Hemingway’s Cuban Kitchen — Restaurant in Knoxville

I came in to Kerns excited to try a new dining experience, with a change from fast food for lunch. I haven’t had Cuban food in a while so I was excited for Hemingway’s as well.

But I was initially disappointed when the register prompted for a tip for simply stepping up and placing an order, which is the same process you’d take at McDonald’s. I gave a custom tip of $2.50 instead of 15% on a $30 total.

What did I get for $33 after tip for lunch?

A $5 empanada (about the size of a hostess cupcake). A Cuban styled sandwich with plantains on the side. $17.99 A small lemonade. Another $5 (I’m glad I didn’t get a beer).

I sat at on of the stools at the counter top, waiting for my order, but everything was delivered in Togo containers as their establishment focuses service for carry out.

The cashier was friendly, but I could have gone to Texas Roadhouse and had a steak, sides, beer and tip, for about $20, with a full service experience. It would have also come with rolls and butter.

Everyone should of course decide for themselves what they value in a dining experience, but I personally feel that my money will be better spent elsewhere.

By way of quality, the food was average at best, which is why my rating...

First, let me start with the fact that I was spoiled, having lived in South Florida for a number of years. While the menu has Cuban-like food - it is definitely not Cuban. It is Cuban adjacent. I ordered the empanadas and the croquetas. The empanadas were not filled with the traditional meat (chopped meat is traditional, seasoned with sazon, adobo, mojo, sofrito). The croquetas were filled with an unidentifiable substance that tasted more Indian than Latin and the dipping sauce tasted like it just came out of a can of crushed tomatoes. My boyfriend (who is Cuban) had the Frita - which resembled nothing Cuban - was the best part of both of our meals. The tostones were too thick with not enough flavoring (garlic, salt). Cilantro rice and salami on a Cuban sandwich is not Cuban. The service was good and the atmosphere was ok, but the food was thoroughly disappointing - especially...

HEMINGWAYS CUBAN KITCHEN 1st visit - I ordered the CROQUETAS ($11.99) and a Blackberry Lemonade ($5). The CROQUETAS are described as "Crispy bite sizes balls of chorizo and cheddar coated in breadcrumbs." I received 5 balls of plain fried cheddar cheese. There was no chorizo whatsoever to speak of in the cheese balls. Zero. Nada. Ninguna. So, I paid $19 for 5 plain fried cheddar balls & a 10 ounce Blackberry Lemonade. I'm rating so low due to the incredibly low value for the amount & quality of food presented. Additionally, I was told that it would take 8 minutes to prepare the order & it actually took 17 minutes to get the plain fried cheddar ball masquerading on the menu as CROQUETAS. I will usually give a place 2 to 3 chances, I don't believe that I can do that in this instance when everything points to regret if I foolishly went back for...