Mi Apá Latin Café of Gainesville

Whether you eat at the restaurant or its takeout ,their food is amazing! Portions are big and everything is good!

I had the Ropa Vieja Empanada, (shredded beef). It was cripsy and savory! Can't believe I almost didn't order it. I also ordered the Ybor Cubano and I've never had a better cuban in my life! I will definitely return if I'm ever again in the area.

A great place for a "non-Mac-burger" lunch or dinner; never been to breakfast there. Food is good to very good, price reasonable, service fast. Casual, and ambience non-existent. They have a variety of tropical fruit smoothies and shakes which go well with the entrees. And desserts and pastries! Recommended, just remember it's very low-key.

Drove up from Sarasota to see Come From Away and stopped here for a late lunch. My late nephew attended UF and took us here a couple of years before he passed away. So I wanted to revisit. The food last week, as years ago, was delicious! If I remember correctly, our waiter's name was Alejandro and he was friendly and attentive and helpful as my friend and I tried to decide what to order. I wish it wasn't so far away, but you can be sure that we'll be back the next time we're in town!

What a treat to find. Very nice server. Enjoyed masas fritas and palomilla, plus mango juice, cortaditos, flan and tres leches to finish.

Always excellent, and an experience for lunch.

Great for both dine in and take away. Both have been tasty.

Side note: I wish they had more carne pastelitos available throughout the day. I always have the bad luck of coming in when they are out or close to it.

This doesn't take away from the fact that the food is excellent and the staff are friendly.

Edit: stopped in for lunch today. Quality is still exactly the same as it was previously. Excellent food and good prices.

Really good Cuban food, nice atmosphere, and quick service. My favorite part was the plantains. Portion size is also pretty good. Their coffee is good and they have a lot of breakfast selections as well. My favorite things to order from here is the empanadas, the Cuban sandwich, and the Arroz con Pollo bowl, which I included a picture of here.
My waiter was also super nice and attentive.

We went with takeout for this order, so I give this review from that standpoint.

The place was well-kept, and the atmosphere was comforting when we went to pick up the food.

I marked the service as three stars as, while they were very helpful, it took the staff member more time than expected to give us our order. It seems as if they were a bit confused by my life partner's name on the order. I'm sure it would be better if we had a dinner date there.

The food was amazing, though. I can't emphasize that enough. If nothing else, try this place for the food alone. I guarantee you'll go back. I know we will.

Wonderful Cuban food. Being from the west coast, I haven't had Cuban this good in a very long time.
The beans were satisfying. The plantains they way they should be, tender but not mushy, caramelized sweetness. They rice was well cooked. The rope Viejas were tasty, tender and seasoned just right.
I also ordered the flan which I chilled for a few hours and I really liked the texture more. The Carmel syrup was extra gooey and lovely.
Service was quick and friendly. Not a fancy place but I don't care!

Ordered Ubor Cubans and Black Beans with yellow rice. The food was perfect, no complaints. I've been to Ubor hundreds of times for the same food. The advertising by this restaurant is spot on. The only thing missing was the Devil Crab rolls. That would over hill perfect. For sure, I will go back.

Loved vibe of the place. Always feel welcome
The Ropa Vieja bowl is my go-to

I'm usually a drive through customer, grabbing a Friday morning Café Frío and the occasional Papa Rellena. But, on the rare weekend mornings that we can stop in for breakfast, the service, food, and vibe are always great. This morning I tried the Churro con Lechón de Desayuno (roasted pork breakfast sandwich with a runny egg on a Churro bun). It was delicious and hit the brunch spot. Thanks for the great service, Jonathan!

Malynn is the best server I have had at this business. She was very thoughful as to my experience, and did more than what was necessary. I felt like I was being served for a fine dining dinner.

Mi Apá as always proves to be an enjoyable meal balanced with exceptional timeliness.

Cristina was a great server! Super friendly, and always very courteous of our needs. And the food she recommended to us was absolutely delicious. If you go to the Mi Apa On 34th and University definitely look for Cristina for a great experience.

Loved their gauava pastries and coconut pastry that I went back 2 days in a row. Loved their espresso coffee with 4 shots in small cup, I’m not much of a coffee guy but totally loved the coffee. 2nd time I tried Their chicken empanadas which are also good but would have been better if they don’t have water inside it.

This place is super good! Nohely was the best server and really friendly! We got the empanadas, black bean soup, penula, and Cubano. Hubby said it was the best Cuban he’s had! There is a reason this place was packed!

I come here fairly often with my roommate! Food is always great and the desserts always satisfy my sweet tooth, Juan Jo mentioned it was his first day there! He was so lovely and attentive :)

Absolutely Delicious!!! The prices are great and the shredded empanadas were so good!!! The meat was tender in both sandwiches we ordered. Also has cafe con leche and it’s literally was like Heaven! Will definitely be back every time I come to Gainsville!! Waitress was also super friendly.

Good Cuban food for reasonable prices. Comes out quick and the staff are very friendly. Atmosphere? IDK, it's okay for being the type of restaurant that it is but not fancy if you are into that sort of thing.

Delicious authentic Cuban food. The service is quick and the food is delivered hot and fresh. I love that the bread is from La Segunda, a true Cuban bakery in Ybor/Tampa, and supporting the continued success and retention of Cuban traditions and authentic food. The Ybor sandwich is just like what I get there and is so yummy.
The beans and rice are what you expect from a Cuban restaurant which is wonderful.

Bottom line, if you like Cuban food you will love everything on the Mi Apa menu.

Don’t even get me started on the pastries. I grew up on Cuban pastries in Ybor and these bring back those memories. They are fresh with the perfect flaky, crisp outside and soft gooey inside.
And the flan… Oh my!

Just, go visit them if this is your jam. They are awesome. Be warned. They are VERY busy so you may have a little wait. They have patio/sidewalk dining available when the weather is nice enough to enjoy it.