Rincon Criollo Cuban Cuisine

If you’re of Cuban descent and are truly looking for an authentic Cuban culinary experience this is your home. I’ve searched West Houston for months and this restaurant hits the nail on the head. From ropa vieja, to Grandma’s chicken soup, to amazing yuca, to coladas, iron beer, media noches, pan con bistec… just come! I promise you won’t be let down. Buen Provecho! (When elderly Cubans visit on a daily you know it’s real) #cubalibre

Love this place! I usually go in for the buffet. But I’ve had their sandwiches also and they are fabulous!

This is actually a great place to have lunch. You might go early as tables fill up and it’s possible you won’t find a seat and or it might take some time to get the check. You have two options which is the small buffet or you can order from a menu. The buffet usually has rice, Cuban rice, fried chicken, fried plantains, chicken soup, and yucca. Simple, but good. I think I have ordered Cuban sandwich off the menu before which was also very good. There was a guy playing Cuban music the last time I went which was different from previous times. It’s ok but the place is kind of too small IMO for that. Overall I will return for more when Cuban food comes calling.

I LIVE this place! Everytime I am in Houston I always stop by& have lunch/​dinner! They’re amazing and treat you like FAMILY! The food is sensational!

Good food, good portion, good environment, good service. What else we need?
Their stew thingy is quite flavorful, love the ox tail thingy. Deserts are decent, although a little too sweet for my own taste.

So far, have only had the lunch buffet on Friday. The place was still PACKED at 1pm, so they must be doing something right. The crush can probably be largely explained by their $ 7.99 lunch buffet and friendly, if harried, waitstaff. I had a fish stew that was pretty good (especially considering I don’t much like fish); my friend had the chicken, which she described as tasty but dry (hey, it’s a buffet). The black beans were the stars of the buffet – wonderful, garlicky, to die for. I felt pretty cheated because the buffet had run out of plantains (my pal said they were great), but I was too lazy to make a second trip. I also ordered a papa rellena that I would describe as mediocre, not memorable. The restaurant had a keyboard player at lunch for ambience, and the music was just too loud. His playing was okay (as far as I could judge – I’m no expert), but his singing not so much (not a bad voice, but he should probably stick to songs that don’t require high notes). Really, as long as he didn’t sing (& if he’d just turned down the volume), I’d have had no complaint.
I will update this review after a second visit, when I hope to be able to upgrade the star rating. The friend who recommended it to me raved about it, so maybe I just hit it on an off day.

First time trying Cuban food and it was pretty good! They have a decent menu so I’ll be sure to come back and try other dishes. The place itself isn’t too fancy but I’m completely fine with that! It was kind of honey and there was somebody playing on a piano/​keyboard there and it was nice.
My sister ordered the Creole sampler which was really good and I liked the soupy sauce that came with it. My favorite was the empanada and probably the fried yucca. I also got to try the watermelon & cantaloupe juice mixed together which was nice but there was too much watermelon, so I couldn’t taste the cantaloupe too much. They start off giving a basket of Cuban bread and that was my favorite! It was super warm and soft in the middle (with light butter) and the edges were crisp. I’m pretty big on bread & butter and this place has got to be one of my faves for that.
As for the entrees, I got the ground beef with two fried eggs. Everyone else got the grilled chicken with onion, roasted pork with onions, and the Creole sandwich. Their menu has Spanish and English but I’m doing the English names because they’re easier for me to recall haha. I mixed the beef/​egg/​rice together and it was yummy… I didn’t mix the black beans in because I’m not crazy about beans but my sister likes them a lot. The sandwich was decent but a little on the smaller side (this sandwich specifically because I’ve heard the other ones are bigger). The chicken was cooked and seasoned well, as well as the pork. However, the pork was a little on the drier side but that was the only downside.
For dessert we got the bread pudding and flan, which was very good as well! The texture of bread pudding was so-​so for me but I also don’t like bread pudding usually. The taste itself was decent and actually familiar but I can’t recall what it reminds me of. The flan was amazing! I loved how it wasn’t overly sweet and the consistency was just right and didn’t fall apart/wasn’t too dense.
I definitely recommend this place if you want to try Cuban food since other individuals who have had Cuban food before like it as well. The waitress wasn’t super fluent in English but she was soo nice and got our order right so it was fine. I’m looking forward to trying their lunch buffet

Roasted Pork w/​Grilled Onions = Delicious
Very happy with my choice. Beware this meal may be enough for 2 people to share or take home leftovers for a yummy lunch the next day.

Good sandwiches but a little on the small size. I ordered a mango milkshake but it was very fluid and not thick in texture, I’ve had way better shakes. 3 out of 5 I give them overall.

Great food! Great service! Great atmosphere! The pork with tomato sauce was excellent. Rice was cooked perfectly. Black beans had great flavor. Sweet tea was amazing. I got a strawberry lemonade to go and it was delicious. Didn’t really love the fried bananas but that’s just my preference.

Absolutely love this place. Really good quality food and friendly service. If you want something Cuban and good this is the joint. I come to this place anytime I’m around the area.

Enjoy coming here for breakfast… they’ve upgraded since the last time I’ve been here. They have booths now and a bar…

La comida es de fonda Cubana, muy buena, el lugar lo han agrandado en cuanto al servicio de la mesera es muy desagradable te amarga la comida te trata con las patas, el trato al cliente es el peor de houston… Si usted sabe de alguna otra fonda cubana que no hagan jetas mejor trato dígame para ir…

Pensé que solo yo sentíà la molestia de la mesera pero ya somos 2 con la misma opinión. Que pena que tengan tan buena cocinera pero tan mal servicio por parte de la mesera. Lo único que refleja es que no le gusta su trabajo.

