Caliente

Hungry? But you don't want the same old fast food or Mexican cuisine. You will not find a better Cuban sandwich in the Fort. It is wonderful especially when you dip it into one of the delicious homemade soups, black bean, red bean, lentil or chicken. The bread is baked fresh daily. They also serve the best plantains in town, that is reason enough for you to stop in. The Cuban Family that own/run the restaurant are great people that will make you feel like family. It's not fancy but it IS a great dining experience at a reasonable price.

CLIFF NOTE SUMMARY:  ES MUY BUENO !!!

Don't drive past this place !!! - it's easy to do and you might be tempted because it's small and non-descript... It would be a major miss if you do.

I certainly can't lay claim to 'discovering' this place. Found on a trip to the local library for an author speak. Author: David Hoppe  Book: Food for Thought - an Indiana Harvest.  During the slide presentation by the photographer - I spotted a ballcap worn by a chap - and that cap had the island nation of Cuba emblazened upon it.  I inquired and discovered the family story of 1st Gen emigres from the island and that of Caliente . Well it's a great story and a FANTASTIC eaterie!!

If you're a major fan of Cuban food - you're in luck!  If you've never had Cuban food before - and I feel sorrow for your very soul if such is the case - you will not walk away dissatisfied having lost that virginity at Caliente. (but don't go on Sunday)

Our party of 3 - all Caliente virgins, but only 1 Cuban cuisine newbie made the 100+ mile trek to near east side Ft. Wayne. (worth it, mean it)

We were warmly greeted with smiles and volunteered that we had not been there before but 2 of us had experienced Cuban food.  

Cubanos (cuban sandwiches) all the way around - one large, 2 half sizes - combo meals - we chose black beans, salty platanos (plantains) and sweet platanos. And 2 cuban coffees - a shot and a colada.

Our cook/owner suggested having jalapenos on our sammies but we all chose to order standard renditions.

While we waited, a neighborhood customer in the next booth volunteered that he'd never had cuban food until 4 years ago - and he was addicted. i UNDERSTAND WHY!

Let me start with the bread - NEAR ethereal sweet cuban bread - muy authentico! Pressed and toasted to perfection.

The only surprise was the standard sammie comes with chopped onions in addition to the house roasted pork, ham, swiss, dill pickle and mustard.  (Personally, I'll get w/o the onion next go around)

My large was not large - it was freaking huge. Gigante!!  Must have weighed 1.5-1.75 lbs!!  I amazed myself by polishing it off entirely, and the beans and platanos!

The black beans were not the best I've ever had but they were in the top 5 and very good. And how can you go wrong w/ plantains?! A solid entrant here.

And, I know you're wondering, the cuban coffee?  Best cuban coffee I've had in the Hoosier state. And that's not fair either - it was excellent!

I'm used to cuban shots - but they seemed a bit smaller than normal.
Take my advice: if you're a craver, man up and order 2 Colada size from the get go per person.

Holy crap - our check came to $23.  I can't wait to return !!!!  A great experience !!

AND our cuban cuisine virgin is a solid convert and major fan !

I live in Lakeside Park and and love to support local businesses. I also have a love for authentic, ethnic food and therefore I eat here often. My husband and I's favorite is the Wey sandwich; it has roasted pork loin, roasted ham with a layer of black beans, guacamole, and a mildly spicy chipotle style sauce. Their bread they use is very unique and you will not find a better sandwich in all of Fort Wayne. They even have a sandwich made with portabella mushrooms which provides vegetarian options as well. We normally always order sweet fried plantains which are amazing, but the amount we receive per order is very inconsistent. On some occasions we get 3, sometimes 4, one night we were missing an order all together. Tonight I ordered 3 orders (since 5 of us were eating) and I was given only 7. The owner (female) packed them all in one bag after I arrived to pick up my carry out and reassured me that the correct amount for three orders was there. I beg to differ, the math just didn't make sense to me. Plantains are cheap so this is an odd thing to be stingy about. I just don't get it.