4 out of 5 stars

Tropical Picken Chicken really buoyed my spirits on yet another dramatic Monday at the office. Nothing really satisfies tension-filled hunger like some carby rice and beans, some fried plantains, and some amazingly flavorful grilled chicken. And that’s what I had, folks. Normally the combos come with choice of two sides but I had a killer craving for all three so I ordered a side of plantains to accompany my rice and beans. They also came with a cute little roll.

Aside from chicken, the options include roast pork, ribs, steak, and even shrimp or tilapia. Counter service is offered with some eating space inside, but I took mine to go. I also had to stop at Daylight Donuts next door to bring back dessert. Not that I even remotely had room for all this mind you. But it’s good to have lots of options to give yourself a carb-induced coma on a Monday afternoon.

View Larger Map

4 out of 5 stars

I have been missing Cuban food since we moved here from Florida so Glen and I headed over to try out Carmen’s. We got a reservation on Friday night and experienced very good service – food came out very quickly and drinks were attentively refilled. The short story is that this was delicious but I’ve had better Cuban food in Florida.

I ordered my usual, palomilla steak, which is a flattened steak served with onions, and a side of black beans and yellow rice and plantains. My steak was very thin and a bit tough, and also a bit greasy compared to what I am used to. The plantains were excellently crispy on the outside and smooshy on the inside but a bit lukewarm. I loved the beans, they were definitely homemade with delicate herb and meat flavorings. I wolfed down my meal, despite initial disappointment with the steak.

Glen had Bistec Empanizado which is a breaded sirloin. He absolutely loved his steak and he ate everything on his plate. He was also thrilled that Carmen’s had Cuban coffee. He had that and I had a cafe con leche as we enjoyed our desserts, coconut flan and tres leches cake. It was a great conclusion and we were totally stuffed. It was also nice that we used a restaurant.com gift certificate so we saved some money.

Carmen’s Cuban Cafe
108-D Factory Shop Rd
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 467-8080

5 out of 5 stars

Havana – Best Cuban in town?

I can't say this definitively because I haven't been to Don Ramon's, but Havana is awesome cuban food, the best! Havana always has consistently good food, whether you order at the window, or have a full seated meal. The lemonade is amazing, all the fruit juices are freshly squeezed. The palomilla steak is my favorite, a beaten steak with onions, all marinated with lime. I try to bring out of town guests here to get a taste of Cuban food before they go back home. And I can't go for long without that garlic cuban bread they give you before each meal, buttery toasted and pressed…

Read the rest of this entry »