Arco-Iris Restaurant
3328 W Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL, 33607
Arco-Iris Restaurant Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
3328 W Columbus Dr
Tampa, FL, 33607 - Phone (813) 879-1357
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Steve S.
Great Latin food and reasonably priced!
(4)Erik F.
Excellent tasting cuban food. Great service all at an excellent price!
(5)Jenn P.
Parking for this place is limited in the front but there is additional parking along the side of the building. I can see that possibly being a problem when they are busy. I can't believe it has taken me this long to find a great cuban restaurant. We weren't sure what to expect.We weren't greeted when we walked in so we had to ask if we sat ourselves or waited. FYI Gringos you seat yourself :) The food was excellent. I had the ropa vieja with black beans and rice and a side of plantanos. I had cafe con leche for drink and it was good. Not the best, but it was still good. (The tampa sandwich shop still is my favorite) My fiance got Masas de puerco and we both agreed it was missing a mojo sauce or a lime to give it some kind of kick. Otherwise the meat was cooked perfectly but it was missing some flavor. The black beans were delicious! Our waitress brought us our check and again we weren't sure what we were supposed to do. Lack of communication (there wasn't a language barrier to blame). I'm thinking it was just our server because the other servers were smiling and communicating. We took our check and paid in the front because we weren't sure if our waitress was going to come back and take our money. That alone should lose a star but the food was amazing so we will have to see the next time around. We will definitely be back to try more stuff on the menu.
(5)Diane G.
I had mixed feelings about my first visit here. I think my expectations might have been a little high and I really wanted to give it more starts because I'd heard great things about it. Our server was extremely polite and friendly, our food was served in record time (maybe 5-7 minutes), and the food was good...but I've had much better Cuban food. Perhaps growing up in (very) south Florida has spoiled me. My son had breaded chicken with yellow rice and French fries, I had the chicken Milanesa with white rice and red beans, and my companion enjoyed the palomilla steak with yellow rice, black beans, and yuca with mojo. Everything was enjoyable, but nothing stood out as fantastic (except maybe the flan. It was almost as good as mine). Everything had flavor and was adequately prepared, so I think my issue may have been with the freshness and/or quality of the product served (meat, poultry and produce). I've learned to appreciate higher quality foods that may be locally produced/grown, or at the very least least fresh as opposed to packaged/canned/frozen. I read another review where some made a similar comment, and I agree and I think that's where I was a little disappointed. That said, we enjoyed our meals, and I will give this place another try in the near future.
(3)Carol M.
Met friends here on a recent visit to town. We'd been craving Cuban sandwiches and Arco delivered the goods. Added a side of fried plantains and we were set. Service was friendly and tolerant of our extra long visit. Wish they opened for breakfast.
(4)Mailoha A.
This was my first time here. I was craving a Cuban sandwich so I thought, why not? Well I was not impressed and will most likely not be back. We ordered 2 Cubans - both the same way (no mustard, no pickles, all the way). We got one with only tomatoes and onions and the other one with tomatoes and lettuce no onions. Huh?? Oh and you can't fool me with that ham and turkey combo, a real Cuban sandwich has pernil in it not turkey. A real cuban also has a good amount of meat and these did not. We were really disappointed. I am not sure how the rest of their menu is but if you want a Cuban, go somewhere else. Total for 2 Cubans was $10 after tax. Such a large community of Cubans in the Tampa Bay area yet finding good authentic Cuban food is so hard! Helpppppp!
(2)Michael Z.
Having been less than wowed at the nearby La Teresita, I was pleasantly surprised by Arco-Iris. The food was flavorful across the board and the prices were some of the most affordable in Tampa. Their Cuban bread is quite tasty and any variation of the sandwiches offered here are sure to be good. I particularly enjoyed their chimichurri as well as their garbanzo bean soup. Definitely worth a visit.
(5)Kalvin K.
This place has decent Cuban food for Central Florida. I'll be the first to admit, I was spoiled living in south Florida for the previous five years so I'm a bit skewed. The food here is decent. I ordered the vaca frita (my favorite Cuban dish) and it came out as one hunk of meat. Normally, it comes out shredded for the customer -- no big deal. The moros rice was kind of dry but the plantains were amazing. Probably not gonna make a special trip back unless coworkers want to come.
(3)Steve E.
I've eaten at Arco-Iris many times since posting my original review, and have hosted two different Latin Crawls at their restaurant in that time, so that sounds like a great reason to update my review. Arco-Iris (The Rainbow) is one of my two favorite Cuban restaurants in Tampa. I would describe their food as very basic and delicious Cuban comfort food -- the type you would expect if your Grandmother was Cuban and she invited you over for a Sunday dinner. The colonization of Cuba as well as it's role as an important port of trade blended the cuisines of the Spanish, Caribbean, French, African, and even Chinese cultures into the wide variety of flavors that you'll find in a Cuban restaurant. The menu at Arco-Iris showcases that diversity with beef, chicken, pork, and seafood specialties, along with traditional Cuban sandwiches, and Chinese-style fried rice (chaufa). A couple of my favorite entrées from Arco-Iris are roast pork (puerco asada), roast chicken and rice (arroz con pollo), eye round steak wrapped around Chorizo Spanish sausage (Boliche), shredded beef simmered in tomato-based criollo sauce (ropa vieja), ground beef stew with vegetables (picadillo), and fried pork chucks (masas de puerco fritas) cooked in a mojo sauce made from oil, garlic, onion, oregano, and lime juice. These dishes are generally accompanied by rice and beans, yucca, and plantain chips for side items. Entrées run about $10, so you'll get a great meal at a very reasonable price! The wait staff at Arco-Iris is very friendly, and they slip easily from speaking Spanish to English and back again. In addition to the printed menu, they have a Specials board, and everything is translated into English. If you're not sure what to order just ask your server for some suggestions. You'll find Arco-Iris along W. Columbus Drive, one block to the east of Himes. Parking is a bit tricky out front, but there is plenty of room behind the restaurant and throughout the little shopping plaza. We've held two very successful Unofficial Yelp Events at Arco-Iris, and those in attendance have really enjoy the tastes of Cuban cuisine and the helpfulness of the staff. I hope that you'll give this place a try real soon.
(5)Boon C.
By living in Miami for 11 year, it train you tongue for the Cuban food. We have been to this restaurant many time and we like the food here. Compare to other Cuban restaurant, this top of my list. I like to thank Steve E organize the UYE. This is the first time that I have come to this restaurant in large group. It poof the service can keep up with group. Today I have order the Vaca Frita. Vaca Frita is flank steak in thin pieces. It is first deep fried and then hot plate grilled. I specifically ask them to make it crispy. Which mean make the outside burn a bit. The Vaca Frita is easily separate into shredded beef with folks. They usually top with grilled onion. A twist of lemon juice can be added to enhance the flavor. My dish comes with sweet plantain and I have added fried yucca. I have been here many times but have not give a review. I like to give them 5 stars due to service, very affordable pricing (under $10 for my dish), and good cooking in Cuban style.
(5)Dave W.
This is the place the locals, families, and Yelpers-in-the-know go. The parking can be challenging but kudos to whomever brought the immaculate Rolls Royce and parked it up front! As for the food, it's incredibly affordable and totally on point. I love the beans and rice, plantains, fried yuca with garlic sauce, and whatever Picadillo, roast or fried pork dish, or tasty steak we choose to order. Top it off with a wonderful colada to share and you will be pleasantly stuffed and wide-freaking-awake for hours to come! They are also excellent hosts for Steve's legendary Latin Crawl unofficial Yelp event. Separate checks, for example, for a party of 20 is no problem! Let's do this again but I need to force myself to order less. Ok, that is never going to happen. Bring it on!
(5)Lo S.
Ummm so yea...Arco-Iris. Eating food this good is extremely hard to communicate through writing... Just... Everything was PERFECTION!! For $10 dollars!!!!! You cannot beat that! As soon as we walked in, the aroma of fresh onions being grilled immediately convinced me that I was gonna get some good lovin' from Arco. I already knew it was about to go down. I ordered Pollo a la Milanesa y Yuca AND sat down for THE most torturous 7 minutes of life. ERRRRRMUH GAWWWDDDD!!!! Every plate of food looked like it's own mini piece of heaven. Everything had GRILLED ONIONS!! MAN LISTEN. I was literally about to squeeze into someone's table and DEBO a forkful of food just for a quick taste. That food couldn't come fast enough. It was a busy little spot, too. I felt foolish for not trying it sooner. My food was so freaking good!! The cheese was melted perfectly, the chicken was cooked to perfection, the RICCEEEE had flavor (unlike yesterday) EVERYTHANG WAS EVERYTHANG BABY!! I sent my phone number back to the Chef...told him to call me so we can work out the details for our wedding and having these mini Arco chef babies. I'll give up all this jet setting bachelorette freedom for him. This is the first restaurant I've found that I know my parents will rave about when they come. I need to find something healthy here because the summertime gym turn up is ramping up. We'll see how this goes!! EAT HERE PEOPLE AND SOON!!
(5)Loretta Z.
I think this restaurant is good but I don't think it is great. Definitely better than La Teresita up the street but nowhere as good as Las Margaritas off of Hillsborough. Part of my problem I think is that I am just not a fan of skirt steak. I ordered their premier item, the churassco steak and thought it was salty and chewy and just ok. My son got the chicharron de pollo which was very tasty. Nice garlicky flavor. However, if you have blood pressure issues, I would advise you to skip it since it has a ton of salt in it. The garbanzo soup was good and so was the Cuban bread. All in all good. The staff was nice but did not speak much English. Not really a problem because you can pretty much just point at a picture and get your food. I asked for my steak medium rare and got it medium. Oh well. I would come here to pick up dinner to bring it home but I don't think I would go out of my way to come here for a meal.
(3)Lindsay G.
I LOVE Arco Iris!! I've gone here several times and the food is always fresh, authentic, and the best Cuban food in Tampa. Hubs had the palomilla steak sandwich, his dad had a Cuban sandwich, his mom had a fish sandwich, and I had boiled Yuca and lentil soup. Everything was great even down to the cuban bread they serve prior to the meal!
(5)Cesar V.
Great Cuban Food with really good prices. You sit yourself where ever you want. The service was quick and good too. To start out with, For a drink I got a Jupiña which is Pineapple Flavored Soda (delicious Cuban drink). I ordered the Masitas De Puerco (fried pork cubes) with white rice, black beans and Sweet Platains. The pork could have been flavored a little more with mojo but overall I was impress with a flavorful meal. This restaurant is on my top list for good Cuban restaurants. One thing I dislike and the reason for 4 stars was that at the end they give you your check but it doesn't have any prices on it. It's not until you get up and pay at the register that you find out your total. But that big issue, I just like knowing how much everything cost before I go pay. I recommend his place to go eat aunthentic Cuban food.
(4)Coty S.
What can I say? I have eaten at Arco Iris multiple times now, and tried almost every type of meat item on their menu. Not kidding at all--- I have tried EVERYTHING on the menu. Even the "Chinese food" items. Everything tastes salty, or tastes like a can. Or tastes like a salty can. Does everything here come out of a can?!?!? There are other seasonings and spices than just salt and food coloring. But, just not at Arco Iris. I have had better food served at a cafeteria in an old folks home than here. The "Garlic Fish" does not even have garlic flavor. What the hell is going on? The best thing that Arco Iris has going on is their atmosphere. People love eating there. I just have yet to figure out if they actually like the food or just spending time with friends and family in a fun environment.
(2)Allison N.
Arco-Iris has a pretty big following in the Tampa area along with other Cuban places like La Teresita. They're actually right near each other! So, having been to La Teresita, I decided to try Arco-Iris since I was craving plantains and knew they had them. The restaurant itself is not very big, which is to be expected with little Cuban places like these. I don't think I've actually been to a really big Cuban restaurant before. Arco-Iris always seems to be pretty busy too, which is a good sign. My meal started out with some warm Cuban bread. Now, I don't normally eat bread since it makes me sort of sleepy, but I did have some of this bread since it was buttered and looked amazing. Well, I was right -- it was amazing. And it did make me sleepy because I took a nap after I left this place, but I digress. It was some of the better Cuban bread I've had. I ordered the ropa vieja. It came out very quickly. The ropa vieja was tender and juicy -- not too big of a portion either. I sort of wish the meat didn't rely on the sauce so much, but it was still good ropa vieja. I prefer La Teresita's over Arco-Iris' ropa vieja. I got green beans and fried plantains as my sides. The green beans, unsurprisingly, were nothing to write home about. I think they probably came out of a can. The plantains were very good, though. Perfect portion size and not too fried. I left with a very happy tummy because this was the whole reason I came in here! I'll have to come back and try their bistec -- I saw it at some other tables and it looked very delicious!
(4)Emilio D.
Great Cuban food, casual atmosphere and good prices. Please note, YOU SEAT YOURSELF, this is a very traditional Cuban cafe so they will not always sit you. Highly recommend the carne con papas, puerco asado or steak sandwich.
(4)Annie C.
While on a short vacation in Tampa we saw this little gem on yelp and we had to try it. When we got there I was a little discouraged by the shopping center, how it looked outside. And the fact that their sign said Cuban and Chinese cuisine...... So confused. But we were already there and starving so why not give it a try. Let me start by saying there is no Chinese food on the menu or anywhere in sight! Thank heavens! I ordered the churrasco steak made medium rare with yellow rice. It came out quickly and was super juicy and delicious! Thanks to this place I was on the hunt for a churrasco place in Maryland the minute I left the restaurant! The service was good. It was a very friendly environment. Very clean. I have to come back here the next time I'm in Tampa!
(5)Bill T.
