cubano's restaurant

silver spring, md.  very good cuban food. we ordered a camarones al ajillo (grilled shrimp with garlic on skewers) and a mariscada (seafood medley). both came with rice, blackbeansand sweet fried plantains. the seafood medley was in a very tasty tomato gravy, and was large enough for 2 to share. good ambience and good service.

these guys cook so cuban, you’d swear you’re in havana having your meal!. i usually state that if one is a true aficionado of 'legitimate and traditional' cuban food, one must come to grips with the fact that there is almost no 'real' cuban cuisine to be found in the metropolitan washington area, even if few and far between, then only can your expectations be changed - in coming to 'cubanos' you realize that occasionally there is cuban food light at the end of the tunnel for those who live in the nation’s capitol region! the argument that because of the assimilation of the cuban diaspora within most metro areas outside miami, new york and chicago, that the best cuban victuals are relegated to nouveau cuisine, variations on a caribbean theme with the restraint and homogenization is pretty much put to rest by cubanos. their offerings of traditional dishes with traditional styles and traditional ingredients is heartwarming. their renditions of: puerco asado (roast pork); pernil (ham); yuca con mojo; ensalada (salad); mariquitas (fresh deep fried plantain chips); platanos maduros (fried sweet ripe plantains); moros y cristanos (cuban blackbeansmixed in white rice); tres leches (three milks) flan are a cuban cuisine connoisseur’s dream. highly recommended – we plan on continuing to eat their victuals.

mojitos are right. i will say i've had probably every flavor mojito here...they are all good. depending on the bartender i've also had some with quite the kick, without any loss in flavor. as for the food i've had the empanadas, shredded pork, beef and shrimp in garlic sauce. with each selection i always feel the food could have more flavor, stronger marinated sauces, garlic, and etc. the plantains are preferred over the also very plain flavoredbeansand rice. the yellow rice also lacks flavor. overall it's a decent option but not the best cuban food.

...both ordered the masitas de puerco cuba libre - crispy fried marinated morsels of pork, properly dressed with sutle hints of garlic, lime, parsley topped with sautéed onions. all meals come with a choice of saffron or white rice, blackbeansand sweet or fried plantains. the pork morsels were lightly crispy on the outside but were fork tender on the inside. the plantains were sent