Bongo's Cuban Cafe

10/06/03

many better cuban restaurants out there.

by vazco

There are two types of people, those who go to Europe, and those who go to Epcot and think they've been to Europe. If you are the Epcot type, then Bongos is for you, otherwise, go to any mom and pop cuban retaurant for better food.

Bongos is more of an attraction than a restaurant. The food was slow to come and not worth the wait, Soggy tostones, greasy bistec, and the answer to seasoning is to douse in garlic.

Locations doubles as a dance club after 11, with a hefty cover charge and the young set in abundance. If you are in Miami, you can go to real deal and leave Bongos to the conventioneers and cruise passengers.

• Pros: decor, drinks
• Cons: price, service, food

02/19/09

Good food bad service.

by CSMobileUser

This place doesn't even give you free refils. It looks good and all but awful service. Not only that but I had to have a back up choice for my main meal! And dessert! Because they weren't serving it at the time. This place is pretty awful.

06/09/08

Bongos Cuban Restaurant

by JerryWWWW

The service was horribly slow - 15 minutes to get water and menus. Then 30+ minutes for food that was over cooked and cold. Neither the hostess, waiter or the manager seemed to care about the service or the food. An 18% gratuity was added on but on the menu it clearly stated that if you were not happy with the service that you could reduce the gratuity. We reduced the gratuity to 10%. We wrote our complaint and the new amount clearly on the receipt. Guess what. They ignored the new charge and charged the full amount. BAD service, BAD food, BAD attitude, and price gouging and fraudulently changing receipts - go somewhere else. Do you think Gloria would stand for this?

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: Fraudulently changing credit card receipts and BAD food and service

01/16/08

Rude Management

by alvimar

Forgeit about it. Awful service. Rude management. We were asked to pay for parking after we decided to leave because the food was 45 minutes late.

• Pros: Nice looking place
• Cons: This mafioso looking guy was rude and we decided to leave

07/30/07

Good Food, Wierd Service

by htownhurricane

Well me and my girlfriend were visiting last week for vacation. To tell you the truth, I have been to many resturants who have famous owners. All are the same. Good service, bad food. Well Bongos is the exception!! THis place actually had good food. The service on the other hand was wierd. The waitress took our order twice and as confused if she did or did not originally take our order. We were given bread up the but that we almost lost our appetite but the bread was good. Other than that it was good place to go. Location is awsome and was next door to American Airlines Areana and my favortie shopping strip Bayside.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Wierd service, oh our light pinnaple was out of order.

07/20/06

Great Authentic Cuban Food

by cubasianchica

I have been here several times. It is excellent food. I recomend going for lunch. It is very slow at this time and for the most part walk ins should be no problem. The place does liven up at night so for dinner I would recomend making a reservation. Very nice atmosphere and with an ocean view. Beautiful and delicious! By the way, Gloria Estefan ownes Bongos.

Latin music stalwart Gloria Estefan brings her native Cuban cuisine and signature rhythm to this Miami Beach restaurant and nightclub.

by Contributor

In Short
Warm brown tones and mosaic palm trees set a soothing tone, while cushion-topped bongos serving as seating add a whimsical touch. Fruity, spicy, traditional Cuban fare dominates the daily menu: beef-stuffed plantains, spicy flank steak topped with mango salsa and overstuffed Cuban sandwiches. By night, the music cranks and hot bodies writhe to Latin and American club rhythms provided by a DJ or live band.

07/08/02

Chusma Staff/Overpriced

by SGH_Esquire

I went with friends, for the dancing. The cover was $20, which is crazy for a tacky joint in a crap location. A rude girl accosted us in line and tried to convince us to get a table and pay a hundred bucks for a table and a bottle of liquor. Right, instead of getting the drinks I want, I'm going to sit with my friends and pass a bottle around? This girl was straight from the gutter and talked to us--a group of educated professionals--as though we should be grateful for the wonderful offer. NO class. The music was pretty good, but the crowd is very young, and there is no air conditioning, since the floor is outdoors. Don't go for salsa. They don't play many salsa numbers. Hard to get drinks.

• Pros: Nice-looking place
• Cons: No class, Rude staff, Bad service