HAVANA GRILL

Loved this place!! The owner was sooo nice!! I asked many questions and he answered all of them. The Tres Leches Cake was also the BEST that I have EVER had. I will be back on a Saturday night!!

Pros: Loved the food

Cons: Chicken Was Slightly Dry

Posted 11/21/09

I am cuban american and I went to eat here when they first opened. they have totally improved. i am still hesitant about ordering dinner there (everything is under heating lamps). Every cuban knows, that for the best quality cuban food, it has to be made to order. they have the best yuca frita (that cilantro mayo is to die for!)the sanwhiches are great (those home made mini papitas fritas-are awsesomw! makes me feel like i am ordering from a miami sandwhich shop!

Pros: best steak sandwich!

Cons: too casual..

Posted 09/28/09

The best cuban food around ( The empanada) O.M.G. Reasonable prices and great service( Not fancy) but clean and friendly. Loved the (Tres Leches) I think I spelled right...The Husband had the Imperial Rice..(loved it) I ordered the Breaded Steak ( It was incredible). Kids ate from the Kids menu( great Fries). It was my second time and my whole family loved it (I m not latin but felt right at home)....:-)
Great place for the kids. I loved the dancing outside on Saturday Nights. but I missed the Dj. with the Hats and Bongos.

Pros: Great food

Cons: Saturday Night's ( Bad DJ.)

Posted 09/15/09

This place, Havana Grill, is my favorite resturant in town! If you havent tried cuban food, or have, than this is the place for you! The owners are incredibly nice, and the food is AMAZING!I love going on Saturday nights and dancing or hanging out. I am half cuban, so I grew up eating cuban food, and this the best! when I go I have the steak with white rice, and plantains. The bread is THE BEST! I cant wait to go back!

:)

Pros: Everything!

Cons: Nothing!

Posted 09/04/09

This was the first time eating at this establishment. The food was OK. I guess Cuban cuisine is not my thing. I had the Cuban sandwich which was my first Cuban sandwich. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was OK.

Posted 03/04/09

My husband and I have become regulars since we first discovered this small, casual, cozy restaurant that is hidden away in Downtown Cary. We tend to go on weeknights or Saturdays for lunch when it is not quite so busy, which gives us the opportunity to visit with the lovely owner.- this is the type of place where it is like a visit with friends. We have enjoyed everything we have tried on the menu. Favorite lunch is a Chicken Imperial Rice. The Cuban Bread is fresh and homemade. Favorite dinner is the Roasted Pork which perfectly balances the sour orange and cuban mojo. Portion sizes are filling but might leave you room for dessert ? which given the Flan is a very good thing. The rice pudding and 3 milk cake are tasty too. All in all, Havana Grill is a friendly restaurant, with fresh, well prepared food.

Pros: Great Food, Very Authentic, Excellent Service

Cons: none

Posted 02/07/09

My husband and I can't wait for date night at havana Grill...this is by far our favorite restaurant for all the right reasons!!! I don't know what my favorite dish is b/c it's all so amazing!! If you're going for pork, you've got to try the tender and juicy Lechon Asado...for chicken, try the Pollo Empanizado (hubby's favorite)...for fish, try the Salmon!! WOW! We usually order extra to take home to the kids...they LOVE it too and they can be picky eaters! This place is large enough for family gatherings and my husband and I plan on having our 15th Anniversary celebration here. The staff is super friendly too...very attentive! We've even seen the cook come out on several occasions to speak with the customers...he's stopped by our table before too to make sure everything tasted great...now THAT'S SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!! WE LOVE THIS PLACE!!!

Pros: Very Clean, great cuban flavor.

Cons: none

Posted 10/28/08

I cannot review Havana Grill as someone that has any idea of authentic Cuban food, but I know this place has some tasty, reasonably priced food. It reminds me most closely of the Puerto Rican food I've had while visiting that island. the food has a lot of flavor from nice spices, almost a rich taste, and the ingredients have been of good quality. The chicken soup has huge chucks of meat in the savory broth, the picadillo is my favorite beef dish and the Cuban sandwiches have any sub or burger beat by a mile. I especially enjoy the daily specials that are served from large pans behind the shield of the open counter because I can see how something looks to learn about the food before I order it. I can agree the plantains have been underripe a couple times, which was disappointing but not a deal breaker when everything else is good. As I said at the beginning of the review, I don't know if this food differs from what is considered authentic Cuban food, but it's too tasty to miss!

