Next to the historic Sahara Hotel sits a brick-and-mortar restaurant that blends two rich culinary traditions. The Cuban Corner by TAPAS is inspired by the bold flavors of Sonora, Mexico, and the tropical tastes of Cuba.
Owned by Gonzalo and Yilen Vera, the restaurant is the evolution of a journey that began on the streets of Tucson.
The Veras’ journey began in 2018 when they were given the opportunity to step into the food truck business. They started by operating the truck on weekends, Thursday through Sunday.
That opportunity allowed the Veras to ease into the business, test their menu and build a customer base before eventually growing TAPAS, short for Taqueria Paseños, into a full-time operation and, now, a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
When they opened their restaurant, they wanted to keep the TAPAS name and branding so longtime customers could still recognize and connect with their roots.
In the early days, the menu leaned heavily toward Mexican street food. Customer favorites included bacon-wrapped burritos and tri-tip tacos topped with their famous secret sauce, a cilantro cream so popular that customers would steal two bottles every weekend from the food truck.
As demand grew, so did the menu.
“Our food truck used to be really popular for our tacos,” Gonzalo said. “We came up with the Cuban tacos there.”
The Cuban taco features a corn tortilla filled with sweet potatoes and slow-roasted pork marinated with oranges and bananas. The pork is roasted in the oven for over six hours until tender, then grilled so one side is crispy while the other remains soft, all finished with their signature sauce.
Gonzalo says the quality of the meat sets their food apart.
“Our meat is not just regular carne asada,” he said. “We use tri-tip and cook it in mesquite broth, then cut it so it’s juicy and full of flavor. You can taste the difference.”
While Gonzalo brings Sonoran influence, Yilen provides the heart of the Cuban flavors. Originally from Havana, Cuba, she learned her recipes from her 96-year-old grandmother.
A photo of Yilen’s mother and grandmother hangs inside the restaurant.
“That’s where all the recipes come from, straight from Havana,” Yilen said. “That’s why we try to keep it authentic.”
Cuban dishes at The Cuban Corner feature more tropical flavors than traditional Mexican cuisine, using ingredients like oranges, bay leaves, garlic, onion, bell peppers, tomato sauce and cumin.
“I think the main ingredient is the oranges,” Gonzalo said.
The Veras’ chefs and cooks have worked with them for the past four years. Gonzalo says it took time for the team to adjust from spicier Sonoran flavors to the sweeter Cuban style.
Despite opening the restaurant, the Veras still operate their food stand at the Fourth Avenue Street Fair, where many snowbirds return year after year.
“I have people come and say, ‘I’ve been waiting a whole year to come back and get the tri-tip,’” Gonzalo said.
For first-time visitors, Gonzalo recommends starting with empanadas, offered with Cuban-seasoned ground beef, ham and cheese, or chicken and spinach.
A must-try entrée is the Cubano, a classic Cuban sandwich made with Spam, Swiss cheese, roasted pork, pickles and mustard, pressed on a panini grill and served with plantain chips.
Another favorite is the Ropa Vieja sandwich, a traditional Cuban beef stew cooked with bell peppers and onions and served with fries.
The Veras also encourage guests to try Cuban rice, a mix of rice and black beans cooked together.
The drink menu includes teas, Cuban coffee and specialty drinks. The Cortadito is a strong, straight espresso meant to energize, while the Café Bombón combines espresso with condensed milk.
Although the restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol, it offers mocktail versions of drinks such as mojitos and margaritas.
For dessert, Yilen makes flan herself.
“I make and love flan, it’s pretty sweet,” she said.
Milkshake favorites include guava and morir soñando, a creamy blend of orange juice and condensed milk. Their sweet pineapple tea is another standout, a treasured family recipe.
The Cuban Corner is truly a family operation. The Veras’ two sons, now 13 and 20, grew up helping with the day-to-day needs of the business.
Their 13-year-old still works every weekend.
“One used to work the window as the cashier, the other passed out tickets,” Gonzalo said. “I think people really like that.”
For the Veras, cooking has always been personal. Their goal isn’t just to serve food, but to share their story, one they hope more people in Tucson will continue to discover.
The Cuban Corner by TAPAS is located at 919 N. Stone Ave. For more information, visit thecubancorner.com.
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