Good food , very nice atmosphere, really enjoyed our meal
(4)
Brian C.
This place was pretty damn good, but the food type just isn't my style. The overall group opinion was "excellent". They just need to get a slightly better location (it's tucked into a strip mall). Oh, and they make a mojito like drink.... Get it!
(4)
Angie S.
The food was so fantastic I can't wait to go back. The mojito's were delicious and not something I would ordinarily get, but can't wait to have them again. Dinner was so delicious we packed up half to save room for dessert and I am glad we did. The tres leches was the best I have ever had. The service was OK, but the food was some of the best I've had. I highly recommend it.
(4)
Natiya T.
Excellent service, friendly staff, great food. Worth the drive from dc.
(4)
Joyce K.
so glad my buddies took me to this place...great choice! the place is much nicer inside than out (behind a liquor store in a strip mall). i had a mojito, which was EXCELLENT. i think i would come back just for the mojito, to be honest. i got the lechon asado (pork) dish...tender, simple but tasty seasoning. i had it with the rice and beans. a few morsels of sweet plantains made for a nice juxtaposition with the saltiness of the pork. this was the BEST food i've had outside my house in weeks! i am definitely coming back here...would be worth the trip.
(4)
Duncan S.
Pan con asada was fantastic. The yuca frita's were deeper fried then I typically liked but still very good.
(4)
Bryan A.
My partner is Cuban, and I absolutely love Cuban food, but we haven't had much success finding a decent Cuban restaurant in the area. After discovering this hidden gem, however, I think our search might be over! Today, a friend and I enjoyed a delicious, leisurely lunch at Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville. The place is a total hole in the wall -- I almost drove right past it -- but once we went in and sat down, we were so glad we had made the effort to find it. To set the proper mood, my friend ordered a mojito, while I got a glass of sangria. The mojito was cool and refreshing, though a little pricey at $8, while the sangria was sweet and fruity. So far, so good! For appetizers, we split a triple order of empanadas -- one beef, one chicken, and one cheese. The cheese one was bland but serviceable, but the chicken one was tender and flavorful, and the beef one was juicy and delicious, and definitely our favorite. We also split a papa rellena, which was fantastic. Our entrees included the shrimp al ajillo, which was garlicky goodness defined, and the lechon asado, which was tender, moist, and succulent. The shrimp came with a salad that REALLY left a lot to be desired... it consisted of a few wilted lettuce leaves, and two unripened tomato slices. So, a letdown there. But really, who cares about the side salad? We both also got tostones, and we both thought they were dry and not that great. Thankfully, the black beans and rice more than made up for those two minor disappointments. All in all, not only would I absolutely go back to Cuba de Ayer, but I can't wait to take my partner there to get his take on the place.
(4)
Simy C.
Being from Miami originally I am always in search of authentic Cuban food in the area. Cuba de Ayer was delicious and very authentic. We went for my birthday last week and they comped my dessert, a very delicious tres leches. I ordered the ropa vieja and it was well seasoned and yummy. My husband ordered the masitas de puerco and he told me they were awesome. Worth the 30 minute drive from DC and will definitely buy another gift certificate from restaurants.com for it
(4)
Ji K.
Went here for Sunday lunch (but you'll be paying dinner menu prices). It was a very mixed meal. About half the items ordered were good but the other half...eh...so 3 stars for me. The good: chicken empanadas - should have tried the beef version as well...good flavor and texture sandwich Cubano - comes out very crispy and hot (temperature wise) plantains - both the salty and sweet versions were good Disappointing: papa rellena - nice and crispy but bland Ropa Vieja - the meat too tough and served too close to room temperature (is it supposed to be?) boliche - much better than Ropa Vieja but still a bit tough and not served hot enough
(3)
Michael S.
Yelp, this one is wrong. Bland, bland, bland. No flavor. Based on waitress recommendation, ordered a pork chop. Said it was best on menu. Not worth time or taste buds. Again, I may have just ordered wrong.
(2)
Emily R.
If it wasn't for Yelp, I never would have discovered Cuba de Ayer. What a find! Who would think that in industrial Burtonsville behind a liquor store and hair salon lies such a great restaurant. Walking through the door, you'd think you've warped to another level of Mario. No seriously, it's really nice on the inside - very modern decor, even in the bathroom! Came here too late for the "lunch" menu. They have the same dishes for lunch and dinner but different prices (and portions I suppose). I order the picadillo with moros y cristianos (seasoned rice and beans) and platanos maduros (sweet plantains). My dish included ground beef with potato chunks, raisins, and green olives - so very tasty! Great seasoning. Our food came out of the kitchen right after we ordered it. I will definitely be back to try more on the menu!
(4)
Belinda B.
Good food. Good coffee. Good Service. I will be back and I plan to bring my friends.
(4)
Myaa V.
This is one of my favorite places to eat. The appetizers are great and good to share. My favorite entree is the ropa vieja which is saucy and filling. I recently tried the Pernil and LOVED it! The drinks and tres leches are also fantastic. The waiters are friendly and I have never had my order wrong. This place NEVER lets me down!
(5)
Lauren K.
Best Cuban food in the area. I'm from Baltimore, so definitely worth the drive from time to time. The mojitos are fabulous. My go-tos are the Ropa Vieja and the Picadillo. This was my husband's first cuban food. Hands down his favorite type of food now. I just wish it was closer to Baltimore! :)
(5)
Ernest P.
---2.5stars-- Was really expecting a hole in the wall with the other reviews and the location. It wasn't so bad as the room was dark and the art work and photographs give that old school cuban feel. thus had high expectations for the food. Ordered the Fri
(3)
Dak F.
This time I went for the entrees. Disappointed. The dishes had all the tell tale signs of a heat lamp. I found the flavors to be bland and very dry. The chistoras de puerco were completely unseasoned. The tostones were good, and I will return, but only for the cubano sandwhich.
(2)
Jackie B.
Super Tasty, Super Friendly, Extremely Reasonable. I'm really big on the fried plantains and the chimicangas here. Sometimes they have someone walking around with a guitar and serenating customers with Spanish songs. Pretty awesome.
(4)
Carl T.
I love this place!
(4)
Andrew K.
So I always pass by this restaurant on my way to work and I decided to give it a try. Restaurant.com also has a $25 coupon if you order a minimum of $35 and that coupon cost me only $4 so I had to give it a try. I went with a friend and we decided to order 3 entrees and 2 appetizers... there were no leftovers at the end of the night. First, the sign and the building outside look a little run down but inside, it is pretty clean and they have comfortable booths on the sides to sit on. We started with the beef empanadas which was really good and the shrimp camarones which was basically shrimp in garlic sauce which was ok. We shared the ropa vieja, lechon asado and the bistec. All the entrees come with a rice and beans separately or mixed and fried or sweet plantains. I preferred the sweet plaintains but the crispy ones were pretty good too. The ropa vieja was a little too salty and I was disappointed and the bistec was so so. The lechon asado was really good so that made me happy. Overall, I would say the cuban food here is decent and some dishes were better than others.
(3)
Eddie P.
Great food,friendly staff,very very reasonable prices I love this place
(5)
Elizabeth S.
Tasty and authentic. Lunch is the better deal.
(4)
T L.
This place was oh so good and amazing! It is located in what seems like the middle of nowhere. The service was great and he was able to explain the items on the menu and make terrific recommendations. My table shared the beef empanadas which were made with raisins and olives inside! Just how my Argentine host family used to make them when I studied abroad! So here I'm thinking, this is LEGIT stuff! Who cares that Argentina and Cuba are probably thousands of miles away? =) The server asked if we enjoyed the empanadas and I was the first one to praise how wonderful it was. He informed me that the dish I ordered, the Picadillo is very similar. You have no idea how excited I was. When our entrees came out, they definitely met and went beyond my expectations. Maybe you already saw this coming but I highly recommend the Picadillo. The Ropa Vieja was also yummy. It is a typical Cuban dish made with shredded beef. There are a few sides that you can select to accompany your entree. I preferred my rice and beans separate. And when my boyfriend tasted mine, he agreed it was better than mixing them together. I usually don't like beans, but Cuba de Ayer does it right. You also had the choice of getting the sweet or salty plantains. I didn't try the sweet ones but I did enjoy the salty ones- almost reminds me of chips because it was very crispy. Open a restaurant closer to my home please!
(5)
Tom S.
On a whim, decided to stop in since I love cuban food. The atmosphere was upbeat playing spanish type music. The decor was in rich tones, though I could tell that updates should be considered soon. I ordered the Pernil (roasted pork dressed with onions) and one each of the beef and chicken empanadas. Loved the empanadas, especially the beef. The outside pastry had a sweetness to it and the meat inside was seasoned well and juicy. The Pernil was very good, too. The pork was a bit dry and had a bit too much salt for my taste, but otherwise I enjoyed it. I will return to try more dishes.
(4)
Dimitri P.
Visited this restaurant for the fist time this Saturday. The appearance of the local exemplifies the definition of hole in the wall. However, once inside it is easy to see that a lot of pride was put into the place. The place was very clean and well decorated. Now to the most important part, the food and drinks. The mojitos are prepared fresh and the traditional way. No out of the box mix. A bit more rum would make them perfect. The mango martini was also really good. The menu fare is very traditional. I had the "bistec de palomillo with rice, black frijoles and tostones" The quality of the food was very authentic and flavorful. The food is definitely top notch. The service staff was courteous and attentive. Very close to earning five starts!!!!
(4)
Ismael M.
finding this place was pure luck. thank you gps!! great food , friendly and very informative staff
(5)
Bryan G.
great cuban, but pricey
(4)
Shieva R.
Its been a while since I've been here. The food was good, nothing spectacular, I really enjoyed my mojito though. I found out on my visit that it's family run, out waiter was incredibly friendly and helped out a lot when it came to ordering (I haven't had many experiences with Cuban food).
(4)
Daniel A.
The boliche is best in my book. The picadillo had raisins, not a big fan, they could've warned me. The Cuban coffee ( espresso) is maybe the only thing non-authentic, but the boliche is remarkable.
(4)
Andres P.
Came here with my wife because we got a coupon from Google Offers. For appetizer we had croquetas de jamon, one beef empanada and one cheese. They were all delicious and exactly as I remember from back home. For dinner I had the ropa vieja with the con gris and tostones and my wife had the biftec empanado with the red beans and tostones. I was on cloud nine. The quality of the cooking is top notch but soulful and approachable. For dessert we had a flan and a tres leches. All clearly home made by someone who understands their sweets. I can't wait to visit again!
(5)
Ali D.
omg, this place is amazing. Not what you would expect from a strip mall headed by a liquor store but they have amazing food. The inside is dimly lit and very romantic. Order the beans and rice separate. Nice tasty and with excellent customer service.
(5)
Kate M.
Cuba de Ayer has amazing food and service. If you remotely like mojitos, try theirs and savor it! All of the food here is wonderful, especially the appetizer sampler, beans, yuca fries, and ropa vieja. I am normally not someone who would get an full entree, appetizer, dessert and drink....but here, I make an exception because it is that delicious! Almost all of the menu items have meat in them- just an FYI for vegetarians out there.
(5)
Amanda H.
Worth the hype. Delicious, succulent meat dishes, and appetizers are prepared with care. Good service; nice ambiance. Have only been once, but going back for sure.
(4)
Joey H.
Wonderful! The service was wonderful. Always helpful and assisted whenever needed. Looking for a worthy place to eat all week here in Maryland. I passed on the appetizer because I wanted to leave room for the entree. Partially my fault for lunch and dinner being so close to each other. With my fountain drink Coke, I ordered Lechon Asada served with grilled onions, white rice and black beans on the side. And a little extra yum food is Fried Sweet Plantains (little bananas). You could mix the rice with the black beans, but I chose not to because I'd be picking out the beans. My entree was ok without the black bean sauce. After a 1/3 of my meal, I drizzled spoonfuls of black bean sauce over my meal and the taste buds salivated. I decided to add more sauce and it turned into a cuban style pork adobo. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Definitely, TUMMY FULL! Lastly, the price is so affordable. They serve more than one should eat. Although we didn't take home any of our food because we finished our meals, everyone we passed while leaving had to-go boxes. JUST EAT IT!
(5)
kate s.
This place is amazing! Great decor, delicious food and supurb staff. Everytime we go here we love it and bring along anyone we can knowing they will fall in love with this place as well. The food is just outstanding and have never been disappointed with anything and I've been here maybe a dozen times. The tostones are my favorite any my husband swears by the vaca frita- he gets it every single time we go there. Highly recommended and you will definitely be satisfied!
(5)
Lauren A.
I work at the school behind this restaurant, so I'm here a lot. It's a bit pricey, but if you go for lunch, it's more reasonable. For entrees, I love the ropa vieja and the picadillo. My only complaint is that the ropa vieja can be a little salty. Both the sweet and the salty plantains are great, and the rice and beans here are amazing. The ham croquettes are nice if you want a bite-size appetizer (I usually eat them as I walk from the restaurant back to school). Finally, the mojitos are perfect - sweet and refreshing (though of course I don't get those in the middle of the school day!).
(5)
Mari W.
I love this place. My first time eating Cuban food was right here at Cuban de Ayer. The amibance of this place, customer service and especially the FOOD is sooo good. This place has never failed me. They are a 4 star instead of 5 because the food to me is a little pricey and the place is small but on the other hand there are always coupons available online or through groupon. Im going back soon to get my free birthday dessert soon:)
(4)
Christian G.
Absolutely awesome. Delicious food, warm and friendly service and great drinks. I have had very few items that weren't awesome. There was a mojito that was way to minty but the tropical margherita was perfect. The ham croquettes were a bit strange, but not bad.
My first time at Cuba de Ayer...The one vegetarian meal offered was very good- boiled yuca (alternatively, you can have it fried), white rice, black beans, fried platanos. Food quality is high. Service was very good (midweek, it was not crowded). My dinner partner loved her food- a pork-based meal. The only disappointment was a lack of authentic Cafe Cubano- their offering was a bitter, poorly flavored espresso, without espuma- a restaurant serving good authentic Cuban meals should serve a good Cafe Cubano. Look beyond the lackluster exterior and order. I will return, but will skip the Cafe Cubano.
(3)
Ron D.
Had a Capitol Deal coupon and headed over to Cuba de Ayer last nite to try it for the first time. It was Friday and prime dinner time and there was a wait for 30-45 minutes. It was actually a little shorter than that but you can call ahead for reservations. Cute little restaurant and comfy decor but a tough waiting area so call ahead and get your reservation. Started with a couple of superb Mojitos and appetizers (Empanada and Pap Rellena) that were delicious. Main course arrived and was WONDERFUL!! We ordered the Lechon Asado and Picadillo. Arroz Blanco w/ Black Beans along with Moros Y Cristianos and Yuca con Mojo Criollo. Suggest the Platanos Maduros Style for a touch of sweet with your entree. Of course a little extra mojo. We could have eaten it all as it was so very, very good but would have been stuffed and we wanted to split a dessert. Bring on the Tres Leches along with a Cuban Coffee and it was a complete SUCCESS!! The staff was extremely pleasant and it was extremely clean. The busboys were Wizards with his broom and the overall service was very, very good. A Family Restaurant that takes great pride and it shows. A little hard to find but well worth it. i used to really enjoy Cuban food when I lived in the Tampa area and it's exciting to find such a good choice so close to home. Can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu.
(5)
Julie R.
My friend and I decided to try this place after reading the reviews. I am not familiar with the area, so I plugged the address into my GPS and off we went. Well, there is so many new roads near there that my GPS kept taking us in circles. We decided to just get on Old Columbia Pike and just drive. Watch carefully, it's very easy to miss the place. It's very small and the name of the restaurant is blended with other businesses. We were a bit unsure but felt better once we stepped inside. The place is sparkling clean and the smells coming from the kitchen were delicious. We both ordered drinks, I can't recall the name but they were delicious. It looked like "sex on the beach". It had peach schnapps and some other things. We ordered Papa Rellena and an Empanada filled with chicken. Both were delicious, flavorful and the chicken was not dry at all - seemed to be all white meat. I had the Bistec Empanizado. Delicious. We had plantains, both tostones and maduros. Delicious. The rice and beans were wonderful. We also ordered a side of fried yuca. My friend ordered the Masitas de Puerco Fritas. So tender and delicious. She then had to try the flan. She said it was very very good (I am not a fan of the flan). Absolutely worth the drive out there. Excellent service and food. Even the restrooms were very clean, we saw a guy go in there twice to clean while we were there!
(5)
T M.
Restaurant quality has gone down as the restaurant has become more popular. I ordered a lunch portion of Camarones al Ajillo. I was shocked when 6 shrimp arrived taking up 1/3 of the platter. The rice was 1/3 an inch on the plate. The appetizer is 5 shrimp so I was confused how the lunch portion could only be 1 shrimp for for $5 additional dollars. This will be my last time visiting this restaurant. Additionally, the shrimp had entirely too much vinegar in it and was not flavorfull.
(1)
Linda T.
Went there last night for dinner. All of the staff was extremely polite, the food was great and service was excellent. The sweet plantains are to die for and they have great mojitos!
(4)
andrew h.
2.5 stars. but I have to round up to 3 for friendly service and a family/happy atmosphere. This would be a great place to practice your Spanish, if you are learning. The food was well seasoned and hit the spot for my famished belly, but lechon asado, roasted pork seemed pan fried and a bit to very dry. I agree with other reviewers to get your beans and rice separately as moros y chrisitanes it s too dry. Tostones were excellent. I got a second glass of water as requested in a timely manner and a quick check as I had work to get back to. I'm not sure it live up to the billing of some of the best Cuban food in Washington. That my friends, would come from any Cuban friend you have cooking at home, as I have been privileged to experience. At its roots Cuban cuisine may be the best of peasant food from the Caribbean, pork, beans, rice and plantains. Note that the menu as of late July '08 had added some Cuban cocktails, but I'm not so sure dark rum in a mojito. (I didn't order any of the cocktails)
(3)
melissa r.
We tripped upon Cuba De Ayer several years ago after a soccer tournament in Laurel, strip mall wanted to avoid Subway and peeked in to see a really neat place full of families. We walked in and sat down in a roomy booth, maroon walls with nice art. Wait staff was always amazing. Each of us tried a different dish, played pass the plate to taste things, there wasn't one that we disliked. Fried yuca and green plantains, yum, and definitely go for the "dirty rice". Don't eat anything for days, you will want to save room. Never tried the mojitos but from what everyone else says, it's a must. Sometimes when we are craving it, we will hop in the car and drive the 30 minutes to just do take out!
(4)
David M.
To be honest, I'm new to Yelp and I ate their a few months ago so I can't recall my entire meal. I just remember that this place is a bit of a hidden gem in a weird location. But don't be fooled, once inside though, you are transported to a classy and romantic setting. The food was very tasty at reasonable prices. My one suggestion was that the food needed more color. I don't recall the exact name of my dish, but it was essentially fried fish on a bed of rice, there was no garnish, just tan on white. My date had a similar experience: very tasty food but needed some garnish. I would definitely eat there again.
(4)
Kevin D.
I've tried this restaurant a number of times, and while some dishes are kind of underwhelming, a few real standouts make this restaurant worth going back to. First off, definitely try an appetizer when you go here. The empanadas are delicious (both chicken and beef, which have distinctly different flavors), but the papa rellena is a real revelation. Seasoned ground beef wrapped in a ball of ground/mashed potato and then deep fried sounds like it could be a leaden weight in your stomach but the potato is light and fluffy and really tasty. Both items are deep-fried very well, coming out crispy and not greasy in the least, the chefs definitely know what they're doing there. Beyond those, there's an appetizer with tostones that I forget the name of that's quite good too. I was less impressed with the entrees overall. The lechon asado is kinda dry, the ropa vieja is okay but the sauce is very salty and the meat's not as tender as you'd like it. I only tried the masitas de puercas once, and it was horribly overdone, very tough; I'd recommend going to Samantha's on University Boulevard for that dish. However, the entree I get again and again when I go here is the boliche. It's a slow-cooked round steak in a seasoned tomato-based sauce and it's really heavenly. It's as tender as can be, doesn't suffer from the dryness of some other dishes, and the flavor is out of this world. The Cuban sandwich is good too but rarely enough to sway me from the boliche.
(4)
Sandie D.
This restaurant is a gem. My son's Spanish teacher recommended it to her students and we are glad we took her advice. It is located in a strip mall and is out of the way but definitely worth the visit. The decor is beautiful. The manager is very hands on and friendly. We ordered Pan con Mantequilla o' ajo, Empanadas de Carne, Bistec Palomilla, Arroz Con Pollo, and Pan con Bistec. Everything was delicious. The side dishes were also mouth watering. We selected moros y cristianos and maduros and tostones. Make sure you arrive before closing, which is 8:30 PM on weekdays and 10 PM on Friday and Saturdays. Don't let the exterior of the strip mall deter you from dinning here. Once inside you will be transformed to another place.
(5)
Christine C.
We are becoming regulars. Went back with some friends Sunday after church. Food was good. Service was good. Mojitos were good. Good times.
(5)
Kenny S.
I will definitely eat here again. You would pay at least twice this price for food this awesome in NYC. The decor is very nice: deep red walls hung with paintings in the style of 1930s Cuban art. The food was delicious. I had Las Masitas de Puerco Fritas. Large chunks of pork roasted until very tender, then seared until slightly crispy on the outside. The seasonings were good but subtle, so it was the flavor of the meat itself that made the dish. I saw several reviews that complained about "bland and boring" white rice and black beans, but I ordered my beans "los moros y cristianos" which was delicious. Los moros is black beans fried with onion and garlic then mixed with broth into the rice to make a really flavorful dish. The menu clearly states you can sub los moros for regular rice & beans at no extra cost. The menu also says you can have your plantains "maduros" (sweet, ripe, fried) or "tostones" (green unripe mashed & twice fried). I ordered mine maduros and they were very good, maybe a little undercooked. The service was extremely fast and pleasant. The waitress didn't even flinch at my rusty Spanish pronunciation. The neighborhood is kind of rundown, but don't let that keep you away. This place is a real gem.
(4)
Eric L.
I was surprised to walk into a really nice restaurant with a great atmosphere, definitely not what I expected from the exterior. I ordered the Viejo Roja (Shredded beef in a tomato based sauce) with seasoned rice and beens, and sweet plantains. The food was extremely tasty, and the service was great. I'm looking forward to going back again!
(4)
Jennifer R.
was interested in trying out a cuban restuarant and bought a groupon for cuba de Ayer and I was not disappointed. The food was amazing and the service was great. My husband and I will be going back again as I think we have now found a new favorite restuarant and plus there is so much more on the menu that I want to try.
(5)
James B.
Not much to say really - it's a small place, friendly and inviting wait staff, family-owned. They make great Cuban food. We eat there every few months, as it's quite close to our house. I had occasion to try the mojito - with real sticks of sugarcane - fantastic!
(5)
John M.
The "Sandwich Cubano" is unbelievable! To walk up to this place in a liquor store-dominated strip center, you'd think that it couldn't be worthy. It most certainly is. Nice decor, great food, very reasonable prices, and the owners are great too. Many many finger-lickin' thumbs up!
(5)
Jen T.
I am in love with this place. The food is delicious and the waitstaff are friendly and helpful if you have questions. Splitting an appetizer and an entree was the perfect-sized meal for 2, and a great way to sample a few different things. We barely talked the whole time we were eating, because all we could do was keep grinning at each other with full mouths and savor the flavors. The meat basically melted in my mouth. Burtonsville saw a huge drop in business ever since the Route 29 bypass was built, but this place still filled up mid-afternoon on a Saturday and that really speaks to how great it is. Condiments are not needed.
(5)
Lindsey M.
heard alot of good things about this restaurant so i was super excited to purchase a living social deal! we started with the chicken empanadas. sooo delicious i could have just eaten 10 of these and been happy. washed it down with the yummiest mojito. we asked the waitress what the most popular dishes were so we ordered based on her recommendations. we got the shrimp in lemon and garlic and the sliced flank steak with onions. they shrimp and steak were ok... but the rice and beans were soooo good i couldn't believe it. i had no idea rice and beans could be so yummy!!! oh i almost forgot, we tired the sweet plantains (good), and the crispy plantains (soooooooo good). will definitely go back and try to see if some of the other dishes are better.
(4)
Arthur M.
We read about Cuba de Ayer in the 2011 Washingtonian Cheat Eats issue and schedule an appointment nearby so we could try this restaurant out. It was quite a trek from Vienna, VA but man was it worth it. The food is excellent, the service is top notch, the servings are huge, and the price is a bargain. My fiancee ordered the lechon sandwich and it was twice as large as we expected it to be and could only eat half of it. The roast pork filling was delicious and the bread was very good. I ordered the lechon asado (roast pork dressed with onions) that came with a side of fried sweet plantain and riced cooked with beans. The lechon was incredible but even more incredible was the rice and beans. Our side order of salty fried plantains was also amazing. We ordered and appetizer of chicken empenadas which were also very good. I've had some other Cuban food in the area and Cuba de Ayer blows them away.
(5)
Larry D.
Best mojitos ever. The food is also delicious.
(5)
Jayne M.
This place is a bit hard to find, basically, if you are coming from Columbia, look for the Amish farmers market on your right, take the next right, and you're nearly there ~ it's in a little strip mall, at the side (you can almost always park right outside the door of the restaurant) but do mapquest and do make the effort. As others have said the food is fantastic. I had Cuban food in Miami and loved it, so when a friend recommended this place as authentic, I thought I'd give it a whirl. As others have said, the food is great (also the Cuban coffee is wonderful), super-helpful waitstaff who explain everything to you, and decent prices, particularly at lunchtime on weekdays. Can't recommend highly enough. Also, the milk-based desert is to die for. Also, you can pick up some fantastic meat and cheap, fresh veggies from the Amish farmers on the way home (Amish market is only open Thursday Friday and Sat morning, chicken wings best you'll ever have...)
(5)
Alex K.
Off the beaten path Cuban star is our go to stop for dinner when returning to DC from the northeast. Chicken Soup is to die for, as is the range of traditional Cuban favorites--roast pork, Ropa Vieja, etc.
(5)
Kat A.
Best of the best! Regardless of what you get here you can't go wrong with any of their food. The food is the best Cuban I've ever had. Period. The portions are well worth the price. I always have another meal or two in leftovers. The lunch options are a deal and their daily drink specials never disappoint. The staff couldn't be nicer. If you have any questions or are torn between dishes just ask. The staff is well informed regarding everything on their menu. They know what they're talking about! Try this place if you haven't before. I've been a customer for many years and have brought so many friends and family here to experience their food. Not a single person has been disappointed.
(5)
Cybil A.
I went there during lunch and had a wonderful experience. The portions were generous, the price was perfectly reasonable, the staff was warm and attentive, and the food: I would have given Cuba Ayer 5 stars on the food alone. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and authentic. I had the chicken with peppers and the maduros, and the sweet, savory and saucy flavors mingled together on that plate perfectly. I will definitely go again, even if the location is a little out of my way. It's worth the trip.
(5)
Iraina V.
Good food. The service was nice but a little slow. It was getting busy so that could be it. Definitely will return.
(4)
Bill M.
Hadn't been there in years and it has changed for the better. (Interior wise) The service was outstanding. Someone was always checking on us. The food was great and the prices are reasonable. Try the homemade hot sauce. Perfect addition. Not to hot, but flavorful. We bought a bottle. The next test will be to bring our Cuban friends.
(5)
Bianca F.
I never had Cuban food until I was invited to this restaurant. It is fabulous! True and authentic cuisine! I order the ropa vieja which is shredded beef. It comes with black beans and rice and plantains. They give you a ton of food! I usually have leftovers for the next day. We also get the tostones as an appetizer. The tres leches is amazing for dessert. And the drinks are just wonderful! The mojitos and the margaritas are sooo good! It gets pretty busy so make a reservation before you dine. :) Their service is great. This place does close earlier than most restaurants, so I would call ahead just in case to make sure they are open and have seats available. It's an out of the way gem!
(5)
Benslie B.
We stopped by here for a late lunch/early dinner and were excited about this place because of other reviews and because we're big fans of Cuban food. We ordered: -Ropa vieja: it was incredibly, overwhelmingly salty. I'm usually the type to add salt to dishes, but the sodium level of this entree overshadowed any other favors and it was just not pleasant to eat. -Pan con croquetas: the croquettes were decent by themselves, but the overall taste of slapping them on a baguette was not particularly good or exciting. -Mamey shake: this was actually the highlight of our meal. It was sweet, rich, and good! We were also the only ones in the restaurant for the majority of our meal and it still took a fairly long time for our food to arrive. Overall, we paid about $30 for a very underwhelming meal here.
(2)
Eddie B.
Finding local places to eat makes living more enjoyable. Miami is the place that made me a Cuban food lover. This place is awesome. Everything I've tried was great. Fresh, we'll seasoned, and extremely filling. I dont know to call myself a foodie but I think my taste bud is trustworthy.
(5)
Paul J.
The best place this side of Miami the food was gooooood I haven't had no Cuban food in 5yrs it was just like being in fla again I had the roast pork with black beans and rice I well be going there again worth the trip from DC
(5)
Jim W.
Service is fast, the food is delicious, and the prices are reasonable. My favorite dish of the place is the Chuletas De Puerco, which is a pair of marinated pork chops with sauteed onions. The pork chops are thinly sliced, cooked through, and the flavor is a salty richness that goes well with a side of rice and beans and the sweet plantains. I've gotten the rice and beans cooked together and separately but prefer them separate. This is because it lets me dip the pork chops in with the beans to add another level of flavor. The sweet plantains are wonderfully carmelized, with the edges nice and dark brown with a flavor closer to candy than a plantain. The salty plantains are nice as well but are drier and less notable. Overall it's a great experience with tons of seating with their new renovation and the staff is always so very friendly. The only negative has to do with parking and navigating into and out of the parking lot. They share about 30 parking spots with a beer & wine store, a chicken joint, and a few other stores and so it can get busy at times. Getting out and making a left on Old Columbia Pike to back on Route 29 can get tricky too. Outside of those minor issues, this place is fantastic.
(5)
Angel B.
Seems to be a popular place for lunch. We were not greeted at the door which I don't like but our waiter was very attentive once we got a table. The food was awesome. I got garlic shrimp over rice with crispy plantain. It was very garlic-y. I really enjoyed it. My lunch date got a salad with chicken and avocado. He was pleased. We said we'd visit again for sure.
(4)
Stephanie R.
I took my mom here on recommendation from a Cuban native. I'm Puerto Rican myself and you can't get good Puerto Rican food except at my grandma's house. Cuban is the closest. The food blew me away. We had the combination appetizer, ropa vieja and arroz con pollo. Everything was cooked perfectly and tasted so good it brought me right back home to my grandma's cooking. The flan was so good my skull tingled. The service was excellent - thanks Jessy! Would definitely recommend to anyone. And we drove here from Annapolis in hopes of good Cuban...we got it!
(5)
Ish P.
I heard good reviews from my parents but when we went there the meat was extremely salty. Cuban food is not THAT salty. I don't think I will go back.
(1)
Jennifer B.
Had to write an update. Had dinner here a few days ago for the first time since they renovated the place. Service was wonderful as before and the food was just amazing. I got the masitas (pork) with rice & beans and maduros (sweet plantains). That was the most tender and moist masitas I've ever had. Most places dry it out and it becomes too chewy. Oh and the empandas seemed even tastier than last time. Got the tree leches for dessert...o...m...g...
(5)
Kevin B.
We had an excellent visit to this location. Service was great, food wonderful, and the ambience was nice as well. Very classy, clean, modern restaurant on the inside. Our waitress was very helpful and offered up several recommendations which did not disappoint. The food was amazing and authentic. We had already decided to come back before we finished our entrees. Definitely recommend this restaurant. The prices were also very reasonable.
(5)
Morrigan D.
This is easily my favorite restaurant in the area. The wait staff is courteous and professional (especially Victor! Make sure to ask for him) and the food and beverages are amazing. My friend and I visit Cuba de Ayer every Sunday - it's actually a bit of an addiction and the staff knows us too well! - and we start our meal off with classic mojitos. We're huge fans of the empanadas as well; there's a empanada trio appetizer that you can order. We usually do a chicken, beef, and cheese. I don't like to venture too fair from my norm, so I usually stick with the Camarones Ajillos with mixed black beans and rice. (moros y cristianos) The Boliche (essentially beef stew) is my bestie's favorite, and the Pollo Con Arroz is almost a staple at my dinner table.
(5)
Kerry Jo R.
Wonderful.
(5)
Lucas O.
Cuba de Ayer is fantastic. The ropa vieja is delicious, and the fried plantains are to die for. This place does not disappoint. You can come on a date, with friends, or with kids. Highly recommended!
(4)
Joanna C.
A friend recommended Cuba de Ayer and so I took my family there for lunch. Easy to get to, not crowded for a Wednesday afternoon. The decor was homey and loved the artwork on the walls. The bar was separated from the dining hall, but I would definitely go there just to hang out. Their food is great! The Cuban sandwich was really good, just missing the pickles. The camarones al ajillo was ok. The tostones and fried yuca were great! The kids chicken breast wasn't anything special, kinda bland. I would definitely go back and try more!
(5)
Jennifer H.
Food is amazing, prices are good, service is outstanding, atmosphere is perfect. I have nothing bad to say about this place. Also, if you love your food spicy, then this place will not let you down - try their in-house made hot sauce!
(5)
Maurice R.
Possibly my new favorite place to eat. This place can be a little difficult to find, but trust me when I say that it's worth it. The decor is pretty nice. Despite its location, it feels like something you would find in DC. I had the salmon that was covered in some kind of pico de Gallo and red beans. Both were great. The empenados are delicious as well.
(5)
tina t.
I am a regular at Cuba de Ayer. My go to dish is shrimp in garlic sauce with extra sweet plantains. I had an unfortunate experience when on my last visit, some of the plantains i was served were not edible - first a strange smell hit me, then i took a close look and the plantains are a funny grey/ greenish color - and yes - they were rotten and they stunk. I alerted my server, who "solved" the situation by bringing me a fresh order of fried plantains. I turned them back - I wasn't hungry anymore. I would have expected the manager to come by and apologize....but that didn't happen.
(1)
Alex G.
Outstanding food, service, and price. Already told friends and told them to tell their friends! Ill be back!
(5)
Jeremy R.
Waitstaff were friendly and attentive but food was hit or miss. Appetizer combination consisted of a two pieces of yuca, two small croquetas which tasted like hash and lacked complexity and a pile of tasty roast pork which was the winner of the bunch. Special shrimp in Maduro ( fried plantain) cups was good. The cuban sandwich was hot and fresh and had a great flavor as did the chicken empanada. Their flan is dense the way i like it but lacked the caramel sauce one would expect. This place has expanded and gone upscale since my last visit and is much more inviting. Our only customer service snag was that we were using a Groupon and while waiting for ouir meal we checked in on Yelp and were offered a free empanada. When the check came our waiter told us we could not use the groupon and the free empanada thing at the same time. Yes it was only $2.40 but that seemed a little iffy. As there is a lot of crossover between Groupon and Yelp users this should have been mentioned when the check-in gift was redeemed.
(3)
David A.
Great service and excellent food! Love this place.
(5)
Tim S.
Mouth watering food and even better service to back it up. My personal favorite is the pollo a la plancha. Make sure to get it with the fried plantains, which are so so good. For dessert, the tres leches is my top choice. They put marshmallow on top, which seemed strange at first, but it's really good. The only "bad" experience we had was that one time our batido de Mango tasted a bit too salty. We mentioned it to our server and a couple minutes later the manager came out with another one (that tasted great), apologized, and then said they would not charge us for either one. Hard to find service like that.
(5)
Tom D.
Cuba De Ayer.... This is a very good Cuban restaurant. They are a busy place located in Burtonsville, MD. The service and servers are great here and very attentive. The food is very good. I enjoy the Ropa Veja, and shrimp and garlic appetizer. My wife had the Picadillo and here is were I am a little more concerned, it was ok. It was missing the true essence of Picadillo (did not see any of the important items such as olives, peppers, potato)...it was a bit mushy (I know...I know, it is supposed to be a "minced" hash like dish), but just didn't do it for me. But, the other dishes certainly make up for it!! OMG!!! was in the other day and they had Oxtail.....I am a fan of Oxtail so this was a great test. They passed with flying colors! That was one of the most amazing Oxtail dishes I have had in a long time. Perfectly cooked, falling off the bone, great wine sauce!!! yummmmm!! By the way, they have a nice drink menu and the mojitos look good, but are a little on the weak side. That has kept me from getting them on other visits here. They have recently updated the interior and it works very well! The bar is beautiful and restaurant is nice and big now.
(4)
Courtney R.
Definitely great food. Cuba de Ayer never disappoints. The server may have been new...spilled wine all over my mom's Dooney & Burke purse. However, the manager was out promptly to make sure we were okay. Our appetizer, which was also in the spillage path, was comped without having to ask for some sort of restitution. Otherwise, it was a very nice experience. 4 stars for the wine spill as it could have been avoided. Bless the server's heart, he was trying to do it all...but take it from a former server: it's easier to set the tray of full wine glasses down before taking an order versus perfecting your balancing act. You never want to come between a woman and her leather.
(4)
Brian H.
We dine regularly at Cuba de Ayer. They remodeled recently and it is very pleasant. The service is excellent. The mojitos, empanadas, yuca, plantains, beans and rice, salmon, ropa vieja, and flan are excellent. Enjoy.
(4)
Greg C. H.
This place never fails always great service and food. For appetizers I can't remember the name but it was a dish that had two avocados with 3 shrimps on each Avocado with this awesome sauce & bread. For dinner I had the pollo Saltado : if you like chicken breast, I would go with this dish it was great!
(5)
Janelle J.
This place is definitely a treat! Enjoyed the pollo saltado and the rum cake with the cafe con leche. For appetizers, we enjoyed the Camaron to stones and the chicken empanadas
from what I remember, it is so delicious, really good authentic Cuban food! So I recently went back there to grab some dinner after 4/5ish years and it just as delicious as I remember! I highly recommend this place when you want good Cuban food!!
(4)
Joey F.
Love everything on the menu. This is some really good cuban cuisine. I am puerto Rican and am so happy to have a place in the area that can put down some island Latino food.
(5)
Jeff R.
I have now eaten here several more times, at the urging of several friends who are fans and felt I must have had an unusual experience. I must admit that the food has improved in my opinion very much .While I still think the fried beef could use a bit less salt, I have found the food in general to be well prepared and creative. I was particularly impressed with a recent special, braised pork baby back ribs. They were cut into individual ribs, then browned and braised in a savory (as opposed to a sweet or spicy) sauce for a couple of hours at least. The resulting sauce had the consistency and color of a light beef gravy. The menu said there were olives in the dish, but I didn't see any or taste anything distinctively "olive". It was very delicious, and a different treatment for a cut of meat that has become boring and predictable elsewhere. I also think the recent expansion, including the upgraded bar, are big improvements in ambience. The serving staff is cheerful and service is well paced.
(3)
Kristine G.
Great food here. Can't say enough about the authenticity of the food. Red Sangria is good. Piccadillo and Vaca Frita are two of our favorites. The flan was a great way to end the meal.
(5)
Kyle D.
I love the atmosphere and look after the remodel! The food is very delicious and the staff is very friendly. The parking can be a pain at times. Don't let the parking scare you away! Take a date or bring your family!
We've been coming here for years. I've brought my family, friends, and coworkers and everything loves it. They have something for everyone (even my picky mom) and the food is consistently excellent. It doesn't look like much from the outside but don't be fooled. One of my favorite restaurants to go to for the past 5 years.
(5)
Renee R.
I had to eat with my hands... Seriously? And a "platter" with two yuca? .. To top it off our waitress didn't ask if I was finished and tried to take away my plate. When ordering food we asked to substitute an item and we were told, "sorry we don't substitute anything." I'm sorry but never again. This is my 4th time here and the last.
(1)
Kurt C.
I LOVE what they've done with the new renovation! Very nice ambience once inside. The food, AS ALWAYS, was absolutely delicious and plentiful! I love everything about this place. The food, drinks, ambience, and music are splendid. Today I ordered the the Carne con Papa (Stewed beef) with sweet plantains and mixed rice. I chose the beef empanadas for the appetizer. The food was damn near perfect! I really can't say enough about it. I met an awesome woman while waiting for my take-out order, and I decided to buy us drinks at the bar. The drinks were a bit overpriced for the afternoon, but we did order top-shelf, and they were very well made. This restaurant is truly one of my favorites. Long live Cuba de Ayer! The best Cuban food I've tasted.
(5)
Vanessa V.
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant express how delicious the food is here my boss has been telling me about this place didn't think much of it until we ordered lunch today i ordered black beans , white , chicharron and Plantanos , i also got a empanadas which i think had brown sugar coated on it , everything was just so freaking goodddddd!!!! if i could give it more stars then i would
(5)
Mary I.
Horrible service....waited over 20 minutes with no acknowledgement even though staff walking around. Not even offered water!!! We just got up and left!
(1)
Kevin H.
Wow, the fact this place has over 200 reviews says a lot about this neighborhood gem since it's hidden behind a liquor store on old columbia road. I've never had cuban food before and apparently this place is as close as it gets in maryland. We came here on a saturday night around 8 pm, so naturally there was a 40 minute wait. The place isn't big so make reservations if you're coming at peak hours. Apps: Combinacion - get this. roast pork, fried yuca, and croquettes filled with ham! Beef Empanada - free with the yelp check-in. Nothing special here. Entrees ($12-18)- the entrees could literally feed a small family so come with an empty stomach Pernil - Tender roast pork with onions and black beans, rice, and tostanos (fried plantains) man, this was delicious. It tasted like a meal your cuban friend's mom would make for you: hearty food filled with care and love, and huge portions. Fricase de Pollo + Carne con Papa - friends got these dishes and were satisfied Drinks Red Sangria - sweeter than other sangria I've had and they added pineapple. Tasted pretty good but it wasn't worth the $26 for a pitcher. Mamey Milkshake - never had this before. Tasted like papaya milk I've had in Taiwan. You can't get this in many places so try it out. I loved it. Overall, the place is cozy with a warm atmosphere. Lots of happy people, lots of laughter, lots of good food. I like this place. I've never had cuban food before but I felt right at home.
(5)
Art T.
How have I not written a review about this place yet? Quite possibly the best restaurant in Burtonsville! That might not sound like a lot, but given the rather high number of food joints in town, and the content of some of them, believe me, it's a compliment. First of all, it's in a tiny dingy strip mall on a busy road (198). If it weren't for their catering truck and signage out front, you could very easily drive right by this place. And that would be a crying shame, too, because inside, you will find some of the best Cuban cuisine you will ever find. I've had Cuban in Miami and the surrounding area, and I can honestly say that Cuba de Ayer is as good as one finds there, and in fact better than many joints. It might be the best Cuban overall that I've ever had. The reviews here already cover the majority of what else I would say, but I leave you with this: try everything and anything. I've had a lot of the entrees already and I haven't had a bad one yet. The apps are really solid, too. I go there about once a month, and I swear that's still not often enough.
(5)
gloria e.
Some of the reviewers complain about the littlest things & subtract a star? Seriously? That's Absurd. Anyways, I've been coming here for years, I can't say anything bad about this place. The best Cuban Restaurant thus far in the area, I've been to several Cuban Restaurants & Cuba De Ayer is Authentic as it gets... . Food is AMAZING; well seasoned. Their Tres leche ...*moment of silence pleass* A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! My waiter was Jesse, he's amazing! very attentive, & knowledgable. I would recommend this to restaurant to anyone who wants to have a family outing, or with friends, or a date. You will not regret it!
(5)
El C.
How well does this hold up to South Florida standards? Well, that's up for debate, though considering you're in the middle of DC/Maryland suburbia, should we use a different measure? First thing you notice about this place is how nice it looks from the outside. Inside, Place looks really nice. Not the typical cafeteria looking divey Cuban place that I'm used to from Florida. Portions are adequate, but way smaller than what I'm used to. I expected a gigantic pile of rice, but no, it's not exactly the Cuban portions I was hoping for, but I guess the regular clientele here prefer rice as a side dish and not as the main dish with the meat on the side. Hot sauce had good zing though. A bit on the pricey side, but you get nicer surroundings. Kinda bummed that I'm leaving kinda hungry.
(3)
Tim M.
Not the easiest to get in and out of from a parking perspective, but the Cuban sandwich was best I've had.
(5)
Sweta D.
Awesome drinks!! Mango bomb was too good!! General manager of the place was very friendly !!
(4)
Sammy A.
Came for lunch on a quiet afternoon for a quick bite. Ice cold Stella on draft = Now onto the food. I had the bistec salteado with side of yucca. Extra crispy yucca was absolutely phenomenal(might be the best yucca I have ever had) Blanched long enough that the interior was creamy and moist, but the outside had a phenomenal crisp to it that begs you to eat it immediately. The bistec salteado was underwhelming, the steak felt overcooked, under seasoned and all in all, boring and bland. Service was good, food came out relatively fast, and that yucca was mouth-burningly good. 3.5 stars
(3)
Corey W.
Good was pretty good. Really on point. The pernil pork was extremely moist and cooked very well. I had the flank steak shredded. It was a little dry, but mixed with the rice and beans was amazing. The mojitos were incredible. The best I have had since south beach. Kelvin was our server and he was wonderful and attentive. Extremely impressed with this young man. Will be back again.
(5)
Deborah N.
They have recently (yesterday!) expanded and now have an additional dining room plus a separate room that's a bar with lots of seating. YAY!!!!! My previous complaints were only that there was no place to sit while waiting for takeout and that you couldn't stop in and just get one of their delicious mojitos and maybe a snack. No longer! Get thee there now for happy hour and beyond!
(5)
D J.
I really wanted this to be a five-star experience. Cuba de Ayer had been on my list of restaurants to try for years, and I was really looking forward to it. It turned out to be maybe a 3.5-star meal...I rounded up. My dinnner companion and I started with the camarones al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce) and beef empanadas. The appetizers were excellent -- best food we ate there. The garlic sauce that comes with the shrimp is delicious, and the beef filling in the empanadas is also very good. My dinner companion ordered pargo frito (fried red snapper) with white rice, black beans, and tostones. The fish was good, if a bit bland. The portions were quite large. The real disappointment was the tostones. They were just...not good. Thin, tough, bland, greasy. I am Puerto Rican, I make tostones frequently, and I expected the tostones at a Cuban restaurant to be excellent; they weren't. I had the avocado salad with salmon. It was quite good, but the dressing had soooo much garlic...and I love garlic! I had to stop eating the spinach after a while because the raw garlic flavor was taking over. The ingredients were fresh and the salmon was tasty, so it wasn't a bad salad. The cocktails were just okay. Good mojito. I tried the guapa martini -- too sweet and the cocktail glass arrived at the table half full. We were there on a Saturday night at 7:30. The restaurant was quite busy and service was really slow at times, particularly the drink service. We were sitting at a bar table, and we could see the bartenders working their tails off, but they just weren't able to keep up with demand and the wait time for a drink was pretty long at times. Overall, I would say we had a good experience at Cuba de Ayer, and I would eat there again, but I might just make a meal of appetizers next time!
(4)
Nicole F.
I wound up over here due to an errant package that got sent to the UPS center in Laurel which is mucho far from my house. I was a VERY unhappy person and extremely grumpy that I had to drive an hour to get a package and I hadn't eaten. Lucky for me, YELP to the rescue. I looked for Gluten Free food and this wonderful place popped up with great reviews. COULD IT BE TRUE? Yes, I was so hungry I sat at the bar and ordered a Mojito. IT WAS AMAZEBALLS. The bartender made it just right, no big mint leaves to clog up my straw. She was also very attentive and gave me good recommendations on what to eat. I had the Ropa something and it was delish AND didn't make me sick. I left WAY happier then then I had arrived. I may just take the trip back there one day.
(4)
Ruth C.
We have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while now but finally got around to it last night. I must say it was totally worth it! We met our friends there and had a couple drinks at the bar prior to being seated - try the mojito - so good! We ordered two appetizers - the beef and chicken empanadas which were both delicious. The dough had a somewhat sweet taste to it which I've never experienced with other empanadas I've tried but it was so yummy. We also tried the Camarones al Ajillio which was also very delicious but a bit on the garlicky side. I happen to love garlic so I didn't mind but keep in mind if you don't like a lot of garlic. Overall I'd order both appetizers again. For my meal I had the Bistec Salteado, one of my favorite Cuban dishes so I had to give it a try. It was not the best version I've ever had but very tasty and I'd definitely order again. It was served with sweet plantains, white rice and black beans. The plantains were out of this world, probably the best I've ever had and the black beans also had great flavoring. The portion was huge and I pretty much took home half so I have another whole meal out of my dinner. If you love Cuban food this is the place to go, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
lynn t.
I'm not sure how we've missed this little darling but at least we finally found it! Service and attitudes were as excellent as the empenadas, soup, entrees and dessert. I rarely eat black beans but the black beans here? I would eat them with a bowl of rice (yes even white rice). The Mango/Strawberry martini was equally perfect. Loved it!
(5)
Jamaal C.
Best ever !!!! Worth coming too for just the white rice alone !!!! Everything I try on the menu has been good
(5)
Katherine B.
I love this place! From the decor, to the food, service. Just wow. Best empanadas I ever had...ever. Shrimp dishes are large and fresh. Prices are reasonable. The yuca with garlic sauce is literally to die for. App with avacado and shrimp. Omg yum! I like the vaca frita and well everything there. You really can't go wrong. just go immediately and order everything.
(5)
Maurice M.
This place is as close as it gets to perfection. I give them a 100 on a scale of 1-10! Where to begin.. The drinks are Excellent! Choose from the Mojito's, custom Margarita's, or get the Guava or Mango Sangria - You won't regret it. Appetizers - The Empanadas are amazing. I typically get beef & chicken. Not only is it seasoned just right, the outer crust has a slightly sweet taste to it which sets it off just right. Then there's the Tostones Relleno - Stuffed, fried green plantain shaped into a mini bowl filled with shredded beef, ground beef or shrimp. Simply mouth watering.. Then, there's the Camarones En Aguacate - Good sized pieces of Avacado, topped with large shrimp, set in a sauce so tasty, you'll try to take it home if you manage to leave any on the plate. On to the Entrees - Which one to choose. Fricase De Pollo with the vegetarian beans seasoned to perfection & the sweet plantains.. I feel like I'm back home in Jamaica again.. Although that's my current favorite, all of the following are AMAZING - Pollo Salteado, Pargo Frito, Arroz Con Pollo, Spinach Avacado Salad (especially with the Salmon or the Red Snapper), Boliche, Picadillo, Pollo A La Plancha, Carribean Salmon, & Camarones al Ajillo! -- Can you tell I go there almost weekly? :-) As if there is any room left, I can't leave this place without getting a piece of the Rum Cake, garnished with a mint leaf & the most amazing glaze drizzled on it & on the plate. After writing all this, I think I'll head over there for lunch. To top it all of, the staff is super polite! Kudo's to Steven - One of the managers - He remembers me by name & checks on me whenever I stop in & jokes me that they're going to put my name on the chair at the end of the bar next to the outlet.. lol I've taken numerous clients & friends there who now go there on a regular basis & I finally got my family together over there last weekend. Cuba De Ayer is a MUST VISIT!
DON'T GO ON MONDAYS! They are not open and there isn't much around that gets similar ratings. Darn you Yelp app. I cannot anywhere without you telling me what my fellow Yelpers liked and didn't like. That being said, when we did finally make it the following Thursday, we had a fabulous meal. Our service was fabulous and our waiter gave his recommendations with the confidence of someone who knew every dish. Some of the dishes can be pretty salty but is balanced out if you order up the plantains. I like 'em sweet not fried but you have the option for either. This is a hidden gem in a not so pretty area of Laurel. Definitely worth a try if you are craving some authentic Cuban goodness...you know... just not on a Monday...
(4)
Cesar P.
Some of the best Cuban food in the area. The pernil was tender and flavorful, the empanadas were perfectly done. The ropa vieja was the best I've had in this area. The piece de resistance though was the tres leches cake. Unbelievable. I was originally put off by the meringue, but it was excellent. Great and attentive service. Great decor, if a little dark. If you like Cuban/Puerto Rican/ Dominican food, this is a place to go.
(4)
Mosart R.
This place was better before the renovation The dinner portions were bigger Now the dinner portions are like lunch size... Maybe they are cutting costs to pay for the renovations Hispanic restaurants always offer bread As an appetizer Not this place. Our servers same was "jasmine" She didn't know how to advertise for the restaurant. As a server you need to sell the food by describing it. She didn't I used to be a server for 5 years. She rushed us. She asked us if she can box up our food while there were still forks in our hands. When you order "tostones" it usually comes with "mojo" We had to pay extra for it. Come on if we wanted to experience Cuban cuisine they half-assed our experience I know good Cuban food I've lived in Miami and my friends are Cuban. It's like they are trying to cater to clueless customers. I'm not going to that place again. I'd rather take a flight to Miami. On the plus side the other servers were nice and more attentive, the place is really nice. And the mamey shake was great.
(3)
Katherine M.
This is the 2nd time I have been to this place and let me start by saying that the service and food was excellent!! Our server went over the menu and gave his recommendations and every single dish was delicious!! I recommend getting the avocado with shrimp and the beef empanadas. The shrimp was cooked to perfection (I hate overcooked, rubbery shrimp) and that sauce that came with it was just heavenly. The empanadas were very moist and flavorful and had the right meat to dough ratio. I'm Filipino and our empanadas are not this moist and is usually filled with "stuffers" like potatoes, raisins, peas, etc. and very doughy. I like how crispy these were, but they are not greased down! I cannot remember the name of the dish I ate, but it was thinly marinated steak with peppers and onions with white rice, beans on the side, and those sweet plantains. My daughter ate the pork chops and my bf ate the the lechon or shedded pork. We had the chocolate cake for dessert along with the cheesecake with guava on top, but I wasn't crazy about the cheesecake. Guava and cheesecake just don't mix! I will definitely be coming back:-) Our guests from Colorado also enjoyed it!
(4)
Anita W.
SO delicious. Loved the Viejas Ropas (spiced shredded beef) and sweet plantains. Even the kids liked the kids meals. I look forward to coming back.
(5)
Jaisal R.
Fabulous food. The ambience is great. Though looks normal from the inside. But there food is just amazing.
(5)
Ayosike A.
My oh my! I had the pleasure of checking out this amazing restaurant about a week ago. And boy, was the food delicious. If you're looking for a place near College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel and Columbia that has tasty Latin food and reasonable prices, Cuba de Ayer is definitely the place to go, hands down!
(5)
Mandana Y.
A little gem hidden behind a shady liquor store. Isn't that what we Yelpers are here for? Those great restaurants that you would never know about if it were not for this amazing website. Cuba de Ayer, I can only assume you're in business because of sites like this. How else would anyone know you exist? Word of mouth? Psshh, people don't communicate in person anymore! I digress. This place is awesome. Great decor, perfect music to set the mood, attentive and friendly servers, and quite possibly the best Cuban food (actually just food in general) in the DMV. They close at 8:30 on school nights, so arrive early for dinner because you're going to want to take your time enjoying this food. The drinks are made pretty well too. My tropical margarita was the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness, giving me just enough buzz to last through the entire meal. They have yelp offers if you check in using the app. Our waitress, Alyssa, was awesome about getting the deal for us; 2 free (delicious) empanadas! As far as this place is from me, I plan on becoming a regular. So... I'll see you all there soon right? Okay good.
(5)
Arleen F.
This restaurant has a wonderful audience. Service is great. The staff was very attentive. Love the food.
(5)
Shevenie c.
I've always wanted to try this being that it is right down the street from my house. Finally I took my mom out for dinner and drinks and we really enjoyed our food.The drinks are amazing!! One of the best mojitos I've had in the DMV area. Seating can be a tad bit cramped at dinner time that's the only downfall but definitely give this place a try you won't regret it. It's also a lot cheaper than the other Cuban place downtown silver spring(FYI)
(5)
Ieesha J.
YES YES YES!!!! Can't you tell I'm excited? Who knew there was a DELICIOUS Cuban Restaurant less than 5 miles from my house. This is what I get for not searching in my radius. But man I'm glad I found this place. I had the steak, black beans and rice with EXTRA mojo sauce. The mojitos are YUMMY!! They also pack a punch. The lunch menu has lower prices and the portions seem the same. I think I need to call in take out now :/
(5)
Brittany S.
O-M-G!!! The wait is so worth it! I think they take reservations too so next time I'll be calling them up before I leave, but either way... I ain't mad! If you check in on Yelp you get a free empanada! They were STUFFED! The boyfriend ordered the chicken, I ordered the beef, we shared. I thought the chicken was amazing! The beef was good but I thought the chicken had a lot more flavor. The mojitos were good, we also ordered some melonades they were super sweet, wayyyy too sweet for me but I drank it so... lol. I ordered the Ropa Vieja and mmmmm mmmm mmmmmmmmm! It was so flavorful, I loved it. I got the mixed beans and rice and didn't regret it at all. The crispy plantains were awesome, the best I've ever had. The boyfriend ordered the oxtail special and seriously he was in heaven. This is his new favorite restaurant, I've never seen him so happy after taking a bite of food. There were plenty pieces of oxtail, he even had leftovers! He ordered the sweet plantains and those were the best plantains I've ever had! I've never liked them sweet so I was very surprised! Fav Cuban restaurant for sure!!!
(5)
Thomas P.
This place has such great ratings so I had to check it out, especially since it's expanding. The first time I came here, it was closed. Anytime before noon, it is closed. Second time I came, it was closed b/c they aren't open on Mondays. That's my fault from not noting that down from the first attempt :) I wish they had better hours but this isn't accounted for in my rating. The portions were huge! The food seems OK. However, the fried yuca (yuca frita) was perfectly fried. I would give it a 3.5 stars if I could.
(3)
Paul S.
Awesome food and good service. I've been here several times and never had a bad meal. I'm a big fan of the following: Roast pork Pork Chops Black beans/rice (separate) Empanadas Garlic shrimp/avacado appetizer Maduros/Tostones They just recently expanded to include another dining room and bar area too.
(4)
Desi W.
So it appears they have renovated since I was last here and expanded. Place totally looks nice and cozy. It's even decorated for valentines Day. Cute. Food and service are still both very good.
(4)
Rey U.
Heard its great. Will try soon.
(5)
MP P.
I went back yesterday - the first time since the renovation. The strip mall itself is undergoing a facelift but the real change is inside the restaurant. They enlarged the dining room and added a bar area. The bar looks inviting and I will be back to try that one of these days, but I decided to sit in the newly expanded dining room. It is brighter than before which is a big improvement. They are offering some interesting specials but I had to try my favorite, Ropa Vieja, and it was as wonderful as I remembered. I recognized most of the staff and that's a good thing, as they are very good at what they do. If the atmosphere is what turned you off before, please give Cuba de Ayer another try.
(4)
Harold D.
I LOVE this restaurant! I've brought my mother here to eat (she is Puerto Rican) and she enjoyed the Cuban food so much it's now one of our favorites to go to as a family. I'll be having my birthday dinner there this year! The atmosphere is welcoming although the restaurant is small. The manager's constantly check on how we're enjoying our food. Service was amiable. Overall, highly recommend due to tasty food!
(5)
Rene R.
From the moment we sat down it was a great dining experience. It was our first time and it will not be the last! There were so many things on the menu that we want to try. So I'll start with the appetizers we ordered. The Empanadas and the Camarones al Ajillo were incredible! I totally wanted more but I'm glad I didn't have more - dinner came out next and it was plenty of food! I ordered the Masitas de Puerco Fritas which is described as fried marinated morsels of pork - so flavorful and delicious. I even loved the rice w/black beans. And I'm not generally a fan of black beans. But these were simply amazing. Hubs had the Arroz Con Pollo w/yellow rice. Again the most amazing flavors! I'm not sure we could have enjoyed it more... Wait yes we could - had we saved room for dessert! But we didn't. So next time we will. The other parties at the table enjoyed their food thoroughly. Except one person - she stepped out before ly. dinner came out to nurse her baby. The food came before she got back and the server took it back to the kitchen to keep it warm, when it became apparent that she wouldn't be back anytime soon, he offered to box it up for her. Service was great! I was told that when they opened they were much smaller - I can see why they had to expand! All in all, I think you should go! IMMEDIATELY!
(5)
Toya J.
If one of my best friends had not brought me here I would have never believed this place existed. Totally unexpected lodged between a liquor store and some run down bodega. We drive up and I'm thinking that we're goin' to run in for carryout. We get into Cuba de Ayer and the place is a beautiful little cafe with all modern decor and lovely cuban art. The staff was polite; looks to be a family run business. We started with beef and chicken empanadas. Spicy meat on the inside and a crunchy cinnamon coating on the outside. I had the Fricase de Pollo(Dark Meat) for lunch priced at $8.50. Skinless chicken cooked with potatoes, white wine, herbs, and green olives. Sides Beans and rice. Filling, rich, and well seasoned. The dessert, we went back and forth on. I knew I wanted to try the rum cake, but he "claimed" he was full. Turns out the best rum cake I've ever had almost looks like a pie and has the texture of a custard. Before I knew it our spoons were fighting over the last few bitefuls on the plate. He thanked me for convincing him! This place is excellent and now I know why my friend eats here once a week.
(5)
Amanda M.
Ended up here on a Sunday evening based on a friend's recommendation. After checking out the menu on their website and the reviews here, I was definitely looking forward to a delicious meal. As we pulled into the parking lot and I saw that the restaurant was next to a very dodgy looking liquor store, my expectations rose even higher. And Cuba de Ayer did not disappoint. The inside of the restaurant was very warm, inviting, and well lit (not too bright). There were at least three paintings on the wall that I would love to have hanging in my home. And the food, oh my, if I lived closer I would eat here at least once a week. We started with a chicken and a beef empanada. The meat in each was seasoned wonderfully, they were cooked perfectly, and were just the right size for a starter. As I had never been to Cuba de Ayer before, our server recommended the Ropa Vieja - shredded beef in a Cuban tomato based sauce with garlic, onions, and red and green peppers. Since my friend was already planning on ordering this, I asked for a recommendation for a pork dish. Based on our server's suggestion I went with the Lechon Asado - roasted pork marinated in a citrus marinade with onions. Both main dishes came with a choice of either white rice and black beans or Moros y Cristianos (the rice and the black beans are cooked together with pork) and tostones (fried plantains) or maduros (sweet plantains). We each went with the Moros y Cristianos and the maduros. The Ropa Vieja was quite tasty, the meat was tender and deeply seasoned but I preferred my Lechon Asado. The pork was some of the best pork I have had in ages. It was moist, savory, and perfectly complimented by the rice and plantains. And speaking of the rice - I would come here just for that. We each had two mojitos and they were just the right accompaniments for the meal. Nice balance between the lime, sugar, and mint and served with a stick of sugar cane (as all good mojitos should). I will definitely be making another trip to MD to try some of the other dishes on Cuba de Ayer's menu soon.
(4)
Tom T.
We arrived to Cuba de Ayer hungry and ready to dine. Located in a strip mall off Columbia Pike, you enter from the side. The interior is inviting and nicely lit with subdued red colored walls, dark wood and leather and Cuba decor (paintings and souvenirs to evoke Caribbean cafe atmosphere). The greeter and waitstaff are well groomed and moving quickly to attend the crowd. They accept reservations and are very popular locally. We chose the combinacion appetizer to get a little sample of pork, yuca and ham croquettes. Tasty and a good note to start the meal. We For the main dish we had 2 orders of lechon, muros and sweet plantains. Another member of our party had the delicious masitas de puerco (fried pork chunks) and our little guy had oneless chicken breast pieces and french fries. The dinner portion sizes are very generous. We were satisfied and didn't have room for dessert. We will give this place another try and next time order a mojito!!
(4)
Jacquetta P.
I had lunch here with my son Sunday and we both really enjoyed it. The portion sizes and the quality of the food were both exceptional. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Tivona R.
Loooove this place! The food was wonderful. I've been wanting to come here for months. So glad I made it. You will not be dissatisfied. And it's a very chill spot.
(5)
Cara C.
Really good empanadas! You absolutely must order these! We had the empanadas, ham croquettes, pernil, another pork dish that I can't remember, and ended with tres leches. The only thing I would go back for are those empanadas. They are, as Graham Elliot would say, YUMMY.
(3)
Erinn M.
First time here and it was amazing. The waitress was wonderful and the food was spectacular.
(5)
N T.
I tried almost all the chicken dishes and I have to say they are all delicious! Especially the chicken fricasse! So good, the meat is tender and falls right off the bone without me having to strip it off with a knife. And the sweet plantains! I wish they would put more on the dishes!
(4)
Yaka H.
We started off with the tostones filled with shredded beef appetizer, which was a lovely bite to start off the meal. I tried the arroz con pollo with sweet plaintains and SX had the lechon asado with tostones and mixed rice and beans. I was a bit disappointed with the arroz con pollo because the chicken itself was a bit dry. Also, I didn't get many olives (maybe just 2 pieces or 3), so I was a little bit sad about that. SX enjoyed his entree, but mentioned that it was a tad bit on the dry side. Do ask for some of the house hot sauce; not too spicy, but added some depth of flavor and moisture to the entrees. The mojito was pretty good, probably one of the better mojitos I've had; nice presentation with the sugarcane and very easy to drink. Overall, the food was okay, though a bit on the dry side. We didn't have any issues with salty food as some of the reviewers had mentioned. The outside of the building and parking lot can be a bit off-putting, but inside, the restaurant is warm and the service friendly. Will be back to try the dessert!
(3)
Cassandra S.
We have watched this place grow up. The food and service has remained amazing PLUS they serve the best mojitos EVER. Don't let the outside fool you. Wonderful decor and clean. My cuban friend drives all the way from Virginia to eat here because it reminds her of home.
(5)
The Geman Car Guru - Michael U.
Good food but the lack of pan Cubano was a true disappointment :( Being from Miami Cuban bread is as common as our bad drivers. I know there are no real Cuban bakeries here in MD; we might just have to change that ;)
(4)
Mitch M.
Pasillo and pork was dry and super tough. Beans and rice were ok but not restaurant quality. Fried crispy green plantains were bland. The sweet plantains were the best I've ever had though. It was pretty pricey for what you get. The interior is nice and there's a bar. Service was the best I've had at a restaurant in a while. Great staff. I could have probably gotten a refund but was just ready to go. I wouldn't recommend them except for the sweet plantains. I will be back to try the Cuban pork sandwich because I can't help myself and I'll post that review later
(2)
Brandi P.
I love this place. Originally went because I purchased a groupon and have been back 5 times. The food is hot and authentic. Nice cozy environment. The rum cake is to DIE for!
(5)
Anna B.
I came here with high hopes based on what I read from all the Yelp reviews. When this place came up on Living Social, I thought it was a good time to try it out. The wait was 30 mins on a weekday and the waiting area is outside on the sidewalk with flowing traffic that enters a large parking lot. Watch your kids so they don't step off the sidewalk and get hit by a car. The outside of the place is little to be desired but if the food is great, who cares..right? The floor plan is VERY crowded and you can't even make a 360 degree turn without knocking things off the tables of others (no, I don't have a J.Lo behind). Trying to get two high chairs in with the help of the employees made us break out in a sweat. The decor is nice, a Cuban old World style of pictures depicting of Cuban workers.. tasteful and I enjoyed looking at all of them around me. I knew I was going to order the "Ropa Vieja" with the mixed black beans/rice and the plantains. My husband ordered the pork sandwich and the kids had some black beans/rice with a side of French fries. They have a cool "check-in" offer that allows you to have a free empanada with a $30 min purchase. You just can't use your living social coupon and the free offer in the same visit. Our plates came and I dug in.. Practically salivating over how good it looked.. I was disappointed to have a mouth full of salt. I love salt.. More so then regular folks but this was just too much. I had to ask for the water to keep coming in. The bean/rice mixture was also very salty but I enjoyed the flavors if you get past the salt content. The plantains were perfectly sweet and cooked but the real star of the night.. We're my kids French fries.. YES! The French fries. They were large crispy steak fries and soft on the inside and perfectly salted. I tried my husbands pork sandwich.. Very dry.. I could think of some great additions to the sandwich but then it might shy away at what's typical in a Cuban Pork Sandwich. The finale dessert looked amazing as we had seen other customers ordering it. Our whole family shared a piece and it was good.. Not amazing but good. Still better then most places I've ordered it at. I can't tell anyone to come here and wait 30 mins for great fries but if you do come here, order them. :)
(3)
Orquidea R.
I have been to this restaurant in 3 ocassions. I wish to have it closer to home (Alexandria) to visit more often, but nevertheless, what I have had so far is really great. The moros and cristianos (mixed rice with black beans) is among my favorite. The carne frita (fried pork) is tender and tasty. Among the appetizers I love the shrimp in avocado with its garlic butter and lemon. My other favorite entree is the fried red snapper fillet with the rice and black beans. The service is great and the place is a cozy hide out for a nice romantic date. Don't miss out on these cuban treats outside of Cuba!
(4)
Virdina M.
I love this place and really--it's the only reason to go to Burtonsville and I grew up in Burtonsville. I am a creature of habit and I ALWAYS order the masitas con puerco bc it's amazing and it's something I won't make at home. I did once have the chicken and it was good. My husband has gotten the pork chop and the cuban sandwich and has given them both good reviews. This is the only American restaurant my Haitian grandmother likes! So that is a sign of how good it is. My parents think their food is a bit salty but I don't. I think they're just old with old tastebuds.
(5)
Crissy T.
I can't wait to eat here again. It's tiny and the parking it tight, but the food was great! I ordered the Pollo a la Plancha (grilled boneless chicken breast) dish and the chicken was seasoned perfectly and it was juicy and tender. The rice and beans were very good. You can get them mixed or separate. I opted for the latter. I unlocked the "free empanada" deal by checking in on Yelp and tried the chicken one. Very good.
(5)
Courtney C.
I have to give them another star after our last visit. Here's the breakdown: Service-excellent Mojito-the classic was lacking. Too much sugar, tiny pieces of mint that got stuck in my throat, and just not that good. Chicken empanada- greasy, but delicious. Not spicy and free with my yelp check in! House Salad-Large, fresh and crisp. Lechon Asado-salty but very good. The citrus helps cut down on the sodium. Rice-white rice is sticky, but in a good way and a huge portion. Vegetarian Black Beans-Flavorful and less salty than the regular. Chocolate Cake-Basic grocery store chocolate cake. Not made in house and just okay. Tres Leche Cake-better than the last time. I was jealous of my hubby's dessert. After this visit, I would come back when I'm craving some Cuban food. Make sure you call ahead and check the specials menu too!
I've been to this place many, many times but am just now doing a review. My favorite go-to place in the area and I'm not even Cuban! I have referred so many of my friends to this place and the word's been spreading. Not one of them has ever left disappointed. I have been here so many times that I wonder if they just assume that I belong there :) I have a particular palette and know great tasting food when I try it, and this place never disappoints. I think that I have eaten pretty much everything on the menu except the fish, the salads, the kid's menu, and maybe 1 or 2 pork and meat dishes. My go to dishes are: the Ropa Vieja (for those new to Cuban, can't go wrong with this dish but as one poster mentioned, can be a little salty depending on your palate. Nothing a little of their homemade hot sauce and sweet plantains can't take of), the arroz con pollo (chicken is so soft and perfectly cooked that it falls off the bone like chicken should) and my favorite, the masitas de puerco (fried pork bits so delicious and crunchy on the outside that the flavor just stays in your mouth.) Most of the main dishes come with rice and beans. You can ask for the rice and beans separate, but I always get them congri (mixed together). In terms of the plantains (which accompany every main entree), depending on the dish ordered, you can get them sweet or crispy. The servers are helpful in informing you which goes best with certain dishes. Don't get me started on the tres leches dessert... So moist and tasty and delicious... Save room for dessert if you can or just order one and share with others. My mouth waters just thinking about it. They recently did an expansion of the restaurant so there are more tables and a bar area now, HOWEVER, the place can still get very crowded, especially during peak dinner hours. During those times, reservations are highly recommended, but again, if you walk in and your party is small (4 or less), they do their very best to accommodate you and will not ever turn you away. If it is a long wait, they ask for your cellphone number so they can text you when a table is ready. They have a great selection of alcoholic beverages as well as non-alcoholic beverages for those of you who do not drink. For those who are allowed to drink, it is almost mandatory that you try their mojitos. They make them fresh and with real ingredients (real sugar cane stick!) and a lot of care is taken in making them. I have become a mojito snob in a way because of this place, and those "mojitos" at other restaurants just do not come close. I'm pretty certain that this is the kind of mojito one would drink if they were in Cuba; it is that authentic. The one "knock" is that sometimes parking can be a hassle as their lot isn't gigantic, particularly on a Saturday evening because there is a church in the next building that meets on Saturday evenings and can take up some space. If you have a large group, it may be better to meet in the nearby shopping center and carpool over to the restaurant. It IS walking distance from the shopping center to the restaurant if you're ambitious enough to do so. Also, it can be difficult to get out of the parking lot afterwards because of the busy traffic along the road but NOT a deal-breaker by any means. If you are ever in the Burtonsville area, this place is a definite must-stop. Even if you're not from nearby, the trip to Cuba de Ayer is WELL worth it if you love great food and drink.
(5)
Cynthia L.
Anytime someone says: "Do you want to try really good (complete the sentence)?" I am Always game. So of course when my brother said those magic words, I jumped at the lunchtime opportunity. - Croquetes de Jamon - I didn't know what to think honestly when my brother ordered this. "Is it going to be a fried dough ball with a stick of ham in the middle?" was my thought. Not at all: the croquetes weren't overly oily and I wouldn't have picked out that it was ham unless someone had told me. - Beef Empanada - Well done, hot, not overly greasy, or doughy; there was a good sized portion of beef inside the empanada and the meat was seasoned. - Bistec Palomilla - I had to test how well they did this compared to places in Miami I've tried (and I'm not Cuban cuisine expert) because after all, if you can't get a (common) Cuban dish right, it just won't be right. I was surprised at how solid the steak was (a little peppery for my taste), but robust in all the other marinade flavors. Again, enjoyed that the dish wasn't overly greasy and came with a nice size serving of rice and sweet plantains, which came out goood (not burnt and not overly soft but not undercooked). - They also make their own sauce and even though I'm not a fan of spicy, this little kick-in-a-bottle was absolutely an excellent pairing to all the dishes we ate. I swear we down half the bottle between just the two of us. Our waiter was super friendly and courteous, even with our little Yelp check-in coupon (heyyyy!); the manager even brought our food to the table and checked on how things went. We don't have as much Cuban cuisine as say, Miami, and for being in Burtonsville, this place was very solid. Decent prices, clean place, good food and like others said, an out-of-the-way gem.
(5)
Lorena A.
This was our third time dinning here, we both had something different than he last two times and of course it was GREAT!. The Avocado Salmon was great. The Bistec De Palomilla was perfectly cooks, tender and flavorful. The Tostones con Cameron is something we have gotten each time and will continue to as it seems to get better and better each time. The service for us has always been really good, the waiters/tresses have always been attentive and helpful with recommendations.
(5)
Larry S.
Ropa vieja is amazing. Plantains and empanadas are a must. Don't forget a handmade mojito. The new renovation looks classy . Best Cuban in the dmv
(5)
Alison G.
I had the Shrimp in lemon and garlic and it was one of the top ten dishes I've had EVER anywhere. I don't know Cuban food so I can't speak for or compare, but I would go back over and over for the Shrimp. The decor inside is surprisingly nice, driving by this strip mall restaurant several times, I was impressed. My one suggestion for this restaurant, get some signature drinks and train your staff on liquor and wine. I was brought the wrong kind of white wine, the table next to us was also brought the wrong kind of red wine and instead of Myers rum we were brought scotch. A few more varieties of wine might not be a bad thing either, I would totally recommend this place to everyone I know.
(4)
Steven D.
Living in Maryland and looking and craving some good cuban? Well Cuba de Ayer has the best cuban food in Maryland. This is coming from someone who was born and raised in Miami, FL and lived in Key West, FL for four years. I highly recommend ordering Croquetas de Jamon (ham croquettes), Bistec Empanizado (seasoned breaded top sirloin steak, thinly sliced and fried) with white rice and black beans, and Tostones (fried green plantains).
(5)
Sydni R.
Ehh it was ok. I went there on a weekday afternoon right after work and there wasn't anyone there really. I ordered the combination platter (which is roast pork, ham corquettes, and yuca fries). The pork was dry, the yuca fries (they gave me only 2) were stale and the corquettes (2) were ehh. Being from S.Florida I've had Cuban food plenty of times and this didn't live up to my expectations. I also got the flan, and surprisingly it was good.
(2)
I W.
I haven't been here in a while (before remodel) so I won't go into rating the food. I would like to start by saying I am 100% Cuban, I live in Miami and visit Maryland often, while reading reviews I was blown away by so many people making reference to the "hot sauce", I feel the problem with the reviews is that those diners walk into a "Latin" restaurant with the TexMex mentality and expect hot sauce, pico de gallo and so on. Authentic Cuban cuisine is not spicy, we don't use hot sauce EVER.
(3)
Dave J.
The food is good but I went today and received terrible service. The young waiter forgot to put my order in. The rest of my party was served and then he copped an attitude about it when I asked where my meal was. He never even apologized for the fact that everyone else was halfway done eating by the time a received my meal. I won't return.
(1)
Peggy E.
My husband Alfonso E forgot to mention the empanadas in his review which we also sampled. Much like the Arroz con Pollo, it reminded him of his mamas cooking!
(5)
Marcos R.
I moved up from Tampa and eating here took me back. Tampa being a large part of the Cuban community had me knowing real Cuban cuisine on a daily basis. Being a foodie I've eaten a lot and I hate to say it it shows lol but along with those pounds comes true knowledge of what good food is and Cuba de Ayer is good Cuban. It's the BEST Cuban I've had in the DMV area since I've moved up and it's quickly becoming a favorite staple even though I live in Annapolis I happily make the drive.
(4)
Patty W.
My fiance and I love this place. The food is very good and plentiful, the service is top notch and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. They are also adding additional seating and they NEED it as it is popular. It has won several awards for cheap eats and it is well deserved. I am very familiar with Cuban food and they hit the mark nicely. We always try something different each time we go and have not been disappointed. As some have said in previous posts, it is located in a little dingy strip mall, but do not be put off by this. The inside of the restaurant is attractive.
(5)
Laurah J.
I truly love Cuban food and have high expectations when it comes to my Ropa Vieja, but this place exceeds all expectations! Delicious food, friendly service, and classy environment.
(5)
Jamie S.
This place really hit the spot. Honey Bunny and I were brought here yesterday by the lovely and talented Deborah N and glad that she drove us all the way out to Burtonsville (btw, where the hell is Burtonsville?) Although I only had a sip of the mojito it was the best I've ever had. Top notch. I liked that it had a strip of sugar cane as well to munch on. Get the white and black beans separate. More flavor that way. Empanadas were great. Beef and cheese. BAM! Even scored a bottle of their hot sauce. They sell it for $4.99. Grab it. I had the Boliche which was a great piece of pork and sauce. Honey Bunny had the ropa vieja and while it was good her homemade ropa vieja is better. You folks, however, don't get the luxury of having a world class top chef in your kitchen everyday so try Cuba de Ayer's ropa vieja and enjoy. Space has recently expanded and is a nice size joint with a bar now. Friendly and helpful staff. What's not to love?
(4)
Kevin S.
We go here frequently and they recently expanded their seating. Both the food and service are always good. I typically get the Ropa Vieja and it's consistently very good. Helpings are of fair size so you don't leave hungry.
(5)
Ruth G.
This place is pretty good. We had a pretty big group so we called ahead and made reservations. We got there and were taken care of in a timely fashion. I got the ropa vieja with sweet plantains and it very very tasty. I also got the signature mojito and it was very delish. Had just the right amount of everything. For desert i had the tres leches cake and it was so sweet and moist .. perfection! The food is very good and it is big portions! Definitely worth the drive and the wait.
(5)
Ky T.
The location was hard to find. The service was notably slow and our server seemed bored and not very personable. I'm certain the snapper was not very fresh and more importantly was SUPER bland. The things I had to do to that fish to give it any flavor were exhausting. Hubby was underwhelmed and described the pork as dry and lacking flavor. Options for non pork eaters are almost non existent. There are both Paladar of Annapolis and Ceiba of DC that are both FAAAAR better options than this place so that I suggest not wasting money on their ever available groupon offers.
(2)
Zuli M.
FOOD here is DELICIOUS!!! Staff was great, quick, attentive, and bilingual! Only reason why I am not giving them 5 stars is because their prices for the drinks are just really high plus the place is really small. Other than that, no complaints whatsoever!
(4)
VA W.
Wow was I surprised by this place. It was adjacent to a liquor store with a private parking lot that could fit around 10-15 cars max. As soon as you step outside of the vehicle you can smell the aroma of Latin food. It reminded me so much of Washington Heights, NY of the array of Domincian restaurants lined up on Broadway. The music as you step includes Hector LaVoe, Celia Cruz and Oscar D'Leon. It would be so awesome if they expanded the restaurant and included a dance room for Salsa/Merengue/Batchata. Okay let's get to the good stuff, the FOOD! -Chicken Empanadas, crispy outer shell of pasty with well seasoned chicken full of flavor. In NY we call them pastelitos. Women would sell them outside of our parish of our church. I also sampled the the outer fill of a Papa Rellena, which is a fried soft potato filled with beef. Its like a potato puff of mash potatoes for once you break the shell it is soft and tasty. -Cuban Roast Pork also known as Pernil O Pierna Asada Estilo Cubano with red beans, white rice and sweet maduros. Its like sweet and salt all in one! Delicious Baby! Full of flavor my mouth is watering right now as I am right this now. YUmmy! Such a little awesome mom and pop, with clean amenities, and an attentive staff. THIS PLACE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT! I WILL BE BACK!!!!!!!!!!! DO check check check it OUT !!!!!!!!! lol
(5)
Patty M.
See you in C-U-B-A (from the song Cuban Pete). Location looked dicey, it's not easy to spot and is behind other stores. Okay. Let's start with the fact that they take reservations. I wish I knew that because we waited over 30 minutes on a Saturday at 5pm. The place was packed from the moment we arrived to the time we left. That says a lot about the food. If people are willing The dining room is small and cramped. Service was A++. We told the hostess we had to make a plane and they seated us as quickly as they could. We checked in with Yelp and got free empanadas. Warning! If you have a living social coupon you cannot combine it with the free empanada offer. The empanadas were small, but yummy. A slightly sweet pastry enrobed perfectly seasoned chicken and beef. Not at all spicy. Nom Nom. I went with a shredded pork that was marinated in sour orange, garlic and other spices served with plantains, rice and black beans. It was good, but not as flavorful as I expected. Hubby had Camarones al Ajillo (shrimp with garlic) and that was very good. Son ordered *Pan con Pollo Asado (Chicken sandwich) which was very tasty. MIL, who is not a culinary adventurer, went with a grilled chicken salad. Food came out in a timely manner and portions were ample. We all share the flan which was very nice with a great texture and flavor. They played great latin music and the ambiance was a little loud, a bit cramped but overall worth it. Our server was extremely friendly and helpful. Everyone leaving the restaurant said it was worth the wait. Bottom line, make reservations and come hungry!
(4)
Jack W.
I went here for lunch with a couple of coworkers. This place was really good. The manager was really nice and gave us complimentary rice and beans and fried sweet plantains when she found out it was our first time there. The rice and beans were amazing, very flavorful. I'm not as big of a fan of plantains but they were very good too. One of my coworkers got the appetizer with the 3 different empanadas and he said each was very tasty. We each got the Cuban sandwiches and it was really filling. Overall, it was a great experience for our first time there.
(5)
Phi N.
The combination platter was what we started off with. The roasted pork was really delicious. The yuca is plain yuca and the ham croquettes are not something I would crave for... We split 2 entrees, the Bistec Empanizado and the Ropa Vieja. The steak had great texture but lacked taste. I added a lot of the hot sauce (which is on point, btw). As for the ropa vieja, it was also just decent. Pretty much, everything needed the hot sauce, best part of the meal. The sweet plantains were also fantastic. **Update 5/7/2015: Came back after the renovation. Got the tostones relleno, empanadas, and bistec salteado. Plantains on the tostones is too thick in my opinion. Meat was decent tasting though. Empanadas, the rice/beans, and the steak were pretty dry (they didn't ask me how I liked my meat cooked, and it slipped my mind to mention it to them; it came out overcooked). My boy got the boliche-- nothing really worth mentioning about that one**
(3)
Alan M.
Like the shrimp appetizers with avocado. Like decor. Entrees don't have veggies. A little pricey
(4)
Amy M.
I had the biggest craving for tostones this week. I've spent a lot of summers in Miami feasting on some of the best Cuban food, and been to Puerto Rico enough to "caer como yuca" from eating too much lechón asado. So I was hoping this place could help me with my platano fix. My party started off with pan con ajo (garlic bread.) Pan was drenched in ajo. I ate my portion, but the rest of my party couldn't handle the overwhelming garlic. I admit, it was a lot of garlic but at least they weren't skimping? I ordered the vegetarian platter. Maduros, yuca con mojo, arroz y frioles negros. Carb party much? I asked the server if I could swap the yuca for a side salad, and they did without any issue. I know Caribbean cuisine isn't big on vegetables that aren't starched based, but most cuban restaurants have roasted vegetables on their menus. Maduros were good, no complaints on that. White rice was just that, white rice. Black beans though, I dunno if I got a bad batch or something but my frijoles were so salty I couldn't even finish them. This is coming from the person who ate overly garlic bread like a champ. Then when it came to the tostones, the holy grail that had been plaguing my dreams all week, were really chewy? They weren't the golden fried, flakey treats I remembered. They were overly fried to the point where they just got tough to chew. Service was good. Our waitress was always prompt and attentive. Still not good enough for me wanting to go back. I know everyone who knows their stuff talks about Miami as the mecha of good Cuban food, but if you don't want to travel as much, Philly also has great Cuban food. Maybe I'll find some good tostones on my next trip.
(2)
Kathy M.
The best empanadas I've had - HANDS DOWN. Definitely worth the trip just for these bad boys. I recommend the beef, or if you are opposed to beef, try the chicken. Both are delicious. It's located in an out-of-the-way strip mall, next to a liquor store, but don't let that deter you. The food is great and so is the service. Now that they've expanded and added a small ball area, there is really the sense of a family/community atmosphere. The menu is moderately priced and everything on the menu is good. Now, how many restaurants can you say that about? Where everything on the menu is good? Even their desserts (including the rum cake, my personal favorite) are delicious.
(5)
Maryanne H.
We drove by the restaurant twice until my husband spotted it, on the side of a building also occupied by a liquor store. We were part of a group of 13 people. My husband and I both had margaritas. They were overpriced at $8.00 and only OK in flavor. My entree was the ropa vieja, which was moist and flavorful. The black beans were very nicely seasoned and the sweet plantains outstanding. I have eaten Cuban food in Miami and thought that the meal was at least as good as anything I've had there. My husband had the Boliche, which he wasn't enthusiastic about, but he did eat it all.Two others at the table had the Camarones al Ajillo, which they both really enjoyed. Another member of our group had the grilled salmon, which looked fabulous, but I forgot to ask her if it was good. We didn't order dessert, but several in the group did and the flan looked delicious. The bad? We had brought a Valpak coupon which stated that only one coupon per party could be used. Someone else at the table had a coupon and applied it to their bill. Our server was gracious to give us separate checks. When we paid our bill, the server would not allow us to use our coupon, stating that the restaurant policy was only to allow one coupon per table. I responded that the coupon stated that only one coupon per party could be used. Since my husband and I had a separate check, I thought this made us a separate party. He wouldn't go for it and neither would the manager. I told the manager that this should be stated more clearly on the Valpak coupon and he agreed and said he would talk to the people at Valpak. In retrospect, the restaurant should also state something about their coupon policy on their website. When the server (who was quite nice and attentive) told me that he would not accept the coupon, he pointed out that it was good until Dec. 27. We could come back and use it another time. I responded that there would not be another time. the food was good, but there are lots of good restaurants in the area and I did not appreciate the way this one does business.
(2)
Nadine F.
After a long morning of curling, my friends and I were looking for something to eat nearby that was better than the fast food options in the area, and Cuba de Ayer certainly met that criteria. Though it's in an old, run down strip mall in what appears to be not the best part of town, the restaurant is actually very nice, clean, and even classy inside. The service was friendly and fast, and they didn't give us any attitude when we said another person may or may not be joining us midway through the meal. The food, however, was a bit disappointing. I had the ropa vieja, which I found to be really bland and dry, and it seemed to be lacking the advertised vegetables, which just left me with a pile of dry beans and rice next to a large pile of beef. I thought the unsweetened plantains were also bland, though I really enjoyed the sweet plantains that I tried from someone else's plate. I also had a bite of a Cuban sandwich, which also lacked flavor and left me not wanting a second bite. Overall, the food wasn't great, but the place was so charming that I'd gladly give it another try if I'm back in the area.
(3)
Tiffany L.
Is it just me, my boyfriend, and my family's tastes bud or is the food really really salty? I have had take out once and dine in twice, the second time to give it another chance, and man the food was still very very salty. First dine in experience, both beef and chicken empanadas were delicious, boyfriend ordered Ropa Vieja and I ordered a pork dish with citrus marinade (forget the name). The ropa was okay, not as good as I remember from take out. The pork dish was extremely salty. Now for the second visit. I came in with my family. We ordered appetizer sampler, a different pork dish, picadillo, ropa vieja and pollo asado. The crcoquets were pretty good but everything else was extremely salty! It was so salty my mom and I couldnt finish our meals. We are all about taking leftovers home but this time we did not even want to do that. The portions are huge. The home made hot sauce was okay but lacked any kick ( it was actually helpful in taking some of the saltiness away). Service is pretty good and the place is cozy. Only complaint, why so salty!?
(2)
Roberto N.
We tried this place years and years ago when it first opened. Did our taste buds change, or did they get a LOT better? Now, it's a REAL TREAT to eat here. Best lechon asado I've had outside the islands. The Fricasee de pollo was also a great choice. Moros y christianos- if I remember right, "Moors and Christians", i.e., beans and rice cooked together in a rice cooker, were good, but I personally still like getting them cooked and served separately, then combining them myself at the table. The location is just okay, but the restaurant is surely a great experience. Do try it.
(4)
May C.
We had the chance to dine before and after the renovation. I give 5 stars to before, and so-so stars to after. The place looks more cool after the renovation, but the food was so so and overpriced for its small portion. It was better before the renovation. We were also told that there will be a 10 minutes wait, but we ended up waiting for 30 minutes for a table. We could have had the option not to wait and go somewhere else. I could have given it fewer stars, but I liked the food before the renovation. Maybe the kitchen was too busy that night that the food suffered.
(3)
Anthony G.
Great authentic Cuban food. Order the batida de mamey. ¡Hecho con leche! ¡Muy bueno!
(5)
Lisa T.
We happened upon this place several years ago and love it! I hade been missing Cuban food since relocating to the DC area from Florida, but not any more. They have great bolliche, ropa vieja, and picadillo. Their mojitos are the best I have ever tasted. I have a hard time ordering them anywhere else. They have expanded, but they remain the same kind and considerate place that still treats you like family.
(5)
Stephanie P.
When you eat the cold leftovers which have been sitting in your car WITH YOUR HANDS on the drive home, you know it's good. Holy mole this place hit the spot. Every step of our dining experience was enjoyable. Our waiter was a rarity: fast, courteous, knowledgeable, and kind. The mojito was a mint-lover's paradise and STRONG. I had two, and was three sheets to the wind. Our appetizer, the shrimp and avocado in garlic sauce, was simple and perfect. My meal, the citrus roasted pork, was exactly what I wanted in Cuban pork. Seasoned, textured (some crispy bits some tender bits), and abundant. The rice and beans were just like I remember from Miami, and the sweet plantains were marinated? the flavor seemed to permeate the entire plantain, and they were neither underseasoned nor cloyingly sweet. The flan was the best flan I've had in years. Custardy, silky, awesome burnt sugar sauce. Truly elevated in its simplicity. Only maybe the flan at Fogo de Chao holds a candle. My friends loved their dishes as well, bistequa and carne con papas (which had a rich depth to the sauce). We also managed to just about empty a bottle of their house hot sauce. I looked around and everyone else's food looked amazing. Even after I was full, I was still eyeballing other food. I think this is a good sign. I will, without question, suck it up and drive the 40 minutes time and time again for more of this amazing food. It blows every nearby option totally out of the water.
(5)
Keisha C.
I came here on a Tuesday night. At first, I was skeptical since it is in a strip mall, but was pleasantly surprised once inside. The ambiance was nice. Intimate enough for a date, but not too isolated. I noticed a few families as well. Our waiter was very attentive. He asked if we had any food restrictions (which I do, so I was extremely happy to not have to ask if there is bacon hidden in any dish). It was one of the few times I ever had a service person ask if I have restrictions before giving a recommendation and I would return for that reason alone. I appreciate that he was so knowledgeable about what is in each dish. Drinks were brought out promptly and he checked in with us throughout the meal, but did not hover. If we needed anything, we could catch his eye within a minute. On to the food! We started off with the chicken empanadas. Very hot (temperature wise), flavorful but not spicy. Good for my date, a smidge disappointing for me. The waiter brought out a salsa, which added a lot of flavor to the empanada as well. For the entree, I... don't quite remember what it was. Some chicken dish. The chicken was a bit dry, but nothing some salsa couldn't fix. I had the crispy plantains and vegetarian beans and rice. Both were good. Portion size was nice; I took home leftovers. I'd come back, at least to try other options on the menu. Maybe I'll find an entree that stands out to me. The variety makes it a good option for my friends who have more food restrictions than me. I would define bring my vegetarian friends here for a meal and know that they can enjoy a full meal.
(4)
Leon W.
I'm not an expert on Cuban food but I do know something about service. It seems like this restaurant likes to turn over tables as quickly as possible. My wife and I were only halfway through our appetizers when the entrees arrived. I said to the server I didn't expect the entrees to arrive before finishing the appetizers. They are going to get cold. He said he was sorry and proceeded to leave the entrees on the table. It seems like fast service is more important than customer comfort. Will never go back.
(2)
Michael F.
I did a redo here a few nights ago. Yum. We started with a few Empanadas, one beef one chicken.Cooked perfectly and delish. We also did the sampler platter,(7.50) all were tasty. I had the Chuletas De Puerco.(14.95) Marinated Pork Chops smothered with sauteed onions. Nicely seasoned, tender but a bit on the small side, served with sweet plantains, white rice and black beans. The rice and beans are a meal alone,good eating. I had a 3 Mojito's during the course of dinner. I'm in love with the Mojito's here. My dinner companion Deb enjoyed her meal as well. And with her 25 dollar coupon it made it that much better. Dinner and drinks after discounts was about 95 bucks. A Great meal and good service means I don't mind the drive to Cuba de Cuba de Ayer again. Cuba has won me over. Nice job Cuba de Ayer.
(4)
Anne D.
The food is great!!! I got the ropa vieja and my boyfriend got the pan con pollo with yucca. Delicious. We also got desert, tres leche and flan. Scrumptious, best flan I ever had. Our waitress was also great. Got appetizer, main entree, and desert for lunch came out only $40 for two.
(5)
Andrew M.
Very unassuming exterior, but judge not a book by its cover, Yoda or somebody probably said. Friendly, helpful, and attentive service. I'm someone who likes to ask a lot of questions, like "If you had to choose one thing on the menu to eat, what would it be?" And based on how the waiter/waitress answers, aid my decision. Our server did not lead us wrong. In my group, we tried: beef, chicken, and cheese empanadas and croquetas to start, ropa vieja and boliche for entreees, and flan and tres leches to finish us off. The empanadas were delicious. Lots of flavor in the chicken and beef varieties, very mellow and melty farmer cheese in the other. Great crispy outer texture, which I personally prefer with empanadas cause I mean who doesn't love deep fried? Croqueta was tasty but nothing special. The waitress suggested trying the rice and beans and plaintains, which came with the entrees, both ways. Good tip. All very tasty, but the fried plaintains were exceptional. Golden brown in all its caramelized goodness, it was a much better choice than the green plaintains. Both entrees were cooked very tender with very well developed flavors and sauces. The rice and beans (both ways) were also very well seasoned and tasty. Huge portions, simple staple cuisine, hearty and tasty results. To bookend our meal, we had the flan which I wasn't a a big flan of due to a kind of savory aftertaste I couldn't put my finger on; and a positively succulent slice of tres leches cake that made up for the not-so-flantastic flan. I don't even like tres leches, but this was awesome and another "best I've ever had". I love a good Mojito. CDA's Pineapple Mojito was by far the best mojito I've ever had, anywhere. Fresh mint crushed super finely. Vibrant, popping fruit flavors from the pineapple that surely has never seen the inside of a container. I could've had 10 more it was so damn good, but I was driving. Someone else got the Mango Bomb, which I got to taste. Very very good, and another cocktail made with quality juice. My Cuban roommate has traveled the world and says that this easily one of the best and most authentic Cuban restaurants he's been to. That's good enough for me.
(4)
Louie B.
Great food! Great service!
(4)
N J.
We was in Silver Spring on Saturday morning running errands with the husband, so we decided to go to Cuba de Ayer for lunch. Since we live in NoVa, rarely are we over this way. But when we are, we try to stop by. We finished our errands by 11am and sat in the car and waited for them to open. At 11:25am they opened their doors and there were already two other parties besides us. It just goes to show you how popular they are. The husband and I both order the pernil with black beans and platanos maduros. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS!!! I love the it! We also shared a tres leche for desert. So good! Sweet and creamy, but also light. Try it and you'll love it too!
(4)
big e.
The review rating description is right, yay! I'm a fan! The food is consistently good at a fair price and they have THE BEST tres leches I've ever had. The reason I cannot give that last star is because sometimes the service is quite slow.
(4)
Guinivere S.
Dee-lishus! I was sooo looking forward to having some cuban food and I came in with an appetite. Upon the recommendation of the waistaff I had a Presidente beer, and ordered my food. The food came quickly, and was perfectly flavoured. I was getting full and yet I still continued to eat....that's how you know it was good! I wanted to try a dessert, and also went on the recommendation of the waitstaff. The dessert was good, but quite sweet! I probably should have stopped while I was ahead. I ordered my coffee to go, so I could enjoy it on the drive, and that was a great decision. I would recommend this place and would visit again!
(5)
Roberto S.
Great service friendly and welcoming. Good food and the prices are ok. I can truly recommend this place to friends.
(5)
Ayesha A.
I came in for a late dinner with a friend--9 PM on a Saturday night. We were seated pretty quickly upon arrival. Shortly after being seated, our extremely friendly server introduced herself to us and asked us if it was our first time there. We said yes, so she told us a little bit about the menu before taking our drink orders. I got a Batido de Mango (a mango milkshake). It was creamy, delicious, and not too sweet. Just the way I like it. When the server returned to take our food order, she could tell that we were unfamiliar with Cuban cuisine, so she went into a little more detail and answered all of our questions. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. The best part was that she asked us multiple times to inform her if we didn't like anything we ordered (since we were unfamiliar with the cuisine) so that she could switch it out for something that we would like better. This let me feel free to be a little more adventurous than I would have been otherwise. I loved how accommodating she was. She checked on us frequently (but not in a cloying way). The service was really excellent here. The dining room was pretty small, and it got loud. The cheese empanada was hot, fresh, and delicious: crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. It was particularly tasty with the house habañero hot sauce. The server warned me that the vaca frita may be a little dry for first-timers, but I decided to try it anyway. I learned that vaca frita is beef that's first braised, then shredded and fried. It was lacy and crispy. I quite enjoyed it. The beans were flavorful, and the rice was oiled nicely (but not greasy). I got the crispy plantains, and they were good and crispy. Also very tasty with the house habañero hot sauce. The portions were generous, especially for the price that we paid. This place is really great. I highly recommend it!
(5)
Ashley N.
