Memorable | One of the Best
El Siboney
Review by: Michael Stern
El Siboney is a cool, clean eatery that serves Cuban lunch and early dinner, mostly to locals. It’s off the beaten path, far from Duval Street commotion, and its prices are very reasonable compared to Key West’s more tourist-oriented eateries. The primary language spoken is Spanish (but English is understood), and the walls are covered with pictures and plaques of Latino Native Americans.
Here is a first-rate place to taste grilled garlic chicken, a half-bird with a crisp skin and meat so tender that it slides off the bone when you try to cut it. Plantains on the side are slightly crusty and caramelized around their edges. And yuca, a side dish served with roast pork, beans, and rice, is a revelation not quite like any other vegetable. Soft and glistening white hunks, reminiscent of a well-baked potato, but more luscious and substantial, are served in a bath of heavily garlicked oil and garlanded with onion slices.
Cuban sandwiches are picture-pretty. Made on a length of fragile-texture press-toasted bread that is cut in half at a rakish angle, this Cubano contains ham, roast pork, salami, and cheese with pickles, lettuce, and tomato, mayo and mustard. It is one of many hero-style sandwiches on El Siboney’s menu; other choices include steak, burgers, pork, and fish.
Conch chowder is hale and hearty, loaded with conch and a great opportunity for dunking shreds of the buttered Cuban bread that comes with every meal. The grandest dish in the house is paella Valenciana for two (call ahead; it takes an hour to prepare), a vast fisherman’s stew served with rice, black beans, and plenty of Cuban bread to mop juices. For dessert, you can have Key lime pie, flan, or rice pudding, accompanied by café con leche.
Directions & Hours
11am - 9:30pm
- Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Louie’s Back Yard
Key West, FL
Fritas Cuban Burger Cafe | Key West Treasure
Key West, FL
Old Town Bakery
Key West, FL
Eaton Street Seafood
Key West, FL
Article’s & Guides Tagged Eaton Street Seafood
string(3) "532"
int(532)
array(103) {
["rf_legacy_id"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(3) "280"
}
["rf_roadfood_approved"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(2) "on"
}
["rf_address_entry"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(31) "900 Catherine St., Key West, FL"
}
["rf_goog_lat"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(10) "24.5520501"
}
["rf_goog_lng"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(11) "-81.7927456"
}
["rf_phone_entry"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(14) "(305) 296-4184"
}
["rf_policies"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(9) "on,on,,,,"
}
["rf_meals"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(6) ",on,,,"
}
["rf_seasons"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(11) "on,on,on,on"
}
["rf_overall_rating"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "best"
}
["rf_review_date"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(10) "05/01/2015"
}
["rf_review_status"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(7) "visited"
}
["rf_rstrnt_images"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(61) "54460,1918,54462,1919,54463,1920,1921,54465,54461,54459,54464"
}
["_thumbnail_id"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(5) "54460"
}
["rf_dish_data"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(806) "{"dish_count":4,"dishes":[{"dish_name":"roast pork","dish_rating":"best","dish_musteat":"yes","dish_images":[{"id":"1918","url":"http://beta.roadfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/rfl_5963.jpg"}],"dish_image_count":1},{"dish_name":"Cuban mix sandwich","dish_rating":"best","dish_musteat":"yes","dish_images":[{"id":"1917","url":"http://beta.roadfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/rfl_25420.jpg"}],"dish_image_count":1},{"dish_name":"Picadillo","dish_rating":"best","dish_musteat":"yes","dish_images":[{"id":"1919","url":"http://beta.roadfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/rfl_25421.jpg"}],"dish_image_count":1},{"dish_name":"Ice Tea","dish_rating":"best","dish_musteat":"yes","dish_images":[{"id":"1920","url":"http://beta.roadfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/rfl_25419.jpg"}],"dish_image_count":1}]}"
}
["rf_restaurant_name"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(10) "El Siboney"
}
["rf_days_hours"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(118) "on,11 am,9:30 pm;on,11 am,9:30 pm;on,11 am,9:30 pm;on,11 am,9:30 pm;on,11 am,9:30 pm;on,11 am,9:30 pm;on,11 am,9:30 pm"
}
["rf_goog_place_id"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(27) "ChIJxw-J5MS20YgRD1sUx45uC7k"
}
["rf_tour_membership"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(29) "19043,23363,45525,47186,47205"
}
["_edit_lock"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(14) "1627323936:532"
}
["_edit_last"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(3) "532"
}
["rf_website_entry"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(35) "http://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com/"
}
["rf_post_meta_description"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(0) ""
}
["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(2) "53"
}
["_yoast_wpseo_content_score"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(2) "60"
}
["rf_dishes"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(135) "{"dish_count":6,"dishes":[{"dish_id":31323},{"dish_id":31324},{"dish_id":31325},{"dish_id":31326},{"dish_id":54466},{"dish_id":54467}]}"
}
["rf_place_info"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(388) "a:6:{s:12:"last_updated";s:16:"2020-10-26 19:16";s:7:"address";s:30:"900 Catherine St, Key West, FL";s:5:"phone";s:14:"(305) 296-4184";s:11:"price_level";i:1;s:9:"all_hours";a:8:{i:0;s:13:"11am - 9:30pm";i:1;s:13:"11am - 9:30pm";i:2;s:13:"11am - 9:30pm";i:3;s:13:"11am - 9:30pm";i:4;s:13:"11am - 9:30pm";i:5;s:13:"11am - 9:30pm";i:6;s:13:"11am - 9:30pm";i:7;s:1:"1";}s:6:"offset";i:-240;}"
