Cuban Bakeries, food (Charlotte, Salisbury, Salem: appointed, restaurants, stores)

[fltonc101]

Hello,

I'm visiting in December and wanted to know if there are any Cuban bakeries or restaurants to try? Thanks!

[Glmore]

Only Cuban restaurant I know of is "A Piece of Havana" in the Steele Creek area. I'm guessing you are familiar with Cuban food, if so, you will be sorely disappointed with that place. We have given them 4-5 tries over the past 3 years and it has been a let down. Fortunately, I have learned how to cook Cuban food, so that takes care of that. As far as bakeries are concerned, there is a place called "Suarez Bakery" in town. He does a couple of different pastelitos (including guayaba), but does not offer a large variety.

[momtothree]

The kinds like in Miami? None.

Seriously. There are places but I've yet to find one like back in Miami. While I long for my cafe con leche, pan Cubano and pastelittos, I'm fine here. There are tons of other stuff to eat/visit. When I go back to Miami, it's something to look forward to.

Only one I've not tried yet though was Suarez Bakery. My cuban friends don't like it though but I've not personally tried it.

I cook Cuban and between compare and super g (multi ethnic grocery stores), I'm able to get some Spanish ingredients. But mostly I have to order online or have my mom mail it to me. Stuff like chorizo or certain spices etc.

[flyingscotsman]

Yeah nothing like Miami Only other recommendation I can give is this place.

Havana Carolina Cafe - Home

Just to add it relocated and as a better menu, will need to head north for dinner one of these days and report back.

[appstate1998]

Someone needs to open a cuban bakery/restaurant.

My favorite (outside of S FL) is Kuba Kuba up in Richmond VA.

But nothing here.

[SunsetMission]

A bit out of your way, but there's also Mambo Grill & Tapas in Salisbury.
But I can't comment on the authenticity. For Charlotte residents, however, the closest to Miami you can get might be in Winston Salem. Miamis Cafe, which at one time also sold Cuban bread, is currently closed but renovating a new building and will be reopening soon.

https://facebook.com/MiamisCafe

[chicagomichauds]

Agree. Nothing authentic Cuban here. I miss my authentic Cuban bread, freshly made (Publix has some, but it is frozen ).

I would love to see a good, solid Cuban sit down restaurant and also a Latin cafeteria style restaurant for the basics!!

[fltonc101]

Thanks for the suggestions and feedback. I'm Cuban and wanted to know what to expect as I plan on moving to Charlotte next year. This really helps! Maybe one day I'll open a Cuban bakery haha!

[oneuvakind]

Originally Posted by chicagomichauds

Agree. Nothing authentic Cuban here. I miss my authentic Cuban bread, freshly made (Publix has some, but it is frozen ).

I've never seen a Publix Bakery thaw any bread dough and bake it. Every loaf of bread they make (Including their Cuban Bread) is made from scratch. It's one of the things they're famous for.

[momtothree]

Originally Posted by oneuvakind

I've never seen a Publix Bakery thaw any bread dough and bake it. Every loaf of bread they make (Including their Cuban Bread) is made from scratch. It's one of the things they're famous for.

Actually they don't make it from scratch, they use mixes from their distribution centers. But they do mix the dough from the mixes, proof/rise/bake at the stores. A step up from other stores that just bakes frozen doughs.

And Publix has two versions of Cuban breads. A water cuban bread type that's sold here in NC. Then there's a traditional cuban that uses lard and starter (real cuban bread) which they don't make up here . At least not in Indian Land or the one on Johnston. Huge difference between the two versions.