I had lunch at the Banana Bean Cafe — a self-described “Foribbean” joint located in, of all places, Vienna, West Virginia. Home of Holl’s Chocolates, Todd Burge, and apparently, “The Patina of Key West.” It was actually pretty damn good. I had a simple Cuban-style sandwich that I would not hesitate to order again. The problem with most every Cuban sandwich I’ve had (around here) is that the pork really tends to dry out. Add to that the fact that most folks (again, around here) would promptly send back any piece of juicy, pink, glistening pork you put in front of them for fear of it being undercooked, and you have the potential for a really dry sandwich. Well, the folks at the banana bean anticipate the problem, and compensate with lots (but not too much) of mustard, cheese and pickles to moisten things up. Or that’s what it seamed like to me. This sandwich succeeded where so many others have failed. The redneck Cuban! It also came with a side of citrus couscous that was very nice.
It’s worth noting that the place had some decent traffic when I was there, considering it was near the end of lunch service, and in the middle of a snow storm. Always a good sign. But hey, what better way to lift your spirits in such times? The only thing I could do without was the Goddamn Jimmy Buffet music on loop.
It’s great to stumble upon places like this in places like this in frickin’ Vienna West Virginia. 3 Star Michelin it ain’t, but it was inexpensive, tasty and charming. Exactly the kind of place Charleston is short on.