Pros: Affordable, clean, nice patio seating

Cons: No real table service if you are expecting sit-down service

Posted 09/15/08

I WAS SURPRISE WHEN I GOT MY SANDWICH, FRESH ,REAL CUBAN BREAD.I GROW UP IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND HAVANA GRILL WILL DO THE JOB UP HERE.SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT AND VERY , VERY CLEAN PLACE.

Pros: EXCELLENT SANDWICH, FRESH FOOD AND VERY CLEAN

Cons: NONE

Posted 09/10/08

Always trying to find good food and expanding our borders we saw the article on sandwiches in the N&O on 8/8/08 and went to Havana Grill, They were baking the bread on premises the smell was out of these world, Just like waking to a cuban bakery down in florida, great sandwich very nice place and VERY CLEAN..

Congratulations.....

Pros: fresh Bread

Cons: none

Posted 08/17/08

I must say, I was VERY disappointed in the food here. It was almost as bad as another "Cuban" restaurant we went to in downtown Rakeigh years ago. That place even got their bread from the Italian restaurant from across the hall!!!! Anyway, I degress. I had very high expectations for Havanna Grill since Cuban cuisine is my fovorite food out there. We even make it a lot at home. Having lived in Miami for many years I had the privledge of eating some very good food on a very regular basis. This place was a joke to say the least. I did not even finish my meal! The food was cold. The bread was so dry and hard that it was like chewing sawdust. We purchased three meals and the only one that was even half way finished was my husbands (he was hungry). Go to Carmens off of Airport Rd in Morrisville (across from the little outlet mall). They have worked very hard to get their bread as close to the real rhing as possible and their food is 100% better. The atmosphere too!

Cons: terrible food

Posted 07/25/08

i HAVEN"T TRY ANYTHING ELSE BUT THE SANDWICH IS THE BEST FROM AROUND HERE, I'M FROM TAMPA AND THIS PEOPLE MAKE A REAL GOOD SANDWICH I WAS TOLD THEY BAKED THEIR OWN BREAD AND THAT IS THE KEY.

Pros: VERY CLEAN , FAST SERVICE

Cons: TOO FAR FROM MY HOUSE

Posted 07/22/08

I am not sure what the other reviewers rave about when it comes to this "Cuban" food. Either those folks don't know what Cuban food should taste like of the friends of the owners are posting on here. I was born and raised in Miami by Cuban parents and my Cuban grandmother so I definitely know what Cuban food should taste like.
I ordered a palomilla steak with white rice, black beans, and maduros. The steak was served with sauteed sliced onions. Huh? The true palomilla comes with chopped onions...raw. The white rice had a bizarre flavor to it. I'm not sure what spices they used or didn't use but it certainly wasn't anything that I've tasted before. I can't complain about the taste of the black beans because they didn't have any taste to them whatsoever. They might as well have thrown chewable fish pellets in a black sauce and called it black beans. The maduros were the biggest disappoint of all. They were neither sweet, soft, or edible. The plantain had not been allowed to ripen enough and thus what they served was somewhere between a toston and a maduro...yuck.
I won't go into the plastic utenstils and the such. I could have dealt with that if the food had been good. Sadly,the food was a flop. So save your money and spend it elsehwere unless you don't mind a rather non-authentic version of Cuban food.

Cons: food, food, and oh yes...the food

Posted 07/20/08

I been there many times and is just awesome food. I'm from Mexico CITY and love my meal dancing with flavor. This is the place for real latin-hispanic choices that taste REAL!!! Some of US friends I have look for latin food pizza hut-Mcdonals style. Well you won't get it here, because it is 100% Hispanic. Finally!!! after looking everywhere for real stuff ,I found it. Prices are ok for the food you get. Cuban, Mexican, Guatemala, Colombian.... we all have TASTE for food (sorry friends just stating the truth). Extra rating this place? Well I rated it extra due the magnific PRESIDENTE beer the have. Enjoy.

