Havana’s Pilon
143 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN, 38103
Havana’s Pilon Menu
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Address :
143 Madison Ave
Memphis, TN, 38103 - Phone (901) 527-2878
- Website https://www.havanaspilon.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 7:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Bradley H.
I ordered a cuban sandwich for lunch (takeout), and the young lady at who took my order suggested the red beans as the side. The sandwich was great and kudos to the young lady because the red beans were awesome. The two empanadas (ham and cheese and shrimp, both were suggested) were awesome. I will for sure come back.
(4)Ebonye B.
I've been chomping at the bit to try this place. Each day, I'd walk by thinking....'are they open yet?' At last, they're open for business. Right now, they have a limited menu. Everything on the menu card is not available for order. With that in mind, I ordered the lunch special. It was baked fish, beans and rice, and tostones. The tostones were hot and fresh. DE-licious! The beans and rice were flavorful. The fish was tasty, but it wasn't piping hot the way I like my food. I also tried the mango smoothie. I don't think it is a true smoothie. It just tasted like ice and fruit blended together. In my mind, a smoothie has yogurt or milk. The smoothie would be refreshing on a cold day, but the flavor is one-dimensional. The lady next to me had the chicken. It looked amazing. the guy on the other side had the Cuban sandwich. I wanted to smack him and take his sandwich. It looked that good. I will update this review when I have a chance to try more menu items.
(3)Ed W.
Love this place already and hoping downtown supports Havana's Pilon. Located on Madison Avenue right off of Second Street, this newbie Cuban dive is probably the 10th restaurant in 10 years to occupy the space. The menu is tiny. The number of cooks is one. The number of other employees is one. With only a few tables inside, and a tiny kitchen in the back, this place has the chance to be classic! I ordered the special for lunch. The special consisted of two sides of your choice (I chose fried plantaines and congri rice) served with stewed beef with tomatoes and olives. There is a different special each day. The plantaines were OK, they may have been sitting for a bit before I got them. The rice was outstanding. The special was hot and delicious. It took about 4 minutes to get my order to go, and I am sitting at my desk eating it as I type. If those plantains would have been freshly cooked, this would have been a 5 star meal. I will be back again. Four stars.
(4)Susan R.
Good authentic Cuban food. I had the ropa vajia which is my favorite Cuban dish. It was heavy with saffron but still delicious. My bf had the pork it looked a little dry and fatty but he enjoyed it. The rice and beans were dry. The best part of the meal was the sweet plantains and the coffee! The server did not have the best personality. However, service was swift and accurate. I'm going back for the plantains and café con leche!
(3)Lupe L.
The food is excellent and the chef is one of the sweetest ladies I've met in Memphis. She actually comes out from the kitchen to make sure your enjoying your meal. The food has excellent seasonings and leaves you wanting another bite. The atmosphere is really simple nothing fancy, so you don't need to dress up.they have a few parking spots on street in front of restaurant or you can pay and park in parking garage around the corner. It's right in heart of downtown so you can make a day or night out there around lunch or dinner here.
(4)Joelle P.
"Cheese, wine, and a friend must be old to be good." - Cuban proverb I didn't have cheese or wine here, but it's still a great thought. Anyways...back to my review. Woah, baby. Why has it taken me this long to get over to this place? At first glance, you might think it is just a downtown hole in the wall...but if you look closer, it is actually a delectable gem where you are sure to devour whatever they put in front of you. My favorite thing about this place is that I couldn't figure out what to order...so I just told them to surprise me...and I ended up with one heck of a chicken dish. Wowza! But then I had my heart set on the Cuban sandwich after I watched my dining partner gobble his up so I HAD to order one to go...and it travels well. I hate getting food to go, but even though I had it for dinner, it was still perfectly fresh and not soggy. I like that in a food. The decor is a little plain but the emphasis and praise should be on the food anyways since that is the highlight of the experience. Super warm and hospitable staff too.
(4)William P.
I have eaten a few times and the food is always really good. I would suggest anyone who wants fresh Cuban food to go this place. The staff is very friendly and they do care about how the food comes out.
(4)TJ H.
Great little family run eatery! Great prices and really good cuban style food! Try the Cuban Sandwich with a side of Red beans for a great lunch. I have enjoyed the Arroz con Pollo multiple times. As well as a couple of the daily specials. One of the specials last week was Rotisserie Chicken with two sides for only 7.00! It was awesome! The family that runs the place are very nice and accommodating. The owner often drops by our table to express what she thinks is good to order that day. She is very enthusiastic about her food! Downtown memphis workers... you must add this to your lunch rotation.
(4)Leslie S.
In short, good Cuban food with very reasonable price. Long version, the food tasted great. Had shrimp and yellow rice chicken. Yellow rice chicken is the bomb. We wanted to get it again but had timing issue. Also mango smoothie is very good.
(4)Amanda H.
Super nice people and delicious food! Loved the coconut flan, and the red beans were great!
(5)Patty I.
This was our second time here. It was better then the first, first time was great too tho. Food was fresh and taste Delish. Will def go back.
(5)John S.
Great food and service. Got a Cuban sandwich and it was huge, very juicy and tender and flavorful. The tostones were also very good. Looking forward to coming back to try some of their other specials.
(4)Jason P.
Soooo good!!! Cuban Sandwich, tostone, blk beans & rice and the flan were all delicious. New fave DT lunch spot!
(4)Jaime H.
My husband and I stopped by for lunch on a Saturday. Both of our dishes were very tasty! He had a Cuban sandwich and I have the Ropa Vieja with a tostones and boiled yuca as sides. Highly recommend!
(4)Arthur A.
This is the real deal! Great food! Authentic! We Had the pork, congri rice, amarillos, ropa vieja, red beans, yucca and flan. Excellent! Flan was home made. Delicious! Friendly service and quick! This deserves a return trip to Memphis.
(4)Roman S.
This has the clear potential for four, but probably more around lunch time. I came for dinner when some items were not crispy hot, but felt like they had been sitting around for a while... The basic Cuban sandwich was great, if you like pickles, ask for more, only found one small slice in mine. If you like mustard, ask for more as well, did not have enough for my taste (gets dry). Once adjusted to your preferences, a really nice sandwich. The tostones were sadly just warm though still retaining a light crunch. The empanada with guava and cream cheese filling was a great dessert and piping hot and crunchy.
(3)Kyle C.
This is one of those great little places that everyone in Memphis should get behind. Every single member of the staff, which cannot be more than four people at most, is extremely nice and is always making every effort to satisfy each, individual customer. This is not a place that you go to for the decor or ambience. Instead, this is a place that you go to for great food in a no-frills setting. I have had the Cuban sandwich on three different occasions, and it is outstanding. Probably one of, if not the best, Cuban sandwich I have ever had. They also have daily specials that are out of this world, with plenty of different options for meat-eaters and non-meat-eaters alike. Great food. Great staff. Solid four stars.
