We haven’t been eating out much lately, mostly because both Loren & I caught a nasty little cold.  Chicken soup, the occasional take out, and the couch were about as far as either of us wanted to go.  But, now we’re back among the living and had a quick lunch at Cuban Breezes.

Loren got the masitas with a side of ultimate rice and beans.

Tender and tasty as always.  I went for a mahi Cuban with a side of rice & beans.

The mahi was pretty thick today which made the sandwich a little difficult to eat.  It just kept wanting to fall out of the Cuban bread.  Nonetheless, it was cooked perfectly and with a side of rice and beans filled me right up.  Total bill with a drink was $21.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W. Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

We ate dinner at Cuban Breezes.  Luckily we got there just as the crowd started coming in, so we didn’t have to wait for a table.  I know they’re usually busy at lunchtime, but I didn’t realize they were so busy on weekend nights as well.   Loren started off with the soup they had on special, the caldo gallego.

It was a Cuban bean soup with lots of good flavors and ingredients.   He also got the mahi wrap.

I’ve always thought Cuban Breezes had really good mahi and tonight’s lived up to the reputation.  They just cook it very well; it’s never dry and always tastes fresh.   I got the fricase de pollo.

This is one of my favorite dishes here.  Flavorful chicken, potatoes, herbs, and spices with rice and a side of beans.  There was enough for two on the plate and I ended up bringing half of it home.  I love the mix of flavors in this dish.  Total bill with a drink was $25.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W. Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

You really don’t wanna know how often we eat at Cuban Breezes.  We can’t help it, the food is fast, tasty and inexpensive.  We don’t vary too much on what we get either.  Tonight it was the Lecho with ultimate beans and rice for Loren and the Prime Rib Dip for me.

It was all tasty and good.  I’ve had the prime rib dip a few times and this one was one of the better times.  It’s been too salty in the past.  This one was just right.  We decided to try the apple pie empanada tonight.

Loren liked it more than I did.  I just didn’t find the filling or the empanada to be sweet enough and the syrup that was on it had an almost bitter taste.  I don’t know how to describe it.  Almost like a molasses/honey type mixture.  Whatever it was, it just didn’t do it for me.  Total bill with a drink was $24.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W. Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

We ate lunch at Andy’s today.  This is one of Loren’s favorite lunch places and he gets the same thing every time we come here, a small roast pork with rice and beans.

The small could easily feed two people.  The pork is tender and tasty and the rice & beans just finish out the goodness.  I went for a simple ham & cheese sandwich today.

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

We’re at Disney for the Backstage Magic Tour and decided to spend the night since we’ve got to be here early in the morning.   We went to a movie in Downtown Disney and ended up eating dinner at Bongos Cuban Cafe.  Unfortunately, it was too late for us to go find a restaurant off property which we would have preferred.

This was another one of those restaurants where you can’t hear yourself think.  It was really crowded and we had about a 15 minute wait for a table.  We started off with some fried stuffed potatoes.

They were interesting.  They looked like they had a crunchy exterior, but it was actually pretty soft.  The filling was flavorful, but the overall texture didn’t really do it for me.  Loren ordered the masitas.

He said they were ok. Honestly no better than what he gets at Cuban Breezes for half the price.  He didn’t like the rice and beans that came with it.   I tried the shredded chicken breast.

I liked the flavor of the chicken.  It had a lime flavor to it and the onions were flavorful too.  The rice was very soft, but I kinda like it that way.  My only complaint is that the dish felt like it needed some tortillas or Cuban bread to go with it.  Total bill with a drink was $47.  Overpriced for what it was, but what we expected in Downtown Disney.

Bongos Cuban Cafe
1498 E Buena Vista Dr
Orlando, FL
(407) 828-0999

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Sure, we eat at Cuban Breezes a lot, but it’s not often that one of us tries something different.  Well, it wasn’t me, I went for an empanada and a mahi cuban.

Still my favorite dish on the menu, though the mahi was a bit on the thick side today making it not want to stay in the sandwich very well.  The chicken empanada is so yummy.  We split it, but I could easily eat a couple of them by myself and not think twice.

They  had jamabalaya on the specials menu today, so Loren decided to give it a try with a salad.

He said it was pretty good.  It had chicken and sausage and a bit o’ spiciness.  Somewhat different than what you get at the Cajun Cafe, but still something he’d consider ordering again here.  With a drink, the total bill was $21.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

So many Sunday nights we just want a quick, tasty meal, so we head out to Cuban Breezes in Oldsmar.  We just know we’re going to walk away with full tummies, happy taste buds, and not much strain on the wallet.

