Wow! And to think this little treasure is in my own back yard and I just discovered it! :D. Of course started with my signature mojito. We has the Tostones green plaintains (mmmmm plantains!) stuffed with beef, which were out if this world! Then I had the Rojas Vieja - pulled flank steak with black beans and rice with sweet plantains (can't get enough of those babies). All the meat was spiced deliciously, which I thought was unusual for Cuban food. I think Cuban food is kind of bland, but not this food. It was prepared beautifully! I wanted to have dessert too, but way too full. I will try dessert the next time I'm here...and there will definitely be a next time!
(5)
Gerry S.
Stopped in here on a total whim over Memorial Day weekend, and was mightily pleased with the result. The watermelon mojitos were fantastic. Finally, a place that doesn't overs-sweeten their rum drinks! Really, it was just the right amount of sweet to let the dry Bacardi pop, but not so much to hide the booze. The Cubano sandwich was probably the best version of the classic I've had. Proportions of the ingredients were just right, and it was griddled in a sandwich press, so everything melded together beautifully. My husband's shrimp dish was spicy, saucy and came with some beautiful tostones. Some may think they were over-fried, but I like my plantain patties crisp rather than mushy. These were just to my taste. Add to that the pretty Cuban waiter, and yeah. We enjoyed ourselves here.
(4)
Julie F.
Food was very good. Only disappointment for me was the black beans. I make killer ones. Offered to come and teach them. The Flan was out of this world. My mother would kill me if she knew I said that! Waiter was very sweet and attentive. Definitely would recommend and come back again.
(5)
chris k.
I was excited to have some Cuban food since I hadn't had any in several months. We had the yuca frita which was tasty but the sauce it came with was literally 1 tablespoon of oil with sauteed garlic in it. When I asked for more it was 75 cents extra. It would have been nice if the dipping sauce for the yuca was something a little more inventive. The tostones were good and crisp if a little too flat. Once again, the dipping sauce was the oil with garlic. My wife had a Cuban sandwich. It was excellent, as were the papas fritas. I had the appetizer special as my entree. It was sizzling shrimp and avocado advertized as being flavored with cilantro and lime. I was unable to taste any cilantro in the dish. The shrimp were ok but nothing thrilling. I had a side of congri with it. It was good but not great. The toasted bread that came with the dishes was pressed so flat it was almost like a cracker. The waitress was very good and friendly. All in all it was just OK. I would go again but I don't know when I'll be in Frederick again. Chris
(3)
Laura R.
Empanadas are amazing and cheap. 2 for $5. Sandwiches are amazing too. Consistently good everything I go. Great service too.
(5)
Edson H.
My girlfriend and I decided to stop by Sabor De Cuba. It was perfect, great service and great food. We started with Empanadas, 1 chicken, 1 beef. Amazing!! Then as suggested by our waitress we tried the watermelon mojito just like she said absolutely refreshing! For our main course we both went with the Ropa Vieja and once again amazing so much flavor. Oh dont forget to ask for some of the mojo sauce very well worth the .75 cents. We will definitely be going back.
Really enjoyed the empanadas. Excited to go back and try some more of the items on the menu. Nice interior. They have a happy hour, but it is for drinks only (no food specials). $5 gets you two nice sized empanads. Go with the beef, it was a lot better than the chicken.
(5)
Joey B.
Food was wonderful and hot!! The service was fantastic!!!! The portions are far to small. and a bit overpriced! Still loved every bite!! Thank you!
(4)
LaKisha P.
I've been waiting to try this place and finally my friend and I decided to give it a shot. It was so delicious, I really wish I'd tried it sooner! The Empanadas de Pollo were very tasty, although a tad salty. They were just the right size for sharing. My dish, Bistec de Enchilado was absolutely delicious! The steak was tender and wonderfully seasoned. I swapped the white rice for black beans and it paired well. The white sangria had an interesting twist, Fireball was the splash they added for a little spice... I thought it was decent. The service was good, the atmosphere was perfect! We'll be giving this place some business!
(5)
Bern B.
Hard to believe this was my first time here since I have walked by numerous times. Went for lunch and was pleasantly surprised with how big it was inside as it looked tiny from the sidewalk. Our waiter was very attentive and knew the menu and how things were prepared. We ordered the sizzling shrimp, tomato avocado salad and of course, the Cubano sandwich. All very delicious!! I will be back to try more and to get that sizzling shrimp again!
(4)
Tina K.
AMAZING food and phenomenal service! Went there based on Yelp reviews and were not disappointed! I had the Cubano and the sizzling shrimp [both excellent] and my husband had the Vaca Fritas which were deliciously seasoned. We will be back for sure! We had our pup sitting outside with us and the server brought her a bowl of water which was so thoughtful :)
(5)
Jinki Y.
Looking for a good restaurant that we never tried, we saw this Cuban restaurant in down town Frederick right across from cafe Nola! Good find it was. The service was excellent and the place was very small and quaint. We felt very welcomed. I really have not been a person for Cuban food, but this was excellent! I had the chicken with rice meal. The chicken was spiced to perfection and the rice was soft and moist. We also tried the chicken empanadas which was a really great treat. Our server recommended a type of hot green sauce to go with it. I would definitely come back to this restaurant!
(5)
Valerie S.
I'm Puerto Rican. There aren't any Puerto Rican restaurant in Maryland. So the closest food that is similar to my culture is Cuban. So I went to this place and checked out. I had a very high expectation to have this food to taste like my home. It's not quite close enough but I would eat it again to see similar food that I know. I ordered cabano sandwich that has pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, pickle, and ham. It was yummy but the pork seasoned is different but it is still delicious. Also ordered Malta to complete my satisfaction. :) I will come back again and try another menu.
(4)
Heather M.
Excellent Cuban food and great service. Here on a Tuesday so it wasn't busy but everything came out quick and hot. We had the beef empanadas for an appetizer. The mojo dipping sauce is a must! We had the arroz con pollo and ropa viejo and were not disappointed . Oh and the plantains were awesome too. Would definitely come back next time we're coming through Frederick!
(4)
Dmitri R.
Fantastic food, very friendly staff. Seafood paella is to kill for. Highly recommended
(5)
Terri B.
THE best meal I've had in a long time. Full of flavor, great staff. HAVE to try the fried rice balls for dessert.
(5)
Stephany K.
The Paella was incredible, the portion was huge! Fantastic service! I love the decor, the palm tree chandeliers & lighting fixtures, tiki roof over the bar, atmosphere very relaxing! Waitress's were all smiles...Happy to be there! Definitely would go back!
(5)
Greg O.
Glad to see a newer Cuban restaurant in downtown Frederick open again, since one of my favorites closed down a while ago. We were seated quickly- its actually quite a spacious dining room. The servers were all very friendly and attentive the whole lunch. I went with my favorite sandwich, of course the cubano. And it was delicious. Well cooked meat, a panani that wasn't too greasy and just the right amount of condiments. The prices were quite reasonable too. I have definitely found a new place to go for lunch in town!
(4)
Daniella H.
We ventured to Sabor de Cuba for something different and I'm so glad we did. It was like Spanish meets Caribbean and everything we had was very good--the only things to disappoint were the mojitos. We ordered a round of mojitos which seemed to be mostly soda water and sugar...where's the rum?! I also thought that maybe the mint hadn't been muddled....oh well, the red Sangria was AMAZING---we should have just gone with that! We started with the beef and chicken empanadas. The beef were better than the chicken---the chicken had good texture but was lacking on flavor. If they boost these up a bit, they'll be better than the beef. I ordered the Vaca frita which was a special that evening---it was flank steak that had been marinated for 3 days....the flavors were insane---sooooooooo good! The portions were very large and the prices were extremely reasonable. We had fantastic service and our waiter was pleased to share his favorite dishes with us. Sabor de Cuba added their Valentine's Day touch by handing each lady in our party a long stem rose. Great night out--we'll definitely be back!
(4)
Martin C.
Came for lunch. Had the Cuban sandwich and the beef empanadas. Food was excellent! Staff is great! Friendly and attentive. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Gumercindo A.
As a Cuban who grew up in Miami and who loves to cook Cuban food at home, I'm always on the lookout for good Cuban food - Cubano's, Cuban Corner, etc. I've hit most of them and they have a lot of it right and are missing just a few "toquesitos". We went to SDC to try out their pernil, congri, maduros and other sides to determine if we should use them to cater a 15 person party at our house. The place is quite small but everyone from the manager there to the wait staff was very friendly. We ordered pernil, rice/beans, congri, maduros, yuca con mojo. The pernil was excellent - honestly, haven't had pernil that good in the area. They cook it and then sautee it a bit in onion and get a really nice crispiness and serve it kind of shredded. It looks like vaca frita in presentation (wasn't a big fan of that) but the taste was spot on. Perfect. The congri was dynamite. Haven't had congri like that since Miami. I also tried the black beans and rice. I'm really picky on this because I feel many restaurants don't give black beans and rice much thought. Putting thought into simple side dishes makes a difference. The rice was cooked perfectly and the beans were pretty darn good - I could even taste the bay leaf flavor. Yuca was ok. I'm not a huge yuca fan but I know good yuca when I taste it and it was just ok. Maduros were right on point as well. I finally ordered a cortado and they do a great job with it. Cuban coffee/cortado is also something that some times isn't given a lot of thought, but the sugar content was perfect. Overall, I have had nothing but good experiences there but admittedly, I have only tried a fraction of the menu. Take it from this Miami Cuban, though, this place is very good!
(5)
Christopher J.
We arrived at 9pm so our server left before our food came and someone else took over, who didn't realize we had not eaten yet. - However both were extremely pleasant and conversational and knew the menu well. The food was really really good. The closest I have had to cuban food was a Panera Cuban Sandwich, so I can not vouch for this tasting like my mothers plantains, but everything was really good. We started with the Croquetas de Jamón, which were similar to a ham hush puppy. I was hoping for a sauce or something, but it arrived with a wedge of lime. My wife added salt, I added the lime (where was the tequila?) and both were enjoyable. Probably not worth it though. Tad strange for the novice. I enjoyed the Bistec de Palomilla (Steak) and my wife had the Pollo a la Plancha (chicken). Both kinda citrusy and hammered thinly. Both arrived with a heaping portion of white rice, black beans and plantains. Mine came in a sweet version, almost like bananas, and her's came with a savory version of plantains, I think the more traditional way of frying and mashing. Left me feeling, very, "Lucy, I'm home!"
(4)
Melanie R.
Today marked my third visit and this was the final attempt. I gave it several tries. The food is just not doing it for my crew. Now, in all fairness we are accustomed to Puerto Rican/Cuban food. I cook it often and we frequent Cubanos in Silver Spring. I have had the Cuban Sandwich, the tostones, plantains, empanadas, and the Ropa Vieja. So, I have tried many dishes. The flavor is just not there. Maybe they are trying to adhere to too many Plain Jane Americans. Today even our waiter admitted the food has changed "not for the better." He noticed we only took a few bites. Not for us.
(2)
Christopher H.
Best Cuban Resturant in all of Maryland!!! If you love Cuban food this place is for you. I wish that more people liked this place because it wasn't that busy but it was very good we had some great service they were especially good to my little niece!
(5)
Michael O.
Food was good, and the atmosphere is really clean. Staff was also really on the ball. I'll be back!
(4)
Leslie D.
The picadillo is not authentic or tasty. The olives are apparently in there but diced so fine you can't see them, or anything else other than soupy hamburger. The whole thing is a homogenous, oversalted glob of soupy hamburger--very very far from what picadillo is supposed to be with its many contrasting flavors and textures in one dish. The congrà was so dried out it had crusty lumps. This was my first time at this restaurant, and it was a big disappointment.
(2)
Daniel A.
This is the real deal. Food is ridiculously good and service is fantastic. We came here last weekend and now are back this weekend. The one hour drive is very worth it!
(5)
Edward E.
This place is GOOD! I ordered the Vaca Frita with red beans and a side of tostones. Actually, you can order anything you want from here, but you have to try the red beans! Lunch was great now I have a food coma.
(5)
Julie K.
What a truly great place this is! I loved my Pargo Frito (fillet of red snapper with rice, black beans and sweet plantains). My friend's Permil (roast pork) was wonderful and that is a dish I would not normally even try but wow. Black beans were ok (made perfect when we added some onions-- in our opinions...), plantains were perrrfect and our waiter, Nick was informative, fun and delightful! My friend used to live in Tampa where Cuban food reigns and he said the food here is better than the high end places there. Can I say again how good that Pargo Frito tasted? I had it flash fried (Nick's preferred way) and I was glad I made that choice. The empanadas (chicken) were perfect... Lots of shredded chicken, olives and eggs (I think those were the ingredients -- it's all gone and I didn't look closely enough, I was too busy swooning from the taste) with the perfect crust and flavor. Cafe con leche, just like I love it. If you are looking for something a little different in a great way, this is the place to go. If you want beer and burgers -- that is sad but you won't find that here (thankfully)! We will definitely be returning. So glad we decided to give it a try (which I did because there were people eating outside when we walked by and they just looked happy in the right way). Glad we didn't have fly to Florida or enter non-friendly air space (Cuba flights from US still not kosher). Btw, coco flan full of coconut flavor complimented by a rich perfect creamy flan. Ok I am taking stuff to go too.
(5)
Nick M.
On the recommendation of my wife and father, I took my family to Sabor de Cuba for a Labor Day Sunday lunch. In a word, it's amazing. Call me ignorant, but I was surprised that my spouse loved the cuisine here. She never liked mexican food. But then again Cuban fare has its own spin and she appreciated the finely cooked steak and sauteed onions paired with a delicately cooked rice and plantains. Between husband, wife, son, and daughter we each carved out a corner of the menu and were able to share bites. My daughter had the Bistec de Palomillo, my wife the Pollo al a Plancha, my son the Picadillo, and I the Bistec Empanizado. All four were perfectly cooked and accompanied with a delightfully fluffy white rice and plantains. The Palomillo is a thinly sliced steak sauteed with onions and the Empanizado is a cuba "chicken fried steak". All of the meats were exquisitely cooked, tender, and flavorful. The portions were also pretty generous. When we thought we were completely full the server asked if we'd like some coffee and dessert. I overcame the urge to pass and ordered a cuban coffee and the tres leches cake. The waitress wisely brought four spoons and we dug in to this deliciously moist and sweet cake. Perfect capper to a savory meal. I had read some reviews saying that the service was slow. This was not our experience. For a Sunday afternoon the restaurant was full, but we never felt ignored.
(5)
Jay K.
Having eaten Cuban food in Miami and NYC, I have to say that this place ranks right up there with some of those places. Everything is fresh, and the prices are very reasonable.
(5)
Nicola S.
I wanted to write this review because after trying a different cuban restaurant in town, I have realized just how wonderful sabour de cuba really is. The food here is not something I would eat every day without gaining a few, but boy is it delicious. They have an amazing vegetarian plate that I love. The flavors and textures are fantastic. I highly recommend!
(4)
Casey K.
