I just randomly stumbled onto this place while driving through Rockville. Standing outside, I just flipped a coin to decide whether to do Cuban, or the Jamaican place next door. Sometimes just walking into a random establishment with low expectations can yield spectacular rewards... The Cuban Corner has a nice homey feel inside. The walls are lined with plaques honoring famous Cubans and Cuban/Americans and the wait staff is very friendly. The menu has a wide variety of Cuban dishes that I'm looking forward to coming back and trying, but on this visit I decided to go with the Paella and was not disappointed. The spices were aromatic but not overwhelming, the meats and seafood in the paella were cooked to perfection, and the icy cold Modelo poured into a frosty mug at the table side by my waiter made for a great presentation. Afterward, I chose the Tres Leches and a cup of Cuban coffee to top it all off. Great food, Great atmosphere, and lots of Interesting menus choices. I can't think of a single thing that could be improved upon. I will definitely come back to Cuban Corner for more !!!
(5)
Tony E.
The Cuban Corner is a beautiful little place in Rockville! I was never really a huge fan of Cuban food until I visited this spot. I've dined here for lunch and dinner on many occasions. The food here is fresh, tasty, and genuine. The staff are very friendly and service is on point. The Bistec Empanizado is by far my favorite dish and the Cuban coffee is just amazing. The place is small but there's always a seat with your name on it. The walls are jam packed with all kinds of Cuban memorabilia and beautiful paintings that help transport you to the island. The owner is nice and always has a welcoming smile on his face. He really goes above and beyond to ensure you have everything you need. There are few places in the area that provide a solid and consistent dining experience. The Cuban Corner really sets a high standard that other small boutique restaurants should follow. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Carson H.
Not a good look for dates.... Ambiance leave a lot to be desired. I kept reading the plaques on the wall last time I went to this place years ago. Needless to say, my company appreciated my distracted attention as I appreciated the barely decent food. I expected a lot out of this place due to hype from my friends.... Instead I left deflated and in desperate need of a mojito to get the evening back on track,. #missionaccomplished
(2)
C C.
My boyfriend and I LOVE this place. The food is fantastic, the owners are the sweetest people you will ever meet, and did I mention the food is awesome? We have tried several things on the menu and have never been disappointed. Our favorites include fried yuca, plantains, Cuban sandwich, Papa Abu's with cheese, Churrasco and the guava and cream cheese pastry they serve for dessert. If you are in the Rockville area, you should definitely check this place out!
(5)
michele t.
Excellent Cuban restaurant! We have been here many times, and never had something that wasn't delicious! They have all the traditional dishes, excellently prepared and seasoned. Service is good, too!
(5)
Chris H.
Food was amazing I been to a few good cuban spots but nothing like this one, if I could give it 10 stars I would...costomwr service was great, foot came out on good time , it was just amazing if you wanna try authentic cuban food I recommend
(5)
Jeremy H.
Love this place!! Best sandwiches in this part of Rockville!!
(5)
Megan M.
Delicious ropa vieja! The service was great, the drinks were great, I don't live in the area, so I was surprised to see the cuban food so expensive! For rice and beans, really? I probably won't go back because I wasn't wowed, which makes me sad, BC I wanted a place to go when visiting the area and everyone there is.so nice and the place is really cute! I would just suggest updating the menu or adjusting the prices/portions.
(3)
Irene F.
Drinks: Mamey Shake- this tastes a little bit like a papaya shake- it was delicious- not too sweet. Cuban Espresso- Smooth, sweet espresso- very strong but tasty Appetizer: Croquetas De Jamon (Ham croquettes) - $1.25 each (I was really surprised to see that these look like fried mozzarella sticks. Squeeze the lemon juice onto it- its tastes better. They were good but not something I would order again.) Platanos Maduros- Sweet ripe fried plantain (all the entrees were served with 2 pieces. I don't normally like plantains, but these were delicious.) We split 3 entrees "Family Style": Vaca Frita: $13.29: Boiled flank steak shredded into thin filaments. These in turn, are marinated and then pan fried with onions until crusty and crisp. I asked the waitress what were the 2 best dishes, and she said this one, and Ropa Vieja- so we got both. My first bite, I thought- this is tasty! But after my second bite- I thought--- boy this is salty...and sort of dry. After my third bite, I didn't eat any more of this dish. Ropa Vieja "Old Rags" $13.29; Shredded flank stew cooked until the meat falls apart. Cooked with tomato sauce, wine and spices. I ate the first bite, and I thought, this tastes ok, although it seemed really watery, and the portion small. But I have no experience with this dish, so I have nothing to compare it to. I ate one more bite and decided, I didn't really want to eat any more of it- but I can't put my finger on why. My co-worker thought it was delicious- so I don't know that my opinion is valid on this one. Paella: (I don't recall the price) Yellow rice with shrimp, pork, chicken. Among the 3 dishes, I liked this one the best. It was more moist than I am used to for this dish, but the flavor was good and the meat very fresh. We asked for the check and we were brought out a complimentary flan. That was so sweet of them! 2 thumbs up for that! I have never in my entire life enjoyed flan, so I was pretty hesitant about the first bite. Turns out it was REALLY yummy. I definitely was fighting for the last bite. I will say it was pretty sweet, but with a cup of coffee- it had perfect balance. The total bill came out to about $65 for 3 people. The portions are not very big, but the food was clearly made with care, they are clearly very proud of their restaurant- and want people to have a great experience. I enjoyed my little adventure to Cuban Corner- I am not sure I'm a fan of the style/flavor of food generally speaking, and I have no other Cuban food to compare against- so please take my review with a grain of salt. I am definitely going to come back again to try the basic Cuban sandwich and get the flan again.
(3)
Lou P.
The beef empanadas are the best I've ever had. The Cuban Sandwiches are the real deal not the fake ones that you get in some chains. Real roast pork, not pulled pork. The Arroz con Pollo is very flavorful.
(5)
Eric B.
This was my first experience of Cuban food and the waiter made great recommendations! The Ropa Vieja was absolutely delicious! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jeanette R.
Just excellent - the food and service are always excellent. The waiter is highly attentive - greeted us when we came in - truly made us feel welcome the entire time. We ordered the Vaca Frita and the special of the day - steak with shrimp. The food was excellent and truly well-done. The ambience is fantastic - and just a place I'll keep going to over and over again.
(5)
Anita C.
Very authentic, but too salty for my palate and overpriced in my opinion. I love hole-in-the-walls, and The Cuban Corner is definitely one of them. The interior is festively decorated with pictures and plaques of famous Cubans, a ceiling painted with blue skies and exotic birds, and flags aligned on the far wall. It's a fun interior. Seating is limited, but we only had to wait ~5-10 minutes for a seat at 7pm on a Saturday night. Service was very friendly. We ordered the following: 1) Mojito ($7.99) - off the menu, but I ordered it based on a Yelp review. This drink is very, very strong. Nothing special or delicious, but I like my mojitos on the fruitier side, so it was a little strong for me. They didn't skimp on the mint leaves or the alcohol, so I'll say that it was worth the $8. 2) Avocado salad ($4.99). Slices of avocado with an olive oil mixture on the side and raw chopped onions. Refreshing, and a nice complement to the meaty carne dishes we ordered. 3) Vaca fritas ($14.99) - the waitress said this was one of the most popular dishes. Boiled flank steak that is then shredded and fried with onions until crispy. It comes with a side of rice, fried plantains, and black beans. I thought the first few bites were really delicious, but then the dish got really salty. I tried to balance it with the rice and avocado, which made the saltiness a little more bearable, but overall, it was still too salty for my liking. 4) Steak empastacedes $14.99 (spelling?): I don't exactly remember the name of this dish, but here's a link to the picture: yelp.com/user_local_phot… This dish was sirloin steak with chopped, grilled onions atop. It was my favorite of the three, but still too salty. 5) Country fried steak ($14.99): This isn't the official name of the dish, but it's in essence what it is. A photo: yelp.com/user_local_phot… This was my least favorite dish. Too much breading in my opinion, and yet again, too salty. The sides of fried plantains were really tasty, and I think Cuban Corner would get bumped up a star if the food wasn't so salty. However, it's good for a once-in-a-while, heavy lunch/dinner when you're having salty meat cravings. The portions seem small, but are very filling. However, I still don't think it's worth $15/dish and would rather go elsewhere for a meal.
(3)
Sopiesud Z.
Cuban sandwiches was what we were looking for and we got yummy ones here. Loved the casual, quaint atmosphere from the painted murals on the walls, ceilings and mirrors to the plaques of famous Cubans and Cuban-Americans to the helpful staff. Looking forward to coming back to try other dishes.
(4)
Hugh V.
The decor is marginal, but the food is great. My wife had churrassco that was outstanding. My dish, the shrimp creole, was not quite as good. I sense that there a lot of culinary gems on the menu. Note to owner: get cloth napkins, instead of paper and you'll be taken a lot more seriously as a restaurant. Paper napkins remind me of a diner, and diners don't charge $15-$20 for an average entree.
(4)
Yvonne L.
Food and service were AMAZING. This is my second time coming here and both visits I was extremely satisfied.
(5)
Phi N.
Came here tonight and I loved it! I really enjoy the smaller restaurants with the cozy, family-owned business atmosphere. There are pictures and name plates of lots of the famous customers that have come in. I plan to come here more often and eventually get my name on the wall, haha. The ceiling is painted like a sky, and there are palm trees painted on the walls, with all sorts of cuban decorations that give you a wonderful feel. It'll entertain you while you wait for your food too. I prefer this kind of look over an elegant and boring look that fancy restaurants have. The only problem with the ambiance is that it is super quiet. There's no music or anything going on, so if you're the only customers, it's kind of awkward. I don't mind because I'm an awkward guy... but my friends thought it was weird, so I thought I should mention it. Based on recommendations, I ordered The Taste of Cuba to start off. I like the sauce it comes with and the 2 ham croquettes were delicious. Wasn't too fond of the stuffed potato or empanada. Yuca fries are also just so-so. The main course is where it's at though! I had the Bistec de Palomilla and the Ropa Vieja. The steak has a bit a of a bitter type taste that I love in steaks while the shredded flank had a delicious tomato/wine sauce to it. I really loved both these dishes! My friend ordered the ... I think it's the Lechon Asado (pulled pork). I'm never really a fan of this anywhere. It usually comes with no sauce, and lacks sodium. Not for me... And the two girls that came here tried the Pollo a La Plancha and the Fricase de Pollo -- Chicken Fricase (I know what you're thinking... what girly dishes right?? I said the same thing!) Anyway, I tried them all. The second chicken dish had the most taste to it. I'd recommend that if you're going for a skinless chicken breast dish (although I would never recommend that, lol). I tried the flan for dessert because someone on here had me convinced... and they were totally correct; it was some great flan! The menu even tells you... "The best flan in town anywhere", hah. If you can't trust their menu, who can you trust?? I'll definitely be back soon, there are many other things on the menu I want to try. I just wish the portions were bigger... What can I say? I'm fat. lol I just found out while looking up the menu to list the correct names on yelp that you may order online. foodler.com/MD/Rockville…
(4)
Mike M.
Had my first visit to Cuban Corner today. A friend of mine raves about it and I've been meaning to stop in. First reaction walking in the door is wow, crazy looking little place. It is tiny and the walls are covered with little signs highlighting the achievements of Cuban's and Cuban American's. I mean COVERED. Kinda neat to read through them. I was waited on right away by a very friendly server. I ordered a Cuban sandwich to go having read all the positive reviews on line. While I waited she brought me water and a menu to look at. There's some great sounding stuff on there. It's not really set up for dining alone, no bar seating (heck, no bar) or anything like that, so I'll have to come back with friends and try some of the other items. There was no problem with ordering take-away. They had my sandwich ready in a few minutes, I think it was $8. I didn't open it till I got back to my office, just a couple of minutes away. It was hot and the bread was crisp with creamy cheese and tasty roast pork and ham. Very good. This thing is about a foot long and had I not been a pig and eaten the whole thing, it would have fed two people lunch. Can't wait to go back and try more menu items!
This is a nice casual little restaurant. I've been here two times and the food was yummy each time. They have a variety of options (chicken, pork, beef) and also some vegetarian options as well. I don't know if I had ever had Cuban food before, but this place impressed me. All the meat that they serve seems like it is extra tender, which I think is awesome, and would be a great place to visit if you are a lover of extra tender, melt in your mouth meat. The place is decorated with the names and pictures of famous Cubans, Cuban-Americans, and Latino/a Americans from over the years, as well as a mural on one wall. The decoration gives the place lots of character. I would love to go back and try more items. As someone who eats Gluten Free, I did feel like I had a pretty good variety of things to choose from. And the black beans that come with almost every dish are super delicious. The staff is really nice and I appreciate their kindness :)
(4)
Miriam M.
Horrible food. I was born and raised in Cuba and I can tell you without any hesitation this place is anything but Cuban. Maybe if they changed their chef from Salvadoran to Cuban that may make the difference.
Wow. Just had a churipan sandwich for lunch. The bread was thin and crispy. The sausage was flavorful. It had marinated grilled onion that was perfect. The restaurant was a bastion for freedom. No Communists need to enjoy this taste o freedom!
(5)
Sam C.
Food is good, but this is basically Cuban street food at restaurant prices. Good for DC area, but they probably wouldn't make it in South Florida.
(2)
Jimmy T.
THe place is small but the food is amazing. First time I went there with my boss and the place is a real hidden secret. First time I'm having Cuban food and I was blown away. I had the plantain fried dish.. as an appetizer and some Stake dish as main course. The stake was marinated in some spicy sauce which was really good. A definite recommendation for any food lover. I'll be back if I'm anywhere near this place.... The owner was there and he was really nice.. he explained how to eat the food since I was a bit confused on how to start... excellent place.
(5)
Katie T.
I'm going to give this two stars just because I want to go back and try a few different things. But what we ordered was not good at all. I got the cuban sub and my husband got a cuban chicken sub. Both were dry and tasteless. I feel like a cuban place should be able to have a good cuban sub.... But I don't want to say it is bad completely. I want to go back and try some things other people recommended. Just don't get the subs.
(2)
Raj D.
This is one of my regular spots, I would always come here after class, being that it is so close to MC. Right from walking in your eye ADDHD senors go off as there are famous Cuban pictures of people from wall to wall (a little overwhelming BUT charming as it is called the Cuban Corner) The Service is nothing shy of wonderful and the server was very helpful with with regards to helping me make my decision. I had tried the Ropa Vejia (sorry if the spelling is in correct) and while that was superb I wanted to try something different. I had asked the server to recommend me a sandwich. She came back a few minutes later with a dish called the Jose Reig. Two pieces of perfectly toasted bread, on the inside tons of shredded meat completely covering the bottom piece of bread accompanied with onions. To spice it up if need be, do add some Cholula sauce that will be on the table :D My only complaint was there was not enough :) I do my best to try and savor it, but it's so damn good that I get caught up on how such a simple sandwich like this can be so good. Soup: Honestly, I dont remember the name of it but the ingredients are: potato thick chunks of beef a half of a whole corn (if that makes sense) rice ^^Had this during the winter and it warmed my soul and filled my tummy :D(another recommendation from the server) Another key factor I love about Cuban Corner is that they serve Tequila (a little hole in the wall place which I love serves Tequila and great Cuban beers that only add to the experience. I would highly recommend that you give this little hole in the wall off 355 a try.
(5)
Louis B.
Yes it's real Cuban. Take that from a Cuban. A little bit of Cuba in the midst of Rockville. So sad that the only genuine Cuban food in the Washington area is outside the District, either this one or Cubanos in Silver Spring. The place is small but the space is well utilized. Plackards with the names of notable Cuban Americans share the space with old Elian posters, poignantly reminding the customer that the issue is very much a part of the Cuban American folklore. Food was good to excellent. To my chagrin, they discontinued making the Cuban Tamales (Hallacas), less sweet than their Central American counterparts. The "tostones" double-fried green plantains, were succulent. On the two main courses, the Vaca Frita was a tad dry but tasty, but the Boliche (Cuban pot roast) was outstanding. And it wouldn't be the same without copious quantities of Black Beans and Rice.
(4)
DAI L.
The Food is great... tho i wish i had room to try more next time. Driving back home from Baltimore we decided to stop by for some Appetizers... We ordered the "Taste of Cuba" since it had everything we wanted which was Croquettes, Empanadas, Sweet Potato Fries, and a a Fried mashed potato and beef ball..?..?.. which was good. I've never seen it anywhere else. we also ordered Chicken Soup to split since it's huge..(very tasty) g/f is half Cuban and ordered Iron Beer then bought a whole 6 pack to bring home... it taste like pibb's mix root beer mix yumm :)) i am officially addicted. I love the History lay-ed out around the place.. it makes you feel proud to be Cuban even when I'm not ... This place is a must for great Cuban food and history.. A little hidden gem. I love this place..It's something i would find in Miami :) Ohh almost forgot the MOJITOS are FANTABULOUS!!!
(4)
Semra E.
I love hole in the wall style places, but this took the cake. Not only was their decor soooo beyond what I had thought it would be like, but their political thoughts are very clear when you sit down and look at the walls. I went there for lunch with one of my friends and we both were amazed (in a good way) with the quick service and even the sense of humor that the manager had when we walked in. It was pretty crowded (lunch crowd in Rockville can be a mess depending on where you are)...I guess that goes for any popular area for business. I decided on the highly recommended Fried Yuca which came out looking like delicious french fries, that came with this sauce (not sure what it was, but it was really good, complimented the flavor very nicely). As my main dish I got the Corroz Con Pollo, which was really good. I feel like I end up getting this as a main dish at a lot of South American style restaurants, but it's because every place I go to makes it different and really who can mess with chicken & rice? It also came with a side of fried plantains, which were out of this world. I didn't have time to sit and wait to eat anything else, or else I would have gotten dessert, but that wasn't happening this time around. Maybe next time Cuban Corner! I'll be BAAAAAAAACK!
(5)
Food L.
I had the Pollo a La Placha and it was delicious. My coworker had the Ropa Vieja and that was delicious as well. The service was quick and the restaurant has a nice atmosphere. I'm giving 4 start because for the type of food I received it was bit on the pricy side.
(4)
Eduardo S.