(4)Carlos S.
Second visit, and it deserves the five stars. Dishes are great and authentic, full of flavor and spices. The menu is expanding, as has the locale, as well as the hours. This has become my downtown place to go. The owners are very friendly and accommodating. They deliver too. Awesome dining!
(5)Josh S.
Such an awesome place. Not much English spoken here but if you try and speak some Spanish you will have the best time. Food was incredible to match the incredible experience. Cubanos are so good. Epanadas are delicious. Everything is so tasty. We ended up joking with our waitress who is also the cook for a long time. Another note: definitely an authentic experience as verified by the laid back attitude. Our orders were taken back to the kitchen one at a time. Then our waitress would return to our table to continue laughing and joking with us. My new favorite restaurant. I will be going back as soon as I can. I even made a second order for the next day.
(5)Chuk L.
Great Cuban, (which is hard to find in Memphis). I had the Ropa Vieja, a chicken empanadas and guava & cheese empanadas. I will definitely be back to try the Ropafongo and Cuban sandwich. The staff is so friendly. It's obvious they enjoy what they do.
(4)Antonio E.
Nice little place downtown. Large selection and very savory food. I had arroz con pollo and tried the beef empanada
(4)Jasmany S.
Really good authentic Cuban food! If you're in Memphis, you have to check it out! Try the Camarofongo or anyhing else. And Mari is a sweetheart!
(5)Paul S.
Outstanding, my wife took me here for my birthday, as we had seen a review on television! All was true - owners/waitstaff very friendly, accommodating, the food was authentic Cuban - and scrumptiously delicious!
(5)Saul K.
I tried their mofongo, empanadas, ropa vieja, maracuya smoothie and Cuban coffee. The food was ok when compared to other Cuban joints in larger cities. It sure is nice to have Cuban food in the area, however. As for service, I wasn't very impressed. The cashier was dull and dry. Huge props to the brown guy (I think they called him "Ali", if I recall correctly) that served there though. He was smiling the whole time and he was super nice and helpful to us, and noticeably to everyone in the restaurant; I'd give him 5 stars if I was to yelp-rate him independently. Overall, it was an average experience, but considering the lack of choices, I'd go back if I'm craving ropa vieja or a Cuban sandwich.
(3)Ty F.
I've passed by this place countless times and decided if I ever saw any actual human beings inside of it, I would give it a go. We happened to stumble on by during what must have been peak hours because they had several customers. The ambience of the place is incredible. The chairs were comfortable enough as to not cause back pain but not comfortable enough for you to doze off while waiting the 40 minutes for "Cuban Coffe."It was reminisce of the dental office waiting rooms you used to sit in as a kid, except there was no stack of Highlights Magazines to look at or treasure chest of toys to pick through when you were done with your appointment. And somehow the patients that came like 20 minutes after you get their appointments before you and you keep waiting and then they realize they forgot to call you from the sign in sheet. That's what ordering food here is like. The TV showing Fox News at about a level 7 added a certain level of pizazz that I didn't know until then that my afternoon was missing. It's the small things here that will keep you coming back. The menu is extensive. There are SEVERAL options for food here, ranging from beans to empanadas to more empanadas. If you're unsure of what an empanada is and are unable to visit an establishment with real empanadas, let's just call them "exotic Hot Pockets." You can get them in any flavor: chicken, beef, shrimp, and ham and cheese (actually a hot pocket flavor). On second thought, my ham and cheese empanada may have actually been a Hot Pocket. The lukewarm center brought out the flavor of the dish. Its mediocrity was overwhelming. Our table ordered four Cuban Coffes. We received two of them. I can't really blame them. With the one other table of customers, our order must have been lost in the Saturday lunch rush. Overall 2stars/5stars. If you're set on eating here, would recommend bringing your own food.
(2)Fitz D.
I was waiting for two weeks for a trip down here. It was worth it. While they don't serve the Cuban dish I was craving, everything I sampled was swell spiced, the right temp, and the family/staff was wonderful. I hope you try it.
(4)Sarah J.
This place is really good. The owners are really kind and friendly. We've had lots of the items on the menu and they are all super good, and the portions are really big. And they have beer which is nice.
(5)Bonny C.
We chanced upon this place while visiting Memphis. I loved the family atmosphere watching the locals come in and out. I had the Cuban with black beans and rice with a mango smoothie. The smoothie wasn't that great. I enjoyed the sandwich and the rice and beans. Definitely should have tried the guava empanadas. People were ordering empanadas left and right so they must be good.
(3)Lux L.
This place was great when they first opened. Now the food and the service has gone downhill. I brought friends from out of town here and it was a big mistake. The food seemed to be cooked days before and just microwave heated when you order. I should've went ahead and made the drive to Overton Square or Wolfchase for Delicisos Colombian food.
(2)Zeydi A.
Ive been here many times, they have excellent service, good meal sizes, good prices, de-li-cious food .. Im a "ropa vieja " fan since the first time I had it, "tostones" and "maduros" make it the perfect meal.. Love this place !
(5)Jennifer S.
We came here before a Redbird's game and I was looking forward to having the arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) which was excellent the last time we ate here. This place is kind of a hole in the wall but it was immaculately cleaned when we walked in. I ordered a mango smoothie (delicious) and the arroz con pollo and a few minutes later the chef came out and apologized and told us that they weren't finished making the arroz con pollo and it would be about 30 minutes until it would be done. It was 11:30 and they had just opened at 11. Since we were on a time crunch, I ordered a Steak sandwich instead without the lettuce and tomato. The food arrived relatively quickly and the sandwich tasted pretty good, but not exactly the way I had expected it. The steak was in a huge piece and I had issues trying to break it into bites with my teeth. Overall everything was great, I will just order something different next time which will hopefully suit my tastes better.
(4)Kristen R.
I came here for lunch and decided to try the Cuban Picadillo since it was the lunch special. It came with a choice of two sides and a soda. I opted for black beans and amarillos (fried ripe plantains). It didn't look like much when it came out. My first reaction was that the portion looked small but I realized that it was because the sides were not served on the same plate, and it ended up being plenty. The picadillo was very good in a homemade kind of way; it reminded me of something my grandma would whip up in the kitchen when I was a kid. It was ground beef with onion, bell pepper, green olives and garlic. The black beans were good, and I loved the fried plantains. I thought it was a great value for $6.95. The kicker for me was the sweet guava empanada I ordered for dessert. It was amazing. Fresh, crispy, hot, and filled with actual guava fruit (not just jelly) and cream cheese-- I would go there just for this treat! The person who waited on me was very friendly and attentive. I liked that they were playing Cuban music in the background. I would go again to try other dishes.