Posted 07/11/08

very nice place, the food was excellent and very CLEAN.we visit havana Grill on Saturday .the place was full with people dancing outside,very nice and lots of kids too.I was very impresed with the quality and the service,it was raining like crazy and everyone was so cool and nice in trying to accomodated our party outside.lots of funs in Cary.

Pros: GOOD FOOD, LOW PRICES AND THE BEST AMBIANCE ON A SATURDAY NIGHT.

Cons: NONE

Posted 07/06/08

anywant who like and have an idea abouth spanish food would like this place some people, want spanish food and they want the food taste like mac donald's or burger king. that wont happens spanish food means HAVENA GRILL if you go to florida or new york you can find lot of spanish food but in this area I can say this is the best restaurant. it's small but. have you ever heard small thing are the best. thankyou for rearing my message enjoy it..

Posted 07/05/08

EXCELLENT SANDWICH,VERY NICE PLACE,SUPER CLEAN,
FRESH CUBAN BREAD FOR SALE BAKED DAILY.GREAT SERVICE AND AMBIANCE IS EXCELLENT.

Pros: BEST CUBAN SANDWICH

Cons: NONE

Posted 07/01/08

I went to Havana Grill a few months ago and had an awful experience! The food was so bad that my husband and I took one bite each before we realized we couldn't continue. More specifically, the food tasted like it had been out for days and had no flavor whatsoever! The entrees we ordered didn't even resemble the authentic dishes that we expected. There was also no A/C when we visited, which definitely contributed to the less-than-ideal dining experience. I am latino and honestly can't believe that this place is owned by Cubans! All of the employees working there were very young (non latino) kids that knew nothing about the food or proper customer service. We had really high expectations and were really let down! We spent over $60 for two entrees and two appetizers, and ended up not eating any of it! You can get better food at any bodega/hole in the wall place in Miami or NYC for $5! I'm still waiting for some good (or even decent) latin food in NC!
On the upside, the decor and ambiance was nice and the place was very clean. It seems like it'd be a great place to have a beer and hang out on the weekends, but I'll never eat there again!

Pros: Clean, good ambiance

Cons: Bad food, expensive, bad service

Posted 06/18/08

great ambiance,good food and very clean.
we be back for sure.we like the outside partio very tropical and nice music on the back groung.

Pros: good food, plenty of parking, great for kids

Cons: n/a

Posted 06/09/08

I'M NEW TO THE AREA, AND SINGLE MOM, $5.95 FOR A COMPLETE HOT MEAL, IS A DEAL..
NICE PEOPLE VERY HARD WORKING OWNERS.VERY CLEAN KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS ALWAYS.

Pros: EXCELLENT LUNCH SPECIALS AND VERY CLEAN

Cons: NONE

Posted 06/03/08

I looked at the menu and ordered a cuban sanwich $5.95. It was great, looks like the bake their own bread.

Pros: very clean, great food

Cons: none

Posted 06/03/08

I want to say first that my parents live in Tampa, FL so whenever we visit we go to Ybor city in Tampa for Cuban food and we absolutely love it. So, recently my family decided to try Havana Grill in Cary on 6/1/08. We had a bad experience and we won't be going back. My family of three ordered three sandwiches and three drinks and our bill was close to $30.00, so a bit pricey. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich marinated in tropical juices and I asked them to hold the onions because I'm allergic to onions. When I got my sandwich I decided to open it up to check to make sure there were no onions. Instead of finding onions I found ALUMINIUM FOIL instead! The sandwich was cut in half and each half had a piece of alumnium foil inside the sandwich laying on top of the meat. I was so freaked out I threw the whole sandwich away. My husband got a pork sandwich and he said it was the worst pork sandwich he'd ever eaten. Our son saw how upset I was about the alumnium in my sandwich so then he was too scared to eat his sandwich, so we ended up just throwing our entire family's meal out. I wanted to discuss it with the manager, but my husband decided not to make a fuss and we just left vowing never to return. Not to mention, the so called fries that comes with the sandwich are just weird looking...I'm not even sure what they are actually. Strangest fries I've ever seen. Extremely greasy. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant at all. We immediately left and drove over to the Dairy Queen to get some ice cream to get the bad taste out of our mouths. Just a yucky place.