My Dad is from Cuba so I have high expectations with Cuban food. They were all met here ~! Camarones al Ajillo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce) = Awesome Ropa Vieja (This shredded beef joint ) = Awesome Bistec de Palomilla (This real tender buttery steak w/ Onions) = Awesome Churrasco con Camarones (Flavorful Steak with Shrimp on top)= Da BomB Fried Plantains, Black Beans and White Rice are brought out with whatever you order, & all are delicious Tres Leches or Flan for Dessert = Awesome Guava is good for dessert too p.s. Dessert is a must when you go to a Cuban Restaurant We ordered Yucca Frita as an appetizer, & it comes out sliced real thin like shoe string fries, with a garlic dipping sauce. Very nice. Sweet Anti-Castro artwork all around as well. I've had the Cuban sandwiches here also, they are solid. (8 Bucks for a sandwich w/ Roast pork, Ham, Pickles, Swiss Cheese & Mustard all pressed together. My stomach felt good after I ate it..you can get it with Chorizo added as well) I like it more than Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville.
(5)
Fenny L.
Frankly, this was not what we expected, but at the same time, it was exactly what we were hoping to find. Several Yelpers have pointed me to Cuban Corner, but I'll admit, I was thrown off by it's location in a craptapulous and rundown stripmall. However, after two hours of dismal house hunting, we were hungry and in the mood for something different to lift up our deary moods. Enter Cuban Corner. Upon entering, the little foyer is a surprise of colors with a colorful tropical mural painted on all four sides, and even the ceiling. Immediately, I felt that this might be the magic we needed. The dining room is even better. The cheerful and mildy epilectic-inducing tropical mural is subdued by notices of famous Cubans, photos and newspaper clippings. If it sounds busy and bizarre it was. But in a completely amazingly kitschy and fun way. We order the ropa vieja (my standard go-to for Cuban) and my husband got the roasted pork (I forgot the name, but it's a holiday special) and a side of fried yuca. Within 10 minutes, our food arrives, hot and delicious and with a side of black beans for our rice. The ropa vieja could stand to have a touch more heat, as would the roasted pork, but on the whole, the melding of spices and flavors were very complementary. As my husband says, "this is what I always imagined a simple homecooked Cuban meal would taste". Simple, rustic and hearty. Not out of the world, but definitely hits the spot. While the ropa vieja and the pork were both good, there were two dishes that were outstandingly delicious: the fried yuca and the flan. So we ordered the side of fried yuca, expecting to get the big, thick wedges of yuca that one gets at the grilled chicken joints. Not so here. The yuca were cut thin, like french fries and fried until they were amazingly crispy. Served with a dipping sauce that was like a combination of thick Italian dressing and heaven, it was remarkable. It was so delicious in fact, that after we (OK, *I*), inhaled the plate, we ordered a second plate of the fried yuca! The there is the flan. Before I talk about their flan, I have to first say that I have serious "flan issues". Since my first bite of flan at Guapos in the 7th grade, I have determined that the problem with flan is multifold: the constancy resembles dried pudding, the caramel sauce is too sweet and I usually find that the flan has either no flavor or tastes like vanilla eggs. So when the server recommended that we get their homemade flan, I silently grimaced and figured that I would have just a bite to round out my review. My husband and I nearly came to blows over who got the last bite of flan. HOLY SCHMOOLIES. This was what my mouth has been looking for each time it had flan. The flan was rich and thick, the caramel sauce was light and enhanced the natural creamy deliciousness of the flan. Actually, no - I am not using the right adjectives...just know that this flan was perfect. My husband, who dislikes non-chocolate desserts, loved it. I, who hate sweets and desserts AND has serious flan issues on top of it, loved it. The service was pretty great too. Our server was ultra sweet, attentive and didn't make fun of us (me) when we (I) ordered the second plate of yuca. She also kindly found the name of the CD that was playing and even wrote it down for us, because although the songstress was Celia Cruz, it seriously sounded like a man. Singing "I Will Survive". In Spanish. Needless to say, we ordered that off of iTunes that night. Heh. We will definitely be back, as my husband is hankering to try some of the more adventurous dishes, and I'm dying to try their stews (they smelled delicious!). And of course, we will be ordering more yuca and flan...but next time - no sharing. We'll each get our own.
(4)
Ariana A.
My husband is Cuban so I have experience a lot of cuban food in my time from the very good to the very bad, and I will tell you one thing Cuban Corner is VERY good. 1. It is hard to find good service and a friendly wait staff however at the Cuban Corner that is exactly what you can find, friendly faces and a willingness to help with anything you need. 2. Now the food is deffinately not as good as my Mother in-laws she takes the cake however it comes pretty close and makes a great meal when she is not around. We've tasted quite a bit of the menu and are quite pleased it is deffinately the best place to get cuban food in our area. 3. All though small the atmosphere of the resturant is fun and bright. I will admit the menu is a little pricy, but that deffinately doesn't stop us from coming back time and time again. I hope this posting inspires people to go and check out the Cuban Corner we are very big fans of the resturant and hope that you will enjoy it as well.
(5)
Cory G.
My company ordered lunch for everyone from here today, per a recommendation of a coworker. It was excellent. I tried the Cuban Especial as well as the Pan con Bistec. Both sandwiches were made to perfection. The fries were your average run-of-the-mill fries. The yucca was good, however, the sauce that came with it was horrible (that's my only gripe). Worth the money. Get the Cuban Sandwich.
(4)
Gerri S.
I am a cheater. There I said it. I couldn't help but notice Cuban Corner while i was seeing Island pride. From that moment I knew I was gonna come back later. I can't stand a tease. I gotta have it. Well it was late afternoon when I did come by. Few patrons. I wouldn't bump into anyone I knew. I went in. First of all there is nothing subtle about Cuban Corner. The interior is wall to wall Cuban photos,artifacts, memorabilia, plaques of famous Cubans. No holds barred if a little garish. But that's besides the point. Does Cuban Corner deliver the goods? With a passion. The mojito is so fresh and flavorful garnished with real sugar cane. The chicken empanadas will knock your socks off. Fresh, sumptuous and well-seasoned. I had the Carne Con Papas. This is a hearty meat and potatoes stew that comes with rice, plantains and beans. Food coma. I will be back. I am already craving another fix. Sorry Island Pride. Can't I have you both?
(4)
Dave H.
The smell wasn't overpowering here - it definitely was NOT cigar smoke since the place is non-smoking (at least as of the time I came here!). The interior is festive (see the photos I posted), colorful and tropical. On the walls are placards with the names of famous (and not-so-famous) Cuban Americans, such as Jeff Bezos (of Amazon fame), Mario Diaz Ballart (FLA Republican), and Cameron Diaz. Parking can be bad if you have a lot of people or if it's during a weekend. Make reservations if you DO visit on Friday or Saturday. Our server (Timo) was cordial and took our orders without any issues. Our dishes came out very quickly! My ropa vieja was (for the price, $15) somewhat disappointing - it wasn't terribly warm and reminded me of pulled pork. The accompanying rice and fried plantains (yum!) were good. My friends enjoyed their dishes. We ordered yuca fritas (fries) as an appetizer that were tasty and the sauce was unusual and tangy. To close, we had flan for dessert that was sweeeeeet (especially for me) but my co-diners said it was good. Had a good time here and would recommend.
(4)
Joel F.
It's a small but friendly place. The service was prompt and the food came out fast. The portions were not gigantic thankfully, but the food was very good. I'm not too familiar with Cuban cuisine, but since the owners were there as were other Cubans in the dining area, I have to assume it's authentic. Plus, you get to learn from the plaques on the walls about all the famous Cuban Americans.
(4)
Jueli L.
I would give this place 3.5 stars. When you first walk in, you'll notice their walls, which are either covered by beautiful, colorful murals of Cuba or name tags of famous Cubans and their occupations. Who knew the Cuban community had so many achievements in our country? Reading the walls is such an educational journey in of itself. You will be immediately greeted by a waitress who will seat you and grab you menus and drinks. The service is fast and kind, the ladies are all very nice. We started off with a papaya drink and two empanadas. The drink was cold and refreshing. Eating Partner had never had it before, but loved it immediately for its light, alluring flavor. Unfortunately, we could've done without the empanadas. They were fried with cheesy goodness on the inside, but the meat looked and tasted like bacon bits, while the veggie one tasted very one-note. We were expecting a mouthgasm of fresh flavors and spices, but was left disappointed and wanting more. As for our two entrees, they were both well seasoned, so much in fact that the ropa vieja was overly salty. No worries, we still jammed it down our bellies. One thing I need to mention - don't be fooled by the size of their entrees, which come in seemingly small ceramic bowls/plates. I could barely scarf down half my plateful of food so you are getting a ton of food. With that being said, there was nothing that stood out in our whole entire meal. We left with our tummies satisfied, but our taste buds yearning.
(3)
Zi-Heng Z.
This place is the real thing. I've never been to Cuba, but I would imagine / hope that this is what the food is like. Get the Empanadas!
(5)
Pete J.
Was treated to meal here with my wife by my inlaws. Located in a easy to find strip right off 355. The interior was covered in plaques of Cuban americans. The staff seemed very friendly. I got a cheese and chorizo empanada, and fish soup. I enjoyed both very much and thought the soup was good. Not too spicy but i added a little hot sauce and some rice and it was perfect. The fish taste and texture was great. Everyone else seemed to like their meals as well. A success.
(4)
Don D.
Outstanding authentic Cuban food! The "Jose Reig" might be the best steak sandwich ever! The owner is very personable and willing to share stories from the "old country". I literally learn something new about the struggles of the Cuban people and their ongoing fight for freedom every time I visit.
(5)
Robert C.
I'll make it simple and short. I really don't like this place because it's quite expensive yet the portion's sooo small. The taste's not even that good. I don't think I'll ever come back again.
(1)
Roger B.
Went today because I was craving a Cuban Sandwich. I usually go to a place closer to home, but, this place is very close to my office. Very small place on the end of a strip center. Walked in, was offered a table and given a menu. Waitress was ok, but, not as friendly as some here have mentioned. The place was dead, so, maybe she was bored. The place is crazy with the amount of nameplates they have all over the walls with names of Cubans who have done well. (All over the walls, every inch) This was very overwhelming and a bit distracting. The Cuban sandwich was good as were the fries. If the waitress had been more friendly, or the walls not so busy, then I would have given 4 stars.
(3)
Eddie D.
This place have some interesting decoration around, entire wall is filled with names of famous Cuban, from Dasi (Ricky) Arnaz to Castro. Wait staff was prompt and courteous. We got their best seller Emparedado Cubano "Especial", a Cuban Sub with roasted pork, ham, Spanish sausage and Swiss cheese pressed on a hot plate. Sub is not stuff with lots of meat like some other sandwich, but it was tasteful with a crunch. You could taste distinctly every item in the sandwich. We also got the Ajiaco Criollo, a Cuban Creole Stew with white rice, slow cooked beef stew with yucca root, a meal by itself. And finally the Arroz con Pollo, chicken and yellow rice, thought is a little bid salty, but still a good choice. Over all, I think the Cuban Sub is a good choice, I notice some customer basically order the sub only.
(4)
Eileen K.
Went there tonite with some friends & definitely will not be back. The Cuban Sub was dry, chewy & almost inedible. It had one small stringy piece of pork & one small thin slice of inedible salty ham on a huge slab of old dry bread. The plantains were black, burnt & totally awful. Not sure how they could even serve them to a customer. On top of everything else the margarita was bitter. The place seems to have no quality control at all. Don't be fooled like I was when the waitress says "what side item would you like with the sub"? It doesn't come with a side item, you pay extra for it. Skip the side item & save your money. There are too many great spots in Mo Co to ever go back to Cuban Corner. Count me out next time it's suggested. I would give it -0- instead of 1 star if that were an option.
(1)
Stretch G.
Stopped by here one day for lunch. It's really close to the job and kind of small so you need not to speed on the "Pike" or you will pass it. The food is good. I got a Cuban grilled-chicken sandwich and enjoyed every bite! The place is adorned with all the famous Cubans in the world. I wanted to place pic of me on the wall but i forgot i'm not Cuban! Shucks!
(3)
Rachel L.
Came here with two friends after having ordered take out twice. The place is somewhat small but has a cool interior. I ordered chicken fricase and tostones, my friends got especial de polo (beef with fried eggs and rice) and the red snapper. We all cleaned our plates. The mamey shake is tasty too.
I have only had cuban food one other time, and I felt the food here was ok. The services was very prompt and the food came out very fast, which was nice, but did feel slightly rushed. My boyfriend and I ordered a friend mashed potato that was stuffed with beef, that was really interesting and quite tasty for an appetizer. For my entree I had chicken with a lemon sauce. I felt that the chicken was pretty over cooked. It was almost tough to eat. The sauce was good though. The rice was also very good. Overall not bad, but not my favorite restaurant in the area.
(3)
Alex F.
When it comes to Cuban food my expectations have tempered. I've come to the realization that it'll never be as good as my grandmother or wife's cooking. I've also concluded that it'll never be half as good as what I can get in Miami for 1/5 the cost. With that said, I want to give Cuban eateries a chance! I'm Cuban American, it's the least I can do. JFC (Jesus-expletive deleted-Christ). This place was a disaster. I'll be brief as I lay siege to their decoration. Terrible. First thing wifey says: "Wow lots of neon". The plaques w/ famous Cubanos are cool but the place is like 10x10 and it comes across as overwhelming. Oh and yeah they could stand to get rid of the 35x35 Elian Gonzalez picture. The food: So mediocre. I wasn't expecting much. But I was expecting something! Everyone on yelp posted about how the bread was authentic cuban bread. No chance. I asked the waitress: "Is it real Cuban bread?" I don't want to be disappointed. If it isn't real I'll order something besides a sandwich. "Yes it is"- she says. Come on!!!! It was a French baguette. Oh well. If the sound of the microwave going off didn't give them away the food sure did. The appetizers were indefensibly nuked. We got the pork rinds (chicharonnes) and yuca frita. The pork rinds should be crispy and steaming hot.. They were cold at the center and soggy. The yuca was warm but fried at least 2 days ago. For dinner I had the ropa vieja sandwich. Nary a drop of tomato sauce. Dry as a bone. Let me help you out. Ropa viega takes tomato sauce. Wife had steak sandwich. The Cuban staple. It was the best thing we had and still very mediocre. Let me help you out. Pan con bistec doesn't take mayo and takes more than 2 little picnic fries. No sides w/ the subs. They each cost 8 bones. Last: The waitress...she was not rude or inattentive but she couldn't have been colder. Oh well. Cuba de Ayer on Old Columbia Pike is far better. Keep in mind though that they are also mediocre. As for Cuban Corner....I wouldn't go back if the food was free.
(1)
Debbie S.
Here is why i gave this restaurant 5 stars: 1. Food is to DIE FOR!!! My favorite dish is ropa vieja (i love it so much i crave it often and i usually dont crave a specific dish) 2. Service is excellent! My friends didnt know what to order so we gave Cuban Corner a call and the lady who helped us was SOOOOO sweet and gave us several excellent recommendations. It was a carry out order so when we got the food to the house we opened the bags to find that the sweet lady had written out the names of the dishes and detailed descriptions of each dish on the containers. Ive never had any restaurant (Large or Small) do that for me. Isnt that amazing of her??!! 3. You can tell the food is good when everyone shuts up to stuff their faces and then fights each other for the left overs. All in all this is some of the best cuban food ive been able to find in Maryland. With amazing food, service and competetive pricing - you cant go wrong! Try it and love it!
(5)
J R.
I don't know what to rate this place! Some people are giving it three stars but say they won't go back... three stars to me means a good, decent performance but not terrific. Cuban Corner is nice! The food is tasty, the service is nice, and I like it. Is it transcendentally delicious? Nope. But it's good, consistent - and I will return. Unlike some other reviewers, it's certainly more memorable than an average sandwich (no offense, fellow reviewer!). The paella is really a standout, as is the ropa viella. Personally, I think it's worth a try. And their flan is the BEST.
(3)
Jess T.
I was on a quest to find mamey sapote, a Cuban fruit with bright orange flesh my grandma often made into milkshakes. I took them for granted growing up; every summer, my grandma would make me a mamey shake. Turns out, she didn't buy them locally, she brought them back from her trips to Miami since my uncle grew them in his backyard. So 15 years later, I'm craving a mamey shake and there's none whatsoever in this area. But then I found that York Castle Ice Cream, right next door, carried it. So all this to say that I stumbled upon The Cuban Corner by accident in search of mamey sapote. I was so excited to find a Cuban restaurant locally that I decided to forgo ice cream all together and eat dinner at The Cuban Corner. We walked in and it was like Cuba had exploded all over the walls of the place. They seriously did their research and identified every famous Cuban American and display them on the wall. Checking out the decor was almost as good as the food itself. We ordered the yucca with garlic, mamey sapote shakes, croquettas, ropa vieja, Especial De Jessica, and Cuban coffee. The shake was good, but the mamey flavor was not as strong as when made with freshly picked mamey fruit (but that was to be expected). The ropa vieja was excellent. Not as colorful and complex as my grandma used to make it, but surprisingly tasty. Everything else was also excellent. I can't wait to return and try other Cuban staples! Also, great service. I can't imagine a better experience.
(4)
P K.
I am not from Cuba, nor have I been in FL so much, so I di not have very good comparison to authentic cuban food. However, in my opinion, this place has good food.
(4)
Debbie S.
This place is right near my office. After noticing it one day I bugged my coworkers and we set out for lunch. We were seated right away at a crammed table, but every table in the place is crammed since there isn't much room in there. The bathroom is in the back of the restaurant and you have to walk THROUGH the kitchen to get there. Like I said, there isn't much room! But the walls are decorated with tons of things to keep you entertained, and the food somes quickly. And the food is delicious. I've never been to Cuba, but Cuban Corner reminds me of a few places in Miami I've been. :-) I loved the fried sweet plantains the best. :-D
(4)
Jamon B.
!Muy delicioso! Cuban Corner is great. The food is really quite tasty and the staff is very friendly. We started with a cuban coffee (I was told that cubans drink coffee at the beginning of the meal, which really makes more sense than having it at the end), then had the appetizer sampler platter, and I had the Arroz con Pollo for my meal. All of it was yummy. To be honest, the place looks sort of sketchy from the outside, and the ambiance is terrible (the walls are "decorated" with white plaques with names of famous Cubans on them). But the food more than makes up for it. In fact, I wish they would open another one in DC.
