Mambo's Cuban Bistro

I am really not sure what to make of this place. I love love love the idea of it. Good Cuban food with a mojito bar and live music and dancing on the weekends.  Sounds great right?

That being said, I've had some great food here. Anyone who knows me, knows I am completely in love with Latin food. Add black bans, plantains, and rice to any meal and it is amazing to me...I will stand by this every time I say it but those three things are always and will forever be the best food I put in my mouth...so the food is great, and the first time I came here, the waitress was so amazing! She gave me great suggestions and was so friendly! The second time I came here, the food was still good (I'm pretty sure I got the Pan con Lechon), the waitress wasn't as great as I was hoping, and as I had raved to my friends about the food and service here I was expecting great things.

However, and this is probably no fault of Mambo's (I'm sure just a few too many drinks), but it's just something that turned me off of Mambo's on the weekend nights, my friend and I were walking by on a Saturday night, and the second after I said I wanted to go there one night, a huge fight broke out right in front of the restaurant/bar. And I mean huge! A taser was involved at some point (and not by the popo). I just remember thinking that yea that was scary as hell, but I do still want to try it one night! Crazy maybe, but might make for some good stories.

But I will just rate based on my experiences. Good food, hit or miss service. But I can't wait to go back when I'm home for a weekend in the summer time.

Mediocre food. Nice location and place. So-so service. Drinks were higher priced than expected for this level of bar/restaurant.

Some of the best Cuban food in Jacksonville. Great environment, on Fridays and the weekends they have live music and dancing which is wonderful to watch even if you dont want to partake. The food is fantastic. My personal faves are the Ropa Vieja, Pan con Lechon, sweet plantains and my #1 ham croquettes. If you havent tried Mambos I highly recommend going there. Great to go with friends, their Mojitos are fantastic and they have pitchers for the whole table if needed. A must try!