Mexicuban opens brick and mortar restaurant north of Fairwood

The Latin-fusion eatery was previously only a food truck before opening on Feb. 24.

By Cameron Sheppard • March 6, 2024 10:30 am

A locally renowned food truck has planted its roots in Renton with a new brick-and-mortar location as Mexicuban held their grand opening on Feb. 24.

The new Mexicuban Restaurant and Lounge at 15279 Maple Valley Highway near North Renton is open — and offering their take on Cuban and Mexican fusion food, combining some of the tastiest influences and ideas from each culture.

Their menu includes appetizers such as Mexican-inspired street corn ($13) rolled in chipotle aioli, tajin, cotija cheese and topped with cilantro; and empanditas mixtas ($14), a dish with crispy fried hand pies of two different varieties in which some are filled with jalapeños, plantains and cheese, while the other is filled beef picadillo, both topped with pickled red onion, cilantro and served with a chimichurri sauce for dipping.

When I visited, I elected to try the pork tostones ($16), green plantains smashed and fried into a perfect crispy and fluffy vessel for slow-cooked Cuban pork, fresh pico de gallo, crumbly and salty cotija cheese and their slightly smoky chipotle aioli. I also had their croquetas con mole ($16), deep fried plantain fritters filled with melty cheese topped with crema and delicious mole sauce that was sweet, smoky and had a subtle spicy kick.

A server recommended their jalapeño pork belly toasts with roasted pineapple and chipotle BBQ sauce.

They also serve sandwiches and hamburgers such as their Cubano sandwich ($19) filled with Cuban roasted pork, pickles, mustard, banana peppers and pickled red onions, and their Mexicuban burger ($19), a one-third pound angus beef patty with chipotle aioli, grilled onions, white cheddar cheese, jalapeños and a ried plantain.

Along with that, Mexicuban also offers fluffy tacos served with house-made tortillas filled with various slow-cooked savory meats, salads such as their jicama bean ($20) made with black beans and jicama, fish dishes such as their ceviche caribeno ($24) made with fresh seafood and veggies, served with tostones on the side, and a variety of rice bowl, often served with savory proteins, and a fried plantain.

The newly renovated and decorated restaurant space feels clean, modern and cozy, with warm lighting and high energy Latin music.