Best Yuca con Mojo Near Me
At a Cuban family dinner, the roast pork gets the applause. But look closer and you’ll see people going back again and again for the side dish next to it: soft, steaming chunks of yuca drenched in a sharp, garlicky citrus sauce, topped with sweet, translucent onions. That’s yuca con mojo, and for many Cuban families, Nochebuena wouldn’t be the same without it.
Yuca is a starchy root vegetable, also called cassava. Mojo is a sauce of garlic, sour orange juice, and hot olive oil. Together, they make a side that’s comforting, tangy, and impossible to stop eating.
If you’ve had it at a Cuban restaurant and now find yourself searching for the best yuca con mojo near me, this guide will help. Below, you’ll find named restaurants to try, what makes a great plate, and how to make it at home.
What Is Yuca con Mojo?
Before you search for the best yuca con mojo near me, it helps to know what you’re looking for. Yuca con mojo is a classic Cuban side dish. It’s simple, but every detail matters.
- Yuca: A root with tough brown skin and white, starchy flesh. It’s peeled, boiled until tender, and the woody center fiber is removed.
- Mojo criollo: A sauce made from garlic, sour orange juice (naranja agria), salt, and olive oil. The oil is heated and poured over the garlic, which makes it sizzle and mellows its bite.
- Onions: Thinly sliced onions softened in the hot mojo.
The result is soft, creamy yuca with crisp edges where it meets the sauce, bright citrus, and lots of garlic.
Boiled vs. Fried Yuca
| Style | How It’s Made | Texture | Common Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuca con mojo | Boiled, then topped with mojo | Soft and creamy | Yuca hervida con mojo |
| Yuca frita | Boiled, then fried in strips | Crispy outside, fluffy inside | Cuban yuca fries |
| Yuca rellena | Mashed, stuffed, and fried | Crunchy shell, savory filling | Stuffed yuca balls |
Many restaurants serve yuca frita with a side of mojo or garlic sauce for dipping. It’s a great option if you love fries.
When Do Cubans Eat Yuca con Mojo?
Yuca con mojo shows up at everyday meals, but it’s a star during holidays. On Nochebuena, Christmas Eve, Cuban families gather for a feast of slow-roasted pork (lechón asado), black beans, white rice or congrí, and yuca con mojo. It’s also common at birthday parties and Sunday dinners.
Best Yuca con Mojo Near Me: Restaurants to Try
Miami is the best place to start a best yuca con mojo near me search, since it’s the heart of Cuban food in the US, but you’ll find great Cuban restaurants across the country. Yuca con mojo is a standard side at most Cuban spots, so it’s usually on the menu or available on request. Call ahead to confirm.
1. Versailles Restaurant (Little Havana, Miami)
Versailles on Calle Ocho has been a gathering place for Miami’s Cuban community since 1971. It’s famous for its ventanita, the walk-up coffee window, and a huge menu of Cuban classics. Order yuca with roast pork or as a side to any main.
2. La Carreta (Multiple Miami Locations)
La Carreta, a sister restaurant to Versailles, serves Cuban comfort food at several locations around South Florida. Its mojo is known for being sharp and garlicky. Pair yuca with vaca frita, crispy shredded beef.
3. Islas Canarias Restaurant (Kendale Lakes, Miami)
Islas Canarias is a family-run Cuban restaurant known for homestyle cooking and famous croquetas. It’s a great place to order a full Cuban plate with yuca on the side.
4. Havana 1957 (Miami Beach)
With several locations around South Beach, Havana 1957 brings old-Havana style to Miami Beach. It’s an easy stop if you’re near the beach and craving Cuban sides.
5. Sazón Cubano (Miami Beach)
This casual spot serves classic Cuban dishes at fair prices. It’s a good choice for a no-fuss lunch with yuca and roast pork.
6. Morro Castle (Hialeah)
Hialeah has one of the largest Cuban communities in the US, and Morro Castle is a local favorite for home-style Cuban food. Yuca is a natural side for its pork and chicken dishes.
7. Cuban Restaurants Beyond Miami
Outside Florida, check Cuban restaurants in Tampa, Union City in New Jersey, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston. Many serve both yuca con mojo and yuca frita.