Consistently amazing food, and hands down the best Cuban spot in Frederick. We started with the garlic shrimp which were so good and the perfect starter amount. The cool avocado with the hot shrimp, citrus, garlic, and tomato on the skillet was great on top of the toasted bread. The bread dipped in the hot butter mixture on hte skillet was so decadent and wonderful. I highly recommend this appetizer This time around, I had the Picadillo (Cuban Style Chili). This dish was so freakin' good!! Instead of the congri, I asked for tostones. The tostones were crisp and went perfectly with the picadillo and the yucca because of the crisp consistency they brought to the dish. The yucca con mojo was spot on delicious. The mesitas were a bit lackluster because they were a bit fatty for my taste, but my mom really enjoyed them. The savory fried pork with the sweet plantain is always a winning combo. We also tried the jalapeno margarita. It was good as far as margaritas go, nice flavor with a bit of a kick at the end, but nothing too too hot to handle. Finished our meal with the tres leches cake which was delicious as well. It was like a fantastic dense wedding cake that had been submerged in a very creamy vanilla pudding. All topped off with a huge mound of whip cream and raspberry syrup drizzle.
(5)
Noel M.
Food was amazing with quick service. Our group ordered pollo a la plancha, pernil, arroz con pollo and an ensalada de aguacate. Everyone loved their meals. Tostones along with the meals were a perfect addition. The grilled chicken was super moist and flavorful. The ambience in the restaurant was nice and it was a nice touch that the manager came around to ask how the meals were. We had great service with Sergio as our waiter. Couldn't have asked for a better place for dinner.
(5)
Kigwana C.
Talk about food that will put right in Cuba! Every time I travel to Frederick I make it a musty to come here. Friendly service and very authentic food!
(5)
Jls P.
There service was amazing and the food had good flavor. The problem was the food was dry. I was disappointed Bc the presentation was great. The bread appetizer was good but our lunch was really dry. I got the lunch special which was twice cooked flank steak and it had good flavor but was so dry that it really lacked a sauce or citrus. Our server Sergio was the best tho. Very attentive and made excellent suggestions. The owner was also very social. The ambience of the place was great so we might give another try!!
(3)
Aziza J.
Ate here yesterday and it was delicious! I started with a pineapple mojito and our table shared beef empanadas and the sizzling shrimp and avocado. Both were incredible! Flavorful and pipping hot. Entrees were fried red snapper, ropa viejo, and bistec de palomilla. Again all of us were entranced by the multi layered flavors, even the white rice was well seasoned. Best sweet plantains I've ever had! Amazing cafe cubano too!
(5)
Ashley Z.
I came here for lunch a few weeks ago with a friend. I had the Ropa Vieja and it was delicious! The portions were very generous. I took half my plate home, but I would have been able to eat all of it if I was hungrier. The plantains on the side were amazing. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of plantains, but they prepared them with perfect texture and flavor--not too mushy and not too sweet. The only complaint I have is that service was really slow. Food took awhile to come out and our check took forever to get collected. Fortunately, we weren't in a rush to leave, but it would have been annoying otherwise. Hopefully next time the service will be better because I really did enjoy the food!
(4)
David W.
Something is very wrong at Sabor de Cuba Restaurant I hope that the owner of this establishment will pay attention to the issues that I am raising and that it will encourage them to make some much needed changes. In all fairness, I must compliment the Empanadas and the Croquettes. Their quality told me that the people that are doing advance kitchen prep know how these are intended to be. The line cooks did a good job at getting them out as well as the Avocado Salad, Yucca and Flan. The issue seems to be the Entrees. We ordered the Arroz Con Pollo and the Shredded Steak. Others have reported about the steak dryness. Now I see why the waiter (Nick) indicated that he pours the Red Beans on the Steak. The Arroz Con Pollo was so incredibly poor that it tells me that the Chef de Cuisine is either a very poor cook or that Cuban food is beyond his or her knowledge base. The end result was two skin off bone-in chicken pieces that looked a medium brown on top of a massive pile of bitey rice filled with Green Olives in brine, also a medium brown in color. This is an a la carte entree that does not come with a salad or vegetable, therefore, at a minimum the chicken should have been meaty Chicken thighs accompanied with Golden Yellow Rice. I honesty felt that I was in a bad restaurant in Spain or Portugal. Nick, the server was very pleasant and all in all did a nice job. This restaurant is comfortable and has potential If the Chef and Cook(s) do not know how the dishes are supposed to be, the owner had better pay attention. I spent a lot of dollars for entrees that should have been good. I feel cheated that I did not get what I paid for on this visit.
(2)
John S.
I live in tampa and was on the hunt for a good cuban and i found one right off the bat. This place makes them in the miami style, i.e. no salami and no mayo, but that's fine. The locally made cuban bread was flat and crispy. The tres leches cake was very good. I didn't have the plantains but they looked and smelled good on their way out from the kitchen.
(5)
mike f.
We were very pleased with our first meal here. Despite the crowded sidewalks of Frederick's "First Saturday," we were seated almost immediately. Great food. Enjoyed the empanadas (not sure that's really Cuban...but, whatever, they were good). and Camarones Enchilados.
(4)
Denise G.
Really like the traditional cubano sandwich and the watermelon mojito! Great service and for First Saturday Hard Swimming Fish is rocking out some blues.
(5)
Emmanuel M.
I'm Dominican and we don't call them Empanadas we call them Pastelitos. But I've had empanadas from different spanish countries and it's always a little different. With that said, it's been over 3 years since I've had some and it was a welcome site when it came to the table. When I bit into them I could taste right away that even though the outside was what I remember, the inside was not. That being said, I still enjoyed every bite and almost brought me to tears. Our server must have thought I was crazy. The service was great, very helpful during our order and was knowledgable about his menu. I had the peril with Yukas. OMG it was amazing. I plan to go to this spot many more times. Only thing was the price of the empanadas. I'm sure as an appetizer they are priced accordantly but a bit hit I thought. Maybe 3 for the same price would be better but I'm guessing people normally dine in pairs for the most part.
(4)
Beata K.
Nice location and outdoor seating but not great food, it's just OK. We got the ropa vieja and it was quite disappointing. The meat was drenched in juices and was watery and not that flavorful. The dish also came with congri which is a mixture of rice and beans which was good and helped me eat the meat and dish also came with fried sweet plaintains which were very good. We also got the Cuban sandwich which had a very heavy pork taste which we didn't enjoy. We got an avocado salad which was slices of tomato topped with avocado and onions with dressing, this was good.
(3)
Khalid A.
This is my family's favorite restaurant in Frederick. We have come here on numerous occasions and we always have an exceptional experience with awesome service and amazing food. This evening on our visit, unfortunately we were not able to be seated in our favorite server Nevada's section. Although she was not our server she came to our table numerous times to make sure that we were happy. At one point, she helped the server deliver our desserts. After receiving our dessert, she helped us pack up our leftovers and gave us the green mojo sauce, which is out of this world. Part of the reason why we love this restaurant so much is because of the food, atmosphere, and most of all Nevada's hospitality. We definitely look forward to coming back soon and we will be sure to request to be seated with Nevada.
(5)
Jim E.
Excellent place to get a bite to eat in Frederick, MD. I'm not an expert in authentic Cuban, so I can not comment on that, but the meals were fantastic. The portions were large, so I was able to make a delicious sandwich the next day with the leftover protein. Give it a try!
(5)
Elliot M.
Have enjoyed Cuban cuisine in Miami, DC and NYC. I had emailed a couple of days prior to going to ask if they serve my favorite, vaca frita. Told yes. But our server informed me they stopped offering it. Bummer. So I went with the picadillo. Others in the party had ropa viejo. Overall, I'd say the food was pretty good. Although warned by the server, the chef is VERY heavy-handed with the salt.
(3)
Marley D.
Stumbled upon Sabor De Cuba after having searched for "Latin" food on Yelp and I was not in the least bit disappointed! I dropped in with my mom and sister on a Sunday evening and was more than pleasantly surprised. Neither of us has ever had Cuban fare before so this was a first timer. The staff was very friendly, drinks were refilled without wait, dishes were cleared out as soon as we were done, and overall the place is very clean. For appetizers we ordered the Tomato Salad (pictured) which was just sliced tomato with onions, cilantro and a white vinegar sauce on top; it was light, fresh and a good app. I also got a side salad which was fresh but I didn't enjoy the white vinegar dressing (too vinegar-y for me.) For our entree, my sister and I got the Bistec de Palomilla & our mom got the Pollo A La Plancha. Both were served with white rice & beans, the chicken came with Tostones (green plantains) while the steak came with Plantanos (sweet plantains.) both meats were marinated to perfection, super moist, flavorful and tender! Sabor De Cuba is deff a hole in the wall considering I've passed by them at least a thousand times since I've lived in Frederick and finally just noticed them! Highly reccomend!
(5)
Lawrence L.
We took a Sunday ride up to Frederick and happened onto Sabo De Cuba as something different than the usual. We've had Cuban food many times in Florida and elsewhere and found this among the best.
(5)
Ryan B.
Good Cuban food, reasonable prices, and friendly service. I would go again. I had the masitas puerco (fried pork chunks) which were moist and flavorful. The fried plantains were tasty as always. The rice and beans were good texture, but sans spices. The sangria was fine. The beef empanadas were fine, and the green sauce was good. So it was a good experience all around.
Food is great and service is fantastic. I had Ropa Vieja :) yam.
(5)
Kem W.
OK... I've been here twice for lunch and once for dinner. All my meals have been fantastic. Tonight I had the Pargo frito. This is the flash fried red snapper. Though I had mine broiled. It came out perfect. We also had the Arroz con Pollo. That was deemed very good. I had the house margarita with habanero infused tequila. I loved it. We also had the white wine sangria topped with cinnamon whiskey. That was deemed most excellent. The staff there is very friendly and attentive. It's not fancy but Sabor de Cuba is a solid 5-star restaurant.
(5)
Dave O.
Outstanding meal today, my wife had the pork and I had the steak sandwich - both delish and excellent service
(4)
Tom C.
Really great service and food. We lived in south Florida for a while and miss good Cuban food. Some classics some creative stuff. I had the whole snapper on special and it was fantastic. Great Cuban coffee and I could drink a glass of the ginger lime salad dressing.
(5)
Robert A.
Close your eyes and envision being in a quaint restaurant in Havana. The Cubano sandwich is exceptional. The mojito has no peer. Nevada greets you as if you're family, mike the head chef and owner is committed to ensuring that your meal and overall experience is a memorable one!
(5)
Chelsea L.
Try the Pernil or the Cubano! Came here for Father's Day yesterday and out server, Nevada, was very friendly and knowledgable about the menu. We loved the outdoor dining in the perfect weather. The food is all very good and reasonably priced.
(5)
S C.
Sizzling shrimp, lentil soup, croquettas, and empanadas were divine. The beef dish (peppers,jalapeño and tomatoes) was good. Tres Leche was awesome. Nevada, our server, was warm and attentive. Will be back.
(5)
Nicole R.
This is quite possibly one of my favorite restaurants in Frederick. I've been here 3 times over the past 2 weeks just to get a Cubano. I've avoided trying it for months, and finally gave in ... I am so glad I did. The pork is wonderfully flavorful, moist, not even tiny bit dry. The sandwich comes out hot and crispy. It has just the perfect ratio of ham and pork together so one does not over power the other. I am telling you, I crave these Cubanos. They're quite possibly the most delicious sandwich I've ever had in my life! Go! Get one, now! You won't regret it.
(5)
John W.
I am not a expert on Cuban food, so here goes. Love this food, love this food. So simple , yet so good. Nice small menu, sometimes they will have a special and sometimes not. The Mrs. loves the habinero infused tequlia that graces their Margarita's. If you are looking for TeX mex this is not the place ,apples and oranges. Great staff, small bar (just right). I hope the Chef /Owner changes up the menu once in awhile. I really only been coming here about 6 months so I am not sure about menu changes , but they recognize the Mrs. and I, that's how much I enjoy this place. Cheers.
(4)
Trisha K.
Beef empanadas, garlic shrimp, and Cuban sandwiches are as good as it gets! Very authentic and delicioso!
(5)
M C.
Food: medium portions and reasonable menu, but the flavors are too mild and borderline bland and forgettable Atmosphere: boring and the branding makes it feel like a chain
(3)
B C.
While on business in Frederick, I went here multiple times over a couple months. I always thoroughly enjoyed my food and the mojitos were appropriately strong. The dulce de leche cake was delicious and quite big, 3 people shared it. Don't miss out on this restaurant!
(4)
Isabel M.
Officially my favorite restaurant in Frederick!!!! The food was incredibly delicious and the staff, super friendly. Will be returning weekly!
(5)
Katherine V.
Ordered the Ropa Vieja and it was good but a bit over seasoned. My parents loved the chicken soup and my brother enjoyed the red snapper filet. If you go, the flan de coco is a must! So creamy and delicious. Service was great and the owner/manager was very nice and stopped by and shared his chicken soup recipe with us. Great place!
(4)
Teiji K.
Clean dining area with a very attentive staff. Food was flavorful with excellent mixture of citrus and spices to balance the pallet. The staff was excellent starting with Patrick and continued to all including the manager. We had the sizzling shrimp as an appetizer that sizzled on the platter as well as on the taste buds. The mojito was authentic and had a good flavor but could have used fresh or a more minty flavored leaf. The main course included pernil (roasted pork) and bistro enchilado, which they substituted chicken instead of beef. It was fantastic. I'd recommend and eat here again.
(4)
Joey F.
Love the food here. The only place around here that I can order an ice cold malta with my meal.
(5)
Omar N.
Best Cuban food in the area. The Cuban sandwich is comparable to what you'll find in Miami. The tostones are fantastic and do yourself a favor and order the beef empanadas, they're amazing.
(5)
Jim B.
One of my favorite places to eat in Frederick. Reminds me of the Puerto Rican food my grandmother used to make .. This place is 5 star ! Great service and a great staff.
(5)
Yamil H.
The food was good, the service was terrible. We had made reservations for two at 7:30 on sat night. We arrived promptly at 7:20 and were told our table would be ready shortly. Well, at 7:40, our table wasn't ready. Whats worse they sat a party in front of us who did not have a reservation. When i brought this to the attention of the host he said " oh wow, i forgot about you guys". We were standing in the front of him the entire time. We then had to wait another 15 min before a table was ready. Our table did not have silverware and we had to ask for it a few times. Once seated, our waitress was nice, but forgot to bring my wife's wine order. We politely reminded her, and the host. By the time the wine arrived, my wife was almost done with her meal. The food was tostones rellenos, bistec, and cuban sandwich. Good portions and taste. The mojito tasted ok, but it was quite warm. Suggestion, if you forget to seat someone who took the trouble to make a reservation, and arrived on time, a comped drink could have been a nice way to make up for the oversight. Aternetively, a dessert could have also been a good gesture. Please improve your service. Withe better service and trained staff, this place could be a hit.
(2)
Julie A.
Sooooo, our first visit...maybe we came when there were large groups to be served and the kitchen got backed up, but...we order two SANDWICH and an order of fries and waited PATIENTLY for one hour. We came on a Friday night around 8:00 and our food came out at 9:00. The waitress was trying to be very accommodating. But it came to a point when I didn't want to hear anything except for her setting my plate in front of me. A bit of redemption came when they brought us chicken empanadas on the house. Also offered dessert on the house, but we declined. Was it worth the wait?! Well, they were sandwiches-not really. But will we give it another try- maybe.
(2)
Kacie D.
The beef empanadas and mojitos are awesome!
(4)
Steven M.
