El Artesano Restaurant

The food is delicious. They have amazing service. Everyone is kind.<br>And they're easy to talk to

Very disappointed with the food. The pernil sandwich tasted old. The croquetas did too. I felt we were eating reheated food from the night before. We didn't even get dessert. The food was disappointing enough. Staff was sweet. But never again.

Visited this nice popular Cuban 🇨🇺 restaurant on recommendation of our AIRBNB host, who herself is from South East Asia. There was no way we were going to ignore her advice.<br><br>If you are not familiar with South American food you may need lot of assistance to understand the options available and what would you like to try from wide variety.<br><br>We went for rice and chicken, called Arroz Con Pollo and were blown away by the flavour. Also new to us was the way sweet plantain was made, truly delicious. Pork belly fried or Chicharrones tried by group is just heavenly.<br><br>Staff is very very friendly and courteous, somehow manage to converse with you in English. The wonderful lady serving us very cutely warned what we were about to order would be too much for us to finish.<br><br>Place is also famous for Churros and Empanadas, may be next time.<br><br>Must go place if you are in Union City, NJ.

I’ve been here several times and every time I go it’s always excellent and the staff is always on point. A definite must if you’re in town. We had the breakfast special and it was delicious.

Union City is part of the area long known as “Havana on the Hudson,” shaped by major waves of Cuban immigration in the mid 20th century that gave the neighborhood a lasting Cuban cultural imprint. Today it is still strongly Latino and still visibly shaped by that history, even as the community has become more broadly Hispanic over time.<br><br>Staying near the convention center for BookCon, I almost did the predictable thing and headed into Midtown, Chelsea, or the Village. Instead, I decided to explore Union City, and I’m glad I did.<br><br>I found myself on a bright strip, grabbed the first parking spot I saw, and walked into the first corner restaurant that caught my eye, El Artisano. The place is nothing fancy, just a simple family run spot with fluorescent lighting, a big counter, and, surprisingly, a full bar, though the vibe feels more like a neighborhood diner than a bar, wine and dine scene.<br><br>I sat at the counter, and while there was definitely a language barrier since I do not speak Spanish (and a place this really compels me to learn), the experience still felt welcoming enough to just go with it. The menu is extensive, including full breakfast options, but rather than ask too many questions and make things harder for both of us, I picked the Pechuga de Pollo Rellena con Jamón y Queso en Salsa de Vino, listed in English as chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese.<br><br>Before the meal, they brought out warm house bread, and it was genuinely good. To me, when something that simple is done well, it usually means the kitchen takes pride in what it serves.<br><br>The presentation was minimal. Two plates: One with just the chicken and the other white rice and a bowl of black beans. The moment I took my first bite of the chicken, the flavor exploded immediately. The dish reminded me of a chicken cordon bleu served with Hispanic style sides, and it absolutely worked.<br><br>This was one of those random park-and-hit discoveries that turned out to be a real win. No regrets at all, and now I’m even more curious about this neighborhood because I have a feeling there are plenty more gems around here. If I’m back in the area, I’d come back without hesitation. Highly recommended.

Been coming here for a few years. Their churros are very good, I usually order some without sugar so that I can dip them in Nutella. They offer a hot chocolate that has a thick texture, but it may not be available in the summer.

I come here soooo often & as a vegan I always get the same combo of sides: white rice, black beans (which have no meat in them, yay!!), regular salad which comes with avocado (not to be mistaken with avocado salad), & maduros (but sometimes I’ll switch that up for tostones or yuca fries)! I really appreciate the service here, they are always helpful in making sure there’s no cross contamination as I’m very allergic to dairy as well! I hope this review can help other vegans discover this amazing staple small business in our community. Amazing prices as well honestly, can’t beat a full lunch where you’re almost rolling out the door for a total of $20 (which includes the tip!)

Had Cuban bunuelos for the first time. Delicious! The cappuccino here is the best I have tasted anywhere. Will visit again.<br><br>10/04<br>Seriously good cappuccino and churro. Actually churro was “meh”. Perhaps because it was close to closing time and was stake. Will try next time again.<br><br>12/20<br>Fantastic coffee & maduros. Love the cafe for a quick late night snack.

I’ve been coming here for years with my parents since I was a child . Has always been delicious each time I come . Service is great.

Great food and good prices. Try the Cuban sandwich and the mojito. You won't be disappointed. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly too.

The first time I ever came here I was seven years old so it holds a special place in my heart. Privately owned mom and Pop place it’s been around forever a staple in this town. Everything you’ll have here is delicious, especially their churros. Today I ordered the steak sandwich with a cafe con Leche. Attentive service and very nice staff.

I stood at the cashier for well over 30 minutes waiting to pay bc the employees were placing their own orders. I finally said something as my uber was arriving, either I pay for my food or I walk out. They got defensive and made it seem as if it were my fault. Que poca clase tienen las que trabajan

This is the place I sometimes visit when I miss Cuban food. However, we cannot blame the restaurant for the higher food prices and lower quantity compared to the previous day, but it is not pleasant to add credit card fees. And ox tail was very tough at this time.

AMAZING. This is definitely a great restaurant if you're seeking good and inexpensive (and high quality) Cuban cuisine.<br><br>Sandro was our server. He's a quaint and endearing Cubano with impeccable customer service skills. He's pretty funny too! He joked I looked like LeBron James haha! He was super attentive and energetic! Definitely a star server and great man.<br><br>I had the skirt steak with rice and beans with tostones. The food was well seasoned and the portion sizes will leave you well satisfied but not too stuffed.<br><br>The environment was clean and restrooms well-kept. Their desserts are also great.<br><br>Overall you will not be disappointed if you're seeking great, "home-made" Cuban cuisine in a place that provides comfort and a peaceful dining experience.

Great place for quality inexpensive Cuban eats. Found this place on a whim while driving through the area. Municipal lot with meter parking behind and on street ($0.25/hr). Service was fast and the food was fresh. Entrees were a great price with just the right portion size, but definitely go for the sandwiches and empanadas! The waitress didn't speak much English to us but definitely understood everything we said. Would come back again if I'm in the area.