Amazing taste! Recent upgrade on the interior. Seems like home cooked food from Cuba! Highly recommended the Tamale, the side dipping sauce is out this world! And the chicken Fricassee. Hmm delicious!

Nice Cuban joint in a tiny strip center. Had a chance to try a couple of different dishes due a little miscommunication with the waitress, which mostly worked out in my favor :). So I was able to get my grilled chicken platter and a bowl of oxtails. The grilled chicken was just what it was… grilled chicken, much needed protein after a hard workout, but the oxtails… man what can I say they were on point. Never had oxtails this way with so much meat on them. I have been going to all these soul food places that carry oxtails with a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ ratio of fat and meat, but not here… thick chunks of meat falling off the bone. This place is a bit outside of my normal drive area, but the next time I crave oxtails I will be making my way here.

As a Cuban I must say this place has a great atmosphere. Service was great. Very patient and appreciative waitress with a big smile on her face even after I changed my order (on purpose). The main course took a little bit long (20 min) and she took the time to bring us a Cuban tamal (on the house) while we waited.
The food was great. Traditional Cuban cook. The bistec de palomilla was average but the yuca con mojo was wonderful. Definitely recommend that yuca and croquetas as well.
Service A+. Food quality B (I might be a bit bias on that category given I know what good Cuban food should be like).
Overall score A-.

This review is Mainly for the Amazing Oxtails!
Where to begin. Compares in greatness to Cool Runnings and Lucille’s.
Creole Style OXTAILS
Gravy — EXCELLENT & WOW!
Meat Portions — EXCELLENT & WOW!
Flavor — EXCELLENT & WOW!
Very Tender and Hearty to the Bone.
ORDER THIS — Will NOT Be Disappointed
TRY Beef Empanadas
TRY PAPAYA smoothie
TRY FLAN

This place is two things I love, authentic and delicious!
We had the shredded beef in tomato sauce and the oxtails. Both we delicious and flavorful. The ambiance is definitely casual and they’re currently remodeling, but still welcoming. Definitely a great place if you’re looking for authentic Cuban cuisine!

Loved it!
My sisters did too. I had the milanesa, one of my sisters had the ropa mojada, my other sister had the Cuban sandwich… They were big portions, we have left overs for lunch (:
The real fruit juices were great too.
Love this hole in the wall. And will definitely come back!

Holy Cuban Food Heaven! Thank you baby Jesus for leading us here! Never knew this incredible food was near us! So so oh so good!
Stopped in here one Sunday night before the movies. Just driving down the road, saw this little place in a strip center and thought — let’s give it a go. There were only a few customers eating while we were in there and it looked like they were cleaning up for the night/​setting up for the next day. A nice lady said to sit wherever and came to give us menus. She brought us some buttered toast slices — which were meh. I could have lived without them and I would have preferred some Mariquitas con Mojo or something instead.
After exploring them for a while we opted for the Park Fricassee and Spicy Camarones Enchilados. Each came with two sides. We choose rice & black beans, Yuca con Mojo and mixed vegetables. I also got the ‘fresh’ lemonade that is made in house. Both dishes were bursting of flavor — I just wanted to keep eating every last bite! I really enjoyed the yucca too, but could have done without the fried pork skins on top. It took all my will power to put the fork down! My tongue just want to revisit every spice over and over again!
We will be back and next time with friends! I think you should give it a go too!

If you pop in for nothing more than the sandia Jugos Naturales you will die a happy camper! It is by far the best natural juice I have ever had… ever.
My favorite sides?
1. Frijoles Negros (black beans) with white rice. A nice thin juice surrounding some firm, not overcooked, black beans. A little kick and a lot of yum.
2. Yuca Frita (Fried Yucca), or as my friend puts it… deep fried mashed taters. I guess it does have that same texture and taste. Lightly breaded and fried it is a wonderful starch alternative.
3. Papas Fritas (French Fries) because they are thinly cut and not greasy.
4. And if you want to be a bit more adventurous I highly recommend the Yuca con Mojo (Yucca with Garlic Sauce). They often sell out by the end of the day. It isn’t the most appetizing looking dish but it sure is tasty.
I’ll be honest, I am such a fan of their Ropa Vieja (Sautéed Shredded Beef cooked in seasoned tomato Sauce 11.99) I don’t think I’ll ever branch out. And every person I take with me to introduce to this bright little place in this busy strip center orders it because I brag on it so much. It’s roast beef in a light tomato sauce — very light — and some well cooked down green peppers and onion. I love it! Love it!
We did have some Cuban coffee — very authentic and strong! — and bread pudding for dessert. Don’t think you’re gonna get Commander’s Palace style bread pudding. This is a custard like dessert slice with raisins. It’s not the chunky bread pudding you may think of right away. But what a surprise when we dug in and found a light bright flavor.
Be aware the waitress speaks very little English. We’ve had the same one every time we’ve come. But she is great at laughing with you as you jockey back and forth with your broken Spanish and her broken English. Usually that stuff frustrates me but here it just seems part of the charm. The cook came out a couple times to drop off dishes and check on us. Both wonderful and friendly ladies.

Muy buena comida, la muchacha muy amable, me encanto! El rabo encendido delicioso, jugo de maracuya muy rico, y de postre flan todo muy delicioso!