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This is the place to go for some good spanish food! If you haven't been here.. run.. right now!!!
It's a cute little cuban joint with awesome food, yummy pina coladas, and did I say awesomeeee food!
All the dinner plates come with a side of rice with beans, tostones or sweet plantains, and salad. You can also substitute for fries. My husband always orders the cubano sandwich and it's one of the best around.
On weekend night there might be a small wait to get a table but it's worth it. Give this place a try, you will not be disappointed.
3.5 Stars for the food. It was a busy night, but I was unsure why my one cuban sandwich and mango shake would take 30 minutes to prepare. The sandwich was delicious, but I should've listened to my craving and got the guanabana (guyabano) shake instead. The mango was aight.
I need to return to try their chicken dishes.
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Me: "I'd like the Cuban please"
Waitress: "With everything?" (everything being lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard and mayo)
Me: "Just pickles and a little mustard"
Waitress: "You don't want mustard?"
Me: "I want mustard, but no mayo."
Her: "And no pickles?"
Me: "I do want pickles and mustard. I don't want anything else."
My Cuban was served with lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard, mayo and pickles. I rarely complain at restaurants, but there is no food I despise more than mayo, so my husband took it back to the counter. My next Cuban came with lettuce and mustard, no pickles. But this time I just ate it. Despite being exactly twice the price, It was not nearly as flavorful or as large as the Cuban at my neighborhood takeout, Los Bendecidos.
Husband's red snapper with garlic sauce was very good, with tender filets of fish drenched in a buttery broth studded generously with garlic and cilantro.
The cafe con leche I had ordered didn't arrive until the end of the meal. The waitress apologized, put it in a to-go cup and took it off the bill, which was nice. Overall underwhelming, which is sad as I was looking forward to becoming a neighborhood regular.
This place is awesome. Jamaica Plain is appropriate for their market but Central Square and Davis Square need one of these as well for political reasons. It's not so much of a Chinese takeout place look anymore, but before they re-opened after renovation, El Oriental de Cuba looked sort of a Chinese restaurant except you hear nothing but Spanish (and some English) and you see equally rich flavored salty food. That atmosphere is still present today, and although the place is nicely renovated, they still use plates that were bought from Chinese restaurant supply houses.
The food is very tasty, perhaps on the salty side, but very good. Shredded beef is a classic, beef tongue, snapper in spicy sauce, etc., are also my favorites. Beef tongue is really tasty, and unless you try it and love it, you aren't really an open minded person (ha!). If you are bored with mango shake, try mamay and other tropical fruits. One thing about this place is that their climate control is not always perfect, depending on the season. Some seats are a bit too cold, but that's same for a lot of places.
I don't know how many places in Boston area who self-identify Cuban, but this is the only real deal.
We stopped in on a rainy day in October with my wife, in-laws, and our five month baby. The restaraunt was busy but we were seated quickly. The waitress suggested Cafe con leche and we all ordered a cup which was more like a small pot! Great coffee. I split a Cuban and Sopa de Marisco ( a special which I always jump at when dining Latino) with my wife and we were both impressed. We would definately go back next time we are up.
I've eaten here many times, in the last few years take-out only. I was very happy they rebuilt, and I hear the owner is a great guy. The food is good, BUT you had better not care if you get what you order! It's especially annoying with take-out because you can't send it back.
I'm picky about fish, not gastronomically--I love it all--but I keep little cards in my wallet about which fish are sustainably caught, which have high mercury, etc. I ordered tilapia and what we opened up when we got home was red snapper, which upset me, because red snapper is threatened by overfishing and I would never have ordered it. Tasty but wrong.
Other problems with the order were soon discovered: We ordered some ripe plantains and some tostones and they packed us only ripe ones, a disappointment as our guests had never had tostones before and we wanted to introduce them. Again, tasty but wrong.
We ordered beans and we got a little container of broth/sauce, with fewer than 10 beans in it--the person serving must have just skimmed the top with the ladle. All the people later that night got just beans with no sauce I guess. Careless.
Last time we went, we asked for yellow rice and they packed us white rice. They just do not seem to care much!
I'm going to do more exploring of the other Latin-American options in Hyde Square.
I've dined at this place several times and I've enjoyed my experiences overall. I like to get the ropa vieja and the rice and beans which are tasty and my friend's dishes were good as well. The flan is good and I've had my fair share of bad ones.
