Cuban Pete's in Montclair, NJ

🍖 Signature Ropa Encendito: A Carnivore's Carb Feast Hailed as the "top Cuban eatery" by Shandong natives, Cuban Pete's Ropa Encendito (spiced shredded beef) is a certified "rice killer" ✨. Served in a cast-iron skillet for $28, the shredded beef forms a mountain—slow-simmered in tomatoes, peppers, and cumin until tender, it coats black bean rice in an umami glaze as satisfying as Shandong-style braised beef. Staff reveal the secret: Angus beef brisket marinated 8 hours in Cuban rum, with heat toned down for locals but saltiness preserving Havana street food vibes. 🌶️ Menu Highlights: Salty-Savory Cuban Classics ✅ Ropa Encendito (Spiced Shredded Beef) $28 Meat lover's dream: ✅ Beef shreds soaked in tomato broth, every spoonful yields tender, - rich bits ✅ Black bean rice surprise: Mixed with Spanish chorizo, oily aroma rivals Linyi fried chicken Shandong palate fit: Saltiness akin to Qingdao beer clams—pair with iced Coke for balance ✅ Grilled Pork Chop (Chuletón Asado) $25 Texture wow: ✅ 3cm-thick chop, crispy exterior like Jinan braised pork ✅ Accompanying mojo sauce (lime+garlic) cuts grease like Shandong green onions Portion truth: Share between 2 females; side of fried yuca makes great snack ✅ Cuban Sandwich $14 Carb combo: ✅ Classic mix of roast pork + ham + cheese + pickles ✅ Bread pressed till amber, crunch mimics Zhoucun sesame cake Secret add-on: Ask for "fried egg" (+$3) for a "Cuban-style roujiamo" 📍 Practical Info: NJ's Cuban Culinary Oasis Address: 428 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042 Transport: 40-min NJ Transit from NY Penn Station to Montclair, 8-min walk Hours: 11:00-22:00 (till 23:00 Fri-Sat) Cash bonus: Free Tres Leches cake with cash payment—perfectly balances saltiness 💡 What Diners Say "As a Shandong native, finally found Cuban food with proper salt! Ropa Encendito lets me finish 3 bowls of rice." "Pork chop's crispness reminds me of hometown fried pork, lime sauce adds tropical freshness." "Escape NYC crowds for this—$28 beef skillet outperforms Manhattan spots on value." Bottom line: Cuban Pete's hits Shandong taste buds with salty-savory precision, especially in that Ropa Encendito—for authentic Cuban grub in NJ, this is the spot! #NewJerseyFood #CubanCuisine #MontclairEats #ShandongPalateApproved #MeatLoverHeaven