}
["_siq_post_orig_image_url"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(70) "https://roadfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/El-Siboney-Cuban-1.jpg"
}
["post_author_override"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(3) "532"
}
["_post_author_override"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f32832e056e0"
}
["nrf_seasons"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(98) "a:4:{i:0;s:11:"rf_season_1";i:1;s:11:"rf_season_2";i:2;s:11:"rf_season_3";i:3;s:11:"rf_season_4";}"
}
["_nrf_seasons"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f3292e99d444"
}
["nrf_meals"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(26) "a:1:{i:0;s:9:"rf_meal_2";}"
}
["_nrf_meals"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329394df3c3"
}
["nrf_policies"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(50) "a:2:{i:0;s:10:"rf_other_1";i:1;s:10:"rf_other_2";}"
}
["_nrf_policies"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f32943f2ad9f"
}
["nrf_rstrnt_images"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(180) "a:11:{i:0;s:5:"54460";i:1;s:4:"1918";i:2;s:5:"54462";i:3;s:4:"1919";i:4;s:5:"54463";i:5;s:4:"1920";i:6;s:4:"1921";i:7;s:5:"54465";i:8;s:5:"54461";i:9;s:5:"54459";i:10;s:5:"54464";}"
}
["_nrf_rstrnt_images"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f328c984c48d"
}
["nrf_dishes"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(102) "a:6:{i:0;s:5:"31323";i:1;s:5:"31324";i:2;s:5:"31325";i:3;s:5:"31326";i:4;s:5:"54466";i:5;s:5:"54467";}"
}
["_nrf_dishes"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f328a00cc47a"
}
["rf_day_1"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(1) "1"
}
["_rf_day_1"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329036716c0"
}
["rf_open_1"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "1100"
}
["_rf_open_1"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f3290dfd0a2b"
}
["rf_close_1"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "2130"
}
["_rf_close_1"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f3290f6d0a2c"
}
["rf_day_2"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(1) "1"
}
["_rf_day_2"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f3291e0ae89a"
}
["rf_open_2"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "1100"
}
["_rf_open_2"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f32923fae8a0"
}
["rf_close_2"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "2130"
}
["_rf_close_2"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329272ae8a6"
}
["rf_day_3"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(1) "1"
}
["_rf_day_3"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f3291edae89b"
}
["rf_open_3"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "1100"
}
["_rf_open_3"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329243ae8a1"
}
["rf_close_3"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "2130"
}
["_rf_close_3"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329275ae8a7"
}
["rf_day_4"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(1) "1"
}
["_rf_day_4"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f3291f1ae89c"
}
["rf_open_4"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "1100"
}
["_rf_open_4"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329249ae8a2"
}
["rf_close_4"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "2130"
}
["_rf_close_4"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329277ae8a8"
}
["rf_day_5"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(1) "1"
}
["_rf_day_5"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f3291f6ae89d"
}
["rf_open_5"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "1100"
}
["_rf_open_5"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f32924cae8a3"
}
["rf_close_5"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "2130"
}
["_rf_close_5"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329279ae8a9"
}
["rf_day_6"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(1) "1"
}
["_rf_day_6"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329200ae89e"
}
["rf_open_6"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "1100"
}
["_rf_open_6"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f32924eae8a4"
}
["rf_close_6"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "2130"
}
["_rf_close_6"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329280ae8aa"
}
["rf_day_7"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(1) "1"
}
["_rf_day_7"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329202ae89f"
}
["rf_open_7"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "1100"
}
["_rf_open_7"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329251ae8a5"
}
["rf_close_7"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(4) "2130"
}
["_rf_close_7"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f329282ae8ab"
}
["rf_price_level"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(1) "1"
}
["_rf_price_level"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5f32894088820"
}
["rf_google_map_entry"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(387) "a:12:{s:7:"address";s:41:"900 Catherine St, Key West, FL 33040, USA";s:3:"lat";d:24.5520429;s:3:"lng";d:-81.7927437;s:4:"zoom";i:14;s:8:"place_id";s:27:"ChIJxw-J5MS20YgRD1sUx45uC7k";s:13:"street_number";s:3:"900";s:4:"city";s:8:"Key West";s:5:"state";s:7:"Florida";s:11:"state_short";s:2:"FL";s:7:"country";s:13:"United States";s:13:"country_short";s:2:"US";s:9:"post_code";s:5:"33040";}"
}
["_rf_google_map_entry"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5fd32a893eb9d"
}