The place is usally busy and when I've gone I haven't had to wait more than a couple minutes except one time when it was during a busy dinner rush. Even then, we just sat on the chairs to the side and got seated soon after. The service is fine, though some times you might have to get their attention if you need something right away.
I'm not sure about the Cuban authenticity, but I would say that the items on the menu are tasty and worth going back for. They have food many other places don't and I'm ready to try them.
I love love love love love El Oriental de Cuba! What can I say, their food is absolutely fantastic. I wish I could steal one of the grandma's from the back and have them impart their culinary wisdom upon me.
My favorite dishes from here are the black beans, ropa vieja, mofongo, and chicharron de pollo, and they also make a mean flan! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
Although the atmosphere leaves a little to be desired, and the wait staff gets a little confused sometimes, I don't think their food can be beat!
Kinda dissapointed in the Oriental place right now....i ordered shrimp and rice with veggies plate to go...now when i get it home the styrofoam plate was totally smased down .i kinda knew the bag wasnt carrying right...OK now not only that the shrimp i had was like the smallest shrimp i have ever seem like baby shrimp and plenty of them...i have eaten there in the past but dissapointed this time i will give them another chance since i kno they rebuilt the place from a devestating fire ...i'll give you anther chance Oriental De Cuba
Looking for authentic cuban food? This place is the place to go. No, this is NOT Naked Fish. The wait staff is okay and look a little bored half of the time but I don't care because the food is simply amazing. The black benas ropa vieja is amazing and so is the flan.
Growing up in Miami the one thing I can spot is bad knock off cuban food. This isn't it. This is the real deal.
There is no higher praise I can give than to say I go here when I am homesick and miss the cafertereta that dot the miami streets.
If you can't hack the cafe cubano, then go for the authentic cafe con leche. This is one place where they make it right.
I just wish this wasn't nearly 90 minutes from my home.
Love the Cuban food and extra props to the amazingly attentive staff. Being a total space cadet, left my wallet with cash, ID and credit cards on the table after eating and paying. When I realized it a half hour later at my next destination, a quick call to the restaurant confirmed they had it and were holding on to it for me. As I was due to fly out the next morning, they saved me from myself. :) Thanks EODC!
The cuban sandwich is awesome! It is like I died and went to carnivore heaven. The bread is freshly toasted and not too thick. It is just enough food to fill you up at lunch but not too much.
Looking around at the other people's food I was thinking that the portions were huge. The cuban sandwich was $7.95 and well worth it. I am looking forward to going back some time for dinner so I try some of the other dishes.
I have only gotten the cuban sandwich here, and let me tell you that it is by far the best cuban sandwich I have ever had.
Those 5 star are solely for that sandwich.
You know what? The service here really, really sucks. And the food no longer outweighs the idiocy that ensues when you try to get a table there.
Our last visit: Husband and I walk in. Two tables are occupied, that means a dozen are empty. We are ignored for 1 minute. 2 minutes. 3 minutes. Someone says, "It'll be just one second" He goes and wipes some already clean tables. 4 minutes. 5 minutes. He comes back. And seats some people that came in after us. 6 minu.... we walk out the door. Never to return.
Having never been to Cuba (although there was a failed attempt back in 2002- stupid girlfriend… Read more »
Street parking nearby isn't bad, the wait isn't too long on weekends, and service is friendly. I'm amused by the Chinese plates they use to serve the food, but I guess it goes along with the whole theme.
The menu is pretty big, with lots of seafood options. The actual scallops and shrimp are pretty small, but they give you a good amount. Flavors didn't stand out, and some dishes were quite fishy. Garlic sauces weren't as pungent as I'd hoped, and the squid ink rice lacked complexity.
It's pretty reasonably priced and fun to try at least once, but I'm still in search of really good Cuban food.
Consistantly good food. Friendly service, so much selection and great location. I usually get the grilled chicken plate with tostones. OMG! My bf almost always gets the fried pork chops and he swears by them.
The atmosphere is almost like sitting in your mom's kitchen and having homade food ( and it is) from scratch.
I could put another paragraph or 2 in here about the FRESH FRUIT shakes they have but I will have to recommend the mango or passion fruit and let you discover its delightfulness on your own, as words could never fully describe how good they are!