We hadn't been to Arco Iris for a long time, maybe a couple of years and we were kind of disappointed with the food. We stopped in around one o'clock on a week day and they were still very busy with their lunch crowd. We were able to be seated almost immediately and the service was excellent. My wife got the cuban pork and I had the cuban sandwich. We both had a cup of soup as well. Soup was just okay, as was the sandwich. Unfortunately, my wife's pork was dry and everything else was overly salty. We both remembered the food as being much better on previous visits. Not terrible but I suspect there are better choices nearby.
(3)James W.
Hard to get Cuban food in the Bay Area. So, when I was in town, I decided to get a Cuban dinner. My colleague recommended me to this place and I was super satisfied. I ordered the fried port chunks, yellow rice and black beans. I'll be back next time I am in Tampa.
(5)Genieve D.
The best Cuban food i have ever had. Very "mom and pop" type feel with generous servings of your favorite cuisine. I've been to the restaurant 3 x and each time i try different plates. I haven't had anything that I didn't like. My mouth is watering just typing this review. Lovely place to go with the family after church.
(5)Alex R.
Really good whole in the wall cuban diner. Nice staff, prompt service, good Pan Con Bistec, my only gripe with the sandwich is that it came with pickles which I never heard of this sandwich having that. Also, no small papitas in the Pan Con Bistec. Other then that, which really isn't a big deal, this place is a good mom and pop place. Support local small businesses.
(3)Frank N.
Another gem in the Armenia Corridor. Cubano food done right. My Ropa Vieja was tasty and tender. Good rice and beans. Well priced but the plates aren't humongous. Great lunch place. The servers were right on the spot except for having to ask for drink refills. This place is just down the street from La Teresita. I'd be hard pressed to pick my favorite. They are both very good. If you havent tried Cuban food and want to try it, this would be a good place. Good Eats.
(4)Frugal F.
Quaint restaurant, Inviting friendly staff. My cubano was just ok. The plantains were better then the sandwich for me. Great price for huge sandwich though.
(3)Bex D.
This place is sooo good. Friendly staff, quick service, delicious food. The complimentary bread is amazing! And reasonably priced. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Pamela P.
If there was a star less than one I would pick it. The food was tasteless, the rice was hard and the wait staff is very rude. I don't suggest you go there. Thought we would try somewhere new but I'll be going back to La Terasita.
(1)Alexander M.
I have a cuban ,my wife a ropa vieja ,I didn't like the cuban ,it was cold.my wife's dish was good. Basically I'm complaining about the server ,she was rude did not smile did not ask later how was the food.
(2)Ana Victoria M.
You can't go wrong with their "bistec empanizado" with fried rice and sweet plantains. Trust me, you will love it.
(5)Jerry G.
Came here with the other folks of the 3rd UYE Latin Crawl, I think 23 of us all totaled. This was a whole new experience for me. Everything I ate on this day was a first. I have to admit I loved every mouthful. Our "Latin Kings" ordered some appetizers for the group. Masitas de Puerco, fried pork chunks, which was absolutely delicious, and Chicharritas fried strips of plantains which came with a garlic dipping sauce, also very good. For my meal I ordered chicken noodle soup, Boliche (eye of round with chorizo sausage in the middle), and a rice that had black beans mixed in it (sorry can't remember the exact name). The chicken soup was very hearty and flavorful with large pieces of chicken and yellow noodles, we think due to saffron. The Boliche was so tender that I only used a fork to cut into it, like you would with a pot roast, great tasting too. Many thanks to our "Latin Kings" Steve E., Mike S., and Rich D., For another wonderful Latin crawl event!
(5)Britt L.
A friend of mine introduced me to this hidden gem yesterday. It exceeded my expectations by far! The inside of the restaurant was clean and beautifully maintained. The servers were punctual and friendly, and the Cuban bread they bring out to you before your meal is to die for!!! I ordered the Pollo asado and it was nothing short of absolutely amazing!!! The sauce it was cooked in is delicious! My friend ordered a Cuban sandwich and it was delicious! The rice and beans were flavorful, and the plantains were a perfect balance of tender and crisp. Arco Iris is hands down my go to lunch spot. The waitresses take care of you and the prices are more than reasonable. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Juan S.
Food has always been great,but the service has always sucked! One of the reasons why I haven't moved back to Tampa.My cuban people have forgotten how to treat people,and is the same everywhere you go.Stop being so rude cuban people!!
(2)Taunya B.
Food wasn't bad. I get the lamb shank with the mora rice and yuca. My good came out extremely fast, pretty much right after I ordered it...I don't know if that is a bad or good thing. My food wasn't hot, just lukewarm. The lamb was very tender, the rice and yuca were okay.
(3)Tiffany H.
I participated in the Latin Crawl and had a really good time with the 20+ people who came to the event. We took over a bunch of tables and shared some Masitas de Puerco (pork chunks), Cuban bread, fried plantain strips, and some yucca. I never got to try the latter, but the pork made up for it. After a volunteer shredded/cut them up some, they were moist on the inside with a little bit of texture on the outside. It's hard to go wrong with Cuban bread, and theirs was pretty solid. I wasn't a huge fan of the plantains, but I've never been big on them, so that's my issue. I nursed my cafe con leche as long as I could, and I didn't want to add to the confusion, so I switched to water for lunch. I ordered the roast chicken with a side of yellow rice and the Spanish bean soup. The soup was good, and a small enough portion that I didn't feel full from it. I can't say it was especially memorable, but for a side/starter it's a good option. The chicken was a nice size portion for the price; it was very moist but also a bit on the salty side. The rice reminded me of all the yellow rice I used to get in Miami, so that's a winner. Our waitress was very nice, incredibly patient, and a pleasure. The inside of Acro-Iris is very simple and really no-frills. If I could have changed anything, it would have been the salt levels of my chicken. And I would have done like a couple of my tablemates and ordered the larger cup of crack-coffee. You know... The kind that is served in cups the size of half-and-half containers. Next time!
(4)Alisha E.
Best Cuban food in town. Clean restaurant, and friendly staff. Great puerco, ropa vieja, pollo milanesa, and fried rice!
(5)Lindsey S.
We came here for Steve's UYE Saturday and had a great time with the group! I ordered the same exact dish and sides as another restaurant I went to recently, and although the food was good here, it just didn't stack up for me. My Bistec Milanesa had so much tomato sauce on it that the arch of the steak created an air pocket. When I would press on the steak to cut it, this air pocket made tomato sauce bubble and almost splatter on the table. Also, the helping of cheese on top was a bit too generous. I love cheese, but I felt the steak was being smothered and thus the flavor was compromised. The Yuca con Mojo was my favorite part of the meal. The flavors and textures were on point. Good stuff! The plantains, however, were overcooked and almost dry and chewy in the middle. Christoph ordered the Picadillo with rice and a salad for sides. We shared plates, and although the yellow rice was good, I found the Picadillo to be almost too salty. I usually love salt, so this was surprising. Our service was outstanding though. Our lovely waitress was nothing but cordial and accommodating throughout our meal, and even brought out a "grilled cheese sandwich" (Cuban bread with Swiss cheese inbetween) for our picky eater, Bobby. I also have to mention that the atmosphere here was very casual and family friendly. We liked the murals on the walls, and Bobby and I even played "I Spy" with the objects we saw in them. All in all, Arco Iris is good, but not great (for me). I'll definitely come back and give them another try sometime.
(3)Sonia O.
Decent food at an really inexpensive price. The yuca was amazing but the beans lacked flavor. Overall good food!
(4)Alicia P.
For the first time visited and I'm not sure why it's taken so long. We've searched for the best Spanish food in town and Arco Iris has got it down.....at least for what we had. There were a couple of starting plates ordered for the group - some pork chunks, which were so so good! And, some banana chips (not the small rounds, but the real curled slices) and I ordered a cafe con leche to have with the Cuban bread. The pork chunks, as noted above, were really great! The banana chips were very good. The cafe con leche was perfectly brewed and combined. The Cuban bread was ok....didn't seem pressed or warm. That would have gone perfectly with the cafe con leche, but was a little let down there. The location is amongst many other Spanish restaurants and groceries and shops in an unassuming building on the corner. Parking is tough when the place is packed. By the time we left, the place was PACKED! For lunch, we shared a palomilla steak. That is my "gotta try this here and see if it's any good" choice for any Spanish restaurant I go to for the first time. We had yellow rice and black beans as sides. The rice didn't seem to be made fresh with saffron, it seemed like already yellowed in the package rice - but so does other yellow rices in the immediate area. The black beans were ok, better than most of the other places in the immediate area. I requested chopped onions on the side for my black beans and they never showed up. The place could use a little sprucing up, but it's really just the appearance. The food is very good. I did not get to try the yuca frita or any other dishes....but that was quite enough. And we'll definitely be coming back to try a few other items on the menu. YUM! Great job to Steve, Mike and Rich for setting up the UYE that brought me there. We're sure glad we went!
(4)Magaly V.
Great service and authentic Cuban food at reasonable prices. Clean restaurant and friendly service. Consistent good quality.
(4)Rachel M.
Went to Arco-Iris a while back, and met up with some friends. Glad I was able to try this place because there was some very good food. My favorite was the pork chunks. That was so good. In addition, we had some cuban bread, friend plaintain strips, yucca, and we also ordered some ropa vieja and piccadillo. All was very good and flavorful. You can tell that this place is quite busy. People kept coming in and the place was always full. This place is not fancy. It does have nice murals on the walls that show off Tampa as well as Cuba. Definitely a great place to try if you have a taste for Cuban food.
(4)Cathie D.
I will start by saying that my husband both grew up in cuban households eating this type of food since we were kids. The food was good, affordable, authentic and you will have enough for a second serving. The Pollo ala Milanesa & congri (arroz moro) were awesome. My husband's Russian Fish and Caldo Gallego were also really great. We finished it up with the rice pudding that was almost as good as my mother's. Loved that they brought the cinnamon to the table with the dessert. This is great to quiet the cuban food craving!!
(5)Brittany V.
Super cheap & the Brazilians I work with live by this place. I enjoy going there with them because they have a great variety and an ever changing list of specials. I recommend this place to anyone looking for something quick, cheap, and has a good variety of foods. I personally recommend the ropa vieja!
(5)Grace C.
Overall, it was an okay meal. When we walked in, the staff was friendly and smiled and told us to sit anywhere. Our waitress promptly handed us our menus and asked if we needed a drink to start off with. We were given a complimentary basket of Cuban bread and butter. It was good but not the best I ever had. My boyfriend's go-to meal is always the churrasco steak whereas I normally pick a pork dish. I thought the roast pork was extremely bland and tough. The steak was a little too charred to my liking but it was good paired with the chimi-churri sauce. I thought they were extremely stingy with the sides and they could have been more generous about it. I asked for a side of plaintains and I literally got four small pieces which seemed more like a garnish. The yellow rice was yummy. It took about 15-20 minutes for us to get our food which is fine. Bathrooms were clean and it was fairly packed when we visited. There's a few parking spaces behind the restaurant and in front. Overall, it was an okay meal.
(3)Frank R.
Food is always good. Service is typical Hispanic, slow at times. Beats Teresa's down the road
(4)LeeAnna P.
Three reasons I love coming here: Palomilla Cafe con leche The free bread/butter All delish. Food/service is QUICK. Can't beat the prices. I've gone multiple times at various times, and it's always busy there.
(5)Elvia E.
All the food we had was delicious but my favorite was the Russian fish! The Massas were delicious as well.
(4)Erica M.
I was visiting Tampa and this was my first time eating Cuban food. The food was great and the portions were large. I had roasted pork with black beans and white rice. We also got fried plantains and café con leche. I would definitely eat here again if in Tampa.
(5)Zeke O.
Food is good, had the bistec salteado, and is cheap. Service was soso. You will be waiting a while for waitress to get bill, water....so suggest you ask for everything up front.
(3)Alma N.
This restaurant is good but isn't great like everyone says, my husband order a Cuban sandwich which it was good but I order breaded steak which really didn't like. I was like where's the meat???? That's how thin this thing was. I won't say I wouldn't come back but definitely will try something different. Dessert was very good best flan I ever had in a while.
(3)Trung N.
Mom and pop magic! If you want some authentic Cuban food you have to drop by here. Service and prices are awesome too. I had a lot of dishes here! Bistec Empanizado, Masitas De Puerco, Yuca Fritas, Arroz Frito, Bistec De Palomilla, Plantanos Maduros, and a Cafe con Leche. Phew...it was amazing!
(5)Dave L.
Very good inexpensive Cuban food There are many Cuban places in Tampa but this has been my go to place for years. The food is consistently good as well as the service. My favorite dish here is the fried pork chunks (masas de puerco fritas). Try them you'll like them. The sandwiches here are good as well. They are a meal all by themselves.
(4)Katy S.
I enjoyed my first visit to Arco-Iris. Some friends suggested we stop in this past Sunday and I was definitely in as I had read good things on Yelp. The wait staff is GREAT. The manager recognized that we didn't speak Spanish and as our waitress spoke little English, he checked on us several times to make sure we were taken care of. Our orders were taken promptly and our food came out very quickly. I went for ole faithful, Ropa Vieja with Black Beans and Rice. Some of the best I have had in Tampa! My man friend went for the Palomillo Steak with Fried Rice and Plantains. Although I found Fried Rice strange as a side of Cuban Food, it was all very good! When we got the bill, we were astounded by how inexpensive it was. A 4 star experience all around!
(4)Les F.
Having grown up in Miami, I know my Cuban food. Arco Iris is excellent and inexpensive. They have a wide assortment of Cuban cuisine. I've tried several entrees over the years, and all were very good. My personal favorite is the Pollo a la Plancha, a simple grilled chicken served with grilled onions. I've also enjoyed the Palomilla steak,but was disappointed that it is served with grilled onions rather than the mojo crudo served in most places. The atmosphere is generic, but the waitstaff know how to hustle.
(4)Kathy D.
