I visited Cuba twice around 14 years ago. Spent most of my time in Ciego De Avila as there is a good deal of agriculture in that area of the country. It was not an official tour, I went with a good Mexican friend and we were able to walk through citrus orchards, fields of malanga and other crops with the local farmers. I would bring along a bottle of rum and we would all share it in the field lol! There are many reasons why Cuba is unable to feed its own population, but it is so sad to see the Cuban people suffer from hunger today! You are correct about the restaurant food, it is at best mediocre. However we did eat several times with a family that we got to know and the meals were delicious!!
I didn’t find the food in Cuba appealing. Not only due to the quality but also due to my dietary restrictions(no pork, few sugary drinks, etc) You did a great job discussing why the food may not be that great. Terrific video, and I’m tremendously proud of you brother
Thank you sooo much my G.... I wish I would have interviewed you about your food exp. in Cuba... You would have been a great addition. Thank you and much love my brother!
He's right. Not gonna lie, 70% of the time the food is mediocre. Every once in awhile you'll find a restaurant that serves you something above average. The mojitos can be really good. Have to find the right spot.
Off camera I had some fish at a beachside restaurant that was good. But that was def the peak….. When I got back to the states my mother remarked how skinny I looked. Smh
@@KeenanLambert198 i used to eat at this restaurant called Los Amigos in Havana, but the more i went the food quality started to go down. But in retrospect, it wasnt that bad. It was the American priveledge in me that was judging. Hahaha
I just returned. I didn't get to go to Los Amigos. But the other restaurants were more expensive than pre covid. And food was mediocre. I had some fish that was pretty good. And some rice. It's hit or miss. Chicken and milk is hard to find right now there. The state of the country is much different than pre covid.
I'm confused...I thought President Obama sought to normalize relations with Cuba so why is there still an embargo?...not to get political but I wish folks would find better ways to resolve their issues bcz it's always the common man that suffers...the last thing you should've had an issue with is the food 🥑🥩🍕🥪🐟...happy travels 🇨🇺
Hi Liz, The economic embargo will take an act of Congress to lift. A super majority would be needed to lift it. Without the support of Congress Obama could only pass an executive order to ease restrictions on travel and sending remittances etc. It really is always the common man who suffers from these acts.
why normalize a place that treats "some " people 1 way and others another way? treat people as slaves? why support that? I do not necessarily agree with embargoing goods but travel to support a govt like that... go to curacao instead
@@ThatCatCameBack I personally would visit Cuba 🇨🇺...the island has a deep and rich history encompassing the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas and Africa...that history, those stories deserve to be explored and told...
Interesting. As a tropical land surrounded by oceans - are there reasons why ppl cannot grow fruits & vegetables, rear animals and access flour, rice and salt like other places? You referred good quality vegetables so why wouldn't the food taste good, at least the vegetarian dishes? Why would such a rich land need imports for basic home cooking? Don't you see farmland and agriculture there serving the population? Eg ppl in global rural communities still create delicious food without wesetern imports such as cola or cheese . No judgements just generally interested in the beautiful island.
Lol you are going to run me into a beef with "certain government entities which shall not be named." Lol - The issue standing in the way of fully unleashing all the gears of the Cuban economy is the current policies. Cuba is concerned about the creation or regeneration of an upper class (although arguably one already exists). Cubans agricultural industry is small and lacks the mechanized support to increase production. Fish could be a source of protein for the population however the authorities have policies in place to limit the amount of fish people can catch.... Boat sizes etc... Outside of pizza, I didn't really see any vegetarian meals that I could grab.... If I had a stove or firepit then I would have surely bought fish from the fisherman on the malecon and cooked myself.
@@KeenanLambert198 wow - thanks for the insight - it seems so complicated. And apologies, didn't mean to ask a sensitive question. As such I'll keep my views to myself but suffice to say that some ppl will assume food should be in abundance in a tropical climate, especially in comparison to similar neighbouring islands, who may like but not 'need' imports. All the best with the channel 👍
They do raise abundant and delicious food in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica, all the larger islands that have farmland. There also are no embargoes from all of Latin America and Europe. So there is no excuse other than the government of Cuba. I actually have found good food in the high end hotels where they are willing to pay the high import taxes imposed by the Cuban government.
