OK, one of the not "best kept secrets" in Melbourne. The cuban sandwhich shop.. all i can say is,........ OMG WTF! this place is a hole in the wall that you would drive right by if you didnt know it was there. Its was the old Dunkin Doughnuts building from years ago at the North end of Babcock Street, right across from DRS. If you want an authentic Cuban sandwhich, this is the place to go! The menu is vast for sandwiches, but its specialty is the CUBAN. The price is less than a Subway sub and is more than filling. There are two sizes, medium and large.. BEWARE! It comes with hot sauce, so if you don't have a stomach made of iron, I would tell 'em to go easy on the hot sauce. The staff is really great and the service is fast. The trick to this place is to get there early before 12pm, because it is packed at lunch. And i mean packed!! Lines out the door! Not much for decor but the food and the price is well worth the visit.
(4)
Debbi G.
Whenever I'm in Florida I make sure to stop here at least once. The best Cuban sandwiches around, awesome ham croquettes, and perfectly seasoned black beans & rice make this one of my favorite lunch spots. Add to that a friendly staff and it's 5 stars all the way. Thank you!
Outstanding Cuban sandwich. The pork is great, and the bread is the best! My daughter used to live near here and this was her favorite lunch place. Only open until 4pm. This is our second visit in 3 days, so it must be good!
(5)
Mason S.
The Cuban sandwiches are great here, and so are the beans (I prefer the red, but others I know like the black). Watch out, this place gets really crowded at lunch, and the person behind the counter is also answering the phone for people calling in orders, so it can be slow.
(4)
Susan M.
Maduros (sweet plantains), tostones (fried plantains), tamales, and papa rellenos (fried mashed potato ball with ground beef) are excellent. Empanadas (beef filled pastries) are good too. I didn't care for the Cuban sandwich though, but I'm not a huge fan of pork anyway. I would recommend trying a little of everything until you discover your favorites. Don't forget to ask for a side of their homemade hot sauce.
(4)
Navin R.
I've had the hardest time finding a good Cuban sandwich until I found this place. The lunch specials are great! The atmosphere definitely makes you feel like you're in a Cuban restaurant.
(5)
Lee B.
This is the third Cuban I have had since I have entered the state of Florida. Let me just tell you, this place is spot on. The sandwich was delicious. Melbourne may be out of the way for some but if you are in town you have to check this place out. Very authentic and down to the dirty washroom restroom.
(5)
James R.
This place by far has the best Cuban Sandwich north of the Miami area. The bread is perfect, the pork succulent and the mojo is to die for. If you are a purest and aren't into a citrus/garlic kick, get the mojo on the side. An order of Black Beans & Rice with a fountain drink will round out your meal at $11.00 and you better be Hungry if you plan on finishing all that food! I come to Melbourne FL once or twice a year and eat here almost every other day.
(5)
Mark C.
Awesome, authentic Cuban sandwiches. The pork was slow cooked and very moist. And the sandwich was loaded with flavor.
(4)
Keith B.
Nice spot for a cuban sandwich. It was my first one so I can't compare it to other cuban sandwiches, but it sure was big and tasty for $8.
(4)
Luis A.
To start, I have a complaint when it regards to this establishment, a bigger portion! Now I say that respectfully and with much love. Why? Because the food was delicious! I've been in the area several times and had not had the chance to stop in. This last time I made it a point to come in and sample the fare. I purchased white rice, black beans, maduros and pork. I'm not used to chopped pork and it being my first time I was pleasently surprised. The food was great, the pork juicy and delicious, the maduros had that perfect blend of sweet and a little tart. The place was clean and the staff professional. Their hotsauce is delicious, but the recipe is abuelita's secret! Check out the Humidor! Good finds in there if you like that sort of thing. I also ordered a pretty decent Cuban Sandwich. Before someone screams foul! Let me say that I lived in Miami for many years and I'm just partial to the version made in my old home town. Finally, a bigger portion! Although I was satisfied with the food I just wanted to eat myself into a coma!!! Do yourself a favor, just stop in, 'Nuff Said!
(4)
David S.
The best Cuban Sandwich I've ever had. I am by no means an expert, but this place screams authenticity. Friendly service. Not really a sit down dine in type of place, but when you want a Cuban quick this is the spot.
(5)
Staci B.
