Every summer, my family rents a home in Marco Island for a week. At some point, typically early on, I get impatient and go for a drive through Naples.
I drove by Sandy’s Cuban Cafe with plans to have a late lunch. Unfortunately, Sandy’s was closed for the day when I returned. So I waited…….almost an entire year for another attempt. This time I made it!
The Cuban soft drink trio of Ironbeer, Jupiña, and Materva greeted me when I walked in. I took this as a good omen of things to come.
Sandy’s Cuban Cafe Apps
We started with some croquetas of the boxed non-homemade variety. I’m ok with that cause, hell, they’re good.
It was late, so I wasn’t surprised to hear they were out of ropa vieja. However, since they were closing the shop in 30 minutes, I settled for some shredded pork as a replacement, which was not a bad trade-off.
Sandy’s Nachos replace tortilla chips with fried plantain chips. Picadillo (Cuban-style seasoned ground beef), pico de gallo, cheese, and shredded roast pork top the chips. I say yes, order them if you get a chance.
Sandy’s Cuban Cafe Sandwiches
The Medianoche came with a side of fried plains chips. It was on point with its toasted sweet bread and melted Swiss cheese; no complaints here.
The Frita Cubana came on a burger bun with those canned potato sticks that I dread. However, if we ignored those factors, principally the sticks, the patty itself was delicious. With a bit of dressing up, the frita from Sandy’s Cuban Cafe could be a contender.
I finished the late lunch with a cafecito or espresso, as the Starbucks acolytes call them. The floor was getting wiped down around me, which meant no dessert.
We were ten minutes past closing time, so I took that as a sign it was time to go. I hope to try out their Cuban sandwich and flan next time, but I’ll arrive earlier; I promise.
Sandy’s Cuban Cafe
1383 Airport Pulling Road
Naples, FL
(239) 331-8204
Website – https://www.sandyscubancafenaples.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SandysCubanCafe
Monday 6:30 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday 6:30 am – 4:00 pm
Wednesday 6:30 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday 6:30 am – 4:00 pm
Friday 6:30 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED