Sunday, September 8, 2019

Northampton Neighbor Article: El Mojito Cuban Cuisine

This appeared in the October 2018 edition of the Northampton Neighbor:


El Mojito Cuban Cuisine, at 5210 FM 2920 Rd Ste 600 in Spring, TX, has just celebrated its 3rd anniversary.  This is owner Ruguy Arias’ first restaurant, but he had been cooking in Cuba for many years before coming to this area.  He very much enjoys the Spring/Woodlands area and wanted to bring the cuisine of his native country to us.
The dining area makes a great first impression.  The dark finished tables and gold-yellow walls stimulate your appetite right away.  The light fixtures have beautiful wood decorations that catch your eye if it wanders up there from the menu.  The bar is appointed with bongos for seats and a thatched roof. 
That bar has a fine selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.  The mojitos of course come highly recommended, and they have Iron Beer, a Cuban soft drink described as a “fruitier Dr. Pepper”.  The lemonade is delicious and made fresh, as are all their drinks.
Roast pork is their specialty, fork-tender with sautéed onions.  It comes with a "Mojito sauce" on the side, a combination of garlic, lime, and other seasonings that give it a sharp flavor.  I enjoyed the pork with and without it, so having it on the side is the right call.  The fried plantains are a great complement for the pork, just a little crispy on the outside and soft inside.  The Moro rice is definitely worth a try alongside many of the entrees.  A combination of rice, black beans, and pork, it has a rich umami flavor that is very satisfying.  Other diners have recommended the garlic shrimp and the whole red snapper (in season only).
They have a nice selection of desserts, some of which are familiar (Tres Leches, cheesecake, tiramisu).  I can recommend being more adventurous and ordering the Cascos de Guayaba—guava in a sweet syrup with cream cheese.  The guava on its own would be cloyingly sweet, but eaten in combination with the cheese, it’s perfect.
The kitchen is open until 11:30 p.m., giving you an option to dine late without resorting to Denny’s.  On Friday and Saturday nights they have live music from 9pm to 1am, and if you’re up for it the band will accompany you for a song.  Much more fun than karaoke.
The goal of the restaurant is for you to feel like you would at a family-friendly Cuban house party.  The service is friendly and attentive, and the staff are ready to make recommendations.  If you’re looking for a Cuban meal, this is your only option in the area—and it’s an excellent one.

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