The Crazy Cuban Cafe, having recently opened just this year, seeks to give its customers flavorful Cuban food made almost entirely from scratch. Located just across the street in the Lake Forest Shopping Center on Pleasantburg Drive, the cafe stands out in bright orange, yellow and red, making it relatively easy to find.

Sandwiches are made with Cuban bread, a basic bread recipe flavored with butter and sugar. The most popular is the Cuban sandwich, topped with ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, pickles, and a 12- to 13-hour marinated pork made specially in-house. It also can be served on a sweet roll if desired. 

Their other sandwiches are variants of the Cuban, served with toppings such as grilled chicken, potato sticks, lettuce, tomato, steak and more. Sandwiches are served with fried plantain chips and a side of their signature Mojo sauce, made from the juices of the meat. They also provide daily specials six days of the week for their different sandwiches. Specialty pastries made in house daily are available upon request.

Prices range from $6.75 to $10.95. A 10 percent discount is offered to BJU students who present their student ID. Law enforcement personnel receive a 25 percent discount, and the homeless eat for free.

Jesus Martinez, owner of Crazy Cuban Cafe, runs the establishment with his family, primarily his two daughters. He started in Miami,  and then the family moved to Greenville and was offered the space for the current location of the cafe by the previous owner.

“Traffic is good, visibility is good,” Martinez said. “I think we’re in the right place at the right time. We’re trying to create a family atmosphere.”

Crazy Cuban Cafe is open Monday through Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. More information can be found on their Facebook page.