Inside La Cubana: The new Cuban eatery on Toronto's east side

La Cubana has opened an outpost on Toronto’s east side.

Located at Gerrard just west of Jones, the eatery is the third of its kind for owners (and siblings) Pablo and Corinna Mozo, who already operate west-side locations in Roncesvalles Village, and on Ossington Avenue.

Like its predecessors, the new location is a vibrant space decorated with teal subway tiles, camel coloured booths, and red accents. The menu here mirrors the Ossington location (for now) though brunch (like they do on Roncey) could be introduced in the near future.

For now, the menu spans a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, and wholesome plates packed with slow cooked meats and obligatory sides of slaw, rice and beans, and tostones.

Not to be missed is the Cubano sandwich featuring layers of thinly sliced ham, pork, and gruyere with pickles, mustard, and chipotle mayo booked-ended by toasty pressed bread.

Supplementary sides include addictive options like conch fritters, tostones, and yuca fries, the latter of which are like chunky, starchy chips made from the tuberous root vegetable native to South America.

When it comes to more substantial options, hearty plates include a choice of deep-fried, honey glazed pork belly, beef short ribs in a sweet and tangy guava BBQ sauce, slow-cooked pork shoulder, and achiote roasted chicken thighs.

Meatless eaters will not go hungry either: the vegetarian plate is an impressive, and filling, medley of avocado, queso fresco, and tomatoes over rice and beans, slaw, and fried plantains.

Drinks-wise, Cuban cocktails like Mojitos and habanero-spiked Caesars dominate, though beer, wine, and coffee are on offer too. Even the line-up of virgin bevies impresses with Guava Fizz, Mango Coladas, and Raspberry Lime Rickeys on the menu.

The restaurant joins the thriving stretch of Gerrard where Pinkerton’s Snack Bar, Double D’s, and the newly opened Poor Romeo are all clustered together making the neighbourhood more delicious (and diverse) than ever.

La Cubana

Address: 1030 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
Phone: TBA

Address: 92 Ossington Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 416-537-0134

Address: 392 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 416-538-7500

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