Excellent ! We had the pulled plank steak and pulled pork . HUGE portions! Good service unpretentious atmosphere and food . The Flan was 10,000 worlds beyond great ,the best I have ever had. Affordable and tasty meals .I will return ,especially if I'm in need of a extra large dinner. Good value for a reasonable price.
(4)
K Sera S.
Coffee and Dessert only: Popped in for a cuban coffee at the bar. It was absolutely excellent. My eyeballs almost exploded from the caffeine--just the way it should be. I "accidentally" ordered the flan (whoops!), which was firm, sweet, mild and lovely. The bartender, poor thing, was so nervous about it being her first weekend shift that she came across as being surly and a touch rude. I'm sure she'll settle in....
(4)
Justin B.
This place blew me away! I love Cuban sandwiches but had never been to an actual full blown Cuban restaurant before. Needless to say the best Cubano I have ever had. Our crew also all got some amazing mojitos and sweet plantains. I had never even heard of plantains before which I was amazed at being such a foodie. They blew my mind! Great spot in Frederick. I can't even imagine what some of those entrees have to offer. They sounded incredible. Must go back.
(5)
Rob N.
Sabor de Cuba's a pretty decent spot to cruise into when you're looking for some tasty, but non-fancy eats. The food's good, the service is generally friendly, and the prices for entrees are plenty reasonable. Offerings on the menu are fairly no-nonsense in a "what you see is what you get" kinda way. Same with the decor - nothing fancy, but clean and generally not a load of hokey Latin cliches. One word of advice - if you ask for a small side salad, that's exactly what you'll get. A salad as a side dish, not an appetizer - let your server know if you want your salad before your meal or you may find yourself hungrily staring at your fellow diners as they chow down on their appetizers. One wish - a little better presentation of the food. It's very plainly plated, and while in general very tasty, it's also in most cases very brown. Rice, pinto or black beans, and a protein. You have to ask specifically for sauces or garnishes like lime or cilantro, and I think that's a bit of a miss.
(3)
Marcos R.
More like 3.4, hence the rounding down to 3. I have been here twice, the last time on Nov 2, 2013. First of all, it makes me like Frederick more knowing that the town has at least two Cuban restaurants. This town has my respect. Sabor de Cuba earns points right away for its convenient location and welcoming atmosphere. An animated salsa selection at the right volume greets the patrons upon opening the door, and they reply in kind by offering their best attempt at an Afro-Caribbean syncopated cadence. Servers wear a black guayaberas and matching pants. I just want to put something in my stomach for our trip back to DC, and that consists of a pan de lechón (pork sandwich), which was decently sized, well toasted, and included a slice or two if tomato an mayo. Think of a simple version of a cubano. Nice, but nothing to die for. The girlfriend has the flan, which I had had before. It was excellent, as I thought it was. Our check came back at ~$12, which makes this a good deal. Why the relatively low rating? I've had better. It's not like I won't come back next time I'm in Frederick, but I'm comparing to other Cuban restaurants in other cities, and I thought something was missing in flavor here.
(3)
Slap D.
We went after an afternoon show at the Weinberg. If your looking for a casual atmosphere and authentic cubin food, this is the place for you. Large portions. 2 Mojoto's were great but $$ at $8 a pop.
(4)
Angel R.
Best empanadas in Frederick .... You don't understand how crazy good they are.... And the Ropa Vieja...... Grandma wouldn't get close to how good it is here...
(5)
Justa D.
Food was very good. We will go back. It is a little pricey for what you get.
(4)
gene k.
Everything was amazing. The coffee was perfect, the spicy margarita was amazing, the food (chicken empanadas, red snapper, mosquetas de puercos) was so good. We were personally served by Mikail, who was the perfect host, and our lunch there was honestly one of the best experiences of my life eating out.
(5)
Frank N.
This is a really nice place, and we're lucky to have TWO Cuban restaurants in Frederick. They are different. This one is more about the ambiance for sure.... It's a great location, the staff is very attentive, there are great drinks available, and the overall experience is nice. The food is average though, and lacks the real spice and flavor of the Cuban food I've had in South Florida and Puerto Rico.... I may have came here on an off night, so I'll definately try them again. I think the prices were a little bit high also.
(3)
Deb G.
We ended up at Sabor de Cuba after trying to visit another Cuban restaurant in the area, and boy am I glad we did! What an excellent meal. Our table tried the croquetas con jamon, empanadas de carne, and pan con ajo. The ham croquettes were super tasty little morsels of creamy minced pork goodness, the beef empanadas were perfectly spiced and flaky, and the pressed bread with garlic - OMG! I could have eaten that as a meal. It was seriously that good. By now I'm thinking I should have skipped my entree, but I'm so glad I didn't. I got the ropa vieja, which comes with congri (rice and beans) and plantains - everything was great! The ropa vieja was simply delicious, the rice and beans perfectly cooked and spiced, and great plantains. I feel like I was actually in South Florida, eating authentic Cuban food. My friends got the Cubano sandwich (amazing!), pernil (roasted pork - salty but so flavorful!), and pollo a la plancha (you could totally taste the citrus marinade). Everything was so good! I should mention that I've never been to Frederick before, and was surprised to see the cute little downtown and the terrible parking! I will brave the parking to home back for such great food, though.
(5)
Luis R.
Sandwich Cubano was ON POINT. Went for lunch with a coworker last week, I had the Cubano and he had Sandwich de Pollo. We both really liked or sandwiches. I hear the Empanadas are very good too. Will be trying those this week. The staff was SUPER friendly and attentive. The restaurant is very well decorated. Nice salsa music playing. I was really impressed.
(5)
Jason C.
Good starter place for drinks if you are bar hoping downtown. The food is good but not great and the bar is small. Very friendly staff and is always a must stop for my wife and I.
Had a great Cuban sandwich here, also had the chicken with ham and fried plantains. My dad had a meal which he complained was so so, which is the only reason I didn't go with 5 stars. If there was an option for 4.5, that would be my rating.
(4)
Kimberley W.
Ropa vieja was very good as was the pork, and dessert empanadas. The waitress was attentive and knowledgeable. Portion sizes are generous. It was a nice casual dining experience. The drinks were a bit expensive ($8 for a small mojito).
(4)
Laura K.
Went to Sabor the evening of my sister's Bachelorette party. After a more expensive lunch that day, we wanted something fun, with good food, but not super expensive. Sabor seemed like a fun choice! And I'm so glad we went there!! The food was EXCELLENT....we shared 2 appetizers and 3 entrees between 5 of us, and it was plenty. The server was super nice! Her mom was from Puerto Rico, and she said she'd grown up on very similar food to Cuban cuisine, so she was able to make some recommendations. The manager sent over a round of fruity shots for us all to help celebrate, and also threw in a free bread pudding for us to share! Delicious! And so thoughtful of them.... I would certainly be going back - but unfortunately I live in Houston, Texas, so it may be difficult! So y'all will have to go back FOR me!!!! Definitely check this place out :-)
(5)
Andrey R.
I like to keepp things simple....GO to this place. Delicious food and friendly service. I ordered Ropa Vieja, OMG what a meal. Also, it is located at the heart of Downtown Frederick, great for a nice walk after an amazing meal.
(5)
Benji C.
First time here and what a find! Great Cuban sandwich, chicken soup, fried yucca, plantains and rice & beans. Very impressed with everything here. Also great ambience and servers. Would highly recommend.
My wife and rarely take the time to go out for a proper date night... So it took us months to find the time to make the 70 minute pilgrimage to Sabor de Cuba. We can't stop raving about how warm and inviting the energy was...from the guests to the staff to the owners who made it feel like we were at friends house. The food was AMAZING and prices required a double take when we got the bill we actually asked if it was a mistake because it was so low. We cannot wait to go back and try the few things on the menu we didn't load up on last night. A+ !
The food is good. Good salty steak, rice, beans, and plantains. Go if you feel like having Cuban food, perhaps on a hangover day for lunch. We were seated right by the front window, and I give the atmosphere a D. It is clean but does not feel like an immersive environment at all.
(3)
Allyson P.
3.5 stars. This was such a cute place, and our dinner here was pretty good. My watermelon mojito was incredibly refreshing on a hot night, and not nearly as sweet as I was worried it would be. The bistec de palomilla was slightly overcooked (came out medium when requested medium-rare), but it was still quite tender, and the citrus flavor of the marinade was really good. The picadillo was a bit greasier than ideal, but so delicious, and worth every calorie. Service was friendly. Definitely worth stopping in if you're looking for a casual dinner spot.
(3)
Jessica F.
This restaurant is outstanding. I know my Cuban food very well, and this is as authentic as it gets. I lived in Tampa for many years, where there is a huge Cuban influence, the oldest Cuban restaurant in the US, the Columbia Restaurant. The food at Sabor de Cuba would give them a run for their money. The owner even came out and chatted with us for a bit and told us that he learned these recipes from watching his grandmother cook. I was leery of trying the Cuban sandwich because Cuban bread is very unique and I know you can't buy it anywhere around here. Turns out they collaborate with a local bakery and helped them to adjust their recipe to create Cuban bread. Fantastic. Their homemade green mojo sauce is a must try, and goes nicely with the beef empanadas. The service is excellent, the menu is very affordable and the portions very generous. I can't wait to go back for dinner and try one of the entrees... Bistec Empanizado will be my choice :)
(5)
Andrea W.
Amazing food and service. Started outside but then the rain clouds moved in so they quickly swept us to an indoor table. Waitress didn't skip a beat. She also made some recommendations. I had a coconut water, chicken empanadas, rice, and sweet plantains. The chicken was so flavorful and moist. A great meal!
(5)
Will M.
Fantastic! My wife and I had an early dinner at this restaurant this week and the food was wonderful! We both had the Cubano sandwiches, the ham was juicy and had a sweet honey flavor and the roasted pork was all swine should be, delicious! The bread was the highlight though, perfectly toasted, light, with great flavor. My Mojito while kind of steep at $8, was very refreshing, guess I have to catch the happy hour price. I really was impressed with the fact that the owner/operator took the time to come out of the kitchen and speak with the customers and be honest about the challenges of the restaurant industry and share his passion for providing the best product possible. This restaurant is a rising star in Frederick!
(5)
Lauren T.
the food, service, and drinks were all excellent. as an app, we started off with the empanadas de carne. for my first time, I enjoyed them. I got the pollo a la plancha for my main course. I remember it being good. Nothing that blew me away, but definitely good. the thing that stood out the most was the jalapeno margarita. I'm pretty picky about my margaritas and I thought they did an excellent job. just the right hint of spicy in it, which was conveniently, and simultaneously, cooled of by the drink itself. how clever ;)
(4)
Tricia M.
Fantastic Cuban food in the heart of Frederick! The food was top notch and really tasty. They start you out with some savory buttered bread and the menu has a large selection of appetizers and dinner entrees. Save room for dessert! The drink menu is also good. Service was really great. Cheers!
(5)
Dan F.
Excellent cuban food! I read the previous reviews and was wondering if we ate at the same place? The Empanadas were in no way dry, but in fact the best cuban chicken empanadas I have ever had, and I used to live in Miami and visit there at least once a year. The empanadas had an extra element, I was thinking maybe olives? Not sure but they were seasoned so well. The rice, meat, plantains etc all perfectly cooked. One of the best Ropa Viejas I have ever had as well. The flan is to die for. The yuca with mojo is just tear-inducing good. The only things I will say were not that good was: 1) The service (the waiter was very polite and good, but seemed overworked as he could not get to us very often, so maybe the restaurant needs more staff..mojitos arrived long after the appetizers) 2) Mojito was very sub-par #2 is a biggie, a good cuban restaurant should have a good Mojito. This one was just..lacking..tasted almost like the flavor came from a Mojito syrup you'd pump out of a bottle. Basically tasted artificial somehow. I was sadly disappointed. Could barely taste rum, mint, lime..all the important elements. So note to management: you really need to improve your mojitos! Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville MD has fantastic ones, learn from them :) Maybe it was an off night, I know it took them FOREVER to get the Mojitos to our table, but again this might speak of not having enough staff on hand. Prices are very fair for the quality of the food. This is the real deal, definitely authentic. I would return without hesitation next time I am in Frederick.
(4)
christian b.
Stopped in here for lunch with my wife on a recent visit to Frederick. I will be back. Oh yes. We started with beef empanadas, and they were terrific. Very simple, with crispy, flaky, fresh-tasting crust and spicy, savory beef filling. This was served with an optional spicy green dressing that added some kick and was totally worth the 75 cents or whatever they charge for it. I love a good empanada, and I wish they were easier to come by, and if I lived close to Sabor de Cuba, I would eat empanadas every day. They were wonderful. From there, I ordered the Arroz con Pollo, and my wife ordered the Pernil. The Arroz con Pollo at Sabor de Cuba is served on the bone, the delicious leg and thigh, and skinless. I would have preferred a little skin on there, but I can't possibly complain. I made a fool of myself, practically licking my plate clean. The chicken seemed to have been baked, which was fine, and was neither bland nor over-spiced or -salted. The rice really was the star of the show, though; rich and salty and studded with green olives. I loved it. And the Pernil! Even better! It was served with cooked yellow onion, white rice, black beans, and devastating, sticky, fresh-tasting, beautiful plantains, cooked almost black on the edges. Really excellent. We were both stuffed at this point, but our server mentioned that the flan is made by his wife, so I went for it. Holy hell. I'm not usually a flan-enthusiast. For the most part, flan leaves me feeling underwhelmed. Not this. This was great! I found room in my belly for the flan. All of it. I live more than 20 miles from Frederick, Maryland, but I'm used to driving places for good food and I will absolutely make the 30 minute drive back to Frederick for Sabor de Cuba. Very good service, pleasant, neutral decor, good prices, and very good food. Highly recommend it.
(4)
ginger R.
I was hesitant to visit this restaurant since I grew up in Miami and have Cuban relatives that cook the best and most authentic Cuban food outside of Havana. I was pleasantly surprised. We ordered the Bistec, Ropa Vieja, Tostones, Bistec Empanizado, Moros, black beans and fried plantains. All the food was very well seasoned and while not the best I've ever had, it exceeded my expectations. The best part was the dessert. What a pleasant surprise! The flan was absolutely delicious, creamy and fresh with just the right amount of sweetness. The trick to a fabulous flan is to add a little cream cheese to the mixture. They obviously got it right. I also tried a bite of the tres leches While I have never liked this particular dessert, it was well made. I highly recommend this restaurant. It's as authentic as it's going to get while 1100+ miles away from the real deal.
(3)
Kristen K.
Had lunch here with my daughter a few weeks ago. Great service, great food (we had a bunch of appetizers no main), good prices. I was very happy and will return!
(4)
Angela A.
Hit and miss. I got the pernil, which I didn't like at all. The meat tasted bland and old. You know, that stale meaty taste? Yuck. The rest of us ordered beef dishes, which were mid-range tasty. The shrimp appetizer was phenom. Staff was a bit aloof. Don't know if I'd return. :/
(3)
Denise N.
When you walk in the door, Sabor de Cuba screams, "Welcome to Havana!" I just cannot say enough about this quaint little mom and pop joint tucked in amongst the busy historic district of Frederick. Good Latin Cuisine is something I am always on the lookout for and this place delivered. The Cuban sandwich and mango/cream cheese dessert empanadas are definite recommendations. Unfortunately I live a bit of a hike but it will be a treat every once in a while. Added bonus...lots of great little local shops to check out.
