Comas Francisco

Lehigh Acres’ newest restaurant is open and ready to serve the people of Lehigh great meals with inexpensive prices. That’s the word from Comas Francisco, part owner and operator of the new Rumba Restaurant & Lounge at 607 Williams Ave., just off Richmond Ave.

The new restaurant is in Townlakes Square and there’s plenty of parking, Francisco said.

Although the restaurant is being billed as a Cuban restaurant, Francisco said he believes the foods will suit the taste of everyone in Lehigh.

“Our foods are cooked with spices and herbs. They are not hot. While their names are different than some of American food names, they are very familiar dishes.

“There is no doubt in my mind that if the public comes to the Rumba Restaurant & Lounge, they will have a good meal and a good time,” he said.

Edwin Rivera

The good time comes because after the dinner meal, there is a show each night of the week and the music comes from all genre.

“We’re going to have live bands, live deejays and we have just built a small stage and opened up a dancing area for our diners,” Francisco said.

“We’re hiring people in Lehigh to work in our restaurant and that is good for the local economy. At present there are eight employees including waitresses. Our bartender is Edwin Rivera, known by a lot of people in the area” he said.

Rivera is also a part owner along with a couple of other silent partners in the business, Francisco said.

And with pride, he added that his son, Comas Francisco Jr. is the chef and what from those who have gone to dine at Rumba Restaurant & Lounge, the food is excellent.

New restaurant, lounge

The restaurant is the first and only local establishment that provides live shows after diners during the whole week.

“And this is first class entertainment,” Francisco added.

The Rumba Restaurant & Lounge is the kind of restaurant that you will be proud to take your guests to, he said.

The dining room is large and attractive. Each table has a tablecloth and cloth napkins.

“We’re formal looking, but our diners come in dressed casual you know the way we dress in Florida,” Francisco said.

Interior of dining room

“We’ve had some gentleman come in wearing a coat and tie it’s that kind of atmosphere we have here at the restaurant,” Francisco said.

Bartender Edwin Rivera says his drinks are the best and over the bar is a large TV for those who want to watch the popular games of the season.

Francisco said the first “huge entertainment” will be July 31 with a live band and singer. He said the show is from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

“That is one thing about us we are open seven days a week starting with lunch and we have some really inexpensive specials every day. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. and the best thing is that if you don’t want to dine until later, you can come here and get a nice dinner meal anytime from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

“Of course during the early hours, we play soft music while our clients dine. Then when the show starts, people just sit back and enjoy themselves and all of this is free and included with their meals you can’t beat that,” Francisco said.

Most of the shows planned will last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes, Francisco said.

“We are a family restaurant and the kids are all welcome. We have great meals for everyone,” he said.

A sample of their menu shows that as far as entrees for evening dinner, you can get such meals as Breaded Steak (Bistec Empanizado) for only $9.75. Palomilla steak (Bistec de Palomilla) is also $9.95 and they will cook your steak to order.

In addition, you can get Liver Steak (Bistec de Higado) for $8. They have several other steak entries.

As for chicken, you can get what they call Fried Chicken Chunks (Chicarrones de Pollo) for $7.95. Breaded Chicken Breast with ham and cheese for $11. A half roasted chicken (Pollo Asado) is only $8.95 and you get two sides of your choice with each entree.

There are also pork and seafood dishes with prices ranging from $9.75 to $11.95.

They have “Cuban Samplers such as “El Habanero” which includes white rice, black beans, ground beef, roast pork, sweet plantains, Yuca and Tamale. Most of the entrees are in English with Cuban Spanish listed below.

An attractive list of appetizers are on the menu with a selections of soups and salads and a house salad.

“You have to try our fish soup (Sopa de Pollo),”Francisco said. It’s a great soup with a tomato base.”.

With entrees are white rice, black beans sweet plantains, French fries, fried greet plantains, yellow rice and black rice.

And all desserts are $3.25. Ask your waitress for each day’s dessert special. The Kids Menu consists of chicken strips, hot dogs and breaded shrimp, each only $2.95. There is also a host of sandwiches starting at $4.95 and going up to $6.95.

“It’s worth leaving the Lee Blvd. and Homestead Rd. areas to dine with us from lunch to late night,” Francisco said.

“We’re friends having fun,” he laughed. Domestic draft beer is only $1.25 and Wednesday night is Ladies Night and the women get their drinks free. Each night is a theme night such as on Friday, it is Latin Night and on Saturdays, it is Tropical Night. You can call them at 239-368-1333 for large party reservations or take your chance on the weekend and walk in and be seated immediatel