El Cubano

Comfort food at its finest, chefs kiss! Closest thing to a home cooked meal. Everything tastes fresh and always served HOT!

J Frank (JF1973)

El Cubano offers an authentic taste of Cuba right in the heart of town. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that transports you straight to Havana. The highlight of the menu is undoubtedly their signature Cuban Sandwich, which truly lives up to its reputation. The sandwich features tender, roasted pork, flavorful ham, melted Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, all nestled between freshly baked Cuban bread. The bread is perfectly toasted, providing a crisp exterior while maintaining a soft, hearty interior. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of savory, tangy, and smoky flavors, making it a satisfying experience. Aside from the sandwich, El Cubano impresses with its authentic decor and friendly staff who are passionate about sharing Cuban culture through their cuisine. Their attention to detail, from sourcing quality ingredients to preparing everything fresh, makes a significant difference. The portion size is generous, offering great value for the price. Whether you're craving a quick lunch or a relaxed meal, El Cubano’s Cuban Sandwich is a must-try and undoubtedly one of the best in town. It’s a flavorful journey worth taking!

Ryan Smith (Imagesmiths)

Hands down best Cuban food I have ever had. If you're from the east you will absolutely be taken back home with the flavor. If you have never tried Cuban food you will fall in love instantly with the way the chef has mastered her craft and brought home cooked food to your table. The owners and service were fantastic but the aromas and flavors will linger for days in your mind and on your palet.

Shishir Bhandari

I ordered the Fricase de Pollo, and it did not disappoint. The chicken was juicy, tender, and full of flavor. The rice, served with black bean soup, was equally satisfying—the beans were rich, creamy, and well-seasoned. The maduros (Cuban fried plantains) were an unexpected highlight, sweet and caramelized, and they reminded me of Filipino-style Banana Cue. Overall, I really enjoyed the lunch and will definitely be coming back to try more dishes.

Carlos Quezada

This small little place has amazing food! Definitely recommend trying out the Supreme Cuban Sandwich. The best Cuban sandwich i have tried. Also, the potato balls are good too. A must check out spot! Will be coming back for sure to try out other dishes. I actually did try the tri tip sandwich and that was good as well. But I don't know what can top the Cuban supreme sandwich 🥪

Miriam Lopez

Always great food. Was in a hurry, but ordered fir take out. Delicious Cuban cuisine. Rice, black beans, sweet fried plantains, roasted pork with grilled onions and a side of chicken croquettes. Oh so yummy!

Chef Savage

I live in North Oceanside but was in the area and craving a really good Cuban sandwich. As a chef I love finding new spots around the area. The sandwich was exactly what I was looking for! Nice crisp on the bread from the press but still soft inside, authentic flavors and a friendly gentleman happily welcoming me into his establishment. I'll be back soon!

Taniyyus Syed

Very good food. This was my first time trying out Cuban food, so I am not sure how authentic they were but the food I tried was very delicious. Tried fried plantains, not a fan of it but with the experience. The food tasted very clean and homemade. The presentation and plating was clean as well. Very good option to try something different if you are in the neighborhood for lunch.

William David Argueta

Great food and great service! Highly recommend the ox tail! Thanks for the suggestion!

Carmen Proctor

Delicious Cuban food in North County. Picadillo and rice and beans as good as my grandmother used to make. We really enjoyed everything we had - Ropa Vieja, cubano chicken sandwich, ropa vieja sandwich, and plantain chips. Thank you for our wonderful lunch. We’ll be back soon.

David & Luisana Vazquez

My wife and I went for the first time and we loved their food. The lechon asada is my favorite. Highly recommend since it’s the only Cuban restaurant in North County.

Karina Martinez

Comfort food at its finest, chefs kiss! Closest thing to a home cooked meal. Everything tastes fresh and always served HOT!

I’ve been to a lot of Cuban restaurants over the years, but El Cubano in Carlsbad easily stands out as one of the very best. The food was absolutely amazing — fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. Every bite tasted authentic and full of soul. What really made the experience even better was the excellent customer service. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, which made me feel right at home. If you’re looking for a place that delivers both outstanding Cuban cuisine and top-notch hospitality, this is it. Highly recommend — I’ll definitely be coming back!

Perfect cubano sandwich. Toasted bread is on point. Roasted meat is superb. Casual dining in patio area super relaxed. No real way to avoid rain the 10 days we have it a year the only real or lack of negative.

The food here is so so good. I would’ve taken a picture but I was too busy enjoying the food! I got el cubano sandwhich with maduros and my wife got el lechón plate with tostones. Both were excellent. Bonus points for having mayo-ketchup.

