If you’re in New York City looking for authentic and delicious Cuban food with an atmosphere to match, the first stop has always been Victor’s Café.
The iconic eatery achieved culinary landmark status over five decades of unmatched excellence. Behind it’s legacy of excellence is one family’s commitment to heritage, quality and it’s global customer base.
Victor del Corral left Cuba for New York City in 1956. He arduously worked two jobs as a bus boy, seven days a week, to provide for his family in his new country, and took the subway on West 72nd Street to and from work each day. On his daily walk to that particular subway stop, del Corral would pass an old veterinary clinic on the corner of Columbus Avenue and West 71st Street—a location he had a vision for in his creative mind. And on December 23, 1963, when del Corral had finally saved his first $3000, that vision came to life. Del Corral, along with his wife Eloína, opened what would become the legendary Victor’s Café.
Ever since that day, Victor’s Café, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, has consistently been rated the top-rated Cuban restaurant in New York City. It received the elusive three-star rating from The New York Times. But Victor’s Café doesn’t keep its eye on any rankings to see how it’s doing. “The number one recognition is the clientele that we have that keeps coming back,” says current owner Sonia Zaldivar, del Corral’s daughter who began working at Victor’s in 1972.
What sets Victor’s Café apart from any other Cuban restaurant in New York City is its Cuban authenticity combined with culinary innovation to evolve Cuban food. “We try to stay very true to the culture and to the food, and to everything—the ambience the music—everything is in line with Cuban ideas and likes,” says Zaldivar. This culinary authenticity is obvious on Victor’s menu, which is divided into both classic and innovative new recipes. From the traditional Ropa Vieja, a flavorful lightly braised beef with white rice, black beans and mashed plantains to the new Salmon Carnival, a colorful salmon dish with green pepper, pineapple, and Asian pear salsa with polenta, Victor’s offerings are incomparably fresh, delicious and spectacularly rendered.
Victor’s classic and signature Ropa Vieja is just one of the wide array of traditional and innovative dishes on the iconic restaurant’s incomparable menu.
Victor’s relocated in 1980 to West 52nd Street, and has amassed a dedicated and vibrant clientele, which Zaldivar says is the very “personification of the west side—all different types of people.” Customers include A-list celebrities such as Pitbull, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz. One of the most notable people to frequent Victor’s was renowned multi-champion Roberto Duran, who would eat his lucky steak personally cut by Victor himself before his biggest fights. To this day, there is a steak named after Duran on the menu at Victor’s Café.
For Zaldivar, Victor’s Café is home. She refers to the restaurant as her childhood living room, a place she always remembered going to after school to do her homework and eat dinner. She passed on the family tradition to her children—all three of which have participated in the family business. In fact, her daughter Monica now operates the restaurant. “The plain joy of having a business that is loved by your children is so beautiful,” Zaldivar said. “After the second generation, a lot of family businesses die, but this one looks like it’s going to continue and I’m very proud of that.”
To commemorate the 50th anniversary over the next couple of months, Victor’s will be holding a slate of special events. There are also plans to redecorate the grand restaurant later this year. It will introduce new dishes traditional to specific Cuban provinces, and update its website. The restaurant is also working on bottling its sauces for customers to buy as well as writing a book about the restaurant with the essence of Victor del Corral’s vibrant personality.
Victor’s Café’s family-like hospitality and culinary excellence sets it apart from any other Cuban restaurant in New York City. It’s 50th anniversary is a testament to its longevity and ability to evolve. “It is just so special to see [the restaurant] from its humble beginnings to what it has become,” Zaldivar said. “Victor’s is in our soul.”
Victor’s Cafe is located at 236 W. 52nd St.
For more information about Victor’s, go to: www.victorscafe.com/
Or call: (212) 586-7714
-Samantha Piccirillo