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“You have to see this movie.” Chef Movie Review and Cubanos

August 4, 2014 By Marta Darby 2 Comments

"You have to see this movie." 

I love conversations that begin this way. With a command. That means my friend, who knows me intimately, has something to share that I would love. And, in this case, MUST SEE. 

Further explanation comes: "It's got salsa music and Cuban food. You have to see this movie." There's an urgent tone in her voice.

The movie in question is called "Chef" and is the brainchild of accomplished director and actor, Jon Favreau. My salsa-dancing-Cuban-food-loving friend, Rosabelle dragged me to see it. 

I was not disappointed. In fact, I caught her urgent tone. Why hadn't I heard of this film? It's got a great plot, hilarious moments, clever storyline, wonderful acting.

And Cubanos.

Chef-movie-buttered-cubanos-plancha

This synopsis from IMDB: A chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.

That's the premise: a chef starts a food truck. But people, he starts by cooking CUBAN SANDWICHES. And yuca fries. And arroz con pollo. And he marinates the pork ("pierna") in mojo criollo. 

When was the last time a movie spoke our language as clearly as this?

If you can still find it in a theater near you, go see this gem of a movie. (Warning: lots of f-bombs are dropped, but not gratuitously. It makes sense to the plot.)

Chef-the-movie

Immediately after I went to see Chef, (in fact, as I was leaving the theater) I text my daughter, Amy: ""You have to see this movie." 

I make arrangements to take her and Lucy. After the 3 of us had seen it, Lucy took her boyfriend to see it. "You have to see this movie."

Then I insisted that Eric and Jon go, too. "You have to see this movie." (Yes, I went to see it 3 times, but that's not important right now.)

It's difficult to explain without giving too much away, so I end up sounding like a crazy person. "He's a chef. And he gets a food truck. And he makes Cubanos! And the music! Trust me. You have to see this movie!"

We all became very enthusiastic about Chef. So much so, that Amy started following Jon Favreau on Facebook and came across this:

10533752_613966222053161_6515986245131692034_n

It turned out that Monday, July 21st, Jonathan had an audition just a few blocks away from that very spot, at 5:30. It didn't take much convincing on my part to get them to go. 

He and Lucy found Animal Restaurant on Fairfax and saw that a line had already started to form, so they just jumped in and started texting me the play-by-play.

"The line's not too long. You can smell the sandwiches from where we are."

And then…

"Mom, he's here. Jon Favreau is HERE. And he's headed our way." 

And then, these photos:

Lucy-Jon-Darby-chatting-up-Jon-Favreau

Jon-Favreau-Jon-Lucy-Darby

They said he was lovely and personable and funny and took the time to greet everyone in line, while they blurted out something to the effect of: "We're Cuban! And Mom cooks! And we loved the movie!" 

After they got over the fun celebrity encounter, and as they approached the front of the line, the smell, they said, became overwhelmingly intoxicating. My people, of course, have been raised to recognize the awesome that is roasted pork. 

"The Cubanos look amazing!"

Chef-movie-buttering-cubanos

"They're using real butter…" 

Making-Cubanos-chef-movie

"…and a genuine Cuban plancha."

Chef-movie-cubanos

And so the texts and photos kept coming.

The world of the food they'd grown up with and the world of movie magic colliding in a wonderful explosion of the Best-Cuban-Sandwich-Ever-Yes-Even-Better-Than-Mami's. 

If you've never had a Cuban Sandwich, or Cubano, here's the recipe: The Sandwich Generation.

Jon-Darby-Cubano

Lucy-Darby-Cubano

Lucy-Jon-Darby-Cubanos

We're grateful to Jon Favreau for putting Cuban Sandwiches on the map with Chef. And I'm particularly grateful that he made those Cubanos accessible to my Cubanos via the screen and in person.

Well played, Mr. Favreau. Well played.

Also…

"You have to see this movie." 

You might also like:

‘Chef’ Inspired Birthday Celebration Movie Nights – a lo Cubano Movie Review: Big Hero 6 Movie Review: Strange Magic

Filed Under: Cuban food, Film Tagged With: Chef, CHEF movie, Cuban food, Cuban Sandwiches, Cubanos, Food truck, Jon Favreau

Previous Post: « Arroz con Maiz Recipe – An Original Thanksgiving Side Dish Cuban-style
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diana says

    August 6, 2014 at 10:18 am

    ADM! (that’s Cuban for OMG!) Those Cuban sandwiches look so good!!! Wish I was there. Thanks for the lowdown, Marta, I’m gonna go look for the movie so my husband and I can see it and tell everyone else, “you gotta see this movie!” I love Cuban food, and food trucks, and Jon Favreau, he’s an understated film genius. Last but not least, I love your blog Marta and your family. Even though I didn’t win the subway art that I really wanted, no grudge. BTW, I’d like to see more videos of you making your delicious food. I’m a decent cook in my own right, but I like to pick up different tips here and there. And I love it when people cook for me! My husband burns the toast. Yeah. Close to where I live they actually opened a little Cuban Cafe in front of the Spanish Supermarket (think they’re the same owners.) So I know where to go to get my next Cubano Sandwich! Besitos, Diana

    Reply
  2. Janisse Marban says

    October 2, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    I Love your site.. Im cuban American. Live in Hialeah.. Can’t get more Cuban anywhere else. Love your poster .. Would love one….

    Reply

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