A fleet of flying saucers has landed in western Pembroke Pines. But don’t call out the government agents just yet. Not unless they have big appetites.
The saucers are the flagship sandwich of a new restaurant, Pipo’s Cuban Diner.
The eatery is run by George Garcia, his ex-wife, Clara, and their son, Alex, 24. They opened the venture nearly six months ago in the Publix shopping center at 18283 Pines Blvd.
Pipo’s specializes in authentic, homestyle Cuban cooking such as croquettes, plantains and roast pork. But it’s the huge, edible disks that are the establishment’s centerpiece, Garcia said.
The saucers, protected by a trademark, are served on an 11-inch circular bun that is filled with 2 1/4 pounds of meat. Different combinations are available, from the traditional Cubano especial of sweet ham, sliced pork and Swiss cheese, to Italian meatballs or breaded flounder fillets. Prices range from $13.95 to $19.95.
“They can easily feed a family of five,” Garcia said.
He came up with the recipe while on a fishing trip with his children.
“Alex suggested pizza for dinner,” Garcia said. “I thought it would be better if we could have a big, round Cuban sandwich delivered to our door instead.”
With that idea in mind, Garcia _ whose nickname is Pipo _ began drawing up plans for Pipo’s.
So far, he seems off to a good start. The saucers are the most popular item on the menu, Garcia said.
Other dishes are doing well, too. Items range from regular-sized sandwiches, such as chicken breast with lettuce and tomato for $4.95, to a shrimp creole entree for $9.95.
In addition, there is a deli counter where food can be purchased by the pound. Customers have their choice of several dinners, including shredded beef, grilled palomilla, chicken fricassee, fried pork chunks and oxtail.
Pipo’s isn’t Garcia’s first foray into the restaurant business. A former Key West resident, he has been involved in the trade off and on for many years.
Initially, Garcia, 51, didn’t plan on opening another eatery when he moved to southwest Broward County in 1996.
“I was coming here to semi-retire, then I saw the area’s potential,” he said.
What caught his eye was the region’s building boom and its growing population of Hispanic homeowners. Both he and his ex-wife, both born in Cuba, thought that Pipo’s would be a perfect fit.
The couple and their son have outfitted the diner with bright blue tables and matching chairs with yellow cushions. Overhead, ceiling fans whir silently, creating a nice breeze.
To the rear, there is a chef’s station where patrons can see sandwiches being made.
The deli counter sits in a separate area, divided from the 80-seat dining room by a wall that is imbedded with translucent glass blocks.
Garcia selected the Art Deco-styled interior because he wanted the eatery to be different from traditional Cuban restaurants.
“Most have lots of wood and wrought iron,” he said. “I wanted to have a more Americanized look.”
Patrons seem to approve. The response from residents of the adjacent SilverLakes neighborhood has been good.
The clientele is a mix of Hispanics and nonHispanics, Garcia said.
“Things have been going well,” he said. “I have no complaints at all.”
Pipo’s Cuban Diner, 954-441-9041, is open for lunch and dinner 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