(5)
Sarah J.
This place was amazing, to the point of inspiring me to write my first yelp review. We just stopped in for a quick snack in the afternoon, so unfortunately couldn't eat a full dinner. However, the maduros and empanadas de carne we had were absolutely excellent. The seasoning in the empanada filling was exceptional, with great flavor, and the shell was perfectly fried and crispy. We'll try to go back anytime we're in Frederick. Hope this place keeps up the great work!
(5)
Joel B.
Has become one of my favorite restaurants in town. Have gone here several times and food has been top notch every time.
(4)
john t.
this was pretty amazing food (and at a great price!). I went in randomly after attending a Keys ballgame. The menu looked decent enough. was welcomed in. and I'm so glad I happened upon this place. I had a chicken breast, and it was really the best chicken breast i've ever had. The person who seated me was super friendly. The owner, as it turns out. Pretty handsome guy, too. definitely will be back next time i'm in frederick.
My family and my sister in law's family stopped for a late lunch on our way back from Liberty mountain. We had a number of items, and everything was good. The tostones were crispy as they should, the ropa vieja was full of flavor, the yuca con mojo was just right, and even the chicken sandwich was very good. We were very happy that they offered specials for kids size plates (for $6 each -- you need to ask since those plates are not shown in the menu) The service was also very good.
(5)
April A.
We went here last night for my birthday dinner, and I couldn't have been happier with the experience! We started with the empanadas - the texture was perfect and the filling was super flavorful. My husband got the pernil (a pork dish) and loved it. I got the ropa vieja, which was tender and well seasoned, with a delicious side of plantains and congri. The flan was probably the best I've ever had. The service was wonderful - our waiter Sergio was so helfpul and attentive, and all the staff were extremely friendly. The mojitos were great (they were offering a special with fresh blackberries). The only small misstep for me was the white sangria - it seemed overly sweet for my taste and the mandarin oranges seemed like an odd inclusion. But that was my only small complaint - LOVED Sabor de Cuba and will definitely be back! Great ambiance and decor, very fast service, and just a wonderful experience overall.
(5)
D W.
We were very pleased with our dinner. Ordered Bistec Palomilla - others ordered camarones enchiladas, both dishes were yummy. The flan was delicious! There will be a repeat visit.
(4)
valerie c.
My boyfriend an I were traveling thru Frederick and stopped here for lunch. I'm from Miami and had high hopes for Sabor and was happy that it lived up to the expectation. Wonderful food, tasted so authentic it reminded me of home! The service and atmosphere is great too.
(5)
Mark J.
The quality of the meat was top notch. Be warned, the entree portion sizes are big, so plan on sharing an appetizer with 2-3 people. The staff was very helpful in making recommendations and very courteous.
(4)
Tamika M.
Great food and the owner is very personable! He came to the table to introduce himself to my friends and me, talked about his recipes and invited us back. Again, the food is superb but, I'd go back simply for the customer service.
(5)
Willie T.
My wife and me went there for lunch today. Being both Cuban and from Miami, a city with the best Cuban restaurants in the world, we were both very critical of the place. The restaurant was very clean, and looked very nice on the inside. Servers were very pleasant and accommodating. The lunch prices are very fair, dinner is about 4-5 dollars more per entree, still fair for a downtown "Ethnic" restaurant. We ordered the "tostones rellenos de carne" very tasty and very good portion for an appetizer. We both really enjoyed them. I ordered the breaded steak with rice and black beans. Good flavor and the lunch portions seemed adequate. My wife ordered the Arroz con Pollo. The chicken was bland, but the rice was delicious. I would give this restaurant another chance. We will return. Enjoyed the ambiance and the food. Michael, Keep up the good work.
(3)
Mary L.
Coming from Miami (where Cuban cuisine is very influential) is very hard to find a true Cuban cuisine restaurant. We decided to try this placed based on the high ratings in Yelp and also due to the proximity from our location. It was very impressive that their menu has a variety of Hispanic options to pick from. I decided to try the "tilapia" thinking it was the typical "whole fried fish," with some tostones (fried plantains); however, I was very disappointing from what I got (filleted fish). The flavors were good, but I think my expectations were not fulfilled. On the other hand, I also tried the "vaca frita" and the meat was very flavorful and tender. Overall, it has a good "Latin cuisine" and the best compared to what Dc has to offer on that area.
(3)
Al P.
Made 7:00 PM reservations for a Tuesday evening. Only two tables occupied when we arrived but the place started to fill up after about 30 minutes. We ordered a mix of Empanadas de carne & Empanadas de pollo as well as Tostones rellenos de camarones to start. The carne was good but reminded us of sloppy joe's; the pollo was very tasty as we the rellenos. We had Pernil for the main course and it was very good albeit a bit dry. Flan de Leche was great! Mojito and Habanero Margarita were good. Although not hot, the habanero flavor was much more pronounced that I anticipated.
(4)
Jerry And Melanie J.
Tried this out last week, very pleasant surprise! Excellent service, great food, & nice comfortable atmosphere. The place looks empty, they seem to seat people near the rear so you can't see diners from front window. We will be going back.
(4)
Susan L.
Friendly device, great drinks. Sizzling garlic shrimp appetizer was not on menu bit recommended by our server. Wonderful. The spicy habenero margaritas are a perfect accompaniment Cubano sandwich is perfect.
(4)
Nick C.
Great authentic cuban food. Very good service.
(5)
Aleta M.
My husband and I both love Cuban food and decided to give this place a try. We were not disappointed. Best Cuban food we've had since florida. Adam our server was great. If your thinking about trying it out you won't be sorry.
(4)
Ken E.
My wife and I have eaten here several times now and it's becoming one of our favorite places. I highly recommend.
(4)
Kimberly C.
I visited this restaurant this past weekend, with rather high expectations. I found the place to be clean, and the staff to be very friendly. My waiter, in particular, was great. The food, however, left a lot to be desired. Also, there didn't appear to be a lunch menu. The restaurant was not very busy, so I was very surprised that it took over 30 minutes for my entree to be delivered. The food was not terribly bad (the chicken was moist, the sweet plantains nicely prepared), but overall I felt the food lacked flavor. And, I had to pay extra for the black bean. Normally I would give a comparable visit one stars and not return, but since this is a new restaurant, I am grading on a curve and remain open to trying them one more time. Pros: clean, friendly wait-staff Cons: wait time for the food, flavor profile of the food, lack of a lunch menu
(2)
Myaa V.
I came the first week it opened, and I think they are off to a good start. I had the pernil, tostones, beans, and rice. Pernil is one of my favorite dishes when done right and theirs was quite delicious! I love that the location is not too large, and seems to be family owned. It will be my regular lunch/dinner stop when I come to Frederick.
(5)
Victor M.
I'll definitely come back. Wonderful food and atmosphere.
(5)
Howard R.
We truly enjoyed our experiemce. Food was authentic, service was great and prices were fair. We'll surely go back.
(5)
Chris G.
This place is fantastic. The decor and ambience isn't great, but the food is amazing. I had the pernil, pork shank, which was delicious. The pork was tender and the rice and beans were just right. The plantains were sweet and worked as a great counterpoint to the salty pork. My wife had the camerones enchilados, shrimp, which she also enjoyed. The only drawback was the mojito, which was very weak. Otherwise we really liked the place and will definitely drive up from DC again to eat there.
(5)
Jim M.
We went to Sabor de Cuba on a Saturday night (not a First Saturday), walked in and got a table for two at 6:30. It began to get crowded shortly after. The chicken empenadas were first, and they were flaky and very good, although they could use a little more spice. For the main course my wife had the cuban steak, which she thought was delicious. I had the veija which was also delicious, tangy meat with savory rice. The staff is very friendly, maybe too much so due to their inexperience. Of course, I'd much rather have over attentive staff than being ignored. All in all, a very good dining experience especially for a new restaurant.
(4)
Deirdre P.
i was surprised to see a new Cuban resturant in the old White Star location that was also since an Ethopian restaurant.... after walking around the shops in dowtown we decided to eat there. it was very nice, clean and everyone very friendly. The decor was nice without being overstated. clean, simple. i ordered the pernil, I love pernil and generally like my own the best. Theirs was soooo good! I would actually say it was better than mine! the flavor was excellent. i'm writing this over a week after the fact, and i don't realy recall what the other two i was with ordered....one had something shrimp, and though she didn't love it, she also wasn't big on eating food other than 'American'. However she did eat it. I also ordered a piece of tres leche to take home for later, and it was absolutely delisouc as well!!
(4)
Kristina G.
My boyfriend and I were in Fredrick for the evening, just walking around trying to find somewhere to eat when we happen to come up on this lovely little place. While it is not much to look at from the outside, the inside offers a nice casual and comfortable place to dine. We were seated immediately, and our waitress (I forgot her name) was a good kind of spunky. I ordered a larger version of the mojito, which was tasteless. For an appetizer we ordered chicken empanadas. Both of us were impressed. I've never had them before so I have to say that it was an outstanding prequel to my meal. After a while, and I will say it took a minute for the food to come, our food came out. My boyfriend had the Ropa Vieja, which is pulled beef flank, and I had Pargo Frito, which is fried red snapper. The food was fresh, well seasoned and made to order, and absolutely heavenly. The food surpassed my expectations. My boyfriend really enjoyed his food as well. Since I was not at all impressed with the variation of the mojito, I asked about the margaritas specifically the jalapeño margarita. The waitress had me convinced after saying "If you don't like it, then I will pay for it myself." So, I gave it a try and loved it! It was a margarita with a kick to it and hot at all. In summary, I feel that this is great place to go for a first date, or just to have a night out in town. Even after three weeks, I still think about how good my meal was.
(5)
Van M.
Decided to eat here due to the raves of their drinks (by staff over phone) and that they said they were MSG free. Yes, they are MSG free and the coffeee (cafe con lache) was wonderful. Otherwise, boo. The service was very slow, the drinks were mostly ice, the sangria was white wine with some cut up apples in the glass (poor wine at that). The vegetarian plate was rice, yuca, beans, and fried bananas, all starchs. the side salad was barely OK. Can't recommend this restaurant with so many other good ones to eat at in Frederick. The front section of the restaurant is very noisy on Saturday evening.
(2)
M M.
Meal was ok. Previous review is correct, empanada was dry and hot sauce helped but still dry. Fried steak was extremely salty and over fried that it was dry and dark like old oil was used. Chicken soup was eh. Steak sandwich was plain. Tostones were greasy. Cubano was fine. Service was ok, wished our server Mike had more personality and at least smiled once in a while. He didn't seem happy, a bit of a downer, but every other staff member seemed ok. Best part was shrimp in garlic, but 4 tiny shrimp for $10 is too much. Would definitely try someplace else if i'm in the same area again before going back.
(2)
Annie V.
Now, if you are in search of real authentic Cuban food, here is where you need to go! I came in and immediately felt welcomed. The decor was cute and unique. They have a cabana dining area in the back that matched the bar up front. The service was outstanding! Our server was very friendly and helpful in explaining the menu. Now, the food. Delicious!! I had the Sopa de Pollo, unlike any other chicken noodle soup I've ever had. Loved it! For my main course I had the Bistec Empanizado. The steak was cooked perfectly. It was full of flavor and very tasty! I was very excited to see flan on the menu for dessert. I'm a giant flan fan and I'm a pretty big critic when it comes to my favorite dessert. Hands down, the BEST flan! Yummyyyy! Overall, I loved my experience here at Sabor de Cuba. I'm from Silver Spring, and the trip out to Frederick is definitely worth the drive! I can't wait till I can make it out again!!
(5)
Sam T.
Sabor de Cuba is a weak representation of Cuban cuisine. I will say the empanadas had good flavor. But the beer is overpriced even during happy hour, the ambiance is akin to a coffee house and the "pernil" tastes like the oil left in the pan after making a great pernil. The flank steak has very little flavor and is chewy. The best thing here is green sauce that they charge you an additional .75 cents for in order to make the food somewhat appetizing. Big let down!
(2)
C W.
I visited Sabor de Cuba on 2/8/12 within a week of their opening. I love Cuban food as I have had many Cuban friends and lived in Miami for a number of years. I had a thoroughly enjoyable lunch there. I tried the tostones rellenos de camarones which is where they used the green plantains and formed them into a crisp cup shape and inserted a tasty shrimp bathed in a garlic butter. Yum! My friend who was not sure about them at first, fell in love with them. Then I moved on to the Cubano sandwich which, although different from some I've had, was delicious and they even brought me more pickles when I asked. The black beans were not as plentiful in the bowl yet wonderfully saucy as I would expect. I spoke to Michael who is the owner/chef and he told me that as they grow they will explore and add / delete menu items depending on tastes in the Frederick area. We also discussed how each Cuban family puts their own little twists on the foods and this accounts for variations that some people see and put down as unacceptable. He was very open and seeking input from the customers in his restaurant, showing that he does want to make it a pleasant time for all. I ended the meal with the cafe' con leche and was glad to find it in Frederick and well-prepared. Although the prices do seem on the higher end, if I was dissatisfied with my meal, I felt that it would be remedied to my satisfaction. After all, they are in a higher-end building for rent, which would account for the some of the prices. I look forward to trying their dinners.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Beth E.
Wow! And to think this little treasure is in my own back yard and I just discovered it! :D. Of course started with my signature mojito. We has the Tostones green plaintains (mmmmm plantains!) stuffed with beef, which were out if this world! Then I had the Rojas Vieja - pulled flank steak with black beans and rice with sweet plantains (can't get enough of those babies). All the meat was spiced deliciously, which I thought was unusual for Cuban food. I think Cuban food is kind of bland, but not this food. It was prepared beautifully! I wanted to have dessert too, but way too full. I will try dessert the next time I'm here...and there will definitely be a next time!
(5)Gerry S.
Stopped in here on a total whim over Memorial Day weekend, and was mightily pleased with the result. The watermelon mojitos were fantastic. Finally, a place that doesn't overs-sweeten their rum drinks! Really, it was just the right amount of sweet to let the dry Bacardi pop, but not so much to hide the booze. The Cubano sandwich was probably the best version of the classic I've had. Proportions of the ingredients were just right, and it was griddled in a sandwich press, so everything melded together beautifully. My husband's shrimp dish was spicy, saucy and came with some beautiful tostones. Some may think they were over-fried, but I like my plantain patties crisp rather than mushy. These were just to my taste. Add to that the pretty Cuban waiter, and yeah. We enjoyed ourselves here.
(4)Julie F.
Food was very good. Only disappointment for me was the black beans. I make killer ones. Offered to come and teach them. The Flan was out of this world. My mother would kill me if she knew I said that! Waiter was very sweet and attentive. Definitely would recommend and come back again.
(5)chris k.
I was excited to have some Cuban food since I hadn't had any in several months. We had the yuca frita which was tasty but the sauce it came with was literally 1 tablespoon of oil with sauteed garlic in it. When I asked for more it was 75 cents extra. It would have been nice if the dipping sauce for the yuca was something a little more inventive. The tostones were good and crisp if a little too flat. Once again, the dipping sauce was the oil with garlic. My wife had a Cuban sandwich. It was excellent, as were the papas fritas. I had the appetizer special as my entree. It was sizzling shrimp and avocado advertized as being flavored with cilantro and lime. I was unable to taste any cilantro in the dish. The shrimp were ok but nothing thrilling. I had a side of congri with it. It was good but not great. The toasted bread that came with the dishes was pressed so flat it was almost like a cracker. The waitress was very good and friendly. All in all it was just OK. I would go again but I don't know when I'll be in Frederick again. Chris
(3)Laura R.