The food we had tonight was very good. The ambience of the place was nice and calm too. I will detail them below. Some of us got drinks, and they were pretty tasty. Mine was some guava rum drink. It was good- tasted like fresh fruit juice. We started with the chicken, beef and cheese empanadas. The chicken was shredded and spiced perfectly. The dough was sweet, but crunchy and salty at the same time. Happiness in my mouth! We also got the papas rellenos (beef stuffed potatoes). I was a fan of the potatoes, with the crispy coating on the outside and mushy mashed tater taste underneath. The beef was just beef. Nothing I'll remember forever. But it was good. I got the chicken breast with dirty rice (seasoned rice and beans) and platanos. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned. I liked using their spicy sauce to add a little zing to it. My friend said her chicken (same dish) was a bit salty. Humph! My husband got the steak, white rice, black beans and platanos. He said it was well seasoned and cooked well. Other friend got a beef dish with dirty rice and plantains. He seemed happy too. The platanos were SO good, sweet, mushy, and just delicious. The flan was very good, but so tiny. It was almost not worth the calories. For whatever money it is, it should be an ounce bigger! All in all, solid Cuban meal. I would return. The food cranked out of the kitchen smelled and looked delicious, which is why I want to go back. The waiter seemed flighty and cookie at first. But, he came around and checked in several times, as did the food runners. The tables are situated a bit close to one another, which could get uncomfortable and awkward on a Friday or Saturday night. It wasn't a busy night so we weren't on top of another table, thankfully. But leave some space, puhlease.
(4)
Tamara W.
Cuba de Ayer was highly recommended by friends and since they are Cuban and I grew up around authentic Cuban food, I decided to try them. First of all you must be vigilant of where they are located or you will pass it up! Very obscure place on the side of a strip mall just off the main road. The parking is HORRIBLE an absolute mess because they share space with 8 other shops and you can count the spaces with both hands. Good luck with that. Since we got there early 4 p.m. on Sunday, we found parking quickly and were seated immediately as we entered. The decor is very hip, and fresh as modern cubism meets retro Cuba, and both sexes of the waitstaff are dressed in traditional guayaberas which was a nice surprise. The seating looks good, but it is well-worn and the cushions were ripped and the salt and pepper shakers and menus were greasy. When our waitress came by she was very friendly and initially attentive, but she became less and less attentive once we placed our orders--this was not cool as my water glass was never filled and I was drinking only water and I had to ask my dinner mates if I could have theirs. The place was not even busy. The check took waaayyy too long-and to make matters worse there was a problem with another person cashing us out, a weird mix up. I was not happy with the waitress and I think that not having a bill of over $100 had a lot to do with it. PROS Authentic flavors and dishes which are well seasoned Decent food, but the roast pork (hallmark of Cuban cuisine) was forgettable because it was not fresh, it was either frozen and reheated or the initial meat that was cooked had freezer burn The black beans were excellent The batido de mamey (milkshake) was very good Their rice dishes were good The portions are just right, not CONS They charge for a x-small basket of bread and butter - very bad business practice Their tostones were hard as a rock and extremely thin - a big no no. Cuban sandwich was tasty, but very thin which means they are very SKIMPY on everything except the mustard They are overpriced for all of their meals, way overpriced I have not tried their other dishes, alcoholic drinks nor desserts, I may give them another chance. ***PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL BE CHARGED THE DINNER PRICE ANYTIME DURING THE WEEKEND FOR YOUR LUNCH.
(2)
Ivan M.
Great place, great setting and great food but best of all, great people. Victor's great service made the food taste even better; he's friendly and knowledgeable. We had pollo salteado, bistec empanizado, pargo frito (red snapper), bistec palomilla, empanadas, and other food. Great food!
(5)
SB M.
I love this place. It's gotten a lot bigger in the last couple of years, but it's a great place. The food is amazing, the service is always good and if you happen to be there on a live music night the musicians are always spot on. My favorite dish is the Vaca Frita, which is pan fried shredded beef. It's dry, no sauce, which I love but some people don't like. My wife has the Pollo Empanizado, it's basically Cuban fried chicken, and she loves it. The chicken is not dried out and the breading is tasty. For appetizer the fried yucca or Papas Rellenas (fried mashed potato with piccadillo stuffing) are delicious. If you are going on a weekend night, make a reservation.
(5)
Joseph C.
The food and service is impeccable. Best restaurant in MD. When you need comfort food from the Caribbean, you have to go there!
(5)
Melissa S.
Friday night dinner option after searching Yelp for something different and highly recommended. For a family of 4, I ordered a Cuban sandwich, Caribbean salmon, Camarones al Ajillo, and a Pernil. I also ordered a tres leches and rum cake to share. Total Bill: $80+ sigh...but ok....I figured it's ok to splurge a little because it will be worth it- right?! Ok so....not really but it's promising. Let's start with the camarones (shrimp). I was expecting a beautiful presentation when I opened the take out container. What I got looked like shrimp in a butter and garlic mixture. Rice was cooked perfectly and the plantains (maduros) were good. Next up... Pernil. Hmmm i'll just say that I was REALLY looking forward to the dish blowing my mind but my expectations were too high. It was just OK- nothing great and not something I would get again. I've had wayyyyyy better. I'm not sure about the sandwich but my son's face spoke volumes! He wasn't thrilled at all. Then... the salmon. It was also just OK- nothing to slap momma about at all. The mango salsa however, delicious. The desserts were in the OK column as well. For what I spent, and because it was a Cuban spot, I was sooo excited because I just KNEW the food would be amazing. Instead after my meal, I felt like a bit of a fool. The 2 biggest disappointments though were when one of my orders came out incorrectly after I had gone over the order with the hostess twice. In total, I waited 1 hour and 15 minutes for my food. My poor kids were about to feint! Finally, I found that by checking into the restaurant on Yelp, you could get a free empanada- so I did. When I inquired about it, I was referred to the manager. While I wait for the manager, one of the hostesses inquired with the other about what I was seeking in Spanish. First mistake- don't assume that the customer can't understand your language- I can! Second mistake- don't discuss the customer in his/her face. The other hostess then says- we don't accept Groupon coupons. I'm then thinking that one person addressing the issue was enough because now her assumption is that I have a Groupon when I clearly showed the other young lady the bold, red, Yelp offer. She says Oh- and it's also for dine-in. I replied-well it should specify that on Yelp because it doesn't. The manager then comes and like a broken record- he too tells me that they typically don't accept the offer for dine out- only dine in. Wha!?! It doesn't say that on Yelp. Then I'm thinking... Are you kidding me after all I've waited and spent? He was nice enough to honor it anyway but not before giving me a light tongue lashing about what they typically don't do... Sigh. Great customer service would have ended at honoring the offer and moving on. As I walked out, a gentleman had gotten up from his table and was complaining that they had been waiting over an hour for their dinner. After he walked away, the hostesses were scrambling trying to address the issue and I could hear them in Spanish discussing that the man's table had been there a long time. I SO want to love this business! It's promising and I love and support my Caribbean folks but c'mon- let's do better! I really tried...really I did. Not sure that I'll be back. Perhaps I'll try the bar next time.
Super sad face. Came 400 miles and drove the extra few for what my sister promised The Best ropa vieja pero it's not open Monday's.
(5)
Nick M.
Came up from Woodbridge for our monthly fix. Server is Ana. Service here is excellent but we like Ana the best . Having Bistec Palomino with rice and beans, son in law is having pernil. Food is awesome.
(5)
Naomi S.
We moved to the Silver Spring/Burtonsville area a year ago and still looking for all the hidden gems in the nearby area. Cuba de Ayer was such a find! We were actually the last ones to show up on a Sunday night and we didn't feel rushed. The service was great and fast. We ordered traditional mojitos, the shrimp and avocado appetizer, bistec salteado and salmon caribbean. All were excellent. We will definitely make this a regular and try everything on the menu!
(5)
Ijene L.
Really really awesome. Beautiful lil restaurant with a completely sexy ambience. Perfect for a first date or even an anniversary. Nestled in a shopping center off old Columbia pike so drive slow and pay attention so you don't pass it. I had the Cuban passion drink. It was fruity and bubbly and I loved it. It went great with the Chuletas (pork chops) which were seasoned perfect and just like abuelita used to make! Sweet plaintains were freaking mouth watering and I wanna be buried in a vat of their tostones....ijs. I had the croquetas appetizer and they were rich and filling and chewy and my goodness they were awesome sauce! I only regret I had no room for dessert! I went at about 8 pm and they closed at 9. The wait staff was incredibly sweet and accommodating. The manager was also a doll and even adjusted the temp for me since I was one of 4 ppl left eating. The music made me wanna shake my culo the entire time, courtesy of Celia Cruz. I just can't say enough good things. I can NOT WAIT to go again! I loved it!
(5)
Raycal B.
When I tell u this Cuban food is good, it is delicious. My husband loved his steak and he NEVER EVER loves steak at restaurants. They don't season it well enough for him. But this restaurant did. The atmosphere in here is nice too. You should definitely check this place out. You won't regret it. This is my 2nd time here and I will be back again and again. If u check into Yelp, you get a FREE Empanada.
(5)
Lisa M.
Overall, this place was really good. I went with some colleagues. We are not from the area, and we were looking for someplace with good food and atmosphere. Cuba de Ayer has both. The menu has a pretty decent variety of traditional Latin American food, but what I was most excited to see was the pernil. Its not something I have seen on other Cuban restaurant menus. The waiter said that it takes 6 hours to make, and the fantastic flavor definitely reflected it. I got it with maduros (sweet bananas), which were appropriately tender and sweet. My colleague got and enjoyed the tostones (fried, flat bananas). The most disappointing aspect was the blandness of the rice and beans, but that was sufficiently addressed with some hot sauce. Another colleague got the boliche, which he said he really enjoyed. The tostones rellenos were eh. The shredded beef filling was tasty, but the tostones, which I thought lacked flavor, detracted from the overall appetizer and experience. A colleague had the empanadas (1 each of the three types), and he described them as okay. The service was great, the portions were generous, and the place has character. I'd definitely go back again.
(4)
Annie C.
If you're looking for authentic Cuban Cuisine, this is the real deal! Nothing short of amazing! From their mojitos, to their chicken empanadas and tostones rellenos, to their Ropa Vieja, Camarones al ajillo, Palomillla, or Masitas, you really can't go wrong. I've NEVER had a bad meal or dish here. And their desserts are pretty amazing too. The tres leches and flan are made in house from scratch daily and are heaven on earth!!! Absolutely love this place!
(5)
Kim T.
It started with the excellent classic salsa music...continued with an expertly made mojito...warmed with a perfect sopa de res...all emceed by the pleasant and friendly staff...:D
(5)
Sarah M.
Five stars well deserved. A group of friends and I decided to try Cuba de Ayer on a whim for dinner on a Friday night. I'm so glad we did. I loved the authentic feel of the restaurant, the timely service, and the flavorful food! I ordered the cuban sandwich with sweet fried plaintains. I highly recommend it! It was SO GOOD! The next time, I want to order the bistec salteado, which was also highly recommended. Because my friends and I were enjoying our dining experience so much, we carried on talking and laughing, not realizing that the restaurant was about to close. Instead of kicking us out or rushing us, our server was very gracious. I love that kind of customer service. I will be back!
(5)
Roy S.
This place is awesome!!! Had the ropa vieja with rice and beans (cooked separately, make sure to get them this way). The empenadas were tasty and the croquettes were a hit as well. The food here is awesome and its in such a random place... Make sure to go here and enjoy!! It gets really busy at night so I suggest going for lunch
(5)
Zahra K.
They should buy out all the other establishments on it's little strip to make more space. This place is so good I don't even get mad at waiting an extra 30 minutes on top of the initial 30 minutes for my take out order. Just give me my pan con bistek and tres leches and I am good. Everything else I have had is pretty good. Can't compare to what I am used to growing up in Miami, but for the DC Metro 'burbs, it'll do.
(4)
Jarrod F.
Having eaten here twice in the past two weeks I'm officially a fan of Cuba de Ayer. The first time we came here with friends (including fellow yelper Ashley p!). We all ordered the empanadas which were outstanding. The beef one was by far the best. The stuffed potato croquettes were also delicate and light. Definitely delicious. Everyone seemed to love their drinks although i thought my sangria was just ok. Our 4 entrees included the rojo vieja, steak, and grilled chicken. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. However I do wish there was more variety with the side options. Don't get me wrong I love me some rice and beans but maybe some mixed vegetables would add some variety and color for those who need their greens. I thought the sweet plantains were a little too sweet. The savory ones were much better but they were also fried, which made them less healthy. Overall it was a great experience which is why I returned the following week with my wife and sister in law. On this second visit we ordered The shrimp and avacado appetizer. Although appealing to the eye im not quite sure I was a fan of the flavor profile. The dish was saturated in butter and drowning in garlic. Probably wouldn't order it again for those reasons. Although the shrimp were plump and filling. For our entrees i ordered the salmon special with an avacado cream sauce which was excellent. My wife had the Cuban sandwich and my sister in law got the yellow rice and shrimp. Honestly I didn't think their meals looked just okay. But our waiter that night was excellent. Now I will say that on this second trip we were seated in the back area and it was way too hot. I think it's because that particular space had no air vents. Try to avoid the back area on a hot day is my advice to you. My recommendation: the beef empanadas, the guava mojito and the salmon with black rice and savory plantains.
(4)
Paula S.
AWESOME!!! First my servers were Bessie and Victor. They were WONDERFUL!!!! Great food recommendations as this was our first time. We started with chicken empanadas and yucca fries, and had the pollo salteado, camarones al ajillo and the Caribbean salmon, and we all enjoyed EVERYTHING! Great food and great service.
Excellent service! Our server gave recommendations that were spot on. Everything we ordered that he recommended was delish. The empanadas were crispy and the filling was very tasty. We had one of each kind. The one con was that the cheese one was a bit greasy (a bit 'o grease dropped on my pants when I bit into it). Our entrees came out very quickly. I would recommend getting the beans on the side and pour the beans on the rice yourself rather than have it already mixed into the rice if you like your beans and rice more moist. The tres leches cake was to die for and the mamey shake/smoothie was not too heavy. It was quite refreshing, actually! And the mojito was the best I ever had. My one very small criticism over the entire meal was that all the food, save the sweet plantains and the desserts, were on the salty side. Even the rice. But it didn't matter that much unless you're sensitive to that sort of thing. All moms with babies- there is a changing table in the ladies bathroom. ;)
(5)
Liz S.
This place is legit. We stopped here from Northern Virginia, on our way to the Aquarium. The food is legit and they know how to cook. If you're anywhere near the area, stop by. It'll likely be our go-to everytime we go to Baltimore. It's not too far off from I-95.
(5)
Regina W.
Excellent meatballs on the lunch special. Service was great. Interior is very clean and and the atmosphere completes the Cuban vibe
(5)
Norris P.
They have a small happy hour but what they do have is simply delicious! I had their $5 empanadas, you get two per order, they have a slight sweetness to it which was unexpected but it works really well together. Their drinks are semi strong though
(4)
Mandi B.
This was my first time trying Cuban food and I must say, omgg that was amazing!! The food had so much flavor to it and please don't get me started on the beans!! I def will be coming back again. Best food I've had in a while
(5)
Gerry D.
Would have gave this place 5 stars, but the server I had was not that experienced. I feel that a place like this with such amazing food, should have to notch servers. Not that my server was bad but she wasn't too familiar with the menu, and didn't really say much. Makes me wonder if she didn't want to serve us... ? Anyway the food was amazing! I also had a mojito which was the best mojito I ever had. The price of the meal for me and my girlfriend was very promising. Considering the amount of money spent the weekend before on not so good food. At the end of the day I recommend going here for food and not service if you can grab and go, the foods amazing I can't say it enough, even the next day after heating the food up in the microwave it took me back mmmmmmmm
(4)
Joey T.
My famil and I love this place. Ambience os great, food is perfect and the service is outstanding. A must place to dine
(5)
Milton H.
Another great dinner here. No doubt this is as close as it gets to authentic Cuban. This is a nice little hide away in Montg County. The food is always fresh, service is always exceptional. Our server, Linda, is simply amazing. She is attentive, has a great smile and checked on us frequently. Be sure to ask for Linda !!!
(5)
Dana E.
Found this place based on the great Yelp reviews, and so glad we did! This was truely some if the best Cuban food I've ever had. The empanads were out of this world, especially with their homemade hotsauce. Oh, the mojitos- also one of the best cocktails I've ever had. They know how to make it right! Just moved into the neighborhood, we will definitely make this a regular place! Great ambience, and super friendly service.
(5)
DJ H.
The restaurant has been through a makeover and looks very nice and refreshed. The decor and atmosphere is pleasant and inviting. Started off with the beef Empanda and shrimp with garlic and lemon sauce. Simply delicious. I had the Pollo Salteado with red beans and plantains which was very very tasty. Wife had the rib special which was moist, seasoned and delicious. Oh and the mojitos were refreshing. A definite chill spot with excellent food.
(4)
Michael Y.
I was invited here by some work friends who told me that I was missing out. The last time I had Cuban food was in Cuba, so I was skeptical to try the "Americanized" version. However, I've gotta say, I have most certainly been missing out! The empanadas...folks, these empanadas!!! I got one of each kind (you can mix'n'match chicken, beef or cheese) and did not regret it! They put a hint of sweet glaze on the crisp edges, so when you take that first bite into it (after dressing it with their delicious house-made hot sauce) you get so much flavor in one bite. Everyone is always looking for the perfect bite, and I had 20 of them in a row! Then, I followed it up with the Ropa Vieja with Platanos Maduros (fried sweet plantains) and Moros Y Cristianos (seasoned rice and black beans). If you want to eat how they do in Cuba, save the airfare and get this dish! It may not look like the most colorful entree, but that matters so very little when you find yourself shoveling it into your mouth! The contrast of the perfectly seasoned shredded beef and the sweet plantains explode with flavor in every bite. The plantains themselves were excellent! Crunchy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside. The atmosphere and cuisine were of DC-restaurant caliber, but at a fraction of the cost. Add to that the service: we surprised them with a lunch party of 9, and they easily took it in stride. We forgot to tell our server to split the checks, but he took the time to sort through and make sure there was no confusion. He even humored me while I practiced my Spanish during my order (not pretty). And yes, the woman you see on the news articles displayed when you walk in is the same woman you see going back and forth from kitchen to customers. The owner, Jessica Rodriguez, is always in sight, taking care of business. The only thing that gave this 4 instead of 5 stars is that the Ropa Vieja was noticeably over salted. If this happens to you, keep this in mind: Once I combined the ingredients and added a generous dosage of their hot sauce (again, perfection) the flavors complemented each other perfectly. Going back tomorrow. I suggest you do the same.
(4)
Shawna S.
This place is definitely a hidden gem. I absolutely love the food here, and the staff is great. I LOVE Cuban food, and the food here is pretty authentic.
(5)
Seth S.
Happened on this place while trying to avoid 95 traffic and loved it. We had the veggie platter and the shrimp, and both were great.
(4)
Alyssa S.
Love love love this place, I've been coming here since 2009 before they remodeled. The mojitos are great, fresh mint, limes, and even sugar cane. They are also $5 on happy hour in the bar area only as well as select appetizers are half off. I've tried all the empanadas, but the chicken are my favorite. I also get the pollo a la plancha with black beans and sweet plantains. The hot sauce is divine and mixes very well with the rice. The portion sizes for entrees are also great, definitely enough for lunch the next day. The tres leches cake is also delicious. The manager is very accommodating and will come around to make recommendations. I've never had any real problems with the service, however if you do sit in the bar area tables you will probably go longer without seeing staff as they are also sometimes the only bartender.
(5)
M S.
THE GOOD AMBIENCE: Much more than what you would expect judging from the outside. The shopping center is stripmallish, but CDA feels hip and welcome. APPETIZERS: Croquetas De Jamon: deep fried, but not greasy. very good. Papa Rellena: surprisingly good, interesting combination of an otherwise bland potato w/ well seasoned ground beef. DRINKS: Pineapple soda is overpriced at $2.35 for a 16 oz can. Mojito arrived w/ a piece of sugarcane. Delicious and enticing even for the non-drinker at our table. ENTREE: Bistec Palomilla: I ordered the moros/cristianos, and friends swapped tostones and maduros with us. Delicious! My friend also ordered the bistec, but she thought hers was a bit dry. Pollo Empanizado: Breading/chicken were seasoned and cooked very well. DESSERT: Tres leches was the probably the best I've ever had! Sweet, soft, perfect. THE OK: SERVICE: Not great! Our server did not clear our dishes quickly. We waited awhile for our 4th person to arrive, and the server was pretty good up until then. But then he disappeared for awhile and we had to ask another waiter to track him down. When dessert was presented, the servers sang Happy Birthday, but it was not a good photo-op bc the table was still stacked w/ dinner dishes! Prior to bringing the dessert out, server should have checked to make sure our dishes were cleared. PRESENTATION: All of the food was delicious, but when it arrived, the first thing you notice is everything on the plate was a shade of brown. Brown steak, brown moros/cristianos, brown plantains, light brown tostones. Green/yellow vegetables would break up the monotony to make the plates look more appealing and provide a healthy side dish for customers. I'd be willing to pay $1 more per entree for a green side dish. THE BAD: ODOR: There is an odor permeating the restaurant that suggests something is amiss with the grease trap/sewer. Outside the restaurant you can smell the delicious onions, garlic and other spices. However, the dank odor is apparent as soon as you open the inner door. We waited by the hostess stand for 20 minutes and were later seated in the section of the restaurant closer to the restroom and, unfortunately, the smell never went away. The odor is not bathroom related, the bathroom smells perfectly fine. TBH, in a normal situation the odor would have driven me away (a restaurant should smell like food and food only), but it was a special occasion with friends and I didn't want to ruin the night. I hope this is corrected quickly! The restaurant is well worth multiple visits, but the odor ruins my appetite.
(4)
Jenn R.
As usual, excellent food. The per il is superb and the maduros are "yummy yummy". Every time I've bee the food Is delicious as well as their mojitos. Last time I went though they were very abundant with the mint in the mojito, more like a drink salad.. By having Hispanic heritage I usually don't expect hight customer service in Latin restaurants and this place is not the exception. Last time and after the remodel the waiter seemed all over the place, lost and our orders tools long time to be served including waiting for more than 15 minutes for our drinks. In addition, the waiter kept talking really fast while explaining the menu items to my friends. In overall is good food and last time, they had LIVE MUSIC which was nice :-)
(4)
Lee P.
Don't let the exterior of the strip mall throw you off. Everything I tried here was absolutely delicious even down to the drinks! Best tres leches ever! I'm not Cuban so I can't say if it's "authentic," but the food is good. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Becky R.
Love this place... from their drinks to dessert I have never been disappointed!
(5)
Jacqui G.
I'm happy to have this little slice of Cuban heaven close to my home. We were lucky enough to have found it while on our house hunt. It's so nice to know that I can sit down to a delicious, authentic Cuban meal that I didn't have to cook and it won't break the bank. The "boliche" and "vaca frita" are to die for! Great atmosphere too! Went there for lunch recently and there was hardly an empty seat in the house! Que rico!!!
(5)
Amanda K.
O.M.G. OK- I'm a huge fan of Cuban food. My husband is convinced that one of the reasons we bought our house is it's proximity to Cuban Corner. I've seriously considered purchasing one of those boxes to roast a whole pig...you get it. We had been planning to hit Cuba de Ayer for a while, but since it's 30 minutes away and you can spit and hit Cuban Corner from my place, we've put it off...silly. Deliciousness wrapped up in deliciousness covered in deliciousness with a delicious center. Fish, pork, chicken...close your eyes, throw a dart, and you'll hit a winner. Go. Go now.
(5)
Jennifer E.
Loved in the area my whole life and never visited this place of deliciousness! Went tonight and the service was superior, food was amazing. Best part was that we were allowed the TIME to sit and enjoy.
(5)
Su K.
---2.5 stars--- Let me preface this review by saying that after reading all the reviews on Yelp and reading the highlight in the Washingtonian, I had really high expectations of this place. If you go in with lower expectations, the food is interesting and
(3)
Rasheeda A.
One of the best restaurants. Very savory. Make sure to get rice and beans mixto (mixed) and sweet plaintains. I love the ropa vieja. However, since I've been going business has picked up. They normally always have a table but it wouldn't hurt to call just in case. Sundays are always fine.
(4)
John P.
Brought six adults here last Easter time. Four of us had the bacalao. It was outstanding. Too bad it is not on the menu all the time. We eat here often and really enjoy it. The Moros y Christianos black beans and rice and sweet plantains are our favorite sides with anything.
(4)
Abegail A.
Cuba de Ayer serves the best Cuban food I've ever eaten! Okay, so this was actually the first time I've ever eaten Cuban food. But, I like to think that I know what good food is when I eat it. And where is this Cuban restaurant that offers delicious eats? Burtonsville, MD. Burtsonsville?! Who would have thought. This place was super busy on a Friday night. Luckily for us, we arrived just in time to score an open table without waiting like the couples/groups arriving just minutes after us. For being so busy (not sure if this is all the time, or what), this restaurant is fairly small. I'd come early or try to make reservations if I were you. I started off with the mojito (Bacardi rum, club soda, sugar, crushed mint, and a twist of lime-$7.95). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Now this definitely was THE best mojoito I've ever had! Not too minty, not too sweet, and had the right amount of alky to it. SO good! I highly recommend drinking one (or two or three) when you head here. As an appeteaser we had the Camarones al Ajillo (five shrimp in garlic sauce-$7.25) with warm french bread (an extra $1.75). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Wow, these shrimp were good! The garlic sauce packed a lot of flavor, and wasn't too garlicly (I'm not a fan of garlic, but enjoyed this dish a lot). The bread is a must! You will want to eat every last drop of that garlic sauce...trust me. For my main course, I had the Ropa Vieja (shredded beef in a tomato based sauce with garlic, onions and red/green peppers-$13.99) which came with two sides. I chose the Moros y Cristianos (seasoned rice mixed with black beans) and Plantanos Maduras (fried sweet plantains). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Let me start off by saying that this picture does not do this dish justice! When our waiter put the dish in front of me and I smelled my food, I knew this dish would be delicious. The shredded beef was super flavorful. After one bite, my mouth was seriously watering. The waiter suggested to get the rice/beans mixed together, and I'm glad I did. The plantains...wow! Scrumptious. I also tried the Masitas de Puerco Fritas (fried, marinated pork-$12.99) and Tostones (fried green plantains). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Man that pork was good! It was fried perfectly and wasn't tough or greasy when you bite into it. The green plantains were good, but I preferred the sweet plantains over these ones. We ended the meal with Tres Leches (sponge cake soaked in three different kinds of milk, topped with merengue-$4.50). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Although we were full, we made room for some dessert. This cake wasn't super sweet, which was what I was expecting. The merengue was a nice touch, but I wish there was less of it. There was so much on top that I removed most of it, and just ate the cake. It was the perfect size, and great way to end the meal. Because we were eye hungry and over heard multiple tables next to us ordering empanadas to go, we thought we would see what the fuss was about. We ordered two beef empanadas to go ($2.25). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… MmMmmM...tasty. They made a wonderfuly morning meal! Even the next day they remained crispy and had the perfect amount of filling in them. We also got a bottle of their house made hot sauce ($5). Not spicy, but it packs a hint of heat to it that's nice. Our waiter was super attentive and friendly. He kept our mojitos flowing and didn't rush us even when there was a line of people waiting to eat. I highly recommend this place. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Michael H.
Finally made it out to this spot. One I have been meaning to go to for years. So far so great. I kept it simple for lunch and got a cubano w/ black beans and rice. Both were off the charts. Cubano was the best i have ever had and the beans and rice were authentically wonderful. Will definitely be going back to sample other parts of the menu. I didn't drink but the place had a suprisingly extensive cocktail list.
(5)
Amanda K.
This has become one of my favorite restaurants of all time, which says a lot. Such a hidden treasure because you'd never expect it's there on 198 hidden away in Burtonsville of all places! I am Spanish and a huge lover of Latin cuisine. I have had Cuban food countless times, even in the most Cuban-dominated neighborhoods of Miami, and no place compares to Cuba De Ayer in my opinion! Their mojitos are to die for. The service is great, the atmosphere is enjoyable and the salsa music they play gets me GOING whenever I am there. The food is authentic, generous on flavor and absolutely delicious. There's no wonder this place gets so many good reviews in magazines and brings people to this small town from all over the DC area. My favorite things on the menu are the Tostones Rellenos, Bistec Empanizado, Ropa Vieja, Pollo Salteado, Pernil and Empanadas. Everything there is nothing less than amazing... NEVER had a slightly mediocre or disappointing dish. Their rice and red beans are some of the best I've had, next to only a favorite place in Puerto Rico and homemade meals in Dominican Republic. For dessert I always have to treat myself to a rum cake or tres leches (BOTH ARE TO DIE FOR!!) and a Cafe Cubano (iced is amazing). This place is highly recommended. Truly a great restaurant in every way and with plenty of sabor cubano.
(5)
Donna W.
This place is small but the food is delicious.. Your server greets you right away and I have never waited anymore than 15 for my meal. The shrimp appetizer has lots and lots of garlic that I wind up putting all of my Arroz con Pollo -- dont judge me it tasted even better with the garlic sauce!
(5)
Dawn A.
My husband and I have eaten this restaurant a few times and we have never been disappointed. The staff is always friendly and go out of their way to make sure you are having a pleasant experience. The decor is very contemporary and a bar was added with the most recent renovation. Overall, the food is great and the empanadas are my favorite.
(4)
Joseph M.
Heaven
(5)
Lorena B.
Popped in here after hanging out with my dad, who decided he wanted some sort of sandwich for dinner. We both had Cubanos, which were great. The bread was toasted just right and the pork and ham were yummy. Cheese and pickles top it off. We shared a side of yuca frita and it was ok but not great. While it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the yuca was oily and the mojo sauce was just minced garlic dropped in olive oil. A five year old could have made that. Dessert was dissapointing. The Tres Leches was sickeningly sweet, drowing in whipped cream, and kind of hard. Nonetheless, I'll be back to try a mojito and ropa vieja. Hope it's good!
(3)
Tish A.
I've been a native of Burtonsville for years and years, and I have never stopped by. Just recently my sister decided to take me there (she says its great) and I got the Ropa Vieja. Its simply fantastic! The carne has very good taste, and my mixed rice and beans are also very tasty. The restaurant itself is a bit small, but that does not matter much. The waiters, and waitress are all teenagers, and some are not as polite as others. Thankfully both times I've been there, there were not bad.
(4)
Hoyt H.
Never would have tried this place based on the exterior, but it had a lot of good yelp reviews and the menu online sounded really good, so we gave it a shot. And it was very tasty! The food tasted quite similar to that prepared for me in the past by Cuban friends, so I'm going to call it authentic, even though I've never been to Cuba :) We tried the combinacion appetizer platter, which had a couple of ham croquettes (yum), a couple of fried yuca pieces (a bit greasy, but still good), and some roasted pork with onions (very flavorful). I had then had some Arroz con Pollo with sweet plantains, which was awesome, she had Pollo a la Plancha with green plantains, which she liked as well. Finished with some chocolate cake, which wasn't bad (but I think I would have preferred to try one of the more traditional desserts). We need to go back on a non-work night to try out the drink menu, since it sounded pretty good too! The interior is very nice and classy, and completely unexpected when looking at the outside of the restaurant. We missed it the first time and pulled into the wrong driveway, since it's tucked around the side of the building, next to a liquor store. Will be back!
(4)
Sandra B.
I was told that the food here was good, however I was not motivated to actually visit until I bought a "rightly priced" Groupon for the place. I have to say that when I pulled into the parking lot, I felt like this place may be a bit sketchy, but as soon as I opened the door to the establishment, all fears melted away. The restaurant was clean, the waitress was very nice and knowledgeable, and the food...oh my, the food! For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the dish, mostly because the names are in Spanish. My dish was WONDERFUL. My friends dish was WONDERFUL. I had a truly great experience. I went to dinner early, around 5:45pm. By the time we left around 7:45, the place was getting packed, and there was a line at the door. For good reason. I will be back to Cuba de Ayer for their authentic food and great service.
(4)
Zulma Y.
OMG! I love this place! The food is delicious. The staff is friendly, fast and knowledgeable and did I mention the food is delicious! Let me say it again! Delicious! The building and neighborhood look sketchy (they're right nex to a liquor store), but don't be afraid to go in! This place is a gem. We've tried their beef and chicken enpanadas. Delish! Fricase de pollo...just to die for. In the end, the food is unpretentious, home-style and something I would be served by my grandma..if she were cuban.
(5)
Tony P.
I had a yearning for something ethnic and recalled this restaurant was nearby. The facility is simple and tastefully decorated with deep red walls accentuated with colorful paintings. The dining area is not large but roomy and comfortable. I found the service to be expedient. I started out with the combinacion appetizer which was a combination platter of roasted pork, croquettes, fried Yuca. The pork was succulent, the yuca was crunchy and the croquettes were savory. My entree was the lechon asado. Traditional Cuban roasted pork marinated in "mojo criollo" dressed with onions. It was really succulent and delectable. And since this was a Cuban restaurant, I ordered a mojito that was strong and tangy with a wonderful infusion of mint. This place reminds of me of good home cooking. The type of foods that evoke memories of mom and comfort. Since it's so close to home, it's definitely on my list for regular patronage.
(4)
K W.
Love, Luv, LOVE, L-O-V-E this place. Everything I have ordered has been wonderful. I've taken several guests here and they couldn't say enough about the food, the staff and the experience. Everyone is so friendly (the waitress Jasmine is the best and such a sweetheart). The battered-fried plantains are yummy (and I don't even like plantains), the beef empanadas are out this world (you try it with the house sauce that's comes on your table). The drinks are great as well---the mojitos and sangria are wonderful. All & all a very good experience each and every time I go. I've converted quite a few folks who otherwise wouldn't have given Cuban food a try...or wouldn't have driven to Columbia Pike to get it.
(5)
Michelle K.
This place is awesome! The only bad thing about it is that it has gotten so busy on weekends that we have to wait to get in! The food is amazing. My favorites are the chicken empanadas, pot roast, and tres leches cake. Both the maduros and tostones are always perfectly cooked. The beans that come with each meal have an amazing flavor. I've been here several times and every meal has been great. My relatives from other states always request we eat here when they are in town. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. The dining area is romantic but can get loud when its busy. Its a little hard to find because its in an ugly strip mall behind a trashy liquor store.
(5)
Dotts L.
Great Food! Great Drinks! Great Music! And best of all Great People! Always so fun to go to this place. When I go here I experience everything Cuba. Its a Great Escape from all the bland foods out there.
(4)
April S.
I love food from other cultures and Cuban food is new to me. I must say I am a fan. I stopped by in here after smelling something heavenly outside when I was getting Rita's ice cream with the fam. I investigated and I think it was coming from the restaurant. I will say this restaurant is in the cut. You can't see it from Old Columbia Pike. It's hiding behind a liquor store. Upon going inside, the hostess was really nice. She offered us a menu since she could tell we were babies to Cuban food. We decided to stay and just get an appetizer. I don't know what we got, but it was GOOOOOD!!!!! I will definitely go back and try an entree and maybe one of their specialty drinks.
(4)
Suzanne R.
Seemed rather authentic to me. Clean. Roomy. Getting in has this cubby or entryway...it's very odd & small. The food is good.Service isn't super-dooper fast...but in my opinion, a great pace. 'Pernil' id great! What they do to black beans...
(4)
Paul S.
They have doubled the size of their dining room, and added a bar area so you can comfortably wait for a table. THe expanded seating has not affected the quality of the dining experience one bit! Still one of my favorite places to eat!!
(5)
Lenny C.
I took three friends with me to Cuba de Ayer last week... one of them is addicted to Cuban food, but the other two - one a Canadian and the other a Brit - had never had Cuban food. This was my first visit to Cuba de Ayer, although (since I'm of Cuban ancestry) every time someone who knows me goes there, they tell me what a great place it is. The restaurant is very cozy and when we came in at lunch time it was packed, which is always a good sign. The pretty waitress took our orders and my alarm antenna went up when she asked if we wanted our black beans and rice "together" or "separate." I say that my alarm bells went off because "Moros y Cristianos" -- the Cuban name for black beans and rice -- is NEVER served together; never, ever, ever! It is a cultural error and a true and easy test of the Cubanosity of any restaurant. I ordered my favorite Cuban dish in the world... OK, OK, one of my favorites, "lechon asado", which came with black beans, white rice and tostones (actually a choice of tostones or sweet plantains). I breathed a sigh of relief when my friends' dishes came... what the waitress meant as "together" was actually "congri" which is a separate dish where the black beans (or red) are indeed cook together... a Cuban version of dirty rice, but much tastier. Both the Brit and the Canadian ordered "ropa vieja" with "congri" and they both loved it... my English friend actually said: "I can't believe that a simple rice dish can taste so good!" So Cuba de Ayer gets my highest endorsement! One last thing: When the food came, I was explaining some of the cultural references that I mentioned above. I must have been loud enough to be heard by other people, because as we filed out of the restaurant, the very attractive daughter of the owners came out, introduced herself and asked me if I was Cuban, as she had overheard me describe the cultural aspects of the food. So we met and we all passed to her our enthusiastic thumbs up of the food... I will be back!
(5)
Jamal J.
Love this place!!! Food is always amazing!! full of flavor and nice portion sizes!! Havent tasted anything on the menu I didnt like yet, including the drinks!! nice atmosphere good places to take a date, but can get a little noisey at times. Also the venue is a little small, but I was informed that their expanding which is great news!! If you like cuban food Cuba De Ayer is a MUST TRY!!
(5)
Keith W.
This is probably the best cuban food that you are going to get in Maryland. The pulled pork is amazing and the sweet plantains are cooked perfectly. For the price you can't beat and authentic meal here. Don't be scared by the location or outside appearance, Cuba de Ayer is excellent and the waitresses are very good.
(4)
Dan H.
Holy crap, this food was good. I got the salmon spinach avocado salad, of the hook! Wife got the salmon with pineapple salsa entree, EVEN BETTER! We're definitely coming back here!
(4)
Y V.
I went back to give this place another chance. As you can see, I've upgraded my review. This time around, I had the ropa vieja and the empanadas. Do NOT skip the empanadas. Service this time was also very fast. it must've just been an off day the last time. Regardless, if I'm within a 10 minute drive of this place, I'm stopping by.
(5)
AngryYoungMan X.
Situated in the middle of nowhere, Cuba de Ayer has been one hell of a find. This establishment is not all traditional Cuban cuisine as name suggests rather, they borrow some recipes from other Latin cultures and put out a well thought Latin fusion menu. Now let's talk real stuff... and to summarize - great food, good service and well made drinks (not very strong though). I tried their croquettas, yucca fries and lechon asado (chunks of cuban roasted pork). Everything was pretty good and entree poritions were plentyful!! Last time, I had this good Cuban style roasted pork was in Miami based restaurant run by a Cuban family. My drink, ofcourse, was their house mojito which was made using fresh mint leaves, real sugarcane juice and served with a sugarcane stick in the glass!! It was little weak on the alcohol and somewhat pricey but a refreshing drink nonetheless. I noticed a lot of folks going with wine but Cuban food + wine does not pair for me. They maintain a nice, tidy and casual setting without making it upscale/ stuffy. My biggest complaint are their hours. I like to eat late evening and this places closes up way too early for me and their location is far from DC metro area. But If I am ever craving Cuban or "Cuban style" food, I'll make plans to to be here. Beats taking a flight to Miami.
(4)
Empress Miko E.
I came to this restaurant with an open mind and an empty belly. I exited this restaurant feeling happy and my belly satisfied. I recommend this restaurant to anyone searching for fresh and palate satisfying Cuban food. Waiter was knowledgeable when it came to the restaurant and its menu. I will be returning for another meal soon
(5)
Jenny H.
I only ate their grilled vegetarian platter and it was absolutely delicious!!! Perfectly salted and peppered with a nice mix of vegetables. The others in my party ordered their mixed Cuban platter dish, which they said was good but the pork wasn't as tender as they would have liked.
(4)
Larry F.
Yelp said we would like this place and they were right. We tried the Ropa Vieja. It was loaded with flavor and quite tender. It came with black beans, plantains and rice. We added a tamale and the 2 of us shared. It was plenty of food and the price was so reasonable. Servers were helpful & efficient & food arrived quickly.
(4)
Jenny N.
My mother is Cuban and I was born & raised in Miami... Cuba de Ayer is as good as it gets in Maryland.
(5)
Ken R.
My girlfriend and I stopped at Cuba de Ayer before heading over to Meriwether Post Pavillion for the Arctic Monkeys/Black Keys concert. Everything was outstanding! We started with the Croquetas de Jamon which were moist and flavorful on the inside and crunchy on the outside. For the entree, I had Fricase de Pollo which was fall off the bone tender and moist. It was one of the most flavorful chicken dishes I've had. Chunks of chicken with forkfuls of rice soaked in the sauce was fantastic! My girlfriend is trying to come up with excuses to make our way up from Alexandria, VA to Columbia, MD just to get back to Cuba de Ayer and I can't blame her as I was already craving it again when we were trying to come up a place to go for lunch the next day.
(5)
Chantel E.
Great food! Although it is a little tucked away, I would recommend this gem to anyone who is looking for a good and authentic Cuban meal. The portions are big so you will walk away full and satisfied. I've eaten here twice and I really enjoyed their pork dishes.
(4)
Kimberly W.
Can I just say THE BEST MOJITOS EVER??!! I had the strawberry mojito and my friend had the mango mojito. You could taste the fruit along with the mint and there was definitely lots of rum. Very tasty! I had a very nice buzz going from the one drink. But no drinking and driving for us! We went because my friend had a Restaurant.com coupon. The menu offered the usual Cuban standards like ropa vieja, arroz con pollo, and vaca frita, but had some great non standards like lechon and red snapper. For appetizers, we had ham croquettas, chicarrones, and garlic bread. For entrees, I had the red snapper with black beans and rice and maduros (sweetened plantain). My friend had the lechon with black beans and rice with maduros. We added two sides of tostones and yuca with garlic sauce. It was delicious. The red snapper was moist and delicious. My friend's lechon was moist and tender. It was like my grandma was in the kitchen serving up Sunday dinner. This is our new favorite Cuban restaurant. It was far from D.C., but definitely worth the drive...definitely for the Mojitos!
(4)
Cynthia O.
The service was friendly and excellent, the decor was clean and attractive, and the food was serviceable and arrived quickly. It was pretty heavy on the MSG and the fired plantains were super tough, but I'm rounding this up from 3 stars to 4 based on the service alone. My server, Victor, was really great, and the hostess was also super nice. Seems like a nice casual date spot. But wow. So much MSG. Tread carefully if you're sensitive to that sort of thing.
(4)
Angel G.
Being a native South Floridian and a proud Cuban - I was very skeptic to see what this "Cuban" restaurant had in store. I've been to many places that claimed to be Cuban, only to see the most non-Cuban cuisine menu ever starting with a hamburger called a "Havana Burger." Cuba de Ayer is Amazing! I'm truly impressed with how great the food tastes and the attention to detail in each meal. Even the cafecito at the end of my meal hit the spot. Don't let the outside of the this place deter you from going in - you'll love it! Dale!
(4)
Lauren L.
Great find! I wasn't expecting to find a good Cuban restaurant in the area. The bistec de pallomilla was very good and the mojitos were great. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Nicole G.
I love this place! All the cocktails are made fresh and the food is great! Two of my favorites drinks are the Guava Rita and La Mentirita (although EVERY drink I've had is good). I have a special relationship with the Camarones en Aguacate ask for bread to soak up the butter and garlic.
(5)
Jennifer O.
I was very disappointed after hearing so many good reviews... even from native Miamians whose palates I trust. The bread was bland--I don't even think it was made with shortening, and if it was I have no idea how they got it to be so dense in texture, almost everything else was way too salty. Also, if I wanted to taste mojo from a jar, I'd to visit the Badia/Goya section at the grocery store instead of paying for a full meal. From now on, I'll be making my own Cuban food, or saving my stomach space for my next trip to South Florida.
(2)
Eric F.
Cuba de Ayer is a really great restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxing and the staff is always on top of things. Sometimes at night there is a short wait, but typically, it is not overcrowded. I admit that it took me three visits to finally discover my go to dish, but I was willing to keep going back, because I could tell that even when a dish wasn't quite what I like, it was well prepared.
(5)
Wing C.
From the exterior, I wouldn't expect much from Cuba de Ayer - sketchy parking lot and hidden side entrance. I've seen it advertised numerous times on restaurant.com and offered endless online deals - even though my dad mentioned that he used to see lines to the door on the weekends - I was skeptical on how awesome could the food possibly be - those people must be there for some kind of coupon deal I told myself! So on my brother's last day home for Thanksgiving break, while wanting to try a cuisine my dad hasn't been exposed to but also not wanting to drive too far - I trusted yelp to finally give Cuba de Ayer a try after seeing it appeared first on top rated list for dinner around the area. I quickly gave them a call and they were able to accommodate a reservation @ 7:30 for 4 later that evening. First impression upon entering - a small family run restaurant with older decor + dim lighting. The nail/hair salon next door appeared to be have been taken over recently and the restaurant is now actually a bit bigger. When our really friendly, sweet waitress came over, we quickly submitted our food order since they were closing within an hr - Ropa Vieja, Leshon Asado, and red snapper (forgot the exact name). We also showed her our check in on yelp and scored a free chicken empanada! The empanada quickly came out with a bottle of green sauce. The 4 of us divided it to each have a bite. My dad and brother actually never had empanada before and I could see their eyes widened with their first bite. After first taste, I understood their reaction because it was literally the best empanada I had in my life. Perfectly seasoned + perfectly fried. It was fresh from the kitchen (piping hot) but not one bit oily. The main dishes came out soon after. I had a taste of each of their dish and I could say each was spot on - full of flavor. The fried plantain - i usually find them a bit plain and dry but the ones here was a bit sweet and blend of crunchy+soft. Too bad each order only came with 4 pieces! The black bean and rice - the black bean was the only downer of the meal. Too salty - to a point it was pretty much inedible! My fiance ended up eating the rice plain. Overall still a great meal! I presented our waitress the valpak coupon through gogglewallet and received 50% off on one of the entrees. But upon using that coupon, I was told that my yelp offer then wouldn't apply - bummer. $2.35 vs $7.35 dollars off? we took the valpak offer of course. 3 entrees + 1 appetizer around 50 dollars with tax and tip. Would return for perhaps lunch in the future!
(4)
Jacqui L.
Delicious Camarones en Aguacate. I recommends getting bread on the side to dip in the amazing garlic sauce that you'll have left over. Trust me, you'll want to lick the plate and you can do that with the side of bread. Loved their Rojas Viejas. Well flavored, nice and tender. caramelized plantains were so good my friend and I had to get an extra order of them. And of course, to cure my food coma I got some Cuban coffee! Yum yum! Oh and the service, our server was SO SO friendly!!!
(4)
Mai S.
Ordered the combination for the appetizer. Expected more flavor from the Pernil, the yuca was delicious, and the texture of the ham croquettes weren't my favorite. I tasted my friend's beef empanada and it was good. Ordered the Vieja Ropa. The beef was better with the aid of the house hot sauce. The rice and beans were great and the maduros were ok. I'll give them another try though.
Ambiance is great, love the music it only adds to the amazing food. Had the avocado salmon and lenchon asado with my wife. The flavored of the salmon were fantastic and the pork was so tender. Will definitely be coming back ..... soon.
(5)
Steve E.
Great Service, Great food, prices are reasonable. Love the Ambience. If you live in the area this is the place that you would take outsiders to.
(5)
Faizah C.
This is a neighborhood gem! They've renovated their space into a swanky, cozy, sexy location good for groups, dates, or solo at the bar. They make their mojitos from scratch....i personally love the mango and the strawberry. Their best appetizer is the camarones de aguacate! You will not be disappointed. Do order a batch of bread with it to sop up the garlic juice. The bartenders are great, the service is really good and i definitely recommend you get there soon. Any day is fine!
(5)
Leonard M.
It's a little out of the way but it is worth finding. The food is fresh, well prepared and the service is great.
(5)
Clyde M.
What can I say about this place, I mean GREAT service every time we have been there. The food is PERFECT and tasty, but I still can't get used to plantains (but that is just me).
(5)
Marianne K.
Another thumbs up for the Ropa Vieja and the sweet, caramelized plantains and tostones. Portions are large, the atmosphere is casual and bustling, and food is authentic and delicious.
(5)
Medjinne D.
Came here with my sister some of my coworkers said it was OK. They were not lying it was OK. Nothing spectacular just OK. The empanadas were good so were the yucca but that was about it. The service was good and the atmosphere is nice but that's about it. I do not really see myself coming back here to be honest.
(3)
Heidi F.
This place is absolutely scrump-dilly-umptious!! Truly a hidden gem in a little shopping strip off 198. Very comfy atmosphere, exceptional service and finger lickin' awesome food! Wish they had delivery service...hehe:) They are closed on Mondays so wouldn't you know it, I'm always craving some Cuba De Ayer on Mondays :) Everything on the menu is made fresh, very good mojitos and desserts. There homemade secret hot sauce really spices up your dish. Even if its outta the way,,,its sooooo worth the trip!
(5)
Greg O.
Much better experience this time. Again I made a reservation but this time they actually had a record of it and seated us right away. The service was good, our waitress was very attentive and friendly. The food was good but not great- the pork was a little dry and a little bland, but appetizers and sides were delicious. I'm glad we went back and tried it, but it wasn't all it was hyped up to be.
(3)
Virginia R.
From the outside, it looks like a dive in a bad part of town. But when you enter the restaurant, there is a cozy family environment decorated with Cuban art set against rich red and mahogany colors. It's really beautiful. Drinks are excellent, especially their signature Mojitos. The food is delicious and as authentic as I can remember from the few times we were treated to Cuban Cuisine as children, My personal favorites are the purnil and ropa viejo. Sweet plantains are excellent also. I don't normally have dessert, but I would not pass up the Tres Leches or the Flan here. If they ever add it to their menu, I would love to see what they would do with trembolique. If there is a weakness, the staff is young, occasionally don't hear requests correctly, and sometimes spill things in the tight quarters. But they are quick to fix things and make things right and the atmosphere is so relaxed, this review is probably the only place I would mention it.
(5)
Mei-ye J.
There are two elite reviewers who I respect and who've preceded me (Derryk A. and Su K.), so why bother reading my review? Well, I had a better server than Su K. and she was not sick and did not seem like she was having a bad day. That's definitely a plus. My friend had the Empanada from the appetizer menu and she liked it. We both found it funny that they tried to dress up the plate with a sliver of red pepper and some lettuce. Why bother. It didn't look so sophisticated with or without it. Taste matters and it was good according to her. (I didn't try it) I had the Camarones al Ajillo (Shrimp in garlic sauce) from the entree menu. It would be too salty for my taste if eaten alone, but it came with some white rice which complemented it well. I love mixing contrasting flavors so I decided to get the sweetened plantains instead of the plain fried plantains to go with it. It also came with a salad. so... the salad was boring, the plantains were of mix of 2 mushy ones and 2 just right ones. The shrimp and white rice were pretty yummy. Also, got the Fried Yuca, but I was unimpressed. What impressed me the most though was dessert. Both my friend and I are flan fans and we really enjoyed it here. Really smooth texture, but a little on the sweeter side, but not so much that it was grosse. The plating, texture, and flavor of the flan made it the star of the night. Great thing was I had a restaurant.com coupon so... 15.99 (shrimp entree w/ sides) 2.75(empanada) 3.75 (fried yuca) 3.95 X 2 (flan) 3.75 (extra fried plantains) brought the total to around $36 (add tax and tip, minus the $25 off) and we ended up paying $21 + $2 (coupon)= $23 which is not bad for dinner for two w/ leftovers for lunch to boot!
(4)
Jerrett B.
Really good
(4)
Elissar K.
Truly the only Cuban restaurant worth going to in the area out of the many I've tried. The yuca with garlic sauce is fantastic (a side), especially with the fried morsels of pork entree, a ridiculously good combination. The empanadas are delicious as well. And the tres leches -- OMG the tres leches -- will stun you with its magical powers. Another thing I love about this place is the management. The servers are always really nice and the manager I spoke to on one instance was super sweet. To Cuba de Ayer, the other Cuban restaurants around here can't compare ;)
(4)
Jeneen C.
Deliciosa! Ropas Vieja was so tasty- tender beef in a tomato base with perfect blend of seasonings. A plethora of drinks, priced great!! Very busy place! Next time on 198 don't pass this place by :-)
(4)
Viv J.
I took an associate to this spot for lunch today. He mentioned that he enjoys Cuban food, so I knew this place was nice. I absolutely love their mojitos. I had the pineapple and it was very refreshing. They mull the mint and sugar and garnish with a piece of sugar cane. I was not that hungry so I had the chicken and beef empanada with sweet plantains. They have a house made hot sauce that has a little kick but has a nice flavor. It enhances the flavor of the food quite nicely. I really enjoy the cozy atmosphere because they have hand-painted artwork from Cuba on the walls, and Cuban music softly playing in the background. It is a great experience!
(5)
Michael M.
By FAR the best and most authentic Cuban restaurant that I've been to in the DMV. Although it seems like a hole in the wall from the outside, it's very quant and charming on the inside. I've had three different beef dishes and they were all EXCELLENT! And of course, they're mojitos are a MUST! The last time we went we ran into a couple who used to live in Miami (a place known for Cuban restaurants) and even they said that this place is rivals any restaurant they've been too down there. If you plan on eating here over the weekend, I strongly suggest that you make reservations, otherwise you may be waiting a while as this place gets very crowded over the weekend. But they are currently expanding so that should help with their capacity.
(5)
Ramona M.
I go here once a week for carry out!!! My fav dish is the Bistec de Palomilla with white rice and black beans on the side and sweet plantains. I recommend it to ANYONE.
(5)
Margaret H.
This was the best Cuban I've had in the area! It's not a fancy restaurant, but the food is divine! The Yucca fries were super crisp outside and soft inside. The shrimp and avocado appetizer was perfectly seasoned with lots of garlic. The only downside is the location.
(5)
Patrick S.
Lost a star due to the perpetually slow service. Food: Excellent food. Love to get a ton of appetizers and split them. The Empanadas are very good. Lechon Asado is a great entree or sandwich. The Medianoche is mediocre however. The drinks are good, but seem overpriced for what you get. I don't believe they have a regular happy hour. Everyone I've taken here has loved the food. Service: Service can be very slow and inattentive. They seem to be perpetually understaffed. The only times I've received good service is during lunch or odd weeknights. This place can get very packed with a wait for dinner, even during the week. I'm used to it and just know I'll have to put up with it, however friends I've brought here have not been so forgiving. Decor/Location: It is situated in an oddly shaped rundown strip mall that can be hard to see. However the inside is nicely decorated and is reasonably clean and is completely unexpected based on the outside appearance. It can be cramped when the place is busy.
(4)
Jack R.
Great Place, nice atmosphere.
(5)
Frank J.
Solid...chicken empanadas, mojitos, plantains, pork and beans all great. I will not get the mojito again as it is too expensive at $8.50. If they would lower it to $5 or $6 I would order again and get multiple. Other than that don't change a thing.
(4)
MIchaei G.
Everything was pork, wat cubans dnt believe in eating lamb or beef
(2)
Alan B.
I was seated immediately. This server quickly took my order and it was downhill from there. I ordered a beer w/ lime, glass of water, an appetizer and my main course (Ropa Viejo). The beer (and water) came promptly sans the lime which I again requested. Ten minutes later the server returned (without the lime) to tell me that they had run out of my chosen appetizer. She asked if I'd like to order a different one. I did and asked for a menu AND the lime. She disappeared for 5 minutes and returned with the menu and STILL NO LIME which I again requested. When she finally returned to take my appetizer order she brought the lime. YAY Within a minute of her getting my order my main course arrived. I cancelled the appetizer. POSITIVES: The beer was fairly cold and served with a slightly frosted glass. The food was hot. The fried plantains were perfect and the rice and beans were excellent. NEGATIVES: The service was horrendous. The meat for the main course was tough, soggy and salty.
(2)
Feng L.
First time there. Food came out fast and they were all delicious! Will definitely go back.
(5)
B B.
Love this place. Can get crowded, but worth it for the portions. I always get the same few items. Mojitos are good.....need more alcohol to be great. Recent visit had the vegetarian plate. Comes with rice and beans (vegetarian), plantains and yuca. Yuca was boiled and not fried with little portion of garlic and oil on top. Paid extra for more garlic. The irony is none of those three items are vegetables......all starches. On "vegetable" on menu is tossed salad. Not the most balanced meal, but I'm sure most people coming here are not watching what they eat.
(3)
S C.
Loved everything. Gambas ajillo and empanadas were great starters. Pineapple mojito was one of the best I've had. Totally worth being seen drinking a trendy mojito without ligit-ly having your feet in the sand. Citrus pork with onions was great. Love the rice. Waiter was very gracious about the check in offer of 2 free empanadas. That's a plus in my book. Will be back soon!
(5)
Justin L.
After moving to Columbia, this has been one of my favorite restaurants. The food is great, the servers are nice and the drinks are delicious. They are expanding when I write this, so soon they will be bigger. This place is worth the drive.
(5)
Nick W.
Found this place on yelp looking for a good place to have dinner. My woman is Cuban American from Miami and figured this might make her feel at home a little. I will simply say she was quite impressed. She loves croquetas and said they were very good. She ate the ropa vieja and absolutely devoured it. She stated that it was authentic with a few twists but probably just the chef's or owner's preferences. I loved the food. There is a lot of "she said" things in here but I feel her opinion means more here because she actually IS cuban.
(5)
Kee T.
This place was great. Hubby and I was hungry and wanted something else beside the limited places available in our neighborhood. So, I hopped on Yelp and found this place. Based on the reviews, I knew the location wasnt all that great, but that not what we went there for... and I am glad we did go. Food... yummmm. We had the combinacion and stuffed potato appetizer, the fried pork and marinated pork for our meal. As we waited for our food, I just kept smelling the garlic and other spices. Couldn't wait for the plate to get there.. I also had mango bomb (or something like that) and that drink was tasty. The prices were reasonable, will be back again!!!
(5)
Stella L.
I love this place! You would never expect an authentic Cuban restaurant to be found in little old Burtonsville but it's here, and truly a little gem! The ropa vieja is AH-MAZ-ING and so is their cafe con leche and mojitos. The servers are so friendly and helpful! Never been disappointed! Highly recommend this place! And they run groupon deals here and there which is awesome for the already fairly priced food!
(5)
Shanna A.
OMG! So flavorful and yummy. Co-workers order regularly and I wanted something different for lunch so I stopped by and placed an order for the shredded beef entree, Roja something, and it was like tasting for the first time in a long time. The flavor is rich and bold. Add a little rice and beans and it was super satisfying. Wanted to get a Cuban Iced Coffee but can't be made decaff so that was the only drawback at all. If that were to change, I would frequent at least 3 times a week for lunch or dinner.
(4)
Miriam P.
Yes. Very good. Had better Cuban food in California but for this area it's quite wonderful. Mojitos a bit too sweet for our taste, but overall food and service really great. We'll be back.
(4)
Katrina W.
This is the spot for awesome Cuban food. Some of my favorite dishes are the Chicken Fricassee, cafe con leches, and this dessert dish of guava and cheese. The establishment is very clean, well decorated.
(5)
Trish F.
We had the grilled chicken salad with a side of vegetarian black beans. YUM! Added the beans to the salad and it was amazing!
(4)
Dan F.
This is better than many of the cuban food options in south florida and the keys. Seriously. The ONLY thing missing is authentic cafe cubano. It is on the menu but it's really just a plain espresso, Couple of must-order items: Fried yuca, Black beans (vegetarian or non, both are excellent), Empanada, Picadillo, and of course the Mojito. No cuban restaurant can be complete without a good mojito, and cuba de ayer delivers. It's about the only pricey item on the menu, but wow is it worth it. Everything is VERY cheap. Even after 2 mojitos, an appetizer, 2 entrees, a desert and 2 coffees, total tab did not exceed $60. Don't let the run-down shopping center fool you, this is a hidden gem full of warm service, RIDICULOUSLY good food and amazing value. And please, for the love of god, remember this is not some mexican chain. So do not attempt to order a bird-bath sized margarita. If you must order alcohol, get the mojito, and they have very good wine at $4 a glass. Do not expect nachos or anything drenched in melted cheese. This is cuban cuisine, and boy is it tasty. Also be advised on weekends it can be pretty packed and it is a tiny dining room, so be sure to get a reservation and be understanding if you arrive and a table is not available. They also do take-out which is a great option as well.
(5)
Alexander L.
Always a great staff and great food. The location isnt ideal -- and you could even miss it if you were driving by -- but this is a place to go for sure. Use the Yelp 'deal' and take the risk out of trying this place!
(5)
Ron B.
Cuba de Ayer is a hidden gem! Although it doesn't offer much curb appeal the decor is surprisingly nice in comparison to the exterior. However, the food is what makes this place shine. I've been here several times and had almost everything on the menu, however my favorite dishes are the Carne con Papa and the Fricase con Pollo. I've taken my latin friends here and they all said its like eating a home cooked meal at their grandmother's house. This place is authentic! If you're in the mood for some authentic Cuban food, Cuba de Ayer is the place to go. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Nicole M.
Delicious Cuban food!!! Corquetas were great. The ropa vieja was really really juicy and tender I will definitely be back
(5)
Nia W.
YUM YUM YUMMY! I used a coupon which helped with the cost, each meal is about 15 dollars but well worth the price! Great ambiance, traditional music, friendly workers and mouth watering food!!! TWO THUMBS UP! Don't let the outside deter you, the inside is well worth it! The restaurant isn't visible from the street, turn in before the liquor store and drive past to park in the rear!!
(5)
javaone n.
Food is not fresh and taste is terrible. I order Bistec Palomilla and the meat is hard and I can break in pieces.
(1)
Stacie T.
To think, I've been living down the road from this place for months and I just discovered Cuba de Ayer this fall. My little neighborhood of Burtonsville has really surprised this SoCal girl with all of these hidden treasures right next to one another. I came here on a busy Friday night and had to wait about 20 minutes for seating but once the Camarones al Ajillo came out all was forgotten. For the main course I had their simple but delicious Pan con Pollo Asado and my friend had the Ropa Vieja. Nothing let us down and was beyond our expectations. We both read previous Yelp reviews and they were all spot on. Cuba de Ayer is a cute authentic establishment that really has that at home feel. A must try!!
(4)
Christopher M.
OK, I'll start this out by saying that I grew up in a Cuban household, with amazing traditional Cuban cooks. The food at Cuba de Ayer is pretty damn close to what I was used to at home. Their best dish is definitely the Arroz con Pollo. The croquetas were decent, and the rice, beans, and tostones were all pretty good too. Try the Mojito if you're into it, definitely the best I've had away from home. Oh, and all my friends still rave about the tres leches. The only negatives were the bread on the sandwiches, which wasn't traditional Cuban bread, and the service. If you go during busy times like Friday and Saturday night you can definitely expect to wait around a while. It always seems like there aren't enough waiters. If the service was better it might have bumped it up to five stars.
(4)
Katie P.
First time I ate there and wasn't really blown away. We tried the chicken soup, a beef empanada, the cuban sandwich and bistec sandwich. Sandwiches were somewhat dry. The food took a little bit longer than I'd like to wait for. One good thing is the prices were pretty reasonable.
(3)
C W.
Finally was able to check this place out. My best friend and I have been on the search for Cuban food...specially for the coffee. The restaurant is tucked away in the corner. As soon as you walk through the doors, you can smell the food. Food was indeed great. And they give you A LOT of food. (I boxed the leftovers and it looked like an entirely new meal.) I wish I had seen the Yelp deal sooner, but will definetely be purchasing one for the next time we go. The waiter/staff are also really friendly.
(4)
Eduardo S.
I liked the Camarones al Ajillo & also the Bistec de Palomilla here. Large Portions & lots of meat. Both were really good. Plus the restaurant is very clean and well kept. Elegant Dining in Burtonsville is rare ! Parking is a little tricky here, might have to go around back b/c one of the places nearby enforces towing... I retract my earlier comment about the Cuban sandwich b/c I am came back for one & it was spot on.
(4)
HowChow B.
Cuba de Ayer is in Burtonsville, one exit south of the Howard County line, and it offers a casual taste of traditional Cuban dishes. Inside, the restaurant is brightly-painted with nice art and friendly waitresses. More modern than "old Cuban." But the menu includes the standards -- picadillo, roasted pork, and the shredded beef fish "ropa vieja" toped off with flan, tres leches and both cafe cubano and cafe con leche. On a Saturday afternoon, we had sandwiches -- the roast pork sandwich and the Cuban sandwich with ham, pork, cheese and pickles pressed on a baguette -- with sweet plantains and a side order of mixed beans and rice (moros y cristianos). From the first forkfuls of the side dishes, I knew it would be delicious. They were flavorful without being greasy. Sweet plantains that cut with a fork, but stayed intact on the plate. Rice and beans subtly spiced, but mostly just earthy and filling. Beyond sandwiches, Cuba de Ayer offers an array of main courses, specials, and even drinks like mojitos and fruity cocktails. Other nights, we have enjoyed a shrimp special and other dishes. In the end, the Cuban sandwich is still my favorite -- crisp bread, salty ham, a little bit of cheese and pickles. I also loved the tres leches dessert. A slice of cake magically soaked in condensed, goat and cow milks and topped with cream. The tres leches is my favorite kind of dessert -- sweet, but somehow flavorful instead of cloying. The texture is spectacular. It still tastes like cake, but it is moist without dissolving into a pudding. This is a great place if you use the Restaurants.com coupons because they take them.
(4)
Howard M.
I would definitely come again. Great food and atmosphere.
(5)
Keller S.
I hosted a business lunch and used Cuba de Ayer- it was excellent. Guillermo was very easy to work with, the menu was right on line and it was delivered exactly on time. Could not have asked for anything more.
(5)
Bob A.
The cuban sandwich is excellent and so are the empanadas. The Mojito drinks are pricey, but the best around. Almost all of my hispanic coworkers rave about this place, and they know this style of food better than I do, so that says enough for me. Nice place.
(4)
Nicole W.
I LOVE this place especially the Empanadas!!!! This is a must go for all who love Cuban :0)
(5)
Brian D.
Picked up the Pan Con Lechon Asado (sandwich) for a quick dinner one night. This is not a place that does heavy sauces, it's all about the seasoning. So the sandwich may seem a little dry, but it is still pretty darn good. I'm planning on trying out some other items in the future. What bumps it up to four stars is the guava shells with white cheese. Somehow I've never had this delicacy before, but this stuff was so good! I'm not sure it makes up for skipping the Tres Leches, but it was definitely worth trying.
(4)
Megan H.
Will satisfy your craving for Cuban. Agree with previous posts, the rice and plantains were a bit on the dry side, but the shrimp al ajillo was garlicky goodness and puerco asado was crispy deliciousness. Not too expensive, either. Mojitos were $7.50, which is a bit more than I like to pay, but totally awesome and worth it! Situated in a funky, hard-to-find strip mall, but the inside is quite nice. Friendly service. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Keisha M.
Hubby and I stopped here for dinner Friday nite. The place was packed! The food was absolutely DELISH! We both got the Ropa Vieja with the maduros(sweet plaintains). The beef was very tender and flavorful and the red beans cooked to perfection. I opt for the mojito which seems to be the drink of choice here and that was very good too! Hubby got the tropical margarita which was too salty. After complaining the waitress brought out the saltless version and it was tasty but not better than the mojito. We also shared a slice of rum cake. It was sliced very, very thin but it tasted good. We will most definitely will be returning.
(4)
Adrian R.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Will definitely stop by this place again next time I'm in B'more.
(5)
Sara M.
Cuba de Ayer is a hidden gem - who would imagine such delicious Cuban food could be hiding at the back of a shopping center in Burtonsville?! Fortunately, it's not too hidden, and gets quite good business. I've never seen it particularly empty, so we snagged reservations for weekend dinner just to guarantee there would be no wait. The atmosphere is comfortable and surprisingly classy (especially given the run-down strip mall it's in) - Cuban art decorates the walls and they've clearly put some effort into the interior of the restaurant. First things first - the drink menu offers many fruity cocktails, but you might as well get the real deal, the mojito. Cuba de Ayer makes a mean mojito, garnished with a stalk of sugar cane. Mmmm. Order one while you peruse the equally extensive food menu. The appetizers all sound good, but I'm a fan of the Combinacion, so you get a little bit of everything. I think it's a bit overpriced at $7.50 for the amount of food that you get, but it's cheaper than buying multiple appetizers. The fried yuca is the best I've had, crispy but still very soft and almost creamy in the middle. The ham croquettes are probably a little weird for some people - creamy pureed ham coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Having spent a fair amount of time in South Florida, I can say that these are a reasonably good facsimile of the ones I've had from Cuban bakeries and restaurants down there (which is my best comparison for authenticity). The roast pork is the best part - perfectly seasoned, topped with delicious caramelized onions. In previous visits, I've had the Ropa Vieja (yes, it means "old clothes," but my old clothes never seem to taste this good), but yesterday I decided to try the Pernil (pork with citrus and onions). It was delicious, yes, but a little overly salty. To be honest, I'd rather have had an entree-sized serving of the appetizer's roast pork! The tostones, beans, and rice served with my entree were good but nothing special. The magic happened once again at dessert, when my dining partner and I split the flan and the tres leches. Mmmmmmmmm!!!! There aren't enough exclamation points to express my love for both of these desserts, but especially the tres leches. It's one of my favorite desserts, and they make a great one. Splitting an appetizer, an entree, and two desserts was a perfect amount of food for two people. With the drinks, it was a $40 meal before tip. Perhaps a little overpriced, but I'll still happily pay it for the delicious food!
(4)
Nancy S.
Neighborhood gem INDEED! This is a perfect date night. I haven't been since they remodeled but I can't wait! Haven't had a plate that wasn't full of taste and color. I love the plantains, both kinds. And don't forget the mojito to top it off! It's worth it!!
(5)
Blaine D.
Again, fantastic food and service. A must try is the Tres Leches cake with Cuban coffee. Delicious! The combination of flavors is second to none. I also love house hot sauce.
(5)
Derek R.
Victor was an amazing waiter and very friendly. The food was great and the environment is cozy! I'd recommend this place highly to anyone.
(5)
Diana R.
This place is a hidden gem! Since moving from LA, I've been searching for a good Cuban spot. Great ambiance, food, & service.
(5)
Tony M.
Service was slow, though friendly. My cubano sandwich arrived with no pickle inside, a key ingredient. The replacement was very bland.
(2)
I R.
This is my favorite Cuban Restaurant. Their food is as good as my Cuban neighbors' food. Be ready to wait for a table, as the space is cozy. Their "ropa vieja" is my favorite dish. The croquetas and empanadas are always yummy. I used them to cater a private party and got great reviews from the guests. Try them you wont be dissapointed
(5)
Connie L.
Was super excited to try this restaurant because I have not had good cuban food in this area.. (my favorite is Cafe Cortadito in NYC!) Purchased the living social deal to go with my coworkers.. we also checked in on yelp and got free empanadas.. but at the end had to PAY for the empanadas because the yelp deal cannot be used in conjunction with the living social deal -___- Food wise, the ropa vieja was pretty good (not as good as I have had before but better than any I have had in the DC/MD area) and the sweet plantains were yummy. The mojito was sweet and gave me a good buzz and tres leches at the end was a good end to the meal. Kind of meh about not being able to use the deals together and just little things here and there. For example, the tres leches and whipped cream came out sort of melted because apparently the plate was hot(?) and the portions were off. One of the cakes was much larger than the other. I would return only if I have a huge craving for cuban food.
(3)
Cynthia R.
The food is outstanding! The mojitos are delicious. I visit here often and have signed up on their e-mail list and receive coupons regularly. The remodel/expansion has made it much more enjoyable. Parking kind of stinks, but I won't hold that against them.
(5)
Brooke T.
Nommers! Cuba de Ayer, this is a cool neighborhood restaurant near the parentals home. It is easy to pass if you aren't looking for it, on Rte 198, a small yellow sign is all you get. It is in between two small shopping centers, if you are at the Ritas, you have gone too far! Parking is pretty limited in my opinion, but based on my experiences there, it hasn't been that crowded. The place is pretty small, with bright colors, cool paintings, and awesome music! I checked in on Yelp! hoping to get my free empenada (ah thank you) but I couldn't use it because I planned to use a groupon too....le sigh. Anywho, first up mojitos! Let me tell you, I don't think it can get any better! I've always thought that these are probably the best mojitos that I have ever had. For din din I had the pargo frito, rainbow trout with rice/beans and plantains. I preferred to get the sweet plantains and my rice/beans mixed. The fish was flipping awesome! The way it was prepared was seasoned nicely, the peppers and onions that were added made it that much mo betta! Now in hindsight, I think that I would have preferred to have my rice and beans separate, mixing them myself, as it was slightly dry for my taste (this is an option). The plantains were just too good, you have the option to order crispy, chip like, too.... My best good friend got the lechon asado, which is basically seasoned pork....I preferred mine better. Service: it was fair, she wasn't soooper attentive, but she wasn't horrible either. Either way, I'm going back, groupon or not! I'd be happy with mojitos and apps! Yes!
(4)
Shirley S.
We visited this restaurant for my birthday and need less to say we all had a great time. The food was fantastic and Alex our server was great! He recommended a couple of dishes and they all came out great. The drinks were on point and we also loved the ambiance of the place. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to get a little bit out of their comfort zone to try something new.
(5)
Mang J.
Sigh. See, the problem is that the first time I visited Cuba de Ayer I fell in love...con boliche, moros y cristianos y maduros. Para siempre. Pero, that's where Cuba de Ayer (CDA) broke my heart. It's never been the same since. Oh, there have been moments of brilliance, but they've served me the DRIEST ropa vieja in the history of...rags--old or new. Then, after that, tuvo empanadas, flan y más moros y cristianos that made me realize why I keep returning to mi amor CDA. When I eat Cuban food anywhere, it's always to Cuba de Ayer that I compare it, and most of the time, others don't even come near it. I'm torn. Pero tengo amor para CDA. I just don't know how they'll treat me una dia to the next. So, tres estrellas para the best moros y cristianos EVER, flan that hace música, cosy atmosphere y wonderful waitstaff. (Apologies for very bad y cheesy Spanglish.)
(3)
Francisco M.
Me encanta! I've been here twice and absolutely love it. The Cuban sandwich, ropa vieja, and lechon asado are tied with a two places in Miami as the very best I've had in the U.S. The tostones rellenos and croquetas de jamon were also fantastic, and the tres leches is as good as the one my grandmother makes. The only downfall to this place is the location, which is a strip shopping center. A place this good deserves its own premises. Well worth the 33 mile drive from Arlington, VA to enjoy the food here. Love, love, love it!!
(5)
Dave M.
Good Cuban Food We have to drive an hour to get to this place. It's worth it. Anyone who has ever had Cuban food loves it. The signature dish is the roast pork. A good place will roast it all day. It comes out very tender. Tostones is another dish unique to Cuban cuisine. It's fried green plantains. This place has stuffed tostones which I've never had before. it's a toston shaped into a little cup with some seasoned ground beef on top. Good appetizer. It's not a luxurious buen gusto restaurant. It has more of an appearance of a lunch place than a restaurant serving the best food miles around. The menu includes a variety of Cuban dishes including ropa vieja, boloche, picadillo, roast pork and the can't-do-without Cuban sandwich. We go there for lunch and then got some take-out for the next day. A description of this restaurant would not be complete without describing the desserts. This place has the best flan and tres leches. Upon inquiry I was told that an aunt provided the recipes. The flan is not as watery as other flans. It's creamier giving a firmer texture. The taste is out of this world. I love flan. I get it whenever I can. Hey that rhymes. The flan at this place is the best I've ever had. Also the tres leches is good. I've never been crazy about tres leches. It just doesn't do it for me, but the tres leches at this place is great. Like the flan it has more character than other tres lecheses.
(4)
Stephanie F.
Am a very regular customer at Cuba de Ayer. The atmosphere is pleasant and comforting and the service has always been good. Jessica, the owner is always welcoming and accomodating. I am a huge fan of Cuban food and have eaten it everywhere except Cuba. Cuba de Ayer even gives the places in lil havana, miami a run for their money! Their Ropa Vieja is incredible, best Ive ever had. Phone is dying otherwise I would say more, but if.you are looking for a great authentic cuban place to eat, Cuba de Ayer is the place to go! Happy Eating :)
(5)
R S.
The place is small and a bit cramped and their staff seemed to pretty much minimum work when I was there. However, the food is absolutely delicious and it is a great price so I would highly recommend you taking the time to visit this place!
(4)
Ellen C.
Cuba de Ayer is an out of the way spot off 198 in Burtonsville just off rt 29. No big flashy signs, but with their mix of delicious food and great staff I'd rather they be my little secret anyhow! My hubby and I tried them about 2 weeks ago. The decor was vibrant and colorful with a touch of cool tile, the lighting was subdued, but not too dark. Our server Gabby was as pleasant and helpful as could be in helping and recommending items for us to try. She also said if we didn't like something we could send it back for a replacement. (The food was so awesome there was never a need!) She was attentive, but not hovering. Thanks to you Gaby our intro to this restaurant could not have been more enjoyable! We'd never had Cuban cuisine before and were happily devouring our delicious lunches when I noticed that there was more than great food at this restaurant. There was a GREAT staff as well! (I come from a service background and I notice these things.) I was pleased to see this group of hard working servers, hosts and hostesses (and I'm sure kitchen staff too) were constantly working as a cohesive team to provide the best in Cuban hospitality. Two members of the staff were clearly Managers/owners(?) and I have to say they were making encouraging comments to staff, rolling up their own sleeves to serve guests and be a visible presence in the dining area. We will surely be back and bringing others with us!
(5)
sahba y.
Good food, Friendly service. Try the plantains stuffed with ropa vieja. only thing that could have been better was the vaca frita (it was a little overcooked) but still very tasty. Good experience.
(4)
Tu-van L.
***3.5 stars*** What the hell is a Cuban restaurant doing in Burtonsville? Better yet - what the hell is one doing in Burtonsville? If you're in this neighborhood, you either live in this faraway town or you're in transit to or from somewhere, either on Rt-29 or MD-198. I drive through this intersection enough times, and I pass by this nondescript random Cuban restaurant in a run-down mini-strip mall every time I do. As with what I see driving through this part of B'ville, this place looks nondescript as the rest of town (if not questionable in the strip mall it sits in), but after seeing enough praising Yelp reviews and in even more desperate need to find a good Cuban place, the hubs and I decided to stake a stab at this place and cash in a Restaurant.com coupon our friend found for this place. The decor while dated was clean and pretty nice. Wait staff was casually uniformed in their polos and black pants were keeping a good pace for the large crowd was there. It gets busy on the weekends, so the wait can be long in their microscopic standing room only waiting area. This still didn't matter to me - I patiently waited to sit down so I can determine for myself whether this place does Cuban well. The verdict? This place is great! And the prices? So reasonable! $7 for the most perfect-tasting mojito, not too sweet or minty? You can't find anything close to that in DC, if not in taste in price. Less than $10 for a Cuban sandwich? Not too bad price-wise and absolutely delicious. This place is by far the only place that makes a Cuban sandwich properly and somewhat close to the dirt cheap eats price. I don't know if they really use Cuban bread but if they sliced the pork and didn't use chunks of pork then the flavor would be better balanced and the sandwich more perfect. A minus for this place? Ropa vieja was smaller in portion and just shy of perfect as far as the amount of flavor. I didn't think I'd say this, but I think this dish is done better at Cubanos than here. But for 2/3 of the price, I'll take it. The take-home message? Solid Cuban restaurant for the area if you're willing to take the trip up here or just happen to be in the neighborhood. This is one case where you can't judge a book by its cover.
(4)
Mary A.
Had the fried pork and was impressed by how tender it was. All the sides were delicious also.
(5)
JamisonAmadeo H.
I can not say enough that's good about this restaurant. The restaurant looks like nothing from the outside, but it has a nice atmosphere on the inside. It's small, but you're given adequate space. The staff are physically attractive for the most part, especially Jiovanni. The food and drinks are just out of this world, literally. The Vaca Frita is to die for, I could eat that as every meal for a month. Their Cuban rum sponge cake is orgasmic, and I don't use that as a descriptor often. My only wish is that I could eat a whole cake that tasted that good. The items are all very very fairly priced and it's just an overall great place to visit.
(5)
Brandy P.
Beef empanadas are to die for!!!! The Pork was awesome. Will come back even if I have to drive 40 mins to get here!!!
(5)
Cruz B.
OMG! I used my living social voucher to eat here.... Good lawd was this food good! All I can say is stop contemplating and go eat here.... STAT!
(5)
Nancy M.
By far THE BEST CUBAN FOOD IN DC AREA. Today was my second time visiting in over 5 years. The food was better than i pleasantly remembered it. I was impressed with every aspect of the restaurant: Victor our server was perfect, funny and sharp, the space is clean and cozy, our food came out quickly yet tasted fresh and scrumptious. Their mojitos are addictive, before I knew it I was on my third and had to slow it down :-) I'm impressed on how they bake most of their authentic deserts and make their own habanero hot sauce.
(5)
Steve Y.
Well let me start this review with the person who recommended this restaurant. I`ll call him Felipe to protect his identity. Felipe highly recommended this place but I should have known better becaquse after eating vaqca frita I asked him for my money back. In fact I think they called it Vaca frita because you would have to be drunk from Vodka to make this food taste decent. Anyway I will say since this was a takeout I might give it another chance. But I'm not planning on visiting Cuba anytime soon.
(2)
Gerri S.
This spot is a lovely surprise. In suburban Maryland it is a delight to come across vibrant atmosphere, exciting cuisine and efficient service where dreary family dining is the norm.Cuba de Ayer is located in a small shopping center and adjacent to a large liquor store. There also appeared to be a church service going on in the building next door. So don't get thrown off by this randomness. It does not disappoint. On a Saturday evening the restaurant was full and buzzing with activity but we were lucky enough to get our table within 20 minutes. The Mojito I ordered was average - beautiful presentation but nothing to write home about content-wise. The Empanadas were delicious and quite fresh. Do try the beef. For my entree I had a shredded beef dish served with rice and beans and plantains. Very flavorful and quite filling. An enjoyable evening was had by all.I wish I lived closer to make this my regular spot. For those of you who do live in the vicinity I would highly recommend this place.
I was pretty disappointed. I had heard good things about Cuba de Ayer from friends but walked away knowing I had had average cafe food at a good restaurant price! Highlights: The staff is great and their mojitos are the best I've ever had! The chicken empanadas are also pretty darn good (Our server told us the beef ones are their most popular but they weren't my favorite.) I also bet you the saying "cleanliness is close to godliness" is something the owner/manager cherishes. The place has an authentic and comfortable feel. Lowlights: 1. I had their red snapper (Pargo Frito) grilled instead of fried. It was dry (and I mean seriously over-cooked or dry--perhaps it was a heat lamp thing) and lacked the flavor. 2. My rice and black beans were also dry and needed more flavor. Sigh, and I love rice and beans. 3. I tried my husbands Ropa Vieja, which our server told us they were known for, and it was ultra dull--I've seriously had much better ropa vieja at other places. 4. I had the regular fried plantains, which were good, but my husband had the fried green plantains, which I of course tried. They were dry and not well salted. 5. Say no to the sangria: it tasted like cheap wine with pineapple soda and tiny chunks of what I am to believe and accept as pieces of fruit. 6. We tried their flan (tasted packaged), rum cake (way too sweet), and cuban coffee (just didn't taste right) for dessert. Sigh. I left wishing I'd tried them on a Groupon deal because I wasn't impressed and think that they are way, way over priced for what they serve.
(2)
C P.
Sabrosa! Quite tasty and I like the feel of the place...dark, homey tables, Cuban music. I surprised myself with just how much I could eat in one setting! I opted for the Ham croquettes, the moros and cristianos, maduras (sweet plaintains) and palomilla (seasoned steak with grilled onion). Well worth the off the beaten path drive.
(4)
Nicole A.
Love this little place! They are finally expanding (this place gets extremely crowded since its small). No dish has let me down! plantains are super sweet, salmon dish is awesome! Mango and guava juice are thick and sweet! Ive also had the shredded beef and its good! love Cuba de ayer!
(5)
Charles S.
This is be best Cuban food I've had.. Clean, good, and delicious.. The wait staff is great.. This place is a hike from my house, but so worth it..
(5)
Eve G.
Maybe the cook was having a bad evening, or the cook has changed...I don't know. Since I am a Havana-born Cuban, my friends very generously took me out to Cuba de Ayer for my birthday. Years back I had heard that the food there was really delicious and very authentic -- the best in Montgomery County. Perhaps my expectations were too high...I don't know...but, unfortunately, my black beans had a dump of salt, the chicken, though tasty, was tough as leather and the tostones had anemia. My friend's fish was absolutely tasteless, ( I think the salt took a turn from her fish to my beans), and my other friend's meat was dry. I was sooo very, very sad and disappointed! I had a great time with my friends, but I don't think I'll be taking a trip back. I'll stick to my own home cooked Cuban meals. Unless you have never had real Cuban food, I don't see how you can rate this restaurant with five stars.
(2)
X J P.
Good food, somewhat confused service. The food is mostly very good. The shrimp and avocado appetizer is delicious. The carne con papa is very tasty and the Cuban sandwich meets expectations. However, the ropa vieja was very bland, luckily my friend had ordered ropa vieja, so I didn't have to finish it. The mojitos, of course, are a must try. The service... well... The first time I went was on a Tuesday night and the place was popping. Lots of customers, so the service was slow, but that could be expected. Initial order was fine, but when I later ordered a sangria it never arrived. When I asked for the bill I found that I was charged for deserts and drinks that were ordered by the table next to me. The waiter never returned to collect the bill, eventually the manager noticed how long we were waiting to settle up and came to collect the bill. It took almost 10 more minutes to clear up the items that were ordered by the other table. I returned on a weekday for lunch, lots of staff and almost no customers! Again the food and mojitos were good, but despite the excellent ratio of staff to customers it still took the waitress forever to take my order and to collect my bill. Maybe that is authentic as Cuban service can get! Cuba de Ayer is stil the best Cuban Restaurant in Burtonsville, just make sure to examine your bill very closely!
(3)
Nastasia V.
I moved to Maryland about 2 years ago from Miami, FL and the first thing I had to do was find a cuban spot to eat at.... I am cuban and from a place where cuban food is all over the place and very authentic! Cuba de ayer surprized me! The ambiance and feel to it is just like home to me. The food is very satisfying and flavors are great! The owner and cook is Cuban so they know what they are doing in the kitchen. I have tried many dishes and have been satisfyed with every one of them! My husband is not to fond of the vaca frita... Too crispy and drie for him! But other than that great cuban spot to dine at!
(4)
Brian K.
Great food. Nice atmosphere. Be back soon!!!
(5)
Michael B.
Love this place! It's a regular in our restaurant rotation. Meats are well seasoned and tender but don't underestimate the rice and beans (make sure to get the beans on the side (it's just better somehow,) the crispy plantains are good but a little bland but as an added bonus Yelp always has money off coupon.
(4)
Maria S.
I've heard a great deal about Cuban sandwiches and decided to order one, did not meet my expectations. Also, the juices are not homemade like at other Cuban restaurants. I have to point out, the wait time is ridiculous!! I imagine it should not be, considering the small space would make the order ratio smaller. The staff lacked professionalism. I would consider going a second per a family members request only.
(2)
Alex Z.
Let me start by saying that I was born and raised in Miami near Little Havana. I grew up eating at La Carreta and Versailles on Calle Ocho. I know Cuban food. This is as good as it gets outside of Miami. Better than some places in Miami even. Service was great. Only thing missing is Cuban bread and pastelitos. Then again, this is a Cuban restaurant and not a bakery. If you want real and delicious Cuban food, go here. I had white rice and black beans, maduros, bistec empanizado, and yuca frita. It was awesome.
(5)
Ivan C.
Food was pretty good. Lil salty but the rice didn't taste like anything but the fried fish I had was good but don't let the outside fool it does look good inside & good Latin environment. Hard to find but worth it
(4)
Karina B.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! So glad my friend (s/o to Beca) told me about it. I'm half Cuban and this restaurants just makes me so happy; too bad it's so far from home. This place is extremely popular, I've waited an hour before. Make a reservation! Their appetizers are great, main dishes are nice and big, desserts are fabulous. Wish they'd open a location in VA or at least expand their small MD location. Check this place out!!
(5)
Rachel A.
My husband and I live in NJ and we have gone out of our way to go here for lunch on our way to VA. The food is excellent, good prices, and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly. I wish I lived closer!
(5)
Odin T.
This restaurant is so good that I actually started a yelp account just so I could rate it on here for others. This is the first Cuban restaurant I've been to that the food tasted as if someone in my family cooked it. I took two friends with me, one of which is American and had never tried Cuban food before. We ordered a variety of foods so that he could taste different dishes to get a better idea of what Cuban food is. He absolutely loved it. Every single dish that we ordered was phenomenal and cooked to the high standard that I'm used to. There are no "fancy" versions of the dishes like other "Cuban" restaurants. These foods are as if they came straight from the island. Very impressed.
(5)
Mabel T.
I come here often on dinner dates with just my husband or in large groups. Every time, the food and service is fantastic!! The place is pretty small, but very nicely decorated. The lighting can sometimes be a little too dark for my taste, though. I'm not a huge fan of their drinks (I've had both their margaritas and mojitos) because they're a little too sweet for me and not too strong. But if I had to pick a fave, their guava mojito is delish! With every entree, you can choose to have your beans and rice mixed or separate and your bananas sweet or salty. I love the variety and the portions are HUGE. I always have more than enough leftovers for another full meal the next day. I always go with the vaca frita, lechon asado, or boliche. Their meat is always very tender and flavorful. (I think once I felt like their vaca frita was a little over cooked, but just barely). For dessert, their tres leches and flan is AMAZING. It gets pretty crowded for dinner, especially on the weekends so I suggest making a reservation or be prepared to wait for a long time.
(4)
tamm r.
Cuban food is savory and doesn't use as much cheese as opposed to some other Latin American cuisines. I appreciate this. The flavor comes from a delicate blend of spices and properly simmering the yummy eats. Cuba Ayer has this down. They have a great veggie platter. The food is delicious, but a little on the saltier side. The reason for the 4 stars and not 5 is the service is very slow here and well, the salty factor.
(4)
Meh G.
Having just moved to the Maryland/DC area from Miami I was really craving some good cuban food. Based on the previous reviews that I read here, I thought about giving this place a try. Me and my family drove for 30 miles to eat some good cuban food. Service: despite having made a reservation in advance, we still had to wait about 35 minutes. Once seated, the waitress completely ignored for a while, and when she came to and got our order, we told her that we have the free empanada because we checked into this restaurant on yelp; she didn't seem pleased by that and told us that the manager has to approve it first. Food: the food was ok, I got the Ropa Vieja which wasn't as good as the ones I had before (such as versailes in miami). My brother and the vaca frita and he was very disappointed by it. It was extremely salty. The beans were also very salty. But the plantaines and tostones were pretty good. By the end of the night we were so disappointed that we didn't even try to dessert.
I have never had a reason to go to Burtonsville to eat...I do now! Cuba de Ayer is fantastic. The food is tremendous. I started with a beef empanada. The shell was perfectly fried and the ground beef inside was flavorful, and not too greasy. My wife had a vegetarian platter, everything was so seasoned and flavorful, you didn't miss the meat. The FROZEN Mojito, at $10.95 seems steep, but after one you forget the price and wish you had a pitcher at home waiting for you. I had the Cubano sandwhich...roasted pork, baked ham, melted swiss cheese, mustard and thinly sliced pickles...it took everything in me not to go back for lunch today. The finale...The best Tres Leches I have ever had....Sopping sweet cake with whipped cream or light meringue on top. It was UNBELIEVABLE!! If you like Cuban food, give this place a try.
(5)
Alan W.
This little restaurant in Burtonsville served some decent food with an atmosphere that was better than I anticipated considering its unassuming location. I would give the place 3.5 stars based on the locale and food but the service is what earns this place 5 stars in my book. Our food was slow to come to the table and their very busy manager came to us immediately, apologized, personally retrieved our meals, and compensated us for the time. With service like that, I can't recommend this place highly enough. There are plenty of 5 star restaurants in DC and NYC that could take a page out Cuba de Ayer's hospitality and service book. Everyone should try this place!
(5)
Mia R.
I grew up in Florida, so I was not expecting to be blown away by Cuban food in MD. I was SO wrong. The food is authentic, there are generous portions, and you are doing yourself a disservice if you're not trying a mojito. You can't go wrong with anything you order, but be sure to ask for the hot sauce they make in house and use it liberally. It's amazing!
(5)
Alexandra G.
Great food, good prices. New renovation is very nice too and makes waiting time a lot less.
(5)
Sylvia C.
I have been meaning to try this restaurant since it opened. Here my critique: Mojito: The mint was ground into the mojito, not muddled, and I LOVED it. I love mint in general, so the extra mint infusion was absolute pleasure. Could've used a splash of more alcohol, but delicious nonetheless. I wanted to drink 10 of them. Tostones Relleno: I got the shredded beef instead of ground. It looked and tasted the same as what they use for ropa vieja. It was very flavorful. The seasoned meat complemented well with the semi- crunchy plantain. Boliche: The meat was lean and tender. With the first entry of the fork, the meat falls apart. Seasoning was good. A bit salty, but I ate it with the white rice and black bleans, which were good. The tostones were also good. I lucked out and got crunchy ones, contrary to some of the reviews. Tres Leches cake: moist, dense, sweet. It was good. i could only take a few bites because it was too rich, but I enjoyed it. I tried my friend's Pargo, which was lightly breaded and fried. It was not greasy at all and the fish was cooked to perfection: moist and flakey. The breading was tasty and went well with the fish. I also tried her platanos maduros, which were also delicious. The 3 things left I want to try are their Cuban sandwich, Yuca con mojo criollo, and flan.
(4)
Steve L.
Really...really good. Very authentic. Best I've had in DMV...and I'm very familiar with Cubana food.
(5)
Chica B.
Oh my,!!!! I used my last Groupon yesterday at the restaurant. We (my husband and I) shared a "sopa de pollo" which is an excellent size for two. Delicious and real home made chicken soup. Also we added the tostones which is the best complement with the soup. My husband had the "sandwich cubano" and I had the "sandwich de pernil". I loved my husband sandwich. I liked mine but something was missing and it was not the cheese (I don't like it with the sandwich) nor the lettuce and tomatoe. Until I found it....mayo could give that special kick to the baguette bread it was served. Now I know for the next time. To complete the fest we ordered 2 Tres Leches and Cafe con Leche! Of course I couldn't finish mine but it was DELICIOUS.....I'll go back again and only for the dessert.
(5)
Cathy Q.
Let me start off this review by saying that the only reason I went to this restaurant was because of a Group On I had recently purchased. I had always been curious to try Cuban food and was excited to try this place out. Well, I was certainly disappointed with this restaurant. The staff is great, they are nice and helpful. But the food, oh the food, is not up to par. I had shrimps al ajillo (shrimp and garlic) that tasted very acidic and was only served SEVEN shrimps. It felt as though they counted the shrimps they were going to serve and that's ridiculous considering the fact that I went during dinner and they charged me $16 for that plate. The rice they serve is plain, like Chinese white rice, and they filled more than 75% of the plate with that rice. Let me just say, I'm not a cook but I could make better shrimp. I liked the plantains that were served maduros, they were good. I was recommended a drink by the waiter which was called Materva and that was good as well. Materva is a soft drink made from Argentinian Mate. My boyfriend ordered carne con papas (beef with potatos) and he was also disappointed. This plate looked better in the sense that only 50% of the plate was filled with rice and the rest was with beef and only ONE potato. Not very pretty to look at, I must say. This plate offered black beans which tasted as though they came out of a can. The beef chunks were cut into small and large sizes which I found odd and the beef was bland and under-seasoned. We tried desert considering the fact that I had lost my appetite for the food. I thought something has to be decent in this place. I was right, the tres leches I tried was good but I have had better. All in all I would have given this review zero stars if it were not for the fact that I had a Group On and did not pay the full price. I would NOT recommend this place and will not go back either.
(1)
M S.
THE GOOD AMBIENCE: Much more than what you would expect judging from the outside. The shopping center is stripmallish, but CDA feels hip and welcome. APPETIZERS: Croquetas De Jamon: deep fried, but not greasy. very good. Papa Rellena: surprisingly good, interesting combination of an otherwise bland potato w/ well seasoned ground beef. DRINKS: Pineapple soda is overpriced at $2.35 for a 16 oz can. Mojito arrived w/ a piece of sugarcane. Delicious and enticing even for the non-drinker at our table. ENTREE: Bistec Palomilla: I ordered the moros/cristianos, and friends swapped tostones and maduros with us. Delicious! My friend also ordered the bistec, but she thought hers was a bit dry. Pollo Empanizado: Breading/chicken were seasoned and cooked very well. DESSERT: Tres leches was the probably the best I've ever had! Sweet, soft, perfect. THE OK: SERVICE: Not great! Our server did not clear our dishes quickly. We waited awhile for our 4th person to arrive, and the server was pretty good up until then. But then he disappeared for awhile and we had to ask another waiter to track him down. When dessert was presented, the servers sang Happy Birthday, but it was not a good photo-op bc the table was still stacked w/ dinner dishes! Prior to bringing the dessert out, server should have checked to make sure our dishes were cleared. PRESENTATION: All of the food was delicious, but when it arrived, the first thing you notice is everything on the plate was a shade of brown. Brown steak, brown moros/cristianos, brown plantains, light brown tostones. Green/yellow vegetables would break up the monotony to make the plates look more appealing and provide a healthy side dish for customers. I'd be willing to pay $1 more per entree for a green side dish. THE BAD: ODOR: There is an odor permeating the restaurant that suggests something is amiss with the grease trap/sewer. Outside the restaurant you can smell the delicious onions, garlic and other spices. However, the dank odor is apparent as soon as you open the inner door. We waited by the hostess stand for 20 minutes and were later seated in the section of the restaurant closer to the restroom and, unfortunately, the smell never went away. The odor is not bathroom related, the bathroom smells perfectly fine. TBH, in a normal situation the odor would have driven me away (a restaurant should smell like food and food only), but it was a special occasion with friends and I didn't want to ruin the night. I hope this is corrected quickly! The restaurant is well worth multiple visits, but the odor ruins my appetite.
(4)
Jenn R.
As usual, excellent food. The per il is superb and the maduros are "yummy yummy". Every time I've bee the food Is delicious as well as their mojitos. Last time I went though they were very abundant with the mint in the mojito, more like a drink salad.. By having Hispanic heritage I usually don't expect hight customer service in Latin restaurants and this place is not the exception. Last time and after the remodel the waiter seemed all over the place, lost and our orders tools long time to be served including waiting for more than 15 minutes for our drinks. In addition, the waiter kept talking really fast while explaining the menu items to my friends. In overall is good food and last time, they had LIVE MUSIC which was nice :-)
(4)
Alex K.
Off the beaten path Cuban star is our go to stop for dinner when returning to DC from the northeast. Chicken Soup is to die for, as is the range of traditional Cuban favorites--roast pork, Ropa Vieja, etc.
(5)
Kat A.
Best of the best! Regardless of what you get here you can't go wrong with any of their food. The food is the best Cuban I've ever had. Period. The portions are well worth the price. I always have another meal or two in leftovers. The lunch options are a deal and their daily drink specials never disappoint. The staff couldn't be nicer. If you have any questions or are torn between dishes just ask. The staff is well informed regarding everything on their menu. They know what they're talking about! Try this place if you haven't before. I've been a customer for many years and have brought so many friends and family here to experience their food. Not a single person has been disappointed.
(5)
Cybil A.
I went there during lunch and had a wonderful experience. The portions were generous, the price was perfectly reasonable, the staff was warm and attentive, and the food: I would have given Cuba Ayer 5 stars on the food alone. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and authentic. I had the chicken with peppers and the maduros, and the sweet, savory and saucy flavors mingled together on that plate perfectly. I will definitely go again, even if the location is a little out of my way. It's worth the trip.
(5)
Iraina V.
Good food. The service was nice but a little slow. It was getting busy so that could be it. Definitely will return.
(4)
Bill M.
Hadn't been there in years and it has changed for the better. (Interior wise) The service was outstanding. Someone was always checking on us. The food was great and the prices are reasonable. Try the homemade hot sauce. Perfect addition. Not to hot, but flavorful. We bought a bottle. The next test will be to bring our Cuban friends.
(5)
Bianca F.
I never had Cuban food until I was invited to this restaurant. It is fabulous! True and authentic cuisine! I order the ropa vieja which is shredded beef. It comes with black beans and rice and plantains. They give you a ton of food! I usually have leftovers for the next day. We also get the tostones as an appetizer. The tres leches is amazing for dessert. And the drinks are just wonderful! The mojitos and the margaritas are sooo good! It gets pretty busy so make a reservation before you dine. :) Their service is great. This place does close earlier than most restaurants, so I would call ahead just in case to make sure they are open and have seats available. It's an out of the way gem!
(5)
Benslie B.
