In our every day lives we are so busy sometimes it is hard to stop and smell the roses or in this case the aroma of the authentic Cuban cuisine that permeates the air around 925 Nuevos Cubanos. Situated on the busy corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Andrews Ave, sits a very colorful 44-year-old establishment with Cuban flair and Havana vibes. If you live in the area, you don’t travel to Cuba to get a taste of the island, just head on over to 925 Nuevos Cubanos.
925 Nuevos Cubanos: The Background Story
The owner and founder of 925 Nuevos Cubanos, Luis Valdés, came from Havana, Cuba. Like so many people before him and after him, he came with a dream to start a new life in the United States. He soon traveled to New York, but moved to Florida where he met his wife. Together, they had two boys who were raised in their house at 925 Andrew Ave, the very same house that is today 925 Nuevos Cubanos restaurant.
Valdés Senior was proud to be among the first Cubans to settle in Fort Lauderdale. He was proud of his Cuban heritage and wanted to bring people together with his food. He started it all in 1976 with a few barstools in front of his house where he would serve sandwiches. Before he knew it, he had to push out more and more sandwiches and so the restaurant grew. Sadly, Luis Valdés Senior passed away some years ago but his legacy lives on at 925 Nuevos Cubanos run my his oldest son, Luis Valdés Junior.
Cuban Sandwich: The Main Attraction
There is a variety of food on the menu, but the greatest features of the restaurant are their sandwiches. All their food is fresh, made to order, with spices from Havana! Their most popular is probably the Cuban Sandwich. Among their sandwiches, they also prepare wraps, hamburgers, empanadas, fruit shakes and of course, the potent and famous Cuban coffee. If you are more in the mood for a homemade meal try the masitas de puerco (fried pork) or vaca frita with rice, beans and of course fried plantains! With so many delicious choices, you will have no shortage of choice and certainly will never go hungry at this locale.
A Colorful Place - Just Like Cuba!
While you are waiting for your food take the time to look around the property. It is such a fun, colorful place with lots of places to sit and enjoy the tastes of Cuba. Since the restaurant opened in 1976, the clientele has tripled! COVID-19 has challenged them, like it has many other restaurants, and while they never closed their doors through the quarantine, Valdés Junior, admits he has in fact seen a decline in clients coming out. Nevertheless he is always working to make sure that throughout the year, 925 is better and ever more popular.
Who Hasn’t Been Here?
With its endless rows of Cuban flags, this place is hard to miss it on the west side of Andrew Avenue just south of Sunrise Boulevard. In fact it is such a conspicuously popular place that people have heard about his place as far as Japan, China, Canada, and Australia! Stateside people from New York and California have also come to see for themselves what a gem this place really is.
Another really cool fact is that in 1982, 925 Nuevos Cubanos was used as part of the setting for a Paul Newman movie, “Harry and Son”. Telemundo has also had some of their telenovelas filmed there as well. Also, pre coronavirus, the world-famous chef Guy Fieri’s people reached out to Luis to come film a segment for the chef’s show, but it all took a halt for the pandemic. They may be able to resume plans once the all clear has been given.
A Legacy Continues
When asked what Luis’ greatest inspiration is to continue his business, without hesitation, he mentions his father. Luis would like to continue to carry his father’s hard work and love to serve the people of his town. He wants the restaurant to be a tropical escape where he can welcome people like family coming to their home. He welcomes everyone from the beaches to around the world.
For 44 years 925 Nuevos Cubanos has been a landmark that locals recognize and love and keep coming back for the authentic and delicious Cuban cuisine. There is no doubt that Valdés Senior is smiling from up above, proud that his American dream and live on with Valdés Junior.
So if you ready for the real taste of Cuba, pull up to the ventanita (counter) and grab a batido and a Cuban sandwich or sit down for some masitas de puerco with rice, beans and plantains. Whatever you choose you will be sure to experience the taste of Cuba and leave fully contented!
925 Nuevos Cubanos is located at 925 Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. You can follow them on Instagram @925NuevosCubanos.
