We wanted to explore and try some Cuban food. What a great place to try! Great food and service! They even brought out a small sample of two kinds of meat and their black beans and rice. When you see the portions you think you are going to eat it all but the food is so filling you will need a box. We will be back to different plates.
celimar hernandez-lopez
Amazing food, great atmosphere, very kind and friendly staff…. Overall just a great place to have some delicious caribbean food. Oh and the live music on the weekends is great fun as well. I honestly don’t have one negative thing to say but if I was asked for my opinion or a suggestion Id say t I wish they would stay open later on weekdays.
Adela V.
If I could leave no stars I definitely would. The owner himself is awesome. The food is missing sooo much flavor and ingredients. I was told I wasn't cuban enough and Cubans dnt like that when asked for sugar in my colada. No espumas or nothing. Straight black coffee. The owner was going to fix it but his wife just had to get rude. Being from Miami my whole life I'd compare this food to a friend cooking missing ingredients but was still edible cus why not. For the price, definitely not worth it. I really wanted to find something to like in it so I kept coming back and trying other dishes. Nothing. The only thing that tasted authentic was the congri, that's it. The owners wife even went as far as saying "the ppl here (mexicans) dnt know the difference" and that disgusted me. I really wish she could have taken my suggestions here and there, the food is missing too much.
Robert L.
Didn't know what to expect at first since we were probably the only customers. We were all pleasantly surprised at the presentation of the food and the amazing flavors coming from all of the food. We had fish, shrimp and sandwiches and even an appetizer. Everything was excellent including their sauces for all of their meals. My only complaint is that their prices are a bit high.
Roberto Guerrero Jr
Little hidden gem. Place is very clean and the food is great. THE sandwich are the best and also the empanadas too. We want to go again...
Lupita Rivera
Love this place every time I go!!the owners are awesome!!
gordon hodges
Food was great, had the Cuban sandwich ranks #2 out of all the places I've had one. The empanadas were great 2nd only to my wifes. All of our meals were great. We definitely will be going back. Residents of the RGV and Tourists GO SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS! Service was great as well. This place was very clean and offers live music call or check site for dates. YUMMY YUMMY
Chance the dog
My wife is Puerto Rican and had a craving for aroz con gandules. They don't serve this but did have aroz con griAnd it was delicious. We also had tostones and empanadas and venezuelan cheese sticks. We also asked for the tilapia from the menu to be steamed instead of fried. The food was not greesy or over seasond.... It was just right the waiter Dairon was extremely friendly and serviceable. our bill was about 40$ .. my overall review is it's Worth visiting again.I do wish they had one or two Puerto Rican and Dominican dishes. Because the valley doesn't have a place to find food from there. But understand the logistics of doing that may be tricky...My recommendation for newcomers is the tostones with Mayo ketchup and a flavor soda or Malta.Five stars all the way?❤️
Brailin P.
I thought this place was amazing. The host was super friendly and made us feel like home. The food was really great and reminded me of my moms cooking! I recommend to anyone wanting to try something new!!
Rosally Feliu
Primera vez que fuimos y nos encantó!! Excelente servicio y comida!! Se los recomiendo.
I spent 2 months in McAllen for work. Balsero was next door. This quickly became my favorite place to eat. Food is amazing and they were so nice to me. Norberto would even cook things not on the menu when I asked. This is a Family business that makes you immediately feel like a member of their Family. I miss the ceviche! It's the best! Give them a try, you won't be disappointed!
T S.
Randomly came across this place while visiting from Austin. Great patio and excellent food. Service was good and the beer was very cold. Everything tasted very fresh and delicious--order a side of mojo de ajo to dip your sandwich in! My Cuban husband gave it an A+.
Norma B.
My husband lived in Cuba until middle age. I cook Cuban food for him at home, so I'm familiar with it. First thing that threw me off is the conservative-type propaganda sign out front saying that don't have any workers because of government handouts. Okay. I get it. Lots of Cuban-Americans are Republican. The restaurant itself is super clean. That was good. I ordered the bistec de res encebollado with congrí and boniato frito. My husband ordered plátanos fritos. The meat was legit COLD, and the "boniato" was sweet potato. Three chip-sized slices of fried sweet potato was served as a side. My husband got three pieces of reheated plátano; he couldn't even eat them. "Genuiness" aside, the food was not well-prepared. I would never eat here again.
Laura
As a Cuban having this place in town is a must go. Their food is delicious, and their service is very good.
