Cubanos Fil-Cuban Cantina

Maan Bernardino

3.0

Inspired by the movie “Chef”, this dining place tries to deliver you Cuban inspired food that is made for Filipino palate. Please note the word “inspired” as stated previously, for you would understand later as to why I say so.This was my 1st website event after a long time and was really excited to see familiar faces, if possible. Such was not the case in this scenario but it was nice knowing and meeting new faces. The people I got to share table with were good in expressing their thoughts about the food served to us that day.Served to us to try and enjoy were the following:Good Morning CubaLemon Pepper WingBBQ d EloteClassic Cubano SandwichCubano Filipino SandwichPeri-peri InasalFidel Cuban RibsPlenty? With 4 of us sharing, this was just a walk in the park. Alone, then it would be near coma. HeheheheThe Good Morning Cuba is a dish that consist of shredded longanisa, 2 sunny side-up egg, salsa and some pita bread. It was a wonderful dish for it somehow reminds you of our own sisig. What makes this dish a wonder is the salsa and when you add a dash of chimichanga. It was a good start. Period.I love lemon! And the Lemon Pepper Wings were good! If you don’t like lemon then use the dip to control the lemony taste.And this is the point where it went on a slide.Their BBQ D Elote is simply sweetness from the corn and the butter brushed onto it. It is like finding a needle in a haystack for that herb rub. If you have a sweet tooth then this dish is a good starter for you. This is sweetcorn made sweeter and buttery.The Classic Cubano Sandwich was an inspired creation based on the movie “Chef” and the Cubano Filipino Sandwich is simply a twist of the classic making it pinoy. Those are sandwiches and we all love sandwiches. I like it but I feel that there is something missing especially with the Classic Cubano. A different cheese flavor perhaps? The Cubano Filipino Sandwich has lechon slices and pulled lechon meat, so it is a double dose of lechon goodness. What bothers me is the state of the skin of the lechon, it was part crunchy-part tough. And that sweetness in every bite.The Peri-peri Inasal is a good dish in terms of flavor and smoky goodness. A little consistency on the cooking and it would have been a perfect dish every time it is served. Let us be conscious on it for this is the hardest part of the chicken whenever cooked.The Fidel Cuban Ribs is a sweet rib that slides off the bone. The meat has its natural sweetness, add the glaze then the final brush before serving and what you have is sweet + sweet + sweet in every bite. I have nothing against sweet food but this is edging on near too much sweetness level after having sweetness in every bite from the elote.The place looks good and is comfy. They provide bag hooks under each table for those with hand bags, making it spacious per table. The design is pleasing and calm to the eyes. They even have an outside sitting for those who smokes (Thank You!). You can clearly see the source of inspiration from the design of the place. This has future, but they need to adjust their flavors.

Eli Topia

4.0

We had a website event recently at a newly opened restaurant in City Golf Compound: Cubanos. Cubanos Fil-Cuban Cantina is a blend of great flavors from both Filipino and Cuban cuisines. The inspiration came from the Cuban sandwich called cubanos and its Hispanic history. "Both cuisines have so much in common and we just really combined both to fit the Pinoy taste."

Aldi Dirmansyah

3.0

A rainy weekday did not stop me from going all the way to Pasig to check out Cubanos. Located in an area that I have never been to before, I braved the traffic just to try this place out. I love Latin American food and a sponsored dinner - Cubanos x website - is a definite yes in my schedule.  . Cubanos Fil-Cuban Cantina, Pasig

NUR HIZAMI JALUDIN

3.0

Me-An and I are an adventurous couple when it comes to a lot of things like food that is why we were very happy when we were invited by website to try out the newest venture of the people behind Tipsy Pig Gastropub’s dishes: Chef Jared Sto. Tomas and Chef Rainer Barbers. Meet Cubanos Fil-Cuban Cantina, a fusion of well-loved Filipino dishes and Cuban cuisine that you rarely see in a restaurant.

Steph

3.0

Meet Cubanos Fil-Cuban Cantina, a fusion of well-loved Filipino dishes and Cuban cuisine that you rarely see in a restaurant. I don't have much idea about Cuban cuisine except that it's a distant cousin of Mexico and they are known for their Cuban sandwiches. That alone gave me a reason to be excited about it. The highlights of our dining experience were the following:1) GOOD MORNING CUBA - This is their take on the famous Philippine sisig. Homemade chorizo cooked in sisig style was drizzled with sour cream on top, served with sunny side eggs, salsa, soft flour tortilla on the side. By itself, it tasted just like a plain, grounded chorizo with egg. However, when everything was mixed and wrapped in the tortilla, it tasted amazingly delicious. This comforting dish can also be ordered with rice instead of the soft flour tortilla.2) LEMON PEPPER WINGS - Seven pieces of wings glazed with lemon butter sauce served with garlic aioli mayo (pepper) sauce on the side. It might look dry but it was actually a bit oily which was unnecessarily a bad thing. The lemon flavor was prevalent in the crispy and juicy chicken but the sourness was just right. Dipping it in the garlic aioli sauce though cancels out the lemon flavor. 3) CLASSIC CUBAN - It is roasted pork farmer's ham, pickles, Swiss cheese, and cheddar cheese on Cuban bread, served with fries on the side. The sandwich tasted sweet and savory with some sharpness because of the yellow mustard. I liked the way the melted cheese was mixed with the meat. 4) HALF RACK FIDEL'S CUBAN RIBS- These babies are tender pork ribs smothered with sweet and spicy sauce served with corn and rice. Between the two flavors, I would say that this is more spicy than sweet. The sauce is more or less the same sauce that was used on the ribs themselves. Overall, the ribs taste delicious and is a really good value for money dish. Overall, Cubanos with its new fusion cuisine is a great bang for the buck restaurant. What you may also want to know is that Cubanos is not only a great hang out place at night, but it can also be a good place for a heavy lunch. Yes, Cubanos is open for lunch. We'll definitely come back to try out some of their other dishes that piqued our curiosity specifically the Bulgogi Cubano and Liempo ni Gringo.

