cause it's almost all the same "wait not really"

I think it's because we haven't been around long enough!

Firstly, Cuban food is more widely known because Cuba was in the tourism business from the end of the American occupation after the Spanish American War, in 1902 until 1959. It boasted world famous clubs like the Tropicana, and the casinos. Mafia Mobsters would spend considerable time there.
Secondly, Cuba is a much larger and prolific country: Cuban Cigars, Bacardi Rum is originally from Cuba; Also, the variety and popularity of Cuban music.
Thirdly, the proximity of Cuba. It's just 90 miles from Florida. Tampa, and Key West, two Florida towns were originally settled by Cubans. There were always regular boats from Habana to Tampa, and vice versa. When the airline industry began Cuba was one of the closest foreign destinations....
Lastly, Cubans love to cook and own good restaurants.

All that said: I prefer Dominican Food. Not just because I'm am from there, but because it's better tasting. It's less greasy. And if you eat the meat it's cooked through and through. Also, It doesn't have all the pork that Cubans must have. Tocino, Manteca, Chorizo, Pierna (pernil), and the ever present Jamon, chico. They cook with Lard for goodness sake. This, I discovered more than 40 years ago when I moved into a building on 139 st. near Amsterdam Ave. Many of the neighbors there were Cubans and the building reeked of Lard--Fo! Che!

Another tidbit, where I live in Florida a Dominican restaurant owner sells his food as Cuban. When I first met him I confronted him, and he said that Cuban food sells. Que fallo, compay! He has a marquee advertising his spot as Cuban Food, Cuban Restaurant. It's fellows like this man from "Janico", that don't allow us to get the respect and recognition we desire; They prefer to give the next man the boost, instead of "upping" their own culture. They hide in the crowds, talking about I'm half Cuban, or I'm part French, or half-Venezuelan. What a disgrace. With paisanos like that who needs enemies.

Anyway, not to brag about our food, colegas, it is the best, Starting from Casabe con matequilla, to Habichuela con Dulce. The Cuban food is good, but, doesn't stand a chance when compared pound for pound. Dime tu: Who makes red beans like a Dominican woman? Or, those that eat meat, the way our people wash and clean, then season it before cooking? There's no comparison. Our's is tastier. Now, time will demonstrate who got the better cuisine.....And by the way, we have never had a Desi Arnaz hyping cuban things like he did on "I love Lucy". I prefer to love, Isabel! By the way:Dame un Mavi!

Here's a link for the Half- this and half-native, or the extranjeros, or the second and third generation of the Quisqueya Diaspora:

http://www.welcome-dominican-republic.com/Dominican-Republic-Recipes.html

"Dominicano consume lo que tu patria produce": A reminder from the distant past.

There are some stupid people writing stuff on Dominican Today but you are by far the most ignorant, bias and racist person I have come across on this board.

It is you who knows nothing about Cubans. Especially the ones in South Florida. The only Haitians they dislike are the ones who blame everyone else for their problems of their own creation.

Stop trying to find fault in others for Haiti's economy, government, food and enviroment. Then maybe your country can actually improve.

If there hasn't been racism in Cuba, then, how the bloody hell would you explain the 1912 Race War, anthonyC? For once, it's safe to believe wiki on this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partido_Independiente_de_Color

Usted no puede tapar el sol con un dedo, mi pana.

AnthonyC= Hispanolo = Afrolatino = Consuello = Ghoulish Colon and countless others!

Stop trying to mask your identity we all know it's YOU! Be a man and stick to one screen! You are trully embarrasing yourself.

ete tigere 'ta paso'. No encuentra que hacer. El sigue jodiando con todo esos screen name para hablar mal de RD. Que pariguayo.

AnthonyC,

I dont know where you are from and where about you derived that I am a racist. Well maybe I am so damn what. Stop using your race as some handicap and blaming everyone. As I said Cubans tend to be prejudice. Just go to Hialeah and ask them what they think of Haitians or Dominicans that live in Liberty City or N. Miami. They even treat there own blacks bad now why would they treat foreignors better. Again this is a generalisation and isn't describing all cubans but for the most part they are prejudice towards blacks and have a segregation mindset just like the Uncle Sam. Now can we get back to food. What kind of food your people eat? And don't worry about my country it is getting better we don't need hand outs rather hand up. Some nerve..See what you've caused Wilgeens.

Mr Lembert Jr,

I think you are being a bit bias stating that dominican food is the better but hey your dominican so it is natural to think so. I think Haitian food is the ultimate and if you've tried a haitian woman's red beans you'll be hooked. Our red beans season is a tad bit different that yours can't tell you the secret ingredient. Now what you've mentioned about the cubans is correct. It's simply that they are mainstream in america and dominicans aren't there yet but have made a mark in baseball. Maybe when dominicans have intergrated into the american culture and have paid there dues when it comes to acceptance rather than passing off as cubans,venezuelans, or puerto ricans maybe people will start recognising dominican dish as different and equally tasteful. I suggest you go to Johns and try some haitian red beans and corn meal "maïs moulin". Or go to Chef Creole W. Dixie Hghwy. Please take it para llevar..lol.. You can thank me later..

Jabao, I totally agree. Cubans can be very racist; case in point: my mother remarried a Cuban (relatively handsome but very dark skinned) and even though he has white Cuban friends that grew up with him, some of their friends in Florida didn't even want to talk to him at get-togethers, even bothered by his presence. No lo querian ver ni en pintura. However, their minds changed when it was revealed that my mother, a light-skinned dominican, was with him and that little mocha-skinned kid running around was his son. It seemed he got some brownie points after that. Not all are racist, but I've witnessed some disdain from a few white Cubans.

Question: I specifically remember when I traveled to Cuba years ago, we never really had our bags checked when we traveled with him (through DR), however, when he went by himself he had bought shoes, clothes, a radio and even dominican rum and sausage for his family in Cuba, and they took nearly EVERYTHING from him. Se dieron banquete con todos los regalos que le llevo a su familia. Do you guys think this is a case of prejudice or handler personnel taking advantage of an expat?

(Also, I happen to be a teller at a bank and remember a Cuban client asking me "Miss, please try to give me the cleanest and newest bills that you can." Apparently, if so much as a smudge or pen mark is on any bill when exchanged, it's deemed unfit and subsequently confiscated. Seemed a little far-fetched to me at first but considering the way cuban nationals can be treated I didn't entirely dismiss it.)

Anyway, I agree with the previous post stating that Dominican food is not as popular as, say Mexican or Cuban, which usually comes to the mind of americans when thinking about latin food. It just doesn't really have that strong of a foothold outside of the spanish community. I've also exprienced that more and more African-Americans are expressing a like and knowledge for latin food.