Establishment: 925 Neuvo's Cubano's
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Meal: Lunch
Drink: Coca-cola (in a can with a straw)
Appetizer: Empanadas with Cuban Sofrito
Stuffed Meat and Stuffed Spinach and Ricotta
Main: Cubano Sandwich
Side(s): Fries
Dessert: n/a
Server: Lou
There's a laminated poster of an old newspaper article that starts with the following: "You've driven past a thousand times ..." and I do believe that that number might actually be higher for me and mine, as this walk up stand is on a main road and close to both ye olde homestead AND ye new olde homestead. Finally ... today ... the trigger was pulled, and this establishment was chosen for this ongoing series. As noted below, it's a unique place in a unique spot (right along a major thoroughfare in a section that is much more industrial than residential), best suited for daytime eats and rumor is that it stays open until it closes (which may or may not be on a regular schedule). It promises the real Cuban experience in the FTL and here's how it delivers:
AMBIANCE: 10/10 (a quick glance at the number of pictures of the establishment vs the food that accompany today's post, and it's clear that one of the best things about this place is being there ... and none of the photos captured the sounds [authentic music from the loudspeakers, the chirps of the birds who know an easy target when they saw one and the multi-lingual buzz of the patrons and employees] ... with outdoor seating scattered throughout in all kinds of nooks [ONLY outdoor seating, so go on a beautiful day for optimal effect], patrons are surrounded by colorful signs and mementos hearkening back to Havana)
FOOD: 8/10 (the empanadas were stuffed full and the homemade hot sauce [Cuban sofrito] added just the right amount of kick and was clearly freshly made ... the sandwich was on point, with large portions of pork and ham and cheese and the mustard and pickles to punch it up ... a point is lost for ordinary fries that weren't the hottest and another for the sandwich not being pressed as much as I would have expected it to have been)
SERVICE: 10/10 (it's a walk-up style, so the service is just during the order taking, but we were greeted quickly and the food arrived right away ... with paper towels bolted down at all the various eating nooks, every need was anticipated and taken care of)
BACON: 5/10 (so again this is another establishment with nary a reference to bacon on the menu ... but there is plenty of ham and pork and authentic Cuban-ness all around, so it would be unfair to not grant any points in this category)
BONUS: 9/10 (+3 for being a long time family owned business, +3 for the placement of the POW flag and the obvious military service of the owner and +3 for the entertainment of watching patrons try to navigate the tight "parking lot"/driveway as they come and go [sometimes with the assist of the owner])
TroyScore: 42 out of 50 -- aka 84, a solid B
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