text: I had been wanting to try Babaloos since I ran across an article about them on AZcentral I had been looking for a Cuban alternative to Havana Cafe and aside from a small Cuban restaurant in Tucson with unreliable hours I had not heard of very many promising options I was a little turned off by the high prices as well as the swanky images presented in the website was I going to a lounge or a restaurant but I finally made my way there thanks to GruponnnWe drove there on a Friday night I was starving by the time we got there because it took much longer to find it than I anticipated Chandler Blvd goes very far west I was also overdressed loungy you are not Babaloos The restaurant itself is in a strip mall albeit a slightly fancier strip mall than one on Thomas Rd in Central Phoenix but a strip mall nonetheless The service was slow I guess those Grupons really threw them off their game We ordered a salad and an appetizer both unappetizing and unforgettable I was ready to throw in the towel and then the entrees camennWe ordered Berenjena con Sofrito eggplant with sofrito and Jicama a la Parilla grilled jicama which both came with platanos the eggplant with tostones and the jicama with platano frito We had to order another side of the platano fritos because they were that good The eggplant was so packed with flavor I did not want my meal to end The jicama made for a light entree but sufficient for my partner While the entrees were phenomenal I am not sure I would make a trip back given the distance and the high prices I may just stick with Havana Cafe