Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine

Washington, DC, United States

4

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 202-833-1005
Website:
www.sophiescubandc.com
Address:
1134 19th St NW, Washington, DC, DC, 20036
b/t N M St & N Lingers Ct
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
720 ftMTA Bus Stop
0.2 miFarragut North
0.3 miMetro Bus 3Y 7Y 11Y 80 S1 16Y OmniRide G MTA Commuter Bus
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
Yes
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Bitcoin
No
Good For
Lunch
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
No
Has TV
No
Dogs Allowed
No
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (Washington, DC) 15:58 Friday, 29 November 2024

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

We specialize in authentic Cuban cuisine. Cuban classics like ropa vieja and pernil are slowly prepared daily. Oxtail stew like you remember from home. Masitas made crispy and fresh to order. Sweet (maduros) and green (tostones) plantains. We have a range of warm pressed sandwiches, ranging from the classic Cuban sandwich to our original Roast Pork with a Twist. We offer chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and vegetarian offerings. A range of savory appetizers like empanadas, mashed potatoes stuffed with ground beef stew (picadillo) and ham croquetas. Our spicy green sauce and classic garlic mojito top off everything to perfection.

We offer Cuban sodas and a range of fruit shakes (batidos) including less often found varieties like guanabana and mamey.

Everything is prepared daily on site here at the restaurant. We offer quick dine-​in, carry out, delivery, and catering options.

History

Established in 1997.

True to their restaurateur roots in Lima Peru, the Luna family always dreamed of having their own restaurant in their new home in New York City. They struggled and saved for years to build their new restaurant. Finally in November 1996 they started construction and in June 1997 they opened the first Sophie’s near the World Trade Center.

Sophie’s had its inspiration in a Cuban restaurant the family visited years earlier. They studied and researched everything they could find about Cuba, its culture, and its food. Then they hired Master Cuban Chef Eduardo Morgado to help them put it all together.

That first restaurant was so busy that they soon opened a larger restaurant nearby. That one was just as busy and by 2001 they had four Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine® Restaurants open. 911 claimed the first two and a landlord bought out another one but the family kept working hard and there are now six Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine restaurants in Manhattan, one in Brooklyn and one in Washington, DC.

Meet the Business Owner

James L.

Business Owner

A native of Reston, Virginia, James first arrived in the District in 1997 to attend Georgetown University. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in international policy. James grew up in and around the hospitality business and his recent participation in the development of a new venture in the Atlas District rekindled his passion for this industry. In discovering Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine, James feels he has found the ideal concept: «…a unique and exciting new dining option that places high quality, tasty food at the center of its offering.»

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20 reviews of Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine

