Cubanidad 1885
Minced Ham and Bechamel Croquette
Chicken Croquette
Cod Fish Croquette
Arroz Con Pollo
Sweet Plantain Maduros
Fried Plantain Tostones
Sweet Potato Mash Puré de Boniato
Medianoche Sandwich – Smoked Ham, Roasted Pork, Swiss Cheese, Homemade Mustard Sauce, Sweet Egg Dough Bread
Ham and Cheese Empanada
Ropa Vieja and Plantain Empanada
Sweet Coconut Pastelito / Guava and Cheese Pastelito
Tres Leches Cake
Now inhabiting the block south of Spring Mountain Road on Fort Apache since just before Memorial Day 2019, it was based on the strength of a six prior catering gigs that #supportlocal lunch was ordered from Cubanidad 1885, e-mails answered in a timely manner by Mark Snyder making catering for twenty-five simple while the portions that arrived were bountiful.
Dubbed “the Ybor Original,” locations in Tampa Bay as well as Miami highly regarded for the Cuisine of Chef Dennis Martinez Miranda, it was by one of the Restaurant’s own staff that several trays were delivered at a cost of $25, opting to skip Uber Eats and DoorDash saving Cubanidad 1885 upwards of $100 in fees.
Packing everything in temperature-controlled containers, it was with everything unpacked that staff explored flavors novel yet familiar, several Hispanics quick to praise Empanadas packed with a variety of Filings such as Beef with Plantains or Minced Ham and Cheese.
A locally-owned import, Chef Miranda’s Cuban upbringing and professional training in Venezuela followed by Miami yielding products with big flavors as well as proper technique, it is great fortune for fans of Brandade, Baccala or even “Fish Sticks” that Cubanidad’s Coquettes match the quality of those seen throughout southern Florida, the fried Plantains equally oil-free with just a touch of Salt while Maduros are tender and sweet.
Opting for roast Chicken and aromatic Rice once more, and happy to tuck-into Pork or Chicken Croquettes, it was alongside these that one Cuban employee deemed Cubanidad 1885’s Medianoche “as good as back home,” the housemade Bread standing up nicely to Smoked Ham, Roasted Pork, Swiss Cheese and Mustard Sauce.
Not about to skip Dessert, plus Puré de Boniato nearly as sweet, Tres Leches remains delicious while Pastelitos in two flavors eat light, flakey and better than those at any local Panaderia thanks to Butter-laminated Pastry nearly bursting with sweetened Coconut or Guava Jam and Cream Cheese.
N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone, Cubanidad puts on a very impressive display in terms of customer service and preparedness while the product served far outperforms the modest price point.
RECOMMENDED: Cod Fish Croquette, Minced Ham and Bechamel Croquette, Tostones, Maduros, Ham and Cheese Empanada, Ropa Vieja and Plantain Empanada, Medianoche Sandwich, Tres Leches, Guava and Cheese Pastelitio.
AVOID: Catering Orders came without serving utensils, a small detail but something to keep in mind.
TIP: Online Ordering available through all the usual suspects, but calling or e-mailing directly saves the Restaurant a lot of money and comes with free delivery within 5 miles for orders over $25.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.cubanidad1885.com
