Back to Cuba
4683 Trousdale Dr, Nashville, TN, 37204
Back to Cuba Menu
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Address :
4683 Trousdale Dr
Nashville, TN, 37204 - Phone (615) 837-6711
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Charity D.
AmaZing food. They've never let me down. From the cafe Cubano to the main dishes down to the empanadas- can't go wrong here! I highly recommend if this is your first time a must have is start with a cafe Cubano, have an appetizer or just skip straight to the ropa veja with rice, black beans and fried sweet plantains. If it is your first time, educate yourself with a google search or two before going so you know what you want to order. Let me address the service "issues". It's not American - there is a small language barrier - they aren't BK and they don't do it your way, get over it and enjoy the food.
(5)Christie D.
Very good Cuban food! Reminds me of eating Cuban in Miami. Tasty plantains, black beans and rice, as well as the chimichurri sauce. Pastries and café con leche were excellent as well!
(4)John P.
Wife and I made first trip to "Back to Cuba" on a Saturday. We don't have a ton of experience with Cuban food, so we stuck with the Cubanos (each although we could have shared one), a beef emanados, and plantains. All three items were very good and I will definitely return here. Either I've never had a Cuban sandwich before, or I've never had one this good. The bread was light and crunchy, and the meat was hot and tender, so that each bite broke away from the rest of the sandwich perfectly.
(4)Captain C.
The Cubanos were huge easily sharable I would have liked them to be pressed a little moras the center was not hot Chicken empanadas were great Very large well stuffed and a killer chimmicurri on the side Inexpensive and will return again for that cuban fix
(4)Queen B.
After the lunch rush hour, friend and I hit Back To Cuba for a late lunch. She got the shredded pork plate (no substitutions, on any plate) and I got the grilled pork steak with fried yuca, moros and avocado on lettuce... They have a hot green sauce in a squeeze bottle that is definitely worth going there to have! My pork was tough, overcooked and dry, but.... the fried yuca was really good! Friend said her shredded pork was dry.. (maybe if they would shred it, and then refry it in lard, it would be more juicy)... $13 for my plate. $11 for her plate $2.50 for a side of plantains. (**** notice all the other reviews are on the Cuban sandwich.) I've had superb, cheap Cuban food in So Florida... This place does not compare. But it is what it is. Not cheap, that's for sure. I will probably return in another 3 yrs..
(3)Corie K.
Incredible! Perfectly seasoned, so good! Nothing fancy, just great tasting food! Wish it was closer to city center, I'd go more often. I can't believe it took me this long to try! Get the whole snapper- it's worth it! The roasted pork was super good too!
(5)Liz C.
As a Cuban that grew up in Miami, this place is the real deal. The black beans are off the chain! Anything you get here is awesome. Love Alex, the owner. He's your typical, know it all, loud mouth Cuban. That's how we are. I had the pan con bistec & it was amazing. The bf ordered the palomilla steak with rice & bean plus French fries. My other friends ordered lechon asado with rice, beans & yuca. All was AMAZING & totally authentic. For the dessert we all ordered cafecito, rice pudding & flan. Will definitely come back while in Nashville.
(5)Sarah H.
I cannot say enough about this little place. The absolute best Cuban sandwich I have ever had. The black beans were seasoned to perfection, and the plantains...oh the plantains! You definitely don't want to miss this little taste of Cuba!
(5)Nathan K.
The food is quite good, or the Cubans are quite good. Of late, they are constantly out of Cubans later in the day. This has to be their most popular sandwich (or certainly one of the more popular) and yet regularly out. And I don't mean out by around 5pm--I mean out at 1:40pm. They have an alternative sandwich, but its much smaller and not hardly as appetizing and its simply not a Cubano. There's also the occassional "On 15/20 minute" Break sign and locked door. Its unfortunately not possible to know when the 20 minutes are up--which makes this challenging to deal with. I saw this happen with roughly 3 people--presumably all employees on site. I've been a reasonably loyal customer for quite some time. This would otherwise be a 4.5+ review, but given the service and supply issue (ie not having key menu items on a semi-regular basis) I think it deserves a 3 out of 5. PS. Its also closed on Mondays as I recall.
(3)Sharon K.
"Back to Cuba" is a solid choice for a good lunch. In the restaurant 'no man's land' near Grassmere Park this place is one of a handful of options. It is nestled in the modest strip mall on the corner of Harding Pike and Grassmere Park. You can get Cuban Sandwiches, pork tacos, or sauteed shrimp and fish to name a few options. I've had the shrimp plate with rice; the shrimp was cooked well, and had a nice tomato based sauce. It had a side of plantains which was awesome, then it had some sliced avocado (yum), and iceberg lettuce which was just alright, and then slices of tomato (these were not ripe though). I've also had the Cuban sandwich, no complaints there! The sandwich is huge, yummy, and very well priced. The lunch was prepared quickly and I was able to get in and out on a lunch hour with no trouble. The atmosphere is cheerful and cozy, it is a simple restaurant, family run and worth a visit if you work or live nearby.
(4)Jamie S.
Best churasco y chimichurri I've ever had! Even after living in Miami for 4 years and frequenting Versailles! Good service. Very chill. Worth the drive out. They definitely have gringo-fied their menu with tacos etc, but I would expect no less in Nashville. Missed the ropa vieja y Elena ruz, pero they had the essentials! They do have quite a large selection of sandwiches. Everything was delicious. Rice was perfect. Black beans 9/10. Cuban bread 11/10- flaky and fresh. Unfortunately they did not have desserts when I was there, but they do have flan and tres leches on the menu at least. It was definitely enough to make me home sick for more!! Will absolutely be back soon!
(5)Hart P.
I enjoy Cuban food and had not found a good source in Nashville, until now. Family run with recipes that must have come from grandma. I have enjoyed the pork, fish and beef. Yes, I sample everybody's plate. The owner found out how much I have had eaten Cuban food and made sure I tried even more. I can safely recommend the entire menu. Do a dessert as well just to taste the local flavors.
(5)Miss G.
Yummy Sammiches. I still don't understand why they are constantly 'out' of the Cuban Sandwich. But, dang if it isn't convenient for take-out when you want something yummy that isn't pizza, mexican or chinese.
(3)John M.
Great Cafe Cubano and friendly conversation about Cuban politics and the island's future. Felt like I was back in Miami.
(5)Suzi B.
Authentic, delicious Cuban food. If this was in Seattle, people would be lined up around the block to get in. The cubano sandwich was big and tasty. Great white roll with crispy outside, delicious meat inside. Chicken soup was fresh and homemade. Great tastes. Divey goodness in a strip mall with a liquor store, two other restaurants and a gas station.
(4)Greg G.
Yuck! Not honest.
(1)Richard S.
Not sure if I got them on an off day, but I am not feeling the 4 star loving. Greasy and semi bland Cuban sandwich and poorly spiced black beans do not cut it for my idea of tasty Cuban fare.
(2)William C.
Upon arrival we had to wait in what seemed like a "we don't know your here" situation, and we feared the worst based on hearsay of bad service. After about 10 mins our orders were taken and once we were served food (rather promptly I might add). It was like magic in our mouths! The camerones enchilados, the flan! The flank steak! Yes we shared and indulged in Cuban heaven! We will return and be happy to wait for what is arguably the best Cuban food we have ever had.
