NJ Dining: Havana’s Cuban Cafe (UPDATED)

Havana’s Cuban Cafe
1040 River Rd, Edgewater, NJ
(201) 886-2100

Updated: October 2009

I guess I’ve got Cuban sandwiches on the brain this week, but what can I say, I can’t stop eating them — and apparently, some more accomplished foodies than myself can’t either.

Northern New Jersey certainly has its share of Cuban restaurants, but most of them are in Union City (click here for more) or nearby West New York where most of Jersey’s Cuban population resides. However, getting into the northern part of the Hudson County area can frequently be a bit of a challenge, as there’s no highway or express route or other major thoroughfare to get there, its all local streets and parking can be a serious issue, as its one of the most dense (if not the most dense) urban areas in the entire country.

Fortunately I’ve found a great little place (with a nearby parking lot) where you can get your Cuban sandwich fix in North-Eastern Bergen County — its at Havana’s Cuban Cafe in Edgewater. And I’d have to say they are making some of the best Cubans I’ve tasted in the area.

Havana’s Cuban Cafe has a small storefront on River Road in Edgewater. In 2009 they built a dining room taking over the adjoining retail space which used to be a Jamaican restaurant.

Click on the “Read the rest of this entry” link below for more.

Havana’s started out as a very small place with only a few tables. However, it quickly got incredibly popular, because they make a lot of traditional, home-made dishes such as Ropa Vieja. The original dining room, shown here in purple in 2007, was repainted green in 2009.

This expanded dining room with two rows of tables was built in 2009.

Dining Room Artwork (2009)

Dining Room Artwork (2009)

Dining Room Artwork (2009)

Table sauces (Chimichurri, Aji Mojo, Salsa)

Tapas, which reflect the mixed Spanish/Cuban heritage of the owners. (2009)

Tapas portion

Complimentary crisp breads with peppered Cuban soft cheese. (October 2009)

Antojitos Cubanos platter, an appetizer combo of Chicharron de Pollo (Fried Chicken), Chicharron de Puerco (Pork Cubes) Canapes and Papas Rellenos (Meat Stuffed Potatoes) (October 2009)

Churrasco Skirt Steak (October 2009)

Moros, white rice mixed with black beans, with a side of Maduros (mature sweet fried plantain)

Whole Broiled Snapper (October 2009)

While Havana’s does various types of Cuban sandwiches, including a Iberian-style version using Serrano Ham and Manchengo cheese (due to the fact one of the owners is from Spain) I was drawn to the Medianoche, a frequently hard to find variation of the traditional Cubano. The difference is that the Medianoche uses an eggy, brioche-like bread rather than the Pan De Agua/Criollo bread used for a regular Cuban sandwich. Havana’s version is excellent, and is decidedly roast pork rather than ham heavy, which is the correct approach. The marinated, slow-roasted pork (Lechon) is juicy and has just the right amount of vinegar and chile kick. By far one of the best in the area.

This is a Pan Con Bisteck, a marinated steak sandwich with grilled onions and potato stix. (2009)

Here it is all opened up. (2009)

Pan Con Bisteck Cross-Section (2009)

They now have all the diet versions of the awesome Cuban-style sodas from Miami! (2009)

Lechon Asado, roast pork cubes! (2009)

Calamari a la Havanero (2009)

Chicharron de Pollo, Fried Chicken Cubes. (2009)

Cuban Chinese Fried Rice (2009) served with sweet plaintains

order of Steamed Vegetables, nice presentation.

The espresso/cappuccino machine used to make Cuban Coffee (cafecitos)

A cortadito, my go-to Cuban espresso drink. If you’re feeling sluggish this will get the machinery running for sure.