FIRST LOOK – Cuba 1958
Authentic Cuban cuisine just hit downtown Sarasota
🐊 It’s Florida. Anyone who’s been here for more than a second and a half knows that you can get Cuban cuisine just about anywhere. And I do mean ANYWHERE!
It’s not just some crazy FL urban legend (it just sounds that way) that some of our best Cuban Sandwiches come out of a gas station. It’s weird, but again, it’s Florida.
Yes, you can get a gas station Cuban here in the Sarasota area, too (try Belkis Deli down in Venice). 💡 Hey, maybe a whole gas station food piece could be in our future!
Back in “the day,” pre-2008 to be exact, I used to love making the trip to that tiny house in Burns Court. El Habanero had a certain charm to it. Great Cuban cuisine at a price that anyone could easily afford. It was like eating dinner in someone’s house. I still miss it. 🥲
Fast forward 16 years to where we all are today. We still have Cuban cuisine in town. Now, we have one more delicious choice to add to the fun!
👀 Let’s Take a Look at Cuba 1958
🟰 THE BASICS
• WHAT: Cuba 1958
• WHERE: 1766 Main St. (941) 280-1958
• WHEN: LUNCH, MON-FRI, 11:30AM TO 3PM • DINNER, MON-SAT, 4PM TO 9:30PM
• GET MORE INFO: Cuba 1958 Website | dineSarasota Info Page
🪟 10,000 FOOT VIEW
1958. For those of us who do not possess a degree in history or Latin American studies, that’s the year just prior to the Cuban Revolution. The next year, things changed forever on that little island 90 miles to our south.
Cuba has a deep and rich culinary history. It’s bold to take the name “Cuba 1958.” It certainly shows the desire to preserve the memory of a Cuba long past. And, importantly, to keep those food traditions going AND growing.
🤷🏻♂️ WHAT’S THIS PLACE LIKE?
Just Fancy Enough. Cuban food is not stuffy. And neither is 1958.
• The bar area has plenty of seats for folks to enjoy a relaxing pre or post-meal cocktail. 📝 Cuba 1958 has a Happy Hour that runs from 4-6pm daily. You can grab an Empanada or some Cuban Sliders for $6.
• Dining is comfortable here. Not too showy, not too casual, just right! This is the former Flavio’s on Main space. If you’ve dined here before the switch over to the new owners, then you know the feel. If not, come try it on for yourself to see if it suits you.
📄 WHAT TO ORDER?
Here’s where the fun starts! This is a very traditional Cuban menu. It has just about everything that you expect to see. (Yes, they have Arroz con Pollo).
There’s everything from the above-mentioned Empanadas to Paella Cubana. (Yes, I realize that paella is Spanish. But the Cuba 1958 version looks delicious!)
📝 One Thing. The menu prices here are all over the board. The Churrasco (which is skirt steak) is $47. But the Vaca Frita (which is flank steak) is $26. That was a little bit of a head-scratcher.
Want to Explore the menu on Your Own?
📃 HERE’S A LINK TO THE CUBA 1958 MENU!
We ordered a few things off of the dinner menu. I mean, you have to take these things out for a test drive if you want to write about them!
📷 PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
👀 RANDOM OBSERVATIONS
• Cuba 1958 is a “happy” place. People dining here were genuinely having a great time. Lots of laughter and smiling faces. That’s a good sign!
• There is a small amount of outdoor seating if that’s your thing. I don’t have to tell you that there are better times of year than right now to enjoy that space.
• The ownership here is fully engaged. They were walking table to table, introducing themselves, and asking for feedback. I hope that practice continues as they move forward. It’s a nice touch!
✅ BOTTOM LINE
This IS NOT The Columbia. And that’s a good thing because we already have one of those! This is a more intimate Cuban dining experience. It’s far less hectic. It strives to carve out its own name rather than be an imitator. The Cuban cuisine they serve is faithful to its heritage. No, you won’t feel like you’ve been transported back to old Havana, and that’s OK. But it’s a whole heck of a lot easier to get to Main Street than to the Pearl of the Antilles! 🙂
☝️ Reminder – Yes, we’re still on a bit of a summer schedule. We’ll still make it to your inbox. It’ll just be a little less often. We’ll be back to full strength soon! Enjoy! 😎
📆 This Seems Like Fun! Are you looking for something to do last minute? By “last minute,” I mean TONIGHT! Hive Bar has an event that should be a great time. Five Blind Wines – I can only imagine… HERE’S THE EVENT INFO! Cheers!
~ LH
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD EVENTS 🗓️
Here are some upcoming local food events that we think you might find interesting. All you need to do is make that reservation. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.
⭐⭐ If you have an event, we’d like to help you spread the word. Let us know! (EMAIL IT)
📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2024 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖
😋 MICHAEL’S ON EAST – MONTHLY EPICUREAN MENU – THAILAND
📆 WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
😎 GECKO’S SUMMER 2024 MENU – HAVE A LOOK!
We’ve got a few things for you to do in the next days, weeks, and months. Get out there and take advantage of what our Sarasota restaurant community has to offer! ⬇️
JUL 23 – Blend Wine Dinners – Sarasota-Manatee Originals
JUL 25 – Bordeaux Wine Dinner (UTC) – Mademoiselle Paris
JUL 26 – Banfi Five Course Wine Dinner – GROVE Restaurant
JUL 26 – Bordeaux Wine Dinner (AMI) – Mademoiselle Paris
AUG 1 – Caymus Wine Tasting – Block 15 Cork & Craft
🧑🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO 🌾
EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS
THIRD THURSDAY NIGHT – RADD Night Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
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