La Taverna Cubana

Wouldn’t allow me to use my first time coupon! Don’t go here, terrible service mediocre food that will leave you unsatisfied. Don’t go.

Tried many different Cuban places, loved the food. More importantly my picky kids enjoyed the food as well. Place is kid friendly and clean.

La comida es deliciosa, yo pedí Ropa Vieja y es una de las mejores que he comido. Pedí empanadas para llevar y no me he decepcionado. Recomiendo este lugar 100% y más además la atención es un 10, muy amables todos al contrario de lo que otras opiniones dice, el servicio fue rápido. De todas maneras vamos a volver y a hacerlo nuestro restaurant cubano habitual

Had a sudden craving for a Cuban sandwich.
Unilocal led me here. 7 mins walk away and I never even knew this place existed. Got myself the media none and my roomie got the lomo salteado. Que Ricos!

Went with some friends and they seated us, waited about 10 minutes for someone to just give us menus, a friend of mine actually had to go up to the bartender to get them.
Waited another 15 and no one came to take our order or even talk to us, so we just left. Horrible service. (or complete lack thereof)
How this place had 4.5 stars is beyond me. Complete disappointment

I really wanted to like this place, since I love Cuban food so much, but it was honestly a disappointing experience.
I called in for a pickup order (8:18pm) that was estimated at 20 minutes, but upon arriving took another 15 minutes. The restaurant was pretty dead and while they had some other pick up orders, the wait time was still terrible. I got in my car to head back home at 9:08pm — so expect to wait an extra 30 minutes or so for your food.
As for meal itself, the churrasco was way salty and was only saved by using a ton of the chimichurri.
Do NOT get a cuban sandwich here — the bread was stale and hardly toasted, there was way too much cheese, and there weren’t even any pickles!
I think the best thing I had from my order was the chicken empanadas, which i ordered because they had neither croquetas nor papas rellenas available — really strange for a cuban restaurant.
To leave on somewhat of a good note, the only server around — Sofia, i believe her name is, was doing everything she could, so a personal thank you to her.
Will not be coming back.

Being from Miami, I have been around Cuban food my whole life. When I moved to LA, I realized the options to Cuban food aren’t as good. But I found this place!!! It’s sooooo good !!! And it’s a hidden gem!!! I passed by it all the time and finally decided to check it out. I don’t regret it! Super good !!

Ordered potato balls, an order of plantains, & cochinita pibil.
The food was really good! The food tastes home made. The potato balls are big and fluffy. Personally they are better than Porto’s. The cochinita was good — the meat was tender and the pickled onions on top gave it a great flavor. The food here is delicious. Also everyone was really sweet & they had a singer here singing cumbias and Musica tropical. Made me want to dance.

Im from nyc, its really hard to find food out here that can top whay im use to. This place is decent but not like home… a little better then mofongos.

Food was good. Was a little bit greasy but the service was great. It’s very clean and the waiter was very helpful and generous.

Fast service. I ordered the chicken empanadas & the breaded chicken w/​white rice /​black beans & plantains. Very flavorful and provided me with side of garlic sauce. Waitress was attentive and friendly. I will return.

I have been here twice. The food is really good. I would say order to go. They have beer and beverages from other countries. Authentic cuban for sure:)

Second time coming to this restaurant (but first time with the new name) at 11 am and the chef wasn’t there yet. You’re not «open» if you can’t serve food.
There’s a better Cuban restaurant on van nuys Blvd. By the courthouse.

Outstanding!!!
My Girlfriend and I have been considering trying out this place for a while now, and we are so glad we finally came in. I know she was very happy with her piñacolada. As she said they didn’t skimp on the rum.
We had the chicken empanadas along with the Mixtos. So delicious. We considered just popping in for these appetizers. Finally our food came. We had the Camarones Al Aijillo and Filete Pescado Dr Caribeo. They come with white rice and black beans. Which I grew up eating so off the bat I felt at home. Our stomachs grew another 4inches. And overall happy with our whole experience. I have to add this place is really clean and the service was great.