(5)Monica S.
Ok. Let me clear this up reap quick. The food here is delicious. I know what you're thinking.... "Why is she giving this one star?" I promise I have a reason I've been coming to this place for a while- great food, pleasant staff, and true comfort food. I was a Spanish major in college and a brief stint in Cuba left me with permanent cravings for ropa vieja and vaca frita. So when I say this is good Cuban food, believe me, I mean it. That being said I just had my first interaction with the owner. I've dealt with my share of machismo- my father was Hispanic and I work with the culture everyday (I teach English to immigrants and refugees ), but this gentleman was unbearable. He was so pushy and rude I felt compelled to take my food to go. He almost didn't let me take my food- insisting that their was outdoor seating and I should stay- and then implying that I had seriously inconvenienced them. Suffice it to say although the food is stellar I will not be returning anytime soon. I hope this business survives (for the sake of the other wonderful employees), but the owner is, to put it simply, a jerk.
(1)Coco D.
I went there Friday it was slow yet my shrimp was cold in the shrimp tacos I ordered. The shrimp wasn't seasoned yet it was "Grilled Shrimp Tacos"!!!!! No heat at all. The fries were ok.they gave me a can soda and I had to ask for ice! Hats nuts. This was my first time there and I won't go back.
(1)Keith H.
Unfortunately, not impressed. They were out of the Cuban sandwich, then the group and skirt steak were dry and lacking flavor. I've ate a lot of cuban food in Miami and this did not meet expectations or yelp reviews. I will give them one more chance and try the sandwiches but expectations are low. At this time, I would not recommend.
(3)Ali S.
This is the first and only Cuban restaurant I been to so I don't have much expertise but I enjoyed back to Cuba. The Cuban sandwiches were tasty and also there chicken plate. I highly recommend to check this place out
(4)I M.
Great tasty food that feels authentic and gives us all a break from the standard sandwitches and plates you get everywhere else. I love the bistec sandwitch because the beef tastes like real meat. Also the fish al ajillo plate, super tasty and the only alternative to catfish that Ive found yet when it comes to fish meals. One of my favorite places in town
(5)G L.
They never have the ingredients for a Cuban sandwich. I've stopped here 5 times and only had the Cuban sandwich once. I've left the other 4 times. The sandwich is good if you ever get to have one. 20% chance though
(2)Joe D.
Amazing! This place is the real deal. Truly a hidden gem in an unlikely location. Authentic Cuban food, made to order, at a fair price. Highly recommended!
(5)Katie S.
I love this place. I just went there for my 2nd visit and can't wait to go back for more. The food, as last time, was amazing, authentic, well-prepared, and I couldn't have been more impressed. The owner spent some time with us, sharing pictures and stories about Cuba. We left knowing a lot we didn't know before. Thank you! Edit: I forgot to mention two things: 1st, you must order in Spanish! It's a rule! 2nd, no cell phones are allowed while you're eating. The owner encourages you to enjoy the food and converse with each other! He's a lot of fun and it made our trip more enjoyable!
(5)Eddie D.
This is one of my favorite places. The sandwiches and other foods are amazing. Sometimes they do run out of certain meats for the sandwiches but its ok because there's other stuff on the menu that's just as delicious. The best sandwiches are the Cubano and the Miami. I had a pollo Empanada today and it was only a dollar. I could have bought 3 of those an been full. The food is awesome and worth a try. They do have plates like meat and sides but the sandwiches are where its at. Also fried plantains there and their milkshakes are pretty awesome. Don't expect it to be like a thick American milkshake though. When you walk in its very small and seating is limited but I like the feel of restaurants like that. I've never had bad service and the staff has always been friendly to me.
(5)Ted C.
I stopped by here after it's been burning a hole in my bookmark pages. I haven't had many Cuban sandwiches but even the 'eh' ones are still pretty good. The sandwich here didn't disappoint and I came in during a slow period so the counter service was friendly, though a little limited in the English. I ended up with the Cubano with the key ingredient: the crusty, toasted bread-which separates the men from the boys when it comes to the sandwich. I thought it was a little light on the roast pork-part of why Cuban sandwiches are so awesome since it's two types of pig in one convenient package. Still, the crusty, crunchy bread and the satisfying snap and crunch from it is still on my mind even after a few days. Just give me a second to recollect... Ok, I'm back. I got the passionfruit milkshake which was bright and fruity and surprisingly not super tart, more like a smoothie. Definitely worth the trip south.
(4)Kurt H.
Being from Florida this place is the real deal. Must go if you love Cuban food. Cuban sandwiches are huge and many other authentic Cuban dishes. I hear they are opening up in the borrow soon with dance floor.
(5)Lance S.
I'm always searching for good Cuban food and noticed that Back to Cuba is located just off of I-65, so we detoured and went for dinner. What a pleasant surprise. It is small, family owned and located in a strip mall. Don't let that throw you, give it a try. I really wish they had their menu posted as I can't remember the correct names. Our main dishes were the Cuban sandwich, another cuban type sandwich but on different bread and grilled chicken. Sides were fried sweet plantains, rice and black beans. The Cuban sandwich was very, very good. Rivaling anything I've had in FL. And it was huge, enough for two meals. The "other" sandwich was also very good, but much smaller. It appeared to have been pressed in a panini type press. The chicken was a grilled, flatten chicken breast. Cooked through and moist, but could have used more seasoning. The black beans were amazing. Large bowl, but they disappeared too fast. The rice is, well rice. Fluffy. The plantains were super sweet and we ended up eating them for desert. We also shared a mango milkshake. They made sure they had the fresh ingredients before letting me know it was still available. It was pretty darned good. As for the owner, it appears he is an acquired taste. One of our party ordered their meal with the correct Spanish pronunciation, and it was obvious they were a Spanish speaker. When they then ordered water, he said, "No." They repeated water, and he said no again, what is the right name? Aqua got the water ordered. It was all in fun. He appears gruff but made sure that we were happy customers. Being so close to an I-65 exit, we will definitely be back.
(4)Tiffany J.
This is my favorite place to eat in Nashville. It's afforable and delicious. I always get the roast pork tacos with white rice and plantains. Tons of flavor in everything, including the rice. The blackberry juice is great too. The staff is always nice and I've never waited very long for my food.
(5)Chris M.
Service is horrible, but best Cuban sandwich ($7.50) I've ever had (including Cubanos from Miami and Puerto Rico) make it worth the wait. Large portions on everything and great prices. Not very many tables either so maybe don't go at peak time. Great whole in the wall dive, I will definitely be back. PS. As there are no signs explaining anything in the restaurant, what you need to do is (1) order from the open counter, (2) keep your ticket, sit, and wait for your food, (3) pay at the cashier counter.
(4)restaurant r.
Best Cuban food in TN and probably the only Cuban food here lol- Great prices and good food- but if u are looking for Cuban food like La Terisita in Tampa Florida it can't compete. Def try this place if you are craving Cuban:)
(4)Will M.
Cuban sandwich with a guava milk shake. Awesome. Cuban sandwich had the perfect amount of meat, the bread was perfectly crunchy. The Bread really made the sandwich. They make the fried plantains, I'm used to finding really good cheap cuban food from my previous trip to Miami. This place has really good, moderately priced cuban food.
(4)Daniel B.
