Glenn Lindgren: Owner Kristy Socarras Bigelow, a Cuban who grew up in Miami, and her husband Brian have created a traditional Cuban restaurant that benefits from the restaurant smarts of Kristy Bigelow's brother Enrique.
Raúl Musibay: Except for the exterior, which looks nothing like any Cuban restaurant we've ever seen...
Glenn Lindgren: ...Cuba Cuba may have been airlifted directly from Miami and plopped down here in Denver at the base of the Rockies.
Raúl Musibay: It's really two houses, side by side, each painted in Key West pastels. On one side a full bar – on the other, the dining room.
Jorge Castillo: The menu is not large, but features all of the Cuban classics: lechón asado, vaca frita, ropa vieja, camarones habanero, palomilla steak, arroz con pollo, paella, and masitas.
Raúl Musibay: You know the restaurant is great when they do the picadillo right, and at Cuba Cuba they take this most simple of all Cuban dishes and make it into a surprisingly good entree.
Jorge Castillo: Start your meal out right with a basket of mariquitas (plantain chips) served with a tangy traditional mojo and a not-so-traditional mango habanero mojo with a kick.
Glenn Lindgren: We rarely order paella at restaurants – ours is too good and we are spoiled by an abundance of seafood – but the paella here is generously endowed with shrimp and lobster pieces.
Jorge Castillo: The price is very reasonable!
Raúl Musibay: The do an excellent spicy tuna ceviche – plantain-crusted tuna served over watermelon-ginger escabeche.
Jorge Castillo: Best of all? Even in Denver, they DON'T put mayonnaise on the Cuban sandwiches!
Glenn Lindgren: Thank God for that!
Cuba Cuba
HOURS: Dinner: Monday to Thursday 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Friday and Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
PRICES: Entrees: (served ala carte) $17.00 to $24.00
BAR: Full
DRESS: Mountain Casual
CARDS: Yes only
WEBSITE: cubacubacafe.com
Cuba Cuba
1173 Delaware Street
Denver, CO 80204
303-605-2822
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