Cool little Cuban joint in the crook of a corner strip mall. It’s rough having to compare this with the last Cuban restaurant I ate at (the fantastic El Cochinito in Silver Lake), but the lechon asada here was really not very great. The flavor of the pork was fine, but it was relatively dry and tough. Somewhat disappointing. It also might’ve been my imagination, but I could swear I was smelling the acetone from the nail salon next door being wafted around by the ceiling fans.

Primera vez que venimos a comer aquí y nos gustó la comida tanto como el Servicio de Cynthia, Muy Amable !
Will come back to try more Dishes, we had the Lomo saltado & cochinita píbil, good Flavor, & so were the Beans & platanos maduros. Thanks for the Great Service Cynthia. :)

This place is hidden in a small shopping center by my office. It’s a cute little spot and the food and service is great. I always stick to the chicken plates, my favorite one was the arroz con pollo. The potato balls are LIFE!!! The waitress is very sweet and patient. This is definitely a great spot.

Food was okay but our service sucked. We asked for a mojito three times finally about 30 minutes later it came. Never once did she ask how things are. Never came around. Forgetful waitress. Then she didn’t wanna honor a 10% off for Unilocal customers. Had to show her its for first time customers. I think its all there friends posting.

It’s crazy-​the only reason I’ve made a Unilocal account and everything is because I couldn’t stand looking at all of the reviews complimenting this restaurant. I’m so mad, I can’t help but to believe that many reviews here are FAKE!
First comes first. The waitress asked us what we wanted for a drink. My mother and I ordered water and my father ordered ginger ale. However, my father was a little uncertain ordering ginger ale, because the waitress (only speaking Spanish) looked at him as if she had never heard the word, «ginger ale.» So my dad asked her, «do you have ginger ale?» just to be certain that he’ll be getting what he ordered. But guess what? The waitress comes serving (and charging) us with two WATER BOTTLES and SPARKLING WATER. Okay, so clearly, that was a little disappointing.
The food here is obviously refrigerated and served as fast food; it came out within 3 minutes we ordered it. The portions are so, so much smaller than we had expected and how it looked in pictures. In the menu, the foods that we ordered appeared to be abundant and alongside salad. But again, we were traumatized as they served us with small portions and no salad. The waitress kept insisting that the menu had to be updated as she avoided our eye contact. We believed she was lying. The quality of the food was also absolutely horrible! My dad (as a steak lover) is able to detect the quality of meat, and within a matter of seconds, he said the pork he ordered was the cheapest kind as it was completely the opposite of tender.
Finally, the waitresses are extremely rude to you as soon as they perceive you won’t ever be dining there again. Oh, also if you don’t speak Spanish, I truly recommend you to not eat here.

Good quality food, good portion sizes and friendly staff. I had the ropa vieja and my husband had the oxtail stew. We both enjoyed our dishes, but I think my choice was the best. Also their house made salsa picante is delicious!

I have been trying to get here since it was Rincon Cuba. The incosistent reviews kept me from coming. I am glad I finally did and better understand why the reviews are so diverse.
This is a TAVERNA. That means it is a neighborhood place, low key. Home cooking in a warm atmosphere. The servers were friendly and helpful. The two tonight spoke English. As a local hang out for Cubans, you are going to hear a lot of Spanish.
Taverna means it has a bar, and the TV with the ball game that goes with it, but it did not bother me. This is a lively place with people coming and going, with take out services coming in to pick up. There was a large birthday party taking up most of the restaurant. For me it was not a distraction. It added to the family feeling of the place. It is not a quiet spot for formal dining. It is a place to go to get a good simple meal in a friendly environment.
We had the Cuban Ceaser Salad. Like all the food it was plain, but fresh and good. Home cooking. Like most good home cooking there was little oil/​fat/​grease in the dishes, which is a nice relief from most restaurant food, and much of the Cuban restaurant food I have had.
The marinade (mojo criollo?) in the Roasted Chicken was present but not overpowering. The black beans also with a subtle taste, mine had the bay leaf, just as one might get at a home.
I am not a pork fan, but tried a piece of the Lechon. Moist, no fat and the same subtle citrus taste. My dinner partner who does like pork, loved it.
Each plate had a couple of pieces of platanos fritos, perfectly cooked with a hint of a crust.
We had the mojitos. They were $ 7. Like the rest of the food, uncomplicated and good.
I look forward to going back and trying some of the other items, like the Cuban sandwich.

