Cuban Food and Latin Food Restaurants: Florida Cafe, Las Vegas

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"Three Guys From Miami Cook Cuban" and "Three Guys From Miami Celebrate Cuban"

Jorge: You REALLY have to be looking for Cuban food in Las Vegas to find the Florida Café.

Glenn: It's pretty far off of the beaten track, in this case the famous Las Vegas Strip.

Jorge: Maybe if you and that special someone are tying the knot here -- there are several of those 24-hour wedding chapels located nearby!

Glenn: The Florida Café is not easy to find, but once you get here the trip is worth it.

Raúl: The owners help you along with their advertising -- you'll see their signs at just about every bus stop on the Strip. The restaurant is attached to the Howard Johnson's Motor Hotel. Enter the parking lot through the archway that faces Las Vegas Boulevard -- there's plenty of free parking in the back.

Glenn: The Florida Café is actually located in an area that is filled with great little hole-in-the-wall restaurants. If you like to eat and are adventurous -- as we are -- this is the place to go.

Raúl: There is a very good barbecue place near here.

Glenn: Two great ways to start your meal -- an order of croquetas de jamón (ham croquettes) and a fresh avocado salad.

Jorge: They serve their croquetas in a unique way here -- on a slice of ham and melted cheese, a very nice touch.

Florida Café has an ornate bar in the front room. You can eat at the bar or enjoy a Cuban beer.

Jorge: Our biggest surprise was the quality of the Cuban bread. We really didn't expect to find any Cuban bread in the middle of the desert.

Glenn: The bread, although not exactly Miami style, does make for a great Cuban sandwich here, a generous amount of meat and cheese perfectly toasted on the plancha until the cheese is gooey.

Jorge: The menu is large, with all of the traditional favorites.

Glenn: You can select your side dishes here, and in addition to the standard frijoles negros and rice, be sure to try some yuca frita or tostones. Both are made hot and fresh.

Raúl: They also serve Cuban pizza with the toppings I like including tasajo, bacalao, and ropa vieja.

Jorge: Save room for the helados Cubano, Cuban-style ice cream. Especially nice to have on a hot day in the Nevada desert!

Masitas de puerco fritas (fried pork pieces) are a stand out.

Glenn: I sent my sister and her husband in here a few months ago to try out their breakfasts, and they were very surprised how good they were.

Raúl: So stop in some morning for the Cubano or Croqueta Breakfasts.

HOURS: Open daily 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM

PRICES: The prices are reasonable, many entrees in the $10 to $15 range. Sandwiches at $6.99. Breakfast $7.50 to $8.50.

DRESS: Casual

BAR: Beer and Wine

CARDS: Visa and MasterCard

Glenn: The bistec de palomilla is especially flavorful. It is so easy to ruin this thin-cut steak, but they know what they are doing in the kitchen here. Ours was fork tender with just the right amount of mojo infused flavor.

Jorge: The pollo de la plancha, a thin chicken breast was cooked to perfection. It is so easy to overcook this dish. This was one of the best we've had in a long time, tender and juicy!

Glenn: Served with a cup of frijoles negros, this makes a great lunch or dinner for just $10.95.

Jorge: The pollo asado is a popular dish here and rightfully so. The chicken has that deep flavor that comes from slow roasting, a tender juicy serving of chicken spiked with garlic.