(4)
Brian R.
First, this place is so reactionary that it makes Pinochet looks progressive by comparison. I particularly liked the multiple photos of a bound Che just before his execution in Bolivia, one of which was autographed by the U.S. Special Forces officer who trained the Bolivian army. Classy. Second, it's somewhat overpriced.
(3)
Carlos F.
A piece of Cuba in Rockville, MD ?!? Outside, the setting is definitely not Miami but inside, the cuisine is the real deal. The decor consists of paraphernalia of notable Cubans [all undoubtedly non-communists] which could either put you in a terribly nostalgic mood or leave you bored to death. It all depends on your disposition or historical knowledge, I suppose. But the cuisine is sure to satisfy. I sampled the Cuban sandwiches, both the regular and special with Spanish sausage added, and they were both delicious. Both contained the right proportion of meat to bread and a proper hint of acidity. The shakes were thick and tasty; the ham croquet appetizer less endearing as my order was a tad over fried. Cuban cuisine is simple and embracing, like a good, long and sincere hug. It does not pretend to be anything that it's not. It's just good and here in Rockville we have a restaurant that does good right.
(4)
Autumn W.
Gross. The food was way too salty. Atmosphere so tacky. And they served me iceberg lettuce. Where do they do that? Overpriced salty mess. Go elsewhere.
The outside of the restaurant doesn't look like much but when you go inside, it is decorated with all these names of famous Cubans and there are other random historical pictures of Cubans and a map of Cuba. It feels very carribean inside. But the most important thing for me is the food. The prices are kind of high for the portion size which is small. I got the lechon asado which is supposed to be their specialty according to the menu and it comes with just rice and beans. While the lechon was very well cooked and tender, I was still hungry and I wish there was some more spice to it. And for $12, I don't think it's a good deal especially since I came here for lunch. I may come back but as most of the things on the menu was $12 to $16, I don't know if I'll come here for lunch since there are so many lunch specials in the area.
(3)
Christian M.
I walked in for lunch one day to try this place. I would always pass by and was always curious to try it. I tried a Cuban and some tasty tostones. Very much so a hole in the wall, but so interestingly decorated. Filled with names and photos of famous Cubans & other notable people, you could definitely tell their political views (anti-Castro). Overall I thought the food was pretty tasty but a bit overpriced. Great experience, the man who served me was very helpful & even informed me of a student discount which always helps.
(3)
Joan K.
Cute little place, but the 4 and 5 star reviews this place has makes me a bit weary of trusting yelpers..... The place isn't bad by any means....but the food is really underwhelming. It doesn't really hold a candle to the good Cuban food I've had elsewhere. I'd probably stick with the sandwiches as the entrees are what disappointed me the most (especially considered the price). Really great and friendly service, though!
(3)
Shine S.
I found this an average place, I wish I had a better experience here, pretty much ordered a cuban sandwich, ate it, thought it was average and never came back. I wish they had left a better impression for me to want to come back... But it was nothing bad, just average. Maybe if there was something a bit more memorable than an average sandwich, I'd go back.
(3)
Cathy B.
I have eaten here several times and love the food as well as the service. I've eaten their black beans and rice. Yummy! I've eaten a sub there which was great. Nice little restaurant if you like Cuban food.
(4)
R W.
My wife and I went here on a Friday night about 8pm. It was our second time at The Cuban Corner and we had good food and service both times. The restaurant is family run, has 10 tables and is nicely deocorated with colorful lights and name placards of famous Cubans on the walls.
(4)
Dan G.
First of all, I have the utmost respect for anyone who wants to open a small business. Even more so, an individual who chooses to forgo the franchise route (Subway, McDonalds, etc...) , and open their own place, with their own design and recipes. Such is the case with Cuban Corner, and great little gem located in an assuming strip mall across from where I work. My "Old Rags" sandwich was excellent, as was the side of sweet plantains. Try it, you won't regret it!
(5)
Crystal Lynne C.
Basura! I have never been so disappointed in a restaurant. All the awards in the windows and the raves in all the magazines... I was disgusted. I ordered a rice dish with chicken, shrimp, and pork, but instead received chicken, shrimp, and FISH. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the fish. In fact, it saved the dish. The chicken was dry, the shrimp-tasteless... But that was only after I waited ten minutes for my food to cool down- and I STILL managed to burn my tongue :( I was so put off. The food might have gotten higher ratings if it hadn't been right next door to Caribbean Feast. The whole time I was eating my gross and over-priced meal, I was thinking that I could've had some delicious jerk chicken instead. My experience was so terrible, that eating there is what got me to sign up for Yelp. I will never ever go back.
(1)
Morris S.
Right wing nutters, but the Cuban was great. I never let politics interfere with my tastebuds.
(3)
Andrew P.
I've been looking for a truly authentic Cuban restaurant since I moved to the area 3 years ago from Miami. Everywhere I've tried so far that claimed to be "Cuban" had a lot of Mexican and/or other Latin American-like foods on the menu, not what I was used to from Miami. This place does it right. The food was great, the atmosphere was straight off Calle Ocho, and the service very attentive. I do have to say (especially for lunch) that it is a little over priced, but I suppose that's the price we pay for this special cuisine in the DC area.
(4)
Food Mongol M.
The Cuban press, damn good sandwich.
(5)
Kasey V.
I was really excited to try the Cuban Corner. My boyfriend spent summers in Key West growing up, so he was beyond himself when I suggested this place. The restaurant is small and at times it felt like the waitress was hovering around (since she didn't have another place to stand). We went on a Wednesday evening around 7pm, and the place was pretty empty. The Cuban bread was great. Nice and crispy on the outside (although a bit more butter would not have hurt) and soft and chewy on the inside. The dinner portions at this restaurant are VERY small. My flank steak was over cooked and dry but also only about the size of my palm. A friend of ours ordered the Ropa Vieja and finished it in about 6 bites. The Cuban Sandwich looked good, but I did not have a chance to try it. A highlight was the mojito, which was around $8.00. It came with a real sugarcane, and was very tasty. An order of sangria contained some powered sugar or mix at the bottom and although advertised with a variety of fruit, came only with diced apple. I was pretty disappointed about the food and portion size. I'll be checking out other Cuban restaurants in the area. Skip the Cuban Corner and look elsewhere.
(2)
John C.
Very tasty meal tonight. The design is loud and tacky, but in a charming way. The service is fine, although I would have liked a little more attention after the meal -- we needed water! I'm already wondering when I can justify making a trip back, which is always a good sign.
(4)
Patrick H.
*** 3.5*** This place is a trip! The decor alone is worth the visit. A celebration of all things Cuban and the importance of the contributions of Cuban Americans are quite literally plastered on every single square inch of this teeny tiny spot. The whole restaurant is like a Cuban Hall of Fame, with names of famous Cubans everywhere. My place-setting consisted of a laminated article about Ralph Alvarez, COO of McDonalds. Ricky Ricardo hung to the left of me, just under a depiction of Castro's Migs shooting down two Cuban American airplanes in 1998, which is just under a rather morose depiction of Castro and Che Guevera's decapitated heads roasting on an open flame with the caption "Specialty of the house" written in Espanol. My guess is that the owners vote Republican. With that aside, the food is pretty darned good. It's been ages since I've been here, so it was nice to revisit the Cuban Corner, as at one time, it was the only place around one could find Cuban cuisine. We started with the Beef Empanadas. Hot, crisp pastry filled with delicious spicy ground beef. A tad bit greasy, but who's complaining? For entrees, I had the Pargo a la Parilla, (Grilled Snapper) with onions and peppers. The snapper was a little overcooked, but seasoned nicely (perhaps a little too salty) and served with Morros y Cristianos (Black beans and rice) and plantain. My dining partner in crime had the Shrimp in tomato caper sauce. It was a small portion, but I enjoyed stealing his excess sauce and draping my snapper with it. Dessert was killer. Flan de Queso. Like a combination of Cheesecake and Flan. Really good. I don't know that I will be rushing back to the Cuban Corner, but we would definitely go back again if in the area.
(3)
Cristi F.
Really enjoyed this place! Customer service was great and the plantains were cooked perfectly. I also enjoyed the rockfish and the mango milkshake (although it was bit sweet). You should give this place a try!
(4)
Christine G.
Still a fan, but just wanted to make a point of saying they aren't open on Sunday. Boo! We were pretty upset to find them closed, so plan your visit during the week or on Saturday!
(4)
Elissar K.
Are we talking about the same place here? After reading all the glowing reviews, I was so looking forward to some real Cuban food. A disappointing experience to say the least. Service was the best part, pretty friendly and efficient. The decor was interesting. I was ready to love it. Then the food came. I'm sad to say everything I tasted was boring and bland... not sure if it was an off day or what but I don't know if I'm willing to risk it and try again. We'll see...
(2)
Jaime C.
I left the Cuban Corner stuffed and happy. My fiancee and I stopped by on a whim driving down Rockville Pike. I had heard there were a couple good Cuban restaurants around DC but had never stumbled upon one before. I had the Ropa Vieja, it was excellent, just as the menu described (beef cooked until it falls apart, sauteed in a tomato and vegetable sauce). My fiancee had the Lechon asado, also tasty. The meal came with black beans, rice, yucca mojado, and platanos fritos...so I am not sure what the reviewers that said the portions were too small were expecting..a whole pig? I found the food prices to be on par with DC area Latino restaurants (Guapos, Don Julios, etc) about $15 an entree. Of course as usual the budget buster is the beers! I got two which tacked $11 onto the bill. The best part by far though was the decor. Cuban-American's are passionate about their community and history and a visit to the Cuban Corner is educational. How many restaurants can you say that about? I hope to stop by again soon.
(4)
Tommy K.
I was skeptical of giving this place a try but decided 'ah what the heck?' thanks to my girlfriend's trip there the week prior. The restaurant is decorated lively and the walls of the establishment were adorned with the names of Cubans who have contributed in some way, shape, or form to the American society. I feel like the restaurant definitely gave a vibe that felt like the Cuban section of Miami. The owner was very friendly and recommended a lunch special of pulled pork, black beans, and plantains. The pork was very flavorful and tender. So tender the meat basically melted in my mouth. I've never had plantains but quickly became a fan after trying a few. Was this the best meal I've ever had? No, but still good. But I highly recommend going here just to experience the character and atmosphere of the joint.
(3)
Filipina P.
I remember stumbling across this place while I was taking classes at Montgomery College. And now 10 years later it still is as good as I remember. Quite a few updates to the decor since I last visited but the food was awesome. I had the vegetarian rice and beans with a side order of plantains and I couldn't have been happier -- and I'm usually a dedicated carnivore. Hubby was also suitably impressed, but what bowled him over was the flan. This is the stuff that defines what it is to be a flan - not that anemic yellow sludge that they give you at other places that will not be named.
(5)
Gaby A.
I haven't been in a while since I moved firther away, but reading these comments brings back fond memories. I think I will stop by tomorrow since Ihave to pass by.
(4)
Arkar W.
The restaurant's theme really matches up to the name, Cuban Corner. The owner carefully designs the interior to look like, well, Cuba, and on top of that, he dresses like he is in Cuba. The wall is decorated with names of famous Cuban-American and I can even see Castro and Che pictures inside the kitchen. As for the food, I felt like eating hybrid of Burmese and Brazilian food. As a native Burmese, the ropa de verija is prepared just like Burmese rural country side style and the side order of black bean is totally Brazilian.
(3)
Eric S.
To the reviewer complaining of cigar smoke. . . Montgomery County has been smoke free for at least a couple years now. No idea what you smelled, but it couldn't have been cigars. Anyway, I don't get here as often as I should, but it is one of my favorite places in the area. Everything I've had there has been delicious. I definitely recommend the orange glazed chicken entree, as well as most of the seafood dishes. The ropa vieja is usually spot on, but I haven't had it in a while, so I'm hoping the reviewer who didn't like it had an off night. Sides such as yuca frita and plaintains have always come out very well done, and they have, IMO, the best flan in the area. It's not quite as fancy or diverse in the menu as, say, Cubanos in Silver Spring, but it's also generally cheaper, with the quality being similar from what I've seen. Besides, who needs fancy when you can get colorful hometown pride on the walls and tables. Service is usually very attentive, especially since most times I've eaten there, the place is at best half full. I've never been at lunch or on the weekend, when I suspect they have more business. That said, I didn't love the mojito there. It wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't worth the $8 price of admission. Cubanos and Banana Cafe in DC both have them beat on the national drink. I haven't tried the Cafe Cubano yet, but I have been told they do get the coffee right, so I'm hoping to try that in the future. ~EEE~
(4)
Melanie R.
awesome cubin sandwich!!! green plantains could use some work. cute place fast service and great prices!
(4)
Donna C.
This place is interesting. Every single inch of wall space is jam packed with either a mural, photograph or plaque honoring a well-to-do Cuban American. It makes for interesting reading while waiting for your meal. As for the food, it's great! We had a chorizo/swiss cheese, beef and chicken empanada and they were awesome! Especially the chorizo one. We were here for lunch, so we just got the Cuban sandwiches afterwards. They were just as good as the ones I had in Miami. The flan is also pretty good. The empanadas were a little pricey, but I'll definitely be back! It's a good option when you want something different.
(4)
Nicole L.
My friend used to rave about this place when we worked in Rockville but I thought it was just a Cuban sandwich place so I never thought about going. She came back from Atlanta and ask me to go. It turned out to be a little gem in the Rockville area. The location isn't so great it's near Cameron seafood and Montgomery CC. However when I walked in it transported me back to Miami. There were engraved plates with cuban names and photos of famous people with their signatures. So now the menu - it's probably the biggest cuban menu I've seen so far - it has everything!! My friend ordered this guava and cheese empanadas for starters for $9.98. They were delicious! I was on the edge of my seat when I saw tostones on the menu so we ended up ordering a combination platter - two with shrimps, two with ground beef and 1 with steak for $10.99. The tostones were mind-blowing delicious. It's a must try. It can be filling if you ate them all but they were cooked to perfection so they weren't as greasy as I expected. For entree I ordered the "Titan" it's a rice mixed with beans and chorizo sausages for $13.99 - it tasted a little salty but the next day I had the leftover, it seemed to have improved in taste for some reason! Who says leftovers aren't good? My friend had maybe 3 mojitos and they cost like $16.00. Overall I think the food is amazing but it can expensive if you were trying everything on the menu- how could you not?? I will definitely be going there again!! Viva La Cuba!
(4)
Linh L.
I never thought my first Cuban experience would be in Rockville, MD, but that's ok. It was a great expereince! The food was delicious, and like Patrick H. mentioned in his review--this place is definitely a trip! The decor is a tribute to Cuban-Americans, and the food tasted so much better than I had expected. Everyone I went with ordered scrumptuous meat dishes, and the beans over rice complemented our meals well. I tried the flan based on reviews from other yelpers, but it was a bit too sweet for me. I will be back next time I'm in MD!
(4)
Hyun M.
I give more kudos to my server here for lunch than the more expensive Westend Bistro that I went to for dinner today. I had heard about the place from more than one friend. So I went and tried the Roasted Pork with boiled yucca with a vinegar sauce and their rice and black beans called Christian and Moors. My girlfriend got a vegetarian plantain plate. They were both very mildly flavored. I ended up barely touching the pork and the waitress noticed and asked if I wanted something else. I said, no that this was my first time. There is hot sauce on the table for a reason. I ended up putting it on my food and then I was able to eat with relish. I almost want to give them a four star because they care. Next time, I am going to try the chicken and the hot sauce. So I am going to go back for fried sweet plantains and yucca. The desserts were OK, I had the guava pastry and it seemed like it had been in a steam drawer. It was hot but a bit mushy. The flan didn't have much flavor.
(3)
Maria S.
This is my favorite Cuban Restaurant outside of Miami FL! I found this place on accident, as it was close to my job. It's in a strange location, close to Montgomery College, but the food is magnificent! Upon entering the decor can be overwhelming to some, I thought it was very creative, plaques on the wall with names and signatures of famous Cuban Americans. My favorite dish is the Titan - sausage, mixed with rice and beans, comes with garlic bread and a salad. I recommend starting with a guava and cheese empanada - sweet and delicious, or a appetizer plate so you get a little taste of everything. The Yuca are prepared like a Peruvian restaurant (delicious!) The cuban sandwich is great, so is the skirt steak, the ropas viejas, and the red snapper. The piece de resistance is the tres leches cake for dessert. True Miami style sitting in milk. I loved this dessert so much that after I had it at the Cuban Corner I looked up the recipe and made it at home (it's a lengthy process and uses half a handle of rum, but sooooo worth it!) The food at the Cuban Corner is simply scrumptious! Anytime I have a friend coming in from out of town, I demand we go to the Cuban Corner. The Mojitos are refreshing, and the Cuban coffee is stronger than American coffee. The staff is always friendly, as it is run by a local family. The only down side is that is can be very pricey, but in the end worth it for a taste of true Miami in Rockville MD!
(5)
C B.
Where to start . . . the maduros were mushy, the rice was hard and cold, and the service is outright bad.
(1)
T D.
Cool little place. Just popped in here for lunch really quick. I don't recall ever eating Cuban food. I ordered the Cuban sandwich and fried plantains. I definitely recommend these. The service was great and the staff was friendly. If you're looking for a nice spot to grab lunch, stop in here. The music playing inside made me forget, momentarily, that I was in Rockville.
(4)
kevin k.
went cause i read a review on it on a newpaper. didnt like it. the smell in the air jst bothered me bit too much too. whether it was cigar or spice, i dont know. so so experience...
(3)
Evie S.
YUM! I just did a take out for lunch. First I was very impressed with how nice the guy who took my order was (I think he may have been the owner). The interior was well decorated and it was a lot nicer that I expected. I got a vegetarian plate that included black beans and rice, broiled garlicky yucca, fried ripe plantains and a side salad with green olives and a flavorful dressing. Everything was delicious. FYI for vegans/ vegetarians out there- there is a vegetarian menu available online with six vegetarian options. However, the menu in the restaurant doesn't list them so you need to ask for them. You can find the vegetarian options listed here: cubancornerrestaurant.co… My only slightly negative complaint is that the prices are a bit high. Either way, it was a great experience and I will be going back!
