Pipo’s Cafe

Do yourself a favor and don’t come here. If you want Cuban food, you can get it anywhere in Tampa for about the same or less than the price of food here.
I’ve been here twice just so I could justify not returning for anything. The first time I had a Cuban — worst Cuban of my life. Bland, the inside of the sandwich was cold, nothing to rave about. I don’t think I even finished my sandwich.
The second time I came, I had a dinner plate of white rice and pulled pork. I can’t say anything good about my entire meal except the maduros (plantains) I got on the side. Oh, and my fountain drink was refreshing. The pernil (pork) was so bland. The rice was hard. The beans had no flavor. I feel like they add salt instead of using actual spices and it’s very detrimental to the taste.
Save your $ 10 or $ 15 and go elsewhere.

I’m no expert on Cuban food, but I had a bowl of the pork at it was so simple and delicious and filling. The green beans were good too (but I’m from WVA, I like my green beans cooked to shit). The employees were friendly as well. I like that they have the side case of salads, too. I had a bite of my husbands Cuban, and I definitely like them hot and melts, but, I’ve never had one in FL before, so maybe this is the authentic way? I don’t know, but I’m def becoming a regular when I move here.

Just had a Cuban sandwich here and it was awesome. The bread was just so damn good. The plantains were also excellent. I’m no expert on Cuban food, but everything I had was really good.

Tried to look past the poor service I always received here in the past and gave them a shot after taking a break for a few months, food initially tasted great until I found pieces of tin foil in my food !!

People were served breakfast that had ordered after me. I waited for over 30 mins for food that never came. Finally went up and said to make it to go because I had to leave. 15 mins later, 45 mins after ordering a simple egg breakfast Got in car rushing to next place w no time to eat, open it up and order is wrong on top of it!!! Eggs cooked wrong, forgot my side. Had to go to my meeting w out eating. Wasted my money, they didn’t offer to comp anything or apologize for skipping me or not making my food. Looked confused that I would be upset that I didn’t get to eat a meal that I paid for before my meeting! Terrible service!!! They just don’t care…

Delicious Café’ con Leche and it goes amazing with a Cuban Breakfast Sandwich. Very friendly staff.
Quick service. Parking can be somewhat of a challenge but well worth it!

Love this place the food is so good. Prices are decent and the portions and good. Try the Cuban sandwich. Won’t be disappointed

The food is average. If you can get over the terrible service. Tables are always dirty. Staff looks at you like you’re an asshole constantly. My mother keeps making us all go back for some unknown reason. This is literally my experience every time.

This is a local place. I had no idea where to stand and order, if I was supposed to grab a tray? The women behind the counter seemed annoyed and not quite helpful. My Cuban sandwhich was cold in the middle and they forgot the pickles :-(

Very average breakfast. There’s certainly better options in the area. I got the French toast, but my friend liked his breakfast Cuban.

I used to love Pipo’s in the 1990’s, when they were rated as best Cuban food in the Tampa area. Now the one on McDill is the only one left, and it is actually under a different owner than the original Pipo’s. The other Pipo’s are now Holy Hog BBQ’s (see review on Holy Hog).
I stopped by the McDill Pipo’s because of the memories I had of succulent, juicy Mojo pork… one of my favorite dishes! It is still good (not as good as I remember… but nothing is ever as good as memory makes it, right?) The Lechon Asado was indeed juicy, tender and had that wonderful mojo criollo flavor. Rice was good, Black beans were good, and the side of Platanos I ordered were very good.
Service was good, basic cafeteria style service… no issues
Building was under construction inside… which is never great… but why give a negative to that, when they are trying to make the place better? Parking is minimal. but doable.
As far as «real cubans don’t eat here» or «Teresita is better»? I know several «real» Cuban’s that still eat here… and like it (I use to work with a couple of them). Teresita is good… and I enjoy it, but I am not a real fan of the diner barstool experience you get there presently. We all have things we like and don’t like, right?
As far as Pipo’s goes… food is good, and is very reasonable. Recommended!

