It's always a good sign when a vendor attracts a crowd of hungry customers on a Tuesday afternoon. I was in and amongst the many eyes peering towards the counter, eagerly awaiting our orders. With quick, but always friendly, service and a concise but well-rounded menu, the wait is never long. In fact, you will likely spend more time deciding what to order, since each option is equally tempting, than you will waiting for your food.
The flavours were punchy and bold without being overwhelming...
The first dish I was treated to was the Cubanos rice bowl. This dish features a choice of slow-cooked shredded beef, marinated chicken, or black bean stew. All are served with saffron rice, mango salsa, house guacamole, pickled onions, tortilla chips and garnished with feta and coriander. And as if that wasn’t enough for the more-than-reasonable £9 you pay, each rice bowl comes with a hot sauce of your choice – mild chipotle ketchup, medium jalapeño cream cheese or hot Caribbean peach. I opted for the citrusy chicken with the jalapeño cream cheese sauce and it was as delicious as it sounds. The flavours were punchy and bold without being overwhelming and it was a feast of textures. The tangy mango salsa and picked onions on the side were standouts for me – I only wish I had more of these.
Next up was the Hot Press sandwich, a nod to the traditional ‘Cubano’ sandwich which originated in the late 1800s as a lunch staple for Cuban workers in Florida. This modern take on a Cuban classic, again, has three options to choose from: slow-cooked pork, slow-cooked beef or shredded chicken. Each of the meat options are marinaded in Cuban spices, the most popular being the mojo-marinated pulled pork. ‘Mojo’ comes from the Portuguese word ‘molho’ meaning ‘sauce’ and is a traditional marinade made up of garlic, olive oil, cumin and a citrus juice. The meat is contained within a brioche baguette alongside an array of fillings such as chorizo cheese, chargrilled peppers and dill pickles (just to name a few) and finished off under a hot press for a satisfyingly crisp outside. This dish was as equally impressive as my first in terms of flavours, textures and value for money.
What stood out most for me was how fresh the food tasted. It came as no surprise, therefore, to learn when speaking to the staff that everything is made on-site. The empanadas (which had all been snatched up by the time I arrived) are even made the same morning that they are sold. This makes sense as Cubanos has its roots in the street markets and food festivals of Newcastle before they opened their permanent site at Grainger Market in 2021. As well as the dishes already mentioned, they also sell various Cuban-style burritos.
What stood out most for me was how fresh the food tasted.
If you’re anything like me and can never commit the maze that is Grainger Market to memory, then you can find Cubanos in Alley 2, Unit 92/93 (look for the small numbers above each vendor!) The closest entrance is on Nelson Street opposite The Alchemist, although I would recommend building up your appetite beforehand by wandering around what was once one of Europe’s largest covered markets.
If you’ve never tried Cuban food before, then Cubanos is a great introduction – and even for those who have, it’s some of the best you will find in Newcastle.