Lechonera Latina — Restaurant in Alafaya

So I get my order served at my table (which I did not expect) but then... where are my drinks? I go to the counter and a clueless kid gave me my drinks but froze when he realized that I wasn’t going to pay (again). So he call this “manager”, I explain that my food was served on the table but not the drinks, and he cynically tells me that “este sitio no es la la carta” (this place is not “a la carte”) like insinuating that I just wanted them to serve me. While scuffing, actually. Like it was funny.

I tried to explain that if he serves one thing at the table, he should serve the drinks or hey, maybe CALL US to the counter to pick them up. (It’s called LOGIC). And then he said that. I showed him my ticket showing that I paid for that, I grabbed the drinks and told him to forget about it.

I mean it was bad enough that the food took FOREVER to get to us, and it wasn’t even that good; so on top of that treating their clientele like that because they have no communication in there and no one knew about my drinks?

No, I would not be returning, although the actual meat was very tender... but the pig skin was like eating a piece of leather (which technically is, but that’s not how it works). The mofongo was big, but downright flavorless. Don’t expect it to be any better when you reheat it the day after, it will actually be worse.

Other than that, and to be fair, they have big variety there, and the servings are generous. The ladies were very cordial. But be warned, this might have “latina” in the name but the only music playing during the over two hours I spend there was bachata.

So yeah, give it a try, but I hope you don’t need anything beyond service because that manager...

This is a great little spot with the fast service of a bodega and comfortable booths to linger with a full belly. Greeted with a mix of familiar aromas when you open the door, the walk down the lunch counter with all its inviting sights, excellent staff, and Cuban music in the background...I thought I was in Ybor City for a brief moment. It was a fantastic lunch.

I choose a chicken empanada and a Sándwich Cubano. The empanada was flaky and warm. The empanada gave an audible snap and a slight puff of steam when I tore it in half (I must have ordered just after the morning prep was complete)—a tasty treat or acompañante.

I am a bit of a snob when it comes to Cubanos. I am specifically a Tampa prepared in the Columbia Restaurant way with traditional Cuban bread made at La Segunda bakery. Though not all of those mentioned above, this Cubano did not disappoint. The mixto is layered with tasty ham, well-seasoned and slow-roasted pulled pork (also available as a combo plate from the lunch counter), Swiss cheese, mayo-mustard mixed, and sweet-pickle pressed into a beautiful plank. The roasted pork is the star of this sandwich.

While the sándwich Cubano wasn't from Ybor it is one of the best available in Orlando, certainly top three for me. The atmosphere here can transport you into an island kind of day in a heartbeat. The only thing missing is a rum and coca-cola with a lime wedge.

I can't wait to try their larger location, a little further down highway 50, but for a quick lunch or a long afternoon talk, this place is a great choice. Their prices are very reasonable and are on par with lunch counters in some of our...

This place is only good if you go to the place it's self. If you order don't leave until you check your order. I have ordered before and they always mess my order up weather I order from them directly alone or with my coworkers we are always missing something...and yes I give it the benefit of the doubt and have ordered time and time again in hopes of them getting my stuff right but this time was my last time ordering. I literally ordered 3 of the same exact thing and placed my instructions in both English and Spanish...and still fucked up my order...3 mofongos all 3 with beef (bistec ensebollado)...I got one with beef, one with pork and one with nothing...ask me if the money was taken from the account...yes it was...did I eat any of it...no I did not I ended up with the one mofongo that did not have any meat on it at all...and no I'm not a vegetarian...so yes I was and am upset. Save your money, time, a headache and the hanger if you are not going to eat at the establishment. it's an issue with getting things delivered because the establishment does not put your order together correctly and the person that picked up my order from there didn't check it either...so it goes by 2 different set of eyes and it didn't get checked until it too late and now I don't have a...