Pros: Eating outside

Cons: Food bad, service not great, too expensive

Posted 06/01/08

My husband and I have gotten hooked on their Cuban sandwiches/Arroz Imperial for Sunday lunch. Tonight we have just returned from our first Havana Grill's Saturday night party where we had an excellent time eating and dancing to great music under the stars. I was a bit surprised that the reviews were either one star or five stars with hardly any middle ground. Granted not every dish in the repertoire is wonderful and yes eating with plastic utensils is a pain but most of their offerings are very authentic (I am Cuban, by the way). I found their tamales, yuca, black bean, plantains in several variations, picadillo and croquetas very tasty. The only two dishes that I would not recommend is the ropa vieja and the palomilla steak was thin and hard. I do however, completely disagree with the comments that the food is overpriced - their specials consisting of one entree meat and two sides for $6.99 is very reasonable. This is not a fancy restaurant but a clean, friendly, informal, family place that tries extremely hard to please.

Pros: Quick, friendly cafeteria style food

Cons: Plastic ware

Posted 05/30/08

I gave this restaurant one more shot with the same results as the first time around...yuck. I ordered a palomilla steak, white rice, black beans, and maduros. The steak was passable...yeah. But the rice had an awful flavor to it. How it's possible to mess up white rice is beyond me but it was done here. The black beans were tasteless. It was like eating something which should have had tremendous flavor but none was there. And then there were the "maduros". For those of you who don't know, maduros means ripened. What they fried up was a plantain that was neither ripe or green (used for tostones). It was somewhere in the middle which left it with a very tough texture and with no sweet taste to it whatsoever.
On the bright side of things, the Pepsi was great.
This is the second time I've given this place a try and there will not be a third. Anyone who considers this a good Cuban restaurant has never had a real Cuban meal or must somehow be related to the very nice folks who run this place.

Pros: Pepsi

Cons: food, price, food

Posted 05/28/08

We went May 10,2008 me and my husband order a churrasco steak with tostones,yuca frita and rice. The steak was like bubble gum. They call it skirt steak but they don't even know what a skirt steak is. They expected us to cut a steak with plastic utensils? PLEASE people come on. Its really hard to do that specially when the steak is sooo hard, the maduros was really cold, the mariquitas was like a sponge.
I expected better quality food for the price that i paid,specially when you come from Miami (The real thing)
I will never recommend this retaurant to anyone, Raleigh needs a Real Cuban Restaurant with Fresh food.

Pros: Good music and clean

Cons: Nasty food

Posted 05/09/08

I have being reading the reviews for a while of havana grill and carmens cuban cafe. after the department of environmental health reviews came in and I saw the low score and all the problems carmen has, we both decided to visit havana grill to my surprise the food was excellent, very cozzy and well decorated, very tropical
and great service with an smile we felt we were in the bahamas or somewhere else.We decide to go back on saturday night and we were not dissapointed, again. what an ambiance, there were people dancing outside with a dj, others were playing dominos,some people were playing musical instruments . we left by 12:30 am and the music was on.

WE thank the owners for a wondeful time.we will be back for sure.

Pros: food was excellent, plenty of parking, and service was outstanding

Cons: none

Posted 05/06/08

I have always been afraid to try new restaurants for fear I would end up eating at the worst restaurant in the triangle area. The search is over, I do not have to worry about eating at the worst restaurant in the area ever again because I just did and I will never eat there again. The Havana Grill is the most pathetic excuse for Cuban food or any food for that matter.

Pros: nothing

Cons: everything

Posted 03/28/08

In response to the person who wrote the previous rewiew.crazy cuban must be your last name.I have work in many restaurants, los Angeles,Miami, New York and Havana CUBA.I know a little bit about cuban food being a cuban myself. This people at Havana Grill have a very nice set up, very very clean place and the food will compare to any of the places I had work in my 40+yrs in the biz .I visit havana grill twice a week and every time I need to ask for a to go box because the portions are very large.

Looks like you may have visit the wrong place.(crazy Cuban)

Pros: great food, large portions, very clean place

Cons: none

Posted 03/17/08

I've been to a lot of Cuban restaurants in my life and some I have to say were pretty bad but Havana Grill is the worst so far. The food has no taste, bad presentation (hate the plastic plates - what a bad concept), very small portions, over priced and what more can I say. We ordered tostones rellenos for appetizer and they looked like someone stepped all over them. The tamal en oja - awful. BAD, BAD, really BAD.