Yupp! Good in Havana Cuba just ain’t good unless you go to like high end restaurant. But your 100% right I was highly disappointed when I went to and a little confused. I went in May of 2017. But they sure know how to party and drink! 😂. I still remember that first meal I had in Havana in the “chinatown” barrio. Yes it was a pizza too 🤢👎🏾. My Airbnb host did cook a delicious breakfast for me though.
Some years ago, maybe around the time of your visit, one restaurant in Chinatown, in the authentic alley, featured a real chef from China. What a difference.
@@KeenanLambert198 I do actually lol. Do I have to worry about upset stomach there? How was the phone situation? Did you just use WiFi or did you get a sim?
@@WarrenEdwards1 yes, you will absolutely have to get anti diarrhea medicine. I had diarrhea for a week after the first trip. 2nd and 3rd trip I got smarter. When in Cuba take a Loperamide tablet once a day to keep yourself in good standing. The phone situation in Cuba is ghetto. I had a SIM card the first trip but then just went WiFi only on the 2nd and 3rd trip… I downloaded my Google maps on WiFi…. I didn’t even need it after a while because Old Havana, Cayo Hueso and Vedado are laid in a grid…. Did you find the beach information?
@@KeenanLambert198 u can visit camaguey u will see a lot of religious and colonial buildings it’s not too sightseeing but if u want to saw the island in fully way u can , food are everywhere good no matter what ❤️
I have an American Passport and tons of respect for the endurance of the Cuban people. If I didn't care to return to Cuba then I could go to a very critical place. I saw plenty of things in Cuba that still keep me up at night. Access to the cheap, subsidized food markets of the US would help alleviate some of the suffering.... But at the same time some tweaks in gov't policy related to domestic food production would help massively,,,, Inviting measured foreign direct investment would massively help too. In order to sustain such sizable social programs... a gov't must adher to the economic development imperative.....
My Great Grandfather Juan Delatore was from Spain, Juan Delatore was a GENERAL in the CUBAN ARMY 1880TYS, Juan went to Poughkeepsie, NY. USA to go to College. Juan met my Great Grandmother Julia, they married, Juan returned to his Base in Cuba, Great Grand RECIEVED letters from Cuba to Juan, Great Gram had the letters read by someone who could read Spanish, the letters were from Juan's wife in CUBA. Great gram had marriage annulled. Great gram had gramma through the Juan's Booty call. Now I know that I have distant relatives in CUBA. Would not want to go to Cuba, poverty looking. It's sad to see that people have to live in that regime. GOD! BLESS AMERICA!.
The power is on according to my friends on the ground in CUBA. I'm back in the States ready for the next movement! Cuba did get hit pretty hard.... Massive amounts of flooding...
@@KeenanLambert198or allow cubans to slaughter their own cows... you get arrested and sent to prison if you slaughter your own cow... goverment wants to milk them until the end... and then get a cut of the meat once the cow is elderly enough... crazy
It’s insane how bad the food is…. However, please visit El Biky for moderately priced, good food. I will be there again shortly so if I find anymore spots I will let you know!
Good video. Sad state of affairs in this country -- they have so much potential. I love their music. Cuban food is wonderful in Florida!!!
100% facts…. Cuban food is amazing in South Florida…. Pechuga a la plancha
Pernil con Congri
I visited Cuba twice around 14 years ago. Spent most of my time in Ciego De Avila as there is a good deal of agriculture in that area of the country. It was not an official tour, I went with a good Mexican friend and we were able to walk through citrus orchards, fields of malanga and other crops with the local farmers. I would bring along a bottle of rum and we would all share it in the field lol! There are many reasons why Cuba is unable to feed its own population, but it is so sad to see the Cuban people suffer from hunger today! You are correct about the restaurant food, it is at best mediocre. However we did eat several times with a family that we got to know and the meals were delicious!!
I didn’t find the food in Cuba appealing. Not only due to the quality but also due to my dietary restrictions(no pork, few sugary drinks, etc)
You did a great job discussing why the food may not be that great. Terrific video, and I’m tremendously proud of you brother
Thank you sooo much my G.... I wish I would have interviewed you about your food exp. in Cuba... You would have been a great addition.
Thank you and much love my brother!
@@KeenanLambert198 there’s always next time 💪🏾
Love your approach and how informative your videos are, you’re more of a filmmaker too.
I’m gonna have to subscribe.
