Bites Nearby: Little Havana Cafe

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Barrow Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Authentic is a word used so much today that its true meaning has paled in the lexicon. Never fear. Little Havana not only knows the meaning of the word, but also knows how to cook it up and serve it up in technicolor on your plate — authentic Cuban food. This family-owned restaurant sets the table for customers as it would at home, using recipes with secret ingredients that traveled from Spain to pre-Castro era Cuba to Miami, where chefs developed the Cuban food fusions that put it on the international culinary map. Now, Barrow County has a star on that same culinary map and residents need travel no further than Monroe Highway to sample authentic Cuban fare.

 Little Havana knows the meaning of the word appetizer: a food meant to stimulate your desire to eat. Their starter menu does just that. Choose from pork tamales, empanadas, filled with ground beef or chicken and served with a spicy tomato and cilantro sauce, Cuban ham croquettes, fried cassava served with garlic sauce or mariquitas (plantain chips) served with mojo sauce. The cafe also knows the meaning of “made from scratch,” and makes its soups that way. Choose from the delicious Sopa de Frijoles Negros (Cuban Style Black Bean Soup) or the soup of the day.

Fresh is another word whose meaning is well-known at Little Havana. Everything is made fresh, including the dressings and sauces. Try a house salad or a tomato salad with the Little Havana Special House Dressing and you will revel in the taste treat.  The cafe prides itself on not using pre-packaged foods or canned beans or vegetables.

Try a sandwich made with fresh-baked bread from the cafe’s ovens. Among the many selections are the Sandwich Cubano (Cuban sandwich) with ham, pork and Swiss cheese, and the Elena Ruth, a sandwich crafted with turkey, cream cheese and strawberry jam. All sandwiches are served with a side of plaintain chips.

Little Havana knows the meaning of the word king-sized, and the entree portions are just that. Entree categories include carne (beef), pollo (chicken) and lechon (pork). Steak reigns supreme at Little Havana and selections are numerous. Entrees are served with your choice of sides, including black beans and rice and plantains.

 The meaning of "in house” is well understood at the cafe and all of the desserts are made here. Try the Flan Cubano (Cuban flan), the Arroz con Leche (Cuban-style rice pudding) or freshly baked pastries — all fitting tributes to the end of a great meal. Try Little Havana and you will leave with your taste buds singing “delicioso.”

18 Monroe Highway, Winder. 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 678-963-5317. Pricing: Low to moderate.