Friday, October 3, 2014

Authentic Cuban Food! SE 3rd and Washington - Shredded Beef and Plantains

A new Cuban cart has popped up next to Mama Mia's Trattoria on SW Washington, between 2nd and 3rd Ave.

The banner across the top says "Authentic Cuban Food" - I'm assuming that's the name of the place.

I'm a fan of Cuban food, and there were a few menu items mentioning plantains - which got my attention.

I ordered the Shredded Beef and Plaintains dish ($7.50) - which comes with -- Shredded beef, some fried plantains, rice, and a salad.

The menu was a little hard to read, and I didn't realize they had pork offerings at first. A couple of guys in line in front of me had ordered a pork dish, and the guy running the cart handed them some small samples while they waited -- which, according to their reaction, was incredible. This was their second visit to the cart since it opened, and they seemed pleased.

Unfortunately, I accidentally took a VIDEO of the menu instead of a photograph, so I apologize for the terrible quality of this:

They offer a Cubano sandwich, a Jalapeno Beef sandwich (which I was tempted to order - $5.50) - some pizza like offerings topped with a couple meat or veggie choices ($5), along with some pork and beef and plantain dishes that run $6-$8.

As for my Shredded Beef and Plantains meal, here it is:
The beef contains some carrots, lima beans, and peas - very nice flavor, quite tasty. The tomatoes were slightly salted and peppered just right.
The plantains were fried, a little on the sweet side (I prefer "tostones," the savory twice-fried green plantains, but these were still good)

I ate EVERY SINGLE BIT of what was served to me - this was delicious. I am anxious to try their pork next time, then maybe the Jalapeno Beef sandwich after that. Good stuff! Try it out.