Before Cuban Guys ever served a single frita, the plan was a food truck. I remember thinking the idea was genius—Cuban fast food without cutting corners on quality. But for a while, it felt like it might not happen.
Then, out of nowhere, boom—they opened the first Cuban Guys restaurant in Hialeah Gardens on January 11, 2012.
That flagship spot turned out to be just the beginning. There are now five locations across South Florida: Hialeah Gardens, Kendall, Miramar, Palmetto Bay, and Fontainebleau. And yes, they finally circled back to the original food truck idea—rolling out a truck in 2017 with a streamlined version of their menu.
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Let’s Talk Food
I still remember my first visit as I stood there pretending to consider my options, but who was I kidding? I came for the frita. Marcela went with a Cuban Bowl, and we each picked a side—yuca fries for me, and frituras de malanga for her.
The yuca fries were crisped up just right, and that dipping sauce (a mayo-ketchup mix) surprised me. I usually prefer my yuca straight, but I was glad I gave it a shot. Marcela’s bowl was stacked with black beans and rice, sweet plantains, real julienne potatoes (not those cheapy canned sticks), chopped onions, and legit vaca frita. You can sub in chicken, pork, or steak or even a frita—but why?
Her bowl was heavy in the best way. The frituras? Crunchy, salty just enough and didn’t even need a dip but yet we did.
The Classics Are Covered
They’ve kept the core menu tight since day one—Sandwich Cubano, Media Noche, Pan con Bistec, and, of course, the Frita Cubana, front and center where it belongs.
The Frita Test
Here’s how I judge a frita:
- Are the julienne fries freshly made?
- *Is it served on the right kind of Cuban roll?
- What’s under the hood—real frita meat or a disguised burger patty?
Cuban Guys checks every box. They even toast the roll. That first bite confirmed what I hoped—it’s the real deal. I asked co-owner Jorge Llapur if they’d do a frita a caballo (with a fried egg). At the time, it was not on the menu. That’s changed. You can get it now.
A more recent addition is the Havana Masita Burger with a bacon-garlic sauce, American cheese, grilled onions and a smashed mojo pork chunk on a brioche bun.
The burger explains why Cuban Guys recently switched their Frita Cubana to a brioche bun. Does it still taste good? Yes. Do I believe that they will switch it back eventually? Yes.
A Quick Breakfast Detour
I might’ve grabbed a pan con tortilla if I hadn’t already crushed one of their batidos de mamey. And yes, they serve breakfast all day. As someone who eats eggs for dinner, I respect that.
About the batido de mamey—it’s solid. If your mom or abuela isn’t making one today, this will do the trick. Plus, I eventually ate the pan con tortilla and next-leveled it by adding a couple of croquetas. So freakin’ good.
Weekly Specials You Should Know
- Monday – Pan con Lechón – $6
- Tuesday – Chicken Cuban Bowl – $7
- Wednesday – Pan con Bistec – $6
- Thursday – Pulled Pork Cuban Bowl – $7
- Friday – Frita Cubana – $4
You can’t beat that.
Quick Info – Cuban Guys Restaurant Locations
Name: Cuban Guys
Website: https://cubanguysrestaurants.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cubanguys
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CubanGuysRestaurants
| Location Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Hialeah Gardens | 3174 W 76th Street, Hialeah | (786) 882-9537 |
| Fontainebleau | 8229 W Flagler Street, Miami | (786) 933-6849 |
| Kendall | 10801 Sunset Drive, Miami | (786) 882-9420 |
| Miramar | 3496 Red Road, Miramar | (954) 420-6152 |
| Palmetto Bay | 14685 S Dixie Highway, Palmetto Bay | (786) 648-8681 |
About That Food Truck
Cuban Guys finally did launch a food truck in 2017. The menu’s smaller, but it covers all the hits: Cuban Bowls, fritas, and Pan con Bistec. If you’re looking for it, check their socials. They’re always posting up their next stop.