My mom decided that she was going to have a full Cuban dinner in Melbourne, but needed Cuban bread to go with it. After a long hunt (and some trial and error with things that claimed to be Cuban bread but weren't), I came across The Cuban Sandwich. I called and was able to place an order for multiple loaves of bread to be picked up the following day, and my dad was looking forward to a Cuban sandwich for lunch. After reading the reviews, I felt optimistic and thought that this might just be a hidden gem. We picked up our bread, which smelled and tasted delicious. I ordered an espresso, which, despite being more expensive than I'm used to, tasted jut like home, and a Cuban sandwich to go. I'm a Miami girl that knows what a good Cuban sandwich is and it definitely wasn't found here. The bread was delicious and the recipe seemed spot on, however, the pork seemed to be shredded and the sandwich itself just didn't taste right. It was salty, squishy, and all around a disappointment. I had my hopes up that I had finally found a go-to Cuban place in Melbourne, but the search is still on.
(2)
Dartagnion P.
Best Cuban restaurant around! If you want authentic, fast, inexpensive Cuban food this place is it! Thursday's they have a special home made meal for lunch!
(4)
Chef J J.
We drove by on our way to the Botanical Gardens and made a quick U turn to go back. What a lucky find this place was! Husband went in to order take out and it was well worth the wait! This was the best Cuban sandwich I've had in years! I can't comment on the interior or dining room as I waited in the car but if I'm ever in Central Florida again I'd drive out of the way to go back for another perfect Cuban sandwich!
(5)
Mike M.
Cuban sandwich does not disappoint. Staff is friendly restaurant is quaint. The hours of operation leave something to be desired.
(5)
Jamie W.
Oh my gosh this place is unbelievable!!! The best Cuban I have ever had in my life! Being a Pittsburgher it isn't real common in my area but WOW!! Now I see what the fuss is all about! Will definitely be having it again before I leave! Empanadas were out of this world also! Wish I had extra thumbs to give them more than 2 thumbs up! Yumm!!!
(5)
Mr B.
Interesting place. Cuban sandwiches and cigars made on site. I enjoyed them both!
(4)
Shannon D.
If this place was called the Black beans and rice shop I would be posting they nailed it! The black beans and rice was out of this world especially when adding the hot sauce they make at that location. I posted a picture of my food- it had good presentation. I am noting that the day of my visit was a Saturday but I found the pork to be rather dried out on my sandwich and quite honestly lacking some really solid flavor and seasoning I was hoping I would find. I am admittedly happy that I tried it however I would not go out of my way to go back unless I was dying for some beans and rice.
(3)
Hunter M.
Small place with big sandwiches... It's no fine dining establishment but they have the best Cuban Sandwich in town, hands down. Limited hours of operation, so they're usually crowded for lunch. Good lunch specials, and great black beans & rice, great hot sauce too! They also sell loaves of their real Cuban bread which is awesome. The only reason it's not rated higher is their Cafecito and Cafe con Leche could be better. But other than that, you can't go wrong for lunch here.
(4)
Rachel F.
This is the best Cuban Sandwhich in the area. I've had the opportunity to sample many, and this one is the best! The pork is juicy and full of flavor. You also have the opportunity of adding extra meat, $1 for the small and $2 for the large. The regular has a decent amount, but the extra just puts it over the top in awesomeness! Don't forget to try their own hot sauce too! The black beans and rice is some of the best I've had, make sure to get it. The Thursday special is la ropa veija, which my friend always gets and says it is the bees knees! Comes with the meat, black beans and rice, some plantains, and some bread. Looks delicious! Overall, you need to give this place a try. As I am writing this I am eating my leftover Sandwhich and definitely did not regret my last stop.
(5)
Brandon S.
Despite the inconvenient road construction surrounding the location, this place is a slam dunk. The exterior doesn't showcase the quaint, well-kept cafe interior. Friendly, quick service for eat-in or take-out. I had the standard, whole Cuban sandwich, which was delicious but a bit pricey since you don't get a side (with a soda it came to $11). In their defense I saved half of it for later. Soda and coffee only, no beer or wine. It's essentially a lunch-only restaurant, since they close at 4p everyday. It's worth checking out, but I enjoyed Rollie's (also in Melbourne, off 192) much more in comparison.
(3)
L M.
Had the sandwich with pulled pork as recommended by the host. Perfectly crusted toasted bread with a yummy combination of items inside. Black beans and rice nicely spiced. Pleasantly surprised. Highly recommend.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Connie W.
