Made in Havana — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Made in Havana has a “concept of a Cuban meal!”

lol! Ok, seriously, it is “concept Cuban” food! They sandwichize Cuban classics. I wouldn’t call all of the food authentic. However, most of the food is truly incredible and I love the concept!

The young lady that took our order was beyond sweet and cool!

I had the croqueta sandwich. It’s a perfectly executed Cuban style sandwich. It’s a media noche style sando with croquetas inside! For the uninitiated, “croqueta” is Spanish for croquette which is a famous Cuban side dish. Usually made of ham. I loved them passionately as a child! My best friend’s mom included them with dinner often. The croquetas here are exceptionally well made and delicious. The sandwich is a cool creation! I’m not Cuban so I’m not sure if it’s authentic but who cares it’s awesome!

To be sure I never ran into a croqueta sandwich before, in my life, but as in Mexican cuisine, some things we eat aren’t in restaurants. Like homemade tacos. We eat them with “guisado” inside. Guisado is a type of stew or meat in a chile sauce. Street tacos aren’t homemade tacos. Maybe the croqueta sandwich is authentic in Cuban homes! Ask a Cuban! Anyway, the croquetas here are authentic through and through!

The beans are tangy and tasty but unique to this restaurant. The mojo sauce is also unique. I didn’t like it. The yuca fries were tasty and authentic with a dash of unique garnishing.

I eyed the Nutella cheesecake and will someday eat one!

The restaurant is clean, modern and cute! Outside tables line the sidewalk in front of the store and the people watching is great! They play fun Cuban music!

For a different kind of salsa come here!!!!

Meter parking and also free parking...

Worst Cuban food I've ever had. Seriously. Poor quality. No flavor. Ordered togo food. The Vaca Frita was awful, the meat was undercooked and flavorless. No seasoning and the meat tasted old and very poor quality. The pickled onions were old and dry. The Pollo a la Plancha came sin plancha(without the grill) the chicken was undercooked and had no grill marks or any other signs that it was cooked. It looked boiled and had zero seasoning or flavor. I feel like I wasted my money and I'm really disappointed. The yuca fritas and the pastelitos were great. But the two meals we ordered were terrible. It ruined the whole experience. Not worth it. Sorry to say it. I never leave bad reviews if i can help it but you can get a better meal at any street taco vendor and not Maybe it was and spend a fraction of the price. I don't mind paying for good food but this food went straight in the trash. Maybe it was an off night but either way. Not good. $67 not worth it.

EDIT TO ADD: the cookie and lemon bar for dessert...

Oh my goodness! Best Cuban sandwich in LA by far. Maybe the best I've ever had including Miami. The pulled pork is perfect. The ham couldn't be better. The mustard and all the other ingredients are perfect. Real Cuban bread toasted to perfection! It came with a little side of beans and I couldn't get enough of those either. Update. I'm eating my way through the whole menu. The Philly Cuban was incredible! I just had a sandwich that was so good I forgot it's name. I think it might be the jamon with croquette. Their Cuban Cafe con leche is perfect also. Another update. As I predicted I'm eating my way through the whole menu. The chicken sandwich was one of the most flavorful chicken sandwiches I've ever had. The onions are caramelized to perfection. I've also tried the tostones now and they are the best I've ever had. Better than my Cuban friend makes at home better than the ones I make at home! So much flavor I didn't think I needed the extra sauce that I got until I tried it. Amazing...