Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Tomasita's: Finally, a Cuban Delight

This humble-looking spot is right beside the gaudy Red Barn Drive-thru-only Beverage Station (yes, use it as a landmark). I opened the door and found it to be a small restaurant (10 tables max) with the smell of pork undulating everywhere. While I briefly waited to be seated, I cracked open the menu and broke into a deep grin. I knew I was in for a treat.

So many choices


that were well priced. How many times do you find that these days? From ceviche ($7) to empanadas to Cuban bbq pork platter (their signature dish for $10), the menu showcased a focused-array of Cuban specialties. After much deliberation (trust me, my stomach went schizoid on making a final decision) I decided on the Pan Con Lechon ($6.95) and for an appetizer, the Tortas de Frijolles Negros ($5.95) and rounding it off with Flan ($4) for dessert.

The Tortas were okay. I’m saying this because of a skewed preconception that the Tortas would be soft and gooey on the inside. The black beans were cooked but not to a creamy slop that would’ve complemented the lake of sour cream that it sat in. The cakes were crisp on the exterior (which I loved) but the cilantro, key lime, and serrano pepper flavors that were promised on the menu description were obviously absent. If I hadn’t preconceived it, or become temporarily illiterate, this dish would have fared very well on my tongue.

On the other hand, the Pan Con Lechon ($6.95) was wonderfully done. A perfectly crusty Cuban bun hugged the moist pork. Moreover, the pork was especially loved by everyone on the table (same pork butt, served different ways, in different dishes). Comments flew back and forth about how chunky the Cuban-style bbq pork as well as being equally moist and juicy. What I particularly liked, however, was that I could SUBSTITUTE the plantain chips (which came automatically with the sandwich) for a more flavorful combination of Yucca fries with a mojo dip for NO EXTRA CHARGE!

For dessert, we opted for flan AND bread pudding ($4 each). The crowd pleaser turned out to be the bread pudding, which was more like an undercooked chocolate brownie served with a drizzle of butter! It was charmingly unexpected- a definite surprise for bread pudding lovers. Again, being the lone wolf of the group, I was all over the flan. Superior in its caramel flavor, it also had a forward orange taste that only subtly hinted at vanilla at the back palate. It was good, different, and definitely something I’ll remember of Tomasita’s.

IN A NUTSHELL: A delicious new place in Deland. Go before the lore of the good Cuban food brings throngs and a long waiting time. Different and varied choices of beef, pork, chicken, and shrimp will want you coming back for more than just a Cuban sandwich. Ask to be waited-on by Jodie to top good food off with equally good service.

Tomasita's on Urbanspoon

2 comments:

  1. Eatty,
    When you are able to have a discerning palate then start a blog.

    Go to Miami and eat some real Cuban food. This is nothing but big portions and poor taste/quality.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ! Your fervence for Cuban cuisine is duly noted. However, I don't believe I exalted all that I ate at Tomasita's.

    ReplyDelete

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