El Cubanito continues to offer amusement as much as sustenance - it's kind of like a lively urban outlier of the Thorne Miniature Rooms at the Art Institute. Looking in through the magic window on the tiny space reveals a neighborhood microcosm with patrons laughing at soaps, bootleg DVDs, or futbol, and the high-energy owners pumping palms, talking rapidly about politics, and griddling steak at a feverish pace. It always has a great vibe, and the steak sandwich continues to be the best in the city for me. The cubano the last few times has been appropriately hot and melty, with the right balance of seasonings; the ham is the weak link but inoffensive enough not to detract. I really prefer this place over Marianao, which seems sullen and businesslike by comparison, and whose sandwiches just don't seem as crisp and savory. The coffee is also really something special at Cubanito - strong brown cane sugar notes in the leche and cortadito, always rich and smooth.

Watching "futbol"? Not a good sign at a Cuban place. Cubans are relatively less likely to watch soccer than your average Teamster. What's next, nachos?

Seriously, though, thanks for the update. The Marianao comparison is apt, though I try not to rank such spots because I'd like to see one on every corner.

Funny you mention the sullenness of Marianao. I'd say cranky, which, in its own way is super-authentic and just like similar places in Tampa and Miami. The old dispeptic guy that owns La Unica and sometimes works the counter is a near-perfect example of a Cuban shop/cafe owner. There's a similar old dude at Marianao; it's very rare that you see him there. PS, I've never *loved* the Cuban at Marianao (nor Cubanito's). The steak is where it's at (both places).

Stopped by El Cubanito today for my Tuesday Lunch Out.

Almost missed the place and if it were not for my GPS I surely would have.



Other that a few flag embellishments and a bold graffiti mural on the south wall no one can tell it was a restaurant. I was wondering if it was open at all even with the open sign in the window.

Once inside the story changed as the kitchen was full with at least two cooks and the owner and his partner were out front greeting customers and taking orders. The grill was full of cooking meat and it had the bustle of a business going well.

Ordered a Cuban and Steak Sandwich divided so my friend and I could both give them a sample.

The Cuban sandwich was well made as most other Cuban places could make but the Steak Sandwich was what really stood out. Thin sliced beef that had been marinated is a delicious sauce, tender and piled high on the bread. No way could this sandwich be eaten without a bunch of the stuffing falling out. They actually giggled a bit when they gave me a fork.

Had a nice talk with the owner and partner after extolling the greatness of their sandwiches. They replied that they are doing very well.

Outside as I was preparing to take my exterior shot there were a few gents waiting at the bus stop. I mentioned what I had and they agreed that if they had their druthers they would eat there every day. The also asked me to try the steak and egg sandwich on my next trip as it is supposed to be the best thing around.

Another fun and tasty sandwich down the gullet.

Keeping in my tradition of making two stops for a meal out and being early on a Sunday afternoon and My Bride did not have breakfast yet I figured I could make her happy with a Breakfast Sandwich.


Steak, Cheese in an egg wrap with shoestring potato chips (?!) and sauce. Lettuce and tomato. The egg was the strong note here with the Steak adding flavor. The added crunch of the Shoestring Potatoes was brilliant.


Boy was it great! When I was here on Tuesday a gent at the bus stop recommended it.



They are offering a new item not available on the menu but frozen in a plastic container. Homemade at their house.

Latest update: they are moving into the erstwhile abandoned building next door! I didn't get a time frame for when it will be happening, but they already have a new sign up on the building. It will be nice to be able to sit and eat without having the standing-room-only crowd of 4 people bump into you while you try to eat at the counter.

It had been way too long since I stopped for a sandwich from one of my favorites spots in town so I stopped by for one yesterday. Upon pulling up I noticed they changed up the exterior of the place again.


Nice

I went with a ham, egg and cheese this time around, there's no way you can go wrong here, pick one and it wont disappoint. They now also have chicken sandwiches on the menu.


Ham, egg and cheese

Drover wrote:Latest update: they are moving into the erstwhile abandoned building next door! I didn't get a time frame for when it will be happening, but they already have a new sign up on the building. It will be nice to be able to sit and eat without having the standing-room-only crowd of 4 people bump into you while you try to eat at the counter.

Da Beef -

Any update on the building to the north?

Panther in the Den wrote:

Drover wrote:Latest update: they are moving into the erstwhile abandoned building next door! I didn't get a time frame for when it will be happening, but they already have a new sign up on the building. It will be nice to be able to sit and eat without having the standing-room-only crowd of 4 people bump into you while you try to eat at the counter.

Da Beef -

Any update on the building to the north?

I was just there a couple weeks ago. Nothing doing yet. They said they "hoped to" have it opened within a few months, which sounds to me like whatever has been holding up the process is still holding it up.

Drover wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:

Drover wrote:Latest update: they are moving into the erstwhile abandoned building next door! I didn't get a time frame for when it will be happening, but they already have a new sign up on the building. It will be nice to be able to sit and eat without having the standing-room-only crowd of 4 people bump into you while you try to eat at the counter.

Da Beef -

Any update on the building to the north?

I was just there a couple weeks ago. Nothing doing yet. They said they "hoped to" have it opened within a few months, which sounds to me like whatever has been holding up the process is still holding it up.

The sign is up on the building, though.

stevez wrote:The sign is up on the building, though.

Has been for the better part of a year now.

Had my inaugural visit here today before seeing a client in the area. I had steak sandwich on my mind. An excellent choice indeed. With great skill, I managed to devour it without spilling a drop on my shirt.

I should note they still haven't expanded into the building next door yet. The owner-lady was reluctant to talk about it -- I felt like like maybe I was broaching a sore subject. Plus she seemed to be struggling with her English a little more than usual the day I was there, so I let it go. There's no telling what's going on with that saga.

