East Lake Food Market — Local services in Temple Terrace

5 guineitos and carne guisada… dry. No red onions (which I asked for but I think she forgot) no nothing else. $10.99!!! PER PLATE! and to top it off, there’s no flavor. I’m not talking about salt. There’s no sofrito, there’s no oregano, there’s no nothing! It taste like cardboard soaked in beef broth with a little salt. And don’t get me started on this “cafe con leche”. It tastes like American coffee with creamer. It’s like dirty coffee water. No one giving this place a 5 star review has ever had Latin food. Not from back home (wherever home is for you, for me it’s Santo Domingo/Puerto Rico). This is so sad. I used to love my occasional trips to the bodega on the corner to get some guineitos and carne guisada. I think since they started getting a little more business cause of the Amazon they just built they have hiked up prices and lowered their quality. I should have gone to the 7Star up the road. Full of regrets. Lost a loyal customer today. Greed kills good businesses. This picture is $35...

I went in and was waiting for the pig feet that was still cooking, which is delicious by the way. As I was walking around and picking up more items, my mom called and she wanted something as well. I initially told them that I didn't need anything else. So then when I went to order a ham egg and cheese sandwich the one lady seemed upset that I ordered more food. So she started the sandwich. (Cliffnote, they have a container of already sliced meat and cheese next to the sandwich press.) She than goes into the hot case to get the old overcooked ham to put on my sandwich instead of the ham that I have watched them use for all the other sandwiches while I was waiting for my other entree. I told her nevermind and went to pay for the food I already had and the items I had picked up. That will be my last time going there. That was unprofessional and just plain nasty to do to someone that really likes the food that is served there. To everyone else there thank you for all the previous...

So my husband and I have been living in the area for about three months now, and always passed this place otw to grocery shop/work.. And I cannot tell you how much I regret not trying this place sooner.. I am mixed Mexican and my husband is mixed Cuban, and I really just must have not had good Cuban food (sorry husband's family..lol) but o was SHOCKED with the flavors of our meals! I have never had such good pork, and never had such good yuca. I ordered the stewed beef and it was so tender but still had it's chew, plantains which were perfectly charred and not too sweet, and the rice was a good mild base for it all. Man, for sure this is our go to place from now on. Also, SOOOO CHEAP FOR SO MUCH...