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Our Story
Danzón Cubano is a tribute to the Cuban people, their history, their culture, and their perseverance in the face of trials. Our restaurant was inspired by a gentleman born in Havana, Cuba. His father, a businessman and well-known big game fisherman, was a close friend of Ernest Hemingway—they fished together in Cuba, Key West and the Bahamas.
Many Cuban children came to the United States when they 15 years-old as part of Operation Peter Pan—”Operación Pedro Pan”—an under the radar program that from 1960 to 1962 brought more than 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children to the USA as exiles from the Communist regime of Fidel Castro.
When they left Cuba, many of these children barely knew English, had $5 in their pocket and a change of clothes. Today, many are successful members of society and credit the kindness of the American people for opening their arms of freedom to boys who had nothing to offer.
This historical event inspired us to create Danzón Cubano, and we want to dedicate the only Cuban restaurant in Grand Rapids to all of them and the many other millions of stories of Americans who have immigrated to the United States from all over the world and contributed to this beautiful country. Stories like this, have been and will continue to be the building block of the American dream, in which with persistence, dedication and hard work, you can build a successful life and contribute to the well-being of this nation.
Please take advantage of call ahead seating as we do not take reservations.