We stopped by here for a late lunch/early dinner and were excited about this place because of other reviews and because we're big fans of Cuban food. We ordered: -Ropa vieja: it was incredibly, overwhelmingly salty. I'm usually the type to add salt to dishes, but the sodium level of this entree overshadowed any other favors and it was just not pleasant to eat. -Pan con croquetas: the croquettes were decent by themselves, but the overall taste of slapping them on a baguette was not particularly good or exciting. -Mamey shake: this was actually the highlight of our meal. It was sweet, rich, and good! We were also the only ones in the restaurant for the majority of our meal and it still took a fairly long time for our food to arrive. Overall, we paid about $30 for a very underwhelming meal here.
(2)
Tim M.
Not the easiest to get in and out of from a parking perspective, but the Cuban sandwich was best I've had.
(5)
Sweta D.
Awesome drinks!! Mango bomb was too good!! General manager of the place was very friendly !!
(4)
Sammy A.
Came for lunch on a quiet afternoon for a quick bite. Ice cold Stella on draft = Now onto the food. I had the bistec salteado with side of yucca. Extra crispy yucca was absolutely phenomenal(might be the best yucca I have ever had) Blanched long enough that the interior was creamy and moist, but the outside had a phenomenal crisp to it that begs you to eat it immediately. The bistec salteado was underwhelming, the steak felt overcooked, under seasoned and all in all, boring and bland. Service was good, food came out relatively fast, and that yucca was mouth-burningly good. 3.5 stars
(3)
Corey W.
Good was pretty good. Really on point. The pernil pork was extremely moist and cooked very well. I had the flank steak shredded. It was a little dry, but mixed with the rice and beans was amazing. The mojitos were incredible. The best I have had since south beach. Kelvin was our server and he was wonderful and attentive. Extremely impressed with this young man. Will be back again.
(5)
Deborah N.
They have recently (yesterday!) expanded and now have an additional dining room plus a separate room that's a bar with lots of seating. YAY!!!!! My previous complaints were only that there was no place to sit while waiting for takeout and that you couldn't stop in and just get one of their delicious mojitos and maybe a snack. No longer! Get thee there now for happy hour and beyond!
(5)
D J.
I really wanted this to be a five-star experience. Cuba de Ayer had been on my list of restaurants to try for years, and I was really looking forward to it. It turned out to be maybe a 3.5-star meal...I rounded up. My dinnner companion and I started with the camarones al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce) and beef empanadas. The appetizers were excellent -- best food we ate there. The garlic sauce that comes with the shrimp is delicious, and the beef filling in the empanadas is also very good. My dinner companion ordered pargo frito (fried red snapper) with white rice, black beans, and tostones. The fish was good, if a bit bland. The portions were quite large. The real disappointment was the tostones. They were just...not good. Thin, tough, bland, greasy. I am Puerto Rican, I make tostones frequently, and I expected the tostones at a Cuban restaurant to be excellent; they weren't. I had the avocado salad with salmon. It was quite good, but the dressing had soooo much garlic...and I love garlic! I had to stop eating the spinach after a while because the raw garlic flavor was taking over. The ingredients were fresh and the salmon was tasty, so it wasn't a bad salad. The cocktails were just okay. Good mojito. I tried the guapa martini -- too sweet and the cocktail glass arrived at the table half full. We were there on a Saturday night at 7:30. The restaurant was quite busy and service was really slow at times, particularly the drink service. We were sitting at a bar table, and we could see the bartenders working their tails off, but they just weren't able to keep up with demand and the wait time for a drink was pretty long at times. Overall, I would say we had a good experience at Cuba de Ayer, and I would eat there again, but I might just make a meal of appetizers next time!
(4)
Nicole F.
I wound up over here due to an errant package that got sent to the UPS center in Laurel which is mucho far from my house. I was a VERY unhappy person and extremely grumpy that I had to drive an hour to get a package and I hadn't eaten. Lucky for me, YELP to the rescue. I looked for Gluten Free food and this wonderful place popped up with great reviews. COULD IT BE TRUE? Yes, I was so hungry I sat at the bar and ordered a Mojito. IT WAS AMAZEBALLS. The bartender made it just right, no big mint leaves to clog up my straw. She was also very attentive and gave me good recommendations on what to eat. I had the Ropa something and it was delish AND didn't make me sick. I left WAY happier then then I had arrived. I may just take the trip back there one day.
(4)
Nicole G.
I love this place! All the cocktails are made fresh and the food is great! Two of my favorites drinks are the Guava Rita and La Mentirita (although EVERY drink I've had is good). I have a special relationship with the Camarones en Aguacate ask for bread to soak up the butter and garlic.
(5)
Jennifer O.
I was very disappointed after hearing so many good reviews... even from native Miamians whose palates I trust. The bread was bland--I don't even think it was made with shortening, and if it was I have no idea how they got it to be so dense in texture, almost everything else was way too salty. Also, if I wanted to taste mojo from a jar, I'd to visit the Badia/Goya section at the grocery store instead of paying for a full meal. From now on, I'll be making my own Cuban food, or saving my stomach space for my next trip to South Florida.
(2)
Ruth C.
We have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while now but finally got around to it last night. I must say it was totally worth it! We met our friends there and had a couple drinks at the bar prior to being seated - try the mojito - so good! We ordered two appetizers - the beef and chicken empanadas which were both delicious. The dough had a somewhat sweet taste to it which I've never experienced with other empanadas I've tried but it was so yummy. We also tried the Camarones al Ajillio which was also very delicious but a bit on the garlicky side. I happen to love garlic so I didn't mind but keep in mind if you don't like a lot of garlic. Overall I'd order both appetizers again. For my meal I had the Bistec Salteado, one of my favorite Cuban dishes so I had to give it a try. It was not the best version I've ever had but very tasty and I'd definitely order again. It was served with sweet plantains, white rice and black beans. The plantains were out of this world, probably the best I've ever had and the black beans also had great flavoring. The portion was huge and I pretty much took home half so I have another whole meal out of my dinner. If you love Cuban food this is the place to go, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Maurice M.
This place is as close as it gets to perfection. I give them a 100 on a scale of 1-10! Where to begin.. The drinks are Excellent! Choose from the Mojito's, custom Margarita's, or get the Guava or Mango Sangria - You won't regret it. Appetizers - The Empanadas are amazing. I typically get beef & chicken. Not only is it seasoned just right, the outer crust has a slightly sweet taste to it which sets it off just right. Then there's the Tostones Relleno - Stuffed, fried green plantain shaped into a mini bowl filled with shredded beef, ground beef or shrimp. Simply mouth watering.. Then, there's the Camarones En Aguacate - Good sized pieces of Avacado, topped with large shrimp, set in a sauce so tasty, you'll try to take it home if you manage to leave any on the plate. On to the Entrees - Which one to choose. Fricase De Pollo with the vegetarian beans seasoned to perfection & the sweet plantains.. I feel like I'm back home in Jamaica again.. Although that's my current favorite, all of the following are AMAZING - Pollo Salteado, Pargo Frito, Arroz Con Pollo, Spinach Avacado Salad (especially with the Salmon or the Red Snapper), Boliche, Picadillo, Pollo A La Plancha, Carribean Salmon, & Camarones al Ajillo! -- Can you tell I go there almost weekly? :-) As if there is any room left, I can't leave this place without getting a piece of the Rum Cake, garnished with a mint leaf & the most amazing glaze drizzled on it & on the plate. After writing all this, I think I'll head over there for lunch. To top it all of, the staff is super polite! Kudo's to Steven - One of the managers - He remembers me by name & checks on me whenever I stop in & jokes me that they're going to put my name on the chair at the end of the bar next to the outlet.. lol I've taken numerous clients & friends there who now go there on a regular basis & I finally got my family together over there last weekend. Cuba De Ayer is a MUST VISIT!
(5)
Lauren L.
Great find! I wasn't expecting to find a good Cuban restaurant in the area. The bistec de pallomilla was very good and the mojitos were great. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Eric F.
Cuba de Ayer is a really great restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxing and the staff is always on top of things. Sometimes at night there is a short wait, but typically, it is not overcrowded. I admit that it took me three visits to finally discover my go to dish, but I was willing to keep going back, because I could tell that even when a dish wasn't quite what I like, it was well prepared.
(5)
lynn t.
I'm not sure how we've missed this little darling but at least we finally found it! Service and attitudes were as excellent as the empenadas, soup, entrees and dessert. I rarely eat black beans but the black beans here? I would eat them with a bowl of rice (yes even white rice). The Mango/Strawberry martini was equally perfect. Loved it!
(5)
Jamaal C.
Best ever !!!! Worth coming too for just the white rice alone !!!! Everything I try on the menu has been good
(5)
Wing C.
From the exterior, I wouldn't expect much from Cuba de Ayer - sketchy parking lot and hidden side entrance. I've seen it advertised numerous times on restaurant.com and offered endless online deals - even though my dad mentioned that he used to see lines to the door on the weekends - I was skeptical on how awesome could the food possibly be - those people must be there for some kind of coupon deal I told myself! So on my brother's last day home for Thanksgiving break, while wanting to try a cuisine my dad hasn't been exposed to but also not wanting to drive too far - I trusted yelp to finally give Cuba de Ayer a try after seeing it appeared first on top rated list for dinner around the area. I quickly gave them a call and they were able to accommodate a reservation @ 7:30 for 4 later that evening. First impression upon entering - a small family run restaurant with older decor + dim lighting. The nail/hair salon next door appeared to be have been taken over recently and the restaurant is now actually a bit bigger. When our really friendly, sweet waitress came over, we quickly submitted our food order since they were closing within an hr - Ropa Vieja, Leshon Asado, and red snapper (forgot the exact name). We also showed her our check in on yelp and scored a free chicken empanada! The empanada quickly came out with a bottle of green sauce. The 4 of us divided it to each have a bite. My dad and brother actually never had empanada before and I could see their eyes widened with their first bite. After first taste, I understood their reaction because it was literally the best empanada I had in my life. Perfectly seasoned + perfectly fried. It was fresh from the kitchen (piping hot) but not one bit oily. The main dishes came out soon after. I had a taste of each of their dish and I could say each was spot on - full of flavor. The fried plantain - i usually find them a bit plain and dry but the ones here was a bit sweet and blend of crunchy+soft. Too bad each order only came with 4 pieces! The black bean and rice - the black bean was the only downer of the meal. Too salty - to a point it was pretty much inedible! My fiance ended up eating the rice plain. Overall still a great meal! I presented our waitress the valpak coupon through gogglewallet and received 50% off on one of the entrees. But upon using that coupon, I was told that my yelp offer then wouldn't apply - bummer. $2.35 vs $7.35 dollars off? we took the valpak offer of course. 3 entrees + 1 appetizer around 50 dollars with tax and tip. Would return for perhaps lunch in the future!
(4)
Jacqui L.
Delicious Camarones en Aguacate. I recommends getting bread on the side to dip in the amazing garlic sauce that you'll have left over. Trust me, you'll want to lick the plate and you can do that with the side of bread. Loved their Rojas Viejas. Well flavored, nice and tender. caramelized plantains were so good my friend and I had to get an extra order of them. And of course, to cure my food coma I got some Cuban coffee! Yum yum! Oh and the service, our server was SO SO friendly!!!
(4)
Mai S.
Ordered the combination for the appetizer. Expected more flavor from the Pernil, the yuca was delicious, and the texture of the ham croquettes weren't my favorite. I tasted my friend's beef empanada and it was good. Ordered the Vieja Ropa. The beef was better with the aid of the house hot sauce. The rice and beans were great and the maduros were ok. I'll give them another try though.
(2)
Katherine B.
I love this place! From the decor, to the food, service. Just wow. Best empanadas I ever had...ever. Shrimp dishes are large and fresh. Prices are reasonable. The yuca with garlic sauce is literally to die for. App with avacado and shrimp. Omg yum! I like the vaca frita and well everything there. You really can't go wrong. just go immediately and order everything.
Ambiance is great, love the music it only adds to the amazing food. Had the avocado salmon and lenchon asado with my wife. The flavored of the salmon were fantastic and the pork was so tender. Will definitely be coming back ..... soon.
(5)
Steve E.
Great Service, Great food, prices are reasonable. Love the Ambience. If you live in the area this is the place that you would take outsiders to.
(5)
Faizah C.
This is a neighborhood gem! They've renovated their space into a swanky, cozy, sexy location good for groups, dates, or solo at the bar. They make their mojitos from scratch....i personally love the mango and the strawberry. Their best appetizer is the camarones de aguacate! You will not be disappointed. Do order a batch of bread with it to sop up the garlic juice. The bartenders are great, the service is really good and i definitely recommend you get there soon. Any day is fine!
(5)
Leonard M.
It's a little out of the way but it is worth finding. The food is fresh, well prepared and the service is great.
(5)
Blaine D.
Again, fantastic food and service. A must try is the Tres Leches cake with Cuban coffee. Delicious! The combination of flavors is second to none. I also love house hot sauce.
(5)
Derek R.
Victor was an amazing waiter and very friendly. The food was great and the environment is cozy! I'd recommend this place highly to anyone.
(5)
Diana R.
This place is a hidden gem! Since moving from LA, I've been searching for a good Cuban spot. Great ambiance, food, & service.
(5)
Tony M.
Service was slow, though friendly. My cubano sandwich arrived with no pickle inside, a key ingredient. The replacement was very bland.
(2)
I R.
This is my favorite Cuban Restaurant. Their food is as good as my Cuban neighbors' food. Be ready to wait for a table, as the space is cozy. Their "ropa vieja" is my favorite dish. The croquetas and empanadas are always yummy. I used them to cater a private party and got great reviews from the guests. Try them you wont be dissapointed
(5)
Connie L.
Was super excited to try this restaurant because I have not had good cuban food in this area.. (my favorite is Cafe Cortadito in NYC!) Purchased the living social deal to go with my coworkers.. we also checked in on yelp and got free empanadas.. but at the end had to PAY for the empanadas because the yelp deal cannot be used in conjunction with the living social deal -___- Food wise, the ropa vieja was pretty good (not as good as I have had before but better than any I have had in the DC/MD area) and the sweet plantains were yummy. The mojito was sweet and gave me a good buzz and tres leches at the end was a good end to the meal. Kind of meh about not being able to use the deals together and just little things here and there. For example, the tres leches and whipped cream came out sort of melted because apparently the plate was hot(?) and the portions were off. One of the cakes was much larger than the other. I would return only if I have a huge craving for cuban food.
(3)
Cynthia R.
The food is outstanding! The mojitos are delicious. I visit here often and have signed up on their e-mail list and receive coupons regularly. The remodel/expansion has made it much more enjoyable. Parking kind of stinks, but I won't hold that against them.
(5)
Ivan M.
Great place, great setting and great food but best of all, great people. Victor's great service made the food taste even better; he's friendly and knowledgeable. We had pollo salteado, bistec empanizado, pargo frito (red snapper), bistec palomilla, empanadas, and other food. Great food!
(5)
Tamara W.
Cuba de Ayer was highly recommended by friends and since they are Cuban and I grew up around authentic Cuban food, I decided to try them. First of all you must be vigilant of where they are located or you will pass it up! Very obscure place on the side of a strip mall just off the main road. The parking is HORRIBLE an absolute mess because they share space with 8 other shops and you can count the spaces with both hands. Good luck with that. Since we got there early 4 p.m. on Sunday, we found parking quickly and were seated immediately as we entered. The decor is very hip, and fresh as modern cubism meets retro Cuba, and both sexes of the waitstaff are dressed in traditional guayaberas which was a nice surprise. The seating looks good, but it is well-worn and the cushions were ripped and the salt and pepper shakers and menus were greasy. When our waitress came by she was very friendly and initially attentive, but she became less and less attentive once we placed our orders--this was not cool as my water glass was never filled and I was drinking only water and I had to ask my dinner mates if I could have theirs. The place was not even busy. The check took waaayyy too long-and to make matters worse there was a problem with another person cashing us out, a weird mix up. I was not happy with the waitress and I think that not having a bill of over $100 had a lot to do with it. PROS Authentic flavors and dishes which are well seasoned Decent food, but the roast pork (hallmark of Cuban cuisine) was forgettable because it was not fresh, it was either frozen and reheated or the initial meat that was cooked had freezer burn The black beans were excellent The batido de mamey (milkshake) was very good Their rice dishes were good The portions are just right, not CONS They charge for a x-small basket of bread and butter - very bad business practice Their tostones were hard as a rock and extremely thin - a big no no. Cuban sandwich was tasty, but very thin which means they are very SKIMPY on everything except the mustard They are overpriced for all of their meals, way overpriced I have not tried their other dishes, alcoholic drinks nor desserts, I may give them another chance. ***PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL BE CHARGED THE DINNER PRICE ANYTIME DURING THE WEEKEND FOR YOUR LUNCH.
(2)
SB M.
I love this place. It's gotten a lot bigger in the last couple of years, but it's a great place. The food is amazing, the service is always good and if you happen to be there on a live music night the musicians are always spot on. My favorite dish is the Vaca Frita, which is pan fried shredded beef. It's dry, no sauce, which I love but some people don't like. My wife has the Pollo Empanizado, it's basically Cuban fried chicken, and she loves it. The chicken is not dried out and the breading is tasty. For appetizer the fried yucca or Papas Rellenas (fried mashed potato with piccadillo stuffing) are delicious. If you are going on a weekend night, make a reservation.
(5)
Joseph C.
The food and service is impeccable. Best restaurant in MD. When you need comfort food from the Caribbean, you have to go there!
(5)
Paula S.
AWESOME!!! First my servers were Bessie and Victor. They were WONDERFUL!!!! Great food recommendations as this was our first time. We started with chicken empanadas and yucca fries, and had the pollo salteado, camarones al ajillo and the Caribbean salmon, and we all enjoyed EVERYTHING! Great food and great service.
(5)
Melissa S.
Friday night dinner option after searching Yelp for something different and highly recommended. For a family of 4, I ordered a Cuban sandwich, Caribbean salmon, Camarones al Ajillo, and a Pernil. I also ordered a tres leches and rum cake to share. Total Bill: $80+ sigh...but ok....I figured it's ok to splurge a little because it will be worth it- right?! Ok so....not really but it's promising. Let's start with the camarones (shrimp). I was expecting a beautiful presentation when I opened the take out container. What I got looked like shrimp in a butter and garlic mixture. Rice was cooked perfectly and the plantains (maduros) were good. Next up... Pernil. Hmmm i'll just say that I was REALLY looking forward to the dish blowing my mind but my expectations were too high. It was just OK- nothing great and not something I would get again. I've had wayyyyyy better. I'm not sure about the sandwich but my son's face spoke volumes! He wasn't thrilled at all. Then... the salmon. It was also just OK- nothing to slap momma about at all. The mango salsa however, delicious. The desserts were in the OK column as well. For what I spent, and because it was a Cuban spot, I was sooo excited because I just KNEW the food would be amazing. Instead after my meal, I felt like a bit of a fool. The 2 biggest disappointments though were when one of my orders came out incorrectly after I had gone over the order with the hostess twice. In total, I waited 1 hour and 15 minutes for my food. My poor kids were about to feint! Finally, I found that by checking into the restaurant on Yelp, you could get a free empanada- so I did. When I inquired about it, I was referred to the manager. While I wait for the manager, one of the hostesses inquired with the other about what I was seeking in Spanish. First mistake- don't assume that the customer can't understand your language- I can! Second mistake- don't discuss the customer in his/her face. The other hostess then says- we don't accept Groupon coupons. I'm then thinking that one person addressing the issue was enough because now her assumption is that I have a Groupon when I clearly showed the other young lady the bold, red, Yelp offer. She says Oh- and it's also for dine-in. I replied-well it should specify that on Yelp because it doesn't. The manager then comes and like a broken record- he too tells me that they typically don't accept the offer for dine out- only dine in. Wha!?! It doesn't say that on Yelp. Then I'm thinking... Are you kidding me after all I've waited and spent? He was nice enough to honor it anyway but not before giving me a light tongue lashing about what they typically don't do... Sigh. Great customer service would have ended at honoring the offer and moving on. As I walked out, a gentleman had gotten up from his table and was complaining that they had been waiting over an hour for their dinner. After he walked away, the hostesses were scrambling trying to address the issue and I could hear them in Spanish discussing that the man's table had been there a long time. I SO want to love this business! It's promising and I love and support my Caribbean folks but c'mon- let's do better! I really tried...really I did. Not sure that I'll be back. Perhaps I'll try the bar next time.
Super sad face. Came 400 miles and drove the extra few for what my sister promised The Best ropa vieja pero it's not open Monday's.
(5)
Nick M.
Came up from Woodbridge for our monthly fix. Server is Ana. Service here is excellent but we like Ana the best . Having Bistec Palomino with rice and beans, son in law is having pernil. Food is awesome.
(5)
Naomi S.
We moved to the Silver Spring/Burtonsville area a year ago and still looking for all the hidden gems in the nearby area. Cuba de Ayer was such a find! We were actually the last ones to show up on a Sunday night and we didn't feel rushed. The service was great and fast. We ordered traditional mojitos, the shrimp and avocado appetizer, bistec salteado and salmon caribbean. All were excellent. We will definitely make this a regular and try everything on the menu!
(5)
Ijene L.
Really really awesome. Beautiful lil restaurant with a completely sexy ambience. Perfect for a first date or even an anniversary. Nestled in a shopping center off old Columbia pike so drive slow and pay attention so you don't pass it. I had the Cuban passion drink. It was fruity and bubbly and I loved it. It went great with the Chuletas (pork chops) which were seasoned perfect and just like abuelita used to make! Sweet plaintains were freaking mouth watering and I wanna be buried in a vat of their tostones....ijs. I had the croquetas appetizer and they were rich and filling and chewy and my goodness they were awesome sauce! I only regret I had no room for dessert! I went at about 8 pm and they closed at 9. The wait staff was incredibly sweet and accommodating. The manager was also a doll and even adjusted the temp for me since I was one of 4 ppl left eating. The music made me wanna shake my culo the entire time, courtesy of Celia Cruz. I just can't say enough good things. I can NOT WAIT to go again! I loved it!
(5)
Raycal B.
When I tell u this Cuban food is good, it is delicious. My husband loved his steak and he NEVER EVER loves steak at restaurants. They don't season it well enough for him. But this restaurant did. The atmosphere in here is nice too. You should definitely check this place out. You won't regret it. This is my 2nd time here and I will be back again and again. If u check into Yelp, you get a FREE Empanada.
(5)
Lisa M.
Overall, this place was really good. I went with some colleagues. We are not from the area, and we were looking for someplace with good food and atmosphere. Cuba de Ayer has both. The menu has a pretty decent variety of traditional Latin American food, but what I was most excited to see was the pernil. Its not something I have seen on other Cuban restaurant menus. The waiter said that it takes 6 hours to make, and the fantastic flavor definitely reflected it. I got it with maduros (sweet bananas), which were appropriately tender and sweet. My colleague got and enjoyed the tostones (fried, flat bananas). The most disappointing aspect was the blandness of the rice and beans, but that was sufficiently addressed with some hot sauce. Another colleague got the boliche, which he said he really enjoyed. The tostones rellenos were eh. The shredded beef filling was tasty, but the tostones, which I thought lacked flavor, detracted from the overall appetizer and experience. A colleague had the empanadas (1 each of the three types), and he described them as okay. The service was great, the portions were generous, and the place has character. I'd definitely go back again.
(4)
Annie C.
If you're looking for authentic Cuban Cuisine, this is the real deal! Nothing short of amazing! From their mojitos, to their chicken empanadas and tostones rellenos, to their Ropa Vieja, Camarones al ajillo, Palomillla, or Masitas, you really can't go wrong. I've NEVER had a bad meal or dish here. And their desserts are pretty amazing too. The tres leches and flan are made in house from scratch daily and are heaven on earth!!! Absolutely love this place!
(5)
Kim T.
It started with the excellent classic salsa music...continued with an expertly made mojito...warmed with a perfect sopa de res...all emceed by the pleasant and friendly staff...:D
(5)
Sarah M.
Five stars well deserved. A group of friends and I decided to try Cuba de Ayer on a whim for dinner on a Friday night. I'm so glad we did. I loved the authentic feel of the restaurant, the timely service, and the flavorful food! I ordered the cuban sandwich with sweet fried plaintains. I highly recommend it! It was SO GOOD! The next time, I want to order the bistec salteado, which was also highly recommended. Because my friends and I were enjoying our dining experience so much, we carried on talking and laughing, not realizing that the restaurant was about to close. Instead of kicking us out or rushing us, our server was very gracious. I love that kind of customer service. I will be back!
(5)
Roy S.
This place is awesome!!! Had the ropa vieja with rice and beans (cooked separately, make sure to get them this way). The empenadas were tasty and the croquettes were a hit as well. The food here is awesome and its in such a random place... Make sure to go here and enjoy!! It gets really busy at night so I suggest going for lunch
(5)
Zahra K.
They should buy out all the other establishments on it's little strip to make more space. This place is so good I don't even get mad at waiting an extra 30 minutes on top of the initial 30 minutes for my take out order. Just give me my pan con bistek and tres leches and I am good. Everything else I have had is pretty good. Can't compare to what I am used to growing up in Miami, but for the DC Metro 'burbs, it'll do.
(4)
Jarrod F.
Having eaten here twice in the past two weeks I'm officially a fan of Cuba de Ayer. The first time we came here with friends (including fellow yelper Ashley p!). We all ordered the empanadas which were outstanding. The beef one was by far the best. The stuffed potato croquettes were also delicate and light. Definitely delicious. Everyone seemed to love their drinks although i thought my sangria was just ok. Our 4 entrees included the rojo vieja, steak, and grilled chicken. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. However I do wish there was more variety with the side options. Don't get me wrong I love me some rice and beans but maybe some mixed vegetables would add some variety and color for those who need their greens. I thought the sweet plantains were a little too sweet. The savory ones were much better but they were also fried, which made them less healthy. Overall it was a great experience which is why I returned the following week with my wife and sister in law. On this second visit we ordered The shrimp and avacado appetizer. Although appealing to the eye im not quite sure I was a fan of the flavor profile. The dish was saturated in butter and drowning in garlic. Probably wouldn't order it again for those reasons. Although the shrimp were plump and filling. For our entrees i ordered the salmon special with an avacado cream sauce which was excellent. My wife had the Cuban sandwich and my sister in law got the yellow rice and shrimp. Honestly I didn't think their meals looked just okay. But our waiter that night was excellent. Now I will say that on this second trip we were seated in the back area and it was way too hot. I think it's because that particular space had no air vents. Try to avoid the back area on a hot day is my advice to you. My recommendation: the beef empanadas, the guava mojito and the salmon with black rice and savory plantains.
Excellent service! Our server gave recommendations that were spot on. Everything we ordered that he recommended was delish. The empanadas were crispy and the filling was very tasty. We had one of each kind. The one con was that the cheese one was a bit greasy (a bit 'o grease dropped on my pants when I bit into it). Our entrees came out very quickly. I would recommend getting the beans on the side and pour the beans on the rice yourself rather than have it already mixed into the rice if you like your beans and rice more moist. The tres leches cake was to die for and the mamey shake/smoothie was not too heavy. It was quite refreshing, actually! And the mojito was the best I ever had. My one very small criticism over the entire meal was that all the food, save the sweet plantains and the desserts, were on the salty side. Even the rice. But it didn't matter that much unless you're sensitive to that sort of thing. All moms with babies- there is a changing table in the ladies bathroom. ;)
(5)
Liz S.
This place is legit. We stopped here from Northern Virginia, on our way to the Aquarium. The food is legit and they know how to cook. If you're anywhere near the area, stop by. It'll likely be our go-to everytime we go to Baltimore. It's not too far off from I-95.
(5)
Regina W.
Excellent meatballs on the lunch special. Service was great. Interior is very clean and and the atmosphere completes the Cuban vibe
(5)
Milton H.
Another great dinner here. No doubt this is as close as it gets to authentic Cuban. This is a nice little hide away in Montg County. The food is always fresh, service is always exceptional. Our server, Linda, is simply amazing. She is attentive, has a great smile and checked on us frequently. Be sure to ask for Linda !!!
(5)
Dana E.
Found this place based on the great Yelp reviews, and so glad we did! This was truely some if the best Cuban food I've ever had. The empanads were out of this world, especially with their homemade hotsauce. Oh, the mojitos- also one of the best cocktails I've ever had. They know how to make it right! Just moved into the neighborhood, we will definitely make this a regular place! Great ambience, and super friendly service.
(5)
DJ H.
The restaurant has been through a makeover and looks very nice and refreshed. The decor and atmosphere is pleasant and inviting. Started off with the beef Empanda and shrimp with garlic and lemon sauce. Simply delicious. I had the Pollo Salteado with red beans and plantains which was very very tasty. Wife had the rib special which was moist, seasoned and delicious. Oh and the mojitos were refreshing. A definite chill spot with excellent food.
(4)
Michael Y.
I was invited here by some work friends who told me that I was missing out. The last time I had Cuban food was in Cuba, so I was skeptical to try the "Americanized" version. However, I've gotta say, I have most certainly been missing out! The empanadas...folks, these empanadas!!! I got one of each kind (you can mix'n'match chicken, beef or cheese) and did not regret it! They put a hint of sweet glaze on the crisp edges, so when you take that first bite into it (after dressing it with their delicious house-made hot sauce) you get so much flavor in one bite. Everyone is always looking for the perfect bite, and I had 20 of them in a row! Then, I followed it up with the Ropa Vieja with Platanos Maduros (fried sweet plantains) and Moros Y Cristianos (seasoned rice and black beans). If you want to eat how they do in Cuba, save the airfare and get this dish! It may not look like the most colorful entree, but that matters so very little when you find yourself shoveling it into your mouth! The contrast of the perfectly seasoned shredded beef and the sweet plantains explode with flavor in every bite. The plantains themselves were excellent! Crunchy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside. The atmosphere and cuisine were of DC-restaurant caliber, but at a fraction of the cost. Add to that the service: we surprised them with a lunch party of 9, and they easily took it in stride. We forgot to tell our server to split the checks, but he took the time to sort through and make sure there was no confusion. He even humored me while I practiced my Spanish during my order (not pretty). And yes, the woman you see on the news articles displayed when you walk in is the same woman you see going back and forth from kitchen to customers. The owner, Jessica Rodriguez, is always in sight, taking care of business. The only thing that gave this 4 instead of 5 stars is that the Ropa Vieja was noticeably over salted. If this happens to you, keep this in mind: Once I combined the ingredients and added a generous dosage of their hot sauce (again, perfection) the flavors complemented each other perfectly. Going back tomorrow. I suggest you do the same.
(4)
Shawna S.
This place is definitely a hidden gem. I absolutely love the food here, and the staff is great. I LOVE Cuban food, and the food here is pretty authentic.
(5)
Seth S.
Happened on this place while trying to avoid 95 traffic and loved it. We had the veggie platter and the shrimp, and both were great.
(4)
Alyssa S.
Love love love this place, I've been coming here since 2009 before they remodeled. The mojitos are great, fresh mint, limes, and even sugar cane. They are also $5 on happy hour in the bar area only as well as select appetizers are half off. I've tried all the empanadas, but the chicken are my favorite. I also get the pollo a la plancha with black beans and sweet plantains. The hot sauce is divine and mixes very well with the rice. The portion sizes for entrees are also great, definitely enough for lunch the next day. The tres leches cake is also delicious. The manager is very accommodating and will come around to make recommendations. I've never had any real problems with the service, however if you do sit in the bar area tables you will probably go longer without seeing staff as they are also sometimes the only bartender.
(5)
Norris P.
They have a small happy hour but what they do have is simply delicious! I had their $5 empanadas, you get two per order, they have a slight sweetness to it which was unexpected but it works really well together. Their drinks are semi strong though
(4)
Mandi B.
This was my first time trying Cuban food and I must say, omgg that was amazing!! The food had so much flavor to it and please don't get me started on the beans!! I def will be coming back again. Best food I've had in a while
(5)
Gerry D.
Would have gave this place 5 stars, but the server I had was not that experienced. I feel that a place like this with such amazing food, should have to notch servers. Not that my server was bad but she wasn't too familiar with the menu, and didn't really say much. Makes me wonder if she didn't want to serve us... ? Anyway the food was amazing! I also had a mojito which was the best mojito I ever had. The price of the meal for me and my girlfriend was very promising. Considering the amount of money spent the weekend before on not so good food. At the end of the day I recommend going here for food and not service if you can grab and go, the foods amazing I can't say it enough, even the next day after heating the food up in the microwave it took me back mmmmmmmm
(4)
Joey T.
My famil and I love this place. Ambience os great, food is perfect and the service is outstanding. A must place to dine
(5)
Ayesha A.
I came in for a late dinner with a friend--9 PM on a Saturday night. We were seated pretty quickly upon arrival. Shortly after being seated, our extremely friendly server introduced herself to us and asked us if it was our first time there. We said yes, so she told us a little bit about the menu before taking our drink orders. I got a Batido de Mango (a mango milkshake). It was creamy, delicious, and not too sweet. Just the way I like it. When the server returned to take our food order, she could tell that we were unfamiliar with Cuban cuisine, so she went into a little more detail and answered all of our questions. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. The best part was that she asked us multiple times to inform her if we didn't like anything we ordered (since we were unfamiliar with the cuisine) so that she could switch it out for something that we would like better. This let me feel free to be a little more adventurous than I would have been otherwise. I loved how accommodating she was. She checked on us frequently (but not in a cloying way). The service was really excellent here. The dining room was pretty small, and it got loud. The cheese empanada was hot, fresh, and delicious: crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. It was particularly tasty with the house habañero hot sauce. The server warned me that the vaca frita may be a little dry for first-timers, but I decided to try it anyway. I learned that vaca frita is beef that's first braised, then shredded and fried. It was lacy and crispy. I quite enjoyed it. The beans were flavorful, and the rice was oiled nicely (but not greasy). I got the crispy plantains, and they were good and crispy. Also very tasty with the house habañero hot sauce. The portions were generous, especially for the price that we paid. This place is really great. I highly recommend it!
(5)
Ashley N.
The food we had tonight was very good. The ambience of the place was nice and calm too. I will detail them below. Some of us got drinks, and they were pretty tasty. Mine was some guava rum drink. It was good- tasted like fresh fruit juice. We started with the chicken, beef and cheese empanadas. The chicken was shredded and spiced perfectly. The dough was sweet, but crunchy and salty at the same time. Happiness in my mouth! We also got the papas rellenos (beef stuffed potatoes). I was a fan of the potatoes, with the crispy coating on the outside and mushy mashed tater taste underneath. The beef was just beef. Nothing I'll remember forever. But it was good. I got the chicken breast with dirty rice (seasoned rice and beans) and platanos. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned. I liked using their spicy sauce to add a little zing to it. My friend said her chicken (same dish) was a bit salty. Humph! My husband got the steak, white rice, black beans and platanos. He said it was well seasoned and cooked well. Other friend got a beef dish with dirty rice and plantains. He seemed happy too. The platanos were SO good, sweet, mushy, and just delicious. The flan was very good, but so tiny. It was almost not worth the calories. For whatever money it is, it should be an ounce bigger! All in all, solid Cuban meal. I would return. The food cranked out of the kitchen smelled and looked delicious, which is why I want to go back. The waiter seemed flighty and cookie at first. But, he came around and checked in several times, as did the food runners. The tables are situated a bit close to one another, which could get uncomfortable and awkward on a Friday or Saturday night. It wasn't a busy night so we weren't on top of another table, thankfully. But leave some space, puhlease.
(4)
Guinivere S.
Dee-lishus! I was sooo looking forward to having some cuban food and I came in with an appetite. Upon the recommendation of the waistaff I had a Presidente beer, and ordered my food. The food came quickly, and was perfectly flavoured. I was getting full and yet I still continued to eat....that's how you know it was good! I wanted to try a dessert, and also went on the recommendation of the waitstaff. The dessert was good, but quite sweet! I probably should have stopped while I was ahead. I ordered my coffee to go, so I could enjoy it on the drive, and that was a great decision. I would recommend this place and would visit again!
(5)
Roberto S.
Great service friendly and welcoming. Good food and the prices are ok. I can truly recommend this place to friends.
(5)
tina t.
I am a regular at Cuba de Ayer. My go to dish is shrimp in garlic sauce with extra sweet plantains. I had an unfortunate experience when on my last visit, some of the plantains i was served were not edible - first a strange smell hit me, then i took a close look and the plantains are a funny grey/ greenish color - and yes - they were rotten and they stunk. I alerted my server, who "solved" the situation by bringing me a fresh order of fried plantains. I turned them back - I wasn't hungry anymore. I would have expected the manager to come by and apologize....but that didn't happen.
(1)
Alex G.
Outstanding food, service, and price. Already told friends and told them to tell their friends! Ill be back!
(5)
Lucas O.
Cuba de Ayer is fantastic. The ropa vieja is delicious, and the fried plantains are to die for. This place does not disappoint. You can come on a date, with friends, or with kids. Highly recommended!
(4)
Joanna C.
A friend recommended Cuba de Ayer and so I took my family there for lunch. Easy to get to, not crowded for a Wednesday afternoon. The decor was homey and loved the artwork on the walls. The bar was separated from the dining hall, but I would definitely go there just to hang out. Their food is great! The Cuban sandwich was really good, just missing the pickles. The camarones al ajillo was ok. The tostones and fried yuca were great! The kids chicken breast wasn't anything special, kinda bland. I would definitely go back and try more!
(5)
Jennifer H.
Food is amazing, prices are good, service is outstanding, atmosphere is perfect. I have nothing bad to say about this place. Also, if you love your food spicy, then this place will not let you down - try their in-house made hot sauce!
(5)
Maurice R.
Possibly my new favorite place to eat. This place can be a little difficult to find, but trust me when I say that it's worth it. The decor is pretty nice. Despite its location, it feels like something you would find in DC. I had the salmon that was covered in some kind of pico de Gallo and red beans. Both were great. The empenados are delicious as well.
(5)
Jeremy R.
Waitstaff were friendly and attentive but food was hit or miss. Appetizer combination consisted of a two pieces of yuca, two small croquetas which tasted like hash and lacked complexity and a pile of tasty roast pork which was the winner of the bunch. Special shrimp in Maduro ( fried plantain) cups was good. The cuban sandwich was hot and fresh and had a great flavor as did the chicken empanada. Their flan is dense the way i like it but lacked the caramel sauce one would expect. This place has expanded and gone upscale since my last visit and is much more inviting. Our only customer service snag was that we were using a Groupon and while waiting for ouir meal we checked in on Yelp and were offered a free empanada. When the check came our waiter told us we could not use the groupon and the free empanada thing at the same time. Yes it was only $2.40 but that seemed a little iffy. As there is a lot of crossover between Groupon and Yelp users this should have been mentioned when the check-in gift was redeemed.
(3)
David A.
Great service and excellent food! Love this place.
(5)
Tim S.
Mouth watering food and even better service to back it up. My personal favorite is the pollo a la plancha. Make sure to get it with the fried plantains, which are so so good. For dessert, the tres leches is my top choice. They put marshmallow on top, which seemed strange at first, but it's really good. The only "bad" experience we had was that one time our batido de Mango tasted a bit too salty. We mentioned it to our server and a couple minutes later the manager came out with another one (that tasted great), apologized, and then said they would not charge us for either one. Hard to find service like that.
(5)
Tom D.
Cuba De Ayer.... This is a very good Cuban restaurant. They are a busy place located in Burtonsville, MD. The service and servers are great here and very attentive. The food is very good. I enjoy the Ropa Veja, and shrimp and garlic appetizer. My wife had the Picadillo and here is were I am a little more concerned, it was ok. It was missing the true essence of Picadillo (did not see any of the important items such as olives, peppers, potato)...it was a bit mushy (I know...I know, it is supposed to be a "minced" hash like dish), but just didn't do it for me. But, the other dishes certainly make up for it!! OMG!!! was in the other day and they had Oxtail.....I am a fan of Oxtail so this was a great test. They passed with flying colors! That was one of the most amazing Oxtail dishes I have had in a long time. Perfectly cooked, falling off the bone, great wine sauce!!! yummmmm!! By the way, they have a nice drink menu and the mojitos look good, but are a little on the weak side. That has kept me from getting them on other visits here. They have recently updated the interior and it works very well! The bar is beautiful and restaurant is nice and big now.
(4)
Courtney R.
Definitely great food. Cuba de Ayer never disappoints. The server may have been new...spilled wine all over my mom's Dooney & Burke purse. However, the manager was out promptly to make sure we were okay. Our appetizer, which was also in the spillage path, was comped without having to ask for some sort of restitution. Otherwise, it was a very nice experience. 4 stars for the wine spill as it could have been avoided. Bless the server's heart, he was trying to do it all...but take it from a former server: it's easier to set the tray of full wine glasses down before taking an order versus perfecting your balancing act. You never want to come between a woman and her leather.
(4)
Brian H.
We dine regularly at Cuba de Ayer. They remodeled recently and it is very pleasant. The service is excellent. The mojitos, empanadas, yuca, plantains, beans and rice, salmon, ropa vieja, and flan are excellent. Enjoy.
(4)
Greg C. H.
This place never fails always great service and food. For appetizers I can't remember the name but it was a dish that had two avocados with 3 shrimps on each Avocado with this awesome sauce & bread. For dinner I had the pollo Saltado : if you like chicken breast, I would go with this dish it was great!
(5)
Janelle J.
This place is definitely a treat! Enjoyed the pollo saltado and the rum cake with the cafe con leche. For appetizers, we enjoyed the Camaron to stones and the chicken empanadas
from what I remember, it is so delicious, really good authentic Cuban food! So I recently went back there to grab some dinner after 4/5ish years and it just as delicious as I remember! I highly recommend this place when you want good Cuban food!!
(4)
Joey F.
Love everything on the menu. This is some really good cuban cuisine. I am puerto Rican and am so happy to have a place in the area that can put down some island Latino food.
(5)
Jeff R.
I have now eaten here several more times, at the urging of several friends who are fans and felt I must have had an unusual experience. I must admit that the food has improved in my opinion very much .While I still think the fried beef could use a bit less salt, I have found the food in general to be well prepared and creative. I was particularly impressed with a recent special, braised pork baby back ribs. They were cut into individual ribs, then browned and braised in a savory (as opposed to a sweet or spicy) sauce for a couple of hours at least. The resulting sauce had the consistency and color of a light beef gravy. The menu said there were olives in the dish, but I didn't see any or taste anything distinctively "olive". It was very delicious, and a different treatment for a cut of meat that has become boring and predictable elsewhere. I also think the recent expansion, including the upgraded bar, are big improvements in ambience. The serving staff is cheerful and service is well paced.
(3)
Kristine G.
Great food here. Can't say enough about the authenticity of the food. Red Sangria is good. Piccadillo and Vaca Frita are two of our favorites. The flan was a great way to end the meal.
(5)
Kyle D.
I love the atmosphere and look after the remodel! The food is very delicious and the staff is very friendly. The parking can be a pain at times. Don't let the parking scare you away! Take a date or bring your family!
We've been coming here for years. I've brought my family, friends, and coworkers and everything loves it. They have something for everyone (even my picky mom) and the food is consistently excellent. It doesn't look like much from the outside but don't be fooled. One of my favorite restaurants to go to for the past 5 years.
(5)
Renee R.
I had to eat with my hands... Seriously? And a "platter" with two yuca? .. To top it off our waitress didn't ask if I was finished and tried to take away my plate. When ordering food we asked to substitute an item and we were told, "sorry we don't substitute anything." I'm sorry but never again. This is my 4th time here and the last.
(1)
Kurt C.
I LOVE what they've done with the new renovation! Very nice ambience once inside. The food, AS ALWAYS, was absolutely delicious and plentiful! I love everything about this place. The food, drinks, ambience, and music are splendid. Today I ordered the the Carne con Papa (Stewed beef) with sweet plantains and mixed rice. I chose the beef empanadas for the appetizer. The food was damn near perfect! I really can't say enough about it. I met an awesome woman while waiting for my take-out order, and I decided to buy us drinks at the bar. The drinks were a bit overpriced for the afternoon, but we did order top-shelf, and they were very well made. This restaurant is truly one of my favorites. Long live Cuba de Ayer! The best Cuban food I've tasted.
(5)
Vanessa V.
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant express how delicious the food is here my boss has been telling me about this place didn't think much of it until we ordered lunch today i ordered black beans , white , chicharron and Plantanos , i also got a empanadas which i think had brown sugar coated on it , everything was just so freaking goodddddd!!!! if i could give it more stars then i would
(5)
Mary I.
Horrible service....waited over 20 minutes with no acknowledgement even though staff walking around. Not even offered water!!! We just got up and left!
(1)
Kevin H.
Wow, the fact this place has over 200 reviews says a lot about this neighborhood gem since it's hidden behind a liquor store on old columbia road. I've never had cuban food before and apparently this place is as close as it gets in maryland. We came here on a saturday night around 8 pm, so naturally there was a 40 minute wait. The place isn't big so make reservations if you're coming at peak hours. Apps: Combinacion - get this. roast pork, fried yuca, and croquettes filled with ham! Beef Empanada - free with the yelp check-in. Nothing special here. Entrees ($12-18)- the entrees could literally feed a small family so come with an empty stomach Pernil - Tender roast pork with onions and black beans, rice, and tostanos (fried plantains) man, this was delicious. It tasted like a meal your cuban friend's mom would make for you: hearty food filled with care and love, and huge portions. Fricase de Pollo + Carne con Papa - friends got these dishes and were satisfied Drinks Red Sangria - sweeter than other sangria I've had and they added pineapple. Tasted pretty good but it wasn't worth the $26 for a pitcher. Mamey Milkshake - never had this before. Tasted like papaya milk I've had in Taiwan. You can't get this in many places so try it out. I loved it. Overall, the place is cozy with a warm atmosphere. Lots of happy people, lots of laughter, lots of good food. I like this place. I've never had cuban food before but I felt right at home.
(5)
Art T.
How have I not written a review about this place yet? Quite possibly the best restaurant in Burtonsville! That might not sound like a lot, but given the rather high number of food joints in town, and the content of some of them, believe me, it's a compliment. First of all, it's in a tiny dingy strip mall on a busy road (198). If it weren't for their catering truck and signage out front, you could very easily drive right by this place. And that would be a crying shame, too, because inside, you will find some of the best Cuban cuisine you will ever find. I've had Cuban in Miami and the surrounding area, and I can honestly say that Cuba de Ayer is as good as one finds there, and in fact better than many joints. It might be the best Cuban overall that I've ever had. The reviews here already cover the majority of what else I would say, but I leave you with this: try everything and anything. I've had a lot of the entrees already and I haven't had a bad one yet. The apps are really solid, too. I go there about once a month, and I swear that's still not often enough.
(5)
gloria e.
Some of the reviewers complain about the littlest things & subtract a star? Seriously? That's Absurd. Anyways, I've been coming here for years, I can't say anything bad about this place. The best Cuban Restaurant thus far in the area, I've been to several Cuban Restaurants & Cuba De Ayer is Authentic as it gets... . Food is AMAZING; well seasoned. Their Tres leche ...*moment of silence pleass* A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! My waiter was Jesse, he's amazing! very attentive, & knowledgable. I would recommend this to restaurant to anyone who wants to have a family outing, or with friends, or a date. You will not regret it!
(5)
El C.
How well does this hold up to South Florida standards? Well, that's up for debate, though considering you're in the middle of DC/Maryland suburbia, should we use a different measure? First thing you notice about this place is how nice it looks from the outside. Inside, Place looks really nice. Not the typical cafeteria looking divey Cuban place that I'm used to from Florida. Portions are adequate, but way smaller than what I'm used to. I expected a gigantic pile of rice, but no, it's not exactly the Cuban portions I was hoping for, but I guess the regular clientele here prefer rice as a side dish and not as the main dish with the meat on the side. Hot sauce had good zing though. A bit on the pricey side, but you get nicer surroundings. Kinda bummed that I'm leaving kinda hungry.
DON'T GO ON MONDAYS! They are not open and there isn't much around that gets similar ratings. Darn you Yelp app. I cannot anywhere without you telling me what my fellow Yelpers liked and didn't like. That being said, when we did finally make it the following Thursday, we had a fabulous meal. Our service was fabulous and our waiter gave his recommendations with the confidence of someone who knew every dish. Some of the dishes can be pretty salty but is balanced out if you order up the plantains. I like 'em sweet not fried but you have the option for either. This is a hidden gem in a not so pretty area of Laurel. Definitely worth a try if you are craving some authentic Cuban goodness...you know... just not on a Monday...
(4)
Cesar P.
Some of the best Cuban food in the area. The pernil was tender and flavorful, the empanadas were perfectly done. The ropa vieja was the best I've had in this area. The piece de resistance though was the tres leches cake. Unbelievable. I was originally put off by the meringue, but it was excellent. Great and attentive service. Great decor, if a little dark. If you like Cuban/Puerto Rican/ Dominican food, this is a place to go.
(4)
Mosart R.
This place was better before the renovation The dinner portions were bigger Now the dinner portions are like lunch size... Maybe they are cutting costs to pay for the renovations Hispanic restaurants always offer bread As an appetizer Not this place. Our servers same was "jasmine" She didn't know how to advertise for the restaurant. As a server you need to sell the food by describing it. She didn't I used to be a server for 5 years. She rushed us. She asked us if she can box up our food while there were still forks in our hands. When you order "tostones" it usually comes with "mojo" We had to pay extra for it. Come on if we wanted to experience Cuban cuisine they half-assed our experience I know good Cuban food I've lived in Miami and my friends are Cuban. It's like they are trying to cater to clueless customers. I'm not going to that place again. I'd rather take a flight to Miami. On the plus side the other servers were nice and more attentive, the place is really nice. And the mamey shake was great.
(3)
Katherine M.
This is the 2nd time I have been to this place and let me start by saying that the service and food was excellent!! Our server went over the menu and gave his recommendations and every single dish was delicious!! I recommend getting the avocado with shrimp and the beef empanadas. The shrimp was cooked to perfection (I hate overcooked, rubbery shrimp) and that sauce that came with it was just heavenly. The empanadas were very moist and flavorful and had the right meat to dough ratio. I'm Filipino and our empanadas are not this moist and is usually filled with "stuffers" like potatoes, raisins, peas, etc. and very doughy. I like how crispy these were, but they are not greased down! I cannot remember the name of the dish I ate, but it was thinly marinated steak with peppers and onions with white rice, beans on the side, and those sweet plantains. My daughter ate the pork chops and my bf ate the the lechon or shedded pork. We had the chocolate cake for dessert along with the cheesecake with guava on top, but I wasn't crazy about the cheesecake. Guava and cheesecake just don't mix! I will definitely be coming back:-) Our guests from Colorado also enjoyed it!
(4)
Anita W.
SO delicious. Loved the Viejas Ropas (spiced shredded beef) and sweet plantains. Even the kids liked the kids meals. I look forward to coming back.
(5)
Jaisal R.
Fabulous food. The ambience is great. Though looks normal from the inside. But there food is just amazing.
(5)
Ayosike A.
My oh my! I had the pleasure of checking out this amazing restaurant about a week ago. And boy, was the food delicious. If you're looking for a place near College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel and Columbia that has tasty Latin food and reasonable prices, Cuba de Ayer is definitely the place to go, hands down!
(5)
Mandana Y.
A little gem hidden behind a shady liquor store. Isn't that what we Yelpers are here for? Those great restaurants that you would never know about if it were not for this amazing website. Cuba de Ayer, I can only assume you're in business because of sites like this. How else would anyone know you exist? Word of mouth? Psshh, people don't communicate in person anymore! I digress. This place is awesome. Great decor, perfect music to set the mood, attentive and friendly servers, and quite possibly the best Cuban food (actually just food in general) in the DMV. They close at 8:30 on school nights, so arrive early for dinner because you're going to want to take your time enjoying this food. The drinks are made pretty well too. My tropical margarita was the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness, giving me just enough buzz to last through the entire meal. They have yelp offers if you check in using the app. Our waitress, Alyssa, was awesome about getting the deal for us; 2 free (delicious) empanadas! As far as this place is from me, I plan on becoming a regular. So... I'll see you all there soon right? Okay good.
(5)
Arleen F.
This restaurant has a wonderful audience. Service is great. The staff was very attentive. Love the food.
(5)
Shevenie c.
I've always wanted to try this being that it is right down the street from my house. Finally I took my mom out for dinner and drinks and we really enjoyed our food.The drinks are amazing!! One of the best mojitos I've had in the DMV area. Seating can be a tad bit cramped at dinner time that's the only downfall but definitely give this place a try you won't regret it. It's also a lot cheaper than the other Cuban place downtown silver spring(FYI)
(5)
Ieesha J.
YES YES YES!!!! Can't you tell I'm excited? Who knew there was a DELICIOUS Cuban Restaurant less than 5 miles from my house. This is what I get for not searching in my radius. But man I'm glad I found this place. I had the steak, black beans and rice with EXTRA mojo sauce. The mojitos are YUMMY!! They also pack a punch. The lunch menu has lower prices and the portions seem the same. I think I need to call in take out now :/
(5)
Brittany S.
O-M-G!!! The wait is so worth it! I think they take reservations too so next time I'll be calling them up before I leave, but either way... I ain't mad! If you check in on Yelp you get a free empanada! They were STUFFED! The boyfriend ordered the chicken, I ordered the beef, we shared. I thought the chicken was amazing! The beef was good but I thought the chicken had a lot more flavor. The mojitos were good, we also ordered some melonades they were super sweet, wayyyy too sweet for me but I drank it so... lol. I ordered the Ropa Vieja and mmmmm mmmm mmmmmmmmm! It was so flavorful, I loved it. I got the mixed beans and rice and didn't regret it at all. The crispy plantains were awesome, the best I've ever had. The boyfriend ordered the oxtail special and seriously he was in heaven. This is his new favorite restaurant, I've never seen him so happy after taking a bite of food. There were plenty pieces of oxtail, he even had leftovers! He ordered the sweet plantains and those were the best plantains I've ever had! I've never liked them sweet so I was very surprised! Fav Cuban restaurant for sure!!!
(5)
Thomas P.
This place has such great ratings so I had to check it out, especially since it's expanding. The first time I came here, it was closed. Anytime before noon, it is closed. Second time I came, it was closed b/c they aren't open on Mondays. That's my fault from not noting that down from the first attempt :) I wish they had better hours but this isn't accounted for in my rating. The portions were huge! The food seems OK. However, the fried yuca (yuca frita) was perfectly fried. I would give it a 3.5 stars if I could.
(3)
Paul S.
Awesome food and good service. I've been here several times and never had a bad meal. I'm a big fan of the following: Roast pork Pork Chops Black beans/rice (separate) Empanadas Garlic shrimp/avacado appetizer Maduros/Tostones They just recently expanded to include another dining room and bar area too.
(4)
Desi W.
So it appears they have renovated since I was last here and expanded. Place totally looks nice and cozy. It's even decorated for valentines Day. Cute. Food and service are still both very good.
(4)
Rey U.
Heard its great. Will try soon.
(5)
MP P.
I went back yesterday - the first time since the renovation. The strip mall itself is undergoing a facelift but the real change is inside the restaurant. They enlarged the dining room and added a bar area. The bar looks inviting and I will be back to try that one of these days, but I decided to sit in the newly expanded dining room. It is brighter than before which is a big improvement. They are offering some interesting specials but I had to try my favorite, Ropa Vieja, and it was as wonderful as I remembered. I recognized most of the staff and that's a good thing, as they are very good at what they do. If the atmosphere is what turned you off before, please give Cuba de Ayer another try.
(4)
Brooke T.
Nommers! Cuba de Ayer, this is a cool neighborhood restaurant near the parentals home. It is easy to pass if you aren't looking for it, on Rte 198, a small yellow sign is all you get. It is in between two small shopping centers, if you are at the Ritas, you have gone too far! Parking is pretty limited in my opinion, but based on my experiences there, it hasn't been that crowded. The place is pretty small, with bright colors, cool paintings, and awesome music! I checked in on Yelp! hoping to get my free empenada (ah thank you) but I couldn't use it because I planned to use a groupon too....le sigh. Anywho, first up mojitos! Let me tell you, I don't think it can get any better! I've always thought that these are probably the best mojitos that I have ever had. For din din I had the pargo frito, rainbow trout with rice/beans and plantains. I preferred to get the sweet plantains and my rice/beans mixed. The fish was flipping awesome! The way it was prepared was seasoned nicely, the peppers and onions that were added made it that much mo betta! Now in hindsight, I think that I would have preferred to have my rice and beans separate, mixing them myself, as it was slightly dry for my taste (this is an option). The plantains were just too good, you have the option to order crispy, chip like, too.... My best good friend got the lechon asado, which is basically seasoned pork....I preferred mine better. Service: it was fair, she wasn't soooper attentive, but she wasn't horrible either. Either way, I'm going back, groupon or not! I'd be happy with mojitos and apps! Yes!
(4)
Shirley S.
We visited this restaurant for my birthday and need less to say we all had a great time. The food was fantastic and Alex our server was great! He recommended a couple of dishes and they all came out great. The drinks were on point and we also loved the ambiance of the place. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to get a little bit out of their comfort zone to try something new.
(5)
Tony P.
I had a yearning for something ethnic and recalled this restaurant was nearby. The facility is simple and tastefully decorated with deep red walls accentuated with colorful paintings. The dining area is not large but roomy and comfortable. I found the service to be expedient. I started out with the combinacion appetizer which was a combination platter of roasted pork, croquettes, fried Yuca. The pork was succulent, the yuca was crunchy and the croquettes were savory. My entree was the lechon asado. Traditional Cuban roasted pork marinated in "mojo criollo" dressed with onions. It was really succulent and delectable. And since this was a Cuban restaurant, I ordered a mojito that was strong and tangy with a wonderful infusion of mint. This place reminds of me of good home cooking. The type of foods that evoke memories of mom and comfort. Since it's so close to home, it's definitely on my list for regular patronage.
(4)
K W.
Love, Luv, LOVE, L-O-V-E this place. Everything I have ordered has been wonderful. I've taken several guests here and they couldn't say enough about the food, the staff and the experience. Everyone is so friendly (the waitress Jasmine is the best and such a sweetheart). The battered-fried plantains are yummy (and I don't even like plantains), the beef empanadas are out this world (you try it with the house sauce that's comes on your table). The drinks are great as well---the mojitos and sangria are wonderful. All & all a very good experience each and every time I go. I've converted quite a few folks who otherwise wouldn't have given Cuban food a try...or wouldn't have driven to Columbia Pike to get it.
(5)
Michelle K.
This place is awesome! The only bad thing about it is that it has gotten so busy on weekends that we have to wait to get in! The food is amazing. My favorites are the chicken empanadas, pot roast, and tres leches cake. Both the maduros and tostones are always perfectly cooked. The beans that come with each meal have an amazing flavor. I've been here several times and every meal has been great. My relatives from other states always request we eat here when they are in town. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. The dining area is romantic but can get loud when its busy. Its a little hard to find because its in an ugly strip mall behind a trashy liquor store.
(5)
Dotts L.
Great Food! Great Drinks! Great Music! And best of all Great People! Always so fun to go to this place. When I go here I experience everything Cuba. Its a Great Escape from all the bland foods out there.
(4)
April S.
I love food from other cultures and Cuban food is new to me. I must say I am a fan. I stopped by in here after smelling something heavenly outside when I was getting Rita's ice cream with the fam. I investigated and I think it was coming from the restaurant. I will say this restaurant is in the cut. You can't see it from Old Columbia Pike. It's hiding behind a liquor store. Upon going inside, the hostess was really nice. She offered us a menu since she could tell we were babies to Cuban food. We decided to stay and just get an appetizer. I don't know what we got, but it was GOOOOOD!!!!! I will definitely go back and try an entree and maybe one of their specialty drinks.
(4)
Suzanne R.
Seemed rather authentic to me. Clean. Roomy. Getting in has this cubby or entryway...it's very odd & small. The food is good.Service isn't super-dooper fast...but in my opinion, a great pace. 'Pernil' id great! What they do to black beans...
(4)
Paul S.
They have doubled the size of their dining room, and added a bar area so you can comfortably wait for a table. THe expanded seating has not affected the quality of the dining experience one bit! Still one of my favorite places to eat!!
(5)
Lenny C.
I took three friends with me to Cuba de Ayer last week... one of them is addicted to Cuban food, but the other two - one a Canadian and the other a Brit - had never had Cuban food. This was my first visit to Cuba de Ayer, although (since I'm of Cuban ancestry) every time someone who knows me goes there, they tell me what a great place it is. The restaurant is very cozy and when we came in at lunch time it was packed, which is always a good sign. The pretty waitress took our orders and my alarm antenna went up when she asked if we wanted our black beans and rice "together" or "separate." I say that my alarm bells went off because "Moros y Cristianos" -- the Cuban name for black beans and rice -- is NEVER served together; never, ever, ever! It is a cultural error and a true and easy test of the Cubanosity of any restaurant. I ordered my favorite Cuban dish in the world... OK, OK, one of my favorites, "lechon asado", which came with black beans, white rice and tostones (actually a choice of tostones or sweet plantains). I breathed a sigh of relief when my friends' dishes came... what the waitress meant as "together" was actually "congri" which is a separate dish where the black beans (or red) are indeed cook together... a Cuban version of dirty rice, but much tastier. Both the Brit and the Canadian ordered "ropa vieja" with "congri" and they both loved it... my English friend actually said: "I can't believe that a simple rice dish can taste so good!" So Cuba de Ayer gets my highest endorsement! One last thing: When the food came, I was explaining some of the cultural references that I mentioned above. I must have been loud enough to be heard by other people, because as we filed out of the restaurant, the very attractive daughter of the owners came out, introduced herself and asked me if I was Cuban, as she had overheard me describe the cultural aspects of the food. So we met and we all passed to her our enthusiastic thumbs up of the food... I will be back!
(5)
Jamal J.
Love this place!!! Food is always amazing!! full of flavor and nice portion sizes!! Havent tasted anything on the menu I didnt like yet, including the drinks!! nice atmosphere good places to take a date, but can get a little noisey at times. Also the venue is a little small, but I was informed that their expanding which is great news!! If you like cuban food Cuba De Ayer is a MUST TRY!!
(5)
Keith W.
This is probably the best cuban food that you are going to get in Maryland. The pulled pork is amazing and the sweet plantains are cooked perfectly. For the price you can't beat and authentic meal here. Don't be scared by the location or outside appearance, Cuba de Ayer is excellent and the waitresses are very good.
(4)
Dan H.
Holy crap, this food was good. I got the salmon spinach avocado salad, of the hook! Wife got the salmon with pineapple salsa entree, EVEN BETTER! We're definitely coming back here!
(4)
Y V.
I went back to give this place another chance. As you can see, I've upgraded my review. This time around, I had the ropa vieja and the empanadas. Do NOT skip the empanadas. Service this time was also very fast. it must've just been an off day the last time. Regardless, if I'm within a 10 minute drive of this place, I'm stopping by.
(5)
AngryYoungMan X.
Situated in the middle of nowhere, Cuba de Ayer has been one hell of a find. This establishment is not all traditional Cuban cuisine as name suggests rather, they borrow some recipes from other Latin cultures and put out a well thought Latin fusion menu. Now let's talk real stuff... and to summarize - great food, good service and well made drinks (not very strong though). I tried their croquettas, yucca fries and lechon asado (chunks of cuban roasted pork). Everything was pretty good and entree poritions were plentyful!! Last time, I had this good Cuban style roasted pork was in Miami based restaurant run by a Cuban family. My drink, ofcourse, was their house mojito which was made using fresh mint leaves, real sugarcane juice and served with a sugarcane stick in the glass!! It was little weak on the alcohol and somewhat pricey but a refreshing drink nonetheless. I noticed a lot of folks going with wine but Cuban food + wine does not pair for me. They maintain a nice, tidy and casual setting without making it upscale/ stuffy. My biggest complaint are their hours. I like to eat late evening and this places closes up way too early for me and their location is far from DC metro area. But If I am ever craving Cuban or "Cuban style" food, I'll make plans to to be here. Beats taking a flight to Miami.
(4)
Empress Miko E.
I came to this restaurant with an open mind and an empty belly. I exited this restaurant feeling happy and my belly satisfied. I recommend this restaurant to anyone searching for fresh and palate satisfying Cuban food. Waiter was knowledgeable when it came to the restaurant and its menu. I will be returning for another meal soon
(5)
Jenny H.
I only ate their grilled vegetarian platter and it was absolutely delicious!!! Perfectly salted and peppered with a nice mix of vegetables. The others in my party ordered their mixed Cuban platter dish, which they said was good but the pork wasn't as tender as they would have liked.
(4)
Larry F.
Yelp said we would like this place and they were right. We tried the Ropa Vieja. It was loaded with flavor and quite tender. It came with black beans, plantains and rice. We added a tamale and the 2 of us shared. It was plenty of food and the price was so reasonable. Servers were helpful & efficient & food arrived quickly.
(4)
Jenny N.
My mother is Cuban and I was born & raised in Miami... Cuba de Ayer is as good as it gets in Maryland.
(5)
Ken R.
My girlfriend and I stopped at Cuba de Ayer before heading over to Meriwether Post Pavillion for the Arctic Monkeys/Black Keys concert. Everything was outstanding! We started with the Croquetas de Jamon which were moist and flavorful on the inside and crunchy on the outside. For the entree, I had Fricase de Pollo which was fall off the bone tender and moist. It was one of the most flavorful chicken dishes I've had. Chunks of chicken with forkfuls of rice soaked in the sauce was fantastic! My girlfriend is trying to come up with excuses to make our way up from Alexandria, VA to Columbia, MD just to get back to Cuba de Ayer and I can't blame her as I was already craving it again when we were trying to come up a place to go for lunch the next day.
(5)
Chantel E.
Great food! Although it is a little tucked away, I would recommend this gem to anyone who is looking for a good and authentic Cuban meal. The portions are big so you will walk away full and satisfied. I've eaten here twice and I really enjoyed their pork dishes.
(4)
Kimberly W.
Can I just say THE BEST MOJITOS EVER??!! I had the strawberry mojito and my friend had the mango mojito. You could taste the fruit along with the mint and there was definitely lots of rum. Very tasty! I had a very nice buzz going from the one drink. But no drinking and driving for us! We went because my friend had a Restaurant.com coupon. The menu offered the usual Cuban standards like ropa vieja, arroz con pollo, and vaca frita, but had some great non standards like lechon and red snapper. For appetizers, we had ham croquettas, chicarrones, and garlic bread. For entrees, I had the red snapper with black beans and rice and maduros (sweetened plantain). My friend had the lechon with black beans and rice with maduros. We added two sides of tostones and yuca with garlic sauce. It was delicious. The red snapper was moist and delicious. My friend's lechon was moist and tender. It was like my grandma was in the kitchen serving up Sunday dinner. This is our new favorite Cuban restaurant. It was far from D.C., but definitely worth the drive...definitely for the Mojitos!
(4)
Cynthia O.
The service was friendly and excellent, the decor was clean and attractive, and the food was serviceable and arrived quickly. It was pretty heavy on the MSG and the fired plantains were super tough, but I'm rounding this up from 3 stars to 4 based on the service alone. My server, Victor, was really great, and the hostess was also super nice. Seems like a nice casual date spot. But wow. So much MSG. Tread carefully if you're sensitive to that sort of thing.
(4)
Angel G.
Being a native South Floridian and a proud Cuban - I was very skeptic to see what this "Cuban" restaurant had in store. I've been to many places that claimed to be Cuban, only to see the most non-Cuban cuisine menu ever starting with a hamburger called a "Havana Burger." Cuba de Ayer is Amazing! I'm truly impressed with how great the food tastes and the attention to detail in each meal. Even the cafecito at the end of my meal hit the spot. Don't let the outside of the this place deter you from going in - you'll love it! Dale!
(4)
Adrian R.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Will definitely stop by this place again next time I'm in B'more.
(5)
Sara M.
Cuba de Ayer is a hidden gem - who would imagine such delicious Cuban food could be hiding at the back of a shopping center in Burtonsville?! Fortunately, it's not too hidden, and gets quite good business. I've never seen it particularly empty, so we snagged reservations for weekend dinner just to guarantee there would be no wait. The atmosphere is comfortable and surprisingly classy (especially given the run-down strip mall it's in) - Cuban art decorates the walls and they've clearly put some effort into the interior of the restaurant. First things first - the drink menu offers many fruity cocktails, but you might as well get the real deal, the mojito. Cuba de Ayer makes a mean mojito, garnished with a stalk of sugar cane. Mmmm. Order one while you peruse the equally extensive food menu. The appetizers all sound good, but I'm a fan of the Combinacion, so you get a little bit of everything. I think it's a bit overpriced at $7.50 for the amount of food that you get, but it's cheaper than buying multiple appetizers. The fried yuca is the best I've had, crispy but still very soft and almost creamy in the middle. The ham croquettes are probably a little weird for some people - creamy pureed ham coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Having spent a fair amount of time in South Florida, I can say that these are a reasonably good facsimile of the ones I've had from Cuban bakeries and restaurants down there (which is my best comparison for authenticity). The roast pork is the best part - perfectly seasoned, topped with delicious caramelized onions. In previous visits, I've had the Ropa Vieja (yes, it means "old clothes," but my old clothes never seem to taste this good), but yesterday I decided to try the Pernil (pork with citrus and onions). It was delicious, yes, but a little overly salty. To be honest, I'd rather have had an entree-sized serving of the appetizer's roast pork! The tostones, beans, and rice served with my entree were good but nothing special. The magic happened once again at dessert, when my dining partner and I split the flan and the tres leches. Mmmmmmmmm!!!! There aren't enough exclamation points to express my love for both of these desserts, but especially the tres leches. It's one of my favorite desserts, and they make a great one. Splitting an appetizer, an entree, and two desserts was a perfect amount of food for two people. With the drinks, it was a $40 meal before tip. Perhaps a little overpriced, but I'll still happily pay it for the delicious food!
(4)
Nancy S.
Neighborhood gem INDEED! This is a perfect date night. I haven't been since they remodeled but I can't wait! Haven't had a plate that wasn't full of taste and color. I love the plantains, both kinds. And don't forget the mojito to top it off! It's worth it!!
(5)
Mang J.
Sigh. See, the problem is that the first time I visited Cuba de Ayer I fell in love...con boliche, moros y cristianos y maduros. Para siempre. Pero, that's where Cuba de Ayer (CDA) broke my heart. It's never been the same since. Oh, there have been moments of brilliance, but they've served me the DRIEST ropa vieja in the history of...rags--old or new. Then, after that, tuvo empanadas, flan y más moros y cristianos that made me realize why I keep returning to mi amor CDA. When I eat Cuban food anywhere, it's always to Cuba de Ayer that I compare it, and most of the time, others don't even come near it. I'm torn. Pero tengo amor para CDA. I just don't know how they'll treat me una dia to the next. So, tres estrellas para the best moros y cristianos EVER, flan that hace música, cosy atmosphere y wonderful waitstaff. (Apologies for very bad y cheesy Spanglish.)
(3)
Francisco M.
Me encanta! I've been here twice and absolutely love it. The Cuban sandwich, ropa vieja, and lechon asado are tied with a two places in Miami as the very best I've had in the U.S. The tostones rellenos and croquetas de jamon were also fantastic, and the tres leches is as good as the one my grandmother makes. The only downfall to this place is the location, which is a strip shopping center. A place this good deserves its own premises. Well worth the 33 mile drive from Arlington, VA to enjoy the food here. Love, love, love it!!
(5)
Dave M.
Good Cuban Food We have to drive an hour to get to this place. It's worth it. Anyone who has ever had Cuban food loves it. The signature dish is the roast pork. A good place will roast it all day. It comes out very tender. Tostones is another dish unique to Cuban cuisine. It's fried green plantains. This place has stuffed tostones which I've never had before. it's a toston shaped into a little cup with some seasoned ground beef on top. Good appetizer. It's not a luxurious buen gusto restaurant. It has more of an appearance of a lunch place than a restaurant serving the best food miles around. The menu includes a variety of Cuban dishes including ropa vieja, boloche, picadillo, roast pork and the can't-do-without Cuban sandwich. We go there for lunch and then got some take-out for the next day. A description of this restaurant would not be complete without describing the desserts. This place has the best flan and tres leches. Upon inquiry I was told that an aunt provided the recipes. The flan is not as watery as other flans. It's creamier giving a firmer texture. The taste is out of this world. I love flan. I get it whenever I can. Hey that rhymes. The flan at this place is the best I've ever had. Also the tres leches is good. I've never been crazy about tres leches. It just doesn't do it for me, but the tres leches at this place is great. Like the flan it has more character than other tres lecheses.
(4)
Nancy M.
By far THE BEST CUBAN FOOD IN DC AREA. Today was my second time visiting in over 5 years. The food was better than i pleasantly remembered it. I was impressed with every aspect of the restaurant: Victor our server was perfect, funny and sharp, the space is clean and cozy, our food came out quickly yet tasted fresh and scrumptious. Their mojitos are addictive, before I knew it I was on my third and had to slow it down :-) I'm impressed on how they bake most of their authentic deserts and make their own habanero hot sauce.
Let me start by saying that I was born and raised in Miami near Little Havana. I grew up eating at La Carreta and Versailles on Calle Ocho. I know Cuban food. This is as good as it gets outside of Miami. Better than some places in Miami even. Service was great. Only thing missing is Cuban bread and pastelitos. Then again, this is a Cuban restaurant and not a bakery. If you want real and delicious Cuban food, go here. I had white rice and black beans, maduros, bistec empanizado, and yuca frita. It was awesome.
(5)
Stephanie F.
Am a very regular customer at Cuba de Ayer. The atmosphere is pleasant and comforting and the service has always been good. Jessica, the owner is always welcoming and accomodating. I am a huge fan of Cuban food and have eaten it everywhere except Cuba. Cuba de Ayer even gives the places in lil havana, miami a run for their money! Their Ropa Vieja is incredible, best Ive ever had. Phone is dying otherwise I would say more, but if.you are looking for a great authentic cuban place to eat, Cuba de Ayer is the place to go! Happy Eating :)
(5)
R S.
The place is small and a bit cramped and their staff seemed to pretty much minimum work when I was there. However, the food is absolutely delicious and it is a great price so I would highly recommend you taking the time to visit this place!
(4)
Ellen C.
Cuba de Ayer is an out of the way spot off 198 in Burtonsville just off rt 29. No big flashy signs, but with their mix of delicious food and great staff I'd rather they be my little secret anyhow! My hubby and I tried them about 2 weeks ago. The decor was vibrant and colorful with a touch of cool tile, the lighting was subdued, but not too dark. Our server Gabby was as pleasant and helpful as could be in helping and recommending items for us to try. She also said if we didn't like something we could send it back for a replacement. (The food was so awesome there was never a need!) She was attentive, but not hovering. Thanks to you Gaby our intro to this restaurant could not have been more enjoyable! We'd never had Cuban cuisine before and were happily devouring our delicious lunches when I noticed that there was more than great food at this restaurant. There was a GREAT staff as well! (I come from a service background and I notice these things.) I was pleased to see this group of hard working servers, hosts and hostesses (and I'm sure kitchen staff too) were constantly working as a cohesive team to provide the best in Cuban hospitality. Two members of the staff were clearly Managers/owners(?) and I have to say they were making encouraging comments to staff, rolling up their own sleeves to serve guests and be a visible presence in the dining area. We will surely be back and bringing others with us!
(5)
sahba y.
Good food, Friendly service. Try the plantains stuffed with ropa vieja. only thing that could have been better was the vaca frita (it was a little overcooked) but still very tasty. Good experience.
(4)
Steve Y.
Well let me start this review with the person who recommended this restaurant. I`ll call him Felipe to protect his identity. Felipe highly recommended this place but I should have known better becaquse after eating vaqca frita I asked him for my money back. In fact I think they called it Vaca frita because you would have to be drunk from Vodka to make this food taste decent. Anyway I will say since this was a takeout I might give it another chance. But I'm not planning on visiting Cuba anytime soon.
(2)
Gerri S.
This spot is a lovely surprise. In suburban Maryland it is a delight to come across vibrant atmosphere, exciting cuisine and efficient service where dreary family dining is the norm.Cuba de Ayer is located in a small shopping center and adjacent to a large liquor store. There also appeared to be a church service going on in the building next door. So don't get thrown off by this randomness. It does not disappoint. On a Saturday evening the restaurant was full and buzzing with activity but we were lucky enough to get our table within 20 minutes. The Mojito I ordered was average - beautiful presentation but nothing to write home about content-wise. The Empanadas were delicious and quite fresh. Do try the beef. For my entree I had a shredded beef dish served with rice and beans and plantains. Very flavorful and quite filling. An enjoyable evening was had by all.I wish I lived closer to make this my regular spot. For those of you who do live in the vicinity I would highly recommend this place.
(4)
Tu-van L.
***3.5 stars*** What the hell is a Cuban restaurant doing in Burtonsville? Better yet - what the hell is one doing in Burtonsville? If you're in this neighborhood, you either live in this faraway town or you're in transit to or from somewhere, either on Rt-29 or MD-198. I drive through this intersection enough times, and I pass by this nondescript random Cuban restaurant in a run-down mini-strip mall every time I do. As with what I see driving through this part of B'ville, this place looks nondescript as the rest of town (if not questionable in the strip mall it sits in), but after seeing enough praising Yelp reviews and in even more desperate need to find a good Cuban place, the hubs and I decided to stake a stab at this place and cash in a Restaurant.com coupon our friend found for this place. The decor while dated was clean and pretty nice. Wait staff was casually uniformed in their polos and black pants were keeping a good pace for the large crowd was there. It gets busy on the weekends, so the wait can be long in their microscopic standing room only waiting area. This still didn't matter to me - I patiently waited to sit down so I can determine for myself whether this place does Cuban well. The verdict? This place is great! And the prices? So reasonable! $7 for the most perfect-tasting mojito, not too sweet or minty? You can't find anything close to that in DC, if not in taste in price. Less than $10 for a Cuban sandwich? Not too bad price-wise and absolutely delicious. This place is by far the only place that makes a Cuban sandwich properly and somewhat close to the dirt cheap eats price. I don't know if they really use Cuban bread but if they sliced the pork and didn't use chunks of pork then the flavor would be better balanced and the sandwich more perfect. A minus for this place? Ropa vieja was smaller in portion and just shy of perfect as far as the amount of flavor. I didn't think I'd say this, but I think this dish is done better at Cubanos than here. But for 2/3 of the price, I'll take it. The take-home message? Solid Cuban restaurant for the area if you're willing to take the trip up here or just happen to be in the neighborhood. This is one case where you can't judge a book by its cover.
(4)
Mary A.
Had the fried pork and was impressed by how tender it was. All the sides were delicious also.
(5)
JamisonAmadeo H.
I can not say enough that's good about this restaurant. The restaurant looks like nothing from the outside, but it has a nice atmosphere on the inside. It's small, but you're given adequate space. The staff are physically attractive for the most part, especially Jiovanni. The food and drinks are just out of this world, literally. The Vaca Frita is to die for, I could eat that as every meal for a month. Their Cuban rum sponge cake is orgasmic, and I don't use that as a descriptor often. My only wish is that I could eat a whole cake that tasted that good. The items are all very very fairly priced and it's just an overall great place to visit.
(5)
Brandy P.
Beef empanadas are to die for!!!! The Pork was awesome. Will come back even if I have to drive 40 mins to get here!!!
(5)
Cruz B.
OMG! I used my living social voucher to eat here.... Good lawd was this food good! All I can say is stop contemplating and go eat here.... STAT!
(5)
Tochi K.
I was pretty disappointed. I had heard good things about Cuba de Ayer from friends but walked away knowing I had had average cafe food at a good restaurant price! Highlights: The staff is great and their mojitos are the best I've ever had! The chicken empanadas are also pretty darn good (Our server told us the beef ones are their most popular but they weren't my favorite.) I also bet you the saying "cleanliness is close to godliness" is something the owner/manager cherishes. The place has an authentic and comfortable feel. Lowlights: 1. I had their red snapper (Pargo Frito) grilled instead of fried. It was dry (and I mean seriously over-cooked or dry--perhaps it was a heat lamp thing) and lacked the flavor. 2. My rice and black beans were also dry and needed more flavor. Sigh, and I love rice and beans. 3. I tried my husbands Ropa Vieja, which our server told us they were known for, and it was ultra dull--I've seriously had much better ropa vieja at other places. 4. I had the regular fried plantains, which were good, but my husband had the fried green plantains, which I of course tried. They were dry and not well salted. 5. Say no to the sangria: it tasted like cheap wine with pineapple soda and tiny chunks of what I am to believe and accept as pieces of fruit. 6. We tried their flan (tasted packaged), rum cake (way too sweet), and cuban coffee (just didn't taste right) for dessert. Sigh. I left wishing I'd tried them on a Groupon deal because I wasn't impressed and think that they are way, way over priced for what they serve.
(2)
C P.
Sabrosa! Quite tasty and I like the feel of the place...dark, homey tables, Cuban music. I surprised myself with just how much I could eat in one setting! I opted for the Ham croquettes, the moros and cristianos, maduras (sweet plaintains) and palomilla (seasoned steak with grilled onion). Well worth the off the beaten path drive.
(4)
Nicole A.
Love this little place! They are finally expanding (this place gets extremely crowded since its small). No dish has let me down! plantains are super sweet, salmon dish is awesome! Mango and guava juice are thick and sweet! Ive also had the shredded beef and its good! love Cuba de ayer!
(5)
Charles S.
This is be best Cuban food I've had.. Clean, good, and delicious.. The wait staff is great.. This place is a hike from my house, but so worth it..
(5)
Eve G.
Maybe the cook was having a bad evening, or the cook has changed...I don't know. Since I am a Havana-born Cuban, my friends very generously took me out to Cuba de Ayer for my birthday. Years back I had heard that the food there was really delicious and very authentic -- the best in Montgomery County. Perhaps my expectations were too high...I don't know...but, unfortunately, my black beans had a dump of salt, the chicken, though tasty, was tough as leather and the tostones had anemia. My friend's fish was absolutely tasteless, ( I think the salt took a turn from her fish to my beans), and my other friend's meat was dry. I was sooo very, very sad and disappointed! I had a great time with my friends, but I don't think I'll be taking a trip back. I'll stick to my own home cooked Cuban meals. Unless you have never had real Cuban food, I don't see how you can rate this restaurant with five stars.
(2)
X J P.
Good food, somewhat confused service. The food is mostly very good. The shrimp and avocado appetizer is delicious. The carne con papa is very tasty and the Cuban sandwich meets expectations. However, the ropa vieja was very bland, luckily my friend had ordered ropa vieja, so I didn't have to finish it. The mojitos, of course, are a must try. The service... well... The first time I went was on a Tuesday night and the place was popping. Lots of customers, so the service was slow, but that could be expected. Initial order was fine, but when I later ordered a sangria it never arrived. When I asked for the bill I found that I was charged for deserts and drinks that were ordered by the table next to me. The waiter never returned to collect the bill, eventually the manager noticed how long we were waiting to settle up and came to collect the bill. It took almost 10 more minutes to clear up the items that were ordered by the other table. I returned on a weekday for lunch, lots of staff and almost no customers! Again the food and mojitos were good, but despite the excellent ratio of staff to customers it still took the waitress forever to take my order and to collect my bill. Maybe that is authentic as Cuban service can get! Cuba de Ayer is stil the best Cuban Restaurant in Burtonsville, just make sure to examine your bill very closely!
(3)
Nastasia V.
I moved to Maryland about 2 years ago from Miami, FL and the first thing I had to do was find a cuban spot to eat at.... I am cuban and from a place where cuban food is all over the place and very authentic! Cuba de ayer surprized me! The ambiance and feel to it is just like home to me. The food is very satisfying and flavors are great! The owner and cook is Cuban so they know what they are doing in the kitchen. I have tried many dishes and have been satisfyed with every one of them! My husband is not to fond of the vaca frita... Too crispy and drie for him! But other than that great cuban spot to dine at!
(4)
Brian K.
Great food. Nice atmosphere. Be back soon!!!
(5)
Michael B.
Love this place! It's a regular in our restaurant rotation. Meats are well seasoned and tender but don't underestimate the rice and beans (make sure to get the beans on the side (it's just better somehow,) the crispy plantains are good but a little bland but as an added bonus Yelp always has money off coupon.
(4)
Maria S.
I've heard a great deal about Cuban sandwiches and decided to order one, did not meet my expectations. Also, the juices are not homemade like at other Cuban restaurants. I have to point out, the wait time is ridiculous!! I imagine it should not be, considering the small space would make the order ratio smaller. The staff lacked professionalism. I would consider going a second per a family members request only.
(2)
Ivan C.
Food was pretty good. Lil salty but the rice didn't taste like anything but the fried fish I had was good but don't let the outside fool it does look good inside & good Latin environment. Hard to find but worth it
(4)
Karina B.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! So glad my friend (s/o to Beca) told me about it. I'm half Cuban and this restaurants just makes me so happy; too bad it's so far from home. This place is extremely popular, I've waited an hour before. Make a reservation! Their appetizers are great, main dishes are nice and big, desserts are fabulous. Wish they'd open a location in VA or at least expand their small MD location. Check this place out!!
(5)
Rachel A.
My husband and I live in NJ and we have gone out of our way to go here for lunch on our way to VA. The food is excellent, good prices, and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly. I wish I lived closer!
(5)
Odin T.
This restaurant is so good that I actually started a yelp account just so I could rate it on here for others. This is the first Cuban restaurant I've been to that the food tasted as if someone in my family cooked it. I took two friends with me, one of which is American and had never tried Cuban food before. We ordered a variety of foods so that he could taste different dishes to get a better idea of what Cuban food is. He absolutely loved it. Every single dish that we ordered was phenomenal and cooked to the high standard that I'm used to. There are no "fancy" versions of the dishes like other "Cuban" restaurants. These foods are as if they came straight from the island. Very impressed.
(5)
Mabel T.
I come here often on dinner dates with just my husband or in large groups. Every time, the food and service is fantastic!! The place is pretty small, but very nicely decorated. The lighting can sometimes be a little too dark for my taste, though. I'm not a huge fan of their drinks (I've had both their margaritas and mojitos) because they're a little too sweet for me and not too strong. But if I had to pick a fave, their guava mojito is delish! With every entree, you can choose to have your beans and rice mixed or separate and your bananas sweet or salty. I love the variety and the portions are HUGE. I always have more than enough leftovers for another full meal the next day. I always go with the vaca frita, lechon asado, or boliche. Their meat is always very tender and flavorful. (I think once I felt like their vaca frita was a little over cooked, but just barely). For dessert, their tres leches and flan is AMAZING. It gets pretty crowded for dinner, especially on the weekends so I suggest making a reservation or be prepared to wait for a long time.
(4)
tamm r.
Cuban food is savory and doesn't use as much cheese as opposed to some other Latin American cuisines. I appreciate this. The flavor comes from a delicate blend of spices and properly simmering the yummy eats. Cuba Ayer has this down. They have a great veggie platter. The food is delicious, but a little on the saltier side. The reason for the 4 stars and not 5 is the service is very slow here and well, the salty factor.
(4)
Meh G.
Having just moved to the Maryland/DC area from Miami I was really craving some good cuban food. Based on the previous reviews that I read here, I thought about giving this place a try. Me and my family drove for 30 miles to eat some good cuban food. Service: despite having made a reservation in advance, we still had to wait about 35 minutes. Once seated, the waitress completely ignored for a while, and when she came to and got our order, we told her that we have the free empanada because we checked into this restaurant on yelp; she didn't seem pleased by that and told us that the manager has to approve it first. Food: the food was ok, I got the Ropa Vieja which wasn't as good as the ones I had before (such as versailes in miami). My brother and the vaca frita and he was very disappointed by it. It was extremely salty. The beans were also very salty. But the plantaines and tostones were pretty good. By the end of the night we were so disappointed that we didn't even try to dessert.
I have never had a reason to go to Burtonsville to eat...I do now! Cuba de Ayer is fantastic. The food is tremendous. I started with a beef empanada. The shell was perfectly fried and the ground beef inside was flavorful, and not too greasy. My wife had a vegetarian platter, everything was so seasoned and flavorful, you didn't miss the meat. The FROZEN Mojito, at $10.95 seems steep, but after one you forget the price and wish you had a pitcher at home waiting for you. I had the Cubano sandwhich...roasted pork, baked ham, melted swiss cheese, mustard and thinly sliced pickles...it took everything in me not to go back for lunch today. The finale...The best Tres Leches I have ever had....Sopping sweet cake with whipped cream or light meringue on top. It was UNBELIEVABLE!! If you like Cuban food, give this place a try.
(5)
Alan W.
This little restaurant in Burtonsville served some decent food with an atmosphere that was better than I anticipated considering its unassuming location. I would give the place 3.5 stars based on the locale and food but the service is what earns this place 5 stars in my book. Our food was slow to come to the table and their very busy manager came to us immediately, apologized, personally retrieved our meals, and compensated us for the time. With service like that, I can't recommend this place highly enough. There are plenty of 5 star restaurants in DC and NYC that could take a page out Cuba de Ayer's hospitality and service book. Everyone should try this place!
(5)
Mia R.
I grew up in Florida, so I was not expecting to be blown away by Cuban food in MD. I was SO wrong. The food is authentic, there are generous portions, and you are doing yourself a disservice if you're not trying a mojito. You can't go wrong with anything you order, but be sure to ask for the hot sauce they make in house and use it liberally. It's amazing!
(5)
Alexandra G.
Great food, good prices. New renovation is very nice too and makes waiting time a lot less.
(5)
Sylvia C.
I have been meaning to try this restaurant since it opened. Here my critique: Mojito: The mint was ground into the mojito, not muddled, and I LOVED it. I love mint in general, so the extra mint infusion was absolute pleasure. Could've used a splash of more alcohol, but delicious nonetheless. I wanted to drink 10 of them. Tostones Relleno: I got the shredded beef instead of ground. It looked and tasted the same as what they use for ropa vieja. It was very flavorful. The seasoned meat complemented well with the semi- crunchy plantain. Boliche: The meat was lean and tender. With the first entry of the fork, the meat falls apart. Seasoning was good. A bit salty, but I ate it with the white rice and black bleans, which were good. The tostones were also good. I lucked out and got crunchy ones, contrary to some of the reviews. Tres Leches cake: moist, dense, sweet. It was good. i could only take a few bites because it was too rich, but I enjoyed it. I tried my friend's Pargo, which was lightly breaded and fried. It was not greasy at all and the fish was cooked to perfection: moist and flakey. The breading was tasty and went well with the fish. I also tried her platanos maduros, which were also delicious. The 3 things left I want to try are their Cuban sandwich, Yuca con mojo criollo, and flan.
(4)
Steve L.
Really...really good. Very authentic. Best I've had in DMV...and I'm very familiar with Cubana food.
(5)
Chica B.
Oh my,!!!! I used my last Groupon yesterday at the restaurant. We (my husband and I) shared a "sopa de pollo" which is an excellent size for two. Delicious and real home made chicken soup. Also we added the tostones which is the best complement with the soup. My husband had the "sandwich cubano" and I had the "sandwich de pernil". I loved my husband sandwich. I liked mine but something was missing and it was not the cheese (I don't like it with the sandwich) nor the lettuce and tomatoe. Until I found it....mayo could give that special kick to the baguette bread it was served. Now I know for the next time. To complete the fest we ordered 2 Tres Leches and Cafe con Leche! Of course I couldn't finish mine but it was DELICIOUS.....I'll go back again and only for the dessert.
(5)
Cathy Q.
Let me start off this review by saying that the only reason I went to this restaurant was because of a Group On I had recently purchased. I had always been curious to try Cuban food and was excited to try this place out. Well, I was certainly disappointed with this restaurant. The staff is great, they are nice and helpful. But the food, oh the food, is not up to par. I had shrimps al ajillo (shrimp and garlic) that tasted very acidic and was only served SEVEN shrimps. It felt as though they counted the shrimps they were going to serve and that's ridiculous considering the fact that I went during dinner and they charged me $16 for that plate. The rice they serve is plain, like Chinese white rice, and they filled more than 75% of the plate with that rice. Let me just say, I'm not a cook but I could make better shrimp. I liked the plantains that were served maduros, they were good. I was recommended a drink by the waiter which was called Materva and that was good as well. Materva is a soft drink made from Argentinian Mate. My boyfriend ordered carne con papas (beef with potatos) and he was also disappointed. This plate looked better in the sense that only 50% of the plate was filled with rice and the rest was with beef and only ONE potato. Not very pretty to look at, I must say. This plate offered black beans which tasted as though they came out of a can. The beef chunks were cut into small and large sizes which I found odd and the beef was bland and under-seasoned. We tried desert considering the fact that I had lost my appetite for the food. I thought something has to be decent in this place. I was right, the tres leches I tried was good but I have had better. All in all I would have given this review zero stars if it were not for the fact that I had a Group On and did not pay the full price. I would NOT recommend this place and will not go back either.
(1)
Clyde M.
What can I say about this place, I mean GREAT service every time we have been there. The food is PERFECT and tasty, but I still can't get used to plantains (but that is just me).
(5)
Marianne K.
Another thumbs up for the Ropa Vieja and the sweet, caramelized plantains and tostones. Portions are large, the atmosphere is casual and bustling, and food is authentic and delicious.
(5)
Medjinne D.
Came here with my sister some of my coworkers said it was OK. They were not lying it was OK. Nothing spectacular just OK. The empanadas were good so were the yucca but that was about it. The service was good and the atmosphere is nice but that's about it. I do not really see myself coming back here to be honest.
(3)
Heidi F.
This place is absolutely scrump-dilly-umptious!! Truly a hidden gem in a little shopping strip off 198. Very comfy atmosphere, exceptional service and finger lickin' awesome food! Wish they had delivery service...hehe:) They are closed on Mondays so wouldn't you know it, I'm always craving some Cuba De Ayer on Mondays :) Everything on the menu is made fresh, very good mojitos and desserts. There homemade secret hot sauce really spices up your dish. Even if its outta the way,,,its sooooo worth the trip!
(5)
Greg O.
Much better experience this time. Again I made a reservation but this time they actually had a record of it and seated us right away. The service was good, our waitress was very attentive and friendly. The food was good but not great- the pork was a little dry and a little bland, but appetizers and sides were delicious. I'm glad we went back and tried it, but it wasn't all it was hyped up to be.
(3)
Harold D.
I LOVE this restaurant! I've brought my mother here to eat (she is Puerto Rican) and she enjoyed the Cuban food so much it's now one of our favorites to go to as a family. I'll be having my birthday dinner there this year! The atmosphere is welcoming although the restaurant is small. The manager's constantly check on how we're enjoying our food. Service was amiable. Overall, highly recommend due to tasty food!
(5)
Rene R.
From the moment we sat down it was a great dining experience. It was our first time and it will not be the last! There were so many things on the menu that we want to try. So I'll start with the appetizers we ordered. The Empanadas and the Camarones al Ajillo were incredible! I totally wanted more but I'm glad I didn't have more - dinner came out next and it was plenty of food! I ordered the Masitas de Puerco Fritas which is described as fried marinated morsels of pork - so flavorful and delicious. I even loved the rice w/black beans. And I'm not generally a fan of black beans. But these were simply amazing. Hubs had the Arroz Con Pollo w/yellow rice. Again the most amazing flavors! I'm not sure we could have enjoyed it more... Wait yes we could - had we saved room for dessert! But we didn't. So next time we will. The other parties at the table enjoyed their food thoroughly. Except one person - she stepped out before ly. dinner came out to nurse her baby. The food came before she got back and the server took it back to the kitchen to keep it warm, when it became apparent that she wouldn't be back anytime soon, he offered to box it up for her. Service was great! I was told that when they opened they were much smaller - I can see why they had to expand! All in all, I think you should go! IMMEDIATELY!
(5)
Jim W.
Service is fast, the food is delicious, and the prices are reasonable. My favorite dish of the place is the Chuletas De Puerco, which is a pair of marinated pork chops with sauteed onions. The pork chops are thinly sliced, cooked through, and the flavor is a salty richness that goes well with a side of rice and beans and the sweet plantains. I've gotten the rice and beans cooked together and separately but prefer them separate. This is because it lets me dip the pork chops in with the beans to add another level of flavor. The sweet plantains are wonderfully carmelized, with the edges nice and dark brown with a flavor closer to candy than a plantain. The salty plantains are nice as well but are drier and less notable. Overall it's a great experience with tons of seating with their new renovation and the staff is always so very friendly. The only negative has to do with parking and navigating into and out of the parking lot. They share about 30 parking spots with a beer & wine store, a chicken joint, and a few other stores and so it can get busy at times. Getting out and making a left on Old Columbia Pike to back on Route 29 can get tricky too. Outside of those minor issues, this place is fantastic.
(5)
Angel B.
Seems to be a popular place for lunch. We were not greeted at the door which I don't like but our waiter was very attentive once we got a table. The food was awesome. I got garlic shrimp over rice with crispy plantain. It was very garlic-y. I really enjoyed it. My lunch date got a salad with chicken and avocado. He was pleased. We said we'd visit again for sure.
(4)
Stephanie R.
I took my mom here on recommendation from a Cuban native. I'm Puerto Rican myself and you can't get good Puerto Rican food except at my grandma's house. Cuban is the closest. The food blew me away. We had the combination appetizer, ropa vieja and arroz con pollo. Everything was cooked perfectly and tasted so good it brought me right back home to my grandma's cooking. The flan was so good my skull tingled. The service was excellent - thanks Jessy! Would definitely recommend to anyone. And we drove here from Annapolis in hopes of good Cuban...we got it!
(5)
Ish P.
I heard good reviews from my parents but when we went there the meat was extremely salty. Cuban food is not THAT salty. I don't think I will go back.
(1)
Jennifer B.
Had to write an update. Had dinner here a few days ago for the first time since they renovated the place. Service was wonderful as before and the food was just amazing. I got the masitas (pork) with rice & beans and maduros (sweet plantains). That was the most tender and moist masitas I've ever had. Most places dry it out and it becomes too chewy. Oh and the empandas seemed even tastier than last time. Got the tree leches for dessert...o...m...g...
(5)
Kevin B.
We had an excellent visit to this location. Service was great, food wonderful, and the ambience was nice as well. Very classy, clean, modern restaurant on the inside. Our waitress was very helpful and offered up several recommendations which did not disappoint. The food was amazing and authentic. We had already decided to come back before we finished our entrees. Definitely recommend this restaurant. The prices were also very reasonable.
(5)
Eddie B.
Finding local places to eat makes living more enjoyable. Miami is the place that made me a Cuban food lover. This place is awesome. Everything I've tried was great. Fresh, we'll seasoned, and extremely filling. I dont know to call myself a foodie but I think my taste bud is trustworthy.
(5)
Paul J.
The best place this side of Miami the food was gooooood I haven't had no Cuban food in 5yrs it was just like being in fla again I had the roast pork with black beans and rice I well be going there again worth the trip from DC
(5)
Morrigan D.
This is easily my favorite restaurant in the area. The wait staff is courteous and professional (especially Victor! Make sure to ask for him) and the food and beverages are amazing. My friend and I visit Cuba de Ayer every Sunday - it's actually a bit of an addiction and the staff knows us too well! - and we start our meal off with classic mojitos. We're huge fans of the empanadas as well; there's a empanada trio appetizer that you can order. We usually do a chicken, beef, and cheese. I don't like to venture too fair from my norm, so I usually stick with the Camarones Ajillos with mixed black beans and rice. (moros y cristianos) The Boliche (essentially beef stew) is my bestie's favorite, and the Pollo Con Arroz is almost a staple at my dinner table.
(5)
Kerry Jo R.
Wonderful.
(5)
The Geman Car Guru - Michael U.
Good food but the lack of pan Cubano was a true disappointment :( Being from Miami Cuban bread is as common as our bad drivers. I know there are no real Cuban bakeries here in MD; we might just have to change that ;)
(4)
Mitch M.
Pasillo and pork was dry and super tough. Beans and rice were ok but not restaurant quality. Fried crispy green plantains were bland. The sweet plantains were the best I've ever had though. It was pretty pricey for what you get. The interior is nice and there's a bar. Service was the best I've had at a restaurant in a while. Great staff. I could have probably gotten a refund but was just ready to go. I wouldn't recommend them except for the sweet plantains. I will be back to try the Cuban pork sandwich because I can't help myself and I'll post that review later
(2)
Brandi P.
I love this place. Originally went because I purchased a groupon and have been back 5 times. The food is hot and authentic. Nice cozy environment. The rum cake is to DIE for!
(5)
Anna B.