Posted 03/15/08

We just moved to North Carolina from Miami and we were craving some real Cuban food, we tried C_______ but we encountered horrible service and not a cuban friendly atmosphere. I was lucky to find Havana Grill and we went last Sunday (2/24/07). We absolutely loved it. My kids had to taste the maduros and croquetas to really believe this was the real deal Cuban restaurant. They didn't want to go through another bad encounter. My husband is Cuban and he is thrilled that this place is in Cary, we are planning to move to Cary this summer. We love Cary and we want to be closer than we are now, we live in the johnston county area and it is way too rural for us....If you really want to try something delicious you must go to Havana Grill and experience some real Cuban food. Take it from a real Cubanito!!

Pros: Great ambience, lots of parking, great location

Cons: none

Posted 02/25/08

After reading some of the rewiews we went to Havana Grill this weekend, I was surprise how well this small restaurant is set up, the decorations and the colors makes you feel relax and tripical, great music, excellent ambiance everyone was so polite and great service , the owner walking around the tables, not something you see now days!!
We really love it and will recomended to all our friends.
We try the roasted pork and the havana chicken GREAT.....

Pros: Excellent food, plenty of parking

Posted 02/20/08

WELL DONE, EXCELLENT
FROM MIAMI TO NC HAVANA GRILL IS IT.GREAT SANDWICH EXCELLENT HOMEMADE FOOD.
WE BEING THERE FEW TIMES, ALWAYS SAME QUALITY AND GREAT SERVICE, LOTS OF FOOD ALWAYS ASK FOR A TOGO CONTAINER PLENTY TO TAKE HOME.LOVE THE DESERTS MY WIFE LIKES THE FLAN I LIKE THE RICE PUTTING BETTER THAN MY MOMS.....
FLANK STEAK AND THE MOROS ARE MY FAVORITE. MY KIDS LOVE THE PAELLA ON SATURDAYS.

SATURDAY EVENING THIS PLACE HAS THE BEST CROW IN TOWN, LOTS OF KIDS AND FAMILY DANCING TOGETHER,

CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP IT GOING..

Pros: GREAT FOOD, EXCELLENT PRICE, AWESOME AMBIENCE

Cons: NONE

Posted 02/14/08

Oh man, what a sanwich>>.I lived in tampa for many years and this place is just like it.My wife try the grilled chicken sandwich an it was excellent,real cuban bread. we aslo try it the cuban coffee. we love all the pictures in the walls decorating the place very unique and authentic. great outside area looks like it was heated also.
we will be back on saturday night for the music and the dancing.

great job and best of luck

Pros: Great cuban bread, very nice modern and clean place

Cons: none

Posted 01/22/08

THANK YOU, HAVANA GRILL FOR THE GREAT FOOD. I DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE FOR 12 HOURS ANYMORE.
JUST LIKE HOME. WE TRY THE CUBAN SANDWICH THE ROPA VIEJA AND FLAN . GREAT !!!
REAL AUTHENTIC.SERVICE WAS NICE VERY PLEASANT AND HELPFUL TO OTHER PEOP[LE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE MENU.
CONGRATULATIONS FROM A CUBAN AND A COOK ALSO.

GOOD LUCK . I HOPE PEOPLE COME OUT AND VISIT HAVANA GRILL NICE PLACE TO HAVE A REAL AUTHENTIC CUBAN FOOD..

Pros: PLENTY OF PARKING, GREAT MUSIC AND CROW ON SAT NIGHTS.

Cons: NONE

Posted 01/22/08

We went there when it first opened and were truly disappointed by the food , service & seating area... was asked to go back by recently. Unfortunately it was cold and the inside seating was taken (NICE). Don't know why I went back, but I can guarantee that I won't be conned into doing that again.

Posted 12/28/07

I took my boyfriend, a picky Colombian from South Florida, to Havana Grill last weekend. We both loved it! Pork with onions was great. Maduros and yucca were outstanding. Great prices and awesome food. Portions were big enough that we decided to share an entree next time and get a couple of extras of their excellent side dishes.

It was everything we'd hoped for. Good Cuban food, done simply but well, at good prices. Nothing fancy, or overdone.