Bertha Robles
First time here my family came to visit from Florida and we all loved the food no long wait either
We wanted to explore and try some Cuban food. What a great place to try! Great food and service! They even brought out a small sample of two kinds of meat and their black beans and rice. When you see the portions you think you are going to eat it all but the food is so filling you will need a box. We will be back to different plates.
Amazing food, great atmosphere, very kind and friendly staff…. Overall just a great place to have some delicious caribbean food. Oh and the live music on the weekends is great fun as well. I honestly don’t have one negative thing to say but if I was asked for my opinion or a suggestion Id say t I wish they would stay open later on weekdays.
If I could leave no stars I definitely would. The owner himself is awesome. The food is missing sooo much flavor and ingredients. I was told I wasn't cuban enough and Cubans dnt like that when asked for sugar in my colada. No espumas or nothing. Straight black coffee. The owner was going to fix it but his wife just had to get rude. Being from Miami my whole life I'd compare this food to a friend cooking missing ingredients but was still edible cus why not. For the price, definitely not worth it. I really wanted to find something to like in it so I kept coming back and trying other dishes. Nothing. The only thing that tasted authentic was the congri, that's it. The owners wife even went as far as saying "the ppl here (mexicans) dnt know the difference" and that disgusted me. I really wish she could have taken my suggestions here and there, the food is missing too much.
Didn't know what to expect at first since we were probably the only customers. We were all pleasantly surprised at the presentation of the food and the amazing flavors coming from all of the food. We had fish, shrimp and sandwiches and even an appetizer. Everything was excellent including their sauces for all of their meals. My only complaint is that their prices are a bit high.
Little hidden gem. Place is very clean and the food is great. THE sandwich are the best and also the empanadas too. We want to go again...
Love this place every time I go!!the owners are awesome!!
Food was great, had the Cuban sandwich ranks #2 out of all the places I've had one. The empanadas were great 2nd only to my wifes. All of our meals were great. We definitely will be going back. Residents of the RGV and Tourists GO SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS! Service was great as well. This place was very clean and offers live music call or check site for dates. YUMMY YUMMY
My wife is Puerto Rican and had a craving for aroz con gandules. They don't serve this but did have aroz con griAnd it was delicious. We also had tostones and empanadas and venezuelan cheese sticks. We also asked for the tilapia from the menu to be steamed instead of fried. The food was not greesy or over seasond.... It was just right the waiter Dairon was extremely friendly and serviceable. our bill was about 40$ .. my overall review is it's Worth visiting again.I do wish they had one or two Puerto Rican and Dominican dishes. Because the valley doesn't have a place to find food from there. But understand the logistics of doing that may be tricky...My recommendation for newcomers is the tostones with Mayo ketchup and a flavor soda or Malta.Five stars all the way?❤️
I thought this place was amazing. The host was super friendly and made us feel like home. The food was really great and reminded me of my moms cooking! I recommend to anyone wanting to try something new!!
Primera vez que fuimos y nos encantó!! Excelente servicio y comida!! Se los recomiendo.
Restaurantji Recommends
I spent 2 months in McAllen for work. Balsero was next door. This quickly became my favorite place to eat. Food is amazing and they were so nice to me. Norberto would even cook things not on the menu when I asked. This is a Family business that makes you immediately feel like a member of their Family. I miss the ceviche! It's the best! Give them a try, you won't be disappointed!
Randomly came across this place while visiting from Austin. Great patio and excellent food. Service was good and the beer was very cold. Everything tasted very fresh and delicious--order a side of mojo de ajo to dip your sandwich in! My Cuban husband gave it an A+.
My husband lived in Cuba until middle age. I cook Cuban food for him at home, so I'm familiar with it. First thing that threw me off is the conservative-type propaganda sign out front saying that don't have any workers because of government handouts. Okay. I get it. Lots of Cuban-Americans are Republican. The restaurant itself is super clean. That was good. I ordered the bistec de res encebollado with congrí and boniato frito. My husband ordered plátanos fritos. The meat was legit COLD, and the "boniato" was sweet potato. Three chip-sized slices of fried sweet potato was served as a side. My husband got three pieces of reheated plátano; he couldn't even eat them. "Genuiness" aside, the food was not well-prepared. I would never eat here again.
As a Cuban having this place in town is a must go. Their food is delicious, and their service is very good.
First time here my family came to visit from Florida and we all loved the food no long wait either