If you’re in Columbia and you’ve been wishing they had more spots serving bold, comforting Cuban flavors… you’re in luck. Celia’s Cuban is officially open, and I’m pretty excited about it.
I love seeing new concepts come to Howard County, especially ones that bring something different to the area. Deke and I grabbed an early dinner to check it out, and overall? The food was super flavorful, and the meat was the standout across the board.
What We Ordered at Celia’s Cuban:
- Empanada de Carne ($3.89): This was fried nicely with a satisfying crisp, and that green sauce it came with was delicious. It’s the kind of sauce you immediately want more of (and yes, we definitely used it on other things too).
- Pan Con Lechon ($14): This sandwich was so tasty, made with roasted pork, mayo, marinated onions, and green sauce. We were genuinely impressed with the pork. It was stupid tender, and the bread was thin and crispy, which made every bite feel light but still super satisfying. It comes with fries, but you can also swap your side for tostones, fried yucca, or maduros for a small upcharge.
- Ropa Viejo ($20.99): This was my first time trying ropa viejo, and I ordered it because our server recommended it. It’s a shredded beef stew with peppers, and it comes with two sides. I went with boiled yucca and tostones, and they also brought me extra green sauce for dipping. Again, the flavor was on point and the beef was super tender. My only regret? I should’ve gotten rice too, lol.
Before you go, there are a few good things to know. Celia’s Cuban offers coquito, which I’m absolutely coming back to try. They also run daily specials, so it’s worth checking their website to see what’s available when you visit.
Our food did take a little longer than expected to come out, but we weren’t in a rush and it was definitely worth the wait. Plus, they have patio seating, which is always a nice bonus when the weather cooperates. Have you guys been to this spot yet?! Let me know by commenting below.
📍 6420 Freetown Rd. #165, Columbia
⏰ Tuesday–Saturday, 11 AM–8 PM
For more on yum Columbia eats, please click here.