December 27, 2005
Comida Cubano Atlanta
When my daughter and her husband moved to Atlanta and I was ready to pay them a visit, I went online in search of local Cuban restaurants. It turned out there were several.
Based on a couple of recommendations we went to Las Palmeras, it was very good. Located in a quiet mostly residential neighborhood, they have a full menu, and great service. I ordered the chicken special, my daughter, being a light eater ordered a few sides, while my son-in-law ordered a Pan Con Bistec. My meal was delicious as were the assorted sides my daughter ordered. Son in law Joe however, while insisting that his sandwich was good, said it didn't compare to the Cuban place where he ate lunch on a regular basis. I promised that on my next visit that's were we would go.
So, last week my daughter and I had lunch at the Havana Sandwich Shop on our way to the airport and my flight home. It's a family place, a warm inviting hole in the wall. You place your order at the deli-style counter, are given a number, you find a seat and wait. They were very busy; both with the late lunch crowd and people picking up take out orders. While we were waiting for our food I found one of the owners, the very gracious Debbie Benedict, introduced myself, and obtained permission to take photos.
There is nothing like a good Cuban sandwich, full of flavorful filling, on authentic Pan Cubano, golden and toasty, just the right amount crunch. One of my favorite dishes is Picadillo, so I couldn't resist ordering the combo plate, a half sandwich, served with black bean soup and yellow rice. I also ordered a turkey sandwich for later on the plane. Joe was right, it was wonderful. The Picadillo was bursting with flavor inside the perfectly toasted bread, made fresh on the premises. The yellow rice was just the way I like it, peas included.
While not a full service Cuban restaurant, you can get almost any traditional dish here you would like. Besides about 15 different sandwiches including the traditional Cuban, Turkey, Pan Con Lechon, even Medianoche on sweet egg bread, you can also get a number of dinner plates, Arroz Con Pollo, Milanesa, Boliche, Bistec, and every side dish imaginable. The only thing missing that I would have liked is La Frita, why are they so hard to find? All in all, pretty good for Atlanta. If you find yourself in this great Southern City and want some good down home Cuban food check out the Havana Sandwich Shop, located at 2905 Buford Highway, 404-636-4095. Bring your appetite, portions are very generous.
Location courtesy Yahoo Maps
Thanks to Scott, the correct phone number is 404-636-4094.
Posted by Ziva at December 27, 2005 07:41 PM
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Comments
Another good authentic Cuban restaurant in Atlanta is COCO LOCO located in Buckhead, near Lenox Mall.
Coco Loco is a family owned full service restaurant with great food and good "cuban atmosphere"
There is a thriving Cuban community in Atlanta and more than a few Cuban restaurants serving cuban sandwiches and cafe con leche.
Posted by: carmen at December 27, 2005 09:25 PM
Thanks Carmen, that one will be on my list for the next trip.
Posted by: ziva at December 27, 2005 09:32 PM
So soon después de la comedera de Nochebuena and we continue to about food. I guess it is not just any food, it is Cuban food. The only thing that I would change in a Cuban sandwich is the mustard, I prefer Dijon. But nothing beats a Medianoche sandwich for breakfast with un buen café con leche. The sweet bread makes it all happen!
Posted by: Orlando at December 27, 2005 11:02 PM
Wish these'd been around when I was sent to Atlanta in '74 to undergo job training! I was part of a group of trainees put up in the Howell House hotel on Peachtree street; some of us called it the "Howell Horrors." Frankly, was homesick for Miami - but at least was gratified to find a little Cuban-owned bodega within walking distance...and thanks to this "bodeguita," introduced my at the time Mississippi girlfriend to Cuban cooking, which she claimed to enjoy - despite what I consider to be mediocre cooking skills, on my side.
The owners of the bodeguita would tease me about my Miami homesickness - after a while, whenever I'd come in to buy Cuban culinary supplies, they'd greet me with "Aqui esta el que mas le gusta Atlanta! (Here's the one who most likes Atlanta!)"
