A NYC institution started in 1997 and still going strong. With its flagship location on Prince St., it became so popular it opened a much larger Brooklyn outpost. The Manhattan location is small and you are almost guaranteed a wait and nearly every time of day. People seem to think it’s worth it, which is why they haven’t stopped patronizing this place for the last two decades.
It’s open all day serving breakfast (brunch on weekends), lunch, and dinner until midnight. Or you can opt to just go for drinks, though I think the Brooklyn location has a better atmosphere for that.
Their Cuban Sandwich is considered to be one of the best in NYC and is a very popular choice with citrus marinated roast park, home, swiss cheese, chipotle mayo and pickles on a toasted roll. They are also well known for their other sandwiches and tortas, with the Torta de Queso Blanco y Aguacate.
That torta is delicious. Vegetarian with white cheese, spiced avocado, chipotle mayo, black beans, red onions, lettuce, and tomatoes. Well toasted on torta bread with a side of fries. Fries are nothing to write home about. The sandwich is amazing, though. The flavors don’t taste classically Latin, but they just go so well together. Everything is very fresh, good quality, and the sandwich is light and healthy for a torta yet still substantial. Each ingredient adds something to the sandwich and there is no filler. Super delicious.
Servers are generally nice and animated, not invasive or rushy despite the wait. Fun vibe, casual, yet with personality. Loud music playing, lots of hustle and bustle. Vibrantly decorated. Give it a go.
