go this is your place.
What a great little tucked away treat. I have had Cuban's all over town, and they have to be the best. Even though they serve it with Texas Pete Hot Sauce (really? you couldn't MAKE your own authentic version?). But I digress. The food is what matters: Cuban sandwiches, chicken dish with rice/beans and plantains, ham croquettes, potato balls, all phenomenal. For some quick takeout big on taste and light on the wallet, the Black Bean Deli is fantastic. But one thing needs to be pointed out to first timers, don't expect to go for any kind of dining experience, they have a total of 6 bar stools in the entire place. It's more of a deli-front, come get your food-type place. Also, I can't say enough about the kindness of the staff. Great people, great food.
MM MM Good! I would give it 5 stars if it was open longer, but with Cuban sandos this good I'm not gonna complain! Mostly for take-it-with-you, but there are a couplea seats inside if you must.
I finally got to try the highly acclaimed Black Bean Deli and I was not disappointed. I had the best Cuban sandwich that I've had in the Orlando area hands down. I spent many years in Miami so obviously I have had better but this one definitely came close to top of the line. The sandwich was very expertly constructed with quality ingredients and grilled to a tasty perfection. The prices, atmosphere, and people were all wonderful. The seats are uncomfortable, however. They are very impractical with no backs to them and a curved structure that can hurt your anus. They are equipped with condiments and have very good rice and black beans. They also have some of those great Cuban drinks I long for. I also tried a media noche on my second visit and the sweet bread was heavenly and it just tasted terrific. Definitely my #1 choice for some fast Cuban food in the area.
Black Bean Deli has been around for a long time... Some twenty years now. I haven't been since the remodel, but I can tell you that probably still no frills, inexpensive black beans and rice served quick. The tostones are divine, served with house made mojo. Chunks upon chunks of garlic are drowning in the mojo, and that's a good thing. They have sandwiches, papas rellenas, and empanadas, too. But no matter what you order, you still have to order the black beans and rice on the side. Lunch will run you about $5.
I've been going to Black Bean for years and it's still aweome. The Media Noche (cuban sandwich on sweet bread) is my favorite. Of course, you have to get fried plantains. ou can try to find a place to eat at a small counter, but it's better if you take it to go.
This might be my favorite fast food joint anywhere. The hours are terrible so you gotta really make the effort to go. No weekends and close at something like 7pm on weeknights. Make the effort. It's a fantastic meal. The tamale is awesome and vegetarian as well. Wash it down with a Havana Cola. My mouth is watering.
Orlando, FL
Category: Cuban
Orlando, FL
Category: Latin American
Neighborhood: Winter Park
Category: Cuban
Orlando, FL
Category: Coffee & Tea
Orlando, FL
Category: Cuban
Some random places around the Orlando area from…
Screw Disney. This is the real Orlando for you. No…
A few of the more interesting things I miss about…
Loading...