I came here with high hopes based on what I read from all the Yelp reviews. When this place came up on Living Social, I thought it was a good time to try it out. The wait was 30 mins on a weekday and the waiting area is outside on the sidewalk with flowing traffic that enters a large parking lot. Watch your kids so they don't step off the sidewalk and get hit by a car. The outside of the place is little to be desired but if the food is great, who cares..right? The floor plan is VERY crowded and you can't even make a 360 degree turn without knocking things off the tables of others (no, I don't have a J.Lo behind). Trying to get two high chairs in with the help of the employees made us break out in a sweat. The decor is nice, a Cuban old World style of pictures depicting of Cuban workers.. tasteful and I enjoyed looking at all of them around me. I knew I was going to order the "Ropa Vieja" with the mixed black beans/rice and the plantains. My husband ordered the pork sandwich and the kids had some black beans/rice with a side of French fries. They have a cool "check-in" offer that allows you to have a free empanada with a $30 min purchase. You just can't use your living social coupon and the free offer in the same visit. Our plates came and I dug in.. Practically salivating over how good it looked.. I was disappointed to have a mouth full of salt. I love salt.. More so then regular folks but this was just too much. I had to ask for the water to keep coming in. The bean/rice mixture was also very salty but I enjoyed the flavors if you get past the salt content. The plantains were perfectly sweet and cooked but the real star of the night.. We're my kids French fries.. YES! The French fries. They were large crispy steak fries and soft on the inside and perfectly salted. I tried my husbands pork sandwich.. Very dry.. I could think of some great additions to the sandwich but then it might shy away at what's typical in a Cuban Pork Sandwich. The finale dessert looked amazing as we had seen other customers ordering it. Our whole family shared a piece and it was good.. Not amazing but good. Still better then most places I've ordered it at. I can't tell anyone to come here and wait 30 mins for great fries but if you do come here, order them. :)
(3)
Orquidea R.
I have been to this restaurant in 3 ocassions. I wish to have it closer to home (Alexandria) to visit more often, but nevertheless, what I have had so far is really great. The moros and cristianos (mixed rice with black beans) is among my favorite. The carne frita (fried pork) is tender and tasty. Among the appetizers I love the shrimp in avocado with its garlic butter and lemon. My other favorite entree is the fried red snapper fillet with the rice and black beans. The service is great and the place is a cozy hide out for a nice romantic date. Don't miss out on these cuban treats outside of Cuba!
(4)
Virdina M.
I love this place and really--it's the only reason to go to Burtonsville and I grew up in Burtonsville. I am a creature of habit and I ALWAYS order the masitas con puerco bc it's amazing and it's something I won't make at home. I did once have the chicken and it was good. My husband has gotten the pork chop and the cuban sandwich and has given them both good reviews. This is the only American restaurant my Haitian grandmother likes! So that is a sign of how good it is. My parents think their food is a bit salty but I don't. I think they're just old with old tastebuds.
(5)
Crissy T.
I can't wait to eat here again. It's tiny and the parking it tight, but the food was great! I ordered the Pollo a la Plancha (grilled boneless chicken breast) dish and the chicken was seasoned perfectly and it was juicy and tender. The rice and beans were very good. You can get them mixed or separate. I opted for the latter. I unlocked the "free empanada" deal by checking in on Yelp and tried the chicken one. Very good.
(5)
David B. L.
I've been to this place many, many times but am just now doing a review. My favorite go-to place in the area and I'm not even Cuban! I have referred so many of my friends to this place and the word's been spreading. Not one of them has ever left disappointed. I have been here so many times that I wonder if they just assume that I belong there :) I have a particular palette and know great tasting food when I try it, and this place never disappoints. I think that I have eaten pretty much everything on the menu except the fish, the salads, the kid's menu, and maybe 1 or 2 pork and meat dishes. My go to dishes are: the Ropa Vieja (for those new to Cuban, can't go wrong with this dish but as one poster mentioned, can be a little salty depending on your palate. Nothing a little of their homemade hot sauce and sweet plantains can't take of), the arroz con pollo (chicken is so soft and perfectly cooked that it falls off the bone like chicken should) and my favorite, the masitas de puerco (fried pork bits so delicious and crunchy on the outside that the flavor just stays in your mouth.) Most of the main dishes come with rice and beans. You can ask for the rice and beans separate, but I always get them congri (mixed together). In terms of the plantains (which accompany every main entree), depending on the dish ordered, you can get them sweet or crispy. The servers are helpful in informing you which goes best with certain dishes. Don't get me started on the tres leches dessert... So moist and tasty and delicious... Save room for dessert if you can or just order one and share with others. My mouth waters just thinking about it. They recently did an expansion of the restaurant so there are more tables and a bar area now, HOWEVER, the place can still get very crowded, especially during peak dinner hours. During those times, reservations are highly recommended, but again, if you walk in and your party is small (4 or less), they do their very best to accommodate you and will not ever turn you away. If it is a long wait, they ask for your cellphone number so they can text you when a table is ready. They have a great selection of alcoholic beverages as well as non-alcoholic beverages for those of you who do not drink. For those who are allowed to drink, it is almost mandatory that you try their mojitos. They make them fresh and with real ingredients (real sugar cane stick!) and a lot of care is taken in making them. I have become a mojito snob in a way because of this place, and those "mojitos" at other restaurants just do not come close. I'm pretty certain that this is the kind of mojito one would drink if they were in Cuba; it is that authentic. The one "knock" is that sometimes parking can be a hassle as their lot isn't gigantic, particularly on a Saturday evening because there is a church in the next building that meets on Saturday evenings and can take up some space. If you have a large group, it may be better to meet in the nearby shopping center and carpool over to the restaurant. It IS walking distance from the shopping center to the restaurant if you're ambitious enough to do so. Also, it can be difficult to get out of the parking lot afterwards because of the busy traffic along the road but NOT a deal-breaker by any means. If you are ever in the Burtonsville area, this place is a definite must-stop. Even if you're not from nearby, the trip to Cuba de Ayer is WELL worth it if you love great food and drink.
(5)
Courtney C.
I have to give them another star after our last visit. Here's the breakdown: Service-excellent Mojito-the classic was lacking. Too much sugar, tiny pieces of mint that got stuck in my throat, and just not that good. Chicken empanada- greasy, but delicious. Not spicy and free with my yelp check in! House Salad-Large, fresh and crisp. Lechon Asado-salty but very good. The citrus helps cut down on the sodium. Rice-white rice is sticky, but in a good way and a huge portion. Vegetarian Black Beans-Flavorful and less salty than the regular. Chocolate Cake-Basic grocery store chocolate cake. Not made in house and just okay. Tres Leche Cake-better than the last time. I was jealous of my hubby's dessert. After this visit, I would come back when I'm craving some Cuban food. Make sure you call ahead and check the specials menu too!
One of the best restaurants. Very savory. Make sure to get rice and beans mixto (mixed) and sweet plaintains. I love the ropa vieja. However, since I've been going business has picked up. They normally always have a table but it wouldn't hurt to call just in case. Sundays are always fine.
(4)
Jeneen C.
Deliciosa! Ropas Vieja was so tasty- tender beef in a tomato base with perfect blend of seasonings. A plethora of drinks, priced great!! Very busy place! Next time on 198 don't pass this place by :-)
(4)
Viv J.
I took an associate to this spot for lunch today. He mentioned that he enjoys Cuban food, so I knew this place was nice. I absolutely love their mojitos. I had the pineapple and it was very refreshing. They mull the mint and sugar and garnish with a piece of sugar cane. I was not that hungry so I had the chicken and beef empanada with sweet plantains. They have a house made hot sauce that has a little kick but has a nice flavor. It enhances the flavor of the food quite nicely. I really enjoy the cozy atmosphere because they have hand-painted artwork from Cuba on the walls, and Cuban music softly playing in the background. It is a great experience!
(5)
Michael M.
By FAR the best and most authentic Cuban restaurant that I've been to in the DMV. Although it seems like a hole in the wall from the outside, it's very quant and charming on the inside. I've had three different beef dishes and they were all EXCELLENT! And of course, they're mojitos are a MUST! The last time we went we ran into a couple who used to live in Miami (a place known for Cuban restaurants) and even they said that this place is rivals any restaurant they've been too down there. If you plan on eating here over the weekend, I strongly suggest that you make reservations, otherwise you may be waiting a while as this place gets very crowded over the weekend. But they are currently expanding so that should help with their capacity.
(5)
Ramona M.
I go here once a week for carry out!!! My fav dish is the Bistec de Palomilla with white rice and black beans on the side and sweet plantains. I recommend it to ANYONE.
(5)
Margaret H.
This was the best Cuban I've had in the area! It's not a fancy restaurant, but the food is divine! The Yucca fries were super crisp outside and soft inside. The shrimp and avocado appetizer was perfectly seasoned with lots of garlic. The only downside is the location.
(5)
Patrick S.
Lost a star due to the perpetually slow service. Food: Excellent food. Love to get a ton of appetizers and split them. The Empanadas are very good. Lechon Asado is a great entree or sandwich. The Medianoche is mediocre however. The drinks are good, but seem overpriced for what you get. I don't believe they have a regular happy hour. Everyone I've taken here has loved the food. Service: Service can be very slow and inattentive. They seem to be perpetually understaffed. The only times I've received good service is during lunch or odd weeknights. This place can get very packed with a wait for dinner, even during the week. I'm used to it and just know I'll have to put up with it, however friends I've brought here have not been so forgiving. Decor/Location: It is situated in an oddly shaped rundown strip mall that can be hard to see. However the inside is nicely decorated and is reasonably clean and is completely unexpected based on the outside appearance. It can be cramped when the place is busy.
(4)
Jack R.
Great Place, nice atmosphere.
(5)
Willie T.
Good food , very nice atmosphere, really enjoyed our meal
(4)
Frank J.
Solid...chicken empanadas, mojitos, plantains, pork and beans all great. I will not get the mojito again as it is too expensive at $8.50. If they would lower it to $5 or $6 I would order again and get multiple. Other than that don't change a thing.
(4)
MIchaei G.
Everything was pork, wat cubans dnt believe in eating lamb or beef
(2)
Alan B.
I was seated immediately. This server quickly took my order and it was downhill from there. I ordered a beer w/ lime, glass of water, an appetizer and my main course (Ropa Viejo). The beer (and water) came promptly sans the lime which I again requested. Ten minutes later the server returned (without the lime) to tell me that they had run out of my chosen appetizer. She asked if I'd like to order a different one. I did and asked for a menu AND the lime. She disappeared for 5 minutes and returned with the menu and STILL NO LIME which I again requested. When she finally returned to take my appetizer order she brought the lime. YAY Within a minute of her getting my order my main course arrived. I cancelled the appetizer. POSITIVES: The beer was fairly cold and served with a slightly frosted glass. The food was hot. The fried plantains were perfect and the rice and beans were excellent. NEGATIVES: The service was horrendous. The meat for the main course was tough, soggy and salty.
(2)
Feng L.
First time there. Food came out fast and they were all delicious! Will definitely go back.
(5)
Jerrett B.
Really good
(4)
B B.
Love this place. Can get crowded, but worth it for the portions. I always get the same few items. Mojitos are good.....need more alcohol to be great. Recent visit had the vegetarian plate. Comes with rice and beans (vegetarian), plantains and yuca. Yuca was boiled and not fried with little portion of garlic and oil on top. Paid extra for more garlic. The irony is none of those three items are vegetables......all starches. On "vegetable" on menu is tossed salad. Not the most balanced meal, but I'm sure most people coming here are not watching what they eat.
(3)
S C.
Loved everything. Gambas ajillo and empanadas were great starters. Pineapple mojito was one of the best I've had. Totally worth being seen drinking a trendy mojito without ligit-ly having your feet in the sand. Citrus pork with onions was great. Love the rice. Waiter was very gracious about the check in offer of 2 free empanadas. That's a plus in my book. Will be back soon!
(5)
Justin L.
After moving to Columbia, this has been one of my favorite restaurants. The food is great, the servers are nice and the drinks are delicious. They are expanding when I write this, so soon they will be bigger. This place is worth the drive.
(5)
Nick W.
Found this place on yelp looking for a good place to have dinner. My woman is Cuban American from Miami and figured this might make her feel at home a little. I will simply say she was quite impressed. She loves croquetas and said they were very good. She ate the ropa vieja and absolutely devoured it. She stated that it was authentic with a few twists but probably just the chef's or owner's preferences. I loved the food. There is a lot of "she said" things in here but I feel her opinion means more here because she actually IS cuban.
(5)
Kee T.
This place was great. Hubby and I was hungry and wanted something else beside the limited places available in our neighborhood. So, I hopped on Yelp and found this place. Based on the reviews, I knew the location wasnt all that great, but that not what we went there for... and I am glad we did go. Food... yummmm. We had the combinacion and stuffed potato appetizer, the fried pork and marinated pork for our meal. As we waited for our food, I just kept smelling the garlic and other spices. Couldn't wait for the plate to get there.. I also had mango bomb (or something like that) and that drink was tasty. The prices were reasonable, will be back again!!!
(5)
Stella L.
I love this place! You would never expect an authentic Cuban restaurant to be found in little old Burtonsville but it's here, and truly a little gem! The ropa vieja is AH-MAZ-ING and so is their cafe con leche and mojitos. The servers are so friendly and helpful! Never been disappointed! Highly recommend this place! And they run groupon deals here and there which is awesome for the already fairly priced food!
(5)
Shanna A.
OMG! So flavorful and yummy. Co-workers order regularly and I wanted something different for lunch so I stopped by and placed an order for the shredded beef entree, Roja something, and it was like tasting for the first time in a long time. The flavor is rich and bold. Add a little rice and beans and it was super satisfying. Wanted to get a Cuban Iced Coffee but can't be made decaff so that was the only drawback at all. If that were to change, I would frequent at least 3 times a week for lunch or dinner.
(4)
Miriam P.
Yes. Very good. Had better Cuban food in California but for this area it's quite wonderful. Mojitos a bit too sweet for our taste, but overall food and service really great. We'll be back.
(4)
Katrina W.
This is the spot for awesome Cuban food. Some of my favorite dishes are the Chicken Fricassee, cafe con leches, and this dessert dish of guava and cheese. The establishment is very clean, well decorated.
(5)
Trish F.
We had the grilled chicken salad with a side of vegetarian black beans. YUM! Added the beans to the salad and it was amazing!
(4)
Dan F.
This is better than many of the cuban food options in south florida and the keys. Seriously. The ONLY thing missing is authentic cafe cubano. It is on the menu but it's really just a plain espresso, Couple of must-order items: Fried yuca, Black beans (vegetarian or non, both are excellent), Empanada, Picadillo, and of course the Mojito. No cuban restaurant can be complete without a good mojito, and cuba de ayer delivers. It's about the only pricey item on the menu, but wow is it worth it. Everything is VERY cheap. Even after 2 mojitos, an appetizer, 2 entrees, a desert and 2 coffees, total tab did not exceed $60. Don't let the run-down shopping center fool you, this is a hidden gem full of warm service, RIDICULOUSLY good food and amazing value. And please, for the love of god, remember this is not some mexican chain. So do not attempt to order a bird-bath sized margarita. If you must order alcohol, get the mojito, and they have very good wine at $4 a glass. Do not expect nachos or anything drenched in melted cheese. This is cuban cuisine, and boy is it tasty. Also be advised on weekends it can be pretty packed and it is a tiny dining room, so be sure to get a reservation and be understanding if you arrive and a table is not available. They also do take-out which is a great option as well.
(5)
Alexander L.
Always a great staff and great food. The location isnt ideal -- and you could even miss it if you were driving by -- but this is a place to go for sure. Use the Yelp 'deal' and take the risk out of trying this place!
(5)
Ron B.
Cuba de Ayer is a hidden gem! Although it doesn't offer much curb appeal the decor is surprisingly nice in comparison to the exterior. However, the food is what makes this place shine. I've been here several times and had almost everything on the menu, however my favorite dishes are the Carne con Papa and the Fricase con Pollo. I've taken my latin friends here and they all said its like eating a home cooked meal at their grandmother's house. This place is authentic! If you're in the mood for some authentic Cuban food, Cuba de Ayer is the place to go. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Nicole M.
Delicious Cuban food!!! Corquetas were great. The ropa vieja was really really juicy and tender I will definitely be back
(5)
Nia W.
YUM YUM YUMMY! I used a coupon which helped with the cost, each meal is about 15 dollars but well worth the price! Great ambiance, traditional music, friendly workers and mouth watering food!!! TWO THUMBS UP! Don't let the outside deter you, the inside is well worth it! The restaurant isn't visible from the street, turn in before the liquor store and drive past to park in the rear!!
(5)
javaone n.
Food is not fresh and taste is terrible. I order Bistec Palomilla and the meat is hard and I can break in pieces.
(1)
Stacie T.
To think, I've been living down the road from this place for months and I just discovered Cuba de Ayer this fall. My little neighborhood of Burtonsville has really surprised this SoCal girl with all of these hidden treasures right next to one another. I came here on a busy Friday night and had to wait about 20 minutes for seating but once the Camarones al Ajillo came out all was forgotten. For the main course I had their simple but delicious Pan con Pollo Asado and my friend had the Ropa Vieja. Nothing let us down and was beyond our expectations. We both read previous Yelp reviews and they were all spot on. Cuba de Ayer is a cute authentic establishment that really has that at home feel. A must try!!
(4)
Christopher M.
OK, I'll start this out by saying that I grew up in a Cuban household, with amazing traditional Cuban cooks. The food at Cuba de Ayer is pretty damn close to what I was used to at home. Their best dish is definitely the Arroz con Pollo. The croquetas were decent, and the rice, beans, and tostones were all pretty good too. Try the Mojito if you're into it, definitely the best I've had away from home. Oh, and all my friends still rave about the tres leches. The only negatives were the bread on the sandwiches, which wasn't traditional Cuban bread, and the service. If you go during busy times like Friday and Saturday night you can definitely expect to wait around a while. It always seems like there aren't enough waiters. If the service was better it might have bumped it up to five stars.
(4)
Katie P.
First time I ate there and wasn't really blown away. We tried the chicken soup, a beef empanada, the cuban sandwich and bistec sandwich. Sandwiches were somewhat dry. The food took a little bit longer than I'd like to wait for. One good thing is the prices were pretty reasonable.
(3)
C W.
Finally was able to check this place out. My best friend and I have been on the search for Cuban food...specially for the coffee. The restaurant is tucked away in the corner. As soon as you walk through the doors, you can smell the food. Food was indeed great. And they give you A LOT of food. (I boxed the leftovers and it looked like an entirely new meal.) I wish I had seen the Yelp deal sooner, but will definetely be purchasing one for the next time we go. The waiter/staff are also really friendly.
(4)
Eduardo S.
I liked the Camarones al Ajillo & also the Bistec de Palomilla here. Large Portions & lots of meat. Both were really good. Plus the restaurant is very clean and well kept. Elegant Dining in Burtonsville is rare ! Parking is a little tricky here, might have to go around back b/c one of the places nearby enforces towing... I retract my earlier comment about the Cuban sandwich b/c I am came back for one & it was spot on.
(4)
HowChow B.
Cuba de Ayer is in Burtonsville, one exit south of the Howard County line, and it offers a casual taste of traditional Cuban dishes. Inside, the restaurant is brightly-painted with nice art and friendly waitresses. More modern than "old Cuban." But the menu includes the standards -- picadillo, roasted pork, and the shredded beef fish "ropa vieja" toped off with flan, tres leches and both cafe cubano and cafe con leche. On a Saturday afternoon, we had sandwiches -- the roast pork sandwich and the Cuban sandwich with ham, pork, cheese and pickles pressed on a baguette -- with sweet plantains and a side order of mixed beans and rice (moros y cristianos). From the first forkfuls of the side dishes, I knew it would be delicious. They were flavorful without being greasy. Sweet plantains that cut with a fork, but stayed intact on the plate. Rice and beans subtly spiced, but mostly just earthy and filling. Beyond sandwiches, Cuba de Ayer offers an array of main courses, specials, and even drinks like mojitos and fruity cocktails. Other nights, we have enjoyed a shrimp special and other dishes. In the end, the Cuban sandwich is still my favorite -- crisp bread, salty ham, a little bit of cheese and pickles. I also loved the tres leches dessert. A slice of cake magically soaked in condensed, goat and cow milks and topped with cream. The tres leches is my favorite kind of dessert -- sweet, but somehow flavorful instead of cloying. The texture is spectacular. It still tastes like cake, but it is moist without dissolving into a pudding. This is a great place if you use the Restaurants.com coupons because they take them.
(4)
Howard M.
I would definitely come again. Great food and atmosphere.
(5)
Keller S.
I hosted a business lunch and used Cuba de Ayer- it was excellent. Guillermo was very easy to work with, the menu was right on line and it was delivered exactly on time. Could not have asked for anything more.
(5)
Bob A.
The cuban sandwich is excellent and so are the empanadas. The Mojito drinks are pricey, but the best around. Almost all of my hispanic coworkers rave about this place, and they know this style of food better than I do, so that says enough for me. Nice place.
(4)
Nicole W.
I LOVE this place especially the Empanadas!!!! This is a must go for all who love Cuban :0)
(5)
Brian D.
Picked up the Pan Con Lechon Asado (sandwich) for a quick dinner one night. This is not a place that does heavy sauces, it's all about the seasoning. So the sandwich may seem a little dry, but it is still pretty darn good. I'm planning on trying out some other items in the future. What bumps it up to four stars is the guava shells with white cheese. Somehow I've never had this delicacy before, but this stuff was so good! I'm not sure it makes up for skipping the Tres Leches, but it was definitely worth trying.
(4)
Megan H.
Will satisfy your craving for Cuban. Agree with previous posts, the rice and plantains were a bit on the dry side, but the shrimp al ajillo was garlicky goodness and puerco asado was crispy deliciousness. Not too expensive, either. Mojitos were $7.50, which is a bit more than I like to pay, but totally awesome and worth it! Situated in a funky, hard-to-find strip mall, but the inside is quite nice. Friendly service. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Keisha M.
Hubby and I stopped here for dinner Friday nite. The place was packed! The food was absolutely DELISH! We both got the Ropa Vieja with the maduros(sweet plaintains). The beef was very tender and flavorful and the red beans cooked to perfection. I opt for the mojito which seems to be the drink of choice here and that was very good too! Hubby got the tropical margarita which was too salty. After complaining the waitress brought out the saltless version and it was tasty but not better than the mojito. We also shared a slice of rum cake. It was sliced very, very thin but it tasted good. We will most definitely will be returning.
(4)
Brian C.
This place was pretty damn good, but the food type just isn't my style. The overall group opinion was "excellent". They just need to get a slightly better location (it's tucked into a strip mall). Oh, and they make a mojito like drink.... Get it!
(4)
Angie S.
The food was so fantastic I can't wait to go back. The mojito's were delicious and not something I would ordinarily get, but can't wait to have them again. Dinner was so delicious we packed up half to save room for dessert and I am glad we did. The tres leches was the best I have ever had. The service was OK, but the food was some of the best I've had. I highly recommend it.
(4)
Natiya T.
Excellent service, friendly staff, great food. Worth the drive from dc.
(4)
Bryan A.
My partner is Cuban, and I absolutely love Cuban food, but we haven't had much success finding a decent Cuban restaurant in the area. After discovering this hidden gem, however, I think our search might be over! Today, a friend and I enjoyed a delicious, leisurely lunch at Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville. The place is a total hole in the wall -- I almost drove right past it -- but once we went in and sat down, we were so glad we had made the effort to find it. To set the proper mood, my friend ordered a mojito, while I got a glass of sangria. The mojito was cool and refreshing, though a little pricey at $8, while the sangria was sweet and fruity. So far, so good! For appetizers, we split a triple order of empanadas -- one beef, one chicken, and one cheese. The cheese one was bland but serviceable, but the chicken one was tender and flavorful, and the beef one was juicy and delicious, and definitely our favorite. We also split a papa rellena, which was fantastic. Our entrees included the shrimp al ajillo, which was garlicky goodness defined, and the lechon asado, which was tender, moist, and succulent. The shrimp came with a salad that REALLY left a lot to be desired... it consisted of a few wilted lettuce leaves, and two unripened tomato slices. So, a letdown there. But really, who cares about the side salad? We both also got tostones, and we both thought they were dry and not that great. Thankfully, the black beans and rice more than made up for those two minor disappointments. All in all, not only would I absolutely go back to Cuba de Ayer, but I can't wait to take my partner there to get his take on the place.
(4)
Simy C.
Being from Miami originally I am always in search of authentic Cuban food in the area. Cuba de Ayer was delicious and very authentic. We went for my birthday last week and they comped my dessert, a very delicious tres leches. I ordered the ropa vieja and it was well seasoned and yummy. My husband ordered the masitas de puerco and he told me they were awesome. Worth the 30 minute drive from DC and will definitely buy another gift certificate from restaurants.com for it
(4)
Ji K.
Went here for Sunday lunch (but you'll be paying dinner menu prices). It was a very mixed meal. About half the items ordered were good but the other half...eh...so 3 stars for me. The good: chicken empanadas - should have tried the beef version as well...good flavor and texture sandwich Cubano - comes out very crispy and hot (temperature wise) plantains - both the salty and sweet versions were good Disappointing: papa rellena - nice and crispy but bland Ropa Vieja - the meat too tough and served too close to room temperature (is it supposed to be?) boliche - much better than Ropa Vieja but still a bit tough and not served hot enough
(3)
Michael S.
Yelp, this one is wrong. Bland, bland, bland. No flavor. Based on waitress recommendation, ordered a pork chop. Said it was best on menu. Not worth time or taste buds. Again, I may have just ordered wrong.
(2)
Emily R.
If it wasn't for Yelp, I never would have discovered Cuba de Ayer. What a find! Who would think that in industrial Burtonsville behind a liquor store and hair salon lies such a great restaurant. Walking through the door, you'd think you've warped to another level of Mario. No seriously, it's really nice on the inside - very modern decor, even in the bathroom! Came here too late for the "lunch" menu. They have the same dishes for lunch and dinner but different prices (and portions I suppose). I order the picadillo with moros y cristianos (seasoned rice and beans) and platanos maduros (sweet plantains). My dish included ground beef with potato chunks, raisins, and green olives - so very tasty! Great seasoning. Our food came out of the kitchen right after we ordered it. I will definitely be back to try more on the menu!
(4)
Virginia R.
From the outside, it looks like a dive in a bad part of town. But when you enter the restaurant, there is a cozy family environment decorated with Cuban art set against rich red and mahogany colors. It's really beautiful. Drinks are excellent, especially their signature Mojitos. The food is delicious and as authentic as I can remember from the few times we were treated to Cuban Cuisine as children, My personal favorites are the purnil and ropa viejo. Sweet plantains are excellent also. I don't normally have dessert, but I would not pass up the Tres Leches or the Flan here. If they ever add it to their menu, I would love to see what they would do with trembolique. If there is a weakness, the staff is young, occasionally don't hear requests correctly, and sometimes spill things in the tight quarters. But they are quick to fix things and make things right and the atmosphere is so relaxed, this review is probably the only place I would mention it.
(5)
Mei-ye J.
There are two elite reviewers who I respect and who've preceded me (Derryk A. and Su K.), so why bother reading my review? Well, I had a better server than Su K. and she was not sick and did not seem like she was having a bad day. That's definitely a plus. My friend had the Empanada from the appetizer menu and she liked it. We both found it funny that they tried to dress up the plate with a sliver of red pepper and some lettuce. Why bother. It didn't look so sophisticated with or without it. Taste matters and it was good according to her. (I didn't try it) I had the Camarones al Ajillo (Shrimp in garlic sauce) from the entree menu. It would be too salty for my taste if eaten alone, but it came with some white rice which complemented it well. I love mixing contrasting flavors so I decided to get the sweetened plantains instead of the plain fried plantains to go with it. It also came with a salad. so... the salad was boring, the plantains were of mix of 2 mushy ones and 2 just right ones. The shrimp and white rice were pretty yummy. Also, got the Fried Yuca, but I was unimpressed. What impressed me the most though was dessert. Both my friend and I are flan fans and we really enjoyed it here. Really smooth texture, but a little on the sweeter side, but not so much that it was grosse. The plating, texture, and flavor of the flan made it the star of the night. Great thing was I had a restaurant.com coupon so... 15.99 (shrimp entree w/ sides) 2.75(empanada) 3.75 (fried yuca) 3.95 X 2 (flan) 3.75 (extra fried plantains) brought the total to around $36 (add tax and tip, minus the $25 off) and we ended up paying $21 + $2 (coupon)= $23 which is not bad for dinner for two w/ leftovers for lunch to boot!
(4)
Elissar K.
Truly the only Cuban restaurant worth going to in the area out of the many I've tried. The yuca with garlic sauce is fantastic (a side), especially with the fried morsels of pork entree, a ridiculously good combination. The empanadas are delicious as well. And the tres leches -- OMG the tres leches -- will stun you with its magical powers. Another thing I love about this place is the management. The servers are always really nice and the manager I spoke to on one instance was super sweet. To Cuba de Ayer, the other Cuban restaurants around here can't compare ;)
(4)
Lee P.
Don't let the exterior of the strip mall throw you off. Everything I tried here was absolutely delicious even down to the drinks! Best tres leches ever! I'm not Cuban so I can't say if it's "authentic," but the food is good. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Becky R.
Love this place... from their drinks to dessert I have never been disappointed!
(5)
Jacqui G.
I'm happy to have this little slice of Cuban heaven close to my home. We were lucky enough to have found it while on our house hunt. It's so nice to know that I can sit down to a delicious, authentic Cuban meal that I didn't have to cook and it won't break the bank. The "boliche" and "vaca frita" are to die for! Great atmosphere too! Went there for lunch recently and there was hardly an empty seat in the house! Que rico!!!
(5)
Amanda K.
O.M.G. OK- I'm a huge fan of Cuban food. My husband is convinced that one of the reasons we bought our house is it's proximity to Cuban Corner. I've seriously considered purchasing one of those boxes to roast a whole pig...you get it. We had been planning to hit Cuba de Ayer for a while, but since it's 30 minutes away and you can spit and hit Cuban Corner from my place, we've put it off...silly. Deliciousness wrapped up in deliciousness covered in deliciousness with a delicious center. Fish, pork, chicken...close your eyes, throw a dart, and you'll hit a winner. Go. Go now.
(5)
Jennifer E.
Loved in the area my whole life and never visited this place of deliciousness! Went tonight and the service was superior, food was amazing. Best part was that we were allowed the TIME to sit and enjoy.
(5)
Su K.
---2.5 stars--- Let me preface this review by saying that after reading all the reviews on Yelp and reading the highlight in the Washingtonian, I had really high expectations of this place. If you go in with lower expectations, the food is interesting and
(3)
Elizabeth S.
Tasty and authentic. Lunch is the better deal.
(4)
T L.
This place was oh so good and amazing! It is located in what seems like the middle of nowhere. The service was great and he was able to explain the items on the menu and make terrific recommendations. My table shared the beef empanadas which were made with raisins and olives inside! Just how my Argentine host family used to make them when I studied abroad! So here I'm thinking, this is LEGIT stuff! Who cares that Argentina and Cuba are probably thousands of miles away? =) The server asked if we enjoyed the empanadas and I was the first one to praise how wonderful it was. He informed me that the dish I ordered, the Picadillo is very similar. You have no idea how excited I was. When our entrees came out, they definitely met and went beyond my expectations. Maybe you already saw this coming but I highly recommend the Picadillo. The Ropa Vieja was also yummy. It is a typical Cuban dish made with shredded beef. There are a few sides that you can select to accompany your entree. I preferred my rice and beans separate. And when my boyfriend tasted mine, he agreed it was better than mixing them together. I usually don't like beans, but Cuba de Ayer does it right. You also had the choice of getting the sweet or salty plantains. I didn't try the sweet ones but I did enjoy the salty ones- almost reminds me of chips because it was very crispy. Open a restaurant closer to my home please!
(5)
Dimitri P.
Visited this restaurant for the fist time this Saturday. The appearance of the local exemplifies the definition of hole in the wall. However, once inside it is easy to see that a lot of pride was put into the place. The place was very clean and well decorated. Now to the most important part, the food and drinks. The mojitos are prepared fresh and the traditional way. No out of the box mix. A bit more rum would make them perfect. The mango martini was also really good. The menu fare is very traditional. I had the "bistec de palomillo with rice, black frijoles and tostones" The quality of the food was very authentic and flavorful. The food is definitely top notch. The service staff was courteous and attentive. Very close to earning five starts!!!!
(4)
Ismael M.
finding this place was pure luck. thank you gps!! great food , friendly and very informative staff
(5)
Bryan G.
great cuban, but pricey
(4)
Shieva R.
Its been a while since I've been here. The food was good, nothing spectacular, I really enjoyed my mojito though. I found out on my visit that it's family run, out waiter was incredibly friendly and helped out a lot when it came to ordering (I haven't had many experiences with Cuban food).
(4)
Daniel A.
The boliche is best in my book. The picadillo had raisins, not a big fan, they could've warned me. The Cuban coffee ( espresso) is maybe the only thing non-authentic, but the boliche is remarkable.
(4)
Andres P.
Came here with my wife because we got a coupon from Google Offers. For appetizer we had croquetas de jamon, one beef empanada and one cheese. They were all delicious and exactly as I remember from back home. For dinner I had the ropa vieja with the con gris and tostones and my wife had the biftec empanado with the red beans and tostones. I was on cloud nine. The quality of the cooking is top notch but soulful and approachable. For dessert we had a flan and a tres leches. All clearly home made by someone who understands their sweets. I can't wait to visit again!
(5)
Ali D.
omg, this place is amazing. Not what you would expect from a strip mall headed by a liquor store but they have amazing food. The inside is dimly lit and very romantic. Order the beans and rice separate. Nice tasty and with excellent customer service.
(5)
Joey H.
Wonderful! The service was wonderful. Always helpful and assisted whenever needed. Looking for a worthy place to eat all week here in Maryland. I passed on the appetizer because I wanted to leave room for the entree. Partially my fault for lunch and dinner being so close to each other. With my fountain drink Coke, I ordered Lechon Asada served with grilled onions, white rice and black beans on the side. And a little extra yum food is Fried Sweet Plantains (little bananas). You could mix the rice with the black beans, but I chose not to because I'd be picking out the beans. My entree was ok without the black bean sauce. After a 1/3 of my meal, I drizzled spoonfuls of black bean sauce over my meal and the taste buds salivated. I decided to add more sauce and it turned into a cuban style pork adobo. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Definitely, TUMMY FULL! Lastly, the price is so affordable. They serve more than one should eat. Although we didn't take home any of our food because we finished our meals, everyone we passed while leaving had to-go boxes. JUST EAT IT!
(5)
Tom S.
On a whim, decided to stop in since I love cuban food. The atmosphere was upbeat playing spanish type music. The decor was in rich tones, though I could tell that updates should be considered soon. I ordered the Pernil (roasted pork dressed with onions) and one each of the beef and chicken empanadas. Loved the empanadas, especially the beef. The outside pastry had a sweetness to it and the meat inside was seasoned well and juicy. The Pernil was very good, too. The pork was a bit dry and had a bit too much salt for my taste, but otherwise I enjoyed it. I will return to try more dishes.
(4)
kate s.
This place is amazing! Great decor, delicious food and supurb staff. Everytime we go here we love it and bring along anyone we can knowing they will fall in love with this place as well. The food is just outstanding and have never been disappointed with anything and I've been here maybe a dozen times. The tostones are my favorite any my husband swears by the vaca frita- he gets it every single time we go there. Highly recommended and you will definitely be satisfied!
I work at the school behind this restaurant, so I'm here a lot. It's a bit pricey, but if you go for lunch, it's more reasonable. For entrees, I love the ropa vieja and the picadillo. My only complaint is that the ropa vieja can be a little salty. Both the sweet and the salty plantains are great, and the rice and beans here are amazing. The ham croquettes are nice if you want a bite-size appetizer (I usually eat them as I walk from the restaurant back to school). Finally, the mojitos are perfect - sweet and refreshing (though of course I don't get those in the middle of the school day!).
(5)
Mari W.
I love this place. My first time eating Cuban food was right here at Cuban de Ayer. The amibance of this place, customer service and especially the FOOD is sooo good. This place has never failed me. They are a 4 star instead of 5 because the food to me is a little pricey and the place is small but on the other hand there are always coupons available online or through groupon. Im going back soon to get my free birthday dessert soon:)
(4)
Christian G.
Absolutely awesome. Delicious food, warm and friendly service and great drinks. I have had very few items that weren't awesome. There was a mojito that was way to minty but the tropical margherita was perfect. The ham croquettes were a bit strange, but not bad.
(4)
Kate M.
Cuba de Ayer has amazing food and service. If you remotely like mojitos, try theirs and savor it! All of the food here is wonderful, especially the appetizer sampler, beans, yuca fries, and ropa vieja. I am normally not someone who would get an full entree, appetizer, dessert and drink....but here, I make an exception because it is that delicious! Almost all of the menu items have meat in them- just an FYI for vegetarians out there.
(5)
Amanda H.
Worth the hype. Delicious, succulent meat dishes, and appetizers are prepared with care. Good service; nice ambiance. Have only been once, but going back for sure.
(4)
Duncan S.
Pan con asada was fantastic. The yuca frita's were deeper fried then I typically liked but still very good.
(4)
Vegetarian Diner A.
My first time at Cuba de Ayer...The one vegetarian meal offered was very good- boiled yuca (alternatively, you can have it fried), white rice, black beans, fried platanos. Food quality is high. Service was very good (midweek, it was not crowded). My dinner partner loved her food- a pork-based meal. The only disappointment was a lack of authentic Cafe Cubano- their offering was a bitter, poorly flavored espresso, without espuma- a restaurant serving good authentic Cuban meals should serve a good Cafe Cubano. Look beyond the lackluster exterior and order. I will return, but will skip the Cafe Cubano.
(3)
Larry D.
Best mojitos ever. The food is also delicious.
(5)
Ron D.
Had a Capitol Deal coupon and headed over to Cuba de Ayer last nite to try it for the first time. It was Friday and prime dinner time and there was a wait for 30-45 minutes. It was actually a little shorter than that but you can call ahead for reservations. Cute little restaurant and comfy decor but a tough waiting area so call ahead and get your reservation. Started with a couple of superb Mojitos and appetizers (Empanada and Pap Rellena) that were delicious. Main course arrived and was WONDERFUL!! We ordered the Lechon Asado and Picadillo. Arroz Blanco w/ Black Beans along with Moros Y Cristianos and Yuca con Mojo Criollo. Suggest the Platanos Maduros Style for a touch of sweet with your entree. Of course a little extra mojo. We could have eaten it all as it was so very, very good but would have been stuffed and we wanted to split a dessert. Bring on the Tres Leches along with a Cuban Coffee and it was a complete SUCCESS!! The staff was extremely pleasant and it was extremely clean. The busboys were Wizards with his broom and the overall service was very, very good. A Family Restaurant that takes great pride and it shows. A little hard to find but well worth it. i used to really enjoy Cuban food when I lived in the Tampa area and it's exciting to find such a good choice so close to home. Can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu.
(5)
Julie R.
My friend and I decided to try this place after reading the reviews. I am not familiar with the area, so I plugged the address into my GPS and off we went. Well, there is so many new roads near there that my GPS kept taking us in circles. We decided to just get on Old Columbia Pike and just drive. Watch carefully, it's very easy to miss the place. It's very small and the name of the restaurant is blended with other businesses. We were a bit unsure but felt better once we stepped inside. The place is sparkling clean and the smells coming from the kitchen were delicious. We both ordered drinks, I can't recall the name but they were delicious. It looked like "sex on the beach". It had peach schnapps and some other things. We ordered Papa Rellena and an Empanada filled with chicken. Both were delicious, flavorful and the chicken was not dry at all - seemed to be all white meat. I had the Bistec Empanizado. Delicious. We had plantains, both tostones and maduros. Delicious. The rice and beans were wonderful. We also ordered a side of fried yuca. My friend ordered the Masitas de Puerco Fritas. So tender and delicious. She then had to try the flan. She said it was very very good (I am not a fan of the flan). Absolutely worth the drive out there. Excellent service and food. Even the restrooms were very clean, we saw a guy go in there twice to clean while we were there!
(5)
T M.
Restaurant quality has gone down as the restaurant has become more popular. I ordered a lunch portion of Camarones al Ajillo. I was shocked when 6 shrimp arrived taking up 1/3 of the platter. The rice was 1/3 an inch on the plate. The appetizer is 5 shrimp so I was confused how the lunch portion could only be 1 shrimp for for $5 additional dollars. This will be my last time visiting this restaurant. Additionally, the shrimp had entirely too much vinegar in it and was not flavorfull.
(1)
Linda T.
Went there last night for dinner. All of the staff was extremely polite, the food was great and service was excellent. The sweet plantains are to die for and they have great mojitos!
(4)
andrew h.
2.5 stars. but I have to round up to 3 for friendly service and a family/happy atmosphere. This would be a great place to practice your Spanish, if you are learning. The food was well seasoned and hit the spot for my famished belly, but lechon asado, roasted pork seemed pan fried and a bit to very dry. I agree with other reviewers to get your beans and rice separately as moros y chrisitanes it s too dry. Tostones were excellent. I got a second glass of water as requested in a timely manner and a quick check as I had work to get back to. I'm not sure it live up to the billing of some of the best Cuban food in Washington. That my friends, would come from any Cuban friend you have cooking at home, as I have been privileged to experience. At its roots Cuban cuisine may be the best of peasant food from the Caribbean, pork, beans, rice and plantains. Note that the menu as of late July '08 had added some Cuban cocktails, but I'm not so sure dark rum in a mojito. (I didn't order any of the cocktails)
(3)
melissa r.
We tripped upon Cuba De Ayer several years ago after a soccer tournament in Laurel, strip mall wanted to avoid Subway and peeked in to see a really neat place full of families. We walked in and sat down in a roomy booth, maroon walls with nice art. Wait staff was always amazing. Each of us tried a different dish, played pass the plate to taste things, there wasn't one that we disliked. Fried yuca and green plantains, yum, and definitely go for the "dirty rice". Don't eat anything for days, you will want to save room. Never tried the mojitos but from what everyone else says, it's a must. Sometimes when we are craving it, we will hop in the car and drive the 30 minutes to just do take out!
(4)
Kevin D.
I've tried this restaurant a number of times, and while some dishes are kind of underwhelming, a few real standouts make this restaurant worth going back to. First off, definitely try an appetizer when you go here. The empanadas are delicious (both chicken and beef, which have distinctly different flavors), but the papa rellena is a real revelation. Seasoned ground beef wrapped in a ball of ground/mashed potato and then deep fried sounds like it could be a leaden weight in your stomach but the potato is light and fluffy and really tasty. Both items are deep-fried very well, coming out crispy and not greasy in the least, the chefs definitely know what they're doing there. Beyond those, there's an appetizer with tostones that I forget the name of that's quite good too. I was less impressed with the entrees overall. The lechon asado is kinda dry, the ropa vieja is okay but the sauce is very salty and the meat's not as tender as you'd like it. I only tried the masitas de puercas once, and it was horribly overdone, very tough; I'd recommend going to Samantha's on University Boulevard for that dish. However, the entree I get again and again when I go here is the boliche. It's a slow-cooked round steak in a seasoned tomato-based sauce and it's really heavenly. It's as tender as can be, doesn't suffer from the dryness of some other dishes, and the flavor is out of this world. The Cuban sandwich is good too but rarely enough to sway me from the boliche.
(4)
Sandie D.
This restaurant is a gem. My son's Spanish teacher recommended it to her students and we are glad we took her advice. It is located in a strip mall and is out of the way but definitely worth the visit. The decor is beautiful. The manager is very hands on and friendly. We ordered Pan con Mantequilla o' ajo, Empanadas de Carne, Bistec Palomilla, Arroz Con Pollo, and Pan con Bistec. Everything was delicious. The side dishes were also mouth watering. We selected moros y cristianos and maduros and tostones. Make sure you arrive before closing, which is 8:30 PM on weekdays and 10 PM on Friday and Saturdays. Don't let the exterior of the strip mall deter you from dinning here. Once inside you will be transformed to another place.
(5)
Christine C.
We are becoming regulars. Went back with some friends Sunday after church. Food was good. Service was good. Mojitos were good. Good times.
(5)
Kenny S.
I will definitely eat here again. You would pay at least twice this price for food this awesome in NYC. The decor is very nice: deep red walls hung with paintings in the style of 1930s Cuban art. The food was delicious. I had Las Masitas de Puerco Fritas. Large chunks of pork roasted until very tender, then seared until slightly crispy on the outside. The seasonings were good but subtle, so it was the flavor of the meat itself that made the dish. I saw several reviews that complained about "bland and boring" white rice and black beans, but I ordered my beans "los moros y cristianos" which was delicious. Los moros is black beans fried with onion and garlic then mixed with broth into the rice to make a really flavorful dish. The menu clearly states you can sub los moros for regular rice & beans at no extra cost. The menu also says you can have your plantains "maduros" (sweet, ripe, fried) or "tostones" (green unripe mashed & twice fried). I ordered mine maduros and they were very good, maybe a little undercooked. The service was extremely fast and pleasant. The waitress didn't even flinch at my rusty Spanish pronunciation. The neighborhood is kind of rundown, but don't let that keep you away. This place is a real gem.
(4)
Eric L.
I was surprised to walk into a really nice restaurant with a great atmosphere, definitely not what I expected from the exterior. I ordered the Viejo Roja (Shredded beef in a tomato based sauce) with seasoned rice and beens, and sweet plantains. The food was extremely tasty, and the service was great. I'm looking forward to going back again!
(4)
Jennifer R.
was interested in trying out a cuban restuarant and bought a groupon for cuba de Ayer and I was not disappointed. The food was amazing and the service was great. My husband and I will be going back again as I think we have now found a new favorite restuarant and plus there is so much more on the menu that I want to try.
(5)
James B.
Not much to say really - it's a small place, friendly and inviting wait staff, family-owned. They make great Cuban food. We eat there every few months, as it's quite close to our house. I had occasion to try the mojito - with real sticks of sugarcane - fantastic!
(5)
John M.
The "Sandwich Cubano" is unbelievable! To walk up to this place in a liquor store-dominated strip center, you'd think that it couldn't be worthy. It most certainly is. Nice decor, great food, very reasonable prices, and the owners are great too. Many many finger-lickin' thumbs up!
(5)
Jen T.
I am in love with this place. The food is delicious and the waitstaff are friendly and helpful if you have questions. Splitting an appetizer and an entree was the perfect-sized meal for 2, and a great way to sample a few different things. We barely talked the whole time we were eating, because all we could do was keep grinning at each other with full mouths and savor the flavors. The meat basically melted in my mouth. Burtonsville saw a huge drop in business ever since the Route 29 bypass was built, but this place still filled up mid-afternoon on a Saturday and that really speaks to how great it is. Condiments are not needed.
(5)
David M.
To be honest, I'm new to Yelp and I ate their a few months ago so I can't recall my entire meal. I just remember that this place is a bit of a hidden gem in a weird location. But don't be fooled, once inside though, you are transported to a classy and romantic setting. The food was very tasty at reasonable prices. My one suggestion was that the food needed more color. I don't recall the exact name of my dish, but it was essentially fried fish on a bed of rice, there was no garnish, just tan on white. My date had a similar experience: very tasty food but needed some garnish. I would definitely eat there again.
(4)
Lindsey M.
heard alot of good things about this restaurant so i was super excited to purchase a living social deal! we started with the chicken empanadas. sooo delicious i could have just eaten 10 of these and been happy. washed it down with the yummiest mojito. we asked the waitress what the most popular dishes were so we ordered based on her recommendations. we got the shrimp in lemon and garlic and the sliced flank steak with onions. they shrimp and steak were ok... but the rice and beans were soooo good i couldn't believe it. i had no idea rice and beans could be so yummy!!! oh i almost forgot, we tired the sweet plantains (good), and the crispy plantains (soooooooo good). will definitely go back and try to see if some of the other dishes are better.
(4)
Arthur M.
We read about Cuba de Ayer in the 2011 Washingtonian Cheat Eats issue and schedule an appointment nearby so we could try this restaurant out. It was quite a trek from Vienna, VA but man was it worth it. The food is excellent, the service is top notch, the servings are huge, and the price is a bargain. My fiancee ordered the lechon sandwich and it was twice as large as we expected it to be and could only eat half of it. The roast pork filling was delicious and the bread was very good. I ordered the lechon asado (roast pork dressed with onions) that came with a side of fried sweet plantain and riced cooked with beans. The lechon was incredible but even more incredible was the rice and beans. Our side order of salty fried plantains was also amazing. We ordered and appetizer of chicken empenadas which were also very good. I've had some other Cuban food in the area and Cuba de Ayer blows them away.
(5)
Jayne M.
This place is a bit hard to find, basically, if you are coming from Columbia, look for the Amish farmers market on your right, take the next right, and you're nearly there ~ it's in a little strip mall, at the side (you can almost always park right outside the door of the restaurant) but do mapquest and do make the effort. As others have said the food is fantastic. I had Cuban food in Miami and loved it, so when a friend recommended this place as authentic, I thought I'd give it a whirl. As others have said, the food is great (also the Cuban coffee is wonderful), super-helpful waitstaff who explain everything to you, and decent prices, particularly at lunchtime on weekdays. Can't recommend highly enough. Also, the milk-based desert is to die for. Also, you can pick up some fantastic meat and cheap, fresh veggies from the Amish farmers on the way home (Amish market is only open Thursday Friday and Sat morning, chicken wings best you'll ever have...)
(5)
Belinda B.
Good food. Good coffee. Good Service. I will be back and I plan to bring my friends.
(4)
Myaa V.
This is one of my favorite places to eat. The appetizers are great and good to share. My favorite entree is the ropa vieja which is saucy and filling. I recently tried the Pernil and LOVED it! The drinks and tres leches are also fantastic. The waiters are friendly and I have never had my order wrong. This place NEVER lets me down!
(5)
Lauren K.
Best Cuban food in the area. I'm from Baltimore, so definitely worth the drive from time to time. The mojitos are fabulous. My go-tos are the Ropa Vieja and the Picadillo. This was my husband's first cuban food. Hands down his favorite type of food now. I just wish it was closer to Baltimore! :)
(5)
Ernest P.
---2.5stars-- Was really expecting a hole in the wall with the other reviews and the location. It wasn't so bad as the room was dark and the art work and photographs give that old school cuban feel. thus had high expectations for the food. Ordered the Fri
(3)
Dak F.
This time I went for the entrees. Disappointed. The dishes had all the tell tale signs of a heat lamp. I found the flavors to be bland and very dry. The chistoras de puerco were completely unseasoned. The tostones were good, and I will return, but only for the cubano sandwhich.
(2)
Jackie B.
Super Tasty, Super Friendly, Extremely Reasonable. I'm really big on the fried plantains and the chimicangas here. Sometimes they have someone walking around with a guitar and serenating customers with Spanish songs. Pretty awesome.
(4)
Carl T.
I love this place!
(4)
Joyce K.
so glad my buddies took me to this place...great choice! the place is much nicer inside than out (behind a liquor store in a strip mall). i had a mojito, which was EXCELLENT. i think i would come back just for the mojito, to be honest. i got the lechon asado (pork) dish...tender, simple but tasty seasoning. i had it with the rice and beans. a few morsels of sweet plantains made for a nice juxtaposition with the saltiness of the pork. this was the BEST food i've had outside my house in weeks! i am definitely coming back here...would be worth the trip.
(4)
Andrew K.
So I always pass by this restaurant on my way to work and I decided to give it a try. Restaurant.com also has a $25 coupon if you order a minimum of $35 and that coupon cost me only $4 so I had to give it a try. I went with a friend and we decided to order 3 entrees and 2 appetizers... there were no leftovers at the end of the night. First, the sign and the building outside look a little run down but inside, it is pretty clean and they have comfortable booths on the sides to sit on. We started with the beef empanadas which was really good and the shrimp camarones which was basically shrimp in garlic sauce which was ok. We shared the ropa vieja, lechon asado and the bistec. All the entrees come with a rice and beans separately or mixed and fried or sweet plantains. I preferred the sweet plaintains but the crispy ones were pretty good too. The ropa vieja was a little too salty and I was disappointed and the bistec was so so. The lechon asado was really good so that made me happy. Overall, I would say the cuban food here is decent and some dishes were better than others.
(3)
Eddie P.
Great food,friendly staff,very very reasonable prices I love this place
(5)
Toya J.
If one of my best friends had not brought me here I would have never believed this place existed. Totally unexpected lodged between a liquor store and some run down bodega. We drive up and I'm thinking that we're goin' to run in for carryout. We get into Cuba de Ayer and the place is a beautiful little cafe with all modern decor and lovely cuban art. The staff was polite; looks to be a family run business. We started with beef and chicken empanadas. Spicy meat on the inside and a crunchy cinnamon coating on the outside. I had the Fricase de Pollo(Dark Meat) for lunch priced at $8.50. Skinless chicken cooked with potatoes, white wine, herbs, and green olives. Sides Beans and rice. Filling, rich, and well seasoned. The dessert, we went back and forth on. I knew I wanted to try the rum cake, but he "claimed" he was full. Turns out the best rum cake I've ever had almost looks like a pie and has the texture of a custard. Before I knew it our spoons were fighting over the last few bitefuls on the plate. He thanked me for convincing him! This place is excellent and now I know why my friend eats here once a week.
(5)
Amanda M.
Ended up here on a Sunday evening based on a friend's recommendation. After checking out the menu on their website and the reviews here, I was definitely looking forward to a delicious meal. As we pulled into the parking lot and I saw that the restaurant was next to a very dodgy looking liquor store, my expectations rose even higher. And Cuba de Ayer did not disappoint. The inside of the restaurant was very warm, inviting, and well lit (not too bright). There were at least three paintings on the wall that I would love to have hanging in my home. And the food, oh my, if I lived closer I would eat here at least once a week. We started with a chicken and a beef empanada. The meat in each was seasoned wonderfully, they were cooked perfectly, and were just the right size for a starter. As I had never been to Cuba de Ayer before, our server recommended the Ropa Vieja - shredded beef in a Cuban tomato based sauce with garlic, onions, and red and green peppers. Since my friend was already planning on ordering this, I asked for a recommendation for a pork dish. Based on our server's suggestion I went with the Lechon Asado - roasted pork marinated in a citrus marinade with onions. Both main dishes came with a choice of either white rice and black beans or Moros y Cristianos (the rice and the black beans are cooked together with pork) and tostones (fried plantains) or maduros (sweet plantains). We each went with the Moros y Cristianos and the maduros. The Ropa Vieja was quite tasty, the meat was tender and deeply seasoned but I preferred my Lechon Asado. The pork was some of the best pork I have had in ages. It was moist, savory, and perfectly complimented by the rice and plantains. And speaking of the rice - I would come here just for that. We each had two mojitos and they were just the right accompaniments for the meal. Nice balance between the lime, sugar, and mint and served with a stick of sugar cane (as all good mojitos should). I will definitely be making another trip to MD to try some of the other dishes on Cuba de Ayer's menu soon.
(4)
Tom T.
We arrived to Cuba de Ayer hungry and ready to dine. Located in a strip mall off Columbia Pike, you enter from the side. The interior is inviting and nicely lit with subdued red colored walls, dark wood and leather and Cuba decor (paintings and souvenirs to evoke Caribbean cafe atmosphere). The greeter and waitstaff are well groomed and moving quickly to attend the crowd. They accept reservations and are very popular locally. We chose the combinacion appetizer to get a little sample of pork, yuca and ham croquettes. Tasty and a good note to start the meal. We For the main dish we had 2 orders of lechon, muros and sweet plantains. Another member of our party had the delicious masitas de puerco (fried pork chunks) and our little guy had oneless chicken breast pieces and french fries. The dinner portion sizes are very generous. We were satisfied and didn't have room for dessert. We will give this place another try and next time order a mojito!!
(4)
Jacquetta P.
I had lunch here with my son Sunday and we both really enjoyed it. The portion sizes and the quality of the food were both exceptional. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Tivona R.
Loooove this place! The food was wonderful. I've been wanting to come here for months. So glad I made it. You will not be dissatisfied. And it's a very chill spot.
(5)
Cara C.
Really good empanadas! You absolutely must order these! We had the empanadas, ham croquettes, pernil, another pork dish that I can't remember, and ended with tres leches. The only thing I would go back for are those empanadas. They are, as Graham Elliot would say, YUMMY.
(3)
Erinn M.
First time here and it was amazing. The waitress was wonderful and the food was spectacular.
(5)
N T.
I tried almost all the chicken dishes and I have to say they are all delicious! Especially the chicken fricasse! So good, the meat is tender and falls right off the bone without me having to strip it off with a knife. And the sweet plantains! I wish they would put more on the dishes!
(4)
Yaka H.
We started off with the tostones filled with shredded beef appetizer, which was a lovely bite to start off the meal. I tried the arroz con pollo with sweet plaintains and SX had the lechon asado with tostones and mixed rice and beans. I was a bit disappointed with the arroz con pollo because the chicken itself was a bit dry. Also, I didn't get many olives (maybe just 2 pieces or 3), so I was a little bit sad about that. SX enjoyed his entree, but mentioned that it was a tad bit on the dry side. Do ask for some of the house hot sauce; not too spicy, but added some depth of flavor and moisture to the entrees. The mojito was pretty good, probably one of the better mojitos I've had; nice presentation with the sugarcane and very easy to drink. Overall, the food was okay, though a bit on the dry side. We didn't have any issues with salty food as some of the reviewers had mentioned. The outside of the building and parking lot can be a bit off-putting, but inside, the restaurant is warm and the service friendly. Will be back to try the dessert!
(3)
Cassandra S.
We have watched this place grow up. The food and service has remained amazing PLUS they serve the best mojitos EVER. Don't let the outside fool you. Wonderful decor and clean. My cuban friend drives all the way from Virginia to eat here because it reminds her of home.
(5)
Cynthia L.
Anytime someone says: "Do you want to try really good (complete the sentence)?" I am Always game. So of course when my brother said those magic words, I jumped at the lunchtime opportunity. - Croquetes de Jamon - I didn't know what to think honestly when my brother ordered this. "Is it going to be a fried dough ball with a stick of ham in the middle?" was my thought. Not at all: the croquetes weren't overly oily and I wouldn't have picked out that it was ham unless someone had told me. - Beef Empanada - Well done, hot, not overly greasy, or doughy; there was a good sized portion of beef inside the empanada and the meat was seasoned. - Bistec Palomilla - I had to test how well they did this compared to places in Miami I've tried (and I'm not Cuban cuisine expert) because after all, if you can't get a (common) Cuban dish right, it just won't be right. I was surprised at how solid the steak was (a little peppery for my taste), but robust in all the other marinade flavors. Again, enjoyed that the dish wasn't overly greasy and came with a nice size serving of rice and sweet plantains, which came out goood (not burnt and not overly soft but not undercooked). - They also make their own sauce and even though I'm not a fan of spicy, this little kick-in-a-bottle was absolutely an excellent pairing to all the dishes we ate. I swear we down half the bottle between just the two of us. Our waiter was super friendly and courteous, even with our little Yelp check-in coupon (heyyyy!); the manager even brought our food to the table and checked on how things went. We don't have as much Cuban cuisine as say, Miami, and for being in Burtonsville, this place was very solid. Decent prices, clean place, good food and like others said, an out-of-the-way gem.
(5)
Lorena A.
This was our third time dinning here, we both had something different than he last two times and of course it was GREAT!. The Avocado Salmon was great. The Bistec De Palomilla was perfectly cooks, tender and flavorful. The Tostones con Cameron is something we have gotten each time and will continue to as it seems to get better and better each time. The service for us has always been really good, the waiters/tresses have always been attentive and helpful with recommendations.
(5)
Larry S.
Ropa vieja is amazing. Plantains and empanadas are a must. Don't forget a handmade mojito. The new renovation looks classy . Best Cuban in the dmv
(5)
Alison G.
I had the Shrimp in lemon and garlic and it was one of the top ten dishes I've had EVER anywhere. I don't know Cuban food so I can't speak for or compare, but I would go back over and over for the Shrimp. The decor inside is surprisingly nice, driving by this strip mall restaurant several times, I was impressed. My one suggestion for this restaurant, get some signature drinks and train your staff on liquor and wine. I was brought the wrong kind of white wine, the table next to us was also brought the wrong kind of red wine and instead of Myers rum we were brought scotch. A few more varieties of wine might not be a bad thing either, I would totally recommend this place to everyone I know.
(4)
Steven D.
Living in Maryland and looking and craving some good cuban? Well Cuba de Ayer has the best cuban food in Maryland. This is coming from someone who was born and raised in Miami, FL and lived in Key West, FL for four years. I highly recommend ordering Croquetas de Jamon (ham croquettes), Bistec Empanizado (seasoned breaded top sirloin steak, thinly sliced and fried) with white rice and black beans, and Tostones (fried green plantains).
(5)
Sydni R.
Ehh it was ok. I went there on a weekday afternoon right after work and there wasn't anyone there really. I ordered the combination platter (which is roast pork, ham corquettes, and yuca fries). The pork was dry, the yuca fries (they gave me only 2) were stale and the corquettes (2) were ehh. Being from S.Florida I've had Cuban food plenty of times and this didn't live up to my expectations. I also got the flan, and surprisingly it was good.
(2)
I W.
I haven't been here in a while (before remodel) so I won't go into rating the food. I would like to start by saying I am 100% Cuban, I live in Miami and visit Maryland often, while reading reviews I was blown away by so many people making reference to the "hot sauce", I feel the problem with the reviews is that those diners walk into a "Latin" restaurant with the TexMex mentality and expect hot sauce, pico de gallo and so on. Authentic Cuban cuisine is not spicy, we don't use hot sauce EVER.
(3)
Dave J.
The food is good but I went today and received terrible service. The young waiter forgot to put my order in. The rest of my party was served and then he copped an attitude about it when I asked where my meal was. He never even apologized for the fact that everyone else was halfway done eating by the time a received my meal. I won't return.
(1)
Peggy E.
My husband Alfonso E forgot to mention the empanadas in his review which we also sampled. Much like the Arroz con Pollo, it reminded him of his mamas cooking!
(5)
Marcos R.
I moved up from Tampa and eating here took me back. Tampa being a large part of the Cuban community had me knowing real Cuban cuisine on a daily basis. Being a foodie I've eaten a lot and I hate to say it it shows lol but along with those pounds comes true knowledge of what good food is and Cuba de Ayer is good Cuban. It's the BEST Cuban I've had in the DMV area since I've moved up and it's quickly becoming a favorite staple even though I live in Annapolis I happily make the drive.
(4)
Patty W.
My fiance and I love this place. The food is very good and plentiful, the service is top notch and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. They are also adding additional seating and they NEED it as it is popular. It has won several awards for cheap eats and it is well deserved. I am very familiar with Cuban food and they hit the mark nicely. We always try something different each time we go and have not been disappointed. As some have said in previous posts, it is located in a little dingy strip mall, but do not be put off by this. The inside of the restaurant is attractive.
(5)
Laurah J.
I truly love Cuban food and have high expectations when it comes to my Ropa Vieja, but this place exceeds all expectations! Delicious food, friendly service, and classy environment.
(5)
Jamie S.
This place really hit the spot. Honey Bunny and I were brought here yesterday by the lovely and talented Deborah N and glad that she drove us all the way out to Burtonsville (btw, where the hell is Burtonsville?) Although I only had a sip of the mojito it was the best I've ever had. Top notch. I liked that it had a strip of sugar cane as well to munch on. Get the white and black beans separate. More flavor that way. Empanadas were great. Beef and cheese. BAM! Even scored a bottle of their hot sauce. They sell it for $4.99. Grab it. I had the Boliche which was a great piece of pork and sauce. Honey Bunny had the ropa vieja and while it was good her homemade ropa vieja is better. You folks, however, don't get the luxury of having a world class top chef in your kitchen everyday so try Cuba de Ayer's ropa vieja and enjoy. Space has recently expanded and is a nice size joint with a bar now. Friendly and helpful staff. What's not to love?
(4)
Kevin S.
We go here frequently and they recently expanded their seating. Both the food and service are always good. I typically get the Ropa Vieja and it's consistently very good. Helpings are of fair size so you don't leave hungry.
(5)
Ruth G.
This place is pretty good. We had a pretty big group so we called ahead and made reservations. We got there and were taken care of in a timely fashion. I got the ropa vieja with sweet plantains and it very very tasty. I also got the signature mojito and it was very delish. Had just the right amount of everything. For desert i had the tres leches cake and it was so sweet and moist .. perfection! The food is very good and it is big portions! Definitely worth the drive and the wait.
(5)
Ky T.
The location was hard to find. The service was notably slow and our server seemed bored and not very personable. I'm certain the snapper was not very fresh and more importantly was SUPER bland. The things I had to do to that fish to give it any flavor were exhausting. Hubby was underwhelmed and described the pork as dry and lacking flavor. Options for non pork eaters are almost non existent. There are both Paladar of Annapolis and Ceiba of DC that are both FAAAAR better options than this place so that I suggest not wasting money on their ever available groupon offers.
(2)
Zuli M.
FOOD here is DELICIOUS!!! Staff was great, quick, attentive, and bilingual! Only reason why I am not giving them 5 stars is because their prices for the drinks are just really high plus the place is really small. Other than that, no complaints whatsoever!
(4)
VA W.
Wow was I surprised by this place. It was adjacent to a liquor store with a private parking lot that could fit around 10-15 cars max. As soon as you step outside of the vehicle you can smell the aroma of Latin food. It reminded me so much of Washington Heights, NY of the array of Domincian restaurants lined up on Broadway. The music as you step includes Hector LaVoe, Celia Cruz and Oscar D'Leon. It would be so awesome if they expanded the restaurant and included a dance room for Salsa/Merengue/Batchata. Okay let's get to the good stuff, the FOOD! -Chicken Empanadas, crispy outer shell of pasty with well seasoned chicken full of flavor. In NY we call them pastelitos. Women would sell them outside of our parish of our church. I also sampled the the outer fill of a Papa Rellena, which is a fried soft potato filled with beef. Its like a potato puff of mash potatoes for once you break the shell it is soft and tasty. -Cuban Roast Pork also known as Pernil O Pierna Asada Estilo Cubano with red beans, white rice and sweet maduros. Its like sweet and salt all in one! Delicious Baby! Full of flavor my mouth is watering right now as I am right this now. YUmmy! Such a little awesome mom and pop, with clean amenities, and an attentive staff. THIS PLACE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT! I WILL BE BACK!!!!!!!!!!! DO check check check it OUT !!!!!!!!! lol
(5)
Patty M.
See you in C-U-B-A (from the song Cuban Pete). Location looked dicey, it's not easy to spot and is behind other stores. Okay. Let's start with the fact that they take reservations. I wish I knew that because we waited over 30 minutes on a Saturday at 5pm. The place was packed from the moment we arrived to the time we left. That says a lot about the food. If people are willing The dining room is small and cramped. Service was A++. We told the hostess we had to make a plane and they seated us as quickly as they could. We checked in with Yelp and got free empanadas. Warning! If you have a living social coupon you cannot combine it with the free empanada offer. The empanadas were small, but yummy. A slightly sweet pastry enrobed perfectly seasoned chicken and beef. Not at all spicy. Nom Nom. I went with a shredded pork that was marinated in sour orange, garlic and other spices served with plantains, rice and black beans. It was good, but not as flavorful as I expected. Hubby had Camarones al Ajillo (shrimp with garlic) and that was very good. Son ordered *Pan con Pollo Asado (Chicken sandwich) which was very tasty. MIL, who is not a culinary adventurer, went with a grilled chicken salad. Food came out in a timely manner and portions were ample. We all share the flan which was very nice with a great texture and flavor. They played great latin music and the ambiance was a little loud, a bit cramped but overall worth it. Our server was extremely friendly and helpful. Everyone leaving the restaurant said it was worth the wait. Bottom line, make reservations and come hungry!
(4)
Lisa T.
We happened upon this place several years ago and love it! I hade been missing Cuban food since relocating to the DC area from Florida, but not any more. They have great bolliche, ropa vieja, and picadillo. Their mojitos are the best I have ever tasted. I have a hard time ordering them anywhere else. They have expanded, but they remain the same kind and considerate place that still treats you like family.
(5)
Phi N.
The combination platter was what we started off with. The roasted pork was really delicious. The yuca is plain yuca and the ham croquettes are not something I would crave for... We split 2 entrees, the Bistec Empanizado and the Ropa Vieja. The steak had great texture but lacked taste. I added a lot of the hot sauce (which is on point, btw). As for the ropa vieja, it was also just decent. Pretty much, everything needed the hot sauce, best part of the meal. The sweet plantains were also fantastic. **Update 5/7/2015: Came back after the renovation. Got the tostones relleno, empanadas, and bistec salteado. Plantains on the tostones is too thick in my opinion. Meat was decent tasting though. Empanadas, the rice/beans, and the steak were pretty dry (they didn't ask me how I liked my meat cooked, and it slipped my mind to mention it to them; it came out overcooked). My boy got the boliche-- nothing really worth mentioning about that one**
(3)
Alan M.
Like the shrimp appetizers with avocado. Like decor. Entrees don't have veggies. A little pricey
(4)
Amy M.
I had the biggest craving for tostones this week. I've spent a lot of summers in Miami feasting on some of the best Cuban food, and been to Puerto Rico enough to "caer como yuca" from eating too much lechón asado. So I was hoping this place could help me with my platano fix. My party started off with pan con ajo (garlic bread.) Pan was drenched in ajo. I ate my portion, but the rest of my party couldn't handle the overwhelming garlic. I admit, it was a lot of garlic but at least they weren't skimping? I ordered the vegetarian platter. Maduros, yuca con mojo, arroz y frioles negros. Carb party much? I asked the server if I could swap the yuca for a side salad, and they did without any issue. I know Caribbean cuisine isn't big on vegetables that aren't starched based, but most cuban restaurants have roasted vegetables on their menus. Maduros were good, no complaints on that. White rice was just that, white rice. Black beans though, I dunno if I got a bad batch or something but my frijoles were so salty I couldn't even finish them. This is coming from the person who ate overly garlic bread like a champ. Then when it came to the tostones, the holy grail that had been plaguing my dreams all week, were really chewy? They weren't the golden fried, flakey treats I remembered. They were overly fried to the point where they just got tough to chew. Service was good. Our waitress was always prompt and attentive. Still not good enough for me wanting to go back. I know everyone who knows their stuff talks about Miami as the mecha of good Cuban food, but if you don't want to travel as much, Philly also has great Cuban food. Maybe I'll find some good tostones on my next trip.
(2)
Kathy M.
The best empanadas I've had - HANDS DOWN. Definitely worth the trip just for these bad boys. I recommend the beef, or if you are opposed to beef, try the chicken. Both are delicious. It's located in an out-of-the-way strip mall, next to a liquor store, but don't let that deter you. The food is great and so is the service. Now that they've expanded and added a small ball area, there is really the sense of a family/community atmosphere. The menu is moderately priced and everything on the menu is good. Now, how many restaurants can you say that about? Where everything on the menu is good? Even their desserts (including the rum cake, my personal favorite) are delicious.
(5)
Maryanne H.
We drove by the restaurant twice until my husband spotted it, on the side of a building also occupied by a liquor store. We were part of a group of 13 people. My husband and I both had margaritas. They were overpriced at $8.00 and only OK in flavor. My entree was the ropa vieja, which was moist and flavorful. The black beans were very nicely seasoned and the sweet plantains outstanding. I have eaten Cuban food in Miami and thought that the meal was at least as good as anything I've had there. My husband had the Boliche, which he wasn't enthusiastic about, but he did eat it all.Two others at the table had the Camarones al Ajillo, which they both really enjoyed. Another member of our group had the grilled salmon, which looked fabulous, but I forgot to ask her if it was good. We didn't order dessert, but several in the group did and the flan looked delicious. The bad? We had brought a Valpak coupon which stated that only one coupon per party could be used. Someone else at the table had a coupon and applied it to their bill. Our server was gracious to give us separate checks. When we paid our bill, the server would not allow us to use our coupon, stating that the restaurant policy was only to allow one coupon per table. I responded that the coupon stated that only one coupon per party could be used. Since my husband and I had a separate check, I thought this made us a separate party. He wouldn't go for it and neither would the manager. I told the manager that this should be stated more clearly on the Valpak coupon and he agreed and said he would talk to the people at Valpak. In retrospect, the restaurant should also state something about their coupon policy on their website. When the server (who was quite nice and attentive) told me that he would not accept the coupon, he pointed out that it was good until Dec. 27. We could come back and use it another time. I responded that there would not be another time. the food was good, but there are lots of good restaurants in the area and I did not appreciate the way this one does business.
(2)
Nadine F.
After a long morning of curling, my friends and I were looking for something to eat nearby that was better than the fast food options in the area, and Cuba de Ayer certainly met that criteria. Though it's in an old, run down strip mall in what appears to be not the best part of town, the restaurant is actually very nice, clean, and even classy inside. The service was friendly and fast, and they didn't give us any attitude when we said another person may or may not be joining us midway through the meal. The food, however, was a bit disappointing. I had the ropa vieja, which I found to be really bland and dry, and it seemed to be lacking the advertised vegetables, which just left me with a pile of dry beans and rice next to a large pile of beef. I thought the unsweetened plantains were also bland, though I really enjoyed the sweet plantains that I tried from someone else's plate. I also had a bite of a Cuban sandwich, which also lacked flavor and left me not wanting a second bite. Overall, the food wasn't great, but the place was so charming that I'd gladly give it another try if I'm back in the area.
(3)
Tiffany L.
Is it just me, my boyfriend, and my family's tastes bud or is the food really really salty? I have had take out once and dine in twice, the second time to give it another chance, and man the food was still very very salty. First dine in experience, both beef and chicken empanadas were delicious, boyfriend ordered Ropa Vieja and I ordered a pork dish with citrus marinade (forget the name). The ropa was okay, not as good as I remember from take out. The pork dish was extremely salty. Now for the second visit. I came in with my family. We ordered appetizer sampler, a different pork dish, picadillo, ropa vieja and pollo asado. The crcoquets were pretty good but everything else was extremely salty! It was so salty my mom and I couldnt finish our meals. We are all about taking leftovers home but this time we did not even want to do that. The portions are huge. The home made hot sauce was okay but lacked any kick ( it was actually helpful in taking some of the saltiness away). Service is pretty good and the place is cozy. Only complaint, why so salty!?
(2)
Roberto N.
We tried this place years and years ago when it first opened. Did our taste buds change, or did they get a LOT better? Now, it's a REAL TREAT to eat here. Best lechon asado I've had outside the islands. The Fricasee de pollo was also a great choice. Moros y christianos- if I remember right, "Moors and Christians", i.e., beans and rice cooked together in a rice cooker, were good, but I personally still like getting them cooked and served separately, then combining them myself at the table. The location is just okay, but the restaurant is surely a great experience. Do try it.
(4)
May C.
We had the chance to dine before and after the renovation. I give 5 stars to before, and so-so stars to after. The place looks more cool after the renovation, but the food was so so and overpriced for its small portion. It was better before the renovation. We were also told that there will be a 10 minutes wait, but we ended up waiting for 30 minutes for a table. We could have had the option not to wait and go somewhere else. I could have given it fewer stars, but I liked the food before the renovation. Maybe the kitchen was too busy that night that the food suffered.
(3)
Anthony G.
Great authentic Cuban food. Order the batida de mamey. ¡Hecho con leche! ¡Muy bueno!
(5)
Jack W.
I went here for lunch with a couple of coworkers. This place was really good. The manager was really nice and gave us complimentary rice and beans and fried sweet plantains when she found out it was our first time there. The rice and beans were amazing, very flavorful. I'm not as big of a fan of plantains but they were very good too. One of my coworkers got the appetizer with the 3 different empanadas and he said each was very tasty. We each got the Cuban sandwiches and it was really filling. Overall, it was a great experience for our first time there.
(5)
Stephanie P.
When you eat the cold leftovers which have been sitting in your car WITH YOUR HANDS on the drive home, you know it's good. Holy mole this place hit the spot. Every step of our dining experience was enjoyable. Our waiter was a rarity: fast, courteous, knowledgeable, and kind. The mojito was a mint-lover's paradise and STRONG. I had two, and was three sheets to the wind. Our appetizer, the shrimp and avocado in garlic sauce, was simple and perfect. My meal, the citrus roasted pork, was exactly what I wanted in Cuban pork. Seasoned, textured (some crispy bits some tender bits), and abundant. The rice and beans were just like I remember from Miami, and the sweet plantains were marinated? the flavor seemed to permeate the entire plantain, and they were neither underseasoned nor cloyingly sweet. The flan was the best flan I've had in years. Custardy, silky, awesome burnt sugar sauce. Truly elevated in its simplicity. Only maybe the flan at Fogo de Chao holds a candle. My friends loved their dishes as well, bistequa and carne con papas (which had a rich depth to the sauce). We also managed to just about empty a bottle of their house hot sauce. I looked around and everyone else's food looked amazing. Even after I was full, I was still eyeballing other food. I think this is a good sign. I will, without question, suck it up and drive the 40 minutes time and time again for more of this amazing food. It blows every nearby option totally out of the water.
(5)
Keisha C.
I came here on a Tuesday night. At first, I was skeptical since it is in a strip mall, but was pleasantly surprised once inside. The ambiance was nice. Intimate enough for a date, but not too isolated. I noticed a few families as well. Our waiter was very attentive. He asked if we had any food restrictions (which I do, so I was extremely happy to not have to ask if there is bacon hidden in any dish). It was one of the few times I ever had a service person ask if I have restrictions before giving a recommendation and I would return for that reason alone. I appreciate that he was so knowledgeable about what is in each dish. Drinks were brought out promptly and he checked in with us throughout the meal, but did not hover. If we needed anything, we could catch his eye within a minute. On to the food! We started off with the chicken empanadas. Very hot (temperature wise), flavorful but not spicy. Good for my date, a smidge disappointing for me. The waiter brought out a salsa, which added a lot of flavor to the empanada as well. For the entree, I... don't quite remember what it was. Some chicken dish. The chicken was a bit dry, but nothing some salsa couldn't fix. I had the crispy plantains and vegetarian beans and rice. Both were good. Portion size was nice; I took home leftovers. I'd come back, at least to try other options on the menu. Maybe I'll find an entree that stands out to me. The variety makes it a good option for my friends who have more food restrictions than me. I would define bring my vegetarian friends here for a meal and know that they can enjoy a full meal.
(4)
Leon W.
I'm not an expert on Cuban food but I do know something about service. It seems like this restaurant likes to turn over tables as quickly as possible. My wife and I were only halfway through our appetizers when the entrees arrived. I said to the server I didn't expect the entrees to arrive before finishing the appetizers. They are going to get cold. He said he was sorry and proceeded to leave the entrees on the table. It seems like fast service is more important than customer comfort. Will never go back.
(2)
Michael F.
I did a redo here a few nights ago. Yum. We started with a few Empanadas, one beef one chicken.Cooked perfectly and delish. We also did the sampler platter,(7.50) all were tasty. I had the Chuletas De Puerco.(14.95) Marinated Pork Chops smothered with sauteed onions. Nicely seasoned, tender but a bit on the small side, served with sweet plantains, white rice and black beans. The rice and beans are a meal alone,good eating. I had a 3 Mojito's during the course of dinner. I'm in love with the Mojito's here. My dinner companion Deb enjoyed her meal as well. And with her 25 dollar coupon it made it that much better. Dinner and drinks after discounts was about 95 bucks. A Great meal and good service means I don't mind the drive to Cuba de Cuba de Ayer again. Cuba has won me over. Nice job Cuba de Ayer.
(4)
Anne D.
The food is great!!! I got the ropa vieja and my boyfriend got the pan con pollo with yucca. Delicious. We also got desert, tres leche and flan. Scrumptious, best flan I ever had. Our waitress was also great. Got appetizer, main entree, and desert for lunch came out only $40 for two.
(5)
Andrew M.
Very unassuming exterior, but judge not a book by its cover, Yoda or somebody probably said. Friendly, helpful, and attentive service. I'm someone who likes to ask a lot of questions, like "If you had to choose one thing on the menu to eat, what would it be?" And based on how the waiter/waitress answers, aid my decision. Our server did not lead us wrong. In my group, we tried: beef, chicken, and cheese empanadas and croquetas to start, ropa vieja and boliche for entreees, and flan and tres leches to finish us off. The empanadas were delicious. Lots of flavor in the chicken and beef varieties, very mellow and melty farmer cheese in the other. Great crispy outer texture, which I personally prefer with empanadas cause I mean who doesn't love deep fried? Croqueta was tasty but nothing special. The waitress suggested trying the rice and beans and plaintains, which came with the entrees, both ways. Good tip. All very tasty, but the fried plaintains were exceptional. Golden brown in all its caramelized goodness, it was a much better choice than the green plaintains. Both entrees were cooked very tender with very well developed flavors and sauces. The rice and beans (both ways) were also very well seasoned and tasty. Huge portions, simple staple cuisine, hearty and tasty results. To bookend our meal, we had the flan which I wasn't a a big flan of due to a kind of savory aftertaste I couldn't put my finger on; and a positively succulent slice of tres leches cake that made up for the not-so-flantastic flan. I don't even like tres leches, but this was awesome and another "best I've ever had". I love a good Mojito. CDA's Pineapple Mojito was by far the best mojito I've ever had, anywhere. Fresh mint crushed super finely. Vibrant, popping fruit flavors from the pineapple that surely has never seen the inside of a container. I could've had 10 more it was so damn good, but I was driving. Someone else got the Mango Bomb, which I got to taste. Very very good, and another cocktail made with quality juice. My Cuban roommate has traveled the world and says that this easily one of the best and most authentic Cuban restaurants he's been to. That's good enough for me.
(4)
Louie B.
Great food! Great service!
(4)
N J.
We was in Silver Spring on Saturday morning running errands with the husband, so we decided to go to Cuba de Ayer for lunch. Since we live in NoVa, rarely are we over this way. But when we are, we try to stop by. We finished our errands by 11am and sat in the car and waited for them to open. At 11:25am they opened their doors and there were already two other parties besides us. It just goes to show you how popular they are. The husband and I both order the pernil with black beans and platanos maduros. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS!!! I love the it! We also shared a tres leche for desert. So good! Sweet and creamy, but also light. Try it and you'll love it too!
(4)
big e.
The review rating description is right, yay! I'm a fan! The food is consistently good at a fair price and they have THE BEST tres leches I've ever had. The reason I cannot give that last star is because sometimes the service is quite slow.
(4)
John P.
Brought six adults here last Easter time. Four of us had the bacalao. It was outstanding. Too bad it is not on the menu all the time. We eat here often and really enjoy it. The Moros y Christianos black beans and rice and sweet plantains are our favorite sides with anything.
(4)
Abegail A.
Cuba de Ayer serves the best Cuban food I've ever eaten! Okay, so this was actually the first time I've ever eaten Cuban food. But, I like to think that I know what good food is when I eat it. And where is this Cuban restaurant that offers delicious eats? Burtonsville, MD. Burtsonsville?! Who would have thought. This place was super busy on a Friday night. Luckily for us, we arrived just in time to score an open table without waiting like the couples/groups arriving just minutes after us. For being so busy (not sure if this is all the time, or what), this restaurant is fairly small. I'd come early or try to make reservations if I were you. I started off with the mojito (Bacardi rum, club soda, sugar, crushed mint, and a twist of lime-$7.95). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Now this definitely was THE best mojoito I've ever had! Not too minty, not too sweet, and had the right amount of alky to it. SO good! I highly recommend drinking one (or two or three) when you head here. As an appeteaser we had the Camarones al Ajillo (five shrimp in garlic sauce-$7.25) with warm french bread (an extra $1.75). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Wow, these shrimp were good! The garlic sauce packed a lot of flavor, and wasn't too garlicly (I'm not a fan of garlic, but enjoyed this dish a lot). The bread is a must! You will want to eat every last drop of that garlic sauce...trust me. For my main course, I had the Ropa Vieja (shredded beef in a tomato based sauce with garlic, onions and red/green peppers-$13.99) which came with two sides. I chose the Moros y Cristianos (seasoned rice mixed with black beans) and Plantanos Maduras (fried sweet plantains). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Let me start off by saying that this picture does not do this dish justice! When our waiter put the dish in front of me and I smelled my food, I knew this dish would be delicious. The shredded beef was super flavorful. After one bite, my mouth was seriously watering. The waiter suggested to get the rice/beans mixed together, and I'm glad I did. The plantains...wow! Scrumptious. I also tried the Masitas de Puerco Fritas (fried, marinated pork-$12.99) and Tostones (fried green plantains). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Man that pork was good! It was fried perfectly and wasn't tough or greasy when you bite into it. The green plantains were good, but I preferred the sweet plantains over these ones. We ended the meal with Tres Leches (sponge cake soaked in three different kinds of milk, topped with merengue-$4.50). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Although we were full, we made room for some dessert. This cake wasn't super sweet, which was what I was expecting. The merengue was a nice touch, but I wish there was less of it. There was so much on top that I removed most of it, and just ate the cake. It was the perfect size, and great way to end the meal. Because we were eye hungry and over heard multiple tables next to us ordering empanadas to go, we thought we would see what the fuss was about. We ordered two beef empanadas to go ($2.25). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… MmMmmM...tasty. They made a wonderfuly morning meal! Even the next day they remained crispy and had the perfect amount of filling in them. We also got a bottle of their house made hot sauce ($5). Not spicy, but it packs a hint of heat to it that's nice. Our waiter was super attentive and friendly. He kept our mojitos flowing and didn't rush us even when there was a line of people waiting to eat. I highly recommend this place. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Michael H.
Finally made it out to this spot. One I have been meaning to go to for years. So far so great. I kept it simple for lunch and got a cubano w/ black beans and rice. Both were off the charts. Cubano was the best i have ever had and the beans and rice were authentically wonderful. Will definitely be going back to sample other parts of the menu. I didn't drink but the place had a suprisingly extensive cocktail list.
(5)
Amanda K.
This has become one of my favorite restaurants of all time, which says a lot. Such a hidden treasure because you'd never expect it's there on 198 hidden away in Burtonsville of all places! I am Spanish and a huge lover of Latin cuisine. I have had Cuban food countless times, even in the most Cuban-dominated neighborhoods of Miami, and no place compares to Cuba De Ayer in my opinion! Their mojitos are to die for. The service is great, the atmosphere is enjoyable and the salsa music they play gets me GOING whenever I am there. The food is authentic, generous on flavor and absolutely delicious. There's no wonder this place gets so many good reviews in magazines and brings people to this small town from all over the DC area. My favorite things on the menu are the Tostones Rellenos, Bistec Empanizado, Ropa Vieja, Pollo Salteado, Pernil and Empanadas. Everything there is nothing less than amazing... NEVER had a slightly mediocre or disappointing dish. Their rice and red beans are some of the best I've had, next to only a favorite place in Puerto Rico and homemade meals in Dominican Republic. For dessert I always have to treat myself to a rum cake or tres leches (BOTH ARE TO DIE FOR!!) and a Cafe Cubano (iced is amazing). This place is highly recommended. Truly a great restaurant in every way and with plenty of sabor cubano.
(5)
Donna W.
This place is small but the food is delicious.. Your server greets you right away and I have never waited anymore than 15 for my meal. The shrimp appetizer has lots and lots of garlic that I wind up putting all of my Arroz con Pollo -- dont judge me it tasted even better with the garlic sauce!
(5)
Dawn A.
My husband and I have eaten this restaurant a few times and we have never been disappointed. The staff is always friendly and go out of their way to make sure you are having a pleasant experience. The decor is very contemporary and a bar was added with the most recent renovation. Overall, the food is great and the empanadas are my favorite.
(4)
Joseph M.
Heaven
(5)
Lorena B.
Popped in here after hanging out with my dad, who decided he wanted some sort of sandwich for dinner. We both had Cubanos, which were great. The bread was toasted just right and the pork and ham were yummy. Cheese and pickles top it off. We shared a side of yuca frita and it was ok but not great. While it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the yuca was oily and the mojo sauce was just minced garlic dropped in olive oil. A five year old could have made that. Dessert was dissapointing. The Tres Leches was sickeningly sweet, drowing in whipped cream, and kind of hard. Nonetheless, I'll be back to try a mojito and ropa vieja. Hope it's good!
(3)
Tish A.
I've been a native of Burtonsville for years and years, and I have never stopped by. Just recently my sister decided to take me there (she says its great) and I got the Ropa Vieja. Its simply fantastic! The carne has very good taste, and my mixed rice and beans are also very tasty. The restaurant itself is a bit small, but that does not matter much. The waiters, and waitress are all teenagers, and some are not as polite as others. Thankfully both times I've been there, there were not bad.
(4)
Hoyt H.
Never would have tried this place based on the exterior, but it had a lot of good yelp reviews and the menu online sounded really good, so we gave it a shot. And it was very tasty! The food tasted quite similar to that prepared for me in the past by Cuban friends, so I'm going to call it authentic, even though I've never been to Cuba :) We tried the combinacion appetizer platter, which had a couple of ham croquettes (yum), a couple of fried yuca pieces (a bit greasy, but still good), and some roasted pork with onions (very flavorful). I had then had some Arroz con Pollo with sweet plantains, which was awesome, she had Pollo a la Plancha with green plantains, which she liked as well. Finished with some chocolate cake, which wasn't bad (but I think I would have preferred to try one of the more traditional desserts). We need to go back on a non-work night to try out the drink menu, since it sounded pretty good too! The interior is very nice and classy, and completely unexpected when looking at the outside of the restaurant. We missed it the first time and pulled into the wrong driveway, since it's tucked around the side of the building, next to a liquor store. Will be back!
(4)
Sandra B.
I was told that the food here was good, however I was not motivated to actually visit until I bought a "rightly priced" Groupon for the place. I have to say that when I pulled into the parking lot, I felt like this place may be a bit sketchy, but as soon as I opened the door to the establishment, all fears melted away. The restaurant was clean, the waitress was very nice and knowledgeable, and the food...oh my, the food! For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the dish, mostly because the names are in Spanish. My dish was WONDERFUL. My friends dish was WONDERFUL. I had a truly great experience. I went to dinner early, around 5:45pm. By the time we left around 7:45, the place was getting packed, and there was a line at the door. For good reason. I will be back to Cuba de Ayer for their authentic food and great service.
(4)
Zulma Y.
OMG! I love this place! The food is delicious. The staff is friendly, fast and knowledgeable and did I mention the food is delicious! Let me say it again! Delicious! The building and neighborhood look sketchy (they're right nex to a liquor store), but don't be afraid to go in! This place is a gem. We've tried their beef and chicken enpanadas. Delish! Fricase de pollo...just to die for. In the end, the food is unpretentious, home-style and something I would be served by my grandma..if she were cuban.
(5)
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Address :15446 Old Columbia Pike
Burtonsville, MD, 20866
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Willie T.
Good food , very nice atmosphere, really enjoyed our meal
(4)Brian C.
This place was pretty damn good, but the food type just isn't my style. The overall group opinion was "excellent". They just need to get a slightly better location (it's tucked into a strip mall). Oh, and they make a mojito like drink.... Get it!
(4)Angie S.
The food was so fantastic I can't wait to go back. The mojito's were delicious and not something I would ordinarily get, but can't wait to have them again. Dinner was so delicious we packed up half to save room for dessert and I am glad we did. The tres leches was the best I have ever had. The service was OK, but the food was some of the best I've had. I highly recommend it.
(4)Natiya T.
Excellent service, friendly staff, great food. Worth the drive from dc.
(4)Joyce K.
so glad my buddies took me to this place...great choice! the place is much nicer inside than out (behind a liquor store in a strip mall). i had a mojito, which was EXCELLENT. i think i would come back just for the mojito, to be honest. i got the lechon asado (pork) dish...tender, simple but tasty seasoning. i had it with the rice and beans. a few morsels of sweet plantains made for a nice juxtaposition with the saltiness of the pork. this was the BEST food i've had outside my house in weeks! i am definitely coming back here...would be worth the trip.
(4)Duncan S.
Pan con asada was fantastic. The yuca frita's were deeper fried then I typically liked but still very good.
(4)Bryan A.
My partner is Cuban, and I absolutely love Cuban food, but we haven't had much success finding a decent Cuban restaurant in the area. After discovering this hidden gem, however, I think our search might be over! Today, a friend and I enjoyed a delicious, leisurely lunch at Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville. The place is a total hole in the wall -- I almost drove right past it -- but once we went in and sat down, we were so glad we had made the effort to find it. To set the proper mood, my friend ordered a mojito, while I got a glass of sangria. The mojito was cool and refreshing, though a little pricey at $8, while the sangria was sweet and fruity. So far, so good! For appetizers, we split a triple order of empanadas -- one beef, one chicken, and one cheese. The cheese one was bland but serviceable, but the chicken one was tender and flavorful, and the beef one was juicy and delicious, and definitely our favorite. We also split a papa rellena, which was fantastic. Our entrees included the shrimp al ajillo, which was garlicky goodness defined, and the lechon asado, which was tender, moist, and succulent. The shrimp came with a salad that REALLY left a lot to be desired... it consisted of a few wilted lettuce leaves, and two unripened tomato slices. So, a letdown there. But really, who cares about the side salad? We both also got tostones, and we both thought they were dry and not that great. Thankfully, the black beans and rice more than made up for those two minor disappointments. All in all, not only would I absolutely go back to Cuba de Ayer, but I can't wait to take my partner there to get his take on the place.
(4)Simy C.
Being from Miami originally I am always in search of authentic Cuban food in the area. Cuba de Ayer was delicious and very authentic. We went for my birthday last week and they comped my dessert, a very delicious tres leches. I ordered the ropa vieja and it was well seasoned and yummy. My husband ordered the masitas de puerco and he told me they were awesome. Worth the 30 minute drive from DC and will definitely buy another gift certificate from restaurants.com for it
(4)Ji K.
Went here for Sunday lunch (but you'll be paying dinner menu prices). It was a very mixed meal. About half the items ordered were good but the other half...eh...so 3 stars for me. The good: chicken empanadas - should have tried the beef version as well...good flavor and texture sandwich Cubano - comes out very crispy and hot (temperature wise) plantains - both the salty and sweet versions were good Disappointing: papa rellena - nice and crispy but bland Ropa Vieja - the meat too tough and served too close to room temperature (is it supposed to be?) boliche - much better than Ropa Vieja but still a bit tough and not served hot enough
(3)Michael S.
Yelp, this one is wrong. Bland, bland, bland. No flavor. Based on waitress recommendation, ordered a pork chop. Said it was best on menu. Not worth time or taste buds. Again, I may have just ordered wrong.
(2)Emily R.
If it wasn't for Yelp, I never would have discovered Cuba de Ayer. What a find! Who would think that in industrial Burtonsville behind a liquor store and hair salon lies such a great restaurant. Walking through the door, you'd think you've warped to another level of Mario. No seriously, it's really nice on the inside - very modern decor, even in the bathroom! Came here too late for the "lunch" menu. They have the same dishes for lunch and dinner but different prices (and portions I suppose). I order the picadillo with moros y cristianos (seasoned rice and beans) and platanos maduros (sweet plantains). My dish included ground beef with potato chunks, raisins, and green olives - so very tasty! Great seasoning. Our food came out of the kitchen right after we ordered it. I will definitely be back to try more on the menu!
(4)Belinda B.
Good food. Good coffee. Good Service. I will be back and I plan to bring my friends.
(4)Myaa V.
This is one of my favorite places to eat. The appetizers are great and good to share. My favorite entree is the ropa vieja which is saucy and filling. I recently tried the Pernil and LOVED it! The drinks and tres leches are also fantastic. The waiters are friendly and I have never had my order wrong. This place NEVER lets me down!
(5)Lauren K.
Best Cuban food in the area. I'm from Baltimore, so definitely worth the drive from time to time. The mojitos are fabulous. My go-tos are the Ropa Vieja and the Picadillo. This was my husband's first cuban food. Hands down his favorite type of food now. I just wish it was closer to Baltimore! :)
(5)Ernest P.
---2.5stars-- Was really expecting a hole in the wall with the other reviews and the location. It wasn't so bad as the room was dark and the art work and photographs give that old school cuban feel. thus had high expectations for the food. Ordered the Fri
(3)Dak F.
This time I went for the entrees. Disappointed. The dishes had all the tell tale signs of a heat lamp. I found the flavors to be bland and very dry. The chistoras de puerco were completely unseasoned. The tostones were good, and I will return, but only for the cubano sandwhich.
(2)Jackie B.
Super Tasty, Super Friendly, Extremely Reasonable. I'm really big on the fried plantains and the chimicangas here. Sometimes they have someone walking around with a guitar and serenating customers with Spanish songs. Pretty awesome.
(4)Carl T.
I love this place!
(4)Andrew K.
So I always pass by this restaurant on my way to work and I decided to give it a try. Restaurant.com also has a $25 coupon if you order a minimum of $35 and that coupon cost me only $4 so I had to give it a try. I went with a friend and we decided to order 3 entrees and 2 appetizers... there were no leftovers at the end of the night. First, the sign and the building outside look a little run down but inside, it is pretty clean and they have comfortable booths on the sides to sit on. We started with the beef empanadas which was really good and the shrimp camarones which was basically shrimp in garlic sauce which was ok. We shared the ropa vieja, lechon asado and the bistec. All the entrees come with a rice and beans separately or mixed and fried or sweet plantains. I preferred the sweet plaintains but the crispy ones were pretty good too. The ropa vieja was a little too salty and I was disappointed and the bistec was so so. The lechon asado was really good so that made me happy. Overall, I would say the cuban food here is decent and some dishes were better than others.
(3)Eddie P.
Great food,friendly staff,very very reasonable prices I love this place
(5)Elizabeth S.
Tasty and authentic. Lunch is the better deal.
(4)T L.
This place was oh so good and amazing! It is located in what seems like the middle of nowhere. The service was great and he was able to explain the items on the menu and make terrific recommendations. My table shared the beef empanadas which were made with raisins and olives inside! Just how my Argentine host family used to make them when I studied abroad! So here I'm thinking, this is LEGIT stuff! Who cares that Argentina and Cuba are probably thousands of miles away? =) The server asked if we enjoyed the empanadas and I was the first one to praise how wonderful it was. He informed me that the dish I ordered, the Picadillo is very similar. You have no idea how excited I was. When our entrees came out, they definitely met and went beyond my expectations. Maybe you already saw this coming but I highly recommend the Picadillo. The Ropa Vieja was also yummy. It is a typical Cuban dish made with shredded beef. There are a few sides that you can select to accompany your entree. I preferred my rice and beans separate. And when my boyfriend tasted mine, he agreed it was better than mixing them together. I usually don't like beans, but Cuba de Ayer does it right. You also had the choice of getting the sweet or salty plantains. I didn't try the sweet ones but I did enjoy the salty ones- almost reminds me of chips because it was very crispy. Open a restaurant closer to my home please!
(5)Tom S.
On a whim, decided to stop in since I love cuban food. The atmosphere was upbeat playing spanish type music. The decor was in rich tones, though I could tell that updates should be considered soon. I ordered the Pernil (roasted pork dressed with onions) and one each of the beef and chicken empanadas. Loved the empanadas, especially the beef. The outside pastry had a sweetness to it and the meat inside was seasoned well and juicy. The Pernil was very good, too. The pork was a bit dry and had a bit too much salt for my taste, but otherwise I enjoyed it. I will return to try more dishes.
(4)Dimitri P.
Visited this restaurant for the fist time this Saturday. The appearance of the local exemplifies the definition of hole in the wall. However, once inside it is easy to see that a lot of pride was put into the place. The place was very clean and well decorated. Now to the most important part, the food and drinks. The mojitos are prepared fresh and the traditional way. No out of the box mix. A bit more rum would make them perfect. The mango martini was also really good. The menu fare is very traditional. I had the "bistec de palomillo with rice, black frijoles and tostones" The quality of the food was very authentic and flavorful. The food is definitely top notch. The service staff was courteous and attentive. Very close to earning five starts!!!!
(4)Ismael M.
finding this place was pure luck. thank you gps!! great food , friendly and very informative staff
(5)Bryan G.
great cuban, but pricey
(4)Shieva R.
Its been a while since I've been here. The food was good, nothing spectacular, I really enjoyed my mojito though. I found out on my visit that it's family run, out waiter was incredibly friendly and helped out a lot when it came to ordering (I haven't had many experiences with Cuban food).
(4)Daniel A.
The boliche is best in my book. The picadillo had raisins, not a big fan, they could've warned me. The Cuban coffee ( espresso) is maybe the only thing non-authentic, but the boliche is remarkable.
(4)Andres P.