Tonight we went for a mahi cuban and some masitas de puerco.

Loren likes the masitas.  Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.  This is my favorite mahi sandwich in the area.  I don’t know what they do to make it so tasty, but I’ve spent twice as much for mahi at other restaurants and it wasn’t as good as it is here.  Total bill with a drink was $22.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

We ate lunch at Andy’s By the Bay today and both ended up ordering the same thing, a small roasted pork, rice & beans.

I don’t know how anyone could eat a large bowl.  The pork is always super tender and the rice and beans are yummy.  Plus, the prices are really cheap.  Two orders and a drink ran us about $14.

Andy’s on the Bay
472 East Douglas
Oldsmar, FL
813-855-8166

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Another order of masitas and a mahi cuban and a tasty $20 lunch is had by all.  Yeah, we eat here a lot.  Believe it or not, I don’t even post all the times we eat here.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

We stopped by Cuban Breezes for lunch today around 1pm and it was packed.  We luckily snagged the last available table.  I had no idea Sunday afternoon was such a busy time for them.  Loren ordered his usual lechon and I went for something light today, the grilled mahi with rice/beans and a side salad.

Both dishes were really good today.  The pork was tender and flavorful and the mahi was some of the best I’ve eaten.  It’s cooked perfectly, tender and flaky, with just a hint of seasoning.  Definitely something I’d order again.  With a drink, the total bill was $19.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

So, where do we go when we need a quick, inexpensive dinner?  Cuban Breezes in Oldsmar.  For $15, we got the usual, a Cuban sandwich, an order of Lechon and some beans and rice.

It’s just nice to have a place so close that’s consistently good.  We never leave hungry and we never leave unsatisfied.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

We were on our way to Lowe’s in Oldsmar and stopped off at Cuban Breezes for a quick lunch.  They have half priced appetizers on the weekend, so we started off with a chicken empanada.

I like the empanadas here.  The chicken filling has some nice flavors and the whole thing is even better dipped in some Havana sauce.

Loren got the lechon with ultimate beans and rice.

This is one of his usual dishes here.  I went for the mahi cuban.

I gotta say, this was some of the best mahi I’ve had in a while.  It was cooked perfectly.  I really enjoyed the sandwich, plus the whole meal with a drink was $20.  This is why we come here so often.  Even though it’s not the most authentic Cuban food you’ll ever eat, it is inexpensive and consistently good food. 

Cuban Breezes
13980 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Not too many people in Cuban Breezes tonight.  I figured it’d be crowded since the football playoffs were tonight, but since they close at 8pm on Sunday, it makes sense that people wouldn’t want to have to leave halfway through the game.

Loren got the masitas with some ultimate black beans and a salad.

He said the pork was very tender and flavorful.  He even had a little left over for tomorrow.  I ordered the fricase de pollo with beans.

This is one of my favorite dishes here.  It’s got some wonderful flavors and textures with just a little bit of spice.  I kept telling myself to save some for tomorrow, but I ended up eating the entire thing. 

And yet, I still managed to save room for the chocolate lava cake.

Thick, rich, chocolately oozing warmth with some vanilla ice cream.  It was yummy.  We had a $10 Restaurant.com coupon, so the total bill after the coupon was $18.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Let’s face it, we eat at Cuban Breezes a lot.  We just can’t help it.  The food is consistently good and the prices are great.  Especially when you have a Restaurant.com coupon to boot.  $10 off when you spend $20, you just can’t beat that for lunch.

We started off with the Pan con Queso y Tomate aka grilled cheese and tomato on Cuban bread.

I think I could have just eaten this for lunch and been happy.  Their Cuban bread is so light and fluffy, add some garlic spread, melted cheese, and tomatoes and you’ve got a little bit of heaven in your mouth. 

For my entree, I ordered the Fricase de Pollo,  shredded chicken and diced potatoes simmered in a tomato-based sauce over rice.

When it comes to the table, the aroma is amazing.  Everything is tender and flavorful.  Half of it came home with me for dinner.  It was so comforting and warm on a chilly Florida day.
Loren got the ultimate beans and rice with lechon, their marinated shredded pork.

Fresh and tasty as always.  After the coupon, the total bill was $13.  You just can’t beat the value for the wonderfully consistent fresh and tasty food.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL
813-814-9939

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

We eat at Cuban Breezes quite a bit since it’s close, inexpensive, and the food’s pretty good.  Loren and I went there for lunch today.  He ordered a Havana burger with fries and I ordered a chicken philly with rice & beans.

Loren was only able to eat half of the Havana burger.  It’s a half pound burger and very filling.  Their seasoned fries are yummy.

