Glenn Lindgren: Las Vegas has a nasty habit of taking other cultural experiences and packaging them for the tourists.

Jorge Castillo: New York-New York is just one example of this.

Glenn Lindgren: So we were a little skeptical about a Cuban restaurant here. Would it be some phony Vegas production cooked up for the tourists?

Jorge Castillo: We are happy to report that Rincón Criollo is a real Cuban restaurant run by real Cubans!

Glenn Lindgren: It's located in what we have to say is not the best area of Las Vegas – although we felt perfectly safe here.

Raúl Musibay: It's in the shadow of the HUGE Stratosphere Tower, the one with the roller coaster on top.

A simple, but clean and bright environment. A great change of pace from the artificial lights and constant din of the casinos.

Jorge Castillo: We're not sure how restaurants like this compete with the cheap buffets and 99 cent shrimp cocktails that are so popular on the Strip and downtown.

Raúl Musibay: They have a loyal following of local customers.

Glenn Lindgren: This is basic, down to earth Cuban cooking. From the decor to the table settings to the food preparation, there is nothing fancy about Rincon Criollo.

Jorge Castillo: And they keep the prices low. The Cuban Sandwich is just $4.95, a bargain even in Miami.

Glenn Lindgren: They put mustard on the Cuban sandwich here, so be sure to tell them to hold it.

Jorge Castillo: Rincon Criollo bills itself as the Casa de la Palomilla and they serve up a very nice steak – thin and tender with just the right amount of garlic and citrus flavor.

A delicious salad of tomato, cucumber, onions, and Florida avocado.

Glenn Lindgren: A good combination is a sandwich and a bowl of soup. Their Potaje De Frijoles Colorado is a thick rich stew of red beans and ham.

Jorge Castillo: Yes, they do have seafood in the desert and the Enchilado De Camarones is a delicious sauté of shrimp in a criollo sauce of tomatoes, onions, and green peppers.

Raúl Musibay: Another good dish at Rincón Criollo is boliche. If you haven't had it, this is a good place to start. This beef roast is tender and stuffed with real Spanish chorizo.

A simple lunch dish of ropa vieja, frijoles negros, and white rice.

Jorge Castillo: The décor here is not as inviting as the nearby Florida Café, but the food is good and cheap. A great change of pace from those bargain buffets.

HOURS: Open Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. | Closed Mondays

PRICES: Entrees $10.00 to $14.00 for dinner, cheaper at lunch.

DRESS: Really Casual

BAR: None

CARDS: Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover

The Details