Parrilla Havanera Restaurant — Restaurant in Florida

Food, atmosphere, service: I ordered the Cuban sandwich, a staple for most south Florida Latin restaurants. I was so disappointed. Perhaps because I’ve eaten such amazing ones in Tampa, the city where they were invented. My wife and her mother seemed to have enjoyed their meals. I suppose this place is fairly inline with the average.

The atmosphere wasn’t bad. It falls inline with what you expect from a place like this. Pictures of Latin island countries, Latin music videos on one tv and Spanish dubbed shows on the other. The place was small but clean. The tables were fine and the chairs comfortable enough. It was fine. Not great not terrible.

Service. I am very divided on this one. On one hand they did (almost) everything well. They took our order timely, and delivered water without being asked, which I thought was nice. Their food delivery was off as my mother-in-law’s came several minutes before the rest. But that’s a minor detail.

So, why the one star on service? Not one of the three serving staff members said one word to me. It was obvious from the beginning that I am not Latin in any way. I addressed them in English. The said not one word to me. Not a “hello”,”a you’re welcome” not even an “OK”. Nothing. Every interaction was directed to my wife and her mother who both fit their language preference. It was as if I was a painting on the wall incapable of responding. They made no apologies as others have for not being able to respond in English. (This is South Florida after all.) Still at best this was rude. At worst it was racist.

Now let me be clear. I don’t expect every person in South Florida to speak English. Had their been any indication that this was a Latin experience only or even a sign indicating “We don’t speak English” the way other post “Se habla español.”

So, if you want some reasonably good Latin food with a marginally good atmosphere and you understand Spanish, then this place...

Their food is tasty, the value, not so much. This is the 3rd or 4th time, and likely the last, I order from them. The last time, I got the wrong dish. I ordered rice and shrimp, but received rice and fish. I don't like fish, but I like their food, so I gave them another chance. I ordered masitas de puerco from Uber Eats, today. I paid 13 dollars for this dish and received 4 PIECES of pork. Four... Not even what one would consider large pieces, either. Oh well. You get no more of...

Beautiful atmosphere' for where there is a beautiful atmosphere there will always be varieties of different kinds of people to always see what's in store and will place their lives there constantly. Service is tough but a train unloads its load and proceeds to its next location with no wares and tares. Life isn't easy for a human that works at a restaurant but these people are strong and loveable! Thank you Parillo for...