(4)Fawn P.
I can't believe I didn't know about this place. Amazing food with a modest price. The owners were friendly and gave great recommendations. I had the ropa veija (I don't know why it was called old clothes). So much flavor. And huge portions-enough for lunch today.
(5)Darian M.
This spot is not far from my home so that makes it alright with me. Ali was a super nice guy who guided me and my wife to the best things on the menu. They also deliver to thought the downtown area which is always a good thing. I had the Kabobs and my wife had the Shrimp Mofongo and she loved it. Not too bad.
(4)John S.
I absolutely love this place. This straight to the point Cuban restaurant is bare bones, but serves up the best Cuban food this side of Florida. I've never been anything less that thrilled with anything I have ordered. Be sure and show up Monday for the roasted chicken daily special, and no matter what you choose pair it with a side of their congri rice and yucca. The bacalau is incredible as well. You can't go wrong here. The service is friendly and familiar. Just really nice folks serving delicious Cuban food.
(4)Raymond B.
There's something to be said about an ever increasing Latin American style to new restaurants in the Memphis area. From taco shops on Summer and Lamar to Arepas y Salsa and more. Havana's Pilon is no exception to the exceptional. A must try for authentic Cuban food (coming from the guy who's never been to Cuba, but likes his Cuban food!). Let's break it down. Service... excellente! I'm not sure if it's a family who runs this place, but it sure feels like it. They make you feel welcome and are always excited to have you arrive. Menu... plenty of options, but by no means overwhelming... and frankly, you can't go wrong. Food... great! The ropa vieja, my favorite Cuban dish, is excellent, and everyone who has come with me has enjoyed their meals (FYI, the empanadas are larger than you'd think, so one is plenty). Price... psssht, hay es no problema, amigo... very affordable. Why not five stars? Well, they could invest in the interior space to make it more welcoming and refined, they could open for dinner with a bar and music, etc. etc. There's always room for improvement (i.e. they could go for La Bodeguita del Medio in Palo Alto, my favorite Cuban restaurant on the planet). But for Memphis, these guys are awesome... go check it out!
(4)Irene M.
Showed up this evening at 5:30 & the place was dark with the doors locked. The hours posted showed open until 8:00pm. It was suppose to be a special birthday dinner for friend & we were looking forward to it. We ended up at Evelyn & Olive instead.
(1)Kelsey J.
This place is incredible! We ordered a pork dish, chicken dish, and the steak dish... Along with a beef empanada and for dessert, we ordered the guava cheese empanada. Everything was to die for... I specifically loved the plantains (both fried and fresh)! The guava and cheese empanada is only $2.50 and one of the best desserts I can say I've ever had. The owners are wonderful and take so much pride in their food! Ask them to recommend you some dishes and they'll come through! You won't be disappointed!!!
(5)Gen M.
I would love to be able to say that this place is authentic Cuban food, the good stuff, the stuff that brings me back to my first boyfriend's mother's kitchen... Food made with love, food so good that you pack on 50 pounds in two years. But I can't. Because of one issue: They don't honor their own chosen close time. Of the five times I've attempted to eat here, one time turned out to be the night of a baseball game. Couldn't find parking within walking distance. Not their issue, but the game is probably the only reason they were open til close. But the other four times I've driven well out of my way at varying times, arriving there between 5pm and 6:30pm and once on a Sunday well around 1pm, and each of these four times they were closed. Sign on the door blaring their business hours, with the "open" light turned off well before the times posted. I'm sorry, but that's just bad business. If you claim you are open Monday through Saturday until 7pm, then be open until 7pm. If you don't want to stay until 7pm consistently, then change your hours. It's really that simple.
(1)Drew A.
After living in Florida for nine years and visiting South Florida twice a year, I lost hope of ever eating high quality Cuban food again. My hopes were realized upon discovery of Havana's Pilon. A family run shop where the matriarch's primary language is Spanish, you know it has to be good. They offer daily specials for $7. With tax, your meal will be less than $8. Their Cuban sandwich is phenomenal. Freshly cooked pork combined with deli ham, mustard, cheese and pickles. Just as they serve it in Havana. Don't taint it by adding mayonnaise or ketchup. Enjoy the authenticity. What really stole the show was their Cuban Picadillo. It's a ground beef concoction mixed with herbs and vegetables. It's the special on Wednesday. Order it with the Congri Rice. Very inexpensive ethnic food on Madison Avenue in downtown Memphis. This is a hidden treasure with delicious food. Enjoy!
(5)Josh S.
Such an awesome place. Not much English spoken here but if you try and speak some Spanish you will have the best time. Food was incredible to match the incredible experience. Cubanos are so good. Epanadas are delicious. Everything is so tasty. We ended up joking with our waitress who is also the cook for a long time. Another note: definitely an authentic experience as verified by the laid back attitude. Our orders were taken back to the kitchen one at a time. Then our waitress would return to our table to continue laughing and joking with us. My new favorite restaurant. I will be going back as soon as I can. I even made a second order for the next day.
(5)Ty F.
I've passed by this place countless times and decided if I ever saw any actual human beings inside of it, I would give it a go. We happened to stumble on by during what must have been peak hours because they had several customers. The ambience of the place is incredible. The chairs were comfortable enough as to not cause back pain but not comfortable enough for you to doze off while waiting the 40 minutes for "Cuban Coffe."It was reminisce of the dental office waiting rooms you used to sit in as a kid, except there was no stack of Highlights Magazines to look at or treasure chest of toys to pick through when you were done with your appointment. And somehow the patients that came like 20 minutes after you get their appointments before you and you keep waiting and then they realize they forgot to call you from the sign in sheet. That's what ordering food here is like. The TV showing Fox News at about a level 7 added a certain level of pizazz that I didn't know until then that my afternoon was missing. It's the small things here that will keep you coming back. The menu is extensive. There are SEVERAL options for food here, ranging from beans to empanadas to more empanadas. If you're unsure of what an empanada is and are unable to visit an establishment with real empanadas, let's just call them "exotic Hot Pockets." You can get them in any flavor: chicken, beef, shrimp, and ham and cheese (actually a hot pocket flavor). On second thought, my ham and cheese empanada may have actually been a Hot Pocket. The lukewarm center brought out the flavor of the dish. Its mediocrity was overwhelming. Our table ordered four Cuban Coffes. We received two of them. I can't really blame them. With the one other table of customers, our order must have been lost in the Saturday lunch rush. Overall 2stars/5stars. If you're set on eating here, would recommend bringing your own food.
