Bongo's...Real Cuban?

[smraynor]

I would love to hear from people who have tried Bongos. How is the food? Is it authentic Cuban? If I've never tried Cuban Sandwiches, is this the place to try them?

 

[dani0622]

Hi! I tried Bongoe's earlier this year and was disappointed. I live in Northern NJ where we have towns with Cuban sections and incredible Cuban sandwiches! My DH and I both had Cuban sandwiches at Bongoes and did not enjoy them at all. Sorry to disappoint I know there are many mixed opinions on this place.

 

[glawgirl]

I wouldn't recommend Bongo's. The food is mediocre and the service is horrible.

 

[MosMom]

I've never tried Bongo's but you must try a cuban. They are just awesome. Jimmy Buffet's Cheeseburger in Paradise has a good cuban if you have one near you.

ABC comissary has a fast food version of a cuban which isn't too bad.

 

[Lulu's Mom]

We went there last November and I was not impressed. The service was horrible, we waited five minutes for a highchair before going to find our own, and the food was not so good. I would not recommend it to anyone.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

It's authentic Cuban in the same way that Olive Garden is authentic Italian.

 

[Forever42]

I grew up in the Tampa Bay area surrounded by Cuban restaurants, and I find Bongo's to be fairly authentic, actually. We've had excellent service and food there, and the atmosphere on weekends is wonderful (although loud!).

I'd say it's a good place to try Cuban sandwiches - though I liked the medianoche better. It's a Cuban sandwich but on slightly sweet egg bread instead of Cuban bread.

We'd go a lot more often, but they don't take DDE, and we don't often go to Disney restaurants that don't.

 

[Cubana2004]

I am Cuban and live in Miami. Bongo's just doesn't cut it when it comes to authentic Cuban food You want great Cuban food try making a trip down to Miami someday, can then drive up to Orlando or down to the Keys depending on what the mood strikes you

 

[Evi]

ok so as a Cubana who grew up with a cuban family that owned a cuban restaurant Bongos is very very sad.

We order the appatizers it was a combo of different things like platano frito con camarones(green plantains cups with shrimp) bad just bad they tasted like maybe frozen and defrosted so sad.

and then when our meal came out I found it indeable. I couldn't belive they were calling this cuban food just my 2 cents.

 

[Maggi May]

It's a shame that Bongo's isn't that great because Cuban cuisine really is wonderful.

If you're going to dine off property, Orlando has several excellent Cuban restaurants. My favorite is Numero Uno. http://www.numero-uno-restaurant.com/1310597.html

Rolando's is good, too, but it's in the NE part of Orlando and pretty far from WDW.

 

[Momelie]

One hint - if the Cuban sandwich has lettuce and tomato (or if its even offered), then it it NOT an authentic Cuban restaurant!

I guess its Cuban in the Olive Garden sense.... but something was off about the plantains, and ropa vieja wasn't quite the same, either. Oh, and no croquettes, either.

I agree about the medianoche, though, I did like that.

 

[WildGrits]

I guess its Cuban in the Olive Garden sense.... but something was off about the plantains, and ropa vieja wasn't quite the same, either.

I'm so glad it wasn't just me.

I was so happy to get some ropa vieja cause I haven't had any in decades. IT was so bland. I did like the plantains but that might be saying something cause usually I hate them. So that probably means they weren't good.

Our waiter was very nice, he even talked me out of an appetizer and suggested another cause he said it wasn't very good. I did like his recommendation. But there was this other waitress who every time she passed our table hit the corner of it jarring everything on it. Not just once but like 4 times. Maybe her backside was bigger than she realized.

In closing, I would not suggest this place at all.

 

[Robert P]

I would love to hear from people who have tried Bongos. How is the food? Is it authentic Cuban? If I've never tried Cuban Sandwiches, is this the place to try them?

I think the other posters have said it well.
Bongos was our first experience with Cuban food, and it was horrible and bland. Throw in alot of noise and terrible service, so 3 strikes and you're out!

I have since had 'authentic' Cuban food, and find it to be most excellent, and a real treat when properly prepared. I like the comparison to the Olive Garden scenario, except at least you can eat the food at Olive Garden. I mean, it tries to be Italian.
If you want to try Bongos, then just hit the walk-up window for something quick to walk around and snack on. If you want to try decent Cuban food, go somewhere off property.

 

[MosMom]

Maybe her backside was bigger than she realized.

I have this problem sometimes.

 

[cookiebrito]

The food served at Bongo's is an overprice imitation of Cuban food. You are better off finding a Cuban resturant in your home town.