Came here with my wife because we got a coupon from Google Offers. For appetizer we had croquetas de jamon, one beef empanada and one cheese. They were all delicious and exactly as I remember from back home. For dinner I had the ropa vieja with the con gris and tostones and my wife had the biftec empanado with the red beans and tostones. I was on cloud nine. The quality of the cooking is top notch but soulful and approachable. For dessert we had a flan and a tres leches. All clearly home made by someone who understands their sweets. I can't wait to visit again!
(5)Ali D.
omg, this place is amazing. Not what you would expect from a strip mall headed by a liquor store but they have amazing food. The inside is dimly lit and very romantic. Order the beans and rice separate. Nice tasty and with excellent customer service.
(5)Kate M.
Cuba de Ayer has amazing food and service. If you remotely like mojitos, try theirs and savor it! All of the food here is wonderful, especially the appetizer sampler, beans, yuca fries, and ropa vieja. I am normally not someone who would get an full entree, appetizer, dessert and drink....but here, I make an exception because it is that delicious! Almost all of the menu items have meat in them- just an FYI for vegetarians out there.
(5)Amanda H.
Worth the hype. Delicious, succulent meat dishes, and appetizers are prepared with care. Good service; nice ambiance. Have only been once, but going back for sure.
(4)Joey H.
Wonderful! The service was wonderful. Always helpful and assisted whenever needed. Looking for a worthy place to eat all week here in Maryland. I passed on the appetizer because I wanted to leave room for the entree. Partially my fault for lunch and dinner being so close to each other. With my fountain drink Coke, I ordered Lechon Asada served with grilled onions, white rice and black beans on the side. And a little extra yum food is Fried Sweet Plantains (little bananas). You could mix the rice with the black beans, but I chose not to because I'd be picking out the beans. My entree was ok without the black bean sauce. After a 1/3 of my meal, I drizzled spoonfuls of black bean sauce over my meal and the taste buds salivated. I decided to add more sauce and it turned into a cuban style pork adobo. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Definitely, TUMMY FULL! Lastly, the price is so affordable. They serve more than one should eat. Although we didn't take home any of our food because we finished our meals, everyone we passed while leaving had to-go boxes. JUST EAT IT!
(5)kate s.
This place is amazing! Great decor, delicious food and supurb staff. Everytime we go here we love it and bring along anyone we can knowing they will fall in love with this place as well. The food is just outstanding and have never been disappointed with anything and I've been here maybe a dozen times. The tostones are my favorite any my husband swears by the vaca frita- he gets it every single time we go there. Highly recommended and you will definitely be satisfied!
(5)Lauren A.
I work at the school behind this restaurant, so I'm here a lot. It's a bit pricey, but if you go for lunch, it's more reasonable. For entrees, I love the ropa vieja and the picadillo. My only complaint is that the ropa vieja can be a little salty. Both the sweet and the salty plantains are great, and the rice and beans here are amazing. The ham croquettes are nice if you want a bite-size appetizer (I usually eat them as I walk from the restaurant back to school). Finally, the mojitos are perfect - sweet and refreshing (though of course I don't get those in the middle of the school day!).
(5)Mari W.
I love this place. My first time eating Cuban food was right here at Cuban de Ayer. The amibance of this place, customer service and especially the FOOD is sooo good. This place has never failed me. They are a 4 star instead of 5 because the food to me is a little pricey and the place is small but on the other hand there are always coupons available online or through groupon. Im going back soon to get my free birthday dessert soon:)
(4)Christian G.
Absolutely awesome. Delicious food, warm and friendly service and great drinks. I have had very few items that weren't awesome. There was a mojito that was way to minty but the tropical margherita was perfect. The ham croquettes were a bit strange, but not bad.
(4)Derryk A.
Finally saw Avatar IMAX 3D this evening YEAHHHH!!!!! Wife and I loved it great, now what to do about Dinatar for dinner hummmmm being in Columbia every place around within line of sight was full to the rim with loooooong lines of people who like us just got out of the flickers. So on our way home I mentioned how great Cuba de Ayer is. Since wife has been asking about Cuban food for some time now every since she saw a thing on the "Food Network" profiling the cuisine, now is the time to introduce her to this little slice of Havana circa pre 1970's. Hence the name Cuba of Yesterday. "Okay here we are". Said I "Are you sure this is the place it's ummm kind of small?" Said she. Oh it's a diamond in the rough the very rough but that's part of the charm and never judge a book by it's cover. We go inside...... well..... sort of there are people jamming the door way I had to squeeze in, the little tiny place was pack to the gills. This tiny spot has only about 16 or so tables unless they push tables together for larger groups then it's even less space. Holly smokes not even a chair to sit and wait, well we could come back on a less busy day.... but wife was determined to try out Cuban food tonight since we are here. Oooookaaaaay. So we waited a looooooong time, until finally some people finished up at last and a few tables opened up. The wait staff is polite, friendly and courteous all ready I knew I wanted a mojito wife at first was going to get beer "noooooo" I said, "you are in Cuba now do as the Cubans do" so she opted for a mojito as well. Very good they came out quickly lots of real fresh mint leaves and a sugar cane swivel stick in the glass excellent. Next up appetizer chicken Empanada very crispy on the outside with tender seasoned chicken on the inside ummmmm. Next... the main course okay here is where wife and I divide on opinions. Me: I got the Picadillo which contains seasoned ground beef with green olives, raisins, potatoes, and spices all cooked together Cuban style of course. I like the beef was well seasoned and the flavors really popped out but I could use just a little less on the salt in my black beans, but over all very satisfying. Wife: She ordered the Ropa Vieja (translates to shredded clothes) which according to their menu is "A delicious typical Cuban entrée. Shredded Beef in a Cuban Sauce with garlic, onions, red and green peppers." She took a bit "ohhhhh it's so salty" I tried it and yes it was a bit heavy on the salt even for me but that's one of main ingredients, many times Cubans love salting things up just a little too too much and on top of the salty plantains and the tad bit salty black beans it was too much for her taste. The waiter offered to take it back and bring something else less salty "no problemo" but wife didn't want to go through the time and trouble so she just ate what she could and all of the rice and plantains boxed up the shredded beef which will become my lunch later in the week higher blood pressure here I come. Over all I really like the charming little place simple not overly done decor. Good wait staff and good comfort food just prepare yourself on some of the more salty dishes that's all. Pricing is on par with any moderately priced restaurant that you may find in an upscale location. Wife may or may not be back to try something different but I definitely will be back to this almost hidden little slice of old Havana. I just wish that they could expand a little to accommodate all of the maddening crowds but then it would change the charm of this little spot and usually when a restaurant expands or go for the multi location angle then the quality suffers. So please keep it just the way it is I don't mind getting there extra early for a seat or waiting a bit of time, thank you.
(4)Vegetarian Diner A.
My first time at Cuba de Ayer...The one vegetarian meal offered was very good- boiled yuca (alternatively, you can have it fried), white rice, black beans, fried platanos. Food quality is high. Service was very good (midweek, it was not crowded). My dinner partner loved her food- a pork-based meal. The only disappointment was a lack of authentic Cafe Cubano- their offering was a bitter, poorly flavored espresso, without espuma- a restaurant serving good authentic Cuban meals should serve a good Cafe Cubano. Look beyond the lackluster exterior and order. I will return, but will skip the Cafe Cubano.
(3)Ron D.
Had a Capitol Deal coupon and headed over to Cuba de Ayer last nite to try it for the first time. It was Friday and prime dinner time and there was a wait for 30-45 minutes. It was actually a little shorter than that but you can call ahead for reservations. Cute little restaurant and comfy decor but a tough waiting area so call ahead and get your reservation. Started with a couple of superb Mojitos and appetizers (Empanada and Pap Rellena) that were delicious. Main course arrived and was WONDERFUL!! We ordered the Lechon Asado and Picadillo. Arroz Blanco w/ Black Beans along with Moros Y Cristianos and Yuca con Mojo Criollo. Suggest the Platanos Maduros Style for a touch of sweet with your entree. Of course a little extra mojo. We could have eaten it all as it was so very, very good but would have been stuffed and we wanted to split a dessert. Bring on the Tres Leches along with a Cuban Coffee and it was a complete SUCCESS!! The staff was extremely pleasant and it was extremely clean. The busboys were Wizards with his broom and the overall service was very, very good. A Family Restaurant that takes great pride and it shows. A little hard to find but well worth it. i used to really enjoy Cuban food when I lived in the Tampa area and it's exciting to find such a good choice so close to home. Can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu.
(5)Julie R.
My friend and I decided to try this place after reading the reviews. I am not familiar with the area, so I plugged the address into my GPS and off we went. Well, there is so many new roads near there that my GPS kept taking us in circles. We decided to just get on Old Columbia Pike and just drive. Watch carefully, it's very easy to miss the place. It's very small and the name of the restaurant is blended with other businesses. We were a bit unsure but felt better once we stepped inside. The place is sparkling clean and the smells coming from the kitchen were delicious. We both ordered drinks, I can't recall the name but they were delicious. It looked like "sex on the beach". It had peach schnapps and some other things. We ordered Papa Rellena and an Empanada filled with chicken. Both were delicious, flavorful and the chicken was not dry at all - seemed to be all white meat. I had the Bistec Empanizado. Delicious. We had plantains, both tostones and maduros. Delicious. The rice and beans were wonderful. We also ordered a side of fried yuca. My friend ordered the Masitas de Puerco Fritas. So tender and delicious. She then had to try the flan. She said it was very very good (I am not a fan of the flan). Absolutely worth the drive out there. Excellent service and food. Even the restrooms were very clean, we saw a guy go in there twice to clean while we were there!
(5)T M.
Restaurant quality has gone down as the restaurant has become more popular. I ordered a lunch portion of Camarones al Ajillo. I was shocked when 6 shrimp arrived taking up 1/3 of the platter. The rice was 1/3 an inch on the plate. The appetizer is 5 shrimp so I was confused how the lunch portion could only be 1 shrimp for for $5 additional dollars. This will be my last time visiting this restaurant. Additionally, the shrimp had entirely too much vinegar in it and was not flavorfull.
(1)Linda T.
Went there last night for dinner. All of the staff was extremely polite, the food was great and service was excellent. The sweet plantains are to die for and they have great mojitos!
(4)andrew h.
2.5 stars. but I have to round up to 3 for friendly service and a family/happy atmosphere. This would be a great place to practice your Spanish, if you are learning. The food was well seasoned and hit the spot for my famished belly, but lechon asado, roasted pork seemed pan fried and a bit to very dry. I agree with other reviewers to get your beans and rice separately as moros y chrisitanes it s too dry. Tostones were excellent. I got a second glass of water as requested in a timely manner and a quick check as I had work to get back to. I'm not sure it live up to the billing of some of the best Cuban food in Washington. That my friends, would come from any Cuban friend you have cooking at home, as I have been privileged to experience. At its roots Cuban cuisine may be the best of peasant food from the Caribbean, pork, beans, rice and plantains. Note that the menu as of late July '08 had added some Cuban cocktails, but I'm not so sure dark rum in a mojito. (I didn't order any of the cocktails)
(3)melissa r.
We tripped upon Cuba De Ayer several years ago after a soccer tournament in Laurel, strip mall wanted to avoid Subway and peeked in to see a really neat place full of families. We walked in and sat down in a roomy booth, maroon walls with nice art. Wait staff was always amazing. Each of us tried a different dish, played pass the plate to taste things, there wasn't one that we disliked. Fried yuca and green plantains, yum, and definitely go for the "dirty rice". Don't eat anything for days, you will want to save room. Never tried the mojitos but from what everyone else says, it's a must. Sometimes when we are craving it, we will hop in the car and drive the 30 minutes to just do take out!
(4)David M.
To be honest, I'm new to Yelp and I ate their a few months ago so I can't recall my entire meal. I just remember that this place is a bit of a hidden gem in a weird location. But don't be fooled, once inside though, you are transported to a classy and romantic setting. The food was very tasty at reasonable prices. My one suggestion was that the food needed more color. I don't recall the exact name of my dish, but it was essentially fried fish on a bed of rice, there was no garnish, just tan on white. My date had a similar experience: very tasty food but needed some garnish. I would definitely eat there again.
(4)Kevin D.
I've tried this restaurant a number of times, and while some dishes are kind of underwhelming, a few real standouts make this restaurant worth going back to. First off, definitely try an appetizer when you go here. The empanadas are delicious (both chicken and beef, which have distinctly different flavors), but the papa rellena is a real revelation. Seasoned ground beef wrapped in a ball of ground/mashed potato and then deep fried sounds like it could be a leaden weight in your stomach but the potato is light and fluffy and really tasty. Both items are deep-fried very well, coming out crispy and not greasy in the least, the chefs definitely know what they're doing there. Beyond those, there's an appetizer with tostones that I forget the name of that's quite good too. I was less impressed with the entrees overall. The lechon asado is kinda dry, the ropa vieja is okay but the sauce is very salty and the meat's not as tender as you'd like it. I only tried the masitas de puercas once, and it was horribly overdone, very tough; I'd recommend going to Samantha's on University Boulevard for that dish. However, the entree I get again and again when I go here is the boliche. It's a slow-cooked round steak in a seasoned tomato-based sauce and it's really heavenly. It's as tender as can be, doesn't suffer from the dryness of some other dishes, and the flavor is out of this world. The Cuban sandwich is good too but rarely enough to sway me from the boliche.
(4)Sandie D.
This restaurant is a gem. My son's Spanish teacher recommended it to her students and we are glad we took her advice. It is located in a strip mall and is out of the way but definitely worth the visit. The decor is beautiful. The manager is very hands on and friendly. We ordered Pan con Mantequilla o' ajo, Empanadas de Carne, Bistec Palomilla, Arroz Con Pollo, and Pan con Bistec. Everything was delicious. The side dishes were also mouth watering. We selected moros y cristianos and maduros and tostones. Make sure you arrive before closing, which is 8:30 PM on weekdays and 10 PM on Friday and Saturdays. Don't let the exterior of the strip mall deter you from dinning here. Once inside you will be transformed to another place.
(5)Christine C.
We are becoming regulars. Went back with some friends Sunday after church. Food was good. Service was good. Mojitos were good. Good times.
(5)Kenny S.
I will definitely eat here again. You would pay at least twice this price for food this awesome in NYC. The decor is very nice: deep red walls hung with paintings in the style of 1930s Cuban art. The food was delicious. I had Las Masitas de Puerco Fritas. Large chunks of pork roasted until very tender, then seared until slightly crispy on the outside. The seasonings were good but subtle, so it was the flavor of the meat itself that made the dish. I saw several reviews that complained about "bland and boring" white rice and black beans, but I ordered my beans "los moros y cristianos" which was delicious. Los moros is black beans fried with onion and garlic then mixed with broth into the rice to make a really flavorful dish. The menu clearly states you can sub los moros for regular rice & beans at no extra cost. The menu also says you can have your plantains "maduros" (sweet, ripe, fried) or "tostones" (green unripe mashed & twice fried). I ordered mine maduros and they were very good, maybe a little undercooked. The service was extremely fast and pleasant. The waitress didn't even flinch at my rusty Spanish pronunciation. The neighborhood is kind of rundown, but don't let that keep you away. This place is a real gem.
(4)Eric L.
I was surprised to walk into a really nice restaurant with a great atmosphere, definitely not what I expected from the exterior. I ordered the Viejo Roja (Shredded beef in a tomato based sauce) with seasoned rice and beens, and sweet plantains. The food was extremely tasty, and the service was great. I'm looking forward to going back again!
(4)Jennifer R.
was interested in trying out a cuban restuarant and bought a groupon for cuba de Ayer and I was not disappointed. The food was amazing and the service was great. My husband and I will be going back again as I think we have now found a new favorite restuarant and plus there is so much more on the menu that I want to try.
(5)James B.
Not much to say really - it's a small place, friendly and inviting wait staff, family-owned. They make great Cuban food. We eat there every few months, as it's quite close to our house. I had occasion to try the mojito - with real sticks of sugarcane - fantastic!
(5)John M.
The "Sandwich Cubano" is unbelievable! To walk up to this place in a liquor store-dominated strip center, you'd think that it couldn't be worthy. It most certainly is. Nice decor, great food, very reasonable prices, and the owners are great too. Many many finger-lickin' thumbs up!
(5)Jen T.
I am in love with this place. The food is delicious and the waitstaff are friendly and helpful if you have questions. Splitting an appetizer and an entree was the perfect-sized meal for 2, and a great way to sample a few different things. We barely talked the whole time we were eating, because all we could do was keep grinning at each other with full mouths and savor the flavors. The meat basically melted in my mouth. Burtonsville saw a huge drop in business ever since the Route 29 bypass was built, but this place still filled up mid-afternoon on a Saturday and that really speaks to how great it is. Condiments are not needed.
(5)Lindsey M.
heard alot of good things about this restaurant so i was super excited to purchase a living social deal! we started with the chicken empanadas. sooo delicious i could have just eaten 10 of these and been happy. washed it down with the yummiest mojito. we asked the waitress what the most popular dishes were so we ordered based on her recommendations. we got the shrimp in lemon and garlic and the sliced flank steak with onions. they shrimp and steak were ok... but the rice and beans were soooo good i couldn't believe it. i had no idea rice and beans could be so yummy!!! oh i almost forgot, we tired the sweet plantains (good), and the crispy plantains (soooooooo good). will definitely go back and try to see if some of the other dishes are better.
(4)Arthur M.
We read about Cuba de Ayer in the 2011 Washingtonian Cheat Eats issue and schedule an appointment nearby so we could try this restaurant out. It was quite a trek from Vienna, VA but man was it worth it. The food is excellent, the service is top notch, the servings are huge, and the price is a bargain. My fiancee ordered the lechon sandwich and it was twice as large as we expected it to be and could only eat half of it. The roast pork filling was delicious and the bread was very good. I ordered the lechon asado (roast pork dressed with onions) that came with a side of fried sweet plantain and riced cooked with beans. The lechon was incredible but even more incredible was the rice and beans. Our side order of salty fried plantains was also amazing. We ordered and appetizer of chicken empenadas which were also very good. I've had some other Cuban food in the area and Cuba de Ayer blows them away.
(5)Larry D.
Best mojitos ever. The food is also delicious.
(5)Jayne M.
This place is a bit hard to find, basically, if you are coming from Columbia, look for the Amish farmers market on your right, take the next right, and you're nearly there ~ it's in a little strip mall, at the side (you can almost always park right outside the door of the restaurant) but do mapquest and do make the effort. As others have said the food is fantastic. I had Cuban food in Miami and loved it, so when a friend recommended this place as authentic, I thought I'd give it a whirl. As others have said, the food is great (also the Cuban coffee is wonderful), super-helpful waitstaff who explain everything to you, and decent prices, particularly at lunchtime on weekdays. Can't recommend highly enough. Also, the milk-based desert is to die for. Also, you can pick up some fantastic meat and cheap, fresh veggies from the Amish farmers on the way home (Amish market is only open Thursday Friday and Sat morning, chicken wings best you'll ever have...)
(5)Alex K.
Off the beaten path Cuban star is our go to stop for dinner when returning to DC from the northeast. Chicken Soup is to die for, as is the range of traditional Cuban favorites--roast pork, Ropa Vieja, etc.
(5)Kat A.
Best of the best! Regardless of what you get here you can't go wrong with any of their food. The food is the best Cuban I've ever had. Period. The portions are well worth the price. I always have another meal or two in leftovers. The lunch options are a deal and their daily drink specials never disappoint. The staff couldn't be nicer. If you have any questions or are torn between dishes just ask. The staff is well informed regarding everything on their menu. They know what they're talking about! Try this place if you haven't before. I've been a customer for many years and have brought so many friends and family here to experience their food. Not a single person has been disappointed.
(5)Cybil A.
I went there during lunch and had a wonderful experience. The portions were generous, the price was perfectly reasonable, the staff was warm and attentive, and the food: I would have given Cuba Ayer 5 stars on the food alone. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and authentic. I had the chicken with peppers and the maduros, and the sweet, savory and saucy flavors mingled together on that plate perfectly. I will definitely go again, even if the location is a little out of my way. It's worth the trip.
(5)Iraina V.
Good food. The service was nice but a little slow. It was getting busy so that could be it. Definitely will return.
(4)Bill M.
Hadn't been there in years and it has changed for the better. (Interior wise) The service was outstanding. Someone was always checking on us. The food was great and the prices are reasonable. Try the homemade hot sauce. Perfect addition. Not to hot, but flavorful. We bought a bottle. The next test will be to bring our Cuban friends.
(5)Bianca F.
I never had Cuban food until I was invited to this restaurant. It is fabulous! True and authentic cuisine! I order the ropa vieja which is shredded beef. It comes with black beans and rice and plantains. They give you a ton of food! I usually have leftovers for the next day. We also get the tostones as an appetizer. The tres leches is amazing for dessert. And the drinks are just wonderful! The mojitos and the margaritas are sooo good! It gets pretty busy so make a reservation before you dine. :) Their service is great. This place does close earlier than most restaurants, so I would call ahead just in case to make sure they are open and have seats available. It's an out of the way gem!
(5)Benslie B.
We stopped by here for a late lunch/early dinner and were excited about this place because of other reviews and because we're big fans of Cuban food. We ordered: -Ropa vieja: it was incredibly, overwhelmingly salty. I'm usually the type to add salt to dishes, but the sodium level of this entree overshadowed any other favors and it was just not pleasant to eat. -Pan con croquetas: the croquettes were decent by themselves, but the overall taste of slapping them on a baguette was not particularly good or exciting. -Mamey shake: this was actually the highlight of our meal. It was sweet, rich, and good! We were also the only ones in the restaurant for the majority of our meal and it still took a fairly long time for our food to arrive. Overall, we paid about $30 for a very underwhelming meal here.
(2)Eddie B.
Finding local places to eat makes living more enjoyable. Miami is the place that made me a Cuban food lover. This place is awesome. Everything I've tried was great. Fresh, we'll seasoned, and extremely filling. I dont know to call myself a foodie but I think my taste bud is trustworthy.
(5)Paul J.
The best place this side of Miami the food was gooooood I haven't had no Cuban food in 5yrs it was just like being in fla again I had the roast pork with black beans and rice I well be going there again worth the trip from DC
(5)Jim W.
Service is fast, the food is delicious, and the prices are reasonable. My favorite dish of the place is the Chuletas De Puerco, which is a pair of marinated pork chops with sauteed onions. The pork chops are thinly sliced, cooked through, and the flavor is a salty richness that goes well with a side of rice and beans and the sweet plantains. I've gotten the rice and beans cooked together and separately but prefer them separate. This is because it lets me dip the pork chops in with the beans to add another level of flavor. The sweet plantains are wonderfully carmelized, with the edges nice and dark brown with a flavor closer to candy than a plantain. The salty plantains are nice as well but are drier and less notable. Overall it's a great experience with tons of seating with their new renovation and the staff is always so very friendly. The only negative has to do with parking and navigating into and out of the parking lot. They share about 30 parking spots with a beer & wine store, a chicken joint, and a few other stores and so it can get busy at times. Getting out and making a left on Old Columbia Pike to back on Route 29 can get tricky too. Outside of those minor issues, this place is fantastic.
(5)Angel B.
Seems to be a popular place for lunch. We were not greeted at the door which I don't like but our waiter was very attentive once we got a table. The food was awesome. I got garlic shrimp over rice with crispy plantain. It was very garlic-y. I really enjoyed it. My lunch date got a salad with chicken and avocado. He was pleased. We said we'd visit again for sure.
(4)Stephanie R.
I took my mom here on recommendation from a Cuban native. I'm Puerto Rican myself and you can't get good Puerto Rican food except at my grandma's house. Cuban is the closest. The food blew me away. We had the combination appetizer, ropa vieja and arroz con pollo. Everything was cooked perfectly and tasted so good it brought me right back home to my grandma's cooking. The flan was so good my skull tingled. The service was excellent - thanks Jessy! Would definitely recommend to anyone. And we drove here from Annapolis in hopes of good Cuban...we got it!
(5)Ish P.
I heard good reviews from my parents but when we went there the meat was extremely salty. Cuban food is not THAT salty. I don't think I will go back.
(1)Jennifer B.
Had to write an update. Had dinner here a few days ago for the first time since they renovated the place. Service was wonderful as before and the food was just amazing. I got the masitas (pork) with rice & beans and maduros (sweet plantains). That was the most tender and moist masitas I've ever had. Most places dry it out and it becomes too chewy. Oh and the empandas seemed even tastier than last time. Got the tree leches for dessert...o...m...g...
(5)Kevin B.
We had an excellent visit to this location. Service was great, food wonderful, and the ambience was nice as well. Very classy, clean, modern restaurant on the inside. Our waitress was very helpful and offered up several recommendations which did not disappoint. The food was amazing and authentic. We had already decided to come back before we finished our entrees. Definitely recommend this restaurant. The prices were also very reasonable.
(5)Morrigan D.
This is easily my favorite restaurant in the area. The wait staff is courteous and professional (especially Victor! Make sure to ask for him) and the food and beverages are amazing. My friend and I visit Cuba de Ayer every Sunday - it's actually a bit of an addiction and the staff knows us too well! - and we start our meal off with classic mojitos. We're huge fans of the empanadas as well; there's a empanada trio appetizer that you can order. We usually do a chicken, beef, and cheese. I don't like to venture too fair from my norm, so I usually stick with the Camarones Ajillos with mixed black beans and rice. (moros y cristianos) The Boliche (essentially beef stew) is my bestie's favorite, and the Pollo Con Arroz is almost a staple at my dinner table.
(5)Kerry Jo R.
Wonderful.
(5)Lucas O.
Cuba de Ayer is fantastic. The ropa vieja is delicious, and the fried plantains are to die for. This place does not disappoint. You can come on a date, with friends, or with kids. Highly recommended!
(4)Joanna C.
A friend recommended Cuba de Ayer and so I took my family there for lunch. Easy to get to, not crowded for a Wednesday afternoon. The decor was homey and loved the artwork on the walls. The bar was separated from the dining hall, but I would definitely go there just to hang out. Their food is great! The Cuban sandwich was really good, just missing the pickles. The camarones al ajillo was ok. The tostones and fried yuca were great! The kids chicken breast wasn't anything special, kinda bland. I would definitely go back and try more!
(5)Jennifer H.
Food is amazing, prices are good, service is outstanding, atmosphere is perfect. I have nothing bad to say about this place. Also, if you love your food spicy, then this place will not let you down - try their in-house made hot sauce!
(5)Maurice R.
Possibly my new favorite place to eat. This place can be a little difficult to find, but trust me when I say that it's worth it. The decor is pretty nice. Despite its location, it feels like something you would find in DC. I had the salmon that was covered in some kind of pico de Gallo and red beans. Both were great. The empenados are delicious as well.
(5)tina t.
I am a regular at Cuba de Ayer. My go to dish is shrimp in garlic sauce with extra sweet plantains. I had an unfortunate experience when on my last visit, some of the plantains i was served were not edible - first a strange smell hit me, then i took a close look and the plantains are a funny grey/ greenish color - and yes - they were rotten and they stunk. I alerted my server, who "solved" the situation by bringing me a fresh order of fried plantains. I turned them back - I wasn't hungry anymore. I would have expected the manager to come by and apologize....but that didn't happen.
(1)Alex G.
Outstanding food, service, and price. Already told friends and told them to tell their friends! Ill be back!
(5)Jeremy R.
Waitstaff were friendly and attentive but food was hit or miss. Appetizer combination consisted of a two pieces of yuca, two small croquetas which tasted like hash and lacked complexity and a pile of tasty roast pork which was the winner of the bunch. Special shrimp in Maduro ( fried plantain) cups was good. The cuban sandwich was hot and fresh and had a great flavor as did the chicken empanada. Their flan is dense the way i like it but lacked the caramel sauce one would expect. This place has expanded and gone upscale since my last visit and is much more inviting. Our only customer service snag was that we were using a Groupon and while waiting for ouir meal we checked in on Yelp and were offered a free empanada. When the check came our waiter told us we could not use the groupon and the free empanada thing at the same time. Yes it was only $2.40 but that seemed a little iffy. As there is a lot of crossover between Groupon and Yelp users this should have been mentioned when the check-in gift was redeemed.
(3)David A.
Great service and excellent food! Love this place.
(5)Tim S.
Mouth watering food and even better service to back it up. My personal favorite is the pollo a la plancha. Make sure to get it with the fried plantains, which are so so good. For dessert, the tres leches is my top choice. They put marshmallow on top, which seemed strange at first, but it's really good. The only "bad" experience we had was that one time our batido de Mango tasted a bit too salty. We mentioned it to our server and a couple minutes later the manager came out with another one (that tasted great), apologized, and then said they would not charge us for either one. Hard to find service like that.
(5)Tom D.
Cuba De Ayer.... This is a very good Cuban restaurant. They are a busy place located in Burtonsville, MD. The service and servers are great here and very attentive. The food is very good. I enjoy the Ropa Veja, and shrimp and garlic appetizer. My wife had the Picadillo and here is were I am a little more concerned, it was ok. It was missing the true essence of Picadillo (did not see any of the important items such as olives, peppers, potato)...it was a bit mushy (I know...I know, it is supposed to be a "minced" hash like dish), but just didn't do it for me. But, the other dishes certainly make up for it!! OMG!!! was in the other day and they had Oxtail.....I am a fan of Oxtail so this was a great test. They passed with flying colors! That was one of the most amazing Oxtail dishes I have had in a long time. Perfectly cooked, falling off the bone, great wine sauce!!! yummmmm!! By the way, they have a nice drink menu and the mojitos look good, but are a little on the weak side. That has kept me from getting them on other visits here. They have recently updated the interior and it works very well! The bar is beautiful and restaurant is nice and big now.
(4)Courtney R.
Definitely great food. Cuba de Ayer never disappoints. The server may have been new...spilled wine all over my mom's Dooney & Burke purse. However, the manager was out promptly to make sure we were okay. Our appetizer, which was also in the spillage path, was comped without having to ask for some sort of restitution. Otherwise, it was a very nice experience. 4 stars for the wine spill as it could have been avoided. Bless the server's heart, he was trying to do it all...but take it from a former server: it's easier to set the tray of full wine glasses down before taking an order versus perfecting your balancing act. You never want to come between a woman and her leather.
(4)Brian H.
We dine regularly at Cuba de Ayer. They remodeled recently and it is very pleasant. The service is excellent. The mojitos, empanadas, yuca, plantains, beans and rice, salmon, ropa vieja, and flan are excellent. Enjoy.
(4)Greg C. H.
This place never fails always great service and food. For appetizers I can't remember the name but it was a dish that had two avocados with 3 shrimps on each Avocado with this awesome sauce & bread. For dinner I had the pollo Saltado : if you like chicken breast, I would go with this dish it was great!
(5)Janelle J.
This place is definitely a treat! Enjoyed the pollo saltado and the rum cake with the cafe con leche. For appetizers, we enjoyed the Camaron to stones and the chicken empanadas
(5)Ed. R.
I never get to Cuba de Ayer enough because I live so far. But, when I do, what a treat. It's like visiting one of my aunts in Puerto Rico! My default comfort food is the arroz con pollo although every other entrée that my dining partners, or I, have tried, have been superb. The empenadas tostones make a delicious compliment. The food, the atmosphere and the warm hospitality make Cuba de Ayer my fist choice when anywhere on the topside of the Beltway!
(5)Cynthia H.
from what I remember, it is so delicious, really good authentic Cuban food! So I recently went back there to grab some dinner after 4/5ish years and it just as delicious as I remember! I highly recommend this place when you want good Cuban food!!
(4)Joey F.
Love everything on the menu. This is some really good cuban cuisine. I am puerto Rican and am so happy to have a place in the area that can put down some island Latino food.
(5)Jeff R.
I have now eaten here several more times, at the urging of several friends who are fans and felt I must have had an unusual experience. I must admit that the food has improved in my opinion very much .While I still think the fried beef could use a bit less salt, I have found the food in general to be well prepared and creative. I was particularly impressed with a recent special, braised pork baby back ribs. They were cut into individual ribs, then browned and braised in a savory (as opposed to a sweet or spicy) sauce for a couple of hours at least. The resulting sauce had the consistency and color of a light beef gravy. The menu said there were olives in the dish, but I didn't see any or taste anything distinctively "olive". It was very delicious, and a different treatment for a cut of meat that has become boring and predictable elsewhere. I also think the recent expansion, including the upgraded bar, are big improvements in ambience. The serving staff is cheerful and service is well paced.
(3)Kristine G.
Great food here. Can't say enough about the authenticity of the food. Red Sangria is good. Piccadillo and Vaca Frita are two of our favorites. The flan was a great way to end the meal.
(5)Kyle D.
I love the atmosphere and look after the remodel! The food is very delicious and the staff is very friendly. The parking can be a pain at times. Don't let the parking scare you away! Take a date or bring your family!
(5)Kenneth J.
My experience was a good one, had a party of 11 that was accommodated by the restaurant comfortably, food all was prepared fresh & was hot. The ropa vieja was awesome as well as the empenadas. 11 people 11 drinks, 6 apps, 8 entrées came out to about $300. Pretty good night. We will be back.
(4)Michele S.
We've been coming here for years. I've brought my family, friends, and coworkers and everything loves it. They have something for everyone (even my picky mom) and the food is consistently excellent. It doesn't look like much from the outside but don't be fooled. One of my favorite restaurants to go to for the past 5 years.
(5)Renee R.
I had to eat with my hands... Seriously? And a "platter" with two yuca? .. To top it off our waitress didn't ask if I was finished and tried to take away my plate. When ordering food we asked to substitute an item and we were told, "sorry we don't substitute anything." I'm sorry but never again. This is my 4th time here and the last.
(1)Kurt C.
I LOVE what they've done with the new renovation! Very nice ambience once inside. The food, AS ALWAYS, was absolutely delicious and plentiful! I love everything about this place. The food, drinks, ambience, and music are splendid. Today I ordered the the Carne con Papa (Stewed beef) with sweet plantains and mixed rice. I chose the beef empanadas for the appetizer. The food was damn near perfect! I really can't say enough about it. I met an awesome woman while waiting for my take-out order, and I decided to buy us drinks at the bar. The drinks were a bit overpriced for the afternoon, but we did order top-shelf, and they were very well made. This restaurant is truly one of my favorites. Long live Cuba de Ayer! The best Cuban food I've tasted.
(5)Vanessa V.
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant express how delicious the food is here my boss has been telling me about this place didn't think much of it until we ordered lunch today i ordered black beans , white , chicharron and Plantanos , i also got a empanadas which i think had brown sugar coated on it , everything was just so freaking goodddddd!!!! if i could give it more stars then i would
(5)Mary I.
Horrible service....waited over 20 minutes with no acknowledgement even though staff walking around. Not even offered water!!! We just got up and left!
(1)Kevin H.
Wow, the fact this place has over 200 reviews says a lot about this neighborhood gem since it's hidden behind a liquor store on old columbia road. I've never had cuban food before and apparently this place is as close as it gets in maryland. We came here on a saturday night around 8 pm, so naturally there was a 40 minute wait. The place isn't big so make reservations if you're coming at peak hours. Apps: Combinacion - get this. roast pork, fried yuca, and croquettes filled with ham! Beef Empanada - free with the yelp check-in. Nothing special here. Entrees ($12-18)- the entrees could literally feed a small family so come with an empty stomach Pernil - Tender roast pork with onions and black beans, rice, and tostanos (fried plantains) man, this was delicious. It tasted like a meal your cuban friend's mom would make for you: hearty food filled with care and love, and huge portions. Fricase de Pollo + Carne con Papa - friends got these dishes and were satisfied Drinks Red Sangria - sweeter than other sangria I've had and they added pineapple. Tasted pretty good but it wasn't worth the $26 for a pitcher. Mamey Milkshake - never had this before. Tasted like papaya milk I've had in Taiwan. You can't get this in many places so try it out. I loved it. Overall, the place is cozy with a warm atmosphere. Lots of happy people, lots of laughter, lots of good food. I like this place. I've never had cuban food before but I felt right at home.
(5)Art T.
How have I not written a review about this place yet? Quite possibly the best restaurant in Burtonsville! That might not sound like a lot, but given the rather high number of food joints in town, and the content of some of them, believe me, it's a compliment. First of all, it's in a tiny dingy strip mall on a busy road (198). If it weren't for their catering truck and signage out front, you could very easily drive right by this place. And that would be a crying shame, too, because inside, you will find some of the best Cuban cuisine you will ever find. I've had Cuban in Miami and the surrounding area, and I can honestly say that Cuba de Ayer is as good as one finds there, and in fact better than many joints. It might be the best Cuban overall that I've ever had. The reviews here already cover the majority of what else I would say, but I leave you with this: try everything and anything. I've had a lot of the entrees already and I haven't had a bad one yet. The apps are really solid, too. I go there about once a month, and I swear that's still not often enough.
(5)gloria e.
Some of the reviewers complain about the littlest things & subtract a star? Seriously? That's Absurd. Anyways, I've been coming here for years, I can't say anything bad about this place. The best Cuban Restaurant thus far in the area, I've been to several Cuban Restaurants & Cuba De Ayer is Authentic as it gets... . Food is AMAZING; well seasoned. Their Tres leche ...*moment of silence pleass* A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! My waiter was Jesse, he's amazing! very attentive, & knowledgable. I would recommend this to restaurant to anyone who wants to have a family outing, or with friends, or a date. You will not regret it!
(5)El C.
How well does this hold up to South Florida standards? Well, that's up for debate, though considering you're in the middle of DC/Maryland suburbia, should we use a different measure? First thing you notice about this place is how nice it looks from the outside. Inside, Place looks really nice. Not the typical cafeteria looking divey Cuban place that I'm used to from Florida. Portions are adequate, but way smaller than what I'm used to. I expected a gigantic pile of rice, but no, it's not exactly the Cuban portions I was hoping for, but I guess the regular clientele here prefer rice as a side dish and not as the main dish with the meat on the side. Hot sauce had good zing though. A bit on the pricey side, but you get nicer surroundings. Kinda bummed that I'm leaving kinda hungry.
(3)Tim M.
Not the easiest to get in and out of from a parking perspective, but the Cuban sandwich was best I've had.
(5)Sweta D.
Awesome drinks!! Mango bomb was too good!! General manager of the place was very friendly !!
(4)Sammy A.
Came for lunch on a quiet afternoon for a quick bite. Ice cold Stella on draft = Now onto the food. I had the bistec salteado with side of yucca. Extra crispy yucca was absolutely phenomenal(might be the best yucca I have ever had) Blanched long enough that the interior was creamy and moist, but the outside had a phenomenal crisp to it that begs you to eat it immediately. The bistec salteado was underwhelming, the steak felt overcooked, under seasoned and all in all, boring and bland. Service was good, food came out relatively fast, and that yucca was mouth-burningly good. 3.5 stars
(3)Corey W.
Good was pretty good. Really on point. The pernil pork was extremely moist and cooked very well. I had the flank steak shredded. It was a little dry, but mixed with the rice and beans was amazing. The mojitos were incredible. The best I have had since south beach. Kelvin was our server and he was wonderful and attentive. Extremely impressed with this young man. Will be back again.
(5)Deborah N.
They have recently (yesterday!) expanded and now have an additional dining room plus a separate room that's a bar with lots of seating. YAY!!!!! My previous complaints were only that there was no place to sit while waiting for takeout and that you couldn't stop in and just get one of their delicious mojitos and maybe a snack. No longer! Get thee there now for happy hour and beyond!
(5)D J.
I really wanted this to be a five-star experience. Cuba de Ayer had been on my list of restaurants to try for years, and I was really looking forward to it. It turned out to be maybe a 3.5-star meal...I rounded up. My dinnner companion and I started with the camarones al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce) and beef empanadas. The appetizers were excellent -- best food we ate there. The garlic sauce that comes with the shrimp is delicious, and the beef filling in the empanadas is also very good. My dinner companion ordered pargo frito (fried red snapper) with white rice, black beans, and tostones. The fish was good, if a bit bland. The portions were quite large. The real disappointment was the tostones. They were just...not good. Thin, tough, bland, greasy. I am Puerto Rican, I make tostones frequently, and I expected the tostones at a Cuban restaurant to be excellent; they weren't. I had the avocado salad with salmon. It was quite good, but the dressing had soooo much garlic...and I love garlic! I had to stop eating the spinach after a while because the raw garlic flavor was taking over. The ingredients were fresh and the salmon was tasty, so it wasn't a bad salad. The cocktails were just okay. Good mojito. I tried the guapa martini -- too sweet and the cocktail glass arrived at the table half full. We were there on a Saturday night at 7:30. The restaurant was quite busy and service was really slow at times, particularly the drink service. We were sitting at a bar table, and we could see the bartenders working their tails off, but they just weren't able to keep up with demand and the wait time for a drink was pretty long at times. Overall, I would say we had a good experience at Cuba de Ayer, and I would eat there again, but I might just make a meal of appetizers next time!
(4)Nicole F.
I wound up over here due to an errant package that got sent to the UPS center in Laurel which is mucho far from my house. I was a VERY unhappy person and extremely grumpy that I had to drive an hour to get a package and I hadn't eaten. Lucky for me, YELP to the rescue. I looked for Gluten Free food and this wonderful place popped up with great reviews. COULD IT BE TRUE? Yes, I was so hungry I sat at the bar and ordered a Mojito. IT WAS AMAZEBALLS. The bartender made it just right, no big mint leaves to clog up my straw. She was also very attentive and gave me good recommendations on what to eat. I had the Ropa something and it was delish AND didn't make me sick. I left WAY happier then then I had arrived. I may just take the trip back there one day.
(4)Ruth C.
We have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while now but finally got around to it last night. I must say it was totally worth it! We met our friends there and had a couple drinks at the bar prior to being seated - try the mojito - so good! We ordered two appetizers - the beef and chicken empanadas which were both delicious. The dough had a somewhat sweet taste to it which I've never experienced with other empanadas I've tried but it was so yummy. We also tried the Camarones al Ajillio which was also very delicious but a bit on the garlicky side. I happen to love garlic so I didn't mind but keep in mind if you don't like a lot of garlic. Overall I'd order both appetizers again. For my meal I had the Bistec Salteado, one of my favorite Cuban dishes so I had to give it a try. It was not the best version I've ever had but very tasty and I'd definitely order again. It was served with sweet plantains, white rice and black beans. The plantains were out of this world, probably the best I've ever had and the black beans also had great flavoring. The portion was huge and I pretty much took home half so I have another whole meal out of my dinner. If you love Cuban food this is the place to go, you won't be disappointed.
(4)lynn t.
I'm not sure how we've missed this little darling but at least we finally found it! Service and attitudes were as excellent as the empenadas, soup, entrees and dessert. I rarely eat black beans but the black beans here? I would eat them with a bowl of rice (yes even white rice). The Mango/Strawberry martini was equally perfect. Loved it!
(5)Jamaal C.
Best ever !!!! Worth coming too for just the white rice alone !!!! Everything I try on the menu has been good
(5)Katherine B.
I love this place! From the decor, to the food, service. Just wow. Best empanadas I ever had...ever. Shrimp dishes are large and fresh. Prices are reasonable. The yuca with garlic sauce is literally to die for. App with avacado and shrimp. Omg yum! I like the vaca frita and well everything there. You really can't go wrong. just go immediately and order everything.
(5)Maurice M.
This place is as close as it gets to perfection. I give them a 100 on a scale of 1-10! Where to begin.. The drinks are Excellent! Choose from the Mojito's, custom Margarita's, or get the Guava or Mango Sangria - You won't regret it. Appetizers - The Empanadas are amazing. I typically get beef & chicken. Not only is it seasoned just right, the outer crust has a slightly sweet taste to it which sets it off just right. Then there's the Tostones Relleno - Stuffed, fried green plantain shaped into a mini bowl filled with shredded beef, ground beef or shrimp. Simply mouth watering.. Then, there's the Camarones En Aguacate - Good sized pieces of Avacado, topped with large shrimp, set in a sauce so tasty, you'll try to take it home if you manage to leave any on the plate. On to the Entrees - Which one to choose. Fricase De Pollo with the vegetarian beans seasoned to perfection & the sweet plantains.. I feel like I'm back home in Jamaica again.. Although that's my current favorite, all of the following are AMAZING - Pollo Salteado, Pargo Frito, Arroz Con Pollo, Spinach Avacado Salad (especially with the Salmon or the Red Snapper), Boliche, Picadillo, Pollo A La Plancha, Carribean Salmon, & Camarones al Ajillo! -- Can you tell I go there almost weekly? :-) As if there is any room left, I can't leave this place without getting a piece of the Rum Cake, garnished with a mint leaf & the most amazing glaze drizzled on it & on the plate. After writing all this, I think I'll head over there for lunch. To top it all of, the staff is super polite! Kudo's to Steven - One of the managers - He remembers me by name & checks on me whenever I stop in & jokes me that they're going to put my name on the chair at the end of the bar next to the outlet.. lol I've taken numerous clients & friends there who now go there on a regular basis & I finally got my family together over there last weekend. Cuba De Ayer is a MUST VISIT!
(5)Hugh A.
I was thoroughly impressed with this great restaurant from service to ambience to delicious food. Check in on Yelp and get your free empanada. You have a choice of chicken beef or cheese. My wife enjoyed the Camarones. I had the Pernil with white rice and black beans and the black beans were the best I ever had. Each entrée came with a choice of crispy or sweet plantains. If you're looking for a treat come check out Cuba! They have pumpkin Flan just for the month of October.
(5)Jessica F.
DON'T GO ON MONDAYS! They are not open and there isn't much around that gets similar ratings. Darn you Yelp app. I cannot anywhere without you telling me what my fellow Yelpers liked and didn't like. That being said, when we did finally make it the following Thursday, we had a fabulous meal. Our service was fabulous and our waiter gave his recommendations with the confidence of someone who knew every dish. Some of the dishes can be pretty salty but is balanced out if you order up the plantains. I like 'em sweet not fried but you have the option for either. This is a hidden gem in a not so pretty area of Laurel. Definitely worth a try if you are craving some authentic Cuban goodness...you know... just not on a Monday...
(4)Cesar P.
Some of the best Cuban food in the area. The pernil was tender and flavorful, the empanadas were perfectly done. The ropa vieja was the best I've had in this area. The piece de resistance though was the tres leches cake. Unbelievable. I was originally put off by the meringue, but it was excellent. Great and attentive service. Great decor, if a little dark. If you like Cuban/Puerto Rican/ Dominican food, this is a place to go.
(4)Mosart R.
This place was better before the renovation The dinner portions were bigger Now the dinner portions are like lunch size... Maybe they are cutting costs to pay for the renovations Hispanic restaurants always offer bread As an appetizer Not this place. Our servers same was "jasmine" She didn't know how to advertise for the restaurant. As a server you need to sell the food by describing it. She didn't I used to be a server for 5 years. She rushed us. She asked us if she can box up our food while there were still forks in our hands. When you order "tostones" it usually comes with "mojo" We had to pay extra for it. Come on if we wanted to experience Cuban cuisine they half-assed our experience I know good Cuban food I've lived in Miami and my friends are Cuban. It's like they are trying to cater to clueless customers. I'm not going to that place again. I'd rather take a flight to Miami. On the plus side the other servers were nice and more attentive, the place is really nice. And the mamey shake was great.
(3)Katherine M.
This is the 2nd time I have been to this place and let me start by saying that the service and food was excellent!! Our server went over the menu and gave his recommendations and every single dish was delicious!! I recommend getting the avocado with shrimp and the beef empanadas. The shrimp was cooked to perfection (I hate overcooked, rubbery shrimp) and that sauce that came with it was just heavenly. The empanadas were very moist and flavorful and had the right meat to dough ratio. I'm Filipino and our empanadas are not this moist and is usually filled with "stuffers" like potatoes, raisins, peas, etc. and very doughy. I like how crispy these were, but they are not greased down! I cannot remember the name of the dish I ate, but it was thinly marinated steak with peppers and onions with white rice, beans on the side, and those sweet plantains. My daughter ate the pork chops and my bf ate the the lechon or shedded pork. We had the chocolate cake for dessert along with the cheesecake with guava on top, but I wasn't crazy about the cheesecake. Guava and cheesecake just don't mix! I will definitely be coming back:-) Our guests from Colorado also enjoyed it!
(4)Anita W.
SO delicious. Loved the Viejas Ropas (spiced shredded beef) and sweet plantains. Even the kids liked the kids meals. I look forward to coming back.
(5)Jaisal R.
Fabulous food. The ambience is great. Though looks normal from the inside. But there food is just amazing.
(5)Ayosike A.
My oh my! I had the pleasure of checking out this amazing restaurant about a week ago. And boy, was the food delicious. If you're looking for a place near College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel and Columbia that has tasty Latin food and reasonable prices, Cuba de Ayer is definitely the place to go, hands down!
(5)Mandana Y.
A little gem hidden behind a shady liquor store. Isn't that what we Yelpers are here for? Those great restaurants that you would never know about if it were not for this amazing website. Cuba de Ayer, I can only assume you're in business because of sites like this. How else would anyone know you exist? Word of mouth? Psshh, people don't communicate in person anymore! I digress. This place is awesome. Great decor, perfect music to set the mood, attentive and friendly servers, and quite possibly the best Cuban food (actually just food in general) in the DMV. They close at 8:30 on school nights, so arrive early for dinner because you're going to want to take your time enjoying this food. The drinks are made pretty well too. My tropical margarita was the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness, giving me just enough buzz to last through the entire meal. They have yelp offers if you check in using the app. Our waitress, Alyssa, was awesome about getting the deal for us; 2 free (delicious) empanadas! As far as this place is from me, I plan on becoming a regular. So... I'll see you all there soon right? Okay good.
(5)Arleen F.
This restaurant has a wonderful audience. Service is great. The staff was very attentive. Love the food.
(5)Shevenie c.
I've always wanted to try this being that it is right down the street from my house. Finally I took my mom out for dinner and drinks and we really enjoyed our food.The drinks are amazing!! One of the best mojitos I've had in the DMV area. Seating can be a tad bit cramped at dinner time that's the only downfall but definitely give this place a try you won't regret it. It's also a lot cheaper than the other Cuban place downtown silver spring(FYI)
(5)Ieesha J.
YES YES YES!!!! Can't you tell I'm excited? Who knew there was a DELICIOUS Cuban Restaurant less than 5 miles from my house. This is what I get for not searching in my radius. But man I'm glad I found this place. I had the steak, black beans and rice with EXTRA mojo sauce. The mojitos are YUMMY!! They also pack a punch. The lunch menu has lower prices and the portions seem the same. I think I need to call in take out now :/
(5)Brittany S.
O-M-G!!! The wait is so worth it! I think they take reservations too so next time I'll be calling them up before I leave, but either way... I ain't mad! If you check in on Yelp you get a free empanada! They were STUFFED! The boyfriend ordered the chicken, I ordered the beef, we shared. I thought the chicken was amazing! The beef was good but I thought the chicken had a lot more flavor. The mojitos were good, we also ordered some melonades they were super sweet, wayyyy too sweet for me but I drank it so... lol. I ordered the Ropa Vieja and mmmmm mmmm mmmmmmmmm! It was so flavorful, I loved it. I got the mixed beans and rice and didn't regret it at all. The crispy plantains were awesome, the best I've ever had. The boyfriend ordered the oxtail special and seriously he was in heaven. This is his new favorite restaurant, I've never seen him so happy after taking a bite of food. There were plenty pieces of oxtail, he even had leftovers! He ordered the sweet plantains and those were the best plantains I've ever had! I've never liked them sweet so I was very surprised! Fav Cuban restaurant for sure!!!
(5)Thomas P.
This place has such great ratings so I had to check it out, especially since it's expanding. The first time I came here, it was closed. Anytime before noon, it is closed. Second time I came, it was closed b/c they aren't open on Mondays. That's my fault from not noting that down from the first attempt :) I wish they had better hours but this isn't accounted for in my rating. The portions were huge! The food seems OK. However, the fried yuca (yuca frita) was perfectly fried. I would give it a 3.5 stars if I could.
(3)Paul S.
Awesome food and good service. I've been here several times and never had a bad meal. I'm a big fan of the following: Roast pork Pork Chops Black beans/rice (separate) Empanadas Garlic shrimp/avacado appetizer Maduros/Tostones They just recently expanded to include another dining room and bar area too.
(4)Desi W.
So it appears they have renovated since I was last here and expanded. Place totally looks nice and cozy. It's even decorated for valentines Day. Cute. Food and service are still both very good.
(4)Rey U.
Heard its great. Will try soon.
(5)MP P.
I went back yesterday - the first time since the renovation. The strip mall itself is undergoing a facelift but the real change is inside the restaurant. They enlarged the dining room and added a bar area. The bar looks inviting and I will be back to try that one of these days, but I decided to sit in the newly expanded dining room. It is brighter than before which is a big improvement. They are offering some interesting specials but I had to try my favorite, Ropa Vieja, and it was as wonderful as I remembered. I recognized most of the staff and that's a good thing, as they are very good at what they do. If the atmosphere is what turned you off before, please give Cuba de Ayer another try.
(4)Harold D.
I LOVE this restaurant! I've brought my mother here to eat (she is Puerto Rican) and she enjoyed the Cuban food so much it's now one of our favorites to go to as a family. I'll be having my birthday dinner there this year! The atmosphere is welcoming although the restaurant is small. The manager's constantly check on how we're enjoying our food. Service was amiable. Overall, highly recommend due to tasty food!
(5)Rene R.
From the moment we sat down it was a great dining experience. It was our first time and it will not be the last! There were so many things on the menu that we want to try. So I'll start with the appetizers we ordered. The Empanadas and the Camarones al Ajillo were incredible! I totally wanted more but I'm glad I didn't have more - dinner came out next and it was plenty of food! I ordered the Masitas de Puerco Fritas which is described as fried marinated morsels of pork - so flavorful and delicious. I even loved the rice w/black beans. And I'm not generally a fan of black beans. But these were simply amazing. Hubs had the Arroz Con Pollo w/yellow rice. Again the most amazing flavors! I'm not sure we could have enjoyed it more... Wait yes we could - had we saved room for dessert! But we didn't. So next time we will. The other parties at the table enjoyed their food thoroughly. Except one person - she stepped out before ly. dinner came out to nurse her baby. The food came before she got back and the server took it back to the kitchen to keep it warm, when it became apparent that she wouldn't be back anytime soon, he offered to box it up for her. Service was great! I was told that when they opened they were much smaller - I can see why they had to expand! All in all, I think you should go! IMMEDIATELY!
(5)Toya J.
If one of my best friends had not brought me here I would have never believed this place existed. Totally unexpected lodged between a liquor store and some run down bodega. We drive up and I'm thinking that we're goin' to run in for carryout. We get into Cuba de Ayer and the place is a beautiful little cafe with all modern decor and lovely cuban art. The staff was polite; looks to be a family run business. We started with beef and chicken empanadas. Spicy meat on the inside and a crunchy cinnamon coating on the outside. I had the Fricase de Pollo(Dark Meat) for lunch priced at $8.50. Skinless chicken cooked with potatoes, white wine, herbs, and green olives. Sides Beans and rice. Filling, rich, and well seasoned. The dessert, we went back and forth on. I knew I wanted to try the rum cake, but he "claimed" he was full. Turns out the best rum cake I've ever had almost looks like a pie and has the texture of a custard. Before I knew it our spoons were fighting over the last few bitefuls on the plate. He thanked me for convincing him! This place is excellent and now I know why my friend eats here once a week.
(5)Amanda M.
Ended up here on a Sunday evening based on a friend's recommendation. After checking out the menu on their website and the reviews here, I was definitely looking forward to a delicious meal. As we pulled into the parking lot and I saw that the restaurant was next to a very dodgy looking liquor store, my expectations rose even higher. And Cuba de Ayer did not disappoint. The inside of the restaurant was very warm, inviting, and well lit (not too bright). There were at least three paintings on the wall that I would love to have hanging in my home. And the food, oh my, if I lived closer I would eat here at least once a week. We started with a chicken and a beef empanada. The meat in each was seasoned wonderfully, they were cooked perfectly, and were just the right size for a starter. As I had never been to Cuba de Ayer before, our server recommended the Ropa Vieja - shredded beef in a Cuban tomato based sauce with garlic, onions, and red and green peppers. Since my friend was already planning on ordering this, I asked for a recommendation for a pork dish. Based on our server's suggestion I went with the Lechon Asado - roasted pork marinated in a citrus marinade with onions. Both main dishes came with a choice of either white rice and black beans or Moros y Cristianos (the rice and the black beans are cooked together with pork) and tostones (fried plantains) or maduros (sweet plantains). We each went with the Moros y Cristianos and the maduros. The Ropa Vieja was quite tasty, the meat was tender and deeply seasoned but I preferred my Lechon Asado. The pork was some of the best pork I have had in ages. It was moist, savory, and perfectly complimented by the rice and plantains. And speaking of the rice - I would come here just for that. We each had two mojitos and they were just the right accompaniments for the meal. Nice balance between the lime, sugar, and mint and served with a stick of sugar cane (as all good mojitos should). I will definitely be making another trip to MD to try some of the other dishes on Cuba de Ayer's menu soon.
(4)Tom T.
We arrived to Cuba de Ayer hungry and ready to dine. Located in a strip mall off Columbia Pike, you enter from the side. The interior is inviting and nicely lit with subdued red colored walls, dark wood and leather and Cuba decor (paintings and souvenirs to evoke Caribbean cafe atmosphere). The greeter and waitstaff are well groomed and moving quickly to attend the crowd. They accept reservations and are very popular locally. We chose the combinacion appetizer to get a little sample of pork, yuca and ham croquettes. Tasty and a good note to start the meal. We For the main dish we had 2 orders of lechon, muros and sweet plantains. Another member of our party had the delicious masitas de puerco (fried pork chunks) and our little guy had oneless chicken breast pieces and french fries. The dinner portion sizes are very generous. We were satisfied and didn't have room for dessert. We will give this place another try and next time order a mojito!!
(4)Jacquetta P.
I had lunch here with my son Sunday and we both really enjoyed it. The portion sizes and the quality of the food were both exceptional. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Tivona R.
Loooove this place! The food was wonderful. I've been wanting to come here for months. So glad I made it. You will not be dissatisfied. And it's a very chill spot.
(5)Cara C.
Really good empanadas! You absolutely must order these! We had the empanadas, ham croquettes, pernil, another pork dish that I can't remember, and ended with tres leches. The only thing I would go back for are those empanadas. They are, as Graham Elliot would say, YUMMY.
(3)Erinn M.
First time here and it was amazing. The waitress was wonderful and the food was spectacular.
(5)N T.
I tried almost all the chicken dishes and I have to say they are all delicious! Especially the chicken fricasse! So good, the meat is tender and falls right off the bone without me having to strip it off with a knife. And the sweet plantains! I wish they would put more on the dishes!
(4)Yaka H.
We started off with the tostones filled with shredded beef appetizer, which was a lovely bite to start off the meal. I tried the arroz con pollo with sweet plaintains and SX had the lechon asado with tostones and mixed rice and beans. I was a bit disappointed with the arroz con pollo because the chicken itself was a bit dry. Also, I didn't get many olives (maybe just 2 pieces or 3), so I was a little bit sad about that. SX enjoyed his entree, but mentioned that it was a tad bit on the dry side. Do ask for some of the house hot sauce; not too spicy, but added some depth of flavor and moisture to the entrees. The mojito was pretty good, probably one of the better mojitos I've had; nice presentation with the sugarcane and very easy to drink. Overall, the food was okay, though a bit on the dry side. We didn't have any issues with salty food as some of the reviewers had mentioned. The outside of the building and parking lot can be a bit off-putting, but inside, the restaurant is warm and the service friendly. Will be back to try the dessert!
(3)Cassandra S.
We have watched this place grow up. The food and service has remained amazing PLUS they serve the best mojitos EVER. Don't let the outside fool you. Wonderful decor and clean. My cuban friend drives all the way from Virginia to eat here because it reminds her of home.
(5)The Geman Car Guru - Michael U.
Good food but the lack of pan Cubano was a true disappointment :( Being from Miami Cuban bread is as common as our bad drivers. I know there are no real Cuban bakeries here in MD; we might just have to change that ;)
(4)Mitch M.
Pasillo and pork was dry and super tough. Beans and rice were ok but not restaurant quality. Fried crispy green plantains were bland. The sweet plantains were the best I've ever had though. It was pretty pricey for what you get. The interior is nice and there's a bar. Service was the best I've had at a restaurant in a while. Great staff. I could have probably gotten a refund but was just ready to go. I wouldn't recommend them except for the sweet plantains. I will be back to try the Cuban pork sandwich because I can't help myself and I'll post that review later
(2)Brandi P.
I love this place. Originally went because I purchased a groupon and have been back 5 times. The food is hot and authentic. Nice cozy environment. The rum cake is to DIE for!
(5)Anna B.
I came here with high hopes based on what I read from all the Yelp reviews. When this place came up on Living Social, I thought it was a good time to try it out. The wait was 30 mins on a weekday and the waiting area is outside on the sidewalk with flowing traffic that enters a large parking lot. Watch your kids so they don't step off the sidewalk and get hit by a car. The outside of the place is little to be desired but if the food is great, who cares..right? The floor plan is VERY crowded and you can't even make a 360 degree turn without knocking things off the tables of others (no, I don't have a J.Lo behind). Trying to get two high chairs in with the help of the employees made us break out in a sweat. The decor is nice, a Cuban old World style of pictures depicting of Cuban workers.. tasteful and I enjoyed looking at all of them around me. I knew I was going to order the "Ropa Vieja" with the mixed black beans/rice and the plantains. My husband ordered the pork sandwich and the kids had some black beans/rice with a side of French fries. They have a cool "check-in" offer that allows you to have a free empanada with a $30 min purchase. You just can't use your living social coupon and the free offer in the same visit. Our plates came and I dug in.. Practically salivating over how good it looked.. I was disappointed to have a mouth full of salt. I love salt.. More so then regular folks but this was just too much. I had to ask for the water to keep coming in. The bean/rice mixture was also very salty but I enjoyed the flavors if you get past the salt content. The plantains were perfectly sweet and cooked but the real star of the night.. We're my kids French fries.. YES! The French fries. They were large crispy steak fries and soft on the inside and perfectly salted. I tried my husbands pork sandwich.. Very dry.. I could think of some great additions to the sandwich but then it might shy away at what's typical in a Cuban Pork Sandwich. The finale dessert looked amazing as we had seen other customers ordering it. Our whole family shared a piece and it was good.. Not amazing but good. Still better then most places I've ordered it at. I can't tell anyone to come here and wait 30 mins for great fries but if you do come here, order them. :)
(3)Orquidea R.
I have been to this restaurant in 3 ocassions. I wish to have it closer to home (Alexandria) to visit more often, but nevertheless, what I have had so far is really great. The moros and cristianos (mixed rice with black beans) is among my favorite. The carne frita (fried pork) is tender and tasty. Among the appetizers I love the shrimp in avocado with its garlic butter and lemon. My other favorite entree is the fried red snapper fillet with the rice and black beans. The service is great and the place is a cozy hide out for a nice romantic date. Don't miss out on these cuban treats outside of Cuba!
(4)Virdina M.
I love this place and really--it's the only reason to go to Burtonsville and I grew up in Burtonsville. I am a creature of habit and I ALWAYS order the masitas con puerco bc it's amazing and it's something I won't make at home. I did once have the chicken and it was good. My husband has gotten the pork chop and the cuban sandwich and has given them both good reviews. This is the only American restaurant my Haitian grandmother likes! So that is a sign of how good it is. My parents think their food is a bit salty but I don't. I think they're just old with old tastebuds.
(5)Crissy T.
I can't wait to eat here again. It's tiny and the parking it tight, but the food was great! I ordered the Pollo a la Plancha (grilled boneless chicken breast) dish and the chicken was seasoned perfectly and it was juicy and tender. The rice and beans were very good. You can get them mixed or separate. I opted for the latter. I unlocked the "free empanada" deal by checking in on Yelp and tried the chicken one. Very good.
(5)Courtney C.
I have to give them another star after our last visit. Here's the breakdown: Service-excellent Mojito-the classic was lacking. Too much sugar, tiny pieces of mint that got stuck in my throat, and just not that good. Chicken empanada- greasy, but delicious. Not spicy and free with my yelp check in! House Salad-Large, fresh and crisp. Lechon Asado-salty but very good. The citrus helps cut down on the sodium. Rice-white rice is sticky, but in a good way and a huge portion. Vegetarian Black Beans-Flavorful and less salty than the regular. Chocolate Cake-Basic grocery store chocolate cake. Not made in house and just okay. Tres Leche Cake-better than the last time. I was jealous of my hubby's dessert. After this visit, I would come back when I'm craving some Cuban food. Make sure you call ahead and check the specials menu too!
(4)Candy C.
Saturday afternoon around 4:30pm is the best time to come. Not a lot of people in the restaurant. Waitress made a great recollection for my entree. I had Bistec Palomilla. It's a Cuban Steak entree with Black Beans and Sweet Fried green plantains. My friend had Pernil which is traditional Cuban roasted pork. Semi Casual restaurant. The port Vibrant paintinga and Cuban music make you really feel you are in Cuba. I ordered Tres Leches for my dessert. It's like a brûlée making love to some smooth sponge cake you will need 2 spoons got a reason
(5)David B. L.
I've been to this place many, many times but am just now doing a review. My favorite go-to place in the area and I'm not even Cuban! I have referred so many of my friends to this place and the word's been spreading. Not one of them has ever left disappointed. I have been here so many times that I wonder if they just assume that I belong there :) I have a particular palette and know great tasting food when I try it, and this place never disappoints. I think that I have eaten pretty much everything on the menu except the fish, the salads, the kid's menu, and maybe 1 or 2 pork and meat dishes. My go to dishes are: the Ropa Vieja (for those new to Cuban, can't go wrong with this dish but as one poster mentioned, can be a little salty depending on your palate. Nothing a little of their homemade hot sauce and sweet plantains can't take of), the arroz con pollo (chicken is so soft and perfectly cooked that it falls off the bone like chicken should) and my favorite, the masitas de puerco (fried pork bits so delicious and crunchy on the outside that the flavor just stays in your mouth.) Most of the main dishes come with rice and beans. You can ask for the rice and beans separate, but I always get them congri (mixed together). In terms of the plantains (which accompany every main entree), depending on the dish ordered, you can get them sweet or crispy. The servers are helpful in informing you which goes best with certain dishes. Don't get me started on the tres leches dessert... So moist and tasty and delicious... Save room for dessert if you can or just order one and share with others. My mouth waters just thinking about it. They recently did an expansion of the restaurant so there are more tables and a bar area now, HOWEVER, the place can still get very crowded, especially during peak dinner hours. During those times, reservations are highly recommended, but again, if you walk in and your party is small (4 or less), they do their very best to accommodate you and will not ever turn you away. If it is a long wait, they ask for your cellphone number so they can text you when a table is ready. They have a great selection of alcoholic beverages as well as non-alcoholic beverages for those of you who do not drink. For those who are allowed to drink, it is almost mandatory that you try their mojitos. They make them fresh and with real ingredients (real sugar cane stick!) and a lot of care is taken in making them. I have become a mojito snob in a way because of this place, and those "mojitos" at other restaurants just do not come close. I'm pretty certain that this is the kind of mojito one would drink if they were in Cuba; it is that authentic. The one "knock" is that sometimes parking can be a hassle as their lot isn't gigantic, particularly on a Saturday evening because there is a church in the next building that meets on Saturday evenings and can take up some space. If you have a large group, it may be better to meet in the nearby shopping center and carpool over to the restaurant. It IS walking distance from the shopping center to the restaurant if you're ambitious enough to do so. Also, it can be difficult to get out of the parking lot afterwards because of the busy traffic along the road but NOT a deal-breaker by any means. If you are ever in the Burtonsville area, this place is a definite must-stop. Even if you're not from nearby, the trip to Cuba de Ayer is WELL worth it if you love great food and drink.
(5)Cynthia L.
Anytime someone says: "Do you want to try really good (complete the sentence)?" I am Always game. So of course when my brother said those magic words, I jumped at the lunchtime opportunity. - Croquetes de Jamon - I didn't know what to think honestly when my brother ordered this. "Is it going to be a fried dough ball with a stick of ham in the middle?" was my thought. Not at all: the croquetes weren't overly oily and I wouldn't have picked out that it was ham unless someone had told me. - Beef Empanada - Well done, hot, not overly greasy, or doughy; there was a good sized portion of beef inside the empanada and the meat was seasoned. - Bistec Palomilla - I had to test how well they did this compared to places in Miami I've tried (and I'm not Cuban cuisine expert) because after all, if you can't get a (common) Cuban dish right, it just won't be right. I was surprised at how solid the steak was (a little peppery for my taste), but robust in all the other marinade flavors. Again, enjoyed that the dish wasn't overly greasy and came with a nice size serving of rice and sweet plantains, which came out goood (not burnt and not overly soft but not undercooked). - They also make their own sauce and even though I'm not a fan of spicy, this little kick-in-a-bottle was absolutely an excellent pairing to all the dishes we ate. I swear we down half the bottle between just the two of us. Our waiter was super friendly and courteous, even with our little Yelp check-in coupon (heyyyy!); the manager even brought our food to the table and checked on how things went. We don't have as much Cuban cuisine as say, Miami, and for being in Burtonsville, this place was very solid. Decent prices, clean place, good food and like others said, an out-of-the-way gem.
(5)Lorena A.
This was our third time dinning here, we both had something different than he last two times and of course it was GREAT!. The Avocado Salmon was great. The Bistec De Palomilla was perfectly cooks, tender and flavorful. The Tostones con Cameron is something we have gotten each time and will continue to as it seems to get better and better each time. The service for us has always been really good, the waiters/tresses have always been attentive and helpful with recommendations.
(5)Larry S.
Ropa vieja is amazing. Plantains and empanadas are a must. Don't forget a handmade mojito. The new renovation looks classy . Best Cuban in the dmv
(5)Alison G.
I had the Shrimp in lemon and garlic and it was one of the top ten dishes I've had EVER anywhere. I don't know Cuban food so I can't speak for or compare, but I would go back over and over for the Shrimp. The decor inside is surprisingly nice, driving by this strip mall restaurant several times, I was impressed. My one suggestion for this restaurant, get some signature drinks and train your staff on liquor and wine. I was brought the wrong kind of white wine, the table next to us was also brought the wrong kind of red wine and instead of Myers rum we were brought scotch. A few more varieties of wine might not be a bad thing either, I would totally recommend this place to everyone I know.
(4)Steven D.
Living in Maryland and looking and craving some good cuban? Well Cuba de Ayer has the best cuban food in Maryland. This is coming from someone who was born and raised in Miami, FL and lived in Key West, FL for four years. I highly recommend ordering Croquetas de Jamon (ham croquettes), Bistec Empanizado (seasoned breaded top sirloin steak, thinly sliced and fried) with white rice and black beans, and Tostones (fried green plantains).
(5)Sydni R.
Ehh it was ok. I went there on a weekday afternoon right after work and there wasn't anyone there really. I ordered the combination platter (which is roast pork, ham corquettes, and yuca fries). The pork was dry, the yuca fries (they gave me only 2) were stale and the corquettes (2) were ehh. Being from S.Florida I've had Cuban food plenty of times and this didn't live up to my expectations. I also got the flan, and surprisingly it was good.
(2)I W.
I haven't been here in a while (before remodel) so I won't go into rating the food. I would like to start by saying I am 100% Cuban, I live in Miami and visit Maryland often, while reading reviews I was blown away by so many people making reference to the "hot sauce", I feel the problem with the reviews is that those diners walk into a "Latin" restaurant with the TexMex mentality and expect hot sauce, pico de gallo and so on. Authentic Cuban cuisine is not spicy, we don't use hot sauce EVER.
(3)Dave J.
The food is good but I went today and received terrible service. The young waiter forgot to put my order in. The rest of my party was served and then he copped an attitude about it when I asked where my meal was. He never even apologized for the fact that everyone else was halfway done eating by the time a received my meal. I won't return.
(1)Peggy E.
My husband Alfonso E forgot to mention the empanadas in his review which we also sampled. Much like the Arroz con Pollo, it reminded him of his mamas cooking!
(5)Marcos R.
I moved up from Tampa and eating here took me back. Tampa being a large part of the Cuban community had me knowing real Cuban cuisine on a daily basis. Being a foodie I've eaten a lot and I hate to say it it shows lol but along with those pounds comes true knowledge of what good food is and Cuba de Ayer is good Cuban. It's the BEST Cuban I've had in the DMV area since I've moved up and it's quickly becoming a favorite staple even though I live in Annapolis I happily make the drive.
(4)Patty W.
My fiance and I love this place. The food is very good and plentiful, the service is top notch and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. They are also adding additional seating and they NEED it as it is popular. It has won several awards for cheap eats and it is well deserved. I am very familiar with Cuban food and they hit the mark nicely. We always try something different each time we go and have not been disappointed. As some have said in previous posts, it is located in a little dingy strip mall, but do not be put off by this. The inside of the restaurant is attractive.
(5)Laurah J.
I truly love Cuban food and have high expectations when it comes to my Ropa Vieja, but this place exceeds all expectations! Delicious food, friendly service, and classy environment.
(5)Jamie S.
This place really hit the spot. Honey Bunny and I were brought here yesterday by the lovely and talented Deborah N and glad that she drove us all the way out to Burtonsville (btw, where the hell is Burtonsville?) Although I only had a sip of the mojito it was the best I've ever had. Top notch. I liked that it had a strip of sugar cane as well to munch on. Get the white and black beans separate. More flavor that way. Empanadas were great. Beef and cheese. BAM! Even scored a bottle of their hot sauce. They sell it for $4.99. Grab it. I had the Boliche which was a great piece of pork and sauce. Honey Bunny had the ropa vieja and while it was good her homemade ropa vieja is better. You folks, however, don't get the luxury of having a world class top chef in your kitchen everyday so try Cuba de Ayer's ropa vieja and enjoy. Space has recently expanded and is a nice size joint with a bar now. Friendly and helpful staff. What's not to love?
(4)Kevin S.
We go here frequently and they recently expanded their seating. Both the food and service are always good. I typically get the Ropa Vieja and it's consistently very good. Helpings are of fair size so you don't leave hungry.
(5)Ruth G.
This place is pretty good. We had a pretty big group so we called ahead and made reservations. We got there and were taken care of in a timely fashion. I got the ropa vieja with sweet plantains and it very very tasty. I also got the signature mojito and it was very delish. Had just the right amount of everything. For desert i had the tres leches cake and it was so sweet and moist .. perfection! The food is very good and it is big portions! Definitely worth the drive and the wait.
(5)Ky T.
The location was hard to find. The service was notably slow and our server seemed bored and not very personable. I'm certain the snapper was not very fresh and more importantly was SUPER bland. The things I had to do to that fish to give it any flavor were exhausting. Hubby was underwhelmed and described the pork as dry and lacking flavor. Options for non pork eaters are almost non existent. There are both Paladar of Annapolis and Ceiba of DC that are both FAAAAR better options than this place so that I suggest not wasting money on their ever available groupon offers.
(2)Zuli M.
FOOD here is DELICIOUS!!! Staff was great, quick, attentive, and bilingual! Only reason why I am not giving them 5 stars is because their prices for the drinks are just really high plus the place is really small. Other than that, no complaints whatsoever!
(4)VA W.
Wow was I surprised by this place. It was adjacent to a liquor store with a private parking lot that could fit around 10-15 cars max. As soon as you step outside of the vehicle you can smell the aroma of Latin food. It reminded me so much of Washington Heights, NY of the array of Domincian restaurants lined up on Broadway. The music as you step includes Hector LaVoe, Celia Cruz and Oscar D'Leon. It would be so awesome if they expanded the restaurant and included a dance room for Salsa/Merengue/Batchata. Okay let's get to the good stuff, the FOOD! -Chicken Empanadas, crispy outer shell of pasty with well seasoned chicken full of flavor. In NY we call them pastelitos. Women would sell them outside of our parish of our church. I also sampled the the outer fill of a Papa Rellena, which is a fried soft potato filled with beef. Its like a potato puff of mash potatoes for once you break the shell it is soft and tasty. -Cuban Roast Pork also known as Pernil O Pierna Asada Estilo Cubano with red beans, white rice and sweet maduros. Its like sweet and salt all in one! Delicious Baby! Full of flavor my mouth is watering right now as I am right this now. YUmmy! Such a little awesome mom and pop, with clean amenities, and an attentive staff. THIS PLACE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT! I WILL BE BACK!!!!!!!!!!! DO check check check it OUT !!!!!!!!! lol
(5)Patty M.
See you in C-U-B-A (from the song Cuban Pete). Location looked dicey, it's not easy to spot and is behind other stores. Okay. Let's start with the fact that they take reservations. I wish I knew that because we waited over 30 minutes on a Saturday at 5pm. The place was packed from the moment we arrived to the time we left. That says a lot about the food. If people are willing The dining room is small and cramped. Service was A++. We told the hostess we had to make a plane and they seated us as quickly as they could. We checked in with Yelp and got free empanadas. Warning! If you have a living social coupon you cannot combine it with the free empanada offer. The empanadas were small, but yummy. A slightly sweet pastry enrobed perfectly seasoned chicken and beef. Not at all spicy. Nom Nom. I went with a shredded pork that was marinated in sour orange, garlic and other spices served with plantains, rice and black beans. It was good, but not as flavorful as I expected. Hubby had Camarones al Ajillo (shrimp with garlic) and that was very good. Son ordered *Pan con Pollo Asado (Chicken sandwich) which was very tasty. MIL, who is not a culinary adventurer, went with a grilled chicken salad. Food came out in a timely manner and portions were ample. We all share the flan which was very nice with a great texture and flavor. They played great latin music and the ambiance was a little loud, a bit cramped but overall worth it. Our server was extremely friendly and helpful. Everyone leaving the restaurant said it was worth the wait. Bottom line, make reservations and come hungry!
(4)Jack W.
I went here for lunch with a couple of coworkers. This place was really good. The manager was really nice and gave us complimentary rice and beans and fried sweet plantains when she found out it was our first time there. The rice and beans were amazing, very flavorful. I'm not as big of a fan of plantains but they were very good too. One of my coworkers got the appetizer with the 3 different empanadas and he said each was very tasty. We each got the Cuban sandwiches and it was really filling. Overall, it was a great experience for our first time there.
(5)Phi N.
The combination platter was what we started off with. The roasted pork was really delicious. The yuca is plain yuca and the ham croquettes are not something I would crave for... We split 2 entrees, the Bistec Empanizado and the Ropa Vieja. The steak had great texture but lacked taste. I added a lot of the hot sauce (which is on point, btw). As for the ropa vieja, it was also just decent. Pretty much, everything needed the hot sauce, best part of the meal. The sweet plantains were also fantastic. **Update 5/7/2015: Came back after the renovation. Got the tostones relleno, empanadas, and bistec salteado. Plantains on the tostones is too thick in my opinion. Meat was decent tasting though. Empanadas, the rice/beans, and the steak were pretty dry (they didn't ask me how I liked my meat cooked, and it slipped my mind to mention it to them; it came out overcooked). My boy got the boliche-- nothing really worth mentioning about that one**
(3)Alan M.
Like the shrimp appetizers with avocado. Like decor. Entrees don't have veggies. A little pricey
(4)Amy M.
I had the biggest craving for tostones this week. I've spent a lot of summers in Miami feasting on some of the best Cuban food, and been to Puerto Rico enough to "caer como yuca" from eating too much lechón asado. So I was hoping this place could help me with my platano fix. My party started off with pan con ajo (garlic bread.) Pan was drenched in ajo. I ate my portion, but the rest of my party couldn't handle the overwhelming garlic. I admit, it was a lot of garlic but at least they weren't skimping? I ordered the vegetarian platter. Maduros, yuca con mojo, arroz y frioles negros. Carb party much? I asked the server if I could swap the yuca for a side salad, and they did without any issue. I know Caribbean cuisine isn't big on vegetables that aren't starched based, but most cuban restaurants have roasted vegetables on their menus. Maduros were good, no complaints on that. White rice was just that, white rice. Black beans though, I dunno if I got a bad batch or something but my frijoles were so salty I couldn't even finish them. This is coming from the person who ate overly garlic bread like a champ. Then when it came to the tostones, the holy grail that had been plaguing my dreams all week, were really chewy? They weren't the golden fried, flakey treats I remembered. They were overly fried to the point where they just got tough to chew. Service was good. Our waitress was always prompt and attentive. Still not good enough for me wanting to go back. I know everyone who knows their stuff talks about Miami as the mecha of good Cuban food, but if you don't want to travel as much, Philly also has great Cuban food. Maybe I'll find some good tostones on my next trip.
(2)Kathy M.
The best empanadas I've had - HANDS DOWN. Definitely worth the trip just for these bad boys. I recommend the beef, or if you are opposed to beef, try the chicken. Both are delicious. It's located in an out-of-the-way strip mall, next to a liquor store, but don't let that deter you. The food is great and so is the service. Now that they've expanded and added a small ball area, there is really the sense of a family/community atmosphere. The menu is moderately priced and everything on the menu is good. Now, how many restaurants can you say that about? Where everything on the menu is good? Even their desserts (including the rum cake, my personal favorite) are delicious.
(5)Maryanne H.
We drove by the restaurant twice until my husband spotted it, on the side of a building also occupied by a liquor store. We were part of a group of 13 people. My husband and I both had margaritas. They were overpriced at $8.00 and only OK in flavor. My entree was the ropa vieja, which was moist and flavorful. The black beans were very nicely seasoned and the sweet plantains outstanding. I have eaten Cuban food in Miami and thought that the meal was at least as good as anything I've had there. My husband had the Boliche, which he wasn't enthusiastic about, but he did eat it all.Two others at the table had the Camarones al Ajillo, which they both really enjoyed. Another member of our group had the grilled salmon, which looked fabulous, but I forgot to ask her if it was good. We didn't order dessert, but several in the group did and the flan looked delicious. The bad? We had brought a Valpak coupon which stated that only one coupon per party could be used. Someone else at the table had a coupon and applied it to their bill. Our server was gracious to give us separate checks. When we paid our bill, the server would not allow us to use our coupon, stating that the restaurant policy was only to allow one coupon per table. I responded that the coupon stated that only one coupon per party could be used. Since my husband and I had a separate check, I thought this made us a separate party. He wouldn't go for it and neither would the manager. I told the manager that this should be stated more clearly on the Valpak coupon and he agreed and said he would talk to the people at Valpak. In retrospect, the restaurant should also state something about their coupon policy on their website. When the server (who was quite nice and attentive) told me that he would not accept the coupon, he pointed out that it was good until Dec. 27. We could come back and use it another time. I responded that there would not be another time. the food was good, but there are lots of good restaurants in the area and I did not appreciate the way this one does business.
(2)Nadine F.
After a long morning of curling, my friends and I were looking for something to eat nearby that was better than the fast food options in the area, and Cuba de Ayer certainly met that criteria. Though it's in an old, run down strip mall in what appears to be not the best part of town, the restaurant is actually very nice, clean, and even classy inside. The service was friendly and fast, and they didn't give us any attitude when we said another person may or may not be joining us midway through the meal. The food, however, was a bit disappointing. I had the ropa vieja, which I found to be really bland and dry, and it seemed to be lacking the advertised vegetables, which just left me with a pile of dry beans and rice next to a large pile of beef. I thought the unsweetened plantains were also bland, though I really enjoyed the sweet plantains that I tried from someone else's plate. I also had a bite of a Cuban sandwich, which also lacked flavor and left me not wanting a second bite. Overall, the food wasn't great, but the place was so charming that I'd gladly give it another try if I'm back in the area.
(3)Tiffany L.
Is it just me, my boyfriend, and my family's tastes bud or is the food really really salty? I have had take out once and dine in twice, the second time to give it another chance, and man the food was still very very salty. First dine in experience, both beef and chicken empanadas were delicious, boyfriend ordered Ropa Vieja and I ordered a pork dish with citrus marinade (forget the name). The ropa was okay, not as good as I remember from take out. The pork dish was extremely salty. Now for the second visit. I came in with my family. We ordered appetizer sampler, a different pork dish, picadillo, ropa vieja and pollo asado. The crcoquets were pretty good but everything else was extremely salty! It was so salty my mom and I couldnt finish our meals. We are all about taking leftovers home but this time we did not even want to do that. The portions are huge. The home made hot sauce was okay but lacked any kick ( it was actually helpful in taking some of the saltiness away). Service is pretty good and the place is cozy. Only complaint, why so salty!?
(2)Roberto N.
We tried this place years and years ago when it first opened. Did our taste buds change, or did they get a LOT better? Now, it's a REAL TREAT to eat here. Best lechon asado I've had outside the islands. The Fricasee de pollo was also a great choice. Moros y christianos- if I remember right, "Moors and Christians", i.e., beans and rice cooked together in a rice cooker, were good, but I personally still like getting them cooked and served separately, then combining them myself at the table. The location is just okay, but the restaurant is surely a great experience. Do try it.
(4)May C.
We had the chance to dine before and after the renovation. I give 5 stars to before, and so-so stars to after. The place looks more cool after the renovation, but the food was so so and overpriced for its small portion. It was better before the renovation. We were also told that there will be a 10 minutes wait, but we ended up waiting for 30 minutes for a table. We could have had the option not to wait and go somewhere else. I could have given it fewer stars, but I liked the food before the renovation. Maybe the kitchen was too busy that night that the food suffered.
(3)Anthony G.
Great authentic Cuban food. Order the batida de mamey. ¡Hecho con leche! ¡Muy bueno!
(5)Lisa T.
We happened upon this place several years ago and love it! I hade been missing Cuban food since relocating to the DC area from Florida, but not any more. They have great bolliche, ropa vieja, and picadillo. Their mojitos are the best I have ever tasted. I have a hard time ordering them anywhere else. They have expanded, but they remain the same kind and considerate place that still treats you like family.
(5)Stephanie P.
When you eat the cold leftovers which have been sitting in your car WITH YOUR HANDS on the drive home, you know it's good. Holy mole this place hit the spot. Every step of our dining experience was enjoyable. Our waiter was a rarity: fast, courteous, knowledgeable, and kind. The mojito was a mint-lover's paradise and STRONG. I had two, and was three sheets to the wind. Our appetizer, the shrimp and avocado in garlic sauce, was simple and perfect. My meal, the citrus roasted pork, was exactly what I wanted in Cuban pork. Seasoned, textured (some crispy bits some tender bits), and abundant. The rice and beans were just like I remember from Miami, and the sweet plantains were marinated? the flavor seemed to permeate the entire plantain, and they were neither underseasoned nor cloyingly sweet. The flan was the best flan I've had in years. Custardy, silky, awesome burnt sugar sauce. Truly elevated in its simplicity. Only maybe the flan at Fogo de Chao holds a candle. My friends loved their dishes as well, bistequa and carne con papas (which had a rich depth to the sauce). We also managed to just about empty a bottle of their house hot sauce. I looked around and everyone else's food looked amazing. Even after I was full, I was still eyeballing other food. I think this is a good sign. I will, without question, suck it up and drive the 40 minutes time and time again for more of this amazing food. It blows every nearby option totally out of the water.
(5)Keisha C.
I came here on a Tuesday night. At first, I was skeptical since it is in a strip mall, but was pleasantly surprised once inside. The ambiance was nice. Intimate enough for a date, but not too isolated. I noticed a few families as well. Our waiter was very attentive. He asked if we had any food restrictions (which I do, so I was extremely happy to not have to ask if there is bacon hidden in any dish). It was one of the few times I ever had a service person ask if I have restrictions before giving a recommendation and I would return for that reason alone. I appreciate that he was so knowledgeable about what is in each dish. Drinks were brought out promptly and he checked in with us throughout the meal, but did not hover. If we needed anything, we could catch his eye within a minute. On to the food! We started off with the chicken empanadas. Very hot (temperature wise), flavorful but not spicy. Good for my date, a smidge disappointing for me. The waiter brought out a salsa, which added a lot of flavor to the empanada as well. For the entree, I... don't quite remember what it was. Some chicken dish. The chicken was a bit dry, but nothing some salsa couldn't fix. I had the crispy plantains and vegetarian beans and rice. Both were good. Portion size was nice; I took home leftovers. I'd come back, at least to try other options on the menu. Maybe I'll find an entree that stands out to me. The variety makes it a good option for my friends who have more food restrictions than me. I would define bring my vegetarian friends here for a meal and know that they can enjoy a full meal.
(4)Leon W.
I'm not an expert on Cuban food but I do know something about service. It seems like this restaurant likes to turn over tables as quickly as possible. My wife and I were only halfway through our appetizers when the entrees arrived. I said to the server I didn't expect the entrees to arrive before finishing the appetizers. They are going to get cold. He said he was sorry and proceeded to leave the entrees on the table. It seems like fast service is more important than customer comfort. Will never go back.
(2)Michael F.
I did a redo here a few nights ago. Yum. We started with a few Empanadas, one beef one chicken.Cooked perfectly and delish. We also did the sampler platter,(7.50) all were tasty. I had the Chuletas De Puerco.(14.95) Marinated Pork Chops smothered with sauteed onions. Nicely seasoned, tender but a bit on the small side, served with sweet plantains, white rice and black beans. The rice and beans are a meal alone,good eating. I had a 3 Mojito's during the course of dinner. I'm in love with the Mojito's here. My dinner companion Deb enjoyed her meal as well. And with her 25 dollar coupon it made it that much better. Dinner and drinks after discounts was about 95 bucks. A Great meal and good service means I don't mind the drive to Cuba de Cuba de Ayer again. Cuba has won me over. Nice job Cuba de Ayer.
(4)Anne D.
The food is great!!! I got the ropa vieja and my boyfriend got the pan con pollo with yucca. Delicious. We also got desert, tres leche and flan. Scrumptious, best flan I ever had. Our waitress was also great. Got appetizer, main entree, and desert for lunch came out only $40 for two.
(5)Andrew M.
Very unassuming exterior, but judge not a book by its cover, Yoda or somebody probably said. Friendly, helpful, and attentive service. I'm someone who likes to ask a lot of questions, like "If you had to choose one thing on the menu to eat, what would it be?" And based on how the waiter/waitress answers, aid my decision. Our server did not lead us wrong. In my group, we tried: beef, chicken, and cheese empanadas and croquetas to start, ropa vieja and boliche for entreees, and flan and tres leches to finish us off. The empanadas were delicious. Lots of flavor in the chicken and beef varieties, very mellow and melty farmer cheese in the other. Great crispy outer texture, which I personally prefer with empanadas cause I mean who doesn't love deep fried? Croqueta was tasty but nothing special. The waitress suggested trying the rice and beans and plaintains, which came with the entrees, both ways. Good tip. All very tasty, but the fried plaintains were exceptional. Golden brown in all its caramelized goodness, it was a much better choice than the green plaintains. Both entrees were cooked very tender with very well developed flavors and sauces. The rice and beans (both ways) were also very well seasoned and tasty. Huge portions, simple staple cuisine, hearty and tasty results. To bookend our meal, we had the flan which I wasn't a a big flan of due to a kind of savory aftertaste I couldn't put my finger on; and a positively succulent slice of tres leches cake that made up for the not-so-flantastic flan. I don't even like tres leches, but this was awesome and another "best I've ever had". I love a good Mojito. CDA's Pineapple Mojito was by far the best mojito I've ever had, anywhere. Fresh mint crushed super finely. Vibrant, popping fruit flavors from the pineapple that surely has never seen the inside of a container. I could've had 10 more it was so damn good, but I was driving. Someone else got the Mango Bomb, which I got to taste. Very very good, and another cocktail made with quality juice. My Cuban roommate has traveled the world and says that this easily one of the best and most authentic Cuban restaurants he's been to. That's good enough for me.
(4)Louie B.
Great food! Great service!
(4)N J.
We was in Silver Spring on Saturday morning running errands with the husband, so we decided to go to Cuba de Ayer for lunch. Since we live in NoVa, rarely are we over this way. But when we are, we try to stop by. We finished our errands by 11am and sat in the car and waited for them to open. At 11:25am they opened their doors and there were already two other parties besides us. It just goes to show you how popular they are. The husband and I both order the pernil with black beans and platanos maduros. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS!!! I love the it! We also shared a tres leche for desert. So good! Sweet and creamy, but also light. Try it and you'll love it too!
(4)big e.
The review rating description is right, yay! I'm a fan! The food is consistently good at a fair price and they have THE BEST tres leches I've ever had. The reason I cannot give that last star is because sometimes the service is quite slow.
(4)Guinivere S.
Dee-lishus! I was sooo looking forward to having some cuban food and I came in with an appetite. Upon the recommendation of the waistaff I had a Presidente beer, and ordered my food. The food came quickly, and was perfectly flavoured. I was getting full and yet I still continued to eat....that's how you know it was good! I wanted to try a dessert, and also went on the recommendation of the waitstaff. The dessert was good, but quite sweet! I probably should have stopped while I was ahead. I ordered my coffee to go, so I could enjoy it on the drive, and that was a great decision. I would recommend this place and would visit again!
(5)Roberto S.
Great service friendly and welcoming. Good food and the prices are ok. I can truly recommend this place to friends.
(5)Ayesha A.
I came in for a late dinner with a friend--9 PM on a Saturday night. We were seated pretty quickly upon arrival. Shortly after being seated, our extremely friendly server introduced herself to us and asked us if it was our first time there. We said yes, so she told us a little bit about the menu before taking our drink orders. I got a Batido de Mango (a mango milkshake). It was creamy, delicious, and not too sweet. Just the way I like it. When the server returned to take our food order, she could tell that we were unfamiliar with Cuban cuisine, so she went into a little more detail and answered all of our questions. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. The best part was that she asked us multiple times to inform her if we didn't like anything we ordered (since we were unfamiliar with the cuisine) so that she could switch it out for something that we would like better. This let me feel free to be a little more adventurous than I would have been otherwise. I loved how accommodating she was. She checked on us frequently (but not in a cloying way). The service was really excellent here. The dining room was pretty small, and it got loud. The cheese empanada was hot, fresh, and delicious: crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. It was particularly tasty with the house habañero hot sauce. The server warned me that the vaca frita may be a little dry for first-timers, but I decided to try it anyway. I learned that vaca frita is beef that's first braised, then shredded and fried. It was lacy and crispy. I quite enjoyed it. The beans were flavorful, and the rice was oiled nicely (but not greasy). I got the crispy plantains, and they were good and crispy. Also very tasty with the house habañero hot sauce. The portions were generous, especially for the price that we paid. This place is really great. I highly recommend it!
(5)Ashley N.
The food we had tonight was very good. The ambience of the place was nice and calm too. I will detail them below. Some of us got drinks, and they were pretty tasty. Mine was some guava rum drink. It was good- tasted like fresh fruit juice. We started with the chicken, beef and cheese empanadas. The chicken was shredded and spiced perfectly. The dough was sweet, but crunchy and salty at the same time. Happiness in my mouth! We also got the papas rellenos (beef stuffed potatoes). I was a fan of the potatoes, with the crispy coating on the outside and mushy mashed tater taste underneath. The beef was just beef. Nothing I'll remember forever. But it was good. I got the chicken breast with dirty rice (seasoned rice and beans) and platanos. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned. I liked using their spicy sauce to add a little zing to it. My friend said her chicken (same dish) was a bit salty. Humph! My husband got the steak, white rice, black beans and platanos. He said it was well seasoned and cooked well. Other friend got a beef dish with dirty rice and plantains. He seemed happy too. The platanos were SO good, sweet, mushy, and just delicious. The flan was very good, but so tiny. It was almost not worth the calories. For whatever money it is, it should be an ounce bigger! All in all, solid Cuban meal. I would return. The food cranked out of the kitchen smelled and looked delicious, which is why I want to go back. The waiter seemed flighty and cookie at first. But, he came around and checked in several times, as did the food runners. The tables are situated a bit close to one another, which could get uncomfortable and awkward on a Friday or Saturday night. It wasn't a busy night so we weren't on top of another table, thankfully. But leave some space, puhlease.
(4)Tamara W.
Cuba de Ayer was highly recommended by friends and since they are Cuban and I grew up around authentic Cuban food, I decided to try them. First of all you must be vigilant of where they are located or you will pass it up! Very obscure place on the side of a strip mall just off the main road. The parking is HORRIBLE an absolute mess because they share space with 8 other shops and you can count the spaces with both hands. Good luck with that. Since we got there early 4 p.m. on Sunday, we found parking quickly and were seated immediately as we entered. The decor is very hip, and fresh as modern cubism meets retro Cuba, and both sexes of the waitstaff are dressed in traditional guayaberas which was a nice surprise. The seating looks good, but it is well-worn and the cushions were ripped and the salt and pepper shakers and menus were greasy. When our waitress came by she was very friendly and initially attentive, but she became less and less attentive once we placed our orders--this was not cool as my water glass was never filled and I was drinking only water and I had to ask my dinner mates if I could have theirs. The place was not even busy. The check took waaayyy too long-and to make matters worse there was a problem with another person cashing us out, a weird mix up. I was not happy with the waitress and I think that not having a bill of over $100 had a lot to do with it. PROS Authentic flavors and dishes which are well seasoned Decent food, but the roast pork (hallmark of Cuban cuisine) was forgettable because it was not fresh, it was either frozen and reheated or the initial meat that was cooked had freezer burn The black beans were excellent The batido de mamey (milkshake) was very good Their rice dishes were good The portions are just right, not CONS They charge for a x-small basket of bread and butter - very bad business practice Their tostones were hard as a rock and extremely thin - a big no no. Cuban sandwich was tasty, but very thin which means they are very SKIMPY on everything except the mustard They are overpriced for all of their meals, way overpriced I have not tried their other dishes, alcoholic drinks nor desserts, I may give them another chance. ***PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL BE CHARGED THE DINNER PRICE ANYTIME DURING THE WEEKEND FOR YOUR LUNCH.
(2)Ivan M.
Great place, great setting and great food but best of all, great people. Victor's great service made the food taste even better; he's friendly and knowledgeable. We had pollo salteado, bistec empanizado, pargo frito (red snapper), bistec palomilla, empanadas, and other food. Great food!
(5)SB M.
I love this place. It's gotten a lot bigger in the last couple of years, but it's a great place. The food is amazing, the service is always good and if you happen to be there on a live music night the musicians are always spot on. My favorite dish is the Vaca Frita, which is pan fried shredded beef. It's dry, no sauce, which I love but some people don't like. My wife has the Pollo Empanizado, it's basically Cuban fried chicken, and she loves it. The chicken is not dried out and the breading is tasty. For appetizer the fried yucca or Papas Rellenas (fried mashed potato with piccadillo stuffing) are delicious. If you are going on a weekend night, make a reservation.
(5)Joseph C.
The food and service is impeccable. Best restaurant in MD. When you need comfort food from the Caribbean, you have to go there!
(5)Melissa S.
Friday night dinner option after searching Yelp for something different and highly recommended. For a family of 4, I ordered a Cuban sandwich, Caribbean salmon, Camarones al Ajillo, and a Pernil. I also ordered a tres leches and rum cake to share. Total Bill: $80+ sigh...but ok....I figured it's ok to splurge a little because it will be worth it- right?! Ok so....not really but it's promising. Let's start with the camarones (shrimp). I was expecting a beautiful presentation when I opened the take out container. What I got looked like shrimp in a butter and garlic mixture. Rice was cooked perfectly and the plantains (maduros) were good. Next up... Pernil. Hmmm i'll just say that I was REALLY looking forward to the dish blowing my mind but my expectations were too high. It was just OK- nothing great and not something I would get again. I've had wayyyyyy better. I'm not sure about the sandwich but my son's face spoke volumes! He wasn't thrilled at all. Then... the salmon. It was also just OK- nothing to slap momma about at all. The mango salsa however, delicious. The desserts were in the OK column as well. For what I spent, and because it was a Cuban spot, I was sooo excited because I just KNEW the food would be amazing. Instead after my meal, I felt like a bit of a fool. The 2 biggest disappointments though were when one of my orders came out incorrectly after I had gone over the order with the hostess twice. In total, I waited 1 hour and 15 minutes for my food. My poor kids were about to feint! Finally, I found that by checking into the restaurant on Yelp, you could get a free empanada- so I did. When I inquired about it, I was referred to the manager. While I wait for the manager, one of the hostesses inquired with the other about what I was seeking in Spanish. First mistake- don't assume that the customer can't understand your language- I can! Second mistake- don't discuss the customer in his/her face. The other hostess then says- we don't accept Groupon coupons. I'm then thinking that one person addressing the issue was enough because now her assumption is that I have a Groupon when I clearly showed the other young lady the bold, red, Yelp offer. She says Oh- and it's also for dine-in. I replied-well it should specify that on Yelp because it doesn't. The manager then comes and like a broken record- he too tells me that they typically don't accept the offer for dine out- only dine in. Wha!?! It doesn't say that on Yelp. Then I'm thinking... Are you kidding me after all I've waited and spent? He was nice enough to honor it anyway but not before giving me a light tongue lashing about what they typically don't do... Sigh. Great customer service would have ended at honoring the offer and moving on. As I walked out, a gentleman had gotten up from his table and was complaining that they had been waiting over an hour for their dinner. After he walked away, the hostesses were scrambling trying to address the issue and I could hear them in Spanish discussing that the man's table had been there a long time. I SO want to love this business! It's promising and I love and support my Caribbean folks but c'mon- let's do better! I really tried...really I did. Not sure that I'll be back. Perhaps I'll try the bar next time.