It had been a while so today I headed here for lunch. Jam packed around 12:30 with dude slanging the bootlegged movies inside and taking up half the space. The girls at the register are an absolute trip, the most friendly restaurant folk out there. I went with their newest available sandwich, a tripleta. This style of sandwich which means "three meats" is popular in the Latin American influenced Caribbean countries. Very good and quite the bang for your buck ($6). It was like a Cuban stir fry on bread. Next time I'll try one with eggs.


Tripleta sandwich: steak, ham and chicken...damn!

Stopped by El Cubanito with the Picky Eater today. The steak sandwich was ridiculously perfect, as always, but my Cubano was a bit heavy on the ham. Everything else about the sandwich was wonderful, melty cheese, bread spot on, I just like a slightly more even pork-to-ham ratio instead of the 1:3 I had today.

Cubano


We also picked up an empanada to try. I ordered a shrimp empanada, it was great with a very flaky crust and a rich, flavorful filling. I thought at first I'd gotten a beef version until I tasted it, the shrimp are cut into tiny pieces so it almost resembles a coarse ground beef. I haven't seen much discussion of their empanadas on here and can't recall how often they have been available in the past, so I grabbed a shot of the menu.

Shrimp Empanada


Empanada Menu

Great photos, Ursiform. The melting cheese on the Cubano makes me want one right now, even if (especially if!) heavy on the ham.

But a question on the shrimp empanada. Is that dough on the underside undercooked? How did it taste?

Katie, it sure looks like it, from the pic, doesn't it? Here is another picture to illustrate, however, the crust certainly did not taste undercooked, it seemed very flaky:

I hit El Cubanito for the first time in a few years for an early lunch today. The cuban was exactly perfect. They still have not moved next door, though.

Hit up this joint for the first time in a few years today. Steak sandwich is still delicious. Hugely filling, tender, juicy...just great. Guyaba y queso empanada is a great dessert. I'm gonna make a point to start going here at least once a week.

They're definitely catching on to how popular they're becoming...prices seem to be steadily creeping up.

I also made a visit here today. First time, so I went with the standard Cubano and also got a guyaba and queso empanada. Loved the empanada, and despite the cheese not being all that melted, the Cubano really hit the spot.

Went today (phenomenal steak sandwich for the fourth week in a row - consistent like a motherf*cker), found out some good news about the expansion. It's happening by the end of the year and once expanded, a lot of old menu items will be coming back (ropa vieja, shrimpanadas) along with some new ones.

backorforth wrote:It's happening by the end of the year

Here's hoping! They've been singing that tune for a few years now, though.

Weekly visit to Cubanito today was a success, but IMO the steak sandwich absolutely slays the Cuban. The Cuban today was very dry, and needed more mustard. Steak, on the other hand, was perfect, per usual.

Local Everyblock folk are hating on the newer signage at Cubanito:

https://chicago.everyblock.com/talk/aug ... g-6305558/

Five years ago, El Cubanito started looking into expanding into the adjacent building to their north, even going so far as to hang a sign on that building. The sign has been there ever since even as the building remained vacant. Now it looks like it's finally going to happen. Paper is off the windows, the interior looks 98% completed, kitchen equipment is in, etc. The young guy behind the counter claims that they only have one more city bureaucrat to bribe final inspection to pass and they're ready to go.

El Cubanito
2555 N Pulaski Ave (Soon to be 2557?)
773-235-2555

So I got a personal tour of the forthcoming dining area today. It's pretty nice. Polished hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, exposed-timbers ceiling (at least 12 feet, maybe higher), basically a nice open airy feeling, and seating for 44 though it looks like they could just about double that if demand necessitates. The crown jewel is the ordering counter, a cool nod to Cuban culture that I won't elaborate on because they want to keep it a surprise until they officially open -- in fact that's the reason they covered the windows back up whereas before you could look in on the progress being made.

They say their final city inspection is today and they anticipate opening the new dining area by mid-November. They plan to also renovate the shack-like building they currently operate out of and maintain it as their carry-out entrance/pick-up spot.

Well.... after as long a wait as the EMBARGO (OK- not quite that long- but close....)
El Cubanito has finally opened their sit-down side of the restaurant.
They now offer a $7.00 Cuban (Steak Sandwich with the crispy shoe-string-potatoes-also went up to $7.00)

The room is nice- exposed brick- exposed duct work- and they are quite proud of the Vintage '57 Chevy front end
with a plexiglass counter as their cash-wrap.

Lots of flat screen TV's?
Lot's of Digital menu Boards.
Men's Bathroom AND a separate Ladies Bathroom.
Men's bathroom features a Handicapped Mirror installed upside down.
Men's bathroom features a toliet-paper dispenser where the Hand-Towel Dispenser should be.
Men's bathroom includes a urinal installed at a height that anyone shorter that 5'-8" may need a step-stool
(or just point/aim upwards) -
as well as a "privacy screen" that's installed at a height for midgets (excuse me- Wee People- er Vertically Challenged folks)
being 6'-2" not a worry 4me-just lookin' out for others....)

The Cuban was tasty- just not as yummmious as I remember
them being b4 the new kitchen remodel.
The Meat all wasn't warmed through- and the bread was OK.
Sad they don't offer a "Media Noche"- the yellow bread option that Cafe Bollero (now Palladar Cafe) on Western usta do
so well- it seems that "sourcing" the bread for some Cuban Sandwich shops is a challenge- but Senor Pan does serve a
Media Noche for anyone else who enjoys that version of "The Cuban".

Glad that they finally "opened-up" their new room- to coincide w/ Obama's "shift" in US policy towards Cuba.
(Pictures to follow)