(2)Fitz D.
I was waiting for two weeks for a trip down here. It was worth it. While they don't serve the Cuban dish I was craving, everything I sampled was swell spiced, the right temp, and the family/staff was wonderful. I hope you try it.
(4)Sarah J.
This place is really good. The owners are really kind and friendly. We've had lots of the items on the menu and they are all super good, and the portions are really big. And they have beer which is nice.
(5)Bonny C.
We chanced upon this place while visiting Memphis. I loved the family atmosphere watching the locals come in and out. I had the Cuban with black beans and rice with a mango smoothie. The smoothie wasn't that great. I enjoyed the sandwich and the rice and beans. Definitely should have tried the guava empanadas. People were ordering empanadas left and right so they must be good.
(3)Lux L.
This place was great when they first opened. Now the food and the service has gone downhill. I brought friends from out of town here and it was a big mistake. The food seemed to be cooked days before and just microwave heated when you order. I should've went ahead and made the drive to Overton Square or Wolfchase for Delicisos Colombian food.
(2)Zeydi A.
Ive been here many times, they have excellent service, good meal sizes, good prices, de-li-cious food .. Im a "ropa vieja " fan since the first time I had it, "tostones" and "maduros" make it the perfect meal.. Love this place !
(5)Saul K.
I tried their mofongo, empanadas, ropa vieja, maracuya smoothie and Cuban coffee. The food was ok when compared to other Cuban joints in larger cities. It sure is nice to have Cuban food in the area, however. As for service, I wasn't very impressed. The cashier was dull and dry. Huge props to the brown guy (I think they called him "Ali", if I recall correctly) that served there though. He was smiling the whole time and he was super nice and helpful to us, and noticeably to everyone in the restaurant; I'd give him 5 stars if I was to yelp-rate him independently. Overall, it was an average experience, but considering the lack of choices, I'd go back if I'm craving ropa vieja or a Cuban sandwich.
(3)Jaime H.
My husband and I stopped by for lunch on a Saturday. Both of our dishes were very tasty! He had a Cuban sandwich and I have the Ropa Vieja with a tostones and boiled yuca as sides. Highly recommend!
(4)Kelsey J.
This place is incredible! We ordered a pork dish, chicken dish, and the steak dish... Along with a beef empanada and for dessert, we ordered the guava cheese empanada. Everything was to die for... I specifically loved the plantains (both fried and fresh)! The guava and cheese empanada is only $2.50 and one of the best desserts I can say I've ever had. The owners are wonderful and take so much pride in their food! Ask them to recommend you some dishes and they'll come through! You won't be disappointed!!!
(5)Joelle P.
"Cheese, wine, and a friend must be old to be good." - Cuban proverb I didn't have cheese or wine here, but it's still a great thought. Anyways...back to my review. Woah, baby. Why has it taken me this long to get over to this place? At first glance, you might think it is just a downtown hole in the wall...but if you look closer, it is actually a delectable gem where you are sure to devour whatever they put in front of you. My favorite thing about this place is that I couldn't figure out what to order...so I just told them to surprise me...and I ended up with one heck of a chicken dish. Wowza! But then I had my heart set on the Cuban sandwich after I watched my dining partner gobble his up so I HAD to order one to go...and it travels well. I hate getting food to go, but even though I had it for dinner, it was still perfectly fresh and not soggy. I like that in a food. The decor is a little plain but the emphasis and praise should be on the food anyways since that is the highlight of the experience. Super warm and hospitable staff too.
(4)William P.
I have eaten a few times and the food is always really good. I would suggest anyone who wants fresh Cuban food to go this place. The staff is very friendly and they do care about how the food comes out.
(4)TJ H.
Great little family run eatery! Great prices and really good cuban style food! Try the Cuban Sandwich with a side of Red beans for a great lunch. I have enjoyed the Arroz con Pollo multiple times. As well as a couple of the daily specials. One of the specials last week was Rotisserie Chicken with two sides for only 7.00! It was awesome! The family that runs the place are very nice and accommodating. The owner often drops by our table to express what she thinks is good to order that day. She is very enthusiastic about her food! Downtown memphis workers... you must add this to your lunch rotation.
(4)Leslie S.
In short, good Cuban food with very reasonable price. Long version, the food tasted great. Had shrimp and yellow rice chicken. Yellow rice chicken is the bomb. We wanted to get it again but had timing issue. Also mango smoothie is very good.
(4)Raymond B.
There's something to be said about an ever increasing Latin American style to new restaurants in the Memphis area. From taco shops on Summer and Lamar to Arepas y Salsa and more. Havana's Pilon is no exception to the exceptional. A must try for authentic Cuban food (coming from the guy who's never been to Cuba, but likes his Cuban food!). Let's break it down. Service... excellente! I'm not sure if it's a family who runs this place, but it sure feels like it. They make you feel welcome and are always excited to have you arrive. Menu... plenty of options, but by no means overwhelming... and frankly, you can't go wrong. Food... great! The ropa vieja, my favorite Cuban dish, is excellent, and everyone who has come with me has enjoyed their meals (FYI, the empanadas are larger than you'd think, so one is plenty). Price... psssht, hay es no problema, amigo... very affordable. Why not five stars? Well, they could invest in the interior space to make it more welcoming and refined, they could open for dinner with a bar and music, etc. etc. There's always room for improvement (i.e. they could go for La Bodeguita del Medio in Palo Alto, my favorite Cuban restaurant on the planet). But for Memphis, these guys are awesome... go check it out!
(4)Gen M.
I would love to be able to say that this place is authentic Cuban food, the good stuff, the stuff that brings me back to my first boyfriend's mother's kitchen... Food made with love, food so good that you pack on 50 pounds in two years. But I can't. Because of one issue: They don't honor their own chosen close time. Of the five times I've attempted to eat here, one time turned out to be the night of a baseball game. Couldn't find parking within walking distance. Not their issue, but the game is probably the only reason they were open til close. But the other four times I've driven well out of my way at varying times, arriving there between 5pm and 6:30pm and once on a Sunday well around 1pm, and each of these four times they were closed. Sign on the door blaring their business hours, with the "open" light turned off well before the times posted. I'm sorry, but that's just bad business. If you claim you are open Monday through Saturday until 7pm, then be open until 7pm. If you don't want to stay until 7pm consistently, then change your hours. It's really that simple.
(1)Drew A.
