guava tree cafe

it takes a while for my lunch-hour order to be taken at *guava tree café in albuquerque, new mexico, but i don’t mind. it lets me peer into the kitchen and watch the fastest-moving cook i’ve ever seen. she’s a literal whirling dervish, assembling cuban-stylesandwichesand venezuelan arepas, featuring unleavened corn-meal bread. the guy behind the counter isn’t much slower—taking orders, delivering food and whipping up delicious fresh tropical juices. after agonizing deliberation (i really want to order an arepa pocket stuffed with shredded beef, plantains and black beans), i opt instead for a larger pernil sandwich ($7.50). it’s a fantastic mix of slow-roasted pork, sweet caramelized onion, swiss cheese and garlic sauce, warm pressed on cuban bread. add a side of yuca crisps and a coconut flan for dessert, and i’ve got a full caribbean dining experience. my only advice: don’t be in a hurry. the staff’s got that covered for you.

amazing coffee coming from a coffee snob. i am second generation away from the coffee plantation my mother grew up in. my home church owns 3 restaurants in san juan, puerto rico where cubansandwiches& cafe con leche (lattes) are favorites. i went into the guava tree cafe with the attitude of yeah right! it took one sip of my coffee and one bite of a cuban sandwich and i am sold! it was like honey i'm home! friendly laid back place with plenty of classical latin music in the background! it's like a vacation in the middle of albuquerque, you must go!

delicious!. my kids and i had lunch here last week. we shared a cubano and a pollito. thesesandwichesare pretty big, so we actually had leftovers. the mango/vanilla smoothies were excellent! they reminded me so much of the ones i used to drink in peru when i was young. the owner was extremely courteous and friendly. nothing fancy about this place, but the food is what matters. if you are craving melt-in-your-mouth, savory eats, this is the place to go. affordable too!

check this place out!!!!!. my husband and i have been hoping for such a place as guava tree cafe. we have been sooooooooooo tired of the typical fare with green chile and this place serves up some amazing cuban/columbian food. the pabellon and machilla arepas are amazing littlesandwichesof goodness. the columbian coffee strong and authentic. we plan on going back tomarrow for lunch again. plus the price can't be beat! check it out!

this was a fantastic experience! great food, and the owner was down to earth and friendly! i had the cuban sandwich and a pastel de guayava. the best in abq by far! this even beats portossandwichesin california! a+!

differently excellent. this place brings some nice variety to the university area. i've eaten here 3 times already. the cubansandwichesmake me plotz! so good. great soups as well. latin/cuban food is a really nice change from all the soupy, saucy new mexican food around town.