Only downside is no alcohol!
Try the Cuban sandwich... you'll be hooked.
Extra yummy and authentic! Staff was very nice and the atmosphere was very at home and comfy. I will definitely return and bring more friends. It came with great recommendations from a Cuban lady and sure enough it was spot on!
Spoiler alert: the flan is excellent!
I really can't believe this place averages 4 stars.
Disappointed with dinner on Sunday. Three lame things to start:
1) no effort by the restaurant to keep track of who is in line for a table, so we stood, or rather, jockeyed to maintain position, in an imaginary, non-linear line, for about 15 minutes;
2) no divider between diners and pre-diners so pre-diners stare at, and stand sometimes very near, the diners as they chow down;
3) dining room was really cold, and it wasn't really that cold outside.
Service was very friendly and helpful with ordering, which we appreciated as first-timers. Food came out in good time and was super hot. Water didn't get refilled.
We had shredded beef (tasty rich meat in sauce with onions and peppers but a little oily) and seafood stew (tons of overcooked rice in a thick seafoody broth with bits of octopus [good], fish [way overcooked and mushy], mussels [good], and no shrimp [crime]). The tostones were great, but I've never had a tostone I didn't like. Beans and rice were good.
Guanabana shake was good but I've had better. Tamarind shake was really good.
We had flan and espresso for dessert, and they saved this experience from being really disappointing. The flan is really, really good.The portion is small, but the price ($2) is right. It has a very strong sweet burnt caramel flavor--I know that's what flan is supposed to have, but this was exceptionally good in that way.
Being originally from Miami, I was excited as all hell to find out there was a Cuban restaurant somewhere in Boston.
Then I finally visited this place. Let's just say I'm only giving it three stars because it's practically the only place to get Cuban food here in Boston, otherwise this place kinda sucks. The service isn't all that great, some of the food really doesn't seem authentic and it's overpriced.
Their platanos fritos are always too dry, which really sucks because I think that's one of the best staple Hispanic foods ever. Last time I went I had a croqueta preparada and it was almost like they didn't know what they were doing. My friend had a pan con bistec and it was seriously the weirdest pan con bistec ever - at least it wasn't as weird as the one we had had across the street a few weeks before at Miami restaurant.
Bottom line, if you're looking for Cuban food and are just plain desperate, then give it a go, but I don't think I'll be visiting this place any time soon when I can just go visit family back home and have REAL Cuban food.
I've never had Cuban food before.
The food is tasty, plentiful, and reasonably price. The place always seems crowded - it's a pretty small space.
I would have given it more stars. Unfortunately, my dinner was advertised as spicy, and it really wasn't. It was tasty, though, especially with the addition of the habanero hot sauce. I was really dehydrated the next morning, though - too much salt.
I've been living in JP for 3 yrs now but hadn't managed to make it over to El Oriental de Cuba yet. Finally went there a couple Sundays ago for dinner with a friend. It was a Sunday evening around 6:30 pm, and the place was packed. We had to wait in line for a good 10-15 minutes. But the conversation was flowing and we were happy to catch up with each other.
We were finally seated at a table all the way in the very back. There must have been a serious gap around the windowsill, because we shivered next to the draftiest window all throughout the meal. Not fun.
However, I was excited for the food. I ordered ropa vieja, and my friend ordered the cubano sandwich. We also ordered an appetizer of stuffed fried yucca, which was amazing. The ropa vieja was only so-so. The meat was a little chewy, and the dish itself was more oily than I like. I wished I'd gotten the cubano instead, since it looked delicious. We also shared a dessert of flan, which appeared to be homemade and was wonderfully creamy and smooth.
I'll definitely be back, but probably for takeout only. I prefer not to have the shivers while I eat!
This place never disappoints. I had not been probably in a year, but I've been going on and off for more years than I can actually say. I was particularly jonesing for some Spanish soup. I'm in the process of moving so I've packed up all my pots and pans, therefore I can't cook, but I knew where to go to get my craving satisfied. The soup of the day was shrimp and rice in a light tomato broth; I was in a little bit of heaven, the shrimp melted in my mouth. It was exactly what I was looking for. My date had Bistec Encebollado (steak w. Onions) rice, red beans and fried plantain. He ate every bit of his meal. Try their tropical fruit shakes, they are delicious! and also leave room for dessert. Try their flan, I promise you it will not disappoint. As a side note you can take dessert to go and eat it once your stomach has ceased to ache from all the delicious food you ate. Buen provecho!
