Co-owners Jessi and Andy Ysalgue look forward to bringing Cuban cuisine to Madison. (Photo by Katie Shelton, Crunkleton Associates)

A local eatery will soon bring the sights, sounds, and flavors of Cuba to the Madison/Huntsville area.

The Cuban Café is slated to open in August at Madison’s Promenade Point shopping center, near the Walmart and Target on U.S. 72.

Owned by the wife and husband team of Jesenia (Jessi) and Andy Ysalgue, the Cuban Café will be a spot where guests can experience authentic Cuban culture and cuisine.

There will be a decorated patio where patrons can smoke cigars and sip a craft cocktail while listening to the smooth sounds of drums, guitars, bongos, and trumpets playing in the background. Latin music will play an important role in the overall atmosphere.

“We want The Cuban Café to be more than a place you drop by for a good meal, although it will be that,”said Andy. “Our patio will be one of the most comfortable spots in the café. We want people to be able to close their eyes and feel like they are in Cuba or Miami.

“We keep using the word ‘authentic’, but that’s really what we are going for. Sharing these parts of the Cuban culture is something that’s special to us.”

The couple’s roots are in Miami but they have lived in Madison for the past 10 years.

“Our roots are in Miami, but we have made Madison our home,” Jessi said. “This is a way for us to invite our friends to experience something they may not have had the chance to experience.

“Whether you’re coming to grab a bite, hang out at the bar or relax on our patio, we want you to leave feeling refreshed, happy and, of course, full of comforting Cuban cooking.”

And Jessi is inviting others to discover the delight of Cuban cuisine.

“We will, of course, have a traditional Cuban sandwich made with roasted pork, sweet ham, pickles, and swiss,” she said. “It’s one of our favorites and we are thrilled to serve it alongside other types of sandwiches and many other menu items including ropa vieja, picadillo, and much more.”

The duo also mentioned the growth of the area and said they hope the new cafe will be a player in the continuing progress of the city.

“We wanted to create a place that brings the community together to enjoy great food and fun,” said Jessi. “Madison and Huntsville have some amazing restaurants—we eat at them frequently.

“We are honored to soon be a part of such a diverse, quality group of restaurateurs.”