Rice & Beans Cocina Latina is an Orlando Cuban restaurant, family owned and operated by Laz Gonzalez, native of Cuba, and his Dominican-born wife Kenia Gonzalez.
In the year 2004, following Laz’s vision and entrepreneur spirit, they decided to move to Orlando from their longtime home in Ridgefield, New Jersey. In 2006, they invested all of their savings in their first business, a coffee shop in Altamonte Springs, FL, but what they really wanted to do was run a successful business where they could offer their culture, something they felt was lacking here in the heart of Orlando, “Real food, Simply Good” as the slogan says. That’s how Rice & Beans Cocina Latina was born.
Encouraged by friends, family and members of their church Metro, they decided to make their dream a reality. In 2008 they opened their first location in Waterford Lakes, with the help of family and a few employees. The dishes are authentic Cuban-Dominican recipes passed down from friends, mothers and grandmothers. Opening day, they were overwhelmed by the response of their customers…they had a full house! Word-of-mouth has brought Rice & Beans Cocina Latina to where it is today.