Rafael Román Martel

The food was great and the portions were huge, but the story behind this restaurant and its owner is what makes it special. Val and I sat with the owner for a long while as he told us about his life in Cuba and the reasons he decided to use his restaurant as a means to get the message of Cuba’s suffering out to the world. Juan Amador Rodriguez, the proprietor of El Intransijente, escaped Cuba on a raft several years ago after serving time in various prisons in Cuba, including the notorious Taco Taco prison, for voicing his desire for freedom and the end of oppression through his paintings. He brought up an interesting point in that he never felt freer in Cuba than he did when he was incarcerated. He told us the story of the time he informed the guard that stood outside his cell that it was he the prisoner in Cuba, and not him. When the guard asked him how he came to that conclusion, Juan illustrated his freedom by yelling “Abajo Fidel!” and dared his guard to do the same. The guard, unable to do so, pleaded with him to keep his voice down for fear that he would be reprimanded for not keeping his prisoner in check. It was then that Juan asked his guard, “Who is the free man here and who is the prisoner?”

Throughout the restaurant there are various posters calling for a free Cuba and many photographs of political prisoners. He also has a television on at all times showing documentaries of the real life in Cuba. Wherever there is free space on the walls, you can see where people have signed their names in support of Juan’s restaurant and his quest for a free Cuba. He showed us where Dr. Tony de la Cova signed his name and then pulled out a black marker and gave us both the honor of adding our names and best wishes. Another interesting aspect of Juan’s restaurant is his menu. There you have a full compliment of your typical Cuban meals, but with some interesting names. For instance, you can order the Raul Castro a la Plancha (Cherna a la plancha), or maybe some Felipe Pérez Roque (Guanajo Estofado). The fun never ends with this menu, as you can see below.