2885 E Charleston Blvd Suite 102, Las Vegas
Tuesday – Saturday 11 a.m – 7:30 p.m
Apple Pay and cash accepted
Grade: B-
Most restaurants announce their presence with bold, eye-catching signs, but not this one. Instead, I was met with an unmarked building, its identity hidden behind bare walls. I found myself pondering where the actual restaurant was. The lack of clear signage only added to my confusion, making me question whether I was in the right place. While walking through the cul-de-sac of food places, a “Grand Opening” flyer was plastered across the two windows in the front. The bright sun beamed through the paper, creating a red hue across the glass and a surreal glow. Scanning my surroundings, I noticed something: it was the only building without a sign, that, more than anything, confirmed my assumption that I was at the right place.
The moment I walked in, upbeat Spanish music filled my ears—not too loud, but not too quiet either. However, while the music was disorienting, what I saw next caught me off guard. This place was like an identity crisis; the interior appeared as a hybrid pizza and burger joint, yet they advertised freshly baked bread and crispy fries, leaving me unsure if it was a bakery or a restaurant. We had to go straight to the cashier before being seated, although we weren’t guided to our tables like in a typical restaurant due to the open seating.
While inside, the scorching heat hit me hard. Without any feeling of air conditioning to provide relief, I felt exceedingly stressed, which led to me doubting if the food would even be worth the pain. Time continued to drag on as if I were behind hundreds of customers, even though I was the only one there. Finally, after about an hour had passed, the dishes began to find our table.
Our first order was the famous French Fries ($14). The cashier came from behind the counter and handed us a yellow and red striped bag full of fries, accompanied by a salt shaker. Presented in the classic steak shape, the thick fries were perfectly salted at a hot temperature, bringing the freshness to a whole new level. They were also pillowy and crispy at the same time, inventing the perfect texture, which overall worked out for my sodium-loving self. I have no complaints about these fries as a whole because they are perfect in every way.
The second item I ordered was a Mango Milkshake ($6). The taste was interestingly more milky, rather than smoothie-like, and it had a vague, light orange color. I tasted the strong tang of mango, but the larger-than-normal portion of milk washed it out. Strangely enough, it had a small crunch from the unblended pieces of frozen mango. But even if it wasn’t on purpose, it still added another layer of texture that added to the overall taste. Although this is a milkshake, I believe there should’ve been more than the simple taste of milk and occasional chunk of mango.
Lastly, we have the Cuban Sandwich ($10). One homemade loaf comes warmly toasted and sliced open with melted Swiss cheese dripping from the sides of the sandwich. The texture of each ingredient melting together was extremely satisfying, as every bite was like blissful heaven with ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, tomatoes, and a custom Cuban sauce called “Creole Mojo” blended into one. This sauce is what brought all the flavors together perfectly with a garlic flavor and citrusy undertones that helped explode everything in my mouth in a savory pop—not to mention it held the sandwich together quite well. The bread’s toasted shell introduced a soft and crunchy base for the flavors, which was gentle on the mouth.
Overall, the food is worth the experience. Despite the long and overwhelming wait, the payoff was amazing, and I was able to taste some delicious “Golden French Fries” and a scrumptious Cuban sandwich. As added bonus, most likely because of our wait, were a few beautiful, crispy pork rinds. They were super airy, yet delicious, and much appreciated. As I savored every mouthful, the stress of the wait faded, replaced by satisfaction. Minus the forgetful customer service and the distressed interior design, this experience reaffirmed me that some things in life are truly worth the wait, making every moment worth the while. Overall, I’d recommend this place IF you’re a patient person.
