Restaurant Review: Cuba de Ayer

Asian Elle Woods and I constantly lament the lack of good restaurants in DC but my Dream Yacht’s dad (trouble following that?) found us a gem called Cuba de Ayer. Granted, Cuba de Ayer is nestled in a rundown stripmall in Burtonsville, MD, not DC proper, but for Cuban food like my abuela would cook, it’s worth the 35 minute drive out of the city. Try the Tostones Relleno (fried plantains stuffed with chop meat), the Bistec Palomilla (Cuban style steak with onions), and the Camarones al Ajillo (hands down, best I have ever had – sorry Aunt Cacha – yours are a close second). We knew we were in trouble when we were both scouring through the shrimp tails to see if we’d missed anything. Entrees are under fifteen dollars which is good considering these days you’ll spend another thirty dollars in gas getting there.  Bonus: there is a delicious ice cream stand one strip mall over.