Andre’s Restaurant

Hyman Roth: If I could only live to see it, to be there with you. What I wouldn’t give for twenty more years! Here we are, protected, free to make our profits without Kefauver, the goddamn Justice Department and the F.B.I. ninety miles away, in partnership with a friendly government. Ninety miles! It’s nothing! Just one small step, looking for a man who wants to be President of the United States, and having the cash to make it possible. Michael, we’re bigger than U.S. Steel.
The Godfather II

andres.2417Photos of old Havana line the walls of the banquet area.  I imagine Havana inspiring the scenes in Godfather II.  Classic American cars.  Good Cuban food.  Place is a reminder of a past I’ve only seen on the big screen.  I seem to come here mostly on cold winter days.  Maybe it’s because of how warming the food is…

Beef & chicken empanadas.
Beef & chicken empanadas.
Beef and chicken empanadas.
Beef and chicken empanadas.

Empanadas have a crunchy and flaky crush.  Kind of like an fried apple turnover.  Pastry is very good but not quite as good as the fried apple pie at Izzy’s.  Beef filling had delicious cuban flavors.  Chicken filling has flavors a bit like the beef but a little spicier.

andres.2371Pierna de puerco  is very tender and has delicious cuban flavors.  Notice tiny bacon pieces in the crust.  Only thing I don’t like is the little garlic bits.  I’ll have to see if I can get it without garlic next time.

Ropa vieja

Ropa vieja was very tender and had delicious flavors.  Like pot roast.

Fried chicken only available Friday for lunch.
Fried chicken only available Friday for lunch.

Fried chicken had delicious crunchy skin and spices gave it a unique slightly salty flavor.  Tiny bit dry.

Guava
Guava turnover
Guava turnover.
Guava turnover.

Guava turnover was strange.  In addition to the gauva there was a bunch of cream cheese.  Sweetness from the guava hit hard.  A bit too sweet for me.

Lunch specials
Lunch specials
Nice view of the road.
Nice view of the road.

I have enjoyed the food each time I’ve come here.  The dilemma is whether to come for a lunch special or visit at dinner when the full menu is available….

Exotic soda
Exotic soda
View from the parking lot.
View from the parking lot.

Kirk of mmm-yoso!!! has visited Andre’s too.

Andre’s Restaurant
1235 Morena Blvd
San Diego, CA 92110

6 Replies to “Andre’s Restaurant”

  1. Maggie Addleman says: Reply

    Love the Godfather quote! Beautiful cloud picture!

  2. I’ve seen them on Groupon i think? I’ve been on a weird Cuban food kick lately. Well, more so about Cubano sandwiches! The celebratory anniversary lunch specials look so affordable. How were the black beans and the tostones? I love empanadas – was it just meat filling or did it have potatoes/etc inside as well?

    1. Yes they are on groupon but you can only use groupons for dinner and not on holidays. Maggie enjoyed the sandwich there! I’m not a black bean fan but Maggie liked them. I didn’t eat the tostones as they didn’t have much flavor. Empanadas were mostly meat with a small amount of onions for flavor.

      Pick me up if you wanna go for lunch!

  3. Thanks for the link Soo. Personally, my last couple of visits to Andre’s weren’t quite as good as yours.

    1. You are welcome Kirk! Thanks for linking to hungryones!

      I’ll have to try the Cuban places you go to. Porto’s in LA is my fav spot for Cuban food.

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