My , my, my...how did I miss this establishment for so many years. I mean I have literally been beside it on many occasions and driven past it innumerable times. What a gem. This time I did not have the pleasure of dining, no it would not be dining, it would be eating there. I had things to do and people waiting on me, but had a Boliche craving I had to satisfy. So, in the mist of a messed up day I dashed in (once I could find a place to park) and did my order to go. In about 10 minutes, food in hand I was once again on the road. Oh man, I could smell this delicious food and it even knew my name, because it was calling out to me. I made a bee line straight to home, forget the other stops I needed to make, I needed food, not any food, this food. I got home and opened the box to see a sight of beauty: Boliche with rice, black beans and diced onions. It looked and smelt wonderful. How does one describe Boliche? Okay let me try. Think about a fork tender, slow baked pot roast, with chorizo in the middle ( yes in the center, like the meat was drilled and stuffed with the spicy sausage) covered in a thin and tasty gravy with a few vegetables. There is NO way I can describe the virtues of Boliche, you're just going to have to trust me and know you have never tasted anything like it before and you will want it again. It was delicious, I need a stronger word than delicious, but at the moment that is what comes to mind. The rice was perfectly cooked as well as the black beans, which were beautifully seasoned. I don't know about you, but black beans and rice, just aren't complete until you top with diced onion. I missed out on the experience of the restaurant and alas, the bread ( that will teach me not to check my to go order before I leave a restaurant). The important point is I did not miss out on a totally awesome meal. And if I were a betting woman, I bet you see me back there very soon. What's a girl to do? If you can't have the food at the restaurant, not a problem, it tastes just as good at home.
(4)Nicole C.
My aunt selected this place and she's from the area, but, otherwise, I probably would not have ever tried this restaurant. Honestly, that wouldn't have been a tremendous loss because the food was okay at best for Cuban food, the interior was dirty (especially the bathrooms--so gross), and the service was awful. We ordered a variety of different things: the plantain chips were pretty good, the chicken chicharones were also good, the fried rice and sweet plantains were also good. None of which could be labelled as the best I've ever had though. The steak was really dry and cold by the time I received it. My brother got his sandwich well before (like 20 minutes before) any of us got our food. By the time we got out food, he was already finished--and my food was still cold when I got it. Also, the server was really rude. She kept forgetting about us (a table of 11) and she seemed annoyed whenever we asked for little things an extra plate or another set of utensils. On top of everything, they dropped a plate of food on my cousin, completely forgot our reservation, and took forever to have us seated. I honestly would not recommend this restaurant by any means. The only reason why it got two stars instead of one is because it's still tolerable Cuban food.
(2)James I.
I wanted to try a Cuban Restaurant b/c its not something I' ve eaten except for a few dives in Miami. Supposedly Tampa has a large Cuban population, but since I live in North Tampa near USF, It's a bit out of the way for me to visit the area. I went on a Sunday evening and had: Cafe con leche, Vaca Frita, yellow rice, and black beans. The cafe was strong and flavorful, the rice and beans hearty and filling. The Vaca Frita was great, slighlty dry, but similar to how I remember form Miami. Service was good;everything was brought out quickly. You pay at the counter FYI . I took 2 Cuban sandwiches for my parents and they liked them (though I cant remark how accurate they are) If you're male, there is some nice "scenery" lol wink
(4)Aleema A.
What is one of the many things that Tampa is famous for? It's Cuban food! Some friends and I came here for dinner and I really enjoyed it. To be honest, it would really help if you had someone with you that spoke Spanish, but the manager really made sure we were taken care of, We had some Sangria and I ordered the Lentil soup and it was really delicious! It was really cheap but well done. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Kelly Q.
Authentic Cuban to the core. This has a "mom and pop" type feel to the place. They definitely needed a waiting area for busy nights, there was no where to really stand. I felt like I was in the way of all the waitresses speeding back and forth. Anyway, this was my first Cuban experience so I will still be hunting for the best place. I suggest palomilla steak or the churrasco and the arroz amarillo and the black beans for a first-timer. But if you're feeling brave, go for anything on the menu, I doubt anything could disappoint.
(4)Lauren O.
Not impressive for Cuban food. Very bland Sangria. Good if you want something quick and cheap.
(2)Brett N.
Why 5 stars? Because I was blown away. --- --- --- My Cuban friend has been encouraging me to make a stop at Arco-Iris for a few weeks now, and last night I finally caved. WOW, am glad I gave in to my temptation. The alternative was a Lean Cuisine and catching up on my DVR. Arco-Iris made me completely forget about being skinny and watching Season 2 of Shameless. I had the Churrasco with yellow rice and plantains. 5/5, 5/5, 5/5. The service? Almost comically instant. The server was ready to take our order less than 30 seconds after I sat down. We told her that we needed a couple of minutes, and that's exactly what we got. She returned in two minutes and this time we gave her our requests. No lie, our food was in front of us in no more than five minutes. Sure, McDonald's can do that as well, but they serve dog food. Arco-Iris served me one of the best meals I can ever remember having. My friend told me that this was considered Cuban comfort food. I agree with that assessment, as it made me very comfortable eating it. The flavoring of the Churrasco, the Chimichurri Sauce and the yellow rice are all the perfect compliments to one another. I was completely blown away. I have a new place on the list to take friends and family that come to town to visit. That is a prestigious list to be on.
(5)Randall G.
Pretty traditional, no frills, get in and get fed kind of place. Very friendly. I got a chance to use that ancient AP Spanish background a little, with help from a local. Family environment and definite local hangout for Cubanos. Reasonably priced, the food was good. I ordered the Churrasco and the meat was cooked well. They made it very wet, tender and added lots of onions; just the way I would normally like it. Add the garlic dressing/sauce because its awesome for garlic lovers. The arroz moro and plantains were good but forgettable. The steak and the garlic sauce was worth it though. 4 stars on this local's local spot.
(4)Amanda E.
Arco-Iris is an old family-favorite, hole-in-the-wall kind of place. It's pretty small and nothing is exceptional, but if you are looking for a cheap cuban food fix, this will do the trick. I ordered grilled chicken with black beans and yellow rice. Each item came out in it's own dish: a large plate for a full chicken breast, a plate for the yellow rice and a bowl for the black beans. There was plenty of food to enjoy and have leftovers and very reasonably priced.
(3)Jairo B.
Good food. Service was nice. Good local place. Very reasonable prices. Will be going here again.
(4)James S.
This place doesn't get 5-stars for decor, or for service, or for anything inconsequential like that... it gets 5-stars FOR THE FOOD!!! It is exceptional! I ordered the Saltiado (sirloin tips grilled with ham, onions, peppers, and other stuff) and it was delicious. The place is set up like a diner, the staff are friendly, and it is clean... but nine of that really matters to me. It is all about the grub! The prices are low and the food is great.
(5)Kim O.
This is Cuban comfort food at its best. The garbanzo bean soup is honestly the best I have ever had. I got the carne con papas and it was just what I wanted. The meat was so tender I cut it with my fork. The sauce that it came in was awesome. Mr. O decided to try the minuta. It's a fried fish dish. The fish tasted very fresh and it was fried perfectly. The sides here are great too. The black beans are always good but try the moros, or the frijoles colorados as well. This is the only Cuban place in Tampa that I feel can stand up to Miami Cuban restaurants. We've been here a bunch of times and it is always the same good comforting food.
(5)Carri C.
Great food; everything we had there was excellent and very tasty. Chicken noodle soup was really good and u can't even compare it to anything in a can. The collard Green soup would have made a great meal. The grilled pork chop and carne asada were outstanding as well.
(5)Preston P.
It's good. You can't go wrong.
(5)Marie S.
After seeing all the fantastic reviews I was really hoping to fall in love with this place too, unfortunately my hubs and I both thought our food was just okay. I had the Vaca Frita (fried flank steak) with Moro (black beans and rice already mixed together) and plantains. My steak was dry, had a nice flavor though but it needed to be fried a little less or maybe a side of mojo or something to help it out a bit. The Moro I would skip as it was very dry and I would get the beans and rice next time. The plaintains were excellent, the only bad thing was that my side consisted of three small pieces... I would have loved more! H ordered palomilla steak and thought it lacked flavor, also had the moro with the same dry issue and an order of yuca. We had flan for dessert and it was fantastic. I read a review of the flan with a pic and boy I'm glad I did bc it was the best part! We will go back and try some of the other items people recommend. Sandwiches and some of their fried dishes seem to be popular.
(3)michelle l.
We tried Arco Iris after haivng a disappointing meal at La Teresita. We found this place to be superior to La Teresita in so many ways. The place is insanely non-descript, so don't drive too quickly on Columbus. Also, parking is a pain. But inside, you'll find reasonably priced Cuban food (and "Chinese food") served quickly by very sweet staff. My husband had the bistek empanzado, white rice and black beans. He cleaned his plates (they serve the protein separately from the sides). I had the roast pork, the moro rice and the plantains. Everything was really good. Extra props to having Diet Jupina. I wish this place was closer to where we live.
(4)Pepe C.
Wasn't entirely impressed. Food is ok, side-parking smells like a dump, restrooms are always missing paper towels. Service was lacking today, flavor was missing on the breaded steak sandwiches. I hate to write a bad review for a place that has had roots in this area for such a long time. On the bright side the cafe con leche is pretty darn good here.
(2)Jerry G.
Saw all the other great reviews on this and had to try it. We went got here about 5:30pm on a Saturday night. The place was about 3/4 full. We were seated immediately and given a menu and asked about drinks. I ordered Cafe con leche and my wife ordered a tea. They were brought and then we were asked our choices for the dinner. I ordered a cup of the Sopa de Pollo (chicken soup), carne con papas (a beef stew), white rice and red beans. My wife ordered the Ropa Vieja, yellow rice and plantains. My soup was brought immediately, and about 5 minutes later, the main entrees. The chicken soup was good (only my mother's is great). The Carne con Papas was very good. Had a few sliced olives in it to give it some tang. My wife liked the Ropa Vieja. The red beans and rice together was a good combo. My wife ordered the Flan which she devoured in 5 minutes. All in all, a good experience. The whole meal probably took only about 35 minutes from start to finish, and we were out the door. Throughout the whole time there, we realized that the traffic flow was very fast. The staff was always smiling, and always right on time. Outside on Columbus, this place is easy to drive by and miss. Pay attention to your GPS and when it says you are there, then you are there. Parking is somewhat limited in front. There is a side mall to the left and there is some parking there as well. Will we go back. Yes, my wife wants to try some of the sandwiches during a lunch time. I gave it 4 stars. If we go back and enjoy the sandwiches, I might bump to a 5 star rating, but not there at this point.
(4)Michael G.
Very disappointing experience. Tables were not wiped down. Service was rare and rude. I ordered the breaded steak sandwich and my friend order the vegetable soup. When the food arrived, the steak was not breaded and the soup had meat in it. When we told the waitress that the order was wrong, she informed us that it was right. My friend, a vegetarian, explained that he would not have ordered "vegetable" soup if he knew it had meat. She told him that she would get him something else, but would still have to charge for the soup because she brought it out of the kitchen. After bringing him some black beans and rice, she ignored us the rest of the meal. There are too many good cuban restaurants for us to put up with such poor customer service. We will not be returning.
(1)Jorge R.
Don't let the location foul you, this location makes some of the best Hispanic (Cuban) food around. My personal favorite is their take on chicken parm ( pollo millanesa)! They have slacked a little on the quality the last two times that I visited but overall I would still recommend if you are craving Cuban food. It was definitely better a year or two ago but it's still alright. Prices are reasonable
(3)Rick V.
First time here, the waitress was friendly and attentive. I got the Cuban sandwich. It was huge, couldn't finish it all. The bread was fresh, stuffed with plenty if meat. I expected a little more flavor, but wasn't disappointed at all. The flan was very very sweet, maybe a little too sweet. It was velvety. All in all a good experience.
(3)Andrea B.
I am beginning to think Cuban restaurants are like Thai restaurants. Bear with me here as I explain. I really like the breadth of Thai food - I like all the curries, I like the stir fries, and I also like the noodle and rice dishes. But I have never found a place that does ALL of these well. Usually I can find a great curry house, with lack luster Fried Rice and noodle dishes or a place with amazing fried rice and curry from a jar. You get the idea. I think Cuban restaurants might be in the same boat in that how good you think a Cuban joint is depends almost entirely on WHAT you typically order. I have a coworker, 3rd generation Cuban and Tampa-born, who can regale you for 30 minutes at a stretch about the best places to get Cuban food. He swore by Arcos Iris so I gave it a shot. Two shots actually. My first visit was at lunch and I got the Ropa Veija, black beans and white rice. Eh - totally underwhelming. The ropa was in a thin tomato broth rather than the thick, slow-stewed tomato gravy I was expecting and the 5-6 cooked-to-death frozen peas didn't do a lot to perk up the dish. Good ropa has a rich, stewed-all-day flavor that just can't be rushed. This ropa tasted like it got thrown together about 10 am and did its best, but failed to taste like anything other than beef with a whiff of tomato. The Cuban bread was good as was the rice and beans, but I left wishing I'd driven another 400 feet down Columbus and just gone to La Terasita. I told coworker that I was not impressed and he was aghast. "What did you get?" When I answered "Ropa Vieja", he rolled his eyes and replied "Well, don't get the ropa. You have do their pork or palomilla steak". Yeah, thanks dude. Next time, try telling me that first. Bringing us to attempt 2. My mom and 90+ year old grandfather were visiting for the weekend and hubby and I decided to grab a quick bite here, as the family loves divey, hole-in-the-wall places and my grandfather has just discovered in the last 3 or 4 years that he has a passion for rice and beans. Moms and Grandpapa went for the Picadillo - which apparently was a bad move. Again - almost no identifiable tomato, though at least they had olives in there because otherwise it would have been a dish of Hamburger Helper minus the sauce. Grandpapa tried the chicken soup as did my husband. Amazing broth - rich and almost orange from the long reduction time. I tried the Collard Soup - which was delicious but really misnamed as it is a white bean and sausage soup with a few shreds of greens here and there. Whatever - it was awesome. I'd order it if they called it "Some Crap in a Cup". Heeding my coworker's too-late advice, I went for the Bistec de Palomilla this time. It was pretty darn good. More tender than I was expecting and with a nice tart flavor from the marinade. I usually see this dish come with cooked onions, but mine was topped with onions that were about 10 minutes shy of cooked. Husband apparently wasn't feeling adventurous and got a Cuban Sandwich. It was huge and good (he said) but dude, there are a lot of places to get middle-of-the-road Cuban sammies. So, two fair shots and here we are at 2 stars. "Why didn't you get the pork?" you may ask. Well, I can't eat pork and I am not paying for chicken and rice out somewhere because I can make that at home in my sleep - so for me Cuban food is beef, stewed beef at that. Ropa Veija, Picadillo or Boliche with the occasional steak thrown in. One day I am going to try the "Russian Fish" but it's a hard sell when the other choice is rich stewed beef. Oh, Arcos Iris - I tried. Overall - still not better than La Terasita.