He's right. Not gonna lie, 70% of the time the food is mediocre. Every once in awhile you'll find a restaurant that serves you something above average. The mojitos can be really good. Have to find the right spot.
Off camera I had some fish at a beachside restaurant that was good. But that was def the peak….. When I got back to the states my mother remarked how skinny I looked. Smh
@@KeenanLambert198 i used to eat at this restaurant called Los Amigos in Havana, but the more i went the food quality started to go down. But in retrospect, it wasnt that bad. It was the American priveledge in me that was judging. Hahaha
@@michaelb.6527 😆😆 how were the prices at Los Amigos!?
From what i can remember, the prices were not Cuba cheap. It was average price. I'm visiting again in a few weeks. Ill give you an update.
I just returned. I didn't get to go to Los Amigos. But the other restaurants were more expensive than pre covid. And food was mediocre. I had some fish that was pretty good. And some rice. It's hit or miss. Chicken and milk is hard to find right now there. The state of the country is much different than pre covid.
I'm confused...I thought President Obama sought to normalize relations with Cuba so why is there still an embargo?...not to get political but I wish folks would find better ways to resolve their issues bcz it's always the common man that suffers...the last thing you should've had an issue with is the food 🥑🥩🍕🥪🐟...happy travels 🇨🇺
Hi Liz,
The economic embargo will take an act of Congress to lift. A super majority would be needed to lift it. Without the support of Congress Obama could only pass an executive order to ease restrictions on travel and sending remittances etc. It really is always the common man who suffers from these acts.
@@KeenanLambert198 Wow!!! Thank you for the explanation...
why normalize a place that treats "some " people 1 way and others another way?
treat people as slaves? why support that?
I do not necessarily agree with embargoing goods but travel to support a govt like that... go to curacao instead
@@lizz741 my pleasure my sister!
@@ThatCatCameBack I personally would visit Cuba 🇨🇺...the island has a deep and rich history encompassing the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas and Africa...that history, those stories deserve to be explored and told...
Watching From Barbados🇧🇧
Interesting. As a tropical land surrounded by oceans - are there reasons why ppl cannot grow fruits & vegetables, rear animals and access flour, rice and salt like other places? You referred good quality vegetables so why wouldn't the food taste good, at least the vegetarian dishes? Why would such a rich land need imports for basic home cooking? Don't you see farmland and agriculture there serving the population? Eg ppl in global rural communities still create delicious food without wesetern imports such as cola or cheese .
No judgements just generally interested in the beautiful island.
Lol you are going to run me into a beef with "certain government entities which shall not be named." Lol - The issue standing in the way of fully unleashing all the gears of the Cuban economy is the current policies. Cuba is concerned about the creation or regeneration of an upper class (although arguably one already exists). Cubans agricultural industry is small and lacks the mechanized support to increase production.
Fish could be a source of protein for the population however the authorities have policies in place to limit the amount of fish people can catch.... Boat sizes etc... Outside of pizza, I didn't really see any vegetarian meals that I could grab.... If I had a stove or firepit then I would have surely bought fish from the fisherman on the malecon and cooked myself.
@@KeenanLambert198 wow - thanks for the insight - it seems so complicated. And apologies, didn't mean to ask a sensitive question. As such I'll keep my views to myself but suffice to say that some ppl will assume food should be in abundance in a tropical climate, especially in comparison to similar neighbouring islands, who may like but not 'need' imports. All the best with the channel 👍
They do raise abundant and delicious food in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica, all the larger islands that have farmland. There also are no embargoes from all of Latin America and Europe. So there is no excuse other than the government of Cuba. I actually have found good food in the high end hotels where they are willing to pay the high import taxes imposed by the Cuban government.
yes there is a reason. communist regime . that is why. you think islanders dont want to fish ?
@@richardh5485 its gotten to the point that the cubans have accepted that life and wont do anything about it. oh well.
Yupp! Good in Havana Cuba just ain’t good unless you go to like high end restaurant. But your 100% right I was highly disappointed when I went to and a little confused. I went in May of 2017. But they sure know how to party and drink! 😂. I still remember that first meal I had in Havana in the “chinatown” barrio. Yes it was a pizza too 🤢👎🏾. My Airbnb host did cook a delicious breakfast for me though.
ALL FACTS!!!! Did you have stomach problems thereafter?!
Some years ago, maybe around the time of your visit, one restaurant in Chinatown, in the authentic alley, featured a real chef from China. What a difference.
