| rev:text
| - "I wish I could throw up so I could eat lunch again."
Honestly, after sharing my husband's comments on Carlito's as we walked to his car, need I say more?
Okay, fine...
We walked in around noon today for lunch. I'm not very familiar with this side of town. I'm sure that had something to do with the challenge in finding it. However, for anyone equally or less familiar, if you head north on Maryland Parkway, turn right on Karen and left into the strip mall, the restaurant will be to your right. That said, parking was easy once we found where we were going.
The venue itself is tiny. Two two-tops outside, maybe four four-tops inside, and a little bit of counter seating in the back. Inside, you'll find black & white photos of classic cards, a large wooden Cuba island art piece, a photo of Celia Cruz, raggaeton on the speakers, and the clamoring of Cuban-accented Spanish in the air. My husband called this the most Cuban place outside of Florida he's ever been. Clearly, we haven't been to Cuba.
The entire process is cafeteria/Panda Express/filipino turo-turo-style, with a few a la carte options posted on the menu that really aren't visible until you're about to pay. When you approach the line, you'll find dessert options first (I love them for this). I don't think you order the dessert at this time. Rather, you have a chance to see the items and can order them when you pay. I could be wrong though. Moving on, you'll start by announcing "for here" or "to go".
PRO TIP: Even if you plan to dine in, ask for your food to go. My husband and I had enough rice and sides left over that we ate them as our sides with dinner.
Anyway, you'll choose your side. Assuming the choices don't change, you'l choose from congris (black beans cooked into rice), yellow rice, or white rice with beans. Whatever you choose will be generously poured in the main compartment of a three-segment box. Next, you'll choose your entree. Today, we had a choice of lechon, fried pork chunks, roasted chicken, or fried tilapia. I assume these rotate. Finally, you'll choose your side from tostones (flattened, fried, unripened plantain), maduros (caramelized over ripened plantain), or yucca con mojo. I also saw a tamale, but I don't think that was an option as it is available a la carte.
I chose the yellow rice, lechon, and tostones. Let me just say that this is the best Cuban lechon I've had in Las Vegas. I say this because lechon can often be dry if you don't get your meat from the glorious juicy areas of the pig. This lechon was juicy and savory as can be. I have an appreciation for onions (*waves weirdo flag*). Some places will undercook the onion (leaving a raw aftertaste). Others will cook them to the point of caramelizing them (masking the pork flavor). The onions in this lechon were perfect; translucent, savory, and tender with an added tartness from the mojo). The rice was fluffy and soft. And then the tostones. You know when you fry something so well that it's almost delicate? Yeah. That. These were perfect.
Service was fast. We were in an out within half an hour.
OH AND HERE'S THE KICKER - we both got full meals and 1 can of soda each. Our total came to $12.99. You are not out of your mind! You read that right. $12.99!
Some things to keep in mind:
- CASH ONLY (not that you'll need much)
- Most of the guests in line will be ordering in Spanish. If that makes you hesitant to visit, just know you can point and pick. Also, there are employees who speak English...
- There is no fountain soda (bummer), but they don't only offer Pepsi (#teamcoke #notthatcoke)
- This is not going to be a place where you'd take anyone with dietary needs other than "carnivorous" or "pork lover".
- Other items for order included croquetas and tamales. The press in the back suggested there may also be sandwiches.
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