That Cuban Place Cafe: The Perfect Antidote to Winter
This past Friday we might have witnessed winter’s last gasp, and thankfully so, because many of us are quite sick of slush, scratchy wool overcoats, missing gloves, and gray overcast skies. If you are like me, right about now you are craving a getaway in the tropics, envisioning yourself sipping fruity drinks on a chaise lounge as you watch seabirds overhead and waves lapping at the shore. And, if you are like me, you also don’t have enough vacation time nor enough money to vacation in the Caribbean right now. So the best place in town for you to approximate that warm and relaxed vacation feeling is at That Cuban Place Cafe on Market Street, home of what has to be The Best Mango Smoothie on the Planet. Seriously.
Owners Alfredo and Narcisa have created a little tropical oasis in the heart of historic downtown Frederick, adorned with palm trees and bright tropical colors to help take away winter’s frigid edge. The menu, which contains freshly made Cuban sandwiches, plantains, black beans and rice, Cuban beef, fried potatoes, fruit pastries, and more, is designed to be affordable, with all options priced at $10 or less. And trust us, everything there is delicious. Also, Alfredo and Narcisa are so friendly, warm, welcoming, and humorous that you will feel right at home in the cafe. The TCP Cafe also serves strong Cuban coffee that is bolder than anything that famous Seattle coffee chain can possibly brew up.
From the word on the street, That Cuban Place is gaining a legion of loyal fans both in Frederick and beyond, probably because the combination of authentic, freshly made Cuban food at reasonable prices paired with the little restaurant’s happy, charming atmosphere is a winning combination.
That Cuban Place Cafe
301-760-7776
300 North Market Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701
I could not agree more. In fact, I wrote a little about TCP as well (http://blog.raimist.com/blog/2006/12/08/that-cuban-place-tcp-cafe/)
TCP is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy some great food.
I may be the only person in Frederick who isn’t wowed by TCP’s fare. As reference, I’ve lived all over SoCal, SoTex, SoFla, and Mexico, but food at TCP just didn’t impress me, and my mango smoothie was weak, though I’m probably unfairly comparing it to a richer, full-bodied mango lassi.
Maybe I visited too early, and on a couple of bad days, but the seasonings just weren’t there. That said, the vibrant colors and lack of polish are indeed charming. Must return again.
I’ve been daydreaming about a trip to the Caribbean! Best mind altering/rut-lifting vacation is a week-long sail around the islands! shhh…can you hear the steel drums?…smell the island spices? Rum punch with nutmeg anyone?
I second Frequent Diner’s comments on TCP. I was excited when it opened, but was let down by not only the food, but also the quality and presentation. TCP is not quite as good as Cubano’s in Silver Spring, but I suppose it could have been worse
I too was thrilled that TCP opened, but was disappointed in their Cuban sandwich. I make them at home and have to say the recipe I used is so much better than at TCP. However, I can say the prices are reasonable and the food is good, just not great or fabulous.
We finally made it to TCP tonight after wanting to go for a long time. It was a beautiful night to walk around town so we parked far away and walked up to 3rd street.
We wanted the yucca app but they were out so we got the fried plantains while we waited for our Cuban sandwich. I was pretty hungry and bit in to the plantains before they cooled off. Wow, but can they ever hold the heat!
We got one sandwich to split and that was plenty. The pork was perfectly cooked and the bread was very tasty. My only complaint was that it needed more pickles. Frog wished for more mustard although I thought the amount was fine.
I’ll definitely go back!
this place rocks!
http://flickr.com/photos/hibiscusroto/tags/thatcubanplace/
This is my first comment, although I’ve been lurking a while. I was looking forward to trying TCP and finally found the opportunity today. My husband was home from work for the day so we stopped by there about 12:30.
The bar was packed with a crowd of young women, who were being attentively served by the guy behind the bar.
We wanted to eat outside so we stood in line in front of the register. Nothing.
I asked for menus and were handed two and waited at the cash register. Nothing.
The man in the kitchen strolled out, made eye contact, and went back to the kitchen. No help there.
The crowd of women got up and left, so we took two stools figuring the guy would now serve us. Nope.
He went to the cash register, rang up some of the young women, and then proceeded to take orders from the 15 or so people who had appeared out of literally nowhere.
All in all, we waited around with our stomachs rumbling for a solid 15 or 20 minutes and were never even acknowledged other then the bar tender guy handing me menus.
We left, went down the street, and enjoyed Isabella’s.
Was this a one off or is this consistent with anyone’s elses experience? Maybe if I went in there wearing something low cut enough….I could pass for 30! ; )
Anyway, I wouldn’t go back, unless I am encouraged by some good reports from you guys.
That’ll teach me to proof read.
Merry, sorry to hear about your experience. The only time we went, it was early evening, maybe 4:30-5 PM and definitely not busy. They still seemed a bit slow, although they took our order quickly. All we ordered was plantains and one Cuban sandwich. The plantains came out quickly but the sandwich seemed to take a while. The sandwich was big enough to split between us.
I’d say to try it again, but at a more “off time” if possible. Good luck!
frequent diner the places you have named do have lots of food, with the exception of FL. all of the states mentiond are spanish mexican which tcp isnt. It leans more towards cuban hence the name and puertorican. the mango shake isnt supposed to taste liks lassi although i do love the thick creamy lassi. I think for the bad experiences its worth another go at times it gets really busy and there are only 2 people there besides the 3rd person cooking in the back. I have gone since it opened and continue to go. The flavors are full on how they are supposed to taste. Everyone has an opinion based on what they think the food should taste like but everyone cooks differently which is what makes different foods unique. why have it taste like why they make in sotex, sofl, etc then its the same as everything else nothing special about it, Its either better or not. Everything frederick has to offer is mexi-american food nothing else so with tcp its actually the closest to home food that i have had. Give it a sencond shot if you were displeased and let them know your opinion about it so that they can cater to your taste, they will if you ask. Good luck for the 2nd time around and buen provecho (enjoy) for all the steady visitors
happy holidays