History of Cafe Laguardia

The original Café Laguardia was named Los Cubanitos (the little Cubans) and was founded in 1950 in a small town outside ot Havana called Bainoa. Most Cubans refer to Bainoa as "El Pueblo del Burro" or the town of the donkey. Legend has it that in the days of pre-indoor plumbing, there was a donkey that would carry fresh water to the local residents and businesses.

Café Laguardia (Los Cubanitos) was founded by Roger Laguardia (right, now passed away) and his partner Lazaro Ubanelles. Café Laguardia was a combination restaurant, grocery store and bar, strategically located in the center of town across the street from the main bus stop – actually, the only bus stop in town!

Café Laguardia became known throughout the island as a friendly, cozy place with great atmosphere and superb home style cooking. Roger and Lazaro's philosophy is that the food should be fresh, hot and made to order – not pre-made fast food – and the customer should always be made to feel at home.

In 1970, Roger, his wife Carmen, and their two sons – Carlos and Jorge – left Cuba and came to America. Roger worked in a factory until his retirement.

One year after he retired, he suffered a heart attack and saw this as a sign that he needed to get back to work! With his passion and burning desire to get back to the love that he left behind in Cuba, he opened Café Laguardia.

At first, the restaurant spanned one shop but laid the foundations for what was to come with friendly atmosphere and of course, Carlos the host. Later, they expanded into next door and is what you experience today.

Café Laguardia – although thousands of miles from Bainoa – still has the same atmosphere, and the same superb home style cooking. They use the same recipes from Cuba, the food is always hot and made to order, and the customers are always made to feel at home.

A famous chef once told Roger that if he pre-made his food, he would serve his customers faster, he would turn the tables much quicker and in turn make more money. Roger saw this as an insult to his customers, "I love my customers" said Roger. "They are my family. If I can't serve them good quality home made food, I should get out of this industry. Good food is worth the wait."

Roger Laguardia passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2006.
In memory of Roger Laguardia and Lazaro Ubanelles.