Cubans On Wheels Orlando: Is This the Cuban Food Truck Worth the Hype?
I really like Cuban food but I never seek it out in Orlando because the ones I have tried do not match up to the restaurants I’ve had in Miami. It’s surprising since the two cities aren’t that far in proximity, but the quality difference is significant.
I came across Cubans On Wheels while looking for places to eat that were outside my usual Asian spots. They have rave reviews, a 4.9 on Google and a 4.7 on Yelp, so I had to see what the fuss was about. The menu items looked promising.
Cuban Sandwich
A quintessential item at any Cuban establishment, even though I will admit it is not my favorite Cuban dish. The sandwich is not cheap but it is hefty, could definitely be shared between two people that aren’t huge eaters.
This is no fault of the restaurant, but Cuban sandwiches are not a carry around in a Tupperware type of sandwich. It’s a hot sandwich with toasty bread, and after the back and forth drive to this food truck the sandwich no longer had its signature crunch and was quite soggy especially on the bottom bun. So if you go for this item, make sure you eat it at its peak. A couple of sample bites in the car.
The sandwich itself was decent but did not have a wow factor. It has all the flavors that make a Cuban sandwich distinct but could have used a bit more pickles to cut through the richness of the protein and cheese. I think the roast pork in the sandwich was a bit dry.
Roast Pork Bowl with Congri Rice and Plantains
The pork here is the same as the one used in the sandwich and the dryness is really apparent in this rice bowl. The pork seems to have been sitting out for too long and lacks the fat that insulates the meat from drying out during service. The meat wasn’t tough but was stringy and needed something like a sauce to brighten everything up and add moisture.
The congri rice was great though. Even as someone that is not a fan of rice and beans, the savoriness from the additional spices and fried pork adds richness and depth that makes this side almost a meal in itself.
Ropa Vieja Bowl
This is another Cuban classic that I get every time I go to a Cuban restaurant, especially since my wife loves it. This was my favorite from Cubans On Wheels. The shredded beef braised in tomato sauce is my litmus test for whether I will return to a Cuban place, and this satisfied my craving. A perfect pairing with rice, though I wish it was saucier.
The Verdict: Is Cubans On Wheels Orlando Worth It?
For a food truck, Cubans On Wheels has the most extensive menu selection of any I have come across. Granted, a lot of it is the same proteins in different serving methods, but there are many other dishes I want to try on my next visit.
I would skip anything with the roast pork because it’s too lean for my preference. The Cuban sandwich was fine but didn’t blow me away. The ropa vieja is the standout and something I would totally get again. Overall I think Cubans On Wheels is okay, but with a menu this big I feel like I barely scratched the surface. I look forward to trying their picadillo and their quesadillas on my next visit.
Tips for Visiting Cubans On Wheels Orlando
- Get the ropa vieja as your first order, it’s the best thing we tried
- Eat the Cuban sandwich immediately because it does not travel well and gets soggy fast
- Skip the roast pork unless you don’t mind lean, dry meat
- The congri rice is excellent and almost a meal on its own as a side
- Expect an extensive menu with a lot of crossover between proteins
- Fixed location food truck so you don’t have to track them down
- Shareable portions on the sandwich if you’re not a huge eater
Have you tried Cubans On Wheels in Orlando? How does it compare to your favorite Cuban spot?
