Delicias de Alicia

4.0 star rating
12 reviews Rating Details

Category: Cuban  [Edit]

4854 Imperial Street
Burnaby, BC V5J 1C5
Neighbourhood: Metrotown
(604) 569-1575
Price Range:
$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
No
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
Yes
Take Away:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good For:
Lunch, Dinner
Alcohol:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
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12 reviews in English

  • Review from Doug G.

    Burnaby, BC

    5.0 star rating
    4/20/2011 4 Check-ins Here ROTD 1/24/2012

    What a surprise! Loved it!

    How could I not love this place? I don't know Cuban cuisine, but when we walked in the door we were greeted by Alicia, one of the owners. With a HUGE grin on her face she welcomed us to her restaurant. We felt like we were long lost family members arriving for dinner. Alicia explained that several dishes were not available that day because she only will serve what she has prepared fresh that day. I can respect that! She brought us our drinks, took our orders, and went to the back to begin preparing our food.  

    As Alicia cooked, her husband Rolf chatted and brought us our food. What a truly delightful couple! We really felt that we had been invited into their home and were gathered around the kitchen table. And they were so proud to host us for dinner.

    The servings were large - I could not finish my meal. The Plantains were a terrific addition to my meal, and the flan for desert was the best I have ever tasted in Canada.

    And as we were leaving Alicia came out of the kitchen. "How did you like my food? I'd love to cook for you again! Bring your friends!" Even if you don't like the cuisine, you will love Alicia and Rolf!

    Delicias de Alicias has parking behind the building, you can't park out front. If you are in the Metrotown area, you definitely should check it out.

  • Review from Sebastian A.

    • 34 friends
    • 6 reviews

    Vancouver, BC

    1.0 star rating
    3/22/2012

    Disappointed to discover that this is now CLOSED.

  • Review from Amy T.

    Vancouver, BC

    4.0 star rating
    2/12/2011

    I drove by on the way back home and as I stopped at the red light, I saw this restaurant.  I sat there and thought for a minute and decided to turn into the parking lot.

    At first, I was a little unsure when I entered the restaurant, it looked like a little mom and pop shop and no one came out to greet me for a few minutes.  I looked through the menu and the prices seem a little high for what you get.  As I was about to leave, a man came out and asked if I would like to order anything.  I decided on the #2, which is the chicken with fried plantains, rice, beans and a side of salad.  

    The cook handed the food to me and said he hoped to see me again.  Driving home, the aroma of the take-out was starting to make me hungrier.  I quickly got into the house and opened my container of food.  The chicken fell off the bone and was flavourful as well as juicy.  The rice and beans were moist and cooked well.  The plantain chips were seasoned and fried perfectly.  

    I am definitely going to be a repeat customer.

  • Review from Marc D.

    • 1118 friends
    • 1079 reviews

    Vancouver, BC

    4.0 star rating
    8/23/2010

    * A welcome Cuban offering *

    This little spot has apparently gone through a lot of changes over the past few years, and the latest is a casual Cuban restaurant.

    We were greeted warmly by Alicia, who just bubbles enthusiasm.  Her husband, whom was also warm when we met him later, and kids were in the back.  Alicia takes a joy in helping people learn about Cuban food and the Spanish language.  She was giving language lessons to the next table of very friendly diners (they were so friendly they offered us a taste of their meal too!).  Overall Alicia creates a warm welcoming atmosphere in this little spot.  

    They have a nice selection of traditional Cuban items on the menu, which was an exciting find.  I haven't been to another traditional Cuban place in the Vancouver area (although I heard there is one someplace out in New West which I certainly will check out as well).  

    I had/sampled:

    - Ropa vieja:  The seasoning was good, the meat was very tender, and overall this was a good rendition.  4 stars.

    - Congri:  The congri was slightly oversalted, but otherwise the flavour profile was spot on.  The cumin, oregano, bay leaf, pepper, and garlic blended nicely with the rice and black beans.  3 stars.

    - Tostones:  These were freshly made (I saw Alicia peeling the plantains in the back and heard them being fried), and had the delicious starchiness which I love.  4 stars.

    - Yuca con mojo:  I have always liked the texture of yuca, and the pleasant garlic punch rounded out this dish nicely.  It was slightly underseasoned though.  3 stars.

    - Pescado frito:  This was a very lightly dusted basa filet which was pan fried.  The fish was cooked to the perfect doneness.  Really spot on.  Unfortunately it was way oversalted.  The heavy hand with the salt made this my least favourite dish.  2.5 stars.

    - Salad:  A nicely presented simple salad, with a side of mojo as dressing.  I personally love garlic, so I enjoyed the dressing.  But if you don't like strong garlic flavours you might not use the dressing.  3.5 stars.  

    So overall this is a 3.5 for the food adjusted up to 4 because of the really warm and friendly service which creates such a nice atmosphere.

  • Review from Kat S.

    Burnaby, BC

    4.0 star rating
    9/22/2010

    Mmmm Cuban food.  I am a fan!

    The food is deliciously homestyle and comes in huge portions.  I left stuffed, with plenty of leftovers, so I really got my money's worth.

    The owners are so sweet and so excited to have people come to their restaurant.  Alicia told us, "I hope you like my food."  

    Unfortunately they were out of plantains, so I had the yuca with my meal instead.  The yuca was good, though a little under seasoned as mentioned in previous reviews.  I will definitely be back to try the plantains!  I had the chicken fricase, and the meat was super tender and flavourful.  The beans and rice that came with it were plentiful and also had a nice flavour.  There was so much food I took half of it home.  Sadly there isn't too much for vegetarians, unless you just want beans and cheese.

    I did manage to save some room for dessert since they had a couple yummy sounding things on the menu.  We shared the rice pudding and the flan.  The flan was very dense, and not your typical custard, but was really good, and I can't wait to eat my leftovers.  The rice pudding was nice too, with lots of cinnamon.  Yum.