After living in Florida for nine years and visiting South Florida twice a year, I lost hope of ever eating high quality Cuban food again. My hopes were realized upon discovery of Havana's Pilon. A family run shop where the matriarch's primary language is Spanish, you know it has to be good. They offer daily specials for $7. With tax, your meal will be less than $8. Their Cuban sandwich is phenomenal. Freshly cooked pork combined with deli ham, mustard, cheese and pickles. Just as they serve it in Havana. Don't taint it by adding mayonnaise or ketchup. Enjoy the authenticity. What really stole the show was their Cuban Picadillo. It's a ground beef concoction mixed with herbs and vegetables. It's the special on Wednesday. Order it with the Congri Rice. Very inexpensive ethnic food on Madison Avenue in downtown Memphis. This is a hidden treasure with delicious food. Enjoy!
(5)Chuk L.
Great Cuban, (which is hard to find in Memphis). I had the Ropa Vieja, a chicken empanadas and guava & cheese empanadas. I will definitely be back to try the Ropafongo and Cuban sandwich. The staff is so friendly. It's obvious they enjoy what they do.
(4)Antonio E.
Nice little place downtown. Large selection and very savory food. I had arroz con pollo and tried the beef empanada
(4)Jasmany S.
Really good authentic Cuban food! If you're in Memphis, you have to check it out! Try the Camarofongo or anyhing else. And Mari is a sweetheart!
(5)Irene M.
Showed up this evening at 5:30 & the place was dark with the doors locked. The hours posted showed open until 8:00pm. It was suppose to be a special birthday dinner for friend & we were looking forward to it. We ended up at Evelyn & Olive instead.
(1)John S.
I absolutely love this place. This straight to the point Cuban restaurant is bare bones, but serves up the best Cuban food this side of Florida. I've never been anything less that thrilled with anything I have ordered. Be sure and show up Monday for the roasted chicken daily special, and no matter what you choose pair it with a side of their congri rice and yucca. The bacalau is incredible as well. You can't go wrong here. The service is friendly and familiar. Just really nice folks serving delicious Cuban food.
(4)Amanda H.
Super nice people and delicious food! Loved the coconut flan, and the red beans were great!
(5)Jennifer S.
We came here before a Redbird's game and I was looking forward to having the arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) which was excellent the last time we ate here. This place is kind of a hole in the wall but it was immaculately cleaned when we walked in. I ordered a mango smoothie (delicious) and the arroz con pollo and a few minutes later the chef came out and apologized and told us that they weren't finished making the arroz con pollo and it would be about 30 minutes until it would be done. It was 11:30 and they had just opened at 11. Since we were on a time crunch, I ordered a Steak sandwich instead without the lettuce and tomato. The food arrived relatively quickly and the sandwich tasted pretty good, but not exactly the way I had expected it. The steak was in a huge piece and I had issues trying to break it into bites with my teeth. Overall everything was great, I will just order something different next time which will hopefully suit my tastes better.
(4)Kristen R.
I came here for lunch and decided to try the Cuban Picadillo since it was the lunch special. It came with a choice of two sides and a soda. I opted for black beans and amarillos (fried ripe plantains). It didn't look like much when it came out. My first reaction was that the portion looked small but I realized that it was because the sides were not served on the same plate, and it ended up being plenty. The picadillo was very good in a homemade kind of way; it reminded me of something my grandma would whip up in the kitchen when I was a kid. It was ground beef with onion, bell pepper, green olives and garlic. The black beans were good, and I loved the fried plantains. I thought it was a great value for $6.95. The kicker for me was the sweet guava empanada I ordered for dessert. It was amazing. Fresh, crispy, hot, and filled with actual guava fruit (not just jelly) and cream cheese-- I would go there just for this treat! The person who waited on me was very friendly and attentive. I liked that they were playing Cuban music in the background. I would go again to try other dishes.
(4)Fawn P.
I can't believe I didn't know about this place. Amazing food with a modest price. The owners were friendly and gave great recommendations. I had the ropa veija (I don't know why it was called old clothes). So much flavor. And huge portions-enough for lunch today.
(5)Darian M.
This spot is not far from my home so that makes it alright with me. Ali was a super nice guy who guided me and my wife to the best things on the menu. They also deliver to thought the downtown area which is always a good thing. I had the Kabobs and my wife had the Shrimp Mofongo and she loved it. Not too bad.
(4)Patty I.
This was our second time here. It was better then the first, first time was great too tho. Food was fresh and taste Delish. Will def go back.
(5)John S.
Great food and service. Got a Cuban sandwich and it was huge, very juicy and tender and flavorful. The tostones were also very good. Looking forward to coming back to try some of their other specials.
(4)Jason P.
Soooo good!!! Cuban Sandwich, tostone, blk beans & rice and the flan were all delicious. New fave DT lunch spot!
(4)Roman S.
This has the clear potential for four, but probably more around lunch time. I came for dinner when some items were not crispy hot, but felt like they had been sitting around for a while... The basic Cuban sandwich was great, if you like pickles, ask for more, only found one small slice in mine. If you like mustard, ask for more as well, did not have enough for my taste (gets dry). Once adjusted to your preferences, a really nice sandwich. The tostones were sadly just warm though still retaining a light crunch. The empanada with guava and cream cheese filling was a great dessert and piping hot and crunchy.
(3)Kyle C.
This is one of those great little places that everyone in Memphis should get behind. Every single member of the staff, which cannot be more than four people at most, is extremely nice and is always making every effort to satisfy each, individual customer. This is not a place that you go to for the decor or ambience. Instead, this is a place that you go to for great food in a no-frills setting. I have had the Cuban sandwich on three different occasions, and it is outstanding. Probably one of, if not the best, Cuban sandwich I have ever had. They also have daily specials that are out of this world, with plenty of different options for meat-eaters and non-meat-eaters alike. Great food. Great staff. Solid four stars.
(4)Carlos S.
Second visit, and it deserves the five stars. Dishes are great and authentic, full of flavor and spices. The menu is expanding, as has the locale, as well as the hours. This has become my downtown place to go. The owners are very friendly and accommodating. They deliver too. Awesome dining!
(5)Bradley H.
I ordered a cuban sandwich for lunch (takeout), and the young lady at who took my order suggested the red beans as the side. The sandwich was great and kudos to the young lady because the red beans were awesome. The two empanadas (ham and cheese and shrimp, both were suggested) were awesome. I will for sure come back.
(4)Ebonye B.
I've been chomping at the bit to try this place. Each day, I'd walk by thinking....'are they open yet?' At last, they're open for business. Right now, they have a limited menu. Everything on the menu card is not available for order. With that in mind, I ordered the lunch special. It was baked fish, beans and rice, and tostones. The tostones were hot and fresh. DE-licious! The beans and rice were flavorful. The fish was tasty, but it wasn't piping hot the way I like my food. I also tried the mango smoothie. I don't think it is a true smoothie. It just tasted like ice and fruit blended together. In my mind, a smoothie has yogurt or milk. The smoothie would be refreshing on a cold day, but the flavor is one-dimensional. The lady next to me had the chicken. It looked amazing. the guy on the other side had the Cuban sandwich. I wanted to smack him and take his sandwich. It looked that good. I will update this review when I have a chance to try more menu items.
