El Bohio Cuban Restaurant

This is a roadside dive, similar to what you might find on the back roads of Mexico, Costa Rica or Nicaraugua. It's in a parking lot of a low-end strip shopping center, on the wrong side of the tracks, in less-than-lovely Lantana, FL.

You have to get out and walk in to appreciate the place. I didn't feel comfortable on my first visit, when I saw a police cruiser out front. But two of Lantana's finest were having an impressive looking lunch, so we tried it.

If you just do a drive-by, you probably won't stop - and you'll miss a gem. Once you get over the gritty looking location, you find a charming open air cafe with a wonderful low-cost menu of tasty Cuban specialties.

El Bohio serves sandwiches like a basic Cubano, grilled chicken, tuna, roast pork but also hamburgers. Most are under $6. Their lunch specials include fries and a soda for about $7. Their lunch specials are awesome - they serve a different specialty each day like ropa vieja, picadillo, roasted pork, and Chicken Fricasee. Including rice, beans, and plantains, you can eat full meal for under $7.

Dinner is more expensive but features a much broader array of items, especially stuffed plantains including a variety of stuffings. There are also Latino favorites like Churascco, Palomillo, roasted pork, etc. Prices jump into the $12-17 range for these items, including sides.

I don't like fried plaintains but these are magical - the best I've ever tried. Their Cuban coffee will keep you buzzing for days.

Get over the look of this place, and give it a try. Excellent Cuban food, at bargain prices, at least for lunch.