Authentic family recipes take center stage at Elvira’s Cuban Cuisine in Loveland, Colorado, even if the place where it’s prepared is a bit behind-the-scenes. Discover the story behind this popular treasure in this article by Real Food Traveler’s Hospitality Editor (and Colorado resident), Ron Stern.

Save this article to Pinterest for when you visit Colorado. Photos by Tiffanie Brewer. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com

Hungry for more? See why Loveland, Colorado is an Editor’s Pick.

Sometimes I stumble onto hidden food treasures in the most unlikely places. Take Elvira’s Cuban Cuisine, for example. Tucked inside a nondescript industrial park in southwest Loveland, Colorado, this commissary‑based restaurant might be easy to overlook — unless you know Melissa Daniels. This owner‑turned‑chef has wowed the community with her authentic Cuban and Puerto Rican dishes, earning a loyal following and rave reviews.

Her mouth‑watering Cubanos, empanadillas, Cuban tamales, and ropa vieja all come from family recipes, some of which date back more than 150 years. This is Daniels’ passion, and she does it all while caring for three children, including her youngest, who is just two years old.

Melissa Daniels family photo courtesy of Melissa Daniels.

Elvira’s Cuban Cuisine Reflects Family Cuban and Puerto Rican Roots

Named after her grandmother, Elvira, Daniels’ family was born and raised in Cuba and later Puerto Rico. She grew up learning and cooking classic Cuban dishes passed down through generations. She dreamed of one day opening a sit‑down restaurant that honors her family’s culinary traditions.

As anyone who has ever done it can attest, opening a full‑service restaurant is fraught with obstacles. Determined to do things the right way and start slowly, she opted to open a commissary kitchen three days a week and only offer pickup and delivery for now. She does everything herself — advertising, prepping, cooking, cleaning, and most of the deliveries — all while caring for her medically complex toddler. Not an easy task, to be sure. But Daniels’ infectious, positive spirit and love for her food and customers have endeared her to the community and created a loyal fan base in a short period of time.

CUBANO WITH A TWIST

When I first heard about Elvira’s, I called to inquire about one of their sandwiches for lunch. Daniels told me I should try her Medianoche, a Puerto Rican take on a Cubano. She lets pork bathe in a citrus‑garlic marinade for three days and then slow‑roasts it until it practically falls apart. Next, she layers thick cuts along with ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles, and grills it on eight‑inch Puerto Rican sweet bread. This is a behemoth of a sandwich — enough for two.

The moment I bit into it, I understood the hype; it was way better than any I have ever had — rich, tangy, and deeply savory, the kind of flavor that stops you mid‑chew. Some customers have commented that they thought it was as good, if not better, than the renowned Versailles Cuban Restaurant in Miami.

A Cubano Sandwich from Elvira’s Cuban Cuisine. Photo by Tiffanie Brewer.

In addition to her top‑selling Cubanos and Medianoches, Daniels prepares a rotating menu that changes daily. Her other top three standouts include empanadillas, Cuban tamales, and ropa vieja.

EMPANADILLAS

Starting with the empanadillas, she begins with her house‑made dough, which has just a touch of sweetness, and fills them with Cuban picadillo. This is a lovely combination of ground beef, onions, garlic, red peppers, green olives, and raisins, all simmered in a tomato wine‑based sauce. They are also available with shrimp.

CUBAN TAMALES

Unlike Mexican tamales, these are much softer and have a completely different flavor profile. The meat is cooked low and slow until tender along with red, green, and sweet peppers, onion, garlic, cilantro, and traditional seasonings. Her “secret” recipe includes a little milk, cornmeal, and extra corn for richness and texture. Simply incredible and a must‑try.

Cuban Tamales at Elvira’s. Photo by Tiffanie Brewer.

ROPA VIEJA

Known as the national dish of Cuba, ropa vieja is something every foodie should experience at least once. Prepared with shredded steak, green and red peppers, olives, onion, and garlic, Daniels simmers all the ingredients in another tomato wine‑based sauce. It is served with a side of white rice or, on Fridays, you can choose mashed plantains. The balance of tender beef, bright peppers, and that slow‑cooked, slightly tangy sauce makes this one of those dishes you keep thinking about long after the meal is over.

Ropa Vieja at Elvira’s Cuban Cuisine. Photo by Tiffanie Brewer.

What impressed me the most about Elvira’s wasn’t just the food — though everything I tried was tasty and satisfying. It was the fact that Daniels puts her whole heart into it. I marveled at how she manages to juggle a start‑up restaurant, care for a young child, make deliveries, and still have time for the rest of her family. She smiled and said, “It’s not really work if you love what you do.”

It’s no wonder that customers now drive from as far as north as Cheyenne, Wyoming and as far south as Colorado Springs, Colorado just to pick up her food — dishes like these are worth the trip.

If you’re visiting Loveland, Colorado, Elvira’s is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Online ordering is available through their website or by phone (970‑631‑7334). Orders should be placed no later than 3pm, and Daniels makes deliveries in Loveland and the surrounding area between 3-5pm. She also partners with Uber Eats.

Learn more about Elvira’s Cuban Cuisine and see the full menu on the website.

-Story by Ron Stern, Hospitality Editor, RealFoodTraveler.com

Hungry for more? Try this recipe for a Pina Colada with Coconut Cream from Puerto Rico.