When I first heard of the opening of the Flan Factory, I figured it was another dessert place. I mean… Flan Factory. Boy was I surprised. It's a funky, beautiful old building on Nebraska Avenue in an up-and-coming area bordering Daryl Shaw's new Gas Worx development. The menu is Cuban-centric, and many of the dishes offer a French/Cuban crossover. The décor is smart and casual, with white brick walls and an Instagram selfie spot starring an I Love Flan neon sign. Orders are placed at the counter and delivered to tables by servers. A couple of appetizers begin the journey.

*Flan Factory order station and lunch counter/coffee bar*

Timba is a luscious tray of cubed Queso Blanco stacked in a pyramid after being battered and flash-fried (think fried mozzarella). They are served with a side of guava dip. The 1-inch squares of fried cheese, still warm and gooey and a little salty, are set flying by that guava syrup. Awesome. They sell over 150 lbs of this cheese dish a week. They had me at fried cheese, but throw in that guava dip, and this dish kicks!

The Ham Croquetas- ham and bechamel sauce battered and fried- are a warm, smokey bite. While they are crispy on the outside, the innards do not have the traditional small cubed ham often found in this dish. Instead, the pork is minced, which renders a smooth pate texture. Add some hot sauce, and it is another great starter!

For entrees, I stay away from the traditional Cuban sandwich fair. While they have a nice cross-section like traditional Cubans (El Tampeño Cuban Sandwich), Media Noche (Midnight Special), and others, I want to dig down and experience the fringe. By the way, appropriately, their Cuban sandwiches are served with La Segunda Cuban bread.

Continuing the fried food trend, I order the Elena 1985. It's the Flan Factory's version of a Monte Cristo. A thick-cut brioche sandwich dipped in a cinnamon batter and crammed with turkey, cream cheese, dusted with powdered sugar, and more of that delicious guava is a delicious flavor combo. This sammy is a large serving, looking like two big baked potatoes on the plate. Thinly sliced deli turkey stacked thick inside that brioche bun is a great foundation for the rest of this sandwich. The crunchy outside, hint of cinnamon and sugar, and the creamy cream cheese wedged on top bring it all home. It's a sweet, creamy, crunchy, salty cinnamon bite.

Next, Arroz Frito (Spanish fried rice), only served on Fridays and Saturdays, is available. There are several versions, including chicken, pork, shrimp, and a combo plate. I choose pork. The dish is a heaping bowl of fried rice cooked with traditional egg, bean sprouts, chopped ham, and spicy pork combined with onions and topped with plátanos fritos (fried plantains) and a sprinkle of cilantro. It's easy to see why this is a weekend-only dish since preparation is probably a heavy lift in the kitchen. It’s a lot to take in. Peppery chunks of pork add a sausagey flavor, but the dish falls flat. Overall, it's too dry and salty. With the cubed ham and chunks of pork, there's nothing to balance the saltiness.

Tampa food blog — *Arroz Frito (Spanish fried rice is served in several varieties. I choose the pork.*

I couldn't leave without tasting the flan. The house won't recommend one, advising I should look at the menu and pick a favorite flavor. They have served over 250 varieties since opening, according to the order taker. I try two.

I start with pistachio. A beautiful medallion of flan topped with chopped pistachios and covered in a luscious caramel syrup. It's light and fluffy, and the pistachios give it a crunchy texture. The flavor of this custard is reminiscent of a standard flan.
The Cafe con leche version is a different experience. The caramel and flan have a rich coffee flavor, and that creamy custard texture is sublime. If it weren’t so late, I would have washed it down with the house Café con Leche.

I’m stuffed. Servings here, from the sandwiches to the fried rice, are large. Parking is free and easy, service is friendly and on task, and prices are moderate. The noise level is low, food comes up fairly quickly, and this restaurant is great for fast-casual Cuban food. Weekends and evenings are fairly busy, so be prepared. The Flan Factory also offers outdoor dining on the patio out front. They serve all-day breakfast and have several coffee offerings. Don’t forget the flan!

Flan Factory, 1718 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33602. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

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