By Gary Nager
Some people like Mexican food, while others prefer authentic Cuban cuisine. But, if you’re like me, you probably enjoy a little of both, and that’s what sets La Fuente Real Mexican Restaurant & Cuban Café in the Cross Creek Center plaza (Cross Creek Blvd. at Kinnan St.) apart from any other Latin restaurant in New Tampa.
La Fuente owner Roger Rubio has been serving his authentic Mexican fare in our area for about a year, but a couple of months ago, he decided to expand the menu at his restaurant (which is casually comfortable, with plenty of flat-screen Tvs) to include not only tasty Cuban food, but also some of the best Cuban and American breakfast items in our area.
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In other words, whether or not you’ve been to La Fuente before, now is a great time to give it a shot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Let’s start with breakfast.
La Fuente offers everything to start your day, from delicious bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches on perfectly pressed Cuban bread to huevos rancheros (an authentic Mexican dish with eggs smothered in a slightly spicy red sauce) to homemade pancakes and even hash browns and grits. I thoroughly enjoyed the unique French toast — made with Cuban bread — and correctly crispy bacon and my buddy Ian said the huevos rancheros were as good as any he’s had and he also loved the zesty home fries and sausage patties. And yes, La Fuente’s café con leché is yummy, too, and the perfect way to cap off a great breakfast.
Other breakfast items include egg, bacon and cheese wraps, Spanish and Mexican chorizo sausage and egg sandwiches, Cuban cheese toast and even homemade biscuit sandwiches. Good stuff.
For lunch or dinner at La Fuente, you can choose from a variety of Mexican favorites, from tacos to sizzling fajitas to enchiladas and “Platos Especiales” like pollo asado, chile relleno and even fresh fish like sautéed tilapia and grilled salmon.
But, if you’re in the mood for a quick and inexpensive lunch, La Fuente now has set up a hot table filled with delicious Cuban specialties, from roast, shredded mojo pork to my favorite chicken fricase, picadillo (ground beef) and ropa vieja. There’s even deviled crabs, masitas (pork chunks), ox tail and pressed Cuban sandwiches, with authentic sides like platanos (plantains), black or red beans and yellow rice, yucca and more. And, all of these great Cuban specialties range between $6.99 to no more than $9.99 for more exotic items like garlic shrimp or ox tail.
La Fuente even has Puerto Rican fare like arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) and other dishes you won’t find in most Mexican restaurants. There’s also an array of great sandwiches from BLTs to grilled steak palomilla, breaded or grilled fish and Mexican “tortas” (with chicken or beef, refried beans, avocados and jalapenos) and “media noche” (sweet egg bread with baked ham, mojo pork and imported Swiss cheese), all for $3.99-$6.99.
Of course, I still also love La Fuente’s sizzling steak and chicken fajitas, the nicely spiced carne asada steak (the pico de gallo is outstanding) and the La Fuente Superior, with grilled chicken and beef, chorizo, onions, peppers, jack cheese, guacamole and sour cream.
And, not only does La Fuente have great Mexican beers like Modelo Especial and Negro Modelo on draft, there’s also homemade sangria, wines by the glass and great wine-based margaritas and other cocktails, a nice children’s menu, delicious authentic Latin desserts like banana chimichanga, flan, sopapillas and more. Catering for large or small parties also is available.
For more information about La Fuente Real Mexican Restaurant & Cuban Café (10032 Cross Creek Blvd.), call 907-0592, visit MexicanFoodTampa.net. or see the ad on page 61 for some excellent coupon specials.
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