Quick Comparison Table
| Restaurant | Location | Known For | Best Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Versailles | Little Havana, Miami | Cuban classics, ventanita coffee | Roast pork |
| La Carreta | Multiple Miami locations | Sharp, garlicky mojo | Vaca frita |
| Islas Canarias | Kendale Lakes, Miami | Homestyle cooking, croquetas | Full Cuban plate |
| Havana 1957 | Miami Beach | Old-Havana style | Classic sides |
| Sazón Cubano | Miami Beach | Casual Cuban lunch | Roast pork |
| Morro Castle | Hialeah | Local favorite | Pork and chicken |
How to Find Yuca con Mojo in Your Area
If none of these are close, here’s how to find the best yuca con mojo near me in your own city:
- Search several names. Try “yuca con mojo,” “boiled yuca,” “cassava with garlic sauce,” and “yuca frita.”
- Look at Cuban restaurants first. It’s a standard side at most Cuban spots.
- Check Puerto Rican and Dominican spots. Many serve yuca with garlic or onion sauces too.
- Visit Latin bakeries and cafeterias. Some sell hot sides by weight or in plates.
- Ask for extra mojo. Many restaurants will add more sauce if you ask.
- Plan for holidays. Around Nochebuena, many Cuban restaurants sell family trays of yuca, pork, and beans.
What Makes Great Yuca con Mojo
When your search for the best yuca con mojo near me pays off, here’s how to judge it:
- Tender yuca. It should be soft and creamy, never chalky or hard.
- No woody fiber. The tough center strand should be removed.
- Bright mojo. You should taste sour orange and plenty of garlic.
- Sweet onions. The onions should be soft and slightly translucent.
- Warm and saucy. It should be served hot, with sauce soaking into the yuca.
How Much Does It Cost?
Good news for anyone chasing the best yuca con mojo near me: it’s one of the most affordable sides on a Cuban menu:
- Side order: $4 to $8
- Part of a combo plate: Usually included with mains
- Holiday trays: $25 to $60 depending on size
How to Make Yuca con Mojo at Home
You can make this side in about 40 minutes.
- Prep the yuca. Peel 2 pounds of yuca and cut it into chunks. Frozen yuca works great and saves time.
- Boil. Cook in salted water for 20 to 30 minutes, until tender and starting to split. Drain and remove the woody center fiber.
- Make the mojo. Mash 6 to 8 garlic cloves with salt. Mix with 1/2 cup sour orange juice, or equal parts orange and lime juice.
- Heat the oil. Warm 1/2 cup olive oil with 1 thinly sliced onion until the onion softens.
- Combine. Pour the hot oil and onions over the garlic and citrus. It will sizzle. Pour the mojo over the yuca and serve warm.
Bottled mojo criollo from Latin markets works in a pinch, but fresh mojo tastes brighter.
Try More Garlicky Potato Dishes
If you love yuca con mojo, you’ll love the Canary Islands’ version of potatoes and sauce. Small wrinkled potatoes are boiled in salty water and served with a spicy red pepper sauce called mojo picón. Find spots that serve them in our guide to the Best Mojo Picon Potatoes Near Me.
Final Thoughts
Your search for the best yuca con mojo near me will be easiest in Miami, where spots like Versailles, La Carreta, Islas Canarias, and Morro Castle serve Cuban classics every day. Outside Florida, look for Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican restaurants, and ask for extra mojo. And if you can’t find it nearby, a bag of frozen yuca, a head of garlic, and a few citrus fruits will get you there at home.
Key Takeaways
- Yuca con mojo is a Cuban side of boiled yuca (cassava) topped with mojo criollo, a sauce of garlic, sour orange juice, hot olive oil, and onions.
- It’s a staple at Nochebuena feasts alongside roast pork, black beans, and rice.
- In Miami, try Versailles in Little Havana, La Carreta, Islas Canarias in Kendale Lakes, Havana 1957 and Sazón Cubano in Miami Beach, and Morro Castle in Hialeah.
- Outside Florida, check Cuban restaurants in Tampa, Union City, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston, plus Puerto Rican and Dominican spots.
- Yuca frita is a fried version often served with mojo for dipping.
- Great yuca con mojo is tender and creamy, free of woody fiber, and topped with bright, garlicky mojo and soft onions.
- Expect to pay $4 to $8 for a side order, and look for holiday trays around Nochebuena.
- You can make it at home in about 40 minutes with frozen yuca, garlic, citrus, olive oil, and onion.
