- November 22, 2024
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The Gonzalezes had lived in Cuba their entire lives. They’d never really had the opportunity to travel outside of their own island. The family lived in Holguin — the fourth-largest city in Cuba.
Angel Gonzalez was the first to move. He left Cuba for Palm Coast in 2010. His wife, Mariela, and his son, Kevin, followed suit in 2012.
The family moved to Miami for two years, but they quickly moved back to Palm Coast.
“It seemed like a good place to come to,” Mariela said of moving to the U.S. “I think this is the best country in the world.”
Now, the family is bringing a little slice of their culture to the community.
The Gonzalez opened Cuban Sandwiches — a restaurant located at 4601 E. Moody Blvd., Suite F7, in Bunnell — on July 8. Angel is the owner, Mariela helps with serving and finances and Kevin, now 16 and a at student at Flagler Palm Coast High School, helps with translating for the customers who cannot speak Spanish.
The grand opening was packed and even now, customers are still pouring in to get a taste of authentic Cuban cuisine, which is exclusively cooked by Angel.
Angel taught himself to cook when he was a young boy. He’s been fascinated with it ever since.
“Opening a restaurant has been a dream of ours for a long time,” he said. “I’m very happy whenever I see my customers eating my food.”
The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit the restaurant's website here.
Editor's note: Angel and Mariela Gonzalez do not speak English, so their 16-year-old son, Kevin, served as translator during the interview.