(2)Atiya Y.
Thanks to fellow yelpers, I stopped here on my commute home one day. I'd been on the search for good Cuban food every since leaving New Jersey! The parking lot/external appearance of the place makes you think this is a dive. The interior is decorated well, very deep, rich colors, clean, and spacious. So glad I wasn't put off by my initial impression when I parked! Drinks: Went the non-alcoholic route and had the guava juice. It was nice and refreshing...now I need to find a place to buy that stuff bottled up! App: Ordered the empanadas. We requested two beef and one chicken for the order and our water happily obliged. They were light and crispy on the outside, stuffed with well-seasoned and tender meat. Usually, places skimp on the filling, but we were not disappointed! We were, however, longing for some kind of sauce to dip them in... but they were very tasty nonetheless. Entree: Tried the chuletas de puerco...This dish was so good! I had to slow myself down to keep from inhaling everything. It comes with two thinly sliced, but perfectly cooked pork chops with sautéed onions on top. Though the pork chops were thin, they had a nice crisp on the fatty parts (my favorite), but were still juicy and flavorful. I had the sweet plantains and rice and beans with it. Everything was cooked to perfection. Dessert: Dulce de leche. I have never had a dulce de leche that can come close to the quality and taste at this restaurant. (I am a HUGE fan of all Latin cuisine...so I know my way around a dulce de leche! Lol) Service: Our waiter did try several times to up-sell us with almost every aspect of the menu, so that was a teeny turnoff (hence 4 stars instead of 5). However, this was my dinner date's first time having Cuban and the waiter was very informative and gave a nice overview of the menu. He was also very friendly and attentive. Random: There are different prices for lunch and dinner for each entree. What a deal if you can make it here for lunch! Wish I lived closer to this place because I would be here at least once a week! Will definitely be back.
(4)Michelle L.
Super sad face. Came 400 miles and drove the extra few for what my sister promised The Best ropa vieja pero it's not open Monday's.
(5)Nick M.
Came up from Woodbridge for our monthly fix. Server is Ana. Service here is excellent but we like Ana the best . Having Bistec Palomino with rice and beans, son in law is having pernil. Food is awesome.
(5)Naomi S.
We moved to the Silver Spring/Burtonsville area a year ago and still looking for all the hidden gems in the nearby area. Cuba de Ayer was such a find! We were actually the last ones to show up on a Sunday night and we didn't feel rushed. The service was great and fast. We ordered traditional mojitos, the shrimp and avocado appetizer, bistec salteado and salmon caribbean. All were excellent. We will definitely make this a regular and try everything on the menu!
(5)Ijene L.
Really really awesome. Beautiful lil restaurant with a completely sexy ambience. Perfect for a first date or even an anniversary. Nestled in a shopping center off old Columbia pike so drive slow and pay attention so you don't pass it. I had the Cuban passion drink. It was fruity and bubbly and I loved it. It went great with the Chuletas (pork chops) which were seasoned perfect and just like abuelita used to make! Sweet plaintains were freaking mouth watering and I wanna be buried in a vat of their tostones....ijs. I had the croquetas appetizer and they were rich and filling and chewy and my goodness they were awesome sauce! I only regret I had no room for dessert! I went at about 8 pm and they closed at 9. The wait staff was incredibly sweet and accommodating. The manager was also a doll and even adjusted the temp for me since I was one of 4 ppl left eating. The music made me wanna shake my culo the entire time, courtesy of Celia Cruz. I just can't say enough good things. I can NOT WAIT to go again! I loved it!
(5)Raycal B.
When I tell u this Cuban food is good, it is delicious. My husband loved his steak and he NEVER EVER loves steak at restaurants. They don't season it well enough for him. But this restaurant did. The atmosphere in here is nice too. You should definitely check this place out. You won't regret it. This is my 2nd time here and I will be back again and again. If u check into Yelp, you get a FREE Empanada.
(5)Lisa M.
Overall, this place was really good. I went with some colleagues. We are not from the area, and we were looking for someplace with good food and atmosphere. Cuba de Ayer has both. The menu has a pretty decent variety of traditional Latin American food, but what I was most excited to see was the pernil. Its not something I have seen on other Cuban restaurant menus. The waiter said that it takes 6 hours to make, and the fantastic flavor definitely reflected it. I got it with maduros (sweet bananas), which were appropriately tender and sweet. My colleague got and enjoyed the tostones (fried, flat bananas). The most disappointing aspect was the blandness of the rice and beans, but that was sufficiently addressed with some hot sauce. Another colleague got the boliche, which he said he really enjoyed. The tostones rellenos were eh. The shredded beef filling was tasty, but the tostones, which I thought lacked flavor, detracted from the overall appetizer and experience. A colleague had the empanadas (1 each of the three types), and he described them as okay. The service was great, the portions were generous, and the place has character. I'd definitely go back again.
(4)Annie C.
If you're looking for authentic Cuban Cuisine, this is the real deal! Nothing short of amazing! From their mojitos, to their chicken empanadas and tostones rellenos, to their Ropa Vieja, Camarones al ajillo, Palomillla, or Masitas, you really can't go wrong. I've NEVER had a bad meal or dish here. And their desserts are pretty amazing too. The tres leches and flan are made in house from scratch daily and are heaven on earth!!! Absolutely love this place!
(5)Kim T.
It started with the excellent classic salsa music...continued with an expertly made mojito...warmed with a perfect sopa de res...all emceed by the pleasant and friendly staff...:D
(5)Sarah M.
Five stars well deserved. A group of friends and I decided to try Cuba de Ayer on a whim for dinner on a Friday night. I'm so glad we did. I loved the authentic feel of the restaurant, the timely service, and the flavorful food! I ordered the cuban sandwich with sweet fried plaintains. I highly recommend it! It was SO GOOD! The next time, I want to order the bistec salteado, which was also highly recommended. Because my friends and I were enjoying our dining experience so much, we carried on talking and laughing, not realizing that the restaurant was about to close. Instead of kicking us out or rushing us, our server was very gracious. I love that kind of customer service. I will be back!
(5)Roy S.
This place is awesome!!! Had the ropa vieja with rice and beans (cooked separately, make sure to get them this way). The empenadas were tasty and the croquettes were a hit as well. The food here is awesome and its in such a random place... Make sure to go here and enjoy!! It gets really busy at night so I suggest going for lunch
(5)Zahra K.
They should buy out all the other establishments on it's little strip to make more space. This place is so good I don't even get mad at waiting an extra 30 minutes on top of the initial 30 minutes for my take out order. Just give me my pan con bistek and tres leches and I am good. Everything else I have had is pretty good. Can't compare to what I am used to growing up in Miami, but for the DC Metro 'burbs, it'll do.
(4)Jarrod F.
Having eaten here twice in the past two weeks I'm officially a fan of Cuba de Ayer. The first time we came here with friends (including fellow yelper Ashley p!). We all ordered the empanadas which were outstanding. The beef one was by far the best. The stuffed potato croquettes were also delicate and light. Definitely delicious. Everyone seemed to love their drinks although i thought my sangria was just ok. Our 4 entrees included the rojo vieja, steak, and grilled chicken. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. However I do wish there was more variety with the side options. Don't get me wrong I love me some rice and beans but maybe some mixed vegetables would add some variety and color for those who need their greens. I thought the sweet plantains were a little too sweet. The savory ones were much better but they were also fried, which made them less healthy. Overall it was a great experience which is why I returned the following week with my wife and sister in law. On this second visit we ordered The shrimp and avacado appetizer. Although appealing to the eye im not quite sure I was a fan of the flavor profile. The dish was saturated in butter and drowning in garlic. Probably wouldn't order it again for those reasons. Although the shrimp were plump and filling. For our entrees i ordered the salmon special with an avacado cream sauce which was excellent. My wife had the Cuban sandwich and my sister in law got the yellow rice and shrimp. Honestly I didn't think their meals looked just okay. But our waiter that night was excellent. Now I will say that on this second trip we were seated in the back area and it was way too hot. I think it's because that particular space had no air vents. Try to avoid the back area on a hot day is my advice to you. My recommendation: the beef empanadas, the guava mojito and the salmon with black rice and savory plantains.
(4)Paula S.
AWESOME!!! First my servers were Bessie and Victor. They were WONDERFUL!!!! Great food recommendations as this was our first time. We started with chicken empanadas and yucca fries, and had the pollo salteado, camarones al ajillo and the Caribbean salmon, and we all enjoyed EVERYTHING! Great food and great service.
(5)Danny C.
I just came here last night for the first time since I made the last review. I regret not coming here for over 3 years because this place is phenomenal. After going to church, my sister, her fiancé and I came to Cuba De Ayer for dinner. I had no idea the place moved because I swore it was already there the last time I went back in 2011, but apparently they moved to the next building. We went in and were seated. Our waiter which had a Flacco jersey on was young but professional and came by our table enough times for us to feel appreciated. He also gave us refills at good times. I saw the special menu and it had a dish called Salmon Avocado and it sounded really good. I usually don't get seafood dishes because it costs more and you get less quantity but this time I decided to take a risk and get it. That risk paid off plus more. I got my dish, (see below review for picture) and I couldn't believe on how big the piece of Salmon was. It felt like 8 ounces and that's without the ceviche-like-stuff on top. Almost all of the Salmon was cooked perfectly; it takes skill to cook fish perfectly. The tender, moist and flavorful Salmon went perfect with what was on top which looked and tasted a lot like ceviche except it didn't have fish or seafood, it had avocado. The ceviche-like-salad on top was citrusy, tangy and refreshing, truly a balance of fantastic and fresh flavors. Then pour out the hot black beans onto the tasty white rice and it creates a great combination to counteract the cool, rich flavors of the Salmon and it's toppings. Oh and their homemade hot sauce? Pour that over the flat and crispy plantains and it's over. Everything in that dish was memorable. I asked our waiter if he liked Flacco, he said that he had to wear a jersey for work so he decided to choose the most neutral jersey considering Ravens is our home team. He didn't want to risk anything by wearing a different team's jersey HAAA! Tru dat homie G. I'm planning to go back here soon. Real soon.
(5)Molly T.
Excellent service! Our server gave recommendations that were spot on. Everything we ordered that he recommended was delish. The empanadas were crispy and the filling was very tasty. We had one of each kind. The one con was that the cheese one was a bit greasy (a bit 'o grease dropped on my pants when I bit into it). Our entrees came out very quickly. I would recommend getting the beans on the side and pour the beans on the rice yourself rather than have it already mixed into the rice if you like your beans and rice more moist. The tres leches cake was to die for and the mamey shake/smoothie was not too heavy. It was quite refreshing, actually! And the mojito was the best I ever had. My one very small criticism over the entire meal was that all the food, save the sweet plantains and the desserts, were on the salty side. Even the rice. But it didn't matter that much unless you're sensitive to that sort of thing. All moms with babies- there is a changing table in the ladies bathroom. ;)
(5)Liz S.
This place is legit. We stopped here from Northern Virginia, on our way to the Aquarium. The food is legit and they know how to cook. If you're anywhere near the area, stop by. It'll likely be our go-to everytime we go to Baltimore. It's not too far off from I-95.
(5)Regina W.
Excellent meatballs on the lunch special. Service was great. Interior is very clean and and the atmosphere completes the Cuban vibe
(5)Norris P.
They have a small happy hour but what they do have is simply delicious! I had their $5 empanadas, you get two per order, they have a slight sweetness to it which was unexpected but it works really well together. Their drinks are semi strong though
(4)Mandi B.
This was my first time trying Cuban food and I must say, omgg that was amazing!! The food had so much flavor to it and please don't get me started on the beans!! I def will be coming back again. Best food I've had in a while
(5)Gerry D.
Would have gave this place 5 stars, but the server I had was not that experienced. I feel that a place like this with such amazing food, should have to notch servers. Not that my server was bad but she wasn't too familiar with the menu, and didn't really say much. Makes me wonder if she didn't want to serve us... ? Anyway the food was amazing! I also had a mojito which was the best mojito I ever had. The price of the meal for me and my girlfriend was very promising. Considering the amount of money spent the weekend before on not so good food. At the end of the day I recommend going here for food and not service if you can grab and go, the foods amazing I can't say it enough, even the next day after heating the food up in the microwave it took me back mmmmmmmm
(4)Joey T.
My famil and I love this place. Ambience os great, food is perfect and the service is outstanding. A must place to dine
(5)Milton H.
Another great dinner here. No doubt this is as close as it gets to authentic Cuban. This is a nice little hide away in Montg County. The food is always fresh, service is always exceptional. Our server, Linda, is simply amazing. She is attentive, has a great smile and checked on us frequently. Be sure to ask for Linda !!!
(5)Dana E.
Found this place based on the great Yelp reviews, and so glad we did! This was truely some if the best Cuban food I've ever had. The empanads were out of this world, especially with their homemade hotsauce. Oh, the mojitos- also one of the best cocktails I've ever had. They know how to make it right! Just moved into the neighborhood, we will definitely make this a regular place! Great ambience, and super friendly service.
(5)DJ H.
The restaurant has been through a makeover and looks very nice and refreshed. The decor and atmosphere is pleasant and inviting. Started off with the beef Empanda and shrimp with garlic and lemon sauce. Simply delicious. I had the Pollo Salteado with red beans and plantains which was very very tasty. Wife had the rib special which was moist, seasoned and delicious. Oh and the mojitos were refreshing. A definite chill spot with excellent food.
(4)Michael Y.
I was invited here by some work friends who told me that I was missing out. The last time I had Cuban food was in Cuba, so I was skeptical to try the "Americanized" version. However, I've gotta say, I have most certainly been missing out! The empanadas...folks, these empanadas!!! I got one of each kind (you can mix'n'match chicken, beef or cheese) and did not regret it! They put a hint of sweet glaze on the crisp edges, so when you take that first bite into it (after dressing it with their delicious house-made hot sauce) you get so much flavor in one bite. Everyone is always looking for the perfect bite, and I had 20 of them in a row! Then, I followed it up with the Ropa Vieja with Platanos Maduros (fried sweet plantains) and Moros Y Cristianos (seasoned rice and black beans). If you want to eat how they do in Cuba, save the airfare and get this dish! It may not look like the most colorful entree, but that matters so very little when you find yourself shoveling it into your mouth! The contrast of the perfectly seasoned shredded beef and the sweet plantains explode with flavor in every bite. The plantains themselves were excellent! Crunchy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside. The atmosphere and cuisine were of DC-restaurant caliber, but at a fraction of the cost. Add to that the service: we surprised them with a lunch party of 9, and they easily took it in stride. We forgot to tell our server to split the checks, but he took the time to sort through and make sure there was no confusion. He even humored me while I practiced my Spanish during my order (not pretty). And yes, the woman you see on the news articles displayed when you walk in is the same woman you see going back and forth from kitchen to customers. The owner, Jessica Rodriguez, is always in sight, taking care of business. The only thing that gave this 4 instead of 5 stars is that the Ropa Vieja was noticeably over salted. If this happens to you, keep this in mind: Once I combined the ingredients and added a generous dosage of their hot sauce (again, perfection) the flavors complemented each other perfectly. Going back tomorrow. I suggest you do the same.
(4)Shawna S.
This place is definitely a hidden gem. I absolutely love the food here, and the staff is great. I LOVE Cuban food, and the food here is pretty authentic.
(5)Seth S.
Happened on this place while trying to avoid 95 traffic and loved it. We had the veggie platter and the shrimp, and both were great.
(4)Alyssa S.
Love love love this place, I've been coming here since 2009 before they remodeled. The mojitos are great, fresh mint, limes, and even sugar cane. They are also $5 on happy hour in the bar area only as well as select appetizers are half off. I've tried all the empanadas, but the chicken are my favorite. I also get the pollo a la plancha with black beans and sweet plantains. The hot sauce is divine and mixes very well with the rice. The portion sizes for entrees are also great, definitely enough for lunch the next day. The tres leches cake is also delicious. The manager is very accommodating and will come around to make recommendations. I've never had any real problems with the service, however if you do sit in the bar area tables you will probably go longer without seeing staff as they are also sometimes the only bartender.
(5)M S.
THE GOOD AMBIENCE: Much more than what you would expect judging from the outside. The shopping center is stripmallish, but CDA feels hip and welcome. APPETIZERS: Croquetas De Jamon: deep fried, but not greasy. very good. Papa Rellena: surprisingly good, interesting combination of an otherwise bland potato w/ well seasoned ground beef. DRINKS: Pineapple soda is overpriced at $2.35 for a 16 oz can. Mojito arrived w/ a piece of sugarcane. Delicious and enticing even for the non-drinker at our table. ENTREE: Bistec Palomilla: I ordered the moros/cristianos, and friends swapped tostones and maduros with us. Delicious! My friend also ordered the bistec, but she thought hers was a bit dry. Pollo Empanizado: Breading/chicken were seasoned and cooked very well. DESSERT: Tres leches was the probably the best I've ever had! Sweet, soft, perfect. THE OK: SERVICE: Not great! Our server did not clear our dishes quickly. We waited awhile for our 4th person to arrive, and the server was pretty good up until then. But then he disappeared for awhile and we had to ask another waiter to track him down. When dessert was presented, the servers sang Happy Birthday, but it was not a good photo-op bc the table was still stacked w/ dinner dishes! Prior to bringing the dessert out, server should have checked to make sure our dishes were cleared. PRESENTATION: All of the food was delicious, but when it arrived, the first thing you notice is everything on the plate was a shade of brown. Brown steak, brown moros/cristianos, brown plantains, light brown tostones. Green/yellow vegetables would break up the monotony to make the plates look more appealing and provide a healthy side dish for customers. I'd be willing to pay $1 more per entree for a green side dish. THE BAD: ODOR: There is an odor permeating the restaurant that suggests something is amiss with the grease trap/sewer. Outside the restaurant you can smell the delicious onions, garlic and other spices. However, the dank odor is apparent as soon as you open the inner door. We waited by the hostess stand for 20 minutes and were later seated in the section of the restaurant closer to the restroom and, unfortunately, the smell never went away. The odor is not bathroom related, the bathroom smells perfectly fine. TBH, in a normal situation the odor would have driven me away (a restaurant should smell like food and food only), but it was a special occasion with friends and I didn't want to ruin the night. I hope this is corrected quickly! The restaurant is well worth multiple visits, but the odor ruins my appetite.
(4)Jenn R.
As usual, excellent food. The per il is superb and the maduros are "yummy yummy". Every time I've bee the food Is delicious as well as their mojitos. Last time I went though they were very abundant with the mint in the mojito, more like a drink salad.. By having Hispanic heritage I usually don't expect hight customer service in Latin restaurants and this place is not the exception. Last time and after the remodel the waiter seemed all over the place, lost and our orders tools long time to be served including waiting for more than 15 minutes for our drinks. In addition, the waiter kept talking really fast while explaining the menu items to my friends. In overall is good food and last time, they had LIVE MUSIC which was nice :-)
(4)Lee P.
Don't let the exterior of the strip mall throw you off. Everything I tried here was absolutely delicious even down to the drinks! Best tres leches ever! I'm not Cuban so I can't say if it's "authentic," but the food is good. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Becky R.
Love this place... from their drinks to dessert I have never been disappointed!
(5)Jacqui G.
I'm happy to have this little slice of Cuban heaven close to my home. We were lucky enough to have found it while on our house hunt. It's so nice to know that I can sit down to a delicious, authentic Cuban meal that I didn't have to cook and it won't break the bank. The "boliche" and "vaca frita" are to die for! Great atmosphere too! Went there for lunch recently and there was hardly an empty seat in the house! Que rico!!!
(5)Amanda K.
O.M.G. OK- I'm a huge fan of Cuban food. My husband is convinced that one of the reasons we bought our house is it's proximity to Cuban Corner. I've seriously considered purchasing one of those boxes to roast a whole pig...you get it. We had been planning to hit Cuba de Ayer for a while, but since it's 30 minutes away and you can spit and hit Cuban Corner from my place, we've put it off...silly. Deliciousness wrapped up in deliciousness covered in deliciousness with a delicious center. Fish, pork, chicken...close your eyes, throw a dart, and you'll hit a winner. Go. Go now.
(5)Jennifer E.
Loved in the area my whole life and never visited this place of deliciousness! Went tonight and the service was superior, food was amazing. Best part was that we were allowed the TIME to sit and enjoy.
(5)Su K.
---2.5 stars--- Let me preface this review by saying that after reading all the reviews on Yelp and reading the highlight in the Washingtonian, I had really high expectations of this place. If you go in with lower expectations, the food is interesting and
(3)Rasheeda A.
One of the best restaurants. Very savory. Make sure to get rice and beans mixto (mixed) and sweet plaintains. I love the ropa vieja. However, since I've been going business has picked up. They normally always have a table but it wouldn't hurt to call just in case. Sundays are always fine.
(4)John P.
Brought six adults here last Easter time. Four of us had the bacalao. It was outstanding. Too bad it is not on the menu all the time. We eat here often and really enjoy it. The Moros y Christianos black beans and rice and sweet plantains are our favorite sides with anything.
(4)Abegail A.
Cuba de Ayer serves the best Cuban food I've ever eaten! Okay, so this was actually the first time I've ever eaten Cuban food. But, I like to think that I know what good food is when I eat it. And where is this Cuban restaurant that offers delicious eats? Burtonsville, MD. Burtsonsville?! Who would have thought. This place was super busy on a Friday night. Luckily for us, we arrived just in time to score an open table without waiting like the couples/groups arriving just minutes after us. For being so busy (not sure if this is all the time, or what), this restaurant is fairly small. I'd come early or try to make reservations if I were you. I started off with the mojito (Bacardi rum, club soda, sugar, crushed mint, and a twist of lime-$7.95). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Now this definitely was THE best mojoito I've ever had! Not too minty, not too sweet, and had the right amount of alky to it. SO good! I highly recommend drinking one (or two or three) when you head here. As an appeteaser we had the Camarones al Ajillo (five shrimp in garlic sauce-$7.25) with warm french bread (an extra $1.75). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Wow, these shrimp were good! The garlic sauce packed a lot of flavor, and wasn't too garlicly (I'm not a fan of garlic, but enjoyed this dish a lot). The bread is a must! You will want to eat every last drop of that garlic sauce...trust me. For my main course, I had the Ropa Vieja (shredded beef in a tomato based sauce with garlic, onions and red/green peppers-$13.99) which came with two sides. I chose the Moros y Cristianos (seasoned rice mixed with black beans) and Plantanos Maduras (fried sweet plantains). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Let me start off by saying that this picture does not do this dish justice! When our waiter put the dish in front of me and I smelled my food, I knew this dish would be delicious. The shredded beef was super flavorful. After one bite, my mouth was seriously watering. The waiter suggested to get the rice/beans mixed together, and I'm glad I did. The plantains...wow! Scrumptious. I also tried the Masitas de Puerco Fritas (fried, marinated pork-$12.99) and Tostones (fried green plantains). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Man that pork was good! It was fried perfectly and wasn't tough or greasy when you bite into it. The green plantains were good, but I preferred the sweet plantains over these ones. We ended the meal with Tres Leches (sponge cake soaked in three different kinds of milk, topped with merengue-$4.50). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Although we were full, we made room for some dessert. This cake wasn't super sweet, which was what I was expecting. The merengue was a nice touch, but I wish there was less of it. There was so much on top that I removed most of it, and just ate the cake. It was the perfect size, and great way to end the meal. Because we were eye hungry and over heard multiple tables next to us ordering empanadas to go, we thought we would see what the fuss was about. We ordered two beef empanadas to go ($2.25). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… MmMmmM...tasty. They made a wonderfuly morning meal! Even the next day they remained crispy and had the perfect amount of filling in them. We also got a bottle of their house made hot sauce ($5). Not spicy, but it packs a hint of heat to it that's nice. Our waiter was super attentive and friendly. He kept our mojitos flowing and didn't rush us even when there was a line of people waiting to eat. I highly recommend this place. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Michael H.
Finally made it out to this spot. One I have been meaning to go to for years. So far so great. I kept it simple for lunch and got a cubano w/ black beans and rice. Both were off the charts. Cubano was the best i have ever had and the beans and rice were authentically wonderful. Will definitely be going back to sample other parts of the menu. I didn't drink but the place had a suprisingly extensive cocktail list.
(5)Amanda K.
This has become one of my favorite restaurants of all time, which says a lot. Such a hidden treasure because you'd never expect it's there on 198 hidden away in Burtonsville of all places! I am Spanish and a huge lover of Latin cuisine. I have had Cuban food countless times, even in the most Cuban-dominated neighborhoods of Miami, and no place compares to Cuba De Ayer in my opinion! Their mojitos are to die for. The service is great, the atmosphere is enjoyable and the salsa music they play gets me GOING whenever I am there. The food is authentic, generous on flavor and absolutely delicious. There's no wonder this place gets so many good reviews in magazines and brings people to this small town from all over the DC area. My favorite things on the menu are the Tostones Rellenos, Bistec Empanizado, Ropa Vieja, Pollo Salteado, Pernil and Empanadas. Everything there is nothing less than amazing... NEVER had a slightly mediocre or disappointing dish. Their rice and red beans are some of the best I've had, next to only a favorite place in Puerto Rico and homemade meals in Dominican Republic. For dessert I always have to treat myself to a rum cake or tres leches (BOTH ARE TO DIE FOR!!) and a Cafe Cubano (iced is amazing). This place is highly recommended. Truly a great restaurant in every way and with plenty of sabor cubano.
(5)Donna W.
This place is small but the food is delicious.. Your server greets you right away and I have never waited anymore than 15 for my meal. The shrimp appetizer has lots and lots of garlic that I wind up putting all of my Arroz con Pollo -- dont judge me it tasted even better with the garlic sauce!
(5)Dawn A.
My husband and I have eaten this restaurant a few times and we have never been disappointed. The staff is always friendly and go out of their way to make sure you are having a pleasant experience. The decor is very contemporary and a bar was added with the most recent renovation. Overall, the food is great and the empanadas are my favorite.
(4)Joseph M.
Heaven
(5)Lorena B.
Popped in here after hanging out with my dad, who decided he wanted some sort of sandwich for dinner. We both had Cubanos, which were great. The bread was toasted just right and the pork and ham were yummy. Cheese and pickles top it off. We shared a side of yuca frita and it was ok but not great. While it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the yuca was oily and the mojo sauce was just minced garlic dropped in olive oil. A five year old could have made that. Dessert was dissapointing. The Tres Leches was sickeningly sweet, drowing in whipped cream, and kind of hard. Nonetheless, I'll be back to try a mojito and ropa vieja. Hope it's good!
(3)Tish A.
I've been a native of Burtonsville for years and years, and I have never stopped by. Just recently my sister decided to take me there (she says its great) and I got the Ropa Vieja. Its simply fantastic! The carne has very good taste, and my mixed rice and beans are also very tasty. The restaurant itself is a bit small, but that does not matter much. The waiters, and waitress are all teenagers, and some are not as polite as others. Thankfully both times I've been there, there were not bad.
(4)Hoyt H.
Never would have tried this place based on the exterior, but it had a lot of good yelp reviews and the menu online sounded really good, so we gave it a shot. And it was very tasty! The food tasted quite similar to that prepared for me in the past by Cuban friends, so I'm going to call it authentic, even though I've never been to Cuba :) We tried the combinacion appetizer platter, which had a couple of ham croquettes (yum), a couple of fried yuca pieces (a bit greasy, but still good), and some roasted pork with onions (very flavorful). I had then had some Arroz con Pollo with sweet plantains, which was awesome, she had Pollo a la Plancha with green plantains, which she liked as well. Finished with some chocolate cake, which wasn't bad (but I think I would have preferred to try one of the more traditional desserts). We need to go back on a non-work night to try out the drink menu, since it sounded pretty good too! The interior is very nice and classy, and completely unexpected when looking at the outside of the restaurant. We missed it the first time and pulled into the wrong driveway, since it's tucked around the side of the building, next to a liquor store. Will be back!
(4)Sandra B.
I was told that the food here was good, however I was not motivated to actually visit until I bought a "rightly priced" Groupon for the place. I have to say that when I pulled into the parking lot, I felt like this place may be a bit sketchy, but as soon as I opened the door to the establishment, all fears melted away. The restaurant was clean, the waitress was very nice and knowledgeable, and the food...oh my, the food! For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the dish, mostly because the names are in Spanish. My dish was WONDERFUL. My friends dish was WONDERFUL. I had a truly great experience. I went to dinner early, around 5:45pm. By the time we left around 7:45, the place was getting packed, and there was a line at the door. For good reason. I will be back to Cuba de Ayer for their authentic food and great service.
(4)Zulma Y.
OMG! I love this place! The food is delicious. The staff is friendly, fast and knowledgeable and did I mention the food is delicious! Let me say it again! Delicious! The building and neighborhood look sketchy (they're right nex to a liquor store), but don't be afraid to go in! This place is a gem. We've tried their beef and chicken enpanadas. Delish! Fricase de pollo...just to die for. In the end, the food is unpretentious, home-style and something I would be served by my grandma..if she were cuban.
(5)Tony P.
I had a yearning for something ethnic and recalled this restaurant was nearby. The facility is simple and tastefully decorated with deep red walls accentuated with colorful paintings. The dining area is not large but roomy and comfortable. I found the service to be expedient. I started out with the combinacion appetizer which was a combination platter of roasted pork, croquettes, fried Yuca. The pork was succulent, the yuca was crunchy and the croquettes were savory. My entree was the lechon asado. Traditional Cuban roasted pork marinated in "mojo criollo" dressed with onions. It was really succulent and delectable. And since this was a Cuban restaurant, I ordered a mojito that was strong and tangy with a wonderful infusion of mint. This place reminds of me of good home cooking. The type of foods that evoke memories of mom and comfort. Since it's so close to home, it's definitely on my list for regular patronage.
(4)K W.
Love, Luv, LOVE, L-O-V-E this place. Everything I have ordered has been wonderful. I've taken several guests here and they couldn't say enough about the food, the staff and the experience. Everyone is so friendly (the waitress Jasmine is the best and such a sweetheart). The battered-fried plantains are yummy (and I don't even like plantains), the beef empanadas are out this world (you try it with the house sauce that's comes on your table). The drinks are great as well---the mojitos and sangria are wonderful. All & all a very good experience each and every time I go. I've converted quite a few folks who otherwise wouldn't have given Cuban food a try...or wouldn't have driven to Columbia Pike to get it.
(5)Michelle K.
This place is awesome! The only bad thing about it is that it has gotten so busy on weekends that we have to wait to get in! The food is amazing. My favorites are the chicken empanadas, pot roast, and tres leches cake. Both the maduros and tostones are always perfectly cooked. The beans that come with each meal have an amazing flavor. I've been here several times and every meal has been great. My relatives from other states always request we eat here when they are in town. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. The dining area is romantic but can get loud when its busy. Its a little hard to find because its in an ugly strip mall behind a trashy liquor store.
(5)Dotts L.
Great Food! Great Drinks! Great Music! And best of all Great People! Always so fun to go to this place. When I go here I experience everything Cuba. Its a Great Escape from all the bland foods out there.
(4)April S.
I love food from other cultures and Cuban food is new to me. I must say I am a fan. I stopped by in here after smelling something heavenly outside when I was getting Rita's ice cream with the fam. I investigated and I think it was coming from the restaurant. I will say this restaurant is in the cut. You can't see it from Old Columbia Pike. It's hiding behind a liquor store. Upon going inside, the hostess was really nice. She offered us a menu since she could tell we were babies to Cuban food. We decided to stay and just get an appetizer. I don't know what we got, but it was GOOOOOD!!!!! I will definitely go back and try an entree and maybe one of their specialty drinks.
(4)Suzanne R.
Seemed rather authentic to me. Clean. Roomy. Getting in has this cubby or entryway...it's very odd & small. The food is good.Service isn't super-dooper fast...but in my opinion, a great pace. 'Pernil' id great! What they do to black beans...
(4)Paul S.
They have doubled the size of their dining room, and added a bar area so you can comfortably wait for a table. THe expanded seating has not affected the quality of the dining experience one bit! Still one of my favorite places to eat!!
(5)Lenny C.
I took three friends with me to Cuba de Ayer last week... one of them is addicted to Cuban food, but the other two - one a Canadian and the other a Brit - had never had Cuban food. This was my first visit to Cuba de Ayer, although (since I'm of Cuban ancestry) every time someone who knows me goes there, they tell me what a great place it is. The restaurant is very cozy and when we came in at lunch time it was packed, which is always a good sign. The pretty waitress took our orders and my alarm antenna went up when she asked if we wanted our black beans and rice "together" or "separate." I say that my alarm bells went off because "Moros y Cristianos" -- the Cuban name for black beans and rice -- is NEVER served together; never, ever, ever! It is a cultural error and a true and easy test of the Cubanosity of any restaurant. I ordered my favorite Cuban dish in the world... OK, OK, one of my favorites, "lechon asado", which came with black beans, white rice and tostones (actually a choice of tostones or sweet plantains). I breathed a sigh of relief when my friends' dishes came... what the waitress meant as "together" was actually "congri" which is a separate dish where the black beans (or red) are indeed cook together... a Cuban version of dirty rice, but much tastier. Both the Brit and the Canadian ordered "ropa vieja" with "congri" and they both loved it... my English friend actually said: "I can't believe that a simple rice dish can taste so good!" So Cuba de Ayer gets my highest endorsement! One last thing: When the food came, I was explaining some of the cultural references that I mentioned above. I must have been loud enough to be heard by other people, because as we filed out of the restaurant, the very attractive daughter of the owners came out, introduced herself and asked me if I was Cuban, as she had overheard me describe the cultural aspects of the food. So we met and we all passed to her our enthusiastic thumbs up of the food... I will be back!
(5)Jamal J.
Love this place!!! Food is always amazing!! full of flavor and nice portion sizes!! Havent tasted anything on the menu I didnt like yet, including the drinks!! nice atmosphere good places to take a date, but can get a little noisey at times. Also the venue is a little small, but I was informed that their expanding which is great news!! If you like cuban food Cuba De Ayer is a MUST TRY!!
(5)Keith W.
This is probably the best cuban food that you are going to get in Maryland. The pulled pork is amazing and the sweet plantains are cooked perfectly. For the price you can't beat and authentic meal here. Don't be scared by the location or outside appearance, Cuba de Ayer is excellent and the waitresses are very good.
(4)Dan H.
Holy crap, this food was good. I got the salmon spinach avocado salad, of the hook! Wife got the salmon with pineapple salsa entree, EVEN BETTER! We're definitely coming back here!
(4)Y V.
I went back to give this place another chance. As you can see, I've upgraded my review. This time around, I had the ropa vieja and the empanadas. Do NOT skip the empanadas. Service this time was also very fast. it must've just been an off day the last time. Regardless, if I'm within a 10 minute drive of this place, I'm stopping by.
(5)AngryYoungMan X.
Situated in the middle of nowhere, Cuba de Ayer has been one hell of a find. This establishment is not all traditional Cuban cuisine as name suggests rather, they borrow some recipes from other Latin cultures and put out a well thought Latin fusion menu. Now let's talk real stuff... and to summarize - great food, good service and well made drinks (not very strong though). I tried their croquettas, yucca fries and lechon asado (chunks of cuban roasted pork). Everything was pretty good and entree poritions were plentyful!! Last time, I had this good Cuban style roasted pork was in Miami based restaurant run by a Cuban family. My drink, ofcourse, was their house mojito which was made using fresh mint leaves, real sugarcane juice and served with a sugarcane stick in the glass!! It was little weak on the alcohol and somewhat pricey but a refreshing drink nonetheless. I noticed a lot of folks going with wine but Cuban food + wine does not pair for me. They maintain a nice, tidy and casual setting without making it upscale/ stuffy. My biggest complaint are their hours. I like to eat late evening and this places closes up way too early for me and their location is far from DC metro area. But If I am ever craving Cuban or "Cuban style" food, I'll make plans to to be here. Beats taking a flight to Miami.
(4)Empress Miko E.
I came to this restaurant with an open mind and an empty belly. I exited this restaurant feeling happy and my belly satisfied. I recommend this restaurant to anyone searching for fresh and palate satisfying Cuban food. Waiter was knowledgeable when it came to the restaurant and its menu. I will be returning for another meal soon
(5)Jenny H.
I only ate their grilled vegetarian platter and it was absolutely delicious!!! Perfectly salted and peppered with a nice mix of vegetables. The others in my party ordered their mixed Cuban platter dish, which they said was good but the pork wasn't as tender as they would have liked.
(4)Larry F.
Yelp said we would like this place and they were right. We tried the Ropa Vieja. It was loaded with flavor and quite tender. It came with black beans, plantains and rice. We added a tamale and the 2 of us shared. It was plenty of food and the price was so reasonable. Servers were helpful & efficient & food arrived quickly.
(4)Jenny N.
My mother is Cuban and I was born & raised in Miami... Cuba de Ayer is as good as it gets in Maryland.
(5)Ken R.
My girlfriend and I stopped at Cuba de Ayer before heading over to Meriwether Post Pavillion for the Arctic Monkeys/Black Keys concert. Everything was outstanding! We started with the Croquetas de Jamon which were moist and flavorful on the inside and crunchy on the outside. For the entree, I had Fricase de Pollo which was fall off the bone tender and moist. It was one of the most flavorful chicken dishes I've had. Chunks of chicken with forkfuls of rice soaked in the sauce was fantastic! My girlfriend is trying to come up with excuses to make our way up from Alexandria, VA to Columbia, MD just to get back to Cuba de Ayer and I can't blame her as I was already craving it again when we were trying to come up a place to go for lunch the next day.
(5)Chantel E.
Great food! Although it is a little tucked away, I would recommend this gem to anyone who is looking for a good and authentic Cuban meal. The portions are big so you will walk away full and satisfied. I've eaten here twice and I really enjoyed their pork dishes.
(4)Kimberly W.
Can I just say THE BEST MOJITOS EVER??!! I had the strawberry mojito and my friend had the mango mojito. You could taste the fruit along with the mint and there was definitely lots of rum. Very tasty! I had a very nice buzz going from the one drink. But no drinking and driving for us! We went because my friend had a Restaurant.com coupon. The menu offered the usual Cuban standards like ropa vieja, arroz con pollo, and vaca frita, but had some great non standards like lechon and red snapper. For appetizers, we had ham croquettas, chicarrones, and garlic bread. For entrees, I had the red snapper with black beans and rice and maduros (sweetened plantain). My friend had the lechon with black beans and rice with maduros. We added two sides of tostones and yuca with garlic sauce. It was delicious. The red snapper was moist and delicious. My friend's lechon was moist and tender. It was like my grandma was in the kitchen serving up Sunday dinner. This is our new favorite Cuban restaurant. It was far from D.C., but definitely worth the drive...definitely for the Mojitos!
(4)Cynthia O.
The service was friendly and excellent, the decor was clean and attractive, and the food was serviceable and arrived quickly. It was pretty heavy on the MSG and the fired plantains were super tough, but I'm rounding this up from 3 stars to 4 based on the service alone. My server, Victor, was really great, and the hostess was also super nice. Seems like a nice casual date spot. But wow. So much MSG. Tread carefully if you're sensitive to that sort of thing.
(4)Angel G.
Being a native South Floridian and a proud Cuban - I was very skeptic to see what this "Cuban" restaurant had in store. I've been to many places that claimed to be Cuban, only to see the most non-Cuban cuisine menu ever starting with a hamburger called a "Havana Burger." Cuba de Ayer is Amazing! I'm truly impressed with how great the food tastes and the attention to detail in each meal. Even the cafecito at the end of my meal hit the spot. Don't let the outside of the this place deter you from going in - you'll love it! Dale!
(4)Lauren L.
Great find! I wasn't expecting to find a good Cuban restaurant in the area. The bistec de pallomilla was very good and the mojitos were great. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)Nicole G.
I love this place! All the cocktails are made fresh and the food is great! Two of my favorites drinks are the Guava Rita and La Mentirita (although EVERY drink I've had is good). I have a special relationship with the Camarones en Aguacate ask for bread to soak up the butter and garlic.
(5)Jennifer O.
I was very disappointed after hearing so many good reviews... even from native Miamians whose palates I trust. The bread was bland--I don't even think it was made with shortening, and if it was I have no idea how they got it to be so dense in texture, almost everything else was way too salty. Also, if I wanted to taste mojo from a jar, I'd to visit the Badia/Goya section at the grocery store instead of paying for a full meal. From now on, I'll be making my own Cuban food, or saving my stomach space for my next trip to South Florida.
(2)Eric F.
Cuba de Ayer is a really great restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxing and the staff is always on top of things. Sometimes at night there is a short wait, but typically, it is not overcrowded. I admit that it took me three visits to finally discover my go to dish, but I was willing to keep going back, because I could tell that even when a dish wasn't quite what I like, it was well prepared.
(5)Wing C.
From the exterior, I wouldn't expect much from Cuba de Ayer - sketchy parking lot and hidden side entrance. I've seen it advertised numerous times on restaurant.com and offered endless online deals - even though my dad mentioned that he used to see lines to the door on the weekends - I was skeptical on how awesome could the food possibly be - those people must be there for some kind of coupon deal I told myself! So on my brother's last day home for Thanksgiving break, while wanting to try a cuisine my dad hasn't been exposed to but also not wanting to drive too far - I trusted yelp to finally give Cuba de Ayer a try after seeing it appeared first on top rated list for dinner around the area. I quickly gave them a call and they were able to accommodate a reservation @ 7:30 for 4 later that evening. First impression upon entering - a small family run restaurant with older decor + dim lighting. The nail/hair salon next door appeared to be have been taken over recently and the restaurant is now actually a bit bigger. When our really friendly, sweet waitress came over, we quickly submitted our food order since they were closing within an hr - Ropa Vieja, Leshon Asado, and red snapper (forgot the exact name). We also showed her our check in on yelp and scored a free chicken empanada! The empanada quickly came out with a bottle of green sauce. The 4 of us divided it to each have a bite. My dad and brother actually never had empanada before and I could see their eyes widened with their first bite. After first taste, I understood their reaction because it was literally the best empanada I had in my life. Perfectly seasoned + perfectly fried. It was fresh from the kitchen (piping hot) but not one bit oily. The main dishes came out soon after. I had a taste of each of their dish and I could say each was spot on - full of flavor. The fried plantain - i usually find them a bit plain and dry but the ones here was a bit sweet and blend of crunchy+soft. Too bad each order only came with 4 pieces! The black bean and rice - the black bean was the only downer of the meal. Too salty - to a point it was pretty much inedible! My fiance ended up eating the rice plain. Overall still a great meal! I presented our waitress the valpak coupon through gogglewallet and received 50% off on one of the entrees. But upon using that coupon, I was told that my yelp offer then wouldn't apply - bummer. $2.35 vs $7.35 dollars off? we took the valpak offer of course. 3 entrees + 1 appetizer around 50 dollars with tax and tip. Would return for perhaps lunch in the future!
(4)Jacqui L.
Delicious Camarones en Aguacate. I recommends getting bread on the side to dip in the amazing garlic sauce that you'll have left over. Trust me, you'll want to lick the plate and you can do that with the side of bread. Loved their Rojas Viejas. Well flavored, nice and tender. caramelized plantains were so good my friend and I had to get an extra order of them. And of course, to cure my food coma I got some Cuban coffee! Yum yum! Oh and the service, our server was SO SO friendly!!!
(4)Mai S.
Ordered the combination for the appetizer. Expected more flavor from the Pernil, the yuca was delicious, and the texture of the ham croquettes weren't my favorite. I tasted my friend's beef empanada and it was good. Ordered the Vieja Ropa. The beef was better with the aid of the house hot sauce. The rice and beans were great and the maduros were ok. I'll give them another try though.
(2)Mo A.
For such a small place in the middle of nowhere, this place has definitely garnered some buzz. Cuba de Ayer is a a small restaurant way out in suburban Maryland, closer to Baltimore than DC. As the name indicates, it specializes in Norwegian food....SIKE! One thing I've noticed about the DC region is any place that offers any type of Latin food will get a shot simply because there are not many quality Latin places. The only exception is the plethora of Peruvian chicken places all over the area. In any event, due to the size of Cuba De Ayer, reservations are recommended, particularly on peak days/times. It has a small parking lot at the back of the restaurant. The decor is casual and in need of some updating, however, the atmosphere is warm and kinda homey. The staff are personable and knowledgeable about the menu. Tip- Check in on Yelp and get a free Empanada! I had the Beef and Chicken Empanadas, Yuca Frites and Bistec Palomilla. The empanadas are decent sized, hot and fresh. The most appealing aspect of it is the crust, which is flaky. The filling inside the empanadas is a bit bland and could use some extra seasoning. The Yuca Frites are definitely large and bulky. Unfortunately, they were dry and overdone. The accompanying sauce was pretty tasteless. The Bistec Palomilla is comprised of marinated Cuban style steak and sautéed onions. I also chose to have white rice, black beans and platanos maduros (fried sweet plantains). The dish lacked color but more importantly than that, it was really dry due to a lack of sauce. The waiter was able to bring a sauce they usually use with their beans but that didn't help much. Additionally, the steak was tough and didn't have enough seasoning. The pricing is ok as two entrees, apps, one side and drinks comes to $50-$60 I'd probably return one day to try some other things on the menu. That said, I think this restaurant has potential and their take on Cuban food can be a good option in this area.....but in somewhere like Miami.....it probably would not survive.
(2)Hans H.
Ambiance is great, love the music it only adds to the amazing food. Had the avocado salmon and lenchon asado with my wife. The flavored of the salmon were fantastic and the pork was so tender. Will definitely be coming back ..... soon.
(5)Steve E.
Great Service, Great food, prices are reasonable. Love the Ambience. If you live in the area this is the place that you would take outsiders to.
(5)Faizah C.
This is a neighborhood gem! They've renovated their space into a swanky, cozy, sexy location good for groups, dates, or solo at the bar. They make their mojitos from scratch....i personally love the mango and the strawberry. Their best appetizer is the camarones de aguacate! You will not be disappointed. Do order a batch of bread with it to sop up the garlic juice. The bartenders are great, the service is really good and i definitely recommend you get there soon. Any day is fine!
(5)Leonard M.
It's a little out of the way but it is worth finding. The food is fresh, well prepared and the service is great.
(5)Clyde M.
What can I say about this place, I mean GREAT service every time we have been there. The food is PERFECT and tasty, but I still can't get used to plantains (but that is just me).
(5)Marianne K.
Another thumbs up for the Ropa Vieja and the sweet, caramelized plantains and tostones. Portions are large, the atmosphere is casual and bustling, and food is authentic and delicious.
(5)Medjinne D.
Came here with my sister some of my coworkers said it was OK. They were not lying it was OK. Nothing spectacular just OK. The empanadas were good so were the yucca but that was about it. The service was good and the atmosphere is nice but that's about it. I do not really see myself coming back here to be honest.
(3)Heidi F.
This place is absolutely scrump-dilly-umptious!! Truly a hidden gem in a little shopping strip off 198. Very comfy atmosphere, exceptional service and finger lickin' awesome food! Wish they had delivery service...hehe:) They are closed on Mondays so wouldn't you know it, I'm always craving some Cuba De Ayer on Mondays :) Everything on the menu is made fresh, very good mojitos and desserts. There homemade secret hot sauce really spices up your dish. Even if its outta the way,,,its sooooo worth the trip!
(5)Greg O.
Much better experience this time. Again I made a reservation but this time they actually had a record of it and seated us right away. The service was good, our waitress was very attentive and friendly. The food was good but not great- the pork was a little dry and a little bland, but appetizers and sides were delicious. I'm glad we went back and tried it, but it wasn't all it was hyped up to be.
(3)Virginia R.
From the outside, it looks like a dive in a bad part of town. But when you enter the restaurant, there is a cozy family environment decorated with Cuban art set against rich red and mahogany colors. It's really beautiful. Drinks are excellent, especially their signature Mojitos. The food is delicious and as authentic as I can remember from the few times we were treated to Cuban Cuisine as children, My personal favorites are the purnil and ropa viejo. Sweet plantains are excellent also. I don't normally have dessert, but I would not pass up the Tres Leches or the Flan here. If they ever add it to their menu, I would love to see what they would do with trembolique. If there is a weakness, the staff is young, occasionally don't hear requests correctly, and sometimes spill things in the tight quarters. But they are quick to fix things and make things right and the atmosphere is so relaxed, this review is probably the only place I would mention it.
(5)Mei-ye J.
There are two elite reviewers who I respect and who've preceded me (Derryk A. and Su K.), so why bother reading my review? Well, I had a better server than Su K. and she was not sick and did not seem like she was having a bad day. That's definitely a plus. My friend had the Empanada from the appetizer menu and she liked it. We both found it funny that they tried to dress up the plate with a sliver of red pepper and some lettuce. Why bother. It didn't look so sophisticated with or without it. Taste matters and it was good according to her. (I didn't try it) I had the Camarones al Ajillo (Shrimp in garlic sauce) from the entree menu. It would be too salty for my taste if eaten alone, but it came with some white rice which complemented it well. I love mixing contrasting flavors so I decided to get the sweetened plantains instead of the plain fried plantains to go with it. It also came with a salad. so... the salad was boring, the plantains were of mix of 2 mushy ones and 2 just right ones. The shrimp and white rice were pretty yummy. Also, got the Fried Yuca, but I was unimpressed. What impressed me the most though was dessert. Both my friend and I are flan fans and we really enjoyed it here. Really smooth texture, but a little on the sweeter side, but not so much that it was grosse. The plating, texture, and flavor of the flan made it the star of the night. Great thing was I had a restaurant.com coupon so... 15.99 (shrimp entree w/ sides) 2.75(empanada) 3.75 (fried yuca) 3.95 X 2 (flan) 3.75 (extra fried plantains) brought the total to around $36 (add tax and tip, minus the $25 off) and we ended up paying $21 + $2 (coupon)= $23 which is not bad for dinner for two w/ leftovers for lunch to boot!
(4)Jerrett B.
Really good
(4)Elissar K.
Truly the only Cuban restaurant worth going to in the area out of the many I've tried. The yuca with garlic sauce is fantastic (a side), especially with the fried morsels of pork entree, a ridiculously good combination. The empanadas are delicious as well. And the tres leches -- OMG the tres leches -- will stun you with its magical powers. Another thing I love about this place is the management. The servers are always really nice and the manager I spoke to on one instance was super sweet. To Cuba de Ayer, the other Cuban restaurants around here can't compare ;)
(4)Jeneen C.
Deliciosa! Ropas Vieja was so tasty- tender beef in a tomato base with perfect blend of seasonings. A plethora of drinks, priced great!! Very busy place! Next time on 198 don't pass this place by :-)
(4)Viv J.
I took an associate to this spot for lunch today. He mentioned that he enjoys Cuban food, so I knew this place was nice. I absolutely love their mojitos. I had the pineapple and it was very refreshing. They mull the mint and sugar and garnish with a piece of sugar cane. I was not that hungry so I had the chicken and beef empanada with sweet plantains. They have a house made hot sauce that has a little kick but has a nice flavor. It enhances the flavor of the food quite nicely. I really enjoy the cozy atmosphere because they have hand-painted artwork from Cuba on the walls, and Cuban music softly playing in the background. It is a great experience!
(5)Michael M.
By FAR the best and most authentic Cuban restaurant that I've been to in the DMV. Although it seems like a hole in the wall from the outside, it's very quant and charming on the inside. I've had three different beef dishes and they were all EXCELLENT! And of course, they're mojitos are a MUST! The last time we went we ran into a couple who used to live in Miami (a place known for Cuban restaurants) and even they said that this place is rivals any restaurant they've been too down there. If you plan on eating here over the weekend, I strongly suggest that you make reservations, otherwise you may be waiting a while as this place gets very crowded over the weekend. But they are currently expanding so that should help with their capacity.
(5)Ramona M.
I go here once a week for carry out!!! My fav dish is the Bistec de Palomilla with white rice and black beans on the side and sweet plantains. I recommend it to ANYONE.
(5)Margaret H.
This was the best Cuban I've had in the area! It's not a fancy restaurant, but the food is divine! The Yucca fries were super crisp outside and soft inside. The shrimp and avocado appetizer was perfectly seasoned with lots of garlic. The only downside is the location.
(5)Patrick S.
Lost a star due to the perpetually slow service. Food: Excellent food. Love to get a ton of appetizers and split them. The Empanadas are very good. Lechon Asado is a great entree or sandwich. The Medianoche is mediocre however. The drinks are good, but seem overpriced for what you get. I don't believe they have a regular happy hour. Everyone I've taken here has loved the food. Service: Service can be very slow and inattentive. They seem to be perpetually understaffed. The only times I've received good service is during lunch or odd weeknights. This place can get very packed with a wait for dinner, even during the week. I'm used to it and just know I'll have to put up with it, however friends I've brought here have not been so forgiving. Decor/Location: It is situated in an oddly shaped rundown strip mall that can be hard to see. However the inside is nicely decorated and is reasonably clean and is completely unexpected based on the outside appearance. It can be cramped when the place is busy.
(4)Jack R.
Great Place, nice atmosphere.
(5)Frank J.
Solid...chicken empanadas, mojitos, plantains, pork and beans all great. I will not get the mojito again as it is too expensive at $8.50. If they would lower it to $5 or $6 I would order again and get multiple. Other than that don't change a thing.
(4)MIchaei G.
Everything was pork, wat cubans dnt believe in eating lamb or beef
(2)Alan B.
I was seated immediately. This server quickly took my order and it was downhill from there. I ordered a beer w/ lime, glass of water, an appetizer and my main course (Ropa Viejo). The beer (and water) came promptly sans the lime which I again requested. Ten minutes later the server returned (without the lime) to tell me that they had run out of my chosen appetizer. She asked if I'd like to order a different one. I did and asked for a menu AND the lime. She disappeared for 5 minutes and returned with the menu and STILL NO LIME which I again requested. When she finally returned to take my appetizer order she brought the lime. YAY Within a minute of her getting my order my main course arrived. I cancelled the appetizer. POSITIVES: The beer was fairly cold and served with a slightly frosted glass. The food was hot. The fried plantains were perfect and the rice and beans were excellent. NEGATIVES: The service was horrendous. The meat for the main course was tough, soggy and salty.
(2)Feng L.
First time there. Food came out fast and they were all delicious! Will definitely go back.
(5)B B.
Love this place. Can get crowded, but worth it for the portions. I always get the same few items. Mojitos are good.....need more alcohol to be great. Recent visit had the vegetarian plate. Comes with rice and beans (vegetarian), plantains and yuca. Yuca was boiled and not fried with little portion of garlic and oil on top. Paid extra for more garlic. The irony is none of those three items are vegetables......all starches. On "vegetable" on menu is tossed salad. Not the most balanced meal, but I'm sure most people coming here are not watching what they eat.
(3)S C.
Loved everything. Gambas ajillo and empanadas were great starters. Pineapple mojito was one of the best I've had. Totally worth being seen drinking a trendy mojito without ligit-ly having your feet in the sand. Citrus pork with onions was great. Love the rice. Waiter was very gracious about the check in offer of 2 free empanadas. That's a plus in my book. Will be back soon!
(5)Justin L.
After moving to Columbia, this has been one of my favorite restaurants. The food is great, the servers are nice and the drinks are delicious. They are expanding when I write this, so soon they will be bigger. This place is worth the drive.
(5)Nick W.
Found this place on yelp looking for a good place to have dinner. My woman is Cuban American from Miami and figured this might make her feel at home a little. I will simply say she was quite impressed. She loves croquetas and said they were very good. She ate the ropa vieja and absolutely devoured it. She stated that it was authentic with a few twists but probably just the chef's or owner's preferences. I loved the food. There is a lot of "she said" things in here but I feel her opinion means more here because she actually IS cuban.
(5)Kee T.
This place was great. Hubby and I was hungry and wanted something else beside the limited places available in our neighborhood. So, I hopped on Yelp and found this place. Based on the reviews, I knew the location wasnt all that great, but that not what we went there for... and I am glad we did go. Food... yummmm. We had the combinacion and stuffed potato appetizer, the fried pork and marinated pork for our meal. As we waited for our food, I just kept smelling the garlic and other spices. Couldn't wait for the plate to get there.. I also had mango bomb (or something like that) and that drink was tasty. The prices were reasonable, will be back again!!!
(5)Stella L.
I love this place! You would never expect an authentic Cuban restaurant to be found in little old Burtonsville but it's here, and truly a little gem! The ropa vieja is AH-MAZ-ING and so is their cafe con leche and mojitos. The servers are so friendly and helpful! Never been disappointed! Highly recommend this place! And they run groupon deals here and there which is awesome for the already fairly priced food!
(5)Shanna A.
OMG! So flavorful and yummy. Co-workers order regularly and I wanted something different for lunch so I stopped by and placed an order for the shredded beef entree, Roja something, and it was like tasting for the first time in a long time. The flavor is rich and bold. Add a little rice and beans and it was super satisfying. Wanted to get a Cuban Iced Coffee but can't be made decaff so that was the only drawback at all. If that were to change, I would frequent at least 3 times a week for lunch or dinner.
(4)Miriam P.
Yes. Very good. Had better Cuban food in California but for this area it's quite wonderful. Mojitos a bit too sweet for our taste, but overall food and service really great. We'll be back.
(4)Katrina W.
This is the spot for awesome Cuban food. Some of my favorite dishes are the Chicken Fricassee, cafe con leches, and this dessert dish of guava and cheese. The establishment is very clean, well decorated.
(5)Trish F.
We had the grilled chicken salad with a side of vegetarian black beans. YUM! Added the beans to the salad and it was amazing!
(4)Dan F.
This is better than many of the cuban food options in south florida and the keys. Seriously. The ONLY thing missing is authentic cafe cubano. It is on the menu but it's really just a plain espresso, Couple of must-order items: Fried yuca, Black beans (vegetarian or non, both are excellent), Empanada, Picadillo, and of course the Mojito. No cuban restaurant can be complete without a good mojito, and cuba de ayer delivers. It's about the only pricey item on the menu, but wow is it worth it. Everything is VERY cheap. Even after 2 mojitos, an appetizer, 2 entrees, a desert and 2 coffees, total tab did not exceed $60. Don't let the run-down shopping center fool you, this is a hidden gem full of warm service, RIDICULOUSLY good food and amazing value. And please, for the love of god, remember this is not some mexican chain. So do not attempt to order a bird-bath sized margarita. If you must order alcohol, get the mojito, and they have very good wine at $4 a glass. Do not expect nachos or anything drenched in melted cheese. This is cuban cuisine, and boy is it tasty. Also be advised on weekends it can be pretty packed and it is a tiny dining room, so be sure to get a reservation and be understanding if you arrive and a table is not available. They also do take-out which is a great option as well.
(5)Alexander L.
Always a great staff and great food. The location isnt ideal -- and you could even miss it if you were driving by -- but this is a place to go for sure. Use the Yelp 'deal' and take the risk out of trying this place!
(5)Ron B.
Cuba de Ayer is a hidden gem! Although it doesn't offer much curb appeal the decor is surprisingly nice in comparison to the exterior. However, the food is what makes this place shine. I've been here several times and had almost everything on the menu, however my favorite dishes are the Carne con Papa and the Fricase con Pollo. I've taken my latin friends here and they all said its like eating a home cooked meal at their grandmother's house. This place is authentic! If you're in the mood for some authentic Cuban food, Cuba de Ayer is the place to go. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Nicole M.
Delicious Cuban food!!! Corquetas were great. The ropa vieja was really really juicy and tender I will definitely be back
(5)Nia W.
YUM YUM YUMMY! I used a coupon which helped with the cost, each meal is about 15 dollars but well worth the price! Great ambiance, traditional music, friendly workers and mouth watering food!!! TWO THUMBS UP! Don't let the outside deter you, the inside is well worth it! The restaurant isn't visible from the street, turn in before the liquor store and drive past to park in the rear!!
(5)javaone n.
Food is not fresh and taste is terrible. I order Bistec Palomilla and the meat is hard and I can break in pieces.
(1)Stacie T.
To think, I've been living down the road from this place for months and I just discovered Cuba de Ayer this fall. My little neighborhood of Burtonsville has really surprised this SoCal girl with all of these hidden treasures right next to one another. I came here on a busy Friday night and had to wait about 20 minutes for seating but once the Camarones al Ajillo came out all was forgotten. For the main course I had their simple but delicious Pan con Pollo Asado and my friend had the Ropa Vieja. Nothing let us down and was beyond our expectations. We both read previous Yelp reviews and they were all spot on. Cuba de Ayer is a cute authentic establishment that really has that at home feel. A must try!!
(4)Christopher M.
OK, I'll start this out by saying that I grew up in a Cuban household, with amazing traditional Cuban cooks. The food at Cuba de Ayer is pretty damn close to what I was used to at home. Their best dish is definitely the Arroz con Pollo. The croquetas were decent, and the rice, beans, and tostones were all pretty good too. Try the Mojito if you're into it, definitely the best I've had away from home. Oh, and all my friends still rave about the tres leches. The only negatives were the bread on the sandwiches, which wasn't traditional Cuban bread, and the service. If you go during busy times like Friday and Saturday night you can definitely expect to wait around a while. It always seems like there aren't enough waiters. If the service was better it might have bumped it up to five stars.
(4)Katie P.
First time I ate there and wasn't really blown away. We tried the chicken soup, a beef empanada, the cuban sandwich and bistec sandwich. Sandwiches were somewhat dry. The food took a little bit longer than I'd like to wait for. One good thing is the prices were pretty reasonable.
(3)C W.
Finally was able to check this place out. My best friend and I have been on the search for Cuban food...specially for the coffee. The restaurant is tucked away in the corner. As soon as you walk through the doors, you can smell the food. Food was indeed great. And they give you A LOT of food. (I boxed the leftovers and it looked like an entirely new meal.) I wish I had seen the Yelp deal sooner, but will definetely be purchasing one for the next time we go. The waiter/staff are also really friendly.
(4)Eduardo S.
I liked the Camarones al Ajillo & also the Bistec de Palomilla here. Large Portions & lots of meat. Both were really good. Plus the restaurant is very clean and well kept. Elegant Dining in Burtonsville is rare ! Parking is a little tricky here, might have to go around back b/c one of the places nearby enforces towing... I retract my earlier comment about the Cuban sandwich b/c I am came back for one & it was spot on.
(4)HowChow B.
Cuba de Ayer is in Burtonsville, one exit south of the Howard County line, and it offers a casual taste of traditional Cuban dishes. Inside, the restaurant is brightly-painted with nice art and friendly waitresses. More modern than "old Cuban." But the menu includes the standards -- picadillo, roasted pork, and the shredded beef fish "ropa vieja" toped off with flan, tres leches and both cafe cubano and cafe con leche. On a Saturday afternoon, we had sandwiches -- the roast pork sandwich and the Cuban sandwich with ham, pork, cheese and pickles pressed on a baguette -- with sweet plantains and a side order of mixed beans and rice (moros y cristianos). From the first forkfuls of the side dishes, I knew it would be delicious. They were flavorful without being greasy. Sweet plantains that cut with a fork, but stayed intact on the plate. Rice and beans subtly spiced, but mostly just earthy and filling. Beyond sandwiches, Cuba de Ayer offers an array of main courses, specials, and even drinks like mojitos and fruity cocktails. Other nights, we have enjoyed a shrimp special and other dishes. In the end, the Cuban sandwich is still my favorite -- crisp bread, salty ham, a little bit of cheese and pickles. I also loved the tres leches dessert. A slice of cake magically soaked in condensed, goat and cow milks and topped with cream. The tres leches is my favorite kind of dessert -- sweet, but somehow flavorful instead of cloying. The texture is spectacular. It still tastes like cake, but it is moist without dissolving into a pudding. This is a great place if you use the Restaurants.com coupons because they take them.
(4)Howard M.
I would definitely come again. Great food and atmosphere.
(5)Keller S.
I hosted a business lunch and used Cuba de Ayer- it was excellent. Guillermo was very easy to work with, the menu was right on line and it was delivered exactly on time. Could not have asked for anything more.
(5)Bob A.
The cuban sandwich is excellent and so are the empanadas. The Mojito drinks are pricey, but the best around. Almost all of my hispanic coworkers rave about this place, and they know this style of food better than I do, so that says enough for me. Nice place.
(4)Nicole W.
I LOVE this place especially the Empanadas!!!! This is a must go for all who love Cuban :0)
(5)Brian D.
Picked up the Pan Con Lechon Asado (sandwich) for a quick dinner one night. This is not a place that does heavy sauces, it's all about the seasoning. So the sandwich may seem a little dry, but it is still pretty darn good. I'm planning on trying out some other items in the future. What bumps it up to four stars is the guava shells with white cheese. Somehow I've never had this delicacy before, but this stuff was so good! I'm not sure it makes up for skipping the Tres Leches, but it was definitely worth trying.
(4)Megan H.
Will satisfy your craving for Cuban. Agree with previous posts, the rice and plantains were a bit on the dry side, but the shrimp al ajillo was garlicky goodness and puerco asado was crispy deliciousness. Not too expensive, either. Mojitos were $7.50, which is a bit more than I like to pay, but totally awesome and worth it! Situated in a funky, hard-to-find strip mall, but the inside is quite nice. Friendly service. Would definitely go back.
(4)Keisha M.
Hubby and I stopped here for dinner Friday nite. The place was packed! The food was absolutely DELISH! We both got the Ropa Vieja with the maduros(sweet plaintains). The beef was very tender and flavorful and the red beans cooked to perfection. I opt for the mojito which seems to be the drink of choice here and that was very good too! Hubby got the tropical margarita which was too salty. After complaining the waitress brought out the saltless version and it was tasty but not better than the mojito. We also shared a slice of rum cake. It was sliced very, very thin but it tasted good. We will most definitely will be returning.
(4)Adrian R.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Will definitely stop by this place again next time I'm in B'more.
(5)Sara M.
Cuba de Ayer is a hidden gem - who would imagine such delicious Cuban food could be hiding at the back of a shopping center in Burtonsville?! Fortunately, it's not too hidden, and gets quite good business. I've never seen it particularly empty, so we snagged reservations for weekend dinner just to guarantee there would be no wait. The atmosphere is comfortable and surprisingly classy (especially given the run-down strip mall it's in) - Cuban art decorates the walls and they've clearly put some effort into the interior of the restaurant. First things first - the drink menu offers many fruity cocktails, but you might as well get the real deal, the mojito. Cuba de Ayer makes a mean mojito, garnished with a stalk of sugar cane. Mmmm. Order one while you peruse the equally extensive food menu. The appetizers all sound good, but I'm a fan of the Combinacion, so you get a little bit of everything. I think it's a bit overpriced at $7.50 for the amount of food that you get, but it's cheaper than buying multiple appetizers. The fried yuca is the best I've had, crispy but still very soft and almost creamy in the middle. The ham croquettes are probably a little weird for some people - creamy pureed ham coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Having spent a fair amount of time in South Florida, I can say that these are a reasonably good facsimile of the ones I've had from Cuban bakeries and restaurants down there (which is my best comparison for authenticity). The roast pork is the best part - perfectly seasoned, topped with delicious caramelized onions. In previous visits, I've had the Ropa Vieja (yes, it means "old clothes," but my old clothes never seem to taste this good), but yesterday I decided to try the Pernil (pork with citrus and onions). It was delicious, yes, but a little overly salty. To be honest, I'd rather have had an entree-sized serving of the appetizer's roast pork! The tostones, beans, and rice served with my entree were good but nothing special. The magic happened once again at dessert, when my dining partner and I split the flan and the tres leches. Mmmmmmmmm!!!! There aren't enough exclamation points to express my love for both of these desserts, but especially the tres leches. It's one of my favorite desserts, and they make a great one. Splitting an appetizer, an entree, and two desserts was a perfect amount of food for two people. With the drinks, it was a $40 meal before tip. Perhaps a little overpriced, but I'll still happily pay it for the delicious food!
(4)Nancy S.
Neighborhood gem INDEED! This is a perfect date night. I haven't been since they remodeled but I can't wait! Haven't had a plate that wasn't full of taste and color. I love the plantains, both kinds. And don't forget the mojito to top it off! It's worth it!!
(5)Blaine D.
Again, fantastic food and service. A must try is the Tres Leches cake with Cuban coffee. Delicious! The combination of flavors is second to none. I also love house hot sauce.
(5)Derek R.
Victor was an amazing waiter and very friendly. The food was great and the environment is cozy! I'd recommend this place highly to anyone.
(5)Diana R.
This place is a hidden gem! Since moving from LA, I've been searching for a good Cuban spot. Great ambiance, food, & service.
(5)Tony M.
Service was slow, though friendly. My cubano sandwich arrived with no pickle inside, a key ingredient. The replacement was very bland.
(2)I R.
This is my favorite Cuban Restaurant. Their food is as good as my Cuban neighbors' food. Be ready to wait for a table, as the space is cozy. Their "ropa vieja" is my favorite dish. The croquetas and empanadas are always yummy. I used them to cater a private party and got great reviews from the guests. Try them you wont be dissapointed
(5)Connie L.
Was super excited to try this restaurant because I have not had good cuban food in this area.. (my favorite is Cafe Cortadito in NYC!) Purchased the living social deal to go with my coworkers.. we also checked in on yelp and got free empanadas.. but at the end had to PAY for the empanadas because the yelp deal cannot be used in conjunction with the living social deal -___- Food wise, the ropa vieja was pretty good (not as good as I have had before but better than any I have had in the DC/MD area) and the sweet plantains were yummy. The mojito was sweet and gave me a good buzz and tres leches at the end was a good end to the meal. Kind of meh about not being able to use the deals together and just little things here and there. For example, the tres leches and whipped cream came out sort of melted because apparently the plate was hot(?) and the portions were off. One of the cakes was much larger than the other. I would return only if I have a huge craving for cuban food.
(3)Cynthia R.
The food is outstanding! The mojitos are delicious. I visit here often and have signed up on their e-mail list and receive coupons regularly. The remodel/expansion has made it much more enjoyable. Parking kind of stinks, but I won't hold that against them.
(5)Brooke T.
Nommers! Cuba de Ayer, this is a cool neighborhood restaurant near the parentals home. It is easy to pass if you aren't looking for it, on Rte 198, a small yellow sign is all you get. It is in between two small shopping centers, if you are at the Ritas, you have gone too far! Parking is pretty limited in my opinion, but based on my experiences there, it hasn't been that crowded. The place is pretty small, with bright colors, cool paintings, and awesome music! I checked in on Yelp! hoping to get my free empenada (ah thank you) but I couldn't use it because I planned to use a groupon too....le sigh. Anywho, first up mojitos! Let me tell you, I don't think it can get any better! I've always thought that these are probably the best mojitos that I have ever had. For din din I had the pargo frito, rainbow trout with rice/beans and plantains. I preferred to get the sweet plantains and my rice/beans mixed. The fish was flipping awesome! The way it was prepared was seasoned nicely, the peppers and onions that were added made it that much mo betta! Now in hindsight, I think that I would have preferred to have my rice and beans separate, mixing them myself, as it was slightly dry for my taste (this is an option). The plantains were just too good, you have the option to order crispy, chip like, too.... My best good friend got the lechon asado, which is basically seasoned pork....I preferred mine better. Service: it was fair, she wasn't soooper attentive, but she wasn't horrible either. Either way, I'm going back, groupon or not! I'd be happy with mojitos and apps! Yes!
(4)Shirley S.
We visited this restaurant for my birthday and need less to say we all had a great time. The food was fantastic and Alex our server was great! He recommended a couple of dishes and they all came out great. The drinks were on point and we also loved the ambiance of the place. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to get a little bit out of their comfort zone to try something new.
(5)Mang J.
Sigh. See, the problem is that the first time I visited Cuba de Ayer I fell in love...con boliche, moros y cristianos y maduros. Para siempre. Pero, that's where Cuba de Ayer (CDA) broke my heart. It's never been the same since. Oh, there have been moments of brilliance, but they've served me the DRIEST ropa vieja in the history of...rags--old or new. Then, after that, tuvo empanadas, flan y más moros y cristianos that made me realize why I keep returning to mi amor CDA. When I eat Cuban food anywhere, it's always to Cuba de Ayer that I compare it, and most of the time, others don't even come near it. I'm torn. Pero tengo amor para CDA. I just don't know how they'll treat me una dia to the next. So, tres estrellas para the best moros y cristianos EVER, flan that hace música, cosy atmosphere y wonderful waitstaff. (Apologies for very bad y cheesy Spanglish.)
(3)Francisco M.
Me encanta! I've been here twice and absolutely love it. The Cuban sandwich, ropa vieja, and lechon asado are tied with a two places in Miami as the very best I've had in the U.S. The tostones rellenos and croquetas de jamon were also fantastic, and the tres leches is as good as the one my grandmother makes. The only downfall to this place is the location, which is a strip shopping center. A place this good deserves its own premises. Well worth the 33 mile drive from Arlington, VA to enjoy the food here. Love, love, love it!!
(5)Dave M.
Good Cuban Food We have to drive an hour to get to this place. It's worth it. Anyone who has ever had Cuban food loves it. The signature dish is the roast pork. A good place will roast it all day. It comes out very tender. Tostones is another dish unique to Cuban cuisine. It's fried green plantains. This place has stuffed tostones which I've never had before. it's a toston shaped into a little cup with some seasoned ground beef on top. Good appetizer. It's not a luxurious buen gusto restaurant. It has more of an appearance of a lunch place than a restaurant serving the best food miles around. The menu includes a variety of Cuban dishes including ropa vieja, boloche, picadillo, roast pork and the can't-do-without Cuban sandwich. We go there for lunch and then got some take-out for the next day. A description of this restaurant would not be complete without describing the desserts. This place has the best flan and tres leches. Upon inquiry I was told that an aunt provided the recipes. The flan is not as watery as other flans. It's creamier giving a firmer texture. The taste is out of this world. I love flan. I get it whenever I can. Hey that rhymes. The flan at this place is the best I've ever had. Also the tres leches is good. I've never been crazy about tres leches. It just doesn't do it for me, but the tres leches at this place is great. Like the flan it has more character than other tres lecheses.
(4)Stephanie F.
Am a very regular customer at Cuba de Ayer. The atmosphere is pleasant and comforting and the service has always been good. Jessica, the owner is always welcoming and accomodating. I am a huge fan of Cuban food and have eaten it everywhere except Cuba. Cuba de Ayer even gives the places in lil havana, miami a run for their money! Their Ropa Vieja is incredible, best Ive ever had. Phone is dying otherwise I would say more, but if.you are looking for a great authentic cuban place to eat, Cuba de Ayer is the place to go! Happy Eating :)
(5)R S.
The place is small and a bit cramped and their staff seemed to pretty much minimum work when I was there. However, the food is absolutely delicious and it is a great price so I would highly recommend you taking the time to visit this place!
(4)Ellen C.
Cuba de Ayer is an out of the way spot off 198 in Burtonsville just off rt 29. No big flashy signs, but with their mix of delicious food and great staff I'd rather they be my little secret anyhow! My hubby and I tried them about 2 weeks ago. The decor was vibrant and colorful with a touch of cool tile, the lighting was subdued, but not too dark. Our server Gabby was as pleasant and helpful as could be in helping and recommending items for us to try. She also said if we didn't like something we could send it back for a replacement. (The food was so awesome there was never a need!) She was attentive, but not hovering. Thanks to you Gaby our intro to this restaurant could not have been more enjoyable! We'd never had Cuban cuisine before and were happily devouring our delicious lunches when I noticed that there was more than great food at this restaurant. There was a GREAT staff as well! (I come from a service background and I notice these things.) I was pleased to see this group of hard working servers, hosts and hostesses (and I'm sure kitchen staff too) were constantly working as a cohesive team to provide the best in Cuban hospitality. Two members of the staff were clearly Managers/owners(?) and I have to say they were making encouraging comments to staff, rolling up their own sleeves to serve guests and be a visible presence in the dining area. We will surely be back and bringing others with us!
(5)sahba y.
Good food, Friendly service. Try the plantains stuffed with ropa vieja. only thing that could have been better was the vaca frita (it was a little overcooked) but still very tasty. Good experience.
(4)Tu-van L.
***3.5 stars*** What the hell is a Cuban restaurant doing in Burtonsville? Better yet - what the hell is one doing in Burtonsville? If you're in this neighborhood, you either live in this faraway town or you're in transit to or from somewhere, either on Rt-29 or MD-198. I drive through this intersection enough times, and I pass by this nondescript random Cuban restaurant in a run-down mini-strip mall every time I do. As with what I see driving through this part of B'ville, this place looks nondescript as the rest of town (if not questionable in the strip mall it sits in), but after seeing enough praising Yelp reviews and in even more desperate need to find a good Cuban place, the hubs and I decided to stake a stab at this place and cash in a Restaurant.com coupon our friend found for this place. The decor while dated was clean and pretty nice. Wait staff was casually uniformed in their polos and black pants were keeping a good pace for the large crowd was there. It gets busy on the weekends, so the wait can be long in their microscopic standing room only waiting area. This still didn't matter to me - I patiently waited to sit down so I can determine for myself whether this place does Cuban well. The verdict? This place is great! And the prices? So reasonable! $7 for the most perfect-tasting mojito, not too sweet or minty? You can't find anything close to that in DC, if not in taste in price. Less than $10 for a Cuban sandwich? Not too bad price-wise and absolutely delicious. This place is by far the only place that makes a Cuban sandwich properly and somewhat close to the dirt cheap eats price. I don't know if they really use Cuban bread but if they sliced the pork and didn't use chunks of pork then the flavor would be better balanced and the sandwich more perfect. A minus for this place? Ropa vieja was smaller in portion and just shy of perfect as far as the amount of flavor. I didn't think I'd say this, but I think this dish is done better at Cubanos than here. But for 2/3 of the price, I'll take it. The take-home message? Solid Cuban restaurant for the area if you're willing to take the trip up here or just happen to be in the neighborhood. This is one case where you can't judge a book by its cover.
(4)Mary A.
Had the fried pork and was impressed by how tender it was. All the sides were delicious also.
(5)JamisonAmadeo H.
I can not say enough that's good about this restaurant. The restaurant looks like nothing from the outside, but it has a nice atmosphere on the inside. It's small, but you're given adequate space. The staff are physically attractive for the most part, especially Jiovanni. The food and drinks are just out of this world, literally. The Vaca Frita is to die for, I could eat that as every meal for a month. Their Cuban rum sponge cake is orgasmic, and I don't use that as a descriptor often. My only wish is that I could eat a whole cake that tasted that good. The items are all very very fairly priced and it's just an overall great place to visit.
(5)Brandy P.
Beef empanadas are to die for!!!! The Pork was awesome. Will come back even if I have to drive 40 mins to get here!!!
(5)Cruz B.
OMG! I used my living social voucher to eat here.... Good lawd was this food good! All I can say is stop contemplating and go eat here.... STAT!
(5)Nancy M.
By far THE BEST CUBAN FOOD IN DC AREA. Today was my second time visiting in over 5 years. The food was better than i pleasantly remembered it. I was impressed with every aspect of the restaurant: Victor our server was perfect, funny and sharp, the space is clean and cozy, our food came out quickly yet tasted fresh and scrumptious. Their mojitos are addictive, before I knew it I was on my third and had to slow it down :-) I'm impressed on how they bake most of their authentic deserts and make their own habanero hot sauce.
(5)Steve Y.
Well let me start this review with the person who recommended this restaurant. I`ll call him Felipe to protect his identity. Felipe highly recommended this place but I should have known better becaquse after eating vaqca frita I asked him for my money back. In fact I think they called it Vaca frita because you would have to be drunk from Vodka to make this food taste decent. Anyway I will say since this was a takeout I might give it another chance. But I'm not planning on visiting Cuba anytime soon.
(2)Gerri S.
This spot is a lovely surprise. In suburban Maryland it is a delight to come across vibrant atmosphere, exciting cuisine and efficient service where dreary family dining is the norm.Cuba de Ayer is located in a small shopping center and adjacent to a large liquor store. There also appeared to be a church service going on in the building next door. So don't get thrown off by this randomness. It does not disappoint. On a Saturday evening the restaurant was full and buzzing with activity but we were lucky enough to get our table within 20 minutes. The Mojito I ordered was average - beautiful presentation but nothing to write home about content-wise. The Empanadas were delicious and quite fresh. Do try the beef. For my entree I had a shredded beef dish served with rice and beans and plantains. Very flavorful and quite filling. An enjoyable evening was had by all.I wish I lived closer to make this my regular spot. For those of you who do live in the vicinity I would highly recommend this place.
(4)John P.
Great Yelp reviews got us to drive from Annapolis to Burtonsville. Call ahead for reservations and check in on Yelp to get a free empanada. We had the marinated pork chops and slow cooked beef which was so tender it fell apart at the sight of a fork. We had traditional cocktails but they have some very creative originals on the menu. Tres leches cake y café con leche finished the meal!
(4)Tochi K.
I was pretty disappointed. I had heard good things about Cuba de Ayer from friends but walked away knowing I had had average cafe food at a good restaurant price! Highlights: The staff is great and their mojitos are the best I've ever had! The chicken empanadas are also pretty darn good (Our server told us the beef ones are their most popular but they weren't my favorite.) I also bet you the saying "cleanliness is close to godliness" is something the owner/manager cherishes. The place has an authentic and comfortable feel. Lowlights: 1. I had their red snapper (Pargo Frito) grilled instead of fried. It was dry (and I mean seriously over-cooked or dry--perhaps it was a heat lamp thing) and lacked the flavor. 2. My rice and black beans were also dry and needed more flavor. Sigh, and I love rice and beans. 3. I tried my husbands Ropa Vieja, which our server told us they were known for, and it was ultra dull--I've seriously had much better ropa vieja at other places. 4. I had the regular fried plantains, which were good, but my husband had the fried green plantains, which I of course tried. They were dry and not well salted. 5. Say no to the sangria: it tasted like cheap wine with pineapple soda and tiny chunks of what I am to believe and accept as pieces of fruit. 6. We tried their flan (tasted packaged), rum cake (way too sweet), and cuban coffee (just didn't taste right) for dessert. Sigh. I left wishing I'd tried them on a Groupon deal because I wasn't impressed and think that they are way, way over priced for what they serve.
(2)C P.
Sabrosa! Quite tasty and I like the feel of the place...dark, homey tables, Cuban music. I surprised myself with just how much I could eat in one setting! I opted for the Ham croquettes, the moros and cristianos, maduras (sweet plaintains) and palomilla (seasoned steak with grilled onion). Well worth the off the beaten path drive.
(4)Nicole A.
Love this little place! They are finally expanding (this place gets extremely crowded since its small). No dish has let me down! plantains are super sweet, salmon dish is awesome! Mango and guava juice are thick and sweet! Ive also had the shredded beef and its good! love Cuba de ayer!
(5)Charles S.
This is be best Cuban food I've had.. Clean, good, and delicious.. The wait staff is great.. This place is a hike from my house, but so worth it..
(5)Eve G.
Maybe the cook was having a bad evening, or the cook has changed...I don't know. Since I am a Havana-born Cuban, my friends very generously took me out to Cuba de Ayer for my birthday. Years back I had heard that the food there was really delicious and very authentic -- the best in Montgomery County. Perhaps my expectations were too high...I don't know...but, unfortunately, my black beans had a dump of salt, the chicken, though tasty, was tough as leather and the tostones had anemia. My friend's fish was absolutely tasteless, ( I think the salt took a turn from her fish to my beans), and my other friend's meat was dry. I was sooo very, very sad and disappointed! I had a great time with my friends, but I don't think I'll be taking a trip back. I'll stick to my own home cooked Cuban meals. Unless you have never had real Cuban food, I don't see how you can rate this restaurant with five stars.
(2)X J P.
Good food, somewhat confused service. The food is mostly very good. The shrimp and avocado appetizer is delicious. The carne con papa is very tasty and the Cuban sandwich meets expectations. However, the ropa vieja was very bland, luckily my friend had ordered ropa vieja, so I didn't have to finish it. The mojitos, of course, are a must try. The service... well... The first time I went was on a Tuesday night and the place was popping. Lots of customers, so the service was slow, but that could be expected. Initial order was fine, but when I later ordered a sangria it never arrived. When I asked for the bill I found that I was charged for deserts and drinks that were ordered by the table next to me. The waiter never returned to collect the bill, eventually the manager noticed how long we were waiting to settle up and came to collect the bill. It took almost 10 more minutes to clear up the items that were ordered by the other table. I returned on a weekday for lunch, lots of staff and almost no customers! Again the food and mojitos were good, but despite the excellent ratio of staff to customers it still took the waitress forever to take my order and to collect my bill. Maybe that is authentic as Cuban service can get! Cuba de Ayer is stil the best Cuban Restaurant in Burtonsville, just make sure to examine your bill very closely!
(3)Nastasia V.
I moved to Maryland about 2 years ago from Miami, FL and the first thing I had to do was find a cuban spot to eat at.... I am cuban and from a place where cuban food is all over the place and very authentic! Cuba de ayer surprized me! The ambiance and feel to it is just like home to me. The food is very satisfying and flavors are great! The owner and cook is Cuban so they know what they are doing in the kitchen. I have tried many dishes and have been satisfyed with every one of them! My husband is not to fond of the vaca frita... Too crispy and drie for him! But other than that great cuban spot to dine at!
(4)Brian K.
Great food. Nice atmosphere. Be back soon!!!
(5)Michael B.
Love this place! It's a regular in our restaurant rotation. Meats are well seasoned and tender but don't underestimate the rice and beans (make sure to get the beans on the side (it's just better somehow,) the crispy plantains are good but a little bland but as an added bonus Yelp always has money off coupon.
(4)Maria S.
I've heard a great deal about Cuban sandwiches and decided to order one, did not meet my expectations. Also, the juices are not homemade like at other Cuban restaurants. I have to point out, the wait time is ridiculous!! I imagine it should not be, considering the small space would make the order ratio smaller. The staff lacked professionalism. I would consider going a second per a family members request only.
(2)Alex Z.
Let me start by saying that I was born and raised in Miami near Little Havana. I grew up eating at La Carreta and Versailles on Calle Ocho. I know Cuban food. This is as good as it gets outside of Miami. Better than some places in Miami even. Service was great. Only thing missing is Cuban bread and pastelitos. Then again, this is a Cuban restaurant and not a bakery. If you want real and delicious Cuban food, go here. I had white rice and black beans, maduros, bistec empanizado, and yuca frita. It was awesome.
(5)Ivan C.
Food was pretty good. Lil salty but the rice didn't taste like anything but the fried fish I had was good but don't let the outside fool it does look good inside & good Latin environment. Hard to find but worth it
(4)Karina B.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! So glad my friend (s/o to Beca) told me about it. I'm half Cuban and this restaurants just makes me so happy; too bad it's so far from home. This place is extremely popular, I've waited an hour before. Make a reservation! Their appetizers are great, main dishes are nice and big, desserts are fabulous. Wish they'd open a location in VA or at least expand their small MD location. Check this place out!!
(5)Rachel A.
My husband and I live in NJ and we have gone out of our way to go here for lunch on our way to VA. The food is excellent, good prices, and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly. I wish I lived closer!
(5)Odin T.
This restaurant is so good that I actually started a yelp account just so I could rate it on here for others. This is the first Cuban restaurant I've been to that the food tasted as if someone in my family cooked it. I took two friends with me, one of which is American and had never tried Cuban food before. We ordered a variety of foods so that he could taste different dishes to get a better idea of what Cuban food is. He absolutely loved it. Every single dish that we ordered was phenomenal and cooked to the high standard that I'm used to. There are no "fancy" versions of the dishes like other "Cuban" restaurants. These foods are as if they came straight from the island. Very impressed.
(5)Mabel T.
I come here often on dinner dates with just my husband or in large groups. Every time, the food and service is fantastic!! The place is pretty small, but very nicely decorated. The lighting can sometimes be a little too dark for my taste, though. I'm not a huge fan of their drinks (I've had both their margaritas and mojitos) because they're a little too sweet for me and not too strong. But if I had to pick a fave, their guava mojito is delish! With every entree, you can choose to have your beans and rice mixed or separate and your bananas sweet or salty. I love the variety and the portions are HUGE. I always have more than enough leftovers for another full meal the next day. I always go with the vaca frita, lechon asado, or boliche. Their meat is always very tender and flavorful. (I think once I felt like their vaca frita was a little over cooked, but just barely). For dessert, their tres leches and flan is AMAZING. It gets pretty crowded for dinner, especially on the weekends so I suggest making a reservation or be prepared to wait for a long time.
(4)tamm r.
Cuban food is savory and doesn't use as much cheese as opposed to some other Latin American cuisines. I appreciate this. The flavor comes from a delicate blend of spices and properly simmering the yummy eats. Cuba Ayer has this down. They have a great veggie platter. The food is delicious, but a little on the saltier side. The reason for the 4 stars and not 5 is the service is very slow here and well, the salty factor.
(4)Meh G.
Having just moved to the Maryland/DC area from Miami I was really craving some good cuban food. Based on the previous reviews that I read here, I thought about giving this place a try. Me and my family drove for 30 miles to eat some good cuban food. Service: despite having made a reservation in advance, we still had to wait about 35 minutes. Once seated, the waitress completely ignored for a while, and when she came to and got our order, we told her that we have the free empanada because we checked into this restaurant on yelp; she didn't seem pleased by that and told us that the manager has to approve it first. Food: the food was ok, I got the Ropa Vieja which wasn't as good as the ones I had before (such as versailes in miami). My brother and the vaca frita and he was very disappointed by it. It was extremely salty. The beans were also very salty. But the plantaines and tostones were pretty good. By the end of the night we were so disappointed that we didn't even try to dessert.
(2)Christina C.
Went here two times. First time was on a friday night for a party of four and the wait was over an hour. We were all very hungry so decided to go someplace else and come back another time. Second time we went back on a friday night with a reservation. We were seated right away. I had pollo a la plancha, which was delicious! Juicy, tender chicken and very flavorful. Definitely get the side of plantains. My fiancés pork was a tad dry for his taste but overall the meal was great. If we are in burtonsville again, we'll definitely come back. The place does get a tad noisy, especially on weekends.
(4)Steven W.
I have never had a reason to go to Burtonsville to eat...I do now! Cuba de Ayer is fantastic. The food is tremendous. I started with a beef empanada. The shell was perfectly fried and the ground beef inside was flavorful, and not too greasy. My wife had a vegetarian platter, everything was so seasoned and flavorful, you didn't miss the meat. The FROZEN Mojito, at $10.95 seems steep, but after one you forget the price and wish you had a pitcher at home waiting for you. I had the Cubano sandwhich...roasted pork, baked ham, melted swiss cheese, mustard and thinly sliced pickles...it took everything in me not to go back for lunch today. The finale...The best Tres Leches I have ever had....Sopping sweet cake with whipped cream or light meringue on top. It was UNBELIEVABLE!! If you like Cuban food, give this place a try.
(5)Alan W.
This little restaurant in Burtonsville served some decent food with an atmosphere that was better than I anticipated considering its unassuming location. I would give the place 3.5 stars based on the locale and food but the service is what earns this place 5 stars in my book. Our food was slow to come to the table and their very busy manager came to us immediately, apologized, personally retrieved our meals, and compensated us for the time. With service like that, I can't recommend this place highly enough. There are plenty of 5 star restaurants in DC and NYC that could take a page out Cuba de Ayer's hospitality and service book. Everyone should try this place!
(5)Mia R.
I grew up in Florida, so I was not expecting to be blown away by Cuban food in MD. I was SO wrong. The food is authentic, there are generous portions, and you are doing yourself a disservice if you're not trying a mojito. You can't go wrong with anything you order, but be sure to ask for the hot sauce they make in house and use it liberally. It's amazing!
(5)Alexandra G.
Great food, good prices. New renovation is very nice too and makes waiting time a lot less.
(5)Sylvia C.
I have been meaning to try this restaurant since it opened. Here my critique: Mojito: The mint was ground into the mojito, not muddled, and I LOVED it. I love mint in general, so the extra mint infusion was absolute pleasure. Could've used a splash of more alcohol, but delicious nonetheless. I wanted to drink 10 of them. Tostones Relleno: I got the shredded beef instead of ground. It looked and tasted the same as what they use for ropa vieja. It was very flavorful. The seasoned meat complemented well with the semi- crunchy plantain. Boliche: The meat was lean and tender. With the first entry of the fork, the meat falls apart. Seasoning was good. A bit salty, but I ate it with the white rice and black bleans, which were good. The tostones were also good. I lucked out and got crunchy ones, contrary to some of the reviews. Tres Leches cake: moist, dense, sweet. It was good. i could only take a few bites because it was too rich, but I enjoyed it. I tried my friend's Pargo, which was lightly breaded and fried. It was not greasy at all and the fish was cooked to perfection: moist and flakey. The breading was tasty and went well with the fish. I also tried her platanos maduros, which were also delicious. The 3 things left I want to try are their Cuban sandwich, Yuca con mojo criollo, and flan.
(4)Steve L.
Really...really good. Very authentic. Best I've had in DMV...and I'm very familiar with Cubana food.
(5)Chica B.
Oh my,!!!! I used my last Groupon yesterday at the restaurant. We (my husband and I) shared a "sopa de pollo" which is an excellent size for two. Delicious and real home made chicken soup. Also we added the tostones which is the best complement with the soup. My husband had the "sandwich cubano" and I had the "sandwich de pernil". I loved my husband sandwich. I liked mine but something was missing and it was not the cheese (I don't like it with the sandwich) nor the lettuce and tomatoe. Until I found it....mayo could give that special kick to the baguette bread it was served. Now I know for the next time. To complete the fest we ordered 2 Tres Leches and Cafe con Leche! Of course I couldn't finish mine but it was DELICIOUS.....I'll go back again and only for the dessert.
(5)Cathy Q.
Let me start off this review by saying that the only reason I went to this restaurant was because of a Group On I had recently purchased. I had always been curious to try Cuban food and was excited to try this place out. Well, I was certainly disappointed with this restaurant. The staff is great, they are nice and helpful. But the food, oh the food, is not up to par. I had shrimps al ajillo (shrimp and garlic) that tasted very acidic and was only served SEVEN shrimps. It felt as though they counted the shrimps they were going to serve and that's ridiculous considering the fact that I went during dinner and they charged me $16 for that plate. The rice they serve is plain, like Chinese white rice, and they filled more than 75% of the plate with that rice. Let me just say, I'm not a cook but I could make better shrimp. I liked the plantains that were served maduros, they were good. I was recommended a drink by the waiter which was called Materva and that was good as well. Materva is a soft drink made from Argentinian Mate. My boyfriend ordered carne con papas (beef with potatos) and he was also disappointed. This plate looked better in the sense that only 50% of the plate was filled with rice and the rest was with beef and only ONE potato. Not very pretty to look at, I must say. This plate offered black beans which tasted as though they came out of a can. The beef chunks were cut into small and large sizes which I found odd and the beef was bland and under-seasoned. We tried desert considering the fact that I had lost my appetite for the food. I thought something has to be decent in this place. I was right, the tres leches I tried was good but I have had better. All in all I would have given this review zero stars if it were not for the fact that I had a Group On and did not pay the full price. I would NOT recommend this place and will not go back either.
(1)M S.
THE GOOD AMBIENCE: Much more than what you would expect judging from the outside. The shopping center is stripmallish, but CDA feels hip and welcome. APPETIZERS: Croquetas De Jamon: deep fried, but not greasy. very good. Papa Rellena: surprisingly good, interesting combination of an otherwise bland potato w/ well seasoned ground beef. DRINKS: Pineapple soda is overpriced at $2.35 for a 16 oz can. Mojito arrived w/ a piece of sugarcane. Delicious and enticing even for the non-drinker at our table. ENTREE: Bistec Palomilla: I ordered the moros/cristianos, and friends swapped tostones and maduros with us. Delicious! My friend also ordered the bistec, but she thought hers was a bit dry. Pollo Empanizado: Breading/chicken were seasoned and cooked very well. DESSERT: Tres leches was the probably the best I've ever had! Sweet, soft, perfect. THE OK: SERVICE: Not great! Our server did not clear our dishes quickly. We waited awhile for our 4th person to arrive, and the server was pretty good up until then. But then he disappeared for awhile and we had to ask another waiter to track him down. When dessert was presented, the servers sang Happy Birthday, but it was not a good photo-op bc the table was still stacked w/ dinner dishes! Prior to bringing the dessert out, server should have checked to make sure our dishes were cleared. PRESENTATION: All of the food was delicious, but when it arrived, the first thing you notice is everything on the plate was a shade of brown. Brown steak, brown moros/cristianos, brown plantains, light brown tostones. Green/yellow vegetables would break up the monotony to make the plates look more appealing and provide a healthy side dish for customers. I'd be willing to pay $1 more per entree for a green side dish. THE BAD: ODOR: There is an odor permeating the restaurant that suggests something is amiss with the grease trap/sewer. Outside the restaurant you can smell the delicious onions, garlic and other spices. However, the dank odor is apparent as soon as you open the inner door. We waited by the hostess stand for 20 minutes and were later seated in the section of the restaurant closer to the restroom and, unfortunately, the smell never went away. The odor is not bathroom related, the bathroom smells perfectly fine. TBH, in a normal situation the odor would have driven me away (a restaurant should smell like food and food only), but it was a special occasion with friends and I didn't want to ruin the night. I hope this is corrected quickly! The restaurant is well worth multiple visits, but the odor ruins my appetite.
(4)Jenn R.
As usual, excellent food. The per il is superb and the maduros are "yummy yummy". Every time I've bee the food Is delicious as well as their mojitos. Last time I went though they were very abundant with the mint in the mojito, more like a drink salad.. By having Hispanic heritage I usually don't expect hight customer service in Latin restaurants and this place is not the exception. Last time and after the remodel the waiter seemed all over the place, lost and our orders tools long time to be served including waiting for more than 15 minutes for our drinks. In addition, the waiter kept talking really fast while explaining the menu items to my friends. In overall is good food and last time, they had LIVE MUSIC which was nice :-)
(4)Alex K.
Off the beaten path Cuban star is our go to stop for dinner when returning to DC from the northeast. Chicken Soup is to die for, as is the range of traditional Cuban favorites--roast pork, Ropa Vieja, etc.
(5)Kat A.
Best of the best! Regardless of what you get here you can't go wrong with any of their food. The food is the best Cuban I've ever had. Period. The portions are well worth the price. I always have another meal or two in leftovers. The lunch options are a deal and their daily drink specials never disappoint. The staff couldn't be nicer. If you have any questions or are torn between dishes just ask. The staff is well informed regarding everything on their menu. They know what they're talking about! Try this place if you haven't before. I've been a customer for many years and have brought so many friends and family here to experience their food. Not a single person has been disappointed.
(5)Cybil A.
I went there during lunch and had a wonderful experience. The portions were generous, the price was perfectly reasonable, the staff was warm and attentive, and the food: I would have given Cuba Ayer 5 stars on the food alone. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and authentic. I had the chicken with peppers and the maduros, and the sweet, savory and saucy flavors mingled together on that plate perfectly. I will definitely go again, even if the location is a little out of my way. It's worth the trip.
(5)Iraina V.
Good food. The service was nice but a little slow. It was getting busy so that could be it. Definitely will return.
(4)Bill M.
Hadn't been there in years and it has changed for the better. (Interior wise) The service was outstanding. Someone was always checking on us. The food was great and the prices are reasonable. Try the homemade hot sauce. Perfect addition. Not to hot, but flavorful. We bought a bottle. The next test will be to bring our Cuban friends.
(5)Bianca F.
I never had Cuban food until I was invited to this restaurant. It is fabulous! True and authentic cuisine! I order the ropa vieja which is shredded beef. It comes with black beans and rice and plantains. They give you a ton of food! I usually have leftovers for the next day. We also get the tostones as an appetizer. The tres leches is amazing for dessert. And the drinks are just wonderful! The mojitos and the margaritas are sooo good! It gets pretty busy so make a reservation before you dine. :) Their service is great. This place does close earlier than most restaurants, so I would call ahead just in case to make sure they are open and have seats available. It's an out of the way gem!
(5)Benslie B.