I wanted Empanadas. The Yelp lords showed favor via the App to a place near my house. I have been here before, but never had their Empanadas. Shame on me! The order consisted of two empanadas, one beef and one chicken. Both of the pastry goodness delights were encased in large shells. The meat pocket was on the small side leaving a large crimped edge. Each treat is less than two dollars and is packed with tons of flavor. The savory filling of beef was mild and had a green olive in the mix. It was easy on spice and nice light flavor. It paired well with the chimichurri sauce that I asked for because of its herbal garlicky bite. The chicken filling was really amazing. Although I was craving a beef experience, the chicken event stole the show. Wow! The stewed meat was flavor packed with a spicy depth of flavor and just a hint of heat. Good greif, it was good. I tried with the condiments offered on the counter, but it didn't need any assistance. The rich buttery crusts of both treats left behind "chips" that that I used to douse in the spicy condiments and herbal chimichurri. For good measure, I enjoyed a Cafe Cubano which was deep in coffee flavor and the sweetness of pure cane sugar. Oh, my, add a slice of their Tres Leches Cake after a couple of empanadas for $10 for the meal, you will have been transported to wonderful place.
(4)Amanda C.
loved everything about this place. the fried plantains were out of this world and the Cuban was amazing. it is very small inside, max seating of 14 people, so grab a table if you see one before you order. My husband and I split a Cuban and plantains for $11. can't wait to go back!!
(5)Kelly B.
Good food! I grew up in Tampa and definitely miss the access to good Cuban food, especially a hot pressed Cuban sandwich.
(4)Carissa O.
I love Cuban food. We tried a couple different things so let's get started! Mariquitas: I've had plantain chips everywhere and I really mean every where: Ghana, Costa Rica, Guatemala, etc... These are a solid representation but fall short of "best I've had". Chicken Empanada: I will be dreaming of this. Amazing. Medianoche: I would have had the Cubano but they were out. Pretty good. I tried some of my friend's rice and beans, they were great. We also shared some flan which was good and tres leche which would have been good except it had fake whipped cream which I hate. I scraped it off but dos leche isn't quite the same thing. Overall, the best Cuban food you could expect outside Cuba, Florida or New York. I'd give 3.5 stars but since I had to choose, rounding up! (Although the service kinda made me want to round down)
(4)Rob O.
Definition of a five star yelp. Total gem. Had the churrasco, and the roast pork sandwich. Absolutely phenomenal.
(5)Laila S.
great tasting food, but never anywhere to sit, i always feel rushed (especially if you are lucky enough to get a table) and I don't like the way you order. I want to ask questions, ask opinions, and take a moment to review the menu. BUT over all the food is great, so i keep returning and jockeying for position of getting a table.
(4)Charles S.
I hate giving this place a two star review. It's a small, locally owned business. The food is pretty good. The server was excellent. I just didn't feel particularly welcome. While my wife and I were enjoying our food, I received a text message from work. We normally have a no phones at the dinner table policy, but a glance at a message is okay at our table. While I was checking the message, a man, who I could only presume to be the owner, hollered at me from behind the counter, "No texting, put your phone away at the table!" My wife and I looked at each other, incredulous. I realize that it is his restaurant and he can run it as he sees fit, however, there was no sign notifying patrons of this policy. Also, if he wanted to make an issue of it, he could've visited the table and discreetly asked us to comply with his wishes. We DID comply, as I didn't want to be asked to leave while finishing my meal, but I will never dine in this restaurant again. It's a damn shame, too. The Lechon Asado was absolutely delicious. The rice served with it was also good, the beans just okay. If you go, be warned, the food is good, but keep your phone in your pocket, lest the Cuban Nazi make an appearance and bellow at you too.
(2)Chris S.
A fabulous joint! The atmosphere isn't as bad as some of the reviews implied. It is actually rather comfortable and eclectic. Got the usual lecture about ordering in spanish (no problemo) and no cell phone use once your food is served. The owner is a cantankerous sort of curmudgeon, but that just adds to the atmosphere. We figured we were only going to have one shot at this as we were just travelling through so ordered a Cubano, a tacos de lechon (pork tacos), and a couple of empanadas de pollo (chicken empanadas). Everything was great with really good seasoning and great flavors. The empanadas were really tasty with a fine filling and delicious pastry, but perhaps a little dry. For a small place the food was really outstanding with authentic flavors. If our travels ever bring us to Nashville again we will be Back to Cuba!
(5)Ginger F.
Omg!!! my first time here, and it is amazing. I had the Vaca frita ( grilled flap meat tossed with mojito sauce , rice, beams and plantains ) I defiantly will be back
(5)Robin S.
Don't go here unless you like being yelled at and harassed. I was sitting looking at my phone waiting for my to go order when the owner yelled at me "no texting". Then he stalked by me and out the door. He came back in and yelled at me again before disappearing into the bathroom. I told the two girls at the counter I would not be back unless this was stopped and further that I would post the incident on yelp. Nothing happened so here it is. I won't be back and I would advise no one else to go either!
(1)Meg P.
Nice place to have good food at.
(4)Becky M.
Best Cuban I've had in Tennessee. Only Tampa tops this. Back to Cuba is located in a small convenient store/gas station and small business center. There are not many tables but there is a long counter for ordering your food. The staff was friendly and made food to order. It was very good. We ordered the Cuban, the Croquetta sandwich, fried yuca (outstanding) and black beans (soup). All was excellent. Very impressed. Although we live 2 hours away, this will be a great stop before or after visiting the Nashville Zoo.
(4)Janet Y.
I have had this place bookmarked for some time, so I was super stoked to finally get to try it! It's a bit of a hole in the wall near Hundred Oaks. After my Cuban food experience at Havana Rumba experience in Louisville, KY (a previous review), I had high hopes. Though not as fancy, the food was tasty! To start off-- the coffee was fantastic! I also ordered the pollo platter with beans, rice, and plantains, and everything was cooked to perfection! The server forgot my plantains initially so when I told her, she brought me an entire plate full. I.heart.plantains so obviously that was a major score! The platters are about $11 and up, which seemed reasonable. At the same time, when you throw in a coffee and a tip, it got a little spendy. I knock a star off only because a $20 lunch wasn't what I expected. However, it isn't enough to deter me from coming 'Back to Cuba'!
(4)Ryan T.
We shared the Cubano sandwich, chicken empanadas, yuca frita, lechon asado, and a pastelito de coco. EVERYTHING was amazing. Seriously, you can't go wrong here.
(5)Princess T.
The food here was not as overwhelming as other reviewers led me to believe. My dinner companion and I both had fish; one fish sandwich (which they said was deep fried) and fries, the other was the breaded fish with a chopped mango topping, salad, rice and plantains. We had a side order of plantains and mango juice. The breaded fish had a pretty decent amount of breading on it, and, after swapping pieces of our plates we felt like we were eating the same type of fish. Which... Would've been nice to know that it was a deep fried fish with mango topping. For me, that wasn't terrible, except it wasn't spectacular. The best thing I had was the white rice which was seasoned very well. The mango juice tasted closer to mango flavored drink with chunks of mango added to it. The portion sizes were excellent for the price. While it's a small note, the cashier overcharged us and didn't notice. We had to go back inside to fix our total, but they were happy to do it. Definitely seemed like an honest mistake. Will we go back? Potentially to try the Cubano. I would highly recommend this spot for lunch. Eat up! Just an ending note, absolutely NO substitutions are allowed, so, detailed eaters may want to know that going in!