Empanadas are amazing and cheap. 2 for $5. Sandwiches are amazing too. Consistently good everything I go. Great service too.
(5)Edson H.
My girlfriend and I decided to stop by Sabor De Cuba. It was perfect, great service and great food. We started with Empanadas, 1 chicken, 1 beef. Amazing!! Then as suggested by our waitress we tried the watermelon mojito just like she said absolutely refreshing! For our main course we both went with the Ropa Vieja and once again amazing so much flavor. Oh dont forget to ask for some of the mojo sauce very well worth the .75 cents. We will definitely be going back.
(5)Sonya P.
Everything was tasty. Service was great and price was reasonable. The one thing my fiancé and I felt was missing was a sauce on the main dish (I ordered steak and he ordered pork) as it seemed a little dry. You can ask for regular hot sauce or purchase a tiny quantity of sauces for a few bucks (we has ordered sauce for 2 empanadas app and it barely was enough so we knew better for dinner and went with plain ol' hot sauce). I want to return to try the Cubans.
(5)Matt C.
Really enjoyed the empanadas. Excited to go back and try some more of the items on the menu. Nice interior. They have a happy hour, but it is for drinks only (no food specials). $5 gets you two nice sized empanads. Go with the beef, it was a lot better than the chicken.
(5)Joey B.
Food was wonderful and hot!! The service was fantastic!!!! The portions are far to small. and a bit overpriced! Still loved every bite!! Thank you!
(4)LaKisha P.
I've been waiting to try this place and finally my friend and I decided to give it a shot. It was so delicious, I really wish I'd tried it sooner! The Empanadas de Pollo were very tasty, although a tad salty. They were just the right size for sharing. My dish, Bistec de Enchilado was absolutely delicious! The steak was tender and wonderfully seasoned. I swapped the white rice for black beans and it paired well. The white sangria had an interesting twist, Fireball was the splash they added for a little spice... I thought it was decent. The service was good, the atmosphere was perfect! We'll be giving this place some business!
(5)Bern B.
Hard to believe this was my first time here since I have walked by numerous times. Went for lunch and was pleasantly surprised with how big it was inside as it looked tiny from the sidewalk. Our waiter was very attentive and knew the menu and how things were prepared. We ordered the sizzling shrimp, tomato avocado salad and of course, the Cubano sandwich. All very delicious!! I will be back to try more and to get that sizzling shrimp again!
(4)Tina K.
AMAZING food and phenomenal service! Went there based on Yelp reviews and were not disappointed! I had the Cubano and the sizzling shrimp [both excellent] and my husband had the Vaca Fritas which were deliciously seasoned. We will be back for sure! We had our pup sitting outside with us and the server brought her a bowl of water which was so thoughtful :)
(5)Jinki Y.
Looking for a good restaurant that we never tried, we saw this Cuban restaurant in down town Frederick right across from cafe Nola! Good find it was. The service was excellent and the place was very small and quaint. We felt very welcomed. I really have not been a person for Cuban food, but this was excellent! I had the chicken with rice meal. The chicken was spiced to perfection and the rice was soft and moist. We also tried the chicken empanadas which was a really great treat. Our server recommended a type of hot green sauce to go with it. I would definitely come back to this restaurant!
(5)Valerie S.
I'm Puerto Rican. There aren't any Puerto Rican restaurant in Maryland. So the closest food that is similar to my culture is Cuban. So I went to this place and checked out. I had a very high expectation to have this food to taste like my home. It's not quite close enough but I would eat it again to see similar food that I know. I ordered cabano sandwich that has pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, pickle, and ham. It was yummy but the pork seasoned is different but it is still delicious. Also ordered Malta to complete my satisfaction. :) I will come back again and try another menu.
(4)Heather M.
Excellent Cuban food and great service. Here on a Tuesday so it wasn't busy but everything came out quick and hot. We had the beef empanadas for an appetizer. The mojo dipping sauce is a must! We had the arroz con pollo and ropa viejo and were not disappointed . Oh and the plantains were awesome too. Would definitely come back next time we're coming through Frederick!
(4)Dmitri R.
Fantastic food, very friendly staff. Seafood paella is to kill for. Highly recommended
(5)Terri B.
THE best meal I've had in a long time. Full of flavor, great staff. HAVE to try the fried rice balls for dessert.
(5)Stephany K.
The Paella was incredible, the portion was huge! Fantastic service! I love the decor, the palm tree chandeliers & lighting fixtures, tiki roof over the bar, atmosphere very relaxing! Waitress's were all smiles...Happy to be there! Definitely would go back!
(5)Greg O.
Glad to see a newer Cuban restaurant in downtown Frederick open again, since one of my favorites closed down a while ago. We were seated quickly- its actually quite a spacious dining room. The servers were all very friendly and attentive the whole lunch. I went with my favorite sandwich, of course the cubano. And it was delicious. Well cooked meat, a panani that wasn't too greasy and just the right amount of condiments. The prices were quite reasonable too. I have definitely found a new place to go for lunch in town!
(4)Daniella H.
We ventured to Sabor de Cuba for something different and I'm so glad we did. It was like Spanish meets Caribbean and everything we had was very good--the only things to disappoint were the mojitos. We ordered a round of mojitos which seemed to be mostly soda water and sugar...where's the rum?! I also thought that maybe the mint hadn't been muddled....oh well, the red Sangria was AMAZING---we should have just gone with that! We started with the beef and chicken empanadas. The beef were better than the chicken---the chicken had good texture but was lacking on flavor. If they boost these up a bit, they'll be better than the beef. I ordered the Vaca frita which was a special that evening---it was flank steak that had been marinated for 3 days....the flavors were insane---sooooooooo good! The portions were very large and the prices were extremely reasonable. We had fantastic service and our waiter was pleased to share his favorite dishes with us. Sabor de Cuba added their Valentine's Day touch by handing each lady in our party a long stem rose. Great night out--we'll definitely be back!
(4)Martin C.
Came for lunch. Had the Cuban sandwich and the beef empanadas. Food was excellent! Staff is great! Friendly and attentive. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)Gumercindo A.
As a Cuban who grew up in Miami and who loves to cook Cuban food at home, I'm always on the lookout for good Cuban food - Cubano's, Cuban Corner, etc. I've hit most of them and they have a lot of it right and are missing just a few "toquesitos". We went to SDC to try out their pernil, congri, maduros and other sides to determine if we should use them to cater a 15 person party at our house. The place is quite small but everyone from the manager there to the wait staff was very friendly. We ordered pernil, rice/beans, congri, maduros, yuca con mojo. The pernil was excellent - honestly, haven't had pernil that good in the area. They cook it and then sautee it a bit in onion and get a really nice crispiness and serve it kind of shredded. It looks like vaca frita in presentation (wasn't a big fan of that) but the taste was spot on. Perfect. The congri was dynamite. Haven't had congri like that since Miami. I also tried the black beans and rice. I'm really picky on this because I feel many restaurants don't give black beans and rice much thought. Putting thought into simple side dishes makes a difference. The rice was cooked perfectly and the beans were pretty darn good - I could even taste the bay leaf flavor. Yuca was ok. I'm not a huge yuca fan but I know good yuca when I taste it and it was just ok. Maduros were right on point as well. I finally ordered a cortado and they do a great job with it. Cuban coffee/cortado is also something that some times isn't given a lot of thought, but the sugar content was perfect. Overall, I have had nothing but good experiences there but admittedly, I have only tried a fraction of the menu. Take it from this Miami Cuban, though, this place is very good!
(5)Christopher J.
We arrived at 9pm so our server left before our food came and someone else took over, who didn't realize we had not eaten yet. - However both were extremely pleasant and conversational and knew the menu well. The food was really really good. The closest I have had to cuban food was a Panera Cuban Sandwich, so I can not vouch for this tasting like my mothers plantains, but everything was really good. We started with the Croquetas de Jamón, which were similar to a ham hush puppy. I was hoping for a sauce or something, but it arrived with a wedge of lime. My wife added salt, I added the lime (where was the tequila?) and both were enjoyable. Probably not worth it though. Tad strange for the novice. I enjoyed the Bistec de Palomilla (Steak) and my wife had the Pollo a la Plancha (chicken). Both kinda citrusy and hammered thinly. Both arrived with a heaping portion of white rice, black beans and plantains. Mine came in a sweet version, almost like bananas, and her's came with a savory version of plantains, I think the more traditional way of frying and mashing. Left me feeling, very, "Lucy, I'm home!"
(4)Melanie R.
Today marked my third visit and this was the final attempt. I gave it several tries. The food is just not doing it for my crew. Now, in all fairness we are accustomed to Puerto Rican/Cuban food. I cook it often and we frequent Cubanos in Silver Spring. I have had the Cuban Sandwich, the tostones, plantains, empanadas, and the Ropa Vieja. So, I have tried many dishes. The flavor is just not there. Maybe they are trying to adhere to too many Plain Jane Americans. Today even our waiter admitted the food has changed "not for the better." He noticed we only took a few bites. Not for us.
(2)Christopher H.
Best Cuban Resturant in all of Maryland!!! If you love Cuban food this place is for you. I wish that more people liked this place because it wasn't that busy but it was very good we had some great service they were especially good to my little niece!
(5)Michael O.
Food was good, and the atmosphere is really clean. Staff was also really on the ball. I'll be back!
(4)Leslie D.
The picadillo is not authentic or tasty. The olives are apparently in there but diced so fine you can't see them, or anything else other than soupy hamburger. The whole thing is a homogenous, oversalted glob of soupy hamburger--very very far from what picadillo is supposed to be with its many contrasting flavors and textures in one dish. The congrà was so dried out it had crusty lumps. This was my first time at this restaurant, and it was a big disappointment.
(2)Daniel A.
This is the real deal. Food is ridiculously good and service is fantastic. We came here last weekend and now are back this weekend. The one hour drive is very worth it!
(5)Edward E.
This place is GOOD! I ordered the Vaca Frita with red beans and a side of tostones. Actually, you can order anything you want from here, but you have to try the red beans! Lunch was great now I have a food coma.
(5)Julie K.
What a truly great place this is! I loved my Pargo Frito (fillet of red snapper with rice, black beans and sweet plantains). My friend's Permil (roast pork) was wonderful and that is a dish I would not normally even try but wow. Black beans were ok (made perfect when we added some onions-- in our opinions...), plantains were perrrfect and our waiter, Nick was informative, fun and delightful! My friend used to live in Tampa where Cuban food reigns and he said the food here is better than the high end places there. Can I say again how good that Pargo Frito tasted? I had it flash fried (Nick's preferred way) and I was glad I made that choice. The empanadas (chicken) were perfect... Lots of shredded chicken, olives and eggs (I think those were the ingredients -- it's all gone and I didn't look closely enough, I was too busy swooning from the taste) with the perfect crust and flavor. Cafe con leche, just like I love it. If you are looking for something a little different in a great way, this is the place to go. If you want beer and burgers -- that is sad but you won't find that here (thankfully)! We will definitely be returning. So glad we decided to give it a try (which I did because there were people eating outside when we walked by and they just looked happy in the right way). Glad we didn't have fly to Florida or enter non-friendly air space (Cuba flights from US still not kosher). Btw, coco flan full of coconut flavor complimented by a rich perfect creamy flan. Ok I am taking stuff to go too.
(5)Nick M.
On the recommendation of my wife and father, I took my family to Sabor de Cuba for a Labor Day Sunday lunch. In a word, it's amazing. Call me ignorant, but I was surprised that my spouse loved the cuisine here. She never liked mexican food. But then again Cuban fare has its own spin and she appreciated the finely cooked steak and sauteed onions paired with a delicately cooked rice and plantains. Between husband, wife, son, and daughter we each carved out a corner of the menu and were able to share bites. My daughter had the Bistec de Palomillo, my wife the Pollo al a Plancha, my son the Picadillo, and I the Bistec Empanizado. All four were perfectly cooked and accompanied with a delightfully fluffy white rice and plantains. The Palomillo is a thinly sliced steak sauteed with onions and the Empanizado is a cuba "chicken fried steak". All of the meats were exquisitely cooked, tender, and flavorful. The portions were also pretty generous. When we thought we were completely full the server asked if we'd like some coffee and dessert. I overcame the urge to pass and ordered a cuban coffee and the tres leches cake. The waitress wisely brought four spoons and we dug in to this deliciously moist and sweet cake. Perfect capper to a savory meal. I had read some reviews saying that the service was slow. This was not our experience. For a Sunday afternoon the restaurant was full, but we never felt ignored.
(5)Jay K.
Having eaten Cuban food in Miami and NYC, I have to say that this place ranks right up there with some of those places. Everything is fresh, and the prices are very reasonable.
(5)Nicola S.
I wanted to write this review because after trying a different cuban restaurant in town, I have realized just how wonderful sabour de cuba really is. The food here is not something I would eat every day without gaining a few, but boy is it delicious. They have an amazing vegetarian plate that I love. The flavors and textures are fantastic. I highly recommend!
(4)Casey K.
Consistently amazing food, and hands down the best Cuban spot in Frederick. We started with the garlic shrimp which were so good and the perfect starter amount. The cool avocado with the hot shrimp, citrus, garlic, and tomato on the skillet was great on top of the toasted bread. The bread dipped in the hot butter mixture on hte skillet was so decadent and wonderful. I highly recommend this appetizer This time around, I had the Picadillo (Cuban Style Chili). This dish was so freakin' good!! Instead of the congri, I asked for tostones. The tostones were crisp and went perfectly with the picadillo and the yucca because of the crisp consistency they brought to the dish. The yucca con mojo was spot on delicious. The mesitas were a bit lackluster because they were a bit fatty for my taste, but my mom really enjoyed them. The savory fried pork with the sweet plantain is always a winning combo. We also tried the jalapeno margarita. It was good as far as margaritas go, nice flavor with a bit of a kick at the end, but nothing too too hot to handle. Finished our meal with the tres leches cake which was delicious as well. It was like a fantastic dense wedding cake that had been submerged in a very creamy vanilla pudding. All topped off with a huge mound of whip cream and raspberry syrup drizzle.
(5)Noel M.
Food was amazing with quick service. Our group ordered pollo a la plancha, pernil, arroz con pollo and an ensalada de aguacate. Everyone loved their meals. Tostones along with the meals were a perfect addition. The grilled chicken was super moist and flavorful. The ambience in the restaurant was nice and it was a nice touch that the manager came around to ask how the meals were. We had great service with Sergio as our waiter. Couldn't have asked for a better place for dinner.
(5)Kigwana C.
Talk about food that will put right in Cuba! Every time I travel to Frederick I make it a musty to come here. Friendly service and very authentic food!
(5)Jls P.
There service was amazing and the food had good flavor. The problem was the food was dry. I was disappointed Bc the presentation was great. The bread appetizer was good but our lunch was really dry. I got the lunch special which was twice cooked flank steak and it had good flavor but was so dry that it really lacked a sauce or citrus. Our server Sergio was the best tho. Very attentive and made excellent suggestions. The owner was also very social. The ambience of the place was great so we might give another try!!
