Dining Out:

The sweet potato fries ($2 extra with the Cuban sandwich) were really enjoyable, cooked to the ideal outside crispness while retaining a soft interior. The accompanying garlic sauce tasted like a mild Thousand Island dressing infused with just the right amount of garlic.

What caught my eye in the island cuisine section of the menu was the Panama shrimp ($12.95) because it was described as containing bell peppers, tomatoes and garlic sautéed in wine. I was anticipating something light and delicate but it was swimming in a sauce that was well spiced because the tomatoes were cooked to a thick and rich consistency. Not what I was expecting but really lively and scrumptious — it reminded me of a Cuban variation on traditional cacciatore.

The shrimp dish was accompanied by Caribbean-flavored rice, black beans, tortillas and a small salad with pieces of lettuce topped with the same pico de gallo that came with our chips. Their rice is reminiscent of what you’d find in a traditional Mexican restaurant but more yellow in color than I’m used to, and the taste is a bit sweeter. That same dash of sweetness was also true of the black beans.

My only quibble was that the beans were not as hot as the other items on the plate and were a bit mushy. Each of the items was tasty on its own but I got creative and mixed the shrimp, rice and pico de gallo together into a flour tortilla. That was a good idea — my own mini shrimp wrap.

We went on a Saturday night and only one other person was eating at a table while we were there, but we did notice many people stopping by to pick up take out orders. I picture this as a relaxing lunch spot on a warm California day — as long as cars aren’t noisily speeding on the street. The website says they’ve been around 20 years, so let’s hope that continues.

Get in touch PHILLIP HAIN is a Glendale resident who enjoys trying food from a variety of cultures. About the writer PHILLIP HAIN is a Glendale resident who enjoys trying food from a variety of cultures.