(3)Tamela L.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant. I originally started coming here like 5 years ago. I've tried the Cuban Sandwich (5 stars), the Miami sandwich (4 stars), Tres Leches (5 stars). The last year I've tried several things. The chicken empanadas which is hands down amazing. The pan con bistec not that great, it's really dry. Some other sandwich which was really dry as well. Then on Tuesday I tried the lunch special carne con papa, which was amazing. It's pretty much a beef stew (less stewy) with a creole sauce with a side of black beans and rice. It was sooooo great. I love this place. The ambiance is extremely great. When your inside hear you just forget about everything that's going on outside the cafe. The staff there are extremely nice and helpful, especially the girl that's always thanking orders, she's super nice.
(5)John S.
Yep, definitely the closest thing to Cuban food for me so far here in Nashville. Maybe I'll update this sometime if I find something better, but that has yet to happen. Anyways, I'm going to preface this with the fact that I am Hispanic, speak spanish, and previously lived in Miami for 12+ years, so I've had tons of Cuban and Caribbean food. That being said, you can't ever compare places outside of Miami to those in there, but MAN this place comes pretty close. I came here with a friend, and we got the cuban sandwich and the steak sandwich, so we could both try a half of them. We also got the maduros, and she got a Guava shake. Now I personally don't like Guava (strange, I know) but she said it was amazing. Meanwhile, the maduros were authentic and delicious - and what I particularly like was that they weren't super greasy. As for the sandwiches, the cuban was amazing. Thick and filled with all the right meats and cheese and nice toasty bread and..... now I'm salivating thinking about it. Point is, it was made very well and I'd definitely put it in the top 10 cubans I've had. Meanwhile, the steak sandwich was pretty good as well, with tender meat and cruchy fresh lettuce. I did feel it was lacking something, upon which I realized I forgot to add cheese to it. Maybe it should be included in the sandwich itself, because it really should be there, cheese on cuban steak sandwiches is amazing. Then again, for me, cheese on ANYTHING is great, so I might be a bit biased, heh. Overall, amazing place, and will be coming back whenever I need to revisit my cuban food here in Nashville.
(5)Jesse W.
We saw the movie Chef and decided Cuban sandwiches were a good idea. The bread was good and the sandwich looked like it could appear in the movie so they did their job. They had some unique drink options; my only complaint was that there wasn't a paper menu. I like to read what I'm getting up close but whatever, I still enjoyed myself.
(4)Scott C.
Great spot! All of the dishes are authentic and delicious. Cuban sandwich is spot on and I think better than ones in Miami. If you want to try some different items, grab a few sides, an empanada, and I can't remember the name of the last one but it was ground beef inside a mashed potato ball, deep fried. Amazing. Grab a fruit shake and your meal is complete. If you like a adult beverage you are able to bring beer and wine in with you. Check it out if you like Cuban food!!
(4)Dean M.
Really solid. I lived in the miami area for years and I have been to some amazing Cuban restaurants, so I cannot give this place 5 stars. That being said, Everything is really good - nothing excels, but I have eaten here many times and I have never been disappointed. They are the only Cuban place in town (as far as I am concerned), and if you have never had cuban food before, I highly recommend it.
(3)Martà M.
Bummed the food truck meet-up had been cancelled, we were hungry and wanted something to eat that was close by. Daniel B.'s review echoed in my mind, so we stopped at Back to Cuba. Unfortunately, they were only accepting cash during our visit, which resulted in us needing to use the ATM at the Mapco next door. Although, I believe they typically accept credit/debit cards, since there is a sign that reads, "We do not take American Express". Nestled in a strip mall at the corner of Trousdale and Harding, this place is pretty small with minimal seating. Even so, I was digging the vibe of the place as Latin music pumped through the speakers - of course, making me want to dance. Instead, as I waited for my order, I walked through the place looking at all the neat stuff on the walls. I am not an expert when it comes to any type of food. Although with my background, Cuban food is one of those I feel I know at least a little about. (Perhaps that is why it has taken me so long to give this place a try?!) That said, it's rare to find a vegetarian dish at a small place like this, and glancing over their menu board, it made me a little sad they're no exception. I was just hoping for a traditional ensalada de aguacate. No such luck. Willing to be a carnivore for the meal, I searched for an arroz con pollo, or a black-eye pea dish, but they weren't offering either. Boooo! I settled for a little less traditional meal by ordering a Cuban sandwich. It is MASSIVE. There is no way I could've eaten that whole sandwich by myself! The bread is phenomenal - the real deal. I hadn't had Cuban bread in so long, so it tasted really, really good. I also ordered two chicken empanadas. Oh..my..goodness...beyond delicious! And at $1.85 each, you just can't get any better! We had ordered to go, and I was sad to discover there wasn't a side of chimichurri sauce in my bag - which I think would've sent this empanada to "the bomb dot com" level. I'm anxious to revisit for another empanada and give their batido de mango a try.
(3)John James S.
Very charming and authentic food. The atmosphere isn't a chain restaraunt because it's not a chain! This place is the real deal and I look forward to trying more options soon
(5)Renee A.
I haven't been back to Back to Cuba in years, but this shouldn't discount the validity of my review. The food is honestly good...or it was. But I experienced some truly terrible/rude customer service (from someone I assumed was the manager or owner) there a few years ago, and I've NEVER gone back. The man had a scowl on his face from the moment we walked in until the moment we left, and he was a total d*ck to me as I was paying for my order. You're seriously going to give attitude WHILE you're taking customers' money? I crave Cuban food occasionally and wish there were more options for it in Nashville, but it isn't worth it to me to give these people any more of my money. It's his right to be a "Soup Nazi"-type restauranteur, as it's my right to avoid this place like the plague.
(1)Kim Y.
Make sure to try the yum yum yummer's coffee after your meal - they offer it to go if you want to savor the little sips of heaven. (First line in case people are browsing) I've been wanting to try Back to Cuba for awhile now, after my Cuban born Miami raised friend Inez told me it was good, it did not disappoint - but maybe since I'd been meaning to get there for SO long it didn't quite live up to all my glorious pork lovin' expectations. Ambiance was cute, drums, checkers - big family tables. The ordering is at the counter and the menu is literally a reader board, but if you have bad eye sight (I was suffering an eye infection and wearing old glasses) the server is happy and friendly enough to guide you ;) Empanada's were great! Literally quite perfect. I got a beef and a chicken, the chicken won hands down, juicy and flavorful meat and the yummy infused oil dip was sinful but divine. For dinner I stuck with a simple cubano sammie. Whenever I try a place for the first time I like to get the classics to see what they do with it. So, the sandwich was pretty humongous, after my appetizers I could barely eat half and it was good. Oddly - the reason they get one star off from me; it was not the best cuban sandwich I've had in Nashville and this is the only strictly cuban place in town!! I think its pretty important to get that right, but hey, I'm a white girl from Oregon, so take it with a grain of salt. My husbands beans and plantains were super and the rice was fluffy and decent. They also offer cuban softdrinks which were fun to try, although they didn't taste so different from regional soda's here in the states. (Pinneapple Kroger soda and Big Red, respectively) For sure I'm going back here though, I wanna try some platters!
(4)Lewis W.
