1928 Cuban Bistro - Ortega — Restaurant in Jacksonville

My family and I tried out this local gem today for the first time. We heard they plan on opening a location in our neighborhood Fleming Island so we wanted to check it out prior to it's much awaited arrival. Words can hardly express how delighted we were with our experience.

The service was excellent, the food was delicious (I'll break down what we had), and the restaurant itself was cozy, modern, and clean.

Cuban cuisine is one of my favorites, has been for years. I frequent the Miami area at least twice a year and always eat at the local Cubano spots for breakfast and lunch. Today at 1928 Cuban Bistro I had THE BEST cuban sandwich I've ever had in life. I closed my eyes on my 1st bite and thought (with help of the music playing) that I was transported back to Miami. The pork was moist and flavorful, the fresh bread was soft but had that outer pressed crisp. The flavors were exceptional! The congri was top tier. I topped it with some additional black beans (don't judge me lol) and it had all the savory flavors I was expecting.

My sister ordered the "Sloppy Joe" sandwich. Which was also very tasty, and the meat reminded me of the filling of a ground beef empanada. Also the plantains in the sandwich were sweet and cooked perfectly. My mom ordered a plate of the pork, with a side of congri. I already described these items so I won't duplicate myself but as you can expect, she enjoyed her meal as well.

The Cafe Con Leche was authentic, delicious, and strong like cuban coffee should be. We even got a Tres Leches dessert. Let me be very clear, I DON'T LIKE SWEETS. The Tres Leches melts in your mouth and has that perfect balance of richness and sweetness. When I took a bite, my shoulders dropped, and all I could say was "okay ya'll gotta try the Tres Leches!"

I'll wrap it up to say that I will be visiting this and other locations again and will spread the word to all of my fellow foodies!

I also took pictures and will try to...

Walking into 1928 Cuban Bistro feels like stepping into a warm Cuban morning—the air filled with the rich aroma of espresso, the atmosphere cozy and inviting, and the menu overflowing with authentic flavors.

I started with the croquetas, and let me just say—to die for. Golden, crispy on the outside and creamy inside, they’re everything croquetas should be. Pair them with the house sauces and you’ll find yourself ordering more before you know it.

The pastries are equally unforgettable—flaky, buttery, and filled with guava, cream cheese, dulce de leche, or beef. Each one tastes like a little piece of Cuban comfort.

Of course, no visit would be complete without the café cubano. Strong, bold, and perfectly sweet, it’s as good as it gets.

I also tried their signature La Nani (iced café con leche with caramel drizzle), and it was heavenly—smooth, creamy, and energizing.

The sandwiches tell their own stories of Cuban tradition: The Cuban sandwich is perfectly pressed with roasted pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard—simple and flawless. The Medianoche offers a sweeter take with soft egg bread. The Pan Con Lechón and Croqueta Preparada are loaded with flavor and authenticity.

Even breakfast is a celebration here, with dishes like the Deluxe Mezclado (eggs, cheese, ham, croquetas, and salsa roja on Cuban bread) and the 1928 Completa (eggs, croquetas, ham, salad, and tostada)—hearty, flavorful, and served all day.

From appetizers like empanadas, yuca bites, and papa rellena to salads topped with croquetas, every bite feels homemade and rooted in tradition. The food is delicious, the coffee unforgettable, and the staff welcoming—it’s no wonder locals consider it a staple.

1928 Cuban Bistro isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience. Authentic, flavorful, and...

My husband and I went for lunch on a peaceful Sunday and really enjoyed our time here!

Stephanie and her staff were super friendly to us first-timers, answering any questions we had about the food & coffee. My husband had the sloppy pollo, a very flavorful pulled chicken sandwich with shreds of plantain to accentuate the texture, with a rich tasting (not too sweet) passion fruit tea, and I had a classic Cuban sandwich - in which every ingredient was fresh, and was complimented by the amazing sauce selection and crispy yucca fries! I paired my sandwich with the el Rebe, an espresso based coffee with a sweet vanilla mix - usually made with almond milk, but they ran out but Stephanie happily accommodated with oat milk- and it was delicious!

Overall I really enjoyed this little eatery all the way around - definitely will be returning for the sweets menu next time! If you’re looking for authentic Cuban food with a side of fast, friendly customer service, this is the...