OK, one of the not "best kept secrets" in Melbourne. The cuban sandwhich shop.. all i can say is,........ OMG WTF! this place is a hole in the wall that you would drive right by if you didnt know it was there. Its was the old Dunkin Doughnuts building from years ago at the North end of Babcock Street, right across from DRS. If you want an authentic Cuban sandwhich, this is the place to go! The menu is vast for sandwiches, but its specialty is the CUBAN. The price is less than a Subway sub and is more than filling. There are two sizes, medium and large.. BEWARE! It comes with hot sauce, so if you don't have a stomach made of iron, I would tell 'em to go easy on the hot sauce. The staff is really great and the service is fast. The trick to this place is to get there early before 12pm, because it is packed at lunch. And i mean packed!! Lines out the door! Not much for decor but the food and the price is well worth the visit.
(4)Debbi G.
Whenever I'm in Florida I make sure to stop here at least once. The best Cuban sandwiches around, awesome ham croquettes, and perfectly seasoned black beans & rice make this one of my favorite lunch spots. Add to that a friendly staff and it's 5 stars all the way. Thank you!
(5)Mark P.
I didn't have much luck here. If you go at lunch there's an awkward slow line to the front door with people standing on top of each other. The menu is very limited, I asked for yucca frita, for example, but they didn't serve it. The maduros I ordered instead tasted like they were sitting around for a while... I had the Cuban sandwich, their specialty. It was good and a generous helping, but the bread is huge, a bit out of proportion to the meat. They ticked me off with their espresso: despite this place having an "authentic" Cuban feel, they don't serve Cuban espresso (cafecito or Colada), because a founding relative was against sugar in coffee, yet they serve café con leche? Then they made the espresso with a push button machine and a premeasured packet, and stirred in the sugar after the fact - if you're going to be a purist about espresso, they at least use a real espresso machine. There's a restaurant off New Haven Ave I prefer for Cuban.
(2)Brian H.
Outstanding Cuban sandwich. The pork is great, and the bread is the best! My daughter used to live near here and this was her favorite lunch place. Only open until 4pm. This is our second visit in 3 days, so it must be good!
(5)Mason S.
The Cuban sandwiches are great here, and so are the beans (I prefer the red, but others I know like the black). Watch out, this place gets really crowded at lunch, and the person behind the counter is also answering the phone for people calling in orders, so it can be slow.
(4)Susan M.
Maduros (sweet plantains), tostones (fried plantains), tamales, and papa rellenos (fried mashed potato ball with ground beef) are excellent. Empanadas (beef filled pastries) are good too. I didn't care for the Cuban sandwich though, but I'm not a huge fan of pork anyway. I would recommend trying a little of everything until you discover your favorites. Don't forget to ask for a side of their homemade hot sauce.
(4)Navin R.
I've had the hardest time finding a good Cuban sandwich until I found this place. The lunch specials are great! The atmosphere definitely makes you feel like you're in a Cuban restaurant.
(5)Lee B.
This is the third Cuban I have had since I have entered the state of Florida. Let me just tell you, this place is spot on. The sandwich was delicious. Melbourne may be out of the way for some but if you are in town you have to check this place out. Very authentic and down to the dirty washroom restroom.
(5)James R.
This place by far has the best Cuban Sandwich north of the Miami area. The bread is perfect, the pork succulent and the mojo is to die for. If you are a purest and aren't into a citrus/garlic kick, get the mojo on the side. An order of Black Beans & Rice with a fountain drink will round out your meal at $11.00 and you better be Hungry if you plan on finishing all that food! I come to Melbourne FL once or twice a year and eat here almost every other day.
(5)Mark C.
Awesome, authentic Cuban sandwiches. The pork was slow cooked and very moist. And the sandwich was loaded with flavor.
(4)Keith B.
Nice spot for a cuban sandwich. It was my first one so I can't compare it to other cuban sandwiches, but it sure was big and tasty for $8.
(4)Luis A.
To start, I have a complaint when it regards to this establishment, a bigger portion! Now I say that respectfully and with much love. Why? Because the food was delicious! I've been in the area several times and had not had the chance to stop in. This last time I made it a point to come in and sample the fare. I purchased white rice, black beans, maduros and pork. I'm not used to chopped pork and it being my first time I was pleasently surprised. The food was great, the pork juicy and delicious, the maduros had that perfect blend of sweet and a little tart. The place was clean and the staff professional. Their hotsauce is delicious, but the recipe is abuelita's secret! Check out the Humidor! Good finds in there if you like that sort of thing. I also ordered a pretty decent Cuban Sandwich. Before someone screams foul! Let me say that I lived in Miami for many years and I'm just partial to the version made in my old home town. Finally, a bigger portion! Although I was satisfied with the food I just wanted to eat myself into a coma!!! Do yourself a favor, just stop in, 'Nuff Said!
(4)David S.
