I can’t believe that Alvarez Café, the most famous and iconic restaurant in Elizabeth, New Jersey has closed, I did a little Googling research and it says “temporarily. closed”. I don’t live anymore in Elizabeth that’s why I didn’t write a review about Alvarez Café and its great steaks and Cuban food. I hope this is only a short break for one of the “places I remember all my life..”
Jesse C.
This is one of the most authentic Cuban restaurants outside of South Florida. Try the pulled pork with yuca and black rice. Tasajo, dry cured beef similar to beef jerky, is awesome. It is prepared in a sauce. It's not tough like jerky. The oxtail is spicy and finger licking delicious. Mariquitas are yummy. This are thin curly friend green plantains. The desserts are to die for.
thedogvlog 2
Food is GREAT. Dioes anyone know when they are opening again and why are they closed?
William Knowles
The menu and service were beyond my expectations. I truly loved the atmosphere of this restaurant. First-rate place to take my family out for lunch.
Kris Reid
I have been eating here since I am a little boy, and as an adult I take my family here, even now order Christmas Eve dinner here. If you want to experience good ol' home made authentic cubin cuisine, this is the place to go! The atmosphere is still warm. Highly recommend.
E J.
Is this place still open for business? Their phone number is not in service.
rah wilson
Never nice staff! Friendly all all around food was off the charts good to me! Def returning for another date night!
Ed D.
I've been patronizing this establishment for well over 30 years. The quality of the food was always spot on and authentic (I'm cuban). After coming in I was greeted by a very nice waitress, I noticed that for a Saturday night, the restaurant was pretty deserted (clue 1) then I noticed an array of assorted drinks both alcoholic and soft on top of the bar (clue 2). Upon asking for a few very common staples in any cuban restaurant, "frita" "pork chops" "garlic shrimp" even avocados the reply was they didn't have it (clue 3). I was starving and spent 20 minutes looking for parking. So I ordered a standard cuban meal of pork chunks rice black beans and cassava, it was over cooked the rice was hard and the beans flavorless. I paid for my meal, but I will not return under no circumstances.
Jackie Fermin
delicious food big portions
Ramsey Sumrein
I always get the breaded chicken breast with rice and beans and some a salad and soda it's always good and the bread is great since it comes out so hot
Amazing food and service. Will always recommend to everyone
Xavier Abreu Cedeno
Nice local little cafe.
Jo D.
What happened to this place? Growing up in Elizabeth this was the pinnacle of Cuban cuisine. Went in on a random Friday for some ajiaco and a cubano. The ajiaco had an odd aftertaste. What threw me off was the 2 toned meat and the acid like aftertaste, the corn looked like it seen better days. The cubano lacked luster and meat and that had an odd taste as well. Disappointed it was once a great place for food
I can’t believe that Alvarez Café, the most famous and iconic restaurant in Elizabeth, New Jersey has closed, I did a little Googling research and it says “temporarily. closed”. I don’t live anymore in Elizabeth that’s why I didn’t write a review about Alvarez Café and its great steaks and Cuban food. I hope this is only a short break for one of the “places I remember all my life..”
This is one of the most authentic Cuban restaurants outside of South Florida. Try the pulled pork with yuca and black rice. Tasajo, dry cured beef similar to beef jerky, is awesome. It is prepared in a sauce. It's not tough like jerky. The oxtail is spicy and finger licking delicious. Mariquitas are yummy. This are thin curly friend green plantains. The desserts are to die for.
Food is GREAT. Dioes anyone know when they are opening again and why are they closed?
The menu and service were beyond my expectations. I truly loved the atmosphere of this restaurant. First-rate place to take my family out for lunch.
I have been eating here since I am a little boy, and as an adult I take my family here, even now order Christmas Eve dinner here. If you want to experience good ol' home made authentic cubin cuisine, this is the place to go! The atmosphere is still warm. Highly recommend.
Is this place still open for business? Their phone number is not in service.
Never nice staff! Friendly all all around food was off the charts good to me! Def returning for another date night!
I've been patronizing this establishment for well over 30 years. The quality of the food was always spot on and authentic (I'm cuban). After coming in I was greeted by a very nice waitress, I noticed that for a Saturday night, the restaurant was pretty deserted (clue 1) then I noticed an array of assorted drinks both alcoholic and soft on top of the bar (clue 2). Upon asking for a few very common staples in any cuban restaurant, "frita" "pork chops" "garlic shrimp" even avocados the reply was they didn't have it (clue 3). I was starving and spent 20 minutes looking for parking. So I ordered a standard cuban meal of pork chunks rice black beans and cassava, it was over cooked the rice was hard and the beans flavorless. I paid for my meal, but I will not return under no circumstances.
delicious food big portions
I always get the breaded chicken breast with rice and beans and some a salad and soda it's always good and the bread is great since it comes out so hot
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing food and service. Will always recommend to everyone
Nice local little cafe.
What happened to this place? Growing up in Elizabeth this was the pinnacle of Cuban cuisine. Went in on a random Friday for some ajiaco and a cubano. The ajiaco had an odd aftertaste. What threw me off was the 2 toned meat and the acid like aftertaste, the corn looked like it seen better days. The cubano lacked luster and meat and that had an odd taste as well. Disappointed it was once a great place for food
Excellent authentic delicious Cuban food!
Excellent mom n pop restaurant