Cubanitas offers a taste of Havana in Glendale

What I ordered: I went with the ropa vieja — shredded beef in Cuban tomato sauce with bell peppers.

• I had my choice of congri — Cuban rice with black beans — or bean stew, my pick, with ham and bacon on the side.

The verdict: The ropa vieja was savory and delicious — not spicy but packing lots of flavor.

• Same goes for the bean stew, which was great on a cold day.
• My kids can attest that the French fries are good as well, even if they're not traditional Cuban fare.

Of note: Cubanitas is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which scuttled my plans to meet my friend, so schedule your trip accordingly.