Those in the bustling Thompson Lane/Medical Center Parkway area looking for a unique eatery as they are out shopping and at appointments should not overlook Fresh Bite.
Though the name of the small restaurant may not fully and completely describe the wonderful flavors of Cuba and the U.S. found within, many local diners have discovered that this eatery offers some delicious dishes and to-go options.
Try the lechon asado, a creation of roasted pork leg seasoned with Cuban mojo, for a tender, juicy, delicious and, well, porky lunch or dinner. The shredded pork is moist and meaty, topped with some pickled onions for an extra element of “pow.”
Turns out the Fresh Bite team makes these pickled onions in-house, as they do the fabulous black beans.
Fresh Bite owner and operator William Cepero tells a satisfied customer that he seasons these tasty black beans with onion, pepper, red wine, pork and garlic.
In the ropa vieja, a dish featuring shredded beef in sauce, the flavors of the peppers and other seasoning elements come through stronger than the beef, and this also makes a filling and tasty meal.
Cepero says this ropa vieja along with the Cuban sandwich are probably the most popular items at Fresh Bite so far.
“I’m thrilled there is Cuban food in the ’Boro,” Jasmine Duster said after discovering Fresh Bite. “After moving here from South Florida you have no idea how much this blessed my soul—the best thing I have eaten in Murfreesboro! Ropa vieja was fire and everything was seasoned on point . . . and to see a legit Cuban sandwich!”
For those unfamiliar, a Cuban sandwich contains ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard in between thin, pressed bread slices.
Others recommend having a coffee at the eatery, which also includes a small outdoor patio seating section.
“The café con leche was top notch,” Carol Munoz said. “Amazing food.”
“The Cuban coffee is so good,” a different customer added.
For those not totally yet willing to take on the tastes of Cuba, the wings and the burgers have also received praise from plenty of customers.
“One of the best burgers you’ll find in town,” Ben Eads said. “And of course, amazing Cuban food.”
Another customer, Marco, said he highly recommended the Fresh Bite wings.
Definitely get some plantains of some type at Fresh Bite. The restaurant offers two types of plantains, the sweeter maduros and the drier, crispier, savory garlicky tostones—both delicious in their own way. The tostones are larger, crispier cakes.
“The garlic sauce was just wonderful, I could eat a whole basket of these for a meal,” one diner said of the tostones.
Fresh Bite makes that garlic sauce in house as well.
The smaller, more moist pieces of maduros eat more like a standard banana, nice and sweet, with a caramelized exterior.
Cepero lived in Cuba for 30 years, attending culinary school there. After moving to the U.S. he worked for Denny’s and other restaurants, but after landing in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he wanted to open his own place that featured his dishes.
“I had the most delicious dessert empanada. Very warm with cheese and guava filling. It was awesome,” said another pleased customer, Steve, about Fresh Bite, adding that he also enjoyed the Cuban sandwich and the chicken burrito, wrapped in a spinach tortilla.
Need a job?
Like many area businesses, Fresh Bite is currently looking for employees. Train how to cook Cuban style.
Fresh Bite Cuban American Cuisine
451 N. Thompson Ln.
615-546-4444
Tues.–Thurs., Sun.: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Fri. and Sat.: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Lechon asado (roasted pork): $11.99; Cuban sandwich with plantains or fries: $12.99; Ropa vieja (shredded beef in sauce) and two sides: $14.99; Fresh Bite burrito: $10.99; Bacon and bourbon burger: $14.99; Ham croquettes (4): $4.25
freshbiterestaurant.com
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