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Place rating: 4
Washington, DC
Shame on me for never having reviewed Sophie’s until this very moment! I have eaten here, no lie, 80 times (lol, idk if actually that many, but let’s just say, A LOT of times). I first had Sophie’s through their delivery service, some coworkers suggested we order from there, and I was instantly hooked! Their deliveries were never fully accurate (they always forgot something, sadly) so that made it annoying, but honestly it was still worth ordering because I really liked the food. But the most common way for me to get Sophie’s was pick up. Best because you watch them make your plate and no chance for a mistake! Their food is great. Not the best Cuban food I’ve ever had (I’m from Miami), but one of the best in DC, if not the best. Their plantains (my favorite item at any Cuban resto) are excellent and so perfectly cooked. A lot of the Salvadorean places around town sell plantains but they fry them in a different way that I just don’t like, Sophie’s does it right. Their empanadas are great, and of course, they make a delicious Cuban with a twist (the twist is plantains inside lol yum!).
Their manager is not a nice guy, sadly, but whatever, it’s all good, I pick up my food and leave pretty quickly. I heard they are closing at the end of the month, which makes me sad. I’ve definitely enjoyed coming to Sophie’s for about as long as I’ve lived in DC, and I’ll definitely miss their filling lunches. If you haven’t been, stop in before the end of the month! And I hope whatever opens up in its place next is as tasty a lunch option as this!
Place rating: 4
Washington, DC
Word is that Sophie’s is closing, so this review is basically moot, but wanted to give Sophie’s some love. Been eating here since they opened, and the food is delicious. I am in no way a Cuban food expert, but I am an expert in knowing what is delicious in my belly, and Sophie’s doesn’t disappoint! Ill be sorry to see you go!
Place rating: 3
Bethesda, MD
I love the idea of the roast pork with a twist sandwich, I really do. Sweet plantains, spicy green sauce, mayo, onions, and juicy flavorful pork. Everything is there except for one thing… JUICY FLAVORFUL pork. Every single time the pork is dry but yet I keep coming back because I love the flavor combo otherwise. Maybe I’m biased because I’ve been to lechoneras in Puerto Rico where the roasted pork is out of this world! But here, it’s really bland. Sophie’s, please get the pork right and we will become best friends I promise!
Place rating: 4
Arlington, VA
Loved the Cubano. Definitely get with a «twist” – the spicy green sauce adds a nice kick. I did find a random chunk of plantain in half of the sandwich, which was weird. We waited awhile as there was only one person making sandwiches, but well worth it. Everything else looks good, including the ox tail and paella – will definitely be returning! Prices are on par with the area, and pretty reasonable.
Place rating: 4
Washington, DC
I love this place! Great sweet yellow plantains (maduros) and rice and beans (Moro) and chicken. Delivery is quick and the prices are excellent for the area. Food is hot and drinks are chilled. This was already half way through eating– so much delicious food /​protein for $ 12!
Place rating: 5
Washington, DC
For under $ 14 I got the Tuesday special — Steak & Onions with 2 Sides (I picked Rice and Beans). My tummy is full and my wallet is not empty! Service is fast. Great place for a quick lunch that will fill you up.
Place rating: 2
Minneapolis, MN
Tiny sandwich, okay lunch spot, confusing layout
I ordered the pork sandwich with a twist. While the size of the sandwich was a disappointment, I did enjoy Sophie’s sauce and the sweet plantain. The pork could’ve been more flavorful and tender.
The layout of the venue was also off-​putting. The entrees, sandwiches and drinks were all separate sections of the venue. I wanted to order more but was disinclined because of this layout.
Overall, this will not become my go-​to lunch spot, mainly because the portion sizes are too small relative to the price and the flavor did not meet my standard for Cuban cuisine. A plethora of better lunch spots are within walking distance.
Place rating: 2
Washington, DC
This rating isn’t fair. It just isn’t and I’m sorry to the folks who work at Sophie’s (who I am sure are very nice people). Its my fault, I was homesick and was thinking of the food of Tampa (ok and Miami too). The amazing Cuban food that my mom made and which you can really only get there. I knew better than to try the Cubano (you can’t bake the bread here without palm leaves) so I ordered yellow rice and beans, with a beef empanada and a guava and cheese empanada.
The food tasted like what somebody would make if you described Cuban food and set them loose in a Shoppers to buy ingredients. No frijoles negros, no onion, no cilantro, no spices at all. The beef empanada was nicely baked, but the meat was without flavor or spice.
The guava empanada was tasty, but had been packaged for delivery WITH the beef empanada so it had melted and was just a gooey mess. I think it would have been the best part of the meal had it been chilled.
Anyway, it is an uphill battle in DC for places like Sophie’s so I hope they keep trying but until then I will quell my cravings until I am back home.
Place rating: 3
Washington, DC
Having tried Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine in NYC, I was ecstatic to find one here in DC. Unfortunately, I wasn’t incredibly impressed with my experience.
There was no lunch menu, and very limited options. It was either buy a sandwich, salad bowl, or an entrée plus 2 sides if I remember correctly. I didn’t want a lot of food, and honestly did not go to Sophie’s for a salad. I opted for the classic, the Cuban sandwich.
It took awhile for my sandwich to be ready (from waiting to ordering to paying probably took 15 minutes), which was surprising given that I went way after the lunch rush on a Friday. There’s nowhere to sit inside unless you are dining in so don’t plan to place your order and sit down to eat it unless you’re being helped by a server.
By the time I got my sandwich back to my office, the anticipation was almost killing me. PIckles, sauce, cheese, and meat! Oh my! I unwrapped it to find a dry shadow of a Cuban sandwich. I admittedly like my food «saucy», but I figured that between mayo and mustard, it would not be dry. Boy was I wrong. Between the thick, crusty bread and lack of condiments, the sandwich was difficult to get through. If I go back to this location, it will either be when I am starving and feel like heavy «night-​night» food, or for dinner.
Place rating: 5
Washington, DC
