Plantain Cafe
| Address: | 77 E Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA |
| Phone: | +1 614-464-2822 |
| Site: | plantaincafe.com |
| Rating: | 4.5 |
| Working: | 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–3PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 15
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Francis Perrenoud
Came across this restaurant as the family and I were exploring downtown Columbus. Its not exactly your typical hole n the wall type places because it was pretty well lit although fairly narrow on the inside so I imagine this place can get pretty cramped on a busy day. It was a Sunday around 1:30 in the afternoon so I was expecting a busy and bustling joint. The waitress/hostess gave a rather quaint welcome as we sat ourselves and she proceeded to take our drink orders . I noticedar she was the only one taking orders and serving the other patrons hence the rushed and curt service. Nonetheless we got our food rather promptly. A. Classic Cuban sandwich, which disappeared in a few minutesas my 11 year old wildest it down and my Ropa Vieja also in sandwich form made its way to our table. The last entree the Vaca Frita with rice and blackbeans was also good. It appears that they have their standard Cuban Faire downpacked and I am left to wonder how their more complicated dishes and specials come weighing in.
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Masdevallia Chimaera
For about $40 we got two orders of empanadas (four total), two ropa vieja sandwiches, an order of black beans and rice, and a piece of tres leches. If you were just doing lunch, just get one order of the sandwich and one of the empanadas and you have a solid lunch for two. Best empanadas Ive ever had. The crust was perfectly fried, yet light and flaky. The ropa vieja sandwiches were great, too. I tend to think of Cuban steak sandwiches as falling into the same two categories that BBQ does. Theres the honey/brown sugar/molasses-based BBQ, and the vinegar-based BBQ. I like them both, prefer the sweeter version, but love trying the tangy style, too. Plantain Cafe serves the tangy style, and it was very good, with just the right amount of juice to it. I cant wait to go back. Now I need to take a post-Cuban lunch nap.
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A Private User
We were on vacation to see my sister in law and she had recommended we go to the Plantain Cafe. There were 5 of us, and this included our 3 kids ranging from ages 12-15. The food was absolutely excellent and Anna was very helpful on directing us and explaining what to order. All of us, especially our kids loved the food. All of us ordered 5 different dishes and were eating off of each others plates. It was so affordable and the food was plentiful! The kids ask if they can go back to eat at the Plantain Cafe when we go back to Columbus; I say: As long as you bring me!!
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A Private User
I wanted to try cuban food and went to this restaurant. The food was great! However we arrived during lunch and there were 3 or four tables open that were all dirty. We sat at a dirty table waiting for about 10-15 minutes before someone was able to come clean us off a table. The server/waitress was kind of rude and not sociable. Maybe she was feeling overworked but still...When our food finally came we werent brought any silverware and had to obtain some from another table. While the food was pretty good the service was not so Ill spend my lunch somewhere else next time.
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Bob Bolin
Its a little store front so pay attention or youll miss a treat. Best Cuban sandwich in CBUS (and Ive tried them all, best Ive had since NYC), well balanced and the pork is tender and moist. The plantain chips are crispy and starchy and a great side. The fried chicken is moist and the breading flavorful. The beans and rice have a nice flavor, mildly seasoned but tasty. Small place but respectable number of seats, super friendly staff and very reasonably priced. Closes at 8pm on Saturdays so its an excellent jumping off point.
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A Private User
The food was excellent and the atmosphere was relaxed. There was no liquor licence but do not write this place off because of that. If you are desperate for a drink after there is an alright bar next door. I had their seafood special for the day and it was quite possibly the best thing I have eaten all year. This is not an understatement. The tilapia was cook perfectly and was paired with some caramelized plantains. We had an appetizer of plantain chips which was fantastic. A must if you are in the area.
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Tom Morton
Staff was very friendly and the place was great. I must have gotten the wrong dish(vegetarian plate) it was basically one plantain served three different ways with a scoop of rice and beans for 10$. Two of the three were very bland and I couldnt eat it all. The fried sweet plantains were the only thing on the plate I could finish. Everyone else ordered burrito bowls and were very happy with the food. I will be back to try another dish.
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Carla Rodriguez
LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS PLACE!! I am puertorrican so I appreciate a good authentic latin place. The flavor profile of the mojo with tostones was spot on, the Vaca Frita was spectacular. My daughters masas de pollo were delicious and wonderfully seasoned. My husbands Ropa Vieja was so flavorful, I cant decide what was my favorite, but I know we are definitely coming back.
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Tiffiany Jackson
I have been looking for sweet plantains like the ones Id had in Lithonia, GA circa 1997. I found them here and just had them. Delicious! The order lady was really nice and service was fast. I liked the plantain chips came with my cuban sandwich and of course the sandwich itself. Ill be going back soon, like in an hr to get more sweet plantains. Yum!
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Amanda Ruffner
First time ever having plantains and its my new favorite food! I got the vegetarian sampler and it was phenomenal! The plate came with 3 different ways that they were cooked, white rice and black beans!! So delicious and kept me fueled for most of the day! Layed back environment and the service was quick and friendly! Will be going again for sure!
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mark camillew
First off, I ordered a water with lemon and I was brought a water without the lemon. Second off, I ordered a Cuban sandwich. Its been 30 minutes at least and Im still waiting for my Cuban. How long does it take to make a sandwich? Third off, my water has been empty for at least 15 and she hasnt offered to refill it even once. Terrible experience.
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Carlos Pena
Soy de Miami y fui ancioso porque tengo 3 semanas de estas en ohio y queria comer algo delicioso cubano a mi gusto el sabor no esta tan original cubano
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Jose E Rodriguez
ALL OF YOU PEOPLE NEED TO GET OUT MORE AND EAT REAL CUBAN FOOD AND TO THE DUDE THAT SAID IT MIGHT BE BETTER THEN HIS MOTHERS COOKING . . . . . SLAP YOUR SELF. ITS A CUBAN SANDWICH HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO GET IT RIGHT DONT ADD MORE JUST ADD WHAT YOU NEED AND THERE IS NOTHING AUTHENTIC ABOUT THIS PLACE WHATS SO EVER . . . . . WILL NOT BE BACK
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Natalya Makarova
Delicious food! For two of us we ordered lentil soup bowl, appetizer - meat, rice, beans rolled into plantain, and the main course - piccadillo. Everything tasted excellent. The price are modest for a seat down restaurant. Maybe we were way too hungry or the portions were not large we ended up ordering another main dish - shredded pork
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Lissandra Dawson
Take it from a Miami raised Cuban American; this is not great Cuban food. Its ok, but bland. I liked the home made plantain chips and the mojo dipping sauce. The sandwich, however, was very very bland and even after adding some of the mojo sauce it was still flavorless. Unfortunately, Hispanic food isnt one of Columbus strong points.