Oguzdeveci88

5.0

I am not really familiar with Cuban cuisine; there aren't a lot of Cuban restaurants in Manila that I know of. So when one of my college best buddies invited me to try her brother's newest restaurant venture serving Cuban-Filipino fusion cuisine, I was pretty excited about it especially that I will finally be able to taste Cuban cuisine for the first time with two of my best college buds.

Irvin Bautista

4.0

We've been eyeing to try this resto since their sign went up last month and happy to say that we were not disappointed. :) just newly opened last June 8, this place is still obviously sorting out some kinks thus the soft opening sign outside it's doors. Ambiance, I love it!!!! Their interiors are very very nice considering the menu price. Hubby commented that he was actually pleasantly surprised when he saw that some of the food are very very affordable. He assumed that for the interiors, beers would cost around P79, but lo & behold, it was an affordable P53/bottle.Food we literally gorged. After going around Home Depot for 2 hours we were starved! My son chose their Fil-Cubano (P238) for his entrée & hubby & I shared a Polo Inasal (P220) For appetizers, we got calamares, sigarilyos chorizo, kamote fries, fries, corn d'amote. Kamote fries is just an affordable price of P30 while fries (real cut ones) was just P45. Talk about value for money!!!! Their corn is highly recommended too (P58), in any Cuban resto I go to, their take on grilled corn is a must try. This heavy-weight meal (with beers) was just P1052 for 3 people... 3 very stuffed people.Service was good but they can still improve. Kitchen was however obviously still finding their groove, so be prepared to receive your orders one at a time. But overall it was a good experience & we will definitely go back for more! :)

Joey Talle

3.0

I went here because I love Cubanos! They had quite a variety of Cubanos to choose from. I decided to try their Classic Cubano since that's usually the one I enjoy in other restos. We also had their Fil-Cuban Skillet Nachos and Chorizo Rice. I definitely had to pair this meal with a bottle of Super Dry. Hehehehe!I enjoyed the nachos the most. Everything went well together, from the shredded caldereta meat to the crispy chorizo and your usual nachos toppings. I do think it would be better if the nacho chips were actually whole. The top chips were whole but under the top layer, everything was crushed. I had to eat it with a spoon. I asked one of the servers if it's really supposed to be like that. She hesitated and then said yes.The Chorizo Rice was pretty good too. It was basically rice with chorizo bits mixed into it. It can serve as a meal on its own. It was odd that they served it to us in a paper bowl. Everything else was not disposable. I can't see a reason for not serving the rice in an actual bowl too. Sadly, the Classic Cubano was a disappointment. The bread wasn't toasted like most places usually serve it. The pickles they used were sweet pickles... which really shouldn't go inside any sandwich... ever (except Jollibee burgers). Lastly, the pork had so much fat in it. I had to open up my sandwich and cut out all the fat. 😭I understand they were on soft opening during my visit. It was quite odd though that when we entered, there were no servers around to greet us or attend to us. We picked a seat and sat down. After a minute or 2, we actually stood up and got a menu at the counter. Then a server came out! Later on there were at least 4 servers around. Where were they when we arrived? 😁 I do have to say that the place looks nice! Modern looking but with the mexican/cuban touch. The art on the walls were also fun to look at. I also liked the hanging lights. 😊 The place was very clean too!Although this experience wasn't the best, I do want to go back to try their more creative/fusion cubanos. Hopefully, when I go back, they will no longer be on soft opening and the experience will actually be better!

Hazel Paras

3.0

I think this is the first ever Cuban sandwich place in Manila. As it was walking distance from my flat I went to try it. The good: the sandwiches. Just get the sandwiches. The Filipino Cuban sandwich is EXCELLENT. It's got crispy pork belly and pulled pork. Dip it in the sweet soy on the side. Crunchy. Unhealthy. Delicious. The bad: the skillet nachos. Too gooey and salty. And way too much cheez whiz. And the service is slow. Took them forever to get our bill. I will come back for the sandwiches!

Dea Ganda Koncara

4.0

I have never tasted a more perfect mix, this FILIPINO MEXICAN MIX IS SO AMAZING AND SO MOUTH WATERING. It's main ingredient is LECHON and the style of cooking is Mexican. I really loved their FIL-CUBANO DISH! It was super amazing, I have never tasted an real cuban sandwich but I hope that when I do, it'll taste as good as this one!