(2)Rich D.
Just one visit to Arco-Iris moved it into the top spot as my favorite Cuban family restaurant in Tampa. This is seriously good home cooking. Heaven forbid I ever live close to here, as I'd balloon from daily visits. The decor is simple with fairly new seating which is located in separate dining rooms. Service has always been very good, and the menu covers most of the popular authentic Cuban dishes found in Tampa. My favorites are the bistec de palomilla (huge portions thinly pounded grilled steak with onions), carne asada (huge portions of roasted beef), and puerco asado (huge portions of mojo/marinated roasted pork with onions). The flavor of the marinated pork stands out to me, and has a bit less of the strong sour orange mojo marinade taste found at other Cuban restaurants in Tampa. For sides, the big plate of yellow rice is extremely tasty (certainly some of the best I've had in Tampa), and the big bowl of black or red beans is packed with rich flavor. Did I mention the portions are very large? I have always taken home a big box of leftovers large enough for another meal or two. If you like Cuban food, definitely check out Arco-Iris. My scores on the Tampa Cuban restaurant scale: Atmosphere: 3 Service: 5 Food: 5 Value: 5
(5)Mitch L.
I really liked this place and it would have earned a five star rating except for one thing and that is CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! They do not practice good customer service. The only time my waitress smiled at me was when I asked what country she was from in Spanish and she said CUBA!!! That was cute but otherwise she had no personality. I tipped 15 percent for a great meal. It would have been more if she had been a bit more friendly. The other thing is when I got my check I kept trying to figure out why it was about a dollar off. Not a real big deal but it bothered me. I figured if I was right I could give the waitress an extra dollar instead of 1.50 and make her happier. Well, I was right they told me they overcharged me 85 cents. But when they told me they say IT WAS ONLY 85 cents you were overcharged like it was no big deal!!! Well, if enough places overcharged me that much in a day I would go broke!! Anyway enough ranting. I thought the food here was just as described. It was Cuban and it was very good and cheap!!! I would try it again and hope I am not treated the same.
(4)Philip C.
The best Cuban place on the Westside of Tampa. The braised beef was delicious and I would highly recommend it for anyone. We went with a grip of 4 on a Friday night the atmosphere was great and all of the staff is bilingual. The specials change daily and everyone ordered something different without any complaints. We split the Yuca Frita as am appetizer and all were impressed. We will definitely be going back.
(5)Jim B.
Ahhhh yes. Food here is sublime. The decor isn't fancy, the parking can suck - but the food is exquisite! Yesterday was pescado a la rusa... a fried fish filet with peas, hardboiled egg and pimentos on top, with my favorite two sides, plantains and casava. The plantains were perfect, as always, and the casava a garlic-y mojo onion delight. Service: friendly and efficient (read: fast). Didn't even have room for a flan. Also a fave: Palomilla milanesa. These days, better than Teresita down the street... stick with the spanish and cuban foods for your best experience.
(4)Erica N.
For me, this was just ok. I'm spoiled really bad by a certain favorite place I have, and struggle to love others. I got the Churrasco. It was kind of greasy but the Plantains were really good. They were kind of crispy and really good and so was the Chimichurri Sauce! Could have used more of that but they only give you a little. They messed up our order but they were fixed it pretty quick.
(3)Brett B.
If you are looking for really good Cuban food, look no further. I had the fried pork chunks, black beans, and yellow rice and it was delicious and cheap. you also get some fresh Cuban bread when you sit down, always a plus. Simple home Cuban home cooking
(4)Matt S.
I went to Arcos-Iris based on a recommendation of a fellow Yelper who says he has a special affinity for Latin cuisine. I will be taking his advice again. Arcos-Iris will throw you for a loop in that the sign advertises both Cuban and Chinese cuisine. The Chinese cuisine is primarily fried rice that is served with a Cuban protein. However, don't let this distract you from the Cuban food which is just great. The establishment itself is not impressive. It's actually quite sterile and lacks the cuteness that a divey place might have. The service is polite and efficient. The food is good, really good. My churrusco with chimichurri was the one of the best I have ever eaten. The arroz moro was good enough for me to defy my low-carb diet. The chicharrones de pollo was great fresh and even better the next day The fried rice was fine, but just seemed to confuse me. Finally, the arroz con leche was a great ending to the meal (low carb diet already broken). So while the churrasco was good, it was quite pricey at $19.99. Everything else seemed reasonably priced. I'll be returning soon to try the lamb shanks.
(4)Diana C.
My waitress was a sweetheart and provided great service but I am very disappointed in their food. I will say that this restaurant looks better and cleaner compared to La Teresita. The Masitas de Puerco and the fresh Cuban bread were probably my favorite. The Masitas de Puerco were very tender and good flavor. I then ordered their Yucca Frita and it was bad!....Fresh, but lacked flavor, and they were cooked in some weird oil and maybe just not fried long enough. I was also not a fan of using Mojo for dipping the FRIED yucca. The Mojo was bad as well, just vinegar, their was no minced garlic in it. We then proceeded to order the Ropa Vieja and Bistec Empanizado. The Ropa Vieja had NOOOO flavor. My Bistec Empanizado and Tostones were pretty okay. I ordered Moro on the side and that had no flavor! I was truly confused because this place has good reviews on Yelp and I love Cuban food but I will not be returning. I will say their prices are amazing but not worth coming back for bland Cuban food.
(1)Nikki G.
Finally found good Cuban food.
(5)Cymen V.
I stopped in for lunch with my wife and had a great lunch. We both opted for the yellow rice but asked our server about the more popular dark bean rice. She brought out some for us to try and it was very good. I don't doubt that some people have a Cuban mom that cooks it better at home but I don't and next time I'm in Tampa this is on my list to return to.
(5)Mike S.
The other reviewers validly attest to this West Tampa monument restaurant that serves all the Cuban classic dishes, plus a selection of Chinese-Cuban innovations......including some variations of fried rice but not drenched in soy. Very small dining room and sometimes difficult parking but a must-visit for those wanting a true sample of Tampa Cuban fare......missing it would be like going to Rome and skipping St. Peter's. And Harry D. got the phonetic pronunciation right.
(4)Steph G.
Excellent customer service and to die for Cuban dishes! Try the ropa vieja (shredded beef), the yellow rice and chicken and the tres leches cake (delish!). This place is a hidden gem!
(5)Julio P.
Best Cuban food in town. Try the carne con papa or the pollo a la plancha. Best around town.
(5)Anthony C.
Not so good more like you get what you pay for cheap prices. Nothing like Miami food. The pork and Moro was bad. But good service
(1)Kari G.
I came to Tampa for a job interview about a month ago and KNEW that I had to have some cuabn food as soon as I landed Not knowing anyone in this area I turned to my trusted sidekick, YELP. I found Arco Iris & SO GLAD I did. I had Churraso, morros, and plantains, MAN it reminded me of my moms (PR) home cooking. I will say that it was on the grasy side but what GOOD caribean food isnt. Well, I now live in Tampa and my first day as a resident, I took my friend from Cali to try some Cuban food. She also had the Churrasco, garbanzo soup and plantains, she was in LOVE! This time I tried the garlic fish & WOW, it was yummy (hold the grease please) was dripping off the plate :( I had the collard green soup and yucca, FANTASTIC! I could live off of their 2 soups. I'm sure I'll try other dishes just cant go as often as I'd like too. I would definately recommend.
(5)Carlos G.
Best cuban food (other than home made) I have had in a long time. The fried rice was worth the visit alone!
(4)Cindy V.
my husband's grandmother made the best cuban food i've ever had. this is a very close runner up. i always get the ropa vieja with yellow rice and plantains, which is delicious. their garbanzo soup is also quite good. the kids always get bisteca milanesa and they nearly clean their plates each time (which is saying something as the serving sizes are huge). the plaintain chips (served as an appetizer) are really good and not so filling that you won't have room for dinner. get a cafe con leche to go afterwards and you'll be all set! p.s. we order our noche buena food here and have for the past several years. wouldn't trust anyone else with it!
(5)Philip T.
In my opinion this is one of the best Cuban restaurants in the state of Florida. I have had Cuban food in several cities in our great state, So far this is one of the best. The service is fantistic the variety of dishes is great. The pricing is also great. I have been here several times. it has always been great.
(5)Lily S.
Great Cuban Food!!! Staff...very friendly. Our waitress was the best.
(5)Jo N.
Authentic and yummy cuban sandwhiches and viejo ropa dishes served here! Friendly staff here but parking can be difficult, especially at lunch.
(3)Anthony A.
This place was phenomenal I mean the pork steak is great, the tostones ( fried bananas ) were to die for and I couldn't stop eating the yellow rice. This will become a restaurant that I eat at every week!
(5)Pam E.
One of favorites if not the favorite when we are in Tampa. Great choices, alot of food and great prices. Service is good. You could get fooled based on the outside and where it is but get inside.
(4)Steven W.
Awesome Cuban Food!!! If you're looking for some authentic Cuban food this is the place to go!
(5)George K.
Horrid grease joint. My fish soup tasted like canned chicken soup, with some fluorescent yellow dye thrown in there. Everything is fried and greasy; horrible iceberg lettuce salad. It's basically a fast food grease joint with some waitress service (who don't speak English well enough to communicate). Green beans came straight from a 1958 school cafeteria; boiled in water for a few hours until they offered no resistance. Fried plantains was the only edible thing. Arfff; my dog eats better. For good Spanish/Latin food, go to Ceviche Tapas bar, or to Red Mesa in St. Pete.
(1)Rohan D.
The problem with hotel front desk people nowadays is that they are too young, without the experience to really help travelers discover the towns we're visiting. Two trips to Tampa, and we couldn't get any hotel staff, even those who speak Spanish, to recommend good local authentic Cuban food, they're all too quick to send you to an overpriced tourist trap in Ybor City. This time, we were in town for the Northwestern-Auburn Outback Bowl, and some local football fans clued us into this gem, right by the Bucs' home gridiron. The decor isn't much, it's casual-cafeteria atmosphere, but the food is delicious, authentically Cuban (most of the customers are Cuban except for a select few gringo football fans who have made a pregame ritual of their tasty and filling Cuban sandwiches), and I just know if I lived in Tampa I would be 200 lbs heavier eating here all the time. Try the Masitas de Puerco, Chicharron de Pollo, Yuca Frita, the chicken with yellow rice on special (there's a board of specials that doesn't seem to change everyday). The bistec empanizado looked tasty on the table next to me, and they have no idea how close I came to snatching a bite. Avoid the few items that aren't really Cuban, like the steak milanesa (too cheesy), but that doesn't include the "Chinese dishes" which are really Cubanized Chinese (somewhat like Puerto Rican style Chinese food, if you know what I mean). Finish off with either Cuban coffee or cafe con leche. Prices are very reasonable, it's only slightly more expensive than fast food.
(4)M S.
Arco Iris is the best of several family-style Cuban restaurants in the Columbus Drive area of West Tampa. It has authentic food, wonderfully prepared, and very reasonably priced. Some of my favorites: the vaca frita (fried, almost shredded steak), masitas de puerco (fried pork chunks), palomilla (very thin steak), bistec empanizado (the palomilla breaded and fried), and the chicarron de pollo (fried pieces of chicken meat) are all excellent. The portions of everything are large, and you can eat here for less than $10 per person. Parking can be a problem, because it is on the corner of a strip mall, but it is well-worth a visit.
(5)Larry H.
Great authentic Cuban food. Very reasonable prices. Fast and good service in nice, simple surroundings.
(4)J G.
Recommended by a co worker whose wife is Cuban, we decided to check out last night. What a treat! Nondescript from the outside, the inside was spotless and bright. Lots of local families and people picking up take out. We grabbed a booth and had the best meal in Tampa at completely reasonable prices. Who can beat $1 expresso coffee?? All the dishes were flavorful and transported us back to the local joints we would eat at in NYC. The yuca side should not be missed. Go!! You won't be sorry.
(5)Rob J.
They do the best spanish bean in Tampa, great food all the way around at very fair prices. The lamb shank is great as well as the sirloin tips. Been going there for years and some days are better than others and the food is fairly consistant.
(5)Cate Y.
This place was a dream come true. My bf is Miami-Cuban so he was excited when I moved to Tampa and we thought we'd have more access to good Cuban food. The challenge is finding the hole-in-the-wall places that are run by Cubans and patronized by Cubans...because they're not out there trying to pull in the tourists. Nothing against some of the more popular establishments on Columbus, but this place is the real deal. The food has a deep, rich taste (probably backed by a great deal of pork fat) and everything is hot and fresh and garlicky. They've got a full menu of Cuban fare plus an auxiliary section of Chinese-Cuban, which is actually a much better blend of flavors than you might think. Skip the marquee places and slip into this dive for some divine Cuban food.
