Havana Sandwich Shop

Ok, I'm Cuban and that was no food that a Cuban would call decent or even mediocre Cuban food. A bad imitation with central American flavor (all the employees are from Central America or Mexico). Was it good? Tasted good. Wast it Cuban food? No, it tasted good but it's no the type of food that a Cuban would eat. Black beans had no flavor; yellow rice had no flavor; the boliche had no flavor and was hard. If it had not been for the cooked onions and bell peppers, it would have been a disaster. My daughter's Cuban sandwich was a really bad imitation of a real one. Burned on the bottom, not toasted on the top. Recommended to it? Yes. Recommended as a Cuban food restaurant? No. more lie Mexi-Guate-Cuban food. The staff was mediocre, the place is not attractive. I actually did not wanted to eat there, but my daughter insisted. My wife held back and did not eat. My son-in-law left 3/4 of his sandwich. An I eat it all because I was hungry and frustrated at not getting what I was expecting. more

I was disappointed with my experience at Havana Restaurant. I found the food to be adequate, but unremarkable. I had a Cuban sandwich which was dry and a little bland. The tostones were good, but I prefer the sauces at other places. Unfortunately, the food can't make up for the rude service and the poor management. It took a long time for the woman at the counter to acknowledge us and, when she did she was brusque and rude. I had decided to try the restaurant because of an online coupon. However, I was told that they were no longer accepting the coupon. If the management has decided not to honor the coupon, they could have contacted the site and had the coupon removed. There is no excuse for them not to have. In the future, I will not be returning to this restaurant and will encourage others not to go. more

the review posted by Stop Drug violence is referring to the co/owner of Havana Grill...Shafiq Matani is NOT associated with Havana Restaurant/Havana Sandwich shop located at 3979 Buford Hwy in the Crossroads Village shopping center. The owners are Debbie Benedit and her son Eddie Benedit. \r Please DO NOT confuse the two restaurants. Havana Grill is located in Northeast Plaza shopping center and has no affliation with the original Havana that was destroyed by fire in Oct.2008. more

What a disappointment...I took my parents thier for cuban food and atmosphere and I got Mexican music and food...the cuban sandwich was just a sandwich the black beans were from a can with bits of onions and I just did not understand why they were playing Mexican music...I have nothing against Mexican people or music but they need to change the name of this place, and the price was CRAZY we ordered 2 1/2 cubans with rice and beans...tostones and a turkey sandwich during lunch time and it was $$$$$ 29 ....what a crock of crap....never NEVER EVER will go thier again and I am CUBAN!!!!!!!!! more

First time I went there i was amazed; i thought it would be so-so, but the food was great! more

I work off of Buford Hwy, so have frequented the old one before burned down and the new one just north of intersect with Clairmont. I know of at least 20 people in my office that have been going for years and years, and we all were very excited that it has reopened in its new location. The cuban with rice and beans can't be beat. I am getting hungry just thinking about it!! Definitely recommend. more

I haven't tried either of the dueling havana's but whoever is responsible for the unbelievably bad sandwich I had there back in 2006 or 2007 might need to revamp abuela's recipes. I was shocked and so disappointed because I had read all of the rave reviews. I also wondered how the health dept let them get away with putting the hot sauce in the dishwashing liquid bottles on the tables! we just left our food on the table and went over to Coco Loco for a halfway decent milanesa. you can create a whole new following by focusing on the quality of your food and less on your embarassing family feud. more

Too bad that the restaurant burned, but one of the original founders is opening up a new place at 3373 Buford Hwy, right in front of Northeast Plaza. Can't wait to get another sandwich, just like they used to make! Pros: Best Cuban food in town more

You should definitely check out the new original Havana sandwich shop on Buford & Clairmont. What's up ""The Real Havana"" Pros: awesome, authentic cuban food more

It looks like Atlanta won't have to worry about to not being able to find a good Cuban restaurant to go to. In response to previous comments regarding ""Havana Restaurant"" and who's opening it, all I can say is I know the owner, and he is legit. I can't wait to see Willie back in action again and reminisce about the great times we had working at the sandwich shop many years ago. Pros: Cuban family owned more

Please do not be fooled. The ""Havana Owner"" is just an imposter. Being a real owner and daughter of the originator Eduardo Benedit, I know that this is a fraud. The Havana Sandwich Shop you love and blessed with you loyalty will be reopening by the sweet little lady Debbie(original owner and founder) you are so used to seeing this week. Its on Buford Hwy up from Clairmont. We will be serving you the same deliciousness we've served for over 30 years. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you. more

Don't be fooled by the Havana Restaurant postings ...they are not the same guys who ran the Havana Sandwich Shop. Go by and see Eddie and Debbie plus the gang at their new location 3979 Buford Hwy @ The Crossroads Village Shopping. New place opens November 5th. Pros: Great Cuban Sandwich, Beans & Rice and Wonderful Shakes Cons: I have missed them for a year and I'm Hungry!!! more

