Padrino's Cuban Cuisine
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
7 Reviews for Padrino's Cuban Cuisine
I ended up eating two meals here while I was in Plantation. The food is really pretty good, and the prices fairly reasonable. I had the skirt steak one night, and the paella the next night. I really enjoyed the Paella, but it is a HUGE portion - probably sharable...
I didn't try the desserts as I was way too full.
Only downside was the service was a bit.. confusing. We ultimately ended up with extra sides as opposed to being shorted, but it was still a little confusing.
I thought the food was really good. And inexpensive!
The ABSTRACT:
-good food on the pretty cheap
-live guitar music (on the night I went)
-nice, casual interior (comfortably dim lighting, greenery, ceiling fans)
-friendly, efficient service
-must go again (but want to eat in Miami too)
I'm no Cuban cuisine expert nor have I been to Little Havana, but I really enjoyed Padrino's. After walking up and down Las Olas looking for a casual place to eat, I really felt grateful for Padrino's. A lot of the other restaurants looked catered for much older folk who wanted to sip wine and people-watch. I just wanted to eat and eat on a budget.
I found Padrino's to be a really casual, pleasant restaurant with good food. I am really glad i took Lindsay W.'s suggestion to visit here.
FOOD
Authentic? I have no idea how this place compares to some joint in Miami. The food at Padrino's seemed really carefully prepared and well-presented. I ordered the lechon asado, which is basically chicken and pork with onions, with sides of rice, black beans, and plantains. The pork was exceptionally tender and so was the chicken. Although the meats were good, the flavoring was really subtle and really needed that a generous squeeze of lime for me to savor it. The rice was also subtly flavored. Everything was nice...and well, subtle.
DRINK
I also ordered a mojito. It was $5 and quite good. Just enough liquor and sweetness, but my boyfriend didn't like it. I found it really refreshing. This was my first time in South Florida, and with the humidity and all, the mojito hit the spot. I noticed other tables ordered their sangria, which I really, really wanted to try just based on the popularity that night.
ATMOSPHERE
Casual, family place. Definitely not a young, nightclub scene even though there was live music and a busy bustle. There are families with young children (some crying) and older adults just chatting. But overall, not disruptive to my meal. I kind of like noise anyway and really appreciated the casual, clean restaurant here. There was soft lighting, some greenery, and ceiling fans. I didn't feel hurried.
PARKING/LOCATION
As for it being in a strip mall, there are pluses and minuses. There are tons of parking spots, but it's annoying leaving and entering the plaza just to get to Padrino's in the corner.
Being from LA, parking is always the "must-ask-must-know" question. I can't go anywhere without knowing where to park. Padrino's parking situation earned a gold star in this category.
FiNAL THOUGHTS
I would highly recommend Padrino's. The food in no way felt heavy or greasy. The flavorings were subtle and clean. And the food seemed carefully prepared. A dinner with a drink, tax, and tip would probably set you back $15-20...incredible. Especially since the waiters and hostesses were nice and efficient. I waited about 5 minutes for a table on a Saturday night. With that kind of wait, I will definitely eat at Padrino's again, but I really want to try the places in Miami next time I'm in South Florida.
I've eaten here several times over the years, both for lunch and dinner. The service has always been good to excellent. The food is decent - not as yummy-greasy as the hole-in-the-wall places around Miami, and probably not even as good as La Carreta. But given the location, it's an eminently acceptable destination for a Cuban food fix. It can get pretty packed at lunch - go early, and partake of the buffet if you're hungry.
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The atmosphere is lacking in this place, but the food is good with incredible prices. It's not the best Cuban food I have had, but they have some tasty dishes. I recommend the slow-roasted pork.
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The food is the deal, here. Dont be put off by the big parking lot in a strip mall, or the big noisy room. Lots of latino families come here for the real thing. Food is outstanding, service is OK, atmosphere is busy, noisy, kid-friendly, with lots of "extended families" eating, talking, and hanging out.
Try the usual Cuban favorites like ropa vieja, or the twice-grilled pork. Besides the favorite platano-frito (fried sweet bananas) and the ubiquitous black-beans-and-rice, try the fried or boiled yucca, and the pale-green chayote. Muy sabroso!
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Great selection. Just about anything on the menu is great. Prices are very reasonable!
Stopped by and checked this place out with my cousin and her two daughters as the weather completely opened up and we needed some quick shelter. Very friendly staff. This was mid-afternoon so service itself was a tad slow. They make a really tasty Mojito here, top notch. I had the lechon asado with tostones, very flavorful meat and the moros were very good.
Would definitely come back here.
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