Posted by: Alberto Quiroga at December 28, 2005 06:57 AM
Best...post...ever from Ziva. We need more food porn here on Babalu. Readers demand it! Thanks.
Posted by: j.scott barnard at December 28, 2005 10:53 AM
Alberto
This Cuban grocery store in Atlanta...was it Diaz Market?? do you remember??
They were the only Cubans back then with a grocery store and pan cubano!
Posted by: carmen at December 28, 2005 10:59 AM
Carmen - it rings a bell...it was not far from the Howell House, down Peachtree - I think it was Diaz Market. Thanks for reawakening some of my long-dormant brain cells! That's where I got what was needed to make passable picadillo con arroz y frijoles negros. But a good Cuban restaurant in Hotlanta back then woulda been the icing on the cake!
Posted by: Alberto Quiroga at December 28, 2005 11:36 AM
j.scott. barnard-LOL, and here I've been researching, writing, editing, work, work, work, and I all have to do is order food and snap a photo? Now this sounds like a plan! Thanks
Posted by: ziva at December 28, 2005 11:59 AM
Bienvenidos a Atlanta!
I've never been to Las Palmeras, but I have been going to Havana Sandwich Shop ever since I came to Atlanta in 1995 - having just come from Cuba at the time, it felt good to go there-
Si necesitan algo, estoy a su servicio! I live in Gwinnett County-
Posted by: nurian at December 28, 2005 12:50 PM
Diaz foods could be it...right now most publixes (I never wrote publix in its plural form) have the regular Cuban bread that comes in a clear plastic bag.... and some have another kind of Cuban bread that comes in a white paper bag, which tastes a little bit more authentic-
Posted by: nurian at December 28, 2005 01:00 PM
I'm green with envy....no Cuban restaurant around for me, except my own kitchen.....
Posted by: adriana at December 28, 2005 02:36 PM
Hey Nurian
If you live in Gwinnett County, you must go to the Cuban Restaurant on Jimmy Carter Blvd...I have not been there but my friends tell me it is a HIT!!
I will find out more details...
In the 1990's Atlanta had over 12,000 Cubans! don't forget that the late Roberto Goizueta was one of the first Cubans in Georgia as the CEO of Coca Cola Company.
Posted by: carmen at December 28, 2005 09:36 PM
What a great tip! My sister and I will be traveling to Atlanta next month on business. We will definitely check out one of your recommendations.
Posted by: Rachel at December 28, 2005 10:43 PM
Carmen,
What restaurant?.... I live in Gwinnett, but north west- JCB is gwinnett south east- not that it matters...I'm a real estate agent so I pretty much drive all around-
Posted by: nurian at December 29, 2005 10:04 AM
Is there ANYPLACE in Washington, D.C. where they serve legitimate Cuban food? I don't mean one of those over-priced, fancy places where they serve you tiny portions; I mean a place where the bistec palomilla practically hangs over the side of the plate.
Posted by: D. Carter at December 29, 2005 10:52 AM
Nurian..
I will call and find out where it is on Jimmy Carter Blvd...I believe is not too far from I-85 (you know most of that area is called Jalisco Park now..)
Posted by: carmen at December 29, 2005 12:07 PM
Correction on phone number for the Havana Sandwich Shop:
404-636-4094 not 4095.
If you call the 4095 number, you will get someone who is "no Bufor' Higway - Lawren'ville Highway"
If you call the correct number (4094) you will get someone who will immediately hand the phone to the owner if you are speaking English.
The nearest cross street is North Druid Hills.
Posted by: Scott at December 29, 2005 03:24 PM
Great post, Ziva!
Posted by: A.M. Mora y Leon at December 30, 2005 05:50 AM
carmen,
LOL con lo de jalisco park- no sabia que asi le decian...pero ahi me trajiste recuerdos de cuando me llevaban a J P cuando era chiquita :)
Posted by: nurian at January 3, 2006 12:28 PM