(3)Aziza J.
Ate here yesterday and it was delicious! I started with a pineapple mojito and our table shared beef empanadas and the sizzling shrimp and avocado. Both were incredible! Flavorful and pipping hot. Entrees were fried red snapper, ropa viejo, and bistec de palomilla. Again all of us were entranced by the multi layered flavors, even the white rice was well seasoned. Best sweet plantains I've ever had! Amazing cafe cubano too!
(5)Ashley Z.
I came here for lunch a few weeks ago with a friend. I had the Ropa Vieja and it was delicious! The portions were very generous. I took half my plate home, but I would have been able to eat all of it if I was hungrier. The plantains on the side were amazing. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of plantains, but they prepared them with perfect texture and flavor--not too mushy and not too sweet. The only complaint I have is that service was really slow. Food took awhile to come out and our check took forever to get collected. Fortunately, we weren't in a rush to leave, but it would have been annoying otherwise. Hopefully next time the service will be better because I really did enjoy the food!
(4)David W.
Something is very wrong at Sabor de Cuba Restaurant I hope that the owner of this establishment will pay attention to the issues that I am raising and that it will encourage them to make some much needed changes. In all fairness, I must compliment the Empanadas and the Croquettes. Their quality told me that the people that are doing advance kitchen prep know how these are intended to be. The line cooks did a good job at getting them out as well as the Avocado Salad, Yucca and Flan. The issue seems to be the Entrees. We ordered the Arroz Con Pollo and the Shredded Steak. Others have reported about the steak dryness. Now I see why the waiter (Nick) indicated that he pours the Red Beans on the Steak. The Arroz Con Pollo was so incredibly poor that it tells me that the Chef de Cuisine is either a very poor cook or that Cuban food is beyond his or her knowledge base. The end result was two skin off bone-in chicken pieces that looked a medium brown on top of a massive pile of bitey rice filled with Green Olives in brine, also a medium brown in color. This is an a la carte entree that does not come with a salad or vegetable, therefore, at a minimum the chicken should have been meaty Chicken thighs accompanied with Golden Yellow Rice. I honesty felt that I was in a bad restaurant in Spain or Portugal. Nick, the server was very pleasant and all in all did a nice job. This restaurant is comfortable and has potential If the Chef and Cook(s) do not know how the dishes are supposed to be, the owner had better pay attention. I spent a lot of dollars for entrees that should have been good. I feel cheated that I did not get what I paid for on this visit.
(2)John S.
I live in tampa and was on the hunt for a good cuban and i found one right off the bat. This place makes them in the miami style, i.e. no salami and no mayo, but that's fine. The locally made cuban bread was flat and crispy. The tres leches cake was very good. I didn't have the plantains but they looked and smelled good on their way out from the kitchen.
(5)mike f.
We were very pleased with our first meal here. Despite the crowded sidewalks of Frederick's "First Saturday," we were seated almost immediately. Great food. Enjoyed the empanadas (not sure that's really Cuban...but, whatever, they were good). and Camarones Enchilados.
(4)Denise G.
Really like the traditional cubano sandwich and the watermelon mojito! Great service and for First Saturday Hard Swimming Fish is rocking out some blues.
(5)Emmanuel M.
I'm Dominican and we don't call them Empanadas we call them Pastelitos. But I've had empanadas from different spanish countries and it's always a little different. With that said, it's been over 3 years since I've had some and it was a welcome site when it came to the table. When I bit into them I could taste right away that even though the outside was what I remember, the inside was not. That being said, I still enjoyed every bite and almost brought me to tears. Our server must have thought I was crazy. The service was great, very helpful during our order and was knowledgable about his menu. I had the peril with Yukas. OMG it was amazing. I plan to go to this spot many more times. Only thing was the price of the empanadas. I'm sure as an appetizer they are priced accordantly but a bit hit I thought. Maybe 3 for the same price would be better but I'm guessing people normally dine in pairs for the most part.
(4)Beata K.
Nice location and outdoor seating but not great food, it's just OK. We got the ropa vieja and it was quite disappointing. The meat was drenched in juices and was watery and not that flavorful. The dish also came with congri which is a mixture of rice and beans which was good and helped me eat the meat and dish also came with fried sweet plaintains which were very good. We also got the Cuban sandwich which had a very heavy pork taste which we didn't enjoy. We got an avocado salad which was slices of tomato topped with avocado and onions with dressing, this was good.
(3)Khalid A.
This is my family's favorite restaurant in Frederick. We have come here on numerous occasions and we always have an exceptional experience with awesome service and amazing food. This evening on our visit, unfortunately we were not able to be seated in our favorite server Nevada's section. Although she was not our server she came to our table numerous times to make sure that we were happy. At one point, she helped the server deliver our desserts. After receiving our dessert, she helped us pack up our leftovers and gave us the green mojo sauce, which is out of this world. Part of the reason why we love this restaurant so much is because of the food, atmosphere, and most of all Nevada's hospitality. We definitely look forward to coming back soon and we will be sure to request to be seated with Nevada.
(5)Jim E.
Excellent place to get a bite to eat in Frederick, MD. I'm not an expert in authentic Cuban, so I can not comment on that, but the meals were fantastic. The portions were large, so I was able to make a delicious sandwich the next day with the leftover protein. Give it a try!
(5)Elliot M.
Have enjoyed Cuban cuisine in Miami, DC and NYC. I had emailed a couple of days prior to going to ask if they serve my favorite, vaca frita. Told yes. But our server informed me they stopped offering it. Bummer. So I went with the picadillo. Others in the party had ropa viejo. Overall, I'd say the food was pretty good. Although warned by the server, the chef is VERY heavy-handed with the salt.
(3)Marley D.
Stumbled upon Sabor De Cuba after having searched for "Latin" food on Yelp and I was not in the least bit disappointed! I dropped in with my mom and sister on a Sunday evening and was more than pleasantly surprised. Neither of us has ever had Cuban fare before so this was a first timer. The staff was very friendly, drinks were refilled without wait, dishes were cleared out as soon as we were done, and overall the place is very clean. For appetizers we ordered the Tomato Salad (pictured) which was just sliced tomato with onions, cilantro and a white vinegar sauce on top; it was light, fresh and a good app. I also got a side salad which was fresh but I didn't enjoy the white vinegar dressing (too vinegar-y for me.) For our entree, my sister and I got the Bistec de Palomilla & our mom got the Pollo A La Plancha. Both were served with white rice & beans, the chicken came with Tostones (green plantains) while the steak came with Plantanos (sweet plantains.) both meats were marinated to perfection, super moist, flavorful and tender! Sabor De Cuba is deff a hole in the wall considering I've passed by them at least a thousand times since I've lived in Frederick and finally just noticed them! Highly reccomend!
(5)Lawrence L.
We took a Sunday ride up to Frederick and happened onto Sabo De Cuba as something different than the usual. We've had Cuban food many times in Florida and elsewhere and found this among the best.
(5)Ryan B.
Good Cuban food, reasonable prices, and friendly service. I would go again. I had the masitas puerco (fried pork chunks) which were moist and flavorful. The fried plantains were tasty as always. The rice and beans were good texture, but sans spices. The sangria was fine. The beef empanadas were fine, and the green sauce was good. So it was a good experience all around.
(4)Lorena B.
Eh, I was on the fence between 2-3 stars but since my lunch buddy liked his meal, I'm going with 3 stars. The restaurant is nothing fancy but it was clean and that's good enough for me. Can't say the same for the mojito, which had a strange aftertaste. We had the tostones de carne for an appetizer, which are fried green plantains topped with ground beef. Visually, they weren't very appealing but they tasted great. The beef was seasoned well and the tostones were crunchy. I had get the classic ropa vieja for my entrée. It was a bit too salty though the texture was good. The congri (rice and beans cooked with pork) was disappointing though. It wasn't particularly flavorful and I think the ropa vieja would've paired better with white rice and beans. The date enjoyed his bistec de palomilla (grilled steak with onions). It was tender and seasoned well, with black beans and rice. Both our dishes came with plantains that were sweet and yummy. The meal wasn't a failure but it was disappointing. If I do return, it'll be after I've explored the many other restaurants in Frederick.
(3)Lara S.
Food is great and service is fantastic. I had Ropa Vieja :) yam.
(5)Kem W.
OK... I've been here twice for lunch and once for dinner. All my meals have been fantastic. Tonight I had the Pargo frito. This is the flash fried red snapper. Though I had mine broiled. It came out perfect. We also had the Arroz con Pollo. That was deemed very good. I had the house margarita with habanero infused tequila. I loved it. We also had the white wine sangria topped with cinnamon whiskey. That was deemed most excellent. The staff there is very friendly and attentive. It's not fancy but Sabor de Cuba is a solid 5-star restaurant.
(5)Dave O.
Outstanding meal today, my wife had the pork and I had the steak sandwich - both delish and excellent service
(4)Tom C.
Really great service and food. We lived in south Florida for a while and miss good Cuban food. Some classics some creative stuff. I had the whole snapper on special and it was fantastic. Great Cuban coffee and I could drink a glass of the ginger lime salad dressing.
(5)Robert A.
Close your eyes and envision being in a quaint restaurant in Havana. The Cubano sandwich is exceptional. The mojito has no peer. Nevada greets you as if you're family, mike the head chef and owner is committed to ensuring that your meal and overall experience is a memorable one!
(5)Chelsea L.
Try the Pernil or the Cubano! Came here for Father's Day yesterday and out server, Nevada, was very friendly and knowledgable about the menu. We loved the outdoor dining in the perfect weather. The food is all very good and reasonably priced.
(5)S C.
Sizzling shrimp, lentil soup, croquettas, and empanadas were divine. The beef dish (peppers,jalapeño and tomatoes) was good. Tres Leche was awesome. Nevada, our server, was warm and attentive. Will be back.
(5)Nicole R.
This is quite possibly one of my favorite restaurants in Frederick. I've been here 3 times over the past 2 weeks just to get a Cubano. I've avoided trying it for months, and finally gave in ... I am so glad I did. The pork is wonderfully flavorful, moist, not even tiny bit dry. The sandwich comes out hot and crispy. It has just the perfect ratio of ham and pork together so one does not over power the other. I am telling you, I crave these Cubanos. They're quite possibly the most delicious sandwich I've ever had in my life! Go! Get one, now! You won't regret it.
(5)John W.
I am not a expert on Cuban food, so here goes. Love this food, love this food. So simple , yet so good. Nice small menu, sometimes they will have a special and sometimes not. The Mrs. loves the habinero infused tequlia that graces their Margarita's. If you are looking for TeX mex this is not the place ,apples and oranges. Great staff, small bar (just right). I hope the Chef /Owner changes up the menu once in awhile. I really only been coming here about 6 months so I am not sure about menu changes , but they recognize the Mrs. and I, that's how much I enjoy this place. Cheers.
(4)Trisha K.
Beef empanadas, garlic shrimp, and Cuban sandwiches are as good as it gets! Very authentic and delicioso!
(5)M C.
Food: medium portions and reasonable menu, but the flavors are too mild and borderline bland and forgettable Atmosphere: boring and the branding makes it feel like a chain
(3)B C.
While on business in Frederick, I went here multiple times over a couple months. I always thoroughly enjoyed my food and the mojitos were appropriately strong. The dulce de leche cake was delicious and quite big, 3 people shared it. Don't miss out on this restaurant!
(4)Isabel M.
Officially my favorite restaurant in Frederick!!!! The food was incredibly delicious and the staff, super friendly. Will be returning weekly!
(5)Katherine V.
Ordered the Ropa Vieja and it was good but a bit over seasoned. My parents loved the chicken soup and my brother enjoyed the red snapper filet. If you go, the flan de coco is a must! So creamy and delicious. Service was great and the owner/manager was very nice and stopped by and shared his chicken soup recipe with us. Great place!
(4)Teiji K.
Clean dining area with a very attentive staff. Food was flavorful with excellent mixture of citrus and spices to balance the pallet. The staff was excellent starting with Patrick and continued to all including the manager. We had the sizzling shrimp as an appetizer that sizzled on the platter as well as on the taste buds. The mojito was authentic and had a good flavor but could have used fresh or a more minty flavored leaf. The main course included pernil (roasted pork) and bistro enchilado, which they substituted chicken instead of beef. It was fantastic. I'd recommend and eat here again.
(4)Joey F.
Love the food here. The only place around here that I can order an ice cold malta with my meal.
(5)Omar N.
Best Cuban food in the area. The Cuban sandwich is comparable to what you'll find in Miami. The tostones are fantastic and do yourself a favor and order the beef empanadas, they're amazing.
(5)Jim B.
One of my favorite places to eat in Frederick. Reminds me of the Puerto Rican food my grandmother used to make .. This place is 5 star ! Great service and a great staff.
(5)Yamil H.
The food was good, the service was terrible. We had made reservations for two at 7:30 on sat night. We arrived promptly at 7:20 and were told our table would be ready shortly. Well, at 7:40, our table wasn't ready. Whats worse they sat a party in front of us who did not have a reservation. When i brought this to the attention of the host he said " oh wow, i forgot about you guys". We were standing in the front of him the entire time. We then had to wait another 15 min before a table was ready. Our table did not have silverware and we had to ask for it a few times. Once seated, our waitress was nice, but forgot to bring my wife's wine order. We politely reminded her, and the host. By the time the wine arrived, my wife was almost done with her meal. The food was tostones rellenos, bistec, and cuban sandwich. Good portions and taste. The mojito tasted ok, but it was quite warm. Suggestion, if you forget to seat someone who took the trouble to make a reservation, and arrived on time, a comped drink could have been a nice way to make up for the oversight. Aternetively, a dessert could have also been a good gesture. Please improve your service. Withe better service and trained staff, this place could be a hit.
(2)Julie A.
Sooooo, our first visit...maybe we came when there were large groups to be served and the kitchen got backed up, but...we order two SANDWICH and an order of fries and waited PATIENTLY for one hour. We came on a Friday night around 8:00 and our food came out at 9:00. The waitress was trying to be very accommodating. But it came to a point when I didn't want to hear anything except for her setting my plate in front of me. A bit of redemption came when they brought us chicken empanadas on the house. Also offered dessert on the house, but we declined. Was it worth the wait?! Well, they were sandwiches-not really. But will we give it another try- maybe.
(2)Kacie D.
The beef empanadas and mojitos are awesome!
(4)Steven M.
Excellent ! We had the pulled plank steak and pulled pork . HUGE portions! Good service unpretentious atmosphere and food . The Flan was 10,000 worlds beyond great ,the best I have ever had. Affordable and tasty meals .I will return ,especially if I'm in need of a extra large dinner. Good value for a reasonable price.
(4)K Sera S.
Coffee and Dessert only: Popped in for a cuban coffee at the bar. It was absolutely excellent. My eyeballs almost exploded from the caffeine--just the way it should be. I "accidentally" ordered the flan (whoops!), which was firm, sweet, mild and lovely. The bartender, poor thing, was so nervous about it being her first weekend shift that she came across as being surly and a touch rude. I'm sure she'll settle in....
(4)Justin B.
This place blew me away! I love Cuban sandwiches but had never been to an actual full blown Cuban restaurant before. Needless to say the best Cubano I have ever had. Our crew also all got some amazing mojitos and sweet plantains. I had never even heard of plantains before which I was amazed at being such a foodie. They blew my mind! Great spot in Frederick. I can't even imagine what some of those entrees have to offer. They sounded incredible. Must go back.
