Havana Rumba Middletown — Restaurant in Middletown

1/3/25 8:28 Ticket T60

Tonight we went to the Middletown location of Havana Rumba. We’ve been there before as a group over on the left side but this was our first time going by ourselves. We sat on the right side as you go in. We loved the hood of a car being the check in desk. There was the most beautiful flocked Christmas tree at the entrance. They had a big crowd with a waiting list but since there was just the 2 of us, we didn’t have to wait. We were taken back to our seat and it was just the coziest place in the whole restaurant. Our server, Alexander D. greeted us. He was so polite and kind. He brought us our beverages and a basket of Cuban bread with garlic butter. Alex left us to look over the menu. He soon came back and we placed our orders. I chose the Cuban Sandwich with Roasted Pork, Ham, Swiss Cheese, pickles, mustard (I declined) on Hot Pressed Cuban Bread. My husband ordered the Havana Rumba Sandwich came with Serrano Ham, Spanish Chorizo, Provolone Cheese, Mustard, (which was also declined) pickles & Aioli. We both chose the Sweet Potato Fries for our sides. While we waited for our food we enjoyed the live fantastic music being played. Our food was brought out and it was so delicious. When Alex came by I told him that I loved the pork on the sandwich and he told me that there is a pork dinner, Masa’s De Puerco that is a dinner that is served with rice, black beans and sweet plantains and that I must try it the next time I’m back. We sat for a bit longer and listened to the music. I’m sorry I didn’t get his name but he played the trumpet, castanets, guitar and he sang. I could have set there all night and listened to him perform. Alex came back by to take our payment and walk us toward the doorway and I don’t think I’ve ever met a server that treated us like guests in his home and to put his hand on my back and invited us to come back again. I think I’m going to put this restaurant at the top of one of my...

Note: Please excuse the desert pictures. Mom and I were so eager to dig in I almost forgot the photos.

So. There is a reason this place has such a high rating at almost 3K reviews. That said, either get there before they open, or wait until after the dinner rush. Mom and I got there before they opened so we got a table as soon as they were ready at 5. By 5:15 the place was packed. Do not go during the dinner rush unless you are expecting a wait. Probably a very long one. The food was incredible, and I strongly suggest Amanda for your server. She was super sweet, personable, and very efficient- especially given the number of tables she had (they were short staffed). Yes, we had to wait a bit sometimes, but given how busy she was I would have expected to have much longer waits than we did. I was thoroughly impressed by her.

Mom got one of their pork dishes, and I got the Pollo a Mojo. Mom plowed through her meal, and was even kind enough to let me taste it. Very flavorful, especially after she squeezed the lime and lemon juice onto it. My chicken was perfection. A bit citrusy, perfectly marinated, and just all around wonderful. I also really loved the congri rice. The cumin flavor was really strong, though. I love cumin so I was happy, but I know some people may not. My chocolate cake was very good, and worth the 8 bucks, but did not hold a candle to Mom's banana dessert. The Havana Bananas are really something special. Not too sweet, and a good size to share if you don't want a lot of sugar, or perfect to keep all to yourself if you save enough room.

Highly recommend, just remember they get busy fast. Definitely stopping in the next time I'm driving...

Called two weeks in advance for thirteen people, and told them we have three birthdays. HR gives attention to those celebrating birthdays with drums, and/or live singer. Told the hostess about the birthdays upon arrival, and she told me to let our sever know. I did just that. Service was difficult. The servers English was not 100% understandable, the live singer music (outside where we were seated) was blasting, and the server asked folks what they want to order on the opposite side of the table from the guest. Epic fail. I had to run interference, and translate the best I could to the gal sitting next to me. Food: items were cold that should be hot, and dry, and untoasted when the Cubanos, and Havana sandwiches should have been pressed and toasted they were not. Live singer sang Happy Birthday to a group in our area, then again in Spanish to another table (turned the music up higher for that), and then we thought he was taking a break an will get to us next.....he was packing up! I noticed the server talking to him, but he shook his head and continued to pack. I asked the server, and she shrugged, offered the drums but I declined. It all felt forced. Recommendation if you do not like loud music. Eat inside, or go during the week. Avoid weekends, and make sure they are pressing sandwiches to melt cheeses, and crisp bread. Disappointed this time...