Went out to Back to Cuba last week on the 29th of January 2014. We had an absolutely amazing time and a great meal. It was only my second time at Back to Cuba, but the owner came over to our table and talked to us about Cuba, showed us photographs from he when he was visiting Cuba. We learned quite a bit that night, I went home and immediately found a few documentaries regarding Cuba. The staff was amazing, the food was amazing and I'm not usually one to go all out and say 5 stars, but I would give it 10 if I could.
(5)Ty B.
Stopped on our way thru Nashville tonight and was not disappointed. My wife had the shrimp and I tried the pork..... amazing!! The staff was friendly and efficient. We will definitely stop again.
(5)Vivek P.
Great food. Cool place. Wouldnt have tried it without these yelp reviews. first time Cuban food experience was worth the drive to exit 78. Take out maybe a better idea next time since there is not much of an ambience. It's a cafe not a restaurant
(4)CJ L.
I was hoping to have a Tampa style Cuban when I found this little dive while visiting Nashville. While a little dissapointed when the sandwhich and the rice and beans were not exactly what I had expected, that dissapointment quickly dissipated after the first couple of bites. The sandwich was a great and I would definitely come back when in town. I had never had Cuban coffee, so I decided to order a cup. The waitress was kind enough to make sure I knew what I was getting. I knew it was a tiny a cup of coffee, but what I didn't know was just how much coffee heaven could fit into a little cup! I wish I could get this closer to home! All in all, it was a great visit!
(4)Katey L.
I would give them 5 stars if they would find a place to put more tables! We sat outside on what was a day almost too cold to do so. I also saw at least 3-4 groups of diners leave due to lack of seating. I am a sucker for the Cuban sandwich. My only gripe, and I don't know if mayo is standard on a Cuban, is that I don't want mayo on mine! Not sure why everyone thinks mayo should be a standard condiment but it should not. The ratio of all other ingredients though is perfect, the pork, pickles, mustard, swiss, and that oh so crispy bread. My friend had the fish tacos and they looked great, 3 healthy sized tacos for $6.00. We also shared the tostones (fried plantains), which I love but on this trip they lacked flavor. Just needed to be kicked up with some seasoning. I've definitely had better Cuban food down in Florida, but I don't live in Florida I live in Nashville, so this is going to keep doing just fine.
(4)Praveen P.
Just one word: AMAZING. Everything I tried from rice and beans to the empanadas and the entrees such as their signature Roasted pork plate was fresh and flavorful. I'm from the SF Bay Area which is a Mecca for Latin American cuisine, and this little place in Nashville TN blows them out of the water. I knock off one star for the subpar service. Definitely will be coming back here as a regular.
(4)Joseph P.
I live close by in Crieve Hall, so I appreciate the convenience and proximity. My fave is the Cubano. I love that fresh, chewy, toasted bread! I've had the empanadas- very tasty. Also, I'm a big fan of flan and theirs does not disappoint.
(4)Willie S.
The cubano is really good. The toasted roll is awesome. Also try the sweet plantanes.
(5)Paul K.
There's not much for vegetarians... you can order off of the sides menu. And those sides are good. I had rice, beans, and fried plantains, and it was pretty good. Seating is a bit limited, and I have the feeling things happen there at other times as there are game tables and some music instruments laying about, but nothing was happening while I was there. I can't speak to authenticity as the only Cuban I've had before was in San Fran at a veggie Cuban place, but for Nashville it was some place I could eat at without feeling completely alien.
(4)Ali B.
I took ENTIRELY too long to write this review after eating there... so... I can't flipping remember exactly what we ordered. First off, Back to Cuba is BYOB, winning them major cool points. The Food: Cuba is surrounded by water, so I assumed that seafood of any sort would be a win. BINGO! I had a fish dish served with a tropical pinapple sauce that was so good! As an appetizer, I tried their fried yucca with the delectable sauce that comes with. The prices are reasonable enough that you can get an app, and entree, and a dessert without breaking the bank while drinking the Dos Equis you bought at the convenient store next door. Not a bad deal in my book :D The Service: It's a family run place and absolutely everyone was super friendly aannndddd patient while I took ages to decide what to order. I can't wait to go back! Maybe, then, I'll update this review with actual detailed accounts of the awesome food.
(4)Brett B.
Love the lunch specials here. I always get whatever the daily special is and I've never been disappointed.
(5)Amy C.
Nashville has gone...Back to Cuba! Leave the southern meat and three behind and dig in to some of the best Cuban food north of Miami! I've tried several items from the Cuban sandwich (I get mine "lightly" toasted), to the Vaca Frita, but my FAVORITE dish (that has yet to be replicated ANYWHERE...and I must come here to get my fix) is the Churrasco. This is a simple, yet FLAVORFUL flat iron steak that is grilled and topped with the most amazing chimichurri sauce...YUM! This dish is served with a side of black beans, tostones (double fried plantains) and white rice (this rice is sooooo good, I could make of meal of it alone!) If my pic had smell-a-vision, you would be running Back to Cuba, not reading this review! :) Enjoy!
(4)Lyrad V.
Don't ask me why I ventured into this joint looking for jerk chicken because obviously this isn't Back to Jamaica Cafe. However, I was pleasantly surprised with this place. Not being very familiar with Cuban cuisine, I don't have much to compare to. I can't even remember the names of what we ordered, but I had a shrimp dish and my husband a pork dish both cooked in a supposedly spicy cajun sauce. It wasn't spicy to my taste, but tasted great nonetheless. Both were served with rice, a salad with tomato, onion, and avocado (yummy), and fried plantains. I loved the plantains. We went for an early dinner after work and before our softball games later that evening (not sure if a great idea at the time because the portions are plentiful), and so it wasn't crowded which was nice. The menu is short and listed on colored pieces of paper mounted on a cork board, and there are no substitutions. Nothing to be impressed about on the inside for sure. I'll definitely make my way back (not before a softball game in June however) and try the empanadas and sandwiches. The empanadas looked amazing, but we held back this visit! I do have to add that we actually went to this place at 8:45 one evening after our games (they close at 9), and they offered to "make us a sandwich" but we couldn't order anything that had to be cooked in the kitchen. We said no thanks, but gave it a second chance. It was definitely worth it.
(4)M L.
Having had Cuan food many times and mainly in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando I can confidently tell you this place is legit. They start you off with some toasted cuban bread, buttered to perfection-solid. My buddy order the Cubano which was a super nice looking sammy, and needless to say he ate every bit. He also had a side of Plantains which were perfect and had a nice crunch. I ordered the Shrimp in a spicy creole tomato sauce, it came with rice, tostones, beans, and salad. The shrimp vere perfectly cooked, beans were awesome, tostones great! This is a hidden gem. Make sure you also try the green hot sauce. Cheers!
(5)Tim G.
Wow a great hole in the wall! It would be very easy to miss this hidden gem. The food is great. A bit pricey but worth it.
(5)Tracy F.
