During my NYU days, I frequently visited Avenue C's Cafecito, whether for a special dinner or to grab a Cubano to go. One time, I even went during a blizzard. Such was my devotion to their excellent Cuban cuisine—not to mention sangria—and I was thrilled (and relieved!) during a recent visit to find they were still cooking up some incredible, hearty fare after 12 years in the business.
If they were to be judged on their Cubano ($11) alone, they'd get a 10 out of 10, especially for the succulent roasted pork enveloped in a loving embrace of Swiss cheese and spicy mustard. Pro tip: order the quartered Cuban as your appetizer to split with the table so you can save room for one of their equally delicious entrees.
In my less culinarily enlightened days, I'd get the Pollo Cafecito ($17.50), a simple but flavorful grilled chicken breast pounded thin. On the last visit, it was the Vaca Frita ($20), shredded flank steak in mojo fried on a flattop until it's crisp and browned. Their Ropa Vieja ($21) is also excellent. All entrees are served with some kind of rice, a cup of brothy beans and plantains, either sweet maduros or savory tostones. Both are delicious, but the creamy garlic sauce accompanying the tostones is so good you'll want to slather it over everything on your plate.
The space is divided into a cozy dining room on one side and a lively, more modern bar on the other. I've always been partial to their sangrias, available in red during the winter and white in the summer. The fruit inside is fresh and potent after soaking up all the delicious booze. Their mojitos are also great, offsetting the rich, stick-to-your-ribs fare with lots of bright lime and fresh mint. On temperate evenings, the doors and windows are flung open, allowing a cool breeze to waft through off the Loisaida.
185 Avenue C, (212) 253-9966; website