So glad this place is near by. My mouth waters a little just thinking about it. Portions are large (2 meals worth), prices are fair ($12-ish gets you a shredded chicken or beef plate with a large helping of rice & plaintains, along with a side salad). If you're in the mood for Cuban, you can go wrong here! Smoothies are great too, had the guava tonight and it was dee-lish. In-house seating is limited, so I usually do take-out.
Ok, can i say that i LOOOOOOOVE you so much, minus all the screaming babies and how crazy you can be. I'm pissed you got burnt down , but you are so pretty now. I love the photographs on the wall and the phenomenal food. Ugh, eat me now... all the food is great, and for once don't get the Cuban sandwich and try something a little more authentic.
Brunch is awesome there too.. so yum.. ok now i'm drooling.
If there was a way to give this place NO STARS, I would. I can't imagine anyone thinking this joke is representative of a Cuban restaurant... unless they are either not Cuban or don't know any better. (Poor dears)
This is not a Cuban Restaurant. I repeat, THIS IS NOT A CUBAN RESTAURANT!!! There isn't a single Cuban cook in the kitchen. The only Cuban things about this place are the owner and the scenes in the pictures on the wall.
This place is a huge disappointment and every time someone mentions El Oriental when I say that Boston doesn't have any Cuban restaurants, I cringe.
The best way to describe this place is a Latin American conglomeration of stuff. The menu is nothing in particular and yet it lists Pueto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American dishes. They all sound interesting but no matter what you order it's pretty unremarkable.
Take it from a Cuban - your truly - don't waste your time with this place.
This place is amazing. I've had nearly everything on the menu but have a few staples: yucca (with extra carrot sauce), fried porkchops, and parcha to drink.
If you haven't yet had parcha (passion fruit) you're missing out on the weirdiest and bestiest favor you'll ever encounter. It's sweet, sour, super bright and addictive. Try it with water instead of milk.
Meh. Authentic, perhaps, but that doesn't necessarily mean good. Working nearby, I've now feel I've eaten here enough to give it a review. The sandwiches are not very flavorful because they usually are just bad meat and bad cheese with iceberg. The lunch and dinner foods are also not great because they are usually overcooked. However, considering the choices in the area, it's not a bad option. The service is very friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is excellent. Full of local regulars. Large helpings and inexpensive.
Also, if you're looking for more restaurants like this, walk a block up past Hyde Square where you'll find Miami, La Pupusa Guanaca, and others.
I tried this restaurant twice. The first time I had the tilapia fillet with garlic sauce, white rice with red beans, fried plantains and salad. It was GREAT! It was very fresh and the portions were fantastic. I had a lot of that meal leftover. The second time I tried the same meal with the fried fillet instead, and that was great too. The place is clean, friendly staff, and always pretty busy. Parking is not so great in that area, but I always seem to find a space around somewhere. The prices are reasonable as well. I recommend this place for good latin food.
Rice and beans!! Rice and beans!!! AND fried plantains AND salad AND a shake!!! So effing good.
I came to El Oriental before I turned into a lame vegetarian and ordered the shredded chicken in sauce. It kinda sucked but the rice and beans and plantains made me come back. My friends both got Cuban sandwiches and I was insanely jealous.
The shakes here are good too! Yippee! Don't fear the Mamey, it's really tasty.
The skirt steak with onions is so flavorful; add a side of pink beans and rice, and some sweet plantaines (maduros) and this is Caribbean heaven. My wife loves the arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), and their fruit shakes.
The place is small, so it can be tough to get a seat when its busy, but hey, just grab some takeout.
This is the closest thing to good Cuban in the Boston area. When I get a craving for ropa vieja and tostones, it usually amounts to a trip to El Oriental de Cuba.
While the food is good, it's not spectacular. I've definitely had better Cuban food in other restaurants for a bit less (Sophie's in NY) and I had a good friend that's Cuban who could cook damn well. So nothing quite measures up to that. El Oriental de Cuba doesn't even come close.
That being said, Cuban food isn't easily attainable around Boston, and if you're hankering for Cuban, this place will do. It's average Cuban dive fare.
