I am writing this review after living in Tallahassee for four years and dining at Gordos multiple times. I was born in Cuba and grew up in Miami most of my life so I speak from within the culture and from experience. Gordos is not authentic Cuban food.
Their proteins arenât bad, although I usually order meats like the lechon. The moros is always poorly cooked; the rice never absorbs the bean broth and the flavor is completely off. Their black beans taste like something out of a can. They claim to serve their sandwiches on Cuban bread but their bread is not thick, it is extremely skinny and barely covers the meat when you order traditional sandwiches like the pan con bistec. They also give meager pieces of fried yuca when you order it as an appetizer. I donât understand why their pieces of yuca are so skinny. Yuca can be bought frozen or fresh and one yuca can yield enough fried yuca for 2-5 people. It is really frustrating when youâre from within the culture and see how poorly the food is cooked and how little effort they put in into improving their cooking.
Iâve never seen a Spanish speaking staff member at Gordos before. I am not saying that people that only speak English shouldnât be hired there, but they should at least be taught some basics on Cuban culture if they are going to be working at a Cuban restaurant. I havenât been to the other locations, but this location is mainly staffed by college students who drink on the job. I have a hard time understanding why Gordos has no Latino employees when we live in Florida and have plenty of Latinos in town.
If youâre someone who has no experience with Latino food and want to get drunk, Gordos might be your spot. However, if you want to taste authentic Cuban food, go to Habanaâs Boardwalk.
Gordos, Iâd love to have more Cuban dining options to go to. I am calling on you to improve! Iâd love to...
   Read moreI may be spoiled with Cuban food being a Tampa native and having Cuban family but I asked around for a good cuban place in Tallahassee and was referred to this place. Went this past Sunday and after sitting at a table for 20 minutes my sister had to go search for a server to get our order. When the server finally came she was nice but didn't know much about the menu. It was very busy and loud as alot of college kids were there. We ordered the empanada sampler and the pan con mantequilla. The empanada sampler was decent but the other app was a disappointment. Down in Tampa the bread is toasted and generously pasted with butter. We got cold bread with barely any butter. My sister got the cuban and me and my gf got the arroz con pollo and the lechon asada. The meat was alright in both dishes. Not as flavorful as I'm accustomed to but the meat was tender. The rice was bland and mushy. I also couldn't get yellow rice with the lechon asada as the server told me it is premixed and only served with the arroz con pollo which is why I ordered both. Idk if maybe we came on a bad day as it was very busy but the table we were at was also barely standing. Any weight put on one side would tip the table over. The walls next to the table were stained with food and what I hope was ketchup. The server was very nice but didn't know much about the menu. The food was not very flavorful or even cooked well. Other then the empanadas which I doubt were even made there and then the chicken and pork in both dishes being tender I was disappointed with everything else and it did not satisfy my craving for authentic cuban at all. I am weary about giving it another try as I see some really good reviews and decent pictures of food in the reviews but our visit was...
   Read moreI recently had the pleasure of dining at Gordos and I must say, it was a delightful experience. The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the fantastic Cuban Pressed Turkey sandwich. The combination of tender turkey, melted cheese, and tangy pickles pressed between perfectly toasted bread was simply heavenly.
But the culinary delights didn't stop there. The rice and beans with bacon were an absolute treat for the taste buds. The smoky flavor of the bacon infused into the fluffy rice and creamy beans created a mouthwatering combination that left me craving for more.
What impressed me even more was the atmosphere of Gordos. Despite being an older establishment, the ambiance was absolutely charming. The Cuban theme was tastefully incorporated into the decor, transporting me to the vibrant streets of Havana. The warm and inviting ambiance made my dining experience all the more enjoyable.
Overall, I highly recommend Gordos to anyone seeking a culinary adventure. Whether it's the fantastic Cuban Pressed Turkey sandwich or the delicious rice and beans with bacon, this place is sure to satisfy your cravings. With its amazing atmosphere, Gordos proves that age is just a number when it comes to providing a memorable...
   Read more