North Florida

Cuban and Mexican Flavors Coming to Williston FL

Latin Bites Cuban and Mexican Shop will offer Cuban sandwiches, tacos, and family recipes in Williston.

Picture courtesy of Latin Bites Cuban and Mexican Shop.

WILLISTON, FL — Latin Bites Cuban and Mexican Shop is planning a Fourth of July weekend opening at 610 SW 1st Ave, Williston, FL 32696, bringing Cuban and Mexican flavors to a small community that owner Mabel Rodriguez said has been in need of more dining options. The restaurant is a family-run project led by Rodriguez alongside her daughter, Ashley Ramirez, and her husband, chef Paulino Ramirez.

Rodriguez said the space was previously a dentist’s office and is now being completely remodeled, including the addition of an outdoor terrace. “Everything is going to be new,” she told Business Debut.

What to Expect

Latin Bites will operate as a casual counter-service restaurant with seating indoors and outdoors, including a new terrace that did not previously exist at the building. Guests will order at the counter, with food served for dine-in or takeout, and the kitchen will be open so customers can see the food being prepared.

“It’s a very small town, and when I moved here I saw the need for more Latin food and more options in general,” Rodriguez told Business Debut. “This is something the community really needed.”

The restaurant will have seating for about 32 guests total, split between the interior and the outdoor terrace.

Images courtesy of Latin Bites Cuban and Mexican Shop.

The menu will feature a mix of Cuban and Mexican dishes, including Cuban sandwiches, croquetas, empanadas, ropa vieja, black beans, plantains and yuca, alongside tacos, carnitas and chicken plates with multiple flavor options.

“My favorite is the ropa vieja,” Rodriguez told Business Debut. “It’s shredded beef with rice, black beans and plantains, and we’re adding my own guava-based sauce with a touch of rum, served with fried cheese.” The sauce is called Mabel’s secret sauce.

Rodriguez said the concept reflects her background growing up in Miami and working in restaurants from a young age, alongside Paulino Ramirez, who is a chef.

“I love cooking for people and seeing people happy, talking and coming back,” she said. “This is a way to combine all of that.”

Ownership and Background

Rodriguez said her path to opening Latin Bites is rooted in years of restaurant experience and family ties to the industry. Originally from Miami, she began working in restaurants at about 17 years old.

“I used to work in restaurants when I was young,” Rodriguez told Business Debut. “I met my daughter’s dad about 40 years ago in the restaurant business, and he’s a chef.”

She said that background shaped her love for cooking and hospitality, which now comes together in this family-run business with her daughter, Ashley Ramirez, and her husband, chef Paulino Ramirez.

“I love cooking for people and seeing people happy,” Rodriguez told Business Debut. “This is a way of bringing people together and having them come back because they like the food and the place.”

Opening Timeline

Latin Bites Cuban and Mexican Shop is targeting an opening during the Fourth of July weekend.

Hours

The restaurant plans to open initially Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner, targeting roughly 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with exact hours to be announced.