(4)Brittany V.
Super cheap & the Brazilians I work with live by this place. I enjoy going there with them because they have a great variety and an ever changing list of specials. I recommend this place to anyone looking for something quick, cheap, and has a good variety of foods. I personally recommend the ropa vieja!
(5)Juan S.
Food has always been great,but the service has always sucked! One of the reasons why I haven't moved back to Tampa.My cuban people have forgotten how to treat people,and is the same everywhere you go.Stop being so rude cuban people!!
(2)Taunya B.
Food wasn't bad. I get the lamb shank with the mora rice and yuca. My good came out extremely fast, pretty much right after I ordered it...I don't know if that is a bad or good thing. My food wasn't hot, just lukewarm. The lamb was very tender, the rice and yuca were okay.
(3)Erica M.
I was visiting Tampa and this was my first time eating Cuban food. The food was great and the portions were large. I had roasted pork with black beans and white rice. We also got fried plantains and café con leche. I would definitely eat here again if in Tampa.
(5)Zeke O.
Food is good, had the bistec salteado, and is cheap. Service was soso. You will be waiting a while for waitress to get bill, water....so suggest you ask for everything up front.
(3)Alma N.
This restaurant is good but isn't great like everyone says, my husband order a Cuban sandwich which it was good but I order breaded steak which really didn't like. I was like where's the meat???? That's how thin this thing was. I won't say I wouldn't come back but definitely will try something different. Dessert was very good best flan I ever had in a while.
(3)Trung N.
Mom and pop magic! If you want some authentic Cuban food you have to drop by here. Service and prices are awesome too. I had a lot of dishes here! Bistec Empanizado, Masitas De Puerco, Yuca Fritas, Arroz Frito, Bistec De Palomilla, Plantanos Maduros, and a Cafe con Leche. Phew...it was amazing!
(5)Dave L.
Very good inexpensive Cuban food There are many Cuban places in Tampa but this has been my go to place for years. The food is consistently good as well as the service. My favorite dish here is the fried pork chunks (masas de puerco fritas). Try them you'll like them. The sandwiches here are good as well. They are a meal all by themselves.
(4)Cathie D.
I will start by saying that my husband both grew up in cuban households eating this type of food since we were kids. The food was good, affordable, authentic and you will have enough for a second serving. The Pollo ala Milanesa & congri (arroz moro) were awesome. My husband's Russian Fish and Caldo Gallego were also really great. We finished it up with the rice pudding that was almost as good as my mother's. Loved that they brought the cinnamon to the table with the dessert. This is great to quiet the cuban food craving!!
(5)Katy S.
I enjoyed my first visit to Arco-Iris. Some friends suggested we stop in this past Sunday and I was definitely in as I had read good things on Yelp. The wait staff is GREAT. The manager recognized that we didn't speak Spanish and as our waitress spoke little English, he checked on us several times to make sure we were taken care of. Our orders were taken promptly and our food came out very quickly. I went for ole faithful, Ropa Vieja with Black Beans and Rice. Some of the best I have had in Tampa! My man friend went for the Palomillo Steak with Fried Rice and Plantains. Although I found Fried Rice strange as a side of Cuban Food, it was all very good! When we got the bill, we were astounded by how inexpensive it was. A 4 star experience all around!
(4)Les F.
Having grown up in Miami, I know my Cuban food. Arco Iris is excellent and inexpensive. They have a wide assortment of Cuban cuisine. I've tried several entrees over the years, and all were very good. My personal favorite is the Pollo a la Plancha, a simple grilled chicken served with grilled onions. I've also enjoyed the Palomilla steak,but was disappointed that it is served with grilled onions rather than the mojo crudo served in most places. The atmosphere is generic, but the waitstaff know how to hustle.
(4)Kathy D.
My , my, my...how did I miss this establishment for so many years. I mean I have literally been beside it on many occasions and driven past it innumerable times. What a gem. This time I did not have the pleasure of dining, no it would not be dining, it would be eating there. I had things to do and people waiting on me, but had a Boliche craving I had to satisfy. So, in the mist of a messed up day I dashed in (once I could find a place to park) and did my order to go. In about 10 minutes, food in hand I was once again on the road. Oh man, I could smell this delicious food and it even knew my name, because it was calling out to me. I made a bee line straight to home, forget the other stops I needed to make, I needed food, not any food, this food. I got home and opened the box to see a sight of beauty: Boliche with rice, black beans and diced onions. It looked and smelt wonderful. How does one describe Boliche? Okay let me try. Think about a fork tender, slow baked pot roast, with chorizo in the middle ( yes in the center, like the meat was drilled and stuffed with the spicy sausage) covered in a thin and tasty gravy with a few vegetables. There is NO way I can describe the virtues of Boliche, you're just going to have to trust me and know you have never tasted anything like it before and you will want it again. It was delicious, I need a stronger word than delicious, but at the moment that is what comes to mind. The rice was perfectly cooked as well as the black beans, which were beautifully seasoned. I don't know about you, but black beans and rice, just aren't complete until you top with diced onion. I missed out on the experience of the restaurant and alas, the bread ( that will teach me not to check my to go order before I leave a restaurant). The important point is I did not miss out on a totally awesome meal. And if I were a betting woman, I bet you see me back there very soon. What's a girl to do? If you can't have the food at the restaurant, not a problem, it tastes just as good at home.
(4)Nicole C.
My aunt selected this place and she's from the area, but, otherwise, I probably would not have ever tried this restaurant. Honestly, that wouldn't have been a tremendous loss because the food was okay at best for Cuban food, the interior was dirty (especially the bathrooms--so gross), and the service was awful. We ordered a variety of different things: the plantain chips were pretty good, the chicken chicharones were also good, the fried rice and sweet plantains were also good. None of which could be labelled as the best I've ever had though. The steak was really dry and cold by the time I received it. My brother got his sandwich well before (like 20 minutes before) any of us got our food. By the time we got out food, he was already finished--and my food was still cold when I got it. Also, the server was really rude. She kept forgetting about us (a table of 11) and she seemed annoyed whenever we asked for little things an extra plate or another set of utensils. On top of everything, they dropped a plate of food on my cousin, completely forgot our reservation, and took forever to have us seated. I honestly would not recommend this restaurant by any means. The only reason why it got two stars instead of one is because it's still tolerable Cuban food.
(2)James I.
I wanted to try a Cuban Restaurant b/c its not something I' ve eaten except for a few dives in Miami. Supposedly Tampa has a large Cuban population, but since I live in North Tampa near USF, It's a bit out of the way for me to visit the area. I went on a Sunday evening and had: Cafe con leche, Vaca Frita, yellow rice, and black beans. The cafe was strong and flavorful, the rice and beans hearty and filling. The Vaca Frita was great, slighlty dry, but similar to how I remember form Miami. Service was good;everything was brought out quickly. You pay at the counter FYI . I took 2 Cuban sandwiches for my parents and they liked them (though I cant remark how accurate they are) If you're male, there is some nice "scenery" lol wink
(4)Aleema A.
What is one of the many things that Tampa is famous for? It's Cuban food! Some friends and I came here for dinner and I really enjoyed it. To be honest, it would really help if you had someone with you that spoke Spanish, but the manager really made sure we were taken care of, We had some Sangria and I ordered the Lentil soup and it was really delicious! It was really cheap but well done. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Kelly Q.
Authentic Cuban to the core. This has a "mom and pop" type feel to the place. They definitely needed a waiting area for busy nights, there was no where to really stand. I felt like I was in the way of all the waitresses speeding back and forth. Anyway, this was my first Cuban experience so I will still be hunting for the best place. I suggest palomilla steak or the churrasco and the arroz amarillo and the black beans for a first-timer. But if you're feeling brave, go for anything on the menu, I doubt anything could disappoint.
(4)Lauren O.
Not impressive for Cuban food. Very bland Sangria. Good if you want something quick and cheap.
(2)Brett N.
Why 5 stars? Because I was blown away. --- --- --- My Cuban friend has been encouraging me to make a stop at Arco-Iris for a few weeks now, and last night I finally caved. WOW, am glad I gave in to my temptation. The alternative was a Lean Cuisine and catching up on my DVR. Arco-Iris made me completely forget about being skinny and watching Season 2 of Shameless. I had the Churrasco with yellow rice and plantains. 5/5, 5/5, 5/5. The service? Almost comically instant. The server was ready to take our order less than 30 seconds after I sat down. We told her that we needed a couple of minutes, and that's exactly what we got. She returned in two minutes and this time we gave her our requests. No lie, our food was in front of us in no more than five minutes. Sure, McDonald's can do that as well, but they serve dog food. Arco-Iris served me one of the best meals I can ever remember having. My friend told me that this was considered Cuban comfort food. I agree with that assessment, as it made me very comfortable eating it. The flavoring of the Churrasco, the Chimichurri Sauce and the yellow rice are all the perfect compliments to one another. I was completely blown away. I have a new place on the list to take friends and family that come to town to visit. That is a prestigious list to be on.
(5)Randall G.
Pretty traditional, no frills, get in and get fed kind of place. Very friendly. I got a chance to use that ancient AP Spanish background a little, with help from a local. Family environment and definite local hangout for Cubanos. Reasonably priced, the food was good. I ordered the Churrasco and the meat was cooked well. They made it very wet, tender and added lots of onions; just the way I would normally like it. Add the garlic dressing/sauce because its awesome for garlic lovers. The arroz moro and plantains were good but forgettable. The steak and the garlic sauce was worth it though. 4 stars on this local's local spot.
(4)Amanda E.
Arco-Iris is an old family-favorite, hole-in-the-wall kind of place. It's pretty small and nothing is exceptional, but if you are looking for a cheap cuban food fix, this will do the trick. I ordered grilled chicken with black beans and yellow rice. Each item came out in it's own dish: a large plate for a full chicken breast, a plate for the yellow rice and a bowl for the black beans. There was plenty of food to enjoy and have leftovers and very reasonably priced.
(3)Jairo B.
Good food. Service was nice. Good local place. Very reasonable prices. Will be going here again.
(4)James S.
This place doesn't get 5-stars for decor, or for service, or for anything inconsequential like that... it gets 5-stars FOR THE FOOD!!! It is exceptional! I ordered the Saltiado (sirloin tips grilled with ham, onions, peppers, and other stuff) and it was delicious. The place is set up like a diner, the staff are friendly, and it is clean... but nine of that really matters to me. It is all about the grub! The prices are low and the food is great.
(5)Kim O.
This is Cuban comfort food at its best. The garbanzo bean soup is honestly the best I have ever had. I got the carne con papas and it was just what I wanted. The meat was so tender I cut it with my fork. The sauce that it came in was awesome. Mr. O decided to try the minuta. It's a fried fish dish. The fish tasted very fresh and it was fried perfectly. The sides here are great too. The black beans are always good but try the moros, or the frijoles colorados as well. This is the only Cuban place in Tampa that I feel can stand up to Miami Cuban restaurants. We've been here a bunch of times and it is always the same good comforting food.
(5)Carri C.
Great food; everything we had there was excellent and very tasty. Chicken noodle soup was really good and u can't even compare it to anything in a can. The collard Green soup would have made a great meal. The grilled pork chop and carne asada were outstanding as well.
(5)Preston P.
It's good. You can't go wrong.
(5)Marie S.
After seeing all the fantastic reviews I was really hoping to fall in love with this place too, unfortunately my hubs and I both thought our food was just okay. I had the Vaca Frita (fried flank steak) with Moro (black beans and rice already mixed together) and plantains. My steak was dry, had a nice flavor though but it needed to be fried a little less or maybe a side of mojo or something to help it out a bit. The Moro I would skip as it was very dry and I would get the beans and rice next time. The plaintains were excellent, the only bad thing was that my side consisted of three small pieces... I would have loved more! H ordered palomilla steak and thought it lacked flavor, also had the moro with the same dry issue and an order of yuca. We had flan for dessert and it was fantastic. I read a review of the flan with a pic and boy I'm glad I did bc it was the best part! We will go back and try some of the other items people recommend. Sandwiches and some of their fried dishes seem to be popular.
(3)michelle l.
We tried Arco Iris after haivng a disappointing meal at La Teresita. We found this place to be superior to La Teresita in so many ways. The place is insanely non-descript, so don't drive too quickly on Columbus. Also, parking is a pain. But inside, you'll find reasonably priced Cuban food (and "Chinese food") served quickly by very sweet staff. My husband had the bistek empanzado, white rice and black beans. He cleaned his plates (they serve the protein separately from the sides). I had the roast pork, the moro rice and the plantains. Everything was really good. Extra props to having Diet Jupina. I wish this place was closer to where we live.
(4)Pepe C.
Wasn't entirely impressed. Food is ok, side-parking smells like a dump, restrooms are always missing paper towels. Service was lacking today, flavor was missing on the breaded steak sandwiches. I hate to write a bad review for a place that has had roots in this area for such a long time. On the bright side the cafe con leche is pretty darn good here.
(2)Jerry G.
Saw all the other great reviews on this and had to try it. We went got here about 5:30pm on a Saturday night. The place was about 3/4 full. We were seated immediately and given a menu and asked about drinks. I ordered Cafe con leche and my wife ordered a tea. They were brought and then we were asked our choices for the dinner. I ordered a cup of the Sopa de Pollo (chicken soup), carne con papas (a beef stew), white rice and red beans. My wife ordered the Ropa Vieja, yellow rice and plantains. My soup was brought immediately, and about 5 minutes later, the main entrees. The chicken soup was good (only my mother's is great). The Carne con Papas was very good. Had a few sliced olives in it to give it some tang. My wife liked the Ropa Vieja. The red beans and rice together was a good combo. My wife ordered the Flan which she devoured in 5 minutes. All in all, a good experience. The whole meal probably took only about 35 minutes from start to finish, and we were out the door. Throughout the whole time there, we realized that the traffic flow was very fast. The staff was always smiling, and always right on time. Outside on Columbus, this place is easy to drive by and miss. Pay attention to your GPS and when it says you are there, then you are there. Parking is somewhat limited in front. There is a side mall to the left and there is some parking there as well. Will we go back. Yes, my wife wants to try some of the sandwiches during a lunch time. I gave it 4 stars. If we go back and enjoy the sandwiches, I might bump to a 5 star rating, but not there at this point.