A statement from William Benedit concerning the two H***** Restaurants... Dear fans of Cuban cuisine: My father, Guido “Papi” Benedit, opened the Havana Sandwich Shop on Buford Highway in February, 1976. Papi, myself and my older brother Eddie all worked together to bring to Atlanta Cuban recipes from my mother and grandmother’s kitchen. In 1986 I left the sandwich shop to open a garage next door. Over the years, like many immigrant families, various members of our family moved in and out of the restaurant. In 1996 Papi retired leaving Eddie and his wife, Debbie, to run the business. After Eddie’s passing in 2001, Debbie continued to run the sandwich shop with her son Eddie Jr. Folks grow and things change over time. I moved my garage away from Buford Highway. We were all shocked and saddened when the old Havana Sandwich Shop burned in October, 2008. In January, 2009, my sister in law, Debbie Benedit told the Cherokee Tribune she was joining her son to run the Cuban sandwich shop in Canton Her words were “..we decided to stop feeding strangers in Atlanta and start feeding our neighbors”. I naturally thought they had intended to abandon Atlanta, Buford Highway, and all those strangers. When my wife was laid off in March, 2009, and returned to work at our automotive shop, I decided to return to the restaurant business, as Cuban sandwiches have become so popular now they are sold in Publix groceries. I knew we could recreate the home style Cuban cooking that was so loved. We incorporated under the name you’ve been seeing, and began to look for a suitable location on Buford Highway. When we announced our intentions, my sister in law and nephew, Eddie Benedit, Jr. leased space further north on Buford Highway intending to open “Havana 76 Café”. We wished them well. In October, 2009, they put up the new signs saying “Havana Restaurant” right before they opened. As they are the most well known of the old Havana Sandwich Shop, and as my father’s old restaurant had the sign saying “Havana Restaurant”, I happily concede it to them and wish them well. We are not them and they are not us. So let this talk of the “real” Cuban sandwich shop end. I am my father’s son and refugeed here with the rest of my family. I have as much right as anyone to try to serve you the best Cuban food available. We will be opening in January, 2010 at the entrance on NE Plaza Shopping Center. Let our food do our talking and may the best Cuban sandwich win. We'll keep you posted on the new name!!! Thank you for your support, Willie Benedit Pros: Authentic Cuban more

the best food at the best price with an awesome staff. can't wait until the re-opening! Pros: everything--cuban sandwich, chicken salad, rice Cons: nothing more

Come see us on Nov 2 in our new location at 3979 Buford Hwy. at the corner of Buford hwy and clairmont inside crossroads village shopping center.YES, WE ARE BACK! After a long year since the fire that destroyed old location, me, eddie the girls and the same great cuban food for over 32yrs. will be waiting for you! THE ONE, THE ONLY, ORIGINAL HAVANA is back in Atlanta! 404-633-7549, debbiebenedit@yahoo. for more info or Havana Restaurant on Facebook Pros: new, cleaner location Cons: will miss the old yellow, green cinder block building more

Ok Atlanta, are you ready? Havana has found a new home. We will be located at 3373 Buford Hwy, 1/2 mile north on Buford Hwy at the entrance of Northeast Plaza Shopping Center. Our projected opening date is January 1st!! The new location has plenty of... seating, and more importantly plenty of parking! With the extra space we have aquired, we have decided to add something special to the Havana experience. Friday and Saturday nights we will have a live Salsa band performing for our customers. We are looking forward to serving all of you very soon. more

The rebuilding should start soon and the best Cuban in Atlanta should be back by summers end! The wait is almost over Pros: Best Cuban Ever more

Ok Atlanta, are you ready? Havana has found a new home. We will be located at 3273 Buford Hwy, 1/2 mile north on Buford Hwy at the entrance of Northeast Plaza Shopping Center. Our projected opening date is January 1st!! The new location has plenty of... seating, and more importantly plenty of parking! With the extra space we have aquired, we have decided to add something special to the Havana experience. Friday and Saturday nights we will have a live Salsa band performing for our customers. We are looking forward to serving all of you very soon.closer to the opening date, we will e-mail coupons to everyone. We are very excited about opening the restaurant and serving each and every one of you. more

Havana will open this summer same location same food Best Cuban sandwich in Atlanta call 404-636-4094 for more info on exact opening date come get ... more

Ok...if you've read the other reviews for Havana, it's not the most authentic Cuban in town...but for the price, I think they have the best Cuban sammy, yucca fries and BB's. It's a total hole in the wall, but that's what makes it cool...you have to KNOw to go...the Cuban sammy is good, the rice and beans are good and everything is sooooo cheap that you can forgive the other reviewers issues...enjoy...it's a lot better than other ""cuban"" offerings in town at half the price more