I can't wait to go back - going to try the Tres Leches and cafe cubano next time!

Pros: Awesome food. Good prices. Great experience. And latin dancing on the weekend!

Cons: None - other than I didn't find out about this place before now!

Posted 12/19/07

My wife and I moved to the area last year from Miami and were starting to miss the food. Luckily, Havana Grill opened. We have tried several dishes (ropa vieja, congri, vaca frita, yuca, maduros, steak sandwiches) and so far, we have been pleased with the food. Only set-back is that it's a bit overpriced. They do have lunch specials, but if you order menu items, you may pay more. My wife and I had 2 steak sandwiches, 2 millkshakes and a side order of maduros. The bill was about 28 dollars. That meal in Miami would have been about half that price at any Cafeteria in Calle Ocho. But oh well, it saves us from having to buy a plane ticket to Miami to calm our cravings.

Pros: Good food, friendly staff

Cons: prices

Posted 12/04/07

If this is good cuban food I think I am changing to another ethnicity.

Does not translate well into cafeteria style. We ordered take out and waited in a long line to get the food. It had been in the bag a while and really was not too good.

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: Food

Posted 10/22/07

If you are in the mood for a classy dining experience this is not the place for you. The food was served on plastic, picnic style plates and you are given plastic-ware to eat with. I had a steak and the plastic-ware made the experience slightly challenging. You order your food at the counter and pay before you eat, like a fast food resturant. Finally, the food was an interesting new experience for me, the beef steak I ordered was very flavorful and the sides were tasty as well. My final thought about the Havanna Grille is: it's a bit over priced for the food quality and dining experience. I felt like I was at a church potluck.

Posted 09/13/07

I'm Cuban-American and couldn't be happier to finally have a *real* Cuban restaurant in the triangle -- the others simply do not compare to Havana Grill. The menu here competes with that of the best Cuban restaurants in Miami. The Frita Cubana is truly outstanding! A frita Cubana is a Cuban hamburger that is made with Spanish Chorizo sausage. This is only one of a handful of Cuban restaurants in the United States that serve this truly authentic Cuban dish! I've been twice this week already. I also highly recommend the Tres Leches dessert. The Croquettas de Jamon rival those of the best restaurants in Miami and Tampa as well. This is definitely the best Cuban restaurant in the triangle!!! I'm thrilled that I no longer have to wait for my annual trip to Miami to get my "Cuban Fix"!!

Pros: Menu, Delicious authentic Cuban dishes, Friendly owner, Parking.

Cons: None!

Posted 08/27/07

I am a Cuban-American that lived in Miami, Florida for over 30 years. I grew up eating typical Cuban dishes cooked by "Chef" abuela (grandma). I am in no way a food expert but I do know real Cuban cooking. Havana Grill has it! It's the real thing! Thank you, thank you, thank you Havana Grill for bringing a little bit of my Cuban home to my new home here in Cary. Don't miss it!!!

Posted 08/07/07

Finally-A Cuban Restaurant in the triangle! I've tried them all-Carmen's, Cuba, Oakwood Grill, etc-none are the real thing. They all try to be Cuban, but just aren't. I am so happy that the Havana Grill opened!! The cuban bread is fantastic. To make things even better-try the croquettas, arroz con leche, tostadas, arroz imperial and more. All the food is great-they even have Materva and Jupina, so you can save the trip to Miami!!

Pros: Real Cuban Bread, Jupina and materva

Cons: No pastelitos, 8:00 weekday closings

Posted 08/07/07

My wife and I both grew up in Miami. We left Miami 14 years ago and moved to Cary 3 years ago, and we are so happy to finally have a Cuban restaurant in this area that so closely matches the kinds of places we remember so well. It's something about the informality of a Miami-like Cuban restaurant, the super-friendly owners, the authentic Cuban food, and the affordable prices. Each time we return to Miami to visit relatives, we cannot wait to visit a La Carretta, Versailles, or Rio Cristal. Now we don't have to wait six months to enjoy Bistec Empanizado (breaded steak), Masitas de Puerco (marinated and roasted pork chunks), a Cuban Sandwich or a Roast Pork Sandwich, because we have our own "La Carretta" within a few miles of home -- albeit without the walk-up window where friendly folks can pause their busy day to enjoy a Cafe Cubano and enjoy a short chat with a stranger.