(4)Michael G.
Very disappointing experience. Tables were not wiped down. Service was rare and rude. I ordered the breaded steak sandwich and my friend order the vegetable soup. When the food arrived, the steak was not breaded and the soup had meat in it. When we told the waitress that the order was wrong, she informed us that it was right. My friend, a vegetarian, explained that he would not have ordered "vegetable" soup if he knew it had meat. She told him that she would get him something else, but would still have to charge for the soup because she brought it out of the kitchen. After bringing him some black beans and rice, she ignored us the rest of the meal. There are too many good cuban restaurants for us to put up with such poor customer service. We will not be returning.
(1)Jorge R.
Don't let the location foul you, this location makes some of the best Hispanic (Cuban) food around. My personal favorite is their take on chicken parm ( pollo millanesa)! They have slacked a little on the quality the last two times that I visited but overall I would still recommend if you are craving Cuban food. It was definitely better a year or two ago but it's still alright. Prices are reasonable
(3)Rick V.
First time here, the waitress was friendly and attentive. I got the Cuban sandwich. It was huge, couldn't finish it all. The bread was fresh, stuffed with plenty if meat. I expected a little more flavor, but wasn't disappointed at all. The flan was very very sweet, maybe a little too sweet. It was velvety. All in all a good experience.
(3)Andrea B.
I am beginning to think Cuban restaurants are like Thai restaurants. Bear with me here as I explain. I really like the breadth of Thai food - I like all the curries, I like the stir fries, and I also like the noodle and rice dishes. But I have never found a place that does ALL of these well. Usually I can find a great curry house, with lack luster Fried Rice and noodle dishes or a place with amazing fried rice and curry from a jar. You get the idea. I think Cuban restaurants might be in the same boat in that how good you think a Cuban joint is depends almost entirely on WHAT you typically order. I have a coworker, 3rd generation Cuban and Tampa-born, who can regale you for 30 minutes at a stretch about the best places to get Cuban food. He swore by Arcos Iris so I gave it a shot. Two shots actually. My first visit was at lunch and I got the Ropa Veija, black beans and white rice. Eh - totally underwhelming. The ropa was in a thin tomato broth rather than the thick, slow-stewed tomato gravy I was expecting and the 5-6 cooked-to-death frozen peas didn't do a lot to perk up the dish. Good ropa has a rich, stewed-all-day flavor that just can't be rushed. This ropa tasted like it got thrown together about 10 am and did its best, but failed to taste like anything other than beef with a whiff of tomato. The Cuban bread was good as was the rice and beans, but I left wishing I'd driven another 400 feet down Columbus and just gone to La Terasita. I told coworker that I was not impressed and he was aghast. "What did you get?" When I answered "Ropa Vieja", he rolled his eyes and replied "Well, don't get the ropa. You have do their pork or palomilla steak". Yeah, thanks dude. Next time, try telling me that first. Bringing us to attempt 2. My mom and 90+ year old grandfather were visiting for the weekend and hubby and I decided to grab a quick bite here, as the family loves divey, hole-in-the-wall places and my grandfather has just discovered in the last 3 or 4 years that he has a passion for rice and beans. Moms and Grandpapa went for the Picadillo - which apparently was a bad move. Again - almost no identifiable tomato, though at least they had olives in there because otherwise it would have been a dish of Hamburger Helper minus the sauce. Grandpapa tried the chicken soup as did my husband. Amazing broth - rich and almost orange from the long reduction time. I tried the Collard Soup - which was delicious but really misnamed as it is a white bean and sausage soup with a few shreds of greens here and there. Whatever - it was awesome. I'd order it if they called it "Some Crap in a Cup". Heeding my coworker's too-late advice, I went for the Bistec de Palomilla this time. It was pretty darn good. More tender than I was expecting and with a nice tart flavor from the marinade. I usually see this dish come with cooked onions, but mine was topped with onions that were about 10 minutes shy of cooked. Husband apparently wasn't feeling adventurous and got a Cuban Sandwich. It was huge and good (he said) but dude, there are a lot of places to get middle-of-the-road Cuban sammies. So, two fair shots and here we are at 2 stars. "Why didn't you get the pork?" you may ask. Well, I can't eat pork and I am not paying for chicken and rice out somewhere because I can make that at home in my sleep - so for me Cuban food is beef, stewed beef at that. Ropa Veija, Picadillo or Boliche with the occasional steak thrown in. One day I am going to try the "Russian Fish" but it's a hard sell when the other choice is rich stewed beef. Oh, Arcos Iris - I tried. Overall - still not better than La Terasita.
(2)Rich D.
Just one visit to Arco-Iris moved it into the top spot as my favorite Cuban family restaurant in Tampa. This is seriously good home cooking. Heaven forbid I ever live close to here, as I'd balloon from daily visits. The decor is simple with fairly new seating which is located in separate dining rooms. Service has always been very good, and the menu covers most of the popular authentic Cuban dishes found in Tampa. My favorites are the bistec de palomilla (huge portions thinly pounded grilled steak with onions), carne asada (huge portions of roasted beef), and puerco asado (huge portions of mojo/marinated roasted pork with onions). The flavor of the marinated pork stands out to me, and has a bit less of the strong sour orange mojo marinade taste found at other Cuban restaurants in Tampa. For sides, the big plate of yellow rice is extremely tasty (certainly some of the best I've had in Tampa), and the big bowl of black or red beans is packed with rich flavor. Did I mention the portions are very large? I have always taken home a big box of leftovers large enough for another meal or two. If you like Cuban food, definitely check out Arco-Iris. My scores on the Tampa Cuban restaurant scale: Atmosphere: 3 Service: 5 Food: 5 Value: 5
(5)Mitch L.
I really liked this place and it would have earned a five star rating except for one thing and that is CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! They do not practice good customer service. The only time my waitress smiled at me was when I asked what country she was from in Spanish and she said CUBA!!! That was cute but otherwise she had no personality. I tipped 15 percent for a great meal. It would have been more if she had been a bit more friendly. The other thing is when I got my check I kept trying to figure out why it was about a dollar off. Not a real big deal but it bothered me. I figured if I was right I could give the waitress an extra dollar instead of 1.50 and make her happier. Well, I was right they told me they overcharged me 85 cents. But when they told me they say IT WAS ONLY 85 cents you were overcharged like it was no big deal!!! Well, if enough places overcharged me that much in a day I would go broke!! Anyway enough ranting. I thought the food here was just as described. It was Cuban and it was very good and cheap!!! I would try it again and hope I am not treated the same.
(4)Philip C.
The best Cuban place on the Westside of Tampa. The braised beef was delicious and I would highly recommend it for anyone. We went with a grip of 4 on a Friday night the atmosphere was great and all of the staff is bilingual. The specials change daily and everyone ordered something different without any complaints. We split the Yuca Frita as am appetizer and all were impressed. We will definitely be going back.
(5)Jim B.
Ahhhh yes. Food here is sublime. The decor isn't fancy, the parking can suck - but the food is exquisite! Yesterday was pescado a la rusa... a fried fish filet with peas, hardboiled egg and pimentos on top, with my favorite two sides, plantains and casava. The plantains were perfect, as always, and the casava a garlic-y mojo onion delight. Service: friendly and efficient (read: fast). Didn't even have room for a flan. Also a fave: Palomilla milanesa. These days, better than Teresita down the street... stick with the spanish and cuban foods for your best experience.
(4)Erica N.
For me, this was just ok. I'm spoiled really bad by a certain favorite place I have, and struggle to love others. I got the Churrasco. It was kind of greasy but the Plantains were really good. They were kind of crispy and really good and so was the Chimichurri Sauce! Could have used more of that but they only give you a little. They messed up our order but they were fixed it pretty quick.
(3)Brett B.
If you are looking for really good Cuban food, look no further. I had the fried pork chunks, black beans, and yellow rice and it was delicious and cheap. you also get some fresh Cuban bread when you sit down, always a plus. Simple home Cuban home cooking
(4)Matt S.
I went to Arcos-Iris based on a recommendation of a fellow Yelper who says he has a special affinity for Latin cuisine. I will be taking his advice again. Arcos-Iris will throw you for a loop in that the sign advertises both Cuban and Chinese cuisine. The Chinese cuisine is primarily fried rice that is served with a Cuban protein. However, don't let this distract you from the Cuban food which is just great. The establishment itself is not impressive. It's actually quite sterile and lacks the cuteness that a divey place might have. The service is polite and efficient. The food is good, really good. My churrusco with chimichurri was the one of the best I have ever eaten. The arroz moro was good enough for me to defy my low-carb diet. The chicharrones de pollo was great fresh and even better the next day The fried rice was fine, but just seemed to confuse me. Finally, the arroz con leche was a great ending to the meal (low carb diet already broken). So while the churrasco was good, it was quite pricey at $19.99. Everything else seemed reasonably priced. I'll be returning soon to try the lamb shanks.
(4)Nikki G.
Finally found good Cuban food.
(5)Diana C.
My waitress was a sweetheart and provided great service but I am very disappointed in their food. I will say that this restaurant looks better and cleaner compared to La Teresita. The Masitas de Puerco and the fresh Cuban bread were probably my favorite. The Masitas de Puerco were very tender and good flavor. I then ordered their Yucca Frita and it was bad!....Fresh, but lacked flavor, and they were cooked in some weird oil and maybe just not fried long enough. I was also not a fan of using Mojo for dipping the FRIED yucca. The Mojo was bad as well, just vinegar, their was no minced garlic in it. We then proceeded to order the Ropa Vieja and Bistec Empanizado. The Ropa Vieja had NOOOO flavor. My Bistec Empanizado and Tostones were pretty okay. I ordered Moro on the side and that had no flavor! I was truly confused because this place has good reviews on Yelp and I love Cuban food but I will not be returning. I will say their prices are amazing but not worth coming back for bland Cuban food.
(1)Cymen V.
I stopped in for lunch with my wife and had a great lunch. We both opted for the yellow rice but asked our server about the more popular dark bean rice. She brought out some for us to try and it was very good. I don't doubt that some people have a Cuban mom that cooks it better at home but I don't and next time I'm in Tampa this is on my list to return to.
(5)Steve S.
Great Latin food and reasonably priced!
(4)Erik F.
Excellent tasting cuban food. Great service all at an excellent price!
(5)Mike S.
The other reviewers validly attest to this West Tampa monument restaurant that serves all the Cuban classic dishes, plus a selection of Chinese-Cuban innovations......including some variations of fried rice but not drenched in soy. Very small dining room and sometimes difficult parking but a must-visit for those wanting a true sample of Tampa Cuban fare......missing it would be like going to Rome and skipping St. Peter's. And Harry D. got the phonetic pronunciation right.
(4)Steph G.
Excellent customer service and to die for Cuban dishes! Try the ropa vieja (shredded beef), the yellow rice and chicken and the tres leches cake (delish!). This place is a hidden gem!
(5)Julio P.
Best Cuban food in town. Try the carne con papa or the pollo a la plancha. Best around town.
(5)Anthony C.
Not so good more like you get what you pay for cheap prices. Nothing like Miami food. The pork and Moro was bad. But good service
(1)Kari G.
I came to Tampa for a job interview about a month ago and KNEW that I had to have some cuabn food as soon as I landed Not knowing anyone in this area I turned to my trusted sidekick, YELP. I found Arco Iris & SO GLAD I did. I had Churraso, morros, and plantains, MAN it reminded me of my moms (PR) home cooking. I will say that it was on the grasy side but what GOOD caribean food isnt. Well, I now live in Tampa and my first day as a resident, I took my friend from Cali to try some Cuban food. She also had the Churrasco, garbanzo soup and plantains, she was in LOVE! This time I tried the garlic fish & WOW, it was yummy (hold the grease please) was dripping off the plate :( I had the collard green soup and yucca, FANTASTIC! I could live off of their 2 soups. I'm sure I'll try other dishes just cant go as often as I'd like too. I would definately recommend.
(5)Carlos G.
Best cuban food (other than home made) I have had in a long time. The fried rice was worth the visit alone!
(4)Cindy V.
my husband's grandmother made the best cuban food i've ever had. this is a very close runner up. i always get the ropa vieja with yellow rice and plantains, which is delicious. their garbanzo soup is also quite good. the kids always get bisteca milanesa and they nearly clean their plates each time (which is saying something as the serving sizes are huge). the plaintain chips (served as an appetizer) are really good and not so filling that you won't have room for dinner. get a cafe con leche to go afterwards and you'll be all set! p.s. we order our noche buena food here and have for the past several years. wouldn't trust anyone else with it!
(5)Philip T.
In my opinion this is one of the best Cuban restaurants in the state of Florida. I have had Cuban food in several cities in our great state, So far this is one of the best. The service is fantistic the variety of dishes is great. The pricing is also great. I have been here several times. it has always been great.
(5)Lily S.
Great Cuban Food!!! Staff...very friendly. Our waitress was the best.
(5)Jo N.
Authentic and yummy cuban sandwhiches and viejo ropa dishes served here! Friendly staff here but parking can be difficult, especially at lunch.
(3)Anthony A.
This place was phenomenal I mean the pork steak is great, the tostones ( fried bananas ) were to die for and I couldn't stop eating the yellow rice. This will become a restaurant that I eat at every week!
(5)Pam E.
