Pambiche

Pambiche is a Cuban restaurant located at the corner of NE 28th and Glisan in Portland, Oregon.

So the panda finally checked this place out after a few people highly suggested that I try the food here. I stopped in on a Saturday for brunch.

Mmm...coffee

I got the Torrejas con Frutas ($8.50), a.k.a. Cuban French Toast. Cuban bread drenched in creamy egg custard and grilled in sweet butter. While that already wins the Internet, it was served with a spiced sugar cane syrup and refreshing tropical fruit salad. I only wish I had a larger portion.

Moros & Cristianos ($3.00). Get this beans and rice dish. Black beans, white rice, bacon sofrito, ham masitas, and Creole herbs and spices. So flavorful and addicting. I would totally eat a salad bowl's worth of this.

Picadilla Cua-Cua, a.k.a. Cuban Hash and Eggs, is extremely popular, so don't be surprised if the server says there's no more hash. It starts with Cascade Natural beef, seasoned with Mediterranean herbs, Spanish olive oil, and sherry wine sofrito. Served with fresh avocado slices and fried ripe plantains.

There aren't a lot of seats here, so hopefully you'll show up at a time when it's not too crowded. Frankly, I was surprised the place didn't have a line out the door.

If you want Cuban food in Portland, it doesn't get much better than Pambiche. 9.25/10