In front of the capitolio, "Restaurante Capitolio" great food but dress code "smart"!!! I recall going back to my apartment and change.
Jumping back into the action now - I'm going to write that down.
@@KeenanLambert198 Write down "La Catedral Vedado" for high quality food
@@al2048 Yes!
+El Biky
Hi fam nice video stay safe God bless you 😀🤗💜👍🙏🙏🙏
Thank you Fionaaaa ❤️🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾
Very interesting
What restaurants do you recommend?
El Biky - Private in Vedado
La Rampa - Gov’t (If your money is running low)
Thanks man I really appreciate it. I’ve been studying your videos to help me prepare for my trip next week.
If you have anymore questions just hit me.
@@KeenanLambert198 I do actually lol. Do I have to worry about upset stomach there? How was the phone situation? Did you just use WiFi or did you get a sim?
@@WarrenEdwards1 yes, you will absolutely have to get anti diarrhea medicine. I had diarrhea for a week after the first trip. 2nd and 3rd trip I got smarter. When in Cuba take a Loperamide tablet once a day to keep yourself in good standing.
The phone situation in Cuba is ghetto. I had a SIM card the first trip but then just went WiFi only on the 2nd and 3rd trip… I downloaded my Google maps on WiFi…. I didn’t even need it after a while because Old Havana, Cayo Hueso and Vedado are laid in a grid….
Did you find the beach information?
Also you can stay in airbnbs and not the cases.
The hotels seem to be the only restriction on the US side..... Even then - you still book it and tell the US Gov't you are staying elsewhere.
@@KeenanLambert198 Yep. But yea you definitely influencing me to travel to Cuba. Your Cuba videos are better than most...
U seem to truly love my island ❤😂
The love is deep my sister!!❤️❤️
Should I go back to Havana or do Santiago de Cuba? Maybe Camaguey ❤️🔥
@@KeenanLambert198 u can visit camaguey u will see a lot of religious and colonial buildings it’s not too sightseeing but if u want to saw the island in fully way u can , food are everywhere good no matter what ❤️
@@Annahiyta thank you Annahiyta!!! I really appreciate it! ❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾
👋😎 nice video
Thanks as always Tristan!!!
@@KeenanLambert198 you welcome bro 😎
Its not about you, and certainly not about an Embargo. Its just terrible and I mean TERRIBLE governance
I have an American Passport and tons of respect for the endurance of the Cuban people. If I didn't care to return to Cuba then I could go to a very critical place. I saw plenty of things in Cuba that still keep me up at night. Access to the cheap, subsidized food markets of the US would help alleviate some of the suffering.... But at the same time some tweaks in gov't policy related to domestic food production would help massively,,,, Inviting measured foreign direct investment would massively help too. In order to sustain such sizable social programs... a gov't must adher to the economic development imperative.....
My Great Grandfather Juan Delatore was from Spain, Juan Delatore was a GENERAL in the CUBAN ARMY 1880TYS, Juan went to Poughkeepsie, NY. USA to go to College. Juan met my Great Grandmother Julia, they married, Juan returned to his Base in Cuba, Great Grand RECIEVED letters from Cuba to Juan, Great Gram had the letters read by someone who could read Spanish, the letters were from Juan's wife in CUBA. Great gram had marriage annulled. Great gram had gramma through the Juan's Booty call. Now I know that I have distant relatives in CUBA. Would not want to go to Cuba, poverty looking. It's sad to see that people have to live in that regime. GOD! BLESS AMERICA!.
I thought the power was out lol
On it is!
The power is on according to my friends on the ground in CUBA. I'm back in the States ready for the next movement! Cuba did get hit pretty hard.... Massive amounts of flooding...
Blame the USA embargo.
There is shared blame - The U.S. is definetely a part of it, however, Cuba has to do better with refrigeration of meat deliveries.
@@KeenanLambert198or allow cubans to slaughter their own cows... you get arrested and sent to prison if you slaughter your own cow... goverment wants to milk them until the end... and then get a cut of the meat once the cow is elderly enough... crazy
The embargo isn’t the issue, it’s the nationalization of agriculture
wow so im looking forward to bad food when i get to cuba 😅
It’s insane how bad the food is…. However, please visit El Biky for moderately priced, good food. I will be there again shortly so if I find anymore spots I will let you know!