(3)Ed W.
Love this place already and hoping downtown supports Havana's Pilon. Located on Madison Avenue right off of Second Street, this newbie Cuban dive is probably the 10th restaurant in 10 years to occupy the space. The menu is tiny. The number of cooks is one. The number of other employees is one. With only a few tables inside, and a tiny kitchen in the back, this place has the chance to be classic! I ordered the special for lunch. The special consisted of two sides of your choice (I chose fried plantaines and congri rice) served with stewed beef with tomatoes and olives. There is a different special each day. The plantaines were OK, they may have been sitting for a bit before I got them. The rice was outstanding. The special was hot and delicious. It took about 4 minutes to get my order to go, and I am sitting at my desk eating it as I type. If those plantains would have been freshly cooked, this would have been a 5 star meal. I will be back again. Four stars.
(4)Susan R.
Good authentic Cuban food. I had the ropa vajia which is my favorite Cuban dish. It was heavy with saffron but still delicious. My bf had the pork it looked a little dry and fatty but he enjoyed it. The rice and beans were dry. The best part of the meal was the sweet plantains and the coffee! The server did not have the best personality. However, service was swift and accurate. I'm going back for the plantains and café con leche!
(3)Lupe L.
The food is excellent and the chef is one of the sweetest ladies I've met in Memphis. She actually comes out from the kitchen to make sure your enjoying your meal. The food has excellent seasonings and leaves you wanting another bite. The atmosphere is really simple nothing fancy, so you don't need to dress up.they have a few parking spots on street in front of restaurant or you can pay and park in parking garage around the corner. It's right in heart of downtown so you can make a day or night out there around lunch or dinner here.
(4)Paul S.
Outstanding, my wife took me here for my birthday, as we had seen a review on television! All was true - owners/waitstaff very friendly, accommodating, the food was authentic Cuban - and scrumptiously delicious!
(5)Arthur A.
This is the real deal! Great food! Authentic! We Had the pork, congri rice, amarillos, ropa vieja, red beans, yucca and flan. Excellent! Flan was home made. Delicious! Friendly service and quick! This deserves a return trip to Memphis.
(4)John T.
Not authentic Cuban. Arroz con pollo was all arroz, no spices or pollo. Just mainly plain yellow rice. The empanadas were extra salty. The beef empanada was better than the chicken, which was inedible. The plantains were good though.
(1)Lauren H.
Been here several times now and I love it! Great to finally have authentic cuban food in Memphis - I would put the food right up there with most of the good cuban diners down in miami. Hope they can make it - seating is very limited!!!!
(5)Carter S.
My wife and I went for the first time. Alli greeted us and was all smiles and informative about the menu. We ordered a Cuban sandwich and the Ropa Veija. Both were very authentic and flavorful. Food was out quickly and a very pleasant lady who was the chef came out to greet us. great experience and will be back.
(5)T S.
very delicious. Will return.
(5)Nichole B.
Cool family-owned Cuban restaurant. Ropa vieja & amarillos were tasty and rice cooked perfectly. Tamarind and mango smoothies were both great! The wait for our food was a bit long for lunch and they ran out of flan. The decor is nothing to write home about-small and not very cheerful. However it was clean and function if small. They appear to do good takeout business for lunch. Giving them 3 stars since I only tried one entree. Overall the food isn't as good as what I've had while living in NYC, but it's a good addition to the Memphis international food scene.Overall a good experience. I'm going back to try more food esp the cuban sandwich!
(3)Goku Z.
Underrated lunch spot downtown. Food's good n cheap, staff's nice, service is quick. Cheap lunch and friendly service usually don't go hand in hand, so if you don't like it, go eat at Flight or something, ya snob.
(5)Chain B.
I would love to write a great review for this place. I checked the hours on their website and drove downtown in anticipation of a great Cuban sandwich only to find them closed during the business hours posted on their website. It really pissed me off.
(1)John B.
This place is a fantastic little gem. Very small family place with wonderful food. I always get whatever that days special is with rice and tostones(fried plantains) and have never been disappointed. I strongly suggest you give this place a go as it is fantastic!
(5)John D.
Ordered the Ropa Vieja (Shredded beef) and it was excellent. Healthy portion with a great flavor. Our food was out in less than 5 minutes which is ideal when taking a lunch break. Plantains were not especially flavorful on their own but they did a great job of soaking up flavor from the beef. Hard to complain about sitting outside with a great meal. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Walter E.
Eh...I've had better. It's not bad, but nothing to write home about.
(2)Andy B.
Memphis finally has an authentic Cuban restaurant!!! The food and service is amazing. This is a family restaurant and Pedro and his wife provide a truly authentic experience and excellent food! The empanadas (especially the guava and cheese) and ropas viejas are phenomenal - also the Cuban coffee is great. Tell Pedro and Leo, Andy told u to come!!
(5)Brianna S.
I absolutely love Cuban food, so I was very excited to learn there was a cuban restaurant in Memphis. Havana Pilon did not disappoint. I had the ropa vieja. It was tender and delicious. I also ordered rice and a side of beans, and the beans were very flavorful. I ordered maduros (sweet plantains) as well. Those are pretty difficult to mess up and as anticipated they were cooked to perfection. I ordered the arroz con leche as dessert and it was the perfect ending to a satisfying meal. The staff was very friendly. I will definitely be returning the next time I am in town as I am looking forward to trying the arroz con pollo!
(5)Alyssa L.
This is the perfect lunch spot if you work downtown! It's quick, delicious, anddd the staff are all incredibly friendly. Also, it's affordable, which is always a plus.
(5)Kerry C.
The special when I went was ropa vieja, and being unfamiliar with Cuban food, that's what I ordered. It's on the regular menu, but as a special, it came with two sides and a drink for about $7.50 (with tax). I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was excited about what I got: a plate of tender shredded beef that had been cooked with bell peppers in a thin, but flavorful, tomato-based sauce. It was meat perfection. For my sides, I had plantains and yucca. I like plantains, and Havana's Pilon's were better than others that I've had. Imagine really good hash browns (or potato pancakes) fried into fist-size, quarter inch thick chips and you've got the right idea. I had never had yucca before, and to be honest, I'm not sure that I will again. I'm one of those people who's weird about food texture, so this wasn't exactly my thing. Next time, I'll go with the rice and beans. The restaurant has only been open about two weeks, but they were on their game. The staff is very friendly, the food came out quickly and they sent out a little bowl of soup for me to try before my food was ready. I'll definitely be back to Havanas Pilon. The food was delicious, it's crazy cheap, and there are other menu items I'd like to try: the arroz con pollo, the mofongo, and the seafood salad, an item whose menu description just says "Taste the secret!".
