Cuban Revolution Restaurant & Bar

Address:	318 Blackwell St, Durham, NC 27701, USA
Phone:	+1 919-687-4300
Site:	thecubanrevolution.com
Rating:	3.2
Working:	11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM 11AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Juanandyeli

My family and I visited Cuban Revolution at the Tobacco Trail this past Saturday. At the time that we were in front of the hosts booth waiting to be seated, two couples behind us went ahead. We were still not even acknowledge after a few minutes. At that time when outside tables were open and available, we requested to be seat at the patio and we were assigned a table in site. At that particular time we started thinking that something is off, but ignoring this previous sing we decided to remain calm and wait to see if it could get better. We were waiting for the waiter to greet us for a long period of time one more time it felt that we were ignored. Later on this young waiter approached us and ask for our order, we were asking a few question but it seem that he did not know the menu at all, and had not idea what to suggest and even worst had not clue about all the questions we had. First we placed and order of appetizers (just chips and salsa-tostones and empanadas) that never came to our table till 40 minutes later. We were already concerned and aggravated for this situation b/c at that time the service was too slow. Not even mentioned that our two mojitos never arrived that we order to start with. After we requested for second/third time we get only one. This situation was making us loose our patience, therefore we asked the waiter what happened to our food, the waiter was not able to respond, after some more minutes the order arrived, unfortunately the waiter had not clue whose order where what. We requested to speak with the manager, but the waiter seem to be unaware of the situation to the point we want to leaved that place immediately. The order was brought wrong and by that time we had no more patience and time to waste, the waiter suggested me to eat what was. I stood up and ask my family to leave. What a poor service and bad taste that left in us regarding this place, we will never recommend anyone to go to Cuban Revolution.

Josmell Perez

We had a terrible experience today. The food was mediocre at best and the service was terrible. There was a live Jazz band which was nice, but the hostess sat us at the smallest table possible right by the door. There were only four other tables seated at the restaurant so the issue was not that they were busy or full. Once we were seated at a better table, we were greeted by one of the servers who advised us that our server would be a little delayed but that he could help us by getting our drinks. We got our drinks and after a while our assigned server came by. Every part of our interaction with him was rushed. He rushed to take our order, and then even as we were still eating he was asking if we were done and could take our plates. Again, they were not busy AT ALL. We arrived at around 8:30pm which was well before their 10pm closing time. I had literally just taken my last bite of food and was still working on the rice and beans that were in a separate bowl and he came to take my plate. We were so uncomfortable that we finally just asked for the check. After we received the check, he took what plates were left, and then was about to take my wifes glass of water just as she was setting it down. She had to tell him "Im still drinking" for him to leave it. He did take my glass though. Overall the experience was terrible, we will not be returning.

A Private User

Having actually been to Cuba, Ive got to say that the restaurant is extremely authentic, but that authenticity extends to some of the worst aspects of Cuban dining -- down to the notoriously bad waitstaff that Havana is famous for. The ambience is very upscale Cuban--down to the propaganda and misspellings on the menu--and the food is usually good, if oddly priced. (It seems for some menu items that it is actually cheaper to order the components of the dish a la carte....) Service is not only slow, it is just plain BAD. Every time Ive been there, Ive had a different waitress, all bad. They bring things out at odd times (brought out the guacamole five minutes before the chips?), dont know what beers or wines they offer, dont let you know if theres a delay, oddly hover (only when its time to pay the bill, of course, and they try to rush you out), forget what you ordered, bring out one entree but not the other, and dont even take care of the basics (I stole silverware from another table, and I refilled my own water at the bar). Overall, the Cuban joint in downtown Raleigh (now closed), was more expensive but equally authentic while meeting American standards of service.

A Private User

My wife and I decided to try this restaurant out. I grew up in Puerto Rico eating Cuban sandwiches at least a few times a month, so I know exactly how they should be made. Our Cuban sandwiches were, as the Cubans would call them, blind (meaning they hardly had any meat). Our sandwiches only had two slices of (thin) ham and a few small pieces of roast pork. Meanwhile, each sandwich had at least 10 pickles so that when you bit into the sandwich, all you could taste was bread and pickles. Not what you really want in a sandwich. I even heard one table comment about how authentic it must be because they are rationing the meat. As for the "side" that you get with the sandwich, its served in a plastic shot glass (yes, a shot glass!). We both still felt hungry and had to stop at a fast food place on the way home just to feel satisfied. The prices were a bit high for what you would expect to pay, but the ambiance is nice and I can see how people would stop by to have a drink at the bar. Just avoid the Cuban sandwiches unless all youre looking for is an appetizer. Also, be prepared to wait a while, even if the restaurant isnt too full. They are S-L-O-W.

Alan Nguyen

This place is the reason why waiters everywhere get bad tips. Embarrassingly bad bartending. In the thirty minutes that they werent serving me despite making friendly eye contact and having cash ready to go, I watched them slop drinks all over, touch the rims of glasses, ignore a bunch of other customers, manhandle garnishes, reuse tools, and more. Two guys were ahead of me. A woman walked up BEHIND all three of us. They served the woman. When the two guys ahead of me finally got served (15 minutes after I arrived), I was the only one standing at that part of the bar, cash in hand, ready to order just a simple beer. Nothing for another 10 or so minutes. Bartender now actively ignoring me, shaking his head angrily every time he comes in my vicinity as if to convince me "Im in the weeds, go away." Way to try to chase off customers. Two girls walked up behind me and the bartender immediately acknowledged them--apparently it wasnt that bad that women can get service within a couple minutes. I told them Id been waiting for half an hour (no exaggeration) and the bartender said "Ladies first." I said they werent worth my money and left.