El Siboney - Key West, FL

Posted By Michael Stern on July 6, 2002 2:18 AM

El Siboney is a cool, clean and pleasant eatery that serves Cuban lunch and early dinner, mostly to locals. The primary language spoken here is Spanish (but English is understood), and the house emblem, a feather-bonneted guy named El Siboney, was a Cuban Indian. The walls are covered with pictures and plaques of Latino Native Americans.

This is the best place we know on Key West to taste grilled garlic chicken, a half-bird with a crisp skin and meat so tender that it slides off the bone when you try to cut it. Plantains on the side are slightly crusty and caramelized around their edges. And yuca, a side dish served with roast pork, beans, and rice, is a revelation not quite like any other vegetable. Soft and glistening white hunks, reminiscent of a well-baked potato, but more luscious and substantial, are served in a bath of heavily garlicked oil and garlanded with onion slices.

We had a picture-pretty Cuban sandwich during our last visit. Made on a length of fragile-texture toasted bread that is cut in half at a rakish angle, this classic Cuban contained ham, roast pork, salami and cheese with pickles, lettuce and tomato. The Cuban is just one of many fine hero-style sandwiches on El Siboney’s menu; other choices include steak, burgers, pork, and fish.

The conch chowder is hale and hearty, loaded with conch and a great opportunity for dunking shreds of the buttered Cuban bread that comes with every meal. The grandest dish in the house is paella Valenciana for two (call ahead; it takes an hour to prepare), a vast fisherman’s stew served with rice, black beans, and plenty of Cuban bread for mopping juices. For dessert, you can have Key lime pie, flan, or rice pudding, accompanied by café con leche.

Overall Rating

garlic chicken

roast pork

Cuban mix sandwich

Key Lime Pie

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Posted By Pam Mason on July 25, 2011 7:36 PM

I loved El Siboney. Our Cuban sandwiches were everything that was promised, and the pile of plaintains was a perfect accompaniment. The wait staff were not busy, so a couple sat near us and we chatted about our respective homes. Crispy bread, fresh ingredients, and a friendly atmosphere added up to a great Roadfood experience.

Overall Rating

Cuban mix sandwich

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Posted By Laurie Schaim on July 8, 2005 3:48 PM

I'm an old Keys native - a "Conch". I take my Key Lime Pie and Cuban food very seriously. This should say something about El Siboney: I plan my trips to Key West according to when El Siboney is open. (They were closed in September once, and it was a cosmic disapointment.) This is a wonderful place to try or retry Cuban food - I would recommend anything on their menu. If you've never had a Cuban Sandwich, this is a good place to start. The Cuban selection, as Michael Stern said, is terrific. Black Beans are excellent, as are any of the Plantain preparations. Ropa Vieja and Palomilla Steak both excellent. Picadillo is very good, and typical fare - will not disappoint. Any of the chicken dishes are also well prepared. Located in a residential neighborhood, and the pleasant atmosphere is as Michael Stern describes it - it's a bit hard to find for the first timer, but well worth it. Enjoy!

Overall Rating

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