El Oriental de Cuba
As authentic a Cuban experience as you'll find in New England, situated on a nondescript Jamaica Plain corner.
(617) 390-7024
416 Centre St
(at Paul Gore Street)
Jamaica Plain,
MA
02130
42.3209
-71.1105
Neighborhoods: Hyde Square, Jamaica Plain
Hours:
Mon-Thu 8am-9pm
Fri-Sat 8am-10pm
Sun 8am-8pm
Price:
$
Last updated 4.30.09
What People Are Saying About El Oriental de Cuba
The Owner
El Oriental de Cuba
Owner
Every day we serve to a very diverse ethnicity of clientele, who through our dishes, experience something that we have called "A Cuban Dining Experience", which takes them back to our roots. We were the FIRST Latino restaurant to have delivery service. The FIRST to have a variety of dishes as daily specials, plus an extensive menu full of Cuban and International dishes. First, to have a professional Catering Service that has become the most prestigious and renowned in the state of Massachusetts.
El Oriental de Cuba features Cuban dishes like Ropa vieja, Rice with octopus, the authentic Cuban sandwich, delicious Cuban coffee and more. Give us a call to make your reservations, or email us, we will be happy to help you!
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
El Oriental de Cuba looks and feels like lunch hour at a Havana cafeteria. A lengthy takeout counter greets all patrons, from neighborhood kids to police officers walking the local beat. Scenic photographs of Cuba are perched between snapshots of local celebrities. Ceiling fans hum above the twenty tables, which are graciously shuffled around the restaurant to accommodate diners. Bilingual service is casual and dependable, but not necessarily friendly.
The Food
Aficionados pour beans (black or red) over rice (white or yellow) and add their entree to the mix--like breaded steak (bistec empanizado) served with peppers, green olives and onions, or shredded chicken (pargo en salsa), swimming in a garlicky sauce. The house specialty is the tasty Cuban sandwich, a thin baguette filled with roast pork, Swiss and ham and topped with a secret sauce. Crunchy tostones (fried green plantains) are served with most meals, but try the sweeter maduros, made from ripe plantains.
User Reviews
Anonymous
January 31, 2009
Visiting Jamaica Plain is a multi cultural experience. The homes are renovated versions of once a working class neighborhood. El Oriental reflects the diversity by catering to its Cuban residents.
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goddesszeppelin2
November 02, 2008
Me and my bf haunt this place as regulars almost. The food is exceptional, staff is all so friendly and knowledgable and the place is anything but stuffy and overpriced. We recommend the fried pork chops or the griled chicken plate. On that note they have the best tostones in town ( fried plantains) . The crows is very diverse and welcoming even though it can be packed. You have to try it at least once, It wont be your last... I didt even mention the Cubano sandwich because there are no words
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alideva
February 06, 2008
The 4.5 stars the editorial staff gace this place is grossly undeserved, but since there isn't an AUTHENTIC Cuban restaurant in the Boston area, they really don't have anything else to compare it to. This is not the place to go if you want a Cuban Sandwich. In fact, this is not the place to you if you want Cuban anything... except the scenes on the photos on the wall. The cooks aren't Cuban. The food is a mash-up of recipes of Latin-American origin. Service couldn't be worse. Sorry guys. If you want good Cuban food, go to El Exquisito on Calle Ocho in Miami.
read full reviewThe Details on El Oriental de Cuba
Know Before You Go:
The dessert offering of guava shell with cream cheese may sound odd, but it's a traditional Cuban sweet well worth a try.
What to Drink:
For dessert on the go, try a tropical shake, available in hard-to-find Cuban fruit flavors: Mamey, guanabana, tamarindo, parcha and trigo.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Cash, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Travelers Check
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Breakfast, Family-Friendly Dining, Hidden Find, Lunch Spot, Food Delivery, Cheap Eats
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
Message from El Oriental de Cuba
- Catering for all events
- Authentic Cuban Cuisine
- Fresh Tropical Fruits Drinks
Every day we serve to a very diverse ethnicity of clientele, who through our dishes, experience something that we have called "A Cuban Dining Experience", which takes them back to our roots. We were the FIRST Latino restaurant to have delivery service. The FIRST to have a variety of dishes as daily specials, plus an extensive menu full of Cuban and International dishes. First, to have a professional Catering Service that has become the most prestigious and renowned in the state of Massachusetts.
El Oriental de Cuba features Cuban dishes like Ropa vieja, Rice with octopus, the authentic Cuban sandwich, delicious Cuban coffee and more. Give us a call to make your reservations, or email us, we will be happy to help you!