I really loved the setting of the restaurant. The food was very good too. We had a Cuban sandwich and the Tri tip plate. Both we very good.

All outstanding flavors. The area is beautiful with a fountain and plenty of seating outside. The rope vida and grilled chicken was amazing. The beans are the best I've had. It was clean and the service was great.

Exceptional. Googled “best food near me” and El Cubano appeared. High ratings and I haven’t had Cuban food in a while. I got the Lechón Asado plate over congri and maduro sweet plantains. I was super impressed. Even the little side salad of lettuce, tomatoes and red onion was perfectly dressed. Not an afterthought, which is rare. Pork was terrific. Onions weren’t overcooked and it was obvious they had just been cooked on the grill and not sitting under a heat lamp. Best plantains I’ve had in my life, period. Significant as i lived in Manhattan for 16 years of my life and there’s a lot of places that serve them. The food was so good I bought a Cuban sandwich for my flight out of town the next day. I ate it later that night. Again, exceptional.

Matthew Garrett

Exceptional. Googled “best food near me” and El Cubano appeared. High ratings and I haven’t had Cuban food in a while. I got the Lechón Asado plate over congri and maduro sweet plantains. I was super impressed. Even the little side salad of lettuce, tomatoes and red onion was perfectly dressed. Not an afterthought, which is rare. Pork was terrific. Onions weren’t overcooked and it was obvious they had just been cooked on the grill and not sitting under a heat lamp. Best plantains I’ve had in my life, period. Significant as i lived in Manhattan for 16 years of my life and there’s a lot of places that serve them. The food was so good I bought a Cuban sandwich for my flight out of town the next day. I ate it later that night. Again, exceptional.

Marcus Honea

Perfect cubano sandwich. Toasted bread is on point. Roasted meat is superb. Casual dining in patio area super relaxed. No real way to avoid rain the 10 days we have it a year the only real or lack of negative.

Brandon Stringham

I really loved the setting of the restaurant. The food was very good too. We had a Cuban sandwich and the Tri tip plate. Both we very good.

Yashira Velez

The food here is so so good. I would’ve taken a picture but I was too busy enjoying the food! I got el cubano sandwhich with maduros and my wife got el lechón plate with tostones. Both were excellent. Bonus points for having mayo-ketchup.

Frankie Viz

I’ve been to a lot of Cuban restaurants over the years, but El Cubano in Carlsbad easily stands out as one of the very best. The food was absolutely amazing — fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. Every bite tasted authentic and full of soul. What really made the experience even better was the excellent customer service. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, which made me feel right at home. If you’re looking for a place that delivers both outstanding Cuban cuisine and top-notch hospitality, this is it. Highly recommend — I’ll definitely be coming back!

SD Vava

All outstanding flavors. The area is beautiful with a fountain and plenty of seating outside. The rope vida and grilled chicken was amazing. The beans are the best I've had. It was clean and the service was great.

Really good! I had the supreme cubano, I believe it was a special, not sure if it is an every day item. I am only giving 4 stars just due to portion size for the price. The food came out quick for how busy it was and it was hot/fresh. I only ordered the sandwich so I did not get to try their chips. Would recommend. Nice seating area here.

Kyle

Really good! I had the supreme cubano, I believe it was a special, not sure if it is an every day item. I am only giving 4 stars just due to portion size for the price. The food came out quick for how busy it was and it was hot/fresh. I only ordered the sandwich so I did not get to try their chips. Would recommend. Nice seating area here.

This place has good rice and black beans and chicken. The pork is sliced like a cold cut and I didn't like it. The ham they use in the Cuban sandwich is too sweet. I think it might be Canadian ham which I don't like. I grew up in Jersey near great cuban restaurants so my search continues here in San Diego.

John Rancic

This place has good rice and black beans and chicken. The pork is sliced like a cold cut and I didn't like it. The ham they use in the Cuban sandwich is too sweet. I think it might be Canadian ham which I don't like. I grew up in Jersey near great cuban restaurants so my search continues here in San Diego.

We were very excited to order from El Cubano to celebrate 7 moms, however this is how our food arrived. We ordered tri tip bowls and shrimp bowls, and none of them arrived with plantain, pico de gallo, avocado, or avocado like sauce. Highly disappointed.

Symone Williams

We were very excited to order from El Cubano to celebrate 7 moms, however this is how our food arrived. We ordered tri tip bowls and shrimp bowls, and none of them arrived with plantain, pico de gallo, avocado, or avocado like sauce. Highly disappointed.