Cafe Havana — Restaurant in Ocala

The coffee here isn't coffee at all.... it's some sort of mad-scientist concoction that was probably chiseled in stone some 1,200 years ago before they had the technology to make it, later to be unearthed by Cafe Havana and its secrets unlocked by whatever ritual it took I don't even care I'm going to look the other way because if what I've been drinking for the last 30 years is coffee, this is some level 10 extreme café del cielo. Also, I don't know anything about cuban sandwiches, other than I've had at least 5 in Ocala that all claim to be the best in Ocala. These fine folks don't even play that game, they're just like, "it's a Cuban". But what they mean is, "it's THE Cuban". It's the kind of sandwich great men like Mark Cuban were named after, hoping one day to achieve the level of greatness that this sandwich is. And it's like, what, $7.99 with fries? I don't even like pickles or mustard but you know what, this isn't Burger King and you're going to have it their way this time and you're going to find out sometimes your opinion of pickles and mustard is wrong and maybe you've gone all this time just not understanding their place in your life. If you don't hit that tip jar on the way out you need to go feed some ducks and think about the kind of...

We love Cafe Havana, and eat there often. I think their food is the best tasting, most consistently cooked food in Ocala. Breakfast and lunch are equally good, but lunch is the star, with it's buffet bar, which is so good that I'm always surprised when people order a sandwich. You can choose between 2 or 3 flavors of rice, fried yucca or plantains, or steamed yucca, and 3 different types of meat stew, all of which are slow simmered, melt in your mouth and perfectly seasoned. With this you have a choice of beans, also perfectly seasoned. Your choices vary day by day, so you get different offerings on different days of the week. Everything is cooked in lard, making it both tasty, and healthy. They also make the best tres leche I've ever tasted, and the best Cuban coffees too. The only disappointment is the narrow opening hours, for this is a breakfast and lunch only establishment, and a Monday to Friday establishment. It is also very small, and if you come at the lunch hour rush, you might find yourself eating with strangers at the big table, which adds to the...

Ok so I was in the area and was looking for a sign that read this place is the place to go, not wanting the same ol boring chain restaurant blah blah blah and note that I was 3 hours away from home. This little place popped up looking for my destinations address. Welsp I went straight in and ordered my favorite cuban sandwich pan con lechon (pork sandwich). I always look for legendary.

The wait to order was super long. (I was there at 11am). And they have 2 registers and 3 people in front of me. The wait continues for my sandwich and fries to come out. Like an hour. The flavor of the sandwich made me forget the wait..... it was worth it. The fries tasted like fresh fries from a state fair, yuuummm. And the meat in the sandwich was surprisingly well marinated. The place is small but seats enough people and is very friendly, also I love the lady there and her old school kindness of bringing around samples or her colada cuban coffee.

Now my reviews as all reviews is an overall. 5 stars if the service was a bit faster for a café..

Recommend and will be...