Back to Cuba was one of my first meals in town when I moved to Nashville. Upon arriving, I almost turned around before even leaving the car--thank goodness I didn't! From the outside, it looks like a dingy hole in the wall found in a run-down strip mall. But once I entered, I was impressed by the small but complete menu of meats, chicken, fish, and all the traditional cuban side dishes. I ordered the fish special, which was an enormous piece of tilapia, simply prepared on the grill, with sides of rice, beans, and salad. Plantains were also on the menu as an accompaniment, but weren't present--this was the only sad part of my meal. Next time, I would also ask for the salad dressing to be on the side--the oil and vinegar-based dressing was heavily poured and left a pool around the entire plate. I learned that this is often typical in Cuban food restaurants, and given that we're in Nashville, the land of butter, oil, and lard, they tend to be even more heavy-handed. Regardless of all of this, the fish was delicious, and the rice and beans were enjoyable as well. My favorite part of the meal was, hands down, the bread--it was buttery, crispy, and chewy all at the same time. I'm salivating just thinking about it and can't wait to go Back to Cuba!
(4)Aaron D.
Just wonderful. There's a lot of hustle and soul in the folks who work at this little cafe. Props to Simon K. for recommending the chicken empanada. Fried fresh to order, it was an amazing treat and a real bargain at $1.50 each. I'll be getting at least a couple of these on my next visit. Other highlights? - The chimichurri sauce that came with the empanada and also was spread liberally on the churrasco steak. - The sweet, succulent plantains that came with my arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) - The large portion and tender chicken in aforementioned arroz con pollo (although the dish overall was a little mild for my tastes). - The delectable black beans that came with the churrasco. - The dense, enormous, not-too-sweet flan. - Strong and sweet Cubano coffee - Fresh and refreshing mango juice Drawbacks? - Seating is tight - No substitution policy with any of the sides (a little unusual for Nashville, but presumably meant to minimize confusion with the sole short order cook working furiously to churn out meals for the lunch crowd) - A little pricey by Nashville standards for a counter service restaurant -- lunch for two ran us ~$40 for two entrees (with sides), an empanada, a juice, a dessert and a coffee, including tax and tip. BUT this was for a huge amount of food (we took home leftovers) and more importantly, wonderful HIGH QUALITY food. Value-for-the-money is 5 STARS all the way.
(5)Sara L.
I've been here twice since I moved to town a bit ago. Its near my office which is nice and they are friendly and fast, which can make all the difference. I've had the ropa vieja and the grilled chicken dish. The ropa vieja was excellent--its one of my favorites and I really enjoyed this version. The chicken was good, with a squeeze of fresh lime that really made the dish. The black beans and rice were solid black beans and rice, and the plantains made a huge difference. A great option for a quick lunch and something a little different!
(4)Curtis H.
Don't let the sketchy strip this little gem is in scare you away. Sandwiches and entrees have all been great and fresh each time Ive stopped in. They can get pretty packed during lunch, but a group of 10 from my office was able to get in and out in an hour.
(3)Simon K.
Wow, first of all. It's a solid 4 stars. But I don't get the name, b/c how many tennesseans have been to Cuba to begin with? Anyways, the food wasn't good enough for me to buy a plane ticket to go down south, but I would go back to "back to Cuba." One of the more popular dishes in Cuban food are the pork sandwiches. However, I wouldn't suggest you get one here. The sandwich is made with deli sliced "Boar's Head" ham, which is really good quality stuff. But I'm used to my Cuban sandwiches made with cutlets of pork. So their Cuban sandwich doesn't taste very Cuban, but rather just like a hot ham panini sammich. BUT THAT'S OKAY. Cuz they do great with their other stuff. The chicken empanadas were humbling. I felt so grateful for being allowed to eat them. The Lamb was delicious. It's slow cooked to give your teeth a rest. I rank it high in revisitability (and yes, I just made up that word). I definitely had separation anxiety when I left. There were so many other things on the menu I wanted to try but didn't have the room for it. The important point to make here is that this place made my stomach smile. I know that's a gross visualization b/c stomachs don't have teeth nor do they make for attractive faces even if they could smile, but nonetheless my "tummy" said the food was yummy. Worth making a trip
(4)Sasha T.
I'll start this off like I have for other reviews I've written for Cuban restaurants. I was born and raised in Miami, so I have a pretty high bar for expectations when it comes to Cuban food. With that said, this place is pretty good! You get to start of your meal with Cuban bread(real Cuban bread!!!) toasted with garlic butter. Hard to go wrong with that . For a main meal I've had the Lechon Asado(roast pork) and Pechuga a la Plancha(grilled chicken) in all of its garlicky mojo goodness. Both have been tender, flavorful and delicious. All of the sides have also been very good. The beans with the black beans and rice are cooked perfectly. The yuca and sweet plantains are also worth ordering if they don't come with your meal, though it seems most of them come with some combination of these sides. I could probably eat a meal of the sides alone and be one very happy full person. The place is very small, but I've never been there when there has been a big crowd. It may be a tiny bit pricey especially if you are there for lunch, but you do get a lot of food. Also, if you're craving this place on Sundays or Mondays they are closed. If you have never had Cuban food you really need to go here and try it. It isn't 100% like home for me, but it is definitely good enough to satisfy my cravings and keep me coming back.
(4)Penelope A.
I am a super beautiful half Cuban gal from Miami. Is the food here authentic? Yes. And its absolutely delicious. Is the staff authentic? No, they are not actually Cuban but I guess it doesnt matter much. They are nice and the food is a good value. I recommend.
(4)Joanna F.
Now, I'm not an expert on Cuban food, but it makes my taste buds happy. This place can be hard to miss. It's located in a strip mall behind a gas station. There is limited seating. It maybe has 10 chairs? It is located right by the I-65. There is also a table reserved for playing games. Dominoes, I believe, and they have dominoes at the table For appetizer they serve bread. And let me tell you, it is so yummy. Always reminds me of that Pablo Neruda poem "Oda al pan (Ode to the Bread)" Yes, yes, I know he isn't cubano. I've had the Cuban sandwich (pretty good), tilapia with mango sauce (excellent), lechon asado (pretty good). The sides that I usually get are black beans, yucca, and plantains. For me, the lechon asado needs more flavor so I have to add hot sauce. It's different than the Filipino version I'm used to eating. Other things that are on their menu are smoothies and desserts. The mango smoothie is yummy. :] I've never tried their desserts. I know they have tres leches cake and flan. And maybe something else. It's a bit pricey. The tilapia tropical (mango chutney sauce on top) is about $13 -- one of the more expensive meals. The lechon asado is about $10? Something like that. When I go in, which is not too often, I look to pay about $12-15, which includes a tip. It's yummy and it's filling.
(4)John M.
As a foodie I've been wanting to try this place out. Went today for the first time. I'm ready for more! Right now! Pollo Asado was fantastic and the fried yucca was the best I've had. Love the fact that cell phones are not allowed (who wants to hear some loudmouths conversation). Co-worker had the Cubano sandwich and we both agreed it was one of the best we've had. Great bread makes this sandwich. The food was fresh and made to order as it should be and the Mango juice was very refreshing. I'll definitely be going back, and soon. Great food and great service.
(4)Zach G.
Cuban sandwich. Steak entree that I cannot pronounce very well. Either way you will leave so damn happy. Plus the Blackberry Milkshake (not made with ice cream, it's a cuban thing) is the best thing EVERY OMFG EAT IT NOW!!!!
(5)Rudi P.