One of favorites if not the favorite when we are in Tampa. Great choices, alot of food and great prices. Service is good. You could get fooled based on the outside and where it is but get inside.
(4)Steven W.
Awesome Cuban Food!!! If you're looking for some authentic Cuban food this is the place to go!
(5)George K.
Horrid grease joint. My fish soup tasted like canned chicken soup, with some fluorescent yellow dye thrown in there. Everything is fried and greasy; horrible iceberg lettuce salad. It's basically a fast food grease joint with some waitress service (who don't speak English well enough to communicate). Green beans came straight from a 1958 school cafeteria; boiled in water for a few hours until they offered no resistance. Fried plantains was the only edible thing. Arfff; my dog eats better. For good Spanish/Latin food, go to Ceviche Tapas bar, or to Red Mesa in St. Pete.
(1)Rohan D.
The problem with hotel front desk people nowadays is that they are too young, without the experience to really help travelers discover the towns we're visiting. Two trips to Tampa, and we couldn't get any hotel staff, even those who speak Spanish, to recommend good local authentic Cuban food, they're all too quick to send you to an overpriced tourist trap in Ybor City. This time, we were in town for the Northwestern-Auburn Outback Bowl, and some local football fans clued us into this gem, right by the Bucs' home gridiron. The decor isn't much, it's casual-cafeteria atmosphere, but the food is delicious, authentically Cuban (most of the customers are Cuban except for a select few gringo football fans who have made a pregame ritual of their tasty and filling Cuban sandwiches), and I just know if I lived in Tampa I would be 200 lbs heavier eating here all the time. Try the Masitas de Puerco, Chicharron de Pollo, Yuca Frita, the chicken with yellow rice on special (there's a board of specials that doesn't seem to change everyday). The bistec empanizado looked tasty on the table next to me, and they have no idea how close I came to snatching a bite. Avoid the few items that aren't really Cuban, like the steak milanesa (too cheesy), but that doesn't include the "Chinese dishes" which are really Cubanized Chinese (somewhat like Puerto Rican style Chinese food, if you know what I mean). Finish off with either Cuban coffee or cafe con leche. Prices are very reasonable, it's only slightly more expensive than fast food.
(4)M S.
Arco Iris is the best of several family-style Cuban restaurants in the Columbus Drive area of West Tampa. It has authentic food, wonderfully prepared, and very reasonably priced. Some of my favorites: the vaca frita (fried, almost shredded steak), masitas de puerco (fried pork chunks), palomilla (very thin steak), bistec empanizado (the palomilla breaded and fried), and the chicarron de pollo (fried pieces of chicken meat) are all excellent. The portions of everything are large, and you can eat here for less than $10 per person. Parking can be a problem, because it is on the corner of a strip mall, but it is well-worth a visit.
(5)Larry H.
Great authentic Cuban food. Very reasonable prices. Fast and good service in nice, simple surroundings.
(4)J G.
Recommended by a co worker whose wife is Cuban, we decided to check out last night. What a treat! Nondescript from the outside, the inside was spotless and bright. Lots of local families and people picking up take out. We grabbed a booth and had the best meal in Tampa at completely reasonable prices. Who can beat $1 expresso coffee?? All the dishes were flavorful and transported us back to the local joints we would eat at in NYC. The yuca side should not be missed. Go!! You won't be sorry.
(5)Rob J.
They do the best spanish bean in Tampa, great food all the way around at very fair prices. The lamb shank is great as well as the sirloin tips. Been going there for years and some days are better than others and the food is fairly consistant.
(5)Cate Y.
This place was a dream come true. My bf is Miami-Cuban so he was excited when I moved to Tampa and we thought we'd have more access to good Cuban food. The challenge is finding the hole-in-the-wall places that are run by Cubans and patronized by Cubans...because they're not out there trying to pull in the tourists. Nothing against some of the more popular establishments on Columbus, but this place is the real deal. The food has a deep, rich taste (probably backed by a great deal of pork fat) and everything is hot and fresh and garlicky. They've got a full menu of Cuban fare plus an auxiliary section of Chinese-Cuban, which is actually a much better blend of flavors than you might think. Skip the marquee places and slip into this dive for some divine Cuban food.
(4)Jenn P.
Parking for this place is limited in the front but there is additional parking along the side of the building. I can see that possibly being a problem when they are busy. I can't believe it has taken me this long to find a great cuban restaurant. We weren't sure what to expect.We weren't greeted when we walked in so we had to ask if we sat ourselves or waited. FYI Gringos you seat yourself :) The food was excellent. I had the ropa vieja with black beans and rice and a side of plantanos. I had cafe con leche for drink and it was good. Not the best, but it was still good. (The tampa sandwich shop still is my favorite) My fiance got Masas de puerco and we both agreed it was missing a mojo sauce or a lime to give it some kind of kick. Otherwise the meat was cooked perfectly but it was missing some flavor. The black beans were delicious! Our waitress brought us our check and again we weren't sure what we were supposed to do. Lack of communication (there wasn't a language barrier to blame). I'm thinking it was just our server because the other servers were smiling and communicating. We took our check and paid in the front because we weren't sure if our waitress was going to come back and take our money. That alone should lose a star but the food was amazing so we will have to see the next time around. We will definitely be back to try more stuff on the menu.
(5)Diane G.
I had mixed feelings about my first visit here. I think my expectations might have been a little high and I really wanted to give it more starts because I'd heard great things about it. Our server was extremely polite and friendly, our food was served in record time (maybe 5-7 minutes), and the food was good...but I've had much better Cuban food. Perhaps growing up in (very) south Florida has spoiled me. My son had breaded chicken with yellow rice and French fries, I had the chicken Milanesa with white rice and red beans, and my companion enjoyed the palomilla steak with yellow rice, black beans, and yuca with mojo. Everything was enjoyable, but nothing stood out as fantastic (except maybe the flan. It was almost as good as mine). Everything had flavor and was adequately prepared, so I think my issue may have been with the freshness and/or quality of the product served (meat, poultry and produce). I've learned to appreciate higher quality foods that may be locally produced/grown, or at the very least least fresh as opposed to packaged/canned/frozen. I read another review where some made a similar comment, and I agree and I think that's where I was a little disappointed. That said, we enjoyed our meals, and I will give this place another try in the near future.
(3)Carol M.
Met friends here on a recent visit to town. We'd been craving Cuban sandwiches and Arco delivered the goods. Added a side of fried plantains and we were set. Service was friendly and tolerant of our extra long visit. Wish they opened for breakfast.
(4)Mailoha A.
This was my first time here. I was craving a Cuban sandwich so I thought, why not? Well I was not impressed and will most likely not be back. We ordered 2 Cubans - both the same way (no mustard, no pickles, all the way). We got one with only tomatoes and onions and the other one with tomatoes and lettuce no onions. Huh?? Oh and you can't fool me with that ham and turkey combo, a real Cuban sandwich has pernil in it not turkey. A real cuban also has a good amount of meat and these did not. We were really disappointed. I am not sure how the rest of their menu is but if you want a Cuban, go somewhere else. Total for 2 Cubans was $10 after tax. Such a large community of Cubans in the Tampa Bay area yet finding good authentic Cuban food is so hard! Helpppppp!
(2)Michael Z.
Having been less than wowed at the nearby La Teresita, I was pleasantly surprised by Arco-Iris. The food was flavorful across the board and the prices were some of the most affordable in Tampa. Their Cuban bread is quite tasty and any variation of the sandwiches offered here are sure to be good. I particularly enjoyed their chimichurri as well as their garbanzo bean soup. Definitely worth a visit.
(5)Kalvin K.
This place has decent Cuban food for Central Florida. I'll be the first to admit, I was spoiled living in south Florida for the previous five years so I'm a bit skewed. The food here is decent. I ordered the vaca frita (my favorite Cuban dish) and it came out as one hunk of meat. Normally, it comes out shredded for the customer -- no big deal. The moros rice was kind of dry but the plantains were amazing. Probably not gonna make a special trip back unless coworkers want to come.
(3)Steve E.
I've eaten at Arco-Iris many times since posting my original review, and have hosted two different Latin Crawls at their restaurant in that time, so that sounds like a great reason to update my review. Arco-Iris (The Rainbow) is one of my two favorite Cuban restaurants in Tampa. I would describe their food as very basic and delicious Cuban comfort food -- the type you would expect if your Grandmother was Cuban and she invited you over for a Sunday dinner. The colonization of Cuba as well as it's role as an important port of trade blended the cuisines of the Spanish, Caribbean, French, African, and even Chinese cultures into the wide variety of flavors that you'll find in a Cuban restaurant. The menu at Arco-Iris showcases that diversity with beef, chicken, pork, and seafood specialties, along with traditional Cuban sandwiches, and Chinese-style fried rice (chaufa). A couple of my favorite entrées from Arco-Iris are roast pork (puerco asada), roast chicken and rice (arroz con pollo), eye round steak wrapped around Chorizo Spanish sausage (Boliche), shredded beef simmered in tomato-based criollo sauce (ropa vieja), ground beef stew with vegetables (picadillo), and fried pork chucks (masas de puerco fritas) cooked in a mojo sauce made from oil, garlic, onion, oregano, and lime juice. These dishes are generally accompanied by rice and beans, yucca, and plantain chips for side items. Entrées run about $10, so you'll get a great meal at a very reasonable price! The wait staff at Arco-Iris is very friendly, and they slip easily from speaking Spanish to English and back again. In addition to the printed menu, they have a Specials board, and everything is translated into English. If you're not sure what to order just ask your server for some suggestions. You'll find Arco-Iris along W. Columbus Drive, one block to the east of Himes. Parking is a bit tricky out front, but there is plenty of room behind the restaurant and throughout the little shopping plaza. We've held two very successful Unofficial Yelp Events at Arco-Iris, and those in attendance have really enjoy the tastes of Cuban cuisine and the helpfulness of the staff. I hope that you'll give this place a try real soon.
(5)Boon C.
By living in Miami for 11 year, it train you tongue for the Cuban food. We have been to this restaurant many time and we like the food here. Compare to other Cuban restaurant, this top of my list. I like to thank Steve E organize the UYE. This is the first time that I have come to this restaurant in large group. It poof the service can keep up with group. Today I have order the Vaca Frita. Vaca Frita is flank steak in thin pieces. It is first deep fried and then hot plate grilled. I specifically ask them to make it crispy. Which mean make the outside burn a bit. The Vaca Frita is easily separate into shredded beef with folks. They usually top with grilled onion. A twist of lemon juice can be added to enhance the flavor. My dish comes with sweet plantain and I have added fried yucca. I have been here many times but have not give a review. I like to give them 5 stars due to service, very affordable pricing (under $10 for my dish), and good cooking in Cuban style.
(5)Dave W.
This is the place the locals, families, and Yelpers-in-the-know go. The parking can be challenging but kudos to whomever brought the immaculate Rolls Royce and parked it up front! As for the food, it's incredibly affordable and totally on point. I love the beans and rice, plantains, fried yuca with garlic sauce, and whatever Picadillo, roast or fried pork dish, or tasty steak we choose to order. Top it off with a wonderful colada to share and you will be pleasantly stuffed and wide-freaking-awake for hours to come! They are also excellent hosts for Steve's legendary Latin Crawl unofficial Yelp event. Separate checks, for example, for a party of 20 is no problem! Let's do this again but I need to force myself to order less. Ok, that is never going to happen. Bring it on!
(5)Lo S.
Ummm so yea...Arco-Iris. Eating food this good is extremely hard to communicate through writing... Just... Everything was PERFECTION!! For $10 dollars!!!!! You cannot beat that! As soon as we walked in, the aroma of fresh onions being grilled immediately convinced me that I was gonna get some good lovin' from Arco. I already knew it was about to go down. I ordered Pollo a la Milanesa y Yuca AND sat down for THE most torturous 7 minutes of life. ERRRRRMUH GAWWWDDDD!!!! Every plate of food looked like it's own mini piece of heaven. Everything had GRILLED ONIONS!! MAN LISTEN. I was literally about to squeeze into someone's table and DEBO a forkful of food just for a quick taste. That food couldn't come fast enough. It was a busy little spot, too. I felt foolish for not trying it sooner. My food was so freaking good!! The cheese was melted perfectly, the chicken was cooked to perfection, the RICCEEEE had flavor (unlike yesterday) EVERYTHANG WAS EVERYTHANG BABY!! I sent my phone number back to the Chef...told him to call me so we can work out the details for our wedding and having these mini Arco chef babies. I'll give up all this jet setting bachelorette freedom for him. This is the first restaurant I've found that I know my parents will rave about when they come. I need to find something healthy here because the summertime gym turn up is ramping up. We'll see how this goes!! EAT HERE PEOPLE AND SOON!!
(5)Loretta Z.
I think this restaurant is good but I don't think it is great. Definitely better than La Teresita up the street but nowhere as good as Las Margaritas off of Hillsborough. Part of my problem I think is that I am just not a fan of skirt steak. I ordered their premier item, the churassco steak and thought it was salty and chewy and just ok. My son got the chicharron de pollo which was very tasty. Nice garlicky flavor. However, if you have blood pressure issues, I would advise you to skip it since it has a ton of salt in it. The garbanzo soup was good and so was the Cuban bread. All in all good. The staff was nice but did not speak much English. Not really a problem because you can pretty much just point at a picture and get your food. I asked for my steak medium rare and got it medium. Oh well. I would come here to pick up dinner to bring it home but I don't think I would go out of my way to come here for a meal.
(3)Lindsay G.
I LOVE Arco Iris!! I've gone here several times and the food is always fresh, authentic, and the best Cuban food in Tampa. Hubs had the palomilla steak sandwich, his dad had a Cuban sandwich, his mom had a fish sandwich, and I had boiled Yuca and lentil soup. Everything was great even down to the cuban bread they serve prior to the meal!
(5)Cesar V.