(5)
Zahra K.
They charge $3.99 for ONE papa rellena con picadillo. Just. The. One. This Miami girl was deeply offended. The entire visit to this place was a mistake. Boyfriend and I wanted Bhan Mi, but Mr. Bahn Mi was closed. I thought, why not stumble into here for a simple pan con bistek? Satisfy our meat sandwich needs. Everything was downhill after that. We ended up ordering one pan con bistek, churasco with yellow rice, two papas rellenas, a side of yuca, and flan and tres leches, all to go. Go big or go home right? The only thing that was good was the churasco, but their chimichuri that they gave on the side was still wrong. The steak in the pan con bistek was cut way too thick, the bread was just hoagie roll, and it was difficult to eat. The flan was lacking egg. It wasn't the smooth custardy goodness it should be, and the tres leche was dry. = (
(1)
TJ B.
I don't come here often, but have come several times over the years and always wish I stopped by more often when I visit. It has a great Cuban ambiance inside with very friendly employees who take the time to answer any questions or explain dishes. I've never had anything I don't like, but do usually wish the portions were bigger. I suspect if you think of the place as a multi-course meal (and get appetizers and desert) you'll do fine. I like to come for lunch and get one filling entree which I don't find. Maybe that's why I don't come as often since I look at a $20 tab and think... "good, but maybe a little high for lunch." That said, you should go. The food is great. The cuban sandwich is always excellent, the sides are cooked perfectly with even simple things like rice and beans being enjoyable. After reading Fenny's review I realized I, again, forgot to try their Yuca. The churassco is a medium sized thin flavorful piece of grilled meat. It doesn't have the black grill marks I expected, but it comes with a great chimmichurri sauce (they didn't call it that) which is perfect on top. Look through the pictures and you'll find many things worth enjoying. Give it a try!
(4)
Jennifer O.
I'm from Miami and have been looking for a real Cuban place since I moved to the D.C. Metro area. Unfortunately, this place is NOT it. The flavors are close, but no cigar (speaking of Cuban). The foods were bland in comparison to the garlicky deliciousness I grew up with--mediocre at best. Save your money up for a trip to Miami and get some real Cuban food. Trust me, your palate will thank you.
(2)
Timothy C.
My wife raved about Cuban Corner after visiting with her friends, and so we went on a subsequent date night. It wasn't too busy on a Friday night, which surprised me at first, but they did a TON of take-out orders while we were there. It's a small dining room, walls PACKED with the accomplishments of every Cuban-American. I know you're thinking "Tim, that's probably an exaggeration, right?" No, literally, EVERY ONE! We each had a glass of sangria with diced fruit and ice throughout, 1 red, 1 white, very refreshing, and we started with sliced chorizo and melted cheese over grilled bread, which was savory and delicious, 2x as much would have been a delicious entree - I didn't want the dish to end. My wife had some grilled steak with beans and rice (with the totally PC nickname 'Christians and Moors' - are we allowed to say that?), and I went for the Cubano sandwich. Each bite was delicious, and we left satisfied and it wasn't too painful on the wallet. My only critcism is that the bread was a bit too tough to enjoy the flavors perfectly. But it hasn't stopped me from going back for take-out sandwiches twice more. This is a corner you want to be in!
(4)
Tony L.
After a disappointing experience with a Cuban place in northern Maryland, I was glad that the Cuban Corner was able to redeem the Cuban experience for me during my stay in state. Parking seems somewhat limited up front being in a one lane strip mall. The interior felt very neat and comfortable. I went with the Emparedado Cubano Especial, which was a special Cuban sandwich. We also got their Pork Tenderloin special. I had a Sapote Shake too. The Cuban was very well made with the bread being pressed French bread, meat was nicely done steaks and pull pork, and seasoning was great too. The pork tenderloin was not as good as the sandwich, but the meat was nicely done with a side of rice and small plantains. I never actually had Sapote before, I suppose it is a tropical fruit, and the shake tasted quite refreshing. What a great night, it definitely fulfilled my Cuban craving for that trip. I would highly recommend this place if you have a strong craving for Cuban food in the DC area. Looking forward to come back for more!
(5)
Thomas W.
I love this place! The food is excellent and the people working there are really friendly. It's our go to place for casual times. We don't go to many fancy places, except for an annual trip to a French restaurant in McLean, VA - don't know how to spell it's name. The Mohitos are usually made strong and go down easy. So one will do ya if you are driving. If you have more than one, give the keys to a friend or walk home.
(5)
David J.
The bread is NOT, real Cuban bread. That being said, they did a respectable job. Fairly legit, but execution issues all around that do not make up for the awesome decorations, and ode to Cubans everywhere all over their graced walls.
(3)
Albie D.
Way over priced. Cuban sandwich was decent but four bucks for six platanos maduros is ridiculous.
(2)
Tina T.
Came here last Friday to try Cuban food with the bf. My bf was pretty excited to try this place out since he's a big fan of any Hispanic/Latin cuisines. The Cuban Corner is located in a little strip-mall center. It's not that hard to miss, but if you're not paying attention you wouldn't see it. Inside, there's all these plaques, frames, and murals of famous Cuban people. It's neat seeing whose Cuban around the walls. Starter: To start my bf and I ordered the beef empanadas. These things were MUY DELICIOSO WOW!! Most empanadas I eat are baked, this was my first time having it fried and it was excellent. The crust or whatever it is, was perfectly seasoned and crispy. The filling was very savory. My bf and I loved it, however we knew that we couldn't order more because we wanted to enjoy our main course. Entree: I ordered the pollo a la parilla (looks like the pollo a la plancha in the pictures so they might be the same thing)? which is chicken marinated in mojo sauce accompanied with rice and black beans. Bf ordered some sort of beef dished which was accompanied with rice and black beans as well. Both of our dishes were delightfully tasty! I loved my chicken dish and my bf loved his beef dished. It was flavored well however, a little too salty for my liking (but that's just me). Chicken was perfectly cooked and juicy. It was a little thin, but that's okay because it made it easier to eat. My bf's beef dish was seasoned well and the meat was tender yum yum yum! Dessert: Ordered the tres leches cake and it was PHENOMENAL. Best tres leches cake in my opinion.This tres leches cake didn't contain so much liquids which made it soggy and mushy. It had enough leches or whatever to still make it stand firm and tall without falling apart! All in all, great little find! Bf gave it 5 stars but since this is my review I give it 4. Food is just a tad too salty for my liking (personal preference) and I don't know if I should feel like this is a deal or not since we both paid $14.99 for our dishes. Seems a little steep for just chicken and rice, but than again I would hope I'm paying for good quality. Other than that service was great and I like the quint little atmosphere of Cuban Corner.
(4)
Filip F.
The worst food you can be fooled by. This is not real Cuban food. I had a Cuban sandwich. What a joke. They used a French baguette not Cuban bread. Used something they called pork but it was spiced. It cost $15 and I threw it away. Avoid this place with all means possible. Yuck. I give it 1 star because you can't give a zero.
(1)
Antonio E. A.
I would give higher ratigns if it wasn't for the fact that the food had hints of Mexican or Central American influence, judging from the taste. Nothing wrong with that, but does take away from the authenticity of the food, if you're knowledgeable of it. Having said that, the food was still tasty and the place quaint (every inch of the wall is covered with a plaque about a famous Cuban, or American with Cuban ancestry).
(3)
Sam M.
Great food here. I cant much speak to the authenticity but it sure tasted authentic. The ropa vieja was very good and the beans and rice had nice flavor but were very simple which i like. The waitress was quite tiny in all sense of the word. Definitely try the churros for dessert, they are out of this world
(4)
Abegail A.
Located in a strip mall off of Hungerford Drive, The Cuban Corner looks a little suspect. However, the food surprisingly was not too bad. Not great, but for the most part just okay. Started with the pork chicharrones. For an appeteaser, the portion size was rather generous. I would have liked it better if the pork pieces were crispier. I did appreciate that they were not dripping in oil as I ate them. I could have cared less if the cassava root was not included. For my main entree, I had the ropa vieja, which came highly recommended. I thought it was just okay. The shredded flank was tender, but it just tasted like pure tomato sauce. No hint of spices or wine whatsoever. None. Boo! Not bad, but also not what I was expecting. The rice and black beans that accompanied the dish were standard. I also tried the puerco asado, which came with a side of yellow rice. This was just okay, especially for a house specialty. The pork cut easily and the onions added a nice touch to the dish. Again, the rice was typical. Would I be back? Probably not. I would rather drive the extra mileage to Burtsonville when I'm craving Cuban food.
(3)
Tu-van L.
I thought this was a counter order cafe, so you bet I was surprised when I walked in for a quick lunch that it was an actual sit-down restaurant with wait service. Dark but charming restaurant. I love the wall of famous and overall accomplished Cuban-Americans. I especially like how the owners included their own children to the wall. Really cute and charming. Wait staff was friendly and attentive, which was good since it wasn't crowded when I was there. I ordered the chorizo cuban sandwich and I was impressed! The pork tasted like it was marinated and/or cooked in mojo marinade, which I love and I think makes cuban style pork taste better. The chorizo consisted of thinly sliced layers that added that extra sausage-y saltiness without overwhelming the cuban with it. The bread tasted pressed and well baked. Overall a good sandwich, and reasonably priced at that too. I'll definitely keep this in my back pocket if I'm in the mood for Cuban at a reasonable price. Still need to eat through the menu and have my husband try their coffees to get a complete assessment for their authenticity, but still solid in my book.
(4)
Lillian C.
Mojitos are great here! I had two (I think $10 a drink?) My SO had the Ropa Vieja and I had a Cuban Sandwich. We shared a sausage and cheese app (I cannot recall the name.) The appetizer was ok, I wasn't too crazy about the flavor of the sausage. The Ropa Vieja on the other hand was amazing! It was very flavorful and delicious and paired well with the Moors and Christians (beans and rice). It's a nice change of pace in a pupusa / taco / burrito filled area. My cubano was decent but it was a bone-headed move because I already know I'm not too big on hot sandwiches so why I ordered it was beyond me. I couldn't get down with warm pickles.
(4)
Cathy L.
Reviewing this 3-stars after my second visit, I plan to come back anyway since there are few Cuban cuisine options in MoCo. I have to admit I had Miami restaurant standards in mind when I ate lunch, and I was disappointed by a few things, but I promise to finish on several high points! First, I asked if they carried sugarcane juice (guarapo), and the server told me that was a Puerto Rican drink! LOL, a simple No would be okay; sugarcane grows everywhere (including Cuba!) I ordered a cafe con leche instead; the coffee came mixed with the milk already, while I expected to pour this in myself with a freshly brewed jar of espresso. I wanted to make this stronger, but I admit I had different standards in mind! High points of my experience: love the ambiance and mini-history lesson from reading the plaques on their wall of Cuban-American VIPs. Service is very friendly. Love the guava and cheese empanadas, and the selection of sandwiches was impressive. I do want to come back for dinner sometime, and try some mojitoes, so my rating can change!
(3)
Jessica L.
The food here is very good. The restaurant is decorated very cute and the service is great. I had the Pollo a la Plancha which was very tasty and came with black beans and rice and sweet plantains. Minus one star because the Papa rellena was not warm in the middle. It was very flavorful with just the right amount of ground beef, olives and spices but at 2/6$ I think they could have stayed in the fryer a bit longer to assure that the center was heated through.
(4)
Mana N.
Highly recommend this place for launch. I would say it's a little pricey for the food portions. But it was a great experience and my belly is very happy and satisfied.
(4)
Jackie R.
Hubby and I usually order take out from here , sandwich Cubano ( my favorite) and tostones rellenos... SOO YUMMY! tastes just like my families home cooked meals. My parents and I used to come here a lot to have lunch, they always find the good spots !! Highly recommend !!
(4)
Shirley D.
Went with my sorority sister and two of my good friends and the first thing Ben said was "Wow! This place looks like the places in Miami". The walls were filled with plaques and pictures. Not my idea of decor, but it was awesome to see something different. The nice lady greeted us and gave us a few minutes to look over the menu. WOW! $14.99 for any of the beef entrees (comes with beans/rice or moors/christians) $5.99 for a Caesar Salad!? Aiden ordered a mojito and said that it was one of the best he has ever had...well, it'd better be for $9.99. I myself ordered a Churrasco and substituted the beans/rice for fries. I was impressed! The steak had so much flavor and was pretty tender. The fries were crispy and not oily. For dessert, we ordered the Tres Leches and Flan. Both were delicious! I would have given 5 stars, but I dropped it down to 4 because of the prices - a little expensive for what you get. Also, they didnt split our check after we asked, so it was a little inconvenient trying to figure out what to split b/w two cards. Service was great, but I believe it was only her taking care of the customers - she was on top of it, though!
(4)
Ngan T.
I love this little gem! From the outside, this restaurant looks like any other small family owned restaurants. Once you're inside, the decor makes you feel as if you're in Cuba or Miami! Every bit of the wall is decorated, it's either a mural style painted wall or the wall is covered with photographs. For the appetizer I tried: Pollo con Yuca Mojo - Fried chicken with boiled cassava root with garlic sauce. I love my fried chicken to be super crispy and this place does it! The chicken was nicely seasoned too. The Cassava root is super soft and the garlic sauce is amazing, both combined just melts in your mouth. For entrees I had: Bacalao a la Vizcaina - Codfish baked in red sauce. The fish is cooked perfectly. It was not under or over cooked. Perfect bite every time. Ropa Vieja "Old Rags" - Shredded flank steak is very savory and flavorful. If I ever want to take a mini vacation meal to Cuba I would definite go here. Also, the waitress was nice and tentative.
(5)
Michael M.
Went to eat with a party of 20 (my whole family) mid day. Given that, and the fact that they probably rarely have that occur the server did excellent. Food didn't take too long and she was organized although somewhat nervous in the beginning. I'm a huge food critic esp when it comes to my favorites.. cuban being up there.. I gotta say I had higher hopes. It was really good but there isn't much to compare it too around here. Only places in Miami that I've been too. For what it is, a cafeteria very casual small spot it was 8/10. Favorite part was the ambience and decor. Very national, interesting, and diff. Pretty cool. Only thing there missing is authentic cuban music!!!
(4)
Sari S.
Growing up in Miami I can appreciate a good Cuban cafeteria. When we moved up here we had to try it and I thought it was pretty good considering. My kids loved the Arroz con Pollo and I enjoyed the Vaca frita. They didn't have real Cuban bread but I can forgive that. I would come again.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner 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 : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Larry H.
I just randomly stumbled onto this place while driving through Rockville. Standing outside, I just flipped a coin to decide whether to do Cuban, or the Jamaican place next door. Sometimes just walking into a random establishment with low expectations can yield spectacular rewards... The Cuban Corner has a nice homey feel inside. The walls are lined with plaques honoring famous Cubans and Cuban/Americans and the wait staff is very friendly. The menu has a wide variety of Cuban dishes that I'm looking forward to coming back and trying, but on this visit I decided to go with the Paella and was not disappointed. The spices were aromatic but not overwhelming, the meats and seafood in the paella were cooked to perfection, and the icy cold Modelo poured into a frosty mug at the table side by my waiter made for a great presentation. Afterward, I chose the Tres Leches and a cup of Cuban coffee to top it all off. Great food, Great atmosphere, and lots of Interesting menus choices. I can't think of a single thing that could be improved upon. I will definitely come back to Cuban Corner for more !!!
(5)Tony E.
The Cuban Corner is a beautiful little place in Rockville! I was never really a huge fan of Cuban food until I visited this spot. I've dined here for lunch and dinner on many occasions. The food here is fresh, tasty, and genuine. The staff are very friendly and service is on point. The Bistec Empanizado is by far my favorite dish and the Cuban coffee is just amazing. The place is small but there's always a seat with your name on it. The walls are jam packed with all kinds of Cuban memorabilia and beautiful paintings that help transport you to the island. The owner is nice and always has a welcoming smile on his face. He really goes above and beyond to ensure you have everything you need. There are few places in the area that provide a solid and consistent dining experience. The Cuban Corner really sets a high standard that other small boutique restaurants should follow. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Carson H.
Not a good look for dates.... Ambiance leave a lot to be desired. I kept reading the plaques on the wall last time I went to this place years ago. Needless to say, my company appreciated my distracted attention as I appreciated the barely decent food. I expected a lot out of this place due to hype from my friends.... Instead I left deflated and in desperate need of a mojito to get the evening back on track,. #missionaccomplished
(2)C C.
My boyfriend and I LOVE this place. The food is fantastic, the owners are the sweetest people you will ever meet, and did I mention the food is awesome? We have tried several things on the menu and have never been disappointed. Our favorites include fried yuca, plantains, Cuban sandwich, Papa Abu's with cheese, Churrasco and the guava and cream cheese pastry they serve for dessert. If you are in the Rockville area, you should definitely check this place out!
(5)michele t.
Excellent Cuban restaurant! We have been here many times, and never had something that wasn't delicious! They have all the traditional dishes, excellently prepared and seasoned. Service is good, too!
(5)Chris H.
Food was amazing I been to a few good cuban spots but nothing like this one, if I could give it 10 stars I would...costomwr service was great, foot came out on good time , it was just amazing if you wanna try authentic cuban food I recommend
(5)Jeremy H.
Love this place!! Best sandwiches in this part of Rockville!!
(5)Megan M.
Delicious ropa vieja! The service was great, the drinks were great, I don't live in the area, so I was surprised to see the cuban food so expensive! For rice and beans, really? I probably won't go back because I wasn't wowed, which makes me sad, BC I wanted a place to go when visiting the area and everyone there is.so nice and the place is really cute! I would just suggest updating the menu or adjusting the prices/portions.
(3)Irene F.