The food is great! I recommend the garlic shrimp it’s amazing. Also try the yuca Frita, and the potato balls! If you like Cuban food it’s a must try hidden gem!

Great place. Authentic Cuban food. Their ropa vieja dish is to die for. Not to mention friendly and quick service. I’ll definitely be making this a valley village favorite :)

The food was outstanding. Loved it all and the plantains were the bomb. My husband had the oxtail stew and I tried it, delicious. Our waitress Cynthia was great, attentive but not intrusive. Loved the food, the service and the friendliness.

Love this place! My husband and I eat here at least once a month, usually more. The food is always great, the drinks cold, staff helpful and pleasant, service quick, and the atmosphere familial. They care about doing a good job. I’ve read some of the other reviews and can tell the restaurant is responding. Almost every time I’ve been to the restaurant there has been a server who speaks English and several times the manager/​owner asks how everything is. I’ve also not noticed the music too loud. We sit at the bar and are able to have a conversation and watch soccer.
I normally get their seafood dishes and the fish and shrimp are always perfectly cooked. My favorite part of every meal is always the beans and rice. We recently tried their ceviche and now I have another favorite.
The food and the restaurant help me slow down my day, enjoy the moment and meal, and warm up inside. Exactly what I am looking for.

It I went to Unilocal seeking to tame the beast within. Trying to find something indulge in something of that sort. A chaotic stomach seeking satisfaction. I thought of the Cuban torts and my search bright me to this.
Found this hidden spot real small but with big personality. I’m must say it made me want to Visit Cuba. The paintings on the wall and the little blurry picture of Cuba pulled from the web. It was quite when I was there but the music was very calming.
I ordered multiple plates of food for the family. The potato balls were quite delicious, a little to much potato than meat. I had the Cuban «classic» Torta and I was expecting so much more. Maybe that is why I was disappointed. It just didn’t feel it how people talk about it. It was real plain with ham cheese lettuce and some sauce. The bread, you could still feel added flour they sprinkled on top. Other than that the place is good and they have potential.
I must keep looking for the Cuba sandwich.

It I went to Unilocal seeking to tame the beast within. Trying to find something indulge in something of that sort. A chaotic stomach seeking satisfaction. I thought of the Cuban torta and my search brought me to this.
Found this hidden spot real small but with big personality. I’m must say it made me want to Visit Cuba. The paintings on the wall and the little blurry picture of Cuba pulled from the web. It was quite while I was there but the music was very calming.
I ordered multiple plates of food for the family. The potato balls were quite delicious, a little to much potato than meat. I had the Cuban «classic» Torta and I was expecting so much more. Maybe that is why I was disappointed. But they call it the Cuban sandwich. Which is satisfactory for the simple taste of Cuba. I’m still in search for the TORTA. Haha Other than that the place is good and they have potential.
I must keep looking for the Cuban TORTA.

Fantastic authentic Cuban food. Highlights were the cochinita pibil and ropa vieja. Café con leche also delicious. Another strip mall gem!

We enjoyed our dinner and had the bistec de palomilla and the Rabo encendido. They also play nice salsa music while your dining.

Amazing food! The staff was great and helpful. I had the Oxtail Stew and the flavors were awesome. The tail was juicy and moist. The broth flavoring mixed with the oxtail made for an amazing taste. I will definately be coming back and recommending to others.

Food is excellent! My mom had the palomillo! Beans are bomb! Our waitress was nice and friendly!

The food is incredible! I love Cuban food and this place definitely delivered. NOT only was the service warm and attentive (our server helped all 6 of us find the right food), but the ambiance was fun! Laughter and the salsa was the soundtrack of my meal. I got chuletas de cerdo calle ocho (pork chops) and it didn’t disappoint. The chuletas were topped with caramelized onions; the plate comes with white rice, black beans, and plantains *yummy*.
I reccomend this restaurant.
Ps. 1^st time check– in gets 15% off the bill

La Taverna Cubana, very very good food, everything is very fresh and they make everything in there, like the potatoes balls the yuca, Cinthia is very very nice she has a very good customer service, I
Do recommend this restaurant, love it

Really tasty. We had the potato stuffed with ground beef, the avocado salad, lechon asado, and an extra side of beans. We really enjoyed all of it, and will certainly return as it is the closest Cuban restaurant that we actually enjoyed.