Great Cuban Food with really good prices. You sit yourself where ever you want. The service was quick and good too. To start out with, For a drink I got a Jupiña which is Pineapple Flavored Soda (delicious Cuban drink). I ordered the Masitas De Puerco (fried pork cubes) with white rice, black beans and Sweet Platains. The pork could have been flavored a little more with mojo but overall I was impress with a flavorful meal. This restaurant is on my top list for good Cuban restaurants. One thing I dislike and the reason for 4 stars was that at the end they give you your check but it doesn't have any prices on it. It's not until you get up and pay at the register that you find out your total. But that big issue, I just like knowing how much everything cost before I go pay. I recommend his place to go eat aunthentic Cuban food.
(4)Coty S.
What can I say? I have eaten at Arco Iris multiple times now, and tried almost every type of meat item on their menu. Not kidding at all--- I have tried EVERYTHING on the menu. Even the "Chinese food" items. Everything tastes salty, or tastes like a can. Or tastes like a salty can. Does everything here come out of a can?!?!? There are other seasonings and spices than just salt and food coloring. But, just not at Arco Iris. I have had better food served at a cafeteria in an old folks home than here. The "Garlic Fish" does not even have garlic flavor. What the hell is going on? The best thing that Arco Iris has going on is their atmosphere. People love eating there. I just have yet to figure out if they actually like the food or just spending time with friends and family in a fun environment.
(2)Allison N.
Arco-Iris has a pretty big following in the Tampa area along with other Cuban places like La Teresita. They're actually right near each other! So, having been to La Teresita, I decided to try Arco-Iris since I was craving plantains and knew they had them. The restaurant itself is not very big, which is to be expected with little Cuban places like these. I don't think I've actually been to a really big Cuban restaurant before. Arco-Iris always seems to be pretty busy too, which is a good sign. My meal started out with some warm Cuban bread. Now, I don't normally eat bread since it makes me sort of sleepy, but I did have some of this bread since it was buttered and looked amazing. Well, I was right -- it was amazing. And it did make me sleepy because I took a nap after I left this place, but I digress. It was some of the better Cuban bread I've had. I ordered the ropa vieja. It came out very quickly. The ropa vieja was tender and juicy -- not too big of a portion either. I sort of wish the meat didn't rely on the sauce so much, but it was still good ropa vieja. I prefer La Teresita's over Arco-Iris' ropa vieja. I got green beans and fried plantains as my sides. The green beans, unsurprisingly, were nothing to write home about. I think they probably came out of a can. The plantains were very good, though. Perfect portion size and not too fried. I left with a very happy tummy because this was the whole reason I came in here! I'll have to come back and try their bistec -- I saw it at some other tables and it looked very delicious!
(4)Emilio D.
Great Cuban food, casual atmosphere and good prices. Please note, YOU SEAT YOURSELF, this is a very traditional Cuban cafe so they will not always sit you. Highly recommend the carne con papas, puerco asado or steak sandwich.
(4)Annie C.
While on a short vacation in Tampa we saw this little gem on yelp and we had to try it. When we got there I was a little discouraged by the shopping center, how it looked outside. And the fact that their sign said Cuban and Chinese cuisine...... So confused. But we were already there and starving so why not give it a try. Let me start by saying there is no Chinese food on the menu or anywhere in sight! Thank heavens! I ordered the churrasco steak made medium rare with yellow rice. It came out quickly and was super juicy and delicious! Thanks to this place I was on the hunt for a churrasco place in Maryland the minute I left the restaurant! The service was good. It was a very friendly environment. Very clean. I have to come back here the next time I'm in Tampa!
(5)Bill T.
We hadn't been to Arco Iris for a long time, maybe a couple of years and we were kind of disappointed with the food. We stopped in around one o'clock on a week day and they were still very busy with their lunch crowd. We were able to be seated almost immediately and the service was excellent. My wife got the cuban pork and I had the cuban sandwich. We both had a cup of soup as well. Soup was just okay, as was the sandwich. Unfortunately, my wife's pork was dry and everything else was overly salty. We both remembered the food as being much better on previous visits. Not terrible but I suspect there are better choices nearby.
(3)James W.
Hard to get Cuban food in the Bay Area. So, when I was in town, I decided to get a Cuban dinner. My colleague recommended me to this place and I was super satisfied. I ordered the fried port chunks, yellow rice and black beans. I'll be back next time I am in Tampa.
(5)Genieve D.
The best Cuban food i have ever had. Very "mom and pop" type feel with generous servings of your favorite cuisine. I've been to the restaurant 3 x and each time i try different plates. I haven't had anything that I didn't like. My mouth is watering just typing this review. Lovely place to go with the family after church.
(5)Alex R.
Really good whole in the wall cuban diner. Nice staff, prompt service, good Pan Con Bistec, my only gripe with the sandwich is that it came with pickles which I never heard of this sandwich having that. Also, no small papitas in the Pan Con Bistec. Other then that, which really isn't a big deal, this place is a good mom and pop place. Support local small businesses.
(3)Frank N.
Another gem in the Armenia Corridor. Cubano food done right. My Ropa Vieja was tasty and tender. Good rice and beans. Well priced but the plates aren't humongous. Great lunch place. The servers were right on the spot except for having to ask for drink refills. This place is just down the street from La Teresita. I'd be hard pressed to pick my favorite. They are both very good. If you havent tried Cuban food and want to try it, this would be a good place. Good Eats.
(4)Frugal F.
Quaint restaurant, Inviting friendly staff. My cubano was just ok. The plantains were better then the sandwich for me. Great price for huge sandwich though.
(3)Bex D.
This place is sooo good. Friendly staff, quick service, delicious food. The complimentary bread is amazing! And reasonably priced. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Pamela P.
If there was a star less than one I would pick it. The food was tasteless, the rice was hard and the wait staff is very rude. I don't suggest you go there. Thought we would try somewhere new but I'll be going back to La Terasita.
(1)Alexander M.
I have a cuban ,my wife a ropa vieja ,I didn't like the cuban ,it was cold.my wife's dish was good. Basically I'm complaining about the server ,she was rude did not smile did not ask later how was the food.
(2)Ana Victoria M.
You can't go wrong with their "bistec empanizado" with fried rice and sweet plantains. Trust me, you will love it.
(5)Jerry G.
Came here with the other folks of the 3rd UYE Latin Crawl, I think 23 of us all totaled. This was a whole new experience for me. Everything I ate on this day was a first. I have to admit I loved every mouthful. Our "Latin Kings" ordered some appetizers for the group. Masitas de Puerco, fried pork chunks, which was absolutely delicious, and Chicharritas fried strips of plantains which came with a garlic dipping sauce, also very good. For my meal I ordered chicken noodle soup, Boliche (eye of round with chorizo sausage in the middle), and a rice that had black beans mixed in it (sorry can't remember the exact name). The chicken soup was very hearty and flavorful with large pieces of chicken and yellow noodles, we think due to saffron. The Boliche was so tender that I only used a fork to cut into it, like you would with a pot roast, great tasting too. Many thanks to our "Latin Kings" Steve E., Mike S., and Rich D., For another wonderful Latin crawl event!
(5)Britt L.
A friend of mine introduced me to this hidden gem yesterday. It exceeded my expectations by far! The inside of the restaurant was clean and beautifully maintained. The servers were punctual and friendly, and the Cuban bread they bring out to you before your meal is to die for!!! I ordered the Pollo asado and it was nothing short of absolutely amazing!!! The sauce it was cooked in is delicious! My friend ordered a Cuban sandwich and it was delicious! The rice and beans were flavorful, and the plantains were a perfect balance of tender and crisp. Arco Iris is hands down my go to lunch spot. The waitresses take care of you and the prices are more than reasonable. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Tiffany H.
I participated in the Latin Crawl and had a really good time with the 20+ people who came to the event. We took over a bunch of tables and shared some Masitas de Puerco (pork chunks), Cuban bread, fried plantain strips, and some yucca. I never got to try the latter, but the pork made up for it. After a volunteer shredded/cut them up some, they were moist on the inside with a little bit of texture on the outside. It's hard to go wrong with Cuban bread, and theirs was pretty solid. I wasn't a huge fan of the plantains, but I've never been big on them, so that's my issue. I nursed my cafe con leche as long as I could, and I didn't want to add to the confusion, so I switched to water for lunch. I ordered the roast chicken with a side of yellow rice and the Spanish bean soup. The soup was good, and a small enough portion that I didn't feel full from it. I can't say it was especially memorable, but for a side/starter it's a good option. The chicken was a nice size portion for the price; it was very moist but also a bit on the salty side. The rice reminded me of all the yellow rice I used to get in Miami, so that's a winner. Our waitress was very nice, incredibly patient, and a pleasure. The inside of Acro-Iris is very simple and really no-frills. If I could have changed anything, it would have been the salt levels of my chicken. And I would have done like a couple of my tablemates and ordered the larger cup of crack-coffee. You know... The kind that is served in cups the size of half-and-half containers. Next time!
(4)Alisha E.
Best Cuban food in town. Clean restaurant, and friendly staff. Great puerco, ropa vieja, pollo milanesa, and fried rice!
(5)Lindsey S.
We came here for Steve's UYE Saturday and had a great time with the group! I ordered the same exact dish and sides as another restaurant I went to recently, and although the food was good here, it just didn't stack up for me. My Bistec Milanesa had so much tomato sauce on it that the arch of the steak created an air pocket. When I would press on the steak to cut it, this air pocket made tomato sauce bubble and almost splatter on the table. Also, the helping of cheese on top was a bit too generous. I love cheese, but I felt the steak was being smothered and thus the flavor was compromised. The Yuca con Mojo was my favorite part of the meal. The flavors and textures were on point. Good stuff! The plantains, however, were overcooked and almost dry and chewy in the middle. Christoph ordered the Picadillo with rice and a salad for sides. We shared plates, and although the yellow rice was good, I found the Picadillo to be almost too salty. I usually love salt, so this was surprising. Our service was outstanding though. Our lovely waitress was nothing but cordial and accommodating throughout our meal, and even brought out a "grilled cheese sandwich" (Cuban bread with Swiss cheese inbetween) for our picky eater, Bobby. I also have to mention that the atmosphere here was very casual and family friendly. We liked the murals on the walls, and Bobby and I even played "I Spy" with the objects we saw in them. All in all, Arco Iris is good, but not great (for me). I'll definitely come back and give them another try sometime.
(3)Sonia O.
Decent food at an really inexpensive price. The yuca was amazing but the beans lacked flavor. Overall good food!
(4)Alicia P.
For the first time visited and I'm not sure why it's taken so long. We've searched for the best Spanish food in town and Arco Iris has got it down.....at least for what we had. There were a couple of starting plates ordered for the group - some pork chunks, which were so so good! And, some banana chips (not the small rounds, but the real curled slices) and I ordered a cafe con leche to have with the Cuban bread. The pork chunks, as noted above, were really great! The banana chips were very good. The cafe con leche was perfectly brewed and combined. The Cuban bread was ok....didn't seem pressed or warm. That would have gone perfectly with the cafe con leche, but was a little let down there. The location is amongst many other Spanish restaurants and groceries and shops in an unassuming building on the corner. Parking is tough when the place is packed. By the time we left, the place was PACKED! For lunch, we shared a palomilla steak. That is my "gotta try this here and see if it's any good" choice for any Spanish restaurant I go to for the first time. We had yellow rice and black beans as sides. The rice didn't seem to be made fresh with saffron, it seemed like already yellowed in the package rice - but so does other yellow rices in the immediate area. The black beans were ok, better than most of the other places in the immediate area. I requested chopped onions on the side for my black beans and they never showed up. The place could use a little sprucing up, but it's really just the appearance. The food is very good. I did not get to try the yuca frita or any other dishes....but that was quite enough. And we'll definitely be coming back to try a few other items on the menu. YUM! Great job to Steve, Mike and Rich for setting up the UYE that brought me there. We're sure glad we went!
(4)Magaly V.
Great service and authentic Cuban food at reasonable prices. Clean restaurant and friendly service. Consistent good quality.
(4)Rachel M.
Went to Arco-Iris a while back, and met up with some friends. Glad I was able to try this place because there was some very good food. My favorite was the pork chunks. That was so good. In addition, we had some cuban bread, friend plaintain strips, yucca, and we also ordered some ropa vieja and piccadillo. All was very good and flavorful. You can tell that this place is quite busy. People kept coming in and the place was always full. This place is not fancy. It does have nice murals on the walls that show off Tampa as well as Cuba. Definitely a great place to try if you have a taste for Cuban food.
(4)Grace C.
Overall, it was an okay meal. When we walked in, the staff was friendly and smiled and told us to sit anywhere. Our waitress promptly handed us our menus and asked if we needed a drink to start off with. We were given a complimentary basket of Cuban bread and butter. It was good but not the best I ever had. My boyfriend's go-to meal is always the churrasco steak whereas I normally pick a pork dish. I thought the roast pork was extremely bland and tough. The steak was a little too charred to my liking but it was good paired with the chimi-churri sauce. I thought they were extremely stingy with the sides and they could have been more generous about it. I asked for a side of plaintains and I literally got four small pieces which seemed more like a garnish. The yellow rice was yummy. It took about 15-20 minutes for us to get our food which is fine. Bathrooms were clean and it was fairly packed when we visited. There's a few parking spaces behind the restaurant and in front. Overall, it was an okay meal.
(3)Frank R.
Food is always good. Service is typical Hispanic, slow at times. Beats Teresa's down the road
(4)LeeAnna P.
Three reasons I love coming here: Palomilla Cafe con leche The free bread/butter All delish. Food/service is QUICK. Can't beat the prices. I've gone multiple times at various times, and it's always busy there.
(5)Elvia E.
All the food we had was delicious but my favorite was the Russian fish! The Massas were delicious as well.
(4)