Drinks: Mamey Shake- this tastes a little bit like a papaya shake- it was delicious- not too sweet. Cuban Espresso- Smooth, sweet espresso- very strong but tasty Appetizer: Croquetas De Jamon (Ham croquettes) - $1.25 each (I was really surprised to see that these look like fried mozzarella sticks. Squeeze the lemon juice onto it- its tastes better. They were good but not something I would order again.) Platanos Maduros- Sweet ripe fried plantain (all the entrees were served with 2 pieces. I don't normally like plantains, but these were delicious.) We split 3 entrees "Family Style": Vaca Frita: $13.29: Boiled flank steak shredded into thin filaments. These in turn, are marinated and then pan fried with onions until crusty and crisp. I asked the waitress what were the 2 best dishes, and she said this one, and Ropa Vieja- so we got both. My first bite, I thought- this is tasty! But after my second bite- I thought--- boy this is salty...and sort of dry. After my third bite, I didn't eat any more of this dish. Ropa Vieja "Old Rags" $13.29; Shredded flank stew cooked until the meat falls apart. Cooked with tomato sauce, wine and spices. I ate the first bite, and I thought, this tastes ok, although it seemed really watery, and the portion small. But I have no experience with this dish, so I have nothing to compare it to. I ate one more bite and decided, I didn't really want to eat any more of it- but I can't put my finger on why. My co-worker thought it was delicious- so I don't know that my opinion is valid on this one. Paella: (I don't recall the price) Yellow rice with shrimp, pork, chicken. Among the 3 dishes, I liked this one the best. It was more moist than I am used to for this dish, but the flavor was good and the meat very fresh. We asked for the check and we were brought out a complimentary flan. That was so sweet of them! 2 thumbs up for that! I have never in my entire life enjoyed flan, so I was pretty hesitant about the first bite. Turns out it was REALLY yummy. I definitely was fighting for the last bite. I will say it was pretty sweet, but with a cup of coffee- it had perfect balance. The total bill came out to about $65 for 3 people. The portions are not very big, but the food was clearly made with care, they are clearly very proud of their restaurant- and want people to have a great experience. I enjoyed my little adventure to Cuban Corner- I am not sure I'm a fan of the style/flavor of food generally speaking, and I have no other Cuban food to compare against- so please take my review with a grain of salt. I am definitely going to come back again to try the basic Cuban sandwich and get the flan again.
(3)Lou P.
The beef empanadas are the best I've ever had. The Cuban Sandwiches are the real deal not the fake ones that you get in some chains. Real roast pork, not pulled pork. The Arroz con Pollo is very flavorful.
(5)Eric B.
This was my first experience of Cuban food and the waiter made great recommendations! The Ropa Vieja was absolutely delicious! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Jeanette R.
Just excellent - the food and service are always excellent. The waiter is highly attentive - greeted us when we came in - truly made us feel welcome the entire time. We ordered the Vaca Frita and the special of the day - steak with shrimp. The food was excellent and truly well-done. The ambience is fantastic - and just a place I'll keep going to over and over again.
(5)Anita C.
Very authentic, but too salty for my palate and overpriced in my opinion. I love hole-in-the-walls, and The Cuban Corner is definitely one of them. The interior is festively decorated with pictures and plaques of famous Cubans, a ceiling painted with blue skies and exotic birds, and flags aligned on the far wall. It's a fun interior. Seating is limited, but we only had to wait ~5-10 minutes for a seat at 7pm on a Saturday night. Service was very friendly. We ordered the following: 1) Mojito ($7.99) - off the menu, but I ordered it based on a Yelp review. This drink is very, very strong. Nothing special or delicious, but I like my mojitos on the fruitier side, so it was a little strong for me. They didn't skimp on the mint leaves or the alcohol, so I'll say that it was worth the $8. 2) Avocado salad ($4.99). Slices of avocado with an olive oil mixture on the side and raw chopped onions. Refreshing, and a nice complement to the meaty carne dishes we ordered. 3) Vaca fritas ($14.99) - the waitress said this was one of the most popular dishes. Boiled flank steak that is then shredded and fried with onions until crispy. It comes with a side of rice, fried plantains, and black beans. I thought the first few bites were really delicious, but then the dish got really salty. I tried to balance it with the rice and avocado, which made the saltiness a little more bearable, but overall, it was still too salty for my liking. 4) Steak empastacedes $14.99 (spelling?): I don't exactly remember the name of this dish, but here's a link to the picture: yelp.com/user_local_phot… This dish was sirloin steak with chopped, grilled onions atop. It was my favorite of the three, but still too salty. 5) Country fried steak ($14.99): This isn't the official name of the dish, but it's in essence what it is. A photo: yelp.com/user_local_phot… This was my least favorite dish. Too much breading in my opinion, and yet again, too salty. The sides of fried plantains were really tasty, and I think Cuban Corner would get bumped up a star if the food wasn't so salty. However, it's good for a once-in-a-while, heavy lunch/dinner when you're having salty meat cravings. The portions seem small, but are very filling. However, I still don't think it's worth $15/dish and would rather go elsewhere for a meal.
(3)Sopiesud Z.
Cuban sandwiches was what we were looking for and we got yummy ones here. Loved the casual, quaint atmosphere from the painted murals on the walls, ceilings and mirrors to the plaques of famous Cubans and Cuban-Americans to the helpful staff. Looking forward to coming back to try other dishes.
(4)Hugh V.
The decor is marginal, but the food is great. My wife had churrassco that was outstanding. My dish, the shrimp creole, was not quite as good. I sense that there a lot of culinary gems on the menu. Note to owner: get cloth napkins, instead of paper and you'll be taken a lot more seriously as a restaurant. Paper napkins remind me of a diner, and diners don't charge $15-$20 for an average entree.
(4)Yvonne L.
Food and service were AMAZING. This is my second time coming here and both visits I was extremely satisfied.
(5)Phi N.
Came here tonight and I loved it! I really enjoy the smaller restaurants with the cozy, family-owned business atmosphere. There are pictures and name plates of lots of the famous customers that have come in. I plan to come here more often and eventually get my name on the wall, haha. The ceiling is painted like a sky, and there are palm trees painted on the walls, with all sorts of cuban decorations that give you a wonderful feel. It'll entertain you while you wait for your food too. I prefer this kind of look over an elegant and boring look that fancy restaurants have. The only problem with the ambiance is that it is super quiet. There's no music or anything going on, so if you're the only customers, it's kind of awkward. I don't mind because I'm an awkward guy... but my friends thought it was weird, so I thought I should mention it. Based on recommendations, I ordered The Taste of Cuba to start off. I like the sauce it comes with and the 2 ham croquettes were delicious. Wasn't too fond of the stuffed potato or empanada. Yuca fries are also just so-so. The main course is where it's at though! I had the Bistec de Palomilla and the Ropa Vieja. The steak has a bit a of a bitter type taste that I love in steaks while the shredded flank had a delicious tomato/wine sauce to it. I really loved both these dishes! My friend ordered the ... I think it's the Lechon Asado (pulled pork). I'm never really a fan of this anywhere. It usually comes with no sauce, and lacks sodium. Not for me... And the two girls that came here tried the Pollo a La Plancha and the Fricase de Pollo -- Chicken Fricase (I know what you're thinking... what girly dishes right?? I said the same thing!) Anyway, I tried them all. The second chicken dish had the most taste to it. I'd recommend that if you're going for a skinless chicken breast dish (although I would never recommend that, lol). I tried the flan for dessert because someone on here had me convinced... and they were totally correct; it was some great flan! The menu even tells you... "The best flan in town anywhere", hah. If you can't trust their menu, who can you trust?? I'll definitely be back soon, there are many other things on the menu I want to try. I just wish the portions were bigger... What can I say? I'm fat. lol I just found out while looking up the menu to list the correct names on yelp that you may order online. foodler.com/MD/Rockville…
(4)Mike M.
Had my first visit to Cuban Corner today. A friend of mine raves about it and I've been meaning to stop in. First reaction walking in the door is wow, crazy looking little place. It is tiny and the walls are covered with little signs highlighting the achievements of Cuban's and Cuban American's. I mean COVERED. Kinda neat to read through them. I was waited on right away by a very friendly server. I ordered a Cuban sandwich to go having read all the positive reviews on line. While I waited she brought me water and a menu to look at. There's some great sounding stuff on there. It's not really set up for dining alone, no bar seating (heck, no bar) or anything like that, so I'll have to come back with friends and try some of the other items. There was no problem with ordering take-away. They had my sandwich ready in a few minutes, I think it was $8. I didn't open it till I got back to my office, just a couple of minutes away. It was hot and the bread was crisp with creamy cheese and tasty roast pork and ham. Very good. This thing is about a foot long and had I not been a pig and eaten the whole thing, it would have fed two people lunch. Can't wait to go back and try more menu items!
(4)Julio E. G.
Went to Cuban Corner today for lunch. This is one of those mom and pop restaurants that are quite small in the less opulent shopping areas in the Rockville Pike next to a Cameron Sea Food shop. You will need your GPS to find it because they don't have huge visible signs. In any way it is in the corner of the strip. I have visited this place many times over several years and the service is always efficient and very consistent . Most of the time there are two sisters hosting the small dining room with walls that are covered by famous Cuban-Americans. They are always friendly and helpful. Today the food was great and as usual we had a good time. I had a Ropa Vieja sandwich with onions and swiss cheese that was delicious. For some reason the sandwich was called the Bernstein so I guess there is Jewish influence. The Cuban coffee tasted the way good coffee is supposed to be and the Trés Leches was just perfect. My son in law had sopa con pescado (seafood soup) and he loved it. My wife and daughter had rice and black beans with papa rellena (stuffed potato) and empanada. The salad with avocado was delicious. This place is consistent and the food never varies form visit to visit. However, this place is not for everybody. As I said before, fans of chain restaurants could be disappointed when they do not get chips with salsa, ha, ha. That is not what they do in Cuba.
(4)Yvonne T.
This is a nice casual little restaurant. I've been here two times and the food was yummy each time. They have a variety of options (chicken, pork, beef) and also some vegetarian options as well. I don't know if I had ever had Cuban food before, but this place impressed me. All the meat that they serve seems like it is extra tender, which I think is awesome, and would be a great place to visit if you are a lover of extra tender, melt in your mouth meat. The place is decorated with the names and pictures of famous Cubans, Cuban-Americans, and Latino/a Americans from over the years, as well as a mural on one wall. The decoration gives the place lots of character. I would love to go back and try more items. As someone who eats Gluten Free, I did feel like I had a pretty good variety of things to choose from. And the black beans that come with almost every dish are super delicious. The staff is really nice and I appreciate their kindness :)
(4)Miriam M.
Horrible food. I was born and raised in Cuba and I can tell you without any hesitation this place is anything but Cuban. Maybe if they changed their chef from Salvadoran to Cuban that may make the difference.
(1)Robin O.
My son lived in Miami for 2 years and grew quite fond of Cuban food. One night, a few months ago when my husband was at a biz dinner, my son took me out to eat and we went to Cuban Corner, which he'd found on Yelp. He was very excited to try it. But upon entering, the place was empty, the atmosphere stark and cold, as they only use swirly florescent light bulbs. I asked the waiter what his favorite dish was and he replied Vaca Vita... from menu: " This delicious boiled flank steak, literally meaning "fried cow", is shredded into thin filaments. These in turn, are marinated and then pan fried w/ onions until crusty and crisp." ($13.29) It sounded interesting and weird, so I tried it. A plate with a generous portion of fresh, hot, stringy, crunchy meat arrived, with a side of black beans and rice. The first couple bites were strange, like I was eating stringy old meat, but then... something magical happened... the combo of stringy and crunchy is weirdly addicting and the dish was well spiced. (Not hot spicy, just a pleasant blend of seasonings, which includes garlic.) Importantly, the after flavor on the drive home was pleasing. About 6 weeks after that when hub was at a another biz din, I said to my son, "Hey! Let's go back to Cuban Corner!" Again the restaurant was empty and I received a well prepared Vaca Vita. Rinse, repeat. We'd told my husband all about Cuban Corner and he was excited to try it. So last night, my husband and I went. It was Friday evening and they had about 75% of the seats filled. We ordered an appetizer to share called GAMBAS AL AJILLO which is SHRIMP IN GARLIC SAUCE for $10.95. What a disappointment. For $10 bucks we received 5 frozen, smallish shrimp overcooked to the point of being super balls, drowning in a sea of lemony, oily water. Lemon was the dominant flavor, could barely detect garlic. Shrimp were inedible. We each took one bite, said "Blech" and sent that back to be redone and asked for the shrimp to be not killed. The next version shrimp was edible, but still super lemony. I advised hubby to order the Vaca Frita and I ordered something different, which again, I asked waitress what her favorite dish was and she recommended the MASITAS DE PUERCO. From Menu "Fried marinated morsels of pork served with our special sauce and topped with raw onions." It was good and served hot and fresh. That was $13.29 My husband the Vaca Frita. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT! The portion was not only 50% smaller than the first 2 times, but it came out cold. The meat was not crunchy, whatsoever. It was like they just pulled it out of the fridge and microwaved it. Everything I loved about that dish was missing. He decided not to complain since we'd already complained about the shrimp. Luckily hubby like my pork dish. The portions were both rather small. The pork was more an appetizer size dish. There were about 7 chunks of bite size pieces. We didn't leave hungry, but then I ate all the bread that came with the shrimp dish. We were slightly full but definitely not stuffed. Here's the bottom line, this place lacks consistency and unfortunately consistency is one of the most important aspects to running a restaurant. Clearly there was a different cook than the first 2 times I went. LASTLY, the décor is hideous, the wall treatments are the biggest WTF, ever. Floor to ceiling placards with the names of famous Cubans and Cuban American's. Ok, I GET IT. This owner is PROUD of being Cuban. I would have appreciated more atmosphere in this tiny little hole of a restaurant in an ugly strip center. Cuban music would be appreciated (I believe there was music the first time I went but not after that time.) Making it all look tropical like actually being in Cuba would be imminently more pleasing than staring at white plastic placards, it's like eating in a cemetery vault with all the names staring at you from the walls. It IS interesting, however ugly and distracting. Here's an idea, print off booklets with all that information and place it on the tables, so if people want to read about notable Cubans, they can. Probably not going back.
(2)Gary C.
Wow. Just had a churipan sandwich for lunch. The bread was thin and crispy. The sausage was flavorful. It had marinated grilled onion that was perfect. The restaurant was a bastion for freedom. No Communists need to enjoy this taste o freedom!
(5)Sam C.
Food is good, but this is basically Cuban street food at restaurant prices. Good for DC area, but they probably wouldn't make it in South Florida.
(2)Jimmy T.
THe place is small but the food is amazing. First time I went there with my boss and the place is a real hidden secret. First time I'm having Cuban food and I was blown away. I had the plantain fried dish.. as an appetizer and some Stake dish as main course. The stake was marinated in some spicy sauce which was really good. A definite recommendation for any food lover. I'll be back if I'm anywhere near this place.... The owner was there and he was really nice.. he explained how to eat the food since I was a bit confused on how to start... excellent place.
(5)Katie T.
I'm going to give this two stars just because I want to go back and try a few different things. But what we ordered was not good at all. I got the cuban sub and my husband got a cuban chicken sub. Both were dry and tasteless. I feel like a cuban place should be able to have a good cuban sub.... But I don't want to say it is bad completely. I want to go back and try some things other people recommended. Just don't get the subs.
(2)Raj D.
This is one of my regular spots, I would always come here after class, being that it is so close to MC. Right from walking in your eye ADDHD senors go off as there are famous Cuban pictures of people from wall to wall (a little overwhelming BUT charming as it is called the Cuban Corner) The Service is nothing shy of wonderful and the server was very helpful with with regards to helping me make my decision. I had tried the Ropa Vejia (sorry if the spelling is in correct) and while that was superb I wanted to try something different. I had asked the server to recommend me a sandwich. She came back a few minutes later with a dish called the Jose Reig. Two pieces of perfectly toasted bread, on the inside tons of shredded meat completely covering the bottom piece of bread accompanied with onions. To spice it up if need be, do add some Cholula sauce that will be on the table :D My only complaint was there was not enough :) I do my best to try and savor it, but it's so damn good that I get caught up on how such a simple sandwich like this can be so good. Soup: Honestly, I dont remember the name of it but the ingredients are: potato thick chunks of beef a half of a whole corn (if that makes sense) rice ^^Had this during the winter and it warmed my soul and filled my tummy :D(another recommendation from the server) Another key factor I love about Cuban Corner is that they serve Tequila (a little hole in the wall place which I love serves Tequila and great Cuban beers that only add to the experience. I would highly recommend that you give this little hole in the wall off 355 a try.
(5)Louis B.
Yes it's real Cuban. Take that from a Cuban. A little bit of Cuba in the midst of Rockville. So sad that the only genuine Cuban food in the Washington area is outside the District, either this one or Cubanos in Silver Spring. The place is small but the space is well utilized. Plackards with the names of notable Cuban Americans share the space with old Elian posters, poignantly reminding the customer that the issue is very much a part of the Cuban American folklore. Food was good to excellent. To my chagrin, they discontinued making the Cuban Tamales (Hallacas), less sweet than their Central American counterparts. The "tostones" double-fried green plantains, were succulent. On the two main courses, the Vaca Frita was a tad dry but tasty, but the Boliche (Cuban pot roast) was outstanding. And it wouldn't be the same without copious quantities of Black Beans and Rice.
(4)DAI L.
The Food is great... tho i wish i had room to try more next time. Driving back home from Baltimore we decided to stop by for some Appetizers... We ordered the "Taste of Cuba" since it had everything we wanted which was Croquettes, Empanadas, Sweet Potato Fries, and a a Fried mashed potato and beef ball..?..?.. which was good. I've never seen it anywhere else. we also ordered Chicken Soup to split since it's huge..(very tasty) g/f is half Cuban and ordered Iron Beer then bought a whole 6 pack to bring home... it taste like pibb's mix root beer mix yumm :)) i am officially addicted. I love the History lay-ed out around the place.. it makes you feel proud to be Cuban even when I'm not ... This place is a must for great Cuban food and history.. A little hidden gem. I love this place..It's something i would find in Miami :) Ohh almost forgot the MOJITOS are FANTABULOUS!!!
(4)Semra E.
