Canadian cuisine is heavily influenced by the multiculturalism this country upholds as one of its most characteristic values. Dishes from Mexico, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, India, and Argentina (among various others) can be easily found throughout Canada. Of course, London (Ontario) is no exception and Juan Ramirez set a great example as a representative for the Cuban community with his restaurant Casa Cubana.
441 Hamilton Road, London.
XFM News went this establishment with he aim of having a breakdown of this food spot that portraits a piece of the Cuban culture with the comfort of a Restaurant. Or at least, that´s what Juan strives for.
Juan Ramirez is cuban community member (canadian citizen) who has been living in London for 8 years and says he likes to make latino communities feeling closer to their countries. Before the begining of the interview, he asked if It was possible to begin the interview in spanish because he wanted to feel more comfortable. After a few minutes and while he was cooking, he mentiones he escaped Cuba after building a broad academic profile (he is a chemist and doctor) and Canada offered the chance to reinvent himself on a different scenario.
Coban dish named Ropa Vieja. One of the most charasteristic of the Cuban culture.
During XFM News coverage, Juan establishes small chat with almost every customer that approaches the restaurant. He says the business has proven to be more profitable when the customers feel like home, some of them were allowed to enter the kitchen due to the confidence they developted through time with the owner. Likewise, Londoners can have an ample taste of latino delicatessens in order to bring this confort to every possible customer.
For the years to come, two regular habitues of the house (Carmen and Lorena) are clear examples of the strategy Juan settles. At the end of the interview, he invited them a few margaritas and they uttered a few words that captures his success. They said: “See you next week”.
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