I’ve been looking for a good Cuban restaurant since moving to L. A I’m from Miami, so Cuban food is kind of my life. I saw a lot of good reviews on Unilocal so I decided to try it out. Let me start by explaining what I ordered. For my main meal, I ordered Pechuga de Pollo Empanizada. I use to get this all the time at Little Havana in Miami. I didn’t there was any way to mess up this dish, but alas, they did.
The chicken was rubbery/​chewy. Let’s just say I could have gotten a better piece of battered chicken from Mcdonalds. On top of the chicken being very rubbery, the chicken itself was sitting in a pool of oil! The black beans and rice were average at best, but the beans tasted very bland… I also ordered Fried Plantain Maduros Fritos and those were pretty good. Out of everything probably the best, very tasty. For dessert, I ordered Cuban Rice Pudding Arroz con Leche and that was all right but it was nothing to really jump up and down about.
I ordered online and there was no issue there. The inside of the restaurant is fairly small, but on the outside it looks a bit sketchy, but whatever. Based on my takeout and on the food quality, I don’t know if I’ll be returning to this place. Sorry!

Exlente lugar lo recomiendo exelente servicio
Sin dudar regresare. mi familia comio agusto

Now I know why I’m not a fan of Unilocal reviews. This place had nothing but 5 star reviews, so that is the only reason I’m writing this review.
First of all, if you don’t speak Spanish DO NOT GO THERE. My wife and I on our Tuesday date night read the reviews and decided to go. Walk into blaring Cuban music… which was eventually turned down after my wife got up to ask. BTW we were the only people in the restaurant and we didn’t see anyone that looked like the owner once. You’d think a small neighborhood restaurant the owner would come out to check on the only customers in the place. He should have because our waitress, very sweet and polite, didn’t speak a word of English, so she couldn’t answer our questions. Which was the least of it.
Ordered chicken soup — not anything I’d try again. My wife got a pork sandwich… just pork on beard. Nothing special. and not as good as Porto’s. I ordered the tomato salad thinking I’d get some kind of marinated salad. Lettuce, sliced tomatoes (not in season), and onion. That’s it. I had to ask for dressing… I asked for Italian, I got bottled ranch and caesar.
Okay, so, maybe the Salmon I ordered will be good. We wait and wait. I’ve eaten about as much of the salad as I can take, and my wife and I picked through her sandwich and the soup. Still no Salmon. When the waitress comes around again (remember no else is in the place), I ask for it to go… I had enough of the music, even if it was turned down. Turns out SHE NEVER UNDERSTOOD ME WHEN I ORDERED MY MAIN DISH. No Salmon for you… you’d think that someone would wonder why a grown man is only eating a tomato salad for dinner.
We left disappointed, but our bill was lighter then I planned. Told the guys in the kitchen, who were clueless about their only customers in the place. I went home and eat leftover Chinese from Dragon St. We love that place!!!
I feel a little sorry about writing this, but someone has to tell it like it is.

4 stars for food, another for the Unilocal deal (15% off!) and service.
Got the tostones sampler and chicken and beef empanadas to start. Tostones were huge, well fried and had ample toppings. Don’t waste your time on the meat ones, the cerviche one was outstanding. Empanadas were delicious, just enough lard in the crust for great flavor and texture. Got the ropa Viejas, super tender and flavorful. Gambas al ajillo were underwhelming as they weren’t very flavorful. Well be back to try the sandwiches and pork entrees. Oh and the horchata was nice and milky, with just a touch of cinnamon.

Great lunch. You park in a non-​descript strip mall, enter the restaurant and you re in little Havana. Everything is authentic and unpretentious. I had the Ajiaco Soup, just fantastic as was ropa vieja. The mammay smoothie also scored high.
Many traditional Cuban dishes done with care. Don’t miss it.
Great vibe, welcoming spirit. Attentive service. Live salsa on Tuesday nights. And open late most nights as well.

Hacia tiempo que no comia una comida tan buena que no fuera hecha por felicidades por tan excelente sabor del cocinero Lazaro gracias por tan buena atención de los empleados