I love hole in the wall style places, but this took the cake. Not only was their decor soooo beyond what I had thought it would be like, but their political thoughts are very clear when you sit down and look at the walls. I went there for lunch with one of my friends and we both were amazed (in a good way) with the quick service and even the sense of humor that the manager had when we walked in. It was pretty crowded (lunch crowd in Rockville can be a mess depending on where you are)...I guess that goes for any popular area for business. I decided on the highly recommended Fried Yuca which came out looking like delicious french fries, that came with this sauce (not sure what it was, but it was really good, complimented the flavor very nicely). As my main dish I got the Corroz Con Pollo, which was really good. I feel like I end up getting this as a main dish at a lot of South American style restaurants, but it's because every place I go to makes it different and really who can mess with chicken & rice? It also came with a side of fried plantains, which were out of this world. I didn't have time to sit and wait to eat anything else, or else I would have gotten dessert, but that wasn't happening this time around. Maybe next time Cuban Corner! I'll be BAAAAAAAACK!
(5)Food L.
I had the Pollo a La Placha and it was delicious. My coworker had the Ropa Vieja and that was delicious as well. The service was quick and the restaurant has a nice atmosphere. I'm giving 4 start because for the type of food I received it was bit on the pricy side.
(4)Eduardo S.
My Dad is from Cuba so I have high expectations with Cuban food. They were all met here ~! Camarones al Ajillo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce) = Awesome Ropa Vieja (This shredded beef joint ) = Awesome Bistec de Palomilla (This real tender buttery steak w/ Onions) = Awesome Churrasco con Camarones (Flavorful Steak with Shrimp on top)= Da BomB Fried Plantains, Black Beans and White Rice are brought out with whatever you order, & all are delicious Tres Leches or Flan for Dessert = Awesome Guava is good for dessert too p.s. Dessert is a must when you go to a Cuban Restaurant We ordered Yucca Frita as an appetizer, & it comes out sliced real thin like shoe string fries, with a garlic dipping sauce. Very nice. Sweet Anti-Castro artwork all around as well. I've had the Cuban sandwiches here also, they are solid. (8 Bucks for a sandwich w/ Roast pork, Ham, Pickles, Swiss Cheese & Mustard all pressed together. My stomach felt good after I ate it..you can get it with Chorizo added as well) I like it more than Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville.
(5)Fenny L.
Frankly, this was not what we expected, but at the same time, it was exactly what we were hoping to find. Several Yelpers have pointed me to Cuban Corner, but I'll admit, I was thrown off by it's location in a craptapulous and rundown stripmall. However, after two hours of dismal house hunting, we were hungry and in the mood for something different to lift up our deary moods. Enter Cuban Corner. Upon entering, the little foyer is a surprise of colors with a colorful tropical mural painted on all four sides, and even the ceiling. Immediately, I felt that this might be the magic we needed. The dining room is even better. The cheerful and mildy epilectic-inducing tropical mural is subdued by notices of famous Cubans, photos and newspaper clippings. If it sounds busy and bizarre it was. But in a completely amazingly kitschy and fun way. We order the ropa vieja (my standard go-to for Cuban) and my husband got the roasted pork (I forgot the name, but it's a holiday special) and a side of fried yuca. Within 10 minutes, our food arrives, hot and delicious and with a side of black beans for our rice. The ropa vieja could stand to have a touch more heat, as would the roasted pork, but on the whole, the melding of spices and flavors were very complementary. As my husband says, "this is what I always imagined a simple homecooked Cuban meal would taste". Simple, rustic and hearty. Not out of the world, but definitely hits the spot. While the ropa vieja and the pork were both good, there were two dishes that were outstandingly delicious: the fried yuca and the flan. So we ordered the side of fried yuca, expecting to get the big, thick wedges of yuca that one gets at the grilled chicken joints. Not so here. The yuca were cut thin, like french fries and fried until they were amazingly crispy. Served with a dipping sauce that was like a combination of thick Italian dressing and heaven, it was remarkable. It was so delicious in fact, that after we (OK, *I*), inhaled the plate, we ordered a second plate of the fried yuca! The there is the flan. Before I talk about their flan, I have to first say that I have serious "flan issues". Since my first bite of flan at Guapos in the 7th grade, I have determined that the problem with flan is multifold: the constancy resembles dried pudding, the caramel sauce is too sweet and I usually find that the flan has either no flavor or tastes like vanilla eggs. So when the server recommended that we get their homemade flan, I silently grimaced and figured that I would have just a bite to round out my review. My husband and I nearly came to blows over who got the last bite of flan. HOLY SCHMOOLIES. This was what my mouth has been looking for each time it had flan. The flan was rich and thick, the caramel sauce was light and enhanced the natural creamy deliciousness of the flan. Actually, no - I am not using the right adjectives...just know that this flan was perfect. My husband, who dislikes non-chocolate desserts, loved it. I, who hate sweets and desserts AND has serious flan issues on top of it, loved it. The service was pretty great too. Our server was ultra sweet, attentive and didn't make fun of us (me) when we (I) ordered the second plate of yuca. She also kindly found the name of the CD that was playing and even wrote it down for us, because although the songstress was Celia Cruz, it seriously sounded like a man. Singing "I Will Survive". In Spanish. Needless to say, we ordered that off of iTunes that night. Heh. We will definitely be back, as my husband is hankering to try some of the more adventurous dishes, and I'm dying to try their stews (they smelled delicious!). And of course, we will be ordering more yuca and flan...but next time - no sharing. We'll each get our own.
(4)Ariana A.
My husband is Cuban so I have experience a lot of cuban food in my time from the very good to the very bad, and I will tell you one thing Cuban Corner is VERY good. 1. It is hard to find good service and a friendly wait staff however at the Cuban Corner that is exactly what you can find, friendly faces and a willingness to help with anything you need. 2. Now the food is deffinately not as good as my Mother in-laws she takes the cake however it comes pretty close and makes a great meal when she is not around. We've tasted quite a bit of the menu and are quite pleased it is deffinately the best place to get cuban food in our area. 3. All though small the atmosphere of the resturant is fun and bright. I will admit the menu is a little pricy, but that deffinately doesn't stop us from coming back time and time again. I hope this posting inspires people to go and check out the Cuban Corner we are very big fans of the resturant and hope that you will enjoy it as well.
(5)Cory G.
My company ordered lunch for everyone from here today, per a recommendation of a coworker. It was excellent. I tried the Cuban Especial as well as the Pan con Bistec. Both sandwiches were made to perfection. The fries were your average run-of-the-mill fries. The yucca was good, however, the sauce that came with it was horrible (that's my only gripe). Worth the money. Get the Cuban Sandwich.
(4)Gerri S.
I am a cheater. There I said it. I couldn't help but notice Cuban Corner while i was seeing Island pride. From that moment I knew I was gonna come back later. I can't stand a tease. I gotta have it. Well it was late afternoon when I did come by. Few patrons. I wouldn't bump into anyone I knew. I went in. First of all there is nothing subtle about Cuban Corner. The interior is wall to wall Cuban photos,artifacts, memorabilia, plaques of famous Cubans. No holds barred if a little garish. But that's besides the point. Does Cuban Corner deliver the goods? With a passion. The mojito is so fresh and flavorful garnished with real sugar cane. The chicken empanadas will knock your socks off. Fresh, sumptuous and well-seasoned. I had the Carne Con Papas. This is a hearty meat and potatoes stew that comes with rice, plantains and beans. Food coma. I will be back. I am already craving another fix. Sorry Island Pride. Can't I have you both?
(4)Dave H.
The smell wasn't overpowering here - it definitely was NOT cigar smoke since the place is non-smoking (at least as of the time I came here!). The interior is festive (see the photos I posted), colorful and tropical. On the walls are placards with the names of famous (and not-so-famous) Cuban Americans, such as Jeff Bezos (of Amazon fame), Mario Diaz Ballart (FLA Republican), and Cameron Diaz. Parking can be bad if you have a lot of people or if it's during a weekend. Make reservations if you DO visit on Friday or Saturday. Our server (Timo) was cordial and took our orders without any issues. Our dishes came out very quickly! My ropa vieja was (for the price, $15) somewhat disappointing - it wasn't terribly warm and reminded me of pulled pork. The accompanying rice and fried plantains (yum!) were good. My friends enjoyed their dishes. We ordered yuca fritas (fries) as an appetizer that were tasty and the sauce was unusual and tangy. To close, we had flan for dessert that was sweeeeeet (especially for me) but my co-diners said it was good. Had a good time here and would recommend.
(4)Joel F.
It's a small but friendly place. The service was prompt and the food came out fast. The portions were not gigantic thankfully, but the food was very good. I'm not too familiar with Cuban cuisine, but since the owners were there as were other Cubans in the dining area, I have to assume it's authentic. Plus, you get to learn from the plaques on the walls about all the famous Cuban Americans.
(4)Jueli L.
I would give this place 3.5 stars. When you first walk in, you'll notice their walls, which are either covered by beautiful, colorful murals of Cuba or name tags of famous Cubans and their occupations. Who knew the Cuban community had so many achievements in our country? Reading the walls is such an educational journey in of itself. You will be immediately greeted by a waitress who will seat you and grab you menus and drinks. The service is fast and kind, the ladies are all very nice. We started off with a papaya drink and two empanadas. The drink was cold and refreshing. Eating Partner had never had it before, but loved it immediately for its light, alluring flavor. Unfortunately, we could've done without the empanadas. They were fried with cheesy goodness on the inside, but the meat looked and tasted like bacon bits, while the veggie one tasted very one-note. We were expecting a mouthgasm of fresh flavors and spices, but was left disappointed and wanting more. As for our two entrees, they were both well seasoned, so much in fact that the ropa vieja was overly salty. No worries, we still jammed it down our bellies. One thing I need to mention - don't be fooled by the size of their entrees, which come in seemingly small ceramic bowls/plates. I could barely scarf down half my plateful of food so you are getting a ton of food. With that being said, there was nothing that stood out in our whole entire meal. We left with our tummies satisfied, but our taste buds yearning.
(3)Zi-Heng Z.
This place is the real thing. I've never been to Cuba, but I would imagine / hope that this is what the food is like. Get the Empanadas!
(5)Pete J.
Was treated to meal here with my wife by my inlaws. Located in a easy to find strip right off 355. The interior was covered in plaques of Cuban americans. The staff seemed very friendly. I got a cheese and chorizo empanada, and fish soup. I enjoyed both very much and thought the soup was good. Not too spicy but i added a little hot sauce and some rice and it was perfect. The fish taste and texture was great. Everyone else seemed to like their meals as well. A success.
(4)Don D.
Outstanding authentic Cuban food! The "Jose Reig" might be the best steak sandwich ever! The owner is very personable and willing to share stories from the "old country". I literally learn something new about the struggles of the Cuban people and their ongoing fight for freedom every time I visit.
(5)Robert C.
I'll make it simple and short. I really don't like this place because it's quite expensive yet the portion's sooo small. The taste's not even that good. I don't think I'll ever come back again.
(1)Roger B.
Went today because I was craving a Cuban Sandwich. I usually go to a place closer to home, but, this place is very close to my office. Very small place on the end of a strip center. Walked in, was offered a table and given a menu. Waitress was ok, but, not as friendly as some here have mentioned. The place was dead, so, maybe she was bored. The place is crazy with the amount of nameplates they have all over the walls with names of Cubans who have done well. (All over the walls, every inch) This was very overwhelming and a bit distracting. The Cuban sandwich was good as were the fries. If the waitress had been more friendly, or the walls not so busy, then I would have given 4 stars.
(3)Eddie D.
This place have some interesting decoration around, entire wall is filled with names of famous Cuban, from Dasi (Ricky) Arnaz to Castro. Wait staff was prompt and courteous. We got their best seller Emparedado Cubano "Especial", a Cuban Sub with roasted pork, ham, Spanish sausage and Swiss cheese pressed on a hot plate. Sub is not stuff with lots of meat like some other sandwich, but it was tasteful with a crunch. You could taste distinctly every item in the sandwich. We also got the Ajiaco Criollo, a Cuban Creole Stew with white rice, slow cooked beef stew with yucca root, a meal by itself. And finally the Arroz con Pollo, chicken and yellow rice, thought is a little bid salty, but still a good choice. Over all, I think the Cuban Sub is a good choice, I notice some customer basically order the sub only.
(4)Eileen K.
Went there tonite with some friends & definitely will not be back. The Cuban Sub was dry, chewy & almost inedible. It had one small stringy piece of pork & one small thin slice of inedible salty ham on a huge slab of old dry bread. The plantains were black, burnt & totally awful. Not sure how they could even serve them to a customer. On top of everything else the margarita was bitter. The place seems to have no quality control at all. Don't be fooled like I was when the waitress says "what side item would you like with the sub"? It doesn't come with a side item, you pay extra for it. Skip the side item & save your money. There are too many great spots in Mo Co to ever go back to Cuban Corner. Count me out next time it's suggested. I would give it -0- instead of 1 star if that were an option.
(1)Stretch G.
Stopped by here one day for lunch. It's really close to the job and kind of small so you need not to speed on the "Pike" or you will pass it. The food is good. I got a Cuban grilled-chicken sandwich and enjoyed every bite! The place is adorned with all the famous Cubans in the world. I wanted to place pic of me on the wall but i forgot i'm not Cuban! Shucks!
(3)Rachel L.
Came here with two friends after having ordered take out twice. The place is somewhat small but has a cool interior. I ordered chicken fricase and tostones, my friends got especial de polo (beef with fried eggs and rice) and the red snapper. We all cleaned our plates. The mamey shake is tasty too.
(4)Lenny C.
In Rockville, Maryland there's an excellent Cuban restaurant called "Cuban Corner." As far as my palate is concerned, this is the best and most authentic Cuban restaurant in the Greater Washington, DC area. They are located essentially on a strip mall right on Rockville Pike. The food is authentic, affordable and plentiful. My favorite dish there is "Ropa Vieja," although the "Vaca Frita" is also superb. Either of those dishes, with a side of yucca con mojo or tostones, will delight your mouth and belly. A visit to Cuban corner also delivers the interesting spectacle of the restaurant's Cuban Hall of Fame... or as they call it: The Wall. The Cuban Hall of Fame, as determined by Joaquin Cabrejas, the restaurant's feisty owner, is composed of Cubans, Cuban-Americans, and people of traceable Cuban ancestry, and is made up of hundreds of name plaques glued to the restaurant's walls. Some potential surprises to non Cubans (and even to some Cubans): - Angela Anais Juana Antolina Rosa Edelmira Nin y Culmell - otherwise known as Anais Nin, one of the 20th century's sexual goddesses nymphomaniacs (and a damned good writer as well!). - Amazon's creator Jeff Bezos. - Benjamin Huberman, Science Adviser to several American presidents. - Truman Capote (by adoption)... took the last name of his adopted dad. Capote in Spanish is a large cape or the hood of a car. - Ysrael A. Seinuk, the "father of the modern New York skyline." - Eamon de Valera: The father of the modern Irish republic was Eamon de Valera, who was born in New York in 1882. His father, Juan de Valera, although technically on paper always reported as a Spaniard, was really a Cuban, born in Cuba (which was part of Spain back then), the son of a Cuban sugar planter and escaped to New York during the Independence Wars with Spain. There he earned his living as a piano teacher. He met and married Irish immigrant Catherine Coll. Juan died shortly after the birth of their son Eduardo. After Juan's death, his wife sent Eduardo to Ireland, where her family changed his name to the Gaelic version of Eduardo: Eamon. - Cameron Diaz... we all know who she is. - Dr. Steve Pieczenik, author of 39 books, including 16 bestsellers. He is critically acclaimed author of psycho-political thrillers and the co-creator of the New York Times best-selling "Tom Clancy's Op-Center" and "Tom Clancy's Net Force" book series. He is also one of the world's most experienced international crisis managers and hostage negotiators. - Olga Viso, the Hirshhorn Museum's former director and now director of the Walker Art Center. - The Joker... I mean Cesar Romero. Ambrosio José Gonzales, this Cuban Confederate Colonel played a significant role in the Civil War and was essentially responsible for building Confederate coastal defenses. He had his finest hour during the Civil War as the artillery commander at the Battle of Honey Hill.
(5)Bridget Q.
I have only had cuban food one other time, and I felt the food here was ok. The services was very prompt and the food came out very fast, which was nice, but did feel slightly rushed. My boyfriend and I ordered a friend mashed potato that was stuffed with beef, that was really interesting and quite tasty for an appetizer. For my entree I had chicken with a lemon sauce. I felt that the chicken was pretty over cooked. It was almost tough to eat. The sauce was good though. The rice was also very good. Overall not bad, but not my favorite restaurant in the area.
(3)Alex F.
When it comes to Cuban food my expectations have tempered. I've come to the realization that it'll never be as good as my grandmother or wife's cooking. I've also concluded that it'll never be half as good as what I can get in Miami for 1/5 the cost. With that said, I want to give Cuban eateries a chance! I'm Cuban American, it's the least I can do. JFC (Jesus-expletive deleted-Christ). This place was a disaster. I'll be brief as I lay siege to their decoration. Terrible. First thing wifey says: "Wow lots of neon". The plaques w/ famous Cubanos are cool but the place is like 10x10 and it comes across as overwhelming. Oh and yeah they could stand to get rid of the 35x35 Elian Gonzalez picture. The food: So mediocre. I wasn't expecting much. But I was expecting something! Everyone on yelp posted about how the bread was authentic cuban bread. No chance. I asked the waitress: "Is it real Cuban bread?" I don't want to be disappointed. If it isn't real I'll order something besides a sandwich. "Yes it is"- she says. Come on!!!! It was a French baguette. Oh well. If the sound of the microwave going off didn't give them away the food sure did. The appetizers were indefensibly nuked. We got the pork rinds (chicharonnes) and yuca frita. The pork rinds should be crispy and steaming hot.. They were cold at the center and soggy. The yuca was warm but fried at least 2 days ago. For dinner I had the ropa vieja sandwich. Nary a drop of tomato sauce. Dry as a bone. Let me help you out. Ropa viega takes tomato sauce. Wife had steak sandwich. The Cuban staple. It was the best thing we had and still very mediocre. Let me help you out. Pan con bistec doesn't take mayo and takes more than 2 little picnic fries. No sides w/ the subs. They each cost 8 bones. Last: The waitress...she was not rude or inattentive but she couldn't have been colder. Oh well. Cuba de Ayer on Old Columbia Pike is far better. Keep in mind though that they are also mediocre. As for Cuban Corner....I wouldn't go back if the food was free.
(1)Debbie S.