Key points:
–Service is horrendous
–Insulation in the dining area
–Awfully slow service
–Just go to La Teresita (might be busy, and ladies with heavy English accents, but atleast they try to be quick, courteous, and provide service)
Came here based on location and hunger. There was construction inside, still not a reason to allow debris and insulation into dining area (against code?). Ladies were extremely rude. It was like no one wanted to take an order, what’s the point of working? Lady speaking Spanish in between taking my order (I actually am fluent in Spanish so I can understand your snarky remarks). Another younger black lady takes my order, it’s 10:41 and I ordered breakfast – bad idea breakfast ended only 11 minutes earlier (10:30). Orders a cuban, young lady rolls her eyes, tells the spanish speaking lady who then puts up the ticket (didn’t know you needed a production line to make an order?). Couldn’t pay right away because the cash register was being closed/​reopened. Was told I’ll have to wait for a Cuban sandwich, guess what I waited atleast 10 minutes… no Cuban sandwich yet? Stood in line again to ask about my sandwich, young lady on the phone taking orders while 2 other Spanish speaking ladies gossiped and walked around. Let’s just say I’m being nice when I say the staff was unprofessional, rude, nonexistent, or just horrendous attitudes/​manners. I’d recommend other places for breakfast or Cuban food. Plus prices can be lowered for quality.

This restaurant doesn’t even deserve one star. Worst service/​food I’ve ever experienced.
I was appalled by the rudeness of the employees. While ordering, the woman taking my order walked away in the middle of me speaking 3 different times.
Usually you can’t go wrong with ordering a Cuban sandwich right? Wrong! This was the coldest, blandest, grossest Cuban I’ve ever had.
My husband got a mojo pork sandwich which was only bland pork on Cuban bread. No dipping sauce. Awful!
I wish I could’ve complained to someone but I know none of the people working there would care.
They also should be reported for child labor because a 5 year old is cleaning all the tables and doing other small tasks.
I have no idea how this place is still in business but I know I’m never going back.

Authentic cuban food at an affordable price. Cafeteria-​like style with a casual atmosphere. Perfect for a hearty And delicious Hispanic meal that is ready to eat without any wait time.

I know a lot of people, including my husband, that absolutely love this place. As a vegetarian, I can’t review the whole menu, but usually at places like this I can get some amazing black beans and rice or a good breakfast sandwich. I have to say that I agree with what someone else said, there is no spice to any of the food that I have tried. I never end up finishing my food and always leave feeling unsatisfied. Every time my husband drags me there, I try to give it another chance, but each time is more disappointing than the last.
I might feel differently if I was a coffee drinker and meat-​eater.

The Café con Leche is amazing here, and the reason I keep coming back. For food — I’ve had their breakfast sandwiches, which are great, and their biscuits and gravy, which are completely flavorless.
I come here just for the Café con Leche some mornings, but I wish they could work out their ordering system. Whether you’re ordering food or just coffee, the line is the same. Sometimes I walk in and immediately walk back out when I see the long food line because I don’t have time to wait for just coffee! It would be great if they could have a line solely dedicated to just coffee/​beverage orders.
Also, though the Café con Leche is usually delicious, it is inconsistent depending on who made it that morning.

I love a Cuban style breakfast. I can’t get the type of breakfast I got in Miami, but this is serviceable.
The sandwiches are okay, a long omelette on Cuban bread is a regular meal, this was not memorable. The bread portions they serve with breakfast are a little skimpy. They give you a nice bowl of grits.
The service is semi cafeteria. The ladies will bring your orders and clean up though. What’s good is they can make a good cup of Cuban coffee. Some places can’t hack that.

They had Decent sandwiches and good service. Normal prices for a lunch Cuban sandwich. They have enough seating for one or a small crowd.

The only people who eat at Pipo’s Cuban Café are non-​Cubans. That should tell you everything you need to know right there about this substandard restaurant, but I will share some more details.
The food in general is like eating the food at a school cafeteria or nursing home: bland, overcooked, stewing in water for hours, generally gross.
The employees are rude and indifferent. They could care less about you or your order.
The only redeeming qualities about this place are that it has a good location, it’s a big restaurant, and it has decent parking.
But if you want REAL, good Cuban food, head over to West Tampa and give West Tampa Sandwich Shop a try.
Unless you are in the mood for hospital food. If that’s the case, Pipo’s is the place to go.

I love Pipo’s! Great service, good prices, and lots of food. Sure, the place isn’t beautiful, but does it need to be? The Cuban food is good. It’s not the best I’ve ever tasted, but it’s still tasty.
I had leftovers from Pipo’s and they still warmed up well and tasted just as good as they did when I ate at the restaurant, so I’ll consider this place a win.