Cuban Kitchen

Rainy Friday night = takeout and a movie for my husband and me. We were on our way to hit up our usual Vietnamese food place when I noticed this place was still open and I had been meaning to try it for quite a bit. I also haven’t been to a Cuban place since Bodeguita del Medio and I was looking for a more affordable place to get Cuban food, instead of waiting for a special dinner occasion. This place definitely hit the spot — each plate was around $ 10, and both of us were well fed! Comes with seasoned rice, pretty good black beans in a flavorful sauce, and a yummy fried banana. The pulled pork (lechon) is amazing — definitely have it with the guava bbq sauce that comes with it! We got another plate with pretty good mojito chicken — sauteed, marinated chicken with onions — and a aioli sauce that was ok. Felt like the chicken serving was a little smaller but overall, both plates were really filling.
Seating appears to be pretty good in quantity and very spacious. What wasn’t spacious was the parking lot — pretty cramped and right off ECR — but I guess that speaks to how popular the place was, even 10 minutes before closing. Takeout service was super efficient — they took our order as soon as we got there and were already putting the plate together. Plates come well packed in lidded containers with partitions (no mess between items!) and they bagged everything nicely (no walking out juggling a billion boxes!). In and out of there in less than 5 minutes. Overall, great food and brightened up a yucky weather Friday night.

All I have to say is: This place is DELICIOUS!
I first arrived at this place at a UYE get together with some other Unilocalers about a week ago and ever since then, I was pretty hooked with the food here. During the UYE, I ordered the veg and sofrito plate (~$ 9) which was simply delicious! Even the beans alone tasted amazing as some other restaurants would have a more plain taste to it. The yucca fries were also amazing and at good cost (~$ 3) comparing to the Peruvian restaurants that I have visited around the area (they can be $ 6-​$ 8 in those places). i liked their food so much, I had to introduce this place to my parents to which we did visited the place on the weekend.
Take it from those that have experienced actual Latin food, my parents were in love with this place as well. My mom describes the food as «homie», as like a meal that was prepared from home from a Cuban mom, which I think fits their mission statement of bringing authentic Cuban food for everyone. My dad ordered the Pollo Mojito, my mom ordered the Ropa Vieja, and I had the Bistec plate all to which are so good! I highly recommend you try this place out for some great food at a good price. My parents and I will definitely be back at this place.
To the owner: Keep it up and you guys will grow!

The cubano here is really good. The sauces for the meat are great and give it a great punch.

Went here for lunch today with my wife and baby. It was great, we really enjoyed it. It’s a casual style place, where you order at the counter, they deliver your food to the table, and then you bus your plates yourself. They do have highchairs, which was nice, and our baby was very entertained, both by the food (which she loved), and the other patrons.
We both got the Lechón (pulled pork) plates, and an order of Maduros (fried plantains). The food was very good, however, we had lived in South Florida for a year, and got a bit spoiled on the excellent Cuban food there, which is one of the few things that I’ve missed since moving. I will say that this was about as good as we’ve had in the Bay Area so far. The pork, particularly was very tasty, and fell apart just like you’d want. The beans were good, but were a bit on the mild side. The rice was plain white rice. The plantains were quite good.
The one thing that I still haven’t found is my favorite Cuban dish, Masitas de Puerco Fritas. It’s chunks of tender pork, sautéd and fried. Whoever serves this, fried plantains, and decent sangria, wins. And I’ll lose. Because I’ll be fat.
Overall, this place was really good, and we liked it a lot.

BRUHHH LIT AF [flame emoji x 3]
So I came here before and got a cubano and it was good and all, but I came back trying to get something different today.
Guy working the register asked me if I’d been there, what I’d ordered, the usual friendly convo…
He tells me there’s an off-​menu plate called the Garbage Plate, consisting of rice, beans, slow roasted pork, lemon mayo, pickled onions, sauteed red onions, and of course a bit of plantain.
After exactly zero seconds of consideration, «Alright fam, let’s do this». The plate was pretty cheap, like $ 10 – 11, and came out within a couple minutes.
I took it to go and brought it back to work and I tore into the bag to reveal strong onion smells (again, 2 types of onion up in this masterpiece). Everyone passing by my desk inquired while I made borderline NSFW «mmmm» sounds throughout the feasting session.
I just finished it before this review and I’m already planning my return.
Cuban Kitchen, we will meet again.

