Sabor de Cuba Restaurant — Restaurant in Frederick

This restaurant has the potential to have a much higher rating, perhaps 4 or higher. But there are some serious deficiencies standing in the way, in my estimation. Firstly and foremost is the quality of the servers. Do you believe you should have to ask for a place setting, a glass of water and a menu when you arrive to a restaurant? I believe these things are expected and should not have to be requested. Secondly do you think your food should arrive hot and fresh? I do. But this restaurant doesn't seem to care whether or not you're a food arrives Hot or Not. And the water that you drink, must you request a straw and should the water taste like disinfectant? I don't think you should have to ask for a straw and the water shouldn't be so foul that it tastes like disinfectant. How about the servings, should a cup of beans be a full cup or should it be a third of a cup? I was served 1/3 of a cup in a full cup container. Those are the negatives now let's move on to the positives. The pork is actually half decent, but they need to add more spices and properly saute each side of the pork. Nevertheless it was not bad. The plantains were the highlight of the meal, which is surprising. The rice was cold, Clump together, Bland and tasteless. The black beans were pretty good, but they were cheap with them despite having purchased a full dinner and there's no reason for it. My cup of coffee arrived cold despite the server telling me otherwise. Despite the Luke warm temperature, the Cuban coffee was actually very good. So the restaurant is a paradox and it has the capacity to be a very good one. But, without correcting these quality control flaws, it's clearly below average. It's a shame because it was my first instance to a Cuban restaurant and I could tell that the food would have been extremely good had they simply corrected these flaws. But because of them, it destroyed the entire meal. I will not return because there is clearly a management problem. And what's a shame is that they are all minor fixes. I will look for a new Cuban American restaurant because I do think they have unique spices and their food is flavorful and Hardy. This restaurant however, reflected poorly on Cuban Cuisine and it's...

A Bump in the Road at a Beloved Frederick Eatery

Sabor de Cuba has always been a beacon of culinary delight in Frederick, MD, and it holds a special place in my heart. Having moved away from Maryland a few years ago, my visits back are incomplete without a meal at this cherished spot. It's a tradition I've relished during my sporadic visits each year. However, my most recent experience was a departure from the high standards I've come to expect, although it's important to note that it seems to have been an isolated incident.

On a weary journey from Boston to Frederick, the anticipation of indulging in my favorite dishes at Sabor de Cuba was a comforting thought. Unfortunately, the reality did not match my expectations this time. My food arrived lukewarm, and my drink was notably delayed, taking about 25 minutes to be served. This was particularly disheartening given my exhaustion and hunger after a long day's drive. My companions—my husband and mother—had no issues with their meals, which highlights the inconsistency of my experience.

The response from the management was prompt and considerate. My meal was taken back with assurances of a fresh order being prepared. Yet, the timing was off, and by the time my meal was nearly ready, my dining companions had finished theirs. Opting for practicality, I requested my dinner to go. The manager graciously removed the drink from our bill, an acknowledgment of the service mishap.

Despite the disappointment and the frustration that marred this particular visit, my regard for Sabor de Cuba remains unshaken. The manager's actions to rectify the situation were appreciated, though the experience left me disheartened. I gave my to-go order to my mother, sparing myself the hassle of reheating hotel food.

It's crucial to emphasize that this incident appears to be a rare misstep in an otherwise flawless record. My years of patronage have been filled with countless delightful meals and memories at Sabor de Cuba. This experience, albeit frustrating, does not overshadow the many positive ones. The food is still exceptional, and I look forward to many more meals here...

Went here with family. Split amongst three people, we started with two empanadas (one chicken, one beef), ordered the "two-serving" paella, and ended with the guava/cheese empanada (a circular empanada instead of crescent shape). One person also ordered the drink special, a strawberry margherita.

People were split on whether the chicken or beef empanada was better, but we all agreed that they were both amazing. The inside was super flavorful and the outside was satisfyingly crispy.

Everything in the paella was cooked to perfection. The rice wasn't mushy or crunchy, the shrimp and snapper were tender, and the tiny scallops were intersperced throughout the entire dish, providing little pops of flavour in every mouthful. four servings. Definitely a good idea to use that size instead of larger scallops like I was expecting. Only thought otherwise was that I wish there were more plantains given, but the price of the dish was definitely WAY UNDER what you were given. Great value for rich, well-cooked flavour!

The dessert, a guava/cheese empanada, was tasty but not really what I expected. The guava was sweetened more than I'm used to so I didn't get that tart zing that I wanted. It was good, but I'm not sure I would order it again.

The strawberry margherita, served with muddled strawberries and a hefty slice of grapefruit, was strong and delicious. Definitely want to get another soon!

With regards to the atmosphere, the restaurant was laid-back and super family friendly. The staff weren't trying to pressure you into ordering things and our waitress (Amy I think?) was honest about the hefty portion you got with the paella instead of trying to discourage that option for 2+ people. I really appreciated that!

All-in-all, great staff, great food, and great value! 10/10...