Latin Diner — Restaurant in Asbury Park

First visit to the new Latin Diner at 1007 Memorial Drive in Asbury Park. The location used to be the Cuban Cafe, and the building was constructed to be a Checkers fast food restaurant, so there is limited indoor seating. While the weather is still warm, they have multiple outdoor tables with wide umbrellas for sun protection, and there are a few small tables inside, and several counter seats along the perimeter of the windows. There is lots of available parking in the lot for the supermarket next door.

I ordered a traditional Cubano sandwich, a steak sandwich, beef empanada, and soda, which came to $17.75 with tax. (No, I did not eat it all. Half of the food came home for later.)

The Cubano hit all of the right spots: lots of well-seasoned pork, enough ham and cheese to mix up the flavor, and the right amount of pickles to give that bite of vinegar. It's pressed in the sandwich press, of course, as was the steak sandwich: sliced steak, with gooey cheese, and a sauce with a little bit of tang to it.

The empanada had a nice flaky crust, and the well-filled interior was warm and moist.

The place was jumping with a late lunch crowd, and the staff was super-friendly, and all worked together to put together the order quickly, bring it out to the table, and check with us several times to make sure that everything was okay. They have a warming table at the counter, to show items to customers that can be put together to make a la carte plates from the regular menu items and daily specials. The menu shows a nice selection of breakfast items, served until midday.

(Google isn't letting me upload pictures to add to the review. If I can edit them in...

I just left the diner- one worker at counter, 3 people at register ordering, one person in front of me in line, and another person behind me in line. I was specifically going for an a few orders of chicken wings. There was 5 left when I got in and was just going to ask for them all even though I needed more than those 5 and waited in line for my turn. As I’m waiting a chef was putting in new food. The lady worker told him to take the chicken away- I thought it was also being replaced. When it got to my turn I asked for chicken wings and the lady told me no more. I said I just came for the wings and she said sorry no more. I’m confused as to why those wings were brought back into the kitchen and she didn’t offer those wings to me as I ordered them and just witnessed them go into the kitchen with the cook. I was upset that I wasn’t offered to have fresh wings made per order for me or even take the time to go in the kitchen and see if the wings were available. If there is a line of people, nothing should be removed from the counter. When people arrive, the first thing they do is look to see what’s available. That’s exactly what I did, I saw the chicken wings, was going to order the wings, and then they were removed from the counter and when I ordered them was told unavailable. If food is going to be removed, at least ask the customers in line first before taking them away. You don’t know what they are there for. I ended up leaving without buying...

God Bless you and thank you for your delicious food! Latin Diner is on a whole other level! There are only a handful of restaurants in Asbury Park that I don't feel disrespected as a customer by walking out with small portions and overpriced underwhelming food forcing me to order more and pay more than I ever intended with service that hardly ever includes even a smile (I'm always interrupting some entitled server from taking a selfie or checking their Instagram 🙄 they ALWAYS make me feel like THEIR doing me the favor, not the other way around.). I almost never feel respected as a customer in Asbury Park eateries...I'm not trendy enough to be ripped off on Cookman Ave, parking ticket Included.

Well add The Latin Diner to the short list of restaurants that respect you as a customer! Smiles, cleanliness, fun delicious all-homemade healthy food obviously made with love and care, rapid service and a feeling that you are truly appreciated! I leave feeling the love and respect for the community...not just some rich guy moving in and charging laughable prices for cardboard pizza so he can buy a bigger boat!

Latin Diner, you have earned MY love and respect and I am now a regular customer! Your food is on a whole other level! I can't wait to try my next meal! God is absolutely working through you and you staff and I pray for health, happiness and long continued success for your restaurant and your...