    For two full meals, two drinks, and two desserts we only spent $42 plus tip.  And we took almost half our meal home because there was so much food.  Now this is value!

    They have a special board up, which has something to do with a Latin Party, and empanadas are only $2.  That seems like a helluva deal.  

    Rolf keeps a list of his customers, so if you have 10 meals there you get one free.  Awesome.

  • Review from Lois L.

    • 8 friends
    • 22 reviews

    Burnaby, BC

    4.0 star rating
    1/21/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Home cooking that is tasty and service that is full of warmth.
    The owners (husband and wife plus a kid) are all smiles when you walk into this little tiny joint with only 4 4-seater tables. They are very keen and proud on wanting to make recommendations and suggestions. The lady's English isn't great plus she is blind so her young son of no more than 10 is always by her side to help translate and serving. Such warmth so see a small family business with big hearts! Although I haven't tried everything in the menu but their chicken dish is a must try! You will be pleasingly surprised!

  • Review from Mya N.

    • 6 friends
    • 43 reviews

    Langley, BC

    3.0 star rating
    11/13/2010 4 photos

    I'm all about supporting ma and pa places and this hole-in-the-wall restaurant was begging to be tried. Would've like to give Alicia's a higher rating but overall it's a 3.5 stars.

    Disappointment #1: They don't deliver anymore. Disappointment #2: No more beef stew for the day. Sounds like this place runs out of things often so consider yourself warned. Alicia suggested the special of the day- pork roast: it was a thick piece of roast, lightly seasoned, almost bland. Meat was tender near the fat but dry in the center. For $14.50 you get your meat, rice with beans, deep fried plantains or yuca, and a side salad. The rice was good, with tons of beans. My plantains were too salty which sucked. And I couldn't eat the salad because the home-made dressing was way to garlicky due to the overabundant chunks of fresh garlic.

    You do end up stuffed because everything is so hearty, but overall the meal was overpriced. Especially for a hole-in-the-all, you'd think prices would be more reasonable. Next time I'd hit up this place for lunch, where prices are half off and still able to fill you up.

  • Review from Tu M.

    • 0 friends
    • 21 reviews

    New York, NY

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    6/29/2011

    Loooooved the food here (had the ropa vieja)!

    Loved the sweet owners/operators even more. Alicia is a blind woman from Cuba who is the restaurant's only cook. She came out and had a conversation with us and kept us entertained while we were enjoying her delicious home-style cooking.

    I only wish there was a place like this in Seattle! It's odd to have to go to Canada for authentic Cuban food, haha! ;-)

    Will be returning the next time I'm in the area.

  • Review from Jöravár X.

    • 220 friends
    • 21 reviews

    Vancouver, BC

    4.0 star rating
    9/19/2010

    lovely Cuban place run by a great friendly couple!

    the restaurant location is along Imperial at Nelson quaint little place thats very clean, not much to the decor though.

    the food? is very good and authentic like homestyle cooking... I had the Tamal en Cazuela con Carne Ensalada with cooked corn meal was delicious.

    prices range from $7.50 and up....definately worth checking out.

  • Review from Ian C.

    • 0 friends
    • 1 review

    New Westminster, BC

    4.0 star rating
    5/21/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I checked this place out after reading the great reviews on here and was not disappointed in the least. The portions are large, the food is great and the owners are very friendly. It is apparent this couple takes great pride in the food they serve and left me feeling compelled to register on yelp to make my first review. I will be returning soon!

  • Review from Gigi S.

    • 0 friends
    • 16 reviews

    Burnaby, BC

    4.0 star rating
    7/2/2010

    Looking for something different to do for Canada Day, my husband and I tried this restaurant last night (we'd driven by last week and were intrigued by the Cuban food). We were glad we did! Owners Rolf and Alicia are very friendly and clearly want you to enjoy yourself. Alicia even asked if the music was too loud because "I want you to be happy in my restaurant!" And we sure were! It was so nice to be at a friendly, neighbourhood-type place.

    They serve great home cooking. I had melt-in-your mouth chicken fricasee and my husband had the pork, which he loved, too. He said he'd come back for the black beans and rice alone and I'd absolutely go back just for the deep-fried plantains. The only thing I didn't like was the garlic/oil/lemon juice dressing for the salad - too garlicky for me, but my husband liked it.

    We'll be returning to try the beef brisket. (And more plantains for me!)

  • Review from Stacey H.

    • 0 friends
    • 5 reviews

    Burnaby, BC

    5.0 star rating
    9/15/2010

    The most authentic Cuban food in all of Vancouver proper.  Forget Havannah's on the Drive - head to Burnaby - near Metrotown and you will have the most delicious Cuban food ever!
    This wonderful couple serves up some sweet food and service.  It is a cafe style place that seats maybe 20 people at most, so don't expect a glamour style resturant.  But what lacks in decor (who cares) because I am here for the Food and the people.
    Can I just mention the older couple who own the joint.  the husband is mostly your server as his blind wife cooks.  They are both so sweet and friendly.  They even have a list where they take your name and if you come back for repeat visits - be sure to tell them, because after the 10th visit, your 11th meal is on the house.  Now... I ask you... does Havannah's do this for their repeat customers?  yeah no they don't.  
    Now my new favorite Cuban food place to eat is Delicias de Alicia.  oh and by the way... the food is so inexpensive, 2 can dine for a really low cost wholesome meal.  Very reasonable,  you will be amazed.
    Let's keep them in business... please stop by and have yourself a really really fine Cuban meal.
    Oh I forgot to mention the best part.
    The best fried plantains I have ever tasted.  Serious stuff here people.  Mouth watering yumminess.

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