Every empanada here arrives with a house-made mayo-ketchup dip. That pink sauce alone tells you this kitchen cares about the small stuff.
The fillings are classic and comforting. Beef comes with onions, peppers, and Cuban spices, while chicken gets the same savory treatment in golden, flaky pastry.
I find it easy to appreciate a Minnesota spot that treats a so-called side dish like a headliner. One detail I find worth mentioning is the box of five, built for sharing or for pretending you’ll share.
Beef Or Chicken Is The Hardest Easy Choice You Will Make
The restaurant offers savory empanadas with meat fillings that change from day to day. That’s what waits inside the beef empanada, all wrapped in flaky golden pastry.
The chicken version follows a similar path with a different star. Chicken has been featured as an empanada filling, but the restaurant’s selection changes, so availability depends on the day.
So how do you pick? Honestly, you might not have to.
The two-piece and three-piece orders let you choose beef or chicken. Two pieces make a neat split, so one of each settles the debate fast.
Beef tends to suit anyone who loves a hearty, savory bite. The peppers and onions add a little sweetness that keeps things interesting.
Chicken works well for folks who like shredded meat with plenty of seasoning in every corner. It’s a comforting choice that feels familiar and still exciting.
Both fillings share the same base of vegetables and spices. That makes them feel like siblings with different personalities rather than total strangers.
Then dunk either one in that mayo-ketchup dip. Suddenly the hard choice feels less like a problem and more like an excuse to come back soon. Few dilemmas taste this good, and even fewer end with a full stomach and a smile.
From Food Truck To Neighborhood Favorite On Dodd Road
Plenty of great restaurants start small. El Cubano began as a food truck before opening its restaurant in 2019.
That kind of journey says something. A food truck has to win people over one window order at a time, with no fancy dining room to help.
Today you’ll find the restaurant at 870 Dodd Rd, West St. Paul, MN 55118. It’s a compact spot that focuses on Cuban sandwiches, homestyle plates, and yes, those empanadas.
The cooking blends Cuban and Dominican traditions. That mix gives the menu a broader range than you might expect from a place this size.
Eater Twin Cities has included it on lists for best underrated restaurants and best sandwiches. A November 2024 Minnesota Star Tribune feature highlighted the restaurant’s homemade food, particularly its empanadas.
I’m particularly drawn to how the place kept its focus as it grew. The menu still feels homestyle, not overworked or trendy.
Plan ahead before you go. Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the kitchen closes 30 minutes before closing.
Sunday and Monday are off days. Mark your calendar so an empanada craving doesn’t hit a locked door.
The Sandwich That Gave This Place Its Name
A restaurant named after a sandwich sets a high bar for itself. Luckily, the El Cubano sandwich sticks to the classic formula.
Roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard all go on Cuban bread. It’s the kind of build that doesn’t need gimmicks to make its point.
The sandwich often comes with yuca and a mojito dip. Yuca is a starchy root that turns soft inside when cooked, and it pairs well with garlicky sauces.
Here’s where the empanadas create a friendly rivalry. You’ve got a pressed sandwich with a big reputation, plus pastry pockets with their own dip.
That’s not a bad problem to have. In fact, it might be the best lunch argument in Minnesota.
My practical advice is to share. Split a sandwich and an order of empanadas with a friend, and everyone wins.
Pressed sandwiches are part of what earned this place attention from local food writers. Eater Twin Cities named it among the area’s best sandwiches.
So go ahead and order the namesake. Just keep one eye on those empanadas, because they’re not giving up the spotlight quietly.
Golden Pastry Pockets That Refuse To Play Second Fiddle
Most restaurants treat empanadas like an opening act. At El Cubano in West St. Paul, they act more like the band everyone actually bought tickets to see.
The menu calls them savory pastry turnovers, and that simple description hides a lot of good news. Meat options rotate daily, and a vegetarian version sometimes shows up too.
El Cubano offers rotating meat fillings for its empanadas, with the selection varying by day. A vegetarian empanada is sometimes available, giving customers another option beyond the daily meat filling.
Every order comes with the house-made mayo-ketchup dip. That creamy, tangy sauce is a Caribbean staple, and having it made in-house shows real care.
Ordering works in small or big moves. You can order empanadas and ask which meat filling is available that day.
Feeling bolder? Add a few empanadas to your order and turn them into a shareable appetizer.
My tip is simple. Order empanadas alongside your main dish, not instead of it.
That way, you get to judge the showdown yourself. Just don’t be shocked if the little pastry pockets end up stealing your attention. They’ve clearly earned the spotlight here.
Meet The Dominican Cousin With Extra Crunch
Lettuce, tomatoes, and raw onions change the whole mood of a sandwich. El Dominicano adds all three to the classic pork and ham lineup.
It starts with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. Then come those fresh vegetables plus mayonnaise, all on Cuban bread.
