Today we’d like to introduce you to Jorge Carmona.
Jorge, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Cuba, but was raised in Miami, Florida. As a child, growing up in a Cuban home, with Cuban parents, you always had a reason to celebrate and give thanks.
Without fail, every year on Christmas eve or Noche Buena, as we call it, our family would get together and celebrate Christmas with an amazing food. Every year was at a different family members home as we rotated, but the get together centered around the whole pig! It was an amazing feeling to see all your family together, some traveling cross country to be together.
When my family and I moved to Texas in 2007, we decided to have our annual get together at our home. The entire family came to Texas and we continued the tradition and even invited several of our new friends to join us. One of the guests came to me afterwards and told me he enjoyed himself immensely and suggested I could do this as a business Texas, since it was such a unique experience. With that though, 2 Cubanos Pig Roasts was born.
Our team, family friend, Joseph Lay, my wife Lourdes, daughter Brittany and son Jake make up the team. We started out with the idea of roasting a whole pig, but after some thought and discussion we decided that if we are going to do something special we should go all out. We decided to create packages that clients could choose from. With every package clients would not only enjoy traditional Cuban food, but also the atmosphere that was part of our family gatherings. In essence, our team would prepare the food while the guests would be listening to Cuban music, playing some dominoes, and of course smoking cigars.
Our company is a full service catering business. We have catered personal home parties all the way to corporate events. In addition, we have supported our troops at Brook Army Medical center and have donated to Meals on Wheels via an annual fundraiser at La Cocina Mexican restaurant.
Our slogan became: “Cuban BBQ & Cuisine with a South Florida vibe!”
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The first few years, like any other business was a challenge. We expected as much, so we gave ourselves time to learn, build and adjust as we catered events. Since this was actually the first time any of us have run a business we learned as we went, made some mistakes and ultimately learned and grew as a result.
One thing all of us knew is we didn’t want to do was start out in debt, so rather than take out a loan, we invested in the company and used our personal savings to purchase equipment and supplies. Ultimately as we secured more and more events, we were able to obtain all the equipment we require to cater events.
Please tell us about 2 Cubanos BBQ & Catering Co.
First and foremost, we are a catering business. We come to our clients and bring the party to them! We have traveled as far as Dallas for our clients. All of our events offer great food, but most importantly, the service we provide sets us apart. When our clients choose one of our packages they will be guaranteed traditional Cuban cuisine, prepared fresh along with the Cuban vibe!
Packages include:
Professional & Friendly Staff
Our staff is committed to providing a unique and enjoyable experience. Think of us as part of the family. We are all honored to be part of your event and sincerely appreciate your business.
On – Site Roasting
Our team will roast every pig at your location. This guarantees that your roast will be handled by the best and will guarantee a “melt in your mouth” one of a kind roast. We will take La Caja China, the whole Pig which will be properly marinated and ready for roasting along with all the necessary ingredients, serving equipment and any other food required to your location. Typically, we will arrive six hours before your serving time so that we can get everything ready, begin the roasting and provide the South Florida Cuban Vibe…
Play Dominoes
We will bring the dominoes and set up Domino tables for the guests. You simply provide the players. Play just like the Cubans in Miami do it. Double 9’s like all respectable Cubans play.
Listen to Cuban Music
Hansel y Raul, Celia Cruz, Wily Chirino, Buena Vista Social Club Paquito D’ Rivera and all the classic Cuban Music you can handle. Well even throw in some Classic South Florida tunes and artists to keep things fresh.
The Presentation
Unlike other caterers we thrive on providing a unique experience at all our events. It is our desire that you share in the experience, so once the pig is ready, we will advise you so that you and you guests can see the pig flip process first hand. The Pig Flip is definitely a crowd favorite and usually garners many oohs and ahhs! Again, it’s the experience that makes a Dos Cubanos Pig Roasts special.
Smoke Cuban Cigars
What’s a Cuban party without Cigars. We provide only the finest hand rolled cigars available. Directly from our friends in Florida you are assured a quality smoke. All our packages include cigars but we can also provide on-site cigar rollers for an additional cost if you desire. Simply ask.
Buffet Service
Whether it’s a formal event or an everyone for themselves party we will prepare the pig for you and your guests. When the Roast is ready it will be difficult to keep people away but we will carve the pig and prepare and serve the guests.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memories all revolve around my family. My parents worked very hard and sacrificed so much to allow us to live in a free country. While my parents worked hard, they also believed in having fun. Noche Buena was always a way to bring family together and express our love for each other.
Nothing says this more than when my parents moved from Cuba and lived in Chicago.
December comes around and the snow was not going to stop my family! My father, decided to roast the pig in the detached garage due to all the snow…You could imagine the neighbors’ reaction when they see the smoke pouring out of the garage…
In no time, the block was surrounded by police and fighters….my parents knew little English at the time so watching my family try and explain they were roasting a pig and not have the firefighters hose down the pig and ruin the party was priceless…Good news, we celebrated and till this day we still laugh about it.
Pricing:
- El Cubano Package – $45 per person
- The Hawaiian Luau – $50 per person
- El Guajiro – $60 per person
- Pig Only Pickup – $10 per pound
- Pig Only Roasted on-site – $20 per person
Contact Info:
- Address: 3310 Hardley Meadow Ct.,
Richmond, Tx 77406 - Website: www.2cubanos.com
- Phone: 281.919.3526
- Email: dcprtexas@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CubanBBQ/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/doscubanos
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