The OX Tail is out of this world!!! That’s all I have to say! When I walked in and saw it sitting in the warming pan and saw that the sauce was red, I was like this might suck. But I will try it. As I sat outside on the cute little chairs, I couldn’t even people watch because I was stuffing my face. I lot of people came in and got sandwiches so I suppose those are pretty awesome too. I accompanied it with the morro rice and bean and plantains. I wold return 1000 times over. It’s hard to find good ox tails.
There is a location in NYC that I used to order lunch from all the time so this place also makes me think back. It’s amazing how I can get the same great taste miles and miles away. Totally worth your visit!
Place rating: 3
Washington, DC
Food is only ok, not amazing. Nothing spectacular at all.
It’s also weird that it looks like a carry out, and basically is… but then if you want to get some food and sit down, they force you you have table service. Really? I have to tip in a place like this? If you’re going to be a restaurant, be a restaurant… but don’t have it look like a carry out and force people into table service. It’s like going to McDonald’s then having to deal with a waiter and slower service. And I generally leave 20% standard tip, upwards to about 50% for good service… good luck getting your water refilled here.
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
Best Cuban food in town! We have been to this place 6 times in the past month; we can’t get over it! You must try the sweet plaintains and their green sauce. Try their passion fruit shake as well. It’s a shame they don’t open on the weekends! During lunch hours it might be hard to find an open table as it gets packed! So come around 3−4pm.
Place rating: 5
Washington, DC
Pricier than some of the other lunch options around but I like to come here for lunch during the work week. It is always very fast service and the food is always cooked very well. I’ve been meaning to try many of their other options but I always end up getting the ox tail.
Place rating: 5
Clinton, MD
Fastest Delivery Downtown… Green Sauce is hot and good!!!
Roasted Turkey meal is good!!!
Spicy chicken meal is good too…
Place rating: 4
Seattle, WA
I’ve been here a couple of times for their Cubans and became so addicted that I had to bring my own lunch to work so I wouldn’t go outside and be tempted to go all Tasmanian devil on that place.
Place rating: 4
Washington, DC
I have two words for you: green sauce. As soon as you sit down at a table, you will see the squeeze bottle green sauce. Now as soon as your food comes out, squeeze that bottle in your mouth as you delight in this magical culinary Cuban experience along with their ropa vieja. My dying wish is to now drown in this sauce.
I had the spicy grilled chicken and it was meh. Like the other Unilocalers have stated, get the moro rice and green plantains. Then squeeze green sauce over them. My buddy got the ropa vieja and that dish was fantastic.
There’s also a downstairs takeout area for you sad workaholic downtowners who need to eat lunch in your lonely cubicles (I am one of you). Just make sure you ask for many cups of green sauce on the side.
Place rating: 4
Washington, DC
Sophie’s has some pretty awesome Cuban food and is a quick place to grab a bite or take-​out like I usually do. Although its a bit expensive for a meal (~$ 12) relative to other nearby options, it’s definitely worth a stop, especially if you like food with some kick to it.
Whenever I go, I order the spicy grilled chicken (which has grilled veggies) with black beans and orange rice. Both of the sides are fresh and delicious and mix together nicely with the the chicken and grilled vegetables. The chicken is actually the weakest part of the dish: although it is good, it’s not spicy as it is advertised to be and is a little dry.
What really brings the meal together though is the green sauce that comes on the side. They are small so I recommend getting a few and adding them all. It tastes awesome and adds a great deal of heat. It really transforms the dish into a much better meal.
As a side note, I’ve also had both plantain options here. The sweet plantains are soft and tasty so you can’t go wrong ordering them, but the green plantains are really tough and not nearly as good as the sweet ones so you may want to avoid them and choose a different side instead.
Place rating: 4
Austin, TX
My coworkers wanted to order Cuban food and I decided to get on board. I am not familiar with Cuban food so wasn’t sure what to order. After scanning the menu a few times I decided on the seafood salad since I wanted something light.
Our orders were delivered to our office in about an hour from ordering. Upon receiving my food I was happy to find that the salad was in a separate container than the seafood and Cuban sauce. No wilted or soggy lettuce for Me!!! I was also happy that the seafood contained mussels, shrimps, scallops and more. I put the seafood on top of the salad and topped it off with the Cuban sauce. Upon my first bite my taste buds were in heaven because I tasted spice and flavor. This I notice is a rare achievement in cooking.
I had a fried plantain for my coworker and want impressed as it was dried out. My coworkers seemed to love their food choices for lunch so it seems a much go to place that is cheaper than the DC norm for food
Place rating: 5
Greenbelt, MD
Sophies is just a good vibration sort of place. As soon as you walk through the door you hear the Dominican music playing and you see the staff smiling back at you!
I head to the 2nd floor for a seat as I wait for my friend. I order the café con leche and it is
Excellent just as good as David’s in Miami off Collins.
For lunch I’ve had the grilled chicken and the chicken fricassee and both were delish…
The Grilled chicken comes with two sides, I like the vegetable medley (broccoli and carrots) with the black beans and rice, they also offer plantains.
I can’t think of another place in the city during lunch time where I can get Cuban cuisine, which makes this place a hot commodity! Ed the chef is really cool, always comes around to ask how his guests are doing and how we enjoyed the food. So far one of my favorite places in Dupont Circle!
Place rating: 4
Pittsburgh, PA
Lunch. Arrived at 12:30 and within 5 minutes, got a table upstairs.
Roast pork sandwich with a twist– a sandwich consisting of moist roast pork with onions, sweet plantains and Sophie’s special green sauce. Delicious sandwich combines the juiciness of pork, the sweetness of plantains and the spicy green sauce. These elements blended together danced in my mouth. A dry piece of pork was mixed in and that needed to be pulled out but otherwise no issues.
Guanabana Shake — boring shake with low fruit content –wouldn’t get this again next time.
Solid lunch option with prices consistent with other DC eateries in the surrounding area.