The best Cuban Sandwich I've ever had. I am by no means an expert, but this place screams authenticity. Friendly service. Not really a sit down dine in type of place, but when you want a Cuban quick this is the spot.
(5)Staci B.
My mom decided that she was going to have a full Cuban dinner in Melbourne, but needed Cuban bread to go with it. After a long hunt (and some trial and error with things that claimed to be Cuban bread but weren't), I came across The Cuban Sandwich. I called and was able to place an order for multiple loaves of bread to be picked up the following day, and my dad was looking forward to a Cuban sandwich for lunch. After reading the reviews, I felt optimistic and thought that this might just be a hidden gem. We picked up our bread, which smelled and tasted delicious. I ordered an espresso, which, despite being more expensive than I'm used to, tasted jut like home, and a Cuban sandwich to go. I'm a Miami girl that knows what a good Cuban sandwich is and it definitely wasn't found here. The bread was delicious and the recipe seemed spot on, however, the pork seemed to be shredded and the sandwich itself just didn't taste right. It was salty, squishy, and all around a disappointment. I had my hopes up that I had finally found a go-to Cuban place in Melbourne, but the search is still on.
(2)Dartagnion P.
Best Cuban restaurant around! If you want authentic, fast, inexpensive Cuban food this place is it! Thursday's they have a special home made meal for lunch!
(4)Chef J J.
We drove by on our way to the Botanical Gardens and made a quick U turn to go back. What a lucky find this place was! Husband went in to order take out and it was well worth the wait! This was the best Cuban sandwich I've had in years! I can't comment on the interior or dining room as I waited in the car but if I'm ever in Central Florida again I'd drive out of the way to go back for another perfect Cuban sandwich!
(5)Mike M.
Cuban sandwich does not disappoint. Staff is friendly restaurant is quaint. The hours of operation leave something to be desired.
(5)Jamie W.
Oh my gosh this place is unbelievable!!! The best Cuban I have ever had in my life! Being a Pittsburgher it isn't real common in my area but WOW!! Now I see what the fuss is all about! Will definitely be having it again before I leave! Empanadas were out of this world also! Wish I had extra thumbs to give them more than 2 thumbs up! Yumm!!!
(5)Mr B.
Interesting place. Cuban sandwiches and cigars made on site. I enjoyed them both!
(4)Shannon D.
If this place was called the Black beans and rice shop I would be posting they nailed it! The black beans and rice was out of this world especially when adding the hot sauce they make at that location. I posted a picture of my food- it had good presentation. I am noting that the day of my visit was a Saturday but I found the pork to be rather dried out on my sandwich and quite honestly lacking some really solid flavor and seasoning I was hoping I would find. I am admittedly happy that I tried it however I would not go out of my way to go back unless I was dying for some beans and rice.
(3)Hunter M.
Small place with big sandwiches... It's no fine dining establishment but they have the best Cuban Sandwich in town, hands down. Limited hours of operation, so they're usually crowded for lunch. Good lunch specials, and great black beans & rice, great hot sauce too! They also sell loaves of their real Cuban bread which is awesome. The only reason it's not rated higher is their Cafecito and Cafe con Leche could be better. But other than that, you can't go wrong for lunch here.
(4)Rachel F.
This is the best Cuban Sandwhich in the area. I've had the opportunity to sample many, and this one is the best! The pork is juicy and full of flavor. You also have the opportunity of adding extra meat, $1 for the small and $2 for the large. The regular has a decent amount, but the extra just puts it over the top in awesomeness! Don't forget to try their own hot sauce too! The black beans and rice is some of the best I've had, make sure to get it. The Thursday special is la ropa veija, which my friend always gets and says it is the bees knees! Comes with the meat, black beans and rice, some plantains, and some bread. Looks delicious! Overall, you need to give this place a try. As I am writing this I am eating my leftover Sandwhich and definitely did not regret my last stop.
(5)Brandon S.
Despite the inconvenient road construction surrounding the location, this place is a slam dunk. The exterior doesn't showcase the quaint, well-kept cafe interior. Friendly, quick service for eat-in or take-out. I had the standard, whole Cuban sandwich, which was delicious but a bit pricey since you don't get a side (with a soda it came to $11). In their defense I saved half of it for later. Soda and coffee only, no beer or wine. It's essentially a lunch-only restaurant, since they close at 4p everyday. It's worth checking out, but I enjoyed Rollie's (also in Melbourne, off 192) much more in comparison.
(3)L M.
Had the sandwich with pulled pork as recommended by the host. Perfectly crusted toasted bread with a yummy combination of items inside. Black beans and rice nicely spiced. Pleasantly surprised. Highly recommend.
(5)