I breathe deep the scent. Scent is complex with so many different components. Scent is full of promise. Promise of delicious flavors. Promise is fulfilled. Cascade of flavors fill my mouth. My mind reaches a blissful state much like when eating my favorite ice cream. I savor each bite of the tender and juicy oxtail. Red cooking wine based sauce adds so much delicious flavor to the oxtail. I savor each bite as long as I can. This is my all time favorite oxtail.
French fries were crispy and I liked the fried potato flavor. My 2nd favorite side here.
Havana Grill has always had seating outside but I noticed they added additional seating under tents.
We ate inside as there was a heat wave and the temperature was around 90F. You order at the counter, get a number, and they bring the food to your table.
2nd Visit. Empanada had a crunchy pastry shell filled with tender ground beef. Loved the contrasting textures almost as much as the delicious flavors from the fried pastry shell and the marinated beef. My favorite side here.
Papa rellena had a thin crispy outer layer with soft mashed potato and ground beef center. Nice flavor but the beef seemed to be seasoned differently than the empanada’s ground beef which I prefer. While the empanada was bursting with flavor the papa rellena was more mild flavored. Porto’s is my fav place to eat this dish.
I’m glad Havana Grill has stayed open during the apocalypse. This is my favorite spot to eat Cuban food in San Diego. I’ve enjoyed all the dishes I’ve ordered and the staff has been nice and gotten my order out efficiently. Guy at the counter was very cool, remembering me from my previous visit.
Kirk of mmm-yoso!!! has visited too.
Havana Grill
5450 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Ste G
San Diego, CA 92117
(858) 430-6878
Just love their food, no matter what I get always delicious. It was nice visiting with Lisa and Liang! Looking forward to the next!
They do have great eats!
I miss this place! It’s been ages since I’ve visited. I see them often on groupon-type sites (can’t remember the exact sites though now). Your pics are awesome of the food. Now I want to return an try the items you had. If you like oxtail, you might like the oxtail ramen at the newly opened Raki in Mira Mesa?
Faye,
You should visit again! They have lots of seating and great tasting food. Let me know when you see a deal. I haven’t seen one in years.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll have to check out Raki.
Thanks for the link Soo! I really like the folks working at Havana Grill.
You are welcome Kirk! The folks there are cool.