OLD CUBAN CAFE EXPRESS

The grade here is the headline: OLD CUBAN CAFE EXPRESS sits at a D (68/100) after its latest health inspection on April 28, 2026.

By score it ranks safer than 7% of Orange County restaurants we grade. The report logged 3 high-priority and 8 basic violations. And the recent trend is down. Higher-graded kitchens nearby are mapped below.

D grade · 68/100 · safer than 7% of Orange County restaurants we grade

Get directions Call (321) 247-5955

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to OLD CUBAN CAFE EXPRESS, by Florida DBPR grade:

  • LITTLE CAESARS 600

    3.5★ 0.5 mi away

  • NAPOLI'S PIZZA

    4.3★ 0.5 mi away

  • MAY FLOWER CHINESE FOOD

    3★ 0.6 mi away

Restaurant details

Health grade
D (68/100)
Violations
11 total — 3 high-priority, 8 basic
Address
165 SOUTH GOLDENROD RD, Orlando, FL
Cuisine
Cuban
Categories
Cuban restaurant
Price
$10–20
Rating
4.3 stars (3009 reviews)
Seats
60
Phone
(321) 247-5955
Photo of OLD CUBAN CAFE EXPRESS
Photo: Antonio Escalera

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.3 Community-sourced rating 3,009 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

This is the pattern the site exists to surface: strong reviews, weak inspection. Reviews that raise the staff average just 2.6 stars — this is where the complaints concentrate.

More reviewers landed on 5 stars than any other score — 14 of 21. What nobody raises here is tidiness — it goes unmentioned across all 21 reviews. 18 of 21 rated reviews are four stars or higher; 2 are two or lower.

Set against that, the state's own inspection graded the kitchen a D (68/100), with 3 high-priority and 8 basic violations recorded. Reviews describe the meal; the grade describes the conditions it was made in. That result dates from April 28, 2026. The trend across inspections is decline. On health score it sits safer than 7% of the Orange County restaurants we grade. What the inspector actually wrote up: clean clothes.

Taken together, this is a place diners like and inspectors do not. A good meal and a clean kitchen are different questions. The underlying reviews are reproduced in full underneath.

Our own analysis of 21 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 23, 2026

    Espectacular, me encantó, deliciosa comida

  • June 23, 2026

    My 2 cents: The cashier: don't know if she took the order correctly, didn't gave a receipt to my wife. The ham and cheese empanadas: great. The coffee: great. The sandwich maker: totally rude, couldn't make a "basic" ham and swiss cheese with butter sandwich. The manager (or supervisor): very cool guy, he was doing a whole refund, but my wife told him that the other stuff was perfect, the only issue being the sandwich. Used to be a good place for sandwiches, not anymore.

  • June 20, 2026

    Please be aware of the very poorly customer service at this location, they need to train employees how to treat customers. Por favor mucho cuidado con el servicio al cliente de este lugar, necesitan entrenar a los empleados en como tratar a los clientes. Will not visit again.

  • June 13, 2026

    It seems this place has really gone downhill as of late. The food isn't the same and the portions are smaller. The service you get depends on who is serving you and the mood they're in!

  • June 13, 2026

    Best Cuban Sandwich!

  • June 13, 2026

    Great place stop by and enjoy some great Cuban food

  • June 12, 2026

    Best cuban I have had in ages!

  • June 8, 2026

    Muy buena comida y servicio .Thansk

  • June 7, 2026

    El café cada mañana es de los mejores y sus desayunos ✅

  • June 4, 2026

    The food was excellent.I would highly recommend if you love cuban food stop in.

  • June 2, 2026

    Love my coffee from here.

  • May 29, 2026

    Muy rico la media noche y su cafe muy riquisimo

  • May 29, 2026

    Los pastelitos riquísimos y el café cubano especial no hay que ir a Miami muy rico

  • May 22, 2026

    Me gusta el lugar, es bueno.

  • May 4, 2026

    You get a lot of food for your money here. Everything is fresh, and you have sandwiches options as well as a la carte options if you are in a hurry.

  • April 21, 2026

    Worth the stop

  • April 18, 2026

    I got 3 cuban deluxe sandwiches and was very satisfied! Probably the best cubans I have ever had! I saw in the reviews to get the deluxe and I was NOT disappointed! If I am ever in town again, this will be my stop!

  • April 12, 2026

    I wish they had table service, besides that food is excellent and well priced for the portions! Live music on Sundays 12-3pm... thank you!

  • April 4, 2026

    Had the Pernil and did not disappoint! The Cuban Cafe does it right by having the Chicharron on the side and extra large pieces available. The pork was nice and moist and full of flavor. The chicharron was lite crunchy and easy to bite off and chew. White rice-black beans and the plantains were all on point. This place is great for take out or a quick lunch. I highly recommend giving this delicious food served up by beautiful friendly people a try!

  • March 30, 2026

    Here most Saturday mornings with my boys. Coffee strongly made. Nobody does coffee like they do, believe me I've had a lot of coffee. Tasty rice and beans. They don't miss.

  • March 29, 2026

    Best ever Cuban food.

Overall Score

32 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 10/40
    Grade D
  • Dietary transparency 3/20
    1 option listed
  • Community rating 17/20
    4.3★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 2/10
    Declining, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
7 AM to 8 PM
Tuesday
7 AM to 8 PM
Wednesday
7 AM to 8 PM
Thursday
7 AM to 8 PM
Friday
7 AM to 8 PM
Saturday
7 AM to 8 PM
Sunday
8 AM to 7 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. April 28, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    3 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 8 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×2)
    • 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests (×2)
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
  2. July 21, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 6 basic

    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×4)
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
    • 40 — Employee personal belongings

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: April 28, 2026