(4)Ash B.
MIss Miami's Cuban coffee, crunchy pork and pickle sandwiches and plantains? This place will make your day. $10 will get you a drink, sides and a sandwich. Get here early for lunch and you'll find a place at the counter or one of the outside tables. Great food, very affordable and right in the middle of downtown. Highly recommended!
(4)Julie S.
On our first day in Memphis a local recommended this restaurant to us. The waiter was very friendly! The food was wonderful. My husband had the Cuban sandwich and I had the rope vieja. With both meals we had the rice and beans. The meals were delicious. The tropical salad was a disappointment though. There was nothing tropical about it. I had it as a side and it contained iceberg lettuce, chopped tomato, and radishes with Italian dressing. It was served in a small plastic container. I would have given it 5 stars if not for the side salad. This is a small store front restaurant. You go there for the food and friendly laid back feel and not for the ambiance.
(4)Janette M.
First time eating Cuban food and my first time going to this restaurant and its delicious. Plus the staff is really kind and helpful.
(4)William I.
I have tried a number of the items on the menu, and I have never been anything but thrilled with what I got. These people take pride in their food, and it shows.
(5)Sean C.
Had the rope vieja with congri rice and tostones. Very enjoyable. Friends had the Cuban sandwich which they liked and it was large. Good value and friendly service/management.
(4)Andres C.
Excellent drinks and food. Authentically flavor. If walking on Downtown, highly recommended.
(5)Gregorio S.
Check this place out! It is real deal Cuban! I have lived in Miami, and this food is better than most I have had there. The owners are friendly and the food is very tasty!
(5)M S.
An absolute jewel of a place right near the Peabody. We took the kids to see the ducks and a friend recommended this place for their coffee. It was lunchtime so we figured let's eat as well. Oh, what a great decision that was. I haven't had such authentic Cuban food since I lived in South Florida. The Ropa Vieja was excellent, the rice and beans were just right, and I recommend the amarillos (plantains) with it. My girlfriend got the Friday special of shrimps in tomato sauce and loved it. The kids went for the cheese empanadas like they were eating quesadillas and absolutely loved the banana milkshake. Everything seemed to be made to order, nothing pre-made and reheated as sometimes is common in such places. The coffee was indeed authentic as well. And it wasn't expensive. Best food we had in Memphis so far.
(5)Robin F.
Let's face it, I love to eat. I mean according to my bank, I spend most of my money on food (there are worse things I know). Anyway, I stumbled upon this place at the end of July. I can not begin to tell you how happy I am that there is a Cuban restaurant in downtown Memphis. I love, love, LOVE Havana's Pilon. I have only eaten the Ropa Vieja because it is my favorite dish. I can't bring myself to order anything else because it is just that good. So good, in fact, I have two Groupons for this place on my phone. So give it a try. I highly recommend the ropa vieja with the plantains and the rice and beans. The staff is friendly and quick and the food is like heaven. So stop reading the review and go...GO!
(5)Ryan B.
Great place, good service, and an overall nice atmosphere. I've never had Cuban food before, and was a little wary, but I can say my doubts were washed away when I took the first bite of my dish (which was artfully prepared- always a plus). I will definitely be back!
(5)Graham K.
Great little spot. The Cuban sandwich is, of course, excellent. Everything there is great.
(5)Dan B.
Terrific food! Had the Cuban sandwich and also some delicious Cuban Picadilla. Beans and rice, a Cuban staple, was delicious!
(4)Danielle H.
So delicious. Everyone must try the guava and cheese empanada! And the people who work here are so nice and personable.
(5)Giovanni S.
One of my favorite restaurants in Memphis. I try to eat here at least once a week. Everything is delicious and authentic. Love the staff too
(5)Michael S.
Everyone need to visit this restaurant. If you come once, you will be back. The food is fresh and delicious. And the proprietors are nice folks. Cuban food is much than a flattened sandwich. Ropa Vieja, Picadillo, and. Congri Rice are a few of the items I've tried. All delicious. And grab a cup of Cuban coffee. It will cure what ails you.
(4)Josh K.
Tried the Ropa Vieja with plantains and rice/beans. My first time having Cuban food. It was great, good value for the price. Friendly proprietors.
(5)Robin F.
Let's face it, I love to eat. I mean according to my bank, I spend most of my money on food (there are worse things I know). Anyway, I stumbled upon this place at the end of July. I can not begin to tell you how happy I am that there is a Cuban restaurant in downtown Memphis. I love, love, LOVE Havana's Pilon. I have only eaten the Ropa Vieja because it is my favorite dish. I can't bring myself to order anything else because it is just that good. So good, in fact, I have two Groupons for this place on my phone. So give it a try. I highly recommend the ropa vieja with the plantains and the rice and beans. The staff is friendly and quick and the food is like heaven. So stop reading the review and go...GO!
(5)Brianna S.
I absolutely love Cuban food, so I was very excited to learn there was a cuban restaurant in Memphis. Havana Pilon did not disappoint. I had the ropa vieja. It was tender and delicious. I also ordered rice and a side of beans, and the beans were very flavorful. I ordered maduros (sweet plantains) as well. Those are pretty difficult to mess up and as anticipated they were cooked to perfection. I ordered the arroz con leche as dessert and it was the perfect ending to a satisfying meal. The staff was very friendly. I will definitely be returning the next time I am in town as I am looking forward to trying the arroz con pollo!
(5)Gregorio S.
Check this place out! It is real deal Cuban! I have lived in Miami, and this food is better than most I have had there. The owners are friendly and the food is very tasty!
(5)Alyssa L.
This is the perfect lunch spot if you work downtown! It's quick, delicious, anddd the staff are all incredibly friendly. Also, it's affordable, which is always a plus.
(5)Kerry C.
