Looks like the Piña Colada might just have it's roots in Cuba after all. In fact, one blog site has traced the origins back to Cuba in the 1900s.

Raúl for one is not surprised.

"Everything sweet and delicious and filled with rum is Cuban in origin," says Raúl. "It couldn't be any other way!"

Glenn agrees. "Yes that pretty much describes Raúl at one of our parties," he says. "At least the filled with rum part."

It started in Havana in the late 1940's and the 1950's. A new dance that originated in the dance clubs where aficionados flocked to the casinos to hear the music of the great orchestras of the time: Orquesta Aragón, Benny Moré, Arsenio Rodríguez, and Enrique Jorrín were just a few of the big names

Rueda de Casino gets its name from these 50's dance clubs and because it is danced by couples in a circle or wheel (rueda in Spanish.) It's a little like American square dancing in that a “caller” announces the different dance moves. Each move has its own name and many have hand signals associated with them – an important consideration in loud clubs where not all of the dancers might hear the “calls.”

Sure it's a great place to party. And for many tourists, Key West is all about Piña coladas and Jimmy Buffet. After a hot day in the sun at Key West, the cool evening brings the nightly sunset festival on Mallory pier and a mile long block party along historic Duval Street.

With sun, sand, and fishing in the daytime and a lively party scene at night, it's easy to forget the great Cuban heritage of Key West. That's right. Cuban.

Cubans have been living in Key West for more than 145 years.

It really should come as no surprise. The island of Key West lies just 90 miles away from the island of Cuba. Beginning in 1868, Key West became the headquarters of the cigar industry in the United States. That's because thousands of Cubans were fleeing the island as it became embroiled in a ten-year struggle for independence from Spain.

Many Cuban cigar workers came across on the steamships that brought them to Key West and a growing number of small factories where the cigars could be made in the traditional fashion: lovingly wrapped by hand. For a time, Key West was actually the cigar capital of the world!

In 1871, Key West Cubans created the San Carlos Institute. José Martí came to raise money for Cuba's war of independence from Spain. He loved the building, and gave it a name: La Casa Cuba.

The building still stands on Duval street today. Inside you'll find a combination of a museum and an art gallery with a theater rounding out the mix. If you want to know more about Marti and the Cuban revolution, this is the place to visit.

Key West makes another nod to its Cuban heritage with the city's annual Cuban American Heritage Festival. With the hurricane damage, the festival was significantly curtailed last year. Hopefully, this year's event will be back – bigger and better than ever!

Eat Cuban in Key West

Key West has several Cuban restaurants. Located in Mallory Square, El Mesón de Pepe is a great place to eat either before or after the sunset festivities. In the heart of the action, this is a place where you can really enjoy the Key West atmosphere.

El Siboney on Catherine Street is a little off the beaten track, but worth the trip. The décor is a little faded, but the food remains consistently good.

The Cuban Side of Key West

Salsa Dancing Stil Hot, Hot, Hot

Casino Salsa Reigns in Miami and Tampa

Our newest Miami Cuban cookbook, "Three Guys From Miami Celebrate Cuban" has been selling briskly across the country. Many stores have had a hard time keeping it on the shelves. Please ASK for a copy of the book with the best Miami Cuban recipes!

"Celebrate Cuban is a collectible cookbook, not only because of the amazing pictures tempting you at every turn of the page, but because of the writing style. I adore the way this book is written. The personality shines throughout and each recipe has comments from Glenn, Raúl and Jorge. There are also conversations between the three cooks and this introduces you to the cultural significance of each dish or gives you insight into why an ingredient is so popular." Rebecca Johnson, The Rebecca Review.

"Wonderfully illustrated throughout with full color photography of finished dishes, "Three Guys From Miami Celebrate Cuban" is a particularly "user friendly" and enthusiastically recommended addition to any kitchen cook's ethnic cuisine oriented cookbook collection." Mary Cowper, Midwest Book Review.

"No Cuban party would be complete without some sort of grilled meat - preferably pork - says Glenn Lindgren, who along with his brothers-in-law Raul Musibay and Jorge Castillo are authors of two Miami Cuban cookbooks - Three Guys from Miami Cook Cuban and the latest Three Guys from Miami Celebrate Cuban. Both are $29.95. The three also have a popular Web site with recipes, stories and all things Cuban at icuban.com." Kathy Stephenson, The Salt Lake Tribune

Spinach Empanadas

Filete Bistec Salteado

Pollo de la Plancha

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