One of the wonderful things about the Triangle is the diversity we have here -- something that doesn't exist in many other parts of North Carolina. We have learned during our visits to Havana Grill that this is truly a family-run business, and their many efforts and sacrifices have given our community a small offering of one of the most intruiging (and delicious) cultures.

Based on the number of patrons we have seen during our breakfast, lunch, and dinner visits, there surely is nothing that can keep Havana Grill from succeeding. The food is authentic, the prices affordable, the ambience informal, and the outside patio is plenty fun. I've seen customers enjoying their dinner while listening to Cuban music, watched a couple get up and dance, and seen several folks enjoy an after-dinner cigar. Just like Miami.

Many of us are wishing Robert and Aleida Cardoso great success in their business. Perhaps if things continue to do so well, we'll see Sunday hours, pastelitos (baked Cuban pastries), and maybe one day, that walk-up window!

Pros: Excellent Food, Outdoor Patio, Prices, Friendly Owners

Cons: Closed on Sunday, no pastelitos

Posted 08/06/07

Yep...We got One. !!!. Cafeteria style but a great Cuban restaurant. No thrills, No clowns, but sure a good lunch or dinner here. With 6 bucks in your pocket and you are having a great meal.
Love the decor, great family restaurant, Please try the ripe fry plantains...I got the "ropa vieja" with yellow rice and Black Beans, No waiting...sat down. a little girl got me "Hot cuban bread". all it took was three minutes" Faster than Mcdonnals,"IT WAS GREAT" . If you are on the run or in the mood for a good meal. without a waiter talking to you in french and making you look like an Idiot. stop by here..
Thanks
Allen M.

Pros: PARKING, AMBIENCE, DECOR, AUTHENTIC

Cons: CLOSED AT 8:00 PM WEEK DAYS

Posted 08/03/07

I love this restaurant. The food is different, but not in an Indian/Thai food way. The steak is marinated to perfection, and comes with a garlic/olive oil dipping sauce that is simply to die for. For your side, order the "tostones," which are freshly fried up plantain chips and an authentic Cuban side dish. A little salt and you've got a great alternative to fries. I could almost go here just to eat tostones and drink beer on the deck.

I also recommend the cuban coffee, which, though it comes in a thimble size cup, has more flavor than any coffee/capp/espresso I've tasted, and I drink A LOT of coffee. It's nice that it has as much kick as a shot of espresso, too. Take it a sip at a time or as a shot, it will go down great. It is brewed differently using special beans that the owner told me he gets on his twice a month trip to Miami to get products he hasn't yet found distributors for.

Great atmosphere and design inside, and an inviting, covered deck. I just can't recommend this restaurant enough to anyone who is tired of Mexican food but wants something with a different spice. The food is great, the atmosphere fun, and the owner/chef has a passion for making great and authentic food. Best of all, it's easy to get to. Just follow Hillsborough St. out of Raleigh toward Cary and in 10 minutes, you're there. Great idea for a different lunch option.

Pros: Authentic, uniqe handcrafted fare for a great price.

Cons: If I had to pick something, I guess the inside seating is a little cramped.

Posted 07/28/07

GREAT PLACE TO HAVE A NICE DINNER, WE ORDER THE FLANK STEAK AND THE SKIRT STEAK. WHAT A TREAT!!! THE BEANS AND THE MOROS WERE EXCELLENT. THE SWEET PLANTAINS A MUST TRY...

GREAT FOOD WE LOVE IT AND WILL BE BACK ..

Pros: GREAT FOOD, NICE MUSIC, EXCELLENT PRICE

Cons: N/A

Posted 07/26/07

Excellent lunch specials,Love the cuban bread with butter.

My wife had the ground beef great!!! my kids had the cuban sandwich Excellent!!!

Great Job and Thank You

Pros: Great Food, Excellent price Luch specials for $5.95,I love the outside area

Cons: Too far from my job

Posted 07/26/07

Excellent sandwich just like in Miami..Very nice and friendly, the have good stuff there. real authentic cuban food.
will tell all my friends and family.

Pros: GREAT FOOD

Cons: NONE

Posted 07/26/07