Havana Express Cuban Kitchen & Bakery

Critic's Review

In the mood for a Cubano, I'd somehow never been interested in this place despite it being fairly close to where I live. The Search need not be too rigorous in a town where there isn't a lot of good Cuban food.

They have a drive-in, but no way to order online, so you can't order in advance.

Upon entering, they have an outdoor space with some "eclectic" furnishings. You'll never find me out here.

Inside there are the popular TV menus and a counter where you can order.

Also a dining room with a stage; so if you come at night there may be some sort of entertainment.

The steam table is the "express" part of the business; you can get a rice and meat quickly as they scoop it into a styrofoam container and off you go.

It took 12 minutes to make the sandwich; I wondered what would have happened if I used the drive in. Would people behind me have to wait 12 minutes for them to make the sandwich?

When I got home I opened the container; my first impression was that it was a smallish sandwich.

The fries were a less than generous portion as well. Cheap ketchup too. Nobody want's the "chef's choice" brand of ketchup.

The fries were a bit underdone, and I needed to add salt. I did without the ketchup.

Opening the sandwich revealed some overgrilled ham and pork; I've never seen the innards of a Cubano grilled separately

This was an extremely pedestrian sandwich; it didn't pop. Skimpy ingredients; a dry grilled slice of pork instead of layers of juicy marinated pork; and the layer of mayonnaise (or garlicky butter) seemed missing altogether.

One thing for sure; this was not worth $10.

Conclusion

This sandwich was $7. 2 years ago, and despite purported inflation, a 42% price increase is not warranted; particularly with the lack of ingredients in the sandwich. The sandwich I got at Carlito's was better than this; and the fries were better as well.