Jorge Castillo: One dish here that you don't see often in Miami: arroz con gandules or rice with pigeon peas. It is typically a Puerto Rican dish, but I do remember eating it in Cuba. The dish is flecked with bits of smoked ham and chorizo with just the right taste of green pepper, onion, and garlic.
Glenn Lindgren: El Oriental de Cuba makes a very picante Arroz con Calamares (rice with squid). The extra kick gives the squid a nice flavor. The Chicharron de Pollo is a generous serving of lightly breaded chicken chunks. The Rabo Guisado (oxtail), a popular dish in Spanish restaurants is well prepared here.
Jorge Castillo: They also do a rendition of Bacalao con Papas, salt cod prepared with potatoes in caserole. If you like liver, I recommend the Higado a la Italiana, an Italian style preparation with onions and green peppers.
Glenn Lindgren: Enchilado de camaron con mofongo is the typical seafood in a tomato-based creole sauce, but here served on top of a plate of mofongo, or fufu – a delicious combination of mashed plantain and bits of crisp pork...
Raúl Musibay: ... and plenty of garlic!
Glenn Lindgren: For the tourist, El Oriental de Cuba is probably a hard-to-find restaurant that is off the beaten trail.
Raúl Musibay: But if you crave Cuban food in Boston, the place is worth the trip.
Glenn Lindgren: Check out their great rendition of rabo – braised oxtail – on Friday and Saturday nights only!
Jorge Castillo: Where else can you get a fresh glass of guarapo de caña in Boston?
Glenn Lindgren: If the day is hot, try a thick rich batido – they have all the Cuban favorites: papaya, mango mamey, guanabana, tamarindo, vanilla, piña, coco, and trigo.
El Oriental has come back better than ever with a newly remodeled restaurant that is bigger and fancier than the original. However, El Oriental has resisted the temptation of "going Hollywood" and remains true to its simple roots – owner Nobel Garcia and his staff still serve the best Cuban sandwich in Boston and a whole lot more.
The restaurant reopened in the fall of 2006, and judging by the crowd on a recent Saturday night, has regained it's loyal following.
Glenn Lindgren: At least, they could have a larger Cuban restaurant.
Raúl Musibay: The El Oriental de Cuba is a small, but popular place.
Glenn Lindgren: It's no surprise that there's frequently a wait here for a table.
Jorge Castillo: However the food is well worth waiting for. They do a brisk take out business for lunch with some great Cuban sandwiches.
HOURS: Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Friday and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
PRICES: Dinner entrees: $11.00 to $18.00
DRESS: Casual
BAR: No
CARDS: None
El Oriental de Cuba
416 Center St
Boston, MA 2130
617-524-6464
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