The special when I went was ropa vieja, and being unfamiliar with Cuban food, that's what I ordered. It's on the regular menu, but as a special, it came with two sides and a drink for about $7.50 (with tax). I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was excited about what I got: a plate of tender shredded beef that had been cooked with bell peppers in a thin, but flavorful, tomato-based sauce. It was meat perfection. For my sides, I had plantains and yucca. I like plantains, and Havana's Pilon's were better than others that I've had. Imagine really good hash browns (or potato pancakes) fried into fist-size, quarter inch thick chips and you've got the right idea. I had never had yucca before, and to be honest, I'm not sure that I will again. I'm one of those people who's weird about food texture, so this wasn't exactly my thing. Next time, I'll go with the rice and beans. The restaurant has only been open about two weeks, but they were on their game. The staff is very friendly, the food came out quickly and they sent out a little bowl of soup for me to try before my food was ready. I'll definitely be back to Havanas Pilon. The food was delicious, it's crazy cheap, and there are other menu items I'd like to try: the arroz con pollo, the mofongo, and the seafood salad, an item whose menu description just says "Taste the secret!".
(4)Ash B.
MIss Miami's Cuban coffee, crunchy pork and pickle sandwiches and plantains? This place will make your day. $10 will get you a drink, sides and a sandwich. Get here early for lunch and you'll find a place at the counter or one of the outside tables. Great food, very affordable and right in the middle of downtown. Highly recommended!
(4)Julie S.
On our first day in Memphis a local recommended this restaurant to us. The waiter was very friendly! The food was wonderful. My husband had the Cuban sandwich and I had the rope vieja. With both meals we had the rice and beans. The meals were delicious. The tropical salad was a disappointment though. There was nothing tropical about it. I had it as a side and it contained iceberg lettuce, chopped tomato, and radishes with Italian dressing. It was served in a small plastic container. I would have given it 5 stars if not for the side salad. This is a small store front restaurant. You go there for the food and friendly laid back feel and not for the ambiance.
(4)Janette M.
First time eating Cuban food and my first time going to this restaurant and its delicious. Plus the staff is really kind and helpful.
(4)Ryan B.
Great place, good service, and an overall nice atmosphere. I've never had Cuban food before, and was a little wary, but I can say my doubts were washed away when I took the first bite of my dish (which was artfully prepared- always a plus). I will definitely be back!
(5)Sean C.
Had the rope vieja with congri rice and tostones. Very enjoyable. Friends had the Cuban sandwich which they liked and it was large. Good value and friendly service/management.
(4)Andres C.
Excellent drinks and food. Authentically flavor. If walking on Downtown, highly recommended.
(5)M S.
An absolute jewel of a place right near the Peabody. We took the kids to see the ducks and a friend recommended this place for their coffee. It was lunchtime so we figured let's eat as well. Oh, what a great decision that was. I haven't had such authentic Cuban food since I lived in South Florida. The Ropa Vieja was excellent, the rice and beans were just right, and I recommend the amarillos (plantains) with it. My girlfriend got the Friday special of shrimps in tomato sauce and loved it. The kids went for the cheese empanadas like they were eating quesadillas and absolutely loved the banana milkshake. Everything seemed to be made to order, nothing pre-made and reheated as sometimes is common in such places. The coffee was indeed authentic as well. And it wasn't expensive. Best food we had in Memphis so far.
(5)Graham K.
Great little spot. The Cuban sandwich is, of course, excellent. Everything there is great.
(5)Dan B.
Terrific food! Had the Cuban sandwich and also some delicious Cuban Picadilla. Beans and rice, a Cuban staple, was delicious!
(4)Danielle H.
So delicious. Everyone must try the guava and cheese empanada! And the people who work here are so nice and personable.
(5)Michael S.
Everyone need to visit this restaurant. If you come once, you will be back. The food is fresh and delicious. And the proprietors are nice folks. Cuban food is much than a flattened sandwich. Ropa Vieja, Picadillo, and. Congri Rice are a few of the items I've tried. All delicious. And grab a cup of Cuban coffee. It will cure what ails you.
(4)Josh K.
Tried the Ropa Vieja with plantains and rice/beans. My first time having Cuban food. It was great, good value for the price. Friendly proprietors.
(5)Giovanni S.
One of my favorite restaurants in Memphis. I try to eat here at least once a week. Everything is delicious and authentic. Love the staff too
(5)Nichole B.
Cool family-owned Cuban restaurant. Ropa vieja & amarillos were tasty and rice cooked perfectly. Tamarind and mango smoothies were both great! The wait for our food was a bit long for lunch and they ran out of flan. The decor is nothing to write home about-small and not very cheerful. However it was clean and function if small. They appear to do good takeout business for lunch. Giving them 3 stars since I only tried one entree. Overall the food isn't as good as what I've had while living in NYC, but it's a good addition to the Memphis international food scene.Overall a good experience. I'm going back to try more food esp the cuban sandwich!
(3)Goku Z.
Underrated lunch spot downtown. Food's good n cheap, staff's nice, service is quick. Cheap lunch and friendly service usually don't go hand in hand, so if you don't like it, go eat at Flight or something, ya snob.
(5)Chain B.
I would love to write a great review for this place. I checked the hours on their website and drove downtown in anticipation of a great Cuban sandwich only to find them closed during the business hours posted on their website. It really pissed me off.
(1)John B.
This place is a fantastic little gem. Very small family place with wonderful food. I always get whatever that days special is with rice and tostones(fried plantains) and have never been disappointed. I strongly suggest you give this place a go as it is fantastic!
(5)John D.
Ordered the Ropa Vieja (Shredded beef) and it was excellent. Healthy portion with a great flavor. Our food was out in less than 5 minutes which is ideal when taking a lunch break. Plantains were not especially flavorful on their own but they did a great job of soaking up flavor from the beef. Hard to complain about sitting outside with a great meal. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Walter E.
Eh...I've had better. It's not bad, but nothing to write home about.
(2)Andy B.
Memphis finally has an authentic Cuban restaurant!!! The food and service is amazing. This is a family restaurant and Pedro and his wife provide a truly authentic experience and excellent food! The empanadas (especially the guava and cheese) and ropas viejas are phenomenal - also the Cuban coffee is great. Tell Pedro and Leo, Andy told u to come!!
(5)John T.
Not authentic Cuban. Arroz con pollo was all arroz, no spices or pollo. Just mainly plain yellow rice. The empanadas were extra salty. The beef empanada was better than the chicken, which was inedible. The plantains were good though.
(1)Lauren H.
Been here several times now and I love it! Great to finally have authentic cuban food in Memphis - I would put the food right up there with most of the good cuban diners down in miami. Hope they can make it - seating is very limited!!!!
(5)Carter S.
My wife and I went for the first time. Alli greeted us and was all smiles and informative about the menu. We ordered a Cuban sandwich and the Ropa Veija. Both were very authentic and flavorful. Food was out quickly and a very pleasant lady who was the chef came out to greet us. great experience and will be back.
(5)T S.
very delicious. Will return.
(5)William I.
I have tried a number of the items on the menu, and I have never been anything but thrilled with what I got. These people take pride in their food, and it shows.
(5)