["restaurant_city"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(8) "Key West"
}
["_restaurant_city"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5fd32a513eb9a"
}
["restaurant_state"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(2) "FL"
}
["_restaurant_state"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5fd32a5e3eb9b"
}
["rf_zip_code_entry"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(5) "33040"
}
["_rf_zip_code_entry"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(19) "field_5fd32a6e3eb9c"
}
["_sbi_oembed_done_checking"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(1) "1"
}
["nrf_goog_lat"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(10) "24.5520429"
}
["_nrf_goog_lat"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(0) ""
}
["nrf_goog_lng"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(11) "-81.7927437"
}
["_nrf_goog_lng"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(0) ""
}
["nrf_place_data"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(2212) "a:15:{s:4:"city";s:8:"Key West";s:5:"state";s:2:"FL";s:13:"street_number";s:3:"900";s:6:"street";s:12:"Catherine St";s:9:"address_1";s:16:"900 Catherine St";s:9:"address_2";s:12:"Key West, FL";s:5:"phone";s:14:"(305) 296-4184";s:10:"open_hours";O:8:"stdClass":3:{s:8:"open_now";b:1;s:7:"periods";a:7:{i:0;O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:5:"close";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:0;s:4:"time";s:4:"2130";}s:4:"open";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:0;s:4:"time";s:4:"1100";}}i:1;O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:5:"close";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:1;s:4:"time";s:4:"2130";}s:4:"open";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:1;s:4:"time";s:4:"1100";}}i:2;O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:5:"close";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:2;s:4:"time";s:4:"2130";}s:4:"open";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:2;s:4:"time";s:4:"1100";}}i:3;O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:5:"close";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:3;s:4:"time";s:4:"2130";}s:4:"open";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:3;s:4:"time";s:4:"1100";}}i:4;O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:5:"close";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:4;s:4:"time";s:4:"2130";}s:4:"open";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:4;s:4:"time";s:4:"1100";}}i:5;O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:5:"close";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:5;s:4:"time";s:4:"2130";}s:4:"open";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:5;s:4:"time";s:4:"1100";}}i:6;O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:5:"close";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:6;s:4:"time";s:4:"2130";}s:4:"open";O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:3:"day";i:6;s:4:"time";s:4:"1100";}}}s:12:"weekday_text";a:7:{i:0;s:28:"Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:1;s:29:"Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:2;s:31:"Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:3;s:30:"Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:4;s:28:"Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:5;s:30:"Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:6;s:28:"Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";}}s:8:"open_now";b:1;s:6:"offset";i:-240;s:5:"local";i:1626360428;s:10:"open_today";s:2:"11";s:11:"hours_today";s:13:"11am - 9:30pm";s:12:"weekday_text";a:7:{i:0;s:28:"Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:1;s:29:"Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:2;s:31:"Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:3;s:30:"Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:4;s:28:"Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:5;s:30:"Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";i:6;s:28:"Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM";}s:7:"website";s:35:"http://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com/";}"
}
["nrf_place_data_time"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(10) "1626374828"
}
["_siq_post_thumb"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(78) "/nas/content/live/roadfood/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/El-Siboney-Cuban-1_s.jpg"
}
["_siq_post_thumb_url"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(72) "https://roadfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/El-Siboney-Cuban-1_s.jpg"
}
["_siq_post_thumb_large"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(78) "/nas/content/live/roadfood/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/El-Siboney-Cuban-1_m.jpg"
}
["_siq_post_thumb_url_large"]=>
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(72) "https://roadfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/El-Siboney-Cuban-1_m.jpg"
}
}
One Response to “El Siboney”
cleve909
July 10th, 2014
Speaking with the locals, who refer to themselves as “conchs”, they consider El Siboney “the place conchs take other conchs to dinner”. And why not? On a quiet street away from the honky tonks on Duval, El Siboney is unassuming but the food is exceptional, fast and reasonably priced.
I ordered the half garlic chicken “the island way” with yellow rice, black beans and plantains. Modelo Especial. The chicken arrived butterflied with a crispy skin, juicy meat and sweet onions on top. The garlic was subtle but evident, with a smoky sweet taste. Rice was good, beans also, but best when you spoon the beans and broth over the rice. Service was fast and friendly and the price for a full plate of food and two beers? $18. Unheard of in Key West! No wonder the place was hopping. Come early or be prepared to wait, but it will be worth it.