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The Plantain Cafe is the latest business to set up shop along the blossoming stretch of Gay Street Downtown as they open their doors for lunch service today.
The new restaurant is located at 77 East Gay Street, and will offer traditional Cuban fare in the form of sandwiches, entrees, and sides.
Don Steere is opening the Plantain Cafe with his wife Anna, after years of enjoying her family’s home-cooked Cuban meals. “We’ve spent a lot of time with Anna’s family in Miami and wanted to replicate that experience here,” said Don. “Her grandparents always cooked for us and it was the most fantastic food.”
The restaurant will only be open for lunch hours to start, running from 11am to 2:30pm, Monday through Saturday.
Standout items on the menu include the Frita (Cuban Hamburger) made with beef and chorizo ($6), Cubano (Cuban Sandwich) prepared classically with pork, ham, swiss, pickles and mustard ($8), Mariquitas (Plantain Chips) served as a side with a garlic lime sauce ($4), and Pastelitos, a dessert pastry filled with guava and cream cheese ($3.50). Most sandwiches are in the $7 to $9 price range, entrees are the $9 to $11 range, and desserts and sides in the $3 to $4.25 range.
“Gay street has become a great destination spot,” added Don. “It’s filed with lots of business traffic and cool restaurants, and we want to be a part of that.”
Looking forward to trying this out! My wife and I are huge fans of El Arepazo in Pearl Alley, and that has led us to patronizing the Gay Street area. Best of luck to Plantain Cafe!
It looks really nice in there, very cheery. I can’t wait to try them out.
Im excited! I am Cuban and from FL and I dearly miss Cuban food! I hope they have Yucca on the menu!
I like the Saturday hours. :)
OMG – I am in trouble! This is great news!
This looks great. The space fits the concept perfectly. I’ll be down to try a cuban sandwich very soon. Good luck to them.
I’m excited to try this place soon, especially because it’s right across the street from my office. I’d like to try it for lunch today, but I’m worried I may not have time to fight the crowd.
The race to claim it on FourSquare is on.
I went for lunch today. I had the shredded pork sandwich. Very solid. I will definitely be back.
I had the black bean soup and plantain chips for lunch today and it was VERY yummy. I too will definitely be going back! Probably tomorrow actually….lol
I like the space. Good photography on the walls.
I had the the arroz con pollo and tostones. Delicious. I’m sure I’ll be back very soon.
Don and Anna, welcome to the neighborhood. It has been great getting to know you as you were preparing to open. We’re all glad to have another establishment join the Gay Street growth! Best of luck.
Finally a place that serves a true Cuban pressed sandwich. Ham and pork people!!!
Had the cubano sandwich yesterday, thought it was very good and is indeed a true cuban sandwich (pork & ham), wasn’t the best cuban I’ve had (but I have had some good ones in miami among other places) but was still very happy and will be back for sure. I liked all the various plaintain options (3 kinds of fried plaintains, chips, green and sweet). I did find myself wishing for something (say el arepazos cilantro sauce to dip them in however unfortunately…). Still thrilled to have another place on gay st.
Just a comment… In Cuba, we do not dip plantains in any sauces. They are a side dish used like a potato. You can fry it green (tostone), sweet (maduros), thin sliced (chicarita) or mashed (fufu). It is a hallmark of a Cuban chef to get all the cosistencies “just so”… I am hungry just writing about it.
Stopped in to the Plantain Cafe Thursday for lunch. I had the Cubano sandwich and loved it. Quick service, friendly staff, great food. Looking forward to next visit to try the Cuban-style hamburger!
Very tasty! I stopped by on Saturday for take out. Had the Cuban sandwich really enjoyed it. Only problem for me is that I don’t work downtown, so the only time I can stop by is Saturday. Which brings up another things, PLEASE KEEP YOUR SATURDAY HOURS!!!
Stopped in for the first time today. Absolutely delicious. Had the Cubano and fried plantains. Excellent all around. Very nice and welcoming inside and the staff were great. Wonderful addition to Gay St. Wish them all the best.
does anyone have a website or menu?
i need some cuban roast pulled pork with chimichurri asap so they i’m holding my breath that they have it!
This places gets my seal of approval and undying devotion. As far as I know, it’s the only place that serves a REAL cubano in the city. And it’s so very tasty!