A Cuban family living in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, has shared their inspiring tale of determination and hard work by selling pork sandwiches and desserts on the streets. "This is my story—a Cuban with a dream, a necessity, but full of faith," expressed Aldo Milanés, the main character in this uplifting narrative, in a TikTok video (@aldomilanesz).
Building a Business from the Ground Up
Through sheer dedication, the family has managed to expand their business. "I was able to buy a larger bread bin. Thank God my family is now here with me," Aldo shared with emotion as he was gradually reunited with his wife and daughter. The venture grew step by step: "We then bought a table, a thermos, added soda, and made rice pudding desserts," he explained, highlighting the kindness of a friend who gifted them an umbrella to shield them from sun and rain.
The support didn't stop there: "Another friend gave us this lovely shirt with our logo design. Thank God we now have our personal brand," Aldo noted. Their family business, named "Q'Rico Asere," has received backing from friends like Eliette, Roberto, Marlon, and Girasol, whom they publicly thanked: "Thanks for your contribution, thanks for your support."
Community Engagement and Expansion
Aldo, a courageous entrepreneur with a generous heart, shared a touching video showing him distributing pork sandwiches and sodas to children at a traffic light in Nicaragua—an act that reflects his generosity and commitment to the community. "It was incredible, a very good experience. So many people were there looking for their sandwiches and claiming their sodas. It seemed like they had been told someone was coming to give them away," he remarked.
In an interview with a local channel, the young Cuban entrepreneur revealed that, besides selling their products on the street, they are starting to offer a delivery service to reach more people. "Soon, soon, soon," he promised when asked about the initiative, emphasizing their work to allow customers to enjoy their delights from home.
Authentic Cuban Flavors
The business offers fresh, made-to-order products such as pork sandwiches and rice pudding desserts. The entrepreneur explained that, in addition to the pork sandwiches and rice pudding, they also offer pickled cucumbers and locally sourced coffee. Despite being a simple offering, they aim to maintain an authentic flavor without overwhelming other tastes. "It's just the roasted meat with the pickled cucumber," he detailed.
The young entrepreneur highlighted the community's support and response, noting that people even from other regions have traveled to taste their products. "We've given our contact information to many customers... so when I arrive, they have their sandwich ready," he said, stressing the importance of ensuring quality service for their customers.
For those interested in trying the pork sandwiches and desserts, the entrepreneur recommended visiting their stall near Casa de los Obreros, next to the Palí supermarket, on 27th of May Street in Managua.
Cuban Culinary Ventures Abroad
This isn't the first time a Cuban has made a name for themselves in Nicaragua by selling traditional Cuban food. Jans Plasencia García is another young Cuban making strides in Managua with his popular pork sandwiches, as reported by VOS TV. Plasencia, a professional cook from Cuba, dreams of opening his own restaurant in Nicaragua dedicated to his homeland's cuisine.
Many of his customers are fellow Cubans who are drawn to his products by nostalgia. It is common for Cubans to turn to the food business as a means of entrepreneurship.
In Tampa, Florida, two Cuban women, who have only been living in the United States for two years, ventured into the food truck business, sharing their journey on social media to inspire fellow countrymen. One of them, who also serves as the "host" in each episode published on TikTok (@lacalientefoodtruck), explained that their story is one of overcoming challenges: "With just two years in the United States, we started our own food truck business in Tampa."
In Louisville, Kentucky, a group of Cubans has captured attention by selling homemade tamales for two dollars, with the video already circulating on social media. In the clip, shared by @Elpepillazo_oficial, a woman is seen calling out "Tamaaaales..." while selling her Cuban tamales on the street with a companion.