Cafe' Masaryktown
I mentioned the conversation I had with my co-worker to my wife and she was almost as eager to try it out as I was. We arrived just after 4PM. We pulled up to a very quaint looking yellow building; it looked like an old house. Well, it ends up the building was a hotel built in the 1920s! My wife loves antiquing and all that is vintage so her eyes lit up as soon as we parked the car.
We entered to find a nicely decorated establishment, not too much, just right. The subtle sounds of latin music set the mood very well. We were seated very quickly and we got comfortable.
The menu at Café Masaryktown is full of what some would say is "standard" Cuban fare but make no mistake about it, this is some of the best Cuban food I've ever had.
We started of with a pair of empanadas ($2.49/each), one Empanada de Picadillo (beef) and an Empanada de Pollo (chicken). These fried pillows of deliciousness were great! For our entrees, I got the Roast Pork (the menu says it's their signature dish -- and I know why!) and my wife got the Large Cuban sandwich and a side of fries.
Okay... let me say a something about this Cuban sandwich. I've had Cubans all over Tampa... back in the day when Roberto's was on MacDill Avenue (mind you, before AND after the name change to "Roberto's"), the "original" Cuban at the Columbia Restaurant, and myriad others in town. Sometimes, Cubans are a little too aggressively pressed... slathered with butter and just too darn crispy! Café Masaryktown's is perfect! A wonderful mix of ham, pork, salami, and all the regular fixin's simply pressed. It had a "clean" taste, not buttery/greasy... just delicious! Oh, the Regular Cuban (7") is $4.29; the Large Cuban (9") is $5.29; and the King Cuban (12") is $7.29. Um, you can't beat those prices in Tampa!
By the way... the menu says they serve the "Best Cuban North of Ybor City." Don't kid yourself... in this humble patron's opinion, it's better than the Cubans I've had in Ybor.
The Roast Pork entree ($8.59) was simply wonderful. Again, "clean" came to mind with the roast pork. It had a delightful mojo flavor which wasn't the least bit greasy, the meat was lean and tender. Very, very delicious! I got the entree with yellow rice and black beans. These sides were very good and the entire meal came in a very, very generous portion. I had to take half of it home (um, yes... it's tomorrow's lunch)!
We were too full to try the dessert, but I've got to try the guava cheesecake someday!
The menu is quite extensive. Appetizers average at $2.50, entrees average at $8.50, their "other" sandwiches average at around $7. They also have vegetarian choices, soups, salads, and a bevy of desserts.
If you want a great Cuban meal and great prices, you've GOT to go to Cafe' Masaryktown!
Google Map to Cafe' Masaryktown
More info can be found on their website at: cafemasaryktown.com
They also have a Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/CafeMasaryktown?fref=ts