After watching a Travel Channel special about Cubanos, I suddenly had a craving for one. After feverishly searching online for Cuban restaurants in Nashville, I found this restaurant cozily nestled in a strip mall. The atmosphere is quaint. It is extremely small (maybe three or four tables), so don't bring a huge group of people. It also looked like it had a small stage for a band there. Although there was no band playing while I was there, they had authentic Cuban music playing in the background and that was certainly nice. I was on a quest for a basic authentic Cubano, so that is what I ordered. It took probably about 30 minutes for my order, but it was well worth it. YUM YUM YUM!!!! The bread tasted like it was freshly made, warm and delicious. It was deliciously toasty on the outside and jam-packed with hot delicious meats, cheese and pickle on the inside. I can't wait to go back to try some of the other menu items! On a side note, don't bother ordering fries with the sandwich. I found my fries to be a stringy, overcooked and flavorless. Besides, the delicious Cubano is more than enough for one person by itself. Save the extra 1.50 to go towards another Cubano during your next visit. Enjoy!
(4)jamie w.
Being fortunate to have an amazing culture doesn't necessarily grant you culinary power. In this case, the cooks should go back to Cuba. I ordered the "Minuto". I should have thought a little longer than the name implies. It's basically a chicken- fried piece of smelly fish. I was more enthralled by the flavor of the chunky green salsa verde which I used as a dipping sauce to cover the taste. The ambiance is loud and echoey. The bathroom smells like rotten zapatos. It's only saving grace was the coffee. It's served in little espresso cups - very traditional and effective. While the coffee seemed to settle on my palate, I remembered Havana. I heard Buena Vista Social Club in my mind. But when I came to- I realized there was no music playing in this "Cuban" Dive. While on every street corner in Cuba is over flowing with music, this little cuban eatery lacked the very nature of it's name!!!!!! Ambiance - no stars Food- two stars. The coffee was redeemable.
(2)Howard L.
Inconsistent is too kind a word. I've had the lechon asado and yes, it is good: sometimes. Other times I've seen them reheat a chunk of pork on the flat top and serve it to me. Of course it was tough as hell and old tasting. Shameful. Their beans can be a revelation or a workout with your teeth. Yes, I've been served undercooked beans. Yucca is bland and boring. Their tostones could use some work. Jamaicaway does plantains better for sure. Cubano sandwhich is pretty good and very consistent. They have them pre-made in the case (they only need to be toasted), so if they're not there, they're out. Cuban coffee is magnificent. Order it when when you come in, even if you're getting your order to go. It only takes a second to drink. If you're getting it to go, remember to ask for bread.It's pretty tasty.
(3)Greg S.
Not being a cuban food authority this place is OK Using their rice and beans as a measurement I've had much better More like a lunch counter then a sit down. Service is quick and prices are reasonable
(3)Kristina D.
I'm part Cuban. I lived in Miami for many years before I moved to Nashville. I was sooooo glad to find this place. The food is very authentic and delicious!!! Two words people "Lechon Asado". Sometimes the plantains are a little hard (I prefer them soft and sticky), but the black beans are as good as you're going to get North of Miami Lakes, FL, with the exception of my house and Ybor City, near Tampa, FL. WHY?.... Because you probably wont find any north of Tampa except my house and Back To Cuba. Don't expect white table cloths... you wont find any in Miami or Cuba either. The mojo (pronounced mo-ho) sauce on the yucca is better than the bottled stuff I've had to settle for since leaving Miami. Arroz con pollo is my second favorite entree. The sandwiches are made with REAL cuban bread (which you cant find in any grocery store here in Nashville...Trust me, I've tried). Order to go if you don't want to eat there. BTW, Cuban food IS NOT the same as Mexican food... You've got to try this place. Te quiero Apoye a Cuba!
(5)Paul M.
Really great. Being Cuban Ive been spoiled by having some really good cuban sandwhiches in my life, so I can get a little snoody about them, and from the outside of this place and it being in Nashville, I was a little concerned. But once I walked in I knew the place was authentic. From the domino table to the staff to the menu, I could tell that it wasnt just a gimic. With that said I was hoping the food wouldnt disappoint, and it didnt. Woderful, wonderful, wonderful. Cuban sandwhich was a true cuban and all the food I saw looked great. It might be the only cuban place between chicago and miami, but totally worth stopping in if you get a chance.
(4)Janet S.
Finally got around to trying this because we were in the mood for pork beans and rice. It was adequate and satisfied the craving. Delicious starchy rice, yucca and pulled pork, salty but tasty - washed down with Tangerine Juice. I think there were 6 tables and 1 reserved for games. One portion was more than adequate to split with my husband. Friendly service, reasonably priced. Is it good? I don't know. My Colombian neighbor says it fills a gap.
(2)Robin S.
As a young Navy brat, I spent 3 years of my life in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and quickly grew to love everything about Cuban food. Back to Cuba is the real deal, folks. They are known for their pork, and I suggest you give it a try! The Cubano sandwich is just delicious--melty and fabulous. Today I had the arroz con pollo, which is equally tasty. Shredded chicken, yellow rice, peppers and onions, and topped with sweet plantains. Absolutely hit the spot! You can also get plantain chips, which are crunchy and wonderful. They also have a variety of sweet "shakes", and authentic Cuban soft drinks. Prices are moderate--my meal today ran me about $10, and that included a drink. You'll pay around $7 for sandwiches, $12 and up for entrees. The place isn't big and can get crowded right around lunchtime, but you can definitely get it to go! If you have never had Cuban food, give this a try--I guarantee you'll love it! Best I've had in years by a long shot!
(5)John G.
Another great example of Yelp exposing me to good food that I otherwise would not have tried. I went here for lunch today with a co-worker. I tried the arroz con pollo, which came with a side salad, and fried plantains. It was wonderful. The plantains were just slightly crispy on the edges which gave them some nice texture. The chicken and rice had a subtle flavor that I really enjoyed. My co-worker got the Cubano sandwich at the suggestion of another patron. He said it was a great sandwich and brought half of it back with him. The man behind the counter was rather gruff, but we all have bad days, so no worries there. I'd recommend this place to others, and encourage them not to be put off by the location or surroundings.
(4)Johnny N.
TIve been here a few times and I've never been too dissapointed by the food. I had the daily special today which was 'picadollo'. (Ground beef, potatoes, onions, and chillis). It came w fried bananers, black beans and rice. Rice was hard. But all was good. Their sandwiches are always good too. If I was in a major rush I'd call in your order - esp at lunch hour. Food isn't spicy but they have red & green sauces to add. Laid back atmosphere w/ mellow lighting. Cuban music playin. Owner has a Soup Nazi vibe.
(4)Pamela N.
Stopped here really quick to pick up a Cubano after arriving back in Nashville from vacation. It was 3pm on a Saturday and they had three tables eating and then my ToGo order. The staff was pleasant and got right on my order. The sandwich was tasty and warm. I can count the number of Cubanos that I have eaten on one hand, so it's authenticity can not be guaranteed from my review. It was tasty, hand made, and they are a small locally owned establishment. I would eat here again.
(4)Will C.
I'm rarely a negative restaurant reviewer, but in all my time here in Nashville, this was the worst experience I've had. I created this Yelp account specifically to write about this restaurant. My fish was undercooked and completely covered in lemon butter, which also smothered my salad since it was served on the same plate. They even burnt the rice! It was rock hard. We could taste the frost bite on the bread they served. My date's meal was equally as disappointing. A terrible meal for 2 for $35 was all I got. I hope they change their ways.
(1)Peter C.