Unfortunately, either the waitress or the kitchen didn’t get my order right and it came out as a chicken wrap.  Fortunately, though, when I told them it wasn’t right, they very quickly made it right and took it off the bill.   That’s the kind of service we’ve come to appreciate here. 

The chicken philly has onions and peppers on their delicious Cuban bread.  I drench it in Havana sauce and my taste buds are happy.  Total bill was $9 for the burger and a drink.  

Cuban Breezes
13980 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Loren chose our lunch stop today and if he’s in Oldsmar during lunchtime, his first choice is always Andy’s.  We got there early, so the lunch crowd hadn’t shown up yet.

I always like to try something different, so I got the chicken cordon bleu.  He got what he always gets, the roast pork with a side of yellow rice and black beans.

It’s a lot of food for $15.  Neither of us finished our bowls of rice and beans.  The pork was tender and juicy as usual.  The chicken was ok, but a little on the dry side.

I should know by now that the best thing on the menu is the roasted pork and just get that every time. 

Andy’s on the Bay
472 East Douglas
Oldsmar, FL
813-855-8166

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Since I didn’t go grocery shopping over the weekend, I ate out a few extra times for lunch this week.  Hit the usual places, Amari Thai and Cuban Breezes and ordered some of my favorites, the mussamun curry $11 and a Cuban philly $7.50. 

I’m running out of new places in Oldsmar to eat for lunch.

.

.

.

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Cuban Breezes is our go-to restaurant when we want a quick, tasty, inexpensive meal.   We headed over there for lunch today.  Normally, I’ll get a side of rice and beans, but at the recommendation of the waitress, I got a cup of their clam chowder with my chicken philly sandwich.

It was not good.  It was a very weak, waterly soup and didn’t have a fresh taste at all.  When she came back by the table and realized I hadn’t eaten any of it she got it taken off the bill since she was the one that recommended it.  From now on, I’ll stick with the rice and beans. 

The chicken philly was good.  It had onions and peppers on their delicious Cuban bread.  Plus I always add in some Havana sauce to everything I eat here.

Loren got the pan con lechon sandwich with a side of rice and beans.

Normally, he doesn’t get it as a sandwich, but he seemed to really enjoy it.  For $16, it was a filling, tasty lunch.

Cuban Breezes
13980 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

When all I’ve brought for lunch is a sandwich, it doesn’t take much to convince me to go out for lunch.  Loren likes Andy’s on the Bay and since they’re only open during the week for lunch, I suggested we head over there.

Andy’s is a small cafeteria style restaurant that’s usually very crowded at lunchtime.  I was surprised there weren’t more people in there today.  The name is a bit confusing, since the restaurant isn’t on the water.  Instead it’s located in an industrial neighborhood in Oldsmar.

I decided to try the chicken today and Loren got some pork with rice and beans.

The chicken was a bit dry.  The pork was really good and tender.  I should know better than to order anything except the pork.  I think this is Loren’s favorite place to get rice and beans.  For $11, it’s a cheap, quick lunch.

Andy’s on the Bay
472 East Douglas
Oldsmar, FL
813-855-8166

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

We drove over to Brandon today for some Spanish food at La Septima Cafe.  The restaurant’s been there since 1995 and the menu is filled with traditional dishes.

Loren decided to get a taste of a few of them with the “Walk Around La Septima” dish.

This had Ropa Vieja, which is a shredded tender flank steak simmered in a burgandy wine sauce, Picadillo, which is ground beef, olives and capers in a tomato sauce, and Lechon Asado, which is marinated pork, plus yellow rice and black beans.  It was a lot of food.  He liked the pork and beans the best.  I liked the taste of the Ropa Vieja. 

I ordered the Arroz Con Pollo with black beans and some Cuban bread.

The dish had a wing and a chicken breast.  The wing was great.  The flavors in the chicken were really incredible.  The breast, however, was really dry.  All of the flavor was in the chicken skin.  The rice and beans were ok and the bread was good.

We got a piece of their caramel chocolate cheesecake for dessert.

The “chocolate” consisted of a few chocolate chips tossed on top.  The caramel sauce was good, but there wasn’t much of it.  The cheesecake was very thick.  This wasn’t a creamy cheesecake.  It was made with ricotta cheese and had an almost grainy texture.  Don’t get me wrong, it was good, just not a very smooth cheesecake.

Lunch ran us $29.  The food was ok, but I doubt we’d drive back to Brandon to visit again. 

La Septima Cafe
140 N Parsons Ave
Brandon, FL
813-684-1948

Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value