We stopped by here for a late lunch/early dinner and were excited about this place because of other reviews and because we're big fans of Cuban food. We ordered: -Ropa vieja: it was incredibly, overwhelmingly salty. I'm usually the type to add salt to dishes, but the sodium level of this entree overshadowed any other favors and it was just not pleasant to eat. -Pan con croquetas: the croquettes were decent by themselves, but the overall taste of slapping them on a baguette was not particularly good or exciting. -Mamey shake: this was actually the highlight of our meal. It was sweet, rich, and good! We were also the only ones in the restaurant for the majority of our meal and it still took a fairly long time for our food to arrive. Overall, we paid about $30 for a very underwhelming meal here.
(2)Tim M.
Not the easiest to get in and out of from a parking perspective, but the Cuban sandwich was best I've had.
(5)Sweta D.
Awesome drinks!! Mango bomb was too good!! General manager of the place was very friendly !!
(4)Sammy A.
Came for lunch on a quiet afternoon for a quick bite. Ice cold Stella on draft = Now onto the food. I had the bistec salteado with side of yucca. Extra crispy yucca was absolutely phenomenal(might be the best yucca I have ever had) Blanched long enough that the interior was creamy and moist, but the outside had a phenomenal crisp to it that begs you to eat it immediately. The bistec salteado was underwhelming, the steak felt overcooked, under seasoned and all in all, boring and bland. Service was good, food came out relatively fast, and that yucca was mouth-burningly good. 3.5 stars
(3)Corey W.
Good was pretty good. Really on point. The pernil pork was extremely moist and cooked very well. I had the flank steak shredded. It was a little dry, but mixed with the rice and beans was amazing. The mojitos were incredible. The best I have had since south beach. Kelvin was our server and he was wonderful and attentive. Extremely impressed with this young man. Will be back again.
(5)Deborah N.
They have recently (yesterday!) expanded and now have an additional dining room plus a separate room that's a bar with lots of seating. YAY!!!!! My previous complaints were only that there was no place to sit while waiting for takeout and that you couldn't stop in and just get one of their delicious mojitos and maybe a snack. No longer! Get thee there now for happy hour and beyond!
(5)D J.
I really wanted this to be a five-star experience. Cuba de Ayer had been on my list of restaurants to try for years, and I was really looking forward to it. It turned out to be maybe a 3.5-star meal...I rounded up. My dinnner companion and I started with the camarones al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce) and beef empanadas. The appetizers were excellent -- best food we ate there. The garlic sauce that comes with the shrimp is delicious, and the beef filling in the empanadas is also very good. My dinner companion ordered pargo frito (fried red snapper) with white rice, black beans, and tostones. The fish was good, if a bit bland. The portions were quite large. The real disappointment was the tostones. They were just...not good. Thin, tough, bland, greasy. I am Puerto Rican, I make tostones frequently, and I expected the tostones at a Cuban restaurant to be excellent; they weren't. I had the avocado salad with salmon. It was quite good, but the dressing had soooo much garlic...and I love garlic! I had to stop eating the spinach after a while because the raw garlic flavor was taking over. The ingredients were fresh and the salmon was tasty, so it wasn't a bad salad. The cocktails were just okay. Good mojito. I tried the guapa martini -- too sweet and the cocktail glass arrived at the table half full. We were there on a Saturday night at 7:30. The restaurant was quite busy and service was really slow at times, particularly the drink service. We were sitting at a bar table, and we could see the bartenders working their tails off, but they just weren't able to keep up with demand and the wait time for a drink was pretty long at times. Overall, I would say we had a good experience at Cuba de Ayer, and I would eat there again, but I might just make a meal of appetizers next time!
(4)Nicole F.
I wound up over here due to an errant package that got sent to the UPS center in Laurel which is mucho far from my house. I was a VERY unhappy person and extremely grumpy that I had to drive an hour to get a package and I hadn't eaten. Lucky for me, YELP to the rescue. I looked for Gluten Free food and this wonderful place popped up with great reviews. COULD IT BE TRUE? Yes, I was so hungry I sat at the bar and ordered a Mojito. IT WAS AMAZEBALLS. The bartender made it just right, no big mint leaves to clog up my straw. She was also very attentive and gave me good recommendations on what to eat. I had the Ropa something and it was delish AND didn't make me sick. I left WAY happier then then I had arrived. I may just take the trip back there one day.
(4)Nicole G.
I love this place! All the cocktails are made fresh and the food is great! Two of my favorites drinks are the Guava Rita and La Mentirita (although EVERY drink I've had is good). I have a special relationship with the Camarones en Aguacate ask for bread to soak up the butter and garlic.
(5)Jennifer O.
I was very disappointed after hearing so many good reviews... even from native Miamians whose palates I trust. The bread was bland--I don't even think it was made with shortening, and if it was I have no idea how they got it to be so dense in texture, almost everything else was way too salty. Also, if I wanted to taste mojo from a jar, I'd to visit the Badia/Goya section at the grocery store instead of paying for a full meal. From now on, I'll be making my own Cuban food, or saving my stomach space for my next trip to South Florida.
(2)Ruth C.
We have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while now but finally got around to it last night. I must say it was totally worth it! We met our friends there and had a couple drinks at the bar prior to being seated - try the mojito - so good! We ordered two appetizers - the beef and chicken empanadas which were both delicious. The dough had a somewhat sweet taste to it which I've never experienced with other empanadas I've tried but it was so yummy. We also tried the Camarones al Ajillio which was also very delicious but a bit on the garlicky side. I happen to love garlic so I didn't mind but keep in mind if you don't like a lot of garlic. Overall I'd order both appetizers again. For my meal I had the Bistec Salteado, one of my favorite Cuban dishes so I had to give it a try. It was not the best version I've ever had but very tasty and I'd definitely order again. It was served with sweet plantains, white rice and black beans. The plantains were out of this world, probably the best I've ever had and the black beans also had great flavoring. The portion was huge and I pretty much took home half so I have another whole meal out of my dinner. If you love Cuban food this is the place to go, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Maurice M.
This place is as close as it gets to perfection. I give them a 100 on a scale of 1-10! Where to begin.. The drinks are Excellent! Choose from the Mojito's, custom Margarita's, or get the Guava or Mango Sangria - You won't regret it. Appetizers - The Empanadas are amazing. I typically get beef & chicken. Not only is it seasoned just right, the outer crust has a slightly sweet taste to it which sets it off just right. Then there's the Tostones Relleno - Stuffed, fried green plantain shaped into a mini bowl filled with shredded beef, ground beef or shrimp. Simply mouth watering.. Then, there's the Camarones En Aguacate - Good sized pieces of Avacado, topped with large shrimp, set in a sauce so tasty, you'll try to take it home if you manage to leave any on the plate. On to the Entrees - Which one to choose. Fricase De Pollo with the vegetarian beans seasoned to perfection & the sweet plantains.. I feel like I'm back home in Jamaica again.. Although that's my current favorite, all of the following are AMAZING - Pollo Salteado, Pargo Frito, Arroz Con Pollo, Spinach Avacado Salad (especially with the Salmon or the Red Snapper), Boliche, Picadillo, Pollo A La Plancha, Carribean Salmon, & Camarones al Ajillo! -- Can you tell I go there almost weekly? :-) As if there is any room left, I can't leave this place without getting a piece of the Rum Cake, garnished with a mint leaf & the most amazing glaze drizzled on it & on the plate. After writing all this, I think I'll head over there for lunch. To top it all of, the staff is super polite! Kudo's to Steven - One of the managers - He remembers me by name & checks on me whenever I stop in & jokes me that they're going to put my name on the chair at the end of the bar next to the outlet.. lol I've taken numerous clients & friends there who now go there on a regular basis & I finally got my family together over there last weekend. Cuba De Ayer is a MUST VISIT!
(5)Lauren L.
Great find! I wasn't expecting to find a good Cuban restaurant in the area. The bistec de pallomilla was very good and the mojitos were great. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)Eric F.
Cuba de Ayer is a really great restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxing and the staff is always on top of things. Sometimes at night there is a short wait, but typically, it is not overcrowded. I admit that it took me three visits to finally discover my go to dish, but I was willing to keep going back, because I could tell that even when a dish wasn't quite what I like, it was well prepared.
(5)lynn t.
I'm not sure how we've missed this little darling but at least we finally found it! Service and attitudes were as excellent as the empenadas, soup, entrees and dessert. I rarely eat black beans but the black beans here? I would eat them with a bowl of rice (yes even white rice). The Mango/Strawberry martini was equally perfect. Loved it!
(5)Jamaal C.
Best ever !!!! Worth coming too for just the white rice alone !!!! Everything I try on the menu has been good
(5)Wing C.
From the exterior, I wouldn't expect much from Cuba de Ayer - sketchy parking lot and hidden side entrance. I've seen it advertised numerous times on restaurant.com and offered endless online deals - even though my dad mentioned that he used to see lines to the door on the weekends - I was skeptical on how awesome could the food possibly be - those people must be there for some kind of coupon deal I told myself! So on my brother's last day home for Thanksgiving break, while wanting to try a cuisine my dad hasn't been exposed to but also not wanting to drive too far - I trusted yelp to finally give Cuba de Ayer a try after seeing it appeared first on top rated list for dinner around the area. I quickly gave them a call and they were able to accommodate a reservation @ 7:30 for 4 later that evening. First impression upon entering - a small family run restaurant with older decor + dim lighting. The nail/hair salon next door appeared to be have been taken over recently and the restaurant is now actually a bit bigger. When our really friendly, sweet waitress came over, we quickly submitted our food order since they were closing within an hr - Ropa Vieja, Leshon Asado, and red snapper (forgot the exact name). We also showed her our check in on yelp and scored a free chicken empanada! The empanada quickly came out with a bottle of green sauce. The 4 of us divided it to each have a bite. My dad and brother actually never had empanada before and I could see their eyes widened with their first bite. After first taste, I understood their reaction because it was literally the best empanada I had in my life. Perfectly seasoned + perfectly fried. It was fresh from the kitchen (piping hot) but not one bit oily. The main dishes came out soon after. I had a taste of each of their dish and I could say each was spot on - full of flavor. The fried plantain - i usually find them a bit plain and dry but the ones here was a bit sweet and blend of crunchy+soft. Too bad each order only came with 4 pieces! The black bean and rice - the black bean was the only downer of the meal. Too salty - to a point it was pretty much inedible! My fiance ended up eating the rice plain. Overall still a great meal! I presented our waitress the valpak coupon through gogglewallet and received 50% off on one of the entrees. But upon using that coupon, I was told that my yelp offer then wouldn't apply - bummer. $2.35 vs $7.35 dollars off? we took the valpak offer of course. 3 entrees + 1 appetizer around 50 dollars with tax and tip. Would return for perhaps lunch in the future!
(4)Jacqui L.
Delicious Camarones en Aguacate. I recommends getting bread on the side to dip in the amazing garlic sauce that you'll have left over. Trust me, you'll want to lick the plate and you can do that with the side of bread. Loved their Rojas Viejas. Well flavored, nice and tender. caramelized plantains were so good my friend and I had to get an extra order of them. And of course, to cure my food coma I got some Cuban coffee! Yum yum! Oh and the service, our server was SO SO friendly!!!
(4)Mai S.
Ordered the combination for the appetizer. Expected more flavor from the Pernil, the yuca was delicious, and the texture of the ham croquettes weren't my favorite. I tasted my friend's beef empanada and it was good. Ordered the Vieja Ropa. The beef was better with the aid of the house hot sauce. The rice and beans were great and the maduros were ok. I'll give them another try though.
(2)Katherine B.
I love this place! From the decor, to the food, service. Just wow. Best empanadas I ever had...ever. Shrimp dishes are large and fresh. Prices are reasonable. The yuca with garlic sauce is literally to die for. App with avacado and shrimp. Omg yum! I like the vaca frita and well everything there. You really can't go wrong. just go immediately and order everything.
(5)Mo A.
For such a small place in the middle of nowhere, this place has definitely garnered some buzz. Cuba de Ayer is a a small restaurant way out in suburban Maryland, closer to Baltimore than DC. As the name indicates, it specializes in Norwegian food....SIKE! One thing I've noticed about the DC region is any place that offers any type of Latin food will get a shot simply because there are not many quality Latin places. The only exception is the plethora of Peruvian chicken places all over the area. In any event, due to the size of Cuba De Ayer, reservations are recommended, particularly on peak days/times. It has a small parking lot at the back of the restaurant. The decor is casual and in need of some updating, however, the atmosphere is warm and kinda homey. The staff are personable and knowledgeable about the menu. Tip- Check in on Yelp and get a free Empanada! I had the Beef and Chicken Empanadas, Yuca Frites and Bistec Palomilla. The empanadas are decent sized, hot and fresh. The most appealing aspect of it is the crust, which is flaky. The filling inside the empanadas is a bit bland and could use some extra seasoning. The Yuca Frites are definitely large and bulky. Unfortunately, they were dry and overdone. The accompanying sauce was pretty tasteless. The Bistec Palomilla is comprised of marinated Cuban style steak and sautéed onions. I also chose to have white rice, black beans and platanos maduros (fried sweet plantains). The dish lacked color but more importantly than that, it was really dry due to a lack of sauce. The waiter was able to bring a sauce they usually use with their beans but that didn't help much. Additionally, the steak was tough and didn't have enough seasoning. The pricing is ok as two entrees, apps, one side and drinks comes to $50-$60 I'd probably return one day to try some other things on the menu. That said, I think this restaurant has potential and their take on Cuban food can be a good option in this area.....but in somewhere like Miami.....it probably would not survive.
(2)Hans H.
Ambiance is great, love the music it only adds to the amazing food. Had the avocado salmon and lenchon asado with my wife. The flavored of the salmon were fantastic and the pork was so tender. Will definitely be coming back ..... soon.
(5)Steve E.
Great Service, Great food, prices are reasonable. Love the Ambience. If you live in the area this is the place that you would take outsiders to.
(5)Faizah C.
This is a neighborhood gem! They've renovated their space into a swanky, cozy, sexy location good for groups, dates, or solo at the bar. They make their mojitos from scratch....i personally love the mango and the strawberry. Their best appetizer is the camarones de aguacate! You will not be disappointed. Do order a batch of bread with it to sop up the garlic juice. The bartenders are great, the service is really good and i definitely recommend you get there soon. Any day is fine!
(5)Leonard M.
It's a little out of the way but it is worth finding. The food is fresh, well prepared and the service is great.
(5)Blaine D.
Again, fantastic food and service. A must try is the Tres Leches cake with Cuban coffee. Delicious! The combination of flavors is second to none. I also love house hot sauce.
(5)Derek R.
Victor was an amazing waiter and very friendly. The food was great and the environment is cozy! I'd recommend this place highly to anyone.
(5)Diana R.
This place is a hidden gem! Since moving from LA, I've been searching for a good Cuban spot. Great ambiance, food, & service.
(5)Tony M.
Service was slow, though friendly. My cubano sandwich arrived with no pickle inside, a key ingredient. The replacement was very bland.
(2)I R.
This is my favorite Cuban Restaurant. Their food is as good as my Cuban neighbors' food. Be ready to wait for a table, as the space is cozy. Their "ropa vieja" is my favorite dish. The croquetas and empanadas are always yummy. I used them to cater a private party and got great reviews from the guests. Try them you wont be dissapointed
(5)Connie L.
Was super excited to try this restaurant because I have not had good cuban food in this area.. (my favorite is Cafe Cortadito in NYC!) Purchased the living social deal to go with my coworkers.. we also checked in on yelp and got free empanadas.. but at the end had to PAY for the empanadas because the yelp deal cannot be used in conjunction with the living social deal -___- Food wise, the ropa vieja was pretty good (not as good as I have had before but better than any I have had in the DC/MD area) and the sweet plantains were yummy. The mojito was sweet and gave me a good buzz and tres leches at the end was a good end to the meal. Kind of meh about not being able to use the deals together and just little things here and there. For example, the tres leches and whipped cream came out sort of melted because apparently the plate was hot(?) and the portions were off. One of the cakes was much larger than the other. I would return only if I have a huge craving for cuban food.
(3)Cynthia R.
The food is outstanding! The mojitos are delicious. I visit here often and have signed up on their e-mail list and receive coupons regularly. The remodel/expansion has made it much more enjoyable. Parking kind of stinks, but I won't hold that against them.
(5)Ivan M.
Great place, great setting and great food but best of all, great people. Victor's great service made the food taste even better; he's friendly and knowledgeable. We had pollo salteado, bistec empanizado, pargo frito (red snapper), bistec palomilla, empanadas, and other food. Great food!
(5)Tamara W.
Cuba de Ayer was highly recommended by friends and since they are Cuban and I grew up around authentic Cuban food, I decided to try them. First of all you must be vigilant of where they are located or you will pass it up! Very obscure place on the side of a strip mall just off the main road. The parking is HORRIBLE an absolute mess because they share space with 8 other shops and you can count the spaces with both hands. Good luck with that. Since we got there early 4 p.m. on Sunday, we found parking quickly and were seated immediately as we entered. The decor is very hip, and fresh as modern cubism meets retro Cuba, and both sexes of the waitstaff are dressed in traditional guayaberas which was a nice surprise. The seating looks good, but it is well-worn and the cushions were ripped and the salt and pepper shakers and menus were greasy. When our waitress came by she was very friendly and initially attentive, but she became less and less attentive once we placed our orders--this was not cool as my water glass was never filled and I was drinking only water and I had to ask my dinner mates if I could have theirs. The place was not even busy. The check took waaayyy too long-and to make matters worse there was a problem with another person cashing us out, a weird mix up. I was not happy with the waitress and I think that not having a bill of over $100 had a lot to do with it. PROS Authentic flavors and dishes which are well seasoned Decent food, but the roast pork (hallmark of Cuban cuisine) was forgettable because it was not fresh, it was either frozen and reheated or the initial meat that was cooked had freezer burn The black beans were excellent The batido de mamey (milkshake) was very good Their rice dishes were good The portions are just right, not CONS They charge for a x-small basket of bread and butter - very bad business practice Their tostones were hard as a rock and extremely thin - a big no no. Cuban sandwich was tasty, but very thin which means they are very SKIMPY on everything except the mustard They are overpriced for all of their meals, way overpriced I have not tried their other dishes, alcoholic drinks nor desserts, I may give them another chance. ***PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL BE CHARGED THE DINNER PRICE ANYTIME DURING THE WEEKEND FOR YOUR LUNCH.
(2)SB M.
I love this place. It's gotten a lot bigger in the last couple of years, but it's a great place. The food is amazing, the service is always good and if you happen to be there on a live music night the musicians are always spot on. My favorite dish is the Vaca Frita, which is pan fried shredded beef. It's dry, no sauce, which I love but some people don't like. My wife has the Pollo Empanizado, it's basically Cuban fried chicken, and she loves it. The chicken is not dried out and the breading is tasty. For appetizer the fried yucca or Papas Rellenas (fried mashed potato with piccadillo stuffing) are delicious. If you are going on a weekend night, make a reservation.
(5)Joseph C.
The food and service is impeccable. Best restaurant in MD. When you need comfort food from the Caribbean, you have to go there!
(5)Paula S.
AWESOME!!! First my servers were Bessie and Victor. They were WONDERFUL!!!! Great food recommendations as this was our first time. We started with chicken empanadas and yucca fries, and had the pollo salteado, camarones al ajillo and the Caribbean salmon, and we all enjoyed EVERYTHING! Great food and great service.
(5)Melissa S.
Friday night dinner option after searching Yelp for something different and highly recommended. For a family of 4, I ordered a Cuban sandwich, Caribbean salmon, Camarones al Ajillo, and a Pernil. I also ordered a tres leches and rum cake to share. Total Bill: $80+ sigh...but ok....I figured it's ok to splurge a little because it will be worth it- right?! Ok so....not really but it's promising. Let's start with the camarones (shrimp). I was expecting a beautiful presentation when I opened the take out container. What I got looked like shrimp in a butter and garlic mixture. Rice was cooked perfectly and the plantains (maduros) were good. Next up... Pernil. Hmmm i'll just say that I was REALLY looking forward to the dish blowing my mind but my expectations were too high. It was just OK- nothing great and not something I would get again. I've had wayyyyyy better. I'm not sure about the sandwich but my son's face spoke volumes! He wasn't thrilled at all. Then... the salmon. It was also just OK- nothing to slap momma about at all. The mango salsa however, delicious. The desserts were in the OK column as well. For what I spent, and because it was a Cuban spot, I was sooo excited because I just KNEW the food would be amazing. Instead after my meal, I felt like a bit of a fool. The 2 biggest disappointments though were when one of my orders came out incorrectly after I had gone over the order with the hostess twice. In total, I waited 1 hour and 15 minutes for my food. My poor kids were about to feint! Finally, I found that by checking into the restaurant on Yelp, you could get a free empanada- so I did. When I inquired about it, I was referred to the manager. While I wait for the manager, one of the hostesses inquired with the other about what I was seeking in Spanish. First mistake- don't assume that the customer can't understand your language- I can! Second mistake- don't discuss the customer in his/her face. The other hostess then says- we don't accept Groupon coupons. I'm then thinking that one person addressing the issue was enough because now her assumption is that I have a Groupon when I clearly showed the other young lady the bold, red, Yelp offer. She says Oh- and it's also for dine-in. I replied-well it should specify that on Yelp because it doesn't. The manager then comes and like a broken record- he too tells me that they typically don't accept the offer for dine out- only dine in. Wha!?! It doesn't say that on Yelp. Then I'm thinking... Are you kidding me after all I've waited and spent? He was nice enough to honor it anyway but not before giving me a light tongue lashing about what they typically don't do... Sigh. Great customer service would have ended at honoring the offer and moving on. As I walked out, a gentleman had gotten up from his table and was complaining that they had been waiting over an hour for their dinner. After he walked away, the hostesses were scrambling trying to address the issue and I could hear them in Spanish discussing that the man's table had been there a long time. I SO want to love this business! It's promising and I love and support my Caribbean folks but c'mon- let's do better! I really tried...really I did. Not sure that I'll be back. Perhaps I'll try the bar next time.
(2)Atiya Y.
Thanks to fellow yelpers, I stopped here on my commute home one day. I'd been on the search for good Cuban food every since leaving New Jersey! The parking lot/external appearance of the place makes you think this is a dive. The interior is decorated well, very deep, rich colors, clean, and spacious. So glad I wasn't put off by my initial impression when I parked! Drinks: Went the non-alcoholic route and had the guava juice. It was nice and refreshing...now I need to find a place to buy that stuff bottled up! App: Ordered the empanadas. We requested two beef and one chicken for the order and our water happily obliged. They were light and crispy on the outside, stuffed with well-seasoned and tender meat. Usually, places skimp on the filling, but we were not disappointed! We were, however, longing for some kind of sauce to dip them in... but they were very tasty nonetheless. Entree: Tried the chuletas de puerco...This dish was so good! I had to slow myself down to keep from inhaling everything. It comes with two thinly sliced, but perfectly cooked pork chops with sautéed onions on top. Though the pork chops were thin, they had a nice crisp on the fatty parts (my favorite), but were still juicy and flavorful. I had the sweet plantains and rice and beans with it. Everything was cooked to perfection. Dessert: Dulce de leche. I have never had a dulce de leche that can come close to the quality and taste at this restaurant. (I am a HUGE fan of all Latin cuisine...so I know my way around a dulce de leche! Lol) Service: Our waiter did try several times to up-sell us with almost every aspect of the menu, so that was a teeny turnoff (hence 4 stars instead of 5). However, this was my dinner date's first time having Cuban and the waiter was very informative and gave a nice overview of the menu. He was also very friendly and attentive. Random: There are different prices for lunch and dinner for each entree. What a deal if you can make it here for lunch! Wish I lived closer to this place because I would be here at least once a week! Will definitely be back.
(4)Michelle L.
Super sad face. Came 400 miles and drove the extra few for what my sister promised The Best ropa vieja pero it's not open Monday's.
(5)Nick M.
Came up from Woodbridge for our monthly fix. Server is Ana. Service here is excellent but we like Ana the best . Having Bistec Palomino with rice and beans, son in law is having pernil. Food is awesome.
(5)Naomi S.
We moved to the Silver Spring/Burtonsville area a year ago and still looking for all the hidden gems in the nearby area. Cuba de Ayer was such a find! We were actually the last ones to show up on a Sunday night and we didn't feel rushed. The service was great and fast. We ordered traditional mojitos, the shrimp and avocado appetizer, bistec salteado and salmon caribbean. All were excellent. We will definitely make this a regular and try everything on the menu!
(5)Ijene L.
Really really awesome. Beautiful lil restaurant with a completely sexy ambience. Perfect for a first date or even an anniversary. Nestled in a shopping center off old Columbia pike so drive slow and pay attention so you don't pass it. I had the Cuban passion drink. It was fruity and bubbly and I loved it. It went great with the Chuletas (pork chops) which were seasoned perfect and just like abuelita used to make! Sweet plaintains were freaking mouth watering and I wanna be buried in a vat of their tostones....ijs. I had the croquetas appetizer and they were rich and filling and chewy and my goodness they were awesome sauce! I only regret I had no room for dessert! I went at about 8 pm and they closed at 9. The wait staff was incredibly sweet and accommodating. The manager was also a doll and even adjusted the temp for me since I was one of 4 ppl left eating. The music made me wanna shake my culo the entire time, courtesy of Celia Cruz. I just can't say enough good things. I can NOT WAIT to go again! I loved it!
(5)Raycal B.
When I tell u this Cuban food is good, it is delicious. My husband loved his steak and he NEVER EVER loves steak at restaurants. They don't season it well enough for him. But this restaurant did. The atmosphere in here is nice too. You should definitely check this place out. You won't regret it. This is my 2nd time here and I will be back again and again. If u check into Yelp, you get a FREE Empanada.
(5)Lisa M.
Overall, this place was really good. I went with some colleagues. We are not from the area, and we were looking for someplace with good food and atmosphere. Cuba de Ayer has both. The menu has a pretty decent variety of traditional Latin American food, but what I was most excited to see was the pernil. Its not something I have seen on other Cuban restaurant menus. The waiter said that it takes 6 hours to make, and the fantastic flavor definitely reflected it. I got it with maduros (sweet bananas), which were appropriately tender and sweet. My colleague got and enjoyed the tostones (fried, flat bananas). The most disappointing aspect was the blandness of the rice and beans, but that was sufficiently addressed with some hot sauce. Another colleague got the boliche, which he said he really enjoyed. The tostones rellenos were eh. The shredded beef filling was tasty, but the tostones, which I thought lacked flavor, detracted from the overall appetizer and experience. A colleague had the empanadas (1 each of the three types), and he described them as okay. The service was great, the portions were generous, and the place has character. I'd definitely go back again.
(4)Annie C.
If you're looking for authentic Cuban Cuisine, this is the real deal! Nothing short of amazing! From their mojitos, to their chicken empanadas and tostones rellenos, to their Ropa Vieja, Camarones al ajillo, Palomillla, or Masitas, you really can't go wrong. I've NEVER had a bad meal or dish here. And their desserts are pretty amazing too. The tres leches and flan are made in house from scratch daily and are heaven on earth!!! Absolutely love this place!
(5)Kim T.
It started with the excellent classic salsa music...continued with an expertly made mojito...warmed with a perfect sopa de res...all emceed by the pleasant and friendly staff...:D
(5)Sarah M.
Five stars well deserved. A group of friends and I decided to try Cuba de Ayer on a whim for dinner on a Friday night. I'm so glad we did. I loved the authentic feel of the restaurant, the timely service, and the flavorful food! I ordered the cuban sandwich with sweet fried plaintains. I highly recommend it! It was SO GOOD! The next time, I want to order the bistec salteado, which was also highly recommended. Because my friends and I were enjoying our dining experience so much, we carried on talking and laughing, not realizing that the restaurant was about to close. Instead of kicking us out or rushing us, our server was very gracious. I love that kind of customer service. I will be back!
(5)Roy S.
This place is awesome!!! Had the ropa vieja with rice and beans (cooked separately, make sure to get them this way). The empenadas were tasty and the croquettes were a hit as well. The food here is awesome and its in such a random place... Make sure to go here and enjoy!! It gets really busy at night so I suggest going for lunch
(5)Zahra K.
They should buy out all the other establishments on it's little strip to make more space. This place is so good I don't even get mad at waiting an extra 30 minutes on top of the initial 30 minutes for my take out order. Just give me my pan con bistek and tres leches and I am good. Everything else I have had is pretty good. Can't compare to what I am used to growing up in Miami, but for the DC Metro 'burbs, it'll do.
(4)Jarrod F.
Having eaten here twice in the past two weeks I'm officially a fan of Cuba de Ayer. The first time we came here with friends (including fellow yelper Ashley p!). We all ordered the empanadas which were outstanding. The beef one was by far the best. The stuffed potato croquettes were also delicate and light. Definitely delicious. Everyone seemed to love their drinks although i thought my sangria was just ok. Our 4 entrees included the rojo vieja, steak, and grilled chicken. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. However I do wish there was more variety with the side options. Don't get me wrong I love me some rice and beans but maybe some mixed vegetables would add some variety and color for those who need their greens. I thought the sweet plantains were a little too sweet. The savory ones were much better but they were also fried, which made them less healthy. Overall it was a great experience which is why I returned the following week with my wife and sister in law. On this second visit we ordered The shrimp and avacado appetizer. Although appealing to the eye im not quite sure I was a fan of the flavor profile. The dish was saturated in butter and drowning in garlic. Probably wouldn't order it again for those reasons. Although the shrimp were plump and filling. For our entrees i ordered the salmon special with an avacado cream sauce which was excellent. My wife had the Cuban sandwich and my sister in law got the yellow rice and shrimp. Honestly I didn't think their meals looked just okay. But our waiter that night was excellent. Now I will say that on this second trip we were seated in the back area and it was way too hot. I think it's because that particular space had no air vents. Try to avoid the back area on a hot day is my advice to you. My recommendation: the beef empanadas, the guava mojito and the salmon with black rice and savory plantains.
(4)Danny C.
I just came here last night for the first time since I made the last review. I regret not coming here for over 3 years because this place is phenomenal. After going to church, my sister, her fiancé and I came to Cuba De Ayer for dinner. I had no idea the place moved because I swore it was already there the last time I went back in 2011, but apparently they moved to the next building. We went in and were seated. Our waiter which had a Flacco jersey on was young but professional and came by our table enough times for us to feel appreciated. He also gave us refills at good times. I saw the special menu and it had a dish called Salmon Avocado and it sounded really good. I usually don't get seafood dishes because it costs more and you get less quantity but this time I decided to take a risk and get it. That risk paid off plus more. I got my dish, (see below review for picture) and I couldn't believe on how big the piece of Salmon was. It felt like 8 ounces and that's without the ceviche-like-stuff on top. Almost all of the Salmon was cooked perfectly; it takes skill to cook fish perfectly. The tender, moist and flavorful Salmon went perfect with what was on top which looked and tasted a lot like ceviche except it didn't have fish or seafood, it had avocado. The ceviche-like-salad on top was citrusy, tangy and refreshing, truly a balance of fantastic and fresh flavors. Then pour out the hot black beans onto the tasty white rice and it creates a great combination to counteract the cool, rich flavors of the Salmon and it's toppings. Oh and their homemade hot sauce? Pour that over the flat and crispy plantains and it's over. Everything in that dish was memorable. I asked our waiter if he liked Flacco, he said that he had to wear a jersey for work so he decided to choose the most neutral jersey considering Ravens is our home team. He didn't want to risk anything by wearing a different team's jersey HAAA! Tru dat homie G. I'm planning to go back here soon. Real soon.
(5)Molly T.
Excellent service! Our server gave recommendations that were spot on. Everything we ordered that he recommended was delish. The empanadas were crispy and the filling was very tasty. We had one of each kind. The one con was that the cheese one was a bit greasy (a bit 'o grease dropped on my pants when I bit into it). Our entrees came out very quickly. I would recommend getting the beans on the side and pour the beans on the rice yourself rather than have it already mixed into the rice if you like your beans and rice more moist. The tres leches cake was to die for and the mamey shake/smoothie was not too heavy. It was quite refreshing, actually! And the mojito was the best I ever had. My one very small criticism over the entire meal was that all the food, save the sweet plantains and the desserts, were on the salty side. Even the rice. But it didn't matter that much unless you're sensitive to that sort of thing. All moms with babies- there is a changing table in the ladies bathroom. ;)
(5)Liz S.
This place is legit. We stopped here from Northern Virginia, on our way to the Aquarium. The food is legit and they know how to cook. If you're anywhere near the area, stop by. It'll likely be our go-to everytime we go to Baltimore. It's not too far off from I-95.
(5)Regina W.
Excellent meatballs on the lunch special. Service was great. Interior is very clean and and the atmosphere completes the Cuban vibe
(5)Milton H.
Another great dinner here. No doubt this is as close as it gets to authentic Cuban. This is a nice little hide away in Montg County. The food is always fresh, service is always exceptional. Our server, Linda, is simply amazing. She is attentive, has a great smile and checked on us frequently. Be sure to ask for Linda !!!
(5)Dana E.
Found this place based on the great Yelp reviews, and so glad we did! This was truely some if the best Cuban food I've ever had. The empanads were out of this world, especially with their homemade hotsauce. Oh, the mojitos- also one of the best cocktails I've ever had. They know how to make it right! Just moved into the neighborhood, we will definitely make this a regular place! Great ambience, and super friendly service.
(5)DJ H.
The restaurant has been through a makeover and looks very nice and refreshed. The decor and atmosphere is pleasant and inviting. Started off with the beef Empanda and shrimp with garlic and lemon sauce. Simply delicious. I had the Pollo Salteado with red beans and plantains which was very very tasty. Wife had the rib special which was moist, seasoned and delicious. Oh and the mojitos were refreshing. A definite chill spot with excellent food.
(4)Michael Y.
I was invited here by some work friends who told me that I was missing out. The last time I had Cuban food was in Cuba, so I was skeptical to try the "Americanized" version. However, I've gotta say, I have most certainly been missing out! The empanadas...folks, these empanadas!!! I got one of each kind (you can mix'n'match chicken, beef or cheese) and did not regret it! They put a hint of sweet glaze on the crisp edges, so when you take that first bite into it (after dressing it with their delicious house-made hot sauce) you get so much flavor in one bite. Everyone is always looking for the perfect bite, and I had 20 of them in a row! Then, I followed it up with the Ropa Vieja with Platanos Maduros (fried sweet plantains) and Moros Y Cristianos (seasoned rice and black beans). If you want to eat how they do in Cuba, save the airfare and get this dish! It may not look like the most colorful entree, but that matters so very little when you find yourself shoveling it into your mouth! The contrast of the perfectly seasoned shredded beef and the sweet plantains explode with flavor in every bite. The plantains themselves were excellent! Crunchy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside. The atmosphere and cuisine were of DC-restaurant caliber, but at a fraction of the cost. Add to that the service: we surprised them with a lunch party of 9, and they easily took it in stride. We forgot to tell our server to split the checks, but he took the time to sort through and make sure there was no confusion. He even humored me while I practiced my Spanish during my order (not pretty). And yes, the woman you see on the news articles displayed when you walk in is the same woman you see going back and forth from kitchen to customers. The owner, Jessica Rodriguez, is always in sight, taking care of business. The only thing that gave this 4 instead of 5 stars is that the Ropa Vieja was noticeably over salted. If this happens to you, keep this in mind: Once I combined the ingredients and added a generous dosage of their hot sauce (again, perfection) the flavors complemented each other perfectly. Going back tomorrow. I suggest you do the same.
(4)Shawna S.
This place is definitely a hidden gem. I absolutely love the food here, and the staff is great. I LOVE Cuban food, and the food here is pretty authentic.
(5)Seth S.
Happened on this place while trying to avoid 95 traffic and loved it. We had the veggie platter and the shrimp, and both were great.
(4)Alyssa S.
Love love love this place, I've been coming here since 2009 before they remodeled. The mojitos are great, fresh mint, limes, and even sugar cane. They are also $5 on happy hour in the bar area only as well as select appetizers are half off. I've tried all the empanadas, but the chicken are my favorite. I also get the pollo a la plancha with black beans and sweet plantains. The hot sauce is divine and mixes very well with the rice. The portion sizes for entrees are also great, definitely enough for lunch the next day. The tres leches cake is also delicious. The manager is very accommodating and will come around to make recommendations. I've never had any real problems with the service, however if you do sit in the bar area tables you will probably go longer without seeing staff as they are also sometimes the only bartender.
(5)Norris P.
They have a small happy hour but what they do have is simply delicious! I had their $5 empanadas, you get two per order, they have a slight sweetness to it which was unexpected but it works really well together. Their drinks are semi strong though
(4)Mandi B.
This was my first time trying Cuban food and I must say, omgg that was amazing!! The food had so much flavor to it and please don't get me started on the beans!! I def will be coming back again. Best food I've had in a while
(5)Gerry D.
Would have gave this place 5 stars, but the server I had was not that experienced. I feel that a place like this with such amazing food, should have to notch servers. Not that my server was bad but she wasn't too familiar with the menu, and didn't really say much. Makes me wonder if she didn't want to serve us... ? Anyway the food was amazing! I also had a mojito which was the best mojito I ever had. The price of the meal for me and my girlfriend was very promising. Considering the amount of money spent the weekend before on not so good food. At the end of the day I recommend going here for food and not service if you can grab and go, the foods amazing I can't say it enough, even the next day after heating the food up in the microwave it took me back mmmmmmmm
(4)Joey T.
My famil and I love this place. Ambience os great, food is perfect and the service is outstanding. A must place to dine
(5)Ayesha A.
I came in for a late dinner with a friend--9 PM on a Saturday night. We were seated pretty quickly upon arrival. Shortly after being seated, our extremely friendly server introduced herself to us and asked us if it was our first time there. We said yes, so she told us a little bit about the menu before taking our drink orders. I got a Batido de Mango (a mango milkshake). It was creamy, delicious, and not too sweet. Just the way I like it. When the server returned to take our food order, she could tell that we were unfamiliar with Cuban cuisine, so she went into a little more detail and answered all of our questions. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. The best part was that she asked us multiple times to inform her if we didn't like anything we ordered (since we were unfamiliar with the cuisine) so that she could switch it out for something that we would like better. This let me feel free to be a little more adventurous than I would have been otherwise. I loved how accommodating she was. She checked on us frequently (but not in a cloying way). The service was really excellent here. The dining room was pretty small, and it got loud. The cheese empanada was hot, fresh, and delicious: crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. It was particularly tasty with the house habañero hot sauce. The server warned me that the vaca frita may be a little dry for first-timers, but I decided to try it anyway. I learned that vaca frita is beef that's first braised, then shredded and fried. It was lacy and crispy. I quite enjoyed it. The beans were flavorful, and the rice was oiled nicely (but not greasy). I got the crispy plantains, and they were good and crispy. Also very tasty with the house habañero hot sauce. The portions were generous, especially for the price that we paid. This place is really great. I highly recommend it!
(5)Ashley N.
The food we had tonight was very good. The ambience of the place was nice and calm too. I will detail them below. Some of us got drinks, and they were pretty tasty. Mine was some guava rum drink. It was good- tasted like fresh fruit juice. We started with the chicken, beef and cheese empanadas. The chicken was shredded and spiced perfectly. The dough was sweet, but crunchy and salty at the same time. Happiness in my mouth! We also got the papas rellenos (beef stuffed potatoes). I was a fan of the potatoes, with the crispy coating on the outside and mushy mashed tater taste underneath. The beef was just beef. Nothing I'll remember forever. But it was good. I got the chicken breast with dirty rice (seasoned rice and beans) and platanos. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned. I liked using their spicy sauce to add a little zing to it. My friend said her chicken (same dish) was a bit salty. Humph! My husband got the steak, white rice, black beans and platanos. He said it was well seasoned and cooked well. Other friend got a beef dish with dirty rice and plantains. He seemed happy too. The platanos were SO good, sweet, mushy, and just delicious. The flan was very good, but so tiny. It was almost not worth the calories. For whatever money it is, it should be an ounce bigger! All in all, solid Cuban meal. I would return. The food cranked out of the kitchen smelled and looked delicious, which is why I want to go back. The waiter seemed flighty and cookie at first. But, he came around and checked in several times, as did the food runners. The tables are situated a bit close to one another, which could get uncomfortable and awkward on a Friday or Saturday night. It wasn't a busy night so we weren't on top of another table, thankfully. But leave some space, puhlease.
(4)Guinivere S.
Dee-lishus! I was sooo looking forward to having some cuban food and I came in with an appetite. Upon the recommendation of the waistaff I had a Presidente beer, and ordered my food. The food came quickly, and was perfectly flavoured. I was getting full and yet I still continued to eat....that's how you know it was good! I wanted to try a dessert, and also went on the recommendation of the waitstaff. The dessert was good, but quite sweet! I probably should have stopped while I was ahead. I ordered my coffee to go, so I could enjoy it on the drive, and that was a great decision. I would recommend this place and would visit again!
(5)Roberto S.
Great service friendly and welcoming. Good food and the prices are ok. I can truly recommend this place to friends.
(5)tina t.
I am a regular at Cuba de Ayer. My go to dish is shrimp in garlic sauce with extra sweet plantains. I had an unfortunate experience when on my last visit, some of the plantains i was served were not edible - first a strange smell hit me, then i took a close look and the plantains are a funny grey/ greenish color - and yes - they were rotten and they stunk. I alerted my server, who "solved" the situation by bringing me a fresh order of fried plantains. I turned them back - I wasn't hungry anymore. I would have expected the manager to come by and apologize....but that didn't happen.
(1)Alex G.
Outstanding food, service, and price. Already told friends and told them to tell their friends! Ill be back!
(5)Lucas O.
Cuba de Ayer is fantastic. The ropa vieja is delicious, and the fried plantains are to die for. This place does not disappoint. You can come on a date, with friends, or with kids. Highly recommended!
(4)Joanna C.
A friend recommended Cuba de Ayer and so I took my family there for lunch. Easy to get to, not crowded for a Wednesday afternoon. The decor was homey and loved the artwork on the walls. The bar was separated from the dining hall, but I would definitely go there just to hang out. Their food is great! The Cuban sandwich was really good, just missing the pickles. The camarones al ajillo was ok. The tostones and fried yuca were great! The kids chicken breast wasn't anything special, kinda bland. I would definitely go back and try more!
(5)Jennifer H.
Food is amazing, prices are good, service is outstanding, atmosphere is perfect. I have nothing bad to say about this place. Also, if you love your food spicy, then this place will not let you down - try their in-house made hot sauce!
(5)Maurice R.
Possibly my new favorite place to eat. This place can be a little difficult to find, but trust me when I say that it's worth it. The decor is pretty nice. Despite its location, it feels like something you would find in DC. I had the salmon that was covered in some kind of pico de Gallo and red beans. Both were great. The empenados are delicious as well.
(5)Jeremy R.
Waitstaff were friendly and attentive but food was hit or miss. Appetizer combination consisted of a two pieces of yuca, two small croquetas which tasted like hash and lacked complexity and a pile of tasty roast pork which was the winner of the bunch. Special shrimp in Maduro ( fried plantain) cups was good. The cuban sandwich was hot and fresh and had a great flavor as did the chicken empanada. Their flan is dense the way i like it but lacked the caramel sauce one would expect. This place has expanded and gone upscale since my last visit and is much more inviting. Our only customer service snag was that we were using a Groupon and while waiting for ouir meal we checked in on Yelp and were offered a free empanada. When the check came our waiter told us we could not use the groupon and the free empanada thing at the same time. Yes it was only $2.40 but that seemed a little iffy. As there is a lot of crossover between Groupon and Yelp users this should have been mentioned when the check-in gift was redeemed.
(3)David A.
Great service and excellent food! Love this place.
(5)Tim S.
Mouth watering food and even better service to back it up. My personal favorite is the pollo a la plancha. Make sure to get it with the fried plantains, which are so so good. For dessert, the tres leches is my top choice. They put marshmallow on top, which seemed strange at first, but it's really good. The only "bad" experience we had was that one time our batido de Mango tasted a bit too salty. We mentioned it to our server and a couple minutes later the manager came out with another one (that tasted great), apologized, and then said they would not charge us for either one. Hard to find service like that.
(5)Tom D.
Cuba De Ayer.... This is a very good Cuban restaurant. They are a busy place located in Burtonsville, MD. The service and servers are great here and very attentive. The food is very good. I enjoy the Ropa Veja, and shrimp and garlic appetizer. My wife had the Picadillo and here is were I am a little more concerned, it was ok. It was missing the true essence of Picadillo (did not see any of the important items such as olives, peppers, potato)...it was a bit mushy (I know...I know, it is supposed to be a "minced" hash like dish), but just didn't do it for me. But, the other dishes certainly make up for it!! OMG!!! was in the other day and they had Oxtail.....I am a fan of Oxtail so this was a great test. They passed with flying colors! That was one of the most amazing Oxtail dishes I have had in a long time. Perfectly cooked, falling off the bone, great wine sauce!!! yummmmm!! By the way, they have a nice drink menu and the mojitos look good, but are a little on the weak side. That has kept me from getting them on other visits here. They have recently updated the interior and it works very well! The bar is beautiful and restaurant is nice and big now.
(4)Courtney R.
Definitely great food. Cuba de Ayer never disappoints. The server may have been new...spilled wine all over my mom's Dooney & Burke purse. However, the manager was out promptly to make sure we were okay. Our appetizer, which was also in the spillage path, was comped without having to ask for some sort of restitution. Otherwise, it was a very nice experience. 4 stars for the wine spill as it could have been avoided. Bless the server's heart, he was trying to do it all...but take it from a former server: it's easier to set the tray of full wine glasses down before taking an order versus perfecting your balancing act. You never want to come between a woman and her leather.
(4)Brian H.
We dine regularly at Cuba de Ayer. They remodeled recently and it is very pleasant. The service is excellent. The mojitos, empanadas, yuca, plantains, beans and rice, salmon, ropa vieja, and flan are excellent. Enjoy.
(4)Greg C. H.
This place never fails always great service and food. For appetizers I can't remember the name but it was a dish that had two avocados with 3 shrimps on each Avocado with this awesome sauce & bread. For dinner I had the pollo Saltado : if you like chicken breast, I would go with this dish it was great!
(5)Janelle J.
This place is definitely a treat! Enjoyed the pollo saltado and the rum cake with the cafe con leche. For appetizers, we enjoyed the Camaron to stones and the chicken empanadas
(5)Ed. R.
I never get to Cuba de Ayer enough because I live so far. But, when I do, what a treat. It's like visiting one of my aunts in Puerto Rico! My default comfort food is the arroz con pollo although every other entrée that my dining partners, or I, have tried, have been superb. The empenadas tostones make a delicious compliment. The food, the atmosphere and the warm hospitality make Cuba de Ayer my fist choice when anywhere on the topside of the Beltway!
(5)Cynthia H.
from what I remember, it is so delicious, really good authentic Cuban food! So I recently went back there to grab some dinner after 4/5ish years and it just as delicious as I remember! I highly recommend this place when you want good Cuban food!!
(4)Joey F.
Love everything on the menu. This is some really good cuban cuisine. I am puerto Rican and am so happy to have a place in the area that can put down some island Latino food.
(5)Jeff R.
I have now eaten here several more times, at the urging of several friends who are fans and felt I must have had an unusual experience. I must admit that the food has improved in my opinion very much .While I still think the fried beef could use a bit less salt, I have found the food in general to be well prepared and creative. I was particularly impressed with a recent special, braised pork baby back ribs. They were cut into individual ribs, then browned and braised in a savory (as opposed to a sweet or spicy) sauce for a couple of hours at least. The resulting sauce had the consistency and color of a light beef gravy. The menu said there were olives in the dish, but I didn't see any or taste anything distinctively "olive". It was very delicious, and a different treatment for a cut of meat that has become boring and predictable elsewhere. I also think the recent expansion, including the upgraded bar, are big improvements in ambience. The serving staff is cheerful and service is well paced.
(3)Kristine G.
Great food here. Can't say enough about the authenticity of the food. Red Sangria is good. Piccadillo and Vaca Frita are two of our favorites. The flan was a great way to end the meal.
(5)Kyle D.
I love the atmosphere and look after the remodel! The food is very delicious and the staff is very friendly. The parking can be a pain at times. Don't let the parking scare you away! Take a date or bring your family!
(5)Kenneth J.
My experience was a good one, had a party of 11 that was accommodated by the restaurant comfortably, food all was prepared fresh & was hot. The ropa vieja was awesome as well as the empenadas. 11 people 11 drinks, 6 apps, 8 entrées came out to about $300. Pretty good night. We will be back.
(4)Michele S.
We've been coming here for years. I've brought my family, friends, and coworkers and everything loves it. They have something for everyone (even my picky mom) and the food is consistently excellent. It doesn't look like much from the outside but don't be fooled. One of my favorite restaurants to go to for the past 5 years.
(5)Renee R.
I had to eat with my hands... Seriously? And a "platter" with two yuca? .. To top it off our waitress didn't ask if I was finished and tried to take away my plate. When ordering food we asked to substitute an item and we were told, "sorry we don't substitute anything." I'm sorry but never again. This is my 4th time here and the last.
(1)Kurt C.
I LOVE what they've done with the new renovation! Very nice ambience once inside. The food, AS ALWAYS, was absolutely delicious and plentiful! I love everything about this place. The food, drinks, ambience, and music are splendid. Today I ordered the the Carne con Papa (Stewed beef) with sweet plantains and mixed rice. I chose the beef empanadas for the appetizer. The food was damn near perfect! I really can't say enough about it. I met an awesome woman while waiting for my take-out order, and I decided to buy us drinks at the bar. The drinks were a bit overpriced for the afternoon, but we did order top-shelf, and they were very well made. This restaurant is truly one of my favorites. Long live Cuba de Ayer! The best Cuban food I've tasted.
(5)Vanessa V.
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant express how delicious the food is here my boss has been telling me about this place didn't think much of it until we ordered lunch today i ordered black beans , white , chicharron and Plantanos , i also got a empanadas which i think had brown sugar coated on it , everything was just so freaking goodddddd!!!! if i could give it more stars then i would
(5)Mary I.
Horrible service....waited over 20 minutes with no acknowledgement even though staff walking around. Not even offered water!!! We just got up and left!
(1)Kevin H.
Wow, the fact this place has over 200 reviews says a lot about this neighborhood gem since it's hidden behind a liquor store on old columbia road. I've never had cuban food before and apparently this place is as close as it gets in maryland. We came here on a saturday night around 8 pm, so naturally there was a 40 minute wait. The place isn't big so make reservations if you're coming at peak hours. Apps: Combinacion - get this. roast pork, fried yuca, and croquettes filled with ham! Beef Empanada - free with the yelp check-in. Nothing special here. Entrees ($12-18)- the entrees could literally feed a small family so come with an empty stomach Pernil - Tender roast pork with onions and black beans, rice, and tostanos (fried plantains) man, this was delicious. It tasted like a meal your cuban friend's mom would make for you: hearty food filled with care and love, and huge portions. Fricase de Pollo + Carne con Papa - friends got these dishes and were satisfied Drinks Red Sangria - sweeter than other sangria I've had and they added pineapple. Tasted pretty good but it wasn't worth the $26 for a pitcher. Mamey Milkshake - never had this before. Tasted like papaya milk I've had in Taiwan. You can't get this in many places so try it out. I loved it. Overall, the place is cozy with a warm atmosphere. Lots of happy people, lots of laughter, lots of good food. I like this place. I've never had cuban food before but I felt right at home.
(5)Art T.
How have I not written a review about this place yet? Quite possibly the best restaurant in Burtonsville! That might not sound like a lot, but given the rather high number of food joints in town, and the content of some of them, believe me, it's a compliment. First of all, it's in a tiny dingy strip mall on a busy road (198). If it weren't for their catering truck and signage out front, you could very easily drive right by this place. And that would be a crying shame, too, because inside, you will find some of the best Cuban cuisine you will ever find. I've had Cuban in Miami and the surrounding area, and I can honestly say that Cuba de Ayer is as good as one finds there, and in fact better than many joints. It might be the best Cuban overall that I've ever had. The reviews here already cover the majority of what else I would say, but I leave you with this: try everything and anything. I've had a lot of the entrees already and I haven't had a bad one yet. The apps are really solid, too. I go there about once a month, and I swear that's still not often enough.
(5)gloria e.
Some of the reviewers complain about the littlest things & subtract a star? Seriously? That's Absurd. Anyways, I've been coming here for years, I can't say anything bad about this place. The best Cuban Restaurant thus far in the area, I've been to several Cuban Restaurants & Cuba De Ayer is Authentic as it gets... . Food is AMAZING; well seasoned. Their Tres leche ...*moment of silence pleass* A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! My waiter was Jesse, he's amazing! very attentive, & knowledgable. I would recommend this to restaurant to anyone who wants to have a family outing, or with friends, or a date. You will not regret it!
(5)El C.
How well does this hold up to South Florida standards? Well, that's up for debate, though considering you're in the middle of DC/Maryland suburbia, should we use a different measure? First thing you notice about this place is how nice it looks from the outside. Inside, Place looks really nice. Not the typical cafeteria looking divey Cuban place that I'm used to from Florida. Portions are adequate, but way smaller than what I'm used to. I expected a gigantic pile of rice, but no, it's not exactly the Cuban portions I was hoping for, but I guess the regular clientele here prefer rice as a side dish and not as the main dish with the meat on the side. Hot sauce had good zing though. A bit on the pricey side, but you get nicer surroundings. Kinda bummed that I'm leaving kinda hungry.
(3)Hugh A.
I was thoroughly impressed with this great restaurant from service to ambience to delicious food. Check in on Yelp and get your free empanada. You have a choice of chicken beef or cheese. My wife enjoyed the Camarones. I had the Pernil with white rice and black beans and the black beans were the best I ever had. Each entrée came with a choice of crispy or sweet plantains. If you're looking for a treat come check out Cuba! They have pumpkin Flan just for the month of October.
(5)Jessica F.
DON'T GO ON MONDAYS! They are not open and there isn't much around that gets similar ratings. Darn you Yelp app. I cannot anywhere without you telling me what my fellow Yelpers liked and didn't like. That being said, when we did finally make it the following Thursday, we had a fabulous meal. Our service was fabulous and our waiter gave his recommendations with the confidence of someone who knew every dish. Some of the dishes can be pretty salty but is balanced out if you order up the plantains. I like 'em sweet not fried but you have the option for either. This is a hidden gem in a not so pretty area of Laurel. Definitely worth a try if you are craving some authentic Cuban goodness...you know... just not on a Monday...
(4)Cesar P.
Some of the best Cuban food in the area. The pernil was tender and flavorful, the empanadas were perfectly done. The ropa vieja was the best I've had in this area. The piece de resistance though was the tres leches cake. Unbelievable. I was originally put off by the meringue, but it was excellent. Great and attentive service. Great decor, if a little dark. If you like Cuban/Puerto Rican/ Dominican food, this is a place to go.
(4)Mosart R.
This place was better before the renovation The dinner portions were bigger Now the dinner portions are like lunch size... Maybe they are cutting costs to pay for the renovations Hispanic restaurants always offer bread As an appetizer Not this place. Our servers same was "jasmine" She didn't know how to advertise for the restaurant. As a server you need to sell the food by describing it. She didn't I used to be a server for 5 years. She rushed us. She asked us if she can box up our food while there were still forks in our hands. When you order "tostones" it usually comes with "mojo" We had to pay extra for it. Come on if we wanted to experience Cuban cuisine they half-assed our experience I know good Cuban food I've lived in Miami and my friends are Cuban. It's like they are trying to cater to clueless customers. I'm not going to that place again. I'd rather take a flight to Miami. On the plus side the other servers were nice and more attentive, the place is really nice. And the mamey shake was great.
(3)Katherine M.
This is the 2nd time I have been to this place and let me start by saying that the service and food was excellent!! Our server went over the menu and gave his recommendations and every single dish was delicious!! I recommend getting the avocado with shrimp and the beef empanadas. The shrimp was cooked to perfection (I hate overcooked, rubbery shrimp) and that sauce that came with it was just heavenly. The empanadas were very moist and flavorful and had the right meat to dough ratio. I'm Filipino and our empanadas are not this moist and is usually filled with "stuffers" like potatoes, raisins, peas, etc. and very doughy. I like how crispy these were, but they are not greased down! I cannot remember the name of the dish I ate, but it was thinly marinated steak with peppers and onions with white rice, beans on the side, and those sweet plantains. My daughter ate the pork chops and my bf ate the the lechon or shedded pork. We had the chocolate cake for dessert along with the cheesecake with guava on top, but I wasn't crazy about the cheesecake. Guava and cheesecake just don't mix! I will definitely be coming back:-) Our guests from Colorado also enjoyed it!
(4)Anita W.
SO delicious. Loved the Viejas Ropas (spiced shredded beef) and sweet plantains. Even the kids liked the kids meals. I look forward to coming back.
(5)Jaisal R.
Fabulous food. The ambience is great. Though looks normal from the inside. But there food is just amazing.
(5)Ayosike A.
My oh my! I had the pleasure of checking out this amazing restaurant about a week ago. And boy, was the food delicious. If you're looking for a place near College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel and Columbia that has tasty Latin food and reasonable prices, Cuba de Ayer is definitely the place to go, hands down!
(5)Mandana Y.
A little gem hidden behind a shady liquor store. Isn't that what we Yelpers are here for? Those great restaurants that you would never know about if it were not for this amazing website. Cuba de Ayer, I can only assume you're in business because of sites like this. How else would anyone know you exist? Word of mouth? Psshh, people don't communicate in person anymore! I digress. This place is awesome. Great decor, perfect music to set the mood, attentive and friendly servers, and quite possibly the best Cuban food (actually just food in general) in the DMV. They close at 8:30 on school nights, so arrive early for dinner because you're going to want to take your time enjoying this food. The drinks are made pretty well too. My tropical margarita was the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness, giving me just enough buzz to last through the entire meal. They have yelp offers if you check in using the app. Our waitress, Alyssa, was awesome about getting the deal for us; 2 free (delicious) empanadas! As far as this place is from me, I plan on becoming a regular. So... I'll see you all there soon right? Okay good.
(5)Arleen F.
This restaurant has a wonderful audience. Service is great. The staff was very attentive. Love the food.
(5)Shevenie c.
I've always wanted to try this being that it is right down the street from my house. Finally I took my mom out for dinner and drinks and we really enjoyed our food.The drinks are amazing!! One of the best mojitos I've had in the DMV area. Seating can be a tad bit cramped at dinner time that's the only downfall but definitely give this place a try you won't regret it. It's also a lot cheaper than the other Cuban place downtown silver spring(FYI)
(5)Ieesha J.
YES YES YES!!!! Can't you tell I'm excited? Who knew there was a DELICIOUS Cuban Restaurant less than 5 miles from my house. This is what I get for not searching in my radius. But man I'm glad I found this place. I had the steak, black beans and rice with EXTRA mojo sauce. The mojitos are YUMMY!! They also pack a punch. The lunch menu has lower prices and the portions seem the same. I think I need to call in take out now :/
(5)Brittany S.
O-M-G!!! The wait is so worth it! I think they take reservations too so next time I'll be calling them up before I leave, but either way... I ain't mad! If you check in on Yelp you get a free empanada! They were STUFFED! The boyfriend ordered the chicken, I ordered the beef, we shared. I thought the chicken was amazing! The beef was good but I thought the chicken had a lot more flavor. The mojitos were good, we also ordered some melonades they were super sweet, wayyyy too sweet for me but I drank it so... lol. I ordered the Ropa Vieja and mmmmm mmmm mmmmmmmmm! It was so flavorful, I loved it. I got the mixed beans and rice and didn't regret it at all. The crispy plantains were awesome, the best I've ever had. The boyfriend ordered the oxtail special and seriously he was in heaven. This is his new favorite restaurant, I've never seen him so happy after taking a bite of food. There were plenty pieces of oxtail, he even had leftovers! He ordered the sweet plantains and those were the best plantains I've ever had! I've never liked them sweet so I was very surprised! Fav Cuban restaurant for sure!!!
(5)Thomas P.
This place has such great ratings so I had to check it out, especially since it's expanding. The first time I came here, it was closed. Anytime before noon, it is closed. Second time I came, it was closed b/c they aren't open on Mondays. That's my fault from not noting that down from the first attempt :) I wish they had better hours but this isn't accounted for in my rating. The portions were huge! The food seems OK. However, the fried yuca (yuca frita) was perfectly fried. I would give it a 3.5 stars if I could.
(3)Paul S.
Awesome food and good service. I've been here several times and never had a bad meal. I'm a big fan of the following: Roast pork Pork Chops Black beans/rice (separate) Empanadas Garlic shrimp/avacado appetizer Maduros/Tostones They just recently expanded to include another dining room and bar area too.
(4)Desi W.
So it appears they have renovated since I was last here and expanded. Place totally looks nice and cozy. It's even decorated for valentines Day. Cute. Food and service are still both very good.
(4)Rey U.
Heard its great. Will try soon.
(5)MP P.
I went back yesterday - the first time since the renovation. The strip mall itself is undergoing a facelift but the real change is inside the restaurant. They enlarged the dining room and added a bar area. The bar looks inviting and I will be back to try that one of these days, but I decided to sit in the newly expanded dining room. It is brighter than before which is a big improvement. They are offering some interesting specials but I had to try my favorite, Ropa Vieja, and it was as wonderful as I remembered. I recognized most of the staff and that's a good thing, as they are very good at what they do. If the atmosphere is what turned you off before, please give Cuba de Ayer another try.
(4)Brooke T.
Nommers! Cuba de Ayer, this is a cool neighborhood restaurant near the parentals home. It is easy to pass if you aren't looking for it, on Rte 198, a small yellow sign is all you get. It is in between two small shopping centers, if you are at the Ritas, you have gone too far! Parking is pretty limited in my opinion, but based on my experiences there, it hasn't been that crowded. The place is pretty small, with bright colors, cool paintings, and awesome music! I checked in on Yelp! hoping to get my free empenada (ah thank you) but I couldn't use it because I planned to use a groupon too....le sigh. Anywho, first up mojitos! Let me tell you, I don't think it can get any better! I've always thought that these are probably the best mojitos that I have ever had. For din din I had the pargo frito, rainbow trout with rice/beans and plantains. I preferred to get the sweet plantains and my rice/beans mixed. The fish was flipping awesome! The way it was prepared was seasoned nicely, the peppers and onions that were added made it that much mo betta! Now in hindsight, I think that I would have preferred to have my rice and beans separate, mixing them myself, as it was slightly dry for my taste (this is an option). The plantains were just too good, you have the option to order crispy, chip like, too.... My best good friend got the lechon asado, which is basically seasoned pork....I preferred mine better. Service: it was fair, she wasn't soooper attentive, but she wasn't horrible either. Either way, I'm going back, groupon or not! I'd be happy with mojitos and apps! Yes!
(4)Shirley S.
We visited this restaurant for my birthday and need less to say we all had a great time. The food was fantastic and Alex our server was great! He recommended a couple of dishes and they all came out great. The drinks were on point and we also loved the ambiance of the place. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to get a little bit out of their comfort zone to try something new.
(5)Tony P.
I had a yearning for something ethnic and recalled this restaurant was nearby. The facility is simple and tastefully decorated with deep red walls accentuated with colorful paintings. The dining area is not large but roomy and comfortable. I found the service to be expedient. I started out with the combinacion appetizer which was a combination platter of roasted pork, croquettes, fried Yuca. The pork was succulent, the yuca was crunchy and the croquettes were savory. My entree was the lechon asado. Traditional Cuban roasted pork marinated in "mojo criollo" dressed with onions. It was really succulent and delectable. And since this was a Cuban restaurant, I ordered a mojito that was strong and tangy with a wonderful infusion of mint. This place reminds of me of good home cooking. The type of foods that evoke memories of mom and comfort. Since it's so close to home, it's definitely on my list for regular patronage.
(4)K W.
Love, Luv, LOVE, L-O-V-E this place. Everything I have ordered has been wonderful. I've taken several guests here and they couldn't say enough about the food, the staff and the experience. Everyone is so friendly (the waitress Jasmine is the best and such a sweetheart). The battered-fried plantains are yummy (and I don't even like plantains), the beef empanadas are out this world (you try it with the house sauce that's comes on your table). The drinks are great as well---the mojitos and sangria are wonderful. All & all a very good experience each and every time I go. I've converted quite a few folks who otherwise wouldn't have given Cuban food a try...or wouldn't have driven to Columbia Pike to get it.
(5)Michelle K.
This place is awesome! The only bad thing about it is that it has gotten so busy on weekends that we have to wait to get in! The food is amazing. My favorites are the chicken empanadas, pot roast, and tres leches cake. Both the maduros and tostones are always perfectly cooked. The beans that come with each meal have an amazing flavor. I've been here several times and every meal has been great. My relatives from other states always request we eat here when they are in town. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. The dining area is romantic but can get loud when its busy. Its a little hard to find because its in an ugly strip mall behind a trashy liquor store.
(5)Dotts L.
Great Food! Great Drinks! Great Music! And best of all Great People! Always so fun to go to this place. When I go here I experience everything Cuba. Its a Great Escape from all the bland foods out there.
(4)April S.
I love food from other cultures and Cuban food is new to me. I must say I am a fan. I stopped by in here after smelling something heavenly outside when I was getting Rita's ice cream with the fam. I investigated and I think it was coming from the restaurant. I will say this restaurant is in the cut. You can't see it from Old Columbia Pike. It's hiding behind a liquor store. Upon going inside, the hostess was really nice. She offered us a menu since she could tell we were babies to Cuban food. We decided to stay and just get an appetizer. I don't know what we got, but it was GOOOOOD!!!!! I will definitely go back and try an entree and maybe one of their specialty drinks.
(4)Suzanne R.
Seemed rather authentic to me. Clean. Roomy. Getting in has this cubby or entryway...it's very odd & small. The food is good.Service isn't super-dooper fast...but in my opinion, a great pace. 'Pernil' id great! What they do to black beans...
(4)Paul S.
They have doubled the size of their dining room, and added a bar area so you can comfortably wait for a table. THe expanded seating has not affected the quality of the dining experience one bit! Still one of my favorite places to eat!!
(5)Lenny C.
I took three friends with me to Cuba de Ayer last week... one of them is addicted to Cuban food, but the other two - one a Canadian and the other a Brit - had never had Cuban food. This was my first visit to Cuba de Ayer, although (since I'm of Cuban ancestry) every time someone who knows me goes there, they tell me what a great place it is. The restaurant is very cozy and when we came in at lunch time it was packed, which is always a good sign. The pretty waitress took our orders and my alarm antenna went up when she asked if we wanted our black beans and rice "together" or "separate." I say that my alarm bells went off because "Moros y Cristianos" -- the Cuban name for black beans and rice -- is NEVER served together; never, ever, ever! It is a cultural error and a true and easy test of the Cubanosity of any restaurant. I ordered my favorite Cuban dish in the world... OK, OK, one of my favorites, "lechon asado", which came with black beans, white rice and tostones (actually a choice of tostones or sweet plantains). I breathed a sigh of relief when my friends' dishes came... what the waitress meant as "together" was actually "congri" which is a separate dish where the black beans (or red) are indeed cook together... a Cuban version of dirty rice, but much tastier. Both the Brit and the Canadian ordered "ropa vieja" with "congri" and they both loved it... my English friend actually said: "I can't believe that a simple rice dish can taste so good!" So Cuba de Ayer gets my highest endorsement! One last thing: When the food came, I was explaining some of the cultural references that I mentioned above. I must have been loud enough to be heard by other people, because as we filed out of the restaurant, the very attractive daughter of the owners came out, introduced herself and asked me if I was Cuban, as she had overheard me describe the cultural aspects of the food. So we met and we all passed to her our enthusiastic thumbs up of the food... I will be back!
(5)Jamal J.
Love this place!!! Food is always amazing!! full of flavor and nice portion sizes!! Havent tasted anything on the menu I didnt like yet, including the drinks!! nice atmosphere good places to take a date, but can get a little noisey at times. Also the venue is a little small, but I was informed that their expanding which is great news!! If you like cuban food Cuba De Ayer is a MUST TRY!!
(5)Keith W.
This is probably the best cuban food that you are going to get in Maryland. The pulled pork is amazing and the sweet plantains are cooked perfectly. For the price you can't beat and authentic meal here. Don't be scared by the location or outside appearance, Cuba de Ayer is excellent and the waitresses are very good.
(4)Dan H.
Holy crap, this food was good. I got the salmon spinach avocado salad, of the hook! Wife got the salmon with pineapple salsa entree, EVEN BETTER! We're definitely coming back here!
(4)Y V.
I went back to give this place another chance. As you can see, I've upgraded my review. This time around, I had the ropa vieja and the empanadas. Do NOT skip the empanadas. Service this time was also very fast. it must've just been an off day the last time. Regardless, if I'm within a 10 minute drive of this place, I'm stopping by.
(5)AngryYoungMan X.
Situated in the middle of nowhere, Cuba de Ayer has been one hell of a find. This establishment is not all traditional Cuban cuisine as name suggests rather, they borrow some recipes from other Latin cultures and put out a well thought Latin fusion menu. Now let's talk real stuff... and to summarize - great food, good service and well made drinks (not very strong though). I tried their croquettas, yucca fries and lechon asado (chunks of cuban roasted pork). Everything was pretty good and entree poritions were plentyful!! Last time, I had this good Cuban style roasted pork was in Miami based restaurant run by a Cuban family. My drink, ofcourse, was their house mojito which was made using fresh mint leaves, real sugarcane juice and served with a sugarcane stick in the glass!! It was little weak on the alcohol and somewhat pricey but a refreshing drink nonetheless. I noticed a lot of folks going with wine but Cuban food + wine does not pair for me. They maintain a nice, tidy and casual setting without making it upscale/ stuffy. My biggest complaint are their hours. I like to eat late evening and this places closes up way too early for me and their location is far from DC metro area. But If I am ever craving Cuban or "Cuban style" food, I'll make plans to to be here. Beats taking a flight to Miami.
(4)Empress Miko E.
I came to this restaurant with an open mind and an empty belly. I exited this restaurant feeling happy and my belly satisfied. I recommend this restaurant to anyone searching for fresh and palate satisfying Cuban food. Waiter was knowledgeable when it came to the restaurant and its menu. I will be returning for another meal soon
(5)Jenny H.
I only ate their grilled vegetarian platter and it was absolutely delicious!!! Perfectly salted and peppered with a nice mix of vegetables. The others in my party ordered their mixed Cuban platter dish, which they said was good but the pork wasn't as tender as they would have liked.
(4)Larry F.
Yelp said we would like this place and they were right. We tried the Ropa Vieja. It was loaded with flavor and quite tender. It came with black beans, plantains and rice. We added a tamale and the 2 of us shared. It was plenty of food and the price was so reasonable. Servers were helpful & efficient & food arrived quickly.
(4)Jenny N.
My mother is Cuban and I was born & raised in Miami... Cuba de Ayer is as good as it gets in Maryland.
(5)Ken R.
My girlfriend and I stopped at Cuba de Ayer before heading over to Meriwether Post Pavillion for the Arctic Monkeys/Black Keys concert. Everything was outstanding! We started with the Croquetas de Jamon which were moist and flavorful on the inside and crunchy on the outside. For the entree, I had Fricase de Pollo which was fall off the bone tender and moist. It was one of the most flavorful chicken dishes I've had. Chunks of chicken with forkfuls of rice soaked in the sauce was fantastic! My girlfriend is trying to come up with excuses to make our way up from Alexandria, VA to Columbia, MD just to get back to Cuba de Ayer and I can't blame her as I was already craving it again when we were trying to come up a place to go for lunch the next day.
(5)Chantel E.
Great food! Although it is a little tucked away, I would recommend this gem to anyone who is looking for a good and authentic Cuban meal. The portions are big so you will walk away full and satisfied. I've eaten here twice and I really enjoyed their pork dishes.
(4)Kimberly W.
Can I just say THE BEST MOJITOS EVER??!! I had the strawberry mojito and my friend had the mango mojito. You could taste the fruit along with the mint and there was definitely lots of rum. Very tasty! I had a very nice buzz going from the one drink. But no drinking and driving for us! We went because my friend had a Restaurant.com coupon. The menu offered the usual Cuban standards like ropa vieja, arroz con pollo, and vaca frita, but had some great non standards like lechon and red snapper. For appetizers, we had ham croquettas, chicarrones, and garlic bread. For entrees, I had the red snapper with black beans and rice and maduros (sweetened plantain). My friend had the lechon with black beans and rice with maduros. We added two sides of tostones and yuca with garlic sauce. It was delicious. The red snapper was moist and delicious. My friend's lechon was moist and tender. It was like my grandma was in the kitchen serving up Sunday dinner. This is our new favorite Cuban restaurant. It was far from D.C., but definitely worth the drive...definitely for the Mojitos!
(4)Cynthia O.
The service was friendly and excellent, the decor was clean and attractive, and the food was serviceable and arrived quickly. It was pretty heavy on the MSG and the fired plantains were super tough, but I'm rounding this up from 3 stars to 4 based on the service alone. My server, Victor, was really great, and the hostess was also super nice. Seems like a nice casual date spot. But wow. So much MSG. Tread carefully if you're sensitive to that sort of thing.
(4)Angel G.
Being a native South Floridian and a proud Cuban - I was very skeptic to see what this "Cuban" restaurant had in store. I've been to many places that claimed to be Cuban, only to see the most non-Cuban cuisine menu ever starting with a hamburger called a "Havana Burger." Cuba de Ayer is Amazing! I'm truly impressed with how great the food tastes and the attention to detail in each meal. Even the cafecito at the end of my meal hit the spot. Don't let the outside of the this place deter you from going in - you'll love it! Dale!
(4)Adrian R.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Will definitely stop by this place again next time I'm in B'more.
(5)Sara M.
Cuba de Ayer is a hidden gem - who would imagine such delicious Cuban food could be hiding at the back of a shopping center in Burtonsville?! Fortunately, it's not too hidden, and gets quite good business. I've never seen it particularly empty, so we snagged reservations for weekend dinner just to guarantee there would be no wait. The atmosphere is comfortable and surprisingly classy (especially given the run-down strip mall it's in) - Cuban art decorates the walls and they've clearly put some effort into the interior of the restaurant. First things first - the drink menu offers many fruity cocktails, but you might as well get the real deal, the mojito. Cuba de Ayer makes a mean mojito, garnished with a stalk of sugar cane. Mmmm. Order one while you peruse the equally extensive food menu. The appetizers all sound good, but I'm a fan of the Combinacion, so you get a little bit of everything. I think it's a bit overpriced at $7.50 for the amount of food that you get, but it's cheaper than buying multiple appetizers. The fried yuca is the best I've had, crispy but still very soft and almost creamy in the middle. The ham croquettes are probably a little weird for some people - creamy pureed ham coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Having spent a fair amount of time in South Florida, I can say that these are a reasonably good facsimile of the ones I've had from Cuban bakeries and restaurants down there (which is my best comparison for authenticity). The roast pork is the best part - perfectly seasoned, topped with delicious caramelized onions. In previous visits, I've had the Ropa Vieja (yes, it means "old clothes," but my old clothes never seem to taste this good), but yesterday I decided to try the Pernil (pork with citrus and onions). It was delicious, yes, but a little overly salty. To be honest, I'd rather have had an entree-sized serving of the appetizer's roast pork! The tostones, beans, and rice served with my entree were good but nothing special. The magic happened once again at dessert, when my dining partner and I split the flan and the tres leches. Mmmmmmmmm!!!! There aren't enough exclamation points to express my love for both of these desserts, but especially the tres leches. It's one of my favorite desserts, and they make a great one. Splitting an appetizer, an entree, and two desserts was a perfect amount of food for two people. With the drinks, it was a $40 meal before tip. Perhaps a little overpriced, but I'll still happily pay it for the delicious food!
(4)Nancy S.
Neighborhood gem INDEED! This is a perfect date night. I haven't been since they remodeled but I can't wait! Haven't had a plate that wasn't full of taste and color. I love the plantains, both kinds. And don't forget the mojito to top it off! It's worth it!!
(5)Mang J.
Sigh. See, the problem is that the first time I visited Cuba de Ayer I fell in love...con boliche, moros y cristianos y maduros. Para siempre. Pero, that's where Cuba de Ayer (CDA) broke my heart. It's never been the same since. Oh, there have been moments of brilliance, but they've served me the DRIEST ropa vieja in the history of...rags--old or new. Then, after that, tuvo empanadas, flan y más moros y cristianos that made me realize why I keep returning to mi amor CDA. When I eat Cuban food anywhere, it's always to Cuba de Ayer that I compare it, and most of the time, others don't even come near it. I'm torn. Pero tengo amor para CDA. I just don't know how they'll treat me una dia to the next. So, tres estrellas para the best moros y cristianos EVER, flan that hace música, cosy atmosphere y wonderful waitstaff. (Apologies for very bad y cheesy Spanglish.)
(3)Francisco M.
Me encanta! I've been here twice and absolutely love it. The Cuban sandwich, ropa vieja, and lechon asado are tied with a two places in Miami as the very best I've had in the U.S. The tostones rellenos and croquetas de jamon were also fantastic, and the tres leches is as good as the one my grandmother makes. The only downfall to this place is the location, which is a strip shopping center. A place this good deserves its own premises. Well worth the 33 mile drive from Arlington, VA to enjoy the food here. Love, love, love it!!
(5)Dave M.
Good Cuban Food We have to drive an hour to get to this place. It's worth it. Anyone who has ever had Cuban food loves it. The signature dish is the roast pork. A good place will roast it all day. It comes out very tender. Tostones is another dish unique to Cuban cuisine. It's fried green plantains. This place has stuffed tostones which I've never had before. it's a toston shaped into a little cup with some seasoned ground beef on top. Good appetizer. It's not a luxurious buen gusto restaurant. It has more of an appearance of a lunch place than a restaurant serving the best food miles around. The menu includes a variety of Cuban dishes including ropa vieja, boloche, picadillo, roast pork and the can't-do-without Cuban sandwich. We go there for lunch and then got some take-out for the next day. A description of this restaurant would not be complete without describing the desserts. This place has the best flan and tres leches. Upon inquiry I was told that an aunt provided the recipes. The flan is not as watery as other flans. It's creamier giving a firmer texture. The taste is out of this world. I love flan. I get it whenever I can. Hey that rhymes. The flan at this place is the best I've ever had. Also the tres leches is good. I've never been crazy about tres leches. It just doesn't do it for me, but the tres leches at this place is great. Like the flan it has more character than other tres lecheses.
(4)Nancy M.
By far THE BEST CUBAN FOOD IN DC AREA. Today was my second time visiting in over 5 years. The food was better than i pleasantly remembered it. I was impressed with every aspect of the restaurant: Victor our server was perfect, funny and sharp, the space is clean and cozy, our food came out quickly yet tasted fresh and scrumptious. Their mojitos are addictive, before I knew it I was on my third and had to slow it down :-) I'm impressed on how they bake most of their authentic deserts and make their own habanero hot sauce.
(5)John P.
Great Yelp reviews got us to drive from Annapolis to Burtonsville. Call ahead for reservations and check in on Yelp to get a free empanada. We had the marinated pork chops and slow cooked beef which was so tender it fell apart at the sight of a fork. We had traditional cocktails but they have some very creative originals on the menu. Tres leches cake y café con leche finished the meal!
(4)Alex Z.
Let me start by saying that I was born and raised in Miami near Little Havana. I grew up eating at La Carreta and Versailles on Calle Ocho. I know Cuban food. This is as good as it gets outside of Miami. Better than some places in Miami even. Service was great. Only thing missing is Cuban bread and pastelitos. Then again, this is a Cuban restaurant and not a bakery. If you want real and delicious Cuban food, go here. I had white rice and black beans, maduros, bistec empanizado, and yuca frita. It was awesome.
(5)Stephanie F.
Am a very regular customer at Cuba de Ayer. The atmosphere is pleasant and comforting and the service has always been good. Jessica, the owner is always welcoming and accomodating. I am a huge fan of Cuban food and have eaten it everywhere except Cuba. Cuba de Ayer even gives the places in lil havana, miami a run for their money! Their Ropa Vieja is incredible, best Ive ever had. Phone is dying otherwise I would say more, but if.you are looking for a great authentic cuban place to eat, Cuba de Ayer is the place to go! Happy Eating :)
(5)R S.
The place is small and a bit cramped and their staff seemed to pretty much minimum work when I was there. However, the food is absolutely delicious and it is a great price so I would highly recommend you taking the time to visit this place!
(4)Ellen C.
Cuba de Ayer is an out of the way spot off 198 in Burtonsville just off rt 29. No big flashy signs, but with their mix of delicious food and great staff I'd rather they be my little secret anyhow! My hubby and I tried them about 2 weeks ago. The decor was vibrant and colorful with a touch of cool tile, the lighting was subdued, but not too dark. Our server Gabby was as pleasant and helpful as could be in helping and recommending items for us to try. She also said if we didn't like something we could send it back for a replacement. (The food was so awesome there was never a need!) She was attentive, but not hovering. Thanks to you Gaby our intro to this restaurant could not have been more enjoyable! We'd never had Cuban cuisine before and were happily devouring our delicious lunches when I noticed that there was more than great food at this restaurant. There was a GREAT staff as well! (I come from a service background and I notice these things.) I was pleased to see this group of hard working servers, hosts and hostesses (and I'm sure kitchen staff too) were constantly working as a cohesive team to provide the best in Cuban hospitality. Two members of the staff were clearly Managers/owners(?) and I have to say they were making encouraging comments to staff, rolling up their own sleeves to serve guests and be a visible presence in the dining area. We will surely be back and bringing others with us!
(5)sahba y.
Good food, Friendly service. Try the plantains stuffed with ropa vieja. only thing that could have been better was the vaca frita (it was a little overcooked) but still very tasty. Good experience.
(4)Steve Y.
Well let me start this review with the person who recommended this restaurant. I`ll call him Felipe to protect his identity. Felipe highly recommended this place but I should have known better becaquse after eating vaqca frita I asked him for my money back. In fact I think they called it Vaca frita because you would have to be drunk from Vodka to make this food taste decent. Anyway I will say since this was a takeout I might give it another chance. But I'm not planning on visiting Cuba anytime soon.
(2)Gerri S.
This spot is a lovely surprise. In suburban Maryland it is a delight to come across vibrant atmosphere, exciting cuisine and efficient service where dreary family dining is the norm.Cuba de Ayer is located in a small shopping center and adjacent to a large liquor store. There also appeared to be a church service going on in the building next door. So don't get thrown off by this randomness. It does not disappoint. On a Saturday evening the restaurant was full and buzzing with activity but we were lucky enough to get our table within 20 minutes. The Mojito I ordered was average - beautiful presentation but nothing to write home about content-wise. The Empanadas were delicious and quite fresh. Do try the beef. For my entree I had a shredded beef dish served with rice and beans and plantains. Very flavorful and quite filling. An enjoyable evening was had by all.I wish I lived closer to make this my regular spot. For those of you who do live in the vicinity I would highly recommend this place.
(4)Tu-van L.
***3.5 stars*** What the hell is a Cuban restaurant doing in Burtonsville? Better yet - what the hell is one doing in Burtonsville? If you're in this neighborhood, you either live in this faraway town or you're in transit to or from somewhere, either on Rt-29 or MD-198. I drive through this intersection enough times, and I pass by this nondescript random Cuban restaurant in a run-down mini-strip mall every time I do. As with what I see driving through this part of B'ville, this place looks nondescript as the rest of town (if not questionable in the strip mall it sits in), but after seeing enough praising Yelp reviews and in even more desperate need to find a good Cuban place, the hubs and I decided to stake a stab at this place and cash in a Restaurant.com coupon our friend found for this place. The decor while dated was clean and pretty nice. Wait staff was casually uniformed in their polos and black pants were keeping a good pace for the large crowd was there. It gets busy on the weekends, so the wait can be long in their microscopic standing room only waiting area. This still didn't matter to me - I patiently waited to sit down so I can determine for myself whether this place does Cuban well. The verdict? This place is great! And the prices? So reasonable! $7 for the most perfect-tasting mojito, not too sweet or minty? You can't find anything close to that in DC, if not in taste in price. Less than $10 for a Cuban sandwich? Not too bad price-wise and absolutely delicious. This place is by far the only place that makes a Cuban sandwich properly and somewhat close to the dirt cheap eats price. I don't know if they really use Cuban bread but if they sliced the pork and didn't use chunks of pork then the flavor would be better balanced and the sandwich more perfect. A minus for this place? Ropa vieja was smaller in portion and just shy of perfect as far as the amount of flavor. I didn't think I'd say this, but I think this dish is done better at Cubanos than here. But for 2/3 of the price, I'll take it. The take-home message? Solid Cuban restaurant for the area if you're willing to take the trip up here or just happen to be in the neighborhood. This is one case where you can't judge a book by its cover.
(4)Mary A.
Had the fried pork and was impressed by how tender it was. All the sides were delicious also.
(5)JamisonAmadeo H.
I can not say enough that's good about this restaurant. The restaurant looks like nothing from the outside, but it has a nice atmosphere on the inside. It's small, but you're given adequate space. The staff are physically attractive for the most part, especially Jiovanni. The food and drinks are just out of this world, literally. The Vaca Frita is to die for, I could eat that as every meal for a month. Their Cuban rum sponge cake is orgasmic, and I don't use that as a descriptor often. My only wish is that I could eat a whole cake that tasted that good. The items are all very very fairly priced and it's just an overall great place to visit.
(5)Brandy P.
Beef empanadas are to die for!!!! The Pork was awesome. Will come back even if I have to drive 40 mins to get here!!!
(5)Cruz B.
OMG! I used my living social voucher to eat here.... Good lawd was this food good! All I can say is stop contemplating and go eat here.... STAT!
(5)Tochi K.
I was pretty disappointed. I had heard good things about Cuba de Ayer from friends but walked away knowing I had had average cafe food at a good restaurant price! Highlights: The staff is great and their mojitos are the best I've ever had! The chicken empanadas are also pretty darn good (Our server told us the beef ones are their most popular but they weren't my favorite.) I also bet you the saying "cleanliness is close to godliness" is something the owner/manager cherishes. The place has an authentic and comfortable feel. Lowlights: 1. I had their red snapper (Pargo Frito) grilled instead of fried. It was dry (and I mean seriously over-cooked or dry--perhaps it was a heat lamp thing) and lacked the flavor. 2. My rice and black beans were also dry and needed more flavor. Sigh, and I love rice and beans. 3. I tried my husbands Ropa Vieja, which our server told us they were known for, and it was ultra dull--I've seriously had much better ropa vieja at other places. 4. I had the regular fried plantains, which were good, but my husband had the fried green plantains, which I of course tried. They were dry and not well salted. 5. Say no to the sangria: it tasted like cheap wine with pineapple soda and tiny chunks of what I am to believe and accept as pieces of fruit. 6. We tried their flan (tasted packaged), rum cake (way too sweet), and cuban coffee (just didn't taste right) for dessert. Sigh. I left wishing I'd tried them on a Groupon deal because I wasn't impressed and think that they are way, way over priced for what they serve.
(2)C P.
Sabrosa! Quite tasty and I like the feel of the place...dark, homey tables, Cuban music. I surprised myself with just how much I could eat in one setting! I opted for the Ham croquettes, the moros and cristianos, maduras (sweet plaintains) and palomilla (seasoned steak with grilled onion). Well worth the off the beaten path drive.
(4)Nicole A.
Love this little place! They are finally expanding (this place gets extremely crowded since its small). No dish has let me down! plantains are super sweet, salmon dish is awesome! Mango and guava juice are thick and sweet! Ive also had the shredded beef and its good! love Cuba de ayer!
(5)Charles S.
This is be best Cuban food I've had.. Clean, good, and delicious.. The wait staff is great.. This place is a hike from my house, but so worth it..
(5)Eve G.
Maybe the cook was having a bad evening, or the cook has changed...I don't know. Since I am a Havana-born Cuban, my friends very generously took me out to Cuba de Ayer for my birthday. Years back I had heard that the food there was really delicious and very authentic -- the best in Montgomery County. Perhaps my expectations were too high...I don't know...but, unfortunately, my black beans had a dump of salt, the chicken, though tasty, was tough as leather and the tostones had anemia. My friend's fish was absolutely tasteless, ( I think the salt took a turn from her fish to my beans), and my other friend's meat was dry. I was sooo very, very sad and disappointed! I had a great time with my friends, but I don't think I'll be taking a trip back. I'll stick to my own home cooked Cuban meals. Unless you have never had real Cuban food, I don't see how you can rate this restaurant with five stars.
(2)X J P.
Good food, somewhat confused service. The food is mostly very good. The shrimp and avocado appetizer is delicious. The carne con papa is very tasty and the Cuban sandwich meets expectations. However, the ropa vieja was very bland, luckily my friend had ordered ropa vieja, so I didn't have to finish it. The mojitos, of course, are a must try. The service... well... The first time I went was on a Tuesday night and the place was popping. Lots of customers, so the service was slow, but that could be expected. Initial order was fine, but when I later ordered a sangria it never arrived. When I asked for the bill I found that I was charged for deserts and drinks that were ordered by the table next to me. The waiter never returned to collect the bill, eventually the manager noticed how long we were waiting to settle up and came to collect the bill. It took almost 10 more minutes to clear up the items that were ordered by the other table. I returned on a weekday for lunch, lots of staff and almost no customers! Again the food and mojitos were good, but despite the excellent ratio of staff to customers it still took the waitress forever to take my order and to collect my bill. Maybe that is authentic as Cuban service can get! Cuba de Ayer is stil the best Cuban Restaurant in Burtonsville, just make sure to examine your bill very closely!
(3)Nastasia V.
I moved to Maryland about 2 years ago from Miami, FL and the first thing I had to do was find a cuban spot to eat at.... I am cuban and from a place where cuban food is all over the place and very authentic! Cuba de ayer surprized me! The ambiance and feel to it is just like home to me. The food is very satisfying and flavors are great! The owner and cook is Cuban so they know what they are doing in the kitchen. I have tried many dishes and have been satisfyed with every one of them! My husband is not to fond of the vaca frita... Too crispy and drie for him! But other than that great cuban spot to dine at!
(4)Brian K.
Great food. Nice atmosphere. Be back soon!!!
(5)Michael B.
Love this place! It's a regular in our restaurant rotation. Meats are well seasoned and tender but don't underestimate the rice and beans (make sure to get the beans on the side (it's just better somehow,) the crispy plantains are good but a little bland but as an added bonus Yelp always has money off coupon.
(4)Maria S.
I've heard a great deal about Cuban sandwiches and decided to order one, did not meet my expectations. Also, the juices are not homemade like at other Cuban restaurants. I have to point out, the wait time is ridiculous!! I imagine it should not be, considering the small space would make the order ratio smaller. The staff lacked professionalism. I would consider going a second per a family members request only.
(2)Ivan C.
Food was pretty good. Lil salty but the rice didn't taste like anything but the fried fish I had was good but don't let the outside fool it does look good inside & good Latin environment. Hard to find but worth it
(4)Karina B.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! So glad my friend (s/o to Beca) told me about it. I'm half Cuban and this restaurants just makes me so happy; too bad it's so far from home. This place is extremely popular, I've waited an hour before. Make a reservation! Their appetizers are great, main dishes are nice and big, desserts are fabulous. Wish they'd open a location in VA or at least expand their small MD location. Check this place out!!
(5)Rachel A.
My husband and I live in NJ and we have gone out of our way to go here for lunch on our way to VA. The food is excellent, good prices, and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly. I wish I lived closer!
(5)Odin T.
This restaurant is so good that I actually started a yelp account just so I could rate it on here for others. This is the first Cuban restaurant I've been to that the food tasted as if someone in my family cooked it. I took two friends with me, one of which is American and had never tried Cuban food before. We ordered a variety of foods so that he could taste different dishes to get a better idea of what Cuban food is. He absolutely loved it. Every single dish that we ordered was phenomenal and cooked to the high standard that I'm used to. There are no "fancy" versions of the dishes like other "Cuban" restaurants. These foods are as if they came straight from the island. Very impressed.
(5)Mabel T.
I come here often on dinner dates with just my husband or in large groups. Every time, the food and service is fantastic!! The place is pretty small, but very nicely decorated. The lighting can sometimes be a little too dark for my taste, though. I'm not a huge fan of their drinks (I've had both their margaritas and mojitos) because they're a little too sweet for me and not too strong. But if I had to pick a fave, their guava mojito is delish! With every entree, you can choose to have your beans and rice mixed or separate and your bananas sweet or salty. I love the variety and the portions are HUGE. I always have more than enough leftovers for another full meal the next day. I always go with the vaca frita, lechon asado, or boliche. Their meat is always very tender and flavorful. (I think once I felt like their vaca frita was a little over cooked, but just barely). For dessert, their tres leches and flan is AMAZING. It gets pretty crowded for dinner, especially on the weekends so I suggest making a reservation or be prepared to wait for a long time.
(4)tamm r.
Cuban food is savory and doesn't use as much cheese as opposed to some other Latin American cuisines. I appreciate this. The flavor comes from a delicate blend of spices and properly simmering the yummy eats. Cuba Ayer has this down. They have a great veggie platter. The food is delicious, but a little on the saltier side. The reason for the 4 stars and not 5 is the service is very slow here and well, the salty factor.
(4)Meh G.
Having just moved to the Maryland/DC area from Miami I was really craving some good cuban food. Based on the previous reviews that I read here, I thought about giving this place a try. Me and my family drove for 30 miles to eat some good cuban food. Service: despite having made a reservation in advance, we still had to wait about 35 minutes. Once seated, the waitress completely ignored for a while, and when she came to and got our order, we told her that we have the free empanada because we checked into this restaurant on yelp; she didn't seem pleased by that and told us that the manager has to approve it first. Food: the food was ok, I got the Ropa Vieja which wasn't as good as the ones I had before (such as versailes in miami). My brother and the vaca frita and he was very disappointed by it. It was extremely salty. The beans were also very salty. But the plantaines and tostones were pretty good. By the end of the night we were so disappointed that we didn't even try to dessert.
(2)Christina C.
Went here two times. First time was on a friday night for a party of four and the wait was over an hour. We were all very hungry so decided to go someplace else and come back another time. Second time we went back on a friday night with a reservation. We were seated right away. I had pollo a la plancha, which was delicious! Juicy, tender chicken and very flavorful. Definitely get the side of plantains. My fiancés pork was a tad dry for his taste but overall the meal was great. If we are in burtonsville again, we'll definitely come back. The place does get a tad noisy, especially on weekends.
(4)Steven W.
I have never had a reason to go to Burtonsville to eat...I do now! Cuba de Ayer is fantastic. The food is tremendous. I started with a beef empanada. The shell was perfectly fried and the ground beef inside was flavorful, and not too greasy. My wife had a vegetarian platter, everything was so seasoned and flavorful, you didn't miss the meat. The FROZEN Mojito, at $10.95 seems steep, but after one you forget the price and wish you had a pitcher at home waiting for you. I had the Cubano sandwhich...roasted pork, baked ham, melted swiss cheese, mustard and thinly sliced pickles...it took everything in me not to go back for lunch today. The finale...The best Tres Leches I have ever had....Sopping sweet cake with whipped cream or light meringue on top. It was UNBELIEVABLE!! If you like Cuban food, give this place a try.
(5)Alan W.
This little restaurant in Burtonsville served some decent food with an atmosphere that was better than I anticipated considering its unassuming location. I would give the place 3.5 stars based on the locale and food but the service is what earns this place 5 stars in my book. Our food was slow to come to the table and their very busy manager came to us immediately, apologized, personally retrieved our meals, and compensated us for the time. With service like that, I can't recommend this place highly enough. There are plenty of 5 star restaurants in DC and NYC that could take a page out Cuba de Ayer's hospitality and service book. Everyone should try this place!
(5)Mia R.
I grew up in Florida, so I was not expecting to be blown away by Cuban food in MD. I was SO wrong. The food is authentic, there are generous portions, and you are doing yourself a disservice if you're not trying a mojito. You can't go wrong with anything you order, but be sure to ask for the hot sauce they make in house and use it liberally. It's amazing!
(5)Alexandra G.
Great food, good prices. New renovation is very nice too and makes waiting time a lot less.
(5)Sylvia C.
I have been meaning to try this restaurant since it opened. Here my critique: Mojito: The mint was ground into the mojito, not muddled, and I LOVED it. I love mint in general, so the extra mint infusion was absolute pleasure. Could've used a splash of more alcohol, but delicious nonetheless. I wanted to drink 10 of them. Tostones Relleno: I got the shredded beef instead of ground. It looked and tasted the same as what they use for ropa vieja. It was very flavorful. The seasoned meat complemented well with the semi- crunchy plantain. Boliche: The meat was lean and tender. With the first entry of the fork, the meat falls apart. Seasoning was good. A bit salty, but I ate it with the white rice and black bleans, which were good. The tostones were also good. I lucked out and got crunchy ones, contrary to some of the reviews. Tres Leches cake: moist, dense, sweet. It was good. i could only take a few bites because it was too rich, but I enjoyed it. I tried my friend's Pargo, which was lightly breaded and fried. It was not greasy at all and the fish was cooked to perfection: moist and flakey. The breading was tasty and went well with the fish. I also tried her platanos maduros, which were also delicious. The 3 things left I want to try are their Cuban sandwich, Yuca con mojo criollo, and flan.
(4)Steve L.
Really...really good. Very authentic. Best I've had in DMV...and I'm very familiar with Cubana food.
(5)Chica B.
Oh my,!!!! I used my last Groupon yesterday at the restaurant. We (my husband and I) shared a "sopa de pollo" which is an excellent size for two. Delicious and real home made chicken soup. Also we added the tostones which is the best complement with the soup. My husband had the "sandwich cubano" and I had the "sandwich de pernil". I loved my husband sandwich. I liked mine but something was missing and it was not the cheese (I don't like it with the sandwich) nor the lettuce and tomatoe. Until I found it....mayo could give that special kick to the baguette bread it was served. Now I know for the next time. To complete the fest we ordered 2 Tres Leches and Cafe con Leche! Of course I couldn't finish mine but it was DELICIOUS.....I'll go back again and only for the dessert.
(5)Cathy Q.
Let me start off this review by saying that the only reason I went to this restaurant was because of a Group On I had recently purchased. I had always been curious to try Cuban food and was excited to try this place out. Well, I was certainly disappointed with this restaurant. The staff is great, they are nice and helpful. But the food, oh the food, is not up to par. I had shrimps al ajillo (shrimp and garlic) that tasted very acidic and was only served SEVEN shrimps. It felt as though they counted the shrimps they were going to serve and that's ridiculous considering the fact that I went during dinner and they charged me $16 for that plate. The rice they serve is plain, like Chinese white rice, and they filled more than 75% of the plate with that rice. Let me just say, I'm not a cook but I could make better shrimp. I liked the plantains that were served maduros, they were good. I was recommended a drink by the waiter which was called Materva and that was good as well. Materva is a soft drink made from Argentinian Mate. My boyfriend ordered carne con papas (beef with potatos) and he was also disappointed. This plate looked better in the sense that only 50% of the plate was filled with rice and the rest was with beef and only ONE potato. Not very pretty to look at, I must say. This plate offered black beans which tasted as though they came out of a can. The beef chunks were cut into small and large sizes which I found odd and the beef was bland and under-seasoned. We tried desert considering the fact that I had lost my appetite for the food. I thought something has to be decent in this place. I was right, the tres leches I tried was good but I have had better. All in all I would have given this review zero stars if it were not for the fact that I had a Group On and did not pay the full price. I would NOT recommend this place and will not go back either.
(1)Clyde M.
What can I say about this place, I mean GREAT service every time we have been there. The food is PERFECT and tasty, but I still can't get used to plantains (but that is just me).
(5)Marianne K.
Another thumbs up for the Ropa Vieja and the sweet, caramelized plantains and tostones. Portions are large, the atmosphere is casual and bustling, and food is authentic and delicious.
(5)Medjinne D.
Came here with my sister some of my coworkers said it was OK. They were not lying it was OK. Nothing spectacular just OK. The empanadas were good so were the yucca but that was about it. The service was good and the atmosphere is nice but that's about it. I do not really see myself coming back here to be honest.
(3)Heidi F.
This place is absolutely scrump-dilly-umptious!! Truly a hidden gem in a little shopping strip off 198. Very comfy atmosphere, exceptional service and finger lickin' awesome food! Wish they had delivery service...hehe:) They are closed on Mondays so wouldn't you know it, I'm always craving some Cuba De Ayer on Mondays :) Everything on the menu is made fresh, very good mojitos and desserts. There homemade secret hot sauce really spices up your dish. Even if its outta the way,,,its sooooo worth the trip!