(5)Rob N.
Sabor de Cuba's a pretty decent spot to cruise into when you're looking for some tasty, but non-fancy eats. The food's good, the service is generally friendly, and the prices for entrees are plenty reasonable. Offerings on the menu are fairly no-nonsense in a "what you see is what you get" kinda way. Same with the decor - nothing fancy, but clean and generally not a load of hokey Latin cliches. One word of advice - if you ask for a small side salad, that's exactly what you'll get. A salad as a side dish, not an appetizer - let your server know if you want your salad before your meal or you may find yourself hungrily staring at your fellow diners as they chow down on their appetizers. One wish - a little better presentation of the food. It's very plainly plated, and while in general very tasty, it's also in most cases very brown. Rice, pinto or black beans, and a protein. You have to ask specifically for sauces or garnishes like lime or cilantro, and I think that's a bit of a miss.
(3)Marcos R.
More like 3.4, hence the rounding down to 3. I have been here twice, the last time on Nov 2, 2013. First of all, it makes me like Frederick more knowing that the town has at least two Cuban restaurants. This town has my respect. Sabor de Cuba earns points right away for its convenient location and welcoming atmosphere. An animated salsa selection at the right volume greets the patrons upon opening the door, and they reply in kind by offering their best attempt at an Afro-Caribbean syncopated cadence. Servers wear a black guayaberas and matching pants. I just want to put something in my stomach for our trip back to DC, and that consists of a pan de lechón (pork sandwich), which was decently sized, well toasted, and included a slice or two if tomato an mayo. Think of a simple version of a cubano. Nice, but nothing to die for. The girlfriend has the flan, which I had had before. It was excellent, as I thought it was. Our check came back at ~$12, which makes this a good deal. Why the relatively low rating? I've had better. It's not like I won't come back next time I'm in Frederick, but I'm comparing to other Cuban restaurants in other cities, and I thought something was missing in flavor here.
(3)Slap D.
We went after an afternoon show at the Weinberg. If your looking for a casual atmosphere and authentic cubin food, this is the place for you. Large portions. 2 Mojoto's were great but $$ at $8 a pop.
(4)Angel R.
Best empanadas in Frederick .... You don't understand how crazy good they are.... And the Ropa Vieja...... Grandma wouldn't get close to how good it is here...
(5)Justa D.
Food was very good. We will go back. It is a little pricey for what you get.
(4)gene k.
Everything was amazing. The coffee was perfect, the spicy margarita was amazing, the food (chicken empanadas, red snapper, mosquetas de puercos) was so good. We were personally served by Mikail, who was the perfect host, and our lunch there was honestly one of the best experiences of my life eating out.
(5)Frank N.
This is a really nice place, and we're lucky to have TWO Cuban restaurants in Frederick. They are different. This one is more about the ambiance for sure.... It's a great location, the staff is very attentive, there are great drinks available, and the overall experience is nice. The food is average though, and lacks the real spice and flavor of the Cuban food I've had in South Florida and Puerto Rico.... I may have came here on an off night, so I'll definately try them again. I think the prices were a little bit high also.
(3)Deb G.
We ended up at Sabor de Cuba after trying to visit another Cuban restaurant in the area, and boy am I glad we did! What an excellent meal. Our table tried the croquetas con jamon, empanadas de carne, and pan con ajo. The ham croquettes were super tasty little morsels of creamy minced pork goodness, the beef empanadas were perfectly spiced and flaky, and the pressed bread with garlic - OMG! I could have eaten that as a meal. It was seriously that good. By now I'm thinking I should have skipped my entree, but I'm so glad I didn't. I got the ropa vieja, which comes with congri (rice and beans) and plantains - everything was great! The ropa vieja was simply delicious, the rice and beans perfectly cooked and spiced, and great plantains. I feel like I was actually in South Florida, eating authentic Cuban food. My friends got the Cubano sandwich (amazing!), pernil (roasted pork - salty but so flavorful!), and pollo a la plancha (you could totally taste the citrus marinade). Everything was so good! I should mention that I've never been to Frederick before, and was surprised to see the cute little downtown and the terrible parking! I will brave the parking to home back for such great food, though.
(5)Luis R.
Sandwich Cubano was ON POINT. Went for lunch with a coworker last week, I had the Cubano and he had Sandwich de Pollo. We both really liked or sandwiches. I hear the Empanadas are very good too. Will be trying those this week. The staff was SUPER friendly and attentive. The restaurant is very well decorated. Nice salsa music playing. I was really impressed.
(5)Jason C.
Good starter place for drinks if you are bar hoping downtown. The food is good but not great and the bar is small. Very friendly staff and is always a must stop for my wife and I.
(4)Tally B.
Our second visit was just as good as the first! We had the Cuban sautéed shrimp and the grilled steak. Great flavor & good portions. Watermelon mojito special was addictive!
(4)Jake W.
Had a great Cuban sandwich here, also had the chicken with ham and fried plantains. My dad had a meal which he complained was so so, which is the only reason I didn't go with 5 stars. If there was an option for 4.5, that would be my rating.
(4)Kimberley W.
Ropa vieja was very good as was the pork, and dessert empanadas. The waitress was attentive and knowledgeable. Portion sizes are generous. It was a nice casual dining experience. The drinks were a bit expensive ($8 for a small mojito).
(4)Laura K.
Went to Sabor the evening of my sister's Bachelorette party. After a more expensive lunch that day, we wanted something fun, with good food, but not super expensive. Sabor seemed like a fun choice! And I'm so glad we went there!! The food was EXCELLENT....we shared 2 appetizers and 3 entrees between 5 of us, and it was plenty. The server was super nice! Her mom was from Puerto Rico, and she said she'd grown up on very similar food to Cuban cuisine, so she was able to make some recommendations. The manager sent over a round of fruity shots for us all to help celebrate, and also threw in a free bread pudding for us to share! Delicious! And so thoughtful of them.... I would certainly be going back - but unfortunately I live in Houston, Texas, so it may be difficult! So y'all will have to go back FOR me!!!! Definitely check this place out :-)
(5)Andrey R.
I like to keepp things simple....GO to this place. Delicious food and friendly service. I ordered Ropa Vieja, OMG what a meal. Also, it is located at the heart of Downtown Frederick, great for a nice walk after an amazing meal.
(5)Benji C.
First time here and what a find! Great Cuban sandwich, chicken soup, fried yucca, plantains and rice & beans. Very impressed with everything here. Also great ambience and servers. Would highly recommend.
(5)Craig C.
My wife and I have been wanting to try this place out for a while. We went on Friday night and met my siste and her fiancé there. The decor is very nice. Clean and appealing. Our server, Nevada, was very helpful and knowledgable about the items on the menu and even helped with suggestions. The drinks were delicious and arrived quickly. The appetizers (epenadas and the shrimp dish) were both very good. I ordered the penil (a shredded pork dish) at Nevada's reco and loved it. It was votes best dish at the table. My wife got the steak and it was good, but not as good as the pork. All in all a great experience and we will definitely be going back.
(4)Nelson C.
My wife and rarely take the time to go out for a proper date night... So it took us months to find the time to make the 70 minute pilgrimage to Sabor de Cuba. We can't stop raving about how warm and inviting the energy was...from the guests to the staff to the owners who made it feel like we were at friends house. The food was AMAZING and prices required a double take when we got the bill we actually asked if it was a mistake because it was so low. We cannot wait to go back and try the few things on the menu we didn't load up on last night. A+ !
(5)Monica P.
26 JULY 2012: The first time I was here was in February, about 5 days after Sabor first opened. Going to a new restaurant the first few weeks or so is probably not the best idea. Restaurants need to work out the kinks. I decided to wait a while before returning. I had dinner with a friend and I had a much, much better evening. I was not disappointed. We arrived at 6:30pm with only six other diners in the room. Two more tables eventually filled; one couple at the bar. We were warmly greeted with smiles by Mike, our waiter, who is also the chef and co-owner. Asking if we had been here before, I said yes, to which he thanked me for returning. Mike told us about his popular dishes, which all sounded delicious. The description of the roast pork caught my attention, while my friend zeroed in on the ropa vieja. We ordered the chicken empanadas as our starter, but after five minutes our entrees arrived. Mike apologized when I asked him if he had placed our order for the empanadas. He seemed embarrassed, but it certainly wasn't a problem: the plates were full of food. In fact we took half our entrees home. My pork (with sliced onions) was very flavorful and tender, having been marinated for hours, although some pan juices would be an added nice touch. There was plenty of rice and the black beans were tasty. On top of the rice were four plump fried sweet plantains. Yum! My friend enjoyed her ropa vieja, which also came with sweet plantains; her rice and beans were mixed together. Mike offered us empanadas to take home or dessert. We chose the tres leches, a light yellow-type cake that's soaked with a sweet milky liquid. It was excellent! The cake was so moist from the liquid. It was topped with whipped cream and drizzled with a strawberry pureé. Our bill came to $30, which was reasonable for the amount of food we had. I was so happy to have had a much better meal and much better service. I even met the owner and chatted with her for a few minutes. I'm looking forward to returning to Sabor soon. 30 July: I returned again with three friends. Another great meal. More great service from Mike. Thanks! Sabor is now one of my favorite restaurants in Frederick.
(4)Natalie B.
The food is good. Good salty steak, rice, beans, and plantains. Go if you feel like having Cuban food, perhaps on a hangover day for lunch. We were seated right by the front window, and I give the atmosphere a D. It is clean but does not feel like an immersive environment at all.
(3)Allyson P.
3.5 stars. This was such a cute place, and our dinner here was pretty good. My watermelon mojito was incredibly refreshing on a hot night, and not nearly as sweet as I was worried it would be. The bistec de palomilla was slightly overcooked (came out medium when requested medium-rare), but it was still quite tender, and the citrus flavor of the marinade was really good. The picadillo was a bit greasier than ideal, but so delicious, and worth every calorie. Service was friendly. Definitely worth stopping in if you're looking for a casual dinner spot.
(3)Jessica F.
This restaurant is outstanding. I know my Cuban food very well, and this is as authentic as it gets. I lived in Tampa for many years, where there is a huge Cuban influence, the oldest Cuban restaurant in the US, the Columbia Restaurant. The food at Sabor de Cuba would give them a run for their money. The owner even came out and chatted with us for a bit and told us that he learned these recipes from watching his grandmother cook. I was leery of trying the Cuban sandwich because Cuban bread is very unique and I know you can't buy it anywhere around here. Turns out they collaborate with a local bakery and helped them to adjust their recipe to create Cuban bread. Fantastic. Their homemade green mojo sauce is a must try, and goes nicely with the beef empanadas. The service is excellent, the menu is very affordable and the portions very generous. I can't wait to go back for dinner and try one of the entrees... Bistec Empanizado will be my choice :)
(5)Andrea W.
Amazing food and service. Started outside but then the rain clouds moved in so they quickly swept us to an indoor table. Waitress didn't skip a beat. She also made some recommendations. I had a coconut water, chicken empanadas, rice, and sweet plantains. The chicken was so flavorful and moist. A great meal!
(5)Will M.
Fantastic! My wife and I had an early dinner at this restaurant this week and the food was wonderful! We both had the Cubano sandwiches, the ham was juicy and had a sweet honey flavor and the roasted pork was all swine should be, delicious! The bread was the highlight though, perfectly toasted, light, with great flavor. My Mojito while kind of steep at $8, was very refreshing, guess I have to catch the happy hour price. I really was impressed with the fact that the owner/operator took the time to come out of the kitchen and speak with the customers and be honest about the challenges of the restaurant industry and share his passion for providing the best product possible. This restaurant is a rising star in Frederick!
(5)Lauren T.
the food, service, and drinks were all excellent. as an app, we started off with the empanadas de carne. for my first time, I enjoyed them. I got the pollo a la plancha for my main course. I remember it being good. Nothing that blew me away, but definitely good. the thing that stood out the most was the jalapeno margarita. I'm pretty picky about my margaritas and I thought they did an excellent job. just the right hint of spicy in it, which was conveniently, and simultaneously, cooled of by the drink itself. how clever ;)
(4)Tricia M.
Fantastic Cuban food in the heart of Frederick! The food was top notch and really tasty. They start you out with some savory buttered bread and the menu has a large selection of appetizers and dinner entrees. Save room for dessert! The drink menu is also good. Service was really great. Cheers!
(5)Dan F.
Excellent cuban food! I read the previous reviews and was wondering if we ate at the same place? The Empanadas were in no way dry, but in fact the best cuban chicken empanadas I have ever had, and I used to live in Miami and visit there at least once a year. The empanadas had an extra element, I was thinking maybe olives? Not sure but they were seasoned so well. The rice, meat, plantains etc all perfectly cooked. One of the best Ropa Viejas I have ever had as well. The flan is to die for. The yuca with mojo is just tear-inducing good. The only things I will say were not that good was: 1) The service (the waiter was very polite and good, but seemed overworked as he could not get to us very often, so maybe the restaurant needs more staff..mojitos arrived long after the appetizers) 2) Mojito was very sub-par #2 is a biggie, a good cuban restaurant should have a good Mojito. This one was just..lacking..tasted almost like the flavor came from a Mojito syrup you'd pump out of a bottle. Basically tasted artificial somehow. I was sadly disappointed. Could barely taste rum, mint, lime..all the important elements. So note to management: you really need to improve your mojitos! Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville MD has fantastic ones, learn from them :) Maybe it was an off night, I know it took them FOREVER to get the Mojitos to our table, but again this might speak of not having enough staff on hand. Prices are very fair for the quality of the food. This is the real deal, definitely authentic. I would return without hesitation next time I am in Frederick.
(4)christian b.
Stopped in here for lunch with my wife on a recent visit to Frederick. I will be back. Oh yes. We started with beef empanadas, and they were terrific. Very simple, with crispy, flaky, fresh-tasting crust and spicy, savory beef filling. This was served with an optional spicy green dressing that added some kick and was totally worth the 75 cents or whatever they charge for it. I love a good empanada, and I wish they were easier to come by, and if I lived close to Sabor de Cuba, I would eat empanadas every day. They were wonderful. From there, I ordered the Arroz con Pollo, and my wife ordered the Pernil. The Arroz con Pollo at Sabor de Cuba is served on the bone, the delicious leg and thigh, and skinless. I would have preferred a little skin on there, but I can't possibly complain. I made a fool of myself, practically licking my plate clean. The chicken seemed to have been baked, which was fine, and was neither bland nor over-spiced or -salted. The rice really was the star of the show, though; rich and salty and studded with green olives. I loved it. And the Pernil! Even better! It was served with cooked yellow onion, white rice, black beans, and devastating, sticky, fresh-tasting, beautiful plantains, cooked almost black on the edges. Really excellent. We were both stuffed at this point, but our server mentioned that the flan is made by his wife, so I went for it. Holy hell. I'm not usually a flan-enthusiast. For the most part, flan leaves me feeling underwhelmed. Not this. This was great! I found room in my belly for the flan. All of it. I live more than 20 miles from Frederick, Maryland, but I'm used to driving places for good food and I will absolutely make the 30 minute drive back to Frederick for Sabor de Cuba. Very good service, pleasant, neutral decor, good prices, and very good food. Highly recommend it.
(4)ginger R.
