Abuela's Kitchen — Restaurant in Palmetto

Unfortunately the worst Cubans we've ever had. $8.25 for a Cuban (spent almost $30 on 3) that had the least amount of fillings that I've ever seen on a Cuban....minimal meat, the thinnest, narrowest strip of cold cheese (not even melted), and a thin, limp, sad, strip of pickle. The pork is like a thinly sliced lunch meat instead of juicy pulled pork or thick cut slices and both the ham and the pork was rubbery like cheap deli lunch meat. Both meats were cold, which was unexpected, as Cubans we've gotten anywhere else the ham was cold but the pork is warm. There was a smear of Mayo which I've never had on a Cuban before and a barely there squirt of yellow mustard. The bread was so hard and dry you could break a tooth. The bread was warm-ish, probably toasted, it certainly wasn't pressed in the typical manner expected for a Cuban. Included a little cup of an herbed oil.

Thought we were trying a new place that looked pretty authentic and the reviews were fantastic but just came away disappointed. I clearly should've dug more into the reviews instead of just reading the surface ones as there are quite a few other customers with the same exact complaints about the Cubans and the staff so i encourage people to dig into the reviews before trying this place. When we approached them with our unedible, uneaten sandwiches and requested a refund they got snippy and refused and said they didn't care that we felt they were not good and that they were not going to give a refund even though we had the sandwiches to show. But there are other ways of getting a refund from an establishment that refuses one. I do not recommend this place at all. There are much better places if you're looking for a delicious, authentic Cuban such as Tres Delicias Cubanas in Bradenton, which is where we went ended up for lunch instead where they served up a Cuban that was absolutely perfect and you got fries to go with it as well and the people running that are much friendlier.

In response to their comment below...our expectations for a Cuban were NOT unreasonable as what we expected was authentic like typical Cubans are made. No where on the menu do you have any descriptives about how your version is different from the typical authentic preparation. Had the menu described that the meat would be cold we'd have had the opportunity to ask for it to be warm when we ordered. However, that was not an option and we stopped in apparently close to closing time. As new customers that have never been to this place how is one to know that what you'd be expecting to get as a typical Cuban was not at all typical? That goes beyond someone's general "tastes" and ventures into the realm of expectations not met. The "I don't care about the customers" attitude just puts it over the top. Just remember, the customers put money in your pocket and keep your place open. When the customers stop coming so does the money and the doors...

I called and asked what time the restaurant closed and I was told at 5pm. My wife was going to pick up some food on her way home. She called the shop 3 times at 4pm and no answer.

With the understanding that they closed at 5pm She went to order her food and the lady was less than nice. It was 4:15 door wide open and when she went to the counter she was told they were closed in a RUDE attitude

Thats it, they had a chance to make me a regular customer but we will NEVER give them another chance. If you want to be insulted give them a visit I WON'T

Lots of other places to eat that appreciate...

I wondered why this place always looked dead empty inside, now I see why. I go in its just 1 lady on here phone doing absolutely nothing. As soon as I go to look at a menu this lady says They don’t “cook” anything but sandwiches until 11. She obviously wasn’t happy to be there and it seemed like she was trying to talk me out of ordering anything. If your looking for good Spanish food and service don’t waste your time going here. Just a heads up for anyone thinking about trying this place out. I got the cuban which was the only option and it was the smallest portion of meat on a Cuban...