Okay, the place redeemed itself, and now I feel compelled to give it a 5-stars to balance out the previous bland review, for an average of 4-stars, which is how I feel. The pan con bistec sandwich was huge, crunchy, delicious in all the right ways, and rivals the ones you buy on Washington Avenue near South Beach in Miami. Lechon asado was perfectly flavored this time with amazing rice and beans. I suppose the last visit they had a stand-in chef? But this place is respectable, with good food, and I am happier than ever I came back. Hooray for second chances!
(5)Caitlin D.
So fun! Food is super tasty! Save room for an authentic dessert!
(4)Peter M.
I wanted to like this. I need to accept the fact that Nashville is not a foodie town. Good ethnic food here is hard to come by (although not impossible: see e.g. Nolensville Rd). A lot of people on Yelp would find peace and loose a lot of bad attitude if they accepted this as well. I appreciated the yerba mate soda. But the plantains were not cooked right and the meat was really overcooked. The empanadas were ok. I have made better empanadas and I am not much of a cook. Le sigh.
(2)Kevin L.
Having lived in Key West for years, I expected the same Cuban cuisine from "Back to Cuba" given the high rating and rave reviews. I was very disappointed about every aspect of my visit, which started with a rude reception. The menu was a series of disorganized, neon colored cut-outs arranged anarchically across the wall. I ordered a Cubano, which is my favorite sandwich in the world, and an Iron Beer soda. The woman whom took our orders gave us our ticket leaving us to discern the ambiguous seating and payment arrangements. My sandwich was improperly pressed, too crisp, parsimoniously dressed with meat, cheese, and a couple pickles--not what I expected. The room temperature Iron Beer soda was the perfect accompaniment to the sandwich I ordered. Normally, I enjoy a Cafe con Leche, but I dared not order one from "Back to Cuba." I would not recommend this establishment to anyone, nor would I ever return. My visit was on a Saturday evening at 5:30.
(1)alexis g.
Of course this place is located in a random strip mall by the highway... conveniently located right next to a dry cleaner.. look out the window and enjoy the awesome gas-station views... Who cares. The food here is fantastic. I almost always get the lechon, but (as others have noted) the Cuban sandwiches are also fantastic. The lechon (like the other entrees) comes with beans and rice and plantains and is seriously a LOT of food for the price. You can easily get two or three meals out of one plate. Also worth mentioning: the yuca with mojo. I had never had yuca with mojo before but now I'm on a quest to have it wherever I go in a vain attempt to replicate the experience.
(5)Brad M.
I finally got to try this place yesterday and was beyond pleased. This seems to be as authentic as it gets. You know the food is gonna be good when it's a small place with a small menu. I got one of the daily specials, the Pezcado en salsa Tropical. It was a grilled whiting filet of fish in a mango salsa. It was amazing. Sweet but with a kick. The fish was a large piece too. It was served with yellow rice and one of all time favorite sides...sweet plantains. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Tom G.
Cuban food, done right. I feel like I'm in a different world when I go here. The papaya juice is out of this world! Fried plantains and black beans are heaven. One of my favorite places to eat in Nashville. They only take credit cards for orders over $10.
(5)Craig J.
My wife is Cuban, raised in lil Havana, and we recently moved here from Miami so we know Cuban food. Back to Cuba delivers from the iron beer (oh so cuban) to vaca frita all the way to the dominos table. It's like being at the Sergios in Miami without the high prices!!!
(5)Stephen M.
I spent most of my life as a Florida native so I have had my share of great Cuban food. Back to Cuba is OK but not great as many have mentioned. The Cuban sandwiches lack enough pork, enough fat on the pork, and the authentic hint of sour orange. The bread could be better as well. The other menu items are OK but again lack soul and authenticity. That being said the food is not bad just not great. This is the only Cuban place I know of in town and it is nice to go and be reminded of home. I think they have some room for improvement but overall it is a good place to get lunch.
(3)Lenny F.
These sandwiches are amazing - and so freaking hearty! Go. Eat. Enjoy.
(5)Art Q.
Maybe a little more expensive than I would like, but the food holds up for the price. The Cubano is great. I totally missed out on getting a milkshake, though. Next time, Gadget ... next time.
(3)Michael W.
This place is awesome! Great cuban sandwiches, milkshakes infused with topical fruit, braised and grilled meat of every variety, and the prices are really reasonable. What's not to like?
(5)Lauren S.
I've been twice, and it was pretty good both times. I like the plantains. I found a hair in my food last time, so that was a downer. If you haven't been before, just know that you order at the counter, then sit down and they bring you your food. You pay at the front counter at the end.
(3)E. D.
Back to Cuba Cafe is located beside a gas station in a strip small of sorts on Trousdale right off the 65S Harding Place exit. Given that intro., you might not think this is where you would likely find one of the best, most flavorful and affordable meals in Nashville - but it is. Back to Cuba serves amazing Cubano sandwiches, plantains, empanadas and poultry dishes. They feature daily specials and sell super yummy and super caffeine charged cuban coffee as well. Make the trip here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Mariela C.
The Back to Cuba Café is nothing fancy as a dining establishment but it's a great place to get Cuban take-out. Located in a non descript strip mall, I was more than excited the first time I visited. I'm not Cuban so I don't know how authentic it is, but I can tell you that as far as Cuban restaurants in the states go, it's a pretty great. If you have never tried Cuban food I suggest you go for the Lechón (pulled pork slowly cooked in delicious spices), and some good old black beans and rice. My #1 Latin Food obsession are fried plantains and in my many trips to the Back to Cuba Café I have had varied experienced - sometimes they are delicious, sometimes they are just ok. The previously mentioned Lechón, however, has always been absolutely fantastic. If food in Cuba is this good or better, it makes me want to steal a Coast Guard boat and break the embargo.
(4)Robert K.
I definitely like Back To Cuba. Being from Florida, I usually eat at Cuban restaurants all the time, however I have yet to find a good Cuban place in Nashville, until now. The food is pretty authentic, but lacks some of the authenticity that restaurants at home have. However, I think the food is really good and if you have never had Cuban food, you should give it a try. I don't know the correct spelling but I think the dish is called ropas veaijas, which translates to "old cloths" its basically steak, rice and beans all mixed together...so good!
(5)Tart L.
Refugees from Castro's communist oppression eat here, and their American friends. I always look in their case on top of the counter which holds little meat pies and other tapa-like yummies. The nice senora jefa is no amiga of Fidel or his brother Raul. Conveniently located in south Nashville. Best Cuban food in Tennessee.
(5)matt c.
When I got there, all the tables were taken. I was going to wait, but the guy behind the counter seemed pushy about getting me to order take-out. I told him I'd rather just wait for a table. He said that there was no empty table. I said that I knew that. He said that I couldn't wait inside the restaurant. I thanked him and said that I would be back. When I came back in five minutes, there was an empty table. And then, I had a feast. By accident. This "accident" was I grant you aided by the very real influence of a 20 oz. Heineken I BYO'd from a store in the same strip-mall (also had to help my date finish hers, of course). The palomilla was so good I had to eat it all, of course. And of course I had to eat all the plantains I ordered as a side dish. And, of course, dessert had to be followed by a caf cubano, a little dark coffee with sugar and hot milk. Well, the bill was bigger than I prophesied, but I felt so good I didn't care, at the time.
(4)