I feel bad for giving this place three stars because the food was realllly good, but the front of the house was inexcusably dirty. Nobody was bussing so when I went to seat myself, there were like 8 available tables but only one didn’t have dirty food plates and crumbs all over it. I’d go back, but I’d order my food to-​go.

We have had Cuban Kitchen on our list for some time and finally made it in today. We were very pleased and delighted to chat with the proprietress, Lynna Martinez, who came out to check in with us and learn our names. We had the Best Cubano and the mango habanero sliders, as well as the yuca fries. Very impressed all around. We will definitely be back to try more items!

OMG seriously this is a killer find!
With former in-​laws that are Cuban as well as friends, after living in Miami for 26 years, I KNOW good Cuban food when I find it. Cuban Kitchen is a seriously killer find! I cannot believe I am finding it in San Mateo of all places but lucky lucky me!
I ordered some of my faves:
Bistec — Steak Plate
Seasoned so perfectly and came with black beans and rice and one Maduro. I love Cuban black beans and make them myself, so I am definitely picky. The test for me in taste is would I be willing to just eat those from a restaurant and these passed with flying colors! My only complaint was that I ate them too quickly and was ever so sad when they were gone.
Yuca Fries
Crunchy on the outside, light and airy on the inside, just the way they’re suppose to be. I don’t know the name of the sauces but the green one and the white one are so perfect to dip into! YUMMY
Maduros — Fried Plantains
Boy have I missed these! Cuban Kitchen does them perfectly too! Just enough crunch to give them the perfect texture.
Sadly they were out of flan; based on my experience with the above, I’m confident I missed out.
I had delivery and everything arrived piping hot!

This is my go-​to spot for Cuban food. Their menu is small and EVERYTHING is absolutely delicious. The restaurant is clean and in a good location with a parking lot right next to the restaurant. The staff is GREAT! They are all super friendly and will help you with the menu if you have any questions. I hadn’t ever had Cuban food so wanted some recommendations. Being that I’ve come in a few times, they now remember me and I often get a snack while I wait for my order (which is rarely longer than a few minutes)
The Cubano is so tasty. I have ordered that repeatedly with a side of maduros which comes with pickled onions that are out of this world! The pulled pork plate comes with a generous amount of beans, rice and maduros. They definitely do not skimp out on the portions which is a great bang for your buck!

I love hardworking good people and yay, I am a fan! This is a small local business and I love their food. We couldn’t decide so we tried as many as we could and they were all yummy. Good size sandwiches/​plates. I love that they come with rice/​beans so no need to order unless you want extras.
Ranking the Sandwiches.
1) Yes, it is the best Cubano… comparable to what we had in Miami Beach!
2) Guava-​Habana Sliders
3) Philly Bistec
4) Fritas Spicy Chirozo
We preferred the Bistec to the Ropa Vieja but if you like meat, try them both and you decide.
Don’t forget to order the Maduros! Nice & crispy!
We didn’t get a chance to try the veggie or chicken plate, but when there’s beef or pork, they are KING!
Looking forward to a very long relationship with you Cuban Kitchen!

This place is hidden on El Camino next to Jacks Prime. you’ve likely driven past it plenty of times but never stopped in. Decided to give it a shot and thought it was okay. I haven’t decided if I will be back yet but I wouldn’t knock it off my list.
I got a Cubano sandwich (about $ 10) which either comes with a salad or rice or beans or a combination of rice and beans, which I ordered. The sandwich was pretty good and filling and served warm so it was pretty good. I found either a piece of lint or small hair on my plate after I already ate the sandwich it was on top of. so that was kind of a turn off. Hoping it was lint. My friend’s sandwich had a bunch of oil on it so that was another turn off. The beans are black beans that come with onions which tasted a little too sour for me, but I think that’s just how they make it. overall I thought it was okay. Might want to try other things if I do come back.

Legit. The best Cubano I’ve had since I was in Miami.
Very polite staff, great food. I’ll be back.

