A hidden tropical oasis with food from around the globe has landed in Rockland
ROCKLAND – A tropical Miami vibe with flavors of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guatemala has found its way to the South Shore.
Mima's Cuban Café, located at 200 VFW Dr., Rockland, brings something unique to the area, from its sunflower décor to the bright yellow and green walls and Spanish music playing in the background.
Once inside, you're in a "whole new world," almost like you entered another dimension. The restaurant gives a warm Miami feel, just like the co-owner, Agueda "Abby" Morales, wanted.
"I decorated the restaurant to look like my mother's house in Miami; she loved sunflowers, so there are accents of sunflowers all over the restaurant," Morales said.
The family business felt like there weren't many Spanish restaurants in the area and wanted to add their flare to traditional dishes to share with the community.
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What's on the menu
As a customer you can expect to see different cultural influences on the menu.
Some popular items include:
Pan con bistec – Cuban steak sandwich with chopped steak over a bed of sauteed onions, queso fresco, shredded cabbage, and authentic pan cabano Cuban bread.
El Jibarito – Tostones "fried plantains" as bread with your choice of pork, pernil, stewed chicken, or chopped steak with grilled onions served with our special sauce.
Ropavieja – shredded beef cooked with onions, peppers, and tomato sauce with your choice of two sides.
The menu gets updated frequently with new dishes to keep customers on their toes.
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Family supports restaurant
Morales does all the cooking alone but has employees and family members help prep in the morning, including her husband, Hector Morales, who cooks the classic Cuban sandwiches.
The entire family pitches in to keep the business running smoothly, and it is an intense labor of love.
But they wouldn't change it for the world.
"We're here, and we'd love for everyone to come in and try and enjoy the food, it's an oasis from the usual,' Hector said.
Come to 200 VFW Dr. Rockland and try one of their rice dishes or Cuban sandwiches; you won't be disappointed!
Staff reporter Alisha Saint-Ciel can be reached at stciela@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: New restaurant Mima's Cuban Cafe serving Spanish food in Rockland
