La Cubana

A meal at La Cubana is like listening to that Prince’s Greatest Hits album your dad always leaves in his car: solely the classics, you’ve experienced it all before, but you still hit replay because it just gets you every time. An obscure reference? Maybe. But like our love for Prince, people have been returning here time and time again for quality Cuban food since it first opened in 1973. This Glendale restaurant serves usual lunchtime staples like fluffy white rice, great black beans, fried cutlets, ham sandwiches, and one very delicious rabo encendido (slow-cooked oxtails cooked in tomato sauce). The meat comes out extremely tender after bubbling in a tomato-heavy sofrito and pretty much collapses the moment you poke it with your fork. For an excellent sweet/savory combo, pair the garlicky and tomato-y beef with some sweet fried plantains.