La Cubana Restaurant

In 1973, when Angelenos barely knew the Cuban food, Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez opened La Cubana Restaurant in what was the first location, on Elk St., Glendale, California. Their capital: $200.00. Yes, two hundred dollars, no mistake. Their goal: to offer the most delicious dishes from the Cuban cuisine at affordable prices.

La Cubana is a family owned and operated restaurant. Family has been doing all cooking for 30 years. And now Mari Fernandez, the Fernandezes' daughter, is joining the staff officially.

Eneida and Fernando in the early 70s.

"We are committed to bringing to our customers a feeling of appreciation on our part, so we serve only the finest quality foods. It has always been my father's number one priority to provide fine dining experience in a beautiful dining room surrounded by La Cubana Restaurant family," Mari said. " Our employees have all been at La Cubana anywhere from 8 years to 20 years."

Everything began many years before, when the Fernandezes first met in their Cuban hometown of Sancti Spiritus, about 200 miles East from Havana. Sancti Spiritus has been a living symbol of Spanish and African contributions to the Cuban economy, cuisine and music inspired by its motivating natural environment, such as the Yayabo River.

Mari, Juan and Eneida at La Cubana Restaurant.

In 1970, the Fernandezes moved to the United States with their children Juan and Mari. Only three years later La Cubana Restaurant was born, after Cleto (who prefers to be called Fernando) spent all this time working very hard seven days a week as a waiter. On August 19,1988 the restaurant moved to its current location at 720 E. Colorado St., also in Glendale.

On April 3, 1990 at the Burbank Hilton Hotel, La Cubana received a very important recognition: the California Restaurant Association Award in the ethnic category. This happened in a town full of ethnic restaurants.

With 14 employees, La Cubana Restaurant is today one of a few places in Los Angeles area to live a wonderful Cuban experience. AAA's Westways magazine, Los Angeles Daily News, the Glendale News Press and other publications have positively reviewed La Cubana. Among orders of "congrí", shrimp, roast pork, steaks, sandwiches and black beans, customers also enjoy a photo gallery of Cuban historic places, including the Sancti Spiritus' Yayabo River.

"La Cubana has had theme days for the past 15 years. On every holiday -Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter Sunday, Valentine's Day and yes, also Halloween- we decorate the restaurant with balloons and candles. We also have a photographer there so that each and every guest can capture that special moment on that special day," Mari Fernandez said.

"We also have surprises for our guests at random. But something that is never missing at La Cubana are the beautiful flowers on the tables and on the counter..., I love roses, tulips, all flowers and love to have them for my customers to enjoy as well," she added.

As a courtesy of the Fernandezes, La Cubana plays all the old Cuban music, some of it takes Mari back to when she was a young girl, and now she also decided it was time to mix it with some of that great salsa music of today.

"I hope to continue to entertain our customers for many years to come by letting them experience the same thing I love, great Cuban food cooked just for that individual, great music, great wine and save the best for last, a great dessert (made by either Mari or Fernandez) with Cuban coffee or cafe con leche," Mari said.

Thank you for coming to La Cubana's website. We expect you to come over and enjoy our food and service on the intersection of Colorado and Everett, in Glendale.