(5)Greg O.
Much better experience this time. Again I made a reservation but this time they actually had a record of it and seated us right away. The service was good, our waitress was very attentive and friendly. The food was good but not great- the pork was a little dry and a little bland, but appetizers and sides were delicious. I'm glad we went back and tried it, but it wasn't all it was hyped up to be.
(3)Harold D.
I LOVE this restaurant! I've brought my mother here to eat (she is Puerto Rican) and she enjoyed the Cuban food so much it's now one of our favorites to go to as a family. I'll be having my birthday dinner there this year! The atmosphere is welcoming although the restaurant is small. The manager's constantly check on how we're enjoying our food. Service was amiable. Overall, highly recommend due to tasty food!
(5)Rene R.
From the moment we sat down it was a great dining experience. It was our first time and it will not be the last! There were so many things on the menu that we want to try. So I'll start with the appetizers we ordered. The Empanadas and the Camarones al Ajillo were incredible! I totally wanted more but I'm glad I didn't have more - dinner came out next and it was plenty of food! I ordered the Masitas de Puerco Fritas which is described as fried marinated morsels of pork - so flavorful and delicious. I even loved the rice w/black beans. And I'm not generally a fan of black beans. But these were simply amazing. Hubs had the Arroz Con Pollo w/yellow rice. Again the most amazing flavors! I'm not sure we could have enjoyed it more... Wait yes we could - had we saved room for dessert! But we didn't. So next time we will. The other parties at the table enjoyed their food thoroughly. Except one person - she stepped out before ly. dinner came out to nurse her baby. The food came before she got back and the server took it back to the kitchen to keep it warm, when it became apparent that she wouldn't be back anytime soon, he offered to box it up for her. Service was great! I was told that when they opened they were much smaller - I can see why they had to expand! All in all, I think you should go! IMMEDIATELY!
(5)Jim W.
Service is fast, the food is delicious, and the prices are reasonable. My favorite dish of the place is the Chuletas De Puerco, which is a pair of marinated pork chops with sauteed onions. The pork chops are thinly sliced, cooked through, and the flavor is a salty richness that goes well with a side of rice and beans and the sweet plantains. I've gotten the rice and beans cooked together and separately but prefer them separate. This is because it lets me dip the pork chops in with the beans to add another level of flavor. The sweet plantains are wonderfully carmelized, with the edges nice and dark brown with a flavor closer to candy than a plantain. The salty plantains are nice as well but are drier and less notable. Overall it's a great experience with tons of seating with their new renovation and the staff is always so very friendly. The only negative has to do with parking and navigating into and out of the parking lot. They share about 30 parking spots with a beer & wine store, a chicken joint, and a few other stores and so it can get busy at times. Getting out and making a left on Old Columbia Pike to back on Route 29 can get tricky too. Outside of those minor issues, this place is fantastic.
(5)Angel B.
Seems to be a popular place for lunch. We were not greeted at the door which I don't like but our waiter was very attentive once we got a table. The food was awesome. I got garlic shrimp over rice with crispy plantain. It was very garlic-y. I really enjoyed it. My lunch date got a salad with chicken and avocado. He was pleased. We said we'd visit again for sure.
(4)Stephanie R.
I took my mom here on recommendation from a Cuban native. I'm Puerto Rican myself and you can't get good Puerto Rican food except at my grandma's house. Cuban is the closest. The food blew me away. We had the combination appetizer, ropa vieja and arroz con pollo. Everything was cooked perfectly and tasted so good it brought me right back home to my grandma's cooking. The flan was so good my skull tingled. The service was excellent - thanks Jessy! Would definitely recommend to anyone. And we drove here from Annapolis in hopes of good Cuban...we got it!
(5)Ish P.
I heard good reviews from my parents but when we went there the meat was extremely salty. Cuban food is not THAT salty. I don't think I will go back.
(1)Jennifer B.
Had to write an update. Had dinner here a few days ago for the first time since they renovated the place. Service was wonderful as before and the food was just amazing. I got the masitas (pork) with rice & beans and maduros (sweet plantains). That was the most tender and moist masitas I've ever had. Most places dry it out and it becomes too chewy. Oh and the empandas seemed even tastier than last time. Got the tree leches for dessert...o...m...g...
(5)Kevin B.
We had an excellent visit to this location. Service was great, food wonderful, and the ambience was nice as well. Very classy, clean, modern restaurant on the inside. Our waitress was very helpful and offered up several recommendations which did not disappoint. The food was amazing and authentic. We had already decided to come back before we finished our entrees. Definitely recommend this restaurant. The prices were also very reasonable.
(5)Eddie B.
Finding local places to eat makes living more enjoyable. Miami is the place that made me a Cuban food lover. This place is awesome. Everything I've tried was great. Fresh, we'll seasoned, and extremely filling. I dont know to call myself a foodie but I think my taste bud is trustworthy.
(5)Paul J.
The best place this side of Miami the food was gooooood I haven't had no Cuban food in 5yrs it was just like being in fla again I had the roast pork with black beans and rice I well be going there again worth the trip from DC
(5)Morrigan D.
This is easily my favorite restaurant in the area. The wait staff is courteous and professional (especially Victor! Make sure to ask for him) and the food and beverages are amazing. My friend and I visit Cuba de Ayer every Sunday - it's actually a bit of an addiction and the staff knows us too well! - and we start our meal off with classic mojitos. We're huge fans of the empanadas as well; there's a empanada trio appetizer that you can order. We usually do a chicken, beef, and cheese. I don't like to venture too fair from my norm, so I usually stick with the Camarones Ajillos with mixed black beans and rice. (moros y cristianos) The Boliche (essentially beef stew) is my bestie's favorite, and the Pollo Con Arroz is almost a staple at my dinner table.
(5)Kerry Jo R.
Wonderful.
(5)The Geman Car Guru - Michael U.
Good food but the lack of pan Cubano was a true disappointment :( Being from Miami Cuban bread is as common as our bad drivers. I know there are no real Cuban bakeries here in MD; we might just have to change that ;)
(4)Mitch M.
Pasillo and pork was dry and super tough. Beans and rice were ok but not restaurant quality. Fried crispy green plantains were bland. The sweet plantains were the best I've ever had though. It was pretty pricey for what you get. The interior is nice and there's a bar. Service was the best I've had at a restaurant in a while. Great staff. I could have probably gotten a refund but was just ready to go. I wouldn't recommend them except for the sweet plantains. I will be back to try the Cuban pork sandwich because I can't help myself and I'll post that review later
(2)Brandi P.
I love this place. Originally went because I purchased a groupon and have been back 5 times. The food is hot and authentic. Nice cozy environment. The rum cake is to DIE for!
(5)Anna B.
I came here with high hopes based on what I read from all the Yelp reviews. When this place came up on Living Social, I thought it was a good time to try it out. The wait was 30 mins on a weekday and the waiting area is outside on the sidewalk with flowing traffic that enters a large parking lot. Watch your kids so they don't step off the sidewalk and get hit by a car. The outside of the place is little to be desired but if the food is great, who cares..right? The floor plan is VERY crowded and you can't even make a 360 degree turn without knocking things off the tables of others (no, I don't have a J.Lo behind). Trying to get two high chairs in with the help of the employees made us break out in a sweat. The decor is nice, a Cuban old World style of pictures depicting of Cuban workers.. tasteful and I enjoyed looking at all of them around me. I knew I was going to order the "Ropa Vieja" with the mixed black beans/rice and the plantains. My husband ordered the pork sandwich and the kids had some black beans/rice with a side of French fries. They have a cool "check-in" offer that allows you to have a free empanada with a $30 min purchase. You just can't use your living social coupon and the free offer in the same visit. Our plates came and I dug in.. Practically salivating over how good it looked.. I was disappointed to have a mouth full of salt. I love salt.. More so then regular folks but this was just too much. I had to ask for the water to keep coming in. The bean/rice mixture was also very salty but I enjoyed the flavors if you get past the salt content. The plantains were perfectly sweet and cooked but the real star of the night.. We're my kids French fries.. YES! The French fries. They were large crispy steak fries and soft on the inside and perfectly salted. I tried my husbands pork sandwich.. Very dry.. I could think of some great additions to the sandwich but then it might shy away at what's typical in a Cuban Pork Sandwich. The finale dessert looked amazing as we had seen other customers ordering it. Our whole family shared a piece and it was good.. Not amazing but good. Still better then most places I've ordered it at. I can't tell anyone to come here and wait 30 mins for great fries but if you do come here, order them. :)
(3)Orquidea R.
I have been to this restaurant in 3 ocassions. I wish to have it closer to home (Alexandria) to visit more often, but nevertheless, what I have had so far is really great. The moros and cristianos (mixed rice with black beans) is among my favorite. The carne frita (fried pork) is tender and tasty. Among the appetizers I love the shrimp in avocado with its garlic butter and lemon. My other favorite entree is the fried red snapper fillet with the rice and black beans. The service is great and the place is a cozy hide out for a nice romantic date. Don't miss out on these cuban treats outside of Cuba!
(4)Virdina M.
I love this place and really--it's the only reason to go to Burtonsville and I grew up in Burtonsville. I am a creature of habit and I ALWAYS order the masitas con puerco bc it's amazing and it's something I won't make at home. I did once have the chicken and it was good. My husband has gotten the pork chop and the cuban sandwich and has given them both good reviews. This is the only American restaurant my Haitian grandmother likes! So that is a sign of how good it is. My parents think their food is a bit salty but I don't. I think they're just old with old tastebuds.
(5)Crissy T.
I can't wait to eat here again. It's tiny and the parking it tight, but the food was great! I ordered the Pollo a la Plancha (grilled boneless chicken breast) dish and the chicken was seasoned perfectly and it was juicy and tender. The rice and beans were very good. You can get them mixed or separate. I opted for the latter. I unlocked the "free empanada" deal by checking in on Yelp and tried the chicken one. Very good.
(5)David B. L.
I've been to this place many, many times but am just now doing a review. My favorite go-to place in the area and I'm not even Cuban! I have referred so many of my friends to this place and the word's been spreading. Not one of them has ever left disappointed. I have been here so many times that I wonder if they just assume that I belong there :) I have a particular palette and know great tasting food when I try it, and this place never disappoints. I think that I have eaten pretty much everything on the menu except the fish, the salads, the kid's menu, and maybe 1 or 2 pork and meat dishes. My go to dishes are: the Ropa Vieja (for those new to Cuban, can't go wrong with this dish but as one poster mentioned, can be a little salty depending on your palate. Nothing a little of their homemade hot sauce and sweet plantains can't take of), the arroz con pollo (chicken is so soft and perfectly cooked that it falls off the bone like chicken should) and my favorite, the masitas de puerco (fried pork bits so delicious and crunchy on the outside that the flavor just stays in your mouth.) Most of the main dishes come with rice and beans. You can ask for the rice and beans separate, but I always get them congri (mixed together). In terms of the plantains (which accompany every main entree), depending on the dish ordered, you can get them sweet or crispy. The servers are helpful in informing you which goes best with certain dishes. Don't get me started on the tres leches dessert... So moist and tasty and delicious... Save room for dessert if you can or just order one and share with others. My mouth waters just thinking about it. They recently did an expansion of the restaurant so there are more tables and a bar area now, HOWEVER, the place can still get very crowded, especially during peak dinner hours. During those times, reservations are highly recommended, but again, if you walk in and your party is small (4 or less), they do their very best to accommodate you and will not ever turn you away. If it is a long wait, they ask for your cellphone number so they can text you when a table is ready. They have a great selection of alcoholic beverages as well as non-alcoholic beverages for those of you who do not drink. For those who are allowed to drink, it is almost mandatory that you try their mojitos. They make them fresh and with real ingredients (real sugar cane stick!) and a lot of care is taken in making them. I have become a mojito snob in a way because of this place, and those "mojitos" at other restaurants just do not come close. I'm pretty certain that this is the kind of mojito one would drink if they were in Cuba; it is that authentic. The one "knock" is that sometimes parking can be a hassle as their lot isn't gigantic, particularly on a Saturday evening because there is a church in the next building that meets on Saturday evenings and can take up some space. If you have a large group, it may be better to meet in the nearby shopping center and carpool over to the restaurant. It IS walking distance from the shopping center to the restaurant if you're ambitious enough to do so. Also, it can be difficult to get out of the parking lot afterwards because of the busy traffic along the road but NOT a deal-breaker by any means. If you are ever in the Burtonsville area, this place is a definite must-stop. Even if you're not from nearby, the trip to Cuba de Ayer is WELL worth it if you love great food and drink.
(5)Courtney C.
I have to give them another star after our last visit. Here's the breakdown: Service-excellent Mojito-the classic was lacking. Too much sugar, tiny pieces of mint that got stuck in my throat, and just not that good. Chicken empanada- greasy, but delicious. Not spicy and free with my yelp check in! House Salad-Large, fresh and crisp. Lechon Asado-salty but very good. The citrus helps cut down on the sodium. Rice-white rice is sticky, but in a good way and a huge portion. Vegetarian Black Beans-Flavorful and less salty than the regular. Chocolate Cake-Basic grocery store chocolate cake. Not made in house and just okay. Tres Leche Cake-better than the last time. I was jealous of my hubby's dessert. After this visit, I would come back when I'm craving some Cuban food. Make sure you call ahead and check the specials menu too!
(4)Candy C.
Saturday afternoon around 4:30pm is the best time to come. Not a lot of people in the restaurant. Waitress made a great recollection for my entree. I had Bistec Palomilla. It's a Cuban Steak entree with Black Beans and Sweet Fried green plantains. My friend had Pernil which is traditional Cuban roasted pork. Semi Casual restaurant. The port Vibrant paintinga and Cuban music make you really feel you are in Cuba. I ordered Tres Leches for my dessert. It's like a brûlée making love to some smooth sponge cake you will need 2 spoons got a reason
(5)Rasheeda A.
One of the best restaurants. Very savory. Make sure to get rice and beans mixto (mixed) and sweet plaintains. I love the ropa vieja. However, since I've been going business has picked up. They normally always have a table but it wouldn't hurt to call just in case. Sundays are always fine.
(4)Jeneen C.
Deliciosa! Ropas Vieja was so tasty- tender beef in a tomato base with perfect blend of seasonings. A plethora of drinks, priced great!! Very busy place! Next time on 198 don't pass this place by :-)
(4)Viv J.
I took an associate to this spot for lunch today. He mentioned that he enjoys Cuban food, so I knew this place was nice. I absolutely love their mojitos. I had the pineapple and it was very refreshing. They mull the mint and sugar and garnish with a piece of sugar cane. I was not that hungry so I had the chicken and beef empanada with sweet plantains. They have a house made hot sauce that has a little kick but has a nice flavor. It enhances the flavor of the food quite nicely. I really enjoy the cozy atmosphere because they have hand-painted artwork from Cuba on the walls, and Cuban music softly playing in the background. It is a great experience!
(5)Michael M.
By FAR the best and most authentic Cuban restaurant that I've been to in the DMV. Although it seems like a hole in the wall from the outside, it's very quant and charming on the inside. I've had three different beef dishes and they were all EXCELLENT! And of course, they're mojitos are a MUST! The last time we went we ran into a couple who used to live in Miami (a place known for Cuban restaurants) and even they said that this place is rivals any restaurant they've been too down there. If you plan on eating here over the weekend, I strongly suggest that you make reservations, otherwise you may be waiting a while as this place gets very crowded over the weekend. But they are currently expanding so that should help with their capacity.
(5)Ramona M.
I go here once a week for carry out!!! My fav dish is the Bistec de Palomilla with white rice and black beans on the side and sweet plantains. I recommend it to ANYONE.
(5)Margaret H.
This was the best Cuban I've had in the area! It's not a fancy restaurant, but the food is divine! The Yucca fries were super crisp outside and soft inside. The shrimp and avocado appetizer was perfectly seasoned with lots of garlic. The only downside is the location.
(5)Patrick S.
Lost a star due to the perpetually slow service. Food: Excellent food. Love to get a ton of appetizers and split them. The Empanadas are very good. Lechon Asado is a great entree or sandwich. The Medianoche is mediocre however. The drinks are good, but seem overpriced for what you get. I don't believe they have a regular happy hour. Everyone I've taken here has loved the food. Service: Service can be very slow and inattentive. They seem to be perpetually understaffed. The only times I've received good service is during lunch or odd weeknights. This place can get very packed with a wait for dinner, even during the week. I'm used to it and just know I'll have to put up with it, however friends I've brought here have not been so forgiving. Decor/Location: It is situated in an oddly shaped rundown strip mall that can be hard to see. However the inside is nicely decorated and is reasonably clean and is completely unexpected based on the outside appearance. It can be cramped when the place is busy.
(4)Jack R.
Great Place, nice atmosphere.
(5)Willie T.
Good food , very nice atmosphere, really enjoyed our meal
(4)Frank J.
Solid...chicken empanadas, mojitos, plantains, pork and beans all great. I will not get the mojito again as it is too expensive at $8.50. If they would lower it to $5 or $6 I would order again and get multiple. Other than that don't change a thing.
(4)MIchaei G.
Everything was pork, wat cubans dnt believe in eating lamb or beef
(2)Alan B.
I was seated immediately. This server quickly took my order and it was downhill from there. I ordered a beer w/ lime, glass of water, an appetizer and my main course (Ropa Viejo). The beer (and water) came promptly sans the lime which I again requested. Ten minutes later the server returned (without the lime) to tell me that they had run out of my chosen appetizer. She asked if I'd like to order a different one. I did and asked for a menu AND the lime. She disappeared for 5 minutes and returned with the menu and STILL NO LIME which I again requested. When she finally returned to take my appetizer order she brought the lime. YAY Within a minute of her getting my order my main course arrived. I cancelled the appetizer. POSITIVES: The beer was fairly cold and served with a slightly frosted glass. The food was hot. The fried plantains were perfect and the rice and beans were excellent. NEGATIVES: The service was horrendous. The meat for the main course was tough, soggy and salty.
(2)Feng L.
First time there. Food came out fast and they were all delicious! Will definitely go back.
(5)Jerrett B.
Really good
(4)B B.
Love this place. Can get crowded, but worth it for the portions. I always get the same few items. Mojitos are good.....need more alcohol to be great. Recent visit had the vegetarian plate. Comes with rice and beans (vegetarian), plantains and yuca. Yuca was boiled and not fried with little portion of garlic and oil on top. Paid extra for more garlic. The irony is none of those three items are vegetables......all starches. On "vegetable" on menu is tossed salad. Not the most balanced meal, but I'm sure most people coming here are not watching what they eat.
(3)S C.
Loved everything. Gambas ajillo and empanadas were great starters. Pineapple mojito was one of the best I've had. Totally worth being seen drinking a trendy mojito without ligit-ly having your feet in the sand. Citrus pork with onions was great. Love the rice. Waiter was very gracious about the check in offer of 2 free empanadas. That's a plus in my book. Will be back soon!
(5)Justin L.
After moving to Columbia, this has been one of my favorite restaurants. The food is great, the servers are nice and the drinks are delicious. They are expanding when I write this, so soon they will be bigger. This place is worth the drive.
(5)Nick W.
Found this place on yelp looking for a good place to have dinner. My woman is Cuban American from Miami and figured this might make her feel at home a little. I will simply say she was quite impressed. She loves croquetas and said they were very good. She ate the ropa vieja and absolutely devoured it. She stated that it was authentic with a few twists but probably just the chef's or owner's preferences. I loved the food. There is a lot of "she said" things in here but I feel her opinion means more here because she actually IS cuban.
(5)Kee T.
This place was great. Hubby and I was hungry and wanted something else beside the limited places available in our neighborhood. So, I hopped on Yelp and found this place. Based on the reviews, I knew the location wasnt all that great, but that not what we went there for... and I am glad we did go. Food... yummmm. We had the combinacion and stuffed potato appetizer, the fried pork and marinated pork for our meal. As we waited for our food, I just kept smelling the garlic and other spices. Couldn't wait for the plate to get there.. I also had mango bomb (or something like that) and that drink was tasty. The prices were reasonable, will be back again!!!
(5)Stella L.
I love this place! You would never expect an authentic Cuban restaurant to be found in little old Burtonsville but it's here, and truly a little gem! The ropa vieja is AH-MAZ-ING and so is their cafe con leche and mojitos. The servers are so friendly and helpful! Never been disappointed! Highly recommend this place! And they run groupon deals here and there which is awesome for the already fairly priced food!
(5)Shanna A.
OMG! So flavorful and yummy. Co-workers order regularly and I wanted something different for lunch so I stopped by and placed an order for the shredded beef entree, Roja something, and it was like tasting for the first time in a long time. The flavor is rich and bold. Add a little rice and beans and it was super satisfying. Wanted to get a Cuban Iced Coffee but can't be made decaff so that was the only drawback at all. If that were to change, I would frequent at least 3 times a week for lunch or dinner.
(4)Miriam P.
Yes. Very good. Had better Cuban food in California but for this area it's quite wonderful. Mojitos a bit too sweet for our taste, but overall food and service really great. We'll be back.
(4)Katrina W.
This is the spot for awesome Cuban food. Some of my favorite dishes are the Chicken Fricassee, cafe con leches, and this dessert dish of guava and cheese. The establishment is very clean, well decorated.
(5)Trish F.
We had the grilled chicken salad with a side of vegetarian black beans. YUM! Added the beans to the salad and it was amazing!
(4)Dan F.
This is better than many of the cuban food options in south florida and the keys. Seriously. The ONLY thing missing is authentic cafe cubano. It is on the menu but it's really just a plain espresso, Couple of must-order items: Fried yuca, Black beans (vegetarian or non, both are excellent), Empanada, Picadillo, and of course the Mojito. No cuban restaurant can be complete without a good mojito, and cuba de ayer delivers. It's about the only pricey item on the menu, but wow is it worth it. Everything is VERY cheap. Even after 2 mojitos, an appetizer, 2 entrees, a desert and 2 coffees, total tab did not exceed $60. Don't let the run-down shopping center fool you, this is a hidden gem full of warm service, RIDICULOUSLY good food and amazing value. And please, for the love of god, remember this is not some mexican chain. So do not attempt to order a bird-bath sized margarita. If you must order alcohol, get the mojito, and they have very good wine at $4 a glass. Do not expect nachos or anything drenched in melted cheese. This is cuban cuisine, and boy is it tasty. Also be advised on weekends it can be pretty packed and it is a tiny dining room, so be sure to get a reservation and be understanding if you arrive and a table is not available. They also do take-out which is a great option as well.
(5)Alexander L.
Always a great staff and great food. The location isnt ideal -- and you could even miss it if you were driving by -- but this is a place to go for sure. Use the Yelp 'deal' and take the risk out of trying this place!
(5)Ron B.
Cuba de Ayer is a hidden gem! Although it doesn't offer much curb appeal the decor is surprisingly nice in comparison to the exterior. However, the food is what makes this place shine. I've been here several times and had almost everything on the menu, however my favorite dishes are the Carne con Papa and the Fricase con Pollo. I've taken my latin friends here and they all said its like eating a home cooked meal at their grandmother's house. This place is authentic! If you're in the mood for some authentic Cuban food, Cuba de Ayer is the place to go. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Nicole M.
Delicious Cuban food!!! Corquetas were great. The ropa vieja was really really juicy and tender I will definitely be back
(5)Nia W.
YUM YUM YUMMY! I used a coupon which helped with the cost, each meal is about 15 dollars but well worth the price! Great ambiance, traditional music, friendly workers and mouth watering food!!! TWO THUMBS UP! Don't let the outside deter you, the inside is well worth it! The restaurant isn't visible from the street, turn in before the liquor store and drive past to park in the rear!!
(5)javaone n.
Food is not fresh and taste is terrible. I order Bistec Palomilla and the meat is hard and I can break in pieces.
(1)Stacie T.
To think, I've been living down the road from this place for months and I just discovered Cuba de Ayer this fall. My little neighborhood of Burtonsville has really surprised this SoCal girl with all of these hidden treasures right next to one another. I came here on a busy Friday night and had to wait about 20 minutes for seating but once the Camarones al Ajillo came out all was forgotten. For the main course I had their simple but delicious Pan con Pollo Asado and my friend had the Ropa Vieja. Nothing let us down and was beyond our expectations. We both read previous Yelp reviews and they were all spot on. Cuba de Ayer is a cute authentic establishment that really has that at home feel. A must try!!
(4)Christopher M.
OK, I'll start this out by saying that I grew up in a Cuban household, with amazing traditional Cuban cooks. The food at Cuba de Ayer is pretty damn close to what I was used to at home. Their best dish is definitely the Arroz con Pollo. The croquetas were decent, and the rice, beans, and tostones were all pretty good too. Try the Mojito if you're into it, definitely the best I've had away from home. Oh, and all my friends still rave about the tres leches. The only negatives were the bread on the sandwiches, which wasn't traditional Cuban bread, and the service. If you go during busy times like Friday and Saturday night you can definitely expect to wait around a while. It always seems like there aren't enough waiters. If the service was better it might have bumped it up to five stars.
(4)Katie P.
First time I ate there and wasn't really blown away. We tried the chicken soup, a beef empanada, the cuban sandwich and bistec sandwich. Sandwiches were somewhat dry. The food took a little bit longer than I'd like to wait for. One good thing is the prices were pretty reasonable.
(3)C W.
Finally was able to check this place out. My best friend and I have been on the search for Cuban food...specially for the coffee. The restaurant is tucked away in the corner. As soon as you walk through the doors, you can smell the food. Food was indeed great. And they give you A LOT of food. (I boxed the leftovers and it looked like an entirely new meal.) I wish I had seen the Yelp deal sooner, but will definetely be purchasing one for the next time we go. The waiter/staff are also really friendly.
(4)Eduardo S.
I liked the Camarones al Ajillo & also the Bistec de Palomilla here. Large Portions & lots of meat. Both were really good. Plus the restaurant is very clean and well kept. Elegant Dining in Burtonsville is rare ! Parking is a little tricky here, might have to go around back b/c one of the places nearby enforces towing... I retract my earlier comment about the Cuban sandwich b/c I am came back for one & it was spot on.
(4)HowChow B.
Cuba de Ayer is in Burtonsville, one exit south of the Howard County line, and it offers a casual taste of traditional Cuban dishes. Inside, the restaurant is brightly-painted with nice art and friendly waitresses. More modern than "old Cuban." But the menu includes the standards -- picadillo, roasted pork, and the shredded beef fish "ropa vieja" toped off with flan, tres leches and both cafe cubano and cafe con leche. On a Saturday afternoon, we had sandwiches -- the roast pork sandwich and the Cuban sandwich with ham, pork, cheese and pickles pressed on a baguette -- with sweet plantains and a side order of mixed beans and rice (moros y cristianos). From the first forkfuls of the side dishes, I knew it would be delicious. They were flavorful without being greasy. Sweet plantains that cut with a fork, but stayed intact on the plate. Rice and beans subtly spiced, but mostly just earthy and filling. Beyond sandwiches, Cuba de Ayer offers an array of main courses, specials, and even drinks like mojitos and fruity cocktails. Other nights, we have enjoyed a shrimp special and other dishes. In the end, the Cuban sandwich is still my favorite -- crisp bread, salty ham, a little bit of cheese and pickles. I also loved the tres leches dessert. A slice of cake magically soaked in condensed, goat and cow milks and topped with cream. The tres leches is my favorite kind of dessert -- sweet, but somehow flavorful instead of cloying. The texture is spectacular. It still tastes like cake, but it is moist without dissolving into a pudding. This is a great place if you use the Restaurants.com coupons because they take them.
(4)Howard M.
I would definitely come again. Great food and atmosphere.
(5)Keller S.
I hosted a business lunch and used Cuba de Ayer- it was excellent. Guillermo was very easy to work with, the menu was right on line and it was delivered exactly on time. Could not have asked for anything more.
(5)Bob A.
The cuban sandwich is excellent and so are the empanadas. The Mojito drinks are pricey, but the best around. Almost all of my hispanic coworkers rave about this place, and they know this style of food better than I do, so that says enough for me. Nice place.
(4)Nicole W.
I LOVE this place especially the Empanadas!!!! This is a must go for all who love Cuban :0)
(5)Brian D.
Picked up the Pan Con Lechon Asado (sandwich) for a quick dinner one night. This is not a place that does heavy sauces, it's all about the seasoning. So the sandwich may seem a little dry, but it is still pretty darn good. I'm planning on trying out some other items in the future. What bumps it up to four stars is the guava shells with white cheese. Somehow I've never had this delicacy before, but this stuff was so good! I'm not sure it makes up for skipping the Tres Leches, but it was definitely worth trying.
(4)Megan H.
Will satisfy your craving for Cuban. Agree with previous posts, the rice and plantains were a bit on the dry side, but the shrimp al ajillo was garlicky goodness and puerco asado was crispy deliciousness. Not too expensive, either. Mojitos were $7.50, which is a bit more than I like to pay, but totally awesome and worth it! Situated in a funky, hard-to-find strip mall, but the inside is quite nice. Friendly service. Would definitely go back.
(4)Keisha M.
Hubby and I stopped here for dinner Friday nite. The place was packed! The food was absolutely DELISH! We both got the Ropa Vieja with the maduros(sweet plaintains). The beef was very tender and flavorful and the red beans cooked to perfection. I opt for the mojito which seems to be the drink of choice here and that was very good too! Hubby got the tropical margarita which was too salty. After complaining the waitress brought out the saltless version and it was tasty but not better than the mojito. We also shared a slice of rum cake. It was sliced very, very thin but it tasted good. We will most definitely will be returning.
(4)Brian C.
This place was pretty damn good, but the food type just isn't my style. The overall group opinion was "excellent". They just need to get a slightly better location (it's tucked into a strip mall). Oh, and they make a mojito like drink.... Get it!
(4)Angie S.
The food was so fantastic I can't wait to go back. The mojito's were delicious and not something I would ordinarily get, but can't wait to have them again. Dinner was so delicious we packed up half to save room for dessert and I am glad we did. The tres leches was the best I have ever had. The service was OK, but the food was some of the best I've had. I highly recommend it.
(4)Natiya T.
Excellent service, friendly staff, great food. Worth the drive from dc.
(4)Bryan A.
My partner is Cuban, and I absolutely love Cuban food, but we haven't had much success finding a decent Cuban restaurant in the area. After discovering this hidden gem, however, I think our search might be over! Today, a friend and I enjoyed a delicious, leisurely lunch at Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville. The place is a total hole in the wall -- I almost drove right past it -- but once we went in and sat down, we were so glad we had made the effort to find it. To set the proper mood, my friend ordered a mojito, while I got a glass of sangria. The mojito was cool and refreshing, though a little pricey at $8, while the sangria was sweet and fruity. So far, so good! For appetizers, we split a triple order of empanadas -- one beef, one chicken, and one cheese. The cheese one was bland but serviceable, but the chicken one was tender and flavorful, and the beef one was juicy and delicious, and definitely our favorite. We also split a papa rellena, which was fantastic. Our entrees included the shrimp al ajillo, which was garlicky goodness defined, and the lechon asado, which was tender, moist, and succulent. The shrimp came with a salad that REALLY left a lot to be desired... it consisted of a few wilted lettuce leaves, and two unripened tomato slices. So, a letdown there. But really, who cares about the side salad? We both also got tostones, and we both thought they were dry and not that great. Thankfully, the black beans and rice more than made up for those two minor disappointments. All in all, not only would I absolutely go back to Cuba de Ayer, but I can't wait to take my partner there to get his take on the place.
(4)Simy C.
Being from Miami originally I am always in search of authentic Cuban food in the area. Cuba de Ayer was delicious and very authentic. We went for my birthday last week and they comped my dessert, a very delicious tres leches. I ordered the ropa vieja and it was well seasoned and yummy. My husband ordered the masitas de puerco and he told me they were awesome. Worth the 30 minute drive from DC and will definitely buy another gift certificate from restaurants.com for it
(4)Ji K.
Went here for Sunday lunch (but you'll be paying dinner menu prices). It was a very mixed meal. About half the items ordered were good but the other half...eh...so 3 stars for me. The good: chicken empanadas - should have tried the beef version as well...good flavor and texture sandwich Cubano - comes out very crispy and hot (temperature wise) plantains - both the salty and sweet versions were good Disappointing: papa rellena - nice and crispy but bland Ropa Vieja - the meat too tough and served too close to room temperature (is it supposed to be?) boliche - much better than Ropa Vieja but still a bit tough and not served hot enough
(3)Michael S.
Yelp, this one is wrong. Bland, bland, bland. No flavor. Based on waitress recommendation, ordered a pork chop. Said it was best on menu. Not worth time or taste buds. Again, I may have just ordered wrong.
(2)Emily R.
If it wasn't for Yelp, I never would have discovered Cuba de Ayer. What a find! Who would think that in industrial Burtonsville behind a liquor store and hair salon lies such a great restaurant. Walking through the door, you'd think you've warped to another level of Mario. No seriously, it's really nice on the inside - very modern decor, even in the bathroom! Came here too late for the "lunch" menu. They have the same dishes for lunch and dinner but different prices (and portions I suppose). I order the picadillo with moros y cristianos (seasoned rice and beans) and platanos maduros (sweet plantains). My dish included ground beef with potato chunks, raisins, and green olives - so very tasty! Great seasoning. Our food came out of the kitchen right after we ordered it. I will definitely be back to try more on the menu!
(4)Virginia R.
From the outside, it looks like a dive in a bad part of town. But when you enter the restaurant, there is a cozy family environment decorated with Cuban art set against rich red and mahogany colors. It's really beautiful. Drinks are excellent, especially their signature Mojitos. The food is delicious and as authentic as I can remember from the few times we were treated to Cuban Cuisine as children, My personal favorites are the purnil and ropa viejo. Sweet plantains are excellent also. I don't normally have dessert, but I would not pass up the Tres Leches or the Flan here. If they ever add it to their menu, I would love to see what they would do with trembolique. If there is a weakness, the staff is young, occasionally don't hear requests correctly, and sometimes spill things in the tight quarters. But they are quick to fix things and make things right and the atmosphere is so relaxed, this review is probably the only place I would mention it.
(5)Mei-ye J.
There are two elite reviewers who I respect and who've preceded me (Derryk A. and Su K.), so why bother reading my review? Well, I had a better server than Su K. and she was not sick and did not seem like she was having a bad day. That's definitely a plus. My friend had the Empanada from the appetizer menu and she liked it. We both found it funny that they tried to dress up the plate with a sliver of red pepper and some lettuce. Why bother. It didn't look so sophisticated with or without it. Taste matters and it was good according to her. (I didn't try it) I had the Camarones al Ajillo (Shrimp in garlic sauce) from the entree menu. It would be too salty for my taste if eaten alone, but it came with some white rice which complemented it well. I love mixing contrasting flavors so I decided to get the sweetened plantains instead of the plain fried plantains to go with it. It also came with a salad. so... the salad was boring, the plantains were of mix of 2 mushy ones and 2 just right ones. The shrimp and white rice were pretty yummy. Also, got the Fried Yuca, but I was unimpressed. What impressed me the most though was dessert. Both my friend and I are flan fans and we really enjoyed it here. Really smooth texture, but a little on the sweeter side, but not so much that it was grosse. The plating, texture, and flavor of the flan made it the star of the night. Great thing was I had a restaurant.com coupon so... 15.99 (shrimp entree w/ sides) 2.75(empanada) 3.75 (fried yuca) 3.95 X 2 (flan) 3.75 (extra fried plantains) brought the total to around $36 (add tax and tip, minus the $25 off) and we ended up paying $21 + $2 (coupon)= $23 which is not bad for dinner for two w/ leftovers for lunch to boot!
(4)Elissar K.
Truly the only Cuban restaurant worth going to in the area out of the many I've tried. The yuca with garlic sauce is fantastic (a side), especially with the fried morsels of pork entree, a ridiculously good combination. The empanadas are delicious as well. And the tres leches -- OMG the tres leches -- will stun you with its magical powers. Another thing I love about this place is the management. The servers are always really nice and the manager I spoke to on one instance was super sweet. To Cuba de Ayer, the other Cuban restaurants around here can't compare ;)
(4)Lee P.
Don't let the exterior of the strip mall throw you off. Everything I tried here was absolutely delicious even down to the drinks! Best tres leches ever! I'm not Cuban so I can't say if it's "authentic," but the food is good. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Becky R.
Love this place... from their drinks to dessert I have never been disappointed!
(5)Jacqui G.
I'm happy to have this little slice of Cuban heaven close to my home. We were lucky enough to have found it while on our house hunt. It's so nice to know that I can sit down to a delicious, authentic Cuban meal that I didn't have to cook and it won't break the bank. The "boliche" and "vaca frita" are to die for! Great atmosphere too! Went there for lunch recently and there was hardly an empty seat in the house! Que rico!!!
(5)Amanda K.
O.M.G. OK- I'm a huge fan of Cuban food. My husband is convinced that one of the reasons we bought our house is it's proximity to Cuban Corner. I've seriously considered purchasing one of those boxes to roast a whole pig...you get it. We had been planning to hit Cuba de Ayer for a while, but since it's 30 minutes away and you can spit and hit Cuban Corner from my place, we've put it off...silly. Deliciousness wrapped up in deliciousness covered in deliciousness with a delicious center. Fish, pork, chicken...close your eyes, throw a dart, and you'll hit a winner. Go. Go now.
(5)Jennifer E.
Loved in the area my whole life and never visited this place of deliciousness! Went tonight and the service was superior, food was amazing. Best part was that we were allowed the TIME to sit and enjoy.
(5)Su K.
---2.5 stars--- Let me preface this review by saying that after reading all the reviews on Yelp and reading the highlight in the Washingtonian, I had really high expectations of this place. If you go in with lower expectations, the food is interesting and
(3)Elizabeth S.
Tasty and authentic. Lunch is the better deal.
(4)T L.
This place was oh so good and amazing! It is located in what seems like the middle of nowhere. The service was great and he was able to explain the items on the menu and make terrific recommendations. My table shared the beef empanadas which were made with raisins and olives inside! Just how my Argentine host family used to make them when I studied abroad! So here I'm thinking, this is LEGIT stuff! Who cares that Argentina and Cuba are probably thousands of miles away? =) The server asked if we enjoyed the empanadas and I was the first one to praise how wonderful it was. He informed me that the dish I ordered, the Picadillo is very similar. You have no idea how excited I was. When our entrees came out, they definitely met and went beyond my expectations. Maybe you already saw this coming but I highly recommend the Picadillo. The Ropa Vieja was also yummy. It is a typical Cuban dish made with shredded beef. There are a few sides that you can select to accompany your entree. I preferred my rice and beans separate. And when my boyfriend tasted mine, he agreed it was better than mixing them together. I usually don't like beans, but Cuba de Ayer does it right. You also had the choice of getting the sweet or salty plantains. I didn't try the sweet ones but I did enjoy the salty ones- almost reminds me of chips because it was very crispy. Open a restaurant closer to my home please!
(5)Dimitri P.
Visited this restaurant for the fist time this Saturday. The appearance of the local exemplifies the definition of hole in the wall. However, once inside it is easy to see that a lot of pride was put into the place. The place was very clean and well decorated. Now to the most important part, the food and drinks. The mojitos are prepared fresh and the traditional way. No out of the box mix. A bit more rum would make them perfect. The mango martini was also really good. The menu fare is very traditional. I had the "bistec de palomillo with rice, black frijoles and tostones" The quality of the food was very authentic and flavorful. The food is definitely top notch. The service staff was courteous and attentive. Very close to earning five starts!!!!
(4)Ismael M.
finding this place was pure luck. thank you gps!! great food , friendly and very informative staff
(5)Bryan G.
great cuban, but pricey
(4)Shieva R.
Its been a while since I've been here. The food was good, nothing spectacular, I really enjoyed my mojito though. I found out on my visit that it's family run, out waiter was incredibly friendly and helped out a lot when it came to ordering (I haven't had many experiences with Cuban food).
(4)Daniel A.
The boliche is best in my book. The picadillo had raisins, not a big fan, they could've warned me. The Cuban coffee ( espresso) is maybe the only thing non-authentic, but the boliche is remarkable.
(4)Andres P.
Came here with my wife because we got a coupon from Google Offers. For appetizer we had croquetas de jamon, one beef empanada and one cheese. They were all delicious and exactly as I remember from back home. For dinner I had the ropa vieja with the con gris and tostones and my wife had the biftec empanado with the red beans and tostones. I was on cloud nine. The quality of the cooking is top notch but soulful and approachable. For dessert we had a flan and a tres leches. All clearly home made by someone who understands their sweets. I can't wait to visit again!
(5)Ali D.
omg, this place is amazing. Not what you would expect from a strip mall headed by a liquor store but they have amazing food. The inside is dimly lit and very romantic. Order the beans and rice separate. Nice tasty and with excellent customer service.
(5)Joey H.
Wonderful! The service was wonderful. Always helpful and assisted whenever needed. Looking for a worthy place to eat all week here in Maryland. I passed on the appetizer because I wanted to leave room for the entree. Partially my fault for lunch and dinner being so close to each other. With my fountain drink Coke, I ordered Lechon Asada served with grilled onions, white rice and black beans on the side. And a little extra yum food is Fried Sweet Plantains (little bananas). You could mix the rice with the black beans, but I chose not to because I'd be picking out the beans. My entree was ok without the black bean sauce. After a 1/3 of my meal, I drizzled spoonfuls of black bean sauce over my meal and the taste buds salivated. I decided to add more sauce and it turned into a cuban style pork adobo. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Definitely, TUMMY FULL! Lastly, the price is so affordable. They serve more than one should eat. Although we didn't take home any of our food because we finished our meals, everyone we passed while leaving had to-go boxes. JUST EAT IT!
(5)Tom S.
On a whim, decided to stop in since I love cuban food. The atmosphere was upbeat playing spanish type music. The decor was in rich tones, though I could tell that updates should be considered soon. I ordered the Pernil (roasted pork dressed with onions) and one each of the beef and chicken empanadas. Loved the empanadas, especially the beef. The outside pastry had a sweetness to it and the meat inside was seasoned well and juicy. The Pernil was very good, too. The pork was a bit dry and had a bit too much salt for my taste, but otherwise I enjoyed it. I will return to try more dishes.
(4)kate s.
This place is amazing! Great decor, delicious food and supurb staff. Everytime we go here we love it and bring along anyone we can knowing they will fall in love with this place as well. The food is just outstanding and have never been disappointed with anything and I've been here maybe a dozen times. The tostones are my favorite any my husband swears by the vaca frita- he gets it every single time we go there. Highly recommended and you will definitely be satisfied!
(5)Derryk A.
Finally saw Avatar IMAX 3D this evening YEAHHHH!!!!! Wife and I loved it great, now what to do about Dinatar for dinner hummmmm being in Columbia every place around within line of sight was full to the rim with loooooong lines of people who like us just got out of the flickers. So on our way home I mentioned how great Cuba de Ayer is. Since wife has been asking about Cuban food for some time now every since she saw a thing on the "Food Network" profiling the cuisine, now is the time to introduce her to this little slice of Havana circa pre 1970's. Hence the name Cuba of Yesterday. "Okay here we are". Said I "Are you sure this is the place it's ummm kind of small?" Said she. Oh it's a diamond in the rough the very rough but that's part of the charm and never judge a book by it's cover. We go inside...... well..... sort of there are people jamming the door way I had to squeeze in, the little tiny place was pack to the gills. This tiny spot has only about 16 or so tables unless they push tables together for larger groups then it's even less space. Holly smokes not even a chair to sit and wait, well we could come back on a less busy day.... but wife was determined to try out Cuban food tonight since we are here. Oooookaaaaay. So we waited a looooooong time, until finally some people finished up at last and a few tables opened up. The wait staff is polite, friendly and courteous all ready I knew I wanted a mojito wife at first was going to get beer "noooooo" I said, "you are in Cuba now do as the Cubans do" so she opted for a mojito as well. Very good they came out quickly lots of real fresh mint leaves and a sugar cane swivel stick in the glass excellent. Next up appetizer chicken Empanada very crispy on the outside with tender seasoned chicken on the inside ummmmm. Next... the main course okay here is where wife and I divide on opinions. Me: I got the Picadillo which contains seasoned ground beef with green olives, raisins, potatoes, and spices all cooked together Cuban style of course. I like the beef was well seasoned and the flavors really popped out but I could use just a little less on the salt in my black beans, but over all very satisfying. Wife: She ordered the Ropa Vieja (translates to shredded clothes) which according to their menu is "A delicious typical Cuban entrée. Shredded Beef in a Cuban Sauce with garlic, onions, red and green peppers." She took a bit "ohhhhh it's so salty" I tried it and yes it was a bit heavy on the salt even for me but that's one of main ingredients, many times Cubans love salting things up just a little too too much and on top of the salty plantains and the tad bit salty black beans it was too much for her taste. The waiter offered to take it back and bring something else less salty "no problemo" but wife didn't want to go through the time and trouble so she just ate what she could and all of the rice and plantains boxed up the shredded beef which will become my lunch later in the week higher blood pressure here I come. Over all I really like the charming little place simple not overly done decor. Good wait staff and good comfort food just prepare yourself on some of the more salty dishes that's all. Pricing is on par with any moderately priced restaurant that you may find in an upscale location. Wife may or may not be back to try something different but I definitely will be back to this almost hidden little slice of old Havana. I just wish that they could expand a little to accommodate all of the maddening crowds but then it would change the charm of this little spot and usually when a restaurant expands or go for the multi location angle then the quality suffers. So please keep it just the way it is I don't mind getting there extra early for a seat or waiting a bit of time, thank you.
(4)Lauren A.
I work at the school behind this restaurant, so I'm here a lot. It's a bit pricey, but if you go for lunch, it's more reasonable. For entrees, I love the ropa vieja and the picadillo. My only complaint is that the ropa vieja can be a little salty. Both the sweet and the salty plantains are great, and the rice and beans here are amazing. The ham croquettes are nice if you want a bite-size appetizer (I usually eat them as I walk from the restaurant back to school). Finally, the mojitos are perfect - sweet and refreshing (though of course I don't get those in the middle of the school day!).
(5)Mari W.
I love this place. My first time eating Cuban food was right here at Cuban de Ayer. The amibance of this place, customer service and especially the FOOD is sooo good. This place has never failed me. They are a 4 star instead of 5 because the food to me is a little pricey and the place is small but on the other hand there are always coupons available online or through groupon. Im going back soon to get my free birthday dessert soon:)
(4)Christian G.
Absolutely awesome. Delicious food, warm and friendly service and great drinks. I have had very few items that weren't awesome. There was a mojito that was way to minty but the tropical margherita was perfect. The ham croquettes were a bit strange, but not bad.
(4)Kate M.
Cuba de Ayer has amazing food and service. If you remotely like mojitos, try theirs and savor it! All of the food here is wonderful, especially the appetizer sampler, beans, yuca fries, and ropa vieja. I am normally not someone who would get an full entree, appetizer, dessert and drink....but here, I make an exception because it is that delicious! Almost all of the menu items have meat in them- just an FYI for vegetarians out there.
(5)Amanda H.
Worth the hype. Delicious, succulent meat dishes, and appetizers are prepared with care. Good service; nice ambiance. Have only been once, but going back for sure.
(4)Duncan S.
Pan con asada was fantastic. The yuca frita's were deeper fried then I typically liked but still very good.
(4)Vegetarian Diner A.
My first time at Cuba de Ayer...The one vegetarian meal offered was very good- boiled yuca (alternatively, you can have it fried), white rice, black beans, fried platanos. Food quality is high. Service was very good (midweek, it was not crowded). My dinner partner loved her food- a pork-based meal. The only disappointment was a lack of authentic Cafe Cubano- their offering was a bitter, poorly flavored espresso, without espuma- a restaurant serving good authentic Cuban meals should serve a good Cafe Cubano. Look beyond the lackluster exterior and order. I will return, but will skip the Cafe Cubano.
(3)Larry D.
Best mojitos ever. The food is also delicious.
(5)Ron D.
Had a Capitol Deal coupon and headed over to Cuba de Ayer last nite to try it for the first time. It was Friday and prime dinner time and there was a wait for 30-45 minutes. It was actually a little shorter than that but you can call ahead for reservations. Cute little restaurant and comfy decor but a tough waiting area so call ahead and get your reservation. Started with a couple of superb Mojitos and appetizers (Empanada and Pap Rellena) that were delicious. Main course arrived and was WONDERFUL!! We ordered the Lechon Asado and Picadillo. Arroz Blanco w/ Black Beans along with Moros Y Cristianos and Yuca con Mojo Criollo. Suggest the Platanos Maduros Style for a touch of sweet with your entree. Of course a little extra mojo. We could have eaten it all as it was so very, very good but would have been stuffed and we wanted to split a dessert. Bring on the Tres Leches along with a Cuban Coffee and it was a complete SUCCESS!! The staff was extremely pleasant and it was extremely clean. The busboys were Wizards with his broom and the overall service was very, very good. A Family Restaurant that takes great pride and it shows. A little hard to find but well worth it. i used to really enjoy Cuban food when I lived in the Tampa area and it's exciting to find such a good choice so close to home. Can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu.
(5)Julie R.
My friend and I decided to try this place after reading the reviews. I am not familiar with the area, so I plugged the address into my GPS and off we went. Well, there is so many new roads near there that my GPS kept taking us in circles. We decided to just get on Old Columbia Pike and just drive. Watch carefully, it's very easy to miss the place. It's very small and the name of the restaurant is blended with other businesses. We were a bit unsure but felt better once we stepped inside. The place is sparkling clean and the smells coming from the kitchen were delicious. We both ordered drinks, I can't recall the name but they were delicious. It looked like "sex on the beach". It had peach schnapps and some other things. We ordered Papa Rellena and an Empanada filled with chicken. Both were delicious, flavorful and the chicken was not dry at all - seemed to be all white meat. I had the Bistec Empanizado. Delicious. We had plantains, both tostones and maduros. Delicious. The rice and beans were wonderful. We also ordered a side of fried yuca. My friend ordered the Masitas de Puerco Fritas. So tender and delicious. She then had to try the flan. She said it was very very good (I am not a fan of the flan). Absolutely worth the drive out there. Excellent service and food. Even the restrooms were very clean, we saw a guy go in there twice to clean while we were there!
(5)T M.
Restaurant quality has gone down as the restaurant has become more popular. I ordered a lunch portion of Camarones al Ajillo. I was shocked when 6 shrimp arrived taking up 1/3 of the platter. The rice was 1/3 an inch on the plate. The appetizer is 5 shrimp so I was confused how the lunch portion could only be 1 shrimp for for $5 additional dollars. This will be my last time visiting this restaurant. Additionally, the shrimp had entirely too much vinegar in it and was not flavorfull.
(1)Linda T.
Went there last night for dinner. All of the staff was extremely polite, the food was great and service was excellent. The sweet plantains are to die for and they have great mojitos!
(4)andrew h.
2.5 stars. but I have to round up to 3 for friendly service and a family/happy atmosphere. This would be a great place to practice your Spanish, if you are learning. The food was well seasoned and hit the spot for my famished belly, but lechon asado, roasted pork seemed pan fried and a bit to very dry. I agree with other reviewers to get your beans and rice separately as moros y chrisitanes it s too dry. Tostones were excellent. I got a second glass of water as requested in a timely manner and a quick check as I had work to get back to. I'm not sure it live up to the billing of some of the best Cuban food in Washington. That my friends, would come from any Cuban friend you have cooking at home, as I have been privileged to experience. At its roots Cuban cuisine may be the best of peasant food from the Caribbean, pork, beans, rice and plantains. Note that the menu as of late July '08 had added some Cuban cocktails, but I'm not so sure dark rum in a mojito. (I didn't order any of the cocktails)
(3)melissa r.
We tripped upon Cuba De Ayer several years ago after a soccer tournament in Laurel, strip mall wanted to avoid Subway and peeked in to see a really neat place full of families. We walked in and sat down in a roomy booth, maroon walls with nice art. Wait staff was always amazing. Each of us tried a different dish, played pass the plate to taste things, there wasn't one that we disliked. Fried yuca and green plantains, yum, and definitely go for the "dirty rice". Don't eat anything for days, you will want to save room. Never tried the mojitos but from what everyone else says, it's a must. Sometimes when we are craving it, we will hop in the car and drive the 30 minutes to just do take out!
(4)Kevin D.
I've tried this restaurant a number of times, and while some dishes are kind of underwhelming, a few real standouts make this restaurant worth going back to. First off, definitely try an appetizer when you go here. The empanadas are delicious (both chicken and beef, which have distinctly different flavors), but the papa rellena is a real revelation. Seasoned ground beef wrapped in a ball of ground/mashed potato and then deep fried sounds like it could be a leaden weight in your stomach but the potato is light and fluffy and really tasty. Both items are deep-fried very well, coming out crispy and not greasy in the least, the chefs definitely know what they're doing there. Beyond those, there's an appetizer with tostones that I forget the name of that's quite good too. I was less impressed with the entrees overall. The lechon asado is kinda dry, the ropa vieja is okay but the sauce is very salty and the meat's not as tender as you'd like it. I only tried the masitas de puercas once, and it was horribly overdone, very tough; I'd recommend going to Samantha's on University Boulevard for that dish. However, the entree I get again and again when I go here is the boliche. It's a slow-cooked round steak in a seasoned tomato-based sauce and it's really heavenly. It's as tender as can be, doesn't suffer from the dryness of some other dishes, and the flavor is out of this world. The Cuban sandwich is good too but rarely enough to sway me from the boliche.
(4)Sandie D.
This restaurant is a gem. My son's Spanish teacher recommended it to her students and we are glad we took her advice. It is located in a strip mall and is out of the way but definitely worth the visit. The decor is beautiful. The manager is very hands on and friendly. We ordered Pan con Mantequilla o' ajo, Empanadas de Carne, Bistec Palomilla, Arroz Con Pollo, and Pan con Bistec. Everything was delicious. The side dishes were also mouth watering. We selected moros y cristianos and maduros and tostones. Make sure you arrive before closing, which is 8:30 PM on weekdays and 10 PM on Friday and Saturdays. Don't let the exterior of the strip mall deter you from dinning here. Once inside you will be transformed to another place.
(5)Christine C.
We are becoming regulars. Went back with some friends Sunday after church. Food was good. Service was good. Mojitos were good. Good times.
(5)Kenny S.
I will definitely eat here again. You would pay at least twice this price for food this awesome in NYC. The decor is very nice: deep red walls hung with paintings in the style of 1930s Cuban art. The food was delicious. I had Las Masitas de Puerco Fritas. Large chunks of pork roasted until very tender, then seared until slightly crispy on the outside. The seasonings were good but subtle, so it was the flavor of the meat itself that made the dish. I saw several reviews that complained about "bland and boring" white rice and black beans, but I ordered my beans "los moros y cristianos" which was delicious. Los moros is black beans fried with onion and garlic then mixed with broth into the rice to make a really flavorful dish. The menu clearly states you can sub los moros for regular rice & beans at no extra cost. The menu also says you can have your plantains "maduros" (sweet, ripe, fried) or "tostones" (green unripe mashed & twice fried). I ordered mine maduros and they were very good, maybe a little undercooked. The service was extremely fast and pleasant. The waitress didn't even flinch at my rusty Spanish pronunciation. The neighborhood is kind of rundown, but don't let that keep you away. This place is a real gem.
(4)Eric L.
I was surprised to walk into a really nice restaurant with a great atmosphere, definitely not what I expected from the exterior. I ordered the Viejo Roja (Shredded beef in a tomato based sauce) with seasoned rice and beens, and sweet plantains. The food was extremely tasty, and the service was great. I'm looking forward to going back again!
(4)Jennifer R.
was interested in trying out a cuban restuarant and bought a groupon for cuba de Ayer and I was not disappointed. The food was amazing and the service was great. My husband and I will be going back again as I think we have now found a new favorite restuarant and plus there is so much more on the menu that I want to try.
(5)James B.
Not much to say really - it's a small place, friendly and inviting wait staff, family-owned. They make great Cuban food. We eat there every few months, as it's quite close to our house. I had occasion to try the mojito - with real sticks of sugarcane - fantastic!
(5)John M.
The "Sandwich Cubano" is unbelievable! To walk up to this place in a liquor store-dominated strip center, you'd think that it couldn't be worthy. It most certainly is. Nice decor, great food, very reasonable prices, and the owners are great too. Many many finger-lickin' thumbs up!
(5)Jen T.
I am in love with this place. The food is delicious and the waitstaff are friendly and helpful if you have questions. Splitting an appetizer and an entree was the perfect-sized meal for 2, and a great way to sample a few different things. We barely talked the whole time we were eating, because all we could do was keep grinning at each other with full mouths and savor the flavors. The meat basically melted in my mouth. Burtonsville saw a huge drop in business ever since the Route 29 bypass was built, but this place still filled up mid-afternoon on a Saturday and that really speaks to how great it is. Condiments are not needed.
(5)David M.
To be honest, I'm new to Yelp and I ate their a few months ago so I can't recall my entire meal. I just remember that this place is a bit of a hidden gem in a weird location. But don't be fooled, once inside though, you are transported to a classy and romantic setting. The food was very tasty at reasonable prices. My one suggestion was that the food needed more color. I don't recall the exact name of my dish, but it was essentially fried fish on a bed of rice, there was no garnish, just tan on white. My date had a similar experience: very tasty food but needed some garnish. I would definitely eat there again.
(4)Lindsey M.
heard alot of good things about this restaurant so i was super excited to purchase a living social deal! we started with the chicken empanadas. sooo delicious i could have just eaten 10 of these and been happy. washed it down with the yummiest mojito. we asked the waitress what the most popular dishes were so we ordered based on her recommendations. we got the shrimp in lemon and garlic and the sliced flank steak with onions. they shrimp and steak were ok... but the rice and beans were soooo good i couldn't believe it. i had no idea rice and beans could be so yummy!!! oh i almost forgot, we tired the sweet plantains (good), and the crispy plantains (soooooooo good). will definitely go back and try to see if some of the other dishes are better.
(4)Arthur M.
We read about Cuba de Ayer in the 2011 Washingtonian Cheat Eats issue and schedule an appointment nearby so we could try this restaurant out. It was quite a trek from Vienna, VA but man was it worth it. The food is excellent, the service is top notch, the servings are huge, and the price is a bargain. My fiancee ordered the lechon sandwich and it was twice as large as we expected it to be and could only eat half of it. The roast pork filling was delicious and the bread was very good. I ordered the lechon asado (roast pork dressed with onions) that came with a side of fried sweet plantain and riced cooked with beans. The lechon was incredible but even more incredible was the rice and beans. Our side order of salty fried plantains was also amazing. We ordered and appetizer of chicken empenadas which were also very good. I've had some other Cuban food in the area and Cuba de Ayer blows them away.
(5)Jayne M.
This place is a bit hard to find, basically, if you are coming from Columbia, look for the Amish farmers market on your right, take the next right, and you're nearly there ~ it's in a little strip mall, at the side (you can almost always park right outside the door of the restaurant) but do mapquest and do make the effort. As others have said the food is fantastic. I had Cuban food in Miami and loved it, so when a friend recommended this place as authentic, I thought I'd give it a whirl. As others have said, the food is great (also the Cuban coffee is wonderful), super-helpful waitstaff who explain everything to you, and decent prices, particularly at lunchtime on weekdays. Can't recommend highly enough. Also, the milk-based desert is to die for. Also, you can pick up some fantastic meat and cheap, fresh veggies from the Amish farmers on the way home (Amish market is only open Thursday Friday and Sat morning, chicken wings best you'll ever have...)
(5)Belinda B.
Good food. Good coffee. Good Service. I will be back and I plan to bring my friends.
(4)Myaa V.
This is one of my favorite places to eat. The appetizers are great and good to share. My favorite entree is the ropa vieja which is saucy and filling. I recently tried the Pernil and LOVED it! The drinks and tres leches are also fantastic. The waiters are friendly and I have never had my order wrong. This place NEVER lets me down!
(5)Lauren K.
Best Cuban food in the area. I'm from Baltimore, so definitely worth the drive from time to time. The mojitos are fabulous. My go-tos are the Ropa Vieja and the Picadillo. This was my husband's first cuban food. Hands down his favorite type of food now. I just wish it was closer to Baltimore! :)
(5)Ernest P.
---2.5stars-- Was really expecting a hole in the wall with the other reviews and the location. It wasn't so bad as the room was dark and the art work and photographs give that old school cuban feel. thus had high expectations for the food. Ordered the Fri
(3)Dak F.
This time I went for the entrees. Disappointed. The dishes had all the tell tale signs of a heat lamp. I found the flavors to be bland and very dry. The chistoras de puerco were completely unseasoned. The tostones were good, and I will return, but only for the cubano sandwhich.
(2)Jackie B.
Super Tasty, Super Friendly, Extremely Reasonable. I'm really big on the fried plantains and the chimicangas here. Sometimes they have someone walking around with a guitar and serenating customers with Spanish songs. Pretty awesome.
(4)Carl T.
I love this place!
(4)Joyce K.
so glad my buddies took me to this place...great choice! the place is much nicer inside than out (behind a liquor store in a strip mall). i had a mojito, which was EXCELLENT. i think i would come back just for the mojito, to be honest. i got the lechon asado (pork) dish...tender, simple but tasty seasoning. i had it with the rice and beans. a few morsels of sweet plantains made for a nice juxtaposition with the saltiness of the pork. this was the BEST food i've had outside my house in weeks! i am definitely coming back here...would be worth the trip.
(4)Andrew K.
So I always pass by this restaurant on my way to work and I decided to give it a try. Restaurant.com also has a $25 coupon if you order a minimum of $35 and that coupon cost me only $4 so I had to give it a try. I went with a friend and we decided to order 3 entrees and 2 appetizers... there were no leftovers at the end of the night. First, the sign and the building outside look a little run down but inside, it is pretty clean and they have comfortable booths on the sides to sit on. We started with the beef empanadas which was really good and the shrimp camarones which was basically shrimp in garlic sauce which was ok. We shared the ropa vieja, lechon asado and the bistec. All the entrees come with a rice and beans separately or mixed and fried or sweet plantains. I preferred the sweet plaintains but the crispy ones were pretty good too. The ropa vieja was a little too salty and I was disappointed and the bistec was so so. The lechon asado was really good so that made me happy. Overall, I would say the cuban food here is decent and some dishes were better than others.
(3)Eddie P.
Great food,friendly staff,very very reasonable prices I love this place
(5)Toya J.
If one of my best friends had not brought me here I would have never believed this place existed. Totally unexpected lodged between a liquor store and some run down bodega. We drive up and I'm thinking that we're goin' to run in for carryout. We get into Cuba de Ayer and the place is a beautiful little cafe with all modern decor and lovely cuban art. The staff was polite; looks to be a family run business. We started with beef and chicken empanadas. Spicy meat on the inside and a crunchy cinnamon coating on the outside. I had the Fricase de Pollo(Dark Meat) for lunch priced at $8.50. Skinless chicken cooked with potatoes, white wine, herbs, and green olives. Sides Beans and rice. Filling, rich, and well seasoned. The dessert, we went back and forth on. I knew I wanted to try the rum cake, but he "claimed" he was full. Turns out the best rum cake I've ever had almost looks like a pie and has the texture of a custard. Before I knew it our spoons were fighting over the last few bitefuls on the plate. He thanked me for convincing him! This place is excellent and now I know why my friend eats here once a week.
(5)Amanda M.
Ended up here on a Sunday evening based on a friend's recommendation. After checking out the menu on their website and the reviews here, I was definitely looking forward to a delicious meal. As we pulled into the parking lot and I saw that the restaurant was next to a very dodgy looking liquor store, my expectations rose even higher. And Cuba de Ayer did not disappoint. The inside of the restaurant was very warm, inviting, and well lit (not too bright). There were at least three paintings on the wall that I would love to have hanging in my home. And the food, oh my, if I lived closer I would eat here at least once a week. We started with a chicken and a beef empanada. The meat in each was seasoned wonderfully, they were cooked perfectly, and were just the right size for a starter. As I had never been to Cuba de Ayer before, our server recommended the Ropa Vieja - shredded beef in a Cuban tomato based sauce with garlic, onions, and red and green peppers. Since my friend was already planning on ordering this, I asked for a recommendation for a pork dish. Based on our server's suggestion I went with the Lechon Asado - roasted pork marinated in a citrus marinade with onions. Both main dishes came with a choice of either white rice and black beans or Moros y Cristianos (the rice and the black beans are cooked together with pork) and tostones (fried plantains) or maduros (sweet plantains). We each went with the Moros y Cristianos and the maduros. The Ropa Vieja was quite tasty, the meat was tender and deeply seasoned but I preferred my Lechon Asado. The pork was some of the best pork I have had in ages. It was moist, savory, and perfectly complimented by the rice and plantains. And speaking of the rice - I would come here just for that. We each had two mojitos and they were just the right accompaniments for the meal. Nice balance between the lime, sugar, and mint and served with a stick of sugar cane (as all good mojitos should). I will definitely be making another trip to MD to try some of the other dishes on Cuba de Ayer's menu soon.
(4)Tom T.
We arrived to Cuba de Ayer hungry and ready to dine. Located in a strip mall off Columbia Pike, you enter from the side. The interior is inviting and nicely lit with subdued red colored walls, dark wood and leather and Cuba decor (paintings and souvenirs to evoke Caribbean cafe atmosphere). The greeter and waitstaff are well groomed and moving quickly to attend the crowd. They accept reservations and are very popular locally. We chose the combinacion appetizer to get a little sample of pork, yuca and ham croquettes. Tasty and a good note to start the meal. We For the main dish we had 2 orders of lechon, muros and sweet plantains. Another member of our party had the delicious masitas de puerco (fried pork chunks) and our little guy had oneless chicken breast pieces and french fries. The dinner portion sizes are very generous. We were satisfied and didn't have room for dessert. We will give this place another try and next time order a mojito!!
(4)Jacquetta P.
I had lunch here with my son Sunday and we both really enjoyed it. The portion sizes and the quality of the food were both exceptional. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Tivona R.
Loooove this place! The food was wonderful. I've been wanting to come here for months. So glad I made it. You will not be dissatisfied. And it's a very chill spot.
(5)Cara C.
Really good empanadas! You absolutely must order these! We had the empanadas, ham croquettes, pernil, another pork dish that I can't remember, and ended with tres leches. The only thing I would go back for are those empanadas. They are, as Graham Elliot would say, YUMMY.
(3)Erinn M.
First time here and it was amazing. The waitress was wonderful and the food was spectacular.
(5)N T.
I tried almost all the chicken dishes and I have to say they are all delicious! Especially the chicken fricasse! So good, the meat is tender and falls right off the bone without me having to strip it off with a knife. And the sweet plantains! I wish they would put more on the dishes!
(4)Yaka H.
We started off with the tostones filled with shredded beef appetizer, which was a lovely bite to start off the meal. I tried the arroz con pollo with sweet plaintains and SX had the lechon asado with tostones and mixed rice and beans. I was a bit disappointed with the arroz con pollo because the chicken itself was a bit dry. Also, I didn't get many olives (maybe just 2 pieces or 3), so I was a little bit sad about that. SX enjoyed his entree, but mentioned that it was a tad bit on the dry side. Do ask for some of the house hot sauce; not too spicy, but added some depth of flavor and moisture to the entrees. The mojito was pretty good, probably one of the better mojitos I've had; nice presentation with the sugarcane and very easy to drink. Overall, the food was okay, though a bit on the dry side. We didn't have any issues with salty food as some of the reviewers had mentioned. The outside of the building and parking lot can be a bit off-putting, but inside, the restaurant is warm and the service friendly. Will be back to try the dessert!
(3)Cassandra S.
We have watched this place grow up. The food and service has remained amazing PLUS they serve the best mojitos EVER. Don't let the outside fool you. Wonderful decor and clean. My cuban friend drives all the way from Virginia to eat here because it reminds her of home.
(5)Cynthia L.
Anytime someone says: "Do you want to try really good (complete the sentence)?" I am Always game. So of course when my brother said those magic words, I jumped at the lunchtime opportunity. - Croquetes de Jamon - I didn't know what to think honestly when my brother ordered this. "Is it going to be a fried dough ball with a stick of ham in the middle?" was my thought. Not at all: the croquetes weren't overly oily and I wouldn't have picked out that it was ham unless someone had told me. - Beef Empanada - Well done, hot, not overly greasy, or doughy; there was a good sized portion of beef inside the empanada and the meat was seasoned. - Bistec Palomilla - I had to test how well they did this compared to places in Miami I've tried (and I'm not Cuban cuisine expert) because after all, if you can't get a (common) Cuban dish right, it just won't be right. I was surprised at how solid the steak was (a little peppery for my taste), but robust in all the other marinade flavors. Again, enjoyed that the dish wasn't overly greasy and came with a nice size serving of rice and sweet plantains, which came out goood (not burnt and not overly soft but not undercooked). - They also make their own sauce and even though I'm not a fan of spicy, this little kick-in-a-bottle was absolutely an excellent pairing to all the dishes we ate. I swear we down half the bottle between just the two of us. Our waiter was super friendly and courteous, even with our little Yelp check-in coupon (heyyyy!); the manager even brought our food to the table and checked on how things went. We don't have as much Cuban cuisine as say, Miami, and for being in Burtonsville, this place was very solid. Decent prices, clean place, good food and like others said, an out-of-the-way gem.
(5)Lorena A.
This was our third time dinning here, we both had something different than he last two times and of course it was GREAT!. The Avocado Salmon was great. The Bistec De Palomilla was perfectly cooks, tender and flavorful. The Tostones con Cameron is something we have gotten each time and will continue to as it seems to get better and better each time. The service for us has always been really good, the waiters/tresses have always been attentive and helpful with recommendations.
(5)Larry S.
Ropa vieja is amazing. Plantains and empanadas are a must. Don't forget a handmade mojito. The new renovation looks classy . Best Cuban in the dmv
(5)Alison G.
I had the Shrimp in lemon and garlic and it was one of the top ten dishes I've had EVER anywhere. I don't know Cuban food so I can't speak for or compare, but I would go back over and over for the Shrimp. The decor inside is surprisingly nice, driving by this strip mall restaurant several times, I was impressed. My one suggestion for this restaurant, get some signature drinks and train your staff on liquor and wine. I was brought the wrong kind of white wine, the table next to us was also brought the wrong kind of red wine and instead of Myers rum we were brought scotch. A few more varieties of wine might not be a bad thing either, I would totally recommend this place to everyone I know.
(4)Steven D.
Living in Maryland and looking and craving some good cuban? Well Cuba de Ayer has the best cuban food in Maryland. This is coming from someone who was born and raised in Miami, FL and lived in Key West, FL for four years. I highly recommend ordering Croquetas de Jamon (ham croquettes), Bistec Empanizado (seasoned breaded top sirloin steak, thinly sliced and fried) with white rice and black beans, and Tostones (fried green plantains).
(5)Sydni R.
Ehh it was ok. I went there on a weekday afternoon right after work and there wasn't anyone there really. I ordered the combination platter (which is roast pork, ham corquettes, and yuca fries). The pork was dry, the yuca fries (they gave me only 2) were stale and the corquettes (2) were ehh. Being from S.Florida I've had Cuban food plenty of times and this didn't live up to my expectations. I also got the flan, and surprisingly it was good.
(2)I W.
I haven't been here in a while (before remodel) so I won't go into rating the food. I would like to start by saying I am 100% Cuban, I live in Miami and visit Maryland often, while reading reviews I was blown away by so many people making reference to the "hot sauce", I feel the problem with the reviews is that those diners walk into a "Latin" restaurant with the TexMex mentality and expect hot sauce, pico de gallo and so on. Authentic Cuban cuisine is not spicy, we don't use hot sauce EVER.
(3)Dave J.
The food is good but I went today and received terrible service. The young waiter forgot to put my order in. The rest of my party was served and then he copped an attitude about it when I asked where my meal was. He never even apologized for the fact that everyone else was halfway done eating by the time a received my meal. I won't return.
(1)Peggy E.
My husband Alfonso E forgot to mention the empanadas in his review which we also sampled. Much like the Arroz con Pollo, it reminded him of his mamas cooking!
(5)Marcos R.
I moved up from Tampa and eating here took me back. Tampa being a large part of the Cuban community had me knowing real Cuban cuisine on a daily basis. Being a foodie I've eaten a lot and I hate to say it it shows lol but along with those pounds comes true knowledge of what good food is and Cuba de Ayer is good Cuban. It's the BEST Cuban I've had in the DMV area since I've moved up and it's quickly becoming a favorite staple even though I live in Annapolis I happily make the drive.
(4)Patty W.
My fiance and I love this place. The food is very good and plentiful, the service is top notch and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. They are also adding additional seating and they NEED it as it is popular. It has won several awards for cheap eats and it is well deserved. I am very familiar with Cuban food and they hit the mark nicely. We always try something different each time we go and have not been disappointed. As some have said in previous posts, it is located in a little dingy strip mall, but do not be put off by this. The inside of the restaurant is attractive.
(5)Laurah J.
I truly love Cuban food and have high expectations when it comes to my Ropa Vieja, but this place exceeds all expectations! Delicious food, friendly service, and classy environment.
(5)Jamie S.
This place really hit the spot. Honey Bunny and I were brought here yesterday by the lovely and talented Deborah N and glad that she drove us all the way out to Burtonsville (btw, where the hell is Burtonsville?) Although I only had a sip of the mojito it was the best I've ever had. Top notch. I liked that it had a strip of sugar cane as well to munch on. Get the white and black beans separate. More flavor that way. Empanadas were great. Beef and cheese. BAM! Even scored a bottle of their hot sauce. They sell it for $4.99. Grab it. I had the Boliche which was a great piece of pork and sauce. Honey Bunny had the ropa vieja and while it was good her homemade ropa vieja is better. You folks, however, don't get the luxury of having a world class top chef in your kitchen everyday so try Cuba de Ayer's ropa vieja and enjoy. Space has recently expanded and is a nice size joint with a bar now. Friendly and helpful staff. What's not to love?
(4)Kevin S.
We go here frequently and they recently expanded their seating. Both the food and service are always good. I typically get the Ropa Vieja and it's consistently very good. Helpings are of fair size so you don't leave hungry.
(5)Ruth G.
This place is pretty good. We had a pretty big group so we called ahead and made reservations. We got there and were taken care of in a timely fashion. I got the ropa vieja with sweet plantains and it very very tasty. I also got the signature mojito and it was very delish. Had just the right amount of everything. For desert i had the tres leches cake and it was so sweet and moist .. perfection! The food is very good and it is big portions! Definitely worth the drive and the wait.
(5)Ky T.
The location was hard to find. The service was notably slow and our server seemed bored and not very personable. I'm certain the snapper was not very fresh and more importantly was SUPER bland. The things I had to do to that fish to give it any flavor were exhausting. Hubby was underwhelmed and described the pork as dry and lacking flavor. Options for non pork eaters are almost non existent. There are both Paladar of Annapolis and Ceiba of DC that are both FAAAAR better options than this place so that I suggest not wasting money on their ever available groupon offers.
(2)Zuli M.
FOOD here is DELICIOUS!!! Staff was great, quick, attentive, and bilingual! Only reason why I am not giving them 5 stars is because their prices for the drinks are just really high plus the place is really small. Other than that, no complaints whatsoever!
(4)VA W.
Wow was I surprised by this place. It was adjacent to a liquor store with a private parking lot that could fit around 10-15 cars max. As soon as you step outside of the vehicle you can smell the aroma of Latin food. It reminded me so much of Washington Heights, NY of the array of Domincian restaurants lined up on Broadway. The music as you step includes Hector LaVoe, Celia Cruz and Oscar D'Leon. It would be so awesome if they expanded the restaurant and included a dance room for Salsa/Merengue/Batchata. Okay let's get to the good stuff, the FOOD! -Chicken Empanadas, crispy outer shell of pasty with well seasoned chicken full of flavor. In NY we call them pastelitos. Women would sell them outside of our parish of our church. I also sampled the the outer fill of a Papa Rellena, which is a fried soft potato filled with beef. Its like a potato puff of mash potatoes for once you break the shell it is soft and tasty. -Cuban Roast Pork also known as Pernil O Pierna Asada Estilo Cubano with red beans, white rice and sweet maduros. Its like sweet and salt all in one! Delicious Baby! Full of flavor my mouth is watering right now as I am right this now. YUmmy! Such a little awesome mom and pop, with clean amenities, and an attentive staff. THIS PLACE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT! I WILL BE BACK!!!!!!!!!!! DO check check check it OUT !!!!!!!!! lol
(5)Patty M.
See you in C-U-B-A (from the song Cuban Pete). Location looked dicey, it's not easy to spot and is behind other stores. Okay. Let's start with the fact that they take reservations. I wish I knew that because we waited over 30 minutes on a Saturday at 5pm. The place was packed from the moment we arrived to the time we left. That says a lot about the food. If people are willing The dining room is small and cramped. Service was A++. We told the hostess we had to make a plane and they seated us as quickly as they could. We checked in with Yelp and got free empanadas. Warning! If you have a living social coupon you cannot combine it with the free empanada offer. The empanadas were small, but yummy. A slightly sweet pastry enrobed perfectly seasoned chicken and beef. Not at all spicy. Nom Nom. I went with a shredded pork that was marinated in sour orange, garlic and other spices served with plantains, rice and black beans. It was good, but not as flavorful as I expected. Hubby had Camarones al Ajillo (shrimp with garlic) and that was very good. Son ordered *Pan con Pollo Asado (Chicken sandwich) which was very tasty. MIL, who is not a culinary adventurer, went with a grilled chicken salad. Food came out in a timely manner and portions were ample. We all share the flan which was very nice with a great texture and flavor. They played great latin music and the ambiance was a little loud, a bit cramped but overall worth it. Our server was extremely friendly and helpful. Everyone leaving the restaurant said it was worth the wait. Bottom line, make reservations and come hungry!
(4)Lisa T.
We happened upon this place several years ago and love it! I hade been missing Cuban food since relocating to the DC area from Florida, but not any more. They have great bolliche, ropa vieja, and picadillo. Their mojitos are the best I have ever tasted. I have a hard time ordering them anywhere else. They have expanded, but they remain the same kind and considerate place that still treats you like family.
(5)Phi N.
The combination platter was what we started off with. The roasted pork was really delicious. The yuca is plain yuca and the ham croquettes are not something I would crave for... We split 2 entrees, the Bistec Empanizado and the Ropa Vieja. The steak had great texture but lacked taste. I added a lot of the hot sauce (which is on point, btw). As for the ropa vieja, it was also just decent. Pretty much, everything needed the hot sauce, best part of the meal. The sweet plantains were also fantastic. **Update 5/7/2015: Came back after the renovation. Got the tostones relleno, empanadas, and bistec salteado. Plantains on the tostones is too thick in my opinion. Meat was decent tasting though. Empanadas, the rice/beans, and the steak were pretty dry (they didn't ask me how I liked my meat cooked, and it slipped my mind to mention it to them; it came out overcooked). My boy got the boliche-- nothing really worth mentioning about that one**
(3)Alan M.
Like the shrimp appetizers with avocado. Like decor. Entrees don't have veggies. A little pricey
(4)Amy M.
I had the biggest craving for tostones this week. I've spent a lot of summers in Miami feasting on some of the best Cuban food, and been to Puerto Rico enough to "caer como yuca" from eating too much lechón asado. So I was hoping this place could help me with my platano fix. My party started off with pan con ajo (garlic bread.) Pan was drenched in ajo. I ate my portion, but the rest of my party couldn't handle the overwhelming garlic. I admit, it was a lot of garlic but at least they weren't skimping? I ordered the vegetarian platter. Maduros, yuca con mojo, arroz y frioles negros. Carb party much? I asked the server if I could swap the yuca for a side salad, and they did without any issue. I know Caribbean cuisine isn't big on vegetables that aren't starched based, but most cuban restaurants have roasted vegetables on their menus. Maduros were good, no complaints on that. White rice was just that, white rice. Black beans though, I dunno if I got a bad batch or something but my frijoles were so salty I couldn't even finish them. This is coming from the person who ate overly garlic bread like a champ. Then when it came to the tostones, the holy grail that had been plaguing my dreams all week, were really chewy? They weren't the golden fried, flakey treats I remembered. They were overly fried to the point where they just got tough to chew. Service was good. Our waitress was always prompt and attentive. Still not good enough for me wanting to go back. I know everyone who knows their stuff talks about Miami as the mecha of good Cuban food, but if you don't want to travel as much, Philly also has great Cuban food. Maybe I'll find some good tostones on my next trip.
(2)Kathy M.
The best empanadas I've had - HANDS DOWN. Definitely worth the trip just for these bad boys. I recommend the beef, or if you are opposed to beef, try the chicken. Both are delicious. It's located in an out-of-the-way strip mall, next to a liquor store, but don't let that deter you. The food is great and so is the service. Now that they've expanded and added a small ball area, there is really the sense of a family/community atmosphere. The menu is moderately priced and everything on the menu is good. Now, how many restaurants can you say that about? Where everything on the menu is good? Even their desserts (including the rum cake, my personal favorite) are delicious.
(5)Maryanne H.
We drove by the restaurant twice until my husband spotted it, on the side of a building also occupied by a liquor store. We were part of a group of 13 people. My husband and I both had margaritas. They were overpriced at $8.00 and only OK in flavor. My entree was the ropa vieja, which was moist and flavorful. The black beans were very nicely seasoned and the sweet plantains outstanding. I have eaten Cuban food in Miami and thought that the meal was at least as good as anything I've had there. My husband had the Boliche, which he wasn't enthusiastic about, but he did eat it all.Two others at the table had the Camarones al Ajillo, which they both really enjoyed. Another member of our group had the grilled salmon, which looked fabulous, but I forgot to ask her if it was good. We didn't order dessert, but several in the group did and the flan looked delicious. The bad? We had brought a Valpak coupon which stated that only one coupon per party could be used. Someone else at the table had a coupon and applied it to their bill. Our server was gracious to give us separate checks. When we paid our bill, the server would not allow us to use our coupon, stating that the restaurant policy was only to allow one coupon per table. I responded that the coupon stated that only one coupon per party could be used. Since my husband and I had a separate check, I thought this made us a separate party. He wouldn't go for it and neither would the manager. I told the manager that this should be stated more clearly on the Valpak coupon and he agreed and said he would talk to the people at Valpak. In retrospect, the restaurant should also state something about their coupon policy on their website. When the server (who was quite nice and attentive) told me that he would not accept the coupon, he pointed out that it was good until Dec. 27. We could come back and use it another time. I responded that there would not be another time. the food was good, but there are lots of good restaurants in the area and I did not appreciate the way this one does business.
(2)Nadine F.
After a long morning of curling, my friends and I were looking for something to eat nearby that was better than the fast food options in the area, and Cuba de Ayer certainly met that criteria. Though it's in an old, run down strip mall in what appears to be not the best part of town, the restaurant is actually very nice, clean, and even classy inside. The service was friendly and fast, and they didn't give us any attitude when we said another person may or may not be joining us midway through the meal. The food, however, was a bit disappointing. I had the ropa vieja, which I found to be really bland and dry, and it seemed to be lacking the advertised vegetables, which just left me with a pile of dry beans and rice next to a large pile of beef. I thought the unsweetened plantains were also bland, though I really enjoyed the sweet plantains that I tried from someone else's plate. I also had a bite of a Cuban sandwich, which also lacked flavor and left me not wanting a second bite. Overall, the food wasn't great, but the place was so charming that I'd gladly give it another try if I'm back in the area.
(3)Tiffany L.
Is it just me, my boyfriend, and my family's tastes bud or is the food really really salty? I have had take out once and dine in twice, the second time to give it another chance, and man the food was still very very salty. First dine in experience, both beef and chicken empanadas were delicious, boyfriend ordered Ropa Vieja and I ordered a pork dish with citrus marinade (forget the name). The ropa was okay, not as good as I remember from take out. The pork dish was extremely salty. Now for the second visit. I came in with my family. We ordered appetizer sampler, a different pork dish, picadillo, ropa vieja and pollo asado. The crcoquets were pretty good but everything else was extremely salty! It was so salty my mom and I couldnt finish our meals. We are all about taking leftovers home but this time we did not even want to do that. The portions are huge. The home made hot sauce was okay but lacked any kick ( it was actually helpful in taking some of the saltiness away). Service is pretty good and the place is cozy. Only complaint, why so salty!?
(2)Roberto N.
We tried this place years and years ago when it first opened. Did our taste buds change, or did they get a LOT better? Now, it's a REAL TREAT to eat here. Best lechon asado I've had outside the islands. The Fricasee de pollo was also a great choice. Moros y christianos- if I remember right, "Moors and Christians", i.e., beans and rice cooked together in a rice cooker, were good, but I personally still like getting them cooked and served separately, then combining them myself at the table. The location is just okay, but the restaurant is surely a great experience. Do try it.
(4)May C.
We had the chance to dine before and after the renovation. I give 5 stars to before, and so-so stars to after. The place looks more cool after the renovation, but the food was so so and overpriced for its small portion. It was better before the renovation. We were also told that there will be a 10 minutes wait, but we ended up waiting for 30 minutes for a table. We could have had the option not to wait and go somewhere else. I could have given it fewer stars, but I liked the food before the renovation. Maybe the kitchen was too busy that night that the food suffered.
(3)Anthony G.
Great authentic Cuban food. Order the batida de mamey. ¡Hecho con leche! ¡Muy bueno!
(5)Jack W.
I went here for lunch with a couple of coworkers. This place was really good. The manager was really nice and gave us complimentary rice and beans and fried sweet plantains when she found out it was our first time there. The rice and beans were amazing, very flavorful. I'm not as big of a fan of plantains but they were very good too. One of my coworkers got the appetizer with the 3 different empanadas and he said each was very tasty. We each got the Cuban sandwiches and it was really filling. Overall, it was a great experience for our first time there.
(5)Stephanie P.
When you eat the cold leftovers which have been sitting in your car WITH YOUR HANDS on the drive home, you know it's good. Holy mole this place hit the spot. Every step of our dining experience was enjoyable. Our waiter was a rarity: fast, courteous, knowledgeable, and kind. The mojito was a mint-lover's paradise and STRONG. I had two, and was three sheets to the wind. Our appetizer, the shrimp and avocado in garlic sauce, was simple and perfect. My meal, the citrus roasted pork, was exactly what I wanted in Cuban pork. Seasoned, textured (some crispy bits some tender bits), and abundant. The rice and beans were just like I remember from Miami, and the sweet plantains were marinated? the flavor seemed to permeate the entire plantain, and they were neither underseasoned nor cloyingly sweet. The flan was the best flan I've had in years. Custardy, silky, awesome burnt sugar sauce. Truly elevated in its simplicity. Only maybe the flan at Fogo de Chao holds a candle. My friends loved their dishes as well, bistequa and carne con papas (which had a rich depth to the sauce). We also managed to just about empty a bottle of their house hot sauce. I looked around and everyone else's food looked amazing. Even after I was full, I was still eyeballing other food. I think this is a good sign. I will, without question, suck it up and drive the 40 minutes time and time again for more of this amazing food. It blows every nearby option totally out of the water.
(5)Keisha C.
I came here on a Tuesday night. At first, I was skeptical since it is in a strip mall, but was pleasantly surprised once inside. The ambiance was nice. Intimate enough for a date, but not too isolated. I noticed a few families as well. Our waiter was very attentive. He asked if we had any food restrictions (which I do, so I was extremely happy to not have to ask if there is bacon hidden in any dish). It was one of the few times I ever had a service person ask if I have restrictions before giving a recommendation and I would return for that reason alone. I appreciate that he was so knowledgeable about what is in each dish. Drinks were brought out promptly and he checked in with us throughout the meal, but did not hover. If we needed anything, we could catch his eye within a minute. On to the food! We started off with the chicken empanadas. Very hot (temperature wise), flavorful but not spicy. Good for my date, a smidge disappointing for me. The waiter brought out a salsa, which added a lot of flavor to the empanada as well. For the entree, I... don't quite remember what it was. Some chicken dish. The chicken was a bit dry, but nothing some salsa couldn't fix. I had the crispy plantains and vegetarian beans and rice. Both were good. Portion size was nice; I took home leftovers. I'd come back, at least to try other options on the menu. Maybe I'll find an entree that stands out to me. The variety makes it a good option for my friends who have more food restrictions than me. I would define bring my vegetarian friends here for a meal and know that they can enjoy a full meal.
(4)Leon W.
I'm not an expert on Cuban food but I do know something about service. It seems like this restaurant likes to turn over tables as quickly as possible. My wife and I were only halfway through our appetizers when the entrees arrived. I said to the server I didn't expect the entrees to arrive before finishing the appetizers. They are going to get cold. He said he was sorry and proceeded to leave the entrees on the table. It seems like fast service is more important than customer comfort. Will never go back.
(2)Michael F.
I did a redo here a few nights ago. Yum. We started with a few Empanadas, one beef one chicken.Cooked perfectly and delish. We also did the sampler platter,(7.50) all were tasty. I had the Chuletas De Puerco.(14.95) Marinated Pork Chops smothered with sauteed onions. Nicely seasoned, tender but a bit on the small side, served with sweet plantains, white rice and black beans. The rice and beans are a meal alone,good eating. I had a 3 Mojito's during the course of dinner. I'm in love with the Mojito's here. My dinner companion Deb enjoyed her meal as well. And with her 25 dollar coupon it made it that much better. Dinner and drinks after discounts was about 95 bucks. A Great meal and good service means I don't mind the drive to Cuba de Cuba de Ayer again. Cuba has won me over. Nice job Cuba de Ayer.
(4)Anne D.
The food is great!!! I got the ropa vieja and my boyfriend got the pan con pollo with yucca. Delicious. We also got desert, tres leche and flan. Scrumptious, best flan I ever had. Our waitress was also great. Got appetizer, main entree, and desert for lunch came out only $40 for two.
(5)Andrew M.
Very unassuming exterior, but judge not a book by its cover, Yoda or somebody probably said. Friendly, helpful, and attentive service. I'm someone who likes to ask a lot of questions, like "If you had to choose one thing on the menu to eat, what would it be?" And based on how the waiter/waitress answers, aid my decision. Our server did not lead us wrong. In my group, we tried: beef, chicken, and cheese empanadas and croquetas to start, ropa vieja and boliche for entreees, and flan and tres leches to finish us off. The empanadas were delicious. Lots of flavor in the chicken and beef varieties, very mellow and melty farmer cheese in the other. Great crispy outer texture, which I personally prefer with empanadas cause I mean who doesn't love deep fried? Croqueta was tasty but nothing special. The waitress suggested trying the rice and beans and plaintains, which came with the entrees, both ways. Good tip. All very tasty, but the fried plaintains were exceptional. Golden brown in all its caramelized goodness, it was a much better choice than the green plaintains. Both entrees were cooked very tender with very well developed flavors and sauces. The rice and beans (both ways) were also very well seasoned and tasty. Huge portions, simple staple cuisine, hearty and tasty results. To bookend our meal, we had the flan which I wasn't a a big flan of due to a kind of savory aftertaste I couldn't put my finger on; and a positively succulent slice of tres leches cake that made up for the not-so-flantastic flan. I don't even like tres leches, but this was awesome and another "best I've ever had". I love a good Mojito. CDA's Pineapple Mojito was by far the best mojito I've ever had, anywhere. Fresh mint crushed super finely. Vibrant, popping fruit flavors from the pineapple that surely has never seen the inside of a container. I could've had 10 more it was so damn good, but I was driving. Someone else got the Mango Bomb, which I got to taste. Very very good, and another cocktail made with quality juice. My Cuban roommate has traveled the world and says that this easily one of the best and most authentic Cuban restaurants he's been to. That's good enough for me.
(4)Louie B.
Great food! Great service!
(4)N J.
We was in Silver Spring on Saturday morning running errands with the husband, so we decided to go to Cuba de Ayer for lunch. Since we live in NoVa, rarely are we over this way. But when we are, we try to stop by. We finished our errands by 11am and sat in the car and waited for them to open. At 11:25am they opened their doors and there were already two other parties besides us. It just goes to show you how popular they are. The husband and I both order the pernil with black beans and platanos maduros. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS!!! I love the it! We also shared a tres leche for desert. So good! Sweet and creamy, but also light. Try it and you'll love it too!
(4)big e.
The review rating description is right, yay! I'm a fan! The food is consistently good at a fair price and they have THE BEST tres leches I've ever had. The reason I cannot give that last star is because sometimes the service is quite slow.
(4)John P.
Brought six adults here last Easter time. Four of us had the bacalao. It was outstanding. Too bad it is not on the menu all the time. We eat here often and really enjoy it. The Moros y Christianos black beans and rice and sweet plantains are our favorite sides with anything.
(4)Abegail A.
Cuba de Ayer serves the best Cuban food I've ever eaten! Okay, so this was actually the first time I've ever eaten Cuban food. But, I like to think that I know what good food is when I eat it. And where is this Cuban restaurant that offers delicious eats? Burtonsville, MD. Burtsonsville?! Who would have thought. This place was super busy on a Friday night. Luckily for us, we arrived just in time to score an open table without waiting like the couples/groups arriving just minutes after us. For being so busy (not sure if this is all the time, or what), this restaurant is fairly small. I'd come early or try to make reservations if I were you. I started off with the mojito (Bacardi rum, club soda, sugar, crushed mint, and a twist of lime-$7.95). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Now this definitely was THE best mojoito I've ever had! Not too minty, not too sweet, and had the right amount of alky to it. SO good! I highly recommend drinking one (or two or three) when you head here. As an appeteaser we had the Camarones al Ajillo (five shrimp in garlic sauce-$7.25) with warm french bread (an extra $1.75). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Wow, these shrimp were good! The garlic sauce packed a lot of flavor, and wasn't too garlicly (I'm not a fan of garlic, but enjoyed this dish a lot). The bread is a must! You will want to eat every last drop of that garlic sauce...trust me. For my main course, I had the Ropa Vieja (shredded beef in a tomato based sauce with garlic, onions and red/green peppers-$13.99) which came with two sides. I chose the Moros y Cristianos (seasoned rice mixed with black beans) and Plantanos Maduras (fried sweet plantains). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Let me start off by saying that this picture does not do this dish justice! When our waiter put the dish in front of me and I smelled my food, I knew this dish would be delicious. The shredded beef was super flavorful. After one bite, my mouth was seriously watering. The waiter suggested to get the rice/beans mixed together, and I'm glad I did. The plantains...wow! Scrumptious. I also tried the Masitas de Puerco Fritas (fried, marinated pork-$12.99) and Tostones (fried green plantains). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Man that pork was good! It was fried perfectly and wasn't tough or greasy when you bite into it. The green plantains were good, but I preferred the sweet plantains over these ones. We ended the meal with Tres Leches (sponge cake soaked in three different kinds of milk, topped with merengue-$4.50). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… Although we were full, we made room for some dessert. This cake wasn't super sweet, which was what I was expecting. The merengue was a nice touch, but I wish there was less of it. There was so much on top that I removed most of it, and just ate the cake. It was the perfect size, and great way to end the meal. Because we were eye hungry and over heard multiple tables next to us ordering empanadas to go, we thought we would see what the fuss was about. We ordered two beef empanadas to go ($2.25). yelp.com/biz_photos/6gzz… MmMmmM...tasty. They made a wonderfuly morning meal! Even the next day they remained crispy and had the perfect amount of filling in them. We also got a bottle of their house made hot sauce ($5). Not spicy, but it packs a hint of heat to it that's nice. Our waiter was super attentive and friendly. He kept our mojitos flowing and didn't rush us even when there was a line of people waiting to eat. I highly recommend this place. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Michael H.
Finally made it out to this spot. One I have been meaning to go to for years. So far so great. I kept it simple for lunch and got a cubano w/ black beans and rice. Both were off the charts. Cubano was the best i have ever had and the beans and rice were authentically wonderful. Will definitely be going back to sample other parts of the menu. I didn't drink but the place had a suprisingly extensive cocktail list.
(5)Amanda K.
This has become one of my favorite restaurants of all time, which says a lot. Such a hidden treasure because you'd never expect it's there on 198 hidden away in Burtonsville of all places! I am Spanish and a huge lover of Latin cuisine. I have had Cuban food countless times, even in the most Cuban-dominated neighborhoods of Miami, and no place compares to Cuba De Ayer in my opinion! Their mojitos are to die for. The service is great, the atmosphere is enjoyable and the salsa music they play gets me GOING whenever I am there. The food is authentic, generous on flavor and absolutely delicious. There's no wonder this place gets so many good reviews in magazines and brings people to this small town from all over the DC area. My favorite things on the menu are the Tostones Rellenos, Bistec Empanizado, Ropa Vieja, Pollo Salteado, Pernil and Empanadas. Everything there is nothing less than amazing... NEVER had a slightly mediocre or disappointing dish. Their rice and red beans are some of the best I've had, next to only a favorite place in Puerto Rico and homemade meals in Dominican Republic. For dessert I always have to treat myself to a rum cake or tres leches (BOTH ARE TO DIE FOR!!) and a Cafe Cubano (iced is amazing). This place is highly recommended. Truly a great restaurant in every way and with plenty of sabor cubano.
(5)Donna W.
This place is small but the food is delicious.. Your server greets you right away and I have never waited anymore than 15 for my meal. The shrimp appetizer has lots and lots of garlic that I wind up putting all of my Arroz con Pollo -- dont judge me it tasted even better with the garlic sauce!
(5)Dawn A.
My husband and I have eaten this restaurant a few times and we have never been disappointed. The staff is always friendly and go out of their way to make sure you are having a pleasant experience. The decor is very contemporary and a bar was added with the most recent renovation. Overall, the food is great and the empanadas are my favorite.
(4)Joseph M.
Heaven
(5)Lorena B.
Popped in here after hanging out with my dad, who decided he wanted some sort of sandwich for dinner. We both had Cubanos, which were great. The bread was toasted just right and the pork and ham were yummy. Cheese and pickles top it off. We shared a side of yuca frita and it was ok but not great. While it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the yuca was oily and the mojo sauce was just minced garlic dropped in olive oil. A five year old could have made that. Dessert was dissapointing. The Tres Leches was sickeningly sweet, drowing in whipped cream, and kind of hard. Nonetheless, I'll be back to try a mojito and ropa vieja. Hope it's good!
(3)Tish A.
I've been a native of Burtonsville for years and years, and I have never stopped by. Just recently my sister decided to take me there (she says its great) and I got the Ropa Vieja. Its simply fantastic! The carne has very good taste, and my mixed rice and beans are also very tasty. The restaurant itself is a bit small, but that does not matter much. The waiters, and waitress are all teenagers, and some are not as polite as others. Thankfully both times I've been there, there were not bad.
(4)Hoyt H.
Never would have tried this place based on the exterior, but it had a lot of good yelp reviews and the menu online sounded really good, so we gave it a shot. And it was very tasty! The food tasted quite similar to that prepared for me in the past by Cuban friends, so I'm going to call it authentic, even though I've never been to Cuba :) We tried the combinacion appetizer platter, which had a couple of ham croquettes (yum), a couple of fried yuca pieces (a bit greasy, but still good), and some roasted pork with onions (very flavorful). I had then had some Arroz con Pollo with sweet plantains, which was awesome, she had Pollo a la Plancha with green plantains, which she liked as well. Finished with some chocolate cake, which wasn't bad (but I think I would have preferred to try one of the more traditional desserts). We need to go back on a non-work night to try out the drink menu, since it sounded pretty good too! The interior is very nice and classy, and completely unexpected when looking at the outside of the restaurant. We missed it the first time and pulled into the wrong driveway, since it's tucked around the side of the building, next to a liquor store. Will be back!
(4)Sandra B.
I was told that the food here was good, however I was not motivated to actually visit until I bought a "rightly priced" Groupon for the place. I have to say that when I pulled into the parking lot, I felt like this place may be a bit sketchy, but as soon as I opened the door to the establishment, all fears melted away. The restaurant was clean, the waitress was very nice and knowledgeable, and the food...oh my, the food! For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the dish, mostly because the names are in Spanish. My dish was WONDERFUL. My friends dish was WONDERFUL. I had a truly great experience. I went to dinner early, around 5:45pm. By the time we left around 7:45, the place was getting packed, and there was a line at the door. For good reason. I will be back to Cuba de Ayer for their authentic food and great service.
(4)Zulma Y.
OMG! I love this place! The food is delicious. The staff is friendly, fast and knowledgeable and did I mention the food is delicious! Let me say it again! Delicious! The building and neighborhood look sketchy (they're right nex to a liquor store), but don't be afraid to go in! This place is a gem. We've tried their beef and chicken enpanadas. Delish! Fricase de pollo...just to die for. In the end, the food is unpretentious, home-style and something I would be served by my grandma..if she were cuban.
(5)