The salsa that's sweetly dripping from the sandwiches at Papi's Cuban and Caribbean Grill in Kennesaw is one of Ray Regalado's favorite flavors. That may be because he grew up eating it: It's the same recipe his mother used to make.
"All of the recipes are from my mom and dad," said Regalado, who hails from Cuba. "The pork dishes are from my dad. He wasn't a by-the-book chef, but he knew how to cook."
The Tucker resident recently opened the newest Papi's on Chastain Road in Kennesaw. It joins other locations in Midtown and Stockbridge in serving a similar menu, but with one noticeable difference: The Cobb location is a full-service restaurant.
Island flavors
Though the owner and family are from Cuba, the menu extends to all of the surrounding islands. "These are flavors you'll find in Jamaica, Puerto Rico, all around the Caribbean," Regalado said.
The signature item is one most people will recognize: the classic Cuban sandwich filled with ham, pork, cheese and dill pickles and a zippy splash of garlic sauce that Regalado picked up from his mom.
"Everybody has their own recipe for how to smoke the pork," he said, "but what keeps people coming here is the special sauce."
Salads topped with jerk chicken, steak, veggies or chicken salad lead off the menu. Sandwiches and wraps are filled with pork, tuna, tilapia, shredded beef and ham. There's even a Cuban-inspired burger: a blend of ground sirloin, pork and chorizo topped with cheese, onions, lettuce and tomato. Add a side of fried plantains, yucca fries or frijoles negros, slow-cooked black beans with onions and garlic.
There's also a daily entree special that may be pork, chicken, seafood or steak, served with black beans, rice and plantains.
From the bar
There are more than a dozen domestic and imported beers behind the bar, including a Cuban brand and three on draft. The short wine list of largely California vintages is available by the bottle or glass. Other potent options include sangria and Papi's own brand of mojitos.
On the softer side, go for a Caribbean milkshake, made from various juices; a Cuban milkshake with milk, fruit pulp and sugar; or a tropical energy drink.
Coming up
In the six months that Papi's Kennesaw has been open, it's drawn such a following that Regalado is ready to expand. Look for the adjacent shopping center space to become a continuation of Papi's dining room.
• Signature dish: Cuban sandwich
• Entree prices: $3.75-$7.41 (includes tax)
• Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Sundays
• Reservations: No
• Credit cards: Yes
• Web site: www.papisgrill.com
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