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Home > Restaurants > Bodeguita Cubana

Bodeguita Cubana

Critic's Pick Critics' Pick

271 E. 10th St., New York, NY 10009
nr. Ave. A  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-533-5600 Send to Phone

  • Price Range: $

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  • Reader Rating:

    5.5 out of 10

      |  

    6 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Cuisine: Caribbean
Photo by Jeremy Liebman for New York Magazine

Nearby Subway Stops

6 at Astor Pl.; L at First Ave.

Prices

$7-$10

Payment Methods

Cash Only

Special Features

  • BYOB
  • Delivery

Alcohol

  • BYOB

Reservations

Accepted/Not Necessary

Delivery Area

Houston St. to 14th St., FDR Dr. to Sixth Ave.

Profile

This venue is closed.

You’d never guess it by the name, the menu, or the atmospheric photos of tropical Havana displayed along the artfully weathered walls, but the owners of Bodeguita Cubana didn’t grow up in Cuba or even Miami. They hail, rather, from Serbia, as do many of their cohorts who’ve made the café a bit of a hangout. No matter. With a soft breeze blowing through the open French windows and a boisterous crowd huddled around the rough-hewn bar the place elicits a fairly transporting effect. The menu covers familiar ground, from sprightly, avocado-strewn salads to various pressed sandwiches including a passing Cubano, to a heaping if too chewy helping of ropa vieja.

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5.5 "Mixed Reviews"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10
Write Your Own Review
50% Would you go back?
50% Would you take a date?
20% Would you take kids?
20% Would you go on business?
20% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 6.4
Service: 5.6
Décor: 6.6
Value: 7.0

EH!

sirivipab from 11415 | Posted on 11/30/07

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)
Food: 3
Service: 5
Décor: 8
Value: 3

When I first walked in, I thought I would give BC the benefit of the doubt - I read some pretty bad reviews. Decor is good and prices make it an attractive option, but the food is disappointing. My boyfriend and I ordered two sandwiches: steak and pressed chicken and split 1/2 each. Chicken sandwich was okay, although I could have made it better myself, which is not what you want to feel when out at dinner. The steak sandwich was terrible. The meat was tough and there was no taste. French fries were miserable. Way way too much garlic. Actually, I could smell the garlic from other tables, so there was a hint of what was to come. I love french fries, but I couldn't make myself eat more than a couple. I have to reccommend everyone go to Cafe Cubana on Thompson instead. Incredible flavors, great sangria and easy on the pocket.

is cuban food really this bad?

pbravakis from 10009 | Posted on 11/15/07

Overall Rating: 1 (Not Recommended)
Food: (NA)
Service: (NA)
Décor: (NA)
Value: (NA)

after running thru the list of our regular go-to spots, we came across this place. we sat down and realized it was BYOB. while my boyfriend and our friend ran out for wine (lots of wine was going to be needed to make this experience enjoyable) i tried in vein to order. our starters were cold. the chorizo was undercooked. the spicy avocado toast was a layer of mashed up avocado spooned over a layer of the same spicy mayo dip they brought to accompany the ham croquettas, spooned over a mushy french baguette, the likes of which you find at key foods. we got cuban sandwiches, figuring it would be difficult to screw up a classic, but they were pressed between the same french bread the avocado spread came on, and doused in so much garlic salt that our mouths stung after one bite. then, in the middle of eating (9:45 on a wednesday) the waitress turned up all the lights and started piling bar stools on tables. another couple were refused service. its a shame. im always criticized for going the same restaurants over and over again, but last night i remembered why.

Read All 6 Reviews >>

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