I don't give five stars that easily and this place definitely deserves them. The food is very tasty and authentic; a big plus is that it is not greasy which can be a problem sometimes with Caribbean food places. The menu has so many options it is hard to decide what to get! If you are going there for the first time, take a look around at what other people are getting or just ask the wait staff. I highly recommend it for breakfast which can be a great experience; it is not easy to find a place in Boston that offers these choices! Of course lunch and dinner are also great. The wait staff is great, super friendly and efficient. Highly recommended are the Cuban sandwich, ropa vieja, tilapia al ajillo and definitely get a cafe cortado to finish your meal!
although lunch and dinner are great too.
I've had my share fare of Cuban Sandwiches, and this place ranks right up there with some of the best!
Fried and cheap! There isn't much in the way of vegan options, but what they have is tasty. We went with fried yuca (pretty much like fries), sweet fried plantains (like bannanas... mmmm) and yellow rice with black beans. The price was right and we were full.
There was an older buser who kept teasing some kids who were sitting by us and it was hilarious. I don't think he spoke English and he probably had about as many teeth as the tiny kids. Good times. Our waitress answered our questions about what was vegan and not vegan but could have been a little more helpful. This place is cute and small and only 2 blocks from my house. And it's open til 10 on Friday and Saturday, so if I get a hankerin' for some fried plantains, I know where to head.
This place is good...but it does not, I repeat, does not have the best Cuban Sandwich in the Boston area. That honor belongs to Chez Henri in Cambridge. For anyone disputing this claim, I challenge you to eat a Cuban Sandwich at each establishment and then give an honest report. Chez Henri wins the Pepsi challenge in my book every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Now with that bit of clarification out of the way...I am a big fan of the Krispy Chicken dish. It is delicious and good for you too (I probably made that last part up). Seriously, the chicken and pork dishes are legit. The plantains are very good and consistent. I also think that these are the best rice and beans in Boston.
Since this place is in my hood, I order take out on a consistent basis. When I order I am always satisfied (unless I mistakenly order a Cuban Sandwich, in which case, see explanation above).
I'll definitely go back.
The Cuban sandwich is all you need, and it's delicious. I wish it were a little warmer, but maybe I've been too brainwashed by American panini fanaticism.
Not knowing about portions, I ordered a Cuban sandwich, horchata, and fried yuka - the last is an excellent side to get as an appetizer if you have 2 or more people, but really...let's not kid ourselves...the Cuban sandwich is dope on a rope.
Fantastic!! Service was great. Portions were huge. A great neighborhood place. You will definitely leave full. The shredded chicken and beef were extremely fresh, tender and tasty. Prices are very reasonable.
Talk about surreal. Yesterday, I ate half of a Cuban (sandwich) while dining with a half Cuban (man). Yup, I split my first ever Cuban sandwich with my fiance' who is in fact, half Cuban.
I will start by saying that although I don't really like ham or mayo, I still liked my sandwich. The bread was perfectly crusty and there were pickles inside the sandwich. Honestly, I would have been just as happy with a toasted pickle sandwich, but that's me.
We also shared an order of Tostones and I'll go so far as to say they were the best Tostones I've ever had. (I have had tostones exactly two other times). These were the perfect size and texture.
Because we're gluttons, we also ordered a few chicken croquettes too. Although they were really good I gotta say it, they weren't' as good as my future mother-in-law's. Now if only she read my yelp reviews this would certainly score me a few brownie points.
PS - How fitting that on the way out of this place we ran into Mr. "Some day my gal is going to give birth to a Cuban sandwich" himself, Damien S.
it's been a while since i've been here and i've only been here once.
i forgot what pork dish i had but i what i DO remember is that we were waiting for to get seated (which is what the sign says to do) for a looong time, maybe at least 15 while there was nobody else in line and an open table in view. we were standing and waiting for someone to direct us to an open table, but the employees kept walking by us without greeting us or saying a word.
the menu has quite a large selection. i remember the rice and sugar can juice being good. according to my friend, the horchata was the best he's ever had. i think i had a fried pork dish, but it wasn't spectacular. i might hit this place up again if i'm ever in the area.
Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain
Category: Spanish
Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain
Category: Latin American
Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain
Category: French
Neighborhood: South End
Category: Coffee & Tea
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