Think of it as the Cubano’s chatty cousin. Same family roots, but with a little more crunch and a creamier finish.
Like its relative, it comes with yuca and mojito dip. That makes it a full meal before you even glance at the empanada section.
This sandwich nods to the Dominican side of the kitchen. Having both styles on one menu gives you a fun way to compare two Caribbean traditions.
Got a friend who can’t decide? Order one Cubano and one Dominicano, then swap halves.
Add a few empanadas to the middle of the table. Now you’ve built a tasting menu without any fancy tablecloths.
Fresh vegetables also make this a smart choice on a warm day. It feels a bit lighter while still packing plenty of flavor. And if anyone asks which sandwich wins, you can simply shrug and keep eating.
Plates So Homestyle You Might Want To Call Your Grandma
Shredded flank steak simmered with onions and cilantro in a light tomato sauce. That’s ropa vieja, and it’s one of Cuba’s most famous comfort dishes.
Fun fact: the name means old clothes in Spanish. The shredded beef supposedly looks like torn fabric, which sounds odd but tastes far better.
At El Cubano, the plate comes with white rice, black beans, sweet fried plantains, and a salad. That’s a full spread with sweet, savory, and fresh flavors.
El Guajiro Plate takes a different route. Marinated and roasted pork shares the plate with the same rice, beans, plantains, and salad.
Both are the kind of meals that make a cold Minnesota afternoon feel warmer. They’re hearty and filling without trying too hard.
This is where the empanada showdown gets real. A big plate like this should win easily, right?
Not so fast. A couple of empanadas on the side can still grab your attention between bites.
For the best of both worlds, order a plate and a two-piece empanada order. Eat the empanadas first while they’re fresh, then settle into the main event. You’ll leave full, happy, and probably planning your next order already.
Potato Balls Stuffed With Beef Deserve A Shout-Out Too
Mashed potatoes, rolled into a ball, stuffed with beef and cheese, then breaded and deep-fried. Papa rellena sounds like a dare, and it delivers.
The filling uses seasoned ground beef and cheese. That makes it a close cousin to the beef empanada, just wearing a potato jacket instead of pastry.
Why does this matter in an empanada story? Because it proves the snack side of this menu runs deep.
Small bites at El Cubano aren’t afterthoughts. They feel like real dishes with their own fans and personalities.
Papa rellena is a popular snack across Cuba and other Latin American countries. Finding it here gives you another way to explore Caribbean comfort food in West St. Paul.
My tip? Pair one with an empanada for a mini snack flight.
You’ll get crispy pastry and crunchy breading side by side. It’s a fun way to taste how two different shells can hold similar flavors.
Kids and picky eaters may like this one too. Potatoes, beef, and cheese are an easy sell for almost anyone.
Just be warned. Once the table discovers these, sharing gets a lot more competitive.
Palm Trees And A Thatched Roof In The Twin Cities
Palm trees in Minnesota? The patio at El Cubano makes that happen, along with a thatched roof.
Outdoor seating includes tables under umbrellas and larger wooden tables under thatched roofs. One description calls it a covered patio complete with palm trees.
That setup gives the place a beach-break feel right off Dodd Road. It’s a fun contrast in a state better known for snowbanks than tropical shade.
Big wooden tables work well for groups. Bring a few friends, order an Empanado Box, and pass it around like a party platter.
The umbrella tables suit smaller crews or a quick lunch. Either way, eating empanadas in the open air just feels right.
Of course, Minnesota weather has its own opinions. Patio season depends on the calendar, so warm months are your best bet.
When the sun cooperates, aim for an early arrival. With hours ending at 7 p.m., afternoon and early evening visits make the most sense.
I find it easy to appreciate a restaurant that builds its own little getaway. You don’t need a plane ticket for a taste of the Caribbean. Just bring sunglasses and an appetite for pastry.
Order At The Counter And Plan Your Empanada Strategy
Counter service keeps things simple here. You order, grab your spot, and get ready for the good stuff.
That relaxed setup fits the menu perfectly. Empanadas, sandwiches, and homestyle plates don’t need a formal dining room to shine.
Accessibility is another plus worth knowing. The entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating are all wheelchair accessible.
Now, about that strategy. Start by asking which meat options are on the menu that day, since choices rotate daily.
Curious about the vegetarian empanada? It’s offered sometimes, so asking at the counter is the easiest way to find out.
Next, choose your size. Empanadas make a convenient snack or a shareable addition to a larger meal, with fillings depending on the day’s selection.
Then add a main course if you’re hungry. A Cubano or a ropa vieja plate turns a quick stop into a full feast.
The food here is known for being comforting without being overly expensive. That makes it easy to try a little of everything on one visit.
So who wins, the empanadas or the main course? In this Minnesota kitchen, the only fair answer is ordering both.