Here is why i gave this restaurant 5 stars: 1. Food is to DIE FOR!!! My favorite dish is ropa vieja (i love it so much i crave it often and i usually dont crave a specific dish) 2. Service is excellent! My friends didnt know what to order so we gave Cuban Corner a call and the lady who helped us was SOOOOO sweet and gave us several excellent recommendations. It was a carry out order so when we got the food to the house we opened the bags to find that the sweet lady had written out the names of the dishes and detailed descriptions of each dish on the containers. Ive never had any restaurant (Large or Small) do that for me. Isnt that amazing of her??!! 3. You can tell the food is good when everyone shuts up to stuff their faces and then fights each other for the left overs. All in all this is some of the best cuban food ive been able to find in Maryland. With amazing food, service and competetive pricing - you cant go wrong! Try it and love it!
(5)J R.
I don't know what to rate this place! Some people are giving it three stars but say they won't go back... three stars to me means a good, decent performance but not terrific. Cuban Corner is nice! The food is tasty, the service is nice, and I like it. Is it transcendentally delicious? Nope. But it's good, consistent - and I will return. Unlike some other reviewers, it's certainly more memorable than an average sandwich (no offense, fellow reviewer!). The paella is really a standout, as is the ropa viella. Personally, I think it's worth a try. And their flan is the BEST.
(3)Jess T.
I was on a quest to find mamey sapote, a Cuban fruit with bright orange flesh my grandma often made into milkshakes. I took them for granted growing up; every summer, my grandma would make me a mamey shake. Turns out, she didn't buy them locally, she brought them back from her trips to Miami since my uncle grew them in his backyard. So 15 years later, I'm craving a mamey shake and there's none whatsoever in this area. But then I found that York Castle Ice Cream, right next door, carried it. So all this to say that I stumbled upon The Cuban Corner by accident in search of mamey sapote. I was so excited to find a Cuban restaurant locally that I decided to forgo ice cream all together and eat dinner at The Cuban Corner. We walked in and it was like Cuba had exploded all over the walls of the place. They seriously did their research and identified every famous Cuban American and display them on the wall. Checking out the decor was almost as good as the food itself. We ordered the yucca with garlic, mamey sapote shakes, croquettas, ropa vieja, Especial De Jessica, and Cuban coffee. The shake was good, but the mamey flavor was not as strong as when made with freshly picked mamey fruit (but that was to be expected). The ropa vieja was excellent. Not as colorful and complex as my grandma used to make it, but surprisingly tasty. Everything else was also excellent. I can't wait to return and try other Cuban staples! Also, great service. I can't imagine a better experience.
(4)P K.
I am not from Cuba, nor have I been in FL so much, so I di not have very good comparison to authentic cuban food. However, in my opinion, this place has good food.
(4)Debbie S.
This place is right near my office. After noticing it one day I bugged my coworkers and we set out for lunch. We were seated right away at a crammed table, but every table in the place is crammed since there isn't much room in there. The bathroom is in the back of the restaurant and you have to walk THROUGH the kitchen to get there. Like I said, there isn't much room! But the walls are decorated with tons of things to keep you entertained, and the food somes quickly. And the food is delicious. I've never been to Cuba, but Cuban Corner reminds me of a few places in Miami I've been. :-) I loved the fried sweet plantains the best. :-D
(4)Jamon B.
!Muy delicioso! Cuban Corner is great. The food is really quite tasty and the staff is very friendly. We started with a cuban coffee (I was told that cubans drink coffee at the beginning of the meal, which really makes more sense than having it at the end), then had the appetizer sampler platter, and I had the Arroz con Pollo for my meal. All of it was yummy. To be honest, the place looks sort of sketchy from the outside, and the ambiance is terrible (the walls are "decorated" with white plaques with names of famous Cubans on them). But the food more than makes up for it. In fact, I wish they would open another one in DC.
(4)Brian R.
First, this place is so reactionary that it makes Pinochet looks progressive by comparison. I particularly liked the multiple photos of a bound Che just before his execution in Bolivia, one of which was autographed by the U.S. Special Forces officer who trained the Bolivian army. Classy. Second, it's somewhat overpriced.
(3)Carlos F.
A piece of Cuba in Rockville, MD ?!? Outside, the setting is definitely not Miami but inside, the cuisine is the real deal. The decor consists of paraphernalia of notable Cubans [all undoubtedly non-communists] which could either put you in a terribly nostalgic mood or leave you bored to death. It all depends on your disposition or historical knowledge, I suppose. But the cuisine is sure to satisfy. I sampled the Cuban sandwiches, both the regular and special with Spanish sausage added, and they were both delicious. Both contained the right proportion of meat to bread and a proper hint of acidity. The shakes were thick and tasty; the ham croquet appetizer less endearing as my order was a tad over fried. Cuban cuisine is simple and embracing, like a good, long and sincere hug. It does not pretend to be anything that it's not. It's just good and here in Rockville we have a restaurant that does good right.
(4)Autumn W.
Gross. The food was way too salty. Atmosphere so tacky. And they served me iceberg lettuce. Where do they do that? Overpriced salty mess. Go elsewhere.
(1)Qing H.
Food has some interesting flavor and the service/atmosphere is nice. However, the portion is small and one entrée will typically not fill you up. The price is relatively high given the small portion. I tried the beef stew and the fish potato stew. Both are good except for a little too salty. It's worth coming to experience once but I will not come back.
(3)Andrew K.
The outside of the restaurant doesn't look like much but when you go inside, it is decorated with all these names of famous Cubans and there are other random historical pictures of Cubans and a map of Cuba. It feels very carribean inside. But the most important thing for me is the food. The prices are kind of high for the portion size which is small. I got the lechon asado which is supposed to be their specialty according to the menu and it comes with just rice and beans. While the lechon was very well cooked and tender, I was still hungry and I wish there was some more spice to it. And for $12, I don't think it's a good deal especially since I came here for lunch. I may come back but as most of the things on the menu was $12 to $16, I don't know if I'll come here for lunch since there are so many lunch specials in the area.
(3)Christian M.
I walked in for lunch one day to try this place. I would always pass by and was always curious to try it. I tried a Cuban and some tasty tostones. Very much so a hole in the wall, but so interestingly decorated. Filled with names and photos of famous Cubans & other notable people, you could definitely tell their political views (anti-Castro). Overall I thought the food was pretty tasty but a bit overpriced. Great experience, the man who served me was very helpful & even informed me of a student discount which always helps.
(3)Joan K.
Cute little place, but the 4 and 5 star reviews this place has makes me a bit weary of trusting yelpers..... The place isn't bad by any means....but the food is really underwhelming. It doesn't really hold a candle to the good Cuban food I've had elsewhere. I'd probably stick with the sandwiches as the entrees are what disappointed me the most (especially considered the price). Really great and friendly service, though!
(3)Shine S.
I found this an average place, I wish I had a better experience here, pretty much ordered a cuban sandwich, ate it, thought it was average and never came back. I wish they had left a better impression for me to want to come back... But it was nothing bad, just average. Maybe if there was something a bit more memorable than an average sandwich, I'd go back.
(3)Cathy B.
I have eaten here several times and love the food as well as the service. I've eaten their black beans and rice. Yummy! I've eaten a sub there which was great. Nice little restaurant if you like Cuban food.
(4)R W.
My wife and I went here on a Friday night about 8pm. It was our second time at The Cuban Corner and we had good food and service both times. The restaurant is family run, has 10 tables and is nicely deocorated with colorful lights and name placards of famous Cubans on the walls.
(4)Dan G.
First of all, I have the utmost respect for anyone who wants to open a small business. Even more so, an individual who chooses to forgo the franchise route (Subway, McDonalds, etc...) , and open their own place, with their own design and recipes. Such is the case with Cuban Corner, and great little gem located in an assuming strip mall across from where I work. My "Old Rags" sandwich was excellent, as was the side of sweet plantains. Try it, you won't regret it!
(5)Crystal Lynne C.
Basura! I have never been so disappointed in a restaurant. All the awards in the windows and the raves in all the magazines... I was disgusted. I ordered a rice dish with chicken, shrimp, and pork, but instead received chicken, shrimp, and FISH. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the fish. In fact, it saved the dish. The chicken was dry, the shrimp-tasteless... But that was only after I waited ten minutes for my food to cool down- and I STILL managed to burn my tongue :( I was so put off. The food might have gotten higher ratings if it hadn't been right next door to Caribbean Feast. The whole time I was eating my gross and over-priced meal, I was thinking that I could've had some delicious jerk chicken instead. My experience was so terrible, that eating there is what got me to sign up for Yelp. I will never ever go back.
(1)Morris S.
Right wing nutters, but the Cuban was great. I never let politics interfere with my tastebuds.
(3)Andrew P.
I've been looking for a truly authentic Cuban restaurant since I moved to the area 3 years ago from Miami. Everywhere I've tried so far that claimed to be "Cuban" had a lot of Mexican and/or other Latin American-like foods on the menu, not what I was used to from Miami. This place does it right. The food was great, the atmosphere was straight off Calle Ocho, and the service very attentive. I do have to say (especially for lunch) that it is a little over priced, but I suppose that's the price we pay for this special cuisine in the DC area.
(4)Food Mongol M.
The Cuban press, damn good sandwich.
(5)Kasey V.
I was really excited to try the Cuban Corner. My boyfriend spent summers in Key West growing up, so he was beyond himself when I suggested this place. The restaurant is small and at times it felt like the waitress was hovering around (since she didn't have another place to stand). We went on a Wednesday evening around 7pm, and the place was pretty empty. The Cuban bread was great. Nice and crispy on the outside (although a bit more butter would not have hurt) and soft and chewy on the inside. The dinner portions at this restaurant are VERY small. My flank steak was over cooked and dry but also only about the size of my palm. A friend of ours ordered the Ropa Vieja and finished it in about 6 bites. The Cuban Sandwich looked good, but I did not have a chance to try it. A highlight was the mojito, which was around $8.00. It came with a real sugarcane, and was very tasty. An order of sangria contained some powered sugar or mix at the bottom and although advertised with a variety of fruit, came only with diced apple. I was pretty disappointed about the food and portion size. I'll be checking out other Cuban restaurants in the area. Skip the Cuban Corner and look elsewhere.
(2)John C.
Very tasty meal tonight. The design is loud and tacky, but in a charming way. The service is fine, although I would have liked a little more attention after the meal -- we needed water! I'm already wondering when I can justify making a trip back, which is always a good sign.
(4)Patrick H.
*** 3.5*** This place is a trip! The decor alone is worth the visit. A celebration of all things Cuban and the importance of the contributions of Cuban Americans are quite literally plastered on every single square inch of this teeny tiny spot. The whole restaurant is like a Cuban Hall of Fame, with names of famous Cubans everywhere. My place-setting consisted of a laminated article about Ralph Alvarez, COO of McDonalds. Ricky Ricardo hung to the left of me, just under a depiction of Castro's Migs shooting down two Cuban American airplanes in 1998, which is just under a rather morose depiction of Castro and Che Guevera's decapitated heads roasting on an open flame with the caption "Specialty of the house" written in Espanol. My guess is that the owners vote Republican. With that aside, the food is pretty darned good. It's been ages since I've been here, so it was nice to revisit the Cuban Corner, as at one time, it was the only place around one could find Cuban cuisine. We started with the Beef Empanadas. Hot, crisp pastry filled with delicious spicy ground beef. A tad bit greasy, but who's complaining? For entrees, I had the Pargo a la Parilla, (Grilled Snapper) with onions and peppers. The snapper was a little overcooked, but seasoned nicely (perhaps a little too salty) and served with Morros y Cristianos (Black beans and rice) and plantain. My dining partner in crime had the Shrimp in tomato caper sauce. It was a small portion, but I enjoyed stealing his excess sauce and draping my snapper with it. Dessert was killer. Flan de Queso. Like a combination of Cheesecake and Flan. Really good. I don't know that I will be rushing back to the Cuban Corner, but we would definitely go back again if in the area.
(3)Cristi F.
Really enjoyed this place! Customer service was great and the plantains were cooked perfectly. I also enjoyed the rockfish and the mango milkshake (although it was bit sweet). You should give this place a try!
(4)Christine G.
Still a fan, but just wanted to make a point of saying they aren't open on Sunday. Boo! We were pretty upset to find them closed, so plan your visit during the week or on Saturday!
(4)Elissar K.
Are we talking about the same place here? After reading all the glowing reviews, I was so looking forward to some real Cuban food. A disappointing experience to say the least. Service was the best part, pretty friendly and efficient. The decor was interesting. I was ready to love it. Then the food came. I'm sad to say everything I tasted was boring and bland... not sure if it was an off day or what but I don't know if I'm willing to risk it and try again. We'll see...
(2)Jaime C.
I left the Cuban Corner stuffed and happy. My fiancee and I stopped by on a whim driving down Rockville Pike. I had heard there were a couple good Cuban restaurants around DC but had never stumbled upon one before. I had the Ropa Vieja, it was excellent, just as the menu described (beef cooked until it falls apart, sauteed in a tomato and vegetable sauce). My fiancee had the Lechon asado, also tasty. The meal came with black beans, rice, yucca mojado, and platanos fritos...so I am not sure what the reviewers that said the portions were too small were expecting..a whole pig? I found the food prices to be on par with DC area Latino restaurants (Guapos, Don Julios, etc) about $15 an entree. Of course as usual the budget buster is the beers! I got two which tacked $11 onto the bill. The best part by far though was the decor. Cuban-American's are passionate about their community and history and a visit to the Cuban Corner is educational. How many restaurants can you say that about? I hope to stop by again soon.
(4)Tommy K.
I was skeptical of giving this place a try but decided 'ah what the heck?' thanks to my girlfriend's trip there the week prior. The restaurant is decorated lively and the walls of the establishment were adorned with the names of Cubans who have contributed in some way, shape, or form to the American society. I feel like the restaurant definitely gave a vibe that felt like the Cuban section of Miami. The owner was very friendly and recommended a lunch special of pulled pork, black beans, and plantains. The pork was very flavorful and tender. So tender the meat basically melted in my mouth. I've never had plantains but quickly became a fan after trying a few. Was this the best meal I've ever had? No, but still good. But I highly recommend going here just to experience the character and atmosphere of the joint.
(3)Filipina P.
I remember stumbling across this place while I was taking classes at Montgomery College. And now 10 years later it still is as good as I remember. Quite a few updates to the decor since I last visited but the food was awesome. I had the vegetarian rice and beans with a side order of plantains and I couldn't have been happier -- and I'm usually a dedicated carnivore. Hubby was also suitably impressed, but what bowled him over was the flan. This is the stuff that defines what it is to be a flan - not that anemic yellow sludge that they give you at other places that will not be named.
(5)Gaby A.
I haven't been in a while since I moved firther away, but reading these comments brings back fond memories. I think I will stop by tomorrow since Ihave to pass by.
(4)Arkar W.
The restaurant's theme really matches up to the name, Cuban Corner. The owner carefully designs the interior to look like, well, Cuba, and on top of that, he dresses like he is in Cuba. The wall is decorated with names of famous Cuban-American and I can even see Castro and Che pictures inside the kitchen. As for the food, I felt like eating hybrid of Burmese and Brazilian food. As a native Burmese, the ropa de verija is prepared just like Burmese rural country side style and the side order of black bean is totally Brazilian.
(3)Eric S.
To the reviewer complaining of cigar smoke. . . Montgomery County has been smoke free for at least a couple years now. No idea what you smelled, but it couldn't have been cigars. Anyway, I don't get here as often as I should, but it is one of my favorite places in the area. Everything I've had there has been delicious. I definitely recommend the orange glazed chicken entree, as well as most of the seafood dishes. The ropa vieja is usually spot on, but I haven't had it in a while, so I'm hoping the reviewer who didn't like it had an off night. Sides such as yuca frita and plaintains have always come out very well done, and they have, IMO, the best flan in the area. It's not quite as fancy or diverse in the menu as, say, Cubanos in Silver Spring, but it's also generally cheaper, with the quality being similar from what I've seen. Besides, who needs fancy when you can get colorful hometown pride on the walls and tables. Service is usually very attentive, especially since most times I've eaten there, the place is at best half full. I've never been at lunch or on the weekend, when I suspect they have more business. That said, I didn't love the mojito there. It wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't worth the $8 price of admission. Cubanos and Banana Cafe in DC both have them beat on the national drink. I haven't tried the Cafe Cubano yet, but I have been told they do get the coffee right, so I'm hoping to try that in the future. ~EEE~
(4)Melanie R.
awesome cubin sandwich!!! green plantains could use some work. cute place fast service and great prices!
(4)Donna C.
This place is interesting. Every single inch of wall space is jam packed with either a mural, photograph or plaque honoring a well-to-do Cuban American. It makes for interesting reading while waiting for your meal. As for the food, it's great! We had a chorizo/swiss cheese, beef and chicken empanada and they were awesome! Especially the chorizo one. We were here for lunch, so we just got the Cuban sandwiches afterwards. They were just as good as the ones I had in Miami. The flan is also pretty good. The empanadas were a little pricey, but I'll definitely be back! It's a good option when you want something different.
(4)Nicole L.
My friend used to rave about this place when we worked in Rockville but I thought it was just a Cuban sandwich place so I never thought about going. She came back from Atlanta and ask me to go. It turned out to be a little gem in the Rockville area. The location isn't so great it's near Cameron seafood and Montgomery CC. However when I walked in it transported me back to Miami. There were engraved plates with cuban names and photos of famous people with their signatures. So now the menu - it's probably the biggest cuban menu I've seen so far - it has everything!! My friend ordered this guava and cheese empanadas for starters for $9.98. They were delicious! I was on the edge of my seat when I saw tostones on the menu so we ended up ordering a combination platter - two with shrimps, two with ground beef and 1 with steak for $10.99. The tostones were mind-blowing delicious. It's a must try. It can be filling if you ate them all but they were cooked to perfection so they weren't as greasy as I expected. For entree I ordered the "Titan" it's a rice mixed with beans and chorizo sausages for $13.99 - it tasted a little salty but the next day I had the leftover, it seemed to have improved in taste for some reason! Who says leftovers aren't good? My friend had maybe 3 mojitos and they cost like $16.00. Overall I think the food is amazing but it can expensive if you were trying everything on the menu- how could you not?? I will definitely be going there again!! Viva La Cuba!
