Carmen's Cuban Cafe & Lounge

Doesn't Recommend

Rocky01

Joined 3 years ago

Too pricy! Dissapointing food!. I don't know where to start from...First of all, I went to eat to Carmens twice and I'm never going back because of the pricy food and the little amount of food they serve for what they charge. They charged me $14 for the skirt steak that looked like a kids menu. You could hardly find the piece of meat in the plate. The size of the sides they serve look the same as lunch (I don't see what is the point of charging dinner price then).

It is sad that I have to write this because there aren't much cuban restaurants in the area. I hope the owners do something about the food quality, prices and portions, especially nowadays that we are all looking for good deals and good places to spend our money at.

Doesn't Recommend

Jmir

Joined 3 years ago

Very disappointed. I was born and raised in Cuba, have eaten at many Miami Cuban restaurants and even know how to cook typical Cuban dishes.

The Arroz con Pollo was a total disaster. Based on looks and flavor, it was obvious to me that the rice was cooked separately and later on joined by a few pieces of dry chicken breasts with no flavor. The portion was very small, but that did not matter, since it was not worth eating.

My wife had the fried chicken which was a little better but not up to par and her white rice and black beans were acceptable.

The bread was not even close to Cuban bread -- I would have preferred just plain regular bread rolls.

The fried ripe plantains looked great, but I think the oil had been used one too many times because the flavor was strange.

I tried topping the meal off with a good Cuban espresso, but that was disappointing also.

Instead of the $8.95 advertised for each lunch, they tried to charge me $13.95 a piece which they quickly corrected when I complained about it. Apparently, the dinner "button" was pressed instead of the lunch button.

I deeply regret that I answered "just fine" when asked how the meal was. I should have been honest about it. Perhaps that would help them improve on future meals.

Recommends

pardop

Joined 4 years ago

authentic cuban food. I am cuban and this is the closest to authentic cuban you will find in raleigh! Quite pricey, not like miami, where you will find authentic for half the cost great quality. I have had the ropa vieja and moro. my friend had the arroz con pollo (and he said it was awesome,i believe him even though he is a gringo-cubans know that gringos do not know a thing about sabor(flavor)-looks like my arroz con pollo-and that is the best!

Doesn't Recommend

unsabor

Joined 4 years ago

One Wotd: TERRIBLE. Not what I expected after all the glowing reviews. Food was bland and tasteless (Masitas del Cuerpo)- I went at noon and watched the female wait staff stand at the counter in a group yapping away, ignoring diners. One diner actually had get up and walk across the room to request Ketchup. I waved my arm and caught the eye of the hostess who ignored me requiring me to also walk over and request fresh garlic and tobasco sauce for my bland tasteles pork dish. This place is strictly for gringos and is anything but authentic. The food has no latin flavor no latin spices. I have eaten a burger from MacDonalds with more flavor! But the gringos seemed to love it. They can say they have eaten Cuban.. I was there at noon and there were 6 diners with 5 more coming in and 4 leaving as I tried to make sense of my totally bland and tasteless meal. A waste of 20 dollars with arrogant minimally respectful waitresses. I am told they open up and become a nightclub on weekends- I think that is what keeps the the place open because Carmens is no place for real authentic Cuban food. Just terrible!

Recommends

jarchill

Joined 8 years ago

Great cuban food. I love cuban food and this restaurant is one of my favorites. I really like the ropa vieja and croquetas!

Recommends

bev54

Joined 4 years ago

best flan!. Who woulda thought real Cuban food right here in the traingle? I would say this is on par with some of the best Cuban restaurants in Miami and highly recommend it to anyone to enjoys Cuban food. Even if you've never had it, should try it! Last time we visited I had the shrimp in garlic sauce - was delicious! Sauce so flavorful and rice and beans made just like I like them. Fried yuca was also quite tasty - my favorite side dish. Now, once you're done, you have to try the homemade flan - its just heavenly.

Recommends

kpote

Joined 4 years ago

really good food!. hey, one word...yummy...i am a regular at lunch with my coworkers and try to make it out there as often as possible for dinner with my husband. worth the drive! bc i cannot get enuf of this place. everything we've tried has been outstanding, from their staple dishes like the shredded beef, chicken and rice, to other varieties, like the seafood dishes. i love shrimp, so i alwys try a shrimp dish in a different sauce...all the sauces have so much flavor and if you like spicy, the havernero sauce is sooo good...i can easily eat that with rice alone. i don't usually clean my plates, but can't help it here. i might be stuffed, but will eat up every bite...it's that good! and get carlos to make you one of his mojitos...another yummy!

Doesn't Recommend

jbbuttler

Joined 4 years ago

Worst Cuban Coffee Ever.. Well the food was not cuban at all.Everything taste the same.The rice was cold and the flank steak was old and hard.The bread not cuban for sure,.

real bad experiance.

also after the shootout last night , really not my place at all.

Recommends

badger92

Joined 8 years ago

Pretty good. This was our first time at Carmen's and it was pretty good. My wife and I both ordered fish entrees and I thought my swordfish was fair, at best, although I guess I always end up being a little turned off by fish in non-seafood restaurants anyway. The rest of the dish (sauce, rice, plantains, beans, etc) were very enjoyable. The appetizer sampler was great, and the plantains and yuca were fantastic. I think we would go back but I would stick with steak and pork entrees, and avoid the fish. The wait staff was friendly and the prices were decent. One thing that struck us as weird was the table arrangement - there's no divider when you walk in so there are a couple of tables by the door that are probably always vacant. And the 2-seat tables are all kind of in a row so its just sorta weird, but not uncomfortable. All in all, an enjoyable experience.

Recommends

jljl0308

Joined 5 years ago

We've found the hidden treasure here!!!. My husband and I can't wait for date night at Carmen's...this is by far our favorite restaurant for all the right reasons!!! I don't know what my favorite dish is b/c it's all so amazing!! If you're going for pork, you've got to try the tender and juicy Lechon Asado...for chicken, try the Pollo Empanizado (hubby's favorite)...for fish, try the Tilapia Frita!! WOW! We usually order extra to take home to the kids...they LOVE it too and they can be picky eaters! This place is large enough for family gatherings and my husband and I plan on having our 10th Anniversary celebration here. The staff is super friendly too...very attentive! We've even seen the cook come out on several occasions to speak with the customers...he's stopped by our table before too to make sure everything tasted great...now THAT'S SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!! WE LOVE THIS PLACE!!!