I was hesitant to visit this restaurant since I grew up in Miami and have Cuban relatives that cook the best and most authentic Cuban food outside of Havana. I was pleasantly surprised. We ordered the Bistec, Ropa Vieja, Tostones, Bistec Empanizado, Moros, black beans and fried plantains. All the food was very well seasoned and while not the best I've ever had, it exceeded my expectations. The best part was the dessert. What a pleasant surprise! The flan was absolutely delicious, creamy and fresh with just the right amount of sweetness. The trick to a fabulous flan is to add a little cream cheese to the mixture. They obviously got it right. I also tried a bite of the tres leches While I have never liked this particular dessert, it was well made. I highly recommend this restaurant. It's as authentic as it's going to get while 1100+ miles away from the real deal.
(3)Kristen K.
Had lunch here with my daughter a few weeks ago. Great service, great food (we had a bunch of appetizers no main), good prices. I was very happy and will return!
(4)Angela A.
Hit and miss. I got the pernil, which I didn't like at all. The meat tasted bland and old. You know, that stale meaty taste? Yuck. The rest of us ordered beef dishes, which were mid-range tasty. The shrimp appetizer was phenom. Staff was a bit aloof. Don't know if I'd return. :/
(3)Denise N.
When you walk in the door, Sabor de Cuba screams, "Welcome to Havana!" I just cannot say enough about this quaint little mom and pop joint tucked in amongst the busy historic district of Frederick. Good Latin Cuisine is something I am always on the lookout for and this place delivered. The Cuban sandwich and mango/cream cheese dessert empanadas are definite recommendations. Unfortunately I live a bit of a hike but it will be a treat every once in a while. Added bonus...lots of great little local shops to check out.
(5)Sarah J.
This place was amazing, to the point of inspiring me to write my first yelp review. We just stopped in for a quick snack in the afternoon, so unfortunately couldn't eat a full dinner. However, the maduros and empanadas de carne we had were absolutely excellent. The seasoning in the empanada filling was exceptional, with great flavor, and the shell was perfectly fried and crispy. We'll try to go back anytime we're in Frederick. Hope this place keeps up the great work!
(5)Joel B.
Has become one of my favorite restaurants in town. Have gone here several times and food has been top notch every time.
(4)john t.
this was pretty amazing food (and at a great price!). I went in randomly after attending a Keys ballgame. The menu looked decent enough. was welcomed in. and I'm so glad I happened upon this place. I had a chicken breast, and it was really the best chicken breast i've ever had. The person who seated me was super friendly. The owner, as it turns out. Pretty handsome guy, too. definitely will be back next time i'm in frederick.
(5)H B.
This is one of my favorite spots in Frederick! The food is delicious and some of the best Cuban food I have had. The prices are really good also, which makes it a nice place that we can go to when we just don't feel like cooking! My favorites are the Cuban Grilled Steak with Sautéed Onions. It is packed with flavor and the plantains add the perfect counterbalance to the dish. I also am a huge fan of the grilled shrimp and avocado appetizer. We come here often and the staff is lovely- we did walk into a girl working there that was yelling at another staff member, so that was a little uncomfortable- but I have never had anything like that happen before or after- so we all have bad days!
(4)Nilo R.
My family and my sister in law's family stopped for a late lunch on our way back from Liberty mountain. We had a number of items, and everything was good. The tostones were crispy as they should, the ropa vieja was full of flavor, the yuca con mojo was just right, and even the chicken sandwich was very good. We were very happy that they offered specials for kids size plates (for $6 each -- you need to ask since those plates are not shown in the menu) The service was also very good.
(5)April A.
We went here last night for my birthday dinner, and I couldn't have been happier with the experience! We started with the empanadas - the texture was perfect and the filling was super flavorful. My husband got the pernil (a pork dish) and loved it. I got the ropa vieja, which was tender and well seasoned, with a delicious side of plantains and congri. The flan was probably the best I've ever had. The service was wonderful - our waiter Sergio was so helfpul and attentive, and all the staff were extremely friendly. The mojitos were great (they were offering a special with fresh blackberries). The only small misstep for me was the white sangria - it seemed overly sweet for my taste and the mandarin oranges seemed like an odd inclusion. But that was my only small complaint - LOVED Sabor de Cuba and will definitely be back! Great ambiance and decor, very fast service, and just a wonderful experience overall.
(5)D W.
We were very pleased with our dinner. Ordered Bistec Palomilla - others ordered camarones enchiladas, both dishes were yummy. The flan was delicious! There will be a repeat visit.
(4)valerie c.
My boyfriend an I were traveling thru Frederick and stopped here for lunch. I'm from Miami and had high hopes for Sabor and was happy that it lived up to the expectation. Wonderful food, tasted so authentic it reminded me of home! The service and atmosphere is great too.
(5)Mark J.
The quality of the meat was top notch. Be warned, the entree portion sizes are big, so plan on sharing an appetizer with 2-3 people. The staff was very helpful in making recommendations and very courteous.
(4)Tamika M.
Great food and the owner is very personable! He came to the table to introduce himself to my friends and me, talked about his recipes and invited us back. Again, the food is superb but, I'd go back simply for the customer service.
(5)Willie T.
My wife and me went there for lunch today. Being both Cuban and from Miami, a city with the best Cuban restaurants in the world, we were both very critical of the place. The restaurant was very clean, and looked very nice on the inside. Servers were very pleasant and accommodating. The lunch prices are very fair, dinner is about 4-5 dollars more per entree, still fair for a downtown "Ethnic" restaurant. We ordered the "tostones rellenos de carne" very tasty and very good portion for an appetizer. We both really enjoyed them. I ordered the breaded steak with rice and black beans. Good flavor and the lunch portions seemed adequate. My wife ordered the Arroz con Pollo. The chicken was bland, but the rice was delicious. I would give this restaurant another chance. We will return. Enjoyed the ambiance and the food. Michael, Keep up the good work.
(3)Mary L.
Coming from Miami (where Cuban cuisine is very influential) is very hard to find a true Cuban cuisine restaurant. We decided to try this placed based on the high ratings in Yelp and also due to the proximity from our location. It was very impressive that their menu has a variety of Hispanic options to pick from. I decided to try the "tilapia" thinking it was the typical "whole fried fish," with some tostones (fried plantains); however, I was very disappointing from what I got (filleted fish). The flavors were good, but I think my expectations were not fulfilled. On the other hand, I also tried the "vaca frita" and the meat was very flavorful and tender. Overall, it has a good "Latin cuisine" and the best compared to what Dc has to offer on that area.
(3)Al P.
Made 7:00 PM reservations for a Tuesday evening. Only two tables occupied when we arrived but the place started to fill up after about 30 minutes. We ordered a mix of Empanadas de carne & Empanadas de pollo as well as Tostones rellenos de camarones to start. The carne was good but reminded us of sloppy joe's; the pollo was very tasty as we the rellenos. We had Pernil for the main course and it was very good albeit a bit dry. Flan de Leche was great! Mojito and Habanero Margarita were good. Although not hot, the habanero flavor was much more pronounced that I anticipated.
(4)Jerry And Melanie J.
Tried this out last week, very pleasant surprise! Excellent service, great food, & nice comfortable atmosphere. The place looks empty, they seem to seat people near the rear so you can't see diners from front window. We will be going back.
(4)Susan L.
Friendly device, great drinks. Sizzling garlic shrimp appetizer was not on menu bit recommended by our server. Wonderful. The spicy habenero margaritas are a perfect accompaniment Cubano sandwich is perfect.
(4)Nick C.
Great authentic cuban food. Very good service.
(5)Aleta M.
My husband and I both love Cuban food and decided to give this place a try. We were not disappointed. Best Cuban food we've had since florida. Adam our server was great. If your thinking about trying it out you won't be sorry.
(4)Ken E.
My wife and I have eaten here several times now and it's becoming one of our favorite places. I highly recommend.
(4)Kimberly C.
I visited this restaurant this past weekend, with rather high expectations. I found the place to be clean, and the staff to be very friendly. My waiter, in particular, was great. The food, however, left a lot to be desired. Also, there didn't appear to be a lunch menu. The restaurant was not very busy, so I was very surprised that it took over 30 minutes for my entree to be delivered. The food was not terribly bad (the chicken was moist, the sweet plantains nicely prepared), but overall I felt the food lacked flavor. And, I had to pay extra for the black bean. Normally I would give a comparable visit one stars and not return, but since this is a new restaurant, I am grading on a curve and remain open to trying them one more time. Pros: clean, friendly wait-staff Cons: wait time for the food, flavor profile of the food, lack of a lunch menu
(2)Myaa V.
I came the first week it opened, and I think they are off to a good start. I had the pernil, tostones, beans, and rice. Pernil is one of my favorite dishes when done right and theirs was quite delicious! I love that the location is not too large, and seems to be family owned. It will be my regular lunch/dinner stop when I come to Frederick.
(5)Victor M.
I'll definitely come back. Wonderful food and atmosphere.
(5)Howard R.
We truly enjoyed our experiemce. Food was authentic, service was great and prices were fair. We'll surely go back.
(5)Chris G.
This place is fantastic. The decor and ambience isn't great, but the food is amazing. I had the pernil, pork shank, which was delicious. The pork was tender and the rice and beans were just right. The plantains were sweet and worked as a great counterpoint to the salty pork. My wife had the camerones enchilados, shrimp, which she also enjoyed. The only drawback was the mojito, which was very weak. Otherwise we really liked the place and will definitely drive up from DC again to eat there.
(5)Jim M.
We went to Sabor de Cuba on a Saturday night (not a First Saturday), walked in and got a table for two at 6:30. It began to get crowded shortly after. The chicken empenadas were first, and they were flaky and very good, although they could use a little more spice. For the main course my wife had the cuban steak, which she thought was delicious. I had the veija which was also delicious, tangy meat with savory rice. The staff is very friendly, maybe too much so due to their inexperience. Of course, I'd much rather have over attentive staff than being ignored. All in all, a very good dining experience especially for a new restaurant.
(4)Deirdre P.
i was surprised to see a new Cuban resturant in the old White Star location that was also since an Ethopian restaurant.... after walking around the shops in dowtown we decided to eat there. it was very nice, clean and everyone very friendly. The decor was nice without being overstated. clean, simple. i ordered the pernil, I love pernil and generally like my own the best. Theirs was soooo good! I would actually say it was better than mine! the flavor was excellent. i'm writing this over a week after the fact, and i don't realy recall what the other two i was with ordered....one had something shrimp, and though she didn't love it, she also wasn't big on eating food other than 'American'. However she did eat it. I also ordered a piece of tres leche to take home for later, and it was absolutely delisouc as well!!
(4)Kristina G.
My boyfriend and I were in Fredrick for the evening, just walking around trying to find somewhere to eat when we happen to come up on this lovely little place. While it is not much to look at from the outside, the inside offers a nice casual and comfortable place to dine. We were seated immediately, and our waitress (I forgot her name) was a good kind of spunky. I ordered a larger version of the mojito, which was tasteless. For an appetizer we ordered chicken empanadas. Both of us were impressed. I've never had them before so I have to say that it was an outstanding prequel to my meal. After a while, and I will say it took a minute for the food to come, our food came out. My boyfriend had the Ropa Vieja, which is pulled beef flank, and I had Pargo Frito, which is fried red snapper. The food was fresh, well seasoned and made to order, and absolutely heavenly. The food surpassed my expectations. My boyfriend really enjoyed his food as well. Since I was not at all impressed with the variation of the mojito, I asked about the margaritas specifically the jalapeño margarita. The waitress had me convinced after saying "If you don't like it, then I will pay for it myself." So, I gave it a try and loved it! It was a margarita with a kick to it and hot at all. In summary, I feel that this is great place to go for a first date, or just to have a night out in town. Even after three weeks, I still think about how good my meal was.
(5)Van M.
Decided to eat here due to the raves of their drinks (by staff over phone) and that they said they were MSG free. Yes, they are MSG free and the coffeee (cafe con lache) was wonderful. Otherwise, boo. The service was very slow, the drinks were mostly ice, the sangria was white wine with some cut up apples in the glass (poor wine at that). The vegetarian plate was rice, yuca, beans, and fried bananas, all starchs. the side salad was barely OK. Can't recommend this restaurant with so many other good ones to eat at in Frederick. The front section of the restaurant is very noisy on Saturday evening.
(2)M M.
Meal was ok. Previous review is correct, empanada was dry and hot sauce helped but still dry. Fried steak was extremely salty and over fried that it was dry and dark like old oil was used. Chicken soup was eh. Steak sandwich was plain. Tostones were greasy. Cubano was fine. Service was ok, wished our server Mike had more personality and at least smiled once in a while. He didn't seem happy, a bit of a downer, but every other staff member seemed ok. Best part was shrimp in garlic, but 4 tiny shrimp for $10 is too much. Would definitely try someplace else if i'm in the same area again before going back.
(2)Annie V.
Now, if you are in search of real authentic Cuban food, here is where you need to go! I came in and immediately felt welcomed. The decor was cute and unique. They have a cabana dining area in the back that matched the bar up front. The service was outstanding! Our server was very friendly and helpful in explaining the menu. Now, the food. Delicious!! I had the Sopa de Pollo, unlike any other chicken noodle soup I've ever had. Loved it! For my main course I had the Bistec Empanizado. The steak was cooked perfectly. It was full of flavor and very tasty! I was very excited to see flan on the menu for dessert. I'm a giant flan fan and I'm a pretty big critic when it comes to my favorite dessert. Hands down, the BEST flan! Yummyyyy! Overall, I loved my experience here at Sabor de Cuba. I'm from Silver Spring, and the trip out to Frederick is definitely worth the drive! I can't wait till I can make it out again!!
(5)Sam T.
Sabor de Cuba is a weak representation of Cuban cuisine. I will say the empanadas had good flavor. But the beer is overpriced even during happy hour, the ambiance is akin to a coffee house and the "pernil" tastes like the oil left in the pan after making a great pernil. The flank steak has very little flavor and is chewy. The best thing here is green sauce that they charge you an additional .75 cents for in order to make the food somewhat appetizing. Big let down!
(2)C W.
I visited Sabor de Cuba on 2/8/12 within a week of their opening. I love Cuban food as I have had many Cuban friends and lived in Miami for a number of years. I had a thoroughly enjoyable lunch there. I tried the tostones rellenos de camarones which is where they used the green plantains and formed them into a crisp cup shape and inserted a tasty shrimp bathed in a garlic butter. Yum! My friend who was not sure about them at first, fell in love with them. Then I moved on to the Cubano sandwich which, although different from some I've had, was delicious and they even brought me more pickles when I asked. The black beans were not as plentiful in the bowl yet wonderfully saucy as I would expect. I spoke to Michael who is the owner/chef and he told me that as they grow they will explore and add / delete menu items depending on tastes in the Frederick area. We also discussed how each Cuban family puts their own little twists on the foods and this accounts for variations that some people see and put down as unacceptable. He was very open and seeking input from the customers in his restaurant, showing that he does want to make it a pleasant time for all. I ended the meal with the cafe' con leche and was glad to find it in Frederick and well-prepared. Although the prices do seem on the higher end, if I was dissatisfied with my meal, I felt that it would be remedied to my satisfaction. After all, they are in a higher-end building for rent, which would account for the some of the prices. I look forward to trying their dinners.
(4)