(4)Linh L.
I never thought my first Cuban experience would be in Rockville, MD, but that's ok. It was a great expereince! The food was delicious, and like Patrick H. mentioned in his review--this place is definitely a trip! The decor is a tribute to Cuban-Americans, and the food tasted so much better than I had expected. Everyone I went with ordered scrumptuous meat dishes, and the beans over rice complemented our meals well. I tried the flan based on reviews from other yelpers, but it was a bit too sweet for me. I will be back next time I'm in MD!
(4)Hyun M.
I give more kudos to my server here for lunch than the more expensive Westend Bistro that I went to for dinner today. I had heard about the place from more than one friend. So I went and tried the Roasted Pork with boiled yucca with a vinegar sauce and their rice and black beans called Christian and Moors. My girlfriend got a vegetarian plantain plate. They were both very mildly flavored. I ended up barely touching the pork and the waitress noticed and asked if I wanted something else. I said, no that this was my first time. There is hot sauce on the table for a reason. I ended up putting it on my food and then I was able to eat with relish. I almost want to give them a four star because they care. Next time, I am going to try the chicken and the hot sauce. So I am going to go back for fried sweet plantains and yucca. The desserts were OK, I had the guava pastry and it seemed like it had been in a steam drawer. It was hot but a bit mushy. The flan didn't have much flavor.
(3)Maria S.
This is my favorite Cuban Restaurant outside of Miami FL! I found this place on accident, as it was close to my job. It's in a strange location, close to Montgomery College, but the food is magnificent! Upon entering the decor can be overwhelming to some, I thought it was very creative, plaques on the wall with names and signatures of famous Cuban Americans. My favorite dish is the Titan - sausage, mixed with rice and beans, comes with garlic bread and a salad. I recommend starting with a guava and cheese empanada - sweet and delicious, or a appetizer plate so you get a little taste of everything. The Yuca are prepared like a Peruvian restaurant (delicious!) The cuban sandwich is great, so is the skirt steak, the ropas viejas, and the red snapper. The piece de resistance is the tres leches cake for dessert. True Miami style sitting in milk. I loved this dessert so much that after I had it at the Cuban Corner I looked up the recipe and made it at home (it's a lengthy process and uses half a handle of rum, but sooooo worth it!) The food at the Cuban Corner is simply scrumptious! Anytime I have a friend coming in from out of town, I demand we go to the Cuban Corner. The Mojitos are refreshing, and the Cuban coffee is stronger than American coffee. The staff is always friendly, as it is run by a local family. The only down side is that is can be very pricey, but in the end worth it for a taste of true Miami in Rockville MD!
(5)C B.
Where to start . . . the maduros were mushy, the rice was hard and cold, and the service is outright bad.
(1)T D.
Cool little place. Just popped in here for lunch really quick. I don't recall ever eating Cuban food. I ordered the Cuban sandwich and fried plantains. I definitely recommend these. The service was great and the staff was friendly. If you're looking for a nice spot to grab lunch, stop in here. The music playing inside made me forget, momentarily, that I was in Rockville.
(4)kevin k.
went cause i read a review on it on a newpaper. didnt like it. the smell in the air jst bothered me bit too much too. whether it was cigar or spice, i dont know. so so experience...
(3)Evie S.
YUM! I just did a take out for lunch. First I was very impressed with how nice the guy who took my order was (I think he may have been the owner). The interior was well decorated and it was a lot nicer that I expected. I got a vegetarian plate that included black beans and rice, broiled garlicky yucca, fried ripe plantains and a side salad with green olives and a flavorful dressing. Everything was delicious. FYI for vegans/ vegetarians out there- there is a vegetarian menu available online with six vegetarian options. However, the menu in the restaurant doesn't list them so you need to ask for them. You can find the vegetarian options listed here: cubancornerrestaurant.co… My only slightly negative complaint is that the prices are a bit high. Either way, it was a great experience and I will be going back!
(5)Zahra K.
They charge $3.99 for ONE papa rellena con picadillo. Just. The. One. This Miami girl was deeply offended. The entire visit to this place was a mistake. Boyfriend and I wanted Bhan Mi, but Mr. Bahn Mi was closed. I thought, why not stumble into here for a simple pan con bistek? Satisfy our meat sandwich needs. Everything was downhill after that. We ended up ordering one pan con bistek, churasco with yellow rice, two papas rellenas, a side of yuca, and flan and tres leches, all to go. Go big or go home right? The only thing that was good was the churasco, but their chimichuri that they gave on the side was still wrong. The steak in the pan con bistek was cut way too thick, the bread was just hoagie roll, and it was difficult to eat. The flan was lacking egg. It wasn't the smooth custardy goodness it should be, and the tres leche was dry. = (
(1)TJ B.
I don't come here often, but have come several times over the years and always wish I stopped by more often when I visit. It has a great Cuban ambiance inside with very friendly employees who take the time to answer any questions or explain dishes. I've never had anything I don't like, but do usually wish the portions were bigger. I suspect if you think of the place as a multi-course meal (and get appetizers and desert) you'll do fine. I like to come for lunch and get one filling entree which I don't find. Maybe that's why I don't come as often since I look at a $20 tab and think... "good, but maybe a little high for lunch." That said, you should go. The food is great. The cuban sandwich is always excellent, the sides are cooked perfectly with even simple things like rice and beans being enjoyable. After reading Fenny's review I realized I, again, forgot to try their Yuca. The churassco is a medium sized thin flavorful piece of grilled meat. It doesn't have the black grill marks I expected, but it comes with a great chimmichurri sauce (they didn't call it that) which is perfect on top. Look through the pictures and you'll find many things worth enjoying. Give it a try!
(4)Jennifer O.
I'm from Miami and have been looking for a real Cuban place since I moved to the D.C. Metro area. Unfortunately, this place is NOT it. The flavors are close, but no cigar (speaking of Cuban). The foods were bland in comparison to the garlicky deliciousness I grew up with--mediocre at best. Save your money up for a trip to Miami and get some real Cuban food. Trust me, your palate will thank you.
(2)Timothy C.
My wife raved about Cuban Corner after visiting with her friends, and so we went on a subsequent date night. It wasn't too busy on a Friday night, which surprised me at first, but they did a TON of take-out orders while we were there. It's a small dining room, walls PACKED with the accomplishments of every Cuban-American. I know you're thinking "Tim, that's probably an exaggeration, right?" No, literally, EVERY ONE! We each had a glass of sangria with diced fruit and ice throughout, 1 red, 1 white, very refreshing, and we started with sliced chorizo and melted cheese over grilled bread, which was savory and delicious, 2x as much would have been a delicious entree - I didn't want the dish to end. My wife had some grilled steak with beans and rice (with the totally PC nickname 'Christians and Moors' - are we allowed to say that?), and I went for the Cubano sandwich. Each bite was delicious, and we left satisfied and it wasn't too painful on the wallet. My only critcism is that the bread was a bit too tough to enjoy the flavors perfectly. But it hasn't stopped me from going back for take-out sandwiches twice more. This is a corner you want to be in!
(4)Tony L.
After a disappointing experience with a Cuban place in northern Maryland, I was glad that the Cuban Corner was able to redeem the Cuban experience for me during my stay in state. Parking seems somewhat limited up front being in a one lane strip mall. The interior felt very neat and comfortable. I went with the Emparedado Cubano Especial, which was a special Cuban sandwich. We also got their Pork Tenderloin special. I had a Sapote Shake too. The Cuban was very well made with the bread being pressed French bread, meat was nicely done steaks and pull pork, and seasoning was great too. The pork tenderloin was not as good as the sandwich, but the meat was nicely done with a side of rice and small plantains. I never actually had Sapote before, I suppose it is a tropical fruit, and the shake tasted quite refreshing. What a great night, it definitely fulfilled my Cuban craving for that trip. I would highly recommend this place if you have a strong craving for Cuban food in the DC area. Looking forward to come back for more!
(5)Thomas W.
I love this place! The food is excellent and the people working there are really friendly. It's our go to place for casual times. We don't go to many fancy places, except for an annual trip to a French restaurant in McLean, VA - don't know how to spell it's name. The Mohitos are usually made strong and go down easy. So one will do ya if you are driving. If you have more than one, give the keys to a friend or walk home.
(5)David J.
The bread is NOT, real Cuban bread. That being said, they did a respectable job. Fairly legit, but execution issues all around that do not make up for the awesome decorations, and ode to Cubans everywhere all over their graced walls.
(3)Albie D.
Way over priced. Cuban sandwich was decent but four bucks for six platanos maduros is ridiculous.
(2)Tina T.
Came here last Friday to try Cuban food with the bf. My bf was pretty excited to try this place out since he's a big fan of any Hispanic/Latin cuisines. The Cuban Corner is located in a little strip-mall center. It's not that hard to miss, but if you're not paying attention you wouldn't see it. Inside, there's all these plaques, frames, and murals of famous Cuban people. It's neat seeing whose Cuban around the walls. Starter: To start my bf and I ordered the beef empanadas. These things were MUY DELICIOSO WOW!! Most empanadas I eat are baked, this was my first time having it fried and it was excellent. The crust or whatever it is, was perfectly seasoned and crispy. The filling was very savory. My bf and I loved it, however we knew that we couldn't order more because we wanted to enjoy our main course. Entree: I ordered the pollo a la parilla (looks like the pollo a la plancha in the pictures so they might be the same thing)? which is chicken marinated in mojo sauce accompanied with rice and black beans. Bf ordered some sort of beef dished which was accompanied with rice and black beans as well. Both of our dishes were delightfully tasty! I loved my chicken dish and my bf loved his beef dished. It was flavored well however, a little too salty for my liking (but that's just me). Chicken was perfectly cooked and juicy. It was a little thin, but that's okay because it made it easier to eat. My bf's beef dish was seasoned well and the meat was tender yum yum yum! Dessert: Ordered the tres leches cake and it was PHENOMENAL. Best tres leches cake in my opinion.This tres leches cake didn't contain so much liquids which made it soggy and mushy. It had enough leches or whatever to still make it stand firm and tall without falling apart! All in all, great little find! Bf gave it 5 stars but since this is my review I give it 4. Food is just a tad too salty for my liking (personal preference) and I don't know if I should feel like this is a deal or not since we both paid $14.99 for our dishes. Seems a little steep for just chicken and rice, but than again I would hope I'm paying for good quality. Other than that service was great and I like the quint little atmosphere of Cuban Corner.
(4)Filip F.
The worst food you can be fooled by. This is not real Cuban food. I had a Cuban sandwich. What a joke. They used a French baguette not Cuban bread. Used something they called pork but it was spiced. It cost $15 and I threw it away. Avoid this place with all means possible. Yuck. I give it 1 star because you can't give a zero.
(1)Antonio E. A.
I would give higher ratigns if it wasn't for the fact that the food had hints of Mexican or Central American influence, judging from the taste. Nothing wrong with that, but does take away from the authenticity of the food, if you're knowledgeable of it. Having said that, the food was still tasty and the place quaint (every inch of the wall is covered with a plaque about a famous Cuban, or American with Cuban ancestry).
(3)Sam M.
Great food here. I cant much speak to the authenticity but it sure tasted authentic. The ropa vieja was very good and the beans and rice had nice flavor but were very simple which i like. The waitress was quite tiny in all sense of the word. Definitely try the churros for dessert, they are out of this world
(4)Abegail A.
Located in a strip mall off of Hungerford Drive, The Cuban Corner looks a little suspect. However, the food surprisingly was not too bad. Not great, but for the most part just okay. Started with the pork chicharrones. For an appeteaser, the portion size was rather generous. I would have liked it better if the pork pieces were crispier. I did appreciate that they were not dripping in oil as I ate them. I could have cared less if the cassava root was not included. For my main entree, I had the ropa vieja, which came highly recommended. I thought it was just okay. The shredded flank was tender, but it just tasted like pure tomato sauce. No hint of spices or wine whatsoever. None. Boo! Not bad, but also not what I was expecting. The rice and black beans that accompanied the dish were standard. I also tried the puerco asado, which came with a side of yellow rice. This was just okay, especially for a house specialty. The pork cut easily and the onions added a nice touch to the dish. Again, the rice was typical. Would I be back? Probably not. I would rather drive the extra mileage to Burtsonville when I'm craving Cuban food.
(3)Tu-van L.
I thought this was a counter order cafe, so you bet I was surprised when I walked in for a quick lunch that it was an actual sit-down restaurant with wait service. Dark but charming restaurant. I love the wall of famous and overall accomplished Cuban-Americans. I especially like how the owners included their own children to the wall. Really cute and charming. Wait staff was friendly and attentive, which was good since it wasn't crowded when I was there. I ordered the chorizo cuban sandwich and I was impressed! The pork tasted like it was marinated and/or cooked in mojo marinade, which I love and I think makes cuban style pork taste better. The chorizo consisted of thinly sliced layers that added that extra sausage-y saltiness without overwhelming the cuban with it. The bread tasted pressed and well baked. Overall a good sandwich, and reasonably priced at that too. I'll definitely keep this in my back pocket if I'm in the mood for Cuban at a reasonable price. Still need to eat through the menu and have my husband try their coffees to get a complete assessment for their authenticity, but still solid in my book.
(4)Lillian C.
Mojitos are great here! I had two (I think $10 a drink?) My SO had the Ropa Vieja and I had a Cuban Sandwich. We shared a sausage and cheese app (I cannot recall the name.) The appetizer was ok, I wasn't too crazy about the flavor of the sausage. The Ropa Vieja on the other hand was amazing! It was very flavorful and delicious and paired well with the Moors and Christians (beans and rice). It's a nice change of pace in a pupusa / taco / burrito filled area. My cubano was decent but it was a bone-headed move because I already know I'm not too big on hot sandwiches so why I ordered it was beyond me. I couldn't get down with warm pickles.
(4)Cathy L.
Reviewing this 3-stars after my second visit, I plan to come back anyway since there are few Cuban cuisine options in MoCo. I have to admit I had Miami restaurant standards in mind when I ate lunch, and I was disappointed by a few things, but I promise to finish on several high points! First, I asked if they carried sugarcane juice (guarapo), and the server told me that was a Puerto Rican drink! LOL, a simple No would be okay; sugarcane grows everywhere (including Cuba!) I ordered a cafe con leche instead; the coffee came mixed with the milk already, while I expected to pour this in myself with a freshly brewed jar of espresso. I wanted to make this stronger, but I admit I had different standards in mind! High points of my experience: love the ambiance and mini-history lesson from reading the plaques on their wall of Cuban-American VIPs. Service is very friendly. Love the guava and cheese empanadas, and the selection of sandwiches was impressive. I do want to come back for dinner sometime, and try some mojitoes, so my rating can change!
(3)Jessica L.
The food here is very good. The restaurant is decorated very cute and the service is great. I had the Pollo a la Plancha which was very tasty and came with black beans and rice and sweet plantains. Minus one star because the Papa rellena was not warm in the middle. It was very flavorful with just the right amount of ground beef, olives and spices but at 2/6$ I think they could have stayed in the fryer a bit longer to assure that the center was heated through.
(4)Mana N.
Highly recommend this place for launch. I would say it's a little pricey for the food portions. But it was a great experience and my belly is very happy and satisfied.
(4)Jackie R.
Hubby and I usually order take out from here , sandwich Cubano ( my favorite) and tostones rellenos... SOO YUMMY! tastes just like my families home cooked meals. My parents and I used to come here a lot to have lunch, they always find the good spots !! Highly recommend !!
(4)Shirley D.
Went with my sorority sister and two of my good friends and the first thing Ben said was "Wow! This place looks like the places in Miami". The walls were filled with plaques and pictures. Not my idea of decor, but it was awesome to see something different. The nice lady greeted us and gave us a few minutes to look over the menu. WOW! $14.99 for any of the beef entrees (comes with beans/rice or moors/christians) $5.99 for a Caesar Salad!? Aiden ordered a mojito and said that it was one of the best he has ever had...well, it'd better be for $9.99. I myself ordered a Churrasco and substituted the beans/rice for fries. I was impressed! The steak had so much flavor and was pretty tender. The fries were crispy and not oily. For dessert, we ordered the Tres Leches and Flan. Both were delicious! I would have given 5 stars, but I dropped it down to 4 because of the prices - a little expensive for what you get. Also, they didnt split our check after we asked, so it was a little inconvenient trying to figure out what to split b/w two cards. Service was great, but I believe it was only her taking care of the customers - she was on top of it, though!
(4)Ngan T.
I love this little gem! From the outside, this restaurant looks like any other small family owned restaurants. Once you're inside, the decor makes you feel as if you're in Cuba or Miami! Every bit of the wall is decorated, it's either a mural style painted wall or the wall is covered with photographs. For the appetizer I tried: Pollo con Yuca Mojo - Fried chicken with boiled cassava root with garlic sauce. I love my fried chicken to be super crispy and this place does it! The chicken was nicely seasoned too. The Cassava root is super soft and the garlic sauce is amazing, both combined just melts in your mouth. For entrees I had: Bacalao a la Vizcaina - Codfish baked in red sauce. The fish is cooked perfectly. It was not under or over cooked. Perfect bite every time. Ropa Vieja "Old Rags" - Shredded flank steak is very savory and flavorful. If I ever want to take a mini vacation meal to Cuba I would definite go here. Also, the waitress was nice and tentative.
(5)Michael M.
Went to eat with a party of 20 (my whole family) mid day. Given that, and the fact that they probably rarely have that occur the server did excellent. Food didn't take too long and she was organized although somewhat nervous in the beginning. I'm a huge food critic esp when it comes to my favorites.. cuban being up there.. I gotta say I had higher hopes. It was really good but there isn't much to compare it too around here. Only places in Miami that I've been too. For what it is, a cafeteria very casual small spot it was 8/10. Favorite part was the ambience and decor. Very national, interesting, and diff. Pretty cool. Only thing there missing is authentic cuban music!!!
(4)Sari S.
Growing up in Miami I can appreciate a good Cuban cafeteria. When we moved up here we had to try it and I thought it was pretty good considering. My kids loved the Arroz con Pollo and I enjoyed the Vaca frita. They didn't have real Cuban bread but I can forgive that. I would come again.
(4)