Fantastic! This is a unique taste experience on the Peninsula. The flavors literally POP. We had braised beef (ropa vieja) and mojito chicken plates. Both meats were amazing but had to compete with the existential black beans and rice. Don’t skip the sauces. Even the spicy green sauce was not overly spicy, just fun. The Cubano sandwich was also amazing. We will be back to eat in and take out.
Don’t be thrown about the casual atmosphere and El Camino location. The Cuban beats and friendly staff make it fun.

Ever since I saw the «coming soon» sign I had been anxiously waiting for this restaurant to open. I knew I would fall in love with this place.
Indeed! I have become a big fan of all their delicious meals. I introduced my colleagues to this place and they are now fans too!
Thanks Lynna to you and your family for such welcoming, and friendly service.

Delicious Cuban food. The chicken plate is tasty, with a nice flavor and tenderness to the meat. Dishes come with a side to black beans and rice. The spicy chorizo sliders were delicious and not too spicy. There is a selection of sandwiches and plates and variety of sides. We had the Yucan fries which was delicious, especially with the limonette sauce it came with. We got to sample the fried plaintain as there was a slice on the chicken plate. It was delicious and sweet. I would order a side of that in the future. I don’t know if the menu is the same for lunch and dinner. If so, that would mean great prices for dinner. Casual and bright interior dining room and sidewalk table seating too. They have a small parking lot but street parking across the street near Starbucks is usually available.

Well, they definitely nailed it with the taste of the food and if it was just that I would give it 5 stars. I’m Puerto Rican so coming to this place is like a little bit of home which there is not much around these parts.
I have tried the Mojito Chicken (delicious), the lechon (incredible) & the Cuban sandwich (okay. Needs a little bit more, something about the technique and ingredients is off). I am not a fan of back beans but this place made me love them. Their plantain maduros are right on! Even better to their comparable (at least to me) Sol Food in San Raphael. I could eat CK maduros by themselves.
The portions seem a little off. First of they give you one, just one maduros with the meal. This is odd as usually you why at least three to compliment the whole meal. Sometimes they give you a little bit of beans or a little bit of the meat, sometimes they give you a lot of meat. i don’t get it. So that is my big complaint is just portions.
I will be returning for sure!

Miami good! The lechon (pulled pork) is exquisite, the ‘best Cubano’ sandwich is also very good, and the staff is friendly & enthusiastic! This place just does a few of the most popular Cuban dishes, like sandwiches, but they do them exceedingly well. If you’re cruising El Camino Real, and looking for an authentic Cubano with just the right ham, cheese, bread & pulled pork, then pull over and try it!
Not fully staffed yet, still working out the menu, and just simple tables & chairs, so don’t expect the Ritz:). Nice improvement from the old Pantry there before. :)

Leaning toward 3.5 stars. Nice, new place on El Camino. There’s an odd clean, hygienic feel of the place due to lots of open space and this grayness and metallic touch in the open kitchen. They have IronBeer! First time I tried it and it reminded me of either a Dr. Pepper w/​a strong kick or just coke with that spice flavor. It went well w/​the meal. Now… the details of the meal:
Braised Beef (Ropa Vieja) — pretty standard fare. I got the plate version. You get your beans and rice on half the plate and the other the beef in a sauce. The amount of the beef they give you… a few strands; highly disproportionate to the amount of carbs you get. The spicy sauce they give on the side added a good kick to the meat.
If you’re really hungry and want to get more food, go for the sandwich version over the plate. You still get the rice and beans too!

Came here for lunch with the family. I was excited when I saw this open down the street from us. When I saw all the 5 star reviews I could not wait. I love a great Cuban sandwich.
It was ok… Not bad, but my Cuban sandwich was a bit dry and lacked some of the flavor. It was not terrible, but at the same time it is not something I would rush back for.
My wife summed it up best… It was the kind of food you would expect from a Cuban food truck not a physical restaurant.

Yeah, I don’t know where all these great reviews came from. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing? Ordered the Steak — Bistek sandwich to go. Check out the photo. It totally does not match the description. Where are the caramelized onions? Those crispy things? I don’t think so. The steak was also super overcooked. It was like eating a jerky sandwich. After eating my sandwich, my